Slow Birds: And Other Stories by Ian Watson

Author:Ian Watson
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780575114777
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2011-09-28T16:00:00+00:00

Mistress Marguerite:

So into the War Room I stride, flanked by guards. On some strange whim I have put on a hat, in honour of the occasion. My hat is blue, with white artificial flowers.

I make a brief but invigorating speech, then gaze directly at Sovrenian. Piercingly.

‘Increase the Cold!’

Suddenly General Harker bleats out, ‘Don’t!’

I’m utterly amazed. But I don’t allow this to show. I ought to have replaced Harker this morning; I did note signs of weariness in him. Behold where sentimentality has got me. However, I control my anger.

Harker looks embarrassed; and in any case his feeble outburst makes no difference. Dr Sovrenian has already thrown the switch to enact the final sequence. We all watch the wall screens in silence.

Gradually the blue deepens. It invades the heart-core of the world. I understand the theory fairly well. I myself was scientifically inclined before I decided that my true forte lay in government. The slight temperature differential should equalize out during the next few moments, putting an unbearable strain on the resources of our Enemy.

Ah! The red fire-dot representing them flickers momentarily – and such a cheer goes up in the War Room!

Now the temperature of their Enclave steadies again, as they too are forced to pump heat from what remains of the central embers to sustain themselves. Naturally, the rate of temperature descent steepens as a result. They won’t be able to keep it up. The whole world (excepting the Enclaves) is now one hundredth of a degree absolute. Excellent!

Suddenly their red light oscillates through orange, yellow, green; touches blue.

One last flare of yellow. Then blue, perfect blue.

They’re gone, frozen. They’re dead.

Those present don’t even cheer this time. What a quiet end to a war.

‘Abort the field, Sovrenian.’

He grins at me.

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