Solip by Walter Jon Williams

Author:Walter Jon Williams [Williams, Walter Jon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fiction, science fiction, space, war, intrigue, cyberpunk, spy, novella, sequel, reno, walter jon williams, hardwired, solipsystem, roon, altered consciousness
Publisher: Walter Jon Williams
Published: 2016-01-27T05:00:00+00:00

*

“My father is still ... not well,” says Mohammad.

“I’m sorry. He is a great man.”

“He talks strangely. Of things he has never seen, people he has not met.” He sips his little gold-rimmed cup of tea. Behind him, the holo habitat gleams in sunlight. “There are those in the family who believe he is possessed by a devil. There have been ...” He gives a wry smile. “attempts at exorcism.”

“I can understand the family’s concern, particularly when conventional modes of treatment fail. More tea?”

“Thank you, sir.”

There are other ways of knowing people besides bringing them to brothels. Mohammad is a strict Muslim, and in his case the executive brothel would not be a good idea. But even in a Puritan there is always a key. Mohammad hates his father.

Mohammad is one of Abdallah’s sons, one of the most capable and one of those the old man drove into semi-exile. When Reno called him to the Tempel board, Mohammad was running an insignificant transport operation in the Ogaden. He’s tall, hawk-nosed, probably brilliant. Reno needs someone to negotiate the labyrinth of Osmanian, the strange network of kinship systems and obligation that serves the transport company in place of a formal structure. He needs someone smart enough to manipulate that complex system, and for that wants someone more loyal to him than to the company, to the cousins who were promoted ahead of him.

And Mohammad hates his father. Maybe he’s looking for another father-figure, a man who lives in the sky and has his best interests at heart. Someone like Albrecht Roon.

“Your reports have been outstanding,” Reno says.

“Thank you, Mr. Roon.”

“I’m prepared to go to the board with the proposal for the new Century I Series of fast frigates. We need to move quickly on that matter if the public is to believe that Osmanian’s efficiency won’t be hampered by the acquisition.”

“Sir. I’m very pleased.”

“I suspect your abilities are a little constricted in your present circumstance. Perhaps your talents can be better utilized in another direction.”

Mohammad sips his tea. “Yes?”

“Acquisitions.”

Earthlight glimmers in Mohammad’s deep eyes. “I’m interested, sir.”

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