The Reality Assertion (Deplosion Book 4) by Paul Anlee

Author:Paul Anlee [Anlee, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Darian Publishing House
Published: 2019-07-06T22:00:00+00:00

31

“A plan would be helpful, yes,” Darian agreed, continuing the inworld discussion on the spacecraft Darak had positioned light years from Eso-La. He picked a virtual flower from a nearby trellis. Darya, Mary, and Timothy hadn’t stirred from their curved stone benches set among the Grecian columns. Brother Stralasi intertwined his fingers with Crissea’s.

“That back door into Alum’s mind could be the key to bringing Him down. If we can penetrate His QUEECH comm network, we can get a virus in there and shut down or modify every node of His distributed being. That’s where we need to focus,” Darak urged. “If this works, we could end the battle without any further loss of life.”

“Not so fast!” Darya objected. “It’s way too risky. We need to keep hitting the Deplosion Array. Now that all three of us have enhanced capabilities, Alum’s Archangels won’t be a problem.”

“Wait,” Stralasi said. “What about Darak’s earlier idea, confronting Alum with judges from around the Realm? We can’t just drop that. We’ve done so much preparation. Besides, shouldn’t the people have a voice in this decision?”

Darak raised an eyebrow at the Good Brother.

“When did you convert to democracy?” Darak asked.

“What do you mean?”

“After holding a paternalistic leadership post for hundreds of years deep within the autocracy that held Alum at the pinnacle, you suddenly see the wisdom in more than one opinion?”

Stralasi shrugged off Darak’s jibe. “Well, you’re a God, and yet you ask others to contribute ideas. Maybe some of that rubbed off on me.” He shook his head. “When you mentioned democracy in our meeting with the Gods, I didn’t recognize it immediately. It’s been a long time since I studied ancient history. I have to admit, I like this idea of building consensus through discussion, the way we’ve been doing here.”

He held up a hand to ward off the man-God’s anticipated retort, “Yes, yes, even though my entire life has been centered on the assumed wisdom of Alum, the Alumit, and the Head Brother as local representative.

“I’m sure you can appreciate that the pressures of responsibility can be overwhelming from time to time. I admit I’ve made some mistakes while I was in charge. I’ve suppressed discussion in the communities I’ve administered. We were taught this was a necessary part of being a leader. I can see, now, how untrue that was. It would be a relief, sometimes, to be able to talk over various options and share in the responsibility.”

He looked at Darak. “You lead well enough without forcing agreement or compliance. Perhaps, you are my new model.” He bowed his head, a little embarrassed by his own outpouring.

“Thank you, Brother. I can only hope to live up to your kind assessment.” Darak replied.

“So what will it be, then?” Darya asked into the silence that followed. “Hack, attack, or talk? What should we prepare for?”

“I think we need to do all three,” Darak answered. “All three at once. Alum is distributed across galaxies. No single approach is likely to defeat Him.”

He nodded his head toward Darian and Darya.

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