Chapter 115 – EVO
***Tirnanog, The Mycelium***
***Magnus***
I didnt know what to expect from this whole mission, but sitting at a table with one of our enemies and drinking tea wasnt it.
Right after Thalia had leaned onto Balthasars supposed neutrality, the ancient brought us to his herb garden at the Pinault homestead. Once here, he commanded his roots and vines to form a large table and enough chairs to accommodate everyone.
Balthasar had nurtured a cute, little garden trimmed to perfection, reminding me of those English country gardens back on Earth. The various plants were left to grow wild, but everything was planted in neat little patches and kept pristine with no weeds in sight. If the chosen plants hadnt been from Tirnanog, there would have been nothing to be wary of, given the wholesome ambience of the surroundings.
Our group was taking up most of the space at the table, but Balthasar had made it wide enough to give Ancient Nisha Dawson some space. The Vier representative had tried to hide a slightly sour expression when we had shown up, but she hadnt made any aggressive moves towards us or said anything.
Astra and Thalia took care of introductions, for which I was glad because I was currently busy with some self-introspection.
While the others were testing the waters and sharing idle chit-chat about Mary with the two ancients, I was trying to figure out where things had gone wrong.
Astra had been pointing out my not-so-recent behaviour quirks during combat more and more often. Like the mad laughing and the risky fighting style. Or my tendency to opt for violent solutions and throw myself headfirst into the battle.
So far, I have been able to justify all of my actions with one reason or the other. At least I told myself so.
But at the end of the day, I was no longer able to ignore that I had a problem. I could have dismantled the idiot guards in a more reasonable manner. They werent paired warriors and posed no significant threat. Beating them up would have been more than enough.
An argument could be made that with their mutations and abilities unknown, a decisive blow which ended the fight without any possibility of retaliation was the best choice. But someone with such an ace up his sleeve wouldnt have punched Astra like some thug. Not that I had stayed my hand long enough to give it any thought.
It wasnt like I was stupid all of a sudden.
It all came back to acting before thinking.
Later, I was also a little off-kilter when the villagers attacked us. And as much as I desired to deny it, I would have charged Balthasar like a barbarian if Astra hadnt stopped me.
Frowning, I tried to figure out when my impaired risk assessment had started to become a problem. Was the current me still the Magnus who stepped foot on Tirnanog? Or had something changed since my arrival?
To my horror, I had to admit I wasnt entirely sure.
The old me was a man out for a vendetta. A vendetta he deep down knew could only end with his death. I hadnt been sure how far I would go on my mission, and each day I survived I only tried to maybe go one step further.
Because each step I took would mean a little more pain for those who hurt my family.
It had started with joining the organisation, and becoming one of their agents after they revealed the truth behind my parents death and my sisters disappearance. I had worked my way up the ranks from nothing more than an errand boy and spy to one of the key members leading one of the organisations larger resistance cells. After all, there was no such thing as a single leader within the organisation.nove(l)bi(n.)com
The old me wasnt in the best of physical conditions. I wasnt the special-ops guy who infiltrated a house to assassinate a target and steal important documents, then escape while being chased by several highly trained cops and bodyguards with combat augmentations.
No, I was the friendly neighbour from two houses over who would sit in his car and overlook the stoplight, then run over the target, all the while professing his innocence and how everything had been a horrible accident.
The old me was calculating and avoided physical conflict out of necessity. The organisation trained all of their operatives. In principle, I had received the same training that said special-ops guy had. But it would have never crossed my mind to take on one of those men in a direct confrontation. My body just wasnt as fit as it would have been required.
This changed with my arrival in Tirnanog.
My new body allowed me to choose a different path of action. To solve the problem by punching it instead of using a roundabout solution.
Now that I was trying to confront my problems, I would be lying to myself if I had said I hadnt revelled in the ability and fitness of my new self.
It would have been easy to attribute the problem to the hormonal issues of an altered body. But hunting monsters and killing my opponents with my own hands instead of by proxy, it was a new experience and I loved it! So I chose a more direct, physical solution whenever it seemed possible. Even if a social solution might have been better, or waiting for the fight to end behind bodyguards safer.
Okay, I probably never should admit that to a psychologist.
At the same time, there was also the aspect of my body changing and mutating. Were the mutations messing with my head, or was I the one who was messed up?
The mad laughing had begun right after my first mutation. Back then, I thought it to be an expression of my newfound fitness. A coping mechanism in the face of a deadly challenge. It wasnt like I had previous experience with being chased by a deadly predator.
Nisha frowned.
They dont do it because they have figured out their system. They turned their world into a nice little bubble of conformity ever since it was created in 2834! Since then, they managed to stamp out the last bit of national individuality on Earth. Whatever names countries and societies had is nothing more than a geographic label nowadays. And they kept their system running for a thousand years without major hiccups. Some people might dislike the current order, but there is absolutely nothing they can do about it.
I gestured around us. A village like this one, the clans, you are their biggest nightmare, lady. Small, tightly knit groups with their own social structures and values different from what they established. You have proven they dont know how to stay in control while setting up their system elsewhere. And giving up control is not their thing. Nisha, if Earth ever decides to colonize Tirnanog in earnest, then you and your people have a problem. Because it means they found a surefire way to stamp out the clans and establish a second world government on this planet.
Nisha was about to reply, but Balthasar was faster. You seem very convinced of this. Care to share why you believe you know them so well?
I shrugged. Because I worked within the confines of their system for and against them. The world governments bureaucracy isnt something you can defeat once it is as firmly established as it is on Earth. It would take a mighty outside influence to cause them to stumble. They have perfected the technique of keeping their people just happy enough to keep most of them from revolting while suppressing those who might incite others to rebellion. Some with ambitions and the character traits to work with the system are elevated and used to keep the government running. And everyone who isnt convenient lands on Tirnanog sooner or later.
And you were someone who wasnt convenient, Tulkas?
I nodded. Highly inconvenient.
Be that as it may. Nisha shook her head. You might be right on some level. But if Earth truly doesnt have any further goals for Tirnanog than continuing their research, then nothing truly changes for my people or this conflict. Our aspiration for resources and power remains. And with Jengs inevitable collapse next winter, a lot of land will be up for grabs.
I looked towards the others who seemingly also realized the problem with these negotiations.
Nisha was operating on an entirely different set of assumptions than us.
From her point of view, the blow which had been dealt to Jengs infrastructure was fatal. All Vier and Thich had to do was wait for next summer, by which Jengs starving population would have either torn itself apart or succumbed to the forests monsters.
They didnt know about the wormgate and that Aerie had evacuated the non-combatants. Jeng still wasnt in a well-defensible position, but they certainly wouldnt collapse next winter.
The question was, should we reveal this to Nisha?
If the changed situation would deter Vier from giving the Thich further assistance, it might turn a battle of equals into a one-sided beat down. But if it didnt, we might give away tactical knowledge which might allow us to tilt the war massively in our favour. It would make a huge difference for Thich and Vier if they knew their opponents had a miniature wormhole to ferry around supplies and troops between their industrial base and the frontline.
As much as I wanted to educate Nisha on the errors in her assumptions, doing so might make everything harder for us.
So we can only agree to disagree then? Astra asked. You are solely in the war to take out potential competition and grab Jengs lands in the aftermath?
Nisha inclined her head. If that is the least outcome my people can get, then yes.
Astra nodded. Then it might be time for you to leave.
The displeasure at the casual dismissal was hard to mistake on Nishas face. What gives you the right-
Balthasars claimed neutrality gives us the right, Astra interrupted. You had plenty of time to talk with him before we arrived. Its time for us to do the same.
Nishas lips pressed together tightly.
Balthasar only nodded at his fellow ancient. The youngsters have a point, Nisha. They are brazen in how they are leveraging my own words against me, but it is you and our other comrades who had to turn this into a political power play. If I want to stay out of it, then I cant give you any amenities.
Nisha stood abruptly and stepped away from the table. If thats your conviction, Balthasar. I know how stubborn you are. I only hope for your well-being should you change your mind. I will take my leave now. We will see each other again?
Balthasar nodded. In a few decades at least. Once Charmaine is grown up I might travel again. Or whenever you decide to pay me another visit. I am sure one or the other issue might give a reason. Till then, I certainly wont leave this place.
Nisha nodded and turned, then strolled out of the garden.
I quickly reached over and took Astras hand, using our special communication method to share a suggestion with her.
Astra looked doubtful but nodded after a moment of contemplation. Nisha?
The ancient turned around and locked eyes with Astra.
Make sure your friendship with Zacharias is mutual before you bet your peoples welfare on his plans. From your comments today, we got the impression he might not be as forthcoming with his allies as he should be.
The ancient looked confused for a moment but gave off a dismissive snort before she stormed off.