Godclads

Chapter 33-10 Information (I)

Anyone who understands the Ori knows that our primary focus is not only on mastering the mind, but also the shaping and manipulation of knowledge itself. The mind is only a portion of the equation, after all. Essential, of course, but merely the receiver compared to everything “that is.”

Consider this: Your mind is like a mechanism that dilutes water rather than the water itself. It can interface and apply various solutions to the water, but ultimately, it does not fully “grasp” the foundational source of the knowledge. It can only operate based on feeling, learned understanding, and cultural meaning.

This is the purpose behind the Informational Heavens. Because where Highflame has grown quite adept at N-DEF, they still don’t fully grasp the true methodologies of wielding intelligence.

Ignorance is not the only poison one can face, after all. There is also “corroded understanding.” Like suddenly not being able to understand your own language, or numbers, or even the alteration of a specific word.

The changing of such commands like “Hold this position” into “Retreat now” for instance.

For on the battlefield and in the courts, the slightest shifts in diplomacy will see one make the wrong choice, and of no fault of their own.

It wasn’t a problem of their mind, after all. The mechanism was perfect. But the waters were always toxic.

-Connotative Corrosion by Elder Iruru Hitari

33-10

Information (I)

—[The Majority]—

“His behavior is drastic.”

“Planned.”

“Are we sure? The volatility fits his ego-template.”

“Off by a deviation. If he was truly angry, our delegates should be dead. Reference the [Karakan] mem-packet.”

“She could be a special case.”

“Her special case was that he exhausted every effort to keep her alive. Our emissaries are not so hated. Or fortunate. The Guild or faction that the Chief Paladin chooses to support will see a major advantage in an active conflict. His intentions are obvious: Peace. Equilibrium. His anger is part theater.”

“And there is the matter of [Jaus Avandaer]... We have compiled his Shadow. The mem-data is... disconcerting.”

The Majority observed the scene through a few hundred new Constituents. Though Naeko’s decision to use the Lovenet and kidnap a few of Clan Kazahara’s Elders came as a surprise, it wasn’t an unwelcome one, as it allowed the Majority new vectors of perception. Even so, they still couldn’t quite manage to claim Draus’ Shadow, or fully reach Chambers — or even Seeker Shotin for that matter. RÅɴƟBÊS

“The Dreamer. He has warded them against us.”

“Might he be here? Might this be his plan, his scheme. He noticed us before.”

“He shouldn’t. He would have tried to engage. To burn and consume us. He can see the pattern. He would have responded with an immediate ambush based on our profile of his behavior.”

“Perhaps he is trying to use us to further his plans.”

“Possible, but we are devolving into paranoia. We do not know everything—no one knows everything. We must proceed with our operation. Target Voidwatch. Divert the Chief Paladin’s focus and realign the faction involved in this war. We must continue softly. Carefully. Do nothing to betray our methods.”

“Acknowledgedstopletmeoutletme—what of ‘Jaus Avandaer’? What do we do with him?”

The Majority degenerated into a mess of clamoring voices at that. A good percentage of its internalized population still revered the savior. For the Inner Council to decide anything overt might provoke a rarely experienced veto from the masses — a thing best avoided.

“We watch. We study. And we keep guard. He might be an instrument of the Dreamers. Or perhaps, the claims might be true: The Savior did leave a mind clone.”

“Then... is it not our duty to join him with our cause? To unite him with greater destiny and show him all that we have done in his name.”@@@@

“We watch.” And the disagreements among the Inner Council concluded there. “This is a moment of peace. We will use it. We will only act when things are clear. Now is not the time to be drastic. Now is the time to make our adversaries come apart from within.”

***

—[Green River]—

Watching Brilliant Orchard splayed out on the ground, gawking at the Paladins in stunned horror made this circus worth it. Green River knew a bit more about the current situation compared to the other No-Dragons, but even she was awed by the Chief Paladin’s boldness. Even so, that didn’t stop her from playing her role dutifully.

Brushing off her floral dress, she rose from her seat and descended the steps in a hurry. She put on a slightly worried expression on her face as she arrived beside the half-flayed body of Brilliant Orchard. “Senior sister, are you well?” she said, adding just enough sweetness in her voice to sound genuine.

The whites of Brilliant Orchard’s eyes turned to her and glared. For a long while, the Dowager just stared. Doubtless she still suspected things of Green River, but to think her in league with the Paladins was unlikely. No, she probably just thought Green River was trying to curry favor in the present moment for future benefits.

+Fucked if I know.+

Green River nearly strangled the Heaven of Love’s Bonds in response. +What do you mean ‘fucked if you know.’ Chambers, I have been claimed by your master! We are of a line—through no choice of my own. You can tell me.+

+Yeah, and I just did. Fucked if I know. Naeko’s got something planned. I’m just trying to help him get it done. I don’t got all the details. I’m mainly trying to find more people to snatch and save right now. You know how hard it is not to just get swallowed up by love? Really hard. Gotta focus on that first, otherwise, well... the first time I used the Heaven of Love, I might’ve made some people almost cum themselves to death. Which turned me into a vegetable too.+

+What?+ Green River replied, wondering if she just had a stroke.

+Yeah, it was fucking nova and weird at the same time. Like, have you ever had—+

+Direct me through to Draus. I wish to talk to someone who isn’t the mental equivalent of a nu-dog.+

+Wow. Fuck you too, Green River.+ But despite his words, he did as she asked.

+Draus,+ Green River said, looking to the Regular. +What in the hells is going on? What is your attack dog planning?+

+Who? Naeko?+ Regular replied, barely glancing at River.

+Yes! We were supposed to talk. He is currently threatening a Dowager. The Politburo will not let this go unpunished.+

+Shit. Sounds messy.+

+Draus!+

+What do you want me to say, River? Fucked if I know what he’s doing. I ain’t Samir Naeko.+

Green River nearly let out a defeated groan. How did these people even survive for so long. Was being chaotic and disorganized their strategy?

“Now,” Naeko said, placing a massive hand on Brilliant Orchard’s back—someone one should absolutely never do to a ranking Citizen of the No-Dragons. “Got a few things I’m going to need you to do—and I want you all to serve as witnesses.” Naeko pointed a finger at all the Sang in the glass house. Their faces were pale and their postures tense, but no one made a move, even though someone should have intervened right now. Should have, but the prospect of being rendered a messy smear by Naeko gave even the barest No-Dragon second thoughts. “I need you... to tell me every single grievance you have against the other Guilds, and what it’s going to take for you to come to a full truce.”

“A full truce?” Brilliant Orchard said. “With—with the Massists?”

“Yeah.”

“Ori-Thaum?”

“Yeah.”

“Ashthrone? Sanctus?”

“Them too.”

“And Stormtree.”

“Ah, shit, you remembered all of them. Glad to see your memory’s still there. Seems like you’re not going to need to eat one of your sisters yet, huh?”

“Your request is impossible,” Brilliant Orchard replied. She leaned down, looming over Naeko without fear. “And you misunderstand your position—and mine. This isn’t something a few individuals can decide. It’s more than just our personal wants at stake.”

“No.”

“No?” Brilliant Orchard said, eyes widening.

Green River hated the bitch, but she was struggling not to share an expression. Had Naeko finally lost what remained of his mind.

“Yeah. No.” Naeko chuckled. “Because I’m about to make you an offer. The best offer you’re going to get in this life. Or any life. Same one I’m going to give to the other Guild leaders. Brilliant Orchard. How would you like to be singularly in charge of the No-Dragons.”

“I...” Brilliant Orchard should have rebuked him immediately, but power was an enticing prize and the sheer audacity of his offer was a thing to behold. “I... you can’t do this. You—you don’t have the power. You might be at the Ninth Sphere now, but you are not alone. The—we have means—”

“I’m not the one you need to worry about,” Naeko said, interrupting her. “‘Cause while you were worrying about my palm, you missed the bigger picture. The bigger picture in the form of love. Now. Can you tell me about your relationship with the other Dowagers?”

And with aching slowness, Green River began to understand what Naeko was trying to do. And that he wasn’t even the biggest threat here.

Cum themselves to death...

Oh, dead gods, he was going to use Aedon Chambers to cull the upper branches of every Guild.