Jik Dain Bedlip
Dain tucked himself into an alcove off the central landing. He called Kär with a terse command,
then stared into the llevar's holoscreen just off his right shoulder. Since Leez, he'd completed
three other meetings, tapping into the administrations of Partners for the Guangdong, Shanxi, and
Fujian Regions, covering the southern part of the continent. As he'd expected from their silence
in the Team meeting yesterday, these Partners had taken his offer of assimilation and budget relief
even more easily than the Irwin-affiliated Partner for the Hubei Region.
Now, he considered the time of day and compared it to his campaign schedule. Buoyed by success and
his level of energy, he decided to go for another one of Norma's opponents. He told Kär to fetch
Ler Schuess Johnufosleuth' public calendar.
The schedule showed Schuess in a meeting/can-be-seen at the moment. Dain linked to the Registry of
Meetings and found that the Jiangsu-Region Partner was indeed currently active in that meeting.
Back to the calendar: it showed a 500-second break between this meeting and the next appointment,
which was labeled a "working session." That was time enough to cinch things if Dain could slide up
to Schuess and make cozy conversation.
For that, Dain would have to know the Partner's zhuhndí location. But such data was not publicly
available, and Dain had no recourse to unlock those secrets. Once again, he regretted losing Bis
Tidhar to Norma. As her lover, the young staffer was contaminated as a casual source of
cyber-tricks.
Settling back on the secluded bench, Dain pondered Schuess' schedule. Amid the long series of
meetings/can-be-seen, there were two of these "working sessions," one at the end of mid-work-day,
the other, this next one, last thing for the work-day. Both sessions lasted 4500 seconds, just
long enough to contain a game of SkeetR, with some transition time around it.
Schuess was fanatic about SkeetR. He regularly organized — and won — tournaments within
Byukan-Hamil. Dain had even heard that Schuess achieved consistent recognition in the
continent-wide league. Therefore, the other Partner must spend significant time in practice.
Twice a day? In "working sessions?"
=SkeetR.= Twisted by the taste of yearning, the name resonated in Dain's mind. =SkeetR.= JDB's
whisper, a petition to come out and play.
SkeetR offered Dain and JDB a rare form of recreation, one they enjoyed together. Essentially
target practice, it featured a virtual ray-gun configured as a staff, the closest thing to a
firearm available on Yeibichai.
=For those pattern-bound to legitimate channels,= JDB noted as he wormed his way into Dain's
consciousness.
Automated targets came at the contestant in a great variety of shapes, trajectories, velocities,
and directions. However, Dain allowed only those sessions that were orchestrated for physical as
well as mental exercise. Together, Dain in charge to ensure a complete work-out, JDB in pursuit of
virtual mayhem, they kept their body fit. But Dain made sure he always lost quickly in the
tournaments, to deflect rumors of aggressiveness, to avoid direct association with Schuess, one of
Norma's rivals on the Team of Partners.
=Maybe,= whispered JDB, sliding into the open, =maybe Schuess will let us play duplicate with him.=
No, said Dain simply. The game won't be SkeetR.
=Let's go anyway!=
Dain didn't move, didn't want this alter poaching on his success. You're just along for the ride,
he ordered.
JDB was silent.
Or you can just withdraw to your pince! Dain flared.
JDB nodded, the cerebral gesture sullen and curt.
Dain-JDB rose to their feet. Since SkeetR demanded a special chamber found only in the direvnya's
recreation center, they knew where to go.
Harmonic, parallel, reason partnered with madness, they went to find Schuess in person.
#
Leaning on a banister, Dain-JDB looked down into the lobby of the recreation building as Schuess
emerged from a bank of public Em-Deh entrances that occupied one wall of the spacious chamber. A
flock of assistants closed in around him like a swarm of hungry azuza. In a flurry of exchanges,
the squat Partner and his staff conducted urgent business, trading information for decisions.
Then, just as abruptly, the administrators peeled away, leaving Schuess alone. He headed
immediately for the SkeetR court.
Pleased with the setup, Dain straightened; with a snort of disgust, JDB disengaged, but lingered,
like an elbow jutting into Dain's mind. Used to the pressure, Dain focused on tactics: he would
interrupt Schuess' anticipation of the scheduled game and play on that distraction to subvert his
best interests. Ready, Dain swung onto the nearby stairs and headed down with a clatter of soles.
"Schuess!" he called out as though surprised.
The man looked around, his tonsure glinting within a circle of glossy black hair.
"May I have a moment?" begged Dain. "Norma has me scurrying about and you're on my list." He bit
his lip wistfully, a coy gesture to deflect challenge.
Schuess ducked his head, but Dain glimpsed an impatient scowl.
Dain crossed some of the stone floor as he went on, "If we get it done now, you can drop my
appointment from tomorrow's schedule."
Schuess beckoned, but kept his gaze on the mural set into the polished floor. Reluctant, but
holding, trading a little extra time pressure now to relieve more later — right where Dain wanted
him.
Dain drew close, his eyes level with the other man's. "Norma seems to be taking a different tack
on Ganj Dareh. I think she's hoping to complement Irwin's proposal strategy. I hope I'm right
about her intentions because she's assigned me to form a combine for 'interstellar
products' there," he said. "And I want to make it work—" he paused to set up innuendo "— in
everybody's best interest."
Schuess glanced up at the inflection, then with tiny flicks of his buhnu-brown eyes, scanned Dain's
face for underlying meaning. Dain creased one brow and hunched his shoulders slightly to feign
long suffering — and reinforce Schuess' impression of emasculated weakness. JDB rendered a
ghostly snort at the whole show.
"I'm hoping for your help," Dain said. "I've already talked to a few of the other Regionals."
Schuess maintained his scrutiny, but it seemed more interested than suspicious now.
Dain said, "Norma will be issuing a continent-wide Notice of Hiring, focused on Ganj Dareh,
sometime today."
Schuess lifted both eyebrows.
"Uh-huh, that's right," Dain replied. "When I talked to Leez, she was afraid her region couldn't
handle the load. You know how many people are sitting in sleep-and-eats all over Popovich right
now. Hubei's no better off."
"And?" Schuess muttered.
"Leez says you run the best gong-she on the continent. I'd like to tap into your region's combines
for their skills and experience and set up contingency plans for them to supplement Hubei in food,
shelter, and anshin liaison." Dain added, "I can pay for the work."
The other man's fading grimace transformed into an expression of keen interest. He brought his
hands up to chest level and actually rubbed them together as he talked.
"You realize, of course," Schuess said, "that when a zhee-tel is working, his combine is supposed
to make sure he's taken care of, but when he's not on a job, the Collective is responsible, and for
this, they issue gong-she contracts." Schuess cackled. "To us. Under these contracts, we take
care of —"
Schuess held up a little finger like a teacher, like an overblown, self-touting teach — Dain
shuddered as a tiny wail worked its way out of the wraith's part of his subconscious. Then, JDB,
ignoring the other alter's pain, tired of Dain's mission, insisted that their eyes be
shifted to see more of the busy lobby. Dain made the change, but leaned closer to Schuess to
disguise the move and set up for one of Schuess' well-feared lectures.
"— minimum nutrition," Schuess was saying. He raised his voice and breezed through details,
"Calories, protein, trace elements, bulk, that sort of thing," then added, "with some variety in
form and flavor. We combine self-preparation, particularly for families, and service-preparation
in gong-shi-tang." Public dining halls.
Obviously enjoying himself, Schuess raised a ring finger to the list. "Shelter. We provide
minimum floorspace broken up for hygienic privacy, sleeping, food preparation and consumption." He
arched an eyebrow pedantically as he noted, "Remember what I said about food," then resumed
full-voice to add, "And relaxation. This last tends to be communal, game rooms, outdoor courts, et
cetera."
JDB hissed. Dain hushed him. JDB lifted the hackles on their neck with a curious rippling chill
and dragged Dain's attention toward the lobby's entrance.
Ngo Mayubu had just come inside. JDB flooded Dain with a queasy surge of adrenalin and a plan for
this other Partner, a plan in chilly contrast to the big man's declared support for Norma.
As though sensing Dain's distraction, Schuess added his middle finger to the others and raised his
voice. "Lastly, we supply clothing. Not fashionable, but quite, quite serviceable for modesty,
comfort, and protection from elements, as required by the global Pattern."
JDB guessed that Mayubu was heading for the locker room, then allowed Dain to refocus on the
Partner before him. "Impressive, Schuess, very impressive. I just know all this is going to be
overwhelming for me. And I truly want to manage it without disturbing our chances of renewal in
Ganj Dareh." Knowing all Partners loved intrigue, he paused to signal even more innuendo. "And
without disturbing Irwin's project. Your help will be invaluable and —" now for a final offering
to Schuess' ego, so it would bypass all his qualms "— very visible to all concerned.
"Do you think you could set up channels so I could tap into your combines directly?"
Schuess paused, his pudgy cheeks squeezed by his smile, his eyes glowing from his delight. "Sure,
sure, no problem, Dain, old fellow. I'll do it right after this next session."
"Could you make it before you start work?" Dain wheedled. JDB cackled at the ploy.
"Sure, sure." Schuess sent a longing look at the SkeetR door, then brought it back. "I just have
to get over to one of those Em-Deh entrances." His shifting thoughts showed in his eyes, where
fading pleasure hardened into something more political.
"That'd be great, Schuess." Dain stepped aside. "I'll let you get to it, then."
The other Partner moved forward.
"Oh!" Dain put out an open hand. "Another moment, please. What do you know about this Dyr
Kanpachiro?"
"On staff here in the direvnya ever since he graduated from Global University." Schuess peered
hard at Dain, then chuckled sadistically. "So, I'm sure he knows a shifting breeze when he feels
one and its effect on his security." He walked away with a wave, a slight swagger rocking his
stubby frame.
Schuess' appraisal merged with the others. The young Nitsta, Irwin's proposal expert dispatched to
Ganj Dareh, would be no hindrance, nor even a factor, in Dain's plans.
Finished, released, Dain-JDB spun to face the doorway that had just accepted Mayubu. Dain
hesitated; he hadn't expected this other opportunity so quickly. JDB pressed him on, assuring Dain
that they were prepared; passions entwined the thoughts: confidence, excitement, hunger.
Resolved, Dain-JDB strode across the lobby floor, but slowed as they approached the alcove
enclosing a family of entrances: rooms for changing, cleansing, bathing, and massaging as well as
the toilets.
Kär murmured in Dain-JDB's ear, "We have an urgent request from Jac Irwin."
So Schuess had passed on their talk to his leader already. Had he even sat down at the Em-Deh
entrance before messaging Irwin? Had he also put through the authorization Dain had requested?
"What's he want?" Dain-JDB stepped into the alcove and tried to guess which door Mayubu had
taken.
The voice was now Irwin's, saying, "Greetings, Jik Dain. Yesterday's meeting of the Team of
Partners, both in Open and Limited Sessions—"
The changing-room door seemed to be settling into place. Dain-JDB went through it. A large
chamber opened up around him. Wardrobe alcoves lined its walls. Rough, warm tile covered its
floor. Scents of wet flesh and epox-crete drifted in. Men and women in varying stages of dress
stood before the doorless closets or chatted in groups or passed him as they used the door.
Mayubu, already loosening his clothing, his back to Dain-JDB, approached an empty locker.
Dain-JDB whispered, "Kär, summarize." Irwin's drone ceased. Dain-JDB stepped aside to watch the
Hunan-Region Partner disrobe.
The automaton continued quietly in its own words. "Irwin's implied emotional state is ambiguous,
either apprehensive or eager. Irwin wants you in a meeting/can-be-felt. Irwin says he must
co-sign re-assignments of his combines. Irwin wants to speak with you about your intentions before
signing them."
Mayubu stood nearly naked, Nubian-brown skin covering his loose bulk. Dain-JDB said, "Reply with
my regrets and a meeting time after I return from Laetoli Valley."
Kär acknowledged.
Turning his thoughts to Mayubu, Dain realized he had no approach planned, no vulnerability
targeted. Surely, after all their contact, business and social, he knew something about the big
man to leverage a takeover. Mayubu was earthy, direct, but not simple. He accepted any fleshy
pleasure as it came, taking whatever intersected his genial, lumbering path through life.
Mayubu stepped into the straps of a cache-sexe; nearly ready for a swim. Dain, hoping some gambit
came to him, gathered himself to intercept the other Partner, but faltered as his own arm moved
unexpectedly.
JDB reached inside their coat-vest. Observer only, Dain felt a small pocket there, then inside it,
a flat case with a fingertip-shaped indentation. JDB fitted their ring finger into the slot and
pressed hard, pushing the case against their ribs. Dain felt rather than heard a snap. Their
fingertip slipped slightly and met a heated, sticky substance. JDB withdrew the hand and held it
up discreetly. Together, they glanced at a dab of color made by the trans-dermal patch clinging
there.
JDB let go, his control and presence vanishing, leaving just a trace of blood-lust — and
expectation that Dain would act against Mayubu as required. Dain quickly dropped his hand to his
side, curling his fingers slightly to protect the patch, but being quite careful not to brush
against it.
Ready, relieved of having to win Mayubu over with mere words, Dain marched toward his target. When
near enough, he called the other Partner's name softly.
The man turned, his face curious, then lowered his receptive gaze to look into Dain's face.
Dain approached. "Norma's going after Ganj Dareh hard. She's assigned me to form a combine for
interstellar products there."
Mayubu grunted.
"Actually," Dain continued as he stopped very close to the other man and looked up into his face.
"I think she may have a solid foundation on this one, a clever end-run on Irwin and his
confederates. I'll have to change her mind about some important details, but there are
some other things to get into the pipeline first. I've already talked to a few of the other
Regionals — including Schuess. He's worried."
When Mayubu still didn't react, Dain said, "It may be necessary for your region's combines to
provide food, shelter, transport, anshin — especially anshin, to support Hubei. Using my
project's budget."
A grimace of exasperation drew on the other man's mouth.
Dain leaned in as though sharing the concern. "Life goes on, doesn't it?"
Mayubu lifted his chin slightly in apparent agreement.
"You've got other priorities. This project's on the top of my list. How about I
coordinate with your combine tacticians? Blurt me out a short approval." Dain gestured at the
llevar sitting on a shelf behind Mayubu. "And I'll take it from there." He paused expectantly.
The other Partner pulled down the device and tapped its shell into opening. He bent to look into
its foilscreen, then murmured a couple of sentences. When he straightened, his eyes were clear and
thoughtful for a moment, then his whole brown face lit up in a grin.
"And what is the Old Lady up to while we're scurryin' around down here, workin' out her ideas?"
Dain grinned back. "I don't know. It's not my day to watch her."
"What a job that would be, eh? Good luck with your project." The jovial expression slipped away.
"Do you think it'll work?"
Fear squirted through Dain; Mayubu's intuitive grasp of hidden agenda was well-known — and
dangerous. Dain sidestepped the shotgun question by saying, "Of course. Norma knows her people."
He slipped his hand onto the other Partner's elbow, in a familiar gesture that deposited the patch
onto his dark skin. "One more thing. What's your summary of this young rump Irwin is sending to
Ganj Dareh?"
"Young, single, automata literate, and idealistic. He's got a chance of pullin' it off."
"Hmmm, I'll add him to my coordination queue." Dain squeezed the man's arm. "Thanks for your
time, Mayubu. Back to the grind for both of us."
"Not me." Mayubu turned back to his closet. "Swim time for me," he added over his shoulder.
Dain retreated, the back of his neck calm again. The patch would nano-ferry an off-world virus —
on demand of Pattern, Yeibichai's research facilities were too secure to pilfer — into Mayubu's
body and drive this man to his bed for at least ten days, leaving his combines completely under
Dain's control, depriving Norma of an ally, and sparing Dain from Mayubu's too-often-accurate,
intuitive guesses.
jDub, update summary! he crowed to that alter ego.
The familiar abacus image plopped open, its six lines stark in their portrayal of Dain's situation
versus the continent. Most still weighed against him, with just one, "authority over BH budgets,"
hard to the left, his side. Partner-alignment showed some drift, unchanged from yesterday. But
"control over BH combines" — ah, most of those beads now drove towards his side of the ledger.
Just one stayed behind. Guizhou Region, a minor Partner. I'll take my power vacuum to him
tonight.
Clack! The first combine-control bead struck the left margin. Hold! Dain ordered. They're not
really mine — He showed jDub an open hand, then curling the fingers, added, — till I host a
meeting/will-be-seen with those tacticians. He made a fist and shook it. Controller commanding
the controlled, eyeball-to-eyeball, a show of domination.
Click, jDub acknowledged, then added another click, more tentative.
What?
Stubs appeared in the abacus, about to show him jDub's first take on Ganj Dareh's base-line. I
don't care yet! Dain declared and turned his thoughts and body away.
Bursting from the recreation building, he felt ballistic, inevitable, karmic.
