“Is it all a game, an elaborate bit of theater?”
“No, not at all, because the Church of Elish is completely right about one of its most basic teachings. Virtu is the gateway into the collective unconscious of the human race—the anima mundi, the place of archetypal myths. When the gods of Virtu assume their roles, they also take on some aspects of the creatures whose form and habits they have adopted. In some cases, as with the greater gods of the pantheon, Virtu preserved the gods when their worshipers crumbled to dust.”
“So, in a sense, it was Bel Marduk who manifested in Central Park that day.”
“Correct. And the more I work with those deities, the more I am aware that the arrogance and indifference to individual human rights and privileges possessed by the ancient ones is seeping into the psyches of the Virtuan deities. Don’t misunderstand me—the gods appreciate humanity as a whole, as a source of worship and adoration, but the individual is as nothing to them.”
“The legends of Sumer and Babylon contain the first telling of a flood that nearly wiped out everything living on the earth.”
“That is correct.”
“Then what you are saying is that attitude is being given form and power once again.”
“Yes, although in a slightly less destructive form, perhaps. Remember, in the story of the Flood, the gods did come to regret wiping out humanity and let the race grow again from the few survivors.”
“But the individual life…”
“Or that of a city or nation even…”
“Would be as less than nothing to these gods.”
“That is so.”
“And we are working our asses off to help them have free access to Verite.”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Jesus H. Christ!”
“Jesus was a much gentler god than those whom the Church of Elish wishes to set free in the Verite.”
“Bel Marduk, jealous Ishtar, raging Enlil…”
“You seem horrified, Randall, even surprised. Why? Have I brought up anything more terrible than what you have already feared?”
“I wasn’t afraid anymore, Ben. First, you gave me assurances. Then, after things went to hell in Central Park, the Hierophant was so confident, so certain we could turn apparent disaster into a major coup.”
“The Hierophant. Yes, the Hierophant. Tell me, Randall, have you ever considered why the Hierophant began spreading the teachings of the Church of Elish?”
“I assumed that he wanted greater respect for Virtu and its potential. I mean, it is stupid that the most magnificent artifact of the human race is used for little more than a convenient place to work and play. The Church of Elish has preached appreciation for Virtu’s vast potential and vast power.”
“I wish I could believe that, my friend. It’s what I believed once.”
“Are you saying that you believe that the Hierophant has ulterior motives?”
“Certainly. Moreover, I know that you share my suspicions. We both have been in on the ground floor—so to speak—of the development of the crossover project.”
“That’s true. I remember when we made the early modifications to the couches.”
“And later, when we sought volunteers for the broadcast links.”
“I’ll never forget that. Being approached as a volunteer for that project was what drove Emmanuel Davis—Arthur Eden—into hiding.”
“And now we have come to the crossover of the gods.”
“I don’t understand why you are so unhappy, Ben. For as long as I can remember, you have longed for the ability to cross over into Verite as I can into Virtu. Once the gods make the transition, can aions be far behind?”
A small smile crossed Ben Kwinan’s face.
“No, it cannot. However, I dislike the idea of crossing into a Verite as dominated by gods and demons as Virtu already is. I appreciate the convenience and power of a genius loci, but I want to be part of a world without active gods.”
Kelsey lifted the coffee pot from its hook over the fire, filled his cup, took another cookie from the plate.
“But what can we do, Ben? Even if we sabotaged this Celebration, there would be another.”
“I realize that.”
“And I don’t really care for the idea of bringing our theory to the media. Look what happened to Eden. His revelations were much tamer than this, but he remains in hiding to escape the Church’s vengeance. He’ll probably die in hiding.”
“True.”
“I bet you have a suggestion.”
“Yep, but you’re not going to like it.”
“Try me. I don’t like any of this very much.”
Rising from his cross-legged seat, Kwinan began pacing the short distance between the door and the south edge of the fire.
“I told you that your information about the gods of Virtu was accurate as far as it went. We refer to our gods as the Gods on Meru (Mount Meru being their residence), or the Ones on High. The three most senior are called the Highest.”
“Very tidy.”
“What do you expect from a bunch of computer programs? I have evidence that one of the Highest is allied with the Hierophant on this venture. He has encouraged the lesser gods to participate and is quite probably the source of the ‘inspiration’ that began the physical crossover project.”
“I can buy that. Radical new developments don’t come from nowhere and the Gods on Meru must be brilliant to qualify as gods among computer generated intelligences.”
“Brilliant? Perhaps. Vastly powerful, nearly omniscient, no doubt. However, divinity does not make them immune to rivalries among themselves and the Highest Three have few peers.”
“Only each other, I would guess.”
“What I want to suggest is that we ally ourselves to one of the rivals of the Hierophant’s ally.”
“Wait a minute, Ben. All this talk of ‘the Hierophant’s ally’ and ‘the rival of the ally’ is getting confusing. Don’t you folks have names for these characters?”
Kwinan paused. “We call the Highest Three Seaga, Skyga, and Earthma. The Hierophant’s ally is Skyga.”
“Very tidy names.”
“Don’t get sarcastic with me, Randall. Most of your deities’ names don’t sound any better when they are translated from their original languages.”
“I’m not being sarcastic, really. Who do you want to work with, then? Earthma?”
Kwinan actually shivered. “Not her! She’s a calculating bitch. I’m not at all comfortable with her.”
“Sounds as if you know them personally.”
“Oh, not really, but when something is part of your programming from basic generation on, it’s hard not to have some pretty visceral feelings about it.”
“I suppose so. I’m afraid that my natal culture has lost that immediate religious impulse.”
“As most science-oriented Veritean cultures have—part of the appeal of the Church of Elish within those societies. But I stray from my proposal. Skyga and Seaga have long been genteel rivals. I doubt that Seaga would like to see Skyga gain preeminence. What I suggest is that we ally ourselves with Seaga, provide information and the like so that Seaga can balance Skyga, and thereby keep Skyga somewhat in check.”
“Interesting, but I have a feeling that you are not telling me everything. Why do you need me? The information you want could be acquired through other channels.”
“True, but I need an ally who can cross into Verite.”
“Why? I tell you right now, I won’t sabotage the Celebration—not unless we can stop it for good—otherwise too many innocent worshipers are likely to be hurt.”
Kwinan stopped pacing and directed his gaze at Kelsey. To the Veritean he seemed to glow with a faint golden light.