Steel Rain (27 page)

"This begins to sound," Machiko says, "as though it leads to people utilizing the Matrix without cyberdecks."

"Otaku?" Father smiles as if pained. "As your mother will tell you, we are dealing here in science, not in urban myths."

"I meant no insult, of course."

And no apology is needed. What Machiko knows of modern science has come primarily from trid documentaries and mealtime conversation. Her parents understand this. Her parents themselves owe their own acquaintance with the technical sciences to their positions at Neurocomp and frequent exchanges with working scientists. Her mother, like father, is primarily an administrator, an executive, Vice-President for Research, with a pair of Masters degrees and a doctorate in management.

"The project, as it has developed," Mother says, "has really become an investigation into the structure of mind, expanding the awareness of mind, its capabilities."

"Our senior mage-technologist," Father says, "describes it as a change in theoretical approach."

"Yes," Mother immediately agrees, nodding her head. "Rather than merely add cyberware to our people, we are in a sense trying to add our people together, achieve a fusion of minds, a cerebral network processor."

"Hence, the gamo-cerebroprocessor project, as we call it. Or simply, GCP."

Precisely what this means, or how it will work, Machiko can only imagine. And for her purposes, a precise understanding is probably not necessary. The special project is pushing the frontiers of magic and technology and therefore might be of interest to many other corps. That is the main point.

"Will this GCP project profit Neurocomp in some way, eventually?" Machiko asks.

"For the moment, any practical application of data developed by GCP is not an issue," Mother explains. "When the first cyberterminals were unveiled, no one could be sure where the technology would lead. Command speed and efficiency was enhanced. This was the short-term objective in 2029 and it is our short-term objective now. We expect to expand the envelope of the GCP project as it progresses. We may well develop data on areas of knowledge that today are all but unknown."

"I was not aware that Neurocomp performs research that is so theoretical in nature," Machiko says.

Father says, "The resources available for such research are of course rather limited as compared to our overall operating budget. But the opportunity to perform such research has brought us many of our top people, in some cases without reference to such benefits as salary. These are people of a caliber that allows them, even in their spare time, to develop many practical technologies that have generated substantial profits."

Machiko considers that, and says, "So one could say that this GCP project has value even if it leads nowhere."

"Most certainly."

"Is it likely that other corps would be aware of the quality of people Neurocomp is attracting?"

Father says, "Specialist positions in such fields as magic and science are very limited. Perhaps only a handful of mages may possess a particular expertise, and the top people are naturally under constant scrutiny. They cannot change corporation affiliations without being noticed. It's impossible. Regardless of the corps involved."

"The science-oriented telezines always find out," Mother adds, with a faint smile.

"Then other corps might presume Neurocomp is doing something special because otherwise you would not be attracting such valuable people."

"It is certainly a question other corps might ask."

"So we might have no breach in security," Mother says. Father replies, "We must still check."

"Have there been any threats against the GCP project personnel?" Machiko asks. "Any attempts at theft of project data?"

Father says no. "Most of our mainframes are on the Nagato proprietary network, but no attempts at penetration have been made for several months, and the only attempt ever made against the GCP project mainframe was a documented failure."

Machiko considers briefly, then says, "I have one other question. Please consider it purely hypothetical. If the two of you were both removed, if you were compelled to leave your positions with Neurocomp, would the GCP project suffer?" Mother seems disturbed by the question, but Father says plainly, "We merely administrate the GCP project, Machiko. We do not direct the experiments. And the project began with the agreement of all the senior officers. Unless the whole board was removed, the GCP project would almost certainly continue for the foreseeable future."

"You mean if the assassin had meant to kill your father and I," Mother says.

Machiko nods. "The thought occurred that perhaps the attacks against GSG were mere deception, that the assassin who attacked me did not want me at his back while he sought you, his primary targets. If your GCP project is so valuable, perhaps it is worth the price of assassins. But given what Father has said, I do not think it very likely that you were the targets."

"Yet the Security Service is guarding us day and night."

"That is the protocol," Machiko says. "Merely a precaution." Any time a person is menaced or assaulted, the family is provided with extra security until such time as any threat appears to have passed. That is as integral to the Way of Nagato combine as the Green Serpent Guard, as the Chairman himself. Machiko reminds her mother of several instances where one friend or another was also guarded day and night, and the reminder seems to ease her concerns. Especially when she recalls herself saying that a certain friend really did not need any guards, that the Security Service was being needlessly sensitive.

Machiko then takes her leave, for her duty here is done and others await her.

One she does not cherish.

29

The ceremonies begin early in the afternoon at the Amida Buddhist Temple, located on the grounds of the Nagato Commercial Park in a region of western Suffolk County known as Melville.

The temple is ringed by a wall of polished marble. Statues of the Myo-o, vanquishers of evil, guard the main gateway. The inner sanctuary is tiled in marble and full of platinum, brass, and gold, crowded with statues of the Buddhas, such as the Bosatsu known as Kwannon and Jizo, who have both attained enlightenment, but refrain from entering nirvana in order that they might aid others in finding the Way. And of course dominating the inner sanctuary is the image of Amida, Lord of the Western Paradise, and merciful lord of the dead.

Honjowara
-sama
himself is present to clap hands and ring the bells at the outset of the ceremony. The first row of attendees is composed of the families and friends of the fallen GSG—Mitsuharu and Jiksumi. Behind these are representatives of the three clans, the Honjowara-gumi, Yoshida
-kai
, and Toki-
gumi
, as well as leaders of the several small clans allied with the major three. Filling out the assembly crowded into the sanctuary are members of the board of Nagato Corporation and officers and executives of numerous Nagato subsidiaries. Machiko's parents are present as well.

These many dignitaries are here because Honjowara
-sama
is here, and Honjowara
-sama
is here to honor the dead and to honor the Guard, to refute by his presence any suggestion that Mitsuharu and Jiksumi were dishonored when they allowed themselves to be killed.

GSG line the walls. Machiko, Gongoro, and ten others flank the altar. The rituals go on long.

Mitsuhara-san was a Buddhist and Catholic-Christian. Jiksumi-san practiced no religion, but his family is composed of Buddhists, Methodist-Christians, and members of the Church of Gaia, a naturalist religion. And so five distinct sects drawn from three distinct religions are represented in the inner sanctuary. All play their part in the ceremony. There is no contradiction in this, no hypocrisy, at least not in Machiko's view. For all peoples are basically the same. They share a common essence. They may give their gods different names, but these too are all basically the same, concerned with life and the living, spirits, eternity. Spiritual matters, enlightenment. Whatever the names, whatever the particular concerns, it is all basically the same, all with similar intentions. That people should live in peace, respect their neighbors, honor their parents, revere their ancestors, worship the divine. Gods,
kami
, enlightened spirits—all understand this. As long as the tenets of their own particular faith are observed, the divine take no insult, no affront, if other faiths are also observed. Enlightened beings possess the wisdom to respect all forms of pious living and sacred ritual.

Priests lead the assembly outside, onto the temple grounds, into a broad grassy meadow ringed by trees and lush, flowering gardens.

Once all have taken their places, Honjowara
-sama
strides through the middle of the assembly and pauses before the funeral pyre, surmounted by a platform veiled in silk bearing the
man
of the Honjowara
-sama
. Upon this platform, clothed in their uniforms, lie the bodies of the dead.

Honjowara
-sama
joins his hands in prayer. He bows. Briefly, he kneels. As he moves to the dais beyond the pyre, as he climbs the steps to the priests and the alter, Machiko is one-half step behind him, and nearer still when he pauses, facing the gathering from the center of the dais.

Honjowara
-sama
addresses the gathering in a calm clear voice that resonates with power. "Seasons change," he declares. "Blossoms wither. Petals blanket the ground. The sky turns gray with cold and winter comes, inexorable. Each woman and man must reach an accommodation with destiny. For life's tenuous hold on this plane is but a fleeting illusion, and all must inevitably slip away. From dust to dust and ash to ash. We honor the departed. We honor their selfless devotion to duty, their courage and their strength. We pray that their bold spirits find peace and salvation, secure in the knowledge that one day they will return as glorious beings to show us the path to enlightenment."

Many bow or murmur amens. Machiko watches the crowd, the gardens and trees, the sky. She briefly reflects that Mitsuharu-san's difficulties with teeth and gums have been forever cured, and the troubles Jiksumi sought to evade by indulging in alcohol have been permanently washed away. She struggles against whispers rising from her undisciplined heart, but finds the battle difficult.

The lifestyle of the Guard is full of difficulties. The stark white pall of their faces and the violence of which they are capable chills most casual relationships before any can begin. Many of the more traditional Japanese see the white faces of the Guard as symbolic of death. Besides Sukayo and his family, Machiko can think of few she would account as friends, and that is their secret sorrow. They enjoy much respect and privilege, they are greatly honored. Their material rewards far exceed what any of them really need and can only be regarded with satisfaction and delight. Yet, they pass much of their time alone, sealed within the iron fist of duty and martial discipline.

Not until they retire from active duty and join the masters of the Guard at the GSG academy have any of them taken partners or borne children. Machiko has considered this often, pondered it, worried about it, but now is not the time.

One day . . . perhaps ... if fate will allow it.

Burners beneath the pyre are ignited. The flames swiftly rise into a roaring pillar of fire. Several persons of the Honjowara-gumi and the Nagato Office of Corporate Affairs move about with portacams, recording everything.

The Security Service is more discreet, utilizing officers with implanted headware to make a visual record.

As the ceremonies end, the Chairman's close advisor Zoge-san moves to the families of the dead to invite them all to the Chairman's estate. There, they will be met by counselors of the Nagato Office of Employee Services. They will be advised about legal matters and encouraged to accept various counseling services. They will of course be accorded paid leave from their jobs. Leaves of absence will be arranged for those younger persons attending school. The Chairman will meet with all of them personally in the days to come to ensure that their needs have been accommodated. He will likely also see that any special wants such as might require a special favor are also satisfied.

Honjowara
-sama
descends the dais and begins the brief trip to Nagato Communications Corp complex located here in Nagato Commercial Park. He and several other clan leaders and officers of Nagato Corp will meet with the board of NCC and attend an assembly of NCC employees.

Machiko leaves Gongoro to supervise the body detail and other activities of the Guard and proceeds directly to the Nagato Commercial Park aerodrome.

An unmarked Federated-Boeing Commander tilt-wing aircraft waits in the flight line, turbines whining, back-draft from the spinning rotors making the plane and pavement around it seeming to waver with heat.

Machiko climbs onboard. Twenty GSG follow, a hurriedly assembled advance team. The last two into the cabin turn and yank the hatch shut.

The interior of the main cabin has only fifteen seats. Those without seats kneel in the center aisle and prepare to steady themselves as best they can. The gun ports along both sides, a custom modification, are of course closed, weapons secured. In the event of a tactical emergency, the plane can be swiftly converted to unleash a devastating barrage against hostile ground forces.

Machiko turns to the flight cabin. The two-person flight crew wears the uniform of the Air Services Division of the Security Defense Force. Most such personnel are former UCAS military. These two are both orks, plainly of Japanese blood.