Book 3 - Ceremony Read Online Free PDF Page A

by the notion of wooden satellites. But that is neither here
nor there. Discounting for the moment all the other problems, where
do we get this plastic? The same notion occurred to those who toyed
with this among the brethren. They were unable to produce such a
plastic and were reduced to thinking in terms of a heavy aluminum
foil that proved too brittle in actual trials. The breakage ran
better than fifty percent.”
    “We have developed the plastic already. You will be amused
to learn that it is a petroleum derivative. I felt I had to have
that before I broached the larger idea.”
    Bagnel began to look truly interested, not just speculative.
    “Two main reflectors, as I said, to provide a steady,
gross energy incidence. Then smaller ones, in geocentric
orbit—and lunar trojan orbit—with which we can
fine-tune the amount of energy delivered. With which we can deliver
extra energy to specific localities. For instance, to keep
threatened crop lands in production. We will want more energy in
the beginning, anyway, to initiate the thaw cycle.”
    “It is crazy,” Bel-Keneke said. “You have gone
mad in isolation.”
    “It’s not impossible at all,” Bagnel
countered, now so intrigued he forgot to use the formal mode. He
got up and started pacing and muttering to himself.
    “Do you really believe in this, Marika?” Kiljar
asked. “Have you convinced yourself that, despite the obvious
problems, it can actually be done?”
    “My conviction is absolute, mistress. I have yet to find
an insuperable barrier, though there were more problems than
I at first expected. Yes, it can be done—if the
Communities and the brethren are willing to invest the resources
and the energies.”
    Bagnel’s pacing took him to a window. He stared out at the
frigid world. The most seniors watched him uneasily. “You
have done it again, haven’t you, Marika?”
    “Done what, Bagnel?”
    “You have overturned everything. And bigger than ever
before. No wonder you had to take a few years off. You needed that
long to wake the earthquake.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Three meth are going to leave this room with your notion
fixed in their minds. All three are going to find some reason to
consult others about it. Those others will tell others. The news
will spread. In time it will have reached those for whom it will
represent an almost religious opportunity for salvation. It will
become impossible for us, brethren and Communities alike, to do
anything but attempt it, even if it proves impossible. For the
alternative will be destruction at the paws of outraged bonds who
will believe themselves betrayed.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “I am saying you have let a devil loose. That you proposed
this with no thought for the social implications. I am saying that
you have made undertaking the project mandatory simply by stating
that you believe it is feasible. I am saying that such a project
will reshape society as well as weather. I ask you to think about
what you are asking.”
    Taken aback by his vehemence, Marika said, “Tell
me.”
    “You are asking that the brethren be restored to grace.
You are asking two dozen dark-faring Communities to join forces in
one grand project instead of flying off in all directions, spending
half their energies sabotaging and one-upping each other. You are
proposing a project of such vast magnitude that bond meth will have
to be given technical training because the brethren available to do
the work are not numerous enough. You are letting devils out. Those
are things I foresee just off the top of my head. More thought
would produce more, surely. And the project is bound to have
repercussions that cannot be foreseen at all—some just
because of its scale. Did none of this occur to you?”
    “No. I was not concerned with anything but the practical
considerations.” Marika took a turn at the window and thought
of Jiana the doomstalker, reflecting on the fact that destruction
need not be