The Slide

Chapter 3: Satellite Augments

For more see Chapters 1: Audacity and 2 : Satellite Gossip

Farha, having reached the Age of Ascendancy at her thirteenth birthday, arrived at Fort Normandy in a medium-sized electric car with an elderly man, Ivan Romanoff and a middle-aged woman Mrs. Nina Gunter-Romanoff. She and her small group were met by the Magistrate with Tem in tow. Tem was uncharacteristically restrained with a taciturn expression. It was shortly after sunrise, an unusual arrival time and an off-year — no satellite.

In the intervening year Farha transcribed the entire book on Geomancy that she had returned to Tem utilizing her keen photographic memory. She had contacted the elder most respected Dowser-Geomancer (Romanoff) in the whole of the Euro-Asia West Confederacy and arranged a series of meetings with him and his daughter (his translator). She wrote a proposal to the Governor, the Magistrate and sent a copy to Tem begging his forgiveness and writing about her plan. Tem was sure that her proposition was based on fancy. He had reassured the Magistrate it was total fantasy and if it wasn’t, she wouldn’t have the funds for any undertaking.

“Then, why grant her a formal hearing?”

“Reality testing,” Tem said. “This will put an end to her childish dreams.”

“I’ll think on it.” The more the Magistrate looked at the proposal, which followed all the protocols and rules, the better it felt inside. On paper it sounded good, thoughtful, and do-able assuming the funding existed. And he surmised: “Best of all this will irritate Tem to no end, so…” He stamped approved on the return receipt and put it to the post.

After the successful completion of the hearing there was a short break. While Farha waited for the Magistrate and the disposition meeting, Tem approached.

Farha’s eyes were glazed over and she was giddy with excitement and anticipation.

“Well, Uncle Tem? I mean Lieutenant Izem, what did you think?”

“You followed protocol to a tee,” he said flatly.

“That’s it? You didn’t like my proposal?”

“As said before — geomancy is not scientific, so it’s not a matter of like or dislike.”

“I see, but it was okay to hire a dowser fifteen years ago to build a new well on the family estate.”

“Dowsing has long been approved by the Confederacy whereas geomancy has–“ Tem stopped abruptly as the Magistrate entered the hallway and with the flick of his hands summoned Farha to his chambers. Tem retreated.

That evening the Magistrate called Tem for dinner at his home within the castle walls. When the meal was finished and the hot Bru drink served, the Magistrate cleared his throat and began:

“That’s quite an amazing niece you have. I hope you won’t be upset by what I have to say.” He proceeded to inform Tem that the project had been provisionally approved. That more than enough financing seemed available, and it would have to be confirmed after Governor Truffaut’s examination and approval. I see us breaking ground in the spring. It should be done before the next pass of the satellite.”

Tem was stunned and speechless.

“You should say something, Lieutenant… Tem.”

“Ah…” he paused. “Amazement.”

“Farha and her group will be leaving day after tomorrow for the inland countryside and I assume her home. She requested an extra day to see you and I presume to mend fences. It would be in your best interest to do so, because you’ll be required to work with her in future cartography endeavors. To refuse would be unwise.”

Tem continued to be stunned, heard the Magistrate’s utterances as a threat to his person and rank as a lieutenant, but finally he managed to respond:

“I understand. I will make arrangements to meet with her.”

At the end of the lunch catered by the Magistrate, Farha and Tem were laughing together.

The project had broke ground two months before Spring due to an early thaw. A special terrace wrapping around the Magistrate’s office by the highest keep traversing the north in a semi-circle east. It would circle (at 180 degrees) around, go to the southeast end of the Fort’s wall. Sacred metals had been procured. It’s purpose would be to ground the interference energies from the Slide so that the satellite could reveal the interior. Telescopes might be able to see into and beyond the Slide too.

As part of the arrangement Farha occupied a small cottage adjacent to a larger one where the nearly 200-year-old Giorgio Romanoff and his granddaughter Nina resided. While it was outside the first wall of the fort it had a high thick stone wall that surrounded guest cottages and a workpersons’ barracks and the extensive vegetable gardens and chicken fields. Her role was to be negotiated with Tem in part and to observe the construction project.

Lieutenant Izem, Tem, had been assigned to supervise Farha’s training for expeditions into the desert, specifically to two of the three garrisons. His pleasure was their partnership in map making, but his duty was to train her in all matters of the Slide. While she was not old enough to be a member of the military, much to her relief and Tem’s, she was granted special status to be on small reconnaissance missions the ultimate aim of which was to study the Slide up close.

The first trip into the desert was a garrison 27 miles from the fort. It was a supply-run of mostly canned foods, dried meats, cambria flour and other food stuffs. Ammunition, guns, a new coil for the particle beam canon, bullets and explosives were hidden in the trailer.

The trip was routine.

Farha observed. But when she met Lieutenant Commander Alexis Petroff something happened. They looked at each other a little too long, deeply into each other’s eyes. She looked down and he examined paperwork. Later while Tem tended to inventory protocols, Alexis introduced himself. When Farha introduced herself, he responded: “I do not want to seem ah — pushy, but everyone knows who you are and your reputation. I know who you are, everyone knows. I am most happy to have met you.”

She was flustered and didn’t know what to say.

“If there’s time tomorrow I can give you and Lieutenant Izem a tour and talk a bit about the garrison.”

“That would be nice,” she turned her face away feeling a blush coming on. She was thankful for the darkness and shadows.

They returned immediately the next day. She did not see Lieutenant Commander Petroff probably due to the military fraternization rule, or Tem’s over-protectiveness.

Thanks for your support. I trust you will enjoy the journey. When you’re ready Chapter 4: Alexis awaits you.

Rebecca Romanelli | DL Nemeril | Winston Huang | Marcus aka Gregory Maidman | Elle Beau ❇︎ | Filiz Özer | Melanie J. | madmess’s thoughts | Dr Mehmet Yildiz | Joseph Lieungh | Alison Hollingsead | Matthew Nashira | I. Trudie Palmer | Ravyne Hawke | Alberto García 🚀🚀🚀 | OrlaK | Mark Tulin | Shirley Willett | Alan Lew | David Price | Diana C. | Blaine Coleman | Michelle Roussin |