Chapter 4 2

Every era full of turmoil and danger seems to produce a leader born only for this era, a political giant, who has an indispensable position in the history of this era.Mena.Graystone was such a leader in our last days.Although no one at the time would have imagined that I would be the only one writing the true history of her and her time. Graystone has been compared so many times to the classic image of Lincoln that when I was finally brought to her on the night of the Fleet Dinner, I was still amazed that she was not wearing a black dress or a tall black hat. Slightly surprised.The president of the Senate and head of government serving 130 billion people wore a gray woolen trouser suit with only a red border on the hem of the trousers and jacket and the cuffs.I don't think she's like Lincoln or Alvarez, the second most commonly compared hero of antiquity in the press.Temple, I think she looks like an old lady.

Mena.Graystone was tall and thin, but she was more hawklike than Lincoln in features, with a hooked nose, high cheekbones, a wide expressive mouth with two thin lips, and a head of short gray hair flying like a feather. .But in my heart, Mena.The most memorable thing about Graystone is her eyes, big brown eyes full of infinite sadness. There were more than two of us there, and I was shown into a long, softly lit room, walled with wooden shelving, and filled with hundreds of printed volumes.A long halo that acts as a window looks out to the garden.A meeting had just ended, and eleven or two men and women were sitting or standing in a semicircle facing Greystone's desk, and the CEO was casually leaning on her desk, leaning his whole body weight on it. The front of the desk, arms folded, looked up as I walked in.

Mr. Silveron? Yes. Thank you for stopping by.Debated by a thousand things net people feel her voice is very familiar.With a voice hoarse with age but smooth as expensive wine, her accent was famous for its precise grammar in the almost-forgotten lilting pre-Holy English, a language Apparently it is now only found in the estuary delta of her home town of Batafar.Ladies and gentlemen, this is Joseph.Mr Silveron.she says. A few of the group nodded, obviously having no idea what I was doing here.Greystone didn't make any further introductions, but I identified everyone via the data circle: three cabinet members, including the Secretary of Defense; two Chiefs of Staff of the Overlords; Four senators, including the powerful Senator Kolchev, and the projection of an intellectual core consultant named Elpidus.

Mr. Sivellen is invited here to offer an artist's view of the present situation.President Graystone said. Bajun Army General Mopurgo sneered, an artist's opinion?With all due respect, President, what the hell does that mean? Graystone smiled slightly. She didn't answer the general's words, but turned to me and said: What do you think of the fleet parade?Mr. Silveron? very beautiful.I said. General Mopurgo snorted again: Pretty?He looked at the largest space combat force in the history of the Milky Way, and called it beautiful?He turned to the other soldier and shook his head.

Greystone's smile remained unchanged, and she continued to ask: What about the war?Do you have any opinion on our attempt to save Hyperion from the savage Ousters? This approach is stupid.I said. The room became very quiet, and a spontaneous poll on Wanshi.com showed that ninety-eight percent approved of President Graystone's decision to advocate war and not cede the Colonial World of Hyperion to the Ousters, Graystone Dong's political future rests on the final positive outcome of this conflict.The men and women in this room decided on the policy, made the decision to send troops, and carried it out.There was a constant silence in the room.

Why do you say this approach is stupid?Graystone asked softly. I made a gesture with my right hand that the Overlord Alliance has not fought a war since its founding seven centuries ago.I said: It's too stupid to test the basic stability of the League of Legends in this way. Never fought a war!exclaimed General Mopurgo.His two large hands gripped his knees.What the fuck do you call Grannon︱Height's mutiny? Call it a rebellion, I say: put down the rebellion, it's a police operation. Senator Korchev showed his teeth in a half-smile.He was from the Lusus galaxy and seemed to be much stronger than humans.It is military action.He said: 500,000 people died, and two divisions of the Bajun fought for more than a year.This isn't a police operation, boy.

I didn't speak. inside.Hunter, a consumptive old man who was said to be Graystone's closest assistant, cleared his throat.But what Mr. Silveron said was very interesting.What do you think is the difference between this uh conflict and fighting Grannon|Height? Granon︱Hite was originally an officer in the Overlord Army, and I realized that what I stated was the obvious.The Ouster has remained an unknown for hundreds of years.We have already known the military strength of the rebels, and their potential is easy to assess. However, the Ousters have been outside the Ten Thousand Stars Network since the Sanctuary period, and Granon︱Hite has always been in the territory. The invaded worlds are far away. The time debt of Starnet will not exceed two months; Hyperion's nearest Bavati galaxy to Wanstarnet also has three years.

Do you think we haven't thought of this?General Mopurgo asked: What about the Battle of Brescia?We've already fought the Ousters there.That's not rebellion. Be quiet, please.inside.Hunter said: Please go ahead, Mr. Silveron. I shrugged again and said: The main difference is that this time we're dealing with Hyperion. Senator Lei Qiao, one of the women present, nodded as if I had made my point clear.You are afraid of the Jing Demon God, she said: Are you the one who finally reconciles the church? No, I said: I am not a follower of Jing Demon God. So what do you do?asked Mopurgo.

I am a painter.This is a lie. inside.Hunter smiled slightly, and turned to Greystone.I agree that we need this perception to clear our heads, President.He pointed to the crowd still applauding and cheering in the holographic image that looked like a window.However, the points raised by our artist friend have been fully examined and evaluated. Senator Korchev cleared his throat.I hate to bring it up when it looks like we're all trying to ignore it, but is this gentleman qualified to participate in this discussion on a confidential level? Graystone nodded, showing the faint smile that many cartoonists try to capture.Mr. Silvelon has been commissioned by the Ministry of Art to paint a series of portraits of me over the next few days or weeks.I believe this was done because of the historical value of the portraits, and it is likely that a formal portrait would eventually be painted.In any case, Mr. Silveren's confidentiality level is a T-level gold certificate, and we can discuss it in front of him at will.Moreover, I also appreciate his frankness and directness. Perhaps his arrival can be regarded as the conclusion of our meeting.I'll meet you again in the Situation Room at eight o'clock tomorrow morning, before the fleet moves to Hyperion.

The group of people dispersed immediately.General Mopurgo glared at me angrily as he left.Senator Korchev looked at me curiously as he passed me.Advisor Elpidus just disappeared without a trace.Besides Graystone and me, there was only Lie.Hunter alone.He made himself a little more comfortable in the precious pre-Mission chair, straddling one leg over the armrest.sit down.Hunter said. I glanced at the president, who was already sitting behind her big desk.She nodded, and I took a seat in the straight-backed chair General Morpurgo had been sitting in.President Graystone says: Do you really think defending Hyperion is a fool's errand?

Yes. Graystone put his fingers together and touched her lower lip lightly.In the windows behind her the Fleet Feast was revealed in silent excitement.If you're still hoping to bond with your er other half, she said: It would be to your advantage that we execute the Hyperion operation. I didn't speak, and the scene in the window changed to show the night sky still brightly lit by the condensation trails. Did you bring your painting tools?Graystone asked. I put my to Diana.The pencil and the little sketchbook that Philomel said he didn't have were brought out. Let's talk while you draw.Mena.Graystone said. I started to draw.Scribbled out the figure of the relaxed figure sitting there, and then painted the details of the face.Those eyes caught my interest. I feel it slightly.Hunter is staring at me, Joseph.Sylvelen, he said: It's interesting that such a name was chosen. I quickly used bold lines to convey the feeling of her high cheekbones and strong nose. Do you know why people in general are skeptical of modders?Hunter asked. Yes, I say: it's Frankenstein syndrome, the fear of all things that have a human form and aren't quite human.I guess this is the real reason cyborgs are illegal. Hmm︱hum, Hunter agrees: But the mods are indeed fully human, aren't they? That's true from a genetic point of view.I said.I found myself thinking of my mother and how I read to her when she was sick.I also thought of my brother Tom.But they're also part of the intelligence core, I said: and that fits the notion of not being fully human. Are you also part of the intelligence core?Mena.Graystone asked.She turned and faced me, and I started a new sketch. Not really, I said: I can freely travel through the areas they let me go, but it's like someone is manipulating the datasphere, not out of the ability of the real core personality.Her face is more interesting in three-quarter profile, but those eyes are more powerful when viewed straight on.I paint the fine lines that emanate from the corners of those eyes, Mena.Graystone doesn't appear to have used the Posen Life Extension Program at all. If it was possible to keep all the secrets from the intelligence core, Graystone said: it would be foolish to give you free access to the government's secret database.From what it looked like, she put her hands down and sat up straight.I turn to a new page. As things stand, Graystone said: You have the information I need.Can you really read the mind of your significant other, your former identity? No, I said.The wrinkles at the corners of her mouth and the intricate weaving of muscles are hard to capture.I sketched as best I could, moving to her strong chin and the shadows under her lower lip. Hunter frowned and looked at the president.Lady Graystone closed her fingertips again.Be more specific.she says. I raised my eyes looking at the drawing paper.I dream.I said: The content of the dream seemed to be the real situation around the person who implanted the original Keats personality. It's the one named Brown.Lamia's woman?inside.Hunter said. Yes. Graystone nodded.It turned out that the original Keats personality, the one everyone thought was killed in Luthers, was still alive. I paused, he is still conscious now.I said: You know that the original personality base was extracted from the intelligence core, and it was probably obtained by the model controller himself, and then implanted into the Sloan circuit biological shunt on Miss Lamia. Yes, yes, Li.Hunter said: But the fact is that you can indeed get in touch with the personality of Keats, and through him, you can get in touch with the pilgrimage group of the Thorn Demon God. A few quick strokes of black paint the black back, adding depth to Graystone's sketch.I didn't really touch it, I said: I dreamed about Hyperion, and your FTL transmissions confirmed that it matched what actually happened.I could not communicate with the underlying Keats personality, or his host, or the other Pilgrims. President Graystone blinked.How do you know about FTL transmission? The Consul had told the other Pilgrims that his commlog could be sent and received through the FTL transmitter on his ship.He had spoken to them just before the spaceship was about to land in the valley. Graystone's tone revealed that she had spent many years as a lawyer before entering politics.How did others react to the consul's disclosure of such news? I put the pencil back in my pocket.They knew there was a spy between them.You have spoken to each of them about this. Graystone glanced at her assistant, Hunter's expression was blank.If you're still in contact with them now, she said: You must know that we didn't hear anything until they left the Time Fort to land on the Time Tomb. I shook my head.Last night's dream ended just as they were heading down the valley. Mena.Graystone stood up, went to the window, held up a hand, and the image was all black.So you don't know if there are any of them alive now? have no idea. How were they in your last dream? Hunter is still staring at me as intently as before, Mena.Graystone stared at the black screen with his back to the two of us.All of the Pilgrims are still alive, except perhaps Hayter, the Word of the World Tree.Mastine.I answer. is he deadHunter asked. He disappeared from the windmill on the Grass Sea two nights ago, hours after the treeship World Tree was wrecked by Ouster scout boats.But just before the pilgrims descended from the Time Fort, they saw a robed figure walking across the sand toward the Time Tombs. It's Hite.Mastine?Graystone asked. I held up a hand and they assumed it was him, but weren't sure. Tell me about the others.said the president. I took a deep breath.I knew from my dream that Graystone knew at least two members of this last Bramble Pilgrimage;Lamia's father was originally a senator, and the Consul of the Overlord Alliance used to be Graystone's personal representative in secret negotiations with the Ousters.Father Hoyt was in pain, and I said: He told the story of the cruciform.The Consul knew that Hoyt had attached one, actually two.Father Duhet's, and his own. Graystone nodded.So he still carries the revived parasite? Yes. When he approached Jing Demon God's territory, would that disturb him even more? I believe so.I said. please continue. The poet Cylenus drank most of the time.He was convinced that his unfinished poem could predict and determine the course of events. Something on Hyperion?Graystone asked.She still has her back to us. of all places.I said. Hunter glanced at the president, then turned his gaze back to me.Is Cylenos crazy? I looked back at him, but didn't speak.To be honest, I don't know. Go on.Graystone said again. Colonel Kassad was still obsessed with two things: finding the woman named Moneta and killing the Thorn Demon God.He thought they might be the same person. Does he have a weapon?Graystone's voice was soft. have. please continue. Sol.Wen Chaobo, the scholar from Barnard's world hopes to enter the time tomb called the Sphinx as soon as possible Sorry, Graystone said: Is his daughter still with him? Yes. How old is Rachel now? I think it was five days, I closed my eyes and recalled the details of the previous night's dream.Yes, five days. Still suffering from Merlin's disease, getting younger with time? Yes. Go ahead, Mr. Silveren, please tell me about Brown.The situation of Lamia and the consul. Miss Lamia wants to fulfill the wish of her former client who is also her lover.I said: Keats' personality felt that he had to face the Thorn Demon God, and that Miss Lamia was going to do it for him. Mr. Silveron, R.Hunter began: You speak of Keats's personality as if he had nothing to do with or relate to yourself. Later, please, Li, Mena.Graystone said.She turned to look at me, and I was curious about the Consul, did he talk about his reasons for joining the pilgrimage like everyone else? said.I said. Graystone and Hunter waited for my next words. The consul talked to them about his grandmother, and I said: The woman named Siri, who started the Maui-Covenant rebellion more than half a century ago.He told them about the tragic death of his own family at the Battle of Brescia, and about his secret meetings with the Ousters. that is it?asked Graystone, her brown eyes intent. More than that, I said: the Consul also let them know that he activated an Ouster device that made the time tombs open faster. Hunter sat up straight and moved his leg off the armrest.Greystone took a noticeable breath, any more? there is none left. How did the others react to his revelation of the betrayal?she asked. I paused, trying to put the dream scenes in memory into chronological order as I could.Some people were very angry, but at that moment, no one felt particularly loyal to the Balian.They decided to keep going.I believe that every pilgrim feels that the punishment should come from the Jing Demon God, not by human agents. Hunt punched the arm of the chair and snapped: If the Consul were here now, he'd soon find out that wasn't the case. Don't bark, Li.Graystone walked back to her desk and touched some papers on it.The lights on all the lines on the phone were blinking impatiently, and I found myself amazed that she could spend so much time talking to me at this point.Thank you, Mr. Silveron, she said: I want you to stay with us for the next few days, and someone will take you to a suite in the residential part of the Government House. I stood up.I will go back to Hope Star to get my things.I said. No need, said Graystone: it was delivered here before you stepped off the platform.Li will take you out. I nodded and followed the taller man towards the door. Oh, Mr. Silveron, Mena.cried Graystone. What's up? The president smiled slightly. I really appreciated your frankness and straightforwardness before. She said: But from now on, let us assume that you are a court painter, and only a court painter. You have no opinions, are unobtrusive, and have no mouth. ? Understood, President.I said. Graystone nodded, already turning his attention to the flashing telephone line light.very good.Please come to the Situation Room at eight o'clock with your sketchbook. A security guard met us in the reception room and began leading me toward a maze of corridors and checkpoints.Hunter called out for him to stop, and strode across the wide hall, his steps echoing on the tiled floor.He grabs my arm.Make no mistake.He said.We know she knows who you are, what you do, and who you stand for. I looked him straight in the eyes, and calmly withdrew my arm.That's fine, I say: because at the moment I'm pretty sure I don't know yet.