Orson Zedd
Dr. Vowtemkin commanded the assembled masses with his loud but quaking voice. “With the
fall of London, we feel it prudent to review our emergency plan, what we will do in the
circumstance that Imperial forces overcome the Parisian government.”
He projected a slide on the screen, one made with plastic using bright lights and mirrors,
rather than a digital one. I assumed this was to keep the plan from being discovered by the
legions of desk Centurions scouring the Outernet day and night. “If you’re unaware and have
been living under a rock for the last twenty-two years, after Earth’s Succession from the Solar
Empire, emperor Socan-At decreed that the contents of state museums will be forfeit. There is,
however, a loophole, luckily for us. In their wisdom, the outgoing governors commissioned a
Cultural Protection Force. They ride out behind invading forces and secret away cultural
artifacts until such a time as they may be returned. They generally do not arrive announced and
so, to buy time, it will be up to us to keep our arts protected.”
He adjusted the focal length of the slide, bringing it into focus. “The majority of
manpower will be directed in hiding the statuary collection. They are the most heavy and require
extra attention to move gently. By comparison we’ll need fewer people to hide away the
paintings. To avoid drawing suspicions, only the curators will stay behind with their collections.
The rest of you must go about your daily business.”
“Sir,” asked a new sculptor whose name I never quite caught, “Won’t it be dangerous to
leave you by yourself?”
“If you are found to be absent, the odds that they will search for and find us are
6
Orson Zedd
Dr. Vowtemkin commanded the assembled masses with his loud but quaking voice. “With the
fall of London, we feel it prudent to review our emergency plan, what we will do in the
circumstance that Imperial forces overcome the Parisian government.”
He projected a slide on the screen, one made with plastic using bright lights and mirrors,
rather than a digital one. I assumed this was to keep the plan from being discovered by the
legions of desk Centurions scouring the Outernet day and night. “If you’re unaware and have
been living under a rock for the last twenty-two years, after Earth’s Succession from the Solar
Empire, emperor Socan-At decreed that the contents of state museums will be forfeit. There is,
however, a loophole, luckily for us. In their wisdom, the outgoing governors commissioned a
Cultural Protection Force. They ride out behind invading forces and secret away cultural
artifacts until such a time as they may be returned. They generally do not arrive announced and
so, to buy time, it will be up to us to keep our arts protected.”
He adjusted the focal length of the slide, bringing it into focus. “The majority of
manpower will be directed in hiding the statuary collection. They are the most heavy and require
extra attention to move gently. By comparison we’ll need fewer people to hide away the
paintings. To avoid drawing suspicions, only the curators will stay behind with their collections.
The rest of you must go about your daily business.”
“Sir,” asked a new sculptor whose name I never quite caught, “Won’t it be dangerous to
leave you by yourself?”
“If you are found to be absent, the odds that they will search for and find us are
6
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