Звезда Пандоры

“Right then.” Mark eased the pickup forward, driving down the narrow zigzag gap between the vehicles that were parked at right angles across the lanes, most of them pickup trucks or four-by-fours, the kinds of vehicles driven by Randtowners. People walking along the road saw the Vernons and gave them a wave or thumbs-up. A section of the central barrier had been removed, and he went over onto the southern lanes. Colleen’s big truck was easily visible; the sides were painted in the bright pink and emerald logo of her precipitator leaf business. Since they’d arrived, Mark had had several arguments with her about the semiorganic equipment she’d supplied, but now they both smiled cheerily at each other as they passed.

“Community spirit is high today,” Liz murmured slyly so the children couldn’t hear. They grinned at each other.

Mark parked in the gap Colleen had left. They walked up to the head of the blockade, where big civic utility trucks, bulldozers, tractors, snowplows, roadsweepers, and double-decker buses were parked end to end, as tight as any mosaic. Simon Rand himself came to greet them, a tall figure in an apricot Gandhi-style toga made from semiorganic fabric that swirled around his limbs as he moved, always covering the skin and keeping him warm in the fresh mountain air. His apparent age was approaching sixty, an aging that had produced long distinguished creases in his ebony face. He fitted his role as nature’s guru perfectly, charismatic and passively stubborn, traits that provided universal reassurance to anyone engaged with his ideals.

A flock of people trailed along in his wake, an entourage like that of the staff of any major politician, except these were more like acolytes. Some were intent and focused, while others moved as though in a daydream. Over half were women, and all of them were attractive, either rejuvenated or first-lifers. Simon’s commitment to his own ideals drew him a lot of admirers from the people who came to live the Randtown life; and as he kept saying, he was only human.

“Mark, how good of you to come,” Simon said warmly. He grasped Mark’s hand in a strong grip.

Very definitely a politician’s handshake, Mark thought.

“And Liz as well. This is so kind. I know how difficult it is for people who work for a living to contribute their time to a cause, especially those who have just joined us and have mortgages to pay. For what such words are worth, I appreciate you being here today.”

“We can spare a few afternoons,” Liz said archly. She was one of those immune to his personal charm, though even she appreciated his resolution.

“Let us hope this situation doesn’t require more than that,” Simon said. “I have already heard—unofficially, of course—that they are willing to consider negotiating an alternative power source to that dreadful plutonium which they have brought with them.”

“Sounds good,” Mark said. “Where do you want us?”

“There’s a big no-man’s land between us and them, many families are gathered there. The children will be able to play with their friends.”

“Can I take Panda?” Barry asked.

“Your dog?” Simon gave both the Vernon kids a wink. “Of course you can, we welcome everybody to the protest. I’m sure Panda will have fun. Try not to let him bite too many police officers. They’re only doing their job, and our quarrel is not with them.”

“Her,” Sandy said indignantly, patting Panda. “Panda’s a lady dog, you know.”

“I do apologize. She is a fine-looking lady dog.”

“Thank you. Panda says you’re nice, too.”

“We’ll get over there, then,” Mark said, zipping up his coat. He was beginning to wish he’d brought his gloves.

“Stay only for as long as you are comfortable with,” Simon said. “It is the act of coming here which is relevant. We do not measure commitment by the hours you put in.”

“I gather you’re sleeping in one of the buses,” Liz said.

“Yes. We do not want to give the navy the chance to break the blockade, so my closest supporters and myself maintain the vigil at night. I cannot leave, Liz, this is my home now and forever. My roots are here. My soul is at peace with what has been achieved. So you will understand that I must stand fast on this road and prevent any violation of the life so many have chosen for themselves.”

“I understand.”

He breathed deeply, a look of serenity on his face. “I had forgotten the taste of the mountain air. Its rawness and purity is refreshing. Up here we can all reaffirm our commitment to ourselves. This road I built is more than physical. From this point you can make many choices regarding your destination.”

“I think we’ll just go home at the end of the shift, thank you,” Liz told him.

And Simon inclined his head, smiling graciously just like any mystic hit by a solid fact.

“That was rude,” Mark said as they carried on up to the head of the blockade. Simon and his close personal followers had gone off on some inscrutable business.