Gameboard of the Gods

CHAPTER 18 A CHURCH WITHOUT A GOD

As Tessa’s first week of school went on, she surprised herself with how quickly she adapted to the schedule and technology, even though she still had trouble with some of the content. When she’d told Cynthia about the Spanish class, Cynthia had been furious and marched into the principal’s office for an unannounced meeting. Tessa wasn’t entirely sure what was said, but afterward, she’d been offered a choice between several artistic electives. She’d ended up choosing one on video and film. The constant media on the stream and the almost exhibitionist style of this society continued to fascinate her, especially after living in such a cloistered way.

The impact of Poppy’s friendship soon became apparent. Her endorsement of Tessa provided access to a larger social circle of people who stood up for her against those who were far less accepting. Even if she was still learning the intricacies of Gemman school life, Tessa immediately picked up on the fact that Poppy’s friends weren’t exactly model companions. Half of them seemed to be in detention at any given time. Still, they never asked Tessa to do anything she was uncomfortable with, and underneath their rebellious exteriors, they were genuinely nice people.

One day, Poppy even provided help with a matter she’d clearly never expected to deal with.

“Have you ever been to a Church of Humanity service?” Tessa asked. They were in their last-period science class, and despite her flippant attitude, Poppy excelled at the subject. She always finished early, which meant Tessa also finished early.

Poppy glanced up from her reader, where she’d been looking at pictures of an actor she adored. “Sure. My parents make me go on holidays.”

“I want to see a service.”

Poppy snorted. “Why? It’s boring as hell. And you can watch one on the stream.”

Tessa already had but still wanted to experience it in person. Watching wasn’t the same as feeling, and she needed to understand the concept of a church without a god. She missed the church services her family had regularly attended, and even though she knew there were Christian variants in the RUNA, she also knew that someone in a servitor’s household participating in anything other than the state’s sanctioned “religion” would draw attention.

“I just want to,” said Tessa. “Would you go with me?”

“Hell no. No offense. You’d know I’d do just about anything for you, Tess, but I’ve got to draw the line at lectures on morality.”

“Okay.” Tessa tried to hide her disappointment but must have failed, because Poppy sighed heavily.

“Damn it, don’t look like that. It breaks my heart.” Poppy peered around and focused on a boy with curly dark hair, who was leaning over his assignment. “Yo, Dennis,” she called. “Come here.”

He looked surprised but walked over to their table. “Hey,” he said.

Poppy nodded toward Tessa. “Will you take her to church one of these days?” To Tessa, she explained, “Dennis comes from a nice, well-behaved family. Well, aside from Rhea.”

Rhea was another friend of Poppy’s, one who’d been suspended after being caught in a compromising position with a teacher.

Dennis gave Tessa a nervous smile. “Sure. I’m going after school today if you want to come.”

Tessa froze, but Poppy answered for her. “Of course she does. And tell Rhea she still owes me money.”

Dennis went back to his seat, and Tessa turned on Poppy in horror. “I can’t go with him! Not alone. We need…I don’t know. A chaperone or something.”

“Are you serious?” Poppy looked her over. “Wow, you are. Look, this isn’t a date. It’s church. It’s broad daylight. Even your provincial hang-ups can’t have a problem with that. It’s not like you’re going to go make out in an abandoned building. And besides, this is Rhea’s brother. He’s cool.”

Poppy always talked about Tessa’s provincial habits as though they were cute, not primitive. Usually, Tessa conceded to her friend’s advice, but this involved a line Tessa didn’t think she could cross. It didn’t matter if it was daylight or public. Going out alone with a boy was completely unheard of in Panama. Even if Tessa knew it was fine by Gemman standards and not really that dangerous, old teachings were hard to shake.

She made herself feel better by calling Cynthia after school and asking permission.

“You want to go to church?” Cynthia was out somewhere and answered with voice only, but Tessa could imagine her incredulous expression.

“Is it okay?” Tessa hesitated before delivering the big blow. “It’s with a guy. Alone.”

“Is he thirty or something?”

“No. He’s in my grade.”

“Then go with my blessing. Learn something wholesome.”

Cynthia wasn’t exactly the authority figure Tessa’d originally believed she was. Justin had recently called his sister out on that, asking if she was doing a good job in parenting Tessa. Cynthia had been indignant. “What’s there to parent? She does her homework right after school and helps with dishes. You give me more trouble than she does. The most rebellious thing she does is walk to school with that delinquent.”

And so, Tessa soon found herself riding into downtown with Dennis. Maybe he was Rhea’s brother, but he didn’t have much in common with her—much to Tessa’s relief. Dennis seemed as shy as Tessa felt and did his part to help along their awkward small talk. He at least seemed genuinely interested in Tessa’s background and, much like Poppy, didn’t find it anything to be ashamed of.

“My parents like us to go twice a week,” he explained to Tessa, switching back to the topic of church. “They think it develops character.”

“Rhea goes too?”

“No, she just says she does, and I cover for her.” He laughed to himself. “They’re able to make her go while she’s suspended. It’s probably the worst part of the punishment for her.”

Although the Church of Humanity had worship centers everywhere, its main cathedral was in downtown Vancouver. The videos Tessa had watched of services had been in places that typified Gemman public areas: simple, clean, bright. She’d expected the same of the cathedral, just on a larger scale. So, it was a surprise to walk into the building and find that it resembled some of the churches back in Panama.

The most notable part, to Tessa, was the abundance of wood and marble, providing an aged look so different from the modernity of everything else in the RUNA. The vaulted ceiling was arched, and large windows allowed afternoon sunlight to pour into the nave and onto its ornate wooden pews. Pillars lined the sides of the room, coming together in more pointed arches. Tessa almost felt as though she’d been transported to some other country until she saw the media screens scattered throughout the space. That was more in line with what she expected. She and Dennis sat down about halfway back in the pews, allowing her to notice one more notable feature: There were no symbols or pictures of any kind, aside from the Gemman flag.

“Only about half-full today,” Dennis told her. “More people come on the weekends.”

“It’s beautiful,” she said. It might have been the most beautiful thing she’d seen since coming to the RUNA. “All of this, for no god. It’s so strange.”

“Why?” he asked, looking legitimately puzzled.

“It’s just how I was raised, that’s all.”

“You worshipped a god?”

It sounded weird when he put it that way. “My family did.”

“Which god?”

“Er, God, I guess.”

The officiant began the service. He actually wore the kind of elaborate robes she’d seen on other priests, though these were done in the Gemman national colors. Dennis leaned close to whisper in her ear, “Sometimes on the weekends, Angela herself officiates here.”

Tessa didn’t know who Angela was and mostly felt startled at Dennis’s proximity. It didn’t send any thrills of attraction through her. It was just something she had absolutely no experience with.

Everyone stood and sang the national anthem, and then the officiant urged them to take their seats again. He welcomed the congregation and launched into his talk. And that’s what it was: a talk. Or maybe “lecture” was a better term. It certainly wasn’t a sermon. In fact, as the screens lit up, showing a bulleted list, Tessa felt as though she were back in school.

Today’s topic was contraception and how it was necessary for an effective society. Hearing sex discussed so openly in a church made Tessa blush—especially while sitting next to Dennis.

The officiant’s powerful voice rang throughout the cathedral, as powerful as that of any priest Tessa had heard. “A society that creates planned and purposeful children is a superior society. We aren’t like the provinces, with packs of children running underfoot in families that can’t afford to feed and clothe them.”

Tessa would’ve almost taken offense, but she’d already grown used to the astonished looks she received when revealing she had four sisters. Gemman women were usually sterilized when they reached their standard allotment: two children, unless they definitively proved that their social and financial means could support more. Even then, four was the maximum. No exceptions. Justin had explained to her how the castes constantly challenged this law and lobbied for the removal of those limits. “They think their non-Cain members should be allowed to breed like dogs,” he’d told her.

“The law ensures we keep ourselves strong and orderly, though occasionally girls slip through the cracks,” the officiant said, raising his hands for drama. “If you know of anyone who has dodged the fourteen law, do your civic duty and report it immediately.”

Tessa knew the law. Girls were required to get contraceptive implants when they turned fourteen, unless they hit puberty earlier. No legal doctor would remove the implant until the woman turned twenty, at which point she had the freedom to get pregnant. With a jolt, Tessa suddenly realized she had no implant. She wasn’t trying to dodge any law; it had just never come up. Maybe no one cared about non-Gemman citizens “breeding like dogs.” Regardless, it was a moot point. Tessa had no intention of having sex any time soon.

Contraception laws were so ingrained into Gemman society that the officiant was able to keep his advocacy brief. The congregation already believed. He was simply reaffirming what they were doing—how good it was, how smart, how superior. He also mentioned the government and national identity a lot. He reminded everyone how lucky they were and how wise their country’s leaders were. Looking around her, Tessa could see it on everyone’s faces: rapture and adoration for the jewel of the world.

The service closed with the anthem again, and Tessa left with Dennis. “I was wrong,” she murmured. “There is a god. The RUNA itself. All that beauty and splendor to inspire wonder in its citizens.”

Dennis frowned. “What are you talking about?”

She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. Thank you for bringing me.” She knew he wouldn’t understand. He’d been born into that propaganda and couldn’t even imagine any other way of life. And it wasn’t a bad way of life, she admitted to herself. She’d seen firsthand what the officiant warned about: unplanned pregnancies and excess children, some of whom were abandoned. The message was fine. It was the way it was delivered that amazed her.

Dennis gave her a tentative smile as they walked to the subway station. He seemed to have forgotten about her potentially being a member of a dangerous cult. “Did Poppy tell you about the concert we’re going to next week? It’s Vital Lucidity.”

Tessa couldn’t even begin to parse what he’d said. “Vital Lucidity?”

“They’re a band. An awesome one. They’re playing outdoors at Westfield Plaza. A bunch of us are going, and I could pick you up and bring you.”

“Is this a date?” she asked. She felt blunt and stupid asking outright but figured this was a matter that required complete clarification.

He shuffled his feet and looked away. “I guess so. If you don’t want to—”

“I do,” she said. “That is, I just have to ask permission.” A concert like he described would have been out of the question in Panama, and she was curious to go, even if she didn’t entirely understand what Vital Lucidity was. It couldn’t be too dangerous, especially if Poppy was going, but once more, her instincts wouldn’t let her go unchaperoned without permission. “I’ll let you know soon.”

That satisfied Dennis, and he gave her another smile. “Cool.”

They parted ways later, and Tessa walked back to the house with her mind full of questions. She hoped Justin wouldn’t be too late tonight, because she wanted to dissect what she’d seen at the church. He was as hip-deep in Gemman rhetoric as anyone else around here, but he was probably the only person who might be able to understand her observations.

He actually came home early for a change, shortly after dinner. “No travel,” he explained. “Just some local licenses. Only two more big trips left, and then hell if I know what’s going to happen.” That last part was more to himself, and Tessa was afraid to ask him to elaborate. She knew he was working on something a lot bigger than standard servitor work, something that he and Mae often spoke about in hushed tones. Whatever it was, it kept him away a lot, and although Tessa understood that was his job, she missed talking the way they used to.

He wandered off toward the study he’d claimed as his office, and she deliberated over whether to bother him about her church day or not. Finally, deciding he couldn’t complain about her exploring the society he’d brought her to, she followed. She heard voices when she reached his door and started to turn back, realizing he was on a call. Her curiosity was piqued when she recognized one of the voices as Dominic’s, and going against all her good breeding, she hovered just behind the ajar door and peered in.

Sure enough, Dominic’s face was displayed on Justin’s wall screen, looking irritated. “Leo’s in his workroom. I’ve got to take my portobello casserole out of the oven first, then I’ll get him. It dries out if it’s left in there for more than seventeen minutes.”

Justin groaned once Dominic disappeared and muttered to himself, “Man, he sucks.”

Leo appeared soon thereafter. “Here for your results?”

“You got the reports?”

“Yup.” Leo’s face broke out into a grin. “Looks like you owe Mae a drink. The victims all match. They were done by the same person, but she wasn’t. She doesn’t have the same signature.”

It was a rare moment of astonishment for Justin. “What does that mean? It’s not possible. She’s a nine from the right time period.”

“It means you were wrong. I know it must be a new experience for you. If it makes you feel better, I think there was a little gene manipulation going on with her.”

“How so?” Justin still looked dumbfounded.

“Her genes are outstanding,” Leo told her. “Too nice to be natural, in my opinion. They’re just not as nice as the victims’. Those are like…art.”

“So she has no connection to the case,” said Justin flatly.

“Not from what I can tell. Don’t sound so sad. She’s still a badass prætorian and all that.”

“I know.” Justin smiled fleetingly. “Did I ever tell you about this Apollo temple we were at? You would’ve loved it. This guy had subcutaneous microfilaments delivering ecstatic drugs. You should have seen his face when I sent Mae as a volunteer. She didn’t even twitch.”

Even Leo was amused at that. “She must’ve twitched a little.”

“No, the implant protected her.”

“Yeah, but it’d take a moment for it to identify and metabolize the drug.”

Justin was obstinate. “Well, I know what I saw.”

“And I know prætorians.”

“Well, do you know anything yet about mysteriously altered videos?” Justin shot back, not liking the contradiction.

Leo’s good mood dimmed. “No. But I got a good lead on an experiment for the video. I’ll keep you posted.” He disconnected.

Justin stared at the screen in silence for several moments before saying, “You can come in.”

Feeling foolish, Tessa entered the office. “Sorry. I was coming to talk to you.”

He waved it off as he sat in his chair and put his feet up on the desk. “Tell me this, prodigy. Six patricians born within a year of each other, all with high scores, all showing signs of genetic manipulation done by the same person—except one. Why would that be?”

Tessa leaned against the wall. “Because the sixth one wasn’t done by the same person.”

Justin didn’t look appreciative. “Thanks for that. So it’s a coincidence?”

“I don’t know enough about it,” she said with a shrug. “Do numbers lie?”

“Not when Leo runs them.”

“Then it is a coincidence.”

He nodded, though his face still showed skepticism. “How about this. A bunch of plebeians die the same year some perfect patricians are conceived. Is that a coincidence?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know any of the context here either. Is this your case?”

“Yes. And don’t tell anyone we’re having this conversation.”

It didn’t sound like it had much to do with religion. “I guess you have to ask why that would happen. Why would plebeians die when patricians were conceived? If there’s a reason, then it’s not a coincidence. Sorry,” she added, realizing it wasn’t much of an answer. “Guess I’m not much of a prodigy tonight.”

“You’re good enough.” He straightened up in his chair. “So. What did you want to talk about?”

“I went to a church service today. Church of Humanity,” she clarified. “I thought it would be like a guide for moral living and human principles. But mostly it seemed like a way to enforce loyalty to the country’s policies.”

“They’re the same. That’s what religions do—a higher power tells people how to live. Only, this message comes from a reasonable set of humans, not a capricious made-up entity.”

“Religions give you a sense of purpose. They connect you with something bigger in the universe and help you understand why you’re here,” she argued.

He gave her a teasing smile. “Isn’t that what I just said?”

“No. I don’t think so.” She frowned. “If I find a church—a real one, like the one I went to back home—will you arrest me? Or will it get you in trouble?”

“Only if you attempt treason. There are two here in the city that are pretty good matches. Licensed and harmless. You can go if you want.”

She didn’t say anything, but she wondered just how much the RUNA’s idea of “licensed and harmless” would truly match the faith she’d been raised in. Instead, she told him, “Oh. I kind of have a date.”

That snapped him to attention. “What? With who?”

“The guy I went to church with.” Tessa shifted uncomfortably. “Cynthia said it was okay when I asked earlier.”

“That’s because she was never a teenage boy,” he said. “Two weeks here, and you’re already giving me gray hairs. Give me his name so I can run a check and then make sure he comes by to meet me.”

Tessa couldn’t help but be a little surprised. Thus far, Justin hadn’t really seemed all that interested in her activities.

“I’m just going to a concert,” Tessa said, trying to reassure him. “I’m hoping it’ll give me some footage for my class.”

“Footage?”

“I’m in a media class now. Part of our project is to do a documentary, and I’m doing mine on Gemman culture from an outsider’s perspective.” Tessa was excited about the prospect, and not just because it freed her from inane Spanish lessons.

“Huh,” he said. “Budding reporter. I never saw that coming. Don’t record anything around here without asking me.”

“I know.”

He stared off thoughtfully. “There’s a lot of power with cameras and editing, you know. It lets you define the truth.”

“Isn’t that what you do?” she asked. “Servitor veritatis. ‘Servant of the truth.’ Don’t you define the truth too?”

That got her another laugh and a rueful head-shake. “Go to bed, prodigy. You’re too smart for your own good. And mine.”