The Four Realms Read Online Free Page B

Magellan’s bluster was someone more lacking in confidence than he had anticipated?
    "Our failings aren't because we don't possess the technology or knowledge to beat our opponents," he continued, "but because we have failed to fully adapt to this environment.   This is why, gentlemen, we are behind schedule."
    "We're making great headways with our data models," the third triplet protested.
    "And how long before it is complete, Mr North?   A year?   Five years?   Millennia?   Can our people wait that long?"
    "And you propose to have the answer, Mr West?" said Mr Magellan, his words laced with vitriol.   Mr West paid no notice to them; they, too, were expected.
    "In the old days, before we had fully modelled and mapped our society, before we were able to predict the weather or the course of someone's life, our data modellers faced many of the same challenges we find ourselves with on these worlds.   So they introduced randomness into their data models, introduced probability."
    The room gasped, as expected.
    "That very word is a heresy, Mr West," snapped Mr Magellan.
    "Yet we are so far from home trying to beat an enemy that doesn't even know we're here, and still they are managing to defeat us by their randomness."
    "Random co-efficients were outlawed hundreds of years ago.   You propose we throw away our virtues and submit to this... probability?"
    "Nobody is saying that our aim shouldn't be data models with no random co-efficients," Mr West said, making sure to look at each of the other four occupants in the room in turn, "but we cannot wait that long.   So instead we must improvise, just like our forefathers.   Accept there is no shame or inefficiency in being unable to fully model these worlds."
    "You seem quick to criticise, Mr West," Mr North said.   "How about you update us with your project?"
    "Yes," added Mr East.   "Have you managed to find out how the gateways between the two realms stay open all the time?"
    "Magic," Mr West replied.
    "Magic?" scoffed Mr South.   "There's no such thing."
    "Really?" said Mr West.   "Go pick a fight with a wizard in New Salisbury and then tell me that."
    Mr South backed down slightly
    "The point is," West continued, his voice increasing in volume as he progressed, "that even the inhabitants of the realms don't know.   Well one did, except you managed to murder him and let a vampire run off with his notebook, if indeed the wizard even brought it with him."
    "So what are you proposing, Mr West?"   Magellan asked, more an accusation than a question.
    Mr West sighed.   "Let me go after the vampire.   If he has it, I'll get it back."
    Magellan laughed.   “You know what your problem is, Mr West?   You like to think you’re better than everyone else.”
    West refrained himself from telling Magellan that he thought that was referring to his own failings.
    “What we have,” Magellan lectured as he waved his hand around him, “is a plan.   Now I’ll admit, it ain’t perfect but we have some of the very best data modellers working on it.   I’m guiding them myself.”
    West knew that was a lie.   Magellan was an idiot and most likely only in the position he was because data models said that would be where he would cause the least problems.
    “You need to accept your part in the plan,” Magellan continued, “or everything will fall apart.”
    Like it hasn’t already? thought West.
    "Mr South has been selected for the mission to get the notebook."
    West laughed.
    "Look at you three," he said pointing to the triplets.   "Carbon copies of each other, no individuality, no expression of individualism."
    "We deemed it inefficient," said Mr East looking slightly hurt.
    "What will be inefficient is when you blow a mission because three identical people draw attention to themselves.   Think of it as camouflage."
    "I hardly think you are one to lecture us, Mr West," Mr South chipped in.   "Your persona is... irregular."
    "Indeed, and yet I am able to pass myself off