The Baba Yaga Read Free Page A

This is what we are up against. And what we must all understand is that the Weird might be amongst us now—here, in this room. They can infect human minds—any of us in this room, right now, could be an agent of the Weird. For this purpose, I am proposing that we introduce mandatory screening of all government employees: a test that will enable us to discover who has been infected and prevent them from accessing positions of power—”
    Now Walker spoke. “A test? You mean a telepathic scan, don’t you?”
    Grant turned to look at her. “It can take the form of a telepathic scan, yes.”
    “Do we have another way of testing for mind-parasites?”
    Grant studied her carefully. “Not as yet, no.”
    “So you’re proposing a mandatory telepathic scan for all government employees. Have you ever undergone a telepathic scan, Commander Grant?”
    “I have not—”
    “No, I imagine not. You wouldn’t be proposing them so lightly.” Walker addressed the room. “We need to take a step back. Compulsory telepathic tests are a huge invasion of privacy. What’s next? Mandatory scans for all citizens?”
    There was a pause, during which it became patently clear that, given the chance, Grant would certainly introduce such a policy. Eventually, Grant said, “There are always costs during war.”
    “But we’re not at war,” said Walker. A few voices started to object, but Latimer raised his hand, and they subsided. “We are not at war,” she said again. “In fact, we have never communicated with the Weird, and we have no idea what they want.”
    Now the disagreement would be heard. “Surely we know they want to destroy us?” one of Grant’s associates said. “Even if they don’t, their very existence is manifestly incompatible with ours—”
    “We know nothing of the sort,” said Walker clearly. “We have barely any experience of the Weird. I don’t deny that our experiences thus far have been appalling, but surely we don’t want to rush headlong into another war—”
    “The Weird have brought war to us!”
    “In fact,” said Walker, “there’s evidence to suggest this might not be true—”
    Latimer held up his hand again. “I won’t have this turn into a slanging match.”
    “I agree,” said Walker. “But Grant and her team have had their say. She offers a superweapon, which may well not work, and compulsory medical procedures. I have another suggestion. May I present my case?”
    Latimer nodded, and the room fell silent.
    “Thank you,” said Walker. She stood up and took her place at the head of the table. “We are fresh from a costly war with the Vetch,” she said. “We cannot afford another one. Our experiences with the Weird have been brief, bloody, and brutal, but in truth we know very little about them. Yes, our instinct is to fight back. But what if the Weird cannot be defeated by superior force? What if we direct all our energies and resources, and place all our hopes, on a weapon that cannot save us? We have to take a longer view, and we have smarter weapons in our arsenal.”
    Looking down the table, she saw Andrei nodding.
    “What do you suggest, Walker?” Latimer said.
    Walker smiled. “We communicate.”
    There was a silence, and then the room collapsed into chaos. “ Communicate? ” said Grant. “You can’t communicate with the Weird! They are a force for destruction! You’ve seen the images from Rocastle, from everywhere the Weird have been! They murder—nothing more! That’s all they do! You can’t communicate with that!”
    Another of Grant’s associates called out, “You might as well try to reason with a crimopath!”
    “What harm could it do?” Walker shot back. “Why reject this idea out of hand?”
    “Because it’s a fantasy!” said Grant.
    “I disagree,” said Walker. “And in fact, one of my assets has recently returned from Satan’s Reach with some fascinating information.” Satan’s Reach—a region of space beyond the control of either the