A Better Way to Die

A Better Way to Die

Paul Cornell

Hamilton had been relieved to find that the younger version of himself had gone to the far end of the dining table that stood on a rise at the end of the hall. It any other circumstances, it would have been comforting to be back in this place, with the smell of polish and the candlelight, but as he looked out at the tables of undergraduates, he realised that something was missing. There would normally be numerous servants moving between the rows, delivering plates of food and refilling glasses. Suddenly, he saw just such a meal appearing beside one chattering youth, something which caused the lad no surprise whatsoever. Hamilton had been seated opposite Turpin, and now he looked back at him.

« Hidden service, » the senior man said. « Happens in a lot of places now. The servants move through an infinite fold, in effect an empty optional world, beside the real one. One more use for the new enginges. And neater, you must admit. »

Hamilton didn’t feel the need to agree with such young opinions from his old mentor. He was now wondering if the man’s new smoothness of face was because this was also a younger version. But no, surely not, here was still the experience, the tone of voice he was used to. Turpin had seen that look. “One of the out of uniform men found it for me,” he said, as if he was talking about a carriage. “As soon as the great powers recognized that various of the engines that had fallen into our hands gave us access to optional worlds, outside the balance, the Palace felt it was our lot’s duty to start mapping them, to find out where all these open fold tunnels lead. Our regimental hunting parties have been going all over”.

Hamilton thought he understood now why he hadn’t been included in that effort. “Including another one of you?”

A better way to die. Photo by Elena

“Several. The original owner of this was only a Newton or so different to the original. Well, in physical terms. Where he came from, a lot of our conflicts didn’t happen, hence the smoothness of face. Our lads put him in the bag, and when they got back, connected his mind to an infinite tunnel. Like using a terrier to root out a fox. Once he was out, I moved in, using the same method. Should keep me going for a bit longer.

Hamilton had found himself wondering at that statement. His balance had been thrown by the boy, and so he’d allowedhimslef the seditious thought, because it had felt not so dangerous then, that Turpin was seeking not, as he said, an extension of his service, but actually tactical advantage at Court. He was now more like those he served were. And never mind the distance that took him from his officers. « What if optional worlds start raiding us in the same way? »

« First thing we thought of. We seem to be unique, at least in all those options nearby. We’re the only ones who’ve encountered the Foreigners. Or they may even only exist in this world. If they do start popping over, we may have to start making treaties with optional Britains rather than raiding them. »

« And extending the balance into them? »

Turpin had raised his hands. Perhaps he felt this was beyond his duty or understanding.

Science Fiction and Fantasy 2015, edited by Rich Horton, Prime Books, 2015.