The Toll (Arc of a Scythe) - Neal Shusterman Page 0,52
was not old guard. He was a man with no convictions, willing to throw his lot in with any winning side. Goddard could appreciate that. But a man like that needed to be reminded of his place.
“I would think, after failing to apprehend Scythe Lucifer before he sank Endura,” Goddard said, “that you’d be even more determined to redeem yourself here.”
Constantine simmered. “I cannot bend an entire region to my will, Your Excellency.”
“Then maybe that’s a skill set you need to learn.”
That’s when Scythe Rand rolled in without even a hint of apology. It was something Goddard admired about her, but there were times that it irked him as well. The other scythes endured her undisciplined ways, but only because Goddard did.
She flopped down in the chair next to him. “What’d I miss?”
“Nothing much,” Goddard told her. “Constantine’s excuses, and encouraging news elsewhere. What do you have for us?”
“I have Tonists,” she said. “Far too many Tonists – and they’re getting restless.”
At the mention of Tonists, the underscythes shifted uncomfortably.
“This prophet of theirs is making them way too bold for their own good,” she said. “I’ve been tracking reports of Tonists speaking out publicly against the scythedom – not just here, but in other regions, too.”
“They’ve never shown us an ounce of respect,” said Underscythe Franklin. “Why is that news?”
“Because ever since the Thunderhead went silent, people are listening.”
“This so-called prophet – the Toll – is he himself speaking out against us?” Goddard asked.
“No, but it doesn’t matter,” Rand told him. “The fact that he exists is making Tonists think that their time has come.”
“Their time has come all right,” Goddard said, “just not the way they think.”
“There are many scythes following your lead, Your Excellency,” said Underscythe Nietzsche, “and increasing the number of Tonists they glean without making it too obvious.”
“Yes,” said Rand, “but Tonist numbers are growing faster than they’re being gleaned.”
“We need to take them in greater numbers, then,” Goddard said.
Constantine shook his head “We can’t do that without violating the second commandment. We cannot show an open bias in our gleanings.”
“But if we could,” said Goddard, “if there were no restrictions on bias and malice aforethought, who would you like to glean?”
No one spoke. Goddard expected as much. This was not something you openly discussed – especially not with your High Blade.
“Come now, I’m sure you’ve all thought about it,” he prompted. “You can’t tell me that you haven’t fantasized about doing away with one pesky group or another. And don’t say Tonists, because that’s already my choice.”
“Well,” said a tentative Underscythe Franklin, after the awkward silence. “I’ve always been troubled by those who embrace an unsavory lifestyle. Even before the world was labeled such, there were, and still are, people who revel in it,” she said. “They certainly have a right to their lifestyle – but if I were free to choose, I might focus my attentions on gleaning those people who show the rest of us so little respect.”
“Well said, Aretha! Who’s next?”
Underscythe Nietzsche cleared his throat and spoke up. “We have conquered racism by blending the world into a single people, combining all the finest qualities of every genetic ethnicity … but there are those – particularly in fringe areas – whose genetic indices are skewed heavily in one direction. And worse, there are some who actually attempt to increase a genetic leaning in their children by choice of mate. If I had my druthers, perhaps I would glean these genetic outliers, and thereby create a more homogeneous society.”
“A noble cause,” praised Goddard.
“Short people!” said Scythe Rand. “Can’t stand them. As far as I’m concerned, they’ve got no reason to live.”
That brought forth laughter from around the table. From everyone, that is, but Constantine, who grinned and shook his head, but it seemed a grin of bitterness rather than good humor.
“What about you, Constantine?” Goddard asked. “Who would you glean?”
“As bias has always been out of the question, I haven’t given it any thought,” the crimson scythe said.
“But you were the scythedom’s chief investigator. Aren’t there certain types you’d like to see removed? People who commit acts against the scythedom, perhaps?”
“People who act against the scythedom are already gleaned,” Constantine pointed out. “That’s not a bias – that is self-defense and has always been allowed.”
“So how about those who are likely to act against the scythedom,” Goddard suggested. “A simple algorithm could predict who is at risk for such behavior.”
“Are you saying we should glean people for an offense before they actually commit