Page 38 - Tales Apocalyptic and Dystopian

The Browser
(Fantastic Transactions 2, 1997)

The old browser died and, by custom, Hierocommand at once
instituted a search for his replacement. First their computers sifted
the public files, producing a short list of candidates. Each had
matched the profile of a successful new browser: young but mature,
intelligent, articulate, healthy, unattached to a family, untainted by
heresy and possessed of a photographic memory. Then a small group
of senior hierocoms traveled across the continent incognito,
observing the subjects of their inquiry firsthand. One stood out from
the others; she was taken from her home at midnight and brought
blindfolded to Hierocommand.
Her outrage still simmered as she confronted the elders who had
ordered her abduction and now removed the cloth band from her
eyes.
“What is this: a coven of warlocks? I’m a good Christian girl and
God will protect me from your evil designs.”
One of the men almost smiled.
“Be at ease, Thea Reiser. We are the elders of Hierocommand.”
She shook her head and looked at her surroundings, a large and
richly furnished meeting room. Then she recognized the man who
had spoken.
“Oh.” The stuffing went out of her. “Onward Christian soldiers!”
The men nodded peremptorily. Their leader walked to one
side of the room, which was covered almost entirely by a heavy
curtain.
“You have been chosen as the next browser. This is a privilege and
an honor which you cannot as yet comprehend, so listen and learn.
The Battle of Two Worlds, as you are aware, produced the triumph
of Christianity over the forces of atheism and idolatry, leading to the
dominion of Hierocommand. Schools and universities were reformed
along the lines of scriptural admonition and interpretation; the chaos
of accelerating social change precipitated by uncontrolled scientific
development and environmental exploitation came to an end, leading

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