Who could remove this meddlesome priest?

  I had options that I reviewed.

  Killing him was the first and most obvious direction I could take. Eliminating the priest would send a message, but would it be the right message? The Order of St Marcus could see it as a provocation and escalate to another attack on New Midian. I suspect that they would try again, but I was still struggling to understand what arcane resources they possessed. The artefacts I had already acquired had not yet given up their secrets.

  As to how he could be killed, Herbert was a solid no as he had never killed before and would be reckless at best. Most of the Hunters could no longer spend long periods from New Midian, and reaching Crossway was hard. That did not include finding and stalking the priest in the town's population. My Hunters could no longer blend in as they once had.

  That was turning me against killing him.

  Then how do we stop his investigation?

  Blackmail? Not practical, as I have nothing on him.

  Reputation destruction? More possible, but how? Amy and her daughter were the best angles for this. Have them attend the church more and arrange more private meetings with Father Shane. From there, start to insinuate things and let the congregation do the rest. That would involve Amy and her daughter more, and I was hesitant about that.

  Pass the problem off to the Way of Athamos and Daughters of Medusa? That was a more possible option, but what would they do? By trying to keep my hands clean, I could create a bigger problem.

  What to do?

  I wrestled with that issue for the next few days, finding no clear path, which only frustrated me further.

  Eleanor came to visit, and I decided to test the waters with her to see if we could resolve my priest problem.

  "We are aware of Father Shane." She said after I laid out the problem.

  "Have you any designs on containing him?"

  "We have been monitoring his interactions as best we can. His attempts to influence the Driver family were noted, but we trust in your arrangement with them." She laid out what was happening in Crossway. "Containing him is harder as any move against him brings more scrutiny from the Order of St Marcus."

  "Are they that connected in the Catholic Church?"

  I needed to know more about them. I might push for a full disclosure from both groups.

  "After the Spanish Inquisition and Witch trials across Europe, they suffered a backlash over their zealotry if my reading of historical records is correct." She became thoughtful. "To the public, they were disavowed by the Church but quietly are still active in its ranks."

  "Can you use his membership of the Order against him?"

  "There is no indication he is a member, as all of his actions fall within the duties of the Parish priest he is performing."

  Well, that was frustrating in the extreme.

  "I must ask, Keeper and forgive me if I am speaking out of line, but are you thinking about taking action?" She asked hesitantly, afraid of my answer.

  "I had thought about it, but I lack information to make a final decision on this, hence my enquiry."

  I see her let out a breath she is holding, and some tension leaves her shoulders. I find it odd that I am getting so good at reading people's body language. I had the impression that, as a human, I was somewhat lacking in the regard. I am also considering my lack of interaction over the last few decades.

  "That is wise, Keeper. Rash actions lead to unfavourable outcomes." She smiled at me, saying this. I chose to ignore the almost patronising tone.

  "The priest will have to be contained then."

  "That will be difficult, as we have had experience dealing with the Order of St Marcus before. This is complicated more by the fact that you cannot move."

  That was my biggest problem. As a dungeon, I was in a fixed location. I hadn't seen the option to become mobile on the Perk list when I levelled, and I don't think that's possible. Thus, when my enemies discovered my location, I was in trouble and had to look to my own means to protect myself.

  "Yes, hiding is not an option, but that does not mean I am without opportunities or resources."

  She nodded along as I spoke, not realising I was talking about her or her group.

  "What are your short-term plans?" She enquired.

  "I have two options. First, ignore him. That is the most likely option, but the one I am most unhappy with."

  She continued to nod along with my words.

  "Second, I create a whisper campaign and undermine his position within the community."

  That caused her to pause.

  "A whisper campaign?" Was her uncertain question. Did she not know what that was? Or did she know it under another name?

  I explained the concept. Start rumours within social groups towards an individual. Make the rumours have a tint of truth or close enough to place the seed of doubt in the minds of the listeners. Let the target overreact in defending themselves, making them look guilty. Help the rumours stay current by reinforcing them from time to time. Wait until they are affecting the individual professionally, then inform their superiors and/or the press to pressure them further to be moved or removed.

  Her reaction told me they had never tried an organised campaign like that before. The idea was something women had practised throughout history, but not to the point of refining a doctrine for it. I could see the idea had taken root in her mind, and she was weighing its practicality.

  She bid her farewells and left.

  I wondered if I had made a terrible mistake.

  Amy still attended church with her daughter, but was having her be more guarded along with her in their confessions.

  Mary had spoken with her parents; I wasn't sure what they'd discussed, but all they talked about was family business involving New Midian, which was prohibited beyond the family.

  Herbert told me it was a long and most unpleasant conversation.

  That was funny because he had to have one with me about hitting his wife.

  I guaranteed he wouldn't enjoy it.

  I finally got to reading the papers that he had brought before the whole Father Shane issue kicked off.

  June passed into July, and things went on as they had for years.

  On 10 July, there was a major disaster in a mine in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, killing one hundred and twelve miners. Trade unions and socialist organisations across the country rallied to protest the deaths. They called for greater safety features and owner accountability. The Democrats, of course, clamp down on them, and the President led the charge, further increasing the tensions between the radical socialist elements of the Republican party and the Democratic -controlled establishment.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  On 14 July, Machu Picchu was discovered or rediscovered, depending on which way you looked at it.

  The long summer days were here once again, and I half expected to see a Challenger rollup. But it seems that we were in one of these quiet periods that often come. When active, all my Hunters went out only at night to collect firewood and hunt in the local forest. They were getting ready for winter, and I had to start thinking about doing the same.

  I began taking stock of what I needed to resupply and what I would do over the quiet winter months.

  I was keeping track of what Father Shane was doing in Crossway. He was still quietly trying to influence Amy and Mary to turn against me, but Amy was making sure that her daughter stayed on the agreed path. I would take no action against the priest as long as he has nothing to use against me. I was not happy with the agreement, but Amy was adamant that we take this path. She was a highly religious woman, and my openly moving against the priest did not sit well with her at all, even though she was the one who was trying to manipulate her.

  She had come to see me alone shortly after Eleanor had and made her pitch to me. I agreed with the one caveat that as long as no action was taken against me, I would stay my hand against him. She knew that was the best she was going to get, on my terms.

  For now, the meddlesome priest remained.

  I watch the world pass from the top of the spatial bubble as August took over from July. There was more traffic these days on the road running parallel to the forest, and I often saw more people on the iron bridge that had replaced the old one that had been swept away in the floods.

  King Edward VII's coronation took place in London this month.

  From both papers, I began to spot more stories about automobiles being used across North America and beyond. Europe seems to be embracing them, with both Paris and London reporting large numbers now in use. Well, I say large numbers for the period, as I knew what was coming down the line, things continued along the same track.

  The Germans, led by Count Zeppelin, were at the forefront of airship technology, with several new models under construction. Other countries are also extensively experimenting with Zeppelin technology. More of these airships were now using helium supplied from America. Hydrogen was widely regarded as being cheaper and easier to produce, but helium was vastly safer. Those who could afford it were now switching to helium in steady numbers.

  At the end of the month, Mount Pelee erupts again in Martinique, but this time, far greater and more destructive. The town of Le Morne-Rogue is destroyed, causing well over a thousand deaths.

  For all of man's capacity for destruction at this time still paled in comparison to Mother Nature.

  On 1 September 1902, the world's first science fiction film premiered. Le Voyage dans La Lune, which was translated to A Trip to the Moon. I knew this because Eleanor had rushed over a few days later with the news. From her description, the film had been a wild success when it premiered in Paris, and her sisters had gone to great lengths to secure the rights to show it in France and beyond. As a silent film, the written parts were quickly translated into many languages and sought to be shown as widely as possible.

  I thoroughly approved of this. It was a clear demonstration of the path I had pointed them down with the motion picture industry. Los Angeles was beginning to attract both funding and talent, and I knew the first organised film studios would appear very soon.

  Autumn was beginning to arrive as summer gave up its hold on the world. I noticed the changes now in the forest around me. Over the decades, I've become accustomed to the rhythms of nature in those trees, and I soon started to spot the beginnings of the shift.

  I was starting to feel a bit neglected, as neither intruder nor Challenger had appeared over several months. I learned from Herbert that the mines to the north were now almost completely shut down, and that the work was focused on expanding the railroad through the mountains to Cascadia. But that was expected to be finished very soon.

  It appeared that my steady diet of miners/grave robbers was coming to an end. I wondered what that boded for my future and my development. I do not appreciate them coming to attempt to rob me blind, but they at least provided both my Hunters and me a steady flow of kills for our tallies.

  The weather was changing as well, now that October had arrived. The leaves are starting to change from green to yellow and brown, and there has been far more rain. Herbert kept a steady stream of papers coming to me. He kept me updated on various things I put into motion in the world beyond. The New Genesis Foundation was preparing to issue notices for its first grants. The amount of money was exceptionally small, but I knew that it would grow over time. The foundation would focus on technological development guided by my knowledge of possible future events. For the moment, they would concentrate on airship technology in Idaho. Eventually, I hoped it would grow into a national foundation. I was surprised to learn there were already five separate inquiries seeking funding. I reminded Herbert to make sure the foundation requests were legitimate and that we wouldn't be conned.

  The Portland Times reported one story that caught my interest on 17 October. A new company called Cadillac had built its first automobiles and had to deliver them to New York, and two were sent to Canada.

  I chuckled at that, recognising the name. Senior Jacob stopped by for his final visit of the year and confirmed they were supplying petroleum and oil-based products to this new company. I mentioned that they should keep an eye on it.

  Towards the end of the month, a prolonged series of strikes by the United Mine Workers of America came to an end. Democratic governors organise strike-busting groups to undermine various parts of the union on strike, leading to many clashes. In Republican-controlled states, the authorities were far more lenient, but the miners themselves took aggressive action. Both sides raised many prosecutions and civil suits. In the end, the strikers got what they wanted in many Republican-controlled states, but the Democrats proved to be far more stubborn.

  The Portland Times gave me a far more nuanced, balanced story. It was clear that the socialist elements within the Republican Party were becoming increasingly unhappy with the moderates who wanted to keep progressing slowly within the law.

  Could it be a split? I often wondered.

  President Harold McGregor continued campaigning alongside several members of Congress to act more aggressively against unions and socialist organisations across America. Many Democratic governors and legislators in the states had taken up his call and brought in more draconian laws to oppose the unions.

  I vaguely knew that, in my timeline, the United States of America was no great fan of unions. They existed but lacked any real economic and social power in many areas of business. They had considerable influence in some courses, but they were not the majority in most industries.

  These crackdowns and new laws, which were only driving the split in the Republican Party, were making it more obvious. The socialist wing became far more radicalised and openly aggressive in its opposition to these laws. The more moderate wing was attempting to oppose the laws through legal means. It was hard to say which way the rank-and-file would ultimately turn, but I sensed a shift was coming.

  Another volcano erupted this time in Guatemala at Santa Maria, killing many thousands of people.

  November began with a significant trade agreement between France and Italy, deepening their economic ties in North Africa. Both nations were investing heavily in their colonies, helping them strengthen their own home economies to counter the far larger combined economy of their opponents. Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Russia were also deepening their economic ties.

  A few days later, another European King was assassinated by an anarchist on the continent. King Leopold II of Belgium fell to an assassin's bullet fired by an Italian anarchist named Gennaro Rubino. I found it ironic that most of the successful anarchists came from Italy, of all places. This, of course, led to another crackdown against subversive and anarchist organisations, all those who claim to be by the authorities in many countries. This, in turn, radicalised them even more. The vicious cycle continued.

  Anarchists in Europe, socialists in America. I wonder which one would ignite the fuse first for social chaos.

  I was looking forward to winter, now that I knew it would be here soon. I was keeping my eye on the snow line in the mountains to the west. So far, it wasn't moving, but I knew that would change very quickly.

  I wondered if that would be the end of major events for the year, as things seemed to quiet down for a period, but the world had one last big surprise.

  The British had effectively taken over the Venezuelan government over the last few years. The country wasn't precisely a colony, but it wasn't a free nation anymore either. The British were tightening their economic and political hold, with the national military openly backing the change. It turns out the British were actually making sure they were getting paid on time and improving their living conditions.

  The Venezuelans owed quite a lot of money to Britain, Germany, and Italy, which the British were arranging to repay. Many now openly expected the British government to bring Venezuela into the Empire formally. According to the report, there had been some small demonstrations. Still, the Venezuelan people saw an overall improvement in living conditions and were waiting to see what the British might propose. As for the British government itself, it was not seeking another colony and was openly discussing making Venezuela a Dominion-style entity within the Empire.

  President Harold McGregor did not seem to approve of this sighting of the Monroe Doctrine. He had Congress approve a major naval spending bill. Well, the major spending bill, compared to the nation's times and history so far. A further six armoured cruisers had increased the Mexican Gulf Squadron. They began construction shortly after he took power, following the assassination of his predecessor.

  The American fleet set sail from Havana, their new Caribbean naval base, and conducted several training exercises off the coast of Venezuela, flying the flag.

  This led to considerable consternation in Congress, as they did not want to enter any armed conflict with the British Empire, and many considered it an openly provocative act. The answer from London was both forceful and muted. The British Caribbean Squadron performed its own naval exercises near the Americans. The Royal Navy's deployment was twice the size of the Americans'.

  The American Admiral decided not to push his luck and kept a good distance between the two exercising fleets. American reporters assigned to the exercises sent back reports on American military power, but other nations observing the exercises offered a more realistic view of the situation.

  President Harold McGregor and his administration had first tried to play it off as America flexing its naval power. But when the report from the neutral observers came out, news coverage quickly turned against him, and he was forced to back down, somewhat embarrassed by the whole situation.

  I hoped to learn more about what was happening, but unfortunately, the snow came.