“When the Terran Hanseatic League began to consolidate its power, their representatives were corporate administrators. They made decisions and ran businesses, but none of them had a very charismatic or likable public face. The figureheads who came to fill the role of the Great Kings were created as spokespeople, icons, and mouthpieces to imply that the Hansa functioned as a unified collection of powers represented in a single leader. Like a kingdom.

“Though a monarchy is not the most politically enlightened form of government, human society has historically looked upon it with reverence and respect. In the beginning, the Hansa made no secret that their King was merely an actor, someone who could perform ceremonies and impress the population. To most individuals, ‘corporate businessmen’ seemed fallible—heroes with feet of clay, as the old cliché says.”

“I’ve never heard that cliché,” Raymond said, swimming backward again. The dolphins dove under him, nosing at his feet.

“But a King, if created properly and given the appropriate trappings and coaching, could fill a vital role. The human population accepted it easily at first. Over the generations, the Great King has become an indispensable spokesperson.”

“Even though the King has no power,” Raymond said.

“Even though the King has no political power,” OX emphasized. “Provided he follows instructions and performs all the tasks the Hansa asks of him, the united colony worlds will run smoothly. You, young Peter, are a placebo government. The populace believes in you, and therefore the populace is well governed.”

”Wasn’t that supposed to work for the Church, too? Nobody sees Unison as anything more than window dressing. The Congress of Faiths might look like a cooperative body in their meetings, but everybody knows they’re at each other’s throats behind closed doors.”

OX said, “In theory, Peter, they are searching for a common denominator among the beliefs of human beings.”

“It’ll never happen. That’s why so many Hansa colonies have their own cultures and churches. My mother never looked at the Congress too favorably. She said Unison would never have the spark of a real church.” Raymond frowned, remembering Rita Aguerra and how she had clung to her icons and her observances, though quietly at home. “She said the

Archfather, the Spokesman of All Faiths, would always play second fiddle to a real pope, in her eyes.”

OX pondered. “An apt analogy, Peter. The consolidation occurred here on Earth while I was away on the Peary. The Congress of Faiths is like the old United Nations, trying to represent all points of view, finding common ground.”

Raymond snorted. “It’s more politics than deep religious passion, and Unison is so bland that nobody can get inspired by it.” He stroked backward, dunked his head under the water, and came up spluttering. He wiped his eyes.