The Rise of Endymion (Hyperion Cantos, #4)

by Dan Simmons

“The Church …” began Cognani and stopped. “Of course, the cruciform is just part of the power equation. The TechnoCore provides the Church with the secret of successful resurrection. But they’ve been in league with the Church for two hundred and eighty years …” “For their own purposes,” said Isozaki softly. “What are those purposes, Anna?” The office rotated into night. Stars exploded into existence. Cognani raised her face to the Milky Way to gain a moment to think. “No one knows,” she said at last. “Ohm’s Law.” Isozaki smiled. “Very good. Following the path of least resistance here may not lead us through the Church, but via the Core.” “But Councillor Albedo meets with no one except His Holiness and Lourdusamy.” “No one that we know of,” amended Isozaki. “But that is a matter of the Core coming to the human universe.”