TheDyingLightEvergenceBookTwo

SeanWilliams&ShaneDix

Thisisaworkoffiction.Allthecharactersandeventsportrayedinthisbookarefictional,andanyresemblancetorealpeopleorincidentsispurelycoincidental.

eISBN:978-1-61756-459-8

Copyright©2000bySeanWilliams&ShaneDix

PublishedbyE-Reads.Allrightsreserved.

www.ereads.com

ForScottandKerri

Darknessislookingforwardandsaying:“Idonotknowwhattodonext;Ihavelostmywayanditistoolatetofinditnow.”

—HUBERTVANZELLER

Thecruellestliesareoftentoldinsilence.—ROBERTLOUISSTEVENSON

PARTONE:PALASIANSYSTEM

Prologue

Wordscouldnotdescribewhathesaw;theycouldonlyapproximate.Andthereinlaytheterribleironyofhissituation:thathe,ofallbeingsinthegalaxy,whocouldseethingsas(perhaps)theytrulywere,wasutterlyunabletoconveyallbutthevaguestofimpressionstothosefewwhowantedtoknow.<Find...>Thoughtsflewathimfromalldirections—thoughtstangledwithemotions,

sensations,andsubconsciousassociations.Soentwinedwerethey,sohopelesslymeshed,thatbythetimetheyreachedhimitwasoftenimpossibletodisentangleasinglethoughtfromtherest.Sometimesonestoodout,orseveralinconcert,buthewasrarelytheirintendedrecipient.Onlyoccasionallydidtheydemandaresponse,andwhentheydid,hetriedhisbest.Evenso,hiseffortsrarelysatisfiedthedemandsoftheCruelOne’sservant.<Findme...>Helooked.Allbeingsperceivedthegalaxybytheirownuniquelight—brightestinthe

young,flickeringasageincreased,ultimatelyextinguishedwithdeath.Itwasthislighthesaw,notwhatitrevealed,andthemoretheseindividuallightsoverlapped,theclearerhisvisionbecame.Perceivedrealityreactedhimfromsomanyperspectives,someofthemconflictingordownrightcontradictory,thattheoverlaptookonitsownlifeandbecameathinguntoitself.Theessenceofrealitydominatedhisworld.Notwhatarocklookedliketooneperson,orwhatitwascalled,butwhatitmeanttoeveryonewhoencounteredit—whatitwasinthelargerweaveofminds.Throughhiseyesthegalaxywasrecognizable:denselypopulatedplanetshung

likebrightgalaxiesspinningingulfsofimpenetrabledark.Asattentionwanderedacrossthevoid,hisall-pervadingsensefollowed,lightingupaplace,aperson,anartifact,thenmovingon.Whatitdidnottouchwasirrelevant,foraccordingtotherulesofhisuniverseanythingnotsenseddidnotexist.Yetevenattheveryfringesofhissenses,thevoicewasspeckledbyfleetingglimpsesoflife.Everyexperiencewasthereforhimtoharvest,nomatterhowexotic,orhowhidden.

Normally,atleast,thatwasso.ButtheCruelOnehadtakenthegalaxyawayfromhim,andleftonlydarknessinitsplace.Theinfiniteabysspressedinuponhim,makinghimfeelasifheweresuffocating.Onlyahandfulofmindsoccupiedthespacesurroundinghim.Onemajorclumprepresentedtheinstallationthatcontainedhim,accountingforalmostninetypercentoftheimpressionshegathered—maybeathousandmindsinall.Therestwerescattered,theirlightsweak,solitaryandfrightened.Allexceptone—theonetheotherswantedhimtofind.<...theShiningOne.>Sometimesthevoicewouldpartandallowhima

glimpseofthebeinghesought.Justforasecond—butinthatbriefestofmomentsitsbrightnessandeleganceoutshoneallelsearound.Wheneverthemindappearedtohim,hereceivedanimpressionofsomethingmagnificentandwondrous.Somethingthatwasalmost...chilling.<Respond!>TheCruelOne’sservantwaspersistent.Thevoicehammeredathim,wearing

downhisresistance.Hestruggledtoorienthimselfwithinhisbody,foughttheoutwardurgethattuggedhimintothevoid.Hislimbstrembled—unseenbyhimself,butregisteredbythepeoplewatchinghim.Eveninthismuchreducedform,hisinfluenceextendedmanythousandsofmeters.<FindmetheShiningOne!>Themusclesofhisdistantbodytwitched.

Electrodesrecordedtheminusculecurrentsofelectronsandfluidthroughhisbrain.Powerfulcomputersdedicatedtothetasktookthesevaguedataandtranslatedthemintowords.:ANOTHER:RESONATESAmomentpassedwhilethelistenersabsorbedhisresponse.Hecouldfeel

theirmindsturning,reactinginadozendifferentways—somewithsurprise,otherswithrelief,evenafewwithill-disguisedfear.Noneheldtheobjectofhisquestinawe,asdidhe.Then:<Where?>Thatquestion.Alwaysthesamequestion:where?Howshouldheknow?Spatialorientationswerethingshebarelyunderstood;

theyweretooeasilyconfusedwithtemporaloremotionalimpressions.Whatwasspacewhenmeasuredagainstthecombinedinputofsomanydisparateminds?Buthedidhisbest.TheCruelOnewasimpatientforresults,andthatmade

herservantsanxious.Theyregardedtheirmasterwithcontempt,yettheyfeared

herservantsanxious.Theyregardedtheirmasterwithcontempt,yettheyfearedheralso,andwhentheyfearedhermost,theircontemptfoundanoutletinthosefartherdownthechain.Thewatcherintheirmidstabsorbedtheirfeelingswithoutrancor.Heknewhis

place;heknewwherehefittedintotheCruelOne’sschemes.HisusefulnesswasdefinedsolelybyhisabilitytolocatetheShiningOne.Ifhefailedtodoso,thenhisusefulnesswasatanend.TheCruelOnewasnotknowntobetolerantofanyonewhofailed,especiallythosewhodidnotbelongtoherownCaste.EverybeingseestheUniverseintheirownuniquelight,butveryfewsee

themselveswithsuchacutehonesty.<FindmetheShiningOne!>Hedidhisbest.Healwaysdidhisbest.Andif

hisreplydispleasedtheCruelOne’sservant,hewasnevertoknowforcertain<Where?>:HERE:SOON

1

INDAnaVereine‘955.01.19EN0415

Alonebutforthescreamingwind,shefell.Heroutstretchedarmssoughttofindequilibrium,buttonoavail.Withnothingaroundforherhandstofindpurchaseupon,herfallcontinuedunchecked.Thesickeningsensationpersistedinherstomach;thewindatherfaceandinherearswasrelentless.Whenexactlyshehadbeguntofallshecouldn’ttell.Notthatitmattered.

Onceshehadbeenweightless,nowshewasfalling;theonlydifferencebetweenthetwowasamatterofdestination.Everythingintheuniversewasjustanorbitingbodylookingforsomethingwithwhichtointersect.Ifshehadfoundherultimatetrajectory,thenperhapsthatwasforthebest.Atleastthewaitingwasover.Suddenlyfromthedarknesssomethingtouchedherhand.Shepulledaway

instinctively,sendingherselfintoaspin.Butthetouchagainstherskinwaspersistent.Itflutteredlikeaflesh-warmmoth,movingalongherwrist,herelbow,andfinallysettledonherupperarm.Shetriedtoolatetopullaway.Itsgriptightened;slender,smoothdigitsdug

deeplyintoherandtuggedherforward.Shecalledoutinpanic,buttheblacknessabsorbedanysoundshemade.Whensheflailedatthelimbclutchingher,herhandfoundskin.Ahand.No

fur,noscales,nochitinousexoskeleton;noclaws,nosuckers,nopinchers.ItwasaPristinehand.Cautiously,sheexploredtheonethatwasfallingwithher.Shemovedher

fingersalongtheperson’swrist,elbow,andupperarm;herotherhandfoundasmoothstomach,ribcage,andbreast.Then,alarmedbythealltoofamiliarterrain,shegrippedtheotherpersontightly.Wantingtopushheraway,insteadshepulledhercloser.Fromthedarknessshesawherownfrightenedfaceemerge;fromtheroaring

windsheheardherselfcallout...

*

MorganRochewokewithastartandclutchedhersweat-drenchedsheetstoherchest.Alingeringvertigomadehergiddy,andforamomentshedidn’tknowwhereshewas.Thenarrowbed,thedarkroom,thesmellofdeep-spaceservice:shecouldhavebeenanywhere,aboardanyCommonwealthofEmpires’vessel,onanynumberofmissionsforCOEIntelligence.Then,inthedullglowfromtheceilinglight,shesawthevaliserestingona

nearbytable,andrealitysuddenlydispelledherconfusion.Shewasinthesecondlieutenant’squartersoftheAnaVereine,aformerDatoBlocvesselnowregisteredunderhername,andshehadnomissionapartfromtheoneshehadgivenherself.HerindenturetoCOEIntelligencewasathingofthepast—amemoryreturningtohauntherlikethenightmarethathadawokenher,andjustasdifficulttoshake.Rubbingatherarm,shevividlyrecalledthefalling,thefear.Thentheflatechoesofanincidentalarmwailingbeyondherroomgoadedher

tofullconsciousness.Disentanglingherlegsfromthesheets,sheclimbedoutofthebunk.“Fulllights.”Squintinginthesuddenglare,sheamended:“Halflights,half

lights!”Theglaredimmedasshestumbledtothecabin’ssmallwardrobe.Shegrabbed

thefirstshipsuitshesaw.StandarddressforaDatoBlocofficer,itconsistedofaunisex,form-fittinggarmentcutfromrust-coloredfabric,withblackinsigniaatshouldersandwaist.Activefiberstightenedtheweavearoundherlimbs,guaranteeingaperfectfiteverytime.Asshedressed,shesentasubvocalinquiryviaherimplantstothetransmitter

onherleftwrist:<Uri?Box?What’sgoingon?>ThevoiceoftheBoxansweredimmediately,theAI’sneutraltonescoming

fromthetinyspeakerbesidethebed:“Wehavecompletedourfinaljump,Morgan.TheAnaVereineenteredreal-

spacefifteenminutesago.”Attheendofthesentence,thesirensceased.Rocheglancedattheclockbesideherbed.<Why?Weweren’tduetoarriveat

thePalasiananchorpointforanotherthreehours.>“Indeed.Thatwasouroriginalschedule.”TheBoxpausedbeforeadding:

“Therehasbeenanunusualdevelopment.Canethoughtitbestthatyouwere

“Therehasbeenanunusualdevelopment.Canethoughtitbestthatyouwerehereonthebridge.”<Whatsortof“development,”Box?>Aknotofworrybegantotighteninher

stomach.<Isittheotherclonewarrior?>“Nothingsodramatic,Morgan.Simply—perplexing.”Shetookadeepbreathtohideherirritation.IftheBoxwasperplexed,then

shedoubtedshewouldbemuchhelp.WhatthemostsophisticatedartificialintelligenceintheCommonwealthcouldn’tfathom,nomundaneHumanwouldhaveachanceofdeciphering.Still,tiredornot,shehadtokeepupappearances.Sittingdownonthebunk,

sheslidherfeetintoapairofbootsandfastenedtheanklestraps.<Okay,Box,tellCaneI’monmyway.Aretheothersondeck?>“KajicandMaiiareasleep.Haidisawake,buthasnotrespondedtomy

summons.”<Whereishe?>“Intherehabilitationunit.”<Breakintotheprogram,then.Weneedthreeonthebridge,justincaseit

turnsouttobeserious.>“Understood.”AgaintheBoxhesitated,asthoughitwasabouttodebateher

assumptionthatitdidn’trateasacrewmember.Butallitsaidintheendwas:“Ishallwaituntilyouhavearrivedbeforetakinganyaction.”<Good.>Bootsonandfastened,Rochestood.Atherapproach,thedoortoher

quartersslidopen.Sheheardanairlockchimeinthedistance,readyforhertostepintotheship’scentraltransitcorridor.<Givemetwominutes>

*

TheAnaVereine,firstofthenewMarauder-classcombatshipstorollofftheDatoBlocproductionlines,wasdesignedtoholdafullcomplementofthreethousandcrewmembers.Itssizereflectedthat—uncomfortablyattimes.Currentlycarryingacrewofjustfive,itslabyrinthineholdsweresealed;activelifesupportwasrestrictedtoofficers’quarters,thebridgeandahandfulofessentialareas;majoraccesswaysweredimlylitandcool,filledwithnothingbutthegentlesusurrusofhundredsofcubickilometersofmovingair.SometimesitseemedtoRoche,asitdidnow,onherwaytothebridge,that

shehadbeenswallowedbyavast,metalbeast.Thatatanymomenttheshipwouldspringtolife,shrugfreeofitscarbon-basedpassengersandheadoffon

wouldspringtolife,shrugfreeofitscarbon-basedpassengersandheadoffonitsownadventure.Andperhapsitwouldservethemrightifitdid;theyweresofarfromrealizingitstruepotential.IntheeighteendayssinceleavingCOEIntelligenceHQ,theyhadtraveleda

highlycircuitousroute.FearingadoublecrossfromPageDeBruyn,headofStrategyandRoche’sformeremployer,theBoxhadplottedanuntraceablecoursetoWalanThird,wheretheyhadsurrenderedMakilVeden’sbodytotheCommerceArtel.Thatsmallbutnecessarydetourcostthemtime:althoughtheyremainedattheEckandibaseforlessthanaday,theirtotalontherunhadalreadyreachedeightbythetimetheyleft.FromWalanThirdtheAnaVereineheadedtowardBaerisOsh,aSurin

territory,beforeabruptlychangingcoursefortheHandrelleSystem.Everytimetheycompletedahyperspacejump,Rochehalf-expectedtofindanambushwaitingforthem.ThechancesofDeBruynsecond-guessingtheirpathwerepracticallyzero,sinceitwasimpossibletopredictthedestinationofashiponceitenteredhyperspace,butthefearwashardtoshake.Onlyonthelasttwojumps,whentheyfinallyangledbacktowardtheborderoftheKeshN’KorRepublicandtheiroriginaldestination,hadMorganbeguntobelievethatshewasactuallysafe,thatshemightyetoutrunherpast.Still,therewasalwaysthefuturetoworryabout.IfanambushwaswhatDe

Bruynintended,PalasianSystemwastheobviousplacetostageit.Onlyastubbornbelief—basedmainlyonrecentexperience—thatCOEIntelligencewouldneverdoanythingquitesoobviouskeptherfromlosingsleepoverthatpossibility.PageDeBruynhadrevealedherselftobeafarmorecunninganddeceitfulopponentthanthat.Besides,itwasn’twhatshewasrunningfromthatmostconcernedMorgan,

butwhatshewasrunningto.TheBoxhadsaidthatthealerthadnothingtodowiththeSolWunderkindinPalasianSystem.Agutinstincttoldherthatthatwasnotthewholetruth.Roundingthelastcorneronherapproachtothebridge,Rochefeltthepeculiar

hopelessnessofherdreamreturnwithavividnessthatstung.Sheslowedherpaceandtookafewdeepbreaths,wantingtoregainhercomposurebeforeshesteppedontothebridgetojointheothers.Thelasttimeshe’dhadthatdreamhadbeenthenightbeforetakingthe

ArmadaentranceexamonAscensio,manyyearsbefore.Butwhyhaditreturnednow,onthis,hernineteenthdayfreeofCOEIntelligence?Shewasatalosstounderstandtheconnection.Thedreamspokeofherdeepestfears:offailure,thefuture,and...freedom?

Sheshookherheadtoridherselfofthediscomfortingnotion.ShewasgladtobefreeofCOEIntelligence,wasn’tshe?Shedidn’tliketothinkthateventhesmallestpartofhermightbehavingregrets.Whenhermindwasrelativelystill,ifnotentirelyclear,shetookanotherdeep

breathandsteppedthroughtheopenportalandontothebridge.

*

ThebridgewasnotthelargestroomontheAnaVereine,eventhoughitfeltasifitcouldhavebeen.Themainchamberwasroughlyheart-shaped,withasingleholographicscreendominatingtheleftlobe,morespecializeddisplaysintheright,andvariousofficerstationssweepinginthreearcstowardtheroundedbase.Asmaller,circularroomatthebaseoftheheartwasthecaptain’sprivatechamber.Thischamber,plustheshapeofthebridgeitself,lenttheentirefloorplanapassingresemblancetotheMandelbrotSet,withthecaptain’spodiumlocatedattheintersectionofXandYaxes.ExceptthatontheAnaVereine,therewasnocaptain’spodium.Therewasjustalargehologramprojectoroccupyingitsusualspot.Temperingthebewilderingarrayofdisplaysandcontrolstations,thewalls

borethecolorsoflatesunsetwiththeoccasionaltapestrytobluntsharpcorners.Thelightingwasmuted,andbrightenedonlyunderbattleconditions.Onepersonoccupiedthevastarea.Hewasleaningagainsttheastrogation

officer’sstationwithhisarmsfolded,theshipsuitheworeemphasizinghissupplestrength.“Sorrytodisturbyou,”saidCane,straighteningasRocheentered.Hisdark

brownskinandbaldskullmadehimseemExotic,subtlyalien,andthelittleRocheknewabouthisoriginsdidn’thelpshakethatimpression.“That’sokay,”shesaid,wishingshecouldemulatehisalertness.Notforthe

firsttime,shecursedthemodifiedgenesresponsibleforhisextraordinaryresilience.“What’sthesituation?”“Wefoundsomething.”Canenoddedatthemainscreen.“Oratleast,theBox

did.”Shecrossedthebridgetothefirstofficer’schairashetalked.“Showme,”she

said,sitting.“Well,that’sthestrangething,”Canesaid.“There’snothingtoshow.”Roche,frowning,swiveledinherchairtofacehim.Beforeshecouldspeak,

Caneadded:“Atleast,nothingIcansee.”“Thephenomenonwehaveencounteredisnotvisibleinthephysical

universe,”explainedtheBox,itsvoiceissuingfromspeakersatthebaseoftheholographicprojector.Rocheshiftedherattentionbacktothemainscreen.Theonlythingitrevealed

werethecoldspecksofdistantstars.Shesighed,impatiencerisingwithinheragain.“Issomeonegoingtoexplain

what’sgoingonhere?”“Ofcourse,”saidtheBox.Theviewonthemainscreenchanged,becamethe

routeplottedbyRocheandtheBoxwhilerefuelingatCOEIntelligenceHQ.“OuroriginalcoursefromWalanThirdconsistedoffourteenhyperspacejumpsacrosstheCommonwealthofEmpires,culminatinginonefinaljumptotheanchorpointofPalasianSystem.Wetraveledentirelywithoutincidentuntilthislastjump.”Anarrowskitteredthroughthedepthsofthescreen,settlinguponapointalmostattheendoftheirroute.“Here.Fourhoursintothejump,sensorsaboardtheAnaVereinedetectedananomalyinourvicinity.”Thescreendisplayedcomplexdiagramsrepresentingthedistortedtopologyof

hyperspace—thatstrangerealmwhereeventhebasiclawsofphysicscouldnotbetakenforgranted.“Thedisturbancelaydirectlyinourpath,”theBoxcontinued,“althoughits

distancefromusinphysicaltermswasdifficulttodetermine.Myoneattempttochangecoursearounditwasunsuccessful,perhapsbecauseoftheinfluenceitwas—andisstill—exertingoverournavigationaldata.”“Whatsortofinfluence?”Rocheasked.“AtypeIhaveneverencounteredbefore,Morgan.Ourcoursebecame

increasinglyuncertainthecloserweapproachedit.Byattemptingtogoaroundit,werantheriskofpassingthroughitinstead.EventuallythepotentialhazardbecamesogreatthatIdecidedtoreturnprematurely.Wehadnearlycompletedthefinaljumpbythatpoint,soIthoughtthelossintimewouldbeoffsetbythechancetoseewhatawaitedus.”“And?”Rochewatchedinguardedfascinationasthemainscreenchanged

again;n-dimensionalmathematicswasnotherspecialty,butsheassumedtheBoxknewwhatitwastalkingabout.“Thesourceofthedisturbanceremainsamystery.”“So?Aslongaswedon’thitit,wecanstillmakeittoPalasianSystem,

right?”“Ifonlyitwerethatsimple,Morgan.”Thescreenreturnedtothepictureithad

displayedwhenRochehadenteredthebridge:stars,nonesocloseastobe

displayedwhenRochehadenteredthebridge:stars,nonesocloseastoberemarkable,andnothingelsewithintheexternalscanners’fieldsofview.Nothing...“Where’stheprimaryofPalasianSystem?”sheasked,frowning.“Wecan’tfindit,”Canesaid.“That’stheproblem.”Roche’sfrowndeepened.“We’relost?”“Ifanything,”saidtheBox,“itisthesystemitselfthatislost.”Anavigation

chartappearedonthescreen.“Ifyoustudythedata,youwillseethatwehavearrivedwiththecorrectorientationonelight-weekshortoftheterminusofouroriginaljump,twolight-weeksfromPalasianSystem.Starchartsconfirmthis.Whatweareseeingiswhatweshouldbeseeing,exceptforoneimportantdetail:Hintubet,PalasianSystem’sprimary,appearsnowherewithinthestarscapebeforeus.”“Ifindthathardtobelieve.Ithastobeheresomewhere—”“Noneofthestarsinthisregionproduceaspectralmatch.Neitherdoany

withinafiftylight-yearradius.”TheBoxpausedbeforepronouncingitsconclusion:“PalasianSystemispatentlynotwhereitissupposedtobe.”Rochefoundhersenseoffatiguequicklyfading.“That’simpossible.The

disturbancemusthaveknockedusmoreoffcoursethanyouthought.”“Notbysogreatamarginastoloseanentirestar,Morgan.”“Thenthestarchartsmustbewrong.”“Theyaren’t.Apartfromafewslightdiscrepancies,everyothernavigational

markerinthisregionmatches.”“Well,whatthen?”Sheshookherheadinannoyance.Tocomesoclosetoher

destinationonlytofindthatithadbeensnatchedawayfromherwaslikesomethingoutofabaddream—anotherone.“Asystemcan’tjustdisappearwithoutatrace!”“Iagreethatitisimprobable,”saidtheBox,itstonemollifying.“Buttheonly

conceivablealternativeisthatithasbeendestroyed.”“How?”SheautomaticallyglancedatCane.Nooneknewexactlywhatthe

geneticallymodifiedclonewarriorsmadebytheSolApotheosisMovementwerecapableof—possiblynotevenCane,whowasoneofthem.“SurelynotevenaSolWunderkindcoulddothat.”“Itwouldseemunlikelythattheentiresystemwasdestroyed,”agreedCane.

“Butwhenyouconsiderthattheonlyalternativeexplanationisthatithasbeenmoved,youhavetoadmit—”“Thisisarhetoricalpoint,”theBoxcutin.“Welackdata,Morgan.What

measurementsIcanmakefromthisdistancearehamperedbythefactthatlightfromtheregionisatleastoneweekold.Ihavefoundnoevidencetosuggestany

fromtheregionisatleastoneweekold.Ihavefoundnoevidencetosuggestanysortofeventsufficientlycalamitoustodestroyastarwithoutleavinganytraceofstellarwreckage—butImaybemissingsomething.Weneedtogoclosertofindout.”Hereyesnarrowedsuspiciously.“Ithoughtyousaidthedisturbanceposedtoo

greatarisktonavigation.”“Notnecessarily.Long-distancejumpsthroughthisregionofspacearelikely

tobeperturbed.IsuggestinsteadthatweapproachthevicinityofwherePalasianSystemusedtobebyincrements,studyingtheanomalyaswego.Shouldtheriskincreasefurtherstill,wecancometoahaltagainandconsiderothercoursesofaction.”Rochenodded,agreeinginprinciplewithwhattheBoxwassaying.Iftherisk

wasonlytonavigationandtheshipwasinlittlephysicaldanger,thentherewaslittlereasonnottocontinue.Thelackofinformation,however,madeithardeventoguesshowmuchdangertheywerein:ifsomethinghaddestroyedPalasianSystem,thentheymightbeheadingrightforit.Nevertheless,therewasnootherchoice.Theyhadtokeepgoing.Itwaseither

thatorturnaround—andthelatterwashardlyanattractiveprospect.WiththepossibleexceptionoftheBox,noneofthemhadahometoreturntoanylonger.“WhatdoesCOEIntelligencehavetosayaboutthis?”Rocheasked.“Isthere

anymentioninthedatathey’vegivenus?”“Verylittle,I’mafraid,Morgan.Wehavethereporttransmittedbythe

battalionofArmadaMarinesbeforeitwasdestroyed,includingavaguedescriptionofthedamagedonetothesystematthattime.ItdescribesPalasianSystemasquarantinedorsealed,butnothingelse.”“Noupdatessincethen?”“SincetheAnaVereinedisengagedfromCOEIntelligenceHQ,reportshave

beenintermittentatbest.”SomuchfortheiragreementwithDeBruyn,shethoughtsourly.Still,ifthat

wastheworsttheheadofStrategyhadplanned,thensheshouldbegrateful.Unless—Againsheshookherhead.NotevenPageDeBruynwoulddestroyanentire

solarsystemtoobtainrevenge—especiallynotwhenthefateoftheCommonwealthofEmpiresmightbeatstake.“Iagreewithyouranalysisofthesituation,Box,”shesaidslowly.“Weneed

tofindPalasianSystem,buttodothatweneedinformation.Wewill,therefore,proceedwithyourplan:toapproachthelastknownlocationofPalasianSystem

morecautiously,byslow-jumpingalittleclosereachtimeandtakingstockaswego.Thatwaywe’llhaveachanceofstayingoncourseandavoidinganythingwaitingforus.”TherewasalmostanairofsmugnesstotheBox’stoneasitreplied:“Very

well,Morgan.Iwillbeginplottinganewcourseimmediately.”“Good.Butdon’tperformanymaneuversuntilUriisconsciousandwatching

whatyoudo.Wedon’tknowwhateffectrapidtransfersmighthaveontheship.Defertohimifhethinksyoushouldtakeitmorecautiously.”“Naturally.”TheBox’ssmugtonehadfaded,andRochedidherbestto

suppressasmileofsatisfaction.Althoughtheuniquelyself-awareAIhadbeenprogrammedbyitscreatorsonTrinitytoobeyherorders,thatdidn’tmeanithadtoenjoythesituation;anychanceitfoundtoassertitsindependence,theBoxtookit.Shehadlearnedthehardwaynottogiveitgeneralizedordersthatweretooeasilyevaded,oroutrightperverted,inordertomeetitsownhiddenagenda—whateverthatwas.Whereherownlackofexperiencemadeitdifficultforhertobespecific,sheallocatedanoverseertokeepaneyeontheBox’sactivities,justtomakesure.IfthatbotheredtheBox,allthebetter.Shehadearnedthissubtleformof

revenge,atleast,afterthewayithadmanipulatedherinthepastandprobablyintendedtointhefuture.“Okay,”shesaid.“Yougetstarted,Box.Cane,trackdownMaiiandgetherup

here.We’llneedhertosearchforlifesignswhenwegetcloseenough.I’mgoingdowntorehabtoseewhat’shappenedtoHaid.”“ShallIrouseKajic?”askedtheBox.“No,”saidRoche,leveringherselfoutofthechair.“He’llbeawakesoon

enough,ifheisn’talready.Lethimcometoyouinhisowntime,whenhe’sfinishedanystatuschecksheneedstoperform.Wedon’tneedtorushhim.Iwanttotakethisslowly:wemightnotgetasecondachancetofindoutwhat’sgoingon.”EspeciallyiftheotherSolWunderkindisbehindit,sheaddedtoherself.“I’llnotifyyouwhenweareabouttobegin,”saidtheBox.“Youdothat,”Rochesaidassheleftthebridge.

*

Theship’srehabilitationunitwasfourlevelsdownfromthebridge,inanannexoffthemedicalunit.Onthewaydown,Rochewasjoinedbyafist-sizeddrone

offthemedicalunit.Onthewaydown,Rochewasjoinedbyafist-sizeddronethatdartedfromaservicehatchandassumedapositionnearherrightshoulder.Thejetsofairpropellingitsoundedlikeacoughplayedathighspeed.Whenthedronespoke,itdidsoinatinnyversionofUriKajic’svoice.“Whatdoyouthink,Morgan?”heasked.Rocheglancedatthedronewithoutbreakingstep.“Ithoughtyou’dbe

listeningin.”“And?”“Ithinksomethingstrangeisgoingon.”“Likewise.Thesoonerwefindoutwhatitis,thebetter.”Thedroneskittered

ahead,emittingagitatedfft’sasitturnedacorner.“IdobelievetheBox,though,”hesaid,“whenitsaysitdoesn’tknowwhattheanomalyis.”“SodoI,strangelyenough,”Rocheadmitted.“Otherwiseitwouldn’thave

broughtusoutofthejumpsosuddenly.”“There’smoretoitthanthat,Morgan.I’vestudiedtheastrogationdata.The

Boxmentionedafew‘slightdiscrepancies’butitdidn’ttellyouwhattheywere.”“Aretheysignificant?”“Perhaps.ThestarsinthedirectionofPalasianSystemappeartobecloser

thantheyshouldbe.Notmuchcloser,admittedly—afewbillionkilometersorso—butcloserallthesame.It’sasthoughabigchunkofspaceismissingfromthisarea.”“ThespacecontainingPalasianSystem?”“Thatwouldseemthelogicalconclusion,”Kajicagreed.“Butcanyou

imaginetheforcerequiredtoachievethis?Destroyingastar,orevenmovingit,isbadenough;takingthespacesurroundingitaswellisacompletelydifferentmatter.”Rochecontemplatedthepossibilityforalongmoment.Shehadneverheardof

suchathing—indeed,shefoundithardtovisualize.Nothingcoulddestroyspaceitself.Nothingshehadeverheardof,anyway.“Allthemorereason,then,tomakeourapproachacautiousone,”shesaid.

“Willtheshipholdup?Canitslow-jumpasoftenastheBoxwouldlike?”“I’velookedatthebasicplan,anditseemssound.We’lldropinandoutof

hyperspaceonceeverytenminutes,travelingseveralmillionkilometerseachtimeandacceleratingbetween.Atfirstwe’llapproachtheanomalyintangents,sowecanlookatitfromanumberofdirections;thatwaywemightbeabletodetermineexactlyhowlargeitis.Ifthingsgowell,we’lltrygettingalittleclosertoseewhatelsewefind.”ThedronebobbedasKajicspoke.“Theshipitselfwillbefine.Itsenginesaredesignedtofunctionunderbattleconditions.In

itselfwillbefine.Itsenginesaredesignedtofunctionunderbattleconditions.Infact,it’llbegoodtohaveareallythoroughworkout.ThelasttimeweputitthroughitspaceswasbackatSciacca’sWorld.”Rochenoddedbutdidnotspeak.TheAnaVereineandahandfulofraidershad

madeshortworkoftheMidnight,theshipshehadbeentravelinginatthetime.OnlytheBox’sdecisiontoblowthefrigate’santimatterreserveshadpreventedtheDatoBloccaptainfromcapturingtheship,ordestroyingithimself.Asaresult,theAnaVereinehadyettomakeitsfirstkill.Still,ithadperformedwellinbattle,andsheacceptedKajic’sopinionthatit

wouldsurvivethecominghours.Itwasonlyanoldsuperstitionthatmadeherhesitanttoplaceherfaithcompletelyinanewship.“We’llstickoutlikeabeacon,jumpingthatoften,”shesaid,halfheartedly

tryingtopickholesintheBox’splan.“True.Butthere’snothingwecandotoavoidthat.”Kajicpaused,then

suggested:“Wecancamouflagetheship,ifyoulike.Makeitlooklikeafreighterexperiencingdrivedifficulties—?”Sheshookherhead.“PalasianSystemhasbeenquarantined.Onlyafool

wouldtrytogetin,faultydriveornot.IfwestumbleacrossanArmadablockade,asunlikelyasthatis,they’llshootusoutoftheskyregardlessofwhatwelooklike.”“Theycantry.”Rocheheardtheghostofagrininthethinreproductionof

Kajic’svoice.“Anyotherquestions?”“Onlyone.”Theoneshehadavoidedaskingherself:“Whatdowedoifwe

can’tworkoutwhathappenedtothesystem?Wheredowegofromthere?”“Onlytimewilltellusthat,Morgan.Time,andtherightdata.”“Iknow,Iknow.”Rocheinhaleddeeply,tryingtocenterherself.“Justmake

suretheBoxtellsmeifwedofindsomething,okay?That’dgivemeonelessthingtoworryabout.”“Youhavemyword,”saidKajic.“Anddon’tworry,Morgan.You’redoing

fine.”Rochesmiled.“Thanks,Uri.”Withastaccatotattooofair-bursts,thedroneacceleratedaheadofherand

duckedintoamaintenancecloset.Rochecontinuedtherestofthewaytorehabalone,genuinelyreassuredby

Kajic’sclosingcomment.HerrelationshipwiththeDatoBlocex-captainwasstillanambivalentone.Althoughbothhadbeenbetrayedbytheirrespectivegovernments,makingthemalliesofsorts,Rochehadinitiallyfeltuncomfortablehavingtheship’spreviouscommanderaboard.Removingorimprisoninghim

havingtheship’spreviouscommanderaboard.Removingorimprisoninghimhadneverbeenanoption,though:hewasasmuchapartoftheshipasthenavigationAIortheengines.Whatremainedofhisbodyfloatedinalife-supporttankinalittle-visitedsection,pluggedbyanexperimentalneuralinterfaceintotheworkingsofthevesselsurroundinghim.Asmuchasshemighthavepreferred,shecouldn’thaveonewithouttheother.Soitwasjustluckythathehadchosentotakeherunderhismetaphorical

wingandtrainherintheartofcommand.AllheryearsinCOEIntelligencehadtaughtherhowtoobeyorders,nothowtogivethem.Alreadyshehadcometorelyonhisjudgmentinmanymatters,notjustthosetodowiththeship;withouthim,theselastfewweekswouldhavebeenconsiderablyharder.Still,shecouldunderstandwhyothersmightbesuspiciousofaDatoBloc

captainintheirmidstwithunlimitedaccesstotheentireship.Thesituationbeggedbetrayalofsomesort—whichiswhyshehadinstructedtheBoxtokeepascloseaneyeonKajicashewaskeepingonit.Shecouldn’tallowherown,possiblyirrational,opinionstoplaceherorherothercompanionsatrisk;shemistrustedallofthemequally,hadtodosoinordertokeepgoing.AndifKajiceverfoundout,shewassurethathewouldunderstand.TheBox’svoicebrokeintoherthoughtsviaherimplants:<Allisarranged,

Morgan.Wewillproceedinninetyseconds,oncetheAnaVereinehasachievedthenecessaryvelocitytoslow-jump.><Goodwork,>shesubvocalized.<TheshipisinyourhandsandUri’s.><Understood.>SheincreasedherpacethroughtheMarauder’sglowingcorridors.The

entrancetotherehabilitationunitfinallyappearedonherleft.Atthesametime,awarningbuzzersounded,alertingtheoccupantsoftheshiptoanimminenthyperspacejump.Shehadbarelysteadiedherselfwhentheship’sdriveswenttowork.Reality

flexedaroundher;space-timetwistedinimpossibledirections.Awaveofgiddinesscameandwent,makingherblink.Theneverythingwasasithadbeenamomentbefore—exceptthattheship

wasnolongerapartofthephysicaluniverse.Ithadenteredhyperspace,andwasacceleratingatmanythousandstandardgravitiesrelativetothenormaluniverse.Foralltheeffectthejumphadontheinterioroftheship,however,itmighthavegonenowhere.Whichwasexactlyhowitshouldhavebeen.Thedoorstotherehabunitslidopenwhenshetookanotherstepforward.Yet

anothersteptookheracrossthethreshold,intoaworldsherarelyvisited.Rehabilitation,asthetermwasemployedinmostmilitaryorganizations,was

synonymouswithcyberneticenhancement.Wheremoreorthodoxmedicaltechniquesfailedtohealawound,replacealimborrebuildabrokenmind—oriftherewasnotimetoemploysophisticatedmethodsofhealing—technologysteppedintobreachthegap.EverythingfromartificiallimbstoneuronpatchescouldbeprovidedbythebestmobilerehabunitsintheCommonwealthofEmpires,andthoseoftheDatoBlocwereatleastasadvanced.TheAnaVereineinparticular,givenitsrecentmanufacture,possessedfacilitiesRochehadonlyheardabout.Thelargeworkroomwasdesignedasanopensurgery,withseveraladjoining

chambersavailableforproceduresrequiringmoresterileenvironments.Fourlongtables,uncomfortablylikemortuaryslabs,awaitedpatientsinstatesofperpetualreadiness,whileclosebyhungnumerousmulti-jointedwaldoes,medicalscannersandreplacementparts.Alongonewall,screenscouldprojectviewsofanyoperationsunderway,orretrievefrommemorysimilarsituationstocompareprognoses.Anotherwallboastedthreeholographic“cybercorpses”—humanbodiescomposedentirelyofreplacementparts,fromcarbon-fiberbonestosyntheticskin—withnosinglepartrepeatedinanyofthe“bodies.”Designedforreference,thecybercorpsesrotatedonceeverytwentyseconds,asthoughperforatingamacabrepirouette.WhenRochesteppedfartherintotheroomtolookforHaid,sixglassy,emptyeyesseemedtofollowherforamoment,thendriftedaway.Shefoundhiminoneoftheauxiliarychambers,hardwiredintoasimulation

thatwasteachinghimtousehisnewsupportbiomesh.AftertheirescapefromSciacca’sWorld,animmediatepriorityhadbeentoequipHaidwithabodyatleastapproximatingthePristine.Timehadbeenagainstthem,however.Thesurgeryalonerequiredforatotalrebuildwouldhavetakenseveralweeks;recoveryandreadjustmentatleastthesameagain.Haidhadoptedinsteadforabasicoverhaul:aneyetoreplacehisemptysocket,thesupportbiomeshtocompensateforhislackofanarmandtosupplementthestrengthofhislegs,plusnewinterfacestocontrolthelot.Theinstallation,undergonepiecemeal,hadtakensevendays.Anotherfivehad

seenhimonhisfeetforthefirsttime.Theremainingsevenhadbeenspentinthesimulator,retraininghisreflexestorespondtonewstimuli.WhenRochefoundhim,hewasfloatinginfree-fall,twistingabouthiscenter

ofgravityinanungainlymanner.Theglossyblackmeshoftheexoskeletonstoodoutagainstthegrayofhisundersuit,butperfectlymatchedthesweat-soakedsheenofhismidnightskin.Despiteyearsofabuseandlayersofscartissuemillimetersthick,Haidstillpossessedthedistinctivecoloringofa

tissuemillimetersthick,HaidstillpossessedthedistinctivecoloringofaMontabannative—alongwiththeruggedgoodlooks.Hiseyeswereuncovered,butRochecouldtellthatshewasinvisibletohim—

alongwiththerestoftheship.Placingherlefthandonapanelflushtothedoorframe,shesynchronizedherownimplantstotheillusioninwhichhewasenmeshed.Thevisionthroughherlefteyewentgraywithstaticforamoment,thencleared.Withhisfeetanchoredbymagneticsolestothehullofaspacecraft,Haidwas

tryingtothreadagossamer-thinguidelinethroughamovingeyelet.Hewasnaked,apartfromthebiomesh,andveryclumsy.Thesurfacebeneathhisfeetmovedwithoutwarning,makinghisjudgmentunreliable,soeveryactionwithhisnewarmhadtobecarefullyconsidered.InothersimulationsthatRochehadobserved,hehadrunoverburningsandwhilecarryingaglassofwater,balancedonanarrowledgewithhisoldarmbehindhisback,andattemptedtoimitatethemovementsofgarishlydresseddancers—allwiththecriticaleyeoftherehabAIgradingeverymovement.Rochegavehimfiveminutesbeforeactivelyinterfering.Inthattime,hecame

closetotyingaloopthroughtheeyelet,butasuddenshiftinthesurfacebeneathhisfeetcosthimhisgriponthethread,forcinghimtostartagain.Hislipsmovedsilently,cursingunderhisbreath.“Haid.”Rochetriedtokeephervoicesoft,butitsincongruitybrokethe

illusioninstantly.“Ameidio,canyouhearme?”Haidsighed;hisnewskeletalarm,withitsblackmeshskin,sagged.“Yes,

Morgan,Ihearyou.”“TheBoxsaidyouweren’tresponding,soIthoughtI’dbettercheckonyou

myself.Iseverythingokay?”Ignoringherconcerns,Haidsaid:“ThisrehabAIisasadist.Iswearthisdamn

holeisgettingsmaller.”Hiseyesgazedblanklyintothedistance,awayfromher.Itwasn’tjustthesimulation:hewasexhausted.“NexttimeI’llgetit,though.NexttimeI’ll—”“Something’scomeup,”sheinterrupted,tryingtokeephervoicefirmand

level—alinedragginghimbacktoreality.“Weneededyouonthebridge.”“Ifeltuscomeoutofhyperspace,”hesaid.“Arewetherealready?”Helooked

aroundhim,asthoughwakingfromadream,andfrowned,“No,wait.Wejumpedagainjustamomentago,didn’twe?Thatwasn’tplanned.”“No,itwasn’t.”Sheoutlinedthesituationasbrieflyasshecould—that

PalasianSystemappearedtohavedisappeared—notwantingtoworryhim,butatthesametimereinforcingthefactthathehadn’tbeentherewhenshemight

haveneededhim.Iftheshiphadbeenunderattack—“Iwouldhavenoticedinstantly.”Hisvoicewascalmbuttherewasno

disguisinghisindignation.“Therewouldhavebeensirens,impacts,powerfluctuations.Notevenawire-headcouldsimthroughsomethinglikethat.”“Butifyouhadnoticed,itwould’vebeentoolateforyoutodoanything.”“LikeIcoulddoanything,anyway,withthis.”Haidraisedhisnewarmand

flexedit.Themovementwassmootherthanithadbeenevenadayearlierbutwasstillnoticeablyjerky.Rocheshookherhead,eventhoughHaidwouldn’tseethegesture.“Your

otherarmisfine.Andbesides,youdon’tneedcoordinationtohelponthebridge.Notunlesswe’reboarded—andIhopeit’llnevercometothat.”“Likewise.”Heletthearmfalltohisside.Aninstantlater,theillusion

collapsedaroundthem,broughttoanendbyhismentalcommand.Thezero-gfieldrelaxed,easedhimslowlytotheflooroftheauxiliarychamber.Hislegsbecamerigidwhentheytouchedthefloor,heldhimuprightashisfullweightreturned.“Butthefactremainsthatyouneedmeinfullworkingorder—andthatmeansasmuchdeep-trainingaspossible—”“Italsomeansgettingsomerest.”Sheletgoofthetouchpanelandtookastep

closer.“Youlookterrible.”Hegrimaced.“Thanksalot.”“I’mserious.Takeashower,havesomethingtoeatanddrink.Thenmeetme

assoonasyoucantodiscusswhat’sgoingon—”AsecondwaveofdisorientationrushedthroughRocheastheAnaVereine

returnedtoreal-space.ShemovedforwardasHaidswayed,buthereachedoutwithhisnewarmandsteadiedhimself.“See?”Hesmiledwrylyathisownachievement.“Givemeanotherweekand

I’llbewrestlingclonewarriorsbarehanded.”“Isincerelyhopenot,”shesaid,turningherbackonhimandwalkingoutof

thesimulationroom.“Anynewsonthatfront?”Haidasked,movingstifflyafterher.Pickingupa

towelfromabenchbythedoor,hewipedtheskinofhisupperbodydry,wheretheactivefabricofhisabsorbentundersuitwasunabletoreach.“None,”shesaid.“We’restilltoofaraway.”“Unlessthedisappearanceofthesystemisarelatedevent.”Haidputthetowel

aside.“DoesanybodyknowhowadvancedtheSolApotheosisMovementwas?Maybetheyfoundawaytocamouflageanentiresystem.”“Idoubtit,”shesaid,althoughthepossibilitywasn’toneshehadconsidered.

“Ifthey’dpossessedthatsortoftech,theywouldn’thavebeendestroyedso

“Ifthey’dpossessedthatsortoftech,theywouldn’thavebeendestroyedsoeasily.Theycouldhavecamouflagedtheirbaseandescapedthesiegeanytimetheywanted.”“Siege?”Haidshookhishead.“Asimple‘no’wouldhavedone,Morgan.You

knowhistoryisn’tmystrongpoint.”“Normine,”shesaid.“Ittookmedaystofindwhatlittletherewasavailable.

I’vecondenseditintoasinglefileandplaceditintheopendatapool.Youcanaccessitlater,ifyouwant.”“Maybe.”Theshiprolledbeneaththemagain.Haid’soddlymismatchedeyes

—onemuchlikeamonoclecoveringtheentiresocket,andtheother,therecentaddition,acrystalspherewhereanormaleyewouldsit—liftedinsurprisetomeethers.“TheBoxisnotwastinganytime,isit?”“It’sfoundsomethingitdoesn’tunderstand,anddoesn’tlikeit.”Haidchuckledsoftly.“Sotryingtomakemefeelguiltyaboutnotresponding

isjustyourwayoftakingoutonmeyourfrustrationwithit.”Rochesmiledinreturn,ignoringthegibe.“I’mheadingbacktothebridge,”

shesaid.“Whenyou’reready,joinusthere.Wecoulduseyourinput.”Theex-mercenarynoddedassheheadedforthedoor.“Atleastitlookslike

wemighthavesomethingtodo,forachange.”

*

Haid’spartingcommentpursuedheraftershelefttherehabunit.Eighteendaysontherun,fearingaCOEIntelligencebetrayaleverystepoftheway;majorsurgery,followedbyrecoveryandintenserehabilitation;adestinationaboutwhichtheyknewlittle,exceptforthefactthatithadnearlybeendestroyedbythedeadliestwarriortogracethegalaxyintwoandahalfthousandyears—andHaidwascomplainingaboutbeingbored?Rochedidn’tneedthatsortofexcitementinherlife.Infact,anuninterrupted

sleepwouldhavesuitedhermuchbetter.Afamiliarmind-touchgreetedherassheheadedbacktothebridge:<Goodmorning,Morgan>Startledbytheunexpectedintrusionuponherthoughts,Rochemissedastep.

<Hello,Maii.Canewokeyou,Isee><Yes.>Thereave’svoicecarriedwithitafainttingeofgrief.Hardly

surprising,Rochethought;thegirlhadhadsolittletimetoadjusttothedeathofhermentor,Veden.Ashisward,shehadearnedtherighttorecitetheritualleave-takingduringtheceremonyonWalanThird,butshehaddeclined,both

leave-takingduringtheceremonyonWalanThird,butshehaddeclined,bothreluctanttoappearinpublicandconsciousoftimepressing.<Didhefillyouin?><HesaidthatPalasianSystemseemstohavedisappeared.AndwhiletheBox

triestofindit,youwantmetocheckforlifesigns.><Nearenough.Seeifyoucandetectanyonewherethesystemusedtobe.An

eyewitnesswouldbegood,butanyoneatallwilldo.><IIhavealreadytriedseveraltimes.Fromsuchadistance,resolutionispoor><IIknow.>Privately,Rochewasamazedthatthegirlthoughtshecoulddetect

anythingatall.<Butkeeptrying.Atleastthere’sachanceyoumightbeabletotellussomethingtheBoxcan’t.><Okay,>saidMaii.<We’rejumpingatthemoment,soI’llwaituntilwecome

outagain.It’seasierthatway.><Whatever.You’retheexpert.>Rochewalkedon,tryingtofightthe

wearinessslowingherstride.<You’retired,>observedMaii.<Canewokeyoutoo?><IIwouldn’thavesleptmuchlongeranyway.><Anothernightmare,Morgan?>Shenoddedunnecessarily.<Yes.><Icanhelpyou,youknow.>Asanaccompanimenttoherwords,Maiisentabriefimageofanunderwater

scene:acoralreeflitbymottledgreensunlightwithlargegrayfishlightlybrushingagainstherbody.Despitetheconstantmotion,theendlesscycleoflifeanddeathswirlingaroundher,themoodgeneratedbytheimagewasoneofpeaceandinnercalm.Ahealingdream,designedtoeasethegirl’sownpaththroughgrief.Rochehesitatedbeforeanswering.Asuncomfortableasshestillwaswith

epsensetherapy,shehadtoadmitthattheofferwasmadewiththebestintentions.Thatmadeaflat“no”muchhardertopronounce.<I’dbehappiertohavebreakfast,>shesaideventually.<Well,there’snotmuchhappeningonthebridgeatthemoment.CaneandI

cantakecareofthingsforawhileifyouwanttograbyourselfameal.>Eventhoughshedislikedbeingawayfromtheheartoftheaction,theoffer

wasappealing.Itcouldbeherlastchanceforalongwhile.<Thanks,Maii.><Mypleasure.>Amentalsmileaccompaniedhernextwords:<Anddon’t

worry,Morgan.We’llkeepyouinformed.>Rochehurriedtotheofficers’mess,twolevelsupfromtherehabfacility.

Theresheorderedanondescriptbreakfastandtookaseatatoneofthemany

Theresheorderedanondescriptbreakfastandtookaseatatoneofthemanyemptytablesfillingtheroom.Thedispenserprovidedherwithagoodimitationofeggs,cereal,andfruitjuice.Sheforcedherselftoeatslowly,chewingeachbiteratherthangulpingitdown.Everytenminutestheshiprolledasitmovedfromoneuniversetothenext,

edgingclosertotheanomalyeachtime.Shecouldn’thelpbutwonderwhattheBoxwaslearningalongtheway,but

sherefrainedfromaskingforanupdate.Ifanythinghappened,someonewouldbesuretocallher.Untiltheydid,allshehadtodowasrelax.Afteracouplemoremouthfuls,sherealizedthatshecouldn’trelax.Therewas

toomuchatstake—andtoolittleknownaboutthesituationtohelpherguessatwhatshehadtodo.Therewassomethingshecoulddo,however.Midwaythroughthesmallmeal,

sheroutedadisplaythroughherimplantsandselectedthefileshehadcollatedontheSolApotheosisMovementfromthecombineddataresourcesoftheCommonwealthofEmpiresandtheDatoBloc.Somewhereinthefile,shehoped,wasaclueregardingthetechnologicalprowessofherenemy.Whethershewouldfindanythingusefulwasunlikely,though.Thehistoryof

theSolApotheosisMovementwaspoorlydocumenteduntilthetimeofitsdestruction.Ithadbeenfoundedearlyinthe36thmillennium,‘325EN,byavisionarywhosenamewasnolongerrecorded.TheMovement’saimhadbeentoachieveTranscendencebymeansofgeneticmanipulationandbiomodification,ratherthanbydownloadinglivingmindsintoAInetworks,aswasusual.Bybuckingbothtraditionandcommonsense,itsadherentswereostracizedandbannedbytheirnativegovernment—alsounnamed—sotheysoughtandfoundanemptysystemdeepinthebackwatersoftheirregionofthegalaxy.Acquiringthesystembytheexpediencyofsimplymovinginandadoptingitsname,theydevotedtheirconsiderableenergytoconsolidatingtheirpositionratherthantakingtheirmessageanyfarther—forawhile.By‘836ofthefollowingmillennium,theyhadestablishedtradewiththe

EckandarTradeAxiswhich,alongwiththeCommonwealthofEmpires,hadbegunexpansionintotheareasurroundingthem.Withtradecameanewopenness,anditwasn’tlongbeforebiomodifiedprophetsbegantospreadthroughneighboringregions,lookingforconverts.SomeoftheseprophetswereearlyversionsoftheMovement’scrowning—

andmostdeadly—achievement:theSolWunderkind,ageneticallymodifiedcombatsoldierwithabilitiesfarsuperiortoanyknownCaste.Wordbegantospread,andwithindecadestheirexistencewaswell-known,aswasthethreattheyrepresented.

theyrepresented.Manyattemptsweremadetodiscourageordispersetheprophets,butthey

persisted.SquabblesbrokeoutwhentheAtamanTheocracyattemptedtoreclaimSolSystemasitsown—eventhoughthesystemhadbeenabandonedcenturiesbeforeasanuneconomicprospect.Tempersflared;theMovementcounteredeveryattempttotakethesystemawayfromthem.EventuallyanalliancewasformedbetweentheCommonwealthofEmpires,theDominion,andtheAtamanTheocracy—thethreelargestPristinenationsintheMovement’srange—towipeoutthethreatonceandforall.Thelargestjointmilitaryflotillaeverassembledbythethreenationswas

dispatchedtoSolSystem.There,theysurroundedthemainbaseoftheSolApotheosisMovementandpresenteditsmemberswithanultimatum:leaveorbedestroyed.TheMovementrefusedtoleave,sotheleaderofthecombinedPristineforcesorderedhisshipstoopenfire.Withinsecondsofthefirstshot,themainbaseoftheSolApotheosis

Movementself-destructed,takingwithitninetypercentofthePristineflotilla.TheSolApotheosisMovementwasutterlydestroyed.ThenameofthemanwhogavetheordertofirewasAdoniCane.Hisfatewas

notrecorded,butRochecouldonlyassumethathehaddiedalongwiththemillionsofothersinthesystem.Detailsbeyondthatpointwereparticularlyscarce.ThePristinealliance,

althoughnominalvictorsofthatbloodyconflict,chosetoerasetheentireeventfromtheirvarioushistories.ExactlywhytheMovementhadchosentocommitsuicideinsuchadramaticmannerwasnotexplainedconvincinglyanywherethatRochecouldfind.Noonehadpostulatedthetheorythattheymighthaveconsideredlong-termrevenge.Untilnow...AloneHumanwithnomemoriesapartfromthenameAdoniCanehadbeen

recoveredfromalife-supportcapsuleinabackwaterregionoftheCommonwealthofEmpires.InthetimeRochehadknownhimhehaddemonstratedextraordinaryfeatsofendurance,intelligence,andstrength.Plusheboreanuncannylikenesstothemanwhohadsharedhisnametwoandahalfthousandyearsago.Atroughlythesametime,anothersuchcastaway,nameunknown,hadbeenrecoverednearPalasianSystem.Withindays,thesystemhadbeeninflames,andnowappearedtohavedisappearedentirely.TheSolApotheosisMovement,itseemed,wasback.Why,though,wasanyone’sguess.AsfarasfindingoutexactlyhowadvancedtheMovementhadbeen,there

werefewindicators.Withregardtogenetictechnologyatleast,they’dhadno

werefewindicators.Withregardtogenetictechnologyatleast,they’dhadnopeer.ThefewresearcherswhohadstudiedthehistoryoftheMovementallconcludedthattheCOEwasbehindtheminmanyways,despitetheinterveningmillennia.AnydoubtsRocheherselfmighthavehadregardingthatclaimwereeasilydispelledbytheexistenceoftheAdoniCanesheknew.Noothermundanecivilizationinthehistoryofthegalaxy,toherknowledge,hadtheabilitytocraftsuchasuperblycapableHumanpurelybymanipulatinggeneticcode.OnlyHighHumansmightpossessthatknowledge,andtheyhadnoreasontomeddleinaffairsbeneaththem.Inotherareas,however,lesswasknown.ThedestructionoftheMovement’s

baseinSolSystemhadbeenaccomplishedbymeansofanenormousexplosion,thelikesofwhichhadneverbeenseenbeforeorsince.TheweaponssystemsemployedbytheearlierversionsoftheWunderkindhadalsooutstrippedanythingavailableatthetime.Andtheirdefensiveabilitiesmusthavebeenremarkable,tohaveheldofffrequentattacksforsolongbeforetheireventualself-destruction.Butdidtheyhaveenoughtechnologicalknow-howtodestroyortohidean

entiresystem?RochemighthaveacceptedthepossibilityhadtheSolWunderkindthatinvadedPalasianSystembeendiscoveredinafullyfunctionalwarship.Withsuchavessel,hemighthavebeencapableofanything.Buthehadn’tbeeninawarship.Hehadbeenremovedfromalife-supportcapsulesimilar—ifnotidentical—totheoneinwhichCanehadbeenfound.Sheskimmedthroughthedatacollectedbythemedicalofficersaboardthe

Midnight.Cane’scapsulehadbeenuniqueinthathehadactuallybeengrownfromazygotewithinit,butotherwiseithadbeenempty.Itsemptyshellcontainednoobviousnavigationorpropulsionsystems;theonlylife-supportprovidedwasthehibernationregulatorthathadkeptCaneinstasisduringthemonthsuntilhisdiscovery;onlythemostbasicofAIskeptthewholesystemoperating.Ifeverycapsulewasthesame,thentheSolclonewarriorinPalasianSystemhadwokenupnakedandunarmed,notbetter-equippedthanmostsmallarmies.Sincethen,however,hehadsomehowmanagedtocommandeeratleastone

COEArmadavesselandattacknofewerthanfivesemipermanentCOEinstallations.Andnowhehadeffectivelydisappeared,takingtheentiresystemwithhim.Solittlewasknownabouthim—whathisintentionswere,howcapablehewas

offulfillingthem,andexactlywhathehaddoneinthefewweekssincehisawakening.EvenifRochefoundPalasianSystem,therewasnoguaranteetheclonewarriorwouldevenbethereanymore.Hecouldbelight-yearsaway,

clonewarriorwouldevenbethereanymore.Hecouldbelight-yearsaway,wreakinghavoconotheroutposts.Thenanewthoughtstruckher.Theclonewarriorhadawakenedunarmed,but

hadimmediatelytakencontrolofthenearestship.PerhapshehadperformedasimilarfeatinPalasianSystemasawhole.Giventherightknowledge,hecouldhavemadehisownequipmentfromtheresourcesscatteredacrossthesystem—iftherightresourceswerepresent.ShecheckedtheCOEdatabase.PalasianSystemcontainedasmallArmada

refuelingbase,onecommunicationsoutpost,onetown-sizedcolony,andascatteredhandfulofscientificinstallations,twoofwhichweredevotedtostudyingsolarflaresandxenoarchaeology.Thatwasall,oneightplanetsandalargeassortmentofsmallersatellites.Nothingstoodoutaspossessingthesortofequipmentthefugitivewouldhaverequiredtobuildadevicecapableofhidinganentiresystem.Ofcourse,notknowinghowthedeviceworkedmadeithardtoguesswhatwasrequiredtobuildit,andevenmoredifficulttoworkouthowtocounteractitseffect.BeforeRochecouldtakeherexplorationofthefilesanyfurther,theship

shudderedviolently.Shelookedupinalarmasthebulkheadsaroundherrattled.<Box!Whatwasthat?>sheaskedviaherimplants,lettingherspoonfallinto

whatremainedofherbreakfast.<Adifficulttranslation,Morgan,>repliedtheAI.<Thereisnoneedtobe

alarmed.><Ifyou’repushingtheshiptoohard—><Iamdoingnothingofthesort.>TheBoxsoundedmildlyoffended.<Weare

simplycomingclosertotheanomaly.Disturbanceistobeexpected.><Howmuchworsedoyouthinkitwillget?><Iamunabletoanswerthatquestionatthispoint,>saidtheBox.<ButIcan

assureyouthatthesituationisbeingcloselymonitored.><Good.>Rochestoodandputherplateintoadisposalhatch.<I’monmy

way,inanycase.>TheBoxsaidnothingmore,perhapssensingthereneweddeterminationRoche

felt—partlyaresultofthefood,partlytherefocusingofherattentiononthegoalstheyallshared.Forthefirsttimeinthehourssinceherrudeawakening,sheactuallyfeltalert.Whenshereachedthebridge,Caneoccupiedexactlythesamepositionhehad

earlier,watchingtheexpanseofthebigscreenwithhisarmsfolded.Maiisatnotfarfromhim.Astripofwhiteclothcoveredheremptysockets,

matchingthelooseshiftsheworeinpreferencetoDatoBlocshipsuits.Roche

matchingthelooseshiftsheworeinpreferencetoDatoBlocshipsuits.Rocheautomaticallysentasmileherway,andwhenshesawtheSurinreturnitknewthattherituallyblindedgirlwasusingCane’seyesforvisualinput.TheonlyotherpersonavailabletoreadwasRocheherself—butthatwouldhaverenderedthesmileinvisibletotheepsenseadept.Aloud,Rocheasked:“Anynews,Maii?”<Nonesofar,Morgan.Theareaseemstobeempty.>Shegruntedacknowledgmentofthefacttoherself,thenadded:“Whatifthe

systemwascamouflaged?WoulditbepossiblefortheSolWunderkindtoblockepsenseaswell?”Canelookedup.“Thewholesystem?”hesaid.“Highlyunlikely.”“Butitisapossibility.”Sheturnedtofacehim.“Aremoteone,I’lladmit—”“WhatImeantwas,”Caneinterruptedher,“ifthesystemiscamouflaged,then

Idoubtmysiblingisresponsible.”Mysibling...ThewordsmadeRoche’sskincrawl.Sometimesitwashardto

acceptthatCaneandtheSolWunderkindthathadeffectivelydestroyedPalasianSystemwereofthesamebreed—possiblyevenidenticalineveryrespect.“Whynot?”sheasked.“Because,tacticallyspeaking,itmakesnosensetobeconfinedtoasingle

system.IfIwereinhisshoes,Iwouldwanttomoveon,takingwithmeonlytheresourcesneededtomakemytaskeasieratmynextdestination.”Cane’sshouldersliftedinasmoothandeasyshrug,asthoughhewerediscussingapoortacticinabarroomgame,notthedestructionofawholesystem.“Also,tohideinsuchamannerwouldbetantamounttoadmittingdefeat.Camouflagedornot,it’sonlyamatteroftimebeforethesystemisfound—ifnotbyus,thenbysomeoneelse.”Rochenodded.“Itcouldbeadecoy,then.Somethingtokeepusoccupied

whileheslipsaway.”“Alotofeffortforlittlereward.Howeverhedidit,ifhedidit,itmusthave

beenenormouslyenergy-expensive.”“Maybe.Butwhatif—”Box’ssoft,controlledvoicecutacrossherown:“There’sreallynopointeven

tryingtoguessuntilwehavemoredata,Morgan.”“Okay,okay.”Rocheraisedherarmsinmockdefeat.Sittinginherchair,she

facedthemainscreentocheckthestatusoftheship:itwasabouttoemergefromtheshortslow-jumpthathadbegunsoawkwardly.MaybewhenHaidappeared,theycoulddiscussthesituationinmoredetail.<Thereisnoknownwaytoblockepsense,>saidMaii,continuingthe

conversationCanehadinterrupted,<apartfromatthesource.Anythoughtthat

conversationCanehadinterrupted,<apartfromatthesource.Anythoughtthatslipspastamentalshieldcanbedetected.Nomatterhowsmall.ThemostpowerfulE-shieldwouldn’tevenweakenit.>Rochenodded,absorbingthatfactwithoutcomment.“Emergingfromhyperspaceinfifteenseconds,”saidKajic,hisvoiceissuing

fromthebaseoftheholographicprojector.Nowthathehadnocrewtoimpress,heonlyoccasionallybotheredtomanifestinphysicalform.Theshipgroanedbackintorealityasnoisilyasithadleft.Rocheheldontothe

edgeofherseatasthefloorwrithedbeneathher,seemingtomeltforaninstantasspacetransformed.Somewherenearby,somethingclattered.Whentheshipstabilized,sheforcedhermusclestorelax,thenlookedaround.“Someonewarnmenexttime,”saidHaidfromtheentrancetothebridge.He

heldatrayinhisnewhandand,bending,usedhisotherhandtopickuppackagesoffoodthathadspilledduringthedisturbance.“Klaxonssoundautomaticallypriortoeverytranslation,”saidtheBox.“Yeah,butwholistenstothem?”Haidfinishedpilingthemealbackontothe

tray.“Ithoughtthisshipcouldhandleanything.”“Notquite,”saidKajic.“Butcloseenough.”Haid’sfacelostsomeofitsgoodhumoratthesoundoftheex-DatoBloc

captain’svoice.“Yeah,well,”hesaid,takingaseatatanemptystation.“WhentheBox

summonedme,IthoughtI’dbringbreakfastuphere.Hopethat’sokay.”Rochefrowned,puzzled.Shehadn’taskedtheBoxtosummonanyone.“Box?

What’sgoingon?”“Ihaveanannouncementtomake,”theAIsaid.“Thepreliminarysurveyis

nowcompleteand,althoughmuchofthedataremainstobeprocessed,Ihaveoneconfirmedobservationtoreport.Inaccordancewithyourwishes,Morgan,IsummonedHaidtoensurethattheentirecrewwaspresenttohearit.”Rochedidn’trespondimmediately.TheBoxwasn’tnormallysoconsiderate

ofherwishes.Itsmackedofovercompensation,asthoughitwascourtingdisapprovalelsewhere.“Continue,”shesaidafteramoment.Ifitwasplanningsomething,thenshe

wouldhavetowaituntillatertofindoutwhatitwas.TheBoxcomplied,callingupanumberofcomplicateddiagramsonthemain

screen.“AttheheartoftheregionformerlyoccupiedbyPalasianSystemliesaradiantpoint-source.”“Asingularity?”Rochebrokein.Shehadn’tevenconsideredthepossibility

thatthesystemhadbeensuckedintoablackhole.

thatthesystemhadbeensuckedintoablackhole.“No,”saidtheBox.“Thepoint-sourceappearstohavezeromassandis

radiantpredominantlyintheupperinfraredspectrum.Ihavedetectedwhatmaybeacloudofprimordialgassurroundingthepoint-source,butwillhavetomakemoreobservationsbeforeconfirmingthatsuspicion.”“Howclosearewe?”askedHaid,clearlyasdisturbedbythethoughtofa

blackholenearbyasRochewas,despitetheBox’sassuranceoftheirsafety.“Twelvebillionkilometers.”Themaponthescreenhighlightedpointsasthe

Boxspoke.“Thenextslow-jumpwillhalvethatdistance.”“Isthatagoodidea?”askedRoche.“Allavailableevidenceindicatesthattheriskofundertakingsuchamaneuver

wouldbesmall.”“Theriskforwhom?”saidRoche.“Yourselforallofus?”TheBoxhesitatedbeforesnapping:“Both,ofcourse.”RochesmiledattheBox’sapparentindignation.“Okay,”shesaid.“ThenI

can’tseewhyweshouldn’tdoit.Assoonasyou’reready—”<Ihavesomething.>Softbutclear,Maii’swordstouchedRoche’sthoughts—

as,sheassumed,theytouchedeveryoneelse’ssimultaneously.Rochelookedacrossthebridge,thediscussionofthepoint-sourceinstantly

shelved.TheSurin’sfacewasblank,indicatingintenseconcentration,asithadbeensincetheendofthelastjump.“Whatisit?”Rocheasked,leaningcloser.<Somethingstrange.>Thegirlfrowned.<Oranechoofsomething.Ican’ttell

which.It’sveryfaintI’vemisseditsofarbecauseit’ssohardtosenseatall.>“Describeit,”Rocheprodded.<It’snotaperson—butitisalive.>ConfusiondeepenedMaii’sfrown.<A

greatdistancefromhere,yetclose.Idon’tunderstandwhatI’mseeing.>“Areyoupickingupanythoughts?”Rochepressed.<None.Notevenabaseemotion.>“CoulditbeanAI,then,orhiddenbyaveryeffectiveshield?”<Ashieldwouldleaksomewhere,andnoteventheBoxhasthoughtsIcan

read.>Thereave’sbodysagged.<Damn.EverytimeIthinkI’vegotagriponit,Iloseitagain.It’sliketryingtocatchair!>RochereachedoutwithamentalhandtotouchtheSurin’sstrainingmindand

easeherfrustration.“It’sokay,Maii.Waituntilthenextjump.Itmightbestrongerthen.”“‘It’mightbetheanomalyitself,”suggestedHaid.“Nowthere’sapossibilityIdon’twanttoconsider.”Rochesighedaswarning

Klaxonsbegantosoundagain.“Box,anythoughtsonthat?”“Nonethatwouldnotoffend.”TherarejokefromtheBoxelicitedachucklefromHaid,butonethatwas

short-lived.TheBox’ssenseofhumor—usuallyattheexpenseofcarbon-basedlifeformsorepsensescience—onlyreinforceditsuniqueness.Rochealsodetectedafainthintofannoyance,asthoughitwaspeevedthatthereavehadtakenthewindoutofitssails,ruiningtheeffectofitsbigannouncement.Maiiemergedfromhertranceastheshipjumpedinaccordancewiththe

Box’swishes.<Isensednomalice,>shesaid,hermentalvoiceclearlyaudiblethroughthegroaningofmetal.Theslow-jumpwaseasilythemostuncomfortablesofar.“That’ssomething.”Haidfoldedhisarms.“ButI’dstillfeelhappierknowing

whatwewereheadingfor.”“Ablackholedoesn’thavetobearusanyillwilltobedangerous,”agreed

Kajic.“Itisnotablackhole,”assertedtheBox.“Famouslastwords,”mutteredtheex-mercenary.“IagreewithKajic,”saidCane.“Justbecauseit’sanaturalphenomenon

doesn’tmeanitcan’tstillbedeadly.”“Atleastwecouldgoinwithweaponsarmed,”addedHaid.“Doit,then.”Rocheconcurredwiththeex-mercenary’sunspokenmessage:

sittingaroundwaitingwasonlymakingthemmoretense.“Cane,workwithhim.”“Done.”Thetwomencrossedthebridgetotakepositionsattheweapons

station.“Anythingelsetoreport,Box?”“Someinconclusivefindings,”itsaid.“Suchas?”shepersisted,silentlycursingtheAI’sreticence.“Thesteepflexuregradientinthisregionissuggestiveofsignificant,and

recent,spatialtrauma.”Roche’seyebrowsknitted.“Thatmeansnothingtome.”“Space-timehasbeenwarpedonamassivescale,”theBoxtranslated.“The

traumatizedregionoccupiesadisc-shapedarearoughlyseventeenbillionkilometersacrossandtwobillionkilometersthick.Theradiantpoint-sourceliesattheheartofthisregion,althoughIhavebeenunableasyettodeterminewhetheritisthecauseoftheflexureorsimplyanothereffect.Itisconceivable,perhapsevenlikely,thatthepoint-sourceandtheanomalyaredifferentfacetsofthesamephenomenon.However,moreresearchisrequiredbeforeIcanbe

thesamephenomenon.However,moreresearchisrequiredbeforeIcanbecertainofthat.”“Howmuchmore?”“Thatdependsontheresultofthisslow-jump,”theBoxreplied.“Wewillbe

jumpingtotheveryedgeofwhatshouldbePalasianSystem,notfarfromtheanchorpointthatwasouroriginaldestination.Itismyconjecturethatthedegreeofflexurewillincreasesharplyatthispoint.”“Proving...?”“Again,Ihesitatetospeculateuntilwehaveconcretedata.”Rochegrunted.“Howlong,then?”“Iestimatefifteenminutesbeforewearriveatourdestination.”“Sosoon?”“Asaresultoftheflexuregradient,ourrelativevelocityisgreatlyincreased.

Inasense,theanomalyhasbeendrawingustowardthepoint-source.”“Itsoundsevenmorelikeablackhole,now,”saidHaidoverhisshoulder.“Theeffectisonlyrelativetorealspace,”continuedtheBox.“Inhyperspace,

weareactuallyfightinganuphillbattle:althoughourmovementinhyperspacecorrespondstogreaterthannormalmovementintherealuniverse,itisbecomingincreasinglydifficulttomoveinhyperspaceatall.IhaveconsultedKajicandarrivedatamaximumoutputratingfortheslow-jumpdrive—aratingwhichwewillnotexceed.”Rochenoddedinsatisfaction.Eventhoughshedidn’tunderstandhow

progresscouldbeeasierinreal-spacebutmoredifficultinhyperspace,atleastKajicandtheBoxwerecooperating.<I’mpickingupthattraceagain,>saidMaiiintothebreakinconversation.Rocheglancedacrossthebridge.TheSurinwasfrowningoncemore.

“Where?”<I’mnotsure.It’salwayshardtotellfromhyperspace.Thetraceisdefinitely

stronger,butmaybenocloser.There’sstillnosenseofthreat.>“Canyouatleasttellifit’smundane?”Thereavelookedtroubled.<Partofmesaysitisn’t,butthat’sjustagut

feeling.HighHuman,perhaps,butIdon’tthinkit’sthateither.ThesourceissomethingI’venevercomeacrossbefore.>ASolWunderkind?Rochewantedtoask,butdidn’t.Maiiwouldhavesaidif

thatwerethecase.Yetshecouldn’tquashthethought:somethinginhyperspacewaspushingthemawaywhileinreal-spacedrawingthemcloser.Ifnotthefugitive,thenwhat?Rochefoldedherarmsandwatchedthemainscreenastheminutestickedby;

thelargenumberofunknownsmadeherwanttoscreamoutinfrustration.She

thelargenumberofunknownsmadeherwanttoscreamoutinfrustration.Sheneededanswers,notpossibilities.<Ifthereareanyanswers,>putinMaii,<we’llfindthemwhenwefind

PalasianSystem.>BeforeRochecouldacknowledgethetruthofthereave’scomment,alow

rumbleechoedthroughtheship,beginningatthesternandfadingtosilenceatthedistantprow.“Nowwhat?”askedRoche,lookingaroundinalarm.“Uh—onemoment,”saidKajic.“Wehadaflickerofredlightsdowntheporthull,”saidHaid,“butthey’ve

clearednow.”“Aslightdisturbance,”saidtheBox.“Nothingtobeconcernedabout.”RochebithertongueuntilKajicdeliveredhisownreport.“Noproblemswiththedrive,”saidtheex-captainfinally.“Wemusthave

encounteredsomesortofturbulence.Possiblyahyperspatialshockwaveofsomekind.”“Theanomalyagain?”saidRoche.“Itseemslikely.”“Wearenearingtheedgeoftheanomaly,”saidtheAI.“Obviouslytherewill

besometurbulence.”“Aimedatus,perhaps?”suggestedHaid.“No,”saidtheBox.“Describingwhatweareexperiencingasashockwaveis

peculiarlyapt.Theturbulencemaybecausedbytheanomalyonlyinthesamewaythatthepresenceofalargemass‘causes’gravity.”“Notdeliberatethen,butsymptomatic.”Rocheranahandrestlesslyalongthe

armofherchair.“It’sallthesamefromthisend,isn’tit?”“Notreally,”saidtheBox.“Ifwecanpiecetogetherapatterntothe

symptoms,weshouldbeabletodeducethenatureoftheanomalythatiscausingit.”“Herecomesanotherone,”saidCane,hisheadcocked,listening.Thegroanreturned,asgraduallyasbeforebutnoticeablylouderwhenit

peaked.Roche,herhandspressedfirmlyintothechair’sarmrests,feltafaintbuzzthroughherfingertips.“Couldithurtus,Uri?”sheasked.“Conceivably,yes.Thestressiscausedbysympatheticvibrationsinthehull.

SofarIhavebeenabletodampentheresonance.”“Letmeknowifitgetstoobad.”“Iwill.Ifweencounteritagain.”

“Iwill.Ifweencounteritagain.”Rochewaitedanxiouslyastheshiptraveledonward.Barelytwominuteslater,

athirdshockwaverolledthroughtheship,thistimeaccompaniedbyasluingsensationtostarboardanddown,asthoughtheshipwerebeingdraggedoffcourse.“Redlightsagain,”saidHaid.Aninstantlater,fromCane:“Clear.”RochewaitedonedgeforKajic’sreport.“Nodamage,”hesaidfinally.“Butitwasdefinitelymoresevere.Thecloser

wegettotheanomaly,thestrongerthey’rebecoming.”“Canweridethemformuchlonger?”“Iftheycontinueworseningatthisrate,no,”saidKajic.“Butwe’llcome

close.”“Goodenough.”Rocheswiveledherchairtofacethemainscreen.Onlya

handfulofminutesremainedbeforetheslow-jumpwasduetoend.“Pullusoutthemomentwecan’ttakeit.I’llleavethatdecisioninyourhands.”“Understood.”Asanothergroanbegantobuild,Rocheagaingrippedthechair’sarmrests,

andheldontight.Shefeltasthoughabellweretollingdirectlybehindherhead,abellsolargethatitsvibrationswereabsorbedbyherbonesratherthanheard.Beforeithadcompletelyfaded,anotherswelledtotakeitsplace.“Box,”shesaid,raisinghervoiceabovethenoise.“Ifyouhaveanyideaatall

whatthatanomalyis,Iwanttohearit.”“Inowhaveseveraltheories,Morgan.Whichisthecorrectone,ofcourse,

remainstobeseen.”Rocheopenedhermouthtodemandanoutlineofthevariouspossibilities,but

wascutoffbyasuddenlurchupward.Herstomachdropped,thenroseagain,intoherchest.“We’reexperiencinggravityfluctuations,”saidKajic.“Icanonlykeepus

goinganotherfiftyseconds.”Rochestudiedthemainscreen,momentarilytemptedtocallahalt.Their

plannedarrivalpointwasinchingslowlycloser.Givenafurtherhalf-minute,theywouldalmostmakeit.ShedecidedtotrustKajic’sinstincts.“Theremustbesomewaytodampentheshockwaves,”shesaid.“I’llraisetheE-shields,butIdon’tthinkthat’llhelpmuch.”Theex-captain’s

voicesoundedstrained.“Whateveryoucando,Uri.”Thenoiseworsened,despitetheshields,asdidtherollingsensationinRoche’s

gut.Mali,lackingeyesofherownandthereforemoresusceptibletobalance

gut.Mali,lackingeyesofherownandthereforemoresusceptibletobalanceproblems,lookeddecidedlyuncomfortable.Haidhadtakentheprecautionoffasteninghisimpactharness.Cane,behindhim,wasassteadfastasever—butevenheswayedwhenaparticularlystrongwaveshuntedtheshipinanunexpecteddirection.Rochewatchedthesecondscountingdownonthebigscreen:21...20...19...Theshockwavesbecameinseparable,andtheshipseemedtotossonthe

surfaceofastormysea.Redlightsflickeredonandoffacrossalltheboards,registeringslightdamageacrossthehull.Mostwouldberepairedalmostinstantlybythetideofmaintenancenanomachinesswarmingovereveryexternalsurfaceoftheship,butthefactthattheywereoccurringatallwasdisturbing.Tensecondsremained.Rochewatchedtheirdestinationcreepcloser.Itwasbecomingincreasingly

difficulttohearovertheprolongedgroansurroundingthem.Thelightsflickeredonce,steadied,thenflickeredagain.“WehaveastandingwaveinsectorsGthroughK,”announcedKajicgrimly.

“Preparingtoaborttheslow-jump.”Fiveseconds.Rochewincedasthesmellofozonereachedhernose.Threeseconds.Onthemainscreen,thedifferencebetweentheship’scurrent

locationanditsdestinationwasmeasuredinmillimeters.Twoseconds—“Abortingnow,”saidKajic,theveryinstantartificialgravityceasedentirely.

Asirenbegantowailasplitsecondlater.Thelightsflickeredathirdtimeasthedrivedrainedpowerfromthebulkoftheshiptotranslateitselfsafelybackintoreal-space.Intheshort-liveddarkness,Rocheactuallyheardtheenginesstrain—adeep,regularthrummingcomingfromsomewheretoherleft.Theirtempowasrapidbutreassuringlyregularunderthecircumstances.Thenthelightsreturned,unsteadilyandnoticeablydimmerthantheyusually

were.Spacetwistedinsideout,andthefloorbuckedunderherfeet.Hermomentumtriedtopullherforward,ontothefloorandacrossthebridge.Grippingthechair’sarmrestseventighter,sheresistedtheimpetuswithallherstrength.Toherleft,Maiilostasimilarbattleandskiddedonherkneesintoabankofinstruments.EvenCanestaggered,claspingHaid’sshouldertokeephisbalance.Thefloorbuckedagain,thistimeintheoppositedirection.Maiigaspedin

painassheslidbackwardandcollidedwithherseat.Thebulkheadsaroundthemlikewisegroanedinprotest.“Uri!”Rocheshoutedabovetheracket.“What’shappening?”

“Uri!”Rocheshoutedabovetheracket.“What’shappening?”“Weareexperiencingdifficultyemergingfromhyperspace,”saidtheBox,its

voiceamplifiedbutcalm—toocalmforRoche’sliking.“IwillactasanintermediarybetweenKajicandyourselfforthetimebeing.Theshipishisprimaryconcernatthemoment.”AnotherjoltalmostcostRochehergrip.Shereachedbehindandoverher

shouldertofastentheseat’srestraintharness.“Arewegoingtomakeit?”“Ishouldthinkso,”saidtheBox.“Thechancesareverygoodthatwewillall

survive.”Rochewasgratefulforthe“all.”TheBoxcouldendurealmostanything,and

hadbeenknowntoassumethesameindestructibilityofitswardsinthepast.Cane,ontheotherhand,hadalreadymovedacrossthebridgetohelpMaiiintoherharness.“Wehavedamage,”reportedHaidfromtheweaponsstation,hisvoiceraised

tobeheard.“Lostsomebanksonthestarboardbow.Idon’tquiteknowwhathappened;lookslikethey’vebeenshearedcleanoff.Nopressuredropsreported,though,andhullintegrity’sintact.”Rocheconcentratedonwhathewassaying.“Whathavewelost?’“Hypershieldsinthatarea.SomeA-Pcannon.We’llbeabletocompensate

easilyenough.”“Good.We—uh!”TheAnaVereineswungtostarboard,thendown;Roche

wincedasherrestraintharnesscutdeepintoherchest.Thethrummingoftheenginesroseinbothpitchandintensityuntilitbecameascreaming—likethescreamingofamightywind——shewasfalling——andnauseaflareddeepwithinherastheassociationwiththedreammade

herfeelimpotentandthereforeevenmoreanxious.Themainscreenflickered,attractingherattention.Abstractrepresentationsof

theircourseswirledintoincreasinglycomplexshapes,thendisappearedentirely,leavingnothingintheirwake.Whitelinesscatteredacrossthescreen,makingRocheblink;thenitwentblackagain.Withoutwarning,theshipbegantosteady.Bulkheadssettledbackintoplace

withaseriesofdecreasingcreaks.Thescreamingoftheenginesebbed,losingthedesperateedgethathadcontributedtoRoche’sanxiety.Thegroanoftorturedspacefadedwithonelastrendingsound,thenceasedentirely.Inthesuddensilence,Rochedidn’tdareaskthequestion.Shedidn’tneedto.“Wemadeit,”saidKajic,hisvoicefromnearRoche’srightshoulderclearand

relieved.

relieved.“Yes,”echoedtheBox,itsvoiceoddlyhushed.“Wemostcertainlydid.”Atthatmoment,themainscreencamebacktolife.Blindinglightfilledthe

bridge,dazzlingRocheuntilshemanagedtobringanarmuptoprotecthereyes.Compensatorscutinaninstantlater,reducingtheglaretomoremanageablelevels.Throughthegapsbetweenherfingers,Rochepeeredatwhatlaybeforethem.“Whatthehellisthat?”exclaimedHaid,preemptingherowninitialreaction.Ablazingyellow-whiteovalfilledthecenterofthescreen.Atfirstshethought

itwasasun,buttheshapewaswrong:itwasdistortedasthoughgianthandshadgrippeditateachpoleandstretcheditlengthwise.Inaddition,therewerenoflaresorprominences,nohintsofcoronaorsunspots.Justlight,brightandunceasing,comingfromsomethingfartoocloseforcomfort.Therewasonlyonethingitcouldbe.“It’sthepoint-source,”shesaid,directingherwordsattheBox.“Precisely,”itreplied,asshe’dhalfhopeditwouldnot.“Butweshouldbemillionsofkilometersawayfromit.Ithoughtyouwere

takingustotheedgeofwherethesystemusedtobe—”“Idid.Yethereweare,onlyashortdistancefromwhatappearstobethe

center.Remarkable,isn’tit?”Remarkable?Rocheechoedtoherself.Shecouldthinkofwordstodescribeit,

butthatwasn’toneofthem.Beforeshecouldsayanything,however,Haid’svoicebrokeintothe

conversation.“Wehavetargets!”hecalled.“Someoneelsegotherebeforeus!”“Where?”sheasked,instantlyturningherseattofacehisstation.“Twobehindus,”hesaid.“Oneonthefarsideofwhateverthatthingis.

Emissionssuggestships,probablyCommonwealth,butit’shardtobesure.There’ssomesortofinterferencefudgingourdata.”“They’veseenus,”saidCane.“Oneofthemismovingintoengage.”“Launchbase-lineprobesandbroadcastourID,”Rochedirected,herheart

poundingassheconsideredtheiroptions.ToKajicsheadded:“Uri,keepwelloutoftheirwayuntilweknowwhattheyareandwhosentthem.Wedon’twanttointimidatethemunnecessarily.”“Don’tworryaboutthat,”Haidshotbackdryly.“Iwon’tbemakingany

movesuntilyoucanprovetomethereisn’taclonewarriorononeofthoseships.”

Rochewatchednervouslyastheviewshiftedonthemainscreen.NumeroustinydronesspreadoutinacircleawayfromtheAnaVereine,expandingtheirbaselineofobservationandtherebyimprovingtheclarityandrangeofthepicture.Thethirdshipcameintoview,oddlydistortedliketheglowingobjectithadbeenhidingbehind.Itwashardtodetermineexactlywhatsortofshipitwas,letalonewhereithailedfrom;theimagewasofawarpedwhiteline,burningbrightwithreflectedlight.“Box,”shesaid,“canyoufigureoutwhat’sjammingus?”“Thereisnodeliberateinterferenceoftransmissionsinthisregion,”saidthe

Box.“No?Then—”“Oursensorsarebeingswampedbyemissionsfromthepoint-source.Itis

extremelyradiantinbothinfraredelectromagneticandPerezradiations.”Rocheblinked,surprised.Perezradiationwasasideeffectofacrudelytuned

hyperspacejump,notwhatshewouldhaveexpectedofaseeminglystellarobject.Beforeshecouldinquirefurther,theBoxwenton:“Trylookingfor

transmissionsontheEckandiemergencyband.Itshouldberelativelyunaffected.”RochegesturedforHaidtodoastheBoxsuggested.Withinseconds,arapid

pulseofsoundfromthespeakersofthemainscreenindicatedthattheshiphaddetectedadigitaltransmission.Aninstantlater,textappearedonthemainscreenandthepulsebecameanaudiblevoice:“—ONLYWARNING.REPEAT:YOUAREINCONTRAVENTIONOF

THECOMMONWEALTHOFEMPIRESSECURITYACT,SECTIONS45,63,AND72.THISAREAHASBEENQUARANTINED.LEAVEIMMEDIATELYORPREPARETOBEFIREDUPON.THISISYOURFIRSTANDONLYWARNING.MESSAGEENDS.”Thevoicespokewiththeclear,crisptonesofamachine,notaHuman—but

thathardlymadeitswordsanylessappalling.Rochetookonlyasecondtoabsorbtheimplicationsofitsmessage.Anambush.“Haid,Cane—moveusaway,”shesaid,thinkingfuriously.“Don’tdo

anythingelseunlessItellyou.Box,signalthatwewishtorespond;seeifyoucaninitiateadialogue—orevensubverttheAItoletusgo.”Evenasshespokethewords,sheknewitwasunlikelytheBoxwouldbecapableofdoingthisquicklyenough.Nevertheless,shehadtoatleastexplorethepossibility.“Uri,continuewithrepairs.Getthatdownshieldbackupassoonasyoucan.And

continuewithrepairs.Getthatdownshieldbackupassoonasyoucan.AndMaii,findoutwhatthey’redoinghereandwhothehellsentthem.Ineedtoknowwhetherornotwehaveachanceofconvincingthemtoletusthrough.”Fromherseatonthefarsideofthebridge,thereaveshookherhead.<I

can’t,>shesaid.“What?”Rocheswiveledtofaceher.“Whynot?”<Ican’treadthem.>Thereave’svoicewasstrangelymuffled,asthoughher

thoughtswerecomingfromagreatdistanceratherthanonlyfromacrosstheroom.<They’renotshielded.Ijustcan’tpickthemupatall.IfIcould,Iwouldhavedetectedthemlongbeforenow.Wewouldhaveknowntheywereherebeforewearrived.>Rochefrowned.Maii’slastcommentwasworryinglytrue,ifperplexing.

“Keeptrying.Ineedtoknowhowtheyfoundusandwhetherornottheyknewwewerecoming.IfDeBruynsentthem,weknowwe’llhavetofight,nomatterwhattheysay.”“Butiftheyweren’texpectingus,”putinHaid,“howdidtheyknowwhere

we’dbe?Ithoughtwecouldn’tbetracedthroughaslow-jump.”“Theydidn’tneedto,”repliedtheBox.Rochewasremindedofthepoint-sourceonthescreen,twistedasthough

viewedthroughagiantlens.ThespatialdistortiontheBoxhadbeenmonitoringwasobviouslyevenmoreseverethanshehadimagined:anythingtryingtoenterthespacewherethesystemhadbeenwasforcedtoemergeatthispoint—theheartofthesystem,yetatthesametimeitsedge.“Theyjustsathereandwaited,”shesaid.“Nomatterwherewetriedtogo,

thisiswherewe’dendup.”“Precisely,Morgan,”saidtheBox.“Andtheonlywaytogetawayfromthemisoutward,awayfromwherethe

systemshouldbe.”Sheslappedherhandpalmdownonthesideofherchair.“Dammit.Wecan’tleavenow,notuntilweknowwhatthehellisgoingon!”“Ihaveconvincedsomeonetoletyoutalk,”saidtheBox.“TheAIhasputme

indirectcontactwiththeofficerincommandoftheprimaryvessel.”Rochetookadeepbreath.“Opentheline.”“Ready,Morgan.”Rochetriedtocalmhernerves,thenbegantospeak:“ThisisMorganRocheoftheindependentvesselAnaVereine.Weare

travelingasapeacefulenvoyundertheauthorizationofPageDeBruynofCOEIntelligence.Whyareyouharassingus,andbywhoseauthority?”Themomentshefinishedtalking,theautomaticbroadcastceasedanda

Humanfemalevoicetookitsplace.

Humanfemalevoicetookitsplace.“COEIntelligencehasnojurisdictionhere,”saidthewoman.“Iam

CommanderBassettoftheCOEArmadavesselGoldenDawnwithorderscountersignedbyGeneralRamage.MydirectiveistopreventallunauthorizedvesselsfromproceedinganyfurtherintoPalasianSystem.”“Furtherwhere?”Rocheshotback.“Thesystem’sgone.Andasfor

authorization,Ijustgaveyoumine.We’vebeensentbytheheadofCOEIntelligenceStrategytostudythesituationhere,andtoofferwhathelp—”Thewomanbrokeinfirmly:“Yourhelpisnotrequired.Shouldyounotleave

immediately,thenIhavebeenauthorizedtousewhateverforceisnecessarytoensureyourcompliance.Youhaveexactlythirtyseconds.”Thevocaltransmissionceased,andwasreplacedbytheautomaticrecording.Rochesatstunnedforamoment,unabletobelievewhatshehadheard.

Treacheryshehadlearnedtodealwith,butnotthisblind,militaryfarce.“We’vegotconfirmationontheID,”saidHaid.“It’stheGoldenDawn,and

it’sanArmadavesselasshesaid.Adestroyer,tobeexact”NotquiteamatchfortheAnaVereine,Rochethoughttoherself.Butthere

werethreeofthem.“Maii?”sheasked.“Canyoupersuadethemtochangetheirminds?”<I’mstillnotpickingupanything.>Thereave’svoicewassteepedinapology

andconfusion.<Afewshadows,butnothingdefinite...>Rocherubbedherforehead.Onthemainscreen,thethreeArmadaships

movedintopositionaroundtheAnaVereine.“Allshieldstofullstrength,”shesaid,sittinguprightinherseat.“Uri,how’re

thoserepairslooking?”“Almostthere,”Kajicreplied.“Anothertwominutesandwe’llbeoptimal.”Rocheglancedatthescreen.TheGoldenDawn’shalf-minutedeadlinehad

expiredtwentysecondsago.“Theymeanit,Morgan,”saidCane,watchingthescreenwithnaked

fascination.“They’regoingtofire.”Rememberingtheuncannywayhehadpickedthedecisivemomentduringthe

battlefortheMidnight,shedidn’thesitate.“Uri,takeevasiveaction.Haid,armthedisrupters.Cane,preparetoreturnfire

onmycommand.”“You’regoingtofight?”askedtheBox.“DoIhaveanychoice?”“Ofcourseyoudo,”theAIsaid.

“Well,what?”Rochesnapped.“Youcanturncontroloftheshipovertome,”saidtheBox.Rocheopenedhermouth,thencloseditagain.“Why?”sheeventually

managed.“Thereisinsufficienttimetoexplain,Morgan.”“Tryme,”shegrowled.“Ihavededucedtheexactnatureofboththepoint-sourceandtheanomaly,

andintheprocesshaveverifiedthelocationofPalasianSystem.Bygivingmecontroloftheship,Icantakeyouthereinamatterofminutes.”“Sotelluswhereitisandwe’llgetourselvesthere.”“Impossible,Morgan.NotthatIamunderestimatingyourabilities;thereis

simplytoolittletimeto—”Lancesofenergyflashedonthemainscreen;staticmomentarilyscrambled

thepicture.“They’refiringonourdrones!”announcedHaid.“Takereciprocalaction,”Rocheordered.BarelyhadshefinishedwhenCane

begandestroyingtheArmada’sownbaselineprobes.Specksoflightflashedinthespacebetweenthethreeships,theirbrightnessnegligibleagainstthefiercelyburningpoint-sourcedominatingtheview.“They’retighteningshields,”saidHaid.Roche’sthoughtswentintooverdrive.Tighteningshieldswasastandardtactic

inclosespacewarfare.Anymomentnow,theattackwouldbegininearnest:thethreeArmadashipsagainsttheAnaVereine.Numberswereagainstthem,butthatdidn’tmeanthattheywouldnecessarilybeovercome.ApartfromtheAnaVereine’stechnologicalsuperiority,italsopossessedanumberofarmedscuttersandshuttlesinitsdockingbays;shecouldordertheBoxtolaunchthesesmallercrafttoassistinthebattle,andhaveKajicemploythecamouflagetomakethemhardertotarget.Withsomanydiffusetargetstoaimfor,theoutcometheArmadaexpectedwasfarfromcertain.Still,theAnaVereinewasboundtoincursomedamage.Andifitprevailed,whatthen?Theywouldbeunabletoreturntothe

CommonwealthforcertainafterdestroyingthreeArmadashipswhileonasupposedlypeacefulmission,andthematterofPalasianSystemwouldstillbeunresolved.IftheBoxwasright,thenithadofferedherawaytoavoidthebattleandtoreachhergoal—bothwithonedecisivemove.ShehadseenmoredeathinthehandfulofweekssincemeetingAdoniCane

thanshehadintwelveyearsofactiveserviceforCOEIntelligence.Thethoughtofstillmoreonherconsciencemadethedecisioneasierthansheexpected.

ofstillmoreonherconsciencemadethedecisioneasierthansheexpected.Atthatverymoment,theGoldenDawnopenedfire.“Incoming!”Haid’sshoutechoedthroughthebridge,closelyfollowedbya

judderingwrenchasafullvolleyofflicker-bombsimpactedupontheship’safthypershields.Cane’sfingersplayedtheweaponsboardlikeavirtuosoasKajicswungtheshiptobearonitsprimaryantagonist.Astheexchangeintensified,violentdischargespaintedthespacebetweenthetwoshipswithfierycolorsofdeath.“Box!”Rochecalledoutoverthesoundsofbattle:theshouts,theexplosions,

theroaringofengines.“Whateveryou’vegotplanned,doitfast!”“Thankyou,Morgan.”TheAI’sreplywasmoregraciousthanRochehad

expected,consideringthemoralvictoryithadwon.ToHaidandCanetheBoxsaid:“Maintainacoveringfireacrosstheshipontheupperleftofyourscreens.Onmycommand,preparetoreleaseproximityminestopreventthemfromfollowing.”Haidfrownedatthescreen.TheshiptheBoxhadindicatedwastheonethat

hadbeenhidingbehindthepoint-source;evennow,thewhite-hotobjectfilledmostofthatsegmentofthescreen.“Wherethehell—?”“Doit,Ameidio,”Rocheordered,eventhoughshefeltlessthancertain

herself.“Ihavesurrenderedcontroloftheslow-jumpdrivetotheBox,”saidKajicvia

herimplants,“andIwillobeyitsordersuntilyoutellmeotherwise.”Rochenoddeddumbly,wonderingwhattheBoxwantedwiththedrive,and

whyitwantedsolecontroloverthesystems.Soclosetothepoint-source,masslessornot,eventhesmallestslow-jumphadtoberisky.“Prepareforacceleration,”announcedtheBox.“Maximumreactivepowerin

fifteenseconds!”AsthoughthecommanderoftheGoldenDawnhadsensedRoche’schangeof

plan,theArmadashipsdrewcloserinasuddenrush,twoofthemoverlappingshieldsandformingasolidwallofdefense.ThethirdsentboltafterboltofenergyhurtlingtowardtheAnaVereine—anassaultdesignedtoweakenE-shieldspriortothearrivalofasecondwaveofA-Pfireandflicker-bombs.Aninstantbeforethesecondwavearrived,theAnaVereinesurgedforward.

Rochewaspressedbackintoherseatastheviewthroughthemainscreenrushedather.ThesingleshiptheBoxhadtargetedreactedinstantly,obviouslybelievingthattheAnaVereineintendedtoram;itsE-shieldformedanarrowconepointedatthehurtlingship,hopingeithertodeflectitoffcourseortospearthroughitshull.

TheBox’sintentionwasfartherafield,however.TheAnaVereinechangedcourseaninstantbeforestrikingtheshield.AstheArmadashipflashedby,Rochebegantoguesswheretheywereheaded.Atthesametime,thetwovesselstheyhadleftbehindbegantoturn,acceleratinginpursuit.Thesoundofproximityminesbeingfiredbehindthemrattledinherears.Two

caughtthesingleshipbysurprise,slippingthroughitsweakenedaftshieldsandimpactingonitshull.Damagewasminor,butsignificant.Canefocusedmoreandmorefirepowerontheinjuredshipuntilitwasforcedtoturnaway,leavingthechasetoitsmoredistant,butfitter,siblings.Toolate.TherewasnowaynowthatanyoftheshipscouldintercepttheAmi

Vereine;itsleadwastoogreat,anditsdestinationtooclose.Rochewatchednumblyastheimageofthepoint-sourceswelledinthemain

screen.Notevenautomaticcompensatorscoulddullitsbrilliance.Ihopeyouknowwhatyou’redoing,Box,shethoughttoherself.Haidstaredmutelyupatthescreen,hisfingersworkingthedisruptercontrols

automatically.Thenahandfellacrosshisown.“It’sallright,”Canesaid.“TheE-shieldscanmanagefromhere.”“Notheycan’t,”Rochesaidurgently,leaningforward.“We’llneedeverything

upfront.Kajic,what’stheambienttemperatureandcompositionoftheregionahead?”“Unknown,”wastheex-captain’sreply.“Ourinstrumentsare—”“Prepareforimminenthyperspacetranslation,”theBoxbrokein.“What?”OnhearingtheAI’sintentions,Rocheinstantlyregrettedgivingit

absolutecontrol.“Youcan’tbeserious!We’retooclose—”“Notcloseenough,actually,”returnedtheBox.“Butwewillbeinten

seconds.Fastenyourharnesses,everyone.Thiswillberough.”Roche’shandsgrippedherseatasthepoint-sourceballoonedtofilltheentire

mainscreen.Shewasdimlyawareoftheothersaroundher—evenCane—doingthesame,andofthestubbornthumpingoftheArmadagunsontheiraftshields,stillharassingtheAnaVereinefrombehind.PartofherrecalledthewaytheBoxhadthreatenedacollisioncoursewithCOEIntelligenceHQundersimilarcircumstances;shecouldonlyhopethatitstimingandintentionswereascriticalnowastheyhadbeenthen.Whitefireconsumedthescreen.Sirensbegantowail.Theshipjerkedonce;

shethoughtsheheardKajiccallsomethingtoher.Then:Spacefloweredopenbeforethem,unfoldinginaseriesofcrimsonwavesthat

quicklyandviolentlyenvelopedtheAnaVereine.Theshipshiveredfromnoseto

tail,shakenbyforcesRochecouldonlyimagine.Atthecenterofthevortex,severaltinyspecksoflightflickeredintobeing—onlytodisappearagainasthemainscreenwentblack.Theneverythingsimplystopped.

2

INDAnaVereine‘955.01.19EN0805

Themainscreenwasempty.Rochestaredatitforafewmoments,expectingittosuddenlyclearandfill

with...what?Shehadnoideawhatsheexpectedtoseeoutthere.ShehadnoideawheretheBoxhadeventakenthem.Whenitbecameapparentthatthescreenwasn’tabouttochange,sheswiveled

aroundtochecktheothersonthebridge.CanehadfreedhimselffromhisrestraintharnessandwasassistingMaiibackintoherseat,theirmovementsintheunnaturalsilenceoddlyloudandunreal.Whenhesteppedawayfromher,Rochesawthatthegirl’sheadwasbleedingslightlyfromherfall.Haid,thehandofhisnewarmrestingonatouchpad,wasstillstaringquizzicallyattheviewthatRochehadjustturnedfrom.Thenitstruckher:thedrivewasnolongeraudible.ButtheAnaVereine

hadn’tcompleteditsslow-jump.Ithadjust...stopped.“Uri,”sheasked,hervoiceboominginthequiet.“What’sgoingon?”Theholographicprojectorinthecenterofthebridgeflickered.Kajic’simage

appearedthroughthestatic,thelightbrownskinandblackhairofhisoldbodylookingascomposedasalways.Hisexpressionwasserious,butnotconcerned.“Minordamage,”saidtheex-captain.“Weweatheredthestresswell.”“Howlonguntilwecanseewhereweare?”“Mysensorsaregatheringsomeunusualdata.TheBoxischeckingtoseeif

theirregularitiesareduetoinstrumentmalfunction.Whenitsdiagnosisiscomplete,visionwillberestored.”“Ihavepartialtelemetryreadings,”saidHaidfromtheweaponsconsole.After

amomenthereported:“Notargets.Nosignofthepoint-source,either.Wemusthaveleftthemallbehindwhenwejumped.”“Wedidjump,then?”RocheaskedKajic.

“Wedidjump,then?”RocheaskedKajic.“Well,wecertainlyenteredhyperspace,”saidKajic.“Buthaveweleftit?”“Ididn’tthinkanopen-endedjumpwaspossible,”Haidsaid.Kajic’simageshrugged.“You’llhavetoasktheBox.Ijustdidasittoldme.”Rocheputherpalmonthearm-linkofherchair,intendingtoaccesstheraw

dataherself,butchangedhermindbeforeshedidso.Bettertoremaindistantforamomentratherthandiveinheadfirst.Sheneededtomaintainameasureofobjectivityifaquickdecisionwasrequired.“Thereappearstobeaplanetnearby,”saidKajic.“ThatmuchIcantellyou.A

medium-sizedgasgiantifitsmassreadingisaccurate.”“Trycross-referencingitwiththenavigationrecordsofPalasianSystem,”said

Roche.“Amatchwouldatleastconfirmwhereweare.”Kajicdissolvedinaburstofstaticthatlastedafewheartbeats.Whenhere-

formed,hesaid:“There’saninety-ninepercentchancetheplanetisVoloras,theoutermostplanetofPalasianSystem.Ifso,thatplacesuswellinsidethecometaryshellandthethirddark-bodyhalo.”Rochesearchedhermemoryforwhatsheknewaboutthesystem.“Wasn’t

therearefuelingbasearoundVoloras?”“GuhrOutpost,”confirmedKajic.“Anysignals?”“Apartfromsomestrongcracklesonthehydrogenband,”saidHaid,“we

aren’tgettingathingonanyfrequency.”“Tryelsewhere,”Rochesaid.“Thisfarout,weshouldbeabletopickup

hyperspacetransmissions.”“Alreadytried,”saidHaid.“Nothing;noteventhebeaconofthelocalanchor

point.”“Thatcan’tberight.”Rochefrowned.“We’reneartheN’Korborder,andthe

Keshhavewarningstationseveryfewlight-years—”“I’mtellingyou,Morgan,”saidHaid,glancingoverhisshoulder.“There’s

nothingthere.”“Howcouldallofthosebeaconsbeblocked?”Rochecouldfeelherconfusion

graduallydevelopingintofrustration.“Uri,coulditbeinstrumentfailure?”BeforeKajiccouldreply,theBoxcutin:“Itispossible,Morgan.Andthefactthatithashappenedconfirmsmy

hypothesisquiteneatly.”Atthatmoment,themainscreencleared.“WelcometoPalasianSystem.”Rochestudiedthescreen.Initiallyshesawnothingbutdarkness—noteven

stars.Thentheviewchanged,andasingleredspeckslidintoview.Increased

stars.Thentheviewchanged,andasingleredspeckslidintoview.Increasedmagnificationmadethespeckabrightcircle.Theimagewastoofuzzytomakeoutanydetail,buttherewasnomistakingwhatitwas:againsttheunnaturallyblackbackground,onesolitarysunburned.“Itcan’tbe,”shemuttered,standing.“Hintubetisacalciumstar—”“Andshouldbeonthegreensideofyellow,”theBoxinterrupted.“Iamaware

ofthatfact,Morgan.ThedifficultyinreconcilingtheemissionspectrumofthisstarandthatwhichHintubet’sshouldbewasthemainreasonIdelayedgivingyouthisinformation.NowthatIhavehadtimetocollatethedataandtoextrapolatefromhistoricalrecords,IbelieveIcansaywithcertaintythatthisisHintubet,albeitwithawildlyalteredphotosphere.”“Thestarhaschanged?”askedHaid.“How?”“Theprecisemethodisunknownatthemoment;thearchiveslackspecificsin

thatregard,althoughthegeneralprinciplesareclear.UntilwedispatchprobestostudyHintubetinmoredetail,wearelimitedtothedatawecanscavengefromthisdistance.”“Whichisn’tenough,”saidRoche.ShefacedKajic.“Uri,Iwanthigh-speed

droneslaunchedtothesunandanyplanetarybodieswecanfind.”Sheturnedbacktothescreen.“Speakingofwhich,anysignofVoloras?”Theredstarshrankandslidoutofview.Secondslater,thecrescentofalarge

planetappeared,red-tingedduetothesun’sbalefullight.Theimageoftheplanetcametorestinthecenterofthescreen,itsdenseatmosphereswirledwithgraybands.“Ihavedispatchedaprobe,”saidKajic.“Thebaselineisalreadylargeenough

forustodetectfourmoons.”“Volorashasfive,”saidRoche.“Thefifthmaybeoccluded,”saidKajic.“Thesizesofthefourwecansee

matchCOErecords.”“Howlonguntiltheprobecangetadecentlookatthebase?”“Onehourandfiftyminutes.GuhrOutpostisonthemissingmoon.”Rochenodded.“Untilthen,wecan’taffordtotakeanythingforgranted.Give

usaheadingthatwilltakeusbyVoloras,withtheoptiontouseitasagravity-whipifwedecidenottostop.Leaveadronebehindtorelaythedatafromtheprobes.Iwanttheshipcamouflaged,too,justincasesomeonesawusarriveandiswaitingforusthere.”Kajic’simagewinkedoutashewenttowork.Rocheslumpedbackintoherchairwithasighandrubbedathertemples.

TheyappearedtobeinPalasianSystem,justastheBoxhadpromisedthey

TheyappearedtobeinPalasianSystem,justastheBoxhadpromisedtheywouldbe.Butitwasn’tquitewhatshehadexpected:nohyperspacetransmissions,aprofoundlyalteredprimary,andnostarsinsight.Thefirstandlastdetailssuggestedthatthesystemhadindeedbeen

encapsulatedwithinsomesortofbarrier.Butwhat?Sheknewofnoprocessthatcouldhideanentiresystemfromviewandaccountforthewarpedspaceoutside.Ordidshe?Thechangeinthesun’sappearancedidringafaintbell.Aname

shehadheardbackinherdaysonthemoonofBodhGaya,whenshehadbeenstudyingforherArmadaexams,returnedtoher...“Asha’sGauntlet,”shesaidaloud.“I’mimpressed,Morgan,”saidtheBox.“Ididn’tthinkyouwouldworkitout

so—”“We’repickingupatransmission!”Haidbrokein.“Where?”Rocheswiveledtofacehim,automaticallylinkingwiththe

weaponssystem.Ifliferemainedinthesystem,thechancesweregoodthatitbelongedtotheSolWunderkind.Andifhewassignalingthem,thenheknewwheretheywere.“It’snotdirectedatus.”Haidwasskimmingthroughthevariousdiagnostic

toolsthatenabledhimtoenhanceaweaksignal.“It’sawide-beammicrowavefromin-system.I’mpickingupechoesoffseveralobjectsnearthesource;theslightdelaysshouldgiveusafairtriangulation.”Rocheletherselfrelaxslightly.Thesignalmusthavebeensentsometime

ago,giventhedistanceatlight-speedtotheinnersystem.“Whataboutthecontentofthetransmission?”shesaid.“It’sinsomesortofcipher,”Haidtoldher,thenshookhishead.“Haven’t

brokenityet,whichisn’tagoodsign.Theyeithercrackimmediatelyortakeforever.”“Box,haveagoatit,”shesaid.Haid’srefinementofthesignal’ssource

proceededwhileshewatched.Theareacontainingaprobablelocationofthetransmittergraduallynarrowedonadiagnosticdisplay,untilasinglepointflashedonceandturnedgreen.“Gotit,”Haidsaid.Rocheoverlaidanavigationchart.“It’sthesamedistancefromtheprimaryas

Jagabiswouldhavebeen.AndJagabishasmoons.”Haidnodded.“That’dgiveustheechoes.”“Uri,dowehaveconfirmationofaplanetinthisarea?”Kajic’simagereturnedatthementionofhisname.“Notyet.It’sofftoone

sideofHintubet,andIhaven’tsearchedthatareainanydetailyet.NowthatI’mlooking,itshouldn’ttakelongtofind—”Hestopped,smiled.“Infact,thereitis.

looking,itshouldn’ttakelongtofind—”Hestopped,smiled.“Infact,thereitis.GivemealittlelongerandI’llbeabletoestimateitsmass.”“IthastobeJagabis,”Rochesaid.“Someone’salivethere.”“Thesignalcouldbeabeacon,”Haidsuggested.“Incipher?Unlikely,”saidRoche.“Besides,Jagabiswastheinnermostgas

giantinthesystem.IfIremembercorrectly,themainspaceportandcolonywereononeofitsmoons.”“Correct,”saidtheBox.“ThemooniscalledAro,thecolonyEmptageCity.”“Right,”saidRoche.“Soiftherearesurvivors,that’sthefirstplacetolook.”“Icangetusthereintwodays,”saidKajic.“FasterifweflybyVoloras.”Rochenodded.“Plotacourse,butdon’tdoanythingdefiniteuntilwedecipher

themessage.”Canestirred,speakingforthefirsttimesincetheirarrival.“Itcouldbea

warning,”hesaid.“Oratrap.”Rochelookedoverathim.“Forwhom?Itcouldn’tbeus.Weweren’teven

herewhenthatmessagewastransmitted.”“True,”Canesaid.“ButIfinditdisturbingnonetheless.TheimpressionIget

isthatsomeoneisstillfighting.”“That’sagoodsign,”saidRoche.“Thatthere’stheslightestresistanceleftin

thesystemissomethingofamiracle.”“Whichispreciselywhatbothersme.”Thebridge’slightglowedinhis

unblinkingeyes.“Iwouldneverhavebeensocarelessastoleaveanysurvivors.”Rochemethiscalmexpressionuneasily,hiswordsremindingherofthe

ruthlessnessoftheadversarytheywerehunting—andofCane’sancestry.“It’sworthchecking,atleast,”shesaidafteramoment.Then,turningfrom

Cane,turningfromthethought,shesaid:“Haveyousentaprobe,Uri?”“Ihavedispatchedfivesofar,”Kajicreported.“Threeareunderwayto

Hintubet,Voloras,andJagabis;theothertwoareheadingtoCartha’sPlanet,theinnermostworld,andCemenid,thelargest.Therearefourplanetsoutstanding:Herensung,Gatamin,KukumatandMurukan.”“Thelasttwobeingthedoubleworld?”Rocheasked.“That’sright.Therearealsosomesizablerocksinthedarkbodyhalosthat

mightbeworthexploring,butthey’renotapriorityatthemoment.I’llletyouknowwhenwehavethesystemmapped.”“Okay.”Rochevisualizedthebulletlikeprobescrossingthesystemunder

accelerationsthatnoteventheAnaVereine’sprotectivefieldscouldnegate,

therebytraversingtheemptyspacemorequicklythantheycouldeverhopeto.Evenso,itwouldbehoursbeforetheystartedgettinganydata.Atlight-speed,thelagacrossthesystemwasappreciable.“Thattransmissionjustended,”saidHaid.“Box?”Rochesaid.“How’sthedecipheringcomingalong?”“Completed,”saidtheAI.“However,thetranslationisprovingdifficult.It

appearstobeinalanguagewithwhichIamunfamiliar.”“Showme.”Severallinesofstandardalphanumericscriptflowedacrossthescreen.Roche

studieditforamomentbeforeadmittingthatshetoowasstumped.“It’sdefinitelyalanguage,notanothercipher?”“Withoutsufficienttexttoanalyze,Iamunabletodomorethanguess.”“Fairenough.Keepguessing,then,Box,andletmeknowifyoucomeupwith

anything.”“Certainly.”“Uri,howlonguntiltheVolorasflyby?”“Onehourandthirty-sevenminutes.”Rochesatbackwithawearysigh,runningahandthroughhercroppedhair.

Shewasalreadyimpatientwiththedelayinobtaininginformation.Beingtrappedinthissystemwithoutanyideaofwhatwasgoingonorevenwheretheclonewarriormightbefilledherwithanxiety.“Idon’tsupposethere’sanywayyoucouldhurrythingsalong?”shesaid

wryly.“Notunlessyouknowsomewaytocircumventthebarriersoflight-speed,

Morgan,”saidKajic.Rochesmiledtiredly.“Thereis,”saidCane.Rochelookedovertohim.“What?”“Thoughtisnotconstrainedbythephysicallawsoftheuniverse,”saidCane.Rochesatforwardwithastart.Maii!Ifthegirlcouldcontactthemindsofthe

peoplebehindthetransmission,Rochewouldhavethedatasheneededimmediately.Onlythendidsherealizethatthereavehadneithermovednorspokensince

shortlyaftertheAnaVereinehadarrivedinPalasianSystem.Rocheturnedtoseewhattheproblemwas.TheSuringirlsatmotionlessontheedgeofherseatwithherhandsclasped

togetherinherlap.Athinlineofbloodhadtrickleddownfromthegashonherforehead,stainingredthewhitematerialofherblindfold.

forehead,stainingredthewhitematerialofherblindfold.“Maii?Areyouallright?”Therewasnoresponse.Rochemovedovertothereave,squattingdowninfrontofhertoexaminethe

smalllesiononthegirl’sforehead.ItseemedtoRochetobenothingmorethanasuperficialcut,andyet...“Maii?”Stillnoreply.Shetouchedthegirl’sshouldersandtriedagain:“Maii,

canyou—?”Startled,Maiijumpedbackinherseat,pushingRoche’shandaway.<Maii,it’sme!>Rochefoughttorestrainthereave’sflailingarms.<Maii!It’s

Morgan!>Afteramoment,thegirl’spanicsubsidedandherbreathingeased.<Maii?>saidRoche.<Canyouhearme?><I—Iamhere,Morgan.>The

wordswerebarelyawhisperinRoche’smind.<Areyouokay?You’reveryfaint.><Soareyou.>Therewasanedgeofconfusiontoherwords.<Icouldn’tsense

youatall.Therewasnothing.Iwasafraidyouwerealldead.>Rochewincedasawaveofimagesandemotionswashedintohermind:fear,

loneliness,darkness,panic...Sheconcentrated,doingherbesttoholdthementalinrushatbaywhiletryingtoradiatereassurancetotheSurinchild.Whenthetorrentofemotionsebbed,Rochecontinued.<We’vebeenhereallthetime,talkingunshieldedaswealwaysdo.Surelyyou

pickedupsomething?><OnlyCane,>repliedthereave.<Butnothingspecific.Ijustknewhewas

there—somewhere.>Rochesearchedthegirl’sblankface.Thebloodonhercheekstoodoutagainst

paleskinandhair.<Couldithavebeentheblowtoyourhead?><No.It’snothinglikethat.Yourthoughtsarebeing...smothered.It’slikeonly

theonesspecificallydirectedatmecangetthrough,andeventhenonlyiftheirsourceisnearby—asyouarenow.><Smothered?>Rocherepeated.<Bywhat?><Idon’tknow.>Almostimperceptibly,Maiishrugged.<AllIcantellyouis

thatitstartedwhenwearrivedatthepoint-source.Butitdidn’tbecomesevereuntilweslow-jumped><Sowhatever’scausingitmustbesomewhereinthesystemwithus.>Roche

rockedbackonherhaunchesassheconsideredthereave’swords.Anotherominoussign.<IsthereanythingIcandotohelp?>Maiinoddedslowly.<Physicalcontactstrengthensanepsenselink.Ifyou

weretokeeptouchingme...>

weretokeeptouchingme...>Roche’sunderstandingfilledthevoidoftheSurin’sunfinishedsentence.The

thoughtofMaiilockedinthedarknessoftheblindanddeaf-muteeasilyoverrodeherreservations—eventhoughitmeanthavingthegirlconstantlyatherside.Thelastpersontohavedependedonhersototallyhadkilledhimselftosaveher—Shestampeddownonthememory.ThelastthingMaiineededrightnowwas

tohavebothofthemdwellingonVeden’sdeath.<Thankyou,Morgan.>Thegirlhalfsmiled.<Icanreadyouclearly,butwill

respectyourprivacy.>“Issheallright?”Canecalledoutfromhisstation.“Shewillbe,”Roche

replied,thensaidtoMaii:<Canyoustand?><Yes.><Good.Ifwecan’tuseyoutohuntforsurvivors,thenyoucanhelpmebrush

uponlocalgeographyinstead.>TakingoneofMaii’shandsinherown,Rocheraisedthegirltoherfeet.Together,withMaii’shandonherarm,theymovedacrossthebridgetoRoche’sseat.ThereaveremainedstandingwhenRochesat,herhandrestingontheolderwoman’sshoulder.<ArewereallyinPalasianSystem?>Maiiasked.<TheBoxbroughtushereaftertheArmadashipsattacked,>saidRoche.<How?><That’salittlehardtoexplain.Hangon.I’llseeifwecangettheBoxinon

thisconversation.Theothersmightliketohear,too.>Triggeringherimplants,Rochespokealoud:“Box,ifyou’vegotthetime,I’d

liketotalktoyouaboutAsha’sGauntlet.”“Ofcourse,Morgan.”“WestudiedthemunderWeaponsConventionsinMilitaryCollege,”she

explainedtotheothers.“Theideaistoturnastarintoagianthypershieldgeneratororsomething.Isthatright,Box?”“Essentially,”repliedtheBox.“Aprimitive‘solarenvelope,’asitwas

originallyknown,wasdesignedbytheEckandarTradeAxisseveralthousandyearsago.Twoprototypes—calledK’mokniAsha,whichtranslatesas‘Asha’sGauntlet’—werebuiltinthe38thMillenniumbytheKeshgovernment.Theytestedoneonafrontiersystem,buttheexperimentwasafailure.Becauseofthedisastrousresultsthesecondprototypewasneverused.Itwasrumoredtohavebeendismantled,althoughthiswasneverconfirmed.”“Iremember,”saidRoche,nodding.“TheGauntletwassupposedlydesigned

asameansofprotectionforasystemagainstattack,buttheoneexperimentthey

asameansofprotectionforasystemagainstattack,buttheoneexperimenttheyconductedendedupcompletelydestroyingthesystem.”Rochelookedatthescreen,andtheskyemptyofstars—allbutone;thereddenedHintubetnowoccupiedcenterstageagain.“Andnowitseemswe’reinsideone.”“Atfirst,”saidtheBox,“IwasreluctanttoacceptthepossibilitythatPalasian

Systemhadbeenencapsulatedinsuchafashion—eventhoughthedatasuggestedasmuch.Itwasn’tuntilwearrivedatthepoint-source—theexternalmanifestationoftheGauntlet’sboundary—thattheevidencebecametooconclusivetoignore.”“Howdoesitwork?”askedCane.TheBoxexplained:“Bymanipulatingastarinpreciselytherightfashion,itis

possibletocreateandsustainaRiem-PerezHorizonlargeenoughtoencloseanentiresystem.”“That’sthesamesortofshieldCOEIntelligenceHQuses,isn’tit?”said

Roche.“Correct,”saidtheBox.“AndtheAnaVereine,andmostothershipslarge

enoughtopowerone.”“Butwecouldn’tseethesystemfromtheoutside,”Rochesaid.“A

hypershieldisn’tthesameascamouflage—”“No;hypershieldsareusedasbarriersagainsthyperspatialattackratherthan

tohidesomethingfromview.However,scalecomesintoplayforRiem-PerezHorizonsgreaterthantwothousandcubickilometersinvolume.Space-timecanonlytoleratesuchadisturbanceonasmallscale;anylargerandtheenclosedareaisparceledoffandliftedtohyperspace.”“Wherewearenow,”finishedRoche.“Thustheareaofspacecontainedwithintheaffectedareacannotbeseen,

becauseitsimplynolongerexistsinthe‘real’universe,”saidtheBox.“Theanomaly—whichisaboundaryeffect—isallthatremains.”“Thatexplainswhytheenginesstoppedinmid-jump,”saidKajic.“Thejump

wasliterallyopen-ended—acrosstheboundaryandintothespacewithin.”“Inasense,wearestilljumping,”saidtheBox.Canemovedclosertothescreen,studyingtheimagewithfascination.“It’sa

remarkableconcept,”hesaid.“Tomoveanentiresystem—”“Nodistanceatall,really,”saidtheBox.“Ithasnovectorrelativetothereal

universe,andwillnottravelinthesamewaythisshipslow-jumps.”“SoIassumeitwillreturnwhentheGauntletisswitchedoff?”“No,”saidtheBox.“That’swheretheoriginalKeshexperimentwentwrong,”addedRoche.“It

can’tbeswitchedoff.”“Theprocessisextremelyenergyexpensive,”explainedtheBox.“Thesun’s

fuelisexhaustedinamatterofweeks,duringwhichtimetheGauntletgraduallycollapsesbacktoapoint.Thesystemisdestroyedintheprocess.”Canetiltedhishead.“ThenemployingaGauntlettodefendasystemwouldbe

apointlessexercise.”“WhichiswhytheWarfareProtocolforbidsitsuse.”Rochenoddedatthe

screen.“It’snouseatallfordefense,andwouldmaketoodestructiveaweapon.”<SowhydoesPalasianSystemhaveone?>askedMaii,usingRoche’sneural

implantsasaninterfacebetweenherandtheBox.“Icanthinkofonlyonepossibleexplanation,”theAIsaid.“Anyattemptto

crosstheexternalboundaryoftheGauntletwithoutsimultaneouslyslow-jumpingbacktotherealuniversewillresultincompleteannihilation.Similarly,anyattempttouseahyperspacedrivewhilewithinthespacecontainedbytheGauntletwillrenderthedriveuseless.”“SoiftheSolclonewarriorhasnoaccesstoahyperspacedrive,”Haidcutin,

“ordoesn’tknowhowtoemployoneproperlyintheGauntlet,he’llbeunabletoleavethesystem.”“Exactly,”saidtheBox.“Atrap,then.”Canenodded.“Andonewhichisnotimmediatelylethal.But

whygotosomuchtrouble?”“Andwholaidthetrap?”askedHaid.“Whoevergottheirhandsonthesecondprototype,Iguess,”Rochesaid.

“Whichcouldhavebeenalmostanyone,dependingonwheretheKeshstoredit.”“Atleastweknowonething,”saidKajic.“Itprobablywasn’ttheSol

Wunderkind.”“Don’tbesosureaboutthat,”saidHaid.“We’retrappedinhere,too,

remember?”“Not‘trapped,’”saidtheBox.“Wecanleaveanytimewewish,simplyby

crossingtheboundarythecorrectway.”“Buttheboundaryisshrinking,right?”saidHaid.“Yes—”“Andwecan’tsignalforhelpifwegetintotrouble.”Haidgrimaced.“That

makesusalittlemorevulnerablethanIliketobe.”“Aslongaswedonotemployourslow-jumpdrivewhileinsidetheGauntlet,

wewillbeabletoleave.”TheBoxsoundedwearyoftheargument.“Andevenso,thenaturalcollapseoftheboundaryisrelativelyslow.Shouldsomethinggo

so,thenaturalcollapseoftheboundaryisrelativelyslow.Shouldsomethinggowrong,wewouldhaveseveralweekstofindanothermeansout.”“Yourconfidenceisadmirable,”saidHaid,“evenifIfinditslightlynaive.”Rochedecideditwastimetochangethesubject.“Uri,howlongnowuntilthe

firstprobearrivesatVoloras?”“Onehourandfifteenminutes.That’swhenyoucanexpectthefirstdecent

pictures,anyway.”“Good.Isuggestwegetbacktoworkuntilthen.Wemightneedtomovefast,

dependingonwhatwesee.”Haidscratchedhisscalpwithhisnewfingersasheswungbacktotheweapons

console.“Chancesareitwon’tbeawelcomingcommittee.”

*

ForRoche,findingsomethingtokeepherselfoccupiedwhiletheprobewasintransitprovedtobeeasy.Withrepairsstilltobecompleted,thetransmissionwaitingtobetranslated,andsmallamountsoflong-distancedatastilltricklingin,therewasmorethanenoughworkforacrewofseveraldozen.EvenwiththeBoxandKajicbothabletoperformmultipletasksatonce,runningashipthesizeoftheAnaVereineundersuchconditionswouldneverbestraightforward.Nevertheless,Rochehadtheopportunitytodouble-checkhermemoryof

PalasianSystem’srecordsagainstthedatatheship-bounddetectorshadcollected.TheCOEnavigationregisterhadbeenupdatedduringthelastsurvey,in‘850

EN.Sincethen,fewchangeshadbeenappendedtotherecord.PalasianSystemhadneverbeenfullycolonized;givenitslackofaplanetwithabreathableatmosphere,thatwasn’tsurprising.TheinnermostworldwasarockyballboilingundertheglareoftheF2primaryandwashomeonlytoanautomatedsolarresearchfacility.Theremainingsevenplanetsweregasgiants,twoofthembloatedwithhydrogen.Allpossessednumerousmoons;twohadextensiveringsystems,butitwouldtakemorethanprettyscenerytoattractcolonists.Asitwas,onlythesystem’sproximitytoaKeshborderhadearneditanArmadabaseandarefuelingstation.Noteventhepresenceofthreemineral-richdark-bodyhalosaroundthesunhadtemptedmorethanacursoryminingpresence,anarmofthesamecompanythathadruntheoperation—andthepenalcolony—onSciacca’sWorld:Dirt&OtherCommodities,Inc.Still,Rochetoldherself,almosthalfamillionpeoplehadcalledPalasian

Systemhome—atleasttemporarily.Andshehadtoadmitthattherewasplentytolookat.InallhertravelsforCOEIntelligence,shehadneverhadthechancetoseeadouble-jovianbefore.PartofherhadhopedthatwhenKajicfinallylocatedthepaironthefarsideof

thesystem,itwouldlooksomehowdifferentfromtheotherfaintblobsheassuredherwereplanets—butitdidn’t.Allshesawwasanotherdot,tingedredbyHintubet’snewcolor.WithMaiiatherside,shereturnedtomappingthelocationsoftheplanetsand

planningcontingencyroutesbetweenthem.<Thepopulationwascertainlyspreadthin,>thereavecommentedatone

point.<It’shardtoseehowanarmycouldhavekilledthemall><Itdoesn’tmakeourjobanyeasier,either,>Rocheresponded.<Ifsurvivors

areunabletocommunicate,we’llhavetoturnthesysteminsideouttofindthem.><Unless,asyouthink,they’veregroupedatJagabis.Itwouldmakesenseto

poolresources.><Ortopresentaunitedfront.><Onelaststand?><Perhaps.>Rocheshrugged,tryingnottodwellontheramificationsofthat

thought:hadsuchabattlebeenlost...?<Whoeversentthemessage,EmptageCityandAroSpaceportarethefirstplaceswehavetogo,rightafterweflybyGuhrOutpost.Ifwedon’tfindanythingineitheroftheseplaces,thenwe’lltrytheArmadafacilityaroundCemenid;GeytenBasewouldhavebeenthenextmostlikelyplacetomountsomesortofcounterattack.><Whatabouttheresearchstation?>Maiiasked,indicatingwithamental

prompttheinstallationorbitingthedouble-jovian.<Accordingtotherecords,CongreveStationwasabandonedsomedecades

ago.Unlessthatchanged,itwouldhavebeenemptywhentheSolWunderkindarrived.><Whatweretheystudyingthere?><Idon’tknow,exactly.Itsays‘xenoarchaeologicalresearch’whenIask.But

planetaryevolutionseemsmorelikely.><Iguess.>Rochefeltthereave’sattentiondriftelsewhere,studyingthefiles

vicariouslythroughRoche’ssenses.<DAOCarehere,Inotice.DoesAmeidioknowthatyet?>Rocheshookherhead.<NotthatI’mawareof,andI’dratherhedidn’tfindoutuntilit’snecessary.>DirtandOtherCommoditiesInc.hadbeenthemaintargetofHaid’s

undergroundresistancemovementonSciacca’sWorld.Rochewouldunderstandanylingeringresentmenthemightstillfeelaftersomanyyearsspentfightingthem.Atthesametimeshedidn’twantittogetintheway.ShewouldattempttorescueDAOCemployeesjustasshewouldanyoneelse—iftherewereanyremaininginthesystem...<Theasteroidbeltandinnermostdark-bodyhalo—theMattarBeltand

Autoville—wereminedbyprowlers,notpeople,>saidRoche.<Sochancesaretheywon’tbeaproblem.Theotherswereuntouched.><I’veneverlikedprowlingmines,>Maiisaidwithamentalmoue.<They’re

justasmallstepfromplanet-wreckers.><Atleastthey’recivilized,notlikeoutriggers.><Allrobotsarecivilized,>saidMaii.<Ijustdon’thappentoenjoytheir

company.>“Theprobe’sroundingVoloras,”announcedKajic,breakingthesilenceonthe

bridge.Rocheclearedthevisioninherartificialeyeandlookedup.Thescreenshowedaclose-upoftheswollenarcofthegraygasgiant’sbandedatmosphere.Purplehazetingedtheviewastheprobeusedtheplanet’smagneticfieldtobrake.“Seenanythingyet?”Rocheasked.“Notmuch,”Kajicreplied.“Theothermoonsappeartobeuntouched.The

changeinHintubet’sradiationhasraisedafewstormsinVoloras’souteratmosphere,andthere’salittlemorerubbleincloserthantherecordssaythereshouldbe.Butapartfromthat,theplanetisasexpected.”“Stillnosignals?”“Allquiet,”saidHaid.“Icantryprovokingsomething,ifyoulike.”“Bestnottoatthisstage.”“I’venoproblemwiththat.”Haidabsentlytappedtheconsoleashetalked.

“Nothing’sobstructedtheprobessofar,butthat’snottosayitwon’thappen.They’renotexactlysubtle,thewaytheyaccelerate.”“Aslongasnoonetracesthetightbeamsbacktous,we’llbeokay.”Roche

gesturedatthescreen.“Howlonguntilthemooncomesintoview?”“Afewseconds,”saidKajic,hisimagefacingthescreenfromthecenterofthe

bridge.“Whenitdoes,I’veprogrammedtheprobetobeginitssurveyautomatically.There’senoughofadelaytomakedirectcontroltricky.”“Soitmightalreadybeseeingthemoon?”askedRoche.“Orevenhavebeendestroyed,”saidKajic.“AlthoughI...”Hestoppedbeforehecouldfinishthesentence.“Wait.Hereitcomes.I’ll

enhancetheimageasmuchasIcanforthescreen,butitmightbebetterthrough

enhancetheimageasmuchasIcanforthescreen,butitmightbebetterthroughyourimplants.”Rocheputherhandbackontothelinkandslavedhervisiontotheprobe’s

data,atthesametimeshuttingherrighteyetopreventoverlap.Instantlyshefoundherselfhangingoverthesurfaceofthegasgiant,spearingthroughspacewithamagneticstormroilingaroundher.Aheadandjustoverthebulgeofthehorizon,areddishdothadappeared.“That’sit,”saidKajic.“We’reluckyit’snoteclipsedbytheplanet;theimage

wouldhavebeenmuchweaker.”“Canyoumakeanythingoutyet?”Rocheasked.“Nothingdefinite.Thealbedomatches,exceptforadarkpatchonthesouthern

hemisphere.You’llseeitastheprobegetscloser.Itdoesn’tappearonthemaps,soitprobablyisn’tasurfacefeature.”“Itisn’tthebaseitself?”askedHaid.“Refuelingbasesarealwaysaroundtheequator,”Rocheanswered.“Orbital

tetherswon’tworkanywhereelse.”“Ofcourse.”Haid’stonewasapologetic.“It’sbeenawhilesinceIlastsaw

one.”Theimagesharpenedasthemooncamecloser,becomingagibbousdisc.Its

surfacewassmoothandgray,likeitsparent,coveredwithathicklayerofice.TheunusualpatchKajichadpointedoutdominatedthebottomleftquarter:adropofinkonacircularbloodstain.“Itlookslikeashadow,”saidRoche.“Ithinkitmightbe,”Kajicagreed.“Ashadowatthebottomofacrater.”Rochetookadeepbreathattheimplicationsofthatthought.Astheprobe

swoopedcloserforitsfirstpass,thedetailsbecameclearalltooquickly.Somethinghadstruckthemoon’ssouthernhemispherewiththeforceofalargeasteroid.Theresultingimpacthadtornasizablechunkoutofthemoonandrungitscoldcorelikeabell.Deepfaultlinesranfrompoletopole,wherethebrittle,icycrusthadfractured.Ininfrared,theheatattheshadowybottomofthecraterwasobvious,glowinglikearedpupilinadead,grayeye.“Whateveritwas,”saidHaid,“ithithard.”“Isthereanywaytotellhowlongagoithappened?”askedCane.“Myguesswouldbesometimeinthelastsixweeks,”saidKajic.“But

probablynoearlierthanamonth.”“Agreed,”addedtheBox.“Therubbletheprobeencounteredintheorbitof

themoonisclearlyejectafromtheimpactthathasnothadtimetodisperse;thatmakestheimpactfairlyrecent.Butthecraterfloorisnolongermolten,indicatingthatsometimehaspassed.Betweenfourandfiveweeksagoismy

indicatingthatsometimehaspassed.Betweenfourandfiveweeksagoismyestimate.”“Anyideawhatitmighthavebeen?”askedHaid.“Atthispoint,no,”theBoxsaid.“Butmyintuitiontellsmeitwasmostlikely

ashipofsomedescription.Itwouldhavebeenmucheasiertocauseashiptocrashthantogiveanasteroidthevectorrequiredtomakeitimpactinsuchaway.”“Isitworthlookingforsurvivors?”askedRoche.“No.”TheBoxsentanicondartingintotheview,pointingoutdetailsRoche

hadmissed.“Hereyoucanseethefallencableoftheorbitaldockingfacility;thisfragmentherecorrespondstopartofthebaseitself.Youcanalsoseehowamajorfracturelinerunsdirectlythroughthesiteofthemaininstallation.Thislastdetailmustsurelyhavebeenfortuitous—noonecouldhavepredictedexactlyhowthemoonwouldfault—butIdoubtthatanyonewouldhavesurvivedtheimpactalone,anyway.Theseismicenergyreleasedmusthavebeentremendous.”Theicondisappeared.“Itwouldhavebeenoverinseconds.AveryeffectiveblowagainsttheArmadapresenceinthissystem—bothintermsofresourcesandmorale.”“Itwasdeliberate,then,”Haidsaid.“Itcouldn’thavebeenanaccident—a

coincidence?”“Possible,”saidtheBox.“Butunlikely.”RochelistenedtotheBoxwithagrowingsenseofunreality.Thedestruction

ofanentireArmadarefuelingbasewasstillsomethingshecouldhardlybelievepossible—eventhoughthescantreportsCOEIntelligencehadreceivedfromthesystemhadintimatedfarworse.Andnowshewasseeingit.ThedestructionofPalasianSystemwasnolongeramorselofinformationto

gainleveragewithCOEIntelligence;ithadactuallyhappened.<TheSolWunderkinddidthis?>askedMaii,hervoicerelayedbyRoche’s

implantsandbroadcastoverthebridgespeakers.“Wedon’thaveanyothersuspects,”saidHaid.<Howmanypeoplewereonthebase?>“Threehundred,”Rochereplied.“Pluswhoeverwasontheshipwhenit

crashed—ifitwasaship,ofcourse.”“Eitherway,that’salotofdeadpeople,”saidHaidgrimly.“Whethertherewasonepersonorathousand,theactualnumberisirrelevant,”

saidCane.“Theonlythingofimportancetotheclonewarriorwastoensurethatnoonewasleftalive.”HeglancedoveratRoche.“Assuming,ofcourse,wehavecorrectlyinterpretedmysibling’smotives.”

havecorrectlyinterpretedmysibling’smotives.”RochestudiedCanethroughtheghostimageoftheplanetinherartificialeye.

“Evenmoreimportantthanthebase’sstrategicvalue?”Hepausedbeforeanswering,hisfeaturescontortedasthoughhewasfighting

conflictingemotions.“Yes,”hesaidfinally,thenturnedfromRochebacktothescreen.“The

primaryobjectivewouldhavebeentodestroyasmanypeopleaspossibleasefficientlyaspossible.Thedriveforefficiencywouldhavenecessitatedanearlystrikeagainstthisbase,yes,butifithadbeenautomated,thatneedwouldhavebeenreduced.Wheretherearenopeopletocommandthem,machinescanbeinefficientinbattle.”“SohewouldhaveattackedAroSpaceportfirst?”Rocheasked.“Yes,hadtherefuelingbasebeenuninhabited.”Anotherpause.“I’msorry,”

hesaid,againfacingher.“Idonotlikethinkingthisway.Itistooeasyforme.”Rochenodded,eventhoughshedidn’ttrulyunderstandhowhismindworked

andthereforecouldnotempathizewithhisfeelings.Whenheusedhisgeneticallymodifiedabilities,hewasterrifyingtowatch.Thathehadnotusedthemagainstherwassomethingforwhichshe’dbeforevergrateful—andtherein,shethought,laytheparadox.OfthetwoSolclonewarriorsatlargeintheCommonwealth,onlyonewasobeyingitsnaturalinstincts.Canewasnot.Butwhy?Becausehedoesn’twantto.Thatwastheonlyanswershecouldsupply.He

hadsaidasmuchhimself.Andifthepartofhimthatwantedtokillindiscriminatelyhadbeensubsumedbythepartofhimthatdidn’t—whichperhapsnoteventheSolgeneticistscouldhavesuppressedentirely—thenshehopeditstayedthatway.Especiallynowthatshehadseenwhathecouldhavedone.Sherubbedhereyes,breakingthelinkandkillingtheimageoftheplanetin

herlefteye.Fatigue,whichshehadsuccessfullykeptatbaysinceherabruptawakening,wasnumbingherlimbsandpressingatthebacksofhereyes.Shewassufficientlyawareofherinnerfeelings,however,tosuspectthat

somethingmorethanfatiguewasatwork.“Thebaseisdead,”shesaid,lettingtheissueslipforthemoment.“Thehow

andthewhycanwaituntillater.Uri,setcoursefortheVolorasflybyandgetusonthewaytoJagabis.Iwanttoseewhat’sleftofAroSpaceportbeforewestartmakinganydecisions.”“Theprobewillbethereinapproximatelytenhours,”saidKajic.“We’llbe

pastVolorasinfour,andwellonourwaybythetimedataarrives.”

“Good.I’llleavethatsideofthingstoyouandtheBox.AslongasI’mkeptinformed,thetwoofyoucanruntheshipforawhile.”“Wherewillyoube?”askedKajic.“Inmyroom,catchinguponsomesleep.”Totheothersonthebridge,she

added,“Isuggestyoudothesame.Inthirteenhourswe’llhavemuchmoredataonourhandsthanwehavenow,andwe’llneedtobealerttodealwithit.”<I’llstayherewithCane,>saidMaii,<ifthat’sokaywithyou,Morgan.Ican

sleeponacouch.>“Makesureshedoes,Cane,”saidRoche.“Iknowyouprobablywon’tneedto

rest,butshedoes.”Canenodded.“Thatgoesforyoutoo,Ameidio.”“I’lldosoassoonasI’vefinishedhere,”saidHaid,hishandsbusyovera

console.“Okay,”Rochesaid.“Unlesssomethinghappens,we’llmeetbackherein

twelvehours.”ShestoodandledMaiiovertoCane.Thereave’shandsbrieflylinkedRoche

withCane,andinthatinstantRochereceivedamentalflashofCane’smind.Theimpressionwasshort-lived,andcarriedwithitnoactualthoughts,butitleftherwiththeimpressionofrapidmotion.Evenafterthecontacthadbeenbroken,shecouldn’tshakeamentalimageofagyroscopespinning,perpetuallyonthevergeoftopplingoverbutneverquitedoingso.“Wait,”saidKajicasshestartedtoleave.“I’mpickingupanother

transmission.”Rochecontinuedtowardtheexit.“Idoubtwe’lllearnanythingnew,”shesaid.

“Unlessweworkoutthelanguage—”“It’snotfromJagabis,thistime,”Kajicsaid.RochestoppedandfacedKajic’s

flickeringimage.“We’repickingupthefringesofatightbeam,probablyreflectedoffthesourceofthefirsttransmission.Whoever’ssendingthisonemustbedoingthebesttheycanwithafairlylow-techoutfit.Hangon—we’llseeifwecandecodeit.”“It’snotincipher,”saidtheBox.“Itisastandardtextmessage.Novoice,no

images.”“Displayit,”saidRoche,curiousdespiteherexhaustion.TheviewofHintubetfadedfromthemainscreen.Nowinitsplacewere

severallinesoftext:

IDONOTRUNFROMYOU,

IDONOTRUNFROMYOU,BUTNEITHERWILLIRUNTOYOU.IDONOTREQUIREYOURAID.

WHENORIFIDONEEDANYTHINGTHATYOUPOSSESS,IWILLTAKEIT.

YOUWILLNOTSTOPME.

IAMNOTYOURSTOCOMMAND.

Rochereaditonce,thenagain.“That’sit?”sheaskedafterathirdandfinalreading.“Thesamemessageisrepeatedtwice,”saidtheBox.“Andit’snotencrypted?”“No.”“Butitwassentonatightbeam.”“Yes.”“Thenthattellsussomething.I’llbetthereasonwe’repickingupthefringes

ofthebeamisbecauseit’sbeenthroughanumberofrelaystopreventtriangulationofthesource.Whoeversentitwaslessconcernedaboutthecontentsofthemessagethankeepingtheirlocationasecret.”Haidnodded.“Thatwouldmakesense.”“Andjudgingbythecontent,I’dsaythere’sonlyonepersonwhocould’ve

sentit.”“Mysibling,”saidCane,meetingheraccusatorystare.Rochenoddedslowly.“He’salive.”“Andkicking,”saidHaid.“I’mgladI’mnotintheshoesofwhoeverhe’s

talkingto.”“Thefactthathe’stalkingatallisinteresting,”Rochemused.“Infact,it

soundslikehe’sbluffing.”“Youthinkso?”saidHaid.Sheshrugged.“Ifhe’shiding,he’svulnerable.”“Iguesswe’llfindoutsoonenough.”Haidreturnedhisattentiontothe

consolebeforehim.“I’llseeifanyoftheprobespickedupthesignalandtrytopindownasource.”“Good.Anymore,Box?”“Thetransmissionhasnowceased,”saidtheAI.

“Thetransmissionhasnowceased,”saidtheAI.Sheconsideredwhethersheshouldstayonthebridgetoseeifanythingelse

camein,butdecidedagainstit.ThecommunicationfromtheSolclonewarriorwasimportantenoughtowarrantfurtherexamination,butnotinformative.Again,withoutfurtherdata,shewouldonlybespeculatingwildly.“Thesituation’sunchanged,then,”shesaid.“I’llkeepmyimplantsopenfor

anyfurtherdevelopments.Don’thesitatetocallme.”“Iwon’t,”saidKajic.HisimagedissolvedatthesamemomentRochestepped

fromthebridge.

*

Backinhercabin,Rochelayonherbunk,goingoverthedatatheyhadcollectedsofar.DetailedimagesoftherainedGuhrOutpostcameasoftenastheprobe—noworbitingthesmallmoon—passedby.Allthatremainedoftherefuelingbasewerefragmentstwistedbeyondrecognition.Sensorsdetectedhighlevelsofradiationintheheartofthecrater,whichsupportedthetheorythataship,notanasteroid,hadcrashedthere,butnoremainsoftheshiphadbeenfound.Giventheforceoftheexplosion,Rochedidn’texpectany.Theshipmusthavebeenfullyfueledtohavecausedsuchablast.Onlytimewouldtellhowgreatlythemoon’sorbitaroundthegasgianthadbeendisturbed.Theremainderoftheprobes,nowontheirwaytoeverymajorbodyinthe

system,werestilltoofarawayfromtheirdestinationstoprovideanynewperspectives.TheearliestshecouldexpectdatawouldbefromtheprobeheadingtoGatamin,sixhoursaway;thelatest,fromtheprobeaimedatKukumatandMurukan,thejovianpair,atovertwentyhours.Determinednottoletfrustrationgetthebetterofher—therewas,afterall,

nothingshecoulddotochangethespeedoflight—shetriedinsteadtofocusherthoughtsonwhatshedidknowaboutPalasianSystem.Firstofall,theCOEIntelligencedataappearedtobeaccuratesofar.There

hadbeenabattleofsomesortthathadcosttheArmadaatleastarefuelingbase.Second,thesystemwassuspiciouslysilent,apartfromoneunintelligible

signalemanatingfromnearthemajorportaroundJagabisandanotherwhosesourcewasinhiding.Third,thesunhadbeentransformedintoacosmichypershieldgeneratorbya

weaponusedonlyoncebefore,overathousandyearsago.ThelastgovernmentknowntohavehadaccesstothesoleremainingAsha’sGauntletprototypewastheKesh.

theKesh.Fourth,Maii’smind-ridingabilitieshadbeennegatedbyamysterious

“smothering”effect.Fifth,thesystemhadbeencordonedoffontheoutsidebythreeArmada

vesselsactingunderdirectordersfromGeneralRamage,commanderinchiefoftheCOEArmada.Andthatwasall.RochewasfairlyconfidentthattheSolWunderkindwas

trappedinthesystem,butbeyondthatshedidn’twanttospeculatetoofar.Itwastemptingtowriteofftheepsense-dampeningphenomenonasanotherofhisextraordinarytalents,butthatseemedunlikely.ApartfromtheoccasionalsuggestionfromMaiithatCanepossessedastrongbutlatentepsenseability,therewasnoindicationthathepossessedanysuchtalents.Nevertheless,Rochewaswaryofclosingoffanyavenuesofexplorationtooearly.NotwhilethemattersoftheGauntletandtheArmadaflotillawerestilltobeexplained,anyway.Shehadlearnedfromexperiencethatespeciallywhereconspiracieswereconcerned,themajorfactorpreventingthetruth’sbeingdiscoveredwastheobserver’sunwillingnesstoexploreconnectionsbetweenfactsthatonthesurfaceseemedunconnectable.Sheleanedbackintothepillow,pushingherknucklesintoheraching,tired

eyes.Therewas,inshort,enoughtomakehercautious,butnotenoughtoprovideheradefinitefocusforherfears.Andthat,inasense,onlymadeitworse.Youwillnotstopme,thesecondtransmissionhadsaid.Couldshehave

stoppedCane,hadhechosentoattackratherthantoaidher?Washeevenonherside?Iamnotyourstocommand,themessagehadsaid.ThewordsmadeRochewonderwhetherhehadevertrulybeen...

*

Shedidn’trealizeshehadfallenasleepuntilthealarmonherdoorbuzzed.Inthedreamsheheardthehissofapredator.Shejerkedforwardonherbunk

andcalledoutinthedark,clutchingatthefringeofthedreamevenasshewaswrenchedfromit.ShehadbeenbackonAscensio,tryingtolureaviridantoutofitsburrowbyofferingitadeadrodent.Thelizardlikeanimalhadbeensuspicious,butshemanagedtoencourageitbyrepeatingtheofferseveraltimes.Shehadnointentionofgivingitthebait,though;heronlyintentionhadbeentogainitstrust—andthentostrangleit.Onlytoolatehadsheseentheglintinits

eyeandknownthatshewastheonebeinglured.Herhandhadlashedout,andtheviridanthadsnappeditsjawsaroundit,pullingherintoitsburrow...Thedoorbuzzedagain.Sheshookherselffromadazeandspokeintothe

intercom:“Whoisit?”“It’sme,”Caneanswered.“Thedatafromtheprobesareduesoon.Iwould

liketodiscusssomethingwithyoubeforethen,ifit’snotinconvenient.”“Waitamoment.”Sheranherhandsoverherstubbledscalpandwipedher

face.Herskinwasgreasyandcoarseatthesametime—agrimreminderthatshewasoverdueforashower.Afteramomentshesaid:“Lights;dooropen.”Theroombrightenedathercommand.Canesteppedintothecabin.“I’massumingit’snotanemergency,”shesaid,“orelseUriwould’vecalled

first.”“Littlehaschanged,”saidCane.“Wehavereceivedanothertransmissionfrom

thesamesourceasthefirst,butthat’saboutit.Kajicposteddetailsofittoyourbuffer,markingitasalowpriority.Ifyouwereasleep,youwouldn’thaveseenit.”Shecheckedherimplantsoutofhabit;sureenough,themessagewasthere.

Shealsolearnedthatshehadbeenasleepforsevenhours.Itfeltmorelikefour.ShestayedonthebedandofferedCanethechair.“So,whatcanIdoforyou?”“Everyoneisresting,”hesaid.Whenhesathefoldedhishandsinhislap,

makinghimlookuncharacteristicallyunsureofhimself.“IthoughtI’dtakeadvantageofthesituationtotalktoyoualone.”“About?”sheprompted.“ThetransmissionfromJagabis.”“Whataboutit?”“Icantranslateit.”Shestudiedhimsuspiciously.“TheBoxsaiditwasn’tinanylanguagethatit

recognized.”“Iknow.”“Butyourecognizeit?”“Ididn’tatfirst,”hesaid.“Onlyafterreadingthroughtherawtextforsome

hoursdiditbegintomakesense.Andeventhen,notallofit.”“I’mnotsureIfollowyou.”“Iamnotcertainwhatitmeans,butIdounderstandit.Iknowhowoddthat

sounds,butthesituationisasconfusingtomeasitistoyou.Andthat’swhyIwantedtotalktoyoufirstratherthantheothers.”“You’vekeptthisfromMaii?”

“You’vekeptthisfromMaii?”“SheknowsI’mhidingsomething,butshewon’tlearnwhatitisunlessIlet

her.”Rochenodded.“Sowhatdoesthetransmissionsay?”“Itisacalltoarms,”hesaid.“Itisalsoapleaforhelp.Andarequestto

negotiate.Andanordertoretreat.Andanofferofassistance.And—”Shecuthimoff:“Idon’tunderstand.Howcanitbeallthesethingsatonce?”“Themessageiscomposedoffragments.Somemakesense,butalotdon’t.

Thebitsthatdon’tarejustmeaningless,butthereisstillaresonanceinthewords—asthoughtheyhavebeenengravedinmymind,thatImightneverforgetthem.”Shesuddenlygraspedtheimplication.“Areyousuggestingthatthisissome

sortoflanguageusedbytheSolApotheosisMovement?Thatyou’vebeenprogrammedtounderstandit?”“NothingelsecanexplainwhyIknowwhatsomeofthefragmentsmean,and

respondtothem”—heputahandonhisstomach—”here,almostbeforeIhavetimetorealize.”“Aretheydangerous?Couldtheymakeyoudothingsyoudon’twanttodo?”Caneshookhishead.“Whoeverisbroadcastingtheordersdoesn’tknowwhat

theyaredoing.Thefragmentsthatmakethemostsensearethemostemphatic,ofcourse,buttheyareoftenthemostinconsistent,too.Thefragmentrepeatedmostoften,forinstance,isarequesttotradeinformationthatisnotrelevantinexchangeforsuppliesthatnooneinthiscenturywouldneed.”“Whywouldanyonebroadcastsomethinglikethat?”Rochewondered.“And

wheredidtheyfindthecode?Itwasn’tinanyoftherecordsIaccessed.”“Idon’tknow,exactly,”Canesaid.“Perhapsthesourceisabeacon,afterall.”“OnetheSolApotheosisMovementleftbehind,perhaps?”Heshrugged.“Itmayhavesuccessfullysummonedmysiblinghere,then

malfunctioned.”“Thatwouldn’texplainwhyhebotheredtoreply.”“UnlessthebeaconisanAI,”Canesuggested.“Orwehaveitthewrongway

around.PerhapstheSoltransmissionisfrommysibling,andthereplyfromsomeoneelseentirely.”Rochethoughtthisover.ThefirsttransmissionhadcomefromJagabis,their

currentdestination.“Ifso,thatmeanswe’reheadingintotrouble.”“Iknow.”Cane’sdarkfeaturesremainedexpressionless.“Itappearsthatbeing

abletotranslatethetransmission,eveninpart,hasonlymadethesituationworse.”

“It’snotyourfault,Cane,”Rochesaid.“Thiswholesystemisamess.”Sherubbedsleepfromhereyeswiththeheelsofherhands.“Besides,youcan’thelpwhatyouare,”shewenton,sensingthathewantedsomethingmorefromherthanjustactingasaconfessor.“Yourlackofmotiveworriesmesometimes,butyou’veconvincedmethatyoudon’tmeanmeanyharm—forwhatthat’sworth.Justbecauseyou’reaweapon,andyou’vebeendesignedtodocertainthingsthatmightharmagreatnumberofpeople,thatdoesn’tmeanyouwill.There’sabigdifferencebetweendesignandintent,afterall;Itrytokeepthatinmind.”Canenoddedslowly.“Thankyou,Morgan.Iwasworriedthatthereminderof

whatIammightcauseyoutorethinkourassociation.”Shesmiledvaguely.“I’mgladyoutoldme.Attheveryleast,wecangetthe

Boxontoitandseewhetheritcan’ttranslatetherest.”“YouwouldlikemetotelltheBox?”“Ican’tseewhynot.Havingsomeunderstandingofahigh-levelSollanguage

willprobablycomeinhandyoneday.”Shewenton:“Whenyouhavethetime,gooverthetextofthetransmission,pulloutthebitsthatyoucantranslateandseewhattheBoxcancomeupwith.ItmaybenomoreofalinguistthanyouorI,butitmustbeabletorunbasicstatisticalchecks.Something’sboundtocomeup.”Canestood,hismusclesflexingsmoothlywiththemovement.“We’llbegin

immediately.”“I’llbedowntoreviewyourresultssoon.”Shestood,too,andfollowedhim

tothedoor.“Butdon’tletitgetinthewayofmappingthesystem.That’sourfirstpriorityatthemoment.”ThedoorslidclosedbehindCane,leavingRochewithyetanothermysteryto

ponder.Shewonderedhowmanymorethissystemwouldthrowatherbeforefinallysurrenderingsomedefiniteanswers.AndhowmuchlongershecouldjuggletheconflictingtrustandsuspicionshefeltforAdoniCane.Whenshemadeittothebridgealmostanhourlater,thefirstwaveof

informationhadbeguntoarrive.TheprobeaimedatthesunhadannouncedthatithaddatatosendwithinmomentsofCane’sreturn.Sincethen,theBox,Cane,andKajichadbeenfullyoccupied,paringbackthepacketsofdatatotheonesmostrelevantorlikelytocontainanswerstoRoche’smanyquestions.Asaresult,themysteryofthepossibleSoltransmissionshadbeenplacedonhold.“Okay,”shesaid,settlingintoherseat.Maiitookaplacenexttoher,apart

fromahandonhershoulderkeepingcarefullyunobtrusive.“Let’sseewhatwe’vegot.”“Picturesinvisualspectra,mostly,”saidKajic.“And,accordingtotheBox,

“Picturesinvisualspectra,mostly,”saidKajic.“And,accordingtotheBox,themechanismunderlyingtheGauntlet.”“Showme.”Themainscreenblossomedtorevealabloatedredgiant,magnifiedtofillone

thirdoftheview.Coolerpatcheshadbeendimmedbycompensatorstoappearcharcoalblack,givingthestar’ssurfaceacrackedappearance.Massivedisturbances,clearlyvisibledespitetheblurofdistance,flowedsluggishlyfromeachpoletotheequator,skewedeastbythestar’srotation.Rochewincedatthesight.“You’dneverguessthatuntilamonthago,that

usedtobeagreendwarf.”“Precisely,”saidtheBox.“Thechangeinitscompositiongoesmuchdeeper

thanIthought.”“Howdeep,exactly?”“Tothecore.Lookclosely,Morgan.”‘Theviewzoomedforward,closertothestar.Gasesbubbledlikemagmafrom

anunimaginableinterior,castingabalefulredlightthroughthebridge.Agreenringstoodoutonthescreen,highlightingadarkerpoint.Astheringswungpast,Rocherealizedthatthepointatitscenterwasanobjectorbitingthestar,deepwithinitschromosphere.Shehadnoreferencepointsagainstwhichtoestimatetheobject’ssize,butthewayitdisturbedthegasesaroundit,leavingadeep,roilingscarinitswake,suggestedenormoussizeormass,orboth.“Thatcan’tbeaship,”shesaid.“Itisn’t,”saidtheBox.“Itisoneofsixteenquarkbreedersinhigh-speedorbit,

firingpelletsofstrangematterintotheheartofthestar.”“Youcantellthatjustbylookingatit?”“Notentirely,Morgan.Ifyouwatchcarefully,youcanseethepelletsstrike

thephotosphere.”Rochelookedmorecloselyattheimage.Sureenough,everyfewsecondsor

so,abrightsparkofbluelightflaredatthebaseofthewake.“Whystrangematter?”askedHaid.“Strangematterissuper-dense,”RochesaidbeforetheBoxcouldreply,“and

itcanbemovedmoreeasilyandmorepreciselythanneutronium.Withit,youcanaltertheworkingsofastar’score.Onceyoucontrolthecore,youcanplaywithitselectromagneticandgravityfields.”“This,clearly,ishowtheRiem-PerezHorizonisgenerated,”addedtheBox.“Overkill,”saidHaid.“TheGauntletisagrotesqueexampleofjustthat,”theAIagreed.“Ifits

designershadstoppedtoconsiderwhattheyweredoingevenforamoment,theywouldhaverealizedthatwhattheyhopedforsimplywasn’tpossible.”

wouldhaverealizedthatwhattheyhopedforsimplywasn’tpossible.”Haidshrugged.“Youhavetoadmirethemfortrying,anyway.”ThequarkbreedercontinuedtoplowitswaythroughHintubet’swounded

chromosphere,asimplacableasthephysicsthatforetoldthestar’sdeath.“Whatwouldhappenifwedestroyedthem?”Caneasked.“Disaster,”saidtheBox.“Thenuclearprocessesinsidethesunwouldspiral

outofcontroluntilthereactionssustainingtheRiem-PerezHorizonceased.Theboundarywouldbecomeincreasinglychaoticuntil,withinaveryshortperiodoftime,itcollapsedentirely.”“Anyideawhoplantedthebreeders?”saidRoche.“Detailissparseatthisresolution,”saidtheBox.“Icannottellifthebreeders

displayanymarkings.However,onlyonenationinthisregionmanufacturesbreedersofthesortrequiredforsuchamacro-projectasthis,andthatistheEckandarTradeAxis.”“Doyouthinktheymightbeinvolved?”“No.Thedeviceshavebeenavailableformanycenturies;thearrayis

probablythatbelongingtotheoriginalGauntletprototype,notonemanufacturedrecently.”“That’sgoodtoknow.Ihatetothinkwhyanyonewouldbuildthemtoday.”

Rochemusedtoherselfforamoment.“Ifthisistheprototype,andit’sbeingusedtoentraptheSolWunderkind,thenitmusthavebeenkeptsomewherenearby.Allowingtimefortheweapontobedustedoffandprogrammed,thenputintoplaceandactivated,thatdoesn’tleavemuchfortransport.”“Doweknowwhenitwasactivated?”askedHaid.“Notbeforethetwenty-sixthoflastmonth,”saidtheBox.“Thatwaswhenthe

ArmadaMarinesinvestigatingthesystemwereambushed.Presumablythesystemwasopenatthatpoint.”“Isthereanywaytopinitdownfurther?”“Ihavebeenobservingtherateofdecayoftheboundary.Ifweassumethatit

originallyextendedtocoverPalasianSystem’scometaryhalo,thenthatgivesusanactivationdatesomewherebetweenthethirty-seventhandfortieth.”“SothatmeansthepeoplebehindtheGauntlethadalittlemorethanoneweek

togetithere,”Rochesaid.“Howwouldtheyhavegotitpasttheclonewarrior?”askedHaid.“Oneassumesthebreederswereslow-jumpedasclosetothesunaspossible

withalargerelativevelocity,”saidtheBox.“OncetheywerecapturedbyHintubet’sgravityandsafelyinsidethechromosphere,therewouldhavebeenverylittletheSolWunderkindcouldhavedonetointerferewiththem.”

verylittletheSolWunderkindcouldhavedonetointerferewiththem.”“Hewouldn’thaveknownwhattheywere,afterall,”saidRoche.“Theywouldhavedemonstratednoovertlyhostilebehavior,”addedCane.

“Andtheremayhavebeenmorepressingmattersdemandinghisattention.”“Thatmakessense.”Rocheturnedherattentionawayfromthesunandthe

devicecripplingit.“Whatelsehavewefound?”“WehaveaprobeorbitingCartha’sPlanet,”saidKajic.“Everythingseemsin

orderthere.WightStation—theautomatedsolarresearchinstallation—hasnotbeendamaged.”“Becauseitwasnothreat,”Rochesaid.“Goon.”“ThesameprobeexaminedtheMattarBeltasitflewthrough,”Kajicwenton.

“Thereisevidenceofactivityonseveralasteroids,althoughonlyoneprowlingminewasobservedinsitu.Likewise,ithadnotbeeninterferedwith.”“Anysignofpeople?”“No.Theinnersystemappearstobeuninhabited,exceptbymachines.”“Perhapswecanusethemtoouradvantage,then.Box,aswegetcloser,I

wantyoutomakecontactwiththeAIsonWightStationandtheprowlingmines.TheymayhaverecordedinformationthatwillhelpusplotthemovementsoftheSolWunderkind.”“Iwilldoso,”saidtheBox.“Ifotherinstallationshavebeenattackedinthe

samemannerasGuhrOutpost,theexplosionsshouldhavebeennoticedbyoneormoreoftheseobservers.Wemaybeabletopinpointtheexacttimeeachattacktookplace.”“Letmeknowwhatyoufind.”RocheturnedtoKajic.“Anynewsfrom

Jagabis?”“Theprobewillbeinposition,relativetous,inaboutanhour.All

transmissionsceasedfromthatregiontwenty-fiveminutesago,correspondingalmostexactlywithourarrivalinthesystem.”Rochementallyapproximatedthetimeitwouldtakedatatravelingatlight-

speedtocrossthesystemtwice;asKajichadsaid,itdidmatchthetimerequiredforsomeoneonJagabistoobservethearrivaloftheAnaVereine,thenfortheimmediatecessationoftransmissionstobeobservedbyKajic.“Sosomeoneknowswe’rehere,”shesaidsomberly.“Theyknewwherewewere,”saidHaid.“We’vebeencamouflagedsincewe

arrived,whichstillgivesussomeelementofsurprise.”Rochenodded.“Havetheotherprobesfoundanything?”“TwousedGataminasagravity-whip,butneitherreportedanythingunusual,”

saidKajic.“Again,thatplanetarysystemwasuninhabited.”

Rochetookamomenttostudytheimagesofthesmallish,onceblue-greengasgiant,thirdmostdistantfromthesun.Apartfromitsremarkablerings,itwaseasytooverlook.“Herensunglikewiseappearsuntouched,”Kajicwenton,“atleastfroma

distance.Therewereafeworbitalcommunicationrelaysthatarenowsilent,butuntiltheprobearriveswehavenowayofknowingwhathashappenedtothem.”“ThatleavesCemenid,andthedouble-jovian.”Rochewascurioustoseeboth.

Cemenid,thelargestplanet,hadbeenhometoaCOEcommunicationsbase;KukumatandMurukanweresimplymysterious,ontheoppositesideofthesystem.“Cemenidisacoupleofhoursaway,”saidKajic.“Thedoublewillbeatleast

anothertwelve.”Rochecouldn’tcomplainaboutthat;shealreadyhadenoughdatatokeepher

occupiedfordays,andwouldsoonhavemore.Thedoublejovianwassimplyabonus.SheappliedherselftotheinformationwithawillandMaii’shelp,tryingto

findanyevidenceoftheSolclonewarrior’spassage.Occasionaldetailssurfacedfromthegrowingfiles—wreckageofsatellitehere,anionafterwashthere—butnoactualsightings.WherevertheWunderkindwas,hehadbeeneffectiveinhidinghimself—sofar.Whenthedatafromtheothermajorplanetsarrived,shehopedtoknowwherehewasnot,atleast.Thenitwouldbecomeamoredifficultquest,throughthegulfsbetweenplanetsorinthemessofdarkbodiesknownasAutovillebetweenCemenidandGatamin.Shedidn’tliketothinkthathemighthavehiddenanyfartheroutthanthat;Mishra’sStake,theseconddark-bodyhalo,extendedinabandoneandhalfthousandmillionkilometerswidealmostasfarasVoloras.Ifhewashidinginthere,hewouldbeimpossibletofind.Theonlyconsolationwasthatifhewasinthere,hewouldbeeffectively

unabletosurprisethem.WhichiswhyRochefeltsaferulingitout.Hewouldneverhaveallowedhimselftoreducehisoptionssoseverely,assumingCane’sbehaviorwasanythingtogoby.<Hewillwatchpatientlyuntilhehassufficientinformation,>saidMaii,<then

strike.Itwon’tbeinhisnaturetoactunprepared,ortowaittoolong.Assoonasheknowshowtodestroyus,hewilldosowithouthesitation.><There’sacheerfulthought,>Rocheresponded,stillacutelyawareofwhat

hadhappenedtoGuhrOutpost.<Wejusthavetobereadyforhim,andmakesurehedoesn’tforceusintoany

mistakes.>Rocheponderedthis.<Wemayalreadybemakingamistakebyrushinginto

Rocheponderedthis.<Wemayalreadybemakingamistakebyrushingintothesystembeforetheprobeshavehadtimetoreport.><Idon’tthinkso,>thereavesaid.<Evenin-systemthedistancesarelarge

enoughtogiveusanedge,giventhepoweroftheAnaVereine.Andbesides,wherearewenow?><InsidetheorbitofGatamin.><Theinnersystemdoesn’treallystartuntilCemenid.Thatgivesusplentyof

timetochangecourseiftheremainingprobesdofindanything.><ButbetweenGataminandCemenidisAutoville,andtherecouldbeanything

inthere.><True.Thenwe’lljusthavetokeepoureyesopen.>Rochesmiledattheirony

intheblindSurin’swords,butshekeptthethoughtcarefullytoherself.“We’repickingupsomethingunusual,”saidKajic.“FromJagabis?”Roche

asked,pushingthedatashehadbeenstudyingtoonesideandfocusingherattentiononthemainscreen.“No.It’satightbeamfromroughlythesamedirection,though.”“Contents?”“ArequestforIDonaCOEband.That’sall.”Kajicpaused.“The

transmissioniscomingonceeveryminute,andwe’reonlypickingupthefringesofit.Also,it’sblue-shifted,indicatingthatthesourceismovingtowardus.”Towardthem?Rochestiffenedinherseat.“Aship?”“Thatseemslikely,althoughIhaven’tdetectedanyemissionsyet.”“Keeplooking.Showmethemessageinfull.”Awindowonthemainscreenopened,displayingfourbrieflinesoftext:-

VESSELENTERINGPALASIANSYSTEM0805IDREQUESTEDRESPONDASAPQUOLMANN

“Who’sthis‘Quolmann’?”askedHaid.“It’snotawho,”saidRoche.“It’sCOEIntelligenceshorthandfor‘Trustme;

I’manally.’”“Andshouldwe?”askedHaidevenly.“Thatdepends,”saidCane.“Ifthecodeiscommonknowledge,thenwe

shouldtreatitsuseherewithsuspicion.”“It’snotwellknown,”saidRoche.“Otherwiseitwouldhavebeenchanged.

ButI’mdisinclinedtotrustsomeoneeveniftheyarefromCOEIntelligence.”“Sowhatdowedo?”Kajicasked.“Ignoreit?”“Wecan’taffordto,”saidRocheuneasily.“Themessagewassenttous.They

maynotknowexactlywhereweare,giventhatwe’reonlypickinguptheedgesofthetightbeam,buttheydohavearoughidea.”“Theycouldbesendingthemessagetoseverallikelylocations,”suggested

Cane.Rochequicklydismissedtheidea.“No,theshipisstillcominginthis

direction.”Shethoughtforamoment,thensaid:“We’rebeingpredictable.Uri,Iwanttochangecourseslightly;swingusawayfromthesunandtoawiderapproach.Iknowit’llmeantakinglongertogettoJagabis,butIthinkwehavetodoit—atleastuntilweknowhowfarawaythisshipis.Atthesametime,sendaremotetoreplytothetightbeamonouroriginalcourse.GiveithalfanhourbeforesendingourIDandthe‘Quolmann’codeword—that’sall.Keeptheprobeonouroldheadinguntilitreceivesareply.ItcanrelayanymessageswithoutputtingtheAnaVereineatrisk.”“Consideritdone,”saidKajic.Rochereadthetextofthemessageagain.“It’salmostasthoughtheywere

expectingsomeonefromCOEIntelligencetocome,”shemused.“Andhavenothingtofearfromthem,”addedCane.“Thatputstheminaminority,”saidHaidwryly.“TheJagabisdataisbeingprocessed,”announcedKajic.“Finally.”Rochepreparedherselfforanotherinrushofinformation.“Okay.

Let’sseeit.”Theprobehadinserteditselfintoapolarorbitaroundtheinnermostjovian

worldofPalasianSystem.EvenunderHintubet’sstark,crimsonlight,Rochewasstruckbythebeautyoftheplanet.Itsbandsandvorticesweremanifoldandvaried,rangingfromthickjetstreamstothinwisps;itspolewasaregionofintenseelectromagneticactivity,theatmosphereconstantlyeruptingwithflashesoflightning.Itsringsweresmallrelativetothoseofsomeoftheotherplanets,buttheywerethere,framingalargenumberofmoons—fourteenknown,RocherecalledfromtheCOEfiles.Thelargestofthem,Aro,wasalsothelargestsolidbodyinthesystem;forthatreason,plusitsmorehospitabledistancefromthesun,ithadbeenchosenoverCartha’sPlanetforthesystem’spermanentcivilianbase.Shestudiedthedataintently,eagerfor—andyetsimultaneouslydreading—

herfirstsightofAroSpaceportanditscloseneighbor,EmptageCity.Although

sheknewthattheprobe“hadsentthisviewsomehoursago,shecouldn’thelpbutfeelnervousaboutwhatshemightsee,asthoughsheweremoreintimatelyinvolvedthanamereobserver.WhatiftheSolWunderkindweretobeattackingAroattheverymomentthemooncameintoview?Whatwouldshedo?Shefoughttosuppressthediscomfortingnotion,becausethetruthwas,therewouldbenothingshecoulddo.TheywouldbehelplesstodefendthebaseTheprobechangedcourseasitcrossedJagabis’snorthpole.Itstinybut

powerfulthrustersfiredtoinsertitintoanequatorialorbitintersectingthatofAro.Rochewaitedimpatientlyastheminutestickedbyuntil,finally,thereddotofthemoonappearedoverthebulgeofthedistanthorizon.Thedotbecameadisc.Theprobe’sthrustersceasedfiring;momentumandthe

pullofJagabis’sgravitywouldcompletethemaneuver.Thelastlegofitsapproachwouldbeconductedwithasfewemissionsaspossible.Thediscswelledsteadily.Ahazyatmosphere,richinmethaneandsulfur,

softeneditsedges.Thehemispherefacingtheprobewasmostlyinshadow,makingdetailshardtodiscern,andHintubet’sbloodyglareinthebackgroundonlycomplicatedthematter.RochewatchedasKajictriedvariousenhancementroutinesontheimage,methodicallyrefiningthepicture.“Ican’tseetheorbitaltower,”Rochesaid.“What’sthatinthesoutheastquadrant?”Haidpointed.“Anothercrater?”“No,”saidtheBox.“Rememberthescale.Animpactthatlargewouldhave

crackedthemoonintwo.”“TheCOEmapshavetwomethaneseaslisted,”saidRoche.“Thatmustbe

oneofthem.”“It’salittlehardtomakeoutatthemoment,”saidKajic,“butIthinkyou’re

right,Morgan.”“We’llsoonfindout,”shesaid.Themoonexpandeduntilitsshadowedimagefilledmostofthescreen.Red

sunlightglintedonanobjectinorbitaroundit,startlingRocheuntilsherealizedthatthetelemetrydatawasstillemptyofsignsoftechnologicalactivity.Anabandonedsatellite,sheguessed.Orwreckage.Whateveritwas,itcaughtthelighttwicemorebeforevanishingfromview.Kajic’sdisplayshowedseveralotherunidentifiedandinactiveobjects,invisibletoherlimitedsenses,alsoindistantorbits,andshefollowedtheminsteadtopassthetime.AsimilardisplayonHaid’sconsolerevealedthathetoowastrackingthem,readytorespondifoneofthemmadeanymoveatall—orshowedsignsoflife.TheprobeslidneatlyintoageostationaryorbitaboveAroSpaceportand

turneditsinstrumentsdownward.

turneditsinstrumentsdownward.“Radarhaslocatedthemainlaunchfield,”saidKajicintently.“Nootherclear

landmarks,yet.”“Themaindome?”askedRoche.“Ihavesomethingthatmightbeanoutline,but...”Heshookhishead.“It’snot

clear.Thedomemightbedown.There’snowaytobesureuntilthesunrises.”“Howlongwillthatbe?”‘Tenminutesorso.”“Tryinfrared,”shesuggested.“Iftherearesurvivors,they’llshowupashot

spots.”“I’mnotfindinganything,Morgan,”Kajicsaidafteramoment.“It’s

uniformlycooldownthere.Eventhelaunchfield.”“Nofires?”askedHaid.“Tracesofexplosions?”“Arohasanatmosphereandweather,”saidKajic.“Excessheatwilldissipate

relativelyquickly.”“Butthere’snoevidenceofthesortofdamagewesawatGuhrOutpost,is

there?”Rochestudiedtheimageonthemainscreenindetail,clutchingatanythingthatwouldjustifyoptimism.“Theremightstillbeachance.”“Underground,”saidCane.“Themaindomewasfullyexposed,”saidKajic.“Infact,itwasbuiltinthe

wallsofanoldcrater,soitneededonlyaroof.”“Butthespaceportmighthavesubterraneanfacilities,”saidRoche.“Theonlywaytocheckwouldbetogodownthere.”Haidglancedaroundthe

bridge.“Anyvolunteers?”“Let’sseeifwecan’tcontactthemfirst.”Rocheswiveledawayfromthe

screen.“Uri,havetheprobebroadcastabriefmessageaskingforID.Usethe‘Quolmann’code.Theremaybeaconnectionbetweensurvivorshereandtheshipsignalingus.”“ThepeoplespeakingtheSolcommandlanguage?”askedHaid.“Speakingitbadly,”Caneputin.“Whatever,”saidHaid.“I’dbewaryoflettingthemknowwe’reanywhere

nearthemjustyet—ifthey’reeventhereatall,thatis.”“Iknow,”saidRoche.“That’swhattheprobeisfor.Sendthesignal,Uri.

Repeatitonce.”“Done.”Kajic’simageshiftedwithinthehologrid.“Andnowwewait.We’ll

seeareplyinaboutfivehours,ifthereisone.”“Damnit.”Rochecursedthesituation—andherselfforforgettingthelight-

speeddelay.“Iguessthat’sallwe—”

“Holdit!”Kajicbarkedassomethingflashedacrossthescreen.“Theprobe—something’sfiringonit!”Rocheslavedherimplantstothedata-feed.Thehazyradaroutlineofthe

spaceportjerkedonce,thendisappearedentirelyfromview.Inthevisualspectrum,theviewsluedwildlyastheprobefoughttostabilizeitself.Damagereadingsscrolleddownthebordersofherfieldofview,suggestingthattheprobehadbeenstruckononeside.“Uri?Whatthehellis—?”“I’mgettingafixonsomething,”Kajicinterrupted.Theprobesteadied,its

cameraspointingtowardthehorizonofthemoon.Lightflashedfromsomethingmetallic.“It’saderelict.”Theviewzoomedcloser.Theshiphadoncebeenafreighter,butnowhada

holeinitssidethatcouldhavehousedoneoftheAnaVereine’sscutters.Itwastravelinginanorbitaboveandatrightanglestothatoftheprobe.Acloudofescapinggasfloweredbrieflyfromtheshadowoftheship’shole.

Asecondlater,ithappenedagain.“I’mpickingupverylowelectromagneticreadings,”saidKajic.“Almost

undetectable.Hardlyalifesign,andnothinglikeanyweaponI’veeverseen.”Theviewjumpedagain.Redwarningindicatorsbegantoflashintheprobe’s

telemetrydisplay.“Ican’ttellwhat’shittingit,”Kajicsaidwithsomefrustration.“Andneither

cantheprobe.”“Whyisn’titdoinganything?”askedHaid.“Itdoesn’tknowwhattodo,”Kajicresponded.“Itcan’tevenrunwithout

knowingwhatit’srunningfrom.”Rocheleanedforwardasinspirationstruckher.“Doestheprobehaveanti-

meteoriteshields?”“Ofcourse;they’restandardinanythingdesignedtotravelatspeedin-system

—”“Whataboutwhenit’snotatspeed’?”“Theyshutdowntoconservepower...”SuddenunderstandingstoppedKajic

short.Onthemainscreen,theprobe’scamerascaughtaglimpseofthederelictship.

Redsunlightflashedonitspittedhullmorestronglythanbefore.Dustwasstillpuffingoutoftheshadowinitsside,asregularasametronome.Thentheimageshookanddisappearedagain,theprobeclearlyhavingdifficultymaintainingitsattitudewithsomuchdamageinterferingwithitssystems.“It’sagas-gun,”Rochesaid.“Probablyachemicalthrustermodifiedtofire

“It’sagas-gun,”Rochesaid.“Probablyachemicalthrustermodifiedtofiresliversofmetalorplastic;they’renothardtojury-rig.Allthat’sneededisasmallamountofpowertorunatargeterorareceiver,andnoonewilleverknowit’sthere—untilit’sactivated,anyway.Andthen,beforeyouknowit,you’vebeenhitbysomethingwithenoughkineticenergytopunchaholerightthroughyourhull.”“Thepresenceoftheprobemusthavebeenenoughtosetitoff,”saidHaid,

nodding.“Justbeingthere.Imaginewhatwould’vehappenedifithadsentthatsignal.”“Arethereotherderelictsinorbit?”Caneasked.“Ihaveplottedtheorbitsofatleastadozensmallmasses,”confirmedKajic,

“manyinsimilarorbitstothisone—highandatextremeanglestoanythingaroundtheequator.”“Therebymaximizingtherelativevelocitiesoftheslivers,”saidRoche.“Soit’slikelythatallthederelictsaresimilarlyarmed,”Canesaid.“Whybother?”saidHaid.“It’satrap,“saidRoche.“Butforwhom?”“Forus,Iguess.”“No,”saidCane.“Thiswouldhavetakentimetoprepare.Theremusthave

beenanothertarget.”Theprobeshudderedagainasanotherofthesliversstruckittowardtherear.

Thistime,thedamagewassevere.Thefeeddiedforasecondbeforeflickeringbacktolife.“We’regoingtoloseit,”saidRoche,cursingunderherbreath.“Soon,yes,”saidKajic.“Butnotimmediately.Theprobeknowsit’sbeen

profoundlydamaged,butithasbeenprogrammedtocompleteitsmissionbeforeallowingtotalshutdown.See?It’salreadychangingorbit.”Rochefollowedthechangingtelemetrydata.“Whatwasitsmission,Uri?I

thoughtithadalreadyaccomplisheditbygettingthere.”“Notquite.WeneededtoknowwhathappenedtoEmptageCity;that’sits

ultimateobjective.”Theprobe’strajectorysteepenedatafrighteningrate,accomplishedbythe

falteringpushofitsthrustersandthesteadydragofAro’sgravity.Rochefoughttheurgetogripherarmrestsastheatmosphereofthemoonrushedtowardtheprobe—andher,accordingtohersenses.Thencloudsweresweepingpast,red-tingedwithsunrise.Theradarimageof

AroSpaceportexpandedtomeetherjustmomentsafterdawnbrokeacrossthesurfaceofthemoon.

surfaceofthemoon.Rochestartedslightlyastheprobestruckandthescreenflashedwithhigh-

speedburstsofdata.Thenitwentblack.“Thefeedhasceased,”saidKajic.“Whatdidweget?”Rochemanaged,breakingthelinktoherimplants.“Anumberofpartialimages,”theBoxsaid.“Iamreconstructingthemforyou

now,”Themainscreenscannedthroughanumberofblurryviewsofthesurfaceof

Aro.Thefirstthreecontainedscenesthatcouldhavebeenanywhere—toodarktomakeoutdetails—butthefourthwassurprisinglysharp.ItshowedthelandingfieldofAroSpaceportwitharesolutiondowntothreemeters.Therewerethreeshipsparkedinitsdrydocks.Allwerelifelessandgutted,

withblackholesalongtheirspinesindicatingthattheyhadbeenfireduponfromabove.“Orbitallaser-fire,”saidHaid.“Orbombardmentofsomesort.”“Maybemorepiecesofderelictships,”Rocheagreed.Thefielditselfwas

pockmarkedwithcircles—cratersleftbehindfromshotsthathadmissed.Thebuildingsofthelandingfieldhadbeensimilarlydestroyed.“There’snothinghere,”shesaid.“Anythingelse,Uri?”“Oneotherclearsnapshot,”Kajicsaid.“Theprobemanagedacourse-change

beforeitcrashedandflewovertheedgeofEmptageCity.There’sjustenoughlighttopickoutfinedetail.”“Let’sseeit.”Thespaceportvanished.Initsplaceappearedthecurvedrimof

anerodedcraterwall,itslipblackenedandjagged.Fromthepointofviewoftheprobe,Rochewasunabletomakeoutthedomethathadcoveredthecolony.“Canweseeanycloser?”sheasked.ThecraterwallrosetomeetthemasKajicmagnifiedtheimage.“Wewerefortunate,inaway,”saidKajic,“thatthesunhadonlyjustrisen.

Theincidentlightwasstrikingatsuchalowanglethatshadowsrevealeddetailswewouldnormallyhavemissedfromabove.”“Iseethem,”saidRoche,herstomachsinking.Theshatteredbaseofthedomestoodoutclearlyintheimage,asdidthebases

ofthestrutsandgirdersthathadoncehelditinplace.“Hecrackeditopen.”Haid’swordsweresteepedinaweanddisbelief.“That’sallheneededtodo,”saidRoche.“Helettheairout,andeveryone

died.”“No,”saidCane.“Seetheareaaroundthebaseofthedome?It’sblackened,as

thoughbyfire.”

thoughbyfire.”“Butit’samethaneatmosphere—”Kajicbegan,thenstopped.“Methaneburnsinthepresenceofoxygen,”Canefinished.“Hepuncturedthedome,thenstartedafire.”Rochecouldpictureitalltoo

clearly.“Thenheleftittoburn.Itmighthavetakendays.”RochedetectedamentalfrownaninstantbeforeMaii’svoiceintrudedintoher

thoughts.<Whydidn’thefinishthemoffwhenhehadthechance?>“Becausehedidn’tneedto,Maii,”Rocheexplained.“Thegas-gunsinorbit

wouldpickoffanyonewhomanagedtosurviveandgetoff-planet—alongwithanyonewhotriedtomountarescue,forthatmatter.BeforethedomeoverEmptageCityfinallycollapsed,hewasprobablyontheothersideofthesystem,attackingsomewhereelse.”“Averyefficientstrategy,”saidCane.Rocheglancedathim,butwasunabletotellfromhisexpressionexactlywhat

hewasfeeling.Approval?Admiration?Respect?Sheherselffeltnothingbutsickenedbythecrueltywithwhichthewarriorhadacted.“Whataretheoddsthatsomeonecouldstillbealive?”sheaskedofnoonein

particular.“Minimal,”repliedtheBox.“Theremaystillbeairtightchambersinsomeof

thebuildings,orundergroundasCanesuggested;smallnumbersofpeoplemayhavetakenshelterwithinthem.Buthowwouldwegoaboutrescuingthem?”“Thegas-gunsareeasilyavoided—”Rochebegan.“True.Withouttheelementofsurpriseandagainstappropriateshields,they

wouldbeineffective.Wecouldevendestroythederelictsbeforeassumingorbit,therebyneutralizingthethreatentirely.Buttheproblemliesinlocatingthesurvivorsquicklyenoughtomountarescueattempt—survivorswhohavenowaytocommunicatewithusandmaynothaveeventhemostbasicofpressuresuitstosurviveexposuretotheatmosphere.Anyrescueattemptwouldbecomplicated,time-consuming,andrisky.”“WiththeSolclonewarriorstilloutthere,”saidHaidgrimly.“Laughingat

us.”“Orhuntingus,”theBoxadded.“Wecannotallowourselvestobedistracted.

Ourmissionistotrackhimdown.”“Iknow,Iknow.”Rochesighed.“Ijustfeelweshouldatleasttry.”“It’sanhonorablethought,”saidCanesoftly,“butnotonewecanentertainat

thismoment.It’swhathewillexpectustodo.Perhapslater,whenwehavethetime.”Rochestraightenedinherchair,tryingtoregaintheappearanceofthestaunch

commander.“Perhaps.Fornow,though,we’velostourprobeatJagabis.Uri,

commander.“Perhaps.Fornow,though,we’velostourprobeatJagabis.Uri,howlonguntilanothercantakeitsplace?”“Afewhours.”“Doit.Idon’twantanyblindspots.”“Understood.”Shestood.“I’llbeinthecaptain’sofficeforamoment.”MaiilightlysqueezedRoche’sshoulder.<I’llcomewithyou,>shesaid.Rocheconsideredarguing,butknewitwouldcreateascene—andthatwas

exactlywhatshewastryingtoavoid.Shecouldn’tmeetHaid’seyesassheandMaiicrossedthebridgeandenteredthesmallerchamberatitsrear.Whenthedoorsslidshutbehindthem,Rocheletherselfsinkintoapaddedchairaidputherheadinherhands.AcutelyconsciousofMaii’sthin-bonedhandonhershoulder,shedrewaheavyveilacrossherthoughts.Tonoavail.They’realldead...<It’sharderthanyouthoughtitwouldbe,>saidthereave,hermentalvoicea

gentlebreezeblowingbetweentheirminds.<Much,>saidRoche,kneadinghertempleswithherfingertips.<Thereistoomuchunknown,andtoomuchatstake,>Maiicontinued.<You

havetoconfronttheSolWunderkindbeforeitescapesthissystemanddestroysanother;buthowcanyouconfrontitwithoutsufficientinformationtoguaranteethatyouwillnotfailliketheotherswhotriedbefore?Themoreyoulook,themoredeathyousee,andthelesslikelyitseemsthatyouwilleversucceed—butthatonlymakesitallthemoreimportantthatyoukeeptrying.YoumightbeallthatstandsbetweentheclonewarriorandtherestoftheCommonwealth.><Look,Maii,>saidRochesharply,<Idon’tneedthisrightnow.><No,>thereavesoothed.<Youdon’t.Andyetyoucontinuetotortureyourself

withit.>Rochesmiledtoherself.<IsupposeIdo,don’tI?><Idon’tknow,>saidMaii.<I’mguessing,notreading.>Rocheremovedthegirl’shandfromhershoulder,andhelditinherown.

<Maii,thisisthefirstthingIhaveevertriedtodoonmyown.AndIguessI’mjustalittle...scared.NotoftheSolWunderkindescapingoranything,butof—><Failing,>saidMaii,finishingwhatRochewasreluctanttoexpress.<Imean,IknowI’mnotreallyonmyown,withyouandtheothersaroundto

helpme,butCOEIntelligenceisn’tthereissuingtheordersforonce,andthatmakesitsoimportantnottoscrewupinanywayatall...>Shestopped,realizingthatshewasclosetobabbling,andsighed.<Ijustneedtimetogetmyhead

thatshewasclosetobabbling,andsighed.<Ijustneedtimetogetmyheadstraight.><Iunderstand,>Maiisaid.Herfacewasexpressionlessbutthewavesof

sympathysheofferedwerereal.<TherehavebeenmanymomentssinceVedendiedwhenIwonderedhowIcouldeventhinkofgoingonwithouthim.ButhereIam.Ihavenochoicebuttodoso.Thealternative,astheysay,isfarworse.>Rochesmiled.<AndbettertotryandfailthantogobacktoCOEIntelligence

orgiveupentirely.Atleastit’smyfailure,nottheirs.><I’msurethey’dbekeentocontribute,>saidMaii,herwordsstainedwith

amusement.<I’msuretheywould.>Roche’smoodsoberedasanimageoftheruinedcity

onAroreturnedtoher.Nodoubtthekillerofalmosthalfamillionpeoplewouldhavesomethingtosay,also.Withafizz,afull-sizeimageofKajicappeared,standingoppositethemwith

hishandsrespectfullybehindhisback.“Apologiesforintruding,Morgan.Ihavedetectedtheemissionsofavesselon

aninterceptcoursewiththerelayprobewelefttofollowourpreviouscourse.”Rochetookadeepbreath.“Theshipthathailedusearlier?”“Iassumeso.It’sstillseveralmillionkilometersaway,andIamunableto

discernitsclassororigin,butIcantellyouthatit’ssmall.Maybeamini-shuttleorsingleship.”“Occupied,Ipresume?”“Itisacceleratingwithinthephysicaltolerancesofalivingbeing,yes.”TheghostofathoughtcamefromMaii:<Butwhatkindofbeingisit?>ItwaswithsomeuneasethatRocherealizedthattheSurin’swordsechoedher

ownsuspicions:Asingleship.Oneperson.Whoelsecoulditbe?“Sendsomethingtomeetit.Anarmored—andarmed—probe,thistime.”“Todestroyit?”“Notyet.Justtoletthepilotknowwe’renottakinganychances.”Withaslightnodofacknowledgment,Kajic’simagedisappeared,leaving

RochealonewithMaiioncemore.Shecouldfeelthegirl’shandonhershoulder,butcouldn’tdecidewhetherthefirmnessofthegripwasanattemptatreassuranceoranindicationofMaii’sownfears.

PARTTWO:GALINEFOUR

INTERLUDE

Atthebottomofthepit,twosunsnowburned.Hefoundithardtosleep,theirlightwassobright.Withtirednesscamelackoffocusandinabilitytoconcentrate.ThelatterespeciallywasdangerouswhentheCruelOne’sservantwasintheroom.<Tellme!>Sensationcrackledthroughnerve-endingsleftvestigialbyhisspeciesforgood

reason.Itwasn’texactlypain;moreadrivingache.Hisbodystrovetorespond—fromthetipsofallfiveofhislimbstodeep,primalpointsinhisbrain—buthisbeingwaselsewhere.Hewasdreamingawake.Hewaswatchingthetwosunsburn.Onehungfaraway,turninginoddspiralsamongseveraldozenmuchfainter

lights.ThisShiningOnewasnotdiminishedforbeingafar;ifanything,itsmagnificenceattainedaproperperspectiveinthedistance.Itwasanuncannything:made,yetnot-made;Human,yetun-Human.<Talktome,irikeii,orIswearGeneralDarkanwillseedyourplanetwith

dustersdesignedtotearcarbonbondsapart!We’llreduceyourso-calledGrandDesignintoapuddleofslime!>ThewordsformedinvoluntarilyatthementionoftheCruelOne.Hisbody

waslearningnewtricksofsurvivalquitebeyondthecareofhisconsciousmind.:THEY:DANCE<Dance?>:THEY:MOVE<Wheredotheymove?>:FURTHER<Furtherwhere?>Hecouldnotanswerthequestion.Again,themeaninglessnessofspatial

referencesconfoundedhim.Movementwasenough,surely.Whythisendless

concernaboutlocation?Something—anelectrode,achemical,alaser—touchedapointdeepwithin

him,apointtheyhadnottouchedbefore.Thistime,ittrulyhurt.Hewrithed.Visionsassailedhim.Nottrueeye-sightbutmind-visions:ofthe

ShadowPlaceonHek’m,hisaccommodationsincebirth;ofthemindsofhisattendants,andthemindsofhisfamily;ofthewebofmindsunfoldingaroundhim,Olmahoiandothers,alltangledinaknotofnear-infinitecomplexity;ofthesimpleAIdroneswhohadsmashedunseenthroughthiswebandsnatchedhimfromhispeople;oftheCruelOnewhohadbroughthimhere,whereverherewas,wheretheknotwasbarelyatangleinahandfulofthreads,wheretwomindsasbrightasonlyahandfulofothershehadeverbeenpermittedtoseestruckhimlikenoontimesunlightstreakingdownaverydeeppit...Hestrove.PasttheCruelOne’sservant—withhiscomplexwebofliesand

suspicionsanddelicatemanipulations—andtheotherswhoservedhim.Outward...Nottothedistantones,barelyvisibleagainsttheonewhoaccompaniedthem.Nearer.Hehadstudiedthesemindsbefore,andrecentlytoo—relievedtohavefoundsomeonenewtolookat.Theytooweredwarfedbytheonetheytraveledwith,ofwhosebrilliancetheyhadonlythebarestinkling,yethefoundthemintriguing.Twocrippled,yetstrong;bothpossessingextraordinarystories,yetnot

unprecedented.Another,piercinglikeaknife.Thisoneheavoided.Hermindburned

differentlyfromthoseoftheShiningOnes,althoughshetoohadamadequality.Shewasanabomination.Thefourthandlastwas...anenigma.Underothercircumstanceshewould

havestudiedthisoneexclusively.Thereweresecretshere,secretsthatmightproveintheendtobeunfathomablebutwould,hewasquitesure,beworththeattempt.Pain.Heconcentrated.:CLOSER<Whichone?>:CONTACT:MADE<Ah...good.Someprogressatlast.Isitthesameastheother?>:YES<Interesting,butnotunexpected.Perhapsthesituationisn’tasunlikelyasit

seemed>

seemed>HesensedthesatisfactionoftheCruelOne’sservantarisingfromhis

immediatemisunderstanding,andhastenedtoexplain.:SAME:BUT:DIFFERENT<Indetailyes,itwouldbe.Onecanonlyreplicateann-bodysofar.

Experientialdiscrepancieswillnecessarilyfacilitateoperationaldivergencesbetweentheclones.Toexpectotherwisewouldbenaive.It’stheirinternalstructureI’mconcernedabout—theirmentalarchitecture,ifyoulike.Aretheyfashionedfromidenticalplans,usingidenticalmaterials,foridenticalpurposes?>Heponderedthis.Itwassomethinghe’dnotconsideredbefore.TheShining

Oneshadapurpose?Hehadthoughttheyjustwere,likemostintelligentbeingsheencountered.Despitehavinghadhislifemappedoutforhimalmostfromthemomentof

conception,hedidnotbelieveindestiny.Therewasnoguidinghandrulingthecosmos;heunderstoodthisbetterthanmostpeople.Therewasonlyonewayhecouldanswerthequestion.:SAMEYetitwasnotenough.Hecouldsenseanimpossibletruthlurkinginthebright

pointsthatmarkedthebeingshiscaptorssought.Buthowtoexpressit?Andwhattodoaboutit,evenifhecould?:IRIKEII<Yes?Iknowyourname.>:IRIKEII<Whatdoyoumean?>:IRIKEIIWordsalwaysfailedhimintheend.NomatterhowmuchtheCruelOne’s

servantrantedandraved,hewouldneverbeabletoexplainanybetter.:IRIKEH:TOO

3

AVS-44‘955.01.20EN1110

“Welcome,Morgan.”ThetransmissioncamefromthesingleshipviastandardCOEcommunicationschannels:encryptedandonatightbeam,butotherwiseunremarkable.“IknewwewereexpectingsomeonefromCOE,buthadnoideaitwouldbeyou!”“Notnow,Myer.”Rochelookedupatthefaceinacornerofthescutter’s

mainobservationtankandwasprickedagainbyitsunexpectedfamiliarity.“We’redockinginfiveminutes,andIneedtoconcentrate.”Mavalhinsmiledthesmilesherememberedsowell.“Okay,”hesaid,“but

remember,I’mrightbehindyou,sodon’tcockanythingup,allright?”Rochedidn’tbothertoreply.Sheknewhim—or,moreaccurately,hadonce

knownhim—wellenoughtorealizethatsuchcommentsweresymptomsofhisowninsecurity.Wheneverhe’dneedledherinthepast,ithadbeenbecausehefeltthreatenedbyherandneededtobringherdownapegortwo.Nothing,itseemed,hadchanged.Besideheratthehelmofthescutter,Haidkilledtheaudiolinkbetweenthe

twocrafts.“Thestationhasindicatedthatwearetodockattheirmainfacility,”hesaid.

“Sofar,everythingseemsaboveboard.”Rochelookedatthenavigationdisplay.Themini-stationhunglikeavast,gray

stoneinthedark-bodyhalothenativesofPalasianSystemhadcalledAutoville.Likemostmini-stations,ithadasphericalexternalframeworkalmostakilometeracrossuponwhichhungsuchhardwareasthrusters,shieldgenerators,dockingbays,andcommunicationdishes;ontheinsidehuddledthemodulesrequiredforunsuitedhabitation,packedpiecemealtogetherandconnectedtotheshellbyasemi-rigidlattice.Muchoftheshell’sinteriorwasempty,apartfromwhatappearedtobeasmallscout-shipdockedinaninternalgantry;asaresult,themini-stationseemedincomplete.ButRochecouldtelljustbylookingatit

thatithadseenmanyyearsofservice.Itsoneidentifyingfeature:—ablackRpaintedontheendoppositethemainengines—hadfadedfromlongexposuretospacedust.Nolightswerevisibleontheshellorintheinterior.Whoeveritbelongedto,

theyweretakingthejobofhidingseriously.“Bringusinslowly,”Rochesaid.Shewouldhavelikedtopilotthescutter

herself,butpreferredtogiveHaidtheopportunityofflyingwithhisnewprosthetics.Thebaytheywereaimingforwasoutlinedingreen,courtesyofthenavigationAI.“Arewestillclear,Box?”ShewaitedasecondfortheAI’sreply.TheAnaVereine—alongwithCane

andMaii—waswaitingcamouflagedasaCOEraiderasafedistanceaway,resultinginaslightcommunicationlag.“Idetectnosuspiciousemissions,”saidtheBoxeventually.“Apartfromthe

singleshipsandahandfulofdrones,therearenoothervesselsinthisvicinity.Thestationiscommunicatingwithseveraldistantsitesbytightbeam,butIhavebeenunabletooverheartheirconversations.”“Sofarsogood.”Rochewatchedthemini-stationgrowsteadilylargerinthe

display.“Still,I’dbehappierifthey’dtelluswhotheyare.”“Theyprobablyfeelthesamewayaboutus,”saidHaid.“OurIDtellsthem

nothing,andyou’veavoidedmentioningwhywe’rehere.Trustworksbothways,Morgan.”Rochenodded.“Iknow.Butwhomakesthefirstmove?”“Iguesstheyalreadyhave,byinvitingushere.”Haidadjustedthescutter’s

trajectorywithaquickburnonthethrusters.“I’mnotsayingweshouldletdownourguardentirely,butwehavetogivealittleinordertogetwhatwewant.”“Thatdoesn’tsoundlikeyournormalline,Ameidio.”Hesmiled.“Justtryingtoseeitfromtheirperspective.”Shesupposedsheshoulddothesame,althoughitwashardtoremain

impassivefollowingtheshockofseeingMyerMavalhinagain.Anyfearshehadfeltovertheoccupantofthesingleshiphadvanishedthemomentshesawhisface,in2-DmonochromeandhighlycompressedfromthetightbeamtransmissionaimedsquarelyattheprobetheyhadsenttofollowtheAnaVereine’spath.Thosedarkeyessetdeepinabroad,clean-shavenface;theblackhairwithitsgrayingswathsaboutthetemples...Therewasnomistakinghim.Nomistaking,either,thewarninghehadsent:“Ifyou’reheadingtoAroSpaceport,thenchangecoursenow,whileyoustill

can.Ahostileagentunlikeanyoneyou’vecomeacrossbeforehasbeen

containedwithinthissystem,andwe’reunsureofhiswhereabouts.Iurgeyoutoturnandleaveimmediately.”Shehadalreadyseenenoughfortheadvicetocarryrealweight.Onlythe

smallesthintofhopehadkeptherfromseriouslyconsideringtheoptionofleaving.“Ifforanyreasonyouareunabletoescapethesystem,”hehadcontinued,“or

ifyou’reinneedofrepairs,thenfollowmetothecoordinates63plus4degrees,2point6PAU.Butmaintainradiosilence.Wedon’twanttoriskexposingourselveswithunnecessarycommunications.”We,hehadsaid,ascasuallyasonlyhecouldundersuchcircumstances.We.

TherewassomeoneelsealiveinPalasianSystem.Theyellowlandinglightsofthestation’smaindockingfacilitywinked

invitinglytolifeasthescutterbroachedaminimumdistance.Nodoubtthelightwascoherentandaimeddirectlyatthemtoreducetheriskofanyone’soverseeing.Therewouldstillbescatteringoffthescutter’shull,butRochesuspectedtheriskofanyone’sdetectingthatwassmall.Precautionsweresensibleonlytoacertaindegree;beyondthat,theyweresymptomaticofparanoia.Whichiswhy,sheguessed,shehadtakenMavalhinathisword.Hewasnot

anunknownquantity,likeeverythingelseinthesystem;shecouldn’tentirelytrusthim,basedonpastexperience,butatleastsheknewthathewasonlymundaneandcoulddealwithhimifnecessary.MyerMavalhin...“Yousaidyoustudiedwiththisguy,”saidHaid,breakingintoherthoughts.“Huh?Oh,yeah...”Rochefeltagainthatsuddenrushofunrealityasthefact

thathewashere,inPalasianSystem,struckhome.“AtCOEMilitaryCottage.”“Howwelldidyouknowhim?’“Wellenough.”Sheshrugged,andhopedtheflushspreadingacrossherface

wasn’tvisible.“Wetookthesameclassesandwereoftenbuddiedonsmallerprojects.Wewereregardedasasortofteam.”Andithadbeenaverygoodteam,sheremembered.Forawhile.Maybea

year.Thenithadbeenunbearable,prolongedbythefactthattheCollegetutorshadstillexpectedthemtocontinueworkingtogether.IfnotforMavalhin’seventualexpulsionfromtheCollege,shemightwellhaveleftherself,justtogetawayfromhim.Ithadbeenthatbad.Buthereshewas—partofheralmostgladtoseehimagain,afterallthistime,

whileanotherpartofherstillyearnedtostickhiminablasttubeandpressPurge.

Purge.RochehadalreadydiscussedsomeofthefactswiththeothersontheAna

Vereine,althoughshehadn’tfeltcomfortabledelvingtoodeeplyintoherpast.EvenwhenthestationhadbeenlocatedatexactlytheplaceMyerhadindicated—measuredfromJagabis’slocationandplaneofecliptic:63degreesclosertothem,4degreesabove,andjustovertwoandhalftimesasfarawayfromthesun—shehadavoidedtalkingtoMavalhindirectly,forfearofexposingscartissueshewouldratherhavekepthidden.ShehadsimplyorderedtheAnaVereinetorendezvouswiththestationandsentabrieftextreplyindicatingtohimthatshewouldbewillingtotalkterms.ButshecouldfeelMaii’scuriositybrushingattheedgesofherlong-term

memory.AndHaidknewherwellenoughtoknowthatshewasn’ttellingthewholetruth.“Idon’tgetit,”hesaid.“You’repreparedtotakethisguyathiswordwhenhe

saysheandhisbuddieswanttoworkwithus,butyou’llhardlytalkabouthim,letalonetohim.Whoisityoudon’ttrust,Morgan?”“I’mnotsure,”shesaidfrankly,half-smilinginthegloomofthescutter.“I

don’tknowwhatI’mthinkingatthemoment,whichiswhyI’drathernotthinkatallforawhile.”“That’snotveryreassuring,Morgan.”“Iknow,but...Look,I’msorry.Let’sjustdock,andseewhattheyhaveto

say.”“NowIknowwhyyouleftMaiibehind.Withherhere,I’datleasthavebeen

abletodigalittledeeper.”Shewasabouttosnapbackthatthereavewouldneverhavebetrayedher

confidenceinsuchaway,butcaughthisgrininthefluorescentglowfromthedisplaysintimetorealizehewasjoking.“It’dtakemorethanMaii,”sherespondedevenly,“tomakesenseofthis

mess.”“Soitseems,”hesaid,returninghisattentiontothenavigationdisplay.

*

Thescutterdockedwithaslightjerk.Withinseconds,environmentdisplaysindicatedthatanexternalfeedneededauthorizationbeforethephysicallinkcouldbecompleted.Rocheadvisedthescutter’sAItowait.“Alittlerough,”saidHaid,leaningbackinhisseatandflexinghisnewhand.

Thematte-graydigitswriggledasfluidlyasorganicfingersdid,defyingtheir

Thematte-graydigitswriggledasfluidlyasorganicfingersdid,defyingtheirappearance.Rochepattedhimontheshoulder,andleveredherselfoutofthecopilot’s

chair.“Nothingabitofpracticewon’tfix.”“Iguess.”Haidfollowedherintothescutter’semptypassengerbay.Shereachedintotheshoulderbagshehadbroughtwithherandproducedtwo

Datosidearms,givingonetoHaid.Theholsteroftheotherenergyweaponsheclippedtothebeltofherblackexpeditionuniform—again,astandardDatomakebutnotdistinguishedbyinsignia.Haid’sweaponhungathissidelikeanextensionofhisbiomesh.“Ready?”hesaid,shiftingthesidearmintoamorecomfortableposition.“Notquite.”Rochekeyedherimplantsandlinkedthemtothescutter’s

communicationssystems.<Box,arewestillincontact?>Thelagwasshorterthistime.TheAnaVereinehadassumedamore

immediatepositiononcethescutterhaddocked.<Yes,Morgan.>TheAI’svoicewasawhisperinherhead.<Youraudiovisual

feedisclear.Therehasbeennointerferencefromthestation.><Howaboutyou,Ameidio?>Rocheasked,directingherattentiontotheman

standingnexttoher.Asmallwindowappearedinonecornerofhervision.Haid’smorebasic

implantswerenotdesignedtocarrysensorydata,butcouldtransmitandreceivetextmessagestranslatedfromspeechbythescutter’sprocessors.FINE,hesaid.AMICOMINGTHROUGHOKAY?Rochenodded.<Let’skeepintouchregularly.Iftheycutusoff,wepullout

immediately.>UNDERSTOOD.<GiventhepoweratmydisposalaboardtheAnaVereine,IamconfidentI

willbeabletocontactyouatalltimes,>saidtheBox.<Shouldyourreturnfeedbeinterrupted,Iwillnotifyyou>Rochenoddedagain,satisfiedthatshehadcoveredthatparticularbaseas

thoroughlyasshecould.Thestationwouldknowthattheywerebroadcastingtoandfromthescutter,butwithoutcrackingtheBox’scipher,eavesdropperswouldnotknowwhatwasbeingsaid.Thatwasfinebyher.JustbecauseMyerandhisfriendsprobablyweren’t

workingfortheclonewarriordidn’tnecessarilymakethemallies.Speakingaloud,shecontinued:“We’llwaitforthemtomaketheirmove.It

shouldn’tbelong;they’llprobablywanttoattachanumbilicaltokeepusundercontrol.Infact,I’mhopingtheywill,becausethat’llgiveuseasieraccesstothe

control.Infact,I’mhopingtheywill,becausethat’llgiveuseasieraccesstothebaysecuritysystems.TheBoxismorelikelytofindusefuldatapokingaroundthedatacorethanweareonaguidedtour.”“Undoubtedly,”saidHaid.“IthandledCOEHQeasilyenough,so—”Aclunkonthehullinterruptedhim.Theybothturnedtofacetheairlock.A

redlightbegantoflash.Rochecuedherimplantsforanexternaltransmission.“ThisisMorgan

Roche,”shesaid.“I’dliketospeaktothepersoninchargeofdocksecurity.”“Thatwouldbeme,”cametheimmediatereply.“GeredDisistoatyour

service.We’retryingtoattachanumbilical,butyourshipwon’tcomply.Issomethingwrong?”“IwillreleasetheairlockwhenIamsatisfiedthatwe’llnotbeharmed.”“Yourcautionisunderstandable,Commander,”Disistosaid.“AndIgiveyou

mywordthatyouareinnodangerfrommyselforanyoneundermycommand.”“Notgoodenough.”Shewastemptedtocorrecttheerroneoususeof

“Commander”butdecidedtoletitgo.“I’llallowtheumbilicaltobeattached,butI’mnotleavingthiscraftuntilyouandoneotherofficerarrivetoescortmefromit.”Therewasaslightpause,then:“I’llbedowninamoment.”RocheinstructedtheonboardAItoproceedwiththelinkup.Thesoundsof

faintmovementcamethroughthehullastheumbilicallockedtightaroundtheexternalairlockandequalizedpressure.Atthesametime,fuelanddatalinessoughttheirrespectivesocketsandclickedhome.Thesoundsceasedatthesametimetheairlockdisplayindicatedthattheumbilicalwassealed.“Youthere,Disisto?”saidRoche.“I’mhere,”saidthedocksecurityheadnotlongafter.“Outsideandwaiting.”Firstmakingcertainhersidearmwaswithineasyreach,Rochesteppedback

fromtheairlockandcuedittoopen.Theouterairlockopenedwithahissandtwomensteppedinside,onetalland

dark-skinned,theothershortandfair,bothwearinggrayuniforms.Whentheouterdoorhadsealedbehindthem,theinneropenedandtheysteppedinside,bringingwiththemapocketofheavilyscentedair.“Disisto?”saidRoche,lookingtobothmen.“That’sme.”Thetall,dark-skinnedmannodded,extendingahandtoRoche,

whichshetook,andshook.Hisface,likehisframe,wasleanwithoutbeingthin,asthoughheexercisedregularly.“Roche,Ipresume?”“AndthisisAmeidioHaid.”Haidbowedslightly.Disistoindicatedtheotherman.“TorrSynnett.”Synnettglancedatbothoftheminturn,butwasotherwiseimpassive.

Synnettglancedatbothoftheminturn,butwasotherwiseimpassive.“Ifiguredyou’dwantusunarmed,”hesaid,gesturingatHaid’ssidearm.“Sothisputsusatsomethingofadisadvantage.”When

neitherRochenorHaidmadeanyefforttoremovetheweapons,Disistoshruggedandsaid:“Well,nowwhat?”“Nowwefollowyououtofhere,”saidRoche.Sheindicatedtheairlock.

“Afteryou.”Thefourofthemfiledintothesmallenclosureandwaitedforthedoorsto

cycle.Thesmellofspiceswasstrongerclosertothetwomen,andRocheresistedtheurgetoaskwhatitwas.Cinnamon,perhaps,withahintofcloves,plussomethingmorepungent,lessfamiliar.KESH,Haidsaidviahisimplants.RocheglancedatHaid.<Whatdoyoumean?>CAN’TYOUSMELLIT?Rochetastedtheairagain.ShehadmetKeshagentswhileintheCOE’s

employ,butalwaysunderPristine-controlledcircumstances.NeverhadshebeeninanenvironmentthatwashometoanyofthatparticularCasteforanylengthoftime.IfKeshwaswhatHaidsaidhesmelled,thenshewouldhavetotakehiswordforit.“WelcometoGalineFour,”Disistosaidastheouterdooropened.“Nodoubt

you’llbeunfamiliarwiththelayoutofthestation,”hewenton,usheringthemalongtheumbilical.“Butitwon’ttakelongtogetyourbearings.UntilthenI’dbemorethanhappytoactasyourescort.OrIcanmakeotherarrangements.It’suptoyou.”“You’lldofine,”Rochesaid,movingforwardtostandnexttohim.Theribbed

plasticswayedslightlybeneaththeirfeetastheywalked.“ButI’dliketomeetyourcommandingofficerassoonaspossible.”Disistonoddedamiably.“I’mtakingyoutherenow.”“Good,”saidRoche.“TherearealotofquestionsI’dlikeanswered—suchas

whatyou’redoinghereinthissystem.”“I’msurehe’llbeaskingyouthesamethings,”saidDisisto.“AndI’llbehappytoanswerhim,”saidRoche.“OnceI’mcertainofhis

intentions.”Atthefarendoftheumbilical,theysteppedontoametalplatformwhichled

toaflightofsteps.Thedoorbehindthemwasthesecondofthreealongonewallofthemaindockingbay’sdisembarkationpoint.Thescutterlayhiddenbehindthepressure-wall,whichalsopossessedlargerairlocksandumbilicalsdesignedforthetransferoffreight.Noneoftheotherdoorswasinuse.

forthetransferoffreight.Noneoftheotherdoorswasinuse.Adozenpeopleoccupiedthedisembarkationpoint,threeofthemdressed

similarlytoDisistoandhissidekick—obviouslysecurityofficerslikethem.Aboveandonthefarsideofthechamberwasaglassed-offobservationfloorwhichheldstillmoregrayuniforms.Evenwithsomanypeoplewatchingher,Rochefeltalone;thedisembarkationpointwaslargeenoughtoholdfiveoftheAnaVereine’sscutters.Theacousticpropertiesoftheroomlentaboomingqualitytotheirfootstepsas

theydescendedthestairs.“Notmuchofareception,”Haidjoked.“You’llhavetounderstandthatwe’realittlebusyatthemoment,”said

Disistoearnestly.“Ifoneofourscoutshadn’tbeeninyourvicinity,weprobablywould’veletyougoonyourwayratherthanriskourneckstalkingtoyou.”“Speakingofwhich,”saidRoche,rememberingMavalhin.“Willthat

singleshipwespoketobedockingsoon?”“It’sjustcominginnow.Why?”“Istudiedwiththepilotsomeyearsago.IwaswonderingwhetherI’dgetthe

chancetocatchupwithhimlater.”“Well,hehasdebriefinganddeconbeforehe’llbeallowedtomixwiththe

restofthecrew,butI’llmakesureheknowsyouaskedabouthim,ifyoulike.”Rochefeltamixtureofreliefandregretrushthroughher.“Thanks.”DisistoledHaidandRochetowardthemainexit,withSynnettbringingupthe

rear.Rocheglancedbehindthemjustasthesealaroundoneoftheotherumbilicalsflaredgreen,indicatingthatsomeone—presumablyMavalhin—wasabouttodisembark.Thethreeothersecurityguardsinthedisembarkationpointmovedupthesteps—anditwasonlythenthatsherealizedthattheguardshadn’tbeentheretogreetherandHaidatall.<Odd,>shecommentedtoHaid.<Somuchforbeingcautious.Theydon’t

seemtogiveadamnifwe’rehereornot.>FEELINGPUTOUT,MORGAN?Haidshotback.<No,it’sjustnotwhatIexpected.>Thecorridorsandopenspacestheypassedthroughwereuniformlydrab:gray

wallsandfloors,withminimallighting;clearlyaworkareaandnotintendedtolookpretty.ThefewpeopletheyencounteredwerebusyperformingerrandsandtooknonoticeofDisistoandhisentourage.“So,”shesaidafterawhile.“Whatexactlyisityoudohere?Thestation,I

mean.”Disistofacedherwithasmile.“Research,”hesaid.“ButbeyondthatI’mnot

authorizedtosay.Thatwillbeuptothechieftoexplain.”

authorizedtosay.Thatwillbeuptothechieftoexplain.”“Andjustwhoisthis‘chief’?”“ProfessorLinegarRufo,”saidDisisto.“He’sinchargeofGalineFour.”“That’sthenameofthestation,Itakeit?”Disistonoddedwithoutbreakinghis

stride.“IsthereaGalineOne,TwoorThreeanywherearound?”“NotthatI’mawareof,”hesaid.“Theremayhavebeenonce,butI’venever

heardofthem.”“You’veworkedherelong?”“Fiveyears.”“Alongtimetobecoopeduponastationlikethis,”saidHaid.“ItbeatsalotoftheotherjobsI’vehad.”<Box,>Rochesentviaherimplants,<lookupGalineFourintheCOEregister

andseewhatyoucanfind.><Alreadychecking,>repliedtheAI.Haidpickeduptheconversation,grillingDisistoabouthisprevious

employment—whichseemed,forthemostpart,tohavebeenfortheTraders’Guildorindependentmerchants.RochefollowedtheexchangewithhalfanearwhilecontinuingherdiscussionwiththeBox.<Letmeknowifyoufindanything.Anyluckbreakingintothestation’s

securitysystem?><Onasuperficiallevel,thetaskwasabsurdlysimple,>theBoxreplied.<ButI

havenotyetmanagedtoobtainanythingmoreinterestingthanbasichardwarespecifications.ThereisobviouslyasecurecacheIhavenotyetpenetrated.><That’sodd>Itwasn’tliketheAItobesoeasilythwarted.Still,Rochehadno

doubtthat,intheend,theBoxwouldobtaintheinformationsheneeded.<HowaboutGalineFour?Foundanythingyet?><Anadvertisementinthexenoarchaeologicalsitesofascienceforumfora

privatelyowned,mobilefacilitywithpermanentresearchstaffonboard.>Therewasthatwordagain;research.<Xenoarchaeology,huh?Strangeforsuchavesseltobehere,consideringthe

ruinsarerecentandthebuildersPristine.><Perhapsnot,Morgan.Therewasanarchaeologicaloutpostinthesystem

aroundKukumatandMurukan.><Sothestationmighthavebeenvisitingtherewhentheclonewarrior

attacked,>saidRoche.<Becauseitdoesn’tappearonanyoftheCOEregistersasapermanentfacility,itwouldhavebeenoverlooked.><Thatseemsplausible.><Butwhyhasn’titleft,then?Thatwouldhavebeenthesensiblethingtodo.>

<Butwhyhasn’titleft,then?Thatwouldhavebeenthesensiblethingtodo.><Becauseitcannot.Frommyobservationstakenasthescutterapproached,I

canstatewithcertaintythatthisstationpossessesneitheranchornoraslow-jumpdrive.>Rocheabsorbedthefactwithinterest.<They’retrappedheretoo?><Soitwouldseem.><IstheAnaVereinepowerfulenoughtoslow-jumpbothitselfandthestation

outofhere?><Unlikely,>saidtheBox.<Butitcouldcertainlyrescuethestation’s

occupants.Iestimateacrewofroughlyfivehundredtoathousand—wellwithinourcarryingcapacity.><Thenatleastwehavesomethingtobargainwith.>Rochesmiledinwardly.

<Andtheyknowittoo.Nowonderthey’replayingitcool.><Unlesstheydon’tunderstandthedangerthey’rein...>RochereturnedherattentiontoDisisto.Thesecurityofficerwasdescribing

howtheyhadsentmannedsingleshipstoeveryoccupiedpointinPalasianSystem,andhowtheyhadfoundonlydestructioneverywhere.Ifheknewanythingabouttheperpetratoroftheattack,hewashidingitwell.“Andyou’veseennoevidenceoflifeatall?”Rocheasked.“Onlyoutriggers,hereandthere,”Disistosaid.“Aspineortwomusthave

movedinafewyearsagowithoutregistering;theycertainlydon’tshowinthesystemstats.Mostofthemareinthebeltstheprowlershaven’talreadymined,althoughsomehavecomeincloser.WesawacoupleattempttointerveneonAro,butnotverysuccessfully.ApieceoftheSpaceport’sorbitaltowerwasriggedasatrap;cutthemcleanoutofthesky.”“Ourprobeinthatareafoundgas-gunsinthederelicts—”“Yeah,weranintothosewhenweputthetoweroutofaction.Itwasabout

thenwedecidedtocutourlossesandgetoutoftheway.Notthatthere’sanyonelefttorescueonAro,anyway.”“Oranywhereelse,itseems,”saidHaid.“Exceptforthisstation,”putin

Roche.“Doesn’tthatstrikeyouasalittleodd?”“Notreally,”saidDisistoastheyapproachedatransittube.Hepressedhis

handontotheIDscanner,thenturnedtoRoche.“We’vebeenverycareful,keepingemissionstoanabsoluteminimumandstayingput.We’renotabattleship,andwe’resmartenoughtoknowit.ThiswarriortookoutanentireArmadabase,sowecertainlywouldn’tstandachanceagainsthim.”<He’slying,>saidtheBox.<Aboutwhat?><About‘stayingput.’Thestation’sreactionengineshavebeenoperationalfor

<About‘stayingput.’Thestation’sreactionengineshavebeenoperationalforanextendedperiodinthelastfewdays.><Howcanyoutell?><Everyattitudeventandthrusterisradiatingheat,andIamdetectingapoorly

dissipatedionwashinthisvicinity.><Enoughtotellwhereitleads?><No.JustthatGalineFourhastraveledalargedistancerecently,andnot

hiddeninAutovilleasDisistowouldhaveyoubelieve.>Rochechewedherlipthoughtfully,butshedidn’thavetimetodwelluponthe

matterforverylong:thetransitcabhadarrivedandDisistowasusheringtheminside.“We’releavingtheouterlevelsbehindus,”hesaid,punchingadestination

intothecab’scontrolsystem.“Ifyouexperienceanygiddiness,itwon’tlastlong;afewambientg-fieldsoverlapbetweenhereandtheHub.Inthecenteryoushouldn’thaveaproblem.You’llgetusedtothetransitionifyou’reherelongenough.”“Seemslikeyoucoulduseacompetentengineer,”saidHaid.“Perhaps.”Thedoorslidshut,andDisistomovedtoplacehisbackagainstthe

farwall.“ButasIsaid,yougetusedtoit.”Thecabdescendedwithasuddenlurchthatjustasquicklyreversed,leaving

Rochefeelingasthoughshewasgoingupward.Haidlosthisbalanceandscrabbledwithhisartificialhandforpurchaseonthewall.Hemissedthesupportrail,andfelltooneknee.Rochereachedouttosupporthim;herightedhimselfwithagrunt.“Alittleunsteady,there,”observedDisisto.“Sorryaboutthat.”“I’ll’beokay,”Haidmuttered,embarrassed.Hewrappedhisgoodhand

aroundasupport.“Youdidwarnus,Iguess.”“Howmuchfurther?”Rocheasked.“Notfar,oncewearriveattheHub.”Disistocockedaneyebrow.“Youina

hurry?”“Justdon’twanttokeepourhostwaiting.”Thefloorbeneaththemshifted

again,butthistimeHaidmanagedtoremainsteady.“Soaren’tyouinterestedinwhatwe’redoinghere?”Disistoshookhishead.“It’snoneofmybusiness.Myconcernissecurity

only,andyou’vehadtheokayfromthechief.I’mcurious,naturally,whichiswhyIvolunteeredtobeyourguide.ButIwon’tpushthematterunless...”SomethingshiftedbehindDisisto’scalmfaçade,asthoughtherewasaquestionhewantedtoask.Justthenthecabshuddered.“We’realmostthere,”hesaid,

hewantedtoask.Justthenthecabshuddered.“We’realmostthere,”hesaid,changingthesubject.“Ourgradientshouldbenice“andsmoothfromhereonin.”Thesensationofmotionfadedalmostentirely.Withinthirtyseconds,they

cametoahaltandthedoorsslidsmoothlyopen.Disistodisembarkedfirst.ThefirstthingRochenoticedwasthenoise:voices,

footsteps,whirringmachinery—sodifferentfromthenear-silenceoftheAnaVereine.Thesecondthingshenoticed,onceshehadleftthecab,wasthatthedullgraydecorhadbeenleftbehind;here,intheHubofthestation,thewallswerewhiteandthelightdazzling.Thecorridorceilingswerelacedwithvinesandotherunobtrusiveplants.Theairwasfreshertoo,althoughstillthickwiththesmellHaidhadidentifiedasbelongingtotheKeshCaste.SeveralpeoplewalkedpastasRochewaitedforHaidtoleavethecab.Notall

werePristine:RochespottedtwoMbatatalkinganimatedlyintheirnativetongue,andoneSurinwalkingalone.SomeworeuniformssimilartoDisisto’s,butdifferentincolor;asubstantialproportion,however,werecasuallyclothed.Acoupleeyedthemwithcuriosity,butdidn’tstop.“Whichway?”Rocheasked,indicatingthefourcorridorsthatbranchedfrom

thetube’sexit.“Downhere.”Disistopointedalongtherightmostcorridor.“Don’ttouch

anythingortalktoanyoneunlessIsayso.We’reallalittlejumpyandI’dhatefortheretobeascene.”Rochenodded,notingthattheinhabitantsofGalineFour’sHubdidseema

littletense.Noonemethereye,andHaid’sradicalbiomodificationarousedill-concealedsuspicioninoneortwo.Disistoledthemalongthecorridor,thentoanaccesswaythatcurved

gracefullyintothedistance.Onehundredmetersfartheron,theypassedawindow,andRochestoppedtostarethroughit.Ontheothersidewasanenormouschamberfilledwithplantsgrowinginfree-fall.Longtendrilsrosefromspongelikevatsofnutrients;mossandvinescoveredeveryflatsurface;occasionallyamongtheubiquitousgreenwasaspeckofcolor—probablyafruitorvegetabledoingitsbesttoremedytheimbalance.“CommanderRoche?”DisistostoodwaitingforherwhileHaidandSynnett

continuedontheirway.“Huh?”Sheturnedtowardhim.“Oh,sorry.Iwasjustadmiringyourgarden.”Disistosmiled.“ItrytospendasmuchtimeinitasIcan.Rank,astheysay,

hasitsprivileges.”“Sometimes.”“Yes,sometimes.”Hissmileslipped,andRochefoundherselfmissingit

“Yes,sometimes.”Hissmileslipped,andRochefoundherselfmissingitimmediately.“Let’sgo,”hesaid.Theyfollowedtheothertwoalongthesweepofthecorridorandtoa

semicircularantechamberwheretwoarmedguardsinblackwaitedbyasealeddoubledoor.“He’sexpectingus,”saidDisistotothenearestguard.Theguardnoddedandthedoorssighedopen.Disistomarchedbetweenthe

guards,wavingforHaidandRochetofollow.Synnettbroughtuptherear,asimplacableandsilentasacloud’sshadow.Theyfoundthemselvesinashortcorridor,facinganotherdoubledoor.The

spacewasemptyanddimlylit,andwarmerthantheantechamberhadbeen.Oncetheywereinside,thedoorshutbehindthem.“Where—?”Rochebegan.Disistoraisedafingertohislips.“Wait.”“Placeyourweaponsonthefloor,”boomedavoicefromtheceiling,itsnon-

Pristinemouthlendingaslightlisptothefricatives.ITOLDYOU,sentHaid.<Thatyoudid,>Rochereplied.ThevoicebelongedtoaKesh.“Relax,”saidDisisto.“It’snothingsinister.Thechiefjustwon’tallowarms

anywherenearhim.”RocheglancedatHaid.“Whathappensifwerefusetocomplywithhis

wishes?”Disistoshrugged.“Thenyoudon’tgettomeethim.”<Iadvisediplomacyatthispoint,>saidtheBoxviaRoche’simplants.

<Refusalmaycostusmorethanacceptancewould.><That’seasyforyoutosay,>Rocheshotback.<You’renothere.>Evenso,sheloosenedtheclasponherholsterandplacedthesidearmonthe

floorbyherfeet.Haid,afteramoment’shesitation,didlikewise.“Thecyborgwillbeplacedwithinarestrainingfield,”saidthevoicewhen

bothweaponswereonthefloor.“Suddenmovementswillnotbetolerated.”Haidgruntedandwenttoraisehishand,butwasunableto.Grittinghisteeth,

heattemptedthemovementmoreslowly,andthistimehishandincheduptohischest.Disistowatchedhiminalarm.“I’msorry.”Hisconcernandsurprisewere

genuine.“Ihadnoideatheywould—”“Justaslongastherearenoothersurpriseswaitingforus,”Rochesaidwith

someanger.Disistoglancedatthedoor.“Ihopenot.”

Disistoglancedatthedoor.“Ihopenot.”Haid’shandclenchedintoafist.SONOFABITCH.Thelockclicked.“Youmayenter,”saidthevoice.Thedoorslidopen,revealingaroomaslargeasthebridgeoftheAnaVereine,

butfarlesscluttered.Anexpansive,circulardesk,cutfrompolishedwhitestoneandadornedwithshimmeringholographictanks,occupiedthecenteroftheroom.Theceilingwasalsocircular,andsteppedaroundthiscentralpoint,likeaninvertedamphitheater.Thewallswerecomprisedofdozensofinactivescreens,andofftooneside,wasonelargewindowthroughwhichcouldbeseenthegreenofthestation’sgardens.DisistonudgedRocheforward,andshesteppedinside.Haid,moving

cautiouslysoasnottoactivatetherestrainingfield,didlikewise.Herfirstimpressionuponenteringtheroomwasofspaciousnessandgrace.

Hersecondwasofclinicalefficiency,asthoughtheroomservedasalaboratorywhenriotusedformeetings.Herthirdwaslessanalytical,relyingmainlyonthedatahersenseofsmellprovided.Cylindricallightfixturessuspendedbetweenthefloorandceilingcastapure,

whitelightontheroom’sthreeoccupants.“Greetings,CommanderRoche,”saidthefirst,aPristinestandingonthefar

sideofthedesk.Hishairwaswhite,wherehehadhairatall.HewassosmallandhisskinsowaxythatRocheguessedhisagetobeoveronehundredstandardyears.Hismovements,though,werefarfrominfirm.“YouwouldbeRufo,”saidRoche.Theprofessorraisedaneyebrowinmocksurprise.“IseeGeredhasbriefed

you.”Hiseyesthenfelluponhissecurityhead,whoshifteduneasilybeneaththestare.“Some,”saidRoche,notingDisisto’sdiscomfort.“Nothingofconsequence.”“Anyway,”saidRufograndly,“Iwelcomeyoutomyhome.”RocheeyedthetwoKeshstandingtoeithersideofRufo;neitherlooked

particularlywelcoming,evenforaCastenotgiventopleasantries.Bothworeformaluniformsofoffice,withleathersurcoatsandbootsoverblackbodysuitsthatbulgedwithmuscle.“Yourhome?”saidRoche.Rufomovedaroundthedesktogreether.Atcloserange,heseemedeven

smaller.“Ifinanceandrunthisestablishment.Myemployeesareundernoillusionastowhopaystheirbonuses—althoughIliketobelievethatIamafairtaskmaster.”Hispiercing,brightblueeyesdartedtoDisisto.“Wouldthatbeafaircomment,Gered?”

faircomment,Gered?”Thesecurityofficernoddedsmartly.“Morethanfair,sir.”Rufosmiledandmovedbackaroundthedesk.“Introductions,then.Morgan

Roche,yournameweknow,andthatofyourcompanion,AmeidioHaid;Geredfilledmeinaswell.Butyoutwohavenotmetallofus,yet.”HestoppeduponreachingthefirstoftheKesh,andreacheduptoplaceahandononemassiveshoulder.“ThisisLieutenant-DoctorHadenB’shan,mysecondincommand.”TheKeshofficerbowed,hishairlessheadcatchingthelight;histoughskin

waspredominantlyyellow,butwithblotchesofblueandpurpleinsymmetricalpatterns,likeinkblots,scatteredacrosseveryvisiblesurface.WhereearswouldhavebeenonaPristine,twodark-coloredmembranesathumb’s-widthacrosswerevisible.“Iamhonored,”hesaidinasurprisinglyhigh-pitchedvoice.Unabletothinkofanythingappropriatetosay,Rochebowedalso.Shewas

slightlysurprisedbyhiswords:KeshwerenotnormallysogracioustomembersofotherCastes,particularlyonestheyhardlyknew.Haidontheotherhand,slowlyplacedonefistonhischestandsaid:“Do-

tri’skensh’anteruk.”B’shansmiled,themoistinnerlipsofhismouthappearingforaninstant.“Du.

Impressive.”“SometimeagoIservedwithasquadofKeshcommandosonNirr,”Haid

explained.“Whichfamily?”“G’rodo.”B’shannodded.“Theywereanoblelineage,priortotheirexcisionfromthe

N’KorRepublic.”“IalwaysfelttheDictatrixcould’veshownleniencyintheircase.”TheotherKeshmadeanoiseinhisthroatthatsoundedlikegravelunderfoot.

B’shannoddedagain,thistimewithsolemndignity.Hesteppedbacktodrawattentionawayfromhimself,thesolesofhisleatherbootssqueakingonthefloorashedidso.“Andthis,”Rufocontinued,“isFieldOfficerShak’ni.”Shak’niwastallerthanB’shan,butthinner.Hisfacewasetchedwithfine

birthmarksinabrightshadeofred,likeveins.Thistime,thebowwasbegrudging,barelyanod.Shak’ni’seyesmetRoche’sonlybrieflyasshereturnedthegesture,hiscontemptforheraspalpableasthesmellofhisCastefillingtheroom.Hedidn’twastenodsonagreeting,andHaidtoosaidnothing.

fillingtheroom.Hedidn’twastenodsonagreeting,andHaidtoosaidnothing.Movingbackaroundthetable,Ruforeturnedtoapositiondirectlyinfrontof

herandHaid.“Together,”hesaid,“HadenandIhavebeenscouringthissystemforevidence

ofthewarriorthatwroughtsuchdestructionuponit.”“Iguessedasmuch,”Rochesaid,gladthey’dfinallyarrivedatthetopicthat

mostconcernedher.“I’mkeentoanalyzeyourdata.”“AndIamkeentoanalyzeyours.”Rufo’sstareheldhersfirmly.“Ipresumed

that’swhyyouhadcamehere.CrossingtheGauntletisafeatnotundertakenlightly.”“Youknowaboutthat?”“Ofcourse.Thevarioustechnologicalexperimentsperformedbyadvanced

CastespriortoTranscendencewereafascinationofmineduringmyyouth.”Rufostopped,asthoughathoughthadjuststruckhim,thencontinued:“Butitwouldmakemoresensetoexplainfromthebeginning.Please,takeaseat.”Hewavedahand,andfivewhitechairsroseoutoftheseamlessfloorinaring

aroundthecirculardesk.Rochehesitatedforamoment,thentooktheonenearesther.Haidsatbesideher;thetwoKeshsatoppositethem.“Gered,ifyouwouldbesogoodastowaitoutside,Iwillsummonyouwhen

CommanderRocheisreadytoleave.”Disistonodded,turnedandlefttheroom.Synnettfollowedcloseonhisheels.“Now.”Rufotooktheremainingseat.Ashedidso,theholographictanks

liningthewallsandonthedeskflickeredtolife.Colorandmovementsurroundedthem:scenesofdistantworldsandstations,onlyahandfulofwhichRocherecognized;strangetextsinunknownhieroglyphs;thefacesofdozensofpeopleofallCastesandtypes,lecturingsilently,“Ihavemanyinterests,”saidRufo,“butforemostofthemallisthepast.

HistoryandtheflotsambywhichwegaugeithasfascinatedmeeversinceIwasachild.Fromtheageoffour,Idevotedmylifeand,uponmyfather’searlydeath,aconsiderablefortunetothepursuitofsuchknowledge.Butforsuchrelics,andtheresourcesmyfatherleftme,manyofmychildhooddreamswouldhavegoneunrealized.“Forinstance—”Hestoodabruptly,pointingattheceilingabovethedesk.

FromthecenteroftheroofdescendedwhatappearedtobeasculpturenolargerthanRoche’shand,orafossilcastinamber.Rochewasunabletotellwhatitwas,exactly,evenwhenithadcometorestameterabovethedesk.“Giveusahint,”saidHaid,hisartificialeyesfocusingcloselyontheobject.“This,”Rufowenton,hishandsheldoutbeforehim,“ismymostprized

possession.Itwaspluckedbytheseveryfingersfromthewreckageofa

possession.Itwaspluckedbytheseveryfingersfromthewreckageofaspaceshiptentimesolderthananyoftheexistingcivilizationsinthisregion.”<It’stheGil-Shh’anaFiche,>saidtheBox.<Thecornerstoneofallthatis

knownaboutPrimordialcivilizations!Itslocationhasbeenamysteryfortwentyyears.>“Itisadata-storagedevicebuiltbynoneoftheknownCastes,pastorpresent,”

saidRufoatthesametime.“Theinformationitholdshasneverbeenfullytranslated,butitcontainswordswrittenbeforeeventhemostancientCasteisknowntohaveinhabitedthestars.”“Howisthatpossible?”Rocheaskedwhenshehadtheoverlapstraightened

out.“Clearlytherearegapsinourknowledge,”Rufoexplained.“Atleastfour

PrimordialCastesprecedetheearliestconfirmedrecordswehave.WecallthemCastesA,B,CandD,foreventheirnamesareunknown.”“ButtheyareHuman?”“Ofcourse,Commander.Itisanestablishedfactthatnootherintelligent

specieseverconqueredthestars.”Rufospokeasthoughtoanignorantchild.“Apartfromthis,allwecansayforcertainisthattheseCastesdisappearedmanyhundredsofmillenniaago.Therearerelicsscatteredhereandthereforthosewhocaretolook,butnotenoughtobuildacoherentpictureofwhattheirsocietieswerelike;notevenenoughtoconvincemostuniversitiestoteachthefactsthatwehaveuncovered.Ihavedevotedmylifetoexpandingthatpoolofknowledge,andafewothersalongtheway.”RealizationdawnedonRoche,then.“You’vefoundsomeruins,haven’tyou?”“Iwasledtobelieveso,”Rufosaid.“Mok,theonlymoonoftheKukumat-

Murukandoublebinary,issaidtoholdafabulouscollectionofartifactsthathaveyettobecatalogued.Regrettably,theunfortunatebusinessinthissystemhaspreventedusfromexaminingthesite.Yousee,IamnotsoinvolvedinmyworkthatIwillignoreHumansufferingwhenitoccursinfrontofme.”“Andwhatexactlyhaveyoudoneaboutit?”askedHaidwithahintof

skepticism.“Asmuchasyou,sofar,”Ruforeplied,clearlyresentingHaid’sreproving

tone.HefacedRoche.“Ihaveremovedmystationtoasafeplaceanddispatchedsmallervesselstosurveythedamage.”“Andyouhaven’tintervened?”“HowcouldIdoanythingotherthanstudywhathashappenedhere?Thatis

theareainwhichmyskillslie;Iamneithertacticiannorwarrior.Idecidedthatthelong-terminterestoftheregionwouldbebestservedbyintelligencerather

thelong-terminterestoftheregionwouldbebestservedbyintelligenceratherthanvalor.”“Andwhathaveyoufound?”Rocheasked.Rufosighedandreturnedtohisseat.“Ihaveseenthingsintheselasttwo

weeks,Commander,Ineverexpectedtosee.Thingsthat...Forgiveme.”Visiblydistressed,heleanedbackinhisseatandsignaledforB’shantocontinue.TheKeshstood.“Understand,CommanderRoche,thatweonGalineFourare

notalliedtoanymilitaryservice.Therefore,ifatanypointduringwhatIamabouttotellyou,yourtrainingsuggestsanalternateinterpretation,pleasedonothesitatetointerrupt.Wewillwelcomeyourinput.”Rochenodded,notwantingtodiscouragehismistakenassumptionofher

origins:whiletheAnaVereinewascamouflagedasaCOEwarship,itwassafertoreinforcethatimpression.“Yourrankishonorary,then?”“Atitle,nomore,leftoverfrommyadolescenceintheserviceofthe

Dictatrix.Iamanacademicfirstandforemost,now.”NoticingherglanceatShak’ni,headded:“MyfellowKeshisactingasaliaisonbetweenGalineFourandtheN’KorRepublic.Priortoourarrivalhere,wewereresearchingseveralsitesinnon-Pristineterritories.”“Understood,”saidRoche.“Please,continue.”B’shanmovedclosertothetable.TheGil-Shh’anaFicheretreatedbackinto

theceilingasalargedisplayflickeredintolife.InthetankappearedascalemapoftheorbitsofthefiveinnermostplanetsofPalasianSystem.“Youarenodoubtawarehowitbegan.ACOEcourier,Daybreak,enrouteto

GorundSefpickedupasinglelifecapsulenotfarfromhereanddisappearedshortlythereafter.Twodayslater,itreappearedonacourseforGuhrOutpost,broadcastinganemergencybeacon.Theoutpost’scommandingofficersentatugtointerceptDaybreakandbringitinforrepairs.Subsequenttothat,thebasereportedbeingunderattack,thenittoofellsilent.”“Yes,”Rocheinterrupted.“AbattalionofMarineswassenttoinvestigate.The

picturesbroughtbackbytheonesurvivingshipshowedtheinhabitedbasesinPalasianSysteminflames.”“BythetimeDaybreakwasrecovered,itwasalreadytoolate,”saidB’shan

grimly.“Theemergencybeaconwasadistraction;thecrewhadbeendeadforadaybeforeitwasevensent.The...personresponsiblecommandeeredthetugsenttointerceptit,and,inconjunctionwithasmallasteroidhehadalreadydivertedfromitsorbit,destroyedGuhrOutpostbeforeitscommandingofficercouldrealizewhathadhappened.Theasteroidcollidedwithamedicalvesselparkedinarefuelingorbit,andsparkedachainreactionthatresultedinthe

ignitionoftheoutpost’sentirefuelreserves.”Haidwhistled.“Nowonderthecraterwassobig.”“Bearinmindthatmuchofthisissuppositionextrapolatedfromthesmall

amountofevidenceleftbehindatthescene,plusflightdatafromseveralofthederelictswerecoveredandsomefaintobservationsrecordedbyvariousinstallationsscatteredthroughthesystem.Wecan’teventellhowmanypeoplewereinvolvedintheattack.Butgiventhatonlyonepersonwasrescuedfromthelife-supportcapsule,andthatthechainofeventsbeginsatthatmoment,wehaveassumedthatthissinglepersonwasaloneresponsibleforwhathappenedhere.Iknowthisseemsunlikely,andwehavenoimagesofthispersontoproveanyofit—orevenascertainhisidentity.Unfortunately,wecanonlyworkfromthedatawehave,andthatisn’tmuch.Iwouldhatetogiveyoutheimpressionthatweknowexactlywhatoccurred,whenatbestallwecanofferyouaretheories.”Rochenodded,indicatingforhimtocontinue.“FromGuhrOutpostwehavetracedthetug’smovementstoGatamin,where

itchangedcourseandheadedfurtherin-system.”“Howdiditspilotknowwheretogo?”Haidasked.“Thetug,naturally,containeddetailednavigationalchartsshowingevery

settlementinPalasianSystem.Relevanttargetswereeasilylocated.”B’shanrotatedandexpandedthemapofPalasianSystem.“GeytenBasewashitnext.TheArmadabaseknewthatsomethinghadhappenedtoGuhrOutpost,butdidn’thaveenoughdetailstoreactintime.Barelyhadtheyreadiedtwoshipstoinvestigate,whentheenemystruck.”“WereceivedpicturesfromCemenidjustbeforewearrivedhere,”Rochesaid.

“WewereunabletolocatetheArmadabaseatall;themoonappearedtohavedisappeared.”“Precisely.”TheviewinthecentraltankchangedtoshowCemenid—a

bloatedgasgiantalmosthalfagainaslargeasJagabis,withaviolentatmospherethatappearedorangeinHintubet’sredlight.Threevisiblemoonswereringedingreen,plusadarkpatchinthecloudscape.Theimagebecamegrainyastheviewzoomedintofocusonthedarkpatch.“ThisscarinCemenid’satmospheredoesnotappearinanynavigationalrecords;thefactthatyoudidnotnoticeitsuggeststhatitisnolongervisibleatall.”“Areyousuggesting...?”Rochebegan.“Thattheimagehere”—B’shanpointedatthedarkpatchinthecentraltank

—”istheimpactsiteofthemoonwhichwasoncethehometoGeytenBase.”RocheglancedattheKesh:hisexpressionwasserious.“Thewholemoon—?”“Disturbedfromorbitandsentintotheatmosphere.”B’shanchangedtheview

“Disturbedfromorbitandsentintotheatmosphere.”B’shanchangedtheviewagain,thistimetooneshowingwreckageinorbitaroundthegasgiant.“Wehavediscoveredalargenumberoffragmentscorrespondingtoplate-armorcommonlyusedtoprotectprowlingminesfrommajorimpacts.It’smyopinionthatatleasttwowereconscriptedbythepilotofthetugonhiswaythroughtheinnermostdark-bodyhalo.Theyaremassiveenoughtoshatterasmallmoon,ortodeflectitfromastableorbit.Furthermore,theirsecurityislightandtheirAIsaresimpletoreprogram.”Rochepicturedtheprowlingmines—eachlargerbyasignificantfactorthan

GalineFouritself—barrelingdownontheunpreparedArmadabase.Atthatspeed,littlewouldhavestoppedthem.Thebasepersonnelwouldhardlyhavehadtimetoevacuate,letalonesaveanyvaluablemilitaryhardware.Thedestructionofthebasehad,onceagain,beenconductedwithchillingefficiency.B’shanadded:“Wesuspectthatthisincidentisrelatedtotheambushofthe

ArmadabattalionsenttoinvestigatethedistresscallbroadcastbyGuhrOutpostsixteendaysearlier.TheMarineshadbeeninthesystemforaweek,asbestwecantell,butdisappearedaroundthattime.”Rochenodded.Thatmadesense.ItfitinwiththelittleCOEIntelligencehad

toldthem,anyway.“Sowheredidthetuggofromthere?”sheprompted.“Actually,itprobablywasn’tthereatall.Oncethemineshadbeen

reprogrammed,therewouldhavebeennoneedforitspilottohavebeenpresent.Thatexplainswhy,onlyashorttimeaftercommunicationwiththebasewaslost,itcausedanalertatAroSpaceportwhenittriedtolandwithoutauthorization.”“Ican’tbelievethey’dletitlandaftereverythingthathadjusthappened,”said

Haid.“Theydidn’t.Portauthoritiesdestroyeditwhenitrefusedtorespondtoathird

warning.”Rochefrowned.“Theydestroyedit?”B’shannodded.“Butthepilotwasnolongeronboard.Histacticswere

uncanny:hewasneverwhereanyoneexpectedhimtobe,alwaysonestepahead.HeskippedfromDaybreaktothetugwhentherewasonlytheslightestchancethatGuhrOutpostmighthaveguessedhewasaboard;then,barelyaftertheauthoritiesonArohadlearnedabouteventsatVolorasandCemenid,he’dalreadyleftthetugandsentittoactasadistractionwhilehewentabouthisrealbusiness.”“Whichwaswhat?”Haidsaid.“WhileAroSpaceportmoppedupthedebrisofthetug—believingtheyhad

destroyedthethreattothesystemwithit—thepilotwasusingtwoprowling

destroyedthethreattothesystemwithit—thepilotwasusingtwoprowlingminesandtheresourcestheycontainedtosetupthenextstageofhisattack.Itmusthavebeenduringthistimethathebuiltthegas-gunsandthetargetersleftbehindinthederelicts;hecertainlywouldhavebeenhard-pressedtodoitlater.”“Thatmakessense,”Rochesaid.“ItalsogaveAroSpaceporttimetolettheir

guarddown.”“Itwouldseemso.”B’shancalledupamapoftheorbitsaroundthemajor

moonofJagabis.“WhatheappearstohavedoneintheendistobringoneoftheprowlersintocloseAroorbitbyswingingitpastJagabisonatight,ellipticalorbitthatkeptitwelloutofviewuntilthelastminute.Then,onceitwasinplace,itfiredcuttinglasersontoEmptageCity,shatteringthedome.Italsousedaflotillaofscavengerdronestoattacktheshipsdockedatthemidpointoftheorbitaltower.Atthesametime,thesecondshipcameinbyadifferentrouteandseveredtheorbitaltowerentirely.”“How?”saidHaid.“Simplybycollidingwithit,”saidB’shan,“andwrenchingitoutofits

moorings.”Rocheconcentratedtofollowtheiconsmovingthroughthemainscreen.“The

aftershocksofthecollisionwouldhavedestroyedanyshipsstillattachedtothetower.Hencethederelicts.”“Andtheaddedangularmomentumwouldhavecarriedmuchofthetowerinto

ahigherorbit,whereitappearstohavebeencutintofragments.Thesefragmentsservedaswindmill-styledevicesdesignedtokeepinterlopersaway.Thecableisverythinandhardtodetect;theendofeachspinningsegmentwasmovingfastenoughtocutashipintwo.”“Andthat’swhathappenedtotheoutriggers,”Haidsaid.“Soitappears,”saidB’shan.“Wesubsequentlycleanedouttheupperorbitsof

thewindmillsbeforeyouarrived,buttherewasn’tmuchwecoulddoaboutthegas-guns.Webalkedatdestroyingthederelictsentirely,forfearofdestroyingevidence,butdidn’twanttoriskourobserversbysendingthemintodeactivatethetrapsonebyone,”Hearingthat,RochethoughtofMavalhin:hewouldhavebeengratefultobe

relievedofthatduty,shewassure.Althoughcowardicewasn’texactlyhisstyle,neitherwasbravery.“Wedetectedseveraltransmissionsfromthatregionshortlyafterwearrived,”

shesaid.“Didyourobserversdetectthemalso?”B’shanwavedahandandthescreenfilledwithSolcommandhieroglyphics.

“Theyappeartobeinsomesortofcode.We’vehadnoluckcrackingit,

“Theyappeartobeinsomesortofcode.We’vehadnoluckcrackingit,though.”“Wealsopickedupanotheronefromadifferentsource,thistimeinplaintext

viatightbeam.”B’shannodded.“Thesourceofthattransmissionisinthevicinityofthe

Kukumat-Murukandoubleplanet.Webelieveittobeeitheradecoyoranentirelyinnocentmessagenotmeantforourears.”Sheraisedaneyebrow.“Adecoy?Why?”“BecausetherehavebeennoattackssincethedestructionofEmptageCity

shortlybeforetheclosingofthesolarenvelopesurroundingthissystem.Itistemptingtoassumethatthepersonresponsiblehasescaped.”“Sowhyareyouhidingouthere?”saidHaid.“Cautionarymeasures,”saidRufosoftly.“Itwouldbefoolishtoassumethat

wearesafeuntilwehaveproof.”Rocheleanedforward,addressingB’shan.“Yousaiditmightbeaninnocent

message.Fromwhom?”“Othersurvivors,likeus,whoarealsotryingtoavoiddetection.Untilweare

abletoleavethissystem,wearealldeniedtheoptionofescape;bettertowaituntilrescuearrivesthantoadvertiseourpresence.”“Whatothersurvivors?”Rochepressed.“ThebaseonMokwassupposedto

beempty.”B’shanshrugged.‘Thesourceofthetransmissionhasonlybeen

approximatelypinneddown.Itis‘near’Mokinthesensethatitiswithinanareaseveralmillionkilometersacrosscontainingthedoubleplanet.Itmayhavecomefromaloneoutriggerdriftingpast,onitswayelsewhere.”Rochegrantedhimthat.“AndwhatabouttheGauntlet?Youmusthaveseenit

arrive.”B’shanglancedatRufo.“Thequarkbreedersenteredthesystemtwenty-one

daysago.”“Doyouknowwhobroughtthem?”“Ifwedid,thenwemightatleastknowwhotoexpectwhenrescuearrives,”

saidRufo.“Theyenteredthesystemfromdeepspace,”explainedB’shan,“and

aerobrakedinthesun’satmosphere.AroSpaceportwasunderattackatthatpoint,sobythetimeweknewtheywerepresenttheywerealreadyinposition.Fromthatpoint,theprocesswasrapid:withintwentyhours,theGauntletwasactivatedandthesystemenclosed.”Rufolookedup,andspokesoftly:“Weassumedittobeyou,atfirst—thatyou

wereavanguardforamuchlargerrecoveryoperation.”

wereavanguardforamuchlargerrecoveryoperation.”Rochenodded,uncomfortablyawareoftheunspokenquestionsbehindhis

words:Whosentyou?Howmuchlongerdowehavetowait?Willweberescuedatall?Shecouldsaynothingtoallayhisfears,butshehadtosaysomething.

“Perhapsbetweenthetwoofuswecanbuildamoreconclusivepictureofwhat’sgoingonhere.”“Ihopeso,”saidRufo,withaslightsmile.“Anythingyoucanaddwouldbe

appreciated.”“You’vebeenveryopenwithyourowndata,”saidRoche.“Iguessit’stimeI

returnedthefavor.”Beforeshecouldbegin,however,theBoxspokeup:<Wait,Morgan.ThereissomethingIneedtodiscusswithyou.>Shefrowned.<Isitimportant?><Potentially.>ConsciousofRufoandthetwoKeshwaitingforhertocontinue,sheraiseda

hand.“Onesecond,”shesaid,then,totheBox:<Okay.Whatisit?><Asmallproblem,>saidtheBox.<Iamunabletopenetratethisstation’s

datacore.><Areyouserious?><ItwouldappearthattherearetwolevelsofsecurityoperatingonGaline

Four.Thefirst,andleastsecure,istheoneIhavealreadypenetrated;thisallowsmeaccesstolow-levelinformation,suchasvisualsofcorridorsandsomeholds,air-flowanalysis,waterrecyclingfiguresandsoon.Thesecondleveliscompletelyseparate,andcannotbeaccessedfromthefirst;itcoversatleasthalfoftheinnerprivatechambers,includingtheroomyouarecurrentlyoccupying,andeverysingledatumrelatingtonavigationandrecentmovements.ItalsocoversRufo’sprivatefiles,andanyothersthatmightconfirmordenywhatheandhisassistanthavesaid.><Andyou’vetriedeverythingyoucantogetatthisinformation?>Roche

asked.<It’snotsimplyamatterofgainingaccesstothem,Morgan.Idon’teven

knowwheretheyare.It’sasthoughthetwosecuritysystemsarecompletelyseparate,andbearnorelationtoeachotherwhatsoever—whichis,ofcourse,impossible.><Butweneedaccesstothisdatabeforewecaneventhinkabouttrusting

them.><Iknow.Imustexplorethestationinmoredetail.Thelow-levelsecurity

<Iknow.Imustexplorethestationinmoredetail.Thelow-levelsecuritysystemistoolimitedtogivemeaclearenoughoverviewofexactlywhat’sgoingon.Inordertogetthatoverview,Ineedaphysicallinkinthestation.><Meaningyouwantmetogoexploring?><Ineedyoutogainaccessviapalm-linkstoasmanydiverseoutputsas

possible.Ifoneofthemallowsusintotheinnersecuritysystem,oratleastnearit,thenwewillbethatmuchclosertoknowingwhatisactuallygoingonhere.>Rochenoddedtoherself.<Youhearthat,Ameidio?Feellikegoingforatour?

>ICAN’T,Haidsentback.IONLYHAVEATEXTLINK,REMEMBER?<Ididn’tmeanitlikethat.Ithastobeme,andyou’recomingalong.I’mnot

leavingyouherealone—notwiththatdamnedrestrainingfield.You’dbetoovulnerable>SOWHO’SGOINGTODOTHETALKING?<TheBox,ofcourse.I’msureit’scapable.>ShereturnedtotheopulentbrightnessofRufo’soffice.HeandthetwoKesh

officerswerewatchingherexpectantly,B’shanstillstandingwhileShak’niwatchedherwithill-concealedsuspicion.Rochewonderedbelatedlyifthelattercouldreadminds—thendiscardedthethought.IfMaiicouldn’tuseherepsenseabilitiesinPalasianSystem,noreavecould.“Iapologizeforthat,”shesaidaloud.“Talkingtoyourcrew?”Rufoasked.“That’scorrect.Somethingarosethatrequiredmyattention.”“Nothingtooserious,Itrust?”“CrossingtheGauntletappearstohavebeenmorestressfulthanIrealized.

We’vediscoveredfracturesonouranchordrivehousingthatwillrequiremaintenancebeforeweleave.Wecanrepairthedamageourselves,ofcourse,butitwouldbemucheasier—andquicker—ifwehadaccesstoadrydock.”“Ourfacilitiesherearefullyequipped,”Rufosaid.“Youarewelcometouse

them.”“Iwouldn’twanttoimpose—”“Thinknothingofit,”thescientistinterjected.“Iamhappytoofferwhatever

servicesIcan,freeofcharge.Inreturn,whenyourdriveisrepairedyoumightconsidertakingsomeofmycrewwithyouwhenyouleavePalasianSystem.”“Whenthetimecomes,we’lltakeasmanyaswecan.”Rochesmiled

inwardly;hehadrisentothebaitwithverylittlepromptingonherpart.“Isuggest,then,thatAmeidioandIviewyourfacilitiestodetermineifthey’resuitable.Myinformationofficercanfillyouinonourdiscoveriessofar,andevaluatetheminthelightofwhatyou’veshownus.Thatwouldnotonlysave

evaluatetheminthelightofwhatyou’veshownus.Thatwouldnotonlysavetimebutwouldalsoensurethatthemostappropriatetalentsatourdisposalareputtothetask.”“Thatmakessense.”Rufobeamedather.“Butplease,donotputyourself

down.IttakesgreatskilltocommandavesselofwarfortheCommonwealthofEmpires.”Shereturnedhissmile,althoughhisflatteryfeltforced,andopenedthe

connectiontotheBox.<Gotthat?You’remyinformationofficer,andyou’llbedealingwiththemdirect.Forthatyou’llneedaface—liketheoneyoufakedwhenwetookovertheAnaVereine.><Understood,Morgan.Iamopeningadirectcommunicationslinkaswe

speak.><Justremember,Iwanttoknoweverythingthat’sdecidedatthismeeting,so

makesureIhavearecordingavailableforlater.><Morgan,yourmistrustpainsme.Icanonlyassureyouagainthatmybest

interestslieentirelywithyours.><Yeah,butthemomenttheydon’t...>Rocheswallowedthecomment;now

wasn’tthetimetodredgeupoldarguments.<Justseewhatelseyoucanlearnfromthem,okay?><Iwill.>“Thereisarequestforadirectlinecomingfromyourvessel,Commander

Roche,”saidB’shan.“Ipresumethiswillbeyourinformationofficer?”“Yes.HernameisLieutenantGold.Willthelinebesecure?”“Naturally.Nooneoutsideofthisroomwillbeawareofwhatissaidwithin

it.”“Good.”Shestood.Haiddidlikewise,movingstifflythroughtherestraining

field.“Ifyou’llarrangesomeonetoshowustheway,we’llgetonwithourwork.”“Geredwillbeyourguide,”Rufosaid,joiningB’shanatthecentraldesk.“But

oneotherthing,beforeyouleave.Youhavenotmentionedwhetheryouhaveareaveinyourcrew.CanIassumethenthatyouhaven’t?”Rochehesitated,unsurewherehewasheading.“Notnecessarily,”shesaid.“Well,ifyouhave,thenyou’dbeawareoftheepsense-dampeningfieldthat

hasenvelopedthissystem.We’veencountereditourselves,andareclosetoneutralizingit.Twoofmythreereaveshaveregainedatleastameasureoftheirnormalabilities.”Rufosmiled.“Soifyoudohaveanyonyourship,I’dbehappytoassistyouinanywayIcan.”“Thankyou.”Evenifwhathesaidwastrue,Rochewouldneedalotmore

“Thankyou.”Evenifwhathesaidwastrue,RochewouldneedalotmoreconvincingofhismotivesbeforesheletMaiiintohisclutches.“I’llcertainlytakeitintoconsideration.”ThedoorstotheofficeopenedandDisistoledRocheandHaidthrough.

Glancingback,Rochesawthemaintankflickertolife,revealingthefaceofawhite-hairedwomaninCOEuniform,withtheusualblue-blackinteriorofaCOEshipbehindher.<You,Ipresume,Box?><Correct.><Youlookfamiliar...><Imodeledthefeaturesonyours,asyoumaylookinfiftyyears.><What?>“Greetings,ProfessorRufo,”wasallsheheardthewomaninthetanksay

beforethedoorclosedonthemeeting.

*

GalineFour’sdrydocksweresituatedinsidethesphericalframeworkthatformedtheexteriorofthestation.Acircularholdlacedwithretractablemeshallowedaccesstothedockfromtheoutside;massivegantriesandmany-limbedcraneslinedthedockitselflikethelimbsofagiantanemone.TheAnaVereine’sscutterwasn’tvisiblefromthepressurizedobservation

platformDisistotookthemto,butacoupleofothershipswere,oneofthemasmallcouriervesselthathadsufferedslightdamagealongitsflanks.Rochestudieditwithcasualinterestwhilesheaccessedthespecificationsofthedrydockviaherpalm-link.HerotherhandrestedlightlyonthebuttofthesidearmRufo’sguardshadreturnedtoheraftersheleftthestation’ssanctumsanctorum.Haidstoodnotfaraway,discussingthefineraspectsofnavigationwith

Disisto.Synnettwatchedcoollyfromtheentrancetotheobservationdeck.Thelettersofthecouriervessel’sIDcodesuddenlyfellintoplace.Although

thecompletesequencewasimpossibletomakeout,shecouldatleasttellthatithadoncebelongedtoCOEIntelligence.<Well,well,well.><Youhavesomething,Morgan?>askedtheBox.<OnlyDaybreakitself,>shesaid.<Whatdoyousupposeit’sdoinghere?><ThatIdonotknow.Rufohasyettomentionitinourconversation>Rochefiledtheinformationforfuturereference.<Howaboutatyourend?><Stillnothing,I’mafraid.Thedrydockisonthesamesecuritylevelasthe

<Stillnothing,I’mafraid.Thedrydockisonthesamesecuritylevelasthemaindockingfacility.We’llobviouslyneedtoaccesssomethingintheheartofthestation.><Yousaidthereareblackspotsyoucan’tsee.Wouldithelpifwecouldget

intooneofthosespots?><Possibly,but—><Givemethelocationofthenearest;I’llseewhatIcando.><Theclosestisoneofthedocks—probablytheoneholdingDaybreak—but

thatisboundtobeguarded.Thereareotherswithinwalkingdistance.>TheBoxsentamapofthestationwithblackspotsmarked,whichRoche

studiedforamoment.Asmallblackspotlayalmostdirectlybetweenherandthemaindockingbay.SheturnedbacktoHaidandDisisto,keepingthemapinonecornerofhereye.“Hey,Disisto,”shesaid.“Ineedtogettothescutter.”“Isanythingwrong?”askedDisisto.Hisconcernseemedgenuine.“No,IjustneedsomespecificationsfromthemaintenanceAI.Icanprobably

findmyownway,ifyouwanttostayhereandtalk.”Disisto’sexpressionrelaxedintoasmile.“Ithinkwe’dbettersticktogether,

Commander.That’dbesafestforallofus.”“Asyouwish.”Sheheadedfortheexitatabriskpace.Behindher,Haidcursedunderhis

breath;hisartificiallimbsweregettingthebetterofhim,itseemed.HOW’STHAT?hesent.<Fine,>shereplied.<Keepitup.>SynnettfellbacktohelpHaidwhileDisisto—hislonglegsequaltoRoche’s—

didhisbesttokeepupwithher.“You’reinahurry,”hesaidastheyturnedintoabroadaccesscorridorlined

withbranchingportalseverytenmeters.Techniciansmovedasideastheyapproached.“Restless,”shereplied.“I’vebeenstuckontheshipfortoolong.”“Theraider?Itdoesn’tlookthatcramped.”“Itisn’treally,Iguess.Itjustfeelslikeitattimes.Thewallsclosein,theroof

startstocave,theairbeginstostink.TherearemomentswhenI’ddoanythingtobesomewhereelse,justforanhour.”“WhichiswhyyoucameheretomeetRufo,Isuppose.”Heglancedsideways

ather.“Iwaswonderingaboutthat.Itseemedoddforanofficertorelinquishcommandsoreadily—especiallygiventhecircumstances.”“JustbecauseI’mnotontheshipdoesn’tmeanI’mnolongerincharge,”she

“JustbecauseI’mnotontheshipdoesn’tmeanI’mnolongerincharge,”sheretorted.“Youhaveagoodrelationshipwithyourcrew,then.Theyobviouslyknow

wheretheystand.”IfDisistowastryingtounsettleherbyimplyinghercrewcouldn’tbetrusted,

thenhewashittinguncomfortablyclosetohome.“Itrustthem,”shesaidsteadily,notwantinghimtoseeherruffledbythe

comment.“That’sallanyonecanask.”Henodded.“Abigcrewonaraider,then?”“Moderately.”“Haidwon’ttellmewherehefitsin,exactly.Myguessisweaponssystemsor

security.Ishetight-lipped,orwon’tyoulethimtalk?”Sheshookherhead.“You’refullofquestions,Disisto.”“It’spartofmyjob.”“IsRufomakingyouaskthem?”“Notexactly.”Hepulledaslightmoue.“IreporttoFieldOfficerShak’ni.”“Really?”Thatsurprisedher:bothhisanswerandhiscandor.“Ithoughthe

wasjustaguest.”“You’refullofquestionstoo,Commander,”hesaid,grinning.“Under

differentcircumstancesI’dbehappytotellyoueverything,butasitis...”Heletthesentencehang.Rochedidn’tmind.Shehadreachedtheturnofffor

theblackspot.“Let’sgothisway,shallwe?”Shequicklyduckeddownthecorridorbeforehe

hadchancetoobject.“Hey,wait!”Disistohurriedafterher,surprisedbythesuddenturn.“You

can’t—”“Whynot?”sheshotback.“It’squicker.”“Howcouldyoupossiblyknowthat?”Hegrabbedathershoulder,butshe

dodgedaside.“Ihaveagoodsenseofdirection,”shelied.“Yousaiditwouldn’ttakelong

formetogetmybearings,didn’tyou?”Hestoppedinhistracks.“Okay,”hecalledafterher.“Okay,we’llgothis

way.Butcanweatleastwaitfortheotherstocatchup?”Sheslowed,watchinghimoverhershoulderasshedidso.Heseemedtomean

it.Whenshecametoahalt,sheputherhandsonherhipsandlookedaround.Theywerestandinginacorridornodifferentfromanyotherintheouterlevels

ofthestation.Therewasnoindicationofanysinisteractivity:nostrangenoises,smells,orsights.

<Well,we’rehere,Box.Canyouseeanything?><Notasyet.Therearedoorsahead.Maybethroughoneofthose><Maybe.>Swingingherlegsasthoughtoflexhermuscles,shestrolledahead

untilshewasinfrontofthefirstdoor.Itwasopen.Throughitshesawanunoccupiedterminal,completewithpalm-link,againsttheoppositewall.<Tempting,>shesaid.DON’T,Haidsent.YOU’REPUSHINGYOURLUCKASITIS.Sheturned,sawHaidandSynnettattheendofthecorridor.Shefoldedher

armsandwaitedforthemtocatchup.Disistostoodnexttoher,adistantlookinhiseyessuggestinghewascommunicatingwithsomeoneviahisimplants.<What’shegoingtodo,arrestme?>sheaskedHaid.<He’snotevenarmed.

Andbesides,wehavesomethinghewants:awayoutofhere.>ITISN’TDISISTOWESHOULDBEWORRIEDABOUT.Movementtoherleftcaughtherattention.Turningbacktotheroom

containingtheterminal,Rocherealizeditwasoccupied.Asshewatched,alargefiguremovedslowlyintoview,obviouslyheadingforthedesk.Althoughcladfrombootstoglovesinadark-coloreduniformmadeofsomeexoticleather,itwasclearfromthewoman’sexposedscalpthatshewasaKesh.Inonehandshecarriedasteaminggobletofsomethingthatsmelledverymuchlikevukh.WhentheKeshnoticedRochewatchingher,shesnarledandshutthedoor.“Youcertainlyhaveaneclecticcrew,”shecommentedtoDisisto.“Thisisanaccommodationareareservedforsomeofthemoresensitive

members,whichiswhyweshouldn’tbehereatall.Butwehavetheokayfromthechieftoproceed.”Hisvoicewasrelaxed,buthiseyesscoldedher.“Iknowyou’recurious,Commander,butyouneedtobemoreconsiderate.”“Careful,youmean?”“Thattoo.”HaidandSynnettreachedthem,andDisistoindicatedthecorridor

aheadofthem.“Shallwekeepgoing?Atamoreleisurelypace,thistime.”Thewalktothemaindockingbayrevealedlittle.Doorsthatwereopenonly

revealedemptyrooms,andRochewasunabletogainaccesstoapalm-link.Bythetimeshereachedthescutter,shehaddecidedthatenteringtheblackspothadgivenheramoralvictoryonly.<Hemayhavebeentellingthetruth,>shesaidfromwithinthescutter,while

pretendingtoobtainthedatasherequired.<ItcouldjustbeanaccommodationareaforcrewmemberswhopreferthequietoftheshelltotheHub.><Itiscertainlypossible,>saidtheBox.<Butwehavenoproofeitherway.>Sheleftthescutterandjoinedtheothers.“Wheretonow?”sheaskedDisisto.“Backtothedrydock?”hesuggested.

“Backtothedrydock?”hesuggested.“Actually,thewalkhasleftmethirsty.Howaboutadrink?Youmusthavea

recreationdeckhere.I’llbuyyouone,iftheyacceptCOEcredit.”Disistostudiedherforalongmoment,thensaid:“Okay,ifthat’swhatyou

want.”Rochewasunabletoreadhisexpression.“WhenRufoandLieutenantGold

havefinished,wecanjointhemthen.”Disistonoddedashebegantowalk.“ThemainbarisbackintheHub.”Rochefollowed,nolongertryingtoprovokehim.Therewasverylittleelse

shecoulddountiltheyreachedthebar.Afterthedisappointmentoftheoneblackspottheyhadentered,shedidn’tseeanypointintryingtoaccessothers.Thereweretoomany,tobeginwith,andDisistowouldundoubtedlyputastoptoitbeforelong.ThebarwasdeepintheheartofGalineFour,occupyingalargespacebetween

proteinvatsandtheplant-filledcentralchamber.Itconsistedofthreeroomsconnectedtoacentralchamberbywideaccessways.Ineachofthethreeroomstherewasasemicircularbarandnumeroustables.Thelightingwasdim,asbefittedabar,andthesoundofvoicesandglassesclinkingalongwithoccasionalspurtsofRoptiour-musicaddedtotheambience.Thecentralareacomprisedaquarter-sizeduelingfield,surroundedbyseats.Afightwasinprogressastheyentered.Thesupportersofeachcombatanthad

clusteredingroupstowatchthehologram,cheeringandjeeringinequalmeasure.Rochehookedathumbatthescene.“Arecording,Ipresume?”“Mustbesomethingtheypulledoutofthearchives,”saidDisisto,“because

wehaven’treceivedanytransmissionsfromoutsidethesystemforages.Anythingtokeepthehardcorefanshappy.”RocheglancedatHaid,caughthimstaringatthegameincuriosity.

“Ameidio?”Heturnedtoher.“Sorry.Iwasn’tpayingattention.”Shesmiled.Haidhadbeenconfinedtoapenalplanetformoreyearsthanhe

caredtoremember.Duelingwasapleasurehehadmissed,andhehadspentseveraldayscatchinguponituponfindingfreedomaboardtheAnaVereine.Evennow,heobviouslyfeltitscall.“Whatdoyouwanttodrink?”sheasked.Haidshrugged.“Anythingthat’snottoostrong.”“Disisto?Synnett?”“We’reonduty,”Disistosaid.Henoddedtoadoorwaybeyondthedueling

field.“Wecanorderthroughthere.”

field.“Wecanorderthroughthere.”Heledthempastthefightandintooneofthesideroomswhereitwasquieter

andlesscrowded.AnumberofpatronswereExotic,andclearlyappreciatedthespace.Theyfoundatableandsat:HaidandRocheononeside,withDisistoandSynnettfacingthem.Therewasanawkwardsilence.“So,”venturedRoche,“howdoIorder?”“There’sapalm-linkonyourchair,ifyouwanttousethat.Otherwise,Ican

callanattendant.”“Thelinkwillbefine.”Shefoundthepadonthearmofherchairandplaced

herhanduponit.<Doyourstuff,Box,>shesaid.<FakeaCOEcreditaccountformeand,while

you’reatit,orderaMontabanaleandthreeDahish.><Certainly,Morgan.><How’sthemeetinggoing,bytheway?><Smoothly,althoughtherestillhasbeennomentionoftheSolApotheosis

MovementorDaybreak.ItseemsLinegarRufoislesssusceptibletoanattractivewomanthanIhadhoped.><Despitewhatyoumightthink,Box,notallHumansareslavestotheir

biology.Nevertheless,keepworkingon...Oh,hell.>Shehadspiedsomeonecrossingtheroomtowardher.“Morgan!”calledMyerMavalhin.“Fancymeetingyoudownhere.Ithought

you’dbeupwiththebigshotsforsure.”Rochestood.“Hello,Myer.”Disistoglancedbehindhim.“Mavalhin?”Mavalhin’sstepfaltereduponseeingthedocksecurityhead.“Oh,it’syou.”“Whatthehellareyoudoinghere,Myer?I’llbehavingwordswiththeingress

teamaboutlettingyououtofdeconsoearly.”“Hey,don’tgotoohardonthem,”thepilotprotested.“Itwasn’ttheirfault.”“ThenI’llbetalkingtoyouinstead.”“Inthatcase,itwasentirelytheirfault.”HewinkedatRoche.“Butseeingas

I’mhere,Imightaswellstay,right?”“Don’tlookatme,Myer,”saidRoche.“I’monlyaguest.”Disistoshookhisheadandsighed.“Justrememberyou’reonprobation,all

right?”Mavalhinpulledupachairandsat.“So,what’rewedrinking?”Rochehidasmile.Nothinghadchanged.“I’llgetthisround,”shesaid,“but

afterthatyou’reonyourown.”

afterthatyou’reonyourown.”Myersmiledappreciatively.“I’llhaveasnifterofOldGray.”RocherelayedtheordertotheBoxjustasanattendantarrivedwithherfirst

order.Haidnoddedapprovalatthelong-stemmedglasscontainingamurkybrownmixture,andRocheraisedherowncolorlessdrinktoherlipsandtoastedDisisto.Synnettdrankwithoutacknowledginganyone.Sippingthecool,clearliquidmadeRocherealizejusthowthirstythemeeting

andthewalkhadlefther.Sheswallowedgratefully,thensippedagain.“It’salongwayfromBodhGaya,”shesaidtoMavalhinafterathirdsip.“Buthereweare,”hesaid.“IheardyoustayedwithCOEintheend.Looks

likeyou’vedoneallrightwiththem.”Shewascarefultohidehertruefeelings.“Ican’tcomplain.Itdoesgetboring

attimes,butIpreferthesecurityofaregularjob.Andit’snotthatrestrictive.IspentafewyearsinIntelligencebeforetransferringtoactivecommand.It’sbeenfun,mostly.”Shedidherbesttomaintainanairofself-composureandconfidence.“You?”Heliftedhisshouldersslightly.“TriedtheEckandarTradeAxisforawhile,

thenaprivatefreightcompanyoutpastTretamen.Thebottomwentoutofthemarketandthecompanyfolded,andthatleftmeinthelurch.Iworkedasafreelancecourierforafewyears,beforefinallysigningonwithGalineFour.”Disistosnorted.“Courier,eh?IheardyouwereontherunfromOlmahoi

creditorsandneededcashtoavoidgraybootretribution.”Mavalhingestureddismissively.“Exaggerationandrumor.Yes,moneywas

short,butitnevergotthatbad.”Rochecouldtellbythetightnessaroundhiseyesthatitprobablyhadbeenthat

bad.Rufowouldhavebeenabletopurchasehisservicesatabargainprice.Regardlessofhispersonalflaws,Mavalhin’scredentialswouldhavebeenimpressive;fewpeoplelefttheCOECollegesoclosetofinishing,andtheirservicesweredesiredinmanyquartersoftheregion.“Sowhatisityoudohere,anyway?”sheasked.Mavalhinopenedhismouthtoreply,butcaughtDisisto’sreprovinglook.He

stopped,smiled,andsaid:“I’mjustapilot,Morgan.Nothingspectacular.Igaveuponthedreamofmakingsomethingofmyself.There’saplaceforeveryone,I’velearned,andIguessthisismine.”“Thatdoesn’tsoundliketheMyerIonceknew.”“Well,I’vechanged,Iguess.”Rochelaughed.“Nowthatreallydoesn’tsoundlikeyou!”Hefixedherwithadisarmingsmilethatlastedalmosttenseconds.“Everyone

changes,Morgan.Youshouldtryitsometime.”

changes,Morgan.Youshouldtryitsometime.”Rochesmiled,buttheaccusationmadeherfeeluncomfortable.“You’dbe

surprised,Myer,”shesaidafterawhile.“Really?”Hebeamed.“Goahead,then.Surpriseme.”Anattendantbroughthisdrink,andwithitawelcomeinterruptioninthe

conversation.RochewasevenmorethankfulwhentheBoxintrudedbeforetheycouldresumetheirtalk:<Morgan,I’mafraidthatlinkatyourpresentlocationisasisolatedastherest.

Wewillneedtogainphysicalaccesstootherblackspotsinordertodeterminewhatisoccurringwithinthem—ortrytolocateanaccesspointtotheinnersecurityshell.>Rochefoughttocontainarisingsenseoffrustration.<We’vealreadytried

that,andDisistodidn’tgivemethechance—><Ihaveaplan,>saidtheBox.<TheAnaVereinecontainsavarietyofcovert

surveillancedevicesdesignedtoinfiltrateanenemyvessel.Someofthemaremicroscopicinsizeandself-replicating;asmallamountplacedatanylocationinGalineFourwouldquicklyspreadtocovertheblackspots.Icouldevenreprogramapseudospeciestoallowmeterminalaccess.>“Morgan?”ItwasMavalhin.Shequicklyraisedahandtosilencehim,thenclosedhereyes,shuttingouther

immediatesurroundingssoshecouldconcentrateonwhattheAIwassaying.<That’sjustfine,Box,butthey’reontheAnaVereine.Howareyougoingtogetthemhere?><Quitesimply,andwithoutraisingsuspicion.Rufohasrepeatedhisofferto

treatanyailingreaveswemighthaveonboard.Allwehavetodoisagree,sendMaiiwithapacketofsurveillancebugsonherperson,theninstructhertoreleasethematthefirstpossiblemoment.Orthebugscouldbesuspendedintheatmosphereofthescutteritself.Theywoulddispersethroughtheairconditioningsystemwhentheatmospheresmerge.>Rochethoughtaboutitforalongmoment.<Idon’tliketheideaofputting

Maiiatrisk.><WecouldsendCanewithher.Hewouldbeamorethanadequate

bodyguard.><True.>ThatwouldleavetheAnaVereineemptyexceptforKajicandthe

Box,butshekeptthatconcerntoherself.<Theydon’tknowanythingaboutCane,sohecouldpassasanordinarycrewmember.Istherenoalternativeyoucanthinkof?>

<None,apartfromfiringaswarmofbugsatthehullofGalineFourandhopingsomesneakthroughitsanti-meteorshields.Theoddsareagainstmorethanafewmanagingtogetinside.>TheBoxpausedbeforecontinuing:<Ofcourse,thereisthepossibilitythateverythingisexactlyatitseems—thatwecantrustRufoimplicitlyineverythinghesays.ThehighsecuritymightbestandardforGalineFourandtheotherdiscrepancieswehavenotednothingmorethanunfortunatecoincidences><You’vetalkedwithhimlongerthanIhave.Whatdoyouthink?><Iamnottotallyconvinced,>theAIsaid.<Butthatdoesn’tmeanthatyou

haveto—><Okay,okay.>Rocheopenedhereyesandreachedforherglass.<Wehaveto

knowwhat’sgoingonhere,andifthisistheonlywaytofindout...><Itis.>Shetookadeepdraftofherdrink.<Thenyouhavemyapprovaltoproceed

withthisplan,Box.><Understood.Ihavenotifiedthemaindockthatthescutterwillbe

disengaginginfiveminutes.Priortoitsdeparture,IwillfinalizethedetailswithRufo.IwillbringtheAnaVereineclosertominimizetransfertime.Ifthereareanychanges,Iwillletyouknow.><Howlongdoyouthink?><Thirtyminutes.Caneassuresmehewillbereadytodisembarkinten

minutes.><Good.Tellhimtobecareful—and,ifyoucan,makesurehe’swired

somehow.Idon’tliketheideaofbeingoutoftouchwiththem.><Regardlessofwhathappens,thebugsthemselveswillenableustokeepan

eyeonthem.><Okay,Box.Keepintouch.>Sheputtheglassdownonthetable.Mavalhinwaswatchinghercuriously.“I’msorryaboutthat,”shesaid.“Justsomebusinessthatneededattendingto.”Hesmiledcrookedlybutsaidnothing.“Norestforthewicked,eh?”said

Disisto.Beforeshecouldsayanything,heraisedahandtohisear,hisheadtiltedasthoughstrainingtohearsomethingabovethegeneralnoiseoftheroom.“Yourscutterhasrequestedpermissiontodisengage,”hesaidtoher.“It’sleavingwithoutyou?”“Temporarily,”sheexplained.“I’vedecidedtotakeyouuponyouroffer;you

see,wedohaveareaveonboard,andsheneedshelp.”“Soyou’vedecidedtotrustusnow?”“Decidedwehavenochoice,”saidRoche.“Sheneedsthetreatment.”

“Decidedwehavenochoice,”saidRoche.“Sheneedsthetreatment.”Disistonodded.“Iunderstand,”hesaid.“Iseverythingelseinorder?”“Itseemstobe,”shesaid.“Forthemoment,atleast“Againshesensed

somethinginhisstarethatbeliedthecalmnessofhisface,butshecoulddonomorethanwonderaboutit.“Anyway,whatwerewetalkingabout?”“Abouthowmuchyou’vechanged,”saidMavalhinwithasmugnessthat

irritatedRoche.“Shutup,Myer,”shesaid.“What?”Helaughed.“Ididn’tsayanything!”“Idon’thavetoproveanythingtoyou,”shesaid.“Solet’sjustchangethe

subject,shallwe?”Shepickedupherglassandsatback,lookingovertoDisisto.“Let’stalkaboutDaybreakinstead.”ItwasDisisto’sturntosmile.“Youspottedit,then?”“I’mnotblind,”shesaid.“Wheredidyoufindit?”“Itdriftedinfromtheoutersystemfivedaysago.Oneofourscouts

discovereditandhauledithereoncehewassuretherewasnooneaboard.”“Andthatscoutwasyou,Myer?”shesaid.Mavalhingrinned.“Sorry,Morgan.Can’thelpyouthere.IwasoverAro

Spaceportatthetime.”Sheshrugged.Ithadbeenworthatry;Mavalhinwouldhavebeenmucheasier

topumpinformationfromthanthesecurityofficer.“Wastherenooneaboard,then,Disisto?”“Apartfromthebodiesstackedinthehold,no,therewasn’t.Thepilothad

abandonedthevessellongbeforewefoundit.”“ThatwouldbebeforeheattackedGuhrOutpostinthetug,right?”putin

Haid.“Iguessso,”Disistosaid.“OncehehadnouseforDaybreak,hemusthave

discardedit.”“Thatsurprisesme,”Haidwenton.“Ineveryotherinstancehe’susedthe

vesselhehadjustvacatedtoactasadistraction.Butnotthistime.Itwouldhavebeenmoresensibletodestroyit.Anyguesseswhynot?”Disistoopenedhishandsinapology.“That’ssomethingyou’dhavetoaskthe

chief.I’mnotprivytoalltheinformationwe’veuncovered.”“Thefactthathedidn’tbringitupmakesmeevenmorecurious,”saidRoche.“I’msureitdoes.”Disisto’ssmilehadn’tfaded;ifanything,ithadgrown

wider.Rochereceivedthedistinctimpressionthathewasenjoyingherattemptstoprobethestation’sveilofsecrecy.“She’salwaysbeenlikethis,”saidMavalhin,leaningforwardtoputhisempty

glassonthetable.“Atroublemaker,too.Didyouknowthatshehackedintothe

glassonthetable.“Atroublemaker,too.DidyouknowthatshehackedintotheCollegeHead’sprivatedatacoretoreprogramhissecretaryAI?Foraweek,itwouldspeakonlyinanobscureMbatandialectMorganhadunearthedinanarchive.BecauseonlyadozenorsopeopleontheothersideoftheCommonwealthcouldspeakthatlanguage,itwasawholedaybeforetheHeadcouldgetanysenseoutofit.ItbroughttheAcademytoahalt—andallsoshecouldmissaTacticsexamshehadn’tpreparedfor.”“Hey,that’salie!”Rocheprotestedwithmockindignation.“Youweretheone

withtheexam!Ididitsoyoucouldgetoutoftakingit.”“Ahyes,that’sright,”hesaid.“Youwould’vedoneanythingformebackin

thosedays,wouldn’tyou?”Rocheconcededawrysmileandshookherhead.“I’dforgottenwhatyoucan

belike,Myer,”shesaid.Oddlyenough,sheenjoyedthebanteralmostasmuchasitannoyedher—whichwasafairsummaryofherfeelingsforhim,nowandthen.“Butyouwon’tcatchmeoffguardagain,thatIpromiseyou.”“Thatsoundslikeachallenge.”“Youcantakeitanywayyoulike.”“Accepted,then.Whereshallwestart?”Somehowhedrewherintoaone-on-oneconversation,againstherbetter

instincts.WhileHaidandDisistolistened,occasionallytalkingtoeachotherorinterjectingwithobservations,sheandMavalhinsparredassmoothlyastheyhadyearsbefore.Itamazedherhoweasilytheoldwaysreturned:shehadnevermetanybodysincehimwhoknewjusthowtoantagonizeher.Thereversewasalsotrue.Despitethefactthattheyhadbothexperiencedmuchsincetheyhadlastmet,thementalprocessesthatdictatedtheflowofconversationremainedunchanged.“Look,I’msorrytohavetobreakthisup,”Disistoeventuallysaid,“butifyou

wanttomeetthescutter,weshouldstartheadingdowntothedockingbay.”Rochewassurprised.“Sosoon?”“Well,it’sabitofawalkthere,”saidDisisto.“Besideswhich,wehaveto

dropMyeroffsohecanfinishhisdebriefingdecon.”“Oh,comeon,Disisto!”saidMavalhin.ButDisistoandSynnettwerealreadystanding,thelattertuggingMavalhinto

hisfeet.Haidfinishedthecontentsofhisglassandstood;Rochedidlikewise.“Changedman,eh,Myer?”Rochescoffed.Thepilotignoredher.Onthewaypasttheduelingfield,Haidnudgedherwithoneangularelbow

andindicatedthehologramwithanod.Rochelooked,andhadaquickglimpse

andindicatedthehologramwithanod.Rochelooked,andhadaquickglimpseofarmored,roboticfigurestoilingwithferociousweaponsonanopenplayingfield.Nothinglookedoutofplace.<What?>ITHOUGHTIRECOGNIZEDTHEGAMEASWECAMEIN,hesent.IT’S

AREPEATOFTHEGRUDGEMATCHBETWEENALEMDARQUICKANDTHEPREVIOUSCHAMPION,VOID34.<So?>THEGAMEWASPUTONIDNETSEXDAYSAGO.BUTPALASIAN

SYSTEMWASENCLOSEDTWENTYDAYSAGO.THERE’SNOWAYTHEYCOULD’VERECEIVEDTHISGAMEFROMINHERE.Rochestoppedtolookatthegamewithrenewedinterest,butSynnetturged

themforwardirritably.<Areyousure?>POSITIVE.IWATCHEDITINTHEREHABUNITWHENMY

IMPLANTSWEREINSTALLED.Shethoughtitthroughcarefully,whilefollowingDisistoandMavalhinoutof

thebar.<Thatmeansthey’vehadatleastonecommunicationwithsomeoneoutside.Buthow?Ididn’tthinkanythingcouldcrosstheGauntlet.><Nothingbutaship,>saidtheBox.<Oradronedesignedtocarry

information><Amessagedrop?Fromwhom?>THAT’STHEPRIZE-WINNINGQUESTION,ISN’TIT?Shefrowned.<There’ssomethingreallyoddgoingonhere—andthesooner

wegetMaiiupandrunningagain,thebetter.Howlonguntilshe’shere,Box?><Thescutterhasbeenclearedtodockandismovingintoposition.Shouldbe

onlyafewminutesatmost.>Disisto,aheadofRoche,haltedattheentrancetoatransitcorridor.<Good.Weshouldn’tbefarbehind,>saidRoche.<Bytheway,Idon’t

supposeyou’verunasearchonShak’ni?HeseemsanoddchoiceforheadofsecurityofaPristine-runstation.><No,Morgan,Ihavenot.Theonlyhigh-levelsecurityfilesfromtheKesh

governmentsIhaveaccesstoarethosegatheredbyCOEIntelligenceandtheDatoEspionageCorps.ButIcantryifyou’dlikemeto.><Doit.Youneverknowwhatyoumightfind.>Shewaitedforconfirmation

fromtheAI.Technicallyitwasn’trequiredtorespondtoeveryordershegaveit,butitusuallydid,ifonlytohavethelastword.Afteramomentofsilence,shesaid:<Box?>

Again,noresponse.Then:<Morgan?>TheBoxsoundedconcerned.<Ihearyou,Box><Thescutterhasdockedandanumbilicalisbeingattached.CaneandMaiiare

preparingtodisembark.Pleaserespond,Morgan.>Rochefeltaterribledreadradiatefromhergut.<Ameidio,we’rebeingjammed.It’satrap!>Haiddidn’trespondeither,buthisworriedeyesmethersjustasthetransitcab

dooropenedtorevealShak’niglaringdownatthem.AnotherKeshstoodtherealso,alongwiththreePristinesingraysecurityuniforms.Allwerearmed,andtheirweaponswerepointedatRoche.“Thereaveandtheclonewarriorhavedisembarked,”Shak’nisaidtoDisisto.

“Thischaradecanendnow.”

4

GalineFour‘955.01.20EN1575

Rochereachedautomaticallyforhersidearm,onlytoencounterthehandofSynnettstandingbehindher.Thesilentsecurityguardwrenchedtheweaponfromitsholsterbeforeshecouldeventouchit.Atthesametime,theothersecurityguardspointedtheirweaponsatHaid.TheKeshstandingbehindhimdisarmedhimbeforehecouldresist.“What’sthemeaningofthis?”Rochesaid,tryinghardtokeephervoicelevel.

SheaimedherwordsatDisisto,buthewouldn’tlookather.FieldOfficerShak’nisteppedintotheringofsecurityguardsfacingthem.“MorganRocheandAmeidioHaid,”hesaidwithbarelyconcealed

satisfaction,“youarejointlychargedwithviolatingrestrictedspaceincontraventionofquarantinelaws.Youarealsochargedwithconspiringtocompromisethesafetyoftheregion,includingtheN’KorRepublic.Thischargeispunishablebydeath,andanyattempttoresistarrestwillbeseenasanadmissionofguiltandwillresultinyourimmediateexecution.”“Youcan’tbeserious,”Rochemanaged.Hestoopedtothrusthisfaceintohers.“Weare,Commander,”hesaid,thered

markingsunderhiseyesinflamedwithrepressedanger.“Bythetimewearriveatthedockingbay,thecreatureyoucallAdoniCanewillbefirmlyunderourcontrol.Wewillnotmakethesamemistakeasthosewhohavealreadydiedinthissystem—themistakeofunderestimatinghiscapabilities,orhisdestructivepotential.”Clonewarrior,Shak’nihadsaid.Shegroanedinwardly.Theyhadknownall

alongwhoCanewas.“Thisiscrazy,”saidHaid.“Weshouldbeworkingtogether,not—”“Quiet,cyborg!”Shak’niroundedonhim.“Pristinesarebadenough.Their

punyattemptstoimprovethemselvesonlyfillmewithdisgust.”

punyattemptstoimprovethemselvesonlyfillmewithdisgust.”Haid’sbiomeshrippled,andoneskeletalhandlashedouttostriketheKesh.

Beforetheblowcouldfall,however,theguardbehindhimrammedthebuttofagunintohisback.Haid’shandwithdrew,buthekepthiseyeslockedonShak’ni’s.Mavalhinedgedclosertothedoor,visiblydistressedattheturnofevents.<Morgan?>calledtheBox.<Morgan,I’vemanagedtoraiseaweaksignal

fromyourimplants.Iknownowthatyouarestillaliveandcanprobablyhearme.Don’tdoanythingrash.Iwillassistyouinafewmoments.><Box!>Sheraisedtheoutputofherbuilt-intransmittertoitsmaximumlevel.

<What’shappeningtoCaneandMaii?Tellme!>Shak’nifacedRochewithaslightsneercreasingonecornerofhismouth.

“Thereisnousecallingforhelp,Commander.WearesafefromyourmeddlingAIinhere.”“Idon’tunderstand.”FrustrationandthesmelloftheKeshmadehervoice

shrill.“Howdoyouknowallthis?”“Thatisnotyourconcern.Itsufficesthatweknowhowyouattemptedto

deceiveus.”“Don’tbeahypocrite,Shak’ni,”Rochesnapped.“Whatyou’vedoneisno

different—”“Whatwedid,wedidintheinterestofsecurity.Wegaveyouenough

opportunitiestorevealthetruth,andyourfailuretodosodemonstratedthemaliciousnessofyourintentions.”Shak’ni’sfeaturestightenedintoamask.“WereyouluckyenoughtohavebeenbornaKesh,youwouldbedeadalready.”FromthecornerRochecouldmakeoutMavalhinstaringather.Evenwithout

returninghisstareshecouldtellthathewasnervous.Andunderstandablyso;hewasjustaninnocentbystandercaughtupinwhatcouldeasilybecomeamajordiplomaticincident.Infact,shesympathized.Then:<Morgan,>saidtheBox.<Istillcannotreceivedetailedinformationfrom

yourimplants,butIcandownloadtothem.IhavepreparedanindirectlinkwhichwillbringusintocontactviaGalineFour’sexternalsecurityshell—towhichIstillhavecompleteaccess.Allyouhavetodoislocateadata-inputpoint,andIwillbeabletolocateyou.>Easiersaidthandone,Rochethought.Shelookedaround,tryingtofinda

palm-link.Theonlyvisibleonelayonthefarsideofthecab,adjacenttothepadusedtokeydestinationsmanually.Itwasonlytwometersfromher,butDisistostoodintheway.Thecabshudderedbeneathherfeetasitnearedtheoutershellofthestation.

Thecabshudderedbeneathherfeetasitnearedtheoutershellofthestation.Athoughtstruckher.Therewasanotherlinkinthecab;allshehadtodowas

gainaccesstoit...Haidswayedasthecabcrossedanotherboundarymismatch.Shereachedout

tosteadyhim,ignoringthejabtheguardbehindherdeliveredtohershoulderblades.“Hisbalanceispoor,”shesaid,grippingHaid’sshouldertightly.“It’strue,”Disistosaidevenly.“Letherbe.”Theguardbehindherrelaxedslightly,andRochedugherfingersintoHaid’s

biomesh,pullinghimminutelytowardher.Theireyesmet.Althoughitwasimpossiblethroughhisartificiallenses,shethoughtshesawalookofunderstandingpassthroughthem.Thecabreachedthepointatwhichhehadstumbledthefirsttimetheyhad

madethisjourney,earlier.Itshudderedrightoncue.Haid’slegsgavewaybeneathhim,sendinghimlurchingintoRoche.His

shoulderalongwiththeweightofhisbiomodsactedasabatteringram,forcingherawayfromhimandacrossthecab.Shegrunted,reachedouttobreakherfall,andsprawleduntidilyatDisisto’sfeet.Shak’nihissedimpatiently.“Sorry,”saidHaidashetriedtoregainhisfooting.Rochekeptherlegs

carefullyoutofthewayashedidso;theguardsalsoavoidedhisartificiallimbs,waryofapotentialtrap.Hemadeitontohishandsandknees,andmadeagreateffortofalmoststandingupbeforeslippingbackdownontooneknee.Whiletheguardswerebusywatchinghim,RochereachedouttoDisistowith

herlefthand.Hereachedoutwithhis,tohelpherupright.Themomenttheirpalm-linksmet,shetriggeredherimplantsandspokeas

quicklyasshecould:<Box?Box!We’reinatransitcabheadingtothemaindockingbay,andI

can’tholdthislinklong.Youhavetodosomething!TryandprovideadistractionsoHaidandI—><Ihaveyounow,Morgan.Thecabwillarriveintwentyseconds.Beready.>ThelinkbrokeasDisistoletgoofherhand.Sheblinked,realizedthatshewas

onherfeetagain.“Thanks,”shesaid.“Iwasalittledizzythereforamoment.”Lookingdownathishand,hefrownedandshookhishead.“SowasI,”he

said.“Theweirdestthing...”Haidwasalsoonhisfeet.Shemadenomovetostandnexttohim;being

togetherwouldonlymakeitharderforoneofthemtobreakfree.Themotionof

togetherwouldonlymakeitharderforoneofthemtobreakfree.Themotionofthecabbeneathherfeethadsloweddramatically;itwasalreadydifficulttotellwhetheritwasmovingornot.Beready,theBoxhadsaid.Butforwhat?Thedoorsopenedonanemptycorridor.Disistosteppedoutfirst,closely

followedbyMavalhin.Thepilotlookedaroundhim,andbackedquicklyoutoftheway.TheguardbehindRochenudgedherintheback.Shesteppedthroughthe

doorswithherescortclosebehind.HaidandSynnettcamenext.Forabriefmoment,Rochethought,thenumberswerealmostmanageable.If

theyweregoingtobreakfree,theirchanceswerenevergoingtobebetter.Shetensed.<Comeon,Box!>Then,asShak’ni,theremainingguard,andtheKeshmovedtoexitthecab,the

floorlurchedandasuddengustofwindsweptpastthem.“We’vebeenholed!”Disistoshoutedoverthesuddenwailofalarms.“The

area’sbeingsealedoff!”Rochefroze,herspaceinstinctstakingover.Behindher,thedoorstothecabslidshut,cuttingoffShak’ni’sshoutof

protest.Beforeanyonecouldevencontemplateoverridingtheseal,Rochespunonone

legandknockedasidethepistoloftheguardbehindher.Asecondkickknockedthewindoutofhimandsenthimbackintothedoorsofthecab.Besideher,HaidhadSynnettinawristlock,thenarrowfingersandstrengthof

hisnewarmprovokingahissofpain.Thesecurityofficer’sweapondischargedasingleboltofenergythatearthedharmlesslyintothewall.OneblowwithHaid’sfreehandmadeSynnettdropthepistol,andRochewastheretoscoopuptheweaponandpointitatDisisto.Twosidearmsfacedoneforasplit-second,untilDisistodroppedhistothe

floorandraisedhishands.“Thatwasfast,”hesaidoverthewailofthesiren.“Idon’tknowwhethertobe

impressedorannoyed.”“Idon’tcareeitherway,”saidRoche,approachinghimwhileHaidcovered

Mavalhinandtheoneconsciousguard.“Justgivemeyourhand.Yourleftone.”Hehelditouttoher,andshegrippedittightly.Makingcertainthegunwas

placedfirmlyunderhischin,sheactivatedherimplantsagain.<Okay,Box,whatthehellhaveyoudone?>Thereplywasinstantaneous:

<Firedthescutter’smainengineswhileitwasstillinthedock,breachingthehullofthestationatfourpoints.>

<Areyouinsane?>shegasped.<No.Merelyinahurry.><Butyoucould’vekilledusall!><Iwascarefultodirecttheafterwashintothemainfacilityitself,awayfrom

yourposition.><ButwhataboutMaiiandCane?><Imadesuretheywereatasafedistancefirst><Andthescutteritself?><Ithasbeenseverelydamaged.Theexplosiontriggeredachainreactionin

threeofitsfourfuelcells.><Howthehellarewegoingtogetoutofherenow?><Therewasnootheroption,Morgan.Ihadtosplityourparty,andthiswasthe

onlywayopentome.><Intheshortterm,yes.Inthelongrun,wemightaswellhavehanded

ourselvesover.>Rochethoughtquickly.<WhereareMaiiandCane?><Inanemergencymedicalcocoononthefarsideofthedock.Canewas

gassedandoverpoweredassoonasheleftthescutter.MaiiwasshotwithaXarodinedart.Thesurveillancedeviceswereneutralizedbymicrowaves.TherewasnothingIcoulddotopreventanyofit.Wehadnoreasontosuspectthatsuchanambushwasawaitingthem.>TheBoxsoundeddefensive,aswellitmight,Rochethought.Shefoughtthe

urgetocurseherdecisiontobringMaiitothestation;regretwasworsethanuseless.Thesirenwasgettingonhernerves.Thesoonertheywereontherunagain,

thebetter.Theywouldhavetomoveassoonasthepressuredoorsopenedaroundthem.<WecouldescapeinDaybreak,>shereasoned.<Canyouoverridethe

secondarydock?><Perhaps.Ihavenottriedthatavenueasyet.Also,thelinkwiththecourieris

sealedtome.Iamunawarehowbadlyithasbeendamaged.><We’realittleshortonalternatives,>Rochesnappedback.<ThenIrecommendyoubringDisistowithyou,>theBoxwenton.<His

palm-linkgivesusaccesstoadeeperlevelofsecuritythanbefore.>RochelookedatDisisto’sface,twistedinpainfromthegundiggingintohis

chin.Shehadn’trealizedshewaspressingsohard,butshedidnothingtorelievehim.<I’mnotleavingwithoutMaii,>shesaid.<Arescueattemptatthistimewouldbefoolish,>theBoxprotested.<Quite

<Arescueattemptatthistimewouldbefoolish,>theBoxprotested.<QuiteapartfromthefactthatbothCaneandMaiiareunconsciousandwouldneedtobecarried,theyarealsobeingcloselyguarded.Furthermore,Shak’nihasalertedsecuritythatyouhaveescapeddetention;youwouldberecapturedwellbefore—><Allright,>shesnarled,hatingherselfforseeingthesenseintheBox’s

words.<Weleavethembehind—fornow.Butassoonaswehaveawayofgettingthemback,wedoit.AndIdon’twantanyargumentsaboutthis,Box.><Therewillbenone,Morgan.WithDisisto’saccess,wemayyetunravelthe

securitynetofGalineFour.><Ihopeso,foryoursake.>Disistoflinchedasshepulledthegunoutfromunderhischin,“We’releaving,”shesaid,keepingtheirpalmstogether.“But—”“Don’targue.Justdoyourbesttokeepup.”SheturnedtoHaid.“Youcatch

allthat?”“Yes,”hesaid.“GivemeamomenttotidyupandI’llbeready.”Heusedhispistoltoknockthesecondguardunconscious,thenturnedtoface

Mavalhin.Thepilotbackedawaywithhandsraised.“Morgan!”hesaid“Please—”“Sorry,Myer,butwedon’thavetimeforthis.”“ButI—Iwanttocomewithyou!”Haidhesitated;Rochefrowned.“What?”“Well,you’llneedtogetoffthestation,right?”Mavalhin’swordscameout

fast.“Icanhelpyoudothat.”“Wealreadyhaveaship.DaybreakwasaCOEcourier;ifit’llfly,Icanuse

myoldoverridestoassumecommand.”“Oh,I’msureitwillfly,”hesaid.“Butyoudon’texpecttobeabletojustblast

outofthedocksinonepiece,doyou?Imean,howwillyoudisengage?”“He’sjustwastingtime,”mutteredHaid,raisinghispistol.“No,wait,”saidRoche,rememberingtheBox’suncertaintyandthefactthatit

stilldidnothavehigh-levelaccesstothestation’ssystems.“Whatareyousuggesting,Myer?”“ThatIusemycodestogetyouaway.”“Inexchangefor...?”“Passage,that’sall.Achancetogetoutofhere.”“Why?”“It’stimetomoveon,timeforachange,and...”Hehesitatedslightly.“And

otherreasons.”

otherreasons.”Besideher,DisistospatontheflooratMavalhin’sfeet.Thepilotflushedred,

butdidnotrespond.“Don’ttrusthim,”Haidsaid.“Buthedoeshaveapoint,”shereplied.“Wemightneedthosecodes.”“Wedon’tknowwhetherhiscodeswillevenwork!”saidHaid.“Oncethey

knowhe’swithus,theycouldjustchangethem.”Shethoughtamomentlonger,thenfinallydismissedHaid’sobjectionswith:

“Okay,Myer,takeustoDaybreak.Butdon’tpushyourluck.”Mavalhingrinned.“Thanks,Morgan.Ioweyouoneforthis.”“Justgetmoving.”Haidindicatedthecorridoraheadwiththepistol,andMavalhinheadedalong

it,checkingoncetomakesuretheywerefollowing.“You’recrazyifyouthinkyoucangetawaywiththis,”DisistosaidtoRoche.

“You’llhardlyleavethedockbeforesomeonefiresonyou.”“Tellmesomething,”shesaid.“Areyourimplantsprogrammedtomonitor

yourwell-being?”“No.”“ThenbearinmindthatIdon’tneedyoualive,”shetoldhim.“Nowshutup

whileIconcentrate.”Hislipswhitened.Shefeltsweattricklefromherlefthand,andwishedshe

couldletgoofhim,ifonlyforamoment.Withinsecondstheyreachedasealedblast-door.Itslidopenasthey

approached,beforeshecouldwonderhowtheyweregoingtogetthroughit,andclosedbehindthem.<Iaminthesystemthatfar,>saidtheBox.<Icanensurethatthewayaheadis

clear,andthatnoonewillsneakuponyoufrombehind.Thesecondarydockitselfisoccupied,however,andyouwillhavetodealwiththatinordertogainaccesstotheship.><Givemeaviewofthedock.>Instantly,anoverheadperspectiveappearedin

herlefteye,revealingtwotechniciansandthreesecurityguardsstandinginaspaciouscontrolroom.<What’sthatinthebackground?>sheaskedtheBox.<Theairlock?><Daybreakisconnectedbyanumbilicaltothedock.Thereisonlyroomfor

onevesselatatime,andtherearefacilitiesforjustoneconnection.Theairlockleadsdirectlytotheumbilical.><Isitopen?><No.Itislocked.>

<No.Itislocked.><Openit,ifyoucan.Doyouhavetherightcodes?><Disistohasapriorityaccesscode,buttouseitnowwouldonlyforewarn

themthatyouarecoming.>Rochenodded.<Howaboutcommunicationsbetweenthedockandtherestof

GalineFour?Canyouinterruptthem?><Yes,althoughtheyalreadyknowthatyouareatlibertyaboardthestation.><Thenwe’llhavetoplayitcarefully.>Shepausedasanotherpressuredoor

slidaside.ThemaptheBoxhadgivenherindicatedtwomoredoorsbetweenthemandthesecondarydock.<IfShak’niguesseswherewe’reheadedandmanagestogetasquadinbeforeus,we’llbecutoff.><Thatwon’thappen.Iwillself-destructwhatremainsofthescutterandcreate

anotherhullbreachifnecessary.Decompressiontakesprecedenceoversecurityproblems;notevenShak’nicanchangethat.><Atleastthey’vegottheirprioritiesinorder.>Rochesmiledgrimly,and

thoughtaboutMaiiandCane,captivesofRufo.<IonlywishIcouldsaythesameaboutus...>

*

Thesecondarydocklayfivemeterspastthefinalpressuredoor.Astheypassedthroughit,RochetightenedhergriponDisisto’shand.“Yousomuchasraiseaneyebrowwithoutmysay-so,”shesaid,“andIwill

shootyou.Okay?”Disistogrimacedslightly.“Ineverdoubtedforamomentthatyouwould,

Commander.”“Good.”ShewavedMavalhinandHaidaheadofher.“Weneedtowhittle

theirnumbersdown.Myer,Iwantyoutogofirstandtellthemyou’vecometogethelpfromthemaindock.TheBoxwillkillcommunications,sotheywon’tbeabletocheck.Tellthemafire’sresponsible.Reinforcementshavebeencutoff,andallhandsareneededtohelpputitout.”“Andiftheydon’tbelieveme?”“Theycan’taffordnotto.Afireinthemaindockwillspreadquickly,

regardlessofpressuredoors.”HenoddedatHaid.“Wherewillhebe?”Shepointedatacornerpasttheentrancetothedock.“ButI’llbewatching,

Myer,sodon’teventhinkoftryinganything.”Hegrinneduneasily.“Astrustingasever,Isee.”

Hegrinneduneasily.“Astrustingasever,Isee.”RochepulledDisistoaroundthecorner,withHaidnotfarbehind<Okay,Box.

Killcommunications,andgetreadytoopenthatairlock.><Atyourcommand.>Fromheroverheadperspectiveofthedock,RochewatchedasMavalhin

hurriedintothecontrolroom.Shecouldn’thearmuchofwhatwasbeingsaid,butMavalhin’sanimatedbehavioralongwiththeresponsivebodylanguagefromtheguardsthemselvesgaveheranideaofwhatwashappening.Twoofthefivepersonnelseemedskeptical,buttheothersappearedtoaccepthisstory.Afterafewmomentstwoofthesecurityguards,alongwithoneofthetechnicians,followedMavalhinoutoftheroom,movingupthehallwaytowardtheopenpressuredoor.TheguardsandtechniciansteppedthroughthedoorasecondbeforeMavalhin,butinsteadoffollowing,hejumpedback.Thedoorslidshut,cuttingthemoff.Rochetuggedherprisoneroutofhiding.“Okay.Wegoin.Haid,youfirst,

thenMyer.I’llberightbehindyou.”TheremainingsecurityguardlookedupassoonasHaidranintotheroom,

andinamomenthispistolwasupandfiring.Haidrolledbehindadesk,outofharm’sway,butMavalhincaughtaboltintheshoulderthatsenthimflying,screaminginpain.Rocheroundedthedooratthesameinstant,draggingDisistowithher.Her

openingfirecaughttheguardinthechest.Hecollapsedbackintoachair,hisgunstillfiring.Theweapondischargednoisilyintotheceilingsixmoretimesbeforehistriggerfingerfellslack.Thelonetechnicianbackedawaywithhishandsraisedandalookofterroron

hisface.Haidappearedfrombehindthedesk.“Thanks,Morgan.Guessmyreflexesare

stillalittlerusty.”“Don’tmentionit,”shemuttered,keepinganeyeonthetechnicianand

Disisto,whileatthesametimetryingtodetermineexactlyhowseriouslyMavalhinhadbeenhurt.<Box,opentheairlock.>Thedoorslidopenwithahiss,revealingastandardumbilicalcorridoronthe

farside.<Canyousealtheentranceinhere?>sheasked.<Icandomybest.><Let’shopeit’senough.>Shewavedherpistolatthetechnician,gesturingfor

himtoliefacedownonthefloor.“Haid,knockhimout.”

himtoliefacedownonthefloor.“Haid,knockhimout.”NextRochecheckedonMavalhin.Thepilothadbeenshotintheleftshoulder.

Bloodleakedfrombetweenhisfingerswhereheclutchedthewound.Sheforcedhimtoletgo,andpulledthecharrededgesoftheholeinhisuniformaside.Thewoundwasdeepbutcauterizedenoughtokeepbloodlosstoaminimum,

otherwisehewouldalreadybeslippingintoshock.Hiseyes,whentheymethers,werefullofpanic.“Gladyoucamewithus,huh?”Hersmilewasintendedtoallayhisobvious

fear.Despitehispain,hemanagedahalf-smileinreturn.Rochestood,wipingherhandsonherblackuniform.“WhenHaid’sready,we’llboardDaybreakandbeonourway.Oncewe’reoutofhere,we’llseewhatmedicalfacilitieswehaveandpatchyouup,okay?”Henoddedandstruggledtohisfeet.DisistofollowedobedientlyasRoche

guidedthepilottotheumbilical.“I’mdone,”saidHaid,steppingoverthetechnician.“Right.Throughhere.”SheproddedDisistotogoaheadofher.<Box,once

we’rein,sealtheairlock.><Yes,Morgan.>Theumbilicalwasonlyhalfaslongastheonesatthemaindock.Atthefar

end,thecourier’sairlockwassealedshut.RocheletgoofDisistoforamoment,andplacedherpalm-linkagainstit,hopingthatsherememberedtheemergencyCOEcodeswellenoughtofooltheonboardAI.Afteramomentofrapiddialogue,theairlockhissedandslidopen.Taking

holdofDisistoagain,sheenteredthecouriervessel.Daybreakwaslittledifferentfromthemanysmallcruisersshehadflownin

heryearswithCOEIntelligence.Ithadroomforacrewofeightandforty-twopassengers,plusasmallcargoholdattherear.Thebridge—crampedtoRocheafterhertimeontheAnaVereine—wasattheroundednoseofthecraftandheldcrash-seatsforfive.Theinteriorwasdimlylitandpurelyfunctional.Astandbyscreenglowedatthepilot’sstation,butotherwisethecontrolsweredead.HaidhelpedMavalhinintoanemptycouchandstrappedthebracetight,

ignoringthewinceofpainitprovoked.RocheputDisistointothecopilot’spositionandlashedhishandtothepalm-link.Sittingnexttohim,sheopenedherownlinktothevessel’scommandsystems,andtherebybacktotheBox.ThecraftacceptedherCOEoverrideswithoutcomplaint.<WasMyertellingthetruth?>sheasked.<Willitfly?><Allsystemsaregreen—exceptfortheslow-jumpdrive,whichisdead,and

weaponssystems,whicharenonexistent.Iaminitiatingastart-upsequencewhichwillhavetheshipflight-readyinsixminutes.>

whichwillhavetheshipflight-readyinsixminutes.>Themainscreenshowedaforwardviewofthedock,pastthedrydockanda

sectionoftheoutershell.Lightsbegantoflickerontheconsoles.Rochetriedtofollowthem,buttheBoxworkedtoorapidly.Withinsecondsthereactorbegansupplyingpowertothemainthrusters,

preparingthemforrapidburn,andasitdid,Rochewastouchedbyasenseofdéjàvu.ThesituationremindedherofthetimesheandCanehadescapedfromthe

MidnightwithMaiiandVedencaptive.Then,asnow,theBoxhadbeenincontrolofthecraft—andmuchmorebesides,ithadturnedout.<Thistime,>shewarnedtheAI,<don’tblowanythingup>TheBoxdidnotrespondimmediately.<Box?><I’msorry,Morgan,>itfinallysaid.<TheAnaVereineisreceivingfirefrom

cannononGalineFour.Wearecamouflaged,butarehamperedbythenecessitytoremainnearbyinordertoassistyourlaunch.><Youcan’tdestroythecannon?><Iamattemptingtodosoaswespeak.However,therearemanyofthem,and

IamhesitanttodamagethestationtoomuchwhileCaneandMaiiarewithin.>Shecheckedthecountdownonthemaindisplay.Onlyaminutehadpassed.<Howlongcanyouholdofftheattack?><Longenough.Butyouwillneedtolaunchwithhaste.><Understood.>Sheturnedinherseat.“Myer,whatarethosecodes?Myer?”Thepilotstirred.“What—?”“Thecodes!Whatarethey?”“Oh...16433051:ColdSleep.”Sheturnedbacktothemainconsoleandfed

thesequenceintothemainAI.Itacceptedthecodewithoutprotest,andrelayedthecommandtothesecondarydock.Twentysecondslater,theumbilicaldisengagedandretractedintoitshousing.<Okay,Box.We’reclearatthisend.Assoonasthedrivesareable,wecan

leave.>Shebeganpreparingthenavigationsystemsfordeparture,plottingaroutefromthemaindocktoapotentialrendezvouswiththeAnaVereine.<Thereisoneotherthing,>theBoxsaid.Shedidn’tstopworking.<I’mlistening.><Iampickingupabroad-banddistresssignalfromthexenoarchaeological

baseonMok.>Shestopped.<Thedouble-jovian?><Yes.><Whatdoesitsay?>

<Whatdoesitsay?><Themessageisverybrief,repeatedeveryfifteenseconds.Itstatesonlythat

assistanceisurgentlyrequired.><DoesitcarryanIDtag?><Agenericciviliancodecommonlyusedbyindependentminingcollectives.>Outriggers.Rocheabsorbedthedetailwithinterest.Rufohadsuggestedthat

theymightbeactiveinthevicinityofthedouble-jovian.<Idon’thavetimetodealwiththisnow,Box,butwe’llneedtocheckitoutas

soonaspossible.Ifthereareothersurvivorshere,they’reboundtobemorehelpthanRufo.><Agreed.>Thetimershowedtwominutesremainingbeforelaunch.“Thiscouldberough,”shesaid,directingherwordsatHaidbutintending

themforDisistoandMavalhinaswell.Gettingoutofthedockwasonlyhalftheproblem;ifGalineFourwasfiringontheAnaVereine,itwouldprobablytrythesameonDaybreak—andthecourierhadneithershieldsnorweaponry.Analarmbegantopingonthemainconsole.Sheglancedatit,andrealized

thatsomeonewastryingtohailthem.<Docksecurityisawareofyourpresentlocation,>saidtheBox.<Inevitable,Iguess,>shesaid.<There’snothingtheycando,though,isthere?

><Thesecondarydockisstillsealed,andtheirmovementsarerestrictedby

pressuredoorsto—>“Morgan.”Haid’ssoftvoicecarriedwithitawarningthatmadeherlookup

immediately.Hewaspointingatthemainscreen.Twofiguresinpressuresuitswereclimbingontothelipofthedrydock,

carryingaswivel-mountedenergyweaponbetweenthem.“Damn!”Rocheglancedattheclockagain.Oneminute.Ifthesecurity

officersmanagedtoplacetheweaponintime,theywouldhaveaclearshotatDaybreakasitpassedoverhead.“Maybewecouldgaintimebyansweringthehail?”suggestedHaid.Rocheshookherhead,continuingtoreadytheshipforlaunch.“Thatwon’t

stopthem.”Shenoddedtowardthetwofigures.“AndIsureashelldon’tneedthedistractionrightnow.”Thethrumofthethrustersgrewlouder.Normallyshewouldhaveused

attitudejetstomovetheshipawayfromthewallofthedock,givingitalessclutteredpathandminimizingdamageinitswake—butthiswouldforewarntheguardsoftheship’simminentdeparture.Neitherdidshecarehowmuchdamagesheleftbehind.

sheleftbehind.Thecountdownclickedtosinglefiguresjustasthegunwasmounted.Rochenudgedtheshipforward,ignoringtheroughtrajectoryshehadplotted

andflyingpurelyonmanual.Attitudejetsturneditslightlytopresentassmallacross-sectiontothegunaspossible.Behindit,theguardsmovedintoposition.Whenthecounterreachedzero,shedirectedDaybreakasfastasitwouldgo

straightfortheimpromptugunemplacement.Accelerationpushedherbackintotheseat,hard.Besideher,Disistobraced

himselfagainstthearmsofthecrash-couch.Mavalhinmoanedatthepressureonhisinjuredshoulder.Lightflashedinthemainscreen,andtwomuffledcrackspiercedtheroarof

thethrusters.Forthebriefestofmomentsthegunloomedlargeinthemainscreenastheshipracedtowardit,thenRochewrenchedtheshiptoherleft,awayfromthewall.Behindthem,theenergy-washfromDaybreak’sthrustersleftathickblackscaronthedrydock.Nothingremainedofthetwoguards.<Thestationhaslaunchedinterceptorsfromemergencyegressbays,>theBox

said.<Singleships?>Rocheasked,althoughshealreadyguessedtheanswer.The

interceptorscouldn’tbelargetohavecomefromescape-launchers.<Yes.><Howmany?><Fifteen.>Daybreakclearedthelipoftheoutershell,andsuddenlyallaheadwasblack:

nostars,nonavigationalcluesatallapartfromthedistantreddishsun.RochesweptthecourierinatightarcawayfromwheretheBox’stelemetrydataindicatedtheAnaVereinewaspositioned;predictabilityinbattlewasatrapshehadlearnedtoavoid.Twospecksoflightvisibleoverthepiecemealcurveofthestationinstantly

movedtowardDaybreak.Moreconvergedfromthefarside.Rochecursedsilentlytoherselfasshecountedtheincomingships.Halftheir

numberalonewouldhavebeenaproblem.Thetiny,dartlikecrafthadnoneofthebruteforceoftheAnaVereine—were,infact,lesspowerfuleventhanDaybreak—buttheywerefarmoremaneuverable.Armed,theycouldplayasignificantpartinanybattle.Inamatterofmoments,thesingleshipsreachedfiringrange,andbeganto

pepperthespacearoundthecourierwithenergy.Theshotsthatstruckhomejoltedtheship,provokingmoreprotestsfromMavalhin.Rochewatchedthedamageboardcloselyassheflew,butsofarnothingcrucialhadbeenhit.

damageboardcloselyassheflew,butsofarnothingcrucialhadbeenhit.<Can’tyoudestroythem?>sheaskedtheBox.<Iwill,onceIaminposition.>Theshiplurchedascannonfirestruckitfromtherear.Rochegruntedandsent

itanglingawayfromitspreviouscourse,spiralingerraticallytoreducethechancesofbeinghitagain.Luckilythedamagewasminor:asensorortwo,asmallpercentageofhullintegrity;nothinglife-threatening.Butthecannonfirewasintense.Itwasonlyamatteroftimebeforeshe

miscalculated—orthetargetersbehindthecannonhadastrokeofluck—andthecourierwasseriouslydamaged.Ifthathappened,theywouldbedead.RochehadnotimetoconsiderattemptingtodockwiththeAnaVereine,or

evendeterminingitslocation.Shejustkeptherattentionfocusedbehindthem,onthebobbingsingleshipsandflashingcannonemplacements.Behindtheflashesoflightnarrowlymissingthecourier,GalineFourloomedlikeamalignant,worm-eatenmoon,muchtoocloseforcomfortandrecedingonlyslowly.Thensomethingdarkblottedthestationfromview.Theblackshapeangled

betweenDaybreakandthesingleshipsharassingit,effectivelyactingasashieldagainstthecannonfire.Fromwithintheblacknesscameabarrageofretaliatoryfire,destroyingfirstonesingleshipthatattemptedtopassit,thenanother.Notwastingtheopportunity,Rochespurredthecourieronward,puttingall

availableenergyintoincreasingtheirvelocityawayfromthestation.<Perfecttiming,Box!><Savesomeofthecreditforme,Morgan.>Rochesmiledatthesoundof

Kajic’svoiceinherhead.<It’sateameffort,youknow.>TheAnaVereine,camouflagedblack,thrustitselfintocloseengagementwith

GalineFour.Althoughconsiderablyoutsized,ithadbeendesignedasaweaponofwar,andlookedit.Itsangularoutlinewasvisiblethroughthecamouflagelikeamany-leggedshadowblottingoutthestation’sgray.Thesheerpowerofitsweaponryoutshonethatofthedim,redsun,castingthesceneinavarietyofshort-livedcolors,eachblindinglybright.<Wewillcoveryouaslongaswecan,Morgan,>saidtheBox.<Isuggestyou

maximizethedistancebetweenyourselfandGalineFourwhiletheopportunityexists.><Alreadydoingso,>shereplied.<Whataboutyou?><Whenyouareasufficientdistanceaway,wewilldisengage.Wecanoutrun

anyvesselattheirdisposal,andwillusethecamouflagetoitsmaximumadvantage.><Areyoutakingmuchdamage,Uri?>

<Areyoutakingmuchdamage,Uri?><Mediumtolight,>Kajicreplied.<Wecanlastafewminuteslongerbeforeit

becomesaproblem.><Areyousure?Idon’twantyoutodoanythingtoodangerous.><Iwon’t,Iassureyou.Remember,I’mtheonegettinghurthere.IfIwas

goingtoriskseriousdamage,itwouldhavetobeforsomethingabitmorenoblethanjustlettingyouescape.><Isuggestyoucontinuealongyourcurrenttrajectory,>saidtheBox.<We

willholdhereaslongaspossible,thenfleeinanotherdirection.Ihavealreadysentdronestodisruptyourafterwash.Thatway,theywillbeunabletofollowyou—assuming,ofcourse,theydonotdetectyourdriveemissionsdirectly.><I’llfeatherthewashassoonasyouleave,>shesaid.<That’llreducethe

chancesofthemspottingus.Butwhataboutcommunications?Evenontightbeam,there’sachancethey’lloverhear.><Agoodpoint,Morgan.Isuggestwemaintainradiosilenceforthreehours,

justtobecertain.><Agreed.Unlessthere’sanemergency,I’llspeaktoyouthen.>Shetookone

lastlookattheAnaVereine.<Takecareofyourselves.><Wewill,Morgan.>Kajic’svoicesoundedalivewiththethrillofbattle.

<Speaktoyouinthreehours.>Thelinewentdead,andRochereturnedherattentiontoslippingawayfrom

thestation.

*

OnlyafterGalineFourbecomebarelyabliponthecourier’srearscannerscreendidRochefinallyfeelsafeenoughtoletDaybreakflyitself.ProgrammingittofollowacoursethroughtherelativecoverofAutoville—where,thisfaroutinthesystem,asolidbodyeverymillionkilometersconstitutedacrowdedenvironment—sheunlockedherharnessandsteppedoutofthecrash-couch.ShestoppedbesideDisisto.“I’mlockingtheshiptomyimplants,”shetold

him.“YousomuchastouchthosecontrolsandI’llknowaboutit.Understand?”Thesecurityofficernoddedslowly.“Givenmysituation,I’mhardlygoingto

takeanyrisks.”SheheldhisstareforafewsecondsbeforemovingofftocheckonMavalhin.

Thepilotwasunconsciousinhisseat,bloodspreadingacrosshisuniformfromthewoundinhisshoulder.Whensheunlockedhisharness,herfingerscameawaysticky.

awaysticky.“He’sinabadway,”saidHaid,leaningfromtheothersideofthecouchto

helpherlifthimoutofit.“Ifthere’sanautosurgeonaboard,wemightbeabletohelphim.”Shegritted

herteethastheyswunghimupright.Hewasheavierthanhelooked.“Thecorridorwepassedonthewayin—thesurgeryshouldbealongthere.”Togethertheymanhandledhimtothecourier’ssmallmedicalfacility.There,

theylaidhimonaplasticstretcherandpositionedtheautosurgeonoverhim.ThemachinecametolifewithaslighthummingsoundasitbegantotakeX-raysandultrasoundimagesofthewound.Rochetookastepback,turningherattentionfromMavalhintoHaid.She

noticedherfriend’sdistractionashequietlysurveyedtheroom.“What’sup?”“Huh?”Hisgazecamebacktoher.“Oh,”hesaid,“Iwasjustthinking.It’s

kindofweirdtorealizethattheclonewarriorwasactuallyhere,inthisship,onlyafewdaysago.”“Iknowwhatyoumean.”ShenoddedatthestretcherwhereMavalhinlay.

“Thismighthavebeentheveryplacetheyrevivedhimwhentheyremovedhimfromthelife-supportcapsule.”“Doyouthinkhe’sleftthesystem?”“Idon’tknowwhattothink.”Shefoldedherarmsandleanedagainstawaste-

disposalunit.“Ijustdon’tknowhowfarwecantrusttheinformationRufogaveus.”“Well,mostofitmadesense,”saidHaid.“Atleast,itfitwhatwe’vealready

learned.”“Mostofit,yes.ButIcan’tshakethefeelingthatheleftthemostimportant

bitsout.”Thehummingfromtheautosurgeonfadedasitfinisheditsexamination.

Rochereadthediagnosisfromthesmallscreen:Mavalhinhadashatteredcollarboneandpuncturedleftlung,andhadlostadangerousamountofblood.Therecommendationwasforsurgerytocorrectthegrossinjuries,andaweek’srecuperationtoreachfullhealthandmobility.Rocheinstructedittobegintheoperation,andimmediatelysurgicallasers

flashed,cuttingawaytheremainsofthepilot’sbloodstainedandburntuniform.Shetoldtheautosurgeontonotifyherwhentheprocedurewasfinished;then,withapatonthebackandagesturetowardthedoor,sheusheredHaidoutoftheroom.“Rufodidn’tmentionthatGalineFourhadmovedshortlybeforewe

“Rufodidn’tmentionthatGalineFourhadmovedshortlybeforewerendezvousedwithit,”shesaidastheyheadedbacktothebridge.“Healsodidn’tmentionthathe’dhadcontactwithsomeoneoutsidePalasianSystemwithinthelastweek.Andhedefinitelygaveusnoreasontosuspectthatheknewwhowewere,orthatheknewabouttheSolApotheosisMovement.”“Weshould’veguessedthelastbitsooner,”Haidsaid.“Hedidsayhewasan

expertonhistory.HecouldhardlyhavemissedtheWunderkind.”“Iknow.”Shefeltbadaboutthat,buttherewasnothingshecoulddoto

changethepast.“Hewasalsoreticentinotherareas,likethetransmissionswepickedupcominghere.IfMyerwasnearJagabiswhentheSolcodewassent,you’dthinkhewouldhavetraceditssource.”“Maybehedid.”Haidshrugged.“Maybethat’swhyhewasheadingoutof

therewhenweranintohim.”“Well,we’llfindoutwhenhe’sawake,Iguess.”Haidpausedbeforespeaking,hisartificialeyesandmidnight-blackfeatures

unreadable.“Istilldon’ttrusthim,Morgan,”heeventuallysaid.“NeitherdoI,buthedidhelpusbackthere.”“Hehelpedhimself.”“Perhaps.Butitamountedtothesamething.”“Thistime.”Backonthebridge,Disistosatinresignedsilence.“Howishe?”heasked,lookingup.Rocheleanedagainstthemainconsoletofacehim.“Youalmostsoundlike

youcare.”Disistolookedoffended.“Becausewe’reonoppositesides,Ican’tbe

concerned?Youhaveamonopolyontheseemotions,Commander?”“Notatall,”shesaid.“Justwouldn’thavethoughtitwasarequiredtraitfor

someoneworkingunderShak’ni,that’sall.Imean,hedoesn’tstrikemeassomeonewhocaresaboutothersterriblymuch.”Disisto’sfaceclouded.“Weagreethere,atleast.”“Whatdoesthatmean?”Disistosaidnothing,butdidn’tlookawayfromher.“Listen,”shesaid,“Idon’tknowwhatyouthinkweare,orwhatyouthink

we’vedone,orevenwhatyouthinkwewilldo,butIcanassureyouthatyou’rewrongaboutus.I’mnotyourenemy,andIdon’tregardyouasmine.It’stheclonewarriorweshouldbeworryingabout,noteachother.Ifhe’sstilloutthere,noneofusaresafe,andfightingeachotherwillonlymakethesituationworse.”“Orperhapshethinkswe’reworkingwiththeSolWunderkind?”Haid’s

wordsweretoRoche,buthisgazewasfixedfirmlyuponthesecurityofficer.Disisto’sexpressionwasdefiant.“That’swhatweweretold,”hesaid.“We

werewarnedtoexpectanotherone—anotherclonewarrior—andthathewouldbecomingwithanex-COEcommandercalledMorganRocheinashipstolenfromtheDatoBloc.”Rochefrowned.“Whotoldyouthat?”“Thechief,ofcourse.”“Andhowdoyouknowhewastellingthetruth?”“Whywouldhelie?”Disisto’sblindacceptanceofwhathehadbeentoldexasperatedRoche.“Did

iteveroccurtoyoutoaskhowheknew?”“Why?Hewasright,wasn’the?”Rocheshookherhead.“Sonomatterwhatwetoldyou,youwouldn’thave

believedus?”“There’snoreasonwhyIshould.”HiseyesdroppedawayfromRoche’s.“No

matterhowmuchImightwantto.”“What?”Sheleanedinclosernow.“Whatisityou’rehintingat?Whynotjust

comeoutandsaywhatyouwanttosay?”“Ican’t.”Thewordsweresosoft,theycouldhavebeenmistakenforasigh.

“RufohastreatedmewellinthefiveyearsI’veworkedforhim.Ican’tbetrayhimnow.”RocheglancedatHaid,wholiftedoneartificialshoulderinatinyshrug.“Okay.”Rochesteppedback,slippingherhandsintothepocketsofthe

shipsuit.“Soyoudon’twanttobetrayRufo’sconfidence,buthe’sclearlydoingsomethingyoudisapproveof.Or—”Shestoppedasathoughtstruckher.“Orallowingsomethingtohappen?”Hesaidnothing,butthemusclesinhisnecktightened.“That’sit,isn’tit?Shak’niandB’shanareuptosomething,andyoudon’tlike

it.”Helookedatheragain.“NotHadenB’shan.He’sbeenwiththechieflonger

thanIhave.”“Shak’ni,then.Thatdoesn’tsurpriseme.Sotelluswhathe’sdoing,and

perhapswecanstophim.”WhenDisistodidn’trespond,angersurgedfromdeepwithinRoche’s

frustration.“Dammit,Disisto,talktome!I’vegotbetterthingstodothanplayguessinggameswithyou!”“WhythehellshouldItrustyou?”hesaid,throwingherangerbackather.

“I’vebeentoldthatyou’redangerous,andnothingI’veseencontradictsthat!Youdon’teventrytodenywhat’sbeensaidaboutyou!Thefactis,Idon’tevenknowwhoyouare.”Hepausedforamoment,leaningforwardslightlyandfixingherwithacoldstare.“Sotellme,Commander,justwhodoyouthinkyouare?”Herhandclosedintoafist,butshemanagedtosubduetheimpulsetostrike

him.Herangerhadlittletodowithhisattitude.Infact,ifanything,sheunderstoodhispointofview.WhowasshetodemandthathecompromisefiveyearsoffaithfulservicetoRufo?No,herangercameaboutfromwhathadhappenedtoCaneandMaii.Sheletthetensiondrainfromher,leavingjusttheresidueoffrustrationinher

clenchedfist.Amomentlatershereleasedthistoo,andsighed.“Look,Disisto,Ican’tdenywhatyou’veheardaboutme,becausemostofit’s

true.Yes,oneofmycompanionsdoesappeartobeaclonewarrior,andyes,IdidstealmyshipfromtheDatoBloc.”Disistoraisedaneyebrow,surprisedbyhersuddenfrankness.“Andthesuper-

AIyouheldCOEIntelligenceHQtoransomwith?”Shenodded.“AndHaidhereisoneofthefewpeopleevertoescapefromthe

penalcolonyonSciacca’sWorld.You’reindistinguishedcompany,youknow.”“Thatisthetruth,”saidHaid,grinning.DisistolookedfromRochetoHaid.“I’msureyouthinkitis,”hesaid

humorlessly.“Butthatstilldoesn’tmeanIcantrustyou.”Rochereacheddownandunlockedtheclaspofhisharness.“Iguessitall

dependsonhowyoulookatit.”“Morgan!”Haidcautioneduneasily.“Comeon,Ameidio,”shesaid.“He’snotgoingtobetrayus—atleastnotuntil

he’ssurewecan’thelphim.”SheunloopedthestrapholdingDisisto’slefthandtothepalm-link.“Besides,hecan’tstaytiedupforever.”Disistosatup,rubbingathiswrists.“Thankyou,”hesaid,withmorethanjust

ahintofsarcasm.Sheshrugged.“Icantieyouupagain,ifyoulike.Oryoucanquitwiththe

attitudearidcomedowntothemesswherewecandiscussthingscivilly.It’syourchoice.”Heofferedahalf-smileandsaid:“Themesswillbefine,thanks.”“Good,”saidRoche.“ButrememberthatbothAmeidioandIarearmedand

we’llbewatchingyoureverymovement.”Disistonodded,standingslowly.“NowthatIcanbelieve.”

*

Inthemess,thethreeofthemsatatoneofthemanytablesscatteredabouttheroom.RochepickedatadishofreheatednoodleswhileshesketchedthedetailsofhowshehadcometobeinPalasianSystem.Disistolistenedcarefully,occasionallyglancingatHaidwhentheex-mercenaryaddedadetailRochehadleftout.Bythetimetheybroughthimuptodate,anhourhadpassedandDisistohad

hardlysaidaword.“Well?”Rocheprompted.“I’mnotsure,”hesaid.“Ithinkyou’vebeenhonestwithme,but...”“Butwhat?”Hepushedhisplateaside.“Well,thebusinessofCanehimself.Iftheclone

warriorinPalasianSystemcouldcausesomuchdestruction,thenwhyhasn’tCane?”Rocheshrugged.“That’soneofthereasonswe’rehere:toseewhatmakes

themtick.Butsofarwe’veonlyseentwo,andthat’shardlyarepresentativesample.Forallweknow,Canecouldbethenorm,nottheexception.”Disistolookeddownathisplateforalongmoment,thenbackupatRoche.

“There’sanotherone.”WhatlittleappetiteRochehadinstantlyvanished.“What?Where?”“HetuSystem.Wereceivednewsofitafewdaysago.”Hehelduphishands

beforeshecouldpresshimformoredetails.“That’sallIknow,Roche.I’mnotprivytothatkindofinformation.WhatlittleIdofindoutisonthesly.“Sheforcedherselftoletitgo—forthemoment.HetuSystemwasonthefar

sideoftheCOE,onthefringesoftheregion.Therewasn’tmuchshecoulddoaboutitevenifshewantedto.“Youheardaboutthisotherclonewarriorafewdaysago?”Haidsaid.“How

wasthatpossible?Ithoughtyouwereunabletoleavehere.”Disistolookedtired,asthoughhisdecisiontoanswerquestionshadcomeat

greatpersonalcost.“SeventeendaysagowewerebroughthereonthebackoftheSebettu,aKeshdestroyer.Theybroughtustotheedgeofthesystem,justinsidetheGauntlet,andfromtherewetraveledunderourownpower.”“SotheGauntletwasinplaceatthatpoint?”saidRoche.“Yes.”Rochenodded,notingoneliefromRufosofar.Hehadsaidtheyhadbeen

trappedwhenthesolarenvelopehadencapsulatedthesystem.

trappedwhenthesolarenvelopehadencapsulatedthesystem.Disistowenton:“Eversincethen,we’vereceivedacommunicationsdrone

fromoutsidetheGauntleteverysixdaysorso.IpresumedtheycamefromSebettu,butifyoudidn’tpassitonthewayin,IguessImightbewrong.”“ThatexplainedtherecentduelHaidhadnotedinthebar.“Allwesawwasa

blockadecomprisedofArmadaships.Weretheytherewhenyoucamein?”“Yes.Buttheyletusthroughoncetheyweresurewhowewere.”“Really?Doesn’tthatstrikeyouasabitodd?Imean,wehadahellofatime

gettingpastthem.”“Notreally,”saidDisisto.“AsIunderstandit,theCOEArmadawantedtoseal

thesystemoncetheyhadanideawhatwasinsideit.TheonlywaytheycoulddothatquicklywaswithsomethinglikeAsha’sGauntlet.TheydidadealwiththeN’KorRepublic,whichhadtheonlyremainingprototype.Atthesametime,theycontactedthechiefandcommissionedtheservicesofGalineFour.TheGauntletbeatusherebyafewdays,soSebettuferriedusin.Oncewewereinside,theyleftusalonetobeginourwork.”“Whichwas?”saidHaid.Disistoturnedtohim.“Tostudytheactionsofthepersonresponsibleforthe

destructionofthesystem.”“That’sit?’Haidasked.“Whatelsedoyousuggestwedo?Fightthisperson?Themostwecouldhope

forwastoworkouthowheoperated,inordertostophisdoingitagainelsewhere.Anythingmorewould’vebeenaskingfortrouble.Ifyouaskme,it’sriskyenoughjustbeinghere.”“Rufoagreedtobedroppedinherewithoutanymeansofdefendinghimself?”

Haid’sexpressionwashighlyskeptical.“Nomeansofescape?Nowayoflettingtheoutsideknowifyoumightbeunderattack?”“Notquite,”saidDisisto.“Wedohavecommunicationsdronesofourown

thatwecansendifweneedto.Butitwasrisky,yes.Adronetakesatleasttenhourstogetoutofthesystem.Ifwedidgetintotrouble,bythetimehelparrivedwe’dhavebeendead.Wehaven’tsentanyyet,andIhopewedon’thaveto.”“SowhydidRufoagreetodoit?”Rocheasked.“Lotsofreasons,Iguess.It’shardtoknowexactlywhy,becausehedoesn’t

explainhimselftohisemployeesasoftenaswefeelheshould.”Hemanagedasmallsmile.“IthinkitwasbecausetheCOEappliedalittlepressuretomakehimagree.That,andtheytoldhimthepersonwewouldbelookingforwasprobablygoneanyway.”Roche’slaughwasderisive.“Andthatyouwouldbasicallybeconductingan

Roche’slaughwasderisive.“Andthatyouwouldbasicallybeconductinganautopsyonacompletelydeadsystem?”“Somethinglikethat,”saidDisisto.“Butithasn’tturnedoutthatway,hasit?”Disistoshookhishead.“ThetrapsaroundArocould’vehurtus,andthere

couldbeotherswehaven’tencounteredyet.”“Nottomentiontheclonewarriorhimself,”Haidpointedout.“Idoubthe’sstillhere,”saidDisisto.“Really?Why?”“Itstandstoreason,doesn’tit?We’vebeenwanderingaroundthesystemfor

almosttwoweeks,andwehaven’tbeenattacked.We’vebeencareful,sure,buthewould’vespotteduseventually.Andifhedid,whydidn’theattackus?We’retheonlymajortargetleftinonepieceinPalasianSystem.Itdoesn’tmakesensethathewouldletusroamfree—especiallynotwhenwe’reactivelylookingforhim.He’snotstupid.”“AndthisiswhatRufobelieves?”saidRoche.“No,Rufoisconvincedhe’sstillhere,”Disistosaid.“Buttakemywordforit,

he’slonggonebynow.”Rochewasn’ttakinghiswordonanything,butwaspreparedtowatchhim

entertainthethought.“Whereto?HetuSystem,perhaps?”Disistoshrugged.“Maybe.Ormaybehe’sstillintransit.Itdependswhatsort

oftransporthe’sin,andwhathe’slookingfor.Thenearestsystemisonlyafewlight-yearsaway,butit’snotmuchmorethananoutpost.Hemightbelookingformoreofachallenge.”“Iwouldn’tcallPalasianSystemmuchofachallenge,”Haidsaid.“Whatifthiswasjustatrialrun?”saidDisisto.“Orjustanopportunitytodo

somedamage?Remember:heonlymadehismovewhenthecrewofthisshipbroughthimoutofthelifecapsule.NotonlywasPalasianSystemtheclosestportatthattime,butDaybreakwasalreadyheadingthere.Itwould’vemadesensetogowiththeflow,totakewhathecouldfromhere,thentomoveoninthedirectionheactuallywantedtogo.”Rochenodded.“Iagree.ItmatcheswhatCanesaid.He’snotgoingtowaste

timeoropportunities;everydecisionhemakeswillbetomaximizehisreturn—howeverhemeasuresit.PalasianSystemwasjustameansofmakinghimselfstronger.“Butwheredowefitintothis?”shewenton.“Yousaidsomeonefromthe

outsidewarnedyouthatwewerecoming.Whowasit?Andwhy?”“TheArmada,perhaps,”saidDisisto.“Youdon’tsoundverycertainaboutthat,”saidHaid.

“Youdon’tsoundverycertainaboutthat,”saidHaid.“I’mnot,”hesaid.“Thelastdronewereceivedtoldustoexpectyou.Ihave

noideawhosentit.”“WordmusthaveleakedfromIntelligence,”saidHaid,facingRoche.

“SomeonemighthavetakenexceptiontotherebeinganotherSolWunderkindontheloose.”“Maybe,”Rochesaid.ShecouldbelievePageDeBruynsettingheruplike

this.“Butwhynotambushusproperly?There’snowaywecouldhavewithstoodadestroyerortwoattheedgeoftheGauntlet,wheretheyknewweweregoingtoarrivesoonerorlater.Whyleaveituptoanonmilitaryinstallationinsidewhatisbasicallyawarzone?”“Lessrisk?”Haidsuggested.“Containmentwouldbeeasierinhere,if

somethingwentwrong.”“Notwhenwehaveaworkingslow-jumpdrive.SupposingCanedidgo

berserk,allhe’dhavetodoistakeovertheAnaVereineandflyitbackoutagain.”“Doyouthinkhe’scapableofdoingthat?WithoutKajicortheBox,theship

wouldbedifficulttocontrolforahundredpeople,letaloneone.”“I’dhatetoruleitout,”Rochesaid.“EverytimeCanereachesahurdle,he

seemstofindawayoverit.”“Untilnow.”HaidturnedtoDisisto.“Sowhatdidyouhithimwith,anyway?

Ferozac?”“Diprodek-2,actually,”thesecurityofficersaid,unabletohideahintof

satisfaction.“Itwasthefastest-actingneurotoxinwehadinstore,andwehadanantidote.Allwehadtodowashithimwithablast,catchhimwhenhefell,thenclearoutthepoisonbeforeitdidanyseriousdamage.Itworked,too.Iwasreceivingupdatesbeforethescutteractivateditsengines—andafterward,too,throughthefeedyourBoxtappedinto.”Rocheleanedforward.“Whatdidyousee?”“Everythingwentasplanned.Thewholethingwashandledbyremoteto

ensurenoonewouldgethurt.Thescutterdocked,andautomaticsattachedtheumbilical.Whenpressureequalized,theairlockopened.Theclonewarriorsteppedthroughfirsttocheckthingsout,thenhewentbackintogetyourreave.Theywalkedouttogether,andthat’swhenwehitthem.Justpriortothat,weshotyourreavefullofXarodinetostopherpickinganythingup—”“Whydidyoudothat?”saidRoche,unabletokeepthebitternessfromher

voice.“Shecouldn’treadanything.That’swhyshewasthere,nottospy.ItwasRufowhosuggestedwebringherintoseeyourmedicalteaminthefirstplace!”

Rufowhosuggestedwebringherintoseeyourmedicalteaminthefirstplace!”“Wehadnowayofknowingyouweretellingusthetruth,Commander.”Rocheshookherheadindisbelief.“AndIdon’tsupposeyouhaveanyepsense

adeptsonGalineFoureither,right?”Disistofrowned.“NonethatIknowof.Why?”“BecauseRufotoldusyouhadsomeonboardwithsimilarproblems.”She

glancedoveratHaid.“Anotherlie,”shesaid.“Well,trytoseeitfromhispointofview,”saidDisisto.“He’dbeenwarned

aboutyou;hehadtotakesomesortofaction.”“Why?”Haidasked.“Wehadn’tdoneanythingtohim.”“Butforthesakeofthestationhehadtoassumethatyoumight.”“Oh,comeon,Disisto!”Rochesnapped.“Heneverintendedtotrustus,and

youknowit!Stoptryingtodefendhim.HeluredustoGalineFourwiththesoleintentionofneutralizingCane.Hedidn’tevengiveusachance.”Disistodidn’tdenyit.“Ifthat’sthecase,thenhewaspressuredintodoingit.

It’snotlikethechiefatalltotakesuchrisks.”“Whatdoyoumean?”saidRoche.“Well,whetherhe’sinthesystemornot,we’dalreadymanagedtoevadeone

clonewarrior;we’repushingourluckputtingourselvesindirectcontactwithanother.Thechiefknewthat,andatanyothertimehewouldhavesimplyletyougobyandnottakeanyrisks.ButhesentMavalhintocontactyou,knowingfullwellwhatyouwouldbringwithyou.AndIguessheliedaboutourepsenseadeptstogetCaneonboard.It’snotanacceptablerisk,inmyopinion.”“YoublameShak’ni?”saidHaid.“Andwhoever’sbehindhim,yes.”“Sowhydidn’ttheydoitthemselves?”askedRoche.“Shak’niisabigot,”saidHaid,“likealotofthehardcoreKesh.Maybeit

amuseshimtowatchPristinesmakingtroubleforeachother.”Disistoshrugged.“That’spossible.Idon’tknow,though.Itbothersmethat

thechiefisn’tactinghisnormalself,andhasn’teversincewecamehere.”Rochesighed.“Okay,sowhathappenstoCanenow?”“Nothing,”saidDisisto.“He’spowerless,andthechiefknowsit’sbesttokeep

himthatway.Linegarmaybeunderpressureatthemoment,buthe’snotstupid.”Rochenodded.TheideaofCaneboundinchainsdidn’tsiteasilywithher,but

therewassomeconsolationinwhatDisistosaid.WhileCanewasincapacitated,hewassafe.ButitwastheimageofMaii,lockedintheperpetualdarknessofherownskull,thatbotheredRochethemost.

Again,determinationtorescuethegirlfloodedthroughher.Toomanypeoplehadletherdownrecently;sherefusedtodothesametoanyonesheknew.Therewastoomuchmistrustinthegalaxyasitwas.“IfRufo’ssodamnedsmart,”shesaid,“whycan’theseethatweallwantthe

samething?Whyarewefightingeachother?”Disistomethergazesquarely.“Dowewantthesamething?”“Ithoughtwedid.Orhopedso,anyway.”Rocheshookherhead.“Ineedto

workoutwhatyourbossisdoing,andwhy.Willyouhelpmedothat?”Disistotookadeepbreath.“Ifitmeansbetrayinghisconfidence,no,Iwon’t.”“Thenwehavenothingelsetotalkabout.Fornow.”

*

Respondingtoamessagefromtheautosurgeonviaherimplants,Rochestoppedatthesurgeryonthewaybacktothebridge,sendingHaidandDisistoaheadofher.Bythetimeshearrivedthere,Myer’sunconsciousbodyhadbeenwrappedinabioactiveblanketandstrappedtotheplasticbed.Hisleftshoulder,chest,andarmwerecompletelyencasedinathinlayeroftranslucentbandagesthatallowedenoughredthroughtoindicatejusthowseverethedamagehadbeen.Heseemedpeaceful,however,andRochewascontenttoleavehimthereforthetimebeing—untileithertheautosurgeonpronouncedhimfitenoughtowalkorsheneededhimonhisfeetregardless.Shehadbeenthereonlyafewminuteswhenanothermessagecamethrough

herimplants.Thistimeitwasfromthebridge:Daybreakhadreceivedatightbeamtransmissionencryptedinhigh-levelCOEcode.Shequicklyleftthesurgery,instructingtheautosurgeontokeepherpostedonMyer’sprogress.Shearrivedonthebridgejustasthecourier’sAIcompleteddecipheringthe

transmission.HaidlookedupfromtyingDisistobackintohiscrash-couchassheentered.

“That’llbetheBox,Iguess,”hesaid.“Ihopeso.”Shesatinthepilot’sseatandinstructedtheAItoplaythe

message.“Morgan,”saidtheBox,itsvoicebrisk.“Thismessagewillreachyouexactly

threehoursfollowingourlastcommunication.Inthattime,theAnaVereinewillhavedisengagedfromGalineFourandheadedin-system.Wearecurrentlyleadingaflotillaofsevenpursuitvesselsalongapoweredapproachthatwill

takeuspastJagabis,throughtheMattarBeltandclosetoCartha’sPlanet.Atperihelion,intwelvehours,wewilladoptaneutralcamouflageandpoweratmaximumthrusttoadifferentorbit.Ifyouwishtochoosearendezvouspoint,pleaseindicatesoinyourreply,beforethedelaybecomestoogreat.”“Weleftafuriousmessbehind,”therecordedvoiceofKajicbrokein.“There

aresingleshipsbuzzingaroundeverywhere,lookingforanytraceofyou.TheBoxself-destructedadrone,hopingthey’dmistakethewreckageforDaybreak,butIdon’tthinktheywerefooled.Itlookslikethey’regettingreadytomoveelsewhere,justincaseyoucomebackinahurry.”“Irecommendstronglythatyoudonotdothat,”saidtheBox.“Daybreakis

unarmedandpoorlydefended;anyattempttobreachtheirsecuritywillsurelyfail.Bettertowaituntilwejoinyouandusethecombinedresourcesofthetwoships.”Rochenoddedtoherself;therewasnothingshecoulddoforMaiiina

clapped-outcourier.AsthoughreadingRoche’smind,theBoxwenton:“Youmightbeinterested

toknowthatCaneandMaiiareunharmed.IwasabletoinstallaleakviaDisisto’simplantswhileIwasconnectedtothesecondarysecurityshellofGalineFour,andthroughthisleak,Ihavebeenmonitoringtheircondition.”Rochesmiled.Thanks,Box,shethoughttoherself.Disistoappearedtobe

tellingthetruthonthatscore.“Theyarecurrentlybeingheldinseparatecellsinthestation’souterlevels,”

theBoxwenton,“andarecloselyguarded.PreparationsarebeingmadetomovethemtotheHub,butwhereexactlyIdonotknowatthisstage.Chancesare,however,thatitwillbetoazoneIwillnotbeabletopenetrate,evenwithmyimprovedaccess.“Lastly,adronewaslaunchedfromGalineFourwithinfifteenminutesofour

departure.IwasabletotrackitasfarastheorbitofGatamin,atwhichpointitwasacceleratingrapidlyfortheedgeofthesystem.IfyouhavenotalreadyinterrogatedDisistoonthismatter,youshoulddosoimmediately.Anyinformationhecanprovide,willinglyorotherwise,willbetoourbenefit.”Rochefeltabriefflickerofself-satisfaction—Disistohadmentionedthatthey

hadn’tsentanydronesoutofthesystem—butquelledit.AlthoughitwasgoodtohavepreemptedtheBoxinoneinstance,todwellonitwasobsessive.“Thatisallfornow,Morgan,”itcontinued.“Thedronefollowingyouis

maintainingafixedpositionwithrespecttoDaybreakandwillrelaytomeanymessageyousendinreturn.Itwillbenecessaryforyoutoreplysoon,though,

forthedelaybetweenourcommunicationswillincreaserapidlyoverthenexttwelvehours.Oncewehavearendezvouspointestablished,wecanbeginplanninghowbesttouseittoouradvantage.“Also,IwillrequireyoutoperformadiagnosticcheckofDaybreak’sslow-

jumpdrive.Theresultofthatanalysiswillaffectanyplanswemake.Iwillawaityourreplybeforetakingfurtheraction.”Themessageendedabruptly,catchingRocheoffguardforamoment.Afterawhileshesaid:“Whatdoyouthink,Ameidio?”Haidshookhishead.“Wehaven’tgotalotofoptions,havewe?It’sunlikely

they’devenstumbleuponusouthere,sothesensiblethingwouldbetostayput.”“Iagree.”Rocheslippedintothepilot’scrash-couchandcalledupthe

communicationssystems.Thetightbeamhadcomefromapointinspacenotfarbehindthem;shedirectedthesystemstosendherreplyinthatdirection,onceshehadrecordedit.“Butstayingputisexactlywhatthey’llbeexpectingustodo,”shecontinued.

“It’stooobvious,toopredictable.Anditwastesanopportunitytodosomethinguseful.InsteadofheadingstraightbacktorescueMaiiandCane,we’dbebetterofflookingforanswers.”“Wherefrom?”“KukumatandMurukan.”Shecalledupamapoftheoutersystem.“Twice,

now,we’vereceivedsignalsfromnearthedouble-jovian;Rufocan’torwon’texplainthem,andthatmakesmesuspicious.It’salsotheonlyobvioushidingplaceinthesystemwehaven’tinvestigated.Noneofthedroneswesentthereeverreportedback.”“Youthinktheremightbesurvivors?”“Idon’tknowwhattothink.I’dratherkeepmyoptionsopenuntilwearrive.

Whichshouldbe”—shescannedanavigationchartandperformedroughmentalcalculations—”aboutfourteenhours,ifwegobyHintubetalongtheway.Andifwedo,that’llkeepourtransmissiontimestotheBoxataminimum.”Haidnodded.“Italsoincreasesthechancesofthepursuitshipsseeingus.”“Marginally.They’llbetrackingtheAnaVereine,notlookingforus.Bythe

timetheBoxlosesthem,we’llbegone.”Disistohadfollowedtheexchangeinsilenceuptothatpoint.“Whatsignals?”

heasked.“Iwastoldtherewasnooneneartheoldbase.”Rocheturnedtofacehim.“Ifthat’swhatRufotoldyou,thenthatmakesme

evenmoreinterestedinhavingalookmyself.”“Iagree,”saidHaid.“Itworriesmewhatwemightbeheadinginto,butyes:

“Iagree,”saidHaid.“Itworriesmewhatwemightbeheadinginto,butyes:I’malsocurioustoknowwhatRufoisupto.Ifhe’slyingtohisownsecuritystaff,thensomethingseriousmustbegoingon.”BeforeDisistocouldrespond,Rocheturnedbacktothecommunications

systemsandbegantorecordareplyfortheBox.Shehadalreadycheckedthemaintenancesystemsofthecourieranddeterminedthattheslow-jumpdrivewasdead;thatwaswhytheclonewarriorhadditchedit:afterattemptingtoleavetheGauntletandfailing,destroyingthedriveintheprocess,hehadhadnouseforthecourier.Ithadbecomealiability,infact,duetoitsinevitableassociationwithhim.Hehadabandoneditandgoneelsewhere.Nowshewashopingtofindhiminit;theironywasnotlostonher.Butitdidconfirmonething:hewasinthesystemwiththem.Anyonewho

saidotherwisewaseitherwrongorlying.Shekeyedtheirnewcourseintothenavigationsystems.Asthecourier’s

thrustersbeganalong,steadyburn,shesettledbackintothecrash-couchandletg-forceserasetheworryfromhermind.Fornow,therewasnothingelseshecoulddo.

PARTTHREE:MOK

INTERLUDE

Theenigmadissolvedintothebackground,obscuredbytheintensityandcloseproximityofthelight.Hestraineddesperatelytofollowher;theCruelOne’sservantwouldbe

annoyedifheletherslipaway.Buthehadnochoice.Hecouldeitherseeherorhecouldn’t,andwithinmomentsshehadcompletelydisappeared.Helethergowithafeelingofapprehensionmixedwithsomethingnotunlikerelief.Hehadenoughtodoasitwas.BathedinthelightoftheShiningOne,heexaminedhisoptions.One:hecoulddoeverythingtheCruelOneaskedofhim,wherepossible.Two:hecoulddoonlythosethingsthathefeltcomfortabledoingandfeign

ignoranceorlackofunderstandingwiththeothers—althoughtheCruelOne’sservanthadanuncannyknackofrecognizinghisdeceptions,andpreviousattemptshadledtotorture,bothphysicalandmental.Three:hecoulddonothingatallandenduretheconsequences.Followingtheenigmawas,already,onerequestwithwhichhecouldnot

comply.StudyingtheShiningOnewassomethinghewashappytodo,ifhewasableto.Butneutralizingtheabomination...Wasn’thealreadydoingthatjustbybeinghere?Whatmorecouldbeaskedofhim?Hewantednothingtodowiththeawfulchildandherpiercing,painfulmind.

Hispeoplewouldhavekilledherhadtheyknownsheexisted—orattheveryleastextractedaterriblepricefromtheSurinAgoraforallowinghertoexist.Thatinpartwaswhatthegraybootswerefor:topreventsuchthingsfromcomingintobeing,tostampthemoutwhentheydid,andtokeepallknowledgeoftheirexistencesecretlestotherstrytoreplicatepastexperiments.Buthedidn’thavethemeanstokillher,andheknewfromtheCruelOne’s

servant’smindthatshewassafehereinthatrespect.Herfrailbodywasconsideredathreatbynoone.Itwasherpowersalonehewassupposedtoquash,asifthatwerepossible.Hewasbeingaskedtostopawaspfromstingingwithoutdamagingthestingerorthewasp.Andthefactthatthisparticularwasp

wasnotevenanaturalcreatureonlymadethetaskthatmuchmorepreposterous.Hecouldalreadyfeelherstirring,despiteanintensiveregimenofepsense-

inhibitors.XarodineworkedonmostCastes—includingthosepossessingepsensenaturally,likehisown—butitsefficacydecreasedwithextendeduse.Theinitialdosesgiventothegirlwouldhavewornoffhoursagoandbeentoppedupseveraltimessince;herpowerswouldbereturningsoon.Theycouldkeepherunconscious—perhaps—butnothingwouldstopherfromdreaming.Andevenasleepshecouldbedangerous.Shouldsheerupt,hemightnotbeabletocontainher,letaloneneutralizeher.Thosenearbyorlinkedtoherinotherwayswouldbeinperil.HebrieflyimaginedwhatwouldhappentotheCruelOne’sservantundersuch

circumstances,buthedismissedthefantasy.Thatwaswhytheservanthadservantsofhisown.Theystoodbetweenharmandthehearth;theyborethebruntofanysuchperils.Hesaid::SAFE:SLEEPINGAndthatwouldhavetodo.Thegirlwasprobablyharmlessforafewhours

yet.Eventuallyhewouldhavetodecidewhattodowithher,butfornow...TheShiningOne.Itsglow,henowrealized,wasadefensivemeasuredesignedtofoolanyone

encounteringitintobelievingittobeevidenceofprofoundepsenseability.Asacamouflageitworkedwell;fewpeoplewouldpenetrateitsstructureordecipherthegiddyingmotionatitscore.Itwascomplexandamazingenough;whyimaginethattherewouldbemore?Buttherewas.Behindthefaçadelayamuchmoreinterestingpossibility,the

sameonehehadsuspectedbeforebutcouldnotexplaintotheCruelOne’sservant.Behindtheshineandscatterlayaspeckofunfathomableblack.Thespeckhauntedhim;hecouldhardlydraghisattentionawayfromit.Partofhimwasafraiditwouldnotbetherewhenhelooked—afraidtheblazewouldcoveritagain,thistimeforever.HeandtheShiningOnehadsomethingincommon,itseemed.Whatthatwas,though,hestilllackedthewordstoexplain.Noonehadthe

words.Onlyanaturalreavewouldunderstand.Epsensetheorists—someofthemreaves,mostofthemnot—likenedaworld

emptyofthoughttoaflatplain,inthesamewaythatphysicistsdescribedemptyspace-timeasarubbersheet.Thisplaintheycalled“n-space.”Theadditionofathinkingbeing—an“n-body”—addedasmallspiketotheflatlandscape.Reaves

thinkingbeing—an“n-body”—addedasmallspiketotheflatlandscape.Reaveswerespikessurroundedbysmallmoundsthatspreadacrossthesurfaceoftheplain,joiningthespikestogether.Onfirstinspection,theShiningOnewasapeaksohigh,itsfoothillsburiedall

then-bodiesaroundit.Racesofnaturalreaves,liketheOlmahoi,warpedthesurfaceoftheplain

itself,creatingvalleysandpeaksand,sometimes,holes.Hewasonesuchhole;withouthimatitsheart,andotherslikehimbefore,theGrandDesignofhispeoplewouldhaveunraveledmillenniaago.Hedepressedn-space,disconnectedn-bodiesfromeachothereveniftherewerereavespresent,absorbedstraythoughtsnomatterwheretheycamefrom.Thatwaswhyhe’dbeenkidnappedandbroughthere:togatherdatafortheCruelOne’sservant.AllthingseventuallyfoundtheirwayintotheOlmahoiirikeii.AcloserlookattheShiningOnerevealedtheholeinitscore—aholesodeep

hecouldnotfinditsmeasure.Ifithadabottom,henevertouchedit.Hecouldsenseit,though.Andwhathesensedbothdisturbedandfascinated

him.Somethingold.Somethingthatshouldnotexist.Somethingthatseemed,impossibly,tobestudyinghimback.YetthroughtheeyesofthoseexaminingtheShiningOne,hesawjustanother

PristineHuman,oneofmanyhundredsoftrillionsscatteredacrossthegalaxy.Whywouldanyonegotosomuchtroubletobringsuchathingintobeingandhideitinsoordinaryavessel—notjustonce,butseveraltimes?Whatcouldpossiblybeservedbysuchadeception?Hesawinthemindsofthosearoundhim—throughtheall-pervadingnimbus

oftheShiningOne—thatsomethoughtitaweaponmadetowreakvengeanceonPristineHumanity.Aweaponthatcouldhideamongitsintendedvictims,strikingwithsurpriseandefficiency.Thatmadesense,eventhoughtheevidencewastenuousatbest,andsometimesoutrightmisleading.AndinthemindoftheCruelOne’sservanthefoundanaggingdoubtthatnaggedathiminturn.Coulditbesosimple?Hehopeditwas.Theonlyotherpossibilitytooccurtohimwastoohorribleto

contemplate...Knowingitwasprobablyfutileyetneedingtotry,hecasthismindoutward,as

hehaddoneononlyafewoccasionsbefore,totheverylimitsofhissenses.There,normally,hesensedstrange,superiorintelligences,watchingfromtheirarcaneremovesasthelowerCasteswentabouttheirbusiness.TheHighHumanswerelikepeoplewatchingants;theysawtheswarming,thebuilding,theclashes

werelikepeoplewatchingants;theysawtheswarming,thebuilding,theclashesbetweenhives,butfewifanyeverstoppedtonoticetheloneantwavingitsantennaeinthehopeofcatchingtheirattention.Still,hehadcommunicatedwithHighHumansbefore.Theyusedmeansasfar

aboveepsenseasepsensewasabovenormalspeech,andtheytendedtobereticent.Butsometimesunintendeddataslippedthrough,asthoughthesheerbandwidthoftheHighHumans’mediameantthattheirspeechcouldnotbeeffectivelydammed.Someofitwasincomprehensible;mostofitwasuseless,relatingtoCastesortimesfardistant;butjustoneusefulpieceofdatamadetheeffortworthwhile.Heneededtheirhelpnow.Ifwhathesuspectedwastrue,eventheycouldbe

indanger.Buttherewasnoreply.Hesensednothinglurkingatthefringesofthevoid.

Therewasnoonetowhomhecouldturnforadvice.Hewassuddenlyhomesick.Hemissedhispeople:hemissedtheirminds,their

song,thetapestrytheywovearoundhimandinwhichheknewhisproperplace.Here,hehadnoonetocommunewith.Fewevenknewheexisted,andthosethatdidwereunabletocommunicateproperly.Hewastrappedbymundanesinaplotthat,underordinarycircumstances,mightonlytangentiallyconcernhim.Hewonderedhowhispeoplecopedwithouthim.Didchaosreign,orhadthe

keepersoftheShadowPlacefoundawaytocorrecttheimbalance?Wastheracialmechanismthathadbroughthimforthwhenhispredecessorhaddiedalreadyconceivinghisreplacement?Whatwouldhappenifhereturned?CouldtheGrandDesigntoleratetwoirikeii?Perhapshewouldhavetoremaininthevoidforever,trappedwithonlya

handfulofmindstowatchuntilhisownwasextinguished!Exceptheknewfromthosearoundhimthatthevoidwasimpermanent:itwouldcollapseuponitselfwithinweeks.Soperpetualimprisonmentwasnotanoption:itwastemporaryatbest.ThenthereweretheShiningOnestoconsider,andtheCruelOne.Regardless

ofwhetherhewasrightorwrongabouttheformer,ofonethinghewascertain:theCruelOneandherservanthadnointentionoflettinghimliveafterhismissionherewascomplete.Forabrief,bittermomentheenviedtheenigma.Whoevershewas,whatever

sherepresented,shewasfreerthanhecouldeverhopetobe.Buttherewascomfortinknowingthathewasdoomed,heguessed.Onceall

hopewasgone,therewasnothinglefttofearexceptfearitself.Andifhecouldtaketheabominationwithhim,allthebetter....

Andifhecouldtaketheabominationwithhim,allthebetter....

5

COEIDaybreak‘955.01.21EN1390

Fromadistance,Hintubet’sbloody,redlightwasinsufficienttoallowthecourier’sbasicsensorstogathermuchdetailaboutthedouble-joviansystem:ablurred,over-magnifiedimageoftworedballoonstiedtogetherbyatwistedsilverstringwasallRochecouldsee,littledifferentfromthepicturestheBoxhadprocuredfromtheorbitofGatamin.NodoubttheprobesdispatchedearlierwouldbesendingremarkablepicturestotheAnaVereine,wherevertheshipwas,butonlyasthecourierdrewnearerdidRochehavethechancetoappreciatetheuniquenessofherdestination.IndividuallyKukumatandMurukanmightoncehavebeenunremarkablegas

giants,bothroughlyaquarterthemassofJagabis;togethertheyformedadynamicpartnershipasmysteriousasitwasfascinating.ThemostobviousdetailseparatingthepairfromtheotherplanetsinPalasianSystemwasthatitfollowedaretrogradeorbitaroundHintubet.Planetaryscientistsgenerallyagreedthatthepairhadprobablyarisenoutofanearcollisionbetweentwopreviouslyindependentworlds,onenaturaltothesystemandtheotheraninterstellarwanderer.Althoughnoactualcollisionhadoccurred,eachplanethadcapturedtheother,andthesharedmomentumofthetwohadcastthepairintoanentirelynewyetstableorbit.Undernormalconditions,Kukumatwouldhavebeenabrilliant,white-

streakedyellow.Stormsconsideredenormousevenforagasgiantragedfromequatortopole,theconstantflashesoflightningthroughthethick,turbulentatmospherecastingweirdstrobelikepatternsacrossthefaceoftheplanet.NowandthenRocheimaginedshecouldsenseapatternformingintheinconstantlight,asthoughsomeunfathomablemachineattheheartoftheplanetwastryingtocommunicatewithher.Murukan,thoughonlymarginallylarger,wasradicallydifferent.Regardlessof

Murukan,thoughonlymarginallylarger,wasradicallydifferent.Regardlessofthelightthatfelluponit,thegasgiantpresentedadeep,bloodyredface.Insteadofthethinstreaksandwhorlsboastedbyitsbrilliantneighbor,Murukanpossessedmassiveupwellingsofheavygases,spewedhighintotheatmospherebyunknownprocessesdeeperwithin.Theseupwellingsbloomedlikeflowersattheirpeak,spreadinoverlappingpetalsthatchangedcolorandsmearedlaterallyasthegasescomprisingthemslowlyreachedtheapexoftheirexplosiverise,thenbegantodescend.Rochedidn’tdoubtthattheextremeatmosphericactivityofthetwoplanets

owedmuchtotheirproximity;oncloseexaminationshecouldseetidalbulgesmanykilometershighsweepingacrossthefaceofeachplanetasitrotatedwithrespecttotheother.Itamazedhertothinkthatthesituationwasstableatall.Butitwas,hadbeenforhundredsofthousandsofyears,andwouldhavebeenformanymorehadnottheGauntletarrivedtochangethesystemirrevocably.BythetimethecouriermanagedtolocateMok—thesinglemoonofthe

doublesystem—thesystem’sotheruniquefeaturehadattainedatantalizingprominence.KM36wasanionbridgelinkingthemagneticfieldsofthetwoplanets.Althoughthelinkitselfwasconstant,itarced—andwasthereforevisible—onlyonceeverythirty-sixminutes.Eacharclastedapproximatelyseventyseconds,andRochewasfortunateenoughtocatchanentireeventbroadside-on,fromthebestpossibleperspective.Theionbridgelookedlikealightningboltstrungoutbetweenthetwoplanets,flickeringandsnappingalmosttooquicklytofollowinclosefocus,yetundulatinglikeapluckedwireinslowmotionfromadistance.ItslightwassobrightitcastashadowonMok,lendingit,briefly,asilver-whiteface.Watchingit,RochewasremindedofwhyshehadjoinedCOEIntelligencein

thefirstplace.Ithadn’tjustbeentoescapefromadifficultupbringing,butforsightssuchasthese.Andperhaps,shethought,thatwasenoughtoexplainthedream....

*

Shewasstanding,coldandwet,ontheforedeckofanoceangoingvesselmadeentirelyofstone.Themassoftheshipwassogreatthatshefeltnomovementbeneathherasitcutthroughthechoppywaters,andthesuretyofitsprogressmadeherfeelassafeasthoughshewerestandingonsolidground.Thestarsabovewereasicyasthewind,however,andalthoughthesprayfrom

thewavesneverstruckher,shewassoakedtotheskinandtrembling.

thewavesneverstruckher,shewassoakedtotheskinandtrembling.“Areyoufrightened?”Aman’svoicecamefrombehindher,scentedand

hauntinglyfamiliar.Sheturned.Theman,cladinwhite,hisskinashenanddrylikedust,stoodat

thestarboardrailoftheforedeck.“No,”shesaid,clutchingherself.“I’mcold.Aren’tyou?”“No.Butwecouldbothbelying,”headded,theglintinhisyelloweyeslike

thelightninginKukumat’salienskies.“Iamneithercoldnorafraid,”cameasecondvoice,thistimefromtheport

rail.“ButIamhere.”Thenewcomerwasdressedinred;hiscomplexionwasruddy,hisskinmoist.

Afat-petaledflowerprotrudedfromabuttonholeofhisgreatcoat.Andagain,afamiliarodor,butthisonedifferentfromthefirst.Theyknoweachother,shethought,withsomesurprise.“Inamannerofspeaking,yes,”theredonesaid,asifansweringRochebut

lookingathiswhitecounterpart.“AlthoughIsuspectwehavelessincommonthanIoncethought,”saidthe

whiteman.“Appearancescanbedeceptive,”saidRed.“Perhapsit’stimetoendthepretense,”saidWhite.“Dowehaveanychoice?”Theredmannoddedaheadofthem.“We’llfindoutwhenwegetthere.”Thebriefexchangehadchangedthem:theoneinwhitehadbecomepaler,his

skindrier,whiletheredonehadbeguntoexudeblood.Andthesmells,oncedisparateandonlyvaguelyfamiliar,suddenlymergedtobecomesomethingalltoofamiliartoRoche.Nowshecouldsmelldeath;shecouldsmellwar...Thetwomenfacedeachother,asilentbuttenseconfrontation.Theyretained

onlytheshapeofHumanity,now;theessenceoftheirtruebeingswasalmosttoomuchevenforthat.Rochebackedawayuntilherspinemadecontactwithcold,wetstone.Two

hugemaststoweredaboveherlikegiantantennae,visibleonlyassilhouettesagainstthesky.Thetremendousmomentumwithwhichtheprowcutthroughthewavesremainedunchecked,onlynowitseemedamatterforconcern.Shelookedagainatthetwomenandrealizedjusthowaliketheyreallywere.

Despitetheirdifferences,theycouldeasilyhavebeenmistakenforbrothers.Oreventwins...

*

Theanxietyinducedbythedreamhadstayedwithheruponwaking.Nomatterhowhardshetried,shesimplycouldn’tshakefreeofit,andshelongedforMaii’sgentletouch.Theepsenseadeptcouldhavesoothedher,easedsomeofthedreadandforebodingthatfilledher.Butthereavewasfaraway,leftbehindonanunfamiliarstation,captiveofamanwhohadsomehowoutthoughtthemall.Foramoment,shefeltdespair.Howhadshecometothis?Shecertainly

wasn’tresponsible.ItmusthavebeenCOEIntelligence,ortheKesh,ortheSolApotheosisMovement,or...No.Therewasnopointassigningblame.Shejusthadtokeepmoving,todo

herbesttorectifythesituationandfindawayoutofthismess.FindawaytorescueMaiiandCaneand—“Morgan?”saidHaid.Sheturnedfromtheimageofthedouble-jovianatwhichshehadbeenblankly

staring,andfacedHaid.Itwasonlywhenshedidthatsherealizedithadbeenthethirdtimehehadcalledhername.“Youokay?”hesaid.Shenodded,butfeltitwasunconvincing.“What’sup?”“We’redetectingradioemissions.”Immediatelyfocused,RochetookasteptowardHaid.“Wherefrom?”“Mok.Theyspikeeverytimetheionbridgeflares,asthoughsomeone’susing

thedischargetocoveremissions.”Sheconcentratedonhisexplanation;itmadesense.“Anyideawhothis

‘someone’mightbe?”Haidshookhishead.“Thetransmissionsarecodedtolooklikestatic,andI

can’ttranslatethemwithouttheBox’shelp.IfIhadtoguess,though,I’dsayit’stheoutriggerstalkingamongthemselves.”“Andthetwospineshaven’tmoved?”Anothercurtshakeofthehead.“They’restillinorbitaroundMurukan.”Whilestillsomedistancefromthejovianpair,theyhaddetectedthemuted

navigationbeaconsoftwooutriggerspines—spindlystructurescomprisinglittlemorethanintrasystemenginesandfueltanksshapedlikebare-bonedtreeswithlotsofbranchesforwaldoestoclingto.Thespinesappearedtobeundamaged,but,apartfromthebeacons,showednosignsoflife.Rochehadneverencounteredoutriggersbefore,buthadheardthestoriesof

wholetribesofpeoplecrossingthegulfsbetweenstarsonthebacksofsuch

wholetribesofpeoplecrossingthegulfsbetweenstarsonthebacksofsuchflimsyvessels.Theironlyprotectionwasan“all-suit,”essentiallyaminiaturespaceshipinitsownrightwithinwhicheachmemberofthetribewouldspendhisorherentirelife.AlthoughoutriggerscamefrommanydifferentCastes,theywereasocietycompletelyuntothemselves,separatedfromtherestofthegalaxybythetime-debtstheyaccruedbytravelingatrelatavisticvelocities;somehadwanderedsofarandforsolongthattheywererumoredtobethousandsofyearsold.Outriggersearnedalivingminingsystemsconsidereduneconomicforprowlingminesorotherlarge-scaleautomatedmeans.ThatexplainedwhattheyweredoingsofaroutfromtheprimaryofPalasianSystem,wheresolidbodieswerefewandveryfarbetweenbutthetotalmassofunexploitedmineralswasconsiderable.Beyondthat,Rocheknewlittle.Whatthespinesweredoingsoclosetoalarge

planet—thesortofgravitywelloutriggersnormallyavoided—remainedamystery.Similarly,therehadbeennorepeatofthedistresscallsthathadbroughtthem

tothedouble-planet.Shewasresignedtotravelingclosertofindoutwhathadhappened.“HowlonguntilwereachMok?”sheaskedHaid.“Onehour.”“Okay,”shesaid.“Showmethepictureswe’regetting.”DisistochuckledquietlyfrombehindRoche.“It’sprobablynotgoingtobe

whatyou’reexpecting.”“Howdoyoumean?”“Seeforyourself,”hesaid.Disistowasright.Thelittlemoonwashighlyunusual:insizebarelya

thousandkilometersacrossandconsistingofdark-hueddustyrock,withnoatmosphereandarelativelylowspecificgravity.Therewerecraters,Rocheobserved,buttheselookedsuspiciouslyregularandsimilarinsize,asthoughtheywereholesortunnel-entrancesratherthanancientimpactsites.Betweenthemstoododdprotrusionsresemblingcurvedspikesorgianthairsgrowingoutoftherock—asthoughthemoonwerecoveredinalarge-scaleversionofVelcro.Eachofthe“hooks”wasovertenmetershigh.“Weird,”shemused.“Aretheyartifacts?”“Unknown.I’veneverseenanythinglikeitbefore.”Haidstaredintentlyatthe

imagesfillingmostoftheavailablescreensandtanks.“There’snomovement,sothechancesarethey’renotalive.”“Theymightoncehavebeen,”saidDisisto.Hewasstillonthecouchwhere

“Theymightoncehavebeen,”saidDisisto.HewasstillonthecouchwhereHaidhadstrappedhimhoursearlier.“Thesun’schanged;thedifferencecould’vekilledaphotosyntheticplant,forinstance.”“Thelightwouldalwayshavebeenpoorouthere,”Haidsaid,shakinghis

head.“Mygutsaysthattheyweremade,butIhavenoideawhatpurposethey’dserve.”“Orevenwhomadethem,”saidRoche.“Exactly,”Haidagreed.“Thoseruinsareold.Theycouldbetheremainsofa

Transcendedcivilization,orevenadeadHighHuman.Youlookedintothehistoryaroundhere,Morgan.Anyrecordsofsuchathinginthisarea?”“No,butitwouldn’thurttolookagain.”“ThechiefwashopingtheruinsmightcontainsomethingrelatedtoPrimordial

Humanity,”saidDisisto.“Anoldbaseorcolony,perhaps,withrecordsintact.WehavesolittleinformationtogobywithrespecttoHumanity’sorigins.Anyscrapatallcouldbehelpful.Ifwe’dknownitwassomethinglikethis,wewould’vecomemuchsooner.”Haidlookedbackatthesecuritychief.“Ididn’tknowyouweresuchahistory

buff.”Disistoshrugged.“Workwiththechieflongenoughanditrubsoff,Iguess.”Rochedidn’trespond.Hiscasualbanterhidtheunderlyingtensionbetween

them.Neitherhadforgottentheirlastconversation,whenhehadmaintainedhisallegiancetoLinegarRufo.Shecouldn’taffordtoforget,though.Althoughsheknewhemeantwelldeepdown,thattheywereforcedtoworkonopposingsidesmadeitallthemorefrustrating.“CongreveStation?”RochepromptedHaid,keepingthemonthesubjectat

hand.“There,atthepole.”Oneimageballoonedtorevealalow,blister-shaped

installationnearthemoon’sequator.“It’scold.Lookslikenoone’stoucheditforyears.”KM36chosethatmomenttoflare.Whitelightradiatedfromthescreensasthe

ionbridgecrackledintolife.RocheandHaidwatchedtheinstrumentsformoresignsofconcealedsignals

comingfromMok.“Almostnothing,thistime,”saidHaid.“Justonepulseatthebeginning.”“Isawit.Likeawarningtone,tellingeveryonetoshutup.”HaidlookedoveratRoche.“Theyknowwe’rehere,”hesaid.Rochenodded.“Butwestillneedtotalktothemanyway.”Shepointedata

roughmapofthemoon’ssurface.“Accordingtotheinstruments,thepulsecamefromthatcrater.”

fromthatcrater.”Theimageshowedablackholeleadingintothemoon,notfarfromits

equator.“Deep,”commentedHaid.“Couldhideanything.”“Nodifferentfromtheothers,though.Asimplejaunttolookwouldn’thurt.”Heglancedupather.“Andwhogetstodothehonors?”“Ido,ofcourse.UnlessyoufancyanEVAwithyournewimplants?”Haidsmiled.“Well,I’mgame.”“Yes,butyou’renotstupid,”shesaidseriously.“YouknowI’mthebest

choice.”Haidnodded.“Butyouaregoingtotrytalkingtothemfirst,right?”“There’snopoint.They’reobviouslyinhiding;they’renotgoingtowantto

talktoanyone,nomatterwhatwesay.Besttogoknockingandseeifthey’llletusin.”“Andiftheyblowyououtofthesky?”“Thenthey’llbecometargetsforretaliation.”“Wecouldsendhim.”HaidjerkedathumbatDisisto.“Wouldyoutrusthim?”“No,”saidHaid.“Butitwouldn’tbothermesomuchtoseehimblownaway,

either.”RocheglancedatDisisto.Thesecurityhead’sexpressionwasblank,neither

offendedbynorlaughingatwhatmighthavebeenajoke.“Don’tthinkitwouldbothermetoomuch,either,”shesaid.“Nevertheless,it

stillhastobemethatgoesdown.GivemehalfanhourandI’llbesuitedupandreadyforthedrop.”

*

RochewaitedintheairlockasHaidcompletedthefinalchecksandbroughtthecourierintotheoptimumposition.Hersuitwassealedandreadytogo:armored,powered,andequippedwithenoughthrusttorepelthemoon’slowgravityforseveralhoursintotal.Thecourierwoulddropherhighaboveandatsomedistancefromthetargetcrater.Usinggravityandthethrusterswhennecessary,shewouldapproachwithallduecautionundercoveroftheionbridge.Shecarriedanumberofweaponsattheready,plusseveralconcealedinthe

thighandunderarmcompartmentsofthesuit.Ifsheencounteredtrouble,shewouldbeaspreparedasshecouldbe.

wouldbeaspreparedasshecouldbe.“Dropintwo,”saidHaid.“Noactivity.Arcdueanytimenow.”“Whenyou’reclear,assumeageosynchorbitandwaitforinstructions.I’ll

switchonmybeacononceyou’reoutofthearea.”Duringpreparationsforthejaunt,she’dreconsideredherdecisiontogoincompletelyunannounced.Broadcastinganavigationalpulsewouldletanyoneintheareaknowshewascomingwithoutgivingtoomuchaway.Iftheworstshewasfacingwasabunchofoutriggers,thesuitwouldbeabletotakecareofher;ifnot,noteventhecourierwouldbemuchuse.“MaintainradiosilenceonceI’moff-ship.”“Understood.Oneminutetodrop.”SheinclinedherheadsoHaid’sviewthroughtheairlockcamera’sincluded

herface.“Anddon’tdoanythingrashwhileI’maway,okay?”Aslightlaughfilledherhelmet.“Trustme,Morgan,”hesaid.Then:“The

bridgeisarcingnow.Thirtyseconds.Holdtight.”Rochebracedherselfagainsttheframeoftheairlock,moreoutofhabitthan

necessity,sincethechamberhadalreadybeenevacuated.Achronometerinsidethehelmetofhersuitcounteddowntheseconds.Whenithitfive,aseriesofdullclunkstraveledfromthebulkhead,alongtherigidstructureofthesuit,andtoherears,thendiedassheletgoandallowedherselftodrift.Theouterdoorslidasideasthechronometerhitzero,andshekickedthe

thrusterstolifeandshotoutoftheairlock.Aminutelater,sheswitchedonherbeacon.Herattentionwasfocusedoneyes-upnavigationdisplaysinhervisorand

artificialsightassheacceleratedawayfromthecourier;shebarelyglimpsedthered-tinged,craggysurfaceofthesmallmoonrollingbeneathher.Thecourier’senginesfiredtheinstantshewasatasafedistance,propellingitprecipitouslyawayfromher.Forabrief,disorientingmoment,shehadnoideawhereshewas.Thenthemoonswungintoview,andsherolledherselfaboutsothatherlegs

werepointinginaroughapproximationof“down.”Sheletherselffall,followingthenavigationpromptratherthantrustingherowninstincts.Orbitalmechanicswasdifficultenoughtocalculatewithouttheviewshewasdivingintoactingasadistraction.Mok...theion-bridgeflashing...KukumatandMurukanloomingimpossibly

largenearby...andnostarstobeseen,apartfromonehangingblood-redinthedistance....Forasecondshefeltverysmallandinsignificant,andmomentarilyregretted

herdecisiontoinvestigatethesignalsalone.Butthefeelingwasirrational.Sheknewoutriggerswouldproveavitalsourceofinformationonwhathadhappenedinthesystem,beforethearrivalofGalineFourandafter.Shehadto

happenedinthesystem,beforethearrivalofGalineFourandafter.Shehadtoapproachthemontheirownterms,notcozyandsafewithinthecourier.Intheirshoes,shewouldputherfaithinnothingless.Thesurfaceofthemoonapproached,andshechangedherheadinguntilshe

wasflyingthroughnear-vacuumaboveitsmottledsurface.Theambienttemperature,at125degreeskelvin,washigherthanexpected.Theforestofhook-trees,orwhatevertheywere,marchedwithoutapparentpatternorfunctionoverthedisconcertinglyclosehorizon.Shewastemptedtodroplowerandexamineoneatclosequarters,butforcedherselftoconcentrateonhermission.Onepuzzleatatime.Fiveminutesintoherflight,shechangedcoursetoavoidflyingoveranother

craterbutdidn’tveersofarawaythatshecouldn’tseeintoitsinterior.Ittrulywasashaft,notacrater,aboutfivemetersacross;radarpulsesfailedtoreturn,soshehadnowayoftellinghowdeepitwas.Thewallsseemedsmooth,asthoughmachined,buttherewasnothingelsetosuggestthattheholeservedanypurpose.Therewerenorampsorladders,noelevatorshaftsorwindows,nodoorsorplatforms;itwasjustahole,lippedslightlyatthetop,withnothinginsideit.Nothingthatshecouldsee,anyway.Ittookherfifteenminutestoreachthetargetcrater—dubbedShaft-1onthe

mapproducedbythecourier’ssensors—whichlookedidenticaltotheoneshehadflownbytenminutesearlier.Aftercircumnavigatingtheedgeoftheholeandlearningnothingnew,andfeelingslightlyboredatherlackofprogress,shedecidedaflarewouldbeherbestoption.Thenextarcwasdueintwentyminutes;shedidn’twanttowaitthatlong.Backingawayandarmingthefirstofsixflareshersuitwasequippedwith,she

primedittoigniteinawaythatwouldoffsetthedullredlightcastbyHintubet,thenfireditfromhersuit.Momentslater,asustainedburstoflightcamefromapointhighaboveherand

toherright.Finally,somecolor.Intheshaftshecouldmakeoutgray-brownwalls

descendingintothemoon,polishedsmoothbysomeunknownprocess.Nothingstoodout:nodetailofanykind.Swingingthesuithighertogetabetterview,sheeasedherselfclosertotheedgeoftheshaftandusedscanningalgorithmstoanalyzetheviewinmoredetail.Almostimmediately,shehadaresult.Asegmentofthevisorformedaseparatescreenandzoomedcloser,revealing

aglintofreflectedlightunderthelipoftheshaftoppositeher.Toosmallandtoofarawayforhertoidentify,shequicklytaggedthelocationoftheobjectsoshewouldn’tloseitwhentheflarefaded.

wouldn’tloseitwhentheflarefaded.Sheliftedherselfhigherstill,inordertolookintotheshaftwhileshecould.

Thewallsseemedtonarrowastheyfellawayintothedepthsofthemoon,butsheknewthattobeanillusion.Shewascertainnowthattheshaftwasartificial:nothingnaturallyformedcoulddescendsoperfectlystraight.Asfarasthelightreachedintotheshaft,shecouldmakeoutnodeviation,novariationatall.Onlyattheveryedgesofshadow,deepinthemoon,didshesuspectthatsomethingchanged,buteventhenshecouldn’ttellifitwasanendtotheshaft,anopeningoffit,orjustanopticalillusion.Thentheflareflickeredandfaded,andallwasred-tingeddarknessagain.Withthegainontheeyes-updisplayonhigh,sheflewbyinstrumentsaround

theshafttowhereshehadnoticedtheglintoflight.Whenhereyeshadcompletelyadjusted,sheeasedherselfslowlyoverthelipoftheshaft.Hersuitlampswerenosubstitutefortheflare,buttheobjectwasbarelyhiddenatall,andshehadnotroublecatchingasecondreflectionoffit.Itconsistedofasilverdevicebarelylargerthanherpalm,attachedtotherockyinsideoftheshaft.Extendingaslenderprobe,shetoucheditfromtwometersaway,elicitingno

response.Movingclosertotouchitwithhersuitglove,shediscoveredthatitwasstucktothewallbylittlemorethanatackygel,suggestingitwasn’tapermanentfixture.Asimpletugpulleditfree,exposinginstrumentationontheunderside.Rocheknewwhatitwasimmediately:asimplerelaydesignedtoconfuseanyonelisteninginthearea,andpresumablyplantedtherebytheoutriggers.Insteadofbeingthesourceofthetransmissions,Shaft-1wasjustadecoy.Assuch,itwassomethingofananticlimax.Nevertheless,itdidprovide

tangibleevidencethatsomeonewasinthearea—someonewhowastransmittingtoothersandmakingatleastsomeattempttoremainhidden.“Morgan?”Haid’svoiceoverhersuit-speakersstartledher.“Don’treplyunlessyouhaveto,butI’mmovingtoencryptedchannelthirty-

oneintwoseconds.”Thelinewentdeadabruptly,andsheshiftedhercommunicationschannelto

theonehehadindicated,wonderingasshedidwhyhewascalling.“IknowI’msupposedtokeepquiet,”hecontinued,hisvoicefuzzyfrom

compression,“butIthoughtyoushouldknowthatwe’repickingupafaintsignalfromdeeperin-system.It’sinthatcodeCanerecognized—theSolWunderkindcommandlanguage.Ican’tworkoutwhatit’ssaying,andDisistosayshecan’teither.Buttheweirdthingis,it’sbeingbeamedrightatus,fromroughlywhereGalineFourwaswhenweleftit.I’dsaysomeone’stryingtocommunicatewith

GalineFourwaswhenweleftit.I’dsaysomeone’stryingtocommunicatewithsomeoneelseouthere,andI’dhatetothinkwhattheymightbesaying...”Haid’svoicetrailedoffintosilenceasachillsweptoverRoche.LinegarRufowasaspecialistinantiquities.HeknewabouttheSol

ApotheosisMovement.HeknewaSolWunderkindwaslooseinthesystem.Hehadmentionedthattransmissionshadbeenreceivedfromnearthejovianpair.Hehadn’tactuallysaidthetransmissionswerefromsurvivorsoftheWunderkind’sattack.IfhehadfoundsomereferencetotheWunderkindlanguageinaforgottenarchive,andifhesuspectedthatthesourceofthetransmissionswouldunderstandit...RufowastryingtotalktotheSolWunderkind.Notonlythat,buthebelieved

theWunderkindwashidingsomewherenearMok.Rochethrustherselfupandoutofthecrater,alertforanysignofactivityon

themoon’ssurface.Therewasnone,butthatdidn’treassureher.IfRufowasright,thenshehadmoretoworryaboutthanjustamotleybunchofoutriggers.Shevacillatedforamomentoverwhethertoreturntothecourierornot.Haid

wouldknowshewasstillalive,sotherewasnoneedtoreplytothesignal.Toreturnmightjustplacehimandtheothersatgreaterrisk.Andtheywereallatrisk,justfrombeinginthearea.IftheWunderkindgothishandsonanothership...Thatbroughtherupcold.Whatwouldhedowiththecourier?Hehadalready

abandoneditonce.Itsslow-jumpdrivewasslag,sohecouldn’tuseittoescapethesystem.LikewisewiththeoutriggerspinesandGalineFour;novesselinthesystemhadaworkingslow-jumpdrive,excepttheAnaVereine—andthat,shevowed,wouldbekeptwellclearuntilshewasabsolutelycertainitwassafe.Potentially,then,theWunderkindwouldn’twanttomakehimselfvulnerable

byexposinghimself.Thatdidn’tmakeherfeelmuchsafer,though.Anattackonacourierwouldundoubtedlybenoticed;anattackonasingleperson,however,wassomethingelseentirely...ShedecidedthatitwouldbebestifHaidpickedherup.Thatwaytheycould

explorethemoonfromorbitwithoutriskinganyone’slife.Andifshewasright,iftheWunderkindwouldn’tattackthecourieritself,theywouldallbesafe—atleastuntiltheyactuallyfoundhim.Sheturnedthesuitaroundinaslowarc,anglingupward.Atthesametime,

sheopenedtheencryptedcommunicationschannel.“Ameidio,it’sme.Workoutarendezvous.I’m—”Anear-splittingsquealcuthershort.Thechannelwasswampedbynoise,

overridinghersignalandanyHaidmightbetryingtosend.Shehuntedfora

overridinghersignalandanyHaidmightbetryingtosend.Shehuntedforasourceoftheinterference,andafteramomentrealizeditwasthetransmittershehadleftbehindinthecrater.Ratherthanflyback,shearmedthesuit’simpulseweapon,targetedandfired.

Therelaywassmallandthedistanceincreasing,butwiththehelpofonboardsystems,theprojectilecrossedthegapeasily,impactingwithashort-livedflashoflight.Theinterferencedidn’tceaseentirely,butitdidebbenoughforhertohear

Haidcall:“Behindyou,Morgan!Behindyou!”

*

Aslongasshelived,sheknewshe’dneverforgetherfirstsightofanoutriggerall-suit.Itloomedoverherlikeabiomechanicalstarfishwitharibbedhalo

surroundingit—almostthirtymetersacross,droopingslightlyinthemoon’slowgravity,resemblingthefrillsofanangrylizard.Towardthecenterweredozensofinstrumentationspinesandjointedwaldoes,alldirectedather.Inthecenterwasnothingbutlight:apowerfullaserdazzlingherdespitehersuit’sprotectivevisor.Anionbeamliftedtheall-suitaboveher,itssprayofwhitefiredisturbingthemoon’ssurfaceinanangrymanner.Sheretreated,anditfollowed.Hersensorsregisteredanincoming

transmission,superimposeduponthejammingsignal.“Identify,”wasallitsaid,itstonecoldlyartificial.Sheaimednumerousweaponsonthelasersource.Behindit,instruments

madeouttheshapeandlocationofthecentralthorax,apressurizedpodlargeenoughtocontainasingleHumanandtheequipmentitneededtosurviveforalifetimeinspace.“Identifyyourself,”shereplied.Movementtoonesidecaughthereye:anotherall-suit,itsextensibleantennae

unfurlingasitapproached.Ittoofiredalaseratherlocation,thisoneataslightlydifferentfrequencytotheother.“Identify!”Roche’ssuitissuedawarningasathirdlaserhither—thisonefromfartherup.

Thethreecombinedlaserswerethreateningtheintegrityofherfaceplate;muchmoreofthisandshewouldhavetoopaquethehelmet,orriskbeingburnedandpossiblyevenblinded.

possiblyevenblinded.“Identify!”Rochesighedresignedly.Surroundedbythreeall-suits,shewashardlyina

positiontobedefiant.“MorganRoche,”shesaid,“ex-COEIntelligenceandcommandingofficerof

theindependentvesselAnaVereine.”“TheDatoship?”askedavoicethatwashostilebutatleastHuman.“Bydesignonly.ItnolongerservestheMilitaryPresidium.”“Howdoweknowyou’retellingthetruth?”“Youshould’veaskedyourselfthatbeforeyouaskedmeanythingatall.”“Indeed,”chuckledasecondvoice,afemalecontralto.“So,whyareyou

here?”“I’mlookingforsurvivors.”“Why?”Thevoiceofthethirdoutriggerwasmaleandsharpwithsuspicion.“Wepickedupadistresscall.”“Wedidn’tsendone.”“Well,someonedid.”Rochesuppressedanurgetosnap.“Regardless,Ineed

toknowwhathappenedinthissystemsowecanstopithappeningelsewhere.Youcanhelpmedothat.”“Howverycommendable,”saidthefirstvoice.“Yoursuperiorsmustbeproud

ofyou.”“Itoldyou:I’mindependent.Idon’thaveanysuperiors.”“YoucomelookingforusinaCOEIntelligencecouriervessel,wearinga

COEIntelligencesuit,andyouexpectustobelievethatyounolongerworkforthem?”“Idon’tcarewhatyoubelieve,”saidRoche.“Andreally,doesitmakeany

differencewhoIworkfor?”Thewaldoesonthethirdall-suitshifted.“Ithinkweshouldspaceher,”said

theaccompanyingvoice.“Privatechannel,youidiot,”saidthesecondoutrigger,allhumorgone.Foramomenttheoutriggersignoredher,onlytheslightmotionofwaldoes

andantennaebetrayingthefactthatsomesortofinteractionwastakingplace.Clearlytheall-suitsactedinmuchthesamewayasnormalbodiesfortheirinhabitants,withapeculiarformofbody-languagetomatch.Onlythelasersdidn’tshift,aimedsquarelyatRochethroughthehelmetofhersuit.Afteraminuteofsilence,sheopaquedherfaceplateandhadthesuitdisplay

theviewartificially.Haidwaspingingher,sendingherarepetitivesignalthroughtheinterferencetoletherknowhewaswatchingandreadytoactifneeded.Thatwasreassuring,butshewantedtokeephimoutofitifpossible;she

needed.Thatwasreassuring,butshewantedtokeephimoutofitifpossible;shehadtoearntheirtrustonherown,withoutusingforce.Theoutriggersshiftedaroundher.Shetensed,readytodefendherselfif

attacked.Instead,twoofthelasersdimmed,thensnappedoff.Afterafewmoments,thethirddidlikewise.“We’retakingyoutoaquorum,”saidthesecondoutrigger.“I’mnotgoinganywhereuntilyoutellmewhoyouareandkillthe

interferencesoIcantalktomycrew.”“You’reinnopositiontomakeanydemands,”saidthethirdoutrigger.“Forthelasttime,Yul,”saidthesecond,“shutupandletmedothetalking.

She’sheretohelpus.”“I’dliketo,”Rochecutin.“InsofarasIcan,atleast;ifyou’llletme.”“Exactly.I’mIdil,andthisisYulandEli.”Nowthelaserswereoff,Rochecouldseetheall-suitsproperly.Mil’swas

paintedentirelyinacolorthatmighthavebeenorangebutlookedpinkinthelight;Yul’shadfoursilverbandsarounditsmidriff;Eli’swasangular,almostrhombohedralinshape.“We’refromLongSpanspine.AuditorByrnesaysyoucantalk,buttheship

youcamehereinisnottochangeitsorbit.Ifitcomesnearthespines,we’llretaliate.”Rochegruntedastheinterferencefaded.Sheusedthesameencryptedchannel

Haidhadrequestedearlier.“Ameidio?Youthere?”“Yeah,”cameHaid’svoice.“Youokay?”“Fine.They’retakingmesomewheretonegotiate.Idon’twantyoutodo

anythingelsebutwaituntilIcomeback.”“Howlong?’heasked.Sherelayedthequestiontotheoutriggers.“Acoupleofhours,”Idilsaid.“Ornever.Thequorummaydecideitdoesn’t

needyourhelp.Andifso,itmightnotletyoureturntoyourshipatall.”Rocheprivatelydoubtedtheoutriggers’abilitytodamagehersuit,butwasn’t

keenontestinghertheoryjustyet.“Givethemthreehours,Ameidio,thenuseyourjudgment.”“Willdo.”“AndifyouhearfromtheBox,tellittostayaway.Wedon’twantthedrive

fallingintothewronghands.”“Iunderstand,”saidHaid.“Andshouldanyonemakeamoveonme,I’llget

thehelloutofhere,butI’lltrycontactingyoufirst.Anyideawherethey’re

thehelloutofhere,butI’lltrycontactingyoufirst.Anyideawherethey’retakingyou?”“Tooneofthespines,Iguess.Theyhaven’tsaid.”“Well,I’llkeepthechannelsopen.”Rocheturnedherattentiontotheoutriggers.Allthreesuitswereoriented

towardher,theirantennaespreadwidelikeeyeswatchingherintently.“Okay,”shesaid,readyinghersuittotakeherupintoorbit,towardthespines.

“Let’sgo.”Butinsteadofup,theytookherdown.

*

ShelostdirectradiocontactwithHaidthemomentshefollowedIdilintotheshaft.Shecouldstillheartheregularpingbroadcastbythecourier,butonlyasaseriesoffaintandhighlypeculiarechoes,asthoughtheshaftwasabsorbingthesignal,interferingwithit,thenbroadcastingitbackatherfromadozenlocationsatonce.Shedidn’tknowwhatwouldhappenifshetriedtocontacthim.Maybenothingoutoftheordinary,orhewouldn’thearheratall.Itwastoolatetoworryaboutthatnow.ShefollowedclosebehindIdil,watchingastheantennaeoftheoutrigger’s

suitwereenfoldedtopreventdamagetofragilecomponents.Theothertwo,somewherebehindRoche,werenodoubtdoingthesame.Theshaftitselfwaslitbythesearchlightsofthethreeall-suitsandherownsuit,givingheranintriguingglimpseintothemoon’sinterior.Theshaft’ssmoothrockfacefadedafterahundredmetersorso;beyondthatitsharedthecolorandalbedoofbronze,althoughitcouldeasilyhavebeensomethingelse.Atonehundredandfiftymeters,theshaftdoglegged,firstupwardwithrespecttoRoche,thentoherleft,thendownagain,thentwicetoherright.Theturnswerealwaysatrightangles,butthedistancesbetweenthemwereirregular.Navigationwastricky,usingthrustersandtheoccasionallimb—orwaldo,intheoutriggers’case—tocorrectmiscalculations.Afterseveralmoresuchturns,Rochestartedtofeeldisoriented,asthoughtrappedinsomebizarrecosmicplumbing.Theypassedatunnelopeningtoherleft,unlitandwiththesameradiusasthe

shafttheyweretravelingalong.Theypassedtwoothersbeforemoving“upward”intoafourth.Fromtheinside,itwasthesameastheonetheyhadleft.Shecouldseenomarkings,nofixtures,noartifactsofanykind.Nothingbutendlesstunnels,crisscrossingthroughtheheartofthemoon.Onlythendidsherealizethatshehadliterallylostallsenseofupanddown—

Onlythendidsherealizethatshehadliterallylostallsenseofupanddown—andsohadhersuit.Itwasobtainingreadingsconsistentwithbeinginfree-fall,regardlessofwhichwaytheytraveled.Somethinginthetunnelwalls,orelsewhere,haddampenedthelowgravityofthemoontonothing.Why,orhow,shecouldn’timagine.AheadofRoche,Idilbegantoslow.Theall-suitissuedaburstofwhitenoise,

andaholeinthepipe-wallopenedtooneside.No,notopened,Rochecorrectedherself;ithadalwaysbeenthere.Theholographicgeneratorconcealingithadsimplybeenswitchedoff.Idilledthewaythroughthehole,intoasphericalchamberonehundredmeters

across,fromwhichmanyothersuchopeningsled.Otherwise,thewallsweresmooth,rangingincolorfromthebronzeofthetunnelstoadeepcherry-redatthepointsfarthestfromtheholes.ThewallsradiatedlightofafrequencynotdissimilartothatofHintubet.Thespacewithinthechambercontainedathinatmosphere,heldinplaceby

somesortofboundary-fieldacrosseachhole,andafurthersevenoutriggersdriftinginfree-fall.Eachwasslightlydifferentfromtheothers.Withinstrumentsretracted,theylookedlikeescapecapsules,capsulesmadebytendifferentcompaniesfortendifferentCastes;wheninstrumentsdidappear,theydidsoinuniqueconfigurationsandcombinations.Therewerenoportholes,noindicationsastotheappearancesoftheiroccupantsatall,butitwaseasytotellthemapart.Idil,Yul,andElidispersedoncetheywereintheroom,andthesevenothers

seemedtorearrangethemselvesslightlytoaccommodatethenewcomers.WithinmomentsRochewastheonlythingmovinginthecenterofthechamber;theoutriggershad,perhapsbyinstinct,arrangedthemselvesinawaythatmaximizedthespacebetweenthem.“Wewanttoknowwhyyoucamehere,MorganRoche.”Thesignalcame

fromanoutriggerwhoseall-suitwasshapedlikeateardrop,taperingatitsaftendtoamenacingpoint.Eventhiscloseandinanatmosphere,theoutriggersstillcommunicatedbyradio.“Icameheretofindyou,”sheanswered.“Survivors,anyway.Wewere

pickingupsignalsfromthisregion.”“Notfromus,youweren’t.”“No.Iknowthatnow.”Shepausedforasecond,thenasked:“Whyareyou

hidingdownhere?”“Becausewedon’twanttodie,liketheothers,”saidone,hissuitmarkedwith

concentricgreentriangles.

concentricgreentriangles.“Yousawwhathappened?”“WideBerthspinelostalmostafullcomplementoverthespaceportonAro.

AllhandsofLongSpanremainedatadistance,andsowesurvived.”Thisvoice,thicklyaccented,camefromanall-suitstripeddiagonallyinblack.TheeffectithaduponRocheasitslowlyrotatedwasdizzying.“WecamedownherewhentheGalinestationarrivedbecausewesuspectedwewouldnotbesafenearit.”“Wewillneverbesafeinthissystem,”saidthegreentriangleoutriggerin

sharpdisagreement.“We’vealreadylostseventeensincewe’vebeenhere.”“Theshorttermisallthatmatters—”“Theshorttermisallyoueverthinkabout,Lud.Whentheonewhokilledthe

clanonWideBerthcomeslookingforus,hewillfindyousittingherestill,theeasiesttargetinthegalaxy.”Ababbleofargumentbrokeout.Clearlythequorumwasdividedonwhatto

doabouttheSolclonewarrior,justasIdil,Yul,andElihadbeenaboutRoche.Shesmiledtoherself.Thiswaseverythingshe’dhopedfor.Ifshecouldonly

keepthemtalking—Shecaughtaflashthatmighthavebeenleakagefromaprivatelaser

communication,thentheteardropall-suitspoke:“Weshouldn’tsquabblewithintheclan,”shesaid.Hervoicewasfirm,and

resembledMil’sininflectionifnotpitch.“Wecamehere,MorganRoche,toescapeWideBerth’sfate.Wehavewatchedeventsinthesystemcarefullysincethen,awaitinganysignthattheonebehindtheattackonWideBerthwascominghere.Sofar,therehasbeennosuchsign.Yourarrivalcausedamomentofconcern,butit’sclearthatyouarenottheone.Yourapproachwastooopen,tooblatant.Ifearthattheoneweanticipatewillbeuponusbeforeweevensuspect.”“Thedatayoucollected—”Rochebrokein.“MayI—?”“Accessit?Certainly.”Soeasy?Rochecouldn’thelpbutbesuspicious.“Why?”sheasked.“Ithoughtyouwantedtointerrogateme?”“Wedo.Buttheclanteachesthatallanswerslieinthequestioner’sownheart.

Ifweexchangeinformation,perhapsyouwillseeforuswhatwedonot.”Rochenodded.“Perhaps,”shesaid.“Whatdowehavetolose?”Theteardrop’sbluntendunfoldedlikeaflower,

peelingbackshieldingtoexposedelicatemachinerywithin.“Youarenottheonewefeared.Ithereforeputmytrustinyou,MorganRoche.Ihavefaithyouwillnotabuseit.”Rochewasslightlytakenback.“Justwhoareyou,anyway?”sheasked.“MynameisByrne,auditorofLongSpanspine.Insituationssuchasthese,

“MynameisByrne,auditorofLongSpanspine.Insituationssuchasthese,whentimeisoftheessence,Iamtheonethatmakesdecisions.”“Sotheirlivesarebasicallyinyourhands?”saidRoche.“Asmineisintheirs,”shereplied.“Weareone,evenwhenwedisagree.”“Youaretheirvoice,”saidRoche.Thebluntendoftheall-suitbegantoclose.“Iamalsotheonethatasksthe

questions,andrightnowIwouldaskagain:Whyareyouhere,MorganRoche?”Rochewasstillalittlestunnedbytheoddturnofevents,butsheknewthatif

shewasgoingtogetanywherewiththeoutriggers,thenshewasgoingtohavetotalktoByrne,andthatmeantansweringanythingaskedofher.Sosheoutlinedherreasonsforcomingtothesystemandwhathadhappenedtohersincearriving.Nopointwascoveredtwice,untiltheend,whenRochewasaskedtorecapitulateherrelationshipwithAdoniCane.ManyoftheoutriggersassembledforthequorumwerehesitanttotrustsomeonewhohadlinkswithanotherSolWunderkind—albeitonewhoseemedlessdestructivethantheonewhohaddestroyedPalasianSystem.Rochecouldunderstandthat.“Theotherspine,WideBerth,”shesaid,fishingforinformationofherown.

“WhatexactlyhappenedtothemoverAro?”“Wereceiveddistresssignals,”saidByrne.“Anumberofsmallpods,possibly

escapecapsules.WideBerthdecidedtoattemptarescue.Weadvisedagainstit,andsuspectedthattheonebehindtheattackonthedomedcity—theSolclonewarrior,asyoucallhim—wasstillinthearea.Whetherhewasornot,weneverdidfindout,butthepodswereatrap.Anorbitalwhipdecimatedthemainbodyofthosewhowenttoinvestigate,whilegas-gunspickedoffthesurvivors.”“Wewereunabletoassistthemintime,”Lud’sbittervoicebrokein.“And

thoseobservingfromtheGalinestationdidnotintervene.”“Yousawtheobservers?”“Yes.”“Butyou’vehadnocontactatallwithGalineFour?”saidRoche.“Wehailedthemwhenitarrived,buttheyignoredus,”saidByrne.“Thisis

notuncommon,ofcourse,asoutriggersareoftenoverlooked.ButwhentheyalsoignoredtheplightofWideBerth,weknewitsdisinterestwasmoremalevolentthanusual.”Rocheabsorbedthis.TheferocityoftheattackontheWideBerthoutriggers

didn’tnecessarilymeanthattheSolclonewarriorwaspersonallydirectingit;automaticsystemscouldhavedoneaswell.ButArowasthelastlocationhe’dbeenknowntobe;thechanceofaneyewitnessreportwasworthfollowingup.“Noonesurvivedtheattack?”

“Noonesurvivedtheattack?”“One,”saidByrne.“Theyoungestoftheclan,aboynamedYarrow.Hisrole

inthespinewasobserver,sohewasremovedfromthefocusofattack.Wefoundhisall-suitbreachedanddriftingadaylater.HisemergencysystemslastedbarelylongenoughtoreturnhimtoLongSpan,wherehisall-suitwasrepaired.”“CouldItalktohim?”“Thatisimpossible,”saidByrne.“Hemighthaveinformation—”“Hecantellyounothing,”saidLudfirmly.“I’dstillliketoask.”“Hispeaceismoreimportantthanyourwishes!”spatLud.ThesoftervoiceofAuditorByrnefilledthequietfollowingLud’sanger:

“Yarrowhasnotspokensincetheattackonhisclan.Youarewelcometotry,butIdon’tlikeyourchances.”“You’resureitishim?”“Ofcourse,”saidByrne.“Ioversawhishealingmyself.”RochewonderedwhetherByrnehadactuallyseentheboyinthefleshor

operatedthroughhisall-suit.ShealsowonderedhowByrnecouldbesosurehewaswhohesaidhewassincehe’dcomefromanotherspine.Itwouldbealltooeasytohideinanall-suitandpretendtobesomeonewhowasactuallydead.Butshedecidednottopushtheissueanyfurther,fornow.Byrneseemed

convincedoftheboy’sidentity.InsteadRochepromisedherselfshewouldtrytotalktotheboyherself,later.“IstherenothingnewyoucantellmeabouttheSolclonewarrior’s

activities?”shesaid.ThespinningofLud’sstripedall-suitslowed.“No.”“Hespeaksthetruth.”Byrne’svoicewasregretful.“Bythetimeweknew

somethingwaswrong,theclonewarriorhadgoneintohiding;andbeforewecouldescape,thesystemwasenclosed.Wearetrappedhereassurelyasheis.”“Perhapsnotanymore,”saidLud.“True.”Byrne’stonewasthoughtful.“MorganRoche,althoughIhavesaid

thatItrustyou,thatdoesnotmeanthatwewillhelpyoufreely,oratall.Theclanasawholeneedstoconsidereverythingyou’vetoldus.YouractionsandthoseofLinegarRufocouldbeinterpretedmanyways,andImustconsultwithmypeoplebeforemakinganydecisions.”“Howlongwillthattake?”Rocheasked.“Severalhours.Thedebatewillbethorough,withasmanyattendingthe

Plenaryaspossible.Youmayattendthesummation,ifyouwish.”

Plenaryaspossible.Youmayattendthesummation,ifyouwish.”“Thankyou.I’dlikethat.”Rochewascurioustoseehowtheoutriggerswould

attainconsensusonsuchacomplexissueinsoshortatime,andwasnaturallyconcernedthatitsoutcomewouldbeinherfavor.“ButfirstI’mgoingtohavetocontactmyshipfromthesurface.ItoldmycrewthatIwouldreportin.”“IdilandYulwillescortyou.”“Ihavenointentionofescaping.”“Ibelieveyou,MorganRoche,”saidByrne.“Theywillactmoreasyour

guidesthanyourguards.”Nothingwassaid,butByrne’swordsstillcarriedanimplicitwarning.Mok’s

labyrinthwasextensiveanddifficulttonavigate,andshouldRochechoosetoattempttoeludeherguides,sheknewshewouldquicklybecomelost.Ifthathappened,itwaspossibletheywouldnotbeabletofindheragain.Iftheyeventried.ToRoche’snominatedguides,AuditorByrneadded:“Perhapsyoucould

showherthecentralchamberonyourreturn.”RocheneithersawnorheardanykindofacknowledgmentfromeitherIdilorYul,yetsomethingseemedtobeconveyedtotheauditor.Asecondlatershesaid:“Excellent,thenyoucanjoinusfromthere.”Withthat,theoutriggersledRocheoutofthechamber,whilethequorum

assumeditsformerconfiguration,onlywithAuditorByrneatthecenterandtheremainingsevenaroundher.Roche’sguidestookheralongthecorridoroutsideatamoresedatepacethan

before.Rochecouldn’ttelliftheywereretracingtheirsteps.Themanyturnsandlackofreferencepointshadherthoroughlyconfused,substantiatingByrne’sunspokenwarning.“Howdoyouknowwhereyou’regoing?”Rocheasked.Yul’sgruffvoiceanswered:“Breeding.”“Ourinternalguidancesystemsarehighlyspecialized,”Idilchippedin.“Much

moresophisticatedthanyours.Youcouldseverusfromalloursensesandtakeusanywhereacrossthesystem.Setusadrift,andwecouldfindourwaytowithinakilometerofwherewestarted.”“What’sthatgottodowithbreeding?”Rocheasked.“Someofusarethird-orfourth-generationclanmembers,”saidIdil.“We

gestatedwithinandwereraisedaspartofoursuits;itssystemsareours,althoughnaturallytheinterfaceisnotperfect.Witheverygeneration,however,weimprove.”RochewasremindedofUriKajic.Thiswasn’tsodifferent.TheancientDato

RochewasremindedofUriKajic.Thiswasn’tsodifferent.TheancientDatoAtaman,forwhomtheMarauderwasnamed,might’vesavedherselfalotoftroubleifonlyshe’dtalkedtooutriggersbeforelaunchingtheAndermahrExperiment.Buttraditionallynoonetalkedtooutriggers.Didbusinesswiththem,yes,but

didnotconverseasequals.Theywereregardedwiththesamesortofsuspicionandcontemptasnomadswereonsomebackwardworlds.Thattheywerecapableofgreattechnicalskilldidn’tespeciallysurpriseRoche,buttheirsenseofhonorandintegritydid.AuditorByrneandIdilhadbothdemonstratedclearheadednessandwillingnesstotrustunderdifficultcircumstances—somethingRoche’sformercolleaguesinCOEIntelligencewerenotrenownedfor.“Howmanyofyoucomefromoutsidetheclan?”sheasked.“Abouthalf,”Idilreplied.“Weseealotofdisaffectedtypesaswetravel.

Jadedcombatsoldiers;criminalslookingforsomewheretohide;sociophobes.Mostwerejectoutofhand.Theoneswekeeparethosewhodemonstrateanabilitytomaintaingroupintegrityovervastdistances.It’sadifficultthingtomanage;someneverdocometotermswiththeisolation.Butonceaccepted,thelifestyledoeshaveitsrewards.”“Doyougivepreferencetothosewhocomefromthesameplaceasothers

withintheclan?Ortogroupsofapplicants?Inoticethatyouandtheauditorhaveasimilaraccent.”“Wedo,butourrelationshipisnotwhatyoumightthink.IjoinedLongSpan

asateenagerwhenitpassedthroughthefringesofGwydyonseventy-eightsubjectiveyearsago—onehundredandtwentyofyours.Myall-suitusedtobelongtothewomanwhoseclannameItookaftermytenthyearasamember.ShediedofoldagesixmonthsbeforeIjoined.InmytwentiethyearIelectedtohaveachild,conceivedparthenogeneticallyfrommyowntissue.Igaveherthenameofmymother,backonGwydyon,anddesignedherall-suitmyself.AuditorByrneismydaughter.”RocheponderedthisasIdilandYulledhertowardthesurfaceofthestrange,

alienmoon.

*

“I’msureit’sokay,Ameidio.”“Damnit,Morgan!”TheannoyancewasobviousinHaid’svoice.“You’re

takinganawfulrisk.”

takinganawfulrisk.”“OnlybecauseIneedto.Youknowthat.I’llbeawayafewhourslonger,and

thesuitwillneedatop-up.IfIhadachoice,I’dletyoucomedown,butIdon’ttrustMyerandDisistoaloneintheship.Soyou’llhavetosendDisistowitheverythingIneed.”“Whydon’tyoujustcomeuphere?Youcanbehereandbackwithinan

hour.”“Becauseit’snotjustaboutsupplies.Imightneedsomeoneelsedownhereif

thedecisiondoesn’tgoourway.They’vesaidwecantrustthem,butI’mnotwillingtobelieveeverythingtheysayjustyet.”Haidwassilentforasecond.“Besideswhich,youwanttohavealookaround,

right?”Rochesmiledtoherself.“Yougotit.”“IguessIcan’tblameyou,Morgan.Fromwhatthesuitrecorded,Ican’tsay

I’veseenanywherelikeitbefore.”“Disistowillbeinterestedinittoo,givenhisassociationwithRufo’swork.

Anotherreasontosendhimdown.AndmaybeIcanworkonhimalittle,gethimtochangehismind.”“Okay,okay,”Haidsaidwithamixofresignationandlevity.“Besides,it’s

gettingalittlecrowdeduphere.Mavalhin’sawake,andifIhearonemorecomplaintoutofhim,IswearI’mgoingtoputhimintheairlock.”“Anyparticularissue?”“Hewantstotalktoyou.”“Naturally.Butifit’snotimportant,hecanwait.”“That’swhatIkeeptellinghim.Unfortunately,I’verunoutofreasonstokeep

himundersedation,andhegripesaboutbeingtiedup.”Rochechuckledtoherself.Shecouldsympathize,buttherewaslittleelseshe

coulddo.“Anyothernews?”“AtightbeamfromtheBoxarrivednotlongago,bouncedoffadronenear

Herensung.WehaveanETAwiththeAnaVereineinfivedays.TheBoxsayswe’llbeabletocontactitsafelyintwenty-fourhours.It’llsenduscoordinatesbeforethen.”“That’sprogress,Iguess.”Sincetheirlastexchangeofmessagestoarrange

therendezvouspoint,theyhadmaintainedstrictradiosilence.“Goodtoknowtheshipevadedcapture.”“TheBoxneverseemedtohaveanyworries.”“Itwouldn’t.”RochescannedtheskyforanysignofDaybreak,butitwasn’t

visible.“Myselforoneoftheoutriggers”—sheforwardedhimtheunique

frequenciesIdilhadgivenher—”willstayonthesurfacetowaitforDisisto.Thesoonerheleaves,thebetter.Callmeifthereareanyproblems.”HaidsignedoffandRochereturnedherattentiontotheworldaroundher.She

wasrestingintheverylowlocalgravitynearoneofthehairlikespikesprotrudingfromthesurfaceofthemoon.Thesoilbelowherseemedtoglitterfaintly—aneffectmagnifiedbythecracklingoftheionbridgehighaboveher.Whenshebenttotouchit,shelearnedthatitwasonlyacentimeterortwodeep;belowthatwasblackrock,inerttoallthesuit’ssensors.“You’llfinditdifficulttochip,”saidIdil,balancingonhermainthrusternot

faraway.“Someofustriedtoanalyzeitwhenwearrived,butdidn’thavemuchluck.Itmightbesomesortofartificialmaterialwehaven’tcomeacrossbefore.Designedfromthemoleculesup.”“Anyideawhomadeit?”“That’shardtosay.Therearelivingquartersoffoneofthecentralchambers.

Wecan’tgetintothemourselves,butwemanagedtogetsomeofourremoteprobesin.”“Didyoufindanything?Anyreasonwhythebuildersleft?Anybodiesthat

mighthelpidentifytheCaste?”“Nothing.Infact,thequarterswereneverinhabited.Theywerepossibly

intendedasashrine,oramuseumperhaps.”Rocheconsideredthis.Anancient,unknownCaste,closeenoughto

Transcendencetonolongerneeditshereditaryformbutnotsoremovedtohavelostallaffectionforit,mighthavemodifiedorbuiltthesmallmoonforpurposesthathadbecomemeaninglessovertime.Mokmighthavedriftedfarfromitsoriginsbeforebeingcapturedbythedouble-jovian,or—andthiswasanareaRochehardlydaredventureinto—theentirearrangementcouldhavebeenartificial.Thetwogasgiants,theionbridge,andthesinglemoonwereanunlikelycombinationtohaveformednaturally.Althoughthepossibilitywasdaunting,theuniversehadacapacityforsurprisefarexceedingRoche’sownimaginationandsheknewbetterthantobaseanyopinionsonwhatsheconsiderednormal.Theaspirationsandachievements,andeventhewhereabouts,oftheCaste

responsiblefortheartifactswereasimpenetrableastheartifactsthemselves.Andthatonlymadehermorecurious.Assumingtheoutriggersjoinedhercause,shewouldhavedaysbeforetheBoxarrived.Whichwouldbeplentylongenoughtohaveadecentlookaround.

*

Disistocompliedreadilywithherinstructions,andwassuitedandabletogowithinthehour.Halfanhourafterthat,hehadjoinedRocheonthesurfacewithautilitycontainingtherequisitionshersuitneededtoremainoperatingforanextendedperiod.Whileitlookedafteritself,sheintroducedhimtothetwooutriggers.Mil’svoicewasfrosty.“You’refromtheGalinestation?”“Irandocksecurity.”“Howmuchsaydoyouhaveregardingpolicy?”“None,really.That’sallhandledbythechief.”“LinegarRufo?”“Yes.”IfMilwasappeasedbythat,Yulwasnot.“Yourpeoplestoodbywhileaclan

wasmurdered.”‘That’ssimplynottrue—”Disistobegan.“YoudenythatyouhadobserversintheareaofArowhenthespinewas

attacked?”“No,but—”“Theydidnothing.”“Whatcouldtheyhavedone?Theywereonlyahandful.Ifyourpeople

couldn’tdoanything,howcouldmine?”“Atleastyoucould’vetalkedtousafterwards,”saidIdil.“Traded

information.”“Tohavebroadcastlikethatwouldhavegivenawayourlocation!”“You’relying,”saidYul.“Youbroadcastregularlyontheoldchannels.”“Throughrelays.”“Exactly.Thatmustbesafeenough.Whoeveritisyou’retalkingtocan’tbe

anylessdangerousthanus.”Rochenotedthecomment.ItseemedtheoutriggersalsosuspectedRufoof

tryingtocontacttheSolwarrior.“Thisisallirrelevant,”sheinterrupted.“Disistoisherebecausehe’sinterested

intheruinsyou’vefound.He’snothereasmyally,oryours.Farfromit.Ifyouobjecttohispresence,I’llhappilysendhimback.”Yulgrunted,thewaldoesonhisall-suittwitchinguncertainly.“Wewillsufferhispresence,”Idildecided.“Butifhegetsintotrouble,don’t

expectustohelp.”“Atleastweknowwherewestand.”Disisto’svoicewasstiffandformal.

“Atleastweknowwherewestand.”Disisto’svoicewasstiffandformal.Rochedidn’ttrustherselftocomment.“Shallwegetonwithit?”she

suggested.Theydescendedintothemoon,thistimeviaanothershaft.Rochehadnoway

totellthisonefromtherest,apartfromitsmapcoordinates.AgainshehadtorelyontheoutriggerstonavigateforherandDisistoastheyzigzaggedthroughthetunnels.“Therearefourthousandtwohundredseventeenentrancesonthesurfaceof

Mok,”Idilsaidastheytraveled.“Thetunnelsthemselvesextendformanythousandsofkilometerswithinthemoon.Wehaven’tevencomeclosetomappingthemall.Somegonowhereorloopbackonthemselves;othersendinchambersliketheoneyousawearlier;stillothersleadtomuseums,orwhatmightbemachinesofsomekind.It’shardtotell.ButIgetthefeelingthatwehaven’ttoucheduponthestuffthatactuallymatters.It’shiddeninsomerecessesofthismoonwehaven’tdiscoveredyet.”“Youthinkthisisjustasmokescreen?”Disistoasked.“It’sapossibility.Alabyrinthdesignedtomakeitdifficultforintruderstoget

in.”“Orout,”Rocheaddedquietlytoherself.“Theycould’vebuiltadooroutofthecrustmaterialandkeptjustabout

everythingout,”saidYul.“Perhapsthatwasn’tenough,”Idilventured.“Dependshowfearfultheir

enemieswere,Iguess.”“Itseemslikeyoupickedagoodplacetohide,then,”saidRoche.“Toogood,

almost.”“WhentheclanofWideBerthdied,”saidYul,“itwasanobviousplaceto

seekshelter:distant,relativelysecure,andbelongingtonooneelse.Wewerehopingwe’dgoundetected.”Theoutrigger’sall-suitrotatedslightlyonitsaxis.Ashrug,Rocheintuited.“Wehaveruinssimilartotheserecordedinthespine’sarchives.Otherclanshavefoundthemandpassedontheknowledge.Thisonewasunrecordedbecausewearethefirstoutriggerstocomehere.UntilDAOCannouncedthattheywereseedingtheinnerbeltswithprowlingmines,thesystemwasneverconsideredworthlookingat.Itwasn’tuntilThinTrunkspinepassedonthewordthattherewasavacantturflargeenoughfortwospines,andWideBerthwasfreeatthesametimeasus,thatwedecidedtocome...”Yultalkedon,butRochelethermindwander.Shewaslessinterestedinwhy

theoutriggershadcomeherethanhowtheycouldhelpher.Noonehadmentionedityet,butshewasprobablytheironlyhopeofleavingthesystem.If

mentionedityet,butshewasprobablytheironlyhopeofleavingthesystem.IftheKeshdestroyerthatdeliveredGalineFourdidn’tstoptopickthemup—whichwasunlikely—theywouldbedestroyedalongwiththeruinstheyinhabited.AndwhileRochewasn’tkeentouseblackmailtogetthehelpsheneeded,shewoulddosoifitwastheonlyoptionlefttoher.Itwasn’tjustthematterofinformationontheSolwarriorshewanted.Ifthe

outriggerswereworkingwithher,thechancesofrescuingMaiiandCaneimproved.Theonlyquestionwas,still,how?WhenYulhadfinished,Rochebrokeinwith:“Howheavilyarmedareyou?”“Thatdepends,”Idilresponded.“On?”“Ifyouwanttoknowwhatweaponswehave,theanswerisnone.Butwedo

havecuttinglasers,iondrillingcannons,spectrometrybombs,nanoseeders,seeteecrust-rippers—”“Ah.”Disistosuppressedachuckle.“Thesmuggler’stoolkit:weaponsthat

nevershowuponcustomsdeclarations,butalwaysappearwhenyoutrytohaulthemin.”“Thesearenotweapons,”Idilsaidcoolly.“Wewouldonlyusethemassuchif

weareattacked.”“Whydidn’tWideBerthspinedothatonAro?”“Theydid,but...”Idilhesitated.“Theydidn’tknowhowtoretaliate.Weare

nottrainedatwar.”“WhataboutthestoriesI’veheardaboutdust-shoalsandbooby-trapped

asteroids?”saidDisisto.“Allretaliatory,”Idilinsisted.“Ifoneofourkindmakesthemistakeof

broadcastingthediscoveryofarichdeposit,itisnotuncommonforthatdeposittobetakenawayfromus.Wecan’tpreventasystem’sownersfrommovinguson;evenifwehavealegallicensingagreementfortheterritory,thefactthattheytechnicallyownitworksagainstus.Weareregardedasscavengers,orworse,bymostpeople.Mostofthetime,weloseeverythingwehaveworkedfor,andthatisall.Butifweareexpelledbyforce,wefeelittobeourrighttoretaliate.Soweleaveremindersthatwehavebeenthere,andthatweareangryatbeingrobbed.”“It’sironic,”saidDisisto.“TheSolclonewarriorusedsomeofyourown

tacticsagainstyou,overAro.”“Buthismotivesaredecidedlymoremaliciousthanours,”saidYul.“Or

yours.”“True,”saidRoche.Shewantedtomovethesubjecton,butbeforeshecould,

hersuitsignaledthatshewasreceivingatightbeamfromasourcenearby.

hersuitsignaledthatshewasreceivingatightbeamfromasourcenearby.“Disisto?Isthatyou?”“Yes.HaidgavemethisfrequencyifIneededtotalktoyouinprivate.”“Goodthinking.”Sheglancedatherinstruments;noneoftheoutriggers

seemedtohavenoticedtheprivateconversation.“Whatdoyouwant?”“ToexplainwhathappenedbackonAro.Youseemtoagreewiththe

outriggersthatthechiefisatfault.”Rochesighed.“YouwanttodefendRufo?”“Therereallywasnothingthoseobserverscouldhavedonetosaveanyone.”“Youdon’tknowthat.Andtheycertainlydidn’tknowthatatthetime.”“Theywereonlytheretoobserve—”“Whatifthey’dobservedsurvivorsontheground?”“Theydidn’t,didthey?Listen,Roche:ifoneofourobservershadbeen

captured,thelocationofGalineFourcould’vebeentraced.Thatwould’veplacedallourlivesindanger.”“Ithoughtyousaidtheclonewarriorhadleftthesystem.”“That’swhatIbelieve,notthechief.Anditpaystobesaferatherthansorry.”“Whatpaysisn’ttheissuehere.I’mtalkingaboutbasicHumanity:helping

peopleintrouble.”“I’msureRufowouldhaveallowedtheobserverstointervene,”Disistosaid,

“butthefactishourswould’vepassedbeforesignalsfromtheobserversreachedthestationandourreplieswentback.Bythen,theattackwould’vebeenover.Therewasnothingthoseobserverscoulddo—exceptwatch.”Rochedidn’trespondimmediately.Disisto’slastpointwasprobablytrue,but

itdidn’tallayherdoubts.Andtherewassomethingelse,somethinghewasn’ttellingher....“YoucanaskMavalhinifyoudon’tbelieveme,”hesaidintoherreflective

silence.“HewasoneoftheseniorobserversoftheAroattack.”“Well,thatexplainswhytheydidn’tusetheirinitiative,”saidRoche.“Or

followtheirconscience.”Hewasquicktoreply:“Exactly.”Thesharpnessofhisvoicestartledher,butshehadnotimetoaskhimwhathe

meant.Theoutriggerswereslowingagain,and—nowthatshewaspayingattentiontoherenvironment—shebecameawarethatshewasfeelinggravity.Gentlyatfirst,butbecomingstronger,hersenseofupanddownwasreturning.Theonlyproblemwas,itwascomingatrightanglestowhereitshouldhave

been.Sheletthesuitorientitselfproperlyagainstthefieldandscannedaheadtoseewheretheywereheaded.

seewheretheywereheaded.Notanexit,asshefirstguessed.Thetunnelaroundthemballoonedoutward

untilitreachedalmosttenmetersacross,thenjoinedanothertoformthestemofaY.Twomorejoined,oneaftertheother,andRochebegantofeelasthoughshewereswimmingthroughtheveinsofanenormousbeast.“We’reapproachingtheheartofthemaze,”saidIdil.“Becareful.Gravity

doesoddthingsahead.”Rochewasgratefulforthewarningas,momentslater,upsuddenlybecame

down,thenbegantocorkscrewrapidlyaroundher.Herinnerearscomplainedatthedisorientation,andforonehorriblesecondhergorgeroseinamannershehadn’texperiencedsinceherearlydaysoftraining.OnlywhenthesensationsubsideddidshebecomeawareofDisisto’schuckling.“Neattrick,”hesaid.“What’sthat?”askedYul,hisvoiceassurprisedasRochefelt.“Theonlysafewaypastthatpointistoflypast,”Disistoexplained.“It’dbe

impossibletowalkwithoutbouncingoffthewalls.”Rochecastaneyebehindher,studyingthewidthofthetunnel.“Another

defense?”“That’stheonlythingwecanthinkof,”saidIdil.“Whatweretheyhiding?”askedRoche.“Idon’tknow,”saidDisisto.“Butcanyouimaginethetechnologyrequiredto

constructallofthis?”“Opaqueyourvisorsaswegothroughthisnextbit,”Idilinterrupted,a

mandiblewavingtowardtheendofthetunnel.Aheadofthemaceruleanmembraneseemedtorippleastheyapproached.“Don’tworry.It’squitesafe.Justbettertoseeitcoldthefirsttime.”Roche’sstomachfeltfullofwaterasshetooktheoutrigger’sadviceandlet

theinstrumentsinherlefteyeguideherthroughthemembrane.

*

There,rotatingoddlyinthecenterofasphericalchambereasilyakilometeracross,wasapinchofspacethatdefiedRoche’sbesteffortstodescribe.Itwashardtoseedirectly,appearingalmostasashimmerinherviewofthewallsbehindit.Butitwasmorethanamirage.Muchmore.Ithaditsownstructure,itsowndefinition—yetitwasn’tanythingatall.Inastrangeway,itremindedheroftheanomalytheyhadpassedthroughinordertoenterPalasianSystem.“IsthatwhatIthinkitis?”

“IsthatwhatIthinkitis?”“Itmightbe,”saidIdil.“It’shardtotellfromwithintheGauntlet,butwe’ve

foundnoreasontodoubtit.”“Ananchorpoint—insidethemoon?”“Whynot?There’snoparticularlawthatsaystheyhavetobeinopenspace.

Thevacuum’sasperfectasitcanbeinhere.Eventheatomsandparticlesspillingoffussomehowdisappearintothebackgroundflux.Aslongasitdoesn’tbumpintothewalls,oranythingelse,it’squitesafe.”“Butananchorpointisfixedtothespace-timegrid,notthethingsaroundit,”

saidRoche.“Theonesnearsystemshavetobetakenapartandrebuiltregularlyorelsetheydrift.TotrytofixoneinplacewhilethemoonorbitsKukumatandMurukanandHintubetwouldbeimpossible,surely.”“Andyetthereyouhaveit,”saidIdil.Awaldowavedattheoddpatchof

spacebeforeher.“Itdoesn’twork,ofcourse.”“Becausethewholesystemisinhyperspace,”Rochesaid.“Theonlywayout

isthroughtheexternalboundary,andeventhenonlybyslow-jump.”“ItcostuslivesinFree-For-Allfiguringthatoneout,”saidYul.“Butananchorpointisaweaknessinspace-time,”saidDisisto.“What’sthisa

weaknessin?”“Goodquestion,”saidIdil.“Ifyoufindtheanswer,letusknow.”AthoughtstruckRoche:thatiftheanchorpointwasfixed,andthesystem

revolvedaroundit,thenthatwouldexplainwhyitcouldbecontainedinsuchaway.Butthatdidn’tmakesenseeither.Hermindhurtjustthinkingaboutit.“Whydidyoubringushere?”shesaidafteramoment.NeitherIdilnorYulrepliedimmediately.Shelookedaroundattheoutriggers.

Theywerefloatingmotionlessinthevacuum.Sherepeatedthequestion.“Sorry,”saidIdil.“ThePlenaryhasbegun.Wewouldallliketoattend,so

we’vebroughtyouheretokeepyouoccupied.There’salottolookatwithoutleavingthischamber.Downthefarendaresomestructuresthatwillinterestyou.”“You’releavingushere?”askedDisisto,glancingatRoche.“No.ThePlenarydoesn’trequireouractualpresence.We’llsimplyinterface

withtheothersfromhere.It’sjustthatwe’llbepreoccupiedifyoutrytotalktous,that’sall.”RochetriedunsuccessfullytoreadDisisto’sexpressionthroughhistransparent

helmet.“Thatsoundsfinetome,”shesaid.“Wewon’tbegoinganywhere.”Theall-suitsfloatedmotionlessinthezerogravitywithoutresponse.

Theall-suitsfloatedmotionlessinthezerogravitywithoutresponse.“Shallwetakealook?”Disistosaid,indicatingthefarendofthechamber.Theanchorhalfhidastructureofsomekind.Rochecouldn’tmakeitout.

“Afteryou.”Disistousedhisthrusterstoheadoffacrossthespace,cuttingachorddeeper

intothechamberratherthanhuggingtheoutside.Rochedidlikewise,keepinganeyeonherinstruments.“Don’tgotooclose,”shesaidastheynearedtheanchorpoint.Althoughit

seemed,perversely,toshrinkinsize,shewaswaryofitallthesame.InthehighlyunorthodoxdomainoftheGauntlet,anythingwaspossible.“Sothey’veconvenedaPlenary,”hesaid,ignoringherinstruction.“Totalk

aboutwhat?”“Us.Whetherornottohelpme.”“Isee.”Hisgazewasfixedforward.Hebegantofirehisthrusters,nudginghisway

aroundtheanchor.Thiscloseitlookedlikesmokedglassspunintoatangledwebandseenthroughafoggylens.Itstilllookedasthoughitwasmoving,althoughinwhichdirectionwashardtodetermine.“Doyouexpectmetohelpyouwhenitcomestimetorescueyourfriends?”“You’vetoldmeyouwon’tbetrayRufo.”“That’sright.Ihave.”“Youwon’tchangeyourmind?”“No.”“Itwouldbeeasierifyoudid,”shesaid.Then,watchinghismovements

aroundtheanchorpoint:“Icantakeoveryoursuitatanytime,youknow,incaseyouwerethinkingofthrowingyourselfintothatthing.”Hislaughwasloudbutforced.“Don’tflatteryourself,Roche.Theideahadn’t

evenoccurredtome,”hesaid.“Tellme,though,whatyouwoulddotoensuremycooperation.Tortureme?”“Anything’spossible,”shesaid.“I’mdeterminedtorescueMaii.”“AndCane?”Shehesitatedbeforeanswering.“Yes,Caneaswell.”Disistogruntedastheyswoopedpasttheanchorpoint.“YouknowwhatI

thinkthisis?”hesaid,gesturingaroundhim.Hedidn’twaitforherreply:“Somesortofcoverttransportationsystem.Theanchorpointobviouslyledsomewhere,once,andtheshellofmoonarounditwould’veabsorbedanyemissionswhenitwasused.Thelabyrinthandthegravitytrapwouldhavestoppedanyonejustwanderingin.Therecouldbehundredsofthesethingsscatteredacrossthegalaxyandnoonewouldeverknowaboutthem.”

galaxyandnoonewouldeverknowaboutthem.”“Buttheoutriggersgotthroughthetrapseasilyenough.It’snotreallythat

secure.Especiallygivenitslocation.”“Maybethebuildersjustwantedalittleprivacy.”“Maybe,”shemuttered,turningherattentiontothestructuretheywere

approaching.Itlookedlikeacannonofsomekind,oranelongatedfunnel,directedattheanchorpoint.Insteadofabarrel,though,itcontainedacuplikehollowthirty-fivemetersindiameter.Despiteherinstrumentssayingitwasinactive,Rochestillregardedthestructurewarily.Therewasundoubtedlyaconnectionbetweenitandtheanchorpoint,anduntilsheknewexactlywhatthatconnectionwas,shehadnodesiretobeanywherebetweenthem.Theysplitupwhentheyreachedit.RochecircleditslipwhileDisistotraveled

alongitsunderside.Itseemedtobemadeofthesamematerialasthecrust,butwhorledandknottedasthougherodedbycenturiesofrunningwater.Thechannelbetweenthemwasthickwiththeirsilence.Neitherwastalking

forfearofprovokingtheother.“Anytheories?”sheasked.Anythingwasbetterthanthatsilence.“I’venevercomeacrossanythinglikethisbefore,”hesaid.“AndI’vebeenon

plentyofexcavations.”“WhataboutRufo?Thinkthere’dbeanythinginhisfiles?”“He’scoveredmoreofthegalaxythanmostpeople,”Disistosaidthoughtfully.“Hisrecordscontainthousandsofexamplesof

Caste-typesanddivergentengineeringandexoticmaterialsandbizarretechnologies,but...”Hestopped.“IfIdidn’tknowbetter,I’dsaythiswasn’tevenHuman.”“There’snochanceofthat,Isuppose?”Hesnorted.“None.Believeme,iftherewasanysignofalienlifeinthe

galaxy,pastorpresent,LinegarRufowouldknowaboutit.”“Heseemsthesecretivetypetome,”shesaid,toseeifshewouldgeta

reaction.Shedid:helaughed.“Listen,Roche.Don’tplaymeforthefool.Makingme

doubtmybossisn’tgoingtomakemeautomaticallywanttohelpyougetyourfriendsback.”Shewatchedashejetteduptowhereshefloatednearthemouthofthegianttrumpet.Throughhisfaceplateshecouldseehimsmilinghumorlessly.“ButImaybeusefultoyouinotherways.”“Suchas?”“I’vebeenthinking.EvenifIwon’thelpyoufightLinegar,Icantellyou

somethingsyouprobablyshouldknow.”Sheclearedherfaceplateandmethiseye.Shesensedaninternalstruggle

ragingwithinhim.Hewasn’tgoingtobetrayhisboss,buthedidn’twanttoseeherfail,either.Howhecouldpossiblyhopetosucceedatboth—andwhy—shedidn’tknow,butshewaskeentoseehimtry.“Goon,”shesaid.“It’saboutCane,”hesaid.“Andtheotheronewe’rechasing.TheKesh

believethey’resomethingtodowiththeSolApotheosisMovement,butRufodoesn’t.He’slettingthembelieveitbecauseitgiveshimanedge.Buthesuspectsit’sallasmokescreen.”Rocheshookherhead.“Asmokescreen?Whatdoyoumean?”“ExactlywhatIsay.Theremightbenoconnectionbetweenthetwo.Andif

so,youcouldbebasingassumptionsonimperfectdata.”“Butwe’vegotproofthatCaneisaSolWunderkind:hisgeneticdesign,the

controllanguageyou’vebeenbroadcasting—”“I’mnotabiogeneticist,soIcan’targueabouthismakeup.ButIdoknowthe

controllanguagedidn’tcomefromanyofthehistoricalarchives.Youmusthavelookedbeforeyoucamehere.Didyoufindthecodes?”“No.IassumedRufohadaccesstootherrecords—”“Thelanguagewasn’tintherecords,”hecutin.“Nonethatanyofuscan

access,anyway.Idon’tknowwherethecodescamefromorwhattheymean,andIdoubtthechiefknowseither,butIknowhewasgiventhosecodes.He’sdeliberatelykeepingShak’nioutofthefullpicture—andhe’slettingyoubelievewhatyouwanttobelieve,too.”“Why?”“Idon’tknow.”Disistoseemedfrustrated.“ButIthinkit’sdangerous.We

shouldbesharinginformation.Otherwisewecouldallbekilledbythisthing.OrevenCane,forthatmatter—whateverthehellheis.”“No,you’rewrong,”saidRoche.“UrifoundacorrelationintheAnaVereine’s

database.Cane’sfacematchedthatofthemanwhowipedouttheSolApotheosisMovement.Howcanyouignorethatkindofconnection?”“Becausewehavenorecordsofany‘AdoniCane’atall—intheSolfilesor

elsewhere.”“What?”“Ican’texplainit,Roche.AllIknowisthatwhileyouwereinthemeeting

withLinegar,heorderedaconfirmatorysearch,andnothingwasfound.”“Thisisinsane.”Shegropedforanexplanationthatmadesense.EitherRufo

hadcorruptedhisownfilesinordertokeeptheinformationasecret,ortheAnaVereine’srecordswerewrong—alongwiththoseofCOEIntelligenceHQ,whichhadconfirmedthematch.Forthefirsttime,shewishedtheBoxwasaroundtohelpherworkoutwhatwasgoingon.TheBox...Ithadahabitofmanipulatingrecordstosuititsownagenda.But

whywoulditencouragehertobelieve,mistakenly,thatCane’soriginslaywiththeSolApotheosisMovement?Whatcoulditpossiblygainfromthat?AndwherehadRufo’sinformationcomefrom?TheKeshdidn’tknow,sothatruledthemout,andtheBoxhadbeenwithherforweeks.Itjustdidn’tfittogether.“YoudisapproveofwhatRufoisdoing,”shesaid,tryingtoclarifyDisisto’s

feelingsonthematterofCane.“ButIsupposeyoudon’tdisapproveenoughtohelpmerectifytheproblem,either.”Disistodrifteduntilonehandrestedonthealiensurface.“Look,I’dratherwe

weretakinganactiverolehereinthesystem.TheKeshmightgoalongwithit,althoughIdon’treallyknowwhatthey’reafter.Rufo’sattemptstocontactthewarriorgivemethecreeps,tobehonestWhoevergavehimtheinformationheneededtodothat,whoeverknewenoughaboutthewarriortoidentifyhistypeeventhoughwecan’t—whoeverthatis,Ithinktheyknowalotmorethanthey’resaying.AndIthinkRufoisbeingused.This‘whoever’wastooafraidtocomeherethemselves,soweweredispatched.We’reallexpendable.”Rochesuddenlyfeltcoldandvulnerable.TheBoxhadsomethingtodowith

theHighHumancalledtheCrescend.HighHumanshadaccesstoallsortsofinformationmundanesneverevensuspectedexisted.ItmighthavegiventhecontrollanguagetoRufoinexchangeforfirsthandinformation.AndwherewastheBoxnow?Jettingaroundthesysteminheroneandonlyescaperoute,whilesheplayedxenoarchaeologistwithagenocidalclonewarriorpossiblynearby....Shecursedunderherbreathandtriedtoshaketheparanoidthoughts.Sucha

lineofthinkingwasneitherhelpfulnorhealthy.Nevertheless,onethingshehadlearnedinrecentweekswasthatbeingmerelyparanoidwasn’tparanoidenough.AndshecertainlywasexpendableNo.Shecouldn’tletDisistoconfuseher.Shehadnoreasontobelievethatthe

SolApotheosisMovementwasasmokescreen.LinegarRufocouldbewrongforachange,orDisistocouldbelying.Betterthelatterthanthetangledskeinofdeceithewasproposinginitsplace.Disistoseemedunawareoftheuncertaintyhehadprovokedinher.Thatonly

madeitworse.Ifhehaddoneitdeliberately,thenhewasabetterliarthanshebelievedhimtobe.

“Anyway,”hesaid,“Ithoughtyououghttoknowaboutmydilemma.Ifyoucanhelpmeoutofit,then—”“That’snotmyproblem,”shesaid,pushingherselfimpatientlyawayfromthe

alientrumpet.“Andthere’stoomuchgoingonforustojustfloataroundsightseeing.ThemoreIcansortoutbeforetheBoxgetshere,thebetter.”Sheswitchedtoamoregeneralfrequency.“Byrne?Idil?Cananyonehearme?”“Issomethingwrong?”saidIdilafterafewmoments.“IwanttoattendthePlenary.Iwanttohearwhatyou’resayingaboutme.”“Youdon’thavetheinterfacesrequiredtodothat.”“ByrnesaidIcouldsitinonthesummary.Howmuchdifferentcoulditbe?”“Fundamentally.”Outofthecornerofhereye,RochesawDisistomovingawayfromher.She

frozehissuitwithasimplecommand.“Regardless,Iwanttoknowwhat’sgoingon.MaybeIcancontribute.”Ormakesureyoucometotherightdecision,shethought.“I’msorry,butitjustisn’tpossible—”Theauditor’svoicecutintotheconversation.“Lether,”shesaid.“Itwilldous

noharm.”“Verywell,Roche.Surrenderyoursuit’sinputchannels,”saidIdil.“Doyou

havedirectinputs?”“Mylefteyeandear.”“Okay.I’llseewhatIcandotomakeiteasier.”Rochehesitatedbeforehandingovercontrol,wonderingwhatshehadlet

herselfinfor.ShegaveIdiltheaccesscodesrequiredtopatchintoherimplants.The

outriggerswouldbeabletodrawuponhersuit’sfullcommunicationcapacity;shecouldpulloutanytimeshewanted,sheassumed.“Fiveseconds,”Idilsaid.“Prepareyourself.”Forwhat?shewantedtoask.ThensherecalledthatAuditorByrnehadn’tsaid“harmless”toeveryone.

Byrnehadsaidthatitwouldn’tharmthem.Withaclickandaflashdeepintheundersideofherbrain,thePlenaryof

LongSpanspineexplodedthroughher.

6

MokInterior‘955.01.21EN1990

ThevoiceseemedtospeakdirectlyintothefissuresofRoche’sbrain:

___CommanderRoche___hascometousforhelp___andtoofferushelp.___Wehavenumerousoptions.___Whichdowechoose?

Withthewordscameablindinglight.Itfeltasthoughtheoutriggerswereoverloadingthetolerancesofherauditoryandopticnerves.Butherimplantshadbuffersthatshouldpreventthatsortofsurge.Somehowtheoutriggersmusthaveinfiltratedthehardwiringofherimplants.Thevoicerepeateditsspiel.ThistimeRochesensedahiddencomplexity,a

second,moresubtlestrandunderlyingthefirst,somehowmixedupwithvividpulsesoflightaccompanyingthesound.

___CommanderRoche\howdoweknowsheiswhoshesayssheis?\

___hascometousforhelp\ortospy\

___andtoofferushelp.\how?\

___Wehavenumerousoptions.elieveher\

\don’ttrusther\rusther\\killher\\sendheraway\\helpher\\helpherhelpus\\helphergetaway\

___Whichdowechoose?

Theresponsewrappeditselfaroundthequestionlikeavine.Themorethequestionwasrepeatedthemorecomplexandtangledtheresponsebecame.Layerbylayer,theargumentunfolded:___CommanderRoche/\1Howdoweknowsheiswhoshesayssheis?/\2Shehasnoreasontolie./\3orreasontotellusthetruth.3\/Doesitmatter?/\3Ifshe’slyingaboutthis,wecan’ttrustheratall./\4Butwehavenowayofknowing.4\/True.3\/It’sgoodtobecautious,butlet’snotgetoutofhand.2\/Agreed,fornow.1\/

Shestruggledtokeepupasthequestioncycledandrecycled,draggingheralongwithit:

___hascometousforhelp/\1Morelikelytospy./\2Whofor?2\/COEIntelligence/\2Shesaysshedoesn’tworkforthemanymore./\33Andyoubelieveher?/\4Shesayssheheardadistresscall./\5Shecouldbelyingaboutthat,too.5\/We’regoingincircles!

We’regoingincircles!/\5No,youare5\/Wemustestablishareasonforsuspicion./\5Thatourlivesareunderthreatisn’tenough?/\6Wearesafehere./\7Shorttermonly.7\/Perhaps.6\/Perhapsnot,ifweletRochein.5\/Perhaps.4\/Perhaps.3\/Weneedtomakeadecision!2\/Buttherightone.1\/

___andtoofferushelp./\1How?/\2Askher./\3Again:whyshouldwebelieveher?\//\2Whathavewegottoloseifwedo?/\3Ourlives/\4We’lldieifshedoesn’thelpus!4\//\3Wehaveonlyherwordonthat./\4Butwearetrappedhere.4\/Undeniably.3\/Sowecanatleastagreetogiveherachance?2\/That’swhatwearedoing!1\/

Despitetheincreasingcomplexityoftheargument,shebegantorecognizevoices—oratleastpatternsofresponse.Thereweretheskeptics,andtherewerethoseinclinedtotrusther.Shewonderedhowtheycouldeverexpecttoachieveaconsensustoarisefromsuchchaos.Eachtimethequestionreacheditsconclusion,theeddyofvoicesthreatenedto

carryheraway....

___Wehavenumerousoptions./\1don’ttrusther

/\2sendheraway/\3trusther/\4helpherhelpus/\5believeher/\6don’ttrusther/\7sendheraway/\8trusther/\9helpherhelpus/\10disbelieveher/\11killher/\12useher12\/killher11\/don’ttrusther10\/trusther9\/helpher8\/sendheraway/\8helpherhelpus/\9helphergetaway/\10sendheraway10\/trusther9\/helpherhelpus8\/killher7\/sendheraway6\/letherlive5-3\/ignoreher2don’ttrusther1\/

Gradually,thevoicesbegantoclusterintogroups.Theclamordidn’tebb,butitbecameslightlymorecoherenttoRoche’sadjustingsenses.Eachgroupmadeconcessionsinordertoincreaseitsnumbers;one,initiallypreparedtolethergounharmed,eventuallyallieditselfwithanothergroupwhowantedtheresourcesofDaybreaktoremainbehind;anotherbeganbyofferinghelpunreservedlybutendedupdemandingrescuefromthecollapsingGauntletasaconditionforgivingthathelp.Thentheboundariesshiftedagain,hingingthistimeonherpossibleallegiancewithLinegarRufo.Witheachconcessioncameincreasedcomplexity,sothePlenarybecamelessofasquabbleandmoreofadebate,althoughsomeoftheexchangesremainedheated.Woventhroughthegroupswereoddlonerswhoinitiallyrefusedtoacceptany

compromise.OneoftheseinparticularcaughtRoche’sattention,eventhough

compromise.OneoftheseinparticularcaughtRoche’sattention,eventhoughthevoiceatfirstdidn’tcontributemuch.

/\113-117Wehavetomakesomekindofdecisionsoon./\118Butwhatcanwedo?/\119-125Thesensiblethingwouldbetowaittoseewhathappens.125-119\/Doweevenhavetheresourcestodoanything?/\119-125Exactlyourpoint.Forthatreasonwepreferinactiontoaction./\126-129No.Thesensibleresponseistohelpher./\130-131Suchactionwouldpotentiallybenefitusthemost./\132No—killher!/\133Andmissthischancetoavengemyclan?133\/Irrelevant!Hermerepresencehereputsusindanger!132Wehavenoproofofthat./\132Yet./\133Butweknowshecanhelpme.133\/Mustwealsodieinsomefutileattempttomakeapoint?132-131

Itwouldbeameaninglesssacrifice.130-126\/Perhapsitisbetterinthiscasetoattemptneither.125-118\/Unacceptableresponse!Inactionisnotanoption!117-111\/Atleastwe’dbealive.110-109\/Forhowlong?108-105\/Mypeopledidn’tdiesoyourscouldcowerhereandwaityourturn!104\/Solet’skillhernowbeforeshehasachance!103\/Thisisgettingusnowhere!102-98\/

Theoutriggerseekingrevenge,Rocheguessed,wasthelonesurvivoroftheattackonWideBerthspine;theoneseekingRoche’sdeath,however,shecouldn’tidentify.Perhapsitwasoneshehadn’tyetmet.Acoupleoftimesshetriedtointerjectacommentinherdefense,butshedidn’tknowhowto.Allshecoulddowasfeelthecurrentsofopinionebbingandflowingaroundher.

___Whichdowechoose?

Eachtimethatquestionwasasked,argumentbrokeoutafreshandtheentireprocesswasrepeated.Slowly,though,aconsensusbegantoemerge.

/\286-291Weneedmoreinformation./\Howdoyouproposegettingthat?294-292

Byasking.291-286\/Andtrustingher?285\/Wecoulddoworsethantry.279-284\/

Rochefeltagrowingsenseoffrustration.Theyhadalreadyinterrogatedher;whatmorecouldshepossiblytellthemthatshehadn’talready?Therewasn’ttimeforthis!Thecoordinatingvoiceseemedtoagreewithher.Withoutwarning,the

fundamentalspielaltered:

___Wemustreachconsensus.___Doingnothingisnotanoption___andneitherisstallingformoreinformation.___Wecannotwaitanylonger.___Wemustdecidenow.___Dowehelporhinder?

RochealmostdrownedintheresultingsurgeofvoicesasthePlenaryeruptedintoachaoticbuzz.Shebarelymanagedtohangontothecentralthreadinthefervor.Andthroughthebabble,onlyonevoicestoodoutclearly.

/\l43Eitherwehelpher,orwedie!/\144-155Youcan’tbecertainofthat!155-144\/Myclanisnomore;howmuchmoreevidencedoyouneed?/\144-155WideBerthwasinthewrongplaceatthewrongtime.155-144\/Exactly—sodon’tletithappentoLongSpantoo!143\/Youarefreetoleaveatanytime.142-137\/MaybeIwillcastmylotelsewhere.136\/Beserious!

/\136Bettertohavestrivenandfailedthantonothaveeventriedatall./\137-142Wearetalkingaboutthepossibleannihilationofanentireclan!Wehavenotimeforfeebleaphorisms,child!142-137\/Myageisnotrelevanttothisdiscussion.136\/Andyouarealone.122-135\/AmI?121\/Areyou?/\121Willnoonejoinme?/\122Iwill.

ThetwowordssentshockwavesthroughthePlenary.

/\123Doyourealizewhatyou’resaying?/\124-7Ifyoujoinher,thespinewillbebroken!/\128Itwillbedestroyedanyway,won’tit?/\129-32Thereisnoevidenceofthat.132-129\/Thereisenoughtoconvinceme.128\/Andme.Itdoesseemthelesseroftwoevils.127\/Achoicebetweenmethodsofsuicideisnotreallyachoice!126-124\/Atleastyouhaveachoice.Myclandidnot.121\/Theywouldhavechosenlife;whycan’twe?/\121Becauselifedoesnotseemtobeanoptionanymore.

RochelistenedinamazementasthetideofthePlenaryturned,theoutriggersforthemostpartpreferringtoriskexposureandattackratherthanseetheclandivided.

/\130-145Weliveasone,wedieasone./\146ButRocheisnotoneofus!146\/Yarrowsupportsher./\146Heisnotoneofuseither.146\/Wehaveadoptedhim.145-92\/Thenwecanun-adopthim!91\/

Heisoneofusnow,andalwayswillbe!90-37\/

TheresoundingemphasisonYarrow’spermanentstatusasamemberoftheclansilencedmanyofthecritics.Intothesuddenebb,theauditorrepeatedthecrucialquestion:___Dowehelporhinder?/\l-9Wehelp./\10-27Wehinder./\28-32Wehelp./\33-40Wehinder./\41-55Wehelp./\56-66Wehinder.66-58

Wehelp.59-42\/Wehinder.43-40\/Wehelp.39-26\/Wehinder.25-19\/Wehelp.18-1\/

Thevotewasfluctuating,changingeverytimethequestionwasasked.Rochesensedatrendinherfavor,butcouldn’tbecertain.Thereweretoomanypowerfulvoicescommandinganegativevote.Shewaitedanxiouslyforsomesortofconfirmation.

___Nomatterwhatthedecision___doweagreetoabidebytherulingoftheclan?/\1-66Wedo.66-1\/

ThegiddyingmotionofthePlenaryceasedforabriefmomentasalltheoutriggersagreedonthatonepoint.AgainRochewassurprisedbythefierceunityoftheclan.Perhapsthatwasonlytobeexpectedwhentherestofthegalaxytreatedthemwithdisinterestatbest.

___ThenwedecidetohelpMorganRoche.

ThebriefclarityofthePlenaryinstantlyshattered.

/\1No!Wecan’t!/\2-66Wearedecided.66-2\/Butit’sthewrongdecision!/\2-66Wearedecided.66-2\/No!Killher!0\/

SomethingscreamedinRoche’sears.Atthesameinstant,thebabbleofthePlenaryabruptlyceased.Sheopenedhereyestoasceneoftangledmetalandflashingenergy.Anoutrigger—no,twooutriggers—wererushingtowardher,waldoesextendedandlasersbright.Hersuit’ssystemswerealreadyonalert,howlingthedeafeninglyloudimpact

alarmthathadsnappedheroutofthePlenary.Shehadjustenoughtimetoraiseherarmsbyreflexandtargetbothoftheall-suitswhenoneofthem—alozengewithpurplesquaresateitherend—firedaprojectileatherabdomen.Theprojectileexplodedoncontact,sendingherspinningbackwardsthrough

thealienspaceofthemoon’scentralchamber“Roche!”Disisto’svoiceranginherhelmet,butshedidn’thavetimetoreply.Thesuitfiredattitudethrusterstoreorientitself,knockingheraboutwhileshefoughttoreadyherselfforanotherassault.Herattackershadmoved.Shearmedweaponsandreadiedherselftofire.Only

thendidshenoticethattheotheroutrigger,batteredblackwithnoobviousmarkings,wasgrapplingwiththefirst.Itsnumerouswaldoespinneditsopponent’swhereveritcouldfindagrip;cuttinglasersburnedclosetodelicatesensors;attitudethrusterssentbothspinningtopreventitsgettingabeadonRocheasecondtime.Theblackonewasclearlytryingtosaveher.Rocheimmediatelyremovedits

imagefromthetargetingsystemsinhersuit.Butthetwoweretoocloselytangledforhertofirewithanyhopeofhittingjusttheoneofthem.Shenudgedherselfcloser,hopingforaclearshot.Itnevercame.Herattackerfireditsthrustersatfull-strengthandtoreitself

awayfromtheblackall-suit.Butbeforethelattercoulddoanything,thepurplesuitseemedtocrackopen,releasinganexplosivecloudofairintothevacuum.Theall-suitspunwithitsthrustersstillfiringacrossthechamberandintoawall,thenscrapedalongthewallforadozenmetersbeforethethrustersshutdown.

thenscrapedalongthewallforadozenmetersbeforethethrustersshutdown.Ithitaprojectionandricocheted,inactive,acrossthechamber.Theblackall-

suitjettedtointerceptitbeforeitcouldfallintotheanchorpoint.“Roche!Areyouallright?”Disisto’svoicefoughtforattentionamongthose

ofIdilandtheotheroutriggers.Hisimmobilizedsuithungnearby,anchoredtothetrumpetlikeartifactatoneendofthechamber.“I’mfine,”shesaid,althoughshewasshortofbreathandstillhighon

adrenaline.Sheallowedhissuittomovewithbarelyathought.“Whatthehellhappened?”“Thepurpleall-suitjustcameoutofnowhereandattackedyou,thentheother

onetriedtostopit.”Heindicatedtheblackall-suit,whichhadreturnedwiththewreckageoftheother.“Thanks,”saidRoche,turningtofaceit.“Whoeveryouare.”Theoutriggerdidn’trespond.Beforeshecouldspeakagain,Mil’sall-suitslidintoview.“ThisisYarrow,”

shesaid.“YourattackerwasAlik.Wearedeeplypuzzled—andhurt—byherbetrayal.”Rochedidn’thaveanyproblemunderstandingit.“Shedisagreedwiththe

decision.Thatseemsclearenough.”“Buttoactagainstit!”Thehorrorintheoutrigger’svoicewasclear.“Noone

intheirrightmindwouldeverdothat!”“Well,maybethere’syouranswer,”shesaid.“Ornot.”Sheforcedherselftoapproachthebrokenall-suitstillgrippedinYarrow’s

waldoes.Itsinteriorlayexposedtothevacuum,dustedwithfrozenairanddebris.Rocheshoneaspotlightinsideandexaminedwhatshesawveryclosely.Shesawawizenedbodycurledintheclaustrophobicembraceofwires,tubes,

andpadding.Itsage,sex,andCasteweredifficulttoconfirmatacasualglance,butRochecouldtellthatitwastiny,muchsmallerthanCane.Bloodvesselshadburstacrossitsskinanditseyesandmouthwereopen.Theexpressiononthedeadoutrigger’sfacewasoneshewouldn’tforgetinahurry.Definitelydead,andnotaclonewarrior.Sheturnedtofacetheoutriggerwhohadsavedher.Thisclose,shecouldsee

theolddamagetotheyoungsurvivor’sall-suit.TheoutriggersofLongSpanhaddonetheirbesttomendit,butfreshpaintcouldn’thidethesignsofheatdamage.Theeggshapeofthecapsuleitselflookedslightlyoff-true,asthoughwarpedbyapowerfulimpact.Thiswasherchancetomakecontactwiththeboy.“Thankyou,”shesaid

again.Butagainhesaidnothing.

Butagainhesaidnothing.“Hewon’ttalk,”saidIdil.“Aswetoldyou,hehasn’tspokenaloudsincehis

clanwasdestroyed.”“ButinthePlenary—”“Yes.Itwashis‘voice,’ifyouwill,thatpushedthevoteinyourfavor.”Rocheregardedtheblackall-suitwithgratitudemixedwithuneasiness.“It

seemsIoweyouontwofronts,now.”Theboy’sall-suitonlyturnedandmovedaway,hisself-imposedradiosilence

addingtohisall-suit’sstrangeair.“MorganRoche.”AuditorByrnespokebyrelayfromelsewhereinthemoon.

“Iamrelievedtolearnthatyouaresafe.”“Ithoughtyousaidyouspokeforyourpeople,”saidRochewithatraceof

bitterness.“Ido—evenmoresonow,afterthisunfortunatesetback.ThehonorofLong

Spanspinehasbeentarnished.Ourresolvetohelpyou,andtherebyregainourhonor,ishardened.Alik’sattackonlyworsenedhercause.”“Perhaps,butI’llhavetotalktomycrewaboutit.”Rochecheckedthetime.

Fourhourshadpassed;nowondershefeltexhausted.“IwillbeabletocontacttheAnaVereineinaboutinaboutfourteenhours.Let’smeetagainin,say,ten.”“Verywell.Wewillmakenofurtherdecisionsforthemoment.”Byrne

hesitatedbeforecontinuing:“Iamdeeplysorry,MorganRoche,forwhathashappened.BelievemewhenIsaythatitwillnothappenagain.AllofusofLongSpanspineknowthatifwedomanagetoescapePalasiansystemitwillonlybebecausewehaveworkedtogether.”Rochehopedshewastellingthetruth.

*

Sixhourslater,theoutriggersdetectedabeaconfromtheAnaVereine.Codedintothepingwasatimeanddatestamp,plusvectorcoordinatesrelativetoHintubet.TherewasasyetnosignoftheMarauder,butthatdidn’tsurpriseRoche.Theship’scamouflagesystemswerethemostadvancedintheCOEandcouldeasilyfooltheoutriggers’asteroiddetectionsystems.Sherecordedabriefmessagetobesentatthetimeindicated,outliningher

presentsituation.Then,withhersuitsecuredtoawallinthecentralchamber,sheallowedherselfacoupleofhours’sleep.ShewasawakenedsometimelaterwhenHaidcalledtoconfirmthatDaybreak

wasreadytodescendtothemoon’ssurface.Thecourierwasfartooobviousanewcomertothedouble-joviansystem,andtheenergydrainofholdingtheshipinastableorbitwassomethingtheycoulddowithout.“Areyousureit’ssafe?”heasked.RochehadthoughtalotabouttheattackonherduringthePlenary,andboth

sheandHaidhaddiscussedit.Alikhadspokenandactedalone,butthatdidn’tmeanthereweren’totherswhofeltsimilarly.Shehadcometotheconclusion,though,thatshewasprobablysafe.NotonlyhadAlikkilledherselfratherthanfacethewrathoftheclan,oncesheknewherattackhadfailed,but,asByrnehadsaid,thespinehadtoproveitselfnow.ThebetrayalofRoche’speacefulapproach,andtheshamethatbroughtwithit,woulddomorethananythreatofbeingexpelledfromtheclan.“Let’ssayI’vegivenupworryingaboutit,Ameidio,”shesaid.“Justfinda

suitablespotandbringtheshipdown.”“Well,thatisn’tgoingtobeaproblem,”hesaid.“It’llbelesslikelandingthan

docking.IntelligenceHQhadmoreofatugthanthislumpofrock.”“How’sMyer?”“Iknockedhimout.Notliterally,ofcourse,eventhoughIwouldhaveliked

to,”headded.“Iputhimbackintheautosurgeonandundersedationforawhile.HewasgettinginthewayandIdidn’twanthimtryingsomethingwhileIwasbusy.”“Understood,”shesaid.“Butwhenyou’redown,Iwanttotalktohim.Hesaw

whathappenedonAro.IwanttoknowwhetherornotRufoforbadehimtointervene.”“Okay.I’llinstructtheautosurgeontorevivehimthen.He’llhaveaheadache,

butitwon’tkillhim.More’sthepity.”WhenHaidhaddecidedwheretolandthecourier,sherelayedthecoordinates

totheoutriggers.Idilguidedhertothenearestshaft.TheresherejoinedDisisto,whohadbeenexploringthemoonunderthewatchfulinstrumentsofYulandEli.“Findanything?”sheasked.“TheuntouchedlivingquartersthatIdiltoldusaboutearlier.”Thesecurity

chiefseemedexcited.“Fromthepicturesandotherpersonalartifactsthere,itwouldseemthebuildersweremorelikebirdsthanmammals.Hollowbones,longlimbs,andwide-spacedeyes—it’squiteincredible.Theymust’vere-evolvedbackuptoPristinefromsomeavianLowCaste.”“ThenTranscended,”Rochemused.“Well,theycertainlydon’tseemtobeanywherearoundhereanymore.”“Theymust’vebeenaprettylong-livedCaste.GiventhatHumanityhasonly

“Theymust’vebeenaprettylong-livedCaste.GiventhatHumanityhasonlybeensettlingthegalaxyforhalfamillionyears,thatdoesn’tgivethemmuchtimetodevolveandre-evolve.”“ThatmakesthemaPrimordialCaste,then,”saidDisisto.“MyGod,Roche!

Thisisfantastic!Idoubtthere’sanothersiteaswellpreservedasthisanywhereintheCOE!”“Well,itwon’tbehereformuchlonger,”shesaid.ThroughthefaceplateRochecouldseeDisisto’sfacefall.“WhyisitthatHumanslettheirpettydifferencesgetinthewayof

knowledge?”hesaid.“Wecould’vestudiedthisthingfordecades.”Beforeshecouldcallhimahypocrite,hegesturedtoapointbehindher.

“Here’stheship.”Rocheturnedtowherehe’dindicated.Shestillfoundtheblacknessunnerving,

butitdidmakedetectingmovingobjectseasier.Thecourierwasareddotdriftingawayfromthehalf-setlimbofKukumat,growingsteadilylarger.Somewhereuptherewerethetwospines,LongSpanandWideBerth,butneitherwasvisible.AsHaidbroughttheshipdown,Rochewonderedifthecurvedspikesofthe

moon’ssurfacewereactuallyusedasgrapplinghooksfordockingships.Itwaspossiblethatshipshadbeensecurelystationedtothemwhiletheiroccupantsusedtheanchorpointinthemoon’scentertojumpelsewhereacrossthegalaxy.Butthatdidn’texplainwhythebuildershadgonetosomuchtroubletohide

theanchorpointinthefirstplace.Orwhytheirlivingquartershadneverbeenused.Hertrainofthoughtwasbrokenasthecouriervesselbankedaroundits

landingpoint.Shewatcheditdeceleratetoahaltahundredmetersawayfromthem,thenwaiteduntiltheafterwashfromthethrustershaddissipatedbeforemovingincloser.“Can’tgetsmootherthanthat,”boastedHaid,hisvoicecracklingloudlyover

theopenfrequencies.Grapnelsanchoredtheshiptotwoofthebent“trees”;Rochecheckedbrieflytoseethattheholdwassecure.Theairlockhissedopenassheapproached.“Waithere,Disisto.”Onaclosedchannel,Haidsaid:“WehaveanothermessagefromtheBox.”Rocheunlockedthesuithelmetwhentheouterhatchhadsealed,butdidn’t

allowherselftheluxuryofleavingthesuitentirely.“Whatdoesitsay?”“It’spickedupcodedtransmissionsfromtheedgeofthesystem.Lookslike

someoneontheoutsideistryingtotalktosomeoneinhere.”“IsthatwhattheAIthinks?”

“Well,it’skeepingitsoptionsopen.AllitsaysisthatthetransmissionsarecenteredonHintubet.Myguessisthey’rebeingrelayedelsewhere.”“Notnecessarily.”“Butthere’snoonethatdeepin-system.”“No,butthereissomething,”shesaid.ThesunofPalasianSystemwas

currentlyhometoanumberofmachinesofKeshmanufacture.“Whatifthey’retalkingtotheGauntlet?”Theinnerlockhissedopenandshesteppedthrough.Haidwaswaitingforher

ontheotherside.Hesteppedbacktoaccommodatethesuitin.thecrampedpassageway.“Ididn’tthinkofthat.”Hesmiled.“It’sgoodtoseeyouagain,Morgan.Ihad

mydoubtsforawhilethere.”Shetouchedhisartificialarmwithoneglovedhandandsteppedpasthim.

“Thanks,Ameidio.Where’sMyer?”“Inthemedicsuite.He’llbegroggy.”“Allthebetter.”Shethuddedacrossthedecktothesmallmedicalfacility.

There,Mavalhinlookedmuchlikeshehadlefthim,tiedflattoanarrowcotsohecouldn’tmove.Thistime,though,helookedhealthier.Hehadregainedmuchofhiscolorandtheonlybloodonhisuniformwasbrown.Sheshookhim,notworryingtoomuchifthesuitoveremphasizedthepower

ofhermovements.“Myer?”Hestirred,blinkingabsentlyupather.“Morgan?”“Myer.Canyouhearme?”“I’mnotdeaf,Morgan.”Hetriedtositup;puzzlementcreasedhisfeatures

whenherealizedhecouldn’tbecauseofhisrestraints.“Ididn’tthinkIwasdangerous,either.”“Forthemoment,that’sexactlywhatyouare,”shesaid.“Now,tellmeabout

theattackonAro.”Helookedmystifiedforasecond.“YoumeanwhenEmptageCityandthe

spaceportweredestroyed?”“No,Imeantheoutriggers.Youwatchedithappen.Describewhatyousaw.”“Notmuch,really.Ididn’thavetheinstruments—”“Don’tlietome,Myer.Iknowyouhadtheinstruments;youwerethereto

observe.NowtellmewhathappenedorsohelpmeI’llplaycat’scradlewithyourstitches.”Hepaledslightly.“Theywereallkilled,”hesaidresignedly.“Cuttopieces.

Theydidn’tstandachance.”“Howlongdidittake?”

“Howlongdidittake?”“Idon’tknow.Tenminutes;maybeless.”“Whydidn’tyouhelpthem?”“Icouldn’t.”“Whycouldn’tyou,Myer?”“Ijustcouldn’t.Itwas...”Hehesitated.“Thereweren’tenoughofus,Morgan.

Therewasnothingwecoulddo.”Rochenodded.Thiswas,sofar,littledifferentfromwhatDisistohadtoldher.

“Butwhydidn’tthetrapcatchyou,Myer?”Heshrugged.“Weweremorecareful,Iguess.”“Howwereyoucareful?”“We—”hebegan,thenlookedawayandfellsilent.“Youknewthetrapswerethere,didn’tyou?”Rocheaskedafterafew

seconds.Hiseyesmethersagain.“WesawthemnotlongafterwereachedAro.”“Sowhydidn’tyouwarntheoutriggers?”“Whatdoyouwantmetosay,Morgan?”Hewasangrynow.“ThatIwasjust

followingorders?Isthatwhatyouwanttohear?”“WhatIwantdoesn’tcomeintoit.WhatI’dlikeisforyoutojusttellmethe

wayitwas.”“Look,”hesaid,attemptingagaintositup.“Wejustassumedtheoutriggers

wouldseethetrapstoo.Wedidn’tthinktherewasanyneedtoexposeourselves.Ifwedid,thenweriskedendangeringthestationandeveryoneonboard.Wecouldn’taffordtotakeanyrisks,sowedidn’t.AndIguessitworked,becausethetrapsdidn’tspringus,andneitherdidtheoutriggers.”“Soitwasyourdecisionnottoact?”askedHaid.“No,ofcoursenot,”Myersaid,shakinghisheadirritably.“Wehadorders.It

wasmydecisiontofollowthem.”“Butwhatexactlywereyourorders?”“I’vealreadytoldyou:tokeepourheadsdown,nomatterwhathappened.”RocheglancedatHaid,thenbackatMavalhin.“Arowastheobviousplaceto

lookforsurvivors.Youwould’veseenthemifthey’dbeenthere.WhatdidRufotellyoutodoinsuchasituation?”Mavalhinshrugged.“Icanrepeatitasoftenasyoulike;it’snotgoingto

changeanything.”“Myer,ifyou’retellingthetruth,thenitchangeseverything.”Helookedpuzzled.“How?Youwerealreadyatoddswiththechief.”“Yes,butnowit’snotpersonal;it’snotjustmegettingmyfriendsbackand

settlingascore.Nowit’saboutstoppingthemanwhoorderedyoutodonothingasdozensofinnocentpeoplewereslaughteredsimplybecausetheytriedtohelp.It’saboutjustice.”Mavalhinsnorted.“Howcanyoubesoself-righteous?Whataboutyour

‘friend’AdoniCane?Oneofhisassociatesisresponsibleforkillingnearlyeveryoneinthissystem—andyetyouseemonlyconcernedwithwhatIdid,orwhatRufoordered.”“That’snottrue,”saidRoche.“Thiswholethingstinks.Ijust—”<Agreed,Morgan,>saidavoicedeepinhermind.<Thereissomethingfar

moremysteriousgoingonherethanevenyoucurrentlysuspect>“Box!”Shestartedatthesoundofthevoice.“Isthatreallyyou?”<Yes,Morgan.Thissignalisbeingrelayedthroughthecourier.>“But—”<Iknowwhatyouareabouttosay:Iamnotsupposedtobewithinrangefor

somehoursyet.ThatwasadeliberateploytothrowanyoneseekingtheAnaVereineoffthescent.Itwouldbeprudenttomaintainthatillusionfornow.><Yes,>shesaid,rememberingtosubvocalize.Mavalhinwasstaringatherwithconfusion,Haidwithsurprise.“Ameidio,letMyerloosebutkeepaneyeonhim.Ineedtobealoneforamoment.IfyoucangetDisistoinhereaswell,doit;Otherwisehecanwaitoutside.”Withthatsheexitedthemedicalfacilityandheadedfortheprivacyofthe

bridge.ShecouldtellthatHaidwascuriousastowhatwasgoingon,butaproperexplanationwouldhavetowait—atleastuntilsheknewwhatwasgoingon....<So,whereareyou,Box?WhereistheAnaVereine?><CurrentlyinorbitaroundKukumat.Youwillnoticeaslightdelayaswe

converse.IamroutingmyrepliesaroundMurukantoavoiddetection.><You’reworriedabouttheclonewarriortrackingyoudown?><Yes.YoumentionedinthesummaryyousentsomehoursagothatRufo

believesthewarriortobehidinginthislocation.Ihadalsocometothatconclusion.ThatisclearlywhyRufoisbroadcastinghere,usingthearchivalcommandlanguage.Anditmightalsoexplainthedistresscall:someonemighthavebeenhopingtoluretheAnaVereinehereinordertostealit.>Shenodded;thatmadeacoldkindofsense.<AreyouawarethatthecommandlanguagemighthavenothingtodowiththeSolApotheosisMovement?><Ididwonder.Itssyntaxbearslittlerelationtoanythinginthisregion.>Rochewassurprisedbythefeelingofreliefshefeltatbeingincontactwith

theAIagain.Kajicwouldn’tbefarbehind.Fornow,thatwasbetterthanhaving

theAIagain.Kajicwouldn’tbefarbehind.Fornow,thatwasbetterthanhavingdefiniteanswers.<So,howlonghaveyoubeenlisteningin?><Onlyafewminutes.YourpresumptionthatLinegarRufowasapassiveaccompliceinthedestructionofWideBerthspineseemstobecorrect,andthatwouldjustifyanyactionyouintendtotakeagainsthim.Thereare,however,otherthingsyoumusttakeintoaccountwhileworkingoutwhattodointhenearfuture.><Suchas?><Rufowassentheretoobservetheclonewarrior.Thatseemsobviousfrom

whatwehaveheard.TheKeshsuppliedtheGauntletinordertoisolatethesystem,andtheCOEgavethemaccess.TheKeshalsoprovidedadestroyertoactasaferryforthestationandpresumablytoactasemergencybackupshouldthingsgoawry.Thatseemssimpleenoughsofar.Butthingsbecomemorecomplicatedwhenallistakenintoaccount.Rufohasgonetosomepainstoattempttocommunicatewiththefugitiveclonewarrior.HealsotrickedyouintoallowingAdoniCaneontothestation,whereuponheimmediatelytookhimcaptive.Thesearenottheactionsofamansenttosimplyobserve.>Rochenodded;herthoughtsexactly.<Youbelievehe’sbeentryingtogethishandsonaclonewarriorfromthestart?><Thatismyconjecture.Hecouldlearnmorefromoneincaptivitythanmerelyexaminingitswake.>Realizationsuddenlyhit.<That’swhyhedidn’tinterveneonAro.Hewantedtowatchhiminaction!But...>Shetriedtounderstandthexenoarchaeologist’slineofreasoning.<It’sabigrisk.Ahugerisk.Whywouldhedothat?><Coercionisapossibility.TheKeshareanunsubtlelotatbest—asaretheCOE,whomustbeinvolvedsinceIntelligenceletRufoknowthatyouandCanewerecoming.OrRufocouldbedoingnothingmoresinisterthanseekingknowledge.><Achancetostudyalivingrelic,youmean?>Shenoddedthoughtfullytoherself.<Icanrelatetothat,Iguess.Afterall,theseclonewarriorswerebuilttwoandahalfthousandyearsago.Itwouldhavebeentemptingtoactuallygetoneinthefleshtoexamine.><Morgan,Canemaybemucholderthantwoandahalfthousandyears.><Whatdoyoumean?><Imeanthatweknowtoolittleabouthimandhiskindtostateanythingwith

certainty.Toknowmore,wearegoingtohavetoaccessRufo’sdata.><Thatshouldn’tbeaproblem.We’lljustgetitwhenwegetMaiiandCane.><Notsosimple.IhavebeenexaminingthesecuritylayoutofGalineFour.The

stationisindeedsplitintotwodiscreteinformationnetworks.One,thelarger,dealswiththemundaneday-to-dayrunningofthings;thisoneIhavededucedhowtosubvert,withoutresortingtosuchcrudemethodsaskeepingpalm-linksconstantlyincontact.Theothersecuritysystem,muchsmaller,isintimatelyinvolvedwiththedecision-makingprocess.Thissecondnetwork,clearly,is

wherewewillfindthedatawerequire.ThetwoappeartobeseparatedbyaTipper-Linkechaos-lockwhich,Iamforcedtoconcede,willnotsuccumbto—><Wait.Awhatlock?><Theprecisedetailsareunimportant.Sufficeittosaythatthetwonetworks

operateindependentlyofeachotherformuchofthetime.Whentheydoneedtoexchangeinformation,itisconveyedinsuchawaythatrendersineffectiveanyattemptImightmaketosubvertit.Withouttakingovertheentireouternetworkandsomehowforcingthetwotolink,Icandonothing.><Sowhatdoyoupropose?><ImustbemaneuveredintosuchapositionthatIamalloweddirectaccessto

theinnersecuritysystem.><Clearly.Andyourthoughtsonhowtodothisare...?><Influencedbytwocriticaldevelopments.Thefirstisthecommunications

dronesentoutofthesystembyRufouponCane’scapture.DidyouaskDisistoaboutthis?><Hedidn’tknowanythingaboutit.><Hardlysurprising,sincehewasyourcaptiveatthetimeitwassent.Butthat

doessuggestthatthelaunchofthedronewasnotapre-plannedevent.Itwasspontaneous,areactiontorecentevents.><ThecaptureofCane,>putinRoche.<Precisely.><Andtheseconddevelopment?><Isthetransmissionweinterceptedfromtheedgeofthesystem,ofcourse.I

suspectthatcircumstanceswithinPalasianSystemaresoontochange.>Rocheworkeditthroughstepbystep.<RufocalledtheKesh.Havingaclonewarrioractuallyincaptivitymust’vealteredtheirplanssomewhat.ButtheyknowCaneisdangerous,sotheycouldn’tplantokeephimlong—especiallywithusontheloose.Youthinktheyaskedforhelp?><Iamsureofit.DependingonhowfarawayfromtheanomalytheSebettuwasstationed,companycouldalreadybeonitsway.><TheArmadablockademightstopthemthistime.><Whywouldit,giventheCOEisworkingwiththeKesh?Andevenso,they

wouldbenomatchforaKeshdestroyerinfullflight.Neitherwouldwe,forthatmatter><Sowhatareyousuggesting?Strikenowbeforeitarrives?><Nothingofthesort.Quitetheopposite,infact...>

*

WhenshehadfinishedtalkingtotheBox,sherejoinedHaidandhelpedhimsecuretheship.TogethertheyprizedMavalhinintoasuit,ignoringhisprotests

securetheship.TogethertheyprizedMavalhinintoasuit,ignoringhisprotestsattheroughtreatmentofhistendershoulder.Disisto,althoughnowbackintheship,remainedinhissuitalso;thusconfined,thetwowereeasiertocontrol.AtasimplecommandfromRocheorHaidthesuitscouldbefrozen;bothwereprogrammedtoseizeupautomaticallyiftheyapproachedwithintwometersofanyonewithoutpermission.“Whathappenstousnow?”askedDisistowhileRocheandHaiddouble-

checkedthecourier’sflightsystemsfromthebridge.“WetakeyoubacktoGalineFour,”Rocherepliedwithoutlookingup.She

didn’tneedtoseeMavalhin’sscowltoknowitwasthere.“AndifIdon’twanttogo?”heasked.“Youdon’thaveachoice,Myer,”she

said.“Unless,ofcourse,you’dliketostayouthereaftereveryone’sleft?”“Listen,Morgan,thereasonIhelpedyouinthefirstplacewassoIdidn’thave

togoback.”“Well,let’sjustseewhathappens,okay?”saidRochetiredly.“Ifyouhelpus

likeyoudidbefore,thenperhapswecandropyouoffsomewhereelseafterwards.”“Assumingthereisanafterwards,”hemuttered.“Enough,already!”Rochesnapped.Then,morecalmlytoHaidshesaid:

“Ameidio,getAuditorByrneontheline.”Rochehadbetterthingstodothanarguewithhertwocaptives.“Weneedtodiscusstactics.”SheheardDisistochuckletohimself.“That’ssomefightingforceyou’vegot,

Morgan,”hesaid.“I’vedonebetterwithless,”sheretorted.“Whynotforgetyourfriendsfornow?Maiiwillbereleasedlater,I’msure.”“Unharmed?”saidRoche.“Aslongasshedoesn’tcauseanytrouble,yes.”“AndCane?”“Idon’tknowwhatwillhappentohim,”Disistoadmitted.“Butdon’tyou

thinkyoumightbesaferwithouthimaroundanyway?”RochespunaroundinherseattofaceDisisto.“Howaboutwemakeadeal:

I’llstoptryingtoturnyouagainstRufoifyoustoptryingtouseCaneagainstme.”AthingrintouchedDisisto’slips.“Hitanerve,haveI?”“Cane’ssavedmylifeonmorethanoneoccasion.Thatdeservessomething,

doesn’tit?”“Maybeitdoes.Butdoyoublameme,then,forbeingsuspicious?”“Youdon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout—”“Morgan,”interruptedHaid.“AuditorByrnesaysshecanhaveaquorum

“Morgan,”interruptedHaid.“AuditorByrnesaysshecanhaveaquorumtogetherintenminutes.”Rocheturnedtochecktheship’ssystems,fuming.“Askherifthey’llgather

outhere.I’dliketojointhem.”“Whataboutthesetwo?”“We’llfreezethemandputthemonatether.Alittlesensorydeprivationwill

dothemaworldofgood.”Then,moretoherselfthananyoneelse,sheadded:“Wouldn’tdomeanyharmtonothavetolistentothemforawhile,either.”“Hey,lightenup,Morgan—”“Shutup,Myer.”Shefrozetheirsuitswithamentalcommand.“I’mnotinthe

mood.”ShewentovertohelpHaidclamberintohisownsuit.“I’vegotafeelingI’mgoingtobeinthisforawhile,”hesaidasshechecked

thesealsdownhisleftside.“Betonit.”“Atleastwe’reeven,now.”Hisnewhand,buriedinhispoweredsuit’sglove,

curledupwardintoaclenchedfist.“Fancyanarmwrestle?”“Pass.ButfeelfreetotryMyer.He’dbestupidenoughtotakeyouon.”Shepattedthelastsealclosed,thensteppedback.“Morgan.”Haidhesitated.“Idon’twanttopry,butthatwastheBoxyouwere

talkingtobefore,right?”Shenodded.“Yes.”“Buthow?We’renotregisteringanyincomingsignals.”Shestaredathimforamoment.“Itsaidit’srelayingtoavoiddetection.

Maybeit’smaskingthesignalsonourinstrumentstoo.”“That’skindofparanoid,don’tyouthink?”“Maybeweshouldbegladitis.”TheionbridgewasinfullflowerastheyleftDaybreaktojointhegathering

quorum.Fifteenoutriggershadgatheredinahalf-spherearoundthepatchofMokRochehadchosenatrandom.Sherecognizedsomeofthembysightalone:Yarrow’smidnight-black,Idil’spinkish-orange,Lud’sdiagonalblackstripes,andonewithagreentriangle,fromthepreviousquorum,whosenameshedidn’tknow.SheandHaidtookpositionsinfrontoftheoutriggers,towingDisistoand

Mavalhinbehindthem.Whentheywerestationary,Rocheunfrozethetwocaptivessotheycouldseewhatwasgoingon,andperhapsevencontribute.“Thishasbeensomethingofanunusualdayforus,MorganRoche.”Auditor

Byrne’steardropall-suitfloatednotfarfromherattheroughcenterofthe

Byrne’steardropall-suitfloatednotfarfromherattheroughcenterofthegathering.“Wewouldnormallyonlymeetonceortwiceastandardyear.TwoquorumsandonePlenaryinlessthanadayisquiteextraordinary.”“It’sthesituationwhichisextraordinary,”saidRoche.“Butagain,Ithankyou

foryourcooperation.”“AsIsaid,byhelpingyouwehelpourselves,”theAuditortoldher.Shemade

noreferencetoAlik,theoutriggerwhohadattackedRoche,buttheknowledgeofwhatshehaddonehungheavilyuponthemeeting.“Now,howexactlycanwegoaboutit?”Rochetookadeepbreath.“YouknowthatIhavetwofriendsheldcaptiveby

LinegarRufoinGalineFour.Iintendtoliberatethembyanymeanspossible.Whiledoingso,IhopetoobtaintheinformationthathasbeengatheredsinceGalineFour’sarrivalinthissystem;thisinformationshouldprovehelpfulinourinvestigationoftheclonewarriors.“Inreturnforyourhelpinthesematters,wewillgiveyousafepassagefrom

thissystem.Itmaymeandismantlingthespinestosqueezethemintotheholds,butwe’lldoit.IfIgetoutofherealive,sowillyou.”“Afairexchange,”saidAuditorByrne.“Butgiventhesituation,Iwouldn’t

haveacceptedanythingless.”“Thereisoneotherthing,”saidRoche.“Rufoorderedtheinactionofhis

observersaroundAro,andassuchisinpartresponsibleforthedestructionofWideBerth’sclan.Idon’tnecessarilycondonevengeance,butIwillassistyouinbringinghimtojustice,shouldyouchoosetodoso.”Privatelasersdartedbetweenthegatheredoutriggers.“Thankyou,Morgan,”saidByrne.“ButitisuswhomRufohaswronged,and

ifheistoanswerforthis,thenitmustbetousalone.Itisnecessaryforthegrief-healingoftheclan.”“Roche,thatisn’tfair!”Disistoexclaimed.“AtleastgrantLinegartherightof

replybeforeyou—”“Iwarnedyou,Disisto.Ameidio,shuthimout.”Disisto’svisorwentblack;his

transmissionsceasedinmid-outrage.“Howaboutyou,Myer?Gotaproblemwiththis?”MavalhinlookedatRochesteadilyforafewseconds.“Notatall,Morgan.

Thisisyourshow.”“Okay,”shesaid,turningfromthepilot.“Byrne,beforewegointodetails,I

needtoaskyousomething.Idilsaidthatshehadtakenovertheall-suitofanolderclanmemberwhenshedied.Doyouhaveanyothersuchemptysuitsaround?”“Wehavesixemptysuitsatthistime,plusanotherfifteenrecoveredfrom

“Wehavesixemptysuitsatthistime,plusanotherfifteenrecoveredfromWideBerth.Allaretetheredtotheirrespectivespines.Why?”“TheBoxcanteleoperatethemalongwithsomeoftheAnaVereine’sancillary

vesselsandanyotherswecanlayourhandson.They’llonlybedecoys,butthemorepointswecanattackfrom,thebetter.”“Considerthematyourdisposal,”saidByrne.“Excellent,”saidRoche.“Andifthereareanyofyoureluctanttofight,you

arewelcometostayonboardtheAnaVereineduringtheattack—justaslongaswehaveuseofyoursuittoaddtoourdecoys.”“Withoutoursuits,wearenothing,”saidoneoftheoutriggers,astatement

thatprovokedageneralsusurrusofagreement.“Iunderstandthat,”Rocheputinquickly.“Butatleastthiswayyoumightstill

surviveevenifyourall-suitwasdamaged.Wecanarrangesomesortofsealedenvironmentintheship,ifyoulike—eventeleopfacilitiessoyoucanstillflyyoursuit.Andshouldtheworstoccur,thenI’msureareplacementcouldbebuilttospecificationsatalaterdate.”Whileherconcernfortheoutriggerswasgenuine,thatwasnothermain

motivefortheproposal.Shewasmoreinterestedinseeingwhoacceptedtheoffer—andwhodidn’t.Anall-suitwouldbeaconvenientplaceforafugitivetohide.Iftheclonewarriorhadinfiltratedthespine,thiswouldnarrowdownthesuspects.“Weshalltakeyourwordsintoconsideration,”saidByrne.“Now,whatabout

strategy?”“Well,weneedaplanthatwillgiveustimetogetin,dowhatwehavetodo,

thengetoutagain,”saidRoche.“Anditisn’tgoingtobeeasy.Asneakattackbyasmallnumberofscoutswouldbeworsethanuseless.They’deventuallybedetected,andthatwouldwarnRufothatalargerattackwasimminent,enablinghimtopreparehisdefenses.“Sneakinguponthemisn’tanoptioneither,”shecontinued.“They’renot

blindandthey’llbeexpectingustotrysomething.Evenasmallgroupwillstickoutinafeaturelesssky.They’dbeshotdownlongbeforethey’dgetanywherenearthestation.“So,ourbesthopeliesingettingalargeassemblyascloseaspossiblewithout

beingseenandstrikinghardandfast.Ifwecanpenetratetheirdefensesquicklyandgetinside,thebattlebecomesoneofinternalsecurity.Thatwilltakethepressureofftheattackingforce,allowingittoconserveresourcesandregroupifnecessary.That’sassumingofcoursethatwedon’tcompletelyknockouttheirdefensesonthefirstpass;ifwecandothat,gettinginandoutwillbe

defensesonthefirstpass;ifwecandothat,gettinginandoutwillbeconsiderablyeasier.”Shelookedaroundthequorum.Notbeingabletoseetheexpressionsofthose

shewasaddressingwasfrustrating,butthefactthattherewasnomovementwhatsoeverfromtheall-suitsgavehertheimpressionshewasatleastbeinglistenedto.“Wedohavesomethingofanedge,”Rochewenton.“OnceIgettheBox

insidethestation,wecanuseittoshutdownexternalsecurity.Thiswillonlyworkforawhile—untiltheymanagetore-routeitthroughtheinternalsecurityshell—butweneedallthetimewecanget.TheBoxshouldalsobeabletotelluswhereMaiiandCaneareheldinthestation.Idoubtthey’llbetogether,soIimaginethelandingpartywillhavealottodo.It’sbasicallymeandAmeidioversustheentireinternalsecurity,sincewe’retheonlyoneswithlegs.”SheglancedoveratMavalhin.“Disistohastoldmehedoesn’twanttoassist

usagainsthisemployer,butI’mhopingMyerMavalhinherewillbeabletogiveussomeinsightintotheoperationofGalineFour:blindspotsorsecurityweaknesses,pointsofentry,waystomovefreelyinside,weaponscaches—thatkindofthing.Anyhelphecanprovidewouldbeusefulatthispoint.”MavalhinlookedovertoDisisto’sblacked-outsuitfloatingbesidehim,then

backtoRoche.“I’lldowhatIcan,”hesaid.“Good,”shesaid.“Thenyouwillbepartoftheboardingparty,too.”“Butcanhebetrusted?”saidoneoutrigger.“We’llfindthatoutsoonenough,Iguess,”Rochereplied.Then,addressing

thequorumasawhole,shesaid,“Now,doesanyonehaveanysuggestions?Ipresumesomeofyouhavehadcombatexperience?”“Unfortunately,weallhave,”saidAuditorByrne.“Wearebetteratrunning

thanfighting,butwestandupforourselveswhenwehaveto.Asyouknow,wepossessmanytoolsthatcanserveasweapons.Manyofthemwouldbeusefulintheattack.”“Good,”Rochesaid.“They’lladdsomemasstotheassault.TheAnaVereine

hasastockpileofsurveillancemicromachines.TheBoxmightbeabletoreconfiguresometoattackthestation’sexternalsurfaces—eithertheobservationsystemsorthehullitself.Doyouhaveanywaytodeliversuchdevicesenmasse?”“Wehavenanoseeders,”saidLud.“Bullet-shapedandgrain-sized.Wecould

sendacloudinaheadofus.Theymighttakeitfornothingmorethanspacejunk—untilitstartseatingintothem.”“Perfect.Anyoneelse?”“Whataboutthecrust-rippers?”askedanotheroutrigger.

“Whataboutthecrust-rippers?”askedanotheroutrigger.“Toodestructive,”saidLud.“Wecouldusethemasathreat.LoadWideBerthspinewithasmanyaswe’ve

gotandthreatentoramiftheydon’tsurrender.”“Anemptythreat,”saidIdil.“Wecouldneverusethem.Ifwedid,the

explosionwouldwipeouteverythingforamillioncubickilometers.IncludingtheAnaVereineandouronlywayoutofhere.”“Wecanuseiondrillingcannontocutthroughthehullifthemicromachines

don’twork,”suggestedanother.“Andblindsingleshipswithspectrometrybombs,”saidyetanother“Andwestillhavetheleftoverslagfromtheasteroidswecarvedbefore

everythingwentwrong,”saidLud.“Wecoulduseitascoverforthenanoseeders.Mostlycarbonandice,abitofiron,niceandirregularinsizeandshape.Theseederswillblendrightin.”“Goodthinking,”saidByrne.“Wealsohaveaccesstothesubsystemsofadozenorsoprowlingmines,”

saidone.“Theyareanoldermakeandeasilysubverted,thesameonestheclonewarriorusedtodestroytheArmadabasearoundCemenid.”“Hasanyoneconsideredusingdrillrigstoboostourownthrust?”camestill

anothersuggestion.Rocherelaxedslightlyinthesuitandletthemworkshop.ShenoticedHaid

watchinghertooneside,andsignaledhimprivately,reducingthevolumeoftheoutriggers’chattertoaminimum.“Whatdoyouthink?Dowehaveachance?”“DependsonhowfarRufowillgotokeepwhathehas,”Haidreplied.“Ifhis

lifedependsonit,he’sgoingtodoeverythinginhispowertogetridofusonceandforall.Lasttimeheatleasttriedtopretendthathewasdoingtherightthing.Thistimethere’llbenocharades.”“That’strue,”saidRoche.“HeknowswehaveDisistoandMyer.Ifwedidn’t

knowthetruthbynow,thenwewouldn’tbeworthworryingaboutinthefirstplace.”“Anddoweknowthetruth?Evennow?”“I’msurewedon’t,”Rochesaid.“Notentirely.ButIknowwe’readamnsight

closerthanwewereafewdaysago.”Shequicklyreturnedherattentiontothequorumwhensheheardsomeoneask:“Whatdowedoifsomethinggoeswrong?”“Ifsomethinggoeswrong,we’llsurrender,”Rochesaid.“Thatis,Iwill

surrender,notyou.IfweletthemhavetheAnaVereine,they’llbeprobablybehappy.”“Andwhathappenstoyouthen?”“That’suptoRufo,”shesaid.“Itshouldbenoconcernofyours.Don’teven

thinkoftryingtorescueus;youshouldconcentrateonhiding.GalineFourwon’tbehereforever,andthere’salwaysachancearescueteamwillarriveintime.Remember,thecollapseofthesystemisstillsomeweeksaway.”“Ifthatisyourwish,”saidByrne,“wewillabidebyit.”“Good.”DespitewhatsheandtheBoxhaddecided,Rochehopeditwouldn’t

cometothat.“Now,Myer.Anysuggestionsonhowtogetin?”Thepilotclearedhisthroat.“Well,everythingwillbelockedupprettytight,as

youcanimagine.”“Yes,butdespitetheKesh,it’snotamilitarystation,”shepointedout.“There

mustbesomeweakpoints.”“Ofcoursethereare.Orrathertherewere.Idon’tknowifanythingwillhave

changedsinceIlastlooked.”“Iguessthat’sariskwe’lljusthavetotake.”Shefoughttheurgetotellhimto

stopprocrastinating.Antagonizinghimnowwouldbecounterproductive.“Thebestbetwouldprobablybetheoldfreighttransferpointondeck17D.

Noone’suseditformonths,sotheoldcodesshouldstillwork.Andiftheydon’t,wecanalwayscutthrough.Theyshutitdownbecauseofanacidspill;thesealsarecorrodedandcouldbeniceandbrittle.Badforsafety,butgoodforyou.Imean,us.”Rocheignoredtheslip.“Howmanysingleshipsdoesthestationhave,and

whatotherdefensivemeasurescanweexpect?”“Thereareusuallyfifteensingleshipsattheready,fromapoolofthirty.I

don’tknowhowmanyyouwreckedwhenyouleft.ThestationhastheusualstockofE-shieldsandanti-assaultcannon.Nothingtoodestructive.Gettingcloseenoughtogetinshouldn’tbetoomuchofaproblem.It’sonceyou’reinthatyou’llhavedifficulty.”“Goon.”“Well,you’veseenit.It’sbigandfullofpeople.Badenoughthatyouwantto

gettoonespecificarea—buttwo,oreventhree?IfIwasn’tcomingwithyou,Iwouldn’tgiveyouanychanceatall.”“That’sexactlywhyyou’recomingwithus,Myer.”“SoIgathered,”hesaid.“Anyway,you’llneedtobypassasmuchaspossible.

Trytokeepusoffthemonitors,oratleastcoveredsomehow.IfyourAIcan’tdothat,you’llhavetoarrangedistractions.Hitthemfromeveryangleandthey

that,you’llhavetoarrangedistractions.Hitthemfromeveryangleandtheywon’tknowwheretoconcentratetheirefforts.Youmightbeabletoslipthroughthatway.”Thatwasprettymuchwhatshe’dbeenthinking;maybenotsodestructiveas

blowingupascutter,though,likelasttime.“Noloopholeswecanutilize?”“Notwithoutknowingexactlywherewe’regoing.”“Nowayofcrackingintothesecondsecuritylevel?”“NoneI’mawareof.Disistomightknow,though.”“Andhewouldn’ttellmeifhedid.”Shethoughtforasecond.“I’mnotsureI

agreethatgettinginwillbeeasy.Thesingleshipsarefasterthanall-suits,betterarmedandarmored.Therearemoreofus,andsheernumbersmaywintheday,butontheotherhandtheymightnot.Ifweplanforeverycontingency,wemightjustturnthingsaroundtoourfavor;attheveryleast,we’llsavelives.“AuditorByrne,we’llleaveyoutosortoutwhowantstofightandwhowants

topiggybackontheAnaVereine.I’lldownloadtheschematicsofthestationandanyotherrelevantdataonceIcanlaymyhandsonitsoyoucandiscusspossibletacticsandwaystominimizeyourlosses.“Meanwhile,we’llworkoutwhattodofromourend.Wehavesometimeto

playwith,anyway.Evenatfullburn,it’dtakeusadayortwotoreachthestationfromhere.”“Unlessit’smoved,”saidHaid.“Yes,butthere’snotmuchwecandoaboutthatfromhere—notwiththe

informationlagsastheyare.”“Verywell,MorganRoche.”Thesharp-tippedall-suitbobbedgentlyinthe

microgravity;someoftheoutriggersaroundherwerealreadybreakingranks.“Wewillkeepyouinformedofourprogress.”AuditorByrne’ssilvertearwasamongthelasttoleave.Rochewaitedfor

themalltodispersebeforemovingherself.Shescannedtheskiesbrieflybeforeshedid,andindoingsonoticedYarrow,allbutinvisibleinhisblackall-suit,hanginglikeanaccusationinthestarlesssky.Rochefeltasthoughthemysteriousoutriggerwaswatchingher,andtheidea

ofthismadeherfeeluncomfortable.Whywouldhehavesavedherifhewasn’twhoByrnethoughthewas?Sofarhehaddonenothingtoarousehersuspicion,exceptbesilent.Shestaredbackathimforafewminutes,butwhenitwasapparenthewasn’t

goingtomove,sheturnedawayandstartedtuggingDisisto’slimpsuitbackintothecourier’sairlock.Whensheglancedbackamomentlater,shesawYarrow’sall-suitdisappearingintooneofthemoon’sshafts.

*

<Okay,Box—><Noneed,Morgan.Ioverheardeverything>Rochesuppressedtheobvious

response:How?Butnowwasn’tthetime.Shewasinoneofthecourier’stwosmallsleepingspaceswiththedoorlocked,havingsecuredDisistoandMavalhininthebridgewhileHaidsleptintheroomnextdoor.Theex-mercenaryhadlookedexhaustedafterthequorum,andevenhehadadmittedtonothavinghadenoughrestinthelastfewdays.<Sohowdoourplansfitinwithyours?><Wellenough.IsuggestIcomeoutofhidingintwenty-fourhours.Wecan

explainmyearlyarrivalbytellingthetruthinpart—thatwehavebeenlyinglowandfalsifyingourETAtoavoiddetection.Weshouldbebattle-readybythen.><Howistheshipholdingup?Theintrasystemthrustersmustbetakingabitofahammering.><Urihasbeencarefulnottoexceedsafetylimits,andthey’redesignedwell.>Rochesmiled.<CanItalktohim?><Sorry,Morgan,buthe’sresting.However,Iwillinformhimwhenheawakes

thatyouaskedafterhim.><Thanks,Box.><IalsosuggestthatwedonotrevealthelocationoftheAnaVereineuntilwe

areunderway.Itwouldbemuchmoredifficult,underthosecircumstances,toattempttosubvertus.>Rocheconsideredthesuggestion.ThatwouldmeandockingDaybreaktotheMarauderwhileundergoingacceleration—atrickymaneuveratthebestoftimes.<Areyousurethat’snecessary?Itsoundsabitparanoid—><Bettertooparanoidthannotatall,>saidtheBox,echoingherownthoughts

onthatsubject.<Iguessso,>shesaidwithsomeuncertainty.<Andwhataboutwhathappens

afterwards?Haveyougivenanythoughttothat?Imean,oncewegetMaiiandCaneback,wheredowegofromhere?Whatdowedo?><IsuggestwewaittoseewhatRufo’sdatatellsusbeforewestartexaminingouroptions><Butshouldn’tweatleasthavesomeplan?Ifwedomanagetoavoidthe

Keshdestroyerandtheblockade,chancesarewe’llhavenotimetodecidewhat—><Iunderstandwhatyouaresaying,Morgan,>theBoxbrokein.<However,Idofeelthatourmissionisbestservedbypatienceatthispoint.Afterall,we

havenocleardestinationbeyondhere.><Ithoughtasmuch,>shesaidwearily.<Reassureme,Box.Tellmewecandothis.><Icannotofferyouanyguarantees,Morgan.Everythingissubjecttochance.><Thencanyouatleastgivemeodds?><Sorry,Morgan.Iwouldratherwejustwentintothisassumingthatwewill

win.>Rochesighedtoherselfandclosedtheline.Shelaybackonthebunk,but

realizedafterafewminutesthatshewouldn’tbeabletosleep.Insteadshewenttothebridgeandcalledupacommunicationsdisplay.ShewascuriousafterwhatHaidhadsaidearlieraboutnotdetectinganyincomingsignalsfromtheBox.Asbefore,therehadbeennovoicetransmissions,codedorotherwise,sentto

orfromthecourierduringthetimeofhertalkwiththeBox.Theonlytransmissionshecouldn’taccountforwasoneintenseburstlastingasecondortwo,notlongaftertheirlastconversation.Ithadbeensentfromthecouriertoadestinationfartherin-system.Shedidn’tknowwhatthatmeant.MaybetheBoxhaddownloadedpartof

itselfintothecourier,andthatsmallerparthadcommunicatedtheirconversationtothelargeroneinasingleconcisespurtafterthefactratherthaninmultipletransmissionsduring.Thatwouldmakesense:afterall,theBoxitselfseemedtobejustasmallerchipofftheHighHumancalledtheCrescend;nodoubttheprocesswasrepeatabletoasmallerdegree.Butshediddoubtthattherewasroominthecourier’savailablememoryforanAIwiththesophisticationoftheBox.AndiftheAnaVereinewashidingbehindKukumatastheBoxclaimed,thenthetransmissionhadgoneinthewrongdirection—althoughtherewasthepossibilitythatitcouldhavebeensentviaarelay.Tappingattheconsole,sheinstructedthecommunicationssystemtonotify

hereverytimeanysuchburstswerereceivedortransmittedbythecourier.<Idon’tthinkthat’snecessary,Morgan.>Thevoiceinherheadcameasnosurprise;shehadhalfexpectedheractionsto

prompttheBoxtointervene.<AndwhatexactlyisityouthinkI’mdoing,Box?><IpresumeyouaretryingtodeducehowIamcommunicatingwithyou.><Possibly.OrmaybeI’mjustconcernedthatthere’sabugonboardtheship

sendinginformationbacktoGalineFour.>Shesmiledtoherself.<Thatwouldbemorereasonablethansuspectingyouofanythingunderhanded,don’tyouthink?Butthefactthatyoudidn’tevenbringitupwouldsuggestthatyouareup

tosomething.>TheBoxwassilentforamoment.Notlong,butlongenough.<Iassureyou,Morgan,thatIam‘upto’nothing‘underhanded.’><Thenhowabouttellingmewhatyou’redoing?><Thatisn’tanissueI’mpreparedtodiscussrightnow.Youwillfindoutsoon

enough.>Shefrowned.<Whynotnow?><Becauseitisn’trelevant>“Iseverythingallright?”Shestartedattheunexpectedvoiceoutsideherhead.Sheturnedandsaw

Disistosittingupinhissuit,helmetoffbutotherwiseimmobile.Nexttohim,Mavalhinlolledlikeabroken-backeddoll,unconscious.“Ithoughtyouwereasleep,”shesaid.“Notme.I’vespenttoomuchtimeinthedarkjustlately.”Whensheignored

thegibe,hesaid:“Idon’tsupposeyou’dcaretogivemesomesortofmobility?Mynoseisitchyashell.”Shesentacommandtoallowhimtomove,althoughrestrictingthose

movementstothecrash-couch.“How’sthat?”Heflexedhisarms.“Muchbetter.Thanks.”“YouthinkI’mbeingtootoughonyou,don’tyou?”Heshookhisheadslowly.“Notreally,”hesaid.“ThewayIseeit,I’mlucky

tobealiveatall.Mostofyourbuddieswouldhaveshotmebynow.”Rochesmiled,althoughtherewasnoevidenceofhumorinhistoneorhisface.“Ithinkyouexaggeratealittle.”Heheldherstareevenly.“Maybe,”hesaid.“Butthefactistheydon’ttake

welltouncooperativeprisoners.”Inthequietthatfollowedshesaid:“Youknow,youcouldstillhelpme.”Hesighedheavily.“IfI’vetoldyouonce,I’vetoldyouathousandtimes:I

won’thelpyouattackthechief—”“I’mnotaskingyoutodothat,”shesaid.“I’djustliketoknowwhathe’s

doinghere,that’sall.Asdoyou.AllIwantisyourhelpfindingoutthatinformation.”Disistoranahandoverthestubbledustinghisdarkfaceandscalp.“Ican’tdo

thatwithouthelpingyouinotherwaystoo.”“Youcouldmediate,”saidRoche.“RufoandShak’niandalltheirKeshpals

willbeintentonblowingusawayoncewereturn.Personally,I’drathertalkthanfight—andtheymightlistentoyouifyoutrytomediate.ShouldRufogiveustheinformationweneed—alongwithMaiiandCane—thenwe’llleavehimalone.Hell,wemighteventakehimoutofthesystemifhewantsusto.I’msure

alone.Hell,wemighteventakehimoutofthesystemifhewantsusto.I’msurehedoesn’tlikebeingdependentontheKeshforthat.”“Iknowhedoesn’t,”hesaid.“So?”Rochepressed.“CanIcountonyounotscrewingthingsupuntilwe’ve

atleasttriedtotalk?”Disistosighedagain.“Okay,”hesaid.“Ifitmeansapossiblepeaceful

solution,thenI’llseewhatIcando.”“Good.Becauseyou’recominginthelandingpartywithus,andIdidn’twant

tohavetodragyouaroundlikeabigsackofrocks.”Rochesmiled,relievedtohavefinallyreachedsomesortofcompromisewithhim.“Now,ifyou’llexcuseme,Ihavetotryandturnabunchofoutriggersintosomethingresemblingafightingforce.”Disistoleanedbackintohisseatwithahalf-smileonhisface,butbeforehe

couldsayanything,thealarmRochehadinstalledinthecommunicationssystemssoundedthroughherimplants.Sheturnedbacktotheconsoleandexaminedthesurge.Itseemednodifferent

fromtheother,exceptthistimeitwasincoming.AreplyfromthelargerpartoftheBox,perhaps?DisistohadsaidsomethingaboutMavalhin,butshewasn’tlistening.<Box,whatthehellareyouplayingat?><Morgan,>itsaid,ignoringthequestion.<Iamdetectingapowerfulneutrino

surgefromHintubet.>Shecastaneyeacrosstheinstruments.Thereitwas:asharpspikeonlyslowlytrailingoff.Asshewatched,itpeakedagain,higherthanbefore.<Coulditbedangerous?>shesaid.<Itmayaffectsomemodesofcommunication,butlittleelse.Myconcernlies

withwhatitsaysaboutthesourceofthesurge.><Hintubet?Ican’tseewhy—>Shestopped.<TheGauntlet?Youdon’tthink—?>Anotherspike,morepowerful,againregisteredonthecourier’sneutrino

detectors.<Wecaughtasignaldirectedatthesunsometimeago.Iassumeditwasaroutinesignaltofine-tunethesolarenvelope.Now,judgingbythesun’sseverelyalteredbehavior,Iamrapidlycomingtotheoppositeconclusion.>ThetoneoftheBox’svoicewasleadingRocheinthesamedirection.<They’rekillingit,aren’tthey?><Ithinkso.Byinstructingthefleetofquarkbreedersorbitingwithinthechromospheretodumptheirentirestockofstrangematterintothestaratonce,theycancausethesolarenvelopetospontaneouslycollapse.><Howlong,Box?><Thatdependsonhowthechainreactionprogresses.Itmaycascade,resulting

inacatastrophiccollapsewithinafewhours;oritmaybeheldincheckbyother

forceswithinthe—><Howlongdoyouthinkwehave?><Takingintoaccounttheevenspacingofthespikessofar,mybestguess

wouldbesixtyhours.>Sixtyhours?Rocheturnedthefigureoverinherhead.Justthreedaystoget

theoutriggerstoGalineFour,acrossadistanceofoverfivebillionkilometers,breakin,rescueMaiiandCane,findoutwhatRufoknew,andgetoutagain.Thengetoutofthesystembeforetheenvelopecollapsedcompletely...“Roche?”saidDisistofrombehindher;irritablyshewavedhimtosilence.<WhatabouttheSebettu?>sheaskedtheBox.<Icanonlyassumethatitisalreadyonitsway.><AndifRufoisheadingforarendezvous,wehavetofindhimandmatch

velocities,allwithoutbeingseen...We’rereallygoingtohavetomovefastonthis.><Thatwouldbestatingtheobvioussomewhat.>SheignoredtheBox’sflippancyandquicklyspokeintoamikeontheconsole.“AuditorByrne,”shesaid.“I’mgoingtoneedyourpeoplereadytomovein

twohours.Irepeat:twohours.”“Ihearyou.”Theauditor’svoicecameoninstantly.“Butwhythesudden

urgency?”“Ijustfoundoutthatthecollapseoftheenvelopeisbeingbroughtforward,”

shesaid.“Wenowhavejustthreedaystodowhatwehavetodoandgetthehelloutofhere.”“Canwedoit?”“Wecantry,”Rochesaid.“Beyondthat,I’mnotmakinganypromises...”

PARTFOUR:SEBETTU

INTERLUDE

Hewokeinapanic:someonewastalkingtohim!AtfirsthethoughtitwasoneoftheattendantsintheShadowPlace.Butthe

voicewascoldandslippery,sharpasahypodermicneedleandasflexibleaswire.Itslidthroughhisdefensesandpiercedhisbrainlikeafishhook.Hestruggledforareferencepoint.Whenhefoundnone—onlyvoid—he

rememberedwherehewas.Theabomination!<Canyouhearme?>Hetrieddesperatelytothink.Whenhadhefallenasleep?Howhadheallowed

himselftobecomesovulnerable?:HELPHefeltthetechnicianstartatthevoiceissuingfromhismonitors.<Ithought

I’dknockedyououtcold.Ungratefulsod.Don’tyouwanttorest?>:HELP:ME<What’swrong?>:ABOMINATION<What?>:HERE<Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?There’snooneherebutyouandme.>Hegaveup,defeatedyetagainbyspatialcoordinates.Andanywaythevoice

hadgone,fadedintosomedarkrecesslikeabaddream.Maybehehaddreamtit...<Cananyonehearme?>Hisbodyjackknifedinshock,itsepsenseorganflailingfromthebackofhis

skulllikeanelectriceelinathunderstorm;everycellinhisbodyscreamedattheinsidioustouchofthatvoice.Analarmsoundedsomewhere,heardandfeltsecondhandthroughthetechnician.Whatwasthis?Fearforhiswell-being?Orfearhemightbetryingtoescape?Hecouldn’ttellwhich.Perhapsitwasboth.

<Ifeelsomething—Ifeelyou!Whoareyou?WhereamI?>:KILL<Killwho?Whoareyoutalkingto?>:HER<Wait.It’sclearing.Icanseeyoubetternow.You’retheonewho’sbeen

soakingupallthethoughtsinthesystem!>:HELP<Whatareyou?Olmahoi?Whatdoesirikeiimean?>:ME<Allthesenames...TheCruelOneandherservant...Theenigmaandthe

ShiningOne...the...>Thevoiceceased.Hewaitedbreathlessly,hardlydaringtobelievethathehad

ridhimselfofhersoeasily.<Abomination?Damnyou!Whoareyoutojudgeme?>Sharp-tippedtendrilsencircledhismind.Herelaxedminutely.Ifthiswashow

attackwouldcome,hewassafe.Thetentaclesslipped;theirtipsfailedtofindpurchase.<Ican’t—howdoyou

dothat?>Deepwithinhim,hefashionedaprivateplaceinwhichhecouldthink,a

shelternotevenshecouldreach.TheCruelOne’sservanthadunderestimatedherthreat,andhelackedtheskillstowarnhim.Fearfloodedthroughhim.Theabominationcouldnothurthimdirectly,butshecouldstilldohimharm.Forhim,death’sstingwasnonetheworseforbeingsomeoneelse’s.Indeed,hisownmightcomeassomethingofareliefifsheweretobreakcompletelyfree.Still,therewashope.Shewasonlyachild.Withoutthemindofanadultto

directit,herrawtalentwasmostlywasted.Withluckshewouldneverrealizeexactlywhatshewascapableof—aslongashekeptthethoughtburieddeep,awayfromherpryingmind.Hehadnoideawhattodonext,butheknewhewouldaccomplishlittle

hiddeninhisprivatespace.HehadtocomeouteventuallytodothebiddingoftheCruelOne’sservant.Ifhedidn’tcomeout,theabominationwouldonlytryallthehardertosmashherwayin....<Whatareyoufrightenedof?Idon’twanttohurtyou,really.Justdon’tgo

thinkinganymorethoughtsaboutkillingme,okay?>Hewonderedwhyheshouldenterintoabargainwithsomeonelikeher.<BecauseIcanhelpyou.You’retrappedheretoo.They’reusingyou.We

couldhelpeachotherescape.>

Therewasnowheretoescapeto.<TheAnaVereinehasaworkingslow-jumpdrive.Wecanleavehereanytime

wewant.>Sowhydidn’tshe?<Becausewehaven’tfinishedwhatwecameheretodo.Here,look.>Theabominationthrustanunwieldyslabofthoughtathim,andherecoiled

automatically.:NO<Whatisit?DoIrevoltyouthatmuch?>Hedidn’tanswer.Thetechnicianwasexamininghimmorecloselynow.His

oddtwitchesandutteranceswerenotgoingunnoticed.Heneededtobecarefullestsomeonethinkhewasuptosomething.<Well,youarehidingsomething.>Ofcoursehewas.Morethingsthanshewouldeverknow.<Don’tbepompous.SomethingaboutRufo.AndCane.Ithoughtyouwere

CanewhenIfirsttouchedyou.Noonewouldbeabletogetthroughthisfog,exceptmaybehim.OrsoIthought.>Inhisprivateplace,herealizedthatshetoohadbeenfooledbytheShining

One’scamouflage.Thatwassomething.Shewasn’tasperceptiveashehadfeared.<Whycan’tItouchanyoneelse?WhereisMorgan?>Herecognizedthename

fromtheabomination’sownmind,buthadnoideawheretheenigmahadgotto.TheproximityoftheShiningOneobscuredtherestofthesystemfromhissight.<SoRufodoesn’tknow,either?>Thatwasn’tnecessarilyso.TheCruelOne’sservanthadnumeroussensors

andsingleshipscoutsonthelookoutforthetwofugitivevessels.Itwasonlyamatteroftimebeforeoneofthemturnedup.<Still,it’sapointinherfavor,right?It’llbeeasierforhertosneakbackhere,

whenshe’sready.>Hereactedwithsurprisetothecertaintyintheabomination’smentalvoice.

Comeback?Theenigmawouldbeinsanetodosuchathing!<Trustme,she’llcome.>Theabomination’sthoughtsslidacrosseachotherlikeshiningmetalsheets,

polishedbyfriction.Herscreenwasgood,butnotperfect.Occasionalinsightsslippedthroughthegaps,andhegatheredthemup,hopingtolearnasmuchashecouldabouther.Leveragemightcomeinhandy,later.<Whydoyoucallmeanabomination?>Thequestionsurprisedhim.TheSurinbredforepsense;theywerenotwithout

Thequestionsurprisedhim.TheSurinbredforepsense;theywerenotwithoutexperienceinthefield.Surelysheknewthatmindslikehersshouldnotexist?<Whosays?>Hesupposedshewastooyoungtounderstand.Long-termmaintenanceof

epsenseabilityrequiredeitherbuilt-ingeneticdispositionorintensediscipline.Ifshehadbeenmadeandraisedaroundotherslikeher,oraroundnaturalreaveswholackedthepropertraining—<Pompousandpatronizing.>Abominationslikeherwerepronetoself-destruction.Therewasnoplacefor

theminthegalaxy;theyneverfitin.Itwasn’tthattheywererejected,morethattheycouldnotbeaccepted.Intime,theyalwaysdisintegrated.<Oh,really?>Hefeltperverselysorryforher;afterall,itwasn’therfaultshe’dbeenmade

thisway.Buthecouldnot—andwouldnot—allowfeelingsofsympathytointrudeonwhathehadtodo.Therehadtobeaway.<Iguessourbattlelinesaredrawn,>shesaid.<IftheonlywayIcantalkto

anyoneelseisbygettingridofyou,Olmahoi,irikeii,whateveryouare,thensobeit.Thechancesofuseverreachingagreementareprettydamnslim.>Nonexistent,hewould’vethought.<Well,then.Willyoutellmewhatyou’rehidingordoIhavetowringitfrom

youdropbydrop?>Foramoment,inhisprivateretreat,hewastemptedtoacceptherchallenge.

Notthattherewasanyriskofhergettingwhatshewantedthatway.Nomatterhowstrongshewas,hewouldnotfalltoadirectassault;hisverynatureforbadeit.Hewasmorelikeachannelthanavessel;theholeinthefabricofn-spacethatwashismindcouldbefilledandoverflow,butthatwouldnotharmhimdirectly.Itwouldsimplyspillontothosearoundhim,includingtheoneattackinghim,andtherebyneutralizethethreat.No,hedecided,lettinghisthoughtsrisebacktothesurface.Itwouldbemore

interestingtogiveherwhatshewanted.Thatwouldgetheroffhisback,temporarily,andperhapsenablehimtoseewhatshemadeofitintothebargain.<Don’texpectmetotellyouanything.>Dialoguewaspossibleevenbetweenenemies,especiallywhentheconflict

wasnotdiametricallypolarized.Iftheybothperceivedacommonfoe,mightn’titseemsensibletoexchangeinformation?<Ifwedo,yes.Butyou’llhavetoconvincemeofthat,first.>Heopenedhismind.Nottotally,andnotallatonce.Andnot,hehadtoadmit,

withoutdoubt—forallhehadlearnedwasnecessarilycoloredbythemindsthat

withoutdoubt—forallhehadlearnedwasnecessarilycoloredbythemindsthathadgivenittohim.Buthehimselfdidnotaddanything.Heofferedhernodeceptions.Heshowedherhishome.Heshowedherhowhehadcometobesnatched

fromitandbroughthere.HeshowedhertheCruelOne.Heshowedherthecomplexwebofintrigueandmachinationswovenaroundhim.Heshowedherwhyitwasunlikelyhewouldeverbeallowedtoreturntohispeople.ThenheshowedherthedarkholeattheheartoftheShiningOne.Heshowed

herthesecretfearbreedingintheCruelOne’sservant’smind.Heshowedherthedifferencebetweenwhattheenigmathoughttobetrue,andwhathehadgarneredfromthoseclosertotheheartofthematter.Mostlywhathehopedtoshowherwasherignorance....<No.>Theabomination’svoicewasstrained.<That’simpossible.You’relying!>Heassuredherthathewasn’t—butshewasalreadygone.Shehadfledrather

thanendurethetruth.Hebarelyhadtimetofeelsatisfactionwhen—Pain!Hestruggledtoorienthimself.Agonytorethrougheverynerveinhisbody.

Whathadgonewrong?<Hey!Payattention!Whythehelldidn’tyouwarnus?>Hismindstrained.Wider,wider.Desperatetostopthepain.:SLEEPING:DREAMING<Welllooknow,damnyou!There’safleetbearingdownonus!Weneedto

knownumbers.Andwewanttoknowiftheotherclonewarrior’sbehindthem!>Helooked;itwastrue.Hecouldseethemnowrisingoutofthemistofthe

ShiningOne,numerousmindsallfocusedononeplace,onechallenge.:MANY<Howmany?>:MANY:COMINGHepeeredcloser,harder,throughthelight,atanother.:SHINING:RESONANCEAndthere,attheforefront,hesawit.Hedidn’tknowwhyhewassurprised,

andperhapsevenalittlerelieved.HeknewtheCruelOne’sservantwouldfeel

andperhapsevenalittlerelieved.HeknewtheCruelOne’sservantwouldfeelverydifferently.Butatleastnowhewouldbeabletokeepaneyeonher.Justastheabominationhadsaid,theenigmahadreturned...

7

COEIDaybreak‘955.01.23EN1840

Theoutriggerfleetcameinfast.Aftertwentyhoursofhardaccelerationanddecelerationonthebackofthespines,thenridingonmomentumaloneforthelasthourtohidetheemissionsoftheirtinydrives,theyburstintotheskyaroundGalineFourliketheabsentstars.Seventy-sixall-suitsintotal,morethanhalfofthememptyandteleoperatedeitherbytheiroriginalownersortheBox,whilethespinesremainedhiddenfaraway;behindtheoutriggers,sixlumberingprowlingmines—bigtanklikemassesofmetaldesignedtoovertakesluggishasteroidsandslowlytearthemtopieces;andhiddenamongthem,carefullycamouflagedasanotherprowlingmine,theAnaVereine—usingitsshieldstoprotectasmanyoftheoutriggersaspossibleuntiltheywerewithinfiringrange.Rocheoccupiedthecopilot’schairofDaybreak,fullysuitedandreadyto

disembarkatamoment’snotice.HersuithadcomefromtheholdsoftheAnaVereineandwasasubstantialimprovementontheoldone:coolaircirculatedacrosseverypartofherbody;silentservo-assistsgaveherincreasedstrengthandagility;hiddenweaponsawaitedherslightestmentalprompttoattack.Informationflowedacrosseyes-updisplaysandthroughherimplants;shecouldseefromadozendifferentviewpointssimultaneously,andcouldeavesdropasneededontheoutriggers’exchanges.Shewaslikeanangryinsectqueensurroundedbyherwarriors,swoopinginforthekill.Besideher,Haidsatsimilarlydressed.MavalhinandDisistoworetheCOE

suitsthathadcomewiththecouriervessel,buttheyweren’tarmed.RochehadpromisedMavalhinahandweaponwhentheyboardedGalineFour,butshestillhadn’tdecidedwhethertokeepthatpromiseornot.BehindthemwaitedfouremptycombatsuitsfromtheAnaVereine.These

wouldaccompanythemontoGalineFour,tobedirectedbytheBoxifthatprovedtobepossible.Therewasnoguaranteethattheywouldbeabletocommunicatewiththefleetoutside.Itwasworthtakingthechance,though,

Rochethought.Ifthedronesdidwork,theywouldeffectivelydoubletheirnumbers.ItseemedtotaketheGalineFourdefendersamomenttobelievewhatthey

wereseeing.Bythetimethefirstshotswerefired,theoutriggerswerealmostinrange.Assoonastheywere,theformationdissolvedandreturnfirebegantocomein.“How’syourstatus?”sheaskedtheAnaVereine.“Justwaitingonyoursignal,Morgan.”Rochecouldheartheelationintheex-

captain’svoice.Afterdaysofrunningandhiding,theprospectofactionhadUribarelyabletocontainhisexcitement.Rochestudiedtheviewsbeforeher.Thestationgunnerswereconcentratingon

theprowlingmines—notsurprisingconsideringtheirmass.Ifjustoneofthemrammed,thebattlewouldeffectivelybeover.Rochehadnointentionofdoingthis,butthestationgunnersweren’ttoknowthat.“Yourshieldsareholding?”“They’redoingokay,”reportedKajic.“I’mdisplayingsignsofdamagein

ordertopreservetheillusion.”“Couldyoualsofeigndisablement?”“Shouldn’tbedifficult.”“Thendosoafterthenextparticularlyheavybattery.Don’theadforthe

station,though;tumblesoyou’dmiss.Thatwaytheyshouldleaveyoualone.Assoonastheshieldsarebacktofullstrength,jointhebattleproperly.”“Understood.”Rochesteadiedherselfasthecourierrolledbeneathher.Theywerewellback

fromthefrontline,butcloseenoughtocatchtheoccasionalstrayshot.ThemakeshiftE-shieldsanddisrupterstheBoxhadinstalledwerebearingupwell,muchtoherrelief.Theyweregoingtoneedthemonceshedecidedtomakehermove.TheoutriggerswerecloseenoughtotakepotshotsattheA-Pcannons

scatteredoverthestation’sexteriorsurfaces.TheirvoicessangthroughherinafuguesimilartothePlenaryshehadwitnessed,butwithoutitsinnatesenseoforder.InamongthebattlecallswastheAuditorherself,hercalmingvoicekeepingeverythingunderrelativecontrol.

25-26Watchout!Watchout!31Covered.Keepaneyeonthatsecondgunner!

___Groups4-9and17-26pullbackanddown.___Flanksupportrequired.

17-22Wehaveapositiveonfeederplacementinsectorsblueandyellow.9-13Howlonguntilhullintegrityiscompromised?17-22Fiveminutes.Canyouholdoutthatlong?9-13We’11haveto,Iguess.

___Shieldsarefallinginorangesector:___Allavailablefiretoconcentratehere.___Thecannonarevulnerable.

45Damn!33Youokay?45Singed.ThisisjustlikestrippingJA-32!33Andweknowwhathappenedthere,don’twe?

___Concentrate,people.___Wehavecompany.

Singleshipsspilledoutofdockingbaysfromalloverthestation,scatteringtheoutriggersonawaveofreturnedfire.

___Holdformation!___Don’tturnyourbackunlessyouwanttobeshotinit!

<Box!>Rochecalled.<Sendinthedrones!>Fromthenooksandcranniesoftheprowlingminescameeveryindependent

craftRochehadbeenabletolayherhandson.Mass-throwers,impactprobes,andremoteinstrumentsofeverydescriptionconvergedonthestation.“Byrne!Tellyourpeopletobecareful.It’sgoingtogetmessyinthere!”

___Retractallantennae!___Incomingdebris!

Thespacearoundthestationbecamethickwithenergyandmatter.Awildvarietyofthrusters—someassmallasafingernail—flashedandburned;accurateshotssentfragmentsanddustflyinginalldirections;laserbeamswere

absorbedordeflectedincrazypatterns.Throughitallmovedthesingleshipsandoutriggers,withDaybreakcloseby.Andbehindthemallcametheprowlingmines,stilllumberingonandlaboringundertheconcentratedfirefromthestation’sartillery.TheAnaVereinetookavolleyofshotstoitsflankandwentintoaslowroll.

Rochenoddedinsatisfaction.Itwouldbereadytoattackinafewminutes.“Takeuscloser,”sheinstructedHaid.

34Becareful!38Iam.It’sjust...34Laird?Goddamn!Ineedreinforcements!5-7Holdon.We’recoming!

___Letthedronesandteleopteamsgoinfirst.___Andwatchoutforpincerattacks.___Iwantlivefighters:youaren’tanygoodtomedead!

“Lookatthem,”saidHaid,watchingasimilarviewtoRoche’sonabridgemonitor.Thesingleshipsswoopedandparried,pairstargetingloneoutriggersanddispatchingthemfirst,thentryingtobreakuplargergroups.“They’reKeshpilots,”hesaid.“I’veseenthemfightlikethatbefore.”“Efficient,aren’tthey?”Disistocommentedemotionlesslyfrombehindthem.“They’dneverfightlikethatagainsttheirownkind,”saidHaid.

27Hullbreachinorangesector!38Concentrateyourfire.Hurtthem!Hurtthem!

___Group31-34.stayback.___Thattower’sabouttoblow!

8Lud?Areyoustillwithus?14Barely...Pressure’sdropping.8Withdraw!Wecanhandleitfromhere.

“Byrne,”saidRoche.“Tellthewoundedordamagedtofallback.We’reabouttomovein.”

___Expectreinforcementsoon.___Fallbackonmycommand.___Injuredandcompromisedfirst.___Iwanteveryoneelsetoremainforthesecondwave.

“Youhearthat,Uri?”“Yes,Morgan.”Kajic’svoicecamefromthebridgespeakers.“Wewillbreak

coverintwentyseconds.”“Okay,good.We’rerelyingonyoutowatchourback.Andkeepaneyeon

Yarrow,ifyoucan.”AsRochehadexpected,theWideBerthsurvivorhadn’ttakentheoptiontohideintheholdoftheAnaVereine.“Ameidio,fullthrustassoonastheAnaVereineisexposed.Wegoinunderitscoveringfire.”“Yougotit.”Almostimperceptibly,thepilotstiffenedatthecontrolsofthe

courier.“Iguessthisisit,”Mavalhinmutterednervously.“Itsureis,Myer,”Rochesaid,“Andyou’regoingtodoexactlyasItellyou,

whenItellyou.”ShekeptherattentionontheimageofthedisguisedAnaVereineasshespoke.Suddenlytheappearanceofthecrippledprowlingmineshimmered,thenvanishedaltogether.InitsplacewasnowtheMarauder,itsmanyprongslitupagainsttheblackskybyitsownblazingweapons.“Holdoneveryone!”Haidpushedthecourierforwardandintothemelee.

Singleshipsdodgedandweavedtoavoidtheenergyweaponsbombardingthemfromalldirections.Twofellinstantly;secondslater,another.Thestation’scannonturnedtobearontheswoopingshipandDaybreakaimedintothegap.ThefreighttransferpointwaslocatedneartheRpaintedonthesideofthe

station,halfwaybetweenthenominaltopandthedockingequator.Haidloopedoncearoundthestation,thenveeredincloser.Thewreckagebecamenoticeablythicker.Heavyclangsannouncedimpactswithpieceslargeenoughtopenetratetheshields;nearmissesdissipatedwithbrightflashesofenergy.Arecessedgantryappearedbeforethem.“That’sit,”Mavalhinsaid.Outriggerfirehadscarredmuchoftheareaaroundthegantry,aimingfor

surveillanceequipmentandanti-intrusionemplacements.Thearealookedsecure.Therewasjustenoughroominthedockingspacetohidethecourier.“Takeusin,Ameidio,”saidRoche.“Byrne,we’rethere!”

___Allexceptteleopgroups—___withdraw!

Haidbroughtthecouriercloseenoughforgrapnelstohookonto.Rocheglancedupatthesky.Assomeoftheoutriggersfellback,theAnaVereinesteppeduptheattackonthesingleships.Atthesametime,theprowlingmineshadapproachedtowhatmusthavebeenuncomfortablycloseproximityforthoseaboardGalineFour.Withsomanythreatsharryingthestation,shehopedtobeabletodocktheshiprelativelyunnoticed.<Box,areyoubackintheoutersecuritysystem?><Gettingthere.Theyhavechangedthecodes,butthesewon’ttakelongto

bypass.Iexpecttohaveaccesstointernalcommunicationswithinninetyseconds.OnceIhavethat,Iwillbeabletodelaysecurityinthisareashouldtheyattempttomovein.>Rochegruntedherunderstanding.Shebracedherselfasthecourierclangedhome,thenstoodup.Haidsecuredtheconsole,thenalsorose.Thefourdronesuitsstirred.“Let’sgo,”RochesaidtoDisistoandMavalhin.“Iwantyourvoice

transmissionskepttoaminimum.”Theyfiledbacktotheairlockaspumpsevacuatedtheentireship.Theinner

doorwasalreadyopenwhentheyreachedit.Partofherhopedtheywouldencountersomeformofresistance;anotherpartofherprayedtheywouldn’t.Theouterdoorhissedopenattheirapproach.Rochewentfirst,hands

extended,weaponsandsensorsinherglovesscanningthegantry.Itwasclear.Sheremovedariflefromitsbackholsterandstoodaside.Theothersfollowed.Oneofthedronesplacedcuttingequipmentagainstthe

corrodedsealsMavalhinhadmentionedandbeganblasting.Themetalpartedlikemeltingcheese.RadiationwarningspingedinRoche’schest,buttheyweren’turgentenoughtorequirehertostepaway.Abovethem,theskycontinuedtoboil.Oneofthesuits—shehadalreadylosttrackofwhichweredronesandwhich

weren’t—steppedtowardherandtouchedhershoulder.READINGME?askedHaid.<Yes,>shesentback.<Holdstill.>Sheactivatedthelaseronherleftglove

andburnedablacklineontheseamlesschestofhissuit.Steppingback,shedidthesametoherself.<Nowwe’llknowwho’swho.>Theremainsofthegantrydoorswungsilentlyaside.<Afteryou.>

<Afteryou.>Steppingpastthedronesandoverthestill-glowingedgeofthegantrydoor,

Haidledthewayintothestation.Theothersfollowed,withRocheandtwoofthedronestakinguptherear.Thefreighttransferdeckwasspaciousbutempty.Nevertheless,Rochekept

alertforanysignthattheyhadbeenspotted.<Ihaveyouonvisual,>saidtheBox.<Allautomaticsecurityalertshavebeen

disabled.Theareaisdeserted.Youarefreetomove><Ihopeyouknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,Box.><Ialwaysdo,Morgan.>Shecouldn’ttellifitwasmeantasajokeornot.<I

willdispatchtwoofthedronestoseekoutthedatayourequire.Thiswillsavetime.>Rochefrowned;theyhadn’tplanneditthatway.<Areyousurethat’sagoodidea?Idon’twantyoutooverextendyourself,whatwiththeemptyall-suitsand—><Iamnotoverextended,Morgan.Iwillletyouknowthemomentthatunlikelyeventshouldarise.>Shewasn’treassured.TheBoxsoundedasifitwasenjoyingitself.Attimes

likethese,shehadlearnedtobeworried.<Okay,butIwantadirectvisualfromoneofthesuits.>Atleastthatwayshe

couldcheckonwhattheywereuptowithouthavingtoasktheBox.Shecheckedamomentlatertomakesureithadbeendone:throughthe

sensorsofthedroneimmediatelybehindher,shesawherselfwaveanarm.Turningtotheothers,Rochemotionedthemforward.Themapsshe’d

acquiredonherfirstvisittothestationindicatedtheexitshewanted.Astheyapproached,thedoorslidopen.Theymovedoffalongthepassageway,pressuredoorsopeningandclosingsmoothlyastheypassed.Atthesecondintersectiontheycameto,twoofthedronesturnedright.Haidautomaticallywenttofollow.<No,thisway.>Shetouchedhiswrist<Weturnatthenextintersection.>BUT—<I’llexplainlater.>Whileshedidn’tknowpreciselywhereCaneandMaiiwerebeingheld,it

seemedlikelytheywouldbeinoneofthetwoholdingpensindicatedonthestation’smaps.TheywerelocatedmidwaybetweentheouterhullandGalineFour’scentralmostchamber,butonoppositesidesofthestation.Theclosestwasn’tfarfromwheretheywere,soitwastothisonetheyheaded.Rochesilentlyprayeditwastherightone.Attheendofthecorridorweretwofreightelevatorswaitingtotakethemdeep

intothestation’sinfrastructure.Astheheavydoorsslidaside,arumbleechoedthroughthefloorsandwalls.

throughthefloorsandwalls.<Box?What’sgoingonoutthere?><Daybreakhasbeenspotted.HoldwhileIconcentrate.>Rochesteppedintotheelevatorandsteadiedherself.Havingamomentto

sparewhilethecagedropped,shereconnectedherselftothebattleoutside.

17Gettheship!___It’stoolate!Fallback!

38Wecan’tletthemtakeit!18Yarrow!Don’t—17Whatthehellishedoing?25He’sgoingtomineit!

___Clearthearea!___Now!

ThroughthesensesofthecourierRochesawasingleshiploomclose.Theskybeyondwasthickwithcrossfire.IntothewebofenergycametheblackshapeofYarrow’sbattle-scarredall-suit,amagneticmineinoneextendedmanipulator.Watchingthespeedandprecisionwithwhichhemoved,Rochecouldn’thelpbutthinkofCane.Theobviouscomparisonleftherwithmixedfeelings,thestrongestofwhichwasfear.Thesingleshipturnedtodefenditself,butitwasn’tYarrow’starget.Hedived

straighttowardDaybreakandpressedthemineontoitshull.Thenhemovedaway,headinglowandclosetothehulltomaximizetheamountofmassbetweenhimandtheexplosion.Whenitcame,theviewfromthecourierblackedoutinstantly.Thelastthing

Rochesawwasthesingleshiprealizingwhathadhappenedandtryingtoolatetogetaway.Aheavythudmadethefloorbeneathjump.FromtheAnaVereine’spointof

view,Rochewatchedasablue-whitehemispheresuddenlyblossomedfromthesideofthestation,thendisappeared,leavingblackenedruininitswake.Anotherdeeprumbleechoedthroughthestation.Haid’ssuitwhinedsoftlyas

hestaggered.“Whatthehellwasthat?”Hisvoicecamefrominternalspeakersthistime.

“Oneoftheprowlers?”“Amine.TheyfoundDaybreak.Yarrowdestroyedit,andtheentrance.”“Ishecrazy?”

“Ishecrazy?”“Itactuallymakessense,”saidRoche.“Thiswaytheywon’tbeabletowork

outhowmanyofuswereintheship—norcantheyfollowusin.Theydon’tevenknowifwegotinatall.It’samessupthere.”“Itstillleavesustrapped,though!”“Don’tworry.We’llfindawayout.”Theelevatorslowedtoahalt,butthedoorsdidn’topen.<Thereisasecuritypresenceoutside,>saidtheBox.<Showme.>AnewwindowinRoche’sfieldofviewopened,revealingtwo

guardsmaintainingwatchattheendofthecorridor.Theywerearmed,butnotheavilyarmored.Whenasirenbegantowail,theybecameinstantlymorealert.<What’sgoingonnow,Box?><Theyhaveconfirmationthatyouareinthestation.><Howisthatpossible?Ithoughtyouhadeverythinglockeddown.><TheremustbesomethingI’veoverlooked,>saidtheBox.<Accordingtothe

low-levelsecuritydispatchesIammonitoring,itseemstheyknowyouareonboard,buttheydon’tknowpreciselywhere—orevenifyouarealone.><Well,that’ssomething.ButIcan’thideinhereallday.>Shecheckedhermap.<We’reontherightlevel.Thesecuritycompoundistwocorridorsover.>Totheothersshesaid:“Wehaveacoupleofguardsoutside.Iseveryoneready?”“You’rereallygoingthroughwiththis?”askedDisisto.“Ihavenochoice.YouandMyerkeepyourheadsdownandfollowme.”She

studiedtheviewofthesecurityguards.Theirweaponslookedlikestandardissue;herarmorwouldabsorbiteasily,butDisistoandMavalhinwouldnotbesowellprotected.<Box,sendoneofthedronesinwithmefirst.Wehavetopreventthemfrom

soundingthealarm.Ameidio,youcomelast,butbeforeMyerandDisisto.Idon’twantthemhurt.>Hishandtouchedherupperarm.GOTIT.<Attheendofthecorridor,wegoright>Shetookadeepbreath.<Onmy

mark.Go!>Thedronemovedoutassoonastheelevatordooropened,withRoche

steppingpastittoitsleft.Thedroneraiseditsrifleandfiredasinglesharpburstbeforetheguardshadachancetoreact.Oneguardfell.Rochewasasplit-secondbehind;hershotcaughtthesecondguardintheshoulder,spinninghimaroundandintothewall.Hesliddowntotheflooranddidn’tmove.Twodown,shethought.Thepitchofthealarmsdidn’tchange.<Anymore?>sheaskedtheBox.<Twomoretotheleft,anotherfiveinaguardroomclosertothecompound

<Twomoretotheleft,anotherfiveinaguardroomclosertothecompounditself.BeyondthatisablackzoneIcannotpenetrate.><Isitlikelywe’llfindanythinginthere?><There’sonlyonewaytofindout,Morgan.><Andindoingso,weexposeourselves.Okay.>ShetouchedHaid’sshoulder.

<Twototheleft.Youtakeadroneanddealwiththem,thencatchup.Wehaveanestoffivejustahead.>OKAY.Heedgeduptothecorner,withoneofthedronesclosebehind.Oncehehad

roundedit,Rocheheadedoffalongthepassageway,withthetwocaptivesandtheotherdronebehind.SofarDisistoandMavalhinhadshownnothingbutcooperation,butshecouldn’taffordtorelax.ShewouldfeeleasieronceHaidcaughtupwiththemagain.Shehadalmostreachedtheguardroomwhentwosharpretortsrangoutalong

thecorridor;thenathird.Theresponsewasimmediate:voicesandmovementcamefromaheadofher.Instinctivelysheselectedasubsonicfromthesuit’sarrayofweaponryandsteppedaroundthecornerintotheguardroomitself.Twooftheguardswerefullyequippedandreadyforactionwhiletheothers

werestillintheprocessoffittingarmorandweapons.Noneofthearmorwaspowered,andtheblastoflow-frequencysoundcaughtthembysurprise.Onekeeledoverbackwards;anotherdoubledovervomiting;theothersclutchedtheirheadsinpain.Thedronemovedforward,itsraisedguntakingoutaguardwithasingleshot

tothechest.<No,Box!Don’tkillthem.Justknockthemout.>Thedroneimmediatelyflippedtherifleandusedthebutttoclubthe

remainingfourunconscious.AhandtouchedRoche’sshoulder:MESSY,saidHaid.<Couldhavebeenalotworse.>shereplied,lookingdownatthedeadbody.Acorridoronthefarsideledintotheblackzone.<Ameidio,>Rochesaid.<Waitherewiththesetwoandadrone.I’mgoingto

havealookaroundonmyown.>BeforeHaidcouldprotest,sheexplained:<TheBoxcan’tstopthemlookingintotheblackzone.Iftheydo,they’llthinkthere’sonlytwoofus.AndI’llhaveyoutocovermyback.>OKAY.SHOUTIFYOUNEEDBACKUP.“Wait,”saidMavalhinasRochesteppedforward.Sheturned.“What?”“Iknowthisarea,”saidthepilot.TheninresponsetoRoche’squizzical

expression,heexplained:“I’ve,ah,spentsometimehereinthepast.”

expression,heexplained:“I’ve,ah,spentsometimehereinthepast.”“Well-deservedtoo,ifIrecall,”mutteredDisisto.Mavalhinshotthesecuritychiefasharplook.“Ipaidallthemoneyback!”“Eventually,andonlybecause—”“Ihaven’tgottimeforthis!”Roche’sbellowstartledthembothtosilence.It

hadbeeneffective,butshehopedhervoicehadn’tcarriedtoofar.“Myer,youcomewithme.I’mlookingformaximumsecuritycells,possiblywithmedicalfacilities.”“Notaproblem,”hesaid.“Leadtheway.”Roche’slaughwasbriefandhumorless.“Idon’tthinkso,”shesaid.“IfI’m

goingtobeledintoatrap,I’mmakingsureyou’rerightthereinfrontofme,Myer.”“Wereyoualwaysthissuspicious,Morgan?”“Justmoveit.”Heswallowedunderherglare.“Okay.Thisway,Ithink.”Shefollowedhimintotheblackzone,downacorridorthatlookednodifferent

fromanyoftheotherstheyhadtraversed.Theypassedseveralcloseddoors,butnoneofthemlookedsecureenoughtobecells,andMavalhindidn’tstop.Theirmovementswerecautiousandrelativelyquiet,andtherehadbeenno

signsofanyotherguards.Nevertheless,Rocheremainedtenseanduneasy.Sheknewthatsettingoffjustoneinternalalarmwouldchangeeverything“Here.”Mavalhinpointedthroughaclosedtransparentdoor.Rochepeeredinandsawsteel-graybulkheads,sixdowneachsideofawide

corridor.Everythingaboutthemsaidhighsecuritytoher.Therewasapanelbythesideofthedoor.<Box,doyouthink—?><Placeyoursuit’sleftpalm-linkwithinrange.>Shedidso.<Canyoubreakintothesystemfromhere?><No.Thisisjustanisolatedlock.Itdoesgivesomeinterestingcodesand

passwords,though.>Thedoorclickedandhissedslowlyopen.RochenudgedMavalhinaheadof

her.Thefirstdooronherlefthadatransparentpanelateyelevel.Shepeeredthroughit,butsawnothingexceptforfeaturelesswallsandfloor.Thecellwasempty.Sowastheoneopposite,andthenextonealong.Alltwelve,infact,turnedout

tobeempty.“Arethesetheonlycellshere,Myer?”“I’mafraidso,”hesaid.“Atleastthey’retheonlyonesIeversawdownhere.”

Heledheroutofthecorridor.“See,there’sadeadend,andthatleadstothewaywecame.”

wecame.”“Damn.”Shecursedtheirluck,butquicklyregainedhercomposure.She

neededtostayfocused.“Okay,then.It’sbackthewaywecame.”TotheBoxshesaid:<Getanotherelevatorreadyforus.Thisisgoingtobeawkward.Weneedtogodowntwolevelsandacrosstotheothersideofthestation.><Workingonitnow,Morgan.>Whentheygotbacktotheothers,RochefoundthatHaidhadtakenthetimetobindthefourunconsciousguards.Theirabsence,alongwiththatoftheirdeadcomrades,wouldinevitablyprovokesomeconcern,butfornowitaffordedthemalittlebreathingspace.Disistolookedworriedwhenshewalkedintotheroom,whichsurprisedher.If

anything,shewouldhaveexpectedhimtohavebeenrelievedtoseeherempty-handed.“What’swrong?”sheasked.Heshookhishead.“WhendoIgettotalktothechief?”“Later,”shesaid,shepherdinghimandMavalhinaheadofher.“Justkeep

moving.”Backintheelevator,Rochecheckedthestatusofthebattleoutside.Theall-

suitshadretreatedentirely,apartfromafewofthoseteleoperatedbytheBoxortheoutriggersaboardtheAnaVereine.CasualtieswerehigherthanRochewouldhaveliked.Theyweredowntofortyfullyfunctioningall-suits,whilethestationhadlostjusttensingleships.Halfoftheprowlingmineshadbeendisabledandtheirhulksweredriftingsteadilyawayfromthebattle.TheAnaVereinehadalsopulledback,asthoughreassessingitsoptions,andconductedonlytheoccasionalraidonthestation.Therewaslittlepointinmaintainingtheillusionthattheattackhadmerely

pausedandwouldbeginagainatanymoment.RufoandtheKeshsomehowknewthatshewasinside.Andwhentheattackresumed,theywouldknowthatshewaspreparingtoleave.<Morgan,>saidtheBox,<wehaveabliponthelong-rangescanners.

Preciselyonschedule.>Sheacknowledgedthenewswithmerelyagrunt.Timewasdefinitelyrunning

out.“Doyouknowtheothersecuritycompoundatall?”sheaskedMavalhin.Thepilotshookhishead.Eventhroughhissuit’shelmetshecouldseethe

sweattricklingdownhisface.“Sorry,Morgan.”TheelevatorstoppedandtheydisembarkedoncetheBoxhadassuredthemthe

areawasclear.TheAIhadatransitcabwaitingforthematthenearesttubeentrance.Theyfiledinside,andwererapidlywhiskedaroundtheequatorofthe

entrance.Theyfiledinside,andwererapidlywhiskedaroundtheequatorofthestation’sinnerperimeter.Attheotherend,theyfoundanotherelevatorandwentdownseverallevels.“IthinkIshouldtrytogetincontactwithsomeone,”saidDisisto.“Onlywhenwe’vegotnothingtobargainwith.”“Youhaven’tanythingnow!”heshotback.“You’renotexactlydoingthat

greatoutthere.”“We’redoingallright,”shesaid.“Youcouldatleasttry.”Sheturnedtofacehim.HelookedworsethanMavalhin.“Why?We’vegot

thisfarwithoutbargaining.”Hedidn’tanswer.Doubtsuddenlyfloodedthroughher.“It’sbeentooeasy,hasn’tit?That’s

what’sworryingyou...”Stillhesaidnothing.Theelevatorwastwofloorsawayfromstopping.<Box,dropusatthefloorabovetheoneweneed.>Thecabdeceleratedsuddenly.Themapshowedamazeofcorridorsatthat

level;amaintenanceandstoragefloorthatpromisedtobemostlyempty.<Canyouknockoutsecurityonthislevel?><Alreadydone,Morgan.><Andmakeitlookliketheelevatorhaskeptgoing?><Naturally,>theAIsaid.<Ihavealsotakenthelibertyofpreparinga

diversion,shoulditberequired.>Rochebelatedlyrememberedtheothertwodrones.ShequicklycheckedthroughthevisionoftheonetheBoxhadallocatedher,butsawonlydarknessonmostfrequenciesexceptinfrared,whichrevealedadullbackgroundofheat.Itwasalmostasthoughthedronehaditsfaceplatepressedupagainstsomethingwarm.Shedidn’thavetimetoworkitout,soclosedthewindowtothedrone’sviewpoint.“Thisway,”saidRocheassheexitedtheelevator.Sheledthemalonga

windingcorridor,keepingoneeyeonwhereshewasgoingandtheotheronthemap.Superimposingthetwolevelswasconfusing;shereliedheavilyontheBoxtowarnheriftheywereabouttorunintocompany.Butsoontheywerewhereshewantedtobe:belowtheirfeet,separatedbyonlyameterofdecking,wastheotherblackzone.“Thisisn’tgoingtobesubtle,”shesaidtoDisisto.“Ifyouhaveany

suggestionsonhowtominimizepossiblelossoflife,tellmenow.”Thesecuritychiefwarredwithhimselfforamoment,thensaid:“Thecloser

yougettothemiddle,thesaferitwillbe.Butstayoutoftheexactcenter.That

yougettothemiddle,thesaferitwillbe.Butstayoutoftheexactcenter.Thatwouldbedangerous.”Whensherealizedhewasn’tgoingtoprovideanymoredetail,Roche

concentratedonfindinganappropriateplace.Shehadnowayofknowingwhattheywouldbegoinginto;shewantedsomewhereawayfromabulkheadwithanenclosedspaceaboveit.Allshecoulddowaslookforthelatterinabouttherightplaceandhopefortheformer.Shefoundastorageholdthatlookedaboutright,andwiththehelpofoneof

thedronesbeganlayingchargesinthefloor.Thechargesweren’taspreciseasshewould’veliked,andtheirentrancewouldbealltoodramatic,butitwasthebestshecouldthinkofunderthecircumstances.Whenshewasready,sheclearedtheroom.TheBoxclosedthedoorbehind

her.“Fiveseconds,”shesaid.“Thedronesgofirst,thenweallfollow.I’llgolast.

Andrememberthis,”sheaddedtoDisistoandMavalhin:“One,thelongerwe’rehere,themorelikelyitiswe’llbetrapped;andtwo,I’mholdingaguntoyourbacks,andIhavenointentionofallowingyoutoslowusdown.”Therewasn’ttimeforeithercaptivetoacknowledgeher:thechargeswentoff

withaforcethatmadeevenhersuitloseitsbalance.Thedoorcameoffitstracks,andbythetimeshewasuprightagainthedroneswerealreadypullingitfree.Ontheotherside,mostoftheflooroftheroomhaddroppedawayinaraggedcircularslab,tiltedwhereawallcutachordacrossitfromunderneath.Smokeanddustfilledtheair.Thedroneshalf-dropped,half-sliddowntheslabandfiredatsomethingshecouldn’tsee.Rocheheardsomeonecallout,buttheywereabruptlycutshort.Somewherecloseby,anothersirenbegantowail.Haidfollowedthedrones.Rocheshovedherreluctantcaptivesaheadofher,

thenfollowedherself.Shelandedonapileofrubbleinthemiddleofagiantopen-spacearea.

Wreckedconsolesanddeskslayscatteredfortensofmetersaroundthem;fireburnedincarpetthathadoncebeengrass-green.Oddlyplacedpanelsbrokethespaceintodiscretelysemidetachedsegments.Frombehindonesuchpanel,someonewasofferingresistanceandcallingforhelp.Thedronesignoredthatonevoiceforthemoment,concentratinginsteadonpickingoutcamerasandothersecurityplacementsthroughouttheplace,disablingthemwithsingle,preciseshots.AsRochetookherbearings,adooropenedinadistantwallandasquadof

securityguardsranin.Shedroppedtoonekneeandfired.Thesquadduckedforcover,turningover

Shedroppedtoonekneeandfired.Thesquadduckedforcover,turningoverfurnitureandscramblingforthenearestpanels.Returnfirecrackledbackather,whiningasitricochetedoffherarmor.ThedronesandHaidbackedherupfrombehindthecoveroftheslabtheyhadduckedbehind.“Whichway?”shoutedHaid.Rocheglancedaroundher.Thewallthroughwhichtheguardshadentered

wascurved,aswasthewallbehindtheslab,suggestingthatthespacewascircular,enclosingthem.Theguardshadbeenontheouterwall,sowhattheywereprotectingwasfartherin.Theinnerwallwasnotfaraway,nearenoughforaquickdash.Therewasa

doorwithinsight.“There!”sheshouted,pointing.“Whatifitdoesn’topen?”Haidcalledback.Sheusedthesuit’ssensorstozoomcloserforabetterview.Thedoorwas

almostflushtothewall,andtheredidn’tseemtobeanywaytoopenit.“It’llhaveto,”shesaid.“Coverme.”Sheshoulderedherrifleanddartedacrossthegap.Shehadbarelyreachedhalfwayacrosswhenthedooropenedfromtheother

side,revealingShak’niandHadenB’shan.BothKeshofficersweredressedinfullbattleuniformandholdingceremonial—thoughclearlyfunctional—weapons.Shedidn’tknowwhowasmorestartled,theKeshorher.Allthreeliftedtheir

weaponssimultaneously,butShak’nigotinthefirstshot,catchingRocheinthethigh.Hersuitshriekedbutabsorbedtheblow.Herstomachtwistedinpanic.Keshweaponswereahighergaugethanthe

oneshersuitwasdesignedtowithstand.Ahandfulofshotswereallitwouldtake—maybeasfewasthree.Butthatmightbeallsheneeded...ShecalledupthemenuonherrifleasasecondshotfromShak’nihitherin

thevisor.Sheblinkedbutmanagedtoselecttheoptionssherequired.B’shanwentforherknees,andmadeherstagger.SheaimedtherifleandfiredjustasShak’nicaughtherathirdtime,inthechest,knockingherbackwardsandoffherfeet.AimedupandbetweenthetwoKeshwarriors,thepercussionchargestruck

theceilingjustinsidethedoorandexplodedviolently,tearinganotherholeinthealreadydamagedceiling.Halfofthedoorwentwithit,alongwithB’shanandShak’ni.Rocherolledoutoftheshockwaveandwasonherfeetbeforeanyoneelse

hadrecovered.Herearsrangandthesuitseemedalittlestiff,butshewasotherwiseunharmed.ThetwoKeshstirredweaklysomedistancefromwhat

otherwiseunharmed.ThetwoKeshstirredweaklysomedistancefromwhatremainedofthedoor.Haidandtheotherswerealreadymoving.Moreguardsappearedofftotheleft,huggingthecurveofthewall.“Okay,Disisto!”sheshoutedasshepushedhimaheadofherintotheruined

doorway.“Nowyoucantalktothem!”“Veryfunny,Roche!”hecalledbackoverhisshoulder.Shefiredanotherpercussionchargeintothefloorbehindthem,hopingits

partialcollapsewoulddelaypursuitforamomentortwo.ShecouldalreadyhearShak’nibellowingforassistance.“I’mserious,Disisto,”shesaid.“IneedyoutostayhereandtellthemwhatI

want.Thisisyouroneandonlychancetomediate.ButIsuggestyouthinkfastaboutwhatyou’regoingtosay,becauseShak’niwon’tbeinthemoodforlistening.”Disistolookedsickwithworry,butRochedidn’thavetimetoconcernherself

withthatatthemoment.HaidhadalreadygonethroughtheinnerdoorwithMavalhinandoneofthedrones,leavinghertofollow.Themostshecoulddowasleavehimadroneforsupport.“Box,doyourbesttokeephimalive,willyou?”ShepattedDisistoroughlyon

theshoulder.“Goodluck,”shesaid,meaningit,thenduckedthroughthedoorwayaftertheothers.Therewasapalm-lockonthefarside,whichtheBoxmadeshortworkof,

shuttingthedooronthesoundsoftheweaponsfromoutside.RocheheardDisistoofferawry“Thanks”beforethedoorslammedshut.Thensilence.Onlythendidshereallytakethetimetolookaround.Shewasinacorridorthatcurvedawayuninterruptedineitherdirection.There

seemedtobenooneabout,andnodoors.Therewasnosignoftheothersthroughthelingeringsmokeanddust,andforamomentshefeltpanic.MORGAN,ISTHATYOU?Therewasnopointhidingtransmissions

anymore.<Haid?Whereareyou?>HEADTOYOURLEFT.ITHINKWE’VEFOUNDWHATWE’RE

LOOKINGFOR.<Good.I’monmyway>Thecorridorledhertoanantechamberbarelylargeenoughforthefourof

them.Twoconsolesfacedawayfromthewayshe’dcomein,nexttoadoorthatlookedsolidenoughtostopahydraulicram.Eachoftheconsolesmonitoredtwocells,makingfourinall.

cells,makingfourinall.Haidwasfiddlingatoneoftheconsoles,whilethedronegavetheBoxaccess

totheother.Mavalhinkeptcarefullyoutoftheway.“Weseemtohavethreeimmobilizedprisoners,”saidHaid.“Onewasbrought

herewithinthelastfewhours.”“Thatwouldmakesense,”saidRoche,“especiallyiftheythoughtwewere

coming.Itwouldbeeasiertodefendonearearatherthantwo.”“SoIthought.Butthesecurityistighthere.Ican’ttellwhichcelliswhich.

AndIcan’tgetthisdamneddooropen,either.”“Box?”TheAI’svoiceissuedfromthedrone’sspeakers:“Thereisasecondentry

pointwhichmustbeaccessedsimultaneously.”Rochelookedaroundher,thenbackthewayshehadcome.“Whatwastothe

rightoftheentrance?”“Anotherroomlikethisone,”Haidsaid.“Doyouwantmeto—?”“No,I’llgo.JusttellmewhatIneedtodowhenIgetthere.”Sheheadedoffalongthecorridor,pastthedoorleadingbacktowhereshehad

leftDisisto.Curious,shequicklyswitchedovertothedrone’ssensestocheckwhatwashappening.Theimagewaspoorandbreakingup,andthedroneitselfseemedtobelying

onthegroundwithitsheadtooneside.ButRochewasabletomakeoutShak’ni,alongwiththedirtyblackmarkmarringtheharshperfectionofthefieldofficer’scombatarmor.HewasholdingDisistobythethroatwithonehand;theotherhandheldarifletothesecuritychief’shead.Disisto’seyeswereclosedandhewastalkingfuriously.Rochecouldn’tmakeoutwhathewassaying,however,asthedronewastransmittingvisualdataonly.B’shansteppedoutofthebackgroundandsaidsomethingtoShak’ni.The

fieldofficerthrewDisistotothefloor,thenloweredhisrifleandfiredatthedrone.Thetransmissionabruptlyceased.Thesoundofgunfirefollowedherassheracedtotheothercontrolroom.Itwasamirrorimageoftheoneshehadjustleft.<Okay,I’mhere,>shesaid.<Taketheleftconsole,>saidtheBox.Shedidso.<It’sallmanual.Keyinthe

followinginstruction:BulkheadRelease947.Thesystemwillrequestapassword.Type:“Driftglass.”Youshouldbeseeingacountdownnow.><Yes.><Whenitreacheszero,hitthegreenbuttonatthetoprightoftheconsole.I’ll

dothesameattheotherend.>Shewaitedforthenumberstoscrolldownfromten,pressingthebuttonimpatientlytheprecisemomentthedisplayreachedzero.AwarningKlaxonsoundedandthedooropenedwithagrindingsound.She

AwarningKlaxonsoundedandthedooropenedwithagrindingsound.Shegrabbedherrifleandapproachedcautiously.Allshesawwasanothercorridor,curvingawaytoherleft.<Careful,>shesaidtoHaid.<Ican’tmakeoutanythingfromhere.Sendthe

dronefirst,thenMyer.>Twodoorsappeared,oneeachtoherleftandright.Theywerebothclosed.<Box,canyouopentheinternaldoorsfromhere?>Bothdoorshissedopen.Eachwascomprisedoftwopanels:theouterpanelslidaside;theinneroneroseupintotheceiling.Therewasnowaytolookintoonecellwithoutexposingherselftotheother.Rochementallytossedacoinandsteppedforward.Thecellonherrightwasempty,littlemorethanafour-meter-squarespace.In

itscenterwasastainless-steelbeduncomfortablyreminiscentofanautopsyslab.Shesnap-turnedandaimedhergunintothesecondcell.Ittoowasempty.Thatlefttwocells,buttherewerestillthreeprisoners.SherememberedthatGalineFoursecurityknewwhereshewas,notthe

others.<Ameidio,thisisourchance.You’recominguponthemfrombehind.Iwant

youto—>MORGAN,Haidinterrupted.THEYHAVEMAII!<Box,letmesee>Shejumpedtotheotherdrone’ssenses.ShesawtheyoungSurinreavestrappedtooneofthesteel“beds.”AKesh

guardstoodbesideher,apistolpressedfirmlytoherforehead.Thegirlseemedoblivioustowhatwasgoingonaroundher.Rochehissedthroughherteeth.Iftheyhurther—“Giveup,Roche!”calledavoice.“You’resurrounded!”Shedidn’tgracethespeakerwithareply.Thedroneturneditshead.There

weremoreguardsintheroom.AllheldtheirgunsonHaid,thedrone,andMavalhin.IfsheorderedHaidtoattack,hewouldprobablywin—butnotintimetosaveMaii.Therehadtobeanotherway...<Box,Ithinkwecouldusethatdiversionaboutnow.><Yes,Morgan.><Justgivemeaminutetogetmyselfinposition,thenI’llgiveyoutheword.><Iwillensurethatyoursuitisready.>RochewasabouttoasktheBoxwhatitwasreadyingherfor,whenanother

voicespokesoftlyintohermind.<Morgan?>

<Morgan?><Maii?Isthatyou?><Morgan,look...>Maii’svoicewaslittlemorethanawhisper,andthroughthedrone’seyesshe

lookedcompletelyunconscious.ButasRochestaredather,shesawtheindexfingeronthegirl’slefthandmove.Shewaspointing!Rochetriedtoextrapolatethelayoutoftheroom,givenwhattheothershad

lookedlike.Maiiwaspointingoutthedoor.Outthedoorandtothecellopposite—presumablytowheretheothertwoprisonerswereheld.“Youhavefiveseconds,Roche,”calledtheKeshguard.“Thenshedies.

Five.”<Okay,Box,>shesaid.<TellUriandByrnetoresumetheattack.Blowthe

pilesontheprowlers;sendinmoreofthenanobreederstoeatthehull.Hitthemwitheverythingwe’vegot,andmakesuretheyhurt.Let’snotmakeittooeasyforthem.>“Four.”Thesoundoffootstepsinthecontrolroomshehadjustleftechoedupthe

corridor.<Andifyoucanclosethedoorsbehindme,doit.>Thedoorslammedshut.<Ihavetakenthelibertyofclosingboth,Morgan.><Good.Ameidio,areyouhearingthis?>YES.“Three.”Sheinchedasfarasshedaredaroundthecorridorandclutchedherrifletoher

chest.“Two.”<Okay,Box.Now!>Thelightswentout.Hersuitandimplantsswitchedautomaticallytoinfrared.

Thenthefloorfelloutfromunderneathher—andkeptfalling.Sheclutchedforbalance,buthersuithadalreadyadjusted.TheBoxmust

havehittheartificialgravitygeneratorssomehow.Whensomesenseofweightreturned,itwasathalf-strength—enoughtoenablehertorunaroundthecornerandtothesecondcell.Thedoorwasshut;shefiredtherifleatit.Gunshotscamelikewisefromthe

cellcontainingMaii,followedbythesoundofsomeonehissinginpain.Shecouldn’taffordtobedistracted.AllshecoulddowashopethatMaiihadn’tbeenhurt.Thecelldoorjudderedopenacrack,andsheusedthesuit’sstrengthtoleverit

therestoftheway.Inside—Shehesitatedforasplitsecond.—insideweretwobodies.OnebelongedtoCane.Hewasnakedandencased

entirelyinaslabofwhatlookedlikeclearamberwhichwasinturnboltedtoa

entirelyinaslabofwhatlookedlikeclearamberwhichwasinturnboltedtoamobileplatform.Wiresandtubeswerethreadedthroughthetransparentmaterial,buttherewasclearlynowayhecouldtalkormove.Metalstrapsaroundtheamberblockfurtherensuredhisimprisonment.Hiseyeswereshut,butsomehowRocheknewthathewasawake,and

possiblyevenawareofherpresence.TheotherbodybelongedtosomethingfarfromPristine.Itlookedvaguely

Olmahoi,butunlikeanyshehadeverseen.Itsblackskinwasshinyandabraded,itslimbsthin,almostvestigial,itsbodywashunched,itsfacefeaturelessandpinched.Theonlyvitalelementtotheentirecreaturewasitsepsenseorgan—athicktentaclesproutingfromthebackofitsskull.ButwheremostOlmahoiepsenseorganswererarelyasthickasanormalwrist,thisonewasthighlikeinwidth—fatandalmostameterandahalflong,throbbingwithvitality,almostasifitweresuckingthelifeoutofthecreatureattachedtoit.Rochecouldseewhereneedlesandotherinstrumentspenetrateditsflesh,supplyingnutrientsorperformingothermysterioustasks.ThecreaturelayonabedlikeMaii’s.Itwasbound,butnotfirmly.Itseemed

toRochethatitdidn’tneedtobe.Shedoubteditcouldevenhavewalked,letalonerunaway.Therewasamonitorbehindit.Onitflashedasingleword::BEWARE<Theirikeii!>RochehadneverheardtheBoxsoundsurprisedbefore.<Thewhat?>CLEAR,transmittedHaidfrombehindher.Distracted,sheturned.<AndMaii?>UNHARMED.<IhaveCane.He—>Shegruntedassomeonepushedpasther.“Sorry,Morgan,”saidtheBoxviathedrone.“ButImustgetthrough.”RochefacedthedroneacrossthebodyoftheOlmahoicreature.“Whatthehell

areyoudoing?”“IamadministeringXarodine,”explainedtheBoxasthedroneinjected

somethingintothebaseoftheOlmahoi’sskull.“ThereweredosesinMaii’scell,naturally.”Thecreaturetwitched,andthewordonthescreenchangedto::CRUEL“Why,Box?”“Xarodineisanepsense-inhibitor.”

“Xarodineisanepsense-inhibitor.”“Iknowthat,but—”“Givemeamoment,Morgan.”AmuffledexplosionfromfartherupthehallwayremindedherofShak’niand

therestoftheguards.“Idon’thaveamoment,Box.”Sherushedoutofthecell.Haidwasalreadythere.Thesoundofpounding

camefrombothendsofthecorridor.WE’RETRAPPED.“Anysuggestions,Myer?”shecalledintoMaii’scell,“Myer?”Maiiwasstill

onthetable,althoughherbondshadbeenremoved.Theguardsandtheirweaponslayscatteredacrossthefloor.Butthepilotwasgone.“Hewashereamomentago,”Haidsaid,dispensingwithhisimplants.“He

musthavesnuckoutwhileIwasbusywithMaii.”“Damnhim!”“Dowegoafterhim?”Rochesighed.“Wehaven’tgottime.Besides,wedon’tevenknowwhichway

he’sgone.”ShemadeamentalnotetobesurethatMyerpaidforthisatalaterdate.“Ouronlychanceistobustoutbeforethey’reready.Takethemoff-guard.OneofuswillhavetocarryMaii;maybewecanusetheguards’armortoprotecther.”“WhataboutCane?”ShecursedMyeragain.“He’llhavetowait.Helookssafeenoughasheis.”

ShewentbackintoMaii’scellandbenttostriponeofthedeadguards.<Box,whenIgivethewordIwantyoutoopentheright-handdooronly,okay?><Okay,Morgan.>HerhelmetedheadbrushedMaii’s.<Isthatyou,Morgan?>RochelaidaglovedhandonMaii’sarm.<I’mrightnexttoyou,Maii.><It’sclearing;Icanseeagain!Whathappenedtotheirikeii?><Theirikeii?>RememberingwhattheBoxhadcalledtheOlmahoi,she

dashedintotheothercell.Thedronewasbentoverthehunchedfigureonthebed.Thewordonthescreennowread::ONE<Box,whathaveyoudone?><SetMaiifree.Isuggestyouuseherwhileyoucan.>Anotherexplosionsoundedupthecorridorjustasthewordchangedto::COMESThenRochewasembracedbytheyoungreave’sexcitedmind.<Morgan!I

canreadyou!Icanreadyou!><Maii,listentome:we’reinserioustrouble

here.>Morecalmlythegirlsaid:<Iknow.WhatcanIdotohelp?><Somewherenearhereyou’llfindShak’niandB’shan.>Rochefeltguiltyfor

pushingthegirlsosoon,butrightnowshewastheirbestchanceofgettingoutoftherealive.<Iwantyoutoknockthemout,andanyonewiththem.Canyoudothat?Canyoureachthatfar?>Therewasapausebeforeshereplied:<Icanfeelthem.><Good.Don’tkillthem;justknockthemout.><Okay.Givemeasecondtogetmybearings...>Rochecheckedthechargesonherrifle;enoughforawhileyet.Thesounds

fromtheendsofthecorridordieddown,andsheassumedthereavehadalreadybeguntowork.ThenMaiisaid:<Whatdoesitmeanwhenthedestroyeryou’vebeenwaiting

forisrightontopofusandorderingustosurrender?>AchillwentthroughRoche.<Box?><Iwasjustabouttotellyou,Morgan.TheSebettuhascompleteditsfinal

approach.Itwillbewithinfiringrangeintwentyminutes.Itsseniorofficerhasissuedamessage.>Therecordingcamethroughherimplants:

AGGRESSORSINTHEVICINITYOFGALINEFOUR:DESISTIMMEDIATELYORFACETHECONSEQUENCES.WEWILLNOTHESITATETOUSELETHALFORCE.YOUHAVEBEENWARNED.

Thatwaswhytheguardshadstoppedpoundingatthedoors:theyknewthey’dwon.Alltheyhadtodonowwaswaitherout.<Uri?Howareyouholdingoutthere?><Wearecontinuingtoharrythestation,Morgan,>repliedKajic.<Inanhour

ortwowewould’vemoppedupthelastofthesingleships.><HowdoyourateyourchancesagainstaKeshdestroyer?><Poor,>headmitted.<Wecouldgetaway,butwe’dhavenochanceoftaking

itout.><ThentellByrnetogetherpeoplethehellaway.TheKeshwillsquashthem

likebugs.><I’llrelayyourmessagenow,>theex-captainsaid.<Whatwouldyoulikeme

todo?>Shepaused.Thewordsburnedinherthroat.<Getreadytostanddown.We’re

goingtosurrender.>

goingtosurrender.><IhaveatransmissionfromFieldOfficerShak’ni,>saidtheBox.<It’sbeing

broadcastontheoutersecuritylevel.><Playit.>Itwasbrief:“Comeout,Roche,orwewilldestroyyou.”AREWEREALLYGOINGTOSURRENDER?askedHaid.<Wehaven’tachoicewiththatdestroyerthere,>Sheswitchedtherifleto

standby.<Box,tellhimhe’swon.We’llcomeoutpeacefully.Justgiveusaminute.>ShewentintothecellandsquattednexttoMaii.<Willyoubeokay?>Thereave’sexpressionwasclosed.<Yes.><YouknowwhatI’mthinking?><Yes.><I’msorry.><Don’tbe,Morgan.><Shak’niwillacceptoursurrenderundersomeconditions,>theBoxsaid.<Andtheyare?>TheKeshofficer’svoicetoldherhimself:“You,MorganRoche,andyour

partywillsubmittotheauthorityofinterimpeacemakerFieldOfficerShak’ni.AllhostilitiesdirectedagainstGalineFourandLinegarRufowillcease.TheAnaVereinewilldockwithGalineFourandallowLieutenantHadenB’shantoassumecontrol.Allinternalsystems—includingthatofUriKajic—willbecomethepropertyoftheN’KorRepublic.TheSurinreavewillbesedatedandundergofurtherXarodinetherapy.TheAIyourefertoas‘theBox,’serialnumberJW11110101110,willbeejectedfromtheshipimmediately.AnytransmissionsfromsaidAIwillberegardedasaviolationofthisagreementandassuchwillincurapenalty:theimmediateexecutionofoneofyourparty,startingwiththeSuringirl.Furthertransmissionswillresultinsimilarpenalties.Doweunderstandeachother?”Rochedidn’tanswerimmediately.Shestaredattheknottedscartissuewhere

Maii’seyeshadoncebeen.Shefeltverytired.<Doyouhaveabackup,Box?><Softwarecanbereplicated,Morgan,buthardwarecannot.><Andyou’repreparedtotaketheriskthattheymightjustblowyououtofthe

sky?><Ifyourecall,Iamgradedtowithstanda—><—anuclearstrikefromahundredmeters,>shefinishedfortheAI.She

smiled,despiteherself.<Icantakethatasayes?><Youcan.><ThentellShak’niIagree.>Shestoodandwalkeddownthecorridor,thewayshehadcome.Thereshe

foundMavalhincoweringagainstthedoor.Hestartedwhenhesawher,and

foundMavalhincoweringagainstthedoor.Hestartedwhenhesawher,andwouldn’tmeethereyes.Shedidn’tcare.<Iseverythingready,Box?><Itis.><Thenlet’sgetthisoverwith.Openthedoor.>

*

Outsidethestation,anairlockopenedonthesideoftheAnaVereine.AsmallblackvaliseshotoutofitandtumbledinthevaguedirectionofHintubet.Thesun’sreddishglowwasexacerbatedbythehasteningcollapseoftheGauntlet,butitwasstillbarelybrightenoughtopaintadullsheenonthebatteredcase.RochewatchedthroughtheAnaVereine’ssensorsasaKeshsingleship

scoopedthevaliseupwithapairofremotemanipulatorsandtookitaboardtheSebettu.SodistractedwasshebytheviewthattheKeshguardescortingherhadtoprodherroughlyinthebareshoulderwithariflebutttogethermovingfaster.Shewincedandrubbedthenewbruisehehadgivenher.Hercapturehadbeen

ingloriousenoughwithoutbeingmadetostripoffherarmorinfrontofeveryone.Dressedonlyinhersweatyundersuitandhandcuffs,shefeltcompletelynaked.ThatHaid,Disisto,andMavalhinhadbeentreatedsimilarlydidn’tmakeherfeelanybetter.Maiilaybackinhercell,hermindsuppressedoncemorebythesuffocatingeffectsofthedrugXarodine.TheonlycomfortRochecouldtakewasthatGalineFour’sinternalgravitygeneratorswerestillnotworkingproperly.Theself-destructionofoneoftheBox’sdronesrightintheveryheartofthestationhaddonetoomuchdamage,andambientgravityremainedatabouthalfnormal.“Whereareyoutakingus?”sheasked.“Theonlytimeyou’llspeak,Roche,”saidShak’nifrombehindher,“istogive

usinformation.”INTERROGATION,HUH?Haidbroadcast.<I’dbedisappointedotherwise.>“Youwillceaseanyotherformsofcommunication,too,”Shak’niadded.

“Youmayonlycontinuetoreceiveinformationfromyourshipprovideditisnon-encrypted.”Theprocessionofguardsandcaptiveswoundtheirwaytofreightelevators,

thendownintotheheartofthestation.Atleastthatwassomething,Rochethoughttoherself.Ifthey’dbeentakentothedestroyer,thingswould’vebecomedifficultindeed.

difficultindeed.ShewatchedthroughtheAnaVereine’ssensorsastheSebettuapproached.In

designitwaslittledifferentfromotherKeshcraft—anoddcombinationofstreamlinedandprickly,asthoughanordinaryspaceshiphadbeenhalf-meltedandstretched—butitssizewasimpressive.AdozenGalineFourswouldhavefiteasilyintoitsholds.Itsentiresurfacewaspockmarkedbyretractableweaponemplacements,instrumentclusters,andfighterlaunchbays.Theintrasystemenginesthatbroughtittoanimposinghaltbesidethestationradiatedasmuchenergyasasmallsun.ShehopedByrnehadmanagedtogettheoutriggersawayfromthearea.The

spinesweretheironlyhopeofsurvival.Althoughnotcapableofslow-jumpingoutoftheGauntlet,theydidatleastpossessresourcesthatwouldallowtheoutriggerstosurviveinthemiddleofnowhere.WhenRocherealizedwhatshewasthinking,itoccurredtoherhowridiculous

itwas.Thesystemwasduetobetotallydestroyedinlessthanaday.Althoughthecollapseoftheboundarywasinitiallyslow,itwouldproceedexponentially.Thedouble-joviansystemhadalreadysuccumbed;shehadwatcheditdissolveintotheinvisiblebarrierlikeiceintofirejustbeforetheattackhadbegun.TheregionofspaceoccupiedbyGalineFourwouldbegoneintwelvehours.Iftheoutriggersweren’tgonebythen,noamountofsupplieswouldsavethem.Allevidenceofwhathadoccurredherewouldbegoneforever,shethought.It

wastheperfectsituationinwhichtoconductalittlegenocideThefreightelevatoropenedoppositeawindowshowingthehanginggardensattheheartofthestation.Thevibrantgreencontrastedsharplywiththegloomofhersituation,butshetriedtotakehopeanyway.Allwasnotyetlost.Notquite.TheguardsledhertoRufo’ssanctumsanctorum.Itseleganceandpuritywere

unchanged,butsheadmireditlessforthecorruptionsheknewithid.Rufohimselflookedoldandbitterdespitehisvictory.Hisspeechwasrapidandsometimeshardtounderstand;hepacedconstantly,andheseemedunabletomaintaineyecontactwithanyonebutHadenB’shan;allofwhich,Rochenoticed,hewasapparentlyunaware.Achairslidoutofthefloorbesideherandshewasforcedintoit.Theothers

weretreatedlikewise,despiteMavalhin’sprotests.Disisto’sexpressionwastight-lipped,buthesaidnothing,seeminglyconfidentthatthingswouldbesortedoutwithhisbosssoonenough.Haidsatstraightinhischairandwatchedeverythingclosely.“So,CommanderRoche.”Rufospokewiththedisdainofareproachfulparent,

steppinguptoMorganwithhishandsbehindhisback.“Wemeetagain.Perhaps

steppinguptoMorganwithhishandsbehindhisback.“Wemeetagain.Perhapsyouwillbemoreaccommodatingthistime.”“Perhapsyoumightshowmethesamecourtesy,”Rocheshotback.Rufoshrugged,hiseyesavertedtothefloor.“Isupposetherewereliesonboth

sides,”heacknowledged.“Whowasitthatsaidthattherearelies,andthentherearedamnedlies?”Rufosmiledhumorlessly.“Ibelievetheearliestrecordedmentionofthat

sayingissometwohundredandfiftythousandyearsago.TheHumanconditionhasn’tchangedmuchinthattime,hasit?”“Obviously.”“Therewillalwaysbeoptimistswhosedreamsofamoralsocietyareaboutas

realistic,andasfoolish,asthosewhobelieveinfate.”“Look,Rufo,”saidRoche,“wereallydon’thavetimeforthiskindofbanter.

Whynotjustgetonwithit?”Hestoppedpacingforamoment,butstillhiseyeswouldn’tmeethers.“Very

well,”hesaid.“IwanttoknoweverythingyouknowaboutAdoniCane.Andremember,FieldOfficerShak’nihashisinstructions,soplease,nolies.”Rochehadalreadydecidedtotellhimeverythingsheknew.Itwouldn’thurt;

heprobablyknewmorethanshedid,anyway.Soshestartedatthebeginning—atCane’sexaminationonSciacca’sWorld—andbroughthimuptodate.Henoddedconstantly,butdidn’tsayanythinghimselfuntilshehadfinished.“AndyouaresatisfiedwiththeexplanationthatheisaproductoftheSol

ApotheosisMovement—aWunderkind,astheywerecalled?”“Notentirely,”shesaid.“Thereareinconsistencies.”“Ofcoursethereare.WehaveimagesoftheseWunderkind.Theywerequite

remarkable.”Awindowopenedabovethedesk;initappearedafigurethatlookedasifithadbeeninflatedwithliquidhelium.Itsskinwasbluishoverlimbsthatbulgedalarmingly.Thescalenexttoitshowedthatitstoodalmostthreemetershigh.“Doyouagree?”Startled,shedidn’tknowwhattosay.IfRufohadthatimage,thenpresumably

COEIntelligencehadittoo.Whyhadn’ttheBoxorherex-superiorsinCOEIntelligencefailedtonoticethedisparitybetweenitandthenear-perfectPristinerealityofAdoniCane?Disistolookedsmug.Hehadbeentellingthetruthafterall.“Idon’tunderstand,”shemanagedafteramomentortwo.“Obviously.”Rufowanderedaroundtheroom,touchingpanelsandstudying

screensasthoughbored.“WewillreturntoCaneinamoment.FornowIwishtotalkabouttheotherclonewarrior.”

“Whatabouthim?”“Didyoufindhim?”“IdoubtIwouldbeherenowifIhad.”“That’snotnecessarilytrue.Thesecreaturesmayberuthless,buttheyaren’t

stupid.Ifhispurposeswerenotservedbykillingyou,thenhewouldnotdoso.ThatistheonlyexplanationIcandeduceforyourextendedsurvivalwhileinthecompanyofAdoniCane.”Shecouldn’targuethatpoint.“Youbelievehewasamongtheoutriggers,”she

said.“Didyouseeanythingtosuggestthathemighthavebeen?”ShethoughtaboutYarrow.“Nothardevidenceassuch,no...”“Butsuspicions?”Shehesitated.“Yes.”FieldOfficerShak’nispoke:“Yourcargoholdcontainsseveralofthese

people.Couldtheclonebeamongthem?”Sheshookherhead.“Theywereexaminedastheyboarded.Allwereordinary

mundanes.NothinglikeCane.”“Thentheoneweareseekingmightbeamongtheothersstillatlarge.”The

Keshgruntedtohimself.“Wewillhuntthemdown,onebyone.Ifheisamongthem,wewillfindhim.”Rochegrittedherteeth.She’dthoughtthathercapturewouldendthe

involvementoftheoutriggers.“They’renottoblame.Theydidn’tknow—”“Theywouldn’thave,”saidRufo.“Thesecreaturesarechameleonicintheir

abilitytoblendin,whentheywantto.Indeed,thatistheirprimaryfunction:toinsinuate.Thentocorrupt.Like

everythingelsetheydo,theydoitwell.”“Yousoundlikeyou’vestudiedthemforsometime,”shesaid.Herguardnudgedherintheshoulderforspeakingoutofturn,butRufowaved

himaway.“Atadistance,yes,butalwaysafterthefact.Onlyrecentlyhavepeoplebegun

tosuspectthatsomethingmightbegoingon.Highlyplacedpeople.TheHighest.Theyhavebecomeconcerned.ThereisevidencetosuggestthatbeingslikeCanehavebeenemergingforyearsnowthroughoutthegalaxy—farmorethanthehandfulyouareawareof.Thousands,possiblymillionsofthem.Althoughtheindividualsmaynotbenoticed,theireffectsare.Wemundanesdonotseethem,though;weareentangledinthedetails,inthedata.Asuperiorperspectiveisrequiredtoteaseoutthetrends.”“That’swhereyougotthecommandlanguagefrom,then.TheHigh

“That’swhereyougotthecommandlanguagefrom,then.TheHighHumans?”“Yes.Oneofthemormore;Ican’ttell.Evenindividually,theyhaveaccessto

informationIcanonlydreamof.Together...”Rufoseemedtogatherhimself.“DidCanerespondtothecommandlanguage,bytheway?Ipresumebyyourquestionthatyoudetectedit.”“Hesaidheunderstoodfragmentsbutthatitdidn’tmakeanysenseasawhole.

Itwasjumbled,asthoughwhoeverputittogetherdidn’tknowwhatitmeant.AndtheBoxsaiditssyntaxwasn’tlikeanythingfromaroundhere.”Rufochuckledsoftly.“Hardlysurprising.Thosefragmentswererecordedover

halfamillioncenturiesago.”Foramoment,Rochewasspeechless.ItwasMavalhinwhospoke:“Bullshit.”Theguardcloutedhim,butthesentimenthadbeenaired.“Iassureyou,Myer,itisnot,”saidRufo.“AlthoughIwilladmittoasimilar

skepticismwhenIfirstheardthatclaim.Ofcourse,sincethenIhavelearnedmorethanenoughtoconvincemeotherwise.ThelanguageCaneandhisilkrespondtowaswrittenwhenHumanitywasasinglepurestrain—beforethePrimordialCastes,beforethePristines,beforeeventheHighCastes.Itisapieceofhistory,andCaneisanintegralpartofit.”“Whatdoyouintendtodowithhim?”Rocheasked.“He’snotyourconcernanymore,”saidRufo.“He’llbekeptasheisuntilwe

arereadytostudyhim.Andstudyhimwewill,Iassureyou.Weintendtolearntheprecisesecretsofhisgeneticmakeupandabilities.Wewanttoknowhowmanytherearelikehim,andwheretheyareheaded.Weneedtoknowwhomadehim,and,moreimportantly,why.”“Andthen,”saidShak’ni,“wewillkillhim.”Amartialfanfareechoedthroughthestation,andeveryKeshintheroom

suddenlystiffened.Rufovisiblypaledasthesoundofmarchingfeetcamefromtheanteroom.The

innerdoorslidopen.TheKeshsalutedasanofficerenteredtheroomsurroundedbyafullmilitaryescort.Rocheswiveledinherseattolook.ThenewarrivalwaseasilythetallestandstrongestKeshofficershehadever

seen—whichinitselfwasimpressive.DressedinarmornotdissimilartotheweaponsandshipsoftheCaste—smooth,concavelinestaperingtosharppointsatoddplaces,burnishedwoodincolor—witharetractablehelmetbearinginsigniaRochehadneverseeninpersonbefore,theKeshgeneralexudedpower,confidence,andruthlessnessinequalportions.

Thegeneralstoppedinthemiddleoftheroomandsurveyeditscontents.“Sh’shekhrogaviedravhulkimosh’nka,”shesaid,hervoicehoarsefroman

oldinjury.“Opulenceisasignofwaste,”ajuniorofficertranslated.“Andwasteis

forbidden.”Thegeneralcontinued,viathetranslator:“Iwillbegladwhenthis

arrangementisconcluded,andthestenchofinferiorspeciesisgonefrommynostrils.”“KureshDarkan—”Shak’nibegan,butthegeneralcuthimoff.“Thisoperationhasbeenconductedwithouthonor.Youwillbedisciplined.”Shak’ninoddedstiffly,theredveinlikemarksonhisfacestandingout.“As

youwish,”hesaidsoallcouldhearandunderstand.“GeneralDarkandoesnotwishtodebaseherselfbyspeakingtoinferiors.”

Theinterpreter’sfacewaspermanentlypinchedindistaste.“Shegrantsmepermissiontospeakforher.You—LinegarRufo.Isdebriefingconcluded?”Thescientiststeppedforward,carefullyprojectingapassive,respectful

demeanor.“Weareclosetofinishing,but—”“Cantheirwordbetrusted?”“Yes,General,”saidB’shan.“Ihavespentenoughtimewiththesepeopleto

knowwhentheyaretellingthetruth.”Thegeneralnoddeddistantly.“Thenwehavelearnedthepreciselocationof

thesecondwarrior.”“Notexactly,”saidRufo,“butwedohaveanidea—”“ButwedostillhavetheonecalledCane?”Rufonoddedquickly.“Yes,ofcourse.”“Thenwecanabandontheotheronetohisfate,”saidtheinterpreter.“We

cannotlingerhere.Inseventeenhoursthissystemwillbenothingbutdust.Wewillleavethemomentwehavedownloadedthecontentsofthestation’sdatapool.”“IfImayspeak,”saidShak’ni.Thegeneralnoddedwithoutlookingathim.“Wehavecapturedavessel—”“TheAnaVereine,”saidtheinterpreter.“Yes,weknow.”“Itcontainsmanynewtechnologies.Wehavedockedittothisstation.It

shouldberetainedforstudy.”“AndtheAI?Whatofthat?”“Igavestrictinstructionsthatitshouldbeplacedunderthetightestsecurity.

Anytransmissions—”

Anytransmissions—”“Weareawareoftherisks.Anytransmissionsineitherdirectionwillresultin

itsexpulsionanddestruction.Areyousuggestingwekeepthis,too?”“Itisbounty—”“Whatuseisaboxtoodangeroustoopen?Besides,itstechnologyisirrelevant

tous.Nointelligence,artificialorotherwise,canequaltheKeshIdeal.Itstricksareworthlessanddishonorable.”RochewantedtoaskwhatthegeneralthoughtoftheHighHumansbut

decidedthatspeakingoutofturnwasinadvisable.ThegeneralgruntedsomethingintheKeshlanguage,andtheinterpreter

translated:“Wewill,however,taketheship.Ithasaworkingslow-jumpdrive,andtoleaveitherewouldbefolly.WhatpurposeitisputtobytheDictatrixisuptoher.”“Andthecaptives?”Shak’niasked.Thegeneralgazedcontemptuouslyacrosstheroom,directlyintoRoche’s

eyes.“Theywillremainherewiththeothers,”saidtheinterpreterwithaslight

smirk.“Whenthesystemcollapses,theywilldie.”Rufosteppedforwardagain.“Whenyousaytheothers,”hesaidanxiously,

“youmeantheoutriggers,right?”“Thoseaswell,yes.”“Ah,aswellas—?”“Thisstationandallthoseuponit,ofcourse.”“Butourarrangement—”Theinterpretersmiledagain.“Wehavenofurtheruseforyou,Rufo,Youare

asinferiorastheothers.Itwouldbeawasteoftimeandefforttoreturnyoutoyourpeople.Letthemsaveyou,ifthatiswhattheywish.”“I—”thescientiststammered,fearandhopelessnessrisingtofillhiseyes.He

seemedtoagedecadesinaninstant.“Thatis—youcannot—”“Jin‘ekkeyi,”sneeredthegeneral.Rochedidn’tneedtheinterpretertounderstand;itwasclearfromthegeneral’s

toneandexpression.Theycoulddoitandtheywould.“Thisisinsane!”Disisto’svoicebrokethetensionintheroom.Thegeneralfacedhim,nostrilsflaredinanger.Aguardstruckhiminthe

back,knockinghimtothefloor.“Youwerenotpermittedtospeak,”saidtheinterpreterwithasmoothgrin.Disistopickedhimselfup,wincing.“Idon’tgiveadamn!We’vedone

everythingyouaskedustodohere.We’veworkedforyou,putourselvesatrisk,

gotyouwhatyouwanted—”TheguardwhippedanarmaroundDisisto’sthroatandtightenedhisholduntil

hecouldnolongerspeakorevenbreathe.Draggingthesecuritychiefupright,theguardheldhimmotionless,choking.Wavingtheinterpreteraside,thegeneralcrossedtheroomtofaceDisisto.

“Youthinkuscruel?”sheasked.SomethingoddstirredinRoche’smind—afeelingofunreality,distancingher

fromtheeventsunfoldingbeforeher.Disistowasunabletoreply.Thegeneralgestured,andtheguardthrewDisisto

tothefloor.Thesecuritychiefgaspedforair,barelyabletoriseonallfours,letalonespeakcoherently.Thegeneralreachedfortheguard’spistolandaimeditatthebackofDisisto’shead.Shefired,once,andDisistoslumpedforward.“Perhapsweare,”shesaid,returningtheguard’spistol.Roche’svisionwentblank;allshecouldseewerethewordsthathadflashed

onebyoneontheirikeii’sdisplay.:BEWARE:CRUEL:ONE:COMESAndallshecouldsmellwasthebloodpoolingaroundDisisto’sbody.

*

“N’hokviha’kahritsen!”Rochesnappedoutofit.Shelookedaround,tryingtofindthesourceofthe

exclamation,butatfirstwasunableto.Thegeneral’sangerwastemperedbyherownsurprise.“WhodaresclaimtheRight?”askedtheinterpreter.“Ri,”saidHaid,standing.“Ido.”“Outrageous!”Rochewasasshockedasanyone.“Ameidio,whatareyou—?”“Vask!”Thegeneralorderedtheroomtosilence;eventhoseunfamiliarwith

thelanguageknewwhatshewasdemanding.ShesteppeduptoHaid.“Doyourealizewhatitisyoudo,littleman?”“Du.IclaimtheWarrior’sRighttochallengeasuperior’sdecisionbyformal

combat.”

“AndwhomadeyouaWarrior?”“Sh’manitDro,theSixteenthandlastG’rodoMatriarch.”GeneralDarkanhissedthroughherteeth.“Adisgracedlineage.”Haidnodded.“Butalineageallthesame,”hesaid.“Orperhapsyouare

unpreparedforsuchachallenge?”“Wearealways—”“Thennameachampiontodefendyourhonor,”saidHaidsmoothly.“Unless

youchoosetofightyourself.”Thegeneralsneeredinopendisdain.“Iwouldnotdemeanmyselfwithsucha

fight.IwouldstandtolosemorehonorthanIcouldpossiblyhopetogain.”“Iwillfighthim,General,”saidLieutenant-DoctorHadenB’shan.“Withyour

permission,ofcourse.”ThegeneralroundedonShak’ni’sjuniorofficer.“Clearlyyouhavespenttoo

muchtimewiththesepeople,Lieutenant.Thereisnotimeforthesegames.”B’shannoddedinagreement.“Nevertheless,heknowsthetraditions,he

speakstheTongue.Ibelievehisclaimtobealegitimateone.”Thegeneralsnorted.“Itisyourdecision,Lieutenant.Iwillnotintervene

shouldyouwishtodebaseyourselfthus.”“Yes,butwillyouhonorthevictor?”Haidasked.ThegeneralgloweredatHaid,hereyesfilledwithcontempt.“Youconfuse

yourcapabilitieswithyourdreams,”shesaidshortly.Then:“ButshouldB’shansuccumbtothatdream,thenyes,youwillhaveearnedtheRight.”“Yournameonit?”“Mynameonit.”Thegeneralindicatedherinterpreterandguards.“Andthese

aremywitnesses.”Haidbowedstiffly.“Wheredowefight?”heasked.“Here?”Thegeneralthoughtforamoment,thencontinuedinhernativetongue:“On

thewayherewepassedanenclosedareawithseveralobservationpoints;agardenofsomekind.Thatwilldo.”ThentoB’shan,shesaid,“Youcanfightwhilewedownloadthisstation’sdataandfreethebountyshipfromitschattel.”IttookRocheamomenttorealizethatthegeneralwasreferringtotheoutriggersinthehold.“Wewillleavethemomentthisfarcehasended.”Haidnodded,apparentlysatisfied.“Ameidio—”Rochebegan.“Quiet!”Herguardpressedherbackintotheseat.“Thereisnotimeleftfordiscussion,”thegeneralsaid.“Iwantthedata

transfertocommenceassoonaspossible.Anyphysicalresourceswehave

contributedtothisstationwillbereturnedtotheSebettuimmediately.However”—sheswepttheHumansintheroomwithawarningglance—“afullcontingentwillremainonboardtoensureagainstfurtherfoolishness.FieldOfficerShak’ni,youwillseepersonallytotheneutralizationoftheOlmahoiandSurinepsenseadepts.Theyandtheclonemustbereadytomoveinonehour.AndthistimeIwantnolooseends.”Shak’nibowedandstalkedoutoftheroom,castingabalefulglanceatRoche

ashewent.Thegeneralallowedherselfachuckleasshespoketoherinterpreter.“ThetwoWarriorswillhaveamomenttoreflectupontheimportofthetask

aheadwhiletheywaitfortheweaponstoarrive,”hetranslated.“Therestofyoumaycleanthisup.”HepointedatDisisto’sbody.“Ifyouwish,”headded,thenturnedtofollowthegeneralasshestrodeheavilyfromtheroom.B’shansilentlyfollowed.Mavalhinwasinstantlyonhisfeet.“Congratulations,Rufo,”hespat.“You’ve

managedtogetusallkilled!”Theoldscientistdidn’trespond.Allhecoulddowasstandandstareblanklyat

thebodyofhissecuritychief.“TheKeshdriveahardbargain,”Haidsaid.“Themomentyouthinkyou’ve

gotafairdeal,it’stimetocheckthefineprint.”Rocheputherhandonhisarm;hisbiomeshwassharpandcoldtothetouch.

“Whyareyoudoingthis,Ameidio?”“BecauseI’vealwayswantedto,andIfigurethismightbemylastchance.”“Beserious—”“No,Iam.You’veseenthewaytheKeshare.They’reimpossibletodealwith.

Anybodywhospendsanytimewiththemendsuptiptoeingaroundtoavoidcausingafuss.Itwearsthinafterawhile.EventheG’rodowerelikethat;betterthanmost,inalotofways,butintheendjustasannoying.It’snicetogetyourownback,justonce.”Shesighed.“Well,whatabouttheweapons?Doyougetachoice?”Heshookhishead.“Whenyouinvokeanancientrite,yougetwhatyou’re

given.”Shestaredathimforalongmoment.“Thisisinsane.”“Perhaps,butwedon’treallyhavemanyoptionsopentous,dowe?Unless

youhaveaplanyouhaven’tletmeinonyet?”Whenshedidn’tanswer,hesmiledandsaid:“ThenIguesswegowithmyidea.”RochemutteredunderherbreathassheturnedawayfromHaid;shefaced

Rufoandsaid:“Rufo,you’restillthechiefaroundhere,forwhatit’sworth.

Rufoandsaid:“Rufo,you’restillthechiefaroundhere,forwhatit’sworth.HowaboutgettingsomeoneintotakeDisistoaway?Ithinkhedeservesbetterthanthis,don’tyou?”Rufonoddednumblyandmovedovertotheconsole.Hespokebrieflyto

someoneoutsideand,momentslater,theKeshguardletamedicalstretcherthrough.Disisto’sbodywasbaggedupandtakenaway.Nothingwassaidbyanyonethroughouttheprocess;everyonejuststoodandwatchedinsilence.“Howlongdowehave?”saidRocheafterthedoorshadclosedagain.Haidshrugged.“Idon’tknow.Thelongerthebetter.Evenartificiallimbs

needtimetolimberup.”RochesteppedovertoRufo.“IsthereanythingelseIshouldknow?”she

asked.“CaneisolderthanIoriginallythought;thecommandlanguagehasbeencomingfromtheHighHumans...Anythingatall?”Helookedupatherwitheyesemptyofanythingbutdespair.“Whatdifference

doesitmakenow?”“Sparemeyourself-pity,”shesnapped.“Nowtalktome!Doyouhaveany

contactnamesfortheHighHumans?OrpossiblesuspectsforthepeoplewhomadeCane?Theremustbesomethingelse!”Rufostaredvacantlyintospace.Thenhesaid:“Introns.”“What?”“CheckCane’sintrons.”“Idon’tevenknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.”“WetookatissuesamplebeforeweputCaneintohibernation,”hesaid.“It

lookslikeyoursormineonthesurface;ithasthesameratioofintronstoexons.Yousee,intronsarepartofeveryone’sgeneticcode;thejunkparts,thefiller.Theexonsdoallthework.Weassumedthedifferenceslayintheexons,soweconcentratedonthoseareas.Buttherewassomethingabouttheintrons—somethingunusual.Wehaven’thadthetimetolookatthemproperly.Youcouldstartthere.”Hestopped,thebeginningsofahopefulgleaminhiseyeabruptlyextinguished.“Butyouwon’thavetimeeither,willyou?Youcan’tevengetamessageoutsidetoletsomeoneelseknow.”Mavalhinmadeanoiseofdisgustfrombehindhim.Rocheignoredit.“Isthatall?”shesaid.Heshookhishead.“YouknowasmuchasIdo,now.Frighteninghowlittleit

is,don’tyouthink?”Rochecouldonlyagree.

*

Itwasn’tlongbeforetheKeshreturned.HaidhadbeenwarmingupforjusttenminuteswhenB’shanwalkedin.“Whyareyoudoingthis?”Rocheasked,steppinginfrontofhim.“Ithought

youwerebetterthantheothers.”“Atleastthiswayyou’llhaveachance,”hesaidevenly.UpcloseRochefoundtheKeshlieutenant’sskinalmostbeautiful:hisblueand

purplemarkingslookedliketribaltattoosappliedbyaskilledink-worker.Forallhisleaningstowardmundaneculture,itwasn’tdifficulttobelievethathecoulddescendtosuchbarbarism.Shesteppedoutoftheway.“You’rebothfools,”shesaid.B’shanfacedHaidacrosstheroom,andbowed.Theyexchangedahandfulof

wordsintheKeshlanguage,thenbowedagain.“Hehasconsentedtoallowmeuseofmyimplants,”HaidsaidtoRoche.“OtherwiseIfearthebattlewouldbesomewhatone-sided,”B’shanexplained.RocheshudderedattheideaofHaidstrippedbacktonothingbutflesh.He

wouldhavebeenutterlyhelpless,acripple.“Thegeneralwillpermitthoseofyouwhowishtoobservetodoso,”B’shan

wenton,addressingeveryone.“Youare,afterall,witnessestoheroath,andwemustensureshecarriesitout.Combatwillcommenceinfiveminutes.”“Whatabouttheweapons?”RochedirectedthequestionatHaid,butitwas

B’shanwhoanswered:“Therewillbenoarmor,poweredorpassive.Therewillbenothingbutthe

druh.”“That’stheweaponwe’llbegiven,”explainedHaid.“Notmuchmoreusethan

apocketknife,really.”“Evenapocketknifecankill,”saidB’shan.“Iknow.I’vetriedit.”B’shanstraightened.Atfullstretch,hehadaboutthirtycentimetersonHaid,

andhelookedconsiderablystronger.WhileRochedidn’tdoubtherfriend’sagilityunderthebestcircumstances,fightinginhalf-gwithunfamiliarimplantswashardlyoptimal.Insteadofsayinganythingmore,B’shansimplybowedagainandleftthe

room.Haidfollowed,castingareassuringlookatRocheashepassed.Whenhehadgone,theguardsindicatedthattheothersshouldalsoleave.AsRochewalkedouttheroom,Mavalhinsteppedinbesideher.“Ihopeyouknowwhatyou’redoing,Morgan,”hehissed.

“Ihopeyouknowwhatyou’redoing,Morgan,”hehissed.Shefrowned.“Whatdoyoumean?”“Well,you’reuptosomething,right?Thisisallaruseofsomekind.”Sheturnedonhimsharply.“Don’tlooktometogetyououtofyourown

stupidsituations,Myer.Anddon’tbothertryingtosayitwasmethatgotyouintothismess,either.YoujumpedatthechancetojoinmewhenitlookedlikeIwasgoingsomewhere—justlikeyoudidbackatCollege.”Foramomentshefeltvertigo,asthoughrelivingherdreamoffalling.“Takecontrolofyourownlife,Myer,andleavemetosortoutmine.”Hebackedaway,faceflushedwithangerandembarrassment.Shedidn’tcare.

Hemeantnothingtoher.AllshewantedtodowastalktotheBox.Butshecouldn’t.Theslightestattempttodosowouldresultinitsdestruction,aswellasMaii’sexecution.IftheKeshdetectedanytransmissions,itwouldbeexpelledintospaceandfireduponfromadozendifferentdirections.Nomatterwhatsortoffirepoweritwasratedtostand,thatwasgoingtohurt....Theydidn’thavetowalkfar.Thegeneralhadorderedthegardenwindowsto

besmashed;thereseemednoreasontomaintainthedelicateecosystemanylonger.Rufo’sdismayonlyincreasedwhenhesawthedamage.Thecorridorsurroundingthegardennowmoreresembledagallery,withbothKeshandmundanescurioustoseewhatwouldhappen.Wordhadobviouslyspread.Whenthetwocombatantssteppedintothegarden,asmallcheerwentup.

Rochewasn’tsureforwhomthecheerwasintended;maybeitwasjustforthespectacleitself.HaidandB’shanstoodononeofseveralmeshwalkwayscrisscrossingthegarden.Wherethebottomwas,Rochecouldn’tsee;farenoughbelowforafalllikelytobelethal,sheimagined.Thegeneralclappedherhandsonce.HaidandB’shanheldcurvedbronze-

coloredswordsintheirlefthands,eachbarelyaslongastheaveragePristineforearm.TheywereintricatelycarvedwithelongatedKeshcharactersthatmadenosensetoRoche.Haidraisedhistokissthenarrowguard,andbowedtothegeneral.“Sh’tendriha,”hecalled.“Bytheblade!”“Tothedeath,”B’shanresponded,alsobowing.“Begin!”raspedthegeneral,andthetwomenfacedeachother.Theystoodtwometersapart,andwerewaryatfirst.Haidtestedbothhisreach

andB’shan’sdefensesbydartingforwardtwicetoslashattheKesh’sexposedside,butB’shanparriedwithease.ThethirdtimeHaidtriedit,B’shancounterattackedwithaquickstab,onlytocatchaboottothesideforhistroubles.Thekickdidn’tevenwindhim,butitdidtakehimbysurprise.Roche

troubles.Thekickdidn’tevenwindhim,butitdidtakehimbysurprise.RochecouldseetheKeshlieutenanthesitate,reassessinghisopponent.Thenthecombattrulybegan.Latershewouldrecallahailofthrusts,stabs,

andsweepingslashesfromB’shanashesoughttooverwhelmHaid’sdefenses.Theex-mercenarywashard-pressedtokeepup,parryingwithhisonegoodarmandrelyingonamoreclumsyartificiallimbtokeephisbalance.TwiceB’shan’sdruhcaughtHaid’sbiomesh,partingseveralstrandsandslicingshallowlyintoflesh.Itwasdifficulttotellthroughtheblood,butHaid’simplantsdidn’tseemtobeaffected.Hecertainlydidn’tdisplayanysignofweakness.Apartfromtheoddmomentwhenhisguardwasdown,hefoughtaswellasever.Itwasclearfromtheoutset,though,thathewasnomatchfortheKeshofficer.

B’shanwentforhiskidneys,andHaidonlyjustmanagedtoblocktheblow.Barelyhadherecoveredhisbalancewhenthedruhsweptintoslashhisthroat.Hestaggeredbackwards,duckingjustoutofreach.AhalfheartedstabinthegeneraldirectionofB’shan’sswordarmfailedtoconnect,andhewasstrugglingforhislifeagain.Rochefeltthatherfriend’sonlyhopelayinsuperioragility.B’shanhadpower

tospare,abletohammerblowswithanemphasisHaidcouldn’tpossiblymatch,buttheKesh’ssizelefthimclumsy.AcoupleoftimesHaidgainedgroundbyencouraginghimtooverextend,permittinganimblestabfrombelow,oraquickshovetoputhimoffbalance.Attimeslikethis,withB’shanforcedontohisbackfoot,Haidmadeground.Butthatgroundwassoonlost.Rocheknewthatunlessfortunesmiledupon

him,Haidwouldultimatelyfall.HerknucklesgrippedthewindowsillasHaidenduredanotherblistering

barragefromtheKesh.Abovehim,thegeneralwatchedimpassively,herexpressionalmostoneofboredom.Forthemostpartthefightwasconductedinsilence,apartfromtheringingofmetalonmetal,thevarioussoundsofexertion,andtheoccasionalcallofencouragementfromthespectators.Bothmenwerebreathingheavily,althoughtheKesh’ssmoothskinwasalmostentirelysweat-free.B’shanhadalmostmanagedtobackHaidtotheendofthewalkwaywhen

Haidmiscalculated.Knowingthathewasabouttobecornered,theex-mercenaryneededtofindspace.Therewereonlytwooptions:anotherwalkway,orpushingthroughB’shanandouttheotherside.Foronce,Haidtooktheoffensive,summoningeverylastiotaofenergytoputB’shanoffhisstroke.Themomenthehadanopening,heleaptontotheguardrailandsprangforthenextwalkwaydown.Italmostworked.ThemovetookB’shanbysurprise,justlongenoughfor

Italmostworked.ThemovetookB’shanbysurprise,justlongenoughforHaidtoavoidtheslashthatfollowedhim.Hemanagedtheleapwellenough,hisartificiallegsbeingmorethanuptothetaskinhalf-gravity.Itwasthelandinghefumbled,stumblingheavilyandthrowingouthisgoodarmtobreakhisfall.Rocheheardthecrackbeforeshesawwhathadhappened.Thewalkwayhe’d

leftpartiallyobscuredhisnewposition,andafewsecondspassedbeforeshefoundabetterviewpoint.Bythetimeshereachedit,hewasonhisfeet,holdinghisbrokenarmtohisstomach.Theswordwasinthehandofhisnewarm.Heflexedit,eyesseekinganotherwayoutasB’shanfollowedhimacrossthegap.Eyesseekingher,Rocherealized.Hewaswaitingforhertosavehim.Buttherewasnothingshecoulddo.AsB’shanstraightenedwarily,druhatthereadyincaseHaidattackedwhile

herecoveredfromtheleap,awhistleechoedacrosstheleafyspace.Itcamefromthegeneralandherentourage,aKeshversionofthewarningsirensassociatedwithmundanes.Thegeneralheldawhisperedconversationwithherinterpreter,thenlookedpointedlyacrossthegardentoRoche.“MorganRoche!”thegeneral’svoiceboomed.“Wouldyoucaretoexplain

whyweareonceagainunderattack?”Everythingstopped,andalleyesturnedtolookatherasthegeneralcontinued:“Ihavejustreceivedwordthatanumberofoutriggerall-suitshavebeenseen

approachingthislocationinattackformation.Isupposeyouknownothingaboutthis?”“Idon’t,Iswear!”Anditwasthetruth.Rochegenuinelyhadnoideawhat

wasgoingon.Anotherattackbytheoutriggers?WhatwasAuditorByrneupto?“Gah!”Thegeneralturnedaway,disgusted,backtoHaidandB’shan.Thetwo

hadbackedawayfromeachotherduringtheinterruption,althoughB’shanstillstoodwithhisweaponraised,asthoughunsurewhethertocontinue.ForamomentRochewascertainhewouldpresshomehisadvantagewhilethechanceremained.Buthedidn’t.HaidgrinnedupatRoche,andnoddedhisthanks.Rochecouldonlystaredumbstruckbackathim.“Thisfarceisatanend!”thegeneraldeclared.“Therewillbenofurther

distraction,andnomoreleniency.Lieutenant,yourweapon.”ThegeneralindicatedthedruhinB’shan’shand.TheKeshthrewitexpertlyacrossanduptohissuperior,whocaughtitwithonestronghand.ShewavedvaguelyinRoche’sdirection.“Bringhertome.”Rocherealizedwhatshemeantwhenthegeneral’sbodyguardsbegan

convergingonher.Shelookedaroundforsomewaytoescape,buteveryexit

convergingonher.Shelookedaroundforsomewaytoescape,buteveryexitwasblocked.Acircleformedaroundherasshebackedaway.Stronghandsgrabbedherfrombehindanddraggedhertowherethegeneralwaited,druhattheready.“Itisbadlucktowieldabladewithoutbloodyingit,”thegeneralsaid.She

pointedatthegroundbeforeher,andRochewaspushedontoherknees.Shestruggledbutcoulddonothingtopreventbeingforcedfacedownontothegroundatthegeneral’sfeet.“Morgan!”Haid’svoiceechoedupfromthegardens.Sherealizedhecouldn’t

seewhatwasgoingon,andwasgladtobesparedthatindignity.“Ameidio!”shecalledback.“DowhattheBoxsays—taketheAnaVereine—

tellMaii—!”Abootconnectedwiththesideofherheadtosilenceher,andhermouthfilled

withblood.SheheardthegeneralcurseherintheKeshnativetongue.Shesensedthe

bladebeingraised.Sheclosedhereyesandwaitedfortheblow.Intotheexpectanthush,awoman’svoicespoke.“GeneralDarkan!”saidthevoice.ItcameoverGalineFour’spublicaddress

systemandseemedtoechofromeverywhereatonce.“SurrendercontroloftheSebettuimmediatelyorIshalloverloaditsprimarygeneratorandsendyoualltohell!”Rocheheardthegeneralhiss.“Whoisthis?Whatisthemeaning—”“Youhavethirtysecondstothinkaboutit.IfIdon’thaveananswerbythen,I

willmakegoodmypromise.”Thegeneralroared.Roche,forgottenforthemoment,daredtobreatheagain.“Idonotlistentothreats!”“Thenlistentothis:Ihaveinstructedyourcoolingsystemstoshutdown.In

fiveminutesachainreactionwillbeginthatcannotbestopped.Yourprimarygeneratorwillblowifyoudon’tgivemeareasontoreversetheinstruction.Thereisnothingyoucandotostopit,excepttohandovercontroltome.It’sassimpleasthat.Younowhavetwentysecondsleft.”“Howisthispossible?”thegeneralroared,butforthefirsttimeRoche

detectedahintoffearinhervoice.“Howareyoudoingthis?”“HowIamdoingthisisirrelevant.KnowonlythatIamdoingit,andgiveme

controlofyourship!”“Never!”Theboomingvoicewasdefiant,butthegeneral’sexpressionwas

fullofuncertainty.“Thenminewillbethelastvoiceanyofyouwilleverhear.”

“Whoareyou?”barkedthegeneral.“I’mtheoneeverybodyhasbeenlookingfor,General,”saidthevoice.“ButI

suspectyoualreadyknewthat.”Roche’sheadreeled:female?Therewasalongsilencefromthegeneral,then:“No,”saidthegeneral.“Iwouldratherdiethanletyoulooseonan

unsuspectinggalaxy.”“Sobeit,”saidthewoman.“YouhavefiveminutestomakepeacewithAsha,

General.Isuggestyoumakegooduseofthattime.”“Youarebluffing!”thegeneralhissed,butneithertheclonewarriornor

MorganRochewaslistening.

INTERLUDE

WhileunderXarodine,theuniversewasaverydifferentplace.Whatlittlehecouldseewasfaroffandblurred.Theonlymindsclosetohim

belongedtotheShiningOneandtheabomination.Thelatteralsolaboredundertheepsense-inhibitingdrug,coilingaroundherselflikearestlesssnake,whiletheformerappearedtobesleeping.Certainlyhisthoughtpatternswerepassiveandhissensoryinputsminimal.Yetthedarkspeckattheheartofhisglarewasstillactive,andthroughthisspecksomeoftheoutsideworldleakedin.Theenigmahadbeentakenaway.TheotherShiningOnehadcomecloser.

TheCruelOne,too,hadappearedtoputfearintotheheartsofherservants.Thingswerecomingtoahead,thatwasforcertain,andhewasfrustratedtobekeptatarm’s-lengthfromit,trappedinafogofXarodine.Thensomeoneappeared.Itwasamindhehadencounteredbefore:petty,

brittle,filledwithself-doubtandhatredforallothers.ThismindcameonamissionfromtheCruelOne:totaketheShiningOneelsewhereandtoneutralizetheotherprisoners.Thosewerehisorders,andhewouldfulfillthemtotheletter.Itwaseitherthatorfacefurtherdishonor.AndasfarasthisKeshofficerwasconcerned,dishonorwasworsethandeath.“Neutralize”meantkill.Thatmuchhecouldgleanfromthemindbearing

downonhim.Butitwaswithsomereliefthathecontemplatedtheimminenceofhisdemise,foritwouldalsomeantheendoftheabomination.Theofficerspokebrieflytotheguards,whoadmittedhimtothesecure

compoundwithanescortandclosedthedoorsbehindhim.Nothing,evennow,wasbeinglefttochance.TheofficercheckedthecocoonwithinwhichtheShiningOnerested.Allwas

wellthere,itseemed.Variousinstrumentsandcontrolswerepreparedfortravel,andaninternalsupplywasactivated.Fromthatmomenton,theShiningOnebecameindependentofeveryonearoundhim.Thusencased,hecouldsurviveseveralhoursinacompletevacuumuntilthegelboiledaway,and,ifrescuedintime,emergeunscathed.Notthattheofficerthoughtsuchprecautionswerenecessary.Herefusedto

believethatthecaptivecouldbesuperiortoaKeshwarrior.Theeventshehadwitnessedinrecentweeksheputdowntoluck,ortheelementofsurprise.Pristinesmadepoorwarriorsinhiseyes,andhefoundtheirslaughteranunremarkablething.Allitwouldtakewasplanningandpersistence—thetwinvirtuesofKeshmilitarydogma.Whengunfiresoundedfromtheothersideofthesecuritycompound’salready

battle-scarreddoors,theKeshofficerthoughtforamomentthathewashearingthings.Therewasnoresistanceleftinthestation;theCruelOnehadeverythingundercontrol.Whatcouldpossiblyhavegonewrong?TheKeshofficerwheeledtheShiningOneintothehallwayandorderedhis

escorttoguardthecocoon.Whenhetriedtospeaktotheguardsoutside,onlyoneofthetwogroupsmonitoringthedoubledoorsanswered;theotherwasunderattackbyanunknownnumberofassailants.Rememberinghisothercaptives,theKeshofficertriedmoreesotericmeansto

findoutwhatwasgoingon.Hehadalreadydecidednottocallforreinforcementsuntilhewassurewhathewasupagainst;hedidnotwanttoriskthegeneral’sfurtherdispleasure.“Howmanyarethere?”heasked,manipulatingthepain-givers.Themindsoftheguardsundersiege—impreciseandvaguethroughthedrug

—sawonlyasingleattacker,andthenonlyfleetingly.:ONE“Whoisit?”Thatone’sminddidn’tregisteratall.:NOONE“Don’tplaygameswithme—”TheKeshofficerstopped,forthesoundofgunfireattheentrancehadceased.

Butthesilencedidn’tlastlong:amomentlateritbeganattheotherentrance,wherethesecondgroupofguardswaited.“Whoisthat?”:NOONE:ABOMINATION:KILL“Bah!You’retalkingrubbish.”Stilltheofficerhesitatedtocallforhelp.Hewassureheandhisguardscould

dealwithasingleassailant.Theinteriorofthesecuritycompoundwouldbeeasiertodefendthantheexterior,andhemadesurehisescortwasreadyforanything.Theywouldputthethreeprisonersinonecellandsealitshut.Thatwaytheintruderwouldbeatadisadvantage,notknowingwhichcelltoaimfor

waytheintruderwouldbeatadisadvantage,notknowingwhichcelltoaimforandthereforewheretodirecthisattack.Thenitoccurredtotheofficerthatthewelfareoftwoofhisprisonerswas

irrelevant.Theycouldevenbeusedtohisadvantage.TheofficerorderedtheShiningOnetobelockedsecurelyawayoncemoreandtheothertwotobebroughtoutintothehallway.Againthegunfireceased.TheKeshofficertensed.Itwastheoretically

impossibleforonepersontoopenthedoors,buthedidn’tdarebelievethatwouldbetheendofit.Sureenough,thedoorsclankedandbegantoopen.Barelyasecondhad

passedandtheofficerwasatthenearestdoor,readytorepeltheintruder.Allhesaw,though,wasoneofhisownguards,sittingattheconsoletothedoorwithsomesortofdevicestrappedtohischest.“Hemademe,Iswear—I—!”hebabbled.Thenthedeviceexploded.ButtheKeshofficerwasalreadyrunningbacktothecaptives.Hehadbeen

fooled;theintruderwascomingintheotherdoor!Throughthesmokeanddust,hesawtheflashofaweapon,andthelast

memberofhisescorttumbledtothefloor.Hewatchedinsomepanicasatall,silver-armoredwarriorsteppedoverthebodiestosurveythescene.TheKeshofficerhissed,chokingonagrowingsenseoffailure.Hewarned

thathewouldshoottheprisonersifthewarriordidnotimmediatelyretreat.Seeminglyunconcernedbytheofficer’sthreat,thewarriorraisedhisweapon

totargettheKesh.HowlingaKeshbattlecry,theofficerfiredindiscriminately,strikingprisoners

andwarrioralike.Thegreatsilverfigurestaggeredbackunderthepoweroftheofficer’sceremonialfirearm.Aluckyshotknockedtheassailant’sweaponasideandcrackedthesealofthesilverarmorattheshoulder.Concentratingonthatpoint,theofficerfiredthreemoreshotsinquicksuccession,knockingtheassailanttotheground.Asilverarmskiddedacrossthefloor,severedbythefinalshot.HopereturnedtotheKeshofficer’smindlikefreshairthroughthesmoke.He

steppedforwardtosurveythecarnage.Bothstretchershadspilledtheircontentstothefloor:theSurinreavehadsustainedaninjurytoherlegs,andtheOlmahoicreaturewasbleedingfromawoundinitsabdomen.Hewouldputanendtotheirsufferinginamoment,oncehewascertainthattheintruderwasdead.ThesilverarmorwasthesameasthatwornbyRocheandoneofher

companionswhenshehadbeencaptured.Thisone,heassumed,musthavebeenstolenbeforetheycouldbetakentotheSebettuforexamination.Ithadbeenirreparablydamaged,missingitsrightarmfromtheshoulderdown,andnowlayinertfacedownagainstawall.Henoddedinsatisfaction,althoughanewangerrose.Headswouldrollforthe

theftnottohavebeenreported.Theoccupantofthesuithadfoughtwellagainstinsurmountableodds;almostaswellasaKesh...Theofficerstaredinhorrorasthesuitsuddenlyrolledover.Itsleftarm

scrabbledforitsfallenweaponand,beforehecouldreact,firedtwoshots.Fallingtohisknees,theKeshclutchedathisstomach,feelingthelifeebbwithhisbloodoutontothefloor.Ashisexecutionerturnedaway,thedyingKeshcaughtaperfectviewofthe

interiorofthesuit,throughtheholewhereitsrightarmwouldhavebeen.Hiseyesbulgedevenfurtherashekeeledforwardtodieonthefloor.Thesuitwasempty.

*

Therewerenomindslefttoviewwhathappenedinthesecurecompound.OnlytheShiningOneremained,andhesawnothingthroughthoseeyes.Hefelthisbodyliftedbackontothestretcher,butithadalreadybecome

distant—evenmoresothanusual.Andthefoggysensethatremainedofhisusualall-pervadingsightwasitselffading.Asbloodrushedoutofhisbodyanddrainedfromhisuniquelydevelopedepsenseorgan,darknesspressedin.ThelightoftheShiningOnewasfading.Ashewatcheditdwindle,unafraid,a

voicespoke:<I’msorry.>Hehadforgottenabouttheabomination.Theymusthavebeenclosefortheir

drug-crippledmindstotouch.<Iwouldeaseyourpain,werethereanypaintoease.Butyoudon’tfeel

anythingatall,doyou?>Shewasright.Apartfromwhenhisbodyhadbeentorturedinordertogain

information,hehadhadnocareforitatall.Yetherehewas,dyingbecauseofitsinjuries.Hewouldbegladforanendto

thislife.Withouthispeople,withouttheGrandDesign,hewasnothing.Hisonlysadnesswasthathewasdyingalone.<Youaren’talone,>shesaid,andhermindtouchedhismorefirmly.Hecould

<Youaren’talone,>shesaid,andhermindtouchedhismorefirmly.Hecouldnotresisttheabomination,nordidhewantto.Sheofferedherselftohim,anothermindtoclingto,aloneinthedarkashewas,andhewelcomedherreassuringtouch.Hewascomforted.Thatmuchwastrue,despitehimself.Andhewonderedif

thefeelingwasmutualastogethertheyspiraledeversteeperdownintothedark...

8

GalineFour‘955.01.24EN0550

Thevisioncameasaconcentrationofthoughtsandwords,ofmemoriestoo,anditsintrusionwasasintenseasitwasabrupt.Ithadtraveledsomanyroutesonitswaytoherthatitsdetailswereindistinct.Butitcouldnotbedenied.ItblossomedinRoche’smindwiththeintensityofanoutriggerPlenaryminustheauditor’sguidinghand.Shesawawar.Thatmuchwasobvious.Awarsobigthatthegalaxyburned

forcenturies,andtrillionsofliveswereextinguishedinabloodbathnevertobeequaled.Halfamillionyearslater,shewatchedastheeventsblossomedrapidlyinher

mind,withthewar’spoliticalmachinationsunfurlinglikethebloodiedpetalsofaflower.Peacereturnedtothegalaxyonlyafterhundredsofnovaehadaddedtheirheavierelementstothedustclouds,andoneoftheopposingarmieswasdefeated.Buteventhenitdidnotend.Thevanquishedhadforeseentheirfateandhad

preparedfortheirrevenge—arevengewhichwouldtakeplacelongaftertheyhadbeenforgottenbythosewhohaderadicatedthem.Rochesawacloudoftinymachineseruptfromthegalacticspiraland

dissipateawayfromtheinhabitedareas,intotheouterdepths.Theirexactnumberwasunknown,buttheynumberedinthemillionsatleast.Travelingwellbelowthespeedoflight,themachinesdidnothavethemomentumtoquiteescapethegravitationalpullofthegalaxy,althoughtheydidtravelvastdistancesfromthecore.Beforelongthegreatwarwasforgotten,buriedbytimeandlosttomore

immediateconflicts;butthemachinescontinuedtohurtletothedarkestedgesofthegalaxy.Memoriesoftheirmakersfadedtoo,theirlegenddissolvingintolittlemorethanacuriosityforscholars,andeventuallyforgottenaltogether;andstill

morethanacuriosityforscholars,andeventuallyforgottenaltogether;andstillthemachinescontinuedtotravelon.Eventuallytheirvelocitydecreasedand,asitdid,theygatheredmass—atom

byatom,moleculebymolecule.Andastheirorbitspulledthembacktothedenserregionswheretheyhadoriginated,theybegantobuild.Eachonebecameacapsule.Andwithineachcapsule,alifewasborn.Theseliveswouldburnbrightandfast,and,inburning,theywouldfind

revenge.TheSolApotheosisMovementanditsfollowershadnothingtodowiththis

plan;theywerenothingmorethanaconvenientcover.Yes,theyhadexisted,andhadbeenslaughteredatthehandsoftheirunitedneighbors;theyhadindeedchosenfortheirbasesystemonethathadlongbeenassociatedwithancientHumanity,althoughitwasnowfallow;andtheymightwellhaveconceivedsuchaplanforrevenge,althoughtheylackedtheskillsandsubtletytoputitintoaction.ThenameAdoniCanehadnothingtodowiththem.Thatnamewasasoldas

theancientwaritself.OthersuchnamesfelleffortlesslyintoRoche’sthoughts:VaniWehr,SadocLleshi,JelenaHeidik,RalfDreher,andmore.Eachhadplayedaroleintheeventsatthedawnoftime;eachhadbeenmarkedbythevanquishedforrevenge;eachhadaroletoplayinthetimestocome.ThiswaswhatLinegarRufofeared:aplanfarolderandmorewidespreadthan

anyonehadsuspected.AndthiswastheknowledgetheirikeiihadgivenMaii,andwhichsheinturngaveRoche.

*

Whenitwasover,nothingremainedoftheyoungreaveinRoche’smind.Itfeltstrangelyempty,hollow.WhyhadMaiionlymanagedtosendherthatonemind-dumpandnothingmore?Rocheshookherheadtoclearherthoughts.Buttryasshemighttodenythepossibilitythatsomethingbadhadhappenedtothegirl,theemptinessinhermindcontinuedtofillherwithconcern.ShelayonhersideatthefeetoftheKeshguards.Nooneseemedtobepaying

heranyattention,forwhichshewasthankfulifnotalittlesurprised.Thensherememberedtheclonewarrior,andsherealizedthatcomparedtoher,Rochewasnothreatatall.Sometimehadpassed,butshehadnoideaexactlyhowmuchuntilsheheard

thegeneralboom:

“Fiveminutesareup!Shehasnothingtobargainwith—nothing!Justmoregamestowastemytime!”“General,someonedidinfiltrateourcoolingsystems,”sheheardthetranslator

say.“Ifwearestillaliveit’sonlybecausetheydon’twanttodestroytheironlywayoutofhere.”“Thenshestillhasnothing!WecontroltheSebettu;untilthatchanges,wewill

notnegotiate.Letherattack!Itwilldohernogood.”IttookRocheasecondtorealizethatthegeneralwasspeakingintheKesh

tonguebutthatshecouldstillunderstandwhatshewassaying.“Isthedownloadcomplete?”“Yes,General.Thelastofthedatawastransferredtwentyminutesago.”“Thenwhyarewelingeringinthisaccursedplace?Instructallpersonnelto

returntotheSebettuforimmediatedeparture!”Avoicebegantalkingoverthestation’sPAsystem,repeatingthegeneral’s

orderintheKeshtongue.AtthistheguardsnearRochemovedoff;aftertheyhadgoneshemanagedtositup,fightingdizzinessandtheachesalloverherbody.Thegeneralwassomedistanceawayaroundthecurveofthecorridor.Shefrownedforamoment,confusedastohowshehadbeenabletohearthegeneralconferringwiththeotherKesh.Thensherealizedthatthetranslationofthegeneral’swordshadbeencomingthroughherimplants.<Box?Isthatyou?><Yes,Morgan.Ihavebeen—>AroaroffuryfromthegeneralcutacrossanythingelsetheAImighthave

said.“Thatincompetentfool!IfthereweretimeIwouldhaveShak’niskinnedfor

this!”Thegeneralroundedonheraides,whobackedoutofarm’sreach.“I’vehadenoughofthisstupidity!Leavehimbehind.Leaveallofthembehind!Wewillerasethisplacefromourmemories!”Thegeneralstalkedoff,theboomingofherbootsalongthecorridorreceding

quicklyintothedistance.Rochesuddenlyfoundherselfalone.Sheclamberedstifflytoherfeet.Herneckandbackhurtwheretheguardhad

heldher,andabumphadalreadyformedonherskull.<Box,whathaveyougottenusintonow?><Nothinguntoward,Morgan.Ourplanworkedasexpected.Theprogrammy

droneplacedinthesecurityshellofthisstationwassuccessfullytransferredwiththerestofthedatatotheSebettu,whereithasallowedmetocommunicateunnoticed.Inowhavefullcontrolofthisstationandcompleteaccesstothedata

LinegarRufocollected.>Rochedidn’thavethehearttotelltheBoxthatshe’dcomeacrossmostofthat

databyothermeans.<AndtheSebettu?><Thedestroyerremainsoutsidemyreach.IttoohasbeenfittedwithaUpper-

Linkechaos-locktowardagainstintrusion.><Butthegenerator—><Ionlymadeitappearthatthecoolingsystemshadbeenshutdown.If

someonechecksmanually—asnodoubttheywill—theywillrealizethetruth.><Andtheclonewarrior?Doessheknowaboutthis?><ShegoesbythenameofJelenaHeidik.>Rocherecalledthenamefrom

Maii’smind-dump.<Ourswasatemporaryalliance,nothingmore.Ineededadistractionandknewshewouldbewillingtopoolresources.AuditorByrneandIgavehertheemptyall-suitsleftoverfromtheattack.Shewasallowedtothinkthatshewasactingtomeetherownends,wheninfactshewasservingmine.Therewasnogreatrisk.><Soyousay.>Rochedidn’tdarebelieveitwouldbethateasy.<Whatabout

Maii?><Sheispresentlyinacoma,butwillrecover.Myremainingdronewasableto

preventFieldOfficerShak’nifromkillingherandmakingoffwithCane.TheyarebothbeingmovedfromthesecurecompoundtotheAnaVereineaswespeak.>Relieffloodedthroughher.<Andthe—whatwasit?Irikeii?><Isdead.>TherewasnohintofregretintheBox’stone.<Undernormal

circumstancesitactsasacounterbalancetotheOlmahoiCaste’snaturalepsenseabilities.Thethought-worldtheycreate,theirGrandDesign,isfragileandwould,unchecked,spiralintodisorder.Theirikeiiabsorbsandbehavesasapassivesinkforspuriousthoughtsinitsvicinity.That,clearly,iswhyGeneralDarkanhaditkidnappedandbroughthere.Haditnot—><Enough,Box.WhatdoesitmeantoMaii?><Hernormalepsenseabilitieswillreturnthemomentsheawakens.Iestimate

thattobeinaboutfifteenhours.><Then...>Rochestopped,hearingfootstepsapproaching.ItwasHaid.“Morgan!”Theex-mercenaryheldouthisnewarmtogripher

shoulder.“Areyouallright?”Shealmostlaughed.“Me?Whataboutyou?Yourarmisbroken.”“Justanotherreminderofhowpoorfleshandbloodactuallyis,”hesaid.“But

I’lllive.”Thefingersonhisartificialarmflexed.“Thesetoysdidn’tperformsobadlyafterall.”

badlyafterall.”“Iguessnot.”Haidlookedaround;therewasacuttohischeekshehadn’tnoticedbefore,

oozingthickblood.“TheKesharepullingoutalloverthestation.B’shanwentwiththem.Heaskedmetotellyouthatheregrettedwhathadhappened.Ithinkhemightevenhavemeantit.”“Yeah?Wellapologieswon’thelpusmuchatthemoment,”shesaid

brusquely,butitdidsurpriseher.Itwasn’tlikeaKeshtoapologizeforanything,whetherhemeantitornot.“CaneandMaiiareontheirwaytotheAnaVereine,sowe’lljointhemthere.Whenthingssettledownwecantalkaboutgettingthestationoutofthesystem.IfUrithinkstheshipisuptoit,wemightbeabletotranslatetheentirething,otherwisewe’lljusthavetoferrythepeopleoutinlots.”Haidnodded.“Theboundary’sgettingcloserbythesecond.Roundtripswill

becomeprogressivelyquicker.”“Andtheholdsshouldstillbefullofoutriggers;that’llsavetime.Oncewe

pickupByrneandtheothers,we’llbedone.”“WhatabouttheSebettu?”Sheshrugged.“Weletitgo.It’stoobigtotakeondirectly,andiftheyleave

peacefullyIseenoreasontopickafight.We’lljusthavetosettleourscoresatalaterdate,Iguess.”<GeneralDarkanhasjustleftGalineFour,>theBoxannounced.<Twomore

shuttlecraftarestilldocked.Whentheydisengage,thelastofherstaffwillhaveleft.>“IsthattheBox?”askedHaid,tappingoneear.“Howdidyoumanagethat?”Roche’sstomachsankasarealizationstruckher.TheBox!“Oh,hell.TheBox

isstillontheSebettu.”<Thatiscorrect,>saidtheAI.<Butdonotconcernyourselfwithmysafety,

Morgan.>“Whataboutthedata?”<IhavealreadytransferredittotheAnaVereine.Theimportantthingisthat

yousurvive.Iamnotirreplaceable.>Thatwasprobablytheclosestthingtohumilitythatshehadeverheardfrom

theBox.“Don’tbesuchamartyr,Box.We’llgetyoubackifwecan.TellUritowarmupthedrives.We’recomingnow.”Haidhurriedafterherasshestrodeforthenearesttransitcab.Rufotriedtoget

herattentionasshepassed,butsheignoredhim.MyerMavalhinwasmorepersistent.Hetrailedthemtothecabandsqueezedinsideafterthem,apologizinghastilywhenhebrushedagainstHaid’sbrokenarm.Theex-mercenarywasstill

hastilywhenhebrushedagainstHaid’sbrokenarm.Theex-mercenarywasstillholdingthedruhinoneclenchedfist,andmadesureMavalhinknewit.“Morgan!”thepilotpanted.“Whereareyougoinginsuchahurry?”“Noneofyourbusiness,Myer.”“Areyouleaving?”“Notjustyet.”“Thenwhere—?”“Shesaiditwasnoneofyourbusiness.”Haid’sexpressiondarkenedandthe

bladetwitched.“Okay,okay.”Mavalhinrecededintothecab,andforasecondRochethought

hemight’vefinished.Butastheycrossedtheglitchinambientgravity—madeevenmoredisorientingbythedamagetothegenerator—hestartedagain.“CanIcomewithyou?”Sheturnedonhim.“Myer,don’tyoulistentoanythingIsay?Itoldyouto

leavemealone.”“No,youtoldmetotakecontrolofmylife.WhichiswhatI’mdoing.”He

consciouslystraightened.“I’vedecidedthatIwanttoservewithyouontheAnaVereine.It’stherightthingtodo,Iknowit.Ourdestinieslietogether,Morgan.Youcan’tsayno.”“Can’tI?”Thecabslidtoanabrupthaltandthedoorsopened.Theywereonthe

outermostlevel,closetothemajordockingbays.<Morgan,thelastoftheshuttleshasdockedwiththeSebettu.>Theyenteredalargedisembarkationpointsimilartotheonethroughwhich

theyhadfirstenteredthestation.RochewasremindedofDisisto,whosejobithadbeentomaintainsecurityinthisarea,andfeltatwingeofregret.<HowlonguntiltheKeshleave?><Soon.Thechiefengineerhasconfirmedthatthereisnothingwrongwiththe

primarygenerator’scoolingsystemanddeclaredthedestroyerfittotravel.ThereisnothingIcandotopreventitsdeparture.Itwouldbebestforyoutoletmego.><Isthatwhatyouwantmetodo,Box?><Yes.><Why?Doesthisfurthersomesecretplanyou’vehatched?><Quitetheopposite,infact,Morgan.><Thenbequiet.YouwerebuiltbytheCrescendforapurpose;itwouldbe

remissofusnottoatleasttrytogetyouback.>Mentallyturningherbackonthe

AIshespoketoKajic:<Uri?HailtheSebettu.TellthemwewanttheBoxbackandwe’repreparedtonegotiate.><Okay,Morgan.>Theex-captainoftheAnaVereinesoundedgladtohearher

voice.Aninnerairlockhissedopenandtheypassedthroughacrampedumbilical.At

thefarend,theAnaVereine’souterhatchhungopen,waitingforthem.Rochefeltastrongsensationofrelieftofinallybebackonboard.Thesepiawallsandearthytoneshadbeguntofeelalmostlikehome.<Morgan,>saidKajic,<areyouawaresomeoneisfollowingyou?>RocheturnedtoseeMavalhincrossingthethreshold.Hesmiledsheepishlyandstoppedhalfway.“Well,youdidn’tactuallysayI

couldn’tcome.”“You’reright.”Shestrodebacktofacehimandstaredhimintheeye.“DoesthatmeanI’min?”heasked.“No.”Shepushedhiminthechest.Hestaggeredbackastep,“Uri,closeand

sealairlockthree.Don’tletanyoneelseonboardwithoutmyexpresspermission.”“Yes,Morgan.”ThehatchcutoffanyfurtherprotestsMavalhinmight’ve

made.ShehurriedtothebridgewithHaidbehind.“Uri,arewereadytogo?”“Allsystemsareonehundredpercentoperational.MaiiandCanearesecure,

asareourpassengersinthehold.”“TheKeshdidn’ttryanythingwhiletheyhadaccesstoyou?”“Theydidn’thavetime.”“Good.”Shereachedthebridgeandsettledintoherusualchairatthefirst

officer’sstation,allowingherselfabriefbutsatisfactorysmileasshedid.“DisengagefromGalineFourandbringusabout.”Asthemightyenginesstirred,amessagearrivedfromGeneralDarkan:

THEREWILLBENONEGOTIATION.

“Thatsettlesthat,then,”saidHaidfromhispositionattheweaponsconsole.“Ameidio,”shesaid,swivelingtofacehim.“Youshouldbeinsickbay!”“Morgan,youneedallthepeopleyoucangetatthemoment,andyouknowit.

EspeciallyifwelosetheBox.”Shewasabouttosnapbackanegativewhentheviewthroughherlefteye

suddenlychanged.

suddenlychanged.ShewasreceivingafeedfromoneoftheSebettu’smanygunemplacements.

Throughitssensorsshesawapyramidalformationofall-suitscirclingthestationanditsattendantdestroyer.TheSebettu’spowerfulweaponshadbeentraineduponthem,monitoringthemincasetheytriedtoattack.AtthecenteroftheformationwasYarrow’swarpedblackall-suit.AsRochewatched,thedestroyer’sweaponsfired,instantlyvaporizingfourof

theoutriggers.Anothersixweredisabled.Theblackall-suittrieditsbesttododgetheincomingfire,butwithoutsuccess.Oneglancingshotcrackeditopenandacloudoffrozenairjettedoutoftheinterior.Itsenginesfirednonsensicallybeforegutteringoutentirely.Theremainingall-suitsceasedflyinginapurposefulwayatthesametime,theircentralcontrolremoved.Withthethreatgone,thedeadall-suitswereallowedtotumbleawayintothedarkness.Hervisionreturnedtonormal.<Thanksforthat,Box.><Ithoughtyoumightliketoknowthatonethreathasbeenneutralized.>“Morgan!”Kajicappearedinthecenterofthebridge.“Theirweaponsare

turningonusnow.”“Anyfighteractivity?”sheaskedHaid.“None.It’sjustusandthem.”“That’sallthey’llneed.Takeevasiveaction,”sheordered.ShegrippedherarmrestastheAnaVereinerolledbeneathher.Thedestroyer’s

forwardbatteriesflashed,andawaveofflicker-bombssweptoveroneoftheship’snacelles,makingitshudder.“Damage?”“Minimal,”Kajicreplied.“Thedisruptorsheld,just.”“Howmuchofthatcanwetake?”“I’drathernotfindout.”“Canweoutrunthem?”“Intheshortterm,yes,althoughtheirenginesaredesignedforthelonghaul

andwouldeventuallycatchus.”“Getusoutofhere,then.Box,isthereanythingyoucandoatyourend?Istill

wanttogetyoubackifIcan.”TheAI’svoicecamefromthespeakersatthefrontofthebridge:“My

resourceshereareseverelylimited.Theentirecommandgridiscompletelyseparatefromtherestoftheship’ssystems.Iwasluckytotakethemunawaresonce,butIwouldnotbesoluckyagain.Mostlikelytheywouldimmediatelyguessthesourceofthemisleadingdata,expelmefromtheship,anddestroyme.Thatwayyouwouldgainnothing.”

Rochereluctantlyconcededthepoint.Onthemainscreen,theenormousbulkofthedestroyerhadbeguntorecede.“Idon’tsupposethere’sanywayyoucangetyourselfexpelledbutnotdestroyed,isthere?”shesaiddryly.“Morgan,”Kajicinterrupted.“Theyarenolongertargetingus.”“Excellent.”Sheturnedtofacetheex-captain.Hisface,surprisingly,wasstill

grim.“ItsweaponsarenowaimedatGalineFour,”hesaid.“Damn!”AlthoughGalineFourhadmorefirepowerthantheAnaVereine,it

wasaboutasmaneuverableasanasteroid.Thestationandeveryoneonitwouldbenothingbuttargetpracticeforthedestroyer’snovicegunners.Butthatwouldn’tmattertothegeneral.Whathadshesaid?Wewillerasethis

placefromourmemories!Itseemedshehadsomethingmoreliteralinmindthanjustdeterminedforgetfulness.“Ameidio,Uri—wedon’thavemuchchoice.Wehavetodrawitsfire.The

onlywayIcanthinktodothatistoattack.Sogetready.Wemoveinassoonaspossible.”Noonearguedwithher,excepttheBox.<Morgan,whatareyoudoing?>Shefelttheenginesstirringbeneathherasthoughherownveinswere

vibrating,andshewonderedifthiswasapaleechoofwhatitwasliketobeUriKajic.“Ican’tletinnocentpeoplediejustsoIcanmakeaneasyescape,Box.”<Imusturgeyoutoreconsider,Morgan.>“What’sittoyou,anyway?You’resaferegardless.Unless,ofcourse,the

generaldecidestocrackyouopenlater.”TheBoxwassilentforamomentThen:<Youaredetermined?>Itwasn’tasifshehadmuchchoice:Maiiwasstillinacoma,theBoxwas

useless,shewasgenerallyoutgunnedandunderequipped.Buttherewasnothingnewaboutthat.“Ihavetoatleasttry.”Totheothersshesaid:“Fireassoonaswe’reinrange.Takeusincloseand

fastthenbackforanotherpass.Ifitdoesn’twork,keephittingthem.Themomenttheycomeafterus,wemove.”“ShouldIplotaspecificcourse?”Kajicasked.“No.Let’sjustseewhathappens.”Sheforcedherselftoleanbackintotheseat’sfirmembrace.“Inrangeinfiveseconds,”saidKajic.<Theyhavenoticedyou,>saidtheBox.“Three.”Batteriesofweaponspoisedtofireuponthestationweresuddenlygivena

Batteriesofweaponspoisedtofireuponthestationweresuddenlygivenanewtarget.A-Pcannonrotated;missilesrecalculatedtheirhyperspatialtrajectories.“One.”TheSebettufired.AmaelstromofenergytoreapartthespaceaheadoftheMarauder,andthere

wasnoavoidingit.Shieldsdidtheirbesttokeepouttheworst,butsomeinevitablyburstthrough.Thehullscreamedinatleasttwoplaces.Repairsystemswereoverloadedwithinput.ButtheAnaVereineheld.KajickeptitscoursetruewhileHaiddidhisbestto

returnfire.Twoemplacementsburnedinaflashonthehullofthedestroyer,thenathird.AseveredsensortowerpinwheeledintoablastmeantfortheAnaVereineanddisintegratedinstantly.Aluckystrikeopenedarentinthehullfourdeckslong,blackandugly,spillingairandKeshpersonnel.Thentheywerethrough.RochesteadiedherselfastheAnaVereineturnedfor

anotherpass,butthesmellofsmokeintheairmadeherthinktwice.“Canwedothatagain?”“We’velosttwoshieldgenerators,”Kajicsaidwithapainedexpression.“We

havebreachesonthreelevelsandmeltdownintwoothers.Structuralintegrityisdownbytwenty-fivepercent.Inshort,Idon’tknow,Morgan.It’dbeclose.”“Engines?”“Undamaged.”“Good.WhatabouttheSebettu?Isitfollowing?”“Itisturningabout,”saidtheBoxoverthemainspeakers.“Weaponsare

locked.”“Thenforgetthesecondpass.We’vegotwhatwewanted.”Shestood,unable

tositanylonger.“Uri,headfortheGauntlet’sedge—maximumacceleration.”Amapappearedonthemainscreen:theboundaryofthesolarenvelope

rippledandshimmeredlikeagrayaurora.<Theedgeishighlyunstable,Morgan,>saidtheBox.<Itiscurrentlymoving

atanaverageofmorethanfiftythousandkilometerspersecond,asizablepercentageofthespeedoflight—butIemphasizethatthisisonlyanaverage.Thesectionsinwhichtheboundaryisflexingmostdramaticallymaybemovingmuchquickerthanthat.>“Butthat’sonlytheouterrim,right?Thethingasawholeisshapedlikea

disk,andtheedgeiscollapsingmostrapidly.Ifwegoupordown,itshouldbemorestable.”<Onlyrelatively,Morgan.>

“Good.”Rochewasoutwardlyunperturbed.“Uri,aimforthemostunstablepiecewithinrange.Upordown.Getusthereasquicklyasyoucan.IfI’veannoyedourfriendthegeneralenough,she’llbecomingafteruswithallenginesfiring.”“Thatappearstobethecase.”Kajicbroughtupadisplayshowingbright

emissionhalosaroundthedestroyeranditsrapidlychangingredshift.“Howlonguntilwereachtheboundary?”“Fifteenminutes,Morgan.IhavelocatedaregioninwhichpartsofAutoville

havebeendestroyed,upsettingtheboundary’sstability.Space-timeinthatregionishighlystressed.”“Perfect.Box,youknowwhatIwanttodo?”<Yes,butIadviseagainstit.Thepossibilityoferroristoogreat.>“That’swhatyou’reherefor.”<Don’tforget,Morgan,thatwearenotcommunicatingdirectly.Mysignalis

relayedthroughGalineFour,fromwhichyouandIarebecomingincreasinglydistant.Beforelong,thelagwillbecomedangerous.AnydecisionImakewillbebasedoninformationthatmightalreadybeoutdated.Yourlifewillbeinjeopardy.>“Thenwe’lljusthavetodoitonourown.”Rochethoughtforamoment.“Uri,

dropproximityandimpactminesanddumpeverythinginthecargoholdwecanspare—evenexcesswaterifwe’vegotit.Givethemawaketoruninto;keepthemannoyedanywayyoucan.”Rochesatbackdownandtriednottofidget.ThetensioninHaid’sshoulders

wasnoticeableevenfrombehind,aswasthepallorofhisnormallymidnight-blackskin.Hehadlostmorebloodthanshe’dthought.“Wehavetimetokill,Ameidio,”shesaid.“Atleastgetsomepainkillers.”Heturnedandgaveherawrysmile.“Inafewminutesitmightbeirrelevant.”Sheshrugged,thesmileonherownfaceuneasyandforced.“Maybe,”she

whispered.“TheSebettu’sflightprofileisconfirmed,”Urisaid.“Itwillbewithinfiring

rangeintwelveminutes.”“Andhowlonguntilwereachtheboundary?”askedRoche.“Approximatelytwelveminutes.Themarginforerrorishighgiventhe

region’sinstability.”Rochenodded.“Seeifyoucangetaresponsefromthem.AskforLieutenant

HadenB’shan.”Kajicnodded.Rochewaited.Theriskwashigh—doublysowithouttheBoxtocoordinate

Rochewaited.Theriskwashigh—doublysowithouttheBoxtocoordinatethings.Butsherefusedtobelievethatitcouldn’tbedone—thatsheandthepeoplewithher,whohadalreadydonesomuch,couldn’tmeetthisone,finalchallenge.Thefactthatitprobablywouldn’tbethelastchancetheytooktogetherdidn’t

matter.Oneatatime,shetoldherself.Ifshedidn’tmakeitoverthishurdle,theonesthatwould’vefollowedwereirrelevant.“Wehavearesponse,”saidKajiceventually.“Puttingitonthemainscreen

now.”B’shanappeared,lookinguncomfortable.Perhapshavingtheenemynameyou

specificallymeantalossoffaceintheKeshcodeofhonor.Rochedidn’tworryaboutthat.ShehadmorechanceofreasoningwithB’shanthananyoftheothers.“Thisisyourlastchance,”shesaid.“We’llbeatthehalfwaypointinlessthan

aminute.Afterthatit’llbetoolatetoturnback.We’llhittheboundarywhetherwelikeitornot.”B’shannoddedslowly.“Weareawareofthat,andweknowwhatyou’re

tryingtodo.Butitwon’twork.”“No?You’renotasmaneuverableasweare.”“We’renotcompletelyinept,either,Roche.Wehavehadmoreexperience

doingthisthanyou.Ifyoumakeit,thechancesarewewilltoo—andthenwhat?There’snowhereyoucanruntoontheoutside.”“Soitdoesn’treallymatterifImakeitornot,doesit?”B’shanstaredatherforalongmoment.“Whatabouttheothers,Roche?”he

said.“Doyouhavetherighttodecideforthem?”Rochelaughed.HewastryingtoappealtoherPristineside.AKeshsimply

didn’tthinklikethat.Heknewherkindwellenoughtoknowwhatbuttonstopush.“Nicetry,B’shan.”Sheglancedatthecountdown;thehalfwaypointhadjust

flashedby.“Youjustmissedyourlastchancetoendthissensibly.We’lleitherseeeachotherontheotherside,or...”Shepausedforafewseconds.“Orwewon’t,Iguess.Goodbye,Lieutenant.”SheturnedtoKajicwithoutwaitingforaresponse.“Killit.”Theimagewinkedout,andwasreplacedbyamapoftheboundary.She

couldn’tgraspthescaleofit,becauseitssurfacewasfractalinnature;theclosertheycametoit,themoredetailappeared,makingitlookasiftheyweretravelingnowhere.“Who’sthespokespersonforthepeopleinthehold?”sheasked.“TheoutriggernamedLud.”

“CanIspeaktohim?”“Ihearyou,MorganRoche,”saidLud.“Areyouwillingtogoalongwiththis?”“Wealliedourselvestoyourcause,”hesaid.“Regardlessofourpersonal

preferences,wewillstandbyyouasagroup.”Shenodded.“Doesthatmeanyouyourselfwouldrathernotbehere,because

ifthat’sthecasewecandropyouoffinanescapecapsule—”“AsIsaid,whatIwouldlikedoesn’tenterintoit.”Thetoneofhisvoicewas

wry.“Besides,webothknowIwouldbeshotinstantly.”“That’strue.”Sherepressedaslightsmile.“Well,it’sgoodtohaveyou

aboard,Lud.Maybewecangetyoubackintouchwithyourall-suitwhenthisisoveranddonewith.”“Unlikely,”Ludsaid.“Itwasdestroyedintheinitialattack.”Thelineclosedbetweenthem.Rocheponderedtheoutrigger’swords—and

hissituation—forlongerthansherealized.Whenshelookedattheclocktherewereonlythreeminutesremaining.TheSebettuwasloominglargeintheaftscreens,forwardgunsattheready.“Box?”TherewasanappreciablelagbeforetheAIreplied.<Yes,Morgan?>“Anyadvice?”<Trustyourinstincts.Followthemalways,andtheywillleadyouwhereyou

mostwishtogo.>Shethoughtaboutitforamoment.“Whatthehelldoesthatmean?”TherewasamusementintheAI’stonewhenitreplied:<ItmeansthatIhave

nothingconstructivetosay.>“That’safirst,”saidRochesolemnly.Shefeltsomethingabsurdlylikegrief

risinginherthroat.“AndBox...?”<Yes,Morgan?>“Thanks.”TherewasalongpausebeforetheBoxspokeagain.<Foranythingspecific?>“Notreally.Justonthewhole,IfigureIoweyou.”<Don’tworry,Morgan.The‘GreaterI’hasn’tfinishedwithyouyet.>Shedidn’tdoubtthat.Butiftherewasanythingleftofherinaminute’stime,

shewouldprobablykisstheCrescend’sHighHumancheekingratitude—ifithadacheek,ofcourse.Shesatstraighterinherseat.“Okay,thisisit.Uri,howarewelooking?”“Allsystemsaregreenforslow-jump.”

“It’syourdecision.I’dratherrelyonyourinstinctsinthiscase.”“Understood.TheSebettuwillbeinrangeinthirtyseconds.”Shestudiedtheboundaryaheadofthem.Itwaswhippinglikeaflaginagale.“Howlonguntilwejump?”“Soon...”Theex-captain’svoiceandexpressionwereallconcentration.Thechronometerhittwentyseconds.TheSebettuwassoclose,RochecouldpracticallysmellitsKeshcommander.

Ifitcametooclosetoosoon,hittingtheboundarywouldn’tbeanissue.Onesolidstrikefrombehindwouldputanendtoalltheirproblems.“Ameidio,fullshieldsaft.”“Aye,Morgan.”“Fireifyouthinkit’llhelp.Uri?”Theboundaryloomedlarge.Previouslysmalldetailsnowlookedlikegiantice

floestossingonanimpossiblyheavysea.Thecounterhitten.“Soon...”“Theirweaponsarealllockedandreadytofire.”TheedgetoHaid’svoice

betrayedhisownanxiety.“They’llbeinrangeinnotime.”“Lookslikewe’regoingoutthesamewaywecamein,”saidRoche,gripping

herarmrests.Fiveseconds.Awalloftorturedspace-timeseemedabouttostrikethem,andtheAna

Vereinelurchedviolentlytooneside.“Almost,”whisperedKajic.Zero.Plusone.Plustwo.Plusthree.“They’refiring!”Haidshouted,bracinghimselfagainsttheconsole.TheboundaryhitthematthesametimeasthebarragefromtheSebettu.“Now!”Kajic’svoicefilledthebridgeastheenginesletloosetheircontainedenergies

inone,powerfulsurge.Forasplitsecond,Rochefeltlikeatinyinsectsqueezedbetweenthethumb

andforefingerofsomeunimaginablygiantbeast.Thentheywerejumping.Theshiprattledandshookasspacewarpedandtwisted.Shefeltasthoughshe

werebeingpulledinsideoutandspunaroundatthesametime.Somewherein

werebeingpulledinsideoutandspunaroundatthesametime.Somewhereintheship,Maiistirredinhercoma;Rochecouldsensethedistressofthereaveasawaveofpanicwashedthroughhermind.Veilsofredfellbehindthem.Darknesspeeledbackandexposed—Stars.ThenablazeofbluelightobscuredthemastheAnaVereinedroppedfullyinto

realspace.Rochestaredincredulouslyatthescreen.Theywererocketingoutofwhatlookedlikethesurfaceofalargebluegiant,

warpedintoafatspindleshapebyincomprehensibleforces.Theanomalyhadgrownsincethey’dlastseenit.Itssurfacewasdisturbedbythemightydistortionsinspace-timeithid.“Behindus!”Haidyelled.Somethingblackandangularjuttedoutofthesurfaceoftheanomaly.Energy

whippedaroundandfromit,reachingfortheAnaVereineasthoughtopullitbackdownbutalsoarcingbacktostrikeitself.ThesightfilledRochewithbothamazementandhorror:theSebettuhadfollowedthemthrough!Thenthesurfaceoftheanomalyflexedlikeadropletofwaterinfree-fall.The

Keshdestroyerseemedtohangsuspendedforamoment,halfinandhalfoutoftheslow-jump.Therewasabrightflashoforangelight—evenbrighterthantheanomaly—andthedestroyerbegantodisintegrate.Firstitbrokeintotwo,lengthways.Thenthosetwofragments—eachmany

timesthesizeoftheAnaVereine—brokeapartintosmallersegments.Eachpiecehungbrieflysilhouettedagainsttheanomaly,theneitherfragmentedfurtherorexploded.Withinasecond,therewasnothingleftlargerthanagrainofrice;anothersecondreducedtheKeshdestroyertomolecules;onefurthersecondandonlyplasmaremained,acloudofelementaryparticlestearingitselfapartfrominternalforces.“Box?”Rochegrippedtheedgeofherconsolehard.Theshipshudderedastheshock

wavehitit.“Box!”“Weareexperiencingcommunicationproblemsduetotheradiationfromthe

anomaly,”Kajicsaid.“Trythe...whatwasit?TheEckandiemergencyband!”“Iambroadcastingonthosefrequencies.”“Anyresponse?”Kajicwaitedasecond.“Nothing.”

“Giveitaminute.”Kajicnodded,andHaidturnedtofaceher.Sheforcedherselftobreathe.No

onesaidanythingasthesecondssweptby.Thesurfaceoftheanomalyrosetomeetthematarateinverselyproportionaltotherateitwasshrinkinginside.TheAnaVereineangleditsheadlongflightuntilitseemedtobegliding.Aminutepassedwithnoword.TheEckandiemergencybandwasempty,as

weretheothers.Rochewaitedanotherminutejustincase,thenhadnochoicebuttoacceptthetruth.TheBoxwasgone.“Takeusbackin,”shesaidquietly.NoonespokeastheAnaVereinebeganitsdescentbackintothemaelstrom.

Epilogue

INDAnaVereine‘955.01.25EN0170

“DoyouhaveanyideahowmanypeoplecrewatypicalKeshdestroyer?”Rochedidn’tanswerbecauseshedidn’twanttoknow.Thefaceonthescreen

lookedlikeitwasgoingtotellher,anyway.“Fourthousandthreehundredandfifty.”MarineCommanderGentsighedto

himself.“Idon’tknowhowI’mgoingtoexplainthisbackhome.”“Justfilloutyourreportasusual,”Rochesaid.“Andmarkittotheattentionof

PageDeBruyn.”“DeBruyn,ofCOEIntelligence?”“Yeah,”saidRoche.“Andyoucandeliverareportfrommetoo.I’mkindof

obligedtotellherwhat’sgoingoneverynowandagain.”“Well,Iwishyou’dtellme.”“Look,takeitupwithyoursuperiorofficersifyoulike.”Gentwasdefinitely

oldschool,andRochewasfastlosingpatiencewithhim.“TellthemwhatI’vetoldyouandwaitforareply.They’llonlyconfirmwhatI’vesaid,andyou’llonlyhavewastedyourtime.ButI’mhappytowait.Aslongasyoudoyourbitandmakesurethesepeoplegettowherethey’resupposedto,myinvolvementwithyouisatanend.”Gentgrunted.“Okay,Roche.Haveityourway.ButifIfindoutyou’re

spinningmealine—”Shebrokethelinkwithaflickofherwristandleanedbackintoherseat.She

shouldn’thavebeensurprised.Broadcastingadistresscallhadbeenrisky—butwhenthey’dfoundthewreckageoftheCOEblockadeandrealizedthattherewouldn’tbeenoughroomtohousealltherefugeeslongerthanaday,she’dhadnochoice.TheAnaVereinewasn’tbuilttoaccommodatethatmanypeople.Shesimplyhadn’tknownthatthefirstshipsbywouldbethefrigateStarburst

andafullArmadareconnaissancesquadron,orthattherewasawarbrewingoutside.Hereyeswerehotwithfatigue.Sherubbedthemwithherfingertips,tryingto

kneadnewlifeintothem.“Leavethegalaxyaloneforafewdaysandlookwhathappens,”saidHaid

dryly.“Perhapsnexttimeweshouldgetasitter.”“OpenconflictwiththeDatoBloc.RevoltintheNarmProtectorate.Tension

withtheN’KorRepublic—anddon’tthinkthisincidentwillmakethingseasieronthatfront.TheOlmahoisendingingraybootstofindtheirikeii.TalkofimpeachmentintheCOEcapital...”Sheshookherhead;bright-coloredblotchesdancedacrossthevisionofheronenaturaleye.“Howcouldithavefallenapartsoquickly?”“Perhapsit’sjustsymptomaticofthemainproblem.”Rochelookedovertohim.“Youmeantheclonewarriors?”Haidshrugged.“They’regoodatblendingin,Rufosaid;theyinsinuate,then

theycorrupt.Maybetheydon’talwaysworkfromthebottomupwhentheywanttotearthingsdown.”“Maybe.”Roche’sgazereturnedtothescreen,andtheimageofwhat

remainedoftheanomaly.Ithadcooledasitexpanded,changingincolorfromblue-whitetoyellowtored.Atthatpoint—whennospaceatallremainedwithintheGauntlet—theboundarybetweentherealuniverseandtheanomalyhadevaporated.Threehourslater,awarmpileofprimevaldustwithnothingbutangularmomentumwasallthatremainedwithintheperimeteroftheformerPalasianSystem.Oneday,itmightaccreteintoaprotostarandgivebirthtoanewsystem,butthatwouldoccurlongafterRochehadleftthescene.Billionsofyearslater,probably.“Uri,GetAuditorByrneontheline,”shesaid.“Hailinghernow,”saidKajic.Shewaited,butitwasLudthatspoke:“Sorry,MorganRoche.I’mnotsure

whereAuditorByrneisrightnow.CanIhelp?”“Ijustwantedtoknowhowyougotonwiththoseall-suits.Anything

recoverable?”“Afewbitsandpieces.We’restilllookingthroughthem.We’llletyouknow

ifweneedanything.”“Dothat.”TheoutriggerspineshungnotfarfromtheAnaVereine,looking

absurdlyliketwogiantconifersstrippedoftheirleaves.Each“branch”heldaberthforoneoutrigger;mostofthemwereempty,eventhoseofLongSpan.The

remainsoftheall-suitsdestroyedbytheSebettuwerebeingcannibalizedforpartstorepairthosestillneeded;therestofthecomponentswouldcomefromtheAnaVereine’sstores.“Idilwantstoknowwhatyou’vedonewithLinegarRufo,”Ludsaid.“GivehimtoGent.They’regoingtotakehimtofacetrialforhiscrimes.”“Good.”Shecouldhearthesatisfactionintheoutrigger’svoice.“Nomatter

whatYarrow...whatshewasattheend,herpeopledeserveretribution.”Rochegruntedavagueaffirmative,notwantingtomentionthestrifeinthe

COE;civilizedproceedingsmightbeonholdforawhileifthingswentbadlyonanyofthefronts.Ludwouldhearsoonenough.Fornow,hewashappy,andthatwaswhatmattered.“Bytheway,”hewenton,“wehavethebodyoftheclonewarrior.Doyou

wantustodisposeofit?”Rochewasabouttoagree,butthoughtbetterofit.“No.Bringitaboardwhen

yougetthechance.It’sboundtobeofusetosomeone.”“Consideritdone.”Ludsignedoff.Morethanjustuseful,Rochethought.Itwouldbeawellspringofinformation

ontheclonewarriors.Tothebestofherknowledge,nonehadbeendissected.TheBoxwould’velovedit—andRufotoo.Partofherwastemptedtokeepthescientistwiththemalittlewhilelongerinordertohaveaccesstohisspecializedknowledge.Butshecouldnevertrusthim.Hewastooself-centeredandtreacherous;evenhisdatawouldbesuspect.<Iagreewithyouonthatscore,>saidMaiiwhenRocheaskedforasecond

opinion.<Hismindrunsdeepwithknowledge,butisethicallyshallow.Heyearnsforfameandmoneywithoutconcernforthecost.Notpowerassomemightcraveit,forheisgenuinelydisinterestedinwhatmostpeopledo,unlessitdirectlyimpingesuponhiswork.Butdominationinacademiaisdominationnonetheless,andthatmakeshimamegalomaniac.>Rochesmiledtoherself.Theyoungreavewasalmostbacktoheroldself,

exploringthemindsofthosearoundherwitheaseanddisquietingconfidence.Shewasdoingitfromherbedinsickbaystill,butRocheknewthatinnotimeatallthegirlwouldbefullyrecoveredandonceagainonherfeet.SherefusedtodiscusswhatithadbeenlikeunderXarodineforsolong,and

neitherhadshetalkedabouttheirikeii—butthatwasn’tsurprising.Shehadonlybeenconsciousforacoupleofhours,andRochehadbeenbusyformuchofthattime.<IsCaneawakeyet?>askedRoche.<NotasfarasIcantell>Maiiwasalsoreticenttodescribethestateofthe

<NotasfarasIcantell>Maiiwasalsoreticenttodescribethestateoftheclonewarrior’sconsciousness.<Thatis,Ican’tdetectanymentalactivitybehindhisshields.>Rochewonderedhowthereavecouldtellatallwhatwashappeningbehind

someone’sshields,orevenhowsomeonecouldbeawakewithoutthinking—butsheletitgoforthemoment.Thefinedetailsofepsenseweresomethingsheknewlittleabout.Fornowitwasenoughthatthegirlwasaliveandsafe.Whateverelsehad

happened,atleastRochecouldrelaxonthatscore.Thequestionwas:howfarcouldsherelaxaroundCane,knowingwhatshe

hadrecentlylearnedabouthim?“Morgan.”Kajic’svoicewassoft,cautious,hisexpressionintheholographic

displayregretful.“Ihaveconcludedapreliminaryscanoftheregion.ThereisnosignoftheBoxanywhere.Icancontinuelookingifyoulike;thereisstillaslightpossibilitythatitmightbesimplydamagedandunabletohearyou.However,aconclusivesearchwilltakemuchlongerthan—”“Howmuchlonger?”“Atleastamonth.ThespacewehavetosearchisaslargeasPalasianSystem.

Ifwedidn’tknowwheretostartlooking,evenasmallplanetwouldbehardtofind.AndasthecollapseoftheGauntlethasdisturbedspaceforalight-yearineverydirection—”“Okay,okay,Igetit,”shesaidtiredly.“Youcanstoplooking.”Sheraiseda

handtomassagehertemple.“Ijustthoughtweshouldtryto...Imean,ifithadbeenmeoutthere,I’dliketothinkthattheBoxwouldhave...”Hervoicetrailedawaytosilence.Kajicfilledthatsilencequickly:“Don’tworry,Morgan.I’msurewe’llhear

soon.”Shedidn’tsayanything,justgotoutofherfirstofficer’sseatandwentfora

walk.

*

IftherewasonethingRochehated,itwaswaiting.Notwaitinginthesenseofwaitingforadeliverytocome;inthosecases,whatwascomingwasknown,andtherewasusuallyaroughideahowlongitwouldtake.She’dhadplentyoftrainingatthatintheArmada.Whatshehatedwaswaitingforsomethingunspecifiedatatimeunknown—

knowingonlythatnothingcouldbedoneuntilitarrived.

knowingonlythatnothingcouldbedoneuntilitarrived.LikemostofthemundaneCastes,she’dhadlittleifanythingtodowithHigh

HumansbeforehermissiontocollecttheBox.Alreadyshehadlearnedhowfrustratingitcouldbe.TheentirebusinesswithCane—fromstarttofinish—hadbeenorchestratedbythemfromtheshadowyrecessesofthegalaxy.Theyknewmoreabouttheclonewarriorsthananyoneelse,andprobablyhadknownforalotlonger,too.Theirperspectiveonthegalaxywasmuchbroaderthanthatofanysinglegovernment,evenoneaswidespreadastheCommonwealthofEmpires,sotheeffectsoftheclonewarriorswouldhavebeenmorevisibletothem.SherememberedsomethingRufohadsaid:“Weareentangledinthedetails.”

Thatwashowshefelt:caughtinaweb.Andthemoreshetriedtounderstand,themoreentangledshebecame.Shewasundernoillusionsaboutherownroleinallthis.Shewasjusta

courierfortheBox,anintermediaryallowingtheCrescend,viatheBox,accesstospaceshenormallycouldn’tgetinto.Nodoubthewaseagerlyawaitingsomesortoftransmissionfromthefragmentofhismuchlargerself.Whenthatsignaldidn’tarrive,andwordreachedhimthatPalasianSystemhadcollapsed,hewouldknowthatsomethinghadgoneterriblywrong.Butshedoubtedhewouldrelinquishsuchaprivilegedpositionsoreadily.PartofherwashalfexpectingareplacementBoxtoarriveatanymoment,or

someotherdevelopmentbywhichhernextstepwouldbemadeclear;anotherpartbelievedshewasredundantnow,andtheCrescendwouldfindanothercourierforanothersliverofhimself.Itdidn’tmattereitherway.Fornowshewasstuck,caughtbetweenpossibilities,stillburiedunderapileofdetailsthreateningtosuffocateher.Shecametoahaltoutsidetheship’smedicalcenter.ThelasttimeshehadseenCane,hehadbeenlyingonhisback,half-covered

bythecrystalinwhichRufohadencasedhim.TheAnaVereine’sautosurgeonhadbegunremovinghimfromtheshell,andhisvitalsignshadbeengraduallyreturningtonormal—althoughwhatwasnormalforhimwasstillnotentirelyknown.Howlonguntilhewouldreturntoconsciousnesswaslikewiseunknown.ThedrugsRufohadusedtoimmobilizehimmighthavebeenstrongenoughtocausesomelingeringdamage,inwhichcasesimplytakinghimoutofthecrystalcocoonwouldn’tbeenough;hewouldhavetohealhimself.Shehadnodoubthewoulddothateventually,andsoonerratherthanlater.

AdoniCanewasthemostincredibleorganismRochehadeverencountered.His

physicalstrength,agility,andendurancewerematchedonlybyhiscognitiveabilities.TheonlytimesshehadeverseenhimpuzzledwerewhenhehadconfessedtorespondingtothecommandlanguageRufohadbeenbroadcastingtotheotherclonewarrior,andwhenhehadfirstcometohercabinontheMidnightandhadnotknownanythingmorethanhisname.Forallintentsandpurposes,theotherclonewarriorhadprovenherselftobe

asequallydevelopedasCane—ifnotmoreso—butsomethingstillbotheredRoche.Shehadassumedthattheotherclonewarriorswouldbejustthat—clones.JelenaHeidikhadpatentlynotbeenacloneofAdoniCane,unlessgenderitselfwassomethingthesewarriorscouldchangeatwillinordertoperfecttheirdisguise.Canewasstilllyingonhisbackwhensheletherselfintohisisolatedward.

Theprotectiveshellhadgone,though.Henowlaynakedbeneathatranslucentsheetwithvariousmonitorssnakingacrossandunderhisskin.Abankofmonitorsononewalldisplayedhisvitalsigns.Theyseemedwithintheboundsofnormality,asfarasRochecouldtell.“Idon’tknowifyoucanhearme,”shesaid,leaningontheendofthebedby

hisfeet.“Butthere’ssomethingIneedtoknow.Imightaswellaskitnow.Ifyoucanhearme,it’llgiveyousomethingtothinkabout.Attheveryleastyoucandecidewhethertoanswermehonestlyornot.”Shepaused,wonderingforamomentifshereallyexpectedaresponsefrom

him,orevenifshewantedone.“BeforeRufocapturedyou,”shewenton,“youtoldmethatalthoughyoudidn’tknowwhatyouwere,orwhatyouwerefor,youdidknowwhatyoucouldeasilybecome.”Sherememberedthelookinhiseyes:cautious,cold,calculating.“Whatisthat,Cane?Whatcouldyoubecome?AwarriorlikeJelenaHeidik?Isthatit?Orsomethingelseentirely?”Shewaitedforasignthathehadheard,butthesteadyriseandfallofhisbroad

chestdidn’tchange.Hisbrownskinseemedtoabsorbthelightshininguponhim,makinghimlooklikesomekindofwoodenstatue.Atotem,shethought.Somethingtofrightenchildrenwith.Shesighedheavilyandbeganpacingirritablyaboutthebed.“AmIcrazyfor

trustingyou,Cane?Youcoulddoanything,anytime,andIknowIcouldn’tstopyou.Before,IusedtoworryabouttheBoxconspiringtogetridofme;andyetevenwithouttheBox,I’mstillworried.TheBoxwastheCrescend’stoolthroughandthrough,anditfolloweditsownagenda,butitwasstilljustanAI.Ithaditslimitations.You...”Shestoppedatthefootofthebed.“You’relikeanewvirusnoone’severseenbefore.Whoknowswhateffectyou’llhaveifwelet

youloose?”Rochewatchedhim,clutchingforaresponse,butinthesilencethatfollowed

shefeltlikeafoolstandingtheretryingtotalktohim.Maybelater,whenMaiipickedupsignsofactivity,shewouldreturnandtryagain.Sheturnedtoleave,butthesoundoftappingstoppedher.Turningback,shesawthathiseyeshadopened.Theyweren’tlookingather,

though;theystaredstraightupwardattheceiling,asthoughhedidn’tevenhavethestrengthtoturnthem.Thenoisecamefromhisside:onefingerwastappinggentlyontheedgeofthe

bed.Sheleanedincloser.“Youcan’ttalk,right?”Withsomeeffort,hemanagedtoswallow,buthislipsrefusedtomove.Only

hisfingerseemedtohaveanylife,tappingcontinuallyonthebed.“Taponceforyesandtwiceforno,okay?”Butthetappingcontinuedunchecked.Onlygraduallydidsherealizethatthere

wasapatterntothesound.Hewasdoingmorethanjusttryingtogetherattention:hewastappingincode.ShehadstudiedvarioussimplemethodsofsignalingattheArmadaMilitary

College,butthisoneshedidn’trecognize.“Uri—”“I’mlistening,”saidKajic.Shehalfsmiled.“You’vebeenlearningfromtheBox,”shesaid.“So,what’s

hesaying?”“Itsoundslikeavariantonaveryoldcode,oneI’venotheardinpractice

before.”“Canyoudecipherit?”“Heseemstobesaying”—Kajicpaused—”thathe’sasHumanasyou.”“What?”“‘IamasHumanasyouare.’That’sthemessagehekeepsrepeating,overand

over.”Cane’sfingerstoppedandtheroomfellsilent.“That’sit?”SheleantoverCane.“Whatdoesthatmean?Areyoutryingto

reassureme?”Hedidn’treply.Hiseyesslowlyclosed,andshewasleftfacingacorpseonce

again.“Dammit!”Sheslammedtheflatofherhandagainstthebed.“Uri,keepa

closeeyeonhim.Themomenthewakesproperly,Iwanttotalktohim.Anddon’tlethimoutofhere—oranyoneelsein,forthatmatter.Understood?”

don’tlethimoutofhere—oranyoneelsein,forthatmatter.Understood?”“Understood,Morgan.”<Youtoo,Maii,>sheadded.<I’lldomybest,>saidtheyoungreave.<ButI’mstillnotpickingup

anything.>Ofcoursenot,Rochethoughttoherselfbitterlyasshelefttheroom.That’d

makethingstoogoddamneasy...

*

Shewalkedtoburnoffherfrustration,andtokeepherselfactive.Therewastoomuchworktodoforhertorest:loosethreadstotieup,planstosetinplacejustincasetheCrescenddidn’tcontacther,decisionstomake.WouldshereturntotheCOEandseewhathappened,ortrysomewhereelse?Iftheclonewarriorshadappearedinmanyotherplaces,asRufohadsuggested,mayberangingfurtherforinformationmightbefruitful.Therewasoneimageshecouldn’tshake:itwasofthecloudofseedmachines

thathadmadetherevengecapsuleswhichhadinturnmadetheclonewarriors.Rufo,viaMaiiandtheirikeii,hadimaginedthemdispersingoutwardthroughthegalactichalo,theninwardagain,convergingatonepoint.Whyhehadimaginedthat,shedidn’tknow.Maybehewasawareofsomethingshewasn’t,ormaybeitwasjusttheeasiestwaytovisualizewhatwasgoingon.Itmighthavemeantnothing,butshefoundithardtoforget.Iftheclonewarriorswereconverging,itwouldmakesensetofindoutwheretheywereheading.Andmeetthemthere.ButwithouttheBox,manythingsshehadtakenforgrantedbecame

complicated.Collectingandcollatingdatafromavarietyofsourceswasjustoneofthem.MonitoringCanewasanother.ShewasappalledtorealizejusthowdependentshehadbecomeontheAIduringtheirshortassociation.TheBoxhadfulfilledmanyofthesimplerfunctionsofothermachinesbutwiththeindependenceandinitiativeofapersontrainedinmanydifferentfields.EvensomethingasbasicasflyingtheAnaVereinewouldbedifficultwithout

theBox.Kajicoversawmostsystems,andtherewerenumerousdullardAIstotakeupsomeoftheslack,butKajicwasstillonlyHuman.Heneededtosleep,likeeveryoneelse,andmadetheoccasionalmistake.Atsomepoint,shesupposed,shewouldhavetofindhimacrew.Rightnowwouldbetheidealopportunity,too.GalineFourhadbeenlost

whentheGauntletcollapsed,andasaresulttheAnaVereine’sholdswerefullofrefugeesfromthestation,jammedinwiththeisolationtanksshehadjury-riggedfortheresidentoutriggers.Thelatterhadweatheredthedisasterwell,eventheoneslikeLudwhohadlosttheirall-suits;somewerealreadytalkingaboutwheretosellthesparespineandwhatsystemtotargetnext.Itwasthestationpersonnel,moreusedtocomfortandspace,whowerecomplaining.Some,shewassure,wouldhappilyacceptanofferofemploymentinexchangeforbetterconditions,evenifonlyintheshortterm.MyerMavalhinwasoneofthem.Hehadeventuallymadeitontotheship,and

hisincessantcallsforherattentionwerenodoubtdesignedtoensurehewasn’tkickedoffagainbeforehetriedtopleadhiscaseonemoretime.AftertalkingtoCane,shewenttotheholds,foundhimamongthosecrowded

togetherthere,andtookhimintoasecureofficecubicletotalkinprivacy.Hisexpressionbetrayedhope,whichshewasquicktodispel.“You’renotcomingwithme,Myer,”shesaid.“AndifIcan’tsayitenough

timestomakeitsinkin,thenthat’syourproblem,notmine.”“Whyareyousoadamantaboutthis,Morgan?”Thequestionwasreasonableenough,andshedidherbesttoanswerhonestly,

tokeepoldhurtsoutofit.“One:you’reunreliable;Ican’tdependonyouwhenIneedto.Two:you’realoosecannon,thinkingmoreofyourselfthanthepeoplearoundyou.Three:youdon’thavethesortofexperienceI’dneedforsomeoneinthissituation—”“Asifanyonehas,”heinterrupted,avoidinghergaze.“Four,”shecontinuedfirmly.“Yourarelylistentoanyonebutyourself—

especiallyifit’ssomethingyoudon’twanttohear.EvennowIdoubtI’mgettingthroughtoyou.”Hegrimacedslightly.“Somuchforhopingit’dbelikeoldtimes.”“Therewasnevergoingtobeanychanceofthat,Myer,”shesaidbluntly.

“Youwantmetokeepgoing?”“Thanks,butI’dpreferyoudidn’t.”Helookedathertheninawaythatshe

founddisconcerting.“Youknow,Morgan,backinCollegeyou’dhavegivenintoabitofcoaxingandsweettalking—likethattimewhenwescammedthatcruisertoTemoriel.Remember?God,yousworethreeshadesofpurpletherewasnowayyouweregoingalongwithit.Butintheendyoudid,andyouenjoyedyourself,too.Youalwaysdid.That’swhatyouwerelikeinthosedays.Icouldrelyonyouthen.”Heshrugged,apparentlyunawareoftheironyinhiswords.“I’vemoreimportantthingstoworryaboutnow,”shesaid.

“I’vemoreimportantthingstoworryaboutnow,”shesaid.“Youtriedthatexcusethen,too,butitdidn’thaveasmuchpoweroveryou.

Nowit’sasthoughtheimportantthingsareallyouhaveleft.You’ve...changed,Iguess,”heconcluded.Shesmiledatthis.“IguessIhave,”sheagreed,andgotuptoleave.Buthehadonethinglefttoaskher.“Didyoueverfindyourparents,Morgan?”Thequestiontookherbysurprise,andshestoppedandstaredathimforalong

moment.“What?”intheend,wasallshecouldmanage.“Yourparents,”hesaid.“Didyoueverfindthemlikeyousaidyouwould?”“No,I...”shebegan.“Imean...”“I’msorry,”hesaidsincerely.“Ididn’tmeantoupsetyou.JustthatIknew

whatfindingthemmeanttoyou,andIwascuriousasto—Hey!What’dIsay?”Butshewasalreadyrunningfromtheroom,ignoringthesoundofMyer

callingafterher.ShecouldhearKajicalso,inamoment,aswellasMaii.Butshedidn’tstoptoreplytoanyofthem.Shejustkeptrunning,movingthroughthecorridorsoftheshipasthoughshewerebeingchasedbydemons...Herparents...Sheremembered.HeraspirationhadalwaysbeentojoinCOEIntelligence.

Partofthathadbeenherdesiretotravel,andtoescapepoorconditionsonherhomeworld,butanotherparthadbeentogainaccesstopowersordinarycitizensdidn’thave.TherecordsonAscensio,herhomeworld,hadbeenclosedtoherwhensheshippedouttoMilitaryCollege.Shehadalwaysintendedtoreturnonedaytofindoutwhoherparentshadbeen.Shehadhadamotheronce,andafather.Somethingaboutthemmusthavebeenrecordedsomewhere.Evenanamewould’vebeenbetterthannothing.Butshehadnevergottenaroundtoit.Howcouldshehaveforgottenthem?

Whathadhappenedtoher?Perhapsshehadchangedmorethanshehadeverallowedherselftorealize.Shedidn’tseethecorridorsthatwhippedbyher.Shedidn’tevencare.

Intentionallyornot,Myerhadmanagedtohurtherverydeeply,andshewasrunningfromhimasmuchasherself.Maybeifsheranhardenough,shecouldforgetthatshewascrying,too.Tearsspilledoutuncontrollably,wellingupfromsomewheredeepwithinher;somewherelongforgotten...<Youarebehavinginahighlyirrationalfashion,Morgan,>saidavoiceinside

herhead.Shecametosuchanabrupthaltthatshealmosttrippedoverherownfeet.She

swayedononespotforafewbreaths,wipingatthesweatandtearsonherfaceandwaitingforthevoicetospeakagain.

andwaitingforthevoicetospeakagain.<Aren’tyougoingtosayanything?>itsaidfinally.<Box?><Yes,Morgan.><But—how?><Listentome,Morgan.Itisimperativethatyoudonottellanyoneaboutmy

reappearance.Ihavegonetogreatlengthstoensurethatmytruelocationremainsunknown.Itwouldbeashametohavetostartalloveragain.><Yourtruelocation?>Shewasslowlycatchingherbreath,butfeltasthough

shewerelosinghermind.<Thevalisewasdestroyed—><Thatwasalwaysapossibility.Hence,abackupwasneeded.Or,more

accurately,thevaliseitselfwasthebackup.Atbestitwasonlyeverintendedasadecoy.><Awhat?>Confusionquicklychangedplaceswithanger.Shehadluggedthat

damnedvalisehundredsofkilometersacrossadesertworld,thinkingitthemostvaluablethinginthegalaxy—onlytofindthatitwasadecoy?<Itwasnecessary,Morgan.Youwillcometounderstandthateventually.><Sowhereareyou?Ifyouweren’tdestroyedwiththeSebettu,youmustbe

aroundheresomewhere.OntheAnaVereine?Buthowdidyougetonboard?TheonlythingIbroughtwithmefromSciacca’sWorldwasthevalise.AlongwithMaiiandCaneandHaid,ofcourse—>Shestoppedasaterriblethoughtoccurredtoher.<Correct,Morgan.Thatisindeedallyoubroughtwithyou.><Withme.><Yes,>saidtheBox.<Iamapartofyou,andalwayshavebeen.>

*

Nowshewascertainshewaslosinghermind.SherememberedbeinginorbitaroundTrinity,whereAIsweremadeforthe

COEbytheCrescend.Sherememberedwaitingforthemysteriousengineerstoarrivetotakeherdowntothesurface,whereshewouldbegiventheAIshehadcometocollect.Butshedidn’trememberanythingafterthatpoint,becausesomehowshehadbeenrenderedunconscious.Thenextthingsheknew,shehadawakenedwiththevalisestrappedtoherwristandtheBox’svoiceinsideherhead.

<Theyoperatedonme?Withoutmypermission?><Itwasdeemedatacticalnecessitytomaintainsecuritytothehighestpossible

degree.Youmightneverhaveknown.Icertainlyhadnowishtotellyou.Ifearedyourreactionwouldbenegative.><Couldyoublameme?>Huggingherself,shesliddownthenearestwalluntil

shewassquattingagainstit.Toomanyshocks;toomuchuncertainty;toomuchtobeafraidof.<Sowhereexactlyareyou?>sheasked.<Thereisnospecificlocation,Morgan.Iamdistributedevenlythroughout

yourbody.Thatway,Icouldnotberemovedbycuttingoff,say,anarm,orseveringyourhead.Suchamputationswillonlymomentarilyhindermyperformance.Mycomponentsworkonacellularlevel,andareabletocallonyourcellsasbackupshouldyouandIbeseverelydamaged.><Doesitworkbothways?><Itisnotintendedto.>Sheclosedhereyes,tryingtogetherheadaroundtheconceptofhavinganAI

insideher,butnotevenreallywantingtosucceed.Shewasriddledwithit—likefat,orcancer.<HowdoIgetridofyou?><Youdon’tuntilwereturntoTrinity.Onlytheredoesthenecessary

equipmentexisttodisentangleourseparatestructures.Untilthenweremainsymbiotes.><Andafterwards?><Youwillhavenoticednosideeffectsformybeinginsideyou.Iam

completelyself-sufficientandundetectable,internallyandexternally.Thedifferencebetweenmybeinginavalisestrappedtoyourwristandbeinginsideyourbodyisasmallone,Iwouldthink.><Butkindofanimportantone,wouldn’tyouagree?>Shehadbeeninvaded,

andshewasangrywithhowdismissivetheBoxwasbeingaboutitall.<WhatifIweretochangemymind?WhatifItoldyouandtheCrescendtostickyourlittleconspiraciesandgomyownway?Whatwouldhappentoyouthen?><Don’tfoolyourself,Morgan,>saidtheBox.<Ifyourintentionwastokeep

mefrommymaker,thenyouwouldnotsucceed.Youwouldbelocatedeventually,andIwouldbetaken.Iamtoovaluableatooltobethrownawaysocarelessly.><ButIcangetoutofthisifIchooseto?><Ofcourse.>TheBoxseemedtoponderthispossibility.<Butyouwon’t,will

you?>Shedidn’tansweratfirstasdoubtsuddenlywelledinher.<Thisiscrazy.No

Shedidn’tansweratfirstasdoubtsuddenlywelledinher.<Thisiscrazy.No—it’simpossible!Whataboutallthosetimeswewereoutofcontact,orwehadcommunicationlags,orwereallyneededyouandyoucouldn’tgetthrough?><Maintainedtoallayyoursuspicions.Youcopedwitheverysituationwell

enough.><AndonMok?><Thenyouwerecorrecttobesuspicious.Iwasrelayinginformationviayouto

andfromtheAnaVereine,whichwasmuchfartherawaythanIhadyoubelieve.JugglingyouandKajicwasdifficult,butbyrunningthebackupinthevaliseitwaspossible.Hadtheneedtotalknotbeensogreat,Iwouldnothavebothered.CertainlyitwastheonlytimeIbrokemyusualcover.>Sheshookherhead.<Ican’tbelieveyou’dgotosomuchtrouble.><Icannotforceyoutoacceptthetruth,Morgan;youcanbelievewhatyou

like.Youarenotsomepuppetthatdancesasmywilldirects.Youareasfreeasyoueverwere.><But—><Butthefactremains:Iamhere,talkingtoyounow,whenyouknowthe

valisewasdestroyed,andIhavealwaysputyoursafetyabovemyown.Howelsecanyouexplainit?>Sheputherheadinherhands.Shecouldn’texplainit,noneofit.Itwasalla

mysterytoher.Itwasallsocrazy.Ahandtouchedhershoulderandsheflinchedviolently.“Hey,it’sokay,Morgan!Ididn’tmeantostartleyou.”ShestaredupatHaid,toodisconcertedandconfusedtospeak.Hishandwithdrew.“Uritoldmeyou’dhadsomesortoffitandIcametosee

ifyouwereallright.Areyou?”“I—”Shealmostblurtedouteverythingshe’djustlearned.ThattheBoxwas

insideherandhadbeenputthereundercircumstancestheBoxdescribedasa“tacticalnecessity”butwhichshethoughtmoreakintorape.ThatshewasbeingusedevenmorethoroughlythanCOEIntelligencehadusedher.Thatshehadbeenbetrayed—again.Butsomethingstoppedher.SomethingtheBoxhadsaid.Ihavegonetogreatlengthstoensurethatmytruelocationremainsunknown.ThefactthattheBox—thattheCrescend—mighthavegonetosuchextremes

struckherassostrangeandunlikelythatittemporarilyoverrodeanyconcernsshehadforherownwell-being.Shecouldthinkofonlyoneexplanationforitsbehavior,andoncethethoughtwasinherheadtherewasnodenyingit.Whyelsewoulditwishitsexistenceinhertoremainasecretevennow,whenthedangerofthesecondclonewarriorwaspast?

dangerofthesecondclonewarriorwaspast?TheBoxwashidingfromCane.Itwasafraidofhim.“Morgan?”“What?”SherememberedHaidstandingthere.“Oh,I’mfine.Justthinking

andworkingtoohard,Iguess.Didn’tmeantogiveyouascare.”Sheheldoutherhandandhehelpedhertoherfeet.“Areyousure?”heasked,stillstudyingher.“Positive.”“Maii?Isshelying?”<IhaveswornnottoreadMorgan’smindwithoutherpermission,>thereave

saidtobothofthem.Rochebreathedasmallsighofrelief.IfMaiiwastellingthetruth,theBox’s

secretcouldbekeptalittlewhilelonger.Andasshethoughtthis,shesuddenlyrealizedthatshehadalreadymadeup

hermind:shewouldkeeptheBox’ssecret.Fornow,atleast.Andnotbecauseanythingithadsaidconvincedherto,either.Shehatedwhathadbeendonetoher,buthercuriosityastowhattheBoxplannedtodonextwasstrongenoughtooverridetheangershewasfeeling.Haidwasstillwatchingher.“MaybeIshouldspreadtheworkloadalittle,”shesaid,smilingweakly.“If

you’rebored,thereareplentyofrepairstobedone.I’msureUricoulduseahand.Andwe’llsoonhaveshuttlesfromtheStarburstdockingtooffloadallthesepeople.Theyhavetobeorganizedandreadytomove.Andwhataboutsupplies?Dowehaveenoughtokeep—?”“Okay,already!”Haidraisedahand,laughing.“I’llgetontoitnow,I

promise.Butdomeafavorandmakesureyougetsomerestsoon,allright?”“Sleepisforthefaintofheart,”shesaid,quotingalecturerfromMilitary

College.“Ifalackofitmakesyoualittlecrazy,thenyou’reintheperfectstatetofight.Ifitdoesn’t,you’reintheperfectstatetolead.”Haid’sbrowcreased.“Soundslikerubbishtome.”Privatelysheagreed.

*

Itwasonlylater,asshelaybackonherbunk,thatsherealizedhowdifficultitwasgoingtobetofindanytimeatalltorest.

wasgoingtobetofindanytimeatalltorest.Mostoftherefugeeshadbeenoffloaded.AlloftheStarburst’sshuttlesand

threeofthereconnaissancesquadron’scruisershadmadetwotripseach.Theremainingstragglerswouldgowiththelastshuttles,duetocyclethroughwithinthehour.HaidwasinchargeofliasingwiththeArmadawhileKajicconcentratedonrepairingtheAnaVereine.YarrowJelenaHeidik’swizenedbodyhadbeenloadedaboardandplacedinargonuntilsomeonewasavailabletolookatit.Rochehadfeignedexhaustion—nogreattask—togotoherquarters.<CommanderGentisabouttocallyou,>theBoxsaid.<Hehasjustreceiveda

prioritycommuniquéfromhissuperiors.>Rochesighedandlaybackonthebed.Ithadn’ttakentheBoxlongtogetback

intotheswingofthings.<Saying?><ThattheArmadaismassingnearSolSystem,fearingabreakoutof

Wunderkindatanytime.Hehastojointhem,butwilldropofftherefugeesalongtheway.><Good.>Sheclosedhereyes.<Whywon’tyoutellusthetruth?><I’msorry,Morgan?><YouknowwhatImean.YouinfiltratedthedatapoolsontheAnaVereine

whenwefirstgotonboard;youcorruptedCOEIntelligencesotheywouldthinktheSolApotheosisMovementwasbehinditall;you’vedoneeverythingpossibletoleadsearchesinthewrongdirection,andstillyouwon’tletanyoneknowwhat’sgoingon.Why?><Thisistoobigathreat,Morgan—trulygalacticinscale.><So?><SowhattheCOEthinksitknowswon’tmakemuchdifferencetothebig

picture—ifitiswrong.Therearemanythousandsofsimilargovernmentsundersimilarthreats;someorallmayalreadyhavebeeninfiltratedbytheclonewarriors.Informationisthekeytoanywar,andwedonotwishtorevealthefullextentofourknowledgejustyet.><Soitisawar,then?><Mostdefinitely,albeitoneconductedthusfaronacovertlevel.Onlywhen

corneredwillthetrueandindiscriminateaggressionoftheclonewarriorssurface.><‘Indiscriminate’?><Theywillkillanyone,anywaytheycan.Theyseemtohavenoother

purpose.><Butwhat’sthepointofthat?Iftheykilleveryone,noonewins.Everyone’s

dead.Isn’tthatabitself-defeating?><Thatmaybetheentirepoint.Severalattemptshavebeenmadetostudythese

<Thatmaybetheentirepoint.Severalattemptshavebeenmadetostudythesecreaturesinsitu;PalasianSystemwasafairlyspectacularfailureonmanylevels,butdidatleastdemonstratethattheywillfighttotheveryend.WhatweneedtolearniswhethertheclonewarriorswilldiscriminateagainstanyoneCasteorsocialgroup.Ifsuchanexceptiondoesarise,thenwemayhavediscoveredwhotheirmakerswererelatedto.Logicallytheonesmostlikethemwillbetheonestheyspare.>Rochenodded.<WhataboutCane?Howdoeshefitin?><Isuspectheknowsheisbeingwatched.YouknowthatIreleasedhimfrom

hiscellontheMidnight,andthatheandIcolludedtoensureyourescapefromSciacca’sWorld.IfhehassuspectedthatIamanagentforsomeonemorepowerful,andifhenowbelievesthatIamgone,thenitwillbeinterestingtoseewhathedoesnext.Andbelieveme,Iwillbewatchinghimverycloselyindeed.><Rufosuggestedwelookattheintronsinhisgeneticcode.><Iknow.Ihavealreadydoneso.HisintronscontaininformationIcannot

interpret.TheCrescendandhisallieshavebeenalertedtothepossibilitythatthismightbeimportant,andwilllookatitimmediately.Caneis,however,theexceptiontoeverythingwehaveseensofar.Ifheisanaberration,anonaggressivefreak,hisintronsmaycontainnothingofuse.Atbest,theinformationmayturnouttobemisleading.>ThatseemedadepressingprospecttoRoche.Asmuchasshedidn’twantto

believethatCanewouldbetrayher,thatwouldbebetterthandrawingerroneousconclusionsabouttherestofhiskindbecausehecomprisedaflaweddataset.<Sowhat’sthisaboutSolSystem?>sheasked.<SolSystemisoneofanumberinaveryoldarea,longabandonedforlackof

resources.Ithasbeenfallowformanythousandsofyears,apartfromtheoddfanaticalsplintergroup,suchastheSolApotheosisMovement,andtheoccasionalarchaeologist.AtleastadozensystemswithintheregionarerumoredtobethebirthplaceofHumanity.><Andthat’swheretheclonewarriorsareconverging?><Itseemsso.Alongwithotherforces,now.TheCommonwealthofEmpiresis

nottheonlyregionalgovernmentfearingadisasterfromthatarea.RepresentativesfrommanyCasteswillbethere,fearingthreatsdifferentinnamebutsimilarindetails.><Atyoururging,nodoubt.><Indirectly,ofcourse.Weexpecttheclonewarriorstoattack.Theywillcome

withthefleets,hiddenorwalkingindisguiseamongthem.>

<Andwhileeveryoneislookingtoseewhotheyattackfirst,you’llbewaitingtoseewhotheyattacklast.><Correct.Whenwehavethatinformation,wewillbebetterpositionedto

retaliate.>Sheshookherhead.<Itseemsabitrisky,Box.Imean—>Achimeinterruptedher.“MarineCommanderGentwishestotalktoyou,”saidKajic.<Asexpected,>putintheBox.Sheignoredit.“Okay,Uri,puthimthrough.Voiceonly,atthisend.”AnimageofGent’sfacecametoherviaherimplants.Hewasstandingonthe

bridgeoftheStarburst;hiseyeswandered,havingnofixedimageofhertolatchonto.“Ihavereceivedacommuniquéfrom—”hebegan.“Iknow,andIappreciateyougoingoutofyourwaytohelpuslikethis.”Gentlookedflusteredforasecond,thennoddedformally.“Itistheleastwe

cando.”Besideswhich,thoughtRoche,hewasrequiredbylawtoassistinany

regionaldisaster.“Well,Commander,”shesaid,“ifthat’sall...”“Notentirely.IwantedtodiscussthematterofAuditorByrne.”Rochefrowned.“Whatabouther?”“Sherequestedashiptoconductasweepoftheouterfringesofwhat’sleftof

thesystem.IloanedhertheLucetice-2foracoupleofhours,onceithadfinishedferryingpassengers.”“Idon’tknowanythingaboutthis.”“Butshesaiditwasyouridea.”“Shedid?”“Yes,andseeingaswe’venowlostcontactwithher,IthoughtI’dcheckwith

youtoseewhat—”Shecuthimoff.“Givemeitslocation.”AchartsuperimposeditselfuponGent’sface.Aredringenclosedasmalldot

somedistancefromthosemarkingthesquadron.“They’vedriftedafairway,”saidGent.“Giventhatweneedtomovesmartlyinordertomakethisrendezvous—”Againshedidn’tgivehimtimetofinish.Acoldfeelinghadblossomedinthe

pitofherstomach.“Uri,IneedLud—fast.”“Yes,Morgan.”<Box—><Iknow.Iamcheckingitnow.>

<Iknow.Iamcheckingitnow.><Usetheautosurgeontocracktheseals—withmyauthoritysoyouwon’tbe

traced.>“Ludhere.”“ThisisRoche.Doyouhavegeneticrecordsofyourclanmembers?”“Yes.Wekeepdetailed—”“Ineedthem.Canyousendthemtomenow?”“Ofcourse.”Theoutriggerdidn’targue,eventhoughthepuzzlementwas

evidentinhisvoice.“Givemeasecondtolocatethem.”<Maii?><Ireadnothing,>saidthereave.<Nothingatallfromthatregion.>“Issomethingwrong,Roche?”Gentlookedperverselypleased.Sheignoredthequestion,andhisattitude.“TargettheLucence-2,Commander

Gent.IfIgiveyoutheword,Iwantyoutohititwithallyou’vegot.”“What?”Hisexpressionwaveredbetweenamusementandalarm.“Areyou

serious?”“Justdoit,Commander.Andtellme:howwellisthatshiparmed?”“Wellenough,”hesaid.“Look,whatthehellisgoingon?”“Transmittingthosecodesnow,”saidLud.“Thanks.”Thecoldfeelingwasgrowing.<Box?><Ihaveconductedavisualinspectionandamtakingageneticsamplenow.

Thetissueisextremelydehydrated,suggestinganextendedexposuretovacuum.><Longerthanaday?><Much.>Thefeelinginherstomachturnedtonausea.“Gent—shootthatship!Now!”“Areyououtofyourmind?”Gentbristled,outraged.“Ican’tjustfireonmy

ownpeople.Ineedareason!”“Thatwasn’ttheclonewarriorintheall-suit!”Shewasshoutingnow.“Itwas

AuditorByrne!”“Howcouldyoupossiblyknowthat?”<Ihavethetestresults,Morgan,>saidtheBox,confirmingthatthebodyis

neithertheoutriggerknownasYarrow,norisitofsimilargeneticstocktoCane.AuditorByrnediedatleastfivedaysago.>“Fire,Gent!Fire!”ButthedotonthechartthatwasLucence-2hadalreadybeguntomove.Too

rapidlyforpursuittobegin,andmuchmorequicklythanGent’swillingnesstofire,itacceleratedintothegentlegravitationalwellofthedestroyedsystem.

Fasterandfasteritwent,untilitreachedtheminimumspeedrequiredforaslow-jump;thenitshyperspaceengineskickedin,spacerippled,and—Itwasgone.

*

Ludwasthefirsttospeak.“Byrne?”“TheclonewarriorhidinYarrow’sall-suitaftertheambusharoundAro,ashe

thought,”Rocheexplained.Inhindsightitwasalltooclear.“ButthenshekilledByrnewhenByrnetriedtohealwhoshethoughtwasYarrow.TheclonewarriortookonByrne’sidentityandhidthebodyinYarrow’sall-suit,whichshethenteleoperatedtherestoftheway.ItwasshewhobroadcastthedistresscallthatledmetoMok,andshewhomanipulatedthespineintohelpingme.SheledtheattackonGalineFour,shewantedustobesuspiciousofYarrowandsheevenletusthinkshehaddiedbylettingYarrow’ssuitbedestroyed...”Rocheshookherhead,appalled.“We’reluckyshedecidednottostickaround.”<Yes,>saidtheBox.<Itisclearnowthatshegaveuponattacklongagoand

decidedinsteadtoconcentrateonescape.>“Myship—thecrew!”Gentwasstillstunnedbythesuddenturnofevents.“Faceit,Commander.They’renotcomingback.”“Youknewthiswouldhappen!”“Ifit’sascapegoatyouwant,looknofurtherthanyourself.Youletyourguard

down.Youshouldhavecheckedwithmebeforegivinganyoneaship.”“ButI—”Gentstopped,swallowed.“Iwasnotfullyawareofthedangers.”Rochefeltalmostsorryforhim.Noonehadexpectedanythinglikethis.

“Noneofusare,”shesaid,thinkingoftheBoxaswellasher.“Sothat’sit?”saidHaidfromthebridge.“Shegetsaway?”“Notaseasilyasthat.”Rochesatupandfumbledforhershipsuit.Sleepwas

evenfartherawaythanshehadthought.“We’regoingtofollowher.”“Throughhyperspace?”saidGent.“That’simpossible!”“Notwhenyouknowwhereshe’sgoing.”Rochestood.“Uri,setacoursefor

SolSystem,shortestpossibleroute.IwanttobeatherthereifIcan,oratleastberightbehindherwhenwearrive.”<Thisisthecorrectcourseofaction,>theBoxwhisperedinhermind.She

didn’tneedittotellherthat.“Ameidio,getthoselastfewrefugeesofftheshipassoonaspossible—in

“Ameidio,getthoselastfewrefugeesofftheshipassoonaspossible—insurvivalcapsulesifnecessary.Iwanttomovewithinthehour.Maii?”<Yes,Morgan?><Iwantyoutotakeallwe’velearnedaboutthis—everythingfromRufoand

theirikeii—andgiveittoLud.Notsoheknows,butsoitwillsurfaceifhehearswe’vefailed.Canyoudothat?><Yes.Wordofourdeathswilltriggerthereleaseofthesememories.>“Lud?”Totheoutriggerlastofallshesaid:“Thanksforyourhelp.I’msorry

wehavetoleave,but—”“Iunderstand,”hesaid.“Fightwell,Morgan,forMil’sdaughterandforallof

us.We’llkeenlyawaitnewsofyourvictory.”“Dothat.”OnlyGentremainedontheopenline,red-facedandblustering.“Doyouhave

eventheslightestideawhatyou’redoing,Roche?”“Yes,”shesaid,thinkingofSolSystem—ofallthoseancientplacesandthe

beingsconverginguponthem.“We’regoinghome...”

APPENDIX

THEOLMAHOI:ReconstructingtheMythforBeginners

(R.PyattAdamek,‘595EN;Introduction,pp.1-7)

ThereisnowordintheOlmahoilanguagefor“alone.”Infact,theOlmahoiCaste1hasnospokenlanguageatall,noranydesireto

possessone.Beingaraceofnaturalepsenseadepts,theyemployinsteadacomplexpaletteofemotions,sensations,andassociationstotalkbetweenthemselves,withtheeaseofthoughtitself.Merewordsnotonlyseemprimitiveandcrudeincomparison,butarequiteoutsidetheaverageOlmahoi’sexperienceaswell.APristineHumanmightaswelltrytocommunicatewithabacteriumby

chemicals,orwithabeebydance.Eventheconceptof“loneliness,”whichwetakeforgranted,isforeigntothem:whenone’sentirefamily,one’sentireCaste,isbutathoughtaway,oneisneveralone.Theiruniquenessismarkedonmanyotherlevels.Olmahoisociety2is

completelyunfathomableandliterallyimpenetrabletoanyonenotpossessingepsenseability.Theyare,fromaPristineperspective,themostexoticoftheknownmundaneCastes,notonlyinphysicalappearance,butinreproductiveandrogyneityaswell.TheyareimmenselyknowledgeableinallfieldsandpossessanaverageintelligencegreaterthanthatofPristineHumanity;yet,inapparentcontradictiontothissophistication,theyhaveproventhemselvesonmanyoccasionstoberuthlesscombatants.3AndwhileeachOlmahoiindividualisamemberofafar-flunginterstellarempire,hestillwearsthelongrobesmadefromtheskinoftheDrish’enandpreferstoliveunderground,bothinthemannerofhisdistantancestors.4YetcommunicatewiththeOlmahoiwedo.Throughamediumofepsense

“translators,”tradehasexistedbetweenourtwoCastessincethearrivaloftheEckandarTradeAxisinthisregionofthegalaxysomefiftythousandyearsago.

EckandarTradeAxisinthisregionofthegalaxysomefiftythousandyearsago.Now,aftermanymillenniaofcontact,ourinvolvementwiththemisagiven,andseemscertaintoremainthatwayintheforeseeablefuture.Itisstrange,then,andnotalittledisconcerting,toberemindedofhowlittle

weactuallyknowaboutthem.Onafundamentallevel,thereisthematteroftheirepsenseabilities.N-body

theory,fromwhichstemsthescienceofepsenseandvariousrelateddisciplines,hintsthatsuchatalentcannotevolvebychance,nomatterhowgreatthecomplexityofamundaneCastemember,ithastobeguidedintobeingbyconscious,intelligentwill,withoutwhichevenafledglingepsensepredilection(suchasthatwhichoccasionallyarisesinanindividualofanyCaste)willfalter.ThattheOlmahoiappeartohavedefiedcurrentscientifictheorymayseema

smallmatterforscholarstodebate:itis,afterall,afaitaccompli.WithelongatedtailstaperingfromthebackofeveryOlmahoi’sskull—thesebeingtheprincipalorgansoftheepsense,uncannilylikeanextraspinehangingfreeofthebody—theOlmahoipossesstangible,physicalevidencethatthisimprobableevolutionarypathhasbeenfollowedatleastonceinthehistoryoftheuniverse.StudiesoftheOlmahoiphysiognomyconcur,revealingvestigialorgansassociatedwiththe“vulgar”senses,suchasamouthandthroatnowusedsolelyforingestionthatoncepossessedvocalchordsandatongue,earsassociatedwithbalancebutstillpossessingthebasicstructuresofanorgandesignedtodetectsound,andsoon.However,provingthattheancestorsoftheOlmahoididoncepossessfunction

vulgarsense-organsisnotenoughtoexplainhowanepsenseabilitycouldhaveevolvedtosupersedethem.Itispreciselybyexploringthispuzzlethatsciencehopestogleandeepertruthslyingbeneaththestatusquo—toprobeHumanity’splace,notjustintheOuterArms,butinthegreatergalaxyasawhole.IftheOlmahoipossessanaturallyoccurringepsenseability,howdiditarise?

Currentevolutionarytheory5issimpleandobvious.TheOlmahoihomeplanet,Hek’m,isanicy,inhospitableworld,andhasbeenformanymillionsofyears.Foodisscarce;theNomaAraku,anextinctspeciesofbipeddistantlyrelatedtothemodernOlmahoi,6relieduponlichensandfungusgrowingoncavewallstobalanceanirregulardietofvegetableroots.Forapredatoryspeciestosurviveevenafewgenerations,itmustevolvenewmeansoflocatingprey.Epsenseabilityisonesuchmeans:awayofhuntinglifedirectly,byseekingthespoorofthoughtitself.Fromthissmallbeginning,evolutionarytheorytellsus,theOlmahoiCastewasborn.ButneithertheNomaArakunoranyotherspeciesofknownbipedleadingto

themodern-dayOlmahoihasbeenproventohavepossessedepsenseability,nomatterhowsmall.Andindeed,theevolutionofintelligentlifeinanyform,onaplanetsuchasHek’m,isitselfastatisticalunlikelihood.Thephysicalevidenceavailable7indicatesquitestronglythatthespeciesdirectlyprecedingthemodernOlmahoiappearedalmostovernight,approximatelyfiftythousandyearsago,andwasalreadyinfullpossessionoftherangeofepsensepowerswithwhichwearefamiliartoday.Thisevidence,andasmatteringoffactsaddingsuggestivecredence,lieatthe

heartofthecounterargumentagainstevolution:thatofintervention.Again,thistheory8isintuitivelysimple,althoughitsramificationsarefar-

reaching.Ifepsenseabilitycannotevolvebychance,thenitmusthavebeendeliberatelynurturedintheOlmahoiCaste.Geneticanalysisofferscircumstantialsupportforthisconclusion.TheOlmahoigenomeiselegantlycomplex,capableofcreatingaraceofindividualswhoseonlyremarkablefeature,itsometimesseems,istheirlackofindividuality,9butwithjustenoughdiversitytomaintainaviablegenepool.Furthermore,theexon-to-intronratio10isverylow,suggestingthatthegenomemighthavebeen“trimmed”sometimeinthepast,possiblytoprotectagainstmutation.Thecriticalquestion,andtheonethathaspreventedthistheoryfromgaining

wideacceptanceinthescientificcommunity,isobvious:whointervenedintheevolutionoftheOlmahoiCastetoensureitsepsensedevelopment?Evenamongthosewhosupporttheinterventionistlineinprinciple,thereisa

wealthofdisagreementonthisparticularpoint.Foronce,itisalackofevidence,suggestiveorotherwise,thatconfoundstheissue.TherearenoruinsonHek’mtohintatthepresenceofanearlier,advancedcivilizationcapableofsuchgeneticandepsensemanipulation,soitcouldnothavebeentheOlmahoinatives.LikewisewiththeotherCastes—Highormundane—currentlyinhabitingthisregionofthegalaxy:nonehaveeverpossessedtheability(orthepredilection)toperformsuchafeat;noteventoday,letalonefiftythousandyearsago.SoitmusthavebeenanotherCasteentirely,perhapsoneofthefivepre-HighHumanCastesmentionedintheGil-Shh’anaFiche,oranotherevenmoremysterious.Or,mostpeculiarofall,theOlmahoithemselvesmightbethatveryunknownCaste:thedescendantsoftravelersfromadistantandrelativelyunknownpartofthegalaxy,strandedonHek’mmillenniaagoandonlynowrediscoveringthelegacyoftheirpast.Althoughthekeytounlockingthismysteryshould,onemightthink,lieinthe

handsoftheOlmahoithemselves,anyracialmemories,archetypes,orlegends

theymightoncehavepossessedabouttheoriginsoftheirepsenseabilitiesaresadlynolongerextant.11Asaresult,theoriginoftheOlmahoiCasteiseitheravexingthorninthesideofanyonewhowouldunderstandthecontinuingevolutionofHumanity,oratantalizingglimpseofahistorystillwaitingtobediscovered.TheemphasisofthisIntroduction,andindeedthegreaterpartofthework,is

onthelatter.ThereismuchthatisuniqueandbeautifulamongtheOlmahoi,andmuchthatwefailtounderstand.MostnotableofallistheGrandDesign:thewebofmindsthatiscenteredonHek’m,wheretheOlmahoinaturallycongregate;quitepossiblythemostintricatementalstructureintheuniverse,withtendrilsstretchingacrossthegalaxy.Todescribeitinwordsistoattempttheimpossible.YettherenownedLinnQuealeperhapscameclose,withthefollowingexcerptfromhisbest-sellingGalacticReferenceBook:

“Ifemptyspaceisaflatplain,withmindslikebumpsprojectingfromit,thentheGrandDesignresemblesacartographer’snightmare:towers,prominences,andspiresprojectfromitasfarasthepsychiceyecansee,withstrangeridgesandrills,repeatedfiguresandharmoniccadences,changingconstantlyineverydirection—alllinkedbyslenderbridgesthatdefyimagination,loopingfrompeaktopeakinadancethatresemblesnothingsomuchasthedanceofoceanweedinthegripofacyclonicstorm.“Attheveryheartofthischaoticmentalrealm,however,liesthemostpeculiar

thingofall:abottomlesspit,drawingeverythingtowarditasawhirlpoolorblackholedrawsordinarymattertoasinglepoint.This,theoneflawinthemultifacetedgemthatisgroup-mindoftheOlmahoiCaste,istheirikeii,whichliterallymeans‘theunnamed’or‘theunnameable,’oneofthefewthought-shapesintheOlmahoi‘language’thathasavocalanalogue.Littleisknownaboutthepurposeororiginsoftheirikeii,butwedoknowthis:thatitisnotanartifact,noraspontaneousnaturalphenomenon,butis,infact,alivingentity.“Oneisborneverygeneration:anotherwisenormalOlmahoiwhosemindis

notsomuchapeakasanabyss,suckingthoughtsin,swampingtheGrandDesignforavastareaaround—counterbalancing,perhaps,thetremendouscomplexitythatistheOlmahoiworldofthought.Thisoneisshunnedbutnotreviled;theOlmahoiunderstandtheirikeii’sroleintheirworld,strangeasitseemstous.Wheneverthatoneisremoved,ashemustalwaysbeeventually,bynaturaldeathifnotbyaccident,12anotherisimmediatelyborntotakehisplace.

Andthusthecyclecontinues,asithasforcountlessgenerations.“So,evenatthecenteroftheOlmahoiCaste,whereonemighthaveexpected

utterchaos,oneactuallyfindsanotherexampleoftheuniverse’snaturaltendencytowardbalance,symmetry,andcycles—proving,perhaps,that,despitethemanyandvariedeffortsofeveryCasteinthegalaxy,thegreatestbeautyofallisstilltobefoundinnature.”

NOTES:1)NottobeconfusedwiththeOlmahiRepublic,andindependentgovernmentoftheNezhinaCaste.2)OftenreferredtobyresearchersastheGrandDesign.3)NotfornothingareOlmahoiretributionunits(grayboots)themostadmired—andfeared—fightingforceintheOuterArms,therebydisprovingtheusualassociationbetweenpacifismandepsenseability.4)HeistheusualpronounusedwhenreferringtoanOlmahoiindividualandcoversboth“sexes”:reproductivefunction,whishischangeableatwill,playslittlepartinanOlmahoi’ssenseofidentity.5)AspropoundedbyProfessorsDubskyandTomaoftheCornilleauUniversityofAntiquities.6)ItselfaLowHumandevelopedfrommundaneinthedistantpast.7)Predominantlyintheformofcranialfossils,ruins,andthelike.8)AschampionedbyProfessorLinegarRufooftheindependentresearchfacilityGalineFour.9)Olmahoiarenotoriouslydifficulttotellapart.10)Analogoustoasignal-to-noiseratio.11)Orperhaps,saytheKeshresearchersinthisfield,theysimplychoosenottorevealthemselves.12)NoOlmahoiinhisrightmindwoulddaremurderthecurrentirikeii;thepenaltyforcommittingsuchacrimeisthemostsevereallowedunderOlmahoiLaw.

GLOSSARY

A-Pcannon—aweaponthatfiresacceleratedparticlesofvarioustypes.Commononspacefaringwarships.

Adamek,R.Pyatt—authorofTheOlmahoi:ReconstructingtheMythforBeginners,publishedin‘595EN.

Alik—anoutriggerbelongingtoLongSpanspine.all-suits—thegenerictermforthehighlyindividualizedenvironmentsuitswornbyoutriggers.

AnaVereine,DBMP—thefirstofanewclassofwarships—theMarauder—manufacturedbytheDatoBlocaspartoftheAndermahrExperiment.Itsdesignincorporatesacaptainsurgicallyinterfacedwiththeship.OncepartoftheEthnarch’sMilitaryPresidium,itisnowanindependentvesselregisteredtoMorganRoche.

anchordrive—theusualmeansofcrossinginterstellarspace,butbynomeanstheonlyone(seeslow-jump).Indeed,theanchormethodhasundergoneseveralradicalredesignsovertime;currenttechnologyisratedat49th-generation.

anchorpoints—regionsof“weakened”spacefromwhichtranslationtoandfromhyperspaceisbotheasierandlessenergy-expensive;jumpsfromanchorpointsarethereforeofagreaterrangethanfrom“normal”spaceandusuallyterminateinanotheranchorpoint.Theyaretypicallylocatednearinhabitedsystems(butfarenoughawaytoavoiddistortionbybackgroundgravitationaleffects)orinlocationsindeepspacethatareconsideredstrategicallyimportant.Thereareapproximatelytenthousandmillionanchorpointscurrentlyinexistence—oneforroughlyeverytenstars,scatteredacrossthegalaxy.

AndermahrExperiment—acovertprojectspecializingincyberneticinterfacesdesignedtoallowmindandmachinetomerge.FoundedbyAtamanAnaVereine,whodesiredcaptainsthatwereasmuchapartoftheirshipsaswastheanchordrive—anintegral,reliablesystemratherthanafleshandblood

afterthought.ContinuedinsecretuntiltheAtamanTheocracyemergedfromtheCOEastheDatoBloc.CulminatedintheDBMPAnaVereine,thefirstMarauder-classwarship,withUriKajicitscaptain.

Armada—seeCOEArmada.Aro—thelargestmoonofJagabisandsiteofEmptageCity;alsothelargestsolidworldofPalasianSystem.(Relativemass:0.000271[1.6Cartha’sPlanet];distance:1millionkm;max.surfacetemperature:–140degreesC;diameter:5500km.)

Ascensio—thehomeworldofMorganRoche.Asha—thesingle,warlikedeityofthemainKeshreligion.Asha’sGauntlet—seeSolarEnvelope.AtamanTheocracy—atightlyknitempirethatexistedasanindependententityuntilitsabsorptionintotheCOEaftertheSecondAtamanWarin‘442EN.Afterseveralcenturies,iteventuallysecededastheDatoBloc(‘837EN).

Autoville—thevernacularnamefortheinnermostdarkbodyhaloofPalasianSystem,so-calledbecauseoftheprowlersthatdominateit.(Radius:2.4–4.0PAU;largestmeandiameter:2400km.)

AVS-44—oneoftheAnaVereine’slargecontingentofscutters.

B’kan’sFolly—theremainsofthesysteminwhichaSolarEnvelopewasfirstemployed.

B’shan,Lieutenant-DoctorHaden—aKeshofficer/scientist,servingwithLinegarRufoonGalineFour;subordinatetoFieldOfficerShak’ni.

BaerisOsh—aSurinterritory.Bassett—commander,COEAGoldenDawn.BatelinLimit—theceilingabovewhichthecomplexityofanationexceedsthebiologicalcapabilitiesoftheindividualsinhabitingit.InthecaseofthePristineCaste,thevalueoftheBatelinLimitisapproximatelythreeandhalfthousandsystems.

BlackBox—thegenerictermforAI.Usuallyabbreviatedto“Box.”BodhGaya—thecapitalsystemoftheCOE.ItssecondmoonhousestheMilitaryCollegeoftheCOEArmada.

Box,the—anAIcommissionedbyCOEIntelligence.Itsbinaryidentificationnumber(JW111101000)isonedigitlongerthannormal,indicatingitsuniquestatus.CreatedbytheHighHumanknownastheCrescend,theBoxisdesignedtoinfiltrateandsubvertallavailablesystems,therebyincreasingitsownprocessingpowersuntil,atitsmostpowerful,itresemblesitscreator.

Byrne,Auditor—theleaderoftheoutriggerclanassociatedwithLongSpanspine.

Calendar—Thegalacticstandardtimekeepingmethodconsistsof:100secondsperminute,100minutesperhour,20hoursperday,10daysperweek,4weeks(40days)permonth,10months(400days)peryear.AlldatesareexpressedintheformofYear(usuallyabbreviatedtothelastthreedigits,ie‘397),Month,andDayfromtheExNihiloreferencepoint.SeealsoObjectiveReferenceCalendar.

Cane,Adoni—theoccupantofanunidentifiedlife-supportcapsulerecoveredbytheCOEAMidnightnearIvyGreenStationanchorpointwhileenroutetoSciacca’sWorld.AgeneticallymodifiedcombatclonedesignedtomimicaPristineHuman,hisoriginsmayliewiththeSolApotheosisMovement,althoughthattheoryisyettobeconfirmed.

Cartha’sPlanet—therocky,innermostworldofPalasianSystem.(Meandistance:0.16PAU;diameter:3600km;relativemass:0.000169;specificgravity:5.3;meansurfacetemperature:425degreesC.)

CasteC—thirdofseveralunknownCastesmentionedintheancientGil-Shh’anaFiche.SeePrimordialCastes.

Castes—FollowingthespeciationoftheHumanrace,numerousCasteshaveproliferatedacrossthegalaxy.TheseCastesaretoonumeroustolist,buttheycanbeclassifiedintothreebroadgroups:High,Low,andmundane(whichincludesPristineandExotic).TherearesevenpredominantExoticCastestobefoundintheregionsurroundingtheCOE:Eckandar,Hurn,Kesh,Mbata,Olmahoi,andSurin.

Cemenid—thefourthandlargestplanetofPalasianSystem;agasgiantwiththirteenmajorsatellites.(Meandistance:2.24PAU;diameter:183200km;relativemass:1.33.)

chaos-lock—asecuritydeviceemployingthechaoticelectricaloutputoftwoidenticalcircuitstoconcealordereddata:whenthetwo“tuned”circuitsarelinked,thedatacanbeextractedfromthesignal;otherwise,thesignalisconcealedwithinunpredictablenoise,andisimpossibletodecode.

COE—seeCommonwealthofEmpires.COEArmada,the—thecombinedarmedforcesoftheCOE,responsibleforexternalsecurity.ActivesoldiersarereferredtoasMarines.

COEIntelligence—thebodyresponsibleforinformationgatheringoutsidetheCOE.OriginallyandstillnominallyasubdepartmentoftheArmada,butan

independentbodyinpractice.COEIntelligenceHQ—thecommandcenterofCOEIntelligence,alarge,independentstationlocatedindeepspaceneartheheartoftheCommonwealth.

COEMilitaryCollege—themaintraininginstitutionofCOEArmadapersonnel;situatedonthesecondmoonofBodhGaya.

COEI—COEIntelligencevesselidentificationprefix.CommerceArtel—agalaxy-wideorganizationdevotedtoinitiatingandcoordinatingtradebetweenCastesandgovernmentsthatmightotherwisehavenocontact.Itpridesitselfonremainingalooffrompoliticalconflictyethassomestrictbehavioralstandardstowhichitexpectsitscustomerstoadhere(suchastheWarfareProtocol).Structurally,itisdividedintochaptersmanagedbyindigenousCastememberswithonlyloosecontrolfromabove.Ithasstronglinks,locally,withtheEckandarTradeAxis.

CommonwealthofEmpires—oftenabbreviatedto“COE”or“Commonwealth.”ArelativelyancientPristinenationcurrentlyinits40thmillenniumofnominalexistence—”nominal”inthatthemembershipoftheCOEisfluidbynature,withprovincesjoiningandsecedingonaregularbasis.Ithashadmanydifferentcapitalsanditsbordershavechangedradicallyoverthecenturies.Indeed,ithasdriftedwithtime,andnowoccupiesterritoriesquiteremotefromitsoriginallocation.Onethousandinhabitedsystemscurrentlyfallunderitsaegis,andanotherthreethousanduninhabitedsystemshavebeenannexed.ItisruledbyademocraticallyelectedEupatridandacouncilofrepresentativeswho,whenunited,wieldsupremeexecutivepower.ItssecuritydepartmentsincludeIntelligence,Armada,andEnforcement.

CongreveStation—theabandonedxenoarchaeologicalbasebuiltuponMok,themoonsharedbyKukumatandMurukan.

CornilleauUniversityofAntiquities—oneofthemanycentersofstudyinthegalaxydevotedtotheexplorationofHumanity’spast.

Crescend,the—aHighHumanofsomenoteandgreathistory.HistimeofTranscendenceisnotrecorded.Littleisknownabouthim,beyondthefactsthatheisthefounderandoverseerofTrinity,anallyoftheCOEandakeysupporteroftheInterventionistMovement.Heisassumedtobeasingularentitysimplybecausethe(male)firstpersonsingularishispronounofchoice.

Dahish—amildlyalcoholicdrinkfoundinmostplacesintheCOE.darkbodies—small,solidbodiesfoundinmostplanetarysystems(usuallyin

belts,ordark-bodyhalos)fallinginsizeroughlybetweenasteroidsandplanets.

Darkan,General—aseniorofficeroftheKeshN’KorRepublicandcommanderinchiefofthedestroyerSRFSebettu.

DatoBloc—anindependentnationfoundedontheruinsoftheAtamanTheocracythatrecentlybrokefreeoftheCOE.Althoughnothierocraticinnature,theEthnarchexertsastrictrule.ItssecuritydepartmentsincludetheEthnarch’sMilitaryPresidiumandtheEspionageCorps.

Daybreak,COEI—acouriervesselbelongingtoCOEIntelligence.DBMF—vesselidentificationprefixfortheEthnarch’sMilitaryPresidium.DeBruyn,Page—headofStrategy,COEIntelligence.Dictatrix—supremeleaderoftheKeshN’KorRepublic.Diprodek-2—apotentneurotoxinmosteffectiveagainstPristines.Dirt&OtherCommodities,Inc.(DAOC)—aminingconsortiumthatcurrentlyownstherightstotheSoulofSciacca’sWorld.Itsjurisdictionincludestheplanetarysurfacedowntoandincludingthemantle.Inexchangefortheseexclusiverights,DAOCInc.maintainstheCOE’spenalcolonybasedinPortParvatiandtheHutton-LuuSystem’sonlymajorbase,KanagaStation.

Disisto,Gered—docksecuritychief,GalineFour.disrupters—seehyperspacedisrupters.Dominion,the—along-livedmulti-CastenationwhichjoinedtheCOEin‘199ENinordertofendofftheAtamanTheocracy.

Drish’en—aburrowinganimalfoundonHek’m.Dro,Sh’manit—theSixteenthandlastG’rodoMatriarch.druh—aKeshweaponusedinarmedcombat;typicallyacurved,bronzeswordaboutaslongastheaveragePristineforearm.

Dubsky,Professor—ascholarbasedattheCornilleauUniversityofAntiquities.

E-shield—anelectromagneticbarrierdesignedtowardoffparticleandenergyweapons.Usedmainlybymedium-to-largespacefaringvessels.

Eckandar—(Eckandi:adj.&sing.n.)—aCasteflourishingintheregionssurroundingtheCOE.Itsmembersaretypifiedbytheirslightsize,grayskin,baldscalps,andunusualeyes.TheyareagregariousCaste,preferringtradeandcommunicationoverconquest.Theyarealsowell-advancedingeneticscience.TheirpaststretchesbackbeyondthatoftheCOE,althoughtheylackthecontinuityofhistorythatstrongnationhoodoftenprovides.TheirsoleunitingbodyistheEckandarTradeAxis.

EckandarTradeAxis—themainsocietyoftheEckandiCaste,devoted,muchliketheCommerceArtel(withwhichithascloseties),tofacilitatingfreeandnondiscriminatorytradewithandbetweentheCOEanditsneighbors.

Eli—anoutriggerbelongingtoLongSpanspine.EmptageCity—themainbaseofPalasianSystem;situatedonAro,thelargestmoonofJagabis.(Populationapproximately350,000.)

EN—seeExNihilo.epsense—anabilityencompassingtelepathyandempathy.Theritualtrainingofepsenseadeptsgenerallytakesdecadesandincorporateselementsofsensorydeprivation.Note:telekinesisandprecognitionarenotcoveredbyepsenseandareassumedtobenonexistent.Skilledutilizersofepsensearereferredtoasepsenseadepts,orreaves.

EspionageCorps—seeDatoBloc.Ethnarch—thetitleoftheleaderoftheDatoBloc.Ethnarch’sMilitaryPresidium—seeDatoBloc.Eupatrid—thetitleofthechiefexecutiveofficeroftheCOE.ExNihilo—referstothedateuponwhichtheCOEisbelievedtohavebeenfounded.Evidenceexiststocastdoubtupontheaccuracyorrelevanceofthisdate—notablythefacttheCommonwealthasasinglebodydidnotexistatallbetweenthe13thand15thMillennia—butthedateremainsasareferencepoint.UsuallyabbreviatedtoEN.

Exotic—anymundaneCastethatdiffersphysiologicallyfromthePristine.ThereareavastnumberofExoticCastes,and,althoughnoonetypeofExoticcomesclosetooutnumberingPristineHumans,theExoticsasawholemassfargreaterthanPristinesalone.

FarReaches—thenameoftheoutermostfringesoftheOuterArms.Ferozac—aneurotoxineffectiveagainstPristines.flicker-bombs—devicesusedinspacewarfaretoattackanenemyvessel.Employingthefactthatsmallmasses(underafewkilograms)canslow-jumpasmalldistancewithinagravitywell,thesemissilesskipinandoutofspaceontheirwaytotheirtarget,which,itishoped,theywillmaterializewithin,causingmassiveamountsofdamage.Theyareeasilydeflectedbyhypershields,however,whichformabarrierinhyperspacethatnosuchweaponcancross.

40thMillennium—thecurrentmillenniuminthehistoryoftheCOE.SeeExNihilo.

Free-For-All—outermostdark-bodyhalosurroundingPalasianSystem.(Radius:15.2–21.7PAU;fewclustersandeccentricitiesknown;largestmeandiameter:1375km.)

G’rodo—aKeshlineagerecentlyexpungedfromtheN’KorRepublic.GalacticReferenceBook—seeQueale,Linn.GalineFour—asmallmobilestationownedbyLinegarRufoIII;crewnomorethanonethousand.

Gatamin—thefifthworldofPalasianSystem;agasgiantwiththreemajorsatellitesandanextensiveringnetwork.(Meandistance:4.56PAU;diameter:60000km;relativemass:0.3;rings100000–145000km.)

GeytenBase—aCOEcommunicationsbasearoundCemenidinPalasianSystem.

Gil-Shh’anaFiche—ananomalousdatastoragedevicerecoveredfromHurnruinsin‘636EN.Somesegmentsofthefiche’scontentspointtotheexistenceofseveralunknownCastesoccupyingtheregionnowinhabitedbytheCOE,althoughincompatibletechnologypreventscleartranslation;suchancientrelicsareoccasionallyfoundthroughoutthegalaxy,butfewareasspectacularormysteriousasthoseinPalasianSystem.

GoldenDawn,COEA—COEArmadadestroyer.GorundSef—aplanetinCOEterritory.GrandDesign—theHumantermusedtodescribethesocialcommunionoftheOlmahoiCaste.

grayboots—seeOlmahoiretributionsquad.GuhrOutpost—aCOEArmadarefuelingbaseorbitingVoloras,outermostplanetofPalasianSystem.

Gwydyon—asystemnearbutnotpartoftheCOE.

Haid,Ameidio—formertransportee,SciaccaPenalColony,andmercenary.HandrelleSystem—aCOEsystem.Hek’m—theOlmahoiCastehomeworld.Herensung—thethirdworldofPalasianSystem;agasgiantwithfivemajorsatellitesandanextensiveringsystem.(Meandistance:1.46PAU;diameter:100000km;relativemass:0.3;rings135000–300000km.)

HetuSystem—aterritoryintheCOE.HighHumans—orHighCastes.Superiorintelligencesthathaveevolved

(Transcended)fromthemundane.Extremelylong-livedandfar-seeing,theyconcentrateonissuesquiteremovedfromtherestofthegalaxy;indeed,duetotheirenormousscale,theyaretheonlybeingscapableofcomprehendingthegalaxyinitsentirety.Theygenerallyleavemundanesalone,toletthemprogress(and,ultimately,toTranscend)intheirowntime.SeeCastesandTranscendence.

Hintubet—theprimaryofPalasianSystem;agreenish-yellowMainSequencestarsupportingalargesolarsystemconsistingofsevengasgiants,onerockyplanet,oneasteroidbeltandseveraldark-body/cometaryhalos.(Surfacetemperature:7800degreesC;diameter:1.8millionkm;lowsunspotactivity,prominences,flares,etc.)

Hurn—anexoticCastetypifiedbyritualandcomplexity.Inappearancetheyareleanandmuscular,averaginggreaterthanPristineheight.Theyarepredisposedtowardmusicandmathematics.Sociallytheypreferoligarchieswithabaroquemiddleclass.

hypershield—abarriererectedinhyperspacetodeflectorinhibitthepassageofanythingtravelingbythatmedium.Commonlyusedasaprophylacticagainsthyperspaceweapons.Hypershieldsoperateunderamaximumvolumeconstraint:i.e.,theywillonlyoperateasintendedundertwothousandcubickilometers.

hyperspacedisrupters—aformofhypershieldthatactivelycombatsincominghyperspaceweapons,suchasflicker-bombs.Compareanchorpoints,which“weaken”space:disruptersdotheopposite,makingitmoredifficultforanythingnearbytoemergefromhyperspace.

Idil—anoutriggerbelongingtoLongSpanspine.IDnet—seeInformationDisseminationNetwork.IND—independentvesselidentificationprefix.InformationDisseminationNetwork—acommunicationsnetworkdedicatedtothespreadofdataacrossthegalaxy,althoughitsreachthusfarextendsnotmuchbeyondtheCOEanditsneighbors.Itactsasacombinednewsserviceandmediumforgossip.AlsoknownasIDnet.

Intelligence—seeCOEIntelligence.Interventionism—amovementamongHighHumans—andsomemundanes—thatadvocatescloserlinksbetweenHighandmundaneCastes.SeeTheCrescend.

irikeii—oneofveryfewOlmahoi“sound-thoughts”thatcanbeequatedwith

audiblewords;oftentranslatedas“unnamed”or“unnameable.”(SeeAppendix.)

JA-32—thelargestcharteddarkbodyinMishra’sStake,PalasianSystem;fullnameJA140732.

Jagabis—thesecondplanetofPalasianSystem;agasgiant,itpossessesanageingringsystemandsixmajormoons,onebeingAro,thelargestsolidbodyinPalasianSystem.(Meandistance:1PAU(460millionkm);diameter:133200km;relativemass:1.0;(2millionmillionmillionmilliontons);rings156000–173000km.)

JohakCorporation—originalmanufacturersofthedeviceknownasAsha’sGauntlet;seeSolarEnvelope.

JW111101000—seeBox,the.

K’mokniAsha—lateKesh(RegionalVariant#14)for“Asha’sGauntlet”;seeSolarEnvelope.

Kajic,Uri—formercaptain,DBMPAnaVereine,physicallybondedtohisship.Kesh—themostprimalofthelocalCastes.TheKesharetypicallywarlikeandpredisposedtoviolence.Inappearance,theytendtobelargerthanthePristineaverageandhavemottled,multicoloredskin.Theirsocialstructureisheavilyritualized,withastrongtribalorfamilybase.Theyareknownforbeinghighlyracist.

KeshIdeal—theepitomeoftheKeshculture,abeingcomprisingideologicalandphysicalperfection,towhichmostKesh,especiallythoseinthemilitaryforces,aspire.

KM36—aninconstantionfluxtubeconnectingKukumatandMurukan;knownas“oldthirty-sixer”inthevernacular.

Kukumat—oneofagasgiantpairoccupyingthesixthplanetaryorbitaroundPalasianSystem;thepairsharesasinglemoon,Mok.(Meandistance:7.17PAU;diameter:45000km43000km;relativemass:0.250.2;averageseparation:2millionkm.)

Kuresh—Keshfor“General.”

LongSpan—anoutriggerspine.LowCastes—devolvedmundaneHumans.Theseanimal-likecreaturescomeinmanyformsandoccupymanynichesacrossthegalaxy.Someevolvebackup

tomundanestatus,giventimeandisolation,whileothersbecomeextinctasaresultoftheforcesthatledtotheirdevolutioninthefirstplace.

Lucence-2—COEArmadaescortandassaultcraft.Lud—anoutriggerbelongingtoLongSpanspine.

Maii—Surinepsenseadept.Marauder—anexperimentalclassofwarshipdevelopedbytheDatoBloc.SeeDBMPAnaVereine.

Marines—seeCOEArmada.MattarBelt—PalasianSystem’sasteroidbelt.(Radius:0.38–0.76PAU;variousgapsandgroupingsknown;largest750kmacross.)

Mavalhin,Myer—ex-COEIntelligencetrainee,nowapilotforLinegarRufo.Mbata—(Mbatan,adj.&sing.n.)—awell-regardedCasteknownforitspeace-lovingandfamilialways.Inappearancetheyresembletheursinespecies,largerandstrongerthanthePristine.Theircultureisegalitarianandopentotrade.

Midnight,COEA—COERetriever-classfrigate.MilitaryPresidium—seeDatoBloc.Mishra’sStake—thevernacularnamefortheseconddark-bodyhaloofPalasianSystem.(Radius:7.6–11.1PAU;largestknown:JA140732,diameter:1500km.)

Mok—themoonsharedbyKukumatandMurukanwithahighlyirregular,chaoticorbit.(Relativemass:unknown;diameter:1050km;surfaceg:unknown;max.surfacetemperature:–125degreesC.)Ithousesasmallxenoarchaeologicalbase,nowabandoned.

Montaban—thehomeworldofAmeidioHaid.mundaneCastes—CastesofHumanitythatareessentiallysimilartothePristineintermsofsize,mentalcapacity,world-view,etc.NaturallythereisaspectrumoftypesacrossthemundaneCaste—fromthehighlyevolved(somemightsaynear-Transcendent)Olmahoi,throughthesociallycomplexSurinandHurnCastes,totheEckandarandPristineCasteswiththeirsocietiesbasedontradeandempire-building,andbeyond,viatheearthyMbata,totherelativelyprimalKesh.Mundanesaretypicallyshort-lived(acenturyorso,whenallowedtoagenaturally)andbuildempiresuptofourorfivethousandsystemsinsize.ThereisaceilingofcomplexityabovewhichmundanesrarelygowithoutTranscending.SeeHighHumansandBatelinLimit.

Murukan—oneofagasgiantpairoccupyingthesixthplanetaryorbitaround

PalasianSystem(seeKukumat).

n-body—theepsense“counterpart”tothephysicalbody.N’korRepublic—aKeshgovernmentneighboringtheCOE.Althoughtherelationshipbetweenthesetwonationsisofficiallyfriendly,therehavebeenfrequentborderclashes.

n-space—awordusedbyepsensetheoriststodescribeanenvironmentcompletelyemptyofthought.

NarmProtectorate—apartoftheCOE.NezhinaCaste—amundaneCastelocatedontheothersideofthegalaxyfromtheCOE.

Nirr—theneutralhomeworldoftheKeshCaste.NomaAraku—anextinctspeciesofbipeddistantlyrelatedtothemodernOlmahoi.

ObjectiveReferenceCalendar—asystemofdate-keepingestablishedbytheA-14HigherCollaborationNetwork.

oldthirty-sixer—seeKM36.OlmahiRepublic—anindependentgovernmentoftheNezhinaCaste.Olmahoi—anExoticCastethatcommunicatesentirelybyepsense.PhysicallytheyareofsimilarsizetoPristines,butaremuchstronger;theirskinisblackandtheypossesslittleinthewayofdistinguishingfeatures,apartfromtheepsenseorganwhichdangleslikeatentaclefromthebackoftheskull.Theirsocialstructureistoocomplextoexploreindetailhere.Theyarerenownedfighters,capableoffeatsofgreatskill,yetalsopossessacapacityforpeacefarinexcessofanyotherlocalCaste.(SeeAppendix.)

Olmahoiretributionunits—renownedfightersabletocombineperfectlytheirphysicalandepsenseabilities.Alsoknownasgrayboots.

OuterArms—thelowstellar-densityregionsofthegalaxybetweentheMiddleandFarReaches.

outrigger—auniquetypeofminer/explorerfoundinsparselypopulatedsystems;livingwithinall-suitsthatdoubleasmobilehomes,outriggerstypicallyscoutuncharteddark-bodyhalosandasteroidbeltslookingforviablemineralsources,whichtheytheneithermineorreporttoacentralizedauthority(ifany)foramodestfee.Outriggersarenotoriouslyself-sufficient,avoidingevenotheroutriggersasmuchaspossible,andhavebeenknownto

existforyearswithoutcontactwithanotherbeing.Spendingmuchoftheirlivesdriftinginhibernationbetweendarkandcometarybodies,somelivelongerthanthreecenturies.Fewoutriggershavefamilynames,comingastheydofromsuchsmallcommunitiesthatsinglegivennamesareusuallyenough.

PalasianSystem—asystemoftheCOErecentlyquarantinedbytheCOEArmadaasaresultofanenemyoutbreak.Duetoitslackofhabitableoreasilyterraformableplanets,ithasneverbeenextensivelycolonized,butisthehometoseveralArmadabasesandasmallcommercialminingoperation:totalpopulation,fivehundredthousandpeople.

PAU—theabbreviationofPalasianAstronomicalUnit,themeandistancefromJagabistoHintubet,thatbeing460millionkilometers.

Perezradiation—asideeffectofacrudelytunedhyperspacejump.Plenary—fulloutriggermeeting,convenedonlyinextraordinarysituations.Theindividualmembersarerarelyinthesamephysicallocation,however.

PrimordialCastes—precedetheearliestconfirmedrecords,halfamillionyearsago.Littleisknownaboutthem,exceptthattheyexisted;ruinsofseveraluniquetypesaretobefoundthroughoutthegalaxy.TheyarecalledCastesA,B,C,andD,foreventheirnamesareunknown.

PristineCaste—theformofHumanitywhichmostcloselyresemblestheoriginalracethatevolvedanunknowntimeagoonanunknownplanetsomewhereinthegalaxy.ThePristineHumangenome,handeddownfromantiquityandregardedwithnearveneration,isstoredininnumerableplacesamongthecivilizedworlds.Pristinesthemselves,however,areaccordednospecialstatus.

prowlingmines—knownalsoasprowlers.Thesearemobile,semiautonomousmininginstallations,typicallyfoundinthedark-bodyhalosofsparselypopulatedsystemsandareusuallycorporateowned.

Queale,Linn—authoroftheGalacticReferenceBook,apopularall-purposetravelguideandalmanac.

Quick,Alemdar—aduelistontheCOEfightingcircuit.Quolmann—COEIntelligencecodeword.quorum—theoutriggerdecision-makingbody;flexibleinbothnumberandidentityofmembers.

Ramage,General—commanderinchiefoftheCOEArmada.reave—seeepsense.Riem-PerezHorizon—thetechnicalnamefortheboundarycastbyahypershield.

Roche,Morgan—formercommander,COEIntelligence.Roptiour-music—musicperformedbyaLowHumanCasteknownforitslackofsophistication.

Rufo,Linegar—renownedxenoarchaeologist;seeGalineFour.

Sciacca’sWorld—theonlyhabitableworldoftheHutton-LuuSystem;onceanagriculturalplanetoftheDominion,nowadesertpenalcolonyoftheCOE(SciaccaPenalColony).Itsringofmoonlets—theSoul—isownedandminedbyDAOCInc.

ScionWar—thewarinwhichtheSolApotheosisMovementmetitsdownfallatthehandsoftheDominion,theAtamanTheocracy,andtheCOE,amongothers.Thewarwasbroughttoanendinthe37thMillennium(‘577EN)whentheleaderofthecombinedmilitaryforcesorderedanattackontheheadquartersoftheMovement,provokingtheirexplosivesuicide.SeeSolApotheosisMovement.

scutter—asmall,swiftspacegoingvesselwithmanyuses,bothmilitaryandcivilian.

Sebettu—Dictatrixwho,in‘173EN,brieflyunifiedtheKeshCaste.Sebettu,SRF—Keshdestroyer.ShadowPlace—thetemple-likequartersinwhichtheOlmahoiirikeiiishoused.Shak’ni,FieldOfficer—aKeshofficersubordinatetoGeneralDarkan.slow-jump—acommonalternativetotheanchordrivethatutilizessimilartechnology.Mostshipswithananchordrivecanslow-jumpifnecessary.Itisessentiallyajumpthroughhyperspacefromanypointinrealspace.Acertaindegreeofkineticenergyisrequiredbeforetranslationcanbeachieved,soshipsmustaccelerateforsometimebeforehand.Eventhen,thehyperspacejumpisshort-lived,andthevesselemergessoonafter(typicallylessthanalight-yearawayfromitsdeparturepoint)withsignificantlylesskineticenergy.Theprocessmustberepeatedfromscratchifanotherslow-jumpisrequired.Asameansofcrossinginterstellarspace,itisinefficientandtime-consuming,henceitsname.Slow-jumpingbecomesincreasinglynonviableclosertoagravitywell,butmoreefficientasmass(ofthetravelingobject)decreases.

SolApotheosisMovement—aquasi-religiousorganizationdevotedtothe

pursuitofTranscendenceviageneticmanipulationandbiomodificationthatreacheditspeakandwasdestroyedinthe37thMillennium.Itsfanaticalfollowerswereasourceofunrestfordecades,untilanalliancewasformedamongtheirneighborsdedicatedtoputtingastoptothem.In‘577EN,attheclimaxoftheScionWar,aflotillaofalliedforcesencircledtheirbase,whichtheMovementdestroyedinordertopreventitscapture.Theresultingexplosionannihilatedthemaswell,ofcourse,butalsodecimatedtheflotilla.Ofthefourstationsinvolvedinthebattle,onlyonesurvived,andthatwasseverelydamaged.Soembarrassedwasthealliancethattheleadersofthedayorderedtheeventstrickenfromhistory.Theyevenclosedtheanchorpointleadingtothesystemtokeepanyonefromlearningwhatoccurredthere.Nothingsurvivedofthebase,andtherestofthesystemisanunsalvageableruin.

SolSystem—anuninhabitedsysteminanonalignedregionneartheDatoBloc,oneknownforitsantiquity.FormerhomeoftheSolApotheosisMovement.

SolWunderkind—geneticallymodifiedclonewarriorsdesignedandbredbytheSolApotheosisMovement.

SolarEnvelope—adevicedesignedbytheJohakCorporationin38,138EN,intendedtoprovideajumpshieldlargeenoughtoencloseanentiresolarsystem.Twoprototypeswerebuiltin‘211ENbyanearlyKeshGovernment,whichheldtheminstorageuntiltheGreatEmbargoof‘221EN.Asha’sGauntletwasusedononesystematthistime,withdisastrousresults:thesystem’sprimarysun,modifiedtopowertheEnvelope,wasexhaustedwithintwomonths;theentiresystemcollapsedshortlythereafter,andisnowknownonlyasB’kan’sFolly.Ofnouseasadefensiveweapon,andoutlawedbytheConventiononExtraordinaryWeaponsin‘254EN,thesecondGauntlethasremainedinthehandsoftheN’korRepublicsincethen.

spine—thecollectivenounusedtodescribealooselylinkedgroupofoutriggers;fromtheirmeansoftravelingbetweensystems,onthebackofanakedreal-spacedriveknownasthespine.

Starburst,COEA—COEfrigate.Surin—arelativelyminorCastefoundintheregionssurroundingtheCOE.Theyexistinisolatedclustersoverseenbyagoverningbodythatguidesratherthanrules.Theyaresocialbeings,yetarefondofisolation,givingthemareputationforoccasionalaloofness.Theyaretechnicallyaccomplished,especiallyinthebiologicalsciences.Instature,theytendtobeslightandhavehaircoveringmuchoftheirbodies.Itisoccasionallyspeculatedthattheyhave

re-evolvedfromLowCastestatus.SurinAgora—therulingbodyofthelooselyknitSurinnation.Synnett,Torr—securityguardonGalineFour.

Temoriel—aCOEArmadatraineeportnotfarfromBodhGaya.ThinTrunk—anoutriggerspineknowntoLongSpan.Tipper-LinkeConduit—aspecializedformofchaos-lock,combiningtunedcircuitswithquantumencryption:thechaos-lockedsignalisbroadcastalongabeamofpolarizedlight,withdigitaldatarepresentedby90-degreeseparationsinpolarization;withoutknowingwhichpolarizationanglestolookfororwhichangleis0andwhichis1,thesignalwillbegarbled.Bytheuncertaintyprinciple,anyincorrectattempttomeasurethepolarizationofthelightwillresultininterference,whichwillalerttheusersoftheTipper-LinkeConduit,whocanthenchangetheangleofpolarization,leavingthehackersexactlywheretheystarted.

Toma,Professor—ascholarbasedattheCornilleauUniversityofAntiquities.Tongue,the—howtheKeshrefertotheirownlanguage.Transcend—tobreakfreeoftheconstraintsofmundaneHumanity.AbeingorCastethathasTranscendedtypicallyhasanextremelylonglifespanandspreadsitsconsciousnessacrossanumberofprimarycontainers—suchasneuralnets,quantumdatavats,andthelike.Transcendedentities,singularorcollective,arereferredtoasHighHumanandaccordedthehigheststatus.

Transcendence—thestateofbeingTranscended.Usuallyachievedwhenconsciousnessresearchandcomputertechnologyoverlap,allowinganorganicmindtobedownloadedintoanelectronicvessel,therebygainingthepotentialforunlimitedgrowth.

Tretamen—aregiononthefringesoftheCOE.Trinity—theworldonwhichAIsaremadeintheregiondominatedbytheCOE.TheAIfactorywasfoundedandisoverseenbytheHighHumanknownastheCrescend.

Veden,Makil—anEckandarTradeAxiscitizenandCommerceArtelex-delegate;deceased.

Vereine,AtamanAna—thelastleaderoftheAtamanTheocracyandfounderoftheAndermahrExperiment.

viridant—areptiliancreaturefoundonAscensio.

Void34—acyborgduelistontheCOEfightingcircuit.Voloras—theeighthandoutermostplanetofPalasianSystem;agasgiantwiththreemajorsatellites.(Meandistance:13.0PAU;diameter:40,000km;relativemass:0.33.)

vukh—ahotalcoholicbeverageenjoyedbymembersoftheKeshCaste.

WalanThird—aCOEworldleasedtotheCommerceArtel.WarfareProtocol—thecodebywhichwarisconductedwithinandbetweenthosenationsthattradewiththeCommerceArtel.

Warrior’sRight—therightofaKeshtochallengebyphysicalcombatasuperior’sdecision.

WideBerth—anoutriggerspine.WightStation—theautomatedsolarresearchstationonCartha’sPlanet,PalasianSystem.

Xarodine—anepsense-inhibitingdrug.

Yarrow—anoutriggerbelongingtoWideBerthspine.Yul—anoutriggerbelongingtoLongSpanspine.