The tyro gave a strained smile. "It would seem that fate has plans for us. Or should I say that Sole does.
"You are the tyro from Belle-Monde. You knew March.e.l.la Pellegrini, said Mira. Like Jo-Jo, she forced herself to an upright position, her torso wavering as if she might collapse again.
Tekton went to her and lent his support. Slowly, carefully, he helped her to her feet. He was not much taller than her, or stronger, but he had energy where hers was spent.
"March.e.l.la Pellegrini, said Tekton. "A name I had not thought to hear again. Perhaps, at another time, we can speak of her. But now there is some urgency, I believe, to leave this location.
"Si, she said. "Help me to the buccal then come back for Josef.
Tekton nodded his agreement, but Jo-Jo didnt trust the tricky G.o.dhead.
As the tyro helped Mira Fedor around the stratum and out of his sight, Jo-Jo crawled after them. On hands and knees he made his way, painfully, towards the buccal. He knew this ship, remembered the contours and bends, the quicker ways. And the ship moud code. "Sal, he gasped as he put one hand in front of the next.
Josef? Josef Rasterovich? Salaciouss reply rumbled through his mind as the long-dormant moud reactivated.
Yes. Im here.
You left me.
No. I was tricked and then put in prison on Dowl station. Jancz and Ilke stole you from me.
Oh. The hybrid seemed confused. But I have a new captain now. Tekton.
No. I am your captain. Still.
How can I know who it should be?
Serve me now, and I will release you to the Pod. End your tenure.
My contract?
Its in my name. I can legally rescind it.
I will be free.
Yes. If you help us to leave this world.
The hybrids hesitation was as brief as Jo-Jos next breath. Welcome back aboard, my captain.
SOLE.
Closer, Closer Come To Me, All Done Soon, All Done.
MIRA.
"Ive heard of you, G.o.dhead, whispered Mira as they negotiated the obstacles along the rubbish-cluttered strata.
"And I, of you, the Lostolian replied. "Please... tell me what is happening outside.
"The Post-Species are birthing something in the desert, a new craft from the old. It is spreading... growing as if the air feeds it. We must leave this area before we are damaged by its expansion.
"A new craft from the old, repeated Tekton. "Fascinating. It must be the quixite.
"Not fascinating, she said, "terrifying. As they reached the buccal, tears sprang to Miras eyes; the walls of the hybrids cheek were bleeding, and its flesh hung in unhealthy clumps.
She pointed to one of the nubs in the centre of the buccal. "There, please, Tekton.
Tekton helped her across to the unused Primo vein. The grey protective skin was thick and resistant to her touch. She hesitated to pierce it. She was already bonded to Insignia; if she used Sals vein-sink, what would happen? Would Sals personality meld with hers? Sal was unhealthy, not sane in the way of other biozoons. Already she could feel its agitation.
Sal, whats wrong? she asked the hybrid.
Where are the other "esques, Mira Fedor? Where are the corporeals? The Balol and Captain Jancz.
You killed them, Sal, Mira said gently.
It made a noise she thought to be mirth. Yes, I did. It felt good, Mira Fedor.
Were the corporeals cruel to you?
Cruel to be kind. Cruel to be kind. The hybrid sounded strained and odd, not incomprehensibly raving as Mira had heard it before, but distanced, remote.
Another sliver of fear stabbed her consciousness. Would she lose her mind to Sal if she used the Primo vein? Would she maintain her link with Insignia? And Nova?
Mama?
She ignored her daughter, lifting her finger to stab through the nano-membrane and begin the immersion process.
"Mira. No! Jo-Jo Rasterovich stood swaying in the pucker of the buccal. "This was-is my ship. Ill fly it. I know the island coordinates.
He let go of the pucker and staggered across to the Autonomy nub.
Tekton made no move to help him or stop him.
Mira wavered with relief. Sal? We wish to go somewhere where you can recover. Your fins will never be tied again, I promise.
The buccal started to shake, and a noise vibrated along the hybrids strata-part screech, part wail. Mira felt the creatures relief and anger, but underneath it all still mistrust.
"Josef, Mira whispered. "Be careful. Sals damaged.
He nodded. "Then were a good pair.
Mira moved to another nub and watched Jo-Jo climb into Autonomy. The v-comm unfolded over his head, and his fingers moved slowly through the air in front of him, creating patterns.
"Tekton, sit. She gestured to unused nubs. "They will help protect you from the acceleration, but be careful not to pierce the outer layer of skin. The "zoon is not... healthy enough to immerse in.
The G.o.dhead had not moved since Jo-Jo had entered the buccal, his brow drawn in concentration as though he was remembering or realising something important.
He shook his head slightly and stepped across to a nub. It responded to the pressure of his weight, folding around him. Mira sank carefully onto the surface of hers and let it do the same.
Another vibration spread through the buccal, a more familiar one. Salacious was moving. She glanced at Josef. He was concentrating, hands working, lips the same.
Finally she opened her mind to her biozoon. Insignia?
Dearest? The biozoon sounded anxious.
Were aboard the hybrid. Follow us to the islands. I will come back to you then. Nova- Im here, Mama. I am happy that you are with the hybrid. I was scared.
Nova, the Post-Species have created something terrible. We must get far away from it. Insignia, it was so large... do you know what it was?
Im afraid so, Mira.
Insignia projected her own images to Miras mind. They were moving. She saw the hybrid lifting high above Insignia and diving west towards the islands.
Then the dunes began to shrink as Insignia gathered height. A towering shadow fell across them, a shadow that Insignia must scale-so, so high and far, encroaching on the biozoon, threatening to engulf it.
How big is it? Mira wanted to know.
I cant say. Its still growing. Given time, it could cover much of the main continent. Perhaps more.
No!
Its possible while it has resources.
The quixite?
It would seem so.
As Insignia rose, the shadow seemed to chase them, while below the grisly object continued to expand.
Insignia, you must get higher!
But the shadow kept pace with them, blocking their view to the west. If Insignia faltered, the object would overtake them, suck them into its expanding ma.s.s like an exploding star gobbling a planet.
Hurry. Please. Save Nova.
Mira felt the surge of Insignias determination, the push of her energies as the biozoon dredged speed and energy from its dwindling supply of amino acids.
A tiny but pure beam of energy joined it, bolstering Insignias effort, and suddenly the biozoon was free, soaring above the object.
Nova.
Little one.
Look, Mama. Look, Tasy-al.
With alt.i.tude came more perspective, and something Mira could see but barely comprehend. Crux! Its not a ship. Its a single Saqr.
Insignia corrected her. No, Mira. It is both.
THALES.
Thales looked around the group of Swestr gathered in Magdalens home: thirty or more women whod arrived during the evening in twos and threes, now occupying every available s.p.a.ce in Magdalens living room. He recognised a few faces, Eclectics from the candlelight vigil at the statue of Exterus, where hed last seen Magdalen. One woman he knew separately, an academic from the Motokiyo Aesthetics stream. Ling-Ma. She was a descendant of the famous Ma dynasty who owned the Heka system. What would her family think of her membership of the Swestr? Ling-Ma nodded at him but made no further attempt to reacquaint.
The atmosphere in the room was furtive, as though at any moment their gathering might be discovered. Thales glanced nervously at the large bay window, now shuttered, that he knew gave a splendid view of the leafy Place de Liebniz. He remembered having been in this room once before with Rene, a bohemian dinner party where theyd eaten with their fingers, and hed drunk too much piska wine. Rene had been annoyed with him, and displeased by having to use her fingers.
They did the same now, though more for expedience, pa.s.sing around slabs of hot cheese dough and carafes of juice. The dough, though tasty, sat heavily in his stomach, and he was forced to eat it slowly. Fariss had no such problem, demolishing a panful by herself. The Swestr watched her with approval while Magdalen talked.
"We need a way to the shift station, she said. "Who can help?
"The Sophos are monitoring all traffic. Politics are searching shuttles, said a heavyset women with long white hair.
"What about private craft? asked Magdalen.
"Its impossible to get clearance. The uplift zone is chaotic.
"I can get us clearance, said Linnea. "If you can get transport.
"I have a s.p.a.ce-worthy, said Ling-Ma quietly.
More looks of approval. Most of them knew, Thales judged, but had been waiting for her to speak.
"Thank you, Ling-Ma, said Magdalen. "Now, once on the station well meet resistance. We need to bring as many of the Feohte as you can fit. Whats your capacity?
"Twenty. Thirty if we dont have to shift.
"Whats a Feohte? asked Fariss with interest. Shed stopped eating, and now picked dough from her teeth. Her large body sprawled across the floor, taking up the s.p.a.ce of three women.
"Feohte are the Swestrs combatants. The Swestr doesnt advocate violence, but they recognise the need for protection.
"And we are that protection, said a woman from the back of the room.
Thales-and everyone-turned to look at her. Though not as tall or broad as Fariss, she stood with the ease of someone who was comfortable with her physicality. Her arms appeared muscular beneath her short-sleeved tunic.
"Janne, said Magdalen in acknowledgement. "Youre late.
Thales knew the uniform. Janne was a free-hand, one of Scolars manual workers whod chosen labour as the way to enlightenment.
"The Politics are active all over the city. This meeting is being monitored. I saw them in the street. Best we appear to be carousing.
Magdalen threaded her fingers together and twisted her hands. "Ill bring in some bottles of piska. Everyone must drink a little before leaving. How much did you hear of our conversation, Janne?
"Enough. How many of the Feohte can you take, Ling-Ma?
The Hekarian looked to Magdalen. "Who else will it be?
"Thales and Fariss. You, me and Linnea. That leaves s.p.a.ce for fifteen Feohte.
Janne made a dissatisfied face. "Twenty would be better.