A loud, boisterous voice cried out from behind the reception desk as soon as I set foot inside. “Sid! My good friend!”
I turned to see a large, bearded man with a beaming smile. Marqyni Avieli, indeed a good friend of mine.
Smiling, I offered my hand as he charged forward, almost crushing me in an embrace while laughing. “Ah, it is good to see you, very good indeed!”
“There’s… not going to be… much to see… if you don’t… let me… breathe.” I feigned a struggle and exasperation against him. Marqyni was strong, but he had no musculature or skeletal modifications. We both knew I could twist and fold him into about any conceivable shape, but as always we enjoyed the usual repartee.
He released me, still grinning, and I smiled back, extending my hand. He grasped it with his pudgy fist. “Ah, Sid, Sid, Sid. What brings you to my humble abode of knowledge and wonders? Still chasing dreams and legends? Or are we on a new quest?” He clapped me on my mechanical shoulder. “I had not expected to see you for quite some time? ‘Tis only been a couple of weeks, yes?”
Prying my hand out of his grip, I gave a nod. “A month, but yes. My excursion out to the rim was useful in a couple of ways, but not to excess. I returned because I need the services of your fine establishment.”
Marqyni cocked his head, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. “Useful, you say? Does that mean…?”
With an exaggerated shrug, I lowered my voice and said, “It would seem that there might be a little truth to Ivan’s existence after all.”
“Ha-
He wagged a finger at me. “I knew that if anyone could dig up anything on that silly myth, it’d be you, Sid. How about your clients; what do they think about your—”
I held up a hand. “They don’t often provide feedback to my reports. Even so, I’ve only gathered concrete details from two sources so far, both of which contained varied suspect elements, but…” I shrugged again. “I’ve at least confirmed a decent probability of his existence and some distinct possibilities regarding him.”
“Such as?” Marqyni curled a smile at the corner of his mouth.
With a soft chuckle, I replied, “Possible real name, for one. Size and appearance, perhaps an important possession. A strong chance of internal augmentations.”
The librarian’s smile wilted. “Is that all? Doesn’t sound like you have much. I expected proof of his… involvement at the Battles of New Prague and Caldonis. The single-handed dismantling of Voux Hanatar’s criminal empire! All you’ve got is a vague description and the notion that he’s stronger and faster than a normal human? What about the cataclysm at—”
I cut him off. “Look, Marqyni, I apologize if this is at all disappointing, but, as you’ve said, it’s only been a matter of weeks, barely a month. I’ve spent three-quarters of that time in my ship, traveling. I was dragged on a merry chase for a drunken buffoon that I never did locate. How fortunate I was able to gather his information anyway without wasting another three weeks. It was all second hand, but it confirmed some very necessary things.”
“This was about that man, Raymond Cobb, and Ivan’s trip to…” Marqyni frowned, “Hunter’s End, was it?”
Nodding, I replied, “Exactly, and the other source I found was a long shot at best when I was refueling at Ethra. Two more stops on the way here provided nothing, including a discussion with the family of a veteran of New Prague. The other stop was a liar using the Ivan name for intimidation.”
The librarian’s frown deepened, and his disappointment was obvious. I shrugged. “Come, Marqyni. You know how this works. You can’t throw a stone in this galaxy without striking three people who know Ivan tales. Nine- tenths of those are completely false, and the ones which have some truth were usually done by someone else with the Ivan name tacked on.”
“Yes, yes of course, you’re right…” The librarian sighed. “I was hoping for something a little more exciting, you see.”
I replied, “I understand, but it remains a methodical process. I’ve returned here because a couple of leads have developed which require a measure of research before I proceed. I’m trying to discover more information and whereabouts of an individual who may have had more than just a passing experience with Ivan.”
Cocking his head, Marqyni asked, “Who?”
“Traverian Grey.”
Curiosity crossed his face. “Truly? I’ve never heard the name before.”
I spread out my hands. “He’s a mercenary. Well-known to some, but he has no mythic status among general population. It seems he was present with Ivan on Hunter’s End; wounded actually.”
“What in particular makes you believe that this Grey fellow is any more real than Ivan is?” he asked.
I smiled. “He exists. My employers used his services once or twice.”
Marqyni tossed up his hands, exaggerating a frustrated tone to his voice. “Well then my friend… as always, you have your bases covered and desire only to string along your good friend Marqyni while battering him senseless with your astonishing intellect. I assume your search for his whereabouts is why you’ve come down from on high to grace me with your presence?”
“Indeed it is,” I replied, laughing. “Even the highest order of genius occasionally needs the assistance of a few lesser beings, am I not mistaken?”
The librarian tried to scowl, but his amusement betrayed him, and soon he was trembling with poorly concealed laughter. “Yes…” he relented, shaking his head with a half-scowling smile on his face. “I can see your need as clearly as your shining brilliance, good master. Tell me what you’ll be needing on this occasion.”
I touched my fingertips to my brow. “The normal rules for my net immersion, if it’s possible. I’m in no great hurry as of yet.”
“Yes, of course.” Marqyni nodded, a flicker of concern touching his face. “Sid, are you certain you wouldn’t rather have someone else handle these inquiries for you? I’ve seen how much damage it can cause, and I admit a small amount of regret for helping you endanger yourself—”
Shaking my head firmly, I held up a finger. “Too slow. Second hand data. Acceptable risks. Should I continue to list reasons?”
“Your processing isn’t infinite—”
I cut in, “-and every second endangers a permanent fixation, I’m well aware. I’ve resisted it through hundreds of hours previous. I only require someone I trust,” I gave an obvious gesture to my friend, “to make certain I don’t sink too deeply or remain too long.”
Marqyni sighed. “Very well, Sid, very well. I’ll set you up in my office and give you one hour.”
“You’re very gracious.” I bowed.
He shook his head. “One of these sessions is going to be the end of you, Sid. When that happens, upon whom will I bestow my undying devotion?” A hint of amusement returned to the light worry in his eyes.
Laughing, I gave an exaggerated shrug. “You’ll have to find something of consequence to fixate upon, good Marqyni.”
The usual banter continued as he led me into his office. I swept off my overcoat and hat, feeling the chill of recycled air pass over my thin flesh. He fell silent as I seated myself in his quite luxurious chair, and I could feel his eyes upon the unnatural ashen hue of my human skin. His terminal booted quickly.
I gave him a nod, and he returned it with a solemn expression. I tapped the side of my temple, activating my implants. Internally, I disabled certain firewalls to allow external data flow. With an imperceptible mental tweak, I established a wireless connection and opened wide the flood gates.
Consciousness and awareness of my body was ripped away as my mind tumbled along through the unbelievable depths of data: historical, fictional, useless and marvelous. I had universes of information at my fingertips along with a deep hunger which could only be met with further inconceivable levels of desire.
As I swept along in the tide, reveling for only an instant in the almost carnal ecstasy of being near everything I could ever want, a ghost, a familiar but unknown phantom, spoke:
“One hour, Sid.”
An hour? An eternity…
