“What about all the people still left down here?”
Edward saw Constantine was pointing to a group of people standing nearby on a terrace of grey stone marooned in a sea of mud. After some hesitation, Edward led his group through the mud to reach them.
“Hello,” said a woman of about Saskia’s age. “Have you played the n-strings game?”
“Oh, yes,” Saskia said, and she shivered. “Why, have you?”
The woman nodded, pale blue eyes looking out from a pinched white face.
“About two hours ago. I didn’t understand it. What is going on now? Where is the Watcher? Why isn’t he sorting all of this out?”
“The Watcher has gone,” Saskia said. “I don’t think he’s coming back.”
“But my mother is ill!”
Edward saw a woman curled up on the cold grey stone, her head in the lap of a man he guessed was her husband.
“We can’t stay here,” the woman said. “There are Dark Seeds about. We closed our eyes and they went on their way this time, but what if more appear?”
“There won’t be so many seeds now,” said Judy. “The Watcher has gone. You did the right thing, though. Just ignore them.”
“Ignore them? We’re supposed to just ignore them? I don’t think I can ever do that.”
“I don’t think you have a choice. There is no Watcher anymore. You’ll have to learn to stand on your own two feet now.”
Saskia spoke up. “You need to get on your console and trade for help.”
“
“I know, it takes a bit of getting used to. It’s the new thing.”
“Judy,” Edward interrupted. “Why don’t these people have a ship of their own?”
“We did,” the young woman said, “but we sent it away. We thought it was a trick.”
“What these people need,” Saskia said suddenly, “is advice.”
“
Edward noticed the smile on Saskia’s face flicker for the merest instant. Then she dropped her fringe forward, becoming purposeful and businesslike. “There must be thousands, millions of people like these on Earth—wondering what’s going on. Who’s going to help them now? Social Care?”
“I suppose we would, for the right price,” Judy replied dryly.
“Can you help us at all?” the young woman asked.
“I think so,” Saskia said. “I’ll see if I can arrange a lift to our ship. You can use our autodoc.”
“Putting together a crew, are we, Saskia?” Judy asked.
“I don’t know,” Saskia said. “That’s down to Edward, isn’t it? I’m just helping out for the moment. Do you have a better idea?” She unfolded her console and began to tap at the keys. “I’ve seen Maurice do this often enough,” she muttered. “It can’t be that difficult.”
Edward stared over her shoulder. “I think you drag the request into the public area there.” He pointed.
“That’s what Maurice used to do.”
Saskia gave him a sideways glance, then did as he suggested. Immediately a number of offers to trade appeared.
“Which one, Edward?” she asked.
