Divergence

“Like making sure that I really deliver on the last part of our deal. I don’t want the FE software dropping out on me. It may be nearly obsolete, but I still use it occasionally.”

“Yeah,” said Maurice, brightening up suddenly. “You mentioned other exchange mechanisms before…”

“I will sell you information about those, if you are still interested,” said the Stranger. “But first let’s sort out your systems. Maurice, I’m pleased to see you operating the ship. You should have been doing that from the start. If you hadn’t spent all your time sucking up to Armstrong…”

“I wasn’t sucking up. He was just a good friend.”

“Whatever. I have fulfilled my obligation to you. Saskia, I see that you are acting directly. That is good, you have taken my advice. Here is the last part: you should not be commander of the ship.”

Saskia’s eyes narrowed. “Then who?” she asked. “Miss Rose?”

The Stranger laughed. “I have already spoken to Miss Rose. Her role is her own business.”

Saskia frowned. “Well, who else?” Her jaw dropped. “Not Edward!”

“That’s my advice, take it or leave it. So, I have fulfilled all my obligations. Now I should say good-bye.”

Him? Commander of the Eva Rye ? Edward was too scared by what the Stranger had just said to think about Saskia’s reaction. She was nearly choking with anger.

“Say good-bye! Is that it? You have ripped the ship in two and left me with…”

… with this crew of failures, thought Edward. He didn’t care. She was right. Him, a commander?

Still, Saskia managed to stop herself saying the words just in time. She breathed deeply and shook her head. “What should we do next?”

“Go on trading, of course,” said the Stranger. “That’s what it means to adopt FE software, isn’t it?”

An icy stillness took hold of Saskia. Edward tiptoed back to the kitchen area and safety.

“Fine,” said Saskia at last. “Okay, fine.” She forced a smile to her lips. “Well, thank you, Stranger, for doing business with us. I look forward to meeting you again.”

“Hold on,” said the Stranger. “I might be able to put some business your way. Would you be interested, Edward?”

“Would I be interested?” said Edward, licking his lips. The teapot felt hot and heavy in his hands. In the viewing field, the Stranger had twisted four glassy lenses in his direction.

“I think I should make the decisions here, don’t you, Edward?” Saskia’s voice was cold and thin. She had stood up now to stare at the Stranger.

“Do you want her to?” asked the Stranger gently. Edward nodded with relief.

“Okay, Saskia,” said the Stranger. “Are you interested?”

“What about me?” said Maurice.

“You can advise,” snapped Saskia. “Go on, Stranger.”

The Stranger didn’t answer straight away. When he did, there was a note of amusement in its voice.

“Well, I don’t know if you will already be too late, so for that reason I will offer this information to you free of charge. About four weeks ago, before your timely rescue, and while I believed I was still floating towards my doom, I picked up a signal requesting a trade. Someone wants to be transported to Earth.”

“To Earth?” said Saskia and Maurice, at the same time.

“Why would anyone want to go there?” said Maurice. “It’s swamped with Dark Plants. If they don’t wipe your mind, they tie you up in BVBs and strangle you. They say the Watcher is losing its grip completely.”

Edward realized he was holding his breath. What did he know about Dark Plants? Only that you mustn’t look at them; it made them grow faster. Only that they spread BVBs: unbreakable nooses that irresistibly tightened around anything within range. Only that everyone was frightened of them. They originated from the edge of the galaxy, that’s what they said. The Watcher had found them out there and tried to run away from them, but somehow they