attention.
Note314
The field is much stronger. The ship’s effective mass is now only twenty per cent of what it was when we left the Mother Nest — there’s a relatively small part of the ship projecting ahead of the field, but we can do better than that simply by increasing the field strength.
Note315
Think of it, Remontoire — we could squeeze our mass down to one per cent, or less — accelerate at a hundred gees. If our bodies were inside the bubble of suppressed inertia we’d be able to withstand it, too. We’d reach near-light cruise speed in a couple of days. Subjective travel between the closest stars in under a week of shiptime. There’d be no need for us to be frozen. Can you imagine the possibilities? The galaxy would suddenly be a much smaller place.
Note316
I’m not sure I understand, Remontoire.
Note317
Sorry?
Note318
Skade?
Note319
You feel that you have been successful, Skade?
Note320
Tell us, Skade.
Note321
Did he die well, in the Roman sense?
Note322
We didn’t think he would ever surrender, Skade. Still, it was quick for him. You’ve done well, Skade. We are satisfied. More than satisfied.
Note323
We are a select core of Conjoiners,
Note324
a Closed Council so secret, so hyper-secure, that our existence is not known, or even suspected, by the most senior orthodox Council members. We are deeper than the Inner Sanctum, though the Sanctum is at times our unwitting client, our puppet in wider Conjoiner affairs. But we do not lie within it. Our relationship to these other bodies can only be expressed in the mathematical language of intersecting sets. The details need not concern you, Skade.
Note325
You did well. Our collective eye had been on you for some time, Skade, but that was your chance to shine. It did not escape our attention. That is why we have made ourselves known to you now: because you are the kind of Conjoiner capable of the difficult work that lies ahead. This is not flattery, Skade, but a cold statement of the facts.
Note326
We value our secrecy, Skade. We will protect it at all costs. Serve us, and you will be serving the greater good of the Mother Nest. But betray us, even involuntarily, and we will be forced to silence you. It will not amuse us, but it will be done.
Note327
No, Skade. There are others like you. But you will never know who they are. That is our will.
Note328
Nothing, Skade. For now. But you will hear from us when we have need of you.
Note329
The Mother Nest needs those weapons, Skade. You must expedite their recovery.
Note330
There are enemies between the stars, Skade, worse than anything we have imagined. They are coming closer. We must protect ourselves.
Note331
We know, Skade. Trust us.
Note332
Trust us. We know what they can do. We know what it is like to be harried by them.
Note333
When can we be certain that he is dead, Skade?
Note334
No, Skade. Clavain cannot be allowed to reach Chasm City.
Note335
You are clever, Skade, and determined. But so is Clavain. He tricked you once. He can always trick you again.
Note336
No?
Note337
So you think he might still be alive?
Note338
He had better not be, Skade. Or we will be bitterly disappointed with you.
Note339
Nothing, Skade. Just a small bubble instability. Nothing unexpected.
Note340
We have everything under control, Skade. The machinery is in a perfectly stable state-two condition. Small instabilities are damped back to the mean.
Note341
Three gees? Are you certain?
Note342
Why?
Note343
Clavain can’t reach you. He might have squeezed two gees out of his own ship, but that must have been at enormous expense, shedding every gram of non-essential mass. He’s far behind, Skade. He can’t catch you up.
Note344
He won’t be able to.
Note345
Skade…
Note346
Something did happen. I can’t find Jastrusiak anywhere. He was much closer to the equipment than I was when we attempted the experiment. But he isn’t there now. I can’t find him anywhere, or even any evidence of him.
Note347
Yes… Jastrusiak.
Note348
