“We probably won’t. Do you want my resignation as managing director?”
Her laugh was bitter. “You can’t resign. If you do, IIS is disbanded and the assets turned over to the Coalition government.”
“What?”
“Trystin was very clear on that. It’s in the charter, and the way it’s written, if the succession determined by the managing director is changed other than by that managing director, or by the successor he named, the charter is voided.”
“I could appoint you to be my successor.”
“No, thank you. I never wanted to run it, and I especially don’t want to, now. The whole center of the Arm is a mess. The Argentis pulled out of their half of the protectorate, and it won’t be long before the Coalition does the same with its half. The Argentis claimed that the protectorate was unnecessary now, but it’s more likely that they want to use their ships against all the raiders and renegades that have appeared. You made this mess—even if no one could prove it but you and me and the Farhkans—and it’s up to you to clean it up and prove you were right.”
Van found an ironic smile crossing his lips. “That’s what they told me.”
“The Farhkans?”
“They said I had a lot to do.”
“Then you’d better do it.” A wry smile appeared, but Nynca’s eyes remained bleak. “There’s going to be a greater demand for IIS services, especially for our secure shipping services. If the Joyau is still operational.”
“The Farhkans repaired the ship as well as the pilot.” Van looked at her. “How about if you become managing director of programs?”
Nynca frowned.
“I’ll be managing director of operations. I do better with a ship.” Van frowned. “I’ll have to work out of a ship now.”
“Have to?”
“Payment for my rehabilitation. The Farhkans were most unhappy.”
Nynca studied Van for a long time. Finally, she spoke. “Like…gramps?”
Worse, Van suspected, but he only nodded slowly, wondering if he could avoid ending up like the historical Holländer. Wondering if he could still reach out…and not turn his back on all those he had affected—who still lived—and to Emily, who might yet be his Senta.
He had time. That, he did.
Tor Books by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Note: Within series, books are best read in listed order.
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THE IMAGER PORTFOLIO
The continent of Solidar—once Lydar—is home to a strange and rare breed of magic user. Imagers can bring into being almost anything they can imagine…but their power is dangerous to themselves as well as to others, and their life expectancy is short. Because they are both feared and vulnerable, Imagers must live separately from the rest of society. Some are exploited by ordinary people with political and economic power…while others are wise enough to build a future when their powers may put to the service of the common good.
Imager
Imager’s Challenge
Imager’s Intrigue
Scholar
Princeps
Imager’s Battalion
Antiagon Fire
Rex Regis
Madness in Solidar (forthcoming)
THE COREAN CHRONICLES
Corus today is a world of contending countries, of struggling humans, strange animals, and elusive supernatural creatures. It is still a place of magical powers, but only a few people are Talented enough to use them. Alucius is one of those people. With Corus changing again, Alucius and his Talent will have a central role to play.
Legacies
Darknesses
Scepters
Alector’s Choice
Cadmian’s Choice
Soarer’s Choice
The Lord-Protector’s Daughter
Lady-Protector
THE SAGA OF RECLUCE
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.'s bestselling fantasy novels set in the magical world of Recluce are among the most popular in contemporary fantasy. Each tells an independent story that nevertheless reverberates though all the other Recluce novels to deepen and enrich the reading experience.
The Magic of Recluce
The Towers of the Sunset
The Magic Engineer
The Order War
The Death of Chaos
Fall of Angels
The Chaos Balance
The White Order
Colors of Chaos
Magi’i of Cyador
Scion of Cyador
Wellspring of Chaos
Ordermaster
Natural Ordermage
Mage-Guard of Hamor
Arms-Commander
Cyador’s Heirs
Heritage of Cyador (forthcoming)
THE SPELLSONG CYCLE
When Anna Marshall is transported from her boring and frustrating life in Ames, Iowa, to the very different world of Erde, she finds out that for the first time in her life she’s uniquely powerful. In Iowa Anna was a music instructor and small-time opera singer, but on Erde her musical ability makes her a big-time sorceress.
The Soprano Sorceress
The Spellsong War
Darksong Rising
The Shadow Sorceress
Shadowsinger
THE ECOLITAN MATTER
Follow the conflict between the corrupt interstellar Empire and the Ecolitan Institute of the planet Accord. The Institute must fight—first for their independence, and then to prevent the worst disaster in human history.
Empire & Ecolitan (comprising The Ecolitan Operation and The Ecologic Secession)
Ecolitan Prime (comprising The Ecologic Envoy and The Ecolitan Engine)
THE FOREVER HERO TRILOGY
Modesitt’s first major work. In the future, Earth is a desolate ruin, until its degenerate human outcasts kidnap a boy of immense native intelligence and determination—who grows up to become the force behind a plan to make Earth flower again.
The Forever Hero (comprising Dawn for a Distant Earth, The Silent Warrior, and In Endless Twilight)
THE GHOST BOOKS
In this alternate history world, the United States never came into existence, Russia is still ruled by the Romanovs, and ghosts are not mere superstition but have a literal physical reality—and political implications. Your crimes can haunt you, and the ghosts of your crimes are visible to others.
Of Tangible Ghosts
The Ghost of the Revelator
Ghost of the White Nights
Ghosts of Columbia (comprising Of Tangible Ghosts and The Ghost of the Revelator)
OTHER NOVELS
The Hammer of Darkness
The Parafaith War
Adiamante
Gravity Dreams
The Octagonal Raven
Archform: Beauty
The Ethos Effect
Flash
The Eternity Artifact
The Elysium Commission
Viewpoints Critical
Haze
Empress of Eternity
Timegods’ World (comprising Timediver’s Dawn and The Timegod)
The One-Eyed Man
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This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this novel are either fictitious or are used fictitiously.
THE ETHOS EFFECT
Copyright © 2003 by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.
Edited by David G. Hartwell
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