cometary nest.
That larger sphere just popping into view was
Tunesmith barely glanced at the view. 'Theyll be a few minutes matching. We have time. Hindmost, show us what we recorded in this last hyperdrive jump.'
The hypercameras record was blank. Louis snickered.
Tunesmith reproved him. 'Louis, theres nothing to see. Were outside the envelope of dark matter that collects around our star. Where there almost isnt any dark matter, there almost isnt space either! This is why we can travel faster than light does in vacuum, because distance in this domain is drastically contracted.
'Now I need only learn why there is more than one characteristic velocity. Ill get that by studying
'Two fighting ships guard the near side of the comet.'
'I see them. Use hyperdrive. Well beat our own light.'
The Blind Spot flashed for only an instant.
Their target was still too far away to see, but the virtual window nailed it: a loose dark fluffy comet, icy puffball satellites drifting around it, and four ships, two linked. Tunesmiths knotty hands danced.
'Im taking the controls,' Tunesmith said.
The virtual window was looking at something other than light. A flock of dim points was coming at them.
Louis just had time to realize that they were mated. Then
The missiles twinkled. Tunesmith was exercising his marksmanship. The warrior ships didnt fire — for fear of harming
A
Acolyte followed before Louis could quite get moving. The wall had become a window again, and
He was ten feet behind Acolyte, moving at a dead run, leaning forward because he was about to enter free fall, a laser weapon in one hand.
But light sputtered where Tunesmith disappeared. Acolyte stopped suddenly, then leapt out of sight.
In free fall now, Louis dug his feet into the wall and jumped behind his extended weapon.
Generated gravity slammed him to the floor.
That was confusing, if hed had time to think about it.
Tunesmiths voice spoke in Louiss helmet. 'Time presses. Louis, take your place as pilot. Acolyte, return to
Louis wriggled past Acolyte and took the pilots chair.
Acolyte pushed the dead Patriarchy warriors into the recreation space. He sprang toward the airlock. The puppeteer had gone ahead of him.
Tunesmiths communicator voice followed them. 'Hindmost, what does it mean if we found cabin gravity aboard
Silence.
'Hindmost!'
The puppeteer was reluctant, but he spoke. 'It suggests that the Patriarchy has solved some of our secrets. Some of what we packed
'Louis?'
'Just be glad this ship is ours again,' Louis said. He studied
Gravity rolled uneasily. They were in motion, and
Tunesmith was behind Louiss shoulder, his jaw against Louiss neck. 'Can you fly it?'
'Yah,' Louis said. 'I may have to close my eyes—'
'Do you read the Heroes Tongue?'
'No.'
'I do. Make room. Join your companions aboard
'I can fly
'Theyve been changed. Go!'
'Can you fly this ship?'
'I must try. Go.'
When Louis entered
Louis took a moment to contain his fury. Typical of a protector, to bet his own life and everybody elses on his own not-yet-formed abilities, on nebulous theories, on risks Louis wouldnt have taken even in his teens and twenties. But that wasnt enough. Hed bet Louis Wus life because he might need him… and now he didnt. What the futz, just another gamble that hadnt paid off.
Inhale through the nose, hold it, flatten that abdomen, exhale… it felt remarkably good to be back in his teens and twenties. Lovely if he could live through it.
Louis found the hidden stepping disk and flicked to crew quarters. Acolyte was there. The Hindmost was on