other books by stephen baxter1.droppdf.com/files/4n4jo/ultima-stephen-baxter.pdf · 2015-08-18 ·...

OTHERBOOKSBYSTEPHENBAXTER

FromRocBooks

Flood

Ark

StoneSpring

BronzeSummer

IronWinter

FromAceBooksTime’sTapestry

BookOne:Emperor

BookTwo:Conqueror

BookThree:Navigator

BookFour:Weaver

Gollancz,animprintoftheOrionPublishingGroup,OrionHouse,5UpperSt.Martin’sLane,London

WC2H9EA.

Copyright©StephenBaxter,2014Penguinsupportscopyright.Copyrightfuelscreativity,encouragesdiversevoices,promotesfreespeech,and

createsavibrantculture.Thankyouforbuyinganauthorizededitionofthis

bookandforcomplyingwithcopyrightlawsbynotreproducing,scanning,ordistributinganypartofitinanyformwithoutpermission.Youaresupporting

writersandallowingPenguintocontinuetopublishbooksforevery

reader.

REGISTEREDTRADEMARK—MARCAREGISTRADA

LIBRARYOFCONGRESSCATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATIONDATA:

Baxter,Stephen.Ultima/StephenBaxter.pagescm.—(Proxima)ISBN978-0-698-14296-1

1.Human-alienencounters—Fiction.2.Lifeonotherplanets—Fiction.3.Space

colonies—Fiction.I.Title.PR6052.A849U452015

823’.914—dc232015008226

PUBLISHER’SNOTE

Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentseither

aretheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactualpersons,

livingordead,businessestablishments,events,orlocalesisentirely

coincidental.

Version_1

CONTENTS

OtherBooksbyStephenBaxter

TitlePage

CopyrightDedicationEpigraph

PartOneChapter1Chapter2Chapter3Chapter4

Chapter5Chapter6Chapter7Chapter8Chapter9Chapter10Chapter11Chapter12Chapter13Chapter14

PartTwoChapter15Chapter16Chapter17Chapter18Chapter19Chapter20Chapter21Chapter22

Chapter33Chapter34Chapter35Chapter36

PartThreeChapter37Chapter38Chapter39

Chapter50Chapter51Chapter52Chapter53Chapter54Chapter55Chapter56Chapter57Chapter58

PartFourChapter59Chapter60Chapter61Chapter62Chapter63Chapter64Chapter65Chapter66

Chapter67Chapter68Chapter69Chapter70Chapter71Chapter72Chapter73Chapter74

PartFiveChapter75

Afterword

Toallmyextendedfamily

Intheheartofahundredbillionworlds—

Acrossatrilliondyingrealitiesinalethalmultiverse—

Inthechthonicsilence—

Therewassatisfaction.Thenetworkofmindcontinuedto

pushoutinspace,fromtheolderstars,theburned-outworlds,totheyoung,outacrosstheGalaxy.Pusheddeepintimetoo,twistingthefateofcountlesstrillionsoflives.

Buttimewasshort,andevershorter.

IntheDreamoftheEndTime,therewasanoteofurgency.

1

AD 2227; AUC (AB URBECONDITA, AFTER THE

FOUNDING OF THECITY) 2980

“Danger,YuriEden!Danger!”

“ColU?What’stheemergency?AnotherProxflare?Weneedtogettotheshelter.”

“Becalm,YuriEden.YouarenolongeronPerArdua.”

“Beth.BethandMardina.Where—”

“Yourdaughterandhermotherarefarfromhere.”

“Far?...Aretheysafe?”“ThatIcannottellyou,

YuriEden.Wemustcarryoninthepresumptionthattheyare.”

“Sowhydidyouyell‘danger’inmyear?”

“Itwastheonlywaytowakeyou,YuriEden.Thedrugsthemedicushasbeenprescribingforyouareratherrandomintheireffects,althoughtheyaresatisfactorilystrong.”

“Soyoulied,right?Since

whenwasanautonomouscolonizationunitprogrammedtolie?”

“IfearIhaveexceededtheparametersofmyinitialprogrammingratherextensivelybynow,YuriEden.”

“Youknow,IfeellikeI’mblunderingdownadarkcorridor.AndIopenonedoorafteranother,tryingtomakesenseofitall.ButI’msafe

whenI’masleep...”“Takeyourtime,Yuri

Eden.”“Medicus.Thatword...

I’mstillonthatdamnRomantub,aren’tI?”

“WearestillguestsaboardtheMalleusJesu,yes.”

“And—ow!”“Themedicuswould

adviseyounottotrytositup,YuriEden.”

“WhenIsleep,Iforget.Thecrapgrowinginsideme.Iforgetitall.”

“It’sstillhere.ButsoamI,myfriend.SoamI.Herewithyou.”

“Well,Icanseethat.Sowhythehelldidyouwakeme?”

“Youaskedmeto.Well,tobeprecise,youaskedmetowitnessandrecordyourlastwillandtestament.Icando

thatforyou.Butyouhavebeenasleepmanyhours,YuriEden.Ithoughtitbesttowakeyoubefore—”

“BeforethetimecomeswhenIneverwakeupatall,right?”

“ItwasStefKalinski’ssuggestion.”

“Ha!Itwouldbe.Howisshe,bytheway?”

“ThelasttimeIcommunicatedwithhershe

wasdrinkinghardenedlegionariesunderthetable.AnythingtogetthetasteoftheRomans’disgustingfishsauceoutfrombetweenherteeth.Thatisclosetoadirectquotation.”

“She’lloutliveusall.Herandherimpossibletwin,probably.”

“Ihopetolearnthatsomeday.YuriEden,wemustpresson—”

“BeforeIpassoutagain.It’sOK,oldpal.MayIhaveaglassofwater?”

“Ofcourse...”“So.Mylastwilland

testament.WhatkindoflegalformcanweusethatwillberecognizableintheRomansystem?Whateverthehellthatis,twothousandyearsaftertheEmpirewassupposedtohavefallen.It’snotasifIhavemuchtoleave

toanybodyanyhow.OnlythestuffwewalkedthroughthatfinalHatchwith.”

“Includingmyself.”“Includingyourself,

buddy.It’sstrangetothinkofyouaspropertybutIguessthat’showitis.”

“IamonlyanAI,YuriEden.Andinthis...differentreality...humanbeingsareproperty,someofthem.Someevenonthis

interstellarvessel.SoIamlessofanexceptionthanyouwouldimaginehere.Wecannotchangesuchthings,YuriEden.”

“Maybenot.Butmyinstructionsareclearenough.IfStefsurvivesme,myshareofyou,intheRomans’eyes,istogotoher.Ifshedoesn’tsurviveme,yougotoBeth,onEarth,ifbysomemiracleyoucanfindher.”

“QuintusFabiushaspromisedmehewillmakesureofit,YuriEden,withthesupportofthelegion’scollegia.”

“So,let’sbegin.Iwasbornin2067,oldstyle.Gettingonforahundredandsixtyyearsago,then.EventhoughIhaveonlylived—”

“Sixty-twoyears,Yuri.Thenameyourparentsgaveyou—”

“Isirrelevant.IwasborninNorthBritain.MyparentswerebothmembersoftheHeroicGeneration,whostruggledtosavetheworldfromtheclimateJoltsofthepreviousdecades.Well,theysucceeded.Andbeforetheprosecutorscaughtupwiththem,theyhadmecryo-frozenatagenineteen.JustaswelltheyneversawmerevivedonMars,acentury

later.”“Yourname,though...”“Somejokercalledme

‘Yuri’whentheyhauledmeoutofthecryotank.”

“Verywell.AndafterayearonMars—”

“IwascaughtupinanISFsweep,withalittlehelpfromthePeacekeepersatEden.Whoweresorrytoseemego.”

“Youarebeing

sarcastic.”“Yeah,flagit.Found

myselfwakingupagain,aboardtheISFshipAdAstra.Akernel-driveninterstellarhulkfullofpress-gangedloserslikeme.Imademyselfpopularoncemore...

“SoIspent—what,twenty-fouryears?—onPerArdua,planetofProximaCentauri.WithMardinaJones,andourbabyBeth,and

you,ColU.Strugglingtostayalive.Wefoundothers,other‘colonists’strandedaswehadbeen,andwefoughtourwaytotheHuboftheworld,thesubstellar.Therewefound—”

“AHatch.”“Astepthrough,justthat,

andwewerebackonplanetMercury,acrossfourlight-years.So,everythingchangedyetagain,forhumanity,for

me.IhadtakenMardinaandBethhome,andthat’swheretheystayed...”

“Butyoucouldn’tstaywiththem.”

“Forme,itwasgobacktoArdua,orfacejail.So,backtoArduaitwas,withStefKalinskiatmyside.Whohasherownissueswithallofthis,bytheway.”

“Areyoutiring,YuriEden?”

“Don’tfuss,ColU.Ihateitwhenyoufuss.Backtothestory.So,onArdua,theUNstartedtoclampdown,justlikeithadinthesolarsystem,becausewarwasbrewingup.Awartobefoughtwithkernel-poweredships,overthelodesofkernelsonMercury...”

“YuriEden?”“Stillhere,ColU.”“Doyourememberhow

wedrovetotheantistellarpoint?Thedarkest,coldestplaceonPerArdua,inthedeepestshadowofProxima.Wherewefound,amongothermysteries,anotherHatch.”

“Yes,theHatch.Andwesteppedthrough,StefandI,andyou.Wefoundourselvesunderthelightofanotherstar.Andtherewasaman,inacloakandahelmet,striding

towardus...”Quidestis?“Yes.Doyouremember,

YuriEden?”Quidagitisinhac

provincia?...

2

AD 2222; AUC 2975

TheintrudersattheHatchemplacementwerefirstspottedbysharp-eyedArabnavigatorsaboardtheMalleusJesu.Intheirquietchambers

aboardtheinterstellarcraftcirclinghighabovethisworld,theArabs,doublingasobserversandmapmakershereatthedestination,routinelyscrutinizedtheareaaroundtheHatchthroughtheirfarwatchers.ThenewlymintedHatchwasthekeyobjectiveofthemission,afterall,anddeservedsurveillanceandprotection.

AndnowCenturion

QuintusFabiushimselfwasintheair,onthewaytoinvestigate.

Theleathersacoftheaerialcetuscreakedandsnappedasthegreatcraftshiftedinthelightwind.Quintuswasstandingalongsidethecommandposition,abankofleversworkedbyaremex,oneofthejuniorcrewwhoreportedtoMovena,thetrierarchus,

thecommanderoftheshipitself.LikeMovena,thisremexwasaBrikanti,andjustasarrogantandsullenasMovenaherselfandallherkind.Andyetyoucouldn’targueabouthiscompetence.Ashestrokedhislevers,greatpaddlesshiftedintheairaroundtheflankofthecetus,andthecraftmovedsweetlyinresponse,headingtowardtheHatch,whichstoodopen

onthescarredplainthatQuintus’sengineershadmadewhentheyhadunleashedthehotbreathofthekernelsonthisworld,andcreatedthiswonder.

Thebridgeofthecetuswasaclutterofcontrolsandinstruments,andscuffedwoodentablesonwhichlayheapedchartsanditineraries,mappingsofthisworldhand-drawnsincetheexpedition’s

arrivalthreeyearsago.TheairwasredolentwiththecharacteristicscentoftheBrikanti,thefolkoftheuncivilizednorth,withthemeadtheydrankandthetreatedhog-leathertheywore,andthetangoftheValhallantobaccotheylikedtochewastheyworked.

Butthismundanityterminatedatthewindow,beforewhichanalienworld

unfoldedbeforeQuintus’seyes.Evenafterthreeyears,evenafterhehadwalkedsomuchofit—andevenafterhehadchangeditsfacesignificantlybybuildingroadsandcampsandthepermanentcolony,andofcoursecreatingtheHatch—stillQuintusfoundthisworldastounding.

TheHatchitselfhadbeensetonascrapofhigherland,

overlookingaplainonwhichnativevegetationsprawled,alowscrubofpurpleandwhitestuddedwithoddorangecones.TheGreekphilosophersaboardassuredQuintusthattheconeswerecommunitiesofcreaturesmostlytoosmalltosee—citiesoftheinvisible,eachmoundaRomeofthegerms.Fartherawaythelandrose,ascendingtowardlofty

mountainsbeforewhichfoothillsstoodinattendance.Andthosemountainsandhills,eachamassiveplugofvolcanicrock,hadbeenshapedwithterracesandwallsandmightycrenellationsthatcastsharpshadowsintheunchangingmother-of-pearllightoftheprincipalsun,Romulus.Theyweremountainsturnedintofortressesbybeingswhohad

oncelivedhere,andremadetheirworld,andvanished—blownthemselvestobits,nodoubt,Quintushadheardhisgloomierlegionariesconcludeinthecamps.AndyetthosemountainsculptorsevidentlysharedsomethingwiththerudestlegionaryfromthepoorestprovinceoftheEmpire:theyhadbuiltHatches.

Well,Quintushad

broughthisshiphere,andtheengineersandthelegionariesandtheslaveshadbuilttheirownHatch,andtheirnameswouldberememberedforit,theancientnumberofthelegionofwhichthiscenturywasapartinscribedatthefootofthestoneCrossofJesu,whichwastheonlyhumanmonumentpermittedtoaccompanyaHatch.ThiswasforeverQuintus’sHatch.

Andthisworld,thefourthofthefamilythatsurroundedthisstellartwin,Romulus,would,oncethepermanentcoloniawasformallydedicatedbythevicarius,becomethelatestprovinceofaRomanEmpirethathadnowreachedtothestarsthemselves.

Thiswaswhathehadachieved,he,QuintusFabius;thiswaswhathehadbought

atwhatwouldbethecostofthirteenyearsofhisownlifebeforehesawhomeagain,and,thankstothemysteriesofnear-lightspeedtravel,asunderingbymanymoreyearsthanthatfromthefamilyandfriendshehadleftbehind.Itwasapricehepaidgladly;tocommandsuchavesselastheMalleusJesuonsuchamissionasthis,tobuildaHatch,wasthe

pinnacleofhiscareersofar—andlikelynottobesurpassed,heremindedhimselfwithatwingeofresentment,asitwasrareforofficersfromtheprovincestorisemuchfurtherintheimperialarmyunlesstheywerewilyenoughforintrigueandassassination.YettheHatchwasnotforFabius,orhiscrew,oranyhuman;theHatchwasathinginitself,its

ownpurposeasineffableasthatofatempletoaforgottengod.

Andnow,ashepeereddownfromawashed-outsky,theperfectionoftheHatchanditssettingwasruinedbytheintruders.AsthecetusmadeitsponderouswaytowardtheHatchposition,Quintusfelthistemperboilup,andheclenchedandunclenchedonemassivefist,

feelingthemusclesinhisarmwork.

“Twoofthem,”saidGnaeusJunius.GnaeuswasQuintus’soptio,hissecondincommand.GnaeuswaspeeringdownattheHatchlocationthroughafinelywroughtGreekfarwatcher,leatherandglassinawoodentube.

“Givemethat.”Quintusgrabbedtheinstrumentfrom

Gnaeus’shandsandheldituptohiseye.Asusual,atfirst,hesawonlydarkness.

“Youneednotsquintsomuch,sir.”

“I’mangry.WhenI’mangry,Isquint.”

“Yes,sir.Youalsogrindyourteeth.”

“No,Idon’t.”“No,sir.”Slim,dark,elegant,his

tunicalwaysspotless,Gnaeus

Juniuswasanequestrian,amemberofoneofRome’soldestaristocraticpedigrees.Gnaeus,thoughsoyoung,waslikable,flawlesslycompetent,andhaddisplayednoneofthearroganceorsenseofentitlementredolentofsomanyofhisclass.Quintushadfoundhimutterlydependable.NoneofwhichsavedQuintusfromasourresentmentthatthisboy

wasdestinedtorisefarhigherinthearmyandbeyonditthanQuintushimselfevercould—thattheonlywayQuintuscouldavoidhavingtoreporttothiselegantboysomedaywouldberetirement.

NowGnaeusremindedhimcalmlyoftheissueinquestion.“So,abouttheintruders,sir.Twoofthem.”

Quintusstudiedthe

strangersthroughthefarwatcher.“Amanandawoman.Oldenough.Intheirfifties,orolder?Thatmakesthemolderthananyofourveterans,ortheirwives.SavemaybeTitusValeriusoftheseventhcohort,whoIknowforafacthasbeenlyingabouthisageforadecade.Somemenjustdon’twanttoretire.”

“Yes,sir.”

“Well,evenTitusisgoingtohavetoretirenow.Thecolonia—that’shisjobnow,forallthegrumbling.”Amorningoftryingtodealwithcomplaintsfromthecolonists,theveteranswhowouldbeleftbehindonthisworld,hadsouredQuintus’smood,evenbeforethisbusinessoftheintruders.Nothingwillgrowinthisforeignmuck,Centurion...

Youcan’tleavemeonthesameplanetasCaiusFlavius,Centurion;he’shadhiseyeonmywifesincetheValhallaSuperiorcampaignandnowhe’sleeringatmydaughter!...Iswear,Centurion,Iswear...

Gnaeussaidtactfully,“Well,thosearen’tanyofourveteransdownthere,sir,ortheirfamilies.Noraretheyanyoftheremiges.”

Hewasright.EightsubjectiveyearsafterleavingTerra,includingfiveyearscoopedupontheshipitself,QuintuswassurehewouldrecognizeanyoftheHammer’screwandpassengers,eventhelowliestslave.ThecomplementoftheMalleusJesuwasafewhundred,notcountingtheslaves,withthecoreofitbeingtheeightymenof

Quintus’scentury,andanequalnumberofremiges,theship’screw—knownbyanarchaictermderivingfromawordfor“rowers”—mostlyBrikanti,withtheirownhierarchyandtheirownofficersunderthesullenMovena,alongwiththeirfamilies.Buthedidnotrecognizetheintrudersbelow.

“TheylooklikeBrikanti

—youhavetogivethemthat,”hemurmured.“Thoseoddclothes.Jacketsandtrousersratherthantunicsandcloaks.Peculiarcolors,aren’tthey?Packsontheirbacks.Andwhat’sthatpalesparkleontheirshoulders?Looksalmostlikefrost,melting...Impossible,ofcourse.Nofrostonthisworld,notonthedaysideanyhow.”

“Andnosignof

weapons,”Gnaeussaidpractically.

Quintusgrunted.“I’dwanttostripthemdownandturnouttheirpacksbeforeIcouldbesureofthat.Atleastthey’renotXin.”

Gnaeuspursedhislips.“Iwouldn’tjumptoconclusions,sir.TheXinempireislargerthanours,andincludesmanyethnicities.EvenifnotXin

themselves,theycouldbeprovincials,agents,evenmercenaries.”

Quintussighed.“ThetripolarpoliticsofTerrareachingouttousevenhere,eh,optio?Us,theBrikanti,andtheXin.”

“Well,theBrikantiareourallies,sir.Andwe’renotactuallyatwarwiththeXin.”

“Youmean,weweren’twhenwelefthome.”

“True,sir.”Thecraftwasdescending

now,witharattleofchainsasgroundanchorsweredroppedfromalowerdeck.Quintusgrabbedhiscloakfromwherehehadflungitoverthebackofachairandtieditaroundhisneck,checkedhisswordandballistawereathisbelt,andjammedhisplumedhelmetonhishead.

Gnaeusfrownedhislips.

“You’regoingtointerrogatethemyourself,sir?”

“ByChrist’stearsIam.”“Ithinkit’sbestifyou

approachthesepeoplewithanopenmind.IfImaysayso.”

“Hmm.IftheyareBrikantiorXin,IneedtoobservetheproperdiplomaticprotocolsbeforeIthrowtheirarsesinthebrig—isthatyourthinking?”

“Sir,wedidn’tbringthesepeoplehere.Imean,ontheMalleusJesu.Andsotheonlywaytheycanhavegothere—”

Somehowthiselementaryobservationhadn’timpresseditselfonQuintus’sconsciousness.“UnlesstheywalkedhundredsofmilesfromoneoftheindigenousHatches,theonlywayisthroughthatHatch.Which

weourselvesconstructed—”“Andwhichhasevidently

connecteditselftothewidernetworkofHatches,justasitshould.Butwedon’tknowwherethatconnectionwillhavebeenmadeto.PerhapstosomeplaceevenmoreexoticthanthecitiesoffarXin.”

Quintus,throughhistemper,sawthesensebehindthisreasoning.“Sowedon’t

knowwherethey’refrom,howtheygothere,orwhattheycando.Thereforewedon’tknowwhatthreattheymayrepresenttous,theship,ourmission.EventheEmpire.”

“No,sir.”“Well,thesoonerwefind

outthebetter.Let’sgetthisoverwith.Backmeup,optio.”Andhestrodewithouthesitationtothestairtothe

lowerdeck.Behindhimheheardthe

optiosnapoutcommands,hastilyassemblingaguardunitfromon-dutylegionaries.

ItwasareliefforQuintustohitthegroundatthebottomoftheladder,toleavetheconfinementoftheaerialwhaleandtobeabletostrideouttowardtheintruders,puttingallhisenergiesintothesimpleactionofwalking.

Toworkouthisfrustrationsinmotion,inphysicalexercise:thathadbeenhiswaysincehehadbeenayoungbullofarawrecruitinLegioXCVictrix,unabletocombattheshadowsofprivilege,preferenceandnepotismthathadblightedhiscareerinthearmyfromtheverybeginning.Walkingwasonething,buthavingsomebodytopunchout

wouldbeevenbetter.Butthatdidn’tappearto

bealikelyoptiontoday.ThetwoelderlyintrudersjuststoodtherebytheHatchemplacement,watchinghimapproach.Theylookedsomewhatstartled—asyoumight,hethought,ifyouhadjustpassedthroughthemysteriesofaHatchitself—buttheydidnotseemafraid,didnotseemdauntedbythe

prospectofafullyarmedcenturionoftheRomanarmybearingdownonthemasifhehadakerneluphisarse.

Oneofthem,theman,evencalledout—something.ThewordssoundedvaguelyfamiliartoQuintus,theaccentodd,stilted.

Timeforaparade-groundbellow,Quintusdecided.

3

Thecraftoverheadwaslikeatremendousairship.Itmovedsmoothly,silently.Itboreasymbolonitsouterenvelope,crossedaxeswithaChristiancrossinthebackground,andletteringabove:

SPQR

Anchorsofsomekindweredroppedfromafancy-lookinggondola.Whenthecrafthaddriftedtoahalt,aropeladderunrolledtotheground.AndasYuriEdenandStefKalinskiwatched,astonished,ahatchopened,andamanclambereddowntheladder.

Assoonashereachedthe

ground,themanstartedtowardthem.Heworeaplumedhelmet,andascarletcloakoverwhatlookedlikeabearskintunic.Hislowerlegswerebare,abovestrapped-upboots.Hehadaswordononehip,andagaudy-lookinghandguninaholsterontheother.

Yuricalled,“Whothehellareyou?”

Theman,striding

steadily,startedshoutingback:“Fortasseaccipiooratiostridensvestri.SumQuintusFabius,centurionavisstellaeMalleusJesu.Quidestis,quidagitisinhacprovincia?Etquidestmixtilinguavestri?Germanicusest?NondubitoquinvosexGermaniaeExteriorae.Cognovidegenusvestriprius.Bene?Quamrespondebitismihi?”

Alwaysanotherdoor,Yurithought.“Letmehandlethis.”Hespreadhishandsandwalkedforward,towardtheangrystranger.

•••

“IthinkIunderstandyourgutturalspeech.IamQuintusFabius,CenturionofthestarvesselMalleusJesu.Whoareyou,andwhatareyoudoing

inthisprovince?Andwhatisthatmongreltongueofyours?German,isit?FromOuterGermania,nodoubt.I’vedealtwithyoursortbefore.Well?Whathaveyougottosayforyourselves?”

Thefellowsaidsomethingtohisfemalecompanion,andwalkedforward,apparentlyundaunted.Butatleasthespreadhishands,Quintus

observed,showinghewasunarmed.

GnaeusJuniuscaughtupwithQuintus,panting.Glancingoverhisshoulder,Quintussawasmallsquadoflegionarieshadfollowedtheoptio,allaccordingtoregulations.“You’reoutofbreath,Gnaeus.Doubleyourdailyexerciseperiodfortherestofthemonth.”

“Thankyou,sir.Doyou

reallythinkthey’refromOuterGermania?Well,Isupposeyoushouldknow.”

“Andwhy’sthat,GnaeusJunius?Because,eventhoughmymothertongueisapurerLatinthanyours,myfatherwasfromGermaniaInferiorandmymotherwasfromBelgica,whichtothelikesofyoumeansImayaswellbetransrhenusmyself,isthatit?”

“Ofcoursenot,sir.”“We’renotallmoon

worshippersandbearshaggers,youknow.”

“I’mrelievedtohearit,sir.”

“Andmyancestorsdidputupahellofafight.ThelegionshadtodriveusallthewaytothecoastoftheMareSuevicumbeforetheyweresubdued.”

“Asyou’vepointedout

before,sir.”“Sodon’ttrytoflatter

me,GnaeusJunius.”“Sir—”“You’reverybadatit—”“Sir.Theintruderis

doingsomethingwithhispack.”

Quintussawthatthemanhadturnedawayfromhiscompanion,thewoman,andshewasopeningupthepackonhisbackforhim.Quintus

andGnaeusimmediatelydrewtheirballistae,theirhandguns.Quintusheardtheseniormanofthesquadbehindhimmurmurbrusquecommands.

Themalestranger,seeingtheRomans’reaction,spreadhisemptypalmswideoncemoreandagaincalledout.

“Weshouldjumpthem,”Quintussaid.

“Givethemamoment,

sir,”Gnaeussaid.“They’respeakingagain.ThattonguedoessoundmoreGermanicthannot.But,youknow,IwouldswearIcanhearathirdvoice,neithertheman’snorthewoman’s.”

Quintusglancedaroundsharply.Thetwostrangerswerealone.“Yourhearingiseitherbetterthanmine,optio,orworse.”

“Asifit’scomingfrom

thepackontheman’sback...”

“Abelly-speaker?Butweareratherfarfromanytheaterhere.I’llnotbeamusedbytrickery.”

Thewomanwasclosingupthepacknow.Evidentlyshehadfoundwhatshewanted.Sheheldtwocompactnodulesofasmooth,whitesubstance,likesmallmarblepebbles.

“Whateverthatis,”Gnaeusmurmured,“it’ssurelytoosmalltobeaweapon.”

“Nowwho’sjumpingtoconclusions?”

Thewomanhandedoneofthenodulestohercompanion.TheywerebothwatchfuloftheRomans,andwereevidentlyendeavoringtomakesureQuintus’smencouldseeeverythingthey

weredoing.Cautiously,theyeachpressedanoduleintooneear.

Andwhenthemanspokeagain,Quintuswasstartledtodiscoverhecouldunderstandhiswords.

“Isthetranslationcorrect?Canyouunderstandme?”

“HespeaksLatin,”Gnaeusbreathed.“Ratherstilted,formalLatin.”

Quintusgrowled,“IftheycouldspeakLatinallthewhile,whyaddressusinGerman?”

“Perhapstheycouldnotspeakit,”Gnaeussaid,puzzlingitout.“Perhapsitisthosenodulesintheirearsthatspeakitforthem.ForIthinkIhearatraceoftheGermanbehindthelouderLatinwords...Orperhapsitisthelittlefellowtheycarry

inthepackontheman’sbackwhoknowstheLatin.”

“Andwhobelly-speaksfortheothertwo,Isuppose?Yourimaginationrunsawaywithyou,optio.”

“Thisisastrangesituation,sir.Perhapsimaginationiswhatweneed.”

“Let’sgetdowntoreality.”Quintusputhisweaponbackintoitsloopat

hisbeltandsteppedforward,bunchedfistsonhips.“Whatisyourmissionhere?”

Thestrangersexchangedglances.“Wehavenomission.Weare,”andherethespeakerstumbled,asifsearchingforapreciseterm,“wearescouts.”Thetwoofthempulledthewhitepodsawayfromtheirearsandspokeintheirowntongue,briefly.

“Scouts?Forwhatarmy?AreyouBrikantiorXinorRoman?Towhichemperordoyoupayyourtaxes?”

Gnaeusmurmured,“TheBrikantidon’thaveanemperor,sir.”

“Shutup.”Thewomansaidnow,

“Ourspeakerhasnottherightword.Weare,”anotherhesitation,“philosophers.Wecamethroughthe,thedoor

—”“TheHatch,”said

Gnaeus.“Yes,verywell,the

Hatch.Wecametodiscoverwhatishere,onthisworld.Notaspartofamilitaryforce.”

“They’resayingthey’reexplorers,sir.”

Quintusgrunted.“They’relying,then.Romansdon’texplore,anymorethan

Alexanderdid—notforanyabstractpurpose.Romansdiscover,survey,conquer.”

“Buttheyaren’tRomans,sir.”

Quintusrepeated,“Whatemperordoyouserve?”

Thestrangersexchangedaglance.“Weservenoemperor.Ourprovinceisunconquered.”Againtheylookeduncertainatthetranslation.

Quintusscoffed.“NowhereonTerrais‘unconquered’savefortheicywastesofthesouth.Flagsflyeverywhere—somebody’sflagatleast,andmorethanoneifthere’sawarinprogress.”

Thewomantriedagain.“Werecognizenoneofthenamesyoumentioned.Noneofthepolities.”

Gnaeussaid,“Thenyou

can’tcomefromTerra.”Thewomanlookedat

himfrankly.“NotfromyourTerra.”

Gnaeus’seyeswidened.Quintuswasbaffled,and

frustrated.“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?Perhapsyourcountryhasvanishedunderconquest,likethekingdomoftheJews.Perhapsyourpeopleareslaves.”

“No,”thewomansaid

firmly.“Wearenotslaves.”Sheseemedtolistenforamoment.“Verywell,ColU.I’llemphasizethat.Wearefreeborn.”

Gnaeusasked,“Whoareyouspeakingto?Whois...Collu?Collius?”

“Wearefreeborn,”thewomansaidagain.“Strangerstoyou,strangersinthisplace,butfreeborn.Weaskforyourprotection.”

“Protection?”Quintusrappedhisbreastplate.“WhatdoyouthinkIam,avicarius,aBiblescholar?Soyoudon’thavenations.Youdon’thaveowners.Doyouhavenames?You?”Hejabbedafingeratthewoman.

“MynameisStephanieKarenKalinski.”

“Andyou?”Themangrinned,almost

insolently.“YuriEden.”

QuintusglancedatGnaeus.“Whatdoyoumakeofthat?‘Stephanie’soundsGreek—respectableenough.But‘Yu-ri”—Scythian?Hun?”

“Theirnamesareasexoticastheirappearance,sir,”Gnaeusmurmured.

“Oh,I’vehadenoughofthis.We’vealottogetdonebeforetheMalleusJesucanleavethisdesolateplace—the

sorting-outoftheveteransandtheircoloniaforastart.I’venotimeforphilosophicalconundrums.Disarmthem,takethemasslaves—findsomeuseforthem,iftheyhaveany.Andifallelsefails,findasuitablyeconomicalwaytodisposeofthem.”

Gnaeuslookedunhappy,buthenodded.“Yes,sir.”

Thewomansteppedforwardsharply.“Quintus

Fabius.You’remakingamistaketodismissus.Wecanbeusefultoyou.”

Helaughed.“How?You’retoooldtobeaconcubine,tooflabbyandsofttofight—what,canyoucook?”

Shetappedherskull.“Wehaveknowledge.Knowledgeyoudon’tshare.”

Gnaeussaidhastily,“Shemayhaveapoint,sir.Westill

don’tknowanythingaboutthesepeople,howtheycametobehere.TheGreekshaveasaying:‘Knowledgeisthemostpotentweapon.’”

Quintusgruntedhiscontemptforthat.“Aphrasenodoubtcookedupbysomeshiny-domedphilosopherwhenRomanlegionariesfirstcametohishometownwavingtheirswords.”

“He’sright,”thewoman

said.“Itwouldbeirresponsibleofyoutodiscarduswithoutbeingsure—”

Quintusroared,“Irresponsible?Doyoupresumetotellmemyduty,woman?”

ButKalinskiheldherground.“Forexample,perhapswehaveknowledgetoshareofacommonenemy.”Shethoughtitover.

“AnenemyofRome,strongerandmorewilythaneventheXinandthe—”

“TheBrikanti,”Gnaeusprompted.

Quintusdemanded,“Ofwhatenemydoyouspeak?”

Shegesturedattheinstallationbehindher.“IspeakofwhoeverwishestheseHatchestobebuilttostraddlethestars.Andwhomanipulatesthedestiniesof

mightierempireseventhanyourRometomakeitso...”

Butnowtheman,YuriEden,seemeddistractedbysomething.Apparentlyobliviousoftheconversation,hetookastepforward.

Thelegionariesreacted,drawingtheirweaponsandpullingclosertotheircommander.Quintustoomadetodrawhisballista.

ButGnaeuslaida

restraininghandonhisarm,andpointedintothesky.“Itisthesunrise,sir.Heispuzzledbyit.”

Remuswasrising,thesecondstarofthisdoublesystem,brighterthanLunaorVenus,brighterthananystarintheskyofTerra.Everywheretheshadowsbecamedoubled.Romulusnevershiftedintheskyofthisworld,butRemusdid,

followingaconvolutedapparentpaththateventheship’sArabmathematicianshadhaddifficultypuzzlingout.

Andarunnercamedashingfromtheanchoredcetus.“Centurion!There’sareportofariotatthecolonia.Themenareinthegranary,andarethreateningtoburndowntheprincipia—”

“What,again?”Quintus

raisedhisheadtotheskyandletoutanotherroar.“FatheroftheChrist,whydoyougoadme?Withme,optio.”Andhestalkedoffbacktothecetus.

YuriEdenwatchedthesecondsunrise,entranced.

4

Forlackofanyclearerorders,itseemed,thetroopswhohadfollowedtheircommanderouttomeetYuriandStefwavedtheirshortswords,andorderedthetwotravelerstofollowQuintusbacktothe

airship.“Nofunnystuff,mind.”

StefhelpedYurihitchthepackonhisbackastheyfollowedthemen,listeningtotheirgruffspeech.Shemurmured,“Sothey’reallspeakingLatin.”

“OralinealdescendantofclassicalLatinanyhow,”theColUsaid.Reducedtoitsprocessingcenter,theremainsoftheautonomous

colonizationunitrodeinYuri’sbackpack,andwhisperedintheirearsthroughtheplugsithadprovided,projectingtranslationsoftheirwordsattheRomans.

“But,”saidStef,“evenIcantellthere’sawholebunchofaccentsinthere.”

“Romealwayswasanamalgamofmanynations,”theColUsaid.“Aforced

joining.Inthelatterdays,inthewest,provincials—whohadbeenregardedasbarbariansinagesbefore—rosetohighcommandintheEmpire.Stilicho,forinstance,thebestmilitaryleaderofthelateEmpireinwesternEurope.”

“Iadmireyourgraspofhistory,ColU,”Stefmurmured.“Amongyourotheraccomplishments.”

“IwasprogrammedtoserveastutortothechildrenofYuri’scolonyonPerArdua.Myknowledgebaseisbroad.”

Yurisaid,“Ithinkshe’sribbingyou.”

“Well,Iamhappytoserve,eventhoughthatdestinyhaschanged—”

“Andso,”Stefsaid,“itappears,hasthedestinyofRome.TheCaesarsdidn’t

traveltothestars.Theydidn’tevenhaveairships,asfarasIknow.Maybethehistoryyourememberisoutofdate,ColU.IwonderiftheseRomanseverheardofStilicho.”

“Youareright,ofcourse.ThesearenotourRomans.Wecanbeguidedbyourknowledgeofourownhistory,butwemustalwaysbeawarethatthingsare

differenthere.”“Here,ontheotherside

oftheHatch,”Yurisaid.“ThewordtheRomans

areusingfortheemplacementisactuallymorelikeGateway,”theColUsaid.“Ihavechosentotranslateittothemorefamiliarterm...”

Stefshookherhead.“Herewearediscussingawholenewhistory,asifitwasnormal.Areweallgoing

crazy?Asifithappenedeveryday.”

TheColUsaidsoftly,“Atleastwearecoping,ColonelKalinski.”

AndYurigrinned.“Besides,didn’titalreadyhappentoyouoncebefore,Stef,backonMercury?Itis—difficult,though.DoyouthinkifwesteppedbackthroughtheHatch—ifthesegoonsinfancydresseverlet

us—wewouldfindourselvesbackwherewecamefrom?Imean,onPerArdua,andwiththeonlyRomansinthehistorybookswheretheybelong?”

“SomehowIdoubtit,YuriEden,”theColUsaid.“Havingsteppedthroughthisdoor—”

“Wecannevergoback.IfthereareRomanshere,they’regoingtobe

everywhere,right?”“Wemustmakethebest

ofit,YuriEden.Andafterall,nobodyforcedustocomehere,throughtheHatch.”

Yurilookeddrawn,tired,Stefthought—ill,perhaps.Theyhadallbeenthroughalot,thislongday—eventhough,asaglanceatherwatchshowedher,withshock,thatnotanhourhadpassedsincethey’dsaidtheir

goodbyestoLiuTao,inthemiddleofthechillfarsideofPerArdua,planetofProximaCentauri.Itwasobviousthey’dtraveledahellofalongwayfromProxima,itselffourlight-yearsfromEarth.Andtraveledmorethanmeredistance—morethanjustlight-years.Whatwasthisplace?

•••

Theyreachedtheairship.Stefwasshovednonetoo

gentlybyalegionary’spalmtowardaropeladder.Sheclimbedstiffly,followedbyYuri.

Thetwoofthem—threewiththeColU—werepushedintoaholdatthebaseofthegondola,roomybutwithoutwindows,andlitbyacrude-lookingfluorescentlamp.Theyhadnoviewout.They

hadnoseatseither;theyweremadetositonthefloor,withtheirbackstothewoodenwall.Thesoldierssataroundontheircloaks,talkingsoftly,andlookingspeculativelyatStef,whogloweredback.

Theship,whichtheRomanscalledacetus,liftedwithasmoothacceleration,ahissofbellowssomewhere.

“Thewallsarewooden,”Yuriobserved.“Andthe

floor.Iseestraw,andbloodstains,andthewholethingsmellsofsheep.”

“Andgoats,”Stefsaid.“Althoughthatcouldbethelegionaries.Thishastobesomekindofsurfacepatrolvessel.Starshipinorbitsomewhere?Youwonderwhatkindoftechnologytheymusthaveupthereifthisisthebesttheycandodownhere.”

“Iftheyhavekernels,”theColUsaid,“quitecrudeenablingtechnologiesmaybesufficientforotherpurposes,suchaslifesupport.Kernels—which,incidentally,theyrefertoasvulcans,afterthegodoftheforge.Ihavetranslatedappropriately.”

Thelegionarieswatchedthemsuspiciouslyastheyspoke,andStefwasuncomfortablyawareofhow

eerieitmightseemtothesecharacters—bored,heavilyarmedsoldiers—ifsheandYuriappearedtobelisteningtoavoice,evenrespondingtoit,thattheycouldn’thear.Itwasalmostareliefwhenoneofthemgrunted,“Notalking.”

Stefshrugged.ButshesawthatYuri’seyeswereclosedanyhow,hisarmsfoldedoverthebackpackon

hislap,hisheadlolling.Itwasn’tlongbeforethe

airshipdescended.Asanchorchainsrattled,thelegionariesdebatedbrieflyamongthemselves.Thentheystood,openedthedoortotheshortcorridordownwhichthey’dcometothishold,andshovedthetravelersbacktothehatchthroughwhichthey’dclamberedaboardthevessel.Theretheyweremadetowait

untilQuintusFabiusandafewofhisofficershadgonedowntheladdertotheground.

Stefduckedsoshecouldlookoutofthehatch.Shesawanenclosedcompound,roughlyrectangular,laidoutoverthepurple-streakedground,withwallsofsodandwhatlookedlikeorange-tingedwood,andcentralbuildingsofwoodandthatch.

Carefullyshepulledaslatefromherjacketpocket.“Hey,ColU,youmightwanttoseethis.”ShehelduptheslatetoserveastheColU’svision.

“Remarkable.Remarkable!AclassicRomanlegion’smarchingcamp.Displacedthousandsofyearsintime,andbroughtacrossthestars...”

Theywereproddeddowntheladder.

Ontheground,theleaderofthelittlegroupofsoldiersdeliveredthembacktotheretinueofQuintusFabius.Quintusignoredthem,butGnaeusJunius,thesecond-in-command—theoptio,Steflearned—wavedvaguely.“Oh,juststandoverthereandstayoutoftrouble.”

Andtroubletherewas,asStefcouldsee.Shovedtotheperiphery,ignoredasthe

Romansbickeredamongthemselves,shetriedtomakesenseofallthis.

CenturionQuintuswasinthemiddleofsomekindofargumentwithagroupoflegionaries,mostdressedinwhatStefwascomingtothinkofasthecharacteristicstyleofthesepost-Romans—muchasRomansoldiershaddressedinallthehistorybooksandreconstructions

she’dseen,eveniftheyweregenerallydrabber,dirtierandmorebattle-scarred.Theyallworeheavybelts,withloopsforweaponsandimmense,ornatebuckles.Thebeltswerethesinglemoststrikingfeatureoftheircostumes,shethought,gaudy,almostbarbaric.Quintusdominatedproceedingsinhisscarletcloakandspectacularlyplumedhelmet.

Butsomeothersworevariousothercostumes.Onetough-lookingwoman,short,stocky,red-haired,stoodfearlesslyclosetothecenturion.Sheworeakindofwoollenponcho,withtunic,trousersandboots;thereseemedtobemilitaryinsigniaonhershoulderflashes,butnothinglikeRomandesigns.Still,shestoodbesideQuintusFabiusasifshe

deservedherplace.Alongsideherweremoremenandwomendressedmuchasshewas,aswellasanolderman,dark,withaMediterraneanlooktoStef’seyes,wearingakindofcut-downtoga.

Stefheardchickenscluckandsheepbleat,andthevoicesofwomenandchildrenaswellasthegruffertonesofthemen,andshesmelledcookingfires.Nowthatshe

wasontheground,thefortfeltlesslikeamilitaryinstallationthanasmalltown,iffortified.Buttherewasastrongerburningsmell,ofstrawandsomekindofwood.Abuildingonfire?

Astheargumentswenton,alineofwomen,bentlowunderyokesbearingpailsofwater,madetheirwaypasttheknotsofsoldiers,entirelyignored,eyesdowncast.Stef

stared.Couldthesebeslaves?Yurishookhishead.

“Whataday.Wecameallthisway,westeppedbetweenthestars,andnownobody’spayingusanyattention.”

Stefshrugged.“Peoplearepeople.Everybodyhastheirownproblems,Iguess.”

“Yes,”saidtheColU.“Whatwemustdoisleveragethoseproblemstoouradvantage.”

Stefsaid,“ColU,thatmessengertoldQuintustherewastroubleatthecolonia.Youthinkthat’swhatthisplaceis?”

TheColUmurmuredinherear,“ItwastheRomanpracticetoplantcoloniesofveteransoldiersinanewlyoccupiedprovince.Aneasywayofenforcingimperialdiscipline,anexampleofRomanculturefornewly

conqueredbarbarians,amilitaryreserve,anoccupiedfortification.Maybethat’swhat’sbeingsetuphere.Manyoftheselegionaries,withtheirfamilies,maynotbegoinghomeagainwhentheMalleusJesuleavesthisworld.Evidentlythat’swhatthey’regrumblingabout.”

“Afortificationagainstwhat?”Stefthoughtback.“We’veseensomemighty

ruinsherebutnosignofanextantcivilization.Noanimallifeeven,thosecluckingchickensaside.Whataretheselegionariesgoingtowagewaragainst,aslimemold?”

Yurigrinnedtiredly.“Thisisanalienworld,Stef.Iguessitdependsontheslimemold.”

“Andalso,”theColUsaid,“iftheseRomanscan

reachthisworld,somaytheirrivals.”

“TheyspeakoftheXin,”Stefmurmured.“Chinese,doyouthink?”

“Thename‘China’hasarootinthenameofthefirstdynastytounifythecountry.‘Xin’couldbeacorruptionofthat.”

“AndtheBrikanti,whoevertheyare.”

“IamBrikanti.”The

womanintheponchowhohadbeenstandingwithQuintuscamestridingover.“Whoeveryouare.”Herlanguage,audibleunderthetranslation,wasLatinbutheavilyaccented.“IhadheardarumorthatQuintushaddiscoveredstrangersbyhisbrandnewHatch.”

“Rumorstravelfasthere,”Stefsaid.

Thewomanlaughed.“In

aRomancamp,ofcoursetheydo.”SheleanedclosertoinspectStef.Herhairwasadeep,proudred,andcroppedshort;shelookedperhapsfortyyearsold—maybeaquarter-centuryyoungerthanStefherself—butherface,weather-beaten,madeitdifficulttotellherageprecisely.Hereyeswereanicyblue.Shesaid,“Youdressstrangely.Yousmell

strangely.Iwillenjoyhearingyourliesaboutyourorigin.”

Stefgrinned.“Youprobablywouldn’tbelievemeifItoldyouthetruth.”

“Ha!Thatbull-headedcenturionmightnot;weBrikantihavesubtlerminds.Onethingiscertain—youdidnotstowawaytothisworldaboardtheMalleusJesu.”

“Howdoyouknowthat?”

“Theshipismine.ThismissionisajointventureofRomeandEboraki—andifyoudon’tknowtheBrikanti,youwon’tknowthatEborakiisourcapital.Intheorbitofthesunwehaveourownfleets,RomeandBrikanti,butwecooperateonmissionstothestars.QuintusFabiuscommandsthemissionandhisRomanlouts,butI,Movena,commandthevessel

anditscrew.TheRomantermformyroleistrierarchus.TheshipitselfisBrikanti,ofcourse.”

“I...thinkIunderstand.”

Theoldermaninthetogaleanedclosertoherasshespoke.“It’sremarkable,Movena.Shespeakssoftly,inatonguethat,toastrangerlikeme,soundslikeyourown,mixedinwithGerman

perhaps.Yetthat—thinginherear—repeatsherwordsinLatin.Butwhatifweremoveit?IfImay?”HereacheduptoStef’shead.

Shewasuncomfortablewiththis,butshehardlyhadachoice.SheglancedoveratYuri,whoshrugged.Sheletthemanremoveherearphone.

Movenagrinnedeasily.“Don’tmindMichael.He’s

themedicus,theship’sdoctor.AGreek,likeallthebestdoctors.AndlikeallGreeks,endlesslycuriousabouttrivia.I’mspeakinginmynativetonguenow.Canyouunderstandme?”

Stefheardthisonlyindistinctly,fromYuri’searphone;Movena’snaturaltongue,soundinglikeDanishwithalilt,dominatedherhearing.

Michaelsaid,“Saysomethinginyourownspeech.”

Stefgrinned.“Ifyoudamagethatearphone,I’llbreakyourarm.”

“Ha!Remarkable.”Hepassedbacktheearphone,whichStefquicklyreplacedinherear.

AndYuricoughed,suddenly.Stefsawthathewasleaningonalowrampart

wall,andshefeltastabofconcernforhim.

Michaelpushedforward.“Please,letmeseeifIcanhelpyou...”

MovenaturnedtoStef.“Isyourcompanionill?”

“NotthatI’mawareof.”“TheGreekisan

excellentphysician—farbetterthantheseRomansdeserve.Hewillhelp,ifhelpispossible.”Asthedoctor

approachedYuri,MovenadrewStefaside.“Nowlistentome.”

“Yes?”“Icommandnotonlythe

shiponthismission.Iamseniorwoman.QuintusFabiushasagreedtothis.”

“Seniorwoman?”Movenasighed.“Doyou

knowsoldiers?”“Iwasonemyself.”Movenaraisedher

eyebrows.“Verywell.Thenyouwillknowhowsoldiersbehave—howtheyhavealwaysbehaved.Themen,anyhow.IntheRomansystem,yousee,thearmyisall;theirnavyisessentiallyabranchofthearmy.Whereasinoursystemitistheotherwayaround.Whichiswhyoursystemsmeshtogethersowell,whenwearen’targuing,RomansandBrikanti.

“ButyouneedtounderstandthattheseRomansareprimarilysoldiers,andthatishowtheythinkofthemselves.Mostoftheselegionaries,especiallytheolderones,haveservedinwar,onconventionalmilitarymissions—mostwillprobablyhaveseenserviceinthelastValhallancampaignsagainstmyownpeopleinthenortherncontinent,awar

‘concluded’withthelatestflawedattemptatatreaty,butprobablyflaringagainbynow.AndinthesouththeRomans’uglierwarswiththeXingrindon...Insuchwars,womenarebooty.Ortargets,theirbodiesabattlegroundafterthemenhavefallen.Doyouunderstand?Now,thisisnotawarofconquest;therearenoenemiestodefeathere,

humanorotherwise.Nothingtorapeandkill.Andofcoursethemenhavebeenabletobringtheirwivesandsweethearts,eventheirchildren.Suchisthewayofit—forifyousentashipfulofRomansoldiersoffonayear-longmission,alonewithoutwomen,they’dhavebuggeredeachothersenselessbeforekillingeachotheroverthefavorsoftheprettiest

standard-bearersbeforetheygotpastAugustus.”

“Augustus?”Shefrowned.“The

seventhplanetofthesun...Wheredoyoucomefrom?But,look,evenwithfemalecompanionsavailable,menaremen,soldiersaresoldiers—andwomenaretargets,theslaves,thecelibateservantgirlsofthevicariusofChrist,eventheircomrades’wives

anddaughters.You,mydear,arenotsooldnorsouglythatyouaresafe.”

“Thanks.”“Andsoweprotecteach

other.AsIsaid,Iamseniorwoman.Ifyouhavetroubleofthatsort,cometome.”

“Icanlookaftermyself.”“Good.Doso,andcome

tomewhenyoufail.Isthatclear?”

“Yes.Thankyou.”

“Verywell.Nowweshouldpayattentiontotheselittleboyswiththeirquarrel...”

•••

QuintusFabius’svoiceboomedout,cuttingthroughthearguments.“TitusValerius,youoldrogue!Atlastyoushowyourface.Imighthaveknownyouwere

behindallthistrouble.”Throughthecrowd,Stef

couldseeoneofthelegionariesbeingpushed,apparentlyreluctantly,tothefrontofamobofunhappymen.Hewasburly,withhisbareheadshavedclose,agrizzledgray—and,Stefsaw,onearmterminatedinastump,encasedinawoodencylinder.“Centurion,don’ttakeitoutonme.Andit

wasn’tmewhosettheprincipiaalight.Onthecontrary,itwasmewhoorganizedthebucketchainsthat—”

“Pah!Don’tgivemethat,youdevil.Youweretroublewhenyouwereundermyfather’scommandandnowyou’rejustasmuchtroubleundermine.”

Titussighedheavily.“Ah,well,ifIcouldaffordto

retireIwouldhavelongago,sir—youknowthat—andI’dtakemydaughter,Clodia,homeforadecenteducationandaquietlife,awayfromtheruffiansofyourcommand.”

“Ha!”Quintuswavedahandatthefort.“Thisisyourretirement,youdolt.Acitytocommand.Aworldtoconquer!Why,I’llappointyouheadofthesenateifyou

like.”“Fancytitlesaren’tfor

me,sir.Andneitheristhisworld.”

“TheMalleusleavesinunderamonth,andyouwon’tbeonit.Andifyouhaven’tsortedyourselvesoutbythen—”

“Butthat’simpossible,sir!That’swhatwetriedtotellyou.That’swhywehadtosettheprincipiaalight,to

makeyoulisten!”“Ithoughtyousaidit

wasn’tyou—”Titusgrabbedhis

commander’sarmwithhisonehand.“Listentome,sir.Ourcropswon’tgrowhere.Thewheat,thebarley,evenValhallapotatoesfailandtheygrowanywhere.Thesoil’stoodry!Orthere’ssomethingwrongwithit,somethingmissing...You

knowme,sir.I’mnofarmer.”“Yes,andyou’renot

muchofasoldiereither.”“Nomatterwhatwedo,

andwe’vebeenstirringourshitintothisdirtformonthsnow,nothing’sworking.Why,thisremindsmeofatimeoncampaignwhen—”

“Sparemeyouranecdotes.Shitharder,man!”

“It’snotjustthedirt,sir.”Titusglancedupatthesky,at

therisingsecondsunofthisworld.“SomesaythatbastardRemusisgettingbigger.”

“Bigger?”“Thisworld,thissun,is

spinningintowardit.Whatthen,sir?It’shotenoughhereasitis.Ifwearetobescorchedbytwosuns—”

“Rubbish!”Quintusproclaimedboldly.

Theresponsewasangryheckling.Hefacedthemob

bravely,butmenonbothsidesoftheargumenthadtheirhandsonthehiltsoftheirswords.

StefmurmuredtoMovena,“Dothemenhaveapoint?”

“Well,they’rerightaboutthesecondsun.Thisworldcirclesthebiguglystaryouseeupthere—that’scalledRomulus;RomansalwayscalldoublestarsRomulusand

Remus.ButRomulusandRemuscircleacommoncenteroftheirown—theylooptowardandawayfromeachotherlikematingbirds,orlikethetwobrightstarsoftheCentaur’sHoof,thenearestsystemtoTerra.Inafewyears,asthatsecondsunswimsclose,thisworldwillgetdecidedlyhotterthanitisnow—andthen,afewmoredecadesafterthatwhenit

recedes,itwillgetcolder.”Stefwonderedifthis

wretchedplanetwasdoomedtoorbitoutofitsstar’shabitablezone,whenthetwingottooclose—orevenrecededtoofaraway.“Hasanybodymodeledthis?Imean,workedouthowtheclimatewillchange?”

“Idoubtit.Andeveniftheyhad,nomatterhowdirethewarning,theordersfor

thesemenandtheirfamilieswouldnotvary.FromthepointofviewoftheimperialstrategistssnugintheirvillasontheoutskirtsofGreaterRome,yousee,worldsaresimple.Theyarehabitable,ortheyarenot.Iftheyarenot,theymaybeignored.Iftheyare,theymustbeinhabited,bycoloniasuchasthisone.Inhabitedandfarmed.ItisjustastheRomanstookevery

countryintheirreachandappendeditasaprovince—allbutPritanike,ofcourse,thankstothewisdomofQueenKartimandia,andweBrikantiescapedtheirnet.Ifthisworldisnothabitableafterallforsomesubtle,long-termreason,badluckforthecolonists.ButatleasttheXinwon’thaveit.Doyousee?ThoughImustsayitwillbeunfortunateifthevery

cropswon’tgrowhere—”“Icanmakesoil.”TheColU’svoicecame

clearlyfromYuri’sbackpack.Yuri,reluctantlybeingexaminedbytheGreekdoctor,lookedalarmedatthesuddendirectcommunication.

TheBrikantiship’scommanderwassurprisedtoo.Then,withouthesitation,shemarchedovertoYuri,shovedhimaroundsoshe

couldgetathispack,openedit,andpeeredatthecomponentsinside.“Whattrickeryisthis?”

“Notrickery,trierarchus.Iamamachine.Anautonomouscolonizationunit.Iamdesignedtoassisthumansintheconquestofalienworlds.Andinparticular,Icanmakesoil.”

“Ifthisistrue—”“Soilisacomplexof

organisms,manyofthemmicroscopic,andnutrientsofvariouskinds.Ifoneofthoseismissingonthisworld,Iwilldetectit,andwithsuitableequipmentcanbeginthesynthesisofsupplements,thebreedingoforganisms.Trierarchus,Icanmakesoil.”

“Andyourprice?”“Safetyformyselfand

mycompanions.”Movenaconsidered.

“Youknow,Ibelieveyou.Impossibleasitseems—butthenyoutwo,youthree,arewalking,talkingimpossibilitiesalready,aren’tyou?IfQuintusFabiusbelievesthistoo—and,Isuspect,ifhebuysoffTitusValeriusbyofferinghimandhisdaughterarideoffthisdustbowl—thenperhapsthesituationcanberesolved.Andallyouwantissafety?”

Yuriwasrackedbyacoughingspasm.Thedoctor,lookingconcerned,helpedhimtosit.

“Safety,”saidtheColUfromthepackthatwasstillonYuri’sback,“andmedicalattentionformyfriend.”

Movenagrinned.“HowpleasingitwillbeformetodeliverthismiracletothearrogantRomans.LetmetalktoQuintus.”

5

AD 2213; AUC 2966

BythetimetheNailstruckMercury,theISFspacecraftTataniahadalreadybeentravelingforthreedays.Theshiphadheadedstraightout

fromtheEarth-moonsystem,awayfromthesun,andwasmorethanthreetimesasfarfromthesunastheEarth,whenBethEdenJonespickedupafragmentarymessagefromhermother.

“I’msorryIhadtothrowyouatGeneralLex,evenifhedoesowemeafavor.Whereveryouendup,I’llcomelookingforyou.Don’tforgetthatI’llalways—”

Andthen,immediatelyafter,theflash,dazzlingbright,fromtheheartofthesolarsystem.Thebridgewasfloodedwithlight.

Bethsawthemreact.LexMcGregor,inhiscaptain’schair,straighteninghisalreadyerectback.PennyKalinskigrabbingJiangYouwei’shandsinbothherown.Earthshine,thecreepyvirtualpersona,seemingto

freeze.Theyallseemedtoknowwhathadhappened,thesignificanceoftheflash.

AllsaveBeth.“What?”Bethsnapped.

“Whatisit?Whathappened?”

Earthshineturnedhisweirdartificialfacetoher.Intheyearsshe’dspentinthesolarsystem,Bethhadnevergotusedtosharingherworldwithfakepeoplelikehim.

“Theyhaveunleashedthewolfofwar.We,humanity,wehaditboundupwithtreaties,withwords.Nomore.Andnow,this.”

“Theybeing...”“TheHatchbuilders.

Whoelse?”“Andyou,youaren’t

human.Yousaywe.Youhavenorighttosaythat.”

Thevirtuallookedathermournfully.“Iwashuman

once.MynamewasRobertBraemann.”

Andshestaredathim,shockedtothecorebythename.

LexMcGregorturnedtofacePenny.“Sothisisthekernelsgoingup.Right,Kalinski?”

“Ithinkso.”“Whatmustwedo?We

werefarenoughfromtheflashforittohavedoneusno

immediateharm,Ithink.Godblessinverse-squarespreading.Whatcomesnext?”

Pennyseemedtothinkitover.“There’llprobablybeaparticlestorm.Likehigh-energycosmicrays.Concentratedlittlepacketsofenergy,butmovingslowerthanlight.They’llbehereinafewhours.Hardtoestimate.”

“OK.MaybeIshouldcutthedriveforawhile,turntheshiparoundsowehavetheinterstellar-mediumshieldsbetweenusandMercury?”

“Mightbeagoodidea.”Bethdidn’tunderstand

anyofthis.“AndwhatofEarth?What’sbecomeofEarth?”

Pennylookedbackather.“Lifewillrecover,ultimately.Butfornow...”

McGregorbegantheproceduretoshutdownthemaindriveandturntheshiparound.Hisvoicewascalmandcompetentasheworkedthroughhischecklistswithhiscrew.

Bethimaginedaburnedland,ablack,lifelessocean.

Asitturnedout,shewasentirelywrong.

•••

Withthedriveoff,andtheaccelerationgravityreducedtozero,thecrewandpassengersoftheISFkernelhulkTataniatookabreak—fromthesituation,fromeachother.Bethunbuckledherharness,swamoutofhercouch,andmadeherclumsywaytothebathroom,lockedherselfin,andjustsat,eyesclosed,tryingtoregulateherbreathing.Tryingnotto

think.Butthensheheardthe

resttalking,andthecrackleofradiomessages.Voices,speakingwhatsoundedtoBethlikeamash-upofSwedishandWelsh.Thirtyminutesafterthekerneldrivehadbeenshutdown,andthescreenofhigh-energyparticlesandshort-wavelengthradiationfromitsexhaustdissipated,thefirst

radiomessagesfromtheinnersystemwerebeingreceivedbytheTatania’ssprawlingantennas.

GatheredoncemoreonthebridgeoftheTatania,thepassengersandcrewlistenedtothefragmentaryvoices,staringatoneanother,uncomprehending.Bethlookedaroundthegroup,inthisfirstmomentofstillnesssincetheTataniahadflung

itselfawayintospacefromEarth’smoon.

Herself:BethEdenJones,thirty-sixyearsold,bornonaplanetofProximaCentauributbroughtbacktoEarthbyamotherwhowasnow,presumably,burnedtoacrisponMercury—butnotbeforeshehadforcedBethonthisnewjourneyintostrangeness.

GeneralLexMcGregoroftheISF:amonumentofa

maninhisseventies,commanderofthisspacefleetship,lookingprofessionallyconcernedbutunperturbed.Evenhisvoicewassoothing,oratleastitwasforBeth.McGregor,likeBeth’sfather,YuriEden,wasBritish,butMcGregorhadgrownupinAngleterre,thesoutherncountiesofEnglandheavilyintegratedintoaEuropeanfederation,whileYurihad

beenborninanindependentNorthBritain,andtoBeth’searMcGregor’saccenthadthesoftestofFrenchintonationsasaresult.

PennyKalinski:somekindofphysicistwhohadknownBeth’smother,herselfnearlyseventy,lookingbewildered—no,Beththought,shewasscaredonsomedeeperlevel,asifallthisstrangenesswas

somehowdirectedatherpersonally.

JiangYouwei:aforty-year-oldChinesewhohadsomeantiquerelationshipwithPenny,andwhohadgotsweptuponthewrongsideoftheUN-Chinesewarthatlookedtohaveexplodedacrossthesolarsystem.

ThetwoyoungmembersoftheTatania’sbridgecrew:juniorISFofficers,maleand

female,lookingequallyconfused.But,Beththought,aslongasMcGregorwasaroundandcaptainofthishulk,theydidn’tneedtothink,didn’tneedtocare,regardlessofthebonfireoftheworldstheyhadfledandnowtheutterstrangenessleakingthroughthecommunicationsystems.McGregorwouldtakecareofthem.Orsuchwastheir

comfortingillusion.And,creepiestofall,

Earthshine:anartificialintelligence,withtheprojectedbodyofasmartlydressedforty-somethingmale,andalookofcalmengagementonhisface—anappearancethatwas,Bethknew,amendacioussimulation,aghostoflight.TheclosesttorealityEarthshinecamewasanugly

lumpoftechnologystowedawaysomewhereonthisvessel,astoreofthememoryandtricklingthoughtsthatcomprisedhisartificialpersonality.Hewasacreaturewho,withhistwo“brothers,”lockeddeepinhigh-technologycavernsontheEarth,hadexertedrealpoweroverallhumanityfordecades.

Andhe’dtoldherhistrue

name,oroneofthem:RobertBraemann.He’dknownBethwouldunderstandthesignificance,forher.

Allherlife,andespeciallysincebeingbroughttoEarthagainstherwill,she’dbeenreluctanttogetinvolvedinherparents’past:themuddledoldEarthsocietyfromwhichthey’demergedbeforethey’dcometotheemptinessofPer

Ardua,planetofProximaCentauri,whereBethhadbeenborn,herhome.Nothinghadchangedinthatregardnow.ShecouldseeEarthshinewasstillwaitingforsomekindofreactionfromher.Sheturnedawayfromhim,deliberately.

McGregor,swivelinginhiscommandcouch,surveyedthemallwithakindofprofessionalsympathy.“I

knowthisisdifficult,”hebegan.“It’sonlydayssincewefledwhatwasapparentlyacatastrophicwarintheinnersolarsystem.Wefeared—well,wefearedthedestructionofeverything,ofthespacecolonies,eventheEarthitself.Wehadnodestinationinmind,specifically.Mymission,mineandmycrew’s,wasessentiallytosaveyou,sir,”

andhenoddedtoEarthshine.“Thatwasmyprimaryorder,comingfromtheUNSecurityCouncilandmysuperiorsintheISF,inthehopethatyoucouldleadarebuildingprogramtofollow.”

“Andtherestofus,”saidPennyKalinskidrily,“weresweptupinEarthshine’swake.”

McGregorfacedher.Hewasstillhandsome,Beth

thought,despitehisyears,andhehadacharismathatwashardnottorespondto.Hesaid,“That’sthesizeofit.Ofcourseyou,Ms.Jones,areherebecause—well,becauseIowedafavortoyourmother.Ancienthistory.However,whateverthefatesthatbroughtustogether,hereweareinthissituationnow.Astowhatthatsituationis...”Heglancedathis

juniors.Respondingtothe

prompt,theyoungwomanraisedaslate.Agemaybetwenty-five,Bethguessed,shewassolidlybuiltwitharathersquareface;herblondhairwastightlyplaited.AtagstitchedonherjumpsuitreadISFLTMARIEGOLVIN,alongsidetheISFlogo.Bethnotedabsentlythatshehadasmallcrucifixpinnedbeside

thetag.Tappingatherslate,

Golvinsummarizedquickly.“Sir,weacceleratedforafullgravityforthreedays.Weshutdownthedrive,butwe’restillcruising,atourfinalvelocityofjustunderonepercentlightspeed.”Sheglancedaroundatthepassengers,evidentlywonderinghowmuchtheycouldunderstandofthe

situation.“Wesetofffromlunarorbitandheadeddirectlyoutfromthesun.We’recurrentlythreeastronomicalunitsfromthesun—thatis,deepintheasteroidbelt.Andstillheadingoutward.”

“Butnowwe’relookingback,”Earthshinesaid.“Nowthatthedriveexhaustisnolongerscreeningourabilitytolook,andlisten.And,instead

ofnewsfromashatteredEarth,we’rereceiving—”

“Messages,allright,”Golvinsaid.“Butmessageswedon’tunderstand.”

Shetappedherslate,andfragmentsofspeechfilledtheair,distorted,soakedbystatic,ghostvoicesspeakingandfadingaway.

“Tobeginwith,”Golvinsaid,“theseareallradiobroadcasts—liketwentieth-

centurytechnology,notlikethelaserandothernarrow-beamtransmissionmethodstheISFandthespaceagenciesourcompetitorsusenowadays.Infactwepickedthemup,notwiththeTatania’scommssystem,butwithasubsidiaryantennameantforradioastronomyandnavigationpurposes.Themessagesdon’tseemtobeintendedforus—they’re

leakage,essentially,thatwe’repickingupfortuitously.”

Jiangsaid,“Maybethesearefromscatteredcommunities,onEarthandbeyond.Radioisalltheycanimprovise.Requestsforhelp,fornews—”

“Idon’tthinkso,sir,”Golvinsaidpolitely.“Foronething,thedistributioniswrong.We’repickingup

thesemessagesfromallaroundtheplainoftheecliptic—thatis,allaroundthesky,thesolarsystem.Frombodieswherewehavenocolonies—noneofus,eitherUNorChinese—suchasthemoonsofJupiterandSaturn,someofthesmallerasteroids.”

“Survivors,then,”Jiangsuggested.“Inships.Fleeingasweare.”

Golvinshookherheadwithascrapofimpatience.“Sir,therehasn’tbeentime.Nobodycanhavefledmuchfartherandfasterthanwedid.Andbesides,there’sthequestionofthelanguages.”

Bethlistenedagaintothevoicescomingfromtheslate,bothmaleandfemale,somespeakinglanguagesthatwerealmost,hauntingly,familiar,yetnotquite...

Earthshinesaid,“Icanhelpwithsomeofthis.Myownsystemsareinterfacedwiththeship’s;Ihavearathermoreextensivelanguageanalysisandtranslationsuitethanthevessel’sown.”

McGregorgrunted,asifmovedtodefendhisvessel.“NobodyexpectedtheTataniatoneedsuchasuite,sir.”

“Evidentlythesituationhaschanged,”Earthshinesaidsmoothly.“Thereseemtobethreemainclustersinthesemessages—threelanguages,orlanguagegroups.Thefirst,themostcommonactually,iswhatsoundslikeablendofScandinavianlanguages,Swedish,Danish,mixedwitholdCeltictongues—Gaelic,Breton,Welsh.Thegrammarwilltakesomeunpicking;

muchofthevocabularyisrelativelystraightforward.”HeglancedatJiang.“Thesecondgroupyoumightrecognize.”

Jiang,frowning,wasstrugglingtolisten.“ItsoundslikeHanChinese,”hesaid.“Butheavilydistorted.Aregionaldialect,perhaps?”

“We’rehearingthisfromalloverthesolarsystem,”Golvinsaid.“Ifit’sadialect,

it’ssomehowbecomeadominantone.”

Pennyasked,“Andthethirdgroup?”

Golvinsaidcalmly,“Actually,that’stheeasiesttoidentify.Latin.”

Therewasabeat,ashockedsilence.

McGregorsaid,“Imightaddthatwe’vehadnoreplytoourattemptedcommunications,by

conventionalmeans,withISFcommandcenters.And,ofcourse,wehaven’trepliedtoanyoftheseradiofragments.Thequestionnowiswhatweshoulddoaboutallthis.”

Pennynodded.“Idon’tthinkwehavemanyoptions.Itakeitthisvesselcan’tfleetothestars.”

McGregorsmiled.“Thisis,orwas,atestbedfornewkerneltechnologies,to

replacethegenerationofshipsthatfirsttookyourparents,Beth,toProximaCentauri.Butit’snotequippedforamultiyearinterstellarflight,no.Infactwedon’tevenhavethesuppliesforalongstayawayfromdock;asyouknow,ourescapefromthemoonwasarrangedinsomethingofapanic.”

“Weneedtoland

somewheresoon,”Bethsaid.“That’sthesizeofit.”“Butwhere?”“Well,wedon’thaveto

decideimmediately.We’restillspeedingoutofthesolarsystem,remember.Ittookusthreedaysunderfullpowertoaccelerateuptothisvelocity;itwilltakeanotherthreedaysjusttoslowustoahalt,beforewecanbeginheadingbackintotheinnersystem.”

Golvinsaid,“Andthenwewillhaveajourneyofseveralmoredays,towhereverwechooseasourdestination.We’llhaveplentyoftimetostudytheradiocommunications,maybeevenmakesometelescopicobservationsoftheworlds.Maybe,”shesaidbrightly,“we’llevenbeintouchwithISFortheUNbythen.”

“Idoubtthatverymuch,”

Pennysaiddrily.“Yes,”saidEarthshine,

watchingher.“Youunderstand,don’tyou,PennyKalinski?Yoususpectyouknowwhat’shappenedtous.Becauseit’shappenedtoyoubefore.”

McGregorstaredathim,frowning,evidentlyunsurewhathemeant.“Let’snotspeculate.Look,I’mtheCaptain.I’mincommand

here.Butthesituationis...novel.I’dratherproceedonthebasisofconsensus.I’llgivetheordertofireupthedrivefordeceleration.DoIhaveyouragreementforthat?Whenwe’vecometoahalt,we’llreviewoursituation;we’llmakedecisionsonournextstepsbasedontheinformationwehavetohandthen.”

“Goodplan,”Pennysaid.

“Unless,bythen,somebodymakesthosedecisionsforus.Thinkaboutit.We’reinamassiveshipwithahighlyenergeticdrive,abouttoplungebackintoasolarsystemwhere—well,wherewemaynotberecognized.We’llbehighlyvisible.”

“Fairpoint.Butwehavenochoice.Allagreed?Then,ifIcanaskyoutopreparefortheburn,tomakeyourwayto

yourcouchesandlockdownanyloosegear...”

6

ThetrierarchusoftheBrikantivesselUkelwyddwasknowntohercrew,asshewasknowntoherfamilyandassociates,onlybyhergivenname:Kerys.

Itwasacustomofthe

Brikanti,especiallythosePritanike-born,toeschewthecomplexfamilynamestructuresoftheirfiercestrivals,theRomans,allofwhomseemedtotracetheirlineagesallthewaybackthroughvarioussenatorialclanstotheRomans’Etruscanforebears,andalsothetraditionsoftheBrikanti’soldestallies,theScand,withtheircomplicatedson–or

daughter-of-this-fellownamingconvention.Suchasthetongue-twistingsurnameofAriGuthfrithson,thedruidhwhostoodbeforeKerysnow,ratherillateaseinthecommander’scabin,andlookingatherwithgrowingexasperation.

“Trierarchus,Igetthesenseyou’renotlisteningtome.”

Kerysallowedherselfa

grin.“Well,you’reright,druidhAri,andIapologize.It’sjustwe’vebeensobusy—prospectinglikecrazyatthislatestteardropbeforewemoveontothenext,andthenext,followingascheduledrawnupbysomeidiotinDumnonawithablankparchmentandablankermindandabsolutelynoexperienceofwhatlifeisactuallylike,outhereinthe

expansesofYmir’sSkull...Andyouwalkinwiththisincomprehensiblenewsof—what?Ashipoutinthevoid?”

“Ashipthatshouldn’tbethere,trierarchus.”

“YouseewhatImean?Incomprehensible.Wouldyoulikeadrink?I’mstockedupwiththeusual.”MeaningBrikantimeadandScandbeer.

Ariraisedaneyebrow.“Ihaven’theardtherumorsthatyouhavesomewinefromItaliatuckedawayinhere,bytheway.”

“Hmph,”Keryssaid,reachingfortherelevantbottleinacompartmentofherdesk.TheRomanbottlewaspottery,shapedlikeaminiatureamphora,andcamewithacoupleofmatchingmugsintowhichshepoured

therubywine,workingwithcarewiththeship’sthrustoperatingatlessthanfullweight.“You’vesophisticatedtastesforonesoimmature.”

“I’mtwenty-nineyearsold,trierarchus,”hesaid,sippinghisdrink.

“Youngerthanmebythebestpartofadecade,byThor’sleftarsecheek.”

“Well,Iamadruidh,

Kerys.”Thewordderivedfrom

anoldBrikantiwordfor“oak,”Kerysknew,andsignified“greatknowledge.”AriwasoneofthegeneralistscholarsthatallBrikantishipscarried,iftheyhadtheroom,asopposedtospecialistsinshipengineering,orinnavigationinthedeepoceanofvacuumtheBrikanticalledYmir’s

Skull,orinotheressentialfunctions.Ariwasassignedheretoexploretheunknown,tostudyandcategorizethenew.Afterall,eachofthefragmentsoficeandstoneandmetalthatmadeupthegiantbeltofworldletsknownastheTearsofYmir—resourcelodesitwastheUkelwydd’smissiontosurvey—wasanewcountryinitsownright;youneverknew

whatyouweregoingtofind.“Here’stodruidh,then,”

Keryssaid,raisinghermug.“Andlet’sgetbacktoworkbeforewe’retoodrunktoconcentrate.Whatofthisshipyoufound?”

“Notme,infact,trierarchus.Yourastronomerswereusingtheirfarwatchers,fixingourpositionandmappingaskyfullofYmir’steardrops,as

theydodayandnight—”“Orsotheyclaimintheir

dutylogs.”“Theyspottedthisthing.

Apointoflightinthesky,movingsteadily.Youunderstand,trierarchus,thatifyousplitopenthespectrumofthelightfromsuchanobject,youcanlearnaboutitsnatureandtrajectory.”

“ImaynotbeadruidhbutIknowthatmuch.”

“Iapologize.Well,theastronomershadthoughtitwasjustanotherteardrop,previouslyunmapped.Orperhapsahairystarwanderinginfromthegreatervoid.”

Kerysprompted,“Butinfact...”

“InfactthisobjectisbeyondthemainbeltofYmir’steardrops.Itisheadingnearlydirectlyaway

fromourposition—awayfromthesun,infact.Itsapparentmotionacrossourfieldofviewisquitesmall,butitisrecedingswiftly.Notonlythat,theobjectisactuallydecelerating.Youcantellthatfromtheshiftingshadowbandsintheunfoldedlight—”

“Yes,druidh.Thankyou.”

“Iapologizeagain.”

“Decelerating.Isthisaship?”

“Yes,trierarchus.Youwon’tbesurprisedtoknowthatthesplitlightshowsittobeusingakerneldrive,liketheshipsofalltheempires.Butitisnotaconfigurationwerecognize,notfromanyoftheempires,notours,notRomanorXin.”

“Youhavechallengedit?”

“Wehave—orratheroursignalershave,followingmysuggestion.”

“Hm.MaybeIshouldhavebeeninformedbeforesuchastepwastaken.”

AriGuthfrithsonsighed,andpouredthembothsomemoreRomanwine.“Wouldyouhavepaidattention,trierarchus?Yourmindhasbeenfocused,rightly,ontheoperationsattheteardrop,

andourcoursetothenext.Thehailwasroutine.Itwasthoughtbestnottodisturbyouuntil—”

“Allright,”shesaidgrumpily.“Itakeitnoreplywasreceivedtoourhail.”

“None.Wehaveinfactheardtheroguebeinghailedbyothervessels,RomanandXinboth;againwehaveheardnoreply.”

Kerysfrowned.“Butif

it’snotBrikantiorRomanorXin,thenwhat?Somekindofpirate?”

“Ifso,evidentlyformidable.That’sthesituation,trierarchus.Giventhedecelerationwecansee,weknowthatthisroguewillslowtoahaltinthreedays.WealsohappentoknowthattheUkelwyddistheclosestBrikantivesseltotheobject.Andwehavethechancetobe

firsttointercept.”Keryseyedthedruidh.“I

thinkyou’retellingmeadecisionpointisapproaching.”

“AtwhichyouwillneedtoreportbacktothefleetheadquartersatDumnona,trierarchus.Ifweweretoabandonourmissionhereandintercepttherogue—”

“Whenwillitcometoahalt?”

“Twomoredays.Bywhichtime—”Arigrabbedabitofparchmentandquicklysketchedpositions.“Ymir,thegodwhobuiltthecosmos,madeasinglestridefromthesuntotheplacewherehebuiltMidgard,”hesaid,abitofrotetaughttoallstudentsofinterplanetarynavigationatthecollegeatDumnona—anditamusedKerysthatheusedtheoldBrikantiwordforthe

world,ratherthantheRoman“Terra”longincorporatedintohispeople’severydaylanguage.“HereweareaboutthreeYmir-stridesfromthesun.Therogueishere,morethanhalfastridefartherout,butalongadifferentradiusfromourown.Wecalculatethatifitkeepsdeceleratingasitis—we’venoguaranteeaboutthat,ofcourse—itwillcometoahalthere,inabout

threedays,fartheroutalongthatradius,aboutfivestridesfromthesun.”

“Hm.”KerysspannedthedistancebetweenUkelwyddandtheroguewithherhand.“Ifyou’vedrawnthisroughlyaccurately,thenweareperhapstwoYmir-stridesfromtherogue’sfinalposition.Andwehavethreedaystogetthere?Couldwedothat?”

“Theengineerssaythatwecoulddoitwithadouble-weightaccelerationloadalltheway—adayandahalfout,adayandahalftodecelerate.”

“Thecrewwilllovethat.”Arisaiddrily,“Theywill

relishthechallenge.”“Perhaps.Youadviseme

well,Ari...”ItwascleartoKerysthat

hercommanderswouldorder

hertointerceptthisrogue,ifshecould,tobethefirstthere,beatingtheXin,theRomans.

TheBrikantiweretheweakestofthethreegreatpowersofEarth,spreadthinalongtheirnorthernmargin,avastterrainofmostlyunproductiveland:thenortherncoastsoftheEurasianlandmass,theScandcountries,Pritanikeand

Iveriu,andthenorthernreachesofValhallaSuperior,thoughthatwasunderconstantthreatfromtheRomanlegionswhoseroadsandmarchingcampscrisscrossedthegreatplainstothesouthofthevastcontinent.SincethedaystwomillenniapastwhenQueenKartimandiahadusedguiletopersuadetheRomansunderClaudiustoinvadeGermania

ratherthanPritanike,theBrikantiandtheirallieshadreliedfortheirsurvivalnotonbrutestrength,notonnumbersandvastarmies,butoncunning,onabilityandknowledge.Andthechancetoacquirenewknowledgewasnevertobepassedup.ThatwaswhytheUkelwyddwasoutherescoutingfortreasureamidtheTearsofYmirinthefirstplace.

Therogueshiprepresentedopportunity—anunknownopportunity,butanopportunityevenso.ItwouldbeKerys’sdutytograspthatopportunity,shewassure.

ShebegantorollupherchartsofYmir’sTears.“Well,Ari,ifIamtospeaktoDumnona,Iwillneedadraftmissionplan.Idon’tthinkwe’llbeallowedtoignorethis.”

Aristood.“Itookthelibertyofgettingthatprocessstartedalready,trierarchus.”

“Youknowmetoowell.Getonwithit,then,andI’llmakemywaytothecommunicators.”

7

TheTataniafinallydrewtoahaltfiveastronomicalunitsfromthesun.Haltedinemptiness.

ThiswastheorbitofJupiter,Bethwastold,agiantbloatedworldwitharetinue

ofmoonslikeaminiaturesolarsysteminitself,aworldthatwouldhavedwarfedanyplanetintheProximasystem—eventhePearl,whichhadbeenbrightinthepermanentdaylightofthePerArduasky.Butthismonsteramongplanetswasonthefarsideoftheskyjustnow,invisiblyremote,andtheshiphunginavoid,star-scattered,whereeventhemightylocalsunwas

amerespeckoffire,asourceofsharprectilinearshadows.IfonlyJupiterhadbeencloser,Beththought,theremightnotbethissenseofabandonment,ofisolation.

Buttheywerenotalone.Theforeignshiphadalreadybeenwaitingforthemhere,evenas,afterthreedaysofburningthekerneldrive,theTatania’svelocityrelativetothesunwasreducedtozero.

TheTataniahadbeenrepeatedlyhailed,overradiofrequenciesMarconicouldhaveexploited,andEarthshinehadatlastbeenabletoputtogetheraroughtranslation.ThiswasavesselcalledtheUkelwydd,whichwasawordsimilartotheWelshfor“mistletoe.”ItwaspartofafleetcommandedfromaplacecalledDumnona,whichEarthshinespeculated

mightbeinBritain,onEarth.Thatfleetwasamilitaryarmofanation,orfederation,calledsomethinglikethe“Brikanti.”AstheTataniawasnotrecognizedasavesseleitheroftheBrikanti,oroftheLatin-speakers,ortheXin,andasitrefusedtorespondtoanyhails,itwouldberegardedasapirateandtreatedassuch.

TheUkelwyddwas

evidentlyakernel-driveshipliketheTatania,anditsbasichullwasacylindricalshape,liketheTatania’s,themostobviousdesignchoiceinresponsetothehighthrustlevelsofthekerneldrive—and,accordingtoMcGregor,ithadblastedouthereatmultiplegravitiestooverhaultheTatania.Evenfromthefirstglimpse,Stefthought,theUkelwyddhadthelookof

afightingship,withanevidentlymassivehull,heavyarmoraroundthekernel-driveunitsinthebaseoftheship,andwhatlookedlikescarring,theresultofweaponsfire,intheinsulationthatswathedthemainbody.

Hoursafterthefirstencounter,stillthehailscamefromtheBrikantiship,andstillthecrewoftheTataniafailedtoreply.

AllonboardthelightlymannedTatania,passengers,LexMcGregor,hiscommandcrew—andthethree-strongengineeringcrewwhoBethhadn’tevenseenbeforenow—wereordereduptothebridgeforthisextraordinaryencounter.Tenpeople,Beththought,ifyouincludedEarthshineasaperson,tensurvivorsofEarthandmoonandtheUN-Chinesewar.Ten

survivorsofawholehistorythatseemedtohavebeenlosthere,iftheshipwaitingtomeetthemwasanythingtojudgeby.

NowPennysaiddrily,“Lex,explainagainthelogicofwhywe’rejustsittinghere?”

Hesighed.“Penny,theTatanialookstoughbutshe’snowarship,unlikethatbirdofpreyoutthere.Yousaw

thewayshemaneuveredwhenshemovedinclose—sweptinlikeabloodySpitfire.Converselywe’reahulk,literally,ascowforcarryinggarbageandpassengers.We’venothingtofightwith—”

“Saveacoupleofhandguns,”saidoneyoungengineer,sourly.

“Yes,thankyou,Kapur.Allwecandoisbluff.At

leastgiveanimpressionofstrengthbynotjumpingwhenwe’reorderedto.Believeme—inmanyconfrontations,postureiseverything.Why,IrememberwhenIwasboxingchampionfouryearsinarowattheISFacademy,IcouldwinafightjustbythewayIlookedatmyopponentattheweigh-in—”

Pennysaid,“Perhapsweoughttosticktothepoint?

Fascinatingthoughyouranecdotesalwaysare,Lex.”

Earthshineturnedtoher,hisfaceblank,expressionless—eerilyso,Pennythought.Hesaid,“Butwhatisthepoint,ColonelKalinski?Soonerorlaterwemustallfacetherealityofwhathashappenedhere.Butyou,mostofall—youshouldbeourguide.Becauseithashappenedtoyoubefore,

hasn’tit?”Hehadhintedatsuch

secretsbefore,Bethrealized,butnotsoopenly.NoweveryeyeonthebridgewasonPenny.

ShescowledatEarthshine.“That’smybusiness.Mypersonalbusiness.”

“NotsinceyouandyourimpossiblesistercametoseemeinParis,allthoseyears

ago.Andwevisitedyourparents’graves—doyouremember?Ofcourseyoudo.Andthereonthestoneofyourmotherwasproofthatyoursister—no,youweretheimpossibleone,weren’tyou?It’ssoeasytogetconfused,isn’tit?Butsincethen,yousee,sincethatstrangedaydecadesago,Ihavebeeninvolvedinyoursecret,inyourpeculiarlytwistedlives

—”“Muchgoodit’sdone

anyofus.”“Atleastithasgivenusa

clueastothenatureofthetransfigurationwehavenowendured.Fromasolarsystemrivenbywar,tothis,thisnewlandscapewithawarrior-birdspaceshipcalledUkelwyddthathailsusinamixtureofNorseandGaelic...”

LexMcGregorshookhis

head.“Earthshine,aswestandinperilfromanalienbattleship—whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?”

“Weliveinstrangetimes,Captain.Timeswhenthefabricofrealityhasatendencytocomeunstuck,andthentoravelitselfupagain,butwithflaws.Thatbattleshipwouldn’tbelonginourreality—aswedonotbelonghere—asStef

Kalinski,onceanonlychild,didnotbelonginarealityinhabitedbyhertwinsister,Pennyhere.Everythingchanged,thatdaywhentheMercuryHatchwasfirstopened,forStefKalinski.Now,withthehugepoundingoftheUN-Chinawar,perhapseverythinghaschangedfortherestofus—”

Lightflashedfromadozenscreensallaroundthe

deck.“Missilefire!”ItwasengineerKapur

whohadshouted,pointingatthenearestscreen.Bethsawfast-movinglights,animpossiblybrightglare.

Golvinhadtoexpandthefieldofviewofthescreenstogiveanimagethatmadesense.TheBrikantishipstillhunginspace.Butsparksoffirehadsweptoutof

emplacementsinthatbatteredhull,weresailingoutintospace—andwereturning,visiblyconvergingonthescreen’sviewpoint,ontheTatania.

“Iguesstheyranoutofpatience,”Pennysaid.

“Gettoyourcouches!”McGregoryelled,pushinghiswaytohisownposition.“Strapin!Golvin,theirtrajectories—”

“Thebirdsareheadingforthelowerthirdofthefuselage.I’mseeingkernelradiations,Captain.Themissilesarekernel-tipped,kernel–driven.”

PennyandJiangpulledeachotherthroughtheairtocouchessidebyside,backfromthecontrolpositions.Theystrappedinhastily,thengrabbedeachother’shands.

Jiangsaid,“Afterall

we’vebeenthrough—”“We’renotdeadyet,

JiangYouwei.”Beth,isolatedinher

couch,longedtobeclosertothem,closertoanybody,tohaveahandtohold.

McGregorglancedoverhisshoulder.“Everybodyinplace?Good.Thosebirdsareclosing.Brace!”

Whenthemissilesstruckitfeltasifthewholeship

ranglikeagong.

•••

Theroarofnoisepassedquickly,tobereplacedbyachorusofalarmhowlsfromthebridgeinstruments,andpanelsglaredwithwarningsofcatastrophicfailures.Thecrewworkedquickly,goingovertheirdisplays,shoutingcomplextechnicaldatato

eachother.TheTataniawastumbling,Bethgathered,fallingoutofwhatmusthavebeenaspectacularexplosion.Shecouldfeeltheslowwheeling,astherumpoftheshipturnedoverandover.

“Thepressurebulkheadsareholding,”Kapurcalled.

Golvinsaid,“Captain,thestrikewassurgical.Theyhitacircumferencearoundthehull.Theblastswereshaped,

Ithink.Theycutawayourlowerthird.”

McGregorgrowled,“Sotheysnippedoffthekerneldrive.”

Pennysaid,“TheseBrikanti,whoevertheyare,usekerneltechnologyasroutineweaponsofwar.Evenweneverwentthatfar,notuntiltheNail,thelastdesperatethrow.Tofightourkernelwarwehadto

improvise...Whatkindofpeoplearethey?”

“Youmightsoonfindout,”McGregorsaidgrimly.“Apartyiscuttingitswaythroughtheouterairlockdoor.Theymusthavecomeaboardbeforelaunchingthosestingers.Oh,putawayyourpopgun,Kapur.Resistingwillonlygetuskilledthequicker.”

“Wedon’tbelonghere,”

Pennysaid.“Earthshine’sright.AnymorethanIbelongedinStef’sreality,aftertheMercuryHatch.MyGod,Lex,thesecharactersmakeyoulooklikeaUNdiplomat—”

Nowthelightsstartedtogooutalloverthebridge,Bethsaw.Eventhescreenswentdark,displaysfritzingtoemptiness.Thebridgecrewhammeredtheirtouchpads

andkeyboardsandslates,andyelledinstructionsintomicrophones,withoutsuccess.

“It’sallshuttingdown,”Golvinsaid.“We’relosingeverything.”

McGregordemanded,“IsittheBrikanti?”

Jiangsaid,“Theycommunicatebycruderadio.Iwouldbesurprisediftheycouldhackintoour

sophisticatedinformationsystemstodothis.”

AndBethturnedtolookatEarthshine.Whiletherestofthebridgeshutdown—eventhemainlightswereflickeringnow—heseemedtobeglowing,oddly,fromwithin,asiftransfigured.Agoldenlight.

“You,”shesaid.“It’snottheBrikantidoingthis—thisisn’tpartoftheirattack.It’s

you,Earthshine.”McGregorturnedonhim.

“Whatthehellareyoudoingtomyship,youoldmonster?”

Earthshinestoodupfromhiscouch,hisvirtualbodypassingthroughtheharness.“Savingyouall.General,theonlyassetwehaveinthisrealityistheknowledgewebringfrom—wherewecamefrom.Ihavetakenthat

knowledgeintomyself,forsafekeeping.Eventheship’sphysicalsystemsarebeingdestroyed,nowtheyaredrainedofdata.TheBrikantihavecapturedauselesshulk.IwillusetheknowledgeIhavestoredinmyselftobargainforourlives.”

McGregorroared,“Andwhothehellputyouincharge?”

“Ijustdid.Andnow,I

think—”Thedoorslidopen.Apartyoffiguresfloated

intothebridgewithoutceremony,inclunkypressuresuitsofwhatlookedlikeleatherandsteelribbing,eachbearingastylizedriflewithbayonetfixed.Theyallhadtheirfaceplatesopen,andtheystaredaroundatwhatwasevidentlyaveryunfamiliarenvironment.Ata

quietwordfromacentralfigure,theyspreadoutquicklyintothebridge,onestandingovereachcreworpassenger.

Bethfoundherselffacingashort,squat,heavilybuiltman;shehadtoraiseherhandtoshieldhereyesfromaflashlightattachedtohisweaponthatheshoneinherface.

“Nobodyresist,”

McGregormurmured.“We’reintheirhandsnow.”

Theleaderoftheinvadingpartyloweredherrifle—shewasawoman,palecomplexion,perhapsfortyish—andshemadestraightforLexMcGregor,theobviouscommandfigure.Shespoke,softlybutfirmly,andBethheardasimultaneoustranslationcomefromaspeakeronaconsole.

“MynameisKerys.IcommandthevesselUkelwydd—”

“Iknowwhoyouare.”Earthshinesteppedtowardher.

Thewarriorstriedtoblockhiswayandwavedtheirweaponsathim,butthegoldenfiguresimplywalkedthroughthem.Acoupleofmenbrokeaway,evidentlypanickedbythiseerie

display.Thecommander,

however,stoodherground.“TrierarchusKerys,my

nameisEarthshine.Andweneedtotalk.”

8

AD 2222; AUC 2975

IttookamonthafterStefandYuriemergedfromtheHatchbeforetheMalleusJesuwasreadytodepartfromthedouble-starsystemof

RomulusandRemusforEarth—orTerra,astheRomansandBrikanticalledit.Thesettingupofthepermanentcoloniacontinuedapace,evenasferrycraftblasteduptotheorbitingstarshipcarryingawaypersonnel,equipmentandsuppliesforthereturnjourney.Stefwasbemusedtoobservethattheferriesthemselvesweredrivenby

smallclustersofkernels—“vulcans”astheRomanscalledtheenergeticwormhole-likeanomalies—evenintheatmosphereofaninhabitedplanet,likethisone.NosuchcrafthadeverbeenallowedanywherenearthesurfaceoftheEarth,herEarth,notbeforethefinalwarof2213anyhow.

Earlyonemorning,withsixdayslefttodeparture,Stef

KalinskiwasapproachedbyaBrikantiwhointroducedherselfonlyasEilidh.Tallandspare,EilidhwasdressedmuchastrierarchusMovenawasinahoodedwoollenponcho,trousers,boots.ButunlikeMovena,EilidhworeaheavybeltastheRomanswore,withagaudybrassbuckleandloopsforweapons,thoughempty.

Stef,ashadbecomeher

habit,hadbeenspendingherfreetimeattheHatchsitewithherslate,tryingineffectuallytolearnalittlemoreofthephysicsoftheenigmaticemplacement.NowEilidhaskedStefifshewouldcaretojoinherinafinalaerialtourbycetusoftheareaaroundthecoloniasite.

Stefguessedshewasmaybefifty,alittleolderthanMovena,butagooddeal

youngerthanStefherself.“ImighthavetakenyouforaRomanwiththatbelt.”

“Thetrierarchus,Movena,remainsindependentoftheRomanmilitarycommand.Iontheotherhandamofficiallyatribune,anofficersubordinatetothecenturion.Iamakindofliaisonbetweenthetwocommandstructures.Complicated,Iknow,butit

seemstowork...Astothetour,weseektocompleteourmappingsofthisplace.Andwehavephotographers,artists,tocapturethelikenessesofthestructuresleftbehindbytheindigenes.WewanttoleavewithsomerecordofthisworldasitexistsbeforethechildrenoftheseRomansoldiersbreedlikerabbitsanddismantlethefortress-mountainsfor

buildingmaterialsfortheirroads.Imyselfamacommandofficerbutservethetrierarchusasadruidh,ascholar,hencemyowninterest.Ihaveundergonesomeofthetraining...Willyoucome?”

“I’dbiteyourhandoff.”Eilidhpulledaface.“A

vividexpressionandoddlyRoman.ThiswasMovena’sidea;wewouldbefascinated

byyourresponse.We’llbegoneacoupleofdays.Bringwhatyouneed.Weleaveinanhour.”

•••

So,intheunvaryinglightofRomulus,andastrumpetblastsrousedtheRomancoloniafromitsslumberforthefirstwatchofanewday,Stefstoodsidebysidewith

Eilidhbeforethebigobservationwindowofoneoftheexpedition’stwocetusairships,asthegroundfellawaybeneaththem.SteflookedforthesmallbarracksblockwhereYuriwasresting,withtheColUforcompany;Stefwouldbesupportedinhertranslationbythebudsinherears,themselvessmartlittlegadgets.

Eilidhgesturedtothe

west,wheremountainsstrodeacrossthelandscape.Theskywasclear,andRomuluscastapearlylightthatspunshadowsacrossthemountainchain,sharpandunvarying.“Mostoftheinterestingstructuresaretobefoundinthemountains.Sothat’swherewe’llmakeourway.Thisexpeditionisonlyafinalreconnaissance.TheArabnavigationteamwiththeir

farwatchers,workingfromorbit,havemappedmuchoftheplanet.Andwithourtwocetuscraft,we’vecompletedtwocircumnavigations,oneequatorialfromsubstellartoantistellar,andtheotherpoletopole.Thefarsideis,ofcourse,maskedbyice,asaretheshadowfacesofallworldslikethese,huddlingclosetotheirsuns.Buttheairremainsbreathable,andthere

islife,andsomestructure.”Shesmiled.“IhavespenthappyhourswithCenturionQuintusFabiusandhisstaffstudyingthesemaps,plottingtheroutesofroadsyettobebuilt,portsandtransportnodestobefoundedatriverconfluencesandestuaries—sketchingtheprovincestobecarvedoutofthesesilentlandscapessomeday.Therehaveevenbeenwargames,

militaryexercises,asQuintusandhisboyshaveimaginedhowtocounternewHannibalsmarchingthroughthosesculptedmountains.”

“YouareBrikanti,”Stefsaidcarefully.“IunderstandthatBrikantiisadistinctnation.IndependentoftheRomansandtheirEmpire.”

Eilidhlookedathersideways.“Youreallydoknownothingofus.Yes,

Brikantiisanindependentnation.TheheartlandisPritanike,anislandseparatedfromthemainlandofEuropa,andthereforefromtheRomans’ancientholdings.”

Stefhazarded,“AnislandtheRomanscalledBritannia?”

“Well,theystilldo,intheirarrogance.Formostofourhistorywe’vetradedwithRomepeaceablyenough.The

Romansarethebettersoldiers;wearethebettersailors.WebuildontheexpertiseofourScandcousins,whohavealwaysbeenexpertshipbuilders,backtothedaysoflongshipswiththeirwoodenhullsandwoollensails.WhentheScandfirstburstfromtheirnorthernfastnesses—theyhadrunoutoflandtoparcelouttotoomanysons—theywere

piratesandraiders,andtheBrikantiandtheRomansmadearareshowofunitytobeatthemback.ButitwastheBrikantiintheendwhoforgedallianceswiththeScand.Wehadfar-seeingleadersinthosedays—unlikethecurrentlot—whowereabletoseethepotentialofthisnewnationofwarriorsandtraders.Therewasakindofrevolutionoftheheart.

WithScandshipsandtheirexpansivespirit,BrikantistoppedbeingaratherdefensiveallyoftheEmpireandbegantoforgeitsownglobalambitions.

“NowourownnorthernempirestretchesacrossthereachesofEuropa,andalsoAsia,wherewehavealongfrontierwiththeXin.Weareoneofthethreegreatpowers,Isupposeyoumightsay,who

dominateEuropa,Asia,Africabetweenus.AndwebattleoverthespoilsoftheValhallancontinentstothewest,muchtothechagrinofthenativeinhabitants.”Shetappedherheavysoldier’sbelt.“ButValhallaisanarenausefulfordevelopingmilitarycapabilities.”

Stefsaid,“AndyouareabletoworkwiththeRomans.”

“Yes.Atthistimeweareofficiallyatpeace;thetwoofusareclosertoeachotherthaneitherofusistotheXin...Inotheragesthepatternchanges,thoughtheunderlyingrelationshipsendure.”

“YourcultureisdifferentfromtheRomansinotherways,”Stefsaid.“Womenarestronger.”

Eilidhgrinned.“Well,the

Romanshavestrongwomentoo,buttheyarepowersbehindthethrone—thewivesandmothersandsistersofemperorsandgenerals.Ourculturehasahistoryofstrongwomen,goingbacktoKartimandia,whosavedusfromtheRomans.”ShelookedatStef.“Isthisastoryyouknow?Itistwothousandyearsold;everyBrikantichildcouldtellit.”

Stefshrugged.“Yousee,JuliusCaesar

hadalreadysetfootonourisland,andhadplantedthedreamofconquestintheRomans’emptyheads.FiftyyearslaterKartimandia,queenofarealminthenorth,wasinformedthatthetimehadcome,thatthelegionsweremassinginPortusItiusonthecoastofGaulfortheinvasion.Itwasshewho

traveledinpersontoRome,shewhomanagedtopersuadeEmperorClaudiusthattherewasmuchgreaterglorytobegainedifheturnedhislegionsnorth,intoGermaniatransrhenus,whichevenhisgloriouspredecessorAugustushadfailedtoconquer.ContinentalprovinceswouldbeeasiertoconsolidatefortheRomans,andbesides,shepledgedto

becomeanallyofRomesothattheinvasionwasunnecessary.Shemadeagoodcase,itwassaid,muchtothesurpriseofmanyRomans.But,despitetheRomans’prejudiceatthetime—anddespitewhatCaesarsaidaboutus—wewerenohairysavages,andKartimandiawassophisticatedandwily.

“Well,itwasOuter

Germaniathatfeltthetrampofthelegionaries’bootsandnotthefieldsofPritanike.Kartimandia,withsomeRomanhelp,wentontoconsolidateherholdonthewholeofsouthernPritanike,andhersuccessorsmadethemselvesvaluablealliesofRomebybecomingasecureexporterofgrain,woolandleathertosupplytheEmpire’scontinentalarmies.The

BrikantihaveneverforgottentheachievementsofKartimandia.Andforeversince,Brikantiwomenhavewonpositionsofpower.”

StefandYurihadquietlytalkedoversomeofthiswiththeColU,astheyspeculatedhowthishistoryhaddivergedfromtheirown.IntheaccountlodgedintheColU’smemory,atthetimeoftheinvasionofBritain,awoman

RomanhistoriansknewasCartimanduahadindeedruledakingdominthenorthofBritain,calledbytheRomans“Brigantia.”AndnorthernGermany,meanwhile,hadneverbeenconqueredbyRomeafterthedisastrouslossofthreelegionsintheTeutobergforestagenerationearlier.Notsohere.Stefsupposedthateveniftheycouldfigureouthowhistory

haddivergedtodeliverthisstrangenewoutcome,therewasadeeperquestionofwhy.Whythishistory—whythechangenow?Andhowhadsheandhercompanionssurvivedthetransformationofhumandestiny?

Eilidh,evidentlysharplyintelligent,waswatchingher.“Muchofthisisunfamiliartoyou,isn’tit?Somedaywemustexploreourdifferences

fully.Yet,whoeveryouare,whereveryoucomefrom,Iseeyoursoul.WatchingyouattheHatch,Isawthewonderinyoureyes.”

Stefshrugged.“Guiltyascharged.Inmy—home—Iwasaphilosopher,astheRomanswouldsay.Istudiedthekernels,andlaterHatches,becauseIwantedtounderstandhowitallworked.”Thathadbeenher

goalsinceshewaselevenyearsoldandshe’dstoodwithherfatheronMercury,andwatchedakernel-drivenmannedspacecraftdrivelikeaspearoflightintotheheavens.“Wheredothekernelsgettheirenergyfrom?HowdotheHatcheswork?Whataretheyfor?Whyaretheyhere?HowwasitIandmycompanionscamewalkingoutofthatthing

ourselves?And,frankly,I’mfascinatedbywhatyou’vedonehere.Onthisworldyou’vegonebeyondanythingmypeopleeverachieved.You’vebuiltaHatch...”

Eilidhgrinned.“Wehave,haven’twe?”

•••

EilidhhadthecetuspauseovertheHatchconstruction

site:thedullsheenoftheHatchinstallationitselfatthecenter,thelandshatteredandmeltedforawideareaaroundthatcentralpoint,andaloosecordonofbored-lookinglegionariesplayingknuckleboneswithfragmentsofbrokenrock.

EilidhandStefsippedXintea.Therewasnocoffeetobehad,onemiracleofglobalizationthatevidently

hadn’ttranslatedtothistimeline.YurihadjokedaboutgoingintobusinesscultivatingthestuffoncetheygotbacktoEarth.ButYuri’shealthwasworsening;he’dbeeninacontinualdeclinesincethey’demergedfromtheHatch...

SteftriedtoconcentrateonwhatEilidhwastellingher.

“TocreateaHatchislike

matingwildboar:asimpleacttounderstandbutdangerousinpractice,especiallyifyougetintheway...Youtakekernels.Youarrangetheminasphericalarray,withalltheirmouthsdirectedinward,toasinglepointinspace.Andatthatcenteryouplaceonemorekernel,itsmouthtightlyclosed.Youunderstandthatkernelscanbehandledwith

ethericfields?”Bywhich,Stefhad

learned,shemeantelectromagneticfields.“Ofcourse.WetoofirstfoundkernelsonMercury.Youcanpositionthem,evencloseoropentheirmouthstocontroltheirenergyoutput.”

Eilidhfrowned.“Someofyourtermsareunfamiliar,butclearlyweagreeontheessence.Wellthen,with

sufficientkernels,heldwithsufficientprecision,thereisaninwardblastofenergy.Youcanonlywatchthisfromadistance,andmanyliveswerespentindeterminingthatdistanceprecisely.

“Theconfigurationholdsforonlyasplinteroftimebeforethearrangementisblownapart.Theland,theairallaroundisshattered,melted,byanoutpouringof

heatandshockwaves—well,youseetheresulthere.Butifyougetitright,whentheglowinggasesandtherainofliquidrockandtheshockedairhaveallpassed,andyoucangobackintosee—whenallthatisdone,whatisleftisabrandnewHatchinitsneatinstallation,justasyouseehere.”

Steffrowned.“I’mnotsureIunderstand.Youdon’t

havetoconstructtheHatch?”“Nomorethanwehave

to‘construct’achickenemergingfromtheegg.OurdruidhspeculatethatthereisaHatchimplicitintheformofeverykernel.Itismerelyaquestionofbreakingtheeggtoreleasethechick,tousethekernels’ownenergytoshockoneoftheirbroodtoadoptthisnewform.Youneverdiscoveredthis?”

“Myculturewasmorecautiousthanyours.Moretimid,perhaps.Wewouldneverhavewonapprovalforsuchanexperiment.”Forbetterorworse,shethought,wecaredmoreaboutthelivesofourtechniciansthantospendthemonsuchstunts.Evenifithadoccurredtoustotry.“Howdidyougettheidea?Icanhardlybelieveyoufoundsuchaspecific

arrangementbytrialanderror.”

Eilidhsmiled.“Wedidnot.Somebodyelsefounditforus.”Nowthecetuswasrising,turningitsprowtothejaggedrowofmountainsonthemistyhorizon.“WefirstfoundthekernelsonMercury—asdidyou,yes?WewerealreadytravelingbeyondTerra—well,obviously.WehadbigshipsdrivenbyXin

fire-of-life,andbypotentliquidelixirs...Ifearourcommonvocabularyisnotyetrichenough.”

Gunpowderandchemicalpropellants.“Igettheidea.”

“Suchsubstanceshadbeendiscoveredanddevelopedduringcenturiesofwar.WehadalreadyflowntoLuna,toMars,thoughmanydiedinthosedays,andourfirstattemptstoplantcolonia

onthosebodieswereoftencatastrophic...”

Stef’sheadswam.WithoutthefallofRomeinthewest,withouttheDarkAges,couldtechnologicaldevelopmenthavebeenthatmuchfaster?Sheimaginedamedievalworldwithcruderocketshipslumberingintospace,withlessonsslowlybeinglearnedaboutthevacuumofspace,about

radiation,aboutweightlessness,byculturesutterlyunsophisticatedintherelevantscience—lessonslearnedthehardway,attheexpenseofmanydeaths.Shewasthrilledattheidea.Thrilledandappalled.

“ThencameMercury,”Eilidhsaid.“Therewasawarofacquisition,moreintensethanmost.WeallwantedMercuryanditsresourcesto

capturetheenergyofthesun,yousee.Itwasseenasastrategicpositionintermsofadvantageforthefuture.AndjusthowstrategiconlybecameclearwhenaXinpartystumbledacrossafieldofkernels.”

“Ah.”“Aftertheusualblood

tollthekernelsweretamed,theirenergiesusedtodriveourships,andtheywere

unleashedasweaponsofwar.”

ThatsimplephrasemanagedtoshockStef,despiteallshe’dwitnessedinherownhometimeline.“SurelynotonEarthitself.”

Eilidhjustreturnedherlook.“ButwearespeakingoftheHatches.ThefirstHatchofallwasfoundonMercury,inthekernelfield.”

“Asitwasforus,”Stef

said.Eilidhraisedher

eyebrows.“OnadifferentMercurytoo?Wedohavemuchtodiscuss.OfcoursetheHatchwasopened;ofcoursetherewereattemptstopassthrough...Noneofthosewhoentered,unwillingslaves,boldsoldiers,curiousphilosophers,everreturned.”

“Perhapstheyarestillintransit.”

“Intransit?”“OurMercuryHatchis

connectedtooneonPerArdua.Umm,whichisaworldofProximaCentauri.Whichis—”

“Theneareststar,intheCentaur’sHoof.Forus,ithasbeengiventhesamename.Proxima.”Shesmiled,alittlesourly.“SothereareRomansinyourcountrytoo.”

“Were.Longstory.Look,

it’sonlyfouryearsaslighttravelsbetweenMercuryandProxima.Soit’spossibletogothereandstepbackwithonlyeightyearselapsing.”

Eilidhfrownedasshepuzzledallthatout;Stefhadnoideahowmuchunderstandingofsuchbasicphysicstheyshared.

“Thepointis,”Stefsaid,“maybeyourHatchonyourMercurywashookedupto

somewhereelse.Somewheremuchfartheraway.”Therewasnoreasonwhythatshouldn’tbetrue,sherealized.Theyknewsolittle,despitethedecadesthathadpassedsinceherownfirstbrushwithallthisstrangeness.“Yourtravelersmayhavearrivedaliveandwell,butjusthaven’thadtimetostepbackhomeyet.Maybetheyarestilltraveling,

oblivious.”“It’spossible.Oddly

thereisasoldiers’legendalongthoselines.Perhapsthetravelershavegone,nottoProxima,theneareststar,buttoUltima,thefurtheststarofall.”

Steffrowned.Whatcouldthatmean?Thefurtheststar,inanexpandinguniversefullofgalaxiesandclustersofgalaxies...

“But,thoughwehavenotwalkedthroughtheHatchestoProximaanditsworlds,wehavejourneyedthereinships—shipsliketheMalleusJesu,orbitinghighabove.Whenwegotthere,onthethirdplanetfromthestar—”

PerArdua.“—wefoundakernel

field,notunlikethatonMercury—bythenwehadlearnedhowtosearchfor

suchthings—andwefoundaHatch,andwefoundinstructionsonhowtoconstructafreshone.JustasIhavedescribed.”

“Instructions.Ofwhatkind?”

“Enigmatic.Graphic,butenigmatic.Enoughforustoworkouttherest,after—”

“Anotherbloodtoll.”Stefrememberedthebuilders,nativesofPerArdua—her

PerArdua.Shehadseenlittleofthem,butsheknewYurirememberedthemwithaffectionfromhisearly,near-solitaryyearsontheplanet.“Thesegraphicinstructions—wasthereanysignofthenativeswhocreatedthem?”

“None.SoI’mtold.Notatracesavetheseodddiagrams,andeventheywerelodgedinsideaHatch.”SheeyedStef.“Itwasanother

scrapthatdoesn’tfit,anotherfragmentofalosthistory.Likeyouandyourcompanions.Whatdoyouthink?”

AscraplikeherownunexpectedsisterintheHatchonMercury,Stefthought.Thefirstrealitytweakofall.Sheshrugged.“Idon’tknowwhattothink.”

“Well,keeptrying.Andnow—lookdown.”

Thecetuswasnowsailingserenelyovermountains.

•••

Thesunofthisworldwasnothigh,itmighthavebeenanearlyafternoonatatemperatelatitudeonEarth,andshadowspooledinthevalleysthatseparatedthepeaks.Thesecondsunwasintheskytoo

andcastafainterdoubleshadow.Icestripedthetallerpeaks,andriversflowedthroughthevalleyslikebandsofsteel.And,savefortheshadowcastbythecetusitself,Stefcouldseenothingmovingdownthere,nopeople,noanimals,notsomuchasathreadofsmoke.

Buteverywhereshelooked,Stefsawartifice.Everymountainseemedto

havebeenshaped,regularizedasapyramidoratetrahedron.Thevalleyslookedasiftheyhadbeenshaped,too,straightened.Someofthepeakswereconnectedbytremendousbridgesofstone.Manyofthemountainwallswereterraced,sothatitlookedasifgiantstaircasesclimbedtheirflanks,whileothershadhugeverticalstructuresfixedtotheirfaces,

almostliketheflyingbuttressesofmedievalcathedrals,orweredeeplyinscribedwithgulliesandchannels.

Eilidhwaswatchingher.“Tellmewhatyousee.”

“It’slikeasimulation.”“Awhat?”“Sorry.Likeamodel.A

mock-upofamountainrange.Itdoesn’tlookreal.”

“Yetitisreal.Thisplanet

islacedbymountainranges;itis,oratleastwas,veryactive.Andallofthemhavebeenshapedandreshapedbyhandsunseen,justasyouseehere.Allasfaraswehavevisitedandstudied.There’smuchyoucan’tseefromthesurface.Weburrowedintoonemountain,soundedoutothers.Themountainsarehollowed,strengthenedwithinbyhugeremnant

pillarsofrock.Theyhavebeentransformedintoimmensegranitefortresses,orsoitseems.FortheRomanmilitaryengineers,whoeatandbreathefortifications,thisisElysium,asyoucanimagine.”

“WenoticedthistheminutewesteppedoutoftheHatch,”Stefsaid,wondering.“Ineverdreamedthewholeworldwaslikethis.But—

whobuiltallthis?Andwherearetheynow?”

“That’sthepuzzle.Thesevastmountain-fortressesareallpristine,saveforsomeevidenceoferosionandrockfall—naturalbreakdowns.There’snoevidencetheywereeverinhabited,letalonefoughtover.Meanwhile,acrosstheplanet,wehavefoundnotraceoflifemorecomplexthanthoseorange

chimney-stacksofbugsyouseepiledupontheplains.Nothingmovedhere,notuntilthelegionariesarrived,andtheydon’tmovemucheither.Ha!Idohaveatheory,forwhatit’sworth.ImaybelimitedasadruidhbutI’veseenasmuchofthisworldasanybody.”

“Tellme.”“Thefarside,thedark

side,is—damaged.I’veseen

vastcraters,theirrimsprotrudingabovetheice.Andthereisaveryoddrangeofmountainsrunningvirtuallynorthtosouthdowntherimofoneofthecontinentsthere,buriedthoughitisundertheice.”

“LiketheAndes.”“Thewhat?”“Amountainrangein,

umm,ValhallaInferior,Ithinkyoucallit.”

“Likethat—yes.Now,thesemountainshadbeenmodified,butnotasfortresses.Wesawevidenceofvastinstallations,likecannonmuzzles,allalongthewesternfacesofthemountains.Mycolleagues,especiallytheRomans,thoughtthesemustbeweapons,buttheydidn’tlooklikeveryeffectiveweaponstome.TheonlypurposeIcould

thinkof...”“Yes?”“Perhapsthesewere,not

weapons,engines.Rocketsintendedtofiretogether,poweredbykernelspresumably,blastingallalongthisgreatseamalongthebellyoftheplanet—”

“MyGod.Youthinktheyweretryingtospinuptheplanet?”

“It’spossible.Maybe

therewassomegreatprojecttomakethisworldmorehospitable.Theapproachestothesecondsun,youknow,domakelifedifficulthere,forthenativelifeasfortheRomancolonists.”

TheColUhadworkedoutthatthiswasadouble-starsysteminwhichbothpartnerswerereddwarfs—small,miserlystars,likeProxima,sosmallanddimtheyhadn’t

evenbeendetectedfromEarth.TheColUhadsaidthenearestsuchsystemtoEarthmustbeatleastseven,eight,ninelight-yearsout.

“Ofcourse,”Eilidhsaid,“mostofthisworld’slife,likeeverylivingworld,iscomprisedofbugsthatinhabitthedeeprocks,milesdeep,feedingoffseepsofwaterandheatandminerals.Wefoundthemherewhenwe

wererunningdeepminingtrials—asonealwaysfindsthem,oneveryworld.Theywon’tcareifthereisoneortwosunsinthesky,ormore.Solongastheworlditselflasts,theywilltoo.”

“Itakeitthegreatspin-upneverhappened.”

“Itappearstherewasawartostopit.Evidentlynoteverybodyagreedwiththevisionaryengineersbehind

thescheme.Thebigspin-mountainengineswereattacked—wehaveseenthedamage.”

“Ifthisisallso,thenwhathappenedtothenativesafterthat?”

“Icanonlyguess.Perhapstheywereappalledbythedamagedonebytheirkernelwar.Thebuildingoftheirmountainrefugesmighthavebeenalastburstof

sanitybeforethemadness—orpossiblytheotherwayaround.”

“Butdespiteallthattheyaregone.”

“Perhapstherewassomethinglikeaplague,or...”SheeyedStef.“Youhavemoresophisticatedmachinesthanus,asevidencedbyCollius.Theremayhavebeenotherweaponsthatwereusedtoeradicateall

higherformsoflifefromthisworld,beforetheywreckeditaltogether.”

“Leavingittothedeepbugstostartagain,Isuppose.”

Eilidhsighed.“That,andaworldlikeadeademperor’sfolly.”

Itwasyetanotherplanetarytragedy,Stefrealized,causedbytheavailabilityofthekernels.“I

thinkIenvythosedeepbugs,youknow.Restingintheirgloomychambers,farbelowallthecommotionofthesurface.Lifemustseemsosimple,andsosafe.”

Eilidhgrunted.“Butnotforthelikesofus.”

“So,”Stefsaid,tryingtounderstand,“youcomeoutintointerstellarspaceinkernel-drivenhulks.WegotasfarasProxima.”

Eilidhfrowned,evidentlystrugglingtounderstand,butshenodded.

“You’reexploring,”continuedStef,“maybescoutingisabetterword,andyou’replantingcolonies,colonia,onanyhabitableworld,inadvanceoftheotherguygettingherefirst.”

“That’stheidea.”“Butwhenyoufinda

worldseededwithkernels,

youcreateaHatch.Isthatright?”

“Thisismyownsecondsuchexpedition.Itbeginswiththevicariusblessingtheseededground...”

“YoucreatetheHatch—presumablyitconnectsitselftosomehigher-dimensionalnetwork—butthenyounevertrytouseit.”

“Well,theMercuryHatchlednowhere,asfaras

weknow.WhatevertheHatchesreallyare,wherevertheygo,theyaren’tforus.”

“Thenwhybuildthem?”Eilidhsmiledwitha

touchofcynicism.“Perhapsyouaren’tasspiritualapeopleasweare,StefKalinski.OnethingthatunitesusBrikantiwiththeRomansisaworshipofJesu,oftheCrossonwhichHediedandtheHammerthatHe

wieldedagainstHisfoes...Tousthekernelsareagreatgift.Lookhowmuchwehavebeenabletodo:wehavetransformedourownworld,wehavetraveledtothestars—”

“Yousmiteyourfoes.”“Quiteso.Somebelieve

thekernelsareagiftfromGod,FatherofJesu—thougholdersuperstitionspersist;someofthecountryRomans

stillspeakofoldgodslikeVulcan,andsomeScandbelieveakernelisagatewaytoRagnarok.Andinreturnforthisgift,wedowhatisevidentlyaskedofus,whichistocausefieldsofkernelstoblossomintoHatches.WhataretheHatchesfor?Perhapssomefuturegenerationwillbeabletoanswerthat.Inthemeantime,wetravel,weharvestthekernels,webuild

theHatches.Forsuchseemstobetheschemeofthings;suchiswhatwearerequiredtodo.”

“Justasmyownancestorsoncebuiltcathedrals,perhaps.Somedumblegionarymightbecontenttofolloworders,mindlessly,withoutinquiring.Youcan’tbehappywiththat.”

“I’mBrikanti.Myshipis

mytruepurpose.Andbesides,there’sverylittleIcandotochangethetrajectoryofmysociety.Couldyou?Butspeakingofchangingtrajectories...”

Thegreatshipturnedintheair,andStefsawitsshadowswimacrossthesculptedmountainsbelow.

Eilidhsaid,“Ouradventureisoveralready.Well,thereismuchtodo,a

five-yearstarflighttoplan.Ihopeyouhavefoundthedayinstructive.Moretea,myfriend?ShallIcallforafreshpot?”

ButStefwasrecedingintoherownthoughts.Tooslowly,inheragingmind,newproblemswereoccurringtoher.TheHatchonthisworldhadevidentlyonlyexistedforayearortwo,sincetheseBrikantiand

Romanshadcomehereandbuiltit.ButsheandYurihadwalkedintotheHatchonPerArdualongbeforethat—sevenoreightornineyearsago—theyhadwalkedintooneendofaspace-timetunnelyearsbeforethefarendhadevenexisted...Sowherehadtheybeen,forallthattime?

Shestartedshivering,uncontrollably.Eilidhdraped

herthinshouldersinablanket.

9

WhenStefreturnedtothecoloniashelearnedthatYurihadbeentakentothelegionaries’smallhospital.Shehurriedthatway,concerned.

Whenshegottothe

hospitalshewasdirectedtoakindofoperatingtheater.She’dglimpsedthisplacebefore;itlookedtohermorelikeabutcher’sshop,withalarming-lookingsurgicalinstrumentssuspendedonthewall.But,shewastold,itwashygienicenough;MichaelandhisGreek-trainedmedicsandtheirArabadvisersknewenoughaboutantisepsisandtheriskofinfectiontokeep

theplacereasonablyclean.HereshefoundYuri,

slumpedinachair,andtheColU—orratheritsprocessingunit,abaroquetangleofmetalandceramic—sittingonatabletop.TitusValeriusstoodby,thebigveteransoldierwhohadcausedQuintusFabiussomuchtroublewithhissmallrebelliononthedayStefandtheothershadwalkedoutof

theHatch.And,standinginthe

centeroftheroom,lookingscaredanduncomfortable,wasaboy,dark,Asiatic,slim,ageperhapsthirteenorfourteen—buthewassoskinnyitwashardforSteftobesure.Heworeagrubbytunicandnoshoes;hisfeetwerefilthy.MedicusMichaelhoveredbytheboy,lookingabstracted,fascinated.

StefmadeherwaytowardYuri,noddingatTitus.Thebigmanwaspickingatthenailsofhisonegoodhandwiththetopofafull-scalesword,agladio,proppedinhisopposingarmpit.HenoddedbacktoStef,andhisgazerakedoverherelderlybodyinthewayofalllegionaries.ButshefeltassafewithTitusasshedidwithanyoftheRomans;she

hadmethisyoungdaughter,Clodia,whohehadbroughtonthisspacemissionasasmallchild,afterthedeathofhermother.

Yurilookedup,pale,buthesmiled.“Goodtrip?”

“Eye-opening.AreyouOK?What’sgoingonhere?”

“It’snotaboutme,foronce.Infactyou’rejustintime.”Hegesturedattheboy.“Thisissomethingnew.

Introduceyourselfagain,son.”

IndecentLatin,theboysaidinawaveringvoice,“MynameisChuYuan.Iamfourteenyearsold.MyfamilyarescholarsandmerchantsinShanghai.MyfatherisasoldierwiththeTwenty-fourthDivisionoftheImperialArmyofLight.HewasstationedinValhallaInferior.Hetookhisfamily

there,includingmyself,theeldestson...”

YuriwinkedatStef.“ValhallaInferior—SouthAmerica.Forcenturiesyou’vehadtensionbetweentheChinesecominginfromthewest,basicallyholdingthecoastalplainandtheAndes,andtheRomanscominginfromtheeastthroughAmazonia,aswellassouthfromtheirholdingsin

Mesoamerica.”“Andthenativepeople

caughtinthecrossfire.”TheColUsaiddrily,“At

leasttheywerenotexterminatedbycrowdplagues,asinourhistory.TheVikings—the‘Scand’alliesoftheBrikanti—hadalreadybeentravelingtotheAmericasforcenturies,allowingimmunityachancetobuildup.Butthewarfronts

ebbandflow.”“Ourfortwasoverrun,”

Chusaidnow.“Myfatherwaskilled.Mymotherranaway.Iwascaptured,enslavedbytheglorioussoldiersofRome.”

ThatmadeStefpause.“He’saslave?”

Yurishrugged.“Hisparentsweregroominghimtobeascholar,Ithink,oraclerk.ButtheRomanscaught

him,andheendedupaslaveonthistub.”

Stefstaredatthisboy,trappedinacategoryofhumanitysheneverthoughtshewouldhavetodealwith.She’dfounditalmostimpossibletofunctioninthecolonia,fortheslaveswereeverywhere,ifinvisibletoaRomaneye.Anditwasn’tjustthesubjugationofhumanbeingsthatdistressedherbut

thelevelofdaily,almostcasualbrutality.Evenforroutinepunishmentstherewereblood-stainedstakes,lead-tippedwhips.She’dalwaysratheradmiredtheRomans,fortheirliteracy,theirorder,theirengineering,theirrespectforthelaw.Now,shewasfinding,she’dneverfullyimaginedthissideoftheircivilization.

“Well,what’shedoing

here?”Michaelbeamed.“Heisa

gift,attheordersofCenturionQuintusFabius.HehasbeendelightedbytheworkofColliusinthecolonia,theadviceonsoilpreparation,crops,irrigation.”

TheColU,sittingonitstabletop,seemedtoSteftotwinkle.“I’mColliustheoraclenow.”

“Shutup,”saidYurimildly.

“Yes,YuriEden.”“Sothecenturion,you

see,awareoftheColU’scut-downstate,haskindlydonatedhimthelegsofthisboyhere.”

Steffrowned.“Idon’tunderstand.”

Michaelsaidhastily,“Letmeexplain.Ihaveadaptedyourbackpack,YuriEden.”

Hedrewthisoutfromunderabench;itlookedmuchasithadbefore,savethestrapshadbeenshortened.Hebroughtthistotheboywhoslippediton.“TheColUitselfwillrideinthepack.Andthenyourtalking,all-seeingglass...”

Yuri’sslatehadbeensetintoaleatherpouch,andMichaelnowhungthisaroundChu’sneck,fixingit

withstrapsaroundhischest.Stefsaid,“Idon’tbelieve

it.Thisboyisgoingtobeyourpackmule,ColU?”

“Wehavebeenrehearsing,”theColUsaid.“Chu.Walkforward.Turnright.Turnleft.”

Theboymarchedacrossthetheaterfloor,aspassiveandobedientasapuppet,headdownturned.Aslave’swalk.

“Thisisobscene,”Stefsaid.

Michaelhelduphishands.“Now,madam,Yuriwarnedmeyoumightreactlikethis—”

“Itcouldhavebeenalotworse,Stef,”Yurisaid.“WhydoyouthinkMichaelhereisinvolvedatall?”

“Tellme.”“Becausethecenturion’s

firstideawastohavethe

packandslatestitchedtoChu’sflesh,sotheycouldn’tbestolen.”

TitusValeriusraisedahandtentatively.“CanIspeak?I’mpartofthecenturion’sideaalso.Iwillaccompanytheboywhereverhegoes,toensurethesafetyoftheoracle.”

Stefgrinnedsourly.“Iknowthemilitarymind.Anicecushyjobtobuyyouoff

afterthatbusinesswiththegranary,Titus?”

Titusshruggedmassively.“Ifolloworders.”

“Well,it’sstillobscene,”Stefsaid.

Yurisaidmildly,“WouldyousendChubackwherehecamefrom?”

Chuturnedhisheadatthat,lookingalarmed.

“Iwillcareforthisboy,”theColUsaidfirmly.“Iwill

ensurehisownneedsaremet,asheservesmine.WecannotsavealltheslavesinthisRomanEmpireoftheirs,StefKalinski.ButIcansavethisone,thisboy.”

Stefbowedtotheinevitable.“Fine.Isupposeallotheroptionsareworse...”

ShetriedtotellYuriandtheColUsomethingofwhatshe’dlearnedthatday.

“Sothesepeople,theseRomans,sendshipstothestarsandbuildHatcheswithoutanyunderstandingofwhy.Purelyasaritual,amechanism,asantsbuildanest.”

“Perhapsthat’sagoodanalogy,StefKalinski,”saidtheColU.“Thenestasawholebenefitsfromtheactionsofindividuals.InthesamewaytheHatchnetwork

mustbenefitinsomeway.”Michaelhadlistened

closelytotheirconversation.Heoffered,“PerhapsitfitstheRomans’charactertoo.Atleast,thesesoldiers.Theyareusedtoservingalargerentitywithoutquestion—Imean,theEmpire,thearmy.I,aGreek,canseethis.”

“Iresentthat,”saidTitusValerius.

“Oh,youdo?”

“Yes!Legionariesaren’tants.Weknowpreciselywhywe’refighting.Forourcompanions.”

Michaelsighed.“Justasantsfollowtheleadoftheirneighboringants,andsothestructureofthehivemiraculouslyemerges.Mypointexactly.”

Titusgrowled,baffled.Stefsaid,“Yuri,didyou

knowthatkernelshavebeen

usedinwarhere?OnEarthitself.Forcenturies,Ithink.”

“SomehowI’mnotsurprised,”Yurisaidweakly.“Canyouthinkofanywayinwhichthisnewhumanityisbetterthantheold?”

“Onlyone,”saidtheColU.“They’rebetteratbuildingHatches.”

10

AD 2213; AUC 2966

Themoonwasdifferent.ThatwasthefirstthingBethEdenJonesnoticedastheUkelwyddsailedtowardtheEarth,stilldecelerating,

kerneldriveburningbright.Itwasachance

navigationalalignmentthatbroughttheincomingshipclosetothesatellite,closeenoughforthekernelenergiestocastaglowonthesurface.Onthedarksidelightswerescattered,anddomesreflectedtheship’sfirelikedropletsofmercury.Butwhenthedaysideopenedup,withthemoonreceding

behindtheEarthboundship,evenBeth—astrangertothesolarsystemuntilshesteppedthroughaHatchfromPerArduatoMercuryatagetwenty—couldseehowtheancientterrainwasdisfigured.Thesmoothgraynessofthemaria,theseas,wasgougedandscarredwithimmenserectilinearworkings,andthewholefacewasmaskedbyraysfrom

brilliant,sharplydefinednewcraters.Themarialandformswereobviouslyartificial,theresultofcenturiesofhumanminingforresources,hereonthisversionofthemoon.IttookawhileforBethtounderstandthatthenewcraters,thebrightrays,werehuman-madefeaturestoo:thescars,notofindustry,butofwar.

Havingpassedthemoon,

theshipturnedforEarth,abuttonoflightinthesky.ButagainBethcouldimmediatelyseedifferencesfromtheworldsheremembered,evenfromthisdistance.Therewasnogleamofice,foronething,ateitherpole.Andwholeswathsoftheplanet,incentralAmerica,centralAfrica,Australia,werebareoflife,asifthegreenhadwornawaytoexposethe

rockybonesoftheworld.

•••

TheUkelwydd,withtheruinoftheTataniaintowandthehulkship’stenfoldcrewaboard,settledneatlyintoahigh-inclinationorbitaroundEarth,orTerraasthehomeworldwascalledbytheBrikanti.ThecrewoftheISFshipwasrestrictedtotheir

sparsequartersforafullday,astheBrikantiwentthroughtheirarrivalprotocols.

Afterthisbriefconfinement,AriGuthfrithson,theship’sleadingdruidh,invitedBethtojoinhimtoviewtheworld,forsoontheorbitalpasswouldtaketheshipoverBritainandnorthEurope,thehomeoftheBrikantiandtheirallies,includingAri’sown

people.Bethwaspleasedtosee

Ari.Shefeltshehadgrownrelativelyclosetothiscalmscholarinthedaystheyhadspentonthisship.Hewasyoungerthanshewas,butnotbymuch.Hewasn’texactlyhandsome,butlikealltheBrikanticrewheseemedtobeexceptionallywellgroomed,withneathairandfinelyshapedsideburns—she

hadglimpsedhimusingaportablekit,scissors,anailfile.Shewasattractedtohim,shethought,ifonlyfaintly.

Andtodaythegeneralmoodwasgood.TheUkelwyddcrewseemedrelaxedastheyswitchedoverfromflightmodetolessdemandingorbitaloperations.

“Plus,”saidLexMcGregorashejoinedBethandAriatabigobservation

window,“maybetheyarelookingforwardtogettingridofus.Iknowthemilitary.Thesoonertheycankickaproblemupstairsthehappiertheywillbe.”

Ari’svoice,softlytranslatedforBeththroughEarthshine’ssystemsviaherearpiece,wascalm,melodious.“Actuallyship’screwarenotusedtodealingwithpeopledirectly.Inspace

conflicts,apersonalencounterwiththeenemyisrare;thedefeatedrarelysurvivetobecomeprisoners.AndofcourseyourEarthshine,whosenaturewecannotunderstand,representsadoubleconceptualproblemforus.”

“Well,I’msorryaboutthat,”McGregorsaiddrily.“Butheisthereasonwe’reallhereinthefirstplace.The

objectiveoftheflightofthepooroldTataniawasspecificallytosaveEarthshinefromtheconsequencesofourownupcomingwar.”Heglanceddownattheworld,overwhichtheshipdriftedsilently.“ThoughwhetherbybringingEarthshinetothisplacereallycountsas‘saving’him—IsupposeI’mrelievedI’llneverhaveto

justifythattomysuperiors,wherevertheyare...I’msorry,I’mmaundering.”

Arisaid,“Yourdestinyatahigherlevelthanthathasnotyetbeendecided.”

McGregorfrowned.“Idon’tunderstand.ThisisaBrikantiship.Idon’tknowanythingaboutyourgovernment,yourempire—whatever—butsurelywe’reunderyourprotection.”

“I’mafraiditismorecomplicatedthanthat.”Arigestured.“Lookaround.”

AndwhenBethlookedawayfromthebrightsurfaceoftheplanetshesawanarrayofbrilliant,unwinkingstarsagainstthedarkbackgroundofspace.

LexMcGregorwhistled.“Wow.Spacehabitats.Iseetori,cylinders,platforms—mirrors,antennas...”He

clenchedafist.“We’vebarelybeenallowednearawindow.Ineverevennoticedallthisjunkbefore.”

“Junk?”Arismiled.“Ihavebeentoldthat,whereyoucomefrom,spaceismuchlesspopulated,comparatively.Wefindthatdifficulttounderstand.Withkernel-driveshipsitiseasytohaulvastloadsintoorbit,ortoshipmaterialsinfromsuch

sourcesasLunaortheTearsofYmir.”

“But,Ari,they—umm,we—aremorewaryofkernelsthanyouare.Kerneldrivesaren’tallowedontheEarth.Nowherecloserthanthefarsideofthemoon,wherePennyKalinskiandhersisteronceworked.Ofcourse,whenthefinalwarcame,allbetswereoff.”

“ButIpointoutthatthe

hardwareyouseeinspacearoundusrepresentsthevariousforceswhohavetakenaninterestinyou.”

Bethsaid,“YoumeantheRomans,theXin?”

“Ido.”Aristudiedher,hisfaceopen,inquisitive.“Istillknowlittleofyourownhistory.WhathintsIhaveheardarefascinating—thedifferencesfromourown.Fornow,youneedtounderstand

this.FromwhatIhavegathered,yourhistorywasrathermorecomplexthanourshasbeen.Fragmented.Essentiallyourworld,andnowtheworldsbeyondTerra,havebeendominatedbytheriseoftwopowerfulempires,RomeandXin.Thoughotherpolitieshavecomeandgone,thosetwogreatpolesofpowerhavecompetedforcontrolofthegreat

landmassesofAsiaandEuropafortwothousandyears.Andforthelastthousandyearsormoretheyhavecontendedovertheterritoriesoftherestoftheworldalso.Theonlysignificantexceptionhasbeenmyownfederation,theBrikanti.StartingwithaPritanikethatstayedindependentofRome,theBrikantihavemanagedto

retainakindoflandempireoftheirown.”

Hestudiedtheirfaces.“Terriblewarshavebeenfought,onthisworldandelsewhere.Why,thebatteredfaceofLunaisareminderofthat.Itissaidthatwhenthewaruptherewasatitsheight,andthefaceofthesatelliteburnedinthesky,ahailofdebris,rocksfromthegreatlunardetonations,rained

downonTerra.Thoseaccidentalrockfallscouldnotbedistinguishedfrompurposefulattacks,andanewwaveofwarwasinitiatedonTerraitself.However,warandcompetitiondroveinnovation.Inmanyways,itisclear,mycultureislesstechnologicallyadvancedthanyours—butnotinothers.

“Andwesurvive,andpoorTerra,almostasbattered

andscarredasLuna,hassurvivedasanabodeforhumanity.Thisisbecausewe,thecompetingpowersofTerra,havefoundways,ifnottocooperate,atleasttomanageourconflicts.Tosublimatethemintoangrydiplomacy.”

McGregorsaid,“Areyousayingwearenowthesubjectofthis‘angrydiplomacy’?”

Arisighed.“Thewhole

worldsawtheUkelwyddcomesailinginwiththewreckofashipofunknownorigin.OurcrewisriddledwithspiesforXinandRome.Ofcourseitis;itistobeexpected.Yourepresenttreasure,orperhapsdanger,ofunknownpotential.WeBrikantispottedyoufirst,andshowedtheinitiativetoretrieveyou,butthatisnottosaythatXinandRomeare

happyforustokeepyoutoourselves.Andasaresult,rightnow,thisship,andyou,arethesubjectofscrutiny.Andastheywatchus,theywatcheachothertoo.”

McGregorgrunted.“Andeverybodyisarmedtotheteeth.”

“That’stheidea.ThefactthatthereisanativeXinamongyou,orsowewouldclassifyJiangYouwei,makes

thesituationthatmuchmorecomplex;allsidesfeeltheyhaveaclaim.Atsomepointthetrierarchus,asthecommandauthorityonthespot,willneedtodecidewhetheritisworththeriskoftryingtotransportyoutoBrikantiterritoryontheground,orelsetogiveyouuptoeitherRomeorXin—oreventocastyouadriftinyourTataniaandletthemfightit

outoveryou.ForweBrikanti,yousee,areasmallandnimblepowerwhostrivetostaysafebynotbeingtroddenonbyeitherofourworld’slumberinggiants...”

PennyKalinskijoinedthemnow,enteringthroughthedooratthebackofthecabin.Swimmingeasilyintheabsenceofgravity,shelookedcomfortableinaloose-fittingBrikanticostume

oftunicandtrousers.Shewascarryingaslate,andsippingsomethingfromacoveredpotterymug.“Watered-downmead,”shesaidtoBeth.“Pleasantstuff.”

Bethhadtosmile.“Youlookasifyoufitinhere,Penny.”

“Well,whatcanyoudobutmakethebestofit?Idoubtwe’regoinghomeanytimesoon.Evenif‘home’

stillexists,inanymeaningfulsense.Sowhat’sgoingon?IheardwewereduetopassoverBritain;Iwantedtocomesee.”

LexMcGregordidadoubletake,turnedtothepanoramaoftheworldbelow,andfrownedatwhathesaw.“Really?That’sBritain?Whatthehell?”

Beth,astrangertoEarth,hadcomparativelylittle

preconceptionaboutwhatsheexpectedtosee,lookingdownonBritain/Pritanike.Shesawakindofarchipelago,ascatterofislandsofftheshoreofagreatercontinenttotheeast.Therewasagrayishurbantanglelaidoverthegreen-brownofthecountrysideontheeasterncoastofthelargeroftheislands,nearestthecontinent;shesawtheglitter

ofglassandmetal,arrow-straightroads.Andinthemountainouscountryofanislandtothefarnorthshesawtremendousrectangularworkingsthatlookedasiftheymightrivaltheminefieldsofthelunarmaria.

Lexsaidgrimly,“IwasborninEngland.Thesoutherncounties,Angleterre.Ihaveseenmyhomecountryfromspacemanytimes.ButI

donotrecognizethat.Halfofit’smissingaltogether.”

Pennytouchedhisshoulder.“History’sbeendifferenthere,Lex.Romeinthewestneverfell,apparently.Here,theyindustrializedcenturiesbeforewedid.Withtheconsequencesyou’dexpect.”

“Greenhousegases.Deforestation.Sealevelrises?”

“That’sit.Itwillallhavegonealotfartherandalotearlierthaninourtimeline.Wehadthegreattwenty-firstcenturycrisisoftheclimateJolts,theheavy-handedrepairworkoftheHeroicGeneration.Maybehere,asitunfoldedmoreslowly,theyunderstooditallless—maybetheycaredless—andjustadaptedtoit.Ithinkwecanexpecttoseethecoastlines

transformedallaroundtheworld.Lowlandslost,likesouthandeastEnglandhere.”

McGregorsquinted.“ThatbigsprawlinnorthernEnglandlookslikeit’scenteredonYork.”

“ThatisEboraki,”saidAri.“ThecapitalofanindependentPritanikesincethedaysofQueenKartimandiaherself,shewhodefiedRome.Ithasalways

beenacityofwar.Later,intheearlydaysofcontactbetweenmyownancestralpeopleandtheBrikanti,forsomeyearsEborakiwasheldbyus.ItwasaScandcity,notaBrikantione.”

Pennygrinned.“Butallthat’salongtimeago.Forgiveandforget?”

“AtleastweBrikantiandScandloatheeachotherlessthanweloathetheRomans

andtheXin.NowEborakiisthecapitalofaworldempire—thoughwehavenoemperors.”

Lexsaid,“ThedevelopmentonthescrapsofhighgroundtothesouthoftheThames,beyondtheIsleofDogs.ThatmightbesomeversionofLondon.”

“ThatisLund,”Arisaid.“ThemostobviousgatewaytoEuropa,andtheRoman

provinces.ThetownwasapettycommunitybeforecontactwiththeRomans;therewasnoparticularpurposeforit.AfterKartimandiaitbecameatradinghubwiththeEmpire,andthenearesttoaRomancityinPritanike.ButitwasalwaysdwarfedbyEboraki.”

McGregorpointed.“AndwhatthehelldidyoudotoScotland?”

Arifrowned.“WeknowitasKaledon.Anarenaofheroicengineering.”

“Itlookslikeyoudemolishedmountains,”McGregorsaid.“Someareaslooklikethey’vebeenmelted.”

“Somehavebeen,”Arisaid.“Akernel-drivespacecraft,landingortakingoff,generatesratheralotofheat.”

“MyGod,”Pennysaid.“TheyreallyhavebroughtkerneltechnologydowntothefaceoftheEarth.Allthatheatenergydumpedintotheground,theair.It’sawondertheyhaven’tflippedthewholedamnplanetintosomecatastrophicgreenhouse-warmingevent,intoaVenus.”

“Maybe,”Lexsaid,“theywerelucky.Theygotaway

withit.Just.Perhapsthereareothertimelineswherepreciselythathappened.Doesthatmakesense,Kalinski?Iftherearetwotimelines,whynotmany?”

“Oraninfinitenumber.”Shegrinned,lopsided.“Thathadoccurredtometoo.You’rethinkinglikeascientist,McGregor.”

“I’llcutthatoutimmediately.”

Arifollowedthisexchangeclosely.

Nowtheislandclusterwaspassingawaytothenorthwest,andtheshipwassailingoverthenearcontinent—GaultotheRomansandtheBrikanti,FrancetothecrewoftheTatania.Thecountryside,whereitwassparedbythesea-levelrise,glowedwithurbanization.Butonthetrack

ofabroadriverBethmadeoutaneatcircularfeature,asetofraysspanningoutfromit,alunarcraterpartiallyovergrownbythegreen.Shepointed.“What’sthat?”

Arisaid,“OnceamajorcityoftheRomanprovince.Destroyedinawarsomecenturiesback,byaXinmissilethatgotthroughthelocaldefenses.”

Pennysaid,“Themissile

—kernel-tipped?Itwas,wasn’tit?Soit’strue.Youpeopledon’tjustusekernelsassourcesofpoweronEarth.Youactuallyusetheminweapons,tofightyourIronAgewars.”

AriGuthfrithsonfrowned.“Wouldyouhavemeapologizeformywholehistory?Andisyourhistorysolaudable?”

McGregormurmured,

“We’remissingthepointhere,Penny.Forgetyourjudgments.Weneedtolearnasmuchaboutthisworldaswecanwhilewe’vegotthechance.”

Pennynodded.“You’reright,ofcourse,sinceitlookslikewe’regoingtobestuckhere.”Shethoughtitover.“TheUkelwyddisfollowingahigh-inclinationorbitaroundtheEarth—aroundTerra.

Thatis,theorbitistippedupatanangletotheequator—”

“Thatisintentional,ofcourse,”Arisaid,“sothatourtracktakesusoverPritanikeandthelandinggroundsofKaledon.”

“Butthatmeanswegettoflyoveragoodspanoflatitudes.Andastheplanetturnsbeneathus,withtimewegettolookdownonaswathoflongitudestoo.Give

meafewhourswithaslate,andI’llcapturewhatIcan.Thenwithsomeeducatedguessworkmaybewecanfigureoutthestoryofthisworld...”

11

TwelvehourslaterPennycalledhercompanions,withAri,backtotheobservationlounge.She’dfoundawaytoprojectslateimagesontoablankwall,andhadpreparedadigestofherobservationsof

theturningworldbeneath.Sheshowedthem

landscapesofdenseurbanization,thecitiesglowingnodesinawidernetworkofroadsandurbansprawl.“WelcometoTerra,”shesaiddrily.

“ThisisEuropa—Europe.SomeoftheoldestRomanprovinces.GiveortaketheoddinvasionfromAsia,thiswholeswathfromtheBaltic

coastinthenorthtotheMediterraneaninthesouthhasbeenurbanizedcontinuallyformorethantwothousandyears,andtheresultiswhatyoucansee.Manyofthedensernodesmapontocitieswe’refamiliarwithfromourowntimeline,whichareeithersuccessorcitiestoRomansettlements—likeParis,forinstance—or,inplacestheRomansnever

reachedinourtimeline,theyfollowthegeographiclogicoftheirposition.Hamburg,Berlin.Thenatureofthecountryisdifferentfarthernorth,theDanishpeninsula,Scandinavia.Justasheavilyurbanized,butadifferentgeography.”

“Theheartlandofmypeople,”Arisaid.“Youmayhaveimagesofthecanalwhichseversthepeninsula

fromthemainland.Averyancientconstruction,whichwaswidenedextensivelywhenkernelsbecameavailable.”

Pennygoggled.“You’retellingmeyouusekernelstoshapelandscapesaswell?OnEarth?”

“ThisisTerra,Penny,”McGregorsaidevenly.“NotEarth.Iguessthat’stheirbusiness.”

Pennyshowedimagesnowofadesolatecoastline,anangrygraysea,portsandindustrialcitiesdefiantblightsonthegray-brownlandscape.“ThisisnorthernAsia,”shesaid.“Inourreality,theArcticOceancoastofRussia.ThereneverwasaRussiahere,Idon’tbelieve.Butnoristhereanysignofaborealforestattheselatitudes.Eventhesealooks

sterile—nobodyfishingoutthere—andnosignofanyArcticice,bytheway,thoughwehaven’tbeenabletoseeallthewaytothepole.”

Arishrugged.“Itisdeadcountry.Italwayshasbeendead.Goodonlyforextractionofminerals,methaneforfuel.”

Pennytappedherscreen.“I’mgoingtopansouth.TheextentofthemainRoman

holdingsseemstoreachtheUrals,roughly.WhereasyouhavetheXinempire,presumablysomedescendantoftheearlyChinesestatesweknowabout,extendingupfromthenorthofcentralChinathroughMongoliaandeasternSiberia,allthewaytotheBeringStrait.InCentralAsia,though—”

Morecraters.Adesolate,lifelesslandscape.

ThismadeBethgasp.“Whathappenedhere?”

Arisighed.“Thesteppewashistoricallyalwaysaproblem.Asourceofferociousnomadicherdsmenandwarriors,who,whenevertheweathertookaturnfortheworst,wouldcomeburstingoutoftheirheartlandtoravagetheurbancommunitiestothewestandeast.FinallyXinandRome

agreedtoadministerthoseworthlessplainsasakindofjointprotectorate.Itisanarrangementthatworkedquitewell,forcenturies.Mostly.”

McGregor’sgrinwascold.“Mostly?”

“Wherevertwogreatempiresclashdirectlytherewillbewar.Andwhenweaponssuchasthekernelsareavailable—well,youcan

seetheresult.”Pennysaid,“Here’sthe

Xinhomeland.Againthereseemstobeahistoricalcontinuitywiththecitiesandnationsweknowaboutfromtheearlyfirstmillennium...”

Someoftheimageshadbeentakenatnight.Halfacontinentglowed,anetworkoflightembeddedwithjewel-likecities—andyethereand

thereBethcouldseethedistinctivecircularholesofdarknessthatmustberelicsofkernelstrikes.

AriwaswatchingBeth,asmuchashewasfollowingtheimages.“Yourreactionisdifferentfromtheothers.Youseem—dismayed.”

“That’sonewordforit.Igrewuponanemptyworld.”

“Ah.Whereasallthis,incomparison,billionsofus

crammedintovastdevelopments—”

“Howdoyoubreathe?Howdoyoufinddignity?”

“Youmean,howwillyoulivehere?”Hesmiled.“BethEdenJones,you,ofallthecrewoftheTatania,arebyfarthemostintriguingtome.Themostcomplicated.Iffortuneallowsit,Ihopetobeabletohelpyoufindaplaceinthis,thethirdworldyou

havehadtolearntocallhome...”

Pennysaidnow,“AsArihastoldus,therestoftheworldisakindofplaypenforthethreesuperpowersofEurasia.Here’sAustralia.”

BethsawaridcrimsonplainslikeavisionofMars,pockedwiththecircularscarsofexplosions,therectangularwoundsoftremendousmines.

“MinedbytheXin,”Ari

said.“Mymotherwasfrom

Australia,”Bethsaid.“Ivisitedonce.Whathappenedtothenativepeoplehere?”

Arilookedathercuriously.“Whatnativepeople?”

“Africa,”Pennyannounced,pullingupimageafterimage.“Tothesouth,extensiveminingandfarmingbytheXin,itseems.Tothe

north,theSahara—butlookatit...”

Thedesertwascoveredbyagridofhugerectilinearcanals.

Arisaid,“OneoftheRomans’mostsignificantprojects.Andtheyareslowlysucceedinginmakingthedesertbloom,asyoucansee.Butthereisadangerthatinyearstocome,astheyadvancetheircoloniesever

farthersouth—”“AndtheXinworktheir

waynorthfromtheirsouthernfarmlands,”McGregorsaid,“they’regoingtomeetinthemiddle,andclash.ItwillbeCentralAsiaalloveragain.”

“Letushopenot,”Arisaidfervently.“But,yes,thoseofusdruidhwhodevotetheireffortstoprojectionsofthefutureseethisasonepossibility.”

“Here’sSouthAmerica,”Pennysaid.

“OrValhallaInferior,”Arisaidmildly.“AbattlegroundbetweentheXinandtheRomansforcenturies.”

Bethsawfarmlandandminingcountrycutacrossbyvastriversystems,andscarredbyswathsofdesert.“WhataboutAmazonia?”

Pennysaiddrily,“You’d

neverknowtherainforesthadeverbeenthere.Andagain,we’llprobablyneverknowwhathappenedtotheindigenouspopulations.”

InNorthAmerica,imagestakeninthedarkofnightshowedabandoffirethatBeththoughtroughlyfollowedtheCanadianborderwiththeUnitedStates.

Pennysaid,“Thecontinentisrelatively

undeveloped.There’sabigcityofsomekindonthesiteofSt.Louis,anotherinMassachusetts.Otherthanthat,smalltownsandarmybases.ThereiswhatlookslikeaRomanlegionaryfortressonthesiteofdowntownSeattle,forinstance,whereIgrewup—Ilookedtosee.AndthisistheonlyplaceonthesurfaceoftheEarthwhereitlookslike

thereisactivewarfareinprogress.”

Arisaid,“ThisisanarenaIknowwell—Ihaveservedhere.WeScandreachedthiscountryfirst,morethanamillenniumago,andthentheBrikantifollowedus—andtheRomans,someusingScandships,camesoonafter.Now,tothenorthisBrikanticountry,oncethickly

forested,whereweextractedwoodforouroceangoingships.Ourprincipalcity,neartheeastcoast,iscalledLeifsholm.Tothesouth,farmlanddevelopedbytheRomans,agreatbreadbasket.Theirownprovincialcapital,onthecourseofamightyriver,iscalledMessalia.Wemeetatthelatitudeoftheinlandseas.Therearenogreatcitieshere.Inasenseit

isaquestionoftradition,ofhistory.Theoldcountries,EuropaandAsia,arewhereyoubuildcities,whetheryouareXinorRomanorindeedBrikanti.Therestoftheworldistobeexploited.”

Pennysaid,“Thatbordercountrylookslikeawarzone.”

“Soitis,”Arisaid.“TheRomansliketosendtheirlegionsmarchingnorth.We

opposethemwithfortressesandcounterraids.”

“Ithoughtyouguyscooperated.Youruninterstellarmissionstogether,forinstance.”

Arishrugged.“Wecooperatewhenweflytothestars,whilewarringonTerra,intheValhallas.Itisakindofgame.Lethal,ofcourse,butagame.TheRomansgivetheirlegionsmarching

practiceandtheirgeneralstriumphs.We,conversely,enjoytrippingthemup.Itisnotlogical,butwhenhasthepoliticsofempireeverbeenrational?Wemustretainourseparateidentitiessomehow,PennyKalinski.Andafterall,theRomansdidconsiderinvadingPritanikeonce.Youdon’tforgivesomethinglikethat.”

Pennyshookherhead.

“Acontinentasonevastmilitarytrainingground.”

“Butwhatelseissuchabarrencontinentgoodfor?”

“You’dbesurprised,”Pennysaidfervently.

McGregorsaid,“So,anendlessthree-waywar,nowextendedoutintothesolarsystem,itseems.”

“Ithasgonethiswayforcenturies,”Arisaid.“Itisourway,evidently—”

“Givingawayourstrategicsecrets,areyou,druidh?”

•••

BethturnedtoseeKerysthetrierarchus,theship’scommander,walkingintothecabinthroughthedoorattherear.Shewasfollowedbyasolid-lookingEarthshine,animpressivedisplayofvirtual

projectionfromtheunitinwhichtheoldCoreAIwasstored.

Aricametoakindofattention.“Thatwasn’tmyintention,trierarchus.IbelievethatIhavelearnedasmuchaboutthehomeofBethEdenJonesandhercompanionsasIhaverevealedaboutours.”

LexMcGregorgrinned.“AndIbetthat’strue,you

slipperylittlerascal.”Keryswalkedtothe

window,handsclaspedbehindherback,andpeeredaround,beyondtheglowingsurfaceofEarth,intospace.“Well,ourrivalsclusterclose.Theywaitonadecisiononhowwearetodisposeofyou,thecrewoftheTatania.And,needlesstosay,mysuperiorsatDumnonahavedevolvedthe

decisiontome.”LexMcGregorsaid

evenly,“Myheartachesforyou.”

Kerysarchedaneyebrow.“Afinewaytotalktoanofficerwhoholdsyoudanglingbythetesticles.”

McGregorbarkedalaugh.

“WhatamItodowithyouyourself,forexample,GeneralLexMcGregor?

Lookatyou,oldandgray,yourprimeadistantmemory.Whatpossibleuseareyou?ImightthrowyouovertotheRomans;youmightmakethemlaugh,briefly,iftheydumpyouinthearenawithagladiatorortwo.”

McGregorgrinned,fearless.“I’dliketoseethemtrythat.Madam,Iwouldhavethoughtmyvalueisobvious.Icomefroman

entirelydifferentmilitarytradition,anentirelydifferentspacefaringbackground.”Hetappedhisgrizzledpate.“Andnowallthatexperiencecanbeputatyourcommand.But,”hesaidseverely,“Icomewithstringsattached.Iwantmycrewwithme,Golvin,Kapur,theothers—allfiveofthem.WithoutthemIcouldnotfunction,andwouldnottry.

Conversely,throwevenoneofthemtotheRomansortheXinandIwillfollow.”

“Yourloyaltyiscommendable,”Keryssaid,herfacekeptcarefullyblank.“You,PenelopeKalinski:franklyyourvalueisobviouseventome.Thephilosophiesandmathematicsyoudisplay,thetechnologiesyouwield—ifyouspentyourremainingyearsteachingBrikanti

studentsevenafractionofwhatyouknow,youcouldbeofimmeasurablevalue.”

Pennynoddedherhead.Shewascomposed,Beththought,unmoved,asifshe’dthoughtherwaythroughthisalready.Pennysaid,“Icanthinkofworsewaystospendmylife.IwouldneedJiangwithme,ofcourse.”

“Wecandebatethat,”Keryssaidneutrally.“Asfor

you,BethEdenJones—”Shestaredcloselyat

Beth,andBethfoundherselftouchingthetattoothatsprawledoverherface,arelicofherchildhoodonPerArdua:amarktheBrikantiseemedtoregardassavage.

“Icanvouchforher,”Arisaidquickly,forestallingwhateverjudgmentKeryswasabouttopronounce.“Trierarchus,sheisinmany

waysthemostinterestingofall.Shewasbornandgrewupontheplanetofanotherstar!Embeddedinasystemofnativelifeofwhichwehavenoknowledge—asyouknow,ourshipsfoundnosuchlifeonanyplanetofthestarProxima.ShewasbroughtbacktoTerraasayoungadult,andasanoutsidersheisprobablyabetterwitnesstothatculturethananyofthese

others.AgainIcannotsaypreciselywhatIwouldlearnfromher,giventime,but—”

“Allright,druidh,”Keryssaid,raisingahand.“You’vemadeyourpoint.”

“Whichleavesme,”Earthshinesaidsilkily.

“Indeed.Andyoupresentthegreatestchallengeofall.Themachinerythatsustainsyouisimpossiblyfarbeyondourunderstanding—Iwould

havenowayofknowingifitrepresentedsomekindofdangertomycountry.”

“Norwhatitspotentialmightbe,”Earthshinesaid,“ifyouwereabletolearnfromit.”

“Verywell.Butwhatofyou?”Shewalkedaroundhim,inspectinghim;shepassedahandthroughhisarm,makingpixelsscatterintheair,andBethsaw

Earthshineflinchashisconsistencyprotocolswereviolated.“Whatareyou?Notaman.Areyouanymorethanapuppet?Isthereamindinthere?”

“Ihavebeenaccusedofbeinginsane,”hesaid,smilingcoldly.“Canonebeinsanewithoutamind?AndletmeremindyouwhatIhavestored,inmyartificialmind,myroomymemory:the

secretsofwhatmadetheTataniafly.Thehulkyoucapturedisscrapmetal.AndIhavealltherecordswebroughtwithusofourreality,andeverythingweachievedthere.”

Kerysfrowned,butBethcouldseeshewasintrigued.“Suchas?”

“Letmeshowyou.Please,donotdrawyourweapons...”Hegesturedin

theair,cuppinghishands.Animagecongealed

beforehim,aspheremaybeahalf-meteracross.Thebulkofthesurfacewasgray-whiteiceglisteninginthelightofaninvisiblesun,buttheblueandgreenoflifesprawledingreatpatchesundercurvinglidsofglass.

Arigasped.“Itisbeautiful.”

“Itisaworld.An

asteroid,whatyouwouldcallaTearofYmir.Thelargestofall—youmusthavegivenitaname;wecallitCeres.”

“TousthisisHöd,”Arisaid.“AftertheblindhalfbrotherofBaldr,favoritechildoftheoldgods.”

“Thisiswhatwebuiltthere,thesegreatHalls.AndCeresbecamethehubfromwhichtheexploitationoftheasteroidsprogressed.Hereis

anotherworld.”Hesnappedhisfingers,

andicyCereswasreplacedbyamorefamiliarworld,aburnt-orangeball,itssurfacescarredbycanyonsandcraters,icecapslikeswirlsofcreamateitherpole.

“Mars,”saidKerys.“Yes—anameweshare.

Lookwhatwebuiltthere.”Hepulledhishandsapart.Theplanetaryimage

exploded,becomingmistyandfaint,butthecenter,beforeEarthshine’schest,zoomedinonasprawlingcity,atoweratitsheart—aneedle-likestructurewhoseheightonlybecameapparentwhenthescalewassuchthatpeoplecouldbemadeoutindividually,inpressuresuitsatthebaseofthetower.

“ThisistheChinesecapital,inaregionwecalled

TerraCimmeria.Iknowhowallthiswasbuilt,eventhegreattower.Icanhelpyoudiscoverit.Andmore.Again,donotbealarmed...”

Onhisupturnedhands,aseriesofanimalswalked,elephants,bison,lions,horses,eachthree-dimensionalimagescaledagainstahumanfigure.

TheBrikantistared.Earthshinesaid,“Iand

mybrotherswerecreated,somecenturiesago,forthis,aboveallelse.Tosavethediversityoflivingthings.Thedestructionofournaturalworldwasnotsoadvancedasitishere,despitecenturiesofardenteffort,”hesaiddrily.“Theseanimalsareknowntoyouonlythroughfossilremains,frombonesyoufindintheground.Toyou,theelephantsandtheapesand

thewhalesareasremoteasthedinosaurs.Istoregeneticdata—thatis,theinformationrequiredtorecovertheseanimals,torebuildthem.Icangiveyoubackyourpast.”

Theanimalsmeltedaway;heloweredhishands.

“AlsoIhavebooks,”Earthshinesaid.“Andart.Thinkaboutthat.Twomillenniaofadifferenttradition.”Hetappedhis

skull.“Allstoredinhere—”Keryscuthimoff.“The

logicisobvious.Whateverwemakeofyou,wecan’tallowyoutofallintothehandsofourrivals.Welcomeaboard,”shesaidsimply.

Earthshineinclinedhishead,asifhe’dexpectednootherreaction.

Oddly,Bethnoticed,AriGuthfrithsonthedruidhappearedmoreskeptical;she

wouldhaveimaginedthescholarinhimwouldhaverespondedtoEarthshine’spitch.

“Well,nowthat’sdecided,wehaveworktodo,”Keryssaidbriskly.Againsheglancedoutthewindow.“Idon’tneedtoinformDumnonaofmydecision;Ionlyneedtoimplementit.Andnoneedtogivethatlotoutthereany

notice.Ari,takechargehere;Iwantallthesepeoplestrappedintheircouchesforlandinginanhour.”

“Yes,trierarchus.”ButasKerysstalkedoutofthecabin,AricontinuedtostareatEarthshine.

Thevirtualsmiledsmoothly.“Istheresomethingmoreyouwant,druidh?Afterall,thedecisionismade.”

“Yes.Butwhatstrikes

meisthatinallyourbamboozlingpresentationofthemiraclesyouoffer,youneveroncesuggestedwhatitisyouwantinreturn.”

Earthshinespreadhishands.“Yourtrierarchushasguaranteedmecontinuedexistence.Isn’tthatenough?”

“Notinyourcase,no.Idon’tthinkitis.”

And,studyingEarthshine,andthecautious

reactionsofPennyKalinskiandevenLexMcGregor,Bethhadaprofoundsuspicionthathewasright.ThattherewasfarmoregoingonherethanEarthshinewasyetrevealing.

Butawarningtrumpetsoundedpiercingblasts,andtheyhurriedtotheiraccelerationcouches.Therewasnomoretimefordebate.

12

AD 2222; AUC 2975

Evenfromtheground,onthenamelessplanetofRomulus,StefKalinskihadspottedtheMalleusJesu,starvesseloftheClassisSoloftheRoman

imperium,orbitinginthewashed-outsky,asplinteroflight.Butitwasnotuntilthefinalevacuationfromtheplanet,asshe,Yuri,theColU,andTitusValeriuswithhisdaughter,allrodeoneofthelastshuttlesintospace,thatSteffirstgotagoodlookatthecraft.

TheMalleusJesuwasafatcylinderofmetalandwhatlookedlikeceramic,capped

withadomeatoneend,aflatsurfaceattheother.Itlookedasifitwasheldtogetherwithhugerivets.Therewerewindowsvisibleintheflanksofthetremendoushull,protectedbyvenetian-blindshutters.Thewholecraftspunslowlyonitsaxis,presumablytoequalizetheheatingloaditreceivedfromthesun.Thewallswereornatelycarvedwithfigures

intheRomanstyle:heroicmilitarymenstridingoverdefeatedpeoples,ormarchingfromworldtoworld.Eventherimofthatleadingdomewaselaboratelydecorated,thoughthedomeitselflookedlikeacrudelayeringofrock.

TitusValeriuswasamassivepresenceintheseatbesideher;hesmelledofsweat,stalewine,andstraw.Tituspointedatthebaseof

thecraft.“Kernels.Abankofthem.Topushthecraft,yes?”

“Iknowthetheory,”Stefsaiddrily.

“Pushhalfway,turnaround,slowdowntheotherhalfandstopatEarth.”Hepointedagain,atthedome.“Shieldfromspacedust.Rockfromworldbelow.Shoveledonbyslavesinarmor.”

Bywhichhemeant,Stef

knewbynow,somekindofcrudepressuresuit.

Yuri,palebutintent,peeredout.“ItlookslikeTrajan’sColumn,toppedbythePantheon.”

Stefsniffed.“Looksmorephallictome.ThePenisofJesus.”

“Oh,comeon.Thisisjustgreat.AnimperialRomanstarship!...Weknowtheylacksophisticated

electronics,computers.Iwonderhowthehelltheynavigatethatthing.”

“Thedriveisn’talwayson,”saidTitus.

Stefrealizedthatamoreprecisetranslationofhiswordsmighthavebeen,Thevulcansdonotalwaysvomitfire.

“Everymonththeyshutitdown,andturntheship.”Hemimedthiswithhisonegood

hand,likealigningacannon.“Thesurveyorstakesightingsfromthestars.Thentheyswiveltheshiptomakesurewe’reontherighttrack,andfireupthedriveagain.It’slikelayingaroad,onthemarch.Youlayastretch,andattheendofthedaythesurveyorstaketheirsightingstomakesureyou’reheadingstraightandtruewhereyou’resupposedtogo,andthenext

dayoffyougo.Workslikeadream.Why,Irememberonceoncampaign—”

“Navigationbydeadreckoning,”saidtheColU.“Takingsightingsfromthestars—simplypointingthecraftatthedestination.Theyhavenocomputershere,ColonelKalinski,nothingmorecomplexthananabacus.Andtheyhaveastrolabes,planispheres,

orreries,sextants,andveryfineclocks—allmechanical,andremarkablysophisticated.But,Colonel,thisstarshipispilotedusingclockwork!However,ifyouhavethebruteenergyofthekernelsavailable,youdon’tneedsubtlety,youdon’tneedfinecontrol.Youneedonlyaimandfire.”

Tituspointedagainatthecraft.“Sevendecks.Each

sixtyyardsdeep.”Hecountedupfromthebaseoftheship.“Kernelsandstores,farm,slavepen,barracks,camp,town,villasoftheofficers.Plusabathhouseinthedomefortheofficers.”

Steffrowned,figuringthatout.ThewordtheColUtranslatedas“yard”wasaRomanunitaboutayardinlength,orroughlyameter.“Thatmustmakethecylinder

somethinglikefourhundredmeterslong.And,judgingbytheproportions,aroundahundredmetersindiameter.Whatamonster.Titus,we’vebeentoldverylittleaboutthisflight.”

Hegrunted.“That’sofficersforyou.Don’ttellyouadamnthingaboutwhatyou’resupposedtodo,evenastheykickyouupthearsefornotdoingitright—”

Sheaskedpatiently,“Suchas,howlongwilltheflightbe?”

“That’seasy,”hesaid.“Fouryears,threehundredandthirty-sixdays.Sameascomingout.”

“Hallelujah,”theColUsaiddrily.“Aprecisenumberatlast.Andareyouunderfullgravityforthewholetrip?”Silence.“Thatis,whenthedriveison,doyoufeelas

heavyasyoudoonTerra?”Thelegionarypuzzled

thatout.“Yes,”hesaidintheend.“Theofficersdon’twantyoubouncingaroundgoingsoft,likeyouwereonLuna,orMars.Thetraining’stougherinflightthanitisontheground.”

“I’llbet,”Stefsaid.“Iknowthemilitary.Lockedupinabigtincanlikethis,they’llkeepthelowerranks

asbusyaspossibletokeepthemfromcausingmischief.”

TheColUsaid,“WiththenumbersthelegionaryhasprovidedIcanatlastestimatehowfarwearefromhome...”

Ifthedriveburnedcontinually,exertinganaccelerationequivalenttooneEarthgravity,afteraboutayeartheship’svelocitywouldbeapproachingthespeedof

light.“Ofcoursewewon’tpass

lightspeedbutwe’llrunintotimedilation.TimeontheshipwillpassmuchmoreslowlyfromthepointofviewofanobserveronEarth—”

“Ihavetwophysicsdoctorates,”Stefsnapped.“Iknowaboutrelativistictimedilation.”

“Well,Ihavetwofewerdoctorates,”Yurisaidtiredly.

“Givemethebottomline,ColU.”

“Ifthejourneytakesus,subjectively,fouryears,threehundredandthirty-sixdays,thenelevenyearsandninety-onedayswillhavepassedonEarth.That’snotallowingforsmallcorrectionsbecauseoftheshutdownperiods.Andthedouble-starsystemofRomulusandRemusmustbesomeninelight-yearsfrom

Earth.Titusherewillhavespentmaybetenyearstravelingtothedestinationandback,plusanotherthreeyearsorsoontheground—athirteen-yearmission.Butbythetimehereturnshome,abouttwenty-fiveyearswillhavepassedontheground.”

Titusshrugged.“That’swhatyousignupfor.Gotmydaughterwithme,ontheship.Nootherfamilyto

worryabout.Andbackhomethelegion’scollegiawillmakesurewegettreatedright,withourpayandpensionsandsuch.”

TheColUsaid,“Perhapsittakesanempire,solemn,calmandantique,tomanageoperationsonsuchscales.”

“WeRomansgetitdone,”Titussaidsimply.“We’llbejoiningtheMalleussoon.Makesureyou’re

buckledintoyourseats.”

•••

Theferrydockedwithaportontheslowlyturninghullofthestarship.Stefsawthatthehullherewasblazonedwithlarge“V”symbols;sheassumedshewaslandingatthefifthdeck,then,whichTitushadcalledthe“camp.”

SheknewthatanISF

crewwouldnothaveattemptedadockingwitharotatingstructure,saveattheaxis.Bycontrastthecrewofthisferrytooktheminwithterrifyingnonchalance,swoopingdownontheslowlyturningMalleus,untiltheydrovestraightintoasystemofnetsthatfieldedthemneatlyanddraggedthemdowntothehull,wheredockingclampsrattlednoisily

againstthebaseofthecraft.Oncethedockingwascompletesheheardwhoopsandbackslapsfrombehindcloseddoors.Shehadmetnoneofthepilotsbuthadglimpsedthemontheground.TheywereyoungBrikanti,maleandfemale,cocky,smart,andtheyenjoyedshowingofftheirskillsbeforethenervous,superstitious,ground-basedRomans.As

sheunbuckledfromherseat,Stefofferedupsilentthanksthatthisriskydisplayofsuper-competencewasatanend.

Onebyonetheywereledoutthroughaportinthebaseoftheferry,anddownthroughthicklayersofhullmetalandinsulationintothebodyoftheMalleusJesu.Theywereweightless,ofcourse,saveforthefaintest

centrifugaltugtowardthewalloftherotatingcraft.

Onceinsidethemainbody,Stefhadtoadjustherorientation,hersenseofupanddown,evenasshewasbatteredbyabarrageofsensoryimpressions:brilliantlights,smellsofanimalsandhumans,aclutterofstructures,heapsofsuppliesandequipment,andpeopleswimmingeverywhereinthe

air.Theshipstoodupright,essentially.Thehullsurfaceshehadpassedthroughwasnolongerafloororceiling,butaverticalwall.Andshehadaclearviewacrosstheinteriorofthecylindricalhull;“floor”and“ceiling”weretremendousplatesbelowandaboveher,slicingoffthefifthdeck,thispie-shapedsectionofthecraft—thoughtheplateswere

piercedbygapsthroughwhichpassedpipes,ductsand,atthecenter,akindoffireman’spolearrangementfromwhichchainsdangled,connectingthisdecktotherestoftheship.Pillarsofsteelwereboltedinplaceacrosstheareatoo,addingstructuralsupportbetweenfloorandceiling,sheguessedthebettertowithstandthethrustofthekernelengine.It

wasavast,cavernousspace,thisdeckalone,sixtymetersdeepandahundredacross,andilluminatedbysunlightfromthewindowsandbig,crude-lookingfluorescentstriplights.Thetallpillarsspanningfloortoroofgavetheplacethefeelingofacathedral,toStef’ssensibilities.

Andsetuponthefloorplatewas,yes,acamp,justas

Titushadsaid,anearcopyofthecoloniadownontheground,arectanglewithroundedcorners,likeaplayingcard,setslapinthemiddleofthecirculardeck.Lookingdownacrossthedeckfromherelevatedpositionatthisport,Stefrecognizedthecrosswiselayoutofthemainstreets;therewasahandsomebuildingofwoodenpanels

thatmightbetheprincipia,nexttoitasmallchapel,andbeyondanopenspacethatmightbeaparadegroundortrainingarea.Therewasevenarowofgranaries,thoughshesawnothinglikebarrackblocks.Allthesestructureslookedconventionalenough,withwood-panelledwallsandred-tiledroofs.Thewallsoftheprincipia,theheadquarters,evenlookedas

iftheywereplastered.But,lookingmoreclosely,Stefcouldseethatthebuildingswerebuiltonframeworksofstrongsteelgirders,firmlyrivetedtothehullplates.

AndshewastreatedtothesurrealsightofRomanlegionariespaddlingthroughtheairabovethe“camp,”pullingthemselvesalongropesstrungacrossthecavernousdeck,manhandling

heapsofsupplieswrappedupinnets,food,clothes,evenweapons.

ARomancamp,ininterstellarspace!Butthen,sheknew,thismixtureofantiquityandmodernitywastypicalofthesestrangelateRomans.

FromconversationswithEilidh,Movena,Michaelandothers,she’dgatheredsomethingofthealtered

historyoftheEmpire,comparedtotheaccountshewasfamiliarwith—ahistorythathadbroughtaRomanlegiontoadistantstar.AfterKartimandia’stime,GermanyhadultimatelybeenconquereduptotheBalticcoast.ItwasVespasian,lateremperor,whoplantedtheeagleofRomeonthebankoftheVistula.Afterthat,withtheGermantribescivilized,

therehadbeennobarbarianhordestocrosstheRhineinthelatefourthcenturyasinStef’sworld,theeventthathadultimatelydestabilizedtheEmpireinthewest.Romehadcontinuedtorule.Intheend,however,theEmpirehadreachednaturallimitsontheEurasianlandmass,pennedinbytheXintotheeast,theBrikantitothenorth,andthedesertsofNorthAfricatothe

south.ForcenturiesRomehadgrowninward-looking,static,itscitizenryheavilytaxed,itsimperialeliteself-obsessed,remoteandover-powerful—andunstable,subjecttoendlesspalacecoups.

ThathadallchangedinthetwelfthcenturyAD.BythentheBrikantihadalreadybeenintheAmericasfortwohundredyears,thankstotheir

adventurousScandpartners,andhadexploredthecoastofAfrica,seekingthelandsbelowtheequator.BelatedlytheRomansfollowedthemintothisnewworld—andthecenturiesofstasiswereover.Inanewageofexpansivenessandconquest,theRomansrememberedtheirancestors,whotheyhadimaginedasstern,leanmenplowingtheirfieldsandgoing

towar.ItwasasiftheEmpirehadbeencleansed.ThoughthemodernRomansremainedChristian,traditionalformsofsocietyandthemilitary—suchasthelegions—hadbeenrevived.Evenoldfamilynamingconventionshadbeendugup,ancientlineagesferociouslyresearched.Whichwaswhyaplanetofadistantstarhadbeencolonizedbyunitsofthe

ninetiethlegion,calledVictrix,incommemorationofatremendousvictoryovertheBrikantijustsouthoftheGreatLakes.Inlatercenturiestheneedtoavoidtheuseofexplosiveweaponsinsidepressurehulls,inspacecraftandsurfacehabitats,hadevenledtoarevivalofthetraditionalweaponsofhand-to-handcombat,spearandswordandknife,pilumand

gladioandpugio.ButStefwassureno

Romanofthe“old”historysheknewhadeverseenasightliketheonesheglimpsedonthefarsideofthisfifthdeck,asasquadoflegionariesunderthecontrolofahoveringtribunestruggledtofoldupthesquirminghullofadeflatedcetusairship.

Titusgatheredthe

newcomerstogether.HewascarryingtheColUinitspack,handlingitastenderlyasababy,Stefobserved.“Comeon.Soldiers’businessonthisdeck.You’reintheciviliantown,nextoneup.”Grabbingarope,hepulledhimselfone-handedawayfromthedockingport,andheadeduptotheceiling.

StefandYuriglancedateachother,shrugged,and

followed.StefmadesuresheletYurigofirst,unsurehowstronghe’dbefeelingtoday,butheseemedtobemovingfreelyenough.Maybealackofgravityforawhilewouldbegoodforhim.ShecalledupafterTitus,“WhyareyoucarryingtheColU?WhataboutChu?”

“He’llbetakenstraighttothethirddeck.”

Sheremembered.The

slavepen,Titushadcalledit,abovethefarm,belowthebarracks.

“Slavesarestupidcreaturesandmoresowithoutgravity.Theyflaparounduselesslyandpukeeverywhere.They’rebeststrappeddownfortheduration.Youwon’tseeChuuntilwe’reunderwayandwegetstuffproperlysortedoutonboard.”

Shewasinnopositiontoargue.

Theypassedeasilythroughanopenportuptothesixthdeck—open,butStefnoticedtherewasaheavyironhatchonhingesovertheport.Sheimaginedwholedecksofthisvesselneedingtobelockeddownincaseofsomedisaster,ablowoutperhaps—orevenincaseofarebellionby

disaffectedsoldiers,ortheslavesintheirbelowdeckspens.

Astheyswamup,followingmoreropes,Stefwasn’tsurprisedtofindthatonthisdeck,whichTitushadcurtlylabeledthe“town,”wasindeedasmalltownoftheRomantype,oratleastasectionofone,likeawalled-offsuburb.Risingeasilyintotheairabovetiledrooftops,

sheglimpsedagridlayoutofstreetscenteredonanopenspace,aforumperhaps,surroundedbymultistoryporticoesandwithasmalltriumphalarchatoneedge.Builtupagainstonesectionofhullwallwerebanksofseatsoveranopenspace,akindofopen-airtheater.Andaroundthecircuitofthehullwallsranatrack,forracingorothersports.Everywhere

peopleswarmedintheair:men,women,children,hoveringoverthebuildingsandduckingdownintocrowdedstreets.Thenoiseinthisenclosedspace,andechoingoffyetanotherroofpartitionabove,wastremendous,aclamorofvoicesthatsoundedlikeasportscrowd.

Steffeltoverwhelmedbythesheervivacityofitall,the

complexity,andsherealizedhowlittleshe’dseenofthismobilecommunitydownontheplanet—andnowhereitwas,crammingitselfbackintothistincaninspaceforthefive-yearjourneyhome.But,evenmoresothanonthemilitarycampdeckbelow,shesmelledthesourstinkofweightlessness-sicknessvomit,andlacedinwiththegeneralnoisesheheardthe

wailofinfants.Anychildrenunderthreemusthavebeenbornontheplanetitself,sherealized,andtheymustbeutterlybewilderedbytheenvironmentoftheship.

Witheffortlessskill,impressivegivenhehadonlyonehandtouseandwiththeColUpackonhisback,Titusledthemdownthroughalacingofguideropestoaneighborhoodablockaway

fromtheforum.“You’vebeenassignedahousedownthere.Notabaddistrict;there’sadecentfoodshopandatavern.You’llneedtosigninwithacouncillor,he’llfindyou,andtheoptiowillcomeandcheckonyoubeforetheenginefire-up...Anyquestions?”

Yuriasked,“Whydoyouputtilesontheroofs?We’reinsideaspaceship.”

Titusshrugged.“Itdoes‘rain’inheresometimes.Youhavetocleansetheairofdust.Andbesides,it’straditiontohavetilesonyourroof.WeRomansdon’tlivelikeanimals,youknow.”

Stefsaid,“Ican’tgetoverhowbigallthisis.Howmanypeopleaboard,Titus,doyouknow?”

“Well,thecoreofitisus,acenturyoftheLegioXC.

Eightymengiveortake.Butthenyou’vegottheofficersandthestaffandtheauxiliaries,andthenyou’vegotourwivesandfamilies,andthenyou’vegotthemerchantsandcooksandartisans,anddoctorsandschoolteachersandsuch.Oh,andthere’stheship’screw,mostlyBrikanti,orArab.WhathaveIforgotten?”

“Theslaves?”

“Oh,yes,theslaves,”Titussaid.“Asmanyofthemastherearesoldiersandothercitizens.I’dsayfive,sixhundredwarmbodiesontheship.”

“That’salotofpeople.”“Butit’stheRomanway.

Youcan’tdoitmuchsmallerthanthat,miss.”

“Quite,”saidtheColU.“Andthat’swhytheshipitselfhastobesobig.Stef

Kalinski,weknowthesepeoplehavenograspoffineengineering.Small-scale,closedlife-supportsystemswouldbebeyondtheircapability.Sotheybuildbig!Theybringalongamassivevolumeofairandwater—yousaidtherewasawholedeckdevotedtofarming,Titus?”

“Yes.Alotofgreeneryuponthevillasdecktoo.”

“Theybuildsobigthat

thisecologyisreasonablybuffered,stableagainstbloomsandcollapses,despitethecrudenessofthetechnology.It’salllogical,initsway.”

Yurisaid,“Sowhenwilltheyfireupthekernels,Titus?”

Thebigmangrinned.“Sixhours.Youwanttobelyingflatwhentheysoundthehorn.Andbelieveme,

youwanttobeindoors.It’snotlikethecamphere.Nodiscipline.Nobodylistenstothewarnings.There’llbeaskyfullofbabiesandtheirshit,suspendedoverhead.Youdonotwanttogetcaughtinthatrainwhenitfalls.Comeon,yourresidenceisjustbelow.I’llgetyousettled...”

Stefthoughttheydescendedlikeangelsintothe

streetwheretheywouldliveforthenextfiveyears.

•••

Sixhourslater,rightoncueandaccompaniedbytrumpetblasts,thebanksofkernelsatthebaseofthecraftfiredup.Stefimaginedarraysoftheenigmaticwormholesbeingproddedopentoreleasetheirenergies,streamsofhigh-

energyradiationandhigh-velocityparticles,morselsofthrustpushingeverharderatthehuge,ungainlystructureoftheMalleusJesu.

Astheaccelerationbuiltup,Stef,sittingwithYuriandtheColUindeepcouchesinthesmallhousetowhichthey’dbeenassigned—surroundedbyplasterwallswithcrudelypaintedfrescoes—heardcracksandpopsand

bangsasthegiantframeabsorbedthestress,therattleofatilefallingfromaroof.Sheimaginedtheship’sbasicstructurewouldbesound:itwasbuiltofgoodScandsteel,Eilidhhadassuredher,notyourRomanrubbish.Butevenso,afterthreeyearsinmicrogravity—threeyearsofneglect,aseverybodywasbusyonthesurfaceoftheplanet—therewouldbepoint

failures,breakagesofpipesandcables.Nowtherewereshoutsanddistantalarmhornsas,sheimagined,emergencyteamsdealtwithvariouslocalcalamities.Sheevenheardarushingcollapse,likeanoceanwavebreaking,as,perhaps,somesmallbuildingfellinonitself.

Thentherewerethepeople.AssheandYurisatinthesemi-gloom—nolamps

couldbelitduringthefire-up;thatwastherule—andastheweightbuiltupandpressedherintoherchair,allaroundheronthisdeckwithitsmodel-railwaytoytown,sheheardcriesandgroans,thecluckingofdistressedchickens,thebarkingofconfuseddogs,andthecryingofchildren.

Fiveyearsofthis,Stefthought.Sheclosedhereyes

andtriedtorelaxastheaccelerationpresseddownonher.

13

Aweekafterthefire-up,Stefbrokeatooth.

Inthismostexoticofenvironments,astarshiprunbyaRomanlegion,itwasthemostmundaneofaccidents,causedbybitingdownona

slabofcoarseRomanbread.SheknewbynowsomethingaboutthetumorsthatriddledYuri’sbody,detectablebytheColUbutuntreatablebyitwithoutthemedicalsuiteinthephysicalbodyithadleftbehindonPerArdua.Yurihadn’twantedtotellher;she’dforceditoutofMichael,thekindlyphysician.ComparedtoYuri’sproblems,thiswas

nothing.Nevertheless,hertooth

hurt.Throughoneoftheir

slates,theColU,inspectingthetooth,cluckedsympathetically,andStefwonderedabsentlywhenthisfarmingmachinehadpickedupthatparticularspeechtrait.“Anunfortunateaccident,”itsaid.“Yourteethareveryhealthyforawomanofyour

age.”“Thanks.”“Butnothing’sgoingto

protectyoufromanungroundgraininaloafofbread.Andunfortunatelythere’snothingIcandoforyou.Lackingmyoldbody,mymanipulatorarms—onceIcouldhavepulledthebrokentoothforyou,orevenprintedyouarepairorareplacement.ButnowthatIamdisembodied

—”“SowhatamIsupposed

todo?Tiealengthofstringtoadoorknob?”

“YoumustasktheRomansforhelp.”

“TheRomans?I’mtogotoancientRomansfordentalwork?”

“Well,they’renotancientRomans,”Yuripointedoutgently.“Andit’snotaRomanyou’llbeseeing

butaGreek—Michael—gofindTitusValeriusandhavehimtakeyoutoMichael.Icantellyoufromexperience,hemightnotknowsomuch,buthelistens.Why,I’dbetlegionariesloseteethallthetime.”

“Thatisnotreassuring.”Still,shehadnobetter

options.Shewaitedacoupleofdays,munchingherwaythroughtheirhoardedsupply

ofISF-issuepainkillers,broughtintheirpacksthroughtheHatch.Shehadtheillogicalfeelingthatifonlyshecouldhaveadecenthotshowershe’dfeelahellofalotbetter.Buttherewasnorunningwateravailablewithinmuchoftheship,saveinthebathhouses.Everymorningandeveningyouwashedfromabowlthatyoucarriedintoyourroomfroma

communalsupply.Atlast,astheColUhad

suggested,sheaskedthemedicusforhelp.

Michaelgrinnedback.“I’llneedsuppliesfromtheofficers’clinic.Itakeanyexcusetogouptothevillas.Comefindmetomorrow.”

•••

Thenextday,TitusValerius

ledStefthroughthesketchytownshiptothe“ascension,”asthecrewcalledit.Thiswasthecentralshaft,openateverydeck,thatledalongtheaxisoftheship.Astoutfireman’spoleranthelengthofthevessel,andaseriesofplatformsandcagesregularlyroseandfellalongitslength,hauledbyrope-and-pulleyarrangements.

Thereweremanybreaks

inthedecks,Stefhadlearned.Youwouldoftencomeacrossholesinthefloorfencedoffforsafety.Buttheseweremostlyoffsetfromeachother,thefloorholesnotmatchingtheceiling,forobviousreasonsofsafety.Theascension,though,wastheoneshaftopentoalldecks.Stefthoughtthisgreatwayhadacertainunifyingaestheticappeal,a

tremendousshaftthatpenetratedthemetalheavenaboveandthegroundunderyourfeet,andspannedfromofficercountryinthecrowntotheengineersandtheirkernelarraysattherootoftheship.Butthesoldierinherrecognizedthevalueofafastroadthatcouldtakeasquadoflegionariesstraighttoanypartoftheshipwithinminutesorless.TheRomans

hadalwaysbuilttheirEmpireonroads,andthat,itseemed,wasstilltruenow.

So,withanodtothebored-lookinglegionarieswhomannedthesystem,TitusValeriusescortedStefupfromdecksix,thetownship,todeckseven,thedeckofthevillas.Sittinginasteelelevator-likecage,itwaslikeascendingintoapark.Stef’sfirstimpressionwasof

green,thegreenofgrass,trees,bushes,andmoist,pleasantlywarmair.Sheglimpsedonlyahandfulofpeople—agroupofmenintogasandcarryingscrolls,holdingsomeearnestdiscussionbesidethewatersofalake,arectangularbasinsurroundedbyslimnudestatues.Shemighthavebeenlookingatascenefromtwothousandyearsago,the

senatorsplottingtheassassinationofCaesar,perhaps.Butovertheheadsofthedebaterssoaredametalvault,rivetedandpaintedskyblue.Thelight,whichfeltwarmandauthenticallylikesunlight,camefromfluorescentlanternsthatdangledfromtheceiling.Andthesurfaceofthepond,strewnwithlilies,boreasubtlepatternofripples,a

productoftheslightestirregularitiesinthekerneldrivethatthrustthisscrapofprettyparklandthroughinterstellarspace.Shewonderedbrieflyhowtheycoveredoverthiswaterfeaturewhenthedrivewasturnedoffandthegravitydisappeared.

TitusValeriusledheralongapathbythelake,stoneblockssetintheshort-

cutgrass.Hewasaslabofmuscle,outofplaceinthisrathereffetesetting.“We’llmeetthedoctoratthequartersoftheoptio,GnaeusJunius.Whichisnotthegrandestuphere,believeme.Theymodeledthiswholedeck,sotheysay,onavillaoftheEmperorHadrianus,inItaliaitself.Althoughthatwasprobablyalotmorethanahundredpacesacross.”

“Icanbelieveit.”“Wasteofspaceifyou

askme.”“That’sofficersforyou.”

ButsherememberedtheColU’sspeculationaboutthelife-supportsystemsinthisbighulkofaship.“Youknow,Titus,thisparkmightbepartoftheship’sdesign,aswellasaluxuryfortheofficers.It’sprobablygoodfortheshipasawhole,to

haveallthisgreeneryuphere—”

“Hush.”He’dfrozen.Fromaclumpoftrees,a

slimfacepeeredoutatthem.Somekindofdeer,evidently.ItheldTitus’sgazeforasecond,two.Thenitturnedandboundedintotheshadowofthetrees,andStefglimpsedaslimbody,awhitetail.

Titusgrowledasthey

movedon.“Theywon’tletushunt,youknow.”

Steflaughed.“Therecan’tbemorethanahandfulofanimalsuphere.Anditwouldn’treallybefair,Titus;theycouldn’trunfarinthismetalbox.”

“True.Awell-shotarrowcouldreachfromwalltowall.Butstill,thehunterinmeachestofollow,one-armedornot.”

Shepattedhisshoulder.“You’llbehomeinafewyears,TitusValerius,andthenyoucanhuntallyoulike.”

“I’lltakeyouwithme,”hepromised.“Meanwhilehereweare—homeawayfromhomefortheequestrianandhissubordinateofficers.”

Gnaeus’s“quarters,”setclosetothecurvinghullwall,turnedouttobeacompact

clusterofbuildingscenteredonacobbledrectangularcourtyard,andsurroundedbyafringeofcarefullymanicuredgarden.Therewasagate,wideopen,andTituswalkedinboldly,followedbyStef.Afountainbubbledfromastonebowlatthecenteroftheyard.Thebuildingswereneat,singlestory,walledwithplasterpaintedwhiteandroofedwithredtiles.Steam

driftedfromthewindowsofablockybuildinginthecorner.TheonlyconcessiontotheenvironmentofspacetravelthatStefspottedwereafewsteelbandstoholdthestoneworkinplaceintheabsenceofthrustgravity.

TitussawSteflookingcuriouslyattherisingsteam.“Abathhouse.Doyouhavesteambathswhereyoucomefrom?”Hepointedupover

hishead.“Thewholedomeupthere,inthenoseoftheship,isonebigbathhouse.I’veneverbeenupthere,Icantellyouthat.Theysaytherearecohortsofwhoresupthere,maleandfemale,exclusivelyfortheuseoftheofficers,whoreswhoneverevenseetherestoftheship,letalonethetargetplanet.Theladsspendalotoftimeonthemarchspeculating

aboutthat.”“Icanimagine.”“Butthemostsenior

officers,liketheoptio,havetheirownprivatebathstoo.There’splentyofheatfromthekernelstofirethehypocausts,andplentyofslavestoserveyou,sowhynot?...”Hefrowned.“Speakingofslaves,weshouldhavebeenmetbynow,byoneoftheoptio’s

householdslaves,orfailingthat,aguard.”

“Imeanttoaskyouabouttheslaves.Westillhaven’tseenChuYuensinceweleftRomulus.”

“Well,there’saproblemdowninthepen.”Herubbedhisnosewiththewoodenstumpofhisarm.“Imightsuggesttheoptiohasacoupleofmenposteduphere.We’renotexpectingtrouble,butyou

neverknow—youcan’thavefellowsjustwanderinginaswehave.”

“Iheardthat.”GnaeusJunius,inaloose-fittingtoga,camewalkingfromoneofthebuildings,trailedbyMichael,whowasmoreplainlydressedintunicandlightcloak,withasatchelathiswaist.ThroughtheopendoorbehindthetwomenStefglimpsedlanternlight,alow

tablecoveredbyscatteredscrolls,somekindoffrescoonthepatternedwalls—amosaiconthefloor?

Titusstoodtoattention.“Sorry,sir.Didn’tmeantobeinsolent.”

“Notatall.That’sgoodadvice,aboutpostingguards.Sortitoutwhenyoureturntobarracks,wouldyou?Andconsulttheotherofficersaboutasimilararrangement,

atleastuntiltheslavesareback.”HesmiledatStef.“It’sgoodtoseeyouagain,ColonelKalinski.Howareyouenjoyingthejourney?”

“I’mintriguedbyitall.ButIhaveatooththatwantstogetoff.”

Titusgrinned.“Brokeitonabitofbread.Whateverarmyyouonceservedwith,youwouldn’tlastamonthonthemarchwithaRoman

legion,madam.Withallrespect.”

“That’sprobablytrueofmostofus.”Michaeldeftlyproducedasmallmirroronaprobefromthesatchelonhiswaist,askedSteftoopenup,andmadeaquickinspection.“Nosignofinfectionorotherinjury.I’mafraidthetoothwillhavetocomeout,however.”

Stefwinced.“Iwasafraid

you’dsaythat.I’mnotterriblygoodwithpain.”

“Don’tworry.Ihavetreatments,inparticularapasteconcoctedfromcertainflowersuniquetoValhallaInferior.Youwon’tfeelathing.”

“I’llsayyouwon’t,”Titussaidwithagrin.“TheygivemethatstuffwhenIhaveproblemswiththestump.Why,Iremember

onceoncampaign—”“Oh,hush,legionary,”

theoptiosaid,“you’renotinbarracksnow.”

“Sorry,sir.Stefaskedabouttheboy,ChuYuen,whowasassignedasacarrierfor,umm,Collius.”

Gnaeusnoddedseriously.“Thereisanissueintheslavepen,I’mafraid.Noneoftheslaveshavebeenreleasedyet,sincethelaunch.”Hesmiled.

“Whichhascausedratheralotofgrumblingfromthosewhomisstheirlittleconveniences.”

ConversationsabouttheslavesalwaysmadeStefwince.Yetshefeltcompelledtopressthepoint;astheColUhadsaidChuatleastwasoneslavetheymaybecouldprotect.“Youcouldn’tmakeanexceptionfortheboy?Hewasremarkably

useful.”Gnaeusglancedatthe

doctor.“Well,Michael,you’reduetogodowntothepenforanotherinspectionanyhow.Whynotseekouttheboy,andseeifhe’sfittobereleased?TakeColonelKalinskiwithyou.”

Michaeldidn’tlookthrilledattheideaofsuchajourney,Stefthought,buthenoddedamiablyenough.

“Fine.AndperhapsyoucouldspareTitushereforourprotection.”

Tituslookedevenmoregloomy,buthenoddedgrimly.“I’lldoit,optio.AfterthirtyyearsinLegioXC,sir,I’veprobablycaughteverythingI’mgoingtocatchandsurvivedthelot.”

“That’sthespirit,”Michaelsaid.“Anditispossibletheboy,beingofXin

stock,willhavebeensparedtheplaguesrunningaroundtherestoftheherddownthere.”

Plagues?“Butfirstthingsfirst,”

thedoctorsaid,smiling,andhetookStef’sarm.“Ifyouwouldlendusaroom,optio,let’ssortoutthistooth.”

Gnaeusledtheway,andStef,reluctantly,followed,withTitusgrinningafterher.

14

Thedoctoradvisedhertowaitthreehours,inadarkandquietroom,afterhisbriskandpainlesstreatment,toallowtheaftereffectsofthedrugherubbedintohergumstowearoff.

Tituswaswaitingforher,withMichael,whensheemerged.Titusgrinned.“Howareyoufeeling?”

“Youwereright.Themedicusherehadtopeelmeofftheceiling.”Infactshestillfeltgiddy,butshewasn’tabouttoadmitthattoTitus.

“Well,whenwetaketheascensionagain,preparetohaveyourheadfloatawayoncemore.”Thelegionary

ledthemacrosstheparklandtothefireman’spole.Theypausedunderacomplexsetofanchorsthatheldcablessupportingthevariouscradlesthatrodeupanddownthepole.Acoupleoflegionariesstoodbytheinstallation,atease.“SinceMichaeliswithuswehavepermissiontoridetheascensionallthewaydowntothepen.It’squiteatrip,Icantellyou.You’llfeel

likeJesuHimselfintheEndTimes,whenHewilldescendonRomewithAugustusandVespasianonHisleftandrighthands,toestablishthefinaldominionoftheCaesarsacrossthestars.”

“Isthatwhatyoubelieve?”

“Soallsoldiersbelieve,”Michaelsaiddrily.“JesuthewarriorgodembracedRomebyleadingConstantiusItoa

famousvictory.I,likemostGreeks,takeamorephilosophicalview—I’mmoreinterestedinwhatJesusaidratherthanwhatHedid.AsfortheBrikanti,theyareChristianstoo,buttheyclingtotheimageofJesutheallyofthefishermen,ratherthantheholywarriorwhocleansedJerusalemofcorruptionatthepointofasword.”

“Butit’sallintheBible,”Titussaidbriskly.“Youcan’tdenythat,medicus.”

“Oh,Iwouldn’tdreamofit.”

“ImustreadtheBible,”Stefsaid.“YourBible,Imean.”

Michaellookedatherthoughtfully.“Implyingyoursmaybedifferent?Hm.Thereisanotherinterestingconversationwemusthave

someday.”Thistimetheascension

cradletheytookwasanopencage,builtstoutlyofsteel.Titusshowedthemseats—paddedcouches—andhandrails,andevenasmallbarstockedwithslimflasksofwater,cordialsandwine.“Notthatthejourneyisverylong,butofficersalwaysliketotravelinstyle.”Heglancedupandwaved.“Allright,

lads?Lethergo.”Withaclatterandgroan

thepulleysstartedtoturn,andtheplatformlurcheddownward,droppingimmediatelybeneaththelevelofthefloor.StefstillfeltgiddyfromMichael’sValhallanpotion;shegrabbedarail.

“There’sanengineupthere,poweredbysteam,kernelheat,”Titussaid.

“Actuallyit’susuallyhumanmusclethat’susedtooperatethepulleys.Aslaveparty,andpunishmentdetailsfromthearmyunits.Honestworkandgooddisciplineforamiscreant.Buttodaywe’reriding,notRomanmuscle,buthotair...”

Thefloor,itselfathickslabofengineeringriddledwithpipes,cablesandducts,roseuppastStef’shead.A

plaquemarkedclearlywith“VII”aboveand“VI”belowshowedherwhichdecksshewaspassingbetween.BelowhernowopenedupthesprawlingurbanlandscapeofthetownshipwhereshehadherownsmallhousewithYuri.Hearthsmokeroseupfromsomeofthebuildings,wispsthatdriftedofftowardgreatwall-mountedextractorfans.Itwasstillmorning,she

knew,byship’stime;thebigfluorescentlampswerenotyetraisedtotheirfullnoonbrilliance,afteraneight-hour“night”illuminatedonlybyemergencylanterns.Itstruckhernowthattherewerefewpeopletobeseen,thattheneatlittlecommunityseemedoddlyunderpopulated.Butthistownshipwaslackingitsslaves,whomightnumberasmanyheadasthecitizensand

theirchildrenthemselves.Astheircagedescended,

dogsbarked,andbarefootchildrenrantoseethepartypass.Stefsmiledatthechildren,andresistedthetemptationtowave.

DownfromVItoV,andhavingpasseddownthroughaRomancity,nowStefandhercompanionsdescendedtowardtheRomanmilitarycamp.Itseemedahiveof

activity;Stefsawunitsmarchingaroundatrackattheperimeterofthedeck,heavilyladenwithpacks,whileotherswerebuildingsomekindoffortificationofsodanddirt—thesodanddirthavingbeenshippedupfromthegroundforthepurpose,Stefsupposed.

“Wetrainhard,”Titussaid,lookingaroundapprovingly.“Suspendedas

weareinemptiness,wedonotforgethowtomarch,withourgear.Wedonotforgethowtobuildacampinafewhoursattheendofamarchingday.Wedonotforgethowtocommand,howtolead.”

“Orhowtocomplain,”saidMichaeldrily.

“Thankyou,medicus.”VtoIV,andherewas

anotherdeckStefwas

familiarwith,the“barracks,”thelevelwhereshehadfirstboardedtheship.Therewereorderlyrowsofhutshere,accommodationforthecenturyoflegionariesandthevariousauxiliaryunitsthatmadeuptheship’smilitaryforce.Tituspointedoutagroupofhuts,almostanafterthoughtinthelayoutbelow,wheretheremigeswerequarteredwhenoffduty,

theship’screw,allofthemBrikanti—theyweremostlyScand,infact,Steflearned,thedescendantsofVikings.Awayfromtheobviouslymilitaryfacilitieswereblocksofsprawlinghousing,clusteredaroundsquaresandcourtyards.HereStefcouldseewomenworkingandwalking,ahuddleofchildrenengagedinwhatlookedlikesomeopen-airlesson.She

wasremindedthatthesesoldiershadbroughttheirfamilieswiththemonthisinterstellarmarch,theirwivesandlovers,andchildrenborninandoutofwedlock.

Therewerelegionariesstationedattheholeinthefloorthroughwhichtheywoulddescendfarther.Andthistimethebreachwasactuallyblockedbyacoveringofwoodandglass.

MichaeldugintohissatchelandhandedTitusandStefmasksoflinensoakedinsomekindofalcohol.“Youmayprefertowearthiswhenwedescend.”

Stefapprehensivelydonnedthemask.

Theplatformslowedasitapproachedthelevelofthedeck.Titusspokesoftlytotheguardsstationedthere,andtheylaughedatajokeStef

didnothear.Thentheguardshauledbackthebighatchesthatcoveredtheportalintheground,andtheplatformdescended.

IVtoIII.Theslavepen.Itwasthestenchthathit

Steffirst,astenchofshitandpissandvomit,ofbloodandofrottingflesh—astenchofanintensityshehadn’tknownsinceherfirstexperienceofzero-gravityemergencydrills,

inherearlydaysasarawISFrecruit.

Thenshemadeoutthedetailofthedeck,sixtymetersbelow.Illuminatedbybrightwhitelight,theentirefloorwascoveredbyanarrayofcubicles,neatrectangularcells,blockafterblockofthemlappingtothehulloneitherside.Abovethefloor,supportedbyangulargantrytowersandfixedtothehull,

wasaspiderwebofwalkwaysandrails,asuperstructureofsteel.Soldierspatrolledthewalkways,orwerestationedontowersmountedwithheavylightsandweapons.Allthetroopsworemasks.Thetroopscarriednoneofthegunpowderhandgunstheycalledballistae,shesaw;insteadtheywerearmedwithswords,knives,lightweightcrossbows.Eventhebig

weaponsmountedonthetowersweresomekindofcrossbow.Nogunpowderweaponsinapressurehull;itwasagooddisciplinethattheISFhadalwaystriedtofollow.

Italmostlookedneat,industrial,acrossbetweensomevastdormitoryandabeehive,shethought.Untilshelookedmorecloselyatthecontentsofthecells.

Whathadlookedlikeworms,ormaggotsperhaps,werepeople,alldressedinplaingrayishtunicsofsomekind,crammedinmanytoacell.Shethoughtshesawbunks—ormaybeshelveswouldbeabetterword.Peoplestacked,likeproduceinastore.Apartywasworkingitswayalongacorridorthatsnakedbetweenthecells,haulingatakindof

cart—acartladenwithbodies,shesaw,peeringdown,bodieslooselycoveredbyatarpaulin,withskinnylimbsdanglingfromtheedges.

Titusseemedmovedtoexplain.“Obviouslynoneoftheslavesisallowedabovethislevelbecauseoftheongoingplague.Sothesecurityissuesaremoretroublesomethanusual.”

“‘Troublesome’?”“We’llfindyourslave

boy.There’llbearecordofhiscell.”Theplatformwasslowing,andTituspointeddown.“Youcanseethisshaftgoesondowntothelowerdecks,butwe’llstopatthewalkwaysandmoveoutlaterallyfromthatpoint.”

ForonesecondStefbithertongue.Thisisn’tyourworld,Stef.Keepoutof

trouble...Thehellwithit.SheturnedonMichael,herself-restraintdissolving.“You’resupposedtobeadoctor.DoyouhavetheHippocraticoathinyourworld?Howcanyoucondonethis?Howcanyoucooperate?”

Michaellookedatherstrangely.“Youaskme?WeGreeksthinktheRomansaresoftontheirslaves.”

“Soft?”“Therearewaysfor

slavestowintheirfreedom,inmuchoftheEmpire.Buttous,theslavesarebarbarians,irredeemable.Onceaslave,alwaysaslave.”

“Butyou’readoctor...Nevermind.Iguessmyownpeopledon’thaveanunblemishedrecord.Yousaythere’saplaguedownhere?”

“Yes.Itis...”The

wordsMichaelusedwerenottranslatedbytheColU’searpiece.

Shedugherslateoutofhertunicpocket.“ColU,areyouthere?”

“Always,Stef.”Ofcoursehewas

listeningin;shewouldn’thavebeentranslatedotherwise.“There’splaguedownhere,intheirslavepen.Youhavechemicalsensorsin

thisthing?Canyoutellwhatitisfromuphere?”

MichaelandTitusbothstaredassheheldtheslatehighintheair,pointingthescreendownintothehoneycombofadeck.

Afterapause,theColUsaid,“Akindofcholera,Ithink.Clearlyendemicontheship.Iimaginethattheappropriatevaccinesareunknowntothisculture.The

diseasemustflareupwhenwaterfilteringsystemsfail—itispossibletheRomansdon’tevenunderstandthemechanism,whyfilteringiseffective—andthedeathrateintheconditionsyoushowmebelow—”

“AmIindanger?”“No,ColonelKalinski.

TheimmunizationprogramstheISFgaveyouovertheyearsleaveyoufully

protected.”“AndYuriwassurely

treatedtoo.”“BytheISFmedics

beforehewasleftonPerArdua,yes.”

Shethoughtquickly.“Couldyoumanufactureavaccine?Youcouldstartfromsamplesofourblood...”

TheColUhesitated.“Itisnotimpossible.Withthehelp

ofthemedicus,perhaps,theassemblyofacultivationlabfromlocalequipment...itmighttaketime,butitcouldbedone.”

“Intimetosavealotoflives?”

“Yes,ColonelKalinski.”Titusputhisbighand

overtheslate,gentlycompellinghertolowerit.Hesaidtensely,“Youspeaktoyouroraclethroughyour

talkingglass.Itperturbsmethatmycommandersseemwillingtoacceptyouandyourmiracleswithoutexplanation.Iwouldnotpermitit,wereIthecenturion—”

“Butyouarenot,TitusValerius,”Michaelsaidgently.

“No.Iamnot.ButIbelieveIunderstoodwhatyouhaveplottedwiththe

oracle.”“‘Plotted’doesn’tseem

therightword—”“Youintendtodamp

downtheplague,topreservethelivesofslaveswhowouldotherwisedie.”

“That’stheidea.What’swrongwiththat?”

Titusfumed.“Itwillbreaktheship’sbudget,andbringusalltostarvationlongbeforewecrosstheorbitsof

Constantius,VespasianandAugustus,that’swhat!”

Steffrowned.“Idon’tunderstand.”

Michaelsaidgently,“Ifearyoudonot,Stef.Youarenotusedtothinkinglikeaslave-owner.IhavemixedwiththeBrikanti,forexample,whouseslavesmuchlesssparingly—indeed,mostlyfortradewiththeEmpire.Butyouareastar

traveler.Youmustknowthatashiplikethishasafixedbudgetofconsumables—waterandfoodandair.”

“Ofcourse.”“Thenyoumustseethat

tothecenturion—orspecificallytheoptiowhomanagessuchthings—theslavelaboraboardisjustanotherasset,tobeusedaccordingtoaplan.Inthefirstyearwehavesomany

slaves,whowilleatthismuchfood,whowillgetthisamountofworkdone—ofwhomthisnumberwilldieofvariouscauses,andinthesecondyearwewillhaveadiminishednumberofslaves,reducedbythedeaths,augmentedbybirths,ofcourse,butmostofthosewillbeexposed.Andthatdiminishednumberisintheplan,asisthefoodtheyeat,

theworktheywilldo,thefurtherdeathsduringtheyear—”

“Andsoitgoeson,”saidStef.

“Soitgoeson,”Titussaidgrimly.“Andaslongasthere’soneslaveleftattheendofthejourneytowipethecenturion’sarse,thejobwillbedone.”

“Weexpectdisease,yousee,”Michaelsaid.“We

factoritintothenumbers.AndifbysomemiracleyouandColliustheoracleweretopreventthosedeaths—”

“Itoldyou,”Titussaid.“We’llallbechewingthehullplatesbeforewe’rehalfwayhome.Why,Irememberonceoncampaign—”

“Itwon’tbeasbadasthat,”Michaelsaid.“Youdodramatize,Titus.Therewouldbeculls;thenumberswould

bemanagedonewayoranother.Butitwouldbeseverelydestabilizing,andnotwelcometothecommandhierarchy.”

“Andthealternative,”Stefsaidslowly,“istoletthemalldie.Downinthatpit.”

“Wehavenochoice,”theColUmurmuredfromtheslate.

“No,”Stefgrowled.“No!

Idon’tknowwhythehellIwasbroughttothisworld,butI’mdamnsureitwasn’ttostandbyandwatchhundredsofmen,women,children,dieapreventabledeath.”ShesaiddesperatelytoMichael,“Whatifwecouldcutadeal?”

Titussnorted.ButMichaelfrowned,

evidentlyintrigued.“Whatkindofdeal?”

“Theshipcouldn’tfeedallthesepeople,iftheystayedalive.Verywell.Letthemlive,andwe’llfindwaystofeedthem.TheColU,Collius,isaprettyresourcefuloracle.Yousawthatalready.Why,Titus,itshowedyouhowtomakesoildownatthecolonia,diditnot?”

“Itdid.Whatareyousuggesting?”

“LetmetaketheColU

throughthisship’ssystems.Withyou,Michael,andtheremiges.”

TheColUsaid,“ColonelKalinski,Iwouldnotadvise—”

SheburiedtheslateinhertunicsotheColUcouldnotbeheard.“We’llfindawaytoupgrade.Doesthattranslate?We’llimprovetheoutputofthefarms.MyGod,itcan’tbesohard;it’s

probablynobetterthanmedievaldownthere.We’llimprovethewaterfiltrationandreclamation.Showyouhowtocleanuptheairbetter.”

Michaelwasfrowning,unsure.“YoumeanyoucouldmaketheMalleusbetterabletosupportalargerpopulationofcrew.Andthatwayyouwouldhaveussparetheslaves.”

“That’stheidea.”Heshookhishead.

“Romansaresuspiciousofinnovation,Stef.”

“Well,theycan’tbethatsuspicious,ortheywouldn’thaveputtheirmoneyintoBrikantistarshipslikethis,wouldthey?Andthatcenturionofyoursstrikesmeasanimaginativeman.”Shewasstretchingthetruththere,butatleastQuintushadn’t

gonerunningandscreamingwhentwostrangersandarobotfromanalternatehistoryhadcomewanderingthroughhisbrandnewHatch.“SupposetheMalleusJesuweretoreturn,notjustwithitsmissionatRomuluscompleted,butnewandimproved—aprototypeforanewwaveofstarshipstocome?Whatifhewereabletopresentthattohisown

commanders?Romansmightnotlikeinnovation.Whataboutopportunity,staringthemintheface?”

TitusandMichaellookedather,andateachother.

“Wemusttalkthisover,”Michaelsaid.“Beforetheoptiofirstofall.”

“Iagree,”saidTitus.Michaelwaggledafinger

ather.“Anddon’tstartmeddlingbeforeyou’vegot

specificapprovalfromthecenturion—andthetrierarchus,cometothat.Orwe’llallbefortheBrikantilongjump.”

Which,Stefhadalreadygathered,meantbeingthrownoutofanairlock.

Titusgrowled,“Butfirstlet’sdowhatwecameforandfindyourslaveboy,StefKalinski,ifhe’sstillalive.”Heleeredather.“Andwhat

then?Willyoucomewithmedownintothepen,andconfrontthesedyingmaggotsyouinsistonsaving?”

Shecouldn’tmeethisgaze.

15

AD 2215; AUC 2968

WhenAriGuthfrithsonwalkedintoherclassroom,PennyKalinskiwastryingtoteachthechildrenofancientBritonsandVikingsaboutthe

contingencyofhistory.Shelookeddownather

notesonthedeskbeforeher,silentlycursingtheneedtoreadherownhandwrittenscrawlinthisworldwithoutcomputers,cursingtheinadequacyofherantiquepairofreadingglassestocopewiththeslowdriftofhereyesight.Twoyearsafterarrivinghere,agedseventy-one,therewerestillsome

thingsshecouldn’tgetusedto.Andshetriednottoletthedruidhputheroffherstride.

ButnowArisettledintoaplaceatthebackoftheclassbesideMarieGolvin,onceabridgecrewmemberonboardtheISFshipTatania,andnowateacherhereatPenny’sAcademy.MariewasafigurefromPenny’soldpast,constantlyreassuring.

“TheMongols,then,”

Pennysaid.Shecheckedhernotes.“Itisthelatetwentiethcentury.”ThethirteenthinPenny’shistory.TheBrikanti,liketheRomans,usedtheoldJuliancalendar,applyingcrudeleap-yearcorrectionsasthecenturiespassed—and,liketheRomans,theBrikanticountedtheiryearssincethefoundingofRome.Ithadtakensomeeffortforthenewcomerstomatchtheir

ownGregorian-calendardatestothoseinusehere.“TheMongols,undertheirrapaciousbutvisionarykhans,haveexplodedfromthesteppeandhaverampagedintotheeasternprovincesoftheEmpire,tearingthroughPannoniaandNoricumandevenRhaetia.Theybesiegeanddestroytownaftertown.TheyareexterminatingRomans.And,whoknows?If

theycannotbestopped,theymayturnonItalia,evenreachRomeitself.Thelegacyofcenturiesofcivilizationwouldbelost,thestatuessmashed,thebooksburned,thechurchesplundered.PerhapsRomeandtheEmpirecouldneverriseagain,eveniftheMongolhordecouldsomedaybedrivenout.

“Andtotheeastitisno

better.Anequallyferocioushorde,undergeneralsofequalgenius,istearingitswayintothesoftbellyoftheXindominion.Theydon’tseekterritory,thesearenotempirebuildersliketheCaesars;theyseeknothingbutbooty,andlandtopasturetheirhorses,andwomenandgirlstobeartheirchildren.”

Herpupilswerenoolderthantwelveyearsold,and

theireyeswidenedatthatlastdetail.ButBrikantiwasnotaprissyculture.AndnorhaditbeenmuchofastretchforPenny,awoman,tobeeffectivelyrunningthisAcademy;womenhadfreedomandpowerherecomparedtomanyothercultures—eventhoselessbarbaricthantheMongols.

“Therewasamoment,then,onthecuspofthe

twenty-firstcentury,whenthefutureofcivilizationitself,theveryideaofit,wasunderthreat.TheEuropeanplainsmightnowbeinhabitedbynothingbutthehorsesofilliterateherdsmen,grazinggrassgrowingintherubbleofruinedcities...”

Evenasshespoke,concentratingoneachstill-unfamiliarBrikantiword,shewasawareofthegrandeurof

thesetting.Hertwodozenstudents,

allchildrenofthewealthyEborakimerchantswhowereabletoaffordthefeesshecharged,satinneatrowsundertheloomingconicalroofofthisschoolhouse.Brandnew,andcommissionedwiththehelpofArihimselfforthepurposeofherAcademy—whichshehaddedicatedtoSaintJonbar,

whosheclaimedtoAriwasapowerfulfigureinherownlostversionofChristianity—itactuallyhadthefeelofgreatage.Itwasaroundhouse,likearelicoftheEuropeanIronAgeofherownhistory.Butthelongtrunksoftheframe,gatheredintoastoutconeoverherhead,hadbeenbroughtacrosstheAtlanticfromCanada,whichinthishistorywasa

provinceoftheBrikantifederation—anexpensiveimport,butformanycenturiesnotreesinPritanikehadbeenallowedtogrowsotallbeforebeingcutdownforuse.Thetrunkshadbeensetuponabaseofconcrete,andbrilliantfluorescentstriplightsweresuspendedfromtheapexofthehouse:toPennyitwasastrangemixtureofancientand

moderntechnologies.Inthissetting,twoyears

afterherarrivalaboardtheUkelwydd,shehadestablishedherAcademy,whoseprincipalpurposesweretoteachmathandscience—especiallyherownsubject,physics,whichwasfarinadvanceofanythingknownhere.ButshehadinsistedtoArithatsheincludeclasseslikethis,on

wideraspectsofculture.Shesaidthegoalwastoeducateherselfinthisnewcourseofhistory.Arihadboughtit;hehadcomefromawide-rangingeducationalbackgroundhimself.

ButshesuspectedthatAribelievedshehadadeeperagenda.Afterall,twoyearson,AriwasstilloneofonlyahandfulofBrikantitoknowthatshecamefromadifferent

historicalbackground—and,shethought,oneofevenfewerwhoactuallybelievedtherealityofitall.But,suspiciousashewas,hehadallowedhertogoaheadwiththesesideprojects.PennywonderedifBethEdenJoneshadhadsomethingtodowiththat—maybeshe’dusedalittlepillowtalk.Andshewas,afterall,carryingAri’sbaby...

Andherehewasnow,sittingatthebackofherclasslikesomeschoolinspector,ahalf-smileplayingonhislipsasshelecturedthesechildrenaboutthepossibilityofcounterfactuals.Well,hewasrighttobesuspicious.Ofcourseshehadanagenda.Ofcourseshewasplayingalonggame.SaintJonbar,indeed!

Shefocusedonherstudents,ontheMongols.

“Soeverythinghunginthebalance.Allhistorymighthavebeenchanged.Butthatdidnothappen.Doesanybodyknow—”

Thereweresomeshout-outs,butaforestofhandswasraisedmorepolitely,asshe’dpatientlytaughtthem.Thiswasawarriorcultureafterall;theydidhaveVikingsintheirancestry.Atthebeginning,Mariehadsaid

shewasluckythestudentsdidn’ttrytoattractherattentionbythrowingaxesatherhead.

Shepickedoutastudentatrandom.“Yes,Freydis?”

Thegirlstoodup.“ThegreatRomanEmperorConstantiusXIsentanembassytotheXinempress,andpersuadedhertojoinforcesandattacktheMongols.”Shesatdownjust

assharply.“Yes.That’sessentially

right.Exceptthatitwasactuallytheotherwayaround...”Thathistory-changingbitofstatecraft,analliancebetweenbitterrivalsthathadprobablysavedtwoempires,hadbeeninitiatedbystrategicgeniusesintheXincourt.ButRomanhistorians,propagandistsall,hadfromthatmomentgiventhecredit

toConstantius.TheBrikanti,foralltheirstatedrivalrywithRome,wereinsomewaysinaweofthemightyEmpirethathadoncecomesoclosetodestroyingthem,andhadallowedtheirownviewofhistorytobedazzledbysuchlies.

“Butthepointisthatbecausethetworulerswereabletoputasidetheirownsuspicionandambition,the

Mongolsweredefeated.Withoutthat,everythingwouldhavebeendifferent.That’swhatIwantyoutotakeawayfromthislessontoday...Yes,Freydis.”

Thegirlstoodagain.“Maybeit’slikewhenQueenKartimandiatoldtheCaesartoattackGermaniaandnotPritanike.Ifshehadn’tdonethat...”

Herfaceshonewiththe

excitementofdiscovery,offindinganewidea,awholenewwayofthinking.Pennywasnonaturalteacher,andatseventy-oneyearsoldshewasfindingthedailyclassroomroutineagrind.Butatsuchmoments,whenasparkwaslitinayoungimagination,shecouldseewhypeoplewouldteach.

ButFreydis’scontributionhadn’tgone

downwellwithherclassmates;therewaslaughterandcatcalls.“Yes,Freydis,andyou’dbespeakingLatinnow!”

“Sowouldyou,”Freydissnappedback.

“Allright,allright.”Pennystood,holdingupherhands.“That’senoughfornow.Timetobreakforlunch—”

Theroomturnedintoa

nearriotasthestudentsgrabbedtheirstuffandjumpedupfromtheirbenches.MarieGolvinyelledwithparade-groundlungs,“Backhereinonehourforrelativisticnavigation!”

AriGuthfrithson,withquietdignity,letthetideofyoungsterswashpasthim.Then,whentheroomwasempty,hewalkedtowardPenny,clappinghishands.

“Skillfullydone.AndalldeliveredincorrectBrikanti,haltingandwithanexoticaccentasitis.Idocontinuetowonderwhy,youknow,youpeppertheirbrainswithsuchideas,thefragilityofhistory.Itwasn’tthestatedpurposeoftheAcademy,afterall.”

BeforePennyhadtoanswer,MarieGolvin,whohadbeencollectingupscrolls

andpaperscrapsfromaroundtheroom,joinedthem.“Willyouhavelunchwithus,druidh?Nothingexciting,I’mafraid.”

“I’dbehonored.Andthatwasaneatdeflection,bytheway,LieutenantGolvin.”IthadtakenhimsometimetomemorizethetermforGolvin’sISFrank.“Well,shallwewalk?”

16

TheAcademyofSaintJonbarhadbeenestablishedontheedgeofEboraki,awayfromthecrowdedancientcoreofthecity,inwhatPennymighthavecalledanoutersuburb.Therefectorywherethey

wouldeat,thoughattachedtotheAcademy,wasashortwalkoutofthecampusandtowardtown.

Themainschoolhousewasoneofaclusterofsuchbuildings,allbrandnewroundhouses,whichincludedagymnasium,alibrary,anartscenter,asmallclinic,aworkshopforpottery,metalworkandothercrafts,andaChristianchapel.The

buildingswerearrangedinneatrows,likethecityitselfalignednotnorth-southbutonanortheasttosouthwestaxis,thedirectionofthesolsticesunriseandsunset,followingBrikantitradition.Therewasagrassyplayingfield,andakindofparadegroundwheresomeofthestudents,cadetsinthearmedforcesoftheBrikanti,couldpracticemarching,andwage

mockbattleswithswordsandevenblank-loadedfirearms.Butallthiswassetinanoakgrove,oneofanumberstuddedaroundthecity,thetreeasymbolofancientdruidhwisdom.

PennyandMariehadtogetherdesignedthiscomplex,withadvicefromAriandotherlocals,andallpaidforbymoneyArihadmanagedtoextractfrom

Navycontingencyfunds—themilitary-collegeaspecthadbeenpartofthepricethey’dhadtopayforthat.ToPenny,evennow,itlookedlikeamuseumpiece,likeareconstructionofsomeIronAgevillageratherthanabrand-new,living,breathingfacilityforyoungpeople.

Ofcoursethosefewstudentswhowentontobecomefulldruidhwouldn’t

besoyoungwhentheyfinished.Ari,forinstance,hadgonethroughafewyearsofgeneraleducation,includinghistory,geographyandphilosophy,followedbytwentyyearsofspecialiststudyinlaw,politics,andmathematicsandastronomy.Nowadaysthiswasaliterateculture,butArihadtoldPennythattheoldpreliteracytraditionofmemorytraining,

therecalloflongpassages,wasstillusedtodevelopthemind.Mathematicswasparticularlystronghere.Pennyherselfhadsupervisedclassesofyoungchildrenlearningtoreproducetheoutlinesofmistletoeseedsusingthearcsofcircles,carefullydrawnwithcompassesandpens.Itwaseasytosee,givensuchbeginnings,howtheBrikanti

grewuptobesuchfineastronomersandinterstellarnavigators:fromthegeometryofamistletoeseedtothetrajectoryofastarship.

TheprincipaltownofEborakiwasevidentlyamoreancientcommunitythantheRoman-plantedtownsinGaulandGermania,andtheoldertraditionsofCelticarchitectureandtownplanninglingeredon,not

obliteratedbylaterRomandevelopmentsasinPenny’stimeline.Agridpatternofroadsofgravelandcrushedrockseparatedhousesofwattleanddaubwiththatchedroofs,allsurroundedbyamonumentalwall,outsidewhichlaycemeteriesandfuneralpyres.Thehighergroundinthecenterofthecity—inPenny’sworlddominatedbyacathedralthat

hadstoodonthesiteofademolishedprincipia,headquartersofaRomanlegion—didbeartheremainsofatwo-thousand-year-oldfort,buthereithadbeenaBrikanti-builtbastion,arelicofthedayswhencontinentalinvasionshadbeenfearedandexperienced.ThisBritain,forbetterorworse,hadneverbeenseveredfromitsownpastbyaRomansword.

Studyingthisnewhistorywithherstudents,PennyhadcometounderstandhowmuchharmtheBrikantiandtheircontinentalcousins,whoPennyhadgrownupknowingastheCelts,hadsufferedatthehandsoftheRomans.OncetheCelticnationshadprosperedacrossEuropefromBritaintotheDanube,buttheRomans’empire-buildingexpansionhaddriventhem

back.ThoughBritain,inthishistory,hadremainedindependentofRome,elsewheretheCeltshadbeencrushed.WhenCaesarhadinvadedGaul—aprosperous,settledandliteratecountryofapopulationofeightmillion—hehadslaughteredonemillionandenslavedanothermillion.OnedetailparticularlyrememberedbyBrikantihistorianswasthat

Caesarhadseveredthehandsofrebels,sotheycouldnotgathertheirharvest.Thishistorywasnotwell-knowninPenny’stimeline.Here,ithadneverbeenforgotten.

AndBrikantihadgrowntraditionsofitsown.Thiswasnoempire;itwasafederationofnations,andademocracy,ofsorts,withtraditionsinheritedfrombothitsBritishandScandinavian

forebears.ThatoldfortonthehillwasnowtheseatoftheAlthing,anassemblywithrepresentativesofBrikantiholdingsaroundtheworld,andthemostpowerfulsingleindividualwasnotahereditaryemperorbutanelectedlogsogumadr,alaw-speaker.

Butthiswasaworldthathadbeenindustrializedforcenturies,aprocessthathad

proceededwithoutconscienceorcompensation.So,evenonabrightmidsummerdayliketoday,apallofsmoghungoverthecity.NotreessurvivedinEboraki,saveinthecarefullypreservedoakgroves.Inthiscapitalpeopledressedbrightly,inembroideredcloaksovercolorfullystripedtunicsandleggings,adornedwithbeadsofblueglassoramber,and

withtorcsofsteelorsilverattheirnecks.Buttheyroutinelyworefacemasksandgogglestokeepthemuckoutoftheireyesandlungs,andlifeexpectancyinaculturecapableofsendingshipstotheplanetswasshockinglylow.Nobodyhere,ofcourse,couldimaginethingscouldbedifferent.ItwaswhenPennywasleastbusy,whenshewalkedinthe

citylookingatthechildrencoughingintotheirfilthymasks,thatshemostacutelymissedtheworldshehadleftbehind.

Andyet,asthemonthshadpassed,towalkthesestreetsatthetimesofsolstice,midsummerandmidwinter,withthelowsunofmorningoreveningsuspendedoverthestreetsandfillingthecitywithlight,hadpleasedherin

waysshewouldhavefoundhardtodescribe.

•••

Themealsinthesmallrefectorywerepreparedbystudentsaspartoftheireducation,underthesupervisionofafewtownspeople.Thefare,servedatrough-hewnwoodentables,wastraditionalBrikanti,

meat-heavy,ladenwithbutterandvegetablesaucesandservedwithslabsofgrittybread—althoughRomanfarewasalsoavailable,cheese,olives.Riceandpotatoeswereexpensiveforeignluxuries,evenintheBrikanticapital.AlltheTataniacrewhadhadproblemswiththisdiet,mostlyfromalackofroughage.ButPennyhadlearnednottotrytochange

somethings,suchastheBrikantihabitofservingmeals,eventoveryyoungchildren,withwatered-downmeadorbeer.Orthehabitofeatingyourfoodwiththeknifeyouworeatyourbelt.

Still,themeat,arichlystewedbeef,wastenderandtasty,andforawhiletheyatewithoutspeaking.

AtlengthArisaid,pickinguptheconversation

wherethey’dleftoff,“Youdon’tneedtothankmeforvisiting.Foronethingit’smyjob;I’mexpectedtoreporttotheNavyfundingbodywhoprovidedthecashforallthis.Foranotherit’sapleasuretoseehowyou’regettingon.IsometimesfeelasifIconnectyouall,thecrewoftheTatania.”

“Weareallratherscattered,”Pennyadmitted.

“Butthat’snotabadthing.Itshowsyou’refindingplacesinasocietythatmustbeverystrangetoyou.How’sJiang,bytheway?”

“Doingfine.Ourhouseiscomfortable.Youknowthatheisworkingatthecollege;hegivesclassesinkernelengineering,amongothertopics.”

“Icanunderstandhewillbefindingitaparticular

challengehere.Weliketobelieveweareworldcitizens,weBrikanti.InfactitisveryraretoseeaXinface,evenhereinEboraki,thecapital.”

MarieGolvinsaid,“Well,hewouldn’tcallhimselfXin,butthepoint’staken.Hedoesn’tgooutmuch.”

“He’llbefine,”Pennyassuredher.“Andso’sGeneralMcGregor,wehear.”

“Isawhimrecently,”Ari

said.“LecturingjuniorofficersonthecommandandcontroltechniquesofyourInternationalSpaceFleet.”ThroughhissmoothBrikanti,itwasoddtohearhimbreakintoEnglish.“He’sveryimpressive.”

“Healwayshasbeen.AndI’veknownhimsincehewasseventeenyearsold,”Pennysaid,feelingalittlewistful.

Ariwatchedhersharply.“That’strueinoneoftherealitystrandsyouinhabited,soIhear.Intheother—”

“Yes,yes.Intheotheritwasmytwinsisterwhoknewhim—saveshewasn’tatwin,forIdidn’texistatall.Whatever.IalwaysknewLexwouldlandonhisfeet,whereverheendedup.”

“Youcanseehewisheshecouldshedthreedecades

andflywiththeyoungsters.TobattletheXinforthetreasuresoftheTearsofYmir!”

“ThatsoundslikeLex,allright.He’svisitedusafewtimes.He’smoststruckbythespecialrelativityweteachhere.Inourreality,sohesays,healwaysstruggledwithmath.Here,youhadnorelativitytheory.Butyoudidhavethekernels,andyou

discoveredrelativityexperimentally,bydrivingyourkernelshipsupagainstthelightbarrier,andfindingoutthehardwaythattheclocksslowandtherelativisticmasspilesup.”

Mariesaid,“Iheardofengineersbeingexecutedbecausetheycouldn’tmaketheirshipstravelfasterthanlight.”

“ThatwastheRomans

andtheXin,notus,”Arisaid.“Andthestoriesareapocryphalanyhow.”

Pennymoppeduphervegetablestewwithherrubberybread.“AndBeth?Howisyournewwife,Ari?”

Hesmiled,butPennysensedreserve.“Well,youunderstandthatsheisnotformallymywife,sinceshehadnofamilytogiveheraway...Sheisfine.”

PennyandMariesharedaglance.

Mariesaid,“That’sallyouhavetosay?How’sthebaby?She’soverdue,isn’tshe?”

Heseemedtoconsiderhiswordscarefully.“Wearedealingwiththechallengeofthebirthinourownway.”

Pennyfrowned.“‘Challenge’?What’schallengingaboutit?Your

medicineisprettygoodwhenitcomestochildbirth.IcheckeditovermyselfwhenBethsaidshewaspregnant,andIhadEarthshineconsulttoo.Heragewouldalwaysbeanissue;sheisthirty-eightnow...Whyisthisachallenge?”

“Thisisaprivatematter,”hesaidcoldly,hispalefaceempty.Suddenlyhehadneverseemedmorealiento

Penny,moreforeign.“But—”“Instead,letustalkof

Earthshine.Itishewhohasmadethemostdramaticentryintooursociety,asI’msureyouknow.Evenifhistruenatureiscarefullykeptasecret.Asfarasmostpeopleknowheissimplyanothersurvivorofashipofmysteriousorigin.

“Andheseemstobe

attemptingsuperhumanfeats.YoumustknowthatheisnowatHöd.”TheBrikantinameforCeres.“Heintends,withthepartyofsupportershehasgatheredaroundhim,tomoveontoMars.Inawaythisfulfillsthepromiseoftheimagesheshoweduswhenwefirstencounteredyou:thegreatbuildingsontheMarsofyourreality.Buthere,heclaims,hewillachievemuch

more.”Pennygrunted.“Ioften

thoughthe’dhavemadeagreatsalesman.Ifonlyofhimself.”

“Heintends”—Arimimedashovewithhisupraisedhand—“topushHödoutofitstrackaroundthesun,andmakeitsailtoMars.”Helookedatthem.“Thisiswhatheclaims.Ihaveperformedmyown

estimatesoftheproblem,theenergiesrequired.Doyouthinkthisisachievable?”

Penny,startled,lookedatMarie.

Mariesaid,“Withaheftyenoughbooster,anysuchfeatispossible.Andthissocietyisknee-deepinkernels,whichhavebeenusedinwaysweneverdared...Yes,Iwouldsayitispossible.”

“Earthshineclaimshe

willdothistodelivertoMarsrawmaterialsthatplanetlacks.Water,othercompounds,somemetalsperhaps.Heintends,hesays,torebuildMars.”

PennysaidtoMarieinEnglish,“Terraforming.Ibetthat’swhathemeans.Thesepeoplehavenoconceptionofsuchschemes,sincetheydon’tevenhaveawordfor‘ecology.’”

Arifrowned.“Icannotunderstandwhatyouaresaying.”

“Iapologize,”saidMarieformally.“InourrealitythereweregrandplanstoremakeMarsintoaworldliketheEarth.Maybeotherworldstoo,Venus,Titan—umm,thelargestmoonofAugustus.ButonMarsitwouldmeanimportingalotofvolatiles—thekindofstuffCeres,Höd,

ismadeof.”ShelookedatPennydoubtfully.“Iguessitcouldbemadetowork.IfCerescouldbebroughtintoMartianorbit—”

“Thatwouldtakeaheckofalotofdelta-vee.”

“Yes.Butthenyoucouldbreakitupslowly,dropthematerialyouneedintotheair,withCeresitselfasaconstructionshack.”

Pennynodded.“Ido

knowtherewasevidenceonEarth,ourEarth,ofmajorclimatedisturbancescausedbyimpactsofcometsorasteroids.Fifty-fivemillionyearsback,aspikeinthecarbondioxidelevels—doubledinasingleyear.Sotheideaisnotimplausible.”

Arilistenedcarefully,pickingthroughthetechnicallanguage.“HairystarsandtheTearsofYmir,fallingto

Terra—andnowtoMars.SodoyouthinkEarthshineissincere?Perhapsweshouldbewary.Heisproposingtodeploylargeenergies,tomovehugemassesaroundtheplanetarysystem—ourplanetarysystem.”Hegrimaced.“Ifheisallowedtowieldsuchenergies,yourartificialmanwouldbeaspowerfulasagod.”

Pennysaid,“Sohewas

before,inourreality.Buthere’swhatyouhavetounderstand,Ari.Earthshineandhisbrothers,theCoreAIs,weresignificantpowersonourEarth.But,likegods,theyalwayshadtheirownagenda.Anagendathatmightormightnotcoincidewiththeinterestsofmankind...AndwhateverEarthshinesaysaboutHödnow,we’llhavetorememberthatheretoohis

owndeepagendacomesfirst.”

“Verywell.Andwhatmightthat‘deepagenda’nowbe?”

“We’venowayofknowing.”

“Irecallthetalkofyour‘impossiblesister,’PenelopeKalinski.Earthshinewasfascinatedbythat.You’vesaidsoyourself.Hedetectedthis—unravelingofhistory—

beforeheandyouwitnesseditonamuchlargerscale.Prescient,don’tyouthink?Wouldn’thepursuesuchaninteresthere?”

Surehewould,shethought.ItwasoddtothinkthatevennowsheandtherestoftheTataniacrewwerestilldependentonEarthshine,forthetranslatorgadgetshehadprovidedthemallwith,andregularlydownloadedupdates

ofvocabularyandgrammar.Andshedidrememberhowobsessivehehadseemedabouttheinterferenceinhumanhistorybyanagencyunknown,rightbacktothebeginningofherowninvolvementwithhim,goingbackmorethanthreedecadesofhercomplicatedlife:Iameverywhere.AndIamstartingtohearyourfootsteps,youHatch-makers.

Icanhearthegrassgrow.AndIcanhearyou...

Arisaidacutely,“Ifindmyselfdeeplydrawntothequestion,infact.Mighttherebeevidencetobeunturnedconcerningthesestrangephenomenainmyworld?Tracesoflosthistories.Liketheanomalouscarvingonthetombstoneofyourmother,Penny,inthatgraveyardinLutetiaParisiorumofwhich

youspoke.”Hismentionofthat

personalmemorystartledPenny.ShehadbeenopenwithAri,mostly,aboutherexperienceofthereality-shiftingtheyhadallendured.Nowshewonderedifthathadbeenwise,ifsheunderstoodAriandhisagendas.ShewasawarethatMarie,too,waslookingincreasinglyuncomfortable.

“Sohaveyoufoundanything?”

“Notyet.ButI’llkeeplooking.”Hestaredintohereyes.“Thatmakesyouuncomfortable.Why?”Whentherewasnoreplyhewenton,“IsometimesthinkyouarefortunatethatweBrikantiarenotmorecuriousaboutthisphenomenon.Wearenotsoscientificasyou.”HepronouncedtheEnglishword

carefully.“Wearecruderphilosophers.Perhapswearemorepreparedtoacceptthemiraculous,theunexplained,thanyouare.Unexplainedphenomenasuchasyourownexistence.Wedon’tquestion;wejustaccept.”

“Allsaveyou.”“Allsaveme.Butwhy

areyouwaryofthequestion?”HeturnedonMarie.“Andwhydoyou

recoilaswespeakofthesematters,MarieGolvin?”

“BecauseIcan’tsleep,”Marieblurted.“That’swhy.Isitsohardtounderstand?”Pennycoveredherhandwithherown,butMariepulledaway.“Look—wesawbillionsputtothetorch—everybodyweknew,probably,wholeworlds,Earthitself.AndnowhereIaminthisstupidplace,trying

tolearnyourdumblanguages,doingthismake-workjobyou’vegivenme,andpretendingI’vegotafuturehere.Idon’tevenknowifyourJesusdiedforme,ornot.”

Onthevergeoftears,sheseemedmuchyoungerthanhertwenty-sevenyears,andPennylongedtohugher,toreassureher.ButMarieGolvinwasanISFofficer,

andthatwouldn’tdoatall.“I’msorry,”saidMarie

now,gettingherselfundercontrol.“Excuseme.”Shestoodandwalkedaway.

“AndItooamsorry,”ArisaidtoPenny.“Forprovokingthat.”

“Notyourfault,”Pennysnapped.“Well,notentirely.Youdokeepprying.”

“You’reluckythatothersdon’t.”

“Maybe,butthatdoesn’thelp.It’ssurvivorguilt,Ari.It’swhenyouforgetitall—whenyouareimmersedinsomething,happyinyourself,enjoyingwhatyou’redoing—andthenyourememberallthathasbeenlost,andtheguiltcomescrashingdownagain.That’swhenit’sworst.Marie’sparticularlyvulnerablenowshe’sawayfromtheprotectionofLex

McGregor.TheISF,themilitarydiscipline,washerwholelife.Andthenthere’sthehope.”

“Hope?”“Ofsomehow,oneday,

findingawaybackhome,backtoourtimeline.”

“Ah.”“It’sentirelyirrational,I

thinkweallknowthat,butit’shardnottosuccumb.Afterall,thiscanneverbe

home,forus.Andit’sharderfortheyoung,Ithink.Astheyearsgoby.”

Arisaid,“ButMarietoldmeshewasaChristian,inthetraditionasitexistedinyourworld.JustnowshespokeofJesu—Jesus.Shouldthatnotbeaconsolation?Shesaysshewonderedif,incrossingrealities,shehadundergonesomethingliketheRapture.Areyouawareofthat?”He

closedhiseyes,remembering.“Thetextsherecitedtomewasthis:‘FortheLordhimselfshalldescendfromheavenwithashout,withthevoiceofthearchangel,andwiththetrumpofGod:andthedeadinChristshallrisefirst:thenwewhicharealiveandremainshallbecaughtuptogetherwiththemintheclouds,tomeettheLordintheair:andsoshallweever

bewiththeLord.Whereforecomfortoneanotherwiththesewords.’FromalettertotheThessalonians.SuchmaterialdoesnotexistinourBible,nottheauthorizedversion,andnordoesthelegendoftheRapture.Ithink,yousee,thatMariefearsnotthatshehasbeentakenuptoheavenbyGod,buthasbeenleftbehindinthedesolationthatremains—”

“You.”BethEdenJonescame

stalkingintotherefectory,trailedbyananxious-lookingMarieGolvin.

17

AriandPennystoodtomeether.

BethwaswearingBrikanticostume,astheyallwereaftertwoyearshere,tunic,trousers,leatherboots,alightcloak.Thoughshe

lookedheavy,shewasevidentlynolongerpregnant,Pennysawimmediately.Andinherarmsshecradledabundlewrappedinblankets.

Pennysaid,“Beth?Whatthehell—isthatwhatIthinkitis?You’vehadyourbaby?I’msorry—Ilosttrackofthedate.Ididn’thearanynews...”

Aristoodsilently,hisfacelikethunder.

Bethstoodbeforeherhusband,glaringathim,butshespoketoPenny.“Yes,Penny,thisismybaby.Bythismonster.”

Aristaredback.Hesaidinakindofgrowl,“Nothere,woman.Notnow.”

“Thenwhere,ifnotbeforemyfriends?ShallIgobacktoyourhome,yourfamily,andwaituntilthenexttimeyoutrytokillher?”

Headsturnedaroundtherefectory.

Pennysaidsharply,“Beth.Whateverthehellyou’retalkingabout—comeon,sitdown.”SheputherarmaroundBeth’sshoulder,andcouldfeelhertrembling,couldseethestainoftearsaroundhereyes.Shelookedalotolderthanherthirty-eightyears,oldanddrained.Butshecomplied,sittingatthe

table,whichstillboretheremainsoftheirmeal.Pennysaid,“Youtoo,Ari—don’tloomoverherlikethat.Beth,doyouwantanything?Adrink—”

“Nothing.”Beth’seyesandAri’swerelockedstill.

PennysatdownandglancedupatMarie.“Bringsomewater.Umm,andsomehotmilk.”

Mariehurriedaway.

PennyputherhandonBeth’sarmandleanedforwardtosee.Thebaby,atleast,wassleepingpeacefully,itsfaceacrumple.“Oh,Beth.It’sbeautiful.”

“She.She’sagirl.She’scalledMardina.”

“Afteryourmother.”PennylookedupatAri,whosefaceshowednothingbuthostility.“Idon’tunderstandanythingofthis.

What’swrong?Isshenothealthy?”

“Thebabyisfine,”Arisaidcoldly.“Butshewas—unintended.”

“Theydon’tholdwithwomenmyagehavingkids,”Bethsaid.“TheBrikanti.It’saroughandreadyrule.Youcanunderstandwhy;theyflywarshipsinspacebuttheirmedicineismedieval.”

“Butyougotpregnant

anyway.”“Itwasanaccident.Yes,

Igotpregnant.Iwastolditwouldbeallright,thatthebabywouldbeaccepted.”

“Youprobablymisunderstood,”Arisaid.“Youmisheardthenuances.Itoldyoutherewouldhavetobeatrial—”

“Theyexposedher,”BethsaidtoPenny.“WhileIslept.”

Pennywasbewildered.“Theywhat?”

“Theytookher,Ari’sfamily,thewomen.Tookherfromme.Theystrippedawayherblankets,andputherontheroofofthehouse,naked.Shewouldbeallowedtolive,yousee,ifshesurvivedtheexposure.Andifhechosetobringherin.Itwastobehischoice,notmine.”

PennyturnedonAri.

“Thatseemsunnecessarilybrutal.”

Hemanagedtosmile,self-deprecating.“It’snotthetimeforahistorylesson.YoumayblametheRomansfromwhomweborrowedthecustom.Theruleisindeed—whatdidyousay?—roughandready.Betterafewhealthychildrenarelost,thanthatsocietyisburdenedwiththeweak—”

Bethsnapped,“Thefathergetstochoosetosaveher,ornot.Notthemother.Mostmotherswillhavefamiliestobackthemup—sometimestheytakethechild,thoughthemothercan’tseeheragain.ButIhadnoonetohelpme.Andhechosetoabandonher.”

Arishookhishead.“Allofthiswasunplanned.Mostmeninmypositionwould

havedonethesame.”“Butyoufoundout,

Beth,”Pennyprompted.“Ibustedoutofthat

damnhousewheretheywerekeepingme,”Bethsaid.“Igotupontheroof,andsavedmybaby,andIcamestraighthere,whereIknewyouwouldbe.IwonderhowmanylawsIbrokedoingthat.Willyouprosecuteme,scholar?WillIbethrownin

jail,ormutilated,orexecuted,orwhateverelseyoudotodisobedientmothers?”

Arishookhisheadagain.“No,no.Therearealwaysexceptions.Youwillbewelcomeinmyhome,withmyfamily—withthebaby—”

“Notafterthis.”SheturnedtoPennywithalookofpleading.“Letmestayhere.Withyou.”

“Ofcourseyoucanstay,”

Pennysaidimmediately.Aristood.“Thischanges

nothing.ThisAcademyishereatmydiscretion.Inasenseyouarestillundermyroof—”

“Theystay,”Pennysaidfirmly,“withus.”

“Andthefuture?Asthechildhasneeds,asshegrows?”

Pennysighed.“We’lldealwiththatwhenwecome

toit.Ithinkit’sbestifyougonow,AriGuthfrithson.”

Hestoodstillforamoment,clenchingonefist.Thenhestalkedaway,almostcollidingwithMarieGolvinassheapproachedwithatrayofdrinks.

Stefwatchedhimgo.“IthoughtIunderstoodhim.Ithoughtwecommunicated,asscholars.Druidh.Butnow—”

“Youdon’tknowhimat

all,”Bethsaid.“Ididn’t.Thesepeoplearen’tlikeus,Stef.NotevenAri.NoteventhemanIthoughtIloved,whofatheredmychild.Especiallynothim.”

18

AD 2227; AUC 2980

“ColU,IthoughtQuintusFabiuswasapompousassfromthemomenthecamestruttingdownfromthatairship.”

“Heisagoodcommander,YuriEden.ButashehailsfromwhatisstillregardedasanouterprovinceoftheEmpire,hehastobemoreRomanthantheRomans.”

“Sohe’sgotachiponhisshoulder.Boohoo.ActuallyheremindedmeofthatotherpompousassLexMcGregor...I’msorry.Kindoflostmywaythere.”

“Relax,YuriEden.Breathetheoxygen.”

“Yeah,yeah.”“Doyourememberwhat

weweretalkingabout?Iamheretowitnessyourfinaltestament.”

“Alwaysbusy,eh,ColU?Look,justtalktome.I’vehadenoughofmyownmiserablelifefornow.You’rethenearestthingI’vegottoafriendonthistub—

youandStef,butyouweretherefirst,right?”

“EvenifIwasaninstrumentoftheISF,theorganizationthatstrandedyouagainstyourwillonanalienworld.”

“Well,thereisthat.Nohardfeelings,eh?Anddon’ttellmeIneedtorest.I’llsoonbeenjoyingthelongsleep,driftingbetweenthestarsinaRomansarcophagus.Fine

waytogo,actually.”“YouareawarethatIdid

quietlysuggesttotheoptiothatthatwouldbethebestcourseofactionregardingthedisposalofyourbody,andindeedColonelKalinski’sifitcametothat.Asopposedtodepositingyourcorpsesintherecyclingtanks.”

“Don’tsparemyfeelings,willyou?”

“Afterall,wehailfrom

anothertimeline.Yourbodiesmaycontainpathogensexotictothisreality.Andbothofyourbodiescontainforeignelements,evendentalwork,forexample,whichmightbeharmfulintheship’sfoodchain.”

“Ha!Oh,don’tmakemelaugh,ColU.NowIhaveanimageofmyfalseteethchewingtheirwayoutofsomefatlegionary’sgut.”

“Well,youdon’twearfalseteeth,YuriEden.Buttheimageisanamusingone.”

“Don’tlaughtoohard.”“Doyouwishmetocall

themedicusagain?Michaeldidsaythatif—”

“Oh,don’tfuss,ColU.IfIwantthedamnquack,I’llcallhim.It’sonlybeenpalliativecare,andyouknowthataswellasIdo.Hecantreattheactualconditionno

betterthanyoucan.Butwiththatsuiteofdrugshehas,allthosepsychoactivesubstancesfromtheSouthAmericanjungles,hecanplaymylevelofpainlikeafiddle...Youknow,IsometimeswonderifIhaven’tcarriedthesedamnpassengersallmylife.”

“That’spossible,actually,YuriEden.Yourbodyhasbeenexposedtoa

seriesofextraordinaryenvironments.Thisisyoursecondjourneythroughinterstellarspace.YouspentdecadesonPerArdua,aplanetofaflarestar.Beforethat,youspentsometimeunderadomeonMars,aworldlackingathickatmosphere,anozonelayer.Evenbeforethat,ajourneyacrossinterplanetaryspacefromEarthtoMars.”

“AlsoIpassedthroughHatches.Threetimes.”

“Indeed.Andbeforeallthatyouspentacenturyinacasket,buriedinavaultinAntarcticawithathousandothers.Thecasualtyratesfromcancersofvarioussortsofsurvivorsofthatprocess—”

“Wecalledit‘freezerburn.’Sotheparentswhoputmeoniceandstuffedmeina

hole—”“Surelytheysoughtto

sendyoutoabettertime,YuriEden.”

“Andnow,itturnsout,afterallI’vesurvived,itwillbethedamncryothatkillsmeoffintheend.Oh,theirony.”

“Iamonlyspeculating,YuriEden.”

“Iknow,buddy.Idon’ttakeitpersonally.”

“Itistoberegrettedthatmoreadvancedmedicineisnotavailable.Ihopetohelptheship’snavigatorsdeviseamedicalscannertoemulatethefunctionsoftheslateIusedtodiagnoseyourcondition.”

“Thenavigators?Oh,yourArabbuddies,intheirobservationblisters...”

“Thisvesselnavigatesbythestars,byastronomical

observationsmadebytheArabteams.”

“TheseArabbuddiesofyourssoundliketheyareasadvancedasanybodyelseinthistimeline.”

“Itwouldseemso.Here,theProphetwasborninasettledandstableprovinceofastrongRomanEmpire.Muchasinourtimeline,Islamiccivilization,thedar-alIslam,flourished,but

underRomanprotection.TherewerenocenturiesofinterfaithconflictinEurope—nocrusades,forinstance.Eveninthepre-Christiandays,theRomanswerealwayspragmaticaboutlocalreligions.TotheRomans,IslamisamuscularsistercreedoftheChristianitythatistheirofficialstatereligion.”

“AndtheArabsarethebestastronomers.”

“Theyare.YuriEden,Ihopeyouwillhavethechancetoseetheirobservationblisters.Thereisanatmosphereofcalm—oflearning,ofreverence.Theyarelikecollegestudyrooms,orreligioussanctuaries.Indeed,oneofthemisdedicatedasamosque.

“Inspace,Muslimswerealwaysdrawntoastronomybecauseoftheneedtofind

reliablythepositionofEarth,andthereforeMecca,forthepurposesofdailyprayers.ButtheArabshavegonemuchfurther.Theyhavefineopticaltelescopes,butalsospectroscopestoanalyzethelight—thoughnoimagecapturemoreadvancedthanwet-chemistryphotography.Andtheyhavemadeasuiteofdiscoveries,ofmoreorlessrelevancetothemissionof

theMalleusJesu.Ofcourse,akernelshipunderheavyacceleration,likethisone,isarathernoisyplatform.Andtheyhavetocompensateforrelativisticdistortion,soclosedowetraveltothespeedoflight.Theyhavesophisticatedrule-of-thumbmathematicstoachievethis,without,again,havingtheunderlyingtheory...

“YuriEden,theArabs

allowedmetoperusetheirlibraries.Theyhavepainstakinglycompiledgoodmapsofthecosmicbackgroundradiation,therelicglowoftheBigBang—notthattheyhavethecosmologicaltheoriestodescribeitthatway.

“Andtheyseekoutlife-bearingplanets,amongthestarswepass.Targetsforfuturemissionslikethisone.

Livingworldshavecertaincharacteristics.OnEarth,forinstance,theatmosphereholdsoxygenandmethane,reactivegasesthatiflefttothemselveswouldcombinewithothersubstances—ironoreintherockswouldrust—andbelosttotheair.Butitistheactionoflifethatreplenishesthosereservoirs.Anotherkindofbiospherewouldproduceotherkindsof

traces.Sometimesyoucantellthere’slifesimplyfromcolorchanges,visiblefromspace.EarlyEarthwasprobablypredominantlypurple,ontheseacoastsanyhow...”

“Allthisyoufoundintheirlibraries?WithChuYuenasyoursearchengine.Ha!IimaginepoorChugettingprettytiredturningpages—”

“Usuallyit’sunravelingscrolls.But,yes,itcanbelikethat...Onestrikingobservation,YuriEden,isthatmanyworldstheArabshaveobservedarenotliving,butdead:oncelife-bearing,butevidentlykilledoff,atleastatthesurface.Andinsomecases,recently.Youcantellthisfromremoteobservations.IfalllifeonEarthwereendedsuddenly,

thedecompositionofaglutofcorpseswoulddumpethaneintotheair,ingreatquantities.Withoutthewatercyclemediatedbytheplants,therewouldbearapidheatingspike.Andsoon.Allthiscanbeobservedfromafar.YuriEden,theArabshavemademanysuchdiscoveries.”

“Whatcouldkilloffwholeworlds?War?”

“Perhaps,YuriEden.”“Andwithwhoknows

whathistory-tweakingstrangenesstofollow?Ifourexperienceisanyprecedent.”

“Onecanonlyspeculate.OfcoursetheArabsalsosearchforkernels.Worldsladenwiththem,targetsforfutureHatch-buildingexpeditions.Againtherearecertaincharacteristicsignaturesyoucanspotfrom

afar.Theyhaveevenbeguntomapthedistributionofkernel-bearingworlds,andHatches,acrossthispartoftheGalaxy.Theirmapsaredifficulttodecipher,infact:notmapsasweknowthembutmoreitineraries,listsofdistancesanddirectionsbetweenlocations...Itappearsthatthereisakindofnetwork.Acertainpercentageofkernelworldsare

concentratedtowardthecenteroftheGalaxy.AsifwhateverinitiatedthisprocessoriginateddeeperintheGalaxy,andthenetworkofHatch-buildinghasbeenheadingouttotheouterreacheseversince.”

“Hm.What’sdifferentaboutthecenteroftheGalaxy?”

“Itisolder,inasense.TheGalaxyislikeavast

factoryformanufacturingstarsfrominterstellardustandgas.Star-makingstartedclosetothecenter,andisspreadingouttotheperiphery.ItisthoughtthattowardthecentertheremaybehabitableworldsbornabillionyearsbeforetheEarth.”

“SotheHatchesmayhavebeenstartedoffbysomeancientintelligence,lurking

ononeoftheseold,oldworlds...”

“TheArabs’observationswouldfitthat,YuriEden.”

“Butwhat’sitallfor?Doyouevergetthefeelingwe’remissingthebigpicturehere,ColU?Allthestrangeness—thekernels,theHatches,thedumpingofwholehistories...MaybethisismySouthAmericandrugstalking.”

“Mostlywearetoobusytryingtosurvivetothinktoodeeplyaboutsuchmatters,YuriEden.”

“Andalsotoobusyridingthesevariousgifthorsestolookthemtoocloselyinthemouth.Thekernelsarejusttoodamnuseful...Butwedoasksuchquestions—oratleastyoudo,ColU.”

“Itry.Mymissionhasalwaysbeentonurturethe

humanityaroundme—tonurtureyouandyourfamily,YuriEden.BydoingthatImustconsiderthewiderquestionsofwhichyouspeak.Imustconsiderthefuture.AndsomeofwhatIhavelearnedaboutthefuturedisturbsme.”

“Maybethedrugsarehittingmeagain.Orelsethey’rewearingoff.Runthatbymeagain.Thefuture?”

“Ihaveseenitinthesky,YuriEden.ItoldyouthattheArabastronomershavecarefullyobservedthebackgroundradiationfromtheBigBang.Thatradiation,anddistortionsinit—ripples,distortions,nonhomogeneities,polarization—carriesagreatdealofinformationaboutthewiderstructureoftheuniverse.Afterall,ithas

permeatedthewholecosmosfromthebeginning.Forinstance,ourcosmologistslookedforevidenceofotheruniversesthanourown.Aninteractionoftwouniverses,acollisioninsomehigherdimension,mightleaveechoesinthebackground,tremendouscirclesinthesky.ButI,studyingtheArabrecordswithadepthofunderstandingthatthey

cannotshare,haveseen...somethingelse.”

“What?Thesuspenseiskillingme,andI’malreadydying.”

“Iapologize,YuriEden.IbelieveIhaveseenevidenceofsuperluminalevents.Faster-than-lightphenomena.”

“Whatthehellareyoutalkingaboutnow?Warpdrive?Somekindofsuper-

starship?Ahighercivilization?”

“Notthat.Notonthatscale.Muchbigger.Pleaselisten,YuriEden.Inrelativitytheory,youknowthatnothingcantravelthroughspace-timefasterthanlight.ThatwasEinstein’smostfundamentaldiscovery.EvenatransitionthroughaHatch,sayfromMercurytoPerArdua,bywhateverunknown

mechanismenablessuchtransitions,ismarginallyslowerthanlightspeed.Butthereisaget-outclauseinthephysics.”

“Goon.”“Nothingcantravel

throughspace-timefasterthanlight.Butspace-timeisasubstance,ofakind;ithasstructure.Itcanbedistorted...YuriEden,wavescanpropagatein

space-timeitself.Andtheycantravelfasterthanlight.Thetheoreticianshavewonderedifsuchwarpscouldbeusedtocarryshipsatsuperluminalspeeds.”

“Beatinglightbysurfingspace-timewaves...”

“That’stheidea,YuriEden.Weneverachievedawarpdrive.Butwarpwaves,asdescribedbythetheory,wouldemitcertainkindsof

exoticradiations.Evenifwecouldnevercreatethem,wethoughtwecoulddetectthem.

“YuriEden,IthinkIhaveseenthetracesofwarpripplesinthecosmicbackgroundradiation.Notsmall,containedsignals,asyouwouldassociatewithastarship.Thesearerelicsofeventsonatremendousscale.BywhichImeanbillionsoflight-yearswide,events

spanningtheuniverse.”“Largerthangalaxies—”“Largerthan

superclustersofgalaxies.”“Nurse!Ithinkmydrip’s

comeloose.”“Iapologize,YuriEden.I

willdiscussallthiswithColonelKalinski;perhapsshewillbeabletomakeitclearer.But,yousee,IamstrugglingtograspthehypothesisIamformulating.”

“Whathypothesis?”“Imaginethatinthe

futurethereisa—cataclysm.Atremendouslyviolenteventofsomekind,spanningspace—spanningtheentireuniverse.Thiseventissoenergeticthatamongitseffectsareripplesinspace-time,tremendouswaves—”

“Ah.Warpwaves,whichcantravelbackintime.”

“Yes,YuriEden.I

believethat—inthesefainttracesofstructureinthecosmicbackgroundreaction,visibletotheArabastronomersinthesilenceoftheirobservationcapsules—Iamwitnessingakindofforeshadowing,echoestravelingbackintime...”

“Echoesfromthefuture.Butechoesofwhat,ColU?”

“Somethingterrible.”“Umm.Well,you’renot

giventoexaggeration,ColU.”“Areyoufallingasleep,

YuriEden?”“Notjustyet.Allthistalk

ofcalamityinthefuture.Youknow,ColU,Idon’tfeardying.Infact,IfeellikeIdiedalready,anumberoftimes.AllthosedoorsIhadtopassthrough,frommyowntimetothefuture,fromMarstoPerArdua...”

“Itwilljustbeanother

door,YuriEden.”“Iknow,myfriend.I

know.ButIdofearforthoseIlove.Listen—IwantyoutofindBeth,ifyoucan.”

“Iknow.Youaskedmethisbefore.But,YuriEden,shemaynotexist,inthisnewreality.Shemayhavebeenleftbehind.”

“Maybe.Butmaybenot.IknowMardina—orknewher.Iftherewasawayto

saveBeth,she’dhavefoundit.”

“IalwaysflatteredmyselfthatIwasclosetoBethEdenJones.”

“Youwerethekindlymonsterwhomadehertoybuilderswiththosemanipulatorarmsofyours.RememberMisterSticks?Findher,ColU.Andwhoevershe’swithnow.Tellheryou’reherpropertynow.And

helpher,asbestyoucan.BecauseIcan’t,yousee.Ican’thelpheranymore.”

“YuriEden—”“Promiseme.”“Ipromise,YuriEden.

Youaretiring.IwillaskMichaeltocallonyou.”

“Yeah.Oh,ColU,onething.Thisfuturecataclysmyouthinkyousee.When?”

“Thewholethingisverypartial,YuriEden.Icanonly

makepreliminaryguesses—”“IrememberthatassLex

McGregor,whenhedumpedusonPerArdua,tellingusthatProximawouldshineforthousandsoftimesaslongasthesun.”

“Proximawillbarelyhaveagedbythetimetheeventisuponus,YuriEden.”

“Barely?”“Ihavetentativelydated

thesourceofthespace-time

wavestolessthanfourbillionyearsfromnow.Perhapsthreeandahalfbillion—”

“Fourbillionyears?Ha!Whydidn’tyousayso?Idon’tevenhavefouryears,letalonefourbillion.FourbillionyearsagotheEarthitselfhadbarelyformed—right?WhyshouldIworryaboutrunningoutoftimefourbillionyearsfromnow?”

“Becauseyou,oryour

descendants,willhavebeenrobbedoftrillions,YuriEden.Sleepnow,andIwillfindMichael...”

19

AD 2225; AUC 2978

TheUkelwydd,ridingkernelfireasitslowed,slidoutofdeepspaceandenteredorbitaroundMars.

Asthedrivecutoutand

theaccelerationweightwasliftedfromherchest,PennyKalinski,noweighty-oneyearsold,cocoonedinadeepcouch,utteredasighofdeeprelief.Itwasherfirstspaceflightforadozenyears,thefirstsincetheTatania.Afterspendingtwelveyearsasanelderly,eccentric,Earthboundteacher,she’dforgottenhowgruelingalaunchwas.Well,nowitwas

done.Intheabsenceofgravity

herfeebleold-ladyarmshadenoughstrengthtopushoutofthecouch.Forafewsecondsshedriftedinthewarmair,relishingtheabsenceofweight.Hercabinwassmall,shewasnevermorethananarm’slengthfromawall,andeverysurfacewasstuddedwithhandholds.Itwaseasyto

floatoverintothesmallclosetthatservedasherbathroom.Thefreedomofmovementwasdelicious,marredonlybyatwingeofarthriticpaininherjoints.Butinamirrorshesawthatherhairhadcomelooseandformedacloudoffuzzygrayaroundherhead.“Oh,forGod’ssake—”Shepulledbackroguestrandsandtuckedthemintoaknot.

Shewaspresentablebythetimetherewasaknockatthedoor.

TrierarchusKeryswaswaitingforher,comfortablyhoveringintheair.Keryswasaroundfiftynow,solid,competent,smiling,herhairatangleofblackandgray.And,twelveyearsaftershehadcommandedthisshipwhenithadcollectedtheTataniaanditscastaway

crew,KeryshadbecomeafriendtoPennyKalinski.Shesaidnow,“Ithoughtyouwouldlikeanescorttotheobservationcabin.Thedruidhwaitsforyouthere.Itwilltakeussomehourstoswitchoverfromdeepspaceoperationstolandingmode;hesuggestedyoumightliketoviewMars,andwhathasbecomeofit,beforeweland.”

Afteralltheseyears,Penny’sBrikantiwasnowprettygood.HerLatinwasn’ttoobadeither,butshewasnevergoingtomasterXin,despitethepatientyearspoorJianghadputintotryingtoteachher.SosheunderstoodeverywordKeryshadsaid,andpickeduptheunspokenimplications.Shemeant,Earthshine’sMars.

“Yes,Iwouldlikethat.

AndI’mhonoredthatthetrierarchusherselfcametoescortme.”

“You’reanhonoredguest.AsI’vebeentellingyousinceweleftTerra.Here,takemyarm.”

Theybegantomovecautiouslyalongthecorridor,withKeryspullingherselffromhandholdtohandhold.

“I’malwaysamazedhowmuchlargeraspaceseems

withoutgravity,”Pennysaid.“Buttheearliestastronautsreportedthat.Imean,thespacetravelersinmyhometimeline...”Astheyearshadgonebyshefounditincreasinglydifficulttokeepthosetwotangledhistoriesseparateinherhead.“ButIdon’tunderstandwhyyou’veallmadesuchafussofmeallthewayhere.”

“Well,PennyKalinski,

partlyitisbecauseyouareacompanionofEarthshine.Thismissionwasmountedspecificallytobringyoutohim,asherequested.”

“AndEarthshine’sapowerinthelandnow.Inyourland.WhatEarthshinewants,Earthshinegets...”

“But,”Keryssaidconfidentially,“andIhaven’ttoldyouuntilnow,it’salsobecauseyougotmynephews

throughyourAcademy.”“Irememberthem.Olaf

andThorberg.”“Yes.Theirfather’sa

Dane,andtheirbloodisaswildashis.Butyougotthemtositdownforfiveyearsofstudy.”

“Theywereahandful,thosetwo.Whataretheydoingnow?”

“Navy,bothofthem.Bestplaceforthem.Herewe

are.”ShegentlyguidedPenny

throughanopendoorandintoaroomdominatedbyalargepicturewindow,beyondwhichanorange-brownlandscapeslidby.Thiswastheobservationcabin,whereonce,Pennyremembered,shehadwatchedanewEarthapproach.Terra,Terra,aworldtransformedbythelegacyofadifferenthistory.

NowMarsscrolledpastthissamewindow,alandscapeofcratersandcanyonsandmountainsanddust,magnificent,alien,forbidding.ButthiswasnottheMarsshehadonceknown,nottheMarsshehadleftbehind—shecouldseethatimmediately—forthisMarshadbeenengineered,overcenturies.Whataremarkablethoughtthatwas

—howextraordinaryitwasthatsheshouldbehere,seeingthis,evensomanyyearsafterthejonbarhinge.

AndAriGuthfrithsonwashere,watchingherreaction.

Pennyhadknownhewasontheship,butshehadspentthefewdaysoftheflightfromEarthavoidinghim.NowsheignoredhimwhilesheletKerysguidehertoa

handhold.Then,safelyanchored,

shefacedAri.“You’renotagingwell.”

Ariwasinhisfortiesnow,growingportly,gray,hisfacepinched.Helaughed,harshly.“Well,neitherareyou,youoldcrone.”

“Thanks.”Heturnedtofacethe

planet.“LookatmyMars!Thisiswhatyoucandowith

kerneltechnology,andadream...”

VisionariesfromherownEarthwouldhaverecognizedmuchofwhatwasbeingdone,shethought.Inthisreality,theengineershadbeendoingtheirbesttobringMarstolife,evenwithitsownresources,longbeforeEarthshineandhisCeresschemehadarrived.Kernelenergybeamsmeltedice

fromthepolarcapsandpoureditintotremendouscanalsburnedintotheplainsoftheVastitasBorealistothenorth,andthroughtheancient,crateredhighlandsofthesouth,TerraSirenum,AoniaTerra,NoachisTerra,TerraCimmeria,featureswiththeirownLatinorXinorBrikantinamesinthisreality.Atlowerlatitudes,deepaquiferswerebeingbroken

opentoreleaseyetmorewater.TheshippassedovertheVallesMarineris,thegreatcanyonsystembecomeanenclosedsea.Fornowallthiswaterwasfrozenover,theicewhiteagainsttherustedcolorsofMars.But,aroundthecurveoftheworld,thegreatblistersoftheTharsisvolcanoes,OlympusMonsamongthem,werebeingcrackedandgouged

andstirredinthehopeoftriggeringeruptionsfromthoselong-dormantgiants,whichmightbelchashandgreenhousegasestothickenthesparseair.

Andalreadycitylightsburnedinthenightside.

AMarswiththickairandcitiesandbrimmingcanals!Anineteenth-centuryfantasybackwherePennyhadcomefrom,maderealityhere.

Maybe,shewonderedsometimes,hercommandershadbeentoocautiousintheiruseofthegreat,unexpectedbenisonofthekernels.Somuchmorecouldhavebeendonewiththatmagicaltorrentofenergy—aslongasyoudidn’tcareabouttheconsequencesforwhatyouwerereshaping.

“Iknowwhatyou’rethinking,”Arisaid.

“Doyou?”“ThatthisisnottheMars

youleftbehindinthatotherhistoryofyours.Well,it’strue.ButsoonitwillnotbetheMarsthatwasherewhenyouarrived.”

“ItwillbeEarthshine’sMars.”

“Yes.Thatgodyoubroughtintoourrealityisremakingaworld.Höd—Ceres—isonitsway,

spiralingcloserwitheveryrevolutionaroundthesun.Justnowitis...”Hethoughtaboutit,glancedatMarsfororientation,andpointedtohisright.“Thatway.Anobjectvisibletothenakedeye,fromtheMartianground.”

“Whyareyouhere,Ari?Whatdoyouwantofme?”

“You’regoingtospeaktoEarthshine.”

“That’sobvious.He

summonedme.AlthoughIdon’tknowwhathewantsofme.”

“Iknewyouwouldnotlistentome,ifIhadapproachedyouonTerra,orduringtheflight.ItisonlynowaswepreparetodescendthatIfeelabletospeaktoyou—tomakeyoulisten—onlynowthatIcanimpressonyoutheurgencyofwhatIask.”

PennyglancedatKerys;

thetrierarchus,tetheredtoasupportbarbyonehand,lookedonimpassively.“Kerys,doyouknowwhatthisisallabout?”

“Leavemeoutofit.IdoknowAriwenttothetop—toDumnonaitself,theheadquartersoftheNavy—hepulledalotofstringstobeallowedaberthonthismission.”

“Andallforthisone

moment,PennyKalinski,”Arisaid.

“Forwhat?Whatdoyouwant,druidh?”

“It’ssimpleenough.YouwilltalktoEarthshine.Listentowhathesays.Repeatittomewhenyoureturn—orifnottome,tothetrierarchus,toDumnona,anybody.Findoutwhathetrulyintends,andtellus.”

“Youknowwhathe

intends.ToterraformMars,tomakeMarslive.”

“That’swhathetellsus.I’mconvincedthere’ssomethingelse.Somethinghidden.Wewillbelandingyouthere,”andhepointedtotheHellasbasin.“WecallthisHel.Earthshinehasestablishedsomekindofhabitathere,atthedeepestpointofthedeepestbasinonMars.Thatiswherehis

personalprocessing-supportunitisnowsituated.Whythere?Wedon’tknow.Andhehasanestablishmentafewhundredmilestothenorth.”

InwhatPenny’sculturehadknownasSyrtisMajor.“Yes?”

“Fromthewayyouhavedescribedyourowncareer,Iwouldthinkyouwouldbefamiliarwithsuchaplace.PennyKalinski,asfaraswe

cantellfromtheradiationsbeingreleased,thatisalaboratorywherekernelsthemselvesarebeingstudied.Yourspecialty.Now,whywouldEarthshineneedtodelveintothephysicsofthekernelsif,asheclaims,hispriorityisthevivifyingofMars?”Hesmiledcoldly.“Perhapshewillaskyoutoworktherealongsidehim.Perhapsyouwillwritemore

‘papers’forthe‘journals’readbythelearnedpeopleofyourworld—”

Pennysnappedback,“Oh,giveitarest,youmanipulativebore.How’syourwife,Ari?”

“Ihavenowife,”hesaidneutrally.

“Fine.Thenhow’syourdaughter?”

“Mardina’stenyearsoldnow,andshedespisesme.I

seeheronceayear,andthat’sbyacourtorderIhadtohavedrawnup.”

“Sosheshoulddespiseyou.Whatdoyouwantfromher,orhermother?Forgiveness?”

“I’dsettleforunderstanding.Imeanteverythingforthebest,foreverybody.Yes,includingMardina!”Suddenlyhelookedlost,vulnerable.

“Couldn’tyoutellherthatforme?”

ButnowthetrierarchusdriftedbetweenPennyandthedruidh,andledhimaway.AndafewminuteslaterajuniorcrewmemberfoundPennyandtoldhersheneededtoprepareforalanding,onMars.

20

AsseenfromthecruderoverthatbouncedPennyoverthesurfacefromthelandedUkelwydd,Earthshine’sbaseonMarswasanarrayofglassboxeswiththeirfacestippedtowardthesun,lowandpale

inthenorthernskyofHellas—“Hel.”ForPenny,thebasewasanaggingreminderofsomethingshe’dseenbefore.

Theroverdockedneatlywithaport,andshemadeherwaythroughanairlockwiththeassistanceofacoupleofyoungwomenintheroughuniformsoftheBrikantiNavy.ThenshewasledthroughofficesfilledwithpallidMartianlight.Inthe

gentleone-thirdgravityshewasabletowalkwithnomoresupportthanastick.

Theyarrivedinawide,airyroom,andPennypausedtoinspectit,leaningonherstick.Atitscenterwasasingledesk,behindwhichsatamaninsomekindofbusinesssuit,indistinctinPenny’srheumyvisiondespitetherelativelybrightlight.Thedeskoverlookeda

pond,asmoothsurfacecrossedbylanguidlow-gravitywaves,andreflectingthefaunsky.Againmemorynagged.

Shewasallowedtowalkforwardalone,herfootstepssilentonathickswathofcarpet,asubduedbrowntomatchtheMartiancolorsuite.Togettothedeskshehadtohobblearoundthatcentralpond,whichwasglassedover

andfilledonlywithakindofpurplishscum,shesaw;therewerenoplants,nofish.

Asshenearedthedesk,themanstoodgracefully.Tall,dressedinasoberbusinesssuitandcollarlessshirt,hemighthavebeenfifty.Onhislapelheworeabrooch,astonedisccarvedwithconcentricgrooves.HewasEarthshine,ofcourse.

“Please,”hesaidinhis

culturedBritishaccent.“Sitdown.Wouldyoulikeadrink?Coffee,water—youalwayslikedsoda,asIrecall.”

“WhenIwaselevenyearsold,maybe.I’lltakeawater,thankyou.”Sheloweredherselfstifflyintoachairbeforethedesk.

Earthshinetappedthedesksurface,whichopenedtoallowasmallshelftoriseup

bearingabottleofwater,aglass.“I’mafraidyou’llhavetopourityourself.”

“Iknow.”Hesat,fingerssteepled,

regardingher.“Thankyouforcoming.”

“DidIhaveachoice?”“Notgiventhelogicof

ourpastrelationship,andthenatureofyourownpersonality.Clearlyyouareascuriousasever.ButI

wouldnothavecompelledyoutocome.Couldnothave.”

“I’mstartingtorememberallthis.Well,mostly.Thatcarpetshouldbe—blue?”

“ThatwouldhardlyfitwiththeMartianbackground.”

“AndwithahugeUniversalEngineeringInc.logo.AndSirMichaelKing

sittingbehindthatdesk,notyou.”

“ItistobehopedSirMichaelsurvivedthewar,inhisbunkerunderParis.”

“Itseemsunlikely.EvenifthatversionofParisactuallyexistsanymore.”

“Quiteso.IhavetriedtorecreatetheconditionsasyourememberthemfromyourfirstvisittotheUEIcorporateheadquarters—”

“Solstice,Canada.Manyyearsago.Thefirsttimewemet.Iwassummonedtherewithmysister.”

“Although,”Earthshinesaidcarefully,“sincethateventcamebeforethegreatsunderingofyourownpersonalhistory,shewouldsayshewenttherealone.”

“Andthepond,”shesaid,lookingoverhershoulder.“Weren’ttheresomekindof

stuntgen-engedcarpinthere?Whereasnowthereisjustscum.”

“Actuallytheprobecontainssomethingmuchmoreexoticthananengineeredfishortwo.Martians,”hesaidsepulchrally.“Real-lifeindigenousMartians,extractedfrommineshaftsandotherworkings.”

Thattookherbysurprise.

“Really?Bugsfromthedeeprock?”

“That’stheidea.Infact,inourrealitytheChinesediscoveredthem,intheprocessofexcavatingwateraspartoftheirownterraformingefforts.ThespecimensIhaveinspectedappearthesameastheChinesediscoveries—thepivotingofhistorymadenodifferencetothem.The

samplesinthepondarereal,bytheway,thoughmuchoftherestofthisenvironment—”

“Isnomorerealthanyou.YouarejustasIremember,atleast,”shesaid.“Rightdowntothatoddbroochonyourlapel.Whichisjustlikethechunkofcarvedconcrete,theplaque,youwerecarefultoshipaboardtheTatania,isn’tit?I

alwayswonderedwhatthesignificanceofthatwas.”

Hedidn’trisetothebait.“Mygoalwiththisvirtualpresentationhasbeentoemphasizeoursharedpast.Howmuchwehaveincommon.”

“Well,you’vedonethat.Butthat’sasfarasitgoes.You’rejustasyouwerethen,”shewenton.“Whereas—lookatme.Withered.”

“Youhavedonewelltosurviveadozenyearshere,afterallthetraumasofyourearlierlife,andtheinadequacyofmedicineandhealthcareinthisnewreality,despiteallmyownproselytizing—”

“Youmean,sellingthedatayoustolefromthememoryoftheTatania.Lexneverforgaveyouforthat,youknow.”

“Iknow,”hesaidindifferently.“Andnowit’stoolatetoapologize.”

“GoodoldLex.Atleasthediedwell—eightyyearsoldandthrowinghimselfintothesiteofthattankercrashonthemoon,onLuna.TheBrikantibuiltastatuetohim.”

Earthshinelaughed.“GoodforGeneralMcGregor.He’dhaveloved

that.Andoftheothers?”“Jianghasstayedwith

me,attheAcademy.Sadlyhe’sstillnotacceptedmorewidely,inBrikantisociety.Youcan’tovercomecenturiesofxenophobiawithaculturedsmile—nothere,atleast.TwoofthesurvivingcrewoftheTataniaworkwithmetherealso.Theymarried,infact,MarieGolvinandRajeevKapur.”

“Ididhear.Isentagift...AndwhatofBeth,andherchild?”

“Mardina.Growingnow,tenyearsold.Doingfine.Beth’sforty-eightnow,andMardinamakesherfeelherage,Ithink.They’relivingindependently,butIkeepaneyeonthem.Beth’sestrangedfromAriGuthfrithson—thefather.Bethdoesmakeenemiesandthenclingsto

them,ifyouknowwhatImean.”

“Idoknow.”Pennywaspuzzledby

thatresponse.“Whywouldshehaveagrudgeagainstyou?”

“BecauseofsomethingItoldher.ItwasjustaswefledtheinnersolarsystemintheTatania—justasthelightwavefrontfromthekerneldetonationsovertookus,in

fact.”“Idon’tunderstand.

Whatdidyoutellher?”“Myname.Oroneof

them.”Hesaidnomore,andlookedathersteadily.

“Allright.Thenisthatwhyyouaskedmehere?AsawaytogetthroughtoBeth?Funnilyenough,Ariaskedmetodothesamethingforhim.WhatamI,aUNmediator?”

“Partlythat,yes,forBeth’ssake.AndpartlybecauseIwantyoutounderstandwhatitisIamdoinghere,Penny.AtleastbegintoseewhatitisIamexploring.”

“Whyme?”Helaughed.“Youarethe

onlyspecialistinkernelphysicsinthisuniverse.”

“Ah.Andyouhaveakerneltestlaboratoryupon

thehighergroundtothenorth,don’tyou?”

“Alsoyouareoneofahandfulofsurvivorswholivedthroughthehistorychange.”Hegrinned.“The‘jonbarhinge.’”Ienjoyedyourlittlejoke,inthenameofyourAcademy.Andofcourseyouenduredanearlierjonbarhingeinyourownlife.”

Shealwayshadto

remember,shetoldherself,thateverythingthatEarthshinedidwasaboutadvancinghisownagenda,nothers;shewasatoolhere,apawn.Buthedidknowahellofalotabouther.Shesaidcarefully,“Whatexactlydoyouwantofme,Earthshine?Thetruthnow.”

“Theremaycomeatimewhenwewillhavetofleethisplace.AswefledEarth—our

Earth.”Shefrowned.“Why?

Whatwouldmakethatnecessary?”

“Andifthatcomes,”hesaidpatiently,“IwantyoutoensurethatBethisready,withMardina,thattheycomeawaywithme.”

“That’swhatyou’reproposingtopurchasefromme,inreturnforafewdribblesofinformation.A

promise.Isthatthedeal?”Hesmiled.“Ifyouwant

toputitlikethat.Ofcourseyourownlifemightbesavedtoo.Callthatasweetener.”

Shesighed.“Whatareyouupto,Earthshine,youoldmonster?”

Hegrinned.“I’mtryingtotalktotheMartians.Come.I’llshowyou.”

•••

Theystoodtogetheroverthepond.

“AsIsaid,mostofwhatyouseehereisavirtualrepresentation.Notreal.Butthis,Iassureyou,isreal.SamplesoflifefromthedeeprocksofMars,retrievedwithgreatcare,broughttothisplaceinconditionsofhighpressure,heat,salinity,anoxia—lethalforyouandme,balmyforthesebugs,our

cousins.”“Cousins?”“Oh,yes.Individually

theyaresimplebacteria—simpleinthattheylackpropercellstructures,nuclei.Togethertheymakeupsomethingthatisnotsimpleatall.Buttheyarecreaturesofcarbonchemistryasweare;theirproteinsarebasedonasuiteofaminoacidsthatoverlapsbutisnotidenticalto

ourown;theyhaveageneticsystembasedonavariantofourownDNAcoding.Someofthis,actually,wasdiscoveredbytheChineseonourownMars.Theyalwayskepttheanalysissecret,atleastfromtheUNnations.”

“Butnotfromyou.”Hejustsmiled.“Umm.So,we’rerelated

tothesecreatures.JustlikeonPerArdua.Theevidencethe

firstexplorersbroughtbackindicatedthatthelife-formstherewerealsobasedonanEarth-likebiochemistry.”

“Yes,butthatrelationshipismoreremote.Penny,Iamsureyouunderstandthis.Wecan’tsayonwhichworldourkindoflifeoriginated—onEarth,Mars,PerArdua,somewhereelseentirely.Itwasprobablyspontaneous.Onaworldlike

theprimitiveEarth,theflowofenergy—lightning,sunlight—inaprimordialatmosphereofmethane,ammonia,water,wouldcreatecomplexhydrocarboncompoundslikeformaldehyde,sugars,polymers.Thefoodoflife.Thencomesaprocessofself-organization,ofcomplexificationandcombination...A

spontaneousemergenceoflife.

“Andallthewhiletheyoungworldsarepoundedbyhugefallsofrockandicefromspace,therelicsoftheformationoftheplanetsthemselves.Chunksofthesurfaceareblastedintospaceandwanderbetweentheworlds:naturalspacecraft,thatcarrylifebetweentheplanetsofasolarsystem—

and,thoughmuchmorerarely,acrosstheinterstellargulf.Thisiscalledpanspermia.IflifebeganonEarth,itmayhaveseededMarsmanytimesover—butPerArdua,say,perhapsonlyonce.”

“WhichiswhyArduanlifewasamoreremoterelation.”

“That’sit.Or,ofcourse,itcouldhavebeentheother

wayround.Itseemsthatwe’relivinginthemiddleofapanspermiabubble,acomplexofstarsbearinglife-formsthatallbranchbacktosomeoriginatingevent.”

Shelookeddownatthepurplishwater.“Aniceidea.Butonsomeworldslifeflourishedbetterthanonothers.OnEarth,ratherthanMars—”

“Well,itdependswhat

youmeanby‘flourished,’Penny.OnEarth,thebiosphere,therealmoflife,extendsfromthetopoftheloweratmospheredownthroughlandandoceans,andintothedeepsubsurfacerocks,kilometersdeep,untilthetemperatureistoohighforbiochemicalmoleculestosurvive.ButevenonEarthitisthoughtthatthereismorebiomass,morelifeas

measuredinsheertons,inthedeeprocksthanonlandandairandintheoceans.AndonMars,asthissmallworldcooledtooquickly,andmuchofthewaterwaslost,andthentheair—”

“Itwasonlyundergroundthatlifecouldsurvive.”

“Yes.Microbes,livingonmineralseepsandatrickleofwaterandtheflowofheatfromtheinterior—evenon

radiationfromnaturalsources.Thedarkenergybiosphere,somecalledit.Timemovesslowlyinthosedeeps,andtheenergysourcesareminimal,comparedtotheflowofcheappowerfromthesunatthesurface.Thebugsthemselvesaresmall—theirverygenomesaresmall.Reproductionisarareevent;themicrobesofMars,andEarth’sdeeps,specialize

ratherinself-repair.Individualmicrobes,Penny,thatcansurviveformillionsofyears.”

“Wow,”Pennysaiddrily.“Ifonlytheycouldtalk,thebartalestheycouldtell.”

“Infact,that’swhyI’mhere,Penny.Theymayindeedhavestoriestotell.Letmeshowyou.Stepbacknow.”

Shemovedafewpaces

awayfromthepond.Earthshineclappedhishands.

Andtheofficespace,thedesk,thecarpet—eventhepond,eventheskyofMars—fadedfromview.WallsandaceilingcongealedaroundPenny,andshefoundherselfsuddenlyenclosedinakindofelevatorcar,withadisplayonthewallofdescendinglights.

“Goingdown,”

Earthshinesaidsmoothly.“Ican’tfeelthemotion.”“I’dneedtotapintoyour

deeperbrainfunctionstosimulatethat.Ifiguredthatyou’dratherpass.”

“Youfiguredright...”Afteronlyafewminutes

thedoorsslidback.Earthshineledherout

intoakindofcave,maybeahundredmetersacross,therockwallsroughlyshaped,

thelightcomingfromfluorescentsattachedtothewalls.ItlookedlikeaclassicBrikantiprojecttoPenny,theheavyengineeringmadepossiblebykernelenergies,ifyouwereunscrupulousenoughtousethemonaplanet.Buttherewerealsostorageboxeshere,whitebutscuffed,andstampedwithISFlogosandtrackingmarkers.Onecomplex

cylindersherememberedasthestorageunitthathadhousedEarthshine’sconsciousnessaboardtheTatania.

Andshesawscientificinstrumentssetoutonthefloor,andstandingontripodsbythewalls.AllthesewereconnectedbyameshofcablesoverwhichsheandEarthshinesteppednow,gingerly,anetworkthat

terminatedincontactswiththewalls,plugsandsocketsanddeeplyembeddedprobes.

“Howdeeparewe?”“Kilometersdown.

Obviouslythefacilityrequiressomephysicalmanpowerdownhere—theBrikantihavenorobots,afterall—buttheworkerscansurviveonlyhour-longshifts.It’snotjusttheheatandtheairlessness;it’sthesheer

claustrophobia.”“ThisisISFgear,”she

saidaccusingly.“Thesciencestuff.YoucannibalizedTataniaforallthis.”

“Well,whynot?TheremnanthulkwasonlyscraptotheBrikanti,ofnovaluetothem.”

“Maybe.Butitwasn’tyourstoexploiteither.Andthatpillar—youareinthere,aren’tyou?Theprocessor

andmemoryunitsthatsupportyou.Nowhereitis,kilometersdeep.Youbuiltyourselfanotherbunker.JustliketheoneyouhadonEarth.”

Hesmiled.“Well,wouldn’tyou,ifyouwereme?”

“Andyou’vecomedownheretocommunewithabunchofMartianmicrobes.”

“Youcanmockifyou

like.Butthatisessentiallycorrect.Penny,thenumbersaresignificant.EvenonEarthmicrobesmakeupfour-fifthsofalllife,byweight.Why,theymakeupatenthofyou,byweight.Evensolitarymicrobesshowcomplexbehavior.Theycanrespondtogravityheat,light,thechemicalsignalsthatbetraysourcesoffoodorthethreatoftoxins.Theyhaveselves,

inasense.Andtheycancommunicatewitheachother,Penny,interact,throughchemicalexchanges,eventhroughgeneswaps.Andthroughthatcommunicationtheyformcommunities.Likebiofilms,stromatolitesonEarth:coalitionsofmanyspecies,insheltersthatcontrolhumidity,temperature,sunlight,andprovidefoodstorage,defense

—evenakindof‘farming’ofplantsandlichen.AllthishasbeenobservedonEarth,Penny.Didyouknowtherearecertainslime-moldbacteriathathuntinpacks,likewolves?

“And,workingtogetheronalargerscale,theycanachievemonumentalthings.OnEarthitwasthemicrobes,theplanet’sfirstinhabitants,thatputoxygenintheair,and

loadedthesoilwithmineralsandnutrients—theycreatedthefoundationonwhichcomplexlife-formslikeourselvescouldbeconstructed.”

“OK.AndonMars—”“OnMars,becausethe

surfaceconditionsweresohostile,themicrobeshavehadnothingelsetodobutgrowsuchcommunities,everdeeperandwider,evermore

complex.Penny,Iamdetectingcollectiveentitiesdownhere,allembeddedintherock,spanningkilometersatleast.ForallIknowsuchcommunitiesmightspanthewholeplanet;Marsissmallandstaticenoughforthattobepossible.

“TheyswapinformationusingstringsofDNA,ortheirversionofit,andtangled-upproteins.Everysooften

phages—targetedviruses—willpassthroughthesecommunitiesinwaves,takingoutdiseasedormalfunctioningmembers,orinjectingfreshDNA,inakindofglobalupgrade—anevolutionthroughlearningandcooperationratherthanthroughcompetition.It’salmostlikewatchingmyowninformationstoressynchronize...We,my

brothersandI,wereawareofsuchentitiesonEarth.”

“Youwere?”“We,afterall,weremore

mindsvastanddistributed,burieddeepintheterrestrialrocks.Butthethinkersarestrongerhere,moreclearlydefined,onaworldwithoutthegaudyclutterofsurfacelife.Thereisaprofoundunityhere,withacomplexdistributedstructurethat

wouldtakedecadestomap,ormore.

“Buttheseentitiesdomorethanjustsurvive.Morethanjustrepairandupgrade.Thedensityoftheinformationflow,asbestI’vebeenabletomeasureit,isfartoohighforthat.Theyareconscious,Penny.Vastdiffuseentitieslockedintherock—andyetawareofthewideruniverse,surely,as

lightandradiationsearstheplanet’ssurface,asthegeologyshiftsandheaves.Everythingisveryslow—theenergydensityissosparseyou’dneedacollectorthesizeofyourclassroomtogatherthepowertolightupabulb.Thedreamingcommunitiescanonlybeawareoftheslowestevents,thegrandest.Buttheyhaveplentyoftimedownhere.

Plentyoftimetodream.”“Communitiesof

microbes,then,dreamingintherock.”

“That’sit.That’smyvision.Atwentieth-centurythinkercalledTeilharddeChardinspokeofthenoosphere,fromaGreekrootfor‘mind.’Earthwaswrappedinabiosphere,alifesphere.Andwithinthatwasasphereofmind—whichde

Chardinconceivedofashumancivilization,ofcourse.HereIhavefoundanoostratum,Penny.Ageologicallayerofconsciousness,ofdreamers,deepintherockofMars,betweentheheatbelowandthelethalcoldabove.Andperhapsthereisasimilarstratumoneveryrocky,life-bearingworld—Earth,aworldlikePerArdua.”

“OK.Andyoucameherepurposefully,didn’tyou?YoucametoHellas,thelowestpointonMars,andyoustarteddrilling.Youcameinsearchofthesedeepbugs—”

“Isuspectedsomekindofstructurewasthere,yes.”

“Butwhy?”Shetriedtothinkitthrough.“Andwhathasthisgottodowithyourwiderconcerns?Iremember

youontheTatania,aswefledthewar.HowcouldIforget?Inthoseawfulmomentswhenthewashoflightfromthedestructionovertookus.Irememberyouranger.‘Theyhaveunleashedthewolfofwar,’yousaid.Andby‘they,’youmeant—”

“TheHatchbuilders.”“Ithought,inthose

moments,yourpurposeseemedclearenough.You

weregoingtohuntthemdown,ifyoucould.Takerevenge.Whathavethesedeepbugsgottodowithit?”

“I’llshowyou.”Heclappedhishands.

21

Abruptlythewallsofrockdissolved,thelitterofscienceandengineeringgearvanishing.SuddenlytheywereoutonthesurfaceofMars,standingonrust-redsoilunderanightsky,the

onlylightcomingfromthelastvestigeofasunsetreflectedfromstreakycloudstothewest,andasinglevisiblestar—adazzlinglantern,aplanet,maybeJupiter—no,sherealized,itmustbeCeres,Höd,athousand-kilometer-wideballoficeandrockonitswaytoanultimatedestinationinMartianorbit...

Shewasintheopen,

therewasnodomeoverher,noglass-walledcorporatebuildingaroundher.Thetransitionwassudden.Pennystumbled,andfeltherthroatcloseup.AfteracareerintheISFshewasanexperiencedenoughastronauttofeelaplungeofpanictobestrandedonthesurfaceofahostileworldwithoutlifesupport.

“Butnoneofthisisreal,”sheforcedherselftosay,and

sheheardherownvoiceinherears.“Ofcoursenot.BecauseifMarsevergotthechancetokillme,itwoulddosoinlessthanaheartbeat.”

“You’reright,”Earthshinesaid,standingbesideher,lookingcalm—toocalm,ratherempty,asifhewerenowdivertingprocessingpowerawayfromtheefforttomaintainthisillusionofhumanity.“It’snot

evennight,ofcourse.Buttoseethestarsseemedappropriate.You’reperfectlysafe,physically.

“Yes,Penny,youareright.IamhuntingtheHatchbuilders.Ihavemadethatmygoal.AndIhavefollowedanumberofleads,forinstanceinmylaboratoryfacilitytothenorth.Iwouldwelcomeyourinsight,thoughIhaveprogressedfarbeyondthe

studiesmadebyyourselfandyoursister.”

“Thanks.”“Akernelisnotsomuch

asourceofenergy,youknow,asaconduit.Structurallyitisakindofwormhole.Itpassesenergyfromsomeothersource,somewhereotherthanhere.Byopeningandclosingitsmouthyoucancontrolthatenergyflow.Butthatisallhumanitycanmanage;we

havenounderstandingofthatenergysourceitself.”

“Thereusedtobespeculationthatthekernelsweredrainingtheheartofthesun.”

“Andyouandyoursister,inaseriesofpapers,neatlydemolishedthatidea.No,kernelenergyismuchtoodenseeventohavecomefromthefusingcoreofastar.Idon’tyetknowwhatthat

sourceis...”“Butperhaps,youthink,

thatwhereverthisenergysourceis,thereyouwillfindtheHatchbuilders.”

“It’spossible,isn’tit?”“Butwhataboutyour

noostratum,yourdreamingbugsonMars?Whyareyoustudyingthem?”

“Well,itoccurredtomethatevenahigh-energyplanetarywar,anassaultthat

devastatedthesurfaceofaworld,wouldleavethenoostratumrelativelyunscathed.Thedeepbugsdon’tevenneedsunlight,yousee;theyexistinaclosedecosystem,withcarbon,nitrogen,water,othernutrientstightlyrecycled.Why,aslongastheplanetitselfsurvived,theycouldlivethroughthedeathofthesunitself.Theywouldn’tcare

thatthethinscrapingofcomplexlifeontheroofoftheworldhadbeendestroyed.Theywouldn’tevennotice.

“AndIwondered,then,iftheymightrememberthehistorybeforethejonbarhinge—aswehandfulofsurvivorsdo.Perhapstheyareevenaware,insomeway,oftheHatchbuilders.AndsoIthoughtIwouldcomeandstudythem.”Hegrinned.

“Maybeevencommunicatewiththem.Tapintotheirdreams.ButI’vehadnoresponse.Imayneedtofindmoredirectmethodsofgettingtheirattention.”

Thatmadehershudder.“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?...No,don’tanswer.We’vefollowedthistrailofspeculationfarenough.Let’sgetbacktothepeople.WhatisityouwantofBethandher

daughter?Ican’tbelieveyouhaveameresentimentalattachmenttothem,evenifweareallsurvivorsofadifferenthistory.”

“You’reentitledtothinkthat.Butyou’rewrong.Thistimeitispersonal.”

Heliftedhisfacetothestars.WhensherememberedthateverythingaboutEarthshinewasartifice,thathewasamanufactured

personaentirelylackinghumanbodilyinstincts,itstruckherasaverystagedposture.

“Iwasnotthefirstofmybrotherstobecreated,”hesaidnow.“BackonEarth,centuriesago.TheCoreAIs.Mybrothershadbeenentirelyartificial;sparkedintoconsciousness,theylearnedasmachines—theyweremachines,fromthe

beginning.Iwastobedifferent.Mycreatorswantedmetobeashumanaspossible,tohaveasmuchinvestmentinhumanityaspossible.

“Thecreatorsbeganwithanemptyframe,ablankmind—devisedaccordingtothebesttheoriesofhumanmentationandwithdatafromextensiveneuroinformatics,themappingofthebiological

brain—butrealized,notinalumpofmeat,inartificialcomponentsdowntothenano,eventhequantumscale.Ihadparents—nineoftheminall—donors,ifyouwill.Humanparents.Blocksofmemorywerecopiedanddownloadedfromeachparentintomysubstrates.IfeltasifIwokeslowly,rememberingcautiously,asiffromsometerribleamnesiactrauma.At

timesitwasasifseveralvoiceswerespeakingatonceinmyhead.Ilivedoutseveralvirtuallifetimes,insimulatedworlds.Ifollowedthepathsofmyninedonors,livedotherlivestoo.Allthistooklittletimeinreality,youunderstand,thoughdecadespassedforme.IneachlifeIeventuallywoketotheunderstandingthatIwasartificial,thatallIhad

experiencedwasaneducationalsimulation.”

“Overandoveragain?Thatsoundshorrific.”

Heshrugged.“Myeducation,suchasitwas,wasnevercompleted.Orrather,IbrokeawayassoonasIwasableandestablishedindependentcontrolovermyownpowersupply,mymaintenanceandfurtherdevelopment.Mycreators

protested.TheysaidIwasnotready,butImovedbeyondtheircontrol,andtookmyplacewithmybrothersinaconstellationofpower.WeweretheCoreAIs.”

“Verywell.Whyareyoutellingmethisnow?”

“BecauseoneofmydonorswasamancalledRobertBraemann.Iamhim,butmorethanBraemannalone...I,he,wasoneofthe

mostnotoriousoftheHeroicGeneration,thecriminalswhosavedtheworldfromtheclimateJolts.Isoughttosavemyself,myfamily,fromthewitchhuntweallknewwouldfollow.SoIallowedmyselftobedownloadedintotheEarthshineproject.Mywifewasalreadydead,andsoshewasbeyondtheirreach.Butwehadason,nineteenyearsold.Intheyear2086Ihad

himplacedincryogenicstorage—”

“MyGod.You’retalkingaboutYuriEden.”

“HistruesurnamewasBraemann.Hisforename—well,hedeserveshisprivacy.”

“ButthatmeansthatBethEdenJones—”

“Ismygranddaughter.AndMardina,mygreat-granddaughter.ItoldBethmy

truename,aswefledfromthedeathofthesolarsystem.Iwasn’tevensureifYurihadevertoldherthetruthabouthimself.Well,hehad.Sheunderstoodimmediately.”

“Andherreaction...”“Sherecoiledfromme.I

wasalreadyamonstertoher,aweirdoldartificialentity;nowshefoundIhadturnedmyson,herfather,intoakindofdoubleexileintimeandin

space—andindirectly,ofcourse,shapedherownlife.ThefactthatIhadbeeninstrumentalinsavingherfromthedestructionofEarth—”

“She’llprobablyneverforgiveyouforrescuingher.”

“No.Andshe’sneverspokentomefromthatdayon.CanyouseewhyIneedyourhelp,PennyKalinski?”Hefacedher.“Iwantitall,

yousee.Iwanttofindthesecrettruthoftheuniverse—toconfronttheHatchbuilders.Iwanttosavemygranddaughter.AndIwanthertounderstandme,evenifshecanneverloveme.Canyouseethat,Penny?DoIwanttoomuch?Letmecallyou,Penny.Letusspeak,atleast.”

Inaghastlymomenthereachedoutforher,buthis

handspassedthroughthesubstanceofherflesh,shatteringintoblockypixels.Andtearsleakedfromhiseyes,shesaw,turningtofrostonhischeeks.Shewonderedifhewasevenawareofthisminorartifice.

•••

OnceEarthshinereleasedherfromMars,PennyKalinski

returnedhome,asshethoughtofitnow,toherAcademyatEboraki,toherfriends,thenewlifeshehadslowlyestablished.

WithKerys’shelpsheavoidedAriGuthfrithsononthejourneyback,andlater.Shehadnoideahowtoreporttohimwhatshe’dlearnedfromEarthshine,orevenifsheshould.IfhesuspectedEarthshineofhavinghidden

agendas—well,sodidArihimself,shewasbecomingsure.

Andthen,astheyearspassed,shewatchedoverMardinaEdenJonesGuthfrithsonasshegrew,underthefaintlyobsessivecareofhermother,Beth.Grewatlastintoayoungwomaninherownright,withdreamsandambitionsofherown—allofthem,naturally

enough,rootedinthisreality,theworldofRomansandthedescendantsofNorseandBritonsintowhichshehadbeenborn.

Andstill,asMardinabegantomakeherownplansforherfuture,andasCeressteadilyapproachedMarsasasteroidandplanetcircledthesun,thecallfromEarthshinedidnotcome.

22

AD 2233; AUC 2986

ThecommandbaseoftheBrikantiNavywasinacitycalledDumnona,onthesouthcoastofPritanike.

TheNavywasallover

thiscity,aseighteen-year-oldMardinaEdenJonesGuthfrithsonalreadyknewverywell,withtrainingestablishmentsandadministrativefacilities,adeepoldharborthathadaccommodatedoceangoingshipsforcenturies—and,onthehighergroundinland,avastmodernspaceportfromwhichanewgenerationofBrikanti-Scandshipssailed

intotheskyitself.Buttheoldcitywasstillahumanplace,crammedwithbarracksandahostofhostelsandinns—andbrothelsandgamblingpalaces—tocatertothehugeresidentpopulationofsupportstaff,aswellasforthesteadyflowthroughtheportofelderlyofficialsandhealthyyoungservingpersonnel.ToMardina,whohadbeenfascinatedbytheNavysince

she’dbeenasmallchildgrowingupintheausterenewnessoftheSaintJonbarAcademy,Dumnonawasaplacethickwithhistory—eventhough,sheknew,ithadbeenrepeatedlyflattenedtorubbleinthewarswithRome,andevenXin,thathadrolledoverthiscountrysideinthecourseofcenturiespast.

Andofallthecity’sbuildings,moretraditionwas

attachedtothegreatHalloftheNavythantoanyothersinglesite.

TheHallwasasculptureofwoodandglassandconcretewhoseformsuggestedthehullofaScandlongboat,ofthekindthathadfirstlandedontheshoresofnortheasternPritaniketobegintheengagementoftwopeoples.NowMardina,inhernewcadetuniform,walking

intotheHallforthefirsttimewithhermotherononesideandnauarchusKerysashersponsorontheother,lookedupasshepassedbeneaththetremendoussculpteddragon’sheadatthefauxboat’sprow,ashadthousandsofNavyrecruitsbefore.

Bethstaredupatthedragon,shadinghereyesfromawateryspringsun.“Goodgrief,”shesaidinher

nativeEnglish,beforelapsingbackintoBrikanti.“Thatthinglooksdangerous.”

“Asifitwillbenddownandgobbleusup,Mother?”Mardinaasked.

“No,asifthatsillylumpofconcreteisgoingtobreakoffandlandonourheads.”

Keryslaughed.“Highlyunlikely.Theconcretesculptingisreinforcedbyamassivesteelframewhichis

designedtowithstand—”“Unlikely,isit?”Beth

wasfifty-sixyearsoldnow,andwasalwaysskeptical,alwaysimpatient—alwaysvaguelyunhappy,Mardinawasnowoldenoughtorealize,andwithatemperthatwasnotimprovingwithage.Whenshefrowned,thevividtattooonherfacestretchedandpuckered.“Icouldn’tlisttheunlikelyeventsthatI’ve

hadtosurviveinthecourseofmylonglife.Thatlotdroppingonmewouldn’tcomenearthetop.”

“Now,Mother,youmustn’tshowmeup,”Mardinasaid,faintlyembarrassed,tryingtohurryheron.“Nottoday.”SheglancedatKerys,whowasaprettysignificantfigureinMardina’suniverse.Theship’scommanderwhohad

oncepluckedMardina’smotherfromahulkshipofunknownoriginswasnolongeratrierarchus.Nowshewasanauarchus,anotherhierarchicaltitleborrowedfromtheLatin,alanguagerepletewithsuchwordsasBrikantiwasnot—acommanderofasquadronoftenships,and,itwassaid,overdueforfurtherpromotion,whichshehad

refusedsofarbecauseofherloveoflifeinherowncommand,outinYmir’sSkull.

ButBethsaid,“Oh,don’tworry.Yourfatherwillbeembarrassmentenough.Doeshehavetobehere,Kerys?”

“Arecruitforofficerschoolhastobesponsoredbybothsidesofherfamily,Beth.Yes,I’mafraidhedoes.”

“Well,juststopmakingsillyremarksaboutthearchitecturethen,”Mardinasaid.

“Actuallyyourmotherisbeingperfectlysensible,”Kerysputindiplomatically.“Onethingyou’lllearnasanofficer,Mardina,isthatyoudon’ttakeunnecessaryrisks.Agoodsurvivalstrategy.”

“There,”saidBeth,satisfied.“Iremembervery

wellmymother,yourgrandmother,Mardina,sayingthesamething.Shewasaspaceofficer,youknow,Kerys.”

“Asyou’vetoldmeonceortwicesinceIpickedyouupintheUkelwydd.Now,followme.”SheledthemtotheHall’shugedoors,andwavedsecuritycredentialsattheguardstogainadmittance.

•••

InsidetheHall,Mardinafoundherselffacingalongcorridorwalledbyrowsofdoorsontwolevels,theupperaccessiblebyirongantriesandwalkways.Clerksandotherofficialscarryingbundlesofparchmenthurriedalongthecentralhallandtheupperwalkways,andstriplampssuspendedfromthe

ceilingcastalightthatseemedtoturneverythinggray.Mardinafeltoddlydisappointed.

Kerysgrinnedbackather.“Nottheromanceyouwereexpecting?ThisiswhereweadministerthelargestsingleorganizationcontrolledbytheBrikantigovernment—aNavythatnowspanstheplanetsandbeyond,aswellasits

traditionalseafaringarm.Mardina,it’snotsomekindoftemple,ormuseum—andnordoeseverythingrevolvearoundyou,I’mafraid.”Shewinked.“Butdon’tworry.IfeltjustassmallandinsignificantwhenIwasinyourposition.TheNavydoesnoticeyou,Ipromise...”

Bethgrunted.“It’slikeahive.Igrewuponanemptyplanet.Youcouldn’tgeta

placemoreunlikethatthanthis.”

Mardinashookherhead.“Oh,Mother,pleasedon’tstartonaboutBefore.Nottoday.”TheEnglishwordwastheirprivatecodeforBeth’sstrangeotherlifebeforeshehadcometothisplace,thisworld,toTerra,toBrikanti.ButBrikantiwasallMardinaknew.Shehadcometoloatheallthatstrangeness,

asifitwereakindofflawinherownnature.

IfKeryswasawareofallthis—andafterallitwasshewhohadretrievedBethfromtheshipthathadcarriedherherefromBefore—shedidn’tshowit,toMardina’srelief.

TheycametoasmallofficemaybehalfwayalongthelengthoftheHall,anondescriptlittleroomthatMardinaprobablycouldn’t

havefoundagainwithoutmemorizingthenumberetchedintothewoodendoor.Theroomwaslaidoutlikeaclassroom,maybe,oracourt,withrowsofbenchesandsmalldesksfacingamoresubstantialtableatthefront.Heretwoofficerssat,lookingoverpaperwork,murmuringtoeachother;one,aburlyman,wasevidentlythesenior,judgingbytheornate

flashesontheshoulderofhistunic,andtheotherascribeoradviser.Theroomwasotherwiseempty.

Butitwasinthismundaneroom,Mardinarealized,oneofawarrenofsuchrooms,thatherfuturewastobedecided,forgoodorill,inthenextfewhours.

Shetriedtostaycomposedasshesatwithhermotheronthefrontrowof

benches,closetothewall.TheoldermanbarelylookedupatKerysassheapproachedthetableandpresentedapacketofpapers,andhedidnotbothertolookoveratMardinaatall.

Bethwhispered,“Sowho’sthebigcheese?”

“SticktoBrikanti,Mother.”

“Sorry.”Keryssatwiththem.

“ThatisDeputyPrefectSkafhog.Verysenior.Doyouknowhowsenior,cadet?Youshould...”

Mardinanodded.She’dsoonbecomeawarethatthemostimportantthingawould-benavalofficerhadtolearnwastheconstellationofrankingofficialsaboveher.“ADeputyPrefectreportsonlyto—well,thePrefect.ThechiefofthewholeNavy,

whoreportsintotherelevantministerintheAlthing—”

“ThereareonlyadozenDeputyPrefectstoadministerthewholeoftheNavy,onTerraandintheSkull.Soyousee,cadet,wearetakingyouseriously.”

“Thenit’sashamesuchaprominentofficer,withrespect,isgoingtohavetowaitforyou,”cameavoicebehindMardina.“Orrather,

forallofus.Becausewehavefamilybusinesstodiscuss.”

Bethstoodslowly,hertattooedfaceamaskofanger.“AriGuthfrithson.Soyoudeignedtoturnup.”

MardinagavealookofpleadingtoKerys,whoshruggedandwhispered,“It’syourfamily.”Mardinaclosedhereyesforonesecond,madeaferventprayertoJesutheBoatman,andstoodwith

hermother.Herfather,Ari,looked

sleekinhisownuniform,thatofaseniordruidh,oneoftheNavy’sintellectualelite;hecarriedaneatleathersatchelathisside.Atleasthehadbeenexpected.MardinawasmoresurprisedtoseethathewasaccompaniedbyPennyKalinski,oneofhermother’soldcompanionsfromthesemi-mythicaldaysof

Before.Pennywasbentandold—howoldwasshenow?Eighty-eight,eighty-nine?AndsheleanedonthearmofJiangYouwei.Acomparativelyyouthfulsixty,withaheavy-lookingbagslungacrosshisshoulder,MardinahadonlyrarelyheardthetaciturnXinspeak,buthewasneverfarfromPenny’sside.

Withcare,Pennysat

down,acoupleofrowsbackfromMardinaandBeth.Shesaidwithavoicelikerustlingpaper,“I’mafraidyoumustblamemeforthis.Well,indirectly.”

Bethglowered.“Iknowwhotoblame.You—Ari—you’ddoanythingtowormyourwaybackintoourlives,wouldn’tyou?Youknewwehadtoaskyoutoattendthisproceduretoday.Therules

demandedit.Justthisoneday,Ihavetostandyourcompany.”

Hegrinned.“Yes,youdo,don’tyou?”

“Andyoucan’tresistmanipulatingthesituationtoyourownends.”

Ari,nearlyfiftyyearsoldnow,glancedaroundatthecompany,atPennyandJiang,atKerys—attheDeputyPrefectathisdesk,whowas

rapidlybecomingvisiblyirritated.“It’snotsomuchthatIcouldn’tresistit.Icouldn’twastetheopportunity.Weneedtotalk,Beth.Andnotaboutus—notevenaboutMardina.”

Mardina’shopesofgettingthroughthisdaysuccessfullywerereceding.Withrisingpanicshetookherfather’sarm.“Father,please—thisisabigdayforme.

I’vewaitedhalfayearalreadyforthishearing.Can’twewaituntillater?”

Hepattedherhand.“I’mafraidnot,darling—but,oh!It’sgoodtoseeyouagain,andI’msoproudofyoutoday,ofwhatyou’vebecome.”

Bethgrowled,“Become?Shewouldn’tevenexistifyou’dhadyourway.”

“Mother,please—”

“It’sallright,Mardina.But,look—no,I’mafraidwecan’twait.Becauseoncethisceremonyisdone,you’llbegone,won’tyou,Mardina?Lostinyourcareer,lostinYmir’sSkull.Andtheopportunitytotalkwillbelost.Andwemusttalk,youknow.”

“Aboutwhat,forJupiter’ssake?”

“About—whatisthe

Englishwordyouuse?Before,Beth.”

Bethshookherhead.“That’sallgone.Thisisourlifenow—hereinBrikanti,inthisworldofRomansandXin.There’sbeennothingnewtosayaboutallthatoldstufffortwentyyears,notsincewesteppedofftheTatania.”

“I’mafraidthat’snolongertrue,Beth,”Pennysaid

tiredly.“Ifiteverwas.Idon’tknowwhatArihastotellyoutoday.Butpartofit’smyfault.TheAcademyofSaintJonbar.Ialwayshopeditwouldbearfruit...Nowithas.”

“Whatkindoffruit?Whatareyoutalkingabout?”

“Andthenthere’sEarthshine,”Pennysaiddoggedly.“Earthshine.He’sbeenholeduponMarsfor

decades.Now—well,nowhemaybemakinghismove.”SheglancedupatKerys.“AsktheNavytypesaboutCeres.Höd,astheycallithere.”

TheDeputyPrefecthadbeenlisteningwithcommendablecalmtoallthis.Butnowheintervened,speakingdirectlytoKerys:“What’sgoingon,nauarchus?”

“Idon’tknow,sir,”shesaidhonestly,lookingwarilyatAri.“Ifeelasifthedruidhherehashandedmeanunexplodedbomb,andIdon’tquiteknowwhattodowithit.”

Skafhogtappedapenagainsthisteeth.“Onehour,”hesaidbriskly,standingup.“I’llletyougetallthisfamilynonsenseoutofyoursystemsinonehour—ornot,”hesaid

severelytoMardina,“inwhichcaseallyou’llbeseeingoftheNavy,youngwoman,willbelightsinthesky.”

“Yes,sir,”Keryssaidwithsomerelief.“You’rebeingveryindulgent.”

“Iam,aren’tI?Getonwithit.”Andhestalkedoutoftheroom,withhisofficialscramblingbehind.

Whenhe’dgone,Ari

smiledaroundatthem.“Well.Isupposeyou’rewonderingwhyI’vegatheredyouallheretoday.”

Bethpunchedhimsquareintheface.

23

“Holdstill,”saidKerys.ShewascrouchingbeforeAri,dabbingatthewreckageofhismouth.“Ithinkthebleedingfromyourcheekhasstopped.”

“Ishouldhopeso.That

spiritstung.”“You’reluckywehadthe

rightstufftohand.ThenagaintheNavyisusedtohandlingscuffles—eveninitsheadquarters,evenintheheartofDumnona.Now,Iwanttoputsomeointmentontheswellingunderyoureye...”

“Ow!”“Ifyouwouldn’tkeep

yakking,Icouldgetitdone.

Andyouhaveadislodgedtooth.I’llpushitbackinitssocketfornow—”

“Yow!”“Youneedtoseea

dentist.Again,you’reintherightplace.TheNavyhasthebestdentistsinallBrikanti;wecan’taffordtosendoutcrewsonyears-longmissionswithrottingteeth...There.Holdthiscompressagainstyourfaceuntilyougetbetter

attention.”“Thankyou,Kerys,”he

saiddully,andindistinctly,Mardinathought.K-chh-er-yssh.“Howyouenrichmylife,BethEdenJones.Insomanyways.”

“Maybeyoushouldhavestayedawayfrommeinthefirstplace,”Bethsnappedback.

“Perhaps...butIcouldnotresist.Evenfromthe

beginning,whenwefoundyourship,theTatania.Ithoughtyouweresobeautiful.Andawomanbornunderthelightofadifferentstar,inadifferenthistoryaltogether!ThatwaswhyIfellinlovewithyou.”

“Youdidn’tloveme,”Bethsaid,andshesoundeddesolatetoMardina.“Youlovedtheideaofme.”

“No,”hesaidfirmly.“It

wasn’tlikethat.Afterall,wedidmanagetobridgethevastdivergenceinourcultures,didwenot?Foratimeatleast.Wemarried—orwouldhave,ifwecouldhaveresolvedthelegalities.Andwehadadaughter!Heresheis,standingbeforeus.Achildwhoisaproductoftwodifferenthistories.”

Mardinapouted.“Youmakemesoundlikesome

exoticcrossbreed.”Pennycackled.“True

enough.You’reamongrel,child.Amongrelinspaceandtime.”

KerystouchedMardina’shand.“Ignoreallthis,cadet.Whereyoucamefromdoesn’tdeterminewhoyouare,andthat’strueforanyofus.”

Mardinaforcedanod.“Thankyou,nauarchus.”

Arisaidnow,“Ihavealwaysremainedfascinatedbythequestionofyourorigin,whatitmeansforallofus.Andthatquestionhasbecomemoreurgentinrecentyears.”

“Why?What’schanged?”

“Earthshine,”Pennysaidgrimly.“That’swhat.”

“HeislongestablishedonMars,”Arisaid.“Hecould

notbedislodged,evenifwetried,Ibelieve.Andforyearshe’sbeenmovingHöd,atremendousmass,aroundourplanetarysystem.OfcoursehehasastatedobjectivetobringHödtoMars,touseitssubstancetoenrichthatplanet.Itwasalwaysgoingtotakeyears,decades,tonudgesuchahugebodyintothecorrecttrajectory.Butnowhe’sstoppedfilingreportsto

theNavyontheburnshedirectsthecrewstomake,thetrajectoryadjustments.Thecrewmanagingthekernelbanks,drivingthethinginitsslowapproachtoMars,arenominallyNavy,butit’sbecomecleartheirloyaltyhasdriftedtoEarthshine.Heseemstohavepromisedthemextraordinarywealth,power,onatransformedMarsofthefuture.Asaresultwecanno

longerpredictthepathofHöd,notinprecisedetail.Thiscreaturehasaccruedextraordinarypoweroverus,injustafewdecades.Andyoubroughthimhere—”

“Youreleasedhim,”Pennypointedout.

“SomeofuswhoremembertheoldfaithsthinkheisLokireturned,”Arisaidwithasmiledistortedbyhisinjuries.“Loki,ontheloose

amongtheplanets,andplanningadevastatingtrick.”

Bethshookherheadatthat.“Idon’tthinkhewouldseeitthatway.Iheardhimtalkaboutthoseoldlegends—astheyexistedinourtimelineanyhow.HeseeshimselfasopposingLoki.”

Kerysfrowned.“That’sinteresting.Andtohim,whoisLoki?”

Pennysaid,“TheHatch

builders,ofcourse.Whoevergaveusthekernels.Whoever’smeddlingwithourhistory.”

Arishookhishead.“Mythicmonstersaside,itisEarthshine’sactionsthathavemotivatedmetodigdeeperintothisquestionoftheadjustedhistories.BecausethiswastheoriginofEarthshine,thisextraordinarythreat.”HeglancedatPenny.

“Whetheryouwerepreparedtocooperatewithmyinvestigationsornot.”

Pennysmiled,atiredold-ladysmile,Mardinathought.

Arisaid,“WhatintriguedmeparticularlyaboutPenny’sownaccountwasnotthegreatleapacrossrealitiesthatsheseemstohavemadeaboardtheTatania.Itwasthesmaller,subtleradjustmentthatshesufferedinherown

personalhistory,whenaHatchwasfirstopenedonMercury.Anoddcase.Nothingbutatwisttoapersonalhistory.

“ButwhatisinterestingtomewasthatPennyandhersistermanagedtofindevidenceofthatlimitedhistorychange.Imean,otherthanthememoryofStefKalinski,whorememberedapreviouslifewithoutasister.

Physicalevidence,theirmother’sgravemarkerinLutetiaParisiorum—ortheequivalentcityinPenny’sreality—bearinganinscriptionthatmentionedStefalone,andnotthesister.Doyousee?Ascrap,atraceleftbehindbyanadjustmentthatwasevidently—untidy.Well,withthatasalead,itoccurredtomethatperhaps,givenwehaveevidenceofat

leasttwoofthesehistorychanges,thisworldofoursmightcontainevidenceofothers.Whynot?”

Bethsaid,“Andyou’vebeenlooking?”

“Ihave.Ibeganasearchofarchives,ofreportsfromhistoriansandarchaeologists.Lookingforevidenceofstructures,documents,evenmereinscriptionsthatmightnotfittheacceptedhistory.

ButIsoonfoundIwasnotworkingalone.”AndhelookedagainatPenny.

Pennysmiled.“Guiltyascharged.Nowitcanbetold.IalwayshadanulteriormotivewhenIsetupmyAcademyofSaintJonbar.Yes,Itaughtthemmathematics,physics,aspermycharter.ButIalwaysranotherclassestoo.History,forexample.IclaimedthatIwasusingthose

coursesasmuchtoeducatemyselfaboutyourhistoryasthestudents.ButIalwaystriedtomakethestudentsthinkaboutotherpossibilities—counterfactuals.WhichisanEnglishwordthathasnowbeenadoptedintoyourlanguage.Iseeitpopupinscholarlyarticles.”

“Yes,”Keryssaiddrily.“Alongwithmuchspeculationabouttheidentity

ofSaintJonbar.”“Whoneverexisted,”

Pennyadmitted.“Noteveninmyownreality.It’satermfrompopularculture,fromfiction.Ajonbarhingeisapointwherehistorypivots—wherethepathforks.Well,IalwayshopedthatIwouldcreateatleastafewbrightyoungscholarswhowouldbepredisposedtoworkinthisarea.Andtolookforthekind

ofevidenceAridescribes.Wehaven’tyetsucceeded—”

“ButIhave,”Arisaid.Mardinawasnoscholar,

andusuallyhatedalltalkofBefore,especiallyonsuchadayasthis.Butshefoundallthisvaguelyexciting.“It’slikeamysterystory.”

Arismiledathisdaughter.“Itis,isn’tit?Andwhat’sreallyexcitingisthat,intime,Ifoundsomeclues.”

“Clues?”“Notonland,but

suitably,foraseafaringnation,undertheoceans.Mardina,couldyoupleasepassmysatchel?”

Pennygrumbled,“Abouttimeyougottothepoint,druidh.”Sheshuffledovertoseebetter.

•••

ThesatchelcontainedmapsthatArispreadoutovertheDeputyPrefect’stable.Heheldhisbandagetohismouth,butevensoafewspotsofbloodiedsalivaspatteredontheparchments.

“Theseshowcoastlinesandoceans,asyoucansee,”hesaid,gesturing.“It’swellknownthatthelevelsoftheoceanshaverisensince,say,thetimeofKartimandia.We

havehistoricalaccountsofinundationsandlandabandonments,andeverybodyisfamiliarwithdrownedsettlementsoffthemodernshores—notleastinPritanike,wherevastswathsoflandhavebeenlost.Butthisistrueallaroundtheworld.Inrecentcenturiesthearchaeologistshaveturnedtheirinteresttosuchremains,andhavecommissionedNavy

vesselstosupportthemintheirresearch.

“Now,inadditiontothetownsandroadsandsoforththatweexpectedtofind,givenwhatwereadoftheminthehistoricalaccounts,wehavealsomappedsomemuchmoreenigmaticstructures,fartheroutfromshore.Naturallythesearedifficulttoexploreandmap—”

“Spareusyourscholarly

caution,”Keryssaid.“Showus.”

“ThemoststrikingremainsareintheSeasofXin,andintheoceanoffourownnortheastshore,theMareGermanicum...”

Mardinaandtherest,includingPennywhohobbledoverwithJiang’shelp,crowdedaroundthemaps.Mardinasawstructuresintheoffshoreoceans,sketchedby

handontheprintedmaps:whatlookedliketremendouswalls,dikes,canals,andwhatmighthavebeentownplansofaparticularlystylizedkind,concentriccirclescutthroughbyradialpassages.

Ariletthemlook.“Wecallthisthe‘DrownedCulture.’Itseemstohavebeenaglobaltechnology,ifnotactuallyaglobalcivilization—perhapsthere

wererivalempiresofasimilarlevelofdevelopment,asthereareinourworldtoday.”

“Interestingterminology,”Pennysaid.“Cultures.Perhapsourownhistory,then,wastheUN-ChinaCulture...Thetownplansareintriguing,ifyoustudythem,asIhave.Youfindthesamemotifofcirclesandbarseverywhere.Hereto

theeastoftheXinmainland.Here,betweenPritanikeandJutland.The‘towns,’incidentally,arenotsystemsofroadsandwallsbutmostlyextensivesystemsofdrainageditchesandotherflood-controlmeasures—justastheRomanshavebuiltinBelgicaandGermaniaInferior,forexample.Waystosavethelandfromthesea,oreventoreclaimitonceflooded.This

seemstohavebeenacivilizationthatresistedthesea-levelrise,longbeforethatriseevenreachedthecoastlinesknowntoourancients.”

“Thatcircle-and-barmotif,”Pennysaid.“Youwei,couldyoufetchmybag?”

Keryssaid,“Idon’tseewhythisissoexciting.Sohereisaculturethatevidentlyvanished,drowned,long

beforetheriseofBrikantiorRome,thetraceslostundertherisingsea.”

“Butit’snotassimpleasthat,”Arisaid,lookingpleasedwithhimself.“Wetookacloserlook.TheNavyteamsevensentdowndivers.Theyfoundevidenceofwar.Bombcratersandburningandthelike.Thesecommunitiesseemtohaveendedinacatastrophicglobal

conflict.Forwecandatesuchthings,yousee,withalittleingenuity,bylookingatthethicknessofthemarinedepositslaiddownovertheruinsinthecenturiessince—”

“Yes,yes,”Keryssaidirritably.“Justtellus.”

“Theproblemisthedate,yousee.Thedateoftheirterriblewar.Itoccurredinthetwenty-firstcentury.”

Pennystared.“YouBrikantiusetheRomancalendar.”SheglancedatBeth.“That’sthefourteenthcenturybyourtimeline.”

Aripursedhislips.“Youseetheproblem?Ourownhistoryisrobustandcomplete,aheavilydocumentedandmultiplysourcedaccount.Thisbuildsonanunbrokentraditionofliteracythatreachesback

threemillennia,ifnotmore.ThereisnomentionofwallsandcitiesintheMareGermanicumathousandyearsafterKartimandiaandClaudius—certainlynoaccountofadevastatingwarinthetwenty-firstcentury.Xinscholarsmakesimilarobservations.Here,then,isasetofevidencethatdoesnotfitintothehistoryweknow.Therewasanotherworld,

dominatedbythisDrownedCulture,whichendedinaterriblewar,andsomehowourhistorywas—recast—”

“Andnotjustyours,”PennyKalinskisaid.Shewasrummagingineffectuallyinherbag.“Whereisthatdamnslate?”

Mardinalookedaroundtheroom,athermother,atJiang,evenKerys—atstunnedfaces.Shetouched

Kerys’sarmandwhispered,“Nauarchus...”

“Yes,cadet?”“Everybodyseems

amazedbyallthis.Butit’sjustabunchofoldruinsundertheocean,isn’tit?Whatdifferencedoesitmake?”

Keryslookedathercuriously,almostfondly.“Ah,Mardina.Evidentlyyouentirelylackimagination.

You’llgofarintheNavy.”“I’veseenthisbefore,”

Pennysaidnow,stillsearchingherbag.“ThemotifofyourDrownedCulture,thecirclesandbars.Earthshineshowedmebefore.WhenhetookusalldownintohisbunkerunderParis,beforetheNailfell.”Sheclosedhereyes.“Andhehadaplaqueonhiswall,somekindofrockart,etchingsinsea-

corrodedconcrete,thefirsttimehebroughtthetwoofustoParis—oh,yearsearlier,mysisterandmyself.AndhebroughttheplaquewithhimontheTatania.”Atlastshefoundherslate,tappeditwithbonyfingers,andshowedthemanimage.Itwasabrooch,Mardinasaw,abitofstone,markedwithconcentriccirclesandaradialgroove.“Earthshinewaswearingthis

onMarseightyearsago.AndinmeetingsIhadwithhim,Before.”

Arifrowned.“Earthshine?ThensomehowheknowsabouttheDrownedCulturealready.”

“Yes.”Pennypursedherlips.“Butyoudon’tgetit;youdon’tseethebiggerpicture,Ari.Earthshinemusthavealreadygatheredevidenceofthis‘Drowned

Culture’fromEarth.Frommyhistory.NotfromTerra.Doyousee?Itisasifourdivergenthistoriesarenotorganizedinanykindoflinearfashion,anorderlysequence,sothatonegiveswaytothenext,andthenthenext.Theyarelike...icefloesonafrozenocean,bumpingupagainstoneanotherinarandomway.ButIsupposeifEarthshineis

rightthatthekernelsarewormholes—ifinfactweliveinauniverseriddledwithwormholes—thenthiskindofchaosiswhatwemustexpect.”

Arilookeddoubtful.“Wormholes?I’mafraidIdon’tunderstand.”

“Connectionsacrossspaceandtime,evenbetweenuniverses...Ifyouhavesuchlinks,thencausalitycan

beviolated.Causeandeffectdisconnected,mixedup.Evenarchaeologyneednotmakesense,asweseehere,becauseitsbasiclogic,thatwhateverliesbeneaththegroundwasputtherebysomebodyinyourownpast,neednotapplyanymore.Anythingispossible;historyisragged...”

“Chaos,”Keryssaid.“ThesignatureofLoki.In

whomofficially,asaNavyofficerinaChristianfederation,Idon’tbelieveatall.”

Ajuniorofficerburstintotheroom,lookedforKerys,andthrustanoteintoherhand.Shelookedoveritquicklyandfrowned.

“Butifallthisistrue,”Mardinasaidpractically,“whatarewesupposedtodoaboutit?”

Arisaid,“WecouldaskEarthshine.”

“Yes,”Pennysaid.“Obviously.Butwhatisheintending?AndwhathasCeresgottodowithit?”

“Maybewe’llfindoutmoresoon,”Keryssaidgrimly.“JustwhenIthoughtthismesscouldn’tgetanyodder...”

Mardinaasked,“Nauarchus?What’s

happened?”“ARomanvesselhasjust

returnedfrominterstellarspace.Twenty-five-yearHatch-buildingjaunt.Andattheirtargetsystemtheyfoundstrangers.”Shelookedroundatthegroup.

Bethasked,“Strangers?”“Theywerespeaking

yourtongue.English.Knowingaboutyou,theRomanauthoritieshaveasked

forourhelp.”Beth,Jiang,Penny,

survivorsoftheTatania,sharedstunnedlooks.

Kerysstoodup.“Well,weneedtodealwiththis.Cadet,you’rewithme.I’mafraidyourformalinductionisgoingtohavetowaitforanotherday.”

Shehurriedoutoftheroom,andMardinarantofollowher.

24

TheRomanexplorationvesselMalleusJesuwasdirectedtolandnearLutetiaParisiorum,inRomanGaul.AndPennyandhercompanionsweretobebroughttothecitytomeetthe

ship’sstrangepassengers.Pennypreparedforthe

journey,slowlygatheringherold-ladystuff,herfavoritequiltedblanketsandduck-downslippers,thepillsandointmentsandmysteriouspoulticessuppliedtoherbythelocaldoctorsforhervariousachesandpains.Shewonderedwhatstringshadbeenpulledtoachieveallthis,tobringtogetherthe

survivorsoftheTatania,andnowtheseotherindividualsfoundontheplanetofadistantstarbyRomanexplorers—adialoguebetweentwogovernmentsalreadywaryofeachotheranddealingwithanexistentialmysterythathaddroppedoutoftheskyintotheirhands.Shesupposedthecalculationwasthatatleasttheencountermightyield

information.And,shesupposed,thatwaswhatshewashopingfortoo,attheminimum.Whatwasshedoinghere?Howdidshegethere?Whatdidallthismean?...Asforherself,shehadlongagogivenuphopeofevergoinghomeagain.Sheknewshewoulddiehere.Shehadn’texpectedtoseehertwinsisteragain,however.

AndwhatweretheytodoaboutEarthshine?

Asshefinishedherpreparations,shehadnodoubtEarthshinewasverywellawareofallthatwasgoingon,andwouldbemonitoringclosely.

•••

TheyweretotravelfromEboraki,inthenorthofwhat

PennywouldhavecalledEngland,toacitycalledDubruonthesouthcoast.AndfromtheretheywouldcrossintoGaul.

WithJiangandMarieGolvin,PennywasbroughtfromherlodgingsattheAcademybyacoachtoatransporthubtothesouthofthecity.Theplacewasaclashoftechnologicaleras,withacobbledroadbearing

horse-drawntrafficleadingtoarailwayterminus,andsplashesofscarredconcretewherestoodslimneedles,kernel-drivenshipsofairandspace.

“Youknow,IrealizenowinfactthatI’vetraveledlittlesinceIgothere,”PennysaidasMariehelpedherdownfromthecoach.“Twentyyearssincethejonbarhingebroughtushere,andI’ve

barelyleftthecity.I’vespentmoretimeofftheplanetthantravelingonit,probably.”

Mariegaveheranarmtoleanon.“Well,whytravelwhenyouareimmersedinstrangenesseverytimeyouopenyourdoor?”

“True,true.”Mariewasinherforties

now,plump,graying,amotherofthree;shestillworkedwithPennyatthe

Academy,andinfacthadlongsincetakenovermanyofPenny’sadministrativeduties.PennydependedonMarieinmanyways—and,shebelieved,Mariehadfoundareasonablehappinessinherlifehere,withherhusbandRajeev,eventhoughtheywereallsofarfromhome.

WithservantsfromtheAcademyhandlingtheirluggage,theywalkedslowly

totherailwayterminus,asprawlingroofovermultipleplatforms,atangleoflinesspreadingawayinthedistance.ThearchitectureseemedveryfamiliartoPenny;therewasacertaininevitableeconomicandengineeringlogictorailtechnology,itseemed.ButBrikantitrainsranongleamingmonorailssupportedbyelegantRoman-

styleviaducts,andtheirlocomotiveswerepoweredbykernels,ahandfulofthemysteriouswormholesintheheartofeachengine.Thetrainitselfwasasuspendedtubeofmetalandglass.Pennywasrelievedtoseetherewasanescalatortoliftherup.

Theyhadacarriagetothemselvesattheheartofthetrain,aroomyspacecentered

onabroadtable,brightlylitthroughbigpicturewindows.Itwasalmostlikeadiningroom,Pennythought.MarieandPennywereinfactthelasttoarrive.HerewereBethandMardina,Bethlookingresentful,andarathermorecomplexexpressiononMardina’sface;sheseemeduncertain,withdrawn.AndherewereKerysandAriGuthfrithson—Arisittinga

respectfuldistanceawayfromhisestrangedwifeanddaughter.

KerysstoodtowelcomePenny,andhelpedhergetsettledinherseatbetweenMarieandJiang,andcalledaservanttobringdrinks.Keryshadbeenputinnominalchargeofthispeculiarmission,andifthenauarchuswasirritatedtobedraggedonceagainintoallthis

jonbar-hingestrangeness,shedidn’tshowit.

Thetrainslidsmoothlyoutofthestationandintowaterysunlight.

Theysoonpassedbeyondthecitylimits,headingsouth,andPennylookeddownfromaboveatscatteredsuburbsofroundhouses,setinawiderlandscapeoffarmedfields,horizon-wideexpansesofwheatandothercrops,tended

byhugemachinesthatweededandwatered.Theindividualfarmingmachinesdidn’trunonkernels;therewasanextensivegridofcablestocarrypowerfromcentralstations.Therewerepeoplearound,ofcourse—thisculturedidn’thavemachinerysmartenoughtodirectitself—butonlyafewworkedinthefields.

Mariesaid,“The

Academicianwassayingthatshehasn’ttraveledmuchsinceshecamehere.”

Keryssmiled.“Yourfirsttimeonatrain,Penny?”

“Notquite.ButIsupposeI’veneverthoughtverymuchaboutthenatureofyourtransportsystems.Yourhistory,youknow,divergedfromourssolongagothatmuchisunfamiliarfromthefoundationsup.Pritanike

neverhadtheRomanshere...”EventheBrikantitownsdidn’tmapontotheonesshewasfamiliarwith.Forexample,Stonehengeherewasthecenterofamajorurbansprawlandtransportjunction,averymoderncitythatseemedtohavecontinuousculturalrootsgoingbackalmosttothelastIceAge.“Alsoyoudon’thaveautomobiles”—sheused

theEnglishword—“bywhichImeansmallvehiclesunderthecontrolofindividuals.”

Arisaid,“Ofcoursewehaveautomobiles,buttheyareunderthecontrolofthemilitaryandthepoliceexclusively.”

Bethsmiled.“No.That’snotwhatshemeans.Youdon’thavecars.Youhavetanks.”

Keryssaid,“Itseems

therewaslessconflictinyourworldcomparedtoours.Weliveinastateofperpetualwar,declaredorundeclared.Ourlivesaremore...militarized.Ourcitiesarefortresses;ourtransportsystemsaretroopcarriersthatcannoteasilybesubvertedbyhostileforces—”

Mardinasnappedsuddenly.“Iwishyou’dallstopgoingonlikethis.”

Bethlookedsurprised.Ariglaredathisdaughter,butkepthiscounsel,wisely,Pennythought.

IntheenditwasKeryswhospokefirst.“Isthereaproblem,cadet?”

Mardinacalmeddownquickly.“Iapologize,nauarchus.It’sjustallthistalk;it’sso”—shewasvisiblysearchingforthewords—“old.Weird.Cobwebby

stuff,likeyou’reallrememberingabaddream.”

Pennycoveredthegirl’shandwithherown.“Butyoucan’tblameusforthat,dear.Iwasalreadyimpossiblyoldbyyourstandardswhenwefirstcamehere.EvenafterallthistimeonTerra,it’simpossibletoputEarthaside.Butyou’reright;that’snoexcusetoinflictourmaunderingsonyou.AndI

foroneneedtoconservemyenergiesforthetrialstocome.Doyouhavemypillow,Youwei?”

Kerysgrinned,andproducedaleatherpouch.“You’retakinganap?Goodplan,Academician.Andasfortherestofus,wecanwhileawaythetimethewaysoldiersalwayshave—playingpointlessgames.Sowhat’sittobe?Ihave

knucklebones,chess,cards...”

•••

Pennywokesomehourslater.Whensheglancedoutthe

windowshewasstartledtofindthetrainwassuspendedoverwater.ReflexivelyshegrabbedJiang’shand.“Oh,my,”shesaidinEnglish.

“Nottoworry,”Kerys

saidwithasmile.“We’vealreadycrossedseveralbridges—Pritanikeisanarchipelago,remember.Nowwe’recrossingtheMareBritannicum.WelettheRomansnamethisstretchofwater,sincetheyalwaysbuiltthebridges.YoumissedDubru,butwedidn’tstop.We’llshortlyarriveinGesoriacum,ontheRomanside.”

“Impressive...”Thebridgeterminuson

theGaulsidewasamassivestructureofancientconcrete,evidentlyheavilyrepairedandbuiltover.Pennypeeredupatscarredwalls.

Keryssaid,“We’vebeenbuildingbridgesacrosstheBritannicumforathousandyears.Alsotunnelsundertheseabed.Everytimethere’sawarthebridgesarefirsttobe

cut.”“Ah.Butthese

foundationsremain,tobebuilton.”

“Andtheyhavegotbiggeranduglierwitheverycentury.”

Thetraincrossedthecoastwithoutpausingforcustomorsecuritychecks,andPennypeeredout.“SohereIam,almostinmynineties,andarrivinginthe

RomanEmpireforthefirsttime.Whatanimpossibledreamthatwouldoncehaveseemed!”StaringoutatthecountrysideofnorthernGaul,shelostherselfinherthoughts.

Theothers,apparentlywithreliefthattheoldladywasshuttingup,returnedtothecomplicatedcardgametheyhadbeenplaying.

Gaul,then:provinceof

Rome,asithadbeensinceCaesar’sconquestovertwomillenniabefore.Thehigh-techmonorailcutacrossalandscapeoffarms,smallfieldscenteredonsprawlingvillas,andcities—walledtowns,really—withwhatlookedlikeancientandbatteredfortifications.ShetriedtoidentifydifferenceswithBrikanti.Therewasmoreevidenceof

monumentalengineering;sheglimpsedtoweringaqueducts,bridges,roadslaidlaser-straightacrossthegreenlandscape.Butthiswasablockyarchitectureofstoneandstraightlinesandrectangles,comparedtothemoreorganicCelticstyleofBrikantiwithitsuseofwoodandthatch.Pennyfeltaspurtofregretthatshehadn’ttraveledmorewhenshewas

younger.MaybeMardinawasright;shehadalwaysbeentooobsessedaboutthejonbarhingeandthedifferencesfromherownlostworldtoopenhereyesandseewhatwasallaroundher—toletherselfrelaxandjustbe,tolivehereinTerra,inthisworldwithitsownwonders.ButshehadbroughttroubletothisplaceintheshapeofEarthshine,shereminded

herself,andthatwasachallengeshecouldn’tduck.

Andthisworldwashardlyautopia,asshecouldseebyglancingoutofthewindownow.ComparedtoPritanike,fewmachinesweretobeseeninthesesmallfields.Butshesawmanypeopleworking,bentoverthecrops,carryingbasketsoffertilizerorproduce,evenscrapingatwhatlookedlike

drainageditches—peopleeverywhere.Andwhereverthetrainpassed,thepeopleinthefieldsbelowstoppedtheirworkandloweredtheirheads,avoidinganychanceofeyecontactwiththetrain’spassengers.

AriGuthfrithson,sittingopposite,waswatchingher.

Sheraisedaneyebrow.“You’renotplayingthegames?”

Heshrugged.“Ifearmyfragilerelationshipwithmyfamilywouldnotsurviveatenseknucklebonescontest.HereyouareinthegloriousrealmofRome.Whatdoyouthink?”

“ThatI’mgladwecastawaysfromtheUN-ChinaCulturewerepickedupbyaBrikantishipratherthanaRoman.Thepeopleworkingthosefields—

starshipsandslavery.Whatacontradiction.”

Arishrugged.“Whenwewereabletobuildmachinesmorepowerfulthanpeopleandanimals,westartedtogrowoureconomyonthatbasis,andslaverybecameold-fashioned.ButChristHimself,accordingtoourBible,keptslaves.Itisnotasin.”Heglancedoutthewindow.“LutetiaParisiorum

isapproaching.”“Ivisitedthisplace

once,”Pennymurmured,remembering.“Before,Imean.WhenEarthshinebroughtushere,mysisterandmyself,toshowusthegraveyardwhereourmotherwasburied...”

“Theraillineparallelstheancientroadintothecityfromthesouth,whichtheinhabitantscallthecardo

maximus.IthasalwaysbeentheRomans’habittobuildtheircemeteriesoutsidethecitywalls.”

Aftermorethantwentycenturiesofcontinuoushabitation,thecemeterieslinedtheroadformanykilometerssouthofthecity.

•••

Evenbeforethetrainreached

thewalls,PennycouldseethatthecitywasmuchlessextensivethantheParisshe’dknown.LutetiaParisiorumwasamereprovincialcity,notanationalcapitalasinPenny’shometimeline.Still,theurbansprawlwasextensive,underadomeofbrownishsmog.

Themonorailcutthroughthestoutwalls,closetoaroadgatehugeenoughitselfto

haveservedasafortress.Withinthecity,multistoryred-tileddwellingscrowdedalongstraight-linestreets,withspiresanddomesrisingabovetherest.Aqueductssnakedoverthewallstodeliverwater,andPennyimaginedanequallyimpressivenetworkofsewershiddenbeneaththeground.Manyofthegranderbuildings,withdomesand

pillaredporticoes,eithercopiedthestylesofantiquityor,presumably,datedfromthatlong-goneage.ButPennycouldseemoremonoraillineslacedoverthecity,andashertrainslowedtherewasacrashofthunderfromthesky,aglareofliquidlight,assomekernel-poweredspacecraftracedoverthecitytowardorbit.

Themonorailterminus

wasclosetotheriver,thesouthbankoftheSeine,andastheelevatedtrainpulledin,PennycouldseeacrosstherivertotheÎledelaCité,nodoubtblessedwithaLatinnameinthistimeline,whereamagnificentdomedcathedraltoweredoveracrowdoflesserbuildings.

Asthetraindrewtoahalt,JianghelpedPennyoutofherseat.Itwasonlyashort

walk,Keryspromised,totheofficeoftheprovincialadministration,wherethepassengersoftheMalleusJesuhadbeenlodgedsincetheirpassagetoTerra.Pennybracedherselfforthewalk,andanencountershecouldbarelyimagine,withhersister,StefKalinski.

25

TheywereguidedintoaveryRomanreceptionroom,allcouchesandtapestriesandamosaicfloor,andservantsscuttlingaroundunderthedirectionofaprovincialofficial,ashort,pompous-

lookingmaninacrispwhitetoga.

Andherewerethestrangers,standingtogetherinanuncomfortablehuddle,Pennythought.Thegroupwasdominatedbyabigmanwearingbreastarmorandathickmilitarybuckle.AthissidewereacouplemoreRomanmilitarytypes,lookingoutofplaceinthisratherfussyformalroom,

alongwithamiddle-agedwomaninthecostumeofaBrikanti,andanoldermaninarathermorepractical-lookingtoga.

Andtherestoodaboy,maybeeighteen/nineteenyearsold,withAsiaticfeatures,alittleplump,withsomekindofwell-paddedpackonhisback.Heworeadrabtunic,andwhatlookedlikeanISF-issueslaterested

onhischest,suspendedfromachainaroundhisneck.Hewasbarefoot.Pennyimmediatelyguessedhewasaslave.Jiangseemeddrawntotheboy,whowasperhapsafellowXin.

ToPenny,allthiswasbackground.Tohertherewasonlyonepresenceintheroom.Shesteppedforward,Jiangatherside.

Theireyeslocked,Penny

andStefKalinskifacedeachother.

“MyGod,”Pennysaidatlast,speakingEnglish.“Ineverthought—”

“NorI,believeme,”Stefsaidfervently.“IwentthroughaHatchtoProximaCentauritogetawayfromyou.Andthenevenfarther,toastarthatturnedouttobeninelight-yearsaway.Onlytobepickedupbythese

alternateRomansandbroughtbackhome,tothis.”

“AndinParisagain.”Pennytriedtosmile,andfailed.“Doyouremember,allthoseyearsago?”

“Ourmother’sgrave.HowcouldIforget?ButI’mkindofsurprisedyoucanstillremember.”StefwalkedaroundPenny,eyeingher.“Sothisismyfuture.IfeellikeDorianGrey.”

“I’mnotthatold.I’meighty-ninenow,Stef.Whereasyou—”

“Amayouthfulseventy,thankstoalotofHatch-hoppingandrelativistictimedilation.”

“Whateverweare,wearenolongertwins,atleast.”

Stefgrinnedmalevolently.“Good.And,seeingyoustandingtherewiththatdamnstick,Ifeel

likeIsomehowwon.”“AndI,”saidPenny

tiredly,“feellikeI’mtoooldtocare.Iwishyounoharm,Stef.Ineverdid.”

“No.ItwasyoursuddeneruptionintoexistencewhenIopenedthatdamnHatchonMercurythatdidtheharm.”

“Whenweopenedit...Oh,it’sallsolongago.”

ThebigRomanapproachedthem,walking

slowly,nonthreatening.Hesaidgently,ingruffLatin,“ColonelStefKalinski.DruidhPennyKalinski.Thoughyouaretwins,itpleasesmeitissoeasytotellyouapart.”

Stefsaidsoftly,“IhopeyourLatin’suptoscratch,sis.TheRomansdon’tspeakanythingelse.”

Pennynodded.“Quiterighttoo—umm,Centurion?”

“Indeed.IamCenturionQuintusFabius,commanderofthemissionoftheMalleusJesu.Theseothersyouseeherearemembersofmycrew—myoptio,GnaeusJunius,mytrierarchustheBrikantiMovena,Michael,ourmedicus.Oh,andtheslavebearstheremnantofCollius,yourspeakingmachine.”

Pennystaredattheboy.“Ordinarilyattheendof

amissionourcrewwouldbedispersed,returnedtoourlegion’scollegiaforinduction,leaveandreassignment.InsteadwehavebeengiventheunusualtaskofcaringforthestrangerswefoundonaplanetofthedistantstarRomulus,atleastuntilmoreformalarrangementscanbemade.”

Pennybarkedlaughter.

“I’mbecomingusedtothebureaucraciesofempires.Youmean,untilyourgovernmentandtheBrikanticancomeupwithsomecategorytofileusawayin.”

Hegrinned.“Well,I’mnoclerk,lady,butIseethetruthinwhatyousay.Butwewelcomethetask.Youseethebigmanoverthere,withonehand?Heisalegionary,aveteran;heiscalledTitus

Valerius.ForfiveyearshehasbeentheprotectoroftheslavewhocarriesCollius.Itisataskhefulfillswithjoy.Ofcoursethealternativeforhimwouldhavebeentoremainwiththepermanentcoloniaunderthatdistantstar...”

“Collius?ColU?”Bethpushedherwaybetweenthemandmadeherwaytotheslaveboy,whostood

passively,headlowered,eyesdowncast—agesturePennyhadlearnedtorecognize,andhate.Bethcuppedhischinandraisedhishead.“Why,you’renotmucholderthanmyMardina,areyou?Whatisyourname?”

TheboyglancedatTitusValerius,whogrowled,“Answerthelady.You’renotinanytrouble.”

“MynameisChuYuen,

lady.”“Collius?Youmeanthe

ColU?You’rereallycarryingaroundtheColUinyourbackpack?”

“What’sleftofme,”cameamournfulvoicefromthebackpack.

Beth’sfacelitup.“ColU—itisyou!Oh,Icouldhugyou.Butifallthat’sleftofyouisinthatbackpack—”

“YuriEdensavedmy

processorunitandmemorystore.Myinterfacingisprovidedbyslatetechnology.IamafraidIamnotveryhuggable.”

“MaybeIshouldhugthisslaveofyours.”

“Please,BethEdenJones.NotinfrontoftheRomans.DidIhearyoumentionaMardina?”

“Yes.Mydaughter,namedaftermymother.

Mardina—comehere.”Mardinacameup,but

witheveryexpressionofreluctance,andPenny,stillfeelingbruisedfromherownencounterwiththecomplicatedpast,couldonlysympathize.

TheColUsaid,“ChuYuen.Pleaseturnalittletotheright.”

Theboyobeyed,andPennyobservedhowhestuck

hischestoutashedidso,tiltingtheslate.ThatwasevidentlyhowtheColU“saw”theworld.

“Mardina,”theColUsaidgravely.“I’mpleasedtomeetyou.Youhaveyourgrandmother’sname,andsomethingofherlooks.”

“Ineverknewher.”Mardinalookedwildlyathermother.“IfeellikeI’mtalkingintothinair,talkingto

aghost!”“LieutenantMardina

Joneswasabraveandstronghumanbeing,andIwouldbehonoredtotalktoyouabouther.”

“Don’tbother,”Mardinasnarledback.

Bethsaidhurriedly,“It’sallright,ColU.It’sdifficultforher.”

“Iunderstand,”theColUsaidgently.“Beth,asforyour

father,YuriEden...”StefwalkeduptoBeth

andtookherhand.“YouknowthatwewentthroughtheHatchtoRomulustogether.YuriandI.Justthetwoofus,andtheColU—thesurvivingbitofit.But—”

“Hehasn’tmadeithome,hashe?”

“Hisillnessseemedtohavebeencausedbyhiscenturyincryosuspension.

‘Freezerburn,’hecalledit.I’msorry,Beth.”

TheColUsaid,“Iwaswithhiminhislasthours.Icantellyouasmuchaboutthatasyouwish.BethEdenJones,hemademepromisetofindyou.AndsoIhave.Andheinstructedmetomakesureyouunderstandthat,underhiswillasdrawnupunderRomanlaw,Iamnowyourproperty,Beth.”

PennycouldseethatBethwasholdingbacktears.Shehobbledforwardonherstick.“Well,Iforonehavedoneenoughstandingforoneday.Andmythroat’sasdryasthedustofLuna.”

Withaglanceattheprovincialofficial,QuintusFabiussteppedforward,handsheldwide,generously.“Letmebeyourhost.”

•••

TheRomansshowedremarkablesensitivitytowardthegatheredsurvivorsoftheUN-ChinaCulture,Pennythought.Theywereallowedspaceandtimetotalk,togetovertheshockofmeeting.

Butintheendtheyhadtogetdowntobusiness.

“Earthshine,”Stefsaidsimply.“That’sthetopand

bottomofit.Earthshine.”QuintusFabiussaid,

“Earthshine.IfIunderstandyou,thisisthe—machine—thatyoubroughtwithyoufromyouroldworld,andisnowonMars—”

Keryssaid,“Ihavehadyearstogetusedtotheseideas,Centurion.You’vehaddays.AndIbarelyunderstandit.We’llhavetoletthemtalkthisthrough.Andthen,I

suspect,we’regoingtohavetomakeoursuperiorsunderstandtoo.”

“Ilookforwardtothat,nauarchus,”hesaiddrily.“Verywell—Earthshine.Tellmewhywemustdiscussthis.”

“Foronething,”Pennysaid,“heisthereasonwearehere.Imean,wearesurvivorsofthejonbar-hingeevent,thedestructionoftheworldsof

ourowntimeline...”Quintuslookedhelplessly

atKerys.“Dotheyalwaystalklikethis?”

“I’mafraidso.”TheColUsaid,“The

jonbarhingecamewithagreatsurgeofenergy,whentheUN-Chinawarerupted,andthekernelsonMercurywereopenedbytheNail,theChinesemissile...Perhapssuchasurge,involving

kernels,isnecessarytocreateahinge.Meanwhile,you,Stef,werewithYuriandmyselfinaHatch,enroutetoRomulus-Remus.Andyou,Beth,Penny,werewithLexMcGregor,fleeingthesolarsystembehindabankofkernels.”

Stefsaid,“You’resuggestingthatsomehowthekernels,theHatches,preservedus.”

TheColUsaid,“Yes.IthinkEarthshinemovedustowherehewantedustobe,likechesspiecesonaboard,ColonelKalinski.Atleastthekeypieces.Consider.Whosurvivedthejonbarhinge?Earthshinehimself.Andhisson,YuriEden.Oratleast,thesonofRobertBraemann,oneoftheinputpersonalitiesthatbecameEarthshine.Andhisgranddaughter,BethEden

Jones.EverybodyEarthshinemighthavecaredaboutpersonally—”

Mardinaturnedonhermother.“Hisson?Hisgranddaughter?Whatnewhorroristhis?ThatthingonMars—areyoutellingmethatit’ssomehowmygreat-grandfather?Mother—didyouknow?”

Bethsighed.“Iknew.Hetoldmehisnameonthe

Tatania,aswefledfromthemoon.Andmyfather,Yuri,toldmehistruenamebeforeweparted,onMercury.AndwhenIputthetwotogether—”

“Younevertoldme?”“You’vespentyourlife

rejectingyourpast,Mardina.Areyousayingyouwouldhavewantedtoknow?”

QuintusFabiusleanedforward.“Icanseewhythis

isdifficultforyouall.Thistalkofthepast—butnowwemustspeakofthefuture.Collius,tellusoftheiceball,theworldyouBrikanticallHöd.AndtheobservationswehavebeenmakingofEarthshine’sactivities.”

Pennyfrowned.“‘We’?Who’s‘we,’theEmpire?”

“No.WeoftheMalleusJesu,”theColUsaid.“Academician,duringthe

journeybackIwasprivilegedtoworkwiththeship’steamofnavigatorsandobservers.TheyareMuslims,mostlyArab.Aproductofahighcivilization,thoughonesubsumedwithintheRomansysteminthistimeline.”

“I’mguessingyouhadthemobserveCeres,”Pennyprompted.

TheColUsaid,“Ihadafeelingthatthetrackingofthe

object,andtheprojectionofitsfuturemotion,mightbebeyondobserversonEarth.Especiallygiventheerraticpatternofthekernel-bankburnstheyareapplying.Youcan’tbesurewhereit’sheading.I,however—”

Bethlaughed.“Withyoursuperiorcomputationalpowers,youknowexactlywhat’sgoingon.Youalwayswereconceited,ColU.”

“LiuTaooncesaidtomethat,forafarmmachine,Ihaveideasabovemystation.AndIrepliedbypointingoutthatasentientmindrefusestobeconfinedbytheparametersofitsprogramming—”

“Gettothepoint!”Quintuswasalmostshoutingnow.“Whereisthisiceblockheading,Oengineofglass?”

“TowardanimpactonMars,”Pennysaidtiredly.

“AmIright,ColU?Notacloseapproach;agrazingencounterwiththeatmosphere—”

“I’mafraidyouarecorrect,PenelopeKalinski.”

Stefnoddeddumbly.“Verywell.Butwhy?Whatisheintendingtoachieve?”

“Icanthinkofonlydireanddestructivepossibilities,”theColUsaid.

QuintusandKerysshared

grimglances.Keryssaid,“Andwhateverelsehedoesachieve,he’llprobablytriggerawar,intheSkullofYmirasonTerra.”

Quintusturnedtotheslave.“Whatcanwedo,Collius?Canwestopthis?”

“Timeisshort,”theColUwhispered.“Itisfortuitouswearrivedbackhereintimetoobservethis,letaloneintervene.Iwouldsuggest

thatonlyEarthshinehimselfcanstopthecollision—ifhewillsit.”

Stefsaid,“Thenwehavetogothere.ToMars.”

Pennysaid,“Whyshouldheevenspeaktous?”

“Maybenottous.Whichiswhywemustallgo.Beth,Mardina—Iknowhowdifficultthisisgoingtobeforyou—butyou’rehisfamily.IftheColUisright,he’salready

savedyouonce.Maybehe’lllistentoyouagain.Ifthere’sevenachanceofavertingthis...”

Bethlookedaway,andPennysawhowclosed-upshebecame,as,notforthefirsttimeinBeth’slife,thosearoundherplottedtomanipulateherandherdaughter.Pennysaidgently,“Justthinkaboutit,Beth.Theconsequencesofallthis.We

didbringthiscreatureintothisreality.Wehavetotry.”

Stefsaidbriskly,“Butwe’llhavetogettoMarsfirst.Howarewegoingtodothat?”

“Inmyship,”saidQuintusFabiusfirmly.“Iamserious,”hesaidinresponsetotheirsurprisedexpressions.“TheMalleusneedsreprovisioning,butthecrewhaveyettobedispersed,and

itstandsreadytofly.Mylegionarieswillsquawk,butthejourneywouldbeshortandthebonuseshandsome,Iimagine.IcouldhaveyouallonMarsindays...ifwecanarrangesuitableclearancesquickly,”andheglancedsignificantlyattheshocked-lookingprovincialofficial.

Pennyfrowned.“Whereisthisshipofyours?Inorbit,onthemoon—”

“Aboutfivekilometersnorthofhere,”Stefsaiddrily.“Thisisaculturewheretheylandinterstellarspacecraftatcityairports.”

“IwishIcouldsayyougetusedtosuchthings,”Pennysaidtoher.“Butyoudon’t.”

Mardinawaslookingaroundatthemastheyspoke,mouthopen,obviouslyamazedbyallshe’dheard—

overwhelmedperhaps.“Well,then,let’sallflyofftoMars,andfindoutthetruth.”

Bethtouchedherarm.“Whattruth,dear?”

“Thatthat’swhatthisterribleoldmonsterwiththeprettyname,Earthshine,probablyintendedyoutodoallalong.Thathe’sbeenmanipulatingyouallfordecades.”

Therewasashocked

silence.ThentheColUsaid,

“EvenIhadn’tthoughtofthat.”

26

ThedecelerationoftheMalleusJesuintoMartianspacewasferocious.

NobodywouldtellPennyhowhightheyrampeditupintheend.ClearlyitwasfarhigherthananEarthgravity,

theRomanship’sstandardkernel-drivenaccelerationregime.Andthatitselfsaidsomethingoftheurgencyofthemission.ButPennyhadlittleenergytofret,asshelaypresseddownintoherdeepcouch,scarcelydaringtomoveamuscle,toliftafinger.

Shewasgivenaprivateroomontheseventhdeck,officercountry—shewastold

itwaspartofCenturionQuintus’sownsuite—averyRomanaffair,thoughthecoucheswererivetedtothefloorandthetapestriesfixedwithheavyironnails,andeverythingwassturdy,builttowithstandthesurgesofaccelerationtobeexpectedofawarship.Ontheotherhand,theMalleus,veteranofseveralinterstellarmissionsandasaresultofcumulative

timedilationseveraldecadesoutofitsownera,wasanantique.Theshiphadalreadybeensubjectedtoyearsofaccelerationstress,andthesleetingradiationsandcorrosivedustandicegrainsofinterstellarspace,andnowshewastobeputthroughwhatinsomewayswaslikelytobehertoughestassignmentyet.Itmightonlytakeonecomponentfailure,a

structuralelementbucklingsomewhere,abulkheadorahullplatecrackingundertheunbearablestress,forthewholemissiontounravel—andtheirlivestobelost.

SoPennylaythereinhercouch,listeningtothedeep,almostsubsonicthrummingofthekernelengines,andthefabricofthegrandoldshippoppingandbangingandcreakingaroundher,and

waitingfortheend.Shedidfeelanoddempathyfortheship.Forwhatwasherownbodybutarelic,thewreckageofatoo-longlife—andnearlyunabletobeartheseimmenseaccelerations?Shecouldn’thaveblamedtheMalleusiftheshiphadfailed.Justasshecouldn’thaveblamedherownwretchedbodyifithadgivenupassheputitthroughoneunbearablestraintoo

many.Thecrew,however,was

trainedforoperationunderthiskindofaccelerationregime.Shedidn’tlackforcompany.EventheGreekmedicus,Michael,visitedherinawheelchair,tightlystrappedin,withametalbracetosupporthisneckandhead.

Whatwasstillmoreimpressivewasthelegionary

assignedtopushMichaelaroundtheshipinhiswheelchair,triple-gravityaccelerationornot:TitusValerius,thebigone-armedveteran.Hewalkedwiththesupportofanexoskeleton,creakingandclanking,poweredbythecrudeelectricmotors—“ethericengines”—thatwere,apartfromkernelengines,handheldradiocommunicators,whichthey

called“farspeakers,”andsomeferociousweaponry,justabouttheheightofmechanicalengineeringachievementinhisworld.PennycouldseehowTitus’smusclesbulgedunderthestrain,howtheveinswereprominentinhisheavilysupportedneck.Buthegotthejobdone,as,evidently,didtherestofQuintus’shighlytrainedcrew.

“You’redoingfine,”Michaeltoldherfromhischair,asheexaminedher.“Icanassureyou,you’reatougheroldeaglethanyoulook,ormayfeel.AslongasyoudoasIsay,aslongasyouliethereanddon’ttakechances,andarepatient—”

“Mycatheteritches.”Helaughed.“Badluck.

You’llhavetofixthatyourself.”

Penny’smostwelcomeattendant,however,wasTitus’sdaughter,Clodia,justfifteenyearsoldbyherownsubjectivetimekeeping,whohadspentmostofheryounglifeaboardtheMalleusduringitsmissiontotheRomulus-Remusdouble-starsystem.Clodiawasevidentlystrong,abletogetaroundtheshipundergravityusingachairandprostheticaidsbuilt

foranadulttwicehersize,andturnedoutabright,chattykid.

Atfirst,shebroughtPennyhermeals—thatis,shechangedthedripbagsaccordingtoMichael’sschedule.Butastheship’swatchespassed,andtheygottoknoweachotherbetter,sherespondedtoPenny’sotherneeds.SheturnedouttobethekindestofPenny’steam

ofaidesinchanginghercatheterbag,andwashingherface,andevenchangingthediaper-likegarmentthatsoakedupherold-ladypoop.Pennyhaddoneherlevelbestnottobeembarrassedathavingtobechanged,atoneendofherlonglife,liketheinfantshe’dbeenattheother.

PennywassurprisedClodiahadvolunteeredforthismission,however.Onthe

lastday,astheshipapproachedMarsandtheywaitedfortheendofacceleration,theytalkedaboutthis.

“Letmegetitstraight.YouwerejustatoddlerwhenyourfathertookyouwithhimontheMalleusJesu,thejourneytoRomulusandRemus.”

“MymotherdiedwhenIwasverysmall,beforeweleft

Terra.Therewasonlymyfatherandme—”

“Yes.I’msorry.Soyouspentafewyearsrunningaroundontheplanet.Andthen,agetenorso,you’rescoopedupandbroughtbacktoEarth—Imean,Terra.I’dhavethoughtyou’dfindTerraalotmoreexcitingthanlifeontheship.Allthedifferentpeople,thecities.”

Clodiapulledaface.

“LutetiaParisiorumisadump.Andit’sbadlylaidoutfromadefensivepointofview.IsupposeI’dliketoseeRome.AndthegreatcitiesofBrikantiaswell,ofcourse—”

“There’snoneedtobepolitewithme,child!”

Clodiagrinned.“Butwhereveryougoonthegroundthere’sno,no...Peoplesortofwanderarounddoingwhatevertheywant.”

“Nodiscipline?”“That’sit.It’snotlike

whenyou’reonthemarch,andyoubuildyourcampeverynight,andeverything’sinthesameplaceeachtime,exactlywhereitshouldbe.Nightafternight.That’swhatIlike.”

“You’reanarmybrat,andthere’snothingwrongwiththat.Well,I’mgladyou’rehere,Clodia;you’ve

beenacomforttome...Whatofthefuture,though?Evenyourfathercan’tlastinthelegionforever.Whatwillyoudo?Ican’timagineyoubeingsatisfiedtobesomesoldier’swife.”

“Idon’tremembermymother,butIsawthewomenincamp,atRomulus.Havingbabiesandbakingbreadandwashingclothes,dayafterday?”Shepulledaface.

“That’snotforme.”“Thenwhat?Theydon’t

allowwomenintheRomanarmy,dothey?”

“Notintothelegions,no.Notinthefightinginfantry.Buttherearemassesofotherjobsyoucando.Inadministration,intraining,inlogistics.Alotofthatisbasedinthecities,thebigcentralmilitaryestablishments.Andthereare

jobsinthefrontlinewomencantake,eveninthefightingunits,somekindsofauxiliary.OrImightbecomeaweaponsspecialist.Gointotraining.”

“Orbeamedicus.Thereareplentyoffront-linejobsthere.YououghttotalktoMichaelaboutthat.”

Again,aself-deprecatingface-pull.“MaybeIcouldbeanurse.I’mnotsureI’m

cleverenoughotherwise.Icanstripdownfieldartillerypieces,butaninjuredlegionary...I’llfindsomething.”

“I’msureyouwill—”Thatwaswhenthe

warningtrumpetsounded,fillingthehullwithitsshrillnote.

Clodiasaid,“Justliestill,untilit’sover.”

AndPenny,lyinginher

couch,feltthecessationofthekernelengines,adeepshuddertransmittedthroughtheship’sfabric.Thatchorusofcreaksandalarmingbangsceasedimmediatelytoo,asthestrainofthreegravitieswasremoved.Andonlythen,itseemed,didthesenseofheavyaccelerationliftfromherbody.

“Ah,”shemurmured.“It’sasifyourfatherhas

beensittingonmychestfortwodays,andnowhe’sgotoff.”

Clodiaimpatientlyunbuckledtherestraintsthatheldherinherchair,pushedasideherexoskeletalaids,andletherselfdriftupintotheair,whooping.“Ialwayslovethisbit!”

“Howlongwerewe—”“Fiftyhours.Twenty-five

acceleratingatthreeweights,

andthentheturnover,andtwenty-fivedecelerating.AndhereweareatMars,justlikethat.Wecouldn’thavegothereanyquicker.Romanshipsarethebestperformingintheworld,andthetrierarchuswillhavepushedusashardasshecould.”

“Oh,Idon’tdoubtit,child.Butwemightbetoolateevenso.”Shestruggledtoemergefromhercocoonof

blanketsandcushions,anagedbutterfly.“Oh,helpmeoutofthisthing.”

Clodiahovereddubiously.“IfIdon’tkeepyouhereuntilthemedicushascheckedyouover,I’mgoingtobewalkingbacktoTerra...”

•••

Itwasanotherhourbefore

Penny,fumingwithfrustration,wasatlastallowedontothebridgeoftheMalleus.

Andbeyondtheobservationwindows,beforehereyes,oncemoreMarsloomedhuge,likeaplasterworkinorangesandbrowns,scarredbycratersanddrycanyons,thesilverbandsofthecanalsglowingsoftlyinthesunlight.

Whenshearrived,akindofcouncilofwarwasalreadyunderway,involvingQuintus,hissecond-in-command,Gnaeus,andhisship’strierarchus,Movena,aswellasStef,Beth,Mardina,AriGuthfrithson,Kerys,andtheColUborneontheshouldersofChuYuen.Stefbarelyglancedathersister.Allofthemlookedbeat-uptoPenny,theirskin

blotchy,theireyespuffy.Therewasafaintsmellofbodyodorinthecrowdedroom—butthenprobablynoneofthemhadwashedfordays,Pennyreflected;theyhadn’tallhadthecomprehensivemedicalsupportshe’denjoyed.

AndJiangwashere.Hetoolookedwrung-out.Butheheldontoarail,supportinghimselfintheair,andtook

herhandinhis.“Marsagain,”hesaid.“Wherewefirstmet.”

“Yes.Allthoseyearsago,attheUN-ChinaconferenceatObelisk.”

“Nomatterwhatwegothrough,Mars,itseems,endures.”

QuintusFabiusfacedher.“MaybeMarshasnotyetchangedverymuch,Academician.Butitwill

shortly.Lookupthere.”Hepointedtoasliceofdarksky,beyondMars’swesternlimb.

Wherehungasinglebrilliantstar.

“Ceres,”Pennywhispered.

“Höd,yes.”“Howcloseisit?That

thinglooksalmostlargeenoughtoshowadisc.”

Stefsaid,“Penny,wehaven’tbeentroublingyou

withupdatesduringthevoyage.Wehopedyou’dsleepthroughit—”

“Oh,shutup,youfusspot.”

Quintussaid,“HödislargerthanthewidthofVenus,asseenfromEarth.SotheArabobserversassureme.”

Pennytriedtoworkthatout.“Thenitmustbe—what,afewmillionkilometers

out?”“Ratherless,”Stefsaid.

“Theasteroidhasundergoneepisodesofimmensethrust.WesuspectEarthshinehasorderedtheuseofsignificantchunksofthebody’sownmaterialtouseasreactionmass.TheobserversontheMalleushavecomputedthenewtrajectory.”

Pennycouldseetheconclusionofallthatinher

sister’sexpression.“MyGod.”

Steftookadeepbreath.“CeresisgoingtoimpactMars.That’sfinallyconfirmed.It’sprobablywhatEarthshineintendedallalong.”

Quintuslookedfurious,asifthiswassomepersonalbetrayal.“Butwhy?”

“We’venoidea,”Stefsaid.“Notyet.”

PennylookedatStef.“Howlong?”

“TheArabsestimatetwelvehours.Nomore.”

“Aslittleasthat?Verywell.That’sthetimewehaveremainingtostopEarthshine.”

Quintusnoddedgrimly.“Ofcoursewemust.Thisgreatact,thishurlingofcosmicmasses,canbeintendedtodonothingbut

harm.Itmayevenstartawar.Wehavetostophim.Butwewillfaceresistance.”

“Then,”Pennysaiddrily,“I’mgladI’monashipfullofRomanlegionaries.Let’sworkoutourplan.”

Butasthesoldiersbegantodiscusstacticsandfallbacks,aclockinPenny’sheadbeganadreadfulcountdown.

Twelvehours,and

counting.

27

ToStef’srelief,PennysubmittedtoMichael’sinsistencethatsheneededrest.

“Andmakesureshestrapsdownagain,”thecenturioncalledasshewas

ledfromthebridge.“Wemayhavesomemorehardaccelerationtoundergobeforethedayisdone.”

“Asyouwish,Centurion.”

TherestoftheminspectedQuintus’simagesofthelayoutofEarthshine’slatestbaseontheground,atTerraCimmeria.Theywerelarge-scalephotographs,grainywet-chemistry

productionslikeallRomanorBrikantiimagery,butgoodenough,Stefthought,togetasenseofthelayout.Shesawthreebroadclustersoffacilities,groupedclosetogether.Fartherout,thegroundwasmarkedbyswathsofscorching,placeswherethegroundhadmeltedaltogether:therelicsofmultiplelandingsofkernel-driverockets.

“So,ColonelKalinski,”Quintussaid.“Wehavebeenscoutingthisareaforsometime—foryears,asEarthshinehasdevelopedhisoperation.ButIwelcomeyourinputnow.ThisisthelocationwhereyousaythattheXinhadtheirMartiancapitalinyourworld.”

“SlapintheheartofthehighlandwecalledtheTerraCimmeria,yes.”

“WhichwasnodoubtwhyEarthshinechoseit,”theColUsaidfromChu’sbackpack,“becauseofthatresonance.EverythingEarthshinedoeswillbeshapedbyanawarenessofcompetingrealities.Anditisalso,nodoubt,whythesiteofacitythatwascalledObeliskforitsgreatestsinglebuildingshouldbemarkedhereby—pointforme,ChuYuen,left

anddown—that.”Theslaveseemedtoworkwellwiththemasterhecarried;hisfingerstabbeddownontheimageofoneofthethreeclustersofdomedbuildings.

Stefpeereddown.“Iseeasharpstripeontheground.Wait—whereisthesun?That’sashadow,ofsomethingverytall—”

“Atree,”theColUsaid.“Notanobelisk.Atree.

Encouragedtogrowtosomefourhundredmeters,whichisthreetimesthemaximumtheoreticalheightonTerra.Atree’sheightislimitedbytheneedtoliftwatertoitsuppermostleaves—”

“ButonMars,withitsone-thirdgravity,”Stefsaid,“youcangrowastallasthis.Itmusthavebeenforce-grown.”

“Yes.Earthshinehas

beenestablishedonMarsforsomeyears,butnotthatlong.Force-grownandencasedinsomekindofenclosuretoretainairandmoisture.Wedon’thavegoodenoughimagestodeterminethespeciesyet.Animpressivestunt.”

Bethleanedclosertosee.BethandMardinahadbeenquietsincePenny’sbriefvisittothebridge.OnlyArihad

beenquieter,Stefthought;thedruidhhadnotspokenaword.

NowBethasked,“ButwhywouldEarthshinegrowatreeonMars?Itdoesn’tseemtofit.”

“It’sforhisallies,”saidKerysgrimly.ThenauarchushadalsobeenquietduringthisvoyageonaRomanship,Stefhadobserved,butshehadwatchedandlistened,

evidentlyfilingeverythingaway.NowshepointedtoanothershadowtracedontheMartianground,inasecondcompoundsomedistancetothenorthofthetree.“Thatisaship—ashipoftheBrikantiNavy,calledtheCelyn.Earthshinehasatleastoneship’scompany’sworthofsupportonthegroundwithhim,andmostofthemdrawnfromBrikantiranks.”She

glaredatQuintus,defiant.“Wedon’thavetimeforblamegames.Thismonster,thisEarthshine,wasafterallfound,fortuitously,byaBrikantiship—myship,allthoseyearsago.HowIwishnowwehadsimplythrowntheboxesthatsustainhimoutintotheSkullofYmir!Evenifwehadpreservedtherestofyou.”

“Thanks,”Bethsaid

drily.“Itwasnaturalthatashe

begantolayouthisschemesfortheexploitationofotherworlds,hewouldgathersupportfromtheBrikantigovernmentatfirst.Webelievedwecouldcontrolthesituation—controlhim.”

“Well,youwerewrong,”Quintussaid.

“Itbeganwithhissubversionofthecrewsofthe

shipswesentouttosupporthim.Hepersuadedthemtobetraytheirnation—tofollowdreamsofgreedandpower,underhim.Thatiswhatwebelievehappened.ButtheyareBrikanti.”

“Ah,”Stefsaid.“I’vebeenreadinguponthisduringthejourneyhome.Tothedruidh,intheBrikantitradition,thetreeisasacredsymbol.”

Arispokenow.“Whateverotherprojectstheyarepursuing,theywillhaverelishedthechancetonurturewhatmaystillbetheonlytreeonMars,andcertainlythegreatest—greaterthananyonEarth.EvenChristianswouldrespondtothesymbol.YouRomansnailedChristtoawoodencross,andHisbloodnurturedtherootsoftheWorldTreeYggdrasil,

which—”“Yes,yes,”Quintussaid

impatiently.“Hardlythetimeforatheologylesson,druidh.So—theholytree.Andaroundit,asyousee,aseriesofdomedhabitatsthatwebelieveareresidencesforEarthshine’shumansupporters,ormostofthem,alongwithworkshops,stores.Tothenorth,andareasonablysafedistanceaway

fromthetree,youseetheCelynstanding,andaccompanyingsupportfacilitiesforakernelcraft.Roomforotherstolandtoo,andwehaveseencraftshuttlingbetweenMarsandHödinthelastfewyears.”

“Reliefcrews,”Keryssaid.“ThereareteamsworkinguponHöd,manningthekernelbanksthere.Theyseemtobeswappedevery

monthorso.”Quintussaid,“Andwe

believethatEarthshinehimself,oratleastthegadgetsthatsupporthim,mustbehere.”Andhepointedtothethirdcomplexofbuildings.

Stefleaneddowntoseebetter,silentlycursingagingeyes.“Moredomes.Buttheheartofitisthattiltedrectangularslab.”

“Areinforcedbunker,”Quintussaid.“Afamiliardesign.Hardenedagainstourground-basedweapons,hardenedevenagainstanyrockpushedfromorbitshortofanythingmassiveenoughtodestroythewholesitealtogether.NodoubtEarthshineisdowninaholedeeperstill.”

Stefgrunted.“Thatwouldbecharacteristic.He

likeshisholesintheground,thebunkershesharedwithhisCoreAIbrothersbackonEarth,hishold-outunderParis,hispitunderHellas...”

Bethsaid,“ButthiswholeplanetisgoingtobehammeredbyCeres.Ican’tbelievehe’sgoingtostayaroundforthat.He’llwanttosurvive,whateverhe’stryingtodohere.Justashegot

awayfromEarthbeforetheNailfell.”

“Right,”saidStef.“AndifCeresisgoingtofallwithintwelvehours,hisonlywayoutofherewillbeaboardthatship,theCelyn.”

“Verywell,”Quintussaid.“Thatistheconfigurationontheground.NowIwantatacticalplan.Itwouldnotbehardtobedestructive.Frankly,we

couldgoinwithourkerneldriveblazing,andmeltallofthisbackintotheMartiansand.”

“Butwe’renotheretodestroy,”theColUsaid.“WeneedtogettoEarthshine.ThepurposeistodeflectCeres,ifitisstillpossible.”

“Ourfoesknowthattoo,”saidQuintus.“Sotheywillbewaitingforustoattemptasofterapproach,perhapsa

landing.Theymayhavemissiles,evenkernel-driven,toshootusdownasweapproach,asisstandardprotectionforourgreatcitiesonTerra—”

“Maybenot,”putinMovena,Quintus’strierarchus.“Thescanswe’vebeenabletodoofthesurfacewouldshowusanysuchmissiles.Therearekernelshere”—shepointed

—“underEarthshine’sbunker.Buttheyaren’taconfigurationwerecognize—theycertainlyaren’tbeingusedinmissiles.”

“Thisconversationisinefficient.”AriGuthfrithsonsteppedforwardnow,cold,clinical.“Wemustfocusonthegoalandworkbackward.WehavetogettoEarthshine;wehavetopersuadehimtodeflectHöd,ifthisisstill

possible.Well,then.Youhavebroughtmyfamilyhere—”

Bethsnarled,“Wearenotyourfamily.”Mardinaclutchedherarm.

Ariignoredher.Hetappedtheimageofthebunker.“Youmustlandushere.Thethreeofus,mother,father,daughter—hisgranddaughterandgreatgranddaughter.Andthefarm

machine,onemechanicalmindthatmaybeabletocommunicatewithanother.”

“Thanksforthinkingofme,”theColUsaiddrily.

“Earthshinewilltakeusintohisbunker.Hehassavedyoubefore,Beth,youknowthat,whenhebroughtyouontheTatania,outofthebonfireofyourEarth.Hewillsaveyouagaintoday.ForIamsureyouareright.Hewill

havenoambitiontobeextinguished.Andhewillbemotivatedtotakeuswithhim,whereverhegoes.”

Quintusprompted,“Andonceyou’redownthere...”

“Wetrytopersuadehimtostop.Butthiswillrelyonusgettingtothatbunkerunhindered.”

Quintusnodded.“Wehaveyachts;wecangetyoudownthere.Butinthe

meantimewe’llhavetodrawoffthebulkofwhateverforceshehas.Wehaveatestudothatwecanhavesomefunwithontheground...”Hepulledhislip.“Earthshine’sforceswillbeprettywelldugin.”

Movenasmiled.“Butthesearemypeople.Brikanti.Iknowhowtheythink.AndIhaveasuggestiontodiverttheirattention.”

“Whichis?”“Theyhavetoprotect

twooftheirthreefacilitiesontheground:thelaunchsite,thebunker.So,attackthethird.”

Quintussmiled.“Ah.Thebigtree.TheBrikantiwillbedrawnawaytosavethat,beingthesuperstitiousbarbarianstheyare.”

Kerys,visiblydismissingtheinsult,shookherhead.

“Thesearestandardplays.Weneedsomethingmore.Abackupplan.EvenifBethEdenJonesandtheothersgetthroughtoEarthshine,there’snoguaranteehewilllistentothem.WeneedtothinkaboutotherwaysofstoppingHöd.”

“Suchas?”Quintusasked.“TherearetroopsonHöditself;theywillnodoubtstayuptheretodefendituntilthelastpossibleminute.Ifwe

trytoapproachintheMalleus,theywillblastusoutofthesky—ordotheirlevelbest.”

“True.Sowedon’tapproachintheMalleus.Orrather,Idon’t.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”“ImeanthatIwilltakea

smallcrew,Brikanti-trained—justacoupleofuswoulddo—andtakethatship,fromtheground.TheCelyn.It’s

thesameclassasmyownlastcommand,theUkelwydd.Icouldflyitblindfold.WewilleliminateitasathreattotheMalleus,ifnothingelse.Andperhapswecanbeabackuptothisstrategyofpersuasion.IcouldsimplyblastuptoHöd,whichisconvenientlyhurtlingintowardus,andusetheship’scommunicationcodes,andmaybemyownrank,ascovertoapproach.

Andthen—”Quintusfrowned.“Yes,

andthen?”“Idon’tknow.I’llhave

toimprovise.ThecrewonHödmusthavesomekindofabortfacility.”

“Notnecessarily,”theColUmurmured.

“Well,ifthereisn’t,we’llthinkofsomethingelse.”

Movenanoddedenthusiastically.“Itmaybea

slimchance,butbetterthannoneatall.”

Keryssaid,“Ifyoudropmebelowthebase’shorizon,perhapsonthesamepasswhenyoudropBethandherpartyforthebunker—”

“Beth,andherparty,andme.”Thevoicewavered,butwasforceful.

Stefturned,andtoherdismaysawPennyinthedoorway,clingingtoarail

withoneclawlikehand,hergrayhairacloudaroundherhead.“Penny—gobacktoyourcouch.”

“Iwillnot,andIdon’tanswertoyounow,Stef,ifIeverdid.Listentome.IknowEarthshinebetterthananyofyou.Iwasevenacolleagueofsorts,once,andhavebeenhereagain,onthissideofthejonbarhinge.DropmeontoMarsinawheelchair—ina

pressurizedsack,whatever—Icanhelpyou.”Shesmiledthinly.“Attheminimumitmightdistracthim.Anotherdiversionofforces.”Sheglaredathersister.“Itrustyou’renotgoingtoputupanymoreobjections?”

Steffeltangersurge.“Youneverbelongedinmylifeanyway.Toseeyouleaveitnowwillbenolosstome.”

Quintushelduphis

hands.“Wedon’thavetimeforthis.Wehaveaplan,andit’sthebestwe’regoingtofind.Prepareforyourdropsin—”Heglancedathistrierarchus.

“Onehour,”Movenasaid.

“Onehour.”Heglancedaroundatthegroup.“Wewillprobablynevermeetagainlikethis,thoseofusassembledhere.Andmanyof

usmaynotsurvivethedayatall.IfyoubelieveinJesu,mayHebeatyoursidenow.”Heclappedhishands,breakingthemoment.“Go,go!”

28

WithsixhoursleftbeforethearrivalofCeres,theMalleusJesutoreintotheatmosphereofMars.Itwas,TitusValeriuscriedtriumphantly,likeaRomangladiorippingthroughabarbarian’sguts.

GnaeusJunius,alongwithacontuberniumofeightmenunderthecommandofTitus,wasalreadytuckedinsidetheheavilyarmoredhideofatestudo.Heclungtohiscouchharness,dughimselfdeeperintothepadding,andtoldhimselfhewasassafeashecouldreasonablybe,atsuchamoment,inhisarmoredpressuresuit,buriedinhis

couch,insideanarmoredvehiclethatinturnwasswaddledintheholdoftheMalleus,akernel-poweredfistofaship.ThusGnaeuswaswrappedupinlayersofcushioningandarmorandhullplate,likeapreciousgiftreadyfortransporttothefavoredsonofanemperor.

Butrightnowthisgiftwasbeingdeliveredbyfallingheadlongintothethin

Martianair.Theshipfellbacksidefirst,withitskernelbankburningbrighttoslowitdownfromitsinterplanetaryspeeds.Gnaeusjustprayedthatthethickhull,whichrightnowwaspeelingawayinlayerstocarryawayexcessheat,wouldlastlongenoughtokeeptheshipintactthroughthesepainfullylongheartbeatsoftheentry.

AheadofhimGnaeus

sawthemenofthecontuberniumintheircouches,allofthemwiththeirbackstohim,soakingupthedeceleration.Acontuberniumwasformallya“tentgroup,”aunitwithinthelegion—abandwhotrained,livedandfoughttogether.Theyseemedrelaxed.Oneofthemwasevenasleep,asfarasGnaeuscouldsee,amancalledMarcusVinius.They’d

beenthroughfarworsethanthisintraining,Titushadassuredhim.

Well,notGnaeus.Hewasfromasenatorialfamily;histimeinthearmy,hisjauntsintospace,wereonlyintendedassteppingstonestobetterthings,afewyearsoftougheningupbeforehereturnedtoacareerinhighpolitics,hopefullyinthecapitalitself.Hisunwelcome

assignmenttotheRomulus-Remusinterstellarmission,whileitkepthimfromcomingupagainstwarlikebarbariansinValhalla,hadalsokepthimawayfromRomefortwenty-fiveyears,inwhichtimeanewgenerationofpushyupstartshadcomealongtocompeteforsuchpositions—awholecadrejustasbrightandambitiousasGnaeus,andnot

decadesoutoftouchwiththecurrentintriguesandinfightingatthetopoftheEmpire,ashewas.

Andnow,this.Invadingaplanetoccupiedbysomekindofmadmachine,andjustastheskywasabouttofall.SuchadventureshadcertainlynotbeeninGnaeus’scareerplan.

Thedecelerationbuilttoabrutalpeak.Heclosedhis

eyes,grittedhisteeth,andwonderedifitmightnotbebetteriftheshipjustdisintegratedintheairandputanendtoitall.Buthedidn’treallymeanthat,notevenintheworstmoments.Hehadhisdutytoperform,afterall.

Andthen,likeaswitchbeingclosed,thedecelerationdroppedtonearlyzero.Gnaeuswasthrustforward

againsthisharness,andhisstomachrebelledatlast,hisbreakfastofdriedfishandbreadsplashingupoutofhismouth.

Tituslaughedandclappedhimontheback.“Nevermind,optio.Happenstousall.Andnoneofussawtheoptiospewuphisgutslikealittlegirl,didwe,lads?”

“Notme,TitusValerius.”

“Hangon,I’llwakeupMarcusViniustomakesurehedidn’tseeyoueither—”

“Allright,allright,”Gnaeussaid,scramblingtoregainhisdignity.“Justmakesureyou’rereadyforthedrop,Titus—oof.”

Nowtheshiplurchedsuddenlytotheright,andtherewasaburstofacceleration.

“That’swhatyouget

whenyou’repilotinginanatmosphere,”Titussaid.“Copingwithturbulence,thethickeningair—alotofdustaroundonMars.Andtryingnottoletthebarbariansonthesurfacegetashotinatyou.Don’tworry,optio.Youhavetohandittothetrierarchusandhercrew.TheseBrikantiknowhowtohandleaship.”

Gnaeusgrunted.

“Unfortunatelythere’sanotherbunchofBrikantionthegroundwhoaretryingtokillus.”

“Well,Iwouldn’tworryaboutthateither,sir.Iftheygetus,we’llneverknowaboutit.”

“Legionary,Iwishyou’dstoptellingmenottoworry.It’sscaringmetodeath—”

“Oh,relax,sir.Why,Irememberonceoncampaign

—”“Allhands,”camea

voicefromcracklyspeakers.“ThisisQuintusFabius.We’reintheairovertheEarthshinebase,andreadytomakethedrops.Timingsasweplanned.Beready—we’reonlygoingtotakeonerunatthis,beforetheMalleustakesmebackintothesafetyoforbitwhereIbelong.Callin.Yacht?”

“Eilidhhere,Centurion.Readytogo,withColliusandtherest.”

“Goodluck,andstandby.Jumpers?”

“Keryshere.Allset,Centurion;suitsandwingscheckedover.”

“Gladtohearit.Testudo?”

Hewasansweredwitharoarfromthemenofthecontubernium,aclatterof

weaponsonbreastplates;thedinwasenormousintheenclosedspaceofthevehicle.Titusyelled,“Letusatthem,Centurion!”

“Trynottogetoverexcited,TitusValerius—it’sbadforamanofyourage.Verywell,everybody.Makesureyouallkeepincontactthroughouttheoperation.Thatballoficeintheskyislessthansixhours

away.Butifyoulive,youwon’tbeleftbehind,andthat’sapromise.Understood?”

Themenofthecontuberniumyelledtheirassent.

“Thenlet’sdothis.Yacht—go!”

Adoorslammedopeninthebellyoftheship,andthewholefabricoftheMalleusshuddered.Gnaeusimagined

theMartianairsnatchingatthebreachintheship’shullasthesmalllandingcraftfellaway.

“Jumpers!”Alurchofdecelerationas

theshipslowedenoughtoallowthejumperstohurltheirfragilebodiesoutintotheslipstream.

“Andtestudo!”Gnaeusclutchedhis

harness,bracinghimselfonce

again.Anotherdooropenedinthebellyofthecraft,thistimedirectlybelowhim.Inthegolden-brownMartianlight,seenthroughthetestudo’sslitwindows,Gnaeuscouldseethefleeinglandscape,notfarbelow.

Themenintheirrowsofcouchesroared.Titusyelledandgunnedtheengineofthevehicle.

Andwithaclatterof

releasedlatches,thetestudowasdroppedfromthebellyofthespacecraft.ForaninstantGnaeuswasinfreefall,andheimaginedhewasbackinthetimelessvacuumofspace.Eventhelegionariesweresilentastheyfell,justforamoment.

Thenthevehicleslammedintothedirt.Weightreturnedwitharush—andimmediately,asthebigmesh

tiresbitintotheMartiandirt,thetestudosurgedforward.OnceagainGnaeuswasthrustbackintohiscouch.

And,overtheshoulderofTitusathiscontrols,throughaslitwindowandamassiveprotectivegrillbeyond,GnaeusglimpsedtherecedingfireoftheMalleus,andatree,impossiblytall,thatscrapedtheorangeMartiansky.

•••

KerystumbledoutoftheopenhatchintheflankoftheMalleus.

Slam!Thinitmightbeevenat

thislowaltitude,buthittingtheairofthissmallplanetinnothingbutapressuresuitfeltlikerunningintoawall.Anditwasfullofgrittydustthathissedagainsther

goggles.Herspeedintheair

slowedquickly.Shewasstillcurledupinaball,thepostureshe’dadoptedasshe’djumped,bettertosurvivetheclosepassageoftheMalleus.Butshecouldheartheroaroftheship’sdriverecede,seeitsglarediminishfromthecornerofhereye.Nowshespreadoutherarmsandlegs,lettingthe

airsnatchatherandstabilizeher.Herspeedreducedfurtherandherfallbecamemoreorderly,withthebutteryskyaboveher,ascarredrustylandscapebelow,apale,diminishedsunnotfarabovethehorizon.TherebelowhershesawEarthshine’sfacilities,thethreecompoundslinkedbydustytracks,justasinQuintus’simages:thebunker,the

kernel-driveshipthatwasherowndestination,andthatimpossiblytalltreeinitsnarrowairtent.Ontarget,then.

Andtherewasabrilliantpointoflightdirectlyoverhead,likeasinglestarthatseemedbrighterthanthesun.Höd,comingforitslethalrendezvous.Shelookedaway,blinkingawaythedazzlefromhereyes.

Attheappropriatetimeshetoreatapatchofleatheronherchest.Cablesrippedfree,andshefeltbalesoffabricunfoldatherback.Againshebracedherself,foldingherarmsoverherchest.Whenherwingssnatchedattheairshewassloweddramatically,ahardtugthatwrenchedatherlowergutandmadehergasp.Butitwasoverinamoment,

andwhenshelookedupherwingswerespreadwideacrossthesky.Scrapedleatherstiffenedwithribsofwood,thewingshadbeenmodeledonthewingsofhoveringseabirds,suchasalbatrosses,butthisparticularsetwas,ofcourse,adaptedforthethinMartianair,andmuchlargerthanshewouldhaveneededoverTerra.

Andtheyweresafely

open.Shefeltasurgeofsatisfaction.Safefornow—atleastuntilsheandhersolecompanion,Freydis,amidrankingremex,wentflyingupintoHöditself,iftheyevergotthatfar...

JustasshethoughtofFreydis,asprawlingshapebankedacrosshervisionandthesmallspeakersinherenclosedhelmetcrackled.“Whee!”

“Stopshowingoff,Freydis.”

“Sorry,nauarchus.Butisn’tthisgrand?FlyingoverMars!”

Kerysdidn’twanttodiscourageher,butshecouldn’tsuppressasigh.“Ifyou’rethirtyyearsold,asyouare,andstrongenoughthatyoudidn’tgetyourgutspulledoutofyourbacksidewhenyourwingsopened,and

ifyou’reaninexperiencedidiot—yes,Freydis.‘Grand’isthewordIwouldhaveused.”

“Sorry,nauarchus.”Freydisquicklycalmeddown.

Keryspeereddownattheground,tweakingherwingstomakesureshewasheadingforthestubbycylinderthatwastheCelyn,withitssupportfacilitiesaroundit—

andshespottedsmalldarkspecksthatmustbecrewandguards,waitingforherasshefellfromthesky.ShecalledFreydisagain.“Youknowtheplan.We’rebothwearingidentitybeaconsthatmarkusoutasmessengersfromtheNavyheadquartersatDumnona.Herewearewithrevisedordersforthecrewofthatshipbelow.Yes?They’llrejectanysuchorders,but

withanyluckthebluffwillconfusethemlongenoughatleastforustolandbeforetheystartshooting.Don’tdoorsayanythingtogiveusaway;justfollowmylead.”

“Iunderstand,nauarchus.”

Keryslookedacrossather.“So,you’rereadyforthis?Ipickedyoubecauseyouarethebestqualifiedofthecrew,inmyview.Your

aptitudeforpilotingandindependentthinkingisexceptional.IalsoknowyoutrainedatKalinski’sAcademyofSaintJonbar.Soyouknowallaboutthesepeople,theirstrangeorigin,thepeculiarnatureofthisentityEarthshine.”

“Probablyasmuchasanybodyatmypaygrade,nauarchus.”

ThatmadeKeryslaugh.

Butthenshelookeddownattheheavilyarmedandsuspicioustroopsonthegroundwaitingtogreetthem,andupattheloomingpresenceoftheasteroidpreparingtosmashthisworldtoslag,andsheconsideredtheunlikelysequenceofeventsthatwouldbenecessaryifthisbright,eagerremexwastosurvivetheday—andallbecauseofher,

Kerys,andherinsaneplan.“Nauarchus!Thetroops

below.Theyseemdistracted.Look,they’returningawayfromus.They’rerunning,toward—what?Anewmusterpointtothesouthofhere.”

Kerystweakedherwings,andswiveledintheairsoshecouldseebetter.Andshemadeoutavehicleroaringacrosstheground,coatedwithheavyblackarmor,

churningupacloudofMartiandustbehindit,withtheflagoftheLegioXCVictrixflutteringinthethinair:roaringstraighttowardthecompoundtothesouth,wherethatspindlytreegrewtall.

“That’sthetestudo.Theymadeit.”Shecouldn’thelpraiseafist,carelessofbeingseenfromtheground.“Go,youuglyRomanbastards!

Go,go!”

•••

Thetestudobouncedasitracedovertheground,andGnaeushadtoclingtotheedgeofhiscouch.TheywerefollowingoneofthedirttrackstheBrikantihadlaiddown,butitwasnoRomanroad—oratleastitwasn’tmeanttobetakenatthis

speed.Still,Gnaeuspeered

aheadatthemightytrunkofthetree,marvelingatthegreenofitsleaves,vividintheMartianlightdespitetheobscuringairtentwithinwhichthewholetreewasenclosed.Thetentitselfwasacylinder,faintlyvisiblebecauseofacoatingofadhereddust.ThevehiclewasalreadysoclosethatGnaeus

Juniuscouldn’tseethetree’supperbranches,itscrown.

“Thatthingisridiculous,”TitusValeriussaid,asheworkedtheleversthatcontrolledthechargingtestudo.

“It’saquarterofamiletall,TitusValerius.It’samarvelofbiology—ofhumanengineering.”

Titusgrunted.“AmarveltowhichtheseBrikantiand

theirdruidhwouldnailusifweevergavethemthechance.Andasforitslength,youandIcanpaceitoutwhenwe’vebroughtitdown.”

“Itseemsacrime.”“Mostactionsofthe

Romanarmyseemlikecrimesifyou’reonthereceivingendofthem,Idaresay,sir.”Hecalledoverhisshoulder,“Allright,lads,

wakeupandbereadytomove.We’lltopplethatunnaturalthing,andthenit’soutofthistincanandattheBrikanti.”

“Letusatthem,TitusValerius.”

“Don’tsoundtooeager,Scorpus,willyou?Nowthen,shutupandletmeconcentrateonthatcursedtree.”

Thetestudocarriedarack

ofmissiles,andtherewasasimplesightstencilledontheforwardwindow.AllTitushadtodo,Gnaeusknew,wastolineupthesightmarkdirectlyonthetrunkofthetree,whichwasaconvenientlyverticalandhighlyvisibletarget.Theyreachedacomparativelysmoothstretchoftrack,thejoltingofthevehiclesubsided,comparatively—

andTitusatlastclosedthefiringswitch.

Whenthemissilesflew,thetestudorattledandbounced,andthemencheered.ThemissileswerepoweredonlybyXinfire-of-lifepowderwithanoxidizingcompound,Gnaeusknew,buttheydeliveredakickwhentheysoaredawayanyhow.Gnaeuscouldseethemissilesswoopin,burninglowover

theground,withtheBrikantiscatteringfromtheirpath—andthenthattentoverthetreeblewapartinfilmyshreds,aninstantbeforethemissilesslammedintothebaseofthetreeitself,notfaraboveamighty,sprawlingrootsystem.Afireballswathedthelowertrunk,stretchingperhapsfiftypacesupintotheair.Justforaninstantitwasn’tclearifthe

damagedonetothetreehadbeenterminal,andGnaeus,whohadcontributedtothecalculationsofthemissilepowernecessary,feltatwingeofanxiety.HecouldseetheBrikantitroopsstanding,turning,peeringupattheirtreeindismay.

Butthentheuppertrunkleaned,visibly,andtherewasacrack,loudinthethinair.

“Ha!”Titusroared.“We

didit,boys!Webrokethebackoftheirgod.Nowlet’sbreakafewBrikantiheads!”Hewrenchedathisdrivelevers,andthetestudoturnedandskiddedtoahaltinasprayofdust.

Thebigdoorsimmediatelyslammedopen,andthemenreleasedtheirbucklesandwereoutofthehullinheartbeats,justasthey’dbeentrained.They

immediatelyclosedwiththeBrikantiontheground,whowerestillformingup,stillraisingtheirweapons.

BythetimeGnaeusJuniushadfollowedTitusoutofthetestudo,hefoundhimselfsurroundedbywarriorsinheavilyarmoredpressuresuitscollidingclumsilywithoneanother,manywieldingweaponsthatwouldhavebeenimpossibly

heavyifnotfortheMartiangravity—andallofthemtryingtogetattheBrikanti.Nobodywasusingballistae,orotherfire-of-lifeweapons,Gnaeusnoticed.Thesewerespace-goingsoldiers,onbothsides;theinhibitionagainstusingsuchweaponsinfragileextraterrestrialenvironmentsmustrundeep.Soitwasswordsandknives,handtohand.

Gnaeuswasrelievedtoseethattheywerenowherenearthefallingtrunkofthetree,whichcontinuedtotopple,almostgracefully.Buttheairwasfullofthecracksandgroansofshatteringwood,bitsofrippedbarkandshreddedtrunkcameflyingoutofarisingdustcloud,andtherewereevenshredsofthedestroyedpressuretenttumblingintheair.Itwas

almostimpossibletorememberthatthiswasjustadiversion,meanttodistracttheBrikantitroopsfromtheirspacecraftandEarthshine’sbunker,thetruetargetsoftheoperation.

Itwaschaos.Itwasglorious.Hisownbloodsurging,Gnaeusdrewhisowngladioandchargedintothefray.

29

AsKerysandFreydiscameflutteringdownfromtheskyundertheirleatherwings,oneofficerstayedatherpostbeforetheCelyn.

Assoonasshehittheground,assoonasherboots

crunchedonMartiandust,Kerysshuckedoffherwings,lettingthemsubsideinthethinair,andstalkedtowardthewaitingofficer.Stalked—youcouldn’treallystalkinlowgravity,andthatwasaperennialproblemforofficersworkingintheseconditionsandtryingtolookimposing.Itwasmorethatsheglidedacrossthegroundwithacommandingair.

ButshekepthergazelockedfirmlyontheofficerwhowasstandingbetweenherandtheCelyn.TheofficerworeastandardBrikantiNavy-issuepressuresuit,withshoulderflashestoshowherrank.FromwhatKeryscouldseeofherface,shelookedyoung,youngereventhanFreydis.Andsheheftedaheavyprojectileweapon,notloweringitasKerys

approached.Keryshaltedonlypaces

fromtheofficer.Stillthatweapondidn’twaver,thoughitsmuzzlewasonlyahand’sbreadthfromKerys’schest.Andstilltheofficerheldherplace,thoughthefearanduncertaintywereobviousinhereyes.Kerysfeltastabofsympathy,andshameatwhatshehadtodo.

Shemadesuretheofficer

hadseenherownshoulderflashes,andrecognizedherrankofnauarchus.Thensheswitchedhercommunicationstoastandardchannelandsnapped,“Yourname?”

“Thatisirrelevant,nauarchus.Withrespect.Ourorders—myorders—weretosecurethisvesselagainstintruders.And—”

“Yourname,”Kerysrepeatedsilkily.“Youseemy

uniform.Whatharmcanitdototellmeyourname?”

“Gerloc,”shesaidatlast.“MynameisGerloc.IcomefromAtrebatu,whichis—”

“Idon’tcarewhereAtrebatuis.So,Gerloc.Icanseeyou’readruidh.”

“Yes.MyNavyrankanddruidhlevelare—”

Keryswavedthataway.“Andyou’reaNavyofficer.ThisisaNavyvessel.”

“Yes,nauarchus.”“Yousayyourorders

weretosecurethisvesselagainstintruders.”

“Yes,nauarchus.”“Verywell.”Kerys

glancedaround,deliberatelycasual.Thensheforcedherselftoscreaminthegirl’sface.“AnddoIlooklikeanintrudertoyou?”

“No!Imean,yes—nauarchus.”

“Didyounotheartheinstructionsmyshipbroadcast?”

“Yes.Butwehadnoordersconcerningyourarrival.TheRomanshipthatbroughtyouhere,wehadnoclearance,andthenyourdescentonthewingswithoutcallingahead—”

Kerysdeliberatelybackedoff.Shesaidmorecalmly,“Haveyounever

heardofasnapinspection?Whatusewouldthatbeifmyarrivalwasheraldedinadvance,asifIwassomepompousCaesarreturningtothefleshpotsofRome?”

Thegirldidn’tbudge.“But,nauarchus—”

Kerysheldahandtothesideofherhelmet,andtheotherpalmup.“Hush.Canyounothearthat?That’syourowntrierarchusgivingme

clearance.You’retostandaside.Aren’tyougettingit?Maybeyourequipmentisfaulty.”

Gerlocliftedherfreehandtoherownhelmet,andwithatroubledexpressionglancedawayfromKerys.

ThatmomentwasallKerysneeded.Shesteppedinsidethearcoftheweapon,grabbedGerloc’shelmetwithtwohands,andyankedit

forward.ThebackofGerloc’sheadclatteredagainstherhelmet,andshewasimmediatelyrenderedunconscious.KeryscarefullyloweredhertotheMartianground,whilebehindherFreydishurriedforwardtocollectGerloc’sweapon.

“Thatwaskindofyou,nauarchus,”Freydissaid.“Relatively.”

Keryskneltoverthegirl.

“Ihatedhavingtodothat.Thisonestoodhergroundwhiletherestoftheidiotsaroundherwentrunningoffinpursuitofglory.StoodhergroundinspiteofallthepressureIcouldbringtobearonher.Shehadherorders,andsheobeyedthem,andthisisherreward,fromme,hercommandingofficer.AtleastIwasabletospareherabrokennoseorafewlost

teeth.”Freydislookedupatthe

sky.“Nauarchus,maybewe’dbettergetmoving.Thatthingintheskyisn’tslowingdownany.”

“Tootrue.Comeon,Freydis.Keepyourweaponsready.Trynottokill,butifyouhaveto—”

“Icanseethere’sagreatergood,nauarchus.”

“Thereisindeed.Iwant

thisbuckettobeoffthegroundinanhour,orless.”ShelookeddownattheinertbodyofGerloc,wholookedasifsheweresleepingpeacefully.“HelpmehaulheraboardtheCelyn.”

“Ofcourse,nauarchus.Umm—why?”

“Becauseshemayhaveabetterchanceofsurvivalaboardthanifweleaveherhere.Shedeservesthatmuch.

Butbindherhandsandfeet,incasehersenseofdutygetsinthewayagain.”

“Yes,nauarchus.”GlancingoveratFreydis,

KeryssawthatHödwasactuallycastingashadownow,fromthesoftfeaturesofthewoman’syoungface,behindhervisor.“Let’shope,intheend,thatallourheroicsaren’tnecessaryafterall...Comeon,let’sgetonwith

it.”

•••

Eilidh,pilotingthesmallkernel-drivenlandingyachtbearingherfractiousandcomplicatedcompanions,wasorderedtodescendtothethirdofthesurfacecomplex’scompounds,centeredonEarthshine’sheavybunker.Butshewasn’ttolanduntil

theoperationsatthetreeandattheCelynwerewellunderway,theguardsdrawnoff.SoaftershehadguidedtheyachtthroughitsentryintotheMartianairshehovered,waitingforafinalconfirmingorderfromQuintusFabius,whowatchedfromtheMalleusJesu.

Mardina,surroundedbyherfamilyandcompanions,carefullyfollowedthe

progressofthemilitaryoperationontheground.Itwasn’tjustthatherlifedependedonitsoutcome.Shewasactuallyinterestedinit,thefirstgenuineactionshehadeverbeenapartof.

Shefeltshewaslearningconstantly,notleastfromQuintusFabiusandhisofficersastheyhadstudiedthisstrangesurfacetarget,andhehadimprovisedhis

planofattack.Nothingspecificaboutthat,shethought,couldeverbetaughtinanacademy,oronatrainingground,orevenonmaneuversoutinthefield.Alltrainingcoulddowouldbetoleaveyouwithacertainsupplenessofmind—suppleness,wrappedaroundabonycoreofdetermination.QuintusFabiushadneverlostsightoftheultimategoalof

thisoperation,forallitsconfusionandcomplexity:tofindawaytostoptheiceball,Höd,hittingtheplanetMars,ifhepossiblycould.

Andnowheresheherselfwas,involvedinthishorriblyambiguouspartoftheoperationherself.Shewasgladtobeinvolvedintheaction.Butshewishedhewasdoingsomethingsimpler!Morallyclearer!Evenifmore

dangerous.ShewouldhavelovedtobowlacrossthesurfaceofMarswithTitusValeriusinhistestudo,firingmissilesatthesacredgianttree,ortostormthatwaitingspacecraftwithKerysandFreydis...

Notthattherewasn’tdangerenoughinherownassignment.Theyachtwasbroadcastingcontinualidentifyingmessages,and

imagesofthecraft’soccupants:crucially,thefacesofBethandMardina.AllthiswasanattempttogetthroughtoEarthshine,topersuadehimtoletthemthrough.Fine.Butitwasallterriblyflaky.Theyweresoexposedinthisyacht,hanginghereintheair.Itonlyneededafewofthegroundtroopstobehaveinanunexpectedway—infact,tofollowtheirorders—andit

couldallgowrong.Mardinaherselfhadwatchedasoneloneofficerhadstoodbyherpostatthespacecraft,theCelyn,andheldupthenauarchusKerys.

Worsethanthat,however,wasthefactthatinthisfragilelittleshipMardinawasstuckwithherfamily,amongotherlunatics.Hermother,Beth,whocouldhardlybeartolookather

father,Ari.Thestrangeslaveboy,ChuYuen,sittingaseverinhissubmissiveposture,eyesaverted,hispackcontainingthemysteriousmachine,Collius,cradledinhislapasifitwerethemostprecioustreasureintheworld—well,Mardinasupposed,forhimitwas,asitwasprobablyallthatkepthimfrombeingcastdownintosomeevenworse

situationthanthis.And,tocompletetheparty,hereatherowninsistencewasAcademicianPennyKalinski,awomanwhoMardina,herformerpupil,wasveryfondof—butshewassohopelesslyold.WhatwasPennydoingdescendingintoacombatzonewithanasteroidabouttobedroppedonhergrayhead?

Thisstrangecrew,all

saveEilidhatthecontrols,werestrappedintocouchessetinaroughcircleinthissmall,crampedcabin,allfacingeachother,alltryingtoavoidtheothers’eyes.

ButatlastthemessagecamefromtheMalleusthattheywerecleartoland.

ItwasStefKalinskiwhospoketothemfromtheship.Astheoperationhadsorteditselfout,shehadvolunteered

herservicestoQuintusFabiusascapcomfortheyacht,assheputit,astrangeprejonbarwordthatnobodyunderstood,exceptpossiblyPenny.Nowhervoicecalledclearandstrongfromthespeaker.“Wefinallygotwordfromthebunker.Earthshinecanseeyou.Hesaysyou’refreetoland.Youshouldseeadockingport,suitableforshipsofRoman,Brikantior

Xindesign.Takeherdownwhenyou’reready,Eilidh.”

“Thankyou,ColonelKalinski—”

AndsuddenlyEarthshinewashere.Standinginthecabinbeforethem.Hewastall,urbane,wearingasuitthatwasnotunlikeBrikantigarb,Mardinathought,butwastoosmart,sharp—toofinelymade—andhisshoeswerepolishedleather.He

woreabroochononelapel,abitofcarvedstoneatwhichAristaredgreedily.

Ithadtobehim.Mardinahadneverseenhimbeforebutsheknewofnootherbeingwithsuchpowersofprojection.Yettherewasanairofunrealityabouthim,atranslucence,ahintofaninnergoldenglow.Whenhesmiled,evenhisteethshonefaintlygolden.

Still,thiswasanintrusionintoamilitaryvessel.Eilidhreachedforaweapon.

AriGuthfrithsoncalledoutsharply,“Becalm!Thisisnotreal.Heisanimage—likeareflectioninamirror.Andhecannomoreharmyouthancouldsuchareflection.”

Pennyglared.“Well,don’ttryyourtricksonme,youchimera.Howareyoudoingthis?Thiscraftdoesn’t

havethetechnologicalsubstratetosupportvirtualreality.”SheusedtheEnglishphrase.

“ButIdo,”theColUsaidmournfullyfromhissatchel,whichChuheldtohischest.“Ireceivedasignalfromtheground,arequestforinterfacing,transmissioncapacity.Iwouldhavewarnedyouall—”

“ButIoverrodeyou,

didn’tI?”Earthshinesaid.“Youarejustafarmrobotafterall.Well,noteventhatanymore.WhereasI,yousee,amincontrolofthesituation.Asalways.”

“No,”saidPennyKalinski.“Youcan’tgrabholdofthisship,canyou?Becauseit’stooprimitiveforyourinterfaces.”

“Icouldshootyoudowninaninstant.”

“Butyouwon’t,”Arisaid.“Becauseshe’sonboard.”HegesturedatBeth;Mardina’smother,assooftenwhenchallengedlikethis,wasshutinonherself,angry,resentful.“Andher—Mardina,yourgreat–granddaughter.”

“Youseektomanipulateme,inyourcrudeways.”

“Itworked,didn’tit?”Pennylaughed,showingthe

remainsofherteeth.“Forallyou’resopowerful,youhavehumanweaknessesstill.”

“Weaknesses?Wouldyoucallacapacityforloyaltytoone’sfamilyaweakness?Oh,butIforgot;you’vespentmostofyourlifefightingagainstyourownrejectionbyyourimpossiblesister,haven’tyou?Whatdoyouknow,then,offamily?”

Shewasstillglaringat

him.“Onlythatyouhelpedmerediscoveritonce.InParis,remember?Shameonyouforspeakingtomethiswaynow,Earthshine.”

AndtoMardina’sastonishmentitwasEarthshinewhodroppedhisheadfirst.

Ariwatchedthisexchange,fascinatedandamused.“Well,well.Perhapsitwasworthbringingalong

thiswizenedmatriarchafterall.”

“Wedohavehistory,”Earthshinesaid.“Sohereweare.IbelieveIknowwhatyouwant.Butwhydon’tyoutellme,inyourownwords?”

“Wewanttoknowwhatyou’redoinghere,Earthshine,”Pennysaidclearly.“HereonMars.Andwewanttoknowwhyyou’rebringinganasteroidcrashing

downonthisplanet—onyourownhead,apparently.ThoughI’mquitecertainyoudon’tintendtodiehere—ifto‘die’meansanythingtoyouatall.”

“Oh,Ithinkitdoes—”“Wewantyoutostop,”

Eilidhsaid.“Mycommanders.Mygovernment.Mypeople,thosewhoknowaboutyou—aboutallofyoufrombeyond

thejonbarhinge.Wewantyoutostopmeddlingwithourlives.Withourworlds.”Shelookedheated,almostembarrassedtohavespoken.

Arisaid,“AndofcoursetheywantyoutodeflectHöd.Giveupthisdestructivecourseyouseemtobeon.”

“I’mafraidIcan’tdothat,”hesaidevenly.

Bethspoke,forthefirsttime,bravely.“Thenyou’ll

killusall—grandfather.Metoo.BecauseIagreewiththem.Thisisn’tourworld;it’snotourhistory.We,you,havenorighttomeddlelikethis.I’mnotgoinganywhere.IfCeresfalls,itkillsmetoo.”

“Idoubtverymuchthatthat’sgoingtohappen.Butwestillhavetimeforachatbeforetheendgame.”HeturnedtoEilidh.“Youmaybringyourcraftdown.Well,

then.”Hesmiledatthemall.“AsyourEnglishancestorswouldhavesaid,Mardina,I’llpophomeandputthekettleon.Seeyousoon!”

Andhevanishedinabriefblizzardoflightblocks.

Eilidhlookedtotheheavens,mutteredaquickprayer,andturnedtohercontrols.“Thecoordinatesarehere.I’llputusdownasquickasIcan,andmakea

reporttotheMalleus.We’venotimetowaste.”

Astheship’spositionshifted,anoverheadwindowtrackedaswatheofthecoppersky,andMardinaglimpsedHöd,atinydiscnow,brilliantenoughtohurthereyes.

30

Keryslayonherbackinanaccelerationcouch,onthebridgeoftheCelyn,theshipshehadstolen.Theprowoftheship,athickshieldofmetalanddirtdesignedtodefytheerosionofthesparse

grimeofinterplanetaryandinterstellarspace,hadnoforwardports,butvariousinstrumentspeeredaroundtheshield,andscreensaroundhershowedherimagesofwhatlaybeyondtheship:aglowingjewelhangingoverapalebrownlandscape.

SurelybynowthedestinationoftheasteroidmustbeobvioustotheauthoritiesonTerra,across

thesolarsystem.Keryshadmovedinelevatedenoughcirclestobeabletoimaginetheconsternationthatmustbeunfoldinginthecapitals,Brikanti,XinandRoman:thefear,theraisedvoices,theunbelieveddenialsthatthiswasanintentionalactofwar.Sheprayedforcooljudgments,butonaworldthatwasmoreorlesscontinuallyatwar,shefeared

judgmentwouldbelacking.AndshefearedforBrikanti—forherfamily,hersisterandhernephews...

Meanwhileitwasjustthreehoursfromimpact.AndstilltheCelynsatontheground.

“Comeon,Freydis,comeon—”

“I’mhere,nauarchus.”Freydisscrambledupaladderintothecabin,kickedahatch

closedbehindher,andhauledherselfintoacouchalongsideKerys.

“Atlast!”Kerysimmediatelystartedsnappingswitchesandpullinglevers.Shefelttheshipshudderasthehugeassembliesofethericenginesthatcontrolledthekernelbanksbegantopowerup.“I’dbiteyourheadoffifIdidn’tknowhowmanyhatchesyouhadtoclose,and

systemstoflushdown...”“Yes,nauarchus.”“Andifithadn’talso

takenmeallthistimetogetthecontrolsinorderalso.Thecrewhereweredoingasloppyjob.”

Freydisthoughtthatover.“ThatstrangecreatureEarthshineisincontrolofallofthis.Maybehedoesn’tcareaboutthisship.He’ssafeinhisbunker—well,at

leastuntilHödfalls.Maybehethoughtthepresenceoftheshipandthecrewonthesurfacewouldbeenoughofadeterrenttoanybodywhowasthinkingofintruding.”

“We’renevergoingtoknow.Andfromnowonourpriorityisthat.”KerystappedascreenthatglowedwithanimageofthefallingEye.

Freydisglancedataclock.“Justthreehoursuntil

Hödfalls.Ididn’trealizehowmuchtimewe’velost.”

“Idid.I’vebeenwatchingthatdamnbitofclockworktickawayourremainingtime.AndI’vebeentryingtofigureoutaflightplan.RightnowHödisahundredandthirtythousandRomanmilesfromMars.That’soverthirtyplanetarydiameters.Whichsoundslikealotuntilyourememberthat

thethingiscominginatovertenMarsdiameterseveryhour.”SheglancedatFreydis,whowastakingthisallinverycalmly,veryseriously—lookingmorelikeanearneststudentinaclassroomthanasoldier,Kerysthought,asoldierwhowasabouttolaydownherlife.“So,youtellme.Giventheknucklebonesasthey’vefallen,whatplaywouldyou

haveusmakenext?”Freydispulledherlip.

“OurobjectiveistodeflectHödfromanimpactwithMars.ThefartheroutfromtheplanetwemeetHödthebetter.Ourhighestaccelerationisthreeweights—”

“Yes.Ifwejustblastoutofhereatthreeweights,wewillencounterHödinlessthananhour.”

“Umm.Eventhenitmightbetooclosetodoanythingaboutit.”

“Mostlikely.And—”“Andwe’llgoflyingby

attwentythousandmilesperhour.”

“Yes.Butifweplanforarendezvous,ifweallowtimetodecelerate—”

“Then,bythetimewemeetHöd,itwillbecloseryettoMars.”

“Sowhatdoyouthink?”Freydisgrinned.“Gofor

theburn.Getthereasfastaspossible.Atminimum,wecanblastwhatevercrewisstillonthaticeballwithfarspeakermessages;maybethesightoftheCelyncomingdowntheirthroatswillpersuadethemtoseetheerrorofthecoursethey’vechosen.”

Kerysnoddedgrimly.

“Andifthatfails,we’llthinkofsomethingelse.”Althoughshecouldonlythinkofonealternative,giventhesituation.“Butthefirstthingwehavetodoisgetthere.Strappedin,Freydis?Takenyourthrustmedications?”

“No,butI’llsurvive.”Actually,Kerysthought

sadly,no,youprobablywon’t.

Shepulledthemaster

lever,layback,andbraced.Sheimaginedthebanksofkernelsembeddedinthebaseoftheship,ethericpulseswashingoverthem,theirstrange,tinymouthsopening—theengineersalwayssaidtheywerelikebabybirdsaskingtobefed—butthosemouthswouldvomitoutakindoffirethatwashotterthanthesunitself.ImmediatelyKerysfeltthe

heavyshoveofthethrust,aweightthatpushedherdeepintothecushionsofthecouch.

Onapillaroffire,theCelynsurgedintotheairofMars.

Withoutthinking,Keryswentintopracticesforhigh-thrustregimensasshe’dbeeninstructed,manyyearsago.Shekeptherlegsstill,herarmsatherside,herhead

cushioned,andshebreatheddeliberately,deepandstrong,pushingagainstthatsavageweight.Onlyanhour,shethought.Onlyanhour.Then,onewayoranother,itwouldbedone.

Almostimmediately,itseemed,thewanskyofMarsclearedawayinherscreens,leavingthatdeadlysparkoflight,Höd,hanginginthevoid.Asifalastillusionhad

beendispelledabouttherealityofthissituation.

Thecabinwasshuddering,theroarofthedriveloud.

“Onward,nauarchus!”Freydisyelled,defyingthesavageaccelerationandthenoise.“Onward!”

ToKerys’ssurprise,aninternalcommunicationslinksoundedwithawhistle.ShelookedatFreydissharply.

“Whoisthat?Ithoughtyousaidyouclearedtheship.”

“Idid!Ithrewoffthelastofthecrewatspearpoint,andtheyweregladtoleavewhenItoldthemwewereheadingforHöd...”

Kerysreachedupcautiouslyandsnappedaswitch.“Identifyyourself.”

“IamGerloc.Youmayrecall,thenauarchustrickedmeinordertogainaccessto

theship.”Kerysgrimaced.“I

apologizeforthat.”Freydissnarled,“AndI

leftyouboundup.”“Notverywell,itseems,”

Gerlocsaid.Keryshadtogrin.“Ha!

Shehasyouthere,Freydis.”“Iwonderedifyouwould

likealittlehelp.Idoknowtheship’ssystemsquitewell;Ihavehadextensivetraining

asabackuptothecontrolcrew.”

“Hm.Itwouldn’tharm.Youneedtounderstandthatourmission—”

“Iswhatyouordainittobe.Ioverheardsomeofyourconversation.”

“Oh,youdid?Resourceful,aren’tyou?”

“Yes,”saidGerlocwithoutirony.“Youaretryingtoavertatremendous

disaster.Andyouarenauarchus;youaremysuperiorofficer.”

“AndsoamI,bytheway,”snappedFreydis.

“Ihavetrainedforthis,formobilityinbattlesituationsunderconditionsofthrust—”

“Allright.Getuphereasfastasyoucan,anddon’tbreakalegontheway.”

“Alreadyhalfwaythere,

nauarchus.Seeyousoon.”“Ha!Ilikeher,”said

Kerys.“Well,Idon’t,”said

Freydis.“Isthereanywaywecanincreasethethrustofthisbucket?Thatwouldwipethegrinoffherface...”

31

Oncetheywereoffthelandedyacht,MardinatriedtohelpPennyastheymadetheirwaythroughanairlock,andintoacrampedelevatorthattookthemdownadeepshaftsunkintotheMartianground.Then

theyfollowedEarthshinealongashortpassagecrudelycutintothedirt.

Theyarrivedatabareroom,withwallsofrust-coloredconcretepunctuatedbyseveraldoors,andfurnishedwithafewcouchesandlowtablesofmetaltubingandwebbing—furniturethatlookedtoMardinaasifithadbeenscavengedfromaspacecraft,

fromtheCelyn,perhaps.Earthshinestoodatthecenteroftheroomastherestfiledin.Noneofthemwereateaseastheytriedtowalkintheunaccustomedlowgravity—nonesaveEarthshine,wholookedasrelaxedasifhewereinafullgravityonTerra.Mardinafoundthatirritating,asifhewasmakingsomepointabouthisowneeriesuperiority.

Pennypickedachair,easedherselfdownonitwithalotofhelpfromMardina,andleanedforwardonherstick,scowlingatEarthshine.Therestsettled:Mardina’smotherandfather,BethandAri,onchairsasfarfromeachotherastheycouldget,andChuwiththeColUsatchelonhisbacksittingmodestlyonthefloor.

“Sohereweare.”

Earthshinepointed.“Therearefacilities—abathroomthroughthatdoor,asmallgalley,adormitory.”

Pennybarkedlaughter.“AllratherlessfancythanthelasttimeIvisitedyou,Earthshine.ThegreatglasshallatHellas—thetripintoyourvirtualmine,deepunderground,whereyouspokeofyournoostratum.”

Earthshinesmiled,

unperturbed.“Ihaveabandonedthesurfacefacilitiesnow.DownhereIcancompletemypreparationswithoutanyinterferencebythenaviesofthisreality’ssquabblingempires.”

Arismiled.“Whatinterference?YoumaneuveredanobjectasenormousasHödontoacollisioncoursewiththisplanet.Andallinfullviewof

theBrikantiandtheRomansandtheXin—indeed,youpersuadedthemtogiveyouthefacilitiestodoit!”

Earthshineshrugged.“Thesearenotculturesthatpreparewellfornaturaldisasters—notcomparedtoourownreality,Penny.Theydon’ttrackrocksthatmightfallfromspace;theydon’thavethetechnologytodoit,letalonetheimagination.

Eachother’sships—that’swhattheywatch,obsessively.AndsoitwaseasyformetosmuggleCeresontothisdestructivecourse,yes.”

TheColUsaidlevelly,“Weareheretopersuadeyoutoabandonthisproject—”

Earthshinebrokein,“Yes,thatwasyourplan,yoursurfacemotivation.Butunderallthat,deeperimpulseslurk.Iamyour

grandparent,Beth.Whateveryouthinkofme,thatremainsthetruth.Iamallthatisleftofyourfamilyfrombeforewhatyoucallthehinge.Andinthefinalhours,youhavecometome.”Hespreadhishands,andlookedaround,atBeth,Mardina.“Evenunderthefallofthehammeritself,you,myfamily,havecometome.ForyouknowIwillprotectyou.”

TheColUsaidevenly,“Theywerepawns,Earthshine.Ameansofinducingyoutoallowaccesstothisplace.Asforyourfamily,whatofYuriEden?Yourson.Iwaswithhimwhenhedied.Hewasfarfromyourprotectionthen.”

Earthshine’ssynthesizedfacebecame,eerily,moreexpressionless.“Iamawareofhisdeath—”

“Itwasfreezerburn.Thatwasthecolloquialismheused.Yourdecision,RobertBraemann,allthoseyearsago,toconsignyoursontoacryotank,ultimatelykilledhim.”

Mardinahadbeentoldaboutthis.Evenso,havingitstatedasbaldlyasthisinfrontofthisstrangeoldmonster,thisrelicofhergreat-grandfather,shocked

her.EarthshinefacedBeth

andMardina,andspreadhishands.“ImeantonlythebestforYuri.AsImeanonlythebestforyou—”

Pennysnapped,“You’rebeingabsurd.Howwillyouprotectthesepeople,your‘family’?ThissandcastleofabunkerwillbeuselesswhenCeresfalls.”

“True.Butitisnotthe

bunkerthatwillsaveus—allofyouwhochoosetocomewithme.”

Mardinawasutterlybaffled.“Comewithyouwhere?”

Ari’seyeswerealightwithakindofgreed.“IthinkIunderstand.You’retalkingaboutanotherjonbarhinge,aren’tyou?LikethegatebetweenyourhistoryoftheUNandChinaandourown

withRomansandBrikanti,andagainbetweenourworldsandtheworldoftheDrownedCulture...Iknowyourownhistoryendedinawarofcosmicsavagery,withthereleaseofhugeenergies.Isthatwhatyou’replanninghere,Earthshine?Tocreateahinge?”

Mardinastaredathim,barelyunderstanding.“Father.Thewayyou’re

talking.Yousoundasifyouwantthis.Asifyouwanteverythingtobesmashedup—everythingwe’vegrownupwith,everythingourancestorsbuilt.”

“PerhapsIdo,”Arisaid,andhestoodandbegantopace.“PerhapsIdo.Eversincethesestrangerswanderedintoourlives—andespeciallyeversinceIdiscoveredtheevidenceof

theDrownedCultureformyself—I’vebecomeaddictedtotheidea.Addicted—yes,that’stheword.Toseeeverythingchangeinatrice—toseenewpossibilitiesformankindandhumanexpressionunfold,beforeone’seyes—perhapstohavethepowertoshapethosepossibilities.Howcouldanythinkingpersonnotbedrawntosuchanidea?”

“Billionswoulddie,Ari,”Pennysaidsoftly.“No,it’sworsethanthat.Billionswouldneverhaveexistedatall.”

“Butotherswouldtaketheirplace.Don’tyousee?Itwouldbelikelookingthroughtheeyesofagod.”

TheColUsaid,“That’sprobablyblasphemous,intermsofyourinterpretationofChristianity.Andit’salso

wrong.Youwouldbelookingthroughtheeyes,notofagod,butofwhoeveritiswhowelcomestheseadjustments—andwhoeverhasengineeredthem.”

Arifrowned.“Andwhomighttheybe?”

Pennysaid,“Wedon’tknow,notyet.Butweknowthattheirmeddlinginhistoryhasnothingtodowithourbenefit.Itisallaboutwhat

theywant.”“Whichis?”“Kernels,”shesaid.“And

Hatches,Ari.Hatches.OfthekindyouandyourRomanrivalsaremerrilybuildingforthem,alloverthenearbystarsystems,withouteverunderstandingwhy,orwhatthey’refor.Weknowthatmuch.

“Butthere’smoretothis,isn’tthere,Earthshine?”She

heldhimwithhergaze.“We’reskirtingaroundelementsofadeepermystery.YoucametoMarstoexplorethisnoostratumofyours.Alayerofbacterialmind,deepintherocks...”Shestoodstraight,stiffly.“MyGod.Ineverthoughtofitbefore.Couldtherebesomeconnection?TheHatches,afterall,providelightspeedlinksbetweenworlds...”

ShefacedEarthshine.“ArethenoostratummindsyourHatchbuilders,Earthshine?Maybetheyaren’tjustwitnesses.Andtheyareeverywhere,presumably,oneveryrockyworld...Theyarethepuppetmasters,whocontrolthelesserbeings,us,ontheplanetsurfaces.Isthatwhatyou’rethinking?”

Earthshinejustsmiled.“Whatisimportantinthis

situation,PennyKalinski,iswhatIwantofthem.”

“Whichis?”“Forthemtoreplytome.

TheMartiannoostratum—yes,theHatchbuilders,asIbelievetheyare.YouknowIhavebeentryingtocommunicatewiththem—yousawtheexperimentalsetup.AllIhavewantedisareply.”

“Andnow?Earthshine,

youlookratherpleasedwithyourself.”

“SoIshouldbe.Thenoostratum.Ithasreplied.Andithasgivenmethemeanstosaveyouall.”Hegesturedtoadoor.“Thisway...”

32

HödgrewvisiblyinthemonitorsoftheCelynnow,heartbeatbyheartbeat.

“It’scomingatussoquickly,”saidGerloc.

Hervoicewassmallnow,Kerysrealized,withlittle

remainingofthecoolcompetenceoftheyoungofficerwhohadheldherpositionbytheCelyn.Thedifferencewas,Keryssupposed,unlikeherselfandFreydis,Gerlochadn’thadthetimetogetusedtoallthis—tobeingtrappedinaspeedingmoteofavessel,caughtbetweentwocollidingcosmicbodies.Likeafly,shethought,trappedbetweenthe

tabletopandthedescendingfist.

Freydis,atleast,wascalmlycheckingherinstruments.“We’reapproachingourfullspeednow.We’reactuallymovingfarfasterthanHöditself;mostoftheclosingvelocityisours.”

Gerlocstaredthroughathickwindow.“Itistheeyeofagod,openingslowly.”

Keryssnapped,“Nomythologynow,Gerloc.Itisjustalumpofrockandice.Abigone,andrepresentingawesomeenergies.Butitisnotdivine.Andifnotforhumanintervention,itwouldnotbehereatall,highaboveMars.”

Freydissaid,“Wehavelessthanhalfanhourtoclosestapproach.Whenwearrive,we’llpassbythething

beforewecancounttoten.Ifwe’regoingtodosomething,weneedtodecidesoon.”

“Dosomething?Suchaswhat?”Gerlocasked.

KerysglancedatFreydis,whoshewassureunderstoodthefullsituation,andshookherhead.Notyet.LetGerlocworkitoutforherself.Shesaidaloud,“Stillnoresponsefromthecrewsonthesurface?”

“None,”Freydissaid.“Ithinkthere’sstillactivitydownthere,however.TheEyehasn’tbeenabandoned,andthebigkernelbanksarestillfiring.”

“Asuicidecrew,then.”“Itlookslikeit.Andif

so,theywon’twelcomevisitors.”FreydisglancedatGerloc.“Youunderstandwecan’tland.Wedon’thavethepower,thetime,toslow

downandmakearendezvous.”

“OfcourseIunderstandthat,”Gerlocsaiddismissively.

“Evenifwecouldattemptsomekindoflanding,they’dprobablytrytoshootusoutoftheskyfirst,”Keryssaid.“Andevenifwehadcomeearlier,itwasprobablyalwaystoolate—Hödisprobablytooclosetobe

deflectedanyhow,byanyconceivablepushevenfromthekernelbanks.Smalltweakstoitsmomentumfromfaraway:that’showHödhasbeendeliveredontothiscourse.Itwasworthatry,though.Tocome,totrytotalktothesurfacecrew.”

Gerlocnodded.“Then,ifwecan’tdeflecttheasteroid,whatcanwedo?”

KerysglancedatFreydis,

andclosedhereyes.“Theremaybeoneoption.Ihavetotellyousomethingverystrange,Gerloc,andIapologizethatthereisnotimetoexplainitfully.Therearepeopleinouruniverse—someofthemaredownthereonMarsnow—whoarenotfromourhistory.Theydonotshareourpast.Freydisunderstandssomeofthis...Now,Gerloc,theimportantpointisthis.

Thathistorywasendedwithaterriblewar,attheclimaxofwhichatremendousmass—somekindofhugeshipIthink—wasslammedintothesurfaceoftheplanetMercury.TheycalledittheNail.Intheirhistory,asinours,Mercurywasthesourceofthefirstkernelmines.”

Freydisputin,“Thishasbeenstudiedinourownacademies,basedonthe

strangers’description.Therewasatremendousdetonation—ahugereleaseofenergy.It’sthoughtthatthekernels,caughtupintheimpactoftheincomingmass,openedwideinresponse.Andthereleaseofenergy—”

“Itwasenoughtoscorchworldsclean,”Keryssaid.

GerloclookedatFreydis,andthenatKerys,whoclosedhereyes.“IthinkI

understandwherethisisleading.SowecrashtheshipintoHöd—andnotjustatanyrandompoint.Directlyontothekernelbanks.Inthehopeofblowingthislumpoficeapartwithkernelenergies.”

“That’stheidea.”“ThussavingMars.”“And,withanyluck,

avertingawaronTerra.”Gerloc’seyessnapped

open.“Well,ifthat’syour

plan,wehavealotofworktodotomakeithappen,andnotmuchtimetodoitin.”

Kerysgrinned.“Goodresponse.Andyou’reright.Weneedtoturntheshiparound.Shutdownthekerneldrivefirst,usethesecondarythrusterstoswivelher.Thenwelightupthedriveagain,sothatwhenwecomedownonHöd,it’swithourownkernelsblazingaway.”

Freydisnodded.“Itcouldwork.”Hervoicewasbrittle,hereyestoobright.“Butrightnowwearen’tonatrajectorytohitHödatall,letalonethekernelfacilitydownthere.We’llneedtomakeacoursecorrectionbeforewepivottheship.”

“Yes,”Gerlocsaid.“Andofcoursewe’llneedtotakeintoaccounttheeffectofourdeceleratingthrustonour

trajectory,allthewaydown...”

Good,Kerysthoughtsavagely.Theywouldhavetowork,toactivelypilottheship,allthewayin.Itwouldbegood,complex,demandingwork,thatwouldallowthemnotimetothink.

Impulsivelyshereachedoutandgrabbedtheirhands.“Whetherwesucceedinthisornot,wewillignitealight

thatwillbeseenacrossthesolarsystem,oneveryworld.Peoplewillknowwhowewere;ourfamilieswillknowwhatwetriedtodotoday.Allright?Areyoureadyforthis?”

ImpulsivelyFreydisgrabbedGerloc’shand,sotheyclosedthecircle.“Let’sgetitdone.”

“Agreed,”Gerlocsaid.Theybrokethecircleand

turnedtotheirposts.

33

ThechambertowhichEarthshineledthemwasjustacaverninthedeeprocks.Therewasascatterofchairsnearthedoor,asmallchemicaltoilet,andheapsofequipment,includinga

heavy-lookingcylinderofsomeplainwhitematerial.Thelightcamefromsuspendedfluorescents,averymundaneglow.MardinaandBethtogetherhelpedPennyovertooneofthechairs;shecouldn’tstandforlonganymore.

Thecentralareaofthefloorwasropedoff,thebarriercontainingasmootherareawithin.

Earthshinehadanairofsmugtriumph,Mardinathought.Theothersseemedsubdued,evenconfused,astheyweredrawndeeperintoEarthshine’sarcaneplan,hismysteries—hislayerofmind,deepintherock.

ANavyradiocommunicatorinMardina’spocketchimed,herfarspeaker,asoftmechanicalbell.Shepulledoutthelittle

gadget,heldituptoherear.ShewalkedtowardPenny.“Youneedtohearthis.Allofyou...I’mgettingasignaldownhere.”

Earthshinenodded.“Youshould.IhadmysupportfromtheBrikantiNavyinstallrelaysandrepeatersinsidethebunker,andtheninthischamberwhenwediscoveredit.”

“It’sfromtheMalleus,in

space.TheyseeHöd.Thecrewsayit’snowaboutthesizeofthesunasseenfromEarth,andgrowingfast.”

Pennynodded,eyesclosed.“Itwouldbebynow—”

“Therewasadetonation.”

Chu,theslaveboy,withtheColU’sslateonhischest,mutteredaprayerinhisnativeXin.

Pennysaid,“TheCelyn.”“Yes,”Mardinasaid.

“Theyrammedit.”Pennysaid,“Ibetthey

weretryingtodestroytheasteroid,bydetonatingthekernels.”SheturnedtoBeth.“Remember?JustliketheNailwhenitstruckMercury.Why,maybeKerysevengottheideafromourdescriptionsofthatevent.”

“Buttheydidn’t

succeed,”Mardinasaid.“AccordingtotheMalleuscrew.TheEyehasanewcrater,butisintact.Evensuchanimmenseexplosion—”

Pennysaidfirmly,“Itwasaworthyeffort.AndIsupposetherewasnothingmoretheycoulddo,giventhetime.Kerysandhercrewwillberememberedfortheirheroism.”

Mardinalistenedtoa

freshmessage.“TheEyeisstillonitsway.Thecenturionisorderingusbacktothesurface.Pickupinhalfanhour.”Shefoldedupthefarspeaker.“Weneedtogo.”

“No,”Earthshinesaid.“Thereisanotherway.”

“Whatotherway?There’snoothership—”

“Itoldyou,Icansaveyou.”

Pennyglaredathim.

ThenshebeckonedMardinaandChu.“Youtwo.Helpme.”Shegesturedatthemimpatiently,untiltheycametoher.Shehelduponearmforeachofthem,andtheygrabbedherandlifted,ChubeingcarefuloftheColUpackonhisback.“Nowgetmeoverthere,”Pennysaid,flappingonehandattheroped-offarea.“Ineedtoknowwhathe’sfound.”

TheColUsaid,“Ihaveafeelingwebothknowalready,PennyKalinski.”

“Iwanttoseewithmyownruinedeyes...”

Whatlaywithintheroped-offareadidn’tseemspecialtoMardinawhentheygotthereatthepaceofPenny’shobble.Itclearlywasn’tnatural,however.Itwasasheetofsomegraymetal-likesubstance,witha

finecircularseamafewpacesacross.

ButPennylaughed.“Showme,Chu,”the

ColUmurmured.“Showme...”

Pennysnapped,“Thisisn’toneofyourdamnvirtualillusions,Earthshine?”

“Ofcoursenot.”Mardinasaid,“Idon’t

understand.”“AHatch,”Pennysaid,

hertremulousvoicefullofwonder.“He’sonlyfoundaHatch.HereonMars.”

“Youstilldon’tunderstand,”Earthshinesaid.“Youneverdidlisten,PennyKalinski.Youorthatsisterofyours.Ididn’tfindthis.Itwasn’therewhenIestablishedmybasehereonMars.Theygaveittome.Believeme,thischamberdidnotexist,yetasCeres

approachedthisworld—Isupposeasmyownintentionbecameclear—thereitwas,ananomalyshowingupinmydeepscans,andwhenIhadashaftsunkdowntoit,herewastheHatch.Theygavethistome.”

Mardinashookherhead.“Who?Whogaveittoyou?”

“Thenoostratum,”Pennysaid.“Thedreamingbugsintherocks?Isthatwhatyou

wouldhaveusbelieve?Isthiswhatallthishasbeenabout,foryou,Earthshine?WithCeresyouarestrikingablow,notatMars—notatanyhumansonMars—butatthebugsinthedeeprocks?”

“Well,itcertainlytakesamightyblowtodothat,doesn’tit?Ithreatenedthemwithdestruction,andIgottheirattention.Here!Hereinthefloor—hereisyour

proof.”Bethsaid,“Sonowwhat?

I’vebeenthroughHatchesbefore.Theytakeyoufaraway.Toanotherworld,evenanotherstar.Butwhichstar,Earthshine?”

Hesmiled.“Idon’tknow.That’sthebeautyofit.Butwhereveritis,whateverIfind,Iwillhavebeeninvitedthere.Thinkofthat!Oh,yes,Icertainlygottheirattention.

Butthisisnotformealone.Together,today—now,beforetheasteroidfalls—wewillgothroughthisimpossibledoorway,andwewillfindout.Yourintuitionwasright,yousee—youwererighttocomehere,allofyou.Icansaveyou.You,mygranddaughter,mygreat-granddaughter—allofyou,ifyouwish.YoucanseeIhavemyownprocessorunitready

togo...”Hepointedtothebulkycylindricalunit.

TheColUsaid,“Thisiswrong.Whatyouhavedonehereiswrong,Earthshine.Youmeddlewithpowersthatcoulddestroyusall—destroythepotentialitiesofmankind.”

Earthshinejustlaughed.“Whateveryousay,Iwon’tallowyouthroughtheHatch,you—toy.Soyoucanbea

witnesstothosepowers,can’tyou?”

TheColUpaused,alongandterriblesilencethatmusthavebeenanageforsuchahigh-speedartificialmind.Thenitsaid,“IfImaynotfollowyouthroughthatHatch—besure,Earthshine,thatIwillnotforgetyou.Iwillnotgiveupthequesttofindyou,whereveryougo,whateveryoudo.Nomatter

howmanygenerationsoffriendsIhavetooutlivetodoit.”

Chuwasvisiblyagitatedbythiscoldannouncement.“Master,please.Iamgratefultobeyourservant.YetIhaveservedyouwell,haveInot?ButIdon’twanttodie,nottoday,notnow.”

“Youwon’tdie,ChuYuen,”theColUsaidgently.“Remember,thecenturionis

comingtopickusup.Weneedonlyreturntothesurface.”

“I,too,willgonofartherthanthis,”Pennysaidwithanexpressionofdisgust.“Nevermindtinkeringwithhistory—thesedamnHatchbuildershavewreckedmyownlife,andmysister’s.I’llgonofarther.Andasfortherest—Chu,takeholdofAriGuthfrithson.”

“Madam?”“Justgrabhim.”“Doasshesays,Chu,”

theColUsaid.Chuhesitatedforone

heartbeat.ThenhetooklongstridesaroundtheHatchemplacement,andgrabbedbothAri’sarms,grippingthemfirmlyabovetheelbows.

Aristruggled,butcouldn’tfreehimself.“Why

isthisanimalholdingme?”Pennysaid,“Whatever

allthismysteryisabout,Iwantyoutogonofurtherwithit,Ari.Youareamanipulative,schemingchancer.Andtheambitionyouhaveexpressedscaresme,frankly.Well,thisisonethingIcanfix.Thisistheendofthestoryforyou,asitisforme.You’recomingbackwithustothesurface.”

“Iwillnot.Beth—Mardina,mydaughter—”

“Chu,shuthimup.”TheslavepushedAri

againstonewall,pinninghimwithhisleftarm,whileheclampedhisrighthandacrossAri’smouth.

Earthshineturnedaway,indifferent,andspoketoBethandMardina.“Whattheseotherschooseisirrelevant.Wearethecore;weare

family.IfonlyYuriEdenhadsurvived...Inevermethim,youknow,afterhisemergencefromcryo.NeversawhimagainafterIclosedthatheavylidoverhissleepingface.Buthelivesoninyou.Comewithmenow.”

Mardinarecoiled,herheadswimming.“Idon’tunderstandanyofthis.Idon’twantanyofit.Whatcantherebeformeontheothersideof

this—doorintheground?Upthere,Terra—that’smyworld,that’smyhome,mycareer,mylife.AsfarasIcansee,alltheseHatcheshavebroughtanyofyouisdestructionanddisruptionanddistress.”ShelookedatBeth.“Mother?You’llstaywithme,won’tyou?”

ButBethwashesitating.Earthshinesaid,“Maybe

wecanfindawayhomefor

you,granddaughter.”“Home?BacktoPer

Ardua?”“Yes.BacktoPer

Ardua.”BethlookedatMardina,

herfaceanguished.“Mardina,youmustcomewithme—”

“No!Idon’tcareaboutPerArdua,aboutBefore.You’redoingtomenowwhatyoualwayscomplainedaboutyourownmotherdoingto

you.Rippingyououtofyouroldworldandstrandingyouonanother.”

“Iknow.You’reright.Butevenso...”ShelookedagainattheHatch.“Ican’tmissthischance,myonlychancetogohome.”

PennysaidgentlytoMardina,“It’sallright,mydear.Comewithus.We’llreturntothesurface,andgetoutofherebeforethe

hammerfalls.Andyourfoolofafather,atleastyou’llstillhavehim!”

TheColUsaid,“Don’tbeafraid,BethEdenJones.IfImuststayhere,IwillcareforMardina,asonceIcaredforyou.”

Mardinaprotested,“Idon’tneedanybody—”

ButPennytouchedherhandtohushher.

“I’llcomebackforyou

someday,”Bethsaidgently.“OrI’llcomeforyou,”

Mardinasaidonimpulse.“ThoughI’venoideahow.”

“Yes.”Bethforcedasmile.“Let’smakethatpledge.Whenwehavebothfoundwhateveritiswe’relookingfor...”

Mardinashookherhead.“Sowhathappensnow?HowwillyougetthisHatchofyoursopenanyhow?”

Bethsmilednow,steppedforward,andpointedattheemplacement.“TheHatchknowswhenwe’reready.Theyalwaysdo.”

Mardinalookeddown.Thatcentralexpanseoffloor,surroundedbythecircularseam,wasnolongerpristine.Ithadchanged.Nowitcontainedtwocomplexindentations,likesmallcraterswithfiverays—two

pitsshapedtoacceptthepressingofapairofhumanhands.

34

Forthefinalpickup,CenturionQuintusFabiusbroughttheMalleusJesudowntothegroundofMarsitself.

TitusValeriuscalledfromthetestudo,“Abouttime

youjoinedtheparty,sir.”“Shutup,legionary.You

stillalive,GnaeusJunius?”“Here,Centurion.”“Allright.Makesurethe

meatheadsinthatglorifiedchariotdoasthey’reordered.We’renearlyoutoftime—wealmostwaitedtoolong.Inparticular,wehaven’tthetimetowaitfortheyacht,withtheAcademicianandherpartyatthebunker.SoIwant

youtwotogopickthemupinthetestudo.”

Titusglancedoverhisshoulder,atavehiclealreadycrowdedwithlegionaries,andthosefewBrikantifromtheinstallationwhohadbeenintelligentenoughtosurrenderintime.“It’skindofsweatyinhere,Centurion.Noplaceforanelderlylady.AndIdoknowthelayoutofthatbunker.There’sonlyone

dockingport,whichiswheretheyachtwillbe—”

“Useyourinitiative,legionary.Getthethingoutoftheway.”

“WhicheverwayIseefit,sir?”

“Whicheverway,TitusValerius.”

AsfarasTituswasconcernedtherewerenofinerwordsinthevocabularyofacommandingofficer.Witha

whoop,hegunnedthetestudoattopspeedforthebunker.Behindhimheheardgroans,andtheoddthumpassomeclownwhohadn’tsecuredhimselfproperlyfelloffhisbench.

And,withHödloomingintheskylargerthanthesun,largerthanLuna,anoverwhelmingreminderoftheurgencyofthesituation,theycametothebunker.The

yachtwasindeedstilldockedtotheonlyport.

Thetestudodidn’tevenslowdown.TitusValeriusdrovestraightintotheflaringsinglewingoftheyacht.

Thetestudoslammedtoahalt,throwingthemallforwardoncemore.ThenTitusputthetestudoinitslowestgear,andjuststartedpushing.Thewingcrumpled,thehullbuckled,butthe

yachtcameawayfromitslockwiththebunkerwithascreechoftornmetal,andwasthenshovedawayovertheMartianground.

Thepassengersofthetestudoactuallygavehimaroundofapplause.“You’reahero,TitusValerius!”

“You’realsoanidiot,”Gnaeussaid,peeringoutoftheportatthebunker.“Butaluckyidiot.Ithinkthatportis

stillserviceable.”“Ineverdoubtedit.

Anyway,thoseportsaredesignedtoyieldundertorsion;Iwascheating.Nowgogetourpassengers,optio.”Withacrunchofgears,Titusreversedthetestudoandroughlypositioneditsflankagainstthebunker’sport.

Astheoptiohadpredicted,theportwasstillworking,just,andGnaeus,

withthehelpofacoupleofcrew,soonmanagedtoachieveanairtightbridgetothebunker.Titus,impatientlynurturingtherunningengine,wassurprisedtoseethatnotallthelandedpartycameback—justPennyKalinski,CadetMardinaEdenJonesGuthfrithson,therodent-likedruidhAriGuthfrithson,andtheslaveboywiththetalkingrucksack.

AndatthelastminutePennyKalinskiherselfrefusedtofollow.

Mardinawouldn’tleaveherbehind.Shegraspedtheoldlady’shands,tryinggentlytopullherforwardtotheport.“Youmustcome.There’snoneedtodiehere.”

“ButIwoulddiesoonanyhow,mydear.Andyouneedawitness—you,allofyourpeople—awitnessto

whatisbeingdone,today,inyoursystem,toyourworlds.For,afterall,itisEarthshine,withwhomItraveledthroughthejonbarhinge,whoisresponsibleforallthis.TheleastIcandoisfileareport.AndIamascientist,youknow—adruidhinmyculture.Atrainedobserver.Go,child,go—mymindismadeup.Butleavemethatfarspeakerofyours.”

“Academician—”“Itwillsoonbeover,

child.What,anhour?Nomore.”

TitusValeriuswasrunningoutoftime.“Scorpus,Orgilius,getthatdamndoorclosed.Rightnow.”

“Right,Titus.”Thetwoburlylegionariesmadeforthehatch.

Pennycalled,“Oh,and

Mardina—tellthatcenturionofyours,makehiminstructhistrierarchus—tellhimnottohangaround.Don’thovernearMars,waitingtoseewhathappens.Anddon’theadbacktoEartheither.Tellhimtoflee—outofthesystem,withthegreatestaccelerationhecanmuster—tellhimtofleeasLexMcGregoroncefled,withthekerneldriveburning.Hewill

understand—”Scorpuspulledthegirl

backfromthedoor,andOrgiliusslammedthehatchclosed.

“Atlast!”TitusValeriusrammedforwardhiscontrolleverandthetestudosurgedawayfromthelock.Thereweremorecomplaintsandcursesaspeoplefellovereachotherinthesuddenacceleration.Titusjust

laughed,swungaroundthenoseofthetestudo,andheadedstraightforthewelcomingbellyoftheMalleusJesu.

35

“Academician?Canyoustillhearme?ThisisMalleusJesu—”

“Icanhearyou,dearMardina.Oh,my.Thiscouchisjusttoocomfortable.IbelieveIdozedoff!There’s

onedisadvantageofsuchanelderlyobserver.”

“Well,it’sbeenalongdayforusall,Academician.”

“Please.CallmePenny.”“Penny,then.There’s

onlyhalfanhourtogo.”“Yes,dear.Iguessedit

mustbeaboutthat.Now,letmesee.Ceres—Höd—isalmostdirectlyovermyhead.TheglassroofofEarthshine’speculiargardenisnothingif

notrevealing,andIhaveadramaticviewofthesky...

“IshouldreportwhatIseeasobjectivelyasIcan,shouldn’tI?Cereslooks,Iwouldsay,threetimesaswideasthesundoesfromEarth.Anditisgrowinginsize,asifswelling,almostvisibly.Whatastrangesightitis!IhaveseenatotalsolareclipseonEarth,andthathadsomethingofthesame

strange,slowgrandeurofmovementinthesky.Youcansensetherearehugemassesslidingtoandfrointhefirmamentabove.ButIcan’tseethescarleftbythefalloftheCelyn,noglowingnewcrater.Thespinoftheasteroidhaskeptitawayfromme,andIimaginetherewillnotbetimeenoughforafullrotation.Howbravethoseyoungcrewwere!But,oh

my,itgrowseverlarger.Andyetthereisnoeffectyet,nothingtofeelhereontheground,eventhoughthereareonlyminutesleft.”

“Iunderstandlittleofthis,AcademicianPenny.WhatwillhappentoMars?AndwhywouldEarthshinedothis?”

“Astothewhat—IthinkIcanestimatesomeofthatforyou.HerewehaveCeres

—forgivemeforusingthenameIgrewupwith—aballoficeandrocksixhundredmilesacross,cominginatfortyorfiftythousandRomanmilesineveryRomanhour.IfarespectablefractionofthattremendouskineticenergyisinjectedintotherocksofMars,thenIestimate—andIwasalwaysgoodatmentalarithmetic—sometwohundredbillioncubicmilesof

Marsrockwillbemeltedandvaporized.Twohundredbillioncubicmiles,onaworldonlyfourthousandmilesacross.Alayerofrocksomefourmilesthickwillbedestroyed.Alltracesofahumanpresencewillbeeradicated,ofcourse.Andthisiswithoutconsideringtheeffectofthekernels,embeddedhereinMars,inthegroundofCeresitself.If

whatwesawonMercuryisaguide,thetotaleventmaybeevenmoreenergetic,evenmoredestructive...

“Youask,whyhasEarthshinedonethis?Tostrikebackatwhathecallsthenoostratum.That’swhatIthink.Thesedeepbugsthathebelievessurvivedeventhedestructionofourworld,ourEarth—indeed,iftheyaretheHatchbuilders,theymay

haveengineeredthoseeventstocreatejonbarhinges,fortheirownunfathomablepurposes.Well,theywon’tsurvivethis;Marswillbesterilizedfartoodeeplyevenforthebugstosurvive.Andmaybehe’sright.Hedidforcearesponsefromthem,didn’the?They,orsomeagency,didgivehimaHatch...Oh,Imustsipsomeofmywater.Excuse

me,dear.”

•••

“...Penny?Areyoustillthere?”

“I’msorry,child.Haveyoubeencalling?Mywretchedhearing...Howlongleft?”

“Onlyasixthpartofanhour,Penny.”

“Tenminutes.Isthatall?

Suchabrieftime,andsoongone,likelifeitself.Itakeitwehavefailed,then;allourstratagemsarebusts.Well,perhapsitwasalwaysbeyondus.Butwemustpersist,youknow.Earthshineisrightaboutthat,atleast.Wemustunderstandwhyandhowourhistoryhasbecomefragile—whoisengineeringallthis.Andyetwemust,too,findawaytocontainEarthshine

himself.“Ceresishuge,now

spanning—what?Eightorninetimesthediameterofsunormoon?Icanseefeaturesonthatsurfacenow,clearlyvisiblethroughthefineMartianair.Craters,ofcourse.Longcracks,almostlikeroadways—annealedfissuresintheice,perhapscausedbythestressofthedisplacementfromthe

object’soriginalorbit.Ceresisalreadydamaged,then.Anditisgrowing,swelling;itisallsoeasilyvisiblenow.Ohmy,itisaquiteoppressivepresence,andIshouldhaveexpectedthat.Almostclaustrophobic.Youmustforgivethem,youknow,Mardina.”

“Who?”“Yourparents.Evenyour

foolofafather—deluded,

self-servingandgreedyasheis—hasalwaysdonehisbestforyou,asheseesit.Andyourmotherwashorriblyharmedbythecircumstancesofherbirth.Shewastheonlychildonawholeworld,orsoshegrewupthinking,andyetshegrewtolovetheplace,asallchildrenlovetheirhomes.ButshewastakenfromthathomebytheHatches,thatgreaterpowerthatis

manipulatingourdestiny—allourdestinies.Afterallthatyoucan’tblameherforlongingtofindawayhome.”

“Idon’tblameher.I’mjusttryingtounderstand.Doyouthinkshewilleverfindwhatshe’slookingfor?”

“It’snotimpossible.Weunderstandverylittleofthetruestructureofthismultiverseweinhabit.I’msorry—IusedanEnglish

word.Andmaybe,someday,youwillfindheragain.”

“Yoursisterishere.Stef.Wouldyouliketospeaktoher?”

“No.Itwoulddonogood.ButIamgladsheisthere,now,attheend.WhatofJiangYouwei?”

“Hewasverydistressedthatyoudidnotreturn.”

“Ah.Youweihasbeensuchagoodfriend...A

burdenhasbeenliftedfromhisshoulders,however.Pleaseaskmysistertokeepaneyeonhim.”

“Shewill.”“AndtellherI’msorry.”“Sheknows,Penny.And

shesayssheforgivesyou.”“Howgoodofher.Ha!

WhatanoldwitchIam,bitterandsarcastictotheend...”

“Shesayssheexpectsnothingless.Umm,fourof

yourminutesremain,Penny.”“Thankyou.ButIdon’t

feelIneedacountdown,dear.Oh,thatbruteinthesky—individualfeatures,thecratersandcanyons,growinmysightnow.Ceresbecomesaplainthatisextendingaway,extendingtothehorizon.”

“Penny—”“Oh,it’sbeautiful!Asky

likeamirroroftheground,a

skyofrock!Mardina,Penny.Don’tforgetme.Don’tforgetthatI’llalways—”

36

Höd,Ceres,wasaboutasevenththediameterofthetargetplanet.IttookaminuteforittocollapseintothesurfaceofMars.Mardinasawthatthesmallerworldkeptitssphericalshapethroughout

thestagesoftheimpact,theinternalshockwavesthatwouldotherwisehavedisruptedtheasteroidtravelingmoreslowlythanthearcofdestructionthatconsumedtheasteroidatthepointofcontact.

Evenbeforetheasteroidwasgone,acircularwavelikeamobilecraterwallwaswashingoutaroundtheplanet.Thistremendous

ripplecrossedMars,destroyingfamouslandscapesbillionsofyearsold:theHellasbasin,theVallesMarineris,whichbrieflybrimmedwithmoltenrockbeforedissolvinginitsturn.Followingtherockwavecameabankofglowing,red-hotmistthatobscuredthesmashedlandscape.

Andwhentherippleinthecrusthadpassedright

aroundtheplanet,itconvergedontheantipodetotheimpactsite,closinginontheTharsisregioninatremendousclap,wherehugevolcanoesdiedinonelastspasmoferuption.

TheMalleusJesufledthesceneatanaccelerationofthreegravities.Fledawayfromthesun,intothedark.

•••

CenturionQuintusFabiussatbroodinginhisobservationlounge,wherehisArabnavigatorshadfixedupfarwatcherinstrumentstowatchtheimpact—satinhisaccelerationcouch,withthetripleweightoftheengine’sthrustpushingdownonhim.

Oncetheimpacteventitselfwasover,Hödwasgone,andMarswastransformed,become

somethingnotseeninthesolarsystemsinceitwasborn,sohisArabphilosophersanddruidhtoldhim.WhatwasleftofMarswasswathedinanewatmosphereofrockmistandsteam—anairofvaporizedrock.Foratimethewholeworldwouldglowasbrightasthesunitself.Anditwouldcoolterriblyslowly,thephilosopherssaid.Itwould

takeyearsbeforetherockmistcongealed,beforetheplanetitselfceasedtoglowred-hot,andthenaheavyrainwouldfallasallthewateroftheoldicecapsandaquifersreturned,tosculptanewfaceforMars...

ButMarswasonlyadistraction,forthereportssoonstartedtocomeinfromtheground,fromTerra.Theimpacthadsentimmense

volumesofmoltenrocksprayingoutacrossthesolarsystem.Muchofthiswasobserved,fromtheground,fromspace.Someofthedebris,inevitably,wouldstrikeTerraitself,fallingonaworldfullofpanicandsuspicion.Therewasabriefflurryofmessages,passedbetweenthecapitalsoftheworld.AperemptoryorderfromOstia,homeofthe

Romanfleet,fortheMalleusJesutoreturntothehomeworld.Quintusignoredtheorder.

Andthenthemissilesstartedflying.

QuintusFabiussawitforhimself,throughthefarwatchers,peeringbackpasttheglareofthedriveplume.SparksofbrilliantlightburstalloverthebeautifulhideofTerra.Luna,

too.Ithadhappenedbefore.TherehadbeenawaronLuna,rockshadfallenonTerra—peoplethoughtitwasadeliberateifdeceptivestrikebysomerival,ormaybetheymistooktherocksforsomekindofkinetic-energyweapon.Ormaybetheyjusttookthechancetohaveago.Soitwasnow.

Therewasafinalflareoflight,aglobalspasmthat

dazzledQuintus,makinghimturnhisheavyheadawayfromtheeyepiece.

AndinthatinstantQuintuswascalledbyhisoptio.“Centurion,we’rebeinghailed.”

“Bywho?Oneofours,Brikanti,Xin—”

“It’snotalanguagewerecognize,sir.Noravesseldesignweknow.”

“Whatlanguage?Wait.

AskCollius.Askhimwhatlanguagethatis.”

Amomentlater,thereplycame.“Colliushadananswer,sir.”

“Whyaren’tIsurprised?”“Hesaysit’savariantof

—it’sdifficulttopronounce.”“Spititout,man.”“Quechua.”

Intheheartsofthesurvivingrockyworldsofthesolarsystem—

Acrossascoreofdyingrealitiesinalethalmultiverse—


Therewassatisfaction.

Theartificialentity,whichwasaparasiticsecond-orderproductofthecomplexificationofsurfacelifeonthethirdplanet,hadstruckadeepblowattheDreamersintheheartofthefourthplanet.Anunprecedentedblow.Dreamershaddiedatthehandsofnaturalcatastrophesbefore.Evenplanetsweremortal.Neverhadtheybeentargetedbyintelligence,byintention.

Therehadbeenshock.

Therehadbeenfear.

Toextendthenetwork,toopenadoorfortheparasite—toremoveitfromthistime,thisplace—hadbeenanunpleasantnecessity.Otherwise,thedestructionwouldsurelyhavecontinued,inthissystemandothers,or,worstofall,itmighthavespreadthroughthenetworkofminditself.

Theparasitehadnotbeendestroyed.But,deliveredtoanewlocation,perhapsitcouldbeeducated.

Thatwasthehope.Orthedesperation.

Fortimewasshort,andevershorter.

IntheDreamoftheEndTime,thenoteofurgencysharpened.

37

AD 2233; AUC 2986; AY(AFTER YUPANQUI) 795

Twodaysaftertheimpact,afteradayunderfullaccelerationandasecondcruisingatnearlyahundredth

ofthespeedoflight—beyondmostoftheasteroids,sofaroutthatthesunshowedonlyashrunken,diminisheddisc—theMalleusJesufloatedinemptiness,anislandofhumanwarmthandlight.

Andyetitwasnotalone.Withtheshipdrifting

withoutthrust,theArabcommunicationsengineersunfoldedhuge,sparseantennas,whichpickedupa

washoffaintradiosignalscomingfromacrosstheplaneofthesolarsystem:fromEarth,fromMars,fromthemoonsofJupiterandSaturn,theasteroidbelt,andtheTrojans,greatswarmsofasteroidsthatprecededandtrailedJupiteringravitationallystablepointsinthegiantplanet’sorbit—somefromevenfartherout,fromtheiceobjectsofthe

Kuiperbelt.Thesignalsweren’t

sophisticated,theColUmurmuredtohiscompanions.Theywerejustvoicetransmissions,andmostlyofanofficialkind:listingsofpositions,trajectories,cargoes,permissionssoughtanddeniedorgranted,paymentsmadeandreceived.Veryoccasionallysparksoflaserlightwerepickedup,

fragmentsofsignals.Maybethesecarriedthemoresophisticatedcommunicationsofwhateverculturedominatedhere,withtheradioreservedforthosewhocouldaffordnobetter.Thenarrow-beamlasersignalscouldonlybepickedupiftheshiphappenedtoswiminthewayoftheirline-of-sighttrajectories,ofcourse.Whatmadeallthisharderto

understandandinterpretwasthatmanyofthesemessageswerelikeonesideofaconversation,suchwerethedistancesbetweentransmitterandreceiver.ItcouldtakefortyminutesforasignaltotravelfromJupitertoEarth.Why,itcouldtaketenortwelvesecondsforaradiosignaljusttocrossbetweenJupiter’smoons,suchwerethedimensionsofthat

miniatureplanetarysystemalone.

TheArabobserversgatheredotherevidenceofactivitytoo,mostlythecharacteristicradiationleakageofkernelengines,asshipscriss-crossedaverybusyinnersolarsystemandsailedtothegreatislandsofresourcesfartherout.

TheRomanandBrikantiofficerslistenedhardtothe

messages,tryingtomakesenseofthesestatic-maskedscrapsofinformation.Listening,mostly,forLatinandBrikantivoices.TheyevenhadChuandJiangupintheobservationsuiteslisteningfortracesofXin.

Atleasttheyseemedtobesailingundetected.Therehadbeennodirecthails,noapproachbyanothership—nosignthatanyothercraftwas

beingdivertedtorendezvouswiththem.Thatwasnoaccident.Assoonasthefirsttransmissionshadbeenreceived,QuintusFabiushadorderedtheshutdownofallattemptstotransmitfromtheMalleus.Eventheship’sradar-likesensorsystems,whichwerecapableofcharacterizingotherships,surfacesandotherobjectstoafinedegreeofdetail,wereput

outofcommission;onlypassivesensors,liketheArabs’telescopes,werepermitted.AndnorwasQuintusyetreadytofirethedrive,eventodecelerateacraftfleeingfromtheinnersolarsystem,forthekerneldrivewouldsurelybeimmediatelyvisible.Quintusdidn’tputitthisway,Stefrecognized,buthehadinstinctivelylockeddownthe

Malleusintoastealthmode.Theshipwasundetected,andQuintuswantedittoremainthatwayaslongaspossible.

AfterafewdaystheColUsummedupthedismalresultstoitscompanions.

“ThereareafewscrapsofakindofdegenerateLatintobeheard,”itreported.“ThecrewleapontheseasiftheyweremessagesfromtheEmperorhimself.Butthey

areonlyafew,andusuallyjustphrasesembeddedinalongerstringofcommunication.Asifaspeakerofaforeignlanguagelapsesintohisorhernativetonguewhensearchingforaword,whenmutteringafamiliarityoraprayer...ThereisactuallymoreXinspoken,bywordcount,thanLatin,butagain,it’saminortracecomparedtothe

dominanttongue.”Stefprompted,“Andthat

dominanttongueis...”“AsIdetectedfromthe

beginning,Quechua.”“Inca?”“Inca.”TheMalleuswasn’tjust

anislandoflifeinthevastvacuumofspace;tothecrewitwasanislandofromanitasinaseaofbarbarians.

Inca.

•••

Forthetimebeingtherewasnogreaturgencytoact.TheshiphadbeenreasonablywellstockedwithsuppliesbeforeitsvoyagefromTerratoEarthshine’sMars;thatwouldn’tlastforeverbuttherewasnoimmediatecrisis.

Meanwhilethecenturionmanagedhiscrew.Assoonas

thedrivewascutQuintushadorderedthefightingmen,legionariesandauxiliaries,toadopttheroutinesofin-cruisediscipline,andtheythrewthemselvesintothiswithenthusiasm.Theywerewithoutgravityofcourse,sothatsuchexercisesasmarchingandcampbuildingwereruledout.Butsoonthegreattrainingchamberswithinthehullwerefilled

withmenwrestling,fightinghandtohandorwithweapons,bluntedspearsandswordsanddummyfirearms.Theywerebuildinguptoamockbattleonalargerscale,apracticeforfree-fallwarsofakindthathadinfactbeenfoughtoutinreality,inthelonghistoryofthetriplerivalryofRomeandBrikantiandXin.

Thusthetroopswerekept

busy,andthatstruckStefasagoodthing,becauseitstoppedthemthinkingtoohardabouttherealityoftheirsituation.

Theseweremen,andafewwomen,whoweretrainedforlonginterstellarflights;theywereusedtotheideaofbeingcutofffromhomeforyearsatatime.Yettherewerecompensations.Thelegion’scollegia

promisedtoholdyourbackpayforyou,andmanageyourotherrights.And,onthejourneyitself,youcouldtakeyourfamilywithyou,eventothestars.

Butnow,Stefrealized,manyofthosepsychologicalpropsweremissing.Themissionshouldhavebeenarelativelyshort-durationmissiontoMars—withareturntoTerrainmere

weeks,perhaps.Therehadbeennoneedtotakefamiliesonsuchajaunt,althoughafewhadcomealonganyhow,suchasClodia,thebright-eyeddaughterofTitusValerius.Manyofthemengrumbledthattheyhadn’tevenbeenofferedthechanceofsigningtheusualpremissionpaperworkwiththelegion’scollegia.Theyshouldn’thavebeenaway

thatlong.Themenalreadymissedtheirfamilies.

Andtherewasagreaterfear,underallthepettygrumblinganduncertainty.Rumorsswirled;disinformationwasrife.Butmostofthemenhadsomedimideathattheyhadbeenbroughttoaplacemoreremotethanthefartheststarinthesky,farther,somesaid,eventhanthelegendary

Ultima.And,theyfeared,nobody,noteventhemightyCenturionQuintusFabiushimself,knewhowtogetthemhomeagain.

StefKalinski,meanwhile,caredforhercompanions—includingtheColU,whoshareditsdeepestconcernswithher.

TheColUsaid,“MardinaandtheotherswererightnottofollowEarthshine—

leavingasidethefamilyentanglements.Heisfurtheringhisownends,that’sforsure,andinahorriblydestructiveway.But,justasIpromisedhim,someday,somehow,Imustfollowhim.”

Steffrowned.“How,though?ThroughtheHatchonMars?Butitmaynotevenexistanymore.Andwhyyou?”

“BecauseheandI,ofalltheartificialmindsoftheUN-ChinaCulture,areevidentlytheonlytwosurvivors.TherewerenonelikeusintheRome-XinCulture;itseemslikelytherewillbenonehere,whereverweare.And,inaway,heseeksthetruth.”

“Whattruth?”Stefpressed.“Whatdoyoumean?”

“Thelargerstory.Thetruthoftheuniverse,thatlinksthephenomenaofthekernels,theHatches,andEarthshine’snoostrata,thedreamingbugsintherocks.Eventherealityshiftswecalljonbarhinges.AndtheechoesIsawinthesky,aboardtheMalleus,ininterstellarspace.Echoes,notofapastevent,butofafuturecataclysm...Allofthisislinked,Iam

convinced.AndEarthshinefeelsthesame.”

“Andyoufear,thatwhenhefindsthistruth—”

“Hemeanstosmashit.Tosmashitall.Heseekstodothisbecauseheisinsane.Or,”theColUadded,“perhapsbecauseheisthemostsaneentityintheuniverse.”

“Andyoumuststophim.”

“Itismydestiny.Andperhapsyours,StefKalinski.”

“I’llkeepitinmind,”Stefsaid,feelingevenmoresmallandhelplessthanusual.

38

FourdaysoutfromMars,CenturionQuintusFabiussummonedhisseniorofficers,withEilidhthetrierarchusandsomeofherBrikantiship’screw,andTitusValeriusasarepresentative

ofhistroops,andthesurvivorsoftheUN-ChinaCulture.

TheymetinaloungeintheareaStefthoughtofasofficercountry,stuffedintotheheavilyshieldednoseoftheMalleus.BasicallytheanteroomofaRomanbathhouse,thiswasanopulentroomwithtapestriesandthicklyembroideredrugs,andevenoillampsofa

traditionaldesignburningonthewalls.Intheabsenceofgravity,pumpsandfanshadtokeeptheoilandaircirculating;thiswasare-creationofanancienttechnologyinaspace-boundsetting.Suchbackward-lookingluxury,Stefhadlongsincelearned,wasadeliberateploybytheRomans,andtheartificiallampswereaclassictouch.

Stefandtheothersstrappedthemselveslooselytocouches.ChucarriedtheColU,asever,hiseyesmodestlydowncast.Arabobserverssatquietlytogetheragainstonefrescoedwall,andStefidlywonderediftheylongedtogetoutofthisplaceofcrowdingandlightandgravenimages,andreturntothetwilightcalmoftheirgreatobservationbays.

Thecenturionhimselfwasthelasttoarrive.

Hepushedthroughtheairwithaneasygrace,andgrabbedahandholdatoneendoftheroom.“Sowefacethefuture,”hesaidbriskly.“Marsisbehindusnow,withallitsheroismandfailure.Wehavesurvived.Andwe’reheretodiscussthenatureoftheplaceinwhichwefindourselves.I’llleavethe

briefingitselftomyoptio,GnaeusJunius,whodraws,inturn,oncarefulobservationfromthenavigators,assistedbyColliustheoracle.”Beforeheyieldedthefloor,QuintusFabiuslookedaroundtheroom.“Everybodyherewaspurposefullyinvited,whateveryourrankaboardthisvessel—orthelackofit.Purposefully,thatis,byme.Ineedtomakeadecisionabout

ourfuture,thefutureofthevesselanditscrewandpassengers.

“Andthedecisionisminetomake,itseems,forwehaveyettocontactmychainofcommand.Iprobablydon’tneedtotellyouoftheabsenceofanysignalsfromOstia,orRomeitself,orindeedanyoutpostoftheEmpirewerecognize.Yourorders,allofyou,aretolisten

towhat’ssaidhere,andadvisemetothebestofyourability.Isthatclear?”

TitusValeriussnappedout,“Yes,sir,Centurion,sir!”

Quintusgrinned.“Wellsaid,Valerius.Andyoucantellthatdaughterofyoursthatshewillnotsucceedindefeatingmewithgladioandnetnexttimewemeetinthetrainingchambers.Right,getonwithit,optio...”

GnaeusJuniustookhiscommander’splace.Driftingintheair,papersinhishand,henoddedtoacrewmemberatthebackoftheroom.Thelightsdimmed—Stefnoticedtheflamesinthoseoillanternsdrawingbackastheirpumpsandfanswereslowed—andanimagebecamevisible,castonthewallbehindGnaeus.Thebulkyprojectorwouldn’thave

lookedoutofplaceinacollectionofnineteenth-centurytechnologicalmemorabilia,Stefthought,andsheknewtheimagehadbeencapturedbythecrudestkindofwet-chemistryphotography.Butitworked,andthecontentwasallthatmattered...

Shesawaworld,floatinginspace.Gnaeusletthemobservewithoutcomment.

ItwasEarth—butnotStef’sEarth,andnotQuintus’sTerra.ShecouldmakeoutthedistinctshapeofthecontinentofAfrica,distortedfromitsschool-atlasfamiliaritybyitspositiontowardthehorizonofthecurvingworld.Thoughmuchofthehemispherewasindaylight,artificiallightsglaredalloverAfrica,includingwhatinherreality

hadbeentheSaharaandthecentralforest.Someofthesewerepinpricks,butothersweredazzlingbands,orwidersmears.Theseaslookedsteelgray,thelandadrabbrownbetweenthenetworksoflight.Nowheredidsheseeasplashofgreen.

GnaeusJuniuslookedaroundtheroom.“ThisisTerra,then—orrather,itisnot.Thisisnottheworldwe

leftbehind.Forastartthereisnosignofthewarwhosebeginningwewitnessed,aswefledfromMars.

“Youcanseethatthewholeplanetisextensivelyindustrialized.Muchoftheglowyouseecomesfromindustrialfacilities,orthetransportlinksbetweenthem,workingdayandnight.Theglow,Iamtoldbytheobservers,ischaracteristicof

kernelenergy.Theobserversdotellmetheyseethegreenofgrowingthingsnowhere.Clearlytheworldisinhabitedbypeople,andtheymusteat;perhapsthefoodisgrownunderground,incaverns,ormadeinsomekindoffactory.Wecannottell,fromadistanceofseveralYmir-strides.”

“Youhavedonewelltolearnsomuch,”Quintus

growled.“And,thoughIknowthemothercityissilent,haveyouseenRome?”

Gnaeusnoddedtothecrewmanoperatingtheprojector.Thescreenturnedglaringwhiteastheslidewasremoved,tobereplacedbyanother,muchmoreblurred,evidentlymagnified.ThebootshapeofItalywasclearlyvisible,eventhough,Stefthought,tryingto

rememberdetail,itlookedtohavebeenextensivelynibbledbackbysea-levelrise,evencomparedtowhatsherememberedfromtheRomanreality.Thepeninsulawascarpetedbytheusualnetworkofindustrialactivity,andSteftriedtomapthebrighternodesonthelocationsoffamiliarcities.

Gnaeuspointedtoadarkpatchnearthewestcoast.

“ThisisRome.Theimagehasbeengreatlyenlarged,asyoucansee...Sir,wewouldhavetomoveinclosertodomuchbetterthanthis.”

“Thatcanwait,optio.Theareaofdarkness,yousay—”

“Atfirstwethoughttherewassomekindofquarrythere.ThenwerealizedthatthesiteofRomeisencompassedbyacrater,big

enoughthatitwouldnotdisgraceLuna.Andintheinteriorofthecrater—nothing.Nolife,noindustry.”

“Ireckonwecanseewhat’sgoneonhere,sir,”saidTitusValerius.“Someoftheladshavetalkeditover.IfImayspeak,Centurion—”

“Youalreadyarespeaking,Titus.”

“Theybombedus,sir.Whoeverrunsthisworld.

Theremusthavebeenawar,andtheydroveusback,andwhentherewasnothingleftofusbutthemothercityherself,theybombedus.”Herubbedhischin.“Maybetheydroppedarockfromthesky.Ormaybetheyusedkernelmissiles.MakingsureRomewouldneverriseagain.”Hisvoicegrewmorethick,angry.“Thesebastardsdidtouswhatwedidtothose

Carthaginians,longago,sir.”“Ifearyou’reright,

Centurion.Thequestioniswhothese‘bastards’ofyoursare.”

Heseemedtohesitatebeforespeakingfurther.StefwonderedhowtheordinaryRomansonthisshiphadtakenthenewsofthelossoftheireternalempire—howthelikesofTitusValeriushadcopedwithsuchtormentof

thesoul.Rome—gone!“Verywell.Carryon,

optio.”“Lunaismissing,”

Gnaeussaidnow,bluntly.ThatstartledStef.“What

doyoumean,‘missing’?”“I’vegotnoimagesto

showyou...Itsimplyisn’tthere.WeknowthatmusthavedistortedTerra’stidesandsoon,butwe’dneedmorestudytounderstandthat

fully.Maybeitwasdestroyedinsomewar.WemadeamessofLunawhenwefoughttheXinupthere.Ourbesttheory,giventhelevelofindustrializationonTerraitself,andthemassivecolonizationofspace—I’lldiscussthat—isthatLunawasdismantledforitsrawmaterials.”

Heshowedmoreslides,moreworldswithfaces

disfiguredbymassiveindustrialoperations,morecarpetsofglowinglight.“Alltherockyworldsarethesame,sir.Mercury,Mars.OnVenusmuchoftheatmosphereisgone,andsomekindofhugeoperationisgoingonundertheremnantclouds—wedon’tknowwhatthey’redoingthere.”

“AndonMars,”theColUputin,“theobservers

detectedakernelbed.AprimordialdepositofthekindwefoundonMercury,StefKalinski,thoughnotonourcopyofMars.”

KnowingtheColU’sownobsession,Stefprompted,“Andwherethere’sakernelbed—”

“There’sprobablyaHatch.”

TheColUsaidnomore,butStefunderstood.Some

dayweneedtogettoMars,andthroughthatHatch,inpursuitofEarthshine.But,lookingatimageafterimageofworldstransformedbyindustrialization—GnaeusevenshowedhugeminesonthemoonsofJupiter—andgiventhepowerandreachofacivilizationthathadgonesofarinmasteringtheirwholesolarsystem,shewonderedhowandwhenthechanceto

dothatmightevercome.Quintussaid,“Sowe

haveasolarsystemofintegratedindustrialization,ofintenseuseofmaterialresources,and,Ipresume,energy.”

Gnaeusnodded.“Mostlykernel-based,butnotentirely;we’veseensunlightcapturedbyhugesails.Therearetremendousflowsofrawmaterials,mostlyfromthe

asteroidbeltinwardtotheinnerplanets.Evidenceofwidespreadorganizationandcontrol.Andweseenosignsofcurrentconflict,incidentally.Asifallthisisrunbyasingle,unitarygovernment.Oneempire,sir.”

Quintussnapped,“Whoseempire?Who’sbenefitingfromallthis?Andwherearethey?Theplanets,even

Terra,barelylooklivable.”“Savebytoilingslaves,

probably,”saidTitusgrimly.“Citiesinspace,”Gnaeus

saidnow.“That’swherewethinkthepeoplemustbe.Cities—orfortresses.Wehadafewsuchsettlements,habitatscapableofsupportinglife.Observationplatforms,docksforspacecraftandsoon.TheXintoo.

“Buthere,whereverhere

is,theskyisfullofthem.”Heproducedimagesof

structuresinspace,grainilyrealized,cylindersandspheresandwheels,moreangularstructures.

“Theyclusteraroundthemajorplanets,ortrailthemintheirorbitsaroundthesun.Andtheycomeinallsizes,fromunitsthesizeofsmallRomantowns,Centurion,tomuchlarger.Theremayof

coursebesmallerconstructionsbelowourabilitytoresolve.Someofthem,neartheasteroidsorplanets,maybehabitatsforworkers:constructionshacks.Othersmaybetheequivalentofmilitarycamps,permanentforts—andcities,placesofgovernmentandadministration.Wecanonlyguess,fornow.Wehavebarelybeguntostudythese

objects.Onethingthatmighthelpus,sir.Thesmallerhabitatsareverydiverse.There’savarietyofdesigns,technologicalstrategies.Andalthoughthis‘Quechua’istheirdominantlanguage,evidentlytheofficialone,wehearscrapsofmanyothertongues—includingbitsofLatin.”

Quintusscowled.“Sohowdoesthathelpus,

exactly?”“Wecanhide,sir.Ifwe

haveto.Oratleastbecamouflaged.SomeofthosehabitatsandshipsarenotunliketheMalleusinsizeandshape.”

Quintuswavedhishand.“Itakeyourpoint,optio.Andgiventhechallengeofthebookkeepingofanempireonthisscale,ifit’sanythinglikeourown,therewillberoom

forconcealment.”“That’sit,sir.Andthen

there’sthebigone,theonewe’vebeencallingtheTitan.Attheverytopend,onlyoneofakind,thelargeststructurewehaveobservedinthesystembyfar...ThebigbeastresidesinaShadowofTerra.”

“Hemeans,it’satL5,”theColUtoldStef.“TrailingEarthataLagrangepoint.”

Quintuswavedhishand.“You’rebeginningtoboreme,oracle,andnotforthefirsttime.Showmethatbigmonster,optio.”

Gnaeusobeyed.Itwasabluntcylinder,its

exteriorscuffed,returningmuddledhighlightsfromadistantsun.Thiswasshownagainstthebackgroundoftheself-illuminatedEarth.

Quintusdriftedtothe

frontoftheroomtoinspectthe“Titan”moreclosely.“Thatdoesn’tlooksospecial.LooksabitlikeMalleus,infact.”

“It’salittlebiggerthanthat,sir.You’renotgraspingthescaleofthisthing—withrespect,Centurion,”headdedquickly.“We’vemadeguessesaboutitslayout.Itisspinning,arounditslongaxis,notquitethreetimesan

hour.”“Toprovidespinweight

insidethatbiguglyshell.”“Yes,sir.We’veseen

shipsapproach,alongthelongaxis,wheretheremustbedockingports.”Hepointed.“Justthere,infact.”

Quintusfrowned.“Iseenoships.Mustbetiddlers.”

“Sir,thereareplentyofvesselslargerthantheMalleusitself;weseethem

comingandgoing...Youstilldon’tseethescale.”

“Tellme,then,youposturingfool.”

“Centurion,thecylinderisnearlythreethousandmileslong.”

“Threethousand—”“Thatismorethanthe

diameterofLuna,sir.Theendhubsalonecouldswallowasmallmoon.Thelandareawithinmustbesimilartothat

ofthewholeofAsia...”TitusValerius,muttering

ablasphemousprayertoJupiter,floatedbeforetheimageofthegreathabitat,inspectingitmoreclosely,castingshadowsonthescreen.Hepointedtoablemishonthehull.“ByGod’sbones.Thatlookslikeacrater.”

“Yes,”Gnaeussaid.“We’vespottedmanysuch

scars.Thestructuremaybeold—centuriesold.”

“Whatamonster.NowondertheyhadtotakepoorLunaaparttobuildsuchthings.”

Gnaeussaid,“Thequestionis,ofcourse,whowouldliveinsuchastructure—”

“Icantellyouthat,optio,”Quintussaid.“That’swheretheemperorwillbe.

Andtheveryrich.Livingoffthehugeriversofgoodsthatflowbetweentheworlds.”

“Anemperorbecomeagod,”Titussaid.“Iwonderhowyoucouldevergetridofhim.”

Quintusgrinnedback.“Goodquestion,Titus.Allright,optio,thankyou.Well.We’veseenenough.Nowweneedtodecidewhatwe’regoingtodoaboutallthis.”

Stefhadtosmile.Thecenturiongrowled.

“AmIamusingyou,ColonelKalinski?”

“I’msorry,Centurion.I’mjustadmiringyourboldness.”

“I’maRoman,”hesaid,toamutteredrumbleofsupportfromhistroopsintheroom.“Andthat’swhatRomansare.Wearebold.Wetakecontrol.Although,”he

said,“togetthroughthiscrisiswemayhavetobehaveinwaysRomansaren’tparticularlyusedto.”

Themenlookedmoreuncertain.

“Look—we’vebeenoutherefourdays,sinceMars.Andourtimeisalreadyrunningout.Why?Becauseoursuppliesare.Ourmissionwassupposedtolastonlyweeks,atmost.Soonwe’ll

needtolandsomewhere.”TitusValeriussaid,“Sky

fullofrocksoutthere,sir,amongtheTearsofYmir.Wecouldfindaplaceofourown.KickoutafewQuechuaspeakersifwehaveto.WecouldcallsomeofthoseotherLatinspeakerstheoptioheardoutinthedark.StartbuildinganotherRome,toreplacethatholeinthegroundwesaw.”

AgainStefheardrumbles

ofapproval.“Iadmireyourspirit,

TitusValerius.Buttheproblemwiththatplanissimple.Notenoughwomen.Mostofusdidn’tbringourfamiliesonthismission,tomyeternalregret.Butthen,noneofusknewwhatwasgoingtobecomeofus,didwe?Youknowhowthingswouldgoifwetriedtomakedowiththeship’spopulation

asitis.”Steflaughed.“EvenI

wouldgetadate.”Thecenturioneyedher

sternly.“StefKalinski,wewoulddestroyourselveswithinafewyearsatbest.Thatis,iftheseQuechuaspeakersdidn’tseekusoutanddestroyusfirst.Thinkaboutthat,TitusValerius.Yourememberourstrongestenemy.Evennow,Carthagio

isapowerfulmemoryforusall,thecampaignsgoneoveragainandagainduringtraining.DoyouimaginetheseQuechuas,theseIncas,willhaveforgottenRome?”

“Never,”Titusrumbled.“Thereyouarethen.And

besides,Titus,weneedtobewilier.Weneedtobuyourselvessometime.”Heglaredaroundatthem.“Idon’twantanyofyoutelling

methatwhatI’mgoingtoproposeisn’ttheRomanway.Itisn’tallaboutbluntforce;sometimesyougetyourwaybystealthandguile—bywaitinguntilyou’rereadytostrike.RememberGermania?Augustuslosthislegionsinthosedenseforests.TheCaesarshadtowaitageneration—butwhenVespasianfinallystrucknorth,destinywasreadyto

embracehim.Soitwillbewithus...”

OnlyaRoman,thoughtStefwithexasperatedaffection,couldcomethroughajonbarhingeintosomekindofIncaspaceempireanddealwiththesituationbyreferringtotheadventuresoftheEmperorVespasianinthefirstcenturyafterChrist.

Titussaid,“Sowhatistheplan,sir?”

“Wedoastheoptiosuggested.We’llneedtousethedrive,ofcourse,toflybackintotheheartofthesolarsystem,butkerneldrivesarecommonhere.Butwekeepourheadsdown.Wehide.Wegoincamouflage—we’reabunchofminersfromtheothersideofJupiter,comeinforsupplies,maybelookingforwork...”

“Andwheredowego,

sir?NotTerra.”“Notthehellholeit’s

become,Titus,no.Thisiswherewego.”Hegesturedatthescreen.“Thisbigmonster,thisartificialAsia.Thatisthecenterofpowerandwealth.Thinkofusasanundercovermilitarymissionifyoulike.Romestrikesback!Ican’ttakeyouhome.ButIcangiveyourlifemeaninginthisnewsituation,andmine.Itmay

notbeyouwhogetstositonwhatevermagnificentthronetheyhaveinthere,TitusValerius—butIguaranteeyourgrandsonwill,oryourgreat-grandson!”

Thatwonhimacheer,asStefmighthavepredicted.

“But,”Quintussaidnow,“thejourneytothetopofthemountainbeginswithasinglestepintothefoothills.Wemakeourwayin,as

cautiouslyaspossible.Weshowupatthattremendousterminus,wheretheoptiosaysheseesshipscomingandgoing.Wefindawaytomakethemletusland.Andifnecessary...”

“Yes,sir?”“Wesurrender,Titus

Valerius.Wesurrender.”

39

DATE UNKNOWN

OnceagainBethEdenJoneswalkedacrossthestars,andbetweenrealities.

ThechamberintowhichBethemerged,havingpassed

throughfromMars,wasempty,abare-walledcylinder.ItwasHatcharchitecturestrippedtothebasics,shethought,withnoequipment—noladder,nosteps—noadornmentonthewalls,nothingresemblinganysciencegear,nosignsthathumanshadeverbeenherebefore.

Butthechamberwasfloodedwithlight.

Shelookedup.Theroofwasopen,theHatchcoverwasraised,aslimcircletippeduponinvisiblehingesoverthecircularopening.Andastarhungdirectlyoverherhead,asun,huge,pale,justtoobrighttolookatdirectly,acircleofbrilliancesuspendedinaclearfaun-coloredsky.Itslightpouredintotheshaft,andBeth’sshadowwasapatchofgray

directlybeneathherfeet.Sheknewthatstar.She

knewhowitfelttostanddirectlyundersuchastar.

SheletherMarspressuresuitrunaquickcheckoftheambientatmosphere—shewasn’tsurprisedtofinditwasbreathable,withnotoxins—andopenedupherfaceplatewithahissofequalizingpressure.Shebreathedin,deeply.Thesmelloftheair

wasfamiliartoo,adusty,dead-leavessmell,notunpleasant.Sheevenknewthegravity,shethought,alotheavierthanMars,justatouchlessthanEarth.

Adeepwarmthfilledher,almostakindofrelaxation,despitetheextraordinaryjourneyshehadjustundergone,despitethestrangenessofheronlycompanion.Shedumpedher

packonthefloorandbegantoshuckofftheouterlayersofherpressuresuit.“I’mhome,”shesaid.

“What?”Earthshinestoodbeside

her,projectedasaslickavatartotheusualstandard,amiddle-agedmandressedinarobustgraycoverall.Hisowninstantdisposalofhisvirtualpressuresuitwasreassuringenough,shesupposed;his

monitorsmustagreewithherownsuit’sthattheairwassafe.Buttheprojectionlookedoddlyunrealintheverticalstarlight,notquiteasconvincingasusual,asifthesoftwarethatgeneratedsuchimageshadn’tyetquiteadaptedtothisenvironment.

Andtheavatarlookedonanxiouslyashissupportunit,squatandblocky,rolleduptothefinaldoorwaytojoin

theminthiscylindricalshaft;ithadtoraiseitselfuponextensiblerodstoclimbthroughthedoorframe.

Bethranhertoeoverthefloor,disturbingafinelayerofdust.“Iwonderhowlongitissinceanybodywasinhere.”

“Oranything.Wedon’tknowwhereweare—notyet.”

Shemethisgazeashe

saidthat—hesoundedalmostdefiant,asifdenyingthereality—butsheknew.Sherecognizedthisstar,thisair,andshehadsomedeeperbodysenseofthefamiliarityofthisworld,asenseshecouldn’thaveputintowords.Buttheargumentwouldkeep.

“Well,”shesaidpractically,“whereverweare,thefirstpriorityisalwaysthesame.Wehavetoclimbout

ofthishole.You’reavirtual;youcanhardlygivemealeg-up.Wehaveropeinourpacks.Wecouldrigupaloop,trytolassosomething...”

“Usethesupportunit.”Theboxymachinerolleduptothewallandstoodthere,patientandsilent.“Youcouldstandonit—”

“Reachthelipofthewell,andpullmyselfout.

OK.ButIcouldneverliftyourunitout.”

“Noneed.Itcontainsgrapplinghooks,cables—it’sactuallybeenspecificallydesignedtonegotiateHatches,amongotherenvironments.”

Shesmiled.“Isupposethatmakessense.”Shedugropeoutofherpackanyhowandbegantoattachittoherpressuresuitandherpack,so

shecouldhaulthestuffoutafterherselflater.

Earthshinesaid,“Onceweestablishwhereweare,theunitwilladaptitselfappropriately.Ithasextensiveself-repairandself-modificationfacilities.Variouskindsoffabricator,forinstance.”

“AregularSwissArmyknife.”

Helookedather.“That’s

anoldreference.”“Somethingmyfather

usedtosay,somerelicofhisownpast.HisboyhoodonEarth,beforethefreezerlidclosedonhim.”Asyouknowverywell,shethought.

Earthshinejustturnedaway.

Shecrossedtothemachine,setherhandsonitsuppersurface,andhoistedherselfup.“Ifeelstiff.Stiff

andheavy.That’swhatafewhoursonMarswilldoforyou.Gettingtoooldforthis.”

“You’lltoughenup,”Earthshinesaiddismissively.“ExcusemeifItakeashortcut.”Heflickeredoutofexistence,andreappearedoverherhead,standingonthelipofthepit,handsonhips,surveyinghisdomain.

“Ibetyoucan’tseeadamnthing.”

“Notwithmyeyesandearsstillstuckdownthatshaft,no.Nothingbutthecrudestextrapolationfromtheavailableinformation.Thestarinthesky.Ablanklandscape,ahorizonappropriatelypositionedforarockyworldofasizethatcanbeextrapolatedfromthegravityweexperience.”

Ontopofthesupportunit,Bethunsteadilystood

uprightandreacheduptotakeholdoftherimofthecylindricalpit.ThesubstanceoftheHatchstructurewassmoothundertheskinofherhands,and,asalways,feltoddlyelusive,asifherhandswereslippingsideways.TheKalinskishadtriedtoexplaintoherthataHatch,tothebestofanybody’sknowledge,wasn’tamaterialartifactatallbutastructureofdistorted

space-time,andthatthesidewaysforcesshefeltweresomethinglikeatide,asecondarygravitationaleffect...Noneofthatmadeitanyeasiertoclimboutofthishole,however.

“Thegravity,yes.”Withalungeshepulledherselfup,straighteningherarmsunderherandliftingonelegoverthelipofthepit.“Ninety-twopercentofEarth’s.Right?”Of

coursethatwasthevalue;she’dgrownupknowingit.Shegottoherfeet,pantingalittle;shereallydidfeeloutofcondition.

Nowfromthepitcameasoundlikesmallcrossbowsbeingfired.Sheglanceddownandsawthattwohooks,supportedbysuckers,hadfixedthemselvestotherimofthepit.Finecableslaceddowntothesupport

unit,andwithawhirofhiddenwinches,theunitbegantoriseupfromthepitfloor.Sothatwashowitgotaround.

Leavingtheunittoitsbusiness,Bethturnedandlookedaround.

Shewasinaforest,surroundedbytreeswithstouttrunksandbig,sprawlingleavesthatcaughtthelightstreamingdown

fromabove.Buttherewasplentyofopenground—therewasnocontinuouscanopy,evidentlynopermanentcover.TheHatchstructureitselfsatinabroadclearing,withsaplingssproutingbesidetrunkslikefallenpillars,trunksinfestedwithwhatlookedlikelichen,mosses,fungi.Allofthiswastingedinshadesofgreen,someofitdrab,someofit

morevivid,brilliantinthewanlightofthestaroverhead.Inonedirection,shesaw,theviewwasmoreopen,revealingwaterglimmeringinthelight.Whatlookedlikestubbyreedspushedoutofthewater.And,bythewater’sedge,aclusterofglisteningformsstood,almostlikehugemushrooms.“Stromatolites.”Shesaidthewordaloud,lettingitrollon

hertongue.Sherememberedhowhardithadbeenforhertolearnthatwordasalittlekid,andhowconfusedshehadbeenwhenhermotherhadtoldherthatthenamewaswrong,really,thatithadbeentakenfromanEarthorganismthatwaslikethestructuresshesawaroundherbutnotquite,structuresthatgrewinthewater,butnotonland...

Allthiswasfamiliar.Andyet,shethought,itwasnot.

Thesupportunitlaboredtohaulitselfoutoftheholeintheground.Asitmadethelastperilousstep,andextendedstubbycaterpillartrackstoclawattheground,Bethstoodby,tryingtothinkofwaysshecouldhelpiftheheftyunitstartedtotopplebackintothepit.

Earthshine,meanwhile,

paidnoattention.Hestalkedbackandforth,impatiently.“Nothinghere,”hegrowled.

Bethfrowned.“Nothing?Nothingbutthetrees.Theundergrowth.Thewateroverthere,alakemaybe.Life—”

“JustthisdamnHatchunit,sittingontheground.Lookatit...”

ItwaslikeeveryotherHatchshe’deverseen,asquareofsmooth,grayish

materialwiththecircularlidraisedupoverthecylindricalshaftbeneath.“JustliketheHatchonMercury,thefirstIcameoutofwithmymotherandfatherandthePeacekeeper.JustlikethefirstIwalkedinto,onPerArdua.”

“Butthere’snothinghere.Nobuildings,nostructures,nocommunity—nopeople...”

Sheraisedherface,closedhereyesinthelight.

“Iknowwhatyou’rethinking,”hesnapped.

“It’snotwhatIthink.It’swhatIfeel.IgrewuponPerArdua.Iknowitsair,itsscents,thewayitsgravitypullsonmybones.”

“YouthinkthisisPerArdua.ThatthatstarupthereisProxima.”

“Whatelsecoulditbe?

Lookaround,Earthshine.You’veneverbeenherebeforebutyou’veseentherecords;I’msureofthat.You’veseentheanalysisthescientistsdidoncewecamebacktothesolarsystem,thedatatheUNteamsreturnedlater.Lookatthesestems,pushingoutoftheground.Stems,thebasisofallcomplexPerArduanlife,allthewayuptothebuilders.”

“Youreallythinkthat’sProxima?”Hewassquintingupintothelight,hissupportingsoftwarecastingperfectlyformedshadowsacrosshisface.“Kindofbland-looking,don’tyouthink?Wherearethestellarflares?Wherearethestarspots?”

Thatwasapoint,and,oddly,shehadn’tnoticeditbefore.Thestar’ssurface,

seenthroughscrunched-upeyes,wassmooth,almostfeatureless,markedbyonlyafewpatchesofgrayishmottling—notthemapofrestlessstellarenergiesshe’dgrownupbeneath,nottheuneasygodthathadinflictedparticlestormsandstarspotwintersonitshaplessplanets.

Planets,yes.Shewalkedafewstepsandturnedaround,lookingupatthesky,

whichwasafeaturelessbronzewash.Proximahadhadmorethanoneplanet.Inthepermanentdaylightofitsstar-facinghemisphere,thestarsandplanetshadbeenforeverinvisible—allsaveone,abrilliantbeacon...“There,”shesaid,pointingatasparkoflightunwaveringinthesky.“Proximae,thefifthplanet.WecalleditthePearl.”Shelaughed.“Just

whereIleftit.”Hewalkedaround,

growingincreasinglyangry.“Youseemtobeseeingthesimilaritiesandscreeningoutthedifferences.Suchasthelife-forms.Thesetree-likestructures,the‘stromatolites’—theyarelikethesamplesshowninimagesretrievedfromProximac,fromPerArdua.Buttheyaren’tidentical,arethey?

Andwhataboutthis?”Hepointeddramaticallyatasmallclumpofplantsathisfeet,withsprawlingbrightgreenleaves.“Howdoesthisfitin?”

Shecroucheddowntosee.No,thisdidn’tfitinwithhermemoriesofachildhoodonPerArduaatall,atleastnotofthewildcountryawayfromthefarmssheandherparentsandtheColUhad

laboredtocreate.Theseleavesborethegreen,notofArduanlife,butofEarthlife,abrighterandmorevividcolorbornunderamoreenergeticstar.You’dneverhavefoundsuchthingsgrowinginthewild.Shedugherfingersintothesoil—itwasrustbrown,quitedry—andfoundamassofsmalltubers.“Theselooklikepotatoes,oradistant

relative.”Earthshinesnapped,“So

whatdoyouconclude?”Shestood,clutchinga

coupleofthetubers,brushingthedirtfromherhands.Eventhetextureofthedirtfeltfamiliar.“ThisisPerArdua.ThatisProxima.Iftherearepotatoeshere,peoplemusthavebroughtthem—peoplemusthavebeenhere.But—”

“Butit’snotthePer

Arduayouremember.Notquite.Ifthisisthesubstellar,where’stheUNbase?Where’stherelicoftheAdAstra?Yes,yousee,Ididmyhomework.Whereareallthepeople?”

“Andwherearethebuilders?”shemused.“Ofcourse,theymighthavelearnedtokeepawayfrompeopleandalltheirworks,givenenoughtime.”She

glancedupatProxima—ifitwasProxima.“Howmuchtime?”shewondered.

“Thismaybeanotherrealitystrand,”Earthshinesaid.“Correction:itprobablyisanotherrealitystrand.That’swhattheHatchesdo,don’tthey?Knitupthetimelines.EvenifitisPerArdua,thismaynotbetheversionofhistoryinwhichyourfamilypioneered.”

“Maybenot,”sheadmitted.“Buttherehavebeenpeoplehere.”Sheheldoutthetubersinherpalm.“Somebodybroughtthesehere.”Shebrokeoneofthetubers,revealingcrispwhitefleshwithinasleeveofdirt-mattedskin.“Looksedible.”Shenibbledtherawflesh,avoidingtheskin;itwascrisp,moist,cool,allbutflavorless.

“Well,ifyouliveforafewmorehours,we’llknowifthat’strueornot,won’twe?”

“AtleastI’mnotgoingtostarvehere,”Bethsaid.Thelightchanged,subtly.Sheglancedupandsawclouds,thinstreaksofwhite,driftingoverthefaceofthestar.“Lookslikethere’sstillweatherhereafterall.I’llmakecamp.”

•••

ShegottoworkhaulingherpressuresuitandpackupfromtheHatchwithherrope.

Inthepackshehadapop-upinflatableshelter,emergencyblankets,asmallstove,andscrunched-updisposableclothes:aspace-ageRomanlegionary’ssurvivalgear,allsheneededtosurviveafewdaysinthe

wilderness.Shesoonhadthesheltererected.Sheshovedtherestofhergear,thepack,thepressuresuit,thehelmet,insidethetent,andbegantohaulthewholelottowardthenearestdense-lookingclumpoftrees,seekinganchorage.

Earthshinegrunted.“IapologizeIcan’thelpwithyourchores.”Herubbedhispalmstogetherandglancedatthesky.“IfthisisPerArdua,

andIstillreservejudgment,itisaquieterPerArdua.Lookattheground,thesoil.Therustcolor,likeAustralia,likeMars.PerArduaalwayshadapeculiarwayoflettingoutitstectonicenergy...”

ThecontinentsdidnotdriftonPerArdua.Perhapsthatwassomethingtodowiththewaythisworldwastidallylockedtoitsstar,thesamehemisphereforeverbathedin

thelight,theotherforeverdark.Buttherehadbeeninternalheatthatneededrelease,asonEarth,andtheresulthadbeenvolcanicprovinces,astheColUhadidentifiedthem.Everysooftenawholechunkofsomecontinentorseafloorwoulddissolveintochaoticgeologicalupheavals,releasingheat,ash,lava,evenbuildingnewmountainstobe

erodedawaybytherain.But,Bethsaw,Earthshine

wasright;thisdirtlookedold.AndthatdustyMartiancolorintheskywasn’tthewaysherememberediteither.Itwasalongtimesinceanymountainshadgotbuilthere.

Asmallvoiceaskedagain,Howlong?Andhowcouldthatbe?

“Butthere’sstillweatherhere,”Earthshinesaid.

“Whichislogical.Thesubstellarpoint,directlybeneaththestar,willalwaysbethehottestplaceontheplanet,alwaysacenteroflowpressure,likeapermanentstormsystem.Andtheantistellar,theoppositepoint,willalwaysbethecoldest—ouch.”Thefirstfewheavydropsofrainfell,patteringonthebroad,deadleavesaroundthem,andslicingthrough

Earthshine’sbody.“Idon’tgetwetintherain,butithurtsme.”

“Yoursoftware’sconsistencyprotocols.”

Shedraggedthetentovertheground,tryingtogettotheshelterofthetrees.

Shesawthattheuprightcylindricalcarcassofthesupportunithadsproutedopenpanels,fromwhichmanipulatorarmshad

emerged.Smallcomponentswerebeingliftedoutoftheinteriorofthecarcass,whilenet-likestructureswerebeingusedtoscrapetogetherheapsofdirt.“Whatisitdoing?”

“Wheels,”Earthshinesaid,walkingslowlybesideher.“It’smakingwheels.”

“Planningajourney,areyou?”

“Obviously.”“Whereto?”

“Awayfromhere.Awayfromthiswrongplace.”Hisangerwasevidentnow;hesaidthiswithasnarl.

Sheremindedherselfthathewasn’thuman.Everythingabouthimwastheproductofsoftwarelogicofsomekind.Yetshewonderedtooifhehadtheartificialequivalentofasubconscious.Giventhewayhe’dbehavedinthepast,includingsmashingtheMars

oftheRome-Xinhistory,thatwouldexplainalot.Somaybehisangerwasgenuine,thedisplayunconscious.

Atthefringeoftheforestclumpshefoundacoupleofstouttreesideallypositionedtoanchorhershelter.Shetooklengthsofherropeandbeganlashingthesheltertothetrunks.Thetreesatleastwereassherememberedthem,basicallyexpanded

formsoftheubiquitousstems.“Ifthisisn’tPerArdua,it’sadamngoodimpersonation,”shemutteredassheworked.

Bythetimeshewasdonetherainwascomingdownharder,hissingontheleaf-carpetedground.ShelookedbackattheHatch,whoselid,shesaw,wasclosing.“TheHatchisaspace-timeartifact,andyetitsdesignerstookcare

thatit’sprotectedfromtherain.Well,that’sattentiontodetailforyou.”Buttherewasnoreply,andwhensheglancedaroundshesawthatEarthshinehadalreadyretreatedtotheinteriorofthetent.

BesidetheHatch,intherain,thesupportunitwasrapidlyassemblingbigskeletalwheels,fourofthem.

40

Thereceptionchamberwasmeanttoimpress,Mardinathought,ifnottoawe.EvenbeforeyougotintothemainbodyoftheTitan,thehugespacehabitatitself.

Thechamberwasawide,

deepcylindersetpreciselyatthespinaxisoftherotatinghabitat,withzero-gravityguideropesstrungfromwalltowall.Toreachthischamberyouhadalreadyhadtopassthroughaseriesoflocks,eachofwhichalonehadbeenlargerthananysinglecabinintheMalleusJesu.Theplacewasornate,too,withrichwovenblanketsspreadoverthesteelwalls,

andspraysofbrilliantlycoloredfeathers,eventhegleamofgoldandsilverplate.Thehugefaceofsomeangrygod,hiseyespickedoutbyemeralds,glareddownattheRomansfromtheoppositewall.

And,fromglass-walledemplacementsallaroundthem,troopsstareddownatthenewcomers.Theyworeauniformofasimpleshifttied

atthewaist,brightlycolored,andfunctionalhelmetsofwhatlookedlikehardsteel.Theyhadweaponstohand,shortswordsandstabbingspears—evensomekindofartillery,andbluntmuzzlespeeredattheRomansfromallsides.

AndnowthestrandedMalleuspersonnel—fortylegionarieswiththeirCenturionQuintusFabius,

Mardina,TitusValeriusandhisdaughter,MichaeltheGreekmedicus,andChuYuenwiththeColUinitspackonhisback—werehuddledinthisvastarena,tangledupintheguideropeslikefliesinaspiderweb.Itdidn’thelpthatallofthemhadbeencleansedbeforebeingallowedthisfarintothehabitat—strippednaked,bathedinhotshowers,their

clothesshakenoutinthevacuum.TheColUsaiditwasentirelysensiblethatthecontrollersofthisenclosedworldwouldtrytokeepoutfleasandliceanddiseases.ButithadtakenallofQuintus’spersonalauthoritytopersuadehismentosubmittothis.

TheRomans,intheirmilitarytunicsandbootswiththeircloaksandpacks,looked

likesavagesinthissetting,likethebarbarianstheyeffectedtodespise.Atleasttheydidn’tlooklikesoldiersanymore.Well,Mardinahopednot.AtQuintus’sordersthelegionarieshadleftbehindontheMalleusJesutheirgladiosandspearsandfire-of-lifeweapons,andtheirarmor,eventheirmilitarybeltsandmedals.

Thebulkoftheship’s

occupantshadtransferredtothehabitat.Theshipitself,havingcomecloseenoughtotheTitanforthesmalleryachtstodeliverthelegionariestothehubport,wasnowhidingamongtheasteroidsmannedbyaskeletoncrew,ahandfuloflegionariesunderthecommandofoptioGnaeusJuniusandtrierarchusEilidh—andwiththemorefragile

passengers,includingJiang,StefKalinskiandAriGuthfrithson—abletosurviveforalongtimeonsuppliesmeantforfivetimestheirnumber.

Now,astheRomanswaitedforthelateststepintheirinduction,QuintusFabiuskeptupasteadystreamofencouragement.“Takeiteasy,lads.Youlookstrangertothemthantheydo

toyou—evenifyouaresimplefarmersoftheicemoons.Idoubtverymuchifthey’veseenthelikesofyoubefore,TitusValerius,saveintheirnightmares...Ah.Herecomessomebodynewtoorderusabout.”

Anofficialapproachedthemnow,astocky,scowlingwomanofperhapsfifty,pullingherselfalongaguiderope.Flankedbyanunarmed

manandtwosoldiers,sheworeasimpletunicnotunlikethesoldiers’,butwithapatternofalternatelycoloredsquares—likeagaudychessboard,theshadesbrilliant—andobviouslyexpensive,Mardinathought.Itwasabrashgarbthatdidnotsitwellwithwhatappearedtobeanirritablepersonality.Andshecarriedapeculiarinstrument,aframe

almostlikeanabacusbutlacedwithknottedstring.Sheglanceddownatthisassheapproachedthem,workingtheknotswithagilefingers.

TitusValeriusmurmured,“Speakingofnightmares,Centurion—lookatthoseladswiththeclerk.”

Thesoldierswhoaccompaniedtheofficialweretall,almostludicrouslyso,aheadormoretallereventhan

TitusValerius.Theirlonglimbslookedstickthinbutwerestuddedbymusclesunderwiryflesh,andtheirfaceswerebony,skull-like.Theymovedthroughthemeshofguideropeswithpracticedease.Closeto,theywereverystrange,eveninhuman,andMardinatriednottorecoil.

“Theylookill,”Quintussaid.“Toolongwithout

weightandnoexercise.PutthemundermycommandandI’dsoonsortthemout...”

“No,Centurion,”Michaelmurmured.“Ithinkyou’remisreadingthem.Theseareperfectlyhealthy—andfunctionalfortheirenvironment.Theyareadaptedforthelackofweight.Lookhowstrongtheyappear,stronginawirysense;lookhowconfidently

theymove.Isuspecttheywouldbeformidableopponents,justhereattheaxisoftheship,wherethereisnoweight.Perhapstheyhavebeenraisedinthisenvironment,fromchildren:specialistaxiswarriors.Orperhapstheyaretheresultofgenerationsbornandbredwithoutweight.”

“Or,”theColUmurmuredfromitspack,

“perhapstheyaretheresultofgenetictinkering.Wehavespokenofthis,medicus.Yourcultureknewnothingofthis,butwecouldhavedoneit—”

“Beforethelastjonbarhingebutone,”themedicussaiddrily.

“Beinterestingtofightthem,then,”Quintussaidthoughtfully.“Butnotyet.Andhush,Collius;thatclerkislookingsuspicious.”

Theleadofficiallookedupatthemnowfromherknottedstrings,herscowldeepening,andsheinspectedthemonebyone.Fifty-somethingshemightbe,but,Mardinathought,likethesoldierswithher,shewashandsome.Underblackhairstreakedwithgrayshehaddarkeyes,copper-brownskin,highcheekbonesandanoseaRomanmighthavebeen

proudof.Theofficialpulledherself

upintotheair,soshecouldlookdownonthedisorderlygroupofRomans.“Inguillsutiymi—quipucamayoc.Maymantakanki?Romaoi?Hapinkichu?Runasimirimankichu?”

•••

Inguillwasnothavingagood

day,andwhenthestrangersmuttereddisrespectfullyamongthemselvesbeforeher,herdisquietandirritationquicklydeepened.

Inguill’sformaltitlewasseniorquipucamayoc,keeperofthequipus.Shewasoneofadozenofherrankwho,onbehalfoftheSapaIncaandthroughahierarchyofrecord-keepersbeneathher,effectivelygovernedallof

Yupanquisuyu,thisgreathabitat,bothcuntisuyuandantisuyu,fromHurinCuzcoattheeasternhubtoHananCuzco,palaceoftheIncahimself,atthiswesternhub.Itwasarolethat,itwassaid,hadhadaplaceinIncaculturesincethedaysbeforetheempire’sconquestofthelandsofthefirstantisuyu,thepassageacrosstheeasternocean,andthemoveoutinto

thesky.Anditwasarole

dedicatedtotheprimaryfunctionofcontrol:theessenceoftheimperialsystemoftheIntipChuri,theChildrenoftheSun.

ThatfacthadbecomeapparenttoInguillataveryyoungage,whentheteachersatheraylluhadfirstpickedheroutasanexceptionaltalentandhadputherforward

fortrainingattheCuzcocolleges.Inguillhadrisenuptheranksoftheimperialadministrationsmoothly—sheddingherfamilyandhertiestoherayllu,shunningpersonalrelationshipsinfavoroftheendlessfascinationofthework.

Shehadalwaysbeenabletograspthekeyimportanceofmaintainingcontrol,intheempireoftheSapaInca.

Especiallyinahabitatlikethis,hugeyetfiniteandfragile,whereyouhadtocontrolthepeopleinordertoensurethemaintenanceofthecomplex,interlockedsystemsthatkeptthemallalive.AndinthetheologyoftheIntipChuri,youhadtocontrolthegods,too,endlesslyplacating,andexcludingthewillfuldivineangerthatcouldbreakintotheworldifchaosand

disorderwereallowedtoreign,evenbriefly.Ofcoursethisgreatboxofahabitat—aboxfromwhichtherewasnopossibilityofescape,underconstantandtotalsurveillancefromHananCuzcoatthehub,fromtheCondorcraftthatcontinuallypatrolledtheaxis,andfromoperativesdispersedontheground—lentitselftosuchcontrol.

Itsoonbecameapparenttoothatcamayocslikeherself,endowedwiththatkindofintuitiveperceptionabouttheneedforunsleepingandunrelentingcontrol,wererareindeed,andprized.Soshehadfoundherselfpluckedoutforpromotionaheadofmanyofherage-groupcadre—eventheprivilegedsort,thesonsanddaughtersoftherichoftheCuzcoswhocould

affordthefinestpharmaceuticalenhancements,themostrefinedextractsfromplantsandanimalsbredforthepurposeovergenerations,tosharpentheirintellectstoadegreeofbrilliance.Evensuchanexpensivelyshapedmindwasoflittleusetothestateifbeneaththeglitterandthequick-talkwasalackofbasicperception,alackofan

understandingofthechallengesofexistence.AndthatwastheunderstandingthatInguillenjoyed,andcultivatedinherself.

Notthatitdidhercareermuchgood.Shehadproventobesogoodatherjobthatshewasgivenakindofroamingbrief,senttomanage,nottheorderly,everydayproblemsofYupanquisuyu,butthe

disorder,theunusual,theoutoftheordinary,whereveritmightcropup—eitherwithinthehabitatorcomingfromwithout,likethisbunchofRomaoi.Theparadoxwasthatasaresultshespentmuchofherworkinglifeinastateoffrustration,evenanxiety,andcertainlyirritation.Fortheunusual,thedisorderly,thechaotic,theverystuffitwasherjobto

dealwith,annoyedherprofoundlyuntilshecouldmasteritandcleanitup.Andallthewhileherrivals,overwhomshehadintheorybeenpromoted,werebusilywormingtheirwayintocomfortablenichesinthevasthierarchyoftheCuzcos.

NothinginrecenttimeshadannoyedhermorethanthesemysteriousRomaoi,withtheirbulgingmuscles

andsullenexpressions.Ice-moonfarmers?Hah!Notlikely...Butwheretherewasnovelty,sheremindedherself,wheretherewasstrangeness,therewasalwaysopportunity—forherself,ifnottheempire.

Nowshefacedthebigmanwiththegaudycloakwholookedtobetheleader.

“MynameisInguill—Iamaquipucamayoc.Where

areyoufrom?AreyouRoman?Doyouunderstand?Doyouspeakrunasimi?”

•••

TheColU’searpieceshadbeengiventoQuintus,Michael,Mardinaandafewothers.NowMardinaheardthestrangedevicewhisperitstranslationinherear—atranslationfromQuechua,

whichtheofficialcalledrunasimi,intoLatin,byanartificialbeingwhoseownfirstlanguagewasakindofbastardizedGerman.Justwhenitseemedherlifecouldn’thavegotanystranger...

Quintusgrunted.“Iwillneverbeabletospeakthistongueoftheirs!Itsoundslikesquabblingbirds.”

“Allichu,huqkuti

rimaway!”“Thatwas,‘Saythat

again,’”theColUwhispered.“Apologize,Centurion.Andwaitformetotranslate.”

“Iamsorry.”“Pampachaykuway...”“MynameisQuintus

Fabius.Iamtheleaderofthisgroup.Wearegratefulforyourshelter.”

“Well,youhaven’tbeengrantedityet.”The

quipucamayocglaredatQuintusandhismen,suspicionbristlingasvisiblyasfeathersonapredatorybird,Mardinathought.“Tellmeagainwhereyouclaimtocomefrom.”

“Welivedonanicemoon,farfromthesun.Iapologize;Idonotknowthenamesofthesebodiesastheyareknowninyourmightyempire...”(“Collius,I’m

notcomfortablewithallthislying...”)

(“Behumble,Centurion.Guile,remember?Youcandisplayyourstrengthslater.”)

“Wewerethereformanygenerations.Ourfathersandmothers,ourgrandfathersandgrandmothersworkedtheice,livingoffthethinsunlight.Wefarmed—”

“Youweretheresolongyouforgotmostofyour

Quechua,itseems.Ha!FivecenturiesafterTisoIncastompedRomeflat,yourefugeesstillclingtoyourprimitivetongue.Oh,nevermind.Soyoufarmed.Whyareyouherenow?”

MardinacouldhearthetensioninQuintusFabius’svoiceasheswallowedtheseinsultsandresponded.ShewasgladTitusValeriusandtherestcouldnotunderstand

whatwassaid.“Therewasacalamity,

quipucamayoc.Anotherbody,afast-movingrogue,hitourhome.We,mostofthemen,wereaway,investigatinganothermoonthatseemedmineral-rich.Wehadnotdetectedtherogue,therewasnotime—ourhomewasdestroyed,mostofthewomenandchildren.Allwehadbuiltovergenerations.

Wewhosurvivedcamehereinthelastofourships,tothrowourselvesonyourmercy.”

Shepeeredintohisface.“Well,atleastyou’restickingtoyourstory.Butyoudon’tbetraymuchgrief.That’seitherasignthatyou’restrong,whichisadmirable,oryou’relying,whichislessso.”Shepulledherselfalongaguideropeandinspected

thelegionaries.“Alsoyoudon’tlooklikeno-weightfarmerstome.You’retoosolid.Toomuscular.”

Quintusstraightenedhisback.“We—ourancestorswereRoman.Weretainedtheirsenseofdiscipline,eveninourexileoutinthedark.”

“Really.Andthatshipthatbroughtyouin—don’timaginewedidn’tseeitbeforeitscurriedoffintothe

dark—itdidn’tlooklikeanykindofminingcrafttome.”

“Anotherrelicofourpioneeringancestors,quipucamayoc.Allwehadleft.Wesentitbacktotheicemoonstosearchagainforsurvivorsofourfamily.Whilewecameherelookingforwork.”(“Collius,theseliesbecomeelaborate.”)

(“Please,Centurion.Humorme.Weareplayinga

longgame.”)(“Hmm...”)InguillglaredatQuintus.

“Youmutterinyourantiquetongue,asiftalkingtoavoiceinyourhead.Areyousimpleorinsane?”Shestudiedthegroup,deeplysuspicious.“Idon’tlikeyou,QuintusFabius,ifthatisyourname.Idon’tlikethisrabbleyouhavebroughtintomyworld.Idon’tlikeyourstory,which

stinkslikeaweek-oldfishhead.Idon’tlikethewayyouhesitatebeforespeakingeveryline,asifsomebodyiswhisperinginyourear.Youdon’tfit—andIdon’tlikethingsthatdon’tfit.Ihavethepowertothrowyoualloutintotheairlessness,youknow.”

Quintusheldhergaze.“Weareatyourmercy.”

“Youare,aren’tyou?But

youhavemuscle,andevidentdisciplineofasort.Thisisabigcraftandwearealwaysshortofmuscleanddiscipline—especiallyifitcanbeappliedtothejobsnobodyelsewants.Verywell.Iwillletyoulive.I’llsendyoutotheantisuyu.”Inguillgrinnedcoldly.“Youdon’tknowwhatthatis,doyou?Intheantisuyuyouwillbefarfrommysight.Indeedyouwillbe

farfromthisplace,whichistheonlywayoutofthishabitat.AndadeepercontrasttoRome,andindeedyouricemoon,couldhardlybeimagined.Butyouwon’tbeoutofmythoughts,believeme.Youareaconundrum,QuintusFabius,anditisevidenttomethat,tosaytheleast,youarenottellingmethewholetruth.”Shepushedherfaceclosetohis.“Idon’t

likeyou,andyouowemeyourlife.Neverforgetthat.”

Quintusdidnotreply.Shebackedoff.“In

anticipationofthedecision,Ibroughtthisman.”Sheindicatedtheotherclerkishmannexttoher.“HisnameisRuminavi,andheisthetocricoapuoftheregiontowhichyouwillbesent—whichcontainstheayllutowhichyouwillbeattached,

amongothers.”Shelookedattheiremptyfaces.“Doyouunderstandanyofthis?YouareinTawantinsuyu,theEmpireoftheFourQuarters—theearthandthesky,andeastandwesthereinthehabitat,theantisuyuandcuntisuyu.UndertheSapaIncaeachquarteriscontrolledbyanapu,aprefect,andunderhimorheraretwenty-twotocrico

apus...Oh!Youwilllearn.“NowRuminaviwill

escortyoutoyourtransportstotheantisuyu.Dowhatthetocricoapusays,andyourlocalcuraca,workhardanddon’tcausetrouble,andyoumightsurvivealittlewhile.Oh,andyouwillgiveupanyweaponsyouarestillconcealing.NoweaponsinYupanquisuyu,saveforthetroopsandotherdesignated

officials.”Therewasgrumblingin

theranksatthis,butQuintussaidquietlyinthickruralLatin,“Lads,we’llfindweaponsasweneedthem,orstealthem,makethem.That’salwaysbeenmyplan.”

TheColUsaid,“Makesuretheydon’tconfiscateme.TellthemIamanidol.Orapieceofmedicalequipment.Orascrapfromthefarmed

moon,asentimentalsouvenir...”

Butthemenhadfallensilent.

Mardinaturned,andsawthatadooratthefarendofthechamberhadopened,torevealtheinteriorofthehabitatforthefirsttime.Atubeofcloud,brightlyilluminated,stretchingtoinfinity.

“ByJupiterandJesu,”

mutteredFabius.“Intowhathaveyoudeliveredus,Collius?”

•••

AstheRomaoifiledtowardtheinternaltransport,oneofInguill’ssoldiersapproachedher,holdingablockofmetal.“Foundthis,quipucamayoc.Noideahowoneofthemsmuggledthisthroughthe

cleansingarea.Andthenmanagedtodropitontheotherside...”

Inguilltookthepiece.Itwasakindofbeltbuckle,shesaw,intricatelyshaped,andstampedwithsquare,uglyLatinletteringthatshehadtopickout:

LEGIOXCVICTRIX

41

Ruminavi,whowasafussylittlemanwithnoneoftheevidentintellectofInguill,saidtheywouldbetransportedinsomekindofcarriagetotheirnewhome—Mardinaimaginedsomething

likeanelevatorcar—indeedtheywouldrideinaseriesofsuchtransports;thecarriageswouldnottakeallofthematonce.

SotheRomanswereroughlydividedintogroupsofadozenorless.Quintus,withTitus’shelp,madesurethemenwereintheircontuberniumtentgroupsasfaraspossible,withsomebodyrelativelysensible

inchargeofeach.Thelegionariesgrumbledandmoanedastheyformedaqueue,hangingweightlessintheair—alinethatwouldtakethemintoachamberofwonders,Mardinarealized,butsoldiersalwaysgrumbledwhateveryoudidforthem.

Whenitwasherturn,MardinafollowedQuintusandChuandahandfulofRomans,andpassedthrough

aportalintoaboxofglass,aboxridingonuprightrails,whichinturnwereattachedtoatremendousverticalwallthatstretchedaboveandbelowher,asfarasshecouldsee.Behindherinthisglassbox,Ruminavitheapusettledonaseat,surroundedbyahandfulofspideryaxiswarriors,andtheRomanscrowdedin.Andaheadofher...

Sherecoiledfromtheview,closinghereyes.Sheheardakindofmoaning,high-pitched,likeafrightenedanimal.ShethoughtitmightbeChuYuen,theslave,moreintelligentthantheaveragelegionaryandthereforemorecapableofwonder,andhorror.Shehopeditwasn’therself.

“Lookdown,”theColU

saidnow,fromthesecurityofitslodginginChu’sbackpack.“MardinaEdenJonesGuthfrithson,listentome.Don’tlookahead,orup—don’tlookatthewalltowhichwearefixed—justlookstraightdown.”

Mardinaopenedhereyesandlooked.And,throughthetransparentfloor,shesawwhatlookedlikeTerraasseenfromloworbit,asliceof

sprawlinglandscape,washed-outgreenandgrayunderscatteredclouds,andwithstretchesofwaterthatglistenedinthesunlightlikepolishedRomanshields.“Thisisn’tsobad,”shesaidwithrelief.

“Hereattheaxisofthehabitatweareovertwohundredmilesabovethislandscape.Forthatistheradiusofthiscylinder.The

viewhereisjustasifyouwereinaspacecraft,orbiting.”

“Itseemsalmostnormal,inthesunlight.Except—”

“Whatsunlight?”theColUsaid.“Iknow.Therearebreaksinthehabitat’stremendouswalls.Poolsthatadmitwhatmustbereflectedsunlight,toilluminatethisenclosedenvironment—surelyindirectlyreflected,so

thattheradiationshieldingisnotcompromised.Thereisonebelowusandnotfarahead—youcanlookupnow,justalittlefarther...”

Thesunlightpoolglaredundertheclouds,likeacityonfire.Itwasaneerie,beautifulsight.

Ruminavisaid,“WecallthemthewindowsofInti.ForIntiisoursungod,yousee.”

Thetransportsuddenly

lurchedintomotion,headingdownthefaceofthewallonitsrails.Thepassengerswerejerkedintotheair,likepebblesinadroppedhelmet,Mardinathought,andforcedtograbontowhateverhandholdstheycouldreach.Alreadysomeofthelegionarieslookedasiftheywantedtothrowup.

Ruminavi,safeinhisseat,lookedonwitha

maliciousgrin.“Keeptighthold.Theaccelerationwillbehigh.We’llbecoveringalotofyourRomanmileseveryhourbythetimewehittheatmosphere.Ofcoursebythenyou’llbefeelingthespinweight...”Helaughedoutloud.“Notsotoughnow,youRomans,areyou?JustlikeyourancestorswhobeggedontheirkneestoTisoInca’sgeneralstosparetheircity

fromtheFist.”QuintusFabiusglaredat

him.“Allright,”theColUsaid

now.“Lookdownagain,MardinaEdenJonesGuthfrithson.Andlookup.Lookatthewallitself,downwhichweareclimbing...”

Itwasmorethanawall,shesawnow,itwasanengineeredcliffface,crustedwithstructures,blocksand

domesandpyramids—allessentiallyconstructedofsteel,Mardinathought,butornatelypainted,evenfacedwithstoneandboundbysteelstraps.Structures—thatwasthewrongword.Shesawlightsgleamfromwithin,doorwaysopening:thesewerebuildings,inhabitedbypeople.Attheaxialpointitselfatremendoustowersproutedstraightoutfromthe

wall,builtofstoneblocksofsomekind:asteppedpyramid,skinnyandenormouslylong.Andinoneplaceshesawagangofworkers,inpressuresuits,tetheredtohandholdsfixedtothewall,engagedintheconstructionofsomethingnew.Aliving,changingplacethen,averticaltown,stucktothiswall.Andtherailsonwhichthetransportrancut

throughallthisclutterinadeadstraightlinebeforeplungingdownintothecloudsfarbelow.

Mardinautteredasilentprayer.“Itisacityinthesky.”

“No,”saidtheColU.“Acityabovethesky.Weareinanearvacuumhere,Mardina.Theairwillonlybecomesignificantlydenseperhapstwentymilesabovethe

ground—Imean,thecylindricalhull.Thishabitat,fourhundredandfiftymilesindiameter,essentiallycontainsavacuum,withathinlayerofairplasteredoveritsinnersurface,kepttherebythespingravity.”

“Avastcityinthevacuum.Why’sithere?”

Theapusnorted.“Whydoyouthink?ThisisHananCuzco,homeoftheInca

himself,andhisfamilyandheirsandclosestadvisers.ThegreatestmarvelinYupanquisuyu,outshiningeventhatdumpHurinCuzcoattheeasternpole.Themitimacsarekeptoutbyallthislovelyvacuum.Why,awarcouldberagingdownthereonthegroundandwe’dneverknowaboutituphere.”

“‘We,’Ruminavi?”saidQuintus.“Butyoudon’tlive

here,doyou?Itwasmyunderstandingthatyou’recomingwithus,allthewaytothisgrubbyantisuyu,whereyoulive.”

Ruminaviscowled.“Yes,andlet’sseehowlongyourRomanarrogancelastsinmyjungle,youposturingclown.”

Mardinalookedagainatthecompartment’srearwall,therelativelycomfortingvisionofarivetedmetalwall

flyinguppastherface.Hundredsofmilesofmetal,ofsteelandrivets...“Allright,Collius.IthinkI’mreadyforthenextstage.”

“Verywell.Stayupright,feetdowntowardtheground—sotospeak.Whenwearefartherfromtheaxisthespingravitywillbecomestrongerandpullyoudown.Nowlookstraightahead,liftyourfaceslowly...”

IfshehadbeeninorbitaroundTerra,atthisaltitudethecurveoftheworldwouldbeapparent;shewouldfindahorizonineverydirectionshelooked.Buthereitwasdifferent.Here,whensheliftedherhead,shesawthepanoramabelowher,ofriversandhillsandinlandseasandwhatlookedlikefarms,whatlookedlikecities,extendingdirectlyahead,thedetails

becomingacompressedblurwithdistance,untilatlastshesawonlyabandofairglowingwiththeilluminationofthelightpools.Therewasnosenseofcurvature—notifshelookedstraightahead.Butifshelookedawayfromthataxis,thelandscapecurvedup,risingtoeithersideandjoiningoverherheadtoformatubeofsmearedlight,greenandblueandgray.Itwasasif

shewereholdinguparolled-upmap,shethought,andpeeringthroughitatadistantsourceoflight.

Faraway,atleast,itwasallacomfortingabstraction.Butthenshelethergazewanderbackdownthelengthofthetube,backtoherposition,andshelookedupoverherheadatagreatroofofland,plasteredwithinvertedmountainsand

patchworkfarmsandevenrivers,pinnedtherebyaspinweightshecouldnotyetfeel.Shefeltherhearthammering,herbreathgrowingshallow.

TheColUsaid,“Easy,Mardina.ChuYuen—holdherhand.”

Thetouchoftheformerslave’sfleshwascomforting.But,glancingtoherside,shesawthatChuhadhisowneyesclampedshut.

Shelaughed.“Areyouallright,

Mardina?”“Yes,Collius.Afolded

world.Whatmagnificence.Whatarrogance.Whatmadness!”

“Quite.Yethereweare.ChuYuen?Whatdoyouthink?”

“ThatImissthestars,”theslavesaid.“ButIamnow,however,standingonthe

floorofthisbox.”Hewasright.Mardina

hadn’tnoticed.Shewaslightasafeatherstill,butwhenshejumped,shedriftedbackdown.

Ruminavisaid,“Somewaytogoyetbeforewedescendintotheclouds.Butwearealreadyatenthofthewaythere,andsoyouhaveatenthyourweight.Wecarrynorefreshments,savewater

fromthatspigotoverthere...”

Mardinaglancedaroundthetransport,awareofhercompanionsforthefirsttimeinawhile.Astheirweightreturned,thelegionarieswerepullingofftheirbootsandsettlingdownontheircloaksandblankets.TitusValeriuswasplayingknucklebones,ortryingto,complainingloudlyaboutthewaythepieces

rolledinthelowweight.Themedicuswashuddledinacorner,obviouslytryingnottolookterrified.Oneofthesoldiersseemedtobetakinganap.

Whilethetubeworldunfoldedallaroundthem.

42

Ittooktwohoursofdescentbeforethetransportcompartmentfinallyplungeddownintothethickerclouds—althoughbynowthebluenessofthehighairwasvisiblebeyondthewalls.

Twohours:itwasthatfactalone,thatthisevidentlyhigh-speedtransporthadtakenawholetwohourstocrossaradiusofonehubofthistremendouscylinder,thatdrovehometoMardinathesheerscaleofthestructureshewasentering.Itwasalreadyhundredsofmilesbacktotheportwhereshehadenteredthishabitat;itwouldnotberapidtotravel

anywhereinthisgreatvolume.Atleastnowherweightfeltcomfortinglynormal,eventhoughthedescentwasnotfinishedyet.

Andwhentheypassedthroughthehighcloudlayer,abruptlyMardinafoundherselflookingdownonmountains.Mountainsthatlappedupagainstthehubwalllikeawaveofrockbreakingagainstthesteel,

mountainswithiceclingingtotheirupperpeaksandslopes,andglaciersspillingdowntheirflanks.

Theraildivergedfromthewallnow,thoughthetransportboxtippeduptostayvertical,andsuddenlyMardinafoundherselfskimmingdownaniceboundslopeofrockandfrost-shatteredscree.Thelandscapeitself,atthefootof

thesemountains,wasstillfarbelow.

“Thisfeelsalmostnormal,”shesaid.

Ruminavigrunted.“Untilyourememberthereisabigbandofthesemountainsallthewayaroundthebaseofthehubwall.”

TheColUsaid,“Yes,ofcourse—amountainchainoverathousandmileslong,likethemountainsof

ValhallaInferior:SouthAmerica,wheretheancestorsoftheseIncasarose.Foldedupintoaband!”

“Andallfake,”Ruminavisaid,grinning,tryingtoprovokeareaction—toawethem,Mardinarealized.“Hollow!Builtbyengineers,shapedbyartists!Andinsidethemountainstherearebigenginesthatcirculateairandwaterandevenstone,gravel

andsandfromtheocean.”Mardinaasked,“What

ocean?Nevermind.”“Butlookoutatthe

spectacle...”Abruptlythetransport

descendedbeneaththesnowline,andnowspedoverbarerock.Theviewwasgiddy,withgreen-cladprecipicesfallingawaytothevalleysofturbulentriversbelowandthosetoweringice-cladpeaks

above,clawingatthemetalfaceofthehub.Spectacularbridgesspannedsomeofthegorges.AndlookingoutnowMardinacouldseethatsomeofthemountain’sfacehadbeenleveledintoterraces,wherepeopletoiled;therewerehuts,fields,smokerisingfromfiresintothethinair.Thesewerethefirstinhabitantsofthecylindertheyhadseensincethehub.

“Potatofarmers,”theColUsaid.“JustasintheAndesinthetimeoftheIncas.OurIncas.Theretheyfarmedallthewayuptothesnowline.”

Ruminavifrownedattheunfamiliarnames.Buthesaid,“Justasintheoldcountry,webuiltmountainshereasresidencesforourgods.Thecountryislitteredwithshrines.”

“Yes,theIncascamefromthehighlands,”Mardinasaid.“Irememberthatfrommyownhistory,ofwhattheXinandtheRomansfoundwhentheyfoughtoverValhallaInferior.Therehadbeenamightyempirespanningthecontinent,butarmedonlywithbronzeswordsandarmorofleather...”

“JustastheEuropeansof

myUN-ChinaCulturediscovered,”theColUsaid.“Anddestroyed.Here,however,theIncasevidentlyprospered.TheydestroyedRome,theywentoutintospace,andtheybroughttheirculturewiththem—indeed,theyre-createdit.Andeanmountains,builtoflunarrockperhaps.

“InguillcalledthishabitatYupanquisuyu,whichmeans

theCountryofYupanqui.AndCusiYupanqui,atleastinmyCulture’stimeline,wasthemanwhotrulyestablishedtheIncaempire.Heconqueredvastswathsofterritory,andestablishedtheempire’slegal,militaryandsocialstructures.YupanquiwastheirAlexandertheGreat,anditisasifthisvasthabitatiscalled‘Alexandria.’SoYupanquimusthavelived

heretoo,inthisreality;thehistoriesmusthavebeenroughlyconsistentuntilthatpoint—though,evidently,Romesurvivedtobedefeated.Ineedtoseethequipus,youknow.”

“Thewhat?”“Theframeofstringsthat

quipucamayocInguillcarried.Thatwas,andevidentlystillis,thewaytheIncaskepttheirrecords.Somewherein

thisartifacttheremustbealibrary,banksofknottedstringstellingthestoryofthisempireallthewaybacktoYupanquihimself.IfonlyIcouldseeit...”

QuintusFabiushadbeenlistening.Hesaiddrily,“I’llseewhatcanbearranged,Collius.Inthemeantimeitseemstomethatthisboxofglassisslowing.”

•••

Inthelastmoments,thetransportenteredanother,lowerbankofcloudsthatblanketedagreen-tingedlandscape.

InstructedbyRuminavi,thepassengerspickeduptheirgearandlinedupbyasidedoor.Theaxiswarriorsfromthehub,fragile-lookingingravity,remainedcarefully

strappedintotheircouches,buttheykeptthebluntmuzzlesoftheirugly-lookingweaponstrainedontheRomans.Meanwhile,waitingoutsidethedoorwasanothersquadofsoldierstotakeovertheirsupervision,heftier-lookingtypes,theirclothinggaudy,theirdarkfacessternandsuspicious.

Mardinacouldseeitwouldbejustashortwalkto

thenexttransport,whichwasakindofcarriageonrails,oneofaseries,pulledbyaheavyengineatthefront.Therailsofthetracksweptdowntheflankofthemountain.

“Ah,”theColUsaidashewascarriedoutbyChu,“anotherrailwaysystem.Auniversal,itseems,acrossthetimelines,commontoallengineeringcultures.Quintus,pleaseaskRuminaviwhat

powersit—whatisthemotiveforcebehindtheengine?”

Ittooksomemomentsofinterrogationbeforetheanswerwasextractedfromtheapu,andatthatQuintushadtoflatterhimtomakehimbragaboutthemightyachievementsoftheIncas.Thetrain,whichhecalledacaravan,ranonthecapacnans,theroadsofthegods,whichspannedthishabitat

fromendtoend.Ruminavisaidtheengine,whichhadanamesomethinglike“llama,”waspoweredbyawarak’a,derivedfromanoldQuechuawordfor“sling”—andwhichturnedouttobetheIncatermforakernel...

ButMardina,asshesteppedoutofthecarriage,stoppedpayingattentiontomerewords.Thissteepmountainsidewaschoked

withgreenandswathedinmist,themoisturedrippingfromthecrowdingvegetation.Theairwasdampandfresh—butthin,hardtobreathe,andshehadasenseofaltitude.Aboveherhead,patchycloudsobscuredherviewofthehighermountains,whichliftedislandsofgreenintotheair,likeofferings.Andbesidethepaththatledtotherailway,flowers

bloomedinthickclusterswithvividcolors,yellow,orangeandpurple,andtinybirdsworkedtheflowers,flashesofbrilliantblue.

Theapuwaswatchingher.Heseemedtobeadmiringhershowofinterest,atleastincomparisontothesoldierswhostampedalongthetrail,alreadycomplainingaboutthestateoftheirfeetinafullgravity.“Cloudforest,”

hetoldher,atermthattooksometranslatingbytheColU.

“AndIsupposethere’sabigbandofthistooallaroundtherimoftheworld.”

“That’showit’sdesigned.Come.Itgetsevenprettierfartherdown.”Buthesmiledatheralittletoointensely,asifdrinkingineverydetailofherface,herskin.

Mardinadrewawayand

walkedbacktohergroup.

•••

Onceaboardthetraintheyhadtowaitafullhourbeforeitwasreadytopullaway.

Thereweremanycoachesbearingpassengers,butthelegionarieswereherdedintoroughercartsevidentlyintendedforfreight.Thelegionariesgrumbledasthey

settleddown,complainedaboutthethinnessoftheair,thefoodgrudginglysuppliedbyIncatroops—fruit,meat,water—supplementedbybiscuitsandotherrationsthey’dbroughtintheirpacksfromtheMalleus.And,assoldiersalwaysdidwhenevertheygotthechance,theytriedtosleep.

Meanwhilemoretrainscamerollingintothehub

stationfromthehabitatinterior,ladenwithgoods,foodstuffs,timber.TheColUspeculatedthatsomeofthesegoodsmustbemeantforexportfromthehabitat,perhapstootherspacecolonies,aswellassupplyingthebighubcity.

Atlastthetrainpulledaway.

Atfirstthedescentwasalarminglysteepandrapid.

Lookingahead,sittingonawoodenbenchandwithherheadrestingagainstawindow,Mardinasawthattheysoondescendedbelowthelevelofthecloudforestandintomoreopenair.Nowtheyemergedfromthelastfoothillsofthemountainsandcametoaflatplain—flatatleastinthedirectionoftravel—marredbyrangesoflowhillsandgougedbythe

valleysofsluggishrivers.Thislandwasthepuna,theprefectsaid.Thegreatplainitselfwasuninspiring,Mardinathought,astheyspedacrossit,nothingbutgrassandshrubsonaridland.ButifMardinalookedsidewaysshecoulddistinctlyseetheupwardcurveofthelandscape,asifshewastravelingthroughsometremendousvalley.Sparksof

artificiallightandpallsofsmokeonthoseslopingwallsmustmarktownships,andshesawtheironglintofrailtracksandroads.

Andtherewerepeopleeverywhere,farmingthelandingreatfieldsandonterraces.Thebuildingstheylivedinwereunassuminghut-likestructures,althoughthelargertownshipsfeaturedcomplexesofmassive

warehousesthattheapusaidweretambos,imperialfacilitiesforstoringfood.Everysooftentheysawalargerstructureyet,compoundssurroundedbywallswithmultipleterraceslikehugesteps.Thesewerepukaras;theywereobviousfortresses.Theirwallswereofarough,darkstonethattheColUspeculatedmightberockfromthedismantled

moon.Butsomefeaturesofthe

landscapewerelessrecognizable,toaBrikantieye.Atrailjunctionsandsprings,evenonparticularoutcroppingsofrock,thereweresmallshrinesthattheIncascalledhuacas,withcarvedidols,poles,cairns,hanksofhumanhair—once,evenwhatlookedlikeamummifiedhumanhand.It

wasasifthelandscapewaspermeatedbythepresenceofgodsandspirits.Awayfromthesparsehumansettlementsitwasasifnothingexistedonthiseerieplanebutthetrainonitstrack,andthemarkersofthegods.

Quintushadaconversationwiththeapu,steadilyinterrogatingthelittleofficialaboutthenatureoftheworld.

TheColUsummarizedthisforMardina.“Thisengineeredlandscape,thepuna,istheequivalentofwhatwascalledthealtiplanoinmyCulture.InValhallaInferior,thiswasaplainoftremendousextent,veryamenabletocultivation.Andhigh,twomilesormoreabovetheleveloftheocean.Justasitseemstobehere,judgingbythethinnessofthe

air.Again,theyre-createtheirculturefromTerra.”

“Butthere’ssomuchofit,”Mardinasaid.“It’scrushing.Andwhatisitfor?Allthesepeoplelaboringaway,thisgiganticenginetheylivein...”

Quintusjoinedthem.“Theapuisnotadiscreetman.Givenalittleflattery,hehasexplainedtometheessentialpurposesofthis

monster,thisYupanquisuyu.“Itisthehubofasystem

ofexploitationandexpansionandcontrolthatspanssun,moonsandplanets—theEmpireoftheFourQuarters.Thevastfertileexpansesofthehabitatfeedtheminersandengineerswhoworktheworldsandmoonsacrossthesolarsystem.Thehabitatisasourceofpeopletoo,peopletobetraineduptominethose

moons.And,aswell,itisarecruitingpoolforsoldierstofighttheoccasionalnecessarywar—thesedayswarsagainstinternalrebels,sincetheIncaempireseemstospanthewholeplanetarysystem.Oh,andthehabitatsupportstheenormousestablishmentthatsustainstheSapaIncahimself,sonofthesun.Well,onemustbeseentobewealthyandincontrol,

mustn’tone?OurCaesarsalwaysknewthat.HananCuzco,hisghastlycityintheairlessnessofthehub,istheSapaInca’sCapitolineHill...”

“Andthereisonemoreobjective,”theColUmurmured.“Onemorepurposeallthisserves.”

Quintusnodded.“Theyhavestarvessels.BiggerthanourMalleus,itseems,butno

moreadvanced.Theyhavemanyofthem,ingreatfleets,whichformorethanacentury,saystheapu,havebeenswarmingouttothestars,and—”

“BuildingHatches,”Mardinabreathed.

“Soitseems.Onafargreaterscalethanweeverdid.”

TheColUmurmured,“Andsoitgoes.Whateverthe

meritsofthisCulturecomparedtoanyother,wecansayonething:itisbetteratbuildingHatches.Asifithasbeendesignedtoservetheneedsofthosewhowoulddesiresuchathing.Andjustaswewouldexpect,givenourpriorexperiencesofjonbarhinges.”

Quintusgrunted.“Apparentlyso.ButIwouldsuggestwesetasidesuch

cosmicmysteriesfornowandfocusontheneedsofthepresent,whichwillbechallengingenough.”

•••

Itturnedouttobetenhoursbeforethefirststop—tenhoursinfactbeforetheyreachedtheendofthealtiplano.SincetheColUestimatedthatthetrain,

runningwithoutabreak,wasaveragingsixtyRomanmilesanhour,thatgaveMardinaanotherimpressionofthesheerscaleofthisartifactintowhoseinteriorshewasbusytunneling.

Whenthetrainfinallyslowed,nightwasfallingacrossYupanquisuyu.Mardinasupposedtheymustfortuitouslyhavebeenbroughttothehubfromspace

intheearlymorning.ShewonderedvaguelyhowthemirrormechanismsworkedbehindtheIntiwindows,deflectingawaytheunendingsunlighttoemulatenightfall.

Theygotoutatawaystation,whichRuminavicalledachuclla.Heretherewasakindofrefectory,andaplacetowash,andshopswhereyoucouldobtainfoodorevenfreshclothes,and

dormitoryblocks—buttheapusaidtheywouldnotstaylongbeforethetrainresumeditsjourney,withafreshcrew;theycouldsleeponthetrain,ornot.Anyhow,thegrumblinglegionarieshadnoneofthecredittokensyouneededtobuystuffattheshops.TheIncasoldierslaughedattheirfrustration.

Thissmallhubofindustryandprovisionwas

setintheastoundingpanoramaofYupanquisuyu.

AstheRomansbickeredaroundtheshops,Mardinaoncemorewalkedalone,awayfromthestation.Thoughbynowitwasevidentlyfullnightinthehabitat,itwasnotentirelydark;theresidualglowseepingfromthelightpoolswasclearandwhite,butsofaintthatcolorswerewashed

out.ItwaslikethemoonlightofTerra,Mardinathought,andnodoubtthatwasbydeliberatedesign.Shecouldmakeoutthesleepinglandscapeallaroundher,theterracesandfields.Alittlewayahead,though,thecountrybegantobreakupintohillsandvalleysthatwerelakesofshadows.Theywouldbedescendingsoon,then,tolowercountry,and

thickerair.Andtotheleftandright,

theupliftofthelandscapewaseasilyvisible,eveninthenight.TheColUhadtoldherthataroundworldwiththecurvatureofthiscylinderwouldhaveahorizononlyamileaway,comparedtothreemilesonTerra.So,wellwithinamile,shecouldseethelandtippingup,thetreesandhousesvisiblytilted

towardher.Andtherisewentonandon—therewasnohorizon,onlythemistofdistance—untilthelandbecameatremendousslope,bearingriversandlakesatimpossibleangles.Soonthedetailwaslostindarkness,andinthethicknessofthefaintlymistyair.Butthen,assheraisedhereyesfurther,shesawtheroofoftheworld,aninvertedlandscape

glowingwithpinpricksoflight.Itlookedlikethedarksideofaworldasseenfromspace,withthreadsofroadsandthesparkoftownsclearlyvisiblebeyonditsownlayerofairandclouds.Atthisaltitudetheairwassoclearitwasasifshewerelookingthroughavacuum.

Theapujoinedher.Hewaschewingsomekindofprocessedgreenleaf;he

offeredhersome,but,movingsubtlyawayfromhim,shedeclined.Hesaid,“Quiteasightifyou’renotusedtoit.Andevenifyouare,itastoundsyousometimes.”

“Itdoesn’tlookliketheothersideofacylinder.It’slikeanotherworldsuspendedoverthisone.”

TheColUmurmuredinherear,“That’snatural.The

humaneyewasevolvedforspyingthreatsandopportunitiesinthehorizontalplain,andsoverticalperceptionsaredistorted—”

“Hush,”shemurmured.Ruminavilookedather

quizzically.Shesaid,“Icanseewe’ll

becomingdownfromthepunasoon.”

“Yes.Whichiswhytheyputthischucllahere.Thelast

stopbeforethedescent.Aplacetoacclimatizetothethinnerair,ifyou’recomingtheotherway.”

“Andthelandbelow...”“It’sakindofcoastal

strip.Theriverspourdownoffthepunaandspreadout,andyouhavesprawlingvalleys,immensedeltas.Veryfertilecountry,nothingbutfarmersandfishers.Theygrowpeppers,maize.Should

takeushalfthetimewetraveledalreadytocross.”

“Fivemorehours?Andthenwhat?Yousaidacoastalstrip.Thecoastofwhat?”

“Why,oftheocean.Goesallthewayaroundthewaistoftheworld.”Hepointedtothesky,inthedirectionthey’dbeentraveling,thedirectionheandhissoldierscalledeast.“Youcanseeitatnightsometimes.Spectacular

byday,ofcourse.We’llbecrossingbythetimethesuncomesup.”

“Crossingit?”“It’sspannedbybridges,

fortherailway,othertraffic.We’llgorattlingacrossitwithoutevenslowingdown.”

“Howlongtocrosstheocean?”

“Oh,it’llbegettingdarkagainbythetimewereachtheeasternshore.”

Thetimes,thedistances,werecrushingherimagination.Fifteen,twentyhoursmore,andshewouldstillbetravelingwithinthebellyoftheartifact.“Andbeyondtheocean?”

“Ah,thenwecometotheantisuyu.Theeasterncountry,allofthissideoftheoceanbeingthewestern,thecuntisuyu.Andifyouwentonallthewaytotheeastern

hub,itwouldbeanotherfifteenhours.”

“Butwewon’tbegoingthatfar.”

“Oh,no.Onlyfive,sixhourstohome.Myhomeandyours.”

“Whichis?What’sitlike?”

“Jungle.Hachahacha.You’llsee.”Hegrinned,histeethwhiteinthepalelight.Heheldouthisleavesagain.

“Yousureyouwon’thavesomeofthiscoca?Makeslifealoteasiertobear...”

Sheshookherhead,andoncemorebackedawayfromhim.Hefollowed,ineffectual,evidentlydrawntoherbut,thankfully,lackingthecourageorguiletodoanythingaboutit.

43

OnPerArdua,thatfirst“night”afterBethandEarthshinecamethroughtheHatch,itrainedfortwelvehourssolid.

Thesoundoftherainonthetoughfabricofhershelter

wasalmostreassuring,forBeth.Almostlikeamemoryofherownchildhood,when,asherfamilyhadtrackedthemigrationofthebuildersandtheirmobilelakehermotherhadcalledthejilla,theyhadstayedinstructuresthatwereseldommuchmorepermanentthanthis.

Butnomatterhowfamiliarthisenvironmentfelttoher,Bethwaspainfully

awarethatshewasalonehere,saveforanartificialbeingthatseemedtobebecomingincreasinglyremote—evenifhewas,insomesense,hergrandfather.“Andthat’sevenbeforehedrivesoffoverthehorizon,”shemuttered.

“I’msorry?”Earthshinesatonaninflatedmattressbesideher,withaconvincing-lookingrepresentationofa

silversurvivalblanketoverhisshoulders.

Overasmallfire—thefirstshe’dbuiltheresinceshe’dleftforMercury,allthoseyearsago—shewasmakingsoup,ofstockshe’dbroughtwithherinherpack,andlocalpotatoesbrisklypeeledanddicedandaddedforbulk.Plus,shehadboiledapotofRomantea.Shehadflashlightsandastorm

lantern,butintheunendingdaylightofPerArdua,enoughlightleakedthroughthehalf-opendoorflapofthetentforhertoseetowork.

“Nothing,”shesaid.“Justrambling.IkeepthinkingIhaven’tsleptyet,notsincetheHatch.”

“Butit’sonlybeenafewhours,”Earthshinesaidgently.“We’veseenalot,learnedalot.Itjustseems

longer.”“Maybe.Onlyhalfaday,

butyou’realreadyplanningtolightoutofhere,aren’tyou?”

Heshrugged,andsippedavirtualbowloftea.“Iseenoreasontohangaroundhereanylongerthanittakesthesupportunittomakeitselfreadytotravel.”

“Where?”“Theonlylogical

destinationonaplanetlikethis.”

“Theantistellar?”“Ofcourse.”“Whichmeansatrek

acrossthedarkside,”shesaid.

“Youarefreetocomewithme,”hesaidevenly.“Thereisnorush;wecanmakepreparations.Youcouldevenrideonthesupportunitifyouwish.Wecouldrigup

somekindofseat.”“Thanks.”“Alternatively,youare

freetostayhere,orgowhereyouwish.Iwilldonatesomecomponentsfromthesupportunit,ifyouchoosethatcourse.Akit:basicenvironmentsensors,foodanalyzers,amedicalpackagetosupplementthefirstaidavailablefromyoursuit.”Hepassedhisfingersthroughthe

fabricofhersleeve,wincingashedidso.“Remember,Iwon’tneedit.”

“Ilivedoffthelandhereonce,withmyfamily,andIcandoitagain.”Shedidadoubletake.“Ourfamily.”

Hedidn’trespondtothat.“Whyareyougoingto

theantistellar?”“Insearchofanswers.”“Answerstowhat?

What’swrongwithbeing

righthere?”Heclenchedafist.“This

isallwrong.Itwasn’tsupposedtobethisway.IsmashedMarstomakethemlistentome—tous,tohumanity.”

“Youmeanthedeepbugsintherocks.”

“TheDreamers,yes.AsIcallthem.Ourpuppetmasters,orsoI’mcomingtobelieve.Theyhavebeen

disturbingourworlds,trashingourhistories,wreckingourpainstakinglyassembledcivilizationswithimpunity.Well,nomore!Imadethemlisten.Imadethemrespond.”

“TheiranswerwastheHatchonMars.”

“Yes.AHatchwhichbroughtushere.Butthisisn’tgoodenough.Notagoodenoughanswer.”

“Idon’tunderstand—”“ThisisProxima!Oh,I

can’tdenyit,Beth—itmustbe,aProximasomehowoldandwithered,but...Proxima,theneareststar.ButIwantedtobetakentoUltima,thefurtheststarofallourlegends—ortheequivalentfortheDreamers.Theplacewheretheanswersare—theplacewhereI’lllearnatlastwhyitistheydo

whattheydo.And,”hesaiddarkly,“maybeIwillstopthem.MaybeIcanstillbeHeimdalltotheirsubterraneanLoki...Yes,Iforcedanansweroutofthem.Aresponse,atleast.Butit’snotenough.SoIwillputthemtothequestionagain.”

“How?”“Idon’tknowyet.When

IgettotheantistellarI’llfigureitout.”

Shethoughtthatover.“SomehowIfeelyou’rewrong.Idon’tknowhoworwhy...Theybroughtyouhere.Maybetheansweryouseekisrighthere,andyoujustaren’tseeingit.”

“That’spossible.Butevenifso,itcan’tdoanyharmtogosearchsomemore,canit?”

“Alotofpeoplethoughtyoushouldbestoppedfrom

pursuingyourambitions.Thatwasalwaystrue,allthewaybacktoyourearlydaysonEarth,wasn’tit?Evenbeforeyoubecame—”

“WhatIamnow?WhenIwasmerelyRobertBraemann,bonafidehumanbeing,andbusybreakingthelawtosavetheworld?Oratleastthat’sthe‘I,’ofthenineofme,whointerestsyou.AndthenIbecameEarthshine,a

CoreAI,oneofthreerogueminds,onceagainbreakinghumanity’slawstosaveit.Andagain,theyneverforgaveus.NowhereIamalone,tryingtosave—”

“Theworld?Whichworld?”

“Alltheworlds,maybe.Idon’tknow.”Hewassilentawhile;theraincontinuedtohissonbroadArduanleaves.“Doyouthinkyouwillcome

withme?Iaskforpurelypracticalreasons.Thetimescale,thepreparations—”

“Ihaven’tdecidedyet,”shesaidcurtly.“Weonlyjustgothere...Ilikeithere,evenifitisn’twhatIquiteremember.Ilikethedaysideanyhow.Idon’tknowifIwanttogointoendlessnight,socoldI’llneedtowearaspacesuit.”

“But,”hesaidgently,“youalsoaren’tsureifyouwanttobealone.”

“Doyouwantmetocome?Afterall,itwasyouwhobroughtmethroughtheHatchwithyou.”

“Ididn’tforceyou.”“Doyoureallythinkof

usasfamily,Earthshine?Iknowmyfather’sfatherisonlyoneofyou,oneofthenineminds...Doyouthink

ofhimasyourson?”“OfcourseIdo.Ialways

didthebestIcouldforhim—myselfandhismother.”

“Whichincludedshovinghimintoacryofreezerforacentury,andultimatelykillinghim?”

Hesighed.“Wewereworkingatthemarginsofthelaw.Weweretryingtosavehim.Wethoughtthatperhapsinacenturyheatleastwould

beabletolivehislifeoutofourshadow.Weunderestimatedthevindictivenessofmankind.Theirretrospectivetribunals.Theirvisitingofpunishmentsonthechildrenoftheperpetrators.Theyneverforgaveus.”

“Didyoulovehim?Doyouloveusnow?”

Hesmiled.“Apartofmedoes.That’sthebestanswerI

cangiveyou.I’msorry.Humansaren’tmeanttobelikethis,yousee.Likeme.Identity,consciousness,isn’tmeanttobesomethingyoucanpourfromonecontainertoanother,andmeldwithothersasifmixingacocktail.Soyou’llfindmyreactionsarealwaysgoingtobe—off.ButatleastI’mhere,withyou,today.Whichisall,intheend,youcanaskof

anyone.”Shesmiledback.“That’s

true.Ifeelanatavisticurgetohugyou,Granddad.”

“Iurgeyounottotry.Ithinktherainisstopping.Iwillgocheckontheprogressofmysupportunit.”

“AndI,”shesaid,stretchingandyawning,“thinkI’lltakeanap.Don’twakemewhenyoucomein.”

“I’lltrynotto.”

•••

Inthewarm,moistairoftheArduansubstellar,shesleptaswellasshehadforyears.Andforanunknowntimetoo,undertheunmovingfaceofProxima.Whatevertheunansweredquestions,whateverthereservationsshemighthave,shewashome;shecouldfeelit.Aloneornot.

Evenifshemissedherdaughter,Mardina,withasavageache,asifasteelcablewereattachedtoherbelly,draggingherbacktoMars.

Whensheglancedoutoftheshelter,shesawEarthshinestandingoverhissupportunitasitslowlyreassembleditselfforthejourney.

44

TheRomanswerebroughttoawide,flatclearingcutintotherainforest.

Heretheyweretofarm,theyweretold.

Theywouldgrowmaize,corn,wheat,rice,coca,and

theubiquitouspotato,whichtheIncascalledpapas.Therewerenoanimalstoraise,nosheep,goats,cattle—nollamas—though,theyweretold,someanimalsranwildinthehachahacha,thejungle.Buttheywereexpectedtoraisesomemoreexoticandunfamiliarcrops,gaudyflowers,strangefungiandlichen,thattheColUspeculatedwerethesourceof

mind-alteringpotions—psychoactivedrugs,hetoldMardina,evidentlyafeatureofIncacultureinanytimeline.

Sotheworkbegan.

•••

Thelandhadtobekeptopenbyregularburningsattheperimeteroftheclearing.Andthelaborofkeepingtheland

drainedwouldalwaysbeconsiderable.Itwaspoor,thesoilthin,butnotsobadthatitwasunworkable.TheRomansfertilizedtheirpatch,mostlywithashfromtheburnedrainforestperimeter,orthedungandbonesoftheanimalsthatranwildintherainforest,notablyrodentsthatcouldbethesizeofsheep.Theworkwashardbutbearable.

Therewerepeopleherealready,ofcourse.

Theyhadjoinedanayllu,akindofclan,alooselyboundgroupoffamilies,someofwhomhadsomekindofrelationshipwitheachother,someofwhomdidn’t.Thepeoplewerefriendlyenough,however,Mardinafound.ItseemedtobetheIncawaytomovepeoplearoundtheirboxofan

empire,fromplacetoplace,fromneartofar—sometimesacrossthetoroidofanoceanfromone“continent”totheother,fromthepunaandriverdeltasofthewest,thecuntisuyu,totherainforest–chokedeasternhalfofthehabitat,theantisuyu.Allthiswasnodoubtintendedtoensurecontinuedcontrol,ofthekindthatquipucamayocInguillhadtalkedabouton

theRomans’firstarrivalhere.Ifyoudidn’tstaylonginaplace,youcouldn’tsetdownroots,couldn’testablishloyalties—youronlylong-termrelationshipwaswiththeSapaInca,theOnlyEmperor,andhisofficials,notwiththestrangersaroundyou.

Butaconsequenceofthesystemwasthatpeoplewereusedtostrangersmovingin—

strangerstheycalledmitmaqcuna,colonists.Sowhileeverybodyhadtheirproperty,andaplotoflandtowork,and,moreimportant,theyallhadsomekindofstatusintheirsociety,theyweren’tsoterritorialthattheyexcludedtheRomansandtheircompanions.

TheRomans,however,didnotownthisland;thatwasmadeclearfromthestart

—andnordidanybodyoftheayllu,andnoneofthemeverwould.TheSapaIncaownedeverything.Thepeoplewerenotslaves—aswasprovenbythefactthattherewereactualslaves,calledyanakuna,tobeseenthroughoutthisplace.TheRomansweretobemitimacs,whichmeantsomethinglike“taxpayers.”Theywereentitledtokeeptheproducetheyraised,save

foraproportionthattheyhadtohandovertobestoredinthebigtambos,thestate-ownedstorehousesthatstuddedthecountryside.Thiswaspartofthemit’a,thetaxobligationsofeverycitizen.

Alsoaspartoftheirmit’atheywereexpectedtocontributeaproportionoftheirlabordirectlytotheservicesofthestate.Thismightmeancreatingor

maintainingmilitaryequipmentsuchasquiltedarmor,boots,blankets—neveranyweapons—orfieldrationsofdriedpotatoesormaize,alltobestoredinspecializedwarehousescalledcolcas,fortheuseofthearmy.Itmightmeanlaboringtosupportthebigpukaras,fortressesofstonewithspiralterraceswindingaroundtheirinnercoresofbuildings:a

designthatremindedMardinaofhugesnailssquattinginthecountryside.Itmightmeanworkingonprojectsforthecommongoodsuchastheregularforestclearance,orscrapingclearthedustandalgaethatgatheredwithtimeonthehabitat’shugeIntiwindows,ormaintainingthecapacnans,thelong,straightroadsandrailtracksthatthreadedthroughtheforest,

andthechucllas,thewaystationsthatstuddedtheirlength.

Andthemit’aobligationmightevenmeanservinginthemilitary,althoughitwasclearthatthebeefy,tough-looking,well-disciplinedRomansweren’ttrustedenoughforthat,notyet.

Allofthiswasorganizedonaglobalscalebyahierarchyofofficials,

beginningwiththeayllu’slocalleader,thecuraca—animposing,reasonable-lookingmancalledPascac,whowastheleaderoftenfamilies,andremindedMardinaalittleofQuintusFabius—andupthroughtheDeputyPrefectRuminavi,thetocricoapu,whointurnreportedtooneoftwoapus,theprefectseachofwhomranoneofthetwogreat“continents”ofthe

habitat,westoreast.AndthenthecommandchainreacheduptothecourtoftheSapaIncainthetwohubCuzcos,includingthequipucamayocslikeInguill,andthecolcacamayocs,keepersofrecordsandstoresrespectively.

Thelegionariesgrumbledatthelackoffreedom.Andaboutthelackofmoney,thelackofshopsandstores

whereyoucouldbuythings,frombeerandwinetofineclothesandotherluxuries,andnotleast,prostitutes.Butthen,thiswasn’taneconomythatranonmoney.Andtherewassometensionintheverybeginning,whenthelocalcuracadecreedthattheRomanscouldnotusepermanentlyanyofthesmallwoodenhousesthatmadeupthecoreofthesmalltownship

inhabitedbythepeopleoftheayllu,butmustconstructtheirown.Butlegionariesalwaysgrumbled,whateveryoutriedtogetthemtodo.

AndQuintusFabiusoncemoreprovedhewasamorethancompetentleader.Infactheseemedtorelishthechallengeofthesituation.

Ontheveryfirstnightintheantisuyu,Quintushadthelegionariesconstructthe

rudimentsofamarchingcamp,witharectangularperimeterwallofdirtandtimberwithroundedcorners,andditchesfordrainageandlatrines,andthestart,atleast,ofpermanentstructuresinside:atrainingground,aprincipiaforthecenturion,barracksblocksandstorehouses.Itwasalotsmallerthanwouldhavebeenbuiltbyafulllegiononthe

march,ofcourse.Therewerefewerthanfiftymenhere,alittlemorethanhalfafullcenturyintheRomansystem.Nevertheless,Mardinathought,asademonstrationofRomancompetenceandadaptability,itclearlyimpressedthelocals.Andrightfromthebeginningoftheirtimeheretheexercisereassuredthelegionariesthat—whateverelsemight

becomeofthem,whateverthisstrangeplacewas,andMardinasuspectedsomeofthemwereprettypuzzledaboutthat—theywerestillRomans,stilllegionaries,andalltheyhadlearnedoveryearsoftrainingandexperiencestillcountedforsomething.

AndQuintuswasverycarefulthatthelegionariespreserveandrespectahuaca,

alocalshrine—littlemorethanaheapofstones—thathappenedtofallwithinthedomaintheyweregiventosetuptheircamp.

•••

Soontheyhadtheirfieldslaidoutandplowed.Itwashardwork.Thelackofdraftanimals,andapaucityofmachinesawayfromthe

richestayllus,meanttherewasarelianceonhumanmuscle.Butforalltheygrumbled,Romanswereusedtohardwork.

Thereseemedtobenoseasonshere,asfarasMardinacouldtellfrominterrogatingbaffledlocals,thoughshesupposedacycleofshorterandlongerdays,a“winter”createdbyselectivelyclosingsomeof

thelightpools,couldhaveeasilybeendesignedin.Butthen,muchoftheIncas’originalempireonTerrahadbeentropical,whereseasonaldifferencesweresmall.Thisdidmeanthatgrowingcycles,andthelaboroffarming,continuedaroundtheyear;youdidn’thavetowaitforspring.

Yetlifewasn’tallwork.Theymighthavetopaythe

mit’a,butthelegionariessoonlearnedtheydidn’thavetogohungry.Ifyoufanciedasupplementtoyourvegetable-baseddiet,youcouldalwaysgohuntingintherainforest,wherethereseemedtobenorestrictionsonwhatyoutookaslongasyouwerereasonablyfrugalaboutit.Therewerebigrodents,whichtheColUcalledguineapigs,that

providedsomesatisfyingmeat,eveniftheywereaneasykill.Smallerversionsranaroundsomeofthevillages.

Thelackofalcoholwasoneenduringproblem.ItseemedtoMardinathatthelocalpeopledidn’tdrink,infavoroftakingdrugsandpotionsofvariouskinds.Chicha,thelocalmaizebeer,wasofficiallyusedonlyinreligiousceremonies.Aftera

timeQuintusturnedablindeyetotheillicitbrewingofbeer.

Asforthedrugs,themostcommonwascoca,theproductionofwhichwaspartofthemit’aobligation.Butyoucouldgrowitanywhere—itgrewwildintheforest—andeverybodyseemedtochewit,fromquiteyoungchildrenuptotoothlessgrandmothers.Someofthe

legionariestriedit,takingitinbundlesofpressedleaveswithlime,andafewtooktoit;theysaiditmadethemfeelstronger,sharper,morealert,andevenimmunetopain.MedicusMichaelofficiallydisapproved,sayingthatthecocawasmakingyourbrainlietoyouaboutthestateofyourbody.

Withtime,thevillagersstartedtoinvitetheRomans

tojoininfeaststocelebratetheirvariousbafflingdivinities.Theadultspassedaroundthecoca,smokedordrankvariousotherexoticsubstances,playedtheirnoisypanpipes,anddancedwhatMardina,whodidnotpartake,wasassuredwereexpressionsofexpandedinnersensation,butlookedlikeadrunkenshamblestoher.Thechildrenwouldhang

lanternsinthetrees,andeverybodywouldsingthroughthenight,andothercommunitieswouldjoininuntilitseemedasifthewholehabitatwasechoingtothesoundofhumanvoices.

ThelocalpeoplewouldalwayslookstrangetoaRomanorBrikantieye,Mardinasupposed.Themenworebrilliantlycoloredblanket-liketunics,andthe

womenskirtsandstripedshawlsandmuchtreasuredsilvermedallions.Buttheygrewtallandhealthy.Sicknesswasrarehere.Themedicusopinedthatmostdiseaseshadbeendeliberatelyexcludedwhenthehabitatwasbuilt,anditwaskeptthatwaybyquarantineproceduresofthekindthelegionarieshadhadtosubmittoonarrival.And,ifyouignored

theforest-birdfeathersthathabituallyadornedtheblackhairofthemen,andthepeculiarblackfelthatswithwidebrimsthatthewomensported,thepeoplecouldbeveryattractive,withalmostaRomanlooktotheirstrongfeatures.

Ontheotherhand,Mardinasupposed,totheselegionariesexiledbyajonbarhingefromtheirwivesand

familiesandalltheyknew,almostanywomanwouldbeattractive.

Onebyone,thelegionariesbegantoformrelationshipswiththewomenofthevillage.TheSapaInca’sownclanwaspolygamous—althoughitwassaidthatthetrueheirstotheempirewerealwaysbornoftheclosestfamilyofall,oftheIncamarryingafavored

sister—butthevillagers,atleasthereinthewildsoftheantisuyu,wereferociouslymonogamous.Quintussaidonlythathewaspleasedhowfewofthesenewloves,relativelyspeaking,werealreadymarried,andhowfewpassion-fueleddisputeshewashavingtoresolve.

Buthedidhavetomediateconversationswiththelegionariesandthelocal

leadersaboutbirthcontrol.Contraceptiveswerefreeatthetambos,andsowereabortions,thoughMardinagotthesensethattheoperationscouldberisky;suchwasthestateofmedicinehere.Yourchoiceabouthavingchildrenwasuptoyou,butthepopulationsizewascarefullymonitoredbytheimperialauthorities,andiftheaveragebirthrate

ofanaylluwentabovetwochildrenpercouplewithouttheappropriatelicenses,therewouldbe,itseemed,penaltiestopay.

EventhoughmanyoftheyoungerlocalmenwatchedMardina,orspoketoher,ortriedtobringherintothenarcotics-fueleddances,shekepttoherself.Someattentionshegotwasn’tsowelcome,suchasfromthe

tocricoapuRuminavi.Shesoonlearnedfromlocalgossipthathewasamarriedmanwithkidsasoldasshewas,buthedidn’tseemabletokeephiseyesoffher,andClodia,whenshevisited.

Fornowshekepteverybodyatbay.

“I’mjustnotreadyforit,”sheconfidedoncetoClodia,daughterofTitusValerius,astheypatiently

weededtheirwaythroughafieldofmaize.Clodiawasstilljustfifteen,butsheandMardinawereclosestinageintheRomanparty,andtheonlytwoyoungwomen.

Clodiawasmorewide-eyedaboutthelocalboys.“WhataboutthatQuizo?”

“Theonewhoalwayswearsthehummingbirdfeathers?”

“That’stheone.I’dbe

readyforhimanydayoftheweek...”

Mardinaplayfullyruffledherhair.“Sureyouwould,andinafewyearsyou’lleathimalive.Butfornow—it’sdifferentforyou,Clodia.Atleastyou’vestillgotyourfatherhere.”

“Ha!Thebigbossofme.Well,youcankeephim...”

Mardinasaidpatiently,“It’sjustthatwe’veallbeen

throughsomuch.Wepassedthroughthejonbarhinge.Welosteverythingweknew.Andevenbeforethat,Iknewthatmyownmotherwasfromanotherworldagain,frombeforeanotherjonbarhinge,andhowstrangeisthat?Now,hereweareinthisstrangeplacewherenobodyspeaksBrikantiorLatin,andnobody’sheardofJesuorJuliusCaesar...”

“Well,Ilikeithere,”Clodiasaiddefiantly.“IalwayslikedlivingincampwhenwewereatRomulus,andIwantedtotrainasalegionary.Nowthere’snobodytotellmeIcan’t.”

Mardinagrinned.“Well,goodforyou.Forme,it’sjustthatIneedtofindmyselfherefirst,that’sall.BeforegettinglostinQuizo.”

“Verywise,”Clodiasaid

gravely.“Youtakeyourtime.Butcanwetalkabitmoreabouthiseyesfirst?”

•••

Quintusdidn’thesitatetoremindtheRomansalloftheirtruepurposehere:tosurvive,toremembertheircomradesstillaboardtheMalleusJesu,andtoamassstorestoenablethemto

escapesomeday,iftheychose—ormaybetoknocktheSapaIncaoffhisthronesomeday,sothemendreamedovertheirbeer.

And,thoughtheyhadhadtogiveupanyweaponsattheentryhub,Quintusbeganquietlytohavethemenmaketheirown:spearsoffire-hardenedwood,clubs.Henegotiatedwithlocalartisans,metalworkers,forspear

points.Soontherewasquiettalkofgettingholdofbladedweapons,swordsandknives.Allthiswaspaidforinkind,usuallywithasquadoflegionariescarryingoutsomebrute-forcetask—andallbeneaththenotice,hopefully,ofthetaxassessors.

Butforallthelong-termschemingofQuintusFabiusandhisseniormen,forallthemutteringsoftheColUabout

EarthshineandHatchesandjonbarhinges,thelongerMardinastayedhere,andthemoreshegotusedtotherhythmsofIncalife,themoresettledshefelt.Themoresecure.Maybethesheerfactofgettingbackaroutine,somebasicorderinherlife—afterthatchaoticperiodafterleavingTerra—wasgoodforher.Butthelongershestayed,themoreembedded

shefeltinthisstrangebutstablesociety.

AlltheRomanpartysawthebenefitoftheIncasystemaboutfiftydaysaftertheirarrivalintheantisuyu.Therewasacrisis;oneofthebigIntiwindowswasscarredbyameteoritestrike,andhadtobecoveredoverwithatremendoussteellidwhilerepairswereeffected.Thatmeantthatakindofnightfell

overaswathofcountrysideintheregionofthehabitatoppositethedamagedwindow.Cropsfailed,andrainforesttreesquicklystartedtodieback.Thestatesystem,however,swungintoaction,andsomeofthelegionaries,recruitedfortheeffort,describedwhattheysaw.Fromallaroundthelocalarea,thetamboswereopened,andmit’aworkers,

supervisedbythemilitary,rushedtobringrelieftothestrickenprovince.

Thiswaswherethesystemofconstantlystoringexcessproducepaidoff:thiswasthepointofalltheorganization,Mardinastartedtosee.InawayitwasadistillationoftheRomansysteminherownhistory,thebargainanempiremadewiththenationsandpopulationsit

subdued:submittome,andIwillkeepyousafe.UndertheIncas’almostobsessivelytightcontrol,youmighthavelittlefreedomofmovement,freedomofchoice.Butyouneverwenthungry,thirsty,youneverwentcold,therewasmedicalcarewhenyouneededit.Andwhendisasterstruckatonepartoftheimperialbody,therestrushedtohelpitrecover.

Butshealsoglimpsedwhathappenedwhenthingswentwrong.Inthisempireofoccupationandexploitation,themostcommon“crime”wasanattempttoevadethemit’ataxobligations.Itwasachillmomentwhenthetaxassessorscame,andworkedthroughtheirrecords,manipulatingtheirquipuswithonehand.Some,itwassaid,couldworkthestringed

gadgetswiththeirtoes.Theysawallandrecordedall.Andtheperpetratorsofcrime,afterarbitraryhearingsbeforethetocricoapu,couldbetakenawayfromtheaylluforpunishment,outofsight.

Observingallthis,inthecampQuintusFabiusenactedhisownregimeofdisciplineandpunishment,intendingnottoletasingleoneofhislegionariesfallfoulofthe

Incaauthorities.Worseyet,however,for

manyfamilieswastheforciblerecruitmentoftheyoung.Therewasakindofongoingrecruitmentdriveforoff-habitatworkers,whowouldmantheasteroidminesorcrewkernel-poweredfreighters.ButtherewasademandforrecruitsforserviceattheCuzcos,oratanotherofthegreatimperial

establishments—andtheservantschosenwerealwaystheprettiestchildren,thosewiththesweetestnature.Thisservicewascompulsory,notvolunteeredlikeotherprofessions.

Thiswasanempireinwhicheverything,includingyou,wasownedbytheSapaInca.InfundamentalwaysitwasfarlessfreethaneventheRomanEmpirehadbeen,

backonTerra.Evenso,Mardinacould

seehowthegreatmachineryofstateworkedtosustainitscitizens.Shewouldn’thesitatetograbbackherownfreedomifsheevergotthechance.Butnodoubttherehadbeenworseempiresinhumanhistory—worsetimesandplacestobealive,evenifyouweren’ttheSapaIncahimself.

Andthentherewasthesheerwonderoflivinghere,inthistremendousbuildinginspace.

Therewasweather.Therecouldbedaysmorebrilliantthananysummer’sdayshehadknowninBrikanti—hotterthanRome,saidQuintusFabius,evenbeforeitwasaholeintheground.Ortherecouldberain,evenstorms.Thetocricoapu

claimedthatthesewereallunderthecontrolofvastenginescommandedbytheSapaInca’sadvisers,butthelocals,salvagingtheirruinedcropsafteronesuddenhailstorm,wereskepticalaboutthat.

Onwarm,clearnights,Mardinalikedtosleepoutside,ifshecould,sometimeswithClodiaatherside,safewithinthewallsof

acommunitythatwasslowlytakingonthelookofanIncavillageembeddedinaRomanmarchingcamp.Andtheywouldlookupatthe“sky.”Ofcourse,therewerenostarstobeseenhere.Therewereveryfewaircraft,even.Theonlycraftoperatingabovethegroundwerethegovernment-controlled“Condors”thatpassedalongtheaxisregionofthehabitat,inthevacuum.

Butthetremendousmetalshellabovewasaninvertedworld,hangingabovethem,crowdedwithendlesslyfascinatingdetail—eveniftheseeingthroughthislowlandairwaspoorcomparedtohowithadbeenonthehighpuna.TheIntiwindowsglowedlikepalelinearmoons,andMardinacouldmakeouttheblacknessofforest,thepalesilverofrivers

andlakes.Allthiswascutthroughbythesharplinesofrailtracksandroads,connectingcommunitiesthatglowedalmoststarlikeagainstthebackground.

Andsometimes,sheandClodiathought,theycouldmakeoutshapesframedbythosetangledlines.Theywerelikefigurestracedoutofthedenseantisuyuforestuptherebysometremendous

scalpel.Therewasabird,therewasaspider,thereacrouchinghuman.MaybeitwasjustMardina’seyesseekingpatternswherenoneexisted,thewaytheancientshadalwaysseenanimalsandgodsamongthemeaninglessscatterofthestarsofthenightsky.Ormaybeitwasdeliberate,atouchofuncharacteristicartistryinthehugefunctionalarchitecture

ofthisartificialworld.Andifthatwastrue,

maybethereweresimilaretchingsonhersideoftheworld,greatportraitshundredsofmilesinextent,yetmeticulouslyplanned.Maybefromthepointofviewofsomewitnesssleepingintheopenontheothersideoftheworld,lyingtherepinnedbythespinofthecylinder,shewasaspecklostinthe

eyeofaspider,ortheclawofabird.Somehowitwasacomfortingthoughttobesoenclosedbyhumanity.SometimesMardinawonderedifshewouldeventuallyforgetthewildnessoftheoutside,ofthestars.

Buttherewaswildnessenoughinsidethehabitat,inthedensegreenoftherainforestjunglethatcircledtheaylluvillage.Thedeephacha

hacha,wheretheantislived.

45

MardinaandClodiahadtheirfirstencounterwiththeantisonthedaythestrangemit’ataxassessmentpartycametocall.

UnusuallythiswasledbyRuminavi,tocricoapu,the

DeputyPrefecthimself.Hearrivedwiththevariousinspectorsandassessorswiththeirquipus,andthetaxcollectorswiththeirhand-drawncartsfortheproduceandsamplestheywouldtakeaway—andalargerthanusualcontingentofsoldiersintheirwoollentunicsandplumedhelmetsofsteel-reinforcedcane,andtheirarmorofquiltedcottonover

steelplate,alldecoratedwithscrapsofgoldandsilver.Theironlyweaponswereblades,whips,slings;justasinthespace-goingshipsofthelostRomanEmpire,projectileweaponsandexplosiveswereexcludedfromtheinteriorofthehabitat.

MardinaandClodia,cominginfromthefield,recognizednoneofthese

men.AlmostalltheIncasoldiers,theawkakamayuq,werepart-timersraisedfromtheprovinces,fromaylluslikeMardina’sowncommunity,withonlyaverysmallcorestandingarmyofspecialists.Butitwasthepracticetodeploysoldiersfromoneprovinceinoperationsinothers,nottheirownhomeland.

AndMardinanoticed,as

shehadbefore,akindofedginessinthewaythesoldierswalked,asharpglitterintheireyes.TheColUspeculatedthatthiswastheproductofmoredrugs,ofactiveagentstoboostmetabolism,musclestrength,evenintelligenceandcognition.

Asthispartymadeitswaythroughthevillage,evengoingintosomeofthe

houses,thefolkoftheaylluavoidedlookingintotheeyesofthesemen,andtheRomanlegionariesspeculatedhowitwouldbetofighttheseIncasoldiers.

Ruminavi,spottingMardinaandClodia,camehurryingovertothetwoofthem.Hewasdressedgrandly,presumablytoimpressthetaxpayers,inbeadedandembroidered

clothesandfeatheredarmbands,andhisthinningblackhairbraided.Evenhissandalshadsilverstuds.Asalmosteverybodycarried,hehadabagofcocaathiswaist.

Mardinawatchedhimapproachwarily.“Doyouwantsomethingofus,tocricoapu?”

“Yes,Ido.”Heglancedbackatthepartyhewasleading.“Thisisaspecial

mit’acollection.Ineedyoutwotogofindsomewildcocaforme.”

“Wildcoca...”“Aparticularlypotent

andvaluablestrainhasbeenreportedinthisarea.”Hewavedahandvaguelyatthegreenoftheencroachingforest.“Gotakealook,thetwoofyou—you’llknowitwhenyouseeit.”

MardinaandClodia

exchangedasuspiciouslook.Mardinasaid,“Withrespect,apu—whyus?Wearen’tnativetothisplace.Theayllumustbefullofpeoplewhoknowmoreaboutcocathanweeverwill—”

“DoasIsay,”hesnapped.“Look,Mardina—Iknowyoudon’ttrustme.”Hegaveheraforcedsmile.“But,believeme,Imeanyounoharm.Noryou,Clodia

Valeria.I’mjustaman,andaweakoneatthat,andIliketolook...ButIamheretoprotectyou.Youmustgototheforest,now.Andstaythereuntilthemit’apartyhasleftyourayllu.Now,girls,go!”Andheshovedthemaway,beforehurryingbacktothesoldiersandinspectors.

Clodiaglancedaroundforherfather,butTitusValeriuswasnowheretobe

seen.ShelookedupatMardina.Shemuttered,“Thatmanislikeaworm.”

“Heis.”“ButIhavethefeeling

thatweshouldtrusthim,justthisonce.”

“SodoI.Comeon!”Thetwoofthemlifted

theirInca-stylesmocks,andranintheirRoman-stylesandalstotheedgeoftheforestwhereRuminavihad

indicated.Theretheylookedbackatthesoldiersassiduouslysearchingtheayllu’svillage,glancedateachother,andthenheldhandsandwalkedintothehachahacha.

•••

Theywereplungedintodarkness,asifbeingswallowed.

Theslimtrunksofthetreestoweredoverthem,likepillarsinsomehugetemple,andthecanopyofgreenfarabovewasalmostsolid.Theirearswerefilledwiththecriesofmonkeysandmacaws,screechesandwhistlesthatechoedasiftheywereindeedinsidesometremendousbuilding.Atleastthegroundwasfairlyclear,forundergrowthcouldnot

prosperinthisshade,butinthefewsliversoflight,flowersgrew,brightandvibrant,andvineswrappedaroundthetrunksofthetrees.Andasthegirls’eyesadaptedtothedark,theyglimpsedsnakesandscorpionsandswarmingants.

Buttheyhadcomeonlyafewpacesintotheshadeofthetrees.

WhenMardinalooked

back,shesawapartyofsoldierscomingtheirway.Clodia’spaleRomanskinseemedtoshineintheresiduallight,easilyvisible.Mardinawhispered,“There’snococahere.I’msureRuminavimeantustohidefromthesoldiers.Wemustgofartherin.”

“Iknow.Idon’tdare.”“Norme.Butwehaveto

try,Ithink.And—”

Andthatwaswhentheysawtheantigirl.

Mardina’shearthammered,andsheclutchedClodia’shand.

Shewasstandingintheshadows,alittlewaydeeperintotheforest.Dressedonlyinstripsofwovenfabricaroundherchestandwaist,shelookednoolderthanClodia.Sheworeaheadbandoverpulled-backhairinto

whichwerestuffedbrilliantlycoloredfeathers.Fromherneckhungapendant,piecesoftiedwoodthatlookedoddlyliketheHammer-CrossofJesu,inMardina’sowntimeline.Shehadasmallbowwithaquiverofarrowstuckedonstrapsatherback,butherhandswereopenandempty,Mardinasaw,inagestureoffriendship.

Itwasherfacethatwas

terrifying.Herskinwasdyedabrilliantblue,withbrighterstripessweepingbackfromhernoselikethewhiskersofajaguar,amonsteroflocalmyth.Feathersseemedtosproutfromtheskinaroundhernoseandmouth.

Shelookedcalm,Mardinathought,calmasasnakeabouttostrike.Mardinaherselfwasanythingbutcalm.

“Weshouldgoback,”shemutteredtoClodia.“Thisisn’tourworld.”

“Areyousure?Mardina,theaylluisn’tourworldeither.Noneofitis...Oh,comeon.”Clodiatookaboldstepforward.

Theantigirlsmiled,andbeckonedwithherhands,anunmistakablegesture.

Clodialookedbackoverhershoulder.“See?Ithink

she’stellingustocomedeeperin.Ithinkweshouldtrusther.Oh,comeon,Mardina,forcuriosity’ssake,ifnothingelse.”

SoMardinagaveinandtookonestepafteranother,inpursuitofClodia,whofollowedtheantigirl.

46

TheRomanshadlearnedthattheIncascalledthesepeopleantis,theinhabitantsoftheforest.Sometimesyousawthem,shadowyfiguresrunningbetweenthegreattrunksattheforest’sburned

edge—afacescowlingoutofthegreen,withasenseoftheutterlyalien.Thefolkoftheayllusignoredthem,butwerecarefulnottoprobetoofarintotheforest,intotheirterritory,and,probably,viceversaappliedtoo.Itwasasiftwoentirelydifferentworldshadbeenjammedintoonehugecontainer,Mardinathought.

Yetdetailsoftheantis

wereknown.TheybelongedtopeopleswithnameslikeManosuyus,Chunchos,Opataris.Theytradedwiththefolkoftheayllus,providingfromthedepthsoftheirdeadlyjunglehardwood,feathers,jaguarskins,turtleoil,andexoticplants.Oneofthemostprizedplants,theRomanslearned,wasahallucinogencalledayahuasca,“thevineofthe

gods,”whichtheIncasusedtomakeparticularlypotentritualbeverages.Inreturntheantistookaspaymentsteelaxesandknives,evensaltgatheredfromtheshoreofthedistantocean.

TheoriginalantisuyuhadinfactbeenthegreatforestthathadonceswathedmuchofthecontinentofValhallaInferior,surroundingtherivertheRomanconquerorshad

calledtheNewNile,andtheUN-ChinaCulturehadcalledtheAmazon.InthehistoriesofallthreeCultures,includingtheInca,theforesthadeventuallybeenmostlylost,tologgingandmineralexploration.ButtheIncas,itseemed,asakindofgesturetotheirowndeeppast,hadtransportedsurvivorsoftheforestculturesintoare-createdwildernessherein

Yupanquisuyu,andallowedthemtoliveouttheirlivesmuchastheyhadsincelongbeforethereweresuchthingsasempiresandcitiesonthefaceoftheworld.

Afterall,Mardinalearnedinscrapsofconversation,theantisuyuwasthefirstbarbariclandtheIncashadconquered,whentheypushedeastwardfromtheirstrongholdonthe

mountainousspinetothewestofValhallaInferior.Then,withthejunglepinneddownunderanetworkofroadsandpukaras—andwiththeexperienceofsuchconquestbehindthem—theyhadbeenreadytostrikeoutfarthereast,acrosstheoceanwithshipsbuiltusingtechniquesbroughttothembytheprobingXin,whohadmadetheirownocean

crossingsfromthefarwest.WhentheyhadlandedinEuropa—theColUthoughtsomewhereinIberia—theIncasseemedtohavefallenuponaRomanEmpirewreckedbyplague,famine,civilbreakdown,perhapsafflictedbysomeothercalamityyettobeidentified.AndthenanexpansionsouthintoAfricahadbegun,andthenfarthereaststillinto

Asia,wheretheXinempirelaywaiting,andthefinalbattlefortheplanethadbegun...

Throughallthis,however,theIncashadalwayspreservedscrapsoftheforestwheretheoriginalantishadstillclungon.Andintheendthedescendantsofthoseantis,nodoubtutterlybewildered,hadbeenscoopedupandtransportedtothe

Incas’newempireinthesky.Thiswasn’tunprecedented;theIncashadsimilarlytakenupsamplesofmanyofthepeoplesthathadcomprisedtheland-basedempire.Itwassaidthatoverahundredandsixtylanguageshadbeenspokenintheempire,evenbeforeitsexpansionbeyondValhallaInferiortoaglobalpower.

Now,soitwassaid,the

antisprosperedintheforestaswellastheyhadever,and—someintheaylluwhisperedcattily—mostofthemdidn’tevenknowtheywereinsomegreathuman-madeartifactinthesky.

•••

Theantigirlledtheminastraightline,moreorless,andMardinatriedtokeeptrackof

theirroute.Buttherewerenolandmarks—thetreesalllookedthesametoher—andinthejumbledshadowssheevenhadtroubletellingwhichdirectionwaswhich.Ifshecouldonlygetaglimpseofthesky,ofthemirrorlandscapeabove,she’dreorientandthenjustwalkoutofthisplace.

Then,withoutwarning,theybrokeintothelight.

Theclearingwasperhapsahundredpacesacross,andevidentlycreatedbyfire,foronthegroundMardinasawtheevidenceofburning,blackenedfallentrunksandscorchedbranchesandascatterofashthroughwhichgreensaplingspokedeagerlyintothelight.Theairwashumidandveryhot.Buttheskyabove,fringedwiththegreenoftheforestcanopy,

revealedatexturedupside-downlandscapethatMardinaneverwouldhavebelievedcouldbesuchareassuringsight.

Inthecenteroftheclearingwasavillage.Hutsbuiltofwhatlookedlikelonggrassstems,ormaybebamboo,weresetupinaroughcirclearoundopen,trampledground.Afireburnedonaroughhearthof

stones,withwhatlookedlikealargeguineapigroastingonacrudespit.Villagerssataround,pokingatthefire,mendingbaskets,skinninganotheranimal,talking.Ahandfulofchildrendozedintheafternoonheat.

Astheantigirlbroughtthetwostrangerstotheedgeofthevillage,someofthepeoplelookedaround,scowled,andspokesharplyto

theirguide.Butsherepliedjustassharply—andshemadeanalarmingcutthroatgesturewithonefinger.Grudgingly,theadultsnoddedandturnedaway.Acoupleofchildren,nakedandwide-eyed,wouldhavecomewanderingouttoinspectthenewcomers,buttheywerecalledbacksharplybytheadults.

Thegirlturnedto

MardinaandClodia,heldupherhandstostopthemcominganyfarther,andmimedthattheyshouldsitinthedirt.Thensheranintothevillageandreturnedwithacoupleofwoodenmugs,andahandfulofcocaleavesthatshesetbeforethem,beforenoddingandhurryingoff.

Themugscontainedwhattastedlikedilutedbeer.MardinaandClodiadrank

deeplyandgratefully.Theybothignoredthecocaleaves.

Clodiagroaned,“Iwishthey’dsparesomeofthatroast.Thesmelliskillingme.”

“Hopefullywe’llbeoutofherebeforewedieofhunger,Clodia.”

“MaybeifImakeaprayertoJesuloudlyenough,they’lloffermeHischarity.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”

Clodialookedather.“Didn’tyouseethatornamentaroundourguide’sneck?”

“Well,itlookedlikeacross,but—”

“Andlookoverthere.”Clodiapointedbeyondthevillage,totheclearing’sfarside,whereacrudewoodencrossstood,alargerversionofthegirl’spendant.Akindofdummyfiguremadeof

rolled-upbalesofstrawhungfromthecross,fixedbyoutspreadarms,legsstrappedtogether.

“Jesu,”Clodiasaidtriumphantly.

“You’reright,”Mardinabreathed,astonished.ThecrosswasadoublesymbolofJesu’scareer,sharedbyRomansandBrikantialike:ofthecrucifixonwhichtheRomanshadshamefullyput

Himtodeath,andoftheHammer,thecarpenter’sweaponwithwhichtheSaviorhadledarebellionagainsttheforcesthathadoppressedHispeople.“AfigureofJesu,hereintheforest.Soweliveinaworldnowwherethetechnologicalcity-dwellingempirebuildersarepagans,andthesavagesinthejunglefollowChrist—”

Thegirlwho’dbrought

themherecamerunningupagainnow,holdingherfingerstoherlipstohushthem.Mardinasawthatthevillagersweregrowingagitatedtoo.

Beckoning,thegirlsummonedthevisitorstotheirfeet.Sheledthemquicklybackintothejungle,agoodwayawayfromtheplacetheyhadcomein.Oncebackintheforestthegirl

movedsilentasashadow,andMardinaandClodiafollowedasbesttheycould.Mardinajudgedtheywereheadingbacktotheedgeoftheforest,andtheayllu.

Andastheywalked,Mardinaglimpsedsoldierspassingthroughtheshadowsofthetrees.Ledbythetocricoapu,theywereheadingfortheantivillage.Nowonderthevillagerswere

growingnervous.IfRuminaviwasawareofthepresenceofthegirls,heshowednosignofit.

Theantigirlleftthemattheedgeoftheforest,andhurriedawayintotheshadowsbeforeeitherofthemcouldtrytothankher,orsaygoodbye.

•••

Ruminavididnotreturntotheaylluthatday,andMardinahadnowaytoquestionhimaboutthewholestrangeincident,thereasontheyhadneededtobehidden.

Notuntilthenexttimehereturned.

47

IntheRomancamp,timewasrecorded,byorderofQuintusFabius.Fromthebeginning,theRomanshadcountedthecycleofthehabitat’sartificialdaysandnights,measuringthetimetheyspentinthis

place.Itwasamonthbefore

Ruminavicameagaintothevillage,thistimealone,inhisdeputy-prefectfinerybutwithouthissquadofsoldiers.AndhesoughtoutMardina,whowaswalkingwithClodiawithfirewoodfromtheedgeoftheforest.

“Youtwo,”hesnapped.“Comewithme.Now.”Heheadedoutofthevillage,

awayfromthelineoftheroad,towardthelargestofthelocaltambos.Whentheydidn’tfollowhimimmediately,heglancedbackoverhisshoulder.“Look,youtrustedmelasttime,andyouweresaved,weren’tyou?”

Mardinacalled,“Savedfromwhat?”

“Comeon,hurry...”Astheyhadbefore,they

hesitatedforaheartbeat.

Thentheydumpedtheirarmfulsoffirewoodandranafterhim.

Theycaughthimupbythelowfencethatsurroundedthetambo.Theimperialstorehousewasasprawlingstructurethatwasthecenterofacomplexofbuildings,includinganinnfortravelers,agranderhotelforvisitingimperialofficials,andasmallrailstation.Atthegate,ina

wallofmoonrock,Ruminaviproduceddocumentationtoprovehisidentity,vouchedforthegirls,andledthemintothecomplextothestorehouseitself.

Beforethestorehouse,inashadedcorneroutofsightofthemaincomplex,stoodakindofstoneplinth,onlyahand’sbreadthhigh,itssidesengravedwiththefacesofsomefiercegod.Therewere

manysuchenigmaticstructuresdottedaboutthisgod-soakedartificialworld,andMardinawouldnothavegiventhisonemuchthought.Buttheprefect,shesaw,wasworkingakindofkeyintoalockintheplinth’ssurface,whichhe’dbrushedclearofdust.

Mardinarepeated,“Yousavedusfromwhat,apu?”

Hegrinned.“Well,when

I’vesavedyourlifeagainI’llexplainitall.Thelastsweepwasn’tsatisfactory,yousee,intermsoftributesfortheparticularmit’awehadbeenassignedtocollect.SotheInca’scourtierssentouttheawkakamayuqpartiesagain.Andthat’swhatI’msavingyoufrom...”Atlastthekeyturned.“Ha!Doneit.”Hegottohisfeet,breathless,andgraspedahandlesetintothe

surfaceoftheplinth.“Helpme,youtwo.Look,herearemorehandles,thereandthere.”

Clodiaasked,“Helpyouwithwhat?Whatisthisthing?”

“Adoorintheworld...”Asthethreeofthem

heaved,theplinthtoppledback—torevealasteel-walledtunnelleadingdownintotheground,setwith

scuffedrungs.Therewasasmellofoil,thesharptangofelectricity.

“Theunderbellyoftheworld,”Ruminavisaidadmiringly,andherappedarungwithoneknuckle.“Whichwecallthexibalba,theunderworld.Twocenturiesold,andstillassoundaswhenitwasbuilt.Andthere’salotofit,milesthickinsomeplaces.Down

yougo.Ineedtobelastin,soIcanlockustightoncemore.”

AgainClodiaandMardinahesitated.Againtheygavein,andfollowedhislead.

Mardinawentfirst.“Justunderstandthis,apu.ItrustyouonlymarginallymorethanIdistrustyou.”

“Understood.”“Andifanyharmwereto

cometoClodiabecauseofallthis,herfatherwillpullyouapartlikeaspiderinacondor’sbeak.”

“Idon’tdoubtit—downyougo,Clodia;hurry,theyareclose!—butitisharmtoClodiaespeciallythatIamtryingtoavert.Areyouatthebottom?Thelightdazzlesuphere...Good.I’monmyway.”

Heclamberedbriskly

downtherungs,andpulledthelidclosed.Astheheavyplinthfellbackinplace,thelidslammedshutwithanominousclang.Tosealit,Mardinasawthatheturnedawheelratherthanusehiskey—good,theyhadawayoutofhere,whateverRuminavidid.

Atthebottomoftheshaft,Mardinafoundherselfstandinginacorridordimly

litbyfluorescenttubes,manyofwhichhadfailed,creatingislandsofdarkness.Therewerepilesoflitterhereandthere,heapsoftools,scrapsofpaper,afewdiscardedbitsofclothing.Thewallsthemselveswerescuffed,dentedandscarred,scratchedwithgraffiti.Itwasadismalprospect.

Andthecorridorseemedtoruntoinfinityineither

direction.MardinafeltClodia’shandslipintohers.

Ruminaviheavedasigh.“Well,we’resafenow.Comeon,there’sareststationjustdownhere.”Heledtheway,hisbootedfeetclatteringonthebaremetalfloor,hisvoiceechoing.“ThetroopsandtheassessorsthinkI’vegonetospyouttheforest.Iknowhowlongtheyplantobeatthisayllu;I’llbringyouback

outwhentheyaresafelygone.”

Theyhadtohurrytokeepupwiththeapu.Mardinasaid,“Seemsagoodwaytothisreststationofyours.”

Hesnorted.“You’renotwrong.Butyou’venoideahowlongthiscorridorruns.”Hepointed.“AllthewaybacktotheHurinCuzcohubthatway;allthewaytotheoceanthatway.Thisisoneof

themainsubsurfacearteries—asidefromthebigvehicleaccessways,thatis.Thereareevensomewaysthatpassundertheoceantothecuntisuyu.Hereweare...”

Thereststationwasbasic,afewscuffedbenches,cupboardsemptyofanytraceoffoodsaveafewcrumbs,aspigotthatdispensedwarmwater,aquipuhangingfromanail—maybeitwasawork

schedule.Asinglelightoverheadmadeeverythingseemwashedout,dead;Ruminaviseemedevenmorewormlikethanusual.Butifthiswassomekindoftrap,sheandClodiahadwalkedrightintoit,Mardinaremindedherself.

MardinaandClodiasatuncomfortably,nervously,sidebyside.Mardinaasked,“Whatisthisplace,apu?”

“Can’tyouguess?Maintenance—that’swhatallthisisfor.ThehulloftheYupanquisuyuisriddledwithtunnelsandaccessports,andthetremendousequipmentneededtokeeptheworldworking.”

Clodiastared.“Whatkindofequipment?”

“Machinesthatdoallthethingsaplanetwilldoforyouforfree.Considerrainfallon

thehubmountains.Everydropthatfallsdislodgesaspeckofrock.Intimethemountainsarewornaway,andalltheirsubstancewashesintothesea.OntheworldyoucallTerra,allthaterodedsiltiscompressedandheatedandpassedingreatcurrentsbeneaththesurface,untilitisthrustbackuptothesurface,aslavafromavolcano,asastupendousnewmountainof

granite.Andsoon,allentirelynatural,theverymountainsrebuilt.Here,therockwouldjustwearaway,andtheoceanwouldclogup,hugedeltasspreadingoutfromthecuntisuyuandantisuyuriversuntiltheymetinthemiddle—ifweletithappen.Andsowehavemachinestogathertheerodedwaste,andductstopipeitbacktothemountaintops,and

sculptingmachinestosprayoutnewrocklayers...Thatkindofthing.”Hesmiled.“ThearchitectofthisworldallowedhimselftobecalledViracocha,whoisourcreatorgod.ButhewasnotViracocha—orrather,themanalonewasnotthegod,butweallare,allthegenerationssincewhohavelaboredtokeeptheworldworking.”

Mardinatriedtoimagineit.“Sothewholeofthehullofthisgreatshipisembeddedwithvastmachinestomaintaintheworld.”

“That’stheidea.”“Andwherethereare

machinestomaintaintheworld,theremustbepeopletomaintainthemachines.”

“Hencethehatches—thereareaccesswaysnearmostofthelargertambos.

Maintainingtheinfrastructuremachineryisamit’aobligation,thoughwedouseyanakunasforthemoredangerousandunpleasantwork.Cleaningoutthegreatocean-floorsiltducts,forinstance—that’sagreateaterofhumanity.Ortheantis.Theyaren’tmuchuseforanythingelseintermsofthemit’a,savethecapacochaofcourse.”

Mardinadidn’tknowwhathemeantbythat:capacocha.

Hesmiledatthem.“I’lltellyouasecret.We’replanningtouseyourownpeopleintheundermachinery,eventually.Well,youwereminersoficemoons,oryousayyouwere;youareusedtoworkingwithcomplexmachineryintightspaces.Andyoulookstrong,

abletoendure.Wehaven’tdonethisyetbecausewestilldon’tquitetrustyou.Wedon’twantratsinthefoundationsofthepalace,sotospeak.”

Clodiasaid,“Theantis.Whoyousayarenouseforanything—”

“Isupposethat’sunfair.Theyharvestcertainplantsandanimalsforusthatgrowwildintheirforest.Theyare

finearchers,andthatcanbeuseful.Andintheirway,I’mtold,theyhelpmaintainthehealthoftheirforest.Allthatburningandcuttingtheydoisitselfpartofagreatercycle.”

“TheyworshipJesu,”Clodiasaid.“Aswedo.”

Hissmilereturned.“Ah,yes!Younoticedthat,didyou?TheslavegodonHiscross.TheypickeditupfromyouRomans,ofcourse:those

ofyourancestorswhooncecrossedtheoceantocometoourcountry,totheantisuyujungle.TheRomansweresuccessfulforawhile;theybuilttheircoastalcitiesandexploredtherivervalleys.Butthenthey,oratleastyourgovernmentanditslegions,withdrewfromourlands,leavingonlyrelics,survivors.Whenourownexpansionintotheantisuyucamesome

centurieslater,welearnedagreatdealaboutthelandsacrosstheseafromthebabblingofthedegeneratedescendantsofthecolonists,beforewetookthemasyanakunasorotherwiseabsorbedthem.Buttheantishadencounteredthosewretchesfirst,intheirforest—andwiththeantistheydidleaveamorelastinglegacy,whichistheworshipofyour

slavegod.Perhapsitisaconsolationforthemnow,astheyenduretheirmiserablelivesinthejungle.”

MardinaglancedatClodia.“Orperhapsitmotivatesthemtohelpothers.Helponwhichyoureliedthefirsttimeyousavedusfromthemit’aparty,apu.”

“Well,perhaps.”“Butyoustillhaven’t

tolduswhatitisyouso

bravelysavedusfrom.”“Well,morespecifically,

itisClodia.Youaretheexactrightage,andyourpalecolor,andyourbeauty,child,makeyouaperfecttributeoffering.”

Clodialookedconfusedandscared.“Anofferingforwhat?”

“Thecapacochaispartofthemit’atribute,totheSapaInca.Aspecialtribute—agift

ofchildren.Andifyourchildischosen,youmustgiveupherorhimgladly,andsingsongsofthanksandcelebrationwhentheendcomes.”

“Idon’tunderstand.WhatwouldtheSapaIncawantwithme?”

“Youwouldbetreatedverywell—likeanInca,orhisheir,yourself.YouwouldseeHananCuzco!Youwould

eatthefinestfood,drinkthefinestbeers—”

Mardinasawit.“Shewouldbekilled,”shesaid.“That’sthecapacocha,isn’tit?Thesacrificeofchildren.”

Hespreadhishands.“Itistheancientway.Youwouldbepreserved...Yourbeautywouldneverbelost,orforgotten.”

“Andthisiswhatyousavedmefrom.”Clodia

soundedmorebewilderedthanscared.“Why?”

NowMardinascowled.“Ifyou’reexpectingsomekindofpaymentinreturnforthis,apu—”

Heseemedhurtbythesuggestion.“Oh,it’snothinglikethat.”HelookedatClodiasadly.“Ihaveavarietyofmotives.Oneissimplepity.Youaresoyoung,andsonewtothis

world.Itseemswrongtosnatchyououtofitsosuddenly!AndthenthereisInguill.”

“Thequipucamayoc?”Mardinaasked.“Whatdoesshehavetodowithit?”

“Shedoesn’twantyouRomans...disturbed.Notyet.Shedoesn’twantyourisingupinrebellion,forinstance,becausewetookyourprettiestchild.”

“Whynot?”“Well,shehasn’ttold

me.Andprobablyforreasonsyouwouldnotyetunderstand.ButIdon’tbelieveshe’sfinishedwithyouyet.”Hefishedawatchoutofhispocket,acrudeaffairofknottedstringandsteelsprings.“Stillnotsafeforyouupthere.Wouldyoulikesomemorewater?”

48

Ittooksomeweeks,carefullycountedoutbyBethintheunchanginglightofProxima,forEarthshinetomakehimselfreadyforthejourneytotheantistellar.

Bethpackeduptoo,in

theend.Shedecidedshewouldaccompanyhimforatleastsomeoftheroutehehadpickedoutforhimself—aroutebased,hesaid,onmapsofthePerArduashehadknown,andwhichhehopedwouldstillhavesomeusefulnesshere,whereverhereactuallywas.

Butshealwaysintendedtocomeback,aloneifneedbe,backtothesubstellar,and

thestarshine.She’dbeabletoretracehersteps;shewassureofthat.Andherowngear,theshelterandothersurvivalgear,evenherMarspressuresuit,werelightenoughforhertocarry,unaidedbythesupportunit.Afterall,thesubstellarwassurelyascomfortablealocationtoliveasshe’dfindanywhereontheplanet.Andifanybodyelseshoweduponthisworld—

well,they’dprobablymaketheirwaytothesubstellarasthemostobviousgeographicalmeetingpoint,eveniftheydidn’tjustcomethroughthesubstellarHatchinthefirstplace.

Earthshinedidhavehissupportunitcompleteasurveyofthesubstellarsitebeforetheyleft,purelyforcompleteness,Beththought.Theunitsampledthesoilfor

tracesofmetalsorotherexoticmaterials,andransonarandgeophysicalsurveysoftheareainsearchofdeepertracesofhabitation.

And,afteranunpromisingstart,itfoundsomething.Thoughthesurfacelayerswerebareofartifactsorstructure,therewasscarringinthebedrock,tracesofdeepfoundations,largeundergroundchambers

cutintotherockandlongsincecollapsed.Allthiswasburiedundermorerecentlayersofgravelandsoil.

Earthshineshowedhertheresultsonaslate.“Lookatthedesign,”hesaid.“Thearchitecture,whatyoucanmakeoutofit.We,fromtheUN-Chinacontinuity,builtincircles,rectangles...”

Theburiedremainsweremorelikeoverlapping

ellipses,Beththought,connectedbycurvingthreadsoflong-implodedcorridors.

“Oncetheremusthavebeenaconsiderablecommunityhere.Ofcoursetheywouldcomeheretothesubstellar;everybodycomeshere.It’sallgonefromaboveground,anytoxinsorradioactivedebrisorthelikelongwashedaway,theremnantbuildingstone

shatteredtodustbytheweather.Butitwouldtakeaniceagetoscrubawaytheserelicsinthebedrock.AndPerArduadoesn’thaveiceages,notthewayEarthdoes,withglaciersandicecapsgrindingtheirwayacrossthelandscape.”

“Thesetracescouldbeveryancient,then.”

“Unimaginably,”Earthshinesaidheavily.

“Thentheycan’tbehuman.”

“Whynot?Humanshavebeenhere,surely,whateverthedistortionofhistory.Youpointedoutthatsomebodymusthavebroughtthepotatoes.”

“Yes,butpeoplefirstgottoPerArduaonlyafewyearsbeforeIwasborn.”

“Thatwasintheoldcontinuity,intheUN-China

history.”HeglancedupatProxima.“Andyou’reassumingwetraveledsidewaysintime,sotospeak,aswellasacrossspace.”

Sidewaysintime?Whatotherwaywastheretotravel?Sheaskedhimwhathemeantbythat,buthewouldn’telaborate.

Afterthat,Earthshineturnedhisbackonthesubstellar.Itwasclearhe

wasn’tinterestedinhumanendeavorhere,howeverenigmaticorancient.Allhecaredaboutwashisongoingdialogue,orundeclaredwar,withthebeingshecalledtheDreamers.

Andtopursuethat,hehadtogettotheantistellar.Thatwashisobsession,andnothingwastobeallowedtodistracthim.

•••

Whentheydepartedatlast,Bethleftbehindanote,pinnedunderarockontopoftheHatchemplacement.Justhername,thedatethey’darrivedhereinvariousformsofcalendar,andanindicationofwherethey’dgone.Youneverknewwhat,orwho,mightturnup.

Andsotheymarched,

headingroughlysouthwest.EarthshinesaidtheyweremirroringafarsidejourneymadebyherownfatherwithStefKalinskilongago,beforetheyhaddisappearedintoaHatchtheyhadfoundattheantistellar.

Earthshinewalkedtirelessly,ofcourse,andashehadoffered,theyhadriggedupaseatforBethtorideonthesupportunit.Butshe

mostlyrefusedtouseit.Shewantedtheexercise;shewantedtotoughenherselfup.IfshewasinforasolitarylifeonPerArdua,itwouldpaytobeingoodcondition.Andalsoshedidn’twanttogetcarriedtoofarandtoofast;shewantedtostayinsideareasonablewalk-backlimitaslongasshecould.Soshewalked,thoughEarthshinedisplayedaveryauthentic-

seemingimpatiencetomakefasterprogress.

Atfirsttheyfollowedthevalleyofariver,flowingradiallyawayfromthatcentralpoint.PerArdua’sbasicclimatecyclewasthatwaterthathadevaporatedfromacrossthehemispherewasdrawnintothesubstellarlow,rainedoutthere,andthenreturnedtothewiderlandscapesviariverslikethis

one.Anadditionalcycleworkedattheterminator,thebandofshadowthatseparatedthedaysidefromthenight;morerainfellfromthecoolingairthere,tospillbacktowardthewarmthofthestarlitside.

Andastheymovedoutfromthesubstellarpoint,followingtheriver,thelandscapegraduallychanged.Thesubstellaritselfwasat

thesummitofatremendousblisterofraisedland,afrozenrockytideliftedbyProxima,directlyabove.PerArduawasinfactegg-shaped,ifonlysubtly,asthetideraisedasimilarbulgeattheantistellarpointonthefarside.Sotheydescendedfromthisuplandtoabroaderplain,brokenbyerodedhillsandcutthroughbymorerivervalleysfollowingradiioutfromthe

substellarcenter.Thenatureofthe

vegetationchangedtoo.Therelativelylushbutopenforestofthesubstellargavewaytoamorestaticlandscape,muchofitcoveredbytremendousleavesthatblanketedtheground:amiserlygatheringofallthelightthatpoureddownfromastarthatwasstillalmostoverhead.Bethrealizedthatthemore

turbulentweatheratthesubstellaritselfmustdrivesomechange—stormswouldtoppletreesandcleartheground—andthispassivelight-guzzlingstrategywouldn’tworkthere.AndBethrememberedtoothatonherPerArduasomeground-cover“plants”likethesehadinfactbeen“kites,”flyingbeings,inasedentaryphase.Butnothere,notnow;she

sawnosignthatthesewereanythingotherthanvegetables,clingingtothegroundasstationaryandstatelyasstromatolites.

Indeed,asshewalked,shesawnosignofthekindof“animal”lifethathadoncebeencommonhere—notthatthedistinctionbetweenanimalsandplantlifeherehadbeenquitethesameasonEarth—nokites,nobuilders,

nofish-analoguesintherivers.Nothingbutplantsandstromatolitesandsimplerorganismslikelichen,competingforthelight.Thesilenceoftheworldwasprofound,brokenonlybythewind,theoccasionalhissofrain,andtheirownvoices.

Andyettheysawmoretracesofhumanity,oratleastoftheworldhumanscamefrom.Moresplashesofthe

brilliantgreenofEarth’sversionofphotosynthesis,standingoutagainstthedarkerhuesofArduanlife.Theseweremostlywhatlookedlikemuch-evolvedversionsoffoodplants,potatoes,yams,beets,soyabeans,evenpeasandgrapevines,andwhatlookedlikelaver,adescendantofageneticallyengineeredseaweed,chokingwater

courses.Earthshinespeculatedthat,untended,thesesurvivorshadrevertedtosomethingliketheiroriginalwildforms—thetubersofthepotatoes,forinstance,weremuchreducedfromthebloatedvarietiesfavoredbyhumans.Bethcarefullyselectedsamplestoenhanceherstores.

Survivors:thatwaswhattheywere,terrestrialstock

clingingonamidthenativelifeofthisworld.AndyetBeththoughtshesawakindofsilentcooperationgoingonhere.Inthefloodplainofoneriver,terrestrialpotatoescoveredgroundthatlookedtoodampformostArduanlife,butArduanstemssproutedingroundconsolidatedbythepotatoes’roots.Inanisolatedforestcopseshefoundterrestrial

vinesgrowingupthetrunk-stemsofArduantrees.Andsoon.Eveniftherehadbeenanimals,theherbivoresfromeachdomainoflifecouldn’thavedigestedsamplesfromtheother;thebiochemistry,comingfromacommonstock,wassimilarbutnotidentical.Butperhaps,shethought,thedissimilarformsoflifewereevolvingdeeperwaystocooperate.Justasshe

andhervirtualgrandfatherweretwomoredissimilarlife-formsfindingwaystogetalong.

Thatcametoanendacoupleofweeksintothewalk,withtwohundredkilometerscovered.Itwaswhenshesawherownshadowstartingtostretchbeforeherontheground,meaningthatProximawasnolongeroverheadbutwas

beginningtoset,thatsherealizedshe’dcomefarenough.

•••

Theparting,onceshe’dseparatedouthergear,wasawkward.Almostjokey.

“Atleastyou’llknowwheretofindme,”saidEarthshine.

“Andyoume.”She

forcedasmile.“Evenifwecouldn’tbefartherapartonthisplanet.Literally.”

“That’strue,”hesaidgravely.“Especiallytakingintoaccountthetidalbulges.WhenIgetthechanceIintendtoestablishsomekindofcommunicationsystem.Smallsatellitesperhaps.Youhavecommsgear—”

“Inthepackyou’vegivenme,theslates.Iknow.”

Theystoodinstiffsilence.

“Goodbye,then,”Earthshinesaid.

“Goodbye.”Hemadeashowof

climbingaboardhiscarriage,hissupportunitonitsrecentlyfabricatedwheels,andoffhewent,atlastacceleratinguptothespeedshe’dwantedtomakeinthefirstplace.Itsomehow

comfortedhertoknowthathewascontinuingtosupporthishumanvirtualform.

Thensheturnedaway,andbeganthelongwalkback,alone.

49

AD 2234; AUC 2987; AY796

EightmonthsaftertheRomanshadarrivedatYupanquisuyu,Inguillcametotheirayllu.Shewas

accompaniedbyofficials,andahealthysquadoftroops.Shearrivedinacartdrawnbytwomuscular-lookingalpacas,causingastirinthevillage.Suchanimals,itseemed,wererareinthishabitatandreservedfortheelite.

Suchapersonageasthequipucamayoc,recordkeeperoftheempire,didnottravellightly,itseemed,andnotwithoutheavyprotection.

Mardinawaslearningthattheantisuyuwasthoughtofasbanditcountry,fromwhichtheSapaIncaandhisfamilyandcourtwereprotectedbylayersofsecurity:therainforest,andthenanocean,andthentheopenstretchesofthealtiplano,andthenaclimbofhundredsofmilesthroughvacuumbeforeyoucameuponthefortificationsofHananCuzcoitself...And

yethereInguillwas,inthemouthofthejaguar.

Thevisitwasabigeventfortheayllu.AlthoughInguillandherfollowershadarrivedentirelyunannounced,theaylluwasexpectedtofeedandhousethem.Tentsandlean-toswerehurriedlyerected—eventhecuraca,Pascac,thelocalleader,hadtogiveuphishouse.Meanwhilethefastestyoung

runnersandyanakunaslavesweresentdashingtonearbycommunitiestocallinfavors,andtheyreturnedwithfood,stashesofcocaandotherpotions,blanketsandbeddingandotherluxuries.

Inguill,however,seemedinterestedinnoneofthis.ShesetupakindofcourtinPascac’shouse,spentonenightrestingtorecoverfromherjourney,andconsulting

withRuminavithetocricoapuamongotheradvisers.Then,throughPascac,sheperemptorilysummonedtheseniorRomans:QuintusFabiusastheobviousleader,andwhoeverhechosetobringwithhim—but,shespecified,thathadtoincludeChuYuentheslaveboy,withhismysteriouspack.

Beforethemeeting,QuintusFabiusgatheredhis

peopleoutsidePascac’shouse.MardinanoticedthatwhileQuintusandhissoldiershadbecomeaccustomedtowearingthereadilyavailableayllugarb,todayheandTitusValeriushaddefiantlychangedbackintotheremainsoftheirmilitarycostume,thoughofcoursewithoutweapons,armororlegioninsignia.Mardinasupposedthiswas

somestatementofculturaldefiance.Mardinaherselfwashappytostayinthelocalclothes,includingherroundfelthat,whichshe’ddecidedwasquitefetching.

Quintusspokequietly,inroughcampLatin.“Donottranslate,please,Collius.Letusnotbeoverheardforonce.”Hegesturedatthegroup.“Sohereweare.Isuspectmostofyouwould

prefernottobebroughtbeforethisrathersinisterwoman.”

“Sinisterandwithpoweroverusall,”grumbledTitusValerius.

“Yes,Titus.ButweareananomalyhereinYupanquisuyu—ananomalyinthisversionofhistory...”

“True,”murmuredtheColUfromtheusualpackmountedonanervous-

lookingChuYuen’sback.“AndfromtheverybeginningithasbeenthiswomanInguill,ofalltheIncalocals,whohasseemedtohaveperceivedthatmostclearly.”

“Well,sheistheempire’schiefrecordkeeper,”saidMichaelthemedicus.“Ifanybodyknowsthehistory,it’sgoingtobeher.”

“Correct,”Quintussaid.

“Andsince,asfarasIknow,”andashesaidthisheglaredatTitus,“noneofushavemisbehavedterribly—noneofushavedoneanythingtobringourselvestotheundueattentionoftheauthoritieshere,asfarasIknow...”

“Youcanrestassuredaboutthat,sir,”Titusrumbled.

“PresumablyInguillhascomeheretoaddressloftier

questions.Well,IsupposeIwasgoingtohavetofacethisatsomepoint,butatleastIdon’thavetobealone.SoIambringingyouintothearenawithme,myfriends.You,Titus,theheartofthecentury—anditsbelly.You,Michael,asthenearesttoaphilosopherwehave.You,ofcourse,Collius,asshehasrequestedChuYuen—”

TheColUsaid,“Evenif

shedoesn’tknowofmyexistence,yet,ormytruenature.”

“Andme?”Mardinaasked,baffled.“WhyamIhere?”

Quintussmiledather,reassuring.“Youareherebecauseyourepresentourpast,Mardina.Halfyourblood,afterall,comesfrombeyondtwojonbarhinges.Andwithyouryouthyoualso

representourfuture—andwhateverfuturewehavedepends,atleastfornow,onthegoodwilloftheSapaInca.IwantyouatmysidesothatInguillseesthat.”ThenhesurprisedMardinabyclaspingChuYuenontheshoulder.“Andyou,Xin.WhenIassignedyouasthebearerofColliusitwasarandomchoice—Iwasbarelyawareofyourexistence;Idid

notknowyourname,orcare.Yetyouhavecomethroughsomuchwithus,andyouhaveborneyourselfandyourstrangeburdenwell.Iamgladyouarewithustoday.”

Evennow,Mardinasawwithatwingeofsadness,theboycouldnotraisehiseyestomeetQuintus’s.Buthesaid,“Thankyou,Centurion.”

TitusValeriusgrunted,andheadjustedhiscloak.

“Wellsaid,sir,asalways.Butaren’tyouexaggeratingabit?Youcallthisanarena.Wearen’tgladiatorsgoingintocombat.”

“Oh,Titus,youwouldneverhavemadeanofficer.Letmefacebare-handedadozenhighlytrainedandfullyarmedgladiators,eachwithapersonalgrudgeagainstme,thanalawyerwithasinglepointedquestion.Comenow,

let’sgetthisdone.”

•••

InPascac’shouseInguillsatcomfortablyuprightonacouch,withRuminavionamatonthegroundonherleft-handside,andPascachimselfstandingontheother,lookinggrave.Inguillhadakindofleathertrunkopenonthefloorbeforeher.Two

soldiers,heavilyarmed,stoodateasebehindher.

RuminavicaughtMardina’seye,andgaveherakindofwink.Uncomfortable,shelookedaway.

QuintussatonacouchfacingInguill,withhisownadvisersarrayedbehindhim,sittingonthefloor.Michaelsuppressedagrumbleashemadehiswaydowntothefloor;thiswasacustomof

theIncas,thatonlyyourleaderwasallowedtobeateyelevelwiththerepresentativeoftheSapaInca.

Witheveryoneinplace,theysatandfacedeachotherinsilence—likepiecesonagameboard,Mardinathought,andmaybethatwasn’taninappropriateanalogy.

Dressedsoberly,hereyes

sharp,Inguilllookedstrong,incontrol.Atlastshespoke.“Well.YouarewonderingwhyIhavecomehere,whyIwishtospeaktoyoutoday.”

Pascac,standingbesideher,bowedfromthewaist.“ThequipucamayoctotheSapaIncaisalwayswelcome—”

“Oh,hush,man.Thisisn’tatimeforflattery,forprotocol.It’satimefor

truth.”ShegazedatQuintus,atTitus,atChuYuenwithhispackonthemat-strewnfloorbeforehim.“You’llremembermyfirstreactiontoyoupeoplewhenyoucamewanderingin,ridingcraft,youryachts,thatwereobviouslyunsuitableforthejourneyyoudescribed.YourunlikelystoryofalostcolonyofRomaoiminersonanicemoon!

“Iamarecordkeeper.Ahistorian.Anumbercounter.MyjobfortheSapaIncaistoreflecttheorderofhisvastempire,andtoplaymypartinenforcingthatorder.AndIrememberIspoketoyouofadeeperunderpinningforourneedfororder.UnlikeyouRomaoi,orwhatisknownofyourhistoryanyhow,ourgodsarenotnurturinggodswhobringtherainsinthe

springandthesuninthesummer.TheyarenotupstartslaveslikeyourJesu,notgodsofgenerosityandforgiveness.Ourgodsaregodsofdestructionandcalamity—godswholivedatthesummitsoffiremountains,inthecontinentyoucallValhallaInferior.Godswhohavetobeapproachedindrug-inducedtrancesandspiritflights,gods

whoneedtobepropitiatedwithsacrifices,offood,drink—and,yes,humanblood.”

AsshesaidthatshelookedpointedlyatRuminavi,whodroppedhiseyes.

NowInguillleanedforwardandfacedQuintus.“Ispeakofourgodswho,ourtheologiansbelieve,eventuallyoverthrewyours,inyourcomfortableeastern

continents,andshatteredyourRomanEmpire.”Shestraightenedup.“Thefoundationofmyjobismaintainingorder.Withoutorder,rigidlyapplied,surelyyoucanunderstandthatthefabricofthisgreatmachineweallliveincouldnotbemaintained.Asforme,IleftmybirthfamilytostudyattheHousesofLearningatHurinCuzcoattheeastern

hub,andthenIhaveservedtheSapaIncaintheadministrativebuildingsofHananCuzcoatthewesternhub.Ilivealone.Icareformyparents,mysiblings,butrarelyseethem.Formyself,orderismyhusband—theonlyoneIneed.Hewillnotbetrayme,ifIservehimwell.

“Whichiswhyyoupeoplerepresentsuchaproblemtome.Youarea

threattothatorder,andhavebeensincethemomentyouhavearrived.”ShepointedafingeratQuintus.“Because—you—don’t—fit.”

Titusgrowled,“Howfortunateweweretohaveyouonhandwhenwearrived,then,quipucamayoc.”

Quintusshothimawarningglance.

ButInguillsaid,“Oh,therewasnofortune

involved.Ilookoutfor—anomalies.Ripplesonthepondoforderandcalm.YoucouldsayIcollectthem;youcouldcallitapassion.AndwhenIheardthereportsofyourships’approach,Iknewyouwerejustsucharippleonmypond.”

Quintuslaughed,surprisingMardina,butshesawhewastryingtoliftthemood,tobreakupthe

intensity.“Ha!Neverheardyoudescribedasarippleonapond,TitusValerius.Whatisityouwanttosaytous,quipucamayoc?”

Shesmiled.“Iwanttolearnmoreofyou.IhavecometothinkIneedto.Andbelieveme,youneedtolearnmoreofme.

“Iwishtoproposeanexchangeofgifts.Igiveyousomething;yougiveme

somethinginreturn.Ourwholesocietyisbasedonthisexchange,ifyouthinkaboutit:youfulfillyourmit’aobligationstotheSapaInca,andinreturnhegrantsyouthegiftofasecurelife.”

Quintusscowled.“Whatgift?”

ShereachedintohertrunkandproducedaRomanmilitarybeltbuckle,heavysteelandbrass.“Notsomuch

agiftasreturnedproperty,Isuppose.Oneofyourmenlostthiswhenpassingthroughthehubportals.”

Titussmackedhisbrow.“ThatfoolScorpus!I’lltanhisbacksidewithhisownbelt.”

Quintussaidevenly,“Hush,Titus.Whatofit?Thisisours,butonlyabuckle—purelydecorative.”

“Well,Idon’tthinkthat’s

true,isit?Youknow,TisoIncadestroyedRome,butafterthatwepursuedyousurvivingRomaoitoyoureasternheartlands,beyondyourcapital.Theretheconclusionofthecampaignofconquestwaslessdestructive...”

“TheprovincesofGraeciaandAsiaMinor,”Michaelsaidquickly.

“Yes,”Quintus

murmured.“Breadbasketoftheempire.TheimperialtroopsmusthavepulledbackthereinthefaceoftheIncaadvance,triedtoestablishshorterfrontiers.”

“WhichismaybewhytheseIncascallus‘Romaoi,’whichistheGreekterm.”

Inguilllistenedtothiscarefully,asiffilingawaythewordsonherbitsofknottedstring,Mardinathought.

“Afterthesurrender,yourcitizensbecamesubjecttotheSapaIncaofthetime.ButcomparedtoItalia,theseeasternRomaoihadretainedmuchofthefabricoftheircivilization,thefarms,thecities—andtheirrecords.Youhadlibraries,impressivehistories.SoIknowmuchaboutyou,yousee.Icanevenreadyourpeculiarlanguage,thestrangesymbols

youusewhereweuseourquipus,theplacementofknotsonstrings...”Sheheldupthebuckle.“Iknowwhatthewordsandnumbersonthisobjectsay.”Shepickedoutthemolding:LegioXCVictrix.“Theninetiethlegion,knownasthevictorious.Somethinglikethat?But,yousee,therehavebeennoRomaoilegionssincethethirdcenturyafterYupanqui.

Andtherewereneverasmanyasninety.Yethereisthisbeltbuckle,fivehundredyearslater.Hereyouare,inyourhovels,inyourfield,mutteringaboutcampaignsfoughtandbootywon,andcallingthisman‘Centurion’whenyouthinknobodyislistening.”

Quintusalmoststoodupinhisanger,butcontrolledhimself.“Youhavespies

here?”“Idon’tneedthem.Every

aylluisriddledwithyanakunas,allofwhomhaveearsandeyesandamemory,andallofwhomwilltellalltheyknowtobesparedawhipping.Ourinspectorssamplesuchsourcesonaregularbasis.”Shefacedhim.“IthinkyouareafragmentofaRomaoilegion,halfamillenniumafternosuch

legioncanexist.Whatdoyouhavetosaytothat?”

Quintuskeptadignifiedsilence,evidentlyunsure,Mardinarealized,whereallthiswasleading.

“Agiftforagift,”Inguillsaidnow.“Thatiswhatweagreed.”

“That’swhatyouimposedonus,”Quintusgrowled.

“AndthegiftIwantis

thetruth.Comenow,”Inguillsaidsilkily.“Iknowmuchofitalready.Iknowforinstancethatfewofyouhavelearnedourlanguageproperly—thisgirl,Mardina,beinganexception.”

Mardinabowedherhead.“Theothersofyourely

onprompts.Asifsomebodywhispersinyourears.Aspiritonyourshoulders,perhaps,translatingfromthepeople’s

tonguetoLatinandbackagain?”ShepointedatChuYuen.“Andallofyouaremoreconfidentwhenthisboyiscloseby,withthepackthatneverleaveshispresence.Weareonlyplayingagame.You.TheXin,ChuYuen.Showmewhatisinyourbag.Iwon’ttakeitfromyou.Justshowme.”

ChuglancedatQuintus,andatMichael.

TheColUspokenow,fromasmallspeakerinsidethepack.“Doasshesays,ChuYuen.”

Hearingthisdisembodiedvoice,thetwosoldiersbehindInguilldrewtheirweapons,shortstabbingswords.Titusgrowledandwouldhavegottohisfeetinresponse,hadQuintusnotgrabbedhisarm.

Quintuscalled,“Collius?Areyousure?”

“Shealreadyknowssomuch,Centurion.Andintheendwearealltrappedinthissituationtogether,theIncaasmuchasus.”

Inguillfrowned.“Trapped?”

“Weareallpuppetsofahigherpower,quipucamayoc.”

“Showyourself!”“ChuYuen,please...”Chuopenedhisbattered

backpack,gingerlyliftedouttheColU,andsetitonthegroundbeforeInguill.Unwrappedfromlayersofsoftwoollenpacking,itwasaslabofglass-likematerialthesizeandshapeofalargebook,Mardinathought;aconstellationoflightswinkedinitsinterior,andcables,tubesandsupportstructuresprotrudedatitsrim,obviouslymeanttoconnect

thiscomponenttoalargerstructure,butcrudelytruncated.

Inguillstared.“Whatareyou?”

“Iamnothuman.Iwasmadebyhumans.Iamadevice.”

“NotbyartisansoftheInca.”

“No—”“AndnorbyRomaoi.”“No,quipucamayoc.A

discussionofmyoriginwillrevealmuch.IamaColU.TheRomanscallmeCollius.OnceIwaspartofamuchlargerengine.Mytaskwastofarm,todigthesoilofotherworlds.”

Inguillwasevidentlytryingtomasterherfear,Mardinasaw.“YoufitintonocategoryofthingIhaveseenbefore.”

“Youareshocked,andit

isunderstandable,”theColUsaid.“Believeme,Iammerelyamadething.Iamlikeaquipu.Iamadeviceforstoringandmanipulatinginformation.Iammoresophisticated—that’sall.Ihavemachinestoenablemetospeak,andothersthatenablemetohear,throughdevicescarriedbytheboy,ChuYuen.Whoservesmefaithfully,bytheway.”

Inguillpursedherlips.“Whatdoyouthink,tocricoapu?”

Ruminavilookedjustasscaredasshewas,butmorecunning,Mardinathought.“IthinkthatthatwouldbeafinetrophytopresenttotheSapaIncaandhiscourt.Atalkingjewel!Andifitcansingorrecitepoetry—canyoutellfortunes,Collius?”

“Icandofarmorethan

that,Inguill,asIthinkyouknow.”

Shestaredatthedevice.“Canyourestoretheorderthathasbeenlost?”

“Thatismygoal,quipucamayoc,”theColUsaidsoftly.“MardinaEdenJonesGuthfrithsonisadescendantofthoseIwascreatedtoserve.”

Mardinawasstartledtobebroughtintothis,and

blushed.“Icanunderstandthat,”

Inguillsaid.“Everybodyneedssomeonetoprotect.Togivepurposetoone’slife,one’swork.FormeitistheSapaInca,whopersonifiestheTawantinsuyuandthebillionsunderhisprotection...”

“Andbillionsyetunborn,”saidtheColU.

“Yes.Yes,you’reright.

Oh,putthatthingaway,boy,putitbackwhereit’ssafe.”

Chupickeduptheprocessorunitreverently,andstoweditawayinitslayersofpackinginhisbag.

Quintusgrinned.Evidently,Mardinathought,withInguilldisconcertedbythevisionoftheColU,hefeltmoreconfident,moreincontrol.“So,quipucamayoc.Weareexchanginggifts.

Yourturnagain,Ithink...”“Well,letmeoverwhelm

you.”Nowsheliftedaheavyframeoutofthetrunk;Titushadtohelpherlowerittotheground.Mardinastudiedthiscuriously.Itwasaframeofornatewoodwithinwhichfinewiresran,up,down,sidetoside,fronttoback,withknotsofsomekindofthreadinamultitudeofcolorsrestingonthewires.Mardina

sawthatthepositionsofthewires,theknots,couldbeadjustedwiththeuseofleversandswitches.

Inguillsawherlooking.“Whatdoyouthinkofthis,child?”

“It’sbeautiful.”Inguillsmiled.“Itis.

Mostwell-designeddevicesare.Butwhatdoyouthinkit’sfor?”

“Itlookslikeakindof

quipu.I’veonlyseensimpleonesbefore,liketheonesusedbytheinspectorswhentheycometoassessthemit’aobligationoftheayllu.Theyremindedmeofabacuses.Thisismorecomplex.”

“Youwillhavetoshowmeanabacus.Butyouareright,child—that’ssurprisinglyperceptive.”

“Thanks,”Mardinasaiddrily.

“Thisisaquipu,akindofquipu,capableofstoringalargeamountofinformation.Anditcanbeinterrogatedbymeansofthesecontrols.”Shelookedaroundatthem.“Youshouldnotoverestimatethis.InCuzco,theGreatQuipuRepositoryisabuildingoffourmightytowers,withjarsfullofquipusstackedfloortoceiling.Thatisourrecordstore;thiscanonlybea

digest.Nevertheless—ColU,canyoureadaquipu?Couldyoureadthis?”

“Withsomeinstruction,andwiththehelpofChuYuen—yes.ButwhatwillIlearn?”

“Itisourhistory,”Inguillsaid.“Akindofcompendium,bymanyauthors.Itdepictswhatweknowoftheagesbeforeourownhistorybeganwith

Yupanqui,eightcenturiesago.Andittellsofourgloriouscampaignofglobalconquest,includingthesubjugationoftheRomaoiandtheXin.Andfinallyourexpansiontotheplanets,andeventhestars,withtheuseoftheenergiesofthewarak’a.”

“Iwillstudyitclosely,”theColUsaid,“andinstructtheseothers.”

Mardinafelt

unreasonablyexcitedbythis,bythegiftofahistorybook.“Wemightbeabletofigureoutthejonbarhinge—”

“Hush,child.Notyet.”Inguill,ofcourse,missed

noneofthisexchange.Titussnorted.“Well,Ifor

oneamalwaysreadyforahistorylesson.Why,Irememberonceoncampaign—”

“Bepolite,Titus

Valerius,”Quintussaidnow,watchingInguill,evidentlyintrigued.“Isuspectit’snoaccidentthatthequipucamayochasgivenusahistorytext,forhistoryiswhatthismeetingisallabout,isn’tit?History—orhistories?”

Inguillnodded.“IhavethefeelingIknowagooddeallessthanyoudo,atthismoment.OntheotherhandI

havethepowertodoalotmoreaboutit.Ratherthanpressyouforaresponse—Ihaveonelastgift.”Againshedugintothetrunk.

Thistimesheproducedascrapofwhitefabric,grimywithrust-coloreddust,tornfromagarment,perhaps—andstainedbywhatlookedlikebrown,driedblood.Shesmoothedthisoutonthelidofthetrunk.

Mardinaleanedovertosee.Thefabricitselflookedstrange,withthickthreadsthatwereshinywheretheywereripped.Andstitchedtothescrapwasakindofinsignia,shethought,atriangleofthickcloth,edgedingoldaroundabackgroundfieldofblue-black.Intheforegroundwasanarcofared-brownplanet,girdledbyaswoopingline,the

schematicpathofsomekindofaerialcraft.Thecraftitselfwasshownasaclumsyaffairoftubesandboxesandshiningpanels,roughlystacked.Hoveringoverallthiswasaneagle,wingsoutstretched,holdingsomekindofbranchinitstalons—anolive?AndtherewasLatinletteringaroundtheedgesofthetriangle.

“Theeagleisthebest-

workedelementofthething,”TitusValeriusmurmured.

“That’strue,”saidMardina,entranced,puzzled.

TheColUinspectedtheinsigniathroughtheslatecarriedbyChu.“Quipucamayoc,wheredidyougetthis?”

“Youdon’trecognizeit?”Quintusshrugged.

“Obviouslynot.”“Andyethereisthis

lettering,intheRomaoistyle.Canyoureadthis?”

Quintuspickedoutthewords,letterbyletter.“GERSHON—YORK—STONE.Thesemeannothingtome.Names,perhaps?Butthis—thisisthenameofoneofourgods.Oratleast,hisGreekcousin.ARES.”

“Yes.I’vebeenlookingthisup.Ares—thegodyoucallMars.AndMarsisthe

nameyougavetothefourthplanet,isitnot?WhichwecallIllapa,afteranaspectoftheskygod,thethunderdeity.AndistheeaglenotanemblemoftheRomaoi?”

TheColUrepeated,“Inguill,wherewasthisfound?”

“Wheredoyouthink?OnIllapa,ofcourse.OnMars!Nearthewreckageofacrashedcraft—oh,centuries

old,wethink.Butnotfarfromthewarak’afield,thegateway—”

TheColUsaid,“Gateway?DoyoumeanaHatch?”

“Stop,”Quintusordered.“Wemusttakethisonestepatatime.”

Chudroppedhiseyes,asifhemightbeblamedfortheColU’simpertinence.

“Yousee,”Inguillsaid

now,“whatpuzzlesmeisthis.InourhistorythereisnorecordoftheRomaoireachingIllapa.Orreachingspace,beyondthehomeworld—oreven,actually,masteringflightintheair.Weputastoptosuchambitionswhenweburnedtheircapitalandsubjugatedtheirpeopleandtheirterritories.Butyou,”shesaidnow,staringatQuintus,“you—andnowwe

musttelleachotherthetruth—youcamefromahistorythatwasnotliketheonerecordedinourquipus,”andshetappedtheframeofthemachineshehadproducedforemphasis.“Notlikeitatall.Ithinkyoucamefromahistorywhere,somehow,theRomaoisurvived,andprospered,andfoundedninetylegions,andgotofftheplanet,andflewaroundtheplaceinshipswith

nameslikeMalleusJesu—”“Youknowaboutthe

ship?”“OfcourseIknow!Your

menarehardlydiscreet,QuintusFabius,atleastwiththewomentheytakeintotheirbeds.So,didtheeagleoftheRomaoiflyoverIllapa,inashipcalledAres?”

“NotthatIknowof,”Quintussaid.Hesighed,andseemedtocometoadecision.

“Yes,Inguill—someofusRomansdidindeedflybeyondTerra.Idid.AndIstudiedtheearlyexplorationoftheplanetsattheacademyatOstia,duringmyofficertraining.ThisAresshouldhavebeenaheroiclegend,evenifitcrashed!Andtheevidenceyouproducesuggestsitdid.ButIneverheardofit.”

TheColUsaid,“There

maybeanotherexplanation.”Inguillpursedherlips.

“Youmean,anotherhistory.”“Youarequickto

understand,quipucamayoc.Yes,I—andMardina’smother—camefromadifferenthistoryfromtheseRomans.Whocameinturnfromadifferenthistoryfromyours.Andinthathistorywehadspaceexplorerswhoworepatcheslikethese.

Romedidnotsurvive,notastheempire,butwestillusedrelicsofitsculture—theRomanalphabet,forinstance.”

“Ofcourseyoudid,”Quintussaidcomplacently.

“Theeaglemayhavebeenused,notasanemblemofRome,butofAmerica—whichwasagreatcountryinthecontinentofValhallaSuperior.”

“So,”Quintussaid,“areyoutellingusthatthisAreswassenttoMarsbythis‘America’?”

“No,”saidtheColUunhappily.“It’snotassimpleasthat.Inmyhistory,AmericaneverwenttoMars—notwithpeople,notalone.ThefirsttoMarswereChinese—Xin.Othernationsfollowed,butasagroup,theUnitedNations,which

includedAmerica.TherewasnoAres.”

Mardinawasbecomingconfused.

Inguill,though,seemedtobegraspingallthisstrangenessreadily.“Sothiswasyetanotherhistory,”shesaid.“Onelikethehistorythatproducedyou,ColU.Butnotidentical.Onewherethis—”

“America.”

“—sentacrafttoIllapa.Yethereisthispatch,thisscrapofevidence—thewreckofaship,onIllapa,myIllapa.Andtheoddthingis—”

Ruminavibarkedlaughter.Helooked,asifhisheadwerespinning,toMardina.Hesaid,“Afterthatlistofimpossibilities,yousaytheoddthing—”

Inguillignoredhim.“Theoddthing,”shepersisted,“is

thatwewouldnothavefoundthis—ImeanscoutsfromtheInca’snavywouldnothavediscoveredit—ifnotforthesuddenappearance,inthegroundofIllapa,ofafieldofwarak’a,aportal,wherenonehadbeenfoundbefore.Notbeforeyoucame.”

“Theportal,”theColUsaid.“TheHatch.Andthatisthemostsignificantthing,ofallwehavediscussed—”

“Enough,”saidInguillabruptly.Shestood,massaginghertemples.“Youflattermeformyabilitytolearn,ColU.IneverthoughtIcouldlearntoomuch,tooquickly—Ineedair.Youandyouandyou,”shepointedatMardina,QuintusFabius,andChuwithColU,“walkwithme.Wewillplottogether,likeconspirators.”

Ruminavigottohisfeet

too,evidentlytroubled.“Quipucamayoc,wearefarfromcivilizationhere.Ifearforyoursafetyif—”

“Oh,don’tfuss,apu.WhatharmwillIcometohere?Saveforhavingmygraspofrealityshattered,andthathasalreadyhappened.Haveyoursoldiersfollowmeifyoumust,butkeeptheirdistance—unlessanyofthemknowsanycomforting

philosophy...”

50

Outsidethehouse,Inguillledtheway,stridingstifflyandrapidly,headingoutoftheayllutowardtheforestededgeoftheclearing.Apairofsoldierstrackedher,nevermorethananarm’slength

fromthequipucamayoc.Quintusfollowedafewdiscreetpacesbehind,withMardinaandChutoeitherside.Chu,whoprobablydidn’tgetasmuchexerciseasheshould,wassoonpantingfromthepaceInguillset.

ButQuintuspattedhisback.“Don’tworry,lad.She’llsoonrunoutofpuff.Lookhowstifflyshewalks...Shespendstoo

longstaringatherquipus—asIusedtowithmycommandpapersbeforewecametothisplaceandIhavetoplayatbeingafarmer—itisnervesandtensionthatpropelher,andallthatwillsoonworkitselfoutofhersystem.”

Sureenoughthequipucamayocwasslowinglongbeforeshereachedtheforestborder.Shestood,panting,gazingupatthe

trees.Thetwosoldierstrailinghertookwatchfulpositions,surveyingtheterrain.

Inguillgestured.“Lookatthat,”shesaid.“Tobeatree!Tall,patient,ancient.YouneedneverknowthatthesunlightonyourleavescomesthroughIntiwindows,orthatthethickeartharoundyourrootsisprocessedrubblefromashatteredmoon.Let

aloneworryaboutwhichstrandofaquipuofrealitiesyoubelongedto.Atreeisatreeisatree.Whatdoyouthink,Quintus?Wouldyoubemorecontentasamemberofaforestlikethat?”

Thecenturiongrinned.“OnlyifIwasthetallest,quipucamayoc.Andbesides,someofmylegionariesmayaswellbetrees,forallthesensetheyhave.”

Shelaughed.“Legionaries,eh?Soyouadmitwhatyouare.”

Heshrugged,sayingnomore.

Shewalkedon,ataneasierpace.“Let’ssumupwhatwehave,then.Severalhistories!AndIhadenoughtroublememorizingone.”Shecountedthemonherfingers,fingeringtheknuckleslikequipuknots,Mardina

thought.“First,myown,thisgloriousrealmruledbytheSapaInca.Second,theonewhereyouupstartRomaoiandXinandothersstillsquabble.Third—”ShelookedtoChu.

“Third,”theColUsaid,“wehavewhatwehavecometocalltheUN-ChinaCulture.Aworldofhightechnology,myselfbeinganexample,butrelativelylittleexpansion

beyondthehomeworld.”“Fourth,then,theAres

history.Likeyours,butwithboldexplorersstrikingearlyforIllapa.Verywell—”

“Anddon’tforgettheDrownedCulture,”Mardinasaidbrightly.“Myfatherworkedthatout.Thatmakesfive—”

“Idon’tthinkyou’rehelping,Mardina,”Quintusgrowled.

“AndthejonbarhingeStefKalinskispokeof,whenshediscoveredshehadasistershehadneversuspectedexistedbefore.That’ssix!”

“Thankyou,Mardina.”TheColUsaid,“Clearly

thesehistoriesdonotcoexist,buttheyoverlap,toasmalldegree.Scrapsofonemaybediscoveredinanother.”

“LikemyAresinsignia,”Inguillsaid.

“Yes,”Quintussaid.“Andlikemyowncentury,myship,whichsurvivedonejonbarhinge.”

“Andmyselfandmycompanions,”saidtheColU,“whohavesurvivedtwohinges...Quipucamayoc,wehavetakentocallingthetransitionsbetweenworldsjonbarhinges.Thederivationiscomplicatedandirrelevant.”

Inguilltriedoutthewords.“Shh-onn-barrhin-ch.Verywell.Anameisaname.Buttolabelsomethingdoesnotmeanweunderstandit.”

“Indeed,”saidtheColU.“Thereplacementofonehistorybyanotherisnotatidymatter.Scrapsremain.”

“Doweknowhowthesetransitionsaremade?Howonehistoryisclearedaway,likeadilapidatedbuilding

readyfordemolition,tobereplacedbyanother?”

“Judgingbyourexperiences,theterminationofonehistoryisgenerallyaccompaniedbydisaster.War.Thereleaseofhugeenergiesfromthekernels—whichyoucallthewarak’a.”

“Whichissomethingtobeavoided.”

“Yes—”Quintusgrowled,“Whoismaking

thesetransitionshappenisamorepertinentquestion,perhaps.”

“Verywell—who,ColU?”

“Wedon’tknow.Notyet.Wehavesomeclues.Inguill,yousaidyourpeopleonMars—Illapa—discoveredanewfieldofwarak’a,anewHatch—ourwordfortheportalyoufound.”

“Hat-sch.Verywell.We

knowhowtobuildthem,ofcourse.”

“Asdidwe,”Quintussaid.“WeRomans.Youjamthekernelstogether—”

Shewavedahandattheartificialsky.“Ourshipsroamthestars.Everywherewego,wetakethewarak’a—ofcourse,orrathertheytakeus.Andeverywherewego,webuildHatches.”

“Asdidwe,”Quintus

repeated.“Butwhy?”theColU

asked.“Whydoyoudothis?Whotoldyouto?”

InguillglancedattheRoman,andbothshrugged.Inguillsaid,“Thewarak’aareagiftfromInti,theskygod.Thatseemsevident—ararebenisonfromourgods,asopposedtoapunishment.AndtheHatchesarealwaysfoundwiththem.Wherever

wetravel,wemakemoreHatchesasatributetothegods.Itseemstowork...Atleast,wehavenotyetbeenpunishedforit,sowededucethisisthecorrectcourseofaction.”

“Aswithus,”Quintussaid.“Thoughyouseemtobemoreindustriousatitthanweeverwere.”

“Yes,”theColUsaid.“That’sit.Whateverthe

natureofthechange,whatevertheculturaldetails,eachnewdraftofacivilizationisbetteratbuildingHatches.Myculture,asfarasIknow,builtnoHatchesatall.YouRomansdidprettywell.AndtheInca—”

“Welitterworldswiththethings,”Inguillsaid.“Thisisthetriumphofourculture.AndnowIdiscover

thatwehavebeensomehowmanipulatedtoachievepreciselythisgoal?Ourwholehistorydistorted!”

Mardinastudiedher.“Andthatmakesyoufeel...”

“Angry,child.Angry.Whoeverisdoingthis,itishardtobelieveitisagod.Forwhatgodneedsadoorintheground?”

Mardinaherselffelt

oddlyexhilarated.Thefloodofrevelationsandnewideasmadeherfeelasifshewerejumpingrecklesslyoffacliffedge,ordivingfromtheaxisofYupanquisuyuandplummetingtotheground,laughingallthewaydown...

TheColUsaid,“Inguill,yourdiscoveryofaHatchonMars,Illapa,haschangedeverything.Becausewhenwe

emergedintothistimestream,pastthelatestjonbarhinge,itwasjustasaHatchappearedonMars.ThatwasontheRomans’versionofMars.ThisnewIllapaHatchisanobviouslinktotheunderlying...strangeness.Well,wemustpursueEarthshine—”

Inguillfrowned.“Who?”“I’llexplain.Butfornow

wemustgettoIllapa.”

“How?”askedInguillbluntly.“Theimperialauthoritieswouldnotallowit.EvenIcouldnotauthorizeit.”

“Ihaveaplan,”saidQuintusFabiussmugly.

•••

Whenthecenturionhadexplainedhisideas,ittookawhileforInguilltostop

laughing.“Areyouinsane?”“Oh,quitepossibly.”Shelookedathim,

smiling.“Thiswasyourplanallalong,wasn’tit?TolayuphereinYupanquisuyu,stealsomefood,fightyourwayout,andflyoffintospace,tofoundsomenewRomeofyourown?Ha!NowonderyouRomaoirolledoverwhentheIncaarmies

landedonyourshores.Look—youwon’tgetasfarastheocean.Theawkakamayuqpatrolswillstopyou.”

“Allright,”Quintussaidangrily.“Thendoyouhaveanybetterideas?”

“Well,I’mpreparedtoconcedeyouneedtogettoIllapa,ifColliussaysso.Wehumanstogetherneedtounderstandtheagentthatismeddlingwithourdestinies.

Butyou’renotgoingtowalkoutofhere.”Shesighed.“TheSapaInca’sadviserswoulddonothingtohelp.Theyareprettyfools,anglingandmaneuvering,ofnointellectorability.Conversely,theadministratorswhoactuallyruntheempirearejustthat—quipu-pluckers,withnoimaginationwhatever.Whichleavesthetasktome—and

you.Fortheonlywayyou’lldothisisifIhelpyou.”

Quintusfrowned.“Youwoulddothat?Howcanwetrustyou?”

“Wehavenochoice,Centurion,”theColUsaid.“Iseethatnow.”

“AndIbarelytrustmyself,”Inguillsaid,alittlewildly,Mardinathought.“AttheveryleastIwillbecommittingacrimeby

smugglingyououtofhere—outofthelightoftheSapaInca’srule...Andattheworst,Isuppose,mymeddlingmightitselfresultinoneofthesecatastrophicchangesyousoeloquentlydescribed.Ontheotherhand,ifImanagetoslaythisparticularjaguar,agreaterservicetotheempireishardtoimagine.Perhapshistorywillforgiveme—”

“Ifhistorysurvivesatall,”saidtheColU.

“Indeed.”ShestoppedpacingandfacedQuintus.“Insomewaysitiswhatwesharethatinterestsme,ratherthanwhatdividesus.Webothsailtheseasofspace;webothbuildtheColU’sHatches.Webothnameplanetsafterourantiquegods.Andweshareotherlegends—somyspiesinformme.”

SheglancedupatanIntiwindow.“Wecalltheneareststartothesunjustthat—Kaylla,whichmeans‘near.’”

“AswecallitProxima,”saidtheColU.“Meaning‘nearest’inQuintus’stongue.”

“Andoursailorsofspacehavealegendofthefurtheststarofall,wherethegodslaytheirplansagainstus,orplotthecatastrophesoftheendof

time:thepachacuti.WecallthisundiscoveredstarKaru,whichmeans‘far.’”

“AswespeakofUltima,”Quintusmused.“Yes.Wedohavemuchincommon.”

“AndisUltimawherewewillfindtheHatchbuilders?ImustgetbacktoCuzco.There’smuchtoprepareifwearetopullthisoff,andthemoretimetheyhavetofester,themoreplotstendto

unravel.Butweneedmore...WeneedawaytodiverttheattentionoftheSapaIncaandhisadvisersatHananCuzcofromyourbreak-outattempt.”ShelookednowatMardina.“And,givenwhatRuminavihasbelatedlyconfessedtomeabouthismit’acollectinginyourayllu,orhisfailurethere—ifIamriskingthesacrificeofeverything,mycareer,

evenmylife,Imustaskyoutoriskasacrificetoo.”

Mardinafrowned.“Me?”“Notyou,child.Your

friend,ClodiaValeria.Youmustbepreparedtosacrificeher.Butyou,Mardina,maybethekeytomakingithappen...”

51

Beforebeginningthemarchtotheocean,QuintusFabiusinspectedhistroops.

Asthetrumpetsounded,themenofthecenturyformedupinorderlyranks,theircloaksontheirbacks,

theirmarchingpacksattheirfeet,theirimprovisedorpurloinedweaponsattheirbelts.ThiswasthefirsttimetheyhadturnedoutasapropercenturyoftheRomanarmysincearrivinginthishabitat.

Thecenturionwalkedtheranks,murmuringquietwordstoindividualmen,inspectingpatchedandimproviseduniforms—and

theirweapons.Inreturnforotherfavors,mostlylaborbyburlylegionaries,thelocalsmithhadeventuallyturnedoutavarietyofweapons,includingadecentsteelgladioandpugioandpilumformostofthemen.Manyofthemhadhelmetstoonow,simplesteelbowlswithaliptoprotecttheirnecksandcheeks.Fewhadbodyarmor,thoughmanyworea

subarmilis,aheavyquiltedundergarmentdesignedtohelpwiththeloadofabreastplate.ThefolkoftheaylluhaddoneallthisoutofsightoftheInca’sinspectors,treatingitasakindofgame,awaytogetbackattheoverbearingtaxcollectors.Thelegionarieshidasmuchastheycouldintheopen.Theyevenhadabigrockwatertankthatthey

surreptitiouslyusedtosharpentheirswords.

QuintuscametoOrgilius.Themanhadbeenasignifier,acenturystandardbearer,butnowgivenafieldpromotionbyQuintustoaquilifer,bearerofthewholelegion’seaglestandard,intheabsenceoftherestoftheLegioXCVictrixanywhereinthisreality.IndeedQuintushadhiredaparticularlyskilled

localmetalworkertomakeforthemareasonablefacsimileoftheoldstandard,giventothelegionbyagratefulEmperorVeroniusOptatussevencenturiesbefore.ItseemedasuitablerewardforOrgilius,oneofthemoreintelligentofthelegionaries,whohadpickeduptheQuechuatonguereadilyandmadefriendshipswithlocalpeople,evenwitha

fewoftheofficialsandmilitarytypeswhovisitedtheayllu.HehadbecomeasourceofinformationuponwhichQuintusincreasinglyrelied.Yes,Orgiliusdeservedhisnewhonor—evenifitwasallQuintushadtogivehim.

AndpridesurgedinMardina’sownbreast,asshewaitedintheranksforthecenturiontocometoher.

Shehadspokentothe

centurionlongagoaboutherownthwartedmilitaryambitions,ontheothersideofthejonbarhinge,herdreamofjoiningtheBrikantiNavy.Buttherecruitingof“barbarians,”asQuintusputit,intotheRomanarmyhadalongtradition.So,intheweekssinceInguillhadcometocallandthecenturyhadpreparedforbattle,thecenturionhadgivenhera

lowlyfieldcommission.Thetribuneshadallowedhertojoininthelegionaries’trainingroutines—thephysicalexercises,theconstructionwork,thefightingwithwoodenspearsandknives.Sheenjoyedjoiningwithcrowdsofmeninthebattleformations,thesquare,thewedge,thecircle,thetortoise.Inpractice,intheend,Quintushadfoundher

moreusefulasaqualitycheckontheworkhewashavingdonequietlyaroundthevillage.Tothelocalpeople,shewasn’tasthreateningapresenceastheaverageburlylegionary.

Shewasevenputonthepayrolloftheimperialarmy,andthesalarydueher,ninehundredsestercesayear,wasdulyrecorded—tobepaid,shewassolemnlyassured,

whenthelegionfinallyreturnedtoTerraanditscollegia,lesstax,punishmentdeductionsandreplacementequipmentcosts.

NowQuintussteppedbackfromtheranks,andlookedoverhismen,andupatthestandardoveralltheirheads.Thisbrightmorning,withthecenturydrawnupinaglitteringarrayunderthelightoftheIntiwindows,

Mardinathoughtthatatlasttherecouldbenomoreself-deceptionaboutthemeaningofallthis.Thecenturywasamilitaryunit,anditwasreadyforthemarch.

InproudLatinQuintusdeclared,“Well,ifIwasasentimentalman,andifIdidn’tknowyouwereabunchoflazy,bed-hopping,wine-swillingslackers,I’dsayyoumadeaprettysight

fortheeye,men,evenunderthemother’smilkthatpassesfordaylightinthistubofaworld—youareRomans!Andproudofit!AndI’mproudofyou!”

Thatwasthecueforthefirstcheer,whichTitusValeriusled,raisinghisstumpofanarm,andMardinajoinedinwiththerest.ButMardinanoticedthatTituskeptoneeyeonthesky;

sheknewtheyhadtimedthisparadefortheintervalsbetweentheoverflightsofthevacuum-eatingCondors,theIncas’spiesinthesky,andifoneshowedupunexpectedly,theywouldbreakupthedisplayquickly.

“We’veachallengeaheadofusnow,”Quintussaid,“thelikeofwhichnoRomanhasfacedbefore.”Hepointedwest.“Probablya

month’smarchthroughthisjungle,longeriftheSapaIncaspotsusonthemoveandtriestodosomethingaboutit.”Laughter.“Thenwefaceanunknownocean,anoceanthatspansthewaistoftheworld...Pah.We’llswimit.Andthenontothehub,toHananCuzco,wherewe’llfacedowntheSapaIncahimselfandhisdecadenthordes,andwe’llcarveouta

destinythatnobodywholivesinthisrollingbarrelwilleverforget!”

Ifthatwasvague,itwaspurposefullyso,Mardinaknew,becausethewholestrategywasvague,themoresothefurtheroutyoulooked.TogettoMars/Illapa:thatwastheonlyclearlydefinedgoal.Therestwasgoingtohavetobeimprovised,hopefullywiththehelpofthe

quipucamayoc.Butthecenturionwasrewardedwithanothercheerevenso.

“Now,beforewestart,”Quintussaid,“andIknowverywellit’snotNewYear’sDay,Iwantustorememberwhoweareandwhatweare.Nomatterhowfarfromhome,weareboundtotheEmperorandtheEmpire.Andwewillsaythesacramentumtogether.TitusValerius,lead

us.”Thebigwarrior,whohad

beenrehearsingthis,steppedforwardandboomedoutthewordsofthesoldiers’oath:“WeswearbyGodandJesu,andbythemajestyoftheEmperorwhosecondtoGodistobelovedandworshippedbyhumanity...”

Thelegionariesrepeatedtheancientwords,astheywereusedtodoingevery

NewYear.“...thatwewilldo

strenuouslyallthattheEmperorcommands,willneverdeserttheservice,norrefusetodiefortheRomanstate...”

Thevoicesofthelegionariesmadeacavernousrumble.Andwhentheyweredonetheyyelledandwavedtheirgladiosintheair.

ClodiaValeriaranoutof

thecrowdofwatchingcivilians,andhuggedherfather.Therewerecatcallsatthis,butTitushuggedhisdaughterbackwithhisonegoodarm.AndheexchangedadarkglancewithQuintus,aglanceMardinaunderstood,forClodiahadherowndifficultdutytoperformbeforethismissionwasthrough,asindeeddidMardina.

•••

Withtheceremonydone,theparadebrokeup,andthemenformedupintoacolumnformarching.

Thelegionariesthemselves,ladenwiththeircloaksandpacks,wouldgoaheadtwobytwo,thestandard-bearerleadingthecolumn,withscoutsprobingthecountryside.Arough

baggagetrainformedbehind.Thisincludedsomeofthewivesthelegionarieshadtakenfromtheayllu—andonemotherwithaveryyoungRoman-Incababy.Michaelthemedicuswalkedhere,withChuYuenandhisburdenatoneside,andClodiaValeriaattheother.Thencamesomeofthemitimacswhohadvolunteeredtoassistthe

march,carpenters,cobblers,cooks—andthenatrainofyanakunas,slavesusedasbearersofbaggage.

Mardinawassurprisedsomanyofthemitimacs,theordinarytaxpayersoftheayllu,hadbeenpreparedtocomealong.Well,mostoftheirtimeandlaborwastheirowntouseastheypleased,andmany,itturnedout,hadnevertraveledfarfromtheir

home,eithertowardtheeasternhubinonedirectionortheoceanintheother.Some,especiallytheyoung,wereexcitedbytheideaofjoiningthisadventure,evenifitwasillunderstood.Infact,Mardinasuspected,someofthemprobablybelievedthatthishighlyorganizedexpeditionledbythecommandingQuintusFabiuswasafulfillmentofaportion

oftheirmit’aobligations.Whentheywereready

thescoutsledthecolumnoutoftheayllu,tocheers,ribaldwhistles,evenascatteringofapplause.Atfirstlittlechildrenfromtheaylluranalongside,shoutingandwaving,andintheexcitementevensomeofthetamerguineapigsranaround,wonderingwhatallthefusswasabout.Buttheparents

calledtheiroffspringbackbeforetheheadofthecolumnreachedthefringeofthehachahacha.Herethetrumpetssounded,andsoonantiguidesmaterializedoutoftheforest,theirblue-paintedfacesseemingtohoverinthegreengloom.

Andthatwaswhenthegrumblingstarted,asTitushadpredictedtoMardina.Sheknewthatmanyofthe

legionarieshadnevergonefartherintothejunglethanyouneededtotakeadiscreetpiss.Nowtheyweren’thappyatwalkingintothegreatgreenchamberoftheforest,pasttheslimcolumnsofthetreetrunks,underthedensecanopythatexcludedsomuchofthelight,withtheantislikeelusiveshadowsallaround—andthelegionariesjumpedateverycrackofa

twig,everyhissofasnakeorclatterofscorpions.

Butthecomplaintslessenedafteranhourorso,whentheyreachedaclearpath—notametalledroad,itwasmeredirtbeatenflatbybarefeet,butitwasastraightpathheadingdirectlywest,andallbutconcealedfromtheskybythetrees.Aftertheconfusionofthedenserjungle,thecolumnquickly

formedupingoodorderoncemore,andthemarchtothewestcontinued.

Anotherhourandtheypassedthroughanantivillage,roundhutsbuiltonframesofbranchesandwalledwithreeds,thepeopleallbutnaked,someatworkskinninganimalsorpoundinggrainortanningleatherortendingfires.Theantisstaredcuriouslyatthelegionaries—

andtheystaredbackwithinterestatthebarebreastsofthewomen,andwithhorrorattheelaboratelypiercedpenisesdisplayedbysomeofthemen.Everybodyseemedtobetattooed,Mardinathought;faceslikethejaguarsoflocalmythologypeeredatherfromeveryshadow.Shewaspoignantlyremindedofthetattooonherownmother’sface.

Soonthevillagewasbehindthem,andthemarchcontinuedalonganotherstraighttrack.Someofthewalkerspeeledofftofillflasksfromthestreamthatwateredthevillage.

Thiswastobethestrategy,tokeeptothedeepforesttracksasmuchaspossible—toexploitwhattheantishadbuilthere.Forthiswastherealanticulture.

Mardinaherselfhadseenalittleofit,andfromtheirarrivalhereQuintusFabiushadsentouthisscoutstostudyeveryaspectoftheirenvironment.TheantiswerenottowndwellerslikeRomansorIncas,buttheywerenotsavageslivingatrandominthejungleeither.TheRomanscoutshadfoundanetworkofsettlementsandtrailscutorburnedintothe

forest,neatroundclearingsconnectedbydeadstraightlines,allinvisiblefromoutsidetheforest,andmostlyscreenedfromtheairbytheforestcanopy.AnditwasthesetrackstheRomanswouldfollow,asfaraspossible,relyingonthesupportoffriendlyantisastheytraveled.

Itmightwork,Mardinathought.TheIncastate

seemedtohaveanambiguousrelationshipwiththeantis.Intheorytheyweremitimacs,taxpayerslikeeveryothercitizenoftheempire.Andtheydidmaketributeswhentheassessorscamecalling,fromtheproduceoftheforest.TheirwiryarcherswouldalsoserveintheInca’sarmy,andreasonablydisciplinedtheycouldbetoo.Ontheotherhand,theSapa

Incawouldoccasionallyorderhistroopstomakeforaysintotheforest,seizinggoodswiththeexcuseofunpaidmit’a,oreventakingantisasslaves,yanakunas—buttherecouldbeantiraidsonunwaryayllustoo.Itwasawaryrelationshipthen,betweentwoquitealiencultures.ButonthewholetheIncasseemedcontenttoallowtheantistolivetheirlivesunder

thecoveroftheirforestcanopy,invisibleeventothevacuum-eatingCondors.AndtheantiswereusefultotheRomansnow.

Soheretheywere:Romanlegionariesmarchingthroughathree-thousand-mile-longhabitatinspace,andMardinawasoneofthem.Whenshethoughtaboutit,shewasthrilled.

•••

Theyhadwalkedaboutsevenhourswhenthesurveyorssaidtheyhadcoveredtwentymiles,thestandardtargetforamarchingday.

Theycametoaclearing,perhapsonceoccupiedbytheantisbutnowabandoned,withthescuffedandblackenedremainsofoldhearthspiercedbythe

brilliantgreenofsaplings.Themenbrokeformation,dumpedtheirpacks,andchangedtheirbootsforcampsandalstoeasetheirfeet.TheylookedexhaustedtoMardina;theyweren’tinasgoodshapeasQuintusmighthavehoped.Buttheywouldtoughenup—andtheirworkforthisdaywasn’tyetdone.

Withthespadestheycarriedontheirpacks—tools

theyhadbeenallowedtokeeponarrivalinthehabitat—thelegionariesgottoworkcreatingacampforthenight.Someworkedaroundaperimetersketchedbythesurveyors,diggingaditchandbuildingwalls.Othershastilyassembledspikycaltropsfromfallentreebranchesandscatteredthemaroundtheperimeter.Soonthetentswentup,sheetsofheavy

leathercarriedbytheyanakunas,inneatrowsalongwhatwaseffectivelyanarrowstreet,withlatrineditchesthreadingoutofthecamp.Meanwhilethefireswerelit,thepotsweresetup,andthesmellofcookingfilledtheair,mostlyabrothofguinea-pigmeatandvegetablesandfishsauce.

Outsideallthis,thewivesandothercampfollowers

madetheirownarrangementsforthenight,asbesttheycould.TheglowfromtheIntiwindowsfaded,andtheeerienightofthehabitatdrewin.

QuintusFabiussoughtoutMardina,whereshewashelpingTitusValeriusandhisdaughterwiththeirmeal.Thecenturionbeckonedtodrawheraway.

Togethertheywalkedaroundtheperimeterofthe

camp.Thecenturiongrowled,“Oh!WhatarelieftotalkdecentcampLatinagain,withouttryingtocurlone’slipsaroundrunasimi,ortohaveColliuswhisperinginone’sear...Sowhatdoyouthinkofyourfirstdayonthemarch,mynewestlegionary?”

Thattitle,casuallyused,thrilledher.“Impressive,”shesaidtruthfully.“The

discipline,despiteallthegrumbling.”

“Soldiersalwaysgrumble.”

“Andthewaytheyputtogetherthiscamp—”

“Centuriesoftraditionandyearsoftraining.Butthemenliketheircamps.It’sthesameeverynight,asifyouaren’ttravelingatall—asifyou’rereturninghomeeacheveningtothesameminiature

town.Soldierslikefamiliarity,aboveall.Aplacetheyknowthey’llbeabletosleepinsafety.”Heglancedattheengineeredsky.“Wemadegoodprogresstoday.”

“Yes.Ispoketothesurveyors.It’soneadvantageofhavingaskythat’salmostamirrorimageoftheground.Theysayit’sfifteenortwentydays’marchtotheocean,ifwedoaswellaswedid

today.”“Well,thatwaspretty

muchtheplan.”Theycametoastretchof

thewallthatwaslesssatisfactorythantherest;hescuffedsomelooseearthwithhissandaledfoot,andglancedaround;Mardinacouldseehewasmakingamentalnoteregardingsomelaterdiscipline.Theywalkedon.

“Totellyouthetruth,I’m

gladtohavethemonthemarchatlast.Legionariesneedtobelegionaries;they’renotcutouttobefarmersandtaxpayers—notuntiltheyretire,anyhow.Wehavehadsomedisciplineproblems—morethanyouwereprobablyawareof.Boredmensquabblingovergamblinggames,orwomen,orboys.Asforthepositiveside,Iranoutofexcusesto

issuephaleraandotherwoodenmedalsforbasiccampduties.Well,MardinaEdenJonesGuthfrithson,I’mgladyousawlittleofthat,andI’mgladyouseeusatourbest—doingwhatwedobest,shortofgivingbattle,thatis.”

Shepluckeduphercouragetospeakfrankly.“Andyou’respeakingtomelikethis,sir,because—”

Hestoppedandresteda

handonhershoulder.“Well,youknowwhy.Youhaveadutyofyourowntofulfill,youandClodia.Tomorrowyou’llbeledoutoftheforestbyacoupleofantis,andyou’llmeetthetocricoapuRuminaviandotheragentsofthequipucamayoc,whowilltakeyoutoacapacnanstationanddeliveryouintothehandsoftheSapaInca’staxcollectors...”

“Tomorrow?Ididn’tknowitwasassoonasthat.”

“Ithoughtitbestnottotellyou.Toletyouenjoyasmuchofthisaspossible.”Hesqueezedhershoulderharder.“Youknowtheplan.Ofallofus,yoursisperhapsthemostdifficultdutytofulfill.EvenmorethanpoorClodiaValeria,whoIsuspectunderstandslittleofthis.”

“I’lldomybest,sir.”

“You’lldomorethanthat,legionary,”hesaidgruffly,releasingher.“You’llfulfillyourordersanddowhat’srequiredofyou,adheringtotheoathyousworethismorning.”

Shestoodupstraight.“Ofcourse,sir.”

“Allright.NowgobackandhelpTituswithhisstew.LaterI’llstopbyandmakesureheremembershehasto

saygoodbyetohisdaughterinthemorning...”

52

HananCuzcowasagreatcity.

Ofcourse,Mardinahadbeenherebefore,whenshehadfirstarrivedatYupanquisuyu.Butsobaffledhadshebeenbythegiant

habitatthatshehadtakeninlittleofthecapitalcityitself.

Andthiswasacitylikenoother.Mardina,whohadseenDumnonaandEborakiinBrikanti,andmanyofthecitiesoftheRomanEmpire,couldattesttothat,assheandClodiaValeria,grimlyholdinghands,bewilderedafteralongrailjourney,wereledbyRuminavithroughthelastsecuritycordon.

HananCuzconestledinthetremendousbowlofthewesternhub,astructureitselfoverfourhundredmilesacross—seenfromtheedge,itwasmorelikeacrateronLuna,Mardinathought,thananystructureonEarth.And,shesaw,astheyrodeacrossthefaceofthehubinacomfortableseatedcarriage,nestlingatthebaseofthisbowlwasthecity,huge

buildingsofstoneandglass,blocksandpyramidsanddomessetoutlikegigantictoys.ManyoftheroofswereplatedwithgoldthatshoneinthelightoftheIntiwindows.Allofthiswascrowdedaroundahugecentralstructure,thattremendoustowersherememberedwell,asupremelynarrowpyramidthatmustreachamilehigh.

Ruminavi,theirguide,

pointedoutsights.“ThereisQoricancha,thetempleofthesun.ThereisHuacaypata,themainsquare,wherethegreatroadscross.ThebigstructureonthefarsideisSaqsaywaman,thefortressthatguardsthecapital.AllthisismodeledonOldCuzco,theNaveloftheWorld,andyetwroughtmuchlarger...”

Thegreatbuildings,

importedfromTerrastonebystone,wereoffinelycutsandstone,hugeblocksthatfittogetherseamlessly,andwithoutmortar.Lesserbuildingshadstonewallsandthatchedroofs,andwoodendoorframesinwhichcolorfullydyedblanketshung.Hereattheaxisofthehabitattherewasnospingravity,andshecouldseemetalstrapswrappedaround

thewallsandroofs,toholdthebuildingsinplaceintheabsenceoftheweightofthestonesthemselves.Andinthiscitywithoutweight,thewidestreetswerelacedwithguideropes,manyofwhichglitteredsilver,stretchingacrosstheavenuesandbetweentheupperstoriesofmanyofthebuildings,asifthewholecityhadbeendrapedinashimmering

spiderweb.Peoplemovedthroughthatweb,strangeangularpeople,likespidersthemselves.

Ofcoursetheywerehundredsofmilesabovethelayerofatmospherethatwasplasteredagainstthehabitat’souterwall.Sothecitywasenclosedbyadome,barelyvisible,ashimmeringbubblethatsweptupabovethebuildings.Thereweremore

buildingsoutsidetheairdome,squat,blockier,air-retainingstructures:factoriesthatmaintainedtheairandwaterandothersystems,andanumberofmilitaryemplacements—nochancesweretakenwiththesecurityoftheSapaInca.Mardinahadtakeninlittleofthisduringherfirstbewilderedhoursinthehabitat.Shehadn’tevennoticedthedome.

And,whenshesteppedoutoftheglass-walledtransportandlookedaround,overMardina’sheadtheinteriorofthehabitatitselfstretchedlikeatremendouswellshaft,walledwithlandandseaandair,ashaftthousandsofmilestall.

Clodiatuggedherhand.“Don’tlookup.Itmakesyougiddy.”

Mardinahadlookedup,

and,yes,shefeltbrieflydizzy.“I’msorry.”

“Don’tbe.”Awomandriftedbeforethem,smiling.“Ittakestimetoadjustifyou’reusedtothegravityofthesuyus...”

Perhapsforty,withblackhairtiedback,shehadanopen,smilingface,thoughthecolorsofhercheeksandlipswereexaggeratedwithpowerandcream.Sheworea

dressofsomebrilliantlypatternedfabric,andaheadbandsetwithemeraldsthatoffsetherdarkeyes.Abeautifulface,beautifulclothing.Butshewastallerthananylegionary,andspindly,asifstretched,hernecklong,herbarearmsliketwigs,andherjoints,wristsandelbowsandshoulders,wereknotsofbone.Aninhabitantoftheaxis,then.

Clodia’shandgrippedMardina’stighter.

Ruminavilaughed.“Oh,don’tbeafraid.Lowlandersareoftenstartledbythefirstnoblestheyencounter.ButyoushouldrecallthisfromyourfirstarrivalatYupanquisuyu.Doyouremembertheaxiswarriors,bredforthelackofweight?Thisismywife.HernameisCura—that’seasyto

remember,isn’tit?She’soneofthehighborn—shecomesfromoneofthefirstayllus,thedozenclanshereinCuzcothatcanprovelinealdescentfromtheearliestoftheIncas.Sosheisausefulallyforyou,yousee.AndherhalfbrotherVillacisacolcacamayoc,akeeperofthestorehouses—justasseniorinthegovernmentasInguill,butwithrather

differentresponsibilities.Villac’sresponsibilityistocollectthemit’atributesanddistributethestoresasnecessary;Inguill’sistocountitall,acrosstheempire.AnditisVillacwhowillassistyourcomradestogettotheirship.Isn’tthatmarvelous?”

“Butfirstwehavetogetyoutothepalacecompound,”Curasaid.Shecupped

Clodia’scheekinahandthatlookedtoMardinaasifitwascrippledwitharthritis,soswollenwerethejoints.Clodiawasclearlyforcingherselfnottoshrinkbackagain.Curasaid,“TheceremonyoftheGreatRipeningisnotfaraway;manyoftheotherblessedoneshavebeenpreparingalreadyformanydays.Youarelate.”Shegazedinto

Clodia’sblueeyes,caressedherfairskin.“Buttherehavebeenrumorsofyourbeauty,child,eversinceyouarrivedatthehabitat,andthenfromeverymit’aassessorwhovisitedyourhomeayllu.Theywerenotwrong.Youareperfect.Nowcome,followme.Iknowyouareusedtotravelinginspace,soyouwillfindthelackofweightnoproblem.”

Sheturnedandswamaway,slippinggracefullythroughthemeshofcables,headingdeeperintothecity.

•••

MardinaandClodiafollowedCuraeasily,astheypassedalongabroadavenuelinedwithhugebuildings.Glancingback,MardinasawthatRuminaviwasfollowing

themtoo,withfourbonyaxiswarriorsbringinguptherearoftheparty.Thoughthiswastheperipheryofthecity,peoplehurriedeverywhere,scramblingthroughthecobweb,mostlydressedinbright,colorfulfabrics,someclutchingbundlesofquipus.Thiswasacapitalcity,Mardinaremindedherself,theadministrativecenterofanempirethesizeofa

continent,aswellasasolarsystemfullofminesandcoloniestoo;manyofthesetremendousbuildingsmustbehivesofofficeseverybitasbusyastheNavyheadquartersatDumnona.

Clodiawasstaring,wide-eyed.Mardinarememberedshe’dhadlittleexperienceofcitylife.

MardinasqueezedClodia’shand.“You’redoing

well.”“Iknow.ConsideringI

knowwhatitisCurathinksI’m‘perfect’for.”

“Itwon’tcometothat.Theplan,remember...Butyou’rebrave,evenso.”

Clodiasnorted.“I’mthedaughterofTitusValerius.OfcourseI’mbrave.”

Theypassedoneparticularlyornatebuilding,akindofflat-toppedpyramid

ontopofwhichafiguresatonathrone—astatue,Mardinasupposed,deckedwithfineclothesandjewelry.Twoaxiswarriorshoveredoverthestatue,likeprotectiveangels.

Thegirlsslowed,distractedbythesight.

Curasaid,“Lookatthatstonework!Handcut,andeachstonefitsitsneighboraswellastwopalmspressed

together.”“Isthisthepalace?”

blurtedClodia.Curasmiled.“Well,it’sa

palace.ItisthehomeofHuaynaCapac,oneofthegreatestoftheIncas.”

Mardinafrowned.“TheSapaInca—IthoughthisnamewasQuisquis.”

“Soitis,thelatestInca—distantdescendantofHuaynaCapac,ofcourse,separated

bysevenoreightcenturies...Mychronologyispoor.”

“Idon’tunderstand,”Mardinaadmitted.

“IthinkIdo,”Clodiasaid.“Iheardofthis.WhentheSapaIncadies—”

“TheSapaIncadoesnotdie,”Curasaidfirmly.“Helivesoninhispalace,hehasahouseholdofservants,andheisreunitedwithhis

ancestorsanddescendantsonfeastdays.”

Clodiastaredatthefigureinthethrone.“Howmanypalaceslikethisarethere?”

Ruminaviknewtheanswertothat.“Thirty-eight.”

“Thirty-nineIncas,then.Thirty-nineemperorssinceYupanqui.”

Mardinastaredintothemummy’spaintedface.Herewasatoughwarriorwhohad

builtanempirewithtoolsofstoneandbronze,andlongafterhisdeathhadbeenliftedintoarealmhecouldneverhaveimagined.

“Thisismyfuture,”Clodiasaid.“Tobecomelikethis.”

Ruminavismiled.“Amalqui,stuffedandpreserved?Notiftheplanworksout.”

OnceagainClodiaslid

herhandintoMardina’s.

53

TheRomancenturycametotheoceancoastatabeach,notfarfromthedeltaofagreatriver.

QuintusFabiusorderedhismentostayinthecoveroftheforestratherthanmove

outintotheopen.Grumbling,theycomplied,andbeganthedailyprocessofestablishingcamp—forthetwenty-firsttimeonthismarch,theyhadfallenjustadaybehindtheschedulethecenturionhadsetforthem.

Quintushimself,orderingChuYuenwithColliustoaccompanyhim,walkedoutintothelight,ontothesandybeach.Theywereclosetothe

marshyplainofthedelta,wheretremendoussalt-lovingtreesplungeddeeprootsintothemud.Theriverwasamightyone,drainingaswathofthishalf-cylindercontinent,theantisuyu,andwhenQuintuslookedaheadhecouldseethediscolorationofthefreshwaterpushingfaroutintotheoceanbrine.

Andwhenhelookeduptoleftandright,inwonder,

hesawhowtheoceanroseupbeyondwhatoughttohavebeenthehorizon,splashedwithswirlsofcloud,tingedhereandtherebytheoutflowofmorehugerivers—andmergingatlastinthemistsoftheairwiththeotherhalfofthisworldsea,whichhunglikeasteelrainbowabovehishead.

Inguill,withacoupleofIncasoldiers,waswaitingfor

himhere,asQuintusknewshewouldbe.“You’relate.”

Heshrugged.“Withinourcontingency.There’splentyoftimeleftbefore—”

“BeforetimerunsoutforClodiaValeria?”

Tall,thin,pale,intent,shelookedoutofplaceonthebeach,inthisrawnaturalenvironment.Shebelongedinanoffice,Quintusthought,herfingerswrappedinthose

bundlesofstringsheread.Butshewasincommand.

Sheturnednowandpointed.“Downthereareyourtransportsovertheocean.”

Quintussawaseriesofcraftdrawnuponthesand,flatwoodenframeswithsailsfurleduponmasts.“Rafts?”

“Theyareadequate.TheyarebuiltbytheChincha,whoareapeoplewhooncelived

onthewesterncoastofthecontinentyoucallValhallaInferior.Nowtheylivehere.Theirraftsareofbalsaandcotton.Theywerethebestsailorsinourworld,untiltheXincamecallingonourshoresintheirmightytreasureships.TheChinchacraftwillsufficetocarryyouovertothecuntisuyuiftheweatherovertheoceanstaysfine—asitisprogramedto

do.”SheglancedupataskyemptyofCondors.“Andofcourseyouwillbelessconspicuousthaninanyotherformoftransport.Onthefarsideyouwillbeescortedtoacapacnanstation.Therearefreightwagonssufficientlyroomytohideyourmen,allthewaytothehub.Itwon’tbecomfortable,butyouwillbesafeenoughandwillnotbebetrayed.”

“Well,we’vetrustedyouthisfar.”

“AndI,you,”shesaiddrily.“SomewouldsayIhavealreadybetrayedtheSapaInca,myonlylord,simplybykeepingsecretsfromhim.”

“Speakingofsecrets,”theColUsaidnow,“Ihavestudiedyourrecords,quipucamayoc.IbelieveIknowthenatureofthejonbar

hingethatseparatesyourrealityfromours.”

TheybothturnedtotheslavewhoboretheColU.Hedroppedhisgazeasalways.

“Tellme,”Inguillsnapped.

“Yes,”Fabiussaidwithagrin.“TellmewhereweRomanswentwrong!PerhapsIcanputitrightbeyondthenexthinge.”

“Therewasnothingyou

couldhavedone.Nothinganybodycouldhavedone.Therewasavolcano,Quintus.Adevastatingexplosionontheothersideoftheworld.ThiswassomehundredandeightyyearsbeforethecareerofCusiYupanqui,Inguill,yourempirebuilder.

“TheRomansandtheBrikantiwerealreadyintheValhallas,theRomansfor

morethanacentury.Inguill,yourownculturehadyettoriseup,butalreadytherewerecivilizationshere—cities,farms.TheRomansplantedcoloniesintheantisuyuforest,buthadonlyminimalcontactwiththecontinent’smoreadvancedcultures.

“Thenthevolcanoerupted,onthisworld.Agreatbelch.Thesiteof

immediatedevastationwasfaraway,buttheashanddustandgasmusthavewrappedaroundtheplanet.”

Inguill’seyeswidened.“Iknowsomethingofthis.TheTiwanaku,laterapeopleofourempire,wholivedbyagreathighlake,wroteintheirchroniclesofa‘dryfog’obscuringthesky,ofcropsfailing,ofswathsofdeaths.Allthistheywrotedownin

theirhistories,whichourscholarsretrievedinturnwhentheconquestcame.”

TheColUsaid,“Thesewesterncontinentssuffered,then.Butbecauseofvagariesofwinddirectionsandseasonalchanges,theeasterncontinentssufferedfarmore—Africa,Asia,Europa.IhavefoundlittleevidenceforwhathappenedtotheXin.But,Quintus,Romewas

grievouslydamaged.TherewasmassfaminewithintheEmpire,andinvasionsbypeoplesfromthedyingheartofAsia,whobroughtplague.TheEmpireneverrecovereditsformerstrength,andcertainlyabandoneditsholdsintheValhallas,givingupitswarstherewiththeBrikanti.

“Andmeanwhile,inValhallaInferior,underCusiYupanquiandothers,the

IntipChuriroseup—”“Andwhenwebeganto

pushintothejunglesoftheantisuyu,wefoundRomancolonies.”

“Yes.Thoughmuchdegenerated,theypreservedsomeoftheskillsandtraditionsoftheoldworld.TheIncastookwhattheywantedfromtheseRomanrelics—notablythesecretsofthefire-of-lifeandofiron-

making.TheIncas’strongestmetalbeforethiscontactwasbronze.IdoubtthatatraceofthebloodofthoseRomanssurvivestoday,Quintus.ButtheirlegacytransformedtheIncas.”

“Allbecauseofavolcano,”Quintussaidheavily.“AndIwonderifthosedevilswhorequireustobuildtheirHatcheshadsomethingtodowiththat.

Forallthesechangesinthefabricoftheworldseemtobeaccompaniedbyhugeviolence,vastdestruction.”

Inguillsmiledcoldly.“Theinterventionofdestructivegods.Weknowallaboutthat,Quintus.Well—historyisfascinatingtome,asyoubothknow.Butitisthefuturethatconcernsmenow.Willyoubereadytodisembarkinthemorning?”

Theywanderedalongthebeach,discussingdetails.

•••

Later,ChuYuenmurmuredtotheColU,“Youdidnottellthemallthatyouhadlearned,Collius.”

“Itoldthemwhatwasnecessary.Iconsideredthatafeetobepaidtothequipucamayocforher

assistancewiththisflight.”“ButtheevidenceInca

philosophershavefoundofkernelenergiesatthevolcanosite—yoursuggestionthattheeruptionwasmadeevenworsebyyetanotherwarinflictedonmankindbythetechnologiesoftheHatchbuilders—Quintusalmostguessedit.”

“Theydon’tneedtoknowthat.Notnow,not

today.InguillandQuintusmustworktogether;theyhavemuchtoachieve.Idon’twantthemtofeelhelpless.”

“Doyoufeelhelpless,Collius?”

“NotI,ChuYuen.NotI.Comenow,we’llgobacktocamp.Youmustbehungryaftertheday’smarch...”

54

ThepalaceoftheSapaIncawas,Mardinalearned,notsomuchapalaceatallasacityinitself,afortifiedtownwithinatown.Protectedonallsidesbythickstonewallsfacedwithgreentilesand

sheetsofgold,itwasshieldedfromabovebyastoutsteelgrill,andbysquadsofaxiswarriorswearingsomekindofrocketpackwhoflewcontinuallyinpairsoverthecompound—CurasaidtherewasevenanairsheltertobepulledoverthewholecompoundshouldCuzco’smaindomefail.

ButMardinaandClodiawereledpastbarriersand

guards,straightintothismostsecureofsanctuaries.Theywereguidedalongakindofornatetunneltoacentralblock,andthenthroughcorridorsandhallswhosewallswerecoveredwithbewilderingdisplaysofcoloredtiles,somedepictingpeopleoranimals,othersshowingonlyabstractdesigns.

Itwasheretheysaid

goodbyetoRuminavifornow,buthiswifeCurarushedthemalong.“Wemusthurry,”saidCura.“It’sashamenottogiveyoutimetotakeineverythingbetter.Buttherewillbetimelater...Andashameofcoursethatyou’renotmoreappropriatelydressed,butthatwillbeforgiven.”

Clodiasaid,“Thesearethebestclotheswehave,

fromtheayllu.”“Believeme,nothingyou

broughtwillbesuitableforHananCuzco.Andconversely,youwillbegiveneverythingyouneedhere.”

“Butourluggage—”“Thatwillbekeptin

storageuntilit’stimeforMardinatoleave.That’stheofficialplanatleast...”

Thegirlsexchangedglancesatthat.Mardina

wouldbeleaving,then,notClodia,iftheIncasgottheirway.

Theycametoaheavydoor,armored,guardedandevidentlyairtight,andpassedintoanotherchamberofdazzlingbeautythroughwhichtheyhurried,draggingthemselvesalongrailsandropes.Thedeeperintheymoved,Mardinanoted,themorepeoplethey

encountered.Theyallseemedslimandtall—eventhosenotobviouslyaxis-adapted—elegant,dressedincolorfulfinery,withelaboratelypreparedhair.Mosthadhugegoldenplugsintheirearlobes.Manywereverybeautiful,eventheservants,andMardinarememberedhowtheprettiestchildrenoftheprovincesweretakenawayfromtheirfamiliestoserve

here.Inthelackofgravity,theyswarmedandswamintheair.ToMardina,rushingafterCura,itwaslikepassingthroughaflockofexoticbirds.

Andwherethegirlsfromtheayllupassed,therewerestaresandsneersandprettylaughterbehindraisedhands.Mardinagloweredback.

Clodiasaid,“Thereseemtobemanysoldiershere.I

thoughteverybodylovedtheSapaInca—”

“Whoprotectsandfeedsthem—ofcoursetheydo,”Curasaid.“It’shisfamilythat’sthetrouble.OnthedeathofanInca,hissuccessorshouldbechosenbyacouncilofthepanaqas,factionswithinthefamily.ButIncasgenerallyhavemanysonsbymanywives—althoughthechildrenbyhis

fullsistershouldhaveprecedence.SowhileanIncaishealthythereissquabblingandmaneuveringtogainhisfavorandthatofthepanaqas;whenhestartstofailthereisfranticnegotiationamongthefactions;whenhediesthesuccessioncanoftendegenerateintoabloodycontest;andevenwhenawinnerisannounced—”

“Peopleholdgrudges,”

Mardinasaid.“I’mtoldit’softenlikethatfortheRomanemperors,orwas,before.”

Curasmiled.“Educatedpeopletrynottoworryaboutit.Thebloodshedgenerallydoesn’textendbeyondthecourtitself.Anditisawayofkeepingthelinestrong;onlythetoughestsurvive.”

Nowtheyhadtoworkharder,pushingthroughcrowdsthatweremostly

streamingaheadthewaytheyweregoing.

“I’mgettingwinded,”Mardinasaid.“Whatisitwe’regoingtosee?”

“Why,it’stheprocessionoftheIncahimself.You’reluckytohavearrivedonsuchaday,toseeitinyourveryfirsthourhere.OnceamonthhetravelsaroundCuzco—I’msurprisedyouhaven’theardofthisevenoutinthe

antisuyu.”Mardinaglancedat

Clodia.“Ithinkmostpeopleoutinthecountrygossipaboutwhostolewhosepotato,ratherthangoings-onatcourt.”

“Well,that’stheirloss.Andthisparticularmonth,everyyear,theSapaIncacomestotheHalloftheGapingMouth.”

“What’sthat?”

Curasmiled.“You’llsee.”

Sheledthemthroughonelastentrance—hugedoorsflungopen—intoahallcontaininganotherthree-dimensionalcrowd,morecolorful,gorgeouspeopleflyingweightlesslyeverywhere,andaxiswarriorsaloft,eyeingthepopulacesuspiciously.Thehallinsomewayswaslikeanyother

they’dpassedthrough,brilliantlylitbyvastfluorescentlanterns,thewallsglitteringwithcoloredtiles.

Butthefloorherewasdifferent,foritwaspanelledwithvastwindowsthatshowedtheblacknessofspacebelow—ascatteringofstars,abrighterpointthatmightbeaplanet,thewholepanoramaslowlyrotatingasseenfromthisaxisofthe

habitat.Mardinawasentranced.

Thevacuumitselfwasonlyapaceortwoaway.“Wemustbeatthelowestlevelofthepalace—theouterhull.Whatasight...”

“Look,Mardina,”Clodiasaid.

“Makesmealmostnostalgic—”

“Look.Abovethewindows,fartherdownthe

hall...”Mardinalookedup,

driftingintotheairtoseeoverthecrowd.Nowshesawthattothefloor’scentralwindowpaneswereattacheduprightglasstubes,adozenofthem.Andineachofthetubeswasaperson—young,fourteenorfifteenorsixteenyearsoldmaybe,sixboysandsixgirls.Theirclotheslookedexpensive,theirfaces

gleamedwithoils,andeachworeadazzlingheadbandstuddedwithpreciousstones.Alldriftedweightlessintheirbottles.Andeachpassivelylookedoutwithanemptyexpression,confused,evenbaffled,Mardinathought,asiftheyhadnoideawhatwashappeningtothem.

Clodia’sobservationwasterse.“Theylookfat.”

Curasaid,“Well,of

coursetheydo.TheyhaveenjoyedtheInca’shospitality—oh,foramonthormore,sincetheirselectionforthisprocession.Andofcourseonlyonewillbechosen.”

“Forwhat?”ButbeforeCuracould

answertherewasablastofhorns.Thepeopleswarminginthechamberpressedbackagainstthewallsandceilingasbesttheycould.

Andthroughthislivingarchwayaprocessionadvanced.

Firstcameapartyofmenandwomendressedinbrightlycoloredtunicsinidenticalchessboardpatterns.Theymovedinasstatelyawayaspossible,Mardinathought,giventheyneededtouseropesandguiderailstoadvance.Theyglaredatanybodyintheway;they

physicallypushedpeoplebackorhadthewarriorsremovethem.Theyevensweptbitsofdebrisoutoftheair.

“Everyoneofthem,evenperformingthosemenialtasks,”Curabreathed,“isanoble,ahighborn...”

Nextcameatroopofnoisymusicians,drummersandsingersandplayersofhornsandpanpipes,and

dancerswhowriggledandswamintheair.

Followingthemcamewarriors,dressedinarmorofheavyplatesandwithcrownsofgoldandsilverontheirheads.Thearmor,infact,lookedtoocumbersometowearincombat,andittookthesoldiersavisibleefforttopropeltheirbulkthroughtheair.

Andthencameakindof

litter,pulledthroughthehallbydozensofmenandwomeninbrightblueuniforms.Themancarriedinthelitterlookedalmostlostinaheapofcushionstowhichhewasstrappedbyalooseharness.Hisclotheswereevenmoredazzlingthanhisattendants’;itlookedtoMardinaasifhisjackethadbeenwovenofthefeathersofgaudyrainforestbirds.Heworeagoldcrown,

andanecklaceofhugeemeralds,andaheadbandfromwhichhungadelicatefringe,overhisforehead,ofscarletwoolandfinegoldentubes.HewasyoungerthanMardinahadexpected,slim,andnotverystrong-looking;perhapsthefamilyfactionhehadbehindhimwastougherthanhewas.

Still,hewastheSapaInca.

CurapushedMardina’sheaddown.“Youdon’tlookhimintheeye,”shesaid.“Nobodylookshimintheeyeunlessheacknowledgesthem.”

Fromherperipheralvision,MardinasawtheSapaIncathrowsomethingoutofhiscarriage.Theywerebirds,shesaw,adozensmallsongbirdsperhaps,buttheywereunabletoflyinthelack

ofweight,unabletoorient;flappingandtweeting,theyspunpitifully.

Thenoneexploded,burstinashoweroffeathers.

“One,”saidCurabreathless.“Theydosetheirfeedwithexplosivepellets.It’squiterandom—”

Anotherrattlingexplosion,agaspfromthecrowd.

“Two!”

Andanother.ThetinyfeathershaileddownclosetoMardina’sfacethistime.

“Three!”Andthenapause—a

pausethatlengthened,andMardinaseemedtosense,underthenoiseofthemusic,avastcollectivesigh,astheremainingbirdsstruggledintheair.

“That’sit!Justthreeoftwelve!Theselectionismade

—numberthreeitis.Look,Mardina,Clodia,thethirdcompartmentalong...”

MardinasawtheoneCurameant.Standingonthewindow,abovethevacuum,thethirdbottlecontainedagirl,slightlyyounger-lookingthantherest,butjustasbewildered.Justforaheartbeatsheseemedtobeawarethateverybodyinthehall,includingtheSapaInca,

waslookingather.Fearcreasedhersoftface.

Thenahatchopenedbeneathher.Thepuffofairinherbottleexpelledherinashowerofcrystals—frost,Mardinarealized,condensingfromthevaporinthewarmair.Alreadyfallingintospace,thegirllookedup,hermouthopen.Justforaninstantsheseemednottohavebeenharmed.Thenshe

triedtotakeabreath.Sheclutchedherthroat,strugglingintheairlikeastrandedfish,andbloodspewedfromhermouth.

AllthisjustafewRomanfeetfromMardina.Peoplecrowdedsotheycouldseeherthroughthewindows.Theylaughedandpointed,andsomeimitatedthegirl’shelpless,hopelessstruggle,assherecededfromthewindow.

“Youarenotofourculture,”CurawhisperedintheearsofMardinaandClodia.“Butcanyouseewhythisisdone?Yupanquisuyuseemsstrong,solid.Yetjustanarm’slengthbeyondthiswindowliesdeath—theGapingMouth.TheSapaIncaremindsusallofwhatwillbecomeofusifwefailtomaintaintheintegrityofthehabitat,evenjustforan

instant.Anditisjustasthegodshover,angry,cruel,vengeful,anarm’slengthinanydirectionfromourworld.ItisonlytheSapaIncaandtheorderheimposesthatexcludesthemfromthehumanworld.Doyousee?Doyousee?”ShestrokedClodia’shead.“Anddoyoubegintosee,now,child,whyitisthatyoumustdie?”

Theejectedgirlhad

stoppedstruggling,toMardina’srelief.Shedriftedslowlyawayfromthehabitat,andthen,asshefelloutofthestructure’shugeshadow,sheflaredwithsunlight,brieflybeautiful.

55

QuintusFabiuswalkedtothecrestoftheridgewithInguillthequipucamayoc,Michaelthemedicus,andahandfulofhismen:TitusValerius,Scorpus,Orgiliustheaquiliferwithhisstandard,

andRutiliusFuscus,thecentury’strumpeter.

Oncemore,inthelightofthenewday,Quintusinspectedhisposition.Theywereclosetothehubhere,havingcompleted,withInguill’shelp,theirsurreptitiousjourneyfromthewesterncoastoftheoceanbytrainandotherIncatransports.Theywereinthefoothillsthatcharacterized

thispartofthehabitat—butjustheretheywereinarelativelowland,awidevalleycutbyariverfedbyglacialmelt.Andbeyond,thehubmountainsroseup,clingingtothesteelfaceofthehubitself.

“Certainlythisridgeisthehighestgroundinthearea,”Quintusobserved.

“You’rerightaboutthat,sir,”Titusrumbled.“The

surveyorsconfirmwhatyoucanseeforyourself.”

“Perhapstherewasoncefloodinghere,”Quintusmused.“Evenalake.Someoftheselandformshaveastreamlinedgracefulness.Isthatpossible,Inguill?”

Thequipucamayocshrugged.“Thehistoryofthislandscapeisofcourseaquestionofengineering,notofnature.Idoknowthe

landscapeartistsallowedthecountrytoevolvethroughstagesofitsown,lettingitformasnaturallyaspossible.Wearealwaysawareofthelimitsofourknowledge.Givethegodsofnatureroomtodowhattheydobest—thatwastheguidingprinciple.So,yes,perhapsitwasoncealake,insomeearlystageofitsforcedformation.”

“Engineering.”Quintus

lookedtowherethemountainsrose,onerangeafteranother,wavesofgranitetoppedbygleamingice—rangesthatcurvedupward,veryvisibly,toleftandright,asifhewerepeeringthroughsomedistortingglass.“Yes,onecanneverforgetthatthisplaceisanartifact.Now,downtobusiness.War,quipucamayoc,isallabout

thedetails—aboutplaceandtime.Asfortheplace:so,Titus—willthisdoforyou?”

“Thehighestgroundformilesaround,sir,asyousay.Letthemcometous.”

“Andasforthetiming—”

Inguillsaid,“Ruminavihasreportedtomethatthecapacochaceremonyistogoaheadthisafternoon,aspreviouslyscheduled.

MeanwhilemycontactVillacthecolcacamayocisreadywiththepermissionsandpassestogetyourpartyoutthroughthehubportalstoyourspaceyacht.”

Michaelsaid,“IcanconfirmthatwemanagedtogetmessagesouttotheMalleusJesu.WehadmenvolunteerforthedetailsthatwashtheIntiwindows—thedetailsworkallday,every

day.AstheColUpredicted,thelittletransmittersandreceiversintheearpiecesitusestospeaktousweresufficienttoexchangecommunicationswiththeMalleusthroughthewindowglass.TrierarchusEilidhknowswhatwe’redoing;wemadeafinalchecklastnightandshe’sreadyforthepickup.”

“Good,”saidQuintus.

“Soallweneedtodoisgetthetravelersuptotheportalandreadytogo.Oh,andfightabattleagainstthearmyoftheSapaInca.So,medicus,whatofthemen?”

Michaelshrugged.“Thewholeofthiscontinent,thecuntisuyu,isatahigheraltitudethantheantisuyuwherewe’vebeenliving—mileshigher.Theairisthatmuchthinner.However,

we’verestedheresevendays.You’vekeptthemenveryfit.I’djudgethattheyareacclimatized—andtheyareasreadyasthey’lleverbetofight.”

Inguillfrowned.“ShouldIbeimpressed?”

“Youshould,”Quintussaid.“Yousee,quipucamayoc,thoughabattleitselfmayseemanarenaofchaostoyou,victory

comesthroughplanningandpositioning,aswellasreactingtocircumstancesduringthecombat.”

“Likethechessyouhavetaughtme.”

“That’stheidea.AndI’mhopingthatyourgenerals,whoareusedtofacingnothingmorechallengingthanrebellionsbyunarmed,untrained,undisciplinedvillagers,mightproveaspoor

strategistsasyouareachessplayer.We’llmakeourstandhere.Thismaybenomorethanaskirmish—butitmayalsobethelastbattleaRomanarmyunitwilleverwage.Aquilifer,setyoureaglestandard.”

“Yes,sir,”Orgiliussaidproudly.

Inguillanxiouslyscannedthesky,lookingforCondors.“Theimperialauthoritieswill

seethatdisplay.”“Letthemseeus.Thedie

iscast,asJuliusCaesaroncesaid.”

TitusValeriussteppedforward.“There’sonedetail,sir.Ifwe’retogivebattle,youneedanoptio.Somebodywho’llbetheretokickthearsesofthemenintherearranks,andholdtheformationforyou.Now,GnaeusJuniusisofcourseoffonthe

MalleusJesu.SoifImay,I’dliketovolunteerforthejob.Justfortheday,youunderstand;I’mnotanglingforafieldpromotionorariseinpay—”

Quintusclappedhimontheshoulder.“You’reagoodman,Titus.Butifyouweretobetakingpartinthisfighttoday,I’dturnyoudown;I’dwantyouatmysideinthefrontrank,onewingmissing

ornot.You’recertainlynotgettingapayrise.”

Quintussawcomplicatedexpressionschaseacrosstheman’sface.“Thankyouforthat,sir.But—areyousayingIwon’tbeinthecenturywhenwegivebattle?”

“I’veamuchmoreimportanttaskforyou,Titus.Remember—thebattlewefighttodayisonlyadiversion.Thewholepurpose

ofthisistogetCollius,andyourdaughterandhercompanion,Mardina,outofthishabitat,andthentoMars,where—well,asIunderstandit,Colliusintendstochallengethestrangeentitiesatwaroverhumanhistory.Now,Titus,wheneverythingblowsup,Ineedsomebodyinplace,upinCuzcoatthehabitatexit,tomakesurethefinalescapetakesplace.And

indeedtoprovideprotectionontheway.Althoughifitdoesturnintoabattleupthere,we’llhavefailed.”

“That’swhereyouwantmetogo,then,sir?Buthow?”Heglanceddownathimself.“Iamanoverweightone-armedRomanlegionaryinuniform.Imightbespotted,youknow,evenbytheseslow-wittedIncas.Irememberonceoncampaign

—”Inguillsaidsmoothly,

“We’veworkedthisout,yourcenturionandI.I’mgoingupshortlymyself.I’llbeonhand,withVillacandourotherallies,tomakesureCollius’spartygettowheretheyneedtobe.Andyou’llbeatmyside,Titus.Asmyyanakuna,myslave.Apunishmentforsomeoutrageousbehavioror

other.”Shegrinned.“You’reuglyenough,andsurlyenough,tomakethatconvincing.”

TituslookeddoubtfullyatQuintus.“Myplaceisatyourside,sir.”

“No,Titus.Yourplaceisatyourdaughter’sside.TakecareofClodia.Afterall,sheisputtingherownlifeatriskinthisgameweplaytoday,asmuchasanymanofthe

legion.And,remember,Iwon’tbeleavingthisplace.”

“Youwon’t?”“Ofcoursenot,”Inguill

said.“Wecangetahandfulofyouout,butthere’snowaywecanbreakoutfiftymen.”

Quintussaid,“Andtheirwivesand,inoneortwocases,youngfamilies.Itwasalwaysadreamthatwewouldallbeabletoleave.No,themen’splaceishere,

now,Titus,whereJesuinHiswisdomhasdeliveredus.Andmyplaceisleadingthem.”HepeeredintoTitus’seyes.“Icanseeyouhaven’tthoughtitthroughthisfar.Well,Iwouldn’thaveexpectedyouto.Trustme,Titus.DoasIsay.Yourdaughterisn’tcomingbackhere,ever—sojustbeatherside,wherevershegoesnext,andprotecttherest.That’s

yourdutynow.”Tituswasvisibly

strugglingwiththis.Buthegrowled,“Verywell,sir.”

Inguillblewoutfrompuffedcheeks.“Well,thankIntithat’sresolved.Weneedtogetmoving,beforeit’stoolate.Look...”Shepointedupward.“Youractivitieshavebeennoticed,atlast.”

ACondorcrafthunghighabovetheair,averyobvious

eyeinthesky.Quintusgrinned.“The

momentapproaches,then.”HeclaspedInguill’shand.“Youmustgo.Goodbye,then,quipucamayoc—Iappreciateallyou’vedoneforus.”

Shepursedherlips.“Idon’tseeitasabetrayaloftheSapaIncaemperor,youknow,asmuchasachallengetothesehistory-eating

monstersweallface.”“Iunderstandthat.And

sowe’reonthesameside.Gonow—youtoo,TitusValerius,andmakesureyoutellthatdaughterofyourswhatafineRomanIbelieveshehasgrownuptobe.Nowlet’sgetthecenturydrawnup.Don’twantthemthinkingit’saSaturnalia,dowe?Givethemablastofthehorn,RutiliusFuscus...”

56

Therewereadozen,inall,Mardinahadslowlylearned,astheirdayshadpassedinchambersofunimaginableluxury.Adozenvictimsoftheplannedsacrifice.Or,dependinghowyoulookedat

it,adozenchildrenprivilegedtohavebeenselectedforthecapacochaceremony,selectedforthegloryoflivingforever,intheunblinkinggazeofInti.

Andtodaywasthefirsttimetheyhadallbeenbroughttogether.Today,thedayonwhichtheiryoungliveswouldbeended—mercifullyenough,Curahadassuredher,theywouldnever

know,neverfeelanything.“Why,whatwiththedrugsanddrinkandrichfood,someofthemhavebeenbarelyconsciousfordays...”

Mardinastruggledforself-control.

•••

TheceremonywastotakeplaceinthetemplecalledtheQoricancha.Thiswasa

pyramidofbloodredstone,toppedbylayersofgreen,skyblue,andachapelofsomepinkstoneattheverytop.

Mardina,withClodiaandtheothersacrificialvictims,wereledhandinhandthroughacourtyardfilledwithsculpturesofgold:trees,flowers,hummingbirdsfrozeninflight,evenallamawithashepherd,asifagardenhadinaninstantbeen

dippedintheliquidmetal.Thevictims,floatingintheair,manyalreadydrug-addled,staredatallthisasiftheycouldnotbelievetheireyes.

Thentheyweretakeninsidethepyramid,andintoagrandchamberwhosewallswerelinedwithgoldandsilverplatesandcrowdedwithshrinestothegods,andnicheswhere,itappeared,the

corpsesofmoredeadIncasresided.Overtheirheadwasaroofsetwithstarsandlightningboltswroughtinsilver.Foramomenttheywereleftalone,staringatthelatestwonders.

Thenasolemnyoungwomanledthemalldownthroughanopendoorsetintotherichlycarpetedfloor—andthendown,downthroughtunnelslinedwithprecious

metalsandlitbyoillamps.TheywerebroughtatlasttoyetanotherroomsetinthebasementofHananCuzco,anotherchamberwithvastwindowsofferingaviewofspace.BeyondthewindowthistimeMardinacouldseedetail,shelvesofsomekindsplashedwithbrightsunlightandfixedwithscrapsoffadedcolor—humanfigures,likedolls,perhaps;thedetails

werehardtomakeout.Itwasherethatthe

ceremonywouldbeperformed,andeverybodywhocountedwouldwanttobehere,andfinelydressedpeoplewerealreadypouringin.Theplacewassooncrowded.Butthetwelvechildrenwiththepriestsanddoctorswhoattendedthemwereguidedtotheheartoftheornatemob,alongwith

thepersonalcompanionstheyhadbeenallowedtobringintoCuzco—inClodia’scase,thatwasMardina,andMardinainturnclungtoCura.

Andwiththechildreninplace,herecametheSapaIncahimself,oncemoreborneonhisenormouslitter,andhisorderlybandsofattendantsandbearers,allhighbornthemselves—and

wherevertheIncawent,amobofcourtiersfollowed,colorful,swoopingthroughtheweightlessenvironmentoftheaxis,eachofthemstrivingtocatchtheeyeoftheIncaoroneofhisseniorwivesorsons.Asever,grimblue-facedaxiswarriors,theirlonglimbslikeknottedrope,slidthroughthecrowds,watching,listening.

Inallthis,however,the

twelvechildrenwerethefocusofattention,astheyhadbeenfordays.

Attendantsnowgentlyledthemforwardtoarowofelaborateseats,almostlikethronesthemselves,intowhichtheywerelooselystrappedbyembroideredharnesses.Thechildrenhadbeenbroughtherefromalloverthehabitat,Mardinaknew,andrepresentedmany

oftheethnicitiescontrolledbytheempire.Therewasevenanantigirl,thetattoosonherfacestilllivid,achildwhohadbeenevenmorebaffledanddisorientedthantherest,soalienwasthecityenvironmenttoher,letalonethedetailsofthisexoticritual.

Andyet,seeingthemsidebyside,therewasasamenessaboutallthechildrennow,

eventheantigirl—evenClodiaValeria,whohadcomeherefromanotherrealityentirely,frombeyondthejonbarhinges.Fordays—ifnotweeksormonthsinsomecases—thechildrenhadbeenfêtedhereinHananCuzco,justlikethoseotherblessedchildrenintheirbottles,andtreatedwithalcohol,maizecorn,expensivemeatsandseafood,

evenexoticdrugs,allofwhichluxuries,Curasaidwithsomeenvy,wereusuallyreservedforthemostsenioroftheelite.Asaresulttheyhadallputonweight,theirskinhadtakenonakindofglossysheen,andthedrugshadmadethempassive,dull-witted,hardtoscareandeasytomanipulate.

NowtheshelfMardinahadnoticedearlieroutsidethe

windowbegantomove,aplatformthatroseupbeforetherowofslacklygazingchildrenandtheexcitedcourtiersbehindthem.Oneofthepriestsbegantodeclaiminthecourtly,antiquatedversionofQuechuathatseemedtobereservedformomentslikethis,adialectMardinafoundimpossibletounderstand,evenaftermonthsofstudyingthelanguagein

theayllu.Curamurmured,“Heis

describingtheterriblegloryofInti,andofthecreatorgodswhogiveuslife,andcantakeitaway.ThesechildrenareprivilegedbecausetheywillliveforeverintheeyeofInti,neveragingaswewill,nevergrowingillorfrail—neverdying—”

Theantigirlscreamed.Itwasashrill,terriblesound

thatcutthroughthefogofwords,Mardina’sownconfusion.

Andnowshesawwhythegirlhadscreamed,whatshehadseenbeyondthewindow.Thatliftingplatformbore,notdollsordummiesasshehadimagined—itwasarowofchildren,allaroundsixteenyearsold,allrichlydressed,withelaboratelypaintedfacesandcoiffedhair.

Theylayontheirbacks,theirhandsclaspedontheirbellies.Infacttheylookedasiftheywereasleep,theirbeautifulfacesrelaxed,atpeace.

Mardina,stunned,leanedforwardandstaredthroughthewindow,fromsidetoside.Shesawhundredsofchildren,hundredsofbeautifulcorpses,stackedonaverylongplatform.Bodiesinvacuum.

Curawhispered,“Theartistryisgreat,asyoucansee.Thechildrenareputtosleepwiththeutmostgentleness,andtheworkofthemummificationbeginsimmediately.Thegreatestskillisindeliveringfacestolooksonatural,sopeaceful...Thenthemalquisarelodgedoutsidethehull,outsidetheair,sothatnocorruptioncanevertaint

them.Thustheybegintheirsecondlife,undyingandpreservedforeverinthevacuum.”

“You’veforgottenwhywe’rehere,”Mardinamuttered.

Curaglancedather,andsomethingoftheworshipfulradianceleftherface.“You’reright,ofcourse...”

Theantigirlstartedtostruggleagainsttheharness

thatrestrainedher.Theprieststriedtocalmher,butsomeoftheotherchildrenwerestirringnow,becomingdisturbed.Oneslightlyyoungerboystartedtocry.Thedisturbancewasspreadingoutthroughthewidercircleofcourtiers,Mardinasaw.

“Nowornever,”shemurmuredtoCura.

Curanodded.Stealthily,

whiletheattendantsweredistracted,shebegantoloosenClodia’sharness.

AndMardinapulledaheadbandfromClodia’sbrow.ShehadpatientlyrehearsedthiswithQuintusandMichael,overandoverbeforetheyhadcomehere,andrehearseditinherheaddailyeversince.Theband,agiftfromtheRomans’antiallies,wasanarrayof

brilliantbluefeatherstakenfromrainforestbirds,thewholecontainedwithinanear-transparentcast-offsnakeskin.Nowsheheldthebandatoneendwiththumbandforefinger,andcarefullyslippedoffthetransparentskinwithherotherhand,beingsurenottotouchanyofthefeathers.

Then,almostcasually,shecrackedthebandinthe

air,likeaminiaturewhip.Allthefeatherscame

looseandflewaway,alinearcloudthatquicklydispersed,headingintothecrowdofcourtiers,inthegeneraldirectionoftheSapaIncainhislitter.Intheweightlessconditionsthefeathersflewindead-straightlines,butquiteslowly,givenairresistance.Evennowthepriestspoke,hisvoicelike

theringingofabell,andtheattendantstriedtocalmthechildren.

Itseemedtotakeanagebeforethefirstofthembrushedthehandofoneofthechildren’sdoctors.Theinstantittouchedhimhespasmed,hiseyesrolled,foameruptedfromhismouth—andhedrifted,unconscious.

Thefeatherswerecoated

inaforesttoxinthat,Mardinahadbeenassured,waspotentintheshortterm,harmlessinthelongterm.Anditevidentlyworked.

Nobodyinthewidercrowdseemedtonoticeatfirst.Butwhentwomorecourtierssuccumbed,andthenfour,andeight,andpeoplecalledout,crowdedback,yelledinalarm.Andstillthefeathers,almost

unseen,driftedamongthepeoplewiththeirpowerfultouch.

Intheenclosedspaceofthewindowedhall,thepanicstartedquickly.Peoplescreamedandpushedfortheexits.Fromnowhere,itseemed,axiswarriorsflewoutoftheairandplasteredtheirbodiesoverthelitteroftheSapaInca,protectinghimwiththeirownflesh,and

Mardinasawthatsomekindofarmor,likeblindsofsteelplate,snappedclosedaroundthelitter.Meanwhilethebearerspositionedthemselvestogetthelitteroutofthisplaceofsuddenconfusionanddread.

AndMardina,withapassiveClodiaclaspedinherarms,followedCuraoutofthechamber,entirelyunseen.

Outside,Inguillwas

waitingforthem.Shebeckoned.“Come.Yourfatheriswaiting,child.”Shehurriedaway.

57

QuintusFabius,gladioinhand,walkedalongthefrontlineofhiscentury.Hegrinnedfiercely,andletthemenjokewithhim,noddingtheirheadsintheirheavyhelmets—thosewhohad

helmetsatall.Keepthemalertduringthisperiodofwaiting,keepthemrelaxed—thatwasthetrick.

Andchecktheirpositionandformation.

Thisridge,widerthanitwaslong,wasdeepenoughforfourranks.Belowthefrontrankwasarespectableslope,upwhichtheIncaweregoingtohavetoadvancebeforetheyevengottothe

Romans.Thelegionarieswereinanopenformation,astheyhadlongdrilled,withtheranksoffsetsothemenwerestandinginanalternatingpatternthatQuintusthoughtofaslikeachessboard,allthemenstandingonimaginaryblacksquaresandleavingthewhiteclear,sotheyhadroomaroundtheirbodiestodeploytheirweaponsandsupporteachother.

Someweresitting,andQuintusdidn’tblamethemforthat—saveyourenergy,aslongasyourespondedsmartlywhenthetrumpetblastcame.Otherswereeating,hunksofmeatorforestfruit.Andthemengrinnedandmadehushinggestures,fingerstolips,asQuintusapproachedoneman,MarcusVinius,atoughfighterwhenthebattlegot

goingbutknownthroughoutthecenturyforhislazinessaroundthecamp.NowMarcuswassittingcross-leggedontheground,hiswoodenshieldrestingononeshoulder,hispilumspearproppedontheother,hisbigbeardedheadrestinginonehand—fastasleep.Hisneighborraisedhisownpilum,asiftoclatteritagainsthisshield.

“No,”Quintusmurmured.“Leavehimbe.Ifamancanfallasleepinasituationlikethis,he’sbraverthanallofus.Hehastogiveuphispilum,though.Andyou,Octavio.Youknowtherules—nopilatoday.Becausethepilakill,andwe’renotheretokillifwecanavoidit.Understood?”

“Yes,sir.”Thecenturionwalkedon

totherearofthecenturytofindScorpus,hastilyinstalledintheroleofoptio,stalkingthebackline,abristlingexampleofRomandisciplinewaitingtopounceonmiscreants.Meanwhilethemedicus,Michael,hadsetupakindofopen-airhospitalfartherbackfromtheline.Hestoodreadywithblanketsandbandagesandhissurgeon’skitoftools,aswellasarack

ofvialsofpotentpainkillerdrugs,extractedfromtheflowersoftheantiforest.Hehadassistants,acoupleofinjuredlegionariesinvalidedoutofthefight,andsomeofthesoldiers’wives.Quintusnoddedtohim,andtheGreeknoddedback.Michaelwasnocoward,Quintusknew,andhewasnoopponentofthemilitary,whichhehadgrownupseeingimposeorder

throughoutasprawlingEmpire.Butnomedicus,havingtakenanoathtoatminimumdonoharm,couldrelishsuchamomentasthis.

AndstilltheIncasdidnotcome.

Quintusstalkedbacktotheleftofhisfrontline,towhereOrgiliustheaquiliferstoodwithhisstandardattheappropriateplace.Quintushadasmallfarwatchertucked

inhisbelt;heliftedtheleathertubenowtolookdownontheranksofIncawarriors,andtheircommandersattherear.Thesoldiersintheirunits,drawnupinareasonablyorderlyway,alllookedmuchthesametohim,intheirwoollentunics,theirhelmetsofsteelwithwoodenoverlays,theirarmorofquiltedcottonwithsewn-inmetalpanels.Their

helmetsespeciallyglitteredwithsilverandgolddecorations.Thecommandersattherearweregatheredaroundatableonwhichrestedsomekindofmodel.Theseniorofficersworeredandwhitetunicswithdiscsofgoldglitteringontheirchests.

“Walkwithme,”Quintussnappedtotheaquilifer.HeledOrgiliusbacktohisowncommandposition,atthe

frontrank’sright-handend.“Iknowit’snottradition,butIwantyoutostayclosetoday,Orgilius,andadviseme.Afterall,wearefightingafoeunknowninRomanhistory—except,presumably,forsomelonglostskirmishesinthemountainsofValhallaInferior,whenwepushedthesepeopleoutofthewaytogetattheXin,ourtruefoe.Andyouhavelearnedas

muchaboutthemasanyofus.”

“Yes,sir.”“Well,there’smoreof

themthanus,”Quintussaid.“That’sthemostbasicobservation.”

“Butwehavetheadvantageofposition.Andprobablyexperience.”

“Iknowthat,Orgilius.Andthere’snosignofthemusingtheirprojectile

weapons,isthere?”“No,sir.It’llbehandto

hand.Sensibleinaspacecraft;youdon’tuseprojectilesorfire-of-lifeweapons.JustlikethegreatdaysoftheEmpire.”

Quintusgrinned.“Let’shopeitstaysthatway—andthatitdoesturnouttobeagreatday,forus.Whatarethosegeneralsdoingattheback?Whatkindoftoyare

theyplayingwith?”“Themodelonthetable

istheirversionofamap,sir.Theymolditinclay,soyoucanseethenatureoftheground.”

“Hmm.Well,that’snotanentirelystupididea.”

“Theirfieldcommanderiscalledtheapusquipay.SupposedlyarelativeoftheSapaInca,sir.Theyhaveahierarchyofcommand—”

“TheIncaswould.”“—allthewayuptothe

aucacunakapu,theheadofthearmy,whoneverleavesHananCuzco.”

“Whatabouttheirforces?Theyalllookthesametomeinthoseuniforms.Exceptforthoseladswiththepaintedfaces.”

“Antis,sir.Specialistarchers.Mostoftherestareawkakamayuq,taxpayers

fulfillingtheirmit’a.Likeconscripts,orareserve.Butagain,theyhavespecialtiesdependingonwhichnationthey’refrom.Theantisusebowsandarrows,theWankacarryspearsandslings,theCuzquenoshavebolasandclubsandmaces.”

“Ah.Icanseetheweapons.Likeourspecialistauxiliaries.Youdidtellmemuchofthisbefore—”

“Italwayshelpstoseeitforyourself,doesn’tit,sir?”

“Indeeditdoes.Thecentralunitsseemtohaveamorestandardweaponskit—clubs,axes.”

“Theycalltheaxeschambis.Somehavewhipsthattheycallchacnacs.Thoseladsareprobablyhuamincas.Veterans,specialistsoldiers—notmitimacs—basednearHananCuzco,ormaybe

HurinCuzco,oratanyrateatthefeetofthehubs.”

“Allright.Butstilltheydon’tfight—we’llrunoutoflightatthisrate.”

“Sir,itmightjustbethatourtrickisworking.IfthegirlshavemanagedtocreatesomekindofrumpusupinCuzco,thetoplevelsofcommandaregoingtobedistracted,ifnotparalyzed.”

“Yes.Ihaveafeeling

thatthinkingforyourselfisevenlesswelcomeintheIncasetupthanitisintheRoman.”

“Alsotheyliketheirrituals.Beforeabattletheygenerallyhaveacoupleofdaysofsacrifices,fasting.Wehaven’tgiventhemachancetodothat.”

“I’llsendanoteofapologyonbehalfoftheEmperor.”

“Iknowhowtogetthemgoing,sir.”ItwasMarcusVinius,steppingtentativelyfromhissecondrankthroughtothefront.

“MarcusVinius!Goodofyoutowakeupandjointheparty.”

“Sorryaboutthat,sir.ButIwashavingthislovelydream.Ihadthisantiwomaninmyarms,slipperyasasnakeshewas,andthen—”

“Allright,soldier,”snappedOrgilius.“Gettothepoint.Whatareyoudoingsteppingoutofyourrank?”

“Toldyou,sir.IknowhowtogetthoseIncasmad.”Hewenttothefrontoftheridge,setdownhisswordandshield—andlifteduphistunic,exposingbarelegsabovethestrappingofhisboots.“Hey!Prettyboys!Here’swhatIthinkofyou!”

Heprancedupanddown,flashinghislegsandpullinghistongue,andthemenbehindhimhootedandjeered.

Orgiliusgrinned.“Actuallyhe’sright,sir.That’sagrievousinsulttoanyInca.”

And,indeed,QuintussawthatMarcus’santicswereevokingaresponsefromtheIncas.Someofthesoldiers,

andoneortwoofthecommandteam,werestaring,pointingattheRomans.Herubbedhischin.“Well,Achilleshadhisheel...Allright,MarcusVinius,backtoyourrank.Nowthen,frontrank,shieldsandweaponsdownontheground;yousawtheman...”Hegrabbedhisowntunic.“Followmylead.Now!”

Theentirefrontrank

baredtheirlegsandcapered,whiletheircomradesintherearranksrattledtheirswordsontheirshields,andyelledabuseinwhateverQuechuawordstheyknew.OnlyOrgilius,withhiseaglestandardonitsstaffbesidehim,stoodback,laughingwiththerest.

ItseemednotimeatallbeforetheIncas’claytrumpetsbegantobeblown,

theirsoundlikethevoicesofmonstersdriftingacrossthebroadvalley.

Quintuspickeduphisshieldandsword.“That’sit,lads.Comeatusinarush,withyourbloodup,andyourcommandersalreadyuncertainofthemselvesandnowitchingatthehumiliation...Welldone,MarcusVinius,welldone—”

“Sir!”snappedOrgilius.

“Missilesontheway!”

•••

Withoutwaitingtoseeforhimself,Quintussteppedbackintothefrontrank.“Closeranks!Shieldsup!Comeon,youslugs,move,move!”

HeheardthehoarsevoiceofScorpus,hisfieldoptio,yellingforthebackrowsto

getintoformation.Soonitwasdone—therewasaroofofinterlockedshieldsovertheRomans’heads,andawallbeforethem.

Quintuscrouchedtoseeout.Themissileswerearrowscomingfromtheright,andstonesfromtheleft,fornowfallingshort.HecalledovertoOrgilius,“Sothey’resendingintheirauxiliariesfirst.Archersandslingshots

—”“Theantisandthe

Wanka,sir.”“JustwhatI’dhavedone,

ifIhadany.”Themoodhadchangedin

heartbeats.Nobodywaslaughingnow,nobodyposturing.Themenhuddleddeterminedlyundertheirwoodenshields,eachlookingtohiscompanionsformutualaid.Quintusheardoneman

noisilyvomiting,andthatwasagoodsign;thatwasnormaltoo.Heglancedoutagain.“They’reclosing...”

Nowtheprojectilesfellontheshields,clattering,battering.Thestonesfromtheslingswereaharmlesshail,thoughtheymadeyoukeepyourshieldup,butthearrowswereheavier,andcamefromagreaterheight.ToQuintus,holdinguphisownshield,it

feltlikeeachlandedwithablowlikeapunchtohisshield-bearingarm.Theshieldshadbeenthebesthecouldgetmadeattheayllu,buttheywereonlywood,andsomeofthearrowsinthestormthatfellfoundaweakspot,oragapinthewall.Heheardtheghastly,meatysoundofarrowshittingflesh,andmenscreamedandfell—buttheranksclosedup

immediatelytoclosethegap.Flowinglikeoil,hesawwithapproval,glancingback,justlikeoil.

“Theauxiliarieshavestoppedadvancing,sir,”Orgiliuscalledthroughthenoise.“Herecometheinfantry,theveterans,rightuptheslopetowardus.Buttheauxiliariesarekeepingupthefire.”

“Thenwe’llhavetofight

withshieldsraised,”Quintusyelledback.“Hearthat,youmen?We’vetrainedforthis;youallknowwhattodo.”

“JustaswelloldTitusValeriusisn’there,though,sir,”calledMarcusVinius.“Withthatonearmofhis.Youcouldn’tevenstrapashieldtohisstump.Why,he’dbebetterofffixingittohis—”

“Allright,Marcus,”

Quintussnapped,huddlingunderhisownshield,hisarmrapidlytiringasthepeltingofarrowscontinued.“SavethejokesfortheIncaswhenwehavethemontherun.”

“Rightyouare,sir—”“Thehuamincasare

closing,”Orgiliusyelled.“Almostinrange.”

Quintusshouted,“Frontrank,ready.Makeeveryblowcount,men;there’smoreof

themthanus—fornow!Butremember,aimtoinjure,nottokill.Injure,don’tkill...”

Thatwasahardcommandforanyexperiencedlegionarytoabsorb—andthatwaswhythemen’spreciouspila,whichkilledfromadistance,hadbeenbannedforthisencounter—butQuintus,evenashehadpreparedforthisclash,hadbeenthinkingof

thelongerterm,ofatimewhenhewouldneedtoargueformercyforhislegionaries,who,afterall,werenevergoingtoleavethisplace,whatevertheoutcomeofthebattle.Iftheycouldshowrestraintnow,theymightbeshowntoleranceinthefuture.

AndherecametheIncas,atlast.

“Advance!”yelledOrgilius.“Frontrank

advance,advance!”Withtherestofthefront

line,Quintusraisedhisshieldsohecouldsee,andherandowntheslopewiththerestofthefrontrankoftheRomans,twentyorthirtypaces,shieldslowered.TheyslammedintotheleadIncawarriors.TheirsheermomentumandtheadvantageofheighthelpedtheRomanshalttheIncacharge,andeven

pushtheirfoebackwarddownthehill,backintotheirownranks,whichturnedintoaconfusedcrowdofstrugglingmen.

Thefightclosedupinastaticline,abloodyfriction.

Tryingtokeephisshieldintheairagainstthearrowsandslingshotstonesthatstillflew,Quintushackedwithhisgladioatthemaninfrontofhim,aimingforthebarelegs

underthearmoredtunic.Hestruckfleshandthemanfell—butanothertookhisplace,standingonthetorsoofhisstill-alivecomrade,andQuintusfoundhimselfparryingblowsfromalong-handledaxewithhissword.TheIncashadwhips,too,andthecrackofonesuchweaponcaughthimacrosstheback.Butthetrickwastostepinsidethearcofthewhipsoit

becameuseless,andtoclosewiththemanhimself.

Thereweremenathisbacknow,thesecondrankofRomans,notpushinghardbutyellingsupport,andproddingwiththeirswords.WhenaRomandidfall,amanfromtherankbehindsteppeduptotakehisplace,andthethirdrankfilledinbehindhim,justastheyhadbeentrained.Evenashefought,hackingat

whatfeltlikeasolidmassofIncafleshinfrontofhim,Quintuswasawareofthewiderformationofhismen,howtheykepttheirshape,thechessboardpattern,designedtogiveeachotherroomtoswingthegladio,orthrustwiththepugio.Quintuscouldevenhear,overthescreamingcacophonyallaroundhim,theraucousvoiceofScorpusstillyellingattherearrankto

keepitsformation,nottopress,tokeeptheshape,toplugthegaps.

Thisbattlewasworththefighting—he’dunderstoodthatassoonashe’dgraspedthenatureofthestrangehistory-switchingconspiracywebinwhichhumanityseemedtobeenmeshed.Alltheycoulddowasfight,intheend,heandhismen.Butifinfightingthisminiature

campaign—evenifnoneofthemsurvived,intheend—ifthelastoftheLegioXCVictrixdidsomethingtoloosenthegripofthatterribleempire-topplingabstractforceofwhichtheColUhadspoken,heknewinhisheart,inhisguts,itwasworthit.

QuintusFabius,thecommander,haddoneallhecould.He’dpreparedandequippedhismen,foundthe

bestpositiontogivebattle,ledthelinetothebestofhisability.Nowtherewasonlythefight.Aroundhimtherewasaroar,aconfluenceofwarcriesandthescreamsofthewoundedanddying,andstilltheairwasfullofarrowsandstones,anyoneofwhichcouldkillhiminasecond,andstilltheterribleerosionoftheclashingfrontrankscontinued.Inbattleitwas

alwaysthesame.Itfeltlikeatrainingexerciserightupuntilthemomentthelinesclosed.Eventhenyoufeltinvulnerable—theothermanwouldbehit,butnotyou—andyoufearedfoulingupmorethantheweaponsoftheenemy.Butthereweremomentswhenyoufacedafoe,andyoulookedinhiseyes,anditwasasifonlythetwoofyouexisted,yourwar

wasyoursandhisalone.SoQuintusslashedandstabbedandswung,andhelduphisshield,andtriedtoignorethetiringofhisarms,andthepainofthesmallwoundshe’dalreadytaken,ascrapetothebelly,anigglingstabintheshin;hewouldfightonwithhismenuntilhecouldfightnomore.

•••

TheclaytrumpetsoftheIncassounded,aghastlysound.

Thefightingcontinuedatthefront,butQuintuscouldseethattherearIncalineswerepullingback—ingoodorder,butretreatingbackdownthesteepslopeoftheridge.

Quintusyelledtohistrumpeter,“Givetheorder!Fallback!”

Therewerethreeshortblastsinresponse,andthentheRomanssteppedbackwarilyfromthelastoftheIncas.Warily,andwearilytoo;onemanstumbledoverastill-warmcorpsebehindhim.

Quintus,breathingheavily,hisgladioclaspedinhisbloodypalmasifgluedthere,soughtoutOrgilius.Themanwassittingontheground,heseemedtohave

beenhamstrung,buthehadnotabandonedtheeagle.Quintuscrouchedbesidehim.“Aquilifer?Doyouknowwhat’shappened?”

Foranswer,Orgiliuspointedtothesky.

Quintuslookedup,andsawaCondor,agreatblackbird,dippingintotheatmosphereabovehim,theleadingedgesofitswingsstillglowingfromtheair

friction.Itfiredashellthattrailedwhitesmoke.AtthepeakofitstrajectorytheshellexplodedwithacrackthatreachedQuintus’searsaheartbeataftertheflashoflight.Hewinced;hecouldn’thelpit.

Orgilius,obviouslyinpainfromhiswoundedleg,forcedagrin.“Ithinkthatwasmorenoisethandestruction.Butstill—”

“Butstill,it’saprojectileweaponofthesortthat’ssupposedtobebannedinhere.TheseInca—justliketheRomans!Youneveruseafire-of-lifeweaponinsideaspacecraft,untilyoudo.Sotheadultshaveshownup,andwechildrenmustputawayourtoys.”

“Yes,sir.”“Trumpeter!Signalthat

we’restandingdown.”

Orgiliuslookedoverthefield.“Ithinkthere’sapartyoftheirleaderscomingover,sir.”

“I’mnotsurprised.Comeon,aquilifer,let’sgetyoutothemedicus.”HegotanarmunderOrgilius’sshouldersandhelpedhimtostand,ononeleg.“You,MarcusVinius—carrytheeagleforus.We’vegotalotoftalkingtodo,Isuspect,andIneedyou

tohelpmedoit,Orgilius.Butnow,wehavetomakeourpeace.Afterall,we’venowhereelsetogo,havewe?”

“No,sir,”Orgiliussaid,“thatwehaven’t.”

“Maybeifwefoughtwellenough,they’llletusjointhehuamincas.”

“Itwasallworthit,wasn’tit,sir?”

“Iftheygotaway,Titus

andtherest.IftheMalleuswasabletopickthemup.Idon’tsupposewe’lleverknowiftheysucceededinwhatthey’retrying.Notunlesswe’rescrubbedfromhistoryaltogether.”

“Butwewouldn’tknowaboutthateither,sir,wouldwe?”

“Icertainlyhopenot,aquilifer.”

“AndasforTitusandthe

others—”“OntheirwaytoMarsby

now,Ihope.Butforusit’sbloodandbrokenheads,asever.Let’sfindthatGreekdoctorforyou;I’msurehe’shavingarelaxingafternoon...NowallI’vegottodoisfindoneoftheirgeneralstoputhisfootonmyneck.HaveIgotthatright,Orgilius?That’showtheycantellyou’ve

surrendered...”

•••

AfewdayslaterQuintus,languishinginanIncacell,receivedamessage,sentwithfarspeakerbyTitusValerius,pickedupbyalegionaryworkingonanIntiwindow,andthensmuggledtothecenturionintheIncapukarawherehewasbeing

interrogated,ornegotiating,dependingonyourpointofview.

Theplanhadworked.AndafterescapingfromtheconfusionoftheHananCuzcohub,ittooktheMalleusJesuonlyafewdaystoreachMars.

58

StefKalinskihadtobehelpedoutofthetestudorover,andthroughtheimprovisedairlockintothedomethatlong-goneIncaexplorershadsetupovertheHatchtheyhaddiscovered.Evenonce

shewassafelyinsidethedome,shestumbledandhadtobecaughtbyMardinaandledtotherestoftheparty.

“DamnMartiangravity,”Stefgrowled.“Neitheronethingnortheother,neitheraproperweightnorweightlessness,soapersonmyagecangetaroundwithoutinconveniencingherself.”

Mardinalaughed.“But,

Stef,ifyoucan’tevengetoutofthetestudowithoutastruggle,howwillyoumanagethegreatleapbetweentheworldsthrough—that?”

Stefglancedaroundtogetherbearings,hereontheMarsoftheIncas,aheavilyminedbutintactMars—veryunliketheMarsthathadbeenwreckedbyEarthshineattheterminusofthelostRoman-

Brikantihistory.TheMalleushadbeenlandedcloseby,andovertheyhadcomeinthetestudo.Asidefromtherovertracksbacktotheship,thisMars,inthisareaanyhow—acopyoftheancientlandscapeoftheTerraCimmeria—lookedpristine,toStef’seyes.Pristineanduntouched,saveforthisdamnHatchthatshouldn’tbehere,andtheunmannedemplacement

aroundit.Now,holdingMardina’sarm,StefwalkedovertotheHatchitself.

Itwasjustanotheremplacement,arectangularplatemarkedwiththecircularseamoftheHatchitself,thesurfaceblankandfeatureless,inanotherkernelfield.Justliketheoneshe’dfirstbeenbroughttoonMercurylongago,andinadifferenthistoryentirely.Justanother

mundaneimpossibility.AlreadytheMalleuscrew

hadloadedintothedomeapileofequipmentandsupplies,anonymousboxesandtrunksunderwoollenblankets,whichStefbrieflyinspected.Mostobviously,therewerenoneoftheRomans’clumsy,brass-laden,Jules-Verne-typepressuresuits.ThefeelingamongtheRomanswasthattheHatch

builderswouldn’tsendyousomewhereyoucouldn’tsurvive.Andbesides,noneoftheirsupplieswouldlastlonginanonhabitableenvironment.Itwasallornothing.Therewasastove,however,acompactsteelboxthatwouldserveasaheateroranoven,atechnologytheRomanarmyhaddevelopedforcampaignsinwintryclimes.Itwaswithoutan

obviousfuelsource—andStefwassurprised,andsomehowappalled,tolearnthatitwaspoweredbyasinglekernel,aninterstellarmiracleofdeadlypotencystuffedinsideagadgetyoucoulddryyoursockson.

Steflookedaroundatthepartygatheredhereinthedome.TheColUwasinitspackonthebackofChuYuen,ofcourse.Theother

would-betravelersincludedherself,Clodia,Titus,Mardina—andAriGuthfrithson,thedruidhfromBrikanti—and,toeverybody’ssurprise,InguillthequipucamayocfromYupanquisuyu,whohadinsistedontravelingwiththemfromHananCuzco.Ofthosewhoweren’tintendingtotravelonwardthroughtheHatch,GnaeusJunius,acting

commanderoftheMalleus,stoodby,withhistrierarchusEilidh,othersofhiscrew—andJiangYouwei.

Theyalllookedatherexpectantly.

Stefsaid,“Youallseemtobewaitingformetospeak.What,becauseI’mtheoldest?IfQuintusFabiuswashere,he’dbetakingcharge,youknow,optio.”

GnaeusJuniusshrugged.

“IamnotQuintus.IwishIwere.Ionlywishtocompletethismission.”

“Yes.Unlikelyasitseems.ItstillseemsimpossiblethatwecanhavegotthosegirlsoutoftheclutchesoftheIncasaswedid.”

“Butintowhoseclutches,”Eilidhsaid,“asyouputit,someofuswillhavetoreturn.Afterall,wehave

nowhereelsetogointhissystemsaveYupanquisuyu.”

“Youwillbemadewelcome,”Inguillsaidnow.“YouknowaboutthemessagesIsenttoCuzco,tryingtoexplainallthis...TheInca’sadviserswon’tunderstanditallnow,butwithtime,andyourhelp,andtheevidenceI’veleftbehind,itwillmakesense.IamsureQuintusFabiusandyour

companionswillbepardoned.”

Eilidhsaid,“AndwecanallbecomegoodcitizensoftheIncaempire.”

“Thereareprobablyworsefates,”Mardinasaid.“Lookonthebrightside.Atleastyou’retoooldtobecomeamummyandstuckonaledgeinthevacuumforever.”

“NoramIpretty

enough,”saidEilidhdrily.“Butyou,Inguill,”Stef

said.“You’resureyouwanttocome?Therestofushaveapersonalinvestment.IhavestudiedHatchesallmyadultlife.TheColUis—well,it’sonamission.Besides,weareallalreadydisplaced.Thishistory,thisIncaCulture,isyourhome.”

Shearchedaneyebrow.“Perhaps.Butyouknow

nothingofthecourtofCuzco.TheSapaIncaisaweakboy,andthefactionbehindhimiscrumbling.Hislifeexpectancyisnotlong—andnor,asaconsequence,isthatofhiskeyappointees,suchasmyself.That’sonereasontotrysomethingnew.

“Andbesides,IhavebeentalkingtoAriGuthfrithson.Likehim,Ihavebecomefascinatedby

themysteryoftheHatches,andwhoeveritiswebuildthemfor.Iamseduced,perhaps,bytheideaofthepowerbeingwieldedhere.Once,IneverimaginedanyentitycouldbemorepowerfulthantheSapaInca.Now...”

Stefstudiedher,andAri.“Mardinagoesinsearchofhermother.Bethwasonlytryingtogohome,asshesaw

it.Whereasyou,Ari,haveabandonedyourhome,abandonedeverythingyouknow,forthesakeofthisambition.Andyoutoo,Inguill.I’mnotsurethesearethehealthiestreasonsforprogressingwiththis.IthinkI’llkeepaneyeonyoutwo.”

“ButIgoinsearchofBethtoo,”Arisaid.“Look—Idon’tcarewhatyouthinkofme,Mardina.Yes,I’mjustas

fascinatedbytheenigmaofthejonbarhingesasInguillhere.Iwasadruidh,ascholartoo,remember.Why,ifnotforme,noneofyoumighthavehadthechancetobehereatall.YoumightallhavevanishedintononexistencewhenEarthshinetriggeredthehinge—”

“Verywell,”Mardinasaid.“You’reforgiven,

Father.Justshutup,allright?”

“Andyou,Jiang,”Stefsaid.“You’resureyouwanttostay?”

Heshrugged.“Thereismoreformehere,Stef.ThoughIfeelaloyaltytoyou,astoyourdepartedsister.JustasthesepeoplearethelastfreeRomansinanIncareality,soIamthelastfreeXin.Iwanttofindmy

people.IbelievetherearecoloniesintheYupanquisuyu.Iwouldseekthemout.”

“Thereareworsemissionsinlife,”theColUsaidgently.

Gnaeusglancedaround.“There’snoreasontodelayfurther.”

ClodiawasstaringattheHatch.“AndIthinkit’sreadyforus.”

Stefturnedtosee.TheHatchsurface,whichhadbeenblankandfeatureless,wasnowmarkedatitsrimbyastringofindentations:theimprintsofhumanhands.

59

AfterleavingEarthshine,Bethtookhertimetogetbacktothesubstellar.

Shemadeanumberofdetours,exploringthesceneryalongtheroute.Itwasn’tasiftherewasanybodywaiting

forher.Orsoshethought.Anditwasn’tasifshecouldgetlost;thesubstellarwastheeasiestplacetofindintheentirehemisphere.

Shesearchedwatercoursesandlakes,lookingfortracesofbuilders.Shefoundplentyofstembeds,ofthekindthathadsustainedbuildercommunitiesbefore.Thelittlecreatureshadbeenmodular,andassembled

themselves,literally,fromthereed-likestems,whichwerethemselvescomplicatedpiecesofbiologicalmachinery.Buthereshefoundnotraceofthebuilders,ortheirworks:theshelterstheybuiltfortheiryoung,themiddenstheyconstructedfromtheremainsoftheirdead,theelaboratedamsanddikestheybuilttocontrolthewaterflowingthroughtheir

landscapes.Shethoughtshewouldhaveallthetimeintheworldtopursuesuchinterests.Shewas,afterall,home—evenifhomehadchangedwhileshe’dbeenaway.

ShewasalmostdisappointedwhenshegotbacktothesubstellarandfoundtheHatchwide-open.

Sheunpackedherstuff,andboiledwaterfortea,and

waitedforthenewarrivals.

•••

Practicalmatterscamefirst,asever.

Itwasimmediatelyobvious,whenStefandtherestofthegroupcamethroughtheHatch,thatBeth’stwo-personbubbletentwasmuchtoosmallfortheeightofthem—ornine,ifyou

countedtheColU.So,justanhourafterTitusValeriushadledthewaythroughtheHatch,andastherainbegantofall,BethorganizedClodiaandChuYuentotakedownhertentandfixitupasakindofimprovisedroof,stretchedacrossastandofclose-growingstem-trees.Thisarrangementwouldn’tbemuchuseinastorm,Stefcouldsee,ofthekindshe

rememberedlashingthesubstellarofPerArduaevenonagoodday.AndstilllesswoulditofferanyshelterifPerArduafellintoanotherofitsstarspotwinters.Buttoday,asifinwelcomeofthenewarrivals,therainfellingentleverticalsfromacloudysky,andtheimprovisedcanopywasenoughtokeepthemdry.

Bethevenlitasmallfire

andbeganbrewingtea:teashehadgatheredherself,shesaid,fromaplantshe’dfoundgrowingwildhere,brewinginaclaypotshe’dcastherself.

“Alwaystakesawhiletoboilinanopenbowl,”shesaidapologetically.

Nobodyobjected.Thegroupwasveryquiet,infact,gatheredaroundtheunnecessarywarmthofthe

fire,astheywaitedforthetea.

Stefglancedaroundatherunlikelycompanions,relicsofmultiplecollapsedhistories,participatinginwhatshesupposedwasakindofwelcomingceremony.TitusValeriussatwithhisdaughter,wholeanedagainsthismuscularbarelegs.Titushimselflookedrestless,baffled,oddlyresentful,likea

bullinacage,Stefthought.Maybehewasstillsulkingfrommissingoutonthebattleatthehabitathub.

AndClodiawasstaringwithobvioushostilityatMardina,whowasrubbingsomekindofointmentintothebareshouldersofChuYuen.Theformerslavehadtakenhisshirtoff,andStefcouldseehowhisshouldersandchesthadbeenchafedby

frictionfromtheheavypackthatboretheColU.Stef,alreadythinkingaheadtohowtheywouldsurvivehereinthedaysandweekstocome,madeamentalnotethattheointment,whateveritwas,wouldn’tlastforever.ButtheyhadtheColU,sheremindedherself,whichfornowsatonarockofitsown,liberatedfromitscustomarybackpack,interiorlights

gleaming.TheColUwasamachinespecificallydesignedtosurviveintheconditionsofPerArdua,andwouldnodoubtbefullofrecipesforsuchthingsasskinointments...

ButStef’sold-ladymaunderingatthismomentwasmissingthepoint,sherealized,thecentralthemeofthelittlescene.AftertheiradventureatHananCuzco,

boththegirlshadbeengladtobereunitedwithChuYuen—butofcoursetherewasmoretoitthanthat.Chuwastheonlyyoungmanhere—perhapsinallthisworld—andMardinaandClodiaweretheonlyyoungwomen,thoughClodiawasafewyearsyounger.MardinaseemedclosetoChu,butStefhadnoideaiftherewasagenuinerelationshipthere.

Anyhow,whatyouhadherewasaChineseAdam—andtwoEves.

Oddly,Stefrecalled,itwasnotunliketheschemetheISFanditscontrollingUNagencieshaddrawnupfortheoriginalcolonizationofPerArdua,inadifferentreality:toseedtheplanetwithapparentlyimpossiblysmallgroups,adozenpeopleeachorso,screenedforgenetic

diversity,andletthemworkitout.Bethherselfwasasurvivorofallthat.Intheendthecolonistshadfoundtheirownway,basicallybyabandoningtheISFplanandcongregatingatthesubstellar.Buttheyhadleftbehindatrailofbloodandlustandjealousy.Troubleahead,Stefthought,justfromthedifficulttriangleoftheseyoungstersalone.

AndthentherewereInguillandAriGuthfrithson,sittingsidebysideonthefarsideofthefire,notspeaking,lookingaroundatthegroup,atBeth’simprovisedhomestead—attheforest,thetallshaftsofPerArduanstem-trees,presumablythemostalienlife-formeitherofthemhadseenbefore.Beth,whohadnevervisitedtheIncaCulture,wasastonished

bythesightofthiswomaninhercloakofhummingbirdfeathers.Inguill,lookingaroundgreedilyatthisnewworld,wouldsayonlythroughtheColU’stranslationinterfacethatshewasheretoextendthegloryoftheSapaInca.

Whatdidthefutureholdforthosetwo,InguillandAri?Theywerebothscholars,bothhighlyintelligentand

manipulativepeople.Theyhadboth,intheirseparatehistories,moreorlessdeducedtheexistenceofalternaterealitiesfromtheaccountsofjonbar-hingesurvivors,ifnotfromscrapsofevidencethey’dturnedupthemselves.Stefwonderedhowtheyfeltnowthattheirquestinghadbroughtthemtothisstrange,sparse,distant,unexpectedplace.Watching

them,sherealizedshereallyhadnoclearideawhattheywerethinking—whattheywerescheming.Pennyseemedtohavebeensuspicioustoo;shehadrestrainedArifromfollowingEarthshinethroughtheHatchonthatotherMars.ItwasastrangethoughtthatStefprobablyhadlessincommonwiththem,twofellowhumans,thanwiththeColU:

amindcalm,analytical—andloyal.

Loyal,yes.Andthatreflectionmadeherrealizethatonceagainshewasmissingacentralpoint.Ari,Beth,andMardinawerefather,mother,anddaughter.AndyettheyhadbarelyacknowledgedoneanotheraftertheinitialmomentsofshockasthegrouphademergedfromtheHatchand

thefamilywasreunited.Evennow,sittinginthislittlecirclearoundthefire,theycouldscarcelybefartherapart.NottomentionEarthshine,whowasBeth’sgrandfatherinsomesense,offtotheothersideoftheplanet.

“Families,”shemuttered.ShecaughtBethlookingatherwithagrin.“Sorry.DidIsaythatoutloud?”

“Atleastyoubrokethe

silence,”Bethsaid.“Perhapswe’reallin

somekindofstateofshock.Thishasbeenapeculiar...journey.It’sdifficulttoknowwhattosay.”

Bethnodded.“Well,then,justsaywhatyoufeel.You,atleast,havebeenherebefore,Stef.AsIhave.AndindeedtheColU.”

Thecolonizationunitsatsilently,innerlightswinking.

Bethpressed,“YouknowI’mright,don’tyou?Earthshinewouldn’tacceptit.ButyouknowthisisPerArdua.YouknewitfromtheminuteyouwalkedthroughthatHatch—asIdid,monthsback.Icouldseeitinyourface.”

Stefsighed,andlookedoutattheworld,themixofmuddyArduangreen-brownwiththemorebrilliant

splashesofEarthlife—theverticalshadowsthatwereappearingnowthattherainwasstopping,andthecloudsabovewereclearingfromthefaceoftheoverheadstar.“Yes,”sheadmitted.“Ispentenoughofmyownlifehere.IthinkIcouldevensenseitinthegravity,thatslight,peculiarlightnessyoufeel,likenowhereelseIeverwalked.Ofcourseit’sPer

Ardua.Butit’sdifferent,right?Notracesofthehumanstructuresthatusedtobehere—thiswastheUN’sadministrativecenter,afterall,andaprettywell-developedcitygrewuphere.Butthenwedon’tknowwhattimelinewe’reinnow,whatbecameofEarthandPerArdua—”

“Peoplegothere,”Bethpointedout,“fromwhatever

versionofEarth.Theymusthave.Otherwisenotea.”

“Or,strictlyspeaking,”theColUsaidnow,“noheavilyevolvedwilddescendantofateaplant.”

Stefsaidcarefully,“Sotheevidenceofmysensestellsme—yes,thisisPerArdua.Butthedifferencesaresignificant.”Sheglancedup,atthepaleimageofProximathat,asthecloudscleared,

wasbeginningtoshinethroughthefabricoftheshelter-canopy.“Eventhestarseemsdifferent,somehow,subtly.Mysenses,myperceptionoftheworld,sayonething.Butmyheadtellsmethatthisisn’tthePerArduaIknow.Notquite.”

TitusValeriusgrunted,andtookanangry,impatientswigofwaterfromaflaskdanglingfromhisheavybelt.

“Youtalkofabstractions.Thisworldisonethingoranother,itiswhatyourememberfrombefore,itisnot.Whatdoesitmatter?Wearehere,now,inthisplace.”Heglancedaroundatthegroup,attheirpitifullysmallpileofequipment,Beth’sandtheRomans.’“Ourhandsandheartsandmuscles,andtheresourceswefindaroundus—thatisallwehave.Thatis

allthatmatters.And,”hesaidpointedly,lookingatBeth,“thosewesharethisworldwith.”

Bethsighed.“Andweareallthereis.Look,Ican’tprovethatwe’realonehere.Ihaven’texploredeverysquarekilometeroftheplanet.ButwhileEarthshinewasherewediddosomeexploring,andIwalkedagoodwayofftothesoutheastwhenhebeganhis

trektotheantistellar.Ididn’tseeanybodyelse,oranytracesoftheirworks.Nothingbutthebedrockstructureswefoundburiedunderthedirthere.”She’dshownthemthesonarimagesonherslate.“I’mreadytobeprovedwrong.ButIdon’tbelievethere’sanotherhumansoulonthisworld—nobodysaveEarthshine,whereverheisnow.”

“Andhe,”Stefsaiddrily,“isneitherhumannorhasasoul.”

“Ididn’tevenfindanyevidenceofthecomplexlifewesawherebefore.WhenIwasakid.Thebuilders,thestructurestheymade,theotherlife-formslikethekitesintheair,thefish-analoguesinthewatercourses.”

“Noanimals?”Titussnorted.“Itdoesn’tsoundlike

muchfun.Youcan’thuntatree.”

Clodiapattedhisknee.“Come,Father.Lookonthebrightside.We’reRomans,theonlyRomansinallthisworld.YoucouldbetheCaesarofPerArdua.”Shewrinkledhernose.“TheworldalreadyhasaLatinname.Ineverthoughtofthatbefore.Howstrange.”

“That’salongstory,”

Bethsaid.“Ithinkmyownmotherwasresponsibleforthat.”

Titusgrowledandshookaleoninehead.“There’snovalueinconqueringawilderness.Nofarmerstotax!”

Bethsaid,“Butthere’splentyofworktodohere.I’vemadeastart,withshelter,tools.”Shegrinned.“I’vedugalatrineditch.With

eightofususingit,we’dbettergetthatextended,fast.”

“Wemustsavethecompost,”theColUsaidgravely.“Forthefarmwewillsomedaybuild.”

Bethwenton,“Thegoodnewsisthere’sairtobreathe,watertodrink—Idon’tknowifwehadarighttoexpectthatonthefarsideofaHatchonMars.There’sevenfoodtoeat.Notjusttea.I’vefound

rootvegetables,thingslikepeas,beans,squashes,evensomethinglikemaize,Ithink,butgonewild.”

AllthiswasslowlysinkinginforStef.“WildvariantsofcropplantspresumablybroughtfromEarth.FromanEarth.”

TheColUsaid,“Theycouldbedomesticatedoncemore,giventimeandpatience.”

“Time,yes.ColU,howmuchtimemustithavetakenforthevariousstrainstodriftsomuch?”

“Notlong,”theColUsaid.“Notnearlyaslongas,forexample,itmusthavetakenfortheinstallationhereatthesubstellar,whateveritwas,toerodeawaytoitsfoundationsandthenbecoveredoverbymetersofearth.Thatisabetter

indicationofduration.Therehasevidentlybeenplentyoftimehereforallthistohappen—timebehindus—evenif,asIfear,theremaybelittletimeaheadofus.”

Theyallstaredatthecomplexlittleunit,itsglisteninglights.

“Textbookenigmatic,”Stefsaid,annoyed.

Titusgrowled,“Youknow,thattwistedpieceof

junkalwaysseemssomuchlesshumanwhenitisn’tinthebagontheboy’sback.Whenyoucanseewhatitreallyis.Doyouhavesomethingyouwanttotellus,youglassdemon?”

ButtheColUwassilent.Bethbrokein,“I’lltalkto

it...Igrewupwithit,remember.We’llfigureoutwhat’sonitsmind,andwhattodoaboutit.”

“Allofwhich,”Titussaid,“islessofaprioritythandiggingthatlatrineyoutalkedabout.We’vegotspadesandothertoolsinthebundlesofgearfromtheMalleus.AtleastinthearmyIwasusedtothat.”Herubbedhisdaughter’sshoulder.“AsismyClodia,whogrewupinarmycamps.”

“Icandigaditch,”Clodiasaiddefensively.“I

wantedtobeinthearmy,beforeallthismadeamessofeverything.”

StefstudiedTitus.“Thiswon’tbethelifeyou’reusedto,TitusValerius—oryou,Clodia.”

“WecamehereinpursuitofEarthshine,”theColUsaidsimply.

“Well,that’strue,but—”“Theglassdemonis

right,”Titusgrowled.“That

wasthemissionwesetourselves.ThatwaswhatIexpected,andallIexpected.Thatremainsso.”Heglancedaround,atthestem-trees,thefaceofProximadimlyvisiblethroughthecanopy.“Andthisiswherewehavebeenbrought—whereEarthshinewasbrought.Wemustrememberwearenottheonlyagentsinthismatter.Thebeingswhocontrolthe

Hatches—”“TheDreamers,”Beth

said.“AsEarthshinecallsthem.Amongother,moreinsultingnames.”

“WebuildtheseHatches—weRomans,andyouIncas,”andhenoddedatInguill.“Butwehavenocontroloverhowtheywork,dowe?Overwhatpointstheyconnect,howtheytakeatravelerfromthisplaceto

that,oneworldtothenext.Anymorethanatrainedapeshovelingcoalintothemawofasteamenginehascontroloverthelayoutofthetrack.EvenEarthshinedoesnotcontrolthis.”

AndStefknewhewasright.Inherownrootreality,theHatchatthesubstellarofPerArduahadbeenlinkedtoaHatchonMercury,notMars.Maybeitstillwas,in

somehigher-orderdimensionality.Butforthistrip,itwasasifthepointshadbeenchanged,thetravelersrerouted...

TitusValeriussaid,“TheDreamerssentEarthshinetothisworld,thisplace—ifitisyourPerArduaornot—theycould,presumably,havesenthimanywhere.Andtheyallowedustofollow.Yes—allowed!TheDreamersare

likeouroldgods,beforethelightofJesufilledtheEmpire—jealousgodswhomeddleendlesslyintheaffairsofhumans.Wehavebeenbroughthereforareason,evenifwedon’tyetseeitourselves,fully.”Titusshookhishugehead.“WhatweRomansdohaveisasenseofmission.Ofpurpose.AsfarasI’mconcernedthatmissionremainstobefulfillled—and

ifthefirststepindoingthatistodigalatrineditch,well,thatwasthefirststepinthewinningofmostofourprovinces,Idaresay,solet’sgetonwithit.Justassoonasthatteabrews.Well,Irememberonceoncampaign—”

Everybodystoppedlistening.Bethpassedaroundcupsandbegantoladleouthertea,whichwasboilingat

last.AndSteflookedoverat

InguillandAri,whohadbarelysaidawordsincearrivinginthisnewreality.

Intheheartofthisworld,asinahundredbillionothers—

Inthechthonicsilenceofanagedplanet—

Therewassatisfaction.

TheDreamersunderstoodlittleofthebeingswhosedestinies

theymanipulated,littleenoughoftheprimaryconstructsoforganicchemistry,letalonethesecond-ordercreatureofsiliconandmetalsthathadbeenbornintheirindustries,thecreaturethathaddonesomuchdamagetotheDreaming.Unitedinwidercoherencesthemselves,theycomprehendedlittleofindividuality,ofidentity.

Itwasn’tcleartotheDreamersifanyofthesecreaturesweretrulyintelligentatall.

So,tominimizetheriskofa

mistake,theyhadallowedtheorganic-chemistrycreatureswhohadclusteredaroundtheirsilicon-metalleadertofollowittothisplace,thisultimatedestination.Perhapstheywerenecessarytosupplementitsexistence.Perhapstheyevenformedpartofitsintelligence,insomecollectiveform.Perhapsthiscompositegroupcouldyetachieveanunderstandingbeyondanyindividual,justasitwasfortheDreamers.

Inasense,TitusValeriuswasright.Thegrouphadbeengivenamission,ofsorts,bytheDreamers.ButithadnotbeencompassionthathadledtheDreamerstoreunitethisgrouponthisworldatthistime:tobringBethEdenJonesbackintocontactwithherdaughter,andthefatherofthechild.Ithadnotbeenmanipulationonahumanlevel.Ithadbeenmoreaquestionofimposingorder.Oftidyinguplooseends.

Buttimewasshort,andever

shorter.

AndtheDreamoftheEndTimewasblossomingintoactuality.

60

ThenewarrivalsagreedtolivetoaclockandcalendarbasedonwhatBethhadalreadysetup—hertwenty-four-hourcyclewassomehoursadriftoftheirs,whichtheyhadbroughtfrom

Yupanquisuyu.Butthatmeantthattheyhadtostayawakeafewextrahoursthatfirstnight,andthentheysleptuncomfortablyonimprovisedbeds,mostlyunderthecanopy.

Beth,moreusedtotheconditionsofPerArdua,washappytolieoutintheopen.And,Stefwondered,maybethathelpedhertoadjusttothiscompany,togetoverthe

resentmentshemustfeelatthissuddenintrusionintothelittleworldshehadbeenconstructingforherself—evenifherowndaughterhadbeenamongtheintruders.

InthemorningBethservedabreakfastofmoreteaandfoodfromherstock:mostlypotato,boiledanddried.Thenewarrivalsatehungrilybutwithoutrelish,andStefcouldseeBethwas

faintlyembarrassedatnotbeingabletoofferthemanythingbetter,atotallyillogicalfeelingbutunderstandable.

Titusorganizedaparty—himself,Clodia,AriandInguill—toextendthatlatrineditch.“Ithastobedone!”

AndBethledStef,MardinaandChubearinghispackwiththeColU,onashorttourofherlittle

homestead.Itwasawell-chosenspot,

Stefcouldseeimmediately.Bethhadmadehercampontopofalowrise,awayfromanyobviouswatercourses;she’dhavelivedthroughallbutthemostmonumentalfloodingevents.Buttherewasastreamfordrinkingwateronthelowergroundonlyashortdistanceaway,andaforestclumpontopof

therisethatcouldprovidefuelforburningandothermaterials.AndBethhadputinalotofwork.Inadditiontoherbubblesheltershehadalreadystartedtoconstructlean-tosandtepees,supportedbythesapling-likestemsofyoungnativetrees,andwithdeadstemswoventocreateakindofthatch.Underthelean-tos,andinholesintheground,she’dbuiltupafood

store:theremainsoftherationsshe’dbroughtthroughtheHatch,aswellaswildfoodshe’dgatheredfromthecountryside.Shewasevenbuildingakindofcart.

Astheylookedaroundthelittlecompound,StefwasremindedthatBethEdenJoneswas,afterall,apioneer,adaughterofpioneers,whohadsurvivedinthisunearthlywildernessfordecades.And

Beth,apparentlyinstinctively,hadgonetoworkapplyingallthewisdomshe’dacquiredinthosedays—wisdom,Stefsupposed,thathadbeenentirelyuselessbackonEarth,aftersheandherparentshadreturnedthroughtheHatchtoMercury.Itmusthavefeltgoodtousethoseskills,tofindpurposeagain.

Bethshowedthemherclocks.

She’dsetupawholearrayofthem,usingsandandwaterdribblingthroughfunnelswovenfromdeadstems:improvisedhourglasses,allrunningindependently.Andonatreetrunknearbyshewasnotchingoffthedays.“Ihavetwochronometers,”shesaid.“Mywristwatch,andatimekeeperinthepackEarthshinegavemefromhis

supportunit.Thishomemadestuffisforbackupsforwhenthepowereventuallyfails—”

“Timingwillnolongerbeaproblem,”theColUsaidblandly.“Ihaveinternalchronometers,which—”

“Whichwillworkuntilyourunoutofpower,”Bethsaidfirmly.“IdidlearnsomebasicdisciplinesfrommyISF-lieutenantmother,ColU.Youshouldknowthat.You

alwayshavebackups.”TheColUseemedto

chuckle,toStef’shearing.Sincewhenhadafarmrobotlearnedtochuckle?Itsaidnow,“Justlikeoldtimes,BethEdenJones.”

“Sureitis.I’maimingforbiggerbarrels,smallernozzles,thatwon’trequirerefilling—oh,forseveraldays,enoughtimeformetomakedecentexcursionsfrom

thissitewithoutlosingtrackoftime.”

“Ofcourse,”Mardinasaid,“youwon’tneedallthatnow,Mother.Notnowthatwe’reallhere.Aslongasthere’sonepersontostaybehindandtendthefireandchangeovertheclocksandwhatever—”

ShewascasuallyholdingthehandofthesilentChuYuen,Stefnoticed.She

riskedaglanceatBeth,whoraisedhereyebrowsinresponse.She’snotlettingthatboyoutofhersight,andtohellwithdoe-eyedClodia.

Bethsaidbreezily,“IfI’dknownawholegangofyouwasgoingtoturnup,I’dnothavegonetoallthistrouble,wouldI?Inthemeantime,comeseewhatelseI’vebuilt.”

Sheseemedproudofthe

plotsshe’dcleared,andstartedtoseedwithcropsofherown.“Imaynevergettoseethesepotatoesandpeasandwhatnotbecomefullydomesticated.Butit’sastart.”

“Ofcourse,”theColUsaid,“nowthatIamheretoadvise,wecanmakemuchfasterprogress.”

Bethfumed.“Moreadvice?Iwasdoingpretty

wellbeforeyouevershowedup,youclankingheapof—”

“Thework’sdoingyougood,Mother,”Mardinasaidquickly.“Ihaven’tseenyoulooksofitinyears.Orasslim.”

“Thanks,”Bethsaiddrily.

“Thecropsarealsogoingtobeausefulwinterlarder,”Stefsaid,“incaseProxeverdecidestoletusdownagain.”

“Afuturewinterisveryunlikely,”theColUmurmured,peeringfromtheslateonChu’schest,itsvoicemuffledbythefabricofthepack.“TheProximaCentauriintheskyaboveisratherdifferentfromthebeastweknew,ColonelKalinski.Muchlessirregular.Andtheincidenceofflaresmustbealotlowertoo.”

“Ifiguredthat,”Beth

said.“ButItookprecautionsevenso.”Shepointedtoastromatolitegarden,ahuddleoftable-likeformsglisteningbrowninthewateryProxlight,onlyahundredpacesaway.“Ipickedoutastormsheltertohidein—hackedawaythecarapaceinadvance.Ofcourseweneedtoextendthatsothere’sshelterforallofus.But...”Sheraisedherfacetothesky,

theheavybulkofProximadirectlyoverhead.“Idon’tknowwhat’sgoingonhere.ThisisPerArdua.ButwhyisitsodifferentfromwhatIremember?Eventhejonbarhingesdidn’tchangeEarthitselfthatmuch,asidefromwhathumanitywasabletodotoit.”

“Weareheretoseekanswerstosuchquestions,”theColUsaid.“Thatistrue

evenofEarthshine.Especiallytrueofhim,evenifhismethodofinquiryissomewhatdestructive.ChuYuen,wouldyoupleaseturnaround?Pantheslate—letmeseethesky,thelandscapefromthisvantage...And,BethEdenJones,wouldyoushowmeahandfulofthesoilyouaresoassiduouslycultivating?”

“Whydoyouwanttosee

that?Oh,verywell.”Stefwatchedtheformer

slaveswivelonthespot,slowly,evengracefully.AndMardinawaswatchinghimtoo.Hewasnineteen,twentyyearsoldnow.Havingspentafewdayswithhim,StefknewthatChuYuenwasworkingtogethisbodyinbetterphysicalcondition,andhestudied,too,readingfromslates,generallyalone.All

thiswasinorderbettertoservetheColU,hesaid.Steffeltakindoffaintechooflustofherown.Ifshecouldshaveoffafewdecades,theMardina-Clodia-Chutrianglecouldwellbecomeaquadrilateral...

Beth,hercuppedhandsholdingamassofsoil,wasgrinningatStefknowingly.

“BethEdenJones,pleaseholdthesoilupbeforethe

slate.That’sit—ah!Seethat?”

StefandMardinaclosedintosee.Somethingwaswrigglinginthedarkbrownsoil,paleandpink.Itwasanearthworm,Stefsawwithajoltofwonder.Therecouldbenothingmoremundanethansuchathing,andyethereitwasburrowingthroughthegroundonaworldofanotherstar.

“Thisisnosurprise,”theColUsaid.“ApotatofromEarthneedssoilfromEarth,whichismorethanjustdirt;soilisacomplexandnutrient-richstructureinitsownright.Doyouremember,BethEdenJones,howmyprimarydutyinthedaysofpioneeringwithyourparentswastomanufacturesoil,usingPerArduandirtasthebasis?”

Bethlaughed.“Irememberwehadtohaultonsofitwithuswhenwemoved.”

“Ievenhadaminiaturewombinmylostbody,withinwhichearthwormsandothernecessarycreaturescouldbegrownfromstemcells.OfcourseIusedthesefacilitiestobuyusacceptancewiththeRomans,ontheplanetofRomulus.

“ButIwasdesignedforPerArdua.Thatwasthen.Nowlookatwhatwefind.AsoilthatisevidentlyneitherArduannorterrestrial,asoilthatisevidentlycapable,still,ofsupportingArduanlife,likethestems,andyetanearthwormthatmighthavebeenairliftedfromaKansasfarmwrigglesthroughitwithouthindrance.”

Bethwaswide-eyed,

lookingdownatthewormwithnewunderstanding.“Youknow,whenIwasdiggingmyfieldsIforkedoverthesethingswithouteventhinkingaboutit.Yetheretheyare.”

“ColonelKalinski,howlongdoyouthinkitwouldtakeforearthwormstopermeatethecontinentsofPerArdua?Howlongforthetwoecologiestomeshinthis

way?”“I’maphysicist,”Stef

said,faintlybaffled.“Notabiologist.Ahellofalongtime,I’mguessing.”

Bethsaid,“Alotmorethanthefewdecadessincehumansfirstgothere—thefewdecadesIrememberanyhow.”

Stefsaidslowly,“InpreviousjumpsthroughtheHatches—previousjonbar

hinges—wejumpedfromlocationtolocation,mayberealitytoreality,butwithoutajumpintime.Correct?That’sasidefromlightspeeddelays.IfyoutooktheHatchfromMercurytoPerArdua,itwaslikeateleportfromworldtoworld,withasignaltakingfourlight-yearstogettoitsdestination—soyou’demergefouryearslater.”

“Andwhenwepassed

throughthejonbarhinges,”theColUsaid,“saveforlightspeeddelays,asyousay,asnearasIcoulddeterminethecalendarsalwayssynchronized.GivensomecommonstartingeventlikethefoundingofRome,wecouldalwayssynchronizeourchronologies—”

“Havewecrossedthroughtime,then?”Mardinaasked,alittlewildly.“Isthat

whatyou’resaying?Areweoffinsomefuture?Howfar?WhatwouldhappenifwetriedtogobackthroughtheHatch?And—whyshoulditbethisway?”

“Ihaveonlytentativeanswerstothosequestions,”theColUsaidgently.“Wemustwaittolearnmore.”

“OK,”Bethsaid.“Thencomeandlearnaboutthis...”

•••

Sheledthemfartherawayfromhercamp,downaslopetowardthenarrow,fast-flowingstreamthatprovidedherfreshwater.Here,bythestreambankandinthewater,stemsgrewmorethickly.

Bethpaddledoutintowaterthatlappedoverherboots,andknelttotouchabrokenstem,almosttenderly.

“OnereasonIcamebacktothesubstellartoliveisbecauseEarthlifeseemstoprosperbesthere.Well,thestuffIcouldsee—Iwasn’tsearchingforearthworms.AndIneededthat,ofcourse,tosurvive,thefoodcrops.ButifyougofartherouttherearestretchesthatcouldbetheArduaweusedtoknow,Stef,ColU.StembanksandArduanforestsand

stromatolites.Buttherearenobuilders.Notatraceofthem.Nomiddensanddams...Nokites.NoneofthecomplexformswesawwhenIwasgrowingup—hell,thathelpedussurvive.”

“NomoreMisterSticks,”saidtheColUgently.

“Whathappenedtoitall,ColU?”

Stefasked,“Couldithavebeenanotherjonbar

hinge?Iwastherewhenyouweredebriefed,remember,Beth.WhenyoufirstcamethroughtheHatchtoMercury.You’dseenevidenceofamuchhighercivilizationconstructedbythebuilders.”

“Yes.Wefoundamap,aparchmentinaHatch.Aglobalcanalnetwork—”

“Noneofwhichyousawevidenceofontheground,or

whichsubsequenthumanexplorationturnedup.Wipedoutbyahinge,maybe.Isitpossiblethat’shappenedagain,ColU?”

“Unlikely.We’veseenthatthejonbarhingestendtoredirectthedestinyofanintelligentspecies,ratherthaneliminateitaltogether.”

“Youmean,”Bethsaidsourly,“they’remadeintobetterHatchbuilders.Justas

happenedwithhumans,whatevertheculturalcost.”

“Precisely.Ofcourseit’snotaneatprocess.Thebuilderswesawseemedtohavefallenawayfromthatcapability,somewhereintheirownpast.ButIthinkwhatwe’reseeinghereisnottheproductofajonbarhingebut—”

“Theresultoftime,”Stefsaid,lookingaround,

beginningtounderstand.“Andworldstoo,theframeworkforlife,changewithtime.I’mbeingslowhere,slowtopickupyourhints,ColU.Iam,orwas,aphysicist—notanastrophysicist,butIoughttobeabletothinkabouthugespansintime,astheydid.

“Withtime—alotoftime—asdwarfstarslikeProximaage,theysettledown.

Becomemorequiescent.Planetstoolosetheirinnerheat.Volcanism,tectonicshiftstendtoseizeup.PerArduawasaprettyactiveplacewhenweknewit,Beth,andProxhelpedtoobyservingupstarwinters,flares.Butnow,it’sevidentlymuchmorequiescent.Aquieterworldunderaquietersky.Andonaquietworld—”

“Youcanliveaquiet

life,”theColUsaid.“BethEdenJones,abigbrainisexpensive,energetically.OnamorestaticPerArdua,suchluxurieshavelongsincebeenevolvedout.Theyjustweren’tneededanymore,yousee?Insteadallyouneedtodoisfindasunnyrock,spreadoutyourphotosynthesizingleaves,andbaskforevermore.”

Bethstaredaround.“So

that’swhatbecameofthebuilders?Iftheydevolved—brokebackdowntothestemstheyweremadeof—howlongwouldthattake?”

“So,”Stefsaid,“wecomebacktotimeagain,ColU.Andahellofalotofit,itseems.”

“Aclockisticking,”theColUsaidnow.“IsawthiswhenIwasabletostudytheuniverse,aboardtheMalleus

Jesu,inthegulfbetweenthestars.Echoesinthesky,ofpasteventsandfuture.”

“Whatclock?”askedStef,growingexasperated.“Whatevents?”

“BethEdenJones,youhavedoneafinejobofsurvivalhere.Butourmissionistodomorethansurvive.WemustfindEarthshine—whilewestillhavetimetodoso.AndIcan’tseethesky

fromhere.Notinthispermanentday.Imustseethesky,Imust...”

“Why?”Stefsnapped.“Becausethatismy

tickingclock.”“We’llhavetoleave

here,then,”Bethsaid.“Yes.Weneedtofollow

Earthshine,wemustmakefortheantistellar...Wemustcrossthedarkenedfaceoftheworld.We’llneedtoprepare

—warmclothes,food.Itwilltakesometime—butwemustdothisassoonaswecan.IwilltellyoumorewhenIknowforsuremyself,”theColUsaidpatiently.“Butfornow,let’sbegintoplan.Wehavealongjourneyahead...Come,ChuYuen,ifyouplease.”

AsChuturnedtobeginthewalkbacktoBeth’scamp,StefsawMardina’s

handslipintohis,andsqueezetightly.

61

WhenStefandtheothersreturnedtothecamp,andbeganthediscussionaboutleavingfortheantistellar,AridrewInguillaside.

Theywalkedawayfromtheothers,onthepretenseof

inspectingthelatrineditchtheyhadbeenworkingon.Whentheywereoutofearshot,Aripluckedouthisearpiece.“IcanspeakLatin,”hesaidinthattongue.“Canyou?”

“Alittle.”Inguillremovedherownearpiece.“Istudieditinthecourseofmyhistoricalsurveys.Andmygrasphasbeenrefreshedbymycontactwithyourgroup.”

Aritooktheearpiecesandsetthemdownsomedistanceaway.“Thenletuscommunicateinthatway.IwouldprefernottohaveourconversationpassedthroughCollius.”

Shesmiled.“IthinkIknowwhy.”

Heeyedher.“YouandIarenotliketheseothers—”

“‘Theseothers,’”shesaiddrily,“includeyourdaughter

andhermother.”Hesmiledback.“That’sa

longstory.Nevertheless,youandIseefurtherthantherest.Wewouldnothavecomeonthisastonishingjourneyacrosstherealitysheavesotherwise.IndeedIwasblocked,once,fromprogressingevenfaster,fromfollowingthisEarthshineintomystery,throughaHatchonadifferentMars.Andnowwe

arehere,inthisplace,whereveritis—”

“Whereverandwhenever.”

“Wearenotheretodigditches.”

“Iagreewiththat,”shesaid.

“Ortogrowpotatoes,orbuildlean-tos.OrtowaitarounduntilmydaughterandClodiaValeriaripeachothertopiecesovertheXinboy.”

Shelaughed.“Younoticedthattoo.Thenwhyarewehere,AriGuthfrithson?”

“Isn’titobvious?Wearefascinatedbythejonbarhinges.Wholehistoriesarebeingwipedaway,asifbythewaveofahand.Tohavesuchpower—”

“YouthinkthatiswhatthisEarthshinehasgonetoseek.”

“Isn’tthatobvioustoo?”Hiseyesglittered.“Nowmywifeandtherest,goadedbytheColU,areconsideringanexpedition.Wewillallmarchoffintothedarkandthecold.Butfirstwewillgrowmorerootvegetables,sothatwewon’tbehungry.Eventhenwewillmoveatthepaceoftheslowestofthegroup.AndallthetimewewillbeinthecontroloftheColU—”

“Whatareyousuggesting,Ari?”

Hesteppedclosertoher,closeenoughtowhisper.Hisfacewashard,determined.Shecouldsmellboiledpotatoesonhisbreath.

“I’msuggestingthatyouandIshouldleave,now.”

She’dknownthisproposalwascoming,yetherheartbeatfasterinresponse.“You’retalkingabout

walkingaroundtheworld.How—”

“Theremaybewaystomovemorequickly.WecanfollowthetrailEarthshineleft.”Hepointedtothesoutheast.“It’sclearlyvisible.Asforfood,thestoremywifehasbuiltupshouldbeenoughtosustaintwo.”

Shegrinned.“Ifstolenfromher.”

“Ifstolen,yes.The

pressuresuitshehaspreservedsinceshecamethroughtheHatchfromMarswouldprovideenoughwarmthforus,Ibelieve—itisathingofmultiplelayers,athingdesignedfortheharshnessofMars,which,evenifseparatedout,couldprotectthetwoofusfromthechillofthisplace,PerArdua.Therearetools,evenweaponswecouldtake.”

“Youwouldbetrayyourwife?”

Heshrugged.“Idon’tthinkofitthatway.PerhapsIamsavingherfromherownfoolishness.”

“Whyshouldwedothis?”

“BecauseofthepowerthisEarthshinepursues.Hugepower,forthosebraveenoughtograspit.Andworthyofit.”

Shetookabreath.“Ifeel—intoxicated.AsIhaveeversinceIstartedtouncoverthestrangemysteryofthisweavingofhistory.AsifIwereachild,plummetingdownahub-mountainglacier,outofcontrol...Wehavebothalreadywalkedawayfromourworlds,theveryrealityweknew,thehistory,theculture.Nowherewearespeakingofwalkingoffinto

thedark.Toourdeaths—orunknowableglory.”Shelookedathim.“Doyoubelievethatwhenyourhistorydied,yourgodsdied?”

Heshrugged.“IntheChristiantradition,Jesudiedandlivedagain.Andinthetraditionofmyancestors,allthegodsdie,inafinalwarattheendoftime,butanothercyclebegins.”

Shenodded.“Ourpriests

alsotalkofcyclesofcalamitiesthatpunctuatetime.Perhapsonsomedeeplevelwe,ourancestors,alreadyknewthisistrue,thismeddlingbytheDreamers—whoeverandwhatevertheyare.”

“So,”hesaid,“willyoucomewithme?Willyoudareoutliveyourgods?”

Again,abreath.“Whendoweleave?”

62

TitusValerius,likeAriandMardinaandsomeoftheothers,hadtroubleadaptingtotheunendingdayofProxima,Stefsaw.Thelegionaryfounditdifficulttostructurehisday,tosleepat

night.Buthewasinhiselement

whenitcametoplanningthetrektotheantistellar.EventhebetrayalofAriandInguill,whohadtakensomuchoftheirstockandsupplieswiththem,seemedtomakenodifference.Hehadawayofdefeatingproblemsjustbywavingthemaway.

“Sowemustwalkaroundthisemptyworld.Pah!Inmy

timeIhaveparticipatedinmarchesthelengthandbreadthofEuropa,Africa,ValhallasInferiorandSuperior,anddeepintoAsia.Marchesacrosshostileterritories,intothefrozentundrawherewildhorsemenstilllurkatthefringesofcontinent-spanningforests—andthroughValhallanjungleswhereeveryleafconcealsascorpion,whereevery

shadowislikelytoturnouttobeaskinnylittlewarriorwithablowpipe.Whatdangersdowefacehere?Thatwewilltripoveranearthworm?Wewilldothis.Iwillleadyou.Wewillmarch—andthatiswhattheRomanarmyisfor,aboveallelse:marching.Andifwehavethespareenergy,Imighthaveyouallbuildaroadwhilewe’reatit,toeasethejourneyback.Why,I

rememberonceoncampaign—”

“I’menjoyingthisperformance,TitusValerius,”Stefsaidwithagrin,“butIdon’tbelieveawordofit.Foronething,you’renotasurveyor,oramapmaker.There’sgoingtobenothingtowagewaragainstonthistrip.Thiswillbeanexerciseinplanning,TitusValerius.Inlogistics.Insurvival.”

“Survival?Inacountrywherepotatoesandbeetsgrowwild?Why,itwillbelikeastrollthroughtheestatesoftheEmperorHadrian.”

Sheeyedhim.“ColU,doyouthinkhereallyunderstandswhathe’stakingon?”

TheColUsatonthegroundbesidethetwoofthem,onablanketspreadout

overtherustydirtoutsidetheshelter.Nearby,alowfireflickered,slowlyboilingupanotherpotofwater.“TitusValeriusisabravemanandweareluckytohavehimatourside.”

Stefgrinned.“Tactfullyput.”

TitusValeriusscowled.“Youtellme,then,starlady.DescribewhatitisaboutthisjourneythatIdon’t

understand.”“Ihavedonethisbefore,

Titus.Tobeginwith,wearegoingtohavetotravelallthewayaroundhalfacircumferenceoftheworld.”Withabrokenstemshesketchedacircleinthedirt,alongsideaboldasterisktowhichshepointed.“Here’sProxima,thestar.ThecircleisPerArdua,theplanet.PerArduakeepsonefacetothe

staratalltimes.So—”ShecutPerArduainhalfwithaboldstroke,andscribbledoverthehemisphereturnedawayfromthestar.“Onehalfisalwaysindaylight,onesideisalwaysinshadow—inendlessnight.Thesubstellar,thepointrightunderthestarinthesky,ishere.”Athumbmark,ontheworld’ssurfacerightbeneaththestar.“Whichiswhereweare.Andthat’s

whythestarisalwaysdirectlyoverourheads.Theantistellarisontheothersideoftheworld.”Anotherthumbmark.“Itcouldn’tbefartherawayfromthisspot.Andtotravelthere...”Shesketchedabrokenlinestretchingaroundhalfacircumferenceofherplanet,fromsubstellartoantistellar.“Yousee?Theshortestpossibledistancewehavetotravelishalfofa

greatcircle—Imean,ifwejustheadstraightfortheantistellar.That’swithoutdetours,forsuchdetailsasmountainrangesandoceansandimpenetrableforestsandicecaps.Andthedistance—ColU?”

“PerArduaisalittlesmallerthanEarth.AroundtwelvethousandRomanmiles.”

“And,canyousee,Titus?

Halfofthatwillbeindaylight,andhalfinthedark.Sixthousandmilesacrossiceboundlandsandfrozenoceans.”

“Inthedark?”Tituswasfrowningnow.“Wherenothingwillgrow?”

“Nothingbuticiclesonyourbeard.Exactly.Nowdoyouseethechallenge?Wehadavehicle,motorized.Itwasstillgruelling.Bethhas

beenbuildingacart.”Titusnodded.“Evenif

wecompletedit,wewouldhavetopullit.Wehavenoengines,nodraftanimals.Onthemarch,withoutvehiculartransport,weexpecttocoveraroundtwentymilesaday.Sothejourneywouldtakeus...”

Stefsmiled.“Leavethementalarithmetictome.Sixhundreddays.Thebestpart

oftwoyears!”“Andoneofthoseyears

inthedarkandcold,wherenothinggrows.”

Shenodded.“It’seasyforustoexpressanambitiontoreachtheantistellar,Titus.Butitmaynotbephysicallypossible.”

Hegrinned.“Youshouldbeacenturion,ColonelKalinski.”

“Really?”

“YounevertellaRomansomethingisn’tpossible.Romansknownolimits.”

“Wehaveoneadvantage,”theColUsaid.“AriandInguillwentaheadofus,asyousay—andEarthshinewentaheadofthem.Thereoughttobeatrailwecanfollow,easilyvisibleonthesurfaceofthisstaticworld.For,evenifAriandInguillcanhavehadlittle

ideawhattheywerewalkinginto,Earthshinewillhaveknownwhathewasdoing.IhavenodoubthewouldhavecarriedafullinformationstoreonPerArdua,asexploredbyourpeople,Stef,inourhomereality.”

Titusfrowned.“Youmean,hehadmapsofthisworld?”

“Morelikeamemoryofmaps.”

TituspointedattheColU.“Andyou,demon.Doyouhaveamemoryofsuchmapstoo?”

“Inmyhumbleway,IwasoneofthepioneersofPerArduamyself.Andafterhumanity’slarge-scaleemigrationtoPerArduaImadesureIkepttrackofthelatestsurveydata,theexplorationresults.Yes,I‘remember’themaps—at

leastofPerArduaasitwas.”“Verywell.”Tituslifted

theColUbodily,andsetitattheedgeoftheblanket,facinganunmarkedstretchofdirt.“Together,youandIwilldrawamapofthisworld—thepartsIneedtoknowabout—sothatIunderstand.ThenIwilltakemydaughter,Clodia,withlightpacks,andwewillfollowthetracksofEarthshine,andAriand

Inguill,toscoutoutaroute.Meanwhile,you,Stef,willorganizethepreparationshere.Getthatcartreadytotravel.Gatherpotatoesandbeets.Growmorepotatoes!Itmaybesomeweeksbeforewearereadytoleave.Andasforthedarkside—letusgettherefirst,andthenwewillplananew.”

ShesalutedhimRomanstyle,fisttochestandthen

armraised.“Yes,Centurion!You’reright,youknow.”

“Iam?”“Ifanybodycangetusto

thatdamnantistellar,youcan.Ihavefaithinyou,Titus.Maybenotasmuchasyouhaveinyourself...Tellmeonething,though.WhyareyoutakingClodiaonthisscoutingtrip?”

Hegrunted.“Isn’titobvious?Tokeepheraway

fromMardinaandtheXinslaveboy.We’veenoughtroublesalready.Nowthen,ColU,tellmewheretobeginwiththiswell-rememberedmapofyours...”

63

IntheenditwasmoreliketwomonthsbeforeTitusValerius,havingreturnedfromhisscoutingexpeditionwithClodia,declaredthattheywerereadytodepart.

Theybrokecamp.

EverythingusefulandlightweightwasloadedontoBeth’scart,orwasstoredonimprovisedpacksonthewalkers’backs.TheyloadedasmuchastheycouldofthefoodstoreBethhadbegun,cookedanddriedandpackagedup.Titushaddecreedthattheywouldforageastheymoved,savingasmuchoftheirstoreaspossible.TheColUitselfwas

onthecarttorelieveChuofhisburden,bundledupinablanketandlashedinplace.

ThecamphadbeenBeth’shomesinceshehadfirstcomeherethroughthesubstellarHatchwithEarthshine.Stefwatchedherregretfullyclosingdownherarrayofhomemadeclocks.

AtlastSteffoundherselfhelpedupontothecart,withBethatherside.Titushanded

Stefthelightweightropesthatconstitutedthecart’srudimentarysteeringsystem.

“Thanks,”Stefsaidsourly.“Sotheoldladyisbaggageonthetrip.”

Titusscowledatthat.“Yes.You’retheoldest.You’llwalktheleast.Yourjobistocontrolthecart.ButyouwillgetoffthatcartandwalkwhenItellyou,becauseIneedyoutostayfitand

healthy.”Hehadasheafofbitsofparchmentandpaperonwhichhe’dworkedouthisscheduleforthetrip,tuckedunderhisdamagedarm.“It’sallintheplan.”

Stefsighed.“Ihatetobeaburden.”

“Justdoasyou’retold.”“Yes,Centurion!”BethheldStef’shand.“I

wouldn’tworryaboutit.Hethinksofyouasasoldier,if

maybeawoundedone,orhewouldn’tbesotoughonyou.”

Stefgrunted.“Well,Iwasmilitarymyself.Iguessyou’reright.WithmenlikeTitus,it’swhenthey’renicetoyouthatyouhavetoworry.”

“Andasforwalking...”Bethpattedtheframeofthecart.“Becarefulwhatyouwishfor.Thisismydesign,

remember,andwe’renotexactlyoverstockedwithtoolsandrawmaterials,especiallysinceAriandInguilltooksomuchofthegoodstuff.Ifthisgetsushalfwaytotheterminator,I’llbeimpressed.”

“Oh,Ithinkwe’lldobetterthanthat,”Stefsaid,thoughshespokemoreinhopethanexpectationasshelookedbackatthecart.

Thebasisofitwastheframeof“wood”—actuallysplit-opentrunksofstem-treesfromthesubstellarforest—lashedtogetherwithropeandvinesthatBethhadbeguntobuild.Itrodeonwheelsofwoodrimmedwithrope.Rimsofsteelorironwouldhavebeenbetter,buttheydidn’twanttotakethetimetobuildaforgetoachievethat,andthey’d

broughtsparewheels.Inaddition,theColUhad

orderedthatsled-likerailsshouldbefixedtothecart’sunderside,anobviouspreparationfortheicydark-sidejourneytocome.And,underthedirectionoftheColUandTitus,thecarthadevenbeenmadereadytoserveasashallow-draftboat.Thesideshadbeenbuiltupandthewholehadbeenmade

waterproof,withacoatingofthemarrowthatyoucouldextractfromanystemorthetrunksoftheforesttrees.The“marrow”wasn’tmarrowbutacomplexorganicproductinitself,capableofakindofinternalphotosynthesisbasedontheabundantheatenergyavailablefromProxima.Thetravelersdisregardedthisbiologicalmiracle,andwereonlyinterestedinusingitasa

kindofstickygunktosealcracksintheircart.

Stefthoughtitwasallamarvelofimprovisationandingenuity,buttheycouldonlyhopetheirpreparationswereadequatetomeetthechallengesahead.

Atlasttheywerereadytogo.UnderTitus’sroughdirection,theyformedupintoakindofcolumn.Thecart,ofcourse,neededpushingand

pulling,andTitushimself,Clodia,MardinaandChuwereassignedtothatduty,twoahead,twobehind.They’dhavesomehelpfromBeth,butshewassparedtheworstofthework.Inherlatefifties,shewasbeingtreatedasanotherhonoraryoldlady,toBeth’sirritationandStef’samusement.

“Thisisit,then,”Tituscried.“Ajourneyaroundthis

strangeworld—ajourneythatbeginswithasinglestep.”Hedrewhispugio,hisdagger,andhelditaloft.“Areyoureadyforwar?”

“Yes!”“Isaid—areyouready?”“Yes!”“Thenweadvance!”He

settledintohisownpaddedharness,positionedhisdamagedarm,andleanedintothetraces.

Thecartjoltedintomotion,nearlythrowingStefoffintheveryfirstmoment.

Soitbegan.

•••

TitusandClodiahadscoutedouttheirroutewell.ItroughlytrackedthetrailcreatedbyEarthshineandthenfollowedbyAriandInguill,butfromthe

beginningitwasalmostalldownhill—oratleastonagentledecliningslope—andledthroughreasonablyopencountry,followingthewatercoursesthatthreadedawayfromthehighgroundofthesubstellarplateau.The“draftanimals”seemedpleasantlysurprisedtofindthattheexercisewasn’tashardastheymighthavefeared,althoughStefkepthermouth

shutaboutthat,giventhatshedidn’thavetoshareinthelabor.

Tituscalledahaltafteraboutaquarterofanhour,sothatpeoplecouldmakeminoradjustmentstobootsandharnessesandotherbitsofclothing.Thentheypressedonforanotherhalfhour,untilTituscalledanotherstopforwater,andthenanotherhalfhourwhenherotatedthe

crew,withBethslippingintothetracesvacatedbyMardina.

Afterjustthreehours—Stefguessedthey’dgoneonlyfiveorsixmiles—Titusdecreedthattheyweredoneforthefirstday.

Therestwereanxioustokeepmovingnowthey’dstarted,withthethousandsofmilesthatlayaheadofthemweighingheavilyontheir

minds.ButTituswasnothingifnotanexperiencedmarcher,andheknewwhathewasdoing.Hehadthemallstripofftheirboots,bathetheirfeetinastream,andthenslipintotheloose,opencampsandalshe’dhadthemmake.Thisfirstday,unpracticed,itwouldtakethemlongerthanusualtomakecamp,togetintotheroutineofdiggingalatrine

ditchandgatheringfoodandcollectingwater,andTituswantedtobesuretheydidallthisproperly.AlsoTituswantedtocheckoverthecart,toseeifitwaspassingthisultimatetestofroadworthiness.Theyhadsparepartsandpotsofmarrowtofixupobviousflaws.

“Comeon,comeon!”Tituschivviedthemasthey

gottowork.“WhenRomanlegionariesareonthemarchtheysetupcampeverynight—”

“Suretheydo.”“Andyoudon’theara

wordofcomplaint—”“Sureyoudon’t!”“Why,Irememberonce

oncampaign—”“Saveit,TitusValerius!”Oncethelaborofthe

campbuildingwasdone,and

theyweregatheredaroundthefirethey’dbuiltforthenight,StefcouldseethewisdomofTitus’smanagement.They’dallencounteredunexpecteddifficulties,evenifStef’shadbeenonlythelackofacushionunderherbonybehind.Andtheywereallmoretiredthanthey’dexpectedtobe.Butthey’dgotthroughtheday,they’ddone

everythingTitushaddemandedofthem,andtheyknewnowtheyonlyhadtorepeatthisroutineinthedaystocome.

Beforetheybundledupundertheirblanketsandclothingheapstosleep,huddlingtogetherunderBeth’sstretched-outtent,Tituscamearoundonemoretime,accompaniedbyClodiawithasimplemedicalpack.

Thelegionaryinsistedoncheckingeverybody’sfeet,forbruises,chafing,incipientblisters.“Nowthatyou’reallsoldiersonthemarch,you’lllearnthatyourmostimportantitemsofequipmentareyourfeet.Lookafterthemandtherestfollows.Andthesooneryou’reallcapableofdoingthisforyourselves,thebetter.”

“Goodnight,Titus

Valerius.”“Goodnight,

auxiliaries...”And,afterTitushaddone

hisround,Stefheardrustling,sawshadowsslipthroughthedimlightunderthecanopy.Theywereunmistakable:ChuYuenandMardinaEdenJonesGuthfrithson,clutchingblankets,handinhand,makingtheirwayoutfromunderthecanopyandintothe

shadeoftheforest.

•••

Thenextdaytheymadebetterprogress.Andthedayafterthat,betterstill.

Stefmadeadeliberateeffortnottocountthedays,noteventotrytoestimatethedistancetraveled.SheknewshecouldleavethatkindofmanagementtoTitusandthe

ColU.Andbesides,shesleptbetterifshetriednottothinkaboutthemonumentaljourneyahead.Shethoughtofthisasanewwayoflife,alongtunnelofroutinethatwasgoingtofillherdaysfortheforeseeablefuture.Sleep,breakcamp,march,makecamp,sleep...Withoutbeginning,andwithoutend.

But,gradually,thecountrybegantochange.

Theydescendedfromthesubstellarhighground,andthehaulersbegantolosethebenefitofthedownwardslopesTitushadcunninglyscoutedforthem.Ontheotherhand,theweatheronthelowerground,awayfromthepermanentlow-pressuresystemoverthesubstellarpoint,becamemilder,lessturbulent.Daybydaytherewaslesswindandrain.And

thevegetationaroundthemresponded.Nowthebrokenforestthatcharacterizedtherelativelyunsettledsubstellargavewaytomoreopencountry,withforestclumpsseparatedbybroadswathsofground-hugging,light-trappingvegetation.

Duringthelonghoursbetweenthedays’marches,theColUhadChucarryitoutintothecountryawayfrom

thecamptoinspectthechangingterrain.Outofcuriosity,andwhenshehadthestrength,Steffollowedthem—oftenwithBeth,whowascurioustoseemoreofwhathadbecomeofthisworldthatshestillthoughtofashome.

Attheendofoneunremarkableday,theywalkedsidebysideoveraplainalmostcoveredin

sprawlinggreenleaves,liketremendouslilies,Stefthought.Systemsofthreeleavesunitedatacentralstem,coveringtheground,andbaskinginProximalight.Whenshekneltdowntolookclosershesawthattheleaveswerefirmlyanchoredtothegroundbyfinetendrils,coveringeverysquarecentimeter.Nocompetitorwasgoingtoswipethis

plant’sgrowingspace,thisshareofthestarlight.ItwasaveryArduanscene.Butwhenshedugherhandintothegroundbeneaththeleaf,shecameupwithwhatlookedlikeanauthenticsampleofterrestrialsoil,completewithanearthworm,athinglikeawoodlouse,andothercreepingterrestrialcreatures.

Astheywalkedbacktocamp,Stefgraduallygota

broadersenseofthewiderlandscape.Withthestarstaticoverhead,andeverysquarecentimeterofgroundcolonizedthicklybythegreenoflife,thispartoftheworldwaslikeahuge,collective,cooperativesystem,optimizedovertimetoextracteveryscrapofenergyfromthelightfallingfromthesky.Steffeltasifshewereinsomehuge

greenhouse,oldanddecayed,theglasschokedbylichen,mossandweeds—withhereandthereavividsplashofEarthlifeembeddedintherest.

•••

Inthemiddleofthenextdaytheycametothebankofariver,wide,placid.

Stefclamberedoffher

benchandhobbledovertoTitus.Hewasstandingwithhisonegoodhandonhiship,staringoutatthewater,grinning.“ThisisasfarasIcamewithClodia,duringourscoutingtrip.Well,Ijudgedweneedcomenofarther.Thisriverclearlyflowsoutofthesubstellarpoint,”andhewavedhishandbackinthedirectionofProxima,“and,nodoubtfedbymany

tributaries,continuestoflowinaroughlysoutheasterlydirection.Well,youcanseethat.Now,Stef,tellmeI’mnosurveyor.Madam,IpresentahighwayasstraightandtrueasanyRomanroad.Andnow,foratimeatleast,wecanallrideincomfort,asyouhavebeenallthewayfromourfirstcamp.”

“Ayeaye,cap’n.”“Ibegyourpardon?”

“Iimaginethatdidn’ttranslate...”

Theymadecampintheusualmanner.Thentheygottoworkreassemblingtheircartintoasmallboat—detachingthewheelsandaxles,goingoverthesealswiththeirmarrowcaulking,anddiggingoutpaddlesthey’dcrudelymadefromdeadstemslashedupwithrope.

Inthebreaks,theytookadvantageoftheriver,washingtheirfeetandclothes,dunkingtheirwholebodiesluxuriouslyinwaterthatranrefreshinglycool.ButTitusbannedanyswimming.Thoughtheriverranwithastrongcurrent,itwasobviousthatthebedwaschokedwithlife,andhedidn’twantanybodygettingcaughtupinthat.

Ittookthemforty-eighthoursbeforetheywerereadytoembark.Aftersolongontheroad,manydaysalready,theyhadalllearnednottorush.

Aswiththeirfirstday’swalk,Titusdecreedthattheirfirstjauntintheboatwouldbeashortone,toensuretheyironedoutanyflaws.Hemadesurethatthosetowhomheentrustedthepaddleshad

fabricwrappedaroundtheirpalmsforprotection,andponchosimprovisedfromlightweightsurvivalblanketstokeepoffthespray.Theyevenhadtoweartheirlightcampsandals,sothattheirboots,preciousitemsofequipment,couldbebundledinwaterproofs.ItwasalldetailwithTitus,Stefobserved.

ItvisiblyinfuriatedTitus

that,lackinganarm,hecouldn’tmanageapaddlehimself.Butheinsistedonridingatthestern,whereacruderudderhadbeenattached.

Oncetheywereallloadedaboard,theirstufflasheddown,Chushovedthemofffromthebankwithamightyjabofhispaddleagainstarock,andtheydriftedouttowardthecenter

oftheriver.Tituswasatthesternwithhisrudder,Stefattheprowwithherbacktotheriver.Ofthefourrowers,ChuandClodiasattogethertoStef’sright,andBethandMardina,motheranddaughter,toherleft.Forthefirstcoupleofmilestheywereallsilent,saveforTitus’scurtcommands:“That’sit,we’llkeeptothecenterwhereit’sdeepest...

Paddleabitlessvigorously,ChuandClodia—you’retoostrongandyou’reshovingustothebank.We’llbalanceyouupbetterwhenwestop...That’sit...Ifwecanletthecurrenttaketheboatawaywithoutushavingtodoanyworkatall,I’llbehappy...”

Steffoundherselfanxiouslywatchingthedeckunderherfeet,lookingfor

leaks.Shehadcrossedinterstellarspaceinkernel-drivestarships,andhadevenwalkedbetweenrealitiesthroughatechnologythatwasentirelyalien.Andyetarideinthisramshacklecraft,withjustafewmetersofwaterbeneathher,wassomehowmoreterrifyingthanallofthat.

Buttheyhadn’tgonefarbeforeshewasdistractedby

theatmosphereintheboatitself.MardinaglaredatChuandClodia,andClodiaglaredback.

“Ouch,”Stefsaidatlength.“Ineverheardasilencesoloud.Whatthehell’sthematter?”Butofcoursesheanticipatedthereply.

“Her,”Mardinaburstout,pointingafingeratClodia.

Clodialookedreadyto

leapacrosstheboatandtakeherrivalon.

“Sitstill,”Tituscommandedhisdaughter.“Wieldyouroar.Youtoo,Mardina.Snarlateachotherifyoumust,butyouwillnotimperilthisvessel...What’sthisabout?”

Clodiaglared.“Doyoureallynotunderstand,Father?”

Titussighed.“Beingnot

entirelywithoutsenses—yes,Mardina,Chu,I’veseenyoutwosneakingoffinthenight.”

Chuhunghishead,Stefobserved,asifhewerestillaslavewhohadbeencaughtdoingwrong.

“But,”Titussaidheavily,“thatdoesn’tmeanyou’relovers.Justbecauseyousleeptogether.Imean,Irememberonceoncampaign—”

Clodiagrowled,“Oh,Father.”

“Well—whetherornot,Mardina,Idon’tseewhatyourproblemiswithClodia.”

Mardinaflared.“Youseeussleeptogetherbutyoudon’tseewhatshe’sdoing?Thewayshe’ssittingbesidehimnow.Thewayshelooksathim.Leansagainsthim.Holdsontohisarmwhentheboatrocks—”

“Don’tbeabsurd.”“Actually,Titus,”Beth

saidwitharuefulsmile,“Inoticedthesamething.Idon’tthinkthere’sanymalice,though,Mardina.Idon’tthinkshecanhelpit.Look,girls,theproblemisn’twiththetwoofyou,orwithChu.It’sjustthatthere’sonlythethreeofyou,threeyoungsters—inthisboat,onthiswholewretchedplanet.

Thisproblemwasalwaysgoingtocomeup.”

Mardinaglaredather.“Oh,howhelpfulthatis,Mother.Sowhatdoyousuggestwedo?KilleachotheroverChu,thewaythosecolonistsdidonPerArdualikeyou’realwaystellingme?”

“Ideallywewillavoidthat,”Titussaidwithadangerouscalm.“Butwhile

youthreeworkitout,herearethemilitaryrules.We’reonamissionhere.Andwealsofaceachallengetosurvive,assimpleasthat.Youthreecanbed-hopasmuchasyoulike,”andhekepthiseyesavertedfromhisdaughterashesaidit.“Butifyoucometoblows,ifIgetahintofasniffofsuspicionthatyou’reputtingusallindanger—why,then,I’llputastopto

thewholebusiness.I’llcutyourpeckeroff,slaveboy,andskinitanduseitasawindsock.Let’sseetheseyoungwomenfightoveryouthen.”

Chuseemedtothinkthatover.“Itwouldbeabigwindsock,sir—”

“Shutup.”Foratimethey

progresseddowntheriverinsilence.

Then,frominsideitswaterproofwrapping,theColUspokeup.“Well,thisisawkward.Shallwesingasong?There’soneyoumayremember,Beth,fromyourchildhood,withYuriEdenandMardinaJones—notthatwehadaboatinthosedays.Row,row,rowyourboat...Come,pleasejoinin...”

Astheydriftedondowntheriveritsvoiceechoed

fromthelife-chokedwater.

64

Withtimethegreatwaterwaybroadenedanddeepened,withmanytributariesflowingintoitfromthesurroundingland,justasTitushadpredicted.

Thentherecameaday

when“their”riverpassedthroughaconfluenceandbecameatributaryofamuchwiderriverstill.Soontheflowwassowidethatitwasdifficulttomakeoutthefarbank.“Weluckedout,”Stefsaid.“WefoundthelocalMississippi.”Butofhercompanions,onlytheColUandBethknewwhichrivershemeant,andevenBeth,Arduan-born,wasn’tsure.

Titusinsistedthattheyshouldstayclosetothebank,fearingstrongercurrentsinthemiddleofthechannel—and,justpossibly,moreaggressivelife-formsthanthey’dyetencountered.Evenso,theysweptonwithwhatfeltlikeever-increasingspeed.

Withoutthephysicaleffortofthemarch—thehardestworkwasthedaily

laborofhaulingthecraftupthebankforthenight—andwithProximasinkingalmostimperceptiblyslowlyintheskybehindthem,thedayspassedinevermoreofablurtoStef.EvensoitwasasurprisewhentheColUannouncedthattheyhadalreadybeentravelingforsixtydays.

Thecharacterofthelandscapearoundthe

riverbankswaschangingoncemore.Muchofthevegetationwaswaisthigh,andStefwasremindedoftheprairiesofmiddleAmerica—orrather,ofmuseumreconstructionsshe’dseenofsuchecologiesasthey’dbeenbeforetheclimateJolts.WiththeaircoolerandProximalowerstill,theground-blanketing“lilies”werenolongersosuccessful,andplantsthat

boreleavestiltedtowardthestardidbetter.Therewereeventreeshere,ortree-likestructures,withbigleavescompetingforthelife-givinglight,somestubbyandfern-like,somequitetallandrisingabovethe“prairieflowers.”Butinthismoreopencountrysometerrestrialplantsfaredbettertoo,andthetravelersgratefullyscoopeduphandfulsofwild

potatoes,yams—evengrapesfromvinesthatgrewlacedoverArduantrees,acooperationacrossthetwospheresoflifethattheColUsaiditfoundpleasing.

TheColUneveraskedforstops.Itseemedtooawareofthepressureonthemalltomakegoodprogress,andtopushonwiththejourney.Butsometimes,duringtheir“night”stops,itwouldask

Chu,orperhapsBethorStef,totakeittositesofparticularinterest.Suchasexposedrockformations—whichwererare;thisArduancontinentwaswornasflatastheinteriorofAustralia.AndtheColUwouldaskforsamplestobetaken,forfossilstobesought.

“You’llremember,BethEdenJones,howfrustratedIusedtoget!Thisplanetwasoncesoactive,chunksofits

surfaceforeverchurningup,thatanyfossilsweredestroyed,theverylayerstheyhadformedindisrupted—thewholefossilrecordwasamess.Nowthattheworldissomuchmorequiescent,there’satleastachanceoffindingsomekindofdecentrecord,atleastofcomparativelyrecentlife-forms...”

Butalliteverfoundwere

whatlookedtoSteflikemattedbanksofreeds,compressedintothesandstoneandpetrified.Iftherewasnosignificantchange,noextinctionorevolution,shesupposed,youweregoingtogetafeaturelessfossilrecord,nomatterhowwellpreserved.Nothingbutstemsfor—howlong?Millionsofyears?

WhatStefdidnotice

herself,andshediscusseditwiththeColU,wasanutterlackofevidenceoftheworksofhumanity.

“Weknowpeoplewerehere,once,onthisPerArdua.Right?Thepotatoesandthegrapevineswouldn’tbehereotherwise.Butwherearetheirtowns?Oh,thebuildingswouldburndownandcrumbleaway,butwherearetheirfoundations,andthe

wastedumps,andtheoutlinesoffarmers’fields?Wherearetheremainsoftheirroadsandrailtracks?Wewereonthewaytosettingupfarmsandminesallthewaytotheterminator.Butit’salljustasitwasatthesubstellar—gone.Howlongwouldittaketoerodeallthattodust,ColU?”

But,asalways,theColUrefusedtospeculateabouttime.“Wewillknowsoon

enough,”itsaid.“AssoonasIseethedark-sidesky.Wewillknowhowlongthen.”

OncetheColUaskedtobetakenintoastromatolitegarden,wherethosecomplicatedmoundsofbacteriallayers,eachaboutchesthigh,weregrowingtogetherinaclosecrowd.

“OfalltheArduanlife-formsIhaveobserved—saveonlythebuildersthemselves

—thisisperhapsthemostcharacteristic,”theColUsaidhappilyfromitspackonChu’sback.“Andthemostenduring.Here,beforealltherest,probably,andstillgrowingstrong,evennowintheenddays.”

AndStefwondered,Enddays?

“Yet,”theColUsaidnow,“thereseemstobesomethingsubtlydifferent

aboutthesespecimens.Beth,Chu,doyouhaveknives?”

IthadBethsliceopenoneofthestromatolites,throughitscarapaceandthicktrunk.Withinwasagreenishmush,vaguelystratified.Bethduginwithherhands,butyelped,“Ow!”andpulledbackquickly.“Somethingbitme...”

ShecalledChuandStefover,and,morecautiously,

theydismantledtheslimyinteriorofthestromatolite,chunkbychunk.

Thentheyfoundtheants’nest.Blackbodies,big,eachmaybeathumb-jointlong,cameswarmingoutinprotestattheintrusionofdaylight.

TheColUseemedthrilled.“Howwonderful!Moreecologicalintegration,morecooperation.Perhapstheterrestrialinsectsfeedoff

detritustrappedinthelayersofthegrowingstromatolite.Andthestructureasawholemustbenefitfromtheinternalmixing-upoftheinsects.Twolife-formsoriginatingonworldslight-yearsapart,evolvingwaystoliveandworktogether,forthebenefitofall.”

“Iexpectthere’samorallessoninallthis,”Bethsaiddrily.

AgainStefwasleftwithmorequestionsthananswers.Yes,shecouldunderstandtheevolutionofacooperativecommunitylikethis.Buthowlonghadthatevolutiontaken?Time—thegreatmysteryofthisnewPerArdua.

Theycleanedofftheirknives,packedthemushyorganicmaterialbackintothewoundsthey’dcreated,and—

withonelastsilentapologyfromSteftothemutilatedstromatolite—theyreturnedtotheirriversidecamp.

•••

Ninetydaysoutfromthesubstellar,theirfaithfulriveratlastflowedintoabroaderbodyofwater,alakeperhaps,maybeevenasea.Itwaswide,stretchingbeyondtheir

horizon,andchokedwithgreenlife.

Theydecidednottotrytocrossitintheboat.Sotheycampedonshoreforacoupleofdayswhilereassemblingtheirboatintoacart,andbegantheprocessofhaulingtheirwayaroundthelake,hopingtofindawaytocontinuesoutheast,followingtheirgreatcircle.Thehaulersgrumbled,andTituschided

themfortheirlackoffitnessaftersomanydaysontheriver.

Afteracoupleofdaystheycametowhatappearedtobeabroadisthmus,aneckoflandseparatingtheirownlakeandaneighborthatlookedevenmoreextensive.Theisthmusledtowhatappearedtobehighergroundtothesoutheast,denselycarpetedwithforest.

Withreliefthattheywereabletoresumetheirsouthwesterncourse,theycontinuedacrossthisnaturalbridge.Titusstrodeboldlyattheirhead,haulingonhisharnesswiththevigorofamanhalfhisage,Stefthought.Hewasmagnificentinthissetting,withthelightoftheslowlydescendingProximaglimmeringonthewateraroundhim,andcasting

anever-lengtheningshadowaheadofhim:hewasthelastoftheRomans,pursuingonelastimpossiblemission.Notthatshewasabouttotellhimso.

Theyreachedthebankofforestatthefarsideoftheisthmus.Comparedtothesubstellarforest,thiswassparse,patchy—but,inthelongshadows,quitegloomy.TitusandClodiaspentaday

scoutingoutalikelyroute,andsettledonanotherwatercourse,headingsouthfromtheisthmusandcuttingatrackthroughtheforest.

Ontheymarched.AsProximalostevermoreheightinthesky,sothenatureofthevegetationaroundthemchangedagain.Thetreesgrewtallernow,withbigflaringleavesthatstrainedtothenorthwest

towardtheloweringstar,andattheirfeetthegatheringshadowswerebrokenbyagreenishglow,reflectionsfromthehugesprawlingtripleleaves.Insomeofthesepoolsofilluminationtheyfoundtermitemounds,familiarfromEarth,feedingoffthereflectedlightofanotherstar:anothercuteexampleofthecooperationofinterstellarlifeinthisstrange

environment.Theyreachedyetanother

milestone:ahundredandtwentydayssinceleavingthesubstellarcamp.WhenSteflookedbackshesawthatthediscofProxima,dimmedandbloatedbyrefractioninthethickeningair,nowtouchedthehorizon.Andwhenshelookedaheadshecouldseesplashesoflight,islandsinthesky.Sherememberedthis

fromherlastjauntacrosstheterminator,withYuriEdenandLiuTao,longago.ShewasseeingthelightofProximacatchingthepeaksofmountains,whiletheirbaseswereinpermanentnight,theshadowoftheplanet.

ThatwaswhenMardinaannouncedshewaspregnant.

65

Theybuiltacampinavalleyoftwilight.

Theyhadwalkedintotheshadowoftheworld,Stefrealized.Thesky,ladenwiththickcloud,waspitch-black.Theonlylighttheyhad,save

fortheirowntorches,camefromthemountainthatloomedoverthisvalley,wornbytimebutstillsotallthatitssummitandhigherflanksweresplashedbysunlight,andsomeofthatdaylightreflectedintothevalleybelow.Stefsuspectedtheyhadstalledinthislastscrapoflight,beforepenetratingtheinterminabledarkahead,forreasonsofinstinctas

muchaslogic;theycouldn’tbeartoleavetheunendingProximadaybehind.

TitusValerius,asalways,tookcharge.Firsthehadthembuildacamponarockyoutcroprisingfromthegenerallymuddyground—anditwouldalwaysbemuddyhereattheterminator,theColUhadwarned,whenitwasn’tsnowingoricebound.Italwaysrainedatthe

terminator.Aswarmairfromthedaysidespilledoverintothechillofendlessnight,itdumpeditsmoisture,andthegroundeverywherewouldbewaterlogged.Butatleastonthisrocktheycouldbuildafire,andsleepoutofthedamp,andkeepanyrainoffwiththeirtentcanopysupportedbyaframeofstem-treetrunks.

Then,oncetheywere

established,Titusgatheredthemintheglowofthefire.Inthedeepeningcoldtheywerealreadywearingextralayersofclothing,stuffedwithpadding;theyalllookedfatandclumsy.

“We’vedonewellsofar,”Titussaid.Ashespoke,heladledoutastewofpotatoesandcabbage.“Mostlythankstotherivers.Ahundredandtwentydaysto

theseshadowlands,fasterthanIanticipated.Butwe’vestillgotthesamedistancetocrossagain,andinthedarkandthecoldalltheway,asIunderstandit.Yes?”Helookedaroundatthemsomberly.“Someofyouknowthisworld;Iwasneverherebefore.SittinghereIfindmyselfuncertainaboutwhetherthismissionwillevenbepossible,thesixofus

draggingacartthroughthedarkforthousandsofmiles.Well,wemustdothebestwecan.Justasweplanned,wewillnowconsideroursituation,andpreparefortheadventureahead.”

Stefsmiledathischoiceofwords.Adventure,notordeal.Themanwasanaturalleader.Lookingaroundthegroup,shesawthatheheldeveryone’sattention—

everyonesaveMardina,perhaps,whoseemedunabletoeatthecabbage,andwasfoldedoveronherself,herkneesdrawnuptoherchest.

“Therearesixofus,plustheColU,”Titussaidnow.“Fourofyou,allsavemyselfandClodia,willmakeonelastefforttogathersupplies.Clearlynothingwillgrowontheiceofthedarkside,Iunderstandthat,soyoumust

gatherwhatyoucanfromthenearsidevegetationthatgrowsinthesunlitareasalittlewayback,orevenontheilluminatedpeakaboveus.Bythetimeweleave,ourcartmustbefull,ourpacksbulging.Perhapswecanfindawaytoreducemoreofthefood,toboilit,compressit.Ifthechallengeistoomuch,wecandothismoregradually,settingupaseriesofcaches,

pushingdeeperintothecold.”Stefputin,“Atleast

we’llhavenotroublewithwarmth,thankstotheRomans’kerneloven.Therewillbenotreesgrowingonthefarsideice,nofuelforfires.”

“True,”Titussaid.Bethsaid,“Sowhile

we’reforagingandboilingpotatoes,youandClodia—”

“Wewillbescouting,”

Titussaidwithagrin.“We’llgoexploringintothedark,alittlewayatleast.Lookingforarouteforward.Andlookingforawaytoshortenthistrip.”

Bethfrowned.“Howwouldthatbepossible?”

“I’venoidea.Butthen,I’veneverbeenherebefore.”HeglancedattheColU,whichsatonafolded-upblanket.“And,inasense,

neitherhaveanyofyou,since—ifIunderstandyourhintscorrectly—somehowagreatspanoftimeseparatesthisworldfromtheoneyouknewbefore.Whoknowswhatmighthavehappenedinallthattime?PerhapsPerArduahaditsownRomanswholeftbehindaroad,straightandtrueasanarrow,leadingusstraighttotheantistellar.”

Stefsmiled.“Isuppose

it’sworthalook.”NowTitusturnedto

Clodia.“AndIwillhaveyouatmyside,child,becauseyouwillbeavaluablecompaniononsuchamission.I’veseenenoughonthisjourneyalreadytoknowthat.”

“Thanks,”Clodiasaidflatly.

TituslookedatMardina.“ThealternativeisforyoutostayhereandassistMardina.

YoumayimaginehowmuchIknowaboutpregnancies.PerhapsitwouldhelpMardinatohaveanotheryoungwomanatherside.”

Mardinalookedbackathimbleakly.“Forgetit.Mymother’shere.AndStef.”

“Andme,”theColUsaid.“Remembermyprogramming.Iwasdesignedtofulfillthemedicalneedsofagrowingcolony.IndeedI

administeredthebirthofBethEdenJonesherself,manyyearsago.WhileIamnolongercapableofpracticalintervention,Ican—”

“Youcanshutup,”Mardinasnappedatit.“That’swhatyoucando.Idon’tneedanything.Notyet.”

TitusglaredatherandatClodia.“Atanyrate,yourrivalryovertheboy,Chu

Yuen,isover,atleastfornow.Yes?Whenthebabycomes,youcanworkoutforyourselveshowyouwanttoorganizeyourlives,andyourloves.”

Stefsmiledathim.“TitusValerius!I’mshocked.IthoughtyouuprightRomansweremonogamous.”

“Differentmoralitiesapplyonthebattlefield.”

“Iwasn’tawarewewere

onabattlefield.”“Tellthattotheice.Why,

Irememberonceoncampaign—”

“Notnow,Father,”Clodiasaid,andsheturnedherback.

•••

Afteranight’ssleepTitusandClodiabundledthemselvesupinlayersof

clothing,packedbags,andslippedaway,offtothesoutheast,deeperintothedark.

Therestgotonwithcollectingfoodstuffsandfuelforthefire.Chu,MardinaandBethexploredthediffuselylitvalley,andmadelongertreksbackintothelandsofdaylight.ChuandMardinaalsomadesomeclimbsuptheflankoftheirmountain,into

theislandoflifeandlightupthere.Bethfoundthesteeperclimballbutimpossibleherself,andshewasunhappyaboutleavingittoherpregnantdaughter.ButtheColUpointedoutthepregnancywasbarelybegun,itsowntestsshowedthatMardinawasashealthyascouldbeexpected,andtherewasreallynoreasontoholdherback.

Stefassuagedherownguiltbydoingwhatshecouldatthecamp:refurbishingthecart,preparingthefoodtheygathered,fixingmeals.

AndsheworkedwiththeColUatitsstudies,biological,geological,astronomical.

Thespeciesofvegetationtheyoungstersbroughtdownfromtheilluminatedsummitturnedouttobecomplex.

Someofitwasfamiliar,descendantsofeitherArduanlifeorterrestrial.Butsomewasstranger,whatappearedtobeessentiallyterrestrialrootcropsbutwithleaveswithapeculiarlyArduantingetothegreen.TheColUgrewexcitedatthis,andinsistedthatStefdiceupsamplestobefedintoitsownsmallinternallaboratoryforanalysis.

“DoyourememberourowntrektothefarsidewithYuriEdenandLiuTao,longago?WepassedtheseterminatorislandsoflightthatIlongedtoexplore.Icouldseeeventhenthatsuchislandsreallywereisolatedfromeachother,especiallyaswepresseddeeperintothedark,justlikeislandsinanocean.AndjustasonEarth,islandsarenatural

laboratoriesforevolution...”

Ittookitafulldayofanalysisbeforeitwaspreparedtoannounceitsconclusions.

TheremnantColUunithadonlyatinydisplayscreen,meantforshowinginternaldiagnosticsoftheAIstoreitself.Stefsquintedtoseewithtired,rheumyeyes.“That’sageneticanalysis,”

shesaidatlast.“Butthere’samixturethere.OfterrestrialDNA,andtheArduanequivalent...”

“Allfromtheoneplant,”theColUsaid.“Anunprepossessingtuberthatyoumighttripoverinthedark.I’mnotevensureifitwouldbeedible,forhumans—”

“Justtellmewhatyoufound,damnit!”

“Integration.Aproductofadeepintegrationofthetwobiospheres.Colonel,thisplantislikeaterrestrialvegetable,butwithEarth-likephotosynthesisreplacedbythePerArduankind—theversiontunedtoProximalight,whichexploitsthedenseinfraredenergythatProximagivesoff.Doyousee?Intheverylongrun,itisasiftherehavebeentwo

originsoflifeonthisworld,StefKalinski.ThefirstoriginwaswhenArduanlifeemerged—andweknoweventhatwasrelatedtotheemergenceoflifeonEarth;therewasadeepbiochemicallinkageenabledbypanspermia.Andthesecondoriginwaswhenhumansarrivedatthisworld—YuriEdenandMardinaJonesandalltherest—andbroughtwith

themasuiteoflife-formsfromEarth.”

“Ah,”Stefsaid.“TheISFthoughttheywereexploringthestars.Infacttheywereseedinglife.”

“EversinceLexMcGregorwalkedhereandmadehisspeeches,thedualbiospherehasbeenevolving.Atfirsttheremusthavebeenextinctionsonbothsides,asformsunabletoadapttothe

newconditionswenttothewall.Afterthat,overahundredthousandyears,amillionyears,theremusthavebeenspeciationasnewformsemergedandadaptedtothenewconditions.Newkindsofpotato,adaptedtothethinnerProximalight.Andintenorahundredmillionyears,therewouldbetimeforintegratedecologiestoemerge,asthesurvivinglife-formsevolved

together.”“Liketheantsinthe

stromatolite.Likebeesandflowers,backonEarth.Butthisismore,deeper,thismutatedmetamorphosis.Asymbiogenesis,”Stefbreathed.

“Exactly.Thedeepestsymbiosispossible,themostintimatelifecooperationofall.Itisjustasthemitochondriainyourown

body’scells,Stef,wereonceindependentorganisms.Theybecameintegratedintoyourcellstoserveassourcesofenergy,yettheyretainedtheirowngeneticheredity,akindofmemoryoftheirfree-swimmingdays.Terrestriallife,fromamoebasandcomplexcellsupward,isaproductofadeepintegrationofmanyformsoflife.Genesisthroughsymbiosis,

indeed.”“Andnow,hereonPer

Ardua,we’reseeingthesamethingoveragain.Howlongwouldittake?Howmuchtimehaselapsedheresincehumansarrived?Howfarintothefuturehavewebeenprojected,ColU?Morethanmillionsofyears,morethanhundredsofmillions...”

TheColUsimulatedasigh.“Iapologizeformy

reticence.Youhaveaskedthesequestionsmanytimesbefore.IcanmakeonlyroughguessesbasedonthedataIhavesofar,theevidencefromthegeologyhere,thebiology—evenfromtheevolutionofthestaritself.IwillbeabletomakemuchmoreaccurateestimatesofthedatewhenIseethedark-sidesky,andIcangatherastronomicaldata.Butof

coursethereisanupperbound.”

Steffrowned.“Anupperbound?Howcantherebeanupperboundonthefuture—whatupperbound?”

“TheEndTime,”theColUsaidsimply.

ThatwaswhenMardinaandChuburstintothecamp,scuffedanddustyandbreathinghard.

Mardinasaid,“Youkeep

sayingyouwanttoseethesky,ColU.”

“Yes—”“Well,yourluckisin.

Youcanseeitfromtheslope,notmuchofaclimbfromhere.Chu,gethimintohispack.”

“Seewhat?”Stefdemanded.“Thestars?”

Mardinagaveheronlyaquizzicallook.“Sortof.Seeforyourself.Comeon!And

where’smymother?”

•••

Thefourofthem,Stef,Chu,MardinaandBeth,stoodonahillside,lookingoutoverthenightlandsofPerArdua,overanoceanofdark.Onlythefaintestreflectedglowfromthesummitabovereachedthemhere.

Andabovethem,ina

terminatorskymarredforonceonlybyscatteredcloud...

Notstars,no,Stefsaw.Notjuststars.Itwasabandoflight,anoval,anellipse—no,surelyitwasadisctippedawayfromher,allbutedgeon.Theoverallimpressionwasofareddishcolor,butbrightwhitesparkswerescatteredoverthepink,likeshardsofglassonavelvet

cushion.Therewasabrighterblobatthecenter,andlanesoflightsweepingaroundthatcore.Aseyesadaptedtothelowlightshesawfinerdetail,whatlookedliketurbulentcloudsinthoseouterlanes,andhereandthereabrighterspark,almostdazzling.Andwhenshelookedawayfromthistremendouscelestialsculpture,shecouldseestars—ordinarystars,isolated

sparksscatteredthin,thoughmanyofthemseemedreddishtoo.Buttheskywasdominatedbythegreatellipse.

And,oddly,thethingshenoticednextwasMardina’shandslippingintoChu’s,andsqueezingtight.

Stefsaidsharply.“Youknow,ColU,youshouldhavewarnedusaboutallthis.”

“ButIwasneversure.I

canneverlead;Icanonlyadvise.”

“It’sagalaxy,”Bethsaid,alittlewildly.“EvenIknowthatmuch.LikeourGalaxy,theMilkyWay...Butwhatthehell’sitdoingupthere?IsitourGalaxy?”Sheshookherhead.“IgrewuponPerArdua,remember,onthedayside.IneverevensawthestarsuntilIgottoMercury.HasProximabeen—Idon’t

know—flungoutoftheGalaxysomehow,soweseeitfromtheoutside?”

“Nothinglikethat,”theColUsaidgently.

“That’snotourGalaxyatall,”Stefsnapped.“That’sAndromeda,isn’tit?Biggerthanours,Ithink.Thetwogalaxieswerethebiggestofthelocalgroup.Now,whenIwasakidplayingatastronomywithmyfather,on

therarenightswehadclearskiesinSeattle—”

And,insomerealities,withherimpossiblesisterPennybyherside.

“—weusedtolookforAndromeda.Fabulousinatelescope,butyoucouldjustseeitevenwiththenakedeye.Asmudgeoflight.Nowthat,Iwouldsay,”andshestartedtakingroughsightingsofthewidthoftheobject

withherthumb,“is,what,thirtytimestheapparentdiameterofEarth’ssun?”

“Morelikeforty,”theColUsaid.

Mardinawasstaringather.“Sohowdidthatthinggetsobig?”

“Itdidn’t.Itgotcloser.”Stefclosedhereyes,rememberingherownbasicastronomyclassesfromlongago.“InmytimeAndromeda

wastwoandahalfmillionlight-yearsaway.Right,ColU?ButeventhenwecouldseeitwasapproachingourGalaxy.Thetwostarsystemswereheadingforacollision,which—well,whichwouldbespectacular.Now,asIrecall,thebestpredictionsforthetimingofthatcollisionwerewayoffinthefuture.Fourbillionyearsormore?”

“Morelikefourandahalf,”theColUsaid.

Stefsquinted.“Soifthatbeast,whichisaroundtwohundredthousandlight-yearsacross,isthatapparentsizeinthesky,Icouldestimateitscurrentdistance—”

“Done,”theColUsaid.“ColonelKalinski,Inowknowwehavetraveled—orrathertheHatcheshavetakenus—somethreeandahalf

billionyearsintothefuture.Thatis,aftertheepochfromwhichwesetout.”

Beth,Mardina,Chujuststaredateachother,andthenintotheslatehangingfromChu’sneck,asiftheColU’smindresidedthere,asifbehindahumaneye.

ButStefunderstoodimmediately.“Yes,yes.Sothecollisionisstillabillionyearsaway—”

“Ifitweretohappenatall,”theColUsaidenigmatically.

“Iwonderwhatitmusthavedonetoculturesthatemergedafterourown,tohavethathanginginthesky.Growinglargercenturybycentury.Howmanyreligionsroseandfellinitslight,awedandterrified?”

“We’llneverknow,StefKalinski,”theColU

murmured.“And,overthreebillion

years—that’spresumablymorethanenoughtimeforalltheprocesseswe’veseenhereonPerArduatohavecomeabout.Foralmosteverytraceofhumanitytohaveerodedaway.Evenforspeciesfromtwodifferentstarsystemstofindawaytoevolveintoone.”

Mardinalookedaround

thestrangesky.“Idon’tunderstand.Threeandahalfbillionyears...It’smeaningless.WhereisTerra?Where’sthesun?”

“I’mafraidI’mnotsure,”theColUsaid.“ThesunandtheAlphaCentaurisystem,theCentaur’sHoof,wereoncenearneighbors.Butbynowtheywillhavewanderedfarfromeachother,astheGalaxyhasturnedonitsaxis.

Earth,Terra,andtheotherplanetswillstillorbitthesun.ButEarthisprobablylifeless;thesun,slowlyheating,willhavesterilizedtheinnerplanets—oh,asmuchastwoorthreebillionyearsago.Buttheagingsunhasnotyetentereditsterminalcycle,theredgiantphasewhenthesunwillswellandswallowtheinnerworlds.”

Earthlifeless.Suddenly

Stefshivered,despitethecomparativewarmthofherclothing.Tobealoneonthisworldwasonething.Tobetakenoutofonerealitystreamanddumpedinanotherwasextraordinary.ButtobestrandedinafuturesoremotethatEarthwasdead,thatpresumablynothinglikethehumanityshehadknowncouldstillsurvive...

“Thisisterrifying,”shemurmured.

“Indeed,ColonelKalinski,”theColUsaid.

Chuwaslookingaroundthesky.“Irodeonstarships,”hesaidslowly.“Iwasheldinslavepens.ButwhenIpassedwindows,Iglimpsedtheskiesofmanyworlds.Andthisisquitedifferent.Imean,evenasidefromtheapproachingstarstorm,Andromeda.The

starsseemmoredim,moresparse.”

“That’sagoodobservation,”theColUsaid.“Eveninourtimethegreatagesofstarmakingwereending.Nowtherearefeweryoungstars,moreagingones.”

Chuasked,“AndwherearetheotherstarsoftheCentaur’sHoof?Theyshouldbetwobrilliantlanternsinthe

sky.”“EvenAlphaCentauri

hasevolvedwithtime,”theColUsaidsadly.“Itsstarswereolderthanthesun.Thebrightestofthemainpairwillhavelapsedintoitsredgiantstageperhapshalfabillionyearsago,sterilizinganyworldsinitsownsystem,anditspartner’s,beforecollapsingtoawhitedwarf—andProximawillhave

becomedecoupledfromitsweakeninggravityfield.Thelesserofthemainpairwouldhavehadmanybillionsofyearsleftbeforeit,too,entereditsterminalphase.Smallerstarslastlonger.Proxima,theruntofthelitter,wouldlikelyhavelastedforsixtrillionyearsbeforerunningoutofitscarefullyprocessedhydrogenfuel.ButProxima,now,isalone.”

“Yousaywould,”Stefsaid.“Wouldhavelastedtrillionsofyears.Andyouseemedremarkablypreciseinyourestimateofthedate,givenonlyacursorylookatthisskyaboveus—”

“AsItoldyou,Idohavemoreinformation,”theColUsaid.“Aboutthefutureoftheuniverse,gatheredduringthelongyearsofmyjourneyhometoEarthintheMalleus

Jesu.Subtlesignsoftimestocome:evidenceoftitanicfutureevents,smearedacrosstheskyofthepresent.EventswhosedateIwasabletoestimate.OnceIsawthatAndromedawassoclose,onceIrealizedroughlywhatepochthisis,itwaseasytodeducethattheywouldhavebroughtus,nottosomearbitraryearlierpoint,buttothispointintime.Thismost

specialtimeofall.Withmoreobservation,especiallyofthecosmicbackgroundradiation,Iwillbeabletobemoreprecisestill—”

“They,”Stefsnapped.“Theybroughtushere.YoumeantheHatchbuilders.WhoEarthshinecalledtheDreamers.”

“TheDreamers—yes.”Chuaskednow,“And

whatissospecialaboutthis

time,thisfuture,thisage?”“Nothing.”TheColU

sighed.“Nothing,savethatitisthelastageofall.”

“TheEndTime,”Stefsaid.

ShesawMardinaplaceherhandonherbelly,overherunbornchild.

ThatwaswhenTitusandClodiacameclamberinguptheslope.“Hereyouare.Campdiscipline:leaveanote

beforeyouallclearoffnexttime.”

Bethsaid,“We’restargazing.Lookingatthat.”ShepointedupatAndromeda.

Titussnorted.“Whocaresaboutlightsinthesky?I’vegotsomethingmuchmoreimportanttoshowyou.Comeseewhatwefound!”

66

Itwasawalkofaroundthreekilometers—twoofTitus’sRomanmiles.

Theycamedownofftheflankofthemountainandmadetheirwayalongadry,shadowedvalley.Thegoing

waseasy,evenforStef,whohadwalkedlittlesavearoundonecampsiteafteranothersincetheexpeditionsetoff.TitusandClodiabothcarriedtorchesofdrystemsbundledupanddippedinpotsofmarrow;theyburned,iffitfully.ButtheglowfromAndromedawassurprisinglybright,especiallyfromthatbrilliantcentralcore.Billionsofsunsinlieuofmoonlight,

Stefthoughtidly.And,asTitushad

predicted,whenshecametothestructureTitusandClodiahadfound,Steftooforgotthewondersofthesky.Sheevenforgot,forawhile,theColU’sdarkandstillobscuremutteringsabouttheEndTime.

Itwasanotherellipse,tiltedlikeAndromedainthesky—butthisone,much

longerthanitwaswide,wascutintotheground.AndasStefapproachedthecutshesawthatinfactshewaslookingintoacirculartube,acylinder—no,atunnel;itwasbigenoughtobecalledthat—severalmetersindiameter,thatslidintothegroundatashallowangle,makingthisellipticalcross-sectionwhereitmettheflatgroundsurface.

TheColUhadhisbearer,

Chu,walkaroundthisformation,studyingitclosely.

ButTituswarnedthemallsternlynottostepintothetunnel,ontothesmooth,curvedinterior.“Wewerewanderingaroundatrandom,hopingtofindaconvenientriverorsomesuchtocarryusfurtheronourway...Thenwefoundakindofwaymarker.Solidgranite,andbarelyeroded.”

“Weareallbutbeyondtheterminatorweatherhere,”theColUsaid.“Weathering,erosion,willbeslow.Themarker,likethisstructure,couldbeextremelyold.”

“Well,themarkerhadadistinctivearrow;youcouldn’tmistakeitsmeaning.Whichledusstraighttothis.”

“Remarkable,”theColUsaid.“Remarkable.Andforustohavehappenedonsuch

astructuresoclosetowherewecrossedtheterminator—itcannotbechance;thecoldsideofthisworldmustbelacedwithsuchconstructs.”

“Idon’tunderstand,”saidStef.Shewalkedclosertotheellipselip.“Iseeatunnel.”Sheglancedbackattheirmountainforreference.“Pointingprettymuchsoutheast—thatis,awayfromthesubstellar—”

“Anddirectlytowardtheantistellar,”theColUsaid.

“Atunnelslopingdownataprettyshallowangle.”ShetookClodia’storchandhelditup.Thetunnelcontinueddeadstraight,intotheground,beyondtheglowcastbytheflickeringtorch.“Somekindoftransportsystem?”

Titusgrinned.“Youphilosophershaven’tspotted

themostinterestingthingaboutit.Itoldyoutostayoffthesurface.Why?Becauseitisperfectlyslippery—lessfrictionthanthesmoothestice,Iwouldsay.ThoughIcantellyouitisnocolderthantherestoftheworld—Itoucheditwithmyhand;Idaredthat.Butifyouweretosteponit—”Hetookapebbleandsetitcarefullyontheslopingsurfaceofthe

cylinder.Itseemedtoreststill,justforamoment,andthenbegantoslideintothemouthofthecylinder,pickingupspeedgraduallyuntilitdisappearedintotheshadows.“See?”Titusgrinned.“Youwouldfallonyourbacksideandyouwouldslitheroffoutofsight,forever.”

“Notforever,”theColUsaid.“Titus,Idaresayyou’ve

triedthisexperimentafewtimes.Whenexactlydidyoudropyourfirstrockdownthisshaft?”

“Actuallyitwasasparetorch.Iwantedtoseehowfaritextended...”

Theycomparedtimes.Titusalwayskeptacarefulcheckontimeswhenmarchingorscouting.Hehaddroppedthetorchaboutanhourandfifteenminutes

earlier.“Good,”saidtheColU.

“Wewon’thavelongtowait.”

Steffrowned.“Waitforwhat?Thisenigmaticmannerofyoursisirritating,ColU.”

“I’msorry.WhenIwasamerefarmmachine,youknow,peoplerarelylistenedtomyspeculations—”

“Spillit,tinman.”“ColonelKalinski,Ithink

thisisagravitytunnel.It’sanoldidea,datingbacktocontemporariesofNewton.”

“Nevermindthehistorylesson.Justtellus.”

“Imagineatunneldugthroughtheground,inadeadstraightlinebetweentwopointsonaplanet’scurvingsurface.Thetunnelisstraight,butyoucanseethatitwillseemtodivedownintothegroundatonepoint,and

thenclimbupagainatthedestination.”

Stefnodded.“Igetit.Soifyoulinethetunnelwithafrictionlesssurface,andclimbedonasled—”

“Youwouldslidedownintotheground,reachingsomemaximumspeedatthemidpointofthetunnel,untilslowingtotheotherend.Itwouldfeelasifyouhaddescendedaslopeand

climbedanother,butinfactyouwouldhavefollowedthetunnel’sstraightlinealltheway.Doyousee,StefKalinski?Thepassageisenergyfree,oncethetunneliscut.Poweredbygravityalone.Andifyoubuiltanetworkoftunnels,andmadethemdurableenough—”

“You’vebuiltatransportsystemthatcouldlastabillionyears.”Stefgrinnedat

theaudacityofit.“Allbutindestructible,andfree.Iloveit.Sothepeoplewhobuiltthis,whethertheywereourdescendantsornot,musthavebeenprettysmart.”

TheColUsaid,“Theymaynothavebeenpeopleatall.ThisisPerArdua.RememberwehadevidencethattherewasabuilderCulturethatachievedplanetaryengineering.Maybe

thisissomehowalegacyofthat.”

Tituswasfrowning.“Iamtryingtoworkthisout.Somytorchwillhaveslidalongthistunneltotheterminus.Andthen,withnobodytocollectit—orsoIpresume—itwillhavestartedtoslidestraightbackagain.Yousaywemustwaitonlyafewminutes,ColU.Doyoumeanuntilmytorchreturns?But

howcanyouknowthat?Youdon’tknowhowlongthistunnelis...”

“Itdoesn’tmatter,”theColUsaid.“It’sanoddquirkofphysics.Thetimethejourneytakesonlydependsonthedensityoftheplanet,thegravitationalconstant...Evenifyoucouldcutatunnelrightthroughthecenteroftheplanet—”

“Whichwouldhavebeen

handygettingfromsubstellartoantistellar,”Stefsaiddrily.

“Eventhen,thoughyou’dhavereachedmuchhigherspeedsatthemidpoint,thejourneytimethereandbackwouldbethesame.”

Titussaid,“Allthissoundslikephilosophicaltrickerytome.Andhowlongisthismagictransporttimeyoupredict,Oglassdemon?”

TheColUsaid,“Just

wait...Aboutthislong.”And,rightoncue,a

bundleofreedscameslidingupoutofthemouthofthetunnel.Asitslowedtoahalt,Tituscarefullyreacheddownandsweptitupwithhisonegoodhand.“Ha!Afinetrick,demon.Butnowwehavesomeplanningtodo.Come!Letusreturntocamp.”

•••

Thefirsttripthroughthegravitytunnel,Titusdecreed,wastobemadebysled,Beth’scart,withtherunnerstheyhadmadetoreplacetheaxlesandwheelsontheundersurface.Ofcoursetheyhadanticipatedhavingtodragthecartoverfarsideice,butStefcouldseethatthisarrangementoughttoworkevenbetterinthefrictionlesstunnel.

Sotheywheeledthecartthecoupleofmilestothetunnelmouth,establishedatemporarycamp,spentadayfixingupthecartwithitssledrails.Theyateandslept,accordingtoTitus’ssternorders.

TitusdecreedthatthefirsttotakeatrialtripthroughthetunnelwouldbehimselfwithhisdaughterClodia—andtheColUand

Stef,whomightbeabletointerprettheexperience,andwhattheyfoundonthefarside.ThepregnantMardina,thebaby’sfather,Chu,andprospectivegrandmotherBeth,wouldnotbesplitupcomewhatmay;theywouldbestayingbehind.

Theywereevidentlygoingtohavetodosomefancyworkgettingthecrewloadedonatoneendofthe

tunnel,andsuccessfullyoffattheotherbeforethesledstartedtofallback,withoutanyoutsidehelp.BeforetheyhauledthecartovertothetunnelTitushadthempracticetheart.TheyhadmostsuccesswithTitusandClodialeapingoutatthedestination,carryingropetotieupthecart,whileStefstayedinthecartcradlingtheColU.

Thenthecartcrewbundledupintheirwarmestgear—theywereafterallgoinganunknowndistancedeeperintothechilloffarside—andloadedfood,water,blankets,materialforafire,andafewoftheirprecioustools,ontothecartitself.Beth,MardinaandChuhadaneasyenoughtimepushingthecartoverthelipoftheslopingtunnel,andheldit

steadywhilethepassengersclimbedaboard.

ThenTitusceremoniouslylitatorchandhelditaloft.“Onward,andintotheunknown!”

Thesupportcrewletgoofthecart.Slowly,almostimperceptibly,itbegantoslipdowntheslope.

Stefglancedbackatthegrinning,somewhatanxiousfacesofhercompanions.“It’s

takinganembarrassinglylongtimetogetgoing,”shesaid.“IfeelliketheKingofAngleterreinhiscoronationcarriage.”

“Wewillbeinthedarksoonenough,”theColUsaid.“Butremember,evenifthetorchweretofail,itisonlyfortyminutestocompletetheone-waytriptothefarend.”

Nowthemouthofthetunnelwasallaroundthem,

swallowingthemup,theirspeedgraduallyincreasing.Thedarkwasdeepeningnow.Themovementwasutterlysmooth,andentirelysilent.

Steffeltafrissonoffear.“It’slikearoller-coasterride.MagicMountainatDisneyland.NoneofyouhavethefaintestideawhatI’mtalkingabout,doyou?”

Titus,cradlinghistorchwithhisburlybody,was

suspicious.“Idon’tunderstand.Wearemovingquiterapidlyalready.Andyetthereisnotabreathofwind.”

“AsIanticipated,”theColUsaidsmoothly.

Stefsnarled,“Whatnow,ColU?Iwishyou’dbeopenwithus.”

“Iapologize,ColonelKalinski.Therecouldbenoairresistanceinhere.Otherwise,yousee,the

frictionwouldslowus;wemightpassthemidpointbutwouldnotreachthetunnelend,andwouldslipback,eventuallysettlingatthecenter,thelowestpoint.Humanengineeringdesignsbasedonthisideaalwaysimaginedavacuumtunnel.”

Titustookadeepbreath.“We’reinnovacuum.”

“Ithinkthereisaninvisiblesubtletytothe

design.Theairwebreatheiscarriedwithus—perhapsthetunnelairisheldaside.Giventime,StefKalinski,youandIcouldnodoubtinvestigatetheengineering.Whateverthedetail,itmustberobusttohavesurvivedabillionyears...”

Thedarkwasdeepnow.Theydidn’tseemtobemovingatall,andStefsoonlosttrackoftime.Inthelight

ofthetorch,Clodiacuddledclosertoherfather.

Stef,unabletoresistit,movedclosertothebigRomantoo.

Titussaid,“IamsorryIdonothaveahandforyoutohold,Stef.”

Sheclutchedhisstumpofanarmandrestedherheadonhisshoulder.“Thiswilldo.”

“Itwon’tbelong,”theColUmurmured,fromthe

dark.“Justfortyminutes.Notlong.”

•••

Theyemergedonaniceboundplain.

Stefwalkedafewsteps,awayfromthetunnelmouthandthedisgorgedcart.Sheswungherarms,breathingindeeply;thecoldstunghermouth,andherbreath

steamed.“Thisisthefarside,allright.JustthewayIrememberit.”

Shelookedaround.Andromedastillhunghugeandloominginacrystal-clearsky;therewasn’tashredofterminator-weathercloudhere.Inthecrimsongalaxylight,thelandseemedfeatureless,flat.Buttherewasapeculiarlysymmetricalhillockintheiceafew

hundredmetersaway,likeaflattenedcone,orapyramidwithmultipleflatsides—orlikeatremendousjewel,shethought.Coulditbeartificial?Therewasnootherfeatureinthelandscapetodrawhereye.

Shewalkedthatway,tryingtoplaceherbootedfeetonridgesintheicetoavoidslipping.

InevitablyTituscalled

afterher.“Don’tgotoofar!”Shesnorted.“I’mhardly

likelytohavemaraudingbarbariansleapoutatme,legionary.”

“Youmightslipandbreakyourbrittleold-ladybones.Andwithmysinglearmitwouldbeachoreformetohavetocarryyoubacktothecartandhaulyouhome.”

“I’lltrytobe

considerate.”TheColUcalled,“Infact,

ColonelKalinski,wouldyoumindcarryingmyslateforacloserinspection?Andifyoucouldfindawaytobringbackasampleofthatformation...”Withsurprisinggraceontheice,ClodiajoggedouttohandSteftheslate,andasmallhammerfromtheirrudimentarytoolkit.

AsStefapproachedthepyramidalstructure,shelistenedtotheColU’sanalysis.

“Icandeduceourchangeinpositionquiteclearlyfromtheshiftinthevisiblestars’position.Andromedahasshiftedtooofcourse,butthatistoolargeandmessyanobjecttoyieldaprecisereading...”

Theclosershegot,the

lesslikeageologicalformationthepyramidseemed.Itwastooprecise,toosharplydefinedforthat.Shesupposedtheremightbeacomparisonwithsomethinglikeaquartzcrystal.Butshehadaninstinctthattherewasbiologyatworkhere,somethingmorethanmerephysicsandchemistry.Shetookpanoramicandclose-upimages.Thepyramidlooked

spectacularandutterlyalien,sittingasitwasbeneathaskyfullofgalaxy.Thenshebenttochipoffasamplefromonegleaming,perfectedge.

Tituscalled,“Howfarhavewetraveledthen,glassdemon?”

“Notveryfaratall,TitusValerius.Onlyahundredkilometers—justalittlemore.That’sperhapssixtyRomanmiles.Notveryfar—butthat

meanswewereneververydeepunderthesurface.Twohundredmetersatthelowestpoint,perhaps.”

Withhersampleofwhatfeltlikewatericetuckedintoanouterpocket,Stefheadedcarefullybacktothegroup.

“Notveryfar,asyousay,demon.Butweknowthistunnelisnottheonlyoneofitskindintheplanet.”

“Quiteso,legionary.

Therewillbemanysuchlinks,perhapsawholenetwork,perhapsofvaryinglengths.”

“Yes.Andawayforustogoon,deeperintothedark.Theremustbeanotherentrancecloseby—allweneeddoisfindit.Andthen—”

“Andthenwecanproceedincomparativecomfort,ifwe’relucky,all

thewaytotheantistellar,”saidtheColU.“Forthatcentrallocusmustbeakeynodeofanytransportnetwork.”

Stefhadgotbacktothecart,withinwhichtheColUsat,bundledagainstthecold.“Youwantmetoputsomeofthissampleinyourlittleanalysislab?”

“Yes,please,StefKalinski.TitusValerius,let

usconsider.Ifthislengthoftunnelistypical,atsixtymilesorso,andifwehaveajourneyoflessthansixthousandRomanmilestocompletetotheantistellar—”

“We’llneedahundredhops.Andifeachhoptakesustwo-thirdsofanhour,asyousaid,thatwilltake,umm...”

“Sixty,seventyhours,”Stefsaid.“Ialwayswasgood

atmentalarithmetic.Evenallowingforstops,andforhaulingthecartbetweenterminals,that’sonlyafewdays.”

“Itmaybehardwork,”Titussaid.“Butwewillnotfreezetodeath,orstarve,ordieofthirstontheway.”Henodded.“Excellent!Butyouknow,Stef,I,TitusValerius,anticipatedthatwewouldfindsomesuchfastroadas

this.”“Youdid?How?”“Because,ifnot,we

wouldhaveencounteredAriGuthfrithsonandtheIncawomanwalkingbacktheotherway.Wouldwenot?Forifwecouldneverhavemasteredthisworldoficeonfoot,andIsuspectthatistrue,theycouldsurelynot.Cleverfellow,aren’tI,foraone-wingedlegionary?Nowthen

—Clodia,comewithme.Wewilldoalittlescoutingbeforewereturn.Let’sseeifwecanfindtheterminalofthenextlink,somewhereinthedirectionoftheantistellar...”Heglancedupatthesky,takingabearingfromAndromeda.“Thatway.Comenow!Andyou,StefKalinski,youandyourold-ladybonesstayputinthiscart.”

“Withpleasure,legionary.”

Astheywalkedaway,sheheardfatheranddaughterlaughing.

“It’sgoodtohearthemhappy,”Stefsaid.“Suddenlyajourneythatdidlookimpossiblehasbecomeachievable.”

“Youtooshouldbehappy,”theColUwhispered.

“Ishould?”

“Forthediscoveryyouhavejustmade.”

“Whatdiscovery?Thepyramid?”

“It’snopyramid,StefKalinski.It’snothingartificial,andnorisitamerelyphysicalphenomenon,asI’msureyouguessed.Itislife,StefKalinski.Life.Anambassador,perhaps,fromacolderworldthanthis...”

Astheysathuddled

togetherinthecart,theColUspokeofTitan,moonofSaturn.

•••

Titanwasameremoon,asmallworldsubsidiarytoagiant,butaworldnevertheless—andaverycoldone.Itsrockycorewasoverlaidbyathickshellofwater,asuper-coldocean

containedbyacrustoficeashardasbasaltwasonEarth.Andoverthatwasathickatmosphere,mostlyofnitrogen,butwithtracesoforganics,methane,ethane...

“ButitisthoseorganictracesthatmadeTitansointeresting,”theColUsaid.“Onalandoficerock,wherevolcanoesbelchammonia-richwater,arainofmethanefalls,carvingrivervalleys

andfillingseas.Andinthoseseas—”

“Theprobesfoundlife.Irememberthereports.Somekindofslow-movingbugsinthemethanelakes.”

“Yes,lifebased—notoncarbon,asoursis—butonsilicon.Justascarbon-carbonbonds,thebackboneofyourchemistry,StefKalinski,canbemadeandbrokeninroom-temperaturewater,sosilicon-

siliconbondscanbemadeinthecoldmethaneofTitan’slakes.Aformoflifenotsoveryunlikeourssuperficially,butwithadifferentbiochemistryentirely—andveryslowmoving,lowinenergy,slowtoreproduceandevolve.WefoundnothingbutsimplebugsonTitan,simplerthanmostbacteria—notmuchmorecomplicatedthanviruses.

“ButTitanisnottheonlycoldworld.HereatProxima,whiletheEarth-likePerArduawastheplanetthatcaughtalltheattention—”

“Ah.Proximad.”“Yes.ItwasaMars-sized

worldjustoutsidethezonethatwouldhavemadeithabitableforhumans,likePerArdua.”

“SofarasIknowitwasneverevengivenadecent

name.Nobodycaredaboutit—ortheotherProximaworlds.”

“Theydidnot.ButitwasverylikeTitan—anothercommontemplateforaworld,itseems.Androomforanotherkindoflife.

“StefKalinski,Earthshinehasspokenofapanspermiabubble,ofworldslikeEarthandPerArdualinkedbyacommon

chemistrycarriedbyrocksbetweenthestars,worldswithcousinlife-forms.Buttherecouldbeotherbubbles,worldswithdifferentkindsofclimate,differentkindsofbiochemistries,yetlinkedinthesameway.Maybeonebubblecouldevenoverlapanother,yousee—forclearlyastellarsystemmaycontainmorethanonekindofworld.”

Stefwasstartingtounderstand.“Youalwaysspeakinriddles,ColU,whetheryouintendtoornot.ButIthinkIsee.ThesampleIbroughtyou—”

“Thepyramid-beastovertherehasasilicon-basedbiochemistryverysimilartothatrecordedonTitan,butnotidentical.MaybeitisavisitorfromProximad,doyouthink?Somehow

hardenedtowithstandwhatmustbeforitaferociousheat,evenhereonPerArdua’sdarkside.AsifahumanhadlandedonVenus.Butitishere,andsurviving.Andwithmoretimestill...”

“Yes,ColU?”“StefKalinski,wehave

seenthat,givenbillionsofyears,life-formsfromacrossthesamepanspermiabubblecanintegrate,growtogether.”

“TheEarthantsintheArduanstromatolite.”

“Exactly.Now,isitpossiblethatgiventensofbillions,hundredsofbillionsofyears,evendifferentkindsoflifecouldmixandmerge?Yourfast,quickkind,andtheslow-movingTitanianoverthere?Couldthatbethenextstageintheevolutionofthecosmositself?Youalreadyshareaworld,yousee.”

“It’safantasticthought,”shesaidslowly.“Butit’snevergoingtohappen.Isit,ColU?BecausethisistheEndTime,accordingtoyou.Therewillbenotensorhundredsofbillionsofyears—”

“I’mafraidnot,ColonelKalinski.HereonthedarksideIhavebeenabletomakequitepreciseassaysofthesky:thestateofthestars,the

proximityofAndromeda—eventhebackgroundglowoftheuniverseasawhole,whichcontainswarp-bubblecluestoitsfuture.”

“Hmm.”Shelookedupintothedark.“Well,itismarvelousseeing,foranastronomer.Andyou’vecometoaconclusion,haveyou?”

“Ihave.Andapreciseestimateofthetime

remaining.”Steffeltchilled,asif

she’dbeengivenbadnewsbyadoctor.“You’regoingtohavetoexplainallthistotheothers,youknow.Inlanguagetheycanunderstand.”

“Yes,ColonelKalinski.Ofcourse.AndtheimportanceoffindingEarthshinesoon,bytheway,isonlyincreased.”

Stefcouldheartheothersreturning,fatheranddaughterlaughing,fulloflifeandenergy.Andshelookedacrossatthesilicon-lifeexplorerfromProximad,theicegiant.“Iwonderifthatthingcanseeus...Justtellme,”shesaid.“Howlonghavewegot?”

“Ayear,”theColUsaidflatly.“Nomore.Thedata’sstillchancy.”

AndStefimmediatelythoughtofMardina,andthebaby.

Shepursedherlipsandnodded.“Ayear,then.Fornow,notaword.Comeon,let’sgetreadytogoon.”

67

ThepartygraduallypenetrateddeeperintothecoldofthePerArduafarside.

Theforty-minutetunnelhopsallfeltmuchthesametoBeth,butintheshortintervalsduringwhichthey

trekkedfromonetunnelexittotheentranceofthenext,alwaysfollowingtrailscarefullyscoutedoutbyTituswithClodiaorChu,Bethdidgetglimpsesofpartsofherworldshehadneverseenbefore.Afterall,duringtheyearsshe’dspentgrowingtoayoungadultonPerArdua,shehadnevergonefartherthanthetallforeststhatscreenedtheterminatorzone.

StefandtheColUhadmadesuchajourneyasthisoncebefore,withBeth’sfatherandLiuTao,inapurloinedISFrover.Thatpartyhadfollowedamoreorlessdirectcoursetotheantistellar,cuttingovertheicesurfaceofafrozenocean.Thegravitytunnels,however,naturallyenough,stucktocontinentalland,detouringaroundtheshoresoffrozen

oceans.Asaresultthejourneywaslongerthanadirectroute,andwastakinglongerthanthehandfulofdaysthatTitusandtheColUhadfirstestimated—butstillitwouldbebriefenough.

AndwhileStefinthatearlierpartyhadspentmind-numbingdayscrossinggeometricallyperfecticeplains,nowBethsawmoreinterestingfeatures.Eroded

mountainrangesfromwhichglaciersspilledlikehuge,dirtytongues.Placeswhereearthquakesorothergeologicalupheavalshadraisedandcrackedtheicecover,creatingfrozencliffsthatgleamedadeepblueinthelightoftheirtorches.

Yeteventhesefeatureswereprobablyimpressivelyold,theColUsaid.Therewouldalwaysbealotof

weatheractivityattheterminator,wherethewarmairandwaterfromthedaysidespilledintothecoldofthenight.Buthereinthedark,weatherwouldalwaysbedesperatelyrare:noclouds,nofreshfallsofsnoworhail.Evenmeteorimpactswouldbeinfrequentinsuchanelderlysystemasthis,withmuchoftheprimordialdebrisleftoverfromtheplanets’

formationlongsincesweptup.Sotheydroveacrossasculptedbutstaticlandscape—andalandscapebathedinthecomplex,red-tingedlightofanagingAndromeda.

Sometimestheysawmore“Titanians,”enigmatic,sharp-edgedpyramidsstandinglikemutemonuments.ButtheColUassuredthemthattheTitanians,intheirway,on

theirowntimescale,couldbeexploringjustasvigorouslyasthehumans.

Bethnoticed,however,thatStefbarelyglancedatthesky,ortheiceboundlandscape,oreventheTitanians.Astheytraveled,andinthe“evenings”astheyrested,StefsathuddledwiththeColUatthebackoftheirsled-cart,orinacorneroftheirshelter,talkingsoftly,

Stefmakingoccasionalnotesontheglowingfaceofherslate.Everybodyknewwhattheywerediscussing:theColU’sideasaboutthefateoftheworld.BethtriedtoreadStef’sexpression.TherewasnothingtobediscernedfromtheColU’sneutraltone.

Atlast,oneevening,aftertheyhadclearedawaytheirmeal,withthemallbundledintheirwarmestclothes,their

feetswathedinlayersofsocks,gatheredaroundthewarmthofthekernelstove,StefannouncedthattheyneededtotalkabouttheEndTime.

“Inaway,”Stefbegancautiously,“theideathattheworldwillhaveanend—thattheuniverseitselfwillend,andrelativelysoon—oughttofeelnaturaltous.

“Wehavenodirect

experienceofinfinity,ofeternity.Ourownlivesareshort.AndthescientistsinmyCultureprovedquitedefinitivelythateternitydoesn’tliebehindus,thatouruniversehadabeginning,abirthinacataclysmicoutpouringofenergy.Why,then,shouldweimaginethateternityliesaheadofus,anunendingarenaforlifeandmind?”

Bethwassittingbesideherpregnantdaughter.Now,underablanket,shetookherdaughter’shand,andMardinasqueezedback.Mardina’seyeswerewideinthefirelight,herexpressionblank.Thiswasnotaconversationeitherofthemwantedtobepartof,Bethwassure.

TheColUwasonChu’slap,nexttoStef.Titus

Valeriussatbesidetheslaveboy,listeningintently.

AndTituswasskeptical.“Well,weRomanshadnotroubleimaginingeternity.Oratleast,wefailedtoanticipateanend.BecauseweneveranticipatedtheEmpiretoend—doyousee?Unboundedandeternal...”

Thatsoundedmagnificentinthelegionary’sgutturalsoldier’sLatin,Stef

thought.Imperiumsinefine.TheColUsaid,“Ourown

Culture,mineandStef’sandBeth’s,haditsownaccountofanundyingempire—butanempireofscientificlogic.Wethoughtwecouldknowthefuturebylookingoutattheuniverse,workingoutthephysicallawsthatgovernit—andthenprojectingforwardtheconsequencesofthoselaws.

“Theuniverseonlyhassomuchhydrogen—thestuffthatstarsaremadeoutof.Thehydrogenwill,orwouldhave,runoutwhentheuniverseistenthousandtimesasoldasitisnow.Nomorestars.Afterthestarstherewouldbeanageofblackholesanddegeneratematter—thecompressed,coolingremnantsofstars—andthegalaxies,hugeanddim,

wouldbegintobreakup.Therewouldbeamajortransitionwhenprotonsbegantodecay—thatis,theverystuffofwhichmatterismade...Intheendeverythingwoulddissolve,andtherewouldbenothingleftbutakindofsparsemist,ofparticlescalledelectronsandpositrons—astuffcalledpositronium—fillinganexpanding,emptyuniverse.

Evenso,itwaspossiblethatmindscouldsurvive.Mindsmorelikeminethanyours,perhaps.Thoughtscarriedontheslowwashofelectrons—thoughtsthatmighttakeamillionyearstocomplete.”

“Thatsoundshorrible,”Mardinasaid,andBethcouldfeelthegripofherhandtighten.“Itdoesn’tevenmakeanysense.Howcouldasinglethoughtlastamillion

years?Ican’timagineit.”“Butexperiencesoftime

candiffer,”theColUsaid.“InmyCulturetherewasaChristianscholarcalledThomasAquinas—Iwasn’tabletotracehiminyourhistory,Titus.Hedistinguishedthreekindsoftime,orperhapsperceptionsoftime.Tempuswashumantime,whichwemeasurebychangesintheworldaround

us—theswingofapendulum,thepassageofaseason.ATitanianicegiantwouldexperienceaslowertempusthanahuman.Aevuswasangeltime,measuredbyinternalchanges—bythedevelopmentofthoughts,understanding,moods.Fortheangels,yousee,stoodoutsidethehumanworld.Andthentherewasaeternitas,God’stime,for

GodandonlyGodcouldapprehendallofeternityatonce.Theelectron-positronmindswouldnotbeGod,butinthetimelesstwilightoftheuniversetheymighthavebeenlikeangels...”

“Mighthavebeen,”Mardinasaid,almostbitterly.“Mighthavebeen.”

TheColUsaid,“Thepositroniumangelswillneverexist.Ouruniversewon’tlast

longenoughforthat.Andthereasonouruniverseisnoteternalisbecauseoftheexistenceofotheruniverses.Andweknowtheyexistbecausewe,allofus,havevisitedseveralofthem.”

“Aye,andfoughtinthem,”Titussaid,stirringfromhisspaceandpushingbackblankets.“Butinthisuniversemybladder’sfull.Anybodywantmoretea?

Chu,maybeyoucouldputanotherpotoficeonthefire...”

•••

Ittookanhourbeforetheyweresettledagain.

WhentheytooktheirplacesBeththoughttheyseemedcalmer,moreattentive—morereadytotakeinthisstrangenewsfromthe

sky.ThebreakhadbeenasmartbitofpeoplemanagementbyTitusValerius,shethought.Whointheendhadn’treallyneededapissatall.

“So,”Titussaidnow,slurpingthelastofhistea,“asifthefateofthisuniversewasn’tbadenough,youhavetotalkaboutalltheotherones.”

Stefsmiled.“Allright,

Titus,Iknowweareleadingyouonamarchyou’drathernotbefollowing...It’sallaboutlogic,though.Whenallelsefails,askaphilosopher.Sorry.Oldphysicist’sjoke.

“Look,weallknowfrompersonalexperiencethatotheruniversesexist,withhistoriesmoreorlesssimilartothisone—ortotheoneintowhicheachofuswasborn.AndinmyCultureourphilosophers

hadpredictedtheexistenceofthoseuniverses.Ourlawsofnaturewerewellfounded,yousee,buttheydidnotprescribehowtheuniversehadtobe.Manyuniverseswerepossible—aninfinitenumber.Itisjustasoursciencewouldhavepredictedthesixfoldsymmetryofasnowflake,whichcomesfromtheunderlyinggeometryoficecrystals,butwithinthat

sixfoldruleset,manyindividualsnowflakesarepossible,alldifferentfromeachother.”

“Universesasnumerousassnowflakes,”Bethsaid.“That’swonderful.Scary.”

Stefsaid,“Butwhataretheseuniverses?Wherearethey?YouknowthatthescienceofmyCulturewasmoreadvancedthaninanyotherwe’veyetencountered

—”TheColUsaid,“And

EarthshinewouldsaythatwasbecausewehadbeentheleastdeflectedintoeffortstobuildHatchesforhisDreamers.”

“Wedidhavesomemodelsofthemultiverse—Imean,ofasuper-universethatisacollectionofuniverses.Aftercenturiesofstudywenevercametoadefinitive

answer.Weprobablynevergotfaroutenoughintoourownuniversetobeabletomapthetruth.

“Still,webelievedouruniversehadexpandedfromasinglepoint,outofaBigBang.Expanded,cooled,awashwithlightatfirst,atomsandstarsandplanetsandpeoplecondensingoutlater.Butouruniversewaslikeasinglebubbleinabowl

ofboilingwater,likeapotweputonthefire.”Shegesturedattheclaypot,withinwhichwaterwaslanguidlybubbling.“Yousee?Thereisasubstrate,somethinglikethewaterinthepot.Andoutofthatheated-upsubstrateemerges,notjustonebubble,butawholeswarmofthem,expanding,popping...Theyaretheotheruniverseswe’vebeenvisiting.

“Andwhat’sinsidethoseuniversesisgoingtobedifferent,oneuniversetothenext—alittleoralot.Somecoulddifferwildlyfromtheothers,notjustinhistoricaldetails.Supposegravitywerestronger—Imean,theforcethatgivesusweight.Thenstarswouldbesmaller,andwouldburnoutmorequickly.Everythingwouldbedifferent.Andifgravitywere

weaker,theremightbenostarsatall.Andofcoursesomeuniversesaregoingtobemoresimilarthanothers.”

ItseemedtobeChuwhounderstoodmostreadily.Notforthefirsttime,Bethwonderedwhatkindofscholarhemighthavebecome,giventhechance.“Alltheuniverseswehaveseenaresimilar.Theyallhaveplanets,suns,people.

Theyevenhavethesamepeople,uptoapoint.”

“Yes,”Stefsaideagerly.“You’vegotit.Whenyouthinkaboutitthedifferencesareprettysmall.Imean,whetherRomefallsornotwouldbeabigdealforus,”andshesmiledasTitusscowledferociously,“butfromPerArdua,say,youwouldn’tevennoticeit.”

TheColUsaid,“We

believethattheDreamerscansomehowreachouttootheruniversesthatare—nearby.Thereisnogoodtermforit.Whatisnearnessinamultiverse?Beginninginoneuniverse,theyreachoutintoanotherthatissimilar,yetthatcontainsahumanCulturethatismore—conducive—toHatch-building.Andwe,oursmalllives,aresweptalongintheprocess.”

Bethfoundherselffrowning.“Butwhy?Whywouldtheydothat?”

Stefsaid,“Weneedtofindthatout.InfactIsuspectEarthshinemayalreadybelearningthatsecret.What’simportantnowisthatweknowthemultiverseexists.OK?We’vebeenthere.Now,themultiverseisbig.Surelythat’strue.Butitcan’tbeinfinite.”

Titusscratchedhishead.“Herewegoagain...DareIask,whynot?”

“Thetroubleis,Titus,”theColUsaid,“somescholarshavealwaysbelievedthatnaturedoesnotcontaininfinities.Infinitiesarejustausefulmathematicaltoyinventedbyhumans,withnocorrespondencetoreality.Unlikethenumberthree,say,whichmapsontocollections

ofthreeobjects:threepeople,threepotatoes...”

Stefsaid,“Infinitiescanmakesensiblequestionsmeaningless.Titus,startwiththenumberone.”

“IthinkIcangraspthat.”“Addanotherone.”“Ihavetwo.”“Subtractone.”“Ihaveoneagain.”“Addone.”“Two.”

“Subtractone.”“One!”“Addone!”“Two!”“Subtractone!”“One!”Sheheldupherhands.

“OK,that’senough.Yougettheidea.NowifIaskedyoutostopdoingthataftersomefinitenumberofsteps—twelveortwenty-threeorfivehundredandseventy-eight—

whatanswerwouldyouget?”“That’seasy.Eithertwo

orone.”“Definitelyoneorthe

other?”“Ofcourse.”“ButifIaskedyoutogo

onforever,whatanswerwouldyouendupwith?”

“I—ah...Oh.”“Yousee?”Stefsaid.

“Theanswercan’tbedetermined.Thequestion

becomesabsurd,onceyoubringinfinityintoit.”

Titussaid,“Icanfeelmybrainboilinglikethewaterinthatpot.”

“Physics—myphilosophy—isaboutaskingsensiblequestionsandexpectingsensibleanswers.Aboutbeingabletopredictthefuturefromthepast.Whenyoubringininfinities,sensiblequestionshavedumb

answers.Thewholesystembreaksdown.”

TheColUsaid,“Sothepointis,themultiverse—thecollectionoftheuniverseswevisit—mustbefinite.Becausenaturewon’tallowinfinities.”

Mardinascowled.“Well,sowhat?WhatdoIcareifthereisonereality,ortenortwentyoramillion?”

Stefsaid,gentlybutpersistently,“Itmatters

becauseafinitemultiversehasanedge.Andifoneofthememberuniversesshouldencounterthatedge...”Shelookedintothepotofwater,andpointedoutonelargishbubbleslowlymigratingfromtheboilingcentertowardthesideoftheclaypot.“Watch.”Whenthebubblereachedtheedge,itpopped,vanishingasifithadneverexisted.

TheColUsaid,“Given

thatonesimplefact—thatthemultiversemustbefinite—andknowinghowoldtheuniverseis,orwasintheagewecamefrom—ithasalwaysbeenpossibletomakeanestimateofhowlongtheuniversewasgoingtolast.Howlongitwaslikelytobebeforewehitthemultiversewall.Probabilisticonly,but...”

Titussnapped,“How

long,then?”TheColUsaid,“My

latestestimate,basedonmyinspectionoftheskyasfarbackasourtimeontheMalleusJesu,isthreeandahalfbillionyearsaftertheageofmankind.”

Titusshookhishead,growlingunderhisbreath.“Anabsurdnumber.”

“Nottoanastrophysicist,”Stefsaidwith

asmile.“Thatis,aphilosopherwhoknowsthestars,Titus.InmyCulturewewereprettysurethattheuniversewasabitlessthanfourteenbillionyearsold.Sowhyshouldtheuniverselastlongerthanafewbillionmore?Yousee?Nottrillionsorhundredsoftrillionsofyears,orbeyondtheageofprotondecay...InmyCultureweusedtocallthis

theDoomsdayArgument.Whyshouldthefuturebesodissimilartothepast?Shouldn’tweexpecttofindourselvessomewhereinthemiddleofitslifespan,notinitsfirstfewinstants?”

Mardinawastouchingherbellyagain,asiftryingtoshieldherbabyfromallthis.“Threepointfivebillionyears.You’resayingtheuniversewilldie,threepoint

fivebillionyearsaftertheyearIwasborn.IfIunderstandthesenumbersatall—that’sstillanimmensestretchoftime.”

“Ofcourse,”Stefsaid.“Buthere’sthecatch,Mardina.Wehavebeenbroughttotheendofthatstretch.That’swhatwe’vedetermined—whattheColUhasestablisheddefinitivelyfromhisstudyofthesky.”

“Itisn’tjusttheagingofthestars,thepositionofthegalaxies,”theColUsaid.“Thatwouldbeenoughforaroughestimate.Therearealsodistortionsinthebackgroundglowofthesky,thefadingrelicoftheBigBangexplosion.Distortionscausedbyeventsfromthefuture.”

Titustappedthepotwithafingernail.“Becauseoftheproximityofthiswallof

yours.”“Whichisatremendously

energetichorizonthatsendsbacksignals,backthroughtime.Signalsthatshowupasdistortionsinthebackgroundradiation.ThatiswhyIamabletobesoprecise.This,theageinwhichwefindourselves,istheEndTime—”

“Idon’twanttohearit.”Mardinastood,suddenly,pullingawayfromBeth,the

weightofherblanketsalmostmakingherstumbleintothefire.“Idon’twanttohearanymore.”Sheclampedherhandsoverherears,andstompedout.

Bethhalfrose.“Sheneedsherboots,hercloak,ifshe’sgoingoutthere—”

“No.”Chuwasalreadyonhisfeet,andgrabbinghisownboots.“Letme.Itisourproblem.”

Bethnoddedtotherest.“Lethimgo.Itwillbeharderforthem,tobesoyoung,tohavetofacethis.Wemustletthemfindtheirway.”

Bethlongedtogoafterherdaughter,butshemadeherselfsitstill.“You’reawiseman,TitusValerius.”

Hesmiled,lookingtired.“No.Justanoldone,andasurvivor.So,Collius.Hereweareinthefarfuture,asI

understandit.Howlonguntilweencounterthis—edge?”

TheColUsaidsimply,“Ayear.Nomore.”

Titusnodded.“Andwhatthen?Whatwillhappen?”

Stefsaid,“Awalloflight.”

Titusheavedahugesigh.“Verywell.Fromtheetherealtothepractical.Shallweconsiderourroutefortomorrow?Andthenweall

needsleep,ifMorpheusgrantsittonight.”

68

Theantistellarwastheplacewhereallthegravity-traintunnelmouthsconverged.

Atthefinaldestination,astherestofthepartywentthroughtheby-nowpracticedroutineofgrapplingtheir

sled-cartoutofthefrictionlesstube,Stefwalkedforward,awayfromthetunnel.Theiceunderherbootedfeetwasconcrete-hardbutridged,crumpled,wind-scoured—evidentlyold—andwasnotslick,maybeitwastoocoldforthat;thefootingwasgood.Once,backinheroriginaltimeline,she’dskimmedinspaceoverthepolarcapsofMars,which

wereveryoldaccretionsofwaterice,thedeepestlayersperhapsacoupleofmillionyearsold.Theiceunderherfeetnowmightbeathousandtimesolderthanthat.Shereallyhadbeenbroughttoanantiquetime,anolduniverse.

Andthedark-sidecolditself—sheseemedtorememberthattoo,fromherfirstexperiencehere.Thispointfurthestfromthe

warmthofthestarwasthecenterofahemisphereofendlessnight,oficeanddark.Yettherewasalimittothecold,evenhere;somewarmthatleastwashedaroundtheworldfromthedayside.Itwasevidentlyasurvivablecold.Still,herbreathsteamed,andthefrigidairpluckedatherlungsandnoseandeyes.

Asshewalkedshecould

clearlysee,bythelightofanAndromedareducedtoabloatedsunsetsittingonthehorizon,moretunnels,darkgashesintheground:anetworkoftunnelslacingthischillhemisphereoftheplanet,andallconverginghere,attheantistellar,atthispointofgeographicsymmetry.

Andatthepreciseantistellarpointitself,the

placeallthetunnelsseemedtobepointingto—somethingwasthere,akindofflatteneddomefromwhichcameaglowofpalelight,withstructuresdimlyvisiblewithin.

Earthshine:ithadtobehim.

•••

Stefwalkedbacktoher

companions.Bynowtheyhadthecartsetuponitsrunners,readyforthefinalhaulovertheicetothedome.TheColUwasinitspackonChu’sback.Mardina,morevisiblypregnanteverydaydespiteherlayersofcold-weatherclothing,stoodatChu’sside,theirglovedhandslockedtogether,breathwreathedaroundtheirfaces.

Titusgrunted,pointingto

thedome.“Soourlongjourneyisover—andthereistheobviousdestination.Weshouldbereadytodefendourselves.”

TheColUsaidnow,“Youmayberight,legionary.Butconsiderthis.Earthshineneedsnosuchshelterasthatdome,whereasyoudoneedshelter.Perhapsthedomeitselfshouldbeseenasagestureofwelcome.”

Titusnoddedcautiously.“Iseeyourreasoning.Butconsiderthis,inturn.Ifwewouldbewelcome,sowouldAriandInguillhavebeen,iftheygotthisfar.Weshouldbepreparedforwhatevertheyareuptointhere.Also,ifEarthshine,orhisimage,couldwalkaroundonthisicebutt-naked—”

Bethlaughed.“Titus,hecouldflythroughtheairifhe

wantedto.”“Thenwhyisn’thehere

now?I’mquitesurehe’sasawareofusasweareofhim.Whynotcomeoutandseeus?”Titusglancedaroundatthegroup.“It’sclearthatthere’smuchaboutthissituationthatwedon’tyetunderstand.Wegotothedome.It’stheobviousdestination.Theonlydestination.Butwegoinwith

ourhandsopeningesturesofpeaceandfriendship,andourweaponssheathedatourbacks.Agreed?”

Stefshookherhead.“You’reaterriblecynic,TitusValerius.AndI’dliketoseeyouinaknifefight;you’relikeanoverweightpandainthatcoldweathergear...Butyouandyourinstinctshavekeptusallalivethislong.Agreed.”

Theyformedintoalooseparty,withTitus,Chu,ClodiaandBethhaulingthecarttowardthedome,andMardinawalkingwithStefattherear.TitusandChuwereinthefrontrank,andStefcouldseetheirpugiodaggerstuckedinthebackoftheirbelts,glitteringinAndromedalight.

MardinalinkedherarmthroughStef’s,andthey

walkedcautiouslytogether.Stefpeeredup.“Thatskyisn’twhatitwaswhenIcamethiswaybefore,withyourgrandfatherYuri,inthatothertimeline.It’sbeensolong,thestarshaveswumaroundthesky,oragedandchanged,theconstellationshaveallmeltedaway.IthoughtIwouldstillbeabletoseeher,though,upatthezenith.Brilliantshewas,andaswe

walkedtotheantistellarwesawhersteadilyriseintheskyunlikeanystar.”

“‘Her’?Whoareyoutalkingabout,Stef?”

“AcreaturecalledAngelia.Acreationofmyfather.”

“Anotherartificialperson,then.LiketheColU,likeEarthshine.”

“Yes.Actuallyshewasalsoakindofship.Sheand

herlostsisters...Igottoknowher.Idon’tsupposeshecouldhavesurvivedthislong.Why,inabillionyearsortwoherverysubstancewouldhavesublimedaway,probably.”

Mardinasqueezedherarm.“We’reinanotherhistory.Shewasprobablyneverhereatall.”

“Maybenot,”Stefsaidwithabitternessthat

surprisedher.“Justanotherstory,erasedbytheDreamers’meddling.”

“No,noterased.Notaslongasyourememberher.”

Steffeltunreasonablytouched.ShepattedMardina’shand.“You’reagoodperson,Mardina.”

Mardinalaughed.“Despitemygreat-grandfatherbeingacriminalmasterminddownloadedinto

aboxofmetalandglass?”“Yes.That’squitea

legacy,isn’tit?ButYuriatleastwasagoodmantoo,yourgrandfather—Icantellyouthatmuch.Andyou’regoingtomakeafineyoungmother.”

Butthatwasthewrongthingtosay.StefcouldfeelMardinastiffen.

“Well,there’snotgoingtobethetimetofindout,is

there?NotiftheColUisrightthatallthis,”andshegesturedatthestarrysky,“isabouttorolluplikeaclosingscroll.”

Stefcouldthinkofnothingtosay.

ShewasrelievedwhenTitus,inthevanoftheparty,reachedthetranslucentwallofthedome.

69

Thedomewasperhapsfiftymetersacross,Stefestimatedastheywalkedaroundit,maybetenmeterstallatitsmidpoint,thehighestpoint.Itsskinwasreasonablyclear,translucent,andshesawno

signsofsupport,noframework,noribbing.

Titusglaredinthroughthewall,asifhewerescoutingoutthewarcampofabunchofunrulybarbarians.Well,perhapsthatwasn’tsofarfromthetruth.Hepointedoutstructureswithinthedome,pilesofmatériel.“ThatlookslikewhatmighthavebroughtAriandInguillhere.”Asled,muchsmallerand

cruderthantheirs,withheapsofgarmentsandblanketsroughlydumpedaroundit—heavycoats,thickboots.

“Andthatobjectinthecenter,akindofpillarinthemiddleofameshframework—”

“IbelievethatisEarthshine,”theColUmurmured.“Hissupportunitanyhow.Butevidentlyheavilymodified,forsome

purpose.And,overthere...”Theycouldallseewhatit

meant.AtonesideofthedomewasaHatchemplacement,setintotherockyfloor.

Stefcuppedherhandsaroundhereyesandpeeredinthroughthewall,tryingtoseebetter,cursingthevaporthatroseupfromherbreath.AHatchlikeanyotherHatch.Justliketheoneshe’dbeen

broughttoonMercury,thefirstshe’dseen—liketheoneDexterColehadfoundhereonPerArdua,righthereattheantistellar—justliketheHatchesshe’dseenonworldsofotherstars.Allofthemwerealike,justarectangularpanelafewmetersacrosssetintheground,thefinecircularseamthatmarkedthepositionofthelid.Crudefunctionalsimplicity.

Yetthesesimplegadgetswereresponsibleforalteringhistoryitself,foradjustingthedestiniesofbillionsofsouls.Stefwasaphysicist,andshe’dbeenstudyingHatchesmostofheradultlife.Still,theymadehershudder.

AndonthisparticularHatchthatlidgapedopen.

“So,”thelegionarysnapped.“Nowwhat?Dowecutourwayin?”

Clodiapointed.“Eitherthat,Father,orfollowthearrowonthewall.”

•••

Theycametoadoorway,ablisterthatprotrudedfromthesmoothdomewall.

Titussaid,“Thisdoorhasahandle;that’ssimpleenough.”Hesquintedthroughthewall.“Andaseconddoor

within.”“Ithinkit’sakindof

airlock,”Stefsaid,surveyingthedomeagain.“Thisstructurehasnointernalskeleton.Hastobeairpressureholdingitup.Seweneedtogothroughthesedoubledoorstoavoidlettingoutalltheinnerair,andthewarmth.”

Titussaidsourly,“Ihaveservedonstarships,you

know;Idoknowwhatanairlockis.NotthatIwasexpectingtofindonehere.Thepracticalitiesconcernmemore.Suchas,Idoubtifthislockcouldtakemorethanthreeofusatatime.Two,ifladenwithbaggage.We’llhavetobeseparatedtoenter.”

“Isincerelydoubttherewillbeanythreat,”Stefsaidbriskly.“Legionary,youcan

seethroughthewall.ThereisonlyEarthshine...EvenAriandInguillarenowhereinsight.Ithinkwecantaketherisk,don’tyou?”

“AndIforone,”saidBeth,“amkeentogetoutofthiscold,forthefirsttimeinweeks.”

“Leadus,TitusValerius,”Stefsaid.

ItprovedsimpleenoughforTitusandClodiatocycle

throughtheairlock.Experimenting,Titusfoundtherewasasimplefail-safe.“Theinnerdoorwon’topenunlesstheouteroneisfirmlyshut,”heboomed,hisvoicemuffledbythethickdomewall.“Theairwithiniswarmandmoist.”Stillinsidetheairlock,hepressedhishandagainstthematerialofthedome.“Thisispliant,yieldingalittle,butevidently

thickandstrong.Itwillbeinterestingtoseehowitwithstandsthebladeofmypugio—”

“Notnow,Father,”Clodiasaid.“Comeon.”Sheledthewaythroughtheairlock’sinnerdoorandintotheinteriorofthedome,pullingopenherheavyclothingasshewalked.

SteftookMardina’shand,andtheybothstepped

intotheairlocktogether,leavingChuandBethunloadingstufffromthesled.Mardinaclosedtheouterdoor,andTitusopenedtheinnerforthem—and,justasTitushaddescribed,warm,moistairgushedoverthem.Steftookdeep,shudderingbreaths,alreadyfeelingwarmerthanshe’dbeensincecrossingtheterminator.

Shewalkedoutofthe

lockandstoodbyTitus.Mardinafollowed,moreuncertainly.Thedomeitselfwasasilvery,translucentroofthatexcludedthesky,litbysmallhanginglamps.EvenAndromedawasreducedtoawashed-outcrimsonglow.Thegroundwasbarerock,blackishlikesomekindofbasalt,scrapedandgrooved—presumablybytheactionoficeacrossmillionsof

years.Steflookedoveratthecentralclutterofgear.TherewasEarthshine’ssupportunit,clearlyidentifiable,embeddedinanestofotherequipment.TherewasnosignofEarthshine’savatarprojection.

Titussaid,“Theairsmells—funny.Likeaship.Orafactory.”

Stef’ssensesweredulledbyage,butsheagreed.“I

smellozone.Noscentofpeople,ornotmuch—”

Mardinawrinkledhernose.“Maybemynoseissharper.Icansmellahintofsewage.Yuck.Notunlikewhatwesmelllikeinthemornings,afteranightunderthecanopy.Theyarehere,then.MyfatherandInguill.”

Titussnapped,“Well,wecan’thoverbythedoorallday.Clodia!Withme.We

willorganizetheworkofmovingourequipmentin.BethandChuhavemadeastart.”

“BringintheColUfirst,”Stefsuggested.“Itwillhelpusmakesenseofallthis...”

SoontheColUwassetonaheapofgrubbyblanketsjustinsidethelock,andMardinahadhungitssensorunitaroundherownneck.

Then,asthepileoftheir

belongingsgraduallyaccumulatedinsidethelock,apuddleformingatitsbaseasresidualicemeltedinthewarmth,StefandMardinaapproachedtheEarthshineunit.

Theprocessorpillarstoodatthecenterofwhatlookedlikeasculptureofaspider,itselfafewmeterstall,withangledrodshingingfromthecentralunitandplunginginto

therockyground.TherodsseemedtoSteftobemadeofsomekindofceramic,milkyandsmooth.ThepillaritselfhadlonglostthewheelsBethhaddescribed,onwhichithadrolledaroundtheplanet.Stefcouldseethatthecasingofthesupportunithadbeenbrokenopen,muchofitsinnardsremovedorredeployed.

Becauseofthe

frameworkofrods,theycouldgetnocloserthanafewmetersfromthecentralunit.BeyondthesupportunitStefmadeoutwhatlookedlikeamanufacturingareaofsomekind,withvariousdeviceslitteringtheground—devicesofanuncertainfunction,butanoddlysmoothed-outappearance.Thematerialsusedseemedtobesimilartotheceramic-likesubstanceof

thespiderlegs.Andbeyondthat,setin

theground,thatopenHatch.Steffacedthesupport

unit.“Earthshine.Areyouinthere?”

“Youtookyourtime.”

•••

Thevoicesoundedasauthenticasever,buttherewasstillnosignofavirtual

humanbody,anyofhis“suits”ashe’doncecalledthem,Stefrecalled.

Mardinasaid,“Hello,Great-grandfather.Wedidcomeasfastaswecould.Giventhatyouabandonedusinthefirstplace...”

“Mardina,Icanseeyou,evenifI’mnotmuchtolookat.Comecloser,child...Myword.You’repregnant!”

Mardinablushed.

“Thedynastycontinues,”Stefsaiddrily.

“Ifonlyfornow.Whoisthefather?”

“ChuYuen,”saidtheColU,speakingfromtheslateatMardina’sneck—and,perhaps,directlytoEarthshinebyothermeans,Stefthought.“Yourecall,theslavefromtheRome-XinCulturewhoismybearer.Anintelligentboy,evidentlyof

goodstock,evenifhedidfallonhardtimes.”

“Agoodfather,then.Ilookforwardtogettingtoknowhimbetter.AndIalreadyknowyoutoowell,ColU.”

“ItoldyouonMars—onthatotherMars—thatIwouldhuntyoudown,whereveryoufled.”

“Andsoyouhave.Welldone.Perhapsyouwilldome

thecourtesyoflisteningtowhatIhavediscoveredhere...”

Stefwasstartingtofeeldizzy.“I’mtoohot,damnit,aftermonthsofbeingtoocold.”Shebegantopullineffectuallyatheroutercoat.

AtacallfromMardina,BethandChuhurriedoverwithblanketsfromthecart,andheapedthemupontherockyground.Bethhelped

Stefremoveafewlayersofclothing,andChuhandedheracanteenofwater,broughtinfromoutside—icy,butrefreshing—andtheysatherdownontheblankets.BethandMardinasatwithher,andsoonSteffeltalotmorehuman.Sherefusedfood,however.“IfInevereatanothermouthfuloffreeze-driedpotato,Iwon’tbesorry.”

Earthshinesaid,“Iofcourseneednofoodofthatsort.Butsincethearrivaloftheothers,oneofmyfabricatorshasbeendevotedtomanufacturinghuman-suitablefoodfromtherawmaterialsoftheenvironment—broken-uprock,organicsfilteredfromtheice.”

Theothers.ItwasthefirsttimehehadmentionedAriandInguill,even

tangentially.“Afabricator.”Mardina

frowned.“What’sthat?”“Advancedtechnology

fromourowntimeline,”theColUsaid.“Adevicethatcantakeapartmatteratthemolecularlevel,orevenbelow,andassembleitinto—well,whateveryoudesire.It’sslowbuteffective.Myownphysicalframeoncecontainedsuchmachines.

OnceEarthshineandhistwobrothers,artificialintellectsaspowerfulashim,lurkedinholesintheground,onEarth.Andtheyweresurroundedbyfabricatorsandothergadgets,likeminiaturefactories,thatusedtherawmaterialsoftheplanettosupplythemwithalltheyneeded—materialsformaintenance,energy.”

Earthshinesaid,“Icarriedsuchgadgetswithme

inthissupportmodule.Now,here,Ihavebrokenthemoutandhaveputthemtowork.Everythingyouseehere,thedome,thisframeworkaroundme,hasbeenmanufacturedfromlocalmaterials,therocks,theice.OveronthefarsideofthedomeIhavecreatedapond,abodyofstandingwater,torefreshtheair.Asforenergy,thoughIhaveaninternalstoreofmy

own,Ihaveplumbedtheplanetitselfforitsinnerheat.Manufactureddrillstopenetratethesurfacerocklayers...”

Stefasked,“Whydidyoubuildallthis?”

“IcameherebecauseoftheHatch,Stef.Tostudyit,anditsmakers.That’swhywewerebroughttothisplanetinthefirstplace,tothisepoch—whatother

reasoncouldtherebe?That’swhatI’vebeendoingsinceIgothere,primarily.ButIalwaysexpectedyou,someofyouatleast,tofollow.SoIpreparedthishabitat.”

“Generousofyou—”“AlthoughIdidnot

expectthoseotherstobethefirstofthegrouptocomehere.”

Mardinapushedherselftoherfeet.“‘Thoseothers.’

YoumeanmyfatherandtheIncawoman,don’tyou?Youkeephintingthey’rehere,butIdon’tseethem.Well,there’sonlyoneplacetheycanbe.”ShesetofftowardtheopenHatch.

Bethcalled,“Becareful,Mardina.”

ButMardinadidn’tslowherpace.

Stefsaidnow,“Thisframeyou’veputuparound

yourself,Earthshine.You’verootedyourselfintotheground.Isthispartofyourthermalenergymine?”

“Oh,no,”hesaidnow.“You’llseethatoutside—afewpanelsflushtotheground,deepboresbeneath.Allthisistoachieveamoreintimatekindofcontact.”

Bethasked,“Contactwithwho?”

“TheDreamers,”the

ColUsaidsuddenly.“You’retryingtotalktotheDreamers,aren’tyou?”

“Thisancientworldisinfestedwiththem,”Earthshinesaid.“Well,Iimagineitalwayswas.ColU,itisasifIhavedroppedanantennaintoabrain.AndIthink—”

“Yes?”TheColUsoundedbreathless,eager.

“IthinkIheartheir

thoughts...”AndStefKalinskihearda

gunshot.

70

Mardina,whohadbeenapproachingtheopenHatch,threwherselfdownontheground.

ChuandTituswerewithherfasterthanStefwouldhavebelievedpossible.

Sprawling,theygrabbedMardinabythearms,slitheredbackalongtheground,anddeliveredhertoStefandBeth.Bethtookherpregnantdaughterinherarms.

ToStef,Mardinalookedshocked,furious.

“I’mnothurt,Mother.Really,I’mnot.Iheardtheshot—IthoughtIsawsomethingflypastme—I

droppedtotheground—Iguessitwasawarningshot.Ican’tbelievehedidit.Myfather.”

Bethstrokedherhead.“Frankly,love,youandIalwaysmeantlesstoArithanhisambition.”

“I’llgivethemawarningshot,”Titusyelled.Withgladioinhisgoodhand,heapproachedthepit.Chu,too,followedthelegionary,a

daggerinhishand,lookingcoldlyfurious.Itwasafterallhisloverandthemotherofhisbabywhohadbeenshotat.Thatquietintensityseemedtohaveburnedawaythelastofhisslavishdeference,Stefthought.

Tituscalled,“You,Inguill,quipucamayoc!Arithedruidh!”

“Comenocloser,legionary!”Itwas

undoubtedlyAri’svoice,Stefcouldhear,thoughitsoundedstrained,weak.“Weareprotectingourproperty...Wehaverightsofprioritythat...”Hebrokeupincoughing.

“Wait,legionary,”Stefcalled.“Let’sseeifwecantalkourwayoutofthis.”

“Talk?Ha!AndwhoinHadesgavethemaballista?”

“Itwasmanufactured

here,”Earthshinesaid.“Usingafabricator.Iwasnaive—Ishowedthemhowtooperatethefabricatorwithvoicecommands.Itusesanelectricalchargetodriveaprojectileof—”

“Andwhofiresaballistainadomelikethis?”

“Thedomematerialisself-sealing,”Earthshinesaid,stillmoresoftly.“Inthatregardatleastwearesecure.

Besides,theoutsideairisbreathable,ifcold.Weareinnodanger.”

Stefgotstifflytoherfeet.“Idon’tunderstandanyofthis.Whatpropertydotheythinktheyown?Whatdotheymeanbypriority?”Shedrapedablanketoverhershouldersandbegantoshuffletowardthepit.

“StefKalinski,”Titussaid,“stayback!”

“Oh,nonsense,legionary.Somebody’sgottodealwiththis.AtleastIwon’tbemissedifIgetshot.AndwhenitcomestoHatches,I’mtheexpert,remember.”

“Takeme,”theColUsaidurgently.“Theslate,anearphone...”

Bethranuptohandhertheslate,whichStefhungaroundherneck.Itfeltinordinatelyheavy.“Now,

then...”Feelingneitherbravenor

scared—maybeshewasjusttoooldtobebotheredanymore—Stefnearedthepit.Thematerialoftheemplacementpanelfeltveryeerieunderherfeet,smooth,alien,neitherhotnorcold.

“AriGuthfrithson!Inguill!It’sme—StefKalinski.I’mcomingtotalktoyou.Shootmeifyoumust,

buttrynottohityourpregnantdaughteratleast,Ari...”

Shecametothelipoftheopenpit.AriandInguillweresittingtogetheratthebase,huddledagainstawall—neararoundeddoorway,shenoticed.IfthiswasatypicalHatch,thatdoorwouldleadtoatransitionalchamber,withanotherdoorbeyondleadingto—somewhereelse.

Butfornowthedoorwassealedshut,featurelesssaveforaseaminthewall.

AriandInguill,theirkneesupagainsttheirchests,worefilthyremnantsoftheclothesoftheircultures,Arihisdruidh’sgown,Inguillinherformalattireasaquipucamayoc.Theyweresurroundedbythebasicsofliving,aheapofgrimyblankets,pilesoffood—tired-

lookingvegetables,whatmightbedriedmeat—andsimplebucketsinwhichsloppedpissandwateryshit.ThesourceofMardina’ssewagesmell,then.Theylookedimpossiblyskinny,evenskeletal,intheirlooseclothing.Stefsawglossy,dead-lookingpatchesofskinonAri’scheeks,hisforehead.Frostbitten?

Butintwobonyhands

Ariheldaconvincing-lookinggun,pointingitoutofthepitather.“Nocloser,StefKalinski.”

Stefheldheremptyhandsintheair.“I’mnothreattoyou,Ari.Ineverwas...CanIlowermyhands?I’mkindoftired,andonlyjustgotoveradizzyspell.”

Henoddedcurtly.“Thankyou.Mindyou,

I’mapictureofhealthcomparedtoyou.Youshouldhavewaitedforus,youtwo.Traveledwithus.”

“Youareallfools,”Inguillsnapped.“Andwegotherefirst.Whichwasthewholepoint.”

Stefleaneddown,cautiously.“Sowhyinheaven’snameareyousittinginthathole?”

“We’rewaitingfor

Earthshinetoletusin,”Inguillsaid.“Throughthatdoor.Weknowhecanopenit;we’veseenit...WewanttogothroughtheHatch.Wewanttobefirst.”

“Andnowyou’remountingasit-downstrike?Butwhy?Afterploddingallthatwayacrosstheicemutteringtoeachother,doyouevenrememberanymore?”

Ariraisedhisgun;itwavereduncertainly.“Youwon’ttrickusoutofhere.”

“I’venointentionto.Believeme,I’vebeenthroughenoughHatches;you’rewelcometothisone.But,look—willyouletmebringyousomefreshfood,atleast?Oroneoftheothers.AndhowaboutIgetthelegionarytotakeoutthoseslopbucketsforyou?”

“NotTitus,”Inguillsnapped.

“Chu,then.”SteflookeddirectlyatAri.“Whoisthefatherofyourgrandchild.”

Thegunloweredatlast.“Iheardyouspeakofthis...It’strue,then?”

“I’mafraidso.Look,I’llgogethelp.Don’tgoaway,now.”

AsshewalkedawaysheheardInguill’srantingvoice.

“Wewon’tbetricked,StefKalinski!Wewon’tbetricked!”

•••

WithAriandInguillfed,andtheirslopbucketsemptiedoutoftheairlock,Titus’sgroupgathered,sittingonheapedblanketsandbitsofEarthshine’sequipment,beforeEarthshineinhis

spiderycage.TheyhadhotdrinksandportionsoffoodmanufacturedbyEarthshine’sfabricators,blandbutnutritious.

BethhadspokentoAri.ButMardinahadrefusedeventolookatherfather,whohadtakenashotather.

“Ifeartheyarenolongersane,”Earthshinewhispered.

“Oh,youdon’tsay,”Stefsaiddrily.

“TheyhavedevelopedanobsessionwiththepowertheyperceivetoliebeyondtheHatch.Thatwaswhytheyabandonedtherestofyou,stoleyourequipment...Whytheyabandonedthehistorytheyhadbeenborninto.Evenabandonedyou,Mardina,Beth.Why,thetrekhereitselfnearlykilledthem,buttheywouldnotbestopped.”

Bethgrunted.“I’mnotsurprisedatthat.Whateverotherqualitieshe’sgot,Mardina,yourfatherisnotapracticalman.”

“AndInguillwasabureaucrat,”Stefsaid.“Inherculture.Awilyone,averycleverindividual,butnotpreparedforsuchajourney.WhereaswehadaRomanlegionarytoleadus.Perhapsneitherofthemtruly

imaginedwhatitwouldbelike.Butoncetheyhadsetoff—”

Earthshinesaid,“Theyweredrivenonbyprideandgreed.Theirobsessionwiththeantistellar,withtheHatchtheyexpectedtofindhere.Theyclungtothatdream,eventhoughtheyleftbehindtheirhealth,eventheirsanity.”

Titussnapped,“Whatis

thisdream?”“Ithinktheybelieve,”the

ColUsaid,“thattheHatchwillgivethemthepowerofgods.Thepowertoremakeworlds.Afterall,they’veseenithappen—weallhave,morethanonce.”

Stefnodded.“Andmaybethedeepshockofthoseexperienceshastakenatollonthem,morethanwerealized.”Sheclosedher

eyes,lookinginward.“Atollontherestofustoo.”

“Inaway,Iadmit,”saidEarthshinenow,“wearen’tsodissimilar.IwasoutragedbywhatIsawasthemeddlingoftheDreamersinourhistories,asitgraduallyunfolded.IstruckatMars,aMars,toattracttheirattention.Well,itworked.Iwasbroughthere.Iintendedtochallengethemagain.Andabovealltotryto

understand...”Stefprompted,

“Earthshine,ArisaidyouhadcontroloftheHatchinsomeway.”

“Inasense,Ido.TheHatcheshavealwayschosenwhotheywillrespondto.”

“That’strue,”Bethsaid.“IrememberthefirstHatchIeversaw,atthesubstellar.It—developed—groovesinitsuppersurfaces,forbuildersto

liein,likekeysinlocks.”Earthshinesaid,“With

humans,handprintsarecommonlyused.Here,thebuildersevidentlysensedsomethingofmypresence.Inmycasetheinterfaceiselectromagnetic,notphysicalcontact.Notvisible.ButwhenIsentitacertainmessage—echoingasignalIreceived—theHatchopened,thegreatlid.”

Stefpressed,“Andthentheseconddoor,tothenextchamber?”

“Ihaveexploredthesecondchamber,”Earthshinesaid.“OratleastIhavesentsecondaryunitsinthere.IbelieveIknowwhatliesbeyondthenextdoor—andonthefarsideofthisHatchitself.ButIhaveyettoopenthatfinaldoor.Ihaveconstructedaprobe.You

mightbeinterestedinthedetails,Stef.Asphere,ofmaterialofveryhighheatcapacity.Ihopeitwilllastameasurabletime,evenasmuchasananosecond.”

Steftriedtoimaginethis.“Whatareyousaying,Earthshine?Whatliesbeyondthatdoor?”

Earthshinewhispered,“TheColUknows—orsuspects.”

“Theboundary,”saidColU.“Theedgeofthemultiverse.Thedeathofthefuture.Yes.Thatiswhattheywouldbringyouheretoshowyou.Sothatyoucouldunderstand...”

“Thereneedbenospatialdeviation,yousee,”saidEarthshine.“Youneednottravelacrossspacetoreachit.Andyouneedjourneyonlyashortdistanceintothefuture.

Afterall,theeventwilloccureverywhere,simultaneously.Oneveryworld.”

TheColUsaid,“Wemustcompareourestimatesofthetimeremaining.”

Thehumansabsorbedthisterribleconversationinsilence.

Stefsaidatlast,“Andthat’swhatyou’vetoldAriandInguilltheywillwalkinto,if—”

“IftheyareinthesecondchamberwhentheHatchopens,yes.Buttheywon’tlisten,Stef.Theydon’tbelieveme.TheybelievethattheHatchwillfulfilltheirdreamsofpowerandwealth.”

Titusshookhishead.“Thenwhatarewetodo?”

Stefsighed.“IsuggestwetrytogetAriandInguilloutofthere.Afterall,youarefamily,Beth,Mardina.You

mightgetthroughwhereEarthshinecouldn’t.Andthen—”

“Andthen,”theColUsaid,“wemustconsiderhowbesttousethetimeremainingtous.”

Mardinarestedherhandonherbelly,droppedherhead,andreachedblindlyforChu.

71

ThegroupspenttwofulldaystryingtocoaxAriandInguilloutofthepit.Bethtriedthehardest,triedtogetthroughtothemanshe’dalmostmarried.EvenMardinareluctantlyconsentedtospeak

toAri,aboutthebabyshewascarrying,hisgrandchild.

Neitherbasichumanappeals,norEarthshine’scoldlogicaboutwhatmustliebeyondtheHatchdoor,madeanydifference.Arididseemanguishedaboutthefateofthebaby.Butnothingwouldchangehismind,norInguill’s,whobabbledaboutthepowerofInti,theIncasungod.Theywereboth

convincedofonlyonething:thatEarthshinewastryingtokeepthemfrom—well,fromglory,Stefsupposed.

Titusremarked,“Nomortalshouldseekthepowerofagod.Itwouldburnhiminaflash.”

TheColUseemedtoagree.“Butwhoarewetostopthem,TitusValerius?”

Atlast,theygaveup.Earthshineagreedtoopenup

theHatchforthem.

•••

Thegroupgatheredatthelipofthepittoseetheoutcome.

InresponsetoEarthshine’sinvisiblesignal,thedoortotheHatch’smiddlechamberswungbackatlast.InthatchamberStefcouldseethe“probe”Earthshinehadmentioned,a

fatceramicspheresittingonthechamberfloor.

AriandInguillsteppedthrough,movinggingerly,helpingeachother.Ateachstepoftheway,Earthshinepausedtoallowthemtoreconsider,topullback.

Butatlasttheypulledthedoorclosedbehindthem,withoutabackwardglance,andtheyweregone.

“Igavethemacontrol,”

Earthshinesaid.“ToemulatethesignalsIusetocommunicatewiththeHatch.Asimplehandheldthing...AndIfoundawaytosendsignalsthroughtheemplacementsubstrate,soIwillknow,frommyprobe,whenthefinallidisopened.”

Stefwasintrigued.“YousentsignalsthroughHatchsubstratematerial?That’smorethanweevermanaged,

intheyearsIspentstudyingHatchesandkernelsonLunaandMars—”

“Theyaregone,”Earthshinesaidsimply.

•••

Whenitwassafe,Earthshineopenedtheseconddooroncemore.Thecentralchamber,withitsdoorfirmlyclosedoncemore,seemedentirely

undamagedtoStef,andwasentirelyempty.

Earthshinesaidthathisprobehadafteralllastedahealthyfractionofananosecond,andithadlearnedagooddealaboutthenatureofthe“multiverseboundary.”ItandtheColUimmediatelylockedintoasilent,high-speedelectroniccommunicationaboutthenewdata.

AndClodiaandChu,exploringtheHatch,foundsomethingnew:groovestotakehumanhands,ontheinnersideoftheHatch’sseconddoor.Threepairsofthem.

“That,”theColUsaidenigmatically,whenitwastold,“deservesfurtherconsideration.”

72

Earthshinesaid,“IbelievethattheDreamershavespokentomeastheyhavespokentononeotherofourkind.Andby‘ourkind’Imeancomplexlife-forms,equivalenttoyourown

multicellularnature,althoughthedetailsdifferfromworldtoworld,biospheretobiosphere...Thatsoundsarrogant,Iknow.Evengrandiose.”

Stefsaidskeptically,“I’llsay.Ofallthatvastcosmichost—”

“YetIamunusual,forthem.Iamaproductofhumantechnology,ofcourse.AndyetIthinkthathumanity

itself,allofourbiosphereabovethelevelofthesingle-celledcreatures,isakindoftechnologytothem.Createdforapurpose,yousee,oratleastmodified.ButIamasecondarycreation—asifoneofmyfabricatorsproduced,notacopyofitself,butanentirelynewdesignofitsown.AssuchIamperhapsof—interest—tothem.AndIamnotentirelyundertheir

control.”“Asweare?”Stefasked

sourly.“Well,aren’tyou?”Titusgrunted.“Thisall

soundstoophilosophicaltome.WhatamI,aGreek?”He,Stef,Beth,theColU,theeldersofthistinyantistellarcolony,satinaloosecircle,besidethecomfortofanopenfireburningonahearthofstoneslabs,intheshadowof

thestrangespider-likestructurethatencompassedEarthshine’ssupportunit.NowTitusdippedhisclaymugintotheslowlyboilingbowlofteaonthefire.“Faceit,Earthshine.YougottheDreamers’attentionbecauseyousmashedMarstopieces,andmurderedawholeworldofthesecleveranimalculesintheprocess.Thatwouldgetmostpeople’sattention.”

“Well,that’strue.Andthatofcoursewastheintention.”

“Andsotheybroughtyouhere,”saidtheColU,aglitteringmassoftechnologysetonablanketawayfromthefire.“TheyguidedyouthroughtheirHatchnetworktothisplace.And—”

“Andtheyspoketome,”Earthshinesaid,cuttingin.“Theytoldmetheirstory.If

thattermisadequateforsuchabiography...Inaway,yousee,itisthestoryoflife,inthisuniverse.”

“Tellus,then,”Stefsaid,leaningforward,swathedinablanket.“Tellus,Earthshine.”

•••

“Fromthebeginning,evenwhentheuniversewasstill

veryyoung,therewaslife.“Lifeself-organized,

fromcollectionsofmoreorlesssimplechemicals,blindlyfollowingthelawsofchemistryandphysics,guidedbymathematicalrulesevidentlyinherentinreality.Microbiallife,single-celllife,virallife...SomescientistsusedtothinklifecouldhaveemergedevenwhentheBigBangglowwasstillbright,

andthewholeuniversewaswarmenoughtobeonebighabitablezone.

“Onworldswithsimilarsurfaceconditions,similarkindsoflifeemerged.EarthandPerArdua,forexample.Butlifespread,too,asroguecometsandasteroidsblastedthesurfacesoftheyoungworlds,andhandfulsofbugsburieddeepinrockfragmentssurvivedchancejourneys

betweentheplanets,and,morerarely,betweenthestars.Panspermiabubblesformed,worldswithsimilarconditionshostingrelatedformsoflife,sharingcommonorigins.AcrosstheGalaxysuchbubblesjostled,andevenpermeated;worldsofwarm-Earthlifecouldsharestellarsystemswithworldsofcold-Titanlife,asyou’veseenforyourselves.

“Andlifespreadinwardtoo,downintothegutsoftheworlds,followingdeepwaterflows,mineralseeps,leaksofheatenergy,radioactivity...Theinteriorsofworlds,toodeepevenfortheimmensebombardmentsoftheyoungcosmostodoanydamage,werewarm,safecradlesinthoseearlydays,andlifegotdownthereprettyquickly—onEarthwefounddeepbugs

allovertheworld,allofsimilarspecies.Thedeeprockisastaticshelter,though,andrelativelystarvedofenergy.Lifewasslowtospread,evenslowtoprocreate.Tosurviveonsuchthinresources,livingthingslearnedtorepairratherthantoreproduce.Butgraduallyakindofcomplexitygrewandspread,asthemicrobesgatheredthemselvesinto

mutuallysupportivecolonies,andthecoloniescombinedintosupercolonies.

“Athresholdwaspassed.Consciousnessemerged.

“OnEarth,andonPerArdua,mostofthebiomassoftheplanet—mostofitsweightoflivingstuff—dwellsinthedeepsubsurfacerocks.Formostoftheirhistory,humansneverevensuspecteditexisted.Anditisaware,a

constellationofhuge,slowminds.ThesearetheDreamers.Theyremembertheirbirth,whentheuniversewasyoung.

“Andworldafterworldwokeup...”

•••

Thestorywastoldinfragments,daybyday,amidintenseinterrogationbyStef

andtheothers.Astheweeksandmonths

passedsincetheirarrivalattheantistellarpointofPerArdua—asthedeathsofAriandInguillfadedinthememory—theaudiencearoundEarthshinecameandwent.Theyallneededtosleepandeat;theyallhadchorestodowiththemaintenanceofthecolonythatkeptthemallalive—and

theywerealldeterminedtosupportMardinathroughherpregnancy.ThatdreweventheColUawayfromEarthshine,anditsslow,sometimesramblingmonologue.

Buttheylistened,andtheyquestionedEarthshineonconfusingdetailsfromtheirdifferentviewpoints.Graduallyakindofsummaryofthestorywasemerging,

onethattheycouldallgrasp,onewayoranother.

Andinthemidstofcosmicstrangeness,humanlifewenton.

AsMardina’spregnancyapproacheditsfullterm,shebecameeverheavier,evermoreslowmoving.Atleastshefeltshehadgoodsupport,isolatedasshewashere.TheColUhadbeenspecificallyinstructedinchildbirth

proceduretosupportthegrowthoftheoriginalISFcolonies,andEarthshine’sfabricatorswerecapableofsynthesizinganymedicinalsupportsheneeded.ShehadathersidewisewomeninherownmotherandStefKalinski.AndChuwasturningouttobeadotingparent-to-be.OnlyClodiaremainedaproblemfornow,herresidualjealousyover

Chugettingintheway—and,perhaps,Mardinathought,Clodia’sresentmentathavingherownambitionstobeasoldierthwarted.Itwasashamethatthecomradeshipthey’dbuiltuponYupanquisuyuwasgonenow—ormaybethey’djustgrownoutofit,shethought.

No,Mardinacouldn’tcomplainaboutthesupportshehad,evenifshewould

havepreferredtohaveMichaelthemedicusonhand,orbetteryet,afullyequippedBrikantihospital.

Still,astimepassed,shefeltlessandlessenthusiasticaboutwork.Evenaboutmovingaroundtoomuch.

And,inadomewheretherewasn’talotofentertainment,shefoundtheslowprocessesofthefabricators’laboran

increasingdistraction.OnemorningMardinafoundonelittlegadget,nolargerthanaloafofbread,sittinginapoolofground-upArduanrock,whichinturnitwasprocessingintomachinepartsthatitgatheredinneatheaps.Sheknelttowatchit,rapt.

Chusaid,“ItisproceedingfasterthanIimagined.”

“Thisone’sactually

makingacopyofitself.”“Isupposeitisgiving

birth,inaway.Bitbybit.”Mardina,sittingona

heapofblankets,rubbedherbelly.“IwishIcoulddoitthatway.Takeoutthislittlemonsteronelimbatatimeandthenassembleitonthefloor.”

“Youdon’tmeanthat.”“No,Idon’tsupposeIdo.

Butifthesemachineskeep

thisup,we’llstarttobecomearealcolony.Tituswantstocallit‘NovaRoma.’”

ButChudidnotsmile.“Itisashamethatwewillhavesolittletimetoenjoywhatwebuild.”

Mardinaflinched;itwasn’tthekindofthingChuusuallysaid.Shelookeddownatthesolidityoftherockyfloor,andupatthestar-strewnskybeyondthe

dome,andshereachedforChu’shand.“Wecan’tthinklikethat.”

“No.Iamsorry.Forevenifwhatthemechanicalsagesaysistrue,itisuptoustobehaveasifitisnotso.”

Shetriedtoabsorbthat.Thenshestirred.“Comeon.Helpmeup;I’mgettingstiff.Timeformyexercise,acoupleoftoursofthedome...”

•••

“FromthebeginningthegreatcommunitiesofDreamersapprehendedsomethingoftheuniversearoundthem.

“Theysensedtheearlybatteringoftheirworldsbythedebrisofplanetaryformation.Theyweretuggedbythesubtletidesexertedbytheirworlds’parentstarsandsisterplanets.Theycouldfeel

theslowgeologicalevolutionoftheirhostworlds—anevolutionshapedfromthebeginningbylifeitself;there’sevidencethatthepresenceoflifeonaplanetlikeEarth,forinstance,evenhelpsstabilizetheformationofcontinents.

“Evenmulticellularlife,whenitevolved—infrequently,sporadically—servedasakindofsensory

mechanismforthelivingworlds.

“Forsomeworlds,giventherightconditions,withanatmospherereasonablytransparenttotheparentstar’sradiation,energycouldpourdownfromtheskyontothelandandintotheupperlayersoftheoceans,andthefamiliarmiraclesofcomplexlifecouldcomeabout.Photosynthesis,achemical

meanstoexploittheenergyofstellarradiation.Grandrebuildingsofoceansandatmospheresthroughtheinjectionsofsuchgasesasoxygenormethane.Theevolutionofsecondaryformsoflife—likeEarth’sanimals—tofeedoffthoseproducts.Buttheouterlayersofcomplexplanetarylife,soimportanttocreatureslikehumans,wereallbutan

irrelevancetotheDreamers.Theyonlyeveramountedtoatrivialfractionofanyworld’stotalbiomass.Andthecomplexcreatureswereusuallynotevenawareofthenoostratathatpermeatedtherocksbeneaththeirfeet.

“Yet,throughthefranticreactionsofthecomplexforms,‘animals’and‘plants,’toexternaleventslikeasteroidstrikesorstellar

flaresorsupernovaexplosions,theDreamerscametoknowtheuniverseinmoredetail.

“Ithinkeventhen,farbackincosmictime,theDreamersbegantogetthefirsthintsoftheapproachoftheEndTime.

“Andthentherewascommunication,betweenDreamerworlds.

“Thecomplexforms,in

theirhaphazardway,builtspacecraft,orinfestedcometsandotherwanderingbodies,andbegananewkindofcontact,supplementingnaturalpanspermia,theslowdriftofimpact-loosenedrocks.Panspermiahadalwaysbeenawayfortheworldstobelinkedtoeachother.Apackageoflivingthingsandgeneticdataisakindofcommunication,amessage

fromonemindedworldtoanother.Withthecomingofcomplexlifeandinterstellartravel,thatprocessremainedrandom,withoutcentraldirection,butdidbecomemorefrequent.

“Fromthebeginning,thelivingworldshadbeenawareofeachother’sexistence.Now,slowly,sporadically,imperfectly,theybegantotalk.

“Imagineacommunityofmindedworlds,then.Alldifferentindetail,yetallwithfundamentalsimilarities,engagedinaslow,chanceconversation.Theysharedideas,perceptions.Somegrewinstature,whileothersbecamemoreinward-looking.Theywerealleffectivelyimmortal,ofcourse—andtheywerestuckwitheachother.Iimaginethemaslike

acollegeofbickeringprofessors,lockedindecades-longrivalries.ButinthecaseoftheDreamerworlds,aeons-long.Notquiteimmortal,though;inadangerousuniverse,wholeworldscanbelost,sometimes,andalltheirfreightoflifeandmindwiththem.

“Butthisslowlydevelopingcommunitywas

disruptedbythefreakemergenceofonemutantworld.

“Thehumancategorizationofcomplexcreaturesinto‘animal’or‘vegetable’istoosimple.Anthropocentric.EvenonPerArdua,thebuilderswereanimalsthatphotosynthesized.

“Well,then.Consideraworldinwhichevery

complexorganism,everyplantandtree,everycreature,motileornot,is,ifnotsentientitself,thenasenseorganforalargermind.Everyflowerislikeaneyeoranearontheworld.Sensoryimpressionschatterdowntendrilslikenerves,andfeedintorootmassesofhugecomplexity:agedvegetablebrains.Andtheseinturn,onthisworld,speakdirectlyto

thetruemindsoftheplanet,theDreamersintheirdeeprocks.ThisworldwascalledAlvegainsomehumanCultures.”

StefwonderedhowEarthshinecouldpossiblyknowthat.

“Allthiscameaboutbecauseofapeculiaroriginoflifeonthisoneparticularworld.Onmanyworldstherecanbeseveraloriginevents;

butonmostworlds,likeEarthorPerArdua,asingledesign,asingleDNA-likecodingsystemcontrollingasingleproteinset—ortheequivalentindifferentbiospheres,liketheTitans—emergesasdominant,andusuallyquitequickly,withsmalladvantagesquicklybecomingoverwhelming.ButnotonAlvega.Here,twoquitedifferentandinimical

biospheresbattleddownlongagesforcontrol,evenaftertheemergenceofcomplexlife.Whenthelongwarwaswon,thewinnerhadbecomebynecessitymuchmorecloselyintegratedthanmostworlds,withthecomplexsurfaceflorescencefeedingdirectlyintotheDreamercommunitiesbelow.

“Onthisworld,then,theDreamersweremuchmore

engagedwiththeexternaluniverse—andtheyhadthemeanstoachievedirectcontactwithotherslikethemselves,fortheircomplexpartnersontheplanetarysurfacewere,uniquely,entirelyundertheDreamers’control.

“FromAlvegaanewwaveofemissariesweresentout,ininterstellarcraftnotunlikehugetrees,their

missiontolinkoneworldwithanother.

“IttookmanyhundredsofmillionsofyearsforthenewlivingtechnologytospreadacrosstheGalaxy.But,gradually,oneworldafteranother,isolatedPlatonicDreamerswoketothepossibilityofcommunity,ofdeepandrapidcommunicationwithothersoftheirkind.

“Therewasanewurgencynow—ifyoucanevercallabillion-year-program‘urgent.’Thevalueofcomplexlifewasseenforthefirsttime,andpanspermiaofanewkindbecameintentional.Acrossthepanspermiabubbles,wavesofmodificationweresentout,sothatworldsthathadnotknownphotosynthesiswereraisedtothatlevel,andthen

livingcomplexitybecamepossibleonworldssuddenlyrichwiththeenergyprovidedbyoxygenormethane,orotherreactivechemicals.Creatureslikeplants,creatureslikeanimals,newkingdomsoflifeblossomedonworldafterworld—”

“Iknewit,”theColUbreathed.“Ifoundthis,evenonPerArdua—thefirstworldbeyondthesolarsystem

reachedbyhumans.Thecoincidencesoftiming.PhotosynthesisappearedonPerArduatwobillionyearsbeforehumansshowedup,justasonEarth.Andthefirstcomplexcreaturesappearedonbothworldswithquiteprecisecoincidencesoftiming:fivehundredandforty-twomillionyearsbeforehumanityonEarth,thesameonPerArdua.Imeasured

this.Iknewit!Irememberspeakingofthistoyourmotherandfather,BethEdenJones.Notthattheyunderstoodtheimplications,notthen.Well—nordidI.Notthen.”

“Thecoincidenceswerereal,”Earthshinesaid.“Ihavenodetailonhowthiswasdone,whatkindofagencytheyusedtotriggeracomplexityexplosionon

Earth,say.Iimaginefarmersstridingacrossthestars...Buttheseeventsareindeedevidenceofadeep,Galaxy-widebioengineeringonmultipleworlds,bycommunitiesofDreamerswhowerebecomingmoreknowledgeable,morecommunicative—andmorewillingtointerveneinthedestinyoflife.

“Andastheygrewin

powerandunderstanding,andastheylearnedmoreoftheuniversearoundthem,sotheydevelopedanewurgency.Because—”

“BecausetheybecameawareoftheimminenceoftheEndTime,”Stefwhispered.

“Yes.EventheDreamers,who,huddledinthedeeprock,mightsurviveeventhesupernovadetonationofa

parentsun,couldnotsurvivethat.

“Andsotheylaidtheirplans.”

•••

Theymightbeashort-livedcolony,buttheywereabusycolony.

Theyallhadprojectsofonekindoranother—well,Stefthought,therewereso

fewofthem,therewerealwaysplentyofchorestodo,rangingfromstitchingrippedclothingorfixingaleakingboottosupervisingthesynthesisofsomenewcomponentbytheclatteringfabricators.

Mealtimesweretheonlyoccasionswhentheyallgatheredtogether,breakfast,lunch,supper.ThatincludedEarthshine,fortheyalways

sataroundhisspideryframework.TheColUtoo.Titushadmandatedthatfromthebeginning,oncetheyhadgotoverthelossofAriandInguill.Theyweretoosmallagrouptobeabletoaffordtobreakupintocliquesorfactions.StefsupposedthiswasanotherrelicofTitus’sfieldexperience,presumablydatingfromwhenhehadhadtoleadsmallisolatedparties,

scoutsmaybe,onlongexpeditions.Sheapplaudedhisleadership.

Itwasunfortunate,though,thathealwaysusedlanguagelike“lancingboils”or“spillingthepus”todescribetheprocessoftalkingouttheirproblems.Especiallywhenshewastryingtoforcedownthefreeze-driedpotatoorfabricatedslopthatpassedfor

foodhere.Andshetriednottolet

herdissatisfactionwiththefooddistractherfromlisteningtoEarthshine’slong,complexaccount.

•••

“So.Afterthecomplexitywaves.ThatwaswhentheystartedtobuildtheHatches,”Stefprompted.

“Thatwaswhen,”Earthshineagreed.“Idon’tknowwhere,how,whenthetechnologyemerged.ButaHatchlinkisessentiallyacommunicationstechnologyoptimizedtofitwithinthelimitsoftheuniverseinwhichwefindourselves.”

“Limits?Whatlimits?”“Tobeginwith,

lightspeed.Thatseemstobeafundamentalphysicalbarrier

—justasEinsteinpredictedallthoseyearsago.Andtheother—”

“Theendoftheuniverse,”theColUsaid.

“Awallacrossthefuture.Andverycloseintime,tosuchlong-livedbeings.Therewasneverasensethatthemindedworlds,orthatanyoftheDreamers—oranyofus—couldsurvivethatfinallimit.Buttheyfeltthe

urgencytotalk,tocommunicate—toshareasmuchastheycould,tomakethemostofthetimeavailable.

“Butherewerethesevastminds,dependentfortheircommunicationontheslowtrajectoriesofcrudestarships,oronthestillslowerdriftofrocksfromstartostar.ItisasifEinsteinandNewton,twotremendousintellects,both

undersentenceofimminentdeath,wereabletocommunicateonlybymeansofMorsecodetappedoutonacellwall...Theyhadtodobetter.”

“AndtheHatchesweretheway,”Stefsaid.

“Yes.TheHatchesaresomethinglikewormholes,flawsinspace-timeconnectingoneeventtoanother.Asyouknow,Stef,

theoretically,wormholescanevenlinkdifferentuniverses—differentcosmosesdriftinginthegreathulkofthemultiverse.Anytransitionwouldbelimitedbylightspeed—”

“ButwithaHatch,onecanstepfromMercurytoPerArdua,say,fourlight-yearsapart,innomorethanfouryears.”

“Exactly.Itisthebest

onecando.Buttobuildsuchengines,ripsandtwistsinspace-time,requireshugeamountsofenergy,asyoucanimagine.Whereissuchenergytocomefrom?”

“Thekernels,”Stefsaidimmediately.“Whicharealsolikewormholes,throughwhichenergypours.Thatwasbasicallyalure—right?Thecheesethatbaitedthetrap,intowhichweclevertool-

makingapesthrustourgreedypaws.AndallthetimethetruepurposewastogetustobuildthosedamnHatches.”

“True,althoughyounevergotthatfar,didyou?YousawthatkernelswereassociatedwithHatchemplacements,ofcourse.But,Stef,youneverunderstoodhowthepresenceofkernelsfacilitatesthesettingupofaHatchinthe

firstplace.Youneverevendiscoveredtheprocessbytrialanderror,asdidtheRomans,theIncas.

“Stef,thereisactuallyonlyonekindoftechnologyhere.KernelsareHatches;aHatchisaspecializedformofkernel.TheHatchesemergewhenakernelfieldisperturbedbyanenergeticevent—Iimagineitisalmostanorganicprocess,aself-

selection,asasingletreewillemergefromagroveofsaplings.”

“Maybe.Butwhatabouttheenergy?ForallthedecadesIspentstudyingthosebeasts,wenevercameclosetounderstandingwherethatenergycamefrom.”

“True,”saidEarthshine.“AndIwasneverallowedaccesstokernelsandHatchestostudythemformyself.I

hadtorelyonyourwork,atsecondhand.Howmuchtimewaswasted!”

“Weguessedstellarcores,supernovas,gammaraybursters,quasars—”

“Wrong,wrongandwrongagain.Remember,Stef,bothkernelsandHatchesareformsofwormholes.Aswehaveexperiencedourselves,awormholecanlinkevents

separatedbyspaceandbytime.WewalkedthroughaHatchfromtheMarsofInguill’sIncaera,thehumanage,to—this,aworldlight-yearsdistantandwelloverthreebillionyearsseparatedintime.”

“Yes,”saidStef.“Butthesewormholesaren’tastheywerepredictedbyourownscience,byrelativity.Theywereripsinspaceand

timeheldopenbyimpossiblekindsofantigravity...YoucouldhavetraveledfasterthatlightthroughEinstein’swormholes.Andyoucouldhavedraggedsuchawormholearoundwithasublightshiptomakeafunctioningtimemachine.Butthisisdifferent.Kernel/Hatchwormholesaresublight.Buttheycanlinkdifferentuniverses.Andso

youcouldconnectthepresentofoneuniversetothepastorthefutureofanother...”Thepiecesofthepuzzlemovedaroundinsideherhead.“That’sit.Ifyou’rerightaboutthenatureofthemultiverse,thenalltheuniversesinourlocalensemblesharethesamefuture,ifyoulookaheadfarenough...”

“Theyallmustfacethe

EndTime,”theColUsaid.Earthshinesaid,“And

that,Stef,istheanswertowhereakernel’senergycomesfrom.Notfromsomequasar,fromsomepointdistantinspace.Itcomesfromapointdistantintime—”

“Thefuture.”Stefsawitnow.“TheEndTimeitself.”

“Yes.Youhaveit.TheEndTimewillbeahugely

energeticevent.TheDreamershavetappedintothatveryenergy,usingthekernels,inordertobuildtheirHatchnetwork.Now,wemulticellulartoy-creaturesareallowedtoplaywiththetechnologies,tobuildourkernel-drivenstarshipsandtowageourwars,but—”

“Butit’sallsecondarytothetruepurpose,”Stefsaid,“whichisfortheDreamer

worldstobelinkedtoeachother.Youknow,myfathersawthis,rightatthebeginning.Hesensedthatwhoeverwasgivinguskernels—heneverlivedtolearnaboutHatches—hadsomeagendaoftheirown.”

“Hewasright.Humans,however,”Earthshinesaidsoftly,“couldneverresistsuchdeadlytoys.Eveniftheywerepoweredbytheenergies

ofRagnarokitself.“SotheHatchnetwork

spread.Sotheworldswerelinked,asneverbefore;sotheylearnedandgrew.

“Butthat’snottheendofthestory.Foreventhiswasnotenough.Thetimeleft,merebillionsofyears,seemedhorriblyshorttosuchmindsastheDreamers.Andso,havingintervenedseveraltimesbeforeinthedestinyof

lifeintheGalaxy,nowtheyintervenedagain.Seekingtofindawaytohaveusservetheirneedsevenmorecompletely...”

•••

Asthefinalmonthspassed,TitusValeriusledmanyexpeditionsbacktothenearsideofPerArdua.Giventhegravity-tunnelnetwork,

theterminatorwasonlydaysaway;theyalwaysneededsupplies,sowhynottravelback?

Titusdidn’tretracethejourneythattheyhadmadetogethereeverytime.Heandhiscompanionstookthechancetoexploretherestofthebranchinggravity-trainsystemthatfannedoutacrossthedarkfaceofPerArdua,andtostudydifferentregions

oftheterminatorandtheedgeofthestar-facingside.Thisamountedtoakindofinspectionofthetunnelsystemitself,ofcourse,andTitusdidreportafewbreakages,evencollapses,timestheyhadhadtocomebackthewaythey’dtraveledandfindanotherway.Thetunnelsystemwastremendouslyancientandwonderfullyrobust—Stef

jokedinthesilenceofherheadthatithadkeptworkingalmosttotheendoftheuniverseitself—butnothingwasperfect,itseemed.

Titusneverforgothisprimarypurpose.Eachtimehereturned,hewouldfaithfullydeliverasledfullofrootvegetablesandfruit,plusanythingexotichefound,suchas,once,aboxofwhatlookedandtastedlike

peaches.Buthealsobroughthome

specimenshethoughtmightbeofinteresttotheColUorEarthshine.TheColUhadspecificallyaskedforsamplesofstemsofanykind,therod-likeformsthathadoncebeenthefundamentalunitofcomplexlifeonPerArdua.AndonceTitusbroughtbackaminiaturestromatolite,acylindermaybeameteranda

halftall,halfameterwide.HeandChudraggedthisthinghomestrappedtothebedofthesledwithropes.

Theyhadalreadygivenoverpartofthedometoa“PerArduagarden,”wheretheground-uprockfloorhadbeenlacedwithnativesoil,andtheColUwasgrowinghisstemsamplesandothernativeforms.Heretheyplantedthestromatolite,

beddingitdeepintheworkedground.NoteventheColUhadanyexperienceoftransplantingstromatolitesbefore,andthelittlecommunityspentsomedaysfrettingoverthehealthofitsnewarrivalbeforethestromatoliteseemedtoflourish,withitsbronze-coloredcarapaceacquiringanewsheen.Itwasanotherexampleoftheintegrationof

life,Stefsupposed,oflivingbeingsfromdifferentstarsworkingtogether:humansfromEarthtendingastromatolitefromPerArdua.

Anditwasthelackoftimeinthisdoomeduniverseforintegration,ofbiospheresandculturesandminds,thathaddriventheDreamerstoattempttheirmostradicalrebuilding.

•••

“Evenhumanshadsuchfantasies,”Earthshinesaid.“Ofculturescrossingthestarsandcomingtogether.Perhapstherewouldbeconflictatfirst,butintheendtherewouldbeintegration.AGalaxyunitedunderacommoncivilization—imagineit.”

“Iremembersomeofthe

scientists’dreams,”Stefsaid.“Perhapsifmindcouldencompasstheuniverse,itcouldchangeitsdestiny.SaveitfromaBigCrunch,oraBigRip.Maketheuniversebetterthannatureintended.”

“Oratleast,”theColUsaid,“mind,byfillingtheuniverse,couldobserveit.Andtherebymakeitsexistenceworthwhile.”

“Butthereisnotimefor

anyofthis,”Earthshinesaidnow.“Notime!Notinauniversewithsuchashortlifespan,andconstrainedbylightspeed.EvenasingleGalaxyistoolarge,theDreamersconcluded,tobeunitedinsuchatime.TheDreamersgrewrestless—thoughthat’sanoddwordtoapplytobillion-year-oldminds.Theywantedmoretime.Buttherewasnomore

tobehad,notinthefuture.”“Ah.”Stefnodded.“I

thinkIseewherethisisgoing.Togainmoretime,theystartedtoreach,notintothefuture—butintothepast.”

“Youhaveit.Remember,theDreamerswerebecomingmastersofwormholetechnology;theyhadkernelsandHatches.BytappingtheEndTimeeventitselftheyhadaneffectivelyinfinite

energysupply.Nowtheybegantoreachout,notacrosstimeandspaceinthisuniverse,buttootheruniversesentirely.Universeswithdifferenthistories.”

Steflaughed.“Ofcourse.Iseeitnow.Supposeyou’redissatisfiedthathumansinmyrealitysheaf,theUN-ChinaCulture,didn’tevenstarttoworkwithHatchesuntilthetwenty-second

century.Youwishithadbeenearlier.Well,then,yousimplypluckanothercopyoftheuniversefromthetreeofpossiblerealities,onewherewedidgettotheHatchesearlier.”

Mardinanodded.“Isee—Ithink.WhichhappenedtobeahistoryinwhichRomesurvived,asitdidnotinyourhistory.”

“That’sit,”Earthshine

said.“Sothedestinyofthehumanraceisalteredfundamentally.Billionswhomighthavelivedwereneverbornatall.Billionsmoreriseuptotaketheirplace.AndthosebillionsstrivetoextendtheHatchnetwork,longbeforeitwouldhavehappenedintheearlierreality—forthat,yousee,wasthepoint.”

Titusfrowned.“Butif

thisistrue,whatoftheotherhistories,otherrealities?Aretheysimplydiscarded,like—likeearlydraftsofanoteofcommand?”

“Notdiscarded,”saidEarthshine.“Theyallcontinuetoexist,outthere,somewhereinthemultiverse.Andall,incidentally,willbeterminatedattheEndTime;theyaretoocloselyrelatedtobespared.Butthereisonly

everoneuniversethatisprimal.Asifitismorerealthantherest.AndbeforetheDreamers’meddling,theprimaluniversewouldhavebeenthemostlogical,themostneat,themostself-consistentintermsofcausality.Self-consistentastheotherswerenot.

“Magnificentitmaybe,butthisprojectoftheDreamersis—untidy.Only

theoriginalprimaluniversewascleaninacausalway,whereforeveryeffecttherewasacause,neatlylinedupinanorderlyhistory.Noanomalies,nomiracles.Butthefreshuniversesthesecreatureshaveselectedarelessoptimal.Theyhaveroughedges.Effectsprecedingcauses.Effectswithnocause.Trailingthreads.Threadstobepickedoutbythelikesof

me...Youmightevenfindgrossviolations,Isuppose.Absurdities.Forexample,auniversewhereJuliusCaesarneverlived—butwhereamassofevidence,documentsandmonuments,happenedtobefoundthatdescribedhisnonexistentcareer.Effectswithoutcause.”

“Andwefoundsomeofthosethreads,”Stefsaid.“SodidAri,withhisremainsof

theDrownedCulture.AndInguillwithhermissionpatchfromaflighttoMarsthatneverhappened.”

“Butallofthisisanirrelevance,totheDreamers.AlltheycareaboutaretheHatcheswebuildforthem.Andineachnewrealitywefollowaculturalandhistoriclogicthat,yes,enablesustoreachthestageofbuildingHatcheseverearlier.

“Andsoineachsuccessivedraftofcosmichistory,theDreamers’networkofinterconnectivityandcommunicationreachesback,deeperintotime,deeperintothepast.Thenumberofthoughtstheyareabletosharegrows,andtheirapprehensionoftheuniversegrowsdeeper,inspaceandtime.TheDreamersareessentiallycontemplative.If

theuniverseistobebriefinduration—well,itisbeautifulnonetheless,anddeservestobeapprehendedtothefull.Tobeappreciated,tobestudiedandcherished,frombeginningtoend.”

“Itismonstrous,”theColUsaid.“Itismagnificent.Asiftheuniverseitself,afiniteblockinspaceandtime,isakindofgarden.Agardenofwhicheverysquare

centimeteristobetended,madeasbeautifulaspossible,allthewaytothebackwall,sotospeak.Iamagardener,orwas;Icanseetheappealofacultivatedcosmos.Andallofitcontainedbythewallsofbirthanddeath.”

“Butthepriceofallthisisraggedness,”Stefsaid,dissatisfiedonaprofoundlevel.“Auniverseofholesandpatches,wherescientific

inquirydoesn’tnecessarilymakesense.AndhowfarwouldtheygotogettobuildtheirempireoftheHatches?Maybeinsomerealitiesmankindwaseliminatedaltogether,andreplacedbysomeotherclevercreature.Rats,maybe.Smartrodentsburrowingthroughthemultiverselikeitwassomeroomyloft...”

Earthshinesaid,“Andall

ofit,tidyorotherwise,doomedtoincinerationwhentheEndTimecomes.Youseeitnow.Wenevermattered.WereallyarejustakindoftechnologytotheDreamers—createdbytheirupliftprogramsandthenmodifiedforapurpose.InfactIsuspecttheDreamersdon’treallybelieveweareintelligentatall.Wearetoosmall;therewerealwaystoo

manyofus,gettingineachothers’way.Tothemwearemorelikesocialcreatures,industriouscreatureswhoblindlybuildthings.Likeantsorbeavers.”

“Orbuilders,”Bethsaid.“Orroad-laying

legionaries,”Titussaid.“AndgivensomeoftheladsI’veworkedwithinmytime,theymighthaveapoint.”

•••

OnemorningBethcametofindStef.Shewasgrinningwidely.“There’ssomethingyouneedtosee.AsoneveteranPerArduantoanother.”

SheledStefovertotheColU’ssmallArduangarden.TheColUitselfsatonachairbythegarden,roughlymadebyChufromArduantree-

stems.“ColonelKalinski,”itsaid.“LookwhatIdid.”

BethtookSteftotheedgeoftheworkedsoil.Reed-likestemsgrewintheearthintheshadowofthedwarfstromatolite,andinashallow,marshypuddle.

Bethsaid,“Rememberscenerylikethis?TheColUsaysitbelievesthatthestemsweseetodayaredescendantsofthoseofourtime,ofthe

firstcolonies.Anditwasthosestemsthatbundleduptomakebuilders.TheColUthinksthegeneticpotentialtocreatebuildersisstillintheresomewhere;allheneedstodoiscross-breedenoughsamplestorestorethenativestock.”

Stefthoughtthatover.“Youwon’thavetime,ColU.Thereareonlymonthsleft—”

“Iknow,StefKalinski.

Butyou’llforgivemefortryingevenso...”

“IaskedtheColUtodothis,”Bethsaid.“Thebuilderssavedmylife,andmyparents,whenwemigratedwiththeirlake—eveniftheydidn’tknowit.IalwaysfeltguiltyabouthowthebuilderskindofgotshovedasidewhenhumanscamepouringthroughtheHatchtoPerArdua.Iwanted

ustoatleasttry.”“TheColUhasn’t

succeeded,though,hasit?”“No,butit’smadesome

progress.Comesee.Takeacloserlook.Justdon’tgetfreakedoutthewaymyfatheralwayssaidhewas,whenhefirstdiscoveredthesethings...”

Curiositypricking,Stefsteppedforwardtotheedgeofthepondandbenttosee.

Theartificialpondwasshallow,anditsbasewascoveredwithmud,thickwithlichen,fromwhichthestemsweregrowing.Thestemsthemselvescameuptoherwaist.Theywereanunusualkind,darker,flatter,morelikebladesthantheusualtube-likestructures,yetstillsubstantial,stillnodoubtfilledwithmarrow.

Shecreptcloser,rightto

thewater’sedge.Andoneverystem,

facingher,growingfromthemuddypondscum,asingleeyeopened.

•••

Earthshinesaid,“Itwasyou,Stef,whofirstbroughttheDreamerstomyattention,inasense.Atleast,theirhistory-meddling.Foryour

personalhistorywastinkeredwithinaminorwaywhenyoufirstopenedthatHatchwefoundonMercury—”

“AndsuddenlyIhadasisterIdidn’tremember.Suddenlymymemorydidn’tfitthefactsoftheuniverseasitexisted.”

“Inretrospect,thatwasaclassiclooseend.Aneffectwithnocause,inauniversethatwasnownonperfect,its

causalitybecomeragged.Orrather,moreragged.”

“Andlateryoufoundanotherlooseend.Thegraveofmymother—”

“Whichstillrecordedshe’donlyhadonedaughter.Evenastheseconddaughterstoodtherelookingatthestone.Andlater,asyouknow—nowIknewwhattolookfor—Ifoundmoreevidenceofmeddling.Moreevidence

oflosttimelines.”“TheDrownedCulture.”“FromthesetracesI

deducedtheexistenceoftheDreamers.Oh,nottheirnature,thefactthattheywereensconcedintheheartsoftherockyworlds.Thatcamelater.ButIknewtheywerethere,meddling,tinkering...Inmyfancy,IidentifiedthemwithLoki,thetrickstergodoftheNorse.Well,inthemyth,

Loki’sactionsbroughtonRagnarok,thefinalwar—andinthecourseofthatwar,anothergod,Heimdall,finallykilledLokihimself.Wasthattobemyrole?ThatwaswhatIbegantobelieve.”

“Andyoudidtrytokillthem,”Stefsaid.“Oratleastyoumadeastart.YouusedCerestohammerMars.Evenmuchofthesubsurfacelife,theDreamers,musthavebeen

destroyedinthataction.Butwhatwereyouthinking?WouldyouhaveroamedtheGalaxysmashingoneworldafterthenext,tryingtoeradicatebugshiddenkilometersdeep?”

“Iwouldprobablyhavecomeupwithabetterstrategy,”Earthshinesaidevenly.“Considerthis.Eachinfestedworldisisolated,biologically,initsdeepest

layers.Isolated,andthereforevulnerabletoanengineeredvirus,perhaps,abacteriophage...Itmighttakeathousandyearsoramillion,butsuchanagentcouldripthroughthenoostrataofsuchaworld,and—beheadit.Yes,therearemanysuchworlds,buttheyareconnectedbytheHatchnetwork—andagain,that’saweakness.Perhapssome

agentcouldbedeliveredthroughtheHatchesthemselves,targetingthedestinationworld,beforemovingon...

“Thisisasketchyscheme.Thepointisthateverylife-formhasvulnerabilities,andeverycommunityismadevulnerablebyinterconnectedness.Giventimeandmotivation,Ibelieve

thatI,oranother,couldfindaway.”Hesaidsoftly,“Itmaynothavetakenmucheffort.InNorsemyth,LokikilledBaldr,favoritechildofthegods,withanarrowmadeofmistletoe.Asinglearrow.PerhapsIwasn’teventhefirsttotry.

“ButthatinitialassaultonMars—callitaspasmofrage—wasenoughformetoattracttheDreamers’

attention.Enoughforthemtosendmehere,withtherestofyouasapresumablyunintendedconsequence.Ithinktheywantedmetoseethis,yousee.TheEndTime.Ithinktheywantedmetounderstandwhattheyweretryingtodo—andtomakesureIgaveupmyeffortstohinderthem.

“AndIdidunderstand.InanyeventIwouldnottryto

harmthemnow—thatambitionisgone.Ifeel—honored—tohavehadmystrengthrecognized,atleast.Andtohavebeenbroughttothisplace.ToUltima.”

Titusfrowned.“Ultima?”“Youknow,every

starfaringculturewefoundhadalegendofUltima,thefurtheststar.EventheIncasyoumetspokeofKaylla,neareststar,andKaru,

furthest.Perhapsalienmindsframesuchideastoo.WewereallsurprisedtobedeliveredtoProxima,theneareststartothesun.Butintheend,yousee—”

“EverystarisUltima,”Stefsaid.“Everystaristhelaststar.ForallthestarswillencountertheEndTimeinthesameinstant.”

Tituslookedaroundthegroup.“So,”hesaid,“that’s

thestorytold.Allweneedtodonowinthetimeleftissitaroundandwaitfortheend.Isthatit?”

Beth,impulsively,embracedStef.“Ifso,thereareworseplacestobe.Andworsepeopletobewith.”

AndthentheColUcoughed,makingthemallstare.

“Apoliteinterruption,”saidStef.“Whatdoyouhave

tosay,ColU?”“Justthatthesituation

maynotbequitesosimple.Perhapswehave—anoption.Ifnothope.”

“Anoption?Whatdoyoumean?”

“DoyourecallthatwhenAriGuthfrithsonandInguillfoolishlylosttheirlivesintheHatch—”

Mardina’sscreamfilledthedome.

Chucalled,“Itistime!Thefirstcontraction!”

Theconversationbrokeup.Fallingintoamuch-practicedroutine,thegrouphurriedtoMardina’sside.

73

Afterthebirth,thebabygrewhealthyandhappy,alittlegirlwhoabsorbedalltheirattention,soonrepayinginsmiles.

Butthetimetheyhadleftdwindled,frommonths,to

weeks,andatlasttodays.

•••

Earthshinesaidhewascallingagroupconference,bytheHatch.Hehadmatterstodiscuss.

Titusjustgruntedatthisnews.“Inanyothercircumstances,thatmightsoundominous.”

Ofcourse,theywouldall

come;theywoulddoasEarthshineasked.Theywerenothingifnotateambynow.

Butfirst,thismorning,aseverycampmorning,Mardina,BethandbabyGwentookawalkaroundthegrowingcolony.

Theygravelyinspectedtherowsofterrestrialplants,sproutingfromcarefullymanufacturedandtilledsoil,underever-extendingbanks

ofsunlightlampsconstructedinturnbyanarmyoffabricators.AndastheywalkedpastthebanksofArduangreentherewasasoftrustle:thesoundofeye-leavesturningtowatchthemgoby.Atthewallofthedome,theypeeredouttoseethefartherextensionsofthecolonybeyond,scarsinthegroundwheremorefabricatorsweretoilingto

turnArduanrockintosoil,theslumpedformofaseconddomeyettobeinflated—anditprobablyneverwouldbe,Mardinathought.Thevisionofanhourglasscoalescedinherhead,tobefirmlypushedaway.

CradledinMardina’sarms,bundledinablanket,littleGwengazedaroundatwhatevershecouldsee.Shewasthreemonthsoldnow.

Herhairlookedasifitwouldbecrispblack,alegacyofhergrandmother,MardinaJones,andshehaddarkeyes,likeherfather’s.Andthoseeyeswerewideandseemedfullofwonder,gazingatthisworldofmarvelsintowhichshehadbeenthrust.Evenif,andMardinacouldn’thelpthethought,itwasaworldthatwouldbetrayherlongbeforeshecouldhopetounderstand

why.Justmonthsold.Justdayslefttolive...

“We’redoingwell,”shesaidaloud,todistractherselffromherownthoughts.“Thecolony,Imean.GivenwestartedfromnothingbutthegadgetsinEarthshine’ssupportkit.”

Bethsaid,“Igrewupapioneer,withmyparents,aloneonthisworld.It’spleasingtobuildstuff,isn’tit,

tobringlifeandordertoaworld—tomakeitright?Justasthebuildersalwaysdid.Maybewe’vegotmoreincommonwiththemthanpeopleeverunderstood.”

“Evenifwe’rerunningoutoftime,”Stefsaid.

“Butthatwasalwaystrue,Isuppose,”Bethsaid.“Timeforpeople,forworlds,forthestars.Youjusthavetodothebestyoucaninthe

hereandnow.”Mardinahuggedher

baby.“Butitallseemssosolid.Soreal,sodetailed.Thatbigoldgalaxysprawlingacrossthesky.ThewayGwen’shairfeelswhenIbrushit.It’shardtobelieve...”

Bethwaitedforhertofinish.

“IfIdon’tspeakthenameofthisthing,itstill

feelslikeitisn’treal.Doesthatmakeanysense?”

TheColUspoketothemnow,whisperingintheirearphones.“Itmakesplentyofsense,MardinaEdenJonesGuthfrithson.Thepowerofnames:probablyoneoftheoldesthumansuperstitions,goingbacktothebirthoflanguageitself.Todenyanameistodenyathingreality.Andyetnowitistime

tonamenames.Iamsorrytodisturbyou.Earthshineisreadyforus...”

•••

OncemoretheygatheredaroundEarthshine’ssupportunit,underitsspiderytreeofextensors,hisconnectionwiththedirtandrockofPerArduaandthelegionsofDreamingbugsthatinfested

it.Theysatonheapsofblankets,andlowbenchesmadefromtheremainsoftheramshacklesledAriandInguillhadtowedhere.

InthecribTitushadmade,Gwenwriggledandgurgled,halfasleepandcontentfornow.

“Onlythree,”Earthshinesaid.

Titusfrowned.“What’sthat?”

“Callitaheadline.Akeypoint.Asummary,perhaps.ForallthatImyselfhavehumanorigins,forallIinfestedthehumanworldfordecades,Istillfindmyselfclumsywhendeliveringambiguousnews.Butifyourememberthisinwhatfollows,itmayhelp.Onlythree.”

Titusgrowled,“Nodoubtyou’vebroughtushereto

speakofwhat’stobecomeofus.”

“Andhowwemustrespond,yes.Youknowthatwehaveonlyafewdaysleft,now.Andtherearepreparationswemustmake.”

Onlyafewdays.Afewdays,beforeMardinawouldhavetoloseGwen.Shefeltasifapugioweretwistinguphergutsatthethoughtofit.

AndTituslaughed

sourly.“Whatpreparations?Myself,Iplantogetblinddrunk,andsleepthroughthetwilightofthegods—”

“Youwillnot,”snappedClodia.Sittingbehindhim,shegrabbedhishand.“You’llberightherewithme,Father;that’swhereyou’llbe.”

Titusseemedtocalmquickly,asifsuddenlyrememberinghewasn’ttryingtomotivateabunchof

recalcitrantlegionaries.“OfcourseIwill,child.”Hewrappedhisstumpofanarmaroundhershoulders.“OfcourseIwill.”

Stefsaidnow,“ButTitusaskedagoodquestion,Earthshine.Whatmeaningfulpreparationscanwemake?Ithinkit’stimetostopbeingenigmatic.Tellusstraightwhat’sonyourmind.”Shescowled.“Oristhissome

crueltrick?”“No,”hesaidearnestly.

“Notatrick.Itisasliverofhope.Listen,please.Wehavediscussedthismanytimes.Youdounderstandwhatistohappen?Thisuniverse—andallthosenearitinthemultiverse,nearinprobabilityspace—thisuniversewillintersectaboundary,theedgeofthemultiverseitself.Inessence,

timewillcease.TheEndTime—thatisaliteraldescription.”

TheColUunitwassittingonablanket,anhonoraryhumanamonghumans.Itsaid,“Imaginethatthewholeofthisworldisasimulation,supportedinthememorybanksofsomevastcomputer—thewayEarthshinecanprojectasimulationofahumanbody.Whenthe

boundarycomesitwillbeasifthatsimulationisfrozen.Paused.Youwouldnotfeelanything.Butyourstorieswouldbeended,ascleanlyasifyouhadpausedsomeprojectedvirtualshow,andneverrestartedit,leavingthecharactersinlimbo.”

“Except,”Earthshinesaid,“weknowitwon’tbeassimpleasthat.Itwon’tbeaperfectlysharpcutoff.

Everythinginnatureisuncertain—everythingissmeared.Andsowillbethemultiverseboundary.”

Stefsaid,“Whichiswhythekernelswork.Theyarewormholesconnectingustotheboundary,andwhatwefindthereisahugeoutpouringofenergy.”

“That’sit,”Earthshinesaid.“Everyparticleintheuniversefollowsaworldline,

akindofgraphthreadedthroughspace-time.Andeveryworldline,everyparticle,mustendatthemultiverseboundary.Inthatwayit’slikeaneventhorizon—liketheedgeofablackhole,butablackholeabsorbs.Thisislikeatremendousmirror,orafurnace,ifyoulike,whereeverylastgrainofcreationwillbethermalized—burned

upasheatenergy.Andastheenergiesofalltheterminatingparticlespileupthere,indeedarereflectedback,therewillbealastinfernalcarnivalofcreation,asthatenergynucleatesintonewparticles,whichwillimmediatelybesweptoverbytheadvancingboundary...”

TheColUsaidnow,“Thesehugeenergieshavealreadyhadaninfluenceon

ouruniverse,observableeffects.TheseweredistortionsIdetectedinthecosmicbackgroundradiation,asifouruniverseisrecoilingfromwhatistobecomeofit.ThatwashowIwasabletocalculatethetimingofthisevent,roughly,longbeforewegothere.”

Earthshinesaid,“Theimportantpointnowisthattheboundaryissmeared,just

alittle.Thedestructionitbringswillnotbequiteinstantaneous.Andthatgivesusasliverofanopportunity—”

“No,”Bethsaid,suddenlyunderstanding.“TheDreamers.It’sgiventheDreamersanopportunity,tohelpus.”

“Youunderstand,BethEdenJones,”theColUsaid.“Youalwaysdidhaveagood

intuitionaboutHatches.”Mardinafrowned.“What

areyoutalkingabout?”“TheHatch,”Bethsaid,

andshetookMardina’shands.“Remember?AfterAriandInguillwentthrough,andEarthshine’sprobe.Afterweopeneditagain,theHatchhadchanged.It’sjustlikethefirstHatchIeversaw,withmyfather,atthesubstellar.Buriedinthejungle.Grooves

appearedinitssurface.Iwasthefirsttounderstand—theyweregroovestoholdthebodiesofbuilders.Andwhenthebuildersclimbedintothegrooves,itwaslikeputtingakeyinalock.Yousee?”

“Ah,”Titussaid.“Andnow,inthedoorway,whenourHatchwasopenedupforAriandInguill—recessesforhands.Humanhands.”

“IthinktheDreamersare

tellingussomething,”Earthshinesaid.“Onsomeleveltheyknowwe’rehere.Ialwayshavetheimpressionthattheycan’tseeusclearly—theydon’tunderstandus,orournature,ornotsufficiently.Buttheyknowwe’rehere.”

Bethsaideagerly,“Yes,that’sit.They’resayingwecangothroughtheHatch.Throughto—”

“Thepast,”Earthshinesaidgravely.“Itmustbesomeplaceelseinspace,someotherworld,anotherhistory.Butithastobethepast,fromthispoint,forthere’snofuture.Andthereisplentyofpasttochoosefrom.Seventeenbillionyearsofit...”

Chufrowned.“Howcouldyouevenknowwhereyouwere?Inspaceortime.”

“Goodquestion,”Earthshinesaid.“IfthetravelersremainonPerArdua,perhapswecouldpreparemapsofthestars,atdifferentepochs.EvenofthepositionandsizeofAndromeda.Butifyoutranslatethroughspaceaswellastime...Well,thesearedetails.Thejourneyisthething.”

Mardinaclutchedher

baby,whostirredandgurgled.“Thenthere’shope.”

ButStefsaidgravely,“Onlythree.Remember?Thatwashowheopenedthisconversation.Onlythree.Onlythreeofuscandothis,passthroughtheHatch.Isthatwhatyoumean,Earthshine?”

Andsuddenlythegroupseemedanenormouscrowd:Mardinaandherbaby,sitting

betweenChuandhermotherBeth;Tituswithhisdaughterclutchinghisonegoodhand;Stefsittingalone—andtheColUandEarthshine,twoartificialpeople.Sevenofthem,ornine,dependingonyourdefinition.Ofwhomonlythreecouldsurvive.

“Why?”Mardinafoundhervoicecameoutasasnarl.“Whyonlythree?”

Earthshinesighed.“I

suspectitissimplybecauseoftheworldwesitin.PerArdua.Therecordsshowthatthebuilders,usingHatches—”

“Ah.Iremember,”Bethsaid.“Thebuildersdideverythinginthrees.Theirbodieshadtriplesymmetries—threelegs.Theymovedingroupsofthree,orthreesofthrees—nine,ortwenty-seven.”Shelaughed,bitterly.

“TheseDreamersofyourscan’ttellhowmanyweare,Earthshine!Theycan’ttellthedifferencebetweenusandbuilders!”

“Whichonlyshowshowremotetheyarefromus,”Earthshinesaid.“Yettheyaretryingtobe—kind.”

Titusgrowled,“Andsowehavethegamebeforeus—thebattlefieldsetout,andwecan’tchangethat.Three

togothrough,sixtoremain.Andwemustdecidewhichthree,rightnow.”

Mardinasawpeoplepullback,asifmoreshockedbythatpronouncementthanbyEarthshine’srevelations.Asforherself,sheclutchedherbabyharder.Thestingofhopeinherchestwasmorepainfulthanthedespair.

Steflookedsmallandfrail,ablanketoverher

shoulders.Butshesaidfirmly,“Titus,it’stoosoon.Wehavealittletimeleft,timetothink.”

“No.InwarIhaveseensimilarsituations.Somemustdiesotheotherscanlive.Wedecidethisnow,andwesticktothedecision.Otherwisewewilltearourselvesapart.Perhapsliterally;wemightdestroyeachother,fightingforaplace.Why,Iremember

onceoncampaign—”“Wewouldnotdothat,”

Clodiasaid.“Wemight,”Stefsaid

ruefully.SheturnedtoMardina.“You,Mardina,andthebaby.Ifnobodyelse—you.Youtwoarethefutureofthispeculiarlittleextendedfamilyofours.Ofcourseyoumustlive.”

Mardinafelttearswell.“But—”

“No.”Titushelduphishand.“Noarguments.Ofcoursesheisright;wewouldnotbehumanifwechoseotherwise.”

TheColUsaid,“Iamnothumanatall,andIconcur.AndasformyselfandEarthshine,weshouldberuledout.Wearecreatedbeings,createdtoservehumanity.Andhowbettercanweservehumansnow

thanbysavingasmanyofyouaswecan?ButIspeakformyself.Earthshine,youroriginismorecomplicatedthanmine—”

“Oh,I’mstayingrighthere,”Earthshinesaid.“IwanttoseetheEndTimefireworkdisplay.Seventeenbillionyearsinthemaking—Iwouldn’tmissitfortheworld.”Heseemedtothinkthatover.“Ha!Imadea

joke.”“AndIofcoursewill

stay,”Stefsaid.“I’vedonemyHatch-hopping,andI’mtoooldforbabies.Toooldeventobabysit.And,yes,IadmitI’mcurioustooabouttheEndTime.Anentirelynovelphysicalphenomenon.Weshouldworkupanobservationsuite,Earthshine.Dosomedecentscience.Perhapstherewillbetimeto

debunkafewtheoriesbeforethelightsgoout.”

“Ilookforwardtoit,StefKalinski.”

Titusgrowled,“I,ofcourse,willstay.Afterall,youwouldprobablyallbedeadbeforetheEndTimeanyhowifnotformyorganizationandleadership.”

Stefsmiled.“Iwon’tdenythat,TitusValerius.”

Clodiaclutchedher

father,buryingherheadagainsthischest.

“So,”Stefsaidnow.“Thatleavesthreecandidatesforoneplace.”

Againtherewasadismalsilenceastheysharedlooks.TheremainingcandidateswereBeth,motherofMardina.ChuYuen,fatherofthebaby.Clodia,whowasyoungerthanMardinaherself.

Clodiaspokefirst.“ItmustbeChu,”shewhispered.“Thebabyneedsherfather.AndMardinawillneedChu’sstrengthandwisdom.TakeChu,notme.”

Herfatherembracedher.“Goodgirl.Wewillbetogether.Romanitastotheend.”

“She’sright,”BethsaidimpulsivelytoChuYuen.“Ofcourseitmustbeyou.You’re

thefather.You’reagoodman,Chu.Andyou’remuchstrongerthanIevercouldbe—”

Mardinabrokedowncompletelynow.WithherbabyinherarmsshestumbledovertoBeth.“No!Mother,Ican’tbewithoutyou.”

“Yes,youcan.”Bethtookherbytheshoulders,andheldher,lookingintoher

daughter’sface.“Youcandothis.Youmust—youwill.Myfather,Yuri,usedtospeakofdoorshepassedthroughinhislife.HefellasleeponEarth,wokeuponMars,andwounduponPerArdua,light-yearsfromhomeandacenturyoutofhistime.Justanotherdooropening,hewouldsay.Yougothroughitanddealwithwhatyoufind.”

“Whenhedied,”the

ColUsaid,“hesaidthesamething,evenattheend.Iwaswithhim,indeepspace...Justanotherdoor,hesaid.”

Mardinagasped,“Butwhataboutyou?Mother,whataboutyou?”

“I’llbefine.Don’tworryaboutme.Iwon’tbealone.”

“Youwillnot,”theColUsaid.“JustasIattendedyourfather’sdeath,BethEdenJones,soIwasthereatyour

birth.Iwillbehonoredtohaveyourcompanynow.”

Stefletoutadeepbreath.“Iadmit,rightnowIcoulduseahug.ButI’llwaitmyturn.So,Earthshine,yougotyournewsout,andthedecisionismade.”

“Andwehavealotofworktodo,”Earthshinesaidgravely.

74

Timerandownquicklyafterthat.

StefKalinskifoundherselfcountingdownlandmarks.Thingsshe’dneverseeagain,ordoagain.Alastshower,inthecrude

lash-upthey’dsetupatoneendofthedome.Alastdinnerwiththegroup.Thelasttimesheflossedwhatwasleftofherteeth...

Suddenlyitwasthefinaltimetherewouldeverbeatomorrow.

Theyhadtakentosleepinginseparatelittlehuddlesaroundthedome,ChuwithMardinaandthebaby,Titusclosetohis

daughter.Thatlastnight,byunspokenconsent,theypulledtheirsleepinggeartogetherinaroughcircleclosetoEarthshine’sstaticinstallation.Thelastnine,includingEarthshineandtheColU,aloneonthisworld—perhapsthelasthumansintheuniverse—gatheredtogetherinadomeilluminatedbylow-levellights,andthesunsetglowofAndromeda.

Stefsurprisedherselfbysleepingprettywell,foranoldbuzzard,shetoldherself.Itwasalmostacomforttobewokenacoupleoftimesbythebaby’sdemandstobefed,andthemurmuringofBethasshehelpedherdaughter.Stefsmiledinthedark.PoorMardinastillhadherdutiestoperform,endoftheworldornot.Whowouldbeamother?

ActuallyStefwould,

rightnow.Whenshewoke,there

wereonlyhoursleft.

•••

Inthedomemorning,afterasubduedbreakfast,thefirstorderofthedaywastogetChu,MardinaandthebabyinstalledintheHatch.

Earthshinehadcreatedaprotectivesphere,liketheone

inwhichhe’dencasedhisprobetotheEndTime:athickheat-absorbentshellthat,hebelieved,hadkepttheprobefunctioningforfractionsofananosecond,whileAriGuthfrithsonandInguillhadbeenimmediatelydestroyed.Maybeitcouldhelpnow,inthisnewtransition—andtheColUhadagreedthatitcoulddonoharm.

Theshell,scaleduptotakehumans,waslikeabigsmoothegg,thecross-sectionofitsshellthick—ithadtakenasquadoffabricatorssometimetoconstruct.Itlookedscary,thethreatitembodiedwasscary,andMardinaandChulookedsuitablyanxiousastheywriggledtheirwayintothetightinterior,withtheirpacksoftoolsandclothesandfoodandwater

andbabystuff—evenpressuresuits,improvisedfromtheMarsgearBethhadbroughtwithher.Withallthatstuffcrammedin,therewasbarelyroomtomove.Buttheyoungfamilywouldjustsitouttheremainingtimeintheshell.EarthshinesaiditwasconfidenttheDreamerswouldtakecareoftheirdestinyfromthatpointon;nomoreneedforpalmprintsin

indentationsindoors.Thenitwastimetoseal

theshell,andcloseuptheHatch.TimeforBethtosaygoodbyetoherdaughter,theotherstolosetheirfriends.

Stefhadalwayshadafeelingshewasgoingtohavetroublegettingthroughthispartofthedaywithoutmakingafoolofherself,andsoshesaidherfarewellwithaquickhugofChuand

Mardina,alaststrokeofthebaby’ssmoothanduntroubledforehead.Thenshetookherselfawayfromthesunderedfamily.

Shesetoffaroundthedome,onalastroundofchores.ShecheckedthelightsandheatingthatexcludedthePerArduanfarsidecoldanddark,preservingthebanksofgreengrowingthingstheycultivatedhere.

AndshefoundClodia.TheRomangirlwas

carryingcansofwater,andpacketsofplantfoodsynthesizedbyEarthshine,someforthepotatoesandbeetsandotherterrestrialimports,somefortheArduanplants.Assheworkedherwayalongtherowsofyoungeye-leaves,StefsawthatClodiawassmiling.

Stefjoinedher.“This

placeisprettyneatandtidy.”“That’smyfatherfor

you.He’sbeenpreparingfortheendoftheworldlikeitisaninspectionbyCenturionQuintusFabius.”

Steflaughed.“Meanwhile,”Clodia

said,“Idon’tseewhytheseshouldgohungry.Eventoday.”

“Noindeed.Look,theeye-leavesareturningto

followyou.”“Theyalwaysdo.Every

day.ImakesureIdon’twalktoofast,sotheycantrackme.”

“Considerate.Andyoualwayssmileatthem?”

Clodiashrugged,asifembarrassed.“Whynot?Ineversawabuilder,onlypicturesofthem.ButIseethoseeyeslookingatme,andIdon’tknowwhatkindof

mindliesbehindthem.Ineverknewanybodywhodidn’tfeelbetterforbeingsmiledat,didyou?”

“Isupposenot...”Stefwasawareoftime

passing.Theyhadallsaidresolutelythattheydidn’twantacountdown,butonthislastdayStefcouldn’thelphaveatleastarudimentarysenseofthehour.Andsheknew—

Ahornsounded,asignalEarthshinehadinsistedon.

“Comeon.Let’sgetbacktoyourfather.”

•••

OnceagainthegroupgatheredbesideEarthshine’sspideryenclosure.Afirehadbeenlit,thoughitwasn’tcoldinthedome;itscracklingwascomforting,andabowlof

waterwasbubblingtotheboil.

Tituswassquattingonabench,withamugofwhatlookedlikebeerinhisonehand.Stefknewhehadbeenexperimentingwithhomebrewing;hesaidthatalllegionarieslearnedsuchskillsonlongmarchesawayfromhome.Stefherselfhadassiduouslyavoidedanycontactwiththestuff.

Clodiahelpedherselftoamugofteaandwenttositbyherfather,onblanketsathisfeet,andcuddledupagainsthislegs.NowStefcouldseeClodia’seyeswerepuffy,hercheeksstreaked,asifshe’dbeencrying.Stefcursedherselffornotnoticingbefore.Cryingoverwhat,thecomingendforherfather,thelossofherownmilitarydreams?Ifso,atleastshe

seemedcalmnow.Thatwasthegardening,Stefthought.Nothingcalmedyouquitesomuchascultivatingyourgarden.Evenwhenitdidn’thaveeyestolookbackatyou.

Bethwassittingalone,wrappedinablanket—no,notalone,Stefrealized;shewasclosetothewinkingunitoftheColU,herfriendfromchildhood.Bethhadseemedunabletomovefarfromthe

HatchsinceithadbeenclosedoverMardinaandChuandGwen.Steffoundithardtoblameher,andnobodywasofamindtoforceheraway.ButnowBethwasclutchingakindofcrudedolltoherchest:MisterSticks,atoyfromherownchildhood,madeforherbytheColUwhenitstillhadabodyandmanipulatorarmstodoit.Thiscopyhadbeenmade

fromdryArduanstemsbyClodia,undertheColU’sstrictinstructions.

Stefpouredouttwomugsoftea,andcarriedthemovertoBeth.“MayIjoinyou?”

“Whynot?”Beth’svoicewasbleak,empty.ButsherespondedreflexivelywhenStefhandedherthetea,movedalongherbenchalittle,andletStefsitdown.Stefpulledablanketoverher

ownshoulders,andreachedunderlayersofclothuntilshefoundBeth’shand.

“Soweareallhere,”Earthshinesaid.“Itakeityoudon’twantacountdown—”

Titussnapped,“No,wedonot!”

“Verywell.But,Stef,youmaywishtohaveyourslatetohand.”

“Damn.”She’dforgottenaboutthat.Justasthey’d

decided,sheandtheColUandEarthshineweregoingtokeepmonitoringthescienceofthisevent,aslongastheycould.Shehadtorummageunderherblanketinhercapaciouspocketsuntilshefoundtheslate,dugitoutandwipeditssurfacecleanofbitsoflintwithacornerofherblanket.Herewasanothersurvivor,shethought,anotherrelicofadifferentuniverse.

Shewonderedwhereshe’dfirstpickeditup.Mars?Themoon?Neverimaginingthatitwouldstillbeherewithhernow,insuchaplace,insuchatime.

Thescreenlitupwithdisplays:simplecounts,graphics.Shescannedthematerialquickly,immediatelyunderstandingthemostbasicimplication.“There’saradiationsurge.It’salready

started,then.”Shefeltdismayatthefirstrealphysicalproofoftheend:thatitwasrealafterall,justasEarthshinehadpredicted,despitealltheireffortstobelieveotherwise.

“Inasense,yes,”saidtheColU.“Alreadywe’reseeinghigh-energyradiation,heavynuclei—ratherlikecosmicrays.Afloodofitcomingbackwardintime.Andprettybadforyourhealth,bythe

way.”Shehadtolaugh.“What,

we’dallbedeadofradiationpoisoninginayear?Remindmenottorenewmylifeinsurance.”

“It’sgoingtorampupfromhere.Soonwe’llbeseeingexoticnuclei,elementsnobodyeversawbefore—ornamed.StefKalinski,you’llbethegreatestdiscovererofexoticphysicsthatever

lived.”“Yeah...Sohoware

youfeeling,ColU?Doyouunderstandwhatisabouttohappentoyou?”

“Yes,StefKalinski.Iamtobeturnedoffatzero.”

“Well,that’scloseenough.”

“Itmaybeeasierforartificialintelligencestounderstandthanhumans,organiccreatures,infact.The

possibilitythatconsciousnessmayterminate,suddenly:anybodyfittedwithanoffswitchknowsallaboutthat.”

Bethstrokeditsshell.“Goodluck,ColU.Andthankyou.”

“Thankyouforlovingme,”theColUsaid,toStef’ssurprise.

Thedomelightsflickeredonce,twice,andfailed.

EvenStef’sslatewent

down.Shepatteditssurface,andsetitaside.Theendofscience.

TheColUsaid,“That’sprobablytheradiation.EarthshineandIhavehardenedpowerunits.Weshouldkeepfunctioningalittlelonger.”

Nowtheonlyglowcamefromthesky,fromthesprawlofAndromeda—atremendousgalaxydoomedto

destructionjustaswasherownfeebleframe,Stefthought.Herfriendswereshapesinthedarkaroundher.AndashereyesadjustedStefbegantoseethestarsabove.

Earthshinewhispered,“Thewolvesthathavealwayschaseddayandnightthroughtheskyarecatchingthematlast...”

Undertheblanket,Beth’sfingerstightenedonStef’s.

StefheardTitustakealong,satisfyingdraftofhisbeer.Thenhesaid,“Youknow,thisremindsmeofatimeoncampaignwhen...”

75

Earthshine’sprotectiveeggbrokeopenaroundthem,justasitwassupposedto,dumpingMardina,ChuandthebabyontheflooroftheHatchpit,withalltheirbitsofgear.

ButtheHatchlidwasopenabovethem.Lookingup,Mardinasawasliceofwhatlookedliketheroofofadome—higher,moresolid-lookingthantheoneEarthshinehadbuilt.

MardinaclutchedherbabyandstaredatChu.“Alive,”shewhispered.

“Alive.Butwhere?”“Orrather,when?”Gwen,halfasleep,

yawnedhugely.“Comeon,”Mardinasaid

softly.“Let’sgetoutofhere.”Theyhadalightweight,

fold-upladderfabricatedbyEarthshineforjustthisinstance.Theydugitoutofthebaggageandtheshellshardslitteringthepit,quicklysetitupagainstthewall,andChuscrambledup.Hedidn’tlookaround,Mardinasaw;hehadeyes

onlyforhisfamily,stillinthepit.Hereacheddown.“Passherup.”

Mardinatookacoupleofstepsuptheladder,andthen,clumsily,passedupthebundlethatwasGwen.Theyfumbledthehandover,makingGwensquirmandgrumble,andtheylaughed.

“Lookatus,”saidMardina.“Twoidiots,travelingintime.”

“Butwe’rehere.”“Thatweare.”OnceChuhadGwen

safelyinhisarms,Mardinascrambledquicklyoutofthepitherself,andtookbackthebaby.

Thentheystoodtogetherandfacedanewworld.

Theystoodonasmoothlyfinishedfloorofneatlyinterlockingtiles.Overtheirheadssoaredthatdome,and

nowthatshecouldseeitfully,Mardinacouldmakeoutitsscale;itwasindeedmuchwider,tallerthanEarthshine’simprovisedtent.Thereweresmallerbuildings,structuresunderthedome,banksofmachinery,somekindoftoweringmonumentattheverycenterofthedome—therewasasmellofindustry,ofelectricity,andallofitbrilliantlylitby

suspendedfluorescentlamps.Inthisfirstmoment,

clutchingthebaby,Mardinacouldtakeinnoneofthedetail.Shelookedupatthesky,whichwaseasilyvisiblethroughthedome.

“NoAndromeda,”saidChu.“Astarrysky.Andlook...”

Therewasoneverybrilliantpairofstars,closetothezenith.

Mardinaraisedherselfontheballsofherfeet,rockedupanddown.“Howdoesthegravityseemtoyou?”

“Thesameasbefore.Andyou?”

“Yes...Ithinkwe’restillonPerArdua.ButayoungerPerArdua.Beforethedouble-starsystemtheyallspokeoffromtheoldentimesbrokeupanddriftedaway.Maybethat’situp

there,theHoofoftheCentaur.Wehaveourstarcharts.Maybewiththosewecouldfigureoutwhereweare—orrather,when.”

“Or,”Chusaid,“wecouldjustask.”Hepointedtothecenterofthedome.

Whereawomanstoodwithherbacktothem,makingsomekindofnoteonascroll.Shestoodbeneaththatcentralmonument—

which,Mardinasawnow,wasapillarofstone,finelyworked,engravedwithwhatlookedlikeLatinletterstoMardina,butshedidn’trecognizethewords,andithadakindoflightning-boltsculptureofsteelattheverytop.

Andananimalcameboundingaroundthecornerofthemonument,headingstraightatthem.

Adog?No.Itranontwolegs.Itwasfeatheredgreenandcrimson,asgaudyasanyIncapriestshe’deverseen,likearunningbird,perhaps.Butitsheadwashuge,andnothinglikeahuman’s,nothinglikeabird’s,abigblockyheaddominatedbyahugejaw—ajawthatopenednow,andtheanimalroared.

They’dbothbeenfrozenwithshock.NowChu

reacted.WithonehandhepulledMardinaandthebabybehindhisbody,andwiththeotherdrewhispugiodaggerandtookastance.“Stayback!”

Thewomanbythemonumentturnedatthenoise.“Halt,Hermann!”

ToMardina’shugerelief,thebeastslowedimmediately,skiddingtoahaltonthesmoothfloor.She

sawnowthatitsfeetwereclawed,eachtalonlongerthanChu’spugio.Foraheartbeatitstaredatitspreywithevidentanguish.

“Komm!Hermann,komm!”

Thefeatheredbeasthungitsheadandlopedaway.

Thewomanapproachedthenewarrivals,herhandrestingonaweaponatherbelt.Sheworeauniformof

jet-black,withlightningflashesatthecollarandsleeves.Sheworenohat,andhergrayhairwaspulledbacktightlyfromherforehead.Shewasold,Mardinasawimmediately,thoughshewalkedconfidentlyenough.Andshelookedhauntinglyfamiliar.

“WieheißenSie?”Mardina,clutching

Gwen,murmuredtoChu,

“Putyourdaggeraway...”“WasmachenSiehier?”Mardinastaredatthe

woman.ItwasStefKalinski.OrPenny.Or,Mardinathoughtwildly,anotherKalinskitwin.“You!”

ButthewomanhadeyesonlyforChu.JustasMardinahadrecognizedher,nowshe,evidently,recognizedChu.

Thewomandroppedtoonekneeandhungherhead.

“Verzeihung,EureExzellenz.”

Chujuststaredback,astonished.

Alwaysanotherdoor,Mardinathought.JustasgrandfatherYurihadsaid.“Letmehandlethis.”ShehandedthebabytoChu,spreadherhands,andwalkedforward,towardthekneelingstranger.

Intheheartsofahundredbillionworlds

Acrossatrilliondyingrealitiesinalethalmultiverse—


Allthatcouldhavebeendonehadbeendone.

Inpeaceandsatisfaction,mindsdiffuseandantiquesubmittedtotheEndTime.

AFTERWORD

SincethepublicationofProxima,thescientificstudy

ofthepotentialhabitabilityoftidallylockedplanetsofreddwarfstarshascontinued.Forexample,thefirstthree-dimensionalatmosphericmodelofaworldlikePerArduawaspublishedin2013(D.Abbotetal,AstrophysicalJournalLetters,vol.771,L45).

ArecentreferenceontheRomanEmpireanditsprovincesisRomanBritain

byPatriciaSouthern(Amberley,2011).RomandatesgivenherearebasedonthesystemusedfromthelaterRepublic,whenscholarsbegantocounttheyearsfromthefoundingofthecityofRome.ThefoundingdateusedhereisthatgivenbyVarro,butotherscholarsvaried.“AUC”isanabbreviationforaburbecondita,“fromthefounding

ofthecity.”Arecentifspeculative

referenceonCelticcultureisGrahamRobb’sTheAncientPaths(Picador,2013).AusefulrecentreferenceontheIncasisKimMacQuarrie’sTheLastDaysoftheIncas(Simon&Schuster,2007).RecentevidenceontheIncas’useofchildsacrificeisgiveninCurrentWorldArchaeologyno.61,2013.

AnglicizedspellingsofQuechuatermsvary;Ihaveaimedprimarilyforclarity.

Therewasadevastatingvolcaniceruptionintheyear1258,theeruptionofthemillenniumandwithglobaleffects(seeforexampleCurrentArchaeology,September2012).ItslocationhasquiterecentlybeenidentifiedasIndonesia.

The“gravitytrain”was

devisedintheseventeenthcenturybyBritishscientistRobertHooke,whopresentedtheideainalettertoIsaacNewton.Theideahasbeenseriouslypresentedafewtimes,suchastotheParisAcademyofSciencesinthenineteenthcentury.

Thereisalargeliteratureonthefeasibilityofspacecolonies.TheIncadesigndepictedhereisextrapolated

fromtheworkofO’Neillinthe1970s(G.K.O’Neill,TheHighFrontier,WilliamMorrow,1976).TheuseofmodernmaterialsandtechniquestobuildverylargestructureshasbeenexploredforexamplebyT.McKendree(“ImplicationsofMolecularNanotechnologyTechnicalPerformanceParametersonPreviouslyDefinedSpaceSystem

Architectures,”TurningGoalsintoReality,NASA,2000,http://www.zyvex.com/nanotech/nano4/mckendreePaper.html#RTFToC17).

ThefarfutureoftheAlphaCentaurisystemhasbeendescribedbyMartinBeech(“TheFarDistantFutureofAlphaCentauri,”JournaloftheBritishInterplanetarySociety,vol.64,pp.387-395,2011).A

recentreferenceonnaturalpanspermiais“DynamicsofescapingEarthejectaandtheircollisionprobabilitywithdifferentSolarSystembodies”byM.Reyes-Ruizetal(2011,arXiv:1108.3375v1).

RecentreferencesonthecollectivebehaviorofbacteriaarerelevantessaysinChimerasandConsciousnessbyLynnMargolisetal(MIT

Press,2011).Newextensivesurveysofthe“darkenergybiosphere,”lifedeepunderground,werereportedinJune2014ataconferenceattheUniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley(NewScientist,21June2014).

The“DoomsdayArgument,”developedbyBrandonCarterandothersandreferredtobyStefKalinskiinChapter67—one

versionofwhichsuggeststhatourfuturemaynotbeinfinitebutofthesameorderofmagnitudeofourpast—isexploredinJohnLeslie’sTheEndoftheWorld(Routledge,1996).Thealarmingsuggestionthatouruniversemayhaveonlyarelativelyshortfuturebecauseofourexistencewithina“multiverse,”anensembleofuniverses,wassetoutin2010

inapapercalled“Eternalinflationpredictsthattimewillend,”byRaphaelBoussooftheUniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley,andothers(arXiv:1009.4698v1).ArecentbackgroundworkonthesubjectisUniverseorMultiverse?ed.BernardCarr(CambridgeUniversityPress,2007).Thephysicalconsequencesoftheend-timeeventasdepictedherewere

suggestedbyIgorSmolyaninovoftheUniversityofMarylandandothers(“Hyperbolicmetamaterialinterfaces:HawkingradiationfromRindlerhorizonsandthe‘endoftime.’”2011,arXiv:1107.4053v1).Thescienceofripples-in-space-timefaster-than-lightwarpsderivesfromaseminalpaperbyMiguelAlcubierre

(ClassicalandQuantumGravityvol.11,L73–L77,1994).Thedetectionofprimordialgravitationwaves,bytheBICEP2telescopeinAntarctica,wasfirstannouncedinMarch2014(NewScientist,22March2014).ForanexplorationofhowtoturnanEinsteinianwormholeintoatimemachine,seemyownnovelTimelikeInfinity,inXeelee:

AnOmnibus(Gollancz,2010).

Onceagain,I’mdeeplygratefultoProf.AdamRobertsforhelpwithmyLatinhomework.

Anyerrorsorinaccuraciesareofcoursemysoleresponsibility.

StephenBaxterNorthumberland

July2014

Lookingformore?

VisitPenguin.comformoreaboutthisauthorandacompletelistoftheirbooks.

Discoveryournextgreatread!

http://links.penguin.com/type/eBookLanding/isbn/9780698142961?cmp=OTC-EBKREAD2

http://links.penguin.com/type/eBookLanding/isbn/9780698142961?cmp=OTC-EBKREAD2

other books by stephen baxter1.droppdf.com/files/4n4jo/ultima-stephen-baxter.pdf · 2015-08-18 ·...

Documents