Filia was surprised. "Havoc knows this, of course. Why would he trust you with this vital mission?"
"He says I am qualified. I am doing it, but I think there must be thousands of others who are as qualified. I don't know why he picked me." She smiled, embarrassed. "He does like to plumb me, but I don't think that could be it."
"He likes to plumb anything with plumbing. He must want the machines to know," Filia said. "This surprises me. Why would he arrange to give them such vital information?"
"I thought Oak might be a decoy, to distract the machines, but Havoc says no. He says Oak and I are protected."
"Correct and correct," Filia said. "Oak's talent is real, as we have demonstrated this day. Very small movements can control the functioning of machines, including ships of space. And you are protected by the Glamors, there in your stronghold. And by me, at the moment. We do value you."
"Yet if Oak really is our secret weapon, why assign me to train him, knowing that the machines will know? It isn't secret any more."
"Conjecture: just as the machines sent humanoid robots to your culture, to impress you with their powers and make you reconsider your opposition, maybe Havoc is sending information to the machines to make them reconsider their campaign. If they see what Oak can do, and know they can't stop him, perhaps they will stop their attack."
"Possibility!" Opaline exclaimed, delighted with the conjecture. That could explain everything.
"This war is being waged on many levels. Both sides would profit greatly if the other desisted short of victory."
"Do you think either side will quit?"
"Negation," Filia said. "The machines are locked into their program, trusting to force to remove all obstacles.
The Glamors will not allow all living cultures to be destroyed. So the war must be fought."
"Do you really think the living cultures can stop the machines?"
"Affirmation. But the way may be devious. Both sides are peering into the future, seeking those courses that lead to victory. This is one of the ways it becomes devious. What seems obvious in the present may not be true for the future."
"My head feels dense."
The craft landed on the top of one of the cubic buildings. "We live in these," Filia said. "Thousands of little shelves where the magnetic essences can be stored, and common areas suitable for fully animated Filaments."
"Stored?"
"You would call it sleep. It is our inactive state. We assume it for space travel, compacting our filings, then animating when the ship finds a suitable harbor. I could show you the interior of the building, but I think you would not find it interesting."
"Affirmation. I prefer forest, fields, streams, and the embrace of a man."
Filia laughed. "You must tell me more of the last, for that is what we have in common. Are there nuances that set Havoc off? I noted that you are stimulated by observing the sexual act; is that the case for him too?"
Opaline considered, trying to remember. When they had watched Weft, in the guise of Opaline, having sex with Oak, the sight had turned Opaline on. She had turned to Havoc, and they had had immediate sex. She had assumed he was being kind to her, and that he was always ready for sex. So had it been the sight, or Opaline's eagerness that turned him on?
"Problem," Filia murmured.
"Question?"
"My instruments indicate a machines attack craft in the vicinity, closing on our position."
"It's after me!" Opaline exclaimed, horrified. "They must have read my mind, and discovered where I was, and are striking because I am not in the stronghold now."
"This may be the case," Filia agreed. "We shall evade them."
The craft accelerated, swinging to the side so rapidly that Opaline was crushed against the protective harness that held her in place. The landscape of the planet zoomed dizzily by. She had had no idea that this little bubble was capable of such ferocious maneuvering.
"Obscenity," Filia muttered, the translator rendering her actual expression into Charm dialect. "We are not shaking the enemy. It has locked onto us."
"Throw me overboard!" Opaline cried. "Then you can escape."
"Negation. I undertook to safeguard you, and I shall do so. Hang on." The bubble suddenly lifted, moving straight up into the sky. Now the machines gunboat was visible, drawing closer. It looked horribly menacing.
"Wormhole," Filia said tightly. There was a gut-twisting wrench. Then the scene shifted. They were floating above another planet. Opaline knew, because the sky had changed color from gray to blue and the cubic buildings below had been replaced by blue trees.
"Wonder," Opaline said. "I never traveled in a craft like this before, only in Havoc's arms."
"Fortunate you," Filia said. "We seem to have lost them. We shall have to get you back home soon, because we can't match the protection that location provides you."
"I do miss Oak," Opaline said. Then she realized that this was beside the point, and was embarrassed.
Then the machines boat popped into view. "Infidelity!" Filia swore. "They used another wormhole!"
"They're still tracking my open mind," Opaline said. "Please, this is dangerous for you. Put me down somewhere and flee."
Filia glanced at her. "I can see why Havoc likes you. Your innocence is touching."
"Apology," Opaline said, feeling wholly inadequate.
"Wormhole," Filia said again. There followed the wrenching and relocation.
This time the planet was a barren red moon. "Question?"
"We haven't colonized this one yet," Filia explained. "The threat of the machines preempted our attention."
"Understanding."
The enemy vessel appeared again.
"Blasphemy!" Filia seemed angry rather than afraid.
"If you would just—"
"Negation! I will save you if it kills me!"
They used another wormhole, taking them to a giant planet with roiling bands of clouds. And soon the machines ship followed.
"I will go where not expected," Filia said. "Beyond my venue. That will foil them."
"Please—"
"Negation! Now you will have to pilot this craft. Put your digits on this panel and move in the direction you wish it to go. You will catch on quickly enough. I am turning on the planetary communicator. Speak, and someone will hear."
"But where—"
"To your planet of Charm, where you are safe. The environment is hostile for me, and I have no ikon there, so I will not be able to manifest or talk with you. Havoc will find me and take me back."
The enemy craft was looming close. In moments it would fire and wipe them out.
"It will enter the hole in twenty seconds. Move over as I contract," Filia said. "Now." She withdrew into her filing cube, which landed on the seat.
Opaline didn't try to argue further. She picked up the cube, slid into the seat, and set the cube in her lap. She put her hand on the panel.
The craft wrenched. The scene changed. And there before it was the patchwork world of Charm. She was home, in a manner.
She moved her fingers on the panel. The bubble leaped forward, the restraints closing about her body to prevent her from being hurled against the side. She jerked her hands back, and the bubble jerked back just as violently.
She steadied herself, and the bubble steadied. She was getting the hang of it.
And the machines gunship appeared before her.
They had followed her here after all. Her safety in this region was illusory.
"Desperation!" she exclaimed. Then she oriented the bubble carefully, centering the gunship on the screen, and jammed her fingers forward.
The craft leaped, hurtling toward the enemy, accelerating. Opaline kept her hands steady. She knew she couldn't hope to escape the gunship, but she could at least take it with her.
The ship loomed close, filling the screen. Opaline didn't flinch. She plunged straight at it, not slowing. She closed her eyes, anticipating the collision.