I imagine there are several governments who feel the same with respect to you and me. Human nature.
Maybe, maybe not. None of them has volunteered for the job.
They are probably worried about instigating a conflict over possessing her. If one made an approach to you, they would all have to. Such a wrangle would be impossible to keep under wraps. In that respect, the First Admiral is quite correct, the fewer people who know about her the better. Public reaction to super-doomsday weapons would not be favourable.
Yes, I suppose so. That Rear-Admiral Meredith Saldana, I take it hes a relative of mine?
Indeed. He is the son of the last Prince of Nesko, which makes him an earl in his own right. But he chose to become a Confederation fleet career officer, which couldnt be easy, with his name acting against him.
Did he turn his back on Kulu like my grandfather?
No, the fifth son of a principality ruler is not naturally destined for high office. Meredith Saldana decided to achieve what he could on his own merit; had he remained on Nesko such an action could well have brought him into conflict with the new prince. So he left to pursue an independent course; given his position, it was the act of a loyal subject. The family are proud of his accomplishment.
Hell never make First Admiral, then?
No, given his heritage it would be politically impossible, but he might manage 7th Fleet commander. He is a highly competent and popular officer.
Nice to know were not totally decadent yet.she picked Augustine off the oranges, putting him down beside her side plate, then cut a grape open for him. He hummed contentedly and lifted a segment to his mouth in the dawdling fashion that so bewitched her. As always, her mind wandered to Joshua. He must be halfway to Lalonde by now.
I have two messages for you.
Youre trying to distract me,she accused.
Yes. You know I dont like it when you are upset. It is my failure as well.
No, it isnt. Im a big girl now, I knew exactly what I was getting into with Joshua. So what are the messages?
Haile wants to know when you are coming for a swim.
Ione brightened. Tell her Ill see her in an hour.
Very well. Secondly, Parker Higgens requests you visit him today, as soon as possible, in fact. He was rather insistent.
Why?
I believe the team analysing Joshuas Laymil electronics stack have made a breakthrough.
Perniks fishing boats were halfway to the horizon by the time Syrinx emerged from the base of the tower on the morning she was due to visit the whales. The cool dawn sun had coloured the islands covering of moss a matt black. She breathed in the salty air, relishing the cleanliness.
I never really thought of our air as anything exceptional,mosul said. he was walking beside her, holding a big box full of supplies for the voyage.
It isnt once the humidity gets up. But dont forget, over ninety per cent of my life is spent in a perfectly regulated environment. This is an exhilarating change.
Oh, thank you!Oenone said tartly.
Syrinx grinned.
Were in luck,mosul said. Ive checked with the dolphins, and the whales are actually closer today. We should be there by late afternoon.
Great.
Mosul led her along the broad avenue down to the rim quays. Water slapped lazily against the polyp. Pernik could have been a genuine island rooted in the planets crust for all the motion it made.
Sometimes a real storm rocks us a degree or so.
Ah, right.her grin faded. Im sorry, I didnt realize I was leaking so much. Its very rude of me. Preoccupied, I guess.
No problem. Do you want Ruben to come with us? Perhaps he would make you feel easier.
Syrinx thought of him curled up in the bed where shed left him half an hour ago. There was no response to her halfhearted query. He had gone back to sleep. No. Im never alone, I have Oenone.
She watched a frown form on Mosuls handsome sea-browned face. How old is Ruben?the semi-apologetic thought came.
She told him and had to stifle a laugh as the surprise and faint disapproval spilled out of his mind despite a frantic effort to cover them up. Gets them every time.
You shouldnt tease people so,Oenone said. Hes a nice young man, I like him.
You always say that.
I only voice what you feel.
The quay was balanced on big cylindrical flotation drums which rode the swell in long undulations. Thick purple-red tubes ran along the edge, carrying nutrient fluid out to the boats. Leaky couplings dribbled the dark syrupy fluid into the water.
Syrinx stood to one side as a couple of servitor chimps carrying boxes passed by. They were wildly different from the standard habitat housechimps, with a scaled reptilian skin a mild blue-green in colour. Their feet were broad, with long webbed toes.
The boat that waited for them was called the Spiros , a seventeen-metre sailing craft with a white composite hull. Bitek units were blended into the structure with a skill that went far beyond mechanical practicality, it was almost artistry. The digestive organs and nutrient-reserve bladders were in the bilges, supporting the sub-sentient processor array and the mainsail membrane, as well as various ancillary systems. Her cabin fittings were all wooden, the timber coming from trees grown in the islands central park. She was used by Mosuls whole family for recreation. Which explained why the cabin was in a bit of a mess when they came on board.
Mosul stood in the galley clutching his box of supplies and looking round darkly at the discarded wrappers, unwashed pans, and crusty stains on the work surface. He muttered under his breath. My younger cousins had her out a couple of days ago,he apologized.
Well, dont be too hard on them, youth is a time to be treasured.
Theyre not that young. And its not as though they couldnt have detailed a housechimp to clean up afterwards. No damn thought for others.there were more curses when he went forward and found the bunks in the same state.
Syrinx overheard a furious affinity conversation with the juvenile offenders. Smiling to herself she started stowing supplies.
Mosul unplugged the quays nutrient-feed veins from their couplings on the Spiros s aft deck, then cast off. Leaning over the taffrail Syrinx watched the five-metre-long silver-grey eel-derived tail wriggling energetically just below the surface, nudging the boat away from the quay. The tightly whorled sail membrane began to unfurl from its twenty-metre-high mast. When it was fully open it was a triangle the colour of spring-fresh beech leaves, reinforced with a rubbery hexagonal web of muscle cells.
It caught the morning breeze, filling out. A small white wake arose, curling around the bow. The tail straightened out, giving just the occasional tempestuous flick to maintain the course Mosul had loaded into the processor array.
Syrinx made her way forward carefully. The decking was damp below her rubber-soled plimsolls, and they had already picked up a surprising turn of speed. She leaned contentedly on the rail, letting the wind bathe her face. Mosul came up and put his arm round her shoulder.
You know, I think Im finding this ocean more daunting than space,syrinx said as pernik fell astern rapidly. I know space is infinite, and that doesnt bother me in the slightest, but Atlantis looks infinite. Thousands of kilometres of empty ocean conjures up a more readily accessible concept for the human mind than all those light-years.