Iain M. Banks-The Algebraist (2005)

8/12/2019 Iain M. Banks-The Algebraist (2005)

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The Algebraist

Iain M. Banks

Orbit Books

ISBN: 1-8414-9229-9

Copyright Iain M. Banks 2004

ISBN: 1-84149-229-9

PrologueOn: !h "#t#$n %o#s!&o: 'str#(ti) *(a++

!hr: No&hr ,t to a++

o#r: /)nts '#ring arti$i): Conitions o assag


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PROLOGUE

I ha) a story to t++ yo#. It has $any bginnings3 an prhaps on ning. rhaps not. Bginnings

an nings ar (ontingnt things any&ay in)ntions3 )i(s. hr os any story ra++y bgin5 !hr is

a+&ays (ont6t3 a+&ays an n(o$passing+y gratr pi(3 a+&ays so$thing bor th s(rib )nts3 #n+ss& ar to start )ry story &ith3 7B"NExpand! Sssss . . .73 thn it$is th &ho+ s#bs#nt history

o th #ni)rs bor stt+ing o&n3 at +ast3 to th parti(#+ar ta+ in #stion. Si$i+ar+y3 no ning is ina+3

#n+ss it is th n o a++ things . . .

N)rth+ss3 I ha) a story to t++ yo#. My o&n ir(t part in it &as )anishing+y s$a++ an I ha)

not tho#ght )n to intro#( $ys+ &ith anything as prs#$pt#o#s as a propr na$. N)rth+ss3 I

&as thr3 at th )ry bginning o on o thos bginnings.

ro$ th air3 I a$ to+3 th "#t#$n %o#s +ooks +ik a giant gry an pink sno&+ak +ying ha+-$b &ithin ths o+ grn s+ops. It +is on th +ong3 sha++o& s(arp$nt &hi(h or$s th

so#thrn +i$it o th Northrn !ropi(a+ ;p+ans. On th northrn si o th ho#s ar spra th)ario#s or$a+ an r#sti( garns &hi(h it is both $y #ty an $y p+as#r to tn. " +itt+ #rthr #p ths(arp$nt rst th 6tnsi) r#ins o a a++n t$p+3 b+i) to ha) bn a (onstr#(tion o a sp(is

(a++ th *h+i. !h t$p+7s grat &hit (o+#$ns on(to&r a h#nr $trs or so into o#r thin airs b#t no& +i spra&+ #pon an intrr &ithin th

gro#n3 )ast strak an +#t t#bs o so+i ston ha+ b#ri in th paty soi+s o th #ni$pro) +an

aro#n #s. !h #rthst-a++n ns o th (o+#$ns - &hi(h $#st ha) topp+ s+o&+y b#t $ost

i$prssi)+y in o#r ha+-stanar gra)ity - p#n(h grat +ong (ratr-+ik it(hs o#t o th arth3 (rating+ong o#b+ $bank$nts &ith b#+bo#s+y ro#n tips. O)r th $any $i++nnia sin( thir s#n

(ration ths ta++ ra$parts ha) bn s+o&+y &orn o&n both by rosion an o#r &or+7s $any s$a++

gro#n-#aks so that th arth has s+#$p ba(k to ri++ th &i it(hs &hr th (o+#$n ns +i3#nti+ a++ that is )isib+ is a s#((ssion o gnt+ &a)s in th +an7s s#ra(3 +ik a sris o s$a++3 sp+ay

)a++ys ro$ &hos #ppr +i$its th #nb#ri +ngths o th (o+#$ns appar +ik th pa+ 6pos

bons o this +itt+ p+ant-$oon.

hr on (o+#$n ++ an ro++ a(ross a sha++o& ri)r )a++y3 it or$ a sort o ang+ (y+inri(a+a$3 o)r &hi(h th &atr spi++s3 is (a#ght an (hann++ by on o th $trs-p groo)s

$b++ishing th (o+#$n7s +ngth3 an thn +o&s o&n to &hat r$ains o th (o+#$n7s ornat+y (ar)

(apita+ an a sris o s$a++3 gra(#+ &atra++s &hi(h n in a p poo+ ?#st byon th ta++3 nshgs &hi(h $ark th highst +i$it o o#r garns. ro$ hr th stra$ is g#i an (ontro++3

so$ o its &atrs pro(ing to a p (istrn &hi(h pro)is th ha&atrs or o#r gra)ity o#ntains

o&n nar th ho#s &hi+ th rst $ak #p th brook &hi(h by t#rns t#$b+s3 r#shs3 s&ings an$anrs o&n to th orna$nta+ +aks an partia+ $oat s#rro#ning th ho#s its+.

I &as staning &aist-p in th g#rg+ing &atrs o a stp+y pit(h part o th brook3 thr +i$bs

bra( against th (#rrnt3 s#rro#n by ripping 6r-rhoonron bran(hs an (oi+s o &3

tri$$ing an a-haing a parti(#+ar+y r(a+(itrant (on#sion o $oi+-b#sh aro#n a rank+y rathrthrabar rais +a&n o s(a+pygrass &hn th yo#ng $astr - rt#rning3 &hist+ing3 hans (+asp bhin


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his ba(k3 ro$ his $orning (onstit#tiona+ ro#n th highr ro(kris -stopp on th gra)+ path abo)

$ an s$i+ o&n. I +ook ro#n an #p3 sti++ (+ipping a&ay3 an no &ith as $#(h or$a+ity as

$y so$&hat a&k&ar stan( &o#+ a++o&.

S#n+ight po#r ro$ th p#rp+ sky )isib+ bt&n th (#r) o ast&ar hori@on an thnor$o#s o)rhanging b#+k o th gas-giant p+ant Nas#ron i++ing th $a?ority o th sky . " syn(hrono#s $irror a+$ost ir(t+y abo) #s s(rib a sing+sharp +in o y++o&-&hit a(ross th +argst o Nas#ron7s stor$-spots3 &hi(h $o) ponro#s+y

a(ross th sky +ik an orang-bro&n br#is th si@ o a tho#san $oons.

7oo $orning3 %a arnr.7

7oo $orning3 Sr !aak.7

7"n ho& ar o#r garns57

7nra++y ha+thy3 I &o#+ say. In goo shap or spring.7 I (o#+ ha) gon on to pro)i $#(h$or tai+3 nat#ra++y3 b#t &ait to is(o)r &hthr Sr !aak &as $r+y in#+ging in phati( is(o#rs.

% no at th &atr r#shing an braking aro#n $y +o&r +i$bs.

7Ao# a++ right in thr3 %5 ,ooks a bit ir(.7

7I a$ &++ bra( an an(hor3 thank yo#3 Sr !aak.7 I hsitat 3 thn3 &hn Sr !aak sti++ s$i+ n(o#raging+y o&n at $3 I a3 7!h +o& is high b(a#sth +o&r p#$ps ar on3 r(ir(#+ating th &atrs to nab+ #s to s(o#r on o th +aks r o +oating

&s.7

r#nning3 s(attring gra)+.>

7I s. 'in7t think it ha rain that $#(h r(nt+y.7 % no. 7++3 kp #p th goo &ork3 %37h sai3 an t#rn to go3 thn sa& &ho)r &as r#nning to&ars hi$. I s#sp(t ro$ th rhyth$ o

hr r#nning stps that it &as th gir+ ab. ab is sti++ at th ag &hr sh r#ns ro$ p+a( to p+a( as a

$attr o (o#rs #n+ss ir(t not to by an a#+t. %o&)r3 I b+i) that I t(t a $or than(as#a+ #rgn(y in hr gait.

Sr !aak s$i+ an ro&n at th gir+ at th sa$ ti$ as sh (a$ skiing to a stop on th

gra)+ in ront o hi$3 p#tting on han +at to th (hst o hr y++o& #ngars an bning o)r or a

(o#p+ o p3 6aggrat braths - +ong pink (#r+s s&ir+ing an an(ing ro#n hr a( - bor taking

on )n pr brath an staning #p straight to say3

7;n(+ assin ranpa S+o)i#s says yo#7r o#t in a (o$$#ni(aro again an i I s yo# I7) to t++

yo# yo#7) to (o$ an s hi$ right no& i$$iat+y7

7'os h no&57 Sr !aak sai3 +a#ghing. % bnt an pi(k th gir+ #p by hr ar$pits3 ho+ing hra( +)+ &ith his3 hr +itt+ pink boots hanging +)+ &ith th &aist o his brit(hs.

7As3 h os37 sh to+ hi$3 an sni. Sh +ook o&n an sa& $. 7Oh %++o3 %.7


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7oo $orning3 ab.7

7++37 sai Sr !aak3 hoisting th (hi+ #rthr #p an t#rning an +o&ring hr so that sh sat on

his sho#+rs3 7&7 bttr go an s &hat th o+ $an &ants3 han7t &57 % start o&n th path

to&ars th ho#s. 7Ao# okay #p thr57

Sh p#t hr hans o)r his orha an sai3 7A#p.7

7++3 this ti$3 $in o#t or bran(hs.7

'You $in o#t or bran(hs7 ab sai3 r#bbing hr kn#(k+s thro#gh Sr !aak7s bro&n (#r+s. Sh

t&ist ro#n an &a) ba(k at $. 7By3 %7

7ooby37 I (a++ as thy &nt to&ars th stps.

7No3you $in o#t or bran(hs3 yo#ng +ay.7

7No3you $in o#t or bran(hs7

7No3you $in o#t or bran(hs.7

7No3you $in o#t or bran(hs . . .7

ONE

THE AUTUMN HOUSE

It ha tho#ght it &o#+ b sa o#t hr3 ?#st on $or a$bint+y b+a(k sp(k p-(hi++ in th

)ast )i+ o i(y bris &rapping th o#tr ra(hs o th syst$ +ik a ro@n3 tn#o#s shro# o tiss#.B#t it ha bn &rong an it &as not sa.

It +ay3 s+o&-t#$b+ing3 an &at(h h+p+ss+y as th probing ba$s +i(kr a(ross th pitt3 barrn

$ots ar a&ay3 an kn& its at &as stt+. !h intrrogating tnri+s o (ohrn( &r a+$ost too

#i(k to sns3 too s$ing+y tntati) to rgistr3 bar+y to#(hing3 s(ar(+y i++#$inating3 b#t thy i thir?ob by ining nothing &hr thr &as nothing to in. #st (arbon3 tra(3 an i(-&atr har as iron:

an(int3 a3 an -+t #nist#rb - no thrat to anyon.

!h +asrs +i(k o3 an a(h ti$ it +t hop ris3 ining its+ thinking3 spit a++ rationa+ity3that its p#rs#rs &o#+ gi) #p3 a$it at3 ?#st go a&ay an +a) it b3 to orbit thr or )r. Or

prhaps it &o#+ ki(k a&ay into a +on+y trnity o +ss than +ight-s+o& 6i+3 or rit into a (+oso&n

s+p3 or . . . Or it $ight3 it s#ppos - an this &as &hat thy ar3 o (o#rs3 this &as &hy thyh#nt - p+ot an p+an an gathr an $ak an #i(kn an b#i+ an $#+tip+y an $#str an - atta(k

. . . C+ai$ing th )ngan( that &as so s#r+y its3 6a(ting th pri( its n$is a++ sr) to pay - by

any a+gbra o ?#sti( #nr any s#n yo# (ar to na$ - or thir into+ran(3 thir sa)agry3 thir


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gnra(i.

!hn th n+ rays rappar3 it#++y irraiating th soot-i(-(+inkr o anothr st o barna(+-

b+a(k trit#s3 a +itt+ #rthr a&ay3 or a +itt+ (+osr3 b#t a+&ays &ith a rapi3 $ti(#+o#s orr to th$3 a

$i+itaristi( pr(ision an a p+oing3 b#ra#(rati( syst$ati(is$.

ro$ th ar+ir +ight trai+s3 thr &r at +ast thr ships. %o& $any i thy ha)5 %o& $any$ight thy )ot to th sar(h5 It in7t ra++y $attr. !hy $ight tak a $o$nt3 a $onth or a

$i++nni#$ to in thir #arry3 b#t thy ob)io#s+y kn& &hr to +ook an thy &o#+ not stop #nti+

thy ha ithr o#n &hat thy &r +ooking or or satisi th$s+)s that thr &as nothing thr.

!hat it &as so ob)io#s+y in har$7s &ay3 an that its hiing p+a(3 ho&)r nor$o#s3 &as a+$ost

th irst p+a( thy ha (hosn to sar(h3 i++ it &ith trror3 not ?#st b(a#s it i not &ant to i3 or b

pi(k apart as thy ha bn kno&n to pi(k its kin apart bor ki++ing thir )i(ti$s #ttr+y3 b#t b(a#si it &as not sa in this p+a( &hr it ha ass#$ it &o#+ b3 thn3 gi)n that so $any o its kin ha

$a th sa$ ass#$ption3 non o th$ &o#+ b sa ithr.

Dear Reason, maybe none of us are safe anywhere.

"++ its st#is3 a++ its tho#ghts3 a++ th grat things that $ight ha) bn3 a++ th r#its o (hang ro$th on grat r)+ation it $ight ha) ha3 an no& &o#+ n)r kno& th tr#th o3 &o#+ n)r b ab+

to t++. "++3 a++ or nothing no&. It (o#+ (hoos to go &ith so$ +gan(3 or not3 b#t it (o#+ not (hoos

not to go.

No #n-(hoosing ath.

!h n+ rays ro$ th n+ ships +i(k onD+i(k o a&ay a(ross th ro@n istan(s3 an

ina++y it (o#+ s th pattrn in th$3 is(rning on ship7s (o$b o s(inti++ations ro$ th othrs an

so pi(king o#t th shap o th sar(h gris3 a++o&ing it to &at(h3 h+p+ss3 as th s+o& spra o that$orta+ in#iry (rpt s+o&+y3 s+o&+y (+osr.

*

!h "r(hi$anrit ,#sro#s3 &arrior prist o th Star)+ing C#+t o ,s#$9 IE an (ti)

r#+r o on h#nr an s)ntn st++ar syst$s3 orty-p+#s inhabit p+ants3 n#$ro#s signii(ant

artii(ia+ i$$obi+ habitats an $any h#nrs o tho#sans o (i)i+ian (apita+ ships3 &ho &as /6(#ti)%igh "$ira+ o th Shro# ing S#aron o th o#r-%#nr-an-Si6ty-/ighth "$bint +t


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no#gh to (ongnita++y possib+ or pop+ to b #ns#r &hthr thy ha bn a#g$nt or not. !h

&hits byon th b+a(k iriss &r a p3 +i)i r3 an )ry on o his tth ha bn (ar#++y

rp+a( &ith a p#r3 (+ar ia$on3 gi)ing his $o#th an apparan( &hi(h )ari ro$ bi@arr3

$ia)a+ tooth+ssnss to start+ing3 g+istning bri++ian(3 ntir+y pning on ang+ an +ight.

In a strt pror$r or an a(tor3 s#(h physio+ogi(a+ part#rs $ight ha) bn a$#sing3 )n a

+itt+ sprat-+ooking in so$boy &i+ing th kin o po&r &hi(h ,#sro#s possss3 thy (o#+b gn#in+y ist#rbing3 )n trriying. !h sa$ ha+-tast+ss3 ha+-horriying (t $ight b (+ai$or his na$3 &hi(h &as not th on h ha bn born &ith. ,#sro#s &as a (hosn na$3 s+(t or

its phonti( pro6i$ity to that o so$ +ong-s(orn /arth ity &hi(h $ost h#$ans - &++3 $ost

r%#$ans3 at +ast - &o#+ )ag#+y ha) har o in thir history st#is &hi+ probab+y not bing

ntir+y ab+ to p+a( &hn thy ha har th &or.

"gain thanks to gnti( $anip#+ation3 th "r(hi$anrit &as no& an ha bn or so$ +ong ti$

a ta++3 &++-b#i+t $an &ith (onsirab+ #ppr-boy strngth3 an &hn h p#n(h in angr - an h

rar+y p#n(h in any othr stat - it &as to (onsirab+ (t. !h rb+ +ar &hos ha no& h#ng#psi o&n ro$ ,#sro#s7s (i+ing ha (a#s th "r(hi$anrit nor$o#s $i+itary an po+iti(a+

ii(#+tis bor bing at3 ii(#+tis &hi(h ha so$ti$s )rg on bing h#$i+iations3 an,#sro#s sti++ +t p3 p rsnt$nt to&ars th traitor3 rsnt$nt &hi(h asi+y an r+iab+y t#rnits+ to angr &hn h +ook #pon th $an7s a(3 no $attr ho& battr3 br#is an b+ooy it $ight

b 3 an so th "r(hi$anrit

probab+y sti++ &ha(k an s$ash a&ay at Stina#sin7s ha &ith as $#(h nth#sias$ no& as h ha

&hn h7 irst ha hi$ h#ng thr3 yars ar+ir.

Stina#sin3 &ho ha bar+y n#r a $onth o s#(h trat$nt bor going (o$p+t+y $a3 an

&hos $o#th ha bn s&n #p to stop hi$ spitting at th "r(hi$anrit3 (o#+ not )n ki++ hi$s+

snsors3 t#bs3 $i(rop#$ps an bio(ir(#itry pr)nt s#(h an asy &ay o#t. /)n &itho#t s#(h6trano#s +i$itations h (o#+ not ha) sho#t ab#s at ,#sro#s or att$pt to s&a++o& his tong#

b(a#s that organ ha bn torn o#t &hn his ha ha bn r$o).

!ho#gh by no& #it pr(t+y insan3 so$ti$s3 atr an sp(ia++y intns training sssion &ith th

"r(hi$anrit3 &hn th b+oo tri(k+ o&n ro$ th on-ti$ rb+ (hi7s sp+it +ips3 r-brokn nosan p#-#p ys an ars3 Stina#sin &o#+ (ry. !his ,#sro#s o#n parti(#+ar+y gratiying3 an

so$ti$s h &o#+ stan3 brathing har an &iping hi$s+ o&n &ith a to&+ &hi+ h &at(h th

tars i+#t th b+oo ripping ro$ th in)rt3 is$boi ha3 to +an in a broa (ra$i( sho&rtray st into th +oor.

O +at3 tho#gh3 th "r(hi$anrit ha ha a n& p+ay$at to a$#s hi$s+ &ith3 an h &o#+

o((asiona++y )isit th (ha$br so$ +)+s b+o& his st#y &hr th na$+ss &o#+-b assassin &hos

o&n tth &r s+o&+y ki++ing hi$ &as h+.

!h assassin3 a big3 po&r#+-+ooking3 +onin+y h#$an $a+3 ha bn snt &itho#t &apons sa) or

his sp(ia++y sharpn tth3 &ith &hi(h3 it ha ob)io#s+y bn hop by &ho)r ha snt hi$3 h (o#+

bit o#t th "r(hi$anrit7s throat. !his h ha att$pt to o3 a ha+-yar ar+ir at a (r$onia+ innr

h+ hr in th (+itop pa+a( in hono#r o th Syst$ rsint . !h &o#+-b

assassin ha on+y ai+ to a((o$p+ish this task thanks to th "r(hi$anrit7s nar-paranoi ortho#ght

an intns - an +arg+y s(rt - prsona+ s(#rity.


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!h ai+ assassin ha bn both ro#tin+y3 i sa)ag+y3 tort#r an thn )ry (ar#++y #stion #nr

th in+#n(s o ntir s#its o r#gs an +(tro-bio+ogi(a+ agnts3 b#t ha gi)n nothing #s#+ a&ay.

atnt+y h ha bn #a++y (ar#++y &ip o any kno&+g that $ight in(ri$inat &ho)r ha snt hi$3

by intrrogationa+ t(hni(ians at +ast as (apab+ as thos &ho$ th "r(hi$anrit (o$$an. %is(ontro++rs ha not )n bothr to i$p+ant a+s $$oris in(ri$inating anyboy (+os to th Co#rt an

th "r(hi$anrit3 as &as (o$$on in s#(h (ass.

,#sro#s3 &ho &as that $ost p+orab+ o bings3 a psy(hopathi( saist &ith a rti+i$agination3 ha (r that th ina+ p#nish$nt o th assassin sho#+ b that his o&n tth - th

&apons h ha bn snt &ith3 atr a++ - sho#+ bring abo#t his ath. "((oring+y3 his o#r (anin

tth ha bn r$o)3 bionginr to b(o$ t#sks &hi(h &o#+ gro& &itho#t (asing3 an

rinsrt. !hs grat ingr-thi(k angs ha r#pt o#t o th bons o his #ppr an +o&r ?a&3 p#n(-t#ring th +sh o his +ips3 an ha (ontin# thir r$ors+ss gro&th. !h +o&r st (#r) #p an

o)r his ha an3 atr

a & $onths7 &orth o 6tnsion3 (a$ to to#(h his s(a+p nar th top o his ha3 &hi+ th #ppr stgr& in a s(i$itar-+ik pair s&p bnath his n(k3 taking abo#t th sa$ ti$ to $t th skin

nar th bas o his throat.

nti(a++y a+tr not to stop gro&ing )n &hn thy n(o#ntr s#(h rsistan(3 both sts otth thn start to ntr th assassin7s boy3 on pair s+o&+y or(ing th$s+)s thro#gh th bony p+ats

o th $an7s sk#++3 th othr st ntring rathr $or asi+y into th sot tiss#s o th +o&r n(k. !h

t#sks igging into th assassin7s n(k (a#s grat pain b#t &r not i$$iat+y +i-thratning +t to

th$s+)s thy &o#+ rappar ro$ th rar o his n(k in # (o#rs. !h angs b#rro&ing thro#gh hissk#++ an into his brain &r th ons &hi(h &o#+ short+y3 an agonising+y3 ki++ hi$3 prhaps in as +itt+

as anothr $onth or so.

!h #nort#nat3 na$+ss assassin ha bn #nab+ to o anything to pr)nt this b(a#s h &aspinn h+p+ss an i$$obi+ against th &a++ o th (ha$br &ith bans an sha(k+s o thi(k

stain+ss iron3 his n#trition an boi+y #n(tions (atr or by )ario#s t#bs an i$p+ants. %is $o#th haa+so bn s&n #p3 +ik that o Stina#sin. or th irst & $onths o his (apti)ity th assassin7s ys ha

o++o& ,#sro#s aro#n th (ha$br &ith a ir(3 a((#satory +ook that th "r(hi$anrit)nt#a++y gr& to in annoying3 an so h7 ha th $an7s ys stit(h sh#t too.

!h ++o&7s ars an $in sti++ &ork3 ho&)r -,#sro#s ha bn ass#r - an

so$ti$s it a$#s hi$ to (o$ o&n an s or hi$s+ th progrss that th tth &r $akinginto th (rat#r7s boy. On s#(h o((asions3 ha)ing &hat on $ight tr$ a (apti) - yt n(ssari+y is(rt

- a#in(3 h so$ti$s +ik to ta+k to th ai+ assassin.

7oo ay37 ,#sro#s sai p+asant+y as th +it oor r#$b+ sh#t bhin hi$. !h (ha$br

p b+o& th st#y &as &hat th "r(hi$anrit tho#ght o as his n. %r3 as &++ as th na$+ssassassin3 h kpt assort so#)nirs o o+ (a$paigns3 booty ro$ his $any )i(toris3 it$s o high art

+oot ro$ a o@n irnt st++ar syst$s3 a (o++(tion o &apons both (r$onia+ an high-po&r3

)ario#s (ag or tank (rat#rs3 an th $o#nt3 proo#n+y a has o a++ thos $a?or n$isan a)rsaris &hos n ha not bn so (o$p+t as to r#( thir $orta+ r$ains to raiation3 #st3

s+i$ or #nintiiab+ strips o +sh an shars o bon .

,#sro#s (ross to a p3 ry tank part-st into th +oor an +ook in at th *(onit Sp+i(r

+ying (oi+ an sti++ on its +oor. % s+ipp a thi(k +bo& g+o) onto his ar$3 ra(h into a +arg pot


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staning on th broa3 &aist-high parapt o th tank an ropp a han#+ o at b+a(k tr#nk-+(hs

into th tank.

7"n ho& ar yo#5 "r yo# kping &++5 %$$57 h ask.

"n obsr)r &o#+ ha) bn #ns#r &hthr th "r(hi$anrit &as ta+king to th h#$an $a+

pinn to th &a++3 th *(onit Sp+i(r - no& no +ongr sti++3 b#t raising its b+in3 g+istning bro&nha3 sniing th air &hi+ its +ong3 sg$nt boy t&it(h &ith anti(ipation - or in th tr#nk-

+(hs3 th#ing on by on onto th $ossy +oor o th tank an i$$iat+y +6ing thir &ay &ith a

sort o sin-&a) $otion a(ross th s#ra( to&ars th narst (ornr3 as ar a&ay

ro$ th *(onit Sp+i(r as it &as possib+ to gt. !h bro&n $ass o th Sp+i(r bgan to sh#+

$assi)+y to&ars th$ an thy start trying to (+i$b th shr g+ass sis o th tank3 (+i$bing o)r

a(h othr an s+ipping ba(k o&n as soon as thy tri to ha#+ th$s+)s #p.

,#sro#s p+ th +bo& g+o) o an +ook ro#n th )a#+t3 s#bt+y +it spa(. !h (ha$br&as a (o$ortab+3 #it sort o p+a( st &++ &ithin th (+i3 &ith no &ino&s or +ight shats3 an h +t

sa an r+a6 hr. % +ook o)r at th +ong3 ta&ny shap that &as th s#spn boy o thassassin an sai3 7No&hr7s #it as ni( as ho$3 h3 is it57 !h "r(hi$anrit )n s$i+3 tho#ghthr &as noboy to s$i+ at.

!hr &as a rasping nois an a ha)y th#$p ro$ insi th tank3 o++o& by so$ a+$ost

ina#ib+y high kning so#ns. ,#sro#s t#rn to &at(h th *(onit Sp+i(r tar th giant +(hs

apart an at th$3 )io+nt+y shaking its grat pat(hi+y bro&n ha an tossing so$ bits o s+i$y b+a(k+sh a++ th &ay o#t o th tank. On( it ha thro&n a sti++-a+i) +(h #p an o#t o th tank an nar+y

hit th "r(hi$anrit &ith it ,#sro#s ha (has th in?#r +(h ro#n th (ha$br &ith a shar-

s&or3 (+a)ing p s+i)rs o#t o th ark r granit +oor as h ha(k an s+i( at th (rat#r.

hn th sho& in th tank &as o)r3 th "r(hi$anrit t#rn ba(k to th assassin. % p#t th +bo&g+o) ba(k on3 pi(k anothr tr#nk-+(h ro$ th pot an stro++ o)r to th $an atta(h to th &a++.

7'o yo# r$$br ho$3 sir assassin57 h ask as h approa(h. 7Is thr any $$ory o it in yo#r ha

at a++3 h$$5 %o$3 $othr3 rins57 % stopp in ront o th $an. 7"ny o that st# at a++57 %&a) th +(h7s $oist3 sking sno#t in ront o th assassin7s a( as h spok. !hy sns a(h othr3

th (o+3 &rithing (rat#r in th "r(hi$anrit7s han strt(hing o#t to try to astn its+ to th $an7s

a(3 th $an s#(king brath thro#gh his nostri+s an t#rning his ha as ar as it &o#+ go3 s$ing to tryan shrink ba(k into th &a++ bhin . !h t#sks igging into his (hst pr)nt hi$ ro$ $o)ing his ha )ry ar.

,#sro#s o++o& th $o)$nts o th $an7s ha &ith th +(h3 kping it in ront o his +ight+y

#rr3 +onin a(3 +tting hi$ s$++ th straining3 #i)ring $ass.

7Or i thy rip o#t a++ thos $$oris &hn thy (+an yo#3 bor thy snt yo# to try to ki++

$5 %#h5 "r thy a++ gon5 /h57 % +t th )ry tip o th tr#nk-+(h7s $o#th parts ?#st to#(h th

++o&7s nos3 (a#sing th ai+ assassin to &in( an ?rk an $ak a s$a++3 trrii &hi$pring nois.7hat3 h5 'o yo# r$$br ho$3 h3 sport5 " p+asant p+a( to b3 a p+a( yo# +t sa an s(#r

an &ith pop+ yo# tr#st3 an &ho $ayb )n +o) yo#5 hat o yo# say5 /h5 /h5 Co$ on.7

!h $an tri to t#rn his ha sti++ #rthr3 straining th p#(kr skin aro#n th p#n(t#r points on his

(hst3 on o &hi(h start to b+. !h giant +(h tr$b+ in ,#sro#s7s han3 strt(hing its


9/389

$#(#s-tipp $o#th parts sti++ #rthr as it tri to in p#r(has on th h#$an $a+7s +sh. !hn3 bor

th +(h (o#+ propr+y atta(h its+ to th ++o&3 th "r(hi$anrit p#++ it ba(k an +t it hang ro$

his ha+-o#tstrt(h ar$3 &hr it sng an t&ist $#s(#+ar+y &ith &hat +t or a++ th &or+ +ik

gn#in r#stration.

7!his is $y ho$3 sir assassin37 ,#sro#s to+ th $an. 7!his is $y p+a(3 $y r#g3 this3 &hi(h

yo# . . . in)a3 spoi+3 ishono#r &ith yo#r . . . yo#r p+ot. Ao#r att$pt.7 %is )oi( #ak as hsai3 7I in)it yo# into $y ho#s3 in)it yo# to $y tab+ as . . . as hosts ha) g#sts or tn tho#sanh#$an yars an yo# . . . a++ yo# &ant to o &as h#rt $3 ki++ $. %r3 in $y ho$3 &hr I sho#+

+ sar than any&hr.7 !h "r(hi$anrit shook his ha in sorro& at s#(h ingratit#. !h ai+

assassin ha nothing b#t a irty rag to (o)r his naknss. ,#sro#s p#++ it a&ay an th ++o&

+in(h again. ,#sro#s star. F!hy i $ak a bit o a $ss o yo#3 in7t thy57 % &at(h thai+ assassin7s thighs #i)r an t&it(h. % +t th +oin(+oth a++ to th gro#n a sr)ant &o#+

rp+a( it to$orro&.

GI +ik $y ho$37 h to+ th ++o& #it+y. 7I o3 ra++y. /)rything I7) ha to o I7) on ?#st to$ak things sar3 to $ak ho$ sar3 to $ak )ryboy sar.7 % &a) th tr#nk-+(h to&ars

&hat &as +t o th $an7s gnita+ia3 b#t th +(h s$ +ist+ss an th $an a+ray 6ha#st. /)nth "r(hi$anrit +t +ik so$ o th #n ha gon o#t o th sit#ation. % t#rn s$art+y an stro toth pot on th broa rai+ o)r th tank3 #$ping th +(h insi an p+ing th thi(k +bo& g+o) o.

7"n no& I ha) to +a) ho$3 $istr assassin37 ,#sro#s sai3 an sigh. % ga@ o&n at th

+ong (oi+ shap o th on(-again-sti++ *(onit Sp+i(r. It ha (hang (o+o#r ro$ bro&n to y++o&-

grn no&3 aopting th (o+o#rs o th $osss it +ay #pon. "++ that &as +t o th tr#nk-+(hs &rso$ ark spots an s$ars on th &a++s3 an a aint3 tangy s$++ th "r(hi$anrit ha (o$ to

r(ognis as that o yt anothr sp(is7s b+oo. % t#rn ba(k to +ook at th assassin. 7As3 I ha) to go

a&ay3 an or a )ry +ong ti$3 an it &o#+ s$ I ha) no (hoi(.7 % start to &a+k s+o&+y to&arsth $an. 7B(a#s yo# (an7t +gat )rything3 b(a#s #+ti$at+y3 sp(ia++y &hn it (o$s to th $ost

i$portant things3 yo# (an7t ra++y tr#st anyboy +s. B(a#s so$ti$s3 sp(ia++y &hn yo#7r goingar a&ay an (o$$#ni(ations tak so +ong3 thr7s no s#bstit#t or bing thr. hat o yo# think o

that5 /h5 !hr7s a in thing. 'on7t yo# think5 M &orking a++ ths yars to $ak this p+a( sa anno& I ha) to +a) it3 sti++ trying to $ak it )n sar3 )n $or po&r#+3 )n bttr.7 % stpp #p

to th $an again3 tapping on o th (#r) angs boring thro#gh th ++o&7s sk#++. 7"n a++ b(a#s o

pop+ +ik yo#3 &ho hat $3 &ho &on7t +istn3 &ho &on7t o as thy7r to+3 &ho on7t kno& &hat7sgoo or th$.7 % gripp th ang an p#++ har at it. !h $an $& o&n his nos &ith pain.

7++3 not ra++y37 ,#sro#s sai3 shr#gging3 +tting go. 7It7s batab+ &hthr this &i++ ra++y $ak

#s sar or not. I7$ going to this ... this ;+#bis ... syst$ or &hat)r it is b(a#s thr $ight b

so$thing )a+#ab+ thr3 b(a#s $y a)isrs a)is so an $y int++ign( pop+ ha) int++ign( tothis (t. O (o#rs noboy7s (rtain3 noboy )r is. B#t thy o s$ #n(o$$on+y 6(it abo#t

this.7 !h "r(hi$anrit sigh again3 $or p+y. 7"n i$prssionab+ o+ $3 I7$ going to o as

thy s#ggst. 'o yo# think I7$ oing th right thing57 % pa#s3 as tho#gh 6p(ting an ans&r. 7'oyo#5 I $an3 I ra+is yo# $ight not b ntir+y honst &ith $ i yo# i ha) an opinion3 b#t3 a++ th

sa$ . . . No5 Ao# s#r57 % tra( th +in o a s(ar a+ong th si o th $an7s abo$n3 &onring i+y

i it &as on o thos that his o&n in#isitors ha in+i(t. ,ook a bit (r# an p to b thir&ork. !h ai+ assassin &as brathing #i(k+y an sha++o&+y b#t gi)ing no sign that h &as )n

+istning. Bhin his sa+ $o#th3 his ?a&s s$ to b &orking.


10/389

GAo# s3 or on( I7$ not abso+#t+y s#r $ys+3 an I (o#+ #s so$ a)i(. Might not $ak #s a++

sar at a++3 &hat &7r p+anning to o. B#t it has to b on. !h &ay so$ things ?#st ha) to. /h57 %

s+app th $an7s a(3 not har. !h $an +in(h a++ th sa$. 7'on7t &orry3 tho#gh. Ao# (an (o$

too. Big in)asion +t. +nty o roo$.7 % +ook aro#n th (ha$br. 7"ny&ay3 I + yo# spn too$#(h ti$ st#(k in hr yo# (o#+ o &ith gtting o#t $or.7 !h "r(hi$anrit ,#sro#s s$i+3

tho#gh sti++ thr &as noboy to s$i+ at. 7"tr a++ this tro#b+ I7 hat to $iss &at(hing yo# i. As3

yo# (o$ &ith $3 &hy on7t yo#5 !o ;+#bis3 to Nas#ron.7

7/h5 Oh3 ys.7 ;n(+ S+o)i#s rais a +ippr-+ik han an &a) it )ag#+y. 7+as o.7

7!hank yo#.7

assin !aak hit(h #p his &a+king brit(hs3 gathr in his &i shirt s+)s an o+ hi$s+

(oro#s+y into a sitting position at th si o th +arg (ir(#+ar poo+ o gnt+y sta$ing an +#$ino#s+yb+# +i#i that his #n(+ +oat &ithin. ;n(+ S+o)i#s ha so$ yars ago ass#$ th shap o a &a+r#s.

" big-pink3 r+ati)+y s+i$ &a+r#s3 &ith t#sks bar+y +ongr than th $i+ ingr o a $an7s han3 b#t

a &a+r#s n)rth+ss. !h hans ;n(+ S+o)i#s ha on( possss &r no $or -thy &r +ipprs

no&3 on th n o t&o thin3 rathr o an in(t#a+-+ooking ar$s. %is ingrs &r +itt+ $or thanst#bs a s(a++op pattrn ringing th ns o his +ipprs. % opn his $o#th to spak3 b#t thn on o

th ho#sho+ sr)ants3 a b+a(k-#nior$ h#$an $a+3 approa(h hi$3 kn+ing at th si o th poo+

to &hispr so$thing into his ar. !h sr)ant h+ his +ong pigtai+ o#t o th &atr &ith on $any-ring han. !h ark (+oths3 +ong hair an rings a++ ini(at that h &as on o th $ost snior

#n(tionaris. assin +t h o#ght to kno& his na$3 b#t (o#+n7t think o it i$$iat+y.

% +ook ro#n th roo$. !h (ha$br o ro)isiona+ orgtting &as on o th rar+y #s parts

o th ho#s3 on+y (a++ into a(tion - i yo# (o#+ (a++ it that - on s#(h o((asions3 &hn a snior a$i+y$$br &as approa(hing thir n. !h poo+ took #p $ost o th +oor spa( o a +arg ro#gh+y

h$isphri(a+ roo$ &hos &a++s &r trans+#(nt+y thin agat in+ai &ith )ins o ti$-#++ si+)r. !his

o$ or$ part o on b#bb+-&ing o th a$i+y7s "#t#$n %o#s3 sit#at on th (ontinnt !&+) onth ro(ky p+ant-$oon 7g+antin3 &hi(h orbit th ga#y3 s&ir+ing+y (+o# $ass o th gas-giant

Nas#ron +ik a pppr grain aro#n a ootba++. " tiny portion o th $assi) p+ant7s s#ra( &as )isib+

thro#gh th transparnt (ntr s(tion o th o$7s roo3 ir(t+y abo) assin an his #n(+.

!h part o Nas#ron that assin (o#+ s &as prsnt+y in ay+ight3 isp+aying a (haoti((+o#s(ap (o+o#r (ri$son3 orang an r#st-bro&n3 th s#$$ shas pro#(ing a p r +ight &hi(h

++ thro#gh th )io+t skis o 7g+antin7s thin+y brathab+ at$osphr an th o$7s g+a@ s#$$it an

h+p i++#$inat th (ha$br an th poo+ b+o&3 &hr th b+a(k-(+a sr)ant &as s#pporting ;n(+S+o)i#s &hi+ h s#pp on a bakr o &hat $ight ha) bn ithr rrsh$nt or $i(in. So$

ribb+s o th (+ar +i#i s(ap ;n(+ S+o)i#s7s $o#th3 tri(k+ing o&n his gri@@+ (hin to th o+s o

his n(k an ripping into th b+# poo+3 &hr ta++ &a)s s+opp to an ro in th ha+-stanargra)ity. ;n(+ S+o)i#s $a #it gr#nting noiss3 his ys (+os.

assin +ook a&ay. "nothr sr)ant approa(h hi$3 oring a tray o rinks an s&t$ats3

b#t h s$i+ an rais on han in a gst#r o r?(tion an th sr)ant bo& an rtrat. assin

i6 his ga@ po+it+y on th o$7s roo an th )i& o th gas-giant3 &hi+ &at(hing ro$ th (ornro his y as th sr)ant attning his #n(+ abb at th o+ $an7s +ips &ith a nat+y o+ (+oth.

Magistria+3 ob+i)io#s3 $o)ing a+$ost i$pr(ptib+y &ith a kin o t#$#+t#o#s srnity3 Nas#ron


11/389

t#rn abo) th$ +ik so$ )ast g+o&ing (oa+ hanging in th sky.

!h gas-giant &as th +argst p+ant in th ;+#bis syst$3 &hi(h +ay &ithin a r$ot stran o

Stra$ H#atrnary3 on o th So#thrn !nri+ *s on th ga+a(ti( o#tskirts3 ity-i) tho#san yars

ro$ th ga+a6y7s no$ina+ (ntr an abo#t as r$ot as it &as possib+ to gt &hi+ sti++ bing part o thgrat +ns.

!hr &r3 sp(ia++y in th (#rrnt post-ar ag3 irnt +)+s o r$otnss3 an ;+#bis syst$

#a+ii as ba(k-o-byon in a++ o th$. Bing on th o#tr$ost ra(hs o th ga+a6y - an hanging

&++ #nrnath th ga+a(ti( p+an3 &hr th +ast )stigs o stars an gas ga) &ay to th $ptinssbyon - i not n(ssari+y $an that a p+a( &as ina((ssib+3 pro)iing it &as (+os to an artria

porta+.

"rtria - &or$ho+s - an th porta+s &hi(h &r thir 6its an ntran(s $ant )rything in thga+a(ti( (o$$#nity thy rprsnt th irn( bt&n ha)ing to (ra&+ )ry&hr at +ss than th

sp o +ight an $aking a+$ost instantano#s transitions ro$ on st++ar syst$ to anothr. !h (t

thy ha on a syst$7s i$portan(3 (ono$y an )n $ora+ &as si$i+ar+y ra$ati( an rapi. itho#t

on3 it &as as tho#gh yo# &r sti++ st#(k in on s$a++ )i++ag3 on #++ an $#y )a++y3 an $ight bthr a++ yo#r +i. On( a &or$ho+ porta+ &as $p+a(3 it &as as tho#gh yo# s#n+y b(a$ part o

a )ast an g+ittring (ity3 #++ o nrgy3 +i an pro$is.

!h on+y &ay to gt an artria porta+ ro$ on p+a( to anothr &as to p#t it in a spa(ship anphysi(a++y tak it3 s+o&r than +ight3 ro$ on p+a( to anothr3 +a)ing th othr n -#s#a++y - an(hor

&hr yo#7 start o#t. hi(h $ant that i yo#r &or$ho+ &as stroy - an thy (o#+ b

stroy3 in thory at any point a+ong thir +ngth3 in pra(ti( on+y at thir ns3 at thir porta+s - thn

yo# &r instant+y a++ th &ay ba(k to s#ar on3 st#(k in yo#r iso+at +itt+ )i++ag on( again.

;+#bis syst$ ha irst bn (onn(t to th rst o th ga+a6y o)r thr bi++ion yars ar+ir3

#ring &hat &as thn kno&n as th N& "g. It ha bn a r+ati)+y yo#ng3 not-+ong-or$ syst$ atth ti$3 ?#st a & bi++ion yars o+3 b#t &as a+ray $#+tip+y +i-s#pporting. Its artria (onn(tion haor$ part o th S(on Co$p+63 th ga+a(ti( (o$$#nity7s s(on srio#s att$pt at an intgrat

nt&ork o &or$ho+s. It ha +ost that (onn(tion in th bi++ion-yar t#r$oi+ o th ,ong Co++aps3 th

ar o S#a++s3 th S(attr "nar(hy an th Inor$orta brako&n3 thn - a+ong &ith $ost o th rst o

th (i)i+is ga+a6y - s+#$br as i (o$atos #nr th &ight o th S(on3 or Ma?or3 Chaos3 a ti$&hn on+y its '&++r pop#+ation on Nas#ron ha s#r)i). !h '&++rs3 bing n#$br a$ongst

th sp(is $ta-typ kno&n as th S+o&3 &ork to a irnt ti$s(a+3 an tho#ght nothing o taking

a & h#nr tho#san yars to gt ro$ point " to point B a bi++ion yars o nothing $#(h happning&as3 thy (+ar3 $r+y +ik a +ong sabbati(a+ to th$.

o++o&ing th !hir 'iasporian "g anothr &or$ho+ bro#ght ;+#bis ba(k on-+in to b(o$ part o th !hir Co$p+6. !hatartria +ast or s)nty $i++ion pa(#+3 pro#(ti) yars3 #ring &hi(h s)ra+ H#i(k sp(is3 non o

th$ nati) to ;+#bis3 (a$ an &nt3 +a)ing on+y th '&++rs to bar (onsistnt &itnss to th s+o&

t#rn o +i an )nts. !h "rtria Co++aps ha p+#ng ;+#bis into so+it# on( again3 a+ong &ith

ninty-i) pr (nt o th (onn(t ga+a6y. Mor porta+s an &or$ho+s isappar #ring th ar oth N& H#i(k an th Ma(hin ar3 an on+y th stab+ish$nt o th Mr(atoria - at +ast by th

sti$ation o thos &ho (ontro++ it - bro#ght abo#t a +asting pa( an th bginning o th o#rth

Co$p+6.


12/389

;+#bis ha bn r(onn(t ar+y on in this s+o&3 sti++-at-th-ar+y-stags pro(ss an or si6

tho#san yars that +atst artria ha $a th syst$ an asi+y ra(h part o th gra#a++y r(o)ring

ga+a(ti( (o$$#nity. %o&)r3 thn that &or$-ho+ too ha bn stroy3 an or o)r a #artr o a

$i++nni#$ ;+#bis7s narst &orking a((ss point ha bn #++y t&o h#nr an o#rtn yars a&ay#rthr o&n th in(rasing thi(knss o th Stra$ at nrr. !hat &o#+ (hang in abo#t s)ntn

yars or so3 &hn th &or$ho+ n-point (#rrnt+y bing transport to&ars ;+#bis syst$ at r+ati)isti(

sps aboar th /nginrshipEst-taun Zhiffir arri) an &as $p+a(3 probab+y &hr th o+ porta+ha bn3 at on o th ,agrang points nar Spkt3 th prin(ipa+ p+ant o th ;+#bis syst$. or th

$o$nt3 tho#gh3 ;+#bis3 spit its i$portan( as a (ntr or '&++r St#is3 r$ain r$ot

(hrono+ogi(a++y as &++ as physi(a++y.

;n(+ S+o)i#s &a) th sr)ant a&ay &ith on +ippr an r& hi$s+ #p against th A-shap(ra+ &hi(h s#pport his ha an sho#+rs abo) th b+# g+o&ing s#ra( o th poo+. !h sr)ant -

assin r(ognis hi$ no& as #i$3 th s(on-highst-ranking o his #n(+7s rtainrs - t#rn ba(k

an tri to h+p S+o)i#s in this $ano#)r. %o&)r3 S+o)i#s $a hissing3 t#tting noiss an s+app atth $a+ &ith on +ippr han. #i$ og th &ak3 s+o& b+o& asi+y an stpp ba(k again3

bo&ing. % stoo narby3 by th &a++. S+o)io#s str#gg+ to +it his #ppr boy any #rthr o#t o th

poo+3 his tai+ torso stirring s+#ggish+y #nr th +#$ins(nt &a)s.

assin start to ris ro$ his (ross-+gg position. 7;n(+3 o yo# &ant $ to57

7No7 his #n(+ sho#t in 6aspration3 sti++ trying in(t#a++y to p#sh hi$s+ #rthr #p th (ra+.

7I &o#+ +ik pop+ to stopfussing, that7s a++7 S+o)i#s t#rn his ha ro#n as h sai this3 trying to +ook

at #i$3 b#t on+y s#(( in (a#sing hi$s+ to s+ip #rthr ba(k into th +i#i3 so that h &as )n$or hori@onta+ than h ha bn bor h start. % s+app at th poo+ s#ra(3 sp+ashing. 7!hr S

&hat yo#7) on5 Intrring iiot7 % sigh $ighti+y an +ay ba(k in th &a++o&ing &a)s3

apparnt+y 6ha#st3 staring straight aha. 7Ao# $ay a?#st $3 #i$3 as yo# &ish37 h sai #++y3so#ning rsign.

#i$ kn+t on th ti+s bhin hi$3 p#t a han #nr a(h o S+o)i#s7s ar$pits an ha#+ his

$astr #p&ars onto th (ra+ #nti+ his ha an sho#+rs &r a+$ost )rti(a+. S+o)i#s stt+ hi$s+

thr3 thn no brisk+y. #i$ rtrat again to his position by th &a++.

7No& thn3 nph&37 S+o)i#s sai3 (rossing his +ippr hans o)r th pink 6pans o his hair+ss(hst. % +ook #p at th transparnt3 s#$$it o th o$.

assin s$i+. 7As3 #n(+57

S+o)i#s s$ to hsitat. % +t his ga@ a++ to his nph&. 7Ao#r . . . yo#r st#is3 assin. %o& o

thy progrss57

7!hy progrss satisa(tori+y3 sir. In th $attr o th !ran(h Jon?# it is sti++3 o (o#rs3 )ry ar+y.7

7%$$. /ar+y37 ;n(+ S+o)i#s sai. % +ook tho#ght#+3 staring into th istan( again. assin

sigh gnt+y. !his &as ob)io#s+y going to tak so$ ti$.

assin !aak &as a S+o& Sr at th (o#rt o th Nas#ron '&++rs. !h '&++rs - as-iant'&++rs3 to gi) th$ a #++r signation ... N#tra++y B#oyant irst Orr ;bi#ito#s C+i$a6 C+a


13/389

as-iant '&++rs3 to grant th$ a sti++ $or pain#++y pr(is sp(ii(ation - &r +arg (rat#rs o

i$$ns ag &ho +i) &ithin th +irio#s+y (o$p+6 an topo+ogi(a++y )ast (i)i+isation o grat

anti#ity &hi(h &as istrib#t thro#gho#t th (+o# +ayrs &rapping th nor$o#s gas-giant p+ant3 a

habitat that &as as st#pno#s in s(a+ as it &as (hangab+ in arography.

!h '&++rs3 at +ast in thir $at#r or$3 tho#ght s+o&+y. !hy +i) s+o&+y3 )o+) s+o&+y3

tra)++ s+o&+y an i a+$ost )rything thy )r i3 s+o&+y. !hy (o#+3 it &as a++g3 ight #it#i(k+y. !ho#gh3 as ar as anyboy &as ab+ to tr$in3 thy ha not ha to o any ighting or a +ongti$. !h i$p+i(ation o this &as that thy (o#+ think #i(k+y &hn it s#it th$3 b#t $ost o th ti$

it i not appar to s#it th$3 an so - it &as ass#$ - thy tho#ght s+o&+y. It &as #narg#ab+ that in

thir +atr yars - +atr aons - thy (on)rs s+o&+y. So s+o&+y that a si$p+ #stion ask bor

brakast $ight not b ans&r #nti+ atr s#ppr. " rat o (on)rsationa+ 6(hang3 it o((#rr toassin3 that ;n(+ S+o)i#s - +oating in his no&-#it-sti++ poo+ &ith a tran(+ik 6prssion on his

t#sk3 p#y a( - s$ tr$in to $#+at.

7!h !ran(h Jon?#3 it (on(rns . . . 57 S+o)i#s sai s#n+y. 7C+#ttr potry3 'iaspori( $yths an)ario#s history tang+s37

assin ans&r.

7%istoris o &hi(h po(hs57

7!h $a?ority ha) sti++ to b at3 #n(+. So$ $ay n)r b3 an possib+y b+ong &ith th $yths.

!h on+y rai+y intiiab+ strans ar )ry r(nt an appar to r+at to $ost+y +o(a+ )nts #ringth Ma(hin ar.7

;n(+ S+o)i#s no s+o&+y3 pro#(ing s$a++ &a)s. 7!h Ma(hin ar. !hat is intrsting.7

7I &as thinking o attning to thos strans irst.7 7As37 S+o)i#s sai. 7" goo ia.7 7!hank yo#3#n(+.7

S+o)i#s +aps into si+n( again. " gro#n-#ak r#$b+ istant+y aro#n th$3 pro#(ing tiny

(on(ntri( rings in th +i#i o S+o)i#s7s poo+.

!h (i)i+isation &hi(h (o$pris th '&++rs o Nas#ron3 &ith a++ thir attnant ++o& +ora an

a#na3 its+ or$ b#t on $i(ros(opi( rag$nt o th '&++r 'iaspora3 th ga+a6y-spanning $ta-(i)i+isation &hi(h3 as ar as anyon (o#+ t++3 pr( a++ othr

$pirs3 (#+t#rs3 iasporas3 (i)i+isations3 rations3 (onso(ia3 ++o&ships3 #nitis3 +ag#s3

(onra(is3 ai+ia an organisations o +ik or #n+ik bings in gnra+.

!h '&++rs3 in othr &ors3 ha bn aro#n or $ost o th +i o th ga+a6y. !his $a th$

at +ast #n#s#a+ an possib+y #ni#. It a+so $a th$3 i thy &r approa(h &ith # rn(

an (ar3 an trat &ith rsp(t an patin(3 a pr(io#s rso#r(. B(a#s thy ha goo $$oris

an )n bttr +ibraris. Or at +ast thy ha rtnti) $$oris3 an )ry +arg +ibraris.

'&++r $$oris3 an +ibraris3 #s#a++y pro) to b st# #++ o o#tright nonsns3 bi@arr

$yths3 in(o$prhnsib+ i$ags3 in(iphrab+ sy$bo+s an $aning+ss #ations3 p+#s rano$

ass$b+ags o n#$brs3 +ttrs3 pi(togra$s3 ho+ophons3 sono$$s3 (h$ig+yphs3 a(tino$s ansensata


14/389

variegata, a++ o th$ tra&+ an thro&n togthr #nsort - or in pattrns too abstr#s to b #ntang+ -

ro$ a ?#$b+ $i6 o $i++ions #pon $i++ions o #ttr+y irnt an (atgori(a++y #nr+at (i)i+isations3

th )ast $a?ority o &hi(h ha +ong sin( isappar an ithr (r#$b+ into #st or )aporat into

raiation.

N)rth+ss3 in a++ that +#6 o (haos3 propagana3 istortion3 ri)+ an &irnss3 thr &r

n#ggts o a(t#a+ity3 sa$s o a(ts3 ro@n ri)rs o +ong-orgottn history3 &ho+ )o+#$s o6obiography an skins an tiss#s o tr#th. It ha bn th +i-&ork o pop+ +ik Chi Sr S+o)i#s3an &as th +i-&ork o pop+ +ik Chi Sr-in-&aiting assin !aak3 to $t &ith an ta+k to th

'&++rs3 to aapt to thir +ang#ag3 tho#ghts an $tabo+is$3 to - so$ti$s )irt#a++y3 at a r$o)3

so$ti$s +itra++y - +oat an +y an i) an soar &ith th$ a$ongst th (+o#s o Nas#ron3 an

thro#gh thir (on)rsations3 thir st#is3 thir nots an ana+yss3 $ak &hat sns thy (o#+ o &hatthir an(int s+o&-+i)ing hosts to+ th$ an a++o& th$ to a((ss3 an so nri(h an n+ightn th

gratr3 #i(kr $ta-(i)i+isation &hi(h prsnt+y inhabit th ga+a6y.

7"n3 ah3 aa+57 S+o)i#s g+an( at his nph&3 &ho +ook s#i(int+y s#rpris or th o+r $a+ toa3 7!h3 oh3 &hat7s thir na$ . . . 5 !onron. As. !h !onron gir+. Ao# t&o ar sti++ btroth3

arn7t yo#57

assin s$i+. 7 ar in3 #n(+37 h sai. 7Sh is rt#rning ro$ irrintipiti this )ning. I7$

hoping to $t hr at th port.7

7"n yo# ar . . . 57 S+o)i#s gst#r &ith on +ippr han. 7Sti++ (ontnt57

7Contnt3 #n(+57 assin ask.

7Ao# ar happy &ith hr5 ith th prosp(t o hr bing yo#r &i57

7O (o#rs3 #n(+.7

7"n sh &ith yo#57

7++3 I hop so3 I b+i) so.7

S+o)i#s +ook at his nph&3 ho+ing his ga@ or a $o$nt. 7M$-h$$. I s. O (o#rs. ++.7

S+o)i#s #s on o his +ippr hans to &a) so$ o th b+# g+o&ing +i#i o)r his #ppr (hst3 as

tho#gh h &as (o+. 7Ao# ar to b & &hn57

7!h at is i6 or "++ha++o&s3 o(#n III37 assin sai. 7So$&hat #nr ha+ a yar3 boy ti$37

h a h+p#++y.

7I s37 S+o)i#s sai3 ro&ning. % no s+o&+y3 an th a(tion (a#s his boy to ris an a++

s+ight+y in th poo+3 pro#(ing $or &a)s. 7++3 it is goo to kno& yo# $ight ina++y b stt+ingo&n at +ast.7

assin (onsir hi$s+ to b a i(at3 har-&orking an pro#(ti) Sr &ho spnt &++

abo) th a)rag a$o#nt o ti$ at th sharp n o +)ing3 a(t#a++y &ith th Nas#ron '&++rs.

%o&)r3 # to th a(t that h +ik to (o$p+t a(h intr+# o this ra+3 #s#+ +i &ith &hat


15/389

h (a++ a 7propr ho+iay73 th o+r gnration o Spt Bantraba+3 an sp(ia++y S+o)i#s3 s$

to think h &as so$ sort o hop+ss &astr+.

assin s$i+ to+rant+y. 7Sti++3 I shan7t b hanging #p $y an(ing shos ?#st yt3 #n(+.7

7!h nat#r o yo#r st#is o)r yo#r +ast3 say3 thr or o#r +)s3 assin. %a) thy o++o&&hat on $ight tr$ a (onsistnt (o#rs57

7Ao# (on#s $3 #n(+37 assin a$itt. 7Ao#r +ast thr or o#r +)s3 ha) thy bn in any

&ay +ink th$ati(a++y3 or by s#b?(t3 or thro#gh th '&++rs yo# ha) (on)rs &ith57

assin sat ba(k3 s#rpris. hy )r &o#+ o+ S+o)i#s b intrst in this 5 7,t $ think3 sir37 hsai. 7On this o((asion I spok a+$ost 6(+#si)+y &ith Jon?#3 &ho pro)i inor$ation s$ing+y at

rano$ an os not #++y appar to #nrstan th (on(pt o an ans&r. O#r irst $ting an a++ )ryprparatory. % $ay b &orth o++o&ing #p3 i & (an in hi$ again. % $ay not. It $ight tak a++ oth $onths bt&n no& an $y n6t +) to &ork o#t7

7So this &as a sa$p+ing 6pition3 an intro#(tion57 7In.7 7Bor that57

7" protra(t (onrn(3 &ith Ch#horas3 Sarais$ th yo#ngr3 "k#r+ Both-t&ins3 traa)

Kan(hangs?a an a (o#p+ o $inors ro$ th /g+i ao+s(nt po.7 7Ao#r s#b?(ts57

7otry3 $ost+y. "n(int3 $orn3 th #s o i$ag in th pi(3 th thi(s o boasting an

6aggration.7 7"n th +) bor57

7ith Ch#horas a+on an 6tn +a$nt or his part parnt3 so$ h#nting $yths ro$ th

+o(a+ nar-past an a +ngthy trans+ation an isposition on an pi( s#n( (on(rning th a)nt#rso an(int p+as$ati(s )oyaging &ithin th hyrogn $igration3 prhaps a bi++ion or so yars ago3 #ring th

S(on Chaos.7

7Bor that57

assin s$i+. 7My 6tn on-to-on &ith Ea+sir3 th +) &hi(h in(+# $y so?o#rn &ith th*a#(o#s *as(a+s o !rib 'i$a?rian.7 % i$agin h in7t n to r$in his #n(+ o too $any o

th tai+s o that parti(#+ar 6(#rsion. !his ha bn th protra(t +) &hi(h ha $a his na$ as

a git Sr3 th si6-yar ?o#rny - by boy-ti$ it ha +ast nar+y a (nt#ry by o#tsi r(koning -that ha stab+ish his rp#tation both &ithin Spt Bantraba+ an th hirar(hy o 7g+antin Srs

byon. %is 6p+oits3 an th )a+# o th storis an historis h ha rt#rn &ith3 ha bn +arg+y

rsponsib+ or his +)ation to th post o Chi Sr-in-&aiting in his Spt3 an or th or o $arriag

to th a#ghtr o th Chi Sr o Spt !onron3 th $ost snior o th t&+) Spts.

7!his taks #s ba(k ho& $any yars3 in ra+57

assin tho#ght. 7"bo#t thr h#nr . . . !&o h#nr an ighty-s)n3 i I r(a++ (orr(t+y.7


16/389

S+o)i#s no. 7!hr &as $#(h o that +) r+as #ring its (o#rs57

7"+$ost nothing3 sir. !h *a#(o#s *as(a+s insist. !hy ar on o th $or . . . #na$+iorat

ao+s(nt pos. I &as a++o& to rport that I &as a+i) on( pr yar.7

7!h +) bor that57

assin sigh an tapp th ingrs o on han on th #s g+ass at th si o th poo+. hat ono+ /arth (o#+ this b abo#t5 "n (o#+ S+o)i#s not si$p+y +ook #p th Spt r(ors or s#(h

inor$ation5 !hr &as a big (anti+)r ar$ thing sto& against th &a++ o th poo+ (ha$br &ith a

s(rnpa on th n. assin ha sn this )i( +o&r into p+a( in ront o S+o)i#s or hi$ to prat an pro th kys &ith his ingr st#$ps. It &as3 patnt+y3 not a )ry rapi or i(int $tho o

intrrogating th ho#s +ibrary3 b#t it &o#+ ans&r a++ ths #stions. Or th o+ ++o& (o#+ ?#st ask.

!hr &r sr)ants or this sort o thing.

assin (+ar his throat. 7Most o that &as takn #p &ith instr#(ting aggs A#rn)i(3 o Spt*ho3 on his irst +). pai (o#rt to traa) %a$brir3 in on-to-on ti$ &ith th '&++rs to

a++o& or A#rn)i(7s in6prin(. !h +) +ast bar+y thr $onths3 boy-ti$. !6tbookintro#(tory3 sir.7 7Ao# o#n no ti$ to p#rs# any st#is o yo#r o&n57 7,itt+3 sir.7 7B#t so$3 ys57

7I &as ab+ to attn part o a sy$posi#$ on p poti(s3 &ith th #ni)rsity po Mar(a+. !o

tai+ th othr attns I &o#+ ha) to in#ir &ithin th Spt r(ors3 sir.7 7hat $or5 O th

sy$posi#$3 I $an. Its s#b?(t57 7I I r(a++3 a (o$parison o '&++r h#nting t(hni#s &ith th

a(tions o Ma(hin ar In#isitoris.7 assin strok his (hin. 7!h 6a$p+s &r ;+#bis-syst$+o(a+3 so$ rgaring 7g+antin.7

S+o)i#s no. % g+an( at his nph&. 7'o yo# kno& &hat an $issaria+ pro?(tion is3

assin57

assin +ook #p at th sg$nt o gas-giant )isib+ thro#gh th transparnt roo pan+. !h nighttr$inator &as ?#st starting to appar to on si3 a +in o in(rasing arknss (rping a(ross th

istant (+o#s(ap. % +ook ba(k o&n at S+o)i#s. 7I $ay ha) har th tr$3 sir. I &o#+ not (ar to

or a inition.7

7It7s &hn thy sn a t#n s#it o #ris an rsponss to a physi(a++y r$ot +o(ation3 by +ight

ba$. !o p+ay th part o an $issary.7

7F!hyF3 sir57

7/nginrs3 th "$inistrata. rhaps th O$no(ra(y.7 assin sat ba(k. 7In57

7In. I & ar to b+i) &hat & ar to+3 th ob?(t thy sn is so$thing +ik a +ibrary3trans$itt by signa+ +asr. S#itab+y ho#s an $p+a( &ithin nab+ #ip$nt o s#i(int

(apa(ity an (o$p+6ity3 this . . . ntity3 tho#gh it is si$p+y a $any-bran(h array o stat$nts3

#stions an ans&rs3 &ith a st o r#+s go)rning th orr in &hi(h thy ar 6prss3 is ab+ to(arry o#t &hat s$s )ry +ik an int++ignt (on)rsation. It is as (+os as on is a++o& to (o$ to an

artii(ia+ int++ign(3 post-ar.7 7%o& sing#+ar.7


17/389

S+o)i#s &obb+ in his poo+. 7!hy ar ass#r+y s#rpassing rar37 h agr. 7On is bing snt

hr.7

assin b+ink a & ti$s. 7Snt hr57

7!o Spt Bantraba+. !o this ho#s. !o #s.7

7!o #s.7

7ro$ th "$inistrata.7

7!h "$inistrata.7 assin b(a$ a&ar that h &as so#ning si$p+-$in.

7Eia th /nginrshipEst-taun Zhiffir.'

7My37 assin sai. 7 ar . . . pri)i+g.7

7Not &3 assin yo#. !h pro?(tion is bing snt to ta+k to yo#.7

assin s$i+ &ak+y. 7!o $5 I s. hn &i++57

7It is (#rrnt+y bing trans$itt. It o#ght to b ray by +at )ning. Ao# $ay &ish to (+ar yo#r

s(h#+ or this. 'i yo# ha) $#(h arrang57

7"h . . . a s#ppr &ith aa+. I7$ s#r7

7I &o#+ $ak it an ar+y s#ppr3 an on7t tarry.7

7++3 ys. O (o#rs37 assin sai. 7'o yo# ha) any ia3 sir3 &hat I $ight ha) on to sr)s#(h an hono#r57

S+o)i#s &as si+nt or a $o$nt3 thn sai3 7Non &hatso)r.7

#i$ rp+a( an intr(o$ st on its hook an +t his p+a( by th agat &a++ to kn+ an &hispr toS+o)i#s3 &ho no3 thn +ook at assin. 7Ma?or-'o$o Erpy(h &o#+ +ik to ta+k to yo#3 nph&.7

7Erpy(h57 assin sai3 &ith a g#+p. !h ho#sho+7s $a?or-o$o3 Spt Bantraba+7s $ost snior

sr)ant3 &as s#ppos to rst or$ant #nti+ th &ho+ spt $o) to its &intr +ogings3 o)r ighty

ays ro$ no&. It &as #nhar o or hi$ to b ro#s o#t o s#n(. 7I tho#ght h &as as+p7

7++3 h7s bn &okn #p.7

!h ship ha bn a or $i++nnia. Noboy s$ to b s#r #it ho& $any3 tho#gh th

$ost p+a#sib+ sti$ats p#t it at abo#t si6 or s)n. It &as ?#st on $or o#nr )ss+ ro$ on orothr o th grat +ts &hi(h ha (ontn th ar o th N& H#i(k


18/389

#ntiy ngag$nts i$p+i(it in th Str&>3 anothr orgottn3 is(ar pi( ro$ th grat ga$

o ga+a(ti( po&r-$ongring3 (i)i+isationa+ (o$ptition3 pan-sp(is $ano#)ring an gnra+ gran-

s(a+ $ta-po+iti(king.

!h h#+k ha +ain #nis(o)r on th s#ra( o 7g+antin or at +ast a tho#san yars b(a#sa+tho#gh 7g+antin &as a $inor p+ant by h#$an stanars - s+ight+y s$a++r than Mars - it &as by th

sa$ $as#r spars+y pop#+at3 &ith &r than a bi++ion inhabitants3 $ost o thos (on(ntrat in thtropi(s3 an th ara &hr th &r(k ha a++n - th North ast ,an - &as a rar+y )isit an6tnsi) tra(t o nothing $#(h. !hat it ha takn a +ong ti$ or th +o(a+ s#r)i++an( syst$s to

rt#rn to anything +ik th sort o (o$p+6ity or sophisti(ation thy7 6hibit bor th

(o$$n($nt o hosti+itis a+so h+p th r#ins a)oi t(tion. ,ast+y3 or a++ th )ss+7s h#+king

si@3 so$ portion o its a#to-(a$o#+ag syst$s ha s#r)i) th (rat7s partia+ str#(tion3 thaths o a++ th $orta+s aboar an its i$pa(t on th p+ant-$oon7s s#ra(3 an so ha kpt it

isg#is or a++ that ti$3 s$ing+y ?#st anothr o+ o barrn3 ro(ky ?(ta ro$ th i$pa(t (ratr +t

by a s$a++r b#t $#(h astr-tra)++ing r+i(t &hi(h ha (rash an )aporis in a p (ratr tnki+o$trs a&ay right at th start o th N& H#i(k isp#t.

!h ship7s r#ins ha on+y bn is(o)r b(a#s so$boy in a +ir ha (rash3 ata++y3 into ono its grat (#r)ing ribs . On+y thn ha th &r(k bn in)stigat3 p+#nr or &hat +itt+ o its syst$s sti++ &ork

an

ina++y - th +iting o its h#++ an $a?or s#bstr#(t#rs bing prohibiti)+y 6pnsi) to (ont$p+at3

its (#tting-#p an (arting a&ay ii(#+t3 a+so not (hap an possib+y angro#s3 an its (o$p+tstr#(tion on+y possib+ &ith th sort o srio#s gigatonnag &aponry pop+ tn to ob?(t

strong+y to &hn #s in pa(ti$ in th at$osphrs o a s$a++ p+ant-$oon3 )n in a &i+rnss

ara - it ha bn (oron o an a sris o airborn +oitr-rons post on ininit g#ar abo)3?#st in (as.

7No3 this (o#+ b goo3 this (o#+ b positi)37 Sa+##s Khar to+ th$3 an sng th +itt+ +ir +o&a(ross th high srt to&ars th brokn +ans &hr th tattr-+ooking ribs o th grat o&n ship

+ay +ik o+ shao& against th s+o&+y arkning p#rp+ sky. Byon th r#ins3 a )ast3 shi$$ringb+#-grn (#rtain o +ight +i(kr into 6istn(3 si+nt+y &a)ing an ripp+ing a(ross th sky3 thn

a a&ay again.

7Aah3 yo# &o#+ #(king say that37 !ain( sai3 i+ing &ith th (ontro+s o th (o$$s #nit. Stati((hopp an s#r ro$ th spakrs.

7Sho#+ & b this (+os to th gro#n57 I+n ask3 orha against th (anopy3 +ooking o&n. Sh

g+an( at th yo#ng $an sharing th ba(k sat o th +itt+ air(rat &ith hr. 7Srio#s+y3 ass3 sho#+ &57

B#t assin &as a+ray saying3 7!h ia that his r+nt+ss positi)is$ (o#+ )r pro#( +ings ongati)ity in othrs is a (on(pt Sa+7s sti++ str#gg+ing &ith. Sorry3 ,n. hat57

7I &as ?#st saying7

7Aah37 !ain( $#ttr3 7gt that goa$ irt-pingr on.7

7"++ I $an37 Sa+##s sai3 &a)ing on han aro#n an taking th (rat sti++ +o&r3 )n (+osr to th


19/389

sab+ b+#r o gro#n. !ain( $a a t#tting so#n an ra(h o)r to tap a s(rn b#tton thr &as a

pinging nois an th (rat ros a & $trs an bgan tra(king th gro#n $or s$ooth+y. Sa+ g+ar at

hr b#t in7t t#rn th gro#n-a)oian( )i( o as h (ontin#3 7Is that &7r sti++ okay3 & ha)n7t

bn b+ast yt3 an no& & ha) an opport#nity to 6p+or so$thing & &o#+n7t b a++o& to gtany&hr nar nor$a++y. *ight p+a(3 right ti$3 pr(t opport#nity. hat7s not to b positi) abo#t

thr57

7Ao# $an37 assin ra&+3 g+an(ing sky&ar3 7asi ro$ th #nort#nat a(t that so$ o)r-nth#siasti( an o#bt+ss p+y $is#nrstoo Byonrs appar to b trying to t#rn #s a++ into

raioa(ti) #st57

Noboy s$ to b +istning. assin $a a sho& o sti+ing a ya&n - noboy noti( that3 ithr -

an +an ba(k against th +athr sat3 strt(hing his +t ar$ a(ross th top o th (o#(h in th gnra+ir(tion o I+n 'st . % tri to +ook at +ast #n(on(rn an prrab+y bor. In a(t3

o (o#rs3 h +t (o$p+t+y trrii3 an $or than a +itt+ h+p+ss.

Sa+ an !ain( &r th yna$i( (o#p+ in this gro#p: Sa+##s th pi+ot3 th ashing3 hanso$3hastrong b#t #nniab+y git hir to a )ast (o$$r(ia+

$pir3 th #nabash son o a ab#+o#s+y ri(h3 b#((anring athr. rboy3 assin ha

(hristn Sa+ in thir irst yar at (o++g3 a tr$ that thir $#t#a+ rins ha on+y #s bhin thyo#th7s ba(k #nti+ h got &in o it an aopt it nth#siasti(a++y as his prsona++y appro) tag. "n

!ain(3 (o-pi+ot3 na)igator an (o$$s s#pr$o3 as )r th kno&ing3 abrasi) (o$$ntator o

th gro#p . Oi(r-in-!raining !ain(Aarabokin as sh &as s#ppos to b kno&n no&. !ain(3 th Mi+gir+ - anothr o assin7s (oinings -

ha top-pr(nti+ hr (o++g (+asss b#t ha a+ray bn ha+&ay to bing an oi(r in th

Na)ar(hy Mi+itary thro#gh *sr)ist (rits g+an atr ho#rs3 at &kns an on )a(ations3 )nbor sh7 takn a short gr an gon to Mi+itary "(a$y or hr ina+ yar ast-tra(k

ro$ pr-in#(tion3 b#$p ro$ yars On to !&o $i&ay thro#gh tr$ an r#$o#r3 )n ats#(h an a+$ost #npr(nt+y ar+y stag3 to b in (ontntion or a (han( +atr to ?oin th

S#$$ +t3 th ir(t+y C#+$ina-(ontro++ o)rar(hing #+tra-po&r o th &ho+ ga+a6y. Inothr &ors as s$ing+y s#r+y stin or $artia+ $inn( as Sa+ &as s(h#+ or (o$$r(ia+

proigio#snss.

!hy7 both bn o#t-syst$3 too3 $aking th ?o#rny to th ;+#bis-syst$ porta+ at Spkt7strai+ing ,agrang point or th transition to nrr an th Co$p+63 th nt&ork o &or$ho+s

thraing th ga+a6y +ik a thro& o ark +a( bnath th tiny s(attr +ights o s#ns. Sa+##s7s

athr ha takn hi$ on a ran !o#r on his +ong )a(ation +ast yar3 gir+ing th $i+ ga+a6y3

)isiting a++ th grat a((ssib+ sits3 n(o#ntring so$ o th $or o#trL a+in sp(is3 bringing ba(kso#)nirs. !ain( ha bn to &r b#t in so$ (ass #rthr p+a(s3 (o#rtsy o th Na)ar(hy3 its

6r(iss an istrib#t sp(ia+ist ta(hing a(i+itis. !hy &r th on+y t&o o thir yar to ha)

tra)++ so &i+y3 p#tting th$ in a +itt+ b#bb+ o 6oti(is$ a++ by th$s+)s.

assin ha otn tho#ght that i his yo#ng +i &as to b tragi(a++y (#t short bor h7 )n

(i &hat h &ant to o &ith it


20/389

sn no#gh o +i an +o) an a++ th (rassnss an st#piitis o pop+ an ra+ity an &o#+ a+$ost

prr to i a s#n3 yo#ng3 sa)ag+y ba#ti#+ ath3 &ith his boy an $in as yt #nspoi+ an rsh

an )rything - as o+r r+ations sti++ insist on t++ing hi$ - bor hi$.

!ho#gh it &o#+ b a pity i I+n - a(hing+y ba#ti#+3 &an+y pa+3 sha$+ss+y b+on3 ort+ss+ya(a$i(a++y a((o$p+ish3 bi@arr+y #n-s+-ass#r an ins(#r I+n - ha to prish in th &r(k too3

assin tho#ght. /sp(ia++y bor thy ha #+i++ &hat h kpt t++ing hr - an &hat3 r#strating+y3 h)n sin(r+y b+i) - &as thir stiny3 an stab+ish bt&n th t&o o th$ so$ sort o$aning#+ b#t intns physi(a+ r+ationship. "t th $o$nt3 tho#gh - ha (ran o#t o)r th si o

th +ir3 n#@@+ing th (anopy - it +ook +ik th gir+ &as thinking abo#t thro&ing #p.

assin +ook a&ay an att$pt to istra(t hi$s+ ro$ tho#ghts o i$$innt ath an probab+y

a++ too non-i$$innt s6 by staring at th starry s&p $rging ro$ th a+s hori@on o Nas#ron7sshao&y3 parting b#+k an th #i(k+y arkning sky bing r)a+ byon. "nothr b#rst o a#rora

a(ti)ity snt shi$$ring sha&+s o +ight a(ross th ha)ns3 bri+y aing o#t th stars.

I+n &as +ooking in th opposit ir(tion. 7hat7s that s$ok57 sh (ri3 pointing byon th

ha+-(o++aps nos o th a++n ship3 &hr a ta++3 ragg stran o ark gry s$ok +an a&ay ro$th br@.

!ain( g+an( #p an $#ttr so$thing3 thn b#si hrs+ &ith th (o$$s #nit (ontro+s. !h

rst +ook. Sa+ no. 7robab+y th g#ar ron that got @app ar+ir37 h sai3 tho#gh so#ning#n(rtain.

!h spakrs (ra(k+ an a (a+$ $a+ )oi( sai3 7+ir t&o-t&o-ninr . . . sition5 a)

yo# . . . s)n-i)-thr . . . o#th o rohibit "ra /i pat yo# ar no& or &i-- -- ort+y

b o-gri . . . ir$ yo#r . . .7

!ain( Aarabokin +an (+osr to th (o$$s #nit. 7!his is +ir t&o-t&o-nin3 & ha) no p+a( sato p#t o&n #nr (o)r as a)is so & ar $aking $a6i$#$ sp at $ini$#$ a+tit# to&ars7

Sa+##s Khar ra(h o)r &ith on (oppry-go+ han an (+i(k th (o$$s #nit o.

'u" yo#7 !ain( sai3 s+apping his han a&ay )n as it &nt ba(k to th +ir7s (ontro+ yok.

7!ain(3 ra++y37 Sa+ sai3 shaking his ha b#t kping his ga@ on th rapi+y approa(hing ship r#ins37yo# on7t ha) to te## th$.7

7Crtin37 !ain( brath. Sh s&it(h th (o$$s ba(k on. 7As3 s pr)io#s (o$$nt37 assin

sai3 shaking his ha. 7i++ yo# +a) that a#one$' Sa+ sai3 trying an ai+ing to t#rn th (o$$s #nit oagain as !ain( sar(h or a &orking (hann+ an kpt s+apping his han a&ay. 7,ook37 Sa+ sai3 7I7$ orring yo#3 !ain( +a) th a$n thing

o. ho os this +ir b+ong to3 any&ay57

7Ao#r a57 assin s#ggst. Sa+ g+an( ba(k at hi$3 rproa(h#+. assin no or&ars at th

s&it+y n+arging &r(k o th ship. 7/ys aha.7


21/389

Sa+ t#rn ba(k.%'m ordering you, tho#ght assin3 &ith a snr. Sa+##s3 ra++y. %a h #s that

or$ o &ors b(a#s !ain( &as in th $i+itary an h tho#ght sh7 ?#st oby anything anyboy

(a++ an orr3 )n i it (a$ ro$ a (i)i+ian3 or b(a#s h tho#ght h (o#+ start thro&ing his ynasti(

&ight aro#n a+ray5 % &as s#rpris that !ain( han7t +a#gh in Sa+7s a(.

Oh &++3 thy &rn7t inno(nts any $or3 assin r$in hi$s+3 an th $or yo# +arn

abo#t th &or+3 th ga+a6y an th "g thy &r gro&ing #p &ithin3 th $or yo# ra+is it &as a++abo#t hirar(hy3 abo#t ranking an sniority an p(king orr3 ro$ &++3 &++ b+o& &hr thy &ra++ th &ay #p to g+orio#s+y #nsab+ a+in hights. *a++y thy &r +ik +ab $i( gro&ing #p togthr3

ro#gh-an-t#$b+ing in th (ag3 +arning thir position in th +ittr3 tsting thir o&n an th othrs7

abi+itis an &aknsss3 &orking on thir $o)s an stratgis or +atr +i3 is(o)ring ho& $#(h

+&ay thy $ight ha) or b grant as a#+ts3 $apping o#t th spa( or thir ra$s.

!ain( snort. 7robab+y not )n ay7s (ar3 probab+y not )n a (o$pany +ir3 $or +ik+y so$

(o$p+i(at sa+-an-+asba(k a+ an it7s o&n by an o-p+ant3 ta6-opa# s$ia#to$ati( ront

(o$pany.7 Sh gro&+ an s+app th #nrsponing (o$$s #nit.

Sa+ shook his ha. 7S#(h (yni(is$ in th yo#ng37 h sai3 thn +ook o&n at th b#ttr+y shapo th (ontro+ yok. 7%y3 this is )ibrating hat57

!ain( no at th ship r#ins3 no& to&ring o)r th$. 7ro6i$ity &arning3 a(. Ao# $ight &ant

to s+o& o&n3 or p+ an s(r#b.7

7%o& (an yo# ta+k abo#t 6o+iating at a ti$ +ik this57 Sa+ sai3 grinning. !ain( p#n(h histhigh. 7O& !hat7s assa#+t37 h sai3 prtning o#trag. GI $ay s#.7 Sh p#n(h hi$ again. % +a#gh3

thrott+ ba(k an air-brak3 p#shing th$ a++ or&ar against thir rstraints3 #nti+ th +itt+ +ir &as

o&n to abo#t tn $trs pr s(on.

!hy pass into th shao& o th giant ship.

!

7assin !aak37 Ma?or-'o$o Erpy(h sai3 7&hat tro#b+ ha) yo# +an #s in no&57 !hy &r

h#rrying o&n a &i3 &ino&+ss passag&ay #nr th (ntr o th ho#s. Bor assin (o#+ rp+y3Erpy(h no at a si (orrior an stro to&ars it. 7!his &ay.7

assin +ngthn his stri to kp #p. 7I a$ as ignorant as yo# ar3 $a?or-o$o.7

7C+ar+y yo#r git or #nrstat$nt has not srt yo#.7

assin absorb this an tho#ght th bttr o rp+ying. % ass#$ &hat h hop +ook +ik a

to+rant s$i+3 tho#gh &hn h g+an( at Erpy(h th $a?or-o$o &asn7t +ooking. Erpy(h &as as$a++3 thin b#t po&r#+-+ooking $an &ith pa+ (ra$y skin3 #bi#ito#s+y st#bb+3 gi)ing his ha th

+ook o ha)ing bn (his++ o#t o sanston. % ha a s#ar3 )r-(+n(h ?a& an a prpt#a+

ro&n. %is ha &as sha) sa) or a sing+ +ong ponytai+ that 6tn to his &aist. % gripp th+ong obsiian sta &hi(h &as his prin(ipa+ bag o oi( as tho#gh it &as a ark snak h &as trying

to thrott+ on-han. %is #nior$ &as th b+a(k o soot3 +ik o+ night.


22/389

"s Chi Sr-in-&aiting assin &as3 s#ppos+y3 in a position o (o$p+t a#thority o)r Erpy(h.

%o&)r3 so$ho& th Spt7s $ost snior sr)ant sti++ $anag to $ak hi$ + +ik a (hi+ &ho7

on+y ?#st s(ap bing is(o)r oing so$thing 6tr$+y i$propr. assin (o#+ n)isag th

(hango)r &hn h ina++y ass#$ th post o Chi Sr bing a&k&ar or both o th$.

Erpy(h t#rn on his h+ an &a+k straight at a +arg abstra(t $#ra+ hanging on on &a++. %

&a) his sta at th painting as tho#gh pointing o#t so$ tai+ o th br#sh&ork3 an th &ho+painting isappar into a s+ot in th +oor. Erpy(h stpp #p into a i$+y +it (orrior byon. %in7t bothr to +ook ba(k as assin o++o& hi$3 ?#st sai3 7Short (#t.7

assin g+an( ba(k as th painting ros o#t o th s+ot in th +oor3 (#tting o $ost o th +ight in th

(orrior3 &hi(h +ook bar an #ninish atr th passag&ay that thy7 ?#st +t. % (o#+n7t

r$$br th +ast ti$ h7 bn in a #ti+ity (orrior probab+y &hn h7 bn a (hi+3 6p+oring &ithhis rins.

!hy stopp at a +it3 its oor opn3 a (hi$ so#ning. " boy sr)ant stoo in th +)ator (ar3

ho+ing a tray #++ o irty g+asss &ith on han an #sing th othr to ?ab at th (ar (ontro+s3 a

p#@@+3 r#strat 6prssion on his a(.

7t o#t3 yo# iiot37 Erpy(h to+ th boy as h stro to th +it. 7It7s bing h+ or $.7

!h sr)ant7s ys &in. % $a sp+#ttring noiss an a+$ost ropp th tray3 h#rrying to #it

th +)ator. Erpy(h tapp a b#tton on th +it (ontro+s &ith th n o th sta3 th oors (+os an

th +it - a p+ain $ta+ bo6 &ith a s(# +oor - s(n.

7%a) yo# r(o)r ro$ yo#r #ns(h#+ a&akning3 $a?or-o$o57 assin ask.

7/ntir+y37 Erpy(h sai (risp+y. 7No& thn3 Sr !aak. "ss#$ing $y (o$y tro#p o t(hni(ians

ha)n7t +(tro(#t th$s+)s or star into any +ight (ab+s to (h(k that thy7r &orking an b+inth$s+)s3 & sho#+ b ray or yo# to ho+ yo#r (on)rsation &ith &hat)r it is thy ar ba$ingto&ars #s abo#t an ho#r bor $inight. Is nintn o7(+o(k (on)nint or yo#57

assin tho#ght. 7"(t#a++y3 th +ay aa+ !onron an I $ight

7!h ans&r yo# ar sar(hing or is FAs3F Sr !aak37 Erpy(h sai.

assin ro&n o&n at th o+r $an. 7!hn in that (as &hy i yo#57

7I &as bing po+it.7

7"h. O (o#rs. !hat (annot (o$ asi+y.7

7H#it th (ontrary. It is rn( that on so$ti$s str#gg+s &ith.7

7Ao#r orts ar appr(iat3 I7$ s#r.7

7hy3 I +i) or nothing +s3 yo#ng $astr.7 Erpy(h s$i+ thin+y.


23/389

assin h+ th $a?or-o$o7s ga@. 7Erpy(h3 (o#+ I b in so$ sort o tro#b+57

!h sr)ant +ook a&ay. 7I ha) no ia3 sir.7 !h +it bgan to s+o&. 7!his $issaria+ pro?(tion is

#npr(nt in th history o Spt Bantraba+. I ha) ta+k to so$ othr $a?or-o$os an noboy (an

r(a++ s#(h a thing. ha a++ tho#ght s#(h phno$na rstri(t to th %ir(hon an his (h#$s in thsys-(ap. I7) snt a $ssag to a (onta(t I ha) in th pa+a( asking or any g#ian( or tips thy $ight

ha). !hr has bn no rp+y so ar.7

!h +it oors opn an thy stpp o#t anothr (orrior3 #it &ar$3 (#t ro$ nak ro(k3

(#r)ing. !h $a?or-o$o +ook at assin &ith &hat $ight ha) bn (on(rn3 )n sy$pathy. 7"n#npr(nt )nt $ight b o a bnign nat#r3 Sr !aak.7

assin hop that h +ook as s(pti(a+ as h +t. 7So &hat o I ha) to o57

7rsnt yo#rs+ to th "#in( Cha$br3 top +oor3 at nintn. rrab+y a +itt+ bor.7 !hy

(a$ to a A-?#n(tion an a &ir (orrior3 &hr r-#nior$ t(hni(ians &r tr#n+ing a pa++t+oa &ith (o$p+i(at-+ooking #ip$nt to&ars a st o opn o#b+ oors aha.

7I7 +ik O+$y to b thr37 assin sai. !(hayan O+$y ha bn assin7s $ntor an t#tor in his

yo#th3 an - ha sh not b(o$ a p#r a(a$i( in th ho#sho+ +ibrary3 rsar(hing an ta(hing toth 6(+#sion o #nrtaking any +)s o hr o&n - $ight ha) bn th n6t a$i+ias an Chi Sr.

7!hat &i++ not b possib+37 Erpy(h sai3 #shring assin thro#gh th o#b+ oors into th roo$

byon3 &hi(h &as hot3 (ro& &ith $or r-#nior$ t(hni(ians an ish3 +ik a s$a++ thatr.

'o@ns o opn (abints isp+ay intri(at $a(hinry3 (ab+s h#ng ro$ th ta++ (i+ing3 snak a(rossth +oor an isappar into #(ts in th &a++s. !h p+a( s$++ o oi+3 sing p+asti( an s&at.

Erpy(h stoo at th top an rar o th roo$3 &at(hing th a(ti)ity3 shaking his ha as t&o t(hs

(o++i3 spi++ing (ab+.

7hy not57 assin ask. 7O+$y7s hr. "n I rathr &ant ;n(+ S+o)i#s to b ab+ to +ook in as&++.7

7!hat &on7t b possib+ ithr37 Erpy(h to+ assin. 7Ao# an yo# a+on ha) to ta+k to this thing.7 7I

ha) no (hoi( in this57 assin ask. 7Corr(t37 th $a?or-o$o sai. 7Non.7 % rt#rn hisattntion to th $i++ing t(hs. On o th snior ons ha approa(h to &ithin a (o#p+ o $trs3

&aiting or an opport#nity to spak.

7B#t &hy not57 assin rpat3 a&ar as soon as h sai it that h &as so#ning +ik a s$a++ (hi+.

Erpy(h shook his ha. 7I on7t kno&. !o th bst o $y kno&+g thr is no t(hni(a+ rason.rhaps &hat)r is to b is(#ss is too snsiti) or othr ars.7 % +ook at th r-#nior$

$an &aiting narby. 7Mastr !(hni(ian I$$ing37 h sai bright+y. 7orking on th prin(ip+ that

&hat)r (an go &rong &i++3 I ha) bn &ighing #p th possibi+itis that o#r ho#s a#to$ati(s ha)

r#st into a sing+ #n#sab+ $ass3 (r#$b+ to a in po&r or #n6p(t+y (+ar th$s+)ssntint3 n(ssitating th str#(tion by #sion &arhas o o#r ntir ho#s3 Spt an possib+y p+ant.

hi(h is it to b57

7Sir3 & ha) n(o#ntr s)ra+ prob+$s37 th t(hni(ian sai s+o&+y3 his ga@ +i(king ro$ assin


24/389

to Erpy(h.

7I o so hop th n6t &or is FB#tF or F%o&)rF37 Erpy(h sai. % g+an( at assin. 7"

F%appi+yF &o#+ b too $#(h to ask or3 o (o#rs.7

!h t(hni(ian (ontin#. 7!hanks to o#r (onsirab+ orts3 sir3 & b+i) & ha) th

sit#ation in han. I &o#+ hop that & o#ght to b ray by th appoint ho#r.7

7 ha) th (apa(ity to absorb a++ that is bing trans$itt57

7#st3 sir.7 Mastr !(hni(ian I$$ing gst#r to th #ip$nt on th pa++t bing $ano#)r

thro#gh th o#b+ oors. 7 ar #sing so$ spar (apa(ity ro$ th #ti+ity syst$s.7

7Is thr any ini(ation o th nat#r o th s#b?(t (ontain &ithin th signa+57

7No3 sir. It &i++ r$ain in (o #nti+ a(ti)at.7

7Co#+ & in o#t57

I$$ing +ook pain. 7Not ra++y3 sir.7

7Co#+ & not try57

7!hat &o#+ b nar+y i$possib+3 in th ti$ ra$3 $a?or-o$o. "n i++ga+. ossib+y angro#s.7

7Sr !aak hr is &onring &hat h is to b a( &ith. Ao# (an gi) hi$ no (+#s57

Mastr !(hni(ian I$$ing $a a s$a++ bo& to assin. 7I7$ arai not3 sir. ish it &r othr&is.7

Erpy(h t#rn to assin. 7 s$ #nab+ to h+p yo#3 Sr !aak. I a$ so sorry.7

7hos &as this3 any&ay57 I+n ask3 kping hr )oi( o&n. Sh +ook #p into th shao&s highabo). 7ho i it b+ong to57

!hy ha sng in thro#gh th sing+ grat ?agg iss#r in th ship7s +t +ank3 +ying #p bt&n

t&o $assi)+y (#r) rib-str#ts3 th sky abo) ra$ by th t&ist3 b#(k+ ribs3 th s(tions o th

h#++ thy ha s#pport t#rn to isso(iat $o+(#+s an ato$s s)n $i++nnia ar+ir. Sa+ ha +t th

+ir s+ip o#r h#nr $trs or so into th shao&s #nr th inta(t or&ar portion o th h#++ -(+i$bing gnt+y a++ th ti$3 o++o&ing th $ang+3 b#(k+ +oors an (o++aps b#+khas or$ing th

trrain bnath th$ - #nti+ thy (o#+ s on+y th s+i$$st s+i)r o )io+t3 star-spattr sky o#tsian +t thy o#ght to b sa ro$ &hat)r spa(born (rat - prs#$ab+y a Byonr - ha bn

atta(king anything that $o) or ha r(nt+y bn $o)ing on th s#ra(.

Sa+ ha st th +itt+ (rat o&n. !h +ir (a$ to rst in a s+ight ho++o& on a r+ati)+y +)+ pat(h o

b+a(kn3 $in#t+y ripp+ $atria+3 bhin &hat $ight ha) bn th r$ains o a (r#$p+ b#+kha.!h &ay aha into th rst o th ship7s or&ar s(tion &as b+o(k ity $trs #rthr in by th


25/389

hanging3 ro@n-+ooking tattrs o so$ t&ist3 iris(nt $atria+. Sa+##s ha tho#ght a+o# abo#t trying

to n#g th +ir thro#gh this s#spn bris3 b#t ha bn iss#a.

!h +ir7s (o$$s r(ption - )n th istort3 ?a$$ signa+ that thy7 6prin( o#tsi -

ha ?#st a a&ay a+$ost as soon as thy7 ntr th &r(k. or so$thing s#ppos to p#++ in asigna+ thro#gh tns o k+i(ks o so+i ro(k3 this &as r$arkab+. !h air insi th )ast (a) o th r#in

(rat +t (o+ an s$++ o nothing. Kno&ing thy &r insi3 th a(t that thir )oi(s i not (ho inth h#g spa( &as o+y ist#rbing3 gi)ing th so#n a strang3 ho++o& #a+ity. !h intrior anr#nning +ights o th +ir p#t th$ in a tiny poo+ o +#$ins(n(3 $phasising thir insignii(an(

&ithin th an(int a++n ship.

7So$ isp#t abo#t 6a(t+y &hos it $ight b37 Sa+##s sai3 a+so #it+y3 an a+so ga@ing #p&ars at

th s$ooth+y ribb (i+ing o th )ss+3 ar(hing a thir o a ki+o$tr abo) th$ an sti++ ?#st )isib+ inth g+oa$ing. 7Mark o&n as a S(#ri &r(k - thy snt thir ar ra)s pop+ to (+an it o#t - b#t i

it &as thn it $#st ha) bn r#isition or (apt#r. "n thy r(kon it ha a high+y $i6 (r&3

tho#gh $ost+y s&i$$rs: &atr&or+rs. Co#+ b Ori+ith origina++y3 o+y no#gh. %as th signo a &++r-&ith-a-s$a++- ship. B#t so$ sort o &ar (rat3 (rtain+y.7

!ain( snort. Sa+ +ook at hr. 7As57

7hat it isn7t37 sh sai3 7is a n+ ship.7

7'i I say it &as57 Sa+ ask.

7*athr a at n+3 i it &as37 assin sai3 s&i)++ing on his h+ to o++o& th o&n&ar (#r) o th&r(k ship7s intrior to&ars its (r#$p+3 partia++y b#ri nos3 o)r a ki+o$tr a&ay in th

arknss.

7It7s not a n+ ship37 Sa+ protst. 7I in7t a## it a n+ ship.7

7S57 !ain( sai. 7No& yo#7) (on#s pop+.7 7"ny&ay37 Sa+ sai3 ignoring this3 7thr7s a r#$o#rthy p#++ a (o#p+ o Eohn bois o#t o hr3 an that ra++y os $ak it $or intrsting.7

7Eohn57 !ain( b#rst o#t +a#ghing. '&piner stis57 %r )oi( ripp s(orn. Sh &as )n s$i+ing3

&hi(h assin kn& &asn7t so$thing yo# sa& )ry ay. ity3 b(a#s hr s$ooth3 s+ight+y s#ar a( -

#nr a rg#+ation $i+itary ba+ - +ook kin o i$pish+y attra(ti) &hn sh s$i+. Co$ to think o it3that &as probab+y &hy sh in7t o it otn. "(t#a++y assin tho#ght !ain( +ook prtty goo

any&ay3 in hr o-#ty atig#s.

nat#ra++y Sa+7s &as s#bt+y b#t noti(ab+y s#prior an o#bt+ss &i++y $or 6pnsi).> !ain7s atig#s

kin o bagg o#t in o +o(ations b#t (a$ ba(k in at th right p+a(s to +a) no o#bt that sh &asinit+y a $i+gir+3 not a $i+boy.

!hy7 t#rn shao&-$att an ark in th s#rro#ning g+oo$3 too. "pparnt+y )n th Na)Mi+7s

o-#ty atig#s or trains (a$ &ith a(ti) (a$o.

Sh &as shaking hr ha3 as tho#gh sh (o#+n7t b+i) &hat sh &as haring. /)n assin3 &ho7

prtty $#(h sh#(k o th &ho+ boy thing o obsssi) intrst in a++ things $i+itary an a+in not +ong

atr th onst o p#brty3 kn& abo#t th Eohn. !hy &r #s#a++y s(rib in th $ia as +i)ing


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+gns or nar-$ythi(a+ &arriors3 &hi(h kin o b+an &hat thy ra++y &r th (ra(k troops an

prsona+ g#ars o th n& ga+a(ti( $astrs.

!h Eohn &r th (a+$+y r+nt+ss3 high+y int++ignt3 o$ni-(o$ptnt3 nar-instr#(tib+3 a++-

n)iron$nts-(apab+3 #nat uber-so+irso th +ast nin or so $i++nnia. !hy &r th $artia+pin-#ps o th ag3 th sp(k+ss sp(is pak o $i+itary pr(tion3 b#t thy &r rar3 & an ar

bt&n. hr th n& $astrs3 th C#+$ina3 &r3 th Eohn &r too3 b#t not in a++ that $any othrp+a(s3 an - as ar as anyboy kn&3 assin ha bn gi)n to #nrstan - in a++ thos $i++nnia noton ha )n ntr th ;+#bis syst$ to )isit Spkt3 th prin(ipa+ p+ant3 +t a+on (o$ nar

Nas#ron3 or ign to ha) anything to o &ith its +itt+ p+ant-$oon 7g+antin3 )n in ath.

!hr &as3 o (o#rs3 a #rthr rsonan( or h#$ans in th Eohn na$ an rp#tation3 &hthr

on &as a%#$an or r%#$an. It ha bn th a(tions o a sing+ Eohn ship nar+y ight tho#san yarsar+ir &hi(h ha $a th istin(tion an th t&o pri6s n(ssary in th irst p+a(.

7Eohn37 Sa+ sai iant+y to !ain(. 7Eohn r$ains. !hat7s th r#$o#r.7

!ain( narro& hr ys an r& hrs+ #p in hr Na)Mi+-iss# atig#s. 7Not on I7) har.7

7As37 Sa+ sai3 7&++3 $y (onta(ts ar a & +)+s abo) th boot +o(kr.7

assin g#+p. GI tho#ght thy a++ got s$ar in this thing3 any&ay37 h sai #i(k+y3 bor !ain((o#+ rp+y. 7#st past3 gas an st#.7

7!hy &r37 !ain( sai thro#gh hr tth3 +ooking at Sa+3 not hi$.

7In thy &r37 Sa+ agr. 7B#t Eohn ar ra+ to#ghis3 arn7t thy3 !ain57

7Shit3 yah37 !ain( sai #it+y3 +)++y. 7*a+ #(king to#ghis.7

7!aks a +ot to ki++ on3 taks )n $or to past it37 Sa+ sai3 s$ing+y ob+i)io#s to !ain(7s signa+s.

7Notorio#s+y rsistant to at an th n$y7s )ario#s #np+asantnsss37 !ain( sai (o++y. assin

ha th +ing sh &as #oting. !h gossip &as that sh an Sa+ &r so$ sort o (o#p+3 or at +ast

#(k no& an again. B#t assin tho#ght that3 gi)n th +ook in hr ys right no&3 that parti(#+ar sio thir r+ationship3 i it ha )r 6ist3 $ight b in so$ angr o bing past its+. % +ook or

I+n3 to (at(h hr 6prssion.

Sh &asn7t &hr sh7 bn3 on th ar si o th +ir. % +ook aro#n so$ $or. Sh &asn7t

any&hr h (o#+ s. 7I+n57 h sai. % g+an( at th othr t&o. 7hr7s I+n57 Sa+ tapp his arst#. 7I+n57 h sai. 7%y3 ,n57 assin pr into th shao&s. % ha night )ision as goo as $ost

pop+3 b#t &ith bar+y any star+ight an on+y th sot (onsr)-+)+ +ights o th +ir rsting in its

(+i)ity3 thr &asn7t $#(h to &ork &ith. Inrar sho& n6t to nothing too3 not )n aingootstp-tra(s on &hat)r this strang $atria+ &as.

7I+n57 Sa+ sai again. % +ook at !ain(3 &ho &as a+so s(anning th ara. 7I (an7t s shit an $y

phon7s o#t37 h to+ hr. 7Ao# ab+ to s any bttr than #s57


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!ain( shook hr ha. 7t thos ys in o#rth yar.7 &hit, tho#ght assin. % &onr i anyboy

ha a tor(h. robab+y not. & pop+ i ths ays. % (h(k his o&n arphon3 b#t it &as a

too not )n +o(a+ r(ption. h fu", oh fu", oh fu". hn i th ar(htyp o this story+in at

ro$5 o#r kis gtting th #s o a7s (hariot an +osing a &h+ ?#st bor nighta++ nar th o+srt Nanrtha+ (a)5 So$thing +ik that. #st &anr o into th ark an gt ki++ horrib+y3 on

by on.

7I7++ t#rn #p th +ir +ights37 Sa+ sai3 ra(hing or th intrior. 7I nss3 & (an +it o an7

7I,/N7 !ain( sho#t at th top o hr +#ngs. assin ?#$p. % hop th othrs han7tnoti(.

7... O)r hr.7 +in7s )oi( (a$3 )ry istant+y3 ro$ #rthr insi th &r(k.

7anring o7 Sa+ sho#t in th gnra+ ir(tion I+n7s )oi( ha (o$ ro$. 7Not goo ia In

a(t3 )ry ba ia S#ggst rt#rn i$$iat+y7

7ing in ront o prs prob+$37 th rp+y rit ba(k. 7Bash#+ b+ar synro$. *+i)3rt#rning. Spak nor$a+ no&3 or ,n gt !ain pok Sa+ y o#t.7

!ain( grinn. assin ha to t#rn a&ay. So$ti$s3 thro#gh a++ th a+$ost &i+#++y #n?#stii

rti(n( an #n(rtainty3 an otn at $o$nts +ik this &hn yo# $ight +ast 6p(t it3 I+n s#rprishi$ by oing or saying so$thing +ik this. Sh $a his insis h#rt. h, don't #et me start to fa## in

#ove with her, h tho#ght. (hat wou#d )ust be too muh to bear.

Sa+ +a#gh. " )ag#+y %n-shap b+ob appar in I* sns ity $trs a&ay3 ha irst o)r a o+in th ripp+ +oor +ik a sha++o& hi++. 7!hr. Sh7s in37 Sa+ anno#n(3 as tho#gh h7 rs(# hr

prsona++y.

I+n r?oin th$3 s$i+ing an b+inking in th sot +ights o th +ir3 hr &hit-go+ hair shining.

Sh no. 7/)ning37 sh sai3 an grinn at th$.

7+(o$ ba(k37 Sa+ to+ hr3 an ha#+ a pa(k o#t o on o th +ir7s storag +o(krs. % sng

th bag onto his ba(k.

!ain( g+ar at th pa(k3 thn at Sa+7s a(. 7hat th #(k ar yo# oing57

Sa+ +ook inno(nt. 7oing to tak a +ook ro#n. Ao# (an ?oin $ i7

7,ik #(k yo# ar.7

7!ain3 (hi+37 h +a#gh. 7I on7t n yo#r pr$ission.7

7I7$ not a #(king (hi+ an ys3 yo# #(king o.7

7"n &i++ yo# p+as stop s&aring *uite so $#(h5 !hr7s ra++y no n to +a#nt yo#r n&+y

a(#ir gr# $i+itary $annr #it so (onspi(#o#s+y.7


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7 stay hr37 sh to+ hi$3 #sing th (o+ )oi( again. 7C+os to th +ir. on7t go &anring o

into aprohibited a+in ship&r(k in th $i+ o th night &ith an n$y (rat (r#ising o)rha.7

7hy not57 Sa+ protst. 7or on thing it7s probab+y on th othr si o th p+ant by no& or $ayb

)n stroy. "n any&ay3 i this Byonr ship3 or batt+sat3 or ron3 or &hat)r it is (an s insihr3 &hi(h I srio#s+y o#bt3 it7s going to targt th +ir3 not a & h#$an &ar$-bos3 so &7r sar

a&ay ro$ th thing.7

7Ao# stay &ith th (rat3 a+&ays37 !ain( sai3 hr ?a& st.

7or ho& +ong57 Sa+ ask. 7%o& +ong o ths n#isan( rais3 ths atta(k+ts3 #s#a++y +ast57 !ain(?#st g+ar at hi$. 7%a+ a ay3 a)rag37 Sa+ to+ hr. 7O)rnight3 probab+y3 in this (as. Manti$ &7r

so$&hr it7s not nor$a++y possib+ to b3 thro#gh no a#+t o o#r o&n3 &ith ti$ to ki++. . . &hy th

h++ not tak a +ook ro#n57

7B(a#s it7s rohibit37 !ain( sai. 7!hat7s &hy.7 assin an I+n 6(hang +ooks3 (on(rn b#tsti++ a$#s. 7!ain(7 Sa+ sai3 &a)ing his ar$s. 7,i is risk. !hat7s b#sinss. Co$ on7

7Ao# stay &ith th (rat37 !ain( rpat gri$+y. 7i++ yo# stp o#t o yo#r progra$$ing ?#st or a

s(on57 Sa+ ask hr3 so#ning gn#in+y annoy an +ooking at th othr t&o or s#pport. 7Can anyo #s think o on goo rason &hy this p+a( isprohibit3 apart ro$ stanar a#thoritarian3

b#ra#(rati(3 o)rra(ting3 trritory-$arking $i+itaristi( b#++shit57

7Mayb thy kno& st# & on7t37 !ain( sai.

7Oh3 (o$ on!+ Sa+ protst. 7!hy a+&ays (+ai$ that7

7,istn37 !ain( sai +)++y. 7Ao#r point is takn rgaring th +ik+ihoo o th +ir7s syst$s

bing targt by hosti+s3 an thror I )o+#ntr to &a+k o#t3 )ry ho#r on th ho#r3 to nar thgap in th h#++ &hr a phon $ight &ork on( th ?a$$ing s#b-sats ha) bn n#tra+is3 to (h(k

or th a++-(+ar.7

7in37 Sa+ sai3 igging into anothr o th +ir7s +o(krs.

7Ao# o that. I7$ si@ing th on(-in-a-+iti$ opport#nity to tak a +ook ro#n an intrinsi(a++y

as(inating a+in arta(t. I yo# har $ s(ra$ing horrib+y it7++ ?#st b $ a++ing into th (+a&s3 s#(krs

or . . . baks o so$ #nspakab+ spa(-a+in $onstr )ry sing+ &r(k-(+aring ta$ $iss an &hi(hhas (hosn ?#st this )ning o#t o th +ast s)n $i++nnia to &ak #p an + h#ngry.7

!ain( took a p brath3 stpp ba(k ro$ th +ir an sai3 7Okay3 s$s this $#st #a+iy as

an $rgn(y.7 Sh #g into hr b+a(k atig#s an &hn hr han rappar it h+ a s$a++ ark gry)i(.

Sa+ star at hr3 in(r#+o#s. 7hat th h++ is that$ " g#n5 Ao#7r not p+anning toshoot $3 ar

yo#3 !ain(57

Sh shook hr ha an th#$b so$thing on th si o th )i(. !hr &as a pa#s3 thn

!ain( ro&n an +ook (+os+y at th thing in hr han. 7"(t#a++y37 sh sai3 7at th $o$nt I7$ not)n thratning to rport yo# to th +o(a+ #ar3 not in ra+-ti$3 any&ay.7 Sa+ r+a6 a +itt+3 b#t


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in7t p#++ &hat)r it &as h7 bn +ooking or o#t o th +o(kr. !ain( shook hr ha an +ook

#p into th b+a(k spa(s o th (a)rno#s (rat aro#n th$. Sh h+ th +itt+ gry )i( #p to sho&

th othrs. 7!his baby37 sh sai3 7sho#+ b ab+ to p#n(h $ thro#gh to a ki7s isposab+ on th ar si

o th p+ant3 b#t it7s sti++ sar(hing or (os$i( ba(kgro#n.7 Sh so#n $or p#@@+ than$barrass or angry3 assin tho#ght. !ain( no3 sti++ staring #p&ars. 7I$prssi).7 Sh p#t th han-h+ a&ay

again.

Sa+ (+ar his throat. 7!ain(3 do yo# ha) a g#n5 It7s ?#st that I7$ abo#t to p#++ on o#t o this

+o(kr an yo# +ook kin o s(ary an triggr-happy ?#st thr.7

7As3 I o ha) a g#n37 sh to+ hi$. 7ro$is I &on7t shoot yo#.7 Sh ga) a s$i+ that &asn7t ra++y.

7"n i yo# ar intnt on traipsing into th bo&+s o this thing3 I7$ not going to try an stop yo#.Ao#7r a big boy no&. Ao#r rsponsibi+ity.7

7ina++y37 Sa+ sai &ith satisa(tion3 p#++ing a p+ain b#t b#sinss+ik-+ooking C* pisto+ o#t o th +o(kr

an atta(hing it to his b+t. 7!hr7s oo an &atr an bro++s an 6tra (+oths an st# in th rar

+o(krs37 h to+ th$3 s+apping a (o#p+ o +o&-+ight i++#$inator pat(hs onto his ?a(kt sho#+rs. 7I7++b ba(k abo#t a&n.7 % $#+tip+-tapp his ar st#3 thn s$i+. 7Ap3 intrna+ (+o(k sti++ &orking.7

% g+an( at a(h o th$ in t#rn. 7%y3 thr7s probab+y nothing to s I (o#+ b ba(k in an ho#r or

a++ I kno&.7 !hy a++ ?#st +ook at hi$. 7Noboy +s (o$ing a+ong3 h#h57 h ask. I+n an assing+an( at a(h othr. !ain( &as &at(hing Sa+3 &ho sai3 7++3 on7t &ait #p37 an t#rn to go.

7Ao#7r )ry &++ prpar or this37 !ain( sai #it+y.

Sa+ hsitat3 thn t#rn to&ars hr3 opn-$o#th. % +ook at assin an I+n3 thn star &ith

&i ys at !ain(. % gst#r to&ars th istant h#++ gap3 #p&ars as tho#gh to spa(3 thn shookhis ha. 7!ain(3 !ain(37 h brath. % p#sh on han thro#gh his thi(k b+a(k hair. 7#st ho&

paranoi an s#spi(io#s o thy insist yo# b in th $i+itary57

7Ao#r athr7s (o$pany $aks o#r batt+(rat3 Sa+##s37 sh to+ hi$. 7arinss is a s#r)i)a+

stratgy.7

7Oh3 (hap shot3 !ain(.7 Sa+ +ook $i++y ins#+t. 7B#t I $an3 ra++y. Srio#s+y. Co$ on.7 %

s+app his ba(kpa(k3 6asprat. 7%++7s tth3 &o$an3 i I hadn't $a s#r th +ir &as #ipp &ith

$rgn(y gar yo#7 ha) (h& $y ar or $aking a p-srt +ight &itho#t th n(ssarys#pp+is7 !ain( stoo +ooking at hi$3 nar-6prssion+ss3 or a & $o$nts +ongr. 7Min ho& yo#

go3 Sa+.7

% no3 r+a6ing. 7Ao# too37 h sai. 7S yo# a++ soon.7 % +ook ro#n th$ a++ on $orti$3 grinning. 7Nothing I &o#+n7t o3 an a++ that.7 % &a) his han an tra$p o.

7%o+ on37 I+n sai. Sa+ t#rn ba(k. I+n p#++ hr +itt+ ay-pa(k o#t o th +ir. 7I7++ (o$ &ith

yo#3 Sa+.7

assin star3 horrii. 7hat57 h sai3 in a s$a++3 sho(k3 +itt+ boy7s )oi(. Noboy s$ to

har. or on( h &as g+a. !ain( sai nothing.


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Sa+ s$i+. 7Ao# s#r57 h ask th gir+. 7I yo# on7t $in37 I+n sai. 7in by $37 Sa+ sai

#it+y. 7S#r yo# on7t $in57 7O (o#rs I on7t $in.7

7++3 yo#7r not s#ppos to go o 6p+oring in #bio#s sit#ations ini)i#a++y3 ar yo#57 I+n sai.

7Isn7t that right57 Sh +ook at !ain(3 &ho no. 7Ao# tak (ar.7 I+n kiss assin7s (hk3 &ink at!ain( an stro #p th sha++o& s+op to Sa+. !hy &a) an &a+k o. assin &at(h thir ootstp-

tra(s in I*3 a(h aint pat(h o brightnss on th gro#n bhin th$ aing atr +ss than a s(on.

7N)r #nrstan that gir+37 !ain( sai3 so#ning #n(on(rn. Sh an assin +ook at a(h

othr. 7S#ggst yo# tak a snoo@ no&37 !ain( to+ hi$3 noing at th +ir. Sh pi(k hr nos aninsp(t hr ingr. 7I7++ &ak yo# bor I ha o#t to th h#++ gap to (h(k or signa+.7

*

" ragran( b# popp so$&hr in th arkn roo$3 an - atr a & $o$nts - h s$++

Or(hiia No(tisia3 a Mab+oo$ s(nt h &o#+ a+&ays asso(iat &ith th "#t#$n %o#s. !hr &as+itt+ air $o)$nt in th #it (ha$br so th b# $#st ha) bn +oating narby. % +it his ha

gnt+y an sa& a tiny shap +ik a s+i$3 trans+#(nt +o&r a++ing (hion-sot thro#gh th air bt&nth b an th tro++y &hi(h ha bro#ght thir s#ppr. % +o&r his ha to aa+7s sho#+r again.

7M$$57 sh sai ro&si+y.

7Mt any rins in to&n57 assin ask3 &ining a +ong go+n (oi+ o aa+ !onron7s hair

aro#n on ingr3 thn bringing his nos or&ar to n#@@+ th nap o hr bro&n-r n(k3 brathing in

th s$++ o hr. Sh shit against hi$3 $o)ing hr hips in a sort o stirring $otion. % ha s+ippo#t o hr so$ ti$ ago3 b#t it &as sti++ a goo +ing.

7* an ry an Sa37 sh sai3 hr )oi( starting o#t a +itt+ s+py. 7Shopping &as a((o$p+ish.

!hn & $t #p &ith '?n an Sohn. "n 'ay3 'ay /s+a#s. Oh3 an Aoa@. Ao# r$$br Aoa@Ir$in3 on7t yo#57

% nipp hr n(k an &as r&ar &ith a +in(h an a y+p. 7!hat &as a +ong ti$ ago37 h to+

hr.

Sh ra(h on han bhin hr an strok his 6pos +ank3 thn patt his bhin. 7I7$ s#r th

$$ory is sti++ )i)i or hr3 ar.7

7%a7 h sai. 7So a$ I.7 !his r& a s+ap. !hn thy stt+ in against a(h othr on( $or sh

i that thing &ith hr hips again an h &onr i thr &o#+ b ti$ or $or s6 bor h ha

to go.

Sh t#rn to a( hi$. aa+ !onron7s a( &as ro#n an &i an on+y ?#st )ry ba#ti#+. or t&otho#san yars or so3 r%#$an a(s ha +ook prtty $#(h ho& th o&nrs &ant th$ to +ook3

isp+aying ithr satisa(tion &ith or inirn( to &hat)r &o$b-gro&n (o$+inss thy ha bn

born &ith3 or th parti(#+ar3 a$n +ook thir o&nrs ha s#bs#nt+y sp(ii. !h on+y #g+y pop+&r thos $aking a stat$nt.

In an ag &hn )ryon (o#+ b ba#ti#+3 anDor +ook +ik a$o#s histori(a+ ig#rs


31/389

no& +a&s abo#t +ooking too $#(h +ik a$o#s (ont$porary ig#rs>3 th tr#+y intrsting a(s an

bois &r thos &hi(h sai+ as (+os to th &in o bing p+ain or )n #nattra(ti) as possib+3 an

yt ?#st got a&ay &ith it. op+ ta+k abo#t a(s that +ook goo in th +sh b#t not in i$ags3 or

goo in +i+ik paintings b#t not on a s(rn3 or a(s that +ook #nattra(ti) in rpos b#t #itst#nning &hn ani$at3 or $r+y p+ain #nti+ th prson s$i+.

aa+ ha bn born &ith a a( that +ook - sh sai hrs+ - (o$$itt sign: #nhar$onio#s3st#(k togthr3 nothing #it $at(hing. At to a+$ost )ryboy &ho ha )r $t hr3 sh s$o#trago#s+y attra(ti)3 thanks to so$ a+(h$y o physiogno$y3 prsona+ity an 6prssion. assin7s

pri)at sti$ation &as that aa+7s &as a a( sti++ &aiting to b gro&n into3 an that sh &o#+ b $or

ba#ti#+ &hn sh &as $i+-ag than sh &as no&. It &as on rason h ha ask hr to $arry hi$.

!hy (o#+ +ook or&ar3 assin ha )ry rason to b+i)3 to a +ong +i togthr3 an ?#st as it habn snsib+ to $arry &ithin his prossion an to $ak a $at(h that &o#+ $t &ith th nth#siasti(

appro)a+ o thir rsp(ti) Spts3 strngthning th bons bt&n t&o o th $ost i$portant Sr ho#ss

- so it ha bn on+y pr#nt to tak that +ik+y +ong)ity into a((o#nt.

O (o#rs3 as S+o& Srs assin an aa+7s shar #t#r &o#+ b abso+#t+y i not r+ati)+y +ongr thanthat o $ost o thir (ont$poraris3 an rai(a++y irnt in th s+o&-ti$ o a +ong +)3 Srs ag )ry

s+o&+y in3 an ;n(+ S+o)i#s7s o#rtn (nt#r

Iain M. Banks-The Algebraist (2005)

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Transcript of Iain M. Banks-The Algebraist (2005)