I couldn't really answer him anymore. But I grabbed hold of the door release and the chair.

"I'll pull you out. As soon as I get your arm, let go. You might want to hold on. But don't do it, okay. Let go as soon as I touch you."

I nodded okay. Inside the jacket, of course, I couldn't see anything. I knew others had made this kind of crossing and that there was no real danger unless I lost my head. So now I'll confess something. I was almost enjoying playing the damsel in distress.

"Open the door."

I pulled the release and opened up. The air exploded out. Then the world turned frigid. It was like being held naked against an iceberg. I started shivering. He took my arm and pulled me through the door. I could see nothing; I was just trying to breathe normally when we pushed off hard away from the taxi. Hard because for a moment we went outside the antigrav field. My weight returned and, for a terrifying moment, we fell. But our momentum carried us across. The weight went away again, as quickly as it had come. We touched metal. Secure in my jacket, I closed my eyes. Air pressure began to push against me, and gradually, the world got warm again.

TWENTY-SEVEN.

This is my promise to you, Beth. As long as there is a star in the sky, no evil will come upon you.- Midnight and Roses Lance insisted I check in with Medical, and there was no way I could refuse without arousing suspicion. Anyway, I was bleeding from every orifice I had. So he escorted me down. On the way, he said he knew this wasn't a particularly good time, but he wondered if he could see me again. Considering the shape I was in, it came as a surprise. "That would be nice, Lance," I said. "I'm on duty through tomorrow. But-" He hesitated. "Will you be staying on station? I think they're going to want to talk to you." He didn't specify who "they" were. "I have to be getting back to my job," I said. "Can't really stay here." He smiled. He was a big, good-looking guy. There was an innocence about him that was appealing, and we all know how women love uniforms. Not to mention guys who save their behinds. But there was too much risk in letting him know how he could reach me, so I gave him a bogus code to go with the bogus name, and we separated, he promising to get in touch, while I batted my eyes, said thanks, gave him a hug, and thought good-bye good-bye . Medical checked me out, said I was fine, but suggested I stay under observation for a day. I thanked them, but pa.s.sed, and headed for the Ops desk. I was approaching another bad moment. To get the . Medical checked me out, said I was fine, but suggested I stay under observation for a day. I thanked them, but pa.s.sed, and headed for the Ops desk. I was approaching another bad moment. To get the Belle-Marie Belle-Marie , I had to use my real name, which was likely to bring the gendarmes crashing down on me before I could get launched. Ivan was my best bet. But I wanted very much to get on board , I had to use my real name, which was likely to bring the gendarmes crashing down on me before I could get launched. Ivan was my best bet. But I wanted very much to get on board Belle Belle and clear out. The watch officer came out of a back room and a.s.sumed his place behind the counter. "Yes, ma'am," he said. "What can I do for you?" He was tall, thick gray mustache, speckled gray hair. Serious-looking and well along in years. He'd obviously been pa.s.sed over several times, a guy who was still manning the counter. "My name's Kolpath," I said. "I'd like to clear my ship. The and clear out. The watch officer came out of a back room and a.s.sumed his place behind the counter. "Yes, ma'am," he said. "What can I do for you?" He was tall, thick gray mustache, speckled gray hair. Serious-looking and well along in years. He'd obviously been pa.s.sed over several times, a guy who was still manning the counter. "My name's Kolpath," I said. "I'd like to clear my ship. The Belle-Marie Belle-Marie ." He wasn't good enough to hide his reaction. His jaw tightened; his eyelids flickered and came alive. "Very good," he said, trying to pretend everything was okay. "Can you hold on a second?" "Sure." He went back into the office, and I took off. Down the gravity shaft and out onto the main concourse. Picked out a ladies' room and hustled inside. There was one occupant, and I washed my hands until she left. Then I called Ivan. ." He wasn't good enough to hide his reaction. His jaw tightened; his eyelids flickered and came alive. "Very good," he said, trying to pretend everything was okay. "Can you hold on a second?" "Sure." He went back into the office, and I took off. Down the gravity shaft and out onto the main concourse. Picked out a ladies' room and hustled inside. There was one occupant, and I washed my hands until she left. Then I called Ivan. "Captain Sloan is not available," "Captain Sloan is not available," said his AI. said his AI. "Do you wish to leave a message?" "Do you wish to leave a message?" He was probably out on the He was probably out on the Goldman Goldman . "Yes, I would." . "Yes, I would." "Anytime you're ready." "Anytime you're ready."

"Ivan, this is Chase. I'm in trouble. Need to talk to you as soon as possible." I added my code as the door opened, and somebody came in.

I checked the schedules. The Ha.s.san Goldman Ha.s.san Goldman , Ivan's ship, was en route to Varesnikov. It was due back in two days. See the biggest planet in the system. Cruise through the moons and rings. Gourmet meals served on board. Not good. If I simply wandered around the concourse for two days, I was going to become extremely visible. Then, as I was trying to decide what to do, I spotted Krestoff. She was looking around and talking into her sleeve. I had to get clear of the station. The only way I could think of to do that was to , Ivan's ship, was en route to Varesnikov. It was due back in two days. See the biggest planet in the system. Cruise through the moons and rings. Gourmet meals served on board. Not good. If I simply wandered around the concourse for two days, I was going to become extremely visible. Then, as I was trying to decide what to do, I spotted Krestoff. She was looking around and talking into her sleeve. I had to get clear of the station. The only way I could think of to do that was to steal Belle steal Belle . On the a.s.sumption they wouldn't expect me to go back to Ops, I did just that, slipped past the service desk, and saw a couple of serious-looking women talking with the watch officer. I kept going, and got as far as the maintenance piers. But the entrance is always locked. I stood there waiting for someone who'd open the door and allow me to follow him through. While I was considering my chances of doing that and . On the a.s.sumption they wouldn't expect me to go back to Ops, I did just that, slipped past the service desk, and saw a couple of serious-looking women talking with the watch officer. I kept going, and got as far as the maintenance piers. But the entrance is always locked. I stood there waiting for someone who'd open the door and allow me to follow him through. While I was considering my chances of doing that and making a run for Belle Belle , getting on board, and getting under way before they closed the launch doors, a nasal voice broke in: "Who are you and what are you doing here?" It was a technician. He was big, kind of old, and didn't look particularly kindly. "I'm lost," I said. "Can you tell me how to get to the main concourse?" I went back and thought about booking a room. But the hotel would be the first place Krestoff would look. I could hunt Lance down. And I had no doubt he'd be happy to provide bed and board for two days. But I'd have to persuade him to keep quiet in the meantime. The schedule showed two more tour flights that day: one to Miranda, and one that would chase down a comet. Miranda would be gone almost a week, so I signed on for the comet, which would be back in three days. I left another message for Ivan, asking him not to leave when he got back. "Going to see the comet," I said. "I'll be in touch." It was taking a chance, letting him know where I'd be. But I doubted Wexler had made a connection between us. I spent the next few hours shopping once again for fresh clothes and staying out of Krestoff's way. When time came to board, I waited until the very last minute, then rolled through the boarding area, gave them my pa.s.s, and hurried down the tube. A flight attendant welcomed me, showed me to my cabin, and wished me a good flight. There , getting on board, and getting under way before they closed the launch doors, a nasal voice broke in: "Who are you and what are you doing here?" It was a technician. He was big, kind of old, and didn't look particularly kindly. "I'm lost," I said. "Can you tell me how to get to the main concourse?" I went back and thought about booking a room. But the hotel would be the first place Krestoff would look. I could hunt Lance down. And I had no doubt he'd be happy to provide bed and board for two days. But I'd have to persuade him to keep quiet in the meantime. The schedule showed two more tour flights that day: one to Miranda, and one that would chase down a comet. Miranda would be gone almost a week, so I signed on for the comet, which would be back in three days. I left another message for Ivan, asking him not to leave when he got back. "Going to see the comet," I said. "I'll be in touch." It was taking a chance, letting him know where I'd be. But I doubted Wexler had made a connection between us. I spent the next few hours shopping once again for fresh clothes and staying out of Krestoff's way. When time came to board, I waited until the very last minute, then rolled through the boarding area, gave them my pa.s.s, and hurried down the tube. A flight attendant welcomed me, showed me to my cabin, and wished me a good flight. There was was a brief delay, apparently having to do with one more late arrival. I held my breath, but finally hatches closed, and the captain's voice came over the comm system, warning the pa.s.sengers that we were getting ready to leave. a brief delay, apparently having to do with one more late arrival. I held my breath, but finally hatches closed, and the captain's voice came over the comm system, warning the pa.s.sengers that we were getting ready to leave.

The ship was the Excelsior Excelsior . It was a far bigger and more elaborate vessel than the . It was a far bigger and more elaborate vessel than the Goldman Goldman . It accommodated four times as many pa.s.sengers. It was more comfortable. It had a much better menu. And the common room was transparent in all directions save along the spine of the ship. The comet, when we got to it, was spectacular. It was easy to imagine you were not even . It accommodated four times as many pa.s.sengers. It was more comfortable. It had a much better menu. And the common room was transparent in all directions save along the spine of the ship. The comet, when we got to it, was spectacular. It was easy to imagine you were not even in in a ship, but that you were out riding alongside the thing in your chair. With a gla.s.s of wine and a few hors d'oeuvres. Despite all that, I was in no mood for sightseeing. And I wasn't thinking straight. I sat there in the resplendent glow of the comet and wondered whether, when we got back, I could hide in the washroom until everyone had left, then make off with the a ship, but that you were out riding alongside the thing in your chair. With a gla.s.s of wine and a few hors d'oeuvres. Despite all that, I was in no mood for sightseeing. And I wasn't thinking straight. I sat there in the resplendent glow of the comet and wondered whether, when we got back, I could hide in the washroom until everyone had left, then make off with the Excelsior Excelsior and take it out to the asteroid. There would probably not be a refueling problem. But I'd draw every Patrol ship in the area. Ivan was a better bet. Cavarotti's Comet had been looping around the sun and lighting the skies over Salud Afar for more than three thousand years. It had originally been reported by John Cavarotti, of whom nothing more was known. The pilot explained it was beginning to come apart, and scientists thought it would make only a few more pa.s.ses before disintegrating. "There are a lot of people," he said, "who'd like to see it saved for future generations. So there's an effort under way." The comet was close enough to the sun to light up, and it was a spectacular sight. We got in front of it and looked back at the head. We sank below it and braked, allowing it to pa.s.s above us. The tail was endless. "More than a million kilometers long," said the pilot. "As comets go, it's pretty ordinary." During the second day, while we still watched the fireworks, the pilot came back and asked whether I was, by any chance, Chase Kolpath. I hesitated. "Yes." "Your boarding pa.s.s says you're Jane Armitage." "I'm a writer. and take it out to the asteroid. There would probably not be a refueling problem. But I'd draw every Patrol ship in the area. Ivan was a better bet. Cavarotti's Comet had been looping around the sun and lighting the skies over Salud Afar for more than three thousand years. It had originally been reported by John Cavarotti, of whom nothing more was known. The pilot explained it was beginning to come apart, and scientists thought it would make only a few more pa.s.ses before disintegrating. "There are a lot of people," he said, "who'd like to see it saved for future generations. So there's an effort under way." The comet was close enough to the sun to light up, and it was a spectacular sight. We got in front of it and looked back at the head. We sank below it and braked, allowing it to pa.s.s above us. The tail was endless. "More than a million kilometers long," said the pilot. "As comets go, it's pretty ordinary." During the second day, while we still watched the fireworks, the pilot came back and asked whether I was, by any chance, Chase Kolpath. I hesitated. "Yes." "Your boarding pa.s.s says you're Jane Armitage." "I'm a writer. Kolpath Kolpath is my pseudonym." He frowned, then smiled. "Okay. I have a message for you. From Ivan." "Oh," I said. "Good." "I told him there was n.o.body on board with that name. But he described you. Including the accent." "All right. Thanks. I was hoping I'd get to see him." He handed me the message. is my pseudonym." He frowned, then smiled. "Okay. I have a message for you. From Ivan." "Oh," I said. "Good." "I told him there was n.o.body on board with that name. But he described you. Including the accent." "All right. Thanks. I was hoping I'd get to see him." He handed me the message. Chase, Chase, it said, it said, hope everything's okay. I'll be waiting when you get back. Ivan. hope everything's okay. I'll be waiting when you get back. Ivan.

I disembarked without incident and found him at the off-ramp. He handed me a box of mints. "What's going on?" he asked. He watched me checking out the crowd. "Are you looking for somebody?" "Let's go where we can talk." "The club?" "First place they'd look for me." " Who'd Who'd look?" "CSS." He made a face. "What the h.e.l.l are you into, Chase?" I shushed him. "I need to talk to you." His features scrunched up, and he made an unhappy noise deep in his throat. "My place won't work. Kara's got her tikondo group tonight." Cardplayers. We eventually decided on the Samuels Lounge. It was big and crowded, and when we scouted it, I saw no sign of trouble. "Okay," he said. "Tell me what's going on." We settled into a booth with a magnificent view: Callistra, blue and brilliant above the rim of the world, and the sky dark and empty behind it. Somewhere out there other galaxies existed. But you couldn't see any of them. I leaned across the table and lowered my voice. look?" "CSS." He made a face. "What the h.e.l.l are you into, Chase?" I shushed him. "I need to talk to you." His features scrunched up, and he made an unhappy noise deep in his throat. "My place won't work. Kara's got her tikondo group tonight." Cardplayers. We eventually decided on the Samuels Lounge. It was big and crowded, and when we scouted it, I saw no sign of trouble. "Okay," he said. "Tell me what's going on." We settled into a booth with a magnificent view: Callistra, blue and brilliant above the rim of the world, and the sky dark and empty behind it. Somewhere out there other galaxies existed. But you couldn't see any of them. I leaned across the table and lowered my voice.

In the middle of it, our drinks came, something unp.r.o.nounceable for him, dark wine for me. I opened the mints and pushed them toward him. He took one, listened, stared at the table, stared at me, looked around the restaurant. When I'd finished, he sat like a man who'd just been hit with a brick. "And you think they're holding Benedict?" "There's no question they're holding him. Or worse." Ivan was considerably grayer than he'd been during my flight-training days. That had only been about eight years earlier, but he looked much older. More sedate. I thought that the earlier model would have been more likely to take a chance with me. "Let me guess: You want me to take you to the asteroid." "Yes." "All right." He meant All right, I understand what you want, All right, I understand what you want, not not All right, I'll do it All right, I'll do it . "What do you expect to find?" " . "What do you expect to find?" " Something's Something's there." "It's a waste of time. It's also a violation of the guidelines. The company doesn't like us going out there." "Since when?" "The last two or three months. They're worried about the Mutes." "Ivan-" "If I got caught, Chase, I'd lose my license." "You're all I've got right now, Ivan. Please. I'll pay you for a full load of pa.s.sengers. Plus another thousand for yourself." "You're insulting me, Chase. Look, I'd do it in a minute if I thought there was a point to it." "Do it for me. Humor me. Do it because it may be the only chance I have to save Alex." I finished my wine. I literally gulped it down. And waited for an answer. He cleared his throat. "Schedule's open for the next two days. Kara was expecting me to be home for a bit. I've been out a lot lately." "Bring her along." "I'll ask. But I doubt she'll come. She doesn't react well to transdimensional jumps." "So you'll do it?" "d.a.m.n, Chase. Kara's going to start talking to a lawyer." We waited out the tikondo game. Then we trooped up to his apartment and said h.e.l.lo to Kara. He explained it was an emergency, that it was connected with Alex Benedict, who'd gone missing, and we told her everything we knew. I was reluctant about that, but we had to. We were asking her to trust her husband on an overnight alone with a woman he'd known in another life. there." "It's a waste of time. It's also a violation of the guidelines. The company doesn't like us going out there." "Since when?" "The last two or three months. They're worried about the Mutes." "Ivan-" "If I got caught, Chase, I'd lose my license." "You're all I've got right now, Ivan. Please. I'll pay you for a full load of pa.s.sengers. Plus another thousand for yourself." "You're insulting me, Chase. Look, I'd do it in a minute if I thought there was a point to it." "Do it for me. Humor me. Do it because it may be the only chance I have to save Alex." I finished my wine. I literally gulped it down. And waited for an answer. He cleared his throat. "Schedule's open for the next two days. Kara was expecting me to be home for a bit. I've been out a lot lately." "Bring her along." "I'll ask. But I doubt she'll come. She doesn't react well to transdimensional jumps." "So you'll do it?" "d.a.m.n, Chase. Kara's going to start talking to a lawyer." We waited out the tikondo game. Then we trooped up to his apartment and said h.e.l.lo to Kara. He explained it was an emergency, that it was connected with Alex Benedict, who'd gone missing, and we told her everything we knew. I was reluctant about that, but we had to. We were asking her to trust her husband on an overnight alone with a woman he'd known in another life.

"You can come," he said. She hesitated. She didn't like any part of the deal, and she probably didn't like me either. But she didn't want to send the message that she didn't trust him. "Kara, please come with us," I said. "We're not sure what we're looking for, and we can use the extra pair of eyes."

Kara was a beauty. One of those women who couldn't help turning heads. Dark hair, bedroom eyes, pouty lips. She probably had a great smile, too, but I hadn't seen it yet. I waited while they packed. Then they were back. Both looked uncomfortable. "I hope," Kara told me, "that there's really a point to this." There was a touch of coldness in her voice. Ivan checked with Operations. He told them he was going to Tannemann's Dwarf. Four pa.s.sengers. Husband, wife, two kids. We made up names. Mr. and Mrs. Inasha of Mt. Tabor. And his own wife would also be on board. "Taking a break from the routine," he explained. "Okay, Captain Sloan," "Okay, Captain Sloan," said the watch officer. said the watch officer. "You're cleared to go. You'll have to use the "You're cleared to go. You'll have to use the Borden Borden ." ." " " Goldman Goldman 's not serviced yet?" 's not serviced yet?" "That's correct." "That's correct."

"Okay. That's fine."

"You'll be leaving out of A4."

He explained about Tanneman's Dwarf on the way to the boarding area. It was a dead star. "It's a popular destination," he said, "because it's sucking in a cloud of hydrogen and a.s.sorted gases, and that produces some spectacular fireworks. Kids especially love it. If you haven't seen anything like it before, it can be a pretty wild display. Kara's been out there a couple of times, haven't you, Kara?" "It's lovely," she said. She still hadn't decided what was really going on. The Borden Borden was waiting at the dock. We got on board. Kara and I settled into the common room, while Ivan took his seat on the bridge. "How long has your friend been missing?" she asked me. While I began to explain it again, the magnetic clamps let go and we started to ease away from the dock. Once outside the station, we took aim at Tanneman's Dwarf and began to accelerate. was waiting at the dock. We got on board. Kara and I settled into the common room, while Ivan took his seat on the bridge. "How long has your friend been missing?" she asked me. While I began to explain it again, the magnetic clamps let go and we started to ease away from the dock. Once outside the station, we took aim at Tanneman's Dwarf and began to accelerate.

Tannemann's was everything Mr. and Mrs. Inasha and their kids could have hoped for. Even at a range of sixty million kilometers, which was as close as we wanted to get, we could see a vivid corona brightening and dimming and exploding. "You know," I said, "something like this gives me the feeling that, despite all the light-years I've logged, I really don't get around very much." "When this business is over," Ivan said, "provided we're not all in prison, you should spend some leisure time in the area. Take the tours." "I've done that," I said. "I've been to Boldinai Point, the Haunted Forest, the Crystal Sea, the Golden Isles-" "You're kidding, right?" The AI was turning us around. Lining up on the asteroid. "No, I'm not kidding." "That's ground-floor stuff, Chase. Couple of those I've never even heard of. Where is Boldinai Point?" Kara was loosening up a bit. She smiled at the question. "Ivan thinks anything that's on the ground isn't worth your time. It's gotta be out orbiting some gasbag before he's able to pay attention." "That's not true," he said. "Right. Ivan, when's the last time we've even been groundside? Other than to visit your folks?" He sighed. "I work hard, Chase, and that's the thanks I get." I smiled politely. "By the way," he continued, "your friend Benedict is an antiquities guy, right?" "Yes," I said.

He and Kara exchanged glances. "That's a clever way to change the subject, Ivan." She turned to me. "But Ivan's right. We have a lost world out here somewhere that he'd be interested in." "A lost world?" "Complete with ruins. Used to be somebody there, millions of years ago." "That's the first I've heard that. You're right. Alex would want to take a look. Where is it?" "Don't know. We lost it." She laughed at her own joke. We were beginning to accelerate. "They found it a couple of centuries ago. But they didn't keep good records, and next time they went out, they couldn't find it. It had reasonably intact cities. Everything frozen." "Sounds like another hoax." "Sounds like one," said Ivan. "But the original mission brought back some artifacts. And the experts say the artifacts are legitimate." We sank back into our seats. "Apparently the world got blown or dragged out of its home system. And the lights went out." "And they lost the thing." "It's out there somewhere. Cities. Roadways. Even a few ships frozen in harbors." "Does the place have a name?" "Malaki. It's named for the captain who found it."

During the short run out, Ivan tried to talk sense into me. "Don't go back to Samuels. When we're done out here, I can take you someplace where you'll be safe." "What did you have in mind?" "Well, I can't take you all the way to Rimway. For one thing, we don't have enough fuel." "It doesn't matter. I can't leave Alex." "Chase, if the CSS really have him, there's not much you can do. Except get a good lawyer." "Maybe." "Look, I don't know this guy Benedict. But I'll bet he'd want you to get clear. Especially when there's no point-" "Let it go, Ivan. I've been through too much to walk out on him." He shrugged. "Okay. You do what you think is right."

We were lucky. We came out of hypers.p.a.ce almost on top of our target. Not that it was visible to the naked eye, of course. The asteroids-there were thousands of them-drifted through a dark sky. But Ivan didn't have much trouble picking out the one with the monument. Within a few hours we moved in close. It was an ordinary asteroid, surface smooth in some areas, cratered in others. About three hundred kilometers in diameter. Even when we were on top of it, and I mean literally literally on top, just a few klicks away, we couldn't see it visually. The sky behind it was unbroken darkness. Ivan didn't take his eyes off the monitors. Moria, Salud Afar's sun, was behind us. But at that range it was invisible. The three of us were on the bridge, looking down into the darkness, when Ivan said something I couldn't make out. "What?" said Kara. "I was just thinking how we'd react if a light suddenly went on." A few minutes later, a soft glow on top, just a few klicks away, we couldn't see it visually. The sky behind it was unbroken darkness. Ivan didn't take his eyes off the monitors. Moria, Salud Afar's sun, was behind us. But at that range it was invisible. The three of us were on the bridge, looking down into the darkness, when Ivan said something I couldn't make out. "What?" said Kara. "I was just thinking how we'd react if a light suddenly went on." A few minutes later, a soft glow did did appear in the sky, outlining the rim of the asteroid. We'd gone halfway around it and were looking back at the haze along the edge of the Milky Way. "Okay," he said. "We're here. What's next?" I was wishing Alex were with us. "I'm not sure." "Surely, madame, you jest." "Great place for a monument," I said. Kara smiled. "The original plan was that the monument would light up when anybody approached. You'd have come rolling in and the lights'd go on and you'd be looking at the thing. Actually, it could have been pretty striking stuff. But after what happened, they decided to leave it dark." appear in the sky, outlining the rim of the asteroid. We'd gone halfway around it and were looking back at the haze along the edge of the Milky Way. "Okay," he said. "We're here. What's next?" I was wishing Alex were with us. "I'm not sure." "Surely, madame, you jest." "Great place for a monument," I said. Kara smiled. "The original plan was that the monument would light up when anybody approached. You'd have come rolling in and the lights'd go on and you'd be looking at the thing. Actually, it could have been pretty striking stuff. But after what happened, they decided to leave it dark."

"I'm not surprised." "There are a bunch of monuments on other asteroids that do do light up. But not out here, of course." "This is the only monument in the Swarm?" "Yes." Ivan aimed one of the navigation lamps at the ground. But we still couldn't see anything. The light faded away. Rachel, the AI, asked for instructions. Ivan held out his hands. "What do we want to do, Chase? You want to go down and see what's there?" light up. But not out here, of course." "This is the only monument in the Swarm?" "Yes." Ivan aimed one of the navigation lamps at the ground. But we still couldn't see anything. The light faded away. Rachel, the AI, asked for instructions. Ivan held out his hands. "What do we want to do, Chase? You want to go down and see what's there?"

We climbed into the lander and rode it toward the surface. "The monument?" he asked. "Yes. That seems like the logical place." As we descended, I asked whether either of them had ever been there before. "n.o.body ever comes out here," said Ivan. "What about the Family of G.o.d?" "I think they had enough of the place. Something out here was dangerous, and they aren't dummies." "What did they they think it was?" "I don't know. You'd have to ask them." think it was?" "I don't know. You'd have to ask them."

It was located on a bare plain. I knew right away it was something apart from the rockscape, even before I had a good look at it. It was tall and narrow and obviously artificial, a lost piece of a well-lit, warm world abandoned in a place where time had stopped. We only had two pressure suits. Kara said it was okay. "You go ahead. I'll wait here." We got dressed and went out through the air lock. Ivan had left the navigation lights on, but the ground was rougher than it looked from inside. "This way," "This way," he said. He turned on a helmet lamp and plunged ahead. he said. He turned on a helmet lamp and plunged ahead. "Watch your step." "Watch your step." It was rough going. And the fact that I weighed next to nothing made it even more dangerous. The lights played against a wall. It served as a base for a sphere. A set of steps mounted to the sphere, and a silver door stood partly open in its side. Above, a diamond-shaped crystal pointed at the sky. When the beam from my lamp touched the crystal, the doorway caught the reflection. "Is that what they intended?" I asked. It was rough going. And the fact that I weighed next to nothing made it even more dangerous. The lights played against a wall. It served as a base for a sphere. A set of steps mounted to the sphere, and a silver door stood partly open in its side. Above, a diamond-shaped crystal pointed at the sky. When the beam from my lamp touched the crystal, the doorway caught the reflection. "Is that what they intended?" I asked. "I guess," "I guess," he said. he said. "I don't really know anything about this place." "I don't really know anything about this place." Names were engraved on the wall. Thousands of them. Names were engraved on the wall. Thousands of them. "Supporters, I guess," "Supporters, I guess," Ivan said. And a legend: THEY HAVE Pa.s.sED TO A BETTER WORLD. KYLE ROJEAU IRA AND HARM KAMALANDA CELIA TI "How were they going to power it?" Ivan said. And a legend: THEY HAVE Pa.s.sED TO A BETTER WORLD. KYLE ROJEAU IRA AND HARM KAMALANDA CELIA TI "How were they going to power it?"

"I don't know. Probably a grid installed somewhere. I'm not much of an electrician."

I climbed the stairs and studied the partially open door. And the corridor behind it, which went completely through the sphere. Into the night on the other side. The walls and overhead were rough-hewn; the floor was smooth. And I wondered if, sometimes, the asteroid turned and lined up with Callistra so its light appeared in the pa.s.sageway, illuminated that smooth gray corridor.

They have pa.s.sed to a better world.

The sensors had been installed, of course. It only required someone to throw the switch. But the switch had been removed, to ensure that no one circ.u.mvented the will of the survivors. The monument would stay dark. And so it had. I was just talking, trying to hold up my end of the conversation, while I looked for something that would tell me what Alex had expected to see out there. There was nothing. No fractured s.p.a.ce, no alien ships, no Coalition vehicles engaged in a conspiracy. The place, the tower, the rockscape, the sky, was simply quiet. And dark. "Ivan?"

"Yes, Chase."

"Where's Callistra?" He looked up. "Must be on the other side." "Must be on the other side." "It wasn't. It was just as dark over there." He grunted. "It wasn't. It was just as dark over there." He grunted. "Well, that doesn't make sense. It has to be here somewhere." "Well, that doesn't make sense. It has to be here somewhere." What had Orrin Batavian told us in what now seemed that long-ago afternoon in downtown Moreska? They'd picked one asteroid for a very special reason. And suddenly, in that moment, in the permanent midnight of that place, it all came together. What had Orrin Batavian told us in what now seemed that long-ago afternoon in downtown Moreska? They'd picked one asteroid for a very special reason. And suddenly, in that moment, in the permanent midnight of that place, it all came together.

TWENTY-EIGHT.

Whatever it is that hides in Uncle Lester's garden, it comes quickly and silently. Six have died, but no sound has been heard.- Midnight and Roses We climbed back into the air lock. "What's going on?" Ivan demanded. He was out of patience. When we got back into the cabin, Kara was staring at us. "You mean it's missing? It has has to be somewhere." I couldn't stop trembling. It was cold inside the lander. I hadn't noticed it before. "No, Kara," I said. "I don't think it's anywhere." We were getting out of our suits. "What's to be somewhere." I couldn't stop trembling. It was cold inside the lander. I hadn't noticed it before. "No, Kara," I said. "I don't think it's anywhere." We were getting out of our suits. "What's that that mean?" asked Kara. "I'm still working on it. Ivan, we need a chart." "Why?" he asked. "Please just do it." I'm pretty sure my voice had gone shrill. He backed off. "Rachel, give us the chart, please." The lights dimmed, and, over the navigation display, Callistra blinked on. Its soft blue glow touched everything, softened Ivan's intense eyes, coated the chairs and the control panel. "Where's Moria?" I asked. Salud Afar's sun. Ivan pointed toward the hatch. It was a dim yellow light. A white light, off to one side, marked Seepah. "Okay. Can we see mean?" asked Kara. "I'm still working on it. Ivan, we need a chart." "Why?" he asked. "Please just do it." I'm pretty sure my voice had gone shrill. He backed off. "Rachel, give us the chart, please." The lights dimmed, and, over the navigation display, Callistra blinked on. Its soft blue glow touched everything, softened Ivan's intense eyes, coated the chairs and the control panel. "Where's Moria?" I asked. Salud Afar's sun. Ivan pointed toward the hatch. It was a dim yellow light. A white light, off to one side, marked Seepah. "Okay. Can we see our our position? The asteroid?" A red light, a hand's width away from Moria. "Good. Draw a straight line from Callistra through the asteroid and extend it as far as you can." A blue cursor left the star, crossed the cabin, touched the asteroid, pa.s.sed off to one side of Salud Afar, and struck the bulkhead. "I know what you were thinking," said Ivan, "but I could see right from the start they weren't going to line up." "That's because we have an adjustment to make. The asteroid is, what, thirty-six light-years from Salud Afar?" "Right." position? The asteroid?" A red light, a hand's width away from Moria. "Good. Draw a straight line from Callistra through the asteroid and extend it as far as you can." A blue cursor left the star, crossed the cabin, touched the asteroid, pa.s.sed off to one side of Salud Afar, and struck the bulkhead. "I know what you were thinking," said Ivan, "but I could see right from the start they weren't going to line up." "That's because we have an adjustment to make. The asteroid is, what, thirty-six light-years from Salud Afar?" "Right."

Kara's eyes found me. They were afraid. "Okay. Let me think about it for a minute." Math wasn't my strong suit. "Ask Rachel to move us, the asteroid, to where its position would have been thirty-three years ago, when they were putting the monument down. And move Moria to where it will be in another three years." "How'd you get that?" "Thirty-three from thirty-six. Okay? Now draw the line again from Callistra." "Done." The line from Callistra went directly through the asteroid and touched Moria. Touched Salud Afar. Ivan's mouth opened, and his head fell back against his seat. Kara took a deep breath. "My G.o.d," she said. Ivan shook his head. "I don't believe it. I can't believe they'd know about something like this and keep it quiet." "Alex thinks they knew as far back as Aramy Cleev." "So what's next?" "Let's go take a look."

We knew it would be somewhere along the vector, approximately three light-years out from Salud Afar. That was a pretty big target area. The problem was we didn't really know precisely when the Lantner Lantner encountered its problem. So we were guessing. We jumped to within two light-years of Salud Afar but kept well off the vector. We were dealing with a thunderbolt, and we didn't want to come out directly in front of it. Callistra was back in the sky. Brilliant and beautiful. Queen of the Night. Or a satanic spectacle. Take your choice. We burned a ton of fuel turning around. Then we started back, jumping out every few seconds, well wide of the vector. At each stop we looked for Callistra, and each time were relieved to find it still floating serenely ahead. Then, finally, it was gone. Ivan delivered a string of profanities, starting under his breath and ending in a scream. Other than that, we were quiet a long time. Finally, he turned to his wife. "Start packing, babe," he said. "We'll be leaving as soon as we get home." "A nova," Kara said. "But it's too far. It can't affect us." I could feel my heart beating while I sat there, listening to a conversation that was going to play out on a global scale. What would happen when two billion people found out what was coming? encountered its problem. So we were guessing. We jumped to within two light-years of Salud Afar but kept well off the vector. We were dealing with a thunderbolt, and we didn't want to come out directly in front of it. Callistra was back in the sky. Brilliant and beautiful. Queen of the Night. Or a satanic spectacle. Take your choice. We burned a ton of fuel turning around. Then we started back, jumping out every few seconds, well wide of the vector. At each stop we looked for Callistra, and each time were relieved to find it still floating serenely ahead. Then, finally, it was gone. Ivan delivered a string of profanities, starting under his breath and ending in a scream. Other than that, we were quiet a long time. Finally, he turned to his wife. "Start packing, babe," he said. "We'll be leaving as soon as we get home." "A nova," Kara said. "But it's too far. It can't affect us." I could feel my heart beating while I sat there, listening to a conversation that was going to play out on a global scale. What would happen when two billion people found out what was coming?

We jumped again. Back toward Salud Afar. Only a few light-weeks. Callistra reappeared. Then back toward the star. And forward again. We finally found it. The bright blue star beginning to look a bit too too bright. Beginning to expand. To swell like a poisoned fruit. "You sure we're out of the way?" asked Kara. "We don't want to go like the bright. Beginning to expand. To swell like a poisoned fruit. "You sure we're out of the way?" asked Kara. "We don't want to go like the Lantner. Lantner. " Ivan relayed the question to me. "How big is it?" he asked. I had no idea. So we stayed in place, cruising through the void, watching while Callistra got brighter. And bigger. It took over the sky. Ivan switched to manual. If we had to leave in a hurry, it would be quicker just to do it rather than instruct Rachel to do it. It would have been smarter to make one more jump back toward the star, to get behind what was coming. But the thing was mesmerizing. Ivan began reading off Callistra's statistics. Its ma.s.s, surface temperature, diameter. It was 120 times the ma.s.s of Moria, their sun. Normally 1.2 million times as bright. G.o.d knew what it was at that moment. No. Not at that moment. Twelve hundred years ago, when this had actually happened. When it had blown apart and flung jets of radiation and G.o.d knew what else into the night. " Ivan relayed the question to me. "How big is it?" he asked. I had no idea. So we stayed in place, cruising through the void, watching while Callistra got brighter. And bigger. It took over the sky. Ivan switched to manual. If we had to leave in a hurry, it would be quicker just to do it rather than instruct Rachel to do it. It would have been smarter to make one more jump back toward the star, to get behind what was coming. But the thing was mesmerizing. Ivan began reading off Callistra's statistics. Its ma.s.s, surface temperature, diameter. It was 120 times the ma.s.s of Moria, their sun. Normally 1.2 million times as bright. G.o.d knew what it was at that moment. No. Not at that moment. Twelve hundred years ago, when this had actually happened. When it had blown apart and flung jets of radiation and G.o.d knew what else into the night.

"Its stability index was always low," said Ivan. "At least that's what it says here. If they didn't know already, they should have seen it coming." The star grew blindingly bright. "Uh-oh," said Ivan. "We'd better get out of here." "I think we're okay," I said. "If we'd been in its path, we'd be dead already."

It took a while to find what we were looking for. When we did, it appeared harmless enough: a splash of gauzy light against the empty sky. "Part of the explosion?" Ivan asked. "A gamma-ray burst, I think." "Does it blow everything away?" "No. But it irradiates everything." "That can't be right." "Why?" "It wouldn't explain why the two ships disappeared at the asteroid. Or the people at the ceremony. Unless it just blew them away." I told them what Alex had told me. How Cleev probably fabricated everything to maintain his hold on power. "What a son of a b.i.t.c.h." "It also explains why they had to kill off Jennifer Kelton and Edward Demery." "Why did did they have to do that?" "Because Demery figured it out. He figured it out the way Vicki did, and the way Alex did. Except Alex couldn't bring himself to believe what he was seeing." I was trying to visualize the sequence of events. Demery suspected that the star might have blown. That part of it had taken out the monitors at Seepah. That another part, centuries later, destroyed the monument celebration at the asteroid. It had taken several hundred years because Seepah was that much closer to Callistra. Demery would have gone to Jennifer for confirmation. She agreed, and made the mistake-or possibly they have to do that?" "Because Demery figured it out. He figured it out the way Vicki did, and the way Alex did. Except Alex couldn't bring himself to believe what he was seeing." I was trying to visualize the sequence of events. Demery suspected that the star might have blown. That part of it had taken out the monitors at Seepah. That another part, centuries later, destroyed the monument celebration at the asteroid. It had taken several hundred years because Seepah was that much closer to Callistra. Demery would have gone to Jennifer for confirmation. She agreed, and made the mistake-or possibly he he did-of showing it to someone in authority. That got them killed. "I know about that," said Kara. "But as I understand it, seventeen or eighteen families were killed that night. They couldn't all have been in on it." Think like Alex. "They'd have killed the others to cover what they were doing. To prevent attention from being drawn to Demery." "It makes sense," she said. The burst was small in the viewports. It looked like a distant comet. "When Vicki went out to the asteroid," he said, "she just wanted to see whether the star was there. Right?" "Sure." "I guess," said Ivan, "it also explains why Haley Khan disappeared." "Yes," I said. "He would have known, too." "But," Kara said, "Cleev's long gone." "I know. But there are still people in power." Kara's eyes had closed. "How much damage do you think this thing will do?" "Rachel?" did-of showing it to someone in authority. That got them killed. "I know about that," said Kara. "But as I understand it, seventeen or eighteen families were killed that night. They couldn't all have been in on it." Think like Alex. "They'd have killed the others to cover what they were doing. To prevent attention from being drawn to Demery." "It makes sense," she said. The burst was small in the viewports. It looked like a distant comet. "When Vicki went out to the asteroid," he said, "she just wanted to see whether the star was there. Right?" "Sure." "I guess," said Ivan, "it also explains why Haley Khan disappeared." "Yes," I said. "He would have known, too." "But," Kara said, "Cleev's long gone." "I know. But there are still people in power." Kara's eyes had closed. "How much damage do you think this thing will do?" "Rachel?"

"If my measurements are correct, the burst will strike Salud Afar in exactly three years and six days. The event will last three days, four hours, and six minutes. Error ratio of four percent. They will get substantial protection from the atmosphere. Unlike those caught at the asteroid. However, the event will be lethal for unprotected higher life-forms."

He opened a channel to Samuels. "What are you going to do?" I asked. "Start warning people." "No, Ivan." "No?" "No?" His face contorted into a snarl. "h.e.l.l, Chase, why not?" His face contorted into a snarl. "h.e.l.l, Chase, why not?"

"Ivan, if you start making noise, you're going to create a stampede." "What do you suggest? We just keep quiet so we can save our own d.a.m.ned skins?" "No. Look: I'm not sure yet. I'm like you. I'm just a pilot. I don't have any experience with stuff like this. But I'm pretty sure that just getting out there and screaming about it isn't the right way to go." "What is?" "Somebody that people respect is going to need to step up and take charge." He rolled his eyes. "You've lost your mind, Chase. Who's going to do anything like that? Your buddy the antique dealer? a.s.suming you could get him loose?" How the h.e.l.l would I know? "Look, I don't have any better ideas than you do right now. But let's just keep calm and try to figure it out. Okay?"

TWENTY-NINE.

For each of us, my dear, there comes a time when one must go into the haunted house.- Nightwalk.

We made the jump back to Salud Afar and emerged about thirty hours from Samuels. We looked out at the calm sky, at the galactic rim, at Callistra, bright and benevolent over the edge of the world. We were in the common room. We were all talking too much, and all talking about the same thing. There was nothing else. How did you evacuate two billion people in three years? And what were we going to do? "You know," Ivan said, "they may pick all three of us up as we come off the ship." "You think they'd do that?" asked Kara. The question was directed at me. "Yes," I said. "I've no doubt." "We should program Rachel," Kara said. "Have her break the news unless we tell her not to." "If they're onto us," I said, "it's already too late to do that. They wouldn't have a problem blocking a transmission from a single ship whose location is known." Ivan nodded. "That's right." He looked at Kara. "I'm sorry I got you into this, love." "We need to split up," Kara said. "That's exactly what I've been thinking. Look: I'm the one they'll be looking for. How about we use the lander? To drop me off somewhere?" "Absolutely," said Ivan. "Exactly what I was going to suggest." "And when you guys get back to your quarters, call me."

I'd have liked to launch the lander from far out. Maybe a couple of million klicks. But we couldn't because it didn't have the braking power. And had we begun braking the Borden Borden too soon, it would have attracted attention. So I launched close in, hoping no one would notice. On the theory that we should try every channel open to us, I prepared a transmission to Rob Peifer, laying out everything we'd found. I recorded it in my link, and on the lander's commsystem. It would go out at my direction, or automatically from both sources in thirty hours unless I specified otherwise. I rode the lander down into the atmosphere and made directly for the plateau, hoping that Wexler would have put Alex there again. But it was empty. Landers are easy to find. Especially when they're operating without clearance in crowded skies. I left the plateau and set down in a wooded area. too soon, it would have attracted attention. So I launched close in, hoping no one would notice. On the theory that we should try every channel open to us, I prepared a transmission to Rob Peifer, laying out everything we'd found. I recorded it in my link, and on the lander's commsystem. It would go out at my direction, or automatically from both sources in thirty hours unless I specified otherwise. I rode the lander down into the atmosphere and made directly for the plateau, hoping that Wexler would have put Alex there again. But it was empty. Landers are easy to find. Especially when they're operating without clearance in crowded skies. I left the plateau and set down in a wooded area.

Before leaving the lander, I tried to call Ivan. He would have been docked by then. But an unfamiliar male voice answered. "Sloan," "Sloan," it said. I broke off. I walked seven kilometers to a small train station, waited about an hour, and caught a local toward Marinopolis. During the trip, I read everything I could find about Administrator Kilgore. I listened to his speeches and press conferences. He it said. I broke off. I walked seven kilometers to a small train station, waited about an hour, and caught a local toward Marinopolis. During the trip, I read everything I could find about Administrator Kilgore. I listened to his speeches and press conferences. He looked looked like a chief executive. He was tall and deliberate, with silver hair and gray eyes that were at once intelligent and sensitive. He was relaxed, casual, the guy in charge. When he was there, you knew everything was under control. It was hard to believe he could be part of a conspiracy to maintain secrecy while a radiation bolt was coming this way. He did a live broadcast while I was on a train soaring through a mountain range. It originated from his office at Number 17 Parkway, which was the seat of the executive wing of the government. He was at his desk, a fireplace flickering and crackling in the background. He talked about general matters, about his concern that relations with the Mutes had deteriorated so severely, about a recent scandal involving one of his aides, and about several new programs he was inst.i.tuting, the primary one being a response to a series of skimmer crashes. like a chief executive. He was tall and deliberate, with silver hair and gray eyes that were at once intelligent and sensitive. He was relaxed, casual, the guy in charge. When he was there, you knew everything was under control. It was hard to believe he could be part of a conspiracy to maintain secrecy while a radiation bolt was coming this way. He did a live broadcast while I was on a train soaring through a mountain range. It originated from his office at Number 17 Parkway, which was the seat of the executive wing of the government. He was at his desk, a fireplace flickering and crackling in the background. He talked about general matters, about his concern that relations with the Mutes had deteriorated so severely, about a recent scandal involving one of his aides, and about several new programs he was inst.i.tuting, the primary one being a response to a series of skimmer crashes. "It's not supposed to happen, and I promise you we will do what's necessary to stop it." "It's not supposed to happen, and I promise you we will do what's necessary to stop it."

He spoke for about thirty-five minutes, and I found myself hard-pressed not to like him. I resisted the impulse to conclude he was involved.

The train wasn't going all the way into the capital, so I got off in a mid-sized city and decided I'd complete the journey the next day. I checked into a hotel, showered and changed, and went across the street to the Paranova, which had a small band and good drinks. I'm not usually much of a drinker, but it had been a rugged few days, and I only had to pay for the first one. After that there was always somebody anxious to pick up the tab. I spent a couple of hours in the place, declined an invitation to join a party, met two or three guys who would have made interesting companions for the evening. But I kept thinking I needed a heroic type. Somebody who could break down doors and take out the bong thrower. The band had two people on stringed instruments, a third on a horn, and a female singer. They called themselves The Big Five. And I know, there were only four. Don't ask me to explain it. The music was moody. The sort of stuff they were doing during the last century on Rimway. But it was effective nonetheless, or maybe it was just my state of mind. The songs were about lost lovers, roads not taken, and being away from home. A blond guy with great looks but no sense of humor was at my table going on about something, while I sipped a drink that tasted of lemon and rum, and The Big Five played on. Suddenly I became aware of the lyrics: ... End of the world When you walked away...

Drinking too much usually gives me a false sense of bravado. I always come out of those evenings with the notion I can take on anybody. But I think that had dissipated by the time I got off the train in Marinopolis and caught a taxi out to the Marikoba University campus. The register told me that Professor Mikel Wexler specialized in Bandahriate history and that his office was located on the second floor of the Fletcher Building. But it was locked, and the people up there said he "did not come in at this time of the week." I tried his home code and got an AI. "Professor Wexler's residence. Please leave a message." "Professor Wexler's residence. Please leave a message." I recalled that he was an "occasional advisor to Administrator Kilgore." I called the executive branch information board. They were sorry, but they had no way to reach him, nor could they advise me where he was. So I wandered into the faculty room in the Fletcher Building and started a conversation with anyone who came in. n.o.body questioned my right to be there, and I decided this was the time to take a chance and mention my affiliation with Alex. "Marvelous," they said. "The man who got the truth about Christopher Sim." And "the guy who found Margolia." I recalled that he was an "occasional advisor to Administrator Kilgore." I called the executive branch information board. They were sorry, but they had no way to reach him, nor could they advise me where he was. So I wandered into the faculty room in the Fletcher Building and started a conversation with anyone who came in. n.o.body questioned my right to be there, and I decided this was the time to take a chance and mention my affiliation with Alex. "Marvelous," they said. "The man who got the truth about Christopher Sim." And "the guy who found Margolia."

The Polaris Polaris story never surfaced, but it didn't need to. As people went out to take care of cla.s.ses, others came in, asking what I was doing there, could I be persuaded to talk to this or that cla.s.s, what was Benedict working on now? I was pleasantly surprised to discover that most of them knew story never surfaced, but it didn't need to. As people went out to take care of cla.s.ses, others came in, asking what I was doing there, could I be persuaded to talk to this or that cla.s.s, what was Benedict working on now? I was pleasantly surprised to discover that most of them knew me me . What was I doing there? Every time the question was asked, I replied that I'd been hoping to locate Mikel Wexler. "I'm sorry to have missed him." "Ah," said one portly woman dressed entirely in black, "I might have known Mikel would know Alex Benedict." "Do you have any idea where I might find him?" There were two or three others in the room. We were all seated around a table. "I suppose it would be all right," she said. She lowered her voice even though it didn't matter. Everyone could hear what she said. "He's at the Cobblemere Building. He has an office over there. He claims they do historical research for the government, but I think they just screw around. Did you want me to call him?" The others looked disapprovingly at her. One shrugged. "No," I said. "I'd like to surprise him if I can." . What was I doing there? Every time the question was asked, I replied that I'd been hoping to locate Mikel Wexler. "I'm sorry to have missed him." "Ah," said one portly woman dressed entirely in black, "I might have known Mikel would know Alex Benedict." "Do you have any idea where I might find him?" There were two or three others in the room. We were all seated around a table. "I suppose it would be all right," she said. She lowered her voice even though it didn't matter. Everyone could hear what she said. "He's at the Cobblemere Building. He has an office over there. He claims they do historical research for the government, but I think they just screw around. Did you want me to call him?" The others looked disapprovingly at her. One shrugged. "No," I said. "I'd like to surprise him if I can."

The Cobblemere was a nondescript gray three-story structure set on a tree-lined avenue about two kilometers from the university. Corporate offices lined both sides of the street, along with the National Biolab Foundation. A small metal plate identified it as the COALITION RESEARCH AGENCY. I walked in the front door, strolled through an empty lobby, entered a corridor, and stopped outside an open office door. A desk lamp was on, but n.o.body was home. A tall, thin kid came out of an adjoining room, carrying a piece of electronic equipment. He stopped when he saw me. "Can I help you, ma'am?" "I'd like to see Dr. Wexler, please." "I'm sorry. He's not here at the moment. Would you care to leave a message?" "Sure," I said. "Tell him Kolpath is here. He has"-I glanced at the time-"an hour and fifty-seven minutes to get to me, or the gamma-ray story will go to every major media outlet on the planet." He looked puzzled. "Do you want me to write it down for you?" "Ma'am," he said, "you seem upset. May I suggest-?" "I suggest you get that message to him." I gave him my code. "Tell him to call." He stood with his mouth open, not sure what to do. I let the moment drag on and looked at the time again. "An hour and fifty- six six minutes," I said. "What's your name?" "Eiglitz." "Mr. Eiglitz, I can a.s.sure you that Dr. Wexler will be extremely unhappy if he doesn't get that message promptly." He managed a rattled smile. "Yes, of course. I'll see what I can do." Another grin. "Why don't you wait here? Let me see what I can do. Please make yourself comfortable." He left the office, but moments later he was back. "I'm sorry," he said, "but you minutes," I said. "What's your name?" "Eiglitz." "Mr. Eiglitz, I can a.s.sure you that Dr. Wexler will be extremely unhappy if he doesn't get that message promptly." He managed a rattled smile. "Yes, of course. I'll see what I can do." Another grin. "Why don't you wait here? Let me see what I can do. Please make yourself comfortable." He left the office, but moments later he was back. "I'm sorry," he said, "but you did did say the name is-?" "Kolpath." I spelled it for him. "Of course." He hurried out. A few minutes later, an older man showed up. Tall, wide shoulders just starting to slump with age. Congenial features. Let's just take it easy att.i.tude. "Ms. Kolpath," he said, "my name is Mark Hollinger. Can I help you?" His tone suggested he was speaking to a child. "Dr. Wexler is not here." "Thanks, Mr. Hollinger. You can see that Wexler gets my message. I think I'm done here." I turned around and started for the front door. Hollinger stayed with me. "I'm sorry. But he's really not available today. You're going to have to work through me." "Okay," I said. "Produce Alex." "Alex?" He tried to look puzzled. "Alex who?" say the name is-?" "Kolpath." I spelled it for him. "Of course." He hurried out. A few minutes later, an older man showed up. Tall, wide shoulders just starting to slump with age. Congenial features. Let's just take it easy att.i.tude. "Ms. Kolpath," he said, "my name is Mark Hollinger. Can I help you?" His tone suggested he was speaking to a child. "Dr. Wexler is not here." "Thanks, Mr. Hollinger. You can see that Wexler gets my message. I think I'm done here." I turned around and started for the front door. Hollinger stayed with me. "I'm sorry. But he's really not available today. You're going to have to work through me." "Okay," I said. "Produce Alex." "Alex?" He tried to look puzzled. "Alex who?"

Hollinger asked me to be patient for a minute and went away. Eiglitz came back and tried to engage me in conversation. Nice weather. He was sorry there was so much trouble. Could he get anything for me? Finally, a Wexler hologram appeared. "Chase," "Chase," he said, mustering all his considerable charm. he said, mustering all his considerable charm. "I'm glad you came by. We've been looking all over for you." "I'm glad you came by. We've been looking all over for you."

"I know. Where's Alex?" Wexler glanced over at Eiglitz, who got up, left the room, and pulled the office door shut behind him.

"He's all right. He's been visiting with us."

"Let me see him."

"I can't at the moment. But I a.s.sure you he's fine. Listen, I understand-"

"This conversation goes no further until I see him. Where is he?"

"Chase, be reasonable. I'm not really in a position-"

"The Callistra story is an hour and a half from going to the world. Show me Alex."

"Chase- "

I stared back at him.

"We're trying to get to him now. But you have to give us some time. I don't know that I can manage it within the time frame."

I shrugged. "Then we don't have anything to talk about, I guess."

"No, wait. Listen, I'm telling you the truth."

"Wexler, why would I believe anything you have to say?"

"All right. I know none of this looks good from your perspective. I understand that. But you weren't hurt. And Alex hasn't been hurt. We were afraid you'd do exactly what you're about to do. I had no choice."

"I guess not. Can't sell off property if people know the world's coming to an end."

"Look, Chase, I hate doing this over an open circuit-"

"Sorry. It's all we've got."

"All right. Yes, I'll admit I moved some holdings. So did some others. I mean, who wouldn't? But that's not why we kept it quiet."

"Okay. I'll bite. Why'd you keep it quiet?"

"Because there are two billion people on this world. And there's no way we can save more than a handful."

"And not even those if you don't try."

"We're digging shelters for them."

"That's why you lied about the Mutes. And probably even put out the rumor about the rift."

"The rift?"

"Forget it. You're not that good an actor."

"Look. Chase. For G.o.d's sake. We were trying to save as many people as we could, and we needed a cover story. Something that wouldn't cause a worldwide panic." He stood for a long moment, facing me. He looked hesitant, but I watched him come to a decision. He stood for a long moment, facing me. He looked hesitant, but I watched him come to a decision. "Look, I know we could have handled this better. But the honest truth is, when Carpenter came to us with this story, and we checked it out and found it was true, we didn't know what to do." "Look, I know we could have handled this better. But the honest truth is, when Carpenter came to us with this story, and we checked it out and found it was true, we didn't know what to do."

"Who's Carpenter?"

"Rasul Carpenter. He's a physicist. Greene figured out what was happening. I a.s.sume you know that. She went to him for confirmation. He came to us." "You mean "You mean you you ." ." "Yes. Me. Within a day we knew it was true. End of the world. How the h.e.l.l was I supposed to deal with that? Sure we kept it quiet. And a few of us took advantage of the knowledge. Sell off and get your family out of town. What woul