Yes, there are occasional human monsters who show up and create havoc, but the real day-to-day damage is usually done by people who mean well.- Midnight and Roses Kilgore was right. The story had leaked during the night, and in the morning the news spread around the world. By the time the media were announcing an address by the Administrator, it had already become a matter of containing a growing panic. Before Kilgore got anywhere close to his audience, there were announcements that every seat on every flight to Rimway and Toxicon had been sold out for the next year, which was as far ahead as they took reservations. Prices on the carriers spiked, allegedly because n.o.body would be coming to to Salud Afar, and, therefore, the carriers had to cover their costs. In addition, a new interstellar transport company was reported to be forming. It didn't yet have a name, but it would, according to the experts, begin carrying people off-world within the next few months. The four manufacturers of interstellars were already swamped with orders. Buyers were reporting that prices had skyrocketed with the start of business. Meantime, the real-estate market crashed. The online networks overflowed with terror. Was it really true the world would be destroyed? Why had we not been keeping watch on something so dangerous? Rumors were everywhere that the Cleevs had known for centuries that Callistra had gone nova. True believers announced that the end times had arrived. We heard stories that stars had exploded in the Confederacy as well, that the Mute worlds, filled as they were with infidels, were also going down. Experts were everywhere, ill.u.s.trating the dire effects of a gamma-ray burst with holos showing the burst itself striking Salud Afar, bathing it in radiation, soaking it, submerging it. They depicted people trying to shelter themselves, hiding in caves and bas.e.m.e.nts, often escaping the radiation only to die of starvation. Or freezing to death, as weather cycles became disrupted. Ivan got interviewed and used the term Salud Afar, and, therefore, the carriers had to cover their costs. In addition, a new interstellar transport company was reported to be forming. It didn't yet have a name, but it would, according to the experts, begin carrying people off-world within the next few months. The four manufacturers of interstellars were already swamped with orders. Buyers were reporting that prices had skyrocketed with the start of business. Meantime, the real-estate market crashed. The online networks overflowed with terror. Was it really true the world would be destroyed? Why had we not been keeping watch on something so dangerous? Rumors were everywhere that the Cleevs had known for centuries that Callistra had gone nova. True believers announced that the end times had arrived. We heard stories that stars had exploded in the Confederacy as well, that the Mute worlds, filled as they were with infidels, were also going down. Experts were everywhere, ill.u.s.trating the dire effects of a gamma-ray burst with holos showing the burst itself striking Salud Afar, bathing it in radiation, soaking it, submerging it. They depicted people trying to shelter themselves, hiding in caves and bas.e.m.e.nts, often escaping the radiation only to die of starvation. Or freezing to death, as weather cycles became disrupted. Ivan got interviewed and used the term Thunderbolt Thunderbolt . It immediately became official terminology. Some experts actually seemed to be enjoying themselves. If there were skeptics anywhere, they must have bought in when Number 17 Parkway announced that the Administrator would be making an address later that morning. And as the various time zones woke up to the story, they got on board, too. Ailos Johansen, who hosted the interview show . It immediately became official terminology. Some experts actually seemed to be enjoying themselves. If there were skeptics anywhere, they must have bought in when Number 17 Parkway announced that the Administrator would be making an address later that morning. And as the various time zones woke up to the story, they got on board, too. Ailos Johansen, who hosted the interview show Imkah Imkah with Johansen, was already calling for a vote of no confidence against the Administrator. The vote, if there were to be one, would have to be approved by the Legislature. If they agreed, the voting public would make the decision. with Johansen, was already calling for a vote of no confidence against the Administrator. The vote, if there were to be one, would have to be approved by the Legislature. If they agreed, the voting public would make the decision.

When Kilgore appeared, the casual, relaxed demeanor I'd seen during his other addresses was gone. He was seated in his office, clothed in the ceremonial robe of office. He looked up from a notebook. "My friends around the world," "My friends around the world," he said, he said, "I have spent the last twelve hours in discussion with the chief executives of each of the Coalition states, and with other princ.i.p.als. You have probably already heard the news reports, so let me tell you what we know, and what action we plan to take. "We are faced today with a somber reality. Let me begin by putting to rest the rumors that have been circulating in recent weeks of an imminent war with the Ashiyyur. We do not wish that to happen, and we have no reason to believe it will. "But we "I have spent the last twelve hours in discussion with the chief executives of each of the Coalition states, and with other princ.i.p.als. You have probably already heard the news reports, so let me tell you what we know, and what action we plan to take. "We are faced today with a somber reality. Let me begin by putting to rest the rumors that have been circulating in recent weeks of an imminent war with the Ashiyyur. We do not wish that to happen, and we have no reason to believe it will. "But we are are facing an emergency of dire proportions. I learned yesterday that Callistra, the single star that has shone so brightly in our heavens for centuries, that will still be visible tonight, has nevertheless exploded in what scientists call a hypernova." facing an emergency of dire proportions. I learned yesterday that Callistra, the single star that has shone so brightly in our heavens for centuries, that will still be visible tonight, has nevertheless exploded in what scientists call a hypernova." He paused. Got up. Came closer to the viewer. Managed to look like a guy who had answers. He paused. Got up. Came closer to the viewer. Managed to look like a guy who had answers. "Callistra is a great distance from Salud Afar. But the explosion occurred during the time of the Third Union. The star that we still see each night in the sky has not existed for twelve centuries. "The explosion released bursts of gamma rays. These have been sprayed in all directions, and, unfortunately, we now know that one of them is headed our way. "What does this mean for Salud Afar? The situation is not good, but we "Callistra is a great distance from Salud Afar. But the explosion occurred during the time of the Third Union. The star that we still see each night in the sky has not existed for twelve centuries. "The explosion released bursts of gamma rays. These have been sprayed in all directions, and, unfortunately, we now know that one of them is headed our way. "What does this mean for Salud Afar? The situation is not good, but we can can take action to protect ourselves. For one thing, it is still three years away. For another, our atmosphere will act as a shield to ward off the worst of the effects. Nevertheless, there will be some penetration. "We are working to secure a.s.sistance from the Confederacy. We've been constructing shelters against the possibility of a war with the Ashiyyur. These shelters will be used to protect us when the gamma rays arrive. But in fact a simple bas.e.m.e.nt will suffice. The burst will require slightly more than three days to pa.s.s. We have already begun storing supplies against that time. take action to protect ourselves. For one thing, it is still three years away. For another, our atmosphere will act as a shield to ward off the worst of the effects. Nevertheless, there will be some penetration. "We are working to secure a.s.sistance from the Confederacy. We've been constructing shelters against the possibility of a war with the Ashiyyur. These shelters will be used to protect us when the gamma rays arrive. But in fact a simple bas.e.m.e.nt will suffice. The burst will require slightly more than three days to pa.s.s. We have already begun storing supplies against that time.

"In addition, we will evacuate many of our citizens, and we are working to find other solutions. "Now, I must be honest with you. When the burst has pa.s.sed, we will not be able simply to return to the land. It will probably not be possible, for many years, to do any farming. To compensate, we will be expanding our synthetic food capabilities. We are taking other steps as well to protect ourselves. But our greatest need at the moment is for everyone to remain calm. If we see this through together, if we unite in the cause of our common safety, we have nothing to fear."

Kilgore continued another three or four minutes in that vein. He announced the formation of a global executive committee to oversee what he called global security strategy. (That sounded as if the Thunderbolt were merely something to be gotten through. A severe storm, perhaps, or an incursion by foreign spies.) He promised to report regularly on what the committee was doing, and told us that while it wasn't going to be easy, he knew that the people of the world would rise to the occasion. "Let us then go forward together. Let our response in the trying days ahead become our legacy to our sons and daughters. And if Salud Afar endures for a million years, they will say this was her finest hour." "Let us then go forward together. Let our response in the trying days ahead become our legacy to our sons and daughters. And if Salud Afar endures for a million years, they will say this was her finest hour."

Then he was gone. "You know," said Alex, "the guy read the book after all." "Which book?" He looked at me and shook his head. "Let it go, Chase."

I was due at Global to do my interview with Peifer. When I went up to the roof to get a taxi, a small crowd had gathered, and they were talking in hushed voices about the end of the world. "The Administrator said it's going to happen." "That can't be right. What the h.e.l.l's he know?" "-Never got it straight before-" "-All going to die-" "-Crazy-" "-We're going to my cousin's. Voka's. He's in a safe place away from here-" Down in the street it sounded as if people were yelling at one another. Twenty minutes later I arrived at Global. It's a ground-level pad, and the same thing was happening. Everybody was scared, and n.o.body was talking about anything else. Peifer was waiting for me in the executive offices. Staff members were running around, peering into displays, talking into their links. "Looks busy," I said. "You kidding? This is the biggest story ever. Why the h.e.l.l didn't you and Alex tell me what you were onto?" "We didn't know. I I didn't know until I looked up and saw that empty sky." "Empty sky? What empty sky? "From the asteroid." He escorted me to his office. Somebody came in and took pictures. Lots of pictures. Most of them had me standing, looking up at the didn't know until I looked up and saw that empty sky." "Empty sky? What empty sky? "From the asteroid." He escorted me to his office. Somebody came in and took pictures. Lots of pictures. Most of them had me standing, looking up at the Lantner Lantner monument and the sky beyond. "You know," he said, "when the critical information comes from looking up and seeing monument and the sky beyond. "You know," he said, "when the critical information comes from looking up and seeing nothing nothing , it really doesn't work well for pictures." "I'll try to do better next time, Rob." "You should have brought Alex along," he said. "You didn't ask." "I didn't know we were looking at anything like this. I thought it was about corruption. I thought the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds knew a major downturn was coming, and they were in collusion with-" He stopped and stared at me. "Never mind. I've got a few questions for you." "What kind of reaction is the Administrator getting?" "Right now," he said, "they want to hang him." "I'm sorry to hear it." "He deserves what he gets. He stood by and let his friends run things. As long as you were loyal to the b.a.s.t.a.r.d, you couldn't do anything wrong. Anyhow, I wouldn't be surprised if he was privy to it from the , it really doesn't work well for pictures." "I'll try to do better next time, Rob." "You should have brought Alex along," he said. "You didn't ask." "I didn't know we were looking at anything like this. I thought it was about corruption. I thought the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds knew a major downturn was coming, and they were in collusion with-" He stopped and stared at me. "Never mind. I've got a few questions for you." "What kind of reaction is the Administrator getting?" "Right now," he said, "they want to hang him." "I'm sorry to hear it." "He deserves what he gets. He stood by and let his friends run things. As long as you were loyal to the b.a.s.t.a.r.d, you couldn't do anything wrong. Anyhow, I wouldn't be surprised if he was privy to it from the beginning." Somebody knocked on the door. He said, "Come in." A middle-aged woman, looking frazzled. "Rob," she said, "check the stream." Peifer turned on the HV. It was tuned to Global. We got pictures of a riot in a time zone on the far side of the planet. "-And several hundred arrested." "-And several hundred arrested." The voice was a baritone. The voice was a baritone. "It started in midafternoon, more than an hour before the Administrator spoke. So far, there are seventeen known dead, and forty or fifty known injured, John." "It started in midafternoon, more than an hour before the Administrator spoke. So far, there are seventeen known dead, and forty or fifty known injured, John."

Peifer brought up the location. It was Baranda, a place I'd never heard of before. "No big deal," he said. "People there are always rioting about something." They went back and showed a recorded clip of a man throwing a child from a rooftop ten or eleven stories high. Then jumping himself. And there was a report that the Coalition Data Collection Agency was overwhelmed with protests. Around the world, action committees were already forming, prayer meetings were being scheduled, and politicians in the Administrator's opposition party began to argue that either Kilgore had been negligent or we were overreacting. "Well," Peifer said, "it looks as if you and your partner have had an impact."

When it was over, I headed for the s.p.a.ceport, where Alex had said he would wait. I'd expected an angry crowd, but the place was, if anything, deserted. Alex was waiting in the departure area. The shuttle, though, was full. A woman on the flight told me she and her family were leaving the next day for Toxicon. "We got our tickets weeks ago. It was going to be a vacation. I think we were lucky." Two families were leaving on one of the tour ships. For Rimway. "Thank G.o.d we have Belle Belle ," I told Alex. "I wouldn't want to be trying to go anywhere on public transportation." Alex was looking out as we pa.s.sed through the cloud cover. "I guess bad news is always good for somebody. Your buddy Ivan will make a fortune." "Starlight Tours will." We watched the newscasts during the ascent. They were filled with reports of people talking about leaving Salud Afar, of scientists disputing the government's claims, and of political commentators demanding that Kilgore be removed from office. Others maintained it was a conspiracy to drive prices down and allow some wealthy individuals to expand their holdings. Or to allow Kilgore to establish dictatorial powers. Some people said they didn't give a d.a.m.n what was coming, n.o.body was going to chase them out of their homes. Angry editorials were showing up: ," I told Alex. "I wouldn't want to be trying to go anywhere on public transportation." Alex was looking out as we pa.s.sed through the cloud cover. "I guess bad news is always good for somebody. Your buddy Ivan will make a fortune." "Starlight Tours will." We watched the newscasts during the ascent. They were filled with reports of people talking about leaving Salud Afar, of scientists disputing the government's claims, and of political commentators demanding that Kilgore be removed from office. Others maintained it was a conspiracy to drive prices down and allow some wealthy individuals to expand their holdings. Or to allow Kilgore to establish dictatorial powers. Some people said they didn't give a d.a.m.n what was coming, n.o.body was going to chase them out of their homes. Angry editorials were showing up: The explosion happened 1200 years ago, and we're just finding out about it now? The explosion happened 1200 years ago, and we're just finding out about it now? And: And: Kilgore may have known. Kilgore may have known. And: And: Time to build s.p.a.ce arks. Only Star in the Sky, and n.o.body Noticed. Time for New Leadership. Time to build s.p.a.ce arks. Only Star in the Sky, and n.o.body Noticed. Time for New Leadership.

Celebrities and politicians were pleading for unity. This was a time to put aside our differences and work together to achieve the best outcome, whatever that might be. There were calls for worldwide prayer, and the various religions that, Peifer had told me, had always been at one another's throats, suddenly found themselves with a common cause. Somebody was starting a Kids Off-world Campaign. They were arguing that all available s.p.a.ce on departing vehicles be made available to children. They are the future. They are the future. Anyone with the means to leave Salud Afar on his own was urged to volunteer help. Anyone with the means to leave Salud Afar on his own was urged to volunteer help. Take some children with you. Save the kids. Take some children with you. Save the kids.

Number 17 Parkway announced that the Administrator would speak again that night and would outline a plan of action. There was a sense of unreality about it all. Despite the frenzied activity, I doubted if the reality of the situation had taken hold. People seemed to be reacting as if a bad storm were coming. The question became how best to get through it. We were not yet on the Korinbladt Korinbladt , the crippled liner that had, only , the crippled liner that had, only the year before, gotten dragged into a sun along with its more than seven hundred well-done pa.s.sengers. I looked down through drifting white clouds at a lush green landscape, filled with trees and bushes and rolling hills. And I could not believe this entire world was going to be irradiated in three years. That it would become uninhabitable for decades or more. I couldn't help sympathizing with Kilgore, who had to face the reality that his lack of curiosity was going to cost a world full of lives. But I wondered how he could have been paying so little attention that he'd missed what was going on? But at least he seemed now to be engaged. Tonight, he'd announce a strategy. "Good luck on that one," said Alex. Physicists were being interviewed. Evan Carbacci of the Nakamura Inst.i.tute commented that they'd always known that Callistra was unstable, and plans had been made just last month for a mission to check its status. "If it seems a bit late," "If it seems a bit late," he said, he said, "you have to remember that these things tend to happen on scales of millions of years. I don't think it occurred to any of us that an explosion was imminent. In human terms. Let alone that it had already happened." "you have to remember that these things tend to happen on scales of millions of years. I don't think it occurred to any of us that an explosion was imminent. In human terms. Let alone that it had already happened." When pressed, he got angry: When pressed, he got angry: "Look, let's be honest here. The truth is that we've simply been terribly unlucky. We knew that even if the d.a.m.ned thing blew, the chances of our getting in the way were remote. Who'd have thought-?" "Look, let's be honest here. The truth is that we've simply been terribly unlucky. We knew that even if the d.a.m.ned thing blew, the chances of our getting in the way were remote. Who'd have thought-?"

Families were mounting pleas for anyone leaving Salud Afar to take their kids. Several watchdog organizations wanted investigations to determine who was at fault. Conspiracy theorists were arriving in force. Not only had Cleev and Kilgore known-pick one-but some maintained that a secret society had known but kept it quiet for religious purposes. (The religious purposes never became clear.) Other groups argued that in fact there was no threat from Callistra, that it was a cover-up, that the real threat was the time-s.p.a.ce rift, which was about to descend on the planet and swallow it whole. Despite everything, the public response was less frantic than Wexler or Kilgore had expected. It was, after all, three years away. And, as politicians always say, a lot can happen in three years. Meantime, we got fresh reports of growing tension between the Confederacy and the Mutes, including at least two incidents in which warships had fired on each other. Someone had forgotten to turn the fabrication machine off. I was beginning to feel guilty. "Why, Chase?" "We should have called that service," I said. "Gotten a group of children to take out of here with us." Alex sighed. "I'm not anxious to spend the next four weeks with a bunch of kids, but you're right. When we get upstairs, let's check with them. But make sure we get a couple of mothers, too, okay?" He bit his lip. "I wish we had more capacity."

On the s.p.a.ce station, we stopped for sandwiches at Sandstone's. While Alex stared at his coffee, I contacted Operations. "You're ready to go," "You're ready to go," the watch officer said. He allowed a note of derision to creep into his voice. the watch officer said. He allowed a note of derision to creep into his voice. "A lot of people outbound today. When do you want to leave?" "A lot of people outbound today. When do you want to leave?"

"We thought we'd take some kids with us," I said. "The ones they're trying to evacuate."

"Yeah. Well, none of them are here yet."

"When are you expecting them?"

"Don't know. But we can have you ready for launch in ninety minutes, if that works for you."

"You have no idea at all?"

"Negative. You want to hang around, that's okay. Maybe they'll come up tomorrow. I think you're supposed to make the arrangement before you come."

"All right. We'll get back to you." "Call them," said Alex. I tried. The AIs were overwhelmed. When we did get through, the responses weren't helpful. n.o.body knew anything. Everyone referred us to someone else. They weren't ready yet. Not online. Still setting it up. Please leave your code, and we'll get back to you.

"It's people with kids," Alex said. "They apparently didn't think to set up a separate code for people offering transport."

We left our code and waited around. Two hours later, we called again, and the situation hadn't changed. We checked into a hotel. "This could take forever," Alex said. We eventually wound up in the hotel lobby, waiting to hear what Kilgore had to say. "Do we really want to hang around here until the bureaucracies sort it out?" Alex asked. No. I I didn't. "Let's do it this way," Alex said. "Let's get out of here and go home. Once we get home, didn't. "Let's do it this way," Alex said. "Let's get out of here and go home. Once we get home, Belle Belle 's yours. If you want to come back and do rescues, it's your call." d.a.m.n. "Okay," I said. "Let's get moving." I called Ops again. Same officer. He looked hara.s.sed. 's yours. If you want to come back and do rescues, it's your call." d.a.m.n. "Okay," I said. "Let's get moving." I called Ops again. Same officer. He looked hara.s.sed. "I guess you haven't heard," "I guess you haven't heard," he said. he said. "The "The Belle-Marie Belle-Marie 's been impounded. They've all been impounded." 's been impounded. They've all been impounded." "All the ships?" "All the ships?"

"Yes."

"By whom?"

"By the government."

"For how long?"

"Indefinitely. They really didn't give us any details. But I a.s.sume they're going to use them to move people out."

"Thanks," I said.

"Sorry. Wish I could help."

Alex was wearing a tired smile. "We should have antic.i.p.ated that." He spoke into his link: "Connect me with Number 17 Parkway, please." He gave a code we'd gotten from the staff. "They can't just take Belle Belle ," I said. Alex got through and a male voice answered, ba.s.so profundo. ," I said. Alex got through and a male voice answered, ba.s.so profundo. "Executive Office." "Executive Office." A few people seated around us heard. They turned in our direction and stared. Alex dialed the volume down. "This is Alex Benedict," he said softly. "I was there the other day, speaking with the Administrator." That got a reaction from our fellow patrons. Smiles, people nodding sure you did, eyes rolling skyward. "I'm calling from Samuels. We're trying to get home." A few people seated around us heard. They turned in our direction and stared. Alex dialed the volume down. "This is Alex Benedict," he said softly. "I was there the other day, speaking with the Administrator." That got a reaction from our fellow patrons. Smiles, people nodding sure you did, eyes rolling skyward. "I'm calling from Samuels. We're trying to get home."

"Okay. Is there a problem?"

"Our ship has been impounded. By you folks." "Ah." "Ah." He took a breath. He took a breath. "Hold a minute, please." "Hold a minute, please." Alex looked at me, shook his head, closed his eyes. The ba.s.so profundo came back. Alex looked at me, shook his head, closed his eyes. The ba.s.so profundo came back. "Yes, sir. The directive came from the top, but compensation will be made. Instructions on how to apply are available at-" "Yes, sir. The directive came from the top, but compensation will be made. Instructions on how to apply are available at-"

"I don't want compensation. I want my ship."

"I'm sorry, Mr.-Who did you say you were again, please?"

"Alex Benedict." "I'm sorry, Mr. Benedict. The directive explicitly states 'no exceptions. '" "May I speak with your supervisor?" "I "I am am sorry, sir. She's not available at the moment." sorry, sir. She's not available at the moment." "May I speak with Dr. Belhower, please?" "May I speak with Dr. Belhower, please?"

"Who?" "Dr. "Dr. Circe Circe Belhower." There was another pause. Belhower." There was another pause. "I'm sorry, sir. There's no one with that name on the staff." "I'm sorry, sir. There's no one with that name on the staff." I reminded Alex she was a consultant. "I don't suppose," Alex said, "the Administrator is available?" I reminded Alex she was a consultant. "I don't suppose," Alex said, "the Administrator is available?" "I can put you on the list." "I can put you on the list." He sounded as if he did this all the time. "Can you get a message to him?" He sounded as if he did this all the time. "Can you get a message to him?"

"Of course." "I need my ship back. It's the "I need my ship back. It's the Belle-Marie Belle-Marie . I'm trying to go home." . I'm trying to go home." "I'll see that your message is placed in his box." "I'll see that your message is placed in his box."

THIRTY-TWO.

No garden is complete, my dear, without a snake.- Love You to Death I called Ivan, and we met in the Pilots' Club. "I guess we stirred something up," he said. "Looks like." He sat down, smiled, looked smug. "What?" I said. "Business is booming. They've located a world where conditions are reasonable. A place where they can start moving people. They've already got some engineers en route. It's thirteen thousand light-years from here. In toward the rim. Not exactly next door, but not like going all the way into Rimway." "You're going there?" "Leaving tonight. With a full load. So what can I do for you? You don't want to go back to the monument, do you?" I couldn't tell whether he was serious. He ordered some appetizers and soft drinks for us. "They've confiscated our ship." "They've taken everybody's." "You know any way we can get it back?" He shook his head. "Chase," he said, "I hate to say this, but I think you're here for the duration."

While I was sitting with Ivan, Peifer ran the interview we'd recorded and, during the wrap-up, revealed what he had on Vicki Greene. Vicki had known months ago. Someone had tried to silence her. Who else could that be except the administration? Hours later we heard there was a crack in the Coalition. Strictly behind the scenes, of course. The public image of world leaders working together to save a desperate situation was coming apart. Rumors had it that they believed Kilgore had known all along. Even if he hadn't, he should have. Reportedly, they wanted him to step aside.

The Administrator's second address came from the World Library in Marinox. He stood behind a rostrum and, in one of the great understatements of the age, started by commenting that he knew everybody was concerned about the gamma-ray burst. "I want to remind you that it is three years away. That gives us time to implement several courses of action. But first I want to a.s.sure you that we are in this together. Neither I nor any of my staff will set foot off this world as long as anyone who wants to leave is still here." "I want to remind you that it is three years away. That gives us time to implement several courses of action. But first I want to a.s.sure you that we are in this together. Neither I nor any of my staff will set foot off this world as long as anyone who wants to leave is still here."

"That's pretty gutsy," I said. Alex got that skeptical look in his eyes.

"We took several steps as soon as we became aware of what was happening. First, we have informed all the worlds of the Confederacy of our situation. We have asked their help. That message went out immediately. It will be almost three weeks before we can hope to hear from them. But I'm confident they will offer a.s.sistance. "Second, in collaboration with all the states of the Coalition, we are moving to devote every resource we have to the manufacture of interstellars. It will take a while to get everything up and running because we need several orbital facilities. Work has already started on those. "We have vastly increased funding for shelters. We are digging into the earth wherever conditions permit, and will be manufacturing modular units that can shield small communities. Soon, we will have shielding that can be applied to individual houses. "Unfortunately, we cannot shield the planet, and therein lies our greatest hazard. When the gamma-ray burst has pa.s.sed, every exposed life-form will be gone. But we will survive, and when it's over, we'll plant new forests and restore its wildlife."

"That's not likely to happen," I said. "The place will have to be abandoned." Alex shrugged. "It's good politics, though. Right now, it's what people need to hear."

"We've located a new world, Sanctum, which will serve as a place to relocate evacuees. At first, we'd been concerned we would have to haul people all the way to the Confederacy, which would have been a terribly slow process. Sanctum is less than half the distance to the nearest Confederate world. Engineers, biotechs, and farmers are already on their way. Others will be leaving within the next twenty hours. We are calling this effort Operation New World. "At this critical time, Salud Afar needs all of us, working together. To begin, we need volunteers. Especially those with technical specialties. Consult the Coalition Bulletin Board and, please, volunteer where you can." He came around in front of the rostrum, found a chair, and sat down. He came around in front of the rostrum, found a chair, and sat down. "I will not understate the situation. We are at a crossroads, and we can only succeed with your help. We all need to start immediately conserving supplies. Store them in places where they'll be shielded from the gamma rays. Information on that can also be found at the Coalition Bulletin Board. You should be aware that we have impounded every private and commercial s.p.a.ce vehicle that is not part of the overall relief effort. Some are being used to construct new orbiting stations. Others will carry evacuees. Compensation is available. "One final thing: We mean to evacuate as many people to Sanctum as we possibly can. We want to lower the population on Salud Afar. That is not because of any lack of confidence that we will come through this emergency. But the amount of supplies necessary after the event will be reduced." "I will not understate the situation. We are at a crossroads, and we can only succeed with your help. We all need to start immediately conserving supplies. Store them in places where they'll be shielded from the gamma rays. Information on that can also be found at the Coalition Bulletin Board. You should be aware that we have impounded every private and commercial s.p.a.ce vehicle that is not part of the overall relief effort. Some are being used to construct new orbiting stations. Others will carry evacuees. Compensation is available. "One final thing: We mean to evacuate as many people to Sanctum as we possibly can. We want to lower the population on Salud Afar. That is not because of any lack of confidence that we will come through this emergency. But the amount of supplies necessary after the event will be reduced." He leaned forward, every bit a protective uncle. He leaned forward, every bit a protective uncle. "We've had a replacement birth rate on this world for a long time now. I have to tell you that, at this historic moment, that is too many. I will not ask anyone to choose abortion. But we need everybody to take measures to prevent conception from this day forward, until we can declare the emergency over. I understand this is a highly personal matter. But it's entirely possible that every new birth will cost an innocent person his life. And if that suggests how serious our situation is, we must take it to heart." "We've had a replacement birth rate on this world for a long time now. I have to tell you that, at this historic moment, that is too many. I will not ask anyone to choose abortion. But we need everybody to take measures to prevent conception from this day forward, until we can declare the emergency over. I understand this is a highly personal matter. But it's entirely possible that every new birth will cost an innocent person his life. And if that suggests how serious our situation is, we must take it to heart." He stopped and stared straight out at us. He stopped and stared straight out at us. "I know that you will do your part. Thank you, and good night." "I know that you will do your part. Thank you, and good night."

Kilgore's image had just blinked off when a group of experts appeared to discuss the situation. One, a calm guy with marquee looks spoiled by a too-neat mustache, thought the Administrator was responding with brilliant leadership to the emergency. "We're fortunate to have the right guy in the job," "We're fortunate to have the right guy in the job," he said. he said. "The people who want him out are crazy. You can't really blame him when a star explodes, but he's doing everything you could reasonably expect to counteract the effects." "We've known about this for decades," "The people who want him out are crazy. You can't really blame him when a star explodes, but he's doing everything you could reasonably expect to counteract the effects." "We've known about this for decades," said another, an angry-looking academic type. said another, an angry-looking academic type. "The Greene story confirms it." "The Greene story confirms it." And another, a young woman who was visibly seething: And another, a young woman who was visibly seething: "Greene aside, we've always known Callistra was a candidate for a supernova. Or something bigger. We should have been watching it. How we could have failed to do that, I'll never understand." "Greene aside, we've always known Callistra was a candidate for a supernova. Or something bigger. We should have been watching it. How we could have failed to do that, I'll never understand." The moderator addressed himself to her: The moderator addressed himself to her: "Dr. Bjorg, did you ever recommend that we do a study?" "Not my field," "Dr. Bjorg, did you ever recommend that we do a study?" "Not my field," she said. "So whose is it?" demanded Alex. she said. "So whose is it?" demanded Alex.

"Alex," I said, "you're talking to the holograms again." He does that when he gets upset.

We'd have fought the impoundment of the Belle-Marie Belle-Marie , but there was n.o.body to fight. Whoever we called referred us to someone else. I was proud of Alex during that period. He refused to get angry, refused to blame me for not having left when we had the chance. We made several more efforts during the next few days to get through to Kilgore. The result was always the same: We were placed in his in-box. We checked on the compensation we'd get for the , but there was n.o.body to fight. Whoever we called referred us to someone else. I was proud of Alex during that period. He refused to get angry, refused to blame me for not having left when we had the chance. We made several more efforts during the next few days to get through to Kilgore. The result was always the same: We were placed in his in-box. We checked on the compensation we'd get for the Belle-Marie Belle-Marie , which, it turned out, would be considerably less than the ship was worth. That brought up another problem: The value of Coalition funds off-world would be crashing. The money we got would never buy anything for us. We called Bentley Deeps.p.a.ce, which was the transport system that ran the liners to Rimway and Toxicon. They were weekly flights, and they'd been reported filled. But we tried anyway. "I'd like pa.s.sage for two to Rimway," I told them, "on the next available flight. The voice on the other end belonged to an AI. , which, it turned out, would be considerably less than the ship was worth. That brought up another problem: The value of Coalition funds off-world would be crashing. The money we got would never buy anything for us. We called Bentley Deeps.p.a.ce, which was the transport system that ran the liners to Rimway and Toxicon. They were weekly flights, and they'd been reported filled. But we tried anyway. "I'd like pa.s.sage for two to Rimway," I told them, "on the next available flight. The voice on the other end belonged to an AI. "I'm sorry, ma'am. The flights are full." "I'm sorry, ma'am. The flights are full." "How long's the waiting list?" "How long's the waiting list?"

"We're booked to the end of the year."

"Is that really the best you can do?"

"We've requested a.s.sistance from several transport companies in the Confederacy. So we expect we'll be able to help you shortly."

"Can we get on the waiting list?"

"Yes, ma'am. What's your name, please?"

Alex waved me off. "Let it go," he said. "If we have to, we'll get in touch with somebody at home and have them come get us." "Who did you have in mind?" "To be honest, I don't know any pilots other than you. But we should be able to lease somebody." He stared out at the night sky. "This trip has had its downside."

There was a confirmed report of a shoot-out between Confederate and Ashiyyurean warships. This time, a Mute vessel had broken open, and there'd been fatalities. Each side was claiming encroachment by the other, and issuing warnings. Each side was threatening war. It was obviously an outbreak waiting to happen. Alex commented that, like so many conflicts through the ages, it would be a war neither side wanted. More like a train wreck. But both sides had politicians who were solidifying their positions by stirring up antagonism. That often secured election, but it had the effect of backing them into a corner. It struck me that Ka.s.sel hadn't been entirely honest when he claimed that Mutes couldn't deceive one another. Meanwhile, Kilgore's optimism had to be crumbling. Mathematicians were doing most of the damage. They showed up on every conceivable talk show and blew gaping holes in the government strategy. There wouldn't be enough s.p.a.ce in the shelters. Not nearly enough. The quant.i.ties of materials needed to protect private homes would overwhelm production facilities. Tens of millions would die during the initial blast. The survivors would quickly run out of food and other necessities. The capability to bring adequate resupplies in from the Confederacy was, at best, doubtful. And if war broke out with the Mutes, as seemed increasingly likely, that capability would probably go to zero. "There just isn't time to do everything that needs to be done." "There just isn't time to do everything that needs to be done." We heard that refrain over and over. We'd been in the hotel on Samuels for about a week when the AI announced an incoming call. Alex, gloomier than I'd ever seen him, asked sardonically whether I thought it might be Kilgore. Then he told the AI to put it through. It was Wexler. We heard that refrain over and over. We'd been in the hotel on Samuels for about a week when the AI announced an incoming call. Alex, gloomier than I'd ever seen him, asked sardonically whether I thought it might be Kilgore. Then he told the AI to put it through. It was Wexler. "h.e.l.lo, Benedict," "h.e.l.lo, Benedict," he said. he said. "I hope you're satisfied." "I hope you're satisfied." He was outside somewhere, leaning against a stone wall, dressed in a white pullover and the sort of slacks you'd wear for a walk in the woods. He ignored me, looked straight at Alex. He was outside somewhere, leaning against a stone wall, dressed in a white pullover and the sort of slacks you'd wear for a walk in the woods. He ignored me, looked straight at Alex. "I a.s.sume," "I a.s.sume," he said, he said, "you understand "you understand now now how much damage you've caused." how much damage you've caused."

Alex bristled. "At least something's being done. You were prepared to sit by and watch everybody die."

"Something's being done. You really think this government can do anything but talk? There are too many people. They'll save a few million, but we'd have saved almost as many. And given everybody else three relatively peaceful years. All you've accomplished is to create chaos."

"Kilgore doesn't think so."

"Kilgore's a politician. What else would you expect him to say? He believes what he's telling the voters, but this is exactly the reason we didn't want him to know. The people around him understand what's coming. So does every physicist on the planet. But they won't say anything. Other than the idiots who want to see themselves on the news shows." He bit his lip and actually wiped a tear from his cheek. He bit his lip and actually wiped a tear from his cheek. "But everybody knows what's really going to happen when the tide comes in. "The gamma-ray burst itself will pa.s.s quickly enough. But there'll be a particle shower, and it'll go on for days. Everything green will die off. The ozone layer will be swept away. Ultraviolet light will make Salud Afar a death trap for years to come. Nothing will grow. They'll probably try to put together some shielded greenhouses, but that won't do any more than delay the inevitable." "But everybody knows what's really going to happen when the tide comes in. "The gamma-ray burst itself will pa.s.s quickly enough. But there'll be a particle shower, and it'll go on for days. Everything green will die off. The ozone layer will be swept away. Ultraviolet light will make Salud Afar a death trap for years to come. Nothing will grow. They'll probably try to put together some shielded greenhouses, but that won't do any more than delay the inevitable." He shook his head, made a rumbling noise in his throat. He shook his head, made a rumbling noise in his throat. "Well done, Mr. Benedict." "Well done, Mr. Benedict."

There was still no word on child evacuations. Not that it mattered anymore. Polls indicated that pessimism was growing. Eighteen percent of those surveyed described the situation as hopeless. Peifer showed up on Capital Round Table to discuss the severe inflation that had set in. The Administrator was on every other night. He usually sat in the room with the fireplace, and he went back to dressing casually. He spoke in generalities, praising his audience for their patience and their courage, dismissing the polls, which showed confidence steadily shrinking. The message was always the same: We are working to save each other. One way or another we will get the job done. His critics kept after him. He was tightening seat belts on the Korinbladt Korinbladt . But Kilgore always managed to get the last word. . But Kilgore always managed to get the last word. "If I took them seriously," "If I took them seriously," he said, he said, "then yes, of course they'd turn out to be right. But my critics lack imagination. They want to give up. They underestimate what we, you and I together, can do. We won't let them cause us to lose hope. We will find a way forward. Together." "then yes, of course they'd turn out to be right. But my critics lack imagination. They want to give up. They underestimate what we, you and I together, can do. We won't let them cause us to lose hope. We will find a way forward. Together."

Interviews with people around the globe depicted the anguish, despair, frustration. A farmer who described his earnings as "average," asked how he could be expected to get his wife and kids to a safe place. "If you want to get to Sanctum, you have to be able to buy your way on," "If you want to get to Sanctum, you have to be able to buy your way on," he said. he said. "I think the politicians who let this happen should be turned out of office and jailed. At the very least." "I think the politicians who let this happen should be turned out of office and jailed. At the very least."

A schoolteacher from, of all places, Boldinai Point, wondered what would happen to her students.

"n.o.body's going to get off-world unless they know somebody. You can bet your life Kilgore and his friends won't be here when the crunch comes. Thank G.o.d for Benedict, or they never would would have told us." have told us."

And a dark-haired woman described by the interviewer as being on the list of the world's one hundred wealthiest citizens: "I keep hearing you have to have money to get clear. I wish somebody would tell me who to pay off." "I keep hearing you have to have money to get clear. I wish somebody would tell me who to pay off."

We'd been nine days on Samuels when we got a call from Kids Off-world. They were bringing the first batch of children next day. "You said you could take six?" "You said you could take six?" We'd called to let them know we no longer had a ship. But the message had gotten lost somewhere. An hour later we had another call. We'd called to let them know we no longer had a ship. But the message had gotten lost somewhere. An hour later we had another call. "Please hold for the Administrator." "Please hold for the Administrator." I would have sworn his hair had whitened since the last time we'd seen him. I would have sworn his hair had whitened since the last time we'd seen him. "I'm glad to see you're still here." "I'm glad to see you're still here." Someone handed him a sheet of paper. He glanced at it, nodded, and turned back to us. Someone handed him a sheet of paper. He glanced at it, nodded, and turned back to us. "h.e.l.lo, Chase," "h.e.l.lo, Chase," he said. he said. "How are you?" "How are you?" "I'm fine, sir. Thank you." "I'm fine, sir. Thank you."

"I understand we took your ship."

"That's correct," said Alex.

"I apologize. I wouldn't have wanted to let that happen. I've just had too much on my mind."

"I understand, sir." "I never thought of it." "I never thought of it." He got interrupted again, a notebook. He frowned. Shook his head no. Came back to us again. He got interrupted again, a notebook. He frowned. Shook his head no. Came back to us again. "Alex-?" "Alex-?" "Yes, sir?" "Yes, sir?"

"Actually, I'm relieved you haven't left. I'll provide transportation out if you wish. And I know this has been a severe inconvenience. But I want to ask you to stay on for a while. There might be a way you can help."

"How, sir?"

"Let's leave that for the moment. You're staying at the Samuels Hotel?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very good. Make yourselves comfortable. We'll pick up the tab. But be prepared to go on short notice. I'll call you when we're ready."

THIRTY-THREE.

Get out, child. Get out. Get as far from this dark place as you can. A spirit hangs over it, infests it, drifts along its pa.s.sageways, and, ultimately, destroys all who live here.- Midnight and Roses The privately owned interstellars at Salud Afar, including the Belle-Marie Belle-Marie , totaled eleven. Add eight commercial vessels, fifteen naval and patrol, and you had the sum total available to the Administrator for evacuating two billion people. The station was quiet, tense, frightened. By the end of the second week, twenty-six of the thirty-four ships were en route to Sanctum, or on the way back. The remaining eight were either having the quantum drive installed or being retrofitted in some way. The one-way trip would run about sixteen days. The old Armstrong drive would have taken months. And, finally, Kilgore announced electrifying news from the Confederacy: , totaled eleven. Add eight commercial vessels, fifteen naval and patrol, and you had the sum total available to the Administrator for evacuating two billion people. The station was quiet, tense, frightened. By the end of the second week, twenty-six of the thirty-four ships were en route to Sanctum, or on the way back. The remaining eight were either having the quantum drive installed or being retrofitted in some way. The one-way trip would run about sixteen days. The old Armstrong drive would have taken months. And, finally, Kilgore announced electrifying news from the Confederacy: "A rescue fleet is forming," "A rescue fleet is forming," he told the world. he told the world. "Some are already on the way." "Some are already on the way." But he warned again there would not be enough ships for everyone. But he warned again there would not be enough ships for everyone. "Most of us will have to weather the storm on the ground. But we "Most of us will have to weather the storm on the ground. But we can can do it. And we will." do it. And we will."

He showed pictures of individual ships that were already en route to Salud Afar, or soon would be. Pa.s.senger vessels from Khaja Luan and Dellaconda, cargo ships being refitted off Toxicon to carry pa.s.sengers, private vehicles coming from Abonai and Salusar. "We will survive," "We will survive," Kilgore said. When he'd finished, Alex sat quietly for several minutes. "What are you thinking?" I asked. "About what's missing." "Ummm-What's missing?" "The navy. If the Confederacy were serious, the navy would be leading the charge. That's where their real transport capabilities lie." "They can't come," I said. "They're virtually at war." "I know." "I'm not sure," I admitted, "I wouldn't do the same thing. You have to protect against the possibility of attack." Kilgore said. When he'd finished, Alex sat quietly for several minutes. "What are you thinking?" I asked. "About what's missing." "Ummm-What's missing?" "The navy. If the Confederacy were serious, the navy would be leading the charge. That's where their real transport capabilities lie." "They can't come," I said. "They're virtually at war." "I know." "I'm not sure," I admitted, "I wouldn't do the same thing. You have to protect against the possibility of attack."

A few days later, Kilgore had more news. First he talked about a food-packaging plant he was visiting. Vitacon Nutrition was making an enormous contribution, he said, to the general effort. Then he singled out a few more people for special notice. And finally the big story: "The first wave of private and commercial s.p.a.cecraft are approaching Salud Afar. We're setting up a lottery system to ensure fairness in selecting those who will, if they wish, be evacuated. Details are posted on the Coalition Bulletin Board. "Also, I'm pleased to announce the first new shuttles have rolled off the line at Grimsley." "The first wave of private and commercial s.p.a.cecraft are approaching Salud Afar. We're setting up a lottery system to ensure fairness in selecting those who will, if they wish, be evacuated. Details are posted on the Coalition Bulletin Board. "Also, I'm pleased to announce the first new shuttles have rolled off the line at Grimsley."

There was an explosion the next day. Helmut Orr was a physicist who was fairly well-known primarily as a media figure. He sat on panels in which scientific issues were discussed, oversaw a program explaining the latest technological advances, and insisted that breaking through to alternate universes would be possible in the near future. He loved doing shows in which he explained what would happen if ice melted at a slightly lower temperature, or if gravity was a bit stronger or the electroweak force a bit weaker. Or in which the speed of light was slower, say two thousand kilometers per hour. The situations he picked all resulted in chaos. In addition, Orr loved bad news. Anything that allowed him to point out other people's failings. He was also a regular panelist in On the Spot On the Spot , which blended science, politics, and entertainment. He was small, inevitably dwarfed by anyone, even the women, who appeared with him. But he was a dynamo. He got pa.s.sionate about everything, about mirror matter and the interiors of stars and brown dwarfs. He was in love with the cosmos. And the day after the Administrator spoke at Vitacon Nutrition, he appeared on a panel to discuss the preparations being made to withstand the Thunderbolt. The moderator asked him if not having the a.s.sistance of the Confederate Navy would be a serious blow to the rescue effort. He looked directly at me. , which blended science, politics, and entertainment. He was small, inevitably dwarfed by anyone, even the women, who appeared with him. But he was a dynamo. He got pa.s.sionate about everything, about mirror matter and the interiors of stars and brown dwarfs. He was in love with the cosmos. And the day after the Administrator spoke at Vitacon Nutrition, he appeared on a panel to discuss the preparations being made to withstand the Thunderbolt. The moderator asked him if not having the a.s.sistance of the Confederate Navy would be a serious blow to the rescue effort. He looked directly at me. "The rescue effort," "The rescue effort," he said, he said, "is a hoax. You know what it really is? It's a distraction, nothing up this sleeve, nothing up "is a hoax. You know what it really is? It's a distraction, nothing up this sleeve, nothing up that that one. It's intended to keep us from realizing the truth, which is that we're all dead. Bring the navy if you want. Bring one. It's intended to keep us from realizing the truth, which is that we're all dead. Bring the navy if you want. Bring six six navies. They'll get a few more people off the planet. But not very many. What your government isn't telling you is that in three years, we'll all be dead. All except a very small fraction. But they want us to keep cool and not make a lot of noise. "Well, I say we're ent.i.tled to make some noise. We've known for centuries that Callistra was unstable. And, okay, I wouldn't have expected the navies. They'll get a few more people off the planet. But not very many. What your government isn't telling you is that in three years, we'll all be dead. All except a very small fraction. But they want us to keep cool and not make a lot of noise. "Well, I say we're ent.i.tled to make some noise. We've known for centuries that Callistra was unstable. And, okay, I wouldn't have expected the Bandahriate Bandahriate to do anything. But they've been gone a long time now. Some of us have been pleading for a mission to Callistra, send some people out and find out what was going on, see if there's any danger. "But they didn't. Couldn't be bothered. h.e.l.l, you can look up there every night and see it in the sky. But you watch: When that thing starts getting close, and people are getting rattled, the same guys who told us not to worry will be the first ones out of town." to do anything. But they've been gone a long time now. Some of us have been pleading for a mission to Callistra, send some people out and find out what was going on, see if there's any danger. "But they didn't. Couldn't be bothered. h.e.l.l, you can look up there every night and see it in the sky. But you watch: When that thing starts getting close, and people are getting rattled, the same guys who told us not to worry will be the first ones out of town."

Had someone else said it, it might not have mattered. But everybody knew Helmut's name. He was perceived as the voice of reason. The newscasts picked up the comment and went with it. Had something else happened during the following days, a scandal in the capital, or a celebrity doing something stupid, the spotlight might have gone elsewhere and the story dropped off the public's sensors. But the Callistra story was the only one in town. So it ran over and over, and it served to intensify feelings through a population becoming increasingly nervous. One popular data site ran the headline: DEATH SENTENCE FOR THE WORLD? The Thunderbolt-the term was in common use by then-was everywhere. Comedians worked it into their routines. ("They're offering a two-for-one special on funerals if you come early, before the rush.") The insurance industry reported that sales were off sharply. Incoming cla.s.ses at colleges, medical schools, and law schools were well below normal. Deepsea, Inc., which had provided undersea rides for a generation, had sold out for an end-of-the-world special three-day submerged tour. Two manufacturers of seagoing vessels announced that they were creating modular hulls that could be purchased, hauled inland, and a.s.sembled as shelters against radiation. Suicides were up. Weddings were taking place at an unusually high rate. Organizations that catered to kids, the Wilderness Troop, Girl Riders, Face Forward, and so on, brought in counselors to talk to their charges. Church attendance was up across the board. Reports surfaced that older people were most affected by the situation, fearing that they would have an especially difficult time in the after-math of the Thunderbolt. Governments around the world encouraged volunteer groups whose task it would be to step in after the event and provide emergency supplies to those in need. Salud Afar was rallying. People appeared every day on the HV to a.s.sure viewers that "we" would come through this. Support for the Administrator was consolidating. A week earlier it had appeared that he would be forced out of office. But his approval ratings were moving steadily up. Meantime, the shuttles continued hauling pa.s.sengers to Samuels, which filled with kids and baggage. Ships from the Confederacy began to arrive, first in ones and twos, then in squadrons. It was now the shuttles that became the bottleneck. People could not be moved to the station quickly enough. Alex suggested I recommend they use taxis.

We began to think that Kilgore had forgotten about us. Then one evening we got a call from the hotel lobby. A woman in business dress to see us. "Mr. Benedict," "Mr. Benedict," she said, she said, "the Administrator would like to talk with you." "the Administrator would like to talk with you."

"Okay."

"Your transportation has been arranged. Please report to the shuttle launch area within the hour." She was apparently trying to figure out who She was apparently trying to figure out who I I was. was. "Miss, will you be going down, too?" "Miss, will you be going down, too?"

Number 17 was a beehive. Reporters overflowed the press room, shouting questions at someone I couldn't see. Staff members were everywhere, and I recognized Helmut Orr among a group of people being herded into an elevator. "It's always like this now," said one of the staff secretaries. They were expecting only Alex. My name had been called in on the flight down. I thought I'd been cleared, but there was still a delay while they checked to make sure I wasn't going to say something disrespectful to the Administrator. Then, when everyone seemed satisfied, Alex and I were hustled inside and delivered to his secretary. "He's waiting for you," she said. She took us back to the north wing and opened his office door. Kilgore was inside, huddled with half a dozen people. One was Circe. Heads turned our way. The Administrator looked up, gave us a strained smile, and pointed to a group of chairs against one wall. We sat down, and the conversation resumed. Have to do something about the shelters. Move faster. Get a program together that we can live with. I'm tired of the infighting. Got no time for that nonsense now. The shelters will hold a h.e.l.l of a lot of people. We need to get that out to the public. Need to rea.s.sure everyone that they have a decent chance. That it's not as dark as the G.o.ddam media are saying. And there must be something more we can do. What about the gear coming in from Rimway? It broke up after a few minutes. The partic.i.p.ants filed out, save Circe and a tall, aristocratic-looking man with neatly combed silver hair. Kilgore waved us over and welcomed us with a smile and a handshake. "You know Circe." Turning to the aristocrat, he said, "This is Giambrey DeVrio. "Giambrey is a member of the diplomatic staff. He was once the Bandahriate's amba.s.sador to Rimway." He was well into his second century, about average size, clean-shaven, sharp blue eyes. He shook hands with Alex and bowed to me. "I've heard a great deal about you," he said, looking me in the eye. The Administrator came out from behind his desk. "It's good to see you two again. Alex, would you like a job?" "What did you have in mind, sir?" "Mine." We laughed for a moment, but the atmosphere quickly sobered. "I imagine it's been a difficult time," said Alex.

Kilgore smiled politely and signaled for some imkah imkah . Then he plunged ahead. "The G.o.ddam world's coming apart. I a.s.sume you've seen that idiot Orr. Just when we were getting everything calmed down, he jumps in. The G.o.ddam thing's all over the media. People are desperate. Alex, they're demanding to know what I'm going to do. Most of them are behaving as if it's . Then he plunged ahead. "The G.o.ddam world's coming apart. I a.s.sume you've seen that idiot Orr. Just when we were getting everything calmed down, he jumps in. The G.o.ddam thing's all over the media. People are desperate. Alex, they're demanding to know what I'm going to do. Most of them are behaving as if it's my my fault." He caught himself and sighed. "It probably is. But that doesn't change where we are now. It's difficult enough figuring out a rational course without trying to deal with all these distractions. I tell you, I'm tempted to resign. Step down. Let them find somebody else if they think I'm s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g it up. But a change in leadership at this point-?" He shook his head. "If I could be sure they wouldn't put Bergen in charge, I'd probably do it-" I had no idea who Bergen was. I learned later he was the chief executive in one of the other Coalition states. "They think I've arranged transportation for myself and my family. They think I've known about this all along. That what's going to happen is that everybody will wake up one morning and the government will simply be gone. Son of a b.i.t.c.h, what have I ever done to deserve that?" "You're a politician, sir," said DeVrio smoothly. "It happens." Eventually he calmed down. "Well," he said, "maybe they'd like to have Cleev back." "So what fault." He caught himself and sighed. "It probably is. But that doesn't change where we are now. It's difficult enough figuring out a rational course without trying to deal with all these distractions. I tell you, I'm tempted to resign. Step down. Let them find somebody else if they think I'm s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g it up. But a change in leadership at this point-?" He shook his head. "If I could be sure they wouldn't put Bergen in charge, I'd probably do it-" I had no idea who Bergen was. I learned later he was the chief executive in one of the other Coalition states. "They think I've arranged transportation for myself and my family. They think I've known about this all along. That what's going to happen is that e