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“If they are worthy—if they are ready—they will surmount whatever challenges they encounter.”

“They are worthy. But they are not ready.”

Lakhes radiated a sense of unexpected smugness. “Are you so certain? They’ve recently intervened rather dramatically in Enisles Eleven and Twenty-Two.”

It was becoming more difficult to conceal the surprise, particularly in the presence of one so astute. “In what way?”

Lakhes motioned to the vault as an orb materialized between them. “Come. I will show you.”

I considered how to interpret what I had seen, while also considering how to react for Lakhes’ benefit. I opted for the minimalist approach: say the minimum required and leave the space free for Lakhes to over-divulge. “The male Human is unpredictable.”

“They are both unpredictable. But observe what this unpredictability has produced. Astonishing. It arguably taints Twenty-Two and for certain invalidates the results in Eleven—but I suspect we all knew how Eleven was liable to mature absent this intriguing turn of events.”

I signaled my agreement, encouraged by Lakhes’ reaction to their intermeddling. “This is why I still believe in Aurora. Two of these Humans, lacking any support and using only their own talents, wits and judgment, changed the courses of two universes in a mere few synodic days.”

“You may be correct. It also makes them dangerous. What if the courses they choose are not to our liking?”

Back to the guarded tack after a brief admittance of optimism. Alas. “Clearly they are dangerous. We have always known this, Lakhes. If their dangerous nature precludes their use, then why did we begin this experiment at all? If we are not willing to accept the danger intrinsic to our cause, then why begin the
cause
at all?”

“Fair questions, dear friend. As I said, it is for precisely this reason I will allow the…derivation to continue. Realize, however—time is growing short for your Humans. If the other members of the Conclave have not discovered these interlopers yet, they soon will. When this happens, I will do what I can, but I must be cautious.”

Ahh, Lakhes. Ever the diplomat, ever the strategist. “I understand. When this happens, I, too, will do what I can.”

“Was that a threat, Mnemosyne?”

“Never,
dear friend
. I am but an Analystae. A watcher.”

“Your false modesty may placate Hyperion, but I have known you for nine aeons. We will talk again when the time is right.”

I observed Lakhes’ departure, then diffused over the mountains. What, I wondered, would be the ‘right time’? The right time was all too often far too late.

Be vigilant my Humans,
mei ferocia novicia
. I fear for you.

PART
IV
:

SERIATIM
,
SERIATE

“He understood that these were extraordinary times, and if their old life was ever restored to them, nothing would be the same.”

— Ann Patchett

P
ORTAL:
A
URORA

(
M
ILKY
W
AY)

17

ROMANE

I
NDEPENDENT
C
OLONY

“
Y
OUR TEAM KILLED EIGHT
Federation civilians. Regardless of the merit of your claim to jurisdiction, if any, this transgression must be addressed.”

“We regret the tragic accident, and we are willing to consider reparations to the families. But the details of the altercation have no bearing on the issue of jurisdiction before this Board. The Alliance triggered discovery rights ten days earlier, and the proper filings were made with the authorities—”

James Abbate, the Federation representative appointed to the Inter-Governmental Conflict Resolution Board, cut off the man sitting opposite him in a crisp hand motion. “With
Alliance
authorities. The Federation does not receive notice of such filings, Consul. Further, we made our own declaration eight days earlier.”

“With
Federation
authorities. The simple fact is, the Alliance engineering regiment had previously placed nine buoys, which were broadcasting our jurisdiction to every vessel in the system.”

“And our team had placed five. This is not an argument you can win.”

The Alliance Consul leaned back in his chair and sighed. “Look. There are no procedures in place to adjudicate this kind of conflict. Clearly we need to institute them, and we will. But we should recognize all of us are still learning how to live together and act accordingly. What if we offered you…” the man made a show of considering the matter “…Ͻ6,500,000 as payment for the rights to the system?”

Abbate scoffed. “The Senecan Federation is not some two-bit corp you can throw scraps at to make them go away.”

“And I did not mean to imply it was. Merely an opening proposal. Is Ͻ15,000,000 a more palatable sum?”

SENECA

C
AVARE:
S
ENECAN
F
EDERATION
H
EADQUARTERS

Graham Delavasi watched Federation Chairman Aristide Vranas grumble in disgust, but also a trace of amusement. In the holo the Federation rep pretended to consider the new amount as he secretly conferred with Vranas.

“No. This isn’t about money, it’s about principle. We’re not selling it to them. It would set a precedent I have no interest in setting.” A pause. “Yes, that’s our position.”

The Federation rep leaned forward in preparation for declining the offer. Vranas scowled at Graham. “This is how it starts. Today, we’re squabbling over a single planet. A year from now, we’ll be shooting at each other again. Hell, we’re already shooting at each other—that’s what prompted this farce of a negotiation in the first place.”

“
Or
this could simply be what ‘peace’ between two sovereign governments looks like. After all, we are sitting at a table negotiating, which is a far cry from storming blockades.”

“True. Perhaps peace turns out to be messy in the details.”

“Seems likely.” Graham straightened up in the chair. “So I’ve got a new guy coming onto my team today.”

“Someone I should know about, I assume? It’s not as though you inform me of every new Division hire.”

Graham sent him the file. Five seconds later Vranas’ eyes widened. “You’re kidding me, right?”

“No. You know, I almost never play jokes on you anymore. Eventually you need to stop assuming it’s my purpose.”

Vranas ignored the quip. “Aren’t you worried he’s a double agent?”

Of course he was a double agent—but not in a way Graham worried could jeopardize state security. He kept the nuance to himself, however. “Normally, I would be. Normally I wouldn’t hire him to begin with. But he saved all their—and our—asses, and now the Alliance has screwed him over royally.”

“What do you mean he saved…he was the Alliance contact who helped you take down the Aguirre Conspiracy, wasn’t he?”

“And uncover the Metigen agents. I trust him. Most importantly, he’s something damn rare to find these days—an honest man.”

Vranas shrugged. “There are obviously a few areas he shouldn’t be granted access to, but you know what they are. Otherwise, if you say he’s good, who am I to argue?”

He chuckled. “The Chairman of the Senecan Federation?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right. Well, in this instance I’ll refrain.”

Graham stood and waved at the holo. “Then I’ll leave you to this shit-show and go welcome him to Seneca.”

C
AVARE

When Graham arrived at the cafe, he found Will Sutton sitting alone at a booth in the rear.

Will stood and shook his hand. “Richard stepped outside to handle an issue with the house in Seattle. He’ll be back in a minute.”

Graham was glad Richard hadn’t reconsidered at the last minute. “Everything go smoothly in setting up the apartment?”

“It did. The place will suit us until we locate something more permanent.”

“How’s he holding up?”

Will grimaced. “Publicly? Like the soldier he is. Privately? It’s been rough on him. This is all…hard. But thank you for giving him this opportunity—both of us this opportunity.”

“Hell, the Alliance doesn’t realize what they let slip away. Their loss, my gain. Also, I’ve been through two deputies since you left. The office is a bloody mess.”

Will’s attention darted over Graham’s shoulder and remained there. “We’ll get it straightened out, don’t worry.”

Graham turned to greet Richard, and he couldn’t help but smile as he did so. It wasn’t fair what had happened to his friend, but he hadn’t been lying—it
was
fortunate for him. “Richard Navick. It is damn good to see you again.”

Richard returned the smile, if somewhat rigidly, and gestured to the booth. “And you.” They settled into the booth opposite one another, then Richard took a deep, almost exaggerated breath. “So, Director Delavasi, what do you imagine I can do for you?”

“What’s this ‘Director’ shit?”

“If you’re going to be my boss….”

“Only in the technicalities.” Graham clasped his hands on the table. “Special Advisor to the Director. You don’t report to anyone else, and I use “report” in the loosest sense possible. You investigate whatever catches your interest, one-offs and special circumstances.”

“And Earth Alliance matters?”

“Those might on occasion be the ‘special circumstances.’ If relations get irritable with the Alliance and you want to share any insights you have off the record, I won’t stop you. But I also won’t demand it of you. It’s not part of your job description.”

Richard dragged a hand through hair that had grown past his usual military close-crop. His brow furrowed up as he stared at his glass, both hands wrapping tight around it.

Will leaned in close and whispered in Richard's ear; his chin bobbed in the tiniest acknowledgment. He looked up, holding Graham’s gaze intently as he took a deliberate sip of his drink then set the glass down. “All right. I accept.”

Graham exhaled in relief. It was guaranteed to become complicated in the trenches, but he was being forthright as to his expectations. And by expecting little, something told him he’d receive a great deal more.

The waitress arrived with a tapas platter, and he waited until she had departed to respond. “Let’s eat some lunch, then I’ll take you over to Division and give you the tour.”