The Presiding Minister had advised Olmy to report to Ser Oligand Toller immediately upon his arrival. Toller, advocate for Tees van Hamphuis, the President of the Hexamon Nexus, was a radical Geshel who had chosen to maintain a completely human appearance. That the appearance bore no relation to his natal design—it had been adapted for maximum leadership qualities—did not mitigate the unusual conservatism; most radical Geshels, including the President, had chosen neomorph shapes, which bore little relation to natural human forms.

What Olmy had to say, the P.M. judged, would be of extreme interest to the President. The President himself was unavailable, involved in a long-term conference on the problem of the impending Jart offensive; Toller was a kind of unofficial replacement.

This did not please the Naderites, or even the members of van Hamphuis's immediate staff. Toller was not an easy man to deal with. Olmy had met the advocate once before, and had not liked him at all, though he had gained a healthy respect for his abilities.

Toller kept his office in the most desirable professional wedge of Central City, no more than a few minutes tracting and just a few seconds shaft ascent from the Nexus Chambers in the precinct's core. Once Olmy had made arrangements for Patricia's quarters, but before he had had a chance to confer with his own advocate, he went to Toller's office.

Toller had decorated the small rectangular space in the most simple and adaptable Geshel style. Decoration was spare; the major texture theme was platinum and steel, and the overall effect was harsh and unyielding.

The President's advocate was not pleased with the news Olmy brought.

"The P.M. had no suspicion of this when you alone were sent?" Toller picted. The symbols that flashed between the two men came from pictor torques around their necks, devices which generated and projected the graphicspeak that had developed over the centuries in the Thistledown and in the Axis City.

"His information was highly equivocated," Olmy said. "All he knew was that the Thistledown had been reoccupied."

Toller picted an unpleasant image of a roiling nest of snake-like creatures. "This is extraordinary news, Ser Olmy. Coming from anyone else, I would find it difficult to believe. . . . But then, you've brought one of them back with you, haven't you?"

"Her name is Patricia Luisa Vasquez."

"A genuine. . . ancestor?"

Olmy nodded.

"Why did you bring her back? As evidence?"

"I could not leave her; she was close to discovering how to modify sixth chamber machinery."

Toller raised his eyebrows and picted four orange circles of surprise. "What is this woman?"

"A young mathematician," Olmy said, "highly regarded by her superiors.”

"And you did nothing else to correct this situation you found on the Thistledown?"

"The situation is highly unstable there; they will not be able to organize for some time, and I thought it best to consult with the President and the Nexus."