"Is that what advocates do?" Heineman asked. "I mean, are they lawyers, or what?"

"An advocate is both a guide and a legal representative," Ram Kikura said. "We advise on courses of action, based on researches our assigned ghosts perform in City Memory and elsewhere. We have many advantages—access to private memory collections, for example. While we cannot divulge the contents of those collections, we can act on what we learn—within limits. Some advocates—myself included—offer what in your time might have been called psychological counseling."

"Basically," Olmy said, "Ser Ram Kikura will provide another layer of protection—against abuse from higher authorities. Do you have any other questions?"

"Yes," Carrolson said, looking to Lanier. He nodded and she continued. "What's going to happen to our people on the Stone—in the Thistledown?"

"We don't know yet," Olmy said. "That decision hasn't been made."

"Will they be treated properly?" Farley asked. "Americans and others?"

"I can guarantee they won't be harmed," Olmy said.

"Do you have any idea when we can communicate with them?" Lanier asked.

Olmy tapped his index fingers together before his chest and said nothing.

"Well?"

"As I said, that question has not been decided. There is no immediate answer."

"We'd like to know as soon as you learn," Lanier said.

"You will," Olmy assured them. "You have been protected and isolated. That will change somewhat now that your presence is no longer secret. You recognize your potential popularity; there will be ceremonies and tours. You'll probably be quite worn out by the attention."

"I'm sure," Lanier said dubiously. "Now, Ser Olmy, just between the seven of us—if you're just one person, as you seem to be, and there's nobody peering over your shoulder—what stake do you have in us?"

"Mr. Lanier," Olmy said, "you know as well as I that now is not the time to be perfectly frank. Frustrating as it may be, you simply do not understand, and if I were to try to explain, I would only confuse you. I will explain, eventually, but first you must experience our city, our cultures. Since you are now free to use the data services—"

"Relatively free," Lanier said.

"Yes, free with protections. . . You may wish to spend the next twenty-four hours 'boning up,' if that's the right idiom."

"Do we face any other restrictions?"

"Yes," Olmy said. "You cannot leave these living areas. Not until your schedule has been made up and the Nexus has arranged for your. . . let's call it a debut. And before that happens, we suggest you become fully informed about the Axis City and learn at least a little of the ways we live."

He looked from face to face, his eyebrows raised to solicit any more questions, but none were asked. Lanier clasped his hands behind his neck and leaned back on the couch.