“Sometime in the next few months, perhaps even today if the time is right—if Mirsky puts his story across as clearly to the Nexus as he did to us—I am going to recommend that the Way be opened,” Korzenowski said.

Olmy’s smile was faint, ironic.

“Yes, I know,” Korzenowski said gently. “We’ve been opposing forces on this.”

It seemed no one understood his position, not even his mentor. Olmy did not think it worth the time to correct him. Still, he could not help but gently chide the Engineer, if only to make sure he was keeping everything in perspective.

“I hope I don’t presume when I say that you are not completely unhappy with this turn?”

“There is excitement and challenge,” Korzenowski said, “and then there is wisdom. I’ve been clinging desperately to wisdom. Which of us is more eager to have this monster back?”

“Which of us really wants to face the consequences?” Olmy asked.

Lanier and Mirsky left the elevator and approached them. Mirsky walked ahead of Lanier, smiling expectantly, and extended his hand to Olmy. “We have not met,” he said. Olmy shook the hand firmly. Warm and human.

“You are the expediter of our duty,” Mirsky said. Olmy could not completely contain his reaction to that choice of words. Mirsky paused, examining his face. Who is he looking at? Olmy wondered. “You understand the problems, no?”

Olmy hesitated, then said. “Perhaps some of them.”

“You’ve been preparing?”

There was no question now of not understanding. “Yes.”

Mirsky nodded. “I would expect nothing less from you. I’m anxious to testify,” he said. “Anxious to get things moving.” He walked away with an abruptness that puzzled all of them.

Olmy turned to Lanier while the Russian paced near the door to the Nexus chamber. “How have you been?” he asked. “And your wife?”

“She’s fine, I suppose, working on a project…”

“She’s just arrived on Thistledown,” Korzenowski said. “She’s working with Ser Ram Kikura.”

“Will the Nexus listen to me?” Mirsky asked, walking back toward them. “I am nervous! Can you believe that?”

“No,” Korzenowski said in an undertone.

Mirsky suddenly turned and faced Olmy. “You believe the Jarts will oppose us,” he said. “And you suspect they won’t be the only ones. You know the Talsit were Jart allies before—you think they probably are again. You have been working on this, haven’t you? It’s what I expected from you!” he said again, staring earnestly at Olmy. Olmy nodded.

“Is he the same Mirsky?” Olmy asked Lanier when Mirsky returned to the opposite side of the room.

“Yes and no,” Lanier said. “He’s not human.”

Korzenowski glared at Lanier. “Knowledge, or supposition?”

Lanier pursed his lips. “He can’t be human. Not after what he’s gone through. And he’s not telling us everything yet. I don’t know why.”

“Does he know whether he will succeed?” Olmy asked.