BooksBarbecue
Back Excession
Chapters (108)
  1. About the Author
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Dedication
  5. 1 - Outside Context Problem
  6. I
  7. II
  8. III
  9. IV
  10. V
  11. VI
  12. 2 - Not Invented Here
  13. I
  14. II
  15. III
  16. 3 - Uninvited Guests
  17. I
  18. II
  19. III
  20. IV
  21. 4 - Dependency Principle
  22. I
  23. II
  24. III
  25. IV
  26. V
  27. 5 - Kiss The Blade
  28. I
  29. II
  30. III
  31. IV
  32. V
  33. VI
  34. 6 - Pittance
  35. I
  36. II
  37. III
  38. IV
  39. V
  40. VI
  41. 7 - Tier
  42. I
  43. II
  44. III
  45. IV
  46. 8 - Killing Time
  47. I
  48. II
  49. III
  50. IV
  51. V
  52. VI
  53. VII
  54. VIII
  55. 9 - Unacceptable Behaviour
  56. I
  57. II
  58. III
  59. IV
  60. V
  61. VI
  62. VII
  63. VIII
  64. IX
  65. X
  66. XI
  67. XII
  68. XIII
  69. XIV
  70. 10 - Heavy Messing
  71. I
  72. II
  73. III
  74. IV
  75. V
  76. VI
  77. VII
  78. VIII
  79. IX
  80. X
  81. XI
  82. XII
  83. XIII
  84. XIV
  85. XV
  86. 11 - Regarding Gravious
  87. I
  88. II
  89. III
  90. IV
  91. V
  92. VI
  93. VII
  94. VIII
  95. IX
  96. X
  97. XI
  98. XII
  99. XIII
  100. XIV
  101. 12 - Faring Well
  102. I
  103. II
  104. III
  105. IV
  106. V
  107. VI
  108. Epilogue

I was the go-between for the information transmitted from the AhForgetIt Tendency to SC. One of our people on Tier saw the Affront light cruiser Furious Purpose as it arrived back there; it had a location in Elench code burned onto its scar-hull. The information was transmitted from the Tendency mission on Tier to me; I passed it on to the Different Tan and the Steely Glint, my usual contacts in the Group/Gang. I would guess the signal was then relayed to the GSV Ethics Gradient, home ship of the GCU Fate Amenable To Change, which subsequently discovered the Excession.

So in a sense, this is all my fault. I apologise.

I had hoped this confession would never be necessary, but having turned this over in my mind I have concluded that - as was the case concerning the passing-on of the original information regarding the scar-hull signal in the first place - I had no choice. Had you guessed? Had you started to? Do you still trust me?

∞

It had occurred to me, but I had no access to Tendency transmission records and was unwilling to ask the other Gang members directly. I trust you no less for what you say. Why are you telling me now?

∞

I would like to retain that trust. Have you discovered anything else?

∞

Yes. I think there is a link to a man called Genar-Hofoen, a Contact representative with the Affront on a habitat called God’shole, in the Fernblade. He left there the day after the Excession was discovered; SC has hired three Affronter battle cruisers to take him to Tier. They are due there in fourteen days. His biography: (files attached). You see the connection? That ship again.

∞

You think it involved beyond what we believe we have agreed to already?

∞

Yes. And the Grey Area.

∞

The times look a little unlikely; if it really pushed itself the GA can reach Tier in, what? . . . three days or so after this human gets there? But that still leaves our other concern two months or more out of touch.

∞

I know. Still, I think there is something going on. I am following up all the avenues of investigation I can. I’m making further inquiries through the more likely contacts mentioned in his file, but it’s all going terribly slowly. Thank you for your candour. I shall remain in touch.

∞

You’re welcome. Do keep me informed.

[stuttered tight point, M32, tra. @n4.28.865.2203]
xEccentric Shoot Them Later
oLSV Serious Callers Only
Got fed up waiting; I called it (signal file attached).
∞
[stuttered tight point, M32, tra. @n4.28.865.2690]
xLSV Serious Callers Only
oEccentric Shoot Them Later

And now it ‘trusts you no less’. Ha!

∞

I remain convinced it was the right thing to do.

∞

Whatever; it is done. What of the ship you asked to head for Pittance?

∞

On its way.

∞

And why Pittance?

∞