Carefully—very carefully—Dev sat up, his palms pressing down against the cool surface beneath. “Why should they listen to you anyway?” he said sullenly. “Why not pay attention equally to me, or Gavin? Or your wife?” He’d landed hard and his back throbbed. “I do not know what you just did or how you did it, but I would not try that with Reed.”

Zimmer replied as if he was explaining to a child. “There is no need. Unless I am mistaken, Gavin is in his quarters, unaware of anything that is transpiring here. Chiasa is in ours, hopefully relaxing.” He nodded toward the nearest of the three mechanicals. “Everything will be arranged and set in motion before either of them is mindful of what is happening. You are as aware as I of the speed at which these craft can travel. If all goes well and my request is acted upon promptly, the necessary physics will be put in motion and a suitable stone set on course before it becomes necessary for me to explain to the others what is taking place.”

“Then what?” Reaching up and behind his head, Dev rubbed a particularly sore spot. “I do not know how Gavin will react, but what are you going to tell your wife?”

“I think Gavin will find the upcoming endeavor of more than casual interest. As to my dear Chiasa …” He shrugged. “Fait accompli. She may agree with my chosen course of action, or she may disagree. It will not affect events that are in motion.” Unafraid but cautious, he took a step back as the younger man stood. “It will all work out for the best, Dev. Please do not try to physically impede me again. I truly do not want to hurt you.”

“As opposed to those on the ground?” he shot back. “What happens, Jakob, if despite the destruction wrought by your intended bombardment, one or more of the countries in the area of contention continues to defy your seriously misguided attempt to force a general peace? Are you going to have your conscripted golems hurl another demonstration rock? Maybe nearer to a population center?”

For just a moment, the rigorously self-controlled scholar looked as if he might lose his temper. Then his body untensed, his shoulders relaxed, and he smiled sadly at the younger man who was staring angrily back at him.

“No matter what happens, no matter how this venture works out, every effort will be made to minimize any casualties.” Turning, he spoke again in ancient Hebrew to the nearest automaton.

Dev took that moment to rise and charge again.