“Yes, yes,” Thisbe granted, “but no more probable now than ever, that’s what I’m saying. Frankly, I’m not worried about this little puppet investigation.”

“¿Puppet investigation?”

“If an independent party like Papadelias got involved,” she continued, “it might be a threat, but Seneschal and Guildbreaker both work for J.E.D.D. Mason. We’re in no danger there.”

<¿no danger? ¿have you forgotten what j.e.d.d. mason did here two days ago? ¡they’re a psycho cult leader!>

“I agree, Thiz,” Sniper added. “President Ganymede warned me emphatically to have the bash’ avoid contact with J.E.D.D. Mason at all costs. I’ve never heard the President sound genuinely scared before.”

She sniffed. “That’s as may be, but we have Andō Mitsubishi on our side, and if Andō asks J.E.D.D. Mason to call off the hounds they will.”

<¿why should they?>

Thisbe looked ready to laugh. “You know why.”

“It really is hot in here,” Cato interrupted.

Ockham frowned. “I asked the Chief Director and the President directly about J.E.D.D. Mason.”

Thisbe rolled her eyes. “You hardly have to ask. Andō’s J.E.D.D. Mason’s real father. Everybody knows.” She looked to Sniper. “Your whole nation-strat knows.”

Sniper always frowns, being lumped in with its Japanese mother’s nation-strat, whose insignia it never chose to wear. “¿You believe that stupid rumor? ¡It’s gibberish! A fantasy Mitsubishi made up to make themselves feel powerful, that J.E.D.D. Mason is really Andō’s son, and they spy on the Emperor and then sit in on Directorate meetings as the unofficial ‘Tenth Director,’ giving secret advice to help battle the Masons. ¿We’re supposed to believe the Emperor’s being duped by something billions of people know?”

Thisbe’s eyes have a special glitter when she knows something you don’t. “I heard it from Andō’s own mouth, that J.E.D.D. Mason is their child.”

Sniper’s child-wide eyes grew wider. “¿From Andō?”

“President Ganymede was there too.”

“¿Where?” Ockham asked quickly.

“At a place.”

“What place.”

“A place I was, that’s all.”

“Thisbe…”

<¿that’s the black hole right? ¿location 133-2720-0732?>

“¿Where?” Ockham does not like to repeat himself.

<the invisible nexus where every hive has ties. thiz went there checking up on… i forget why.>

“¿Thisbe?”

Thisbe snuggled deeper among the cushions, enjoying the shock that spread across her bash’mates’ faces as one enjoys a winter fire spreading through dry logs. “I’m not allowed to repeat the details, I’m afraid.”

The twelfth O.S. loomed toward his sister. “You will repeat them to me.”

“No, I won’t,” she answered calmly. “The President told me not to. All I can say for now is that little Tribune Mason is like a living contract between the Masons and Mitsubishi not to screw each other over. With that in place—”

“Stop,” Cato whimpered. “It’s too hot in here.” He is out of your sight behind Mukta’s steel ribs, but perhaps you can still imagine the mad science teacher sweating beneath the lab coat he never removes.

“¿Why did you meet with the President without informing me?”

“We just ran into each other, it was a complete surprise.”