The Library could scarcely function without their insights. Typical alien texts did not carry unthinking auras of sexuality, as did human works.

There was plenty of software to search that out, once texts were translated. Or more precisely, the Messages might carry alien sexualities aplenty, however much their original creators had struggled to make them objective and transparent. But normal humans or their software could not see it. Cutting through that was a difficult task for ordinary people, such as herself. The Library in its early decades had struggled with the issue, and the Noughts had solved it. They arose from a general need for objective analysis, but the arrival of SETI messages had given them a newer use beyond merely Earthside roles.

Translating the Messages from a human male or female perspective profoundly distorted their meaning. In the early days, this had beclouded many translations. Much further effort had gone to cleansing these earlier texts. Nowadays, no work issued from the Library without a careful Nought vetting, to erase unconscious biases. Rachel had traced through all that history, found it fascinating—but had never met a Nought. They were rare and fled the limelight.

Siloh said gravely, “The heliosphere incursion has baffled our finest minds. I wish to approach it along a different path. For once, the Library may be of immediate use.”

Rachel found this puzzling. She had been schooled in the loftier aspects of the Library’s mission, its standing outside the tides of the times. Anyone who focused upon Messages that had been designed for eternity had to keep a mental distance from the events of the day. “I do not quite…”

Siloh rose from behind the broad desk and instead sat upon it, keeping robes primly wrapped around sinewy legs. “Think of the Library as the uninitiated do. They seldom grasp the higher functions we must perform, and instead see mere passing opportunity. That is why we are bombarded with requests to view the Vaults as a source for inventions, tricks, arts, novelties.”

“And reject them, as we should.” She hoped she did not sound too pious.

But Siloh nodded approvingly. “Indeed. We gain much financial help from the patents we own. In the course of our scientific pursuits we have uncovered many useful implied devices, engineering tricks, even basic ideas, all for exploit. But we now keep that as a minor role.”

“Rightly so,” Rachel said in what she knew was a limp tone. Best to let this Nought run on. They were noted for that.

“My thinking is that an ancient society such as the one behind the Sagittarius Architecture might have encountered such problems before. It would know better than any of our astro-engineers how to deal with the vast forces at work.”

“I see.” And why didn’t I think of it? Too steeped in this culture of hushed reverence for the sheer magnitude of the Library’s task? “Uh, it is difficult for me to envision how—”

“Your task is not to imagine but to perceive,” Siloh said severely.