From the sub’s hatch, Thomas watched Oakes leave, then slipped back down for a final inspection of the core. Had Oakes sabotaged something? All appeared normal. His gaze fell on the central command seat, then on the secondary position to the left where Waela would sit. He caressed the back of the seat.

I’m an old fool. What would I do? Waste precious time with a useless dalliance? And what if she refused to respond to me? What then, old fool?

Old!

Who but Ship even suspected how old? Original material. A clone, a doppelganger—but original material. Nothing like it alive and moving anywhere else in the universe.

So Ship said.

Don’t you believe Me, Devil?

The thought was a static burst in Thomas’ awareness. He spoke as he often did to answer Ship when alone. No matter that some thought him slightly mad.

“Does it matter whether I believe You?”

It matters to Me.

“Then that’s an edge I have and You don’t.”’

You regret your decision to play this game?

“I keep my word.”

And you gave Me your word.

Thomas knew it did not matter whether he said this aloud or merely thought it, but he found himself unable to prevent the outburst.

“Did I give my word to Satan or to God?”

Who can settle that question to your satisfaction?

“Maybe You’re Satan and I’m God.”

That is very close, My Doubting Thomas!

“Close to what?”

Only you can tell.

As usual, nothing was settled in such an exchange except the re-establishment of the master-servant relationship. Thomas slipped into the command seat, sighed. Presently, he began going through the instrument checklist, more to distract himself than for any other reason. Oakes had not come to sabotage but to make a show of some kind.

Devil?

So, Ship was not through with him.

“Yes, Ship?”

There is something you need to know.

Thomas felt his heartbeat quicken. Ship seldom volunteered information. It must be something momentous.

“What is it?”

You recall Hali Ekel?

That name was familiar . . . yes; he had seen it in the Panille dossier which Waela had supplied.

“Panille’s med-tech friend, yes. What about her?”

I have exposed her to a segment of a dominant human past.

“A replay? But You said . . .”

A segment, Devil, not a replay. You must learn the distinction. When there is a lesson someone needs, you do not have to show the entire record; you can show only a marked passage, a segment.

“Am I living in a marked passage right now?”

This is an original play, a true sequel.

“Why tell me this? What are you doing?”

Because you were trained as a Chaplain. It is important that you know what Hali has experienced. I have shown her the Jesus incident.

Thomas felt his mouth go dry. He was a moment recovering, then: “The Hill of Skulls? Why?”