Thomas sighed. This Waela TaoLini was an extraordinary person. He hated what he had asked her to do, but she was the only one he could trust. The project was that vital to her, too. Panille posed too many unanswered questions. Ship’s words were plain and simple: “There will be a poet . . .” Not: “I have named a poet,” or, “I have assigned a poet . . .”

There will be . . .

Who was Panille working for? Doubts . . . doubts . . . doubts . . .

I have to know.

By the old rush in his veins, he already knew that Waela would follow his orders, and he would sink into a sadness the likes of which he had almost forgotten.

“Old fool,” he muttered to himself.

“What?” She turned back toward him and he could see the acceptance and the resolve on her face.

“Nothing.”

She stood facing Thomas a moment, then: “It all depends on how much I like the poet.” With that, she turned on her heel and left the hangar with characteristic Pandoran speed.

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Religion begins where men seek to influence a god. The biblical scapegoat and Christian Redeemer are cast from the same ancient mould—the human subservient to an unpredictable universe (or unpredictable king) and seeking to rid himself of the guilt which brings down the wrath of the all-powerful.

—Raja Flattery, The Book of Ship

AGAIN, THE communications pellet in Oakes’ neck, made no contact with Lewis. Static or silence, wild images projected onto his waking dreams—these were all he got. He wanted to reach into his neck and rip the thing out.

Why had Lewis ordered no physical contact with the Redoubt? Oakes chafed at his own inability to raise too much disturbance. The real purposes of the Redoubt remained a secret from most Shipmen; to most it was just a rumored exploratory attempt out on Black Dragon. He did not dare countermand the order which had isolated the Redoubt. Too many would see the size of the place.

Lewis can’t do this to me.

Oakes paced his cubby, wishing it were even larger. He wanted to walk off his frustrations but it was full dayside out in the ship’s passages and he knew he would be plagued by the need to make decisions once he stepped from his sanctum. Rumors were raging through the ship. Many had noted his upset. This could not go on much longer.

I would go down myself . . . except . . .

No, without Lewis to prepare the way, it is too dangerous.

Oakes shook his head. He was too valuable to risk down there yet.

Dammit, Lewis! You could send me some message . . .

Oakes had come increasingly to suspect that Lewis really was involved in a primary emergency. That or treachery. No . . . it had to be an emergency. Lewis was not a leader. Then it had to be a major threat from the planet itself.

Pandora.

In many ways, Pandora was a more immediate and dangerous adversary than the ship.