The Chadra-Fan had looked up from his datapad when Loden spoke, his notched ears crammed with plugs to protect them from the noise.

The voice laughed. Loden liked the sound. It was pleasant. Musical. A balm in the midst of horror.

I’ve had the same doubts. I know I used to be real. Once upon a time. A long time ago.

The dishevelled doctor had limped from the lab. He was standing on the other side of the glass now, talking with Ro. Loden tried to look past the glare of the lights to study their faces.

You can do it.

“I can’t.”

That doesn’t sound like you.

“How do you know what I sound like? I’m not sure I even know anymore.”

I know a lot more these days. See so much more. Look harder.

“Yes, Master.”

The lights faded. Loden could see his jailers now, Uttersond showing Ro something. Results? Maybe.

They’re hurting it.

“Hurting what? Hurting me?”

No. The ancient one. It’s been hurt before, but not like this. The ice melting away.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

That makes two of us.

Another laugh.

Keep looking.

Loden couldn’t focus. He didn’t know how. He could see their lips moving, but couldn’t make out the words. The final test. A last step along a Path. They were talking about something they’d found … that Ro had found. The Great … what? Betterer? Lessener? What was it?

You’ll know soon enough.

“Can you help me? Can you set me free?”

Of course not, silly. You can only do that for yourself. But the time will come. Soon. When he is near.

Then the voice had gone silent, for a day, maybe two. When it returned … when she returned, she was talking nonsense, a jumble of numbers and words that meant nothing, but Loden listened all the same.

Maybe he was mad, maybe she was mad, but at least this way, they could be mad together.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

The Starlight Pavilion, Valo

Stellan spotted Bell Zettifar the moment he entered the Starlight Pavilion. The space had seemed vast when he had first seen it on his tour of the fair yesterday, but now it was packed with dignitaries from every corner of the Republic and beyond. They were standing in small clusters, nibbling on snacks delivered by serving droids or gazing in admiration at the spectacular hologram of Starlight Beacon that was turning slowly in the center of the chamber, the most detailed three-dimensional light display most people had ever seen, Stellan included. It cast the faces of its admirers in a golden light that seemed appropriate for a beacon designed to illuminate the darkest corner of space.