"What do you see?"

"You. And a ragged border. What did you do?"

"You're looking through a hole in a door. Booce ripped a hook out. From here it looks like he just put too much tension on it."

"Good enough. I take it we can talk. Rather, you there?"

Rather floated into view, smiled, and waved. Others joined, until five citizens floated in a star with their heads inward.

Booce said, "I've made a deal with the Belmys. Jeffer, would you like to learn something about the Dark?"

"You mean the Clump interior? Sure."

"That's good, because I've agreed to bring back some mud for Belmy's burl tree."

"You're going? All of you? LogbearerT'

"Ah ... no. I think I'd better stay here. I've been weaving financial threads into one very complicated net. Carlot, you can handle Logbearer alone, stet? And I gather Raym Wilby is at liberty. He can guide you." Carlot was nodding eagerly. "Oh, and Hilar hadn't thought of spinning the burl log, but he's going to try it."

"Sounds good. Carlot, will you take the helmet so I can see these marvels?"

Carlot looked to her father, who said, "Why not?"

"Good. Rather, tell me about the Navy. Take your time."

Rather talked. Kendy guessed that the boy wasn't hiding anything, but he kept jumping back and forth. Kendy printed questions across the bow window; Jeffer solicited descriptions of Petty Wheeler, Bosun Murphy, Navy armor, the Navy ship, Murphy's description of Navy life, Wheeler's offer . . .

"Is this standard, Booce? Anyone can join the Navy?"

"Not just anyone. They wouldn't have Carlot because of her legs. Otherwise . . . well, any savage could join, but he might not get beyond Spacer First until they've watched him for years. The Navy wants loyalty. They take more men than women, and they won't take you if you're too old to be trained."

"Loyalty?"

"If you're loyal to your tribe, you're not loyal to the Navy. Navy above all, even family."

"The question is, if Rather goes in, can he get out? Booce?"

Booce mulled it. "Up to a point. It would be ... convenient if Rather let Petty Wheeler make his pitch. Rather, the Navy could put certain kinds of pressure on me until I talk $ou into doing that. They want the Wart, but they can slow things down for me, and we don't want the Navy taking a hard look at us."

"No," Clave said.

"But when Wheeler interviews you, he might leam that you're simply not suited to Navy life. I can help you to help him reach that conclusion."