Consider Phlebas Part 2

... ah my soul my soul, all is darkness now. now i die, now i slip away and nothing will be left. i am frightened. great one, pity me, but i am frightened. no sleep of victory; i heard. merely my death. darkness and death. moment for all to become one, instance of annihilation. i have failed; i heard and now i know. failed. death too good for me. oblivion like release. more than i deserve, much more. i cannot let go, i must hold on because i do not deserve a quick, willed end. my comrades wait, but they do not know how much i have failed. i am not worthy to join them. my clan must weep. ah my soul my soul, all is darkness now. now i die, now i slip away and nothing will be left. i am frightened. great one, pity me, but i am frightened. no sleep of victory; i heard. merely my death. darkness and death. moment for all to become one, instance of annihilation. i have failed; i heard and now i know. failed. death too good for me. oblivion like release. more than i deserve, much more. i cannot let go, i must hold on because i do not deserve a quick, willed end. my comrades wait, but they do not know how much i have failed. i am not worthy to join them. my clan must weep.ah this pain... darkness and pain...

They came to the station. The Command System train towered over the platform, its dark length glistening in the lights of the small band of people entering the station. The Command System train towered over the platform, its dark length glistening in the lights of the small band of people entering the station. 'Well, here we are at last,' Unaha-Closp said. It stopped and let Balveda slide off the pallet, then put the slab with its supplies and material down on the dusty floor. 'Well, here we are at last,' Unaha-Closp said. It stopped and let Balveda slide off the pallet, then put the slab with its supplies and material down on the dusty floor. Horza ordered the Idiran to stand against the nearest access gantry, and tied him against it. Horza ordered the Idiran to stand against the nearest access gantry, and tied him against it. 'Well,' Xoxarle said as Horza strapped him to the metal, 'what of your Mind, little one?' He looked down like a reproachful adult at the human wrapping the wire round his body. 'Where is it? I don't see it.' 'Well,' Xoxarle said as Horza strapped him to the metal, 'what of your Mind, little one?' He looked down like a reproachful adult at the human wrapping the wire round his body. 'Where is it? I don't see it.' 'Patience, Section Leader,' Horza said. 'Patience, Section Leader,' Horza said. He secured the wire and tested it, then stepped back. 'Comfortable?' he asked. He secured the wire and tested it, then stepped back. 'Comfortable?' he asked. 'My guts ache, my chin is broken and my hand has pieces of your ma.s.s sensor embedded in it,' Xoxarle said. 'Also my mouth is a little sore inside, where I bit it earlier, to produce all that convincing blood. Otherwise I am well, thank you, ally.' Xoxarle bowed his head as much as he was able. 'My guts ache, my chin is broken and my hand has pieces of your ma.s.s sensor embedded in it,' Xoxarle said. 'Also my mouth is a little sore inside, where I bit it earlier, to produce all that convincing blood. Otherwise I am well, thank you, ally.' Xoxarle bowed his head as much as he was able. 'Don't go away, now.' Horza smiled thinly. He left Yalson to guard Xoxarle and Balveda while he and Wubslin went to the power-switching room. 'Don't go away, now.' Horza smiled thinly. He left Yalson to guard Xoxarle and Balveda while he and Wubslin went to the power-switching room. 'I'm hungry,' Aviger said. He sat on the pallet and opened a ration bar. 'I'm hungry,' Aviger said. He sat on the pallet and opened a ration bar. Inside the switching room, Horza studied the meters, switches and levers for a few moments, then started to adjust the controls. Inside the switching room, Horza studied the meters, switches and levers for a few moments, then started to adjust the controls. 'I, uh...' Wubslin began, scratching his brow through the open visor of his helmet, 'I was wondering... about the ma.s.s sensor in your suit... Is it working?' 'I, uh...' Wubslin began, scratching his brow through the open visor of his helmet, 'I was wondering... about the ma.s.s sensor in your suit... Is it working?' Lights came on in one control group, a bank of twenty dials glowing faintly. Horza studied the dials and then said, 'No. I already checked. It's getting a low reading from the train, but nothing else. It's been that way since about two kilometres back up the tunnel. Either the Mind's gone since the ship sensor was smashed, or this one in my suit isn't working properly.' Lights came on in one control group, a bank of twenty dials glowing faintly. Horza studied the dials and then said, 'No. I already checked. It's getting a low reading from the train, but nothing else. It's been that way since about two kilometres back up the tunnel. Either the Mind's gone since the ship sensor was smashed, or this one in my suit isn't working properly.' 'Oh s.h.i.t,' Wubslin sighed. 'Oh s.h.i.t,' Wubslin sighed. 'What the h.e.l.l,' Horza said, flicking some switches and watching more meters light up. 'Let's get the power on. Maybe we'll think of something.' 'What the h.e.l.l,' Horza said, flicking some switches and watching more meters light up. 'Let's get the power on. Maybe we'll think of something.' 'Yes.' Wubslin nodded. He glanced back out through the open doors of the room, as if to see whether the lights were coming on yet. All he saw was the dark shape of Yalson's back, out on the dim platform. A section of shadowy train, three storeys high, showed beyond. 'Yes.' Wubslin nodded. He glanced back out through the open doors of the room, as if to see whether the lights were coming on yet. All he saw was the dark shape of Yalson's back, out on the dim platform. A section of shadowy train, three storeys high, showed beyond. Horza went to another wall and repositioned some levers. He tapped a couple of dials, peered into a bright screen, then rubbed his hands together and put his thumb over a b.u.t.ton on the central console. 'Well, this is it,' he said. Horza went to another wall and repositioned some levers. He tapped a couple of dials, peered into a bright screen, then rubbed his hands together and put his thumb over a b.u.t.ton on the central console. 'Well, this is it,' he said. He brought his thumb down on the b.u.t.ton. He brought his thumb down on the b.u.t.ton. 'Yes!' 'Yes!' 'Hey-hey!' 'Hey-hey!' 'We did it!' 'We did it!' 'About time, too, if you ask me.' 'About time, too, if you ask me.' 'Hmm, little one, so that's how it's done...' 'Hmm, little one, so that's how it's done...' '... s.h.i.t! If I'd known it was this colour I wouldn't have started it...' '... s.h.i.t! If I'd known it was this colour I wouldn't have started it...' Horza heard the others. He took a deep breath and turned to look at Wubslin. The stocky engineer stood, blinking slightly, in the bright lights of the power control room. He smiled. 'Great,' he said. He looked round the room, still nodding. 'Great. At last.' Horza heard the others. He took a deep breath and turned to look at Wubslin. The stocky engineer stood, blinking slightly, in the bright lights of the power control room. He smiled. 'Great,' he said. He looked round the room, still nodding. 'Great. At last.' 'Well done, Horza,' Yalson said. 'Well done, Horza,' Yalson said. Horza could hear other switches, bigger ones, automatics linked to the master switch he had closed, moving in the s.p.a.ce beneath his feet. Humming noises filled the room, and the smell of burning dust rose like the warm scent of an awakening animal all around him. Light flooded in from the station outside. Horza and Wubslin checked a few meters and monitors, then went outside. Horza could hear other switches, bigger ones, automatics linked to the master switch he had closed, moving in the s.p.a.ce beneath his feet. Humming noises filled the room, and the smell of burning dust rose like the warm scent of an awakening animal all around him. Light flooded in from the station outside. Horza and Wubslin checked a few meters and monitors, then went outside. The station was bright. It sparkled; the grey-black walls reflected the strip lights and glow panels which covered the roof. The Command System train, now seen properly for the first time, filled the station from end to end: a shining metal monster, like a vast android version of a segmented insect. The station was bright. It sparkled; the grey-black walls reflected the strip lights and glow panels which covered the roof. The Command System train, now seen properly for the first time, filled the station from end to end: a shining metal monster, like a vast android version of a segmented insect. Yalson took off her helmet, ran her fingers through her short-cropped hair and looked up and around, squinting in the bright yellow-white light falling from the station roof high above. Yalson took off her helmet, ran her fingers through her short-cropped hair and looked up and around, squinting in the bright yellow-white light falling from the station roof high above. 'Now, then,' Unaha-Closp said, floating over towards Horza. The machine's casing glittered in the harsh new light. 'Where exactly is this device we're looking for?' It came close to Horza's face. 'Does your suit sensor register it? Is it here? Have we found it?' 'Now, then,' Unaha-Closp said, floating over towards Horza. The machine's casing glittered in the harsh new light. 'Where exactly is this device we're looking for?' It came close to Horza's face. 'Does your suit sensor register it? Is it here? Have we found it?' Horza pushed the machine away with one hand. 'Give me time, drone. We only just got here. I got the power on, didn't I?' He walked past it, followed by Yalson, still looking about her, and Wubslin, also staring, though mostly at the gleaming train. Lights shone inside it. The station filled with the hum of idling motors, the hiss of air circulators and fans. Unaha-Closp floated round to face Horza, reversing through the air while keeping level with the man's face. Horza pushed the machine away with one hand. 'Give me time, drone. We only just got here. I got the power on, didn't I?' He walked past it, followed by Yalson, still looking about her, and Wubslin, also staring, though mostly at the gleaming train. Lights shone inside it. The station filled with the hum of idling motors, the hiss of air circulators and fans. Unaha-Closp floated round to face Horza, reversing through the air while keeping level with the man's face. 'What do you mean? Surely all you have to do is look at the screen; can you see the Mind on there or not?' The drone came closer, dipping down to look at the controls and the small screen on Horza's suit cuff. He swatted it away. 'What do you mean? Surely all you have to do is look at the screen; can you see the Mind on there or not?' The drone came closer, dipping down to look at the controls and the small screen on Horza's suit cuff. He swatted it away. 'I'm getting some interference from the reactor.' Horza glanced at Wubslin. 'We'll cope with it.' 'I'm getting some interference from the reactor.' Horza glanced at Wubslin. 'We'll cope with it.' 'Take a look round the repair area, check the place out,' Yalson said to the machine. 'Make yourself useful.' 'Take a look round the repair area, check the place out,' Yalson said to the machine. 'Make yourself useful.' 'It isn't working, is it?' Unaha-Closp said. It kept pace with Horza, still facing him and backing through the air in front of him. 'That three-legged lunatic smashed the ma.s.s sensor on the pallet, and now we're blind; we're back to square one, aren't we?' 'It isn't working, is it?' Unaha-Closp said. It kept pace with Horza, still facing him and backing through the air in front of him. 'That three-legged lunatic smashed the ma.s.s sensor on the pallet, and now we're blind; we're back to square one, aren't we?' 'No,' Horza said impatiently, 'we are not. We'll repair it. Now, how about doing something useful for a change?' 'No,' Horza said impatiently, 'we are not. We'll repair it. Now, how about doing something useful for a change?' 'For a change?' Unaha-Closp said with what sounded like feeling. 'For a 'For a change?' Unaha-Closp said with what sounded like feeling. 'For a change change? You're forgetting who it was saved all your skins back in the tunnels when our cute little Idiran liaison officer over there started running amuck.' 'All 'All right right, drone,' Horza said through clenched teeth. 'I've said thank you. Now, why don't you take a look around the station, just in case there's anything to be seen.' 'Like Minds you can't spot on wasted suit ma.s.s sensors, for example? And what are you lot going to be doing while I'm doing that?' 'Like Minds you can't spot on wasted suit ma.s.s sensors, for example? And what are you lot going to be doing while I'm doing that?' 'Resting,' Horza said. 'And thinking.' He stopped at Xoxarle and inspected the Idiran's bonds. 'Resting,' Horza said. 'And thinking.' He stopped at Xoxarle and inspected the Idiran's bonds. 'Oh, great,' Unaha-Closp sneered. 'And a lot of good all your thinking has done?' 'Oh, great,' Unaha-Closp sneered. 'And a lot of good all your thinking has done?' 'For f.u.c.k's sake, Unaha-Closp,' Yalson said, sighing heavily, 'either go or stay, but shut up.' 'For f.u.c.k's sake, Unaha-Closp,' Yalson said, sighing heavily, 'either go or stay, but shut up.' 'I see! Right!' Unaha-Closp drew away from them and rose in the air. 'I'll just go and lose myself, then! I should have?' 'I see! Right!' Unaha-Closp drew away from them and rose in the air. 'I'll just go and lose myself, then! I should have?' It was floating away as it spoke. Horza shouted over the drone's voice, 'Before you go, can you hear any alarms?' It was floating away as it spoke. Horza shouted over the drone's voice, 'Before you go, can you hear any alarms?' 'What?' Unaha-Closp came to a halt. Wubslin put a pained, studious expression on his face and looked around the station's bright walls, as though making an effort to hear above the frequencies his ears could sense. 'What?' Unaha-Closp came to a halt. Wubslin put a pained, studious expression on his face and looked around the station's bright walls, as though making an effort to hear above the frequencies his ears could sense. Unaha-Closp was silent for a moment, then said, 'No. No alarms. I'm going now. I'll check out the other train. When I think you might be in a more amenable mood I'll come back.' It turned and sped off. Unaha-Closp was silent for a moment, then said, 'No. No alarms. I'm going now. I'll check out the other train. When I think you might be in a more amenable mood I'll come back.' It turned and sped off. 'Dorolow could have heard the alarms,' Aviger muttered, but n.o.body heard. 'Dorolow could have heard the alarms,' Aviger muttered, but n.o.body heard. Wubslin looked up at the train, gleaming in the station lights, and like it, seemed to glow from within. Wubslin looked up at the train, gleaming in the station lights, and like it, seemed to glow from within.

... what is this? is it light? do i imagine it? am i dying? is this what happens? am i dying now, so soon? i thought i had a while left and i don't deserve what is this? is it light? do i imagine it? am i dying? is this what happens? am i dying now, so soon? i thought i had a while left and i don't deserve...light! it is light!I can see again! Welded to the cold metal by his own dry blood, his body cracked and twisted, mutilated and dying, he opened his one good eye as far as he could. Mucus had dried on it, and he had to blink, trying to clear it. Welded to the cold metal by his own dry blood, his body cracked and twisted, mutilated and dying, he opened his one good eye as far as he could. Mucus had dried on it, and he had to blink, trying to clear it. His body was a dark and alien land of pain, a continent of torment. His body was a dark and alien land of pain, a continent of torment. ... One eye left. One arm. A leg missing, just lopped off. One numb and paralysed, another broken (he tested to make sure, trying to move that limb; a pain like fire flashed through him, like a lightning flash over the shadowed country that was his body and his pain), ... One eye left. One arm. A leg missing, just lopped off. One numb and paralysed, another broken (he tested to make sure, trying to move that limb; a pain like fire flashed through him, like a lightning flash over the shadowed country that was his body and his pain), and my face... my face and my face... my face... He felt like a smashed insect, abandoned by some children after an afternoon's cruel play. They had thought he was dead, but he was not built the way they were. A few holes were nothing; an amputated limb... well, his blood did not gush like theirs when a leg or arm was removed (he remembered a recording of a human dissection), and for the warrior there was no shock; not like their poor soft, flesh-flabby systems. He had been shot in the face, but the beam or bullet had not penetrated through the internal keratin brain cover, or severed his nerves. Similarly, his eyes had been smashed, but the other side of his face was intact, and he could still see. He felt like a smashed insect, abandoned by some children after an afternoon's cruel play. They had thought he was dead, but he was not built the way they were. A few holes were nothing; an amputated limb... well, his blood did not gush like theirs when a leg or arm was removed (he remembered a recording of a human dissection), and for the warrior there was no shock; not like their poor soft, flesh-flabby systems. He had been shot in the face, but the beam or bullet had not penetrated through the internal keratin brain cover, or severed his nerves. Similarly, his eyes had been smashed, but the other side of his face was intact, and he could still see. It was so bright. His sight cleared and he looked, without moving, at the station roof. It was so bright. His sight cleared and he looked, without moving, at the station roof. He could feel himself dying slowly; an internal knowledge which, again, they might not have had. He could feel the slow leak of his blood inside his body, sense the pressure build-up in his torso, and the faint oozing through cracks in his keratin. The remains of the suit would help him but not save him. He could feel his internal organs slowly shutting down: too many holes from one system to another. His stomach would never digest his last meal, and his anterior lung-sack, which normally held a reserve of hyperoxygenated blood for use when his body needed its last reserves of strength, was emptying, its precious fuel being squandered in the losing battle his body fought against the falling pressure of his blood. He could feel himself dying slowly; an internal knowledge which, again, they might not have had. He could feel the slow leak of his blood inside his body, sense the pressure build-up in his torso, and the faint oozing through cracks in his keratin. The remains of the suit would help him but not save him. He could feel his internal organs slowly shutting down: too many holes from one system to another. His stomach would never digest his last meal, and his anterior lung-sack, which normally held a reserve of hyperoxygenated blood for use when his body needed its last reserves of strength, was emptying, its precious fuel being squandered in the losing battle his body fought against the falling pressure of his blood.Dying... I am dying. ... What difference whether it is in darkness or in light?Great One, fallen comrades, children and mate... can you see me any better in this deeply buried, alien glare?My name is Quayanorl, Great One, and- The idea was brighter than the pain when he'd tried to move his shattered leg, brighter than the station's silent, staring glow. The idea was brighter than the pain when he'd tried to move his shattered leg, brighter than the station's silent, staring glow. They had said they were going to station seven. They had said they were going to station seven. It was the last thing he remembered, apart from the sight of one of them floating through the air towards him. That one must have shot him in the face; he couldn't remember it happening, but it made sense... Sent to make sure he was dead. But he was alive, and he had just had an idea. It was a long shot, even if he could get it to work, even if he could shift himself, even if it all worked... a long shot, in every sense... But it would be doing something; it would be a suitable end for a warrior, whatever happened. The pain would be worth it. It was the last thing he remembered, apart from the sight of one of them floating through the air towards him. That one must have shot him in the face; he couldn't remember it happening, but it made sense... Sent to make sure he was dead. But he was alive, and he had just had an idea. It was a long shot, even if he could get it to work, even if he could shift himself, even if it all worked... a long shot, in every sense... But it would be doing something; it would be a suitable end for a warrior, whatever happened. The pain would be worth it. He moved quickly, before he could change his mind, knowing that there might be little time (if he wasn't already too late...). The pain seared through him like a sword. He moved quickly, before he could change his mind, knowing that there might be little time (if he wasn't already too late...). The pain seared through him like a sword. From his broken, b.l.o.o.d.y mouth, a shout came. From his broken, b.l.o.o.d.y mouth, a shout came. n.o.body heard. His shout echoed in the bright station. Then there was silence. His body throbbed with the aftershock of pain, but he could feel that he was free; the blood-weld was broken. He could move; in the light he could move. n.o.body heard. His shout echoed in the bright station. Then there was silence. His body throbbed with the aftershock of pain, but he could feel that he was free; the blood-weld was broken. He could move; in the light he could move.Xoxarle, if you are still alive, I may soon have a little surprise for our friends...

'Drone?' 'What?' 'What?' 'Horza wants to know what you're doing.' Yalson spoke into her helmet communicator, looking at the Changer. 'Horza wants to know what you're doing.' Yalson spoke into her helmet communicator, looking at the Changer. 'I'm searching this train; the one in the repair section. I 'I'm searching this train; the one in the repair section. I would would have said if I'd found anything, you know. Have you got that suit sensor working yet?' have said if I'd found anything, you know. Have you got that suit sensor working yet?' Horza made a face at the helmet Yalson held on her knees; he reached over and switched off the communicator. Horza made a face at the helmet Yalson held on her knees; he reached over and switched off the communicator. 'It's right, though, isn't it?' Aviger said, sitting on the pallet. 'That one in your suit isn't working, is it?' 'It's right, though, isn't it?' Aviger said, sitting on the pallet. 'That one in your suit isn't working, is it?' 'There's some interference from the train's reactor,' Horza told the old man. 'That's all. We can deal with it.' Aviger didn't look convinced. 'There's some interference from the train's reactor,' Horza told the old man. 'That's all. We can deal with it.' Aviger didn't look convinced. Horza opened a drink canister. He felt tired, drained. There was a sense of anti-climax now, having got the power on but not found the Mind. He cursed the broken ma.s.s sensor, and Xoxarle, and the Mind. He didn't know where the d.a.m.n thing was, but he'd find it. Right now, though, he just wanted to sit and relax. He needed to give his thoughts time to collect. He rubbed his head where it had been bruised in the fire-fight in station six; it hurt, distantly, naggingly, inside. Nothing serious, but it would have been distracting if he hadn't been able to shut the pain off. Horza opened a drink canister. He felt tired, drained. There was a sense of anti-climax now, having got the power on but not found the Mind. He cursed the broken ma.s.s sensor, and Xoxarle, and the Mind. He didn't know where the d.a.m.n thing was, but he'd find it. Right now, though, he just wanted to sit and relax. He needed to give his thoughts time to collect. He rubbed his head where it had been bruised in the fire-fight in station six; it hurt, distantly, naggingly, inside. Nothing serious, but it would have been distracting if he hadn't been able to shut the pain off. 'Don't you think we should search this train now?' Wubslin said, gazing up hungrily at the shining curved bulk of it in front of them. 'Don't you think we should search this train now?' Wubslin said, gazing up hungrily at the shining curved bulk of it in front of them. Horza smiled at the engineer's rapt expression. 'Yes, why not?' he said. 'On you go; take a look.' He nodded at the grinning Wubslin, who swallowed a last mouthful of food and grabbed his helmet. Horza smiled at the engineer's rapt expression. 'Yes, why not?' he said. 'On you go; take a look.' He nodded at the grinning Wubslin, who swallowed a last mouthful of food and grabbed his helmet. 'Right. Yeah. Might as well start now,' he said, and walked off quickly, past the motionless figure of Xoxarle, up the access ramp and into the train. 'Right. Yeah. Might as well start now,' he said, and walked off quickly, past the motionless figure of Xoxarle, up the access ramp and into the train. Balveda was standing with her back against the wall, her hands in her pockets. She smiled at Wubslin's retreating back as he disappeared into the train's interior. Balveda was standing with her back against the wall, her hands in her pockets. She smiled at Wubslin's retreating back as he disappeared into the train's interior. 'Are you going to let him drive that thing, Horza?' she asked. 'Are you going to let him drive that thing, Horza?' she asked. 'Somebody may have to,' Horza said. 'We'll need some sort of transport to take us round if we're going to look for the Mind.' 'Somebody may have to,' Horza said. 'We'll need some sort of transport to take us round if we're going to look for the Mind.' 'What fun,' Balveda said. 'We could all just go riding round in circles for ever and ever.' 'What fun,' Balveda said. 'We could all just go riding round in circles for ever and ever.' 'Not me,' Aviger said, turning from Horza to look at the Culture agent. 'I'm going back to the 'Not me,' Aviger said, turning from Horza to look at the Culture agent. 'I'm going back to the CAT. CAT. I'm not going round looking for this d.a.m.n computer.' I'm not going round looking for this d.a.m.n computer.' 'Good idea,' Yalson said, looking at the old man. 'We could make you a sort of prisoner detail; send you back with Xoxarle; just the two of you.' 'Good idea,' Yalson said, looking at the old man. 'We could make you a sort of prisoner detail; send you back with Xoxarle; just the two of you.' 'I'll go alone,' Aviger said in a low voice, avoiding Yalson's gaze. 'I'm not afraid.' 'I'll go alone,' Aviger said in a low voice, avoiding Yalson's gaze. 'I'm not afraid.'

Xoxarle listened to them talk. Such squeaky, scratchy voices. He tested his bonds again. The wire had cut a couple of millimetres into his keratin, on his shoulders, thighs and wrists. It hurt a little, but it would be worthwhile, maybe. He was quietly cutting himself on the wire, rubbing with all the force he could muster against the places where the wire held him tightest; chafing the nail-like cover of his body deliberately. He had taken a deep breath and flexed all the muscles he could when he was tied up, and that had given him just enough room to move, but he would need a little more if he was to have any chance of working his way loose. He had no plan, no time scale; he had no idea when he might have an opportunity, but what else could he do? Stand there like a stuffed dummy, like a good boy? While these squirming, soft-bodied worms scratched their pulpy skin and tried to work out where the Mind was? A warrior could do no such thing; he had come too far, seen too many die... He had no plan, no time scale; he had no idea when he might have an opportunity, but what else could he do? Stand there like a stuffed dummy, like a good boy? While these squirming, soft-bodied worms scratched their pulpy skin and tried to work out where the Mind was? A warrior could do no such thing; he had come too far, seen too many die...

'Hey!' Wubslin opened a small window on the top storey of the train and leaned out, shouting to the others. 'These elevators work! I just came up in one! Everything works!' 'Yeah!' Yalson waved. 'Great, Wubslin.' 'Yeah!' Yalson waved. 'Great, Wubslin.' The engineer ducked back inside. He moved through the train, testing and touching, inspecting controls and machinery. The engineer ducked back inside. He moved through the train, testing and touching, inspecting controls and machinery. 'Quite impressive, though, isn't it?' Balveda said to the others. 'For its time.' 'Quite impressive, though, isn't it?' Balveda said to the others. 'For its time.' Horza nodded, gazing slowly from one end of the train to the other. He finished the drink in the container and put it down on the pallet as he stood up. 'Yes, it is. But much good it did them.' Horza nodded, gazing slowly from one end of the train to the other. He finished the drink in the container and put it down on the pallet as he stood up. 'Yes, it is. But much good it did them.'

Quayanorl dragged himself up the ramp. A pall of smoke hung in the station air, hardly shifting in the slow circulation of air. Fans were working in the train, though, and what movement there was in the grey-blue cloud came mostly from the places where open doors and windows blew the acrid mist out from the carriages, replacing it with air scrubbed by the train's conditioning and filter system. A pall of smoke hung in the station air, hardly shifting in the slow circulation of air. Fans were working in the train, though, and what movement there was in the grey-blue cloud came mostly from the places where open doors and windows blew the acrid mist out from the carriages, replacing it with air scrubbed by the train's conditioning and filter system. He dragged himself through wreckage-bits and pieces of wall and train, even sc.r.a.ps and shards from his own suit. It was very hard and slow, and he was already afraid he would die before he even got to the train. He dragged himself through wreckage-bits and pieces of wall and train, even sc.r.a.ps and shards from his own suit. It was very hard and slow, and he was already afraid he would die before he even got to the train. His legs were useless. He would probably be doing better if the other two had been blown off as well. His legs were useless. He would probably be doing better if the other two had been blown off as well. He crawled with his one good arm, grasping the edge of the ramp and pulling with all his might. He crawled with his one good arm, grasping the edge of the ramp and pulling with all his might. The effort was agonisingly painful. Every time he pulled he thought it would grow less, but it didn't; it was as though for each of the too-long seconds he hauled at that ramp edge, and his broken, bleeding body sc.r.a.ped further up the littered surface, his blood vessels ran with acid. He shook his head and mumbled to himself. He felt blood run from the cracks in his body, which had healed while he lay still and now were being ripped open again. He felt tears run from his one good eye; he sensed the slow weep of healing fluid welling where his other eye had been torn from his face. The effort was agonisingly painful. Every time he pulled he thought it would grow less, but it didn't; it was as though for each of the too-long seconds he hauled at that ramp edge, and his broken, bleeding body sc.r.a.ped further up the littered surface, his blood vessels ran with acid. He shook his head and mumbled to himself. He felt blood run from the cracks in his body, which had healed while he lay still and now were being ripped open again. He felt tears run from his one good eye; he sensed the slow weep of healing fluid welling where his other eye had been torn from his face. The door ahead of him shone through the bright mist, a faint air current coming from it making curls in the smoke. His feet sc.r.a.ped behind him, and his suit chest ploughed a small bow wave of wreckage from the surface of the ramp as he moved. He gripped the ramp's edge again and pulled. The door ahead of him shone through the bright mist, a faint air current coming from it making curls in the smoke. His feet sc.r.a.ped behind him, and his suit chest ploughed a small bow wave of wreckage from the surface of the ramp as he moved. He gripped the ramp's edge again and pulled. He tried not to call out, not because he thought there was anyone to hear and be warned, but because all his life, from when he had first got to his feet by himself, he had been taught to suffer in silence. He did try; he could remember his nest-Querl and his mother-parent teaching him not to cry out, and it was shaming to disobey them, but sometimes it got too much. Sometimes the pain squeezed the noise from him. He tried not to call out, not because he thought there was anyone to hear and be warned, but because all his life, from when he had first got to his feet by himself, he had been taught to suffer in silence. He did try; he could remember his nest-Querl and his mother-parent teaching him not to cry out, and it was shaming to disobey them, but sometimes it got too much. Sometimes the pain squeezed the noise from him. On the station roof, some of the lights were out, hit by stray shots. He could see the holes and punctures in the train's shining hull, and he had no idea what damage might have been done to it, but he couldn't stop now. He had to go on. On the station roof, some of the lights were out, hit by stray shots. He could see the holes and punctures in the train's shining hull, and he had no idea what damage might have been done to it, but he couldn't stop now. He had to go on. He could hear the train. He could listen to it like a hunter listening to a wild animal. The train was alive; injured-some of its whirring motors sounded damaged-but it was alive. He could hear the train. He could listen to it like a hunter listening to a wild animal. The train was alive; injured-some of its whirring motors sounded damaged-but it was alive. He He was dying, but he would do his best to capture the beast. was dying, but he would do his best to capture the beast.

'What do you think?' Horza asked Wubslin. He had tracked the engineer down under one of the Command System train carriages, hanging upside down looking at the wheel motors. Horza had asked Wubslin to take a look at the small device on his suit chest which was the main body of the ma.s.s sensor. 'I don't know,' Wubslin said, shaking his head. He had his helmet on and visor down, using the screen to magnify the view of the sensor. 'It's so small. I'd need to take it back to the 'I don't know,' Wubslin said, shaking his head. He had his helmet on and visor down, using the screen to magnify the view of the sensor. 'It's so small. I'd need to take it back to the CAT CAT to have a proper look at it. I didn't bring all my tools with me.' He made a tutting noise. 'It to have a proper look at it. I didn't bring all my tools with me.' He made a tutting noise. 'It looks looks all right; I can't see any obvious damage. Maybe the reactors are putting it off.' all right; I can't see any obvious damage. Maybe the reactors are putting it off.' 'd.a.m.n. We'll have to search, then,' Horza said. He let Wubslin close the small inspection panel on the suit front. 'd.a.m.n. We'll have to search, then,' Horza said. He let Wubslin close the small inspection panel on the suit front. The engineer leant back and shoved his visor up. 'Only trouble is,' he said glumly, 'if the reactors are interfering, there isn't much point in taking the train to look for the Mind. We'll have to use the transit tube.' The engineer leant back and shoved his visor up. 'Only trouble is,' he said glumly, 'if the reactors are interfering, there isn't much point in taking the train to look for the Mind. We'll have to use the transit tube.' 'We'll search the station first,' Horza said. He stood up. Through the window, across the station platform, he could see Yalson standing watching Balveda as the Culture woman paced slowly up and down the smooth rock floor. Aviger still sat on the pallet. Xoxarle stood strapped to the girders of the access ways. 'We'll search the station first,' Horza said. He stood up. Through the window, across the station platform, he could see Yalson standing watching Balveda as the Culture woman paced slowly up and down the smooth rock floor. Aviger still sat on the pallet. Xoxarle stood strapped to the girders of the access ways. 'OK if I go up to the control deck?' Wubslin said. Horza looked into the engineer's broad, open face. 'OK if I go up to the control deck?' Wubslin said. Horza looked into the engineer's broad, open face. 'Yeah, why not? Don't try to get it to move just yet, though.' 'Yeah, why not? Don't try to get it to move just yet, though.' 'OK,' Wubslin said, looking happy. 'OK,' Wubslin said, looking happy. 'Changer?' said Xoxarle, as Horza walked down the access ramp. 'Changer?' said Xoxarle, as Horza walked down the access ramp. 'What?' 'What?' 'These wires: they are too tight. They are cutting into me.' 'These wires: they are too tight. They are cutting into me.' Horza looked carefully at the wires round the Idiran's arms. 'Too bad,' he said. Horza looked carefully at the wires round the Idiran's arms. 'Too bad,' he said. 'They cut into my shoulders, my legs and my wrists. If the pressure goes on they will cut through to my blood vessels; I should hate to die in such an inelegant manner. By all means blow my head off, but this slow slicing is undignified. I only tell you because I am starting to believe you do intend to take me back to the fleet.' 'They cut into my shoulders, my legs and my wrists. If the pressure goes on they will cut through to my blood vessels; I should hate to die in such an inelegant manner. By all means blow my head off, but this slow slicing is undignified. I only tell you because I am starting to believe you do intend to take me back to the fleet.' Horza went behind the Idiran to look at where the wires crossed over Xoxarle's wrists. He was telling the truth; the wires had cut into him like fence wire into tree bark. The Changer frowned. 'I've never seen that happen,' he said to the motionless rear of the Idiran's head. 'What are you up to? Your skin's harder than that.' Horza went behind the Idiran to look at where the wires crossed over Xoxarle's wrists. He was telling the truth; the wires had cut into him like fence wire into tree bark. The Changer frowned. 'I've never seen that happen,' he said to the motionless rear of the Idiran's head. 'What are you up to? Your skin's harder than that.' 'I am up to nothing, human,' Xoxarle said wearily, sighing heavily. 'My body is injured; it tries to rebuild itself. Of necessity it becomes more pliable, less hardy, as it tries to rebuild the damaged parts. Oh, if you don't believe me, never mind. But don't forget that I did warn you.' 'I am up to nothing, human,' Xoxarle said wearily, sighing heavily. 'My body is injured; it tries to rebuild itself. Of necessity it becomes more pliable, less hardy, as it tries to rebuild the damaged parts. Oh, if you don't believe me, never mind. But don't forget that I did warn you.' 'I'll think about it,' Horza said. 'If it gets too bad, shout out.' He stepped out through the girders back onto the station floor, and walked towards the others. 'I'll think about it,' Horza said. 'If it gets too bad, shout out.' He stepped out through the girders back onto the station floor, and walked towards the others. ' ' I I shall have to think about shall have to think about that that,' Xoxarle said quietly. 'Warriors are not given to "shouting out" because they are in pain.' 'So,' Yalson said to the Changer, 'is Wubslin happy?' 'So,' Yalson said to the Changer, 'is Wubslin happy?' 'Worried he won't get to drive the train,' Horza told her. 'What's the drone doing?' 'Worried he won't get to drive the train,' Horza told her. 'What's the drone doing?' 'Taking its time looking through the other train.' 'Taking its time looking through the other train.' 'Well, we'll leave it there,' Horza said. 'You and I can search the station. Aviger?' He looked at the old man, who was using a small piece of plastic to prise bits of food from between his teeth. 'Well, we'll leave it there,' Horza said. 'You and I can search the station. Aviger?' He looked at the old man, who was using a small piece of plastic to prise bits of food from between his teeth. 'What?' Aviger said, looking up suspiciously at the Changer. 'What?' Aviger said, looking up suspiciously at the Changer. 'Watch the Idiran. We're going to take a look around the station.' 'Watch the Idiran. We're going to take a look around the station.' Aviger shrugged. 'All right. I suppose so. Not too many places I can go for the moment.' He inspected the end of the piece of plastic. Aviger shrugged. 'All right. I suppose so. Not too many places I can go for the moment.' He inspected the end of the piece of plastic.

He reached out, took hold of the end of the ramp, and pulled. He moved forward on a wave of pain. He gripped the edge of the train door, and hauled again. He slid and sc.r.a.ped from the ramp and onto the interior floor of the train itself. When he was fully inside, he rested. When he was fully inside, he rested. Blood made a steady roar inside his head. Blood made a steady roar inside his head. His hand was becoming tired now and sore. It was not the aching, grinding pain from his wounds, but it worried him more. He was afraid that his hand would soon seize up, that it would grow too weak to grip, and he would be unable to haul himself along. His hand was becoming tired now and sore. It was not the aching, grinding pain from his wounds, but it worried him more. He was afraid that his hand would soon seize up, that it would grow too weak to grip, and he would be unable to haul himself along. At least now the way was level. He had a carriage and a half to drag himself, but there was no slope. He tried to look back, behind and down to the place he had lain, but could manage only a brief glimpse before he had to let his head fall back. There was a sc.r.a.ped and b.l.o.o.d.y trail on the ramp, as though a broom laced with purple paint had been dragged through the dust and debris of the metal surface. At least now the way was level. He had a carriage and a half to drag himself, but there was no slope. He tried to look back, behind and down to the place he had lain, but could manage only a brief glimpse before he had to let his head fall back. There was a sc.r.a.ped and b.l.o.o.d.y trail on the ramp, as though a broom laced with purple paint had been dragged through the dust and debris of the metal surface. There was no point in looking back. His only way was forward; he had only a little while left. In a half hour or less he would be dead. He would have had longer just lying on the ramp, but moving had shortened his life, quickened the sapping forces steadily draining him of strength and vitality. There was no point in looking back. His only way was forward; he had only a little while left. In a half hour or less he would be dead. He would have had longer just lying on the ramp, but moving had shortened his life, quickened the sapping forces steadily draining him of strength and vitality. He hauled himself towards the longitudinal corridor. He hauled himself towards the longitudinal corridor. His two useless, shattered legs slithered after him, on a thin slick of blood. His two useless, shattered legs slithered after him, on a thin slick of blood.

'Changer!' Horza frowned. He and Yalson were setting out to look over the station. The Idiran called Horza when he was only a few steps away from the pallet where Aviger now sat, looking fed up and pointing his gun in roughly the same direction as Balveda while the Culture agent continued pacing up and down. Horza frowned. He and Yalson were setting out to look over the station. The Idiran called Horza when he was only a few steps away from the pallet where Aviger now sat, looking fed up and pointing his gun in roughly the same direction as Balveda while the Culture agent continued pacing up and down. 'Yes, Xoxarle?' Horza said. 'Yes, Xoxarle?' Horza said. 'These wires. They will slice me up soon. I only mention it because you have so studiously avoided destroying me so far; it would be a pity to die accidentally, due to an oversight. Please-go on your way if you cannot be bothered.' 'These wires. They will slice me up soon. I only mention it because you have so studiously avoided destroying me so far; it would be a pity to die accidentally, due to an oversight. Please-go on your way if you cannot be bothered.' 'You want the wires loosened?' 'You want the wires loosened?' 'The merest fraction. They have no give in them, you see, and it would be nice to breathe without dissecting myself.' 'The merest fraction. They have no give in them, you see, and it would be nice to breathe without dissecting myself.' 'If you try anything this time,' Horza told the Idiran, coming close to him, gun pointed at his face, 'I'll blow both your arms and all three legs off and slide you home on the pallet.' 'If you try anything this time,' Horza told the Idiran, coming close to him, gun pointed at his face, 'I'll blow both your arms and all three legs off and slide you home on the pallet.' 'Your threatened cruelty has convinced me, human. You obviously know the shame we attach to prosthetics, even if they are the result of battle wounds. I shall behave. Just loosen the wires a little, like a good ally.' 'Your threatened cruelty has convinced me, human. You obviously know the shame we attach to prosthetics, even if they are the result of battle wounds. I shall behave. Just loosen the wires a little, like a good ally.' Horza loosened the wires slightly where they were cutting into Xoxarle's body. The section leader flexed and made a loud sighing sound with his mouth. Horza loosened the wires slightly where they were cutting into Xoxarle's body. The section leader flexed and made a loud sighing sound with his mouth. 'Much better, little one. Much better. Now I shall live to face whatever retribution you may imagine is mine.' 'Much better, little one. Much better. Now I shall live to face whatever retribution you may imagine is mine.' 'Depend on it,' Horza said. 'If he 'Depend on it,' Horza said. 'If he breathes breathes belligerently,' he told Aviger, 'shoot his legs off.' belligerently,' he told Aviger, 'shoot his legs off.' 'Oh yes, sir,' Aviger said, saluting. 'Oh yes, sir,' Aviger said, saluting. 'Hoping to trip over the Mind, Horza?' Balveda asked him. She had stopped pacing and stood facing him and Yalson, her hands in her pockets. 'Hoping to trip over the Mind, Horza?' Balveda asked him. She had stopped pacing and stood facing him and Yalson, her hands in her pockets. 'One never knows, Balveda,' Horza said. 'One never knows, Balveda,' Horza said. 'Tomb robber,' Balveda said through a lazy smile. 'Tomb robber,' Balveda said through a lazy smile. Horza turned to Yalson. 'Tell Wubslin we're leaving. Ask him to keep an eye on the platform; make sure Aviger doesn't fall asleep.' Horza turned to Yalson. 'Tell Wubslin we're leaving. Ask him to keep an eye on the platform; make sure Aviger doesn't fall asleep.' Yalson raised Wubslin on the communicator. Yalson raised Wubslin on the communicator. 'You'd better come with us,' Horza told Balveda. 'I don't like leaving you here with all this equipment switched on.' 'You'd better come with us,' Horza told Balveda. 'I don't like leaving you here with all this equipment switched on.' 'Oh, Horza,' Balveda smiled, 'don't you trust me?' 'Oh, Horza,' Balveda smiled, 'don't you trust me?' 'Just walk in front and shut up,' Horza said in a tired voice, and pointed to indicate the direction he wanted to go in. Balveda shrugged and started walking. 'Just walk in front and shut up,' Horza said in a tired voice, and pointed to indicate the direction he wanted to go in. Balveda shrugged and started walking. 'Does she have to come?' Yalson said as she fell into step beside Horza. 'Does she have to come?' Yalson said as she fell into step beside Horza. 'We could always lock her up,' Horza said. He looked at Yalson, who shrugged. 'We could always lock her up,' Horza said. He looked at Yalson, who shrugged. 'Oh, what the h.e.l.l,' she said. 'Oh, what the h.e.l.l,' she said.

Unaha-Closp floated through the train. Outside, it could see the repair and maintenance cavern, all its machinery-lathes and forges, welding rigs, articulated arms, spare units, huge hanging cradles, a single suspended gantry like a narrow bridge-glinting in the bright overhead lights. The train was interesting enough; the old technology provided things to look at and bits and pieces to touch and investigate, but Unaha-Closp was mostly just glad to be by itself for a while. It had found the company of the humans wearing after a few days, and the Changer's att.i.tude distressed it most of all. The man was a speciesist! The train was interesting enough; the old technology provided things to look at and bits and pieces to touch and investigate, but Unaha-Closp was mostly just glad to be by itself for a while. It had found the company of the humans wearing after a few days, and the Changer's att.i.tude distressed it most of all. The man was a speciesist! Me, just a machine Me, just a machine, thought Unaha-Closp, how dare he how dare he! It had felt good when it had been able to react first in the tunnels, perhaps saving some of the others-perhaps even saving that ungrateful Changer-by knocking Xoxarle out. Much as it disliked admitting it, the drone had felt proud when Horza had thanked it. But it hadn't really altered the man's view; he would probably forget what had happened, or try to tell himself it was just a momentary aberration by a confused machine: a freak. Only Unaha-Closp knew what it felt, only it knew why it had risked injury to protect the humans. Or it It had felt good when it had been able to react first in the tunnels, perhaps saving some of the others-perhaps even saving that ungrateful Changer-by knocking Xoxarle out. Much as it disliked admitting it, the drone had felt proud when Horza had thanked it. But it hadn't really altered the man's view; he would probably forget what had happened, or try to tell himself it was just a momentary aberration by a confused machine: a freak. Only Unaha-Closp knew what it felt, only it knew why it had risked injury to protect the humans. Or it should should know, it told itself ruefully. Maybe it shouldn't have bothered; maybe it should just have let the Idiran shoot them. It just hadn't seemed like the right thing to do at the time. know, it told itself ruefully. Maybe it shouldn't have bothered; maybe it should just have let the Idiran shoot them. It just hadn't seemed like the right thing to do at the time. Mug Mug, Unaha-Closp told itself. It drifted through the bright, humming s.p.a.ces of the train, like a detached part of the mechanism itself. It drifted through the bright, humming s.p.a.ces of the train, like a detached part of the mechanism itself.

Wubslin scratched his head. He had stopped at the reactor car on his way to the control deck. Some of the reactor carriage doors wouldn't open. They had to be on some sort of security lock, probably controlled from the bridge, or flight deck, or footplate, or whatever they called the bit at the nose the train was controlled from. He looked out of a window, remembering what Horza had ordered. Aviger sat on the pallet, his gun pointing at the Idiran, who stood stock still against the girders. Wubslin looked away, tested the door through to the reactor area again, then shook his head. Aviger sat on the pallet, his gun pointing at the Idiran, who stood stock still against the girders. Wubslin looked away, tested the door through to the reactor area again, then shook his head.

The hand, the arm, was weakening. Above him, rows of seats faced blank screens. He pulled himself along by the stems of the chairs; he was almost at the corridor which led through to the front car. He wasn't sure how he would get through the corridor. What was there to hold onto? No point in worrying about it now. He grabbed at another chair stem, hauled at it. He wasn't sure how he would get through the corridor. What was there to hold onto? No point in worrying about it now. He grabbed at another chair stem, hauled at it.

From the terrace which looked over the repair area, they could see the front train, the one the drone was in. Poised over the sunken floor of the maintenance area, the glittering length of the train, nestling in the scooped half-tunnel which ran along the far wall, looked like a long thin s.p.a.ceship, and the dark rock around it like starless s.p.a.ce. Yalson watched the Culture agent's back, frowning. 'She's too d.a.m.n docile, Horza,' she said, just loud enough for the man to hear. Yalson watched the Culture agent's back, frowning. 'She's too d.a.m.n docile, Horza,' she said, just loud enough for the man to hear. 'That's fine by me,' Horza said. 'The more docile the better.' 'That's fine by me,' Horza said. 'The more docile the better.' Yalson shook her head slightly, not taking her eyes off the woman in front. 'No, she's stringing us along. She hasn't cared up till now; she's known she can afford to let things happen. She's got another card she can play and she's just relaxing until she has to use it.' Yalson shook her head slightly, not taking her eyes off the woman in front. 'No, she's stringing us along. She hasn't cared up till now; she's known she can afford to let things happen. She's got another card she can play and she's just relaxing until she has to use it.' 'You're imagining things,' Horza told her. 'Your hormones are getting the better of you, developing suspicions and second sight.' 'You're imagining things,' Horza told her. 'Your hormones are getting the better of you, developing suspicions and second sight.' She looked at him, transferring the frown from Balveda to the Changer. Her eyes narrowed. She looked at him, transferring the frown from Balveda to the Changer. Her eyes narrowed. 'What 'What?' Horza held up his free hand. 'A joke.' He smiled. Horza held up his free hand. 'A joke.' He smiled. Yalson looked unconvinced. 'She's up to something. I can tell,' she said. She nodded to herself. 'I can feel it.' Yalson looked unconvinced. 'She's up to something. I can tell,' she said. She nodded to herself. 'I can feel it.'

Quayanorl dragged himself through the connecting corridor. He pushed open the door to the carriage, crawled slowly across the floor. He was starting to forget why he was doing this. He knew he had to press on, go forward, keep crawling, but he could no longer recall exactly what it was all for. The train was a torture maze, designed to pain him.I am dragging myself to my death. Somehow even when I get to the end, where I can crawl no more, I keep going. I remember thinking that earlier, but what was I thinking of? Do I die when I get to the train's control area, and continue my journey on the other side, in death? Is that what I was thinking of?I am like a tiny child, crawling over the floor. ... Come to me, little fellow, says the train.We were looking for something, but I can't recall... exactly... what... it...

They looked through the great cavern, searching, then climbed steps to the gallery giving access to the station's accommodation and storage sections. Balveda stood at the edge of the broad terrace which ran round the cavern, midway between floor and roof. Yalson watched the Culture agent while Horza opened the doors to the accommodation section. Balveda looked out over the broad cavern, slender hands resting on the guard rail. The topmost rail was level with Balveda's shoulders; waist level on the people who had built the Command System. Balveda stood at the edge of the broad terrace which ran round the cavern, midway between floor and roof. Yalson watched the Culture agent while Horza opened the doors to the accommodation section. Balveda looked out over the broad cavern, slender hands resting on the guard rail. The topmost rail was level with Balveda's shoulders; waist level on the people who had built the Command System. Near where Balveda stood, a long gantry led out over the cavern, suspended on wires from the roof and leading to the terrace on the other side, where a narrow, brightly lit tunnel led into the rock. Balveda looked down the length of the narrow gantry at the distant tunnel mouth. Near where Balveda stood, a long gantry led out over the cavern, suspended on wires from the roof and leading to the terrace on the other side, where a narrow, brightly lit tunnel led into the rock. Balveda looked down the length of the narrow gantry at the distant tunnel mouth. Yalson wondered if the Culture woman was thinking of making a run for it, but knew she wasn't, and wondered then whether perhaps she only wanted Balveda to try, so she could shoot her, just to be rid of her. Yalson wondered if the Culture woman was thinking of making a run for it, but knew she wasn't, and wondered then whether perhaps she only wanted Balveda to try, so she could shoot her, just to be rid of her. Balveda looked away from the narrow gantry, and Horza swung open the doors to the accommodation section. Balveda looked away from the narrow gantry, and Horza swung open the doors to the accommodation section.

Xoxarle flexed his shoulders. The wires moved a little, sliding and bunching. The human they had left to guard him looked tired, perhaps even sleepy, but Xoxarle couldn't believe the others would stay away for very long. He couldn't afford to do too much now, in case the Changer came back and noticed how the wires had moved. Anyway, though it was far from being the most interesting way things could fall, there was apparently a good chance that the humans would be unable to find the supposedly sentient computing device they were all looking for. In that case perhaps the best course of action would be no action. He would let the little ones take him back to their ship. Probably the one called Horza intended to ransom him; this had struck Xoxarle as the most likely explanation for being kept alive. The human they had left to guard him looked tired, perhaps even sleepy, but Xoxarle couldn't believe the others would stay away for very long. He couldn't afford to do too much now, in case the Changer came back and noticed how the wires had moved. Anyway, though it was far from being the most interesting way things could fall, there was apparently a good chance that the humans would be unable to find the supposedly sentient computing device they were all looking for. In that case perhaps the best course of action would be no action. He would let the little ones take him back to their ship. Probably the one called Horza intended to ransom him; this had struck Xoxarle as the most likely explanation for being kept alive. The fleet might pay for the return of a warrior, though Xoxarle's family were officially barred from doing so, and anyway were not rich. He could not decide whether he wanted to live, and perhaps redeem the shame of being caught and paid for by future exploits, or to do all he could either to escape or to die. Action appealed to him most; it was the warriors' creed. When in doubt, do. The fleet might pay for the return of a warrior, though Xoxarle's family were officially barred from doing so, and anyway were not rich. He could not decide whether he wanted to live, and perhaps redeem the shame of being caught and paid for by future exploits, or to do all he could either to escape or to die. Action appealed to him most; it was the warriors' creed. When in doubt, do. The old human got up from the pallet and walked around. He came close enough to Xoxarle to be able to inspect the wires, but gave them only a perfunctory glance. Xoxarle looked at the laser gun the human carried. His great hands, tied together behind his back, opened and closed slowly, without him thinking about it. The old human got up from the pallet and walked around. He came close enough to Xoxarle to be able to inspect the wires, but gave them only a perfunctory glance. Xoxarle looked at the laser gun the human carried. His great hands, tied together behind his back, opened and closed slowly, without him thinking about it.

Wubslin came to the control deck in the nose of the train. He took his helmet off and put it on the console. He made sure it wasn't touching any controls, just covering a few small unlit panels. He stood in the middle of the deck, looking round with wide, fascinated eyes. The train hummed under his feet. Dials and meters, screens and panels indicated the train's readiness. He cast his eyes over the controls, set in front of two huge seats which faced over the front console towards the armoured gla.s.s which formed part of the train's steeply sloping nose. The tunnel in front was dark, only a few small lights burning on its side walls. The train hummed under his feet. Dials and meters, screens and panels indicated the train's readiness. He cast his eyes over the controls, set in front of two huge seats which faced over the front console towards the armoured gla.s.s which formed part of the train's steeply sloping nose. The tunnel in front was dark, only a few small lights burning on its side walls. Fifty metres in front, a complex a.s.sembly of points led the tracks into two tunnels. One route went dead ahead, where Wubslin could see the rear of the train in front; the other tunnel curved, avoiding the repair and maintenance cavern and giving a through route to the next station. Fifty metres in front, a complex a.s.sembly of points led the tracks into two tunnels. One route went dead ahead, where Wubslin could see the rear of the train in front; the other tunnel curved, avoiding the repair and maintenance cavern and giving a through route to the next station. Wubslin touched the gla.s.s, stretching his arm out over the control console to feel the cold, smooth surface. He grinned to himself. Gla.s.s: not a viewscreen. He preferred that. The designers had had holographic screens and superconductors and magnetic levitation-they had used all of them in the transit tubes-but for their main work they had not been ashamed to stick to the apparently cruder but more damage-tolerant technology. So the train had armoured gla.s.s, and it ran on metal tracks. Wubslin rubbed his hands together slowly and gazed round the many instruments and controls. Wubslin touched the gla.s.s, stretching his arm out over the control console to feel the cold, smooth surface. He grinned to himself. Gla.s.s: not a viewscreen. He preferred that. The designers had had holographic screens and superconductors and magnetic levitation-they had used all of them in the transit tubes-but for their main work they had not been ashamed to stick to the apparently cruder but more damage-tolerant technology. So the train had armoured gla.s.s, and it ran on metal tracks. Wubslin rubbed his hands together slowly and gazed round the many instruments and controls. 'Nice,' he breathed. He wondered if he could work out which controls opened the locked doors in the reactor car. 'Nice,' he breathed. He wondered if he could work out which controls opened the locked doors in the reactor car.

Quayanorl reached the control deck. It was undamaged. From floor level, the deck was metal seat stems, overhanging control panels and bright ceiling lights. He hauled himself over the floor, racked with pain, muttering to himself, trying to remember why he had come all this way. It was undamaged. From floor level, the deck was metal seat stems, overhanging control panels and bright ceiling lights. He hauled himself over the floor, racked with pain, muttering to himself, trying to remember why he had come all this way. He rested his face on the cold floor of the deck. The train hummed at him, vibrating beneath his face. It was still alive; it was damaged and like him it would never get any better, but it was still alive. He had intended to do something, he knew that, but it was all slipping away from him now. He wanted to cry with the frustration of it all, but it was as though he had no energy left even for tears. He rested his face on the cold floor of the deck. The train hummed at him, vibrating beneath his face. It was still alive; it was damaged and like him it would never get any better, but it was still alive. He had intended to do something, he knew that, but it was all slipping away from him now. He wanted to cry with the frustration of it all, but it was as th