The Web and the Stars

by Brian Herbert

  “When I awaken. So odd,” Noah repeated. “Those strange podships veered away from me and fled in fear. Even this podship does not accept me. I sense its fear.”

  “I know,” she said, softly.

  “Why can’t the podships understand that I don’t want to hurt them?”

  “Don’t you know?” she responded. “After you recommended the establishment of pod station defense mechanisms all over the Merchant Prince Alliance, three podships were destroyed at the Canopa station. Podships, even cloned ones, know your part in the destruction of their kind. They sense it, smell it on you.”

  “I know that, of course, but I only did what I had to do, because of the terrible Mutati military threat. That’s what I mean, that they should be able the sense the truth, the unavoidable actions I took.”

  “On some level this podship might realize that,” Tesh said. “Perhaps that is why it permits you this close.”

  As Noah touched the interior skin of the creature, it recoiled and shuddered. “This is most distressing to me,” he said.

  “I understand,” she said, “and perhaps in time they will, too. I don’t blame you for the podships. You only did what you thought was necessary.”

  He smiled winsomely, and saw its disarming effect on her.

  “Noah, I still care about you, despite all that has occurred.” She smiled gently. “Since you have come to me in this manner, does that mean I’m your dream girl?”

  “No question about that. I knew it the moment I set eyes on you, though I tried to deny it, tried to stay away from you. Look at this! I can’t seem to get away from your charms, even when I sleep.”

  They drew together, and kissed.…

  On the podship, Noah and Tesh had their first sexual encounter. For both of them it was astounding, but Noah wondered how it could have possibly occurred, since she was actually so tiny in her physique, a creature the size of a Human finger. Previously she had explained that the magnification system around her was so complete that it processed physical acts—in all of their intimate details—as if her body was really much larger.

  But now, experiencing the spectacular sensuality with her, Noah could hardly believe it.

  Chapter Eighty-Three

  We have not yet seen all of the life forms that can be created in this universe.

  —Tulyan Warning, a common finding of the timeseers

  “I hate him as much as Francella does,” Lorenzo muttered.

  He stomped around The Pleasure Palace, where robots and other workers were preparing for the evening’s gambling activities, carrying immense trays of food and setting up the finest wines and other liquors. Even with the cessation of podship travel, Lorenzo still had his valuable wines, especially old growth redicios and vintage champanas from around the galaxy, having accumulated them during his two-decade tenure as Doge. Keeping all of that was part of the deal when he abdicated. He also kept the del Velli corporate operations and his own Red Beret forces, stationed on the ground near two shuttle stations and on the orbiter.

  Maintaining pace with the aged but still spry man, Pimyt moved his little legs rapidly. “It is too bad we didn’t kill him,” the Hibbil said. “Now Noah is making important political advances, aligning himself with the new Doge.”

  “My foolish son Anton,” Lorenzo grumbled. “I’d disown him, but he has his own wealth now and wouldn’t care. My options are badly diminished. Why isn’t Francella keeping them apart? And what about her promise to give me access to the Office of the Doge? She must be dying. It can’t be good that we haven’t heard from her.”

  “Noah still has our prisoners,” Pimyt said. “Shouldn’t we negotiate with him for their return?”

  “I don’t negotiate, unless I have the upper hand. You should know that by now. You taught it to me.

  “True enough, but it’s embarrassing to linger like this.”

  “Hang embarrassment. It can’t be worse than our failed attack, or having to abdicate.” Lorenzo gestured with his hands as he spoke, and accidentally slammed into a tray carried by a young waitress, spilling food on all three of them and sending dishes crashing to the floor.

  “Oh, excuse me, Your Magnificence!” she said.

  Workers hurried to clean up the mess while the flustered woman used a towel to wipe Lorenzo’s billowing white tunic, where a crepe had soiled the fabric.

  “You’re only making it worse!” he thundered. “Get away from me!”

  She burst into tears and hurried away.

  Kicking the tray out of his way, Lorenzo continued his angry march around the casino, ignoring the soiled white shirt and the food on his shoes.

  “Do you think the Doge might attack me?” Lorenzo asked.

  “Unthinkable. That would cause an uproar against him by the merchant princes.”

  “Still, I want more protection up here. I want you to order more of my soldiers onto the orbiter.”

  “But that would require reducing our forces at the shuttle stations, where they perform screening operations to keep undesirables from coming up here.”

  “Then put in a requisition and get me more troops. Raise a stink about it.”

  “Yes, Sire. Right away.”

  “We’ll pay for it … or some of it… if we have to, but only as a last resort. Don’t offer anything Just make demands. I want more powerful gunships patrolling the space around us, too.”

  “All right. I’ll take care of it.” As if afraid that Lorenzo would give him a longer list, the little attaché hurried away, leaving almost as rapidly as the waitress.

  Pimyt would prefer to have Lorenzo still in charge of the Merchant Prince Alliance, since it gave the HibAdu Coalition more opportunities to set up their military plans. But the coded nehrcom messages he had received told him that things were going well enough anyway, with Hibbil and Adurian troops stationed strategically on merchant prince and shapeshifter worlds, ready for major, simultaneous attacks.

  For his own personal safety, and for the benefit of the clandestine military operations, Pimyt did not want the orbiter to fall under attack. Conceivably, Noah Watanabe could convince Doge Anton to mount an offensive against Lorenzo. It was not likely, but he wanted to eliminate the possibility.

  Purporting to operate under the authority of Lorenzo, Pimyt dispatched a priority telebeam transmission to Doge Anton, asking him to broker a peace conference between Lorenzo and Noah. The Doge Emeritus would not be pleased to learn what he was doing, but Pimyt didn’t care. It would protect the orbiter, and would give the Hibbil the additional time he needed to accomplish the goals of the Coalition.

  Pimyt was stalling for time, but didn’t need very much more now. The Adurians had discovered a way to speed up the process of growing cloned podships. As a result, the fleet was expanding rapidly, and the ships were filling with troops and military materiel.

  Within the hour, Pimyt received a response from Anton’s office, saying the Doge was away on important business, and would attend to the matter upon his return. There were other things as well—referred to in the communication, but not explained—that needed to be taken care of before any arrangements could be made for a peace conference.

  Chapter Eighty-Four

  The universe is a treasure chest filled with mysteries.

  —A Saying of Lost Earth

  As Tesh emerged from the sleeping quarters that she shared with female Guardians, she found Doge Anton del Velli awaiting her. He stood at the top of a stairway that led down to the cavern floor from the barracks building, with his arms folded across his chest.

  “I thought we might have breakfast together,” he said.

  “We can talk here,” she said, scuffing her foot on the deck. “I don’t feel like getting indigestion, with you at the table pressing me for what you want.”

  “I need to get to the Tulyan Starcloud right away. It’s very important. Look, you’re the one who suggested a diplomatic mission to the Parvii Fold.”

  “I suggested it to Noah, not to you. As
far as I’m concerned, you’re not needed.” She paused. “In any way.”

  “It isn’t going to help the situation if you and I can’t be on cordial terms. That’s the least we should do, after the feelings we shared in the past. Besides, I never did anything to hurt you. Why are you taking this attitude with me?”

  “Because I sense something, that you aren’t telling me the whole truth.”

  He sighed. “I just think the diplomatic mission needs to be undertaken with more preparation. I’m willing to throw my full efforts into the enterprise, and we need high-level Tulyan involvement, too. You can’t just go to the Parvii Fold with Noah Watanabe, only the two of you. Is that what you have in mind?”

  “I assume he might bring some of his top Guardians, such as Subi Danvar and Thinker. I know he has others, too, who have negotiating skills.”

  “Well, we need a lot more than that.”

  “How much more?”

  “That’s what I want to discuss with the Tulyan Elders.”

  “Is military force part of your plan?”

  “The Tulyans are pacifists.”

  “Throughout most of their history, they were. But their mindlink attack with comets changed all of that. I’m afraid they aren’t in the right frame of mind to talk with Woldn. And Woldn isn’t going to feel favorably toward them.”

  “We can’t just go to the Parvii Fold in one ship, with a few people. No matter the high office I hold, we need more of a show than that. If the Tulyans pitch in and we fill their podships with a diplomatic delegation, that will carry more weight with Woldn.”

  She eyed him skeptically. “You’re still not telling me everything, are you?”

  He grimaced. “You know me too well. But please understand that in my position, I cannot provide all of the details. This is a matter between Human and Tulyan governments, at the highest levels.”

  “And I’m a mere pilot, you mean?”

  “No, it’s just that certain matters of galactic security must remain confidential. I am the Doge, and you must respect that.”

  “You’re not my Doge. I am a Parvii, not a Human.” She paused. “So, you admit wanting to discuss additional, unspecified matters with the Council of Elders?”

  “They involve sensitive diplomatic issues.”

  “And Tulyan caretaking operations for MPA planets?”

  “Perhaps,” he said.

  She kept her eyes narrow. “They will do that even if you don’t ask for their help. I know them, and understand their motives. MPA sectors will get the same treatment as other sectors, according to priorities. Are you going to ask them for favoritism? Is that it?”

  “Of course not. I only expect what we deserve.”

  Shaking her head so that her long black hair made a snapping sound, she asked, “Why don’t you send a message through Zigzia, the Tulyan female who works with Noah’s Guardians? Through her, he is in regular contact with the Council of Elders, sending messages across Timeweb.”

  “We tried that, but there are transmission problems, and we haven’t been able to get clear signals through. It’s patchy at best; signals keep breaking up. Zigzia and Noah think it has something to do with the galactic infrastructure failing.”

  She was about to say something, but instead glowered and took a deep breath.

  “For this mission, I can only do it in person,” he said. “Maybe it’s meant to be. There can be no intermediaries, no couriers or messaging technology. I must look in their eyes, and they must look in mine.”

  “Then you’re not in any position to ignore me, are you? Not if you want to hitch a ride.”

  He reddened. “You’re absolutely impossible!”

  “And you’re not?”

  “This matter can’t be delayed,” Anton said. “Don’t you understand? The galactic infrastructure is failing, and we need to leave right away!”

  “And if I say no, the whole damned galaxy falls apart?”

  “Something like that. Yeah.”

  “Why is it all on my shoulders?” Her eyes smoldered.

  “It’s not. We’re in this together.”

  “Well, I don’t feel that way.”

  “This goes way beyond feelings, Tesh. It goes beyond emotions.”

  “You just said the wrong thing again, Mister. As usual.”

  Before Anton could recover, she whirled and left.

  Too upset to eat, Tesh headed for her podship. Nearing the tunnel that led to the vessel she ran straight into Noah Watanabe, as he rounded a corner.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said, as he stumbled trying to avoid her. The two of them remained on their feet, and stood looking at each other awkwardly.

  “That’s all right,” she said with a smile. “I have a lot of insulation in my energy field. It acts like an airbag, reducing any impact on my body.”

  “I was just looking in on our newest robot recruits,” he said. “Gio Nehr was responsible for tearing them down and inspecting their programs, so to play it safe we’ve been checking all of his work.”

  “I’m heading for Webdancer. Oh, that’s what I call my …the podship.”

  “I like it. Do you want company?”

  “To pick up where we left off?”

  He frowned in confusion as they began to walk together. “Kind of. I was going to ask you what you decided to do about Anton’s request. He’s young and doesn’t always put things very well, especially to you, it seems.”

  “We just had an ex-lovers’ spat,” she said.

  “Oh, so you turned him down?”

  “It wasn’t about that. But even if it had been, I’d turn him down. But never you. I enjoyed last night.”

  “What?”

  “In the podship.” She tossed her long hair over one shoulder. “We made love, in case you’ve forgotten so soon.”

  “That really happened?”

  With a smile, she said, “I’d say so.”

  They reached the end of the tunnel, and passed through the electronic security.

  “I thought it was a dream,” he said. “My physical body wasn’t with you.”

  “Sure seemed like it to me. It was terrific, like supernatural sex.”

  Noah thought about this and finally said, “Maybe it’s a projection of some sort—like your magnification system makes touching your projected skin seem real. Maybe I locked onto something like that while I was dreaming.”

  “I can’t think of a better explanation.”

  “Actually it seemed like more than a dream before I was with you. I was out in the galaxy, taking a telepathic trip through Timeweb. I didn’t try to get out there, either. I was pulled out of my dream.”

  “Strange.”

  Ahead, beneath a shimmering veil of electronic security, the gray-and-black podship waited. They mounted a platform next to it, and a side hatch yawned open.

  “Will Webdancer allow me to board?” Noah asked.

  Tesh touched the mottled skin of the creature, and stroked it gently. “I think so,” she said. “The podship knows I’m in full control now, and that you pose no threat.”

  With trepidation, Noah followed her. As in his dream, he saw the trembling of the vessel’s interior skin, and he moved forward quietly, as non-threateningly as he could. He had heard of podships reacting to intruders by sealing themselves up and closing off all sections, suffocating the passengers.

  Gradually, the trembling of the thick skin ceased, and Noah breathed a sigh of relief. But he had no illusions about regenerating his past piloting abilities. He thought that Tesh’s presence, and her feelings of support for him, were calming influences on the creature. On a level that he didn’t understand, these podships were able to sense danger, and he was pleased that he seemed to be making some small progress in convincing one of them that he was not a danger to their race.

  “How does your magnification system work?” Noah asked, keeping his voice down. “That might give us a clue as to what happened between us last night.”

  “I don’t know
how the system works,” she said, “only that it does.” They paused in the middle of the passenger compartment, and the hatch shut behind them, a compression of cellular material over the opening. “Just as we don’t understand how podships work, but we use them anyway.”

  “How do you activate your magnification feature?”

  Pushing the collar of her blouse aside a little, she pointed to a tiny, dark mark on the skin of her neck. “I rub that spot for a moment. It’s an implanted device.”

  “Med tech?”

  “Enhanced. It creates an energy field all around me that makes me look much larger than I really am.”

  “But what happened with us last night wasn’t technological. Unless.…”

  “Unless what?”

  “Unless there really is an area of overlap between the scientific and the spiritual. I’ve never been devoutly religious, have considered myself more of an agnostic about such matters. But the Scienscroll of the merchant princes says there is an overlap, a theoscientific universe of the heavens.”

  “Maybe the explanation lies in the holy scriptures of your race,” Tesh said. “In fact, the more I think about it, maybe that isn’t as odd as it sounds. After all, there is a distant genetic link between Humans and Parviis.”

  “Perhaps, though I’m not a student of religion. Or, the answer lies in a combination of truths from the Parviis, from Humans, and from all of the other galactic races, including the Tulyans.”

  “I hate to think that Mutatis are part of God’s sacred design,” Tesh said. “They’re more like something out of the undergalaxy, something that should have never been allowed to escape.” She shuddered at the thought. Then, as if to calm herself, she ran a hand along a bulkhead wall, and felt the faint pulse of Webdancer.

  “Sometimes it’s hard to envision the truth.”

  “At least you have eternal life now,” she pointed out. “That gives you enough time to investigate the greatest questions in the universe and discover the answers.”

  “You mean like, ‘What is the meaning of life?’”

  She nodded. “Maybe it’s even bigger than that. Maybe the question should be, ‘What is the meaning of the universe?’”