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Main Core Workroom


Seignur Veeoni clearly loved her work, Theo thought, and she was not only knowledgeable, but able to share her knowledge with the ignorant.

Theo could feel Bechimo with her, taking in the lesson real-time, so she didn’t have to worry about any details getting by, but the marvel was that she didn’t feel that she was missing much. It wasn’t her field, and she didn’t make the mistake of thinking she was getting anything more than a tiny fraction of the researcher’s knowledge, but she wasn’t completely adrift, either.

Seignur Veeoni paused, and Theo stepped in.

“What I’m understanding is that assistance in building the rack systems would be useful to you,” she said. “There are several kinds of rack systems, each accommodating a particular kind of tile, the difference in the tiles having to do with their functions.”

“Yes, exactly.” Seignur Veeoni nodded sharply. “But there is another factor, Captain. The data-transfer process limits us. We are triple cleaning, and where possible replacing existing systems, in order to be certain that the new core is not contaminated by…undesirable residue.”

Is that something we can help with, Theo asked Bechimo in bond-space.

“There has been a development, Theo,” came the reply. “It may be that we are already assisting with the contamination problem.”

What does that mean?

“Perhaps further discussion on the topic should wait until you are back aboard.”

Right.

She looked to Seignur Veeoni.

“We’ll do some thinking about how we might help with the transfer work, too,” she said. “First, though, we’re committed to cleaning out the old core, which I understand from Jen Sin is tight work, not suitable, say, for Chernak or Stost. They’d be pleased to do the assembly work to your specs and under your supervision.”

Seignur Veeoni cast a speculative glance over the two pathfinders, frowning in consideration.

Before she could reply, Jen Sin arrived with a tall woman swathed in what looked like a star map. Her face was pale, wide forehead tapering to a pointed chin, her eyes large, up-tilted, and very dark. Her hair was nearly as pale as her face, and there were crystal beads glittering among the curls.

Her feet, Theo noted, shocked, were bare.

“Your pardon,” Jen Sin said, bringing the woman forward. “Cousin, allow me to make you known to Lorith, second light keeper. You may deal with her as you would with me in matters of Tinsori Light administration.”

“Sanderat,” Chernak said, surprisingly.

The tall woman turned to face her.

“Soldier,” she answered, utterly unafraid.

“My junior and I were pathfinders, Knife Sister. Finding ourselves in a new universe, we have adopted a new trade: ship’s security, attached to Bechimo.” She moved a big hand toward Theo.

“Serving under Captain Waitley.”

The woman sighed. “I also find myself in a new universe. Perhaps you will have time to talk with me of the old. Things became rather—confusing toward the end, and I have long wished to learn what occurred.”

“We will be pleased to debrief you,” Stost said, “with the understanding that everything was confused, at the end.”

She smiled at him. “I will look forward to the opportunity,” she said, and turned her great dark eyes on Theo.

“Captain Waitley, be welcome.”

“Thank you,” Theo said. “We’re here to assist. Please call on us for anything.”

“Be certain of it,” Lorith answered.

“Mentor Jones and Hazenthull nor’Phelium are approaching this location,” Tocohl said.

Jen Sin half-laughed and turned toward Seignur Veeoni.

“Researcher, my apologies. It had not been my intention to bring you a parade.”

Seignur Veeoni frowned.

“Mentor Jones is always welcome, and Hazenthull nor’Phelium should be informed that there are others of her race now on-station.”

The workroom door opened, admitting a tall person and a smaller one, both pilots, though neither was wearing leathers. The taller was pushing a cart filled with boxes, and continued to the left of the door, and the bench there.

The smaller came forward—male, taller than Jen Sin, but not as tall as Clarence. He had just enough plain yellow hair to be unremarkable, and well-opened blue eyes in a tan, agreeable face. As he came to Jen Sin’s side, she saw that he had a smattering of darker tan freckles across the bridge of his nose. His posture was neither Liaden nor Terran, but somehow soothing. He did and didn’t look—familiar. Theo frowned after the familiarity, feeling Bechimo running a match program in the background.

“Tolly Jones, mentor,” he said, meeting Theo’s eye and giving her an easy nod. “Cap’n Waitley?”

“Captain Waitley,” she admitted, and, realizing that she was frowning at the man, asked, “Have we met?”

An eyebrow twitched; he paused a beat, like he was studying her face, then gave her a rueful smile.

“Not that I bring to mind. But here’s what—I used to work Surebleak port security with Haz, here. You might’ve seen me, and me not you, if you unnerstan’ what I’m saying.”

“I understand,” Theo assured him, and raised a hand, showing him the pathfinders. “Chernak and Stost Strongline, ship security.”

The large woman joined them, and Theo smiled. “Hazenthull, I’m happy to see you.”

“Captain Waitley, it is good to see you again,” Hazenthull said. “The information I received from my captain is that these soldiers were once Explorers, as I was.”

“That is correct!” Stost said, Stost being the more socially outgoing of the pair. “We will have much to discuss. Also, we have messages for you, from Diglon Rifle and Nelirikk Explorer.”

“You have seen them? How—” Hazenthull interrupted herself with a shake of her head. “That is for later, when we can sit together as comrades.”

“We will make it soon,” Stost promised and Chernak nodded gravely.

“Mentor,” Seignur Veeoni said. “Captain Waitley’s crew will be assisting with the construction of the frames. We will therefore be able to put our whole attention on the matter of cleaning and transfer.”

“That’s good news,” Tolly Jones said, with a nod in Theo’s direction. “’Preciate the help.”

He turned toward Jen Sin.

“’Bout time for our meeting, isn’t it, Light Keeper? You might be innerested to know I’ve had an idea about that problem we were going to be talking about.”

Jen Sin eyed him. “A better idea?”

“Dozens better,” Tolly Jones told him with an earnest gravity that Theo recognized in her bones.

“Miri said you weren’t a cousin,” she blurted.

Tolly Jones’s shoulders tensed, and he turned back to her, blue eyes appraising.

“You’re quick,” he said. “Miri’s right, though—not a cousin. Not in the usual way of things. Comes to me, Cap’n Waitley, that you’d better get brought up to speed on this other situation, too. If Light Keeper Jen Sin’s all right with it, why don’t we all go down the hall a bit, and let Seignur Veeoni show her new helpers how she wants things done?”

He was fairly caught, Jen Sin thought wryly.

“Lorith,” he said, “you are on-deck, I fear.”

“Nothing to fear,” she said. “Are we expecting any more ships?”

“Not immediately,” he said, recalling Miri’s latest message. “But soon.”


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