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Station Day 43
Eltoro
Dock D


The situation had changed.

Director Formyne frowned at her readouts.

There were rack-and-tile systems at work on the station, but they were nothing like what would be needed to support sentience.

Added to that were the reports from the operatives who had fled the station aboard Invictus, of a malevolent, hungry intelligence, stalking them for food.

Ling had apparently allowed himself to be killed by this…being, lending credence to its existence, the fact of which Director Formyne took leave to doubt. Infuriating, as usual.

As much as she had worked for his downfall, Ling’s death at this moment was inconvenient to her long-term plans. Lack-of-Ling created a power vacuum that she ought to have filled.

That she was not at the Institute, positioned to step into her proper place at the head of the Free Logic Project made her success at Tinsori Light even more critical.

But matters at Tinsori Light were changed. Drastically changed.

Oh, she had not expected the Old Light to be present—evidence that it had died in the local-space energy adjustment was overwhelming on that point.

She had, however, expected to find a rack-and-tile system supporting station operations. She had planned on there being a rack-and-tile system supporting station operations. The subversion of those systems via the tile system built according to Veeoni’s own notes was central to her plan to acquire the Light for the Institute.

She needed information.

Unfortunately, the reports of those who had fled the imaginary malicious energy eater were not useful.

No, she thought abruptly, perhaps they were useful, after all.

She leaned toward her screen—and leaned back.

Yes.

Korval’s witch was on-station. Apparently the news that she had lost—or been stripped!—of her abilities had been overstated. That—was interesting.

Thirteen-Sixty-Two was also on-station, which was…surprising. Thirteen-Sixty-Two was clever and elusive, known for always having a back door or a bolt-hole. One wondered why he had allowed himself to be effectively trapped on a remote station. She would make certain to ask him, after he was reattached.

What was most interesting, however, was the presence of Thirteen-Forty-Four.

Alone of the sixteen Lyre Institute operatives who had been present on Tinsori Light, Thirteen-Forty-Four had not retreated from the imaginary mind-eating monster.

Thirteen-Forty-Four was resourceful, but despite several annoying enthusiasms, Director Varge was not a fool. Yet Varge had panicked and run, while Delia Bell—had not.

Clearly, her first move must be to contact Thirteen-Forty-Four.


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Framed