Test of Magnitude (The Torian Reclamation) Read Online Free PDF

trying it out. It’s …interesting. We think it would be best to have it fully examined before presenting it to the High Chancellor, so I’m sending it with you. I will arrange for Director Lan2, who is an old friend of mine, to meet you and receive it when you arrive at the Science Complex.”
    Mip7 nodded. “How does it work?”
    “It’s some kind of a magnet game. Watch.” He reached over and placed his hand in the middle of the frame. It lit up, and several sparks flew from the governor’s fingertips. The governor quickly withdrew his hand and began to caress his fingers. “That part stings a little.”
    Mip7 found himself mesmerized by the light field glowing inside the frame. He noticed the small metallic objects sitting on the desk were of two different shapes; some straight bars, and others curved in the shape of a crescent moon.
    The governor gathered the curved pieces and pushed them over to Mip7.
    “Curved goes first. Take one of your pieces and place it in the field. It doesn’t hurt, but there is an energy sensation when your fingertips are in there. According to the tutorial, you should place it where you ‘feel it belongs.’”
    “What’s the object of the game?” Mip7 asked.
    “The frame holds a magnetic energy field, which is manipulated by the placement of the pieces. The chancellor and I played several games, but we are not quite clear on the strategy involved. It’s a bit strange. You form a pattern with your pieces, but also try to break up your opponent’s pattern. The winner is the one who completes his pattern first, or something along those lines.”
    “What pattern am I trying to create?”
    The governor shook his head. “I don’t know, and I’m not sure if the winning patterns are even something that can be geometrically conceived in advance. You have to react to your opponent’s moves as well. Go ahead and place a piece in the field.”
    Mip7 held a game piece and studied it for a moment. He then picked up a second piece with his other hand and moved it all around the first one. They did not repel or attract each other. He cautiously moved his right hand with the game piece into the field. There was a small heat sensation in his hand as soon as it came into contact. He tried to push through to the other side, but could not penetrate the force of resistance from the light field. He could, however, move his piece around in the field. There was resistance in some areas, but it moved around freely in others. He found a spot he liked and let go, leaving the curved piece in a horizontal position near the center of the field with the ends pointed upward. It stayed in place.
    The governor then placed one of his bars at an angle directly above Mip7’s piece.
    “Yes,” the governor said, “I think you would be wise to leave all the negotiating up to Arkan9, and refrain from being combative with the scientists. If they are uncooperative, Arkan9 can always get Chancellor Renal5’s help, or maybe he can pull that Sheen trick of his on the Lab Director.”
    Mip7 went to place his second piece in the field, and noticed more pronounced feelings of resistance and free movement as he moved the piece about. He settled on positioning it directly under his first piece, in the same position.
    “You will start to notice stronger forces of repulsion and attraction as more pieces fill the field,” the governor said. He placed his second piece directly under Mip7’s two pieces, laying it vertically, blocking any further continuation of Mip7’s vertical pattern.
    Mip7 frowned.
    “Annoyed a little, aren’t you?” the governor asked.
    Mip7 looked up at the governor. “No, sir. I’m happy to accept my assignment and work as Arkan9’s subordinate. I am also glad to see cooperation between the space station and the Banorian Chancellor. Not that it matters, but I believe you both share my personal views regarding foreign policy.”
    “No—about the game.” The governor motioned to the game