The Great Symmetry Read Online Free PDF Page B

the full transmission that came from that ship.” She felt him tense. “That one − the ship that came in from the direction of Cappella and then was destroyed. The entire encrypted portion. And most especially, it can’t come back to me.”
    “Mira, I’m not − I’m not sure I can do it. ”
    “For me, you will, right? It’s worth a lot to me, and I’ll pay. A thousand coins.”
    Mira listened carefully to the quiet whisper in her ear. “No really, I’m not sure I can. Heavily sequestered. It was broadcast everywhere, but the monitors were just seconds behind, connecting into every civilian system, finding it and wiping. Anyway, ten thousand, if it’s even possible.”
    “Okay, ten,” Mira readily agreed, even though that would wipe out most of her savings. “But w hat about ships in orbit? They wouldn’t be directly connected to a network, right?”
    “Where the monitors couldn’t access remotely, they boarded, wiping out drives or just carting them off. From what I heard, scary as anything. They meant business. They even left ships unable to navigate, just towed them to the nearest station and let the crews figure it out. It’s out there, I know, but to ask is to get stuck in the web.”
    “I believe in you, Kes. Come on, too tough for you to pull it off? And you’ll want it for the Codex, anyway. Hey, don’t forget, we’re here for recreation.” She gave his neck a sensuous rub.
    “I’ll see what I can do.”
    Mira smiled in triumph, even as she still held him. “That means it’s in the bag. As soon as you get it, meet me here. Just send me a ping, you don’t have to say anything, and I’ll be here. Bring it on a physical device, okay? Just optical read, not radio. Kes, I really need this, at the first possible moment. I know you can help.”
    “Mira, why do I find myself agreeing to do things for you?”
    “Because it’s me! See you soon, right here. Ping me the moment you have it.” Mira stood up and began a backflip in the same motion, arcing down through the tree, and so she left him.
    Rental Captain
    Arn Lobeck ate up the corridor at more than a meter per step, reducing them to a hurrying rabble. “Sir, if you will, allow me to brief you on the situation,” Captain Roe forced out. He was making three steps for each two of Lobeck’s strides.
    “I will conduct a briefing,” Lobeck told him. “Meanwhile, let me tell you my requirements. I need a full officer suite. My belongings will be placed there by a member of my staff who will board in approximately ten minutes. Thereafter, no crew members will enter my suite. I require full private use of the forward gymnasium for not less than five hours per day, at times I will determine.”
    “Five hours! But sir, gym time is slotted weeks in advance, and−”
    “If any of your crew have objections, I will be glad to discuss the matter with them. Do you think there will be any problem?” Lobeck did not pause for an answer.
    “Sir, we work hard to keep up morale here, and as you know, sir, that’s essential on a ship like this −”
    Lobeck turned on Roe, who suddenly found himself standing with his back to the corridor wall. “Morale, yes. I can think of several things which would hurt morale more than losing gym time. Things that could happen if there is any evidence of an inability to faithfully execute orders down to the last detail. This ship is mine for as long as I need it, in service to the Affirmatix Family in accordance with our civic partnership. You are a rent-a-crew. Do I make myself clear?”
    Roe looked up at Lobeck. The man was tall, and defined by muscle through his entire body. Even where his dark clothing was loose, somehow the impression of muscle underneath came through. His features, his unlined skin and absolutely white teeth, could not possibly be real for any man more than twenty years old. Lobeck’s blue eyes were directly upon Roe, unwavering.
    “Yes, sir,” Roe managed.
    “Then let us go to the