Victory Conditions Read Online Free PDF

the illusion.
    Two big display cases flanked the room, their contents carefully illuminated: shells, feathers, mineral specimens, tree cones.
    “These are all from our estates downplanet,” Zori’s father said. “As you are planet-born, I thought you might like to see—I understand you have not been downplanet here yet?”
    “No, ser,” Toby said. “Not here.”
    “You know that we Cascadians revere trees—our family has over ten thousand hectares of primary forest, never terraformed, and five thousand terraformed, at Riverrunning, our primary home. The river provides fish, shellfish…see here…” He put an arm around Toby’s shoulder and urged him toward one of the displays. Toby felt the strength in the man’s arm, but it was not hostile…just vaguely uncomfortable.
    The shells looked like shells from the lake at home; Toby said so.
    “Yes. To our surprise—but I am not an ecologist, you understand—the native aquatic species build shells of calcium carbonate, and those shells are similar in shape to those of Old Earth organisms, I’ve been told. Here’s something different.”
    Something different had had an exoskeleton with long, intricately branched spines. It was a little longer than Toby’s hand.
    “That was from your river?”
    “No—that was a gift that’s come down through the family. I don’t know where it’s from, but I find it beautiful. The spines are still toxic, however long ago the creature died.”
    Zori’s father had moved his arm to gesture; Toby eased away to look more closely at the display.
    “I’m sure you’re wondering,” the man said, “when I will remind you that Zori is my beloved daughter, and demand that your attentions be honorable. And in fact, I had planned to have that conversation. But I can see, from your demeanor, that you are an honorable young man, and that you care for her very much. I see no need to threaten you—”
    “No, ser…” Toby began, but her father raised a finger for silence.
    “I would merely remind you that you are both young, and it is too soon to make binding agreements. You love her, you think—and perhaps you do. She loves you, she thinks—and perhaps she does. But many young people are in love with the idea of love, and cannot yet distinguish that from the true and lasting affection that leads to a secure relationship. I believe I can trust you—” His gaze sharpened. “—not to do anything foolish. Can I not?”
    “Yes, ser,” Toby said, hating the blush that he could feel heating his face. “I will not do anything…like that.”
    “Zori has always been headstrong,” her father said, looking away. “Like me, perhaps. Her mother is…more biddable.” In that was something that chilled, though Toby did not know what. “You will need to be the man, Toby. Do not let her have her way, when it comes to…foolishness. Do you understand me?”
    That much he understood. “I won’t, Ser Louarri,” he said formally.
    “Excellent. Now tell me—I hear from Zori that you have not only good general intelligence, but outstanding ability in certain technical fields. I am aware of your cousin’s patent application, and the contracts to manufacture this miraculous new device that will free ships from reliance on the ISC…it has already had an influence on the market. Is it true that this was your invention?”
    Something—he would never be quite sure what—tied Toby’s tongue for the merest instant, and Stella’s advice flashed into his mind. “Not really, Ser Louarri. I just noodled around a bit—it was more accidental than anything else, and others refined it.” At that moment, Toby remembered his security. But how—without extreme discourtesy—could he ask about that now?
    “It would have been truly remarkable if a boy your age had invented it,” her father said, smiling. “Well…I think perhaps we should join the ladies now. Lunch should be on the point of service.” He reached out and ruffled Toby’s hair,