The Cluster Series by Anthony Piers;

Author:Anthony, Piers;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.
Published: 2017-07-27T00:00:00+00:00

PART II

QUEST

Chapter 7:

Site of Mars

2Site nullified.2

EQuestion whether the Quotes obtained ancient science prior to nullification. There was aural generation of site-keying capacity in vicinity, departing shortly before 2's arrival.E

&Where did that aural generation travel?&

ETo the capital of the Quote empire, Planet Outworld.E

&Surely bringing ancient information there.&

ECluster conference is commencing now. I will monitor it from the viewpoint of Planet Outworld observation station and report as relevant.E

* * *

"Emergency Cluster Council Conference now declared in session. Rationale: display of information relating to Cluster security."

%Is there need for a full Cluster Conference? If this is merely another aspect of the energy problem that has plagued us for three thousand years—%

"No, Minister of Knyfh. This is a potential threat of invasion from extra-Cluster space."

δßInvasion? Ridiculous! None of our neighbor Clusters would make such an attempt. They surely have problems of their own, and the energy required merely to communicate is prohibitive!ß δ

"Minster of Qaval, it is one of your nationals who bear the report."

δßOne of ours! Put him on!ß δ

"I am a Qaval, a Duke of Planet Keep, Sphere Sador, Segment Etamin. I participated in—"

δßNo true Qaval speaks in Solarian Quotes! Is this a degenerate joke?ß δ

"Pay attention, kinkytail, lest you answer to the sword! I am using Solarian communication equipment, designed to project in Quotes regardless of intonation, as any quarterwit knows."

δßThat's a Qaval national! Proceed.ß

"I participated in the interrogation of a national of Segment Weew, who was in shock. He has evidence of—"

□Hold! If this matter sends Weews into shock, the Minister of Weew must be warned.□ []

@I am conversant with the situation, Minister of Lodo. We mattermitted Hweeh of Swees to Segment Etamin for shock treatment, believing that his information was vital to Cluster security. When a message from him was attempted, we pursued the matter and obtained his removal from the local situation, which was becoming tenuous owing to local politics. I have assimilated shock absorbers, and am prepared.@

"If the Segment Ministers will permit me to continue."

::Continue, Qaval of Quote.::

"Appreciation, Quadpoint of Andromeda. The Weew has news of the approach of an immense space fleet via mattermission. This fleet is now massed at the perimeter of the Cluster."

>::: * # Where?! # * :::>

∑How quickly the Fringe Segments react! Be not unduly concerned, Ministers of Freng, Thousandstar, Ast, and Furnace. A Cluster invasion would involve us all.∑σ

"Thank you for the reassurance, Novagleam. The enemy fleet is known to us as the obscure extra-Cluster configuration called the Space Amoeba. It is not formed of meteoric debris, but of sophisticated spaceships whose pattern of mattermission staging provides the formation with its typical configuration."

—You claim that one extra-Cluster formation is a fleet of space? This is difficult to believe.—

"I do so claim, Dash of Andromeda. A national of your Galaxy first evoked the expert testimony of the Weew astronomer."

—Play no games, Q of Q. What Sphere?—

"Sphere Slash."

∑Sphere Slash, the Accursed of Llume?∑

"Novagleam, we are all in this Cluster together! If we resume the rehearsal of past differences—"

—Put the curse on!—

"I am Herald the Healer, of Sphere Slash, Andromeda.

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