The

Journeyman’s

Talent

Ray McCarthy

PREVIEW SAMPLE

Books by Ray McCarthy

Talents Universe

The Apprentice’s Talent

The Journeyman’s Talent

The Solar Alliance

Starship Chief

The Master’s Talent

The Legal Talent

The Mission’s Talent

Tellus’s Last Talents

Celtic Otherworld

Under the Stone of Destiny

Carrying the Shining Sword

Seeking the Flaming Spear

Hero Genesis

No Silver Lining

Exiles and Rooks

Fairy Godmothers

Conspiracies and Rooks

The Fay Child

Artists and Rooks

Dwarves and Rooks

Goths and Rooks

Jewels and Rooks

Tom Óg and the Firebirds

The Wooing of Marion

The Ending of Marion

The Ensorcelled Maid

Four Kids, one Foxe

Geena and the Prince

Trader’s Isle

The Seven Talismans

The White Fire Stones

The Journeyman’s Talent

Ray McCarthy

Talents Universe 2

PREVIEW SAMPLE

Maisie is no longer an Apprentice, but a Journeyman studying to be a Master, three times over, at the Circle College for Talent, 80,000 light years from Earth, on Caemoria. But on a visit to Laramos city to sign a contract for her full spectrum colour system she narrowly escapes being murdered. Why does she want to own a Flitter? Why was the Mogul of House Funathim assassinated?

What will she spend her rapidly growing quantity of credits on? How has Earth managed to build a fusion powered starship without Talent? Maisie thinks it’s a bad sign that Earth has named them the ‘Valkyrie Class’ and that Russia, China, Europe and USA have all switched their military budgets to co-operate and build Valkyries, all managed by the Solar Alliance. The Wildgrave Plonnis seeks to understand by questioning Maisie while helping her to spend her new found wealth. She’s still the only Tellurian to ever leave the Solar System, till the first Valkyrie ‘jumps’ just beyond the Kuiper belt.

The cover is a photo-montage by Michael Watterson.

Copyright conditions: All Rights Reserved, purchases may be archived securely or converted for personal use to other ebook formats. Uploading or sharing copies is violation of copyright even if the file was obtained without cost.

Title: The Journeyman’s Talent

Text Copyright © 2016, 2021 Ray McCarthy, Michael Watterson

Cover Copyright © 2017, 2021 Michael Watterson

Version 1.18

Originally published by Corvids Press 28th May 2016.

All persons are imaginary.

Amazon ASIN: B01EIZQEPC

Smashwords ISBN: 9781311704269

Also published by Corvids Press

Corvids Press epub ISBN: 9781801021326

Large Print ISBN: 9781801021043

Hardback ISBN: 9781801020978

Large paperback ISBN: 9781801021111

Medium paperback ISBN: 9781801021180

Pocketbook ISBN: 9781801021258

CC Audiobook ISBN: 9781801021555

BISAC: Fiction / Science Fiction / Adventure

Full version is about 133,350 words

About the Talents Universe series

The ‘Talents Universe’ series are all stories connected by characters with the mysterious Talent, of which there are seven kinds, or with some involvement of the Caemorian Empire, a world 80,000 light years away from Earth (Tellus) on the other side of the Milky Way. Apart from Jump Drive for the starships and the psychic like Talent, the Science Fiction attempts to be compatible with known science.

Circle College campus, Caemoria.

Mostly involving the activities of the Caemorian Empire, a single planet 80,000 light years from Earth. They are about 5000 years more advanced. Their culture dominates nearly a third of the Milky Way. Anyone developing Talent, always at puberty, must be trained in the Circle College on Caemoria.

Many of the stories involve Maisie Kelly from Ireland. She is the only person from Earth with the special Talent. The time scale is contemporary, and as we didn’t notice any giant starship visiting, it must be an alternate reality? The series was started in 1997 as a contemporary themed First Contact story, though parts were written in 1988.

‘The Apprentice’s Talent’, ‘The Journeyman’s Talent’ and ‘The Master’s Talent’ are a trilogy but work stand-alone; they follow Maisie’s career. ‘The Solar Alliance’ is about parallel events on Earth to the first two books. ‘Starship Chief’ is a prequel and can be read directly after The Apprentice’s Talent though before The Master’s Talent.

https://www.corvidspress.com/

Visit the site to make comments, corrections or visit the blogs. The link, text and QR code are all the same location. Use your phone’s QR scanner if reading on paper or an old ereader with no HTTPS support.

Contents

1: House Funathim

2: Recollections

3: Aftermath

4: On the Beach

5: Goroganst

6: Naleena and Freidin

7: Plonnis is Ominous

8: Hitting the Street

9: Karah the Jaggit

10: New Boy

11: Not the Dancing Queen

12: Raelf and the Cabal

13: History Lessons

14: At the Sleepover

15: Theatre

16: Culture

17: Enchantment

18: Dressing Up, Virtually

19: The Birthday

20: Maisie’s Second Ball

21: Is this a Good Idea?

22: To the Manor Born

23: Laramos University

24: The First Dalriada Dance

25: Demonstration

26: The Office of the Wildgrave

27: Speak Softly…

28: The Weapons Demo

29: The Emperor’s Ball

30: The Woods by Night

31: Kertlen and Maisie

Other Books

The Celtic Otherworld Series

The Talent Universe Series

The Traders Isle Series

1: House Funathim

Great Houses: C.U. 3444:4

The Great Houses, run by Moguls, are the closest thing that Caemoria, or indeed most homeworlds influenced by that culture, have that is like a global corporation. The Guilds are of similar importance in the Caemorian economy

—Princess N’Riada

House Funathim had supplied Maisie’s high end Slabs – workstation and portable – two viewscreens and now three radio sets. Maisie had outlined her full spectrum colour camera and display technology to them in the lab for probably the last time. Her Karnd Assistant, Kaytim, had initially persuaded them to visit her. It was full spectrum and multi-species due to having 37 rather than 3 colours, from the infra-red to ultraviolet visible to some species of humans. Even for Tellurians like herself the images looked better.

“So what should I do next?” Maisie asked Arch Chancellor Millifore in his study.

“You should use the College solicitor, have him and two others at the meeting.”

“What about Master Granis and Olef?”

“I think not Olef, he knows nothing of such technology, or dealing with the Houses,” said Millifore. “Kaytim is good, but for this meeting, take Granis, he has experience dealing with the Houses for college equipment. Take Kaytim in any case.”

“Timot is probably too young, so perhaps Anit?” Maisie asked.

“If Granis won’t go, then Anit,” he agreed, “she’s actually only a little older than Timot, but she is a Journeyman. Timot’s only an Apprentice, so has to be chaperoned by a Master at all times. I’ll send you the details of Lord Garvisin, Baron of Delarim Village, our Solicitor. You definitely need him too.”

~

Later Maisie sought out Granis in the library. “Hello, Granis.”

“Hello, you,” Granis replied. “I guess you want to beg another driving lesson.”

“Yes, please,” said Maisie, “the last one, but I have another favour to ask.”

“And?”

“I’m meeting the Mogul of House Funathim, Baron Hornlanthe.”

“About the colour systems?”

“Yes, I need someone familiar with my system who is older than Anit. The solicitor, Lord Garvisin, will be representing me and the College. I’ll have Kaytim too.”

“You don’t know who he is bringing?”

“No, but Millifore says the top House Funathim solicitor and two technical people would be the convention.”

“He’s right. Funathim is stickler for protocol,” said Master Granis. “You are lucky that your Assistant is so forceful and technically capable. None of the other Assistants have her science background. I’m glad your driving test is soon though. This will be the last lesson. I’ll do it.”

Kaytim was delighted to be on the team.

* * *

“So what are you doing after this?” Granis asked Maisie in the Carrier on the way to the meeting.

“Some fun with friends, study to be a Master,” said Maisie. “That’s what I want and what Millifore recommends. No trip back to Tellus till I’m a Master and the politics is stable.”

“No library centre programming now you’ll have more time?” he pressed.

“I don’t intend to do library centre programming, ever,” said Maisie. “I’ve never suggested I would. I hated that sort of programming in my job in Dublin. The Arch Chancellor also recommended that I shouldn’t, though it was advice he didn’t need to give.”

“I see,” said Granis, “so why did you ask me along?”

“The Arch Chancellor suggested you had relevant experience, otherwise I’d have brought Anit. You do understand my system and you have commercial experience, experience negotiating with Moguls.”

“Only the rather junior sales people,” muttered Granis.

The rest of the journey was in silence. Kaytim concentrated on driving the College Carrier. Maisie could tell that Granis was very cross. Surely the College could hire programmers?

The demonstration of the colour display Slab, viewscreen, cameras – small for personal items and a professional one built into an existing mono broadcast station camera case and optics – and head-up displays in modified fint rider helmets had gone flawlessly. The technical people of House Funathim had spent days at the College and actually fabricated most of the prototypes. This meeting was about finalising a deal.

“So why are you insisting on so many credits in advance?” Baron Hornlanthe asked Maisie.

“I want an executive Flitter,” said Maisie.

“A strange ambition,” he replied, “but then do you mind if it is not new?”

“Not especially, as everything is built to last, but pre-owned are nearly as expensive and more difficult for me to organise.”

“What if you had one of mine?” he suggested. “It was new for my grandfather, it can take a Carrier and perhaps fints too, or small cargo, it has accommodation for twelve, perhaps more luxurious than you could afford new or pre-owned elsewhere.”

He manipulated the larger Slab he had and slid it to her.

“It seems slightly larger and better suited than I could have bought. Why?”

“I never use it. It will make the deal sweeter for both of us. I certainly will not agree to that amount of credits in advance.”

“What you think, Master Granis?” asked Maisie.

Granis signed it was OK.

Maisie frowned. He’d not been very helpful. Kaytim had been more supportive. “Lord Garvisin?”

“I see no legal impediment, if it is what you want? The value of it might higher than the credits you asked, or might be less,” said Lord Garvisin.

“Assistant Kaytim?”

“It’s likely not had much use, saving for one will take a while. I suppose you can persuade Dairig to fly it for you occasionally. You can always resell it.”

“OK, Baron Hornlanthe,” said Maisie, “I accept your unexpected and generous offer.” She thought though that she’d only sell it if she or Kaytim couldn’t get a pilot’s certificate.

Maisie agreed to value the Flitter as if it was the advance she had asked for. It did make the deal better for both sides as the House didn’t have to use any actual credits and Maisie got a far better Flitter than the advance would have covered. Second hand was really as good as new the way Caemorians built stuff.

“What ever is in the Flitter is yours too,” said the Baron. “That’s in the agreement and there is an official inventory of the fittings.” Then he laughed.

Maisie felt sure there was some hidden joke or catch, but she couldn’t imagine what it was. She raised her eyebrows at Kaytim. Kaytim shrugged.

The Baron entered the last clause, printed eleven copies and all eight people signed every copy as well as transferring legal versions of the contracts on the Crystal Net. There was an additional copy each for House Funathim and the Circle College archives and the last for the Government Registry office. Maisie put her customary signature and printed the Karndic transliteration below. The printed copies were just a tradition rather than really needed.

“Now we can relax and celebrate. Some special Molruk and sweetmeats,” said Baron Hornlanthe. “Perhaps your signature is valuable, your Highness.” He laughed again as he examined it.

By whatever pre-arranged signal a Karnd couple, a woman and man, came in each with a large tray. The man set out the eight mugs and the woman filled them at the second as yet unused table. They all moved to the second table with the mugs and food.

“To a long and rewarding partnership,” said Baron Hornlanthe and raised his mug for the traditional toast.

“Indeed,” everyone replied.

Maisie took a sip and instantly knew by her Mage Talent she was poisoned, possibly dying. “Don’t drink!” She shouted simultaneously as she neutralised the poison. It must be a nerve toxin. She started with the House Funathim Technician beside her, then Lord Garvisin on her other side. She was dimly aware of Granis exercising his talent. One of the advantages of Talent was being able to learn to consciously think of more than one thing simultaneously.

As quickly as possible Granis and Maisie shifted their Talent from person to person. Granis though was very much slower. Granis saved himself and only just managed Kaytim. Maisie wept. She had saved herself, the College Solicitor, the two House Funathim Technicians and the House Funathim Solicitor. But Baron Hornlanthe was furthest away, oldest, and now quite dead. She felt bad too that she had relied on Granis to save Kaytim. She was also nearly ready to collapse from exhaustion, healing was really tiring for her as she did it too extravagantly, she’d never managed to learn the lighter touch of the expert healing mages.

“You two, sit. No one leaves,” ordered Baroness Umarthai the House Funathim Solicitor pointing at the staff. “You are a healer, Princess Maisie as well as an Arch Warlock?”

“Not really, I am an Adept Mage, I can heal as well as a poorly trained healer, I’m not so experienced yet. Master Granis is an excellent Adept Mage, but his experience and kind of Magery only is very basic healing indeed. I’m sorry, Baron Hornlanthe is beyond the best healers. To save the most people I had to start with those closest to me. I suspect as he is older and drank first I couldn’t have saved him even I was beside him. Mage Talent is slower and poorer as the distance increases. Someone put a fatal nerve toxin in the Molruk. It’s probably almost undetectable.” Maisie pulled herself together. She was conscious of Umarthai talking to someone. “I think the food is poisoned too. The air may eventually become toxic.”

“We will all stay and touch nothing till security is here,” insisted Umarthai. “Do not even get up. Hands on table. Touch nothing.” She did however put the cover back over the food and plates on top of the mugs. “We also should not discuss this till we have been interviewed by Security. Will we be safe for a while?”

“I’ll let you know if the air gets dangerous,” suggested Maisie.

No-one else spoke. Everyone was shocked. Maisie wondered why and who was responsible.

~

It was an interminable wait. Captain Lin the head of Security for Laramos City and some other security people arrived after what seemed like hours, due to the silence, but actually it was less than ten minutes.

“The Deputy Chancellor Dhramini and Arch Telepath Gantras are coming by Flitter, they will be here shortly,” said Captain Lin. “Lord Garvisin, can I have your account now?”

One security officer examined Baron Hornlanthe’s body while another bagged all the food. A third used an instrument on the flask of Molruk, then with a fresh probe each time on all the mugs and spillage from the dropped mugs. He tested each sweetmeat as he bagged it. The flask and mugs were sealed.

“Don’t even touch any of the Molruk with your skin,” he urged, “there is enough nerve toxin to kill a herd of beasts. Captain, we need to move next door and seal this room till a decontamination squad is here. The atmosphere will eventually be lethal! I think it’s in the food as well.”

They were all led into the next room.

“Now come with me across the hall, Lord Garvisin, I see that room is free,” said Captain Lin.

Garvisin’s account was essentially identical to what Baroness Umarthai had told Lin previously when she had called on the Crystal. They went back. Captain Lin considered everyone. “You next, Maisie, your Highness.”

“You understand that initially I must consider everyone a suspect, particularly you and Granis?” he asked. “On a personal note, congratulations on being raised to Journeyman from Apprentice since we last met.”

“Yes, I do,” she said. “Also we don’t yet know if the target was one person, several of us or all of us. I suppose too the two assistants serving may even been unaware—”

“Yes. We have other people questioning everyone. They only delivered it. Now, your account.”

“There is very little to tell. We finished signing the eleven copies of the contract.”

“What contract?”

“I have developed some colour camera and display technology,” Maisie explained. “I’ve agreed an exclusive deal with House Funathim for a hundred years. They will produce and sell the products. I get an up front fee, the College gets a viewscreen broadcast studio-station for the Campus and I get an ongoing percentage of sales for a hundred years.”

“So if you had drunk or eaten first, the contract might not have happened?”

“With Baron Hornlanthe and traditionally House Funathim being very strict on protocol, conservative and traditional, more so than the normal Karnds, would that be likely?”

“Probably not,” said Lin, “continue with what happened.”

“Somehow the catering staff were called in after Baron Hornlanthe was satisfied all eleven copies were signed. I didn’t see how they were called. Oh and he made some remark about my signature being valuable, as I used my customary Tellurian signature and printed the Karndic version of my name as well, it’s probably the only document off world from Tellus with a Tellurian signature. Then the staff came in, set the trays on the larger table, we moved over to it after the mugs poured. There was one of us at each end and three at each side. Baron Hornlanthe raised his mug and called out ‘To a long and rewarding partnership’, everyone replied ‘Indeed’ and we all drank together, just an instant after the Baron, taking his lead. I knew at once I was very badly poisoned and would quickly die, so simultaneously with shouting ‘Don’t Drink!’ I neutralised the toxin and started then on the people each side. I can only do one person at a time. I doubt even a top class healer can do more than one person at a time, though perhaps a little faster. I was aware that Granis was exercising his Talent. Though he is a Mage and it’s his only Talent, he’s not good at healing. So he only just managed to save Kaytim after himself. I started with the House Funathim technician beside me, then Lord Garvisin on my other side, then Baroness Umarthai, the House Funathim solicitor. I nearly lost the second House Funathim technician. I was too late for Baron Hornlanthe. Because of the shape of the table and where we sat, he was furthest away. I think his chair wasn’t up close to the table. As long as I live it will haunt me that I left my best friend to be healed by Granis. You understand this was all as I called out. Which was really to prevent people drinking more, Granis was warned by my extravagant use of Talent. Then Baroness Umarthai insisted no-one must move or leave and called on her Crystal. I’m sorry Granis and I couldn’t do more. I warned about the food and the air, so she covered up the food and put the plates on the tops of the mugs.”

Captain Lin considered her account. Apart from the detail regarding healing it was the same as the other accounts. Really it had been very sudden. That was the whole point of a nerve toxin.

“I must talk to Lord Granis,” explained Captain Lin, “but don’t be modest. In general might everyone have died including the Mages with any random pair of Mages?”

“I think most Mages might be quick enough to save themselves, but none or few of the others, you’ll know better when you analyse the poison. Granis very nearly didn’t get to Kaytim in time.”

Granis confirmed Maisie’s account and added that he hadn’t realised at first he was poisoned till he felt the surge of Maisie’s Talent, her shouted warning would have been too late. So he barely managed to save Kaytim. He suspected that Baron Hornlanthe had drunk marginally before them as he had proposed the toast and being quite old probably succumbed almost instantly. But he didn’t know much about nerve toxins, naturally it wasn’t an area of experimentation or training in college.

“Maisie reacts almost at an instant subconscious level to any kind of threat,” explained Granis. “The Gold noble serpents on her blue and orange clothing indicate this. Any threatening Talent of any kind and many physical threats invoke an almost instant automatic response. Likely that’s why she was fast enough to save Chainai from kidnapping. Probably no Mage can be killed by ordinary poison, very many Mages, or possibly all might be killed by a very rapid nerve toxin. I think Kaytim and I are only alive because of Maisie’s instant instinctive reaction. I think you should not tell anyone about this ability and an assassin wouldn’t know about it. Someone intended that no Mage would save whoever the target is or was. The college doesn’t advertise the abilities of any Talent.”

“Thank you,” said Captain Lin. The survivors would need protected till he discovered the motive and the target. Who would benefit from each death? He thought about it as he led Granis back to the others. None of the others had anything to add. Everyone that drank, apart from Maisie and Granis, appeared also to have momentarily blacked out. The two catering workers barely had understood what had happened as it was so sudden.

The Deputy Chancellor Dhramini and Arch Telepath Gantras arrived. Gantras started with the two catering workers and confirmed they knew nothing. He went around all the survivors. Nothing. Maisie disconcerted him by allowing her mind link. Afterwards he looked sharply at Granis. Dhramini questioned the College solicitor and took the College copy of the Contract. Then she questioned Kaytim, Granis and Maisie.

“I’ll check everyone else,” Gantras explained to Captain Lin.

One of the kitchen staff was missing. Her body was found in a store room.

“I’m not an expert, Captain Lin,” explained Maisie, “though I think she has been dead since last night or early this morning. I think the same kind of nerve toxin poison because her nervous system is severely damaged.”

“My man thinks so too,” agreed Captain Lin. “So people assumed it was her preparing the Molruk and sweetmeats, the description the staff give matches this woman very well. She has a bland face, so with the same uniform and hair bag, people would assume it was her. Notice the shoes and personal jewellery are missing. It looks like the Dark Guild is involved. The Medics will be here shortly and confirm what you think when they have finished with the Baron.” Then Captain Lin swore briefly. “Sorry,” he said, “what plans did you have?”

“I guess our Solicitor was going to return to his office near here. Granis, Kaytim and I had thought perhaps visiting the Museum, Gallery or both. I meant to visit them at New Year, but they were closed for the holiday. The only two days they close! I’d say we would just want to go back to college now. Granis or Kaytim will drive. I have my driving test here though before we go back, I better try to take it. You think this really is the Dark Guild?”

“You do look very pale,” he said, “yes, it has all the signature of it, unfortunately. The question is motive, then we have an idea who might have employed the Dark Guild.”

“I will need to eat soon, I used a lot of energy doing the healing, far more than Granis. It’s one of my failings. I’m a bit exorbitant in a crisis.”

“Yes, I remember that Granis also made some suggestions about your Talent that make me glad I have no Talent. I understand now about the unusual embellishment of your cloak, robe and dress. He suggested your reactions may extend to some kinds of physical threats to your person?”

Maisie appeared to consider this is if it was a new idea. “I see,” she said at length, “an assassin used a very dangerous to handle nerve toxin, at some considerable risk to the assassin, because he or she assumed it would kill Mages too. So Granis or I might even have been the target. There was nothing secret about the meeting, though no-one involved wanted any publicity. I can’t see why we would be the target. It surely must be some sort of House feud, do such things exist?”

Captain Lin didn’t answer initially. “Not usually involving assassins or any physical damage. More subtle interference. I’ll warn the driving test people you might be late. You’ll get a new time from them. Take a break and something to eat and drink first. You do look terrible.”

Finally Dhramini had a meeting with Captain Lin and Gantras. There was some consternation as none of the other House Funathim senior people including any members of House Funathim Council appeared to be in the building.

~

No-one felt like discussion on the journey back to college after Maisie did her driving test. She was sure she’d failed, as the examiner studied the computer logs on her Crystal, she could hardly believe it when she asked to transfer the certificate to Maisie’s Crystal. Maisie then reflected on the events less than a month ago in court. Another violent death.

2: Recollections

Complacency: C.U. 3444:3

It was the end of an age of complacency, almost stagnation for the Caemorian Empire and thus the Galactic Council

—Princess N’Riada

During the journey back to college, Maisie remembered clearly the days straight after the horrible death that brought the court case to a sudden end. She thought Chainai and herself were only just getting over it. Probably Chainai would always have an emotional wound about it.

* * *

Previously: After Nikos Appeared in Court

They had walked out together as the lift doors opened at the rear of the library café.

“Maisie, I really appreciate your support, but right now I want to be alone,” said Chainai.

“OK. Fine. Call me if you want to meet,” replied Maisie.

Maisie stood watching Chainai head toward the courtyard. Why wasn’t he searched properly, she thought angrily.

She flounced off ignoring the stool her dark blue embroidered cloak caught and knocked over. Nor did she notice that Master Dhramini, the Adept Wizard, was watching from behind her large mug of Molruk.

“You can almost see a thunder cloud above Maisie’s head,” she remarked to the Arch Chancellor.

Millifore didn’t turn to look at Maisie’s progress down the Mall. “She is certainly more annoyed than ever I have sensed, she’s not shielding at all, certainly any Empath or Telepath will feel her as well as seeing her!” he observed. “No-one wants to be in the path of an upset Warlock, never mind Maisie.”

“Wake up, Pasra, the Arch Warlock will knock you down.” Master Gantras pulled the inattentive Apprentice back to the edge of the Mall.

Maisie stopped suddenly short and was studying a notice board.

Pasra stared curiously. “I see what you mean. She feels like an iceberg. I’m off in case she notices me.”

“Don’t forget that report at class tomorrow,” said Gantras. He, as an Arch Telepath, could feel Maisie’s animosity and general bad temper.

As Pasra hurried off he went over to Maisie. “Maisie, a moment?” he asked.

“Yes, what?” she replied curtly.

“I’m pretty sure I know why you are upset. The suicide in court. But you can’t take it out on everyone nearby with Mentalist Talent.” He hoped she was open to reason. She was, as the oppression went off as if with a switch.

“Thanks for telling me. I lost control a bit then. Sorry,” she said.

“Someone made a mistake. I’m sure they will face consequences. Do try and persuade Chainai to come to supper anyway. It won’t be good for her to mope on her own.” Gantras gave the agreement gesture and walked off without waiting for any further reply. He could feel the ease in the emotional atmosphere of the Mall.

“You see, Dhramini,” Millifore said very softly, “I don’t need to sort out every problem. Just do the long term planning and the insoluble issues. Gantras has reminded Maisie of her responsibilities. She is now only part of my longer term planning instead of an immediate concern. Now what about my offer?”

“I see,” she replied. “I’m not sure how long I have. But I don’t want to fight any more. It’s up to you to convince the rest of the Council. A unanimous decision will convince me.”

* * *

“As you know it needs a majority of a quorum to block any decision I make, unless it is about raising a student’s status,” Millifore explained. “However we will have a ballot and I will accept a single veto as blocking the appointment of Dhramini as she has requested it.”

They passed a bag round the table.

“No white disks so Dhramini is our new Deputy Chancellor. Congratulations, dear,” said Millifore.

“So how long have you been at college, Dhramini?” Gantras asked as they walked down to supper behind the Arch Chancellor.

“I think about 490 years,” she said. “Old Jarnok was still Arch Chancellor when I was a student. Then we had Nouan for a long time. I forget exactly. Then even Arch Chancellor Millifore is well before your time. One of the youngest Arch Chancellors. But very wily, very deep even then.”

The Arch Chancellor preceded them to the platform. He held up his left arm level and his slightly curled hand had the palm upwards and put his right hand over his mouth, standard gestures. Shortly the buzz of conversation died down to silence. Dhramini stood beside him and gave a gruesome grin.

“I hope you will all wish Master Dhramini, Arch Wizard, well in her new role as Deputy Chancellor. She will use trusted Arch Telepaths to investigate any disciplinary issue as she sees fit,” he said. “Physical security issues will remain as part of the Dean’s Office as previously decided.”

There was a steady pounding on the floor.

Dhramini raised her arms and it stopped instantly. “Thank you for the vote of confidence,” she said, “you may now eat.”

The council sat at their tables and waited for the meal to be served.

“They sounded happy with your appointment,” Gantras suggested to Dhramini.

~

Maisie turned to Chainai, who tonight didn’t want to sit at the Council’s table or with other Masters. It was wonderful now being able to talk directly, so Olef was at another table with some other Journeymen. “Isn’t she a little old to start as Deputy Chancellor?” asked Maisie.

“No, as she has Talent she will be perfectly capable till the hour she dies,” Chainai explained and then poked the food Luci had brought. Luci saw and scowled. “Well, a day or two before she dies, less than a month anyway.”

“But,” persisted Maisie, “won’t that be only a few years time?”

“I’m sure all the College council is aware she might only be in the job for four or five years, maybe a little longer, perhaps even ten years, or maybe less, but they obviously think she is best for the job now,” insisted Chainai.

Maisie considered this as she too poked her food. Not for the reasons Chainai had. “Kaytim,” she asked, “what is this?” Really she wondered had the Arch Chancellor someone else in mind. After all, all the Circle Council positions were for life.

“It’s a Lorm recipe,” explained Kaytim, “based on imported flour from the Lorm home world. I’m not sure why Cook thinks we should all eat Lorm Vegan food tonight.” Kaytim also poked it suspiciously. “I’ve never actually tried it before myself.” She carefully took a small spork full and chewed it. “Do try it, it’s not bad actually, not as bland as I expected nor very spicy like the soups. Unusual texture though.”

“Sometimes the menu is just weird here,” said Chainai, rather morosely.

“For me, everything is a bit weird,” said Maisie, “after all, I grew up 80,000 light years away, where the concept of an alien was someone that wasn’t a USA citizen. You’ve seen CNN.”

Chainai laughed.

~

Later at Chainai’s apartment Maisie, Olef and Kaytim had joined her for a light snack that Luci had prepared. Somehow they hadn’t eaten much supper, more due to the day being upsetting than the food.

“I’ve been putting this off all evening, dreading telling you really,” said Olef. “I want to move to the Village complex. It’s handier for shape-changing. Also I don’t really want an assistant at the moment. I know though these apartments are really for Masters, Anit could take the apartment. She is still in a dormitory unit, which isn’t fair for a Journeyman. Also she has no assistant. Dairig is happy to transfer and so is Anit. The Arch Chancellor says it’s OK if you, Chainai and Maisie agree.”

Chainai and Maisie looked at each other amazed at this unexpected news.

“Well, I guess in theory you were only here while you recovered and now that we solved the Orb Mystery we can admit Anit to the study group,” said Chainai.

“I know she was a little upset that she couldn’t join us,” explained Timot. “Of course I’m biased and although I’m sorry you want to go we can visit the village complex and you can visit here any evening to Maisie or Chainai. It would be great for Anit as most of her Master’s work for Master Jayson is in Maisie’s lab.”

“I suppose it’s not as if you are going away anywhere. Still a surprise. I guess if it’s what you want I agree,” Maisie reflected. “You are right, it will be handy having Anit near the lab. However, I’ll be very cross and might not give you any of my buns or biscuits. You better reconsider. Anit can join our study group anyway. She could move into the basement, my apartment or share with Chainai. Or Chainai, you could move back in to mine and I’ll move the library.”

“So you don’t want me to move away?” said Olef.

“No, why would I?” puzzled Maisie. “You’re one of my best friends, along with Kaytim and Chainai. Timot is OK, but he is a kid. I’d like to see you suggest this daft idea if Dairig was here tonight.”

“She’s visiting her family,” said Luci.

“I think you better reconsider, Olef,” said Chainai. “Just because you don’t need my Empathic Therapy and I don’t need your Telepathy any more isn’t a good enough reason to move out.”

Maisie thought Olef looked uncomfortable.

“Why not invite Pedar to stay with you if you are feeling outnumbered by girls?” suggested Kaytim.

“Maybe I will if Chainai doesn’t mind,” said Olef. “I’ll keep on Dairig as Pedar has no Assistant.”

Maisie laughed.

“Why should I mind?” said Chainai.

“No reason,” said Olef. “I guess I’ll stay.”

“I think, though,” mused Chainai, “I like being alone. Kaytim, you have five spare bedrooms in your ground floor apartment complex, would you take in Anit?”

“If Luci and Dairig agree,” said Kaytim.

“I’m fine with it,” said Luci. “Kaytim or I will ask Dairig, and if she agrees you can get the Dean’s approval. Anit may have other plans.”

* * *

Maisie sent an email to Jack Casey on Earth, though everyone called it Tellus.

Dear Jack,

How is the starship construction going on Earth, or is that now classified information? We got a message from the Intergal One, it is now in the Andromeda Galaxy. Their big radio and optical arrays are scanning in greater detail than ever before and they are cataloguing stars to identify likely jump destinations.

I had forgotten that I was a British Citizen as well as Irish as I was born in N.I., my Father was both and my Mother was naturalised British. Quite how this escaped me I’m not sure as I never lived in the Republic till I left college. But it makes no difference. I was quite entitled to leave Earth. No-one coerced me and I am happy to give up British Citizenship too. I only ever had an Irish passport, even when I was still living in N.I. I disagree with the UN, anyone has the right to leave. Is the whole of Earth turning into a Soviet USSR style Federation? Of course not. No-one on Earth could have given me the training I’m getting here. Nor am I a specimen to be examined in a Lab. Any idea of returning me to Earth by force is laughable. We know over 4,000 worlds with massive fleets of starships and every one of them would uphold my right to be here.

I can’t honestly communicate more till the British and the UN withdraw their stupid claims. It’s as stupid and as invalid as the earlier Chinese ones no-one supported. I previously discussed the Chinese claim with the Emperor of Caemoria. These claims have been discussed with the Emperor, the Galactic Council, The Arch Chancellor and Circle College Council and everyone has unanimously backed my rejection of the claims and demand to return to Earth.

I can be daft too. At least this is my real title now, yours etc.,

Princess Maisie Kelly,

Margravine, Journeyman of Circle College, Arch Warlock and Adept Mage,

Citizen of Circle College.

P. S. Though it loses something in translation. Next year I likely will be a Master. Studies going well.

* * *

Maisie took a break from working on the two kinds of head-up displays on the riding helmets, mounted on dummy heads. The idea would be great for fint riders using a Crystal or for piloting a Flitter. One design used five scanning lasers (factory tuned), so it could match the retina of the species wearing it. The other design worked instantly by using an ordinary reflected image where each pixel was made of 37 different monochromatic sources, with a reasonable enough spectrum to suit all species. Both 1536×1536 resolution (3000×3000 in Karndic as it’s octal) and both eyes. This was the end. No more software or hardware design and development after this. She now found it tedious compared to her other activities and people. It certainly wasn’t her job any longer.

She studied the Flitter catalogue. With the combination of her income (Margravine, Viscountess and Baroness allocations due to college status) and fees from her colour display and camera designs perhaps she could afford one. Shortly she would do her ordinary driver practical test. She’d passed ground Carrier and Flitter theory exams. She was absurdly proud too of the Basic Cert in fint care and riding, she’d never done anything like that before. She’d have to finalize an agreement with House Funathim first.

* * *

The most popular sport on many Homeworlds was literally translated as ‘Netball’. Timot and Anit were both huge enthusiasts. Anit being at the Circle College longer was in a team. Maisie was regretting agreeing to come and watch already. She wondered if it was vaguely like lacrosse, but even if it was that would not be much help as actually she realised she hadn’t much of a clue about it other than it also used sticks with nets.

The snow was long gone but there was a chill breeze today with a hint of drizzle. She adjusted her cloak on the bench, adjusted the hood and pulled the cloak around. Then watched the teams come out. The pitch was a hexagon about 80m on each edge. Timot was busy explaining the game.

Either two or three teams could play. Three was more normal. The regular game used three teams of seven. But the Circle College version had a Wizard as goal keeper. A whole one sixth edge was a goal. The keeper had to stay behind it using only wizardry to deflect the ball, so he or she had no racquet. The other players had a racquet strapped to both forearms. The racquet also had a hand-grip. The net part was loose to allow the player to easily carry the ball, unlike a tennis racquet. The oval ball looked smaller than a rugby ball. The teams were mixed sex and in college mixed species. Normal teams were usually only the dominant species on a Homeworld, but mixed sex. The only player contact allowed was against the other player’s net. Within certain zones near the other teams end the ball could be kicked but not dribbled. The ball could be tossed or hit or carried with the racquets.

“Timot, I’m lost,” complained Maisie, “but perhaps it will make more sense when they start. Did you hear that Master Dhramini is confirmed Deputy Chancellor, she was unanimously approved?”

“No, I didn’t,” said Timot. “I missed supper yesterday and our meeting because I was watching a match with some friends. She must be the oldest ever though. I wonder why Dhramini?”

The three teams faced off at the central hexagon and the referee tossed the ball into the air. The action was furious. Speed and accuracy of passing seemed to be everything. Maisie however couldn’t get enthusiastic even though Anit was playing. Later she muttered an apology to Timot and hurried off, chilled, but at least dry due to the cloak. At the café beside the main library she ordered a bowl of spiced vegetable soup popular with Lorms.

Pasra, Joiseen, Fari Netat and Sollyam spotted her.

“You escaped from Timot,” remarked Fari Netat.

“Um,” agreed Maisie.

“The soup looks and smells good,” said Joiseen the Lorm. “I’ll stop and get one too.”

So Pasra offered to get cups of Jhai for the others.

“You calmer about the court case?” asked Sollyam. “I heard it ended badly.”

“It did,” admitted Maisie. “I was cross and bad tempered after it on Chainai’s account. Most people don’t know what she has been through, I mean they don’t understand how it feels.”

“How what feels?”

“Losing your parents,” Maisie said softly, “though with mine it was an accident. At least they called it that, I suppose it was. But at least I have not experienced the abuse and deception. That must be very hard.”

“Yes, she thought the world of him, I can’t imagine how bad that betrayal must feel,” said Pasra.

“So you don’t like netball?” asked Sollyam.

“It’s chilly out today. Also I don’t really get enthusiastic about watching other people playing. I never took any interest in any sport on Tellus.”

“Have you played any of the indoor games, rather than watched?” Fari Netat asked.

“Well, I do the Martial Arts, it’s indoor and I do riding and archery outdoors,” explained Maisie.

“Those aren’t games, though the archery is competitive and there are riding based games when the meadow is dryer. What about games on the bowls surface and entrapment tables in the Student’s Association halls?” suggested Pasra.

“No, I’ve not done those,” said Maisie.

“I play Sollyam,” said Joiseen, “and sometimes we don’t use Wizardry.”

“Since there is five of us we should see if there is a surface free,” said Fari Netat.

They finished up and went to the nearest Student Association hall.

“Why is it called a surface?” asked Maisie.

“It’s a large square and you program it flat or a degree of distortion, a crown. Then you can play different games on it,” explained Pasra.

“Does it cost much?” asked Maisie.

The friends all looked at each other.

“How long you been here?” exclaimed Sollyam. “Well, I know how long. It’s crazy you are asking!”

“I suppose an ordinary High School or University Student association you pay some membership and they might be using that for maintenance,” explained Fari Netat more patiently. “We pay nothing for the Student Association. Only consumable things are charged, at cost, like food and drinks. Or clothes and personal sports gear. Facilities are all free, perhaps it’s partly compensation as no-one below a Journeyman can leave.”

“We’ll play on a flat surface today seeing as Maisie is a beginner,” suggested Pasra, “and Sollyam and Joiseen promise to do no wizardry.”

They all laughed!

“The bowls I know,” said Maisie, “which I never played, the aim is to get closest to a special target ball rolled first.”

“Forget that,” said Fari Netat, “which won’t be hard as you never played it! There are many different games, but not that one. Maisie, you have been at college ages now and you haven’t figured all this out?”

“I only came here to eat!”

“Nearly any number of people can play, everyone has a different colour,” explained Pasra showing the balls to Maisie.

Now Maisie already knew that many of the Alien species were tetrachromatic. She herself was only a normal trichromatic person – though a very few women are slightly tetrachromatic – and realised she couldn’t easily distinguish some shades of the balls. Certainly Karndic also had colour names for shades that technically were infra-red and ultraviolet.

After the rules for a simpler game were explained they played. Maisie was surprised that she wasn’t too bad, but not surprised Sollyam was worst. It would certainly be obvious if she cheated with her Wizard Talent.

Then they had another break with Jhai and a biscuit.

“Anyone for entrapment?” asked Fari Netat.

This turned out to be a two player game played on a table top with balls. Joiseen and Sollyam played on one extremely fast using their Wizard Talent and no striker. On the neighbouring table was Fari Netat and Pasra. Maisie watched entranced; it certainly wasn’t like pool or snooker though it used a table with walls and goals and a cue-like rod called the striker made from fluted aluminium alloy.

“So how come I can never find Granis any more in the Student Association halls?” asked Maisie.

Fari Netat clipped the striker in its stand and gave Maisie an odd look. “Why would he be now that he is a Master? Only students are allowed in, the clue is in the name. Though you are a Journeyman, you are still a student. Master Granis obviously isn’t.”

“Perhaps he might be in the library data-centre?”

“It is where he works,” Fari Netat flatly stated.

“I’ll go and look, thanks for the games,” said Maisie. She wondered what she had done to annoy Fari Netat, as she wasn’t easily perturbed.

As Maisie walked off she heard Fari Netat remark to Sollyam, “Sometimes Maisie is really stupid.” She wondered what she was doing wrong.

Maisie did find Granis in the library.

“Hi,” said Maisie, “are you very busy?”

“I was,” replied Granis, “but I just started an import of this archive. You want another driving lesson?”

“Yes please,” beamed Maisie. “I’m still rubbish at it.”

3: Aftermath

Humans: C.U. 3444:4

Human is the term the Aliens use to translate sentient being to English. Thus humans from different homeworlds are unrelated species with no common origin, even though so much such as body language and emotions can be very similar

—Princess N’Riada

Maisie was brought back to the present day by the Carrier stopping at the College gate. Then the slow climb up to the Circle College complex on the plateau.

Back at Old College, Granis wasn’t inclined to come to Chainai’s apartment to discuss it.

“Actually, Maisie, to be brutally honest, you have taken up too much of my time this term. I’m glad you have scraped past your driving test, so can you just leave me alone?”

Maisie looked at him with surprise, but Kaytim resisted the temptation to laugh.

“I appreciate the time giving me lessons,” Maisie exclaimed, “but I thought you liked my company.”

“No, I don’t, I was doing you a favour.” He walked off without looking back.

Maisie thought back to the discussion on the road to visit House Funathim and her previous meetings with Granis. She’d been an idiot.

Kaytim took Maisie’s hand, but wisely said nothing. They climbed up the apartment stairs from the underground garage. Pedar, Anit and Timot were already with Chainai, as was Luci and Dairig – Chainai’s, and Olef’s Assistants.

“Sit down,” Chainai ordered. “You both need to eat, especially you Maisie.”

“So Kaytim?” said Timot.

“It was so sudden,” said Kaytim, “that I hardly realised I was poisoned and dying till Granis saved me. Maisie though saved four people, but really there was no chance for the Arch Master of House Funathim, the Mogul, Baron Hornlanthe. Granis says he only saved himself and me because of Maisie’s instant reaction. So Maisie stop apologising for not healing me, I’d be dead without your reaction, so would Granis. He admitted it. It was very sudden just after Baron Hornlanthe and Maisie agreed the contracts and we all of us signed eleven copies.” Kaytim produced one on the table. “This is my own copy to have forever. Look at that clause and that one.”

Maisie felt right now that her success gave her no pleasure.

“I can’t believe it, Maisie,” exclaimed Timot, “you have your own luxury Flitter, including all fitments, accessories and items normally carried and you got the College a colour broadcast system and studio! What is included with the Flitter?”

“I’ve no idea and right now I don’t much care,” Maisie listlessly responded after swallowing a bite of pie. The Molruk was almost unbearably strong and over sweet with Jaggery. Maisie took another deep drink anyway.

“Maisie, can you come with me a moment?” Chainai made it sound like a command rather than a question. Maisie shrugged. Chainai was her Mentor and Master after all.

They went into the bedroom and Chainai closed the soundproof door against the chatter in the lounge.

“You are not just upset about the attempted murders and the two actual deaths?” she stated. “Gantras spoke with the Arch Chancellor already and Millifore said there is no need to discuss it with him if you don’t want to.”

Maisie sat on the edge of the bed looking sullen. Chainai took her hand and they looked into each other’s eyes.

“I can’t hide it from you,” she said. “I’ve been a fool about Granis, he spoke sharply to me just when we got back. Actually also in the Carrier on the way there, now that I think about it. I was very cross at first, But as I sat and ate and drank just now I see it. He was friendly only because he was hoping I would help on the library and college Programming projects. Kaytim knows too. I think it was all she could do to avoid laughing. I feel bad too, leaving Kaytim for Granis to heal. She was beside Granis you see. Anyway, Granis asked right out if I would do library centre programming on the way to the meeting. I told him in no uncertain terms, I never would, even if the Arch Chancellor hadn’t recommended I avoid it. It’s a terrible shock nearly losing Kaytim. If I’m honest, worse than the Baron’s death as it was the first time I met him. It was probably painless and nearly instant. I must seem very hard hearted.”

“I guessed anyway,” Chainai explained. “I am an Empath, also I noticed you were always finding excuses to find him and he was never looking for you. Also you need to learn things, not get involved in programming projects. That’s all he ever wanted. There is no shortage of programmers they could hire.”

“It’s not like we are even the same species.” Maisie gave Chainai a hug. “I’ve been silly. I never suggested I’d program for him. I guess he only ever wanted my mind and not my body!” Maisie laughed. “I didn’t realise I was falling for him. It was unexpected. I thought I’d only ever be attracted to my own species.”

Chainai handed her a handkerchief. Maisie wiped her eyes. “I guess I’ll write a note and thank him for the driving lessons, then keep out of his way?”

“Don’t be generous and send a present though,” suggested Chainai. “So, what about the murders, do you want to talk about it? Also who is going to fly your Flitter?”

“Me. I passed the theory exam and scraped through a flight simulator based test. I just need to have some flight time with a real pilot and do the final test for a certificate. I’m not so optimistic as I only just scraped by on the regular driving test. Though as I thought I’d failed, perhaps I should be optimistic. I’m old to be starting to learn stuff like this. As I will be providing the Flitter, it won’t be too expensive, or perhaps the College Flitter will be better. Also there is no rule against a Journeyman keeping a Flitter at college, I expect it will be like a Carrier, except hanger rental rather than garage rental. Though it can sit in a field I guess. Perhaps Dairig might like to fly us places if I fail.”

“Maisie, you never stop amazing me,” Chainai laughed. “You kept it all secret too!”

“Because I thought maybe it wouldn’t happen and I didn’t want to be thought daft. The cost ought to have been 50% more than I’d expected optimistically to get as an advance. The Mogul claimed I was asking twice as much up front as was reasonable, which confirmed it. So he was curious why I wanted so much instant credits. I told him. He had a Flitter his Grandfather bought new and offered it instead of credits. Moguls love barter, I suppose they can do creative accounting with it? Neither of us could believe our good luck. So we were both very happy. It’s a shame he died like that though. Still at least he was delighted to off load an old Flitter he didn’t want. Maybe our old cabal can meet and discuss if there any ideas why the assassin attacked? I think the nerve toxin wasn’t indication that Granis or I was the target, but just to ensure we couldn’t intervene. Whoever the murderer or assassin is, they are very callous and didn’t care how many people died. This surely does involve the Dark Guild?”

“Well, it might,” said Chainai. “Be careful, you are oscillating emotionally high and low as a result of recovering from expending so much mage energy!”

They went back to the lounge. The others looked at Maisie and Chainai but wisely decided to say nothing and returned to discussing what a college video station would do as they drank and ate.

“Maisie, what is your intention about the College video studio stuff?” asked Timot.

“Unlike the Flitter idea, which is personal and I mentioned to no-one as I didn’t think I’d manage it at once, maybe eventually, I did discuss the video with Arch Chancellor Millifore, Deputy Chancellor Dhramini and the head of the Student’s Association. The College will own it. The Student’s Association college radio people will expand and run it and the College can provide up to 30% of day time and 30% of evening programming for education, if they want. The rest of the time, and if it’s overnight too like the College radio and everything else is up to the students, just like the College radio. It will be colour and hopefully the death of Baron Hornlanthe won’t affect the production schedule and prices for colour viewscreens, workstations, Slabs and cameras. The head-up display designs are not finished yet. The House Funathim Mogul will complete them so I’m not doing any more work on it. It won’t affect the revenue we get. It will cost House Funathim almost nothing as they need locations for early production run real life testing anyway.”

“What do you mean, we?” Timot asked.

“Look at the subsection on percentage from income from actual sales, the hundred year revenue thing,” said Maisie. “You didn’t read the second bit that Kaytim showed you.

“Oh. It’s got Kaytim, Anit and I getting 5% each!” Timot considered. “But 5% of 1% isn’t much, though we didn’t design any of it, so getting nothing is fair as it’s been fantastic for our course ratings and the College was paying for our time.”

Pedar interrupted. “The College doesn’t pay extra for you to have an advantage in your course doing lab work, someone else has been paying for your time, probably Maisie.”

Maisie laughed till she hurt. It was such a contrast with her earlier gloom that people stared at her.

“What’s so funny?” Anit was puzzled. “Though I guess now you are recovering from using so much Mage Talent you will be unbearably euphoric.

“I’m only a Journeyman Telepath,” Pedar laughed too, “but I can do sums. Next to a Mogul, Maisie will be one of the richest people in this part of the Galaxy, she has probably ensured that House Funathim will be the most successful and richest Moguls for the next ten years at least, if not much longer. House Funathim doesn’t have to make and export them to thousands of Homeworlds. Maisie isn’t getting 1% of profit, but of sales, everywhere, even licensed clones made by other Moguls on other Homeworlds. The Klah will love her as they will no doubt be involved in distribution of samples and any pilot production equipment.”

“So how much is 5% of that 1% then?” insisted Anit.

Kaytim choked on her drink.

“I doubt anyone has any idea,” Maisie suggested, “but likely riches beyond the dreams of greatest avarice. You were never going to be poor anyway.”

Timot looked at Chainai.

“Don’t ask me,” she said, “as I’m useless at maths and science. I imagine that if Maisie has no real idea, the Flitter rather than credits part of the deal was her impatience, very likely she’ll give us all Flitters or full starships as presents if we want them some day. Think how many people will want colour everything. Maybe 2,000 Billion?”

“Likely an underestimate,” said Pedar, “however it will only apply to the 1,500 Galactic Council Members and 2,500 Associates.”

“House Funathim doesn’t depend on just Baron Hornlanthe, he may have been retiring soon anyway,” Maisie explained. “Anyone would have expected the binding contracts to be signed before we took the toxin, so the attack can’t have been a competing Mogul, unless the hired assassin was very ill-informed. Captain Lin says that’s not Mogul style anyway. Perhaps we should invite Fari Netat, so also Sollyam to join us some evening and we can see if we can figure anything out. What about Olef, Chainai?”

“I think he wants some solitude,” Chainai explained, “or perhaps he won’t. I’ll talk to him tomorrow. but if we need him for anything specific I’m sure he’ll help. I think Fari Netat and Sollyam makes us too many. Now I need my beauty sleep. You too Anit. Maisie, you need to sleep off your Mage induced emotional oscillations. Otherwise in an hour you’ll be crying again.”

So now the jokingly named ‘Chainai’s Cabal’ comprised:

Master Chainai, Arch Empath,

Her personal Student Journeyman Maisie (which was unusual as Maisie also had two other Masters and wasn’t a Mentalist at all)

Olef (Journeyman Sorcerer and Telepath),

Pedar (her friend, a Journeyman Adept Telepath studying to be a Master under Gantras), now staying with Olef,

Timot (Apprentice Mage),

Anit Journeyman Alchemist, now staying in with the three Assistants in the large ground floor suite designed for eight.

Most people didn’t count Luci, Kaytim and Dairig as part of a study Cabal as they were Assistants, not Students or Masters. The special Assistants – Luci, Kaytim and Dairig – wouldn’t be excluded.

* * *

“I have a surprise you might like, Timot,” said Maisie next day after the last class. “My Flitter is here. Instead of meeting at Chainai’s after supper we can all meet there. It’s in the hanger.”

Timot helped Maisie contact the rest in case someone wouldn’t be at supper.

Everyone rushed through supper and headed down to the hanger via the lift. It was on the opposite side to the Village complex and stables, invisible from the Old college or Plateau. The lift was the same one that served their apartment block for service access. Normally only accessible from the garage basement level.

“I’ll be taking my test in six days time,” Maisie explained as she keyed the entry pad of the Flitter. “I was going to take lessons in this, but my trainer thinks the College Flitter will be easier to learn in and use for the test. Millifore isn’t charging too much! He says he assumes eventually I will make use of mine for college business without charge.”

They laughed at that.

From the outside under the hanger lights it looked somewhat like any space capable small to medium Flitter, so larger than executive atmospheric only models. But there was something different. Maisie wasn’t familiar enough with Flitters to spot exactly what.

The bulky side ramp came down and Kaytim, Luci and Dairig boarded with her. So eleven people as Fari Netat and Sollyam had been invited too.

“Here are the bedrooms, I suppose cabins. Each side can be configured for one bunk with a desk, two bunks or a large double bed, so up to four people. Three cabins, so up to twelve people, but that is a little cramped. Two people sharing is more spacious. There is seating for six in the flight cabin and in the lounge for twelve people. The beds in the cabins can be used as gimballed acceleration couches, so I suppose if people didn’t need beds then thirty people could be carried, though using the lounge and flight cabin seats as beds is possible if you don’t mind the lack of privacy. I’ll see later how many it’s certified for.”

All of them, except Maisie and Olef, took turns at reconfiguring the beds and lying down while Maisie and Olef watched grinning.

“Shower and Personal rooms,” said Maisie pointing, “it’s like the starship and Flitter I saw.”

They all agreed that it was very standard.

“This is the main lounge,” she explained as they left the passage with the Personal and washroom doors. “The kitchen is via that door to the other passage, it’s gimballed for forward acceleration in space. The other door leads to the flight cabin.”

“Let’s see the flight cabin, engineering and cargo, fint hold, then eat?” Timot suggested.

“They fully supplied the kitchen, so we hardly need the buns you brought!” Maisie laughed. “Honestly, they have put some fresh food we need to eat at once as well as full stores of preserved food.”

“It’s hardly any time since supper,” admonished Chainai.

The lounge was very luxurious with one large and four small viewscreens. All the seats could lock to the floor or rear wall and adjust to be acceleration couches or beds. The screens mounted in the front wall with the door on one side. All the screens were the traditional monochrome designs.

“We can’t all fit in the flight cabin during take-off and landing. It’s only got six seat-couch things, they tilt for acceleration in space.” Maisie sat down at the main pilot seat. Pedar sat at the primary communications and navigation station, though it was all reconfigurable. The rest stood and watched as Maisie powered up the entire Flitter apart from the two engines (the largest Flitters have four).

Pedar examined his screens. “I don’t have a Pilot’s certificate. But I have studied Navigation and Communications as part of working as a Telepath for a Listening Post. Did you know the engines are full size? So this small to medium Flitter has half the thrust of the largest Flitter used on starships or for cargo transport between orbit and ground! All navigation systems are OK and online. Both terrestrial and space.” He put the space navigation data on the main viewscreen superimposed on a map of the local system.

Navigation panel

“Maybe a week’s time I can take you all for a trip,” said Maisie. “Later we can discuss where to go.”

“You seem more confident you’ll pass than you were!” Chainai exclaimed.

Maisie just grinned. “Let’s see the boring bits, if I fail, I’ll try again.”

They went down and peered into the Engineering-Power section and as typical there wasn’t really anything to see.

“Just the cargo area left,” said Anit, “it’s supposed to be able to stable a few fints too?”

“Separate.” Maisie opened a door and they saw a curved room. “It rotates so that as you accelerate more into space, the fints still have the same down. I kept a surprise for last.”

They went in the last door. There was an unusual looking vehicle, clamped to the floor in the cargo bay.

“That’s included!” exclaimed Timot.

All of them goggled.

“It only seats four very large people in comfort, but it’s certified for nine,” said Maisie. “It seems interesting, though I can’t see where the last three people go. Yes, it’s definitely part of the inventory.” Maisie thought it looked like a cross between a large Volvo estate and DeLorean sports car. Four folding gull wing doors at the sides and a hatch at the rear.

“Interesting doesn’t even begin to describe it,” said Timot, “it must be a one off specially made.”

“Yes, Baron Hornlanthe’s grandfather commissioned it specially for the Flitter. It is unique.”

“Can I sit in it?” asked Timot.

“Anyone can.” Maisie went up and keyed on an apparently smooth panel with sixteen dots organised in a four by four grid, but nothing happened. She tried again and the door opened. She reached in and keyed on the steering yoke panel. The other doors and rear hatch opened and all the status displays activated. Maisie stood back and let them try the different seats, open and close the doors and windows. “I better pair the lock to my Crystal,” said Maisie, “it seems awkward to open.”

“It’s got a hidden third bench I think,” suggested Timot. “because the rear bench is in three parts. It must be operated from the console?”

Maisie checked and found it. The luggage area bent and it appeared. The two ends of the now middle bench would only hinge forward if the adjoining door was folded up. There was very little leg room though if you were a larger species. So it really could seat nine at a pinch, if you didn’t have much luggage. It was obviously designed for Karnds, though any other species could fit. Maisie was glad she was a smaller Tellurian. All the doors folded up like a jaggit’s wings, with an extra middle fold.

Fari Netat, Sollyam and Chainai sat then in the back and Anit, Timot and Pedar in the front with Pedar in the driver’s position after Kaytim, Luci and Dairig got out of the back.

“Come Maisie, let’s go check out the galley and brew up,” suggested Kaytim.

Luci and Dairig decided to go and sit in the lounge and powered up the viewscreen. Somehow it had the same feeds as the ones in college, specifically Maisie’s own apartment, even CNN and BBC World.

“The hanger has some kind of wireless repeater,” explained Maisie from the galley, “and I was able to add my subscription services to it. I suppose outside it picks up directly, I’ve no idea yet how it all works.”

The galley, like the fint stable, could rotate and some items were individually gimballed. The lounge seats could be couches and tilt for use under thrust in space.

“I doubt any Flitter you could have bought would be like this,” commented Kaytim. “It surely must be highly customised, if not a special. Even if you’d saved for years and got the credits you asked. Actually it doesn’t really even seem used.”

This was high praise indeed as Kaytim wasn’t easily impressed. They heard the others arrive back before the Jhai and Molruk was brewed.

“There seems to be a lot of preserved food, more than needed for any regular holiday!” Kaytim closed the last storage unit and carried a tray in. Maisie followed with the other tray.

Maisie sat down after the others had poured some Molruk and was about to pour her own but Kaytim poured it and passed her a plate too.

“So anyone interested in helping me find who killed the kitchen woman and Baron Hornlanthe and nearly killed seven more?” asked Maisie, “including our own special Kaytim, Granis and yours truly?”

“If I hadn’t before I would now,” Fari Netat vowed, “but I would anyway. For a Mogul he seems to have been a decent sort and certainly was doing all right for you.”

“I agree, though having practically died I’m a bit biased,” said Kaytim.

Timot held Anit’s hand tightly, bent to her ear and whispered, “I’m glad Granis rather than you went.”

“I think though we should not involve Granis,” insisted Chainai, “but we should keep Deputy Chancellor Dhramini and the College Solicitor, Baron Garvisin informed. Also Captain Lin. We don’t want to get into trouble either like last time.”

Maisie thought ruefully of her attack on the temple of Hingest Nulests.

“I guess we should diplomatically talk to Captain Lin, he might be inclined to have our help. After all though it went a bit pear shaped we did solve the case of the Orb of Ghillion and the other older one.”

“My parents murder you mean,” said Chainai. “I’m a bit calmer about it now, you don’t need to dance round it. You are all in then?”

No-one dissented.

But Luci spoke up. “I know we three have no Talent but I want to help too.” She looked at Kaytim and Dairig. They nodded.

“Try keeping me away!” insisted Kaytim.

The diminutive, quiet Dairig spoke softly. “Any attack on Kaytim is an attack on me too. I’m in. I’m good at not being noticed. That might be handy in the investigations. Also I do have a full licence for the Flitter, space, not just atmosphere. I can take you all now for a quick spin if Maisie would like and we get Air Traffic clearance.”

“There is no doubt you three can dress as you like outside college and unlike Timot, Fari Netat and Sollyam you can go anywhere without permission,” agreed Chainai.

“Now we have our own Carrier we can go anywhere. We all have certificates now,” enthused Maisie. “How do legal aspects work? Is there anything to pay, or sign? Taxes or Insurance?”

“There are more things than a certificate,” Dairig almost whispered. “Kaytim will sort it.”

“I think yours is a little too distinctive,” said Chainai wryly. “I’m buying a rather ordinary boring one. I think I’m the only Master without. I’m still amazed I passed before you. I guess you were more nervous learning.”

Chainai also had only recently got a certificate as previously she couldn’t drive. Maisie hadn’t even had a driving licence in Ireland so it was a big change for her too. “Though Maisie and Olef are older, I’m the only Master, so I think I should approach Captain Lin initially. Besides I think you make him nervous, Maisie!”

“What about Taite and maybe his friend Mortat?” said Maisie.

No one said anything initially, so Chainai explained. “I think we already are very many, more than I thought wise, but if we need them or Olef to help with something, then I could ask. My apartment is getting crowded when we are all there.” Actually Chainai thought she wasn’t very comfortable with more than two or three visitors. “Perhaps sometimes we can meet in your apartment.”

Obviously too the question of leadership wasn’t on the agenda for discussion, Maisie thought. But the only alternative to Chainai was maybe Pedar. It was more than obvious that Anit and Timot were quite stereotypical Akasurip. Maisie had read up on their culture and male leaders were quite rare. It was essentially a very Matriarchal culture. The females had no need to suckle the young and were barely slowed by pregnancy. The child is born with teeth, able to walk in less than an hour and talking in months at worst. More or less instant two year olds compared to Earth kids. The mothers decided on the family priorities, nor did they get pregnant unless they wanted to have a child.

“So we need to make a list of what we know, possible motives and possible suspects,” suggested Anit.

“That’s a very short list,” said Maisie. “Let’s see if Chainai can soft talk Captain Lin.”

“That seems reasonable,” said Sollyam.

“Now one last thing,” explained Maisie, “anyone that wants to come on a trip to space needs to order their own made to measure EVA suit. That’s not included in the inventory but I think a requirement on an executive Flitter, which I presume this is? Perhaps it’s not an executive Flitter. House Funathim say the craft is certified. Also till I get a navigator’s certificate, we need Pedar or Dairig or some other person qualified for other than ordinary ground to ground pre-filed flight plans.”

“I will explain to Kaytim how to check,” suggested Dairig. “However not all Flitters require personal EVA suits for space, you need to check. This isn’t like any Flitter I have ever seen.”

“It reminds me of something,” mused Olef.

“Where are you thinking of going?” Fari Netat was puzzled.

“Oh, I don’t know, but let’s make sure we can. But I’ll take a lot of simple planet side trips first. Surely we need to visit the Moon at least once?” Maisie had already decided on a special place to visit to cheer up Chainai and herself.

“I think the Moon would be very boring,” said Dairig, who always took every comment very literally.

4: On the Beach

Beauty: C.U. 3444:5

It’s said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Shakespeare wrote, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Concepts of beauty seem quite universal for many things

—Princess N’Riada

Maisie reversed out the Flitter and turned to face the far end of the runway. She let down the rear hatch and watched Chainai carefully and very slowly reverse her quite ordinary Carrier up the ramp beside her own custom model. Then she closed the hatch and switched the viewscreen from the rear camera to the hold. Chainai had lined up perfectly between the four clamps Maisie had attached to the floor. Chainai activated them and they automatically found the jack points and locked. She switched to a status display.

Moments later the door opened and Chainai came in and sat beside her.

“You sure about the weight?” she said.

Maisie indicated the status screen. “I think we could fill the up the rest of the cargo hold, the stable, lounge and bedrooms and not be near the load limit. I think it senses the weight on the undercarriage suspension. The clamps are all OK too. You left nothing loose?”

“Yes, nothing is loose,” confirmed Chainai. “I was nervous about reversing in at first, but it’s more space than my college garage parking space! The four clamps appeared on my dashboard vehicle avatar as you said they would, so it was easy to park exact enough for them.”

“You got your swimsuit? Sorry I forgot Karnds never swim. Belt up and we go.”

It was evening just after classes. The next two days off. Maisie had failed and had had to practice more and take the test again. Finally, now after a month they could take a trip without Dairig flying. At least it meant she now had her navigation cert.

“Is it safe?” asked Chainai.

“Millifore let me practice and do the test on the College Flitter,” said Maisie. “I’ve got all my certs and the Flitter has a cert.”

“I suppose then it must be safe,” said Chainai. “Why just me and our Assistants?”

“You’ll see, a surprise. Kaytim is greatly put out that I won’t tell her! You want to do the clearance?”

Chainai tapped the panel. “This is The Jaggit Flitter CA71634 to control.”

Instantly a synthetic voice replied, “Transponder confirmed CA71634, please wait.”

Less than a minute later what sounded like a real voice. “Flight plan received.”

“Control, may we take-off?”

“Confirmed you may launch.”

Maisie examined the status panel which confirmed permission. She engaged thrust, increased it and they shot forward. After ten seconds the Flitter left the runway and quickly climbed. The undercarriage retracted. Maisie banked and did one circuit around the plateau at about 300 m above the topmost tower and then streaked upwards. The sky quickly turned dark blue and Maisie engaged the autopilot.

“Oh, you maniac,” Chainai laughed almost hysterically, “you took off and flew round the College manually! It was beautiful though.”

“I have my full pilot certificate. The more hours I really fly the better. Let’s eat now. I’m sure Luci and Kaytim have it ready. It was great Dairig flying for that one trip. But it’s lovely this time just the four of us girls.”

Unlike a Tellurian plane there was no requirement for anyone on the flight cabin if the flight path was logged and in transit. There had to be a certified pilot at the controls for any deviation, take-off and landing, even if by autopilot computer.

“Looks fabulous, Luci,” said Chainai.

“Thanks, though Kaytim did as much as I, also you didn’t taste it yet.”

Luci however, had a well deserved reputation as a gourmet chef.

“Where are we staying tonight, Chainai?” asked Kaytim.

Chainai grinned at Maisie. “You didn’t tell her? I told Luci.”

“In the Flitter. We have permission to land in a field beside the beach.” Maisie took a spork of the lovely strips of smoked fish, spices, herbs and crunchy barely cooked chopped vegetables. “I haven’t told Chainai the details yet.”

“The beach?” exclaimed Kaytim. “There isn’t a beach anywhere near college or Laramos.”

“It’s where Chainai grew up in the south after her parents came from the Arctic.”

“My beach?” said Chainai.

“Well,” said Maisie, “it’s the one you remembered. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t actually yours.”

They had hardly finished an after meal Molruk when the autopilot chimed a navigation waypoint alert.

“We’ll tidy up,” Kaytim assured them.

Chainai and Maisie took their seats in the flight cabin again but Maisie didn’t engage manual again to land. She wanted more practice on real runways. She requested a slow fly past and watched the screens carefully.

“Seems clear,” she said. “I don’t think the autopilot would land if it was full of beasts or children playing, or too short. They promised it would be clear and safe to land in, but best to check.” She selected the target area and then selected land. The undercarriage extended and a few minutes later there was a bump then huge reverse thrust as they landed. They quickly came to a halt. Maisie opened the side hatch that faced the beach.

The sun was low over the ocean. The weather was beautiful.

“Oh!” gasped Chainai as she stood at the top of the ramp.

Kaytim, Chainai and Luci went down and stood in the sand blown field. Maisie followed them and secured the hatch. Maisie reflected again on how much could look very Earth-like unless you examined it closely. The same environments resulted in similar appearances and functionality in biology.

They walked slowly over the dunes onto the beach and sat on the still warm sand listening to the waves breaking. The tide was well out. Over to the south (on their left) was the small town of Morganthal with its nearly deserted harbour. It was beautiful. Chainai pulled off her boots, leggings and socks. She slowly walked across the sand down to the edge of the gentle waves then paddled along the edge.

Luci and Kaytim did the same but kept at a distance behind.

Maisie had decided it would be warm for a while. Underneath she was wearing her one piece swimsuit – she had after all brought all her clothes from Earth. She ran down into the sea and swam along parallel to the beach. While she had never bothered with sports generally she had always been a keen swimmer. She had checked the tides and currents before coming. The tide had just finished the ebb and was now on the flow. The others watched her in amazement. Other species swam, but the Karnds never at all and the other more common Off-Worlders mostly didn’t. Maisie wondered if they had ever seen swimming. After the hot sun all day the water was warm. Eventually Maisie felt tired and came out. She had insisted that Kaytim take her bathroom robe in her shoulder bag.

“Now I see why you didn’t try and explain,” said Kaytim handing her the robe. She lowered her voice. “Swimming is done by various species, but your swimsuit is a bit revealing.”

“It’s a very modest suit by Tellurian standards,” insisted Maisie.

“Now I see why you asked if I had a swimsuit,” said Chainai. “I thought it was some sort of feeble joke. I’ve never seen a swimming suit or anyone swimming!”

Maisie wondered what she would make of cut away one piece swimsuits and bikinis. Or topless sunbathers. There wasn’t really a proper Karndic word for sunbathing, not that had the same connotation. They walked on in silence, a little group of three trailing behind the solitary Chainai. Not far from the breakwater at the harbour, Chainai moved up to the dunes and sat watching them as the beach was becoming rocky and covered with pebbles further on. Maisie sat beside her with Luci on Chainai’s left and Kaytim sat beside Maisie. They couldn’t walk all the way to the breakwater anyway as the river was in between the rocky end of the beach and the breakwater.

“Thanks, Maisie,” said Chainai, “it’s been a very long time.” She laughed. “You mentioned swimming, like fish do before. I thought it was a joke, but you Tellurians are made differently here.” Chainai patted her chest. “It would not be a pleasant idea for us.” She stared at Maisie. “You, so diffident about sport and the outdoors, we have to drag you away from your desk! Yet you like to swim in the sea like a fish! How extremely odd.”

“The water was lovely, but I tire too soon.”

They all looked at Maisie and laughed. “No-one would believe us,” said Luci, “except did you take pictures, Kaytim?”

Kaytim produced a Crystal from her bag instead of the one on her belt. “With Maisie’s new design colour camera and screen fitted. Practically hot off Funathim’s production line. We’ll all get them in a few days.” She handed it to Maisie, who then fiddled with it. They boggled at the colour playback with a faint sound track of the waves. The video image zoomed showing Chainai from behind and then closer of Maisie swimming, then turning toward the shore, standing and wading toward them almost a silhouette with the low sun. But definitely Maisie with wet hair and scarlet swimsuit. As she came closer the system compensated for the back-lighting and showed her dark brown eyes glittering and her large smile. Then it ended.

“I put it away and got out her robe,” explained Kaytim. She handed Maisie back her new Crystal.

Luci giggled.

“What?” asked Chainai.

“You are her training Master,” she laughed, “you are responsible for discipline, tell her off for not wearing a blue suit with a big orange stripe. Maisie, that’s obviously a Wizard’s swimsuit.”

Maisie smiled. “None of the usual uniform suppliers seem to have swimsuits.”

“Oh, that’s probably true,” Chainai smiled, “so I let you off this time!”

Kaytim snorted. “It’s not the first time! Fortunately Maisie has me looking after her.” She lay down on the dune and laughed. “Not that I always succeed!”

“Must be the salt or sea air generally unbalances Karnds.” Maisie got up and pulled her robe around tighter.

“Perhaps,” mused Chainai, “it will be dark soon and I think Maisie feels cold easily. We should go.”

They walked down the dune onto harder damp sand. The tide was more obviously coming in now. Soon enough they found their clothes and boots, but just gathered them and walked the short distance to the Flitter.

“What if I forget the code?”

“A bit late to worry about that now, Maisie,” said Kaytim. “I expect you call the maintenance people. Didn’t you pair it to your Crystal? You do know your attempts at humour aren’t very funny?”

“So you keep explaining,” agreed Maisie. “It’s a bad habit I have.”

Maisie had paired it and the hatch unfolded to become the ramp. “I won’t be long, anyone is free to make hot drinks though.”

Rather than going to the bedroom to change Maisie dumped all her clothes and skipped to the bathroom.

“You have only come out of the water,” Kaytim exclaimed.

“Salt. My hair and suit need rinsed.”

“I hadn’t thought of that complication!”

Maisie wasn’t very long as she promised. She was surprised there were no drinks.

“Did I use up all the water or are you on strike for more pay?”

Chainai laughed. “It’s not late. I think we should go into town to a café. You get to try out that mad wheeled thing.”

“It’s true I never had a chance to go anywhere in it yet. It’s so far to anywhere from college and I haven’t had any spare time between study, college generally and the Flitter. In English it might nearly be called a sports car, except it’s too big! We will have to think of a good Karndic name. OK, then come. I warn you, I drive badly. I nearly failed my test.”

“Now she admits it after flying a Flitter!” said Luci.

“She’s still trying to be funny,” said Kaytim. “Her driving is fine. She did drive it a little round the College village, up to the Old college and back to the hanger.

“Don’t you need to do anything from the flight cabin?” asked Chainai.

“I did read the manual. So the answer is probably, no, come.” Maisie was halfway down the corridor. The others grabbed cloaks, just in case. Kaytim lifted Maisie’s too.

Chainai and Maisie sat up front with Luci and Kaytim in the rear seat. Maisie closed the doors with a tap on the steering console and with a clunk the clamps unlocked. As she reversed, she wondered why the car (literally Carrier in Karndic) hadn’t been reversed in, she read that was recommended. The rear hatch of the Flitter quickly descended and became a ramp. Almost silently the vehicle whirled out on its fusion powered electrically pumped hydraulic motors.

“Actually, I’ve only driven it once, but how different can it be from Granis’s Carrier or the College one I also had lessons in and used for the driving test?”

“You never drove in Ireland, on Tellus, did you?” asked Kaytim.

“No, I never did, these are easier. Probably. No gears.”

Maisie consulted the map display and headed across the field toward the gate. The headlamps brightly lit up the ground. Luci looked back at the Flitter to see it had closed the hatch and all the corners had small winking lamps. Maisie stopped and Chainai’s door opened.

“Can you see if you can open and close the gate? I hope there isn’t a lock.”

The gate had only a simple latch and swung freely. Maisie drove onto the road and stopped. Chainai closed the gate and got in. Maisie closed the door.

“These fold upward doors are handy that you can drive with them open,” remarked Kaytim, “but you’re pointed the wrong way unless you want to reverse to town.”

Chainai operated the door and hopped out.

“Where are you going?” asked Maisie.

“The road is narrow, I’d hate to try turning on it.” She opened the gate and waited.

Maisie reversed back in and drove out and stopped again. Again Chainai closed the gate and hopped in and operated the door herself. Maisie drove on to town quite slowly conscious that the others were trying very hard not to laugh.

Maisie parked at the first café she saw. “Can I just park here, Chainai?”

Chainai peered up and down the well lit, wide and tree lined boulevard. “Very likely if you have no console warning. We can ask inside to be sure.”

The café was nearly empty, the man behind the counter had come out as Maisie popped open all the doors. He looked up to Maisie’s face.

“Can I park here?” asked Maisie.

“Lady, or is it, your Highness?” he stammered amazed as he looked at Chainai joining Maisie and glanced at the other two more simply dressed Assistants. “Yes, there is no problem parking anywhere on this boulevard. If you don’t mind me asking, it’s rude I know, but what is that you are parking? I’ve never seen one.” He was also thinking, what sort of species is she? But that was a more personal question. Also the very pale blonde Karnd Arch Mentalist looked familiar.

Maisie grinned. “I’ve never seen one before either. Made for a Mogul, I got it part of a deal with his grandson.”

“Thanks, er, I presume you want some refreshments? Seeing as you parked here.”

“Yes, please,” said Chainai.

They all went in. Though not a large establishment, the tables were ample for four.

Maisie whispered to Chainai as they studied the menu. “It’s odd, but though I’m the Off-Worlder, it’s you he keeps staring at.

The proprietor – or whatever he was – came over. “Would you like to order?” He stared at Chainai. “I’m sorry, your Eminence, but I have to ask, are you related to the N’Goro, them that came from way up north, must be 30 year ago? You have the same look, the paleness that only the far northern tribes have, you’re even the very like of the poor woman. They only had the one girl,” he paused. Chainai didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry, I’m a fool. You being in the College robes and all. You must be the young Chainai I knew all grown up!”

Chainai stared closely at him and stood up. “Oh, I remember now, you must be Rolli! Didn’t you see the news? Of course it wasn’t really in the news. Yes, I’m N’Goro Chainai all grown up.”

Rolli said nothing but pulled the blinds and called out, “Tai, Tai, come and see.” The last two existing customers quietly left. A woman came out of the back and stopped dead.

“Little Chainai? It’s really you?”

Chainai was puzzled and sat down. Maisie walked over to Tai and Rolli sat beside Chainai. Chainai took his hand and patted it.

“I’m sorry to explain,” said Maisie softly to Tai, “someone arranged for her parents murder and damaged Chainai badly. She may have some permanent memory loss. She only recently got most of it back as well as her eyesight and hearing. She may never remember you.”

“Aye, I mind that they took her away because had the Talent, she’d gone deaf and blind too, then the house blew up and killed her folks. But they called it an accident. With fishing gone elsewhere, like as not we are the only folk from those days here that knew the N’Goro, also being from the far North they never knew a big lot of folk. The town just has a bit of holiday visitors now for the fishing on the river and sea. Very quiet now, as it’s early in the season for fishing. I never saw an Off-Worlder like you, if you don’t mind me saying, though I’ve really only seen Off-Worlders on video and the Crystal Net.”

Tai and Maisie moved another table over.

“I’m a Tellurian, from 80,000 light years away, so as I’m the only one ever to leave the Tellurian system, it’s hardly surprising.”

“I’ll take the order, Rolli,” said Tai, “like as not the girls all need some refreshment.”

“I’m in a daze, sorry Rolli and Tai, this Off-Worlder is my close friend and my own Journeyman Student Maisie, she is an Arch Warlock and Adept Mage, among other stranger accomplishments to do with science! I’m an Arch Empath and a Master now, so I have grown a little. My wonderful friend and Assistant Luci, this is Assistant Kaytim without whom Maisie would run into disaster in minutes.”

Tai and Rolli glanced at each other.

“You’re quite grown a lot, sure you were only a small child when you left! That’s something isn’t it, Rolli? I’ll go get some fresh Jhai and special biscuits unless it’s a meal you’re wanting?”

“That will be fine,” confirmed Luci, “we did have a good meal earlier.”

Tai stared at Chainai again and went off.

“Well, no great expert on protocol, but I guess you two are both technically Margravines, which is a Princess rank, so my second thoughts, not the first or third was right looking at the fine robes, your Highness.”

“No, don’t use the honorifics. We aren’t in public so Chainai and Maisie will do for us. Luci and Kaytim never use our titles or honorifics. Even in college it’s only in public the students have to call me Master, in my apartment I’m just Chainai.”

“I’m a mite puzzled though,” he glanced at Maisie, “have they changed how the Master and Journeyman thing works in Circle College compared to any Guild? Surely the Master and Journeyman have to be the same kind of subject?”

Chainai and Maisie looked askance at each other. Luci and Kaytim appeared to be choking.

Rolli wasn’t stupid, in different circumstances he might have been a great Mogul running a House rather than a café owner in a half dead small town. “I’m guessing then there is something extra about you, Maisie. The Circle College has plenty of secrets like any regular guild. I see those Golden serpents on your blue and orange stole, which says Secondary Mage and something more. Also the ones on robes and dress at front. The big pair on the back. I’m betting you have a lovely dark blue Arch Warlock cloak and it has them too? Perhaps the rear of your dress? No-one in the Circle College has decorated robes, maybe some nobles at the University or Privy Council.”

Maisie got up and unbelted her robes, draped them on the stool and turned her back to Rolli. Then turned around again and put on her robes, belt and stole and sat.

“It means a warning to those that know it means a warning,” it sounded too cryptic, so Maisie continued, “these creatures, you call the Noble serpent, are in old myths and legends on almost every world, even mine, I’m from Tellus, we call it a Dragon.”

“Now that I did hear on the news and read about Tellus. But curiously they released no images, video or such, I suppose for your privacy as you are the only Tellurian here. So you are the only Talent from there, so far. I never did hear of any Talent’s robe other than plain, or maybe the coppery gold or silver edging for an Arch Talent. So I knew you both must be Arch Talents from the coppery gold edging, and the kind of Talent from the colour. Chainai, I see you have the Circle Council necklace too. So since you have all these serpents and an Arch Mentalist as the primary Master, you must have other Masters too? Then you must have something to do with your mind but no Mentalist Talent. Given the number of serpents, you’re like one of those bright bugs that is like a notice to bug eaters, I’m very poisonous, go eat something else. You’re only poison to them that has Talent that tries to eat you?”

“Oh, Rolli,” laughed Chainai. She tapped her feet to show appreciation. “You mustn’t tell. I’m afraid you know the serpent legends too well and understand too much. Yes, if someone uses their Talent against Maisie and she is close enough, the minds may link and the biter will be bitten, maybe dead. Warlocks make people nervous enough, never mind Arch Warlocks. But an Arch Warlock almost invulnerable to a nearby Talent attacking her would worry people too much.”

“Aye, I can imagine that. I see that those that have Talent would have to be careful. Either there haven’t been any Arch Warlocks for a long time, or maybe the College was pretending they only had Adepts. I mind an old story, is the Sunbane or Sunwrath real or an old wives tale?”

Tai arrived with Jhai. Unnoticed she had already brought aromatic biscuits and small buns and some little savouries. Kaytim and Luci helped her serve.

“Rolli, you’re not supposed to know all the secrets of someone else’s Guild,” protested Chainai.

“Ha, a child could guess the serpents must be a warning for other Talents. There’s hardly a child isn’t taught ‘Don’t provoke a Warlock’ and told about the Sunwrath or Sunbane of the old Arch Warlocks. There hasn’t been any Arch Warlocks, time out of mind.”

“I guess tell him, Maisie,” said Chainai.

“Rolli, Tai,” said Maisie, “you really mustn’t tell anyone about the dragons, I mean serpents, not all anyway. Especially best to change the subject about the Sunbane and Sunwrath. No one in Circle College, especially Warlocks, has discussed it, nor do they want to, not even written it down. I told the Arch Chancellor what I think. Some old Karnd Wives got to be old by being wise. This is one of the wise old Wives tales that explains why there is a Circle College. There probably has been Arch Warlocks, but for various reasons Arch Talent isn’t always officially recognised. I’m not an Apprentice any more, so the Emperor, Privy Council, college Council and Arch Chancellor obviously decided I’m safe to let out of college. I’m not immune to doing ordinary stupid things, though. Or being killed by ordinary things.”

Chainai laughed.

“So there is such things and so terrible no one talks about it? Why is it funny though, Chainai?”

“Sorry, no, I think the how of it has never even been written down by an Arch Warlock. It was the idea of Maisie doing ordinary things. She sometimes has no conception of what is ordinary or bizarre. Unlike all other Off-Worlders her world had no knowledge of Caemorian culture at all. They were completely isolated. An Apprentice managed to have you get a viewscreen and a radio, so you are now learning ordinary things, Maisie. But swimming!”

“You mean like fish swim,” asked Rolli, “but you look much like a slightly taller version of us, surely your species doesn’t swim?”

“She swims, though not quite like a fish. Almost on the top of the water so she can breath,” explained Kaytim. “She isn’t much like us at all except for her face and overall shape when wearing lots of clothes. Hugely more different than the obvious extra finger on each hand. Please don’t ask her to explain.”

“Well, I just thought the people I talked to didn’t like it. Lots of people on Tellus don’t swim. I didn’t realise it was something that no Karnd does. I did think it strange no clothes even for lying in the sun. I have an English word, but I couldn’t find Karndic for it. Many Tellurian people, even that don’t swim, have a much more revealing suit just for lying in the sun, literal translation washing in the sun. I did put lots of medicinal sun block on because the UV here is more than I’m used to, just in case. Though Matron thinks I can’t really get UV burns because of how I use my Mage Talent. I was surprised it’s mostly used for rare medical conditions and Off-Worlders.”

“You’re both joking me,” said Rolli

“No, honest,” explained Kaytim, Maisie does little things like many Off-Worlders with weak cultural links might, but her excellent Karndic and technical knowledge fools people into a false sense of ease and then she goes swimming!

“Should I not swim, is it bad?”

Chainai laughed. “You can swim all you like, Maisie. No-one will mind at all. Other sentient species do swim, just don’t expect Karnds to join you. Perhaps you should be more covered up. Timot would probably not swim as he is from a mountain tribe of Akasurip that don’t, they would net or spear fish and birds long ago. Anit is from a different Akasurip tribe on another continent and they are traditionally lowland river, estuary and coastal dwellers. I can quite imagine Anit diving in after fish, though few Akasurip swim. You don’t dive for fish?”

“Tellurians don’t dive for fish. A few people might dive for these.” Maisie unfastened something on her neck that had hardly been visible because of how it hung and her robes. It was clearly visible if she only had on her dress, but that was rare. “The sea creature, not a fish, has a shell in two parts with a hinge. It sits on the bottom or reefs, maybe they can move, I’m not sure. Sometimes a piece of sand gets in and it grows one of these around it. My mum gave me these. Pearls is English, one of many Tellurian languages. There doesn’t seem to be a Caemorian equivalent. I don’t know if these are wild or cultured or synthetic, or if brought up by net or someone with skill, a free diver with no equipment long ago, dived thirty metres or more to fetch the creatures, open them and search for a pearl, maybe four or five for a one tonne haul.”

“They are very pretty,” said Tai. “I don’t think there is anything like these. Really no two are exactly the same, perhaps it’s old, certainly the slight lack of uniformity suggests carefully selected natural items rather than made. They almost glow in the lights.”

“She never explained. I wasn’t very old. It was because my Chinese, real name, Mei Zhen, can mean precious pearl, my English nickname means pearl too. Then I forgot. Then it was too late. My parents both died about six years ago in a traffic accident.”

“Can’t a relative, a cousin or aunt tell you?”

“I have none. That’s why I’m taking Chainai far north early tomorrow morning to Chigarak in Goroganst were she has relatives still.”

“Where are you driving from in the Flitter, we are long way from any airport, or can you really afford a special pick-up?” asked Rolli. “You certainly can’t drive all the way to the Arctic from here!”

“I have my own Flitter. We rented a field for the night, just north of town.”

Rolli nearly choked on his drink.

Soon the Jhai was all drunk and the plates empty.

“Rolli, exchange contact with me,” insisted Chainai, getting out her Crystal.

“I’m sorry we can’t stay longer for now, perhaps we will call again,” Luci explained.

Maisie clipped her pearls back on and tucked them in. She took out her Crystal and keyed it, then handed it to Tai.

“No, it’s our pleasure.”

“It’s already my present for Chainai,” insisted Maisie.

Kaytim interrupted solemnly, “She’s a Warlock, better not provoke her.”

This was too much for Chainai and Luci, so they laughed.

So Tai, understanding the joke, accepted Maisie’s payment.

Rolli looked at Maisie. “Call me nosy, but I look forward to hearing how you ended up owning a Flitter and the fantasy Carrier. Presumably it’s a rather serious sort of Flitter or did the Carrier designer have a go at a Flitter?”

“It’s perhaps a little bigger, a bit more powerful and luxurious than I was hoping to get. It was made for the Mogul’s grandfather too.”

“Baron Hornlanthe, Arch Master House Funathim,” said Rolli, “rumoured to be retiring and suddenly dead. Rumour is it was an assassination using nerve toxin.”

“Unfortunately true. I was there. With Kaytim and a friend. There could easily been seven more deaths, including Kaytim and I.”

“Your serpent sense or whatever must have helped, because it would be a very unusual mage fast enough to beat nerve toxin?”

“Rolli how come you run a café and not a detective agency or work as a Captain in the Security?” insisted Chainai. “Maisie is being modest, if she hadn’t been there the other Mage would have died and then everyone else, including Kaytim. She reacts unusually fast to any kind of threat. She rescued me from a kidnapper.”

“Crisped him with your Warlock fireballs?”

“No, I bashed his head with borrowed binoculars. I guess we should go, I’m getting tired and for some reason no-one else wants to drive my Carrier.”

“I can understand it,” said Rolli. “It would be a shame to scratch it, though difficult with the diamond coating. If it was mine I think I’d never drive it. Bye, have a safe trip.”

“Bye and safe travelling,” said Tai.

They all thanked and Chainai hugged Rolli and then Tai.

Back in the Carrier as they moved off, Chainai whispered to Maisie, “I so clearly remember Rolli, but Tai is a complete stranger to me, she isn’t someone he met since?”

“Afraid not. Unlike Rolli, she recognised you immediately and was puzzled at initially being ignored. So I explained to her that you have some small holes in your memory still. If Rolli realised you didn’t know her, he is expert at dissembling. You seemed to decide you ought to know her?”

“I thought it best,” said Chainai.

“You’ll know your relatives though?”

“Yes, we have always been in touch, though never close. I’ve never met them in person, unless I was a baby, I think unlikely. The photo of one of my cousins is very like me. I suppose after I became a Journeyman I might have visited, but as I didn’t know them very well, somehow I never did yet.”

“I was never here before,” explained Luci. “I only met Chainai at college, she was never back after she was orphaned and I took care of her.”

“Can you get the gate, Chainai?” said Maisie.

Chainai took care it was well fastened, though perhaps it didn’t matter as there were no beasts.

Maisie turned the car and reversed. But the hatch didn’t open. She got out and stared at it. Then walked to the side and keyed the side hatch, which did open to a ramp. She didn’t know how to manually open the rear hatch from outside. Then on the flight cabin she operated the rear hatch manually as she’d done for Chainai’s Carrier.

She met the others on the ramp.

“We thought we might as well walk while you figured it out,” said Kaytim.

Maisie said nothing but reversed her Carrier into the hold. Then the hatch did automatically close, unless Chainai had operated it. The clamps automatically locked when she switched off the drive power. After getting out she put the lock sequence on the Carrier. Everyone had gone to bed already, or a least was in the cabins! They had decided that Chainai and Maisie would have the cabin nearest the bathroom and Luci and Kaytim the next.

Chainai was also in a top bunk as they had both decided to have the lower position as a desk instead of a bunk.

“You didn’t close the hold ramp?” asked Maisie.

“No, I’m not sure I know how yet.”

“Seems the Carrier wasn’t reversed in before because the ramp doesn’t open. Before I drove it in forwards and the automatic closing and locking worked. Since though, I read the manual and they recommend reversing in. Some sort of bug, I guess it can’t have been used much.”

“I would suspect the Grandfather ordered it and never used it. There is no wear on anything. Just about 150 years of age,” suggested Chainai.

“Amazing. Do you want to come to the beach and see the sea by moonlight? I’m going anyway.”

Chainai got down and simply put on a full length bathrobe over her very modest design of chemise – floor length and sleeves gathered at the wrists. Maisie had already opened the hatch and was descending. Chainai ran in her bare feet and caught up.

They stopped at the peak of the dune at the edge of beach and sat.

“How did you know it would be so beautiful?”

“We have lots of sea and a moon too. I rarely was at it at night though. This is the west, nicer sunsets. I lived only ever in the east. Tourism, you travel 80,000 light years and get the same view!” Maisie laughed. “The sparkles in the water occasionally are not moonlight?”

“Small creatures, bioluminescence, not Warlock light either,” explained Chainai.

“We have those too. So much is different and so many things just enough the same so you don’t get too much homesick. I’ll look forward to coming here again.”

Chainai was sure she saw tears, yet her Empathic Talent suggested Maisie was very content. Perhaps Tellurians cried when very happy too. They sat close, side by side watching and hearing the waves roll on the beach, with the moonlight silvering the sea. The tang of salt was in the air, but the scent of meadow too. The land had cooled faster than the sea in the clear night so a soft cool breeze had arisen from the meadow behind them. They watched, listened and smelled for long while without talking.

“It’s been hard for you, Chainai. I thought this would be good.”

“It’s been hard for you too, Maisie, long before you came, all your life perhaps? You thought this would be good for you too. You didn’t have friends before you came and you had no relatives at all.”

“Yes, I’d never known what shape of peg I am or what shape the hole in Life I’m supposed to fit. My mum’s obsession with me studying partly helped because I was too busy. But hindered too because it made me more of a misfit. Then they died, then I finished my degree. Some day I must explain it better to you and Kaytim. They wanted me to stay, do research, however I didn’t want any more studying, so I got the job. After nearly three years I was very sick of it, but doing the work far better than anyone else. So I dropped a button on a map of Europe to decide on a holiday destination. Visiting Rome didn’t answer any questions. So when you and Virona from the starship called with Jack Casey, I only really pretended to need persuaded. It sounded like a big adventure where anything about me out of the ordinary would be excused by being an Off-Worlder as you say it. Then on the starship I found I had missed studying. The Karndic language and everything else were lovely fresh subjects. Anyway partly that’s why I wanted a Flitter.”

“Maisie, I never knew really, but you lost me on the Flitter.”

“It’s done me good coming here, the swim and tonight. After we compared memories of the beach I looked up beaches on this continent of Caemoria. I couldn’t believe the size of Westron, the Highlands and Eastron never mind the rest of Caemoria. The immense distance to any beach or to your beach. Even though travel isn’t that expensive I realised my own Flitter would be the ideal solution, anything else would be too time consuming. So I thought what can I do to make the money to get a Flitter. I’d thought anyway a Flitter would be nice to have.”

“I can’t fully grasp this,” exclaimed Chainai. “You mean you deliberately picked on figuring how to do full spectrum cameras and full spectrum displays just so you could go to the beach when you felt like it?”

“It wasn’t quite like that. Well, I was fairly sure you’d like it too,” mused Maisie, “and so two people would feel better. Colour broadcasting and cameras and stuff didn’t kill printed books on Earth, not yet anyway. I couldn’t see any major downside to the plan. I do hope though Baron Hornlanthe, or who ever was meant to be the target, wasn’t assassinated because of my project.”

“I can’t see why, the target was most likely him. Or less likely his solicitor, the technical people seem very unlikely. I’d have thought it unlikely, you, Granis, Kaytim or the College solicitor was a target, why pick the offices of House Funathim in Laramos if you are? Security is better there than at college.”

“We should go to bed,” said Maisie. “Do you think Olef and Pedar would like it here?”

“It would be strange if they didn’t. It’s beautiful. It would be lovely to stay here occasionally, but there isn’t even a hotel.”

“I’m sure I can figure a solution,” said Maisie, “though the Flitter isn’t too bad to live in.”

They sat side by side watching and hearing the waves roll on the beach, with the moonlight silvering the sea. Smelling the tang of salt and the scent of meadow.

* * *

Next morning Kaytim and Luci brought a mug each. Kaytim poked Maisie quite roughly, when she saw that Luci seemed very surprised, she stopped for a moment.

“She isn’t like an unstable explosive. Doesn’t explode when poked, or lash out with fireballs. It might be more of a risk if I had Talent. However she does sometimes lose track of time and go to bed when some are thinking of getting up.”

“It’s not something I remember our Guild teaching,” explained Luci.

Kaytim went out and shortly returned with a dripping wet cloth which she dumped on Maisie’s face. Luci had discovered that mysteriously Chainai wasn’t rousing either.

“Are they ill?”

“No,” grunted Maisie.

“No,” said Kaytim, “look at the sand here and on Chainai’s bathrobe, they have been out late at the beach.”

Maisie sat up and took the mug of Molruk. At last Chainai sat up.

“Help me down, Luci, please.”

Chainai sat on a floor cushion and sipped the Molruk.

“Are we going anywhere, princess pilot, or do you want more beach?” demanded Kaytim.

“If nothing is loose we can go now,” said Maisie. “I’ll wash, dress and eat when we are on autopilot. I think perhaps I overslept.”

The other three followed and they all sat in the flight cabin. Maisie and Chainai handed their mugs to Kaytim and Luci. Maisie examined the wind speed and direction and powered up the Flitter engines. They taxied to the best part of the field for take-off.

Maisie tapped the panel. “This is Flitter CA71634 to control.”

Instantly a synthetic voice replied, “Transponder confirmed CA71634, please wait.”

Shortly another voice continued. “Flight plan received.”

“Control, may we take-off?”

“Confirmed you may launch.”

Maisie examined the status panel which confirmed permission. She engaged thrust, increased it much more and they shot forward. They seemed to be running of field. Then simultaneously Maisie massively increased thrust as they pulled up. They roared across the town and headed north. Shortly the sky turned very dark above as they reached cruising altitude. Maisie engaged the autopilot.

“This thing can take-off in a very short distance,” explained Maisie. “The manual warns that it tends to set fire to any nearby vegetation or buildings and damage runways if you do that using plasma injection. One passage is worded as if it actually has vertical take-off, which is impossible.”

With that less than encouraging comment she went, washed and dressed in fresh clothes. As Maisie considered the mess, she thought there must be laundry facilities. Later the manual!

She sat in the lounge and wondered about etiquette. Then Chainai appeared and sat too. Immediately Luci and Kaytim appeared with cereal and chopped fresh fruit. It looked fresh, but Maisie was sure that she hadn’t brought any, and a flask of Molruk.

“Sorry about sleeping in; if the weather holds we should arrive on time.” Maisie decided the etiquette must be that if they were together, then no serving food till the Master is ready.

“Maisie and I were watching the moonlight on the water. We watched it for quite a while.”

Luci puzzled over the significance of this possibly quite factual statement. “I admit it was pretty, but you watched the waves all night?”

“Yes, but not all night,” said Maisie. “We did take a break from watching, in the middle probably, and talk a bit. I think was a good idea.”

“Watching the waves or talking?” said Luci. She glanced at Kaytim who was now sitting opposite to Maisie, so Luci sat down too.

“Getting the Flitter, so as to be able to go to my beach,” explained Chainai, “though it’s not actually mine. I have no idea who owns it. It would be sort of nice to really own it.”

Maisie turned and scowled at Chainai and kicked her under the table.

Luci was quite aware of this so was surprised when in return Chainai smiled and patted Maisie’s hand. Maisie leaned back and appeared to go to sleep.

Chainai said nothing more but went to the flight cabin and stared out at sky for a moment, then when to the bedroom and lay on top of her bunk. In a moment she was asleep.

In the lounge Luci was puzzled and beckoned Kaytim to the galley, and closed the door tight.

She sat on a stool. So Kaytim did too.

“Kaytim,” she hesitated. “Is this something Maisie might do? I can’t imagine Chainai sitting up all night watching moonlight on the waves.”

“I don’t see what’s hard to believe. She grew up here. It’s the last place she saw before going blind and now she can see again. It’s stunningly beautiful. No, the interesting bit was about the Flitter. Maisie was quite happy for Chainai to claim or mention sitting up all night watching moonlight on the waves, so that’s almost certainly true, besides Chainai isn’t known to ever lie, however unlikely the explanation is. The good idea is something like getting the Flitter, so as to be able to go to my beach, so as far as it goes that must be true too. Maisie was very secretive, though of itself that’s not unusual for her, about the Flitter idea. It wasn’t a spur of the moment thing, but well planned. Less than a month between anyone having any idea and flying it. But I know that at least as long ago as New Year she was looking at Flitter prices. That was when as far as anyone knew, Chainai was blind and deaf for life. Next thing she was sweet talking House Funathim and she was wanting an unheard of amount of credits up front. The fact that House Funathim actually had an unused Flitter in a warehouse was I think a genuine surprise. It may be 150 years old but look at those surfaces.”

“No scratches, no wear on mattresses, seats, anything, just a patina of age,” said Luci, “same on the Carrier. It all smells and looks like recently cleaned. If it had been used at all during the intervening years, House Funathim would have insisted on the rear hatch bug being fixed. For whatever reason the Baron’s Grandfather bought it, mothballed it and yet no-one sold it. Odd behaviour for a House. Perhaps there is something odd about it that makes it hard to sell. Maybe it’s just too distinctive.”

“I think that’s all interesting and obviously a mystery to solve. The point is though that Maisie does have reasons for getting a Flitter she doesn’t want talked about. The going to Chainai’s beach for some odd reason is compelling to Maisie. Her home world does have a large moon, tides and sandy beaches very like here, because Maisie mentioned it once that she and Chainai had compared beaches as part of Chainai using Maisie to heal her mind using her own Empathic Talent. Anyway we better tidy up. Maisie mentioned a manual. Perhaps it explains laundry. It would seem odd if there is no laundry machine.”

They consulted the manual on the galley viewscreen, which seemed to be really a wall mounted Slab. The mystery of the laundry and other hidden features was explained, though in a curiously disjointed fashion. Kaytim thought it was very like two separate documents had been hurriedly copied and pasted to make the manual.

* * *

Anit, Timot, Fari Netat, Sollyam, Pedar, Taite, Mortat, Granis and Olef knew about Maisie’s Flitter, as did the Arch Chancellor, Matron and the staff responsible for the hanger, the College Flitter, navigation and pilot training, though no-one was gossiping about it. The delivery of the Flitter had been noticed and evinced some speculation. At first it was assumed to be someone visiting, but after few days, due to lack of anyone important turning up, people thought perhaps the College was getting a second Flitter. The day of Dairig’s brief flight up and down the valley restarted the speculation at supper and soon everyone knew it was Maisie’s. Now it had buzzed the plateau and college complexes in the late afternoon. Only Maisie, Kaytim, Chainai and Luci were missing. So where had they gone? Taite explained to Mortat, Fari Netat and some other friends that Maisie had scheduled a long distance radio contact attempt. So with some misgivings he agreed to spectators. In the morning he set up his radio and aerials in Olef’s and Pedar’s apartment since there wasn’t space in his room. There was quite a party spirit as all the old class gathered as well as some of the Martial Arts folk – as Anit was club secretary, with Timot, Maisie and Chainai among the members – as well as a couple of Anit’s old Apprentice class friends. Though Granis was a Master and thus not normally expected to join student events, he was asked by Anit if he wanted to come. Granis wasn’t really interested and was meeting someone anyway. What Maisie was doing was none of his business, he told Anit.

Taite tuned some distant broadcast stations on a similar band to see what reception conditions were like. He matched the aerial wire to his transmitter and occasionally gave out a call.

“This is private station CCL 1561 T-A-I-T-E, listening,” he called, spelling his name as part of the call sign in the same phonetic manner.

He did this several times answered only by static. People lost interest and sat around chatting and drinking Jhai. Anit produced a tray of buns which vanished rather rapidly. Then Dairig, Olef’s Assistant produced more as well as some Molruk, sweetmeats and biscuits. Olef and Pedar sat in a corner talking quietly.

“Shush!” Taite called. “A carrier.”

Indeed the static had reduced. Taite turned up the volume.

“This is private mobile station CCL 3254 M-A-I-S-I-E on The Jaggit Flitter CA71634, listening,” Maisie said spelling out her name. Again the radio call sign, her name and the Flitter’s registration were spelled out phonetically.

“Private station CCL 1561 T-A-I-T-E, responding, do you copy? Over.”

“CCL 1561 T-A-I-T-E from CCL 3254 M-A-I-S-I-E, perfect copy, over.”

“You’re perfect here too Maisie. So it’s true, you have a Flitter. Where are you? Over.”

“About half way between Morganthal on the west coast and the Arctic city of Goroganst. I think it’s the most northern city in the world? Over.”

“Right, so who is the pilot, is Chainai with you? Over.”

“Ah, no-one is pilot, it’s on auto. Well, I’m the pilot, those college Flitter flights the last while was my flight time and test. I got the cert day before yesterday, second attempt, I failed first time. So this was the first opportunity really. Over.”

“Who is with you? Over.”

“Chainai, Luci, Kaytim is all. You are deteriorating. Over.”

“CCL 3254 M-A-I-S-I-E from CCL 1561 T-A-I-T-E, you are now Poor. All copied. When you returning? Over.”

There were sharp cracks and louder bursts of static. Perhaps a reply in the noise.

“CCL 3254 M-A-I-S-I-E from CCL 1561 T-A-I-T-E, no copy, over.”

“I’ve increased to full power, Morning of classes. Over.”

“Understood. Getting very bad, electrical storm somewhere. Over.”

“CCL 1561 T-A-I-T-E from CCL 3254 M-A-I-S-I-E, closing down, out, but listening.”

“CCL 3254 M-A-I-S-I-E from CCL 1561 T-A-I-T-E, copied. Closing down, out.” Taite switched off the radio.

“That’s the show over. That’s a big distance. She was probably at the ceiling for atmospheric flight I imagine. I bet there is a ‘no connection’ on all of them on the Crystal Net though.”

“Yes,” agreed Anit. “Why?”

“I’m sure the Flitter can link via the satellite aeronautic network and patch to the Crystal Net, also it very likely has an on board low power network base station simulator. Likely it’s not turned on, because we can’t call them. I tried.”

“I forgot to explain that,” said Dairig.

“I didn’t realise all this stuff is so complicated and fragile,” said Sollyam. “You just take it all for granted that it works. So was she using a radio like this one?”

“She has a more portable one like this, but her Flitter has a built in radio that can be programmed to be like this or for aeronautical control communications. It probably has two sets. Some Flitters, especially ones the starships have, would have three complete identical do everything radio systems as well as specialised transponders.”

“So why was she at Morganthal, at least that’s implied, and on route to Goroganst?”

“Chainai is the answer to both of those,” said Olef, “her parents came from Goroganst, there are still relatives there. Morganthal is where she lived her entire life before college. So that’s no doubt why the trip wasn’t discussed nor anyone else invited.”

“It’s not as large as the College Flitter, so she won’t be taking everyone that wants a trip at once,” said Anit. “She did give some of us a tour of it in the hanger, then Dairig took a load of us up and down the valley with Chainai and Maisie, that’s all Dhramini gave permission for, as going on a Flitter is equivalent to leaving college.”

“So what’s it like?” asked Mortat.

“Timot, you tell,” insisted Anit.

“It’s a customised model, for a Mogul, It has three cabins, for singles, couples or up to four sharing. A small fint stable that rotates, which is why the cargo hold is small and only three cabins. But the hold can easily take two Carriers, maybe three. One came with it. Chainai’s Carrier is gone, so it must be on board too. It’s got a very large lounge but a small flight cabin. It’s a full space capable Flitter, not just atmospheric. Also like the College Flitter it has two engine pods, but unusually, they are the largest size. It’s maybe 150 years old, but seems hardly used. Not a scratch anywhere inside. The outside can’t be scratched. It’s not actually an executive Flitter, it seems to be the only one registered in it’s class.”

“Why?” someone asked.

“All space capable Flitters are coated with a diamond film to spread the heat,” said Mortat. “I think there is nothing really harder.”

Anit pulled Timot down onto her lap and whispered in his ear. “Probably good idea not to describe the Carrier. She certainly hasn’t driven out in it yet in daytime, nor out on the public road, well, not before leaving.”

Taite was disconnecting his aerial and packing.

Anit shoved Timot off and went over. “Thanks for setting up here.”

As the food was finished, shortly there was only Timot, Anit, Sollyam, Fari Netat, Olef, Pedar and Dairig in the apartment. Dairig started clearing up.

“Both Maisie and Chainai did say they would be out the next two days,” Anit mentioned.

“Yes, Kaytim and Luci said the same to me, they didn’t want me sitting up worrying,” confirmed Dairig. As Anit, Dairig, Kaytim and Luci shared the ground floor apartment which had eight small bedrooms, this seemed reasonable.

“So now we know where they went,” Pedar started doubtfully, “though Chainai never spoke to me of the past.”

“Kaytim just mentioned in passing not long after Maisie came, that it was a pity the coast was so far away. Perhaps Maisie had been asking, her Ireland is a smallish island, no doubt she misses her home,” commented Dairig.

“I don’t think she lived at home, more a very temporary apartment, but on her own,” suggested Fari Netat. “I doubt she misses much. Sollyam, you have a key. Olef, can she bring down the Jaggit?”

“Sure, better here for today and tomorrow. Timot, you help to carry the box,” said Olef.

Timot and Sollyam went out as Olef turned to Pedar. “I’ve remembered where I saw the twin of it, you’d never ever guess?”

“No, tell,” said Pedar.

“Yaram.”

The Jaggit had felt very constrained so flapped in its clumsy manner to the top of a bookcase and tried to nip anyone inclined to try and lift her down. She refused fruit too except from Sollyam.

“I don’t think she can do any harm up there. It’s time for a main news bulletin.” Anit put on the viewscreen and selected the correct channel.

Amazingly the murder of Baron Hornlanthe and the still nameless kitchen worker was still in the news. This seemed to be because the new Mogul – really Arch Master – of House Funathim either hadn’t been chosen or hadn’t been publicly named. There seemed to be five possible candidates. The grand-daughter, Baroness Naleena, in her early 30s – as the son had never been involved in the last 30 years – Freidin the younger cousin of the Baron, the existing Deputy Tornarthor, Hulinatran, a divisional manager of very many years, and also the Baron’s nephew Baelinot in his 40s, much younger than the Deputy or manager. Sources close to the Council of House Funathim alleged that Baelinot the nephew and Naleena the grand-daughter were the front runners. Baelinot had worked as a fixer, an executive without portfolio in the House. The big trading Houses, the industrialists, were organised like Guilds. A Mogul is strictly the boss, the House Arch Master.

“It’s likely decided within minutes of the death by a directive,” explained Fari Netat. “It would be a rare council to ignore the outgoing Mogul’s wish. My bet is on the grand-daughter, she seems to have been practically a second Deputy, also just last year the Emperor elevated her to a Baroness. None of the others have a title, unless someone is a Baronet, I forget, but a Baronet doesn’t count as a noble. You didn’t meet her, Anit?”

“I did,” said Anit, “she came here to oversee the boffins, including Freidin at the show-and-tell, no doubt also to recommend it or not to Baron Hornlanthe.”

“So apart from rival Houses,” said Pedar, “the culprit must be one of the five mentioned or an enemy he made inside the House or another House. Is the list of the House Council public?”

“Let’s see,” suggested Anit, “though oddly Maisie is best at this.”

“She’s rather good at searches,” enthused Sollyam. The Jaggit had deigned to sit in her lap, so she was a little elated.

“I can’t find it,” said Anit. “Perhaps Chainai will get it from Captain Lin, or Maisie will get it.”

“I hope she doesn’t decide to hack the House Funathim computer system,” said Timot.

The others looked at him curiously.

“Would she?” said Fari Netat.

“Err, well,” stammered Timot, “probably not.”

Fari Netat thought perhaps Maisie had hacked something and promised to be good in future. Certainly there were some details lacking in the tale of the Orb.

“So anyone fancy some Bowls or Entrapment in Students Association,” suggested Sollyam as she put Karah, the now sleepy Jaggit, in her box.

Everyone chorused, “Not against a Wizard.”

“I like to watch. I won’t take sides. Not even to help Fari Netat.”

“I’m game,” said Timot.

“We know you are,” quipped Anit.

* * *

Kaytim and Luci were watching news on the large viewscreen, Chainai hadn’t returned. Maisie didn’t seem disturbed by the sound. Unexpectedly a chime sounded repeatedly throughout the Flitter. Maisie stirred and went to the flight cabin.

“I wonder what that’s for?” said Kaytim to Luci. “It doesn’t sound like a navigation alert or a warning.”

Chainai came in. “Are we there already? I think I fell asleep.”

“No, it must be for something else,” said Luci, “let’s go and see.”

Oddly Maisie was wearing a riding helmet and was talking softly. They sat down and watched to see what would happen next. However Maisie didn’t explain till she was finished and took off the helmet.

“An audience,” she laughed, “nothing exciting, I was just seeing if I could talk to Taite by long distance radio. The Flitter has three completely separate communications systems, they are all the same. They can be programmed to do almost any analogue or digital radio modulation, even obsolete ones. As you know I developed two head-up display types in colour using riding helmets for prototypes, they have wireless microphone and earphones built in too. I think while the laser type is much more expensive it’s superior, but it can’t be shared between most species as the lasers can’t be retuned in use. But riding helmets tend to be personal. The EVA suit helmets are always made to fit anyway. Any of you can try my other prototype. It uses the same full spectrum display with 37 colours per dot as the viewscreen but miniaturised. Actually House Funathim made them to my specification.” She lifted a second blue helmet off the next seat and passed it to Chainai.

“Talk, you can hear me?”

“Yes, it’s very clear.”

Maisie tapped her console. “OK, sit and flip down only the windshield.”

“Yes, I see all the main status screen, but only in monochrome.”

“Because that’s all the Flitter does. I’ll get it upgraded shortly if who ever is the new Mogul at House Funathim is friendly. Or at least is progressing the systems. Though I suppose they don’t have to. They will be out of pocket for this Flitter and its inventory as well as the video studio.”

“Not really as it has been sitting in storage,” insisted Kaytim. “It won’t have cost much to clean and check it. The video studio will cost a bit more, but not much compared to the setup costs for production.”

Maisie fiddled with her modified Crystal and wedged it up at the windscreen of the Flitter. Then tapped the console.

“You are seeing a little coloured image? I am.”

“Yes.”

“Flip down the sunshade, it’s an especially dark one, so don’t panic.”

“Oh!”

“What?”

“Almost my whole field of vision is the view from your camera, in lifelike colour. The status screen is in a corner, but only the foreground text on the camera image.”

“Keep calm, it may go black briefly, last trick.”

“I see a wire frame model of the Flitter, but it seems almost three dimensional, oh it is, if I move my head it’s obvious. How?”

“An illusion, a separate slightly different image for each eye. The helmet is tracking your eye and head movement and redrawing the model, so even if you close one eye there is a 3D illusion. It’s enhanced on the laser version by varying the sharpness on the Z-axis with your eye focus. Let the others have a go.”

Luci tried first and discovered that for the model view she could zoom in or out by half closing her eyes or opening them wider. Kaytim discovered that she could switch between fixed view, rotating model or scrolling by a very quick blink and then looking up, down, right or left if she kept her head still.

“I’ll experiment with hand, finger and tongue gestures to control the interface too,” said Maisie. “I’m not feeling great right now though.”

“Nor me,” admitted Chainai. “I think we sat up too late, watching the sea.”

5: Goroganst

Programming

There is no time for anything else if you are a serious programmer. Managing programmers is like herding cats

—Princess N’Riada

Maisie landed reasonably smoothly at Goroganst Airport and taxied to their allocated parking bay. This time Chainai was driving her own ordinary Carrier. Like Maisie’s more sport-like vehicle, it took three in front and three behind, and more obviously could pop up a third bench instead of some luggage space because the wider sliding rear doors gave access just by sliding the entire middle bench forwards, but manually, with rather more leg room. It was technically allowed to have four on the two rear seats or benches, but this would be cramped for some species. Over all though it wasn’t much longer or wider, but blockier. The road from the airport to Goroganst city was alongside the east-facing coast. The sea was grey with fierce white tipped waves. The shoreline was rocky and inhospitable. Orange lighting flickered on as the fog rolled in from the sea before they reached town.

“The sea doesn’t actually freeze here, though it does further south on other continental coasts. Probably though winter is very severe,” said Chainai to Luci, “but I’ve never been here before. The fog is very common as the current from the south that keeps the port ice free hits the current from the pole.”

Chainai had been a little cross with Maisie but now was reconsidering. She could see that Maisie was following at a careful distance. Chainai had thought they should all go with her. Maisie wasn’t sure Chainai’s aunt, uncle and cousins would be keen on three absolute strangers. There were also other relatives Chainai hadn’t been in touch with, however Chainai had agreed not to try visiting them due to time constraints.

Chainai parked in the driveway and Maisie in the street. It was just before the evening meal.

The Karnd that answered the door looked very like Chainai to Maisie.

“You must be Chainai!” she said. “I’m your cousin Tertai. Do come in with, um, your friends?”

The lounge was rather packed with the eight of them including Uncle Hecteral, Aunt Dralnai, Cousin Fregel and Cousin Tertai. Tertai and Chainai seemed a similar age to Maisie, the boy Fregel was very ill at ease and seemed much younger. After the introductions the conversation stalled.

Hecteral looked nervous and the women, Dralnai and Tertai stared at each other. “So Chainai, you are just staying overnight and leaving tomorrow evening?”

But Maisie interrupted, “Not Kaytim and I, we have some maintenance to do on the Flitter. Actually it’s quite like a hotel, so Luci can come back with us now too.”

Chainai looked shocked.

“Luci and I can stay in a nearby hotel,” Chainai pleaded. “I’m rather lost without her, she has been looking after me for over twelve years.”

“There is no question of that is there, Hecteral?” suggested Dralnai.

“If you don’t mind sharing a room with Luci?”

Chainai agreed.

“OK, well, nice to meet you. Kaytim and I will be off, I think you need to be back with us by Tenth hour at the latest tomorrow after supper.” Maisie stood and helped Kaytim up from a low stool.

Hecteral went ahead and opened the doors. Then he put a hand on Maisie’s shoulder, which was an unusual thing for a Karnd stranger to do.

“I’m afraid Chainai’s message and subsequent conversation wasn’t entirely informative. It’s not that we are inhospitable, but literally two people would have to sleep on the floor. We don’t have any couch or camping mattresses.”

“Chainai has had some bad shocks lately, at least she kept in touch over the years. Her parents were murdered and there was at least one attempt on her life. The perpetrator damaged her. He’s dead now. I don’t know what she has told you or will tell you. Don’t mention I said about it. I think most of it has not been public,” explained Maisie.

“No, I heard none of this, just that she had recovered her sight and hearing, which sounded like a miracle. Now some of what she wrote and said makes more sense. Thanks.”

“Put me in your contacts,” she spelled Maisie in Karndic. “Call if there is a problem or better just tell Luci, she’s something between an older sister and a mother to Chainai.”

* * *

Kaytim was standing waiting at the car. “You’re a liar, Maisie Kelly. There isn’t any maintenance.”

“I’m sure Hecteral knows and regards it as diplomacy. There is really maintenance, the rear hatch? Come on, get in this sportster thing, it’s an insult to call it a Carrier. You think I should have shamed Chainai by being more direct?”

They got in the Carrier.

“I like up front, it’s a better view,” said Kaytim. “You are so tricky, you so often make badness sound virtuous.”

The sportster rolled quietly down the street. “You’ll never quite approve of me, will you?”

“I don’t think my approval would benefit you,” she quipped. “do you want to sack me and get a more sycophantic Assistant? Besides I never quite approve of anyone.”

“I hate to admit it, but I would be devastated if you left. You’re better than a good conscience and the sister I never had rolled into one. If I don’t seem very grateful, it’s only a desire to stop you getting too bossy and proud. Can we agree to continue even when we fall out? After all we don’t want to prove Millifore’s judgement wrong.”

“Yes.”

Maisie pulled over. “You drive then. I’m wrecked. Even if you scratch it, it’s only a thing. You probably drive better than me anyway.”

Maisie got out and walked around the front. Kaytim slid across the bench. After Kaytim closed the doors she spoke again. “What about the Flitter?”

“You can drive that too if you get a Pilot Cert. Well, sometimes anyway. You should get the space Navigator certificate too, like I did. The one advantage of failing my first test was having time to pass the navigation test next time!”

Kaytim was surprised. Instead of the answer about why Maisie wanted a Flitter, an invitation to pilot it, and in space too. She considered briefly mentioning Chainai’s beach comment and explaining that’s what she meant, not driving the Flitter. The sportster moniker was appropriate. The handling was incredible with force feedback on the steering yoke. She accelerated to the speed limit (almost 195 km/h) as quickly as it could, which was very fast indeed and Maisie said nothing. The suspension too must be active rather than passive as the chassis never bumped, jarred or bounced with the road imperfections. Maisie was absolutely correct, it was an insult to call it a Carrier.

“We can’t rely on having Dairig if Olef goes or Pedar hanging about even though he is studying to be a Master,” Maisie mused. “We need to be self sufficient, you need to know everything I know about flying the Flitter, be as good or hopefully better, for space. Though going to the beach is good. Do you think Chainai will give in and marry him?”

Ah, thought Kaytim, the beach thing is just something she likes for relaxing, space is the actual goal, but why?

“Why is space important?” she asked. “It’s not like we have our own starship.”

“I think owning a starship would be a bit much. Or indeed very big sync-sats.” Maisie closed her eyes and reclined the seat till it was almost horizontal.

Kaytim mused on sync-sats, something to research. Who’d have thought an Assistant would have to learn so much technology? Well, she had nearly gone for a Science career. She reversed to a halt at the Flitter. It still wasn’t opening automatically. Maisie roused herself and got out.

“I’ll open the hatch ramp thing, then you reverse in please? So see I wasn’t lying, we have one piece of maintenance. Actually, no. Just lock it here ready to reverse in.”

Shortly Kaytim found Maisie on the flight cabin talking to someone either direct via radio or the Crystal Net – which she supposed must be radio too, of a different kind, something else to research.

She sat in the co-pilot seat and imagined taking off or docking with a starship. It wasn’t dull working with Maisie.

“I wondered if they have a continuous maintenance service,” explained Maisie. “It’s a big airport serving this whole region, it has long periods of continuous day and night, nearly half a year as we are in the Arctic. So I found out that they do. I asked if we can watch in case it breaks again when we are not at a big airfield. I told them you are my Engineer. After all you dress just like one and you do a lot with stuff in my lab, it’s practically our lab. You nearly became a scientist. With my serpents I might get mistaken for an ordinary Margravine, especially with the sportster and Flitter. Everyone expects Circle College robes to be plain. Let’s eat and then they should be here.”

Kaytim blinked. An ordinary worker didn’t really look dressed like an engineer or technologist, but Maisie was right, the College Assistant’s more expensive tunics and slightly different style coupled with the snug rather than loose pants, and different ankle boots rather than shoes would look more like the starship folk Maisie had lived with for over seven months! A bit like a technician. She efficiently prepared a meal for two from dry goods, preserved and frozen ingredients.

“Good,” said Maisie as she cleared the plate, “you don’t mind making sure the Flitter always fully stocked up and ready to go as well as looking after the apartment?”

“If it’s too much you can get me an Assistant or another for yourself,” she gave her almost tinkling laugh. “Masters often have two. Take Dairig if Olef ever gives her up. He doesn’t appreciate her.”

“She’s certainly very quiet, efficient and unobtrusive.”

As Kaytim went to make Molruk the ship chimed with the door pattern.

“Leave that till later, Engineer Kaytim!”

Maisie opened the side hatch indicated by the sensor after glancing at the video feed. There was a single middle aged Karnd man pulling a case on a trolley up the ramp.

“This is The Jaggit Flitter CA71634, so you must be Maisie Kelly, the owner. I’m N’Gran Jarge, just call me Jarge. Is your Pilot and Engineer here?”

Maisie closed the hatch. “Thank you Jarge. Actually I’m the pilot and somewhat of a programmer. Kaytim here is invaluable as engineering support, she can program too. Unfortunately neither of us has had time to understand the software of the Flitter yet. The first time we tried to reverse in the hatch didn’t open. It does open if you drive forwards. It works with the Carrier either way round, opening or closing when the Carrier is in the hold.”

“Let’s see the diagnostics and code then. Can you power up the Carrier and come back, Kaytim?, I presume the oddball parked just right for triggering the hatch is yours, Maisie?”

“Yes, go ahead, Kaytim.”

Maisie powered up the flight cabin, unlocked the consoles and engaged diagnostics.

“Hmm, have you had it long?” he asked.

“A month.”

“Is it your first?”

“It is. I have had only two transits in space as a passenger, a terrestrial transit and my pilot lessons before yesterday. It’s my first trip in my own Flitter.”

“Lucky girl,” he muttered, louder he continued, “well, the registration for this Flitter is just over 150 years old, we have to look at service history and flight records. It was delivered to House Funathim then, delivered to Circle College as you say a month ago and you flew it since yesterday alone. At least all the flight plans are in your name. You had someone else pilot it once a few days after you got it. That’s it entirely, unless someone’s cheated.”

“Yes, I did my actual flight practice and test in the College’s Flitter,” explained Maisie.

He typed various commands. Kaytim was quietly watching now too.

“Look, here is the event log. You can see unless someone was going to fake that, that what I say is true.”

“We thought everything looked as if it only had an age patina, and no usage. There isn’t a scratch on anything.”

“So we assume then it’s true. Though very odd. That makes the problem obvious. Factory calibration is never done on the outside sensor, the near field transponder is on the front of the Carrier, so on reversing the hatch sensor doesn’t register with the low default sensitivity. I’ve never understood why Carriers don’t all have a transponder on the rear as well as the front. Why have you called me rather than figure it out from the manual?”

“Because it’s easier to learn from an expert than a manual maybe written by someone who has never been in a Flitter,” explained Maisie. “You’ll find this Flitter has an odd manual. It’s not a standard model. I gave up trying to find the laundry section, but Assistant Luci who is in the city with Master N’Goro Chainai found it. Otherwise we might have had a clothing crisis. The manual looks like a hurried copy and paste from two unrelated manuals. It’s very tricky.”

“You’re a joker for sure,” he laughed, “but you’re right. The people that sell these things never expect the users or owners to read the manual. Normally it’s Princely Lords, Moguls and Guild leaders that have an entire maintenance department. There is something odd about the lines of this Flitter. You really just privately own this, with no engineering contract or department as backup?”

“Yes, it’s just me, I’m afraid. Though Kaytim is a great help.”

“I need to sit. I never heard of such a thing. You say you program? You seem very young, though I never saw an Off-Worlder looking like you.”

“I did the design, hardware and software for this.” She handed him the generic helmet. Kaytim slipped off to make Molruk. He’d need it.

He donned it, flipped down the windshield and gasped.

“Now hold on while I clip my Crystal on the helmet.” She clipped it on, keyed the console and deftly flipped the extra dark sun-shield.

“How? It’s proper life-like colour!” He moved his head. “Must be stereoscopic with full 3D tracking.” He quickly spun and looked up and down. “No noticeable lag. How?”

He moved to take it off.

“No, humour me,” she said, “try this. Guess how you zoom, scroll and rotate.”

“I can’t hardly believe this. You have live colour stereo video, an overlay of the Flitter main console and a 3D wire frame model I can control. Very intuitive zoom in and out. I’m not convinced on the blink, oh, it works blinking left always to go to scroll, right cycles normal or rotate and both cycles all modes. Don’t know about that.”

“I think a wrist band and hand or finger gestures.”

“This will sell like hot cakes to fint riders, racing drivers, Flitter pilots, starships.”

“Icing. The helmets won’t use that display, they’ll use five lasers adapted for the wearer. That’s what mine uses, though three lasers would do for me.”

Kaytim set down three mugs and took a sip.

He took off the prototype helmet.

“So is this superb colour display a full spectrum for any species?”

“Thirty seven colours across the spectrum for each dot, or five tuned lasers for a personal head-up display.”

“The camera too?”

“Yes, thirty seven sensors and a special colour splitting lens on each composite dot.”

He slapped himself. “House Funathim, they are going make bloody colour viewscreens, Slabs, cameras for everyone, licence the stuff to the Moguls or other manufacturers on maybe 4,000 home worlds. I heard about it. Good god. I’m talking to the future richest person not a Mogul. No wonder they parted with this toy, sorry, luxury executive Flitter, or whatever it is. No doubt that Carrier was included and is a one of a kind.”

“I think so.”

He took a swig of Molruk. He nodded to Kaytim.

“Right, watch.”

He competently took Maisie and Kaytim through the calibration and Maisie got Kaytim to adjust it. He explained signal margins to them.

“OK, Kaytim,” suggested Jarge, “drive forward and then reverse slowly till we see what happens.”

Maisie put up the rear camera showing the floodlit apron of the airport and her sportster as well as the hold camera on another screen. Jarge watched the diagnostics for the sensor. It worked flawlessly and after the clamps locked the vehicle, Kaytim came back.

“It’s perfect now,” said Maisie. “Jarge, can I pay you to come tomorrow some time for some more tips on the Flitter?”

“I’d be glad to anyway,” he said. “I’d appreciate the credits if you are serious, perhaps Two bn?”

“OK.”

As he was going down the ramp he turned and reminded her, “You’ll get bill for tonight on your airport fees. Will the same rate be acceptable?”

“Yes, I checked before I called, I thought the money would be worth the annoyance it would save. Thanks.”

Jarge couldn’t believe his luck. He was on overtime now and would be getting paid well on his day off. Somehow he suspected an Arch Warlock and Adept Mage wouldn’t be mean, obviously from the colours, but what was with the serpents? He thought the Circle College uniform was never embellished except for the coppery, gold or silver edging for an Arch Talent. The Karnd woman though very pretty didn’t seem soft. He doubted she was other than a college Assistant, but then they were the cream of the guild, so he suspected she’d competently take up whatever extra occupations required. Maybe she really was an engineer too.

* * *

Uncle Hecteral, Aunt Dralnai, Fregel and Tertai were relaxing in the city, though Luci rather than Chainai had helped the most. Chainai had slightly embarrassed them with small gifts, which at least were not totally inappropriate, boy’s and girl’s bracelets made of polished stones for Fregel and Tertai and animal hide tunic belts with decorated buckles for Hecteral and Dralnai. Luci had to resist the urge to get up and serve the meal. Instead she put them at ease relating escapades of students. Chainai wondered if they were fiction but then recognised a couple, so then she wondered how Luci knew about them!

After Luci had embellished the story of the narrowly avoided destruction of a tower by Maisie, then Maisie’s rescue of Chainai from the kidnappers, Hecteral spoke to Chainai, who had been largely quiet.

“So how do you find having this handful of an Arch Warlock and Adept Mage as your personal Master’s Journeyman student? How can she be a Master of Mentalism like you?”

“Oh, Uncle Hecteral, those are very vexing questions.”

“So you don’t like having her as a student? She seemed very concerned for you. Did she really have to go and do maintenance? I can’t imagine any Talent doing that, you would employ an engineer or technician.”

“She wouldn’t realise that. She would too do her own maintenance. She speaks Karndic wonderfully for an Off-Worlder, especially from a planet were they didn’t know if anyone else existed two years ago, she was a Tellurian programmer and engineer of some promise already quite senior when we found her in Search on Tellus. So for a Talent she has good mathematics and stuff. There is no one I’d rather have as student or friend. Please, Luci don’t tell her, or Kaytim. She can be unbelievably naive. I’m sure she thought her excuse was clever and I’d bet Kaytim mocked her for it. I suspect she will fix something, or at least get the hold hatch thing fixed, it’s a little wonky. Also she is most exasperating person I ever met at the same time as being my best friend after Luci. I’m baffled though why it seems to work so well Kaytim being her Assistant or why I’m her especial Master. She has a Master for Magery and one for Warlockery. She’ll maybe be a double Master next year. Luci?”

“I think I understand why it works having Kaytim as Maisie’s Assistant. I’m not sure Kaytim would be a very good assistant for anyone else. I think Arch Chancellor Millifore really intends a non-Mentalist to be a Master of Mentalism. Otherwise it would just be tuition.”

“Chainai, I’m delighted you are able to visit and you do make me wish we had space for Maisie to visit too,” explained Aunt Dralnai.

“Thanks. But I’m sure actually she wouldn’t have enjoyed it. She’s not really very social, though improving, I suspect the machinations of Fari Netat, one of the Apprentices, were anticipated somehow by Millifore. I suppose you are working tomorrow?”

“No,” said Uncle Hecteral, “we will go sightseeing and chatting and a picnic. We took Fregel out of school, he’s happy to miss a day. Your Aunt Dralnai, Tertai and I have taken a day holiday from work. We were just going to hire a Carrier, but I suppose you can drive us? You never explained you were coming by private Flitter, bringing your own Carrier and Assistant. We thought you were arriving on a scheduled flight. So the times you gave were very confusing as nothing matched up.”

“I’m sorry. I suppose too almost everything that has happened to me hasn’t even been in the news and I found it easier to assume you knew. I’m temped to have Luci explain, but that would be mad.” So Chainai explained it all, with the occasional clarification from Luci.

“Today I feel like I have a hangover. Maisie and I sat almost all night on a sand dune watching the moonlight and waves. Talking occasionally. She lost both her parents more recently than I, in a traffic accident, and has no relatives at all. I guess if I had had no talent, then you would have probably adopted me, but then my parents would never have been murdered. So apart from lack of sleep, I’m probably better now than I have been since I was seven! I’m really sorry about the daft messages and discussion.”

“Don’t worry Chainai,” urged Aunt Dralnai. “Fregel, you do need to go to bed now, we’ll be going soon too, it’s really very late!”

Fregel normally might have objected but the strange Chainai had got him an extra holiday.

“Chainai,” said Tertai, “would Luci mind swapping to my room and then we can chat a little, maybe in the morning, I’m sure you’re tired.”

“If Luci and your Mum agree, it’s fine. I get to see Luci nearly every day, we have a lot of catching up to do. We nearly look like twins too, I had no idea. I’ll take off my boots and robe and then Luci can give her opinion.”

“I have another dress just like this. Come now and we will see!”

After they went out Luci asked, “If you don’t mind saying, what age is Tertai?”

“Just recently 20,” said Dralnai, “so only a little younger than Chainai.”

The girls could be heard before seen. It was uncanny. With both now in bare feet their height was the same. They had used scarves to hide the different length and cut of hair.

“Luci?” Hecteral demanded.

“It might be hard for some people,” she admitted, “but Chainai, you are on the right. You get more sun and wind on your face riding, so your skin tone is a little darker. Your muscle tone is better from the Martial Arts Club, otherwise you might look very similar.”

“You are terrible Luci!” Tertai exclaimed. “I wasn’t sure I was me! But I have an office job and the Sleeping season is complete darkness all day here. Maybe I should do the Martial Arts exercises too. We could dress the same tomorrow for fun.”

“I’m sorry, Tertai,” sighed Chainai, “it’s a romantic idea to pretend to be twins for a day, especially when there are no Karnd twins. I got into trouble once for breaking the uniform rule. I’m legally obliged to wear clothes like a noble in my circle colours in public. Luci, you know we are double cousins? Aunt is my mum’s sister and Uncle is my dad’s brother.”

“I suppose that partly explains it,” said Luci. “I’ll get our night cases from the Carrier, Chainai.

Aunt Dralnai commented after Luci went out: “I’m sure she was wonderful for you during all those years and the recent dark days.”

“She was and is.”

They all went to bed. Aunt Dralnai was quite determined to clear up in the morning with Tertai and Fregel helping.

However early before anyone else was up, Luci put the kitchen and dining area to rights and was just setting out rising and a flask of Molruk as the family and Chainai came in.

“Sorry, I hope you don’t mind,” she said. “Habit.”

* * *

On the dot the hatch chime sounded in the Flitter. Maisie tapped the console and after a moment shouted, “Come on up.”

“Hi Maisie,” said Jarge. “I was going to call and check you hadn’t changed your mind, except your Flitter shows as off-line on the Crystal Net. You can only use the aeronautical network. Thanks Kaytim.” He took a seat and Kaytim poured and handed him a cup of Jhai.

“The Flitter itself is a Crystal contact? Like my Crystal?”

“Yes. It should also provide coverage for your own Crystal.”

“There is no connection unless we are outside.”

“Bring up the communications options. You must know where that is.”

“Yes, here,” said Maisie.

Kaytim watched carefully on the cloned co-pilot seat. Jarge sat at the traditional navigation and communications position.

Jarge stretched over and pointed.

Maisie enabled the internal Crystal Net base station radio set, so now anything with a Crystal Net interface could patch into ship board data, video and voice. Then she enabled the Flitter’s Crystal Net interface. At once both Maisie’s and Kaytim’s Crystals indicated unread messages.

Maisie felt stupid. The message was from Luci simply stating everything fine, going sightseeing.

“Don’t feel bad,” offered Jarge, “it always disables both of those when the Flitter is powered down completely. That’s so rare that almost everyone forgets to turn them on till they realise there is no coverage. Since you have so little experience of being a passenger needing to talk to someone, you’d not realise that Flitters act as relays. It will patch via the Aeronautic or space networks and might message via a Sync Sat, that might need a software patch. I don’t know.”

“It can’t connect to a sync-sat. I checked,” said Maisie, “not surprising as they didn’t exist! The Crystal Net must use a newer protocol to patch to them.”

Kaytim resolved to learn everything possible about sync-sats.

“Let’s see are there any online updates.”

“I think there are on the aeronautical network. But it wanted access codes I don’t have.”

“Because those are not for owners or pilots but maintenance staff. I guess you two are the maintenance staff as there is no-one else. They are not exactly secret, I’m sure you’d find them, but no use unless you have the Flitter maintenance password for this Flitter. Which obviously you have since we did that last night and you coyly didn’t tell me.”

Maisie gave him her most friendly smile.

“I’m guessing you know about security and have all codes written in a safe place?”

“Two safe places.”

“She could write a book on computer security,” said Kaytim, which earned her a frown.

“OK, got somewhere on your Crystal for these codes?”

Maisie took it out again and selected a page.

“Here,” she said, “description then code.”

Jarge entered three sets of codes.

“Try the Crystal Net. Always cheaper and sometimes faster than the aeronautical one.”

Maisie soon had the patches downloading and then applied them in the correct order. Maisie checked the communications menus. “Yes, we have the sync-sat as a direct option as well via Crystal Net. Pointless unless we are somewhat off world. I’ve used it via the ordinary network to send and receive mail. It’s very expensive, also my only contact has no account so I get charged to receive.”

Jarge presumed it must be someone on Tellus, as anyone else would surely have an account, though he wasn’t completely sure about Yaram. He’d had difficulty finding out which world she was from till he realised that he’d never heard of an Arch Warlock.

“You left a boyfriend behind on Tellus?”

Kaytim thought if looks could kill, Jarge would be dead.

Maisie tightened her lips, then relaxed. “I think that’s a bit personal. However, it’s nothing as private. He is the UN representative for Tellus, Earth, to the Galactic Council. As they have Nation States, the UN is the local Tellurian equivalent to the Galactic council.”

“So he can tell you stuff but the UN hardly decides anything.”

“It usually goes badly for someone if they do agree to do something. How did you figure I was from Tellus?”

“You’re an Arch Warlock and Adept Mage. There is only one Arch Warlock currently. Well, what systems do you want to consider in the short period of time we have?”

“Display subsystems, though I hope House Funathim will upgrade those, but they don’t make Flitters, House Delanateur made this one. The new displays are compatible with existing monochrome images, video, data and control channels. The image is coloured via extra parallel spectrum hue and saturation data. Secondly, adding extra pan and tilt controlled devices that can be lock to a fixed or moving object, compensating for craft movement, or simulating a view as if from windscreen or viewing port. Though this Flitter only has the front windscreen and fixed cameras. Thirdly controlling a high power take-off similar to an engine feed. If the fusion system, interface and control software is based on the largest size Flitter, then there might be two unused channels.”

“The first two make sense and Flitters often have pan and tilt, sometimes rotate, on cameras. Odd that this otherwise deluxe model hasn’t, of course House Delanateur doesn’t normally build for the executive or nobility market. More the starship and security markets. Actually I’ve never heard of an executive Flitter made by them. I doubt a Flitter this size has the structure anywhere to mount a third and fourth engine, though House Delanateur only make four engine models. The two engines you have are the largest size on any Flitter, what do you need more power for?”

“Not for engines, more than two of these engines on this size Flitter would seem pointless. Even these two engines must be close to the limits for the chassis or frame or whatever you call it.”

Kaytim considered the fact that Maisie’s Warlock Talent needed a power source. This sounded very ominous.

“Yes, they are larger than needed, the largest size. I think I’m seeing why the manual is a hodge podge.”

Jarge examined the diagnostics and showed Maisie how to access the source code, which required a password that Maisie had. “It seems the engine management software is exactly that for a full sized freighter Flitter’s four engines and two channels are simply disabled. Rather than fight the manual let’s see the fusion system. I think you are correct. Parts of the manual are the same as a Delanateur industrial or security forces model and part copied from something else, probably a regular Clan freighter Flitter.”

The three of them went to the engineering room. It was very cramped and bare.

“Do you know how to do this?” he asked. “We never open these. Needs Talent.”

“In theory. I did practice as part of my training on a system in college, like the power source of a Flitter.”

Maisie concentrated and popped off the central unit’s cover. Jarge had seen this done, but Kaytim’s eyes were like saucers.

“This and this,” she said, “go to the engine pods. This and this.” She made each section in turn glow. “Hmm. Those must be feeds for the two other engine pods on the largest Flitters. They extend as far as the other ones in the main superstructure, but no plasma generation or injection or feeds. That will be fine. This and this,” she illuminated two sections in turn, “are the control interfaces to the electronics? Does it look like they are connected? They feel connected to me.”

“I think they are. How do you do that glow and how can you feel where things go?”

“The power for glow is via my Warlock talent. But I don’t do light the way other Warlocks do, I use Warlock and Mage Talents together. The feeling power is Warlock Talent and the flow of it is my Mage Talent. It’s best though if you don’t repeat any of this.”

Maisie closed up the cover again.

“The big orb in the middle is the fusion source?” asked Kaytim.

“You didn’t see one before?” said Jarge.

“No, only a picture.”

“I’ve only ever seen one twice before,” admitted Jarge. “we’ll go back and look at the less scary bits. I have feeling I seriously don’t want to know what you want the power feeds for. Perhaps an anti-meteorite shield?”

Kaytim remembered the last time Maisie had accessed a lot of power and knocked out all the distribution feeds on the entire plateau. An anti-meteorite shield sounded like a good idea. Though Maisie had never shown any Warlock ability for shields.

“I suppose you want to work through lunch?” said Kaytim.

“If you don’t mind, Jarge, Kaytim prepared some food earlier.”

The camera positioning sub-systems were found and Maisie was satisfied with that. As they ate, they looked at all the display subsystems. Kaytim could see, she had done introductory programming in high school and more in university, that there seemed be a huge amount of it, as she’d admitted to Maisie, she was good enough at programming that she absolutely didn’t want Granis to know about it.

“There seems to be an immense amount of software in this compared to an automated TEM?” said Kaytim.

“TEM?”

“Tunnelling Electron Microscope, I’ve programmed them.”

“Ah,” Jarge re-evaluated Kaytim, “yes, a Flitter has huge number of systems. Without them it would be like trying to fly an obstinate brick.”

They looked at more systems. Maisie was now almost getting bad tempered. Maisie killed it all and the screens now displayed the regular status information.

Jarge looked disappointed. “I like programming. It’s not often I have time to look at this stuff just doing regular maintenance.”

“You have worked as a programmer,” she stated. It wasn’t a question. “Do you know programmers good and reliable at that kind of code?”

Kaytim recognised that sharper turn of voice.

“I did work as a programmer, I miss it,” he agreed. “I do know programmers, but they don’t know Flitters. They do know about display programming.”

“Send me your résumé and any from other folk interested in a long term programming job in a new business.”

“Which business?”

“Kaytim’s.”

“Really?” he looked at Kaytim doubtfully. He was smart enough to say nothing. “OK, I guess you’ll be providing specifications though. Does Tellus have colour displays then?”

“Yes to both. But we only have one species to worry about, we don’t even cater for our very rare slightly tetrachromatic people. We are only trichromatic. So our colour is barely more than a trick. Look this looks perfectly natural to me.” Maisie took a small gadget from a pocket and activated it.

“I see what you mean. That’s terrible, useless. Yet you have obviously got a workable solution, the helmet was impressive. I guess we are done for now.”

Maisie opened the hatch and walked with him to the head of the ramp. “Thanks Jarge. I can’t promise there is any programming job. If there is, everyone would mostly work from home.”

“Bye. I’ll send some stuff anyway.”

He was pretty sure House Funathim would be doing the programming, even so he was just being polite, because actually he preferred his current job.

Maisie tapped close as soon as Jarge stepped of the ramp. She went and sat in the lounge. Kaytim joined her but decided to say nothing.

“You are unusually quiet and lacking in observations.”

“I thought you seemed tired, Maisie, there are things I’d like to know, and other things I’m not sure I want to know. Probably now is the wrong time for either. He’s sceptical about my programming business.”

“I am tired. Though at least I had a decent sleep last night. All the display software. No way I’m going to do that, but I don’t like to just contract it out. Maybe Funathim will do it.”

“I see. In everything. Not just in Flitters. I can’t design or write this sort of software. This is mad stuff. I did it at high school and university, I don’t have the experience to design it. So what do you mean my business? I don’t have the management experience.”

“You don’t have to do programming, or even understand it, to own a business producing it.”

“You can’t own a business, because you have Talent, but are you cheating? Would I be only a proxy, a figurehead?”

“No, it would be really yours. You would get stuff from me just as House Funathim does, but software ideas and specification rather than hardware designs. I’d have to trust you not to mess up. I really like having you as Assistant. You’d have to hire a manager for day to day running, and project manager for each team. Maybe it’s a crazy idea. Perhaps House Funathim will do it or I’ll just pay someone. Or maybe you don’t want to do it.”

“I don’t know. I’ll think about, I think probably I don’t want to try running that sort of business. Maisie, you really are mad this time, I can’t believe the Moguls don’t have this all under control. I guarantee Funathim will be doing it.”

“I guess it’s too late to meet the others if they are anywhere interesting.”

“Far too late, we could go out to eat somewhere instead?”

“Why not. If you don’t mind driving there. I’ll drive back.”

Maisie helped to tidy up and Kaytim raced into the city just under the speed limit.

* * *

Aunt Dralnai was more than a little surprised by Luci, but thought it was best to graciously accept it and thank her.

It was the most northern city in the world, though it wasn’t a tourist destination, there was a lot of automated manufacturing, mining, hydrocarbons (extraction and fusion powered synthesis from sea water and waste carbon), fishing and ore refining. There was a University, specialising in factory automation system design related courses, which was about the most interesting thing in the city. The second most popular was the central park which was floodlit three quarters of the day for more than half the year. It had year round outdoor and indoor ice rinks. The only other things apart from shops were the Museum of Technology and the combined regular Museum and Art gallery. They ate out a fairly good restaurant specialising in fish, which suited Chainai fine. Chainai promised to visit more often and communicate better, perhaps also invite Tertai to stay at Circle College, which certainly had some potential for fun, though Tertai couldn’t legally wear Noble’s or Talent’s outfits either.

“Go on, Chainai. Reverse. I bet she has fixed it,” urged Luci.

Of course the hatch worked. This was fortunate, as they would have had to turn around again to drive in forwards otherwise. Neither of them knew the access codes for the hatches or the flight cabin, which was locked. The other Carrier, the sportster, was missing from the hold.

“No one here.” Luci flung her bag into the bedroom.

“The Crystals are mysteriously working in here now,” said Chainai. In case Maisie was driving she called Kaytim, but Kaytim was unavailable so she called Maisie, “Where are you? Is Kaytim driving?”

“Nearly back. Don’t panic. Yes, where are you?”

“In the Flitter, I thought we were late.”

“It is very late, see you in a moment.”

Shortly Maisie was in the pilot position. They all sat in the flight cabin.

Maisie tapped the panel. “This is The Jaggit Flitter CA71634 to control.”

Instantly a synthetic voice replied, “Transponder confirmed CA71634, please wait.”

Shortly another voice continued. “Flight plan received, Proceed to runway two.”

A display screen showed a dashed line and a blinking arrow. Maisie turned the Flitter by 180 degrees and the arrow stopped blinking. Then she dimmed the flight cabin lighting to almost nothing. She taxied along the floodlit apron glancing at the anti-collision radar and guidance screens. Eventually the solid arrow turned into a larger blinking chevron.

“Control, may we take-off?” Maisie asked.

“Confirmed you may launch.”

The chevron stopped blinking.

“Lots of space here,” said Maisie. She engaged thrust and in about fifteen seconds they were smoothly airborne.

“That was a lot nicer,” said Chainai, “though perhaps a little more rapid than all the take-offs I’ve experienced in any other Flitter.”

“It’s hugely bigger power to weight ratio than the College Flitter I had my lessons in,” explained Maisie. “The manual for this recommends the rapid take-off anyway.”

Soon they were at cruising altitude and Maisie engaged the auto-pilot.

“The stars are so clear, bright and sharp at this altitude!” exclaimed Kaytim.

“When do we arrive?” asked Chainai.

“Early before classes. You don’t have a lecture or class to take first session anyway as you are supposed to be tutoring me and Pedar. We won’t complain if you are late!”

“Rising meal on board or in college?” said Chainai.

“Which ever you want,” Maisie replied as she verified Caemoria Central tracking had them locked in. In the event of something the autopilot couldn’t deal with or Central spotting a problem they could take over.

Maisie locked the instrument panels and they went to their bunks.

* * *

Maisie taxied into the College hanger. “Leave your Carrier here for now, Chainai,” she said.

Maisie gave access codes to Kaytim on her Crystal and they left Kaytim and Luci to clear up. Anit came out of the Assistant’s apartment as they climbed the stairs from the garage basement level.

“So you came back. The Flitter doing reverse thrust as you landed woke me ages ago, what happened after?”

“We decided to go back to sleep and then use up the fresh fruit on board,” explained Chainai.

“Chat later, I have meeting with Master Jayson.”

Pedar arrived not long after Chainai and Maisie had got comfortable.

“I heard you landing. It seems a lot noisier than the College Flitter, you’ll catch it waking half the College up at that hour! The double glazed soundproof windows are not soundproof enough!”

“It might be just the same actually, if driven the same,” said Maisie. “I’m still a little overcautious about running out of runway on landing or take-off. I guess we should have landed at Laramos and hopped here later.”

“You’re getting better. Our first few were a little exciting, though I suppose safe. Now to work. You both read chapter 14?” said Chainai.

“Yes, but I better call Deputy Chancellor Dhramini and apologise first for waking half the College.”

6: Naleena and Freidin

House Funathim: C.U. 3444:6

Families are very important to Caemorians, to the point where sometimes it might seem like nepotism to outsiders

—Princess N’Riada

Naleena sat down in Maisie’s lounge after the demo in the lab. Maisie was surprised that only her older cousin Freidin was with her, no engineering staff, just the pilot, her security and the rest of the normal House Funathim entourage that came with the Flitter. Her security officers lurked around the apartment block. They were openly carrying weapons. Everyone else was on the Flitter.

Kaytim served Jhai and biscuits. Freidin waved a gadget over the food and drink.

“I’m a prisoner, a trapped wild beast,” said Naleena. “It’s not pleasant. I doubt I can get the House Council to let me out again and only that it’s Circle College I’d not be out now.”

Maisie waited. Presumably Naleena would get to the point. Freidin had asked some particularly pointed questions in her Flitter as she identified software. She thought it odd that the two technical guys had been replaced by Freidin. He had almost seemed bored with the demonstration of graphic drivers and colour panels in her lab. Occasionally he had asked a couple of good questions. Naleena, other than a greeting had said nothing. Kaytim too thought this odd as she accompanied Maisie and helped with the demonstrations.

“It’s intolerable,” continued Naleena, “I know too that Captain Lin has me and Baelinot as the most likely suspects. That’s why I persuaded the House Council to delay the announcement till the news frenzy died down. I have been the Head of the House since my Grandfather was murdered. I am Mogul of House Funathim, the Arch Master.”

“Congratulations,” said Maisie.

“Perhaps you think I’m guilty too? It doesn’t matter. We have a contract. If someone also kills me the House will go on. You give me great amusement, Maisie. I look forward to our next meeting. I’ll let Freidin explain, normally I’m not so frank, but I like you, Maisie. Actual friends are a dangerous liability for me. I have too many enemies. I didn’t mention it to Captain Lin yet, but the reason the House Council is so nervy is that I was supposed to be taking over from my grandfather that morning and he changed his mind. The Council think I was the target.”

“Lin told me you were supposed to be at the meeting,” said Maisie. Maisie looked at Freidin expectantly.

“You thought of setting up a specialist software business, Maisie,” said Freidin, “with Kaytim owning it. It was good you thought to ask advice and if we would purchase the services. I’m here today to give the answer and explain. I’m also glad you decided to do no more work on the graphics, despite you are not a bad programmer. If you had not Talent, I would consider hiring you as you might be quite good with some training! Our teams are a lot better. I see you are surprised. But on the starship and here in the College you have not met real professional programmers. I had a look too at one of your original wafers you sent out, that hadn’t been used. I see how you got it by the Application Security Signing. A good trick. We cloned it. It wasn’t till we did a step trace on the sixth clone that we spotted that you had hidden extra code in the sample animation. Nothing can ever be entirely secure or secret.”

“I’m amazed. I thought I had made it undetectable,” said Maisie. “Why though were you looking?” She realised his security comment was barbed, referring to Application Signing and her attempt to hide it.

“I wanted to see how the display had changed from your first prototype. I thought it odd you didn’t offer us at least one of the earlier type. Then we thought it curious who you had sent the first prototypes to. I wondered then how you had identified that Banrin and Nikos shared the same mother. The transcript of the court didn’t reveal it, nor did any record produced by Captain Lin show how it was achieved. A very lucky guess seemed an unlikely basis for you to attack the Temple and the College to arrest Nikos, their own Deputy Chancellor.” Freidin produced a medium sized Slab from his bag and showed Maisie a fragment of code. “So you must have guessed something, this little parasite, though, told you exactly.”

“On Tellus we call it a Trojan.” Maisie recounted the story of the Greeks and the fall of Troy. “It even became a proverb, Beware of Greeks bearing Gifts. In English I might be nicknamed a Geek, so you might also say beware of Geeks bearing gifts.”

Normally trying to explain a bad pun across a linguistic and cultural divide doesn’t work, however Freidin and Naleena were not ordinary Karnds. They exchanged glances and laughed.

“I’ll bear that in mind the next time you give me something,” laughed Freidin. “You should get all those wafers back. I mentioned it to the Arch Chancellor in case you forget. He wasn’t very pleased that I had figured it out. If you wanted to test House Funathim for software development ability, do you think we would pass?” He tapped his Slab and it changed to colour. He opened four windows with video and then zoomed one to full screen and back.

“Smooth and fast enough, very much better than the single view prototype?” he asked. “I suppose I am what you call a geek too, but reluctantly a manager. You’ll just have to trust me though. I have a gift for you.”

They all laughed.

“Yes, it’s perfectly now a colour version of the monochrome, but faster.”

He brought out a larger Slab. “It might need to recharge each night, even though we have the display consumption down to a fifth. It has a traditional monochrome overlay, so in bright light it can work just like a traditional Slab without ever needing charged, we figured how to make the colour part go transparent. A consolation prize for Kaytim.” He produced a medium Slab. “You really wouldn’t have enjoyed trying to found a new House.”

Maisie woke her new Slab and paired it to her credentials on her Crystal. Kaytim did the same.

“I’m very impressed with the graphic driver quality and can’t believe how fast your team must have written the software. Are other Houses as good? Do many have software groups?”

“They all have software groups as you call them. Circle College, because the emphasis is rightly on training Talent, has the most inept programmers, they are only doing a bit of database maintenance, not worth employing a more expensive team. I hate to admit that quite a few Houses are better than us at software. Where there is no competition and mutual advantage, the Houses do co-operate. We have cooperated and shared fully on this with House Delanateur. They have the sole licence to retrofit Flitters with colour, though they can sub-licence to others elsewhere. So we have the new software and displays all ready to fit on your Flitter. When can you come to our office? You can use our private airstrip. House Delanateur now is mass producing replacement colour displays for Flitter flight cabins and starship flight decks under licence. Your new Flitter displays are actually made by them.”

“Tomorrow, Two bn perhaps?”

“Good, it won’t take long.”

“Thanks Freidin, so are you a senior programmer or team leader?”

He laughed. “Oh, I so wish! No, I was Deputy Head of Software. Unfortunately the Head thought that the demise of our Mogul was a good time to retire. I would have too, if I had the chance. Unfortunately dear cousin Naleena here goes deaf when people say no. Since I refused to move office she had the sign changed to Head of Software. I’m not sure if the two security guards are to protect me or stop me changing the sign back.”

Maisie was sure he couldn’t be entirely serious.

“It’s true that I get very annoyed if people refuse a reasonable request,” said Naleena, “but there is nothing wrong with my hearing. I will be very glad though when we catch the cowardly attackers of my House. I do appreciate what you did that day, Maisie, and I will take it hard if you don’t let me show my appreciation at an appropriate time. Now we have to go. Security gets nervous. See you at the Emperor’s Court next year, if not before hand. I’m sorry you and Chainai can’t go next month. I’m forbidden too, even though it’s my right as Head of a House, a Mogul, I can’t even sit on the Privy Council at the moment. They cite security! I’ll be too busy tomorrow to see you, unfortunately. One last thing. I’ve told Freidin I don’t want to ever discover we have used your trick. The files are not on our system. House Funathim depends on people and other houses trusting us. If we find someone else using it, we will report them.”

“Thanks for the hospitality,” said Freidin.

After they left, Kaytim poured fresh Jhai and brought out a couple of buns.

“Well, I did think the software business might be a mad idea. So there is no market for it,” said Kaytim turning to Maisie. “I told you it would never happen.”

“True. Nice Slabs though,” reflected Maisie. “The last statement though had a scary ambiguity in it. I think even if it was me, I’d get reported.”

Kaytim thought about it. “I see what you mean, though Freidin doesn’t believe it’s possible not to be caught. Freidin picked just the right size of Slab for me, I don’t want an arm breaking monster like yours.”

“He gave me all the source code for the new graphics and almost everything else too!” enthused Maisie.

“So Caemorian software development is better than you thought?”

“I thought a little better than Tellus, I see now that the quality is much higher and production speed is nothing short of unbelievable. Maybe five or ten times faster. Or else they had already considered colour in some fashion and done software. I was naive basing my evaluation on my own experience of college and the starship. I keep forgetting that academically the College is only enough to really replace High School and support training Talent. I must visit Laramos University again. You must tell me more about your time there.”

“Maisie, you realise they will give out a lot of strategic free Slabs and viewscreens, the production is all automated,” explained Kaytim. “The main cost is development and ongoing material costs are low. Normally I wouldn’t be the sort of person to get a free product. So I am pleased. I expect too they will subsidise colour content production so that there is a market. A free colour video studio in college promotes sales too. I expect they will only expect professional broadcasters to pay, and subsidize that. Probably all the guilds and universities will get some free colour video gear.”

“I see,” said Maisie, “no wonder that they never murmured about the video for college. So I can get important people free colour stuff.”

“Never mind. It was a good intention, just not as good a deal as you thought,” said Kaytim. “Sometimes you are a little naive.”

That night Maisie repeated what Naleena had said to the group, the Cabal, about Naleena’s belief about being the real target for the assassination. She saw now why Naleena or anyone connected to her couldn’t visit Court due to the risk of collateral damage.

Next day Maisie was back by noon break. The display and software was totally modular. The replacement of the monochrome fixed cameras and adding extra cameras, all on pan and tilt mounts was what took most of the time. All the cameras had dual lenses and sensors for stereoscopic feeds and the helmet with the colour head-up display could automatically track head and eye movement, including even focus tracking of the eye. Funathim supplied a selection of laser based head-up display helmets for Karnd, Akasurip, Malthin, Penthnegin, Lorm, Klah, Oriobani, Jayn, Hoti, Kelfari and an upgraded Tellurian model for Maisie.

“Where unearth are you going to put all the helmets?” said Kaytim.

“I felt stupid,” said Maisie. “You know we wondered why the second passage went past the galley to the hold and seemed to waste space?”

“My theory was that it is so that the cabins are symmetrically central,” said Timot.

“Both passages have floor stowage and also access to cables, conduits and pipes in the ceiling,” said Maisie, “the water tanks in the hull only take up the curvature there. There are much larger tanks under and above the cabins. Part of that passage is also an airlock. The one in the roof of engineering is only for emergencies.”

“We must examine engineering drawings sometime,” said Kaytim. “I didn’t see them in the manual?”

“I’ll ask House Delanateur,” said Maisie. “They aren’t in our manual.”

7: Plonnis is Ominous

Government: The Emperor and Wildgrave

Wildgrave is a Hungarian title, as guo-hou is Chinese. These are the translations of the Karndic for the post of Deputy Emperor, or Foreign Minister of the Caemorian Empire, but the role is far more than a Deputy, it’s more similar to Assistant in the Karnd sense

—Princess N’Riada

This time Arch Chancellor Millifore insisted that Plonnis and Maisie only meet in one of the private rooms of the Master’s Hall in the east wing, that housed the Arch Chancellor’s apartments and most of the College administration. Millifore met Plonnis first and then called for Maisie, then left. His stunt of calling on Maisie at her apartment in the middle of the night had temporarily chilled their relationship.

8: Hitting the Street

Criminals: C.U. 3444:7

Even in a society with Empaths, Telepaths and stable for very many thousands of years, there are social misfits, ne’er do wells, criminals

—Princess N’Riada

One of the problems for people with Talent was that they could not easily mix anonymously with ordinary people. Dairig suggested she could frequent some of the more dubious places in Laramos and see how easy it was for anyone to either join the Dark Guild or try to hire a criminal, possibly a Dark Guild member.

9: Karah the Jaggit

Months and Moons: C.U. 3444:7

Perhaps when the Karndic for a 14th of a year was translated to month they didn’t realise it was from moon. The Caemorian moon period is actually about 1/7th of a year, translated season in English, a half season is translated month as these are numbered and approximately a Tellurian month, though not named. The Moon is tidally locked. The planet also has tilt, so there are seasons in the Tellurian sense.

—Princess N’Riada

It was now just past the summer solstice or as Karnds called it Resting (associated with Sorcerers). While the Karah the Jaggit definitely preferred Sollyam, it also regarded Maisie’s apartment as its territory and the box as its nest. When the Sleeping season (winter is approximately months 14, 1 and 2) was over Sollyam left the Jaggit in the woods. An hour later it was on the windowsill banging on the window to get in. Periodically they took it further away. Sometimes Karah would stay away for a day, but the next time would be back at the apartment before them.

10: The New Boy

C.U. 3444:10

Maisie had had several meetings with just Chainai and the Arch Chancellor Millifore, sometimes to get told off, he didn’t usually tell her off without Chainai present. The private meetings were now rarer.

11: Not the Dancing Queen

Dance: C.U. 3444:11

Dance is a surprising thing, it’s not what I thought

—Princess N’Riada

Maisie had run out of excuses and could no longer procrastinate. Millifore had now intervened and organised it when he discovered she still had not learnt any Caemoria Court dances.

12: Raelf and the Cabal

Supper the first day had been overwhelming. The next day Raelf was straight into classes. One boy had been moved to a different dormitory in a different college so he could be in the Old college. There was Kantric, another Malthinian boy, but older. Mortat and Taite both Karnd, finally Nortan and Loucant both Hoti.

13: History Lessons

C.U. 3444:12

As well as Flitters, the Caemorian empire uses ekranoplan style ground effect aircraft instead of cargo freighters or passenger ships on the oceans, which are large as Caemoria has about three times the surface area of Tellus

—Princess N’Riada

Raelf had found his way to Caemorian history class. It wasn’t held very often as most of the work was reading and self study. Being so young he had a slightly jumbled view of history. It was a small class with no Karnds. Everyone was a very fresh off world apprentice. He’d had to do a lot of reading to catch up with where this class was. A Guild Master took this class as there was nothing about Talent involved. Most apprentices didn’t have to do this module at all. The Master started taking the roll when the door slammed. He was surprised to see Maisie come in and sit near the back of the small room.

14: At the Sleepover

C.U. 3444:13

“You are sure about this, Maisie?” asked Kaytim.

“No, I’m not, that’s why I’m telling you. I’ve had a quick nearly lesson from Francee and two real lessons from Dance Master Loenis. He refuses to give me any more lessons, just right now. He suggested the kids might like it as a change. You have the right music tracks?”

15: Theatre

Opera: C.U. 3444:14

It would take a book to describe the complexity of the Caemorian art form translated as opera, which gives a poor idea of the richness of dialogue, acting, plot (sometimes), dance and music (incidental and for dance as well as singing).

—Princess N’Riada

Soon it would be New Year’s Eve, but nevertheless Maisie had to fit in a last lesson with Guild Master Loenis. He had changed his mind and continued lessons. Maisie wondered was it really the last lesson. She changed and went into the allocated room and started warm up exercises. She didn’t hear Loenis come in.

16: Culture

Culture

Caemorian linguistic experts had picked opera rather than musical for the English translation of the Caemorian performance art. Indeed it had far more dancing and spoken dialogue than an Italian opera. On the surface it seemed like musical covered a performance with dialogue, plot, singing and dancing. But it was more the flavour of opera. Any Tellurian musical seems shallow and trivial compared to Caemorian opera.

—Princess N’Riada

Now that Maisie had actually been to a theatre performance, an opening night too, she understood more clearly than watching monochrome video as to why they picked opera as the English translation.

So was there an equivalent of Shakespeare?

17: Enchantment

“Raelf, this is Master Rathora, a different kind of Sorcerer to Olef,” explained Maisie, “you have met Anit an Alchemist, Olef a sorcerer, Master Chainai an Arch Empath, Fari Netat the Telepath, Timot a Mage, Sollyam a Wizard. I’m a Warlock, so we have every kind of Talent and the two variations of Mentalism and Sorcery, which is mostly Shape Shifting. You are an Enchanter. Arch Chancellor Millifore is the only other Enchanter at college at the minute, but he says you need to learn from all the other Talents, not just an Enchanter. You do understand what you do?”

18: Dressing Up, Virtually

It was now the last working day before the New Year holidays. Maisie hurried down to the Carrier garage at the courtyard and took the lift to the hanger.

“Were you two waiting long?” she asked as she opened the hatch.

“No, we both just got here,” replied Kaytim, “or I would have let Rathora in.”

19: The Birthday

C.U. 3445:1

Maisie opened the outer door of her apartment. For some reason Kaytim had sent her off on a wild-goose-chase and now she was a little cross.

“Happy Birthday Maisie!” everyone chorused.

“What!” Maisie studied the crowd of expectant faces.

20: Maisie’s Second Ball

Last year she’d had an excuse, several. This year there was none. She’d have to have a partner and go together, also dance, as she was no longer an apprentice. The air had been sharp and there was only light snow. No pesky ice crystals so it was pleasant for the riders. Maisie met the usual nobles. Francee was riding Maisie’s fint.

21: Is this a Good Idea?

C.U. 3445:2

Maisie taxied out and waited for Francee to drive her Carrier round. After they took off Maisie turned to Francee. “You sure you don’t mind going on a mystery day trip?”

22: To the Manor Born

“Hi Maisie, I didn’t think you were interested in this other than blagging them the gear?” asked Anit.

“Well, not really,” explained Maisie, “but Naleena wanted me to tell her how it works out for them. They had to redecorate here. It looked terrible on colour video. Then they had problems with the colour rendition of the lamps, even though the colour temperature was correct. Why are you here?”

“I’m giving an interview about the Martial Arts club,” she said. “Here, what do you think?”

Maisie quickly read Anit’s notes. “It’s just questions and no answers?”

“I’m making sure Halrina asks the right questions,” explained Anit. “It’s not live, I should be able to answer without a script anyway.”

23: Laramos University

C.U. 3444:3

“Tomorrow I’m visiting the University of Laramos again,” explained Maisie. “I’ve used the excuse of literature and getting familiar with Karndic Culture, which is true.”

“Can you do me a favour?” asked Kaytim.

Maisie stared at her in amazement.

“Surely, if I can, but I don’t believe you ever asked before.”

24: The First Dalriada Dance

C.U. 3445:4

Maisie taxied into her hanger at Dalriada Court. Later the apron would have three more Flitters.

25: Demonstration

C.U. 3445:5

Adept Master Mage Fathris, Master Warlock Hornitar, Adept Master Alchemist Jayson, Master Empath Chainai and Arch Chancellor Millifore stood in the open field near the quarry. All had binoculars with hinged flash shields. The quarry face nearly 1 km away had painted targets.

26: The Office of the Wildgrave

C.U. 3445:6

Chainai, Luci, Maisie and Kaytim walked down the ramp. Maisie closed the hatch and locked her Flitter. Chainai and Maisie had agreed that it was annoying that they wouldn’t have Pedar and Olef with them.

“Wildgrave Plonnis!” Maisie cried.

27: Speak Softly…

“So is it possible to build a Flitter like that?” Maisie left a video loop of the Harrier jump jet on the main viewscreen.

“Not like that,” said Hornogran, “it’s very poor really. However I understand what you want.”

28: The Weapons Demo

“OK, Maisie,” laughed Hornogran. “I got an invite from the Wildgrave. What gives with the tubes. How are they even attached?”

29: The Emperor’s Ball

C.U. 3445:7

Maisie approached the beauty salon with some trepidation. Even on Earth she had never had more than her hair cut. She had experimented with make-up not to try and beautify or be sophisticated but to try and hide her stupidly youthful appearance. But a suggestion from the Emperor’s Consort, the Imperial Princess which curiously Kaytim agreed with, that she had to go was hard to reject.

30: The Woods by Night

Maisie padded silently through the woods. It was like day with the moonlight. The scents so strong and sounds so loud in the night air. Being a pralurg helped.

31: Kertlen and Maisie

Based on the Journal of Princess N’Riada

Viscountess Pionarit amazingly gave up her title and elected to be tried in the Commoner’s court.

…

THE END

The Celtic Otherworld

Unlike Greek and Roman myth, there are many Celtic Otherworlds that appear to be magical and often inhabited by the Fair Folk (Fay, Fairy, Sióg) or sometimes the Tuath Dé (later called Tuatha De Danann). They are not realms of the dead. The oldest Norse legends have many similar aspects to the oldest Celtic myths. Apart from Valhalla, Asgard isn’t a place of the dead.

‘Riders of the Sidhe’ by John Duncan (cropped detail)

Manannán Mac Lir led the Tuath Dé away to the Otherworld over 2,500 years ago. Except for them it’s been more like 600 due to the time-slip. Not all the portals (often at Court Graves, Raths and other ancient Irish sites) have been closed. Any Enchanter can open one. Today Tuath Dé culture is a crazy mix of Mediaeval to 19th Century.

Most involve Alice, also called Eilis, who lived in rural Co. Limerick till age thirteen.

The Talents Universe

The Talents Universe series are all stories connected by characters with the mysterious Talent, of which there are seven kinds, or with some involvement of the Caemorian Empire, a world 80,000 light years away from Earth (Tellus) on the other side of the Milky Way. Apart from Jump Drive for the starships and the psychic-like Talent, the Science Fiction attempts to be compatible with known science.

Mostly involving the activities of the Caemorian Empire, a single planet 80,000 light years from Earth. They are about 5000 years more advanced. Their culture dominates nearly a third of the Milky Way. Anyone developing Talent, always at puberty, must be trained in the Circle College on Caemoria.

Many of the stories involve Maisie Kelly from Ireland the only person from Earth with the special Talent. The time scale is contemporary, and as we didn’t notice any giant starship visiting, it must be an alternate reality?

Trader’s Isle

The Trader’s Isle series is set in mediaeval-like world without Black Powder. The massive world wars and loss of much technology a thousand years earlier was bad, but the rise of the Sorcerers called the Silver Wolf Heads using the Arinopean Barons as puppet leaders was a disaster for the Isle of Amrat and the people curiously called Traveller Folk, even though they are not nomadic.

The painting is a detail from Le Jardin de Maubuisson by Camille Pissarro (1830-1903).

Contents

1: House Funathim

2: Recollections

3: Aftermath

4: On the Beach

5: Goroganst

6: Naleena and Freidin

7: Plonnis is Ominous

8: Hitting the Street

9: Karah the Jaggit

10: New Boy

11: Not the Dancing Queen

12: Raelf and the Cabal

13: History Lessons

14: At the Sleepover

15: Theatre

16: Culture

17: Enchantment

18: Dressing Up, Virtually

19: The Birthday

20: Maisie’s Second Ball

21: Is this a Good Idea?

22: To the Manor Born

23: Laramos University

24: The First Dalriada Dance

25: Demonstration

26: The Office of the Wildgrave

27: Speak Softly…

28: The Weapons Demo

29: The Emperor’s Ball

30: The Woods by Night

31: Kertlen and Maisie

The Celtic Otherworld Series

The Talent Universe Series

The Traders Isle Series