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The orbiting shipyard hub was a model of efficiency, and Denn couldn't believe what he was seeing. Space construction workers flew about in precise coordination like well-choreographed dancers, the warliner components were assembled as if they wanted to go together. He saw not a single misstep, not the slightest hesitation. 'This is incredible, Ms Huck. By the Guiding Star, I've never seen anything like it. This boggles my mind.'

Ildirans seemed to share a telepathic bond, but the few dozen former Hansa engineers (who had never impressed Denn before) were just as attuned to each other. Tabitha guided the work crews from her central station, her underlings passed along curt orders, abbreviated instructions, sketchy details - and everyone followed them with perfect synergy.

Tabitha had a squarish jaw and a blunt nose that made her look just a bit too rough to be attractive, and her hair was cut short and straight in a serviceable but not stylish fashion. Even so, she had a radiance about her, a satisfaction and contentment that gave her an entirely different sort of beauty. 'It's simple enough if you know how to do it, Mr Peroni. Once others understand you in such a way that all wishes become common, then all instructions turn to mutual consent. Each person knows what he or she should do and what everyone else is doing. No unnecessary redundancy. Everything comes off without a hitch.'

'But bow do you do it?' Denn stared at the bustling spacedocks. In only an hour, it seemed, half of the hull plates had been installed on the frame of a new warliner. 'Maybe I should hire Ildirans, if they work so well with humans. Can you give me any pointers?'

'I can do better than that.' Her smile broadened, and her skin seemed to glow.

As if he had been summoned, Kolker came into the chamber wearing a prismatic medallion over his bare emerald chest. 'I've discovered a new technique. , telink, and human thoughts. I can remove a blindfold that none of us knew we were wearing.'

'Is it a trade secret, or are you willing to share? Name your price if it works as well as Ms Huck says.'

'There is no price. I'm glad that you're so interested.' Kolker fingered the medallion. 'I just need to show it to you.'

'For free? That doesn't make any sense.'

'My reward is seeing the expression on your face when you understand.'

'Whatever you say.' Denn let the green priest lay a palm on his forehead, as if giving a blessing. 'Is this some kind of religious ceremony? What does that have to do with--'

'I believe I'm strong enough to do it without my treeling. I have the Lightsource, the soul-threads, the telink, and now if only I can find… ah, there.'

The flesh of Kolker's palm seemed to grow warmer against Denn's brow. Before he could raise any questions, a thousand light bulbs illuminated his mind. His senses filled to overflowing. He saw everyone and everything around him - the Hansa engineers, the Ildirans and their , the spacecraft, the construction yards, the planet itself, the six nearby suns. His mind felt as if it had been pulled wide open, and he could find no words to express his joy.

'Wow!' was the best he could manage.

Eighty-three

Sullivan Gold

While the Voracious Curiosity was preparing to depart, the Mage-Imperator granted Sullivan the permission he needed to leave the Ildiran Empire. He found Captains Kett and Roberts in discussions with bureaucrat kithmen over Ildiran goods to be loaded aboard the ship. It took Rlinda a moment to recognize him. 'Sullivan Gold, right? Weren't you the administrator of the Hansa cloud harvester?'

'Yes,' he said, but after that words failed him. It wasn't really so much of a favour to ask, but it would mean the world to him. 'Mage-Imperator Jora'h suggested I talk to you. I'm very anxious to get my life back to normal, to see my wife, my grandchildren. It's been very difficult to get messages to Earth. Is there, um, is there a chance I could have passage aboard your ship?'