Mirror Space - Marianne de Pierres [95]
We can use the Omniline Envoy to disseminate information to the Council, but it may draw attention to the cluster. We could be identified under close scrutiny.
Can we share what we know with the Omniline from a greater distance?
I cannot project my memories over farcast distances. Our close-sharing process requires proximity.
This time Mira sat up properly, and after a moment, stood. Despite the vein’s nurturing, lengthy periods in Primo always left her muscles weakened. I will wash and eat.
Sensible.
‘Mira-fedor?’ a voice said from near her feet.
Mira started. She had forgotten Wanton. The Extro still sat where she had placed it, on the floor near the pucker. She bent down and picked it up.
‘Si, Wanton?’ She examined the gelatinous casing and it seemed to have regained full lustre.
‘Thank you; you have perpetuated my existence for a time.’
‘Circumstance helped,’ said Mira. ‘It was fortunate that some mycose had been ...left here. Has it replaced what was depleted?’
‘Although you will not be able to see it, I have a minute fracture in my shell. I will need frequent resuscitation until I can find a way to relayer my protection.’
Mira frowned. ‘How often is frequent, Wanton?’
‘From what I could see of the package, I expect to have used the available resources within a few of your grouped cycles.’
‘Months?’
‘Yes.’
‘What will happen if you don’t get more?’
‘Wanton will become inactive for a period and eventually its core will degrade. Beyond that, Wanton is not sure.’
Mira shifted the Extro to her other hand. Perhaps she imagined it, but Wanton sounded scared. She expected that death - or non-existence - was not a concept that Post-Species contemplated in the way humanesques did. Death of their Host was the closest they came to bereavement, and from her observations on the Hue world, some did not grieve for deceased Hosts at all.
Her sympathies for Wanton grew, as did the less-than-generous notion that the Extro might finally experience real fear in the way she had lived and breathed it since her graduation on Araldis.
Mira, we have an inconvenience.
What is it?
The Omniline will not agree to relay our observations of the Geni-carriers.
Why?
A section of the Omniline is concerned that evidence of our kind’s presence in Post-Species space may be considered suspicious. The mood amongst the allies is precarious and changeable. We cannot predict the outcome of sharing such information.
Mira stepped back from the pucker and ran her hand through her hair. It felt long and matted from her prolonged rest in Primo. She glanced at the hand. Though her skin remained supple enough, the veins showed through and the joints of her fingers seemed painfully large against the rest. She had no fat on her. No meat to support her baby and herself. But they must know what we saw. She would not back down on this.
The Omniline is divided. We do not wish to be victimised by panic reactions. Humanesques can be irrational.
Mira drew a ragged breath and crossed her arms. I understand the Omniline’s fears but we must take that risk. The Geni-carriers contained enough weaponry to destroy most of the OLOSS worlds. Or lay them barren. It is not just our species who is threatened.
The Omniline must be heeded. Insignia remained stubborn.
‘Then I will go,’ Mira said aloud and without hesitation.
No. You may not risk our child further. The decision rests with the Omniline.
Mira stepped back towards the buccal pucker, carrying Wanton in one hand. She would not let Insignia keep her captive. She pressed her fist against the sphincter and it retracted. Then I will wash and eat, and then I will meet with your Omniarch. Please arrange for me to go to it, she commanded.
She went to Rast’s cabin on the way to her own, and retrieved the cyrotrays.
Insignia did not respond until Mira had finished with her steam bath and was dressing.
Why are you using the royal fellala? asked the biozoon suspiciously.
Because I wish to make a good impression. And it better hides my belly. Are the arrangements made? Mira