ETERNITY 15

other beliefs. Besides, their leader died three weeks ago in the old territory of Nevada."

"A natural death, Ser President," Tikk said. "That's an important distinction. She refused offers of extension or downloading to im-plantsB"

"Refused them," Olmy said, "because they were not offered to her followers."

"We do not have the resources to give every citizen of the Terrestrial Hexamon immortality," Farren Siliom said. "And they would not be socially prepared, at any rate."

"True," Olmy acknowledged. "At any rate . . . they never opposed Hexamon plans beyond their immediate territory."

"Did you meet with Senator Kanazawa in Hawaii?" Ras Mishin. ey asked with a hint of distaste. Olmy suddenly understood why the senator was attending. Ras Mishiney was heart and soul in the camp of the orbiting bodies.

"No," Olmy answered. "I wasn't aware he had been anything but cooperative with the Hexamon."

"He's gathered a lot of power to himself in the past few years. Particularly Page 28

in the Pacific Rim."

"He's a competent politician and administrator," Farren Siliom said, reining in the senator with a glance. "It isn't our duty to keep power forever. We're doctors and teachers, not tyrants. Is there anything else of significance, Ser Olmy?"

There was, but Olmy knew it would not be discussed before these partials.

"No, sir. The details are all on record."

"Gentlemen," the president said, raising his arms and opening his hands to them. "Have you any final questions for Ser Olmy?"

"Just one," Tikk's partial said. "How do you stand on the reopening of the Way?"

Olmy smiled. "My views on that issue are not important, Ser Tikk."

"My original is most curious about the views of those who remember the Way vividly." Tikk had not been born until after the Sundering; he was one of the youngest neo-Geshels on Axis Euclid.

"Ser Olmy has a fight to keep his opinions to himself," Farren Siliom said.

Tikk's partial apologized without any deep sincerity.

"Thank you, Ser President," Mishiney's partial said. "I appreciate your cooperation with Earth's parliament. I look forward to studying your complete records, Ser Olmy."

15 GREG BEAR

The ghosts faded, leaving them alone above the dark fathomless void, Page 29

now empty of both Earth and Moon. Olmy looked down and spotted a ~limmer of light amidst the stars: Thistledown, he thought, and his im plants quickly provided a calculation that confirmed his guess.

"One last question, Ser Olmy, and then this meeting is completed. The neo-Geshels . if they manage to get the Hexamon to re-open the Way, do we have the resources to continue the Earth's support at present levels?"

"No, Ser President. Successful re-opening would cause long delays at the very least in major rehabilitation projects."

"We're already strapped for resources, aren't we? More than the Hex amon is willing to admit. And yet, there are Terrestrials---Mishiney among them who believe that in the long run, re-opening would benefit

us all." The president shook his head and picted a symbol of jud~nnent and a symbol of extreme foolishness: a man sharpening a ridiculously long sword. The pict symbol no longer had a connection with war, per se, but its subtext was still a little surprising to Olmy. War with whom?

"We must learn to adapt and live under the present circumstances. I believe that deeply," Farren Siliom said. "But my influence is not boundless.

So many of our people have become so very homesick! Can you imagine that? Even I. I was one of the firebrands who supported Rosen Gardner and demanded a return to Earth, to what we thought of as our true home but no one alive in the Way had ever been to Earth! How sophisticated we think we are, yet how irrational and protean our deepest emotions and motivations. Perhaps a better grade of Talsit would help, no?"

Olmy smiled noncommittally.

The president's shoulders slumped. With an effort, he squared them Page 30

again. "We should learn to live without these luxuries. The Good Man never availed himself of Talsit." He walked to the edge of the platform, as if to avoid the abyss beneath their feet. Earth was coming into view again. "Have the neo-Geshels carried their activities to Earth? Beyond people like Mishiney?"

"No. They seem content to ignore the Earth, Ser President."

"The least I'd expect from such visionaries. That's a political wellspring they'll regret overlooking. Surely they can't believe the Earth will have no say in such a decision! And on Thistledown?"

"They're still openly campaigning. I found no sign of subversive activities.''

"Such a delicate balance a man in my position holds, trying to play so many factions against each other. I know my tenure in this ot~ee is