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point. They aim to reach the reborn nexus before
Streaker
does.”
    â€œCan they beat us there?” Gillian asked in Anglic.
    The Niss hologram whirled thoughtfully.
“It seems unlikely, unless they use some risky type of probability drive, which is not typical of Jophur. They wasted a lot of time dashing ahead toward the older t-point. Our tight
swing past Izmunuti should help
Streaker
to arrive first … for whatever good it will do.”
    Gillian ignored the machine’s sarcasm. Most of the crew seemed in accord with her decision. Lacking other options, death was more bearable if you took an enemy with you.
    The Jophur situation appeared stable, so she changed the subject. “What can you report about the other ships?”
    â€œThe two mysterious flotillas we recently detected in Izmunuti’s atmosphere? After consulting tactical archives, I conclude they must have been operating jointly. Nothing else could explain their close proximity, fleeing together to escape unexpected plasma storms.”
    Hannes Suessi objected, his voice wavering low and raspy from the silver dome.
    â€œMechanoids and hydrogen breathers cooperating? That sounds odd.”
    The whirling blob made a gesture like a nod.
“Indeed. The various orders of life seldom interact. But according to our captured Library unit, it does happen, especially when some vital project requires the talents of two or more orders, working together.”
    The newest council member whistled for attention. Kaa, the chief pilot, did not ride a walker, since he might have to speed back to duty any moment. The young dolphin commented from a fluid-filled tunnel that passed along a wall near one side of the table.
    *
Can any purpose

         *
Under tide-pulled moons explain

                      *
Such anomalies?
*
    For emphasis, Kaa slashed his tail flukes through water that fizzed with bubbles. Gillian translated the popping whistle-poem for Sara Koolhan, who had never learned Trinary.
    â€œKaa asks what project could be worth the trouble and danger of diving into a star.”
    Sara replied with an eager nod. “I may have a partial answer.” The young Jijoan stroked a black cube in frontof her—the personal algorithmic engine Gillian had lent her when she came aboard.
    â€œEver since we first spotted these strange ships, I’ve wondered what trait of Izmunuti might attract folks here from some distant system. For instance, my own ancestors. After passing through the regular t-point, they took a path through this giant star’s outer atmosphere. All the sneakships of Jijo used the same method to cover their tracks.”
    We thought of it too
, Gillian pondered, unhappily.
But I must have done something wrong, since the Rothen were able to follow us, betraying our hiding place and the Six Races.
    Gillian noticed Lieutenant Tsh’t was looking at her. With reproach for getting
Streaker
into this fix? The dolphin’s eye remained fixed for a long, appraising moment, then turned away as Sara continued.
    â€œAccording to this teaching unit, stars like Izmunuti pour immense amounts of heavy atoms from their bloated atmospheres. Carbon is especially rich, condensing on anything solid that happens nearby. All our ancestor ships arrived at Jijo black with the stuff.
Streaker
may be the first vessel ever to try the trick
twice
, both coming and going. I bet the stuff is causing you some problems.”
    â€œNo bet!” boomed Suessi’s amplified voice. Hannes had been battling the growing carbon coating. “The stuff is heavy, it has weird properties, and it’s been gumming up the verity flanges.”
    Sara nodded. “But consider—what if somebody has a
use
for such coatings? What would be their best way to accumulate it?”
    She stroked her black cube again, transferring data to the main display.