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space.
    Shouldn't you have given me a route, then?
    In time. For now, just take me to a beacon. Any of them. Your choice.
    The simulator acts in lieu of a pilot, following Argus's directives. Soon he's delivered us smoothly to a beacon in the Outskirts. I've made this jump fairly often, as it's the one nearest to Gehenna. Colors swim all around us, seemingly in response to the beacon's pulse. In true grimspace, I don't notice that as much, overwhelmed by the sweetness and the seduction of the far horizon.
    Minutes trickle into hours as he practices. Every now and then I correct his course, show him where he went wrong. The sim-pilot logs it all, and we'll deconstruct it later. Eventually, I call a halt to the day's work. He'll be shocked to find his body weak and shaky when he unplugs. Even in the virtual world, grimspace takes its toll.
    Argus surprises me with his compliance. Once we're both out of the sim, I shut it down. He actually salutes me. "I'm honored to be studying with you, ma'am."
    I don't know if I'm flattered or alarmed. Just what did he see while we were both jacked in? As if he senses my confusion, a smile plays around his mouth.
    I narrow my eyes. "Dismissed. Go get something to eat and report back here same time tomorrow."
    His silver-gray eyes twinkle at me. "Yes, ma'am. Whatever you say, ma'am."
    Great, my first student is a smart-ass . . . just like me. On some level, I know this serves me right.
    I resign myself to a long, rocky apprenticeship.
    .CLASSIFIED-TRANSMISSION.
    .ACCEPTANCE.
    .FROM-EDUN_LEVITER.
    .TO-SUNI_TARN.
    . ENCRYPT-DESTR UCT-ENABLED.

    Chancellor Tarn,
    After careful consideration, I've decided to accept your offer of employment. I will arrive on New Terra shortly. At that time, we will need to negotiate terms, as I am sure you understand the sole right to my expertise does not come cheap.
    There are a few codicils to my agreement. One: My true function can never be revealed in this administration. You may call my position whatever you desire, so long as it doesn't reflect my real purpose. I will provide a certain amount of busywork to prevent any of your colleagues from putting the pieces together. Let them think my job results from governmental bloat. Two: You will immediately destroy all classified communications from me. Three: You will create a convincing alias. Certain factions would recognize my real name, and accomplishing anything on New Terra thereafter would become problematic. Four: You will comply with my suggestions, rare though they may be. I don't appreciate anyone wasting my time, not even you. Five: You will not inquire into the business of my past employers. If anything has bearing on our situation, I will volunteer the information. Otherwise, confidentiality must be maintained. If you can accept these conditions, then you may consider we have a deal.
    As a gesture of good faith, I am attaching my findings regarding raider activity in Delta Tau. You'll find ship numbers and losses, along with a dossier of names and their likely whereabouts and known associates. This intelligence took me years to gather, which I have done for purposes I will not reveal to you. If you find it helpful, understand it is only the tip of that which I can offer you.
    Do not mistake me: You will not win this war without my help. I trust you will take that into consideration when we negotiate my salary.
    That said, I look forward to working with you.
    Edun Leviter

    .ATTACHMENT-RAIDER_INTEL-FOLLOWS.
    .END-TRANSMISSION.

    . COPY-ATTACHMENT.
    .FILES-DOWNLOADED.
    . ACTIVATE-WORM : Y/N ?

    .Y.
    .TRANSMISSION-DESTROYED.

    CHAPTER 6
    Our arrival at Emry the second time is much different from the first.
    The station looks different now; more lights have been welded to the exterior. Though I know it's false cheer at best, the place no longer looks so forbidding. Kora has probably transformed the inside as well. If they have to stay there with their daughter for the next several turns, there's nothing