Read To Hold Infinity for Free Online

pardon.”
    â€œNo reason why you should know.” A slight frown creased Vin's forehead. “Septor's her consort.”
    To their left, a door-membrane bore an upward-pointing blue arrow.
    â€œThe restaurant's a long way round the rim,” said Vin. “We'd save time going straight through, if you don't mind the g-shift.”
    â€œNo problem,” said Yoshiko, hiding her uncertainty.
    â€œYou're sure?”
    Yoshiko nodded, and led the way through the membrane. A small spherical car was bobbing inside, waiting. She and Vin took facing cocoon seats.
    Acceleration clutched her as the car shot upwards. Corridor entrances flicked past, then crew-access tunnels. The car slowed.
    â€œWe're near the spin-axis,” said Vin. “Oh, listen.”
    Distant pipes and fiddles echoed, from the depths of a utilitarian tunnel.
    â€œâ€˜The Rocky Road to Dublin,’” said Yoshiko, surprising herself.
    The car began to turn over.
    Yoshiko just glimpsed a rough holo—FREEFALL CEILIDH TONITE—before the car flipped completely, leaving her stomach behind.
    She shut her eyes, and kept them shut until the car had finished dropping through all the levels.
    â€œWe're here,” said Vin. “Are—?”
    â€œI'm fine.” Yoshiko climbed out, and forced herself to stand steadily. “Really.”
    â€œThe restaurant's just along here.” Vin's lips twitched. “These cars really give me an appetite.”
    Â 
    â€œSeptor Maximilian.”
    â€œSunadomari Yoshiko.”
    They shook hands briefly, across the table.
    â€œAnd this is Lori,” said Vin. “My soul-mother.”
    Lori's handshake was firmer, her smile friendlier, than her consort's.
    â€œSo, what shall we have?”
    They spent a few minutes over the menu icons, then silence settled on the table.
    â€œDo you—?”
    â€œWas your—?”
    Lori laughed. “You first, Yoshiko.”
    â€œI wondered whether you enjoyed your trip to Earth.”
    â€œToo short,” said Lori, glancing at Septor, who said nothing.
    â€œFun, though.” Vin looked wistful.
    Septor's voice was heavy with self-importance. “We made a point of getting to know Earthers of every social stratum.”
    Vin glanced up, as though there were something to be seen above Yoshiko's head, and reddened slightly.
    â€œAnd some of them became our friends,” she said harshly.
    Septor laughed. The couple seated at the next table looked up.
    â€œIndeed. It was interesting to see civilization's—” Septor's smile was mocking. “—
Our 
civilization's precursors.”
    A human waiter accompanied by a smartcart walked up, and transferred drinks from cart to table.
    â€œI'm glad you found Earth interesting, Septor,” said Yoshiko. “I was surprised to hear Fulgor isn't as law-abiding as I'd expected.”
    â€œWe haven't outgrown sensationalist NewsNets, that's for sure.”
    Lori leaned forward, placing a hand on Septor's arm while looking directly at Yoshiko. “Is this your first trip to Fulgor?”
    â€œI'm going to see my son—”
    A sudden hush descended upon the restaurant. Towards the rear, a privacy booth had unveiled. A lone Pilot stepped out, a formal black cape draped over her jumpsuit.
    â€œTwo in one day,” breathed Vin.
    A wave of silence travelled with the Pilot.
    â€œShe's coming this way.”
    The Pilot stopped at their table. In her taut olive-skinned face, her eyes—black-on-black Pilot's eyes—were glistening orbs of jet, totally sans whites. Shadowed pits, leading to unknown worlds.
    â€œProfessor Sunadomari.” The Pilot bowed low. “I am Pilot Jana de Vries.”
    Yoshiko bowed in return.
    â€œMy commiserations,” added the Pilot, “on your husband's death. He was a fine man.”
    Yoshiko's vision blurred with tears.
    â€œThank you.”
    After a moment, Septor cleared his throat.
    â€œI