Read Transformation Space for Free Online

survivewithout it and are objecting. It’s maybe too late for many, anyway. Geni-carriers have already been reported in dozens of
     systems. The Pod has been informed that the Melal, Sharmet and Keoskie systems have been attacked.
    Mira wasn’t familiar with the places that
Insignia
listed.
Are there casualties?
    The Pod estimates several billion lives lost between the three.
    Billions! Mira found it almost impossible to comprehend that kind of devastation.
What about Scolar?
    The bulletins report that the Scolar Sophos are advising OLOSS
.
There has been no change to the status of the system.
    Advising? Isn’t it too late for that?
    Not entirely. Your pre-emptive warning has allowed many of the OLOSS leaders to escape. Another few hours, and they would
     have all been trapped at Intel.
    Has station master Landhurst been mentioned? He drew all the leaders to Intel. He wasn’t surprised when I told the summit
     what I knew. I think that—
    He has been connected to the Post-Species?
    Si.
    The Pod has been suspicious of that, also.
    The tiny consolation Mira felt that she might have averted the deaths of some OLOSS leaders was overwhelmed by the knowledge
     that so many souls had already been extinguished. She should have done more.
What can OLOSS do?
    Insignia
took another pause before replying.
I’m not experienced in aspects of war but if res stations are being disabled then the Post-Species have already divided us.
     Farcast will be our only communication outside our worlds. The Pod believes if this situation persists then, intime, the sentient species on the isolated OLOSS worlds will die.
    No!
    Many are not self-sustaining, Mira. It is the simple truth.
    Insignia
’s prophecy galvanised her.
I’ll wake Thales.
    You must move slowly, or the amniotic fluid will flow again.
    Mira left Primo and shuffled across the buccal to sit on the edge of the Secondo vein. Her clothes were sodden with
Insignia
’s secretions, her hair matted, and she felt a rivulet of warm fluid leak onto her thighs.
    ‘Thales.’ She touched his shoulder lightly.
    His eyes opened wide in fear, then relaxed when he saw her face. He licked his lips before speaking. ‘Baronessa. We are alive?’
    ‘Si,’ said Mira. ‘Although dead people have felt better, I’m sure.’
    He smiled weakly.
    ‘
Insignia
has healed your face,’ Mira added. ‘There is scarring still, but the colour is better. The necrosis has gone.’
    He lifted his hand to his cheek and felt along the contour. This time his smile was wider, more animated. ‘Truly I am grateful.’
    Mira nodded.
    ‘Where are we?’ he asked.
    ‘Scolar.’
    ‘Home? I am home?’ Gladness crept into his voice, colour to his skin.
    Mira let herself enjoy his pleasure. ‘There are people I’m sure that you wish to see. I would only ask thatyou support my request to be treated at the Mount Clement clinic.’
    Thales jerked up a little. The vein responded by buoying him upright. ‘Of course. Baronessa, forgive me. How is your baby?’
    ‘
Insignia
has slowed my fluid loss, but I risk infection without proper care. I would ask your advice on how to contact the clinic
     quickly.’
    The colour deserted his face as he climbed to sit on the side next to her, the effort taxing him. ‘I must contact my wife.’
    Mira stared at him steadily. ‘Sophos Mianos’s daughter, the one you spoke of in front of the summit meeting? Will she help
     you?’
    ‘I – I’m not sure.’ He stared back at her just as intently. ‘But we have been through much together, you and I. I will do
     my best for you.’
    ‘Give
Insignia
the details and she will attempt contact. Do you wish to bathe first?’
    ‘That would be preferable, or my wife may not recognise me.’ Mira heard the tinge of bitterness in his humour.
    ‘I would bathe also.’ She rubbed her hand across the small hard lump in her belly. It felt lower, as though it pressed on
     her bones. ‘But I don’t have much time, Thales.’
    He nodded. ‘I