Free Juggler of Worlds by Larry Niven and Edward M. Lerner Page B

“That’s quite the understatement. You were connected enough to ascertain my role and track me down. You must also have seen on the Net what havoc GP’s disappearance continues to cause. When I last checked, millions had lost their jobs. A hundred billion stars or more have already evaporated from Sol system’s stock markets.”
    The human was right, but so what? It changed nothing. “We can avoid danger, so we do. You have my regrets, if it matters.”
    “It matters not at all.” Ausfaller’s cheek pulsed. “Nor do I believe you arranged a meeting to extend futile apologies.”
    “I didn’t,” Nessus said. “My people avoid perils, however remote. ARMs worry about perils, no matter how improbable. Are we so different?”
    Ausfaller smiled. “But paranoia isn’t normal. Usually, it’s treated.”
    The smile lacked humor, and hostile undertones lurked beneath
treated
. Nessus acknowledged a more personal similarity: Neither of us belongs.
    He ignored the pang of empathy. “You wonder if General Products intentionally caused this panic. Maybe you think we hope to exploit the situation. That isn’t the case, Mr. Ausfaller. Having left the region, we have no use for human assets.”
    “I’ll try again. Why did you ask to see me?” Ausfaller’s tic throbbed.
    “Our reputation concerns us, Mr. Ausfaller. We want the United Nations to know we intend to honor our commitments. Various transactions remain to complete. Our many business relationships will require disentanglement.”
    “And alone among all Puppeteers, you’ve been picked to stay behind and handle this. Nessus, why sneak away? Why meet even now in secrecy?”
    “Because other humans must feel as you do.” Nessus pawed at the floor, the motion blocked from Ausfaller’s view by a desk. “In the interest of stability, would the UN have interfered with GP’s departure if it could? You’re thinking that we could have met at your office. Tell me, Sigmund. Would I have been allowed thereafter to leave?”
    “So you’ve been left behind to clean up GP’s messes, all to protect the good name of Puppeteers,” Ausfaller said. “That’s your story.”
    He hadn’t responded to Nessus’ questions. That was answer enough.
    Hearth’s hidden location was its first and main defense. Nessus could not divulge, or be made to divulge, its coordinates.
No
Citizen left Hearth without deep-rooted, autonomic conditioning that would stop his hearts first. Now, in crisis, all Citizens must move—and in flight, surely their risk of discovery swelled.
    How Nessus yearned to hide beneath his own belly!
    “Protecting our good name is my job, Mr. Ausfaller. Someday, in the distant future, your descendants and mine might meet in a safer neighborhood.”
    The ARM stood, frowning for reasons that eluded Nessus. “Who are you really, Nessus?”
    “I’m with the Warranty Department.” It sounded better than a human term Puck had suggested:
rear guard
.
    And much, much better than
expendable
.

Carlos Wu was dark and slender, with straight black hair. Curiosity danced around his eyes, and a trace of whimsy.
    He seems normal enough, Sigmund thought. Carlos didn’t look like someone the Fertility Board had awarded an unlimited parenting license. At age 18, tanj it! There
ain’t
no futzy justice! “Thank you for coming, Dr. Wu.”
    “Just Carlos.”
    “Then I’m Sigmund.” He laced his fingers. “You’re probably wondering why I asked you in.”
    “I’m not often asked to ARM HQ,” Carlos answered.
    “This doesn’t happen often, either.” Sigmund called up a holo of the core explosion. “Assuming it has happened.”
    “So that’s why I’m here.” Carlos tipped his chair back against the wall. “Oh, it’s happened, Sigmund. I’ve studied the data extensively.”
    Sigmund couldn’t decide whether to be impressed or annoyed. ARM interest nonplussed most people. Even astrophysicists. Until the infamous broadcast from Jinx, Sigmund had gone his