Free Magnificat (Galactic Milieu Trilogy) by Julian May Page B

opinions about that to myself. “How long before you’d be ready to act?”
    “That will depend entirely upon Jack and Dorothea. Don’t worry, Rogi. You’ll be safe enough from Fury-probes if you don’t get smashed and start shooting your mouth off.”
    I cringed, remembering my indiscretion with Kyle Macdonald. It looked like I might have to forgo overindulgence in bottled delights for the duration. Bon sang, c’est emmerdant, ça!
    We sat there for another hour or so, killing the rest of the cognac and listening to moody selections from my music-fleck collection.Then I lent her spare pajamas and fixed up a bed for her in my little study, which doubled as a guest room, and we both retired, intending to sleep in until the foul weather was over.

5
FLEET SECTOR BASE, HUMAN POLITY
SECTOR 12: STAR 12-340-001 [NESPELEM]
PLANET 2 [OKANAGON]
16 CHEWELAH [9 JUNE] 2078
    
    Yes. I took over one of the unmanned maintenance craft from Chopaka Moonbase. I’m now in position docked against one of the meteorsweeper satellites. When the Orb courier exits the hype into c-space I’ll be well within metacoercive range.
    
    Give me credit … I’ve been working on the operation night&day for nearly a week.
    
    I’m sorry. I’ve experienced a certain amount of emotional tension.
    
    My coercive power will be more than adequate to control the cerebroenergized pilot. But if the target herself should discover the source of the malfunction before the point of no return and abort the maneuver she may not only survive but also be able to identify me. I wish to hell Parni were here! If we could do the job in metaconcert I’d feel more confident.
    
    Right. Well this plan of mine is the most effective one I could come up with but it’s not a total lockup. Even if she can’t prevent the sneetch&splat there’s still a remote possibility that she’ll pull some creative stunt [image] and stave off death.
    
    !!!You didn’t tell us that!!!
    
    But … you are the invincible one.
     If the deaths are truly imperative you should think again about letting Parni act alone. He’s strong but he’s dangerously overconfident and too fond of bizarre stunts.
    
    I’m not so sure about that. Remember how—
    
    Yes … Forgive me. But I worry. Single units utilized in vital tasks such as these leave no margin for safety. Even the Hydraentire would be inadequate to deal with a metaconcert of three or more Grand Masters or an alerted paramount mind.
    
    But this brings up an important point: You promised that I/we would soon have help. New Ones. Subordinate minds to amplify Hydra’s energy.
    
    And I will control them! You