Orbital Aid 370
In which Chernak and Stost arrive at their destination.
Well, that prediction was correct. It probably wasn’t a very difficult prediction, to be fair.
We have an oddity of terminology in the scene with Over Commander Jevto (I don’t want to say a continuity error, but I can’t think of a plausible in-universe explanation for it). Jevto’s maturity scar is referred to by the term “vingtai”, but in I Dare that’s the term for an Yxtrang’s tattoos, while the term for the scar is “nchaka”.
Also, a clarification: to be assured of transport to the new universe, the pathfinders needed to be not only in space, but in transition. Which fits with the way things were explained in Crystal Dragon, now I stretch my memory back. Also, it makes me wonder again what mission this ship was on, since it was apparently already planning a trip to the new universe on its own account, with appropriate coordinates laid in and all. Passengers it had, according to the engineer, but who?
And Grakow, whoever or whatever Grakow might be.
The thing that strikes me in the Over Commander’s orders is the stipulation that the pathfinders are to give preference to authorities with Troops already attached. Optimistically, Korval might be considered to count, by virtue of having attached Nelirikk, Haz, and Diglon. By default, though — if Chernak and Stost don’t buy that argument, or if nobody thinks to make it — they’re going to be looking in the direction of the Yxtrang. Whatever’s in the cases, I’m not sure I trust the Yxtrang to make good use of it at the best of times (and we’ve just had it indicated that for the Yxtrang these are not the best of times…)
Reposting this comment in correct chapter. Pathfinders had “cases” strapped around their waist under uniform when they boarded Orbital Aid. Now in this chapter they have to hold it, like a briefcase.
Excerpt:
“…each dressing one-handed, for neither dared let go their prizes—the hard-won cases—helping each other with the seals.”
I noticed that, too. What I figure is that the environment suits are a tighter fit than the uniform jackets, so the cases won’t fit under them the same way.
[I’ve unpublished your first version of this comment, to avoid confusion.]
That works for me.
In chapter 10, we learn they are “document cases” — which narrows down what they might contain, at least by size limitations. I wonder. Is a document case a briefcase? Or slimmer?
Here in ch 4: “It had been a ship, and a big one, many times larger than Bechimo.”
So, thinking back to Dragon in Exile, epilogue: Could this be the huge ship Tree showed Miri & Val Con?
It’s certainly a plausible candidate.
Good thinking, Jami. I hadn’t made that connection, but it makes sense.
That would require Korval to do a salvage run. I just can imagine Val Con beeing curious enough to undertake it. But he’d need help. Lots of help. Pat Rins Fleet?
Not to mention Bechimo would have to share the location. And with so many people?