navigation display showed the Sol system twenty-three light-years away. The distance was comfortable. They were outside the comprehensive sensor mesh surrounding humanity’s birthworld, yet she could be there in less than thirty minutes.
Neskia ordered the smartcore to run a passive scan. Other than interstellar dust and the odd frozen comet, there was no detectable mass within three light-years. Certainly there were no ships. However, the scan picked up a tiny specific anomaly, which caused her to smile in tight satisfaction. All around the ship ultradrives were holding themselves in transdimensional suspension, undetectable except for that one deliberate signal. You had to know what to search for to find it, and nobody would be looking for anything out here, let alone ultradrives. The ship confirmed there were eight thousand of the machines holding position as they awaited instructions. Neskia established a communication link to them and ran a swift function check. The Swarm was ready.
She settled down to wait for Ilanthe’s next call.
The ExoProtectorate Council meeting ended, and Kazimir canceled the link to the perceptual conference room. He was alone in his office atop Pentagon II, with nowhere to go. The deterrence fleet had to be launched; there was no question of that now. Nothing else could deal with the approaching Ocisen Empire armada without an unacceptable loss of life on both sides. And if news that the Ocisens were backed up by Prime warships leaked out … Which it would. Ilanthe would see to that.
No choice.
He straightened the recalcitrant silver braid collar on his dress uniform one last time as he walked over to the sweeping window and looked down on the lush parkland of Babuyan Atoll. A gentle radiance was shining down on it, emitted from the crystal dome curving overhead. Even so, he could still see Icalanise’s misty crescent through the ersatz dawn. The sight was one he’d seen countless times during his tenure. He’d always taken it for granted; now he wondered if he’d ever see it again. For a true military man the thought wasn’t unusual; in fact, it was quite a proud pedigree.
His u-shadow opened a link to Paula. “We’re deploying the deterrence fleet against the Ocisens,” he told her.
“Oh, dear. I take it the last capture mission didn’t work, then.”
“No. The Prime ship exploded when we took it out of hyperspace.”
“Damn. Suicide isn’t part of the Prime’s psychological makeup.”
“You know that and I know that. ANA:Governance knows that, too, of course, but as always it needs proof, not circumstantial evidence.”
“Are you going with the fleet?”
Kazimir couldn’t help but smile at the question. If only you knew. “Yes. I’m going with the fleet.”
“Good luck. I want you to try and turn this against her. They’ll be out there watching. Any chance you can detect them first?”
“We’ll certainly try.” He squinted at the industrial stations circling around High Angel, a slim sparkling silver bracelet against the starfield. “I heard about Ellezelin.”
“Yeah. Digby didn’t have any options. ANA is sending a forensic team. If they can work out what Chatfield was carrying, we might be able to haul the Accelerators into court before you reach the Ocisens.”
“I don’t think so. But I have some news for you.”
“Yes?”
“The Lindau has left the Hanko system.”
“Where is it heading?”
“That’s the interesting thing. As far as I can make out, they’re flying to the Spike.”
“The Spike? Are you sure?”
“That’s a projection of their current course. It’s held steady for seven hours now.”
“But that … No.”
“Why not?” Kazimir asked, obscurely amused by the investigator’s reaction.
“I simply don’t believe that Ozzie would intervene in the Commonwealth again, not like this. And he’d certainly never employ someone like Aaron.”
“Okay, I’ll grant you that one. But there are other humans in the Spike.”
“Yes, there are. Care to name one?”
Kazimir gave up. “So what’s Ozzie’s connection?”
“I can’t think.”
“The Lindau isn’t flying as fast as it’s capable of. It probably got damaged on Hanko. You could easily get to the Spike ahead of them or even intercept.”
“Tempting, but I’m not going to risk it. I’ve wasted far too much time on my personal obsession already. I can’t risk another wild-goose chase at this point.”
“All right. Well, I’m going to be occupied for the next few days. If it’s a real emergency, you can contact me.”
“Thank you. My priority now has got to be securing the Second Dreamer.”
“Good luck with that.”
“And you, Kazimir. Godspeed.”
“Thank you.” He remained by the window for several seconds after he’d closed the link to Paula, then activated his biononic field interface function, which
The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 1 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 2 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 3 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 4 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 5 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 6 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 7 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 8 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 9 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 10 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 11 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 12 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 13 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 14 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 15 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 16 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 17 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 18 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 19 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 20 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 21 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 22 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 23 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 24 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 25 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 26 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 27 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 28 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 29 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 30 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 31 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 32 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 33 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 34 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 35 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 36 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 37 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 38 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 39 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 40 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 41 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 42 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 43 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 44 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 45 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 46 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 47 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 48 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 49 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 50 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 51 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 52 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 53 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 54 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 55 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 56 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 57 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 58 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 59 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 60 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 61 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 62 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 63 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 64 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 65 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 66 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 67 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 68 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 69 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 70 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 71 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 72 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 73 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 74 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 75 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 76 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 77 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 78 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 79 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 80 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 81 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 82 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 83 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 84 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 85 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 86 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 87 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 88 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 89 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 90 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 91 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 92 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 93 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 94 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 95 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 96 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 97 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 98 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 99 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 100 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 101 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 102 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 103 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 104 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 105 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 106 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 107 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 108 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 109 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 110 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 111 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 112 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 113 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 114 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 115 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 116 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 117 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 118 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 119 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 120 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 121 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 122 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 123 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 124 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 125 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 126 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 127 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 128 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 129 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 130 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 131 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 132 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 133 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 134 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 135 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 136 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 137 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 138 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 139 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 140 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 141 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 142 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 143 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 144 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 145 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 146 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 147 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 148 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 149 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 150 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 151 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 152 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 153 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 154 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 155 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 156 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 157 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 158 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 159 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 160 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 161 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 162 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 163 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 164 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 165 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 166 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 167 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 168 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 169 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 170 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 171 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 172 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 173 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 174 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 175 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 176 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 177 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 178 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 179 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 180 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 181 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 182 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 183 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 184 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 185 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 186 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 187 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 188 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 189 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 190 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 191 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 192 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 193 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 194 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 195 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 196 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 197 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 198 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 199 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 200 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 201 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 202 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 203 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 204 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 205 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 206 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 207 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 208 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 209 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 210 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 211 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 212 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 213 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 214 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 215 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 216 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 217 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 218 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 219 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 220 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 221 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 222 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 223 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 224 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 225 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 226 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 227 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 228 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 229 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 230 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 231 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 232 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 233 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 234 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 235 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 236 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 237 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 238 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 239 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 240 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 241 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 242 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 243 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 244 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 245 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 246 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 247 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 248 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 249 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 250 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 251 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 252 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 253 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 254 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 255 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 256 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 257 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 258 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 259 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 260 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 261 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 262 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 263 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 264 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 265 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 266 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 267 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 268 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 269 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 270 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 271 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 272 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 273 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 274 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 275 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 276 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 277 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 278 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 279 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 280 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 281 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 282 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 283 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 284 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 285 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 286 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 287 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 288 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 289 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 290 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 291 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 292 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 293 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 294 The Evolutionary Void - By Peter F. Hamilton - Page 295