Exurbia: A Novel About Caterpillars (An Infinite Triptych Book 1) by Alex McKechnie Read Free Book Online Page B

quiet for a time. Did I offend him with that last remark?
    ‘You’ve heard the news, of course,’ the tersh said finally.
    Ah, so that's what this is all about.
    ‘The syndicate ship?’ Jura said.
    ‘How do you know it’s syndicate, might I ask?’
    'It’s not likely to be one of the separatist factions, if I can speak so boldly. In the last communication from the syndicate hub, they claimed to have absorbed the separatists into the hub major. I’m told that the t’assali beams were rendered ineffective somehow, an unlikely technology for pirates or simple drifters to possess.’
    ‘Very good, Professor.’
    Was that really a test, or is the idiot just taking credit for my logic?
    ‘And what do you imagine they’ve come to Exurbia for? A single boat like that, I mean. All alone,’ the tersh continued.
    ‘Probably an inspection. If it was delivering new technology, they could just send us the specifications via gamma pulse instead as usual.’
    ‘Inspection? What kind of inspection?’
    A sinking sensation formed in Jura’s stomach. This man, this portly little half-wit, evidently has no mental faculty whatsoever. He had imagined meeting the tersh many times, exchanging witty repartees, playing jakialiatz together. The streams had left out any sign of his lacking intelligence, painting him always as a respectable and sagely potentate.
    ‘To ensure Exurbia isn’t developing wiremind technology, Your Eminence. It's no secret that the imp advised a t'assali assault on the craft, with no effect. It is usually assumed that any planet harbouring a wiremind would have access to advanced weaponry, courtesy of its monolithic intellect. This will have been a test to confirm whether or not Exurbia is providing sanctuary to such a wiremind.’
    ‘Of course, of course. And you’re confident they won’t find one here?’
    The tersh was looking directly at him now, eyes unwavering like the gungov's had in the main chamber below.  Gnesha, does he know?
    ‘We should hope not, Your Eminence.’
    ‘Only, it’s a small matter, Professor. Agglutinator Knox tells me -’
    Knox? Gnesha's teeth, what of him?
    ‘- you had some wiremind equipment confiscated at a bust in the Blueberry Projects last week.’
    ‘That’s correct, Your Grace.’ Jura swallowed.
    ‘I believe he’s spoken with the demolition team at your faculty and they’re yet to receive the parts for destruction.’
    ‘Ah yes, a minor mix up. The technique these particular Ixers were using is something a little unusual. I’ve been dissecting the machine in my lab to discern its workings.’
    The tersh was silent.
    Jura continued: ‘So we can guarantee it doesn’t happen again in that fashion, you see. Knowledge is power after all.’
    ‘To a certain degree,’ said the tersh slowly. ‘Though obviously, with the syndicate craft approaching, I will need the entire rig destroyed.’
    ‘Grand Tersh -’
    ‘The entire rig destroyed, you understand. Refusal to do so could easily be construed as a failure to abide by the Pergrin Decree. Am I being succinct enough for you, Professor?’
    Jura nodded and took a sip of zapoei.
    ‘Good man. I knew you’d understand. That’s the laudable thing about academics. They don’t have to be told twice, yes?’
    ‘Yes, Your Grace. Quite right.’
    To think of it, this meddlesome runt the ruler of an entire planet, his whims indulged, his idiot countenance tolerated wherever he steps on Exurbia’s surface.
    ‘You know, there’s an opening coming up on the Council of Topologies. The vice-chairman is stepping down shortly…’ said the tersh.
    Is this a bargain of some description? Destroy the machine and I’ll throw you some bureaucratic coasting job?
    ‘I’ll certainly consider it, Your Grace.’
    ‘I would, Professor. It can’t be easy, all of your friends going onto more esteemed positions, leaving you floundering there in the dirt of wiremind mechanics like a -’
    He paused.
    ‘Failure,’ Jura added