'Of course. I am gladdened that the Second Dreamer has proved it is physically possible to enter the Void, it must be inspirational to your movement.

'It is.

'And I don't have to emphasise how important the Second Dreamer is to you. How close are you to acquiring him?

Ethan smiled back into that barely-human face with its steady green eyes and humourless thoughts. 'Her. Actually.

'Really?

'Yes. We believe we have identified a possible candidate. Given that the welcome team on Viotia now have her identity it is impossible for her to elude us for any significant time.

'Congratulations, Conservator. It must be gratifying having your goal so close to realization.

'It is.

'How are you progressing with construction of the Pilgrimage ships?

'Again we are blessed by good fortune. The construction is on schedule. Would you like me to arrange a tour for you?

'Time, alas, is tight. In more ways than one.

'What do you mean?

'This isn't yet common knowledge, but the Commonwealth Navy sent a River-class warship to intercept the Ocisen Empire fleet. They were supposed to disable the command ship and deliver a warning.

'Supposed to?

'The Navy ship was destroyed. It would appear the Ocisens are stronger than Admiral Kazimir expected.

'Sweet Lady.

'Unless they are stopped, they will be here before your ships are completed. There will be no Pilgrimage.

'The principal justification behind ANA was to give the Commonwealth an unassailable defence against alien aggression following the Starflyer War. It was supposed to ensure complete technological superiority.

'Don't be too upset. It was, after all, just one ship. A stronger navy force should be sufficient to deter the Ocisen fleet. Even we concur with that prognosis.

'But there are no guarantees.

'There never are in life.

'There are in the Void, Ethan said reflectively. 'Unfortunately, we can't build the ships any faster.

'I know. We are all dependent on ANA.

'A wing and a prayer.

'Quite. On a happier note, now we are so close to success my sponsors have a request.

'Ah, Ethan widened his smile. He almost relished this. Would it be a preposterous heretical demand, or some simple requirement that would trigger a political avalanche in the wake of the Pilgrimage's departure? Was he going to welcome the stipulation, or fight it to his dying breath?

'We would like to send some observers with you.

'Observers? That implies they will remain aloof, which I sincerely doubt is possible within the Void.

'None the less, we would be grateful if you would take them with you.

'We welcome all those who would reach for the Void, whatever their initial reasons. How many?

'Two or three on each ship. We don't wish to burden you.

'I see. Though in truth Ethan didn't. He knew this must be momentous to whatever Faction Marius represented, yet even he was surprised by how eminently reasonable the request was. 'I will make sure enough suspension chambers are reserved.

'They will not be travelling in suspension.

'Is there a reason for that?

'They don't wish to.

Ethan considered that, wondering if this was where he should make his stand. Of course, there was no reasonable argument he could put forward against it. Only instinct. 'Will they be antagonistic to our Pilgrimage in any way?

'Your pardon, but they care nothing for your doctrine. They are merely scientists who wish to study the Void.

'And if I refuse?

Marius adopted an amused tone. 'You are trying to determine how honourable I am, if I will be awkward.

'Will you?

'More than most I have facilitated your rise to your current position. The gift of the ultradrive engines is phenomenally generous even by Higher standards. And when you accepted this, you knew we would ask a small favour in return.

'I did. And you know I will allow your colleagues to travel with us, I'm just trying to understand the motivation behind this, how badly you want it.

'Very badly indeed. The Void is a magnificent scientific-enigma. My sponsors believe it should be solved.

'Why would you want to «solve» something you can become a part of at any time.

'It is greater than us.

'And it will share itself with you.

'On its terms. To accept that is not in our nature.

'It is in mine.

'Shall I move to the threat now?

'Please do, Ethan said smoothly.

'Even with ultradrive, the Raiel present a problem. Clearly this previously unknown warrior caste will not let you approach the Void boundary. Allowing a lone human in a small ship to slip past is one thing, but the Pilgrimage ships with their millions of hopeful dreamers? You will either turn back or die. The resources they have available are phenomenal; I suspect even a full Commonwealth Navy escort would struggle to protect you, and Governance has quite clearly stated it will do no such thing.

'It is the last obstacle, Ethan admitted. The one downside to Justine's triumph, and shocking in its magnitude. He'd always known the Raiel opposed Pilgrimage, but no one had known they had such ships, or the resolution to prevent entry into the Void. The Unisphere commentators had been very keen to point this out over the last few hours. Pilgrimage to Certain Death, the less savoury ones had named it.

'In addition to the ultradrive, we can equip your ships with force fields which the Raiel cannot penetrate, Marius said.

'I find that claim difficult to believe.

'Nonetheless, we have such systems available.

'Your passengers.

'Yes.

'The Lady moves in mysterious ways. But… She would want your scientists granted the opportunity to achieve their destiny along with the rest of us.

Marius cocked his head to one side. 'I'm sure she would.

'I will have the cabins set aside for you.

'Thank you. Marius bowed, and rotated effortlessly. He moved towards the door. Just as he reached it he stopped. 'Oh yes, he said, still not facing Ethan. 'And we'll need a cargo hold in each ship for the equipment.

'Equipment?

'They will need instruments to study the Void, obviously. I will send details to your office.

The door opened, and Marius slipped through in a swirl of silent shadow.

Balmy sea air gusted across Golden Park, stirring the long branches of the cherry trees that were planted along the side of the giant plaza. A cloudless sky helped magnify the heat. In his cotton shirt and thick denim trousers, the Delivery Man was getting uncomfortably warm; and he didn't want to use his biononic functions to cool down for fear of attracting attention to himself. Inigo had supposedly chosen this spot to build Makkathran2 because the climate was almost identical to the original on Querencia. So because of that quest for perfection, he had to make do with a ridiculous wide-brimmed leather ranger hat, because that's what the natives back in the real Makkathran apparently used to wear to keep the midsummer sun from frying their brains. At least it left him indistinguishable from the rest of the crowd occupying the plaza.

Golden Park was lull every day now. The usual crowd had swollen considerably when the Second Dreamer rejected the Skylord as the faithful had sought guidance from their new Cleric Conservator; and from that day on they had flocked here to witness the monumental events elsewhere in the galaxy. The Delivery Man could appreciate that, feeling the kind of comfort that only ever came from being immersed in a multitude who shared beliefs and emotions. The most basic human need to belong, amplified by the gaiafield.

On a very minor level he was experiencing that himself, the longing to be back home, playing with the girls as night fell across London. Bath time. Stories at bedtime. A leisurely meal with Lizzie.