19

"I know the hour is late, Crowchar," Dr. Sabbatine says, "but I had expected more with this outing. More useful research, more to keep the Empress from troubling me. Ah well. Who can fret?"

"Doctor," Control says, "I have questions about my role once we return–"

"Standby," Dr. Sabbatine says, her voice again suffering from that strange distortion. "The imperial accountants–" Her voice fades into static.

"Standby," Vecla says, still practicing her Koiné.

"Is there a problem with your machine?" Therko asks.

"There's a problem with everything," Alexius says, looking anxiously up at the gray mountain.

"Do you think it will really fall?" Vecla asks, shielding her black eyes at the sight.

"I think we have bigger problems now," Alexius says as the Specular starts to give off sparks.