Humanity's Hold 4053.11.06 CE 22.2 megaseconds since the catastrophe Gianetta Carson stared at the ring in the palm of her right hand with such a mixture of emotions that she was in danger of losing her breakfast. That would have been particularly unfortunate, given that

Zephyr, Tau Ceti, 16.18.775 CW 22 megaseconds since the catastrophe Wayra Cadotte was not good with human emotion. They were aware that some people, upon meeting them, associated that with their implants. Lots of people had implants and augmentations of various kinds, but most people chose to avoid

Humanity's Hold, 4053.11.04 CE 22 megaseconds since the catastrophe Humanity's Hold was not like other human habitations, past or present. It was not a single place, in truth. It was everywhere humanity—true Humanity—resided and held sway. Until very recently, that had been

Zephyr, Tau Ceti, 16.17.775 CW 21.9 megaseconds since the catastrophe Once they were in the briefing room and settled, Josefilo wasted almost no time. "I am going to begin by clarifying a point that even our own people often misunderstand. We are known for being shy—

Upwell shuttle, Tau Ceti, 16.16.775 21.8 megaseconds since the catastrophe Whatever other abilities TNS Lilio might have had, it seemed to have a pretty pedestrian normal-space drive. Either that, or Josefilo had decided not to show all his cards. Or maybe Karenski, whom Singer suspected was

Robinson Station, Tau Ceti, 16.15.775 CW 21.7 megaseconds since the catastrophe Jump flares and other forms of emergence from hyperspace had been a common occurrence, Tau Ceti having been a busy system. The catastrophe, of course, had altered that significantly. With the exception of Zephyr's

Union City, Cherryh's World, Tau Ceti, 16.14.775 CW 21.6 megaseconds since the catastrophe Elyah could not have said how long she stood there in her mother's arms melting down, save that it was both too long and not long enough. Emotionally, she needed

Union City, Cherryh's World, Tau Ceti, 16.14.775 CW Esmé Singer considered the bags of groceries as she hefted them off the checkout counter from the distribution center with a certain resignation. Cherryh's World had, fortunately, not wholly given up agriculture with the advent of

Zephyr, pacing Robinson Station, Tau Ceti, 16.12.775 CW 21.5 megaseconds since the catastrophe Donato's followup would be nearly one-hundred kiloseconds in finding its way to them. Objectively, this was not too long to wait. After all, it was altogether possible that the investigation itself