CHAPTER 7

At Relay’s vast floating Docks, Ravna reflects on the Organization’s wealth and her new role as Pham Nuwen approaches. Their first meeting is easy but unsettling: Pham, newly revived and fast-learning, is confident and charming, yet clearly a commodity in Vrinimi’s deal with a Power. Ravna balances attraction, curiosity, and ethical qualms.

Pham recounts his origins on the fallen world Canberra, his hostage departure with the Qeng Ho, and his transformation from violent princeling to master trader. He describes centuries of sublight commerce, cycles of triumph and ruin, and finally a doomed inward expedition that unknowingly crossed into the Deeps, leading to failure and his deathlike suspension.

Hearing this, Ravna feels awe at Pham’s Slow Zone achievements and recognizes why he calls the Transcend “Heaven.” She urges delay, suggesting life in the Beyond could make him a celebrated figure without surrendering to a Power. Pham insists he has already named his price: ascent via the Power’s interest in the Straumli perversion.

After Pham leaves, Grondr Vrinimikalir briefs Ravna. The visiting Power, called Old One, is likely benign but has monopolized Relay’s bandwidth for twenty days, overwhelming archives and networks despite payment. Vrinimi must curb it to protect long-term customers; simultaneously, Pham probes Relay for duplicity and sought Ravna specifically.

Walking the Docks at sunset, Ravna weighs Vrinimi’s political risk against Old One and her personal resolve regarding Pham. Admiring his intellect and courage yet fearing Transcendent exploitation, she decides to use the few days before departure to change his mind about selling himself to the Transcend.