Book 4: Chapter 13: Swimming with the Fish
Howard
December 2333
Big Top, Epsilon Eridani / Poseidon, Eta Cassiopeiae
“Another beautiful day in Tantor.” Hands behind my back, I gazed through the picture window at the layers of cloud outside the city dome. At our altitude in the atmosphere of the Jovian planet Big Top, I could see at least fifty miles of clouds above us, and anywhere up to a hundred downward, before the view faded into the mist.
“They renamed it Trantorafter all your carping, Howard. You got your way. Stop being a sore winner.” I could feel Bridget’s glare boring holes in the back of my head. She was right, of course, but what was the point of being a curmudgeon if you couldn’t curmudge?
I turned and walked over behind her. I kissed the back of her head, and she leaned into me. This gave me an opportunity to examine the image on the Canvas. “More new Quilt species?”
Bridget pointed to several items. “Sure looks like it. I can’t figure out the mechanism, but Quilt biota can and often do spawn new species every few generations. I shelved this for five years, and I’m basically starting over from scratch.” She swiped the Canvas with an irritated motion and the screen winked out of existence.
“If you go on this expedition with Bob, it could be another several years. You might never catch up.” It wasn’t quite an objection, but it wasn’t supportive, either. I still hadn’t decided if I was for or against Bridget going.
“I know, Howard, but Quilt will still be there. This is a once-only opportunity. Did you contact Marcus?”