Gary Gibson - The Thousand Emperors

‘As Winchell pointed out, we do have a magnificent view of the Milky Way,’ said Sachs. ‘And besides, it feels appropriate to our purpose in bringing you here.’

‘Appropriate in what way?’

Antonov turned to the Ambassador, punching him lightly on the upper arm. ‘Go on, tell him, Horst.’

Sachs cleared his throat, regarding Antonov with a mixture of amusement and befuddlement. ‘There was, it turns out, some information of genuine value that Father Cheng recovered via the Thorne gate,’ he explained, stepping closer to Luc. ‘Here.’

Sachs opened one hand, to reveal something very like a firefly, glowing with inner radiance, nestled on his palm.

‘What is it?’

‘Please,’ said Sachs. ‘Take it.’

Luc opened his hand, and the firefly hopped from Sach’s open hand and into Luc’s.

Luc closed his fingers, the light of the firefly fading away at the same moment that a torrent of information spilled into his conscious mind. A second later he regarded his two companions with an expression of astonishment.

‘You discovered yet another race in the Milky Way?’ he gasped.

‘So it seems,’ Sachs agreed. ‘Naturally, we intend to be vastly more cautious in meeting with them than we were even throughout our initial encounters with the Inimicals. We have, however, even in the brief period since making contact, experienced a level of communication with them that has proven to be far more than merely satisfying.’

‘And that’s why you’re here?’

‘That’s why we’re here, Luc,’ said Sachs. ‘All three of us.’

‘But – another race? Are you sure that’s wise? I mean, after everything that happened with the Inimicals?’

‘We have learned from our past mistakes,’ Sachs explained, ‘and have learned much about this new species already. Enough to be convinced that they offer no possible threat to us. More than that, each has much to gain from the other.’

‘But . . . why bring me here?’

‘Our reward,’ said Antonov, ‘for services rendered.’

‘Few in history have had the opportunity to observe or indeed engage in a genuine first-contact scenario,’ added Sachs.

‘And that’s where you come in,’ said Antonov, his grin growing wide. ‘You are an information specialist, are you not?’

‘We have been given an opportunity to study this civilization’s history,’ said Sachs. ‘It’s an incredible opportunity, and one we hope to share with the citizens of the Tian Di as our two societies become more fully reintegrated. But you have to tell me first whether you want to be involved.’

Luc gazed again at the sight of the Milky Way, a wreath of stars circling a stormy void.

‘Yes,’ he said.

THE END.

Acknowledgements

This time, particular thanks go out to my agent, Dorothy Lumley, who was the first to believe there was potential in my ratty first-novel manuscript way back in the Nineties. I should also take time to mention the sterling work done not only by beta reader numero uno , Jim Campbell, in helping get this manuscript into shape, but also by those hard-working people at Tor who keep me from putting my foot in my mouth more often than might be the case otherwise. Thanks, guys.

Also by Gary Gibson

Angel Stations

Against Gravity

The Shoal Sequence

Stealing Light

Nova War

Empire of Light

Final Days

First published 2012 by Tor

This electronic edition published 2012 by Tor

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