All was quiet in Hall of the Watchers. The whisper of electronics was soporific. Watchers struggled to stay awake. Third WatchMaster roamed silently, tapping shoulders with an ivory baton.
His admonitions were not vigorous. WarAvocat had not yet left his quarters. He might not.
He was preoccupied with a new dalliance.
None of the Deified observed from their screens.
It had been this quiet for a shipsyear.
A ping! wakened everyone. Third WatchMaster tried to stroll toward the sound’s source. His legs betrayed him.
It was that kind of time. Any trivial break in routine caused quickened breathing.
The Deified Thalygos Mundt came onscreen, his expression malign as always. Third
WatchMaster asked, “What do we have, Break Detect?”
‘Traveler breaking off the Web, WatchMaster.”
Third WatchMaster looked to the head of the Hall. The appropriate displays were up. The
routine challenge had pulsed out. He glanced up. The Deified Thalygos Mundt had gone.
