As Morn struggles to eventually open her eyes, she has a look at her son, and..."Presumed Captain Nick Succorso, that is a false statement. The Amnion do not accept false statements. You charge a betrayal of trade. It is established that the Amnion do not betray trade. Your own tests will demonstrate that the offspring is human. The genetic identity is exactly what it was in the female's womb. Your statements are false."
Another fit of coughing tore at Nick's lungs. When he could talk again, he rasped, "Then why does he look like that?"
The alien conveyed a shrug. "Your question cannot be answered. Is there a flaw in the offspring's maturation? It is not apparent. Tests indicate no genetic defect. However, if you wish the offspring altered, that can be done."
"You bastard," Nick spat, nearly retching. "He doesn't look like me."
"Presumed Captain Nick Succorso," the voice explained with what may have been Amnion patience, "your genetic identity has no point of congruence with that of this offspring. He is not your - translation suggests the word 'son.' Therefore resemblance would be improbable."
Nick's silence was as loud as a shout.
The only resemblance to Morn was his eyes - they were her colour, and full of dread. She realised that he needed her desperately, so she switched off her zone implant and rolled off the edge of the creche. Nick picked her up and flung her against the edge of the creche.Except for the mask over his mouth and the relative slightness of his build, he might as well have been Angus Thermopyle.
Davies is protective! He says "You're me." Morn tells him that that isn't true. She instructs him to trust her. Hearing Morn speak coherently, the Amnion are surprised (I suppose you could say)."Goddamn it! You put me through all this, and he isn't even mine! That's Thermopyle! He isn't even mine!"
Then he went down because Davies had come off the other creche and punched him in the back with all Angus' harsh force.
Nick is keen to get back to the ship, so they board the transport sled, and return to Captain's Fancy. The Amnion announce that departure will be delayed, which infuriates Nick."This does not conform to established reality," said the doctor. Morn heard strange cadences with one ear, language she knew with the other. "The procedure produces total and irreparable loss of reason and function. Analysis is required."
After some intense objections, Nick storms off toward his ship. Morn spends some time convincing Davies to follow. Davies is afraid and confused. Morn convinces him by promising to tell him everything, but for now..."Presumed Captain Nick Succorso," replied the alien voice, "departure has been agreed. It will be permitted. Delay is necessary. Established reality is in flux. Events do not conform. Consideration is required. Departure will be postponed."
However, when they board Captain's Fancy, Nick instructs the crew to lock them both up, separately. Morn desperately tries to talk Nick out of that, saying the Davies needs her right now, otherwise he'll lose his mind. Of course, Nick doesn't care about that - in fact he would welcome it if it hurts Morn, which seems to be his primary aim right now.Davies, listen to me. As far as I'm concerned, you're the second most important thing in the galaxy. You're my son." You're the part of me I need to believe in. "But the first, the most important thing is to not betray my humanity. As long as I've got life or breath to fight with, I won't let that happen to me. Or anybody else."
Before they can be locked up, the Amnion send a message, announcing that they want to trade, and in order to complete the trade, they will send an Amnion emissary on board Captain's Fancy. Nick won't allow this unless they explain the trade further.
Nick has found that most despicable solution to his desire for revenge.Enablement's reply was almost instantaneous. "The Amnion require possession of the new human offspring aboard your ship."
In that moment, Morn felt the bottom drop out of her heart.
Wheeling his seat, Nick swung around to face her. His eyes burned with malice and triumph. "Tell them," he told Scorz, 'Your emissary is acceptable.'"
Three significant events happen in this chapter:"I don't really care that much about making you tell the truth," he said softly, almost sweetly. His mouth stretched tight over his teeth. "I prefer revenge. Something tells me you're about to find out what it costs when you lie to me."
1. Nick discovers that Morn's child is not his, sending him into a rage fuelled desire for revenge.
2. Morn does not lose her sanity due to the force-growth procedure, therefore the Amnion want to understand why.
3. The Amnion want Morn's son to complete their studies.
This chapter, and the last couple of chapters, are the points in the story where there's no possible way to put the book down! The Gap has come alive in a terrifying conclusion to this chapter.
