Gap Quiz

[Savor Dam]

After Trumpet escapes the destruction of Thantos Minor and the decision is made to take Vector to the Valdor system to analyze the mutation immunity drug, Angus makes this trip in a series of gap crossings that is relatively slower than what Trumpet is capable of doing. He claims this is to protect Morn from gap sickness. What is his real reason?

[Cord Hurn]

Great question, Savor Dam! Hmmm...is it so Angus can send messages back to Warden using the Gap courier drones?

[Savor Dam]

That's a solid guess, but not what the story tells.

[Avatar]

To allow...uh...Punisher? to catch up?

--A

[Savor Dam]

Also a reasonable guess, but nobody on Trumpet knew about Punisher yet.

Both answers are adjacent to the truth, but not quite there.

[Cord Hurn]

...To make it easier for the United Mining Companies Police to track the whereabouts of Trumpet?

[Savor Dam]

Yes, that's it.

...the truth was his programming wouldn't let him either hurry or dodge. As if Trumpet's homing signal wasn't enough of a betrayal, his datacore required him to behave with the mindless predictability of a moron; to ensure that any ship who followed him would find him impossible to lose.

With every passing hour, the taste of freedom turned more sour in his mouth. What good did it do him to make his own decisions if he had to carry them out like an idiot?

The men who'd programmed him scorned his desire for escape. Even when they loosened their control over him, they didn't let him go.

Your question, CH!

[StevieG]

Well done CH

[Cord Hurn]

Thank you for the clever question and the provided quote, Savor Dam, and thanks to StevieG for the encouragement!

My question:

What physical age does young Davies Hyland appear to be once the Amnion have finished growth-enhancing him?

[StevieG]

18?

[Cord Hurn]

18?

No. Younger...

[Avatar]

16?

--A

[Cord Hurn]

16?

--A

16 years old is the correct answer. Congratulations to you, Avatar; it is now your Gap Quiz question!

[Avatar]

What was the condition for letting Morn go that Nick imposed on her once she awoke from her "catatonia" on the way to Billingsgate?

--A

[Cord Hurn]

Hmmm...guessing it's something to do with "doing things naturally".
(Will have to think on it and Nick's motives at that point in the story just a bit more, I suspect.)

[Avatar]

Just a bit more...

--A

[Cord Hurn]

Just a bit more...

--A

Ah, yes, I think I've got it. Nick wanted Morn to have sex with him without her zone implant being turned on.

(And if I recall correctly now, the notion was repulsive to Morn. So Nick uses her zone implant control to make her gag herself. )

[Avatar]

Close enough. "If you can make me believe you want me enough," he finished, "I'll let you go."

Congrats. Your question.

--A

[Cord Hurn]

Thank you! Next Gap QUiz question:

When Nick leaves his ship Captain's Fancy while docked to Billingate, to whom does he assign command?

[StevieG]

Wild guess: Liete?