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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2015 7:44 am
by Cord Hurn
Hint: It was a word that Nick said.
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:41 am
by Savor Dam
Makes sense. Nick was the decisive for Captains Fancy; the Amnion would have spoken with no other up until this time.
Doesn't help, though. Still don't remember...and since I am on the road (away from my bookshelf), no chance to refresh my recollection.
Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 4:43 am
by Avatar
Uh...I want to say something like compromise or...or...no, damn it.
I'm going to have to look it up if I remember.
--A
Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 7:02 am
by Cord Hurn
More hints:
Nick had ordered his crew to keep radio silence once he and Morn were among the Amnion. When Vector and then Mikka blunder by talking, Nick says something with [the word] that makes the Amnion demand a translation. "Understanding is necessary for trade."
Vector makes amends, bailing Nick out with the word's definition.
Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 8:08 pm
by Sorus
I'm going to kick myself, but I can't remember.
Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 4:25 am
by Avatar
Forgot to look it up of course.
--A
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2015 3:18 am
by Cord Hurn
The word I'm looking for is a noun.
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2015 4:56 am
by Cord Hurn
Also, the word has only five letters.
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 5:10 am
by Cord Hurn
The word starts with the letter, "f".
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 6:25 am
by Avatar
Five letters though...there goes _that_ idea.
No, fuck it.
I give up.
--A
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 7:30 pm
by Cord Hurn
I'm going to give Sorus a chance to answer today, Av, and if she doesn't get it, then I'll give the answer and post another (hopefully easier) question tonight (which I guess would be tomorrow morning for you). I've already got another question in mind.
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 9:34 pm
by Sorus
I'm not gonna get it without cheating. Bring on the next question, and good job stumping us.
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 6:44 am
by Cord Hurn
Sorus and Avatar, you've been such good sports about this, so I'll provide the word with context (and besides, I've always kind of liked this passage
):
The damp yellow light was more intense here. It played and gleamed across Morn's EVA suit like a decontamination beam burning away undetectable microorganisms; burning away reality; at last burning away fear. Somewhere deep within her, she surrendered slowly to the zone implant.
Nick's voice was abrupt in her ears. "Where are you taking us? I don't like being this far from my ship."
Both guards looked at him. From the earphones, Enablement's mechanical voice said, "Conformity of purpose will be achieved through the mutual satisfaction of requirements. Your requirements necessitate a suitable birthing environment."
He growled a curse under his breath, then insisted harshly, "Delay doesn't conform to your purpose or mine."
"Time," came the reply, "is not accessible to manipulation."
As if out of nowhere, Vector Shaheed asked amiably, "Is that philosophy or physics?"
Morn began to relax more completely.
"Goddamn it--" Nick began.
"Vector!" snapped Mikka, "I told you to be quiet." A moment later she added, "Sorry about that, Nick."
"Oh, hell," Nick retorted, "let's all talk at once. If we're going to turn this into a farce, we might as well go all the way."
For a moment the earphones went silent. Then the alien voice inquired, "Presumed human Captain Nick Succorso, what is 'farce'? Translation is lacking."
Nick's fingers dug into Morn's arm. "Ask me later," he rasped. "If I like the way you conduct this trade, I'll give you 'farce' as a gift."
"Presumed human Captain Nick Succorso," countered the voice immediately, "you claim humanity. Therefore you claim enmity to the Amnion. Also your identity doesn't conform to known reality. That also constitutes enmity to the Amnion. Understanding is necessary for trade. What is 'farce?'"
Before Nick could reply, Vector spoke again. "'Farce' is a form of play in which humans make themselves ridiculous for the amusement of other humans. Its purpose is to reduce tension and provide community of feeling."
Clenching his free fist and Morn's arm, Nick waited. The sled ran fifty meters down the hall before the voice answered, "Translation is acceptable."
After a long pause, he said, "All right, Vector. I'll call us even this time. But don't try me again."
No one from Captain's Fancy responded.
New question: what was the name of Morn's family ship?
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 7:20 pm
by Savor Dam
Wow, that *is* easier.
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 1:36 am
by Sorus
Savor Dam wrote:Wow, that *is* easier.
Well, post the answer! You were here first, I'm not going to steal your thunder. (Also, I don't have a good question thought up.
)
And that is one of the best overall passages in the series. I have quoted parts of it on many occasions, in many different contexts.
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 5:04 am
by Savor Dam
My reticence springs from the same root; lack of a next question. However, fine:
Starmaster.
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 7:04 am
by Cord Hurn
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 6:55 pm
by Holsety
Cord, that passage is amazing. I have to get my hands back on the gap series somehow. I've forgotten entirely too much!
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 1:42 am
by Savor Dam
Thank you for the softball, Cord. I didn't want to do it...but having done so, I will honor my side of the deal.
Since I know we have some readers who are progressing through the Gap for the first time, I won' t reach too far forward from the "farce" question. Folks should be solidly into A Dark and Hungry God Arises by now.
What unique featured act takes place on the Mallory stage...apparently not for the first time for the featured performer?
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 3:04 am
by Cord Hurn
Beer-chugging contests?
