“The Gunboat Diplomat, our game-player. Its location.” His heart pounded and his throat seemed to close up. “Yes,” he said, struggling to get the word out. “And?” “Well, it didn’t reply direct; it sent via its home GSV Youthful Indiscretion and got it to confirm its location.” “Yes, well? Where is it?” “In the Altabien-North cluster. Sent coordinates, though they’re only accurate to—” “Never mind the coordinates!” Gurgeh shouted. “Where is that cluster? How far away is it from here?” “Hey; calm down. It’s about two and a half millennia away.” He sat back, closing his eyes. The car started to
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