Spheres of Influence-eARC (47 page)

“Excuse me, Captain?” he managed after a moment.

“Marc, you’re amazingly competent. So’s pretty much everyone here. But if we’re going somewhere that might have a power on a par with the Faith or the Shadeweavers, one thing we’ve learned is that they totally outclass us. But I have, at least, the potential to match them. Having me along means a possible defense—or at least a convincing chance to bluff. It also means I might sense, or be able to access, things that are only meant for those with these powers.

“These are things that no one else can do, and overall it’s a vital intelligence gathering operation. Any other Faction would give virtually
anything
to get a crewman aboard Orphan’s ship, if they realized it might give them insight into, well, what makes the Survivor the Survivor. There’s no way of even
guessing
the value of what his secrets are, except that they’re very, very valuable. So…yes, I think I
should
go, and in fact I
have
to go, and that’s based on not just my own curiosity but my professional judgment as Leader of the Faction.” She looked at Oasis. “Good enough for you?”

The deceptively young-looking girl nodded cheerfully. “Good enough, Captain!”

“So,” Simon said slowly, looking around at the others, “the Leader of Humanity is going to risk herself on a ship with a sometimes devious ally, traveling to some secret destination in the Deeps of the Arena, to confront some nameless force where there won’t even be a Sky Gate to help us return if things go wrong?”

He stood and lifted his glass. “Sign me up, Captain!”