There’s an asteroid with a niche big enough to accommodate the tree-folk’s home. With what’s left of their power, Adam and Jordan cooperate with Armiger to move the bubbled cavern system into the niche, then cover it with rubble from the asteroid system as concealment.
All the while, they keep an eye on the Blot ship for signs of movement or hostility. Without its thought-receiver, though, it’s as motionless as any other mushroom.
Adam asks Platana about the original purpose of their mission, once things have settled down.
“There’s these aliens, called the Blockheads. Did they ever come to your system? Did you ever notice them?” he asks.
“We have no high technology, and no way to sense things beyond our space,” the tree-woman confesses. “We did not witness any such beings, unfortunately.”
“That’s okay.” If Adam is disappointed, he’s still more gratified that he was able to help these people. “If you do see them, though, will you let us know? You have one of the ansibles from Earth. We’ll hear it if you use it to call.”
“We will call if we need.” Platana smiles, through the flowing water that makes up her face. “And perhaps call anyway, as a sign of friendship.”
“I think we would all like that,” Adam says, sparing a glance at Jaycee, whose face says otherwise.
The Love Bug keeps watch until the Blot ship leaves the system. Presumably its receiver node has regenerated, and it’s received fresh orders from the Blot’s hive mind.
Only then does Adam dare to try and make a connection with Somber, via the Antares Alpha-One shard the enigmatic agent gifted him.
Somber’s image flashes into existence inside the ship. Adam stands before him, while the others encircle him, watching curiously.
“You sent the Blot to attack Platana’s people,” Adam says levelly.
“I did. Knowing you would be there soon,” Somber admits.
“Why?”
The alien’s eyes flicker in Keri’s direction, then back to Adam. “She knows. It is the question she has not yet asked you.”
Keri gulps, and speaks. “Adam, why isn’t the Concordance helping these people? If the Blot is such a widespread problem, where are they? Why aren’t they doing anything about it?”
Somber spreads their arms wide. “I know of only one thing that makes the Concordance act. Challenges to their authority. Such challenges as those presented by their rivals. Those that empowered Princess Peri, for example. The Void’s cultists are but one of many such groups.”
Adam thinks for a moment. “That’s why you wanted me to use negative energy,” he says after a moment. “That’s why you were harvesting it from Earth. So you could make it look like the Concordance’s enemies were here.”
“And they would send an agent, or better yet, empower one of the oppressed people the Blot has tormented. You are correct, Adam.” Somber nods in recognition.
“Maybe they tried already,” Adam counters. “The Blockheads tried to attack me. They attacked the Rainbow Warriors on Earth too. And Earth has two Shards unaccounted for. This Blockhead ship that we’re in came to this system. What if the Concordance did send a shard, and the Blockheads intercepted it somehow?”
It’s gratifying to Adam to see this catch Somber off guard. “Then I encourage you to continue your search for answers, Adam,” they say at last.
“Not just answers.” Adam draws himself up, drawing on his conviction to say a difficult thing. “I don’t like how you’re going about this. It feels like you’re willing to let people get hurt just go achieve your goals. Sacrifices are part of being a hero. But you can’t sacrifice someone else who doesn’t wanna be sacrificed. There’s gotta be a better way.”
“I’m listening,” Somber says patiently.
Adam frowns. After several seconds, he admits the truth. “I don’t know what that is, not yet. But, y’know, I’m only fifteen. If you’ve been at this longer, an’ know all about what’s going on, maybe you do know a better way and just don’t want to do it. So I’m going to keep being cautious.”
“Caution, wisdom, and knowing one’s limits are all lessons I wish to teach. I find this very encouraging.” Somber smiles, and vanishes.
“Where to now?” Keri asks, at last.
Adam thinks. “We keep chasing the mystery of the Blockheads,” he announces. “What they want with Concordance Shards. And if they really are intercepting them, maybe how they know where to go.”
“So we keep going to systems where the Blockheads have been?” Armiger asks.
Adam shakes his head. “People who don’t know about the Concordance can’t tell us much, I think,” he concludes. “So instead of going to where they were, we’re going to where they will be. Places where their authority is being threatened.”
He smiles at his friends and family. “We’re gonna go find the enemies of the Concordance.”