Prologue
Laspetosyne turned and pointed to the scaffolded pillar. ‘That rocket will take us away from this system. We save ourselves. That was ever our goal. You humans misunderstood us, and that is none of our concern. Go save yourselves.’
‘But we can’t. You’re leaving forever?’
‘Girl, there’s hardly any point returning, now is there?’
‘But where are you going?’
Laspetosyne pointed east. ‘We made a bridge to take us from Gwmru to this island, and crossed it not one month ago. Soon we shall destroy the bridge, then take off making for a star. There we can resume our lives, and devote ourselves to our arts. This rocket will be our vehicle.’
‘What about us? You can’t leave us to die.’
‘Can organic things transmit themselves at the speed of light? Not as far as I know. Tomorrow at dawn, we shall take off. In forty-two years of our time the light of that star will shine upon us. Make the most of my grace, girl, then depart.’