“They’re so cute,” said Param bitterly.
“Fatally,” said Umbo.
“I’m afraid our rodent companions have the odd notion that because they created us, after a fashion, they can do with us whatever they want,” said Rigg.
The mice sat rigid, regarding him steadily.
“It’s the mistake a lot of parents make about their children,” Olivenko added.
“I give an order that must survive my death. No mice will be allowed to pass through the Wall, ever.”
“Understood,” said the ship’s voice.
“And agreed to?” asked Rigg.
“Your commands cannot survive your death,” said the ship’s voice. “But we agree with the desirability of this command and we will continue to respect it.”
“The jewels confer authority only on persons of human shape,” said Rigg. “Is that rule agreed to?”
“Yes,” said the ship’s computer.
“They think you’re a bigot,” said Loaf.
“I think they’ve proven themselves to regard the killing of humans as one of their rights,” said Rigg. “That puts them in a different category.”
“They’re saying all kinds of soothing things,” said Loaf. “But I don’t believe them, and so it’s hardly worth telling you what they’re saying.”
The mice all turned as one to face Loaf.
“I think you just pissed them off,” said Umbo.
“Do you want the flyer to proceed to the landing place the mice selected?” asked the ship’s voice.
“Yes,” said Rigg. “I’m assuming that many thousands of mice are already waiting there, expecting to cross into Larfold. We might as well have a conversation with this squad of would-be colonists as a whole.”
“They don’t have to listen to you,” said Loaf. “That’s what they just said to me.”
“And we don’t have to listen to them,” said Rigg. “We also don’t have to take any of them with us into the past.”
“They think they know how to attach to your timefield as you shift,” said Loaf. “They tried it out when you went back to get Param.”
“I wonder if that’s true,” said Rigg.
“They’re practically screaming that it’s very, very true,” said Loaf.
“Just what they’d do if it were a lie,” said Olivenko.
“Suppose one mouse always lies, and one always tells the truth,” said Loaf.
“Ask one if he’s a liar, and then ask the other one if the first one told the truth,” said Param. “That’s an old one.”
“The trouble is,” said Rigg, “they might both be liars. In fact, I’m pretty sure that we can’t believe anyth
ing they say.”
“I think there are too many of them,” said Olivenko. “They have a lot of redundancy. I think a little mouse-stomping would thin the herd.”
Mice skittered away from him.