Captains' Council

The Peregrine, CHAPTER II.

Tapestries and polished metal reliefs hang from the carved pillars and panels of the Captains' Hall on Rendezvous.  When the captains are seated around the Council table, Traveler Thorkild Helmuth says:

"'In the name of Cosmos, rendezvous...'" (p. 7)

Then a ritual is followed by a meeting to discuss facts, determine policy and make proposals for voting. All Nomad ships except five are either present or accounted for. The Vagabond has brought word from the Wayfarer and the Pilgrim that they cannot attend this year. The Peregrine has brought the same message from the Vagrant which is making a deal near Canopus.

Present are:

Wanderer
Gypsy
Hobo
Voyageur
Bedouin
Swagman
Trekker
Explorer
Troubador
Adventurer
Migrant
Vagabond
Peregrine
Traveler (we remember when she was the only Nomad ship)
Romany
Stroller
Fiddlefoot

It is traditional to use names from human languages. Although human beings join choths in the Technic History, non-humans have not joined Nomad ships in the Psychotechnic History.

The Romany claims the territory fifty light-years around Thossa;

the Bedouin might help the Adventurer to subvert the trader-taxing Shan of Barjaz-Kaui who cannot be overthrown by force because the Coordination Service knows the planet;

the Cordies stopped the Stroller from selling guns to a particular race;

the Fiddlefoot, bartering for expensive Solarian goods at Spica, is prepared to sell shares in this enterprise;

the Peregrine wants to investigate the loss of five Nomad ships toward Sagittari in ten years.