Fenn tells Maherero, a high councillor of the Southern Coagency:
"'Nobody can forecast the future. If somebody isn't willing to meet it as it comes, he should get out of the way of those who are.'" (p. 190)
A succinct summary of the Andersonian philosophy? (Also van Rijnian etc?) See a much-quoted passage about "'...bases in the fourth dimension to protect us against an invasion from the future," here.
Maherero sits unmoving. The accompanying music, dance and bird flight stop. Has this been a diplomatic disaster for Fenn? Then Maherero laughs and accepts the deal to work with the Lahui Kuikawa on the transformation of Deimos. The music, dance and flight resume triumphantly.
Interactive entertainment of guests is an important custom in this polity just as human service to new arrivals is among the Lahui and archaism is in London. Some customs are contrived whereas others are alive.
Fleet stands up well as an sf traveloque.
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