Thirty-Four
Contains spoilersOverview
In Benny Wen’s parlor, Ezr Vinh is thawed early as news spreads that a Spider “antigravity” discovery was retracted. The group debates Coming-Out timing, limited weaponry, and the risk of Spider spaceflight exposing the humans. Ezr struggles with guilt toward Qiwi, who estimates about twelve years and raises the issue of choosing Spider allies.
Summary
Benny Wen runs a thriving, semi-sanctioned parlor sustained by favors and Nau’s tacit protection, its warmth shaped by past experiments from his father, Hunte. A familiar “debating society” gathers: Jau Xin, Rita Liao, Trud Silipan, Arlo Dinh, and others. Ezr Vinh arrives early from cold sleep, noting Anne Reynolt altered his Watch and reflecting on how Nau has coopted loyalties.
Trud reports a Spider “cavorite” antigravity claim from mines near Calorica—now retracted as irreproducible. Jau Xin confirms orbital anomalies are mundane tools for density mapping. The group debates Spider competence; Ezr argues first-timers will err, citing Underhill’s grand dreams and limits of software and hardware.
The conversation shifts to the Coming-Out timeline and the risk that Spider spaceflight will expose humans at L1. Jau predicts rapid Spider advance; Arlo counters that depleted nukes and distance limit coercion, while others mention directed-energy and even dropping wrecked starships. Ezr and Rita quietly reject megamurder, recalling the mission’s goal to gain a viable Customer, not destroy one.
Qiwi Lisolet arrives, helping Benny and easing social frictions. Ezr, burdened by guilt over his past assault on her, keeps his distance. Qiwi estimates Coming-Out within about twelve years, possibly sooner if Spider spaceflight forces action. Rita presses a strategic question: if networks can’t be seized at once, which Spider faction should the humans back?
Who Appears
- Ezr Vinh
Recently thawed; debates Spider science and Coming-Out; reflects on Nau’s cooption and guilt toward Qiwi.
- Benny Wen
Runs the parlor and favors network; serves the debaters; recalls his father’s transformations of the space.
- Qiwi Lisolet
Trusted go-between with Nau; helps Benny; greets Ezr; estimates ~12 years to Coming-Out; softens the regime.
- Jau Xin
Regular debater; weighs timelines and disclosure risks; notes constraints that make mass coercion impractical.
- Rita Liao
Spider enthusiast; prompts Qiwi; frames the dilemma of which Spider faction to back.
- Trud Silipan
Emergent favor-chiseler; reports the Spider “cavorite” claim and retraction; links Reynolt’s interest to Ezr.
- Arlo Dinh
Skeptical debater; cites depleted nukes and doubts a smooth takeover despite other coercive options.
- Anne Reynolt
Director who altered Ezr’s schedule, likely to address the Spider claim and translator–science tensions.
- Hunte Wen
Benny’s father; past manager whose experiments reshaped the parlor, symbolizing its tolerated underground status.
- Tomas Nau
Podmaster whose protection enables the parlor; his cooption shapes the group’s uneasy loyalties.