The Long Way... To a Common Orbit flash group discussion

The crowds beyond the massive shuttle dock were thick, but Pepper held the kit's hand, leading the way with the certainty of someone who had done the dozens of times. Lovelace tried to make sense of the throngs of sapients they weaved pass – merchants lugging cargo, families embracing however their appendages allowed, tunnel-hopping tourists staring at maps on their scribs – but there were too many of them. Far too many. It wasn't the excess of information that frazzled her, but the lack of boundaries. There was no end to Port Coriol, no bulkheads or windows to provide a context, no point beyond which she could cease her directive have to pay attention to every tiny detail. On and on the crowds went, stretching off down alleyways and pedestrian paths, a calamity of language and light and airborne chemicals.

Oooh. Love that last sentence.

I loved how the windows appeared in that underwater transport.
Years ago, I took the Chunnel from London to Paris, and I was excited about it until I realized it felt exactly like being in a train going through a very long tunnel. Nothing to see.

Emily wrote: "I loved how the windows appeared in that underwater transport.
Years ago, I took the Chunnel from London to Paris, and I was excited about it until I realized it felt exactly like being in a train..."

Heh. I think I'd imagine it more like National Geographic in a submarine as well :)

The AI FAQ before this chapter cracked me up. And also opened up questions like... Are there filthy, careless AI plague-bearers? Just what kind of material is the "skin" made of? It has to be soft but also near infinitely durable.

The Chunnel analogue reminded me of the train line in MMO World of Warcraft, that was an underground line between two major capitals. Part of the route took you under a lake where the tunnel was made of glass. You could see monsters in the lake, too!

Beth wrote: "The AI FAQ before this chapter cracked me up. And also opened up questions like... Are there filthy, careless AI plague-bearers? Just what kind of material is the "skin" made of? It has to be soft ..."

Hmmm, that's a great point.

Have you seen Star Trek where they try to turn Data into Borg? I keep thinking it HAS to be something like that? But the blood!!? How do they do that?

MrsJoseph wrote: "Beth wrote: "The AI FAQ before this chapter cracked me up. And also opened up questions like... Are there filthy, careless AI plague-bearers? Just what kind of material is the "skin" made of? It ha..."

Exactly. This is the second time, I read this book and I start to wonder more often about how, exactly, this kit is made. I mean, there's no obvious inconsistency in logic or "science", but still. Whatever is the blood even for?

Saphana wrote: "Whatever is the blood even for? "

IIRC, the blood and other "real" features are to make the kit pass almost all tests. Remember in book 1 when that guy (can't remember the name) was arrested (view spoiler)[for being a clone? (hide spoiler)] I'm thinking its for things like that.

It's mentioned early on in the book that the fake blood was for in case Sidra sustained an "injury." It would "bleed" acting as a cover for the fact that she is a kit. Installing fake immune bots or something was part of that, too.

Beth wrote: "It's mentioned early on in the book that the fake blood was for in case Sidra sustained an "injury." It would "bleed" acting as a cover for the fact that she is a kit. Installing fake immune bots o..."

Thank you, both. I will have to check this again, I have forgotten so much of the first book. But yes, passing the "human" test would totally qualify. (I'm not inquiring how the kit is supposed to regain lost blood after whatever accident or something, I'm not.)