Xavier’s Reviews > Rendezvous with Rama > Status Update
Xavier
is on page 201 of 243
'What degree of cooperation or understanding would
ever be possible between human beings and termites?
When there is no conflict of interest, we tolerate each
other. But when either needs the other's territory or re-
sources, no quarter is given.
'Thanks to our technology and our intelligence, we can
always win, if we are sufficiently determined. But some-
times it is not easy, and there are those who believe
— Jan 15, 2026 01:08AM
ever be possible between human beings and termites?
When there is no conflict of interest, we tolerate each
other. But when either needs the other's territory or re-
sources, no quarter is given.
'Thanks to our technology and our intelligence, we can
always win, if we are sufficiently determined. But some-
times it is not easy, and there are those who believe
Like flag
Xavier’s Previous Updates
Xavier
is on page 223 of 243
They had used the solar system as a
refuelling stop - as a booster station - call it what you
will, and had then spurned it completely, on their way to
more important business. They would probably never
even know that the human race existed; such monu-
mental indifference was worse than any deliberate insult.
— Jan 15, 2026 01:47AM
refuelling stop - as a booster station - call it what you
will, and had then spurned it completely, on their way to
more important business. They would probably never
even know that the human race existed; such monu-
mental indifference was worse than any deliberate insult.
Xavier
is on page 222 of 243
But he had also failed. One might speculate endlessly,
but the nature and the purpose of the Ramans was still
utterly unknown. They had used the solar system as a
refuelling stop - as a booster station - call it what you
will, and had then spurned it completely, on their way to
more important business. They would probably never
even know that the human race existed; such monu-
mental indifference was worse tha
— Jan 15, 2026 01:47AM
but the nature and the purpose of the Ramans was still
utterly unknown. They had used the solar system as a
refuelling stop - as a booster station - call it what you
will, and had then spurned it completely, on their way to
more important business. They would probably never
even know that the human race existed; such monu-
mental indifference was worse tha
Xavier
is on page 212 of 243
That was the obvious explanation, and therefore Nor-
ton viewed it with suspicion. His doubts grew as he exam-
ined the other columns, and conjured up the images
stored in their interiors
— Jan 15, 2026 01:26AM
ton viewed it with suspicion. His doubts grew as he exam-
ined the other columns, and conjured up the images
stored in their interiors
Xavier
is on page 211 of 243
There was a story he had heard somewhere about a
President of the United States - was it Roosevelt or
Perez? - who had a sign on his desk saying 'The buck
stops here'. Norton was not quite certain what a buck
was, but he knew when one had stopped at his desk
— Jan 15, 2026 01:09AM
President of the United States - was it Roosevelt or
Perez? - who had a sign on his desk saying 'The buck
stops here'. Norton was not quite certain what a buck
was, but he knew when one had stopped at his desk
Xavier
is on page 185 of 243
Mr President, distinguished fellow delegates, I would
like to begin with a brief summary of the situation which
now confronts us.'
From some delegates, that phrase 'a brief summary'
would have evoked silent groans among all listeners; but
everyone knew that Hermians meant exactly what they
said.
— Jan 08, 2026 05:15AM
like to begin with a brief summary of the situation which
now confronts us.'
From some delegates, that phrase 'a brief summary'
would have evoked silent groans among all listeners; but
everyone knew that Hermians meant exactly what they
said.
Xavier
is on page 5 of 243
Long ago, the astronomers had exhausted Greek and
Roman mythology; now they were working through
the Hindu pantheon. And so 31/439 was christened
Rama.
For a
— Jan 08, 2026 04:32AM
Roman mythology; now they were working through
the Hindu pantheon. And so 31/439 was christened
Rama.
For a
Xavier
is on page 150 of 243
it mean? Who needs a forest of glass pillars?'
Norton rapped gently on one column. It sounded solid,
though more metallic than crystalline. He was completely
baffled, and so followed a piece of useful advice he had
heard long ago: 'When in doubt, say nothing and move
on
— Jan 08, 2026 01:26AM
Norton rapped gently on one column. It sounded solid,
though more metallic than crystalline. He was completely
baffled, and so followed a piece of useful advice he had
heard long ago: 'When in doubt, say nothing and move
on
Xavier
is on page 150 of 243
Norton walked towards the nearest column and dir-
ected his beam into its interior. Refracted as through a
cylindrical lens, the light fanned out on the far side to be
focused and refocused, getting fainter with each repeti-
tion, in the array of pillars beyond. He felt that he was in
the middle of some complicated demonstration in optics.
'Very pretty,' said the practical Mercer, 'but what does
it mean? Who
— Jan 08, 2026 01:26AM
ected his beam into its interior. Refracted as through a
cylindrical lens, the light fanned out on the far side to be
focused and refocused, getting fainter with each repeti-
tion, in the array of pillars beyond. He felt that he was in
the middle of some complicated demonstration in optics.
'Very pretty,' said the practical Mercer, 'but what does
it mean? Who
Xavier
is on page 121 of 243
It had even been proposed that
Hermian lasers would one day thaw out gigantic Jupiter,
but this idea had not been well received on the other
worlds. A technology that could cook Jupiter had too
many tempting possibilities for interplanetary black-
mail.
That such a concern had ever been expressed said a
good deal about the general attitude towards the Her-
mians. They were respected for their toughness and e
— Jan 08, 2026 01:21AM
Hermian lasers would one day thaw out gigantic Jupiter,
but this idea had not been well received on the other
worlds. A technology that could cook Jupiter had too
many tempting possibilities for interplanetary black-
mail.
That such a concern had ever been expressed said a
good deal about the general attitude towards the Her-
mians. They were respected for their toughness and e
