It was dark in the office, but for a square lamp sitting on the corner of the Cynn's desk that only dimly lit the space. Cynn Numair paced back and forth across the intricate rug in front of the desk, reading aloud to himself from a clipboard.

< ...If you'll review page forty-seven of the proposal, you'll find a cost breakdown of the whole thing. > He paused, and mused, < ...thing...venture...initiative. > He amended something on the clipboard with a black pen, and then continued, < A copy of this is available at the university library...publicly available...for anyone to review. >

Sraddi, who had been sitting quietly on her perch beside the desk, suddenly emitted a loud PING, and said, < The antenna is airborne and functional. Connection established with 60% of recievers. >

< Good, good, > the Cynn said absently. < Let me know when the others connect in the morning, please. >

A stray sparkling of sunlight jerked him out of his concentration, then. A sunbeam was passing over him, and he squinted as it struck him in the eyes. He looked in puzzlement, and saw a glittering expanse of water stretching away from him--livid pale sky, intense cyan water, and sunlight that glinted so brightly that he actually put up a hand to shield his face.

Then it was gone, and someone was knocking at the office door. The Cynn stared for a moment, but then said, < Come in. >