Birthright

norm, all in the space of four hours.

“That's it,” said Lavers. “He's broken through. In a couple of years the others will do it too.” “So he's broken through,” said Bartol. “It changes nothing. He'll evaluate the situation, realize that turning back without being able to slingshot around a star or a black hole will take more fuel than he's got, and he'll keep going. After all, he's a Man, and Men preserve themselves.” “Men do a lot of things,” said Lavers quietly. And, 350,000 light-years away, Jesser took one last baleful look at his companion and slowly unhooked his breathing apparatus.

19: THE PHILOSOPHERS

...It was with the establishment of the University at Aristotle that the Commonwealth began churning out a steady stream of brilliant philosophers as regularly as clockwork. In fact, in retrospect we can say with some assurance that it was during the middle of the Seventh Galactic Millennium, and more specifically 6400-6700 G.E., that philosophy graduated from the vague realm of an art and joined the sciences. Some of the more brilliant treatises are still on file, both on the various Deluros VI planetoids and also at the huge library on Deluros VIII...

—Man: Twelve Millennia of Achievement ...The subject of philosophy seems to have taken a very

unphilosophical, and eventually fatal, turning somewhere around 6500 G.E. The dividing line can be drawn with the career of Belore Theriole (6488-6602 G.E.), unquestionably the last of the great human philosophers....

—Origin and History of the Sentient Races, Vol. 9 “Brilliant!” said Hillyar. “Absolutely brilliant!” He put the thick sheaf of papers down on the large table, leaned back, and gave the impression of a man trying very hard to strut without moving his legs. “I told you it was,” said Brannot. “I'd like to see us offer him a spot on the faculty right now, before some other school grabs him.”

The other two members of the examining board nodded in agreement. “Before I make it official,” said Brannot, “I'd like it on the record that we're all in accord.” “Absolutely,” said Hillyar. The others echoed him. “Good. Then it's settled,” said Brannot. He turned to the small figure seated silently in a corner of the room. “Professor Theriole, while the affairs of our university can hardly be of more than passing interest to you, we would nonetheless be honored if a person of your stature would add her name to our recommendation.”

Belore Theriole looked up, brushing a wisp of graying hair from her forehead. “With no offense intended, I believe I am not inclined to do so.” “Have we done something to offend you?” asked Brannot with a note of worry in his voice.