"All my fellow Calebans witness connectives. Signatures not understood. Explain."
McKie decided not to explore the concept of signatures. Instead he asked, "Under what circumstances could you refuse to honor your contract with Abnethe?"
After a prolonged pause the Caleban said, "Changing circumstances convey variable relationships. Should Abnethe fail in her connectives or attempt redefinition of essences, this could produce linearities open for my disentanglement."
"Sure," McKie said. "That figures."
He shook his head, studied the empty air above the giant spoon. Calebans! You couldn't see them, couldn't hear them, couldn't understand them.
"Is the use of your S'eye system available to me?" McKie asked.
"You function as my teacher."
"Is that a yes?"
"Affirmative answer."
"Affirmative answer," McKie echoed. "Fine. Can you also transport objects to me, sending them where I direct?"
"While connectives remain apparent."
"I hope that means what I think it does," McKie said. "Are you aware of the Palenki arm and whip over there on your floor?"
"Aware."
"I want them sent to a particular office at Central. Can you do that?"
"Think of office," the Caleban said.
McKie obeyed.
"Connectives available," the Caleban said. "You desire sending to place of examination."
"That's right!"
"Send now?"
"At once."
"Once, yes. Multiple sending remains outside our capabilities."
"Huh?"
"Objects going."
As McKie blinked, the arm and whip snapped out of his view accompanied by a sharp crack of exploding air.
"Do the Taprisiots work in any way similar to what you do transporting things?" McKie asked.
"Message transportation minor energy level," the Caleban said. "Beautybarbers even more minor."
"I guess so," McKie said. "Well, never mind. There's the little matter of my friend, Alichino Furuneo, though. You sent him home, I believe?"
"Correct."
"You sent him to the wrong home."
"Creatures possess only one home."
"We sentients have more than one home."
"But I view connectives!"
McKie felt the wash of radiant objection from the Caleban, steadied himself. "No doubt," he said. "But he has another home right here on Cordiality."
"Astonishment fills me."
"Probably. The question remains, can you correct this situation?"
"Explain situation."
"Can you send him to his home on Cordiality?"
Pause then, "That place not his home."
"But can you send him there?"
"You wish this?"
"I wish it."
"Your friend converses through a Taprisiot."
"Ahhh," McKie said. "You can listen in on his conversation, then?"
"Message content not available. Connectives visible. I possess awareness that your friend exchanges communication with sentient of other species."
"What species?"
"One you label PanSpechi."
"What'd happen if you sent Furuneo to . . . his home here on Cordiality right now?"
"Shattering of connectives. But message exchange concludes in this linearity. I send him. There."
"You sent him?"