"Maybe I should get myself one of those," Jordan murmured. It at least looked more fun than his usual day of strolling through the digitization sweatshop to monitor all the scanning.

Except when his days involved a few unexpected visits. "A few things," he said. "Word is that there are skirmishes at the Outposts, between the Clubs and Diamonds. I heard from one of the Spades who passed through that way, though it seems Elisha and Säde are keeping it quiet." The King of Clubs had gone to the Outposts on Friday, though, which was interesting. He wasn't one to make field trips out that way.

"Adam and Melanie brought back worrying news from Outside, as well," he added in a lower tone.