Scaevola's Triumph (Gaius Claudius Scaevola trilogy Book 3) Read Online Free

Lucilla asked.
    "I would take them to a planet called Ulse. I can do that," the Tin Man said, "because effectively I am the ship. He," and he pointed to the creature, "does not like that, but he is going to be taken there."
    "This planet, Ulse," Gaius asked. "Is that where, er, that comes from?"
    "No," the Tin Man replied. "Ulse is the centre of a Federation, and it is also from where I was made and programmed. In your terms, it is a little like taking someone back to Rome. He doesn't have to come from Rome to be bound by Roman law."
    "I understand," Gaius said, then added, "at least partly. What will happen to him?"
    "He will be charged with intervening in the development of an emerging technical civilization, and possibly even stopping the emergence. It is the most serious crime he can be charged with."
    "More serious than murder?" Lucilla asked.
    "Oh, more serious than the murder of a million," the Tin Man replied.
    "Unless you lock him up, I think you will find he will take control of the ship and fly elsewhere," Gaius shrugged.
    "On that you are quite incorrect," the Tin Man replied. "He has no more chance of flying this ship than you have. However, he will be confined."
    "You may have noticed," Gaius remarked dryly, "he has fled."
    "And I know where to," the Tin Man replied. "I have now sealed the exits and I am starting the motors. The ship is moving. Now, I am interested. Tell me what you know of what you call physics."
    "First," Gaius replied carefully, "I would like some explanations." The turn of events was baffling, but his experience at command made certain things clear to him. He must learn as much as he possibly could about their situation.
    "You will get as much as you can understand," the Tin Man replied. "That is why I need to know how much you know."
    "You can explain this," Gaius said. "If you come from another star, why do you understand Latin?"
    "We have been studying your planet," the Tin Man replied. "We can send down objects that look so much like your people they can wander through crowds. We have recorded a number of events, and perforce, we have learned Latin. And a number of other languages as well."
    "And you are going to catch and imprison my former captor?"
    "No, I am not permitted to do that," the Tin Man replied.
    "Then how is it going to happen?" Gaius asked. This was a turn for the worse. The Tin Man did not have total freedom of action, and that made him an indifferent ally.
    "You will catch him, as you put it," the Tin Man replied. "The easiest way to do that is to wait until he goes to sleep. Don't worry. He has been denied access to any part of the ship where he could conceivably do any harm, and he cannot stay awake forever."
    "Neither can we," Lucilla said, "and the fact remains, we are still prisoners."
    "No, you are not. I suggest you stay here until I can make better arrangements, and until your former captor is caught, but then you will have the freedom of the ship, apart from those places that would be dangerous for either you or the ship. As for your being asleep at the same time, I can always wake you."
    "We're not prisoners?" Lucilla asked, in a tone that showed she did not believe she was not.
    "No."
    "Then I can see Quintus?" Lucilla almost demanded.
    "What is a Quintus?"
    "He's my husband!"
    "There were eight of us brought aboard," Gaius explained. He had to tone this situation down. "He was one of the other four."
    "I want to see him!" Lucilla stood up.
    "You can't!" the Tin man replied. "Not because I don't want you to, but because he is no longer on the ship."
    "What did you do to him?" Lucilla asked coldly. She advanced as if to tear the Tin Man's eyes out. Gaius stood up and held her.
    "He was put off at a planet around another star," the Tin Man said. "By the orders of the being previously in control of this ship."
    "Then you must go back and get him!"
    "That is impossible," the Tin Man said without emotion.
    "You just won't! You're . . ."
    "Lucilla," Gaius whispered