Setting: In the wake of having their secret Stork deliveries from Daumann uncovered, Interspace has agreed to turn over the vessel for inspection at a neutral point, Aland Shipyard. Fearing that the fake ALG papers used to smuggle the vessel out of Rheinland will be uncovered, the Hessians were contacted to make sure that the vessel is either destroyed or damaged to the point that recovering the hacked transponder would be impossible. The idea behind it is to make it appear that Interspace is no longer useful to the Hessians, who have turned on them, which could generate sympathy in Rheinland for Interspace which is trying to regain access to Rheinland space.
Anyone who wants to watch that could have a reason for being at Aland at the time is welcome to watch as a witness.
The history of human thought recalls the swinging of a pendulum which takes centuries to swing. After a long period of slumber comes a moment of awakening. Then thought frees herself from the chains with which those interested — rulers, lawyers, clerics — have carefully enwound her.
She shatters the chains. She subjects to severe criticism all that has been taught her, and lays bare the emptiness of the religious political, legal, and social prejudices amid which she has vegetated. She starts research in new paths, enriches our knowledge with new discoveries, creates new sciences.
But the inveterate enemies of thought — the government, the lawgiver, and the priest — soon recover from their defeat. By degrees they gather together their scattered forces, and remodel their faith and their code of laws to adapt them to the new needs.