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"If that's the criteria we're going by," said Damian, "then I have no problem with it. But it also means that there are at least two others who gained Jonah's approval. And we should probably make contact with them, if we can."

It took Parson a moment to realize who he was talking about.

Sermung and Tenebrach.

Yes. From the vision, it was obvious that Jonah trusted them more than perhaps anyone else in the world. Certainly more than anyone here, right now.

'Yet another thing that is easier said than done,' said Feromas. 'Unless, that is, our resident Vanguardians have some way of getting in touch with them.'

'There was a time when that was so,' said Overra. 'When Sermung handed out beacons left and right, telling people to call if they needed help. Parson had one for a good few decades. But no longer.'

Feromas tilted his faceless head. 'Beacons, huh? Can you get another one?'

'Wouldn't matter,' said Overra. 'He stopped answering them altogether.'

'All of them?'

'As far as I know, yes.'

'So someone else out there might still have the privilege.'

'Technically, yes, but I do not know who that could be.'

'Well, who is his favorite subordinate?'

'I don't think he plays favorites.'

'Everyone plays favorites.'

'Sermung is not like everyone else.'

'Tenebrach, then. He must have a favorite.'

"If you ask me, it seemed like Jonah was Sermung's favorite," said Damian.

Another brief silence arrived.

'Well, even if that's true, it's no help to us now,' said Feromas.

"We could always send a Courier," said Damian.

'That won't work, either,' said Overra. 'We've tried before. They just return the letters.'

"You're kidding. How badly does this guy not want to be bothered?"

'Judging from what we just learned in that vision,' said Overra, 'I don't know if that's the problem. Instead, it might just be that the Couriers are unable to reach him.'

'You think he's venturing out into other planes of existence?' said Feromas.

'Maybe. But it's just a guess. He's become very unpredictable over the years. By design, I'm sure. We'd have to ask him directly to find out the full truth of things.'

'You'd think your boss would be a little more forthcoming with his subordinates about such important information.'

'Not if he knows that unwitting saboteurs are everywhere.'

Parson had to add onto that. "And to be honest, I'm not even sure that he considers himself the leader of the Vanguard anymore."

'Excuse me?' said Feromas.