Ryan and his team were now in a very tricky position. They were caught in a giant, cosmic chess game, playing against opponents who were smarter, older, and who had written the rules. Their only advantage was the Reality Loom, and their new, secret, and very grumpy friend, Lord Valerius.
They had to spring the Syllogist's trap, but they had to do it on their own terms.
Using the Reality Loom, Ryan looked into the future, searching for the Gardener's next target. He found it. The insane, artist-god was heading for a vibrant, beautiful, and very peaceful sector on the far edge of the galaxy. It was the home of a unique, silicon-based species, a race of gentle, crystalline beings who lived in quiet harmony on a world of giant, crystal forests.
"That's our stage," Emma said, a grim, determined look on her face. "That's where we make our move."
