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"Let alone calculators accurate down to the second," Control says. "No, the only people with a sufficiently advanced level of theoretical knowledge are—"

"Don't say the ophidians," Alexius squeaks.

"The ophidians."

Vecla seems to recognize the word, even in Koiné; she looks terrified. These "ophidians" seem more like nightmares than regular creatures, but Therko explains that they are real, just normally quiescent. For ages they slumber, but then they awaken to depopulate whole regions, carrying them away for experimentation and modification.

"Modification?" Alexius asks, studying his green fingernails.

For the River People's sake, Therko urges you to strike at the ophidians before they fully awaken. Legends say that's the only way people survived last time.

"It still sounds too dangerous," Alexius says, and Vecla nods.

"It is dangerous," Control says, "but so is letting the ophidians continue their depredations."

Talk of "depredations" aside, you suspect Control is more interested in the ophidians' technology than in their behavior.