"Does your world have demon-safe computers, where copying won't actually get you the same thing because mental signatures - or something like that, I don't actually know this stuff - anyway, nah, copying Mandos' setup won't get backups to start directing to you."

"Lovely. Will copying his setup give your dad enough to reverse-engineer to figure it out?"

"He started from that, but it was another twenty years of work. And the resulting thing is intelligent. Not human-level, and not conscious, but too smart for a demon to replicate."

"That is both very wise and potentially inconvenient."

"Yeah, well, we weren't counting on friendlies."

"Very wise, as I said."

"He could develop a conjurable version, probably. But I'm not sure it's worth it."

"Possibly in the long term, just in case; almost certainly not in the short term."

"Short term's hop somewhere way away from the whole mess - if we stay on the move we're not findable - and figure out what we can do for Endore."

"Yeah."

"You know how to reach me if you think of anything."

"Yes I do." She has so many positive feelings about chip-based telepathy.

Has its advantages!

She also still doesn't know private thoughts are specifically a thing, so he can see if he cares to look how deep the appeal runs--it's not just highly useful, there's something in her that's deeply satisfied by the idea of being able to interact directly mind-to-mind with someone.

It's inappropriate to read someone too closely if they don't know how to stop you. He gets a general sense of appreciation and that's it.

Fair enough. It's a strong sense of appreciation, though.

What a nice daeva. She's not even planning to demand their obedience yet.

If she knew the word 'yet' was appended to that sentiment she'd feel--not offended, exactly, given the example available to work with, but further annoyed with the example.

He's sort of running on the assumption that people with power abuse it.

Ah, but what he doesn't realize is that even if she were temperamentally inclined to abuse power, she's starting to become fond of him and Maitimo, which means she'd probably be abusing power at least partly on his family's behalf.

This would endear her to him significantly. 

Such a pity this isn't actually a conversation they're having, then.

Instead he gets back to work.

And the twins will brainstorm things and provide helpful acts of deviltry and divinity when situations that could benefit from it arise.

Six hours to Araman. They unload and get on the lightleapers and point them somewhere they won't be found.