2. Three Sentinel WorldsThe second planet from the yellow sun was clearly inhabited by some technologically advanced species: an array of orbital platforms, spaceship docks and communication relays hung in a mesh around it. A single artificial ring haloed the planet's entire equator, a linear moon upon which, surely, many millions lived. There was a familiar grace and sinuous elegance to the design of both ships and stations. Even from a distance it was clear: this was a Tok world.
But while starfish lines of light twinkled from the night side of the planet, and ships large and small manoeuvred between satellites and atmosphere, one other thing was clear to Selene as she studied the world.
None of it was real. No one was there was alive.
The planet was solid enough; the thermal gradient
