I suppose I ought to follow, it sent. Just in case, like you say.
A tiny, dark speck against the vast ocean of fire that was the star, it set a course for Gzilt space, pitching and yawing until it was pointed more or less straight there, continuing to ramp up its engines as it flew away from the light.
Race you! the Pressure Drop sent.
The Caconym could already feel drag – the effect of its velocity in real space. Observed external time was starting to drift away from what its own internal clocks were telling it, and its mass was increasing. Both effects were minute, but increasing exponentially. Elements of its field enclosure were already poised for the transition to hyperspace and release from such limitations.
I’ll win, it replied.
It vanished from the skein of real space less than a second later, hurtling into a quickness beyond night.
- Hydrogen Sonata, Chapter Five: (S -22)