Out in the #KnownSpace of #LarryNiven, there is a machine the size of a building, possibly built by a #PakProtector as its insides are human-scale. We know this because those that found it now employ humans to do maintenance on it, wearing black radiation armor suits heavy enough to require powered assists. The tech briefing went over my head with talk about neutrinos and #scrith and the mass of the W boson, but the key thing is that this machine will kill you. So never take off the gauntlets or stop to think about a problem. Just follow the manual, call for help if you need more hands, and listen to the veterans. The suits are like elaborate black plate mail, and I bet they would look impressive standing in a nice clean museum as they are literally relics, as is the machine which might finally allow humans to build a new type of hyperspace engine. But that's for others to worry about, as I need to earn enough to leave this place. This universe. Known Space is not a nice place to visit because it will kill you, enslave you, eat you, or worse. When I get home to the more forgiving universe of #TheCulture, I'm sure my ship-Mind will have a great deal to say about the rationality of my choices. I don't think scrith would work at home and it's not even full protection. This universe might hate people. And there is something wrong with their hyperspace. It may a singular thing actually aware of humans and is visually incomprehensible either as a side effect of hostility or attempts to interact. Finally, for any who follow me, #TeelaBrown may be too dangerous a friend to stand next to, but be sure to ask for post cards.

Thanks to @MicroSFF for inspiration. #IainMBanks