Ram's ping will bounce back unacknowledged. Unread, though the specifics might not be apparent. The user world doesn't carry proper signals. The program he's transmitting to isn't configured like Ram is. There are plenty of reasons why the effort might have failed.

Connection rejected is just one among the set.

Static rustles behind Rinzler's shell: recycled air, exhaled in derision. The actuary's stare is just as obvious as its bewildered courtesy, and plenty reason to ignore the latter. It has what it needs now to bother anyone but him.

"Further queries?"

Or can he go?