[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
her crazy theory in the first place, how could we do that? You must have told
her we can t influence other Humans.
She insists we don t know everything there is to know about ourselves and the
talent. You can t argue with that. Nobody can. The Restoration is only a few
generations old. Who s to say what may or may not eventually evolve? We re all
still learning as we go. I can think of a lot of instances in which it would
be safer and more useful to have a non-Human opinion on Core matters than that
Page 75
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
of, say, a non-Restoree Human.
McConnell was nodding. My experience is subordinate here, sir, but I see your
point. If she s telling the truth and if she s completely trustworthy.
I ve explained the safeguards I ve put in place, Straat-ien responded. She
knows that I can kill her whenever I wish, or have her kill herself. She knows
that either of you could kill her or suggest that she do away with herself
independent of anything I could do to stop you.
That s true enough, Inez murmured diffidently.
Lalelelang heard and quantified the implied threat as abstract data. If you
could mentally reduce every aspect of uncivilized Human activity to mere data
you could somewhat distance yourself emotionally from their maniacal behavior.
It was a survival skill she had mastered out of necessity.
Yet there she sits, silent and composed, while a trio of Humans calmly
debates her possible termination. Does she plead for her life or try to flee?
No. You know why? Straat-ien smiled. Because all she wants to do is help,
and because even though we insisted she leave her equipment behind, she s
still working, still observing. She s not interested in giving us away.
Because if she did, it would mean she d lose the chance to study us.
Inez and McConnell exchanged a glance. The captain faced her superior. You re
senior here, Colonel, both in age and experience. I won t deny that I m less
than entirely comfortable with this development, but I can see the points
behind your argument. If you vouch for her cooperation, if you re that sure of
this alien, then I defer to your judgment.
Same here, McConnell added readily.
Lalelelang said nothing, betrayed nothing outwardly, but inside she untensed.
On this peaceful, cool beach in the company of unarmed, discursive Humans she
knew she d come nearer to dying than at any time on either of the battlefields
she d visited.
Straat-ien, too, allowed himself to relax. I m glad you agree. I don t think
this is a decision any of us or any of our relatives will ever have occasion
to regret.
This business of the Turlog. Inez s expression mixed bitterness and
disbelief. To think that they ve been playing both sides; developing tactics
for us and then relaying those same tactical decisions to the enemy, just to
try and reduce the general population of intelligent beings and give
themselves a little more privacy. It s as perfidious as anything the
Amplitur have ever done.
They can t help themselves, Straat-ien explained. It s the way they ve
evolved. Fortunately the number involved seems to be small. I ve been able to
do some follow-up checking already, thanks to Lalelelang s help. McConnell
and Inez glanced approvingly at the Wais. Because of that intense love of
isolation only a small portion of the species are active participants in
planning Weave strategy, and not all of those are working in a dual capacity.
Remember: They like to operate independently of one another.
According to what you ve told us the number involved is big enough to have
caused a lot of trouble, Inez commented.
McConnell was nodding in agreement. What do we do about it?
Straat-ien was scooping up fine gravel with his right hand, letting the
wave-polished nodules trickle out between his fingers. Most of it was jade or
jasper, with some agate and moonstones scattered throughout the mix. A beach
of semiprecious gems.
We ll pass the word along to Core members on those worlds where Turlog are
active in military matters. They can arrange to have a private conversation
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]