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-URSULA K. leGUtN. of the relations between the
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c TIJI· .,
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SHERI S.TEPPEQ
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The long-awaited sequel to the
award-winning BORN TO EXILE
JN THE �J:D)9 1UJ S
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Once a foundling, then a thief,
z � minstrel f.
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teleportation-that has forced
him into exile and brought him
m
to the valley of th�: Red Lord.
There, he discovers a horror so
terrible he Is forced to flee. Yet Alaric
cannot forget the terror he had
left behind, knowing it was his
destiny to challenge the evil
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PHYLLIS
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EISENS
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TREETOPS, Mary Caraker ------- 106
JUSTICE MACHINE, Timothy Zahn 1-46
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NEURAL NETS, Rick Cook ------- 86
Short Stories
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TRUE CONFESSIONS, Geoffrey A. Landis 139
THE INNOCENTS, Mary Caraker 190
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BRASS TACKS 182
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Editorial
JOB
QUALIFICATIONS
Stdnlet Schmidt
uppose that for three days cars and your plumber to know some
s
you've been running a 103° thing about plumbing. If you're hiring
fever. your throat is dry. a band to play for your daughter's wed
you've lost your appetite. and ding. you'd probably prefer that its
you have a peculiar rash around your members know how to play appropriate
neck. Even if you're the type who instruments and music.
avoids doctors except as a last resort, In short. it probably seems self-evi
chances are that by this time you'd be dent as a general principle that people
ready to seek some help. Would you go hired to do any job should know some
to (a) a doctor with well-known edu thing about that job. Obvious. right? So
cational credentials and a good reputa what?
tion among patients and colleagues, or Now let's turn to something that at
(b) a randomly selected person on the first glance may seem unrelated. but
street? isn't. One of the great traditions of this
I'm reasonably confident that if you country, we are often told. is govern
have the slightest interest in self-pres ment of the people. by the people. for
ervation, you chose (a)--and didn't the people. Assuming for the sake of
even have to think very hard about it. argument that what we have aproxi
To most people. I suspect, it seems too mates that ideal reasonably well. how
obvious for discussion that a person well do the people who are governing
hired to give medical treatment should themselves know their job?
know something about medicine. For We've all heard plenty of discussions
similar reasons. you probably expect about the importance of voting and
your mechanic to know something about being an informed citizen. There's rea-
Job Qualifications 5
voking howls of outrage. Even among sometimes it won't. Alii ask is that you
Analog readers I expect to find a few hear me out and think about what I say.
who think prese�t ways are so sacro I'm confident that some people, hav
sanct that no fundamental change can ing heard this much, will reply: "Now
be considered, who are already taking leave us not· be hasty. Do we really need
pen in hand to protest. I trust that most, to think such drastic thoughts? Is it
though, will remember that a long really necessary that the people under
standing hallmark of Analog is that any stand things like SDI and acid rain and
thing can be considered and questioned. the greenhouse effect? After all, ours
Sometimes the answer found will be the is a representative democracy. The cit
one we expected from the beginning; izens themselves seldom make policy
WILUAM F. IIATTISTA
Pubh�r
Al\ctiQS 5ci!C"n(C ft<:ttQni'SctCn<;C roe:I (As.toundtng) ·� pubh�d 13 t11T'tt!o df'Wludlly bY OdY•!o PubltCo:fhOf�. lnc; cM \9 ()() cS COOY ,, US A. W � tn
'""""' �� 'SVQsct!OhOO '9� Q] tn 1he USA and QOS\ons.of'IS. >n dll ort\4!, counH.e-'!., UO 67 o.Jy� •n ¥1v¥'<ft •n U � tuncb hrs.t Ccx::JV of
tXW �r!Of•on Will tx ,......,.ted Wlth..n e.ghC � of re<;e!Qt o' Otde' '\�/hen repot'ltng Chsnge ot cJddrres� .,no- 0 10 8 �ns df'ld g� �
«XJrns � wen � the' Old oKtdfess � •t «>cx:..-s on the tos1 �� 5-econd-ctr..s oos.� t::Jir6tdl _,. New Y<:A. m. dtld 4t �ltOI"'dt I'T\jJII.ncJ ott.c:ft
(�)Id C�S OOShtgc: p.,.d 4t W.nd�. ()n(�ttt() c. 1988 by O.C,....� P\lt)ll(.,hQt'i. lnC. 411 ���� r�O PrOI�ChOM 'W:CL.rt:d �r I� \)nro;rerWI
(epyt� (�l()t\ QeptOduefl!()(\ 0t IJSt: Of ftdlfOfktl 0t p.(l()t61J! ((IO{ftt'lf tO iJOY ITI(IIf� W.lhOut ft)lt)rftS') txm"lt!o'SO" IS t:)tQhl't;)tfftd All Sf()f'��
an thl!o ""*LIM: «'ft t.C:tO"' No«tUdl � illft dntgi'\M.ed bv l"'ddl'nt Ot ChdtdCiftf JIVty !o'""klr•'Y r!o<-Oincoekn!dl Pnn(ed tn U$A Atl SU()tnl��
�be«compdf"'lo«1byS:C.-nped�f.�ft�.the"Publ�r��norn(:)C)ft!olb•l•tvfcwun5oOI<•tcdrnonuscr•orsOI�
POSTMAST£R: SENO to ANALOG SCIENCE fiCTION/SCIENCE fACT (ASTOUND4NG) P.O. BOX 7061, Red 0a1c. lA 51591.
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decisions about these things. They hire I want those people to know how to hire
professionals to do that for them. That's good help--and that means knowing
what elections are about. ' ' something about the work to be done.
OK-how do they know the profes There are those who shrug the whole
sionals they're hiring are really profes thing off by saying no one voter's job
sionals and know enough about the job is very important because it's so much
to be trusted with it? "Come on," says less influential than. say. a senator's.
my critic from the preceding paragraph . That's true. individually-but votes get
"You don't have t o know a l l about added up in very large numbers. One
plumbing to hire a plumber. •• ignorant or misguided voter is of no
No, you don't-but you need to know consequence. Millions of them are scary!
something about plumbing to know So. I repeat . what's to be done about
whether you've hired a good one. or it? If the danger lies in scientific and
whether you're being overcharged for technological decisions being made by
shoddy or unnecessary work. I consider scientifically and technologically un
it part of my responsibility as a home qualified people-politicans and/or vot
owner to know something about the ers-one feature of the remedy seems
workings of m y house and car, and cast almost tautologically obvious. Such
a critical eye over any work I hire others people must not be a/lowed ro make such
to do on them. I realize "that many others decisions. Given that such decisions
don't, and quite willingly throw them must be made by someone. this in turn
selves on the mercy of whoever is listed boils down to two options: (I) don't let
in the Yellow Pages as a plumber. me the excessively ignorant vote. or (2)
chanic, or doctor. That's your privilege . cure their ignorance.
and no concern of mine, if you're just Making a knowledge of basic sci
getting your own roof fixed. I start tak ence. politics. or anything else a pre
ing a legitimate interest in it if you're requisite for voting sounds. of course.
fixing the brakes on a car you're going a lot like making literacy a prerequisite
to drive in my neighborhood. It becomes for voting. That has met with fierce op
very much my business if you're hiring position whenever it's been done or pro
somebody to fix everybody's roof. in posed in the past. largely on the grounds
cluding mine. that it was used as an excuse for defacto
And that's the situation most closely racial discrimination. But suppose it
analogous to democracy i n a highly doesn't have to be that way. Suppose
technological world. When you vote, ignorance ·is a remediable condition
you're not just hiring people to take care (which is, of course, the fundamental
of acid rain and energy shortages for presupposition underlying all efforts at
you; you're hiring them to do it for me, education). Then maybe society doesn't
too. And I do want only competent peo have to make an either/or choice be
ple working for me . especially on big. tween those two options. It can offer
important jobs like those. If my. help is such a choice to every individual citi
going to be·hired by lots ofother people, zen. and let him or her make of it what
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mail. Add $1.55 for postage and handling. Texas residents please add
$1.44 sales tax. Please allow four weeks for delivery. Our catalog is
free.
I'm not suggesting that everybody should would be highly indignant at the sug
gestion that they should have to earn it.
be expected to know every field at the
The very idea goes against the grain of
Ph. D. level. I am suggesting that every
much that we have all been taught from
body who wants to vote should first
childhood.
demonstrate a very basic conceptual
But then, so does the idea of letting
understanding of how the world he lives important work be done by people who
in works. I don't think that's an unrea know nothing about it. So are you sure
sonable expectation, given an effective the present system is really better? Max
educational system. imizing popular participation in govern
It's painfully obvious that we don't ment is an admirable goal-but if the
'!ave a very effective educational system ruling populace knows nothing about
now, but if we could manage to build the business at hand. it may be suicidal.
one it would then be reasonable (I) to •
.� ;
Clarence Day
10 Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact
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Labyrillth 15
back to Beta Colony.and seeking one I like the quality of the initial purchase.
of your own?" Miles asked seriously. they could become a regular supplier."
Thome shrugged. "Too boring. That's "A quarter of Fell's arms are Betan
why I left. It's so very safe, so very manufacture, marked up.·· said Thorne.
narrow . . . . " "Again.ha."
"Mind you, a great place to raise "And while we're here." Miles went
kids. " One corner of Mites's mouth on, "a certain middle-aged man is going
twisted up. to present himself and sign on to the
Thorne grinned . "You got it. You're Dendarii Mercenaries as a medtech. At
an almost perfect Betan, y'know? Al that point all Station passes are can
most. You have the accent, the in celled. we finish loading cargo as quickly
jokes . ... " as possible. and we leave . "
Miles went a little still. "Where do Thorne grinned in satisfaction. .. A
I fail?" pick-up. Very good. I assume we're
Thorne touched Miles•s cheek; Miles being well paid? "
flinched. "Very. If he arrives at his destination
"Reflexes." said Thorne. alive. The man happens to be the top
"Ah. " research geneticist of House Bharaputra
"I won't give you away. " Laboratories. He's been offered asylum
"I know . " by a planetary government capable of
Bel was leaning in again. "I could protecting him from the long arms of
polish that last edge. . . . " Baron Luigi Bharaputra's enforcers. His
"Never mind," said Miles. slightly soon-to-be-former employer is expected
flushed. "We have a mission . " to be highly irate at the lack of a month's
• 'l.nventory,'' said Thome scornfully. notice: We are being paid to deliver him
"That 's not a mission," said Miles, to his new masters.alive and not. ah.
"that' s a cover. " forcibly debriefed of all his trade se
• · Ah ha. • ' Thorne straightened up.
crets.
"At last. "
"Since House Bharaputra could
"At last?"
probably buy and sell the whole Den
"lt doesn't take a genius. We came
darii Free Mercenary Fleet twice over
to purchase ordnance. but instead of tak
out of petty cash. I would prefer we not
ing the ship with the biggest cargo ca
have to deal with Baron Luigi's enfor
pacity. you chose the Arie/-the fleet's
cers either. So we shall be innocent
fastest. There's no deader dull routine
suckers. We'll just say. All we did was
than inventory, but instead of sending
hire a bloody medtech. sir. And we shall
a perfectly competent quartermaster,
you're overseeing it personally." be irate ourselves when he deserts after
· ' I do want to make contact with the we arrive at fleet rendezvous off Es
SCARE CARE
EDITED BY GRAHAM MASTERTON
FOR THE SCARE CARE TRUST
Labyrimh 19
side of Earth. H'sh." Lips parted, politely before Thorne on the other side
Thome tracked the music. of the glittering barrier."Yes'?''
As unusual as finding a Betan her "What do you call that extraordinary
maphrodite in a free mercenary fleet, instrument'?'' Thorne asked.
Miles thought. But the music deserved "lt's a double-sided hammer dulci
undivided attention. though few in this mer. ma'am-sir. ... " her servant
paranoid crowd seemed to even be no to-guest dull tone faltered a moment.
.
ticing it. A shame. Miles was no mu fearing to give insult. "Officer..
sician, but even he could sense an "Captain Bel Thorne." Bel supplied
intensity of passion in the playing that instantly, beginning to recover accus
went beyond talent. reaching for genius. tomed smooth equilibrium. "Com
An evanescent genius, sounds woven manding the Dendarii fast cruiser Ariel.
with time and,like time,forever reced At your service. How ever did you come
ing beyond one's futile grasp into mem to be here?"
ory alone. ''I had worked my way to Earth. I
The outpouring of music dropped to was seeking employment. and Baron
a haunting echo. then silence. The four Fell hired me." She tossedher head.
armed musician's blue eyes opened. and as if to deflect some implied criticism.
her face came back from the ethereal to though Bel had offered none.
the merely human, tense and sad. "You are a true quaddie'!"
".Ah," breathed Thome, stuck its "You've heard of my people'?" Her
empty glass under its arm. raised hands dark brows rose in surprise.··Most peo
to clap. then paused. hesitant to become ple I encounter here think I am a man
conspicuous in this indifferent chamber. ufcu·rured freak." A little sardonic
Miles was all for being inconspic bitterness edged her voice.
uous. "Perhaps you can speak to her." Thorne cleared its throat. "I'm Be
tan. myself. I've followed the history
he suggested by way of an alternative.
of the early genetics explosion with a
"You think?" Brightening, Thome
rather more personal interest." Thorne
tripped forward, swinging down to
cleared its throat again. "Betan her
abandon the glass on the nearest handy
maphrodite, you sec.·· and waited anx
floor and raising splayed hands against
iously for the reaction.
the sparkling bubble. The hermaphro
Damn. Bel never waited for reac
dite mustered an entranced. ingratiating
tions. Bel sailed on and let the chips fall
smile. "Uh ... " Thome's chest rose anyhow. I wouldn't i111e1jere with this
and fell. for all the world . Miles faded back
.
Good God. Be/, tongue-tied? Never slightly. rubbing his lips to wipe off a
thought /' d see it. Ask her what she
..
twitching grin as all Thome's most mas
calls that thing she plays," Miles sup culine mannerisms reasserted them
plied helpfully. selves from spine to fingertips and
The four-armed woman tilted her outward into the aether.
head curiously. and starfished grace Her head tilted in interest.One upper
fully over her boxy instrument to hover hand rose to rest on the sparkling barrier
of bodies to attain this high place. Vervain reached us even here. So un
.
"Admiral Naismith. Captain Thorne. fortunate about its former commander. .
Welcome to Fell Station," rumbled the Miles stiffened. "I regret Admiral
baron. smiling. Oser's death."
Miles swept him an aristocratic bow. The baron shrugged philosophically.
Thorne somewhat awkwardly followed "Such things happen in the business .
suit. Ah. He must .copy that awkward- Only one can command. "
Labyrinth 23
some benefit to muscles, skin tone. hair. Station went unarmed except Fel l's
But my bones are the bones of an old men. the place had the most strictly en
man, fragile." True. "Subject to acute forced weapons regs Miles had ever en
osteo-inflammatory attacks-there are countered. But the pattern of calluses
days when I can't walk without medi on the lean bodyguard's hands sug
cation. " Also true, dammit. A recent gested he might not need weapons. His
and unsettling medical development. eyes flickered and his hands shook just
"My life expectancy is not considered slightly. a hyper-alertness induced by
good . " For example. if certain parties artificial aids-if ordered, he could
here ever figure out who ' 'Admiral strike with blinding speed and adren
Naismith' ' really is. it could go down alin-insane strength. He would also re
to as little asfi
fteen minutes. "So unless tire young. metabolically crippled for
you're extremely fond of pain and think the rest of his short life.
you would enjoy being crippled. I fear The man he guarded was also
I must dis-recommend the procedure . ' ' young-some great lord's son'? Miles
The baron looked him u p and down. wondered. He had long shining black
Disappointment pulled down his mouth. hair dressed in an elaborate braid. smooth
"I see . " dark olive skin. and a high-bridged
Bel Thorne, who knew quite well nose. He couldn't be older than Mites's
there was no such thing as the fabled real age. yet he moved with a mature
''Betan rejuvenation treatment,'' was assurance.
listening with well-concealed enjoy "Ryoval." Baron Fell nodded in re
ment and doing an excellent job of keep turn. as a man to an equal. not a junior.
ing the smirk off its face. Bless its little Still playing the genial host. Fell added.
black heart. "Officers. may I introduce Baron Ryoval
"Still," said the baron. "your . . . of House Ryoval. Admiral Naismith.
scientific acquaintance may have made Captain Thorne . They belong to that
some progress in the intervening years . ' · lllyrican-built mercenary fast cruiser in
"I fear not," said Miles. " H e died." dock . Ry. that you may have noticed. "
He spread his hands helplessly . ·'Old "Haven't got your eye for hardware,
age." I ' m afraid. Georish." Baron Ryoval
"Oh." The baron's shoulders sagged bestowed a nod upon them, of a man
slightly. being polite to his social inferiors for
"Ah, there you are. Fell," a new the principle of it. Miles bowed clumsily
voice cut across them. The baron in return.
straightened and turned. Dropping Miles from his attention
The man who had hailed him was as with an almost audible thump. Ryoval
conservatively dressed as Fell, and stood back with his hands on his hips
flanked by a silent servant with "body and regarded the null-gee bubble's in
guard" written all over him. The body habitant. "My agent didn't exaggerate
guard wore a uniform. a high-necked her charms. ' '
red silk tunic and loose black trousers. Fell smiled sourly. Nicol had with
and was unarmed. Everyone on Fell drawn-recoiled-when Ryoval first
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Labyrinth 27
"Quash it. Bel," Miles muttered un rience at easily twice your current rate
der his breath. of pay. And you wouldn't even have to
But Ryoval was beginning to enjoy get shot at. I guarantee you'd be ex
baiting his Betan interruptor. "You tremely popular. Group rate s . "
have no weapon. But legality aside, my Miles swore he could see Thorne's
subordinates have instructions to blood pressure skyrocketing as the
avenge me. I t is. as i t were. a natural meaning of what Ryoval had just said
or virtual law. In effect you'd find such sunk in. The hermaphrodite's face dark
an ill-advised impulse to be illegal in ened. and it drew breath. Miles reached
deed . " up and grasped Bel by the shoulder.
Baron Fell caught Mites's eye and hard . The breath held.
tilted his head just slightly. Time to in · ' No?" said Ryoval. cocking his
tervene. "Time to move on. Captain." head. "Oh. well. But seriously. I would
Miles said. "We aren't the baron's only pay well for a tissue sample. for my
guests here . · · files."
"Try the hot buffet," suggested Fell Bel's breath exploded. "My clone
affably. siblings. to be-be-some sort of sex
Ryoval pointedly dropped Bel from slaves into the next century! Over my
his attention and turned to Miles. "Do dead body-or yours-you-· ·
stop by my establishment if you get Bel was so mad it was stuttering . a
downside. Admiral. Even a Betan could phenomenon Miles had never seen in
stand to expand the horizons of his ex seven years' acquaintance. including
perience. I ' m sure my staff could find combat.
something of interest in your price "So Betan . " smirked Ryoval.
range . ' ' "Stop it. Ry." growled Fell.
"Not any more , " said Miles. "Baron Ryoval sighed. ''Oh. very well. But
Fell already has our credit chit. " it's so easy."
"Ah. too bad. Your next trip. per
"We can't win. Bel . " hissed Miles.
haps . " Ryoval turned away in easy dis
"It's time to withdra w . " The body
missal.
guard was quivering.
Bel didn't budge. "You can't sell a
Fell gave Miles an approving nod.
galactic citizen down there , · · gesturing
"Thank you for your hospitality.
jerkily to the curve of the planet beyond
Baron Fell." Miles said forn1ally. "Good
the viewport. The quaddie Nicol.
day. Baron Ryoval . "
watching from behind her dulcimer. had
"Good day. Admiral." said Ryoval.
no expression at all upon her face. but
her intense blue eyes blazed. regretfully giving up what was ob
Ryoval turned back, feigning sudden viously the best sport he'd had all day.
surprise. "Why. Captain, I just real "You seem a cosmopolitan sort. for a
ized. Betan-you must be a genuine Betan. Perhaps you can visit us some
genetic hermaphrodite. You possess a time without your moral friend. here . · ·
marketable rarity yourself. I can offer A war of words should be won with
you an eye-opening employment expe- words. "I don't think so." Miles mur-
�IRST01Y.
First City Bank - Sioux Falls. N.A.
mured. racking his brain for some stun frowned. No. Better not to encourage
ning insuh to withdraw on. Thorne's interest in the quaddie after
"What a shame;· said Ryoval. "We aJI. She was clearly much more than just
have a dog-and-dwarfact I'm sure you'd one of Fell's house servants. They had
find fascinating. " one ship here, a crew of twenty: even
There was a moment's absolute si if he had the �hole Dendarii fleet to
lence. back him he'd want to think twice about
"Fry 'em from orbit, " Bel suggested offending Baron Fell in Fell's own ter
tightly. ritory. They had a mission. Speaking
Miles grinned through clenched teeth, of which . where was their blasted pick
bowed. and backed off. Bel's sleeve up? Why hadn't he yet contacted them
clutched firmly in his hand. As he as arranged?
turned he could hear Ryoval laughing. The intercom in the wall bleeped.
Fell's majordomo appeared at their Thorne strode to it. "Thorne here . . .
elbows within moments. "This way to ·'This i s Corporal Nout at the portside
the exit. please, officers," he smiled. docking hatch. There's a . . . woman
Miles had never before been thrown out here who's asking to see you . "
of any place with such exquisite polite Thorne and Miles exchanged a raised
ness. brows glance. "What's her name?"
asked Thorne.
Back aboard the Ariel in dock . Thome An off-side mumble. then. "She says
paced the wardroom while Miles sat and it's Nicol . "
sipped coffee as hot and black as his Thorne grunted i n surprise. "Very
own thoughts. well. Have her escorted to the ward
"Sorry I lost my temper with that room. ' '
squirt Ryoval . " Bel apologized gruffly. "Yes. Captain." The corporal failed
"Squirt, hell," said Miles. "The to kill his intercom before turning away.
brain in that body has got to be at least and his voice drifted back . . . . . . stay
a hundred years old. He played you like in this outfit long enough . you see one
a violin. No. We couldn't expect to of everything . · ·
count coup on him. I admit, it would Nicol appeared in the doorway bal
have been nice if you'd had the sense anced in a float chair. a hovering tubular
to shut up." He sucked air to cool his cup that seemed to be looking for its
scalded tongue. saucer, enamelled in a blue that pre
Bel made a disturbed gesture of ac cisely matched her eyes. She slipped it
knowledgement and paced on. "And through the doorway as easily as a
that poor girl, trapped in that bubble-1 woman twitching her hips. zipped to a
had one chance to talk to her. and I blew halt near Mites's table . and adjusted the
it-I blithered. . . . " height to that of a person sitting. The
She really had brought out the male controls. run by her lower hands . left
in Thorne. Miles reflected wryly. her uppers entirely free . The lower body
"Happens to the best of us," he mur support must have been custom-de
mured. He smiled into this coffee. then signed just for her. Miles watched her
Labyrinth 31
"So you. ah. want us to help you wasn't the only favor Thorne could call
..
jump a Syndicate contract . said Miles. in if it chose. Miles remembered the day
making little wet coffe.e rings on the Thorne had helped capture an asteroid
table with the bottom of his mug. mining station and the pocket dread
"Smuggle you out in secret. I sup nought Triumph for him with nothing
pose . ' ' but sixteen troops in combat armor and
· ' I can pay. I can pay more right now a hell of a lot of nerve. "I encourage
than I'll be able to next year. This creative financing on the part of my
wasn't the gig I expected. when I came commanders.·· he said at last. · · Nego
here. There was talk of recording a vid tiate away, Captain."
demo--it never happened. I don't think Thome smiled. and pulled the Betan
it's ever going to happen. I have to be dollar off the stack. "You have the right
able to reach a wider audience, if I ' m idea." Thorne said to the musician.
ever to pay m y way back home. Back "but the amount is wrong. · ·
to my people. I want . . . out of here . Her hand went uncertainly to her
before I fall down that gravity well . · ' jacket and paused. as Thorne pushed the
She jerked an upper thumb i n the gen rest of the stack of currency . minus the
eral direction of the planet they orbited. single. back to her. "What?"
"People go downside here, who never Thorne picked up the single anu
come up again . · · She paused. "Are you snapped it a few times. ·'This is the
afraid of Baron Fell?" right amount. Makes it an official con
"No!" said Thorne. as Miles said. tract. you see . " Bel extended a hand to
"Yes." They exchanged a sardonic her; after a bewi Idered moment. she
look. shook it. ''Deal." said Thorne happily.
··we are inclined to be careful of "Hero." said Miles. holding up a
Baron Fell." Miles suggested. Thorne warning linger. "beware. I'll call in my
shrugged agreement. veto if you can't come up with a way
She frowned. and maneuvered to the to bring this off in dead secret. That's
table. She drew a wad of assorted plan my cut of the price . · ·
etary currencies out of her green silk "Yes. sir." said Thorne.
jacket and laid it in front of Miles.
"Would this bolster your nerve?" Several hours later. Miles snapped
Thorne fingered the stack. flipped awake in his cabin aboard the Ariel to
through it. At least a couple thousand an urgent bleeping from his corncon
Betan dollars worth, at conservative es sole. Whatever he had been dreaming
timate. mostly in middle denomina was gone in the instant . though he had
tions, though a Betan single topped the the vague idea it had been something
pile, camouflaging its value to .a casual unpleasant. Biological and unpleasant.
..
glance. "Well," said Thome. glancing "Naismith here .
at Miles. "and what do we mercenaries "This is the duty officer i n Nav and
think of that?'· Com. sir. You have a call originating
Miles leaned back thoughtfully in his from the downside commercial comm
..
chair. The kept secret of Mites's identity net. He says to tell you it's Vaughn .
Discovery
.
.w·�·•
... .
�
�·"' �·
To name just a few . . .
··-#··,M(
This is the future that the National Space SQ.dety is finl10tir\nt'nr'
If you think it is going to happen without your active support
•
you are wrongI And without space for everyone to live. work.
;�·
and play. the limited future your children will face is also wrong.
,.;
� ;- · Dead wrongl
•
�-..
Labyrinth 35
"l beg your pardon, doctor, but they ''Uh." Miles scratched the back of
surely have." his head ruefully. "yeah. I'd be glad to
"Oh," said Canaba. "I . . . see." spend many fascinating hours listening
He paced to the window. back. ·'But to you explain it to me--on my ship.
will you do what I ask?" Outbound. "
" I will do what l can." Canaba turned with a crooked smile.
"Happy." Canaba snorted. "God "You are a practical man, I perceive. A
. . " he shook his head wearily. in soldier. Well. God knows l need a sol
haled decisively. · ' I never came here for dier now . ' '
the money . I came here because I could "Things are that screwed up. eh?"
do research l couldn't do anywhere else. "lt . . . happened suddenly. l thought
Not hedged round with outdated legal I had it under control. · '
restrictions. l dreamed of break "Go on." sighed Miles.
throughs . . . but it became a night "There were seven synthesized gene
mare. The freedom became slavery. The complexes. One of them is a cure for
things they wanted me to do! . . . Con a certain obscure enzyme disorder. One
stantly interrupting the things I wanted of them will increase oxygen generation
to do. Oh, you can always find someone in space station algae twenty-fold. One
to do anything for money. but they're of them came from outside Bharaputra
second-raters. These labs are full of sec Labs. brought in by a man-we never
ond-raters. The very best can't be bought. found out who he really was. but death
I've done things, unique things, that followed him. Several of my colleagues
Bharaputra won't develop because the who had worked on his project were
profit would be too small, never mind murdered all in one night. by the com
how many people it would benefit-1 mandos who pursued him-their rec
get no credit. no standing for my ords destroyed-! never told anyone I'd
work--every year. I see in the literature borrowed an unauthorized tissue sample
of my field galactic honors going to to study. I've not unraveled it fully yet.
lesser men. because l cannot publish my but I can tell you. it's absolutely unique."
results. . . . " he stopped, lowered his Miles recognized that one. and almost
head. "I doubtless sound like a mego choked. reflecting upon the bizarre
lomaniac to you . ' ' chain of circumstances that had placed
"Ah . . . " said Miles. "you sound an identical tissue sample in the hands
quite frustrated. • ' of Dendarii Intelligence a year ago.
"The fr,ustration . " said Canaba. Terrence See's telepathy complex-and
"woke me from a long sleep. Wounded the main reason why His Imperial Maj
ego--it was only wounded ego. But in esty suddenly wanted a top geneticist.
my pride . l rediscovered shame. And Dr. Canaba was in for a little surprise
the weight of it stunned me. stunned me when he arrived at his new Barrayaran
where l stood. Do you understand? Does laboratory. But if the other six com
it matter if you understand? Ah!" He plexes came anywhere near matching
paced away to the wall,and stood facing the value of the known one. Security
it. his back rigid. Chief lllyan would peel Miles with a
�-------------------·
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dull knife for letting them slip through of compromising this operation. Please
his fingers. Miles's attention to Canaba get to the point."
abruptly intensified. This side-trip might "Yes . . . yes. Well. a .number of
not be a.
<; trivial as he'd feared. years ago. House Bharaputra Labora
"Together. these seven complexes tories took on a contract to manufacture
represent tens of thousands of hours of a . . . new species. Made to order."
research time, mostly mine, some of • 'I thought it was House Ryo�al that
others-my life's work. I'd planned was famous for making people. or what
from the beginning to take them with ever. to order.'' said Miles.
me. I bundled them up in a viral insert "They make slaves. one-off. They
and placed them, bound and dormant. are very specialized. And small-their
in a live . . . " Canaba falte�d. "or customer base is surprisingly small.
ganism. for storage. An organism. I There are many rich men. and there are.
thought, that no one would think to look I suppose. many depraved men. but a
at for such a thing . · ' House Ryoval customer has to be a
member of both sets. and the overlap
"Why didn't you just store them i n
isn't as large as you'd think. Anyway.
your own tissue?" Miles asked irritably.
our contract was supposed to lead to a
''Then you couldn't lose 'em."
major production run. far beyond
Canaba' s mouth opened. ·'I . . . Ryoval's capabilities. A certain sub
never thought of that. How elegant. planetary government. hard-pressed by
Why didn't I think of that?" His hand its neighbors, wanted us to engineer a
touched his forehead wanderingly. as race of super-soldiers for them . · '
if probing for systems failure. His lips "What. again?" said Miles. ''( thought
tightened again. "But it would have that had been tried. More than once. "
made no difference. I would still need "This time, we thought we could do
to . . . • · he fell silent. ''It's about the it. Or at least. the Bharaputra hierarchy
organ i s m , " he said at last. "The was willing to take their money. But the
. . . creature. ' ' Another long silence. project suffered from too much input.
"Of all things I did," Canaba con The client, our own higher-ups. the ge
netics project members, everybody had
tinued lowly. ''of all the interruptions
ideas they were pushing. I swear it was
this vile place imposed on me, there is
doomed before it ever got out of the
one I regret the most. You understand,
design committee. · •
this was years ago. I was younger. I
··A super-soldier. Designed by a
thought I still had a future here to pro
committee. Ye gods. The mind bog
tect. And it wasn't all my doing-guilt
gles." Miles's eyes were wide in fas
by committee, eh? Spread it around,
cination. "So then what happened'!"
make it easy. say it was his fault, her "lt seemed to . . . several of us. that
doing . . . . well, it's mine now."
the physical limits of the merely human
You mean it's mine now, thought had already been reached. Once a. say.
Miles grimly. "Doctor, the more time muscle system has been brought to per
we spend here. the greater the chance fect health. stimulated with maximum
utbyrinth 39
feet. I . . . want you to know. the fangs Canaba returned. "He made it to his
were not my idea. · · ground car all right. sir."
· ·1 . . . see . · · "Well . " said Thome. "I suppose
. . l t can move very fast. i f it's still i n we'll need to get hold of a plan of
good health. I s there any help I can give Ryoval's facilities. first-"
you? I have access to painless poi "I think not . · · said Miles.
sons- · · "If we're to raid-"
.
. You've done enough. thank you. "Raid . hell. I'm not risking my men
Please leave it to us professionals. eh?" on anything so idiotic. I said I'd slay
..
l t would be best if its body can be his sin for him. I didn't say how."
destroyed entirely . No cells remaining.
If you can . " The commercial comconsole net at
.
. That's why plasma arcs were in the downside shuttleport seemed as con
vented. You'd best be on your way . " venient as anything. Miles slid into the
. . Yes." Canaba hesitated. "Admiral booth and fed the machine his credit
Naismitfl?' • card while Thome lurked just outside
. . Yes . . . " the viewing angle and the guards. out
· ' I . . . it might also be best if my side. guarded. He encoded the call.
future employer didn't learn about this. In a moment. the vid plate produced
They have intense military interests. It the image of a sweet-faced receptionist
might excite them unduly . · · with dimples and a white fur crest in
" Oh." said Miles/Admiral Naismith/ stead of hair. . . House Ryoval . Cus
Lieutenant Lord Vorkosigan of the Bar tomer Services. How may I help you .
rayaran Imperial Service. "I don't think sir?"
you have to worry about that. • · ''I'd like to speak to Manager Deem .
"Is forty-eight hours enough for your in Sales and Demonstrations." said
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astonishingly beautiful young man. a " I thought you gave all your money
blue-eyed albino in a red silk shirt. He to Fel l . "
had a huge livid bruise up one side of Miles spread his hands. ''A good
his white face. "This is Manager Deem. commander always has hidden reserves.
May I help you. Admiral?" However. the actual value of the item
Miles cleared his throat carefully. hasn't yet bee11 established . In fact. its
• • A rumor has been brought to my at existence hasn't even been estab
tention that House Ryoval may have lished."
recently acquired from House Bhara "Oh. it exists. all right. And it
putra an article of some professional in is . . . impressive. Adding it to my col
terest to me. Supposedly. it was the lection was a unique pleasure. I'd hate
prototype of some sort of new improved to give it up. But for you." Ryoval
fighting man. Do you know anything smiled more broadly. "it may be pos
about it?'' sible to arrange a special cut rate. " He
Deem's hand stole to his bruise and chuckled. as at some secret pun that
palpated it gently. then twitched away. escaped Miles.
"Indeed. sir. we do have such an arti A special cut throat is more like it.
cle." "Oh?"
"Is it for sale?" "I propose a simple trade. " said
"Oh. ye-1 mean. I think some ar Ryoval. "Flesh for flesh."
rangement is pending. But it may still "You may overestimate my interest.
be possible to bid on it." Baron. · ·
"Would it be possible for me to in Ryoval's eyes glinted. " I don't think
spect it?" so.
"Of course. " said Deem with sup He knows I wouldn't wuch him with
.
pressed eagerness. . How soonT · a stick if it weren't somethinR pretty
There was a burst of static. and the compelling. So. "Name your proposal.
vid image split. Deem's face abruptly then. "
shrinking to one side. The new face was "I'll trade you even. Bharaputra· s pet
only too familiar. Bel hissed under its monster-ah. you should see it. Ad
breath. miral-for three tissue samples. Three
'TII take this call. Deem. " said tissue samples that will. if you are clever
Baron Ryoval . about it. cost you nothing . · · Ryoval held
"Yes. my lord." Deem's eyes wid up one finger. "One from your Betan
ened in surprise. and he cut out. Ryoval's hermaphrodite." a second finger. "one
image swelled to occupy the space from yourself." a third finger. making
available . a W. "and one from Baron Fell's quad
"So. Betan." Ryoval smiled. "it ap die musician. "
pears I have something you want after Over in the corner. Bel Thome ap
all." peared to be suppressing an apopleptic
Miles shrugged. ''Maybe . · · he said fit. Quietly. fortunately .
neutrally. "If it's in my price range. · · ·'That third could prove extremely
Labyrinth 43
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here and here . " A red thread of light Their wrist comms all appeared to be
traced their projected route at Mites's in good working order. Ensign Murka
touch on the control board. "Then we shrugged on the weapons pack. Miles
quietly pick up an inside employee and carefully pocketed the blueprint map
fast-penta him. From that point on we're cube. that had cost them a near-ransom
racing time. since we must assume he'll from a certain pliable construction com
be promptly missed. pany just a few hours ago. The four
"The key word is quietly. We didn't members of the penetration team slipped
come here to kill people. and we are not from the van and merged with the frosty
at war with Ryoval's employees. You darkness.
carry your stunners. and keep those They slunk off through the woods.
plasma arcs and the rest of the toys The frozen crunchy layer of plant de
packed till we locate our quarry. We tritus tended to slide underfoot. expos
dispatch it fast and quietly. I get my ing a layer of slick mud. Murka spotted
sample. ' ' his hand touched his jacket. a spy eye before it spotted them. and
beneath which rested the collection case blinded it with a brief burst of micro
that would keep the tissue alive till they wave static while they scurried past . The
got back to the Ariel. "Then we fly. If useful big guys made short work of
anything goes wrong before I get that boosting Miles over the wall. Miles tried
very expensive cut of meat. we don't not to think about the ancient pub sport
bother to fight our way out. Not worth of dwarf tossing. The inner court was
it. They have peculiar summary ways stark and utilitarian. loading docks with
of dealing with murder charges here . big locked doors. rubbish collection
and I don't see the need for any of us bays. and a few parked vehicles.
to end up as spare parts in Ryoval's Footsteps echoed. and they ducked
tissue banks. We wait for Captain Thome down in a rubbish bay. A red-clad guard
to arrange a ransom. and then try some passed. slowly waving an infra-red
thing else. We hold a lever or two on scanner. They crouched and hid their
Ryoval in case of emergencie s . · · faces in their infra-red blank ponchos.
"Dire emergencies." Bel muttered. looking like so many bags of garbage.
"If anything goes wrong after the no doubt. Then it was tiptoe up to the
butcher-mission is accomplished . it's loading docks.
back to combat rules. That sample will Ducts. The key to Ryoval's facility
then be irreplaceble. and must be got had turned out to be ducts-for heating.
Labyrinth 47
One of his men held up the thin col disruptor. "Get along. soldier boy.
lection of baubles they'd stripped off the Back that way. This is your lucky day . · ·
Dendari i . "They're not equipped like "You mean we get to see inside?"
an assassination team." he observed. said Murka hopefully.
Murka drew himself up. looking "No." said the guard sergeant. " I
wonderfully offended. "We aren' t ! " mean we aren't going to break both your
The guard sergeant turned over a legs before we throw you out on your
stunner. "AWOL, are you'?" ass." He paused and added more kindly.
"Not if we make it back before mid "There' s a whorehouse back in town."
night. " Murka's tone went wheedling. He slipped Murka's wallet out of his
"Look, m ' CO's a right bastard. Sup pocket. checked the name on the credit
pose there's any way you could see your card and put it back. and removed all
way clear that he doesn't find out about the loose currency. The guards did the
this?" One of Murka's hands drifted same to the outraged-looking troopers.
suggestively past his wallet pocket. dividing the assorted cash up among
The guard sergeant looked him up and them. "They take credit cards. and
down, smirking. "Maybe . " you've still got till midnight. Now
Miles l istened with open-mouthed move!"
delight.Murka. if this works I'm pro And so Miles's squad was chivvied.
moting you . . . . ignominiously but intact. down the tun
Murka paused. ··Any chance of seeing nel. Miles waited till the whole mob was
inside first? Not the girls even. just the well out of earshot before keying his
place'? So I could say that I'd seen it." wristcom. "Bel?"
"This isn't a whorehouse, soldier "Yes." came back the instant reply.
boy ! " snapped the guard sergeant. "Trouble. Murka and the troops were
his arms, found himself being frog The bars of the ladder bit chill through
marched down a complex of corridors Mites's socks. He hooked an arm around
and lift-tubes by the burly guard, fol an upright and tucked one hand into the
lowed by the sergeant and the chief. armpit of his black T-shirt to warm it
They took a fast lift-tube to the very briefly. His grey trousers had been emp-
Labyrinth 53
tied of everything but a ration bar, his one had forgotten to lock. Maybe there
handkerchief. and his legs. was still hope.
He clung there for a long time. Going Maybe there was something moving
up was futile; going down, singularly in the shadows just beyond that
uninviting. Eventually the startling gan pillar. . . .
glionic pain began to dull, and the shak Mites's breath froze. then eased again.
ing physical shock to wear off. Still he as the movement materialized into a fat
clung. Cold. albino rat the size of an armadillo. It
lt could have been worse, Miles re shied as it saw him and waddled rapidly
flected. The sergeant and his squad away. its claws clicking on the rock.
could have decided they wanted to play Only an escaped lab rat . A bloody big
Lawrence of Arabia and the Six Turks. rat. but still. only a rat .
Commodore Tung. Mites's Dendarii The huge rippling shadow struck out
chief of staff and a certified military of nowhere. at incredible speed. It
history nut. had been plying Miles with grabbed the rat by its tail and swung it
a series of classic military memoirs squealing against a pillar. dashing out
lately. How had Colonel Lawrence es its brains with a crunch. A flash of a.
·
caped an analogous tight spot? Ah, yes. thick claw-like fingernail. and the white
played dumb and persuaded his captors furry body was ripped open from ster
to throw him out in the mud. Tung must num to tail. Frantic fingers peeled the
have pressed that book-fax on Murka, skin away from the rat's body as blood
too. splattered. Miles first saw the fangs as
The darkness, Miles discovered as his they bit and tore and buried themselves
eyes adjusted, was only relative. Faint in the rat's tissues.
luminescent panels in the ceiling here They were functional fangs. not just
and there shed a sickly yellow glow. He decorative. set in a protruding jaw. with
long lips and a wide mouth; yet the total
descended the last two meters to stand
effect was lupine rather than simian. A
on solid rock .
flat nose. ridged. powerful brows. high
H e pictured the newsfax. back home
cheekbones. Hair a dark matted mess.
on Barrayar-Bod_v of Imperial Officer
And yes, fully eight feet tall. a rangy.
Found in Flesh-Czar' s Dream Palace.
tense-muscled body.
Death From Exhaustion? Dammit, this
Climbing back up the ladder would
wasn't the glorious sacrifice in the Em
do no good. the creature could pluck
peror's service he'd once vowed to risk.
him right off and swing him just like
this was just embarassing. Maybe Bhar the rat. Levitate up the side of a pillar?
aputra's creature would eat the evi Oh. for suction-cup fingers and toes.
dence . something the bioengineering commit
With this morose comfort in mind, tee had missed somehow. Freeze and
he began to limp from pillar to pillar. play invisible? Miles settled on this last
pausing. listening, looking around. defense by default-he was paralyzed
Maybe there was another ladder some with terror.
where. Maybe there was a hatch some- The big feet. bare on the cold rock.
Labyrinth 55
you want heat. Lessee. Uh. let's try anywhere to run to. But he was reluctant
back this way, where the ceili.ng's to let his prey out of his sight. His prey?
lower. No point here, the heat would He considered the incalculable value of
all collect up there out of reach, no her left calf muscle. as she sat on the
good . . . '' She followed him with all rock and buried her face in her knees.
the intensity of a cat tracking They didn' t tell me she wept.
a . . . well . . . rat, as he skittered He pulled out his regulation hand
around .pillars to where the crawl space •s kerchief. an archaic square of cloth.
floor rose to genuine crawl-height, about He·d never understood the rationale for
four feet. There, that one, that was the the idiotic handkerchief except. per
.
lowest pipe he could find. "If we could haps. that where soldiers went there
get this open." he pointed to a plastic would be weeping. He handed it to her.
pipe about as big around as his waist, ''Here. Mop your eyes with this."
"it's full of hot air being pumped along She took it, and blew her big flat nose
under pressure. No handy joints though. in it. and made to hand it back.
this time.'' He stared at his puzzle. "Keep it," Miles said. "Uh . . . what
trying to think. This composite plastic do they call you, I wonder?"
was extremely strong. "Nine." she growled. Not hostile.
She crouched and pulled. then lay on it was just the way her strained voice
her back and kicked up at it, then looked came out of that big throat. ' · . . . What
at him quite woefully. do they call you'?"
"Try this." Nervously, he took her Good God, a complete sentence .
hand and guided it to the pipe. and Miles blinked. "Admiral Miles Nais
traced long scratches around the circum mith. · • He arranged himself cross-legged.
ference with her hard nails. She scratched She looked up. transfixed. "A sol
and scratched. then looked at him again dier'? Areal officer? ' ' And then more
as if to say This isn' t working! doubtfully. as if seeing him in detail for
.
·'Try kicking and pulling again now,'' the first time. "You?"
he suggested. Miles cleared his throat firmly. "Quite
She must have weighed three hundred real. A bit down on my luck just at the
pounds. and she put it all behind the moment." he admitted.
next effon, kicking then grabbing the "Me. too." she said glumly. and
pipe, planting her feet on the ceiling and sniffled. "I don't know how long I've
arching with all her strength. The pipe been in this basement. but that was my
split along the scratches. She fell with first drink."
it to the floor. and hot air began to hiss "Three days. I think." said Miles.
out. She held her hands, her face to it. "Have they not. ah. given you any
nearly wrapped herself around it, sat on food. either?"
her knees and let it blow across her. "No." She frowned: the effect. with
Miles crouched down and stripped off the fangs. was quite overpowering.
his socks and flopped them over the "This is worse than anything they did
warm pipe to dry. Now would be a good to me in the lab. and I thought that was
opponunity to run. if only there were bad."
Labyrinth 57
"I came for you. I'd heard of you. with me as humans do. Men and
I'm . . . recruiting. Or I was. Things women. •• Her hand reached out to touch
went wrong. and now I'm escaping. But his throat.
if you came with me, you could join the The pressing claws made little wells
Dendarii Mercenaries. A top outfit in his flesh. "Blrp'?" choked Miles. His
-always looking for a few good men, eyes felt wide as saucers. A little more
or whatever. I have this master-sergeant pressure. and those wells would spring
who . .. . who needs a recruit like you. •• forth red fountains. I am about to
Too true. Sergeant Dyeb was infamous die. . . .
for his sour attitude about women sol She stared into his face with a strange.
diers, insisting that they w�re too soft. frightening. bottomless hunger. Then
Any female recruit who survived his abruptly. she released him. He sprang
course came out with her aggression up and cracked his head on the low ceil
highly developed. Miles pictured Dyeb ing. and dropped back down. the stars
being dangled by his toes from a height in his eyes unrelated to love at first
of about eight feet . . . . He controlled sight.
his runaway imagination in favor of Her lips wrinkled back on a fanged
concentrating on the present crisis. Nine groan of despair. "Ugly." she wailed.
was looking-unimpressed. Her clawed nails raked across her cheeks
"Very funny. ' ' she said coldly, mak leaving red furrows. · 'Too ugly . . .
ing Miles wonder for a wild moment if animal . . . you don' t think I'm hu
she'd been equipped with the telepathy man-" She seemed to swell with some
gene complex-no. she predated destructive resolve.
that-"but I'm not even human. Or "No. no, no!" gibbered Miles. lurch
hadn't you heard?' • ing to his knees and grabbing her hands
Miles shrugged carefully. · 'Human and pulling them down. "lt's not that.
is as human does. " He forced himself
It's just, uh-how old are you. any
to reach out and touch her damp cheek.
way'?''
"Animals don't weep, Nine."
"Sixteen."
She jerked. as from an electric shock.
Sixteen. God. He remembered six
"Animals don't lie. Humans do. All the
teen. Sex-obsessed and dying inside
time."
every minute. A horrible age to be
"Not all the time." He hoped the
trapped in a twisted. fragile. abnormal
light was too dim for her to see the flush
body . God only knew how he had sur
in his face. She was watching his face
vived his own self-hatred then. N<r-he
intently.
"Prove it." She tilted her head as she remembered how. He' £1 been saved by
sat cross-legged. Her pale gold eyes one who loved him. "Aren't you a little
Labyrinth 61
uncuuable grille. Taura might have the the damp inside, for access for cleaning
strength to rip it out of the wall. but and repairs: the whole column could
Taura couldn't fit through the duct to apparently be filled with fluid of what
reach it. He contemplated it a few mo ever density at need. Filled. it would
ments. "Right." he muttered. and backed have been self-pressure-sealed and un
out again. openable. Carefully. he examined the
"So much for ducts, " he reported to inner edge of the hatch. Openable from
Taura. "Uh . . . could you help me either side, by God. "Let's go see if
down?" She lowered him to the floor. there's any more of these. further up."
and he dusted himself futilely. "Let's It was slow going. feeling for more
look around some more . " grooves as they ascended in the black
She followed him docilely enough . ness. Miles tried not to think about the
though something in her expression fall. should he slip from the slimy lad
hinted she might be losing faith in his der. Taura's deep breathing. below him.
admiralness. A bit of detailing on a col was actually rather comforting. They
umn caught his eye. and he went to take had gone up perhaps three stories when
a closer look in the dim light. Mites's chilled and numbing fingers
lt was one of the low-vibration sup found another groove. He'd almost
port columns. Two meters in diameter, missed it, it was on the opposite side
set deep in the bedrock in a well of fluid, of the ladder from the first. He then
it ran straight up to one of the labs. no discovered. the hard way. that he didn ·t
doubt, to provide an ultra-stable base have nearly the reach to keep one arm
for certain kinds of crystal generation hooked around the ladder and press both
projects and the like. Miles rapped on release catches at the same time. After
the side of the column. It rang hollow. a terrifying slip. trying. he clung spas
Ah yes. makes sense, concrete doesn't modically to the ladder till his heart
float too well, eh? A groove in the side stopped pounding. "Taura'?' ' he croaked.
outlined . . . an access port? He ran his "I'll move up. and you try it . . . Not
fingers around it, probing. There was much up was left. the column ended a
a concealed-something. He stretched meter or so above his head.
his arms and found a twin spot on the Her extra arm length was all that was
opposite side. The spots yielded slowly needed. the catches surrendered to her
to the hard pressure of his thumbs. big hands with a squeak of protest.
There was a sudden pop and hiss. and "What do you see'?" Miles whis
the whole panel came away. He stag pered.
gered. and barely kept from dropping "Big dark room. Maybe a lab."
it down the hole. He turned it sideways "Makes sense . Climb back down and
and drew it out. put that lower panel back on. no sense
"Well, well." Miles grinned. He advertising where we went . "
stuck his head through the port, looked Miles slipped through the hatch into
down and up. Black as pitch. Rather the darkened laboratory while Taura
gingerly. he reached his arm in and felt accomplished her chore. He dared not
around. There was a ladder running up switch on a light in the windowless
Labyrinth 63
there was a complex device for opening Taura waited with the patience of a pre
the door-that was fine, he didn't want dator. making no noise.
to open the door. He left it untouched . One. two. three. and he set the da
It was systems readout he was after. If tacorder to talking to all three control
he could bugger up just one sensor . . . boxes. The real thread plugs hung for
Was the thing broadcast-output to sev lornly loose. Would it work? There were
eral outside monitor locations, or did no alanns going off. no thundering herd
they run an optic thread to just one? The of irate security troops.
lab benches supplied him with a small "Taura. come here . "
hand light, and drawers and drawers of She loomed beside h i m . baffled.
assorted tools and supplies. Taura . . Have you ever met Baron Ryoval?"
watched him in puzzlement as he darted asked Miles .
here. there. taking inventory. .. Yes. once-when he came to buy
The freezer monitor was broadcast me."
output, inaccessable, could he hit it on "Did you like him?"
the input side? He levered off a smoke She gave him an are-you-out-of-your
dark plastic cover as silently as he mind? look.
could. There. there. the optic thread . . Yeah. I didn't much care for him
came out of the wall, pumping contin either." Restrained murder. in point of
uous information about the freezer's in fact. He was now meltingly grateful for
terior environment. It fit into a simple that restraint. "Would you like to rip
standard receiver plug on the more his lungs out. if you could?'·
daunting black box that controlled the Her clawed hands clenched. "Try
door alarm. There'd been a whole me!''
drawer full of assorted optic threads .. Good ! " He smiled cheerily. "I
with various ends and Y-adaptors . . . want to give you your first lesson in
tactics . . . He pointed . "See that control"?
Out of the spaghetti-tangle he drew what
The temperature in these freezers can
he needed, discarding several with bro
be raised to almost 200 degrees centi
ken ends or other damage. There were
grade. for heat sterilization during
three optical data recorders in the drawer.
cleaning. Give me your finger. One fin
Two didn't work. The third did. .
ger. Gently. More gently than that. . He
A quick festoon of optic thread. a
guided her hand. "The least possible
swift unplugging and plugging. and he
pressure you can apply to the dial. and
had one freezer talking to two control .
stillmove. . . . Now the next. . he
boxes. He set the freed thread to talking pulled her to the next panel. "and the
to the datacorder. He simply had to last." He exhaled. still not quite able
chance the blip during transfer. If any to believe it.
.
one checked they'd find all seemed well .. And the lesson is. . he breathed .
again. He gave the datacorder several "it's not how much force you use. It's
.
minutes to develop a nice continuous where you apply it. .
replay loop. crouching very still with He resisted the urge to scrawl some
even the tiny hand light extinguished. thing like The Dww:f"Strikes Back across
Labyrinth 65
onto a dark room stacked with stuff, part the base of a pillar. her head turned side
of the basement proper, quiet and un ways resting on her knees. Her face was
occupied. The snip of his cutters. biting pensive. sad. Really. it didn't take long
through the grille, seemed loud enough at all to begin reading the subtleties of
to bring down Ryoval's entire security feeling in her wolfish features.
.
force, but none appeared. Maybe the "Time to march. soldier girl. . Miles
security chief was sleeping off his drug said.
hangover. A scrabbling noise. not of Her head lifted. "You came back ! "
Mites's own making, echoed thinly "What did you think I was going to
through the duct and Miles froze. He do? Of course I came back. You're my
flashed his light down a side-branching recruit, aren't you?"
tube. Twin red jewels flashed back. the She scrubbed her face with the back
eyes of a huge rat. He briefly considered of a big paw-hand. Miles corrected
trying to clout it and haul it back to himself severely-and stood up. and up.
.
Taura. No. When they got back to the "Guess I must be . . Heroutslung mouth
Ariel. he'd give her a steak dinner. Two smiled slightly. If you didn't have a clue
steak dinners. The rat saved itself by what the expression was. it could look
turning and scampering away. quite alarming.
The grilled parted at last, and he "I've got a hatch open. We've got
squeezed into the storage room. What to try to get out of this main building.
time was it, anyway? Late. very late. back to the utility bay. I saw several
The room gave onto a corridor. and on vehicles parked there earlier. What's a
..
the floor at the end, one of the access little theft. after-
hatches gleamed dully. Mites's heart With a sudden whine the outside ve
rose in serious hope. Once he'd got hicle entrance. downslope to their right.
Taura, they must next try to reach a began to slide upward. A rush of cold
vehicle . . . dry air swept through the dankness. and
This hatch, like the first, was manual. a thin shaft of yellow dawn light made
no sophisticated electronics to disarm. the shadows blue. They shielded their
It rclocked automatically upon closing. eyes in the unexpected glare. Out of the
however. Miles jammed it with his clip bright squinting haze coalesced half-a
pers before descending the ladder. He dozen red-clad forms. double-timing it.
aimed his light around. "Taura ! " he weapons at the ready.
whispered. "Where are you?" Taura's hand was tight on Miles·s.
No immediate answer; no glowing Run. he started to cry. and bit back the
gold eyes flashing in the forest of pil shout; no way could they outrun a nerve
lars. He was reluctant to shout. He disruptor beam. a weapon which at least
slapped down the rungs and began a two of the guards now carried. Miles's
silent fast trot through the chamber. the breath hissed out through his teeth. He
cold stone draining the heat through his was too infuriated even to swear. They'd
socks and making him long for his lost been so close . . . .
boots. Security Chief Moglia sauntered up.
He came upon her sitting silently at "What. still in one piece. Naismith?"
Labyrinth 67
"I . . . see . " Miles paused. "Are white building looming above, pictured
we planning to refund her dollar?" the scene to come in that third floor lab
"Sir, " Bel's voice was anguished, as the guards deactivated the alarms and
"we had no idea what was happening let them in to work. as the first one
to you in there. We were expecting through the door sniffed and wrinkled
Ryoval to start beaming up a holocast his nose and said plaintively. "What's
of obscene and ingenious tortures, star that awful smell?"
ring you, at any minute. Like Com " Has ' Medtech Yaughn' signed
modore Tung says, on hemmed-in aboard the Ariel yet?" Miles asked.
ground, use subterfuge." "Within the hour."
Miles recognized one of Tung's fa " Yeah, well . . . it turns out we
vorite Sun Tzu aphorisms. On bad days didn't need to kill his fatted calf after
Tung had a habit of quoting the 4.000- all. It comes with the package. " Miles
year-dead general in the original Chinese; nodded toward Taura.
when Tung was feeling benign they got Bel lowered its voice still further.
a translation. Miles glanced around. "That's coming with us?"
adding up weapons, men, equipment. "You'd better believe it. Yaughn
Most of the green guards carried stun didn't tell us everything. To put it
ners. Thirteen to . . . three? Four? He mildly. I'll explain later." Miles added
glanced at Nicol. Maybe five? On des as the two guard captains broke up their
perate ground. Sun Tzu advised, fight. tete-a-tete. Moglia swung his truncheon
Could it get much more desperate than jauntily. heading toward Miles. "Mean
this? time. you made a slight miscalculation .
"Ah . . . " said Miles. "Just what This isn't hemmed-in ground. This is
the devil did we offer Baron Fell in ex desperate ground. Nicol. I want you to
change for this extraordinary charity'? know. the Dendarii don't give re
Or is he doing it out of the goodness of funds."
his heart?" Nicol frowned in bewilderment. Bel's
Bel shot him an exasperated look, eyes widened. as it checked out the
then cleared its throat. "I promised odds--calculating them thirteen to three .
you'd tell him the real truth about the Miles could tell. "Truly?" Bel choked.
Betan rejuvenation treatment. ' ' A subtle hand signal. down by its trou
"Bel . . . " ser seam, brought the trooper to full
Thorne shrugged unhappily. ''I alert.
thought, once we'd got you back, we'd "Truly desperate." Miles reiterated .
figure something out. But I never thought He inhaled deeply. "Now! Taura. at
he'd offer Nicol to Ryoval, I swear!" tack!"
Down in the long valley, Miles could Miles launched himself toward Mog
see a bead moving on the thin gleam of lia. not so much actually expecting to
a monorail. The morning shift of bioen wrestle his truncheon from him as hop
gineers and technicians. janitors and ing to maneuver Moglia's body between
office clerks and cafeteria cooks, was himself and the fellows with the nerve
due to arrive soon. Miles glanced at the disruptors. The Dendarii trooper. who
Labyrinth 69
"Leave him," gasped Miles. ··Be set the wrist comm emergency signal.
lieve me, in a few hours he's going to "Don't wait for clearance from Ryoval's
be suffering a more artistic vengeance shuttleport traffic control. 'cause you
than anything we can dream up.'· won't get it. Have Nout patch my comm
Bel galloped back to stun the security through to the Ariel. · ·
chief at can't miss range while Taura "You got it. sir.'' Anderson's thin
held him out like a wet cat. Miles had voice came cheerily back over his comm.
Taura throw the unconscious Dendarii Static, and another few seconds' ex
over her shoulder while he ran around cruciating delay. Then an excited voice .
to the back of the float-truck and re "Murka here. I thought you were com
leased the doors for Nicol, who zipped ing out right behind us last night! You
her chair inside. They tumbled within. all right, sir?"
dropped the doors, and Bel at the con "Temporarily. Is 'Medtech Vaughn'
trols shot them into the air. A siren was aboard?"
going off somewhere in Ryoval's. ' 'Yes. sir."
.
"Wrist comm, wrist comm, " Miles . All right. Don't let him off. Assure
.
babbled, stripping h i s unconscious him I have his tissue sample with me . .
trooper of the device. ' ' Be l , where is "ReaJiy! How'd you-"
our drop shuttle parked? ' ' "Never mind how. Get all the troops
"We came i n at a little commercial back aboard and break from the station
shuttleport just outside Ryoval's town, into free orbit. Plan to make a flying
..
about forty kilometers from here . pick-up of the drop shuttle. and tell the
"Anybody left manning it?" pilot-officer to plot a course for the Es
' 'Anderson and Nout. · • cobar wormhole jump at max acceler
''What's their scrambled comm chan ation as soon as we're clamped on.
.
nel?" Don't wait for clearance . .
·'Twenty-three. ' ' "We're still loading cargo--"
Miles slid into the seat beside Bel and "Abandon any that's still unloaded."
opened the channel . lt took a small · · Are we in serious shit. sir?''
eternity for Sergeant Anderson to an "Mortal, Murka. . .
swer, fully thirty or forty seconds. while "Right, sir. Murka out."
the float truck streaked above the tree "I thought we were all supposed to
tops and over the nearest ridge. be as quiet as mice here on Jackson's
"Laureen, I want you to get your Whole . . . Bel complained. "Isn't this
shuttle into the air. We need an emer all a bit splashy? ' '
gency pick-up, soonest. We're in a "The situation's changed. There'd be
House Fell float truck, heading-" no negotiating with Ryoval for Nicol.
Miles thrust his wrist under Bel's nose. or for Taura either. after what we did
• ·North from Ryoval Biologicals,' · last night. I struck a blow for truth and
Bel recited. "At about 260 kilometers justice back there that I may live to re
per hour, which is the fastest this crate gret, briefly. Tell you about it later.
will go." Anyway, do you really want to stick
"Home in on our screamer. Miles around while I explain to �aron Fell the
70 Analo� Science Ficlivn!Sdence Fac1
real truth about the Betan rejuvenation strange look at this tender gesture: her
treatment?'' float chair was wedged as far from
"Oh," Thome's eyes were alight. as Taura as it could get.
it concentrated on its flying. "I'd pay • 'Hungry . · · Taura gasped.
money to watch that, sir." "Again? But of course. all that en
"Ha. No. For one last moment back ergy expenditure. Anybody got a ration
there. all the pieces were in our hands. bar?" A quick check found an only
Potentially. anyway. ' ' Miles began ex slightly-nibbled rat bar in the stunned
ploring the readouts on the float-truck's trooper's thigh pocket. which Miles im
simple control panel. ''We'd never get mediately liberated . Miles smiled be
everybody together again, never. One nignly at Taura as she wolfed it down:
maneuvers to the limit, but the golden she smiled back as best she could with
moment demands action . If you miss it. her mouth full . No more rats for you
the gods damn you forever. And vice after this. Miles promised silently. Three
versa. Speaking of action. did you see steak dinners when we get back to the
Taura take out seven of those guys?'' Ariel. and a couple of chocolate cakes
Miles chortled in memory. "What's she for dessert. . . .
going to be like after basic training?' The float-truck jinked. Taura. reviv
Bel glanced uneasily over its shoul ing somewhat. extended her feet to hold
der, to where Nicol had her float chair Nicol's dented cup in place against the
lodged and Taura hunkered in the back far wall and keep it from bouncing
along with the body of the unconscious around. "Thank you." said Nicol war
trooper. "I was too busy to keep count." ily. Taura nodded.
Miles swung out of his seat, and made ' ' Company . · • Bel Thome called over
his way into the back to check on their its shoulder. Miles hastened forward .
precious live cargo. Two aircars were coming up fast be
"Nicol. you were great," he told her. hind them. Ryoval's security. Doubtless
"You fought like a falcon. I may have beefed up tougher than the average ci
to give you a discount on that dollar." vilian police car-yes. Bel jinked again
Nicol was still breathless, ivory cheeks as a plasma bolt boiled past. leaving
flushed. An upper hand shoved a strand bright green streaks across Mites's re
of black hair out of her sparkling eyes. tinas. Quasi-military and seriously an
" I was afraid they'd break my dulci noyed. their pursuers were.
mer." A lower hand stroked a big box "This is one of Fell's trucks. we
shaped case jammed into the float-chair's ought to have something to fling back
cup beside her. "Then I was afraid at them. · ' There was nothing in front
they· d break Bel.'· of Miles that looked like any kind of
Taura sat leaning against the truck weapons-control .
waJI. a bit green. A whoomp. a scream from Nicol. and
Miles knelt beside her. "Taura dear, the float-truck staggered in air. righted
are you all right?" He gently lifted one itself under Bel's hands. A roar of air
clawed hand to check her pulse, which and vibration-Miles cranked his head
was boundin�.· Nicol gave him a rather around frantically--one top back corner
Labyrinth 71
of the truck's cargo area was blown ment was also empty. The fourth was
away. The rear door was fused shut on locked.
one side, whanging loose along the op The float-truck rocked under another
posite edge. Taura still braced the float blast. part of the top peeled away in the
chair. Nicol now had her upper hands wind. Miles grabbed for Taura. and the
..
wrapped around Taura's ankles . Ah." truck plummeted downward. Miles's
said Thorne. "No armor. " stomach, and the rest of him. seemed
.
. What did they think this was going to float upward. They were all flattened
to be. a peaceful mission?" Miles to the floor again as Bel pulled up. The
checked his wrist comm. "Laureen, are float-truck shivered and lurched. and
you in the air yet?'' all-Miles and Taura. the unconscious
.
. Coming, sir." trooper. Nicol in her float chair-were
.
. Well, if you've ever itched to red flung forward in a tangle as the truck
line it, now's your chance. Nobody's plowed to a tilted stop in a copse of
going to complain about your abusing frost-blackened scrub.
the equipment this time . ' ' Bel. blood streaming down its face.
. . Thank you. sir," she responded clambered back to them crying · 'Out .
happily. out. out!" Miles stretched for the new
They were losing speed and altitude. opening in the roof. jerked his hand
"Hang on!" Bel yelled over its shoul back at the burning touch of hot slagged
der, and suddenly reversed thrust. Their metal and plastics. Taura. standing up.
closing pursuers shot past them, but im stuck her head out through the hole. then
mediately began climbing turns. Bel crouched back down to boost Miles
accelerated again; another scream from through. He slithered to the ground .
the back as their live cargo was thus looked around. They were in an unpeo
shifted toward the now-dubious rear pled valley of native vegetation. flanked
doors.
by ropy . ridgy hills. Flying up the slot
The Dendarii hand stunners were of
toward them came the two pursuing air
no use at all. Miles clambered into the
cars. swelling, slowing---<:oming in for
back again. looking for some sort of
a capture. or just taking careful aim?
luggage compartment, gun rack. any
The Arie/'s combat drop shuttle roared
thing-surely Fell's people did not rely
up over the ridge and descended like the
only on the fearsome reputation of their
black hand of God. The pursuing aircars
House for protection.
looked suddenly much smaller. One
The padded benches along each side
veered off and fled. the second was
of the cargo compartment , upon which
Fell's guard squad had presumably sat, smashed to the ground not by plasma
swung up on storage space. The first fire but by a swift swat from a tractor
was empty, the second contained per beam. Not even a trickle of smoke
sonal luggage-Miles had a brief flash marked where it went down. l'he drop
of strangling an enemy with someone's shuttle settled demurely beside them in
pajama pants, flinging underwear into a deafening crackling crush of shrub
thruster air-intakes-the third compart- bery . Its hatch extended and unfolded
Labyrinth 73
"Doctor, you've been living on Jack ment. then more loudly. "Why? How
son's Whole too damn long." soon? ' '
• 'I knew that back when I was throw "It's her metabolism. Another mis
ing up every morning before going to take. or concatenation of mistakes. I
work. • ' Canaba drew himself up with don't know when. exactly. She could
a dry dignity. "But Admiral. you don't go another year. or two. or five. Or
understand. • ' He glanced down the cor ten."
ridor in the direction Taura had gone. "Or fifteen?"
"I couldn't leave her in Ryoval's hands. "Or fifteen. yes. though not likely.
But I can't possibly take her to Barrayar. But early . stil l . "
They kill mutants there ! " ··And yet you wanted to take from
"Er . . . " said Miles. given pause. her what little she had? Why?"
"They're attempting to reform those "To spare her. The final debilitation
prejudices. Or so I understand. But is rapid. but very painful. to judge from
you're quite right. Barrayar i s not the what some of the other . . . prototypes.
place for her. ' · went through. The females were more
"I had hoped, when you came along. complex than the males. I ' m not cer
not to have to do it, to kill her myself. tain . . . . But it's a ghastly death. Es
..
Not an easy task. I've known her . . . too pecially ghastly as Ryoval 's slave .
long. But to leave her down there would " I don't recall encountering a lovely
have been the most vile condemna death yet. And I've seen a variety. As
tion-" for duration. I tell you we could all go
"That's no lie. Well, she's out of in the next fifteen minutes. and where
there now. Same as you . ' ' If we can is your tender mercy then?'' He had to
keep it so . . . Miles was frantic to get get to Nav and Corn. "I declare your
to Nav and Corn and find out what was interest in her forfeit. doctor. Mean
..
happening. Had Ryoval launched pur while. ·let her grab what life she can .
suit yet? Had Fell? Would the space "But she was my project-( must
station guarding the distant wormhole answer for her-· •
exit be ordered to block their escape? "No. She's a free woman now. She
" I didn't w�t to just abandon her." must answer for herself. · ·
dithered Canaba. "but I couldn't take · ·How free can she ever be. i n that
her with me! • • body . driven by that metabolism. that
"I should hope not. You're totally face-a freak's life-better to die pain
. unfit to h�ve charge of her. I ' m going lessly. than to have all that suffering
to urge her to join the Dendarii Mer inflicted on her-"
cenaries. I t would seem to be her genetic Miles spoke through his teeth. With
destiny. Unless you know some reason emphasis. "No. It's. Not."
why not?'' Canaba stared at him. shaken out of
"But she's going to die!" the rutted circle of his unhappy reason
Miles stopped �hort. · · And you and ing at last.
are not?' • he said softly after a mo- That' s right. doctor. Miles's thought
Labyrinth 75
folded his hands and smiled innocently . his mtsston briefing. which had never
"Good morning, Baron. What can I do mentioned this connection. concentrat
for you?'' ing in detail only on House Bharaputra.
"Die, you little mutant!" Ryoval Half-brothers only. surely-yes. hadn't
spat. "You! There isn't going to be a Nicol mentioned something about 'Fell's
bunker deep enough for you to burrow half-brother''!
in. I'll put a price on your head that will "I'll have your head for this." foamed
have every bounty hunter in the galaxy Ryoval . "Shipped back frozen in a box.
all over you like a second skin-you' l l I'll have it encased in plastic and hang
not eat o r sleep---1'11 have you-" it over my-no. better. Double the
Yes, the baron had seen his freezers money for the man who brings you in
all right. Recently. Gone entirely was alive. You will die slowly. after infinite
the suave contemptuous dismissal of degradation-·'
their first encounter. Yet Miles was puz In all. Miles was glad the distance
zled by the drift of his threats. It seemed between them was widening at high ac
the baron expected them to escape Jack celeration.
sonian local space. True, House Ryoval Ryoval interrupted his own tirade.
owned no space fleet, but why not rent dark brows snapping down in sudden
a dreadnought from Baron Fell and at suspicion. "Or was it Bharaputra who
tack now? That was the ploy Miles had hired you? Trying to block me from
most expected and feared, that Ryoval cutting in on their biologicals monopoly
and Fell, and maybe Bharaputra too, at the last, not merging as they prom
would combine against him as he at ised"?''
tempted to carry off their prizes. "Why. now." drawled Miles. "would
• 'Can you afford to hire bounty hunt Bharaputra really mount a plot against
ers now?'' asked Miles mildly. " I the head of another House? Do you have
thought your assets were somewhat re personal evidence that they do that sort
duced. Though you still have your sur of thing? Or-who did kill your. ah.
gical specialists, I suppose. " brother's clone?" The connections were
Ryoval, breathing heavily, wiped locking into place at last. Ye gods. l t
spittle from his mouth. "Did my dear seemed Miles and his mission had blun
little brother put you up to this?'· dered into the middle of an on-going
''Who?" said Miles. genuinely star power struggle of byzantine complex
tled. Yet another player in the game ity. N icol had testified that Fell had
. . ? never pinned down the killer of his
"Baron Fell." young duplicate . . . "Shall I guess?"
• 'I was . . . not aware you were re "You know bloody well." snapped
lated, " said Miles. "Little brother?" Ryoval. "But which of them hired you?
"You lie badly," sneered Ryoval . Fell. or Bharaputra? Which"! '·
"I knew he had to be behind this." Ryoval. Miles realized. knew abso
"You'll have to ask him." Miles shot lutely nothing yet of the real Dendarii
at random. his head spinning as the new mission against House Bharaputra. And
datum rearranged all his estimates. Dt�mn with the atmosphere among the Houses
Bharaputra had been dealing for. per the Ariel's acceleration would be too
Labyrinth 77
from his hapless squad commander. Miles rapidly. " I believe it involved the
• • But you may yet save yourself some trade of some unique biological samples
trouble. There was an agreed-upon price in Ryoval's possession; I don't think
for my musician. It's of no great dif cash alone would have been worth their
ference to me if I give her up to you or risk. The deal was done on the.highest
to Ryoval, as long as I get that price. " levels, obviously. I don't know how
Captain Thorne, working the Ariel's they figured to divide the spoils of
monitors, flinched under Mites's glance. House Fell after your eventual
"The price you refer to, I take it, is death-maybe they didn't mean to di
the secret of the Betan rejuvenation vide it at all. They seem to have had
technique," said Miles. some ultimate plan of combining their
''Quite." operations for some larger monopoly of
"Ah . . . hm." Miles moistened his biologicals on Jackson's Whole. A cor
lips. "Baron, I cannot. " porate merger of sorts. " Miles paused
Fell turned his head. "Station com to let this sink in. "May l suggest you
mander, launch pursuit ships-" may wish to reserve your forces and
"Wait!" Miles cried. favors against enemies more. er. inti
Fell raised his brows . "You recon mate and immediate than myself? Be
sider? Good." sides. you have all our credit chit but
"It's not that I will not tell you," said we have only half our cargo. Will you
Miles desperately, "it's just that the call it even?'·
t.ruth would be of no use to you. None Fell glowered at him for a full minute,
whatsoever. Still, I agree you deserve the face of a man thinking in three dif
some compensation. I have another ferent directions at once. Miles knew
piece of information I could trade you. the feeling. He then turned his head.
more immediately valuable . " and grated out of the corner of his
"Oh?" said Fell. His voice was neu mouth, "Hold pursuit ships."
tral but his expression was black. Miles breathed again.
"You suspected your half-brother ''I thank you for this information,
Ryoval in the murder of your clone. but Admiral." said Fell coldly , "but not
could not chain any evidence to him, very much. l shall not impede your swift
am I right?'' exit. But if you or any of your ships
Fell looked fractionally more inter appear in Jacksonian space again-"
ested. "All my agents and Bharaputra's "Oh. Baron," said Miles sincerely.
could not turn up a connection. We "staying far, far away from here is fast
tried . ' ' becoming one of my dearest ambi
"I'm not surprised. Because i t was tions.··
Bharaputra's agents who did the deed . " "You're wise." Fell growled. and
Well, i t was possible, anyway. moved to cut the link.
Fell's eyes narrowed. "Killed their "Baron Fell . " Miles added impul
own product?'' he said slowly . sively. Fell paused. "For your future
.. I believe Ryoval struck a deal with information-is this link secured?"
House Bharaputra to betray you." said "Yes'?"
·'The true secret of the Betan reju thoroughly askew from shiptime after
venation technique-is that there is his downside adventures. He then sought
none. Don't be taken in again. I look out Thorne and Nicol. He found them
the age I do. because it is the age I am. in Engineering. A tech was just polish
Make of it what you will." ing out the last dent in Nicol's tloat
Fell said absolutely nothing. After a chair.
moment a faint, wintry smile moved his Nicol. now wearing a white tunic and
lips. He shook his head and cut the corn. shons trimmed with pink piping. lay
Just in case. Miles lingered on in son sprawled on her belly on f. bench.
of a glassy puddle in one corner of Nav watching the repairs. It gave Miles an
and Corn until the Comm Officer re odd sensation to see her out of her cup.
poned their final clearance from Jump it was like looking at a hermit crab out
point Station traffic control. But Miles of its shell, or a seal on the shore. She
calculated Houses Fell. Ryoval . and looked strangely vulnerable i� one-gee.
Bharaputra were going to be too busy yet in null gee she'd looked sb right. so
with each other to concern themselves clearly at ease. he'd stopped noticing
with him, at least for a while. His late the oddness of the extra arms very
transfer of information both true and quickly. Thorne helped the tech fit the
false among the combatants-to each tloat cup's blue shell over its recondi
according to his measure-had the feel tioned anti-grav mechanism. and turned
of throwing one bone to three starving. to greet Miles as the tech proceeded to
rabid dogs. He almost regretted not lock it in place.
being able to stick around and see the Miles sat down-bench from Nicol.
results. Almost. "From the looks of things." he told her.
Hours after the Jump he woke in his "you should be free of pursuit from
cabin. fully dressed but with his boots Baron Fell. He and his half-brother are
set neatly by his bed. with no memory going to be fully occupied avenging
of how he'd got there. He rather fancied themselves on each other for a while.
Murka must have esconed him. If he'd Makes me glad I'm an only child . "
fallen asleep while walking alone he'd "Hm." she said pensively.
surely have left the boots on. "You should be safe." Thorne of
fered encouragingl y .
Miles first checked with the duty of "Oh-no. it's not that." Nicol said.
ficer as to the Ariel's situation and sta " I was just thinking about mY sisters.
tus. It was refreshingly dull. They were Time was I couldn't wait to ·get away
crossing a blue star system between from them. Now I can't wait to see them
Jump points on the route to Escobar. again . "
unpeopled and empty of everything but "What are your plans now'! ' ' Miles
a smattering of routine commercial asked.
traffic. Nothing pursued them from the " I ' l l stop at Escobar. first." she re
direction of Jackson's Whole. Miles had plied. ''It's a good nexus crossing. from
a light meal. not sure if it was breakfast, there I should be able to work my way
lunch. or dinner. his bio-rhythm being back to Earth. From Eanh I can get to
Labyrinth 79
Orient IV, and from there I' m sure I can minutes. How much can you do in 4.320
get home . ' ' minutes'?' '
"Is home your goal now?" Or how often. thought Miles dryly.
"There's a lot more galaxy to be seen Especially {{you don' t sleep. Sleep, per
out this way," Thome pointed out. se. was not what Bel had in mind. if
" I ' m not sure if Dendarii rosters can be Miles recognized the signs. Good
stretched to include a ship's musician. luck-to both of them.
but-" "Meanwhile, " Thorne maneuvered
She was shaking her head. "Home," Nicol into the corridor. "let me show
she said firmly . ' ' I ' m tired of fighting you around my ship. lllyrican-built -
one-gee all the time. I ' m tired of being that's out your way a bit. I understand.
alone. I ' m starting to have nightmares lt's quite a story . how the Ariel first fell
about growing legs. " into Dendarii hands-we were the Os
Thorne sighed faintly. eran Mercenaries, back then-"
"We do have a little colony of down Nicol made encouraging noises. Miles
siders living among us now," she added suppressed an envious grin. and turned
suggestively to Thome. "They've fitted the other way up the corridor. to search
out their own asteroid with artificial out Dr. Canaba and arrange the dis
gravity--quite like the real thing down charge of his last unpleasant duty.
side, only not as drafty . "
Miles was faintly alarmed-to lose Bemusedly. Miles set aside the hy
a ship commander of proven loyalty pospray he'd been turning over in his
•·Ah," said Thome in a pensive tone hands as the door to sickbay sighed
to match Nicol's . . . A long way from open. He swivelled in the medtech's
my home, your asteroid belt." station chair and glanced up as Taura
"Will you return to Beta Colony. and Sergeant Anderson entered. "My
then, someday?" she asked. "Or are word. ' ' he murmured.
the Dendarii Mercenaries your home Anderson sketched a salute. "Re
and family?'· porting as ordered. sir." Taura's hand
· ' Not quite that passionate. for me.'' twitched. uncertain whether to attempt
said Thome . ··1 mainly stick around due to mimic this military greeting or not.
to an overwhelming curiosity to see Miles gazed up at Taura and his lips
what happens next . ' ' Thome favored parted with involuntary delight. Taura ' s
Miles with a peculiar smile. transformation was all he'd dreamed of
Thorne helped load Nicol back into and more .
her blue cup. After a brief sy:;tems He didn't know how Anderson had
check she was hovering upright again. persuaded the stores computer to so ex
as mobile-more mobile-than her ceed its normal parameters. but some
legged companions. She rocked and re how she'd made it disgorge a complete
garded Thorne brightly. Dendarii undress kit in Taura's size:
''It's only three more days to Escobar crisp grey-and-white pocketed jacket.
orbit. " said Thorne to Nicol rather re grey trousers. polished ankle-topping
gretfu l l y . "Still-72 hours-4 ,320 boots. Taura's face and hair were clean
Labyrinth 8/
injecting something into your leg? With pleased with Dr. Canaba. Nor with my
a needle . not a hypospray. " self. I lied through my teeth to you down
"Oh. yes." She rubbed her calf half- in Ryoval 's basement. because I thought
consciously. "It made a knot . " I had to, to survive and win."
"What. ah. did he tell you i t was'?" Her face was confused . congealing .
.
. An immunization. " the light in her eyes fading. ·'Then you
She'd been right, Miles reflected. didn't . . . really think I was human-''
when they'd first met. Humans did lie · 'On the contrary. Your choice of test
a lot. "Well, it wasn't an immunization. was an excellent one. lt's much harder
Canaba was using you as a live repo to lie with your body than with your
sitory for some engineered biological mouth. When I. er. demonstrated my
material. Molecularly bound, dormant belief, it had to be real. " Looking at
materi a l . · ' he added hastily as she her. he still felt a twinge of lurching.
twisted around and looked at her leg in lunatic joy. somatic residual from that
disquiet. "It can't activate sponta adventure-of-the-body. He supposed he
neously. he assures me. My original always would feel something-male
mission was only to pick up Dr. Canaba. conditioning. no doubt. "Would you
But he wouldn't leave without his gene like me to demonstrate it again?" he
complexes. " asked half-hopefully. then bit his tongue.
"He planned to take m e with him?" "No.·· he answered his own question.
she said in thrilled surprise. "So I "If I am to be your commander-we
should thank him for sending you to have these non-fraternization rules.
me!'' Mainly to protect those of lower rank
Miles wished he could see the look from exploitation. though it can work
on Canaba's face if she did. "Yes and both-ahe m ! " He was digressing
no. Specifically. no." He rushed roughly dreadfully. He picked up the hypospray.
on before his nerve failed him. "You fiddled with it nervously . and put it back
have nothing to thank him for. nor me down.
either. He meant to take only your tissue "Anyway. Dr. Canaba has asked me
..
sample. and sent me to get it . to lie to you again. He wanted me to
"Would you rather have left me sneak up on you with a general anes
at-is that why Escobar-" she was still thetic . so he could biopsy back his sam
bewildered. ple. He's a coward. you may have
"lt was your good luck," Miles noticed. He's outside now. shaking in
plunged on. "that I ' d lost my men and his shoes for fear you'll find out what
was disarmed when we finally met. he intended for you. I think a local zap
Canaba lied to me, too: In his defense . with a medical stunner would suffice.
he seems to have had some dim idea of I'd sure want to be conscious and watch
saving you from a brutal life as Ryoval 's ing if he were working on me . any
slave. He sent me to kill you. Taura. way . ' · He flicked the hypospray con
He sent me to slay a monster. when he temptuously with one finger.
should have been begging me to rescue She sat in silence. her strange wolfish
a princess in disguise. I'm not too face-though Miles was getting used to
Labyrinth 83
sciously in his pep talk, thinking, Easier then-it wouldn't break any Dendarii
to preach than practice. . . . rules. would it. if you showed me again
Taura studied her polished claws. and how human I am? One more time?''
sighed. "I suppose it's useless for me It must be. Miles thought. akin to the
to wish to be beautiful, like Sergeant same drive that used to propel men to
Anderson . " climb sheer rock faces without an an
" l t is useless for you to try to be tigrav belt, or jump out of ancient air
beautiful like anyone but yourself. ' ' said craft with nothing to stop them going
Miles. "Be beautiful like Taura, ah, that splat but a wad of silk cloth. He felt the
you can do. Superbly well." He found fascination rising in him, the death-de
himself gripping her hands, and ran one fying laugh. "Slowly'?" he said in a
finger across an iridescent claw. ·'Though strangled voice. "Do it right this time?
Laureen seems to have grasped the prin Have a little conversation. drink a little
ciple, you might be guided by her wine. play a little music? Without
taste . ' ' Ryoval 's guard squad lurking overhead.
"Admiral , " said Taura slowly. not or ice cold rock under my . . . ' '
releasing his hands. "Are you actually Her eyes were huge and gold and
my commander yet? Sergeant Anderson molten. "You did say you liked to prac
said something about orientation. and tice what you were great at."
induction tests, and an oath . . . . " Miles had never realized how sus
"Yes. all that will come when we ceptible he was to flattery from tall
make fleet rendezvous . Till then. tech women. A weakness he must guard
nically. you' re our guest." against. Sometime.
A certain sparkle was beginning to They retired to his cabin and practiced
return to her gold eyes. "Then-till assiduously till halfway to Escobar. •
Hubert H. Humphrey
84 Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact
��- - - -- -
rope with her older brother. Accommo
Klein)s
dations included a park bench in Oxford
and a castle in Scotland. In college, she
quickly realized she wasn't so much in
terested in studying literature as in its cre
ation. A liking for wildlife and close-up
photography also led to six weeks of pho
tographing Insects in East Africa.
Unlike any other profession Where close
attention to a narrow specialization Is the
-- ----� �� only way to success, writing not only per
Where are all the intelligent machines? Oh, we have robots after a fashion.
For as long as science fiction has been There are thousands of them at work in
science fiction, writers have been telling factories. But for the most part they are
stories about machines that could talk no more than programmable manipu
.
and move under their own control . By lators.
the 1990s we were supposed to have In the same way we have talking
human-like robots. "voicewriters" to machines . You can hear one just by call
replace typewriters. and a host of other ing information and asking for a tele
wonders. phone number. But the first voice you
Many of the early science fiction pre hear on the line will be a human oper
dictions have come true. We've been ator's. The talking machine simply
to the Moon. Giant airliners carrying gives you the phone number after the
hundreds of passengers routinely ply the human has found out what you want.
skies. But no voicewriters. no human So where are the robots, and the
like robots. voicewriters. and the rest of it?
Neural Nets 87
that puts anything we can even conceive we can do is we can take clues from the
of designing to shame. way neural systems operate that can do
Note than a "sensing system" isn't the jobs we want.
the same thing as a "sensor." Sensors In their present incarnation we call
are things like television cameras and our representations of these systems
microphones that accept input from the "neural nets" and the whole idea "neural
outside world and translate it into sig computing. "
nals the computer can understand. Those Like "artificial intelligence. " "neural
we have and in excellent quality. We computing" is one of those terms that
can see further than an eagle, smell bet promises far more than we can presently
ter than an ant, detect motion, sound. deliver. Doubtless that will come back
pressure, infrared radiation and just to haunt us just as the term artificial
about anything else much better than intelligence is haunting the people who
any animal. work in that field. But for now it's the
But we can't integrate that informa accepted term and it's too late in the
tion. What is lacking is the rest of the game to quibble.
system, the parts that take that input and We know that neural nets work. We
use it to distinguish a door from a wall. have known that for years. What we
We simply can't build sensing systems don't know yet is whether or not neural
that can handle balance, vision, hearing. nets can do things that are useful in a
etc . • as well as a retarded insect. useful fashion. That is. will they remain
The conventional approach to the laboratory curiosities or will they burst
problems of robotics is to use relatively out of the labs to transform our tech
few sensors and a lot of processing nology and possibly our culture?
power. We have developed clever al There isn't a lot of middle ground.
gorithms and sophisticated feature ex If neural nets prove to be useful and cost
traction processes to let us work around effective. their impact can be nothing
the problems to a remarkable degree. less than revolutionary. We are talking
With the limited sensor systems we about something that will have as much
have, we can achieve truly amazing re effect on our lives as the automobile or
sults. the telephone. Home robots are the least
Of course, those results are a lot like of it.
Samuel Johnson's dog walking on its
hind legs. The amazing thing isn't that Neural Nets and How They Work
it is done well, the amazing thing is that Basically a neural net is a very pe
it is done at all. culiar form of computer with a very
Well if our methods don't work, why peculiar set of characteristics. So pe
don't we do i t the way nature does? culiar that if you want to understand
We can't do it in exactly the same neural nets, it helps to know little or
way because for one thing we aren't sure nothing about computers. People who
how our brains do these things. What know a lot about computers tend to
Neural Nets 89
Already the Japanese have built an call it I . then they fire.
experimental neural net OCR which is To see how this works, let's build a
about 99% accurate on recognizing let simple neural net. Each node in our net
ters. can be thought of as a variable resistor
This neural net OCR demonstrates with an i)lverter. The normal output of
�
one of the other characteristics of neural the node is a 1 , but the resistor and
nets. When the Japanese first built it, inverter can be used to set the signal
it was right about 96% of the time. It voltage to anything from I to - 1.
keeps getting better with use because it The inverter is important because a
keeps learning. node's output doesn't have to be posi
Neural nets supply the missing ele tive. In our nervous systems. neurons
ment for our machines: the ability to which inhibit signals are at least as im
interpret the world around them. Given portant as ones that pass signals and the
that, we can move computing power off same is true of a neural net. In fact. the
the screens and into the homes and fac correct operation of most kinds of neural
tories in a big way. nets depends on the presence of these
Neural nets are not just one thing. inhibitory signals.
They are a whole class of systems. At From these simple nodes we will
the present time there are about fifty build an Exclusive-OR circuit: a circuit
known types and a dozen or so different that takes inputs on two channels and
neural net architectures being actively produces an output signal if either of the
explored. In the United States, the most inputs is positive, but not if both are
common variety are the back-propaga positive. This is simple enough to be
tion networks. The Europeans are very intuitively obvious and complex enough
interested in another kind of neural net to be interesting. It has the added prop
called a Kohonen network. Groups erty that a digital computer is logically
everywhere are looking at other possi reducible to a mass of XOR gates--as
bilities. they are known in the trade.
At bottom all neural nets consist of First we establish three layers. An
nodes and connections. The nodes are input layer accepts signals from the real
small and not-too-bright computers and world. In an actual neural net these
the connections tie the nodes together. might come from a microphone . an ar
Essenti3.lly. the nodes only. do one ray of photodetectors or a conventional
job. Based on the input from other nodes computer. Next comes a hidden layer
they decide whether to fire (pass a signal in which each node is connected to all
on to their outputs) and how strong that the nodes above and below it. Finally
signal should be. In the simplest kinds there is the top, or output layer, which
of nets, the nodes make that decision provides the finished product of the
by addition. If their inputs from all their neural net's work to the outside world.
connections total to a threshold value, Now we wire five of our nodes up as
Neural Nets 9/
a two-layer back-propogation net, or output for a given input sufficiently
.
more simply. a "perceptron . net. Our closely, the net is considered trained on
second model is simpler because it only that pattern. If not the cycle is repeated.
has two layers, an input layer and an In this method the error correction
output layer. It is more complex because propagates backwards through the net
each node can alter its behavior de and the connection strengths are altered
pending on the signals that propagate in proportion to the degree of error. This
back to it from the layer above. In effect is why this variety of neural net is called
each node gets scored on its perform- · a ''back-propagation" net.
ance in each trial and it can use that An alternative method of training a
score to modify its behavior in the next back propagation net is to use what is
trial by modifying the weight (strength) called "graded output. · · Here the neural
of each of its connections. net is given only the input and graded
We start out with the connection according to how closely the output
strengths between the nodes more or less matches the desired output. The con
randomized. (This isn't necessary. but nection strengths are altered depending
it speeds things up somewhat). Now we on the grade, and the better the grade
present our neural net with an input pat the less alteration in the weights. At first
tern and the desired output for that in anything that moves the output i n the
put. In this phase neither the input or right direction gets a positive grade. In
the output can vary. but the nodes can later interactions. the output has to come
change the weights of the various con closer and closer to the desired output
nections. In neural net jargon, we to be graded positive.
"clamp" the input and outputs. If you took basic psychology at the
Next we fire the net. The random right university you will recognize this
weight of the connections means that process. Psychologists call it "operant
some of the nodes will give exactly the conditioning. · • It involves treating the
values they should have to produce the subject, whether a rat or a neural net,
desired output. Most of. them won't and as a black box and reinforcing desired
many of them won't even be close. behavior. At first you reinforce anything
Now each node in the output layer close to the behavior you want and then
does a simple comparison between its you reward more selectively as the be
desired (clamped) output and its actual havior gets more desirable. If the rein
output, and sends a signal to the nodes forcement is sufficient, the subject will
i n the input layer telling them to alter eventually learn through trial and error.
the signal strengths to that node (con This is only one of many slightly spooky
nection weights) to make the output similarities between the animal and
closer to the desired output. neural net behavior.
After a series of such trials, the output Spookiness aside, there are two very
is unclamped and the neural net is run significant points here. The first is that
again. If the output matches the desired we did not program the neural net. we
Neural Nets 93
(solution). and have to hunt back.
The amount by which the weights are An added problem is that most lay
altered and the rule for altering them ered neural net models are not two-layer
have to be chosen carefully when de nets. A two-layer back-propagation net
signing the neural net. A lot of neural is inherently limited in the problems it
net research is concerned with these can solve because for some kinds of
problems. situations no correct set of weights exist.
For example, as you approach +I or Try designing an XOR circuit with just
- I connection weight, you want to two layers of nodes. for instance. It
change the strengths more slowly than can't be done and it was mathematical
you do around 0. Large positive or neg proof of that fact which turned AI re
ative values can have major influences searchers off on neural nets (called
on the output layer. sometimes swamp "perceptrons" back then) in the late
ing subtle details. You want to approach 1960s.
maximum and minimum connection A back-propagation neural net with
weight ever more slowly to minimize three or more layers can solve many
this effect. Likewise, as you get close more kinds of problems, so most neural
to the solution, you want to change nets of this sort are built with one or
weights by smaller increments. Other more middle. or "hidden" layers (as in
wise you might overshoot your solution Figure 2).
Output
{Top)
Layer
Hidden
(Middle)
L�yer
Input
(Bottom)
L�yer(s)
Figure 2: A typic�l Neural Net.
Neura/ Nets 95
same level by sending them a signal tell patterns and a lot of exceptions, the
ing them to decrease their connection neural net will go through a phase where
weights. As a result, patterns which the general patterns completely over
have occurred frequently in the past are whelm the exceptions. After enough
more likely to be selected out of the repetitions the net will learn the excep
competing patterns. tions, but for a while they will be con
If you stop and think about it, this is sistently misclassified.
pretty much the way our brains work. This has strong parallels in human
We organize sense perceptions accord behavior. One example is learning past
ing to familiar patterns and we can very tenses in English.
quickly pick a pattern we know out of For years researchers have known
a confusing background, especially if that young children go through three
we have seen it recently. A number of stages in learning the past tense of
optical illusions and a lot of the art of verbs. In the first stage they know only
camouflage are based on fooling this a few common past tenses. divided be
faculty. tween regular (look/looked) and irreg
There are a couple of problems here, ular (see/saw) verbs. In this stage children
too. One of them is that if competitive tend to use the past tenses correctly
learning goes on for too long. the neural whether the verb is regular or irregular.
net will produce the same output for In the second stage. the child uses
everything. The successful pattern com many more past tenses, but regular
pletely dominates all the others. verbs predominate, as they do in English
We limit this effect by limiting the in general. However irregular verbs tend
maximum connection weights and pro to be given regular endings (see/seed,
viding a decay function for the weights. sleep/steeped). This is true even of ir
The weights never get so strong they regular verbs the child used correctly in
can overwhelm the other patterns, and the first stage. In learning the general
a pattern which is not presented gets rules for past tenses, the child tempo
slightly weaker with each trial. rarily loses the ability to recognize the
The second, and more subtle, prob exceptions to these rules.
lem relates to the way a neural net stores In the third and final stage, the child
information. As a rough guide. you need knows even more verbs and tends to
at least one input node for each pattern form the past tense correctly. Not only
to be recognized. that, but the child can usually form the
That is less of a limit than it seems. past tense correctly for verbs it has never
A "pattern" in this case can be a rule seen before.
or general organizing principle as well If our brains act like neural nets with
as an individual item. competitive learning. this makes excel
However, every instance of the pat lent sense. A child begins by learning
tern reinforces the pattern. If your uni past tenses as separate words, about
verse is composed of a few general equally divided between regular and ir-
Neural Nets 97
found for neural nets. A company called Like any new technology, neural nets
BehavHeuristics of Silver Spring, MD, are rapidly being oversold. Even if they
has an application to aid airline reser prove out it will take time for the ap
vation systems. Nestor Inc. of Provi pliations to take hold and even more
dence, RI. is finishing an application to time for us to get a sense of what these
evaluate mortgage insurance applica things can really do.
tions.
Hype aside, if neural nets work they
Dealing with the real world is one of
will be revolutionary. They offer our
the largest areas of interest. Much of the
best hope for breaking the barriers that
work there is underwritten by the mil
have kept computing power confined in
itary and hence classified, but neural
CRT tubes. With neural nets we can
nets have been used to analyze sonar
move our computers off our desktops
signals to find submarines and recognize
and out of the carefully controlled fac
aircraft. A company called Global Ho
tory environments and into our lives.
lonetics Corp. of Fairfield, lA, is using
neural nets to help inspect parts. Banc I ' m not sure I'm ready for a voice
tee Inc. in Dallas, TX, is underwriting writer. I've spent years on keyboards
research to develop a system to read and my ideas take shape as they flow
handwritten numbers on checks. A pro through my fingers onto the screen.
totype should be running by the time But I would flat kill for a robot that
you read this and it is supposed to be would clean up the mess in my office.
in use by the summer of 1989. •
Neural Networks And Natura/ Intelligence. Stephen Grossberg. ed.; MlT Press.
1988 A collection of papers on neural network topics. especially the adaptive
resonance theory. which has been a major topic of Grossberg' s research.
---------- -
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Neural Nets 99
they don't use radio w�ves to commu
The Alternate View nicate. Or perhaps it's just that TV
watching is incompatible with advanced
THE intelligence.
In any case, we need a less culture
1 THAT
attention from communication, which
may be quite culture-dependent, to
! BOOMED
transportation, which should be more
universal. It seems very likely that any
!==�J�o�h�n�G�·�C�r�am�e�r�
advanced space-faring civilization would
on occasion need to transport material
objects from one star system to another
for colonization. exploration. or trade.
Perhaps, as many science fiction writers This would require a starship moving
have suggested in their writings, our through space at a high velocity.
galaxy is populated by advanced civi Even given a worm-hole transport
lizations that go about their business in system like that described in my recent
the ..downtown" area near the center AV column (Analog, June '89). it would
of the galaxy and can't be bothered to still be necessary to carry one worm
communicate with technologically and hole portal by starship to a distant lo
culturally unsophisticated rubes that, cation before the wormhole could be
like the human race, reside far out in used for faster-than-light transport. Ad
the galactic boondocks. If this is the way vanced space-faring civilizations will
things are. it may be hopeless to search inevitably need to move mass from one
for such civilizations. as SETI research · place to another, and it seems reason
ers have been attempting to do. by able that this will be done at the highest
trying to receive their radio messages. speed permitted by available resources
A better way to do a SETI search might (energy, reaction mass, . . . ). As it hap
be to look for detectable radio-wave by pens. massive objects moving rapidly
products of the activities of alien civi through most regions of our galaxy will
lizations. leave radio waves in their wake that may
SETI scientists have done this by be detectable.
looking for the equivalent of television Consider a supersonic jet airplane
signals that might emanate from the flying overhead. Even if the plane's en
planet of a civilization that uses radio gines were completely silent. the plane's
wave broadcasts as we do. They have passage would be apparent because of
found no evidence of the equivalent of the sonic boom it produces, the shock
our radio/TV signals in our galactic wave left in its wake because it is trav
neighborhood, but that result is incon eling faster than about 0.3 kilometers
clusive. Galactic civilizations may be per second. the speed of sound in air.
so different or so far ahead of us that The shock wave phenomenon is not lim-
binary star system that has been pro Perhaps the Mouse is much closer.
pelled to a high velocity by the super maybe only a few dozen light-years dis
nova explosion of its binary companion. tant. and it just happens to lie along the
However. the actual physical processes line of sight leading to the galactic cen
that could accomplish this are unclear. ter. In that case. to account for the en
and there is some skepticism that this ergy reaching us. the energy output of
�;cenario can work. The Mouse is a mys the Mouse would be only about to•�
tery. waus. equivalent to direct conversion
Readers of this magazine should by of matter to energy at the rate of about
now be wondering if the Mouse could 100 kilograms per second. Such energy
be an alien starship. If the distance scale generation. though inconceivably large
suggested by Yusef-Zadeh and Bally is by contemporary standards ( 10"' watts
correct. the answer is no. The Mouse is the output of a very large nuclear
would have to be a star-size object with power plant). might be within the ca
star-class energy output and a huge ki pabilities of an l;Kivanced civilization.
netic energy that could only have been Because the local plasma is cooler
produced in some ancient cataclysm. and its sound velocity slower than that
But there remains the possibility that its near the galactic center. the velocity of
discovers are wrong about how far away the object would also drop if it was close
it is. by in our galactic neighborhood. The
REFERENCES
Farhad Yusef-Zadeh and John Bally, "The Mouse" Nature, 455 ( 1 987) 330. •
Edwin Hubble
Submitted by John Hradsky
futures
troller. Driving a car? Just put out your
hands and tool away. Fighting Mike
Tyson? Just punch at the air and watch
Mike duck and dive. The U-Force car
Matthew J. Costello ried the promise of real interactive
games one step further. And while
Broderbund isn't saying how the ma
Raise your hands if you don't know chine works, it senses your body mo
someone who owns a Nintendo Enter tions and speed. It can be set up in a
tainment System. number of ways to accomodate different
You see, I know lots of people who games. Best of all, the price is not as
have the N.E.S . • what the software tronomical-a suggested price of $70.
trade calls a "dedicated game machine" Another hot new technology for Nin
(i.e. it does only one thing-play games.) tendo is remote joysticks. Accolade's
And they all know that I get review remote features a controller of about the
copies of games. At first it wasn't so same size as the traditional Nintendo
bad. But now everyone wants the latest controller. Beeshu offers a full-size re
Nintendo game from me prontissimo. motejoystick with buttons on either side
just as soon as I ' m done with it. (And of the stick for the benefit of left or right
if one of my dear friends is reading this, · handed players. There are also suction
don't worry. I don't mean you. It's the cups to hold what Beeshu calls the Ul
rest of the video game fanatics who are timate Superstick. in place.
driving me crazy.) Nintendo's Power Pad, a plastic mat
And I feel some responsibility for all that you spread out on the floor. allows
this mayhem. In some small way, we players to compete with each other or
helped usher in this new age of video the game machine in real-life running
games by writing one of the first feature events that will leave the nom1ally sed
reviews of the system, which Nintendo entary gamer panting and sweating.
reproduced en masse for their press kits. Of course the game system is only as
The rest, as they say, is history. good as the games, and Nintendo. with
This new age video explosion has its many licensees, has been pushing the
only grown. The recent software hall at limits of the video game. The Adven
the Consumer Electronics Show was tures ofLink is Nintendo's follow-up to
more of a love fest for Nintendo and its its million-plus seller. The Legend of
30 plus licensees. And, surprisingly Zelda. Link adds a role-playing feel to
enough. there are new products for Nin the successful arcade adventure. with
tendo that should increase interest. characters you can talk with, more ex
The big news was a remarkable tensive maps, and gameplay that favors
gadget produced by Broderbund Soft strategy as well as collecting handy
ware Inc. called the U-Force. This
show-stopper is a compact device. the (continued on page 174)
Futures 105
The nitter deposited Morgan at the camp to a swaying walkway that led into the
and took off again immediately. Alone crown of another group of trees.
on the landing platform, she walked "You'll get used to it." said Kras as
uneasily to its edge and peered down he navigated the unsubstantial structure
into the trees. with ease. while carrying Morgan's duf
Vertigo assailed her, and she gripped fel .
the rope rail tightly. Below, leafy foli Morgan gripped the guide ropes and
age in a variety of shapes and hues ob refused to look down. When they were
scured her view to the forest floor, but safe on another solid platform, this one
she knew what lay there. She was sus roofed and sided to form a comfortable
pended three hundred feet above a gas room, she expelled a tightly held breath.
emitting swamp roiling with poisonous This would be her fourth Space Corps
algae. assignment, and she had been on some
"Don't think about it," said a voice odd worlds, but at least she had been
that she recognized at once. A sun-het able to keep her feet on terra firma.
meted head appeared on the opposite Living in trees would be a new expe
side of the platform as Bemard Kras rience.
kolin, tall and lean and darkly handsome It was what she had wanted - ad
in a fresh khaki bush suit, pulled himself venture and new horizons - when she
up from a ladder. had chosen a career in the Corps, the
"It's good to see you again," he said. teaching ann of Space Exploratory
He offered a handshake. Forces. Space Corps teachers had to be
Morgan had looked forward to a tough and adaptable, and unsqueamish
warmer greeting. So that's the way it's when it came to the sometimes peculiar
going to be, she thought. But what could aliens who requested their services.
she expect-it had been five years. Morgan had learned tolerance toward
"I put in a special re.quest for you," a variety of forms, but whatever tough
he said. "It's a delicate situation here, ness she had acquired didn't show. At
and you're the only Corps teacher I thirty-one she was slender and clear
could trust to handle it. I'm glad you eyed, and her sense of wonder had never
accepted. " left her.
Morgan wasn't sure how glad she It came to her rescue now. · ' A tree
was. She and Kras had been lovers house ! " she exclaimed. "I always
once, on another steamy jungle world. wanted one when I was a kid." She
The thought of renewing their relation inspected the simple housekeeping ar
ship was one of the main reasons she rangements: the hammock bed, the chair
had agreed to come to Frontera, where fashioned from stout branches and vines,
Kras was i n charge of the SEF contact the gourd water bowl.
team that was making an initial study "We've tried to bring in as few off
of the newly discovered planet. world products as possible." Kras said.
It began to look to Morgan like a bad "To avoid contaminating the native cul
mistake. Especially when she had to ture . " He put down Morgan's bag.
climb down the ladder herself and on "This will be your house. but you can
Treetops 109
"Do you know why they want a "Of course she didn't know," Kras
teacher?'' To Morgan it seemed an odd said. The arm went back again, protec
request, for a culture at the bottom of tively. ' ' Anyway, what they want from
the scale. "Maybe they aren't as back us isn't more beads. Morgan, when do
ward as you think . ' ' you want to go out and meet them?"
"That's what we're hoping you can Morgan wiped the last dribble of
discover for us," Kras said. "You've sticky juice from her chin. "How about
got a knack with aliens, and you know right now?"
enough to proceed cautiously. I didn't "I'll take you," Fiona offered. "They
want any brash do-gooder type going have a settlement not far from here . ' '
in and offering a lot of uncalled-for help Outside, at the end of the walkway,
and information. " Fiona indicated a ladder leading farther
"Oh, we all know better than that," down into the trees. "It's easier trav
Morgan said. ' · 'Teach them only what eling on the next level, though it's con
they ask for.' It's drummed into us from siderably warmer. That's why we built
our first Academy lecture. " our camp up here. • '
"All the same," Kras continued, A cooling breeze ruffled Morgan's
"I wanted someone here I could trust. hair. The walkway swayed, but she felt
I'm afraid we're already into a 'cargo less nervous than she had before. As she
cult' situation . " looked out over the undulating green
Morgan knew what he meant: prim mass that was the top of the forest can
itive natives who considered their more opy, it appeared to her almost as a false
advanced visitors to be emissaries of floor. It rose and fell in hills and valleys,
gods, if not gods themselves. "How did the tree crowns touching one another
it happen?" She looked around the hut, and joined by ropy vines. She could
which was only slightly better furnished imagine it as solid, and herself quite
than her own. "You certainly don't safe, as long she didn't think of the
show any outward evidences of tech deadly swamp so far below.
nology. Nothing they could consider The view was wide in all directions.
supernatural, or want for themselves. " Above, the immense reddish sun dyed
"We've tried not to," Fiona an the sky with shades of mauve and coral,
swered. "But they've seen the flitter, and the clouds were tinged with fire. To
and our clothing, and the lights we have the east, a dark mountain spewed puffs
at night. They must have seen us build of purple steam.
ing the camp. At trrst they were afraid "The whole planet is actively vol
and kept away, but now we find them canic," Fiona said. "Most of it is un
watching us all the time . " inhabitable. This jungle''--5he stretched
"And there were the presents, of her arm to indicate the vast green blan
course," Hansi said. He glared at Chris ket-"appears to be the one exception.
tina. "Colored beads, can you believe Come on: you'll see how well the Fron
it?'' terans have adapted.· •
Christina flushed. "I didn't know. Morgan followed her down the lad
was just trying to be friendly. · ' der, which was fastened to a tree trunk
with what looked like a traffic channel looked to Morgan like an enormous
Treetops Ill
A guttural babble issued from the They won't hurt you, I can assure you
voder. The alien answered with a warble of that. ' '
of its own. then disappeared with a "It's what I'm here for," Morgan
flying leap into the trees. said. She trusted Fiona, and in any case,
Fiona fiddled with the voder, then she had her finger-needle loaded.
snapped it off. "He was too far away-1 "I'll wait for you, then. But try not
didn't get any of that. But he'll be back. to be more than an hour." Fiona gave
We just have to wait." her the voder, and Morgan stepped for
There were no more guide ropes be ward.
tween the women's tree and the one with The largest of the Fronterans grasped
the basket. They were at the edge of her arm. He was clearly an adult male,
Fronteran territory. Morgan guessed. with a two-pronged penis visible be
" I hope we're not expected to fly neath his body hair. A long keloid scar
through the trees, too," she said. from what appeared to be a bum ran up
"No, they'll take us safely, if they one of his muscular legs. He wore a
decide to let us in. Sometimes they do, waist belt of woven vines that held a
and sometimes not." knife-like implement. and around his
"Tell me what I ought to know." neck dangled a string of glass beads.
Morgan said. "Quickly. I don't want His healed wound did not impair him;
to mess up.'' he guided Morgan with agility along
"There's not much. Ben and I have branchways that she would never have
mostly just watched them from here , attempted alone. His fingers. she saw.
through rhe scope. We've seen them contained gripping pads , as did his toes
gathering food, weaving, building pial and the end of his muscular tail. When
forms. Very simple tools. Family groups. they came to an open space, he encircled
apparently monogamous. No natural her with one arm and his tail and swung
enemies except a few unpleasant in so quickly across on a hanging liana that
sects. · • she had no time to be afraid.
"And the swamp." The other two Fronterans disdained
'
"Yes. We've seen them go down the vine and bridged the gap with pow
occasionally, to gather something, but erful leaps . They said something to
generally they stay on this level. ' ' Morgan's guide and then sped on ahead,
Fiona fell silent as three Fronterans. their hands and feet barely seeming to
slightly larger than the one Morgan had touch the branches.
first seen, approached hand over hand They were out of sight in seconds.
through the branches. They stopped Morgan glimpsed several more of the
near the two women, and Fiona held out hanging baskets. and the mossy branch
the voder as one started to speak. she traversed with her guide had a well
''Come, teacher, yes, yes," the voder worn traffic channel.
translated. "Teacher come see, teacher The channel widened until they stepped
talk. Teacher come alone." from it onto a platform of stout poles
"It looks like I'm not wanted, " Fiona laced together with vines. 1t had a roof
said. '·Do you think you can handle it? of woven leaves. but no walls. Half a
The voder warbled and beeped, and They followed the same route back
the Fronterans looked at one another in to the tree where Fiona waited. The
Fronteran deposited Morgan and left im
apparent puzzlement.
mediately.
Morgan tried again. "How may I
"That was fast," Fiona said. "What
teach you? Do you have children . . .
did you · find out?''
young . . . little ones"-she measured
Morgan grimaced. "Nothing. I'm
with her hands-"that I can teach? My
afraid I made a mess of it, after all. I
people, " she gestured again, "the no
was thrown out."
tails, we teach them when ours are
"What did you say to them?"
young. "
"Not very much. " Morgan didn't
The voder translated most o f the
feel like analyzing it now. "We can re
speech, to the increasing distress of the
play it, back at the camp. Maybe you
Fronterans. They threw back their heads and Ben can figure it out."
and howled, and one of them covered This time Morgan followed Fiona
the firebowl with a perforated lid. He easily along the branchways. her hand
warbled something at Mo�gan, waving resting only lightly on the guide rope.
his hands, and all six disappeared into They climbed the ladder into the open
the surrounding foliage. sky and the cool air of the camp.
Treetops 113
,
Fiona took the voder. "I '11 start "Of course 1 will!" Christinajumped
working on this right away. Want to to her feet. ' ' I ' m not quite as dumb as
come help?" everyone thinks."
"After I've cleaned up a bit." At Both women wore light trail clothing
least she would wash her face, Morgan and insect-veil hats as they descended
thought. Perhaps even a bath-she had into the canopy. This time Christina led
seen what looked like a rain-collector the way. along a roped path that zig
behind her hut. zagged in the opposite direction from
Christina called as Morgan passed her the one Morgan had taken with Fiona.
open door. "Please come in-just for " I ' m not allowed anywhere near the
a minute. " Fronteran settlement." Christina said.
Kras's bride was sitting on the floor "Not since I gave them those beads. "
painting her toenails. "I've been so She shrugged. " I still don't see why it
bored," she complained. She wore a was so awful. I know the Fronterans like
wraparound sarong printed with bright me. See"-she pointed above. to a
flowers, and her hair looked newly white-bearded face peering through the
washed. · • Are you busy? Everyone foliage. "They always follow me.
around here always is. Everyone but whenever I ' m down here. I'd like to talk
me.'' to them, but Fiona won't let me. Bemie,
"Well, I was going to take a bath and either. But then, he doesn't want me to
listen to the voder tape with Fiona. Why do anything but sit in the hut . "
don't you go over there? She can prob ' ' I ' m sure he's just thinking of your
ably use your help, too . ' ' safety," Morgan said. "You·re not
" M e ? Help?" Christina laughed, trained-"
mirthlessly. "All she'd want me to do Christina frowned. "Please. I must
is stay out of her way . ' ' have heard that a hundred times . " She
"Where is Kras?" Morgan asked. reached up to examine a cluster of red
She couldn't help feeling a bit sorry for
petaled airplants. " I could help Hansi
Christina.
with his cataloging. I'd even ride in his
"Oh, he's with Ben, in a big con
sling-1 wouldn't be afraid."
ference. I ' m not welcome there. either.
"Sling?"
"And I can't even take a walk by
"Come on; I'll show you."
myself! Only as far as the landing plat
They proceeded to an area where the
form. back and forth. I ' m not allowed
trees grew farther apart. In one gap
to go down into the trees . Unless--would
Hansi hung suspended below the level
you go with me? It's days since I've
been away from this camp, and I' m of the branches in a pulley-controlled
going absolutely stir-crazy!" harness. "He's studying the lower
Why not? Morgan thought. She was growth," Christina said. "It all changes
already dirty, and the bath could wait. as you approach the swam p . ' '
"I'll change into cooler clothes. •· She Hansi saw them. waved. and raised
looked pointedly at Christina's sarong. himself up. · ' Care to have a look?' ' he
"Maybe you'd better-" invited Morgan. "lt's a different envi-
blonde and petite. And neither did she ting howl. He withdrew the knife from
have important parents. his belt and waved it above the infant.
She banished the last thought as un Morgan screamed, and Kras grabbed
worthy; Kras looked genuinely con the Fronteran's arm.
cerned. "Did you see any Fronterans?" Ben held out the voder. "No. no."
he asked. Morgan said into it. ··r will take the
Morgan nodded. "One." child. You must not harm it." She
Treetops 115
picked up the tiny form and held it to looked much more human than its adult
her. counterparts.
All three Fronterans began to howl Fiona cooed and clucked over it. "I'll
as they edged back toward the ladder. take care of it," she volunteered, ''if
"I can't control the mountain, if that's you don't want to."
what you want , ' ' Morgan said, but she Morgan held it closer. "No, they
couldn't make herself heard above their gave it to me. But . . . do you know
shrieks. The voder beeped, then re what it can eat?"
peated, ··sorrow, sorrow, sorrow . ' ' "Yes," Fiona said. "Well, anyway,
The Fronterans disappeared down the I think so. Come on-1 ' 1 1 help you with
ladder. The baby whimpered and wet it. . .
on Morgan, and Kras groaned. "They The two women retired with the baby
think we can turn off the volcano! Mor to Morgan' s dimly lit hut, where they
gan, what did you tell them, anyway'?'' were joined by Christina. They offered
"She asked about their young," Fiona their tiny guest a variety of mashed fruit,
said. "She tried to explain that we teach which it refused. After they had each
the young. Obviously, 'teach' has a dif had a turn rocking it, it went to sleep
ferent connotation for them. I think they in a bed of towels and dirty laundry.
see Morgan as some kind of a priestess, Kras came in with Ben. "I talked to
and the child is a gift-a sacrifice-to the geo team. They say-"
stop what they believe to be an immi "Shhh!" Morgari pointed to the
nent eruption." sleeping child.
They all looked toward the mountain. "I'll stay with it," Christina whis
"There has been more steam lately," pered eagerly. "You can go talk some
Ben said. where else . ' '
"The geology teams haven't reported Kras lit the way with his beamer to
anything," Kras said. "But I'll give his own hut. Inside, he switched on a
them a call. In the meantime-Morgan, glowglobe and the four arranged them
you'd better return that baby . " selves on the floor.
"lt's too late," Hansi said. "She'll "The volcano's stable," Kras said.
have to wait until morning now." He "There' s no evidence of any new ac
turned to Morgan. "We don't go down tivity . "
after dark." The red sun was already • 'But if it did erupt, ' ' Morgan asked,
halfway below the horizon, and as it "would we-and the Fronterans-be in
sank, night fell with astonishing rapid any danger'?' '
ity. The colors of sunset were brief, and "No. According to the team that's
the volcano cloud glowed for barely a been studying it, it's too far away. The
minute before it, too, was cloaked in last volcanic residue, they say, is over
black. a hundred years old, and that outbreak
''So what am I supposed to do with didn't touch the forest. "
this'?' ' Morgan cradled the baby and ''Then why are the Fronterans such
hushed its whimpering. It had only a nervous Nellies?" Fiona wondered aloud.
thin coat of hair and a tiny tail, and "I think we misunderstood them
Treetops 117
and Ben had managed it. Morgan had " I can guess what went on in there
thought once that it might even come last night," Fiona whispered when they
to something permanent with Kras, but were past. "What they talked about. I
now she saw what a laugh that was. mean. "
He was such an SEF man, everything Morgan could, too, but she told her
by the books. Five years ago, he had self that it was no business of hers.
been different. At least, it had seemed Christina should have known what she
so then. was giving up when she agreed to ac
Five years, Morgan thought. As far company her husband to a primitive
as the two of them were concerned, it outpost.
could have been a lifetime. And she had Kras was waiting at the ladder. "I've
fancied love as the one thing you could been watching through the scope." he
trust. . . . said, "and there's a lot of activity in
She wondered now if he had really their part of the forest. You should be
cared for her at all. More likely it had able to make contact.' • He nervously
been nothing but propinquity: she had clenched and unclenched his fingers.
been the only young and halfway at "What about the voder. Ben?''
tractive human female on Parth. "I couldn't find anything wrong. "
lt wasn't a pleasant possibility to con "Then . . . just do the best you can."
sider. The baby squealed, and Morgan He clapped each of them in turn on the
calmed it with a stroking hand. When shoulder. "Good luck."
she withdrew her touch, it began to In the understorey branches Ben took
thrash. She finally took it with her into the lead, followed by Morgan with the
her hammock, where they both slept baby and then Fiona. · • Kras is really
fitfully, awakened every few hours by uptight about this, isn't he?'' Morgan
the far-off howls of the Fronterans. observed.
"Yes, he is," Ben agreed. "But it's
In the morning, as soon as the forest understandable-he's got a lot riding on
was dry from the night rains, Ben and how we succeed. It's his first command.
Fiona came to get Morgan. The women you know . And his father-in-law got it
made a final attempt to feed the baby. for him. lf he fails, he could lose more
and again it spit everything out. than his job."
However, it was active, and lusty in "lt wouldn't look good for any of
its cries. " I don't think it's suffered us." Fiona added.
any." Fiona said. "Anyway, it'll be The baby struggled in the sling, and
back to its mother soon." Morgan concentrated on keeping her
Morgan made a carry-sling from a balance. When they arrived at the tree
towel, and they filed on to the walkway . crotch, in spite of what Kras had said,
Christina came to her door. "Do you there were no signs of any watching
want to say goodbye?" Morgan asked. Fronterans.
holding out the baby. Ben pointed to the hanging basket.
Christina shook her head. Her eyes "If they don't show themselves, we'll
were swollen and red-rimmed. have to put the baby in there . · '
Treetops /19
was tending a steaming pot suspended times, deep in her throat, but whatever
above a fire, and from time to time she it meant the voder could not pick it up.
added bits of leaves and pinches of pow The guide came back and waited.
der. Her hands and forearms, Morgan •' Another failure." Morgan reported
noticed, sported several of the keloid to Ben and Fiona. . . I don't think I got
scars she had seen before. anything across about who we are. And
The Fronteran female paid Morgan what's worse-now they want us to
no notice. Odd medicinal odors wafted leave."
from various small baskets suspended "Kras will be . . . disappointed, "
from the roof, and a pungent one from Ben said.
the pot. Morgan coughed, and the Fron Fiona snorted. "To put it mildly."
teran whirled and uttered an angry. ha Morgan dreaded giving the news, but
rangue-like warble. when they ran into Kras and Hansi at
The voder translated: "Why you the foot of the ladder, the team captain
come, mountain no-tails? You go back, had other matters on his mind than their
stay (beep, beep) mountain." She pulled report. "Did you see Christina?" he
the glass beads from her neck and threw asked at once. He was tight-lipped and
them at Morgan's feet. "1ake. Take white-faced.
back, mountain." "Why, no," Fiona replied. "What's
Morgan started to say that they didn't the matter-is she missing?''
come from the mountain, but the angry "She's not at the camp. I was hoping
female gave her no chance. Another she was with you. Damn! What could
long warble produced a chorus of voder she be thinking of? She knows better
beeps, then, "Trouble, you bring trou than to come down here alone ! ' '
ble. Want baby. Return baby. What you "How long has she been gone?"
Morgan asked.
teacher want?" More beeps and then,
" I don't know-it could be hours. I
"Trouble, trouble."
was with Hansi, looking at some new
Morgan ignored the question of what
edible epiphytes he found yesterday.
she wanted and did her best to convey
When I went back to our hut, she wasn't
that they came from far beyond the
there."
mountain, from a place where there was
Morgan thought he was overreacting.
no swamp, few trees and they walked
but she didn't say anything. They di
on the ground.
vided into search teams , the Wilders
The Fronteran stared disbelievingly.
together and Morgan with Hansi and
"You are a teacher," Morgan said. Kras. "Let's go to that rope sling of
" I am a teacher, like you . " Best to yours," Morgan said to Hansi. "It's just
avoid all mention of children, she de a hunch, but-·'
cided. "We can teach each other." Kras turned paler. "She'd never try
However the voder translated the to use that. Not in a million years. Not
speech, it didn't please. The Fronteran Christina. ''
turned her back on Morgan and returned A lot you know about her, Morgan
to her steaming pot. She grunted a few thought. Kras continued to protest. but
the camp. Hansi, who was the team had they to lose?
medtech, washed her legs, but the Hansi seconded her suggestion. "They
swamp algae had already begun their would know about phytochemicals." he
pernicious work. Where shoes and socks said. "They would have learned to use
had provided no protection, the skin was them . " Even Kras agreed it was worth
a blistered. peeling. oozing pulp. a chance.
"It's caustic," Hansi said. He ap- Please, please let it work, Morgarr··
Treetops 121
prayed as they carried Christina back been watching Christina's breathing.
into the trees. and she crept up to feel her pulse.
The Fronterans came when Morgan It was weak but steady. "Will she
called, and made clucking noises over live?" she asked into the voder. "Will
Christina's legs. Morgan made her re her legs heal?' •
quest, and they transported the litter, The voder warbled. and the Fronteran
along with Morgan and Kras, to the fe held out her own hands as she answered.
male with the scarred hands. The smug smile appeared again. ''Many
"She fell into the swamp," Morgan times (beep. beep) swamp poison.· • the
said into the voder. "Can you help her? voder voice said. "Many times heal.
Can you heal her legs?' • Tree-people teacher know. Tree-people
The Fronteran examined Christina. teacher know what no-tail teacher not.
then looked up at Morgan and warbled. Yes, yes. This teacher fix hurt no-tail.
It seemed to Morgan that she wore a Hurt no-tail be well."
look of smug satisfaction. "Why you ·'Can we take her away now?'· Kras
teacher not do? " the voder translated. asked. "Can you come with us. back
There was a series of beeps, then. "You to our camp. to take care of her? "
teacher. why you not fix? Why you not The translation brought a sudden
fix? " change of mood: hoots and a staccato.
Morgan spread her hands. " I can't angry warble that the voder could not
do it. I don't have the knowledge." She translate.
adopted a pleading attitude. "You must "Bad suggestion. " Morgan guessed.
help us. I ask it. I beg it. My people, " She'll have to look after Christina
the no-tails. we beg it. " here. "
The old one bent over Christina again "Ask her if I can stay. " Kras said.
and touched the burn-gel. She warbled Morgan did, explaining that Kras was
angrily, and the other waiting Fronter the patient's mate.
ans scurried about the platform and into The healer refused. "You stay." she
an adjoining tree, fetching bowls and said to Morgan through the voder. "You
water and piles of leaves.Morgan and say before. we teach. You. me. I say
Kras kept out of the way. yes.
The assistants washed Christina • s The Fronteran clearly relished her
legs again, iry a green liquid with an superior status. and Morgan had no ob
astringent odor. while the old healer-fe jection to her being in control. It was
male mixed a paste in another bowl. She better for the humans' purposes to be
shooed the others away and applied it underdogs than to be gods. "What do
herself. encasing the legs completely. you want me to teach? " she asked.
Then she wrapped them with layers of "Everything." the voder said.
wet leaves, tying them loosely in place. "Everything you no-tail know."
"She seems to know what she's Morgan walked with Kras to the edge
doing," Kras whispered. "I just hope of the platform. "I really think that
it works on humans. too. " Morgan had Christina is in good hands. · · she said.
IN TIMES TO COME
e David Hardy's September cover is a first for Linda Nagata. lt
illustrates her story "In the Tide," which considers a novel ap
proach to the problems of mining such cluttered regions of
space as the asteroid belt and the Jovian satellites. Obviously
working in such places means working in a space suit, with all
the awkwardness appertaining thereunto--or does it? Given
genetic engineering, might it be possible to come up with a
worker who doesn't need a spacesuit? If you do, to what
extent is that worker "human"?
Jerry Oltion and Lee Goodloe have an impressive novella
that turns the problem of adapting to an unfamiliar environment
around. Most of us would have a lot to learn before we could
function in space, but somebody who grew up there would
have her own problems on a visit to Earth--especially in some
. of its more interesting environments. Rafting the Colorado, for
instance. . . .
Our September issue will also offer a new ·windrider" story
by Eric Vinicoff, and a variety of other stories by such writers
as Kevin O'Donnell, Jr., Amy Bechtef (who wrote last year's very
popular "The Circus Horse"), and Julia Ecklar (well known as
a folk singer and composer). Plus an article by lan Stewart called
"Dicing with Death i n the Solar System," about an application
of chaos theory to a field commonly thought of as too orderly
to need it.
Treetops /23
A diary has its uses, even if it is the sort at the new equipment, most of it un
of random, fragmented, fill-it-out-two crated . that lined the room's walls.
days-late sort of diary like mine. ' ' Good morning. Alison . ·· said Oscar
For instance, from my official work Horowitz's voice from the lab's inner
log I know that the second phase began recesses. "I've had the same worry . We
seven months ago today. But only from thought we wanted it all these years.
my personal diary can I deduce that on Now we've got it we're not sure."
that morning I woke up well before Oscar could see me, bur I couldn't
dawn. "Mylanta. Time runs, the stars see him. I walked back to where he was
move still, the clock will strike . . . • · tucked away in his own corner, behind
say my useful notes. And then, without a row of reagent racks and a gunmetal
any separating punctuation, "Nicotiana file cabinet.
smells heavenly. ' · "Good morning. Oscar."
With this sort of assistance, I know We had shared three thousand good
that I got up suffering from indigestion, mornings. so when he stood up I assume
looked at the clock, and then went to that I looked at him with no particular
the open window. And having got that interest.
far , I would guess that I heard a pre I don't think anyone, under any cir
dawn whisper of waking birds in the cumstances, would call Oscar Horowitz
three oak trees at the end of the yard, a handsome or an attractive man. He
stayed at the window to seek a glimpse was in his late thirties. badly over
of a raccoon padding thoughtfully across weight, and in deplorable physical con
the lawn, and looked for but could not dition. I had never seen him move faster
see the dark red blossoms of flowering than a walk. His dark hair had already
tobacco below my bedroom window. thinned to a frizzy mat that could not
But that was all. No portents, nothing conceal the scalp beneath despite in
genious combing, and he had a fondness
to tell me, in spite of that quote from
for donuts that most mornings (but not
Faustus, that something extraordinary
today) left a faint dusting of powdered
had begun. I had done a hellish thing,
sugar on his cheek or chin.
but no Mephistopheles came to drag me
He was no beauty. On the other hand .
off to Hades .
nor was I .
We were only two days short of sum
"If we don't uncrate that chromatog
mer solstice. I watched until the Sun
raphy unit and plug it in this morning. · •
was on the horizon, then I went to
I said. "the Receiving Department will
shower and eat breakfast: tea and toast
be all over us. We promised last week
and jelly. and one scrambled egg. (No we'd report on its condition. "
help from my diary; unless I am trav "They send u s too much. too much
eling, my stomach insists on a standard at once . · · replied Oscar.
meal first thing in the morning. ) "Mm. 'To be a prodigal's favorite.
B y eight o'clock I was walking down then. worse truth. a miser's pensioner.·
the hill towards the six-hundred acre Except in our case Wordsworth had it
campus. B y 8: 1 5 I was in the lab. staring the wrong way round. If we were ac-
126 Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact
cusromed to new equipment we'd take funding came to rest. Last year we had
all this in our stride and ask for more . ' ' gone through the usual ritual with the
" I ' l l unpack it." Oscar put down his usual pessimism. only to find that some
coffee cup. ''In fact. I'll do that right where, far upstream in the government
now. It's my turn." funding process. a mighty dam had bro
When two people share a small Jab ken. Our research was on replacement
and neither is senior to the other. peace processes in the replication of DNA. a
ful coexistence is best guaranteed by long way from the RNA retrovirus that
strict alternation of duties. Oscar was causes AIDS. But our principal key
right, it was his turn. I had taken deliv words, Blood and Phage and Transcrip
ery, j,ust two days earlier. of a new tion, had somehow hurled our proposal
microtomy and staining system that nei into the thalweg of AIDS mainstream
ther one of us knew how to use. I didn't research. Suddenly we had a million
feel like fighting more manufacturers' dollar grant, fancy new hardware, and
manuals. and in any case I had a nine enough soft money for a dozen graduate
o'clock class. students.
I nodded appreciation and walked on But in spite of all that, we had made
back to my own desk, hemmed in by no additions to the faculty. We still had
three tall bookcases. The mail had al our unqwgraduates. and we still had to
ready been delivered. My "in" tray teach courses . Cell Biology was still
held the latest issues of two monthly Cell Biology, and the arrival of great
journals, plus five preprints that I had funds had not conferred instant knowl
requested. edge and wisdom on our students. In
I sat down, riffled through one of the fact, judging from the results of my last
journals for a few seconds. and reflected class test. the opposite case could be
on the changing status of the Biology made.
Department. As recently as three months I checked my appearance in a mirror
ago, the university had refused to sub hanging from the bookcase in front of
scribe to this journal , arguing that it was my desk. Undergraduates are all right,
expensive and only one faculty member but there is no point in giving them am
had the slightest interest in its contents. munition. Then I picked up my notes
Now. anything that Oscar or I ordered (The eighth time that they had been used
was on our desk within a few days. for the course-time to stop updating
The winds of change, or maybe of with hand scribbles and generate a new
fear. For four years Oscar and I had typed set) and walked to the far end of
submitted proposals to the National Sci the lab. If I initiated an experimental
ence Foundation and the National In run now it should be completed by the
stitute of Health, and seen our requests time that my class was over.
refused outright or squeezed down to a As I did so I glanced at the computer
hardly useful pittance. Small private summary. Apparently yesterday had
universities. with tiny biology depart been another wasted day. All the runs
ments and no Nobel laureates. were not had produced negative results. If our
the places that the ball of government "universal DNA converter" could ex-
wrote: Ifyou have TEA , you don't have produced with half as many chromo
sex. somes and half as much DNA as a nor
.
. Unfortunately, the textbooks often mal body cell. These are called gametes
don't help. They refer to cells produced - that's either the sperm or the
following mitosis. through simple cell ovum-and when they merge to make
division, as daughter cells. That is a bad a fertilized cell that's a zygote
. . . .' ·
name. They are better called neuter off We had been through this six times
spring." in class. How was it possible for stu
While I was talking l looked around dents to miss the point. over and over
the class. Half a dozen students, in again? Was I that bad a teacher? I stared
cluding a Chinese girl and Italian twin at twenty-two faces. half a dozen fol
boys in the front row. were hanging on lowing me. half a dozen yawning or
my every word. Needless to say. they doodling. the rest as perplexed as if I
had been having no trouble at all. The were addressing them in Mandarin.
focal point of classroom ignorance was Then l wondered if it was all relative.
near the back. where three T-shirted I was groping. too, and just as out of
youths drooped over their desks in at my depth. Maybe I was missing some
titudes of extreme exhaustion or bore obvious point in my research, shunning
dom. They stirred and nudged each the self-evident as badly as my dimmer
other when I mentioned the word sex, class members. (Last year one of my
but no matter what I sajd they would go students had gone half a semester in Cell
out of the room as uninformed as when Biology before l found that he didn't
they came in. It was no consolation to know what a helix was. Others told him
realize that their parents were paying it was a sort of spiral . and he'd visu
fourteen thousand a year for the privi- alized the flight of a football.)
For no better reason than easy avail good until two months ago . "
ability, I had used DNA from my own ·'Two. We have not changed the form
cells as the "template" for all our ex of the organism in that period. " He
periments. The DNA that w� were looked up. "Is that true, Alison? What
trying to convert using our biological about the DNA in the template?"
in our conclusions. Second, if we were well as girls, we have not deprived the
right the whole campus was already in human species of its future, and our
globe is much the same as it was before
fected, with no one feeling any the
my DNA spread across its face.
worse. Third, talk of a strongly conta
Much the same. but not quite. The
gious · · plague'' would cause wide
body cells of skin and liver and blood
spread panic. And fourth, there was not
and spleen-and ductless glands-that
a damned thing that anyone could do
suffer DNA replacement are not usually
about the problem.
associated with the "higher" human
"Do you want people to hide away
functions of thought and emotion. Oscar
in their houses?" he said. "To stop and I had wondered if we would ever
shaking hands, refuse to meet strangers, know how far and fast our new organism
lock us away and create new leper col had spread. General human behavior
onies? Look at me, Alison, do I seem should not change, but we could hardly
sick?" go up to Canada or down to Mexico and
He did not. If anything he looked ask random strangers to contribute tis
rather healthier than usual, a little thin sue samples to compare with mine.
ner and a little less seedy. I agreed to But maybe we wrongly define the
"Don't worry, I won't keep the sen "Dr. Sommer," Dr. Thomas Dumata
ators waiting," he called over his shoul nodded, looking as surprised to see
der. Sommer as Willie had. "I thought l saw
you listed for a stint on Capitol Hill
Even after a solid four years in op- today. · ·
Dumata glanced at Willie. "He's part Frowning, Sommer turned back to the
of a mid-range timeline experiment, ' ' line of prisoners. "Willie?"
he said guardedly. "I 'preciate what you're tryin' to say,
··And how many times has he been Dr. Sommer," Willie said. "But. really.
run through Soulminder?' ' I want t' do this. I gotta-" he
"Ah . . . I'd have to look that up--" shrugged-"Iotta stuff to make up for
"I'll save you the trouble: the answer 'fore I die. ' '
is five. He's died and been transferred Sommer stared at him. He'd seen
back five times. So I'll ask you again: Willie when he first came to Soulmin
what's he doing here?" der. Remembered what he'd been
"Dr. Sommer-?" like . . . . "What sort of stuff is that,
"Quiet, Willie. Well?" Willie?" he asked.
"Dr. Sands gave the timeline studies Willie grinned, self-consciously.
an exemption from the standard pol "Come on, Dr. Sommer-you know
icy," Dumata said reluctantly. "It what I did. Shot down those four people
seemed to make more sense to keep for nothin' . " The smile disappeared.
going with the same individuals than to "I wish I could do somethin' for them.
start new batches all the time and have Somethin' to make up for it. But l can't.
to fiddle with the intervals we're us So--" he gestured with his manacled
ing." hands-"1 come here . "
With an effort, Sommer held onto his Sommer looked at Dumata, back at
temper. "And are you aware that the Willie. "You've certainly changed,
ACLU is running a major court chal Willie," was all he could think of to
image of a bisected soul from his mind. ing up the line to them for the past half
"So what can we do?'' hour. He's ready to go out there in per
Royce nodded at the computer ter son if it seems useful . "
minal behind Sands. "It occurred to us "Good. Well, then-"
that if Cavanaugh managed to get him The phone beside Sands trilled.
self on file in two places, there's no Snorting under her breath, she snatched
Compton left. Alone again, Sommer you and he settled things with the Mull
this is a side benefit of Soulminder that The package from Royce arrived
no one's ever thought of." about an hour later. . . . and Sommer
Sands's lip twisted. ··one way or found himself astonished at just how
another, you're determined to make much stuff the FBI had managed to col
Soulminder into a justice machine, aren't lect on Mario Cavanaugh.
you?" As well as just how thorough they'd
"And that bothers you?" been. There were photocopies of Ca
She looked hard n
i to his eyes. "You vanaugh · s school attendance lists. from
know how important image is to people. third grade right through college. His
Soulminder's image is that of hope and high school and college yearbook pho
health and life. The noble side of this tos. as well as a listing of some of the
world, not the dregs. We're an exten clubs he'd belonged to. A summary of
sion of doctors and hospitals-not pris his World War 11 military service. in
ons, not homicide departments. And cluding suggestions that he'd been in
that's the way l want to keep it." volved even then with black market and
"And what about Jonathan Pauley?" other illegal activities. Two sets of wed
Sommer asked quietly. "His company ding pictures, copies of two divorce
paid good money to make him a part of decrees. Ads and official papers from
the Soulminder safety net. If he was each of his various legitimate busi
murdered, don't we owe all of them at nesses, and from some that it was hinted
least the courtesy of doing what we can had been little more than fronts for
to find his murderer?'' money laundering and smuggling op
For a long moment they just stared erations.
at each other. Sands dropped her gaze There was more. Much more.
first. "Just keep it quiet, all right?" she Fascinating reading; but it was a fas
muttered, turning back to her terminal. cination that for Sommer became in
"The negative publicity we're already
creasingly tinged with regret and even
getting is bad enough. I don't want it
impotent anger. The Mario Cavanaugh
any worse. "
reflected in the records was a brilliant
"Right."
and driven man, the sort of man who
For a moment he gazed at her profile,
would probably have been a success in
at the hard determination there. Yes.
any field he'd chosen to apply himself
Sands was the drive behind Soulminder:
to. For all that to have been twisted to
the drive and the spirit and the mind.
the acquistion of power and illegal
Leaving Sommer little more than the
public image. money struck Sommer as a tragic waste.
And, perhaps, the conscience. "You going to stay late again to
Sitting to one side was the newspaper night?'· Sands interrupted his thoughts.
article on Jonathan Pauley that Compton Sommer looked up. vaguely sur
had sent up. Picking it up.
Sommer prised to discover it was already nearly
leaned back in his chair and began to six o'clock. Absorbed in his reading.
read. he hadn't noticed the time passing.
thing, or prove to myself that there's a look of horror. ''Oh, my God," she
nothing there to find . or collapse. whispered, her face turning almost green.
The phone went blank; and Sommer The game was over, and he'd lost.
had just enough time to pick up the Pau The young men moved forward to
Jey article again before Royce came on. gether as he approached, coming to
"This is Royce. " The agent sounded stand directly in front of him. "Mario
tired. Cavanaugh?'' the elder of the two asked
"We just got Gera.karis out of Soul- quietly.
the
Being Alien. Rebecca Ore. TOR. S ?. ? pp.
The Quest for the 36. Stephen Billias. Pop
ular Library (Questar). $3.95. 2 1 0 pp.
reference
Striped Holes. Damien Broderick. Avon.
$2.95. 179 pp. .
The Knight and Knave of Swords. Fritz
library
Leiber. Morrow. $17.95. 303 pp.
Still Life, E. E. Horlak. Bantam. $3.95. 256
pp.
By Tom Easton
The Warlock's Companion. Christopher
Stasheff. Ace. $3.50. 224 pp.
Dreams of Gods and Men. William T.
Quick. NAL, $ ?. 302 pp.
Perchance. Michael Kurland. NAL. S ?. ?
pp.
ably what Billias meant to say. 'Tis a room of male chauvinist carnikopf Sop
pity that Questar doesn't employ any with Hammil and announces that the sun
copy editors or proofreaders worth the will be turned off shortly. Sopwith has
price of a dictionary. three hours to find a mate and qualify
The little old lady in question is one for rescue. Unfortunately, his girlfriend
of three who recruit booking agent Dex has no intention of settling for anything
ter Sinister to find the 36 Just Men (and less than a high church shindig. Fortu
women) whose sheer goodness and vir nately. Sopwith is a star TV interroga
tue keep the entire world from sliding tor. He has a following. he does. as well
down the tubes. The problem is that the as an ugly little pig of a research as
world's wickednesss is getting a bit sistant, and . . . .
much. and there must be. for the first Who. if anyone, will Sopwith marry'?
time in history. a conference of all 36. Consider: Two centuries hence. the ug
Velma. Lillian. and Agatha are three. liest woman in the world, Hsia Shan
Others come to Dexter. but he must go yun. is caught in an attempt to blow up
forth to hunt down-in Maine. Alaska. a chunk of the establishment with a
Tonga. a outhouse-a few more. Word striped hole she has plaited from su
of the ingathering leaks out. the world perstrings. For punishment. she loses
turns hopeful. the three dozen take over everything that makes her ugly-big
Yankee Stadium. and suddenly Dexter tits, sleek. muscular limbs. even. white
Sinister himself must somehow say why teeth. you know. all those atavistic
the world is worth saving. 3. lt is, in fact, so tunny that I heve � sneaking
it's a nobly intended tale. and one suspicion that that "peritonitis" blooper might
that some writers might have handled heve been deliberate.
brass
We are writing in response to John
G . Cramer's Alternate View column of
mid-December . . . Dyson on Space . · ·
While many of Cramer/Dyson's points
were well taken. the overall negative
tone of the article regarding NASA leads
tacks
to unjustified conclusions about the
character and capability of NASA ' s
people and management.
First. it is best to put things in per
spective. There are simply too many
good ideas out there to fund them all.
This has contributed to division within
the scientific and space community. par
ticularly, as Cramer puts it. between the
· · get humans into space at whatever
.
cost . . and the "dump spacellight and
.
do space science with machines . camps.
As not all ideas or projects can be
funded to the levels each party would
desire. there arc many left feeling short
changed and quick to place blame for
funding woes on the success of others.
Dyson's advocacy of a balanced
manned/unmanned program with con
structive scientific emphasis is a refresh
ing break from all this cross-negativism.
Unfortunately. Cramer (used loosely
here. for it is difficult to distinguish
between Cramer's and Dyson·s views
in the article) soon falls into a set of neg
ativisms of his own. He begins by ex
pressing regrets about "paths not taken"
and describes an alternate Apollo Pro
gram of far more extensive and scien
tific lunar exploration: ·'The main thing
that was lacking in Apollo for good sci
ence was lime. ' · Yet such a scenario.
when juxtaposed with Apollo in the way
it actually occurred. seems to imply that
the way Apollo was carried out was
wrong and bad . That because it was
good PR and good politics. its overall
character was fundamentally unclean
and corrupt-a product of an evil. job
protecting. and technocratic burcauc-
I Classified M arketplace
_AN AUGUST/89
THE INNOCENTS
Translation has never been easy
and with aliens, the
subtleties may do you in!
"What incredible luck," SEF colonial allowed to tell them anything unless
director Jamison crowed. He angled his they specifically ask. Hell, the bleeding
gravchair to allow him to Jean back heart xenologists have got us so tied up
wards while he surveyed the cloud it's a wonder we ever find a world we
streaked, blue and green sphere that can use.'· He stabbed with his finger at
filled half the viewscreen. "We'll make the display on the screen. • 'These mon
millions on immigration permits alone, key-men, though, they're trusting as
not to mention the lumber and mining babies. The contact team said they're
rights. It's a gold mine!" eager to know all about us. The 'teach
"Yes, it's a find, in every way," ers' I'm sending won't have any restric
agreed Captain Lorq of Space Explor tions from the xenos, and they're primed
atory Force's military division. "A per with what l want them to say. · • He
fect location for our base in this sector. ' ' grinned. " 'We good guys. We give
He frowned slightly. "I only hope, you nice presents, you let us have land
though, that the natives are as amenable you don't want.' ' ' He leaned back
as you seem to think. Just because again. ·'So, does that answer your ques
they've asked for teachers . . . and are tion?"
you sure that's what they actually said?" The captain returned the grin. "I'll
"There couldn't be any mistake," get started right away with plans for the
Jamison assured him. ·'The contact base."
team used the voder, and it had no dif-
ficulty translating their speech. They One Droop Eye stooped as he stepped
want teachers, all right." He folded his through the low doorway of the mud
hands on his round stomach and smiled and wattle hut. His friend Plumed Tail,
complacently. "Trust me-they· re reclining on a rush mat. looked up sleep-
practically handing us the planet. · ' ily. ·'What brings you abroad so early?
"How do you figure that?" Don't tell me the furless teachers have
Jamison tilted his chair back upright. already arrived!"
"You know the contact rules. No con- "No, not yet, .. One Droop replied.
lamination of an alien culture. We aren't "But everything is ready for them.
-�...-�.......,.
. � .. .
�·-......
hurried through the village clearing into
others?" the surrounding grove. She shinnied up
Plumed Tail's eye antennae wobbled the trunk of a spreading muscale tree,
as he yawned. "I suppose so, now that settled herself io its crotch and spoke
you've awakened me." He groomed her question.
himself hurriedly and selected a loin The leaves above her rustled.
strap of woven sastrax tendrils. "I still "Yes, the strangers are amazingly
can't believe our good fortune. Are you noble," Sweetness agreed. "You see
sure about what the talking box said?" why it would be an insult to offer them
"Yes, absolutely. They want to send even such a small disappointment as an
us teachers. Just think-what wonders inferior sauce. I thought I remembered
they must know! And to be so willing all the ingredients, but something must
to share with us! We can never do them be missing."
enough honor, but we must try. Sweet A branch above her dipped, suspend
ness and her food teams have prepared ing a ripe, spiny-skinned fruit within
a welcoming feast, and I thought we easy reach. Sweetness picked and peeled
might stop by and see what they have it and chewed it reflectively.
ready. · · As she ate. her face brightened. · · Ah,
The two males found Sweetness sur the dried sassagrass. How could I have
veying the heaping bowls arranged on forgotten!" She stroked the bark of the
broad leaves spread over the grass. Float muscale's central trunk, murmuring
flowers provided a shady canopy. and gently. "Thank you. Teacher One Stripe.
a row of laughing children with fans If the furless ones provide us with half
stood insect watch. "It looks perfect, as much wisdom. the tribe will be for
as usual," Plumed Tail said. "Our tunate indeed."
guests should be well pleased.·· On her way back to the compound.
" I don't know." Sweetness said wor Sweetness spoke greetings to Teacher
riedly. "The sauce for the lupods didn't Broken Tooth and spread wetmoss around
turn out quite right. Do you think I have small, recently planted Teacher Scar.
time to run and ask what I did wrong?'' Next to Scar the new burial pits yawned
One Droop stared up at the sky. black and hungry. with the select.ed sap
"Yes. you have time-1 see no sign of lings waiting beside them. "Yes. such
28 August- 1 September