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of the scientific staff had disappeared at the same time suggested that something important was
happening. Yet, the news channels continued with their usual mixture of crime, scandal, and political
jockeying for position. Nor had the news made mention of humanity s first encounter with intelligent
aliens. Not once since Sar-Say had learned enough Standard to understand the broadcasts had they
hinted at what had happened in that far off system where he had been captured. In fact, he had often
listened to supposedly learned humans pontificate on the fact thatHomo sapiens was likely the only
intelligent species in the universe. The self-centeredness of such claims was astonishing to Sar-Say, who
had personally interacted with more intelligent species than there were individual humans aboard
PoleStar.
His long captivity had given Sar-Say a great deal of time to think about humans. He was coming to
understand them about as well as one species could understand another. The most powerful of human
instincts was their curiosity. Like the lesser primates of Earth, which Sar-Say knew he resembled, that
curiosity stemmed from the fact that human beings were omnivorous fruit eaters. Just as the ability to spot
a ripe banana across a forest clearing had led to humanity s ability to see in color, the search for
sustenance had sharpened their monkey curiosity.
Sar-Say s people were also descended from dwellers of trees, or at least, large plants. Like the humans,
his ancestors had traveled in the tops of the tangled vine forests of Home. Like the humans, they had
been chased out of the vines by bigger, more rapacious predators. Forced to live largely in the lower
forests, his people had developed the intelligence that eventually allowed them to dominate Home in
precisely the same way that the humans had come to dominate Earth.
None of Sar-Say s thoughts was apparent to those who monitored him at the security workstations. To
them, he appeared to be hanging from a pipe in the cluttered overhead of his cabin. In actuality, he was
merely holding his body steady in the weightless environment, but the position made him look like an
orangutan dangling from a tree limb. Sar-Say was aware that the humans found his resemblance to the
lower primates humorous, even comical. He did not mind. Better to be the butt of jokes than the object
of fear. Sar-Say was learning how much he had in common with his captors.
It would have been better for them had it been otherwise.
#
Dieter Pavel led the way through the corridors of the PoleStar Habitat to his office. En route, they
encountered several people Mark Rykand did not recognize. They had been gone only ten days, and in
that short time, the populace of the station seemed to have increased by a significant percentage.
 Who are these people?
 Scientists from all over Earth, Pavel replied over his shoulder as he pulled himself along the  barber
pole used to navigate the weightless corridor.  We had twenty-two scientists and technologists dumped
on us two days after you left. Hancock Mueller has started doubling up on the room assignments. Before
too much longer, you both may be getting roommates.
Lisa laughed. The sound sent an electric thrill down Mark s spine.  And I remember how empty the
habitat seemed when we first came aboard!
They reached Pavel s office. He ushered them inside, then sealed the door before floating to his desk and
securing himself behind it. He gestured for the two of them to slip into the foot restraints in front of the
desk. When they were properly anchored, he leaned back and regarded both of them.
 Welcome home, you two. Did you have fun on Earth? He noted the exchange of glances that took
place between the two lovers, and felt a moment of irritation that Lisa seemed to have taken herself out
of circulation.
 Mark and I toured the Rock! Lisa gushed.
 What rock?
 The Rock of Gibraltar, of course.
 Why?
She told him about her famous ancestor and his part in the Fourteenth Siege. She cut the explanation
short when he seemed to lose interest midway through her story. She finished lamely with,  What s been
going on here?
 You don t know?
 Know what?
 Whendid the two of you leave the conference, anyway?
 Three days ago, Mark answered.  We were held up at Equatorial Station whenMercanter s Wind
picked up a maintenance squawk. They had to fly a part up from Earth.
 Then you missed the last couple days in Al-Hoceima.
Both of them nodded, puzzled at the direction the conversation was going.  What about Al-Hoceima?
 Nothing much. For the last two days, they have been arguing over the coming expedition.
 Expedition? Lisa asked.  What expedition?
 Director Bartok convinced Coordinator Halstrom that it is imperative for us to go find the Zzumer sun.
Both listeners let their jaws drop. Mark was the first to recover.  That man must have the persuasive
powers of an Arkansas bible thumper.
 Don t be so modest, Mark. You and Lisa are at least partially responsible for the decision.
 Us?
 You are the ones who brought Mikhail Vasloff back to the conference with you.
 He found us, not vice versa!
 No criticism intended. Apparently, the Director told Coordinator Halstrom that if Vasloff could figure
out what was going on, others will, too. The coordinator doesn t want to go public until after we know
whether to believe Sar-Say s stories.
 The public is bound to find out sooner or later, Mark said.
 Perhaps, but if we move quickly, we may be able to get the expedition away before someone goes [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]