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side of a mountain high up in the great northern range. While Straat-ien found
the setting attractive and invigorating, it made Lalelelang uneasy. Despite
their avian ancestry the Wais did not care for high, steep places.
A fast-flowing river cascaded symphonically through the steep-sided gorge
below the grounds, which had been creatively sited among the existing Daccaran
evergreens. Higher peaks towered in the distance. Individual apartments were
located in a pair of long, narrow buildings set apart from the main complex.
One was assigned to Lalelelang. The appointments were recently modified and
versatile, having been redesigned with the comfort of non-Humans in mind.
After greeting the newly arrived Lalelelang, Straat-ien remarked somberly that
there appeared to be as many civilians present as active military. It was a
bad sign, suggesting that Cosgrave and Levaughn continued to extend their
personal influence among the Daccaran elite.
Levaughn s very persuasive. Straat-ien spoke as they strolled along a
winding cliffside path. Far below, the river ran its frothing, complaining way
toward the distant sea. And Cosgrave s vain and ambitious. Bad combination.
Then it has begun. Lalelelang was wrapped in thin but warm multiple layers
of clothing. Straat-ien found the alpine climate bracingly cool, but to
Lalelelang it bordered on the frigid. I had hoped circumstances would
disprove my theories.
They may yet. His expression was pensive and uninformative.
She stopped, keeping well back from the thin plastic guardrail. A waterfall
thundered at the head of the gorge. Do you recall the last time the two of us
stood together at the edge of a precipice?
He looked puzzled. Then recognition hit home and he turned away from her,
letting his gaze drift out across the canyon: It was a different time. I
wasn t sure of you. There were a lot of things I wasn t sure about. He was
silent for a moment before looking back to her. You remember that?
Natural enough to recall the moment when someone you consider a friend was
wrestling with the issue of whether or not to murder you. I am glad you made
the choice you did.
Certain he was missing something, he found himself wishing he were more
conversant with the elaborate Wais language of gestures and movements. You re
prejudiced in the matter.
As the Hivistahm would say, truly. She turned serious again. How dangerous
is this man Cosgrave?
By himself not at all. Levaughn s still the one we have to watch out for. He
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needs a wider political base before he can make any overt military moves. If
Cosgrave can wrest legislative control of the planetary government from the
president, he ll have that. Daccar will become the springboard for
Amplitur-inspired subversion of all the Human worlds.
She stepped farther away from the railing. They re here, of course.
Yes. At least, one of them is. Reported to have just arrived. I haven t seen
it yet, but I think it s the same one Levaughn introduced to his original
inner circle: Cast-creative-Seeking.
That would follow. The Amplitur, too, understand the meaning of
specialization. Her voice fell to an introspective murmur. An Amplitur
specialist in Human behavior. It would be interesting to exchange views with
my mind-swaying counterpart. Our theses would be similar but not our
objectives.
How are you holding up surrounded by so many Humans? he inquired
solicitously.
It is not so bad. There are additionally present a few Hivistahm on the
engineering staff of this large facility. We have conversed. There are also
several Lepar. We of course do not converse, but it is nonetheless refreshing
to see still another non-Human face. I believe I have noticed a single
Bir rimor as well. So I do not feel completely isolated.
Straat-ien nodded. Daccar s a pretty cosmopolitan world. Weave species mix
freely here even though the population is predominantly Human.
You breed so prolifically. Her comment was utterly nonjudgmental. Do you
know where the Amplitur is staying?
I have an idea. Premier Cosgrave apparently felt it necessary to install
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