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audience room,  your female parent and your male parent were abandoned in spacecraft when your
Earth persons engaged in onewar. In course of thiswar much damage was done by both particle and
photonic beams, and by kinetic impact of either solid objects or of chemically or atomically explosive
blasts. Your parents could not return to their home. Although we rescued them they were in damaged
state and not well. We were unable to keep them alive, but you were already one quickened ovum, near
to term, and we were successful in preserving you alive. We supplied you with living necessities and
companionship while we 
 Ancient male, Sandy said experimentally,  I have already received this information. He didn t think it
would make the First Major Senior stop, or even blink, and it didn t. All that happened was that Polly
sidled away from Obie s side long enough to give Lysander a quick, savage pinch from behind. The
Fourth Major Senior looked up with thoughtful interest as Polly returned to crouch near the
almost-tumescent Obie.
  investigated certain nearby stars, includingAlpha Centauri, the deep voice rolled on.  That star
was of no use or interest. We have now returned to system of your own planet. You are now adult and
educated. Confirm that this information is verified and not in error.
 It is verified, ancient male, Sandy said, rubbing his bottom. Polly s two-thumbed hand gave nasty
pinches. He was aware that all the females were beginning to move toward Obie.
 We have been observing your planet since first approaching this system. There are certain facts of
interest. First, those electromagnetic signals which originally attracted us to this system, and which
increased exponentially in energy and in number all through our first approach, are now quite sparse. We
do not have good, complete, recent information either byradio or bytelevision. This may be because
yourEarth people have become either numerically few or technologically backward, due to thatwar.
Alternatively, it may be for some other reason.
The First Major Senior paused for a moment, interlacing his six-fingered hands across his belly
meditatively. No one spoke. The Fourth Major Senior absentmindedly left her elevated seat and
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waddled in the direction of the cohort, her eyes on Obie.
 One second new fact of interest, the First Major Senior said then,  is that there are no indications of
powered vehicles anywhere in this solar system. From this we conclude that that inability of yourEarth
persons to enter into space since they blockaded themselves still continues and has not been overcome.
There was a nasal sigh from all the cohort at that.  Oh, pellets! Demmy whispered, and Bottom kicked
him. None of the Major Seniors showed any sign of hearing. Apart from the First, the others were gazing
interestedly at the Fourth, who was sniffing Obie s spine. Her hip pouches were visibly swelling.
 We will, however, the First Major Senior said,  be able to make landing with one of scout craft by
using one polar entry window. Most of debris remains in the plane of thatEarth equator. Significant
quantities are orbiting in other trajectories, but our analysts have identified one number of time periods
during which approach can be made. Fuel costs will be very high, since no use can be made of rotational
speed of planet and power must be applied all through descent phase; and similar costs will be
encountered on return flight. However, that landing is feasible.
Daringly, Polly moved between Obie and the Fourth Major Senior. The Major Senior half raised herself
on her hind legs, glaring at Polly, who sidled resentfully away.
The Fourth Major Senior addressed the group of her peers.  Excuse us and do not be offended, she
said decorously, and led Obie away with a grip on the back of his neck.
 Yes, of course, the First Major Senior said to her back.  Well, I think that is all that need be said in
any event. You Lythander, you remember that, though you areEarth human, you are also Hakh hli. We
Hakh hli gave you life. We Hakh hli wish only to help yourEarth humans to correct errors of their own
folly. But we must go with caution, and so we require you to carry out your mission fully and exactly and
not without success. Will you, Lythander, do this?
 I will, said Sandy, hoping the interview was over.
No such luck. The Second Major Senior stirred herself.  You must be clever and true and not disloyal,
Lythander, she said severely.  YourEarth people are vain, idle, careless, and deceitful. They are
spoilers. They have spoiled their planet. You must be like us and not like them in your actions on this
Earth.
 All right, Sandy growled, shifting from one foot to another.
The First Major Senior shed a consoling tear.  What these people do on their planet is their guilt and not
yours, Lythander, he said generously.  You need not swallow your own spit over this matter. Now you
may all go.
There were no rough-and-tumble games in the waiting room this time. There was only waiting waiting
for Obie to finish his amphylaxis with the Fourth Major Senior and return from their lek. And the waiting
was not at all pleasant, because all three females of the cohort were simmering. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]