[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
problem, or even worse"-and his distress was palpable even to the Hivistahm-''
Humans.''
"Truly I would not on my homeworld wish this being loose," agreed
Eighth-of-Records.
' 'Let them take the scientists to Eirrosad if they wish to study it." Teoth's
legs drifted lazily.
Sixth-of-Technics clicked claws together. "What do you think should be done?"
"I am not sure." Three eyes blinked. "I am only a simple technician like
yourself. But I do know that this matter is too important to be left to the
likes of self-serving scientists."
A group of gamboling S'van came near, and the trio went silent until they had
passed. "Are you something uncivilized preparing to propose?"
"I would not think of it that way," Teoth argued. "I am only saying that those
who are closer to the people should take it upon themselves to carefully
monitor
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se%20Mirror.txt (36 of 139) [7/1/03 12:04:33 AM]
file:///F|/rah/Alan%20Dean%20Foster/Foster,%20Alan%20Dean%20-%20The%20Damned%2
002%20-%20The%20False%20Mirror.txt the situation."
The two xenologists regarded the prisoner thoughtfully. Its occasional
volubility notwithstanding, it remained as much of an enigma as when they had
first encountered it.
Half the pair was S'van. He was typically short and squat. A dense black beard
practically obscured his face. More thick, wiry hair was visible where his
wrists and ankles emerged from his clothing. His eyebrows threatened to
obscure his vision.
His Massood associate towered over him, her uniform of ship-duty vest and
shorts snug against close-cropped silvery fur, gray cat eyes alert to the
captive's every move, black-tufted ears flicked alertly forward. Her muzzle
and whiskers were in constant motion. As she worked she picked at her short,
sharp teeth, a type of grooming as natural to the Massood as breathing.
"I don't understand it." The S'van spoke in a soft, reassuring tone much like
the recordings Ranji was familiar with. It was as tranquil a voice as a
Vandir's. Certainly his interrogator was anything but physically intimidating.
Hardly a being to be afraid of, Ranji told himself. The S'van's manner was at
all times cordial and civilized.
The Massood female was much more physically impressive. Taller man Ranji but
not as strong, her attention was concentrated on the compact device she
carried.
Probably recording everything he did or said, he decided. Not that he minded.
He had nothing to hide and could do nothing to prevent it in any event.
He paid close attention as the finely tuned translator they had given him
interpreted their conversation.
"His responses are typically Ashregan," the S'van was saying. "Even to the
trick questions I composed."
"That is my opinion also." The Massood gazed at the silent prisoner. "Mentally
and emotionally he is completely Ashregan. Physically he is unique. You have
seen the preliminary medical report?"
The S'van bobbed his head. "Internally he's as Human as your average soldier
from Earth. The differences be tween Humans and Ashregan are
modest, but distinct. In this one they're absent except for the notable
exceptions of the skull and fingers. He displays the familiar Ashregan bony
ridges over recessed ears, the same expanded eye sockets, flattened nose, and
the longer fingers with the extra knuckle on each." He gazed at the pocket
readout screen that rested alight on his lap.
"Of course we're not supposed to concern ourselves with physiology. That's for
others to delve into. We're supposed to be working on his mind, not his guts."
"What do you intend to do with my mind?" Ranji inquired politely. "Do you
think this will do any good?"
"There!" The S'van xenologist was pleased. "That's the most Humanlike response
he's given yet. No Ashregan would volunteer such a sarcastic remark in the
course of an interrogation."
"I was not being sarcastic." Ranji leaned back in his chair. "You don't
understand my people at all. We may look a lot like your Humans but our
thought processes are completely different . . . thank the Purpose! Your
obtuse-ness on this matter is wearying."
The S'van was not easily baited. "Oh, I don't know. I think the psychological
data base we've managed to construct from interviews conducted with thousands
of your kind down through the centuries has resulted in a pretty accurate
profile of Ashregan thought processes." He chuckled and stroked his tangled
steel-wool beard. Among Weave races the S'van were reputed to have the most
highly developed sense of humor, together with, perversely, the otherwise
utterly barbaric Humans.
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ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
"There should be a Human xenologist present," said the Massood, hastening to
add, "I intend no suggestion of incompetence, D'oud."
"That's all right, though I'm not sure I agree with you. I don't know that a
Human xenologist would bring any more insight to this process."
"What are you going to do with me?" Ranji asked them. "Different interrogators
give me different answers."
D'oud belched. His Massood companion looked pained. "You are being taken to a
Weave world for study. You confuse us. We are convinced that you are some type
file:///F|/rah/Alan%20Dean%20Foster/Foster,%2...%20Damned%2002%20-%20The%20Fal
se%20Mirror.txt (37 of 139) [7/1/03 12:04:33 AM]
file:///F|/rah/Alan%20Dean%20Foster/Foster,%20Alan%20Dean%20-%20The%20Damned%2
002%20-%20The%20False%20Mirror.txt of mutant, though whether natural or
induced it's premature to guess. That will be for the specialists to
determine.
"We tend to think that many of your Humanlike physical characteristics are the
result of Amplitur interference, of an attempt on their part to develop more
effective warriors. Bioengineering on a large scale is standard Amplitur
modus.
We know from Koba that you are not an isolated example and that there are
others of your physical type."
"I don't have any Human properties." Ranji controlled his anger. "I'm entirely
Ashregan."
"So you have repeatedly insisted." The S'van's eyes glittered. "I'm sure
you're telling the truth as you believe it. The reality will eventually emerge
only from unprejudiced analysis."
The Massood's upper lip curled by way of emphasis. "Your type is taller,
stronger, faster, and according to the reports more aggressive than the
average
Ashregan. In short, Humanlike. How the Amplitur have managed this we do not
know, but they can pick apart DNA as easily as I would dismember a small food
animal."
"The Amplitur have done nothing to me. I am Ashregan and only Ashregan.
Analyze all you wish. You'll find nothing to support your ridiculous
suppositions."
The S'van sighed as he flipped off his readout and rose. Clearly the interview
was at an end. It was Ranji's turn to smile.
"I'll be happy to talk with you whenever you like. There's always the chance
of winning an enemy to the Purpose."
The two xenologists departed. "We need much more in the way of in-depth study
facilities," the S'van was saying as he exited Ranji's cubicle. "These cursory
interviews do not-" the door slid silently shut behind them, cutting him off
in mid-declaration.
Shortly thereafter it reopened to admit a familiar bulbous, guileless face. A
student of alien expression would have noted immediately that the smile with
which Ranji greeted this new arrival was quite different from the one he had
so recently bestowed on his interrogators.
"Purposeful greetings to you, Itepu."
"Warm water and light currents." The Lepar had acquired the habit of bringing
Ranji's meals to him personally. It gave them more time to talk. Itepu enjoyed
their conversations, so long as the Ashregan kept them simple. There was much
to learn from him, and Itepu liked to learn.
Ranji swung his legs off his bed and bent to inspect the meal. As usual, the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl rafalstec.xlx.pl
problem, or even worse"-and his distress was palpable even to the Hivistahm-''
Humans.''
"Truly I would not on my homeworld wish this being loose," agreed
Eighth-of-Records.
' 'Let them take the scientists to Eirrosad if they wish to study it." Teoth's
legs drifted lazily.
Sixth-of-Technics clicked claws together. "What do you think should be done?"
"I am not sure." Three eyes blinked. "I am only a simple technician like
yourself. But I do know that this matter is too important to be left to the
likes of self-serving scientists."
A group of gamboling S'van came near, and the trio went silent until they had
passed. "Are you something uncivilized preparing to propose?"
"I would not think of it that way," Teoth argued. "I am only saying that those
who are closer to the people should take it upon themselves to carefully
monitor
Page 43
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
file:///F|/rah/Alan%20Dean%20Foster/Foster,%2...%20Damned%2002%20-%20The%20Fal
se%20Mirror.txt (36 of 139) [7/1/03 12:04:33 AM]
file:///F|/rah/Alan%20Dean%20Foster/Foster,%20Alan%20Dean%20-%20The%20Damned%2
002%20-%20The%20False%20Mirror.txt the situation."
The two xenologists regarded the prisoner thoughtfully. Its occasional
volubility notwithstanding, it remained as much of an enigma as when they had
first encountered it.
Half the pair was S'van. He was typically short and squat. A dense black beard
practically obscured his face. More thick, wiry hair was visible where his
wrists and ankles emerged from his clothing. His eyebrows threatened to
obscure his vision.
His Massood associate towered over him, her uniform of ship-duty vest and
shorts snug against close-cropped silvery fur, gray cat eyes alert to the
captive's every move, black-tufted ears flicked alertly forward. Her muzzle
and whiskers were in constant motion. As she worked she picked at her short,
sharp teeth, a type of grooming as natural to the Massood as breathing.
"I don't understand it." The S'van spoke in a soft, reassuring tone much like
the recordings Ranji was familiar with. It was as tranquil a voice as a
Vandir's. Certainly his interrogator was anything but physically intimidating.
Hardly a being to be afraid of, Ranji told himself. The S'van's manner was at
all times cordial and civilized.
The Massood female was much more physically impressive. Taller man Ranji but
not as strong, her attention was concentrated on the compact device she
carried.
Probably recording everything he did or said, he decided. Not that he minded.
He had nothing to hide and could do nothing to prevent it in any event.
He paid close attention as the finely tuned translator they had given him
interpreted their conversation.
"His responses are typically Ashregan," the S'van was saying. "Even to the
trick questions I composed."
"That is my opinion also." The Massood gazed at the silent prisoner. "Mentally
and emotionally he is completely Ashregan. Physically he is unique. You have
seen the preliminary medical report?"
The S'van bobbed his head. "Internally he's as Human as your average soldier
from Earth. The differences be tween Humans and Ashregan are
modest, but distinct. In this one they're absent except for the notable
exceptions of the skull and fingers. He displays the familiar Ashregan bony
ridges over recessed ears, the same expanded eye sockets, flattened nose, and
the longer fingers with the extra knuckle on each." He gazed at the pocket
readout screen that rested alight on his lap.
"Of course we're not supposed to concern ourselves with physiology. That's for
others to delve into. We're supposed to be working on his mind, not his guts."
"What do you intend to do with my mind?" Ranji inquired politely. "Do you
think this will do any good?"
"There!" The S'van xenologist was pleased. "That's the most Humanlike response
he's given yet. No Ashregan would volunteer such a sarcastic remark in the
course of an interrogation."
"I was not being sarcastic." Ranji leaned back in his chair. "You don't
understand my people at all. We may look a lot like your Humans but our
thought processes are completely different . . . thank the Purpose! Your
obtuse-ness on this matter is wearying."
The S'van was not easily baited. "Oh, I don't know. I think the psychological
data base we've managed to construct from interviews conducted with thousands
of your kind down through the centuries has resulted in a pretty accurate
profile of Ashregan thought processes." He chuckled and stroked his tangled
steel-wool beard. Among Weave races the S'van were reputed to have the most
highly developed sense of humor, together with, perversely, the otherwise
utterly barbaric Humans.
Page 44
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
"There should be a Human xenologist present," said the Massood, hastening to
add, "I intend no suggestion of incompetence, D'oud."
"That's all right, though I'm not sure I agree with you. I don't know that a
Human xenologist would bring any more insight to this process."
"What are you going to do with me?" Ranji asked them. "Different interrogators
give me different answers."
D'oud belched. His Massood companion looked pained. "You are being taken to a
Weave world for study. You confuse us. We are convinced that you are some type
file:///F|/rah/Alan%20Dean%20Foster/Foster,%2...%20Damned%2002%20-%20The%20Fal
se%20Mirror.txt (37 of 139) [7/1/03 12:04:33 AM]
file:///F|/rah/Alan%20Dean%20Foster/Foster,%20Alan%20Dean%20-%20The%20Damned%2
002%20-%20The%20False%20Mirror.txt of mutant, though whether natural or
induced it's premature to guess. That will be for the specialists to
determine.
"We tend to think that many of your Humanlike physical characteristics are the
result of Amplitur interference, of an attempt on their part to develop more
effective warriors. Bioengineering on a large scale is standard Amplitur
modus.
We know from Koba that you are not an isolated example and that there are
others of your physical type."
"I don't have any Human properties." Ranji controlled his anger. "I'm entirely
Ashregan."
"So you have repeatedly insisted." The S'van's eyes glittered. "I'm sure
you're telling the truth as you believe it. The reality will eventually emerge
only from unprejudiced analysis."
The Massood's upper lip curled by way of emphasis. "Your type is taller,
stronger, faster, and according to the reports more aggressive than the
average
Ashregan. In short, Humanlike. How the Amplitur have managed this we do not
know, but they can pick apart DNA as easily as I would dismember a small food
animal."
"The Amplitur have done nothing to me. I am Ashregan and only Ashregan.
Analyze all you wish. You'll find nothing to support your ridiculous
suppositions."
The S'van sighed as he flipped off his readout and rose. Clearly the interview
was at an end. It was Ranji's turn to smile.
"I'll be happy to talk with you whenever you like. There's always the chance
of winning an enemy to the Purpose."
The two xenologists departed. "We need much more in the way of in-depth study
facilities," the S'van was saying as he exited Ranji's cubicle. "These cursory
interviews do not-" the door slid silently shut behind them, cutting him off
in mid-declaration.
Shortly thereafter it reopened to admit a familiar bulbous, guileless face. A
student of alien expression would have noted immediately that the smile with
which Ranji greeted this new arrival was quite different from the one he had
so recently bestowed on his interrogators.
"Purposeful greetings to you, Itepu."
"Warm water and light currents." The Lepar had acquired the habit of bringing
Ranji's meals to him personally. It gave them more time to talk. Itepu enjoyed
their conversations, so long as the Ashregan kept them simple. There was much
to learn from him, and Itepu liked to learn.
Ranji swung his legs off his bed and bent to inspect the meal. As usual, the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]