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anything they might suspect. She had completed a general catalog of her
research, and both her personal and professional lives had been put in order.
In a way she was relieved. She was very tired.
She passed a wingtip over a visual switch, and the door slid back to admit
them.
They were attired for aqueous service. Long vests and belts held sealed
pouches that bulged with equipment. The one who had spoken waddled into the
office and without a word strode past her, making for the hygienic cubicle
located in a rear alcove. His companion followed and adopted a casual stance
close to the doorway, gazing with genuine interest at the depth images which
decorated the walls.
 We will not be long. Its gurgling voice betrayed no ulterior motive.  We
have to check out pressure and flow here before proceeding to the next
office.
Lalelelang had not moved from atop the work nest behind the delicate, sculpted
arc of her workstation.  You have to do nothing of the sort. You are here to
kill me.
A flat, bulbous face peered out of the hygienic alcove, ebon eyes shimmering
in the lights. Outside her single window a carnivorous Vhastas glider passed
just below the rising moon, the fluorescent running lights of the nocturnal
flier a flash of lambent green in the darkness. Within the office there was
total silence until the Lepar at the door spoke anew.
 What a strange thing to say, Honored Scholar.
 Is it? You intend to murder me, but you want to be sure of yourselves first.
I believe the Lepar never act without first making sure.
 Obviously you have sought an explanation for the death of your colleague on
Daccar. He had been trying to kill me and instead he was the one who died. In
my quarters. Whereupon I left Daccar rather hurriedly. I knew that despite
your initial disbelief you would eventually settle on me as the cause through
the simple process of patiently investigating and eliminating every other
possibility. I am only surprised that you did not arrive here sooner.
The amphibian stared wordlessly. The first speaker emerged from the cubicle
holding a weapon in one hand. She examined it with practiced detachment.
Fashioned entirely of nonmetallic components, it was larger than the one she
had been threatened with not so very long ago on Daccar. Nor was its shape as
subtle. No attempt had been made by its makers to disguise its purpose. As the
armed individual stepped to one side, his companion drew a similar device from
a vest pocket.
What would be the method this time? More poison, shells, internally explosive
pellets, or something she could not imagine? Not that it would matter.
 Your colleague was going to kill me. So I had to kill him.
 We are curious as to how you managed it. The second speaker was now blocking
the sealed doorway with his body.  It was not believed that any Wais possessed
such capabilities.
 I salute your ignorance. Death s proximity inspired her to flights of
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ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
fatalistic wit.  I may be the only one.
The gun-wielder emitted a deep-throated grunt of satisfaction. The sound
carried as well through the air as it did underwater.  We welcome your
confirmation. Now I will kill you. The muzzle of the weapon rose.
 You cannot.
 Would you end your life on an argument? But the Lepar at the door made a
gesture and his companion paused.
 Why not? he asked.
 There are a number of reasons. Did you think I would do nothing but wait
quietly for representatives of your kind to locate and kill me at their
leisure? Did you believe that having defended myself once I would never do so
again?
 Since our arrival on Mahmahar we have many times checked this entire building
and especially this room. There are no protective mechanisms in evidence. No
intricate alarms, no automatic weaponry, no voice or motion-activated
transmitters. Nothing. Also, there are two of us and we are both armed.
Whatever went wrong on Daccar will not be repeated here. You are defenseless.
 No, I m not. Her beak clicked lightly and even her crest lay passively flat
against the back of her head. The two intruders exchanged a glance.  You place [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]