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can t mess with your minds. You re more equal to us than anyone else, even the
Massood.
Careful to employ its empty hand, the first Lepar gestured toward Lalelelang.
Why do you not simply suggest her? Order her to reveal the details of the
transmission scheme and the location of the threatening storage beads so that
we can render it all harmless?
The soldier grinned. Don t you think we thought of that when she first came
to us? She set everything up in advance so that we can t touch her. Any more
than you can. Suggesting her would activate special redundancies she s
installed. That s assuming it would work in the first place. She s
strong-willed. No, playing with her mind at this point is too chancy.
Besides, what she says makes sense. We can use each other s help. From my own
standpoint as one of the Core, I know how hard it is to be isolated all the
time, to always be looking over your shoulder. She chuckled tersely. We
won t show yours to anybody else if you don t show them ours.
I believe I follow your meaning if not your syntax, the Lepar replied. You
will keep the secret of our ability to resist Core and Amplitur mind-probes?
Yes. Provided you do the same concerning our existence. Together we ll
monitor my own rowdy kind as well as the activities of the Amplitur. You have
easy access to people and places that are often denied to us, and vice versa.
I think you ll find us good friends as well as valuable allies. She shrugged.
Anyway, it s the only rational course of action the canary s left open to
us.
The Lepar looked at one another. We do not have the authority to sanction
such an agreement.
Didn t expect that you did. Convey everything that s happened here to your
superiors. She nodded toward the contemplative Lalelelang. You know how to
find us, and we certainly know how to find you.
We are putting up our arms now. Very slowly, the two amphibians returned
their weapons to their respective pockets. When this was done the door guard
performed a strange little bow in Lalelelang s direction.
You work great things here, Scholar. I personally would not have thought it
of a Wais, much less of an academic.
Generalization is always dangerous, she responded. I am not your ordinary
Wais.
On this point we are all of us present agreed, the Lepar replied fervently.
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We are all something else, she added, or had you not noticed? This time
the Human as well as the Lepar eyed her questioningly. The four of us here
are all female.
What of that? wondered the other Lepar.
In addition to our professions we have the added responsibility of
procreation. Leastwise the three of you do. I am too old, and sometimes I
mourn for lost opportunities. As you go your separate ways I ask you to
consider the future you will be leaving to the offspring you have not yet
birthed. Do your utmost to bequeath to them a civilization of diverse peoples
that is peaceful and true.
It seems we have little choice, said the door guard.
That s right. The Human soldier nodded by way of confirmation. It s no
longer a matter of whether she lives or dies. She s pushed everything beyond
that. She s taken herself out of the equation by making herself extraneous.
I understand you. The Lepar at the door considered the Human. Is it really
true that your species has never known happiness or contentment?
Not from what I ve seen of my history, Pila responded. We ve always been
good at war, but we ve never been able to handle peace. Maybe you can give us
some pointers. Bearing in mind that we have to keep a wary eye on the squids.
The Lepar hesitated, then stepped forward and extended a lightly webbed,
slick-skinned hand. While not binding, I believe this is the proper mode of
signifying agreement.
Smiling, the soldier lightly gripped the proffered fingers with her free hand.
Unlike the Lepar, she did not put aside her weapon, but this was to be
expected and the Lepar was not offended.
Lalelelang briefly closed her eyes tight. No one had died, there had been no
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