Part 20 (2/2)

WHY SHOULDN'T THEY? THEY DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING ELSE THEY DO. Grin's narrow shoulders raised in a very Human shrug.

”Suppose”--Thian stopped to orient his thoughts-”the queens did not develop the technology they're using, but adapted it to their use?” The concept clearly startled his listeners. He leaned forward, developing the theory. ”I believe there was an ethnic group that could perfect any sort of mechanical or electronic technology but could not, for some reason, take the next step upward in that technology. Perhaps that's what the queens are: perfectionists but not originators.”

”Hmmm.” Sam nodded his head, looking at his colleague, and Grm seemed to be considering the notion too. ”We still have to find a way to keep them contained.” Then, exchanging a glance with Grm, Weiman excused himself from the lounge.

I've goto ngproblem, Elizara, Medical Prime Zara 'pathed to her mentor and instructor.

And what would that be? Elizara's prompt return thought traveled the distance between Earth and Iota Aurigae.

I'm not sure it's ethical or medical, but did you realize that there are no species on Clarf, or any of the other Mrdini planets, similar to them?

That's a well-known fact, m'dear.

Then how do I experiment? There was anguish and alarm m Zara's question, and suddenly what she said was painfully and dreadfully clear to Elizara. Surprise, and shock, kept her from forming an answer, and Zara went on. We Humans have pigs and mice and rats and other mammalian creatures whose anatomy, and responses, we can use for experimentation. But we b.l.o.o.d.y don't have any other species like Mrdinis to use in the laboratory. There simply is no other life-form that does the same thing they do when they are reproducing.

Ah yes, well . . . Elizara bought more time as her mind frantically went through the known categories of species, some of which were definitely alien and also definitely not Mrdini. That is certainly a problem.

I mean, I've got all the facilities I could possibly need and some of the best young Mrdini medics to a.s.sist, as well as their equipment-which, by the way, I don't know how to use . . . but I'm learning. But how can I possibly do any substantive experimentation that will give us any sort of an answer? I've nothing to practice on! And-the wail of moral outrage gave way to a far more human despair-old Frtlmp is hemming, hawing, turning itself upside down not to let us try to a.n.a.lyze what chemicals they put into the air of the hibernatory. And I've got to have that information, Yes, indeed you do. I shall spea% immediately to High Councillor Gf(tmglnt.

Pine. I'd appreciate it. Very much, replied Zara, punctuating her phrases with telepathically transmitted sighs that made Elizara smile, despite herself.

The other ethical issue facing Zara was not something she could as easily solve. And one that had certainly not come to her mind when Councillor Gktmglnt approached her with the Mrdini contraception request. Unique the species was, but she hadn't quite realized how, or that there were indeed no other even vaguely similar creatures on the Mrdini planets. Perhaps, in some prehistoric time on Clarf, primitive 193.

Mrdinis had prevented or interfered with the evolution of biologically similar life-forms. Whatever! That did not help Zara face, or solve, the problem.

In this instance, my dear, Elizara said compa.s.sionately, I thinwe must approach the problem on an empirical basis. While it would be helpful to have laboratory specimens on which to experiment, such are not available. Have you discussed this problem with any of the 'Dim medics?

Oh yes, Zara replied quickly, in such a tone of voice that Elizara realized she had not received the answer she needed. They reminded me that Mrdini do not hesitate to go on the line when it is necessary for the survival of the species.

Elizara shuddered and felt that Zara had done the same.

I can't-Zara's voice was a wail of distress-do that, Elizara. I just can't.

Then concentrate on the empirical, dear. That's all we can do. I shall stand by your modus operandi, no matter what.

Thanks, Ehzara. A little of the very young Zara whom Elizara had taken in as her student crept into that response.

I'm always open to you, m'dear.

And the contact broke.

Better get out here, Laria. Four extremely dejected Mrdini just walked in, Lionasha said.

Dejected? But they've just been in hibernation. Laria and Kincaid scrambled out of her bed and 'ported to the Tower foyer.

TIP, HUE Laria was down on her knees, embracing the shriveled, weary creatures that stared with hooded polls at the ground. Kincaid was hugging his pair and calling for restoratives which Lionasha was already preparing. The other 'Dinis cl.u.s.tered in an anxious circle, not the usual hilarious and joyous one with which returning 'Dinis were greeted, 'Dinis who were usually eager to resume their duties. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU?.

She remembered how angry the keeper had been to have them arrive at the hibernatory so late, but surely a Mrdini keeper did not exact punishment for delays.

COLD. TERRIBLE. NO JOY. NO REFRESHMENT. Tip and Huf pushed into her arms as if they couldn't get close enough.

THERMAL COVERS, FIG, SIL, DIG, NIM, Lionasha ordered.

s.h.i.+FT IN ALL PILLOWS TOO, Vanteer called after the 'Dinis hurrying to obey, murmuring in disturbed whispers as they went.

Should we asf{for a healer to come? Kincaid asked.

How could they be released in this condition? Laria said angrily, soothing her pair with kisses and fondlings, all the time holding them as close to her as she could. Their sfyns are all wrinkled and they feel squishy. They've never been this way before.

Nor mine, said Kincaid, in a tone that gave warning that he intended to investigate thoroughly.

What's wrong? What's happened? Morag, Kaltia and their 'Dinis 'ported in, fortunately close to the steps as if both had ”seen” where it was safe to arrive.

”We don't know,” Laria said, struggling to keep her tone even.

”They're very sick,” Morag said as Dar and Sim clung to her legs. Kev and Su had wrapped flippers about Kaltia, their poll eyes wet with fear.

The 'Dinis burst into the room, arms filled with pillows, trailing thermal covers, and instantly Morag and Kaltia arranged these into a nest, into which Kincaid and Laria put their wasted-looking 'Dinis. Lionasha offered the hot drinks she had prepared with herbs she knew were restorative for Mrdini.

”Shouldn't we get a healer for them?” Morag asked. 'There's supposed to be healers at the hibernatory for emergencies,” Laria said, barely able to suppress the anger she felt.

Suddenly the door to the Tower flew open and Plus, followed by other medium-large gray Mrdinis, charged right up to the invalids. MOST APOLOGIES, PRIME LARIA. CAN NEVER SUITABLY AMEND

1.

APPALLING CONDITION OF YOUR DEVOTED FRIENDS. HERE ARE HEALERS TO ATTEND. CLEVER PRIME TO ALREADY START TO DO THE NECESSARY CARING. WE DID NOT KNOW THAT YOUR FRIENDS WERE THERE.

JUST WHAT THE h.e.l.l HAS HAPPENED?.

Easy, Laria. It's as upset as you are or Plus would not just barge in here, Kincaid said. WE AWAIT AN EXPLANATION, he added in Mrdini, folding his arms in a fas.h.i.+on that was tantamount to an insult to Mrdinis.

Plus kept bowing, apologizing, almost incomprehensible in the speed with which it delivered regrets, remorse and promises of rest.i.tution.

SLOW DOWN, PLEASE, ESTIMABLE PLUS. WE CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU SAY. Laria had caught a garble about inhibiting creation without harm and how were they going to treat so many sick 'Dinis with so few to heal the desperately deprived.

HEATING OF HIBERNATORY AT FAULT. COULD NOT REACH a.s.sISTANCE. MANY SUFFER. WE COME TO YOU FIRST OF ALL COLORS.

I'll bet they did, Vanteer said, for he had folded his arms as well to indicate the displeasure of the entire Tower. They can't afford to lose our goodwill.

You would ta^e that position! Laria retorted, eyes flas.h.i.+ng so angrily that Vanteer flinched as if she had lashed at him mentally as well. She would have liked to, considering the mundanity of his remark. THE TOWER SERVES CLARF'S NEEDS NO MATTER WHAT OR WHEN, PLRGTGL.

HONORABLE, HONORABLE PRIME. Plus kept on bowing. THESE FOUR UNFORTUNATES HAVE NOT BENEFITED. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THEY COULD BE SENT TO IOTA AURIGAE, WHERE SPECIAL TREATMENT IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE?

OF COURSE. BUT THEY ARE SCARCELY IN A CONDITION TO TRAVEL ANYWHERE, Laria pointed out. SURELY HERE IN CLARF . . .

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