Part 33 (2/2)

any such underwater a.s.sault. I'm building an imagi- nary defensive ring around the town.”

”It doesn't matter,” Mayor Pua'ahorofenua said testily. ”We'll keep our systems operative three hun- dred and sixty degrees. Just in case.”

”That's just what I'd do if I were in your position.”

To Cora, the simple fis.h.i.+ng and gathering village was fascinating. On several of the ocean worlds on which she had worked, floating resorts had been con- structed on polymer rafts. Occasionally she had en- countered an isolated floating research facility. Never anything of this complexity, she mused. Not a com- plete community, with homes and places of work and recreation, of local commerce and schooling. Right now the illusion was that people actually worked and walked on solid land. It was at its most effective near the center of town, away from the sea. The walkway under her feet did not sway at all, yet she knew only meters of extruded polymer separated her from the depths. The compensators held the walkway and the buildings surrounding it as steady and secure as a padre's thoughts. If anything, it was more than natur- ally stable. The surface she trod was smooth and seamless, not s.h.i.+fting like the gla.s.s sands of Mou'anui Atoll.

Some of the buildings rose three stories from their raft foundations. Most roofs sported a fringe of small dish antennae, like split bivalves, to receive and broadcast via satellite.

”Looks like weather coming in,” Mataroreva ob- served as they turned toward a long structure which the large woman had identified as her home.

H'ua glanced up at the darkening sky. ”We're due for a day or two of rain. Nothing serious, according to the forecast. Mild winds and light chop. Besides, the rain is good for us.”

Merced frowned. ”Why? I thought the floating

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towns produced all the fresh water they required through desalinization.”

”E mau roa-that's very true,” H'ua replied. ”For drinking and cooking and most other functions, the desalinated sea is quite sufficient.” She winked at Cora and fluffed the mane of long black hair that framed her moon face. ”But some of us traditionalists believe that for was.h.i.+ng one's hair, rainwater is a necessity.

Rain is also good for the soul.”

They pa.s.sed the house, turned up another street, and eventually reached a two-story, molded rooming complex. They entered a small reception area.

”You are our guests. It's not often Vai'oire has a chance to display its hospitality to off-world visitors.”

H'ua looked at Rachael, nodded toward the object the girl held under one arm. ”I understand you can actu- ally play that witch's lyre?”

Rachael looked surprised. ”How could you know?

Many people carry them and can only practice with

them.”

Mataroreva smiled hugely. ”That was one of the less serious pieces of information I broadcast prior to our arrival.”

”You would honor us with a concert,” H'ua added.

Rachael looked embarra.s.sed. ”Now, wait, I'm not a professional, only an enthusiastic amateur and-”

”Anyone who can make a neurophon do more than simply wail is more than a mere amateur.” A huge hand patted Rachael on the back. ”Anyway, you are a new and exotic quant.i.ty. Wear something skimpy.

If the music and projections are weak, the men won't notice.” She eyed the girl approvingly. ”They may not notice anyhow.”

With a long, infectious, little-girl giggle, she turned to lumber from the reception station. ”You all have a good time while you're here. Each room has its own autochef, communicator, and tridee. There are broad- casts from Mou'anui every day. If there's anything

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else you want, buzz me through your room corn on the local network. I'm one-forty-six. My husband's name is Taarii Maltzan, by the way. You won't get him. He's out working the reef with the rest of the gathering teams.”

”Thank you,” Cora barely remembered to say as the woman left them.

The door to her a.s.signed room was locked. That was to be expected. In an area as restricted and iso- lated as a floating town, privacy would be highly prized. The door opened at the sound of her voice and the application of her thumb to the recess in its frame.

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