"Destructive oscillation?" added Tse-Mallory.

"Shaken to pieces? Possibly," said Truzenzlizex."Or maybe they cause a breakdown or weakening of the atomic structure. Even in what was probably the safest plaice on the planet the vibrations - "music" if you must- near to shook my skeleton off" Not an impossible device. Fantastic, yes, but not impossible.

Myself, I am much more interested in the method used to eliminate their starship,"

"Ndiyo," said Malaika. "How about that? It was nowhere near the atmosphere and so could not have been trapped in the wind glitter layers."

In addition to maintaining an impenetrable defensive screen around the planet, the Krang would be no more than a stalemate device if it did not have offensive capabilities as well," continued the thranx. "A device wholely defensive in nature would be contrary to everything we know of Tar-Aiym psychology.

And you are all aware of how the quality of vibrations changed ever so significantly towards the end of our ordeal. Now then, Flinx, you say sensed the destruction of the other starship, yet there was no sign of an explosion? No flare, nothing?"

A safe question, and one he could hardly deny. "That"s right, sir. It just ... vanished."

"Uni. A possibility suspected that will probably never be confirmed, but ... remember that our ship was a very short distance away, yet apparently has not been afected. I suspect, gentlesirs, that the Krang is a gravitonic generator - but of power undreamed of even by the ancient G.o.ds." He farced Malaika squarely. "Captain, what would happen if a gravity field approximately one cetimetre in diameter with a field equal in strength to the surface of a neutron star impinged on a real mess?"

Malaga"s swarthy face reflected puzzlement, revelation, and astonishment in amazingly brief succession.

His voice reflected all three.

"Manisa!" That would trigger a Schwarzchild Discontinuity! But that"s ...!"

Impossible?" Truzenzlizex smiled. "Pardon, Captain, but how else might you explain if? The power necessary to generate such a field would need a planet-sized ship ... much simpler to use a pianet, eh?

And remember there was no evidence of an explosion. Of course not. Not even light could escape a field of such strength! And gravity follows an inverse square law, so naturaily our ship was not effectively endangered. A more perfectly selective weapon would be hard to imagine. A mere kilometre away and you would not even notice such a field. But touch it and poof!Instant non-existence!I hope that one might have the sense not to tamper with such a device overmuch, Captain." The thranx"s voice was steel-solemn. "We do not know anywhere near enough about the operation of such a field. Suppose we did not discover the way to "uncreate" such a field? The Krang obviously can do that-how, I cannot begin to imagine. But if such a field were to be released, uncontrolled, it would simply wander around the universe gobbling up ... every-thing."

It was too quiet in the cabin, now. "But I think there"s little chance of that," he continued more spiritedly, "unless our young friend can activate the mechanism once again. Not to mention," he added, "directing it as successfully."

Flinx had read the veiled accusation coming for some time now. He knew it would have to be countered.

They must not think him capable of operating such a threatening weapon. Especially, he reminded himself, when he wasn"t sure if he could!

I told you sir, I don"t know what happened. The machine controlled me, not vice versa!"

"Still," the thraax said significantly.

It would have been easy to rearrange the insect"s mind so that he would simply take Flinx"s explanation of the occurrence at face value. Too easy. The Krang had not affected his sense of ethics. Besides, the idea of deliberately tampering with another"s deepest centres of thought was mildly repulsive, as well as a bit frightening. Especially when the mind in question was recognizably wiser than his own. Power, he reminded himself, is not knowledge. He would need a tot of the latter in the future, "Look ..." He was thinking rapidly, it was easy, now. "As far as "directing" the device goes, you said yourself that the machine was composed of infinitely sophisticated circuitry. Once started up, it would be fully capable of handling the situation to its own satisfaction. I was merely like the hydrogen "plug" that starts the KK drive."

"Um. And how do you account for its taking the actions it did?"

"Maybe Nikosos" ship made a movement that the machine interpreted as hostile, and it responded accordingly. Perhaps it was just keyed and ready when I entered it. I"m certainly not that much different from anyone else here."

(Lie!) "Probably my gift or talent or whatever you want to call it had something to do with it. Remember, it didn"t do anything the first time I entered it."

"I have a hunch your own fears at the moment had a lot to do with it too. Yes, that"s plausible."

"Right," Flinx continued, grateful for the opening. "I was scared when I entered it this time ... really scared." (Truth) "My emotional strain had to be picked up by the machine. It"s an artistic device, too!

Probably any of us could have stimulated it under those conditions." (Possible, not probable.) In any case, it"s finished now and i"ve no desire, not the tiniest, to try it again!" (Mixed truth.) "Enough lad! You are too aggressive for my poor, senile mind." (Baloney!) "I am satisfied, for the nonce."

(Flinx read otherwise, but it did not matter.) "You have convinced me in fair and equal oral combat. Try me at personality chess and I"ll beat the freckles off you! Yet ..." He glanced at the minidrag, then back to Flinx. "You say you feel unchanged? No after effects?"

Minx shook his head with a confidence that would have made Mother Mastiff proud. "No. I really don"t know what happened. My mind was ..." He broke off as the outside light was abruptly extinguished. The shuttle had slipped into her mooring dock in the cargo hold of theGloryhole .

"And that is that," said Malaika, unnecessarily. To every-one"s great satisfaction, his pipe bad gone out.

"I"d love to discuss this all further with you gentlebeings, but at some futurenafasi, ndiyo ? If I do not get something of a recognizably liquid consistency down my throat very soon, you"ll be able to scatter me in orbit with the wind glitter, for I shall dry up to dust!"

He moved down the narrow aisle between them and opened the small personnel lock. The pale green light of the cargo balloon sifted inward. A pullway drifted conveniently nearby. Sissiph in hand he began hauling the two of them up its swaying length. Atha went next, followed by the two scientists. Flinx plucked Pip from where the minidrag lay coiled comfortably about a chair arm and placed him on his shoulder. He hurried out of the ship. Even now the figure of Wolf was still one he wished to avoid. He followed the others up the pullway.

On reaching the gravitized section of the ship, everyone went his separate way. Atha and Woif to Control, Malaika and Sissiph to their cabin. The merchant had not yet had a drop of in toxic ant, but he had escaped a ransom and gained a planet. Even if he never realized a cent off his investment, that alone was enough to make him slightly drunk. The two scientists prepared to resume their endless game of personality chess as though they had never been interrupted.

"That was not a legal psychosis." said Tse-Mallory, his voice drifting back to Flinx. "And you are well aware of it!"

"Why, Bran, how can you say that? Surely when I instigated a Jump of four places in that secondary childhood fear piece ..." Their voices faded as he turned the corner leaving to his cabin.

Flinx glanced down at this shoulder. The minidrag, the effects of its ordeal now apparently catching up with it, was fast asleep. He paused after a moment"s hesitation for twice that in thought. Then he shrugged, grinned. Whistling a famous and delightfully ribald tune, he sauntered off in expectation of the biggest pseudo steak the ship"s autochef could produce. He had much to think about.

And much to do it with.

Chapter Twenty-Four.

Rashalleila Nuaman lay back in her huge bed and idly examined the bedraggled, seminude figure of her niece. The girl had obviously used more force than good sense in protesting madame"s request" for her presence.

"Teleen," she said, sighing, "I am awfully disappointed in you, you know. Stupidity I can sometimes understand, but sloppiness is inexcusable. I knew about your amusing plan for doing away with me, of course."

The girl started at this and her eyes darted around the room in search of an escape route. Even a.s.suming she could evade the grasp of the two giants who stood impa.s.sively to either side of her, there was nowhere on the airless moon to escape to.

"Oh, don"t let it bother you, child. It didn"t me. Actually I thought it rather an admirable attempt. Showed some s.p.u.n.k, for a change. But that you should undertake to interfere withbusiness ... that, my dear," and her voice dropped dangerously, "was ill-chosen on your part. I would perhaps have more sympathy for you had you succeeded. And with the AAnn, too. Dear, dear! I suppose you are aware they are the closest thing to a hereditary enemy mankind has?"

Teleen"s tone was bitterly sarcastic. "Don"t foist patriotic mush on me, you sanctimonious crank! You"d sell babies to the Devil if you thought he was more than a superst.i.tion ... and enough profit."

"You are being absurd, girl. Also impertinent. I certainly would not. At least, certainly not for spite, as you did. Being branded an enemy of the Commonwealth and excommunicated by the Church would require promise of a considerably greater potential return than such pettiness as you aspired to. And on top of everything else, your adolescent inept.i.tude will force me to tolerate an unbearable amount of ridicule from a very old and dear friend. Who incidentally, I am informed, has long since sewn up the registry of a certain planet by inters.p.a.ce relay, beyond argument of any kind. I will now be forced to fall back on legal means to obtain what was rightfully mine in the first place. As you may know, such procedures are notoriously unfair.

"However, we are not here to discuss that. What we are here to determine, dear niece, is what T am to do with you. I fear that your att.i.tude has taken rather a dangerous turn. I do not fear it, but my men are capable of error too. Accordingly, I am forced to send you on vacation, until such time as you have been persuaded to channel your considerable energies into more porductive pursuits. You shall be given ample time to repent and readjust your rebellious att.i.tudes, There is a very excellent and renowned mental inst.i.tution in the Qatar system. It is operated by a. group of exceptional therapists who have aided me often in the past. While their methods have often been questioned, most notably by the Church, their successes cannot be denied. The director is a personal friend of long standing."

"Rory," said Teleen imploringly.

"I am sure they will be more than happy to accommodate you as a guest for awhile. Unfortunately, they specialize in childhood neuroses and s.e.xual maniacs of the most extreme kind. Now, which section do you suppose you would find more comfortilble for your stay?"

"Rory!" The girl"s voice was frightened and shrill, now.

Rory Mallap van Cleef stood quietly by the foot of the bed in silk loincloth and beads.

"Oh, you needn"t badger your accomplice and confidant, my dear. Darling Rory knows what side of the bed his b.u.t.ter is on." She smiled sweetly.

His voice was even and mild. Almost neutral, in fact, I am sorry, love." He flexed a bicep. I still love you, of course, but I don"t see why we should both be made to suffer for this unfortunate setback. I"ll wait for you." Then, after a thoughtful pause. I do hope this doesn"t complicate our relationship."

Teleen"s answer was unprintable.

"Teh! Such language. And after all those expensive schools, too. Yes, I am certain you will be placed in the section most suitable to your att.i.tude, child. I see no reason why you shouldn"t take the opportunity to add to your education at the same time as we are about improving your disposition."

She waved a hand negligently and the girl was dragged spitting and squealing from the room.

"Remember now, dear. I am depending on you to show your hosts the true Nuaman spirit! Come back to us in one piece, won"t you?" She shook her head mournfully after the closing doors had cut off the sound of the girl"s fading shrieks. "The, I"m not sure that girl will ever be ready to take over the company reins. Everything devolved upon me, and I am old. But not that old." She extended a hand "Rory ... come here..."

They were half-way home and proceeding smoothly for Moth. Flinx looked up from his game of crystal solitaire, now grown childishly slimplistic. The sense of thoughts in violent conflict had grown too strong to be ignored. As it was a normal sleep shift he was the only one in the lounge, and the commotion surprised him.

A rather dishevelled-looking Atha stepped into the room. She obviously hadn"t expected to encounter anyone and was noticeably upset by Flinx"s presence.

"Well," she began awkwardly, simultaneously trying to adjust her clothing, "we"ve, uh, almost finished our journey, Flinx. I imagine you"re looking forward to getting home ... and to that credit slip Malaika"s prepared for you!"

"Yes, to both. You"re on your way to relieve Wolf at Control, I a.s.sume?"

"Hmmm? Oh yes, naturally!" He had to hide his amus.e.m.e.nt at the way she had pounced on the excuse.

"Yes, I"ve just come from making some alterations, uh, in the arrangement of the ship"s supplies. They were becoming unwieldy. I had to... work on the problem at some length to get things right."

"And did you?"

Her smile was broad. "Oh, yes, Everything should now be m its proper place." She disappeared forward.

A short while later a much more dishevelled Sissiph, clothes and self in nearly equal disarray staggered into the lounge. The expression on her face was murderous, interrupted only when she grimaced at a particularly painful bruise. She spared him one unfocused glance before weaving off in the direction of the big cabin she shared with Malaika.

Apparently then, everyone had profited from the expedition, with the exception of an attractive and furious minority of one. He sighed and returned to his game, its attraction dimmed. There were many things to do, and he wasn"t sure how to go about doing them. Lf he couldn"t have any fun ... Malaika, lie knew, was preparing great things for him. He could not see himself in the role the merchant had envisioned for him. Dressing up for gala conferences, withering compet.i.tors with his astonishing insight.

Perhaps a compromise might be arranged. But that might mean leaving the markets, and his friends there.

Mother Mastiff would probably have no trouble adapting to such a life. He grinned. Could High Society survive her? More seriously, how would he adapt? With everyone these days convinced of his own righteousness and secure in the knowledge that "his was the proper way of doing things."

He"d also seen what un-nice people could do to the nice, enough to want to modify the situation. Out there were minds which would resist such efforts. And who was he, to arbitrate the lives of others? Did he want to play G.o.d? He didn"t think so. Besides he was only ... well, he was almost seventeen, wasn"t he? He had talent, and one innocent man and two probably guilty ones had died because he hadn"t used it properly. "Now he had Power, and who knew how many had died in s.p.a.ce because of it? Power.

f.a.gh! He wasn"t one tenth the Man Tse-Mallory was! He"d need. Men like that to help him or he"d likely make some horrendous mistakes. Now they might prove deadly. Could be handle what he was now?

Did he want to?

Still, the whole universe was out there and it seemed a shame not to take a look at it.

Now that he could see,

Commonwealth Chronology (NOTE: Where "c" is used, the date given is approximate.)

1 billion B.C.

The Xunca are at their height. They discover something connected with the Great Emptiness and begin setting up their transmitter network.

400 mill B.C.

The Xunca create the Groalamason Ocean on Horseye and modify the or- bits of the planet"s moons. They set up a transmitting station in the polar ice cap. A minor relay station is set up on Terra, but is destroyed by con-tinental drift. A Mutable is stationed on every planet set up with a compo-nent of the system.

950,000 Hur"rikku begin to explore from the Galactic Center.

501,000 The Vom arrives on the last world it will devour. It has destroyed all life on about a thousand worlds.

500,000 The Tar-Aiym Empire is at its height. The Vom, contacted by the Tar-Aiym, panics and destroys the investigating fleet. The Tar-Aiym send a robot fleet to contain the Vom. Peot becomes the Guardian and is placed in orbit around the Vom"s planet.

499,000 Tar-Aiym contact the Hur"rikku; war is begun.

480,000 After enduring several attempts to be forced into the Tar Aiym Empire, the Hur"rikku threaten to use their anti-collapsar weapon on Tar-Aiym worlds.

The Tar-Aiym begin intensive weap-ons research. The Krang is built on Booster. The fleet guarding the Vom is called away to help in the war with the Hur"rikku, leaving only a few ships and the Guardian.

479,000 "Living" photonic storm, released by the Tar-Aiym as a plague, decimates all intelligent life in the area, includ-ing the Tar-Aiym and Hur"rikku. A dying race on the edge of the plague area broadcasts a warning, so an in- formal quarantine is created. This area becomes the Blight.

97,000 Alaspinian civilization is at its height. Alaspinians explore more s.p.a.ce than that contained by the Commonwealth, but don"t establish settlements 75,000 Alaspinians die out, possibly by racial suicide.

27,000 Most recent warm cycle begins on Tran-ky-ky.

17,000 Warm cycle ends and present cold cy-cle begins on Tran-ky-ky.

10,950 Tunnelling begins on Ulru-Ujurr.

c8000 Thranx civilization is born on Hivehom. The "Eternal City" of Daret is founded.

c6000 The last wars are fought on Hivehom.

c5700 Human civilization is born on Terra.

c2000 The Priory of the Brotherhood "Evonin-taban" on Tran-ky-ky is es-tablished.

A. D. (Anno Domini), Christian religion calendar change occurs on Terra.

c500 Temple of Moraung Motau is founded on Horseye.

c1800 Thranx achieve s.p.a.ce travel.

c1900 Thranx discover posigravity drive.