Till envy, with malignant grasp,

really shouldnt be wandering about the ship at this hour. Someone might get the wrong impression about you. As Killashandra permitted him to escort her back, she wondered why he was rushing her out of the gym. She felt she had deftly accounted for her presence. And naively accepted his explanation. Safely returned to her cabin, she agreed to meet him as usual for breakfast the next morning, and dutifully went to bed. Waiting for sleep, she reflected on his extraordinary fitness and the stealth in which he kept it. Could Corish possibly be an FSP agent? It struck her as unlikely that the Federation would choose to send only one observer an inexperienced one at that into a planetary society that was being investigated. She chuckled to think that, out of the eighteen hundred passengers and crew on the Athena, Corish should attach himself to her. Of course, in her eager-student guise, she might constitute an integral part of his shipboard cover. Unless he had been advised of her extra assignment by his superiors. If he was a Federal agent, he would also know the capabilities of crystal singers, and the subtler ways to identify them. No matter! In her concentrated efforts to recall her days as an impecunious and ardent music student, she had been able to shelve the more recent, painful episode. Seriously now, Killashandra considered Antonas advice to record incidents in detail. Who knew when she might find it necessary to adopt the role of the student again? Chapter 4 As the Athena plunged toward the Optherian primary for the deflected hyperbolic pass that would bring it close to the one inhabited planet of the system, the passengers who were disembarking went through the rituals of leave-taking from their shipboard acquaintances. That strange magic of voyaging which could make total strangers into confidantes and lovers had lost none of its potency in the space age. As they waited in the airlock for the shuttle that would take them to the surface, Killashandra found herself prattling on at Corish about how they must meet and share their adventures: that they couldnt part and never meet again while they were on the same planet. Shed want to know how hed made out with his uncle and she hoped shed be able to tell him of her success, invading the Optherian musical hierarchy. Of course that sort of chatter was in character with her role. What astonished Killashandra was that she meant what she said. Thats very sweet of you, Killa, sony 8mm cd for digital camera Corish replied, patting her shoulder in a condescending fashion that returned her instantly to her own personality. If I dont get a place at the Music Center hostel, Ill go to the Piper Facility, she said, ducking away from his hand as she fumbled with the fastening on the side pocket of her carisak. She tendered the small plastic card distributed by the Facility with its communit codes. The Optherian Travelers Guide says theyll take messages for visitors. You could leave word for me there. She smiled up at him with tremulous wistfulness. I know that once we leave Optheria, well never meet again, Corish, but at least while were still on the same planet, I was hoping we could stay friends. She broke off, ducking her head and dabbing at her eyes which, on cue, had filled with moisture. She let him have just a confirming glimpse of her teary face, although why she was prolonging their association, she hadnt a notion. One can get too wrapped up in role-playing. I promise you, Killa, that Ill leave word at the Piper for you. And Corish put a finger under her chin and lifted her head to his gaze. He had a rather engaging half-smile, she thought, though it wasnt a patch on Lanzeckis. She managed to squeeze out a few more tears on the strength of that comparison. No need for tears, Killa. Just then the shuttle clanged against the Athenas side and conversation became impossible with the noise of lock engagement and the excited crescendo of farewells. Then crewmen were officiously directing passengers to move to the port side of the lock. Killashandra was crammed rather tightly between two large men and separated from Corish by another sideways push. Whats the delay? one of her cushions demanded. Theyre loading some crates, was the indignant reply. Must be something special. Therere seals and impregtape all over them. I shall complain to the Cruise Agent. I was under the impression that people got preference over commodities on this Line! As suddenly as it had begun, the press eased off and everyone was shuffling toward the ramp into the shuttle. Killashandra didnt see Corish among the passengers already seated but she couldnt fail to miss three large foam boxes that contained the white crystal, for they occupied the first three rows of seats on the shuttles starboard side. They must be immensely valuable, the first cushion-man said. Whatever could it be? Optherians dont import