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Dutiful Passage

Colemeno Orbit


Keriana had at last run out of tests. All that remained was collecting the results.

Shan and Priscilla retired to the master trader’s office, there to work companionably, each at their own screen, with occasional murmured questions, or observations.

It was, truth said, peaceful, comfortable, and very nearly indolent.

Shan sighed with real contentment as he finished his letter to Denobli, and sent it into the outgoing mail queue.

He then spun his chair and addressed himself to his lifemate.

“I had no idea how oppressive it was to always be needing to eat something,” he said. “Really, I feel quite liberated. Here we have been sitting for hours, and nary a slice of cake in sight!”

Priscilla looked up from her screen with a smile.

“Will I spoil the mood, if I ask you to bring me a glass of cold tea?”

“In fact, it will be my pleasure.”

“May I ask what keeps you at your keyboard?” he said, arriving beside her with two glasses of tea.

She received one with a smile.

“I have the first questionnaire from Scholar rodaMildin—I told you about her, remember?”

“I do indeed! The first Colemeno sociologist to have access to barbarians since the Dust came in.”

Priscilla laughed.

“She doesn’t put it quite like that.”

“I expect not, if she wants answers to her questions. What are her questions?”

“She wonders if we had access to any primary source material from Colemeno before we arrived in orbit.”

“Are we, in fact, tainted with preconception?”

“I suppose she has to ask,” Priscilla said, turning back to the keyboard. “I will mention Wu and Fabricant’s Guide.”

“You might even send her a copy, in case—”

The comm sounded.

Shan crossed to his desk and touched the button.

“yos’Galan.”

“Master Trader, it’s Keriana. I have the results of the tests, and I would like to discuss them with you and Captain Mendoza. Is now convenient?”

“One moment, please.”

Shan looked to Priscilla, who had already closed her screen.

“Now is convenient,” she said.


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