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seat with us.  Instead, he remained standing by the table for all to see, while one of the waiters brought him a crystal glass.
    “Would you do the honors?” I asked, indicating for him to taste the wine.
    He gave me a glance and then proudly lifted the glass of wine to his nose and closed his eyes briefly as he inhaled the bouquet.  A slight smile form around the edges of his lips before he gradually took a sip and swirled the liquid in his mouth.  His expression almost began to radiate with ecstasy as he inhaled gently, still holding the wine in his mouth.  Then he swallowed and let out a sigh… “Exquisite.  I will treasure this moment the rest of my life,” he said as he nodded in approval to the sommelier, who then poured the wine for Kala and me.  While Celpar’s glass was being poured, Kala made an inconspicuous pass over the glasses with the poison testing device.  When she lifted her glass, I took her cue to mean the wine was safe, so I too lifted my glass in a toast to Celpar’s health and happy retirement.
    “Do you know, First Citizens, that I have only once before in my life tasted this wine, and then it was only a small sip?  This will be the first time I have ever actually savored a glass of it.”  He lifted his glass to the light so he could appreciate the deep amber color.
    By the time we finished our first glass, we had enjoyed a brief but pleasant conversation about family, a new art exhibit not far from the dinner club, which he likely knew we would not be able to visit, and the splendid dress that Kala selected for his retirement celebration.  Celpar then formally introduced his successor, who left immediately after so that Celpar could continue his conversation with Kala and me.  I was silently grateful for Celpar’s gracious avoidance of topics related to the war and political discord; but a lifetime dedicated to serving others with sophistication and respect made his genuine kindness a virtual reflex.  I wished that others would take a lesson from his good manners.
    “I’m sorry to hear that this is your first and only glass of this vintage, Celpar, considering it’s the last bottle and after today no one will ever taste it again.”
    “True, First Citizen, but then only a select few have ever have had the opportunity at all, and now I can say that I am one of them.  I thank you for holding me in such esteem on this evening.  It is the greatest gift I could have imagined,” he said as he spent an especially long moment savoring the last sip in his glass.  “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must be attending to my other guests.  Thank you again for this beautiful moment,” he said almost reverently as he bowed and backed away from the table.
    “The crowd seems to be friendlier than the last time we were here,” I said to Kala as I beckoned to the sommelier.
    “I noticed that,” replied Kala.  “However, don’t forget there are those outside who are not so enamored with you.”
    I sighed.  “Yes.  I’m afraid it will be this way from now on.  There are people who lost loved ones at Glomar Rosa who will invariably hold me responsible for it.”
    “Tib, you did what had to be done.  The greater portion of the citizens know that.”
    “Yes, but it doesn’t make it any easier for those who don’t understand it,” I said.  “Oh, I have something I need to ask you.  Do you know anything about the Tombosemites?”
    “Tombosemites?  No, not really.  I know they’re strange creatures with an obsession about medicine and surgery and that’s about all.  Why do you ask?”
    “I need to travel to their planet to meet with a patient they’re treating.  Apparently, this patient was severely injured by Ming and left for dead, but he survived and made it to Tombosem, where he’ll be recovering for quite some time.  He wishes to talk to me and won’t speak with anyone else.  I was hoping you might be able to tell me something about the planet and its customs