Read Ancestor's World for Free Online

Her long hair was braided and pinned up into a thick bun.
    He smiled back. "Hi, honey. You're a sight for sore eyes."
    They exchanged pleasantries for a minute or so; then Mahree's eyes sharpened. "Rob ... you didn't just call to ask how Claire and I were doing, not at FTL rates, on an official channel. What's up?"
    He checked the holo-tank's privacy light to be sure it was on, then began telling her about Khuharkk's call to Professor Greyshine, who had in turn called Rob. He de
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    scribed the magnitude of the discovery of the unplundered tomb of A-Um Rakt and the discovery of the Mizari relics the archaeologists had found inside it. Then, taking a deep breath, he added, "Honey, brace yourself. This last part is really bad news."
    Her eyes widened. "What's happened?"
    "Mahree, Bill Waterston has been murdered."
    She put a hand to her mouth. "No! Oh, Rob! What? How?"
    "I don't know. Khuharkk' didn't know. Bill left for the capital city of Spirit just after the discovery, planning to use the FTL transmitter there to report the news to the CLS Council. He never made it to his embassy. When three days passed and Bill still hadn't returned to camp, Mitchell dispatched a ground skimmer along his likely route." Rob paused a moment to steady himself. "They found... the body."
    Mahree's face might have been carved from stone. Her eyes gleamed with unshed tears, but her voice was steady. "How did he die?"
    "His skull was crushed from a blow by some kind of blunt object. They found his body inside the jumpjet. There was no one around. No sign of another jet landing on the mesa top. No footsteps ... nothing."
    Mahree shook her head. "This is terrible. Who could have done such a thing?"
    "I know how you feel," Rob said. His heart ached for her, as he sensed his own anguish mirrored in her voice, the taut lines of her body.
    Slowly she settled back into her chair, her slim hands gripping the chair arms until he could see the bone-white of her knuckles beneath the skin. "He was a good one, Rob. The best Interrelator yet. I..." She paused, brushed at her eyes, then continued, her voice husky. "I don't envy you the call to his parents. I'll call later, on behalf of the CLS. Okay?"
    Rob nodded. "His mother is a widow. I know Mrs. Waterston will appreciate hearing from you. She's a nice woman. Bill was ... her only son."
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    Mahree winced. "Any idea who killed him, and why?" Rob shook his head.
    "None. And the Na-Dina won't accept Irenic investigators for the case.
    They've appointed one of their own people to track down Bill's killer. I'll datafax you a copy of Khuharkk's message."
    "Thanks," she said dully.
    "Mahree ..." Rob hesitated, but, knowing how limited her time was, plunged on. "Is it possible you can help Mitchell get some more people, better supplies, things like that? He's apparently made the find of the century out there."
    She sighed, then nodded. "I think so. I'm certain that the Mizari Archaeological Society will be eager to finance the dig, at least. The transportation costs ... well, I can call in a few favors. Esteemed Ssoriszs may want to finance a freighter for transport..."
    She paused, eyes growing faraway, as she calculated. "Great," Rob said. "I know Greyshine will be in touch with Esteemed Ssoriszs directly. He's so excited about this, I think he's going to go to Ancestor's World himself."
    Mahree nodded. "Okay, let me get started on this. I'm going to have to handle much of this on the way to that conference on Arooouhl, but I'll cut my stay there from a week to a day. Just open the trade meetings and get them talking, then leave. Then a quick stopover back at Shassiszss to pick up a very important passenger ..." She gave him a wry glance. "Brace yourself, Rob."
    Rob knew that look. "What are you cooking up now?"
    "Get ready to have a new student at StarBridge."
    "Who?"
    "Claire."
    "Wait a minute." Rob put up a hand. "Of course I'll be delighted to see her, but... why do I get the feeling I'm not going to be happy