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“Mineral baths! Probably stink of sulfur of something worse.”
    Immediately she heard the initial
phluggg
as radiant fluid began to flow into the tank in the hygiene room. Wondering why the room computer was on, she opened her mouth to abort the process, when her name issued from the speakers.
    “Killashandra Ree?” The bass voice was unmistakably Trag’s.
    “Yes, Trag?” She switched on vision.
    “You have been restored to the active list.”
    “I’m going off-world as soon as I can arrange transport, Trag.”
    Expressionless as ever, Trag regarded her. “A lucrative assignment is available to a singer of your status.”
    “The Optherian manual?” As Trag inclined his head once, Killashandra controlled her surprise. Why was Trag approaching her when Lanzecki had definitely not wanted her to take it?
    “You’re aware of the details?” For the first time Trag evinced a flicker of surprise.
    “Rimbol told me. He also said he wasn’t taking it. Was he your first choice?”
    Trag regarded her steadily for a moment. “You werethe logical first choice, Killashandra Ree, but until an hour ago you were an Inactive.”
    “I was the first choice?”
    “Firstly, you are going off-world in any event and do not have sufficient credit to take you past the nearer inhabited systems. Secondly, an extended leave of absence is recommended by Medical. Thirdly, you have already acquired the necessary skills to place white crystal brackets. In the fourth place, your curriculum vitae indicates latent teaching abilities so that training replacement technicians on Optheria is well within your scope.”
    “Nothing was said about training technicians. Borella and Concera both have considerably more instructional experience than I.”
    “Borella, Concera, and Gobbain Tekla have not exhibited either the tact or diplomacy requisite to this assignment.”
    Killashandra was amused that Trag added Gobbain to the list. Had Bajorn told Trag who had inquired about transport to Optheria?
    “There are thirty-seven other active Guild members who qualify!”
    Trag shook his head slowly twice. “No, Killashandra Ree, it must be you who goes. The Guild needs some information about Optheria—”
    “Tactfully and diplomatically extracted? On what subject?”
    “Why the Optherian government prohibits interstellar travel to its citizens.”
    Killashandra let out a whoop of delight. “You mean, why, with their obsession for music, there isn’t a single Optherian in the Heptite Guild?”
    “That is not the relevant issue, Killashandra. The Federated Sentient Council would be obliged if the Guild’s representative would act as an impartial observer,to determine if this restriction is popularly accepted—”
    “A Freedom of Choice infringement? But wouldn’t that be a matter for—”
    Trag held up his hand. “The request asks for an impartial opinion on the
popular
acceptance of the restriction. The FSC acknowledges that isolated individuals might express dissatisfaction, but a complaint has been issued by the Executive Council of the Federated Artists Association.”
    Killashandra let out a low whistle. The Stellars themselves protested? Well, if Optherian composers and performers were involved, of course the Executive Council would protest. Even if it had taken them decades to do so.
    “And since the Guild’s representative would certainly come in contact with composers and performers during the course of the assignment, yes, I’d be more than willing to volunteer for that facet.” Was that why Lanzecki had been against her going? To protect her from the iron idealism of a parochial Optherian Council? But, as a member of the Heptite Guild, which guaranteed her immunity to local law and restrictions, she could not be detained an any charges. She could be disciplined only by her Guild. That any form of artistry might be limited by law was anathema. “There’ve been Optherian organs a long time …”
    “Popular acceptance is the