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me pictures, and he told me stories,:: she said simply. ::It was such a wonderful conversation! Daddy, I love you!::
    ::Did he give you funny rock to eat? Did he flash compelling patterns on your receptors? Did he make subtle threats?::
    She laughed, her whole body vibrating. ::None of it, Daddy! No poison, no hypnosis, no warnings. He made me feel so good! ::
    Now an even darker suspicion occurred. She was, after all, old enough to snoop on her parents and to know what the terms meant ::Did he touch you... in a certain way?::
    ::Daddy!:: the child exclaimed with mock shock. ::I'm way too young to know what you mean, let alone to breed. And anyway, do you think I'd do it with a Slash?::
    Embarrassed by his daughter's perception and humor, Bore desisted. ::It is only that you were so sad, and now you are so happy, yet nothing has changed. If the Healer did nothing but talk to you, I paid—uh—::
    ::I know you paid him a lot of mineral, Daddybore. He is a very expensive healer and he is very good. But I am sorry if it was not worth it to you.:: And she began to dim.
    ::It was worth it!:: Bore vibrated quickly. ::It was worth the whole punctured planet! I just don't understand it!::
    Her treads clinked cheerfully. ::He said you would not, Daddy. He explained how sad you would be after I died, because you don't understand about apologizing to irregular blobs or haunting Kings of Arms or Devils having little girls like me.::
    ::I certainly don't! ::
    ::But he told me how to make you happy again, in the little time I have left. May I do that?::
    Amazed, Bore vibrated acceptance.
    And for the few days that Smallbore survived, she made her parents happy, for she was happy. After she was gone, a plaque to Herald the Healer was erected in the Metamorphic household, and no slight to Sphere Slash was permitted.
    There was of course no possible connection, but the King of Arms of Ast became indisposed shortly thereafter. Forced to retire from office, he was heard to mutter, * Damn that child!*
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    Chapter 3:
    Kastle of Kade
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    0 Samples taken and inspected. All are aural nonsapients. 0
    & As always. Any association with the sapients? &
    0 Yes. The sapients control them, breed them, utilize their products, and slaughter them for food. 0
    & They employ aural entities—as cattle? &
    0 I have consulted with all my units. There is no question. These samples are animals, bred for docility, production, and potability of flesh. Not for intelligence. 0
    & Surely this culture must be expunged from the face of the Universe! We shall give this Cluster to the animals, letting the meek inherit. As we have done before. &
    0 As we have done before. 0
    & Research units report in order, routine reports omitted. &
    D Our assignment, Sphere Dash Andromeda, contains several operative ancient planetary sites. One on planet £ has been penetrated, circa eleven cycles BP, but no evidence of exploitation, and site was resealed. D
    & Planet £? This has a familiar aspect. &
    D Its designation is taken from its formerly dominant species, the tripeds. Sapient but nonspacefaring, owing to their extreme bulk. D
    & It was this species that penetrated the site? &
    D Correct. Two £ entities died within it. Presumed malfunction of admittance procedure, corrected by site computer when intruders were analyzed. D
    & Orient action unit. &
    0 Action unit 1, orient on that site. 0
    1 Oriented. 1
    & Act only if site is reactivated by Cluster entities. It is necessary to prevent ancient technology from falling into their capability, but destruction of a secure site would be wasteful, and waste is abomination. This site has historical relevance, and its level is parallel to our present technology. &
    1 Clarification of assignment: should the site be reactivated by local entities— 1
    & This would indicate a repeat activation, highly suggestive. Destroy it, and extirpate life on that planet. &
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    The item on Herald's