That traitor Robin Hood."

deport its criminal element: any recidivists were accommodated at a rehabilitation center. Killashandra shivered. So even perfect Optheria had to resort to rehabilitation. Having delved sufficiently into Optherias history and background to satisfy her basic curiosity, she turned to research the procedure necessary to replace a fractured manual. The installation posed no overt problems as the bracketing was remarkably similar to that required by the black communications crystal. The tuning would be more complex because of the broad-frequency variable output of the Optherian organ. The instrument was similar to early Terran pipe organs, with four manuals and a terminal with hundreds of stops, but a performer on the Optherian organ read a score containing olfactory, neural, visual, and aural notes. The crystal manual was in permanent handshake with the multiplex demodulator, the synapse carrier encoder, and the transducer terminal networks. Or so the manual said; no schematic was included in the entry. Nor could she remember one from her days at the Fuerte Music Center. Dedicated Optherian players spent lifetimes arranging music embellished and ornamented for reception by many senses. A skilled Optherian organist could be mass-psychologist and politician as well as musician, and the effect of any composition played on the fully augmented instruments had such far-reaching consequences that performances and practitioners were subject to Federal as well as artistic discipline. Bearing that in mind, Killashandra wondered how the manual could have been fractured let alone have killed the performer at the same time, especially as that person had also been the only one on the planet capable of repairing it. Was there perhaps a spot of rot on the Optherian apple of Eden? This assignment could be interesting. Killashandra pulled her chair back to the console and asked for visual contact with the Travel Officer. Bajorn was a long, thin man, with a thin face and a thin nose with pinched nostrils. He had preternaturally long, thin fingers, too, but much was redeemed by the cheerful smile that broke across his narrow face, and his complete willingness to sort out the most difficult itinerary. He seemed to be on the most congenial terms with every transport or freight captain who had ever touched down at or veered close to the Shanganagh Moon base. Is it difficult to get to the Optherian System, Bajorn? Long old journey right now out of season for the cruise ships on that route. olympus 4040 digital camera Summer Festival wont be for another six months galactic. So, traveling now, youd have to make four exchanges Rappahoe, Kunjab, Melorica, and Bernards World all on freighters before getting passage on a proper liner. Youre sure up to date. Bajorn grinned, his thin lips almost touching his droopy ears. Should be. Youre the fifth inquiry Ive had about that system. Whats up? Didnt know the Optherians went in for the sort of kicks singers like. Whore the other four? Well, theres no regulation against telling. Bajorn paused discreetly, and as theyve all asked, no reason why you shouldnt be told. You, and he ticked names off on his fingers, Borella Seal, Concera, Gobbain Tekla, and Rimbol. Indeed. Thank you, Bajorn, thats real considerate of you. Thats what Rimbol said, too. Bajorns face sagged mournfully. I do try to satisfy the Guilds travel requirements, but it is so depressing when my efforts are criticized or belittled. I cant help it if singers lose their memories and every shred of common courtesy. Ill program eternal courtesy to you on my personal tape, Bajorn. Id appreciate it. Only do it now, would you, Killashandra, before you forget? Promising faithfully, Killashandra rang off. Lanzecki had said there was a list. Were there only five names! Borella Seal and Concera she knew and she wouldnt have minded doing them out of the assignment; Gobbain Tekla was a total stranger. Rimbol had been cutting successfully, and in the darker shades just as Lanzecki had predicted. Why would he want such an assignment? So, four people had been interested enough to check Travel. Were there more? She asked for a list of unassigned singers in residence and it was depressingly long. After some names, including her own, the capital I for Inactive flashed. Perhaps unwisely, she deleted those and still had thirty-seven possible rivals. She twirled idly about in the gimbaled chair, wondering exactly what criterion was vital for the Optherian assignment. Lanzecki hadnt mentioned such minor details in the little he had disclosed. From what she had already learned of the planet and the mechanics of installation, any competent singer could do the job. So what would weigh the balance in favor of one singer?