Crystal Universe - [Crystal Singer 03] - Crystal Line by Anne McCaffrey

Author:Anne McCaffrey [McCaffrey, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780345457448
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2011-06-08T07:00:00+00:00

“The Guild has received the biggest order ever requested, to facilitate the colonization and exploitation of seven new systems,” the Guild Master told the twenty singers he had called back from their travels. “We must be able to fill these orders for black crystal. All of you”—and his blue eyes settled on one after the other—“have cut black crystal from time to time.”

“When I could find it,” someone said facetiously.

“The chosen few,” another added.

He wasn’t really all that much like Shad, Killashandra thought, her mind jumping as much from crystal deprivation as deliberate inattention because it was Lars Dahl who was talking in his Guild Master role. Just because they both have blue eyes and love the sea, that doesn’t make them comparable. Or it shouldn’t. And if any of us could find black crystal, we would, without him having to order us!

“To facilitate that search,” Lars Dahl continued as the screen behind him lit up with a variety of paint emblems, “the Guild is canceling the markers of singers who, for one reason or another, are not actively working in the Ranges.” That caused a stir and some consternation. “I should amend that—singers who have been known to bring in black crystal,” he went on, raising his voice slightly over the murmuring. “We must follow up every potential source of black crystal.”

“Leaving no stone unturned?” the wit asked, rousing some laughter and groans.

Lars Dahl grinned in response. “That’s it. Now”—he gestured behind to the screen—“these are the canceled markers. If, however, one of you finds black on the claim of a still-existing singer …”

“Can’t regress ’em back far enough to tell you where they cut black yet, eh, Lars?” someone asked, ending with a malicious laugh.

Regress? The word reverberated, jogging an uneasy memory, and Killa sat upright, trying to locate the speaker. “Regress”? Why should that word alarm her?

“I’ll be forced to use that option, Fanerine, if you sane and active ones can’t cut the blacks the Guild is obligated to supply. As I was saying, if an existing singer’s claim is worked, there’ll be a levy of twenty-five percent on your cut which is to go to the original claimant.” He held up his hand to interrupt the sharp protests. “That will include the Guild tithe, so you aren’t losing much to gain a viable site. Of course, you have to find it, first.” Killashandra rather liked that droll touch. Lanzecki had reserved his humor for private moments. “Now, here’re copies of these released markers for you to take with you. Secure it somewhere highly visible and try to remember why the sheet’s there. First comer to any of these reopened claims has possession: mark it with your own colors.

“Most of you realize that we’ve just had Passover, so that’s one hazard that won’t interrupt the search. Met says there’s a period of stable weather due us—isn’t it always after Passover?” His remark generated a few polite chuckles, but Killashandra regarded him stony-faced.

He shouldn’t think he could jolly

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