Orphan Star by Alan Dean Foster

Author:Alan Dean Foster [Foster, Alan Dean]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Speculative Fiction
ISBN: 0345324498
Publisher: Del Rey
Published: 1977-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Jiwe reflected on Flinx’s question. “Because he’s symptomatic of something which has been happening with distressing frequency lately throughout the Commonwealth. Most people refuse to see any pattern to it, any connection between incidents. A very few, myself among them, aren’t so certain these events are unrelated.

“Over the past several years, important people with unique talents have exhibited an unnerving tendency to blow themselves to bits, along with a sometimes equally unique apparatus. Taken individually, these incidents affect only the immolated. Taken collectively, they constitute something potentially dangerous to a great many others.”

The silence in the chamber was punctuated only by the efficient hum of life-sustaining equipment, the eerie wheeze of a mechanical zombie.

“Out of dozens, Povalo here is the only one who wasn’t quite thorough enough in doing away with himself. Though for all the difference, he might as well be dead. He’s certainly no good to himself anymore.”

“You say some of you believe these suicides are all linked,” Flinx ventured. “Have you discovered anything to connect them?”

“Nothing positive,” Jiwe admitted, “which is why there are so few of us. All of them did have one thing in common, though. Not one appeared to have any reason for wanting to kill himself. I happen to think that’s mighty significant. But the Council doesn’t agree.”

Flinx showed little interest. Now was the time to quash personal curiosity and get about the business of getting out. “What do you want of me?”

Jiwe moved to a nearby chair, threw himself into it. “Povalo was a wealthy, intelligent, wholly self-possessed engineer doing important research. Now he’s a vegetable. I want to know why a man like that—why many humans and thranx like that—seem to find it suddenly necessary to murder themselves. Yes, self-murder . . . I can’t call it suicide when I truly believe it’s something else.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Flinx asked warily.

“You detected that AAnn infiltrator when no one else suspected his presence.”

“That was just an accident,” Flinx explained. He scratched Pip’s jaw. “It happens only when Pip gets excited; when he perceives a possible threat to me.” He indicated Povalo. “Your subject is hardly a threat.”

“I’m not expecting a thing,” Jiwe calmed him, “I’m just asking you to try. I’ll try tarot readers and tea leaves after you’ve failed.”

Flinx sighed elaborately. “If you insist . . .”

“Ask,” the Counselor reminded him gently, “not insist.”

Semantics, Flinx thought sardonically; but he dutifully turned to face the bed and concentrated on its limp occupant. He struggled to reach past those sightless eyes, more afraid of what he might discover than what he might not.

Pip tightened reflexively on his shoulder, sensing his master’s effort. Flinx hoped without much confidence that Jiwe hadn’t noticed the minidrag’s reaction. What he had failed to consider was that his very unease as he concentrated on Povalo was enough to stimulate Pip. There was a threat present, even if only in his own mind.

No faint haze obscured his vision. There was no lilting music in his ears to distract him.

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