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figured if I was going to die, it may as well be in peace, away from all that hustle. It s
only about a mile from the station to my mod, but I had difficulty walking those last
few yards, it hits that fast. My joints ached, knees and hips mostly, though they
didn t swell up like some people s do, and then the headache started, and the itchy
eyes and throat. Then the cough.
 How long were you sick?
 Three days. I was weak much longer.
Marghe wanted to reach out and take the Mirror s hand, something, but Lu Wai
had them both clenched around her scarf, remembering.  If I got it,  she asked her
gently,  what would you advise?
The Mirror looked at Marghe speculatively.  I saw the vaccine specs; it s your
basic artificial antigen, but weaker than killed virus, because it s not very specific.
The adjuvants should make up for that. It should work.
 But just suppose it doesn t.
 Complications are almost always respiratory. Make sure you re warm and dry,
move your arms around a bit, give your lungs a chance to pump out any phlegm that
might collect. Drink lots of fluids. Water s best, but boil it. Dap would be okay
because of that, but remember it s a stimulant not a very good idea when your
body s already weak. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables if you can get them.
Commonsense precautions.
Marghe nodded her thanks, but the Mirror was not finished.
 If anything happens, if you lose your pills, or it doesn t work, get back to Port
Central, to a medic. Don t mess with it. That s the best advice I can give you.
 Kris flies! Letitia called, pointing.
Marghe pulled her scarf back up and tightened the knot. She breathed steadily
through her nose, in and out, and followed Letitia s finger. They were dark on the
horizon, like smoke. She breathed more deeply.
Lu Wai squatted next to her and unfastened her medical roll.  Are you allergic to
any of the antihistamines or bronchiodilators?
 No. She watched the swarm grow bigger.
The Mirror nodded, satisfied.  I ve never heard of a swarm attacking without
cause, but there s always a first time. If they come close, curl up and expose as little
of yourself as you can. And try not to panic.
 I won t.
Letitia had already altered course to the shortest route off the olla carpet, but the
kris flies were getting closer. Marghe hunched down and concentrated on her
breathing. If she did get stung, she was confident she could neutralize the worst of
the venom herself, or at least keep the effects localized. She closed her eyes and
listened. A thousand, a hundred thousand pairs of wings beat the air, whisking it to a
whining froth that blew into her ears and made her throat itch. It sounded wrong, and
Marghe realized she had been expecting the drone of hornets or bees. The volume
did not increase. She raised her head cautiously.
The swarm poured by almost close enough to touch, undulating and shimmering
in the diffuse light like a silk scarf in the wind, gold, green, and black. The colors did
not trigger Earth-learned fears; they were beautiful. All four women watched the
swarm pass over the horizon, and were quiet a long time afterward.
The early morning sky was mother-of-pearl; in its light, the chevrons and gray
medic flashes on Lu Wai s shoulders shone almost silver as the Mirror pointed a
free hand westward.  Look over there.
At first Marghe could see nothing different; then the grass changed from yellowish
green to black. Letitia put down her schematic and clambered up into the front.  The
blasted heath, she said. They watched the black plain spread out to their left like a
pool of charcoal dust.
Marghe leaned out to take a closer look. She thought she saw fresh green shoots
pushing through the withered remains.  I d like to go in closer.
 Not advisable, Letitia said,  at least in the sled. It s not a good idea on foot
either, unless you re with someone who knows about burnstone.
Burnstone could smolder under the ground for years before sighing into ash.
Company had triggered several serious burns before they had learned to listen to the
indigenes and avoid these unstable areas.
 This is the big one, Letitia said.  The one that got SEC s knickers in a twist.
Marghe nodded. The Jink and Oriyest v. Company case.  I wonder what
happened to the owners.
Letitia leaned against the waist-high siding of the sled and watched the ruined
grass flow beneath them.  Nobody owns this land, she said.
 For now, the journey women are letting Jink and Oriyest use some land to the
north and west, Lu Wai said.  Not for from here.
 If it s not far, I d like to visit.
Marghe felt the women in the sled tense. Letitia and Lu Wai almost looked at each
other but did not, and in the back of the sled, Ude sat up. No one said anything.
 What have I said wrong?
 Nothing. It s just that they ll be busy right now, getting in their flock, Lu Wai
said easily, without taking her eyes from the horizon.
Letitia nodded.  We d waste a day or two tracking them down, and we need to
get these cables laid and the relay in place before the weather turns. You re operating
under a tight schedule, too.
Marghe looked at them one at a time. They had closed ranks against her, but
why? What was going on?  Are you saying you refuse to take me to find Jink and
Oriyest?
 No, Letitia said,  just that we d search for days and more than likely not find
them.
Which meant the same thing, Marghe thought bitterly. If they did not want her to
meet Jink and Oriyest, there was nothing she could do. She was angry, and did not
bother to hide it.  I don t know why you don t want me to find them, but I m not
stupid enough to waste my time trying to force you. Perhaps on my way back. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]