"How does a forest like this come to be?" I ask Doku.

She shakes her head. "Heaven is a big station with a small population; not all of the agricultural sections are needed for food, so some have been allowed to go wild."

"And going wild, have developed their own infinitely varied world. Heaven is a treasure, Doku, for here life blooms where it never existed before."

She frowns. "Don't get too excited about it. We still have to get Fenelia and deal with Avidore."

I wish I could ignore the awful determination that burns in Doku's mind when she gives voice to that simple phrase, "deal with Avidore." For I know what she intends: before leaving Heaven, Doku wishes to see Avidore dead. And I do not know if I can allow such a thing.

"We have to get to the meeting place," Doku tells me. "This forest is just a short cut."

"Go without me, Doku Tomich. I will catch up. I must have some time with this new forest we have discovered. I must have time to commune with my brethren " She looks into my eyes, impatient. "I must also summon a ship of the Galactic Riders, if we are to escape from Heaven safely."

"All right. How will you find us?"

"I have seen your map...and I can follow Robbie's song. Go await Nen; I will come after you."

She is reluctant, but she has no answer for my arguments. "All right." She takes Robbie by the hand, and then they are gone.

I sit, and turn my attention to the glorious forest all around. Its music, the concert of living things, swirls like a fragrant mist about me and carries me upon its melody. In another instant, I have touched the minds of the Hlutr who watch events here at Karphos, and I am part of the grand communion of my people.

My first task is to call upon the Hluitr of Nephestal, who will in turn send a ship of the Galactic Riders to Karphos. Doku has planned for that ship to dock at Heaven so we can make a quick getaway with Fenelia...but I give instructions for the ship to wait in orbit nearby until I call.

For thrice seventy generations I have lived with Humans, cherished them and their children, spoken their language and sung their songs. Suddenly, I find that I do not understand them. Have they grown stranger, or have I? Before I came to Karphos in Shalit's borrowed body, I thought only of my Human friends on Escen and never concerned myself with the councils of the Hlutr which debated the fate of this race.

Now I am none too sure.

Brothers and sisters, guide me. These Humans are an odd people, an alien race that we may never know completely. What other peoples visit such atrocity upon their young...and what other young rise above their despair to find happiness?

The memory of the Hlutr is long, and our ghosts are always with us. We have seen much, on seventy times seventy times seventy times seventy worlds; worse than Karphos, worse than any perversion dreamed by Terra's sons and daughters. Worlds where intelligent creatures consume their young, publicly and with great ceremony, in order to prolong their lives. Planets on which breeding is happenstance and co-operation unheard of, where evisceration is the mildest of social interactions. There are societies based on degrees of pain and suffering, and others in which pity and compa.s.sion are perversions punishable by death.

What, then, are we to make of Karphos? Doku, I know, wishes that the Hlutr will destroy the world, send all its children back to their homes. Karphos is a bit unusual, but certainly not a crime that would warrant Hlutr action.

The key, however, is Avidore. While a world must be left alone unless its evil is too compelling, the Hlutr have acted to eliminate particular beings who are too warped to live in the civilized Galaxy- and will act again, whenever the need arises.

Mankind, the consensus of the Hlutr has decreed, must be spared. And I applaud that decision. Yet we have also taken it upon ourselves to help Man improve himself. If this means that Avidore must be eliminated from the Universal Song, so be it.

But help me, Brothers and Sisters, for I have never killed a Human before....

The dark of s.p.a.ce and the cool sound of the Hlutr song surround me; even on peaceful Escen, where my body stands in golden sunlight, I feel the refreshing coolness like the first breezes of winter. What must he done, will be done.

I am ready to face Avidore.

With the Inner Voice of seventy times seventy Hlutr concentrated in the s.p.a.ce around Karphos, Robbie's song becomes ever easier to detect; now I hear his call, relayed from Doku. Come, Elder, for Nen is here.

Bidding the magnificent forest farewell, I pa.s.s through a durasteel-framed door and follow the scent and music of Robbie's pa.s.sage.

They are waiting for me in a storage room just outside the agricultural region. Doku is anxious, Robbie placid...and Nen radiates a strange mixture of fear and elation.

"About time you showed up," Doku says.

"I was in deep communion with my folk."

Nen grunts. "I'm a s.p.a.cer, and I learned respect for the Hlutr- but you'll have to forgive me if I say that there isn't time for that now. I managed to get in contact with Fenelia Koleno." He narrows his eyes. "You didn't tell me that she's so important."

"I did not know, friend."

"Yeah, well, she's moving up- way up. I think Mr. Avidore has taken a shine to her. She's got a session with him this afternoon."

His thoughts are confused and shadowed. "What does that mean, Nen Basilus?"

He looks away. "Avidore is going to have some fun with your girl...then she'll probably he sent down to the city to be a section leader or something. If Avidore likes you, you're set until you grow up."

With a sneer, Doku says, "Is that what happened to you? Did Avidore like you?"

"As it happens," Nen answers without feeling, "it did."

"And that's why you're a pilot...and a recruiter?" Doku's derision flies outward in waves of the Inner Voice, making Robbie cringe.

Nen responds with cool anger. "We can talk about that later. I told Fenelia to meet me here, and she'll be along in a few minutes. I thought you might want to plan what you're going to do."

"Shalit, is that ship going to he here?"

I listen to the song of the Hlutr. "A Galactic Rider of Raemkhar-Tapt is approaching the Karphos system even now."

"Good. I say we grab Fenelia and take her to the port. Then when we're on our way back to the Hegemony we can send the Navy to take care of this place."

"You don't know what you're doing," Nen protests.

Then it is too late to argue, for the door snaps open and my little Fenelia stands framed against the light of the corridor outside.

She is a little taller, a hit more filthy, and the light of the stars shines less intensely in her eyes. Yet from her innocent song alone, I would know Fenelia anywhere. Karphos has not touched that part of her that keeps her still a child.

I cannot restrain myself, on Escen I lift my branches and call for Sten Koleno. He answers in an instant, and weeps when I tell him his child is found.

"Bring her back safely, Elder," he pleads.

"We do our best, my friend."

"Who are you?" Fenelia asks.

Doku holds out her hands. "Your father sent me, Fenelia. We've come to take you home."

Then the pitch of Fenelia's inner song changes, teetering on the edge of that mysterious transformation that robs most Humans of their youth. "I'm not going," she says.

"Don't be silly."

"I'm not going, and you can't make me. I like it here." She takes a step hack. "I'm going to tell Mr. Avidore on you."

"You don't want to see your Daddy again?"

Fenelia spins, in her eyes and mind the quick anger of childhood. "My Mummy and Daddy don't want me."

"How can you say such a thing? They love you."

"You don't know my Mummy and Daddy. They don't want me. They never wanted me. They were happy when I went away." She points to Nen. "He knows. He told me."

The look that Doku gives Nen speaks eloquently of her wish to do him harm. But she cannot see the turmoil inside him, the guilt and pain.

"Fenelia, you must come back with us."

"I don't even know who you are. I'm telling!"

This has gone too far, and I must act. I step forward, raising Shalit's body upon her hind feet and looking straight into Fenelia's eyes. "Child, do you know who I am?"

"I don't- "

Her eves cloud, as deep within her she hears the melodies that I have sung her time and again on Escen's peaceful soil. "Elder!"

I nod. "Return with us, Fenelia."

"I...I can't." She turns away-frightened, ashamed, sniffing back a tear. "Mummy and Daddy...."

Clear is my song to Sten Koleno, who stands beneath my spreading limbs, eyes cast to the skies in a hope he dares not feel. Sing with me, Sten Koleno. Your daughter needs you.

I could not accomplish this thing I do next, were it not for the ma.s.sed minds of the Hlutr and the nearness of Robbie's sensitive song. Across eight thousand pa.r.s.ecs, past a million living worlds, I carry Sten Koleno s image from Escen to a tiny storeroom in Heaven, far above the clouds of lonely Karphos.

He regards Fenelia, and for long frozen moments there is tension between father and daughter, between two ent.i.ties just learning to be distinct from one another. Then Sten opens his arms, and Fenelia rushes into them crying. He is only an image, a phantom of the mind- but he is real enough to Fenelia and she buries her face against him. Then she turns and looks back toward me with real love shining through her tears.

"Take me home."

I lower Shalit's body and cast thanks outward through the Inner Voice. "Soon, Little One. Soon." I am tired, but there is still much to do. Reluctantly I let Sten Koleno's image fade. Fenelia comes to me and sits at my side, her arms around my neck.

Nen clears his throat. "1 don't know what kind of ship you have waiting, but it probably can't get through Heaven's defenses. Come on, I'll take you to my ship and see if I can't smuggle you out."

Doku frowns. "Basilus. you're a decent sort...why do you help Avidore? How can you bring more children to this place, knowing what's in store for them?"

"What should I do?"

"You have a ship, man. Run for it. There are ten thousand Human planets out there for you to get lost among."

Storms lash the music of Nen's mind, and something dark is hidden beneath their violence. With Robbie's help I could lay bare this secret...but I stay my effort.

"Most of the kids I bring," he says, backing away, "are better off here. You don't know some of the things I've seen on those ten thousand Human planets-cruel things that make the mountain Corella or Heaven look like kindness. Here...here kids have a chance to he something, to make something of themselves."

"Oh, right, and then to die in the Hunt when they're old enough. I didn't see any adults on Karphos...that's why, isn't it?"

Nen hangs his head. "I do it because...because if I don't, Avidore's going to kill my folks." He turns away, while his thoughts ring with embarra.s.sment and humiliation. In his mind is the image of a Human man and woman, gentle-faced and loving. "There, now you know, okay?"

"I'm sorry...."

Again with Robbie's aid, I sing the inner melodies that help calm Nen. "Little One, he cannot know where your parents are. His threat is empty."

"I can't take that chance." He shrugs. "Come on, let's get you to my ship. We'll figure out what to do then."

I exchange glances with Doku, and the same thought is in both our minds. "Not yet, Nen," I say. "We must first settle the matter of Avidore."

Nen's eyes open wide. "Now wait a minute. No. Never. What do you think you're going to do with him?"

Doku shakes her head sadly. "I don't think there's any question. Shalit, you take the others and get to the ship. I'll take care of Avidore."

The blood l.u.s.t within her is as strong as any hunting animal's, and it pains me a bit to usurp her claim. "No, friend. Avidore is mine to confront." Elders, must I do this thing?

Nen shivers, torn between fear and shame. "You'll never get in to see him alone."

"Somehow, I must."

I do not know what Fenelia has been thinking, but she has listened intently. "I know what to do." She lowers her head. "Mr. Avidore is waiting for me. I'll take you to see him."

"No!" Doku shouts. "I won't allow-"

"You can't stop me." Fenelia looks at me, her eves revealing the depths that Karphos has uncovered. "It's what I have to do, Elder, isn't it?"

"You choose your own course, Fenelia. It will help, but I cannot compel you to do this thing."

"I'll do it. But we'd better go, we're going to be late."

"One moment. Doku, you and Nen must make ready for departure. Go to Nen's ship and wait for us there." I take a breath, and the scents of Heaven fill Shalit's lungs. How many more times will I breathe in this borrowed body? "Robbie, I need you. I cannot compel...." Without Robbie to strengthen the song of my Inner Voice, I might fail.

"D-d-d-d-don't worry, you can c-c-count on me."

"Go, then."

"G.o.ds be with you." A quick touch, then Doku and Nen depart.

I nod, and the three of us- little girl, r.e.t.a.r.ded boy, and Hlut in a loaned form- set off to do what none could do alone.

Avidore's receptionist whirs to itself for a moment, then flashes a soothing pattern on its screen. "Mr. Avidore will see you all." A door opens, and we pa.s.s through.

One wall of Avidore s office is a great window; the starry sky wheels past as Heaven spins. Some Human-style chairs a couch and a table are grouped in front of the window, and as we enter a computer terminal is obediently tucking itself into its alcove. But my attention is drawn instantly to the man who stands before us, arms spread in welcome.

Avidore is slender, muscular and taller than most adult Humans. His hair is the color of sandy beaches, his eyes the deep blue of twilight. He wears a fine embroidered business gown, such as I have often seen Sten Koleno wear. On his face is a disarming smile.

"h.e.l.lo, my dear Fenelia. How good to see you again. Who is your friend?" He gestures to Robbie.

This man's words are fair, his manner suave- yet Robbie shrinks back from him. When I touch his mind to read the unconscious melody there, I am shocked.

This is no innocent, no dilettante with unusually decadent tastes. Avidore looks at Fenelia, at Robbie, and within him is only the desire to hurt...the cloying antic.i.p.ation of delightful pain. Such depravity I have not felt except in the evil denizens of the Gathered Worlds.