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“You ... how....” he floundered.

“A menore, under your pillow,” I explained crisply. “But that doesn’t matter, now. You will guide us to the spot where you found the Aranian city, and establish communication with the Aranians. When that’s done, I’ll give you further orders.”

“And if I won’t?” breathed Tipene, his teeth clenched in a shaking rage.

“But you will. Otherwise, we’ll permit you to continue your explorations on this interesting little sphere—minus your protective suit.”

Tipene stared at me with horror-stricken eyes. I think he saw that I meant exactly what I said—and I was not bluffing.

“I—I’ll do it,” he said.

“Then watch the river carefully,” I ordered. “Kincaide, lift her just enough so we can get a good view of the river. Tipene will tell you where to set her down.”

Navigating visually, Kincaide followed the winding course of the river, covering in a few minutes a distance it had taken the scientists a day to navigate.

“There—there is the place,” said Tipene suddenly. “Just this side of the patch of vegetation.”