Empress of Eternity by L. E. Modesitt Page A

as sophisticated as that which Faelyna was using. Not that they knew, but from what records remained, the Unity of Caelaarn’s technology had been more biological in nature, and other earlier civilizations had left few indications of such capabilities, at least since the ancients who had built the MCC.
    EEEE!!! The white emergency pulses signified the first announcement in more than a day. All outlying or isolated installations—beware of those approaching. In several locales, enemies of the Ruche have fled from populated areas to avoid treatment for antisocial and contra-Ruche tendencies. Such self-proclaimed refugees are often armed and dangerous. They should be reported to appropriate authorities as soon as possible.
    TechOversight—enemy of the Ruche? asked Faelyna.
    Eltyn knew that the seniors in MetCom—if they’d even survived—weren’t the kind to oppose the RF or The Twenty. Possible. TechOversight didn’t wait to announce Contingency Three. Chiental’s under a mountain.
    Third general announcement about “refugees,” noted Faelyna. More than a few unhappy with the new government. Besides TechOversight.
    Few? Anyone who doesn’t agree with The Twenty is now an enemy of the Ruche.
    Including us. [dry cynicism]
    Eltyn nodded without pulsing.
    Touch the conduit cover.
    He reached out and pointed to where the stone had flowed around the heat-exchanging line, not quite touching the surface. The stone flowed back onto itself. A musty and slightly rancid odor drifted up, and he couldn’t help but wriggle his nose.
    Close it .
    Eltyn barely moved his finger, concentrating on thinking about the conduit cover closing. The stone sealed itself around the composite piping, and he released his breath, if slowly.
    Power to standby , announced Faelyna.
    Results?
    Need to analyze. Different pattern.
    [hopeful] ???? Eltyn straightened and stretched.
    It’s a beginning. [doubt/hope] Possible key to command structure.
    Linguistic basis?
    Structured basis required. Linguistics…???
    Isn’t all structure based on language?
    All structure we know , Faelyna pulsed back. Since no one yet has figured out what lies behind or beneath the station…????
    How would we know? They might have figured it out and still left the station alone. Knowledge can’t always be translated into acts.
    For our sakes 3 … best hope we find a way.
    Eltyn’s response was a wry smile.
    Vehicle approaching! pulsed the local alarm system.
    Faelyna turned, an inquiring look on her face.
    Eltyn virtied the scanner and pulled an image. Supply wheeler. He watched for a time, extending the image to Faelyna. A woman driver eased the vehicle up to the station’s south side.
    That’s Rhyana. She sometimes does the deliveries , Faelyna pulsed. Seems like a good enough person.
    Might as well see what she has to say.
    The two of them left the equipment and walked up the ramp to the main level. Eltyn picked up one of the stunners before he pressed the stone to open the southern door. Then he led the way.
    Rhyana had pulled the wheeler up close to the door, in the area that Eltyn and Faelyna kept clear of the sand. That was both to keep sand from flowing into the station and to make it easier for those who delivered goods, parts, and equipment. The delivery woman stood beside the wheeler, her hands empty. Her eyes flicked from Faelyna to Eltyn and the stunner. Her orange driver’s cap was slightly askew over her short and curly brown hair.
    Eltyn couldn’t tell if the covered cargo bin of the solar-powered wheeler contained anything. Whatever it might be wasn’t that massive, because the vehicle wasn’t resting heavily on the narrow tires.
    “What is it?” Faelyna asked.
    “I had to leave Apialor. I saw what they were doing. They didn’t see me. No one looks at manualers. The Twenty sent a team with a scanner. They’re brain-scanning everyone. Those who aren’t loyal are force-conditioned.”
    Eltyn winced inside. Brain-scanning was bad enough. If