they gave you in Welfare."
"Oh-I forgot I had not told you," and she explained.
Sparline showed relief. "But even with this reversible, it's no picnic, what I've heard. Wel, they can tel you more at the Hatchery."
"Hatchery?"
"Delayed Reproduction Center-Hatchery's what we cal it."
"Yes. Wel, in any case," said Rissa, "the method must be less strenuous than normal gestation culminating in childbirth. Though if circumstances permitted, I would expect to do it that way. So I will not allow you to frighten me." But she smiled to show the rebuke was only jest.
"Point taken," said Sparline. "Well, you seem to have things in hand. Have you talked with Liesel about your new holdings?"
Rissa nodded. "She reminds me of Erika-and holding a greater proportion of wealth here than any group could hold on Earth, she is perhaps even more effective."
"Don't sell Erika's gang short-they may own South America by now."
"It would not surprise me. And now, Sparline-have things gone wel with you, also?"
"Well enough. Rissa-did Liesel say anything about-?"
"You and Ernol?" Sparline nodded. "No, not really. And since she did not, I am free to air my guesses. Though they are only guesses, and I would not bet on outguessing Liesel."
"Well?" Sparline's hands clenched together.
"She loads Ernol with responsibility-it is her method of forcing growth, and I think she is pleased with the results." No-I need not say that Liesel considers it a game. "When Ernol achieves some particular degree of status-you can guess better than I what it might be-I feel Liesel will agree to the marriage. Though not without making a show of resis-tance." Sparline laughed. "Oh, she'll make me fight for it-she always has; that's all right." Now her hands freed themselves of each other, flexed and relaxed. "Thanks, Rissa. I thought that was the story, but I'm too involved-too wanting- to trust my own judgment."
"And, as I said, you must not rely too heavily on mine."
"Don't worry-I won't push until the signs are right-when she gets impatient for the fun and starts to nudge. I'll know..."
Rissa stared. " You enjoy it, also! I am lucky to be a Hulzein only by marriage." Then; "No-I did not mean-"
"It's all right-I know what you meant. By most folks' standards, I suppose we are strange. But that works both ways. Rissa-the mere idea of being you-it scares me spit-less!"
Which of them laughed first? Rissa was not certain. They stood and clung together for a moment; then Rissa left the room and returned to her own.
Tregare greeted her. "I got hold of the DRC-Delayed Reproduction Center-all right. But you know what? We can't do it all at once-at least you can't-you can leave one ovum every fertile period, and-"
"I know. Well, the question of seniority is settled."
"Sure." Then Tregare shook his head. "But at that rate, how in the name of peace did UET ever raise a cargo of sperm and ova?" She thought. "When did UET ever care what it did to its slaves? The available techniques-remove the ovaries, keep them alive in vitro and hasten the ovulation cycle by chemical means. It has been done with pigs and cattle-and to UET, people are no different."
"Well-maybe they took out only one per person." Then he shook his head. "No. It would cost more, that way. So-"
"For the time being, Bran, forget UET. Until you are ready to move on Stronghold." five met at dinner. Hawkman had returned. He had trimmed his beard quite short, outlining clearly the shape of jaw and cheekbones; Rissa complimented him on the effect. "I am pleased to have a better look at you, at last."
"That's your disadvantage, Rissa-you women can't grow anything to hide behind. Of course, in the case of present com-pany-" He raised his glass, "-that's a blessing to us men. Right, Bran?" Laughter was general; then the talk took other paths. Later, for the first time since the duel, Rissa partook of drugsticks. Relaxed, in a lul between past conflicts and those to come, she let the smoke enhance her senses,
"Oh-I forgot I had not told you," and she explained.
Sparline showed relief. "But even with this reversible, it's no picnic, what I've heard. Wel, they can tel you more at the Hatchery."
"Hatchery?"
"Delayed Reproduction Center-Hatchery's what we cal it."
"Yes. Wel, in any case," said Rissa, "the method must be less strenuous than normal gestation culminating in childbirth. Though if circumstances permitted, I would expect to do it that way. So I will not allow you to frighten me." But she smiled to show the rebuke was only jest.
"Point taken," said Sparline. "Well, you seem to have things in hand. Have you talked with Liesel about your new holdings?"
Rissa nodded. "She reminds me of Erika-and holding a greater proportion of wealth here than any group could hold on Earth, she is perhaps even more effective."
"Don't sell Erika's gang short-they may own South America by now."
"It would not surprise me. And now, Sparline-have things gone wel with you, also?"
"Well enough. Rissa-did Liesel say anything about-?"
"You and Ernol?" Sparline nodded. "No, not really. And since she did not, I am free to air my guesses. Though they are only guesses, and I would not bet on outguessing Liesel."
"Well?" Sparline's hands clenched together.
"She loads Ernol with responsibility-it is her method of forcing growth, and I think she is pleased with the results." No-I need not say that Liesel considers it a game. "When Ernol achieves some particular degree of status-you can guess better than I what it might be-I feel Liesel will agree to the marriage. Though not without making a show of resis-tance." Sparline laughed. "Oh, she'll make me fight for it-she always has; that's all right." Now her hands freed themselves of each other, flexed and relaxed. "Thanks, Rissa. I thought that was the story, but I'm too involved-too wanting- to trust my own judgment."
"And, as I said, you must not rely too heavily on mine."
"Don't worry-I won't push until the signs are right-when she gets impatient for the fun and starts to nudge. I'll know..."
Rissa stared. " You enjoy it, also! I am lucky to be a Hulzein only by marriage." Then; "No-I did not mean-"
"It's all right-I know what you meant. By most folks' standards, I suppose we are strange. But that works both ways. Rissa-the mere idea of being you-it scares me spit-less!"
Which of them laughed first? Rissa was not certain. They stood and clung together for a moment; then Rissa left the room and returned to her own.
Tregare greeted her. "I got hold of the DRC-Delayed Reproduction Center-all right. But you know what? We can't do it all at once-at least you can't-you can leave one ovum every fertile period, and-"
"I know. Well, the question of seniority is settled."
"Sure." Then Tregare shook his head. "But at that rate, how in the name of peace did UET ever raise a cargo of sperm and ova?" She thought. "When did UET ever care what it did to its slaves? The available techniques-remove the ovaries, keep them alive in vitro and hasten the ovulation cycle by chemical means. It has been done with pigs and cattle-and to UET, people are no different."
"Well-maybe they took out only one per person." Then he shook his head. "No. It would cost more, that way. So-"
"For the time being, Bran, forget UET. Until you are ready to move on Stronghold." five met at dinner. Hawkman had returned. He had trimmed his beard quite short, outlining clearly the shape of jaw and cheekbones; Rissa complimented him on the effect. "I am pleased to have a better look at you, at last."
"That's your disadvantage, Rissa-you women can't grow anything to hide behind. Of course, in the case of present com-pany-" He raised his glass, "-that's a blessing to us men. Right, Bran?" Laughter was general; then the talk took other paths. Later, for the first time since the duel, Rissa partook of drugsticks. Relaxed, in a lul between past conflicts and those to come, she let the smoke enhance her senses,
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