Scaevola's Triumph (Gaius Claudius Scaevola trilogy Book 3) by Ian Miller Page A

those trefunes. Then they could get on with serving Rome instead of grand-standing, and trying to put something over one of their many enemies."
    "Perhaps," Lucilla countered, "but doesn't it also show the Ulsians up as a thoroughly cowardly and devious lot?"
    "What do you mean?"
    "They have a nice-sounding purpose now, after years and years of self-justification, but think about how they could have gotten started? Why hide your face?"
    "You think . . ?"
    "You hide to be devious, so as not to face up to your responsibilities, to . . ."
    "Not so," the Tin Man interjected. "Their history is quite different."
    "Exactly how?" Lucilla asked.
    "When Ulsian culture was far more similar to yours, there were wars across the planet, just like yours, except Ulse had developed far more terrible weapons. Most Ulsians were scarred, or deformed in some way, from radiation or other poisons. The trefune was worn to hide the deformities. Initially the purpose of the trefune was to spare the wearer the sight of others shuddering when they saw him. Later, when governments tried to control the population, the trefune was resurrected as a means of showing independence. Now those terrible times are past, it still has formal value."
    At first Lucilla seemed embarrassed at having been caught thinking badly of the Ulsians, but then she suddenly realized that the Tin Man, by interrupting, must have been listening to their conversation. Which meant that the Tin Man was listening to all their conversations. He may be there to help them, but he was also there to oversee them. Anything they said could be reported. In whispers, she individually told the others.
    Vipsania was horrified, but Gaius seemed not to be surprised. As he whispered back, it would be surprising if the Ulsians did not wish to monitor what they were doing. But since nothing bad had happened so far, as long as any anti-Ulsian feelings got no worse they should be all right. Hence, younger sister, try to keep quiet about anything that particularly annoys you.
    * * *
    Two days later a different Ulsian in a green trefune came to the door, to announce that the need for getting out of this room was appreciated, and a zone of open countryside had been set aside for their use. It could be accessed through a special tube exit, which the Tin Man could take them to any time they wished.
    "But there's still no contact with Ulse itself, is there?" Gaius asked in an irritable tone.
    "No."
    "You feel we're inferior, and can't . . ."
    "No!" the Ulsian interrupted. "We don't at all. However . . ." he paused, and became almost embarrassed.
    "However what?"
    "Your arrival has created an unexpected possibility for study," the Ulsian said.
    "You're going to watch us like animals in a cage!" Gaius spat. He stepped forward aggressively, almost as if he was going to attack the Ulsian. "That was not . . ."
    "Please, no!" the Ulsian shrunk back.
    "Gaius," Vipsania whispered. "Please don't?"
    "Don't what?" Gaius said irritably, although now a little calmer.
    "Don't do anything to irritate our . . . guest."
    "It's very difficult not to get irritable when you're being lied to!" Gaius said angrily.
    "You haven't been lied to!" the Ulsian protested, "but your violent attitude isn't helping in the slightest."
    "Violent?" Gaius roared, and the Ulsian shrunk back again. "What've I done that's violent?"
    "You looked as if you're going to hit me!" the Ulsian protested.
    "Oh dear!" Gaius shrugged, and stepped back, almost deflated. "Listen! If I were going to hit you, you would've been hit long before now."
    "What Gaius is trying to say," Vipsania intervened and stood between them, "is that he is angry, but he was never going to hit you. Humans tend to shout," she continued, "when they get frustrated, because the explanation presented is illogical or non-existent."
    "You wish a logical explanation for our actions?" the Ulsian frowned.
    "Yes," Vipsania replied, then held her hand up to stop Gaius from speaking. "I know," she