Escape Velocity: The Anthology by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page B

perhaps? Closer inspection reveals subtle markings and a cluster of what appear to be touchbuttons. On breaking the seal (another whiff of fragranced air), I find that the object fits naturally, comfortably within the grip of my right hand, the buttons arrayed within reach of my folded fingers.
           Unwilling to press any of the buttons, I cannot discern its purpose. Despite its weapon-like grip, I cannot believe that the Cygnids would have crafted for me a firearm. Most likely it is a tool for tomorrow’s visit to their Library.
           I decide to eat.
           The food, as I expected, is superb and there are no scraps remaining when I finish. I place the tray at the lip of the sealed door for collection. Wishing they had left me something in the nature of reading or viewing material, I let my gaze navigate the room’s spartan features before returning to the picture window, which presents a panorama of Belberyan, the Cygnid capital city, at dusk.
           The window is about three meters wide and follows the curve of the room’s outer wall. The view beyond, from a vantage of about ten Earth-standard stories high, is of the clustered domes and turrets that form the staple of this continent’s current architecture. It is punctuated above by thick brown clouds that reflect the city’s jeweled lights, and below by the parks and avenues of the fashionably elite district within the city’s broader expanse.
           Of the Cygnid sun there is no sign, save the prominence it confers for now to the nearest facing towers. (I should, at least, get a good view of tomorrow’s sunrise.) I wonder which of the buildings is the Library. There are no clues, but presumably I will learn tomorrow.
           I am in such eager anticipation of the impending Library visit that I suspect I will have trouble sleeping tonight.
           Since humanity first encountered the Cygnids, the relationship has blossomed slowly and with subtlety, throttled and restrained by the Cygnids’ reluctance to share the secrets of their technological superiority. In truth, I am not sure how much can be gleaned from a twenty-four hour visit to their Library, but they have promised me unfettered access for this period, and as a long serving liaison officer with the Terran cultural mission here I know this to be a great honor, unprecedented in our shared history. I know from my readings of Cygnid history that an opportunity of this kind will not be repeated soon, if ever, since the Cygnids are slow to build trust.
           Even after fifty amicable years of shared history, they still regard us with the suspicion accorded predators around a wilderness waterhole. In the eyes of the Cygnids, the Library visit will be a test of humanity’s intentions, although my own need is to learn as much as I can of their marvels and secrets.
           I am staring through the window when the door opens again, and another Gamma – this time a nursing female, young and probably on her first litter – enters to pick up the tray. At first I wonder if this collection is the sole purpose of her visit, but she steps farther into the room, towards the window. I take the opportunity to gather the mysterious gadget from the chaise and hold it towards her, careful not to grip it in case it truly is a weapon. “Please,” I ask in Anglo, “what is the purpose of this device?”
           “ A reader,” she replies. Her lips do not part. Her ‘voice’ is higher-pitched than the earlier male’s, which I recognize as an attempt to mimic human characteristics. Gamma vocal tones do not naturally differ between genders. “For Library.” She points towards the window, in the direction of one of the large towers.
           “ How does it work?” I ask.
           “ Hold to surface,” she responds, and reaches towards me to indicate the central button among the device’s controls. “Sixes and sevens, you