Serpent's Gift by A. C. Crispin, Deborah A. Marshall Read Free Book Online Page A

take another week for the Mizari portion of the team to assemble and leave Shassiszss."
    "That is good news," Greyshine said. 'They will have better equipment than I possess. Better scopes, a full-size sifter, there are so many things we need!
    More equipment, more hands"--his muzzle crinkled mischievously--"or more manipulatory tendrils, as the case may be. Only then will we be able to do the most thorough job of investigating the site and uncovering any additional artifacts."
    "It is regrettable that nothing has turned up except for the discoveries the engineering crew uncovered and moved," Ssoriszs said. "I am still puzzled that you have not found a star-shrine. The Star Seeker Sect should have had a star-shrine."
    "It is entirely possible that they did have one, and we simply have not located it," Greyshine pointed out. "We have mapped and gridded only half the site, and analyzed less than half of that. Not to mention that there are many subsidiary caverns still unexplored. With only Serge as a full-time assistant, it has been slow work," he finished, sounding a bit defensive. "The only reason we are not at the site now is that he was called upon to serve as an Orientation Guide."
    "I fully understand and sympathize," Ssoriszs was quick to reassure the Heeyoon. "If only I were trained, then I could be of more help to you!"
    Greyshine cocked his head at the Mizari thoughtfully. "Esteemed One, I believe that you are more anxious for our discovery to be linked to the Lost Colony than I am." The Heeyoon's were bright with curiosity. "And that strikes me as odd,
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    for making such a discovery would insure my place among the great archaeologists of all time--Blackmoon Runner of my people, Zhoriszen among yours, Schliemann and Emerson of Terra. Why is this of such intensely personal interest to you, if I may inquire?"
    Ssoriszs' manipulatory tendrils twitched with emotion as he regarded the other gravely. "You are correct as to my interest being intensely personal, Esteemed Professor. Proving a link between your dig and the Mizari Lost Colony would assure your future ... but for me, it would return to me a piece of my past that I had thought forever lost. And we Mizari treasure our past. ..
    though that was not always so," he finished regretfully.
    "Why did they leave?" Greyshine asked. "The records mention spiritual and ethical conflicts, but there was no mention of violence between the Star Seekers and the rest of your homeworld."
    "Violence!" Ssoriszs shook his head--a gesture he'd picked up from Rob Gable years ago. "Thank the Star-Spirits, it never came to that, Greyshine.
    But the Seekers were ridiculed for their beliefs, made to feel unwelcome on their own world. Eventually they felt so unwanted that they elected voluntary exile from their world and their people." He sighed, his tendrils rippling mournfully. "Their departure marked a failure for my people, Professor. One of our worst."
    The Heeyoon's tongue lolled slightly from his mouth as he listened, fascinated. "I have never before heard the story related from that viewpoint, Esteemed One. And, forgive me, but it seems a trifle ... removed .. . from our time to cause you personal distress."
    Ssoriszs hissed softly, ruefully. For a moment he was tempted to confess to the Heeyoon that his family was far away, removed from him in thought and spirit, as well as distance, and that he longed to discover new kin--to try again with them to forge bonds of blood, of understanding. He yearned for an end to his loneliness. But he only said, "I am very old, Greyshine, and the elderly often fixate on strange things--is that not true for your people, as well?"
    "It is," the Heeyoon admitted. "It seems to be true for many different species.
    Young Serge reports the same thing among humans."
    "I know," Ssoriszs said, straightening his body. He made a graceful wave of apology and dismissal with his tendrils. "Please accept my apologies for disturbing your rest, Professor. I will let