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"Enough! Enough of this, Irkmaan! Are you here for money, to use my influence for trade concessions-
what?"
I frowned. "Where is Zammis?"
Tears of anger came to the old Drac's eyes.
"There is no Zammis, Irkmaan! The Jeriba line ended with the death of Shigan!"
My eyes grew wide as I shook my head. "That's not true. I know. I took care of Zammis-you heard
nothing from the commission?"
"Get to the point of your scheme, Irkmaan. I haven't all day."
I studied Gothig. The old Drac had heard nothing from the commission. The Drac authorities took
Zammis, and the child had evaporated. Gothig had been told nothing. Why? "I was with Shigan, Gothig.
That is how I learned your language. When Shigan died giving birth to Zammis,
I-"
"Irkmaan, if you cannot get to your scheme, I will have to ask Nev to throw you out. Shigan died in the
battle of Fyrine IV. The Drac Fleet notified us only days later."
I nodded. "Then, Gothig, tell me how I came to know the line of Jeriba? Do you wish me to recite it for
you?"
Gothig snorted. "You say you know the Jeriba line?" "Yes."
Gothig flipped a hand at me. "Then, recite." I took a breath, then began. By the time I had reached the
hundred and seventy-third generation, Gothig had knelt on the stone floor next to Nev. The Dracs
remained that way for three hours of the recital. When I concluded, Gothig bowed its head and wept.
"Yes, Irkmaan, yes. You must have known Shigan. Yes." The old Drac looked up into my face, its eyes
wide with hope. "And, you say Shigan continued the line-that Zammis was born?"
I nodded. "I don't know why the commission didn't notify you."
Gothig got to its feet and frowned. "We will find out, Irkmaan-what is your name?"
"Davidge. Willis Davidge."
"We will find out, Davidge." .
Gothig arranged quarters for me in its house, which was fortunate, since I had little more than eleven
hundred credits left. After making a host of inquiries, Gothig sent Nev and me to the Chamber Center in
Sendievu, Draco's capital city. The Jeriba line, I found, was influential, and the big stall was held down
to a minimum. Eventually, we were directed to the Joint Survey Commission representative, a Drac
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named Jozzdn Vrule. It looked up from the letter Gothig had given me and frowned. "Where did you get
this, Irkmaan?"
"I believe the signature is on it."
The Drac looked at the paper, then back at me. "The Jeriba line is one of the most respected on Draco.
You say that Jeriba Gothig gave you this?"
"I felt certain I said that; I could feel my lips moving-"
Nev stepped in. "You have the dates and the information concerning the Fyrine IV survey mission. We
want to know what happened to Jeriba Zammis."
Jozzdn Vrule frowned and looked back at the paper. "Estone Nev, you are the founder of your line, is
this not true?"
"It is true."
"Would you found your line in shame? Why do I see you with this Irkmaan?"
Nev curled its upper lip and folded its arms.
"Jozzdn Vrule, if you contemplate walking this planet in the foreseeable future as a free being, it would
be to your profit to stop working your mouth and to start finding Jeriba Zammis."
Jozzdn Vrule looked down and studied its fingers, then returned its glance to Nev. "Very well, Estone
Nev. You threaten me if I fail to hand you the truth. I think you will find the truth the greater threat."
The Drac scribbled on a piece of paper, then handed it to Nev. "You will find Jeriba Zammis at this
address, and you will curse the day that I gave you this."
We entered the retard colony feeling sick. All around us, Dracs stared with vacant eyes, or screamed, or
foamed at the mouth, or behaved as lower-order creatures. After we had arrived, Gothig joined us. The
Drac director of the colony frowned at me and shook its head at Gothig. "Turn back now, while it is still
possible, Jeriba Gothig. Beyond this room lies nothing but pain and sorrow."
Gothig grabbed the director by the front of its wraps. "Hear me, insect: If Jeriba Zammis is within these
walls, bring my grandchild forth! Else, I shall bring the might of the Jeriba line down upon your pointed
head!"
The director lifted its head, twitched its lips, then nodded. "Very well. Very well, you pompous
Kazzmidth! We tried to protect the Jeriba reputation. We tried! But now you shall see." The director
nodded and pursed its lips. "Yes, you overwealthy fashion follower, now you shall see." The director
scribbled on a piece of paper, then but take it! Yes, take it! See this being you call Jeriba Zammis. See it,
and weep!"
Among trees and grass, Jeriba Zammis sat upon a stone bench, staring at the ground. Its eyes never
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