"Jacqueline Lichtenberg - Dushau Trilogy 03 - Outreach" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lichtenberg Jacqueline)

He nodded human-fashion and activated the duo linkage that unified himself and Krinata, preparing to
convene the Oliat for Dissolution. But he stole a moment of privacy in their duo, to tell her, //I would have
stayed with you the rest of your lifeтАФif I could have. But none of us can be trusted anymore. If we don't
Dissolve nowтАФ//

III know. You explained how we're already deep into the safety margin. You must go to Renewal
seclusion now. I want you to go. Ephemerals have done you enough harm. But that doesn't make it any
easier to say good-bye.//

In the intimacy of the duo, Jindigar saw himself through her eyes and her emotions. His indigo-napped
skin shone in the suddenly bright light, for human eyes were so much more sensitive in the yellow band.
His white garments sparkled, making him seem huge and otherworldly. She hardly noted the lack of
external ears on his skull but dwelled instead on his seven-fingered hands, seeing a sensualness in the
musician's strength.

He drew back, suddenly realizing that she wanted to feel his napped skin stroking her face, and there
was nothing" innocent in it. That strange attraction had always been there between them, but it was only
lately, since Dar had stirred him so deeply, that he was physically aware of itтАФand vaguely repelled. But
Krinata was the most beautiful, courageous, and compassionate person he had ever known. He could
not hurt her, so he didn't let her see that he'd noticed.

//You have Cy. He'll make a good life with you.// By the time he could once again tolerate ephemeral
company without the danger of close emotional attachments, he would be dealing with their
grandchildrenтАФor perhaps another reincarnation of Krinata.
//I can't imagine life without Cy. But he's not you. You once told me Renewal can be a harsh judge of
souls. I hope it will be kind to you....//

In Renewal, the Dushau body was restored to youthful health while the soul assimilated recent lessons.
//The emotional instability will subside in a few years. Raising children can be an immensely vitalizing
experience. I recommend you try it. I know Cy wants to.//

//I expect we will try it.//

//Ready?//

//YesтАФjustтАФremember me, just as I am now.//

//Count on it.// And he gentled her into the Office of Out reach for the entire Oliat, the only one of them
who could speak aloud when they were convened. //Outreach,// he called her formally, then opened the
full seven-way Oliat linkage, calling each of his officers to function.

He braced himself, expecting the usual discord as the half-trained officers struggled to work with the
larger group. In spite of the woefully inadequate performance of his Oliat, he was about to achieve the
rank of Retired Center, to become an Observing Priest with Active status.

And then he noticed that the linkages had settled into place with neat precision. Just when there's no
time left, they finally get it! His eyes met Dar's, and on his signal, they fingered the subsuming chord, a
musical analogue to the soundless vibration of the carrier wave of the universe, which should be a
constant background to Oliat awareness. But he had always had to use the music to approximate a
balance.