When strawberries go begging, and the sleek

Optherians do not care to leave their planet, whatever their minor disappointments. You will excuse me, Guildmember Mirbethan broke the connection. Killashandra stared at the blank screen for a long moment. Of course, neither Mirbethan nor any of the quartette knew of her early background in music. Certainly none of them could possible know of her disappointment, nor how she would relate that to what Mirbethan had just admitted. If you failed to make the grade at the organ, there was nothing else for you on Optheria? There was no way in which Killashandra would buy Mirbethans statement that frustrated Optherian musicians would prefer to remain on the planet, even if they had been conditioned to the restriction from birth. And that tenor had sung with absolute pitch. Itd be a bloody shame to muzzle that voice in preference to an organ, however perfect an instrument it might be. Hazardous crystal singing might be as a profession, but it sure beat languishing on Optheria. A sudden thought struck her and, with a fluid stride, she went to the terminal, tapped for Library, and the entry on Ballybran. A much expurgated entry scrolled past, ending with the Code Four restriction. She queried the Files for political science texts and discovered fascinating gaps in that category. So, censorship was applied on Optheria. Not that that ever accomplished its purpose. However, an active censorship was not grounds for charter-smashing, and the Guild had only been requested to discover if the planetary exit restriction was popularly accepted. Well, she knew one person she could ask the tenor if he hadnt gone into hiding after last nights hunt. Killashandra grinned. If she knew tenors She had breakfasted the catering unit did offer a substantial breakfast and dressed by the time Thyrol arrived to inquire if she had rested, and more importantly, if she would like to start the repairs. He tactfully indicated her arm. Youve apprehended the assailant? Merely a matter of time. How many students in the Complex? she asked amiably as Thyrol led her down the hall to the lift. At present, four hundred and thirty. Thats a lot of suspects to examine. No student would dare attack an honored guest of the planet. On most planets, theyd 35mm cameras vs digital be the prime suspects. My dear Guildmember, the selection process by which this student body is chosen considers all aspects of the applicants background, training, and ability. They uphold all our traditions. Killashandra mumbled something suitable. How many positions are available to graduates? That is not an issue, Guildmember, Thyrol said with mild condescension. There is no limit to the number of fully trained performers who present compositions for the Optherian organ But only one may play at a time There are forty-five organs throughout Optheria That many? Then why couldnt one of those be substituted The instrument here at the Complex is the largest, most advanced and absolutely essential for the performance level required by the Summer Festival. Composers from all over the planet compete for the honor and their work has been especially written for the potential of the main instrument. To ask them to perform on a lesser organ defeats the purpose of the Festival. I see, Killashandra said although she didnt. However, once she had been admitted through the series of barriers and security positions protecting the damaged organ, she began to appreciate the distinction Thyrol had made. He had taken her to the rocky basements of the Complex, and then to the impressive and unexpectedly grand Competition Amphitheater which utilized the natural stony bowl on the nether side of the Complex promontory. Some massive early earthfault and a lot of weathering had molded the mounts flank into a perfect semicircle. The Optherians had improved the amphitheater with tiered ranks of individual seating units, facing the shelf on which the organ console stood. This was accessible only from the one entrance through which Thyrol now guided Killashandra. With a sincere and suitable awe, Killashandra looked about her, annoyed that she was gratifying Thyrols desire to impress a Guildmember even as she was unable to suppress that wonder. She cleared her throat, and the sound, small though it was, echoed faithfully back at her. The acoustics are incredible, she murmured and, as Thyrol smiled tolerantly, heard her words whispered back. She rolled her eyes and looked about her for an exit from the phenomenal stage. Thyrol gestured to a