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ent？ So； four people had been interested enough to check Travel。 Were there more？
She asked for a list of unassigned singers in residence and it was depressingly long。 After some names； including her own； the capital I … for Inactive … flashed。 Perhaps unwisely； she deleted those and still had thirty…seven possible rivals。 She twirled idly about in the gimbaled chair； wondering exactly what criterion was vital for the Optherian assignment。 Lanzecki hadn't mentioned such minor details in the little he had disclosed。 From what she had already learned of the planet and the mechanics of installation； any petent singer could do the job。 So what would weigh the balance in favor of one singer？
Killashandra reexamined the list of her known rivals： Borella and Concera had both been cutting a long time。 Gobbain Tekla； when she found his position on the Main Roster； was a relative newer； Rimbol； like Killashandra； was a rank tyro。 When she inquired； she discovered that each of the others had been a redundant or a failed musician。 Perhaps that was the necessary requirement。 It certainly made sense for the installer to have an instrumental background。 She rephrased her question to apply to all thirty…seven available singers。 Nineteen fit that category。
Lanzecki appeared reluctant to offer her the assignment but she oughtn't to fault him。 She was acutely aware of past concessions from her Guildmaster。 She had no right to expect an interrupted flow of benefits simply because he chose to share his bed with her。 Nor； she decided； would she jeopardize their relationship by referring to the assignment again。 Lanzecki might well be doing her a favor by not remending her。 She must keep that aspect of the situation firmly in mind。 She might not be thrilled to vacation on the four systems to which her available credit would take her； but that was another string in her deplorable luck。 She would get a rest from crystal and that was the essential requirement。
Her reawakened appetite reminded her that it had been some hours since breakfast。 During lunch； she'd decide where to take herself。 When； refreshed and revitalized； she returned to her labors for the Heptite Guild； she'd find a fresh vein of black crystal and then she'd get to the planet Maxim。
Before she could plan her vacation in any detail； Antona rang her from the Infirmary。 〃Have you eaten； Killa？〃
〃Is that an invitation or a professional query？ Because I just finished a very hearty lunch。〃
Antona sighed。 〃I should have liked your pany for lunch。 There's not much doing right now down here。 Fortunately。〃
〃If it's just the pany you want while you eat。。。〃
Antona smiled with genuine pleasure。 〃I do。 I don't enjoy eating by myself all the time。 Could you drop down here first？ You're still listed as inactive and you'll want that status amended。〃
On her way down to the Infirmary level； Killashandra first worried then chided herself for fearing there was more to Antona's request than a simple record up…date。 It might have nothing to do with her fitness to take on the Optherian job。 Nor would it be discreet to imply that she knew such an assignment was available。 On the other hand； Antona would know more about the amenities of the nearby worlds。
The medical formality took little time and then the two women proceeded to the catering section of the main singer's floor of the Guild plex。
〃It's so depressingly empty；〃 Antona said in a subdued voice as she glanced about the dimly lit portions of the facility。
〃I found it a lot more depressing when everyone else was celebrating a good haul；〃 Killashandra said in a glum tone。
〃Yes； yes； it would be； I suppose。 Oh； fardles！〃 Antona quickly diverted Killashandra toward the shadowy side。 〃Borella； Concera； and that simp； Gobbain；〃 she murmured as she made a hasty detour。
〃You don't like them？〃 Killashandra was amused。
Antona shrugged。 〃One establishes a friendship by sharing events and opinions。 They remember nothing and consequently have nothing to share。 And less to talk about。〃
Without warning； Antona caught Killashandra by the arm； turning to face her。 〃Do yourself a sterling favor； Killa。 Put everything you've experienced so far in your life； every detail you can recall from cutting expeditions； every conversation you've had； every joke you've heard； put everything〃 … when Killashandra affected surprise； Antona gave her arm a painful squeeze … 〃and yes； I do mean 'everything；' into your personal retrieval file。 What you did。 what you said； what you felt〃 … and Antona's fierce gaze challenged Privacy … 〃how you've loved。 Then； when your mind is as blank as theirs； you can refresh your memory and have something with which to reestablish you！〃 Her expression became intensely sad。 〃Oh； Killa。 Be different！ Do as I ask！ Now！ Before it's too late！〃
Then； her customary posure restored； she released the arm and seemed to draw the intensity back into her straight； slim body。 〃Because I assure you；〃 she said as she took the last few steps into the catering area； 〃that once your brilliant wit and repartee bee as banal and malicious as theirs；〃 she jerked her thumb at the silent trio； 〃I'll seek other pany at lunch。 Now；〃 she said； her fingers poised over the catering terminal； 〃what are you having？〃
〃Yarran beer。〃 Killashandra said the first thing that came to mind； being slightly dazed by Antona's unexpected outburst。
Antona raised her eyebrows in mock surprise； then rapidly dialed their orders。
They were served quickly and took their trays to the nearest banquette。 As Antona tackled her meal with good appetite； Killashandra sipped her beer； digesting Antona's remarkable advice。 Till then； Killashandra had had no opportunity to appreciate the viewpoint of a colleague who would not lose her memory as an occupational hazard。 Stubbornly； Killashandra preferred to forget certain scenes in her life。 Like failure。
〃Well； you don't have long to wait for a fresh supply of cluttered minds；〃 Killashandra said at last； blotting the beer foam from her upper lip and deferring conversation on Antona's unsettling advice。
〃A new class？ How did that privileged information seep out？ You are only just out of an Infirmary tank。 Well； you won't be allowed to brief them if that's what you had in mind； Killa。〃
〃Why not？〃
Antona shrugged and daintily sampled her nicely browned casserole before replying。 〃You've no injury to display。 That's an important part of the briefing； you see … the visible； undeniable proof of the rapid tissue regeneration enjoyed by residents of Ballybran。〃
〃Irresistible！〃 Antona gave Killashandra a sharp glance。 〃Oh； no plaints from me； Antona。 The Guild can be proud of its adroit recruiting program。〃
Antona fastened a searching glance on her face and put down her fork。 〃Killashandra Ree； the Heptite Guild is not permitted by the Federated Sentient Planets to 'recruit' free citizens for such a hazardous profession。 Only volunteers … 〃
〃Only volunteers insist on presenting themselves； and so many of these have exceedingly useful skills。。。〃 She broke off； momentarily disconcerted by Antona's almost fierce glance。
〃What concern is that of yours； Killashandra Ree？ You have benefited imm