Page 37 - Extraterrestrials, Foreign and Domestic

Globe Rentals

it to our customers. Other shops, whose names I will not mention,
will rent you a globe with almost no functions.”
Kithlumer pedunculated a pseudolimb and made his way slowly
down the bank of lower-priced holons.
“I don’t see any prices posted. What do these old globes go
for?”
“That depends on popularity and condition. The holon I just
demonstrated may be rented for six ninety-five per five cycles,
with an automatic renewal at one forty-nine per additional cycle; if
you want to purchase it as is, then, my cohort, I could let you have
it for twelve—I mean, eleven ninety-five.”
The prospective customer continued toward the far end of the
display; it was not a very hygienic area, but Kithlumer would put
up with a bit of discomfort to save a bit of disposable income. His
holon unit had been purchased used, from an aged breeder whose
brood had outgrown that sort of amusement. The seller’s nest was
not the sort of place one would normally frequent—dark,
desiccated, and permeated with a musty aroma. Nevertheless,
Kithlumer had stayed there and dickered until the elderly
individual finally capitulated.
The salesperson hovered expectantly as Kithlumer extended a
claw toward a globe at the very end of the row.
“How about that one? Must not be in very great demand.”
Felnox examined the label.
“Let me think. Ah, yes. This is a very old holon, probably the
last one of its type in existence. Way back, in the early cycles of
this technology, some of the better-financed companies sent
scanning expeditions in search of other inhabited worlds. They
roamed far and wide, spending hundreds of dormant cycles in
vessels not always of the cleanest character. All in all, perhaps six
or seven planets of interest were located. In order to produce an
evolutionary series, the staff made several passes of each one at
three-cycle intervals. As you may know, the scan is very minimally
destructive of genetic material, so it could not have had much
effect on the affairs of the planet under observation.”
Kithlumer gave signs of interest, mostly around the dorsal
plates. Felnox continued, confident at last and at least of
completing a sale of his cheapest wares.

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