Page 39 - Extraterrestrials, Foreign and Domestic

Globe Rentals

“Let me see the largest brood of the most intelligent species—
from a distance, of course.”
Again the unit rejected his request.
Felnox interceded. “This holon does have a few inoperative
areas of inquiry; irreparable, too, I’m afraid. The matrices have
long ago been reprocessed. Allow me to show you some useful
lines of investigation.” He initialized the globe. “Display any life-
form.”
An image popped into focus.
“Weird!” exclaimed Kithlumer. “What is that thing called?”
“Arbre. Jiri. Baum. Tree—”
“Enough!” commanded Felnox. To his client he added, “It will
give the name for an object in all languages ever used on that
planet if the request is not more carefully phrased.”
Kithlumer was hooked.
“It looks to me like a whole class of entities has been erased.
You said a series of holons was made for each planet: let me see a
later version of this one.”
Felnox withdrew the faulty sphere and examined its label.
“I’m afraid we’re out of luck. This is the only holon made: the
second time the research vessel came by, the place had undergone
a catastrophic ecological upheaval, probably triggered by the
warlike dominant species. Wasn’t much left to record, so they
went on to another part of the galaxy. You know, this may be a
collector’s item: could be the last copy in existence!”
“Oh, nonsense!” said Kithlumer, covering his disappointment.
“I’m not going to pay extra for that filthy globe!”
Felnox clicked his visors in sympathetic agitation. “Please, my
cohort, the other customers will become uneasy. To make up
for your inconvenience, let me offer you the ‘The Cycles of Nurg’
at half-price. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, and the brood will gain some
valuable instruction.”
Kithlumer considered. “All right. You’ve got a deal.”

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