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"She enters rapport with the machine."
"Precognition. Telegnosis. Prophecy."
"Yes, sir."
"Nonsense."
"We make no claims, sir. Only those who visit here and leave know whether they have profited. And visitors do come back."
"She spills what she knows from one client to the next."
"We advise all our visitors to reveal nothing in conversation in any enclave. Ask your single question, and depart; that's all that's required. I've given you information. I have asked for none."
"But you've researched us."
"Generally available knowledge, sir, for your comfort. We do maintain a library."
"And some do come here and talk freely."
"Yes, sir, but we do discourage it."
"Telepath. She probes minds."
"Telepaths are among our clients. Mindshielding is a refined art among them. Such skills are even practiced among nonsensitives—perhaps you have them, sir. I'm sure telepathic contact has been tried on the part of such visitors; they would know the result of their efforts. But if you should have any anxiety about the meeting with the Oracle, you have only to request to return to the port. It's not compulsory to continue."
"Fee nonrefundable."
"Indeed, sir. But few choose to withdraw."
"Perhaps the Technarchy will."
"Advise us as soon as possible if that is your decision, sir. You'll receive every cooperation." Segrane scowled and turned, stalked off with such rapidity that the Servant took the cue and failed to follow. It was surely the Servant's confidence that the Technarchy would not withdraw; the Oracle had expended much in preparing for this encounter, expense far more than the fee. He earnestly wished it were possible to surprise them all.
A new face: Mishell, Mishell, was it?
But known, awaited.
Maranthe smiled, unaware whether her face smiled, hut her mind did. The design which was Mishell took shape under her hands.
The Eye saw. The mind made intricate helices, chains of life, diamonds in the web, colors of intent, scents of longing, and taste, and height and depth and sound. This was Mishell. This was the one who would come.
Maranthe smiled.
And grew tired, and yielded herself again to the Shadows.
"Drink, Maranthe."
"Eat, Maranthe."
"Sleep, Maranthe."
The old woman lay still.
Mishell sat among the Servants, consumed with her desire. White-robed, immaculate, the Servants sat ringed about the sleeping Oracle. They were fourteen, they of the Intimates. The total of the Servants of the I
Save the newest, the youngest, save Mishell.
She sat now with her hands clenched on her white-robed knees, knotting the cloth with her fists, and with her eyes fixed boldly on Maranthe. Her limbs trembled with her desire. Maranthe smiled this night.
Never before. The face of the Oracle asleep was always image-cold, bereft of the dreaming smile of the Vision . . . until now.
It was the hour. Cosean adjusted his formal robes and stepped out of their suite into the outer hall, bowed courtesy to Major Segrane and to the attendant aides and secretaries.
"I have failed to reason with you," Segrane said.
"That discretion doesn't rest in my hands, major."
"Ah, then you areapprehensive."
"I suspect all the things you've named to me. I'll keep them in mind."
"Is there nothing more I can do, sir?"
"I see nothing. I follow orders of my own superiors. I have no discretion in the matter." Cosean smoothed his robes again, bowed to the major, and surveyed the nervous aides and secretaries. None spoke. There was nothing for Cosean to say on his own behalf and they were for theirs, forbidden speech. The charade had to be played out. Seg-rane's devices had failed to detect anything at this range. And in the absence of clear hazard—the next step was clear. Cosean turned to the waiting Servants. They gestured him toward the concourse. He walked; his entourage accompanied him in silence as far as the ramp to the shuttlecar. Segrane looked grim and mistrustful as it was his office to be; the secretaries and aides were subdued, having failed to be of use.
Cosean nodded them a last courtesy, then descended and stepped aboard the waiting car. It was sufficient for one man. For some species it would have been cramped; for others impossible. Doubtless there were heavier transports, Cosean thought, as there were surely areas set aside for different metabolisms and bodily designs, for other than humans had begun to consult Aneth with increasing frequency. Cosean settled in, concentrated on such thoughts, on his surroundings in detail. . . the simplest form of mindshielding, mild distraction. The doors sealed; the station retreated in a blur of colored lights. The windows shielded themselves and he traveled blind. He had anticipated as much.
Baggageless and without occupation for his hands: the regulations insisted upon it. . . and there had been scan at the entry to the car, plain to be seen. One questioner per fee, unescorted. He would have yielded to Segrane's urgings to withdraw had he been able to find any clear reason to doubt his mental or physical safety; he could not. Personal humiliation was not a consideration in the Technarchy's instructions.
The forward screen activated, startling him. The circle emblem of the Anethine Amphictyony filled it.
"Gentlebeing," a voice said softly, "you are departing Second Rank. Should your vehicle appear to pause any lengthy time, do not take alarm. The questions asked by preceding visitors may vary in length of time required for the Oracle to answer. A complex question may thus delay all succeeding vehicles. You may be assured that you will be advanced through the sequence as rapidly as possible. Should you need at any time to contact a living being, please press the red button by the screen. Please use this emergency facility with some restraint. There is an automat to your left if you wish refreshment; other facilities are likewise marked in the access. You are free to move about the vehicle with some caution.
"As regards your safety, please note that all First Rank facilities are automated. You will not directly contact any First Rank resident, nor will you be observed by any save of course the Oracle herself. Rules of access to the audience chamber are strictly enforced. You will find them posted on the wall of this car and clearly displayed in your native tongue on the screens of the audience chamber. For violation of minor rules, a two-year ban from consultation; for major violations, a lifetime ban for the individual and the sponsor according to the average lifetime of the species; for threat against the Oracle, defense mechanisms will act instantly and fatally against the individual and full sanctions of the Amphictyony will be invoked against the sponsor. Please stay within the white lines at all times and obey oral and written instructions. The machines are programmed to assist you. Should you decide that you do not wish to continue, press the red button and ask to be returned to Second Rank. You will be transferred back as rapidly as systems traffic permits. We do however assure you that there is no hazard so long as you observe the white lines and follow instructions. We sincerely hope you will continue to the audience chamber and we assure you that all precautions are in the interest of providing you and those who follow you with a safe and thoroughly productive encounter." Cosean shivered despite himself. He was offended by the implied threat. Aneth was arrogant. The arrogance was apparently offered all comers, and therefore the threat gave him no excuse to withdraw. The High Ministry expected results. It rested on him. He sat, arms folded, senses at forced alertness, and wished that there were something with which to occupy himself. Three times the Confederacy had submitted a representative to this irritating procedure. There were great powers which consulted continually at enormous expense. Use of the Oracle approached on some worlds the aspect of a cult, a religion.