Adda found Hork's demanding tone, his stare over that bush of ludicrous face-hair, quite offensive. This was the new Chair of the Parz Committee. So what? Such titles didn't mean a damn thing to Adda, and the day they did would be a sorry one, he reckoned.

Let them wait. Adda allowed his gaze to slide around the opulence of this chamber.

The painted walls were the ultimate folly, of course. They were designed to give an illusion of the open Air. He studied the drawn-in vortex lines, the purple paint that represented the Quantum Sea. How absurd, thought Adda, for these City people to close themselves away from the world in their boxes of wood and Corestuff, and then go to so much trouble to reproduce what could be found outside.

The centerpiece of the anteroom was a tame vortex ring. And, Adda conceded, it was impressive. It was contained in nested globes of clearwood which revolved continually about three independent axes, maintaining the spin of the Air trapped within. Every child knew that if an unstable vortex line threw off a ring, the torus of voracity would rapidly lose its energy and decay away; but this trapped ring was fed with energy by the artful spinning of the globes, and so remained stable.

Of course, it wasn't as impressive as the million-mansheight-long vortex lines which spanned the Mantle and arced over the Garden, and which were available for viewing without charge or effort...

"I'm glad you're finding the room so interesting." Hork's tone contained patience, but with an undercurrent of threat.

"I wasn't aware you were in a hurry. After all, you've lasted ten generations without talking to the Human Beings; what's the rush now?"

"No games," Hork growled. "Come on, upfluxer. You know why I've asked you here. I need your help."

Muub interposed smoothly, "You must make allowances for this old rascal, sir. He rejoices in being difficult... a privilege of age, perhaps."

Adda turned to glare at Muub, but the doctor would not meet his eye.

"I ask you again," Hork said quietly. "Tell me of the Xeelee."

"Not until you tell me that my friends will be returned from their exile."

"From their indentures," Muub said impatiently. "Damn it, Adda, I've already assured you that they've been sent for."

Adda watched Hork, his mouth set firm.

Hork nodded, the motion an impatient spasm which caused ripples to flow over the front of his chest. "Their debts are dissolved. Now give me my answer."

"I'll tell you all you need to know in five words."

Hork tilted his head back, his nostrils glowing.

Adda said slowly, "You — can — not — fight — Xeelee."

Hork growled.

"That's your intention, isn't it?" Adda asked evenly. "You want to find a way to beat off Xeelee as if they were rampaging Air-boars; you want to find a way to stop them smashing up your beautiful Palace..."

"They are killing the people I am responsible for."