“Quiet, as always.” The guard held his energy rifle loosely as he looked past Ryo. Was some half-gassed scientist staggering down the corridor toward them, waving frantic alarm gestures at the guard?

The corridor was deserted save for the two of them. The guard was gazing longingly, not specifically. “Sounds like everyone else is having a fine time.”

“An energetic celebration,” Ryo agreed tensely.

“I wish I could join them.”

“Why don’t you? I’ve nothing to do this evening. This far from clan and friends I don’t feel much like celebrating. I’m qualified to assume watch for you.”

“That’s very gracious of you.” The guard wavered. “But it would be my star for deserting my post I couldn’t possibly, not even on the permission of one so highly regarded as yourself. I thank you, however, for your generous offer.”

“As you wish. A shame.” He stepped past the guard. Just ahead lay the monsters’ holding chamber and the barrier with its multiple-sensor locks. Behind it twelve monsters feigned sleep. They retained their personal chronometers. Though their time markings and splits differed from normal time, they had been able to coordinate them sufficiently with Ryo’s for them to be stirring uneasily by now.

“Those two lovely females waiting back there, for example,” Ryo said smoothly, “have accompanied me this far and are anxious for celebratory companionship. See them whispering, the one with the turquoise chiton and her companion of the gilded ovipositors?”

“Where?” The guard stepped cautiously to one side and tried hard to see up the darkened corridor. “Perhaps they might join us here? Nothing was said about my not celebrating at my own post.

“Hello,” he called out “My name is Eushminyowot, friends of the consultant!” He said nothing more because of the weighted cloth that Ryo brought down hard against the back of his skull. The guard fell as silently as those who’d inhaled the sleep gas. His chiton whacked sharply on the hard floor.

“Rest and celebrate in your dreams,” Ryo said. Then he hurried the last steps down the passageway and ran the combination of the sensor locks. For a few seconds nothing happened and he wondered frantically if someone had changed the combination without notifying him. Then the door slid slowly into the wall. Standing behind it were a dozen anxious aliens.

For just an instant the sight of their horribly flexible masks looming over him in the dim light sent a stab of fear through Ryo. Then the inherited fears faded as Loo and Elvira stepped out into the corridor, bending low to clear the ceiling. A couple of the monsters exchanged words when they saw the motionless body of the guard.

“Quickly now, we’ve no time to waste,” Ryo said urgently.

“Lead the way. We’ll be right behind you.” The captain was tall even for a human, Ryo noted.