“Four years ago Paszex was attacked and ravaged by a group of AAnn. Many died and property damage was substantial.

“At that time we were promised increased warship patrols for the isolated communities of the northern continent. No such developments have been forthcoming. I and my adoptive sire,” and he indicated the expressionless Wuu, “have traveled all this way at our own expense, to get some satisfaction.”

“I see,” said the soldier thoughtfully, offering no comment She swiveled her saddle to face the large console. The information displayed there was canceled by the touch of a key. Further touches produced different information.

“Here we are,” she said, speaking without turning from the screen. “Record of the attack and related briefings. You say you have relatives still living in this Paszex?”

Ryo stiffened, which is not easy for a Thranx to do, but it was too late to back out or change his story. “I was there myself during the attack. I know what it’s like firsthand. Not a pleasant experience.”

He worried overmuch. The question had been put out of curiosity, not suspicion. The soldier did not follow it up. “I’ve never had the chance for combat patrol myself,” she said, a mite less stiffly, “but I’ve studied many records of such incidents. I sympathize with you—informally, of course.” She hesitated, Considering. “You need to see someone in the office of the Supervising Officer in Charge of Ground-Side Protection, Colonial Burrow. That can be arranged, I think, and—”

Ryo hurriedly interrupted, making the complex gesture necessary to excuse his discourtesy. “If you don’t mind,” he said, “I’ve promised my relatives and clanmates back home that I’d try to find out exactly why the AAnn chose our poor little hive for attack. Paszex contains nothing of military interest Their purpose in attacking it remains a mystery to all who live there.”

“Death without purpose is ever a mystery,” murmured Wuu.

“The dead are dead.” The soldier eyed Ryo curiously. “What benefit could you and your friends derive from knowing the AAnn’s motivations?”

“Such information would ease the pain that arises from uncertainty in the minds of the living,” Wuu put in, “and perhaps also show us how to make ourselves less attractive to attack.”

“I can understand that,” the soldier said.

“So we’d prefer, at least at first,” said Ryo, “to see someone in charge of—oh,” and he tried to make it sound casual, “general xenology. Then we could go to the Colonial Burrow Division of the Ground-Side Protection Office and find out why we’re not getting the protection we were promised.”

The soldier-clerk was uncertain. “The Xenology Ministry of Information is located among the general administrative offices at Daret Center. I fail to see why you’d put such a request to a military office.”

“Because the motivation resulted in military action and a military psychology is involved,” Ryo replied.

She stared back at him speculatively a moment longer. Then her curiosity vanished. Others waited impatiently behind Ryo and Wuu and it was not her business to analyze the requests of Outsiders, only to answer them.