“It may not have been by choice,” Ryo told her. “When one is in prison, one eats what is supplied.” There,, let them ponder that one, he thought.

After a few additional questions Wuu began to shove officials from the chamber. A hot meal was delivered that was among the finest Ryo had ever enjoyed. Upon devouring it he had a second and then a third serving. Following that he lay down on the sleeping lounge provided, the warm feeling induced by the food overpowering his excitement, and fell into a deep sleep from which he did not awaken for over a full day.

X

X

After rising and performing hygiene he was ready to face his interrogators. Apparently someone had decided that it would be better not to swamp the unfortunate wanderer with a hundred questioners at once, so only a halfdozen assembled opposite Ryo in the discussion chamber. Each brought audio and video recorder units integrated with autoscrolls. Two were not much older than he, while the other four were clearly experienced elders. Wuu was present at his own insistence.

“It’s not necessary,” Ryo had argued. “I can handle things.”

“If not for me you wouldn’t be here,” the poet had replied. “I feel it my responsibility to see that you are not intimidated.”

“If not for me, you wouldn’t be here.”

“I have acquired sufficient material to keep me composing for the remainder of my life,” Wuu declared. “Such heady rhythms and couplets and stanzas as have never been heard. They will shock the civilized worlds. I owe you that. Time enough to work later.” He gestured toward the saddled group. “These sirs and ladies wait patiently, yet their brains fester with curiosity.” A couple shifted uneasily at the poet’s words but waited their turn. “I would not let them wake you.”

“For which I am very grateful,” Ryo admitted. “I am awake and ready now, so let them ask what they will.”

Ryo accepted the questions slowly, sharing his knowledge of the aliens freely and imparting it with as much pleasure as the scientists seemed to feel in receiving it.

“The business of communication came about almost accidentally,” he informed them. “Furthermore, if you use lungs, mandibles, and spicules carefully, you can duplicate their language quite well.” He demonstrated with a few words that he was especially good at, and was rewarded when a couple of the researchers who’d been inscribing information suddenly looked up as startled as if one of the aliens had just strode into the room.

“Do that again,” one of them requested.