Free Ancestor's World by A. C. Crispin, T. Jackson King

interrupted curtly. Nictitating membranes swept sideways over wet black eyes, and fan-shaped ears canted toward her. "I am Beloran, of the clan Flooding Waters, of the trade Merchant, Father of four eggs, and Liaison between the Sky Infidels and the Council of Elders." The alien looked behind her, then focused on her head, as if the bobbing tail of hair fascinated him.
    "Forgive me if I misspoke," Mahree said hastily. "Your ways are new to me. I hope to learn them as quickly as I may, so that we may communicate effectively."
    Beloran gave her another short, jerky bow, acknowledging her apology.
    "How shall we transport to Base Camp?" Mahree asked the liaison. "We have large amounts of equipment, as you can see."
    "Yes, I see." Beloran didn't seem particularly pleased. "Your people are to stay here, load their belongings into the Nordlund jumpjet, and, as soon as the pilot is ready, you must all leave."
    Mahree's eyes widened in surprise. "But I thought the Ministry of Justice was located in Spirit."
    "It is," Beloran said. "However, the Council prefers that you Infidels refrain from entering our cities. The populace
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    is still... unused to your strange forms. They might be distressed at seeing you."
    Mitchell frowned, then turned on the alien. "But, Beloran! Ambassador Burroughs has an appointment at the Ministry of Justice to discuss Bill's murder with Investigator Krillen."
    "That is not possible," Beloran said stiffly. "I cannot permit it."
    Mitchell opened his mouth to protest further, but was silenced by Mahree's quick "Let me handle this" glance. She shook her head gently. "Liaison Beloran, much as I wish it were not the case, I must insist that I be allowed to keep my appointment at the Ministry of Justice. It has been nearly two months since Interrelator Waterston's murder, and I must report to his mother.
    In other words, I am under Temple Obligation."
    Beloran's fan-ears flattened, and his long tail lashed back and forward on the slick floor like an angry cat's. It took him a moment to control his anger, but finally, he bowed an apology. Then he reached under the leather strap that he wore like a sash over his scaled chest, dug out a ceramic token, and handed it to her. "Very well. If you must. And I insist that you ride with top closed and the windows of your vehicle darkened so as not to upset the populace. This seal will give you passage into the Temple of Administration, wherein the Ministry of Justice may be found." Mahree nodded. "Thank you, Liaison. Will you please tell the Nordlund pilot that I'm sorry for the inconvenience, and ask him or her to wait for our return?" She gave Mitchell a quick glance. "I'm assuming you want to come along," she added.
    The archaeologist nodded.
    "I will instruct the pilot," Beloran said. "And the pilot is, undoubtedly, a male.
    On Ancestor's World, it is traditionally forbidden for the Na-Dina to fly through Mother Sky. But our church has issued a dispensation to the Infidels, providing only males pilot the Infidel ships."
    Mahree nodded. "Thank you for your instruction, Liaison. I will not forget."
    Quickly, she turned to her party and
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    gave instructions for them to wait aboard the air- conditioned comfort of the Nordlund jumpjet. "I'll meet you back here in an hour or so," she said. "I have official business in Spirit."
    Greyshine and Etsane nodded, promising to oversee the group so that things went smoothly. Mahree handed over her bags to the Ethiopian girl with a word of thanks.
    Liaison Beloran, she noted, was already heading for the landing field, his long tail dragging behind him.
    Mahree sighed. "Nice guy," she said to Mitchell. "Does he dislike all humans, or is it just me?"
    "He's not crazy about any outworlders," Mitchell said. "Beloran is a cranky old cuss, but he's very conscientious. We've all gotten used to him being a stickler for the rules.'' He grinned wryly. "Bureaucrats ... they're the same on all worlds, eh, Ambassador?"
    "I'm a bureaucrat," Mahree