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

Beloran doesn't express himself very politely, but he's right. Most of these people are still experiencing culture shock from learning they're not alone in the universe."
    Mahree nodded. "Please. Call me Mahree. I know what you mean. It's too bad Sorrow Sector--and then Nordlund--got here first. A trained CLS team could have cushioned that shock for the Na-Dina."
    She thought back to the briefing she'd given at Star- Bridge, based on information supplied by Mitchell, cribbed from Bill's notes on the Na-Dina.
    The notes had included a long list of interdicted technology, made up by the Traditionalists on the Council of Elders. Anti-grav, for example, was strictly forbidden. As were orbiting satellites. And the off-worlders were restricted to the site of Nordlund's dam and mountain mining sites, and Mitchell's archaeology digs.
    "Do you understand why the Na-Dina are so resistant to off-world encounters?" Mahree asked. She knew, but wondered if Mitchell had read Bill's notes, or just collected them and sent them on. The man was obviously very busy with his dig, and being an alien contact specialist was her job, not his.
    "Sort of," Gordon said. "They believe that they're holding Ancestor's World in trust for the Spirits of their dead
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    Ancestors. That those ancestors will hold them accountable for any profanation of the ancient traditions and rules."
    "Right," Mahree said approvingly. "It's hard for humans to imagine, a culture that stretches back for six thousand years that's remained almost the same from that time until the present."
    "Except for their damned language," Mitchell said. "I sure hope Ms. Mwarka can decipher it. / haven't made a dent in it."
    "Etsane struck me as very competent," Mahree said. "Professor Greyshine certainly thinks very highly of her." She took a deep breath. "How well did you know Bill, Gordon?"
    "I didn't know him long, but we spent a lot of time together. He loved coming out to help on the dig. I liked him, he worked hard...." His tanned features twisted in a sudden spasm, and he banged a fist against the dash.
    "Dammit... it just wasn't fair] I saw the body ..." He swallowed hard, and Mahree realized he was shaking at the memory. "It was pretty bad," he finished softly.
    "I'm sorry," she said. "I worked with him for a year or so, and I felt just terrible when I found out." She searched for a way to change what was obviously a very painful subject. "I see a light-pole over there. Streetlamps? I didn't realize the Na-Dina technology was that advanced."
    Gordon nodded. "Think OldAm technology circa a.d. 1910. Electric lights.
    Dynamos. Telephones. Steam- powered factories and ships. Marconi-style radios. And coal-fired steel foundries. Everything except free-flying balloons and Wright brothers-style aircraft. There are historical accounts that long ago, the Na-Dina males used to fly through Mother Sky on giant wings--hang gliders of some sort. But then the Royal House and the priests decided that was a profanation--and that ended flight on this world until we came here."
    Mahree gazed in wonder as a large balloon lifted up from a flat platform atop one of the temples. A land-line held it tethered to the yellow sandstone pile, a building easily
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    thirty stories tall, and one pockmarked with windows, balconies, and garden areas that splashed green across the great pile. "What's that building? The one with the balloon?"
    Gordon squinted. "The Temple of Storms. Where the meteorologists hang out. Next to it is the Temple of the River, home base for some of the smartest hydrologists you're likely to find anywhere. On the far side is the Temple of Earth Quaking, where seismology studies dominate. Beyond them is the Temple of A-Um Rakt, where electricity and lightning are studied."
    "And there?" she pointed.
    "That's the Royal House, which we'll probably never get inside. Next to it is the Temple of Administration, site of all the government Ministries--and our destination."
    As he finished speaking,