Free Conflict Of Honors by Steve Miller, Sharon Lee Page B

kitchen, and hydroponics. Why should I assume this shift's assignment was different from those?"

    "Has she?" There was an odd expression on the first mate's face. She turned, scanning the tower, eyes lighting on the hunched figure at the far corner. "Radio Tech!"

    Tonee turned and hurried forward with a sigh. "First Mate?"

    "How came this woman to you?"

    The radio tech blinked. "Under orders, First Mate. She was expected. Twelfth Hour, so went the captain's word."

    "The captain—"

    "First Mate, she is required!" Tonee pleaded, as if suddenly perceiving where that line of questioning might lead. "She has been of utmost assistance. The in-ship is nearly repaired. Before we leave orbit, I promise it—but you must not take her now! The messages—surely you know the need!"

    It was apparent from her expression that Kayzin did know the need. She looked from Tonee to Priscilla, rigid at the console, then inclined her head. "A question of clearance, Radio Tech. However, since you have the captain's word, there is no more to be said." With that, she turned on her heel and left the tower.

    Priscilla and Tonee exchanged glances before the little tech flung both hands out in a gesture of wide amazement.

    "You work well. When we leave orbit, the screens will be clear. The first mate. . ." There was a ripple of narrow shoulders. "Her temper is chancy, a little. Do not regard it."

    With another delicate pat on the shoulder, Priscilla was left alone to conquer bewilderment and return to the matter at hand.

Shipyear 65
Tripday 137
First Shift
1.30 Hours

    Priscilla whipped about—and froze. The alley behind her was full of men and women, hands ominously clenched, righteousness shining from each grim face. She fell back, forgetting the danger behind—

    Until with a jerk the precious bag was torn from her grip and she was dealt such a blow between the shoulders that she fell to her knees in the alleyway.

    She was up in a flash, facing Dagmar with fury. "That's mine! Give it back!"

    "Yours?" the other woman sneered as Pimm tel'Jadis came laughing to her side. "That ain't the tale I heard, Prissy." She jerked open the bag and thrust her hand within, rummaging about. Then, uttering a crow of triumph, she raised high a fist in which were clutched the seven silver bangles of a Maiden-in-Circle.

    The crowd shrieked.

    The first rock caught Priscilla on the thigh as Dagmar brought a fist across her face.

    The second rock slammed solidly into her right arm, breaking it with an audible crack.

    The third took a rib, and she screamed, rolling into a ball on the filthy alley floor, trying to protect her head while the rocks struck with greater and greater force, and the crowd cried out her names: Liar! Coward! Unperson!

    "Priscilla!"

    She felt hands on her, and she struggled.

    "Priscilla! No, denubia, you must not . . . ." The voice was familiar, concerned.

    "Lina?" She lay still, hardly daring to believe it.

    "Of course, Lina. Who else?" The hands were soft on her face, her hair. "Open your eyes, denubia. Are you afraid to see me?"

    "No, I. . ." She achieved it and beheld her friend's serious face. "I'm sorry, Lina."

    "And I. Such terror, my friend. What was it?" The kind hands continued their caress; comfort like a healing warmth enclosed her. Priscilla sighed and shook her head.

    "It was nothing. A bad dream."

    "Yes?" Lina ran light fingers along Priscilla's jaw and down the slim throat, then laid her hand flat between rose-tipped breasts. "A very bad dream, I think. Your heart pounds."

    "I dreamt—I dreamt I was being stoned." She shivered, drew a breath, and tried to recapture inner peace.

    "Stoned?" Lina frowned. "I do not think—"

    "It is the custom on my—on the world I'm from—to throw rocks at a criminal until she—until she dies."

    "Qua'lechi!" The smaller woman sat up sharply and reached to trace the line of her friend's brow. "No wonder you were frightened." She tipped her head. "But this thing