Tamis put her hand to her throat, unzipped the coveralls. With a
sinuous movement, she freed her shoulders. The baggy garment fell
about her ankles. She stepped out of them--and disappeared.
Literally!
It took Joel a full moment for the realization to penetrate. He'd
caught one arresting glimpse of Tamis, nude like a slim marble statue.
Then she'd disappeared into the hot, fertile smelling air like a grain
of sugar in a glass of water.
Suddenly he realized that he could still scent her. He became sharply
aware of that alien, flower-like odor.
He heard her giggle, whirled around. She was standing not six feet off,
regarding him with an amused expression.
"How did you do it?" Joel blurted out.
"It is difficult to explain. You have no words in your language to
signify what I just did. I--I removed myself from your range of vision."
"Hell! I know that. But how?"
She tapped her forehead again. "It's done with an understanding of the
nervous system."
Joel stared at her without any sign of comprehension.
"How can I make it clear?" she asked helplessly. "There are sounds
you can't hear because they extend beyond the range of human ears.
There are limits to your vision too. And I removed myself beyond those
limits."
He said, "Oh," continuing to regard her fixedly. Then, "You could
escape any time."
"Yes," she admitted. "But this is my job. I don't want to escape."
"What exactly is your job?" he demanded.
"Intelligence. There are many of us, both men and women disguised as
humans who circulate among the Unfit."
"Then--?" Joel prompted.
"Then we make our reports to the Thinkers."
"You've mentioned these Thinkers before. Who are they?"
"Our scientists. Our wise men." She paused, changed the subject
abruptly. "Today, Joel, we are to be sold."
"Damn!" He was appalled, remembering Priscilla Cameron's threat to buy
him.
"Joel," she went on earnestly, "you are one of us now. The Thinkers
have a job for you."
"For me?"
"Yes. Obviously Priscilla Cameron is interested in you, Joel. You must
play up to her. It's the first chance we've had to get a spy close to
Governor Cameron...."
"Hell, Tamis," he interrupted with an expression of distaste. "I can't
do that!"
"But, Joel, you must! Not even my people have been able to get into the
palace."
His green eyes quickened with interest. "Why not? They've been able to
insinuate themselves everywhere else."
* * * * *
Tamis shook her head. "We don't know! Dozens of Ganelons have slipped
into Governor Cameron's palace. For a while we continue to receive
their telepathic reports. Then nothing!"
He said: "Let me get this straight. The Ganelons have sent spies into
the palace and all of them have simply vanished?"
She nodded.
"But who detected them, if they were invisible?"
"We don't know. Oh, Joel, that's why it's so important for you to
obtain Priscilla Cameron's confidence. Women are--are indiscreet with
their lovers."
Joel looked shocked.
"But Joel, she'll buy you anyway! You'll have the run of the palace.
Slaves hear things and see things no one else can!"
She paused, saw him wavering, hurried on. "We're blind without someone
close to the governor. The Thinkers are worried. They're holding off,
afraid to give the word that'll start the revolt."
"How near is it?" he asked.
"We're ready to strike. The Unfit have stolen arms, built secret
laboratories in the jungle. But we don't dare go ahead until we find
out how much the governor knows. We may be blundering into a trap."
Joel drew a deep breath. "All right," he agreed reluctantly, "I'll try.
How do I pass my information on--if I get any?"