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Running acquired during the preceding weeks.  I am only a mortal being like
yourselves. A traveler with work to do who stopped here for a short time.
While here, I ended up helping a few of you and then more, and still more.
Turning slightly, he glared back at Storra, who under that furious alien gaze
tried to shrink out of sight behind her mate.
He looked back at the seething, desperate crowd.  I ve helped as many as I
could, as many as was feasible. Now
I have to go
. You have to let me go.
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Their fury and frustration was an emotional storm in his head. The wonderful,
matchless peace he had known since landing on Arrawd was gone. Shattered,
blasted away by the desperation of the sick and injured, and by their
selfishness and individual need. He had found paradise, and in trying to
improve a small portion of it, had forever ruined it for himself.
And to think, he told himself as he kept a careful watch on the crowd, that I
once actually thought of settling down here. He had underestimated reality and
overestimated his environs. Like a quantum state, his presence had disturbed
his surroundings to such a degree that they would never be the same.
 Heal us! a gravid female yelled from the front of the crowd.
 Please put right my offspring! howled another as she pushed Nurset and
damaged progeny forward.
It was as if they hadn t heard, or comprehended, a word he had said. Those in
front began to surge forward, urged on by the press of disheartened bodies
behind. Terrified, no longer resolute, Storra clung for protection to her
equally alarmed mate.
There were too many, Flinx saw immediately. Too many, too close, to try to
influence with his Talent.
Fortunately, albeit reluctantly, he had access to resources other than his
unpredictable ability.
He pulled his gun.
The beamer had been set to kill. Now he adjusted it and pointed it at the
crowd. Those in front hesitated, pushing against those shoving from behind.
All eyes focused on the device held in the alien s strange hand. It did not
look like something for making magic. It looked solid and functional, like a
piece of well-maintained tethet tack.
Muttering to himself, perhaps not even fully aware of what he was doing, the
elder who had placed the mantle of evil on the Visitant s head took a couple
of steps forward. Swinging the muzzle of the beamer around, Flinx triggered
the weapon. The tip glowed softly, briefly.
Suddenly the oldster was jumping and swatting at his simple raiment. As flames
began to start from the fabric, he frantically tore at the fasteners and flung
the burning pieces onto the ground. A few blisters began to appear on his
sensitive, exposed skin where the epidermal flaps had not closed. As the crowd
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Running gawked at this exhibition, Flinx adjusted the strength of his
handgun s output a second time.
 This weapon heated that person s clothing and skin. I have now set it to
kill. I ve spent these past many eight-days attending to the sick and carrying
out healing among your people. Please don t force me to do the opposite to any
of you.
The silence that ensued fell over the homestead like a heavy cloak. Then, in
twos and threes, in family groups and as individuals, the mob began to break
up, bits and pieces of it flaking off and shuffling back the way they had
come, with the majority following in a downcast, disconsolate body. The
emotions they generated threatened to eradicate the memory of all the good and
grateful feelings that had been projected by those Flinx had helped.
As an agitated Pip settled herself back down on her master s shoulders,
Ebbanai and Storra moved up to rejoin the visitor. Though outwardly concerned
for her guest, Storra s feelings as she eyed the weapon reflected an
unmitigated greed she could not suppress.
I have definitely stayed here too long, Flinx thought wearily. He had not
stopped here seeking a refuge and, despite his initial impressions of Arrawd
and its people, it was now clear he had not found one.
There was no such place for him, anywhere. There was only the need to do what
he could to try to save others: the few he could count as his friends, and the
billions he could not.
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He had nearly forgotten all about his driving youthful desire to try to
ascertain the identity and truth of his parentage. Nearly, but not entirely.
 They are ungrateful.
Turning, he saw Ebbanai staring back at him. No hint of falsehood or deception
colored the humble net-
caster s observation. He was genuinely apologetic for the behavior of his
kind.
 You know that I can t stay here, forever healing the sick among you. Flinx s
anger faded as he spoke to his host.  Even if I wished to do so, I have a
limited supply of certain items that my ship can t continue to perpetually
synthesize.
 You have done more than enough for the Dwarra, Storra put in.  They should
be grateful for the time you have spent, and the efforts you have made on our
behalf. Many have benefited.
Not the least of whom have been you and your partner, Ebbanai s confusion was
reflected in his words as well as his feelings.  But you said that you are
leaving, friend Flinx?
 First thing in the morning. It was late, and he didn t feel like walking in
the dark all the way back to
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Running where the
Teacher was waiting for him.
He could have called out the skimmer, but that vision, at least, of [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]