a
shocking contrast to the gray ferromorph corridors outside.

Douglas Alexander was standing behind the desk. He was much the same.
His pudgy face was haggard with uncertainty and his eyes darted back
and forth as his fingers caressed the knobby grip of a small Burkholtz
jutting from a holster at his waist. There were new, unpleasant furrows
between his eyes. He looked older and the indefinable air of cruelty was
more pronounced. He had been frightened the last time Kennon had seen
him, and he was frightened now.

"I'm not sure whether I am glad to see you, Kennon," he said
uncertainly. "But I suppose I have to be."

Kennon believed him.

"How have you been?" Kennon asked.

"Not too bad until this afternoon. Things have been going pretty well."
He shifted uncomfortably from one foot to another. "I suppose Cousin
Alex will skin me for this, but there's nothing else I can do." He
licked his lips. "You've been here long enough--and you'll have to know
eventually." He fidgeted and finally sat down behind the desk. "We
have trouble. Half the Lani were stricken about four hours ago. It was
sudden. No warning at all. And if they die--" his voice trailed off.

"Well--what are we waiting for? Get someone to bring my bags down here
and we'll look them over."

"Do you have to?--Can't you prescribe something?"

"How? I haven't examined the patients."

"I can tell you what's wrong."

Kennon smiled. "I hardly think that's the way to do it. Even though
your description might be accurate, you still might miss something of
critical importance."

Douglas sighed. "I thought that's what you'd say," he said. "Oh--very
well--you might as well see what we have out here."

"You can't possibly believe that I don't already know," Kennon said.
"You have male Lani."

Douglas looked at him, his face blank with surprise. "But--how did you
know? No one on the main island does except the Family. And we never
talk about it. Did Eloise tell you? I noticed she was struck with you
the day you came, and the Lani who have come out here since have been
talking about you two. Did she do it?"

Kennon shook his head. "She never said a word."

"Then how--"

"I'm not stupid," Kennon said. "That story you've spread about
artificial fertilization has more holes in it than a sieve. That
technique has been investigated a thousand times. And it has never
worked past the first generation. If you had been using it, the Lani
would long ago have be