〃Yarran beer？〃
〃Unfortunately no。〃 Trag's preference raised him further in her estimation。 〃The Bascum brew is potable while the better beer is illegal。〃 She shot a knowing glance at Lars who grinned back at her。
〃They generally are。 Your advice is timely； Killashandra；〃 Trag said； then appropriately sounded the B…flat。
Thirty…four crystals were in place when Elder Ampris appeared for the second time late that afternoon。 There was no disguising the elation in his eyes at their progress。 He was seething with the most excitement she had yet seen an Elder exhibit。 Had he despaired of running up this year's dose of indoctrinal conditioning on his subliminal program？
〃We will finish this tomorrow；〃 Trag told Elder Ampris； 〃with a further day to tune the new manual into the system； and to check the other three manuals for positive feedback。 One minor detail on which Killashandra was unable to reassure me： Was the organ in use when the manual was destroyed？〃
〃I believe it was；〃 Ampris replied； his lids dipping to conceal his brown eyes。 〃I will of course confirm this。 After the deplorable desecration； I myself conducted an inspection of the other manuals to be sure they were undamaged。〃
〃Elder Ampris； Killashandra Ree and I would consider ourselves derelict in our Guild obligation to Optheria if we failed to assure ourselves； and you； that your Festival organ is in full and plete working order。〃
〃Of course；〃 Ampris managed through clenched teeth。 Then； in an abrupt alteration； he smiled tightly。 〃Most thorough of you。〃
〃Can we turn on the main organ console from here？〃 Killashandra asked； wondering what had caused Ampris's sudden change。 〃I admit that I am quite eager to hear it in all its glory。〃
Ampris regarded her for a long moment before his thin lips widened in the original smile。
〃For you to appreciate fully the versatility of the Festival Organ； you need some measure of parison。 Therefore I am delighted that you are able to attend this evening's concert which will be performed on the two…manual Conservatory instrument。〃
〃Yes； of course。〃 Killashandra let pleased affability ooze through her voice。 〃Now that this installation is nearly pleted； and with Trag here； I realize how much tension I've been under。 It is always so much easier to share responsibilities； isn't it； Elder Ampris？〃 she added gaily。
He murmured something and withdrew。 Trag looked at her expectantly。
〃When the inevitable can no longer be avoided； it is always wise to accept it gracefully。〃 She grimaced。 〃Though I have to admit I despise student concerts。〃
Lars grinned。 〃Oh； you won't be getting the students tonight； Killa。 And in view of what you told me of the origin of Ampris's party piece； I eagerly await your critical appraisal。 Are you at all musical； Guildmember？〃 he asked Trag。
〃Frequently。〃 Trag carefully replaced the tools in their case； gestured for Lars to close the crystal container。 Killashandra covered the manual； and taking a hair from her head； wet it and laid it carefully across one corner of the lid。 Trag gave a snort that she translated as approval。
〃Hair of the dog that bit？〃 Lars asked。
〃Where do you get these sayings？〃 Killashandra demanded； rolling her eyes in exaggerated dismay。 Then she pointed to his pocket。
〃I'd like to have a close look at that device；〃 Trag said。 Lars withdrew the little jammer。
〃Trag； I'm trying to get them to believe that it's me distorting their monitors。〃
Trag surprised Killashandra by placing his hand flat against her shoulder blade。 〃Not any more。 But I would qualify。 Sensible of you。〃
〃How many of the myths about crystal singers are derived from sensible precautions？〃 she asked Trag。 〃Or survival techniques？〃 Trag shrugged indifferently。
Lars deactivated the device as Killashandra opened the door panel and the three left the loft。 Killashandra watched Trag to see if the acoustics of the Festival auditorium affected him。 Trag did not so much as alter his firm stride or respond to the echoes his vigorous pace produced。 The guards had to scurry to keep up with them。
Once inside the guest suite which Trag was to share with them； Lars switched on the jammer before he passed it over to Trag。
〃They've been replacing the monitors in the organ loft every day but a trill of crystal and they shatter。〃 Killashandra told Trag as she made her way to the beverage counter。 〃A cold glass of the Bascum； Trag？〃
〃Please。〃 Trag returned the jammer to Lars。 〃What sort of detector do they have at the shuttleport？〃
〃Isotope scanner。〃 Lars said with a grimace。 〃The popular theory is that the detector is set off by a rare isotope of iron peculiar to Optherian soil。 Once the residue of the isotope builds up in the bone marrow； it tends to be self…perpetuating。 There've been unsuccessful attempts to neutralize the isotope and jam the scanners but nothing works。〃 Then he scowled。 〃All the guards are rehabs and never miss。 Trying to get past them is an effective form of suicide。 There is also a stun field that operates in the event that another concerted attempt is ever made to gain entry to the port。〃
〃I was met by four Optherians。。。〃 Trag began。
〃Who had been passed in。 Oh； authorized personnel e and go but they are very careful to display their authorization to the guards。〃
Killashandra had punched up sandwiches which she now passed to the men。
〃We don't have much time before dinner and the concert； and I need a bath；〃 she announced； her mouth half full of sandwich。
〃So do I。〃 Lars followed Killashandra； taking the jammer with him after an apologetic nod to Trag。 〃Trag is no threat to us； huh？〃 Lars murmured sarcastically； once they were in the unmonitored bathroom。
Killashandra shrugged and grimaced。 〃I didn't think he'd cut up that stiff； but then； neither of us knew what lies the elders were spinning。 And the Guild does have a reputation to maintain； especially if they had to call in the FSP to get a cruiser for a fast trip here。 But；〃 she added； rather pleased； 〃it means they cared。〃
〃I felt I was talking to a brick wall； Killa； until it came down。〃 Lars ran his fingers through his thick hair。 〃What would you have done if it hadn't； Killa？〃
〃Well； it did and Trag has been converted。 Now all we have to do is get word to your father。 Just how many people would we have to get to safety？ I mean； if Trag has that warrant for party or parties。。。〃
Lars framed her face with his hands； grinning down at her。 〃No matter how broad that warrant； Killa； it wouldn't extend to all those who really need our protection。 Nahia； Hauness； Theach； Brassner； and Olver are just the most important。 Why … 〃
〃Couldn't some just disappear into the islands？〃
Lars shook his head。
〃Then we'll have to hold tight somehow until Trag reports the subliminal conditioning to the Federated Council。 The Fleet Marines would land； in force； and the Elders would be sampling rehab。 You're safe as long as I'm here … and stop shaking your head。 Look； Trag can return； now that the organ is repaired and I'm unabducted … 〃
〃Is the cruiser still here？〃
〃Oh； I rather doubt it。〃
〃Then unless he can recall it； he's surfaced on Optheria until the next liner and that's not due for at least two weeks。〃
〃Two more weeks！〃 Killashandra realized that she had taken for granted the same constant space traffic that frequented Shanganaugh Moon Base。
〃What？ Have my charming presence and inspired coupling worn thin now that you have a fellow crystal singer to pair you？〃
〃Trag？ You think … Trag and I？ Don't be funny！ Listen to me； young man； there's a lot you don't know about crystal singers！〃
〃I'd like the time to find out。〃 His reply was wistful even if the kiss he gave her was not。 And her response to his embrace temporarily suspended less urgent matters； even the bath。
Fortunately； by the time Trag knocked peremptorily on the bathroom door； they were both dressed。
〃ing；〃 Killashandra responded in a trill； bestowing one last kiss on Lars before she hauled open the door。 Sweeping dramatically into the main room with Lars a step behind her； she was delighted to see Trag； a half empty glass of beer in his hand； in the pany of Thyrol； Mirbethan； and Pirinio。 Facetio