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dwarf, an ostrich clad in haute couture, and a man.
 Should I call Security? The city editor hovered near a wall panel. Silently C. R. Benjamin regarded his
visitors, ignoring the rising clamor in the hallway beyond. Eventually his gaze settled on the sole Human
among them.  Tell me one thing, young man. Do you really have a flying saucer on the roof of my
building?
 It s only an atmospheric shuttle, Will told him.  It s not even saucer-shaped.
 I see. You know how people are. Always reaching for the easy description. That s why it s so hard to
find good writers anymore. They all seem to use the same words. He glanced at his city editor.  No
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Security, Marcus. But do close the door.
The city editor nodded, did as he was told despite the crowd that was now pressing tight around the
portal.
C. R. Benjamin slowly took his seat.  We re not going to have any trouble here, are we, Mister& what
was your name, son?
 Dulac. William Dulac.
 If you were in Nawlins right now, what would you likely be having for lunch?
Will frowned but replied.  Oyster po boy.
The editor nodded approvingly.  Then you are from Louisiana. If you re a fraud, you re a Southern
fraud, and at least they re more interesting than most. The noise in the hall was growing louder.
 Marcus, tell those people to get back to their desks and that everything in here is under control. The
city editor complied. Gratefully, Will thought. The pretty editorial assistant accompanied him without
having to be told. C. R. Benjamin rubbed his hands together theatrically.  I like stories that walk into my
office. It s cheaper than paying correspondents. Now then, if this is some kind of elaborate gag or stunt
now s the time to enlighten me, son. You re not from the Fox network, are you? I know our reviewers
been giving their new shows hell.
 We re not from Fox, sir, and this is no gag. I sincerely wish it was. These people, and he indicated his
silent companions,  really are from other worlds. Each represents a different species. They re united in
an organization they call the Weave.
Benjamin waved a hand.  I suppose you ll allow me time and means to confirm what you re saying?
Right now I m only operating on what I can see and hear, which is no way for a journalist to act.
 My friends are amenable to physical examinations, Will assured him.  They understand your caution
because they ve encountered it before, on other worlds that they ve visited.
Benjamin grunted slightly.  Let s just for the moment proceed on the assumption that you all are what
you claim to be. This Weave of yours, it s kind of like the EEC?
 Sovereign and independent worlds united for reasons of trade, commerce, and mutual defense, replied
the Wais in accentless English, startling the editor. Will thought that under the circumstances the old man
was exercising remarkable self-control. Of course it was unlikely that anyone would become editor in
chief of one of the most important newspapers in the United States without it.  So this is the
long-anticipated First Contact. Benjamin thought to turn off his computer screen and activate the
recorder on his desk.  With not just one alien race but four. I wouldn t have thought there d be four.
 Sir, there are hundreds, Will informed him quietly.
 Hundreds. Benjamin considered.  And they decide to make contact here in my office. Excepting you,
of course, young man. They obviously contacted you a day or two earlier.
 I m afraid not, sir. Actually they ve been here for a number of years now, observing us, learning,
working with some of us in secret.  I see. I presume you will in due course enlighten me as to the reason
for this secrecy.
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 Yes, sir.
Benjamin indicated the Wais.  The one with the feathers speaks better English than my sportswriters.
 Linguistics is a Wais specialty, sir. However, all of these here speak some Earth languages to some
extent. I speak some of theirs. And we have these translators. He held up the device hanging from his [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]