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interrupted. Whether they were interrupted on purpose or by accident we have
been unable to discover. It does not matter now. Both of the clan are dead."
"It matters very much to me," rumbled the hooded shape.
"You will be notified as to the identity of the fool who interfered when we
gather in his body,"
the Qwarm declared coldly. "At present we know no more than you. We thought
such knowledge, together with the postponed completion of your assignment to
us, was within our grasp. Something
... happened." Vast unpleasantness burned back of wise old eyes. "Much outrage
was felt within the clan at the death of our brother and sister. Such a thing
has not happened in a long time.
Punishment was decreed. A large group of clan members, the largest gathered
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together, in one place in some time, was assembled to exact proper revenge."
Now the Qwarm's anger gave way to confusion.
"It was believed at first that he who interfered acted alone. Such was
apparently not the case. He has powerful and as-yet-unidentified associates or
allies. All we know is that none of them appear to be associated with the
government. All of the assembled were murdered mysteriously," Long,
deceptively thin fingers opened and closed slowly.
The hooded figure eyed the movements cautiously. This old man was dangerous,
like a well-used weapon-worn and dulled on the outside, but still an efficient
killer. It would not do to push him, especially in his present mood.
"If no official agency of Church or Commonwealth is involved," the soft voice
ventured, "then there is still time for this business to reach a satisfactory
conclusion." Then it added, as an afterthought: "There will be no additional
money for the additional time involved, you realize."
"That is of no import."
"Really?" Now a hint of disdain crept into the whisperer's voice. "I thought
that money was paramount among your kind, businessfolk that you are."
"We are a clan, an extended family first," the Qwarm corrected him,
"businessfolk second. Our reputation protects us more than our abilities. That
is why anyone who kills a single Qwarm cannot be permitted to live to tell of
it. Such a tale would impair our efficiency and place isolated members in
danger."
'This business of killing is still a business," the figure rasped from beneath
its shrouds.
"Rest assured," the Qwarm leader replied. "Whether we regard it as a matter of
business or clan morality should not matter to you. You have hired us. We will
carry out the terms of our contract satisfactorily for you-even if it carries
us to the ends of the galaxy."
"I wish not to see you again until you can bring me word of that," the figure
intoned forcefully, evidently unimpressed by the Qwarm's speech. "Whether you
kill this interferer or his friends is
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atter.txt your business. Kill however many you must, but kill foremost the
creature called
Abalamahalarnatandra."
"As I have declared, it will be done." That seemed to end the meeting, except
that a touch of human curiosity overcame the Qwarm. His professional poise
lapsed briefly to reveal an emotional creature beneath.
"I would still like to know why you or anyone else is willing-nay, eager-to
pay the absurd sum of one million credits for the killing of a single alien
being."
"I am sure you would," replied the hooded shape, a hint of amusement in its
voice. When nothing more was forthcoming, it was clear that the discussion was
over.
As he turned to leave the room, the Qwarm saw the hooded figure move. Light
poured through the open doorway from the hall beyond. Despite the figure's
rapid movement, the shaft of fresh light in the dark chamber seemed to sparkle
off a cornea that was not human beneath those enfolding shrouds.
Then again, the Qwarm elder reflected as he strolled down the hallway of the
eighty-second floor, in the brief instant he could have misinterpreted the
effect of the light.
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