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mind. He had not expected her to figure anything out, or even to try. He hadn't thought her capable of
thinking like that.
Are you planning to buy Earther weapons and meet the Heaveners on even terms?"
That was not exactly what he had had in mind, but he could understand how Miriam might have come
up with such an idea. For his own part, he had dismissed the idea a few weeks earlier; open warfare with
Earth weapons on both sides would be far too destructive. Half of Godsworld might perish in the
crossfire.
No, he said. I don't want to fight the Heaveners openly any more; they can do too much damage."
After another moment's hesitation, Miriam gave in. All right, she said, I'll take you to see Kwamé."
Good, John replied. Where and when can I meet this mysterious person?"
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I'll take you there, right now."
Now? John was startled and made no attempt to hide it.
Yes, now; tell your friends you'll be back later."
I don't... he began.
Come now or forget it, Captain! she interrupted.
He gave in. I'm coming, he said.
After a detour to the market to tell David and Thaddeus, who were currently stationed there, that an
urgent errand had come up, John followed as Miriam led the way at a brisk pace directly toward the
Corporate Headquarters. She marched in through the open door without hesitation, turned left, and
proceeded along one of the door-lined corridors. A right into another corridor, then a left, and she began
counting doors. At the fifth she turned and tapped on a panel in the wall beside it.
The door slid aside; she stepped inside, John entering close on her heels.
He froze the moment he was inside. Despite minor rearrangement, he recognized the room; he had been
here before.
The door had closed behind him. He was trapped. He reached for Miriam's arm, but before he could grab
it an unfamiliar voice called, Oh, it's you, Miriam! What are you doing here? Who's that with you?"
He turned, as Miriam said, Hello, Kwamé; this is John Mercy-of-Christ. He wants to talk to you."
John could not locate the voice's origin.
I'll be right down, Kwamé said.
Miriam gestured at the cushions heaped on all sides. We might as well be comfortable. She sat down,
the cushions rising to meet her in an unsettling, almost lascivious manner.
John remained standing. I know this room, he said. This is where Tuesday..."
Oh, I know that! But Tuesday left weeks ago; she's not even on Godsworld any more. Kwamé says she
went on to a planet called Hellenbeck Five; I don't know much about it, but I guess it's a little like
Godsworld, with Earthers just recently moving in. There are a lot of worlds out there, not just Earth and
Godsworld."
I know that, John said, still uneasy.
Stop worrying! Kwamé will be here in a minute. We picked this room as a meeting place because
nobody uses it much probably nobody uses it at all since the stockholders left. When your men killed
that one over in Withered Fig there were three or four stockholders around, but they all left on the next
ship you scared them."
Well, it's nice to know we accomplished something, John said sarcastically. If nobody uses this
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room, how did Kwamé know we were here?"
Because, Miriam said patiently, the machines keep track of everything, everywhere, and we told the
machines that whenever anyone came in here they should tell Kwamé."
Oh. Before he could say anything else the door slid open, and Kwamé Montez stepped into the room.
So you're John Mercy-of-Christ, he said. I'm pleased to meet you. He held out a hand.
John took it as briefly as he politely could.
Kwamé Montez was small for an Earther, about average by Godsworlder standards, a few inches shorter
than John's five foot ten and a good many pounds lighter. His hair was black and curly, his skin dusky,
and his smile broad and gleaming with big white teeth. What brings you here? he asked.
Miriam told me a few things about you, and I wanted to talk with you about the corporation. Did you
know they offered me a job?"
Kwamé nodded politely. I had heard something about that, he said.
Miriam did not take John's news so calmly. Although she managed not to interrupt, she was plainly
thunderstruck.
They did. I told them I needed time to think about it. I'd like to talk to you, if you aren't busy."
Oh, I set my own hours; what did you want to ask?"
Well could we go somewhere else? They record everything that happens here, don't they?"
Yes, of course they do; you'll have to get used to that if you're going to work for us."
I suppose I will, but right now I'm not used to it. Could we go somewhere else, where I can talk
freely?"
All right; lead the way. Hiring isn't exactly my regular job, but I'm here. He waved, and the door to the
corridor slid open.
John breathed more easily when they were out of the cushioned room, and by the time they had reached
his room at the now-familiar inn he was feeling relaxed and sure of himself. Mr. Mawn-Tess, he said,
thank you for coming. Sit down. He indicated the bed; the room had no chairs.
Kwamé sat down.
Ms. Humble, you don't need to stay, John added.
Miriam, standing by the door, did not move. After a moment John shrugged. Suit yourself. Mr. Mawn-
Tess, how did the New Bechtel-Rand Corporation wind up here on Godsworld in the first place?"
We came in starships, like the one next to the headquarters..."
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No, no, that's not what I mean. I mean how is it that Bechtel-Rand came to Godsworld and nobody
else? What about the Earth government? Or other corporations? Or religions seeking converts?"
Oh, I see what you're asking. Bechtel-Rand won the development contract when Godsworld was
rediscovered. I'm not sure if the Godsworld job was a bid, a lottery, or rotation, but when they let the
contract we got it."
When who let what contract?"
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