The Colors of Space - Page 48/108

"I'm sorry," Bart said in Universal, without thinking.

"I admit the lights are dim," said the voice tartly, and Bart found

himself looking down, as his eyes adjusted to the new light level, at a

girl.

She was small and slight, in a metallic blue cloak that swept out, like

wings, around her thin shoulders; the hood framed a small, kittenlike

face. She was a Mentorian, and she was human, and Bart's eyes rested

with comfort on her face; she, on the other hand, was looking up with

anxiety and uneasy distrust. That's right--I'm a Lhari, a nonhuman

freak!

"I seem to have missed my way."

"What are you looking for, sir? The medical quarters are through here."

"I'm looking for the elevator down to the crew exits."

"Through here," she said, reopening the door through which he had come,

and shading her large, lovely, long-lashed eyes with a slender hand.

"You took the wrong turn. Are you new on board? I thought all ships were

laid out exactly alike."

"I've only worked on passenger ships."

"I believe they are somewhat different," said the girl in good Lhari.

"Well, that is your way, sir."

He felt as if he had been snubbed and dismissed.

"What is your name?"

She stiffened as if about to salute. "Meta of the house of Marnay Three,

sir."

Bart realized he was doing something wholly out of character for a

Lhari--chatting casually with a Mentorian. With a wistful glance at the

pretty girl, he said a stiff "Thank you" and went down the ramp she had

indicated. He felt horribly lonely. Being a freak wasn't going to be

much fun.