CHAPTER 8
“Kill me,” the collapsed Kriani librarian told Pala Eydis.
Eydis jerked back, raising her hands to her face till her fingertips touched her oxygen mask. After a moment she seemed to remember herself, and she lowered her hands and said, “No, Librarian. You’re a Kriani. No race in the history of the universe has suffered like your race, and yet, you survived. You built a world. That’s what you are: survivors. A race of survivors. And you’re the librarian! Each day you look at hard truths, and do not turn away. That requires strength. You’ll get better. You’ll survive.” She reached forward with both hands, and touched the Kriani’s antennae, a formal greeting.
“And don’t you see?” she added softly. “You didn’t do it. You still have your antennae. You see that, don’
