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Norton, Andre, 1912-2005

"Star Born"

"
"My colony?" Raf was momentarily diverted. "I'm one of a spacer's
crew, not the member of any colony!"
Dalgard stared at the stranger. His guess had been right. A new ship,
another ship which had recently crossed deep space to find them had
flown the dark wastes even as the First Elders had done! It must be
that more outlaws had come to find a new home! This was wonderful
news, news he must take to Homeport. Only, it was news which must
wait. For the sea people had come to a decision of their own.
"What are they going to do now?" Raf asked.
The mermen were not retreating, instead they were slipping from the
ledge in regular order, forming somewhat crooked ranks in the water.
Dalgard did not reply at once, making mind touch not only to ask but
to impress his kinship on the sea people. They were united in a
single-minded purpose, with failure before them--unless--He turned to
the stranger.
"They go to war upon Those Others. He who guided us here knows also
that the new knowledge they have brought into the city is danger. If
an end is not put to it before they can use it, then"--he
shrugged--"the mermen must retreat into the depths.


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