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seriously the prospect of casual interception?"
"Your faith is greater than mine," growled Reith. "I expect the whole force of
the Dirdir system to be scouring the skies for us."
Anacho gave an indulgent laugh. "That is not the Dirdir way! You project your
own concepts into the Dirdir mind. Remember, they do not look upon
organization as an end in itself; this is a human attribute. The Dirdir exists
only as himself, a creature responsible only to his pride. He cooperates with
his fellows when the prospect suits him."
Reith shook his head skeptically, and went back to studying the radar-screen.
"There must be more to it than that. How does the society hold together? How
can the Dirdir sustain long-term projects?"
"Very simple. One Dirdir is much like another; there are racial forces which
compel all alike.
In great dilution, the submen know these forces as 'tradition,' 'caste
authority,' 'zest to overachieve'; in the Dirdir society they become
compulsions. The individual is bound to customs of the race. Should a Dirdir
need assistance he need only cry out hs'ai hs'ai, hs'ai and he is helped. If a
Dirdir is wronged, he calls dr'ssa dr'ssa, dr'ssa and commands arbitration. If
the arbitration fails to suit him he can challenge the arbitrator, who is
usually an Excellence; if he defeats the arbitrator, he is vindicated. More
often he himself is defeated; his effulgences are plucked out and he becomes a
pariah ... There are few challenges of arbitration."
"Under such conditions, the society would seem to be highly conservative."
"This is the case, until there is need for change, and then the Dirdir applies
himself to the problem with 'zest to over-achieve.' He is capable of creative
thinking; his brain is supple and responsive; he wastes no energy upon
mannerism. Multiple sexuality and the 'secrets' of course are a distraction,
but like the hunt they are a source of violent passion beyond human
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comprehension."
"All this to the side, why should they give up the search for us so easily?"
"Is it not clear?" demanded Anacho testily. "How could even the Dirdir suspect
that we fly toward Sivishe in a sky-car? Nothing identifies the men sought at
Smargash with the men who destroy Dirdir in the Carabas. Perhaps in time a
connection will be made, if, for example, Issam the Thang is questioned. Until
then they are ignorant that we fly a sky-car. So why put up search-
screens?"
"I hope you're right," said Reith.
"We shall see. Meanwhile-we are alive. We fly a sky-car in comfort. We carry
better than two hundred thousand sequins. Notice ahead: Cape Braize! Beyond
lies the Schanizade. We will now alter course and come down upon Haulk from
above. Who will notice a single sky-car among a hundred? At
Sivishe we will mingle with the multitude, while the Dirdir seek us across the
Zhaarken, or at
Jalkh, or out on the Hunghus tundra."
Ten miles passed below the sky-car with Reith pondering the soul of the Dirdir
race. He asked.
"Suppose you or I were in trouble and cried dr'ssa dr'ssa, dr'ssa?"
"That is the call for arbitration. Hs'ai hs'ai, hs'ai is the cry for help."
"Very well, hsai hsai, hsai-would a Dirdir be impelled to help?"
"Yes; by the force of tradition. This is automatic, a reflexive act: the
connective tissue which binds an otherwise wild and mercurial race."
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Two hours before sunset a storm blew in from the Schanizade. Carina 4269
became a brown wraith, then disappeared as black clouds tumbled up the sky.
Surf like dirty beer-foam swept across the beach, close to the boles of the
black dendrons which shrouded the foreshore. The upper fronds twisted to gusts
of wind, turning up glossy gray undersides; roiling patterns moved across the
black upper surfaces.
The sky-car fled south through the umber dusk, then, with the last glimmer of
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