“You amaze me,” Kennon said as they eased the cover of the spindizzy in place and spun the bolts on the lugs that held it to the outer shielding. He picked up a heavy wrench and began methodically to seat the bolts as Copper wiped the white extrusion of the cover sealant from the shining case. “How?” “The way you hide your knowledge of this ship from the others. I know you better than anyone else on this island, and yet you would fool me.” “We Lani are used to hiding things. You men have been our masters for centuries, yet you do not know our redes. Nor do you know what we think, We obey you, but there are parts of us you do not own. It is easy to hide a little thing like this.” Kennon nodded. It figured. He seated another bolt. Three more and the drive room would be restored and they could start on the control circuits. “I wish you were as clever about adopting human customs as you are about hiding guilty knowledge,” he said. Copper laughed. “You mean those silly things you have been teaching me? Why should I learn them? I’m happy as I am. I love you, you love me, and that is all that matters.” “It’s not all that matters. Can’t you get it through your head that civilized customs are necessary in a civilized society?” He gave the next-to-last bolt an extra-vicious wrench. “You’ll have to know them if you expect to get along on Beta.” “But I will never see Beta.” “I am going there when my duty here is over. And you’re going with me.” “When will that be?” “Three years.” “So long? Well--we can think of it then, but I don’t think Man Alexander will let you take me.” “Then I shall take you without his consent.” She smiled. “It would be easier to stay here. In another fifteen years I will be old and you will not want me.” “I’ll never do that. I’ll always want you.” “You swear too easily,” she said gently. “You men live forever. We Lani are a short-lived race.” “But you needn’t be. It’s obviously--” “It’s been tried, my love--and those who were treated died. Man Alexander tried many years ago to make us long-lived like you. But he failed. You see, he loved one of us too.” “But--” “Let us think no more of it. Let us enjoy what we have and be grateful to the Gods for the love we enjoy--or do you have any Gods?” “One.” “Two are better. More, anyway. And besides, Ulf and Lyssa and the God-Egg are responsible for our joy.” “They are indeed,” Kennon said. “Then why should you think of leaving the place where they rule? You should stay here. There will be other Lani when I am gone. You will be happy always.” “Not without you,” Kennon said. “Don’t you understand that I love you?” “And I you. But I am a Lani. You are a man.” “You’re as human as I am,” Kennon said abruptly. “That is what you say,” Copper replied. “I am not so sure. I need more proof than this.” She waved her hand at the ship. “What proof do you need?” “The same as the proof you men require. If I should have your child, then I would believe that I was human.”