Freedom's Challenge Read Online Free Page B

Dorothy and Kris took turns explaining the meaning.
    â€œI did that, too, when training did not cover all I needed to know. So I made those who build the spacecraft show me how everything worked,” Zainal said.
    â€œAnd those…engineers…were also trained by families who were engineers?” Dorothy asked, and Zainal nodded. “Very restrictive educational system. Only a need to know. However did they manage?”
    â€œThe Eosi do the manage part,” Zainal said in a caustic tone. “Emassi follow orders just like Drassi and even the Rassi.”
    â€œIt’s amazing even the Emassi can do what they do,” Kris remarked, regarding Zainal with even more respect.
    â€œYes, it is,” Dorothy agreed, “and we tend to rely on the educational process…or the genetic heritage,” and she gave Kris a look. “Depending on which school of thought you adhere to.” She gave another sigh and then said more briskly, including Kris, “Are there any special aptitudes which Catteni have which Humans do not? For example, the way the Deski can climb vertically and have extraordinary hearing?”
    â€œNight vision,” Zainal said promptly. “Our hearing is more acute but not as good as the Deski. We can last longer eating poor food…or is that body difference, not brain?”
    â€œMetabolic differences certainly,” Dorothy said, having written “eye” and “ear” on her pad. Kris could read such short words backwards. Then the psychologist spent a moment doodling. “Could you possibly draw me a sketch of the device used on you?” She turned to Kris in explanation. “Those that got a good look at it can’t talk, and those who can talk didn’t see it.”
    â€œZainal’s very good at drawing devices,” Kris said, with a touch of pride.
    â€œYes,” and Zainal complied, using the pen with the quick, deft strokes that Kris had seen him use in delineating the mechanicals. “There!”
    Dorothy regarded the neat sketch and hmmmed under her breath. “Hmmm, yes, well it looks like something an evil scientist would create.” She sighed. “Considering who the Eosi chose to brain-scan, they seem to have been on an information hunt. But why? Their level of technology is so much more sophisticated than ours. Or were they just trying to strip minds that could possibly help foment riot and rebellion? Or maybe reduce humans to the level of your Rassi?”
    Zainal made a guttural noise and his smile, while it did not touch his eyes, was evil. “Ray Scott said that he recognized some of the people as scientists. So the Eosi arelooking for information. If they were wiping minds to make you like Drassi, they would start with children and block learning.” He grinned. “The Eosi look for ideas. They have had very few new ones over the past hundred or so years.”
    â€œReally?” Dorothy remarked encouragingly.
    â€œMaybe they need to stimulate their own brains,” Kris said. “Or would it work on them?”
    Zainal shrugged.
    â€œWill Seissmann and Dr. Ansible felt that the Eosi were taking a vicious revenge on humans by destroying minds in a wholesale fashion,” Dorothy said in an expressionless voice. “There seemed to be no reason to include some of the individuals—TV reporters and anchor men…and women…”
    â€œReally? Who?” Kris asked in astonishment.
    â€œWho?
Anchor men and women
?” Zainal didn’t understand the term.
    â€œOh,” he said, when Kris explained, and added, “information would be the first thing Eosi want to control. All your satellites and communication networks were destroyed in the initial phase of the invasion.”
    â€œDid you know they were choosing Earth?” Dorothy asked.
    Zainal shook his head with a rueful grin. “I am exploring on the far side of this galaxy. I had stopped at Barevi for