Plione IX, circling the brightest star of the Pleiades, a massive blue giant whose fierce radiation made life impossible on all but its outermost planets.
Plione IX, known as Bhr’houd’grinr until the Terrans landed and began to homogenize the local culture into the standard Terran blend and incorporate the planet into the efficient, expanding Empire.
“My people were also allies of the Terrans during the Galactic War,” Vorgens said, “but when we were annexed nto the Empire, instead of allowed our own government, the people tried to fight. It was hopeless, though.
“My grandfather was one of the few men on our planet to recognize that the Terrans were unbeatable,” Vorgens told the receptive Sittas. “As proof of his convictions, he sent his oldest son to join the Terran Star Watch, to be trained and educated by the Terrans—to serve them. By this example, he hoped to prove to his compatriots that life within the Terran Empire was better than a hopeless war of resistance.”
“And was he successful?” Sittas asked.
Vorgens shrugged. “He died before the war was finally ended. Assassinated. Plione IX is now a peaceful member of the Empire; its people are prosperous and happy. My father is still in the Star Watch, and he made certain that I became a Watchman, too.”
“And you?”
“I’m not very prosperous,” Vorgens answered, smiling. “but I was happy enough in the Star Watch—until Oran VI. I mean, Shinar.”
Then, quite suddenly, Vorgens had nothing left to say to the priest. They had talked of the past and the present, but neither of them wanted to speak about the future. They moved apart by mutual, unspoken agreement.