Clarke, Arthur C - Fall of Night 02 (56 page)

 
          
 
"You are part of it, too," Seeker
said softly.

 
          
 
"I don't feel all that cosmic right this
minute," Cley said, beginning to notice many aches. Her palms throbbed.
She wondered if the Supras had any medical miracles handy.

 
          
 
"The biome is ordinary. Not a big
abstraction." Seeker wrestled free of the vines.

 
          
 
"And you're a housekeeper for the system
solar?" Cley smiled ruefully.

 
          
 
"In a way.
I
voyaged once to another biome, and—"

 
          
 
Cley was startled.
"Another
star?"

 
          
 
"Yes. I journeyed to speak with that far
biome. Quite different, it was."

 
          
 
"What's a biome say to another?"

 
          
 
"Little, at first.
I had difficulties."

 
          
 
"I thought Seeker
After
Patterns could do anything."

 
          
 
Seeker made its barking laugh. "Only what
my planets allow us."

 
          
 
"They sent you?"

 
          
 
"Yes. Eventually the biomes strewn
through the spiral arms will connect. There is much work to be done, to
understand those strange beings."

 
          
 
"Biomes are beings?"

 
          
 
"Of course.
Evolution proceeds beyond the scope of individuals now, or of species and
phyla. Biomes are different orders of beings."

 
          
 
As it said this Seeker no longer looked like
an amiable pet. She sensed quiet, eerie powers in it.

 
          
 
"Seeker, you speak as if you are the
system solar."

 
          
 
"So we do."

 
          
 
Cley chuckled and cuffed Seeker beneath its
ample, matted chin. "Well, so much for words. Whatever won this, and at
whatever cost, we're alive."

 
          
 
"Far more important
that the biome lives."

 
          
 
"Yes, thank God."

 
          
 
"You are welcome," said Seeker.