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which did not translate. Gurronsevas said, "True, but I have responsibility
for the food requirements of everyone in the hospital, regardless of species,
and I would be failing in my duty if I restricted my professional activities
to warm-blooded oxygen-
breathers. Besides, Pathologist Murchison has extensive experience with the
PVSJ
classification as well as having an Illensan chlorine-breather attached to its
department, and they have both promised advice and assistance. They would not
allow me to release any edible variants that were unsafe. If you are willing
to vol-
unteer, Charge Nurse, I can promise that you will be in no danger."
"The Charge Nurse will be pleased to volunteer," said Edanelt, its body still
shaking gently. "Hredlichli, the culinary reputation of Gurronsevas throughout
the
Federation is such that you should feel greatly honored."
"I feel," said Hredlichli helplessly, "that I have just contracted a
life-threatening disease."
Chapter 8
On Gurronsevas' second visit to the Department of Other-Species Psychology he
found the same three entities busy at their desk consoles, but in the
intervening time he had discovered who as well as what they were. The
Earth-human in Monitor-green uniform was Lieutenant Braithwaite, O'Mara's
principal assistant; the Sommaradvan, Cha Thrat, was an advanced trainee; and
Lioren, the Tarlan, was a specialist in the uncertain area where other-species
religions and psychology overlapped. This time he did not address himself to
the entity possessing the highest rank, as was his custom, because all three
of them might be able to help him.
"I am Chief Dietitian Gurronsevas," he said quietly. "If it is possible I
would like to obtain information and assistance with a matter requiring a high
degree of confidentiality."
"We remember you, Gurronsevas," said Lieutenant Braithwaite, looking up. "But
you have called at the wrong time. Major O'Mara is attending the monthly
meeting of
Diagnosticians. Can I help you, or will you make an appointment?"
"I have called at the right time," said Gurronsevas. "It is about the Chief
Psychologist that I wish to consult you, all of you, in confidence."
There came the strange, negative sound of three entities ceasing to work.
Braithwaite said, "Please go on."
"Thank you," Gurronsevas said, moving closer and lowering his voice. "Since I
joined the hospital I have not seen the Chief Psychologist visit the main
dining hall. Is
O'Mara in the habit of dining alone?"
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"Correct," said Braithwaite, and smiled. "The Major rarely dines socially or
in public. It is his contention that doing so might give the staff the idea
that he is only human after all, with all the usual human faults and
weaknesses, and that might be prejudicial to discipline."
"I do not understand," said Gurronsevas, after a moment's thought. "Is there
an emotional problem involved, a crisis of identity perhaps? If the Chief
Psychologist does not wish to be thought of as human, to which other species
does it believe itself to belong? This information, if it is not privileged
and you are willing to divulge it, would greatly assist me in the preparation
of suitable meals. I am assuming that the solitary eating habit is to conceal
the fact that it does not eat Earth-human food."
Cha Thrat and Lioren were making quiet sounds which did not translate and
Braithwaite's smile had widened. It said, "The Chief Psychologist is not
psychologically disturbed. I'm afraid my remark about him not wanting to
appear human suffered in translation, and misled you. But what is it that you
want to know, and how exactly can we help you? You give the impression that it
has something to do with the Major's food intake."
"It has," said Gurronsevas. "Specifically, I would like all the information
you can give me regarding its food preferences, the ordering frequency of
favorite dishes, and any critical remarks the subject has made or may make
about them in future.
"It is surprisingly difficult," he went on quickly, "to gather this kind of
information without attracting attention to myself and arousing comment
regarding a project that should remain secret until its completion. Many
entities within the hospital dine alone, either out of personal preference or
because urgent professional duties make the journey to and from the dining
hall too wasteful of their time. Any record of the food ordered by them is
erased once the order is filled and dispatched, there being no necessity to
store such information, and the only way of discovering the dishes chosen
would be to intercept the original order or breach the delivery vehicle,
neither of which could be done covertly. It would be much simpler if you were
to give me the necessary information."
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