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.It only takes four or fivestandards."Standards, Teg thought.So the Lost Ones still used the Standard Year. The tube slot hissed and a young woman in a blue serving gown backed into theroom towing a suspensor-buoyed hotpod, which she positioned near the table infront of Teg.Her clothing was of the type Teg had seen during his originalinspection but the pleasantly round face she turned to him was unfamiliar.Herscalp had been depilated, leaving an expanse of prominent veins.Her eyes werewatery blue and there was something cowed in her posture.She opened the hotpodand the spicy odors of the food wafted across Teg's nostrils.Teg was alerted but he sensed no immediate threat.He could see himself eatingthe food without ill effect.The young woman put a row of dishes on to the table in front of him and arrangedthe eating implements neatly at one side."I've no snooper, but I'll taste the foods if you wish," Muzzafar said."Not necessary," Teg said.He knew this would raise questions but felt theywould suspect him of being a Truthsayer.Teg's gaze locked onto the food.Without any conscious decision, he leaned forward and began eating.Familiarwith Mentat-hunger, he was surprised at his own reactions.Using the brain inMentat mode consumed calories at an alarming rate, but this was a new necessitydriving him.He felt his own survival controlling his actions.This hungerwent beyond anything of previous experience.The soup he had eaten with somecaution at the house of the ruined man had not aroused such a demandingreaction.The Suk doctor chose correctly, Teg thought.This food had been selecteddirectly out of the scanner's summation.The young woman kept bringing more dishes from hotpods ordered via the tubeslot.Teg had to get up in the middle of the meal and relieve himself in an adjoiningwashroom, conscious there of the hidden comeyes that were keeping him undersurveillance.He knew by his physical reactions that his digestive system hadspeeded up to a new level of bodily necessity.When he returned to the table,he felt just as hungry as though he had not eaten.The serving woman began to show signs of surprise and then alarm.Still, shekept bringing more food at his demand.Muzzafar watched with growing amazementbut said nothing.Teg felt the supportive replacement of the food, the precise caloric adjustmentthat the Suk doctor had ordered.They obviously had not thought about quantity,though.The girl obeyed his demands in a kind of walking shock.Muzzafar spoke finally."Must say I've never before seen anyone eat that muchat one sitting.Can't see how you do it.Nor why."Teg sat back, satisfied at last, knowing he had aroused questions that could notbe answered truthfully."A Mentat thing," Teg lied."I've been through a very strenuous time.""Amazing," Muzzafar said.He arose. When Teg started to stand, Muzzafar gestured for him to remain."No need.We've prepared quarters for you right next door.Safer not to move you yet."The young woman departed with the empty hotpods.Teg studied Muzzafar.Something had changed during the meal.Muzzafar watchedhim with a coldly measuring stare."You've an implanted communicator," Teg said."You have received new orders.""It would not be advisable for your friends to attack this place," Muzzafarsaid."You think that's my plan?""What is your plan, Bashar?"Teg smiled."Very well." Muzzafar's gaze went out of focus as he listened to hiscommunicator.When he once more concentrated on Teg, his gaze had the look of apredator.Teg felt himself buffeted by that gaze, recognizing that someone elsewas coming to this room.The Field Marshal thought of this new development assomething extremely dangerous to his dinner guest but Teg saw nothing that coulddefeat his new abilities."You think I am your prisoner," Teg said."By the Eternal Rock, Bashar! You are not what I expected!""The Honored Matre who is coming, what does she expect?" Teg asked."Bashar, I warn you: Do not take that tone with her.You have not theslightest concept of what is about to happen to you.""An Honored Matre is about to happen to me," Teg said
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