OCR Text |
Show ordinary like t h a t . . .. "Ssssssst!" hissed Phrapp, and they plastered themselves back against the wall. Around the corner came a female android, her blinking blue eyes disclosing light bronze alloy arms and a tucked white plisson. She had a weary and frustrated air about her and was slowing down and peeping in every open door along the hall as though it were something she'd been doing since the beginning of time. Phrapp immediately recognized her-Dr'Anya's android, Nell. "Nell!" he called out in a stage whisper. She stopped dead, then whirred up to the two men and turned her blue eyes on Phrapp. She didn't know him, of course. He had never come close enough while watching from behind barrels and JackPony carts as Dr'Anya and her android made their way on errands around NewOxbridge. But Nell, being Nell, sensed Phrapp was a friend of Dr'Anya's, and a friend of Dr'Anya's might help her find a way out of this everlasting building and to her mistress and Janni so many hundreds of kilometers away. Nell stood in front of Phrapp, therefore, her head in the Expectant position, her hands held out, palms up and arms slightly raised, in the Questioning mode. Phrapp, in turn, leaned against the wall, his eyes dulled by pain, and studied Nell. Then he smiled. "Let us to the sheds, Nell," he said, and motioned with his head to Brandon who looked warily at the android. "Friend!" Phrapp whispered loudly. "This android is equipped to fly an aircar!" Brandon's face cleared at that, and the three made their way swiftly down the hall, Phrapp fairly staggering with weariness. Brandon looked at him and frowned, then plucked at his sleeve. "Phrapp," he said, hurrying along beside him, "first we must needs go 242 |