Read Online Serpent's Gift by A. C. Crispin, Deborah A. Marshall - Free Book Online
Authors: A. C. Crispin, Deborah A. Marshall
Ads: Link
his presence to get my revenge.
That damned monkey will be sorry he ever left his homeworld, and that's a promise, too.
Heather Farley smiled sweetly at Serge. "I remember," she said, tracing her fingers across her flat chest in a quick X. "Cross my heart."
38
CHAPTER 3
Plans, Grids, and Plots
Serge had a difficult time getting through his Intro to Archaeology course the next morning. Usually he enjoyed teaching--and was good at it--but today it was a real effort to concentrate on his students. He kept seeing Hing's face in his mind, remembering how she'd confronted Khuharkk' ... so calm, yet resolute.
Intro was a popular course, and he'd been assigned one of the large classrooms that was half laboratory. Normally, Serge and his class spent much of their time in the laboratory, but today the students were presenting their first reports of the term, so they met in the classroom portion. Serge sat in the back, listening, keying notes for grades and ideas for tests into his computer link, resolutely not glancing at his watch.
The Mizari who had been giving his report on the development of Egyptian art during the reign of Akhenaton finally finished with a last flourish of his manipulatory tendrils, and Serge straightened, nodded. "Thank you, Sarrhezz. I have seen Tell-el Amarna, the Heretic Pharaoh's city and final resting place, and you gave a very vivid and accurate portrait of it. Your visual references were particularly effective." He glanced around at the class. "Who wishes to be next?"
Lisa Castillo, a tall, heavyset girl with sparkling dark eyes and curly brown hair, waved her hand. Serge nodded to her, and she rose and launched into her report, which compared early Terran pottery types from the Old World and the New. She'd
39
done a nice job researching the subject, her visual presentation was outstanding, and the accompanying text gave just enough information to be interesting and lively. Unlike some students, she didn't bury her audience in dry facts and figures. She'd even taken the time to shape and fire a fairly good replica of a Nasca vessel to illustrate one of her points.
The last student to speak was Nightsingerr a Heeyoon. He reported on recent excavations on Drnia that had uncovered a totally new dynasty that had flourished three thousand years ago. Serge noted that the material was well researched, but that the organization needed work. Nightsinger was bright and creative, but he tended to be scatterbrained. Serge listed suggestions for improvement and made a note to call the student in for a conference.
As Nightsinger returned to his pallet on the floor, where he sat on his haunches, ears pricked alertly, Serge walked up to the front of the class and raised a hand for attention. "Thank you, Nightsinger. It is always exciting to hear about brand-new discoveries in the field. The dig at Kal-syr is helping to write a new page in Drnian prehistory."
He paused to be sure he had their full attention. "I am certain that all of you recall our last session, when Anatoly asked whether our class could visit the Lamont Cliffs dig, as the Intermediate and Advanced Archaeology classes have done. After conferring with Professor Greyshine, he and I have decided that a field trip to the Lamont Cliffs would be beneficial for this class, also."
The students' reaction was gratifying and immediate. Khuharkk', here on his first day of classes, voiced his approval with several barking yelps. The two Mizari hissed softly, their fangs folded back. The humans clapped and stamped their feet.
After a moment's noisy approbation, Serge waved again for quiet. "I am glad that you are pleased. We will announce the scheduled date by the end of this week. However, I must caution you--anyone wishing to go on this trip must first have passed the minimum spacesuit competency requirements."
He went on to detail the requirements, then advised any students that needed certification to schedule lessons and testing with Janet
That damned monkey will be sorry he ever left his homeworld, and that's a promise, too.
Heather Farley smiled sweetly at Serge. "I remember," she said, tracing her fingers across her flat chest in a quick X. "Cross my heart."
38
CHAPTER 3
Plans, Grids, and Plots
Serge had a difficult time getting through his Intro to Archaeology course the next morning. Usually he enjoyed teaching--and was good at it--but today it was a real effort to concentrate on his students. He kept seeing Hing's face in his mind, remembering how she'd confronted Khuharkk' ... so calm, yet resolute.
Intro was a popular course, and he'd been assigned one of the large classrooms that was half laboratory. Normally, Serge and his class spent much of their time in the laboratory, but today the students were presenting their first reports of the term, so they met in the classroom portion. Serge sat in the back, listening, keying notes for grades and ideas for tests into his computer link, resolutely not glancing at his watch.
The Mizari who had been giving his report on the development of Egyptian art during the reign of Akhenaton finally finished with a last flourish of his manipulatory tendrils, and Serge straightened, nodded. "Thank you, Sarrhezz. I have seen Tell-el Amarna, the Heretic Pharaoh's city and final resting place, and you gave a very vivid and accurate portrait of it. Your visual references were particularly effective." He glanced around at the class. "Who wishes to be next?"
Lisa Castillo, a tall, heavyset girl with sparkling dark eyes and curly brown hair, waved her hand. Serge nodded to her, and she rose and launched into her report, which compared early Terran pottery types from the Old World and the New. She'd
39
done a nice job researching the subject, her visual presentation was outstanding, and the accompanying text gave just enough information to be interesting and lively. Unlike some students, she didn't bury her audience in dry facts and figures. She'd even taken the time to shape and fire a fairly good replica of a Nasca vessel to illustrate one of her points.
The last student to speak was Nightsingerr a Heeyoon. He reported on recent excavations on Drnia that had uncovered a totally new dynasty that had flourished three thousand years ago. Serge noted that the material was well researched, but that the organization needed work. Nightsinger was bright and creative, but he tended to be scatterbrained. Serge listed suggestions for improvement and made a note to call the student in for a conference.
As Nightsinger returned to his pallet on the floor, where he sat on his haunches, ears pricked alertly, Serge walked up to the front of the class and raised a hand for attention. "Thank you, Nightsinger. It is always exciting to hear about brand-new discoveries in the field. The dig at Kal-syr is helping to write a new page in Drnian prehistory."
He paused to be sure he had their full attention. "I am certain that all of you recall our last session, when Anatoly asked whether our class could visit the Lamont Cliffs dig, as the Intermediate and Advanced Archaeology classes have done. After conferring with Professor Greyshine, he and I have decided that a field trip to the Lamont Cliffs would be beneficial for this class, also."
The students' reaction was gratifying and immediate. Khuharkk', here on his first day of classes, voiced his approval with several barking yelps. The two Mizari hissed softly, their fangs folded back. The humans clapped and stamped their feet.
After a moment's noisy approbation, Serge waved again for quiet. "I am glad that you are pleased. We will announce the scheduled date by the end of this week. However, I must caution you--anyone wishing to go on this trip must first have passed the minimum spacesuit competency requirements."
He went on to detail the requirements, then advised any students that needed certification to schedule lessons and testing with Janet
Similar Books
