Shadow World Read Online Free PDF

students who are telepaths, and are studying to go out on the exploratory ships. But lots of people on Earth are still foggy about the distinction between translators and interrelators. So will you correct me if I'm wrong?" she requested.
    He nodded.
    "Okay. Translators major in languages, perhaps as many as four or even five different ones. They learn to translate accurately and rapidly, and after graduation, most of them wind up working for the CLS on Shassiszss for several years. Right?"
    "You've got it. After translators work for a while as interpreters, they're apt to go on to other professions--medicine, interstellar law"--he nodded at Cara--"interstellar journalism--you name it."
    She made a note using her computerpen. "Good. Now, the interrelators ...
    they learn only one or maybe two other languages, aside from the basic Mizari everyone has to know just to attend here. But they learn more than just a world's language. They learn about the people, the history, the cultures of a planet. Right?"
    "Basically. But it's more than that, even. Interrelators study the laws, social customs, mores, taboos--all facets of the culture and the forces that shaped it. An interrelator's goal is to be prepared to live on an alien world, as part of the diplomatic team. They learn to truly understand the point of view, the mind-set of another species."
    Mark smiled faintly, obviously reminiscing. "My friend Tesa--she's out working as an interrelator now, on Trinity-- used to say that interrelators were the best guarantee against the type of exploitation that resulted in the eradication of far too many races back on Earth hundreds of years ago."
    "But most of the diplomatic teams currently operating aren't StarBridge graduates," Cara pointed out.
    "That's true, and it's caused problems, believe me. Don't forget that StarBridge was only founded six years ago. But eventually, Rob and Esteemed Ssoriszs hope that all ambassadors will be Academy graduates."
    "So what are you studying to be?" Cara thought she'd guessed, but wanted to hear it from him.
    24
    His eyes grew shadowed once more, and he glanced away. "An
    interrelator," he said, sounding as if the admission were dragged out of him forcibly.
    "What year are you in?"
    "I'm due to start my fifth year in two months."
    She did a quick calculation. "So that makes you ... what? Nineteen?"
    "I'll be twenty in a month or so."
    "You said you'll be beginning the fifth year. That's a long time to be away from home. Don't you miss Earth?"
    He shrugged, then shook his head, not meeting her eyes. "Not much."
    "Someone else told me today that each student is allowed to take a long break during either the third, fourth, or fifth year, if he or she wants. But she also told me that many students elect not to take that break, since it takes six months just for the travel time, and most of them don't want to lose nearly a year. What did you decide to do? Did you take the long break?"
    Mark's expression froze. He began feeding his dishes into the table's recycling slot. "I've just realized how late it's getting," he said abruptly. "Look, it was nice meeting you."
    "Wait!" Cara protested. "Did I say something wrong? Is it about the breaks?
    Did you lose your chance to take one because of your academic problems?"
    she guessed, remembering the scene in the hallway.
    "You journalists never let go, do you?" He stood up. "Get him talking, you figured, and eventually work back around to his personal life. Well, I don't consider that subject to be any of your business--or any of your viewers'
    business, either!"
    Cara flushed, glad that, with her coloring, Mark probably couldn't tell. She had been trying to draw him out, that was true. But she'd said "off the record,"
    and she'd meant it. She hadn't activated her autocam while they'd been talking. What's he so damned touchy about? she wondered, feeling a stir of righteous anger.
    "I'm sorry if that's what you think of me," she said, keeping her voice level.
    "What