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sing too much. You must put your muscle
and bone into winning, Shaper. As your sponsor, I will not be
dishonoured."
"I shall win, sir."
"Good."
The train came to a halt and the occupants departed. Shaper felt
lost amidst such eminence and fame, but he managed to keep something of
a proud demeanor to himself as he conversed respectfully with the other
participants in the day's *fooch*. They were led into a large room,
walled and floored in stone, apparently buried underground. Shaper was
surprised to watch an older Kzin mount a platform at one end. "Who here
is the newest one?"
Shaper realized that the elder must have meant him. He approached
the platform and knelt. "I, sir."
"Welcome, then. You know not what awaits you. This is your order.
Take this package. Down that hallway are doors. Find the eleventh.
Close yourself within and open the package. Follow the directions
precisely. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"The rest of you know which rooms are yours, and you kno
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