（外文电子版资料）Tony Chandler - Qarzaak.pdfVIP

QARZAAK by Tony Chandler It is written: We, Humans, are made in the image of God. Enons body tensed as he finished speaking. The Qarzaaks horny mandibles began to open and close. Dancing reflections from the artificial lights of the cavern ceiling played across the ridged scales of the Qarzaaks abdomen as its breathing increased sharply. The misshapen head swiveled lower and closer until Enon felt the hot breath sweep his face with an intense, musky stench. You have an ugly god, The Qarzaak hissed into Enons ear. Enon clenched his fists and bit back the curses that would mean his certain death. He breathed deeply, quickly -- trying to regain his composure. The Qarzaak had insulted him in the Human language -- the only way Qarzaak condescended to speak to Humans. Even that was rare enough, though Enon was one of the few Humans that the Qarzaak bothered wasting words on. Once again, Enon mentally reminded himself that he was more than the nothing-slave the Qarzaak believed him to be. He was more than a sub-species. He ... was a Human. And he was a Healer. You want a breeding license. Thats it. Thats why you have said this bizarre thing. The Qarzaaks mighty laughter echoed in the large cavern. Enons thoughts dissolved instantly with the Qarzaaks harsh words, and now his frustration vectored in a single heartbeat to white-hot lust. Or was it love? The images in his mind were unclear -- for Enon had never actually seen a woman. The Qarzaak controlled Humans better that way. But rumors were whispered feverishly around the fires before exhaustion forced the aching bodies to sleep. The time when men, with a few moments to themselves, thought of things that were not, but they wished them to be. Dreams. Enon remembered the oft-told tales, and that the Qarzaak kept women separate on mother Earth. But his dreams of Earth had long since died. What I have said is true, Enon said, pushing away the unattainable dreams with a single mental blow. The Q