In the N'Kumo house, Jody, David and Moira explained to Veronica much about the history of Isis.
"And this Mark London, where is he? He sounds like nothing more than a tyrant. No one stood up to him!"she said.
"He's buried in the cemetery, I suppose."said Moira.
Veronica raised her eyebrows.
"A tyrant! You mean you people actually buried that man with the other people here? The people he destroyed? The people he humiliated? The one who distorted the truth? The one who made them forget their history, who they were, where they came from? The one who spoke ill of the Keeper and her servant?"
"Well, he died."said David.
"Ha! I would have hung the body on the village square for everyone to throw stones at it! It would only have been a pity that they didn't have the courage to do it while he was still alive! He was one man! This is a village of people! I mean, back on Earth, I sort of understand a little bit. You know, they had the police force, and all that. But this London had nothing. And you just let him manipulate you all?"
"Well, what else could everyone have done?'asked David.
"We must not resort to violence. Let violence come to Isis, and it will never leave."said Uncle Jody.
Moira remained silent.
"I simply think you have no dignity."said Veronica. "Now, I'd like to see this Mark London's tomb. I suppose you know where he is buried."she said.
"What for?"asked Moira.
"Perhaps to take the stupid body out and do what it deserves to it."she answered. "Oh, well. I'm not really here for that. What I really want is to do a little exploring."she said, excitedly. "D! I simply love those mountains, and I want to visit the place where the Keeper is buried. Plus, those sink holes sound just fascinating. I wonder if there are more in other valleys. Or perhaps the mountains! I want to get started tomorrow! Perhaps we may find something interesting in our searches to help fix the door to the cave."
"The cave!"exclaimed Moira. "I almost forgot! We should go and check it out."
"Right that we should."said Veronica. "We should perhaps start exploring this valley, but I don't want to. A new planet isn't the same as when it's brand new. Once people get on it, exploring isn't the same anymore. It's getting dark, and we should go back to the ship. Want me to give you a tour, Moira? It's a great ship. Always the kind of house I wanted to own."
Moira giggled.
"Of course! Why don't you come, Uncle Jody? You'd probably love it."
They went outside, crossed the lake, and went into the ship. Inside, it was gigantic. Probably bigger than what it seemed outside.
"I don't know why I have so many rooms, you know. It's only me and my pets. D requires no sleep, of course."
She had a lot of magic, aboard, too.
"It's not magic."she said to David and Jody. "It's just…stuff. You know, everyone uses it. At least, on Tech planets. Want to stay and eat supper with me?"
"Uncle Jody is the president, and must eat in the dining hall."said David.
"Dining hall? Is this a school, or some kind of an institution? People dine in their own houses. With their own families, or perhaps by themselves. Never in a dining hall. Only at school, or in prison, or something."said Veronica.
"It's bad manners to eat in your own house."said David.
"Bad manners?"
Veronica looked at them with an expression of disbelief on her face.
"Moira, exactly what kind of a place is this? I know it is a primitive planet, but even the most primitive planets I have visited, the people have a bit of common sense. Well, what kind of currency do you use here?"she asked.
"Currency?"
"Money. You know, this is worth so much?"
"We don't use currency here."said Moira.
"How do you pay, say, the baker?"
"The women do the baking and such."
"In other words, the women here are nothing more than slaves? Okay, everyone dines together, there's no currency, and I take it, there isn't even…um, should we say, social classes?"
"No."said Moira.
"This is beginning to scare me."
"Why?"
"I think it sounds like communism. I've read plenty of novels with that in them, not to mention the history! A monarchy scares me less than communism itself. In theory, it's great, but well, in reality?"
"There's no communists here."said Moira.
"Oh, I think there is."answered Veronica.
"What are you talking about?"demanded Uncle Jody.
"Tell me a little bit about your religion."she said to Uncle Jody.
"Religion?"
"You have no religion."said Veronica quietly. "Oh, my Lord! D, I'm scared!"
"There is nothing that can hurt you here, Veronica. Against the low oxygen and ultraviolet you have your watch, and should these people ever be foolish enough to try to hurt you, you have your laser, and the radio, in case you ever need help."
"Yes, of course, but I am not afraid for me, D, I am afraid for them!"
"Yes, they seem to be quite disoriented."agreed the robot.
"We're trying to change all that."Moira assured her.
"Well,"said Vero. "If you don't want to dine with me, that's fine. I still don't understand, though. I've never come across such a people in all my years of space travel! But, oh, well."
"I'll stay."said Moira. "That way we could talk."