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He watched, noting everything, as the G’aha tossed the little dancer the same number of coins she had tossed the day before. Then the G’aha patted the child on the head and moved toward the tall, spired government building that dominated the square.

The G’aha of Finance, who could stand to lose a few kilograms, bought a big bag of shu seeds and dusted them with a pinch of blue pepper. Then he too made his way to the government building.

Chances were, in a few seasons or so, nature would do to the G’aha of Finance what people paid Bin Nedrach to do to others. Food was the fellow’s great love, his ultimate indulgence.

Parties given at his home for other high-ranking Melacron were said to be extravagant, unforgettable. What’s more, his Companion and children were every bit as rotund and unhealthy as he.

But to Bin Nedrach, the G’aha of Finance was no more important than the G’aha of Medicine. They simply weren’t on his agenda.

Next, he turned his attention to the G’aha of Laws and Enforcements, a slender, handsome individual who seemed rather young for his position. As Bin Nedrach watched, the G’aha stopped to purchase an embroidered scarf from the scarf vendor.

Bin Nedrach frowned deeply as his boyhood superstitions threatened to get in the way of his duty. For a moment, his mind raced, caught up in an unexpected struggle.

The rite of Inseeing was the most revered celebration among his people. It was a time to stop, retire to the peace of one’s own domicile, fast for three days and think about one’s life. During this period, all attention was directed inward. The ritual Inseeing scarf, translucent enough to permit vision yet sufficiently opaque to perform a symbolic blindfolding, covered one’s head and face at all times.

It was said to be the height of evil to harm someone while they wore the Inseeing scarf… or even held it in their hands. Bin Nedrach set his jaw. Then call me evil. The G’aha of Laws and Enforcements had a Companion and children, he knew. Perhaps the G’aha was thinking about them as he admired the scarf, wondering about their futures.

But for the G’aha of Laws and Enforcements, there would be no wearing of the sacred scarf this year. There would be no fasting, either. Any insights he might have would come in the next few seconds, and he would regrettably have no time to act upon them.

Steadily, Bin Nedrach lifted his energy rifle. It clicked and buzzed as it automatically locked in on its target, saving him the trouble of aiming the weapon manually. He took a deep breath and pressed the safety pad, releasing the triggering mechanism inside.

The G’aha of Laws and Enforcements paid the vendor for the scarf, admired its workmanship a bit more, and reverently folded it as he headed for the black stone steps of the government building. He was the only potential customer in the plaza now, Bin Nedrach noted. The other G’ahas had already made their way inside.

No innocent bystanders would be harmed today-that was very important to Bin Nedrach. He was a professional, after all, and professionals were economical.

Still holding his breath, with a feather-light touch, Bin Nedrach’s finger brushed the rifle’s firing pad. Instantly, a stream of seething blue energy exploded from the weapon. It struck the G’aha of Laws and Enforcements at the base of his neck-the place where the assassin’s people were most vulnerable to attack.

The G’aha arched in agony but did so silently, as Bin Nedrach had intended. He fell an instant later and tumbled down the black stone steps like a child’s stuffed toy.

Bin Nedrach heard screams and wails from the square below, but he was already halfway down the rickety steps of the abandoned building. He did not have to wait to make sure the G’aha was dead. No Melacron struck with such force at the base of the neck could have survived.

The assassin’s long legs flew and he jumped the last few steps to safety. By the time the stricken scarf dealer had pointed to the top of the building from whence the attack on the G’aha had come, Bin Nedrach was