title: The Hostage of Zir
author: L. Sprague De Camp
description: Berkley/Putnam, 1977, first edition hardcover with dustjacket. Swashbuckling interplanetary adventure.
zlib_text:   
  Chapter 21.2  
  
  > 12:24 A.M., Friday, February 4, 2000  
  >  Manukau, New Zealand
  
    
  
  > Desiree had walked by the nursery twice already, pretending to look deeply
  > engrossed in tracing some ducts. During the second pass she'd had to flatten
  > herself against the wall as two grunts shepherded a half dozen hostages by
  > on hands and knees. She turned her head away to avoid any of them
  > recognizing her. Each hostage wiped at the floor with a wad of rags and
  > pushed along a bucket of filthy water. The Strong had seemingly discovered
  > that a tired hostage was a less threatening hostage.
  >
  > When at last they'd rounded the corner, she rushed into the nursery. The
  > nurse on duty looked taken aback, then recognized Desiree. "Oh my God! Mrs.
  > Hyland!" She quickly led Desiree by the elbow over to Jeremy's incubator.
  >
  > "He's grown so much!" Desiree said. Inwardly she thought, He's so tiny!
  > Translucent skin wrinkled over chicken bones. His little chest rose and fell
  > with his rhythmi