by Ian J Miller
There was a gasp around the Curia. Tradition required serious punishment following a false accusation, and the plucking was quite appropriate, but the rest showed under Ranhyn custom that this accusation was being taken as an extreme insult.
"You are not Ulsian!" the objector replied, waving a claw in her direction.
"Tenzat!" Natasha said, turning back towards the throne, "I apologise for this distraction, however I wish to point out to that putative challenger that the clause I quoted refers directly to any being arriving on an Ulsian ship. The ship I arrived on is clearly Ulsian."
"Point of clarification!" Another member of the Curia rose to his feet.
"Proceed!" the Tenzat said in a bored tone.
"There was a funeral on Earth, nominally for Natasha Kotchetkova. The DNA of the body matched that of Natasha Kotchetkova. If that was not Natasha Kotchetkova, who was it?"
"I request the right to answer," Gaius said evenly.
"Proceed!" the Tenzat said, his tone now slightly worried.
"There was treachery on Earth," Gaius said simply. "As a tactical ruse, I used an older body. To explain further, earlier Natasha Kotchetkova was terminally ill. I authorised an Ulsian teleportive transfer to a created body. Accordingly, there was a spare body that was, in fact, that of Natasha Kotchetkova. It just so happened she was not in it. I have here a certified record from the Ulsian base that did the transfer, together with an assurance that what you see before you is the Commissioner in all reasonable sense of the phrase, and that she represents Earth. I would also add that an Ulsian-made companion would never stand in unless the companion was absolutely certain that the person before you is Natasha Kotchetkova, at least to the extent that she meets all Ulsian criteria.
"I now demand that you either accept my word, as commander of all Ulsian military in this sector, or provide evidence that would have to be answered."
'And that,' Gaius thought to Natasha, 'should either end this matter, or shake out where this information came from.'
"There is a degree of uncertainty yet to be resolved," the Tenzat nodded. There was a pause, then he said, "I shall provisionally recognize you. That means that I shall hear what you request, but it does not commit the Curia to grant it."
"Thank you, Tenzat," Natasha said. "My request is simple. I wish to commence the negotiation of a Treaty between Ranh and Earth to ensure peace between them. Earth recognizes that Ranh is a great civilization, and we wish to be at peace with you."
"And what terms do you demand?"
"Earth requests the simple terms found in the standard Ulsian Federation treaties," Natasha replied simply. "We want peace with Ranh, and our opportunities to develop as a space-faring race within the Ulsian Federation."
"Suppose Ranh wished to renegotiate those terms?" the Tenzat replied. "We may see them as unnecessarily favourable to your species."
"Those terms were negotiated with Ulse," Gaius replied harshly. "To break those terms would be to break the treaty with Ulse. As supreme Ulsian military commander in the region I demand to know whether that is your intention?"
"I am merely requesting a response to the issue of renegotiation," the Tenzat replied, although from the slight slumping of his head and shoulders it was clear that he recognized that he had had a reverse. "As it happens I am not in a position to declare war on that scale."
"I realize that such a decision would require the agreement of the Great Conclave," Gaius replied evenly. "My question was to determine whether this issue had already been determined by them, as then I would have had to request the diplomatic rights we have to return to our ships."
"Nothing has been determined," the Tenzat replied wearily, "and since you seem to be such an authority on our procedures, you will presumably be aware that I cannot enter into such treaties without the various approvals."
"Yes, we are aware of that as well," Natasha continued. "However, I am certain that if the Tenzat of the Space Curia were to recommend entering such a treaty, that recommendation would carry considerable weight."
"You are, are you?" the Tenzat said curiously.
"Well, I assumed so," Natasha said as she shrugged. "I know that back on Earth, if I took a request to our Federation Council, which is the nearest we have to your Great Conclave, I would have been very upset if my recommendation was not accepted, unless there was some very good reason of which I was unaware. I would have considered such an outcome as something of an insult to me, and I assumed the same would apply here."
"I see," the Tenzat replied. "Then I assure you that the Curia will consider your request, and you shall hear back in due course. In the meantime, you are accorded full diplomatic rights and full freedom of movement on Ranh, and we suggest that you remain on the planet for a period. The Curia trusts that you will find our planet to be of some interest to you."
"Thank you very much," Natasha replied. "I am both honoured and grateful to be permitted these rights, and I look forward very much to exercising them, and meeting representatives of your great civilization."
"And we look forward to hearing what your impressions of our planet are," the Tenzat nodded. "The Curia will honour your departure."
Natasha then formally bowed towards the Tenzat, as did Gaius. To an eerie silence, they turned and left the Curia.
Chapter 11
"So, that was your honorary nestling?" Methrell asked pensively as she stroked the feathers on Kuyrill Kazyn's neck, and poured some more drink into his glass.
"That was her," Kazyn nodded.
"Then, Kazyn, what did you make of that?"
"My impression," Kazyn said slowly, "was that so-called insult was a ruse to flush me out."
"You are an important little Ranhyn, then," Methrell teased.
"You may note that Tergyn made no attempt whatsoever to intervene. It was obviously set up. They would know she had no chance in hand to claw fighting, so as her nestling I would have to turn up."
"Yes," Methrell agreed. "That was good news, don't you think?"
"You mean, that she knew that she could call on an android?"
"No, that that fur-brained rodent thought he could flush you out."
"I don't quite see what's so good about that," Kazyn frowned.
"It means that they haven't got a clue where you are," Methrell explained. "You see, you are a guest, and I would be required to take responsibility for your plight if you were so called."
"And you would fight in my place?" Kazyn chuckled. "My, I –"
"Don't flatter yourself," Methrell cackled, and dug slightly with a claw, enough to make him wince a little. "You may recall that I can call on the Military Curia. If we can't find a soldier who would tear that scraggly, dowdy furball to pieces, then we have no right even contemplating anything but outright surrender."
"And here was I thinking that you were specifically looking after me," Kazyn shook his head.
Methrell ignored him and said, "Anything else you find odd about that meeting?"
"You may not like this," Kazyn said softly, "but I don't quite see how Tergyn knew about the funeral for Natasha."
"Someone on the military ships informed him," Methrell said.
"Which means that you may have a form of security leak," Kazyn said. The alternative, which he did not say, but was running through the back of his mind, was that the Military Curia knew only too well and deliberately gave the information. But if that was so, either Methrell did not know, or she was a very fine actress.
"Oh, thank you for pointing that out," Methrell shook her head. "Maybe I should kick you out, put out several rumours as to where you are, and see where they start searching."
"That's one way of doing it, if you are really desperate," Kazyn agreed.
"Still, I can see your Roman friend has an irritating way too," Methrell continued. "He effectively asked Tergyn to declare war."
"Knowing fully he wasn't able to," Kazyn said. He hoped this was true, for if it were not, that meant that the military had already agreed to wa
r, and the whole situation would fall to pieces very quickly.
As if reading his mind, Methrell stood back and said in as assuring a way as Kazyn had ever heard from a Ranhyn, "That statement from him was the first suggestion I have heard, and no suggestion has been made to the Military Curia."
"Since there's only one side that can make war, I guess no real harm's been done," Kazyn mused, "but I wonder why he did it?"
"You're wrong about the first point," Methrell said softly. "Kroth is quite capable of declaring war. Whether they'd win is another matter, but with Earth as one base, we would not have a happy time. As to the second point, I think Tergyn was merely posturing. A very dangerous thing to do, but he is not exactly loaded with brains."
"You may be right," Kazyn said, "but I don't think that's all there is to it."
"You mean, your predicament?"
"I suppose," Kazyn said dryly. "I don't think this attack was a coincidence."
"Neither do I," Methrell said softly. "The problem is, how do we find out what's going on?"
"As I see it," Kazyn said softly, "you only have one real line of approach, but . . ."
"But we're reluctant to take it?" Methrell prodded Kazyn with a claw.
"Well, yes, it does look a little that way."
"As it happens, we agree," Methrell said. "Our first view was that if we put you on the run, something would shake itself out of the woodwork, but it hasn't happened. All that's happened is that the police are starting to get complaints as to why they can't catch you."
"Meanwhile, they aren't on the proper track of whoever did do it," Kazyn muttered. "The trail is getting cold."
"So, for that matter, is yours," Methrell pointed out.
"I have a bad feeling about that remark," Kazyn frowned.
"You are perceptive," Methrell teased. "Just to make you feel better, I'm sure you'll be pleased to know the Tukhranh Police Chief is two rooms down that way."
"Oh dear," Kazyn taunted back. "Don't tell me you're going to hand me over. I would have hoped you'd do better than that."
"No need to worry on that score," Methrell cackled. "I'm sure I'll think of something much more enterprising, if not discomforting to you."
"Yes, well, thanks for that," Kazyn nodded. He was desperately trying to look unconcerned, but he knew that his future was starting to look less than easy.
"In case you're wondering," Methrell said, "she's getting quietly told that we know that you had nothing to do with this crime, that it makes no sense, and that we would appreciate it if she would stop squatting on her tail and do a proper investigation."
"I must admit that's an improvement," Kazyn nodded. "The question is, what now?"
"You can stay here a little longer," Methrell chuckled, "if you can put up with the company, and we might let you out for short excursions, to see what happens. That will give the police more time to stir up something. Then we have to put you out in the open."
"Yes, but doing what?"
"Let's decide once we know if the police can turn up any clues," Methrell said enigmatically.
Chapter 12
"What's that flashing light?" Natasha yawned. She had agreed to discuss strategy with Gaius early in the morning, and she had not adjusted at all well to the shorter days. She could not sleep when she went to bed because it was not time, then she could not wake up when her alarm went off. Gaius' teasing her about it simply irritated her.
"I think it means we have a message," Gaius replied. He turned towards her, and gave her a grin as he said, "It's probably your nestling, looking for refuge."
"It's probably nothing of the sort," Natasha muttered. "If you're on the run, you don't send messages saying you'll turn up at ten."
"He'll be in the lobby, patiently waiting," Gaius laughed.
"Then you'd better turn on the device and tell him to wait," Natasha replied.
"And you'd better get formally dressed. This communication is two way visual, and –"
"I'd better look the part," she agreed.
"They're mad on protocol," Gaius nodded.
Shortly after, they decided they would not take the call, but rather would descend to the lobby. When they entered the lobby, it was not difficult to find their caller: there was only one Ranhyn waiting. There, seated at a table sipping refreshment and attired resplendently in the bright blue of an ex-Tenzat was Kuyrill Hadell.
"Good to see you again," Natasha smiled.
"And to you too." Hadell waved at two chairs designed for humans, and said, "Please sit."
"Do you know what's happened to Kazyn?" Natasha asked.
"I have no idea," Hadell shrugged, "but don't worry, and in particular, don't start trying to do something to help." She paused, then added as an explanation, "I got one message from him, and he was safe then. Either he is still safe, or he has been killed before he could get a message out, and in either case it does you no good to get involved."
"What exactly happened?" Gaius asked.
"Nobody knows for sure," Hadell replied. "It is very disconcerting. Kazyn was out, and somebody brought that plucked idiot in and killed him. There were three who did it, that is established, but there is very little information beyond that. There was clear surveillance of Kazyn leaving, their arriving, and their leaving without the victim."
"Then why was Kazyn accused?" Natasha frowned.
"I don't know," Hadell replied. "There is something going on that I simply don't understand."
"Have they identified any of the three?" Natasha asked.
"As far as I am aware, no," Hadell replied, "and that is a trifle worrying, given they were allegedly seen on surveillance records. It may be that someone has deliberately obliterated the identifying records, or it may be that the police are following a particular lead and they don't want publicity to alert someone, but . . . well, put it this way, I am not satisfied, but there isn't an awful lot I can do at the moment."
"Perhaps it's a warning for Kazyn not to do something," Gaius suggested
"Then why not leave a clue as to what not to do?" Hadell countered.
"It does seem a little excessive if they haven't already made it clear what they, whoever they are, want him to do," Gaius agreed.
"So where does that leave us?" Natasha asked.
"It leaves you with nothing to do," Hadell said, "and that is serious."
"It is?" Natasha asked curiously.
"It is," Hadell emphasised. "Everybody's going to want to know what you're doing. You see, you're a curiosity, from the sacred planet of original creation. That means, everybody's going to watch your every step, at least for a week or so. They'll eventually get sick of it, but it's important that you aren't doing anything suspicious for a while."
"So far we haven't done much at all," Natasha remarked.
"And that in itself is suspicious," Hadell remarked. "You must be plotting."
"That's ridiculous!" Natasha snorted.
"They won't be too concerned yet," Hadell ignored the response, "because they'll assume you're tired, and still getting accustomed to our shorter days. However, you should do something now, and something that nobody could object to."
"Such as?"
"That's what I'm here for," Hadell bared her teeth. "I shall take you to the best museums, galleries, and you shall see the sights."
"Bore the watchers?" Natasha nodded.
"Yes, and you might see something interesting as well," Hadell remarked. "On top of that I shall help you find your way around, and show you what to do and what not to do where. It shall fill in a number of days."
"Then we are in your hands," Natasha said, "unless, of course, your Tenzat wants to see us."
"If you want to get him to come to a decision," Hadell remarked dryly, "the best way is to make it look as if you don't care too much, and don't mind staying. After all, once you've seen all the harmless things there are to see, and you've got the rhythm, you may want to see things he won't be so keen on your seeing."
"You have secre
ts?" Natasha smiled.
"Every official thinks they have secrets," Hadell scowled. "Makes them think they're important."
"It is true that many have one secret," Natasha remarked wryly.
"Oh?"
"It's how they got to where they are, given their general mediocrity."
Chapter 13
Despite the general frustration that arose through the inability to make any headway with the Space Curia, the next few days, at least days on the Ranh time-scale, were surprisingly interesting for Natasha. The evolutionary path taken from the raptors to the Ranhynn was well documented. Also well documented, although less well backed by evidence, were the reasons for the development of intelligence.
The Creator had placed these raptors on a part of Ranh that was not particularly suitable. The ground was extremely rocky, with steep slopes. Prey was very difficult to catch, but the trees did give fruit. Two effects occurred. The first was that the raptors became omnivorous, and the second was that they had to develop far greater intelligence to catch prey. The early raptors had always hunted in packs, but the rather tortured landforms were quite unsuitable for that type of attack. Furthermore, the most common prey was a relation of the ankylosaurus. It was large and had an armoured back, together with a vicious spike on its tail. Hunting this was simply dangerous, yet after a while, with the generally limited prey, it was a case of eat these or starve. The question then was, how to catch them? Attack by the conventional means of jumping on them and using the raking claws of the hind legs would simply result in the animal running to the side of the gully and removing the pest on its back, then killing the stunned pest with a lash from the tail.
The technique that was developed was surprisingly simple. The raptors first learned to throw stones. This permitted them to herd the beasts towards ground where they could be forced into holes or over cliffs. Then, later, they found that they could kill these animals by forcing a carefully broken length of wood up between the fold at the back of the neck. The road to technology had started. Then followed many displays showing how Ranhyn history and technology had developed. She was amused to see that they too had had a long history of killing each other.