by Hal Annas
In primitive quarters across from the bazaar, Rahn Buskner deposited the wounded man on a bed of hides and departed. In a few minutes he returned with a plastic necklace, two bracelets and two anklets.
“Wear these when you go out,” he said, stuffing them in a wrist-bag.
Aleta was too busy to take interest. The wounded man’s heart was steadier and his breathing easier, but the rough handling in coming from the ship had opened his wounds. She knew she would have to change the bandages without delay.
When she turned, the Novakkan was gone. The wounds were bleeding and she couldn’t wait. Picking up the wrist-bag, she hurried across to the bazaar and found a place that dispensed medicants.
The Eg had no trouble understanding her. He brought out the articles but wouldn’t give them to her until he was paid. She opened the wrist-bag. It contained nothing but the necklace, bracelets and anklets. Perhaps, she thought, she could exchange one of these articles.
She brought out the necklace. The Eg stared at the looping ovals engraved on the pendant. His attitude changed instantly. He bowed; he smiled through his beard. He gave her to understand that she could have anything he possessed.
Taking the bandage and antispetic, she dropped the necklace before him and hurried out. He called to her and followed.
“I have lived a good life and am old,” he said, “but I do not wish to die. Don’t leave the necklace with me. If it were found in my place I would be torn limb from limb.” His beard was moist with tears.
She accepted the necklace.
“Place it about your neck,” the Eg added, “and none of my race will dare molest you or refuse you anything. But you are to come to my stall. Let the house of Admo serve you whenever you have the slightest wish.”
“But what does it mean?”
The Eg bowed. “You belong to the Novakkans of the ship that just touched down. To harm one hair of your head, or to fail to treat you with courtesy, could cause a whole city to be laid waste. Have pity on the Egs. Speak no ill word of us to your masters.”
Disturbed both in mind and body Aleta nevertheless took advantage of the moment to ask, “Food? Can you get me liquids for an injured person?”
The Eg of the house of Admo hurried away and returned with containers of concentrates and juices. He would accept no reward but made it clear that he would serve her in any way within his power.
She returned to the wounded man, her heart lighter with the thought that food would enable him to regain his strength; He would not die if she could possibly keep him alive. The idea was becoming an obsession. Somehow he and she must return to Earth, to the things she had known and loved, to the life that was rightly hers, and to Norwich Wyatt whom she had promised to marry.
CHAPTER THREE
THE Eg planet, she soon learned, had no night. It revolved on its axis once in eighteen hours, twenty-six minutes nineteen and a fraction seconds. It had two suns, a red dwarf on one side and a bright yellow star on the other. Both cast their rays on the northern latitudes. For approximately nine hours there was yellow daylight, like false dawn on Earth, and for the remainder of the cycle, rosy twilight, like the last of a sunset.
Both suns were remote and the planet didn’t orbit about either. It and six other planets orbited about a long dead star between these two remote suns. It completed its trip around the dead star in a trifle under three months, by Earth reckoning, for the distance between them was scarcely thirty million miles.
Aleta learned these things in the three days she was left alone with the injured man. She learned that a small strip of land was inhabited between the northern mountains and the equator. South of the equator were an endless stretch of glaciers and perpetual darkness.
The seasons consisted of a slight drop in temperature as the planet moved closer to the red dwarf and away from the yellow star, and a slight increase on the return. It averaged fifty degrees Fahrenheit, this in the foothills and on the plains. Snow fell on the mountains, but rain never fell on the lowland. The ground was watered with an almost constant dew and the humidity remained about ninety-five per cent. Except for electrical disturbances, storms never occurred.
On this single lush strip of land, which would grow grain and hardy perennials without regard to season, half a million Egs lived and carried on profitable trade with neighboring planets. They traded also with Novakkan pirates and grew rich on the booty. But not too rich. Legend told them that when they became very wealthy the Novakkans took away their treasures.
They might have been overrun by immigrants but for the Novakkans. The giants purged the planet whenever they chose, and the population remained constant.
Wearing the necklace, bracelets and anklets, Aleta had no trouble getting everything she needed to put life and strength back into the man who had fought for her.
On the third day he was fully conscious and able to sit up. His name was Ernest Vardon and he had been reared in the foothills of the Ozarks on Earth.
In the rosy twilight of the third day Rahn Buskner returned followed by two Golgons who deposited huge bundles on the floor and departed.
The Novakkan was unsteady on his feet. Fearing what might happen, Aleta hovered over Ernest Vardon as if to protect him. Throughout the nine hours of twilight she kept a vigilant watch. Rahn Buskner slept stretched on the floor.
When the first yellow streaks from the brighter star appeared through vents in the wall she heard him stir restlessly. As the room grew lighter she saw a pool of blood on the floor beside him.
Moving quickly, she stood over the Novakkan and discovered things that had not been visible in twilight. He had a gash in his right thigh, another in his left side, and a new scar on his fierce features, this one cutting across the halfmoon scar.
Much as she hated the Novakkans, she couldn’t allow his injuries to go unattended. Holding her breath, she kneeled beside him with antiseptic and bandage. She hoped he wouldn’t wake, but at the first touch of the antiseptic he bounced up with a roar, knife in one hand, photon gun in the other. For a moment she thought her end had come. But he sank back sheepishly and ignored her as she cleansed his wounds and bandaged them.
Later he rose and ripped open the bundles. From one he brought out an array of feminine finery—enough dresses, gowns and accessories to supply an Earthwoman for years. From another he brought out heaping mounds of jewelry and ornaments, such as she had never before seen. And last he brought out food.
She didn’t have to be an expert to know that here was a fortune in jewels and clothes. They had not come from this planet; they had to be his share of booty from the Novakkan raider. The meaning was not yet clear.
She helped him with the food and soon she and Ernest Vardon were eating as they hadn’t eaten since leaving earth.
Rahn Buskner made no comment, but glowered at the revived Vardon. She wondered how long it might be before Vardon died at his hands-
To divert his attention, she explained to Buskner that Vardon no longer needed constant attention, demanding her presence, and that she would like to have a room for herself.
He glared round until his ruby eyes lit on a connecting door. He inspected it briefly, then smashed it open with his shoulder. While she stared in amazement, he marched on into the adjoining apartments. Screams came from there. She hurried through the doorway in time to see him fling two Egs into the corridor.
She tried to get a close look at the Egs in the hope she could make amends, but they ran away in fright. She turned back in time to see Buskner studying another connecting door. He was about to smash it open when she rushed to his side and seized his great arm.
“This is enough,” she cried. “No more, please.”
He shrugged, fingered the bandages she had placed over his wounds. That on his thigh had burst, but the ones on his side and face were in good order.
She tried to make repairs, but he was not in the mood. “A scratch,” he said, ripping the bandage off the six-inch gash on his thigh. Dripping blood he turned and s
trode out into the yellow day.
Within a few days, she knew, Vardon would be up and strong again. Whether the Novakkan would continue to permit him to live was the big question. She determined that somehow they must escape.
Gathering up the rich garments, she folded them neatly and placed them in a niche in the wall. A pair of gold embroidered shoes seemed about her size. She kicked off the great sandals and slipped her feet into them. They were comfortable and the high heels made her over six feet tall. They gave her a feeling of assurance. She decided to wear them.
She moved the mound of jewelry to another niche, and in her mind began to take shape a vague plan. She confided in Vardon.
“With the necklace I can get just about anything. Perhaps I can persuade some friendly Eg to hide you.”
He shook his head. “You’ve told me how fear of the Novakkans dominates the Egs. There’s no refuge for us on this planet. We must escape to a spaceway and get passage back to Earth.”
“How?” she wanted to know.
He nodded toward the jewelry. “With that we could bribe a ship captain.”
She didn’t like the idea. The Novakkan might have left the riches there simply to tempt them. Nor did she like the idea of force and killing. She thought they ought to try to outwit their captors. But Vardon was persuasive.
“Go to the house of Admo,” he suggested. “Tell him you need a photon weapon for protection. You’ve told me there are seven planets in this system, three of them inhabited. The next outer planet is on a spaceway. Armed, we may be able to get there.”
She didn’t like the plan, but it seemed better than nothing.
At the stall of the house of Admo she told the ancient What she wanted. He glanced about nervously, said, “It is not wise for you to go about the city. Another Novakkan raider has touched down and there will be fighting. Even your necklace will not protect you from rival Novakkans.”
“That is why I want a photon gun,” she said.
The Eg hesitated. “When Novakkan ships are on this planet we are in danger of attack by Earthmen. Word reaches the outer planet and the spaceway communicates it to Earth warships. Earthmen and Novakkans fight whenever they meet.”
Aleta remained silent.
The Eg shrugged. “Remain here out of sight. I will return soon.”
She followed him to the entrance. For a moment her heart stopped beating. In the pavilion across from the stall were several green-tinged giants. Among them was Flat-nose. He was staring directly at her.
She drew back quickly. Time dragged. The Eg returned. He glanced about cautiously, then handed her a small photon gun. She concealed it in the wrist-bag.
“Have the Novakkans gone from the pavilion?” she asked.
He nodded, said, “I beg that you won’t reveal where you got the gun.”
She promised and departed-
Before she reached her quarters she saw Flat-nose again. She glanced back as she crossed the byway. He was idling along behind her.
She entered the building and hastened along to her quarters. Partly dressed, and his artificial leg attached, Vardon was sitting on the edge of the bed.
Holding a hand over her heart, she glanced out through the vent. Flat-nose stood across the byway studying the building.
“Give me the gun,” Vardon said. He tried to conceal his weakness, but it was apparent that he was not yet ready for extensive effort.
“No,” she said. “A little exercise and then you must go back to bed. Perhaps tomorrow or next day.”
He tried hard, but finally gave in.
She glanced out again. Flat-nose was no longer in sight.
Searching among the garments in the niche, she found a skirt that fit her and a blouse with ample sleeves. In the adjoining room she discarded the necklace, the anklets and one of the bracelets. She drew the sleeve of the blouse down over the remaining bracelet.
After glancing in again at Vardon, and making certain there was ample food at hand, she went out softly and drew the door shut.
The byways were not as crowded as hitherto. She gathered that natives remained out of sight in ratio to the number of Novakkans in the city.
Her quarters were close against the foot of the mountain. Now she walked rapidly toward the district sprawled on the plain.
She began to see more Novakkans. Most of them glanced at her willowy figure and passed on. A few stared, and she feared she was going to be approached.
When Golgons or others showed too much interest she slid the bracelet from under the sleeve and let it dangle over her hand. When they recognized it they lost interest quickly.
Far out on the plain she saw many ships. She couldn’t make out the markings, but gathered that most of them were traders. Some would be from the nearby planets. The crewmen would seek relaxation in the pleasure houses.
One of them, she determined, would take her and Vardon to a spaceway.
CHAPTER FOUR
IN the Spiral Room of a Vinth garden she asked for employment as a dancer. The Eg stared at her briefly, then his eyes fell to the bracelet. He asked her to wait at one of the tables.
Men at the other tables were tall, broad, rugged. They showed more than casual interest in her, and she in them. Many were Earthmen or descendents of Earthmen, possibly from the planets in the SYZ System.
A small fat Eg came to her table. “I am sorry,” he said, “that you wish to dance here. I cannot refuse you and yet I know not whether the Novakkans will approve. In any case, it means trouble. Colonists come here; they don’t like the idea of Earthwomen belonging to Novakkans.”
“I belong to no one,” Aleta said.
“You would not be in possession of that bracelet if Novakkans didn’t claim ownership,” he pointed out. “Your status is that of a slave but still better than the inhabitants of planets Novakkans trample under their feet. The Novakkans consider themselves above any other creature in the universe.”
“Couldn’t I be disguised as a Golgon?” she asked.
“Many Golgons are owned by Novakkans.”
“But at least,” she went on, “it would keep colonists from resenting my being thought of as a slave.”
The Eg studied her features and figure. “It is possible,” he said. “Dark hair would have to be transplanted, the skin tinted, contact lenses for the eyes. It will take a week.”
Aleta shook her head. “T will dance without the bracelet,” she said.
The Eg shook his head. “It is my belief that many men will die because of you. But I dare not refuse. Please speak no ill of me to your masters.”
In the dressing room she found an abundance of costumes. Two Golgon women helped her and from them she learned that the fabulous Nyuk would be in the audience in the twilight hours.
“Who is Nyuk?” she asked.
“A man of strange powers,” they explained. “Wealthy beyond imagining. It is said that he owns a whole planet. He does not fear the Novakkans. It is because of this that we fear trouble. Like the Novakkans, he takes whatever pleases him.”
“He must have a large following,” Aleta suggested.
“Nothing but the crew of his ship. It is said to be armed with super weapons. They will avail him nothing if he meets Novakkans here.”
Aleta was interested. Too long had she seen only those who cringed before the giants. It was time, it seeded to her, that someone stood up to them.
Because of her height the costume seemed briefer and tighter than she wished. It was made of colors that responded to her emotions. Ordinarily it revealed the neutral tan of tranquillity, but when she got into it the colors became kaleidoscopic.
“The men will be pleased,” the Golgons told her. “They do not like emotionless women.”
Her cue came. A snowwhite cape was draped about her, hiding the colors. She tried a few ballet movements learned in girlhood, danced out under the spotlight. After a few turns she dropped the robe and went on with more intricate movements. But at no time did she lose herself in the danci
ng. Her thoughts were on Nyuk. He had been described as a tall, red bearded man whose hair was streaked with gray.
His table was against the wall facing the center of the room. All other tables about him were occupied by equally tall young men, obviously armed, who glanced unobtrusively in his direction from time to time.
She danced near. She made overtures. Looking directly at him, she made up a song to fit the accompanying music, praising his red beard and his courage.
At the conclusion of it she threw him a kiss and hastily retreated.
The Golgons told her that Novakkans had come in while she was dancing. She dismissed their apprehension with a wave of her hand. Her object was single.
Before she was again dressed in her own garments one of the young men arrived and sent in word that Nyuk wanted to see her aboard his ship.
“Tell him,” she replied, “that Aleta sees only those who come to her.”
The result was not what she expected. Gifts were brought and placed before her and she was told that Nyuk would appear at the darkest hour. She had no intention of leaving Ernest Vardon alone until mid-twilight. Calculating rapidly, she decided that she could return to him and be back in time to keep a rendezvous with Nyuk. But she would need help. It wouldn’t do to be alone on the byways in twilight.
The small fat Eg offered to send her there in a private float. There was something about it that didn’t appeal to her, but she accepted.
The float was equipped with a communicator. Halfway to her quarters she heard it crackle into life. The voice that came through spoke in a language she didn’t understand. The operator of the float replied in like manner and then gave her a sidelong glance.
Something about it was disturbing.
At her quarters she leaped out and hurried inside. Before opening the door to the room in which she had left Ernest Vardon she paused briefly. Her heart was beating much too fast. She found it difficult to breathe. Casting aside fears, she pushed open the door and entered.