by neetha Napew
“We would be happy to cooperate in any interdepartmental inquiries.” Rogitel was already considering the ramifications of the Poldep official’s words. He wondered what other data Reeve had uncovered that caused Poldep to intervene on their behalf. There might be a leak in Spacedep’s own offices. Internal security checks must be promptly initiated. “None at this time. Spacedep is grateful for Poldep’s interest.”
“Then, honored Council members, and gentlemen, I must take my leave. There is much to do in the next four weeks.” DeVeer left the chamber. It seemed larger without him there. Rogitel felt less pressured. Beside him, Varnorian had fallen asleep.
“I would not wish it to be understood that the department is unwilling to cooperate,’ the Spacedep subchief said, addressing the board. “Admiral Landreau will be happy to assist in any way he can to fulfill all our wishes.” He met the Treaty Controller’s eye, and the Hrruban nodded almost imperceptibly. Landreau was correct. The Controller was willing to form a dtente to prevent the renewal of the Treaty of Doona. Little did Treaty Controller realize that his actions would displace his fellow animals and leave the entire planet in the possession of its rightful owners, the Human race.
“I am convinced that we both want the same thing,’ the Controller said. He will help me, the Treaty Controller thought. And then he and his bareskin cohorts will be expelled, leaving only Hrrubans here on Rrala. The unnatural colony would be disbanded. He and Rogitel smiled at each other companionably over the conference table.
CHAPTER 8
CAPTAIN HORSTMANN FOUND DEVEER and whisked him off to Portmaster Martinson’s office, where that official was in a state of dithering shock. For one thing, he had every spacefaring captain and every chief engineer of the many ships on landing pads in his facility crowding his office and the adjacent hall.
“Make way! I got “im,’ Horstmann bawled, and bellies were sucked in, toes splayed, to allow the passage of two more large men. “Special delivery!
Live cargo!”
“Now, will you tell me what this is all about?” DeVeer demanded, for he was unused to being manhandled without explanation, and his temper, exacerbated by the hearing, was becoming shorter with every passing second.
“They say . the engines will show wear and tear,’ Martinson said, gulping in anxiety and waving his hands about. “But I can’t let them in unless I have proper authorization. They absolutely refused to let me contact Spacedep or Codep . . .” He flinched as bass and baritone rumbles reinforced that prohibition. “Inspector DeVeer, I can accept your authorization to unseal the Albatross?” It was more entreaty than query.
“It’s like this, Inspector,’ and a swarthy, hooknosed wiry man with a stubbled chin, bleary-eyed, stepped forward. He wasn’t a large man, but he exuded an air of authority that DeVeer related to immediately, accepting him as spokesman for this crowd. “Ya see, Todd and Hrriss are supposed to have made these nine warp jumps in the Albie on their way back from that Hrrethan do. They say they didn’t. The engines in a ship that has been tightly sealed since that Spacedep chair pilot charged “em with all that piracy will show to this impartial’-and a long stained hand waved at the crowd silently listening- “jury of experts just how much wear and tear those engines took since their last service.” He hauled flimsies which DeVeer recognized as maintenance records. “We got these from Martinson here and the Hrrethan Space Authority, dated, sealed, and all legal-like, as proof of the most recent service checks the aforementioned Albatross had. You sign the authorization.
We all take a look, write up official reports, and I’d bet you credits to cookies, we’ll all discover- not to our amazement but what we all know without having to check-that those engines’ll prove those boys didn’t take no nine warp jumps in that vessel like they’re accused of doing. whaddaya say?” DeVeer had had to concentrate to follow the rapid-fire explanation in a hot cramped space. It took him a moment to absorb the points.
“It will not prove who did, 0’ course,’ the captain went on before DeVeer could respond, “but those engines will prove those boys didn’t!
Hear you got word the Mayday beacon turned up, if you know what I mean?” The captain winked. “By the way, I’m All Kiachif, skipper of the White Lightning,’ and he offered DeVeer his hand.
Absently DeVeer accepted and the slender fingers were as strong as his own though the hand was half the size of his.
“I believe that could prove a profitable investigation, Captain Kiachif.” DeVeer turned to Martinson, who was wiping the sweat from his face, looking haggard and harassed. “Can you supply me with the proper documents, Mr. Martinson?”
“All made out, ready for your John-Cock on the dotted line,’ Kiachif said, wiping out a second sheaf of official-issue flimsy and spreading it out on the one clear portion of Martinson’s desk.
Writing implements were offered by eight or nine different obliging hands. DeVeer, for once feeling completely overwhelmed, twitched the nearest one free and poised it over the quintuplicate form. He was far too experienced an executive to sign what he had not scanned, but he was a speed-reader. The form had been filled in properly,- and when he actually started to sign, a deafening cheer resounded from office and corridor”You must of course be present during the unsealing and the investigation, Inspector,’ Kiachif said, seizing the form and separating its sheets, crumbling the first one, which he fired at Martinson, shoving a second into DeVeer’s hand, and, waving the rest over his head, pushed his way ou of the office while the cheers still echoed. Realizin that DeVeer was not on his heels, he paused an beckoned urgently for him to follow.
Several hours later, the truth of Captain Kiachif: allegation was proved
beyond question. In al particulars, the engines were in excellent
runnin1
order, no wear, tear, or abuse visible: rather n more than was consonant with a journey to an from Hrretha, and this was verified not only by th( Hrrethan Space Authority maintenance check hu by nine fully qualified warp-drive engineers anc nine fully qualified space captains of impeccablc integrity. In order to prove their qualifications anc allegations, DeVeer learned more about the workings of warp-drive engines, fuel capacities, gauges the pitting of ship skins from forced warp jumps and the condition of lubricants, greases, flux levels and rocket tube encrustations than he would evei again need. He fully appreciated why Martinso had looked so fraught: he felt rather wrung out hiniseff.
“Ah, Inspector, I see you are in need of sustenance,’ Kiachif said, folding away the sheaf 0 formal declarations from captains and engineers.
“Lads, we can’t let this fine gentleman suffer a moment longer.” DeVeer had no option but to accompany the jovial group to the pub. He also had no memory o how he got back to the accommodations he had been assigned on the Treaty Island. Some thoughtful soul - possibly All Kiachif- had left a small vial and a brief note where he could not fail to see it the moment his eyes could focus. “Drink this!” the note said. He did and rather more quickly than he thought possible, his condition improved.
Others had celebrated during that evening of which DeVeer had few lucid memories. For immediately upon finishing the scrupulous inspection of the Albatross, All Kiachif had informed the Reeve family.
“Don’t fret too much about the smuggling charge either,’ Kiachif said.
“Got friends working on that, too, if you know what I mean.
It’ll take a bit more time “cause we’ve more to check.”
“All, you must be calling in favors by the container load,’ Ken said, immensely grateful.
“Give a little, take a lot’s been my motto for decades, Reeve.
And, like I say, we all got a lot at stake, same’s you Doonans.
You keep on tracking down livestock. That’s where your expertise lies.
I’ll keep on prodding, poking, and producing where mine’ll do us good. Have a drink on me, you hear me?” Kiachif hadn’t waited for an answer and Ken was staring at a crackling handset.
&nb
sp; As everyone had heard Kiachif’s inimitable voice on the radio, cheers rose from around the dining table. Kelly and Nrrna executed a triumphant dance routine before careening into a table.
“One by one, the charges are being dismissed,’ Hrrestan said while Mrrva nodded as if she had expected no other outcome.
“Down to two-identifying who purchased the artifacts and who’s playing Todd and Hrriss offplanet,’ Ken said.
“No, three,’ Todd said. “We’ve got to find out how the security satellites have been fixed.”
“Is not Inspector DeVeer investigating that?” Hrrestan asked.
Ken and Todd both frowned, increasing the resemblance between them so much that Pat, Kelly, and Inessa grinned.
“DeVeer would need Spacedep authority to check the satellites,’ Ken said, shaking his head over the improbability of assistance from that source.
“Would he?” Hrrestan asked, stroking his chin.
“Would he not have authority over Martinson?”
“He must have some, to get clearance for All to check the Albatross engines,’ Ken replied, but he wasn’t all that certain that DeVeer might not press the issue.
“But Linc Newry’s got a separate authority and reports only to Spacedep.”
“The inspector wants to help us,’ Kelly said. “And he practically got Klonski to admit that he had.”
“You didn’t mention that,’ Todd said bluntly.
“Well,’ and she shook her spread hand to indicate uncertainty, “Klonski is known to have done that sort of security tinkering-Inspector DeVeer established that-So why else was Spacedep paying him, and putting him in their restricted “special services’, category?”
“We still need more documented evidence of who’s behind what we may now call a well-planned and long-standing conspiracy,’ Ken said, addressing everyone but looking at Hrrestan.
“I think they overdid the evidence bit,’ Pat said.
“They might have made one charge stick but so many?”
“Ah, but that is where they have been clever, not stupid, Pat.” Hrrestan said. “They have created a variety of charges, none of which can be ignored by one or the other of those departments of yourrs and ourrs that are involved. Rrala is to be torn apart by debates on which allegations are true and which might be specious. The fact that would, I fear, become lost in the morasss of true, half true, and false, is that our sons never committed any of the crimes of which they stand charged.
But by the time they can be cleared of all counts, any hope of renewing the Treaty would be lost and the colony forced to decamp.” Nrrna shuddered and drew closer to Hrriss.
“But L’m positive Landreau is behind all of this,’ Ken said.
“He’s hated me and Todd since the first time you all disappeared and left us looking like firsiclass liars.” Firrestan and Mrrva bowed their heads. “We had no choice.”
“Oh, I know that, Hrrestan,’ Ken said, dismissing any implication of blame. “But it was Todd who kept us here because Hirubans would not leave a small child in a dangerous forest.
And it was Todd who brought First Speaker here, and Al Landreau has never forgiven him or me for that humiliation.” Kelly and Hrriss grinned during Todd’s obvious discomfort at that summary, but Nrrna was curious, not knowing all the historic details from that period.
Hrrestan sighed. “If only Third Speaker’s associate were not Treaty Controller this period .
“Another piece of deft planning on Landreau’s part. I gotta give him credit for that,’ Ken said with a hint of grudging admiration.
“Trrrue, for with another Hrruban as Controller, we would be able to lay
before First Speaker the framework of this conspiracy . . -“
“Would First Speaker not be aware of that already, Hrrestan?” Mrrva asked, her hand lightly on her mate’s thigh. “We know the pressures that are being exerted in the Speakers Council.”
“This time,’ Hrrestan said, “there is no child with a tail of rope to capture the hearts and minds of our people and swing a vote in favor of a Treaty of Cohabitation.
“I know this might sound silly,’ Kelly began tentatively, “and forgive me if this question offends, but it’s something that has never been addressed in Alreldep either: if the Treaty breaks down, which of us gets to stay on Doona? Or do we both leave, lock, stock, and block?” She tried to make a joke of it.
When everyone stared at her, she began to flush and ended up with her head down.
“No, no, Kelly,’ Todd said, “that’s a very good question indeed.
In fact, that might actually be the crux of the matter.
Kelly looked up, eyes shining and face alight with his genuine approval.
“Indeed, Kelly, that is a question which has not been asked,’ Hrrestan said, “and one we should have considered long before now.
Have we all been looking at the forest without seeing the trees?” He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, his eyes slitting with the intensity of his thought. “You and I, Ken, like our sons, wish the Rralan Experiment to succeed. We both know in our minds that there are Hrrubans and Hayumans who do not wish that.
If the Treaty is not renewed, each sees this planet as a prize for the taking. As you once confided in me, Ken, twenty-four years ago on a hilltop, Haytimans get greedy. Well, so do Hrrubans.
There is indeed much more at stake than just this planet and which species gains control of it.” Hrrestan paused, unwilling to follow that line of discussion to its obvious conclusion.
“An -interspecies war?” Todd exclaimed, horrified.
Nrrna gave a frightened yip and clung to Hrriss’s arm. Kelly and Pat Reeve turned pale.
“I could go back to Alreldep,’ Kelly said earnestly. “I may be only a junior but if I could present any proof whatsoever that this is what’s going down on Doona . . .” Kelly’s voice failed her as the permutations of a struggle between Hayumans and Hrrubans sank in. “Oh, no! We can’t let that happen!” she said in a whisper.
Todd jumped to his feet, glaring about him. “You just bet we won’t’ His words rang in the frightened silence.
“By all that’s holy, we won’t,’ Ken added, rising from his chair.
“We will not!” Hrrestan and Hrriss spoke at the same moment, springing to their feet.
“Rralans forever!” Kelly shouted in Middle Hrruban, jumping up and down, fists clenched.
Todd grinned at her, proud of her for using that language, and more moved than he could say by her offer to help, by returning to Earth and the Alreldep job he knew she must hate. But, then, she was as Doonan-no, Rralan-as he.
“All right, now then, folks,’ Ken said, rubbing his hands together as he would before taking on any difficult task. “We’ve got more to do than we thought. But we’ve got help. I don’t think we’d better let tonight’s conclusions loose on the planet.
There’s enough panic and crazy-minded speculation as it is, with rustling and false accusations and suchlike just before Treaty Renewal.
So, while we’re knocking down the accusations against the boys, we’ll see if we can also find any clues that might show us that the scope of the conspiracy goes beyond Landreau and-‘ He looked at Hrrestan.
“And Third Speaker,’ the Hrruban added for him.
“Too bad we can’t use their techniques against them,’ Kelly said, “and start finding the tadpoles in their ponds. Get that Treaty Controller impeached or something.
“Oh!” Nrrna’s little cry of surprise focused attention on her.
“Yes, Nrrna?” Hrriss prompted, and that was when Todd really began to notice how tender his friend was toward the pretty female and how often she seemed to rely on him for reassurance.
“The Treaty Controller,’ and she bowed her head slightly, keeping her eyes averted from Kelly’s sudden grin of comprehension, “received delivery of a document box the day Kelly returned. It must have been very important for him not to send an assistant or secretary.” Kelly snapped her fingers. �
��I’ve got a memory like a sieve. I got a coded comThline message today from Dalkey Petersham. He was very cagey even in code. He’s got something he needs to get to me and he doesn’t trust the comp-mail lines.”
“Did he say what?” Todd asked, aware of an unusual uneasiness with a guy comp-lining Kelly all the time. But that was silly. They needed help from whatever quarter it came.
“what I got from the code was that, as a very junior official, he was supposed to check over and delete some ancient accounting tapes.
They were for the Spacedep slush fund. There seemed to be large financial disbursements about ten years ago from that fund and all of them were paid to accounts off-Earth. He thought they might be useful to me, but he won’t send it comp-line and wants to know how he can get it to us in as they say . . . a rapid irregular fashion.”
“Isn’t Captain Feyder back on Earth?” Todd asked.
“Been and gone, according to Kiachif,’ Ken replied. “He’d done us all the favor we can ask of him with that Mayday beacon.”
“We could get in another medical shipment,’ Kelly said, glancing sideways at Nrrna.
Her eyes went into slits of anxiety. “Oh, no. I was in trouble over the gloves when they saw how many packets had been trampled on.
My superior was going to send a harsh message to our office on Terra.
So I told them that I had opened the box outside, to take inventory, and a wind had come up and scattered them.”
“The wind was named Kelly,’ the redhead said, giggling at the memory of the trouble she and Nrrna had had to get the staticbarged packets back into the carton. “I even found one inside my tunic.”
“The count was off so I had to say that some had blown away,’ Nrrna dropped her jaw and purred her pretty laugh.
“You’ve got a resourceful female here, Hr’riss, Kelly said. “And you nearly wouldn’t let her help.”
“I shall not again be so foolish as to interfere with her good plans,’ he said, pulling a solemn face that made Kelly laugh.