by neetha Napew
She’d said all the proper things and had accompanied him and his father on their trips to all the villages where the pros and cons were argued in open debate. But, somehow, the feeling niggled at him that she was not as dead-set against a free-trade port as he was.
Ken Reeve had worked tirelessly for a “nay’ verdict on the referendum for the situation was his worst nightmare for Doona come true: an insidious expansion that defeated the initial purpose of the colony - for both species.
Somehow, Todd must make that fear so real to the delegates that today’s conference would be the end of the matter. Otherwise, he might be forced to resign his position as the Hayuman colony leader, since he could not wholeheartedly accept such a change in Doonarrala.
The fact that the idea for a trade and space port facility originated with the Hrruban half of the colony did nothing to placate Todd’s arlx:ieties. The original premise, hammered into the Decision and later the Treaty - was, he argued, about to be invalidated if part of the planet was to be commercialized. Ironic that this whole wretched idea had come from his suggestion that they name the western subcontinent “The Hrrunat’ after the late First Speaker, as a mark of the respect and love in which all Doonarralans, Hayuman and Hrruban, had held Hrruna.
Todd and the old First Speaker had had a most unusual relationship, despite their differences of species, culture and age.
It was therefore doubly ironic that what had been meant as a sincere tribute to Hrruna was rebounding against those he had so subtly protected during the colony’s early stages.
Todd almost welcomed the discomfort of the formal tailored tunic which rubbed his neck raw as the receiving line continued. He’d had the notion, dressing this morning, that he should look his best, even in defeat. His thick black hair was newly cut and neatly brushed and he knew he looked well in the formal tunic, despite its constriction.
He had good shoulders, a deep chest and was tall, even for a Hayuman. Todd had never stood on ceremony but, as Kelly had said at their mostly silent breakfast, ceremony could be used to advantage. As he hoped to use it today.
That didn’t keep his collar from binding his neck.
He took some consolation in seeing that Hrriss was likewise chafed by Hrruban ceremonial gear, surreptitiously tugging at the jewelled straps that crisscrossed his tawny-furred torso under the loose red robe he wore for a such formal occasion. On other occasions Hrriss would have glanced at Todd, a hand-span taller than he, and rolled his large green eyes ceilingwards, flattening back his tufted ears to express his discomfort. But today they were opponents - still friendly, still hoping for a way Out of the dilemma which obsessed both - and their normal exchanges were constrained.
Hrrestan, veteran diplomat, was currently chatting to the Hrruban Space Arm representative, Prrid. An old Stripe, the Senior Space Commandant stood with his hands clasped behind him, rocking back and forth, his tailtip held at a relaxed angle. Beside him, his aide, a mature and seasoned explorer, Mrrunda, stood on one foot and then the other, trying not to appear impatient for the proceedings to begin.
For all the times when, as a small boy, Todd had wished for a tail, he was glad now that he didn’t have one for it would have been lashing nervously. On the other hand, Hrrestan’s caudal appendage was curved slightly, showing that he was at ease. The rest of the Hrruban Space Arm party were already standing near the conference table; three more officers, each with pouches stuffed with documentation.
“Admiral Barnstable,’ Todd said, calling himself to order as he greeted a tall, white-haired man in uniform who resembled the very portrait of an ancient sea captain.
In a face of weather-beaten red, surprising in a man who had never been out on the seas of any planet, he had sharp blue eyes with which he now studied Todd. Hoping he passed muster, Todd smiled and bowed.
“Welcome to the Treaty Island of Doonarrala, sir. May I present Leader Hrrestan, Senior Commandant Prrid, and his aide, Captain Mrrunda?” Everett Cabot Barnstable was one of the more important delegates of the conference since he represented Spacedep. There had been a lot of jockeying to see who would head the military arm of Amalgamated Worlds, with its huge budget, resources, and manpower.
Barustable, possessed of a strong conservative bent and vast support on Earth, had finally succeeded. His predecessor, Admiral Landreau, had been no friend to Doonarrala. Barnstable was known as a decision maker, a good administrator and negotiator. Todd felt he was a significant improvement over Landreau, but not entirely perfect. At least, Doonarrala had had no trouble from Spacedep since he had been in charge; until now. Barnstable wasn’t so reactionary as to favour Human Separatism, but he was sure to support the inauguration of a base on the subcontinent: a base that would be as useful to the Hayuman Space Arm as the Hrruban. Another point which Todd had tried to emphasize in his contentions. Spacedep had no right on Doonarrala: had always meant trouble to the community.
And they wanted to invite Spacedep IN?
Barustable accorded his Hrruban opposite numbers a sharp respectful half-bow, eyeing them as keenly as they did him. Then he gave an odd convulsive shudder and frowned. “Confound it, I can’t believe it’s safe for a body to shift planets so fast. Ten minutes ago I stood on a grid on Earth, and then I was decanted on Doona.”
“It saves time,’ Prrid said, lifting his upper lip in a Hrruban grin.
Todd was relieved to see that Barnstable was familiar with the awesome sight of a Hrruban smile.
“I imagine you do not favour further grid installations on Doonarrala,’ Todd said to Prrid, seizing the opportunity for some subtle indirection.
Prrid’s unexpectedly orange eyes regarded him, the pupil slits narrowed to a thin line.
“Zat will depend, Leader Rrrev. Zat will depend.”
“Come now, Reeve,’ Admiral Barustable said, turning jocular, “surely you won t stand in the way of progress.
“If I were certain it was progress. . .” And Todd let his comment trail off. So Spacedep was, as he anticipated, eager to obtain a legitimate position on Doonarrala.
“Now, Todd,’ Jilamey Landreau said, appearing at Todd’s elbow, a-jingle with the tiny bells sewn in patterns on his stylish motley-coloured attire, “it’s not like you to resist any change which improves this planet. The more grids, the merrier, what? Think of how many more people would come to the Snake Hunts,’ he added, grinning mischievously. Then he turned to the Senior Commandant and his aide, “Todd saved my life on my first Snake Hunt, you know. By the way, Admiral, Commandant, I represent the grid. - “Save it till later, Jilamey,’ Todd said, grabbing his friend by the elbow and pushing him away from the military group.
“Oh, I can take a hint,’ Jilamey said with mock dismay, marching off into the conference room with an agitated jingling of his tiny bells.
Todd sighed to himself: it would seem that all his erstwhile friends were aligned against him. But Jilamey was “grid’ mad. If civilians of either planet could have had matter transmitters, Jilamey Landreau would have been first in the queue. Perhaps it was as well that the Hrrubans were so paranoid about their matter transmitters.
To benefit from a trade and space port installation, the Hrrubans would have to put down grid facilities, probably the largest feasible one, similar in size to the one they had originally used to transport their “village’ in the earliest days of the Doonan colonization. Todd couldn’t really blame the Hrrubans for wanting a free-trade port.
Their lack of large cargo vessels had mitigated heavily against Hrruban traders. And Spacedep had persisted in its restrictions on the sale of Hayuman spacecraft to the Hrruban merchants. The day when the Hrrubans released information and/or licensed grid matter transmitters to Hayumans, the Spacedep would lift its embargo on vessel transfers.
Of course, there were grids transporting goods among Hrruban home and colony worlds but there still didn’t seem to be much ore available for more than small two-or three-man exploration vessels.
“Yo there, Reeve,’ said
Fred Horstmann, a stout man with fair hair and a flamboyant gold-trimmed tunic, an independent trader affiliated with Codep’s leading administrator and negotiator, Captain Ali Kiachif.
That wily old skipper was already holding court at the near edge of the great oval table. Ali had not changed in all the years Todd had known him, except for a little more grey in his hair and beard.
Some of the lesser lights chatted quietly at the other end of the table. Lorena Kaldon, with scarlet-dyed hair and a firm pointed chin, was a banker from one of the major Amalgamated Worlds institutions.
Her presence suggested that the project was favoured by the money markets and Todd’s spirits sank even further. Damn it! Were they that certain this wretched facility would be approved? And, as her Opposite number, Hrrouf, a financier from Hrruba, arrived with a pale-pelted female with a limp air about her belied by scarred ears and forearms, whom he introduced as Nrrena. Both were moderately broad Stripes, indicating that they were of good family.
Closely following them was Hrrin, a Rraladoonan from the Third Hrruban Village, who represented Hrruban independent traders and was an old friend of Todd’s and Hrriss’s. The Stripe down his back and tail was narrower than Hrriss’s, and his leonine mane was much darker.
Hrrin had kept his Opinions to himself so he might, indeed, side with Todd.
Barnstable and the two Hrruban Space Arm delegates moved straight for the conference table, to check their places.
Old Ali Kiachif caught Todd’s eye and winked as he rose to take Barnstable’s outstretched hand. It was too early in the day for a drink, but Todd could have sworn that the bulge in the old spacer’s tunic pocket was a flask. It probably contained mlada, the Hrruban native liquor and Kiachif’s favorite tipple in this lane of space.
Though Kiachif had only made port a short hour before the conference was due to start, that was time and enough for him to acquire “needful’ supplies.
Drunk or sober, the old man’s mind was sharp, never missing the chance to turn an advantage his own way, occasionally even supporting the good of Doonarrala to his detriment. Todd was glad he was there.
But would Ali prove an ally or antagonist? He had every reason to want better shipping facilities on Doonarrala but he certainly wouldn’t want to give up his edge on interstellar trade.
Todd sighed.
Last to arrive, undoubtedly by design, was Hrrto, Second Speaker for External Affairs, currently the most senior administrator from Hrrestan’s home world of Hrruba.
This was the first time any of the Speakers had visited Doonarrala since the First Speaker, Hrruna, had “joined the Ancestral Stripes’ Todd knew that Hrrto, who had not always been as strong a supporter of the Rrala experiment, was under considerable pressure to make his mark at this conference.
Rumour had it that he was on the short list of nominees for the post of First Speaker. He would be caught between his desire to win on his own merits and the necessity to compare favourably with his late superior in wisdom and probity. Comparisons were always odious, and even a Second Speaker from a well-regarded Stripe would not be exempt from them. The election was not far off, a fact that Todd knew would make Hrrto eager to conclude the conference as soon as possible so he could devote his time and energy to domestic matters.
Beside him, but one pace behind Hrrto, walked a female Hrruban in plain black robes: Hrrto’s aide, Mllaba. Her hot yellow-green eyes showed Todd that her deference was deliberate, but not entirely out of respect for her employer. Todd found her a curious individual. Hrriss told him that Mllaba had abstained from cub-bearing, and even companionship, in her drive to advance a political career. She came from a very broad Stripe, equal in rank on Hrruba to Hrrestan himself.
Hrrto turned first to Hrrestan and Hrriss, favouring his fellow Hrrubans with his first words, then came to face Todd.
“Speaker Hrrto, Todd said in High Formal Hrruban, bowing deeply.
“You honour us by your presence.
“Zodd Rrev, I greet you,’ Hrrto said, cordially, bowing slightly.
Todd realized with a shock how much older Hrrto seemed. His tawny mane was almost all silver, and he moved with greater care as if his formal red robes weighed heavily on his shoulders. “My assistant, Mllaba.” “Honoured,’ Todd said.
“It is I who am honrrred,’ Mllaba replied in a low, throaty voice.
“Now that all the delegates are assembled,’ Todd said, “let us begin.” He nodded at the attendant who folded shut the heavy doors of the conference room.
Hrrestan politely led Second Speaker to his designated place and bowed him into it, before taking his own seat.
Hrrin leaped up to move a chair from the row against the wall for Mllaba. She said nothing, but her tail twitched once before she draped it demurely to one side instead of sticking it through the gap in the chair back intended for the Hrruban caudal appendage.
As Todd took his seat, he appreciated the irony that he now presided over proceedings in this chamber where he and Hrriss had been on trial for their honour and more.
The ultimate stake that day had been nothing less than the continued existence of their shared world, DoonaiRrala.
In Todd’s estimation, today’s deliberations were no less critical and politically sensitive. Doubly ironic was the fact that this was also his first chairmanship as Human colony leader and he wanted it against all odds - to fail!
He glanced around the table, meeting the eyes of friends and acquaintances, forcing a smile which he hoped would not appear inane or false.
“Friends,’ said Todd. “As co-host of this conclave, I welcome you all to this vital conference. I have to tell you that I am completely opposed to the formation of a space port and commercial facility on the Hrrunatan subcontinent.” There was a murmur of surprise at his bald statement. “I feel strongly, as does my father and our former leader, Hu Shih, that such an installation is in direct conflict with the Decision made on Doonarrala thirty three years ago.
“That Decision was ratified in a Treaty nine years ago, setting this planet aside as a peaceful co existent colony, specifically limited to an agrarian economy. To install - even at the distance of the subcontinent - an interstellar complex violates both Decision and Treaty.
In the light of this prejudice, I turn the meeting over to my co-leader, Hrrestan.” He nodded to Hrrestan at the head of the table and sat down amidst a buzz of muted comments.
With great dignity, Hrrestan rose, nodding to Todd and holding up his hands, claws sheathed, to still the murmuring.
“There are many good reasons why the establishment of a separate and autonomous space port facility on the Hrrunatan subcontinent would benefit both our species.
With the appropriate safeguards, ensuring the integrity of the work here,’ and he waved his hand to include the Treaty Island, “and what has been so successful on the main continent of Doonarrala, many of us feel that there would be no conflict, certainly no abrogation of either Decision or Treaty to having a free-trade port. We must ensure,’ and now he accorded Todd a respectful bow, “that all reservations and apprehensions should be discussed and set to rest.”
“With respect,’ Jilamey said, standing up and bowing to Hrrestan:
motions which set off his minute bells. “I really do believe that this planet is ideally suited for three separate and diverse installations.
Certainly, it would be much easier to conduct trade in this sector of the galaxy - expediting,’ and now he turned to the Hrrubans, “our allies’ participation, at the moment seriously hampered by a lack of cargo transport.” Sweeping the table with a glance, Jilamey managed to subtly criticize both Admiral Barnstable’s Spacedep for its refusal to sell Hrrubans larger vessels that could handle the potential volume of trade and the Hrrubans for refusing to reciprocate by releasing more of their matter transporters. “I will not, of course, at this point, mention the crucial need for more grids.”
“Thank you for not mentioning that, Jilamey,’ Todd said, glaring at hi
m to keep off a topic that made Barustable, Prrid and the Second Speaker bristle with irritation.
Hrrestan let the claws on his right hand unsheathe so he could drum them warningly. Shrugging, Jilamey subsided but there was the faintest smile on his lips.
“Speaker Hrrto,’ Hrrestan said, “are you willing to comment on the proposed trade centre?” The Second Speaker, absently smoothing the lapels of his ceremonial robe, rose to his feet. Mllaba, beside him, sat stiffly erect, ears slightly aslant to catch every word her superior uttered.
“Hrruban trade and commerce would significantly benefit from such a facility,’ he began, switching his thick hands to a firm and oratorial hold on the lapels now.
“Due to certain constraints,’ and he flicked his left ear and pointedly did not glance in the Admiral’s direction, “only a bare trickle of Hrruban goods, some urgently sought on Hayuman worlds, manages to reach its destination. Ze cost is, however, prohibitive and subject to priorities which make deliveries uncertain. A universal marketplace would certainly improve industry on Hrruba and open up immense possibilities of further, mutually productive manufacturing.
Having discussed zis possibility with Hrruban officials in all areas of business management,’ and he held one hand out to Mllaba for a sheaf of notes which he then brandished as proof of his efforts, “ze majority would be quite amenable to such a project. With, of course,’ and he held up the sheaf of notes, “safeguards to protect ze existing colony and ze Zreaty Island from any commercial contamination.”
“How large a trade grid will Hrruba install?” Jilamey asked, all but physically pouncing on Hrrto who recoiled.
“Zat subject has certainly not been discussed as yet, Mr Landreau, Hrrto said repressively as Hrrestan simultaneously called for order, glaring at the unrepentant Jilamey.
“What I’d like to know,’ Tanarey Smith said, his voice overriding others wishing to be heard, “is whether or not the construction of such an installation will be joint?” His expression suggested that it had better be.