by neetha Napew
“Sir?” The lieutenant said, tapping his brow diffidently.
“I don’t think you’re supposed to be touching that, son,’ Frill said.
“Come on inside.”
“Yes, sir!” the marine said. He snapped off a more creditable salute and strolled, not too quickly, into the building. “Good day, sir!” he said, marching purposefully up the long corridor.
“Carry on,’ the commander said, vaguely, and turned away. He glanced back over his shoulder at the retreating lieutenant, but the man was gone. Puzzled, Frill went back to the conference.
Recalled from a more pleasant occupation to be an observer, Commander Frill found himself growing sleepy through the talk of electronics, and the endless displays on the small computer screens of circuit diagrams which to him looked all alike. It wasn’t really his subject. He excused himself for a breath of air and wandered out of the computer lab.
Chapter 8
BY MIDAFTERNOON, EXCHANGE RATES HAD BEEN decided and some groundwork laid for an exchange board.
Honey was also deftly inquiring what sort of warehousing would be available for the goods until sufficient had been accumulated to make a voyage to the home world profitable.
Ali was trying very hard to negotiate a contract but Honey was sidestepping him neatly, suggesting that they would prefer to build their own facilities on Doonarrala if some deserted space could be found. There was much still to be learned, and language skills perfected. By dinnertime, Todd had a deep respect for Honey’s skills as a negotiator.
He fought hard for concessions with the Amalgamated World-based traders, and won a few, even from Ali Kiachif, whom Todd thought would never yield.
“Such a facility not being currently available, we meet you halfway and do ship-to-ship transfers at designated points in space,’ Honey said in conclusion. “It will save transit time. From here it is far to the Gringg worlds.”
“The same goes on our side,’ Kiachif said.
“No trip, no tax or tariff. That’s fair. But there’s still a need for full transits, or else how are we to meet your folk and find out all about you for ourselves?” Honey grinned, showing his fangs.
“Reh,’ he said, noting the terms on his tablet. “We seek only equity.” “None of this is final until we check with Earth,’ Markudian warned, not for the first time. “It’s subject to approval by the trade authorities and the Amalgamated Worlds Council.”
“As you say, as you say,’ Honey said, nodding his great head. He had been incredibly patient with the man s continual complaints and criticisms.
Todd wondered why Barnstable and Greene had picked so obvious an agitator. Even Honey had displayed brief annoyance at Markudian’s constant interruptions and trivial complaints. But, Todd supposed, that’s why the man was there, to try and disrupt the meeting as much as possible. That Markudian had failed was due as much to the Gringg’s unshakeable affability as Todd’s own determination not to let such ploys develop.
A loud, insistent clicking sound arose from the vicinity of the Gringg’s collar.
“Communication device?” Ken whispered to Todd.
“Sounds more like a timer,’ Todd said. “I’ll bet Kodiak and Big Paws just heard one of those, too.” Todd’s surmise was correct. Honey carefully finished the last of his hieroglyphs and glanced up to nod at the assembled Hayumans.
“That is all I may do today, friends,’ he said. “I thank you most very. I will be able to give you final numbers when I have presented these terms to Captain Grzzeearoghh. She is who decides what is best for Gringg.” Todd rose and bowed to the Gringg. “On behalf of the people of Terra and Doonarrala, I thank you for coming, Honey and Coypu.” “Doonarrala,’ Honey said. “Have I not heard the Hrrubans say Rraladoona? Which name for your world is right?”
“Both, really,’ Todd admitted. “Each of our species had their own name for the planet: Hayumans called it Doona, the Hrrubans, Rrala. Now we each use both names combined but putting the one from the original language first.” Honey pursed his rubbery black lips. “You defer in all ways regarding a common language to the Hrrubans, it makes sense to settle on one name, everyone use it.”
“You know, Honey, you’re right,’ Todd said, nodding.
“Possibly we’ve just hung on to both names to please our respective over-governments. We really should be concentrating on unity. It’s an acknowledgement that we’re all one world, after all.
Calling people Doonarralans or Rraladoonans is just another way of identifying them as Hayumans or Hrrubans, and that shouldn’t be a consideration any more. It was a point that hasn’t arisen before.
From this moment, I’ll only use Rraladoon.” Iskoffski looked astonished and Markudian glowered.
“Really, Reeve, I think you take too much on yourself.”
“No, he’s right,’ Sumitral put in. “The name ought to have been standardized a long time ago. I agree we should be calling this colony by the Hrruban-derived name. I don’t think Reeve’s co-leader Hrrestan will object,’ he added with a grin.
“Then so will the Gringg, Honey agreed. He and Coypu arose with more grace than their lumbering bodies suggested they were capable of.
“We will speak to you again soon.” Without further ceremony, they withdrew.
The Hayumans remained in place. Markudian was still out of sorts, drumming his fingers on the tabletop.
Looking worn out, Iskoffski stared out the door after the Gringg.
Even Ali Kiachif was subdued. Jilamey glanced up at Ken and Todd with bemusement.
“Did I just negotiate a concession for half an ocean of canned fish?” he asked. “For a small fortune in rare minerals?” Ken pushed back his chair and stretched his long arms toward the ceiling, listening to his ribs crack. “One man’s trash is another’s treasure.
I don’t know about you, but I’m desperate for a cup of coffee,’ he said.
“Seconded,’ Jilamey said at once. “We’ve been here hours. Let’s see if there’s anything left to eat in the dining hail.”
“Dammit,’ Horstmann said fervently, “I hope there’s something to drink.”
“I could swim a sea of miada and never sink, if you get me, friends,’ Kiachif agreed.
The urge for refreshment had prompted the Hrrubans as well. A few of the delegates from the space port conference stood in a corner, eating from plates heaped with cold meat and salad. They gravely acknowledged the Hayuman entries. The rest, locked in a deep discussion with Second Speaker, paid no attention to the new arrivals.
Someone tapped Hrrto on the shoulder. Surprised, the Speaker turned to face Admiral Sumitral.
There was an awkward pause of a few moments.
Sumitral recovered first. “A most fruitful afternoon, wouldn’t you say, Speaker?” he asked amiably.
“Most interrrsting,’ Hrrto said. “Ze Gringg are most skilled at ze arrrt of negotiation, zough zis is not zeir native language.” His voice displayed signs of strain.
“I trust you won some concessions from them?” Sumitral asked, delicately. “Your own skills are not to be decried.”
“You are most kind,’ Hrrto replied, bowing.
“Somebody find me a drink,’ Barnstable said plaintively, sinking down at a table. “Jonny?” Greene stood up, looking about him for a refreshment cabinet. Todd rose to get drinks for the party, listening closely.
“Did you find their terms favourable?” Sumitral asked Hrrto.
“I am surre as much as you yrrrself did,’ Second replied, the equal of Sumitral’s courtesy. Now that he had the chance to ask what the Gringg had offered the Haynmans, his nerve failed him. He could not stand the humiliation of admitting what the Gringg had asked of them. He kept his eyes fixed on Sumitral’s niild grey eyes, hoping he would speak first.
Todd found the wet-bar cabinet and poured out a good shot of Doonan-distilled whiskey for the Admiral. The sight of open bottles attracted a number of the negotiators, and Todd found himself at the centre of an eager and gra
teful group, dispensing liquid comfort.
Hrriss gave him a drop-jaw grin from the edge of the throng, and held up a jug of plain juice. Todd nodded enthusiastically.
“A spot of mlada,’ Kiachif requested, with a pretended whine like an old man. “Not too small, and don’t you dare dilute it, laddie.” In the centre of the room, the careful manoeuvres went on, the tension growing. Greene hovered at Sumitral’s elbow as if to snatch back any incautious statements the head of Alreldep might make.
“Might one ask what commodities were discussed?” Sumitral suggested.
“I do not zink I am at liberty to reveal zat at zis time,’ Second said, blandly. Mllaba stared open-eyed at the Haynmans.
“Perhaps I should not, then, either,’ Sumitral said, but Todd could tell his curiosity was aroused. Hrrto was being more than usually cagey.
Ken and Hrriss stood next to the drinks cupboard as Todd poured another draft for Ali Kiachif. The captain inhaled that libation and held out his glass for a reffil.
Jilamey broke away from the group in the centre of the room.
“I can’t stand it any longer,’ Jilamey said to Hrriss under his breath, watching the two senior administrators waltz around one another. “What did they ask for? You must have got some humdingers.”
“In a way,’ Hrriss replied, but his big, green eyes were brimming with mischief. “But change yrrr expectations down rather zan up!”
“You, too?” Todd asked. “The Gringg asked us for food!”
“Not what anyone was expecting,’ Ken said, “but I was charmed by it and trust Landreau here to have food processors and big freezer units in that consortium of his. The Gringg don’t want our technologies: they seem content with their own. But they do want rather basic, simple items we have in quantity, and cultural things. Is that why Hrrto can’t get the words out of his mouth?”
“Yes,’ Hrrestan replied, with a fit of low, grunting laughter. “Hrruba has been requested to send this yearn’s fashions in hrrnss and jewelled szraps, and the heavy cloth of which Hrrto’s r9bes are made. Custom-made size gigantic, please, in quantity.” Kiachif grinned, his narrow, bearded jaws opening in amusement. “They were ready to say no to bombs and bullets, but they didn’t have a position prepared on beef or baubles!”
“I am sure zey would have classified it as potenzially dangrrrous and not fit for exprrt if zey had considrrred it,’ Hrrestan said, his voice hoarse with merriment.
Jilamey exploded in a fit of the giggles. “And when you look at the two of them out there, neither one able to spit it out-‘ he said, waving a hand, unable to continue speaking. He watched them for a moment, then his voice changed. “On second thought, I don’t think this IS so funny.” “Neither do I,’ Todd said, breaking away. Hrrestan, with a nod of agreement, followed him.
“I’ll have to put the matter to the Amalgamated Worlds Administration on Earth before we can discuss this further,’ Sumitral was saying. “In the meantime, I am glad to see we continue with the spirit of cooperation that has characterized this world of Rraladoon for over thirty years.” “Pardon me,’ Todd said, edging adroitly between the two diplomats, “I see little evidence of cooperafion in your faces but a lot of wariness. Speaker Hrrto, would you like to know what the Gringg asked for in our talks?”
“Reeve, no!” Markudian cried, outraged.
“Markudian, yes!” Todd said, rounding on him. “I see this as a real test of Rraladoonan integrity, not Haynman/Firruban competition.
Consider this,’ he went on urgently, looking around the circle, “one of the reasons the Gringg thought we were a single species was the way we worked together. I was delighted by that because it showed we’d learned to trust each other. But the first stir of the pot from outside, and we separate into distrustful and greedy - strangers.” Todd stared at each one in turn, his glance gliding over Greene’s smug expression. “So let’s reinstate the honesty we have always used in dealings on Rraladoon.
“Prrrhaps if we begin again,’ Hrrestan suggested, “knowing zat we arrre among friends, who will not judge against you no mazzer what occurred?” Sumitral was silent for a long time, then he bowed deeply to Second Speaker. “Hrrto, old friend, I don’t know whether I’ve been gulled or not. The Gringg asked us to ship them tons of comestibles from Earth and its colonies. They want fish, and beef, and chicken.
Oh,’ he added, with a wry grin at Todd, “and popcorn.” Hrrto cleared his throat and ground his back teeth a moment before he could bring himself to reply. “From us,’ and the words seemed reluctant to leave his mouth, “zey wish fine cloth, leather and jewels for zose collars zey prize so much.”
“At that you got the best of it,’ Jilamey said, “jewels cost more than popcorn and fish.” The tension in the room melted away like fog. Todd relaxed and grinned at Hrrestan.
“You should not have admitted such,’ Milaba said, glancing at Hrrto but careful not to let Todd or any of the others catch her eye.
“I agree with the little lady,’ Barnstable said to Sumitral.
Todd grinned. “The truth is we all feel a little absurd.
Right?”
“Ze Gringg do not wish Hrruban technology,’ Hrrto said, his tail giving an emphatic switch.
Sumitral grinned. “They didn’t want any of ours either.
Not even for purposes of comparison. I admit that I’m a little puzzled.”
“Maybe they are satisfied with the technology they have,’ Captain Grace Castleton suggested from the fringe of the group.
Neither of her superiors seemed to agree.
Todd thought it was a faij assessment.
“Don’t be so naive, Grace,’ Greene put in acidly. “Any objective observer could see that, by asking for such trivia, they are determined to allay suspicion.” Todd glared at him. “Greene, you’re not what I’d call an objective observer,’ he said. “On the other hand, you are extremely suspicious from the get-go. Have you any reason which you’re not sharing with us?”
“Grrrene is not ze only one who does not believe zeir asserzhons of peace,’ Hrrrv said, breaking in. “To me,’ and he put his fist against his chest, “zey are so very not curious about our technology zat zat alone makes me suspicious.
Or have zey been given prrivate brrriefings?” He stared a challenge at Todd who felt his hands balling involuntarily into fists.
Hrrrv stared coldly, awaiting action.
Hrrestan immediately stepped between them, putting a hand, claws sheathed, on each.
“Captain, I find such an accusation as insulting as Zodd,’ Hrrestan said in high Hrruban. “For this one Hayuman, the safety of this planet has always come first nor would he ever, ever, jeopardize it. You wi withdraw the remark. Now!” Unobtrusively, Hrriss had moved to one side of his friend; Hrrin, too. For one tense moment, Hrrrv looked as if he would disobey but the nod of withdrawal was the briefest courtesy permitted.
“We beg your pardon for the intrusion,’ a booming voice said from the door. Hrrestan’s hand fell away, and Todd spun. The Gringg had returned. Honey stepped forward, gesturing to two of the other males to enter the dining room. Between them dangled a Spacedep lieutenant, struggling and angry. His uniform was mussed and he had a bruise on his cheek. “We return this Hayuman male to you. He had unaccountably found his way on to our ship.”
“He what?” Todd exploded.
“He was concealed behind a storage hatch,’ Kodiak said, apologetically. “But we smelled him. I knew immediately which Haynman he was. I had smelled him before. He walks behind that one.” Kodiak pointed at Greene.
Putting up his hands to quiet in the room, Hrrestan came toward the Gringg. He touched the arms of the two holding the man, and they released him. With a tight grip on the Spacedep lieutenant’s arm, he bowed to Honey and Kodiak.
“We thank you for rrrsstoring him to us. He surely became lost and disoriented. We will see zat he does not wandrrr again.” Fortunately, the Gringg chose to accept Hrrestan’s explanation.
“Th
en we wish you good day,’ Honey said, with a toothy smile at the assembly. The Gringg left, and the room seemed suddenly larger.
As soon as the door closed, Lieutenant Bouros shook off Hrrestan’s grip and stood at attention. Greene eyed him with annoyance.
“Detected by smell,’ Hrrrv said in disgust. “A fine job of concealment, Terranmale. No Hrruban would have been so stupid.”
“What in hell did you think you were doing concealing yourself on the Gringg shuttle in the first place?” Todd demanded, looming over him.
“I don’t answer to you, sir,’ the marine said, staring straight at the wall ahead of him.
“Reeve, this is a Spacedep matter,’ Barnstable said, pulling Todd aside and lowering his voice. Greene and Ken closed in on them.
“If he answers to you,’ Todd turned to coniTont B a table, “did you order him to invade the Gringg ship? pying on them is no way to establish trust between our two peoples.”
“The more we know about them, the more secure we feel in forming closer relationships,’ Barnstable said, his brows drawing down over his eyes.
“Ev, that’s Alreldep’s job, not yours,’ Sumitral said, mastering his irritation. “And to allow him to go without neutralization of body odour?” Sumitral rolled his eyes.
“Have you learned nothing about the Gringg? Even the kids here know the Gringg have a keen sense of smell.
Or don’t they issue deodorants in your navy?”
“Reconnaissance seems an obvious course with unknowns like the Gringg,’ Bouros said, still staring straight ahead.
“The ship wasn’t secured, sir. It was easy to do a recon.”
“A recon might have been acceptable,’ Sumitral said, though his expression was dubious.
“But you had hidden, hadn’t you?” Todd said. “Intending to remain on board. For what purpose? To fumigate them into submission with your body odours?”
“Now that was uncalled for,’ Barnstable said, indignant, though clearly he wasn’t happy that one of his men had been apprehended.