by neetha Napew
Or didn’t you understand that?” Greene was stunned by the onslaught of Reeve’s tirade.
He glanced down at his torn collar and up again at the relentless glare of Reeve’s hard eyes. He’d never been challenged before: not since he’d been a very young boy.
He hadn’t won that fight either. Physical training as an officer had always been isometric. For the first time he was aware of a man who was physically fit and was known to have wrestled with and killed a large Doonan snake.
The two men stood facing each other for long moments.
Castleton moved her hand to her sidearm, only to be answered by a threatening growl from Hrriss.
“zis is between the two of them,’ he said.
“Enough!” the Admiral said, in a thundering voice. “Jon, Reeve, sit down! The very idea of a physical contest between the two of you is repellant.” The two men remained eye to eye for a moment, then Greene spoke.
“I. . . decline your challenge, Reeve.
“There speaks a really brave man,’ Ken Reeve said.
Greene eyed him, looking for sarcasm, but the colonist’s face was as sincere as his voice. “Maybe we can all have the courage to refuse to fight when there are alternatives.”
“Admiral Barnstable, you will show us that incriminating tape. NOW!” Sumitral said so forcefully that he had the instant attention of everyone in this room. “I count on your support, Second Speaker,’ and Sumitral turned to Hrrto. “An individual, as well as a species, is innocent until proven guilty. The Gringg are here to speak for themselves. The tape, please,’ and he held his hand out to Greene. “Somehow I feel certain that you have it to hand.” As if in a trance, Greene fumbled at a tunic pocket and drew out a tape, laden with security seals. “Thank you. But,’ and Sumitral raised his hand, “no matter what transpires here, this Gringg and her crew are to be allowed to proceed out of this system without hindrance.
Do I make myself clear?” His cold gaze fell on the Spacedep officers.
“Or by all the powers and the favours I can call in the Amalgamated Worlds, you’ll be sorry!” The silence was profound.
“Grurghgle . . .” Eonneh’s voder began, “I have not completely understood all that was said but I did hear you mention a destroyed Gringg ship, did I not?” There was an interrogatory lift to his final word. “I would very much like to see this tape you speak of. It may well solve an ancient history that has troubled us.” Barnstable and Greene exchanged cynical glances but Second Speaker looked decidedly uneasy. When Mllaba wanted to whisper in his ear, he pushed her away.
“Well?” Todd asked pointedly With quick deft fingers, Sumitral slipped the tape into the appropriate slot and keyed it to play on the table projection. Todd was not the only one in the chamber who watched in horror as the camera skimmed over the dead surface of the planet, then followed a searchlight through the heart of a cold, dark ship.
The faces of the dead Gringg swam out of the blackness and disappeared again. Eonneh and Grizz were still, watching, their mobile faces for once devoid of expression.
“Hold that image,’ Grizz said suddenly, pointing an unsheathed claw as the recorder skimmed along the battered outside of the hulk.
She peered closely at the picture and then leaned back in her chair, her face saddened. She gave Eonneh a brief nod.
“We can identify this sad ship,’ Eonneh said in a slow and sad tone. “It is the Searcher and was commanded by Captain Vrrayagh, an ancestor of our captain. It left the motherworld many long Revolutions ago. We had only two brief reports from Vrrayagh. The first when the Searcher arrived at that system and discovered the planet was torn by a massive war, its peoples fighting against one another. When the Gringg attempted to make contact and sent a shuttle to land in the largest remaining city, it was immediately attacked and destroyed.” Eonneh bowed his head briefly. “Then, even as the two armies still fought each other, they turned their weapons also against the Searcher.
Whatever armament was used was immensely powerful and the Searcher’s engines were destroyed. The second and last message told us that and that the crew would defend themselves as well as they could but, if no further message came from the Searcher, this planet was not to be approached again.” Honey bowed his great head, and Grizz put a sympathetic hand on his back. “It was a long time ago and, for some considerable Revolutions, we worried that these hostile people might trace the Searcher to our motherworld. But no one came. A brave captain, Zeeorogh, volunteered to make a solo mission to that system in case our people had survived but were without communication. She found the world - and the Searcher - lifeless. Perhaps if the Searcher had not returned the attack, it might have been allowed to depart in peace.
Perhaps, even our people might have mediated the quarrel that started such total conffict. Our presence had possibly only made the situation worse. But in those early days of our exploration programme, our ships were armed.
No longer. Better the loss of one ship than encourage retaliation or indulge in lethal exchanges which require so much expenditure of energy.”
“How wise of you!” Sumitral said, softly. “So we are the first life-forms - and with the events of the day I am not sure I can say either of our species are as intelligent as they should be.” He shot an almost malevolent glance at Greene and another at Mllaba. “We are the first you have encountered. I deeply regret this misunderstanding.
Though to be perfectly fair, the evidence would give a military mind cause to make exhaustive inquiries.” He glanced briefly again at the Spacedep contingent out of the corner of his eye.
“Morra,’ Grizz said, nodding solemnly. “It would cause concern when similar strangers appear in your skies.
Vrrayagh’s ship was left where it had died and it is our custom to take those cubs who would arm our ships to see what this can cost.
Gringg cubs learn that lesson at once.”
“How tragic to encounter a race bent on selfextermination,’ Kiachif said in a sympathetic voice.
“Morra. It became a great sadness to all Gringg,’ Honey said. He bowed his large head in deference but then lifted it again and smiled at Kiachif. “It is why we were so happy to meet the Rraladoonans and that they came to welcome us, without loss of life.” Sumitral looked at Todd, with a wry expression. “Their experience is not so far from ours of the Siwannah Tragedy.”
“Gringg, Hayuman and Hrruban have a great deal in common,’ Todd said. He breathed a deep sigh of relief that his faith in the Gringg had not been misplaced, nor had he been mistaken to trust his gut feelings about them. He felt a tremendous surge of elation.
“So, zey are trrruly friendly,’ Second Speaker said to Hrrestan, respect in his eyes. “You were right to trust.”
“Trust is worth more than any other treasure of spirit, mind and heart,’ Hrrestan said, nodding sagely.
“But what about those parts of the ship you would not let us enter?” Greene asked. “What’s hidden in that mass of water at the centre of your ship? Why did you pull me away when I went to investigate?”
“You did not ask to go,’ Honey replied, surprised. “It is our custom to ask permission before viewing another’s domicile.
What do you wish to see? The bottom of our swimming pool?” He broke into a loud, grunting laugh, joined by his mate and cub. “Most certainly, if you can swim, you are welcome to come see that or any part of our ship, any time. Come now!” Greene flushed, but said nothing.
“But why do you want such trivia as food and clothes from us?” Barnstable asked the Gringg, breaking the uncomfortable silence. He was still looking for reasons to doubt.
“With all due respect, Admiral, Kiachif said, with a huge grin, “you stick to running spaceships and leave this to us trade captains.
Whatever the customer wants, if he’s willing to pay for, I’ll convey it to him. Trade is important for more than just the items we transport.
Trade opens minds as well as credit sources. It brings new customers together and circulat
es goods, which means more goods get made, and more gets traded to satisfied customers, anywhere in this galaxy that we can navigate to.”
“Reh,’ Eonneh said, showing his teeth in a brilliant white grin. “No misleading was meant. It is not the items themselves which are important to the Gringg, but the act of exchange, leading up to the exchange of all things: goods, then techniques, then ideas. We understand the confusion, and we forgive without grudge.”
“I was misled by another’s enthusiasm,’ Barnstable said, glaring at Greene. “There are some who always see the downside of situations.
“Sir,’ and there was a humble tone to Greene’s voice, “I thought that, based on the information I had, that I was acting in the best interests of us all.”
“Look, Greene,’ Todd said, turning towards the chastened officer, “no hard feelings. It is your job to err on the side of caution. Just stick to that and leave us planetary types to do ours.” Greene’s face flushed, and his lips were pressed tight.
He turned to Barustable. “Sir, I wish to tender my resignation and accept full responsibility for my actions, authorized and unauthorized.” “You acted under my authority so I bear the responsibility, too, which is to safeguard this colony as I would our home world. I did as I thought advisable under the very unusual circumstances. And that’s that!” He turned toward Hrrto and Hrrestan, then muttered brief, crisp orders into the communicator. “Red alert’s cancelled and my units are returning to previous duties.”
“I have done ze zame,’ Captain Hrrrv said with an impassive expression and dulled eyes.
Barnstable exchanged a glance with the Hrruban captain and cleared his throat. “With your permission, Captain Grizz,’ he said to her and she nodded, lowering the lids over her eyes briefly. He cleared his throat again. “I would welcome a full tour of your ship and its facilities. I believe Captain Hrrrv would, too.” He even attempted a smile at the Gringg.
At a gesture from Castleton, the marines returned the Gringgs’ collars, shouldered their weapons and filed out of the room. Hrrrv’s squad of catmen followed.
Barnstable swivelled his chair to face Greene.
“In view of the unauthorized actions you personally initiated which put civilians in danger, I accept your resignation, Jon. What may serve a combat officer well is simply no good in an aide. Perhaps you’re more suited for other duties “If I may suggest an alternative for Commander Greene, Admiral,’ Captain Castleton said, her manner devoid of emotion, “the Hamilton has an opening for an executive officer. Commander Fletcher’s tour of duty is over in two weeks’ time.
I would certainly accept Commander Greene as a replacement.
Barnstable’s snowy eyebrows rose high on his forehead, and he favoured her with a paternal smile. “Whatever you say, Grace. It looks like someone has to keep a leash on him.”
“I won’t let him out of my sight for long, sir,’ Castleton said. Her eyes met Greene’s in a coy gaze. His expression changing from stern endurance of disgrace to surprise. He pushed back his chair and stood up.
“Request permission to be excused for a moment, sir?” he said, saluting both Barnstable and Castleton. Grace looked queryingly at the Admiral and he flicked his fingers for her to answer.
“Granted, mister,’ Castleton said. Without another word Greene stalked from the room.
Todd leaned sideways to Hrriss. “Whaddya want to bet there won’t be any protesters awaiting our departure?”
“I never bet on sure thing!’ Hrriss wrinkled his nose.
“Hope no one will need ze grid for ze next few hours.”
“Admirrrral,’ Hrrestan said, severely to Barnstable. “In all this confrontation, I have seen that Spacedep has been closely involved.
Why should it be necessary to start trouble where there need not be any?” Barustable glared at the tabletop. “You have to admit that that tape was pretty damning. What else was I to have done to protect the colony?”
“You could have informed ze colony leaders of your suspicions,’ Hrrestan said. Then he turned to Second Speaker.
“And for you, a speaker of the High Council, to go along with such machinations!” Hrrestan said. Todd heard the hurt and suppressed anger in his colleague’s voice and trembled as he had when he and Huiss were small, caught by the cat man, doing something they knew they shouldn’t.
“We must learn to see all beings as potential friends for we are terribly alone in the void of space. No offer of friendship should be rejected out of hand. See what you nearly did, destroying the peace both our species have enjoyed. For the sake of Hayumankind, for the sake of all Hrruba, for our hopes for the future, we must never come this close again to disaster!” Hrrto gazed at him thoughtfully. No one spoke, for Hrrestan’s words struck home in every heart.
Sumitral broke the silence. “Well, gentlefolks, we do have some business to conclude here. Are there now any changes to be made to the Trade Agreement?” Silently, Barnstable shook his head. Second Speaker glanced up and blinked.
“No.” Grizz spoke for the first time, smiling. She had been watching and listening to the whole interchange with the greatest of interest, and beamed upon Todd. “I find all to be very well.”
“Then let nothing delay the signing,’ Sumitral said urgently. “Shall we make this official?”
“All in favour?” Todd said. The vote was unanimous. A moment later, he sent a clerk running to the Duplication Office with the approved copies of the Tripartite Trade Agreement.
The party went outside to the prepared table. The AIreldep guard withdrew to each corner and stood proudly flanking the officials. It was such a momentous occasion that Todd felt quite six years old again.
He could almost feel Hrruna’s reassuring presence as that six year old helped to formulate the Decision at Doona.
As they neared the table, Todd could see that the newsgatherers were gone and those that remained were smiling with friendliness, eager to be present at an auspicious occasion. Grizz, accompanied by her two scribes and her son, took her place at the end of the table and rolled her haunches gracefully on to the pad provided. Sumitral took his place opposite her and waited until Second had seated himself in the centre of the table.
Todd, Hrriss, and Hrrestan opened the copies of the Trade Treaty Agreement and placed one before each of the signatories. Ken Reeve dipped the archaic pens into the inkwells and handed them ceremoniously to each delegate.
“Hayumans, Hrrubans, and Gringg,’ Sumitral said, rurning to the crowd. “I welcome all of you to witness the signing of this historic trade agreement between our three peoples. This is only the beginning of what I hope will be a long and fruitful alliance.” There was a wild cheer. The deep voices of the Gringg boomed louder and lower than the rest of the crowd.
Flowers, brought along specially for the occasion by Rraladoonans, were thrown into the air like confetti.
A handful of fragrant stephanotis landed on the treaty table in front of Second Speaker Hrrto.
“An omen, Speaker?” Mllaba whispered the question in his ear.
“I believe so, MIlaba,’ Hrrto said, nodding.
When the Trade Agreement was placed before him with the page open to the complex and beautiful seal of Hrruba, ready for his signature, Hrrto took up the pen and signed.
He felt relieved, strangely at ease, as if more had been settled that day than the peaceful accord of three diverse and independent races.
ù . For our hopes for the future, this must not be!” The tape ended, and the lights came on in the High Council Room. Hrrto glanced around at his fellow High Council members. Sixth Speaker was looking irritated, Fifth thoughtful. The sergeant-at-arms was smiling slightly. At a glance from Hrrto, he snapped his jaw closed and assumed a properly blank expression.
Second Speaker rose and placed his hands on the desk. “This concludes the file I have been assembling on Hrrestan, son of Hrrindan.
You have had copies for your personal review, and heard personal witnesses testify to his wisd
om and devotion to Hrruba. I nominate him for the seat of First Speaker of the High Council, and withdraw my own candidacy in his favour.” Gasps and muttering from the rest of the council.
Mllaba looked absolutely livid, but she suppressed her anger as best she could even if she couldn’t control the twitching of her tail.
Hrrto did not entirely regret that he was unable to help her advance further, but he no longer envied anyone who must sit in the First Speaker’s chair. The power - which old Hrruna had rarely invoked - was simply not worth the attendant responsibility. Younger, stronger shoulders would bear the burdens better. He would be remembered, however, perhaps as often as Hrruna, as the Stripe who had secured unlimited quantities of purralinium from the Gringg.
“He is a younger, stronger person, impartial and possessed of great patience and wisdom. With all humility, I would serve the Council and Hrruba best by remaining as Second Speaker. In that capacity, I can cement the relationships with the Gringg which I have already begun.
Therefore, as temporary Council leader, I direct the sergeant to commence the voting for the First Speakership.” Each member placed his hands on the hidden panel below the level of the table. The blind monitor at the head of the table would tally the votes without revealing who had cast them. The sergeant stood up.
“The nominees for the position of First Speaker are Fifth Speaker for Health and Medicine, Sixth Speaker for Production, Carrdmarr, an industrialist and philanthropist of Hrruba, and Hrrestan, Village and Colony Leader of Rraladoon and Chief Liaison Officer to Hrruba,’ the sergeant intoned. “For Fifth Speaker?” One light went on at the tally board.
As tradition dictated on Rraladoon, the construction of new quarters - in this case the Gringg Embassy - became a community affair.
The site chosen for their Gringg compound was a woody area near the northern sea on the banks of the Treaty River, the major artery on the small continent. From all over Rraladoon, trunks of the fast growing rla trees were brought in and cut to size according to the blueprints worked out by a team of indigenous architects and the Gringg. Vats of strong smelling rlba bubbled in several places on the site. Hayumans and Hrrubans in respirators with brushes full of the sticky sap treated the timbers, which became strong as iron and immobile in their newly cut shapes, yet still light enough to be hauled about by two sturdy workers or one Gringg. Other teams carried the finished beams and wall sections to the builders. It was all going by the numbers.