The Machine Considered. It was dealing with a quantity as vital as it was unfamiliar and unpredictable. It would be best to bring the Guardian into activation proximity in such a way as to make it appear natural to the activating mind. All evidence of manipulation must be avoided. The key mind was clearly still in a state of stabilization. If handled improperly, it could be permanently damaged. This would be fatal.
The utilization of a number of smaller minds was implied. Fortunately, there were a multitude of suitable ones present on and about the planet. Operating in this fashion would also prevent tile Vom from becoming alarmed.
A point: It would be vital not to stimulate any belligerence on the part of the small intelligences. This could produce a crucial delay which could not be afforded.
All in all, it seemed a feasible plan.
"Hey Ed, come 'ere, will ya?"
M'wali tossed in his suspension cradle. There wasn't another freighter loading or unloading due for another three hundred years yet. Well, three hours, anyway. They'd just completed an unloading about an hour ago. Therefore his shuttle partner, Myke Reinke, should not have been calling out to him. He should most definitely not have awakened Edward from his sound and beautiful sleep. Edward M'wali was upset as well as up.
"Friend Reinke, do I maliciously pull you from the soothing balm of Morpheus? Is your sleep so uneasy you must take from mine? Be your watch so dullish that you fracture courtesy to serve your simple brain some interest?"
A short shudder traveled the length of the ship. M'wali sensed a shift in position and forward motion. His partner's sanity was abruptly suspect. Moving the ship required reaction mass, ergo credits. There was no reason to be moving the ship. The equation was simple but infuriating.
"Offspring of sand-hogs, what are you about!?"
"If you'll move your pseudo-poetic ass out of that bunk, Ed, and take a look through the NV scope, you might see something."
M'wali considered a last possibility, discarded it. Reinke did foolish things, but he did not, ever, drink while on duty, Still, there was a first time for ... He floated out of the bunk and over to the control console. When he saw what the natural vision telescope was holding in automatic focus, all thoughts of sleep vanished.
"Oooeee! Munguenma na juaekundu! Great God and Red Sun, what is that?"
"Never seen anything like it, eh?" said Reinke evenly. His hands were playing lightly over the controls. "Me neither. Looks like the Yellow Giants' jackstraws as arranged by the March Hare."
"March Hare?" said M'wali, not taking his eyes off the fantastic object.
"Skip it," replied Reinke.
"Just what are you thinking of doing, anyway, partner? We might get the shuttle inside that thing. We'd never get half of it inside the shuttle."
"Look a tittle lower. Down where those three long spines just about intersect."
M'wali took another look at the scope. The object now took up most of the field of vision, even though the tracker was automatically reducing magnification as they slipped closer. Yes, there was definitely a smaller, slightly saner looking bit of machinery floating slightly detached from the main body, near its south pole. It would fit maybe-into the shuttle's cargo bay.
They sat unspeaking for several minutes, staring at the approaching object-which was actually retreating from them.
Closer inspection did not breed, familiarity. The impossible merely took on greater detail.
"We do have a loading job in three hours. Think it's all right to shift station to fool with this thing?"
Reinke's reply was muted. He was busy maneuvering the shuttle closer. "I can recognize a rhetorical question when I hear one. When the boss sees what we done gonna bring him, he'll supply us with another ship-apiece."
"I'm not picky, myself. I wish only a very small space yacht-KK drive equipped, of course-with a platinum head."
"Kind of cold, hmmm?"
"Just to look at, idiot."
"Mighty strange taste you've developed in art."
"A direct return to the seat of human thought, you might say. Besides, all geniuses cannot expect proper appreciation from the lower depths of the herd."
"All right, genius," Reinke smiled. "Suppose you suit up and lay some cables on that carp. When we've first got the thing secured we can arrange surface transportation. Meanwhile, I'll register salvage in case any of the other hock jockeys come nosing around. Take out a buoy first. As soon as it's positioned I'll transceive its frequency to Port Control. Then we can play with this thing at our leisure."
Which occasioned a brief, horrible thought. Turning to the transceiver, he rapidly scanned normal salvage frequencies. The computer noted nothing not previously listed in the book.
They had moved hard by the gleaming central object. It floated just above them, relatively speaking. A gold, be-spiked, glassblower's nightmare. The smaller body held sharp and clear out the fore port. M'wali had left to suit up, so Reinke occupied time in studying the immediate object of their attentions.
Interestingly, it appeared to float at the focal point of the three large, spiky projections of the central bulk. The pylons, or whatever they were, were a milky white, with faint shades of rose and light blue flowing across their surfaces every now and then. Glass or ceramic, looked like.
The detached spheroid had a few knobs and projections of its own, but nothing like the crazy-quilt above. It was pyramid-shaped. The base of the pyramid faced the larger object.
A body composed of more familiar curves and angles entered Reinke's view from the right. M'wali trailed vacuum cables and powerful pulse-jets behind him. The readyspark strapped to his partner's back sparkled in the glare from Repler's sun.
No conversation passed between the two men. None was needed. Both had performed similar operations dozens of times. The subject was new, but the procedure wasn't. Besides, M'wali liked quiet while he worked. He busied about the smaller object, setting himself for the routine task of arranging cables and jets on the alien construct.
Several moments passed. Reinke noticed that a single rectangular block, four times the height of a man and equally deep, had separated from the base of the pyramid. A single vacuum cable trailed from it. He perked up a bit, flipped open the ship-to-suit comm.
"Hey Ed, what's up? Is that thing going to come apart like a jigsaw puzzle?"
"Damnifino." M'wali's voice was sharp and clear across the intervening vacuum. "I- got close to the thing and this thick lid or whatever retracted. Nothing else happened, so I decided to go ahead and hook up the first cable. When I activated it, this big hunk detached itself and pulled right out, like a plug."
"What's it made of? Any indication of origin?"
The space-suited figure was down on the surface of the block. "Doesn't look any more familiar close up than it did from a hundred kilometers away, Myke. Damndest looking stuff you ever saw, though ... **fssst ... sput** ... corrugated in places, like carved fluting ... almost has a greasy look ... seems to be a port or something a little higher up ... whole thing isn't very big ... yes, there is a transparent section ... got a reddish tinge to it ... I can see inside, I think ... OH SWEET JESUS..."
"For summasake, man!" Reinke fairly pounded the console in frustration. "Open up?" Heavy breathing came back over the comm. "You sonuvabitch, if you don't say something fast-quick I'm coming out there and-"
"Easy, Myke, easy. I'm fine. Just a little shocked. Calm down. You'll need all your expletives later."
"Okay, I'm calm. See? Now, what is it?" Reinke had to resist an urge to stomp on the floor. Breaking boot connection would send him floating helplessly about the cabin.
"It's small enough to bring back on the one cable.You'll see it soon enough." M'wali's voice was unnaturally subdued. "And brother, don't eat anything until you do:'
"If we weren't in such an awful hurry, I could almost enjoy the ride," Mal said. "Despite the crowding."
The five of them cramped the small forecabin of the hoveraft badly. Mal, in the only other
seat, was trying to relax. Takaharu was handling the driving.
There was a slightly larger space for luggage and such located behind the forecabin, but it was completely enclosed. No one felt like sitting in the dark just now.
"I'll be pleased to clear all this up and get back to work, Captain," said the First Mate. "Devious intrigue isn't my line. I'm not mentally constructed for subtlety and evasion."
"We concur," Mal replied. "Not only don't I care for it, I'm not very good at it, either. But this young man, here . . ." he indicated the lanky form of Philip, draped angularly over an empty packing crate.
"What will you do now, Philip-al?" asked Porsupah.
"Well, I hadn't given it much thought. I could look for another job, but I think maybe I'll just kick around for a while. I can always get work. Something more interesting might turn up."
"Well; you shouldn't have to worry about credit for. a time," broke in Kitten cheerfully. "We promised you a reward in the name of the Church. They've a special fund for such situations. Even if they disagree with our recommendations, which they won't, they can't violate a promise made by one of their field operatives. Let alone two." She looked over at Porsupah and he nodded affirmatively.
"You're authorized to make that kind of decision?" asked Mal, a little skeptically.
"Ordinarily, no. But this isn't the sort of assignment we'd ordinarily draw."
"I'd guessed that."
"Now look," she said heatedly. "I admit Porsupah and I might not always have been right on top of the situation . . . what are you laughing at?"
Mal had doubled over. Long, basso peals of amusement filled the cabin.
"Listen to me, he-who-struts-like-an-ape!" she yelled.
"About that reward. I'm not much in need of credit yet," Philip interrupted hurriedly. "There wasn't much to spend on here. I've enough put away to keep me floating for a while."
"It needn't be in the form of credit, if you wish," said Kitten, calming slightly but still keeping a jaundiced eye on the snorting ship-Captain. He was trying unsuccessfully to muffle his laughter. "Something equitable can always be worked out."
"Okay, then. I want you."
Mal stopped chuckling. Porsupah only twitched his first pair of whiskers.
"I beg your pardon?" said Kitten.
The voice of the young engineer had changed slightly. It was no longer distant, half-subservient. Not that it had deepened or changed physically. But the inflections were different, assured, more confident.
"I said I want you. The government owes me a reward promised, in your name."
"Well, sure, but ... hey, you're serious, aren't you?"
"Look, lad," began Mal.
"My name is Philip, Captain." He looked evenly at Mal. In certain situations I respond to lad, kid, youngster, young fella, and many analogous appellations. This isn't one of them. The young lady can be no more than a year or two older than I- if that. It's rare enough that one chances across someone so attractive, intelligent, and, yes of a compatible size. I want to take advantage of it."
"Now just a minute, Philip-"
"Just a minute yourself, Captain," interrupted Kitten, a trifle upset. "I don't need you or anyone else to bargain or moralize for me." She turned and looked over at Philip. He stared back unflinchingly. "It's up to me to decide whether I want to reject the proposal or not. Under the circumstances, I think it carries the flavor of an almost forgotten gallantry. Not to mention compliment. I accept your offer, Philip."
"Thank you, Miss Kai-sung," he replied gravely, executing an awkward half-bow.
"Under the circumstances, don't you think you ought to," she glanced archly at Mal, "call me by my first name?"
"Agreed ... Kitten." He smiled broadly.
"You're quite right," Mal said evenly. "It's none of my business. Go and fantasize, if you will."
Kitten stood up and stretched ... lazily, languorously. Mal gazed unswervingly at the ocean, which gazed back.
"There's room in the storage area, wouldn't you say, Philip?"
"I believe so, Kitten." He unfolded himself, extended a hand. She took it.
"See you shortly, gentlemen. This won't take long." She pulled the sliding panel closed behind them.
Takaham hadn't budged throughout the entire exchange. Mal continued an unprecedented fascination with the sea. Porsupah stifled a laugh.
"You'd best get used to this if you expect to be around sweet Kitten awhile, Captain," the Tolian offered. His whiskers twitched. "I don't doubt that she agreed partially to enjoy your anticipated reaction. You came through in marvelous style."
"Thanks," Hammurabi said drily.
"Which brings me to another point, Captain." The alien took another glance at the ocean, then the console panel. "It occurs to me that we are not headed northward any longer."
"Right. However, that's the way we shall go."
"Yet that is not the way to Will's Landing."
"Two straight Lieutenant. Very good."
Porsupah pondered a moment longer before replying.
"Forgive me, Captain. I had believed my terranglo beyond reproach. Yet there seems to be a nuance here that I fail to grasp."
"Apologies are mine, Pors." Mal sat back, rubbed a hand across his eyes. "I'm irritable. When I get irritable, I grow unnecessarily obtuse." He smiled easily.
"You see, one other question needs immediate answering. I intend getting it where we will arrive."
"Keep going," said Porsupah interestedly.
"I've performed a good deal of work in the past, as well as quite recently, for a merchant-trader name of Chatham Kingsley. Always played square with me; paid me well if not generously."
"Kingsley? Then that-'
Mal nodded. "The old man's favorite- and only son. Why he bothers about him is beyond me. Even adopted blood is thicker than water, I suppose."
"Depends on the race. Here now! If the father is anything like the son-"
"No, no. I don't think the old man is even aware of his offspring's hobbies. I suspect the kid's managed on his own ever since he was big enough to order the help around. Chatham's a bastard, true, but he's a sane bastard. He only enjoys cutting people up economically.
"See, the shipment that the bloodhype and other drugs tamed up in were all consigned to Kingsley's agents. I met Rose's by accident. It's a possible tie-up there that I'm concerned about. Before I run any more of Kingsley's goods around the Arm, I've got to know if they're going to be full of silly spice."
"I appreciate your problem, Captain. Yet we are expected, especially after transceiving that report on Rose, to file reports in person to our superior."
"Look, Pors. Everything we could do about Rose has been done over the transceiver already. If this Major Orvenalix is but half up to his reputation. . : '
"...He is...
"... then there's no need for you to show up immediate-like, right nowish." "Regulations ..."
"Will be adjusted for a few hours," Mal replied gruffly. "The drug shipment is safe, you are safe, I am safe, and our good and kind acquaintance his Lordship might as well be pinned under the grating with his technician back at the island, for all the chance he has. When a few of the good Fathers finish with him, he'll wish he was ... And while I'd normally not bother to even mention it, you and your effervescent associate owe me nothing if not a little time. Seeing as how I'm in large part responsible for returning to you the balance of yours."
Porsupah didn't reply.
An hour or so later, the panel separating the forecabin and the storage compartment slid back. A clearly tired Kitten Kai-sung, Lieutenant in the service of the United Church, temporarily attached to Intelligence Branch, stepped into the cabin. Her dress, which had never been designed by its manufacturer with the contortions of the past twenty-four hours in mind, looked as worn as its wearer. The long black hair fell haphazardly in directions not always directed by gravity. The face was drawn.
There was also an unevenness to her gait, which was not caused
by the slight sway of the hoveraft.
"Nice to see you again," said Mal. He found himself smiling in spite of himself. "Glad you could make it back shortly."
Kitten flopped down in a corner. She brushed an errant strand of hair from her face and glared at him. The youthful apprentice sanitation engineer redraped himself over his packing crate without a word. His expression, revealing absolutely nothing, was significant for that. He folded his arms across his chest and fell promptly asleep.
"Get a little more than you bargained for, rewardwise?" Mal prodded.
"Let's just say, Captain, he's been amply repaid for his help. Also for any help he may render in the next, oh, ten years or so. But to satisfy your morbid interest, there was one thing that did get to me a mite."
"Oh?" said Porsupah, giving every evidence of surprise. "I must know of this wonder!"
She pointed. "Well, bristle-fur, it was that damned thing. It stared at me the whole time."
She was pointing to the recumbent form of the flying snake, which lay, blue-black and shiny, curled about its master's left shoulder.
It was either a glance at the instruments or else maybe the angle of the sun, rising over the horizon slightly behind them, that told her.
" Hey, whither the hell goest we?"
"It seems," said Porsupah, "that the good Captain feels strongly the need of an immediate confrontation with his employer. To determine if same is in any way implicated in the drug traffic. I informed him that it was necessary for us to return to central control, but he was adamant."
"Yeah," said Mal, looking straight at her. "That's me. Adamant."
"Investigation of all suspects in this matter is the government's business," she said.
"Later, maybe. Your Major can have proper seconds. I do my own dirty work."
"I will not stand for it!"
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