"How long?" Amos ben Sierra Nueva said desperately
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| Tm sure you will," Simeon replied soothingly.
"Yuh. See you at dinner." "At dinner?" He sounded surprised but that pleased her. "Umm, yes, see you then," he added, doing a good job of sounding casual.
Simeon's attention withdraw N most of it, at least She also switched on the white-noise maker and the scrambler she'd rigged up . She was no longer complete^ THE CITY WHO FOUGHT 137 sure they worked, Simeon having had enough of a look at her contrivances to perhaps neutralize them. Not that he'd have had time to bother about her with so much else on his'mind these days. Even a brain had some limitations.
she'd recorded dfiring Channa's exploits on the intruder ship. First she screened something that had come in on the Central datablip just today. The watchman program Joat set up had cut it out and routed it^to her system automatically. Stretching luxuriously, she popped the tab on a can of near-beer. She stayed away from the real thing because it made her feel loggy and squiff. She bit a big hunk off a chocolate nut bar, grinning around the mouthful with vindictive delight as the scene played on.
and their chant ran shrill and menacing as they waved their placards which bore the same message they chanted.
out!"
a line of riot-armed police were holding the SPRIM demonstrators at bay The visual shifted to an interior room where Ms. Dorgan of the Child Welfare depart- ment, looking rumpled and alarmed, was gesticulating wildly.
unnatural abominations with no right to live!" she wailed. "Or that they make me want to puke!" Joat grinned. She wanted to be a systems engineer when she grew up N or maybe even a brawn N but editing was a nice hobby. Editing transmissions of recorded conversations sent to SPRIM and MM, for example. Channa had the right idea, but adults had no enthusiasm for taking an idea and running with it 138 Amu McCaffrey fc? SJVf. Stating "Like the teacher said," she muttered, taking another mouthful. "I gotta lot of buried hostility I got to learn to express."
Joseph insisted, the doctor here N a man, oddly enough N had moved him into a small suite, with a private sitting room. Apparently private, he reminded himself, though there might well be listening devices. Otherwise, it had the common strangeness of everything here, like soft synthetics for the walls which could alter shade or sud- denly turn themselves into view screens. He had commanded that the space-scene transform itself into something more restful, and the holograph had turned to a neutral brown solidity. In its way, that made him uneasy too. What appeared to be plain bare plastic was obviously anything but. "It is difficult to beUeve that we are safe," he said, rubbing a hand over his face, which had grown enough beard to rasp. He resolved to ask for a some, or the local equivalent "To be frank, my brother, I never expected to wake again."
lessness. The gravity was slightly higher than Bethel, just enough to be noticeable. "But we do not know that we are safe N even from the Kolnari." Amos looked up sharply. "We do not?" "The shell N Guiyon," Joseph amended, at Amos' frown "N said that it N" "He." Amos compressed his lips firmly after that cor- rection; the more so since he himself had never felt entirely easy with Guiyon.
Guiyon had been the first to listen to his youthful doubts without recoiling in horror and ordering him to
prophet were allowed speech with the Planetary Manager. Most Bethelites thought that entity was at best legend, at worst an abomination of the infidel. lam too old to befeve in nursery tales, Amos thought. He was a nian now, with many dejpending on him. "He," Joseph sai4, making a soothing gesture with both hands, "He intended to take us to Rigel base. This is not Rigel."
seem reluctant to tell us more." "Understandable, sir. Would you immediately trust fugitives who came so close to destroying them, though we knew it not? However, there are things they cannot help but tell us." "Yes," Amos said slowly. "For one, that this is no military base." "Just so, my brother. These are a peaceful people." At Amos' dubious look, he went on. "I was raised dockside, you will remember. I know more of traders and trading than most. These are respectable merchants and spacefarers, by their own ethics, if not by Bethel customs. Dockside, we would have called them easy marks." They looked at each other, haunted by what neither would mention first. Amos took hold of himself. A respectable, an ethical people deserved the truth.
Amos whispered. Sickness tugged at the pit of his stomach. To achieve safety, even for so few, and jeopardize m turn their saviors. "We must talk to them!" CHAPTER EIGHT "All things considered, we didn't come out of the day too badly at all," Chief Administrator Ciaren said, once more running his stylus down his notescreen to be sure he'd missed nothing. Ducking her head, Channa managed to hide a yawn. Meetings were meat and drink to Ciaren. When he had the opportunity to trot out his careful graphs and statistics for an audience, he positively glowed and inflated. Uke a plain giri mho's just been asked to dance by a high-school hero, she thought mordandy. "We're down about three million credits," she pointed out, reaching for the water carafe. Two section chiefs sprang to fill the glass for her: feme was already a bit wearing. The meeting was sup- posed to have started as a working breakfast. Plates and crumbs were scattered around the table. Gusky was there too, looking a little pale N either from the medications, or from the party. Not only was he prominent in his own business, he was a section repre- sentative and, with the recent favorable publicity, looked likely to be re-elected.
up the expenses," she pointed out. "Per example, we commandeered equipment from Namakuri-Singh N who arh not known to be a charitable organization." Gusky grunted, "/commandeered the equipment which will have to be replaced, which you, Simeon, authorized me to use."
debt, having had to pay off such a whacking great amount for their early care and education. "No one could say that I didn't do everything possible to mini- mize damage.
morally obligated tfc compensate their owners for the loss. Which; Ciaren,' we will recoup from Lloyd's, invoking the force majeur clause." "Yes, yes, of course, it will," Ciaren muttered, making a quick notation. "The other unavoidable losses and damages which we've discussed today are going to wipe out the contin- gency fund."
ing with bureaucrats, bureaucratic accountants at that Government bureaucratic accountants, with lawyers in tow."
intoned.
and inherent generosity," Gus suggested. Even Ciaren laughed at that
accusations of mismanagement and hand-wringing over the cost of every rivet, bolt and coupling." She affected a nasal tone. "Didn't you realize that seventeen-point- three seconds boost would have done just as well as seventeen-point-seven?" Chief Administrator Ciaren assured them that his entries would be meticulously checked, all forms would be properly made out, filed on time and to the proper bureaus.
Anw McCaffrey &? 5M. Stating "I won't go so for as to guarantee prompt or even early payment," he said, allowing himself a very small smile, "given that we'll be dealing with departments over which I have no control. But, I can promise you that I will do my best, and that is very good indeed."
immediate release of the contingency fund to private persons who suffered damage and loss, or have to make repairs germane to station functions. Claren, just get the claims into the insurance companies as soon as you can." "Good luck," said the owner of a minerals company in a wry tone. "I've noticed they're always more enthusiastic about collecting premiums than paying claims."
the pillar and Simeon's image. "As far as the station exterior damage is concerned, isn't there a relevant clause in the station's charter that guarantees immedi- ate repairs?"
before Simeon smiled, "Yes, as a matter of feetNemer- gency expenses for maintaining station integrity and saving life and limb are covered under the general sta- tion contract with Lloyd's. We ought to be able to cover everything." "Excellent," Claren said, tapping at his keyboard. "'Nuther li'l thing. Fo' all them drills, Simeon, when we was supposed to know what to do iffen thar was a real one, thar was a mighty lot of folks ended up runnin around like scalded roosters. Ought to be fined, to remind 'em to pay attention." "Fined? Yes, fined! Fine. Good notion, Patsy," Simeon said, "And the longer they've been on station and should know better, the heavier the fine. Pinch a pocket, mark the memory. What bothers me is why didn't they know where they were supposed to be. I call
them N often enough for everyone to know exactly where to go and what to do. Their names are always checked off on the roster, so why the hell were they running around bumping into walls?"
said. "Mos' of us waswhar we shoulda been. And Lord knows, we got-it all done, din we?" Patsy said.
them the benefit of the doubt here," Channa put in. "But perhaps you should keep an eye on the group leaders, in the event that they just automatically check off every name on their list without verifying that everyone is in position and accounted for." "Assign them a buddy," Gus said. "If they're too helpless to know where to go and how to get there, make it a joint responsibility."
disgusted tone. "Joint responsibility! Excellent," Simeon said, "just like B & B teams." The resolution was passed unanimously. "Move that we break for lunch," somebody said. "It's 1300." "Seconded," Channa said. "1 think I need a full stomach to hear what our guests have to say. Spaceflot suggests they've got a fairly lurid set of adventures to tell us. Any objections? Adjourned." A little different from last night, eh Happy? Simeon watched as Channa munched on her thin sandwich. He hoped she was comparing this fare with the feast Mart'an had spread for her. The deck commissary was not up to Perimeter standards, although Gus claimed that they did an acceptable late-night pizza. "So, brief us with what you know, Simeon, about our latest arrivals," Gus said. 144 Anne McCaffrey fcf 5M, Stating Simeon made a throat-clearing sound. "Data base describes 'em as a "tightly knit, religiously oriented group' in origin," he said. "Judaeo-Sufi Buddhist roots."
believe in God?"
went around the table. "Probably worshipping snails and marrying their siblings, or some such genetically stupid custom," Vick- ers said. The station security chief was a short, rather squat woman from New Newfoundland. "Buddhists, you said? No wonder they nearly crashed us. That kind don't know much about mechanical stuff." "Wait, just a precise minute." Doctor Chaundra held up a protesting hand. "To begin with, I saw no medical indications of dangerous inbreeding. They may have looked as if they didn't comprehend directions or our comments, but they were all dazed from their experi- ences. They are needing rest and recuperation, but under that is health. Genetic diversity is low, but there are few recessives. I would hazard that they must have had a good screening program to begin with. The group is above the norm. One or two may have endo- crine behavioral problems from the coldsleep drugs. They administered drugs well beyond their storage lives. The Bethelite leader is a very articulate man, educated and intelligent "Although," he went on, with a slight frown, "he has not been particularly communicative." "Unfortunately, education and intelligence don't always go hand in hand," Simeon commented. "It's not that I've got my heart set on the 'religious fanatics drive the heretics away' scenario, but it does fit the little I've been able to decipher of Guiyon's log. Phrases like, 'Damn rockheaded elders who said immorality and doubt in the young had brought doom'; 'told them
might betray us'; 'escaped as best we could'; and sad- dest of all, 'had to leave some behind to face death.'"
anymore." "Nor am I," Ghannajfcaid grimly. "It's rime to get this from the mouths oftfie horses." Stallion, you mean, Simeon remarked very privately. Amos ben Sierra Nueva was accompanied by the smaller, thickset-man who had been found beside him on the colony ship. Two of Vickers guards were dis- creetly in attendance, more to guide the floatchairs than guard.
unarmed and with no place else to go and nothing to go there in. Station personnel developed a special kind of paranoia as a survival trait: nothing, no one must harm their station. Any station, no matter how state-of-the- art and safety conscious, was totally vulnerable. Had he, in innocence, welcomed aboard terrorists fleeing 'rockheaded' elders? Oddly enough, the presence of Guiyon argued against that possibility.
to the floor, the two strangers looked with impassive expressions at those seated around the table.
very faintly, almost subvocalizing. He focused, upping the gain on his receptors:
myohmy"
Simeon but it did suggest he might have an entirely dif- ferent problem on his hands. However, if Patsy's charms should win Amos, Simeon could relax. Then he caught Channa, glancing surreptitiously at Amos' classic profile, slightly clouded with a worry that only
look exchanged between Amos and Joseph, Simeon wondered hopefully if the short, muscular man was his boyfriend. "Dr. Chaundra says that we mustn't tire you," Simeon said by way of calling the meeting to order, "but we'd appreciate your filling us in on a few details."
denly looked up to the pillar at the head of the table and saw Simeon's synthesized face. So, he knows about shettpeople, bid he's surprised to find one here. "We are grateful for your succor," Amos began for- mally, bowed his head, touching forehead and heart with one hand.
Joseph ben Said." The short man repeated Amos's gesture.
fingers. Simeon read the message. I figure the short one for a hard case.
things that only personal experience could teach. Amos continued speaking, pausing as he sought the appropriate words but gradually becoming more fluent and his blue eyes began to warm with sincerity.
you, in the face of your generosity, of a terrible scourge, a bright evil that flies upon us even now." "A... bright evil?" Channa asked uncertainly. Scourge Evil? Sheesh! Simeon wondered. The archaic syntax made the man sound as stilted as a his- torical holoplay. What's he talking about? Devils So he can blame the whole disaster on the supernatural'? There was a rustle as the others around the table leaned forward. They had expected to hear about something safely in the past, not a new threat to the station. Yesterday's had been more than enough for a long while. THE CTTY WHO FOUGHT 147 "Indeed, lady, you are in grave danger." He caught the blank or startled expressions around the table. "Has Guiyon told you nothing?" he asked desperately.
rigid with shock and grief. He thought better of them for it and pausedto let them recover. "The ship's logs are all but unreadable. Why don't you fill us in?" Simeon suggested quietly.
its smooth light-olive coloring. "But, how is that possible? He wa&a sljellperson, an immortal. Ah, perhaps that is why we are not at Rigel Base or some other Central Worlds facility where we thought to seek assistance."
and many light years from Rigel Base." "How can an immortal die?" Joseph asked softly, suppliant as he spread his hands wide in his lap. "The feeder lines to his nutrient sources had sheared off and, as there was no backup ..." Simeon trailed off and both Bethelites bowed their heads a moment, honoring the dead. "Considering the state of that truly ancient vessel of yours, he did well to get you this for." Amos glanced at his companion. The other man's hard blocky face was drawn, and he nodded his head slowly twice, as if encouraging. Amos hesitated, cleared his throat and, throwing his chin up, spoke directly to Simeon.
have been truly desperate. Can you defend yourselves?" "Well, we fended off your out-of-control ship pretty successfully," Simeon replied. "What did you have in mind?"
armrests of the chair. His eyes took on a fierce glow. "I will tell you," he said passionately, sweeping a look at those around the table. "We of Bethel are a peaceful 148 Anne MtCaffrey &f 5M. Stating people." His fists met and clenched. "Virtually a defenseless people." His mouth twisted in pain. "We were attacked from the skies above our peaceful planet. I do not know how you countthe hours in a day or the days of a week, a month or a yegr. I do not know how long we were unconscious in the Sleep. We fled our home world for four periods of twenty-five hours before I took the drug. Just before I did, Guiyon told me that he thought we would have a solid five days' lead. So nine days of twenty-five hoursNtwo hundred and twenty-five hours."
Patsy asked. Looking over at her expressionlessly, he nodded slowly.
ized from the Survey Service data base.
Exodus," Amos said bleakly, watching the slow rotation on die screen. "Our capital city was there," and pointed to where two large rivers flowed into a bay. "Keriss, we called it. The place where the Pilgrims landed and erected our Temple. The Kolnari. . ." He broke, squeezing his eyes dosed, his face a mask of pain.
computer begin its work. Tlien he felt a mental lurch as he reviewed what Amos had said. The city of Keriss was there:.past tense. Gus caught it as well, his pupils widening.
was saying, his face wiped dear of any emotion. "By sneak attack, they disabled our orbital habitats, our communications, everything we might have used to call help."
tightly the knuckles showed white. "Tne Council of Elders convened," he said. His lips tightened. "They
increasing immorality of the younger generation. Mel" He stabbed himself in the breast with his fingers, "And those like me, who only wanted a little more freedom, who only wanted to have answers to reasonable quCstiDnsAThey would not listen to me N even though I am a male descendent, in the Prophet's own line." _- Locked in bitter memory, Amos did not notice the surprise his words generated. Yüklə 2,81 Mb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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