[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
momentary altercation and brought the four Linyaari together in at least
Page 121
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
superficial unity-for Acorna unconsciously moved to stand with her kinsfolk as
they drew closer together.
When "Admiral" Ikwaskwan boarded the Haven, Calum understood why he had not
been afraid to negotiate on Rafik s turf. He was accompanied by a squad of
mercenaries in dark gray uniforms, .each man visibly armed and alert. Calum
noticed that some of them wore one red bangle on the left wrist, others two or
even three, while Ikwaskwan himself was bare-armed. Some kind of rank symbol?
Nadhari would know; he wished he had asked her before the Red Bracelets came
aboard. Perhaps Rafik already knew.
Nor was the bodyguard Ikwaskwan's only protection; his first words-he
dispensed with the time-wasting formalities of greetings and
introductions-made it clear that his flagship had weapons trained on the Haven
and that at least one member of his bodyguard carried a fully armed tungsten
bomb.
Rafik smoothly agreed that it was desirable to take all possible precautions
when visiting, mentioned with a deprecating smile that the Haven was itself
not without weaponry both offensive and defensive, and said that he personally
would deeply deplore any dissension which should cause injury to their honored
ally.
(Meli, are you sure these "humans" are on our side?)
(No . . . but at least they are not Khieevi.)
(That is beginning to seem less and less of a recommendation. Like us in form,
perhaps, but hardly in ethics.)
(That may not be entirely a bad thing. If they meet their friends with weapons
in both hands, what do you suppose they do to their enemies?)
(Thaninye, you have abominable taste. Besides, if they are so suspicious, they
will likely destroy one another before the Khieevi even arrive.)
The Linyaari continued their internal debate. Acorna listened, wanting to cry
out in defense of her friends, but also concerned that her newfound kinfolk
would think her, too, a warlike barbarian. If only Neeva were there! Acorna
longed for her aunt's wisdom and acceptance.
Once the opening dance of establishing ascendance was over, with neither side
a clear winner, Ikwaskwan demanded to know exactly what additional
compensation would be granted his troops for the service of ferrying dirt
farmers from one planet to another.
Rafik cleared his throat and prepared to equivocate to the best of his not
inconsiderable ability; but before he could speak, Nadhan Kando sauntered out
from her semiconcealed position behind the group of tall Linyaari.
"Hi, there, Ikki," she said, her usual gravelly drawl muted to an almost husky
tone, "it's been a long time."
Not long enough! was written on Ikwaskwan's bony face at sight of Nadhari, but
he had too much self-control to voice the feelings. "Nadhari Kando. I had
heard you were dead."
"The rumors were gravely exaggerated," replied Nadhari without cracking a
smile. "But since we appear to be on the same side again, Ikki, I hope you are
a little better at carrying through your plans now than you were then."
"I could hardly be worse," Ikwaskwan muttered, as if to himself. "How did you
. . . never mind. So you're doing securityguard work now, Nadhi?" His scornful
tone made it clear he thought she had come down in the world.
"I am under contract to the House of-Li," Nadhari said without blinking, "as
are you and your troops, Ikki. Tell me, did M'on Na'ntaw ever hear what became
of that credit exchange from Theloi?"
Ikwaskwan licked suddenly dry lips. Nadhari waited patiently, thumbs hooked
into her belt, one knee slightly bent toward the man she called "Ikki."
"Or did the data get lost when his second-in-command was assassinated?"
Nadhari prodded. "Remember? Everybody thought it was counterrevolutionaries,
but no one could explain how they'd gotten hold of the plans for our camp.
Very clever of them to go straight to Skomitin's tent and back out again
Page 122
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
without getting caught, wasn't it?"
"So delightful to talk over old times," Ikwaskwan said with a tight-lipped
smile that did not reach his eyes. "We must have another little chat some
time, Nadhi dear, but just now I am needed at my own bridge. Rafik Nadezda has
indicated that there is some urgency about this little population transfer,
and you know my feelings on honoring the wishes of the client."
"I certainly do," Nadhari agreed. Her own smile was echoed in her wickedly
glinting dark eyes. "So does E'kosi Tahka'yaw . . . oh, no, I should say, he
did know, did he not?"
"Later, later," Ikwaskwan mumbled. "Must return to the Ta 'ani)i now. Nadezda,
have the goodness to transmit orders and location of the targeted system, also
a map of the settlements to be evacuated here on Rushima."
Rafik nodded, stern and unsmiling. "All necessary data shall be at your
disposal. . . Admiral."
Not until the closing of the outer ports indicated that Ikwaskwan and his
bodyguard were physically off the Haven and on their way by shuttle back to
the flagship did he allow himself a long sigh of relief.
"Nadhari-" he began, but the quiet woman had vanished.
"Who were those people she was talking about?" Gill asked.
Calum shook his head. "Never heard of 'em. Meant something to Ikwaskwan,
though. Ikki?"
"I don't," Rafik said gravely, "believe I want to ask. We owe her, though . ..
and I'd better get busy transmitting those orders!"
(See, Khaari? These humans aren't so bad after all. They settled everything
quite amicably.)
(It must be that a pretense offeree is part of their greeting ritual,)
Thariinye suggested. (You know, like a singing-fuzzy erecting his tail spines
when he's courting.)
(Isn't it nice that the Admiral met an old friend on board this ship?)
(But who'd have guessed it? Nadhari is such a sweet, gentle girl, how do you
suppose she got to be friends with a professional fighter?)
Acorna listened to this exchange and once again decided not to say anything,
either out loud or mentally. Her kinfolk seemed to have totally missed the
point of that tense, threatening conversation; but why disturb them, if they
were happy with their own interpretation?
fourteen
Riuhlma, Unified Federation Date JJ^. 05.26
If some of the Red Bracelets were offended at being ????????? I assigned to
evacuate settlers rather than to strictly military tasks, two of the newest
officers were complacent at the prospect. Ed Minkus and Des Smirnoff joined in
the grumbles of their unit but then Smirnoff, in a surprising volte-face,
volunteered himself and Minkus to pilot one of the shuttles that was to be
sent to outlying areas. Although most of the small settlements on Rushima
consisted of clusters of homes and storage sheds along the single primitive
road that snaked through the eastern part of the main continent, there were
always those individualists who desired privacy, unspoiled territory, or
simply the chance to acquire a larger grant of land in compensation for
developing areas far from existing transport. Some of these settlers might not
be able to get to the collection points currently being specified by
continentwide emergency broadcasts on the hastily replaced com-sat equipment.
Others might not even hear the 'casts since their equipment might be down or
damaged. Some individualists were prone to turning off their com systems for
weeks at a time. Ikwaskwan reluctantly agreed to send a few low-flying
shuttles to seek out stragglers, although he was adamant that all his people
should be back at their stations well before the ETA of the Khieevi force.
"You crazy, Des?" Ed Minkus grumbled as they prepared to board the shuttle
Page 123
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
assigned them. "Never volunteer for anything, that's what you told me was the
first principle of surviving in this outfit."
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]