“Apparently, someone got into his quarters last night and turned off his alarm.” John’s answer was an accusation. The silence told him the culprit was not alone. In thought if not in deed. Since the point had been made, John had decided to extend it. “He’ll be along later. I’ve got him doing some work for me.”
Keeping Humphries at the helm might make them change their minds. However, he was not willing to put anyone at risk to prove it. Actually, he had given Giacomo the morning off. He had seen the warning signs from the crew and had been waiting for someone to act on it.
Giacomo was always punctual. When he hadn’t arrived for duty, John retreated to the privacy of his office to find out why. The poor man had still been asleep. He awoke in a panic, would be there immediately, he promised. John told him to wait, a small smile slowly crept over his face while he thought.
“Take the morning off,” John had insisted, stifling all Giacomo’s protests. “Leave them to me. Just stay on call.”
Humphries’ flying was different. It shouldn’t have been. It was not as if he was on manual control. It was probably more the fact that the regular routine had been changed, added to the slight touch of guilt.
“Asteroid field coming up,” Humphries announced. “Sir,” was an added afterthought. “Changing course –”
“Go through it,” John ordered.
“What!” Humphries exclaimed.
“You need the practice.” John could barely keep a straight face as the sideways glances came from the rest of the crew. “According to reports, you’ve avoided every obstacle you’ve come to.”
“I’m not stupid enough to deliberately go through an asteroid field if I can avoid it.”
“And I am?”
The accusation had not been implied but it could very well have been. His own command had begun to go to Humphries’ head and it was about time he was pulled back into line along with the rest of them.
“No, sir.” There was no hesitation this time.
“Then I don’t see that we have a problem.”
Humphries reluctantly ploughed through the field. There was nothing large enough to cause them any problems that couldn’t be easily avoided. Some smaller pieces shattered on impact. The shields held up and no damage was sustained. Occasionally, one struck with such force of speed that the ship was pushed from its course. The controls slipped from under Humphries’ hands and they were buffeted around while he struggled to regain it.
McReidy’s glare and low mutterings indicated she was tempted to ‘accidentally’ bump Humphries from his seat and take over herself. John barely hid his smirk.
“Sick bay to bridge,” Dunlop grumbled over the intercom. “What do you think you’re doing up there? Some of us are trying to work.”
“We seem to have run into an asteroid field,” John answered innocently. “We should be out in a little while.”
“Next time, how about a warning if my patients are about to get thrown out of their beds.”
Half an hour later and they were through. As they reached clear space, the ship stopped vibrating. The crew didn’t. It would take a little longer for their bodies to return to normal. John likened it to swimming in the surf all day when you could still feel the rocking all night.
“Manados coming up,” McReidy reported.
She had caught John by surprise. Cutting through the asteroid field had taken hours off their schedule. At his failure to acknowledge, she turned around to face him.
“What’s wrong?”
“They don’t particularly like me down there.” He flinched at the uneasy admission.
“What did you do to them?” she demanded, her voice raised slightly.
“Nothing.” John defended himself. “They’re telepaths and I won’t let them read my mind.”
“How do you stop them?” was the question that filled everyone’s mind. Most telepaths anyone had come across could read minds undetected. It was only with respect that they chose not to.
“You’re in charge of the landing party,” John told McReidy. “Take Gillespie… You stay where you are!” He pointed at Humphries who was ready to jump at the chance. “Dunlop, he’ll be fascinated by them, and pick up Giacomo on your way. He’s in cartography.” Well, he would be by the time they got there. “Make contact. I’m off the bridge.”
John vacated his chair and left the bridge.
McReidy took his chair. It must be serious if he didn’t want his presence known, and she was well aware of how easily he could aggravate someone. It took her a moment to compose herself. The thought of telepaths made her uneasy. There were certain thoughts she wished to remain private.
“Open a channel, Mister Tan,” she instructed.
“Channel open.”
“This is Lieutenant Commander McReidy of the Earth ship Bismarck, calling Manados Central.”
“Greetings, Lieutenant Commander.” The main screen came on. “This is Manados Central. I am Governor Cush… You are early. We did not expect you so soon.”
Blue eyes pierced through McReidy’s as though they could penetrate to her very soul. She was not aware of any other physical features of the man who spoke to her. “We cut through the asteroid field,” she found herself explaining.
“Explanations are not necessary. You are here, that is what matters.” The voice was genuine. Not particularly friendly, but a welcome change from the contempt they were becoming used to. “We will be pleased to receive your landing party to discuss the proposals we have received.”
“Thank you. We will be down shortly. Bismarck out.”
It was only after the screen went blank that McReidy realised how much like John her response had been. It was automatic. Her thoughts had not been her own since those eyes captured her. She would have to be careful.
She flicked the intercom. “Commander, we’re on our way. It’ll take a few minutes to pick up the others.”
“Fine. Let me know when you’re ready to transport down.”
* * *
John was back on the bridge before the landing party was ready to leave. “Keep your minds on your job,” was the only advice he gave. McReidy would no doubt have told them of his lack of popularity and to keep his name and all thoughts of him out of their encounter.
Manadosians were an extremely intelligent people. The placement of a watching station on their largest moon was of great strategic importance to all concerned. They were on the galaxy’s side of the border: a point that hadn’t shifted since it had been established several months ago. John felt confident in McReidy’s ability to handle the negotiations. There was enough leeway for both sides to make concessions.
For the first few hours, McReidy was able to concentrate on her job. She was fully focused, taking in very little around her. She had vague perceptions of artwork on the walls of the boardroom, but hadn’t even glanced at it.
Every now and then, she felt Cush’s presence inside her head. As she became aware of the intrusions, he retreated, choosing the times when her body language told him she was vulnerable.
She was getting tired; it became harder to concentrate. As she looked at her list, there were three more points to be negotiated. She felt Cush again. A foreign presence in her head, probing at her hidden thoughts. She glared at him. The blue eyes pierced back through her, but he retreated.
Gillespie was not much help. Morally, he was there. Academically, he knew as much as she did, but he was an outsider in the battle of wills that was going on.
Cush was a skilful negotiator; two associates on his side of the table having no input in the discussions. He’d make a good card player. That thought brought a curious glance. Gillespie smiled to himself. How could one play cards, when everyone could read each other’s hands?
It was Cush who decided to end negotiations for the day.
“I need some air.” He rose to his feet and strode around the table to McReidy. “Walk with me, Lieutenant Commander.”
McReidy turned anxiously to Gillespie, who had no verbal answer.
“Your companion agrees with me,” Cush confirmed.
Gillespie had thought they all needed a break, but he wouldn’t have gone that far. He was beginning to feel tired and hungry.
“It is getting late,” Cush agreed. “You will, of course, dine with us. Your companions…” He was still for a moment as he thought. “Ah, yes… there they are.”
He turned to one of his associates. McReidy and Gillespie were not privy to the telepathic conversation. The other nodded slightly. Cush turned away.
“Shall we?” he asked McReidy.
She had no choice. She had no control over her thoughts, didn’t dare try to sort out her feelings. No wonder John didn’t get on well with them. With his temper… She was horrified as the small smile on Cush’s face revealed his knowledge. She had to think of something safe.
A gentle breeze reached them as they stepped outside. It felt cool on McReidy’s face and she closed her eyes for a moment to let it refresh her.
“It tends to become stuffy inside. It is more soothing out here.” Cush’s voice was gentle, the razor sharp edge of the negotiator gone.
McReidy, now more relaxed, began to see him properly for the first time. He was a little taller then her, with long fair hair kept neatly in a ponytail. The blue eyes were a characteristic of his race – that much she had noticed earlier. He wore a full length cloak that brushed the ground, giving the illusion that he floated rather than walked. His hands were clasped neatly in front of his stomach, his elbows bent.
She allowed her mind to wander, wondering what he looked like beneath that cloak. On, no…! How could she have such a thought? One look at his face told her he had caught her.
“You have a very active imagination,” he told her, unable to hide his pleasure. His eyes twinkled.
She looked away, the heat of embarrassment beginning to flood through her. She hadn’t meant… that! There was no point in trying to explain it to herself when he was standing beside her. She raised her hand to her forehead, trying desperately to clear her mind. Anything… anything at all to distract her.
Cush allowed her time to compose herself. He had learnt more from her in the few minutes they had been outside than he had during their hours of negotiation.
The building in front of her, she decided. That would do. She studied it… carefully. The design was familiar, reminiscent of the Ancient Greek architecture she had studied at school. The sharp lines and geometric symmetry, the columns and pillars carefully cut to look perfect.
Suddenly overcome by an unsolved query that had plagued her since her schooldays, she crossed the street to the nearest column. It towered above her. She looked up, her careful scrutiny not quite able to confirm an answer. Climbing up onto the pedestal, she gauged its dimensions with her hands, measuring its width around. Tilting her head to one side, she placed her cheek flat against the column and closed one eye as she looked up its length. She smiled as she saw the outward curve that didn’t allow her to see to the top of the column.
“It is curved,” she smiled to herself.
Cush was impressed. “You see through the illusion to the truth beneath.”
“When I know what to look for.”
Cush offered McReidy his hand. She took it and jumped down beside him. As she straightened up, he released her. “Tell me about yourself.”
Why, what don’t you already know, she wondered.
“There’s not much to tell,” she answered, pulling her thoughts back under control.
“You seem rather young to be in charge of a starship.”
It was almost a question, carefully voiced to keep her off her guard.
“And…” He deliberately didn’t finish.
And female, she guessed. That struck a raw nerve.
“I didn’t say that,” he cut sharply into her thoughts. “What I was going to say, and I don’t mean to offend you…”
That much, she felt was true. Neither wished to damage their fledgling relationship.
“Is that you are not of a rank superior enough to be in command.”
“The captain was killed a while ago in a mining accident. As yet, he has not been replaced,” she truthfully answered.
Cush accepted it as the truth. Still, he did not seem satisfied. He stepped around in front of McReidy, blocking her path. His eyes were almost hypnotic as he searched hers, trying to sort through the jumble of thoughts that were racing through her mind.
“Your thoughts betray you.” His voice was quietly confident. “Who is… he?” He confirmed his earlier suspicions.
John, was the one word that shot through her mind. So clear, she was convinced the entire planet picked it up.
“Yes… John,” Cush nodded.
McReidy knew it was no use to try to deny him. She had no power to control her own thoughts.
“Commander John Madison,” she answered in a defeated tone. “He has temporary command of the ship until the captain is replaced.”
“That explains everything. Please forgive my persistence –”
No, she wouldn’t.
Cush chose to ignore her thought and continued without pausing. “On a matter as important as this, I would have expected the most superior officer to be present during all negotiations. Considering our past history,” he couldn’t keep the hint of antagonism out of his voice, “I can see why he is reluctant. He has chosen wisely in you. You are very capable.”
The comment was taken with the respect with which it was given.
“However, as the superior officer, I expect his presence.”
“I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”
“I will not continue negotiations until he is here. In fact, if he is not here within half of one hour, I will cancel the entire proposal.”
The tone turned hostile. The mention of John’s name was enough to do that to some people. Cush, it appeared, was every bit as stubborn and pigheaded. No wonder they didn’t get on.
“Yes, I am stubborn.” The lightness returned to his voice. “You may contact your ship.” He backed away, allowing her her space.
McReidy switched on her communicator. “McReidy to Bismarck,” she began tentatively.
“Humphries here.”
“I need to speak to the commander.”
John frowned and shook his head as Humphries turned to him for advice. “You handle it,” he whispered. He rubbed his chin. Something must be wrong for McReidy to be contacting him directly.
“Humphries here,” Humphries repeated, unsure what else to say.
“Put the commander on,” she hissed.
“What is your problem, Lieutenant Commander?” Humphries continued.
“At the moment, you are! Now you put him on or so help me, the next time we go through an asteroid field, you’ll be doing it from the outside of the ship!” A threat she would more than likely be tempted to carry out, considering their experience earlier that day.
John sighed; Humphries was completely lost for words. “You really have no idea how to handle women.”
It was not meant to be critical, but it was a comment better left alone.
“Put her through… Commander here. What seems to be the problem?”
“I think you should come down here.”
“Negative.” John’s mind had been made up hours ago. He saw no need to change it now.
“Then I should tell you that Governor Cush will cancel all negotiations if you are not here in –”
“Twenty six minutes,” Cush finished.
“Twenty six minutes,” McReidy repeated.
She misheard John’s response – she hoped she misheard it. At least Giacomo had the decency not to swear in English. There was a short silence.
“I’m on my way down,” John answered at last.
McReidy was apologetic to John when he materialised, wanting to get in first to explain before he started. “I’m sorry, sir. I couldn’t help it –”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault,” he a
ssured her, his glare cutting through Cush. He knew she was completely blameless.
“Commander Madison.” There was an antagonistic edge to Cush’s voice.
“Governor Cush.” It was returned.
“I am glad you decided to see things my way.”
“I didn’t have much choice.”
There was no mistaking the conflict between the two men. Each one was as stubborn as the other. Cush could not penetrate beyond the blank wall John put up. A distinct disadvantage he didn’t like to be at.
“Since I am here, I suggest that we continue where you left off this afternoon.”
“You should not have sent the Lieutenant Commander,” Cush fired back.
“I have confidence in her ability to reach a satisfactory agreement.”
“It was your responsibility.” Cush was insistent.
“And we would have spent the entire afternoon at each other like we are now.”
John waited for an answer. Cush didn’t have a verbal response.
“Get out of my head!” John demanded, shaking his head slightly. “And stay out of hers. You’ve worn her out. Can’t you see she’s completely exhausted?”
Both men looked to McReidy. John with a look of genuine concern for her wellbeing, Cush as though he was beginning to see the affect his constant probing had on her.
McReidy was emotionally tired. She wanted her own thoughts back to herself. She wanted to close her eyes and sleep. Alone, without the constant presence of anyone else.
Cush could see this, but he could not bring himself to agree with John. “You use whatever methods you have to find out as much as you can about other races. I use what I have.”
It was John’s turn to be silent. Cush’s statement was true, he knew that.
“I have had discussions with your Earth ambassador. He becomes very defensive when your name is mentioned. He also has the power to block me out.”
Cush was fishing. John would not give him the satisfaction.
“Of course,” Cush relaxed slightly. “That makes everything much clearer.”
John didn’t have to be able to read minds to know that McReidy had given that snippet of information away. His relationship with Mark held many mysteries. Some of which even he couldn’t fathom. The exasperated frown he gave her was not indicative of his mood. Not towards her anyway.
When the Dust Settled Page 26
