“They don’t seem happy about it,” my sister remarked.
“I must agree with you,” I said, as one snarled and lunged toward us, only stopping because it couldn’t throw itself through solid metal. Or, at least, I fervently hoped not. “I wonder why they did come.”
“Ask them,” Nell suggested.
“No, thank you! I’ll see if I can persuade Nalney to do it.” Nell and I exchanged mischievous glances. For all our differences, we were at heart kindred spirits.
We were lounging in our chosen enclosure in the glorious atrium when five Zang appeared out of nowhere. I had read the term “out of nowhere” many times in works of literature, but it had always sounded like nonsense to me. One must be somewhere. In the case of the proponents of the Elder Race, I had to revise my notion. One moment they were not there, and the next, they were. Even better, Laine was in their company. I sprang up to greet her. She wore a floor-length caftan in a poison green with ruby red highlights and the same plain desert boots she had had on when we first met. Her long hair was pulled back into a simple braid and tied with windings of the same jewel red. I watched her with fascination as she strode toward me. Her costume contrasted sharply with those of my female cousins, who wore the most diaphanous of gowns, yet she still exuded an irresistible pull. I had never before associated scholarliness with sensuality, but Dr. Derrida embodied both without seeming to create a contradiction.
She came to my arms and we embraced. Her clothes and skin felt cold through my thin garment. I did my best to warm her, though she didn’t seem bothered by the temperature.
“We’ve missed you,” I said.
“I’ve missed you, too!” she whispered. We shared a secret look that thrilled me deeply.
“Where have you been?”
“Out taking a look at the planet,” she said, this time aloud. Her voice still fell shockingly on the ears, but I was so delighted to be reunited with her that I didn’t mind. “Have you met the Zang yet?”
“Only Proton,” I said, turning to the gleaming pillars with a smile.
“Oh, let me introduce you!” she exclaimed. My relatives gathered around us. Nalney wielded his viewpad to take images. Laine, unlike so many of my previous cheres amies, had no trouble in remembering each of my cousins’ names, multiple surnames and all. She reeled them off to the Zang in a performance that was noteworthy enough to cause my relatives to burst into spontaneous applause at its conclusion. “And these are One Zang, Charm Zang, Zang Quark and Low Zang. You already know Proton.” We bowed to them.
I surveyed the group with open curiosity. Zang were as uniform in appearance in much the same way as humans, or Wichu, or Uctu. That was to say, possessed of similar characteristics which allowed one to say, “Yes, that is a Zang.” Otherwise, they didn’t look at all alike. Together in a group as large as five, I could discern subtle differences between them. One was slightly taller than the rest. Another had a bluer cast of skin, or hide, or exoskeleton. A third had the widest base. All of them had large oval eyes but no other apparent orifice, limb or organ. They looked like mobile cliffsides or mesas such as we had on Keinolt, the difference being that the Zang moved, and the cliffs did not. Both cliffs and Zang had the air of having existed forever.
No xenobiologist or anthropologist had sufficient data on the Zang to determine how many of them there were. No images existed of either offspring or elderly members of the race. Having five in one place was an event in itself.
“Welcome,” Xan said, taking the lead as he frequently did. “Thank you for allowing us to view the … event. We are all looking forward to it.”
We waited briefly for some kind of acknowledgement, but none was forthcoming.
“Sorry,” Laine said. “Proton’s usually the only one who pays attention to us ephemerals. Low Zang,” she tilted her head toward the smallest of the pillarlike aliens, “noticed the Kail. That was pretty unusual.”
“Where are the Kail?” I asked, glancing around. “We have had the great good fortune not to have to speak to any of them since our arrival.”
“Back there,” Laine said, gesturing back through the center toward the part of the platform that had been walled off. “They’re not happy with me right now.”
The Zang appeared to confer among themselves. In a moment, they glided off toward the center reservation, moving through walls, pergolas and whatever other obstructions lay in their path. Laine watched them go, then turned back to me.
“How long until the event, in your estimation?” I asked her. Her small face assumed a delightfully thoughtful expression.
“Well, based on the times I’ve seen it, I’d say about a week. It might be sooner or later. It’s hard to tell. I don’t know Low Zang. It’s new to the group.” She dropped her voice, and the others leaned close to listen, risking pierced eardrums if she raised it. “I think it’s nervous. This might be its first time leading a removal.”
“So this is an occasion,” Xan said. “Do they celebrate in some way?”
“Not in any way that we’d notice,” Laine said, with a little shake of her head. “But if Low Zang really becomes a member of the group, that’s important. The Zang are solitary most of the time, like Proton. This is the only activity I know of that brings them together. I’ll be giving lectures all week long, so if you think anything else you want to know, please ask me then. I am happy to tell you anything you want now, but other attendees might get a lot out of hearing the answers to your questions.”
“I understand,” Xan said. “We look forward to the hour.”
He bowed over her hand. She reddened becomingly. I came over and gathered her hands in mine. We looked into one another’s eyes. I opened my mouth to speak, when a tendril of power smacked into the side of my head. Laine let out a shrill laugh.
“I’d better go. They want me.”
“Your departure desolates us,” I said. She giggled again.
She sauntered away. I fetched a hearty sigh. I had read a good deal about the mating habits of birds while immersed in a previous enthusiasm. I was tempted to dust off and review the digitavids in my collection to see if there was a dance I could adapt to draw her attention away from her studies. Surely I, a noble and a member of the Imperium family, was of more interest than the Zang!
“Well, that’s not much of an answer,” Nalney said. “Days or hours?”
“For the experience of a lifetime, how long would you wait?” Rillion asked.
CHAPTER 34
However reticent the Trade Union officers might have been about contact with their Imperium hosts, their staff went out of their way to entertain us and keep us busy. We viewed digitavids and lectures including a few of Laine’s, participated in contests, cooking and wine exhibitions, mixers and individual events. Erita came back from a massage session raving about an LAI therapist. I vowed to make an appointment. Anything that could move my usually lugubrious cousin to raptures must have been something unique.
The Zang did not remain in their round chamber. They drifted here and there throughout the platform. The vibration that had been a mere tremor upon our arrival had grown ever stronger, until it was nearly audible. We lay on our couches and divans in our little garden, staring up at the doomed planetoid. I fancied that I could see lights circling it now and then. Did it realize what was about to happen?
Now and again I would see Laine trailing after Proton Zang and its colleagues across the platform. Once in a while it would allow her to wander on her own, but most of the time she remained by its side. I had come up with various little dances to amuse her, but as I had given Parsons my word not to do any where the Zang could see them, I writhed in artistic frustration.
“You shouldn’t have to keep them to yourself,” Nell said. I had given various excuses for not performing my rage dance or any of the other evocations that I had composed, in case any of the Zang should wander by.
“I … I don’t feel the time is right,” I said.
“Well, that’s a change,�
�� Nell said, with an odd look at me. “All the way here, we couldn’t keep you dancing your feet off.”
“I know, but Art is a fickle mistress. She does not want me to evoke, but to gather impressions.”
“Well, all right,” Nell said. “How about if you wait until after the spectacle, then do a dance for us based on what you felt about it? I mean, once it’s over, there’s nothing new left to absorb, wouldn’t you say?”
Once the Zang had finished their destruction, the chances were great that they would depart. After that, my promise to Parsons would no longer be in force.
“That is a marvelous idea,” I said, giving Nell a brotherly hug, for which I received a sisterly poke in the ribs. “I shall dedicate it to you and Dr. Derrida.”
At that moment, the vibrations increased enormously.
On the settee opposite, Erita and Sinim clutched one another in alarm.
“What was that?” Sinim asked, plaintively.
“The energy has intensified,” Xan said, in an ominous voice. The platform fell silent as everyone looked toward the dome. The planet in the distance seemed to be vibrating visibly.
“Are we in danger?” Erita asked.
I spotted a familiar silver glow emerging from among the potted plants and pergolas. The five Zang floated toward us. I spotted the tiny figure of Laine among them. To my surprise, behind her were the three Kail that had been on the Jaunter.
“What are they doing here?” Nalney asked, eying them nervously.
“I don’t know.” I rose from my place and went to meet Laine. She smiled up at me.
“The energy seems to have risen,” I said.
“Yes,” Laine said. “Low Zang is getting very nervous. I think that the spectacle is imminent.”
“Marvelous!” I said. I gestured hospitably to the circle of couches. Jil scooted over to make room. “Will you watch it with us?”
“I can’t stay here,” Laine said, with an apologetic grimace. “Proton wants me close by. But you can watch it with me, from the center of the platform.”
“I would be honored,” I said. “My cousins will die of envy, of course. When will it take place?”
“I think it’s today or tomorrow,” Laine said. She paused as though to listen. “That feels about right.”
“Forgive my curiosity, but … ?” I nodded toward the Kail.
Laine gave a helpless shrug. “Low Zang seems to like them. It wants them to be on the platform, too.”
“Well, then, I will certainly attend, if only to keep the creatures away from you,” I said.
She smiled. “That’s sweet, but they won’t bother me. They haven’t said a word to me. Proton sees to that.” A rumble seemed to pass through the entire structure of the vessel, centering on the Zang. They moved away again. “I’d better go.” She let her hand slip out of mine. I remained where I was, seeing her draw away from me. I felt inutterably sad.
“Then, we have between a day and two days,” Jil said, with growing enthusiasm. “I think we should begin the party now! We can celebrate right up until the very moment of destruction! Won’t that be memorable?”
“If we can remember it,” Nalney said.
“Well, you’ve been recording it steadily,” Erita said, gesturing at his ever-present pocket secretary. “We can watch your vids if we render ourselves senseless. But I have no intention of overindulging. This is too marvelous an opportunity!”
“I have some delicious treats that I have saved for our party,” Nell said, taking her pocket secretary in hand. “I’ll have my valet bring them up.”
“I’ve composed a poem,” Nalney said. We all looked at him. “Well, Thomas, you’re not the only only one in the family with talent.”
“And I,” Erita said, “have written a song. It’s to someone else’s tune, but it’s my song!”
“Well done, Erita!” Xan cheered.
My heart, which had been desolated with Laine’s departure, filled up again with delight.
“Very well, I shall perform,” I said. “And I have delicacies to offer you all.”
“Let’s not bring everything out at once,” Leonat said. “Let’s arrange things in courses. One surprise after another.”
“That is a wonderful idea,” I said. I rose.
If I was not going to be permitted to perform for the Zang, I intended to change into the handsome Starburst outfit that I had bought for them and offer the dance as a gift to my sister and relatives at the conclusion of the event. I felt certain that they would be as impressed by it as they were by the destruction of a fairly nondescript planetoid.
But I realized, when I sent for my valet, that the costume itself was not on the platform. It was in my cabin aboard the Imperium Jaunter. I looked up at the shivering orb in the sky. There ought to be enough time to get it.
I headed for the lift.
“Where are you going?” Nell called. I turned back. My relatives had huddled in a planning session.
“I have to get a few things from the Jaunter,” I said. “I will see you later.”
“Hurry back!” Nalney said, with a lazy wave. “Dr. Derrida said it could start at any time.”
“I know,” I said. Eagerness made my steps bounce. I looked forward to performing my composition. I hoped that Laine would be able to attend it and would enjoy it. It was the least I could do to show my affection for her.
At the lifts, I ran into Madame Deirdre. She and our other supernumeraries had been freed to enjoy themselves as they pleased, pending the spectacle and our subsequent departure homeward. They occupied a set of couches adjacent to ours, among a party of merchants from Leo’s Star. It had become a merry band.
She emerged from a car with a couple of men upon whom Jil had bestowed some of her many favors. They had been taking dance lessons from Deirdre on the side, no doubt to impress my fickle cousin. Deirdre patted one of them on the arm.
“Go on,” she said. “I’ll catch up with you. Where are you going, Lord Thomas?”
“I’m going back to get my Starburst costume,” I said. “I’m going to do my Zang dance for my cousins at the conclusion of the spectacle. Will you rehearse with me?”
“If there’s time,” she said.
“Thank you,” I said. “See you in a short while!”
With the spectacle set to begin fairly shortly, the flow of traffic into the platform far outweighed that which was outbound. Everyone else seemed to have brought everything that they wanted to the platform on their first trip. I thought I had: clothes and costumes, not to mention gifts and treats that I intended to give my cousins at the party, a lovely little necklace that I had bought for my mother, but now planned to give Laine. Luckily, shuttles lay empty at nearly all the departure points. I begged a lift on the first one I saw, and was granted immediate access. A securitybot, armed to the gears, accompanied me into the small craft. It kept all circuits open until we had launched safely.
CHAPTER 35
The transit wasn’t a long one, but the small ship bucked and writhed as if it was a seagoing barque. The energy that the Zang employed in their art form was building up, disrupting even deep space. Our platform was made to absorb the waves of power so we did not notice them. The small ship, and probably the Jaunter, had not. I was thrown about for the first few moments of the trip, then I picked up on the rhythm of the waves. Thereafter, I had no trouble balancing against them. Laine had said they would get faster and stronger the closer we came to the spectacle. To me, that added to the intensity of the event. I planned to incorporate the increasing rapidity in my performance.
I made my lonely way to the private lift to the nobles’ quarters. Even the spectacle of a planet being reduced to particles wasn’t enough to lighten my spirits.
I stepped toward the door of my suite. It hesitated before it opened. I made a mental note to tell Anna to inform the maintenance system of the flaw.
An odd aroma reminiscent of the outdoors excited my notice as I entered. I didn’t believe that I had brough
t a cologne or scented product like it with me. Before I could remark upon the puzzle any further, a hand grasped me about the neck and yanked me backward.
In earlier days, I would have ended up flat on my back in an undignified manner, but years of anticipating such pranks by my cousins, particularly Xan, I had taken up a number of martial arts. Those had cut down on pratfalls and bruises, and my new rapid response time had given Xan something to think about in those playful ambushes and skirmishes. Those skills were honed further during our two years at the Naval Academy, and since becoming involved with Parsons and the assignments given us by the mysterious Mr. Frank, those skills had been ground to a fine point verging upon singularity. I used the momentum created by falling toward the floor and gathered my knees to my chest. I continued the backward roll over the arm of my assailant and came up on my feet. My hands, which could not be classified as the deadliest of weapons but were still capable of defending against all but missile weapons, were half-cupped to deal the fiercest of blows. I prepared to go on the offensive.
Instead of going on guard himself, my attacker fell into a relaxed attitude. He applauded and laughed.
“Well done, Thomas!” said Uncle Laurence. “You’ve been training!”
I felt my jaw drop agape as if I beheld a specter. Yet the dimensions and lineaments were familiar as, I might say, my own face, for we rather resembled one another. Laurence Millais Yan Fitzhugh Kinago was within a millimeter or two of my own lofty height, and had as broad a shoulder. He had the same strong jaw and high cheekbones, the same wide-set eyes, and indeed the same straight, patrician nose as I did. I had learned not very long ago that the shape had a tendency to inspire loyalty and obedience. I knew that in Uncle Laurence’s case, at least, it provoked sighs of longing from the female population and not a small number of the male. Like Lionelle, he had thick, shining, almost black hair and sapphire blue eyes, whereas mine referred toward the ocean for their color. That reference brought a question abruptly to my lips.
Rhythm of the Imperium Page 37
