Treaty at Doona

by Anne McCaffrey

  “Food?” Sumitral asked weakly. “You want food? Not technology?”

  “Morra,” Eonneh assured him. “If at all, some forms of Gringg electrics—”

  “Electronics,” Todd corrected.

  “—electronics are more efficient than yours.”

  “You think that?” Markudian said indignantly.

  “Our scientists know that after talking with yours,” Honey replied. “Scientific fact is fact for all of us.”

  “A science conference just is not possible at this point in time,” Greene said flatly. “Discuss food all you want. That’s safe enough.”

  “Nonaggressive science is also safe,” Sumitral said with equal firmness. He put his hand over his translator. “If they have no ordnance, Greene, then why not discuss science? Now that we know what their need is, I think you can step down from that Red Alert you’re on.”

  “Just so long as we’re not the food resource they have in mind,” Greene said, but he also covered the voder as he added in a savage tone, “These peaceful people of yours are not as peaceful as they’ve all conned you into believing.”

  With that, he rose from his chair and stalked from the room.

  After Greene’s ominous remark, Todd was relieved to see the back of him. He was undoubtedly going off to report to Admiral Barnstable. Greene’s crack about the Gringg eating Humans was asinine—especially when the snakes were larger, more numerous, and far tastier.

  “You don’t require metals?” Markudian asked, surprised.

  “Yes, some metals are in short supply with us, and please to give us samples of all you use,” Honey said. “But mostly we need foods,” and he leaned forward, an earnest expression on his face. “Already, many on the homeworld are most eager to try Doonarralan snake meat. Having heard the praise it has from those who have taste it here, it will be a much sought-after delicacy. Perhaps you can show us how to breed the snakes on one of our worlds. One snake can feed several Gringg. As we learn to know each other better, I am sure there will be other goods we want, but for the present, we are eager to obtain largenesses of Hayuman-manufactured eating stuffs. That is all.”

  “Unbelievable,” Markudian said, staring perplexed at the Gringg.

  Jilamey threw back his head and let out a delighted laugh. “After all of our posturing and careful management, timid questions, and demand for sureties, food is what they need!” The Reeves and Kiachif chuckled with him.

  * * *

  As the Hayumans and the Gringg left the room, Hrrto was for a long moment too annoyed to gather his thoughts. The only advantage to the new arrangement would be the privacy to mention purralinium—if the Gringg had it. There wasn’t a Hrruban here who didn’t realize how vital it was to replenish the supply of that transuranic ore. Even Hrrin would appreciate that. But Hrrto saw that he would have to remain here longer than he had anticipated, to be sure the negotiations secured them at least the hope of the grid metal. Mllaba was also irritated. It wouldn’t be her preference to be stuck discussing trade when she considered the spaceport conference a better place for Hrrto to show his merits. But her irritation also stemmed from the presence of the two Gringg across the table from her who were settling their big haunches into their cushions. Beside him, Hrrin sat with folded arms, watching as if he expected the Gringg to spring forward in an assault.

  The subsonics in their voices were not entirely masked by the voders, from the keener Hrruban hearing, so the buzz and annoying vibration were still present, heavy in the air. At Hrriss’ tactful reminder, the Gringg had been careful to modulate the volume of their speech, but they could do nothing to cushion the impact of their mere presence. Hrrto was rapidly developing a painful headache, one of the first in a long and healthy life. He tried to concentrate on what Hrrestan, who chaired the meeting, was saying.

  Hrrestan was assisting the Gringg in their translations when the limits of the programmed vocabulary failed. Hrrto felt some respect for the colony leader’s ability to retain what sounded to him like the roar and sputtering of malfunctioning motors. He was feeling yet another painful twinge, when Mllaba leaned toward him, her hand over the translator input grille.

  “I dislike the uncouth way they sniff at us, Speaker,” Mllaba hissed under her breath. She spoke in a very high-pitched whisper which the Gringg were unlikely to hear. “So primitive.”

  All the homeworld Hrrubans attending the trade meeting were initially disturbed by the Gringg behavior, but as the aliens proved to be affable and intelligent, they began to relax. Hrrto did not—torn between the need to introduce purralinium and memories of that tape. He wanted to be able to at least warn these Rraladoonans—since they were, in the final analysis, also Hrruban—that the Gringg were dangerous; warn them not to rush into discussions that would display their vulnerability to the Gringg; warn them to learn as much about Gringg customs and culture as the Gringg were learning about theirs. But he could not yet speak of that tape, not until the combined navies were in position. They were still some days away. Until then, Hrrto was forced to dissemble. He also had until then to discover the coordinates of systems that might produce purralinium. With difficulty, he turned his attention to the proceedings.

  While Hrrestan was basically a sensible Hrruban, he appeared to be badly infected with young Rrev’s enthusiasm. Perhaps, Hrrto thought, it might be wise to tell Hrrestan about that damning tape. Hrrestan was of an old Stripe and did not deserve the fate that might await other Rraladoonans when their seemingly cultured and civilized visitors showed the violent side of their natures. But Hrrestan was so honorable a Stripe that he might feel obliged to impart that information to Rrev. No, no warning to anyone until the fleet was in place.

  Then the aliens produced a computer program showing molecular diagrams of the minerals they were ready to use as trade mediums. Hrrto shot a warning glance at Hurrhee, who was already trying to see what was on offer.

  “These ores are available in quantity now from our mining worlds,” said the one called Kodiak. “We have printed diagrams for you to compare with your molecular data. If you require any of these ores, we are pleased to offer them to you as goods for barter against our own requirements.”

  “I am sure we can come to agreeable terms for all parties,” Hrrestan said.

  “Indeed we should,” Hurrhee murmured, flicking a confirming glance at Hrrto. “We have often found a use for this”—he extended a nail to delicately single out one item—“impure as it is.”

  Hrrto inwardly sighed with relief. They did have purralinium to offer.

  “What is Hurrhee doing here?” Mllaba demanded in an annoyed undertone to Hrrto. “He’s a scientist, not a trader.”

  “He is here at my command,” Hrrto murmured back, protruding the claw of his fifth digit to indicate the need for discretion.

  Suddenly Mllaba became extra alert and leaned as far across the table as possible to get a view of the slate. Under the table, Hrrto pulled her roughly back. She nearly hissed at him, so great was her indignation, but one look at her superior’s eyes and she obeyed, though stiff with the insult just given her. Hrrto ignored her manner. Nothing must indicate to the Gringg how important the purralinium was to the Hrrubans.

  Although Kodiak and his partner, a black-and-white Gringg whom the children called Big Paws after Zodd’s sister’s cat, were speaking very clear Middle Hrruban, modulated into audibility by the voders, the edge imparted by the subsonics of Gringg speech wore on Hrruban nerves.

  Hrrto wondered how long he would have to remain in such an ambience.

  “Yes, you do have goods that might form a trade currency,” banker Hrrouf said with extreme affability, his tail tip switching. Ah, Hrrouf had noticed the purralinium, too. And, in his high position in the financial world, he would know about the lack of new supplies of the metal. “What is it you would require in exchange?”

  Big Paws regarded the Hrruban amiably and
folded his enormous hands on the table.

  “You appear to be comfortable without the clothes used by Hayumans to cover their skin. We Gringg also do not need coverings. We admire the way that the Hrrubans adorn their natural fur with the most striking ornamentation. Most especially I like these harnesses of hide.” The black and white Gringg put out a claw and plucked at the strap of the handsome harness Hrrouf was wearing. “The variety of these and of other pretty stuffs are most desirable to us. Such will be need to be made much larger to fit Gringg, but we wish to trade for quantities of harness. Plain and with many sparkle stones.”

  “What?” Hrrouf demanded, unable to believe his ears.

  Other Hrruban representatives were equally astounded, and if Hrrestan and Hrrin managed to hide their amusement, few of the others—expecting to trade advanced technologies of all kinds with the Gringg—saw the humor of the announcement.

  Second Speaker sputtered, his headache forgotten. “Garments? Jewelry? Ornaments? You must be joking!”

  “What is joking?” Kodiak asked, looking up from his electronic keypad. He turned to Hrrestan for clarification.

  “He asks if you tell him something that is not true to make him laugh,” Hrrestan explained solemnly.

  Kodiak returned his dark-red gaze to Second Speaker. “Morra, very, I do not joke.”

  “This is what you wish to receive in trade from us? Not technology?” asked Nrrena. “Hrruban technology is famous. You must have observed the transport grids—”

  “Sst!” Hrrouf hissed at her in a high whistle. The merchant stopped, embarrassed.

  “Ah, yes,” Kodiak said casually, observing the byplay. “The transport system. But it does not interest us. We travel fast enough and are comfortable doing it. Items of wear and personal adornment are more important. And we insist to be told new styles and modes.”

  Hrrto wondered at Kodiak’s dismissal of the “transport system.” Could it be that they knew the special use for purralinium and had matter transporters on their own worlds? And if they did, would they trade any of that precious commodity to the Hrrubans? Many of the Gringg had used the grids, getting about Rraladoona, but no reports had been made by any of the operators that the Gringg had shown any interest at all in the workings of the grid, or had even looked closely at either the purralinium columns or the floor grid, though these were, in any case, thickly coated by the conducting material.

  “This is outrageous,” Nrrena said in a growl, rising from the table. Her tail swished angrily, lashing her sides, and her eyes all but shot sparks. “I was made to understand that this was a high-level trading conference, not a fashion show. I have the honor to wish you a good day.” The Hrruban made a bow to Second Speaker and strode stiffly from the room. Second was glad to see her go. She would report back to Fifth that the conference had been a charade. When Hrrto arranged for substantial quantities of purralinium, she would look a fool, Fifth would lose face and Hrrto gain it in the contest for the Speakership.

  “Perhaps all should go,” Hrrin suggested sourly, “and put an end to this pretense.”

  “Have I offended?” Kodiak asked Hrrestan.

  “No, friend,” Hrrestan assured him. “That Hrruban represents manufacturers on our homeworld and elsewhere. There is nothing in these current talks which interests her.” Hrrestan also suspected that Nrrena would be grateful to get out of the range of Gringg speech. Kodiak accepted his explanation.

  “Ah,” the Gringg said, returning a bland gaze to those left at the table. “May we then negotiate terms? It is now to work out equivalencies of value, against that which we offer for that which we want.” He ended up facing Hrrestan, who gestured courteously toward Hrrto.

  “I may not speak for Hrruba,” Hrrestan said. “I have lived on Rraladoona for over thirty years. It is the Second Speaker for External Affairs whom you must address.” He bowed deferentially. Hrrto was pleased and mollified.

  “Very,” Kodiak said, and turned to face Second. Mllaba sat up straight beside him. “So you are empowered to act on behalf of all Hrruba in these matters?”

  “I do not understand what he said,” Mllaba snapped, turning to Hrrin. “Please translate once more.”

  With a little less patience for her, Hrrin repeated the Gringg’s question.

  Kodiak’s brow ridges lowered halfway over his eyes, concealing all but a crescent of angry red irises. “I believe that the delegate understood me,” he said, his voice shifting very slowly to a menacing growl. “We have come in good faith to this meeting. It is not the Gringg way to give offense or take insult. Lootcardiff caused this device to translate perfectly. As a Gringg scribe, my honor required me to practice diction until perfection came. Does this female have hearing problems? That is the only acceptable reason.”

  The word “reason” came out in as close to a snarl as a Gringg had so far mouthed. Mllaba jumped in her seat. She glared at Kodiak, her yellow eyes ablaze.

  “You wrong me,” she said in a low, dangerous voice. “My hearing is extremely acute and the roars you make injure delicate tissue. You know that certain sounds you cause unpleasant reactions in us Hrrubans. Perhaps you deliberately use them to upset us.”

  “Enough!” Hrrestan said, raising his voice. Hand over his voder, he turned to Mllaba—but his attitude was clearly cautioning. “There is not a thing wrong with my hearing, Mllaba, and I think you are the one deliberately upsetting the smooth progress of this meeting.”

  “Why should I?” Mllaba demanded.

  “That I do not know,” Hrrestan replied sternly, “but as I am moderator of this meeting, I will have no further obstruction from you.”

  “I am assistant to—”

  “In this meeting,” Hrrestan said calmly but forcefully, “rank has been suspended to the greater benefit of all Hrruba. Or have you had trouble, Honored Assistant to Second Speaker, which you are embarrassed to admit?”

  Mllaba drew a deep breath in through her nostrils at what was perilously close to a direct insult to the Second Speaker. Hrrestan waited, his eyes intent on Hrrto, as though Mllaba did not exist.

  “I have had no trouble understanding the Gringg,” Second said, his eyes slitted. “I do find their voices and their presence oppressive.”

  “Oppressive?” Hrrestan asked, with mischief in his eyes. “How can you find oppressive a species which is so very interested in fashion?”

  Mllaba’s tail tip lashed.

  “If the price is right,” Hrrin said, deliberately trying to lighten the tension in the room, “we Rraladoonans are delighted to supply as many harnesses as the Gringg wish. Since”—he turned to the disappointed representatives—“we supply our homeworld with many such items, we may need to import skilled workers to supply the demand.”

  “Then we have wasted our time?” asked the senior Stripe of the merchants.

  Hrrestan bowed graciously. “Consider it but the first offering in a trade that may develop in unexpected directions, and have the imagination to come forward with other examples of our culture”—he gave the last word considerable emphasis—“which might appear attractive or interesting to our large friends.”

  Then Mllaba, using a coaxing and wheedling tone, spoke up, her manner so abruptly altered that Hrrto decided his clever assistant must finally have grasped the significance of Hurrhee’s presence and remarks.

  “Hrruban textiles are much admired by Hayumans, since you are interested in adornment. A swift message and we can have many beautiful things to show you,” she said at her silkiest.

  “We Gringg are content to see all you will offer,” Kodiak said, showing all his teeth in an affable smile.

  “So,” Hrrouf broke in, “you will not object if we ask for metals, ores, and suchlike as payment for our cloth, leather, and jewels?”

  Kodiak lifted one shoulder. “Metals we have much of and can cheerfully trade them for what we wish of yours. Shall w
e talk of relative values now for such bartering?” He turned his slate and held it up so that all could see it. Gringg symbols were on the left-hand side of the slate, Hrruban equivalents on the right. Purralinium was mid-list. “These are in order of value to us.”

  Titanium was at the top, and Hrrto recognized the symbols for tin, zinc, germanium, platinum, and some transuranics before purralinium. How many leather belts and neckpieces would be traded for enough purralinium to manufacture another grid? The very concept was bizarre!

  He found himself holding his breath as weights and measures were being discussed. To his dismay—for surely Hrrestan knew their plight—the colony co-leader was settling for too low a quantity of metal. Or was he merely being cautious? Then Kodiak mentioned bulk figures for finished leathers that nearly made Hrrto drop his jaw. There would be more than enough purralinium. Now he worried that Hrrestan might ask only for that metal and signal its value to Hrrubans. But Hrrto had underestimated the leader’s acumen.

  Suddenly he began to fret that Hrrestan would get the credit for such dealing, and that he, Second Speaker, who had laid the groundwork in his initial conference with the Gringg captain, would not gain the face he deserved. Restlessly he drilled claw tips on the table until he saw what he was doing and forced his fingers to be still. That precious metal in return for acres of cloth, no matter how beautifully woven, seemed almost indecent. Could the Gringg really be so naive? Or their holdings so rich that they could make such ludicrous exchanges? That was a possibility that hadn’t occurred to him before. Those rich in goods thought nothing of exchanging what they didn’t need for what they coveted.

  “We do not deplete your stores with such large orders?” Big Paws asked courteously. “We can space shipments so that each is full of what is required. With Hrrubans we trade for what the Hayumans do not show or seem to need. Therefore no bad feelings may happen. We are peaceful folk. We wish for peace everywhere around us.”