Starbridge

by A. C. Crispin

  Mahree had argued the point with Raoul several times, but her uncle remained adamant; one crew member must be armed whenever the humans were in contact with the aliens.

  The girl turned as she heard her name called. "Mahree! Come over here!"

  Raoul beckoned. "The First Ambassador wants to talk to you."

  Quickly she hurried over to the female alien. "Greetings, Honored First Ambassador," she said, making the formal gesture automatically to the Simiu leader.

  Rhrrrkkeet' returned the greeting. "Greetings, Honored Mahree. Your uncle relates how you are traveling with him to be educated in a famous place of learning on Earth."

  "That is correct, Honored Rhrrrkkeet'," Mahree said, trying to keep one eye on the alien's face, as well as on her voder's screen. She was pleased that she'd understood several of the spoken words.

  "Why does education demand that you voyage so far?"

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  "My world has schools for the teaching of young humans, but not for the teaching of those who are about to be adult humans," Mahree replied, choosing her words carefully. "So I must travel to the home world of our species to receive an adult's education."

  "I understand," Rhrrrkkeet' said. "Our people do not have to travel to be educated, though."

  "Honored Rhrrrkkeet'," the girl ventured, "how many of your people are there?" The humans had no idea of the population of Simiu, and she thought she saw an opportunity to find out.

  The First Ambassador hesitated for nearly a minute. Uh, oh, Mahree thought, is this another taboo subject?

  "There are many of us," the F.A. said, finally. "I do not know exact number."

  Mahree nodded. "Forgive me, I did not mean to offend."

  "You did not offend, child." Rhrrrkkeet' glanced around at the crowd of milling Simiu, and emitted a breathy growl. One of them, a male with a sorrel-colored coat, looked up, then came swiftly toward them.

  When he arrived, the First Ambassador said, formally, "My" --alien symbols marched across Mahree's screen--"you would say, cousin-son, accompanied me to your most-excellent vessel in hope you would honor him by making his acquaintance. He is being much the same age as you, Honored Mahree. May I introduce you?"

  Mahree glanced over at the young Simiu, who wore one of the Simiu voder-collars and ear-clips. "I would be honored to meet him," she said.

  "Excellent!" the First Ambassador yipped. She turned to the young male.

  "Dhurrrkk', this is Honored MahreeBurroughs, also a student. She voyages far so that she may study at a Terran place of adult learning. Honored MahreeBurroughs, this is"--the alien symbols again--"cousin-son Dhurrrkk'."

  Mahree repeated the greeting gesture, saying, "I am pleased and honored to meet you, Honored Dhurrrkk'."

  The humans had learned early that Simiu measured things not as good or evil, moral or immoral, but as honorable or dishonorable. Individual honor, clan honor, planetary honor--even their system of exchange was based on honor.

  "The honor is mine," the young alien responded, after his formal greeting gesture. He stole glances at Mahree's face with barely concealed curiosity.

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  Raoul put a hand on Mahree's shoulder. "Cherie, why don't you take Dhurrrkk' here on a tour of Desiree?"

  Mahree nodded. "I'd be happy to." She nodded at the newcomer. "Honored Dhurrrkk', would you like to visit our vessel? It would be an honor for me to guide you."

  Dhurrrkk' nodded, and Mahree beckoned him to follow her.

  Once inside Desiree, she escorted the Simiu through the ship, identifying the various sections for him. He gazed around with avid curiosity, though Mahree noticed that he seldom made eye contact with her. She decided that was out of politeness, not shyness--Dhurrrkk's bold strides certainly held nothing diffident about them.

  "Do you like school, Honored Dhurrrkk'?" she asked, sitting on her bunk as he squatted in the middle of her cabin, gazing around him with bright-eyed interest.

  The Simiu nodded. "Yes, I enjoy learning."

  "Honored Rhrrrkkeet' mentioned that we are almost the same age. I'll be seventeen soon. If I may ask, how old are you?"

  "I am being nine of my planet's years old," Dhurrrkk' said. "One more year and I will be mature for mating, should someone honor me with her selection. One more year, and I will be working each day, instead of studying."

  That's right, Simiu females have only temporary sexual liaisons, Mahree remembered. The basic family unit consisted of several related females, living with their children (of all ages, including adults), plus the females' male

  "friends"--who might or might not be the fathers of any of their children.

  Courtship was nonexistent. A female selected a male, then intercourse ensued immediately, lasting only a minute or two. The aliens apparently attached no more importance to mating in public than humans would to sharing an ice cream cone; several of their holo-vid travelogues had panned past mating couples.

  Mahree beckoned and Dhurrrkk' followed her out of her cabin. In the corridor she glanced down at him as they walked. "What are you studying to be?"

  "Pardon?" Simiu were invariably polite.

  She tried again. "When you finish going to school, what job will you be prepared to do?"

  "I have not yet made final selection. My studying has been to allow me to work in space." He thought for a moment. "Perhaps I will be a pilot. I am good at that."

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  "Then I know you'll want to see our bridge."

  Dhurrrkk' was obviously fascinated by Joan's piloting and navigation station.

  Mahree described the controls as best she could. "And, finally, over here"--

  she patted an instrument panel--"is the communications console. This is where we first received the radio waves from your world." She sat down on Jerry's seat, then asked, "Have your people explored other planets, Honored Dhurrrkk'?"

  The Simiu looked away, his crest hair flattening until it was lying between his ears. Mahree knew instantly that she had touched on a taboo subject again.

  Before she could apologize, he said, "I am not ... I must not . . . that is not something I can--"

  Mahree interrupted hastily. "I am sorry, Honored Dhurrrkk'. Please forgive me. I did not mean to offend."

  "I am not offended," he said, but he was silent as they left the control room.

  Mahree kept quiet during the remainder of the tour, except to describe what they were seeing. She didn't want to chance upsetting the first Simiu she'd really had a chance to talk with.

  When they reached the medical lab, Dhurrrkk' froze, standing mesmerized by an inky shape curled neatly into the cushion of Rob's chair. "That?" he said, gesturing so excitedly that his double-thumbed hand was a blur Mahree's eyes could hardly follow. "Please, that is what? Animal?"

  "Yes, animal," she agreed. "It is a pet."

  "Pet?" His formality had vanished. "Please, what means 'pet'?" He's really interested in the cat, Mahree thought, realizing that here might be a chance to recoup from her faux pas in the control room.

  "Pet ..." She keyed the English word into her computer link, so he would be able to see it translated into Simiu as she spoke: "Pets are animals who live with humans. They are our friends. 'Friends,' " she repeated slowly, articulating the word for him, when she saw how intently he was watching her mouth. "This particular species of pet is a 'cat.' "

  "We have pets, too," Dhurrrkk' told her. "If Honored" --several alien symbols raced by--"Rhrrrkkeet' will permit my return, I will bring image of mine. We learn from pets . . . how to get along with family, be considerate, kind ... to treat with honor those who are weaker and more vulnerable."

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  Sekhmet chose that moment to wake up. She blinked trustingly at Mahree, but then she saw the alien. Her ears flattened against her skull, and she snarled loudly. "Easy, girl!" Mahree protested, but the cat was not reassured.

  "I am frightening her," Dhurrrkk' observed, his crest visibly drooping again.

  "Better I withdraw."

  "No,"
she responded, "wait a moment. She's a young cat, she may be able to adjust. Just make yourself appear small, and be quiet while I talk to her."

  The Simiu squatted down, moving slowly.

  Mahree made soothing sounds. Finally Sekhmet's growls lessened, and her ears lifted a little. The girl hesitantly began stroking her, and, long minutes later, the cat relaxed enough to bump its black head caressingly against her hand. "That's it, that's it, Sekhmet," Mahree encouraged. "Now, this is Derrk"

  --she gave a swift glance of apology to the Simiu for the way her pronunciation butchered his name, but he did not seem affronted--"and he wants to be your friend, too."

  Sekhmet glared distrustfully at the newcomer.

  "Give me your hand," Mahree said, holding out her own. After a moment, strong, leathery fingers with softly furred backs slid across her palm and closed over her fingers. It was a shock to feel their warmth, and, Mahree realized suddenly, she was the first person to actually touch one of the aliens. She forced her voice to remain steady and comforting.

  "Now, Sekhmet, take it easy," she said, holding the Simiu's fingers firmly in her own, so the cat could catch both their scents. Sekhmet hissed, but gradually, as Mahree reassured her, she finally relaxed enough to sniff Dhurrrkk's hand.

  "That's it, girl! Good, Sekhmet!"

  Mahree let go of the alien's hand, and sat back on her heels, remembering just in time not to grin. Dhurrrkk' appeared pleased; his crest stood straight up. He made a low, crooning sound to the cat. "Much gratitude to you, Honored Mahree," he said. "Your 'pet' is a creature of much beauty."

  "Her name is Sekhmet." Mahree keyed in the name. "Sekmet," she repeated.

  "Thhhheekkmeet," Dhurrrkk' tried. He lisped terribly.

  "No, with the front teeth together," Mahree corrected. "Like this. Sssss."

  "Thhhh . . ." he tried again. "Thssss."

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  "Better, much better!"

  "Ssseekkmeet."

  "That's terrific!"

  "It is unfortunate that we cannot make each other's speech sounds easily,"

  Dhurrrkk' observed. "It would be much improvement if we could converse without computer aid. I dislike not speaking directly."

  "I feel the same way," Mahree said. "You know, if we practiced together, I bet we could learn to speak to each other.''

  "That is possible."

  "To begin with, I would like to be able to say your name properly. Will you help me?"

  "I would be honored."

  "Dherrk," Mahree said slowly, trying to lower her voice for the initial sound. It was difficult; human mouths and vocal cords just weren't designed to produce such a guttural growl. And that final click-- !

  "Much better!" he encouraged. Hesitantly, she tried the name several more times. She finally learned to reproduce the low, breathy initial growl, but the click following the "kk" sound remained beyond her. Still, Dhurrrkk' praised her efforts.

  "What is your name for your world?"

  Dhurrrkk' produced a series of panting grunts. Mahree glanced at the translation, saw that the name literally meant "land-air- water."

  She tried pitching her voice deep in her chest. "Hhurrr-ee haah," she managed.

  "Correct!"

  "What about the word for your space station?"

  Dhurrrkk' pushed his lips out exaggeratedly so she could watch him.

  "Tchh'ooo-kk'. That means 'Station One,' " he added.

  Mahree tried copying him, without much success. "I'm going to have to practice that," she said. "Why is your station called 'Station One'? Do you have more than one space station?"

  Dhurrrkk's crest sagged. "I ... I explain poorly," he said. "Forgive, please, that I have confused you."

  Uh, oh, another taboo, Mahree thought.

  "Would you like to see our station?" Dhurrrkk' asked quickly, "I would be most honored to escort you."

  "Would I? Oh, I mean, yes, yes, I would! Thank you! I'd be honored!"

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  "Then let us ask permission for you to accompany me."

  Mahree hastily grabbed a vid-cam unit, after asking whether it would be permitted for her to record her expedition to show to her people. Dhurrrkk'

  nodded, and they set out, stopping first at the gathering in the tube to ask Rhrrrkkeet' and Raoul for permission. The Captain was obviously delighted that someone aboard Desiree was going to get to see their hosts' station.

  "Station One" proved to be a fascinating warren of brightly colored three-and four-sided pyramid-shaped rooms, with ramps and grid lattices instead of elevators or escalators. Dhurrrkk' took her through several "rows" of the abacus, pointing out offices and shops. In a store that sold fruits and vegetables, Mahree was interested to note currency being used--small green disks.

  That's odd, she thought. I thought they conducted financial transactions with

  "honor-debts." She knew that the Simiu system was a sophisticated form of barter that employed ' 'honor, debts" as a form of credit. Intrigued, she pointed to the currency. "What are those, Honored Dhurrrkk'?"

  Her escort froze, crest drooping. "I . . ." he hesitated, obviously flustered. "I cannot discuss those items, Honored Mahree. It is not permitted."

  Another taboo! "I am sorry I asked, Honored Dhurrrkk'," she said quickly.

  "Please excuse me."

  "There is nothing to excuse," Dhurrrkk' said graciously, but he still seemed disturbed. "We have seen enough shops," he said. "Would you care to observe the docking bays for our ships?"

  "I would like that very much."

  Fortunately, Mahree possessed a good head for heights, so she was able to follow her escort when it came to scaling the lattice surrounding the largest of the Simiu docking bays.

  As she panned the vid-cam down over the hammerheaded Simiu ships, some in docking cradles, others in repair bays, with maintenance technicians swarming over them, Mahree tried to get as many close-ups of their power assemblies as possible. Paul is going to go crazy over these films, she thought. He's been in a panic to find out more about how they manage that super-fast FTL drive of theirs.

  After a half hour of walking and climbing in the higher gravity, Mahree was tired, her head spinning with alien sights,

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  sounds, and scents. Simiu architecture, with its odd angles and parabolas, was actually painful to her vision, used to human- engineered right angles and straight lines. And the shade of violet the aliens were so fond of made her eyes water if she looked directly at it.

  When Dhurrrkk' announced that it was time for them to return to the tube, she didn't argue. "It was wonderful, seeing your station, Honored Dhurrrkk'. I only wish that I could visit your planet," she said as they walked back to the airlock.

  "I would like to show you my world, my home," Dhurrrkk' replied, "but our leaders have decreed it is not possible until our scientists have completed more tests to make sure your microbes cannot harm us."

  "I understand," she said. "We would do the same thing, I'm sure, in your place." She hesitated. "Forgive my curiosity, but we know so little about your social structure. Is it permitted to ask how your government functions?"

  "Each of our clans appoints a leader, and she represents us in the Under-Council, which governs each province. The Under- Council members who have . . ." he hesitated, "proved themselves the worthiest also serve in the High Council, making decisions of planetary importance."

  " 'She'?" Mahree echoed. "Your Council members are female?"

  "Of course," Dhurrrkk' said. "Females govern the clans; they own the land.

  Who else should rule?"

  So, their culture is a matriarchy, Mahree thought. That's interesting. "But up to now," she said, "almost all of your people that we have met are male."

  Dhurrrkk' nodded. "Naturally. We males are the ones who have the time to explore, to risk ourselves in space. Females have the young to teach, a task requiring the greatest wisdom. They also administer our society, and govern our people. Is it so on your world?"

  "No
, on our worlds both males and females work in space. Males as well as females own property and serve as government officials."

  He gave her a sidelong glance from his violet eyes, and Mahree realized that, even when he was intent upon their conversation, Dhurrrkk' tended to avoid prolonged eye contact. Must remember to mention that to Uncle Raoul, she thought. Tell him to warn everyone not to stare.

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  A. C. Crispin

  "That is most interesting, Honored Mahree," the Simiu said. "In our world, males do the work in space. Females only travel into space when they must do so in order to administer, or, as in the case of Rhrrrkkeet', when they must meet with--" he broke off abruptly.

  With whom? Mahree wondered, but she had the feeling that she'd tripped over another taboo, so she did not voice the question aloud. By this time, they had reached the airlock. Dhurrrkk' busied himself with the controls, and did not speak again until they stepped out into the tube, only to see that it was deserted. "We have been gone much time," he said.

  Mahree glanced at her watch. "It's been over two hours! Everyone will be wondering where we are."

  "Yes, we must each return to our people," he said with regret. "It has been most instructive. It is too much to hope that you would honor me thus again, but I wish that it could be so."

  "Of course I can," she said. "And don't feel you have to be so formal about asking! After all, we're friends, correct?"

  His expression was solemn, but his violet eyes danced. "Friends, yes. I am honored." Then he made an obvious effort. "Ffrreenndz," he said aloud, in English.

  "Ahrreekk'shh," she agreed, in Simiu. "Friends."

  Dhurrrkk' did indeed return the next day--and the next. Their meetings became the high point of Mahree's day. Each encounter began with a language lesson, and her new friend proved to be a careful and patient teacher. By the time the girl could say, "Greetings, Dhurrrkk', I am honored to see you again," Sekhmet had grown so accustomed to the young Simiu's presence that she allowed him to pet her.