Rissa and Tregare

by F. M. Busby

  Berkley Books by F. M. Busby

  the rissa kerguelen saga

  young rissa

  rissa and tregare

  the long view*

  *To be published soon by Berkley.

  THE SECOND BOOK IN THE 3-PART SAGA OF RISSA KERGUELEN

  F. M. BUSBY

  BERKLEY BOOKS, NEW YORK

  To Benjamin

  Young Rissa, Rissa and Tregare, and The Long View were originally published in two volumes as Rissa Kerguelen and The Long View. They were also published in one volume as Rissa Kerguelen.

  RISSA AND TREGARE

  A Berkley Book / published by arrangement with the author

  PRINTING HISTORY

  Berkley Medallion edition / June 1977 Berkley edition / June 1984

  All rights reserved.

  Copyright © 1976 by P.M. Busby.

  Cover illustration by Barclay Shaw.

  This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part,

  by mimeograph or any other means, without permission.

  For information address: The Berkley Publishing Group,

  200 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016.

  ISBN: 0-425-07116-2

  A BERKLEY BOOK® TM 757,375

  The name "BERKLEY" and the stylized "B" with design are trademarks belonging to Berkley Publishing Corporation.

  Printed in the United States of America

  Prelude

  IN the 21st century, the United Energy and Transport con-glomerate is the most powerful government on Earth. Begin-ning with control of North America, UET has begun to ex-pand its reign, not only on the planet but out to star colonies.

  UET did not develop star travel. When the alien Shrakken visited Earth they were slain by treachery; UET's labs copied the captured ship and began the exploration of interstellar space. Not all their ships return: dissidents speak of Escaped Ships and the rebel colonies known as Hidden Worlds.

  UET's rule is harsh. At the age of five, Rissa Kerguelen and her older brother Ivan Marchant are consigned to a Total Welfare Center, after their parents were murdered by UET's Committee Police. Basically, Total Welfare is slavery with UET as the slaveowner. Eleven years later, by a quirky back-lash of a Welfare supervisor's corruption, the man buying Of-ficial lottery tickets with Clients' money, she is not only freed but made rich. Escaping to Argentina, she undergoes survival training at the Establishment of Erika Hulzein; then, in dis-guise, she buys her way off of Earth. At the minor UET col-ony world Far Corner she makes contact with a Hulzein agent and secures passage on the ship Inconnu, for the Hidden World caled Number One. Inconnu is the only armed ship ever to Escape; its captain, Bran Tregare, is called pirate and suspected of worse things; his behavior is arbitrary and arrogant. The battle of wills be-tween him and Rissa ends short of affection but with mutual respect.

  Arriving at Number One, Rissa falls afoul of the Provost, one Stagon dal Nardo, but finds haven at Hulzein Lodge, pro-perty of Erika Hulzein's younger sister Liesel and of Liesel's husband Hawkman Morey. Their daughter Sparline is also in residence. Rissa learns that Tregare the pirate is the son of Liesel and Hawkman, estranged from his family and embit-tered that, when they enrolled him (at age 13) in "the Slaugh-terhouse", UET's Space Academy, they were unable to res-cue him from that grim environment.

  Rissa Kerguelen, product of Erika Hulzein's survival train-ing, has little option but to accept a death-duel with Stagon dal Nardo. By her choice, both fight weaponless and nude. The man is twice her weight and inflicts painful injuries to her, but Rissa kills him. Dazed, she accepts Sparline Moray's word that it is necessary, for "political reasons," to marry an un-named man-but even though he is masked, she recognizes Bran Tregare. She accepts the marriage. Hulzeins never make any move that serves only one pur-pose. Rissa has made a bet, with a slightly shady business ty-coon named Alsen Bleeker, on her survival in the duel with dal Nardo. The bet is for ten million Weltmarks (from "welt," the Deutscher word for "world"), five of Rissa's and five of Liesel Hulzein's. But that bet is still to be collected. Rissa is still playing her disguised role under the name of Tan Obrigo. Only the Hulzeins know her true identity. Rissa and Tregare seated, looking to his wife Rissa and his mother Liesel, Bran Tregare said, "Where's Hawkman and Sparline? Something I want to explain."

  "Busy elsewhere," said Liesel. "They'll be caling in some-time this day. Why not tel me, and I'l pass it along?"

  "All right-it's this. Rissa told you I've been slave trad-ing." He raised a hand. "No, don't blame her-from what she heard, I was. But the whole story..."

  When he had told it, Liesel grinned. "A good Samaritan, at a profit. You relieve my mind-on both counts. Hawkman and Sparline wil like hearing this, too."

  "I notice you didn't ask me about it."

  "Anything you want me to know, I expect you'l tel me." She turned to Rissa. "Now, then-first, are you in good enough shape to go collect your bet from Bleeker?"

  "I suppose so-but is there any hurry about it?"

  "As a matter of fact, yes. I don't know how much longer-wel, never mind that, for now. And are you fit to drive an air-car?"

  Before she could answer, Tregare said, "No need for that. I'll take her."

  "You think she's still in danger?" "After yesterday? Peace, no! I have my own reasons." Liesel nodded. "Good ones, I'm sure. All right-Rissa, when Bleeker tries to stall you, and he will-he can't help himself just now-there's something I want you to do. You don't have to-the bet's all in your name though I covered half of it-but if you don't, it's a great waste." Her eyebrows rose.

  "Of course-I knew the bet was part of a larger plan. Tel me what you wish."

  Liesel explained. "You understand it?" Rissa nodded. "Just don't let him talk you out of any part of it."

  "Bleeker? He could not talk me out of a mud puddle, if I wished to stand in it!" A laugh. "No, I suppose not. Well, then-ready to go?"

  "I must go up for a jacket, and of course I do not have the Tari Obrigo accessories applied yet-" Tregare rose. "I'll get the jacket-the green one all right? For the rest-you won't have to thumbprint anything, and the shape your face is in, pardon my saying so, nobody's going to notice any details you can't hide with sun goggles." He turned to leave.

  "AH right, but bring a cap. The fuzzy one, that matches the jacket-so I can tuck my hair up under it."

  "Done." She heard his steps, running upstairs, then a pause and more fast clatter as he descended and returned. "Here you are." As Rissa arranged her appearance, Liesel said, "Cal me if anything unforeseen happens. Otherwise, I'l expect you in a few hours."

  "Yes. Tregare? I am ready now."

  they rode in silence. Rissa, thinking only of Liesel's instruc-tions and what they implied, did not ask Tregare's thoughts. He landed alongside Bleeker's building and they proceeded to the fifth floor.

  This time the receptionist said, "Ms. Obrigo? Mr. Bleeker was not expecting you so soon. He-"

  "I am sure he will be pleased to see how quickly I have recovered." As before, she did not pause, but walked in to confront Bleeker unannounced. Tregare followed; in a side glance she saw him suppress a smile. Behind his desk, Bleeker rose. "Ms. Obrigo! I-" Then; "Tregare! Look, man-I didn't know! You can't-" Tregare waved a hand. "My wife's business comes first. Get on with it."

  Bleeker sat slowly and looked at Rissa. "I didn't expect you today."

  "As I told you before, I imagine many things happen, that you do not expect. At any rate I am here-for my ten million Weltmarks."

  "But-" Bleeker shook his head. "I don't have-I don't have time right now. An appointment-it's urgent-I must go-"

  "In less time than you have already wasted, you can prepare the necessary certificate. If your appointment is indeed urgent, I suggest you do so-for until you do, yo
u will not leave this room."

  Unspeaking, Bleeker looked to one side, then the other, as if seeking an answer. Rissa answered for him. "What you mean, Bleeker, is that you cannot raise the money within five days. Correct?"

  "That devil! She has me stretched thin as kite string. Tied up here, tied up there-how did she do it? It all seemed to be working. Now-"

  "Now to pay me would cost you twice the bet in forced liquidations. Is that true?" His brow wrinkled. "Not that much-but crucial holdings, control-oh, never mind. I can't pay you today, and that's all there is to it."

  "Is it, now?" She paused. "Tell me-what happens to your shaky financial structure when I announce on public viewscreen that you have welshed on a recorded, bonded wager?"

  "You can't!"

  "If it is true, I certainly can. Write me the certificate."

  "You'll ruin me!"

  "If you are ruined, it is through your own greed and poor judgment. But... perhaps you are not." His eyes narrowed. "What are you up to?"

  "This bet-it is not large, is it, in comparison to your overall holdings?"

  "No-of course not. It's just that everything's tied up."

  "Then you have no difficulty. Write-and immediately, before leaving this room, I wil exercise my option to convert the certificate into twelve milion in shares of your interests. You wil lose a sliver of your frozen moneys instead of having to liquidate much more under harsh circumstances." He hesi-tated; she pitched her voice to ring. "Write! Or I leave and have it announced that you welshed." Sweating, he nodded and obeyed. "There. Are you satisfied?"

  "To this point, yes. Let us get on with the conversion."

  "Of course. Let me see-I can let you have three milion in shares of the spaceport warehouse complex, two in water-borne transport, and-"

  "Oh, no! It is my choice, Sleeker. You know that; do not deny it." She heard Tregare chuckle-now she would set the hook.

  "What do you want?"

  "The entire twelve milion in shares-voting shares-of the parent company, Bleeker, Ltd."

  "Control! You-she-that's what you're after." He scrib-bled on a pad, then laughed. "Well, you won't get it."

  "You are breaking our agreement?"

  He shook his head. "Of course not. Your twelve million won't swing it, that's al. Not with-I'l have to retrench, once this squeeze is off, but-now if I'd bet fifteen the way you wanted, I'd be in tight. No, you get your shares. The market price is-let me see-" He punched viewscreen buttons for data. "Here-come look for yourself. Wil you take conver-sion as of now?" She moved and stood beside him, watching. The quotation gained a fraction, held there a few seconds, then dropped back to the original value. Perhaps half a minute she watched, and it did not change again. "Al right. Two-thirty-nine it is. Fifty thousand shares and a little over." Then; "No, wait-I will convert also the half-milion you paid me earlier. So that wil be-fifty-two thousand, seven hundred twenty shares-less eighty Weltmarks, which I shall pay you in cash."

  He looked at her, then punched the figures into his desk calculator. "You're right. Let's see the eighty."

  When the transaction was completed, she put the share cer-tificates in her shoulder bag. "Thank you, Bleeker. Dealing with you has been ... interesting."

  "Yes, I'm sure." His shoulders sagged. "Is there anything else?"

  Tregare spoke. "A while ago you were bloody anxious to talk with me. I'm stil here."

  "Why-I'd forgotten! Look-at the port, that was just a business thing. If I'd known who you were-Tregare, you got away with my goods at the price you intended. Can't you let it go at that? So many difficulties-"

  "Our little argument? Is that what worried you? Bleeker, that's garbage out the airlock-forget it. Just don't let me catch you trying it again, is al."

  "You mean that? Why didn't you tell me?"

  "Tari's business had priority-I didn't want to distract you." And this time it was Rissa who had to hide her amuse-ment. Bleeker did not answer. Tregare said, "Well, good day to you," and they left.

  not until he had the aircar at cruising altitude did either speak. Then he said, "I wish we had that scene recorded, for Liesel. Granted, she gave you the bones of it-but Rissa!-the way you improvised!"

  "And it was most helpful, Bran-the way you refrained from distracting Bleeker." They laughed together. "We work wel in concert, do we not?"

  He reached to squeeze her shoulder. "Yes. I should have you with me on Inconnu- but you'll do better for yourself here."

  She turned to him. "Bran! What kind of marriage is that-to sit and grow old while you are gone? I will go with you. I-"

  "Not this time-maybe later. And no point in talking, now -I don't know my own plans yet. When I do, then we'll talk." She made no answer; if he wanted silence, he could have it. Sidelong, she saw him turn to watch her occasionally, but he said nothing. Then it was time to land; stil silent, they entered the Lodge and went to Liesel's office.

  "Well! You two look as if you lost the argument. What happened? Did Bleeker have an extra string to his kite after al?"

  Rissa shook her head. "No, nothing like that. It is merely that Bran and I-no, never mind. Here is the paper for the shares you wished me to obtain. Give me the proper form and I wil sign your part over to you as agreed."

  "Then it went according to plan?"

  "You should have been there," Tregare said. "When she pulled his string tight, I thought he'd melt down to a puddle!"

  "But," said Rissa, "if it was control you wanted, we did not succeed. Bleeker thought of that, scribbled a few figures, then laughed and said he could safely part with these shares. I am sorry, Liesel, but I did carry out your plan." Liesel's palm slapped the desk; she grinned. "You did enough-Bleeker's wrong. Assuming you vote with us, we have control-he'll find that out at his next board meeting." She looked at Rissa. "You don't understand? Ever hear of sleeper dummies? A lot of my stock's been voting Bleeker's way, up to now, to keep him off guard until I could grab the decisive block without his knowing." She nodded. "No, Rissa-you didn't fail. Bleeker's about to go down the drain."

  "What will happen to him?"

  "He'll just have to face the fact that he's working for us now. He may even gain by it, financially-he's a rotten man-ager, Bleeker is-if I hadn't put him under, someone else would have. We just got there first. But if he can folow in-structions he'l be al right." Rissa frowned. "Do you consider him a dependable em-ployee? He is too easily confused."

  "He won't be making decisions without our approval. But we need him as a figurehead, nominaly stil an oligarch, to use his vote in Council." She smiled. "That makes seven in direct control, not counting allies. We're getting there..." Rissa stared. "You intend to control the entire planet?"

  "That bothers you?"

  "No-if anyone can, it would be you, I think. You are capable-even ruthless-yet not cruel. And without direction, this world wil tear itself apart, as Earth was doing when I left it."

  "Yes-that's about how I see it. But there'll be hell to pay when some get their first sniff of what I'm up to. Right now, everyone suspects everyone else, so I'm covered. But if I make a definite move too soon-crash landing! They'd gang up." Tregare said, "Liesel, we need to talk, you and I. Not just now-but it takes me that your plans and mine, rubbed together, might strike a spark or two."

  "Your plans? Yes-I've been curious, but you keep your kite on a short string. Sure-we'l talk. Anytime you like." Rissa stood. "Talk now, if you wish. I will go and rest."

  "Here-I'll go with you," said Tregare.

  "No. Not now-and not tonight. I will manage by myself."

  "What the hel-" But leaving, Rissa did not answer Liesel. Upstairs, she thought this was the closest to sulks that she had had for years. Childish? Perhaps. Reaction from the duel, or -she pursued the thought no further. Closing the mind-compartment that held Bran Tregare, she lay down and, with-out undressing, slept.

  the sound of a landing aircar woke her. Outside, shadows lengthened and sunset neared. Lying quietly she searched her feelings
and found herself relaxed, the tensions gone. Al right -she would go to dinner and behave to Tregare with friend-ship; certainly he had earned that much. And if she were patient, perhaps he would explain ..

  She bathed and dressed, curled her hair in the Tan Obrigo fashion, and pinned al but the backfal into a topknot cluster. She had soaked the bandage off her cheek; the cut was closed and makeup disguised it wel enough. The swelling at her eye, she decided, added such grotesquerie that it would be a shame to tamper with its coloring. She smiled into the mirror and turned to go downstairs. at a table set for five, she found only Sparline and Tregare. They broke off conversation; Sparline said, "You know what, Rissa? Bran and I figured it out-he used to be a year the older of us, but now he's traveled so much more, he's a year or two younger!"

  Tregare grinned; suddenly his cheek tattoo seemed out of place. "That's as close as we can calculate," he said. "My early trips with UET, I don't have exact data."

  To Rissa, the lines at his eyes spelled anxiety. She smiled and said, "Relativity makes strange agemates, does it not?

  Yes, I suppose you two-separated for so long-have found much to discuss and compare." Sparline laughed. "Oh, yes! And it's so good- after al the grim stories we'd heard-to find that the ogre Tregare is stil my brother Bran!" His finger pushed the tip of her nose. "Hey-remember how I used to do that when you got stubborn, to make you laugh? You were four, maybe," Then he sobered. "But the ogre's not al make-believe. I've done things you wouldn't like to hear."

  "Haven't we all?" She spoke quietly. "Life here-it's no maypole dance. But to be harsh when you don't need to-that's not only cruel, but foolish. So we don't-and I bet you don't, either."

  After a pause, he said, "Funny thing about need-it's what you think it is. I've been rougher at times than might have been strictly necessary, to impress some folks who thought Tregare was maybe a soft touch. Wel, Tregare wasn't."

  "I would imagine," said Rissa, "that you averted much trouble. As to whether your harshness was justified, I was not present."

  "Yeah. Well, UET taught me the iron-fist trick; it took a while to learn that easier ways work, too. I'm stil learning." Rissa touched his hand. "So are we al-to stop learning is to stop living. I am not at al prepared for that, so soon."