by F. M. Busby
"Of course-you need to think aloud." She put on her own robe, went to the kitchen and started breakfast. When he came from the bathroom she took her turn there and rejoined him. Coffee was not ready, but he had poured fruit juice. He was pacing; seeing he was not yet ready to sit, she seated herself.
"Bran?-what Peralta has done-how bad is it?"
At the far end of the room, he wheeled and stopped, facing her. "That's it, you see. He hasn't done any one thing too far off course. But it's the pattern-he's telling me he's his own man, not mine. Well-peace be blown, he isn't! Oh, hell-Jimar's ambition ..."
"Have you a plan to deal with him?"
He shook his head. "No-only to keep my string loose, him commit himself first, if he's going to." He looked at the stove. "Hey-everything's ready. No, sit still-I'll get it.'
As he served them, she said, "I do not see what he feels he can gain at this time. His ship is not yet armed, and-"
"Ship's weapons are no use when you're on the ground side by side. But you heard Hain last night. Peralta has supernum-eraries-extra manpower. For al I know, he's made himself a private army to try a takeover at Base Two." He began to eat, and Rissa thought, The talk ishelping.
"If you were to call Limmer or Vanois, could Peralta inter-cept?"
"Not if we scrambled. I've set different codes for point-to-point with each ship. But-"
"Before we go there, it might be well to confer."
"We? Oh, all right-" He waved a hand. "If I left you here, yoli'd probably follow in the other car, anyway. But-wait a minute-I see it."
"Yes, Bran?" Yes-now he was himself again. She waited.
"Check me on this. If the status is quo, I tell Vanois and Limmer to seal ship until I say open. If he's already taken over-"
"He has not. There would be time for warning, and there has been none."
"True words. All right, then-my ships buttoned, every-body waiting. We go down there-coming in low, of course, out of Peralta's reach if he's got hold of something and jury-rigged it. Now, then-what do I do?" He was not asking advice, she knew-only for a response. "You said it yourself, Bran."
"What?" He washed food down with a swallow of coffee. "Oh, yes-make him commit himself. So-we land with Lefthand Thread between us and No Return, and go aboard fast. And then-"
"And then, Tregare, you know exactly what to do-do you not?"
"Peace knows I do! We go about our business, exactly as though Peralta still sat at One Point One. Until he makes his move."
there was more to it. Tregare caled Limmer and Vanois,
learned that al was quiet so far, and gave instructions. He told
Deverel and Kenekke, "You both stay here today, one of you
at the board at all times. If the string gets tigpt and I yell for
help, come in the scout. Wasteful, I know, bit this has to be
decisive."
Deverel nodded and Tregare continued. "If you have to come, circle Base Two below the traverse angle of any ship's projectors, because you won't know for sure whose hands they're in. Interdict the ground completely-kil anything that moves-because unless somebody gets stupid and disobeys orders, none of them wil be ours. You got it?"
"Sure have, captain," said Hain Deverel. "But I hope we don't have to do it."
"So do I-and I think you won't. But just-in-case is what wins arguments." tregare drove the aircar south, away from his usual route. He hopped a ridge and circled back, low, hugging treetopped hils. He dropped into the crater with Limmer's ship shielding him from Peralta's, grounded quickly and taxied close to Lefthand Thread. As he and Rissa left the aircar, the ramp came down; it began to rise again while they stil traversed it. 121
Inside, they climbed rapidly and found Limmer in the control room.
"Everything quiet so far?" said Tregare.
"Yes, and with Vanois, too. Your man Kenekke has us relayed through. Tandem scramble plays hel with the picture, but voice is clear enough."
"Good. Will you pipe a feed down to the galley squawk-box? I didn't have al my coffee at breakfast." Limmer looked startled. "Sure, Tregare. But what are we
going to do now?"
Tregare laughed. "Wrong question. The right one is, what's Peralta going to do-and when?" He turned to leave. "Let's let him make the mistakes."
the wait lengthened. Coffee became a mere excuse; taking only occasional sips, they sat while it cooled. Once, cursing in barely audible tones, Tregare stood and paced. Rissa started to speak but he waved a hand, slammed a fist on the table, and sat again. "I know-and I will!
Standing on my head I can outwait Jimar Peralta!" But in his face she saw strain grow. When the intercom sounded they had waited nearly three hours. A voice said, "Tregare? Do you hear me?" Limmer whispered, "Peralta." Tregare nodded and mo-tioned to Limmer to answer. "Limmer speaking. Do you have a message for Captain Tregare?"
"Tregare! What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Limmer raised eyebrows in query. Tregare whispered, "Tel him I'm busy. Ask him again if he wants to leave a message." Limmer did so; Peralta merely repeated himself.
Tregare smiled; Rissa saw him relax. Speaking now in nor-mal tones he said, "Tell Peralta that Tregare requests his company-his alone, from No Return-at lunch. Here, on Lefthand Thread. At noon, sharp." Audibly, he yawned. "I believe that "sail."
As though Peralta had not heard the message, Limmer repeated it. There was silence, then Peralta's voice. "Tell him-tel Tregare-oh, al right! I'l be there."
Tregare's hand chopped air; Limmer cut the circuit, and said, "What do you think he'l do now? Should we-?"
"We do nothing. He'll come."
122
"Yes," said Rissa. "He is on a tight string, and you have tightened it further." She smiled. "But I expected no less of you, Bran Tregare."
precisely at noon, Rissa sat at a table set for four, screened temporarily from the rest of the galley. Across from her sat Limmer, and to her right, Tregare.
Limmer looked at his watch. "He intends to make us wait."
"He won't," said Tregare. "Would you have the food served, please?"
"His, too?"
"Sure. If he eats it cold, it's his own fault."
They were well into their meal when the slim uniformed
man approached; his walk gave Rissa the impression of
boundless energy barely held in control. The escorting crewman said, "Here you are, Captain Peralta," and walked away.
Rissa studied the man, seeing a thin, dark face with eyes that moved constantly; his glance caught her gaze for a mo-ment, then slid aside. Tension drives this man-tension, and what else?
Limmer looked up at him with his scar-drawn sneer, Tre-gare with no emotion at all; neither spoke. Peralta gestured. "Your courtesy lacks something. You eat before your guest arrives."
Tregare said, "My invitation was for noon; my watch reads twelve past. Was it that long a walk?" Scowling, Peralta sat at Rissa's left. He took a bite of food. "Pah! It's cold."
"At the time specified," said Rissa, "it was served hot."
Tregare looked at her and gave his head a minute shake. "When you weren't here on time, we thought maybe you'd changed your plans. And we were hungry."
Peralta pushed his plate away "Well, I'm not-not for this. So eat, then." When they did, he scowled once more. "Tre-gare-what's this al about?"
Tregare moved his own plate, empty now, aside. "I think that's my question."
"What-"
"You brought your ship here at night-without permission, let alone instructions-and landed without identifying your-self. And the only word you sent me-by the way of Vanois-was a summons." He smiled. "I'm sure you can explain why. So start now."
"Tregare-you don't own me-"
"I own certain rights to your loyalty and the use of the ship I helped you take. It's a long time you've profited by that ship, free and clear-now I'm collecting what's due me."
Peralta leaned forward. "What you're admitting is, you need me. Wel, al
right-but the terms want changing." Tregare shook his head. "What I earned and what I need may not be the same. I need the ship, yes. You? Maybe not, the way it begins to look."
"My ship, you're talking about, Tregare!"
Limmer chuckled; Peralta glared at him. "Tregare, this is between us. We don't need the gargoyle-or the woman." Limmer's expression did not change. He stood. "I like my face better than your manners." He turned to Tregare. "Don't worry-I know how to take orders. While we're both under your command, he's safe." he walked away. Peralta gestured toward Rissa. "I said-the woman, too."
Before Tregare could speak, she said, "I did not think to be under your command, Peralta. If you think differently, per-haps you would like to prove it."
Snorting, Peralta batted a thumb across his nose. "Every-body's brave-everybody's a hero. Al right, then-stay. But keep your mouth shut so it doesn't catch anything."
Interpreting Tregare's brow-lowered glance, she did not say what she intended. Breathing deeply, she waited. Very quietly, Tregare spoke. "If you're done bulldozing my people, Peralta, maybe we can get to what's clawing you."
"All right!" The man pointed a finger. "Command, that's what! Rightly, I'm senior between us. I realize you have a head start here, but I want a share of command and I'm going to have it!"
"No shares, Peralta-committees don't win wars. And who was senior, and what did it mater, when we got your ship for you?"
"It matters now!" Half-crouched, Peralta stood. "Tregare! Maybe you haven't noticed, but we're just the way I wanted it-you and me, one on one-and I think I can take you!"
Rissa laughed. Peralta, his concentration broken, jerked sidewise to look at her. "You are wrong," she said. "We are two to your one-not that Tregare would need my help."
Now it was Tregare who laughed. "Come to that, she prob-ably wouldn't need mine, either. Didn't you hear the gossip at One Point One? About my wedding?"
Still crouching-balanced and bobbing slightly, ready to move-Peralta said, "Something-yes-a woman beat some fat slob, both unarmed? That won't matter here. You think I'm fool enough to come without-?" His hand brought the knife up; he half-lunged toward Tregare, then pulled back. "You see-?"
Through the time-shock Rissa watched herself; very slowly, it seemed, her hand swung the tall coffee mug. Liquid splat-tered Peralta's face and chest; she caught the blade in the mug as she swept it down. She felt the jar as the heavy rim caught Peralta's hand and wrist. Then the knife clattered away and she recovered her balance. Her backhand swing-full-mus-cled, unrestrained-brushed his other hand aside; the base of the mug glanced off his jaw. She fell across the table; as she pushed herself upright, the mug rolled away. She saw Peralta reel, pawing the air for balance; he stumbled against a chair and fell backward. She took the chair and raised it, a leg aimed to lunge at his throat.
Tregare caught her arm. "Don't! It's my job, if anybody's. And we have to try to talk, first!"
"No!" She saw Peralta raise a gun; she pulled free. The chair was off aim now; she twisted down with it. The legs went to either side of his head and neck, but one knocked the weapon loose, spinning away, and then the rung between them pinned Peralta's throat.
Calmer now, but still moving in slowed time, she jumped to stand on the chair-steadying herself with one hand to its back, prepared to leap in any direction. Tregare stared as Peralta bucked and kicked, gripping a chair leg in either hand but lacking leverage to free himself.
Now the man kicked both feet into the air-and again, higher. She felt the chair wobble; she reached out, ready to catch a foot and twist it if she had to jump. But Tregare moved forward; as Peralta's legs came up again, he caught each at the ankle and held them nearly vertical. "Now, then-" Rissa was surprised to see that he laughed. "-can we stop this foolishness and sit down and talk?"
Peralta cursed. Then; "Let me go! I can't breathe!"
Tregare nodded to Rissa; she stepped down. "Al right-get up and behave yourself." He moved the chair away and pulled Peralta up. The man felt his neck and jaw, brushed at his clothes. He replaced his chair and sat.
For Rissa, time began to approach its normal pace.
"Damn it, woman-you didn't have to do that! I wasn't-"
"You thrust a knife at Bran Tregare. I had no choice."
"But I only flourished the damned thing and pulled it back."
"And the gun?"
"Just to hold you off me, was all. You had me down, and-"
She shook her head. "No matter, it was too late. You had triggered the-the-" She looked to Tregare. "Time slowed, you see, and my body acted."
Peralta's eyes narrowed. "Berserker! If I'd known that-"
"Not quite the same," said Tregare. "Her mind still works-but when danger triggers the reaction, she's a fighting machine that doesn't stop til it's settled. I have a litle of that myself, but not trained to the peak hers is." Peralta turned to Rissa. "I'm lucky you didn't kill me-right?"
"Thank Tregare for that-I would have."
"Do you still want to?"
"No, the effect is over now. Though I wonder-can Tregare afford to trust you alive?" The man rubbed palms over cheeks and eyes. "I-I can see how you feel. I did it all wrong, didn't I? Got pressured up-you and your waiting game, Tregare-and pushed too hard, too fast." He looked at each of them. "Can we start over now, and talk?"
"Just a minute." Tregare left; when he returned with fresh coffee and mugs, Limmer accompanied him. The two sat.
"I think," said Tregare, "you two have something to settle first."
Limmer's sneer-mask hid whatever he might have felt. Peralta shook his head. "I owe you satisfaction, Limmer-if you want, you can have it. I was half-curdled with tension, but that's no excuse. Would an apology do? Either way, I owe you that."
They all waited-until Limmer said slowly, "Depends on you."
"How's that?"
"The apology suits, for now. But you buck Tregare's authority again- any way-I'll have you for it, then or later."
"You'd go to kill me, you mean?"
"Or let you live, maybe-but with a face like mine, or worse."
For a moment Peralta went rigid; then he breathed deeply. "All right. I apologize, Limmer. And I guess you're being fair enough, considering ..."
"Accepted." Limmer stood. "Well, I've got work to do."
Looking after him as he walked away, Rissa said, "I would not wish to insult that man." Peralta shook his head, then said, "Well, Tregare, how do we stand? If you want me off the ship, it's going to cost you. Local rumor says you're into-Hulzein money, so you could buy me out fairly, shaking nothing." Tregare paused a moment. "If that's what you want, Jima, I think we can dicker it. But I have an offer you might like bet-ter; stop to think about it."
"Is command in it?"
"No. Forget that. Here it is-you and No Return follow my orders until the job's done or I free you of it-and I think you know the job I mean. Afterward you and the other share-holders have the ship to yourselves, free and clear of me." His hand forestalled Peralta's answer. "Except that if we win it all, you'll end up with a few more ships to your string, likely. Now-what do you say?"
Peralta chewed his lower lip. "Do I have to decide it now?"
"I'd feel better if you did." Tregare waited, then said, "But the idea's new to you-I'l give you time to think on it. Is three days enough?"
"I-yes. It'll do."
"Then-" Tregare frowned. "You started pulling hull plates yet, for the installations?"
"Waiting until we had things settled."
"Either way it needs doing; our time's limited." Now he watched Peralta closely. "One thing, though-you've got only the two choices-there's no third. You understand me?"
Head lowered, Peralta looked aside. "I-I'm not sure."
"You're not stupid, Jimar-you can't help but think, cut your losses and lift off. Wel, don't try it-that's al. Or Lim-mer wastes a missile blowing you to dust before you leave at-mosphere. I've got too much invested in that ship." Peralta snickered. "So you'd blow it up
?"
"Before I'd be robbed of it, I would."
"If you don't trust me, Tregare, maybe you had better buy me out."
"Trust?" Tregare shrugged. "After today, you've got to prove that. I'm just making it simpler for you."
"I see." The man rose to leave. "If I get off, you'l want my First Hat briefed. I'll tell her to expect word." He nodded once to each of them and left.
"What do you think, Rissa?"
"Buy him out, of course. He may be al right, but why risk it?"
"Why? Because he's so damned good in a tight passage. If I could be sure of him-"
"Well, then- you will decide, Bran. He only thinks the decision is his." upship they met Limmer in Control; Tregare reported the happenings the other had missed. When he came to Rissa's part, Limmer chuckled. "I wish I'd seen that-Peralta always fancied himself a fighter." When Tregare spoke of precaution against Peralta's ab-sconding, Limmer turned to his controls and punched a sequence. "There. Until further notice, Number Two missile has No Return's name on it. Neutron head, so we could chase ship and salvage it, though of course most of the instruments would be burned out."
At the end of his narrative, Tregare asked, "Who's Peral-ta's First Hat?"
"Hilaire Gowdy. I've seen her onscreen once or twice-big woman-not young, but quick-minded. I could like her, I think- and depend on her."
Tregare gave a lopsided grin. "You think, too, I should buy him out."
Limmer shrugged. "You said it yourself-command can't be split. Can he keep from trying? Buy him out or kill him while you still can-that's what I'd do."
"He gets his three days." Tregare spoke flatly. "Given time to think, I doubt he's fool enough to make promises he won't keep." He shrugged. "I'd better call the scoutship. I haven't relieved my men there, from alert status." flying upslope from Base Two to the cabin, Rissa said, "Bran, you say command cannot be divided-but you do con-fer with your people."
"Oh, sure-when I have time for it I ask advice and I listen-any man does who isn't a fool. But then /decide. And it's that last part Peralta wants a bite of."
