by F. M. Busby
"I am glad, Bran." She rose and began dressing. "But-Ivan must not know that you know." He stood also. "Sure-I see that. Don't worry-far as I'm concerned, he never had a problem. Al right?"
"Very much so." She kissed him. "Now-shall we try to be on time for dining?" they were nearly the last to join the group. Limmer and Felcie, Ivan, Vanois with hair and beard trimmed to neatness, Hilaire Gowdy-these were there ahead of them. As they sat, Kile Ressider entered; he greeted those he knew and was in-troduced to Ivan. To Tregare he said, "I've been thinking. I shouldn't have expected command, when you have someone who's worked an armed ship. At first I had reservations. Now I don't."
Tregare grinned and accepted Ressider's handshake. Before he could answer, Ilse Krueger joined them; he shrugged and motioned Ressider to a seat.
Ilse greeted the others; Rissa introduced Ivan. "... and he was the one you told me of, who inquired about me!" Nod-ding, Krueger shook hands and said, "This one's brother, are you? Yuu a duelist, too?"
"No, not especially. I'm trained to kill in the easiest way, not to follow ritual unless I have to. But that's only training, in case it's needed. I mean, don't be-"
"Frightened?" Her blonde curls, worn loose now, swung as she shook her head. "Nothing much scares me. I'm the smallest person ever to survive UET's Space Academy gaunt-let-and I've got the scars to prove it." She smiled. "That's not any kind of challenge-just fact."
Ivan smiled also, and moved the chair beside him for her convenience. "Sit here, won't you?" When she did, he said, "I wish I knew how to fly a ship." Then food was brought, and the woman's answer was lost to Rissa in the noise of general conversation.
Saying little, Rissa looked from one to another, observing. Vanois used his native jargon only a few times, then spoke in more normal patterns. Hilaire Gowdy ate sparingly; already-in less than twenty days, Rissa guessed-the loss of weight was noticeable. Ressider talked with Limmer and Felcie, too far away for Rissa to hear what was said. She turned to Tregare. 'Your group becomes, I think, a viable entity."
"Yeah-since Peralta, it's shaken down pretty good. When Inconnu gets here-"
"Then you will firm your schedules, to leave this world."
He gripped her hand. "And that's when it all goes on the line-our next thirty or so chrono-years. And maybe the next thousand, for the whole peace-losing human race!"
the party after dinner was much as Rissa expected. Liquor and drugsticks abounded, though she and Tregare used both in moderation. The size of the group varied-people suddenly absent for a time and then back again-but Limmer's quarters proved too small; headquarters reverted to the galley. When Tregare said to her, "Time to go, I think," she looked around to see who was present. "Ivan? He is not here."
"He'll be all right. Hain can come pick him up tomorrow." They said good-byes to those who listened, and went down-ship. Outside, by the aircar, he said, "Who flies it? I can-but would you rather?"
"You-I am sleepy now and would be rested later." She dozed on the way and woke at Base One. Tregare went to the scoutship, she to the cabin. She slept for a little while but woke when he joined her.
Next morning they rose early. While Rissa made breakfast, Tregare visited the scout. He returned just as Rissa was preparing to call him, and they ate.
"The packet lands sooner than I thought," he said. "I left word for Hawkman to bring the new aircar; he'll be at the Lodge this afternoon."
"And did you speak with Base Two?"
"Yes. I'm going there for a while-come along if you like." He paused. "Limmer's turning out to be my key man; what do you think of taking him and Felcie along to the Lodge? I'd like him to feel a real part of the Hulzein Establishment." She nodded. "Of course. And I owe Felcie a ride through the pass; I've hinted of it to her. But you say nothing of Ivan."
"He's all right. But we'll be taking Krueger to the Lodge, too. Sometime during the party last night, Ivan moved in with her."
"He-?" Rissa laughed, stood and leaned over to kiss her husband. "I would not have thought-but his instinct was right. He took his strengths to the strongest woman."
'' You consider her stronger than Gowdy?''
Rissa shook her head. "Hilaire is older. He may never-it was older women who hurt him so terribly. You remember, I told you-"
"Yes-and you told me to forget it, too, so I am. But-Ilse at the Lodge-you think it'll be all right?"
"If she oversteps herself, Liesel will correct the matter."
"I expect so. All right-you want to come to Base Two?"
Upon consideration, she did not. Tregare and Deverel took the aircars; Rissa went to the scout, talked with Kenekke, and spoke on the screen with Liesel and with Ernol. Later, carry-ing a snack in her shoulder pouch, she hiked uptrail. She ate beside a stream; from the ledge where she sat, it dropped so far that the breeze whipped it into spray. Her seat gave her a view of the plateau and the hills that fell away below it.
Returning, she was only a few minutes distant when the air-car landed. Deverel had brought Limmer and Felcie; Tregare, she learned, would bring the rest in an hour or so. She showed the two around the plateau and cabin, briefly; then they boarded the car and she set off for the Lodge.
felcie's response to the pass did not disappoint Rissa; when they were through it, she turned to see Limmer's scarred smile.
He said, "She wasn't really shaken, you know." Rissa nodded and he chuckled. "I see why everyone needs to go through that as a passenger first, though. Splash yourself if you didn't.''
In a long, smooth swoop, she approached the Lodge. Seeing a new aircar on the ground, she landed beside it and was not surprised when the Lodge door opened and Hawkman came out. She leaped down, ran to him, and hugged him. "Oh-it's so good to see you again!" Then she turned to introduce him to the others.
"Limmer," said Hawkman, shaking hands. "Bran Tregare speaks well of you." Then; "Felcie! I hear you've left local bureaucracy for space?", She nodded and he laughed. "Your mind always did run tpa fast for one colony." He picked up some of the luggage. "Well, let's go in, shall we?"
Inside, Sparline met them. Limmer and Felcie were shown to the room prepared for them; the others adjourned to the dining room and sat to talk, drinking coffee.
Rissa asked of Hawkman's offworld stay. He waved a hand. "Dull, for the most part. Tending to business. Some of it's yours, Rissa-scan the tapes when you have time. But mostly dickering with Norden for Valkyrie, and he took hell and forever to make up his mind. I can't blame him; space was his life and he hated to leave it. But from my side ..."
"Yes." Rissa nodded. "Bran and I, of course, have met Norden. If he were younger, I think he would have stayed with Valkyrie and joined Tregare."
Hawkman smiled. "I got that impression, too. But now-tell me the things that happened, that Bran Tregare only hinted at. The man-Peralta-?"
She told it. Sometimes Hawkman frowned; sometimes he shook his head. Finally; "My son's not known for being overly trusting, and I can't fault him this time, either. Who would expect ship's weapons crammed into an aircar?" Head thrown back, he laughed, then sobered. "But between you, you got him. Too bad, in a way-I mean, that he had to try it. A man like that..."
"I agree," said Rissa, "and Bran, also. His death is-a loss. But of course we had no choice."
"Course not," said Hawkman. He turned his head, listen-ing. "An aircar coming-that'll be Bran Tregare?"
"Yes," said Rissa. "I will leave now and await him in our rooms."
Upstairs, Tregare soon joined her. He was smiling, but when she asked he shook his head. "Wait-you'll see." When they entered the dining room, the last to arrive, she saw what he had meant. At table with the two Hulzein couples were Ilse and Ivan; Ilse's left arm hung in a sling. Before Rissa could speak, Ilse said, "It's my own stupid fault, not Ivan'sI didn't know and I didn't ask. Sometimes I play a little rough in bed, and-"
"My reflexes got ahead of my brains. I told you I was sorry."
"He broke my wrist before I knew it. I'm lucky he was able t
o stop before he broke my neck." With her usable hand, she touched his shoulder. "Anyway-it won't happen again!"
"No," said Ivan. Then; "I'd thought to go with you, Rissa. But now-and Ilse wants me to train for First Hat on GrafSpee.So-"
Rissa moved to kiss him. "Of course, Ivan-this is best for you. And we all go to the same place." Grinning, Ivan shrugged. "Yes-wherever that is."
Tregare spoke. "It's time you all-and some who aren't here today-knew my plans. All right-" He told of his scheme to take Stronghold, and then-perhaps-Earth itself.
Ivan banged a fist on the table. "It could work-Tregare, it could work!" He leaned forward. "From here, you can't find out what's what, Earthside. But with Stronghold taken-and I see no holes in that plan-you can sit and wait. Until the news from Earth points toward a good chance." He gestured. "But I'm not telling you anything, am I? You'd already figured it, right?"
"Sure I did," said Tregare. "But I'm glad you see it, too, and agree." Ivan shook his shoulders free of tension in the way Rissa remembered. "I agree, all right. When do we leave?"
"Depends. But soon, in any case-don't get involved with any continued series on the entertainment channels." Liesel had been unusually silent; now she spoke. "Hawk-man. We've talked of going to Earth. Should we?"
"It's more can't than should," her husband said. "We don't have a ship yet-unless we go with Bran Tregare."
"No," said Liesel. "We- I-don't have time for that, not at my bio-age. We have to go'direct-or in freeze, at least. So I suppose we can't wait and buy a ship. But do we want to?"
"Let's wait and see," said Hawkman. "And on the chance, arrange signals with Bran."
"Signals?"
"If we go to Earth, we'l want to know whether it's friendly territory."
Conversation paused while food was served. Then Tregare said, "You'll know. Any Earth spaceport i take over, I'll run the UET students' underground fight song on all ships' fre-quencies, in the clear; every hour on the hour!" And in incompatible keys he and Limmer sang; "And that
is the reason, you can plainly s ee, why there's only one latrine
in al of U!E!T!"
Hawkman laughed. "That should do it-shouldn't it, Liesel?"
"Yes. And Hawkman-if UET were stil in charge-I think we have enough information to go in under false colors and get out again safely. Bran's done it and can advise us."
Tregare pushed his empty plate away. "You won't have to. If I get to Earth at al, UET won't have time to waste, check-ing your bona fides. That bunch wil be too busy with its own problems."
Rissa frowned. "You are sure, Tregare? You have not spoken of this."
"I've thought of it, though." One hand made a fist. "The day I get to Earth in one piece, that's the day UET loses track of whether its butt's punched, bored, or clawed out by a wildcat!" He drained a glass of wine. Rissa shook her head. "Tregare-is this fact or bombast?"
He grinned. "A little of both-sure. But I can make it work."
"I believe it," said Limmer.
"And I," said Ilse Krueger.
"Very wel, Bran," Rissa said, "I only wished to be sure we do not, through overconfidence, lure our family and friends into trouble."
Tregare looked at her. "Before we leave, I'l distribute writ-ten plans to al concerned. Al right?"
"Of course. It is only that we have drunk a considerable amount, and I-"
"I'll write it; you check it. Good enough?"
Rissa nodded and Hawkman said, "I like things put on paper, myself-it helps keep everyone on track. And now I'm tired. Liesel?" The two rose and the rest prepared to disperse. Ivan and Ilse left next; then Rissa and Tregare. Upstairs, Rissa said, "Bran-I did not mean to say your thought is not good."
"You didn't. It's al right. But I'm bone-dead tired. Tomor-row, maybe?"
"Yes. Tomorrow. Good night, Bran."
next morning Tregare was called away from breakfast to answer the viewscreen. He returned, grinning. "That was Deverel-with word from Zelde. Inconnu lands this evening or tomorrow morning, depending."
"Depending on what?" said Felcie. "Drive trouble? UET nosing around? Isn't space navigation more accurate than that? How-"
Tregare waved a hand. "Zelde's running on a least-fuel course, so she can skip the port and top off from the limited stock at Base Two. She's never landed there at night and would rather not."
"Rather cautious," said Ilse, "for someone who's going to command one of your ships.''
"It's my ship she's being cautious about, and I agree." He turned to Liesel and motioned toward Sparline. "One thing-this means we're moving soon. We have to go to Base Two-and I'm not sure when or if we can get back here. So if we're going to see this younger-older sister of mine married, it had better be today."
"But we haven't time to plan it all!" Liesel's dismay was evident.
Sparline laughed. "What needs planning?" She spread her arms. "Our friends are here-what more do we need? If an im-promptu wedding was good enough for Bran and Rissa ..."
Ernol spoke. "She's right; we don't need anything fancy. Today's just fine."
Felcie giggled. "Let Derek perform the rites. He's in prac-tice." They al laughed; the story was known. Limmer shook his head. "I'd be honored, and that's truth. But it's Hawkman Moray's place to say the words for his daughter as he did for his son."
Rissa saw Hawkman's lips tremble as he smiled. "Thank you, Limmer. But I'll leave it to Sparline and Ernol." Brows raised, he looked at the two.
They nodded; Sparline said, "Derek's right, of course-we do need you, to say it all for us. Now-when do you want us ready-and where?"
"The sundeck on the roof," said Liesel, "and just before sunset. Will that do?" She looked around. "No objections?
All right. But-" she added, "if you think you're getting out of anything, you're wrong. In a month or two we're going to have an official reception that will knock your eye out, with all the oligarchs standing in line to toady while they size up their new peer. I have that much coming, and I'm going to get it!"
Sparline patted Ernol's shoulder. "Don't worry-two months is a long time from now. We'll all be running your string with you, and I'll coach you how to handle the worse ones."
"And besides," said Hawkman, "by the time you two make your fashionably late entrance, we'll have the bigwigs full of wine and floating on drugsticks."
Rissa laughed. "I wish we could be here. But Stronghold will not wait."
"Nor Earth," said Bran Tregare.
after a day of clear skies, clouds gathered, reaching bright, gaudy arms-orange, crimson and purple-up from the glow-ing horizon. The group stood, all but Hawkman facing the sunset. A cool breeze made Rissa shiver occasionally; she ig-nored her discomfort and listened carefully to Hawkman's words. When he had spoken them for herself and Bran, she had barely heard; parts of the ceremony she recalled, but less than half. Under her breath she repeated the responses as Sparline did-and with a side-glance she saw Tregare's lips move with Ernol's. At the end when Ernol and Sparline kissed, so did Bran and Rissa. Kissing and embracing became contagious. After Rissa's turn with Ernol, she found herself caught by Hawkman, then her brother, then Limmer. As Tregare reached for her again, Liesel cried, "Wait a minute! If we're having an orgy here, we need some wine!"
Tregare laughed. "Or even if we're not! I'l get some." And catlike-a rather noisy cat, thought Rissa-he descended the stairs, two at a time.
"It is too pretty to go indoors," said Ilse Krueger, "but I need a wrap against this breeze." Rissa agreed and followed her. When she returned she found al but Ivan wearing addi-tional clothing.
So in comfort now the group talked and drank, laughed and sang, until darkness and hunger drove them indoors. Dinner was late and leisurely; the remaining evening, until bedtimes, was brief.
zelde M'tana approached Number One when Base Two had entered darkness, and took orbit around the planet until morning. Caught in goodbyes that could not be hurried, Rissa and Tregare did not leave the Lodge until noon. Tregare took Limmer an
d Felcie in one aircar; after a time Rissa followed in the newer one, Ivan beside her and Ilse in the seat behind. As she approached the pass, she said, "Ivan? Do you wish to fly it?" He nodded; she switched control to him and he swung to enter the cleft. He had little trouble with the turbulence and gauged his climb wel. Rissa thought he swung too wide at the first turn of the dogleg, but he centered squarely on the second and brought the car through into clear air. "Al right?" he said.
"Better than I did, my first time. And now-past the next ridge and to the left of the peak, yonder-then you can see the base ahead." Ilse said, "You people are al crazy-you know that? You scared me back there, Ivan-and that takes some doing."
"I didn't intend to-I was just concentrating on getting through that dogleg."
"It is not an easy thing, at first," said Rissa.
"What I'm used to," said Ilse, "is up above, where there's more room. Aircars, no."
"This route," Rissa said, "is not usual for aircars. Few pilots could manage it."
"I believe that. This part-and peace be taken! How big are these hills?-this is more restful. Anyway-Tregare scared me too, yesterday-but at least I knew he'd done it before."
Ivan turned to grin at her. "And now you know I have, too."
Ilse tried to frown but laughed instead. "All right-now watch where the hel you're going, wil you?" Ivan slanted the car down between Lefthand Thread and Carcharodon to land beside Tregare's vehicle. "End of the line," he said. "All out." And they walked across the field -Ilse and Ivan to Graf Spee, Rissa past the other ships to In-connu. She thought how different it was, since she last left this ship. Was she the same person? Probably not... she climbed upship to the galley and found Tregare and Zelde M'tana. The woman turned toward her and held out a hand; Rissa moved to take it and was nearly smothered in embrace.
"Tari!" Now Zelde held/her by the shoulders at arms' length, looking. "Only you're not, really, it turns out. Well, whoever . . . so you married the skipper, did you? And-Tregare's been telling me a lot in a hurry-fought a duel with Jimar Peralta-too bad he couldn't control his am-bition-and earned your way to being Third Hat on here!" She squeezed the shoulders once, then released them.
