Doona Trilogy Omnibus

by neetha Napew

  Ken began to relax a little as he realized Todd was handling the narrative beautifully, including a polite but boyish preface of his own, begging pardon in advance for any mistakes. Several of the Hrruban Speakers smiled at that. The Third Speaker stared expressionlessly ahead of him during both summations.

  Hates the whole bit, Ken thought, and he isn’t even listening; afraid he’ll hear something good.

  Hrruna then proposed that the meeting consider a joint tenure of Rrala, and the hassling began.

  It went on and on, particularly because the Third Speaker now roused himself to join battle, complaining, protesting, objecting to every constructive thought uttered. Despite his obstructionism, a framework emerged, with Sumitral obviously bearing Hrrula’s words in mind, and suggesting waiting periods, tentative arrangements, options on everything except the coexistence of the two races on Rrala. Each time, Sumitral took the sting out of the Third’s violent restrictions.

  Time and again it was Todd, growing more and more weary, stumbling occasionally on complicated phrases, who channeled the discussion back to coexistence on Rrala. He was simply unable to translate the subtler tricks of such trained politicians as Sumitral and Third.

  “You aren’t saying what you mean, and I wish you would—sir,” Todd said once to Sumitral “We’d get through faster.”

  Although Sumitral’s patience was strained as compromise and concession were whittled or discarded, he also realized that Todd was performing the same curious veto with the Hrrabans and that the Third Speaker’s designs suffered far more than his. As it became obvious to the other Hrrubans that the Terrans were acting with great candor and understanding compared with the fierce suspicions and covert aggressiveness constantly underlying Third’s objections, Third began to lose control of his supporters.

  At that point, Todd helped Sumitral win a very important concession. The admiral particularly wanted a transmitter station from Terra to Rrala to facilitate communications. He had specifically stated the grid need be no larger than would accommodate six men, that it ought to be manned by Hrrubans at all times, and that all transmissions would be cleared through the Hrruban colony chief. Third had ranted on and on about the dangers of such a concession, then glared at Todd to make the translation of ten minutes of rebuttal.

  “Noble gracious sir,” Todd had replied with a deep bow, “I will tell Admiral that you are afraid that we shall send big weapons to Rrala and forbidden things and all that. But it’s silly. And I guess you think our scientists are smart enough to look at those grid posts and figure out the whole idea of transmission from them. But that’s silly too. I’ll just tell him you don’t like the idea at all and see what he says.”

  Ken caught the sight of Hrrula s tail standing straight out in shock, but when he was about to reprimand Todd, Hrruma leaned across to Third.

  “Third, the boy is right, you know. It is impossible to extrapolate the mechanics of the matter transmission from grid posts and mesh. A small grid is therefore no danger and certainly an easier way to transport the hrrses and other interesting animals of the Terrans from there to Rrala.”

  Third glared around but he found no support from his previous adherents and had to withdraw his objections.

  By midafternoon the basic points of the Decision had been formulated. The Treaty would remain in effect for no more than fifty Rralan years, no less than twenty-five; during which interval sufficient mutual understanding was to be achieved so that a more lasting agreement could be drawn for matters beyond Rrala.

  Both races agreed to uphold scrupulously the Principle of Non-Cohabitation with an intelligent species on its native planet, while pursuing their independent explorations of space. Both space arms were to be provided with recognition signals and orbiting buoys which were to broadcast warnings of posted systems. There was to be no differentiation between systems posted for inimical life, conditions, or previous and present colonization. In that way, neither race, assuming they abided by the restrictions (and there would be telltales to record violations, the penalty for which would be tantamount to war), could penetrate systems of interest to each other. Or their home systems. Rrala would be the only contact point. No Hrruban was to visit Terra in any circumstances; no Terran could go to Hrruba.

  A large land mass situation in Rrala’s southern hemisphere was to be set aside for the neutral control force which would record and broadcast all posted systems. Exploration teams were to file all projected journeys with this central agency to prevent overlapping. A trade organization would be admitted at a later date once it had been established which commodities might interest the other race, but the Rralan colony was to be separate from the commercial interests even though they contributed Rralan products to it for sale.

  The autonomy of the colony was the hardest problem, but here Sumitral remained adamant: only the colonists directly involved could ascertain what regulations would be required for the smooth functioning of this joint colony. Third insisted the colony must be self-sufficient of either planet. Sumitral agreed wholeheartedly; that had always been a fundamental premise for Terran colonies. Third pounced on that by saying that an agricultural community was always a drain on its home world. Sumitral pointed out that the mineral and metal deposits of Rrala, slight though they were, should be the colonists’ to control and that the profits would be more than adequate for their off-world requirements. Third replied that if this world was to be agricultural, there would be no need for sophisticated machinery. Sumitral smiled and permitted Third to limit all heavy machinery, all automated equipment—except medical supplies of any kind—because Third forgot that hand shovels and incentive were used long before mining machines and printed circuits.

  He did not protest when Third insisted that the government of Rrala

  · whatever government there was Third added sourly—must prove itself by showing a balance of credit and smoothly running departments in all the proper phases of government within five Rralan years, or the project would terminate. All Rralan citizens attaining physical maturity must be permitted to return to the planet of origin on request. Any Rralan found guilty of committing an act of physical violence against any other Rralan within that five-year period would render the Treaty null and void. Sumitral immediately countered with a demand that the government of Rrala could exile any member of either race considered dangerous to the community for any reason; that person to be remanded instantly to the control island in custody of the neutral force.

  Third insisted that all minors were to be taught high formal Hrruban as well as middle. Sumitral agreed, if Terran were taught and if middle Hrruban was considered the official language of Rrala.

  Sumitral pointed out that the Hrrubans had five village sites on Rrala at this point whereas the Terrans had only one, causing a disparity of population. He requested that sufficient Terran family units be added to equalize the inhabitants from each planet. Third adamantly insisted that no more adults could then emigrate to Rrala. Unless there is a vacancy caused by an exile, Sumitral countered.

  By now Todd was showing unmistakable signs of strain, stammering and fumbling for words, but struggling gamely along. Hrruna began to frown with concern. At this point Landreau’s wrist unit beeped and he looked around for permission to answer it just as a Hrruban technician stepped forward to whisper to Hrruna’s first assistant.

  “A ship comes.” Todd announced the obvious with unadulterated relief as he saw a reprieve.

  Third half-rose, his eyes starkly apprehensive. Todd gave him a faintly contemptuous look. Ken pinched the boy’s leg under the table and Todd subsided with a sullen glare at his father. The Hrrubans were conferring in low undertones. Then the homing beacon lit.

  “Are we expecting anyone else?” Ken demanded in a whisper of Sumitral, who shrugged and glanced toward Chaminade.

  “An evacuation order was issued for you people,” he remarked softly, flicking his eyes toward Ken and smiling slightly. “Of course, in the light of today’s proceedings,
it will be canceled. Unless, of course,” and the grin widened maliciously, “you elect to return home?”

  “You gotta be kidding,” Ken exclaimed far louder than he intended.

  Chaminade leaned back in his chair, his expression smug although

  his round belly appeared afflicted with a curiously rhythmic inner motion. In that moment, Reeve mellowed toward the Codep man in a way he would not have thought possible even three hours earlier. It occurred to Ken that if Landreau had been thoroughly frustrated, Sumitral stymied, Chaminade had come off rather well. Although now a separate entity, his colony was still in residence and sanctioned. Landreau’s department would have to take official reprimands for his actions, but Chaminade might now move on to bigger and better things. Well, Ken decided, not until Chaminade had compensated the colonists-in minor but vital ways—for his earlier condescension.

  “Toddy,” Sumitral was saying, “please tell them that the ship is a transport vessel ordered here to prevent further violation of the Principle we both uphold.”

  Toddy frowned. “But we don’t need the ship. We don’t have to go.

  Isn’t that what this is all about?”

  “Oh, don’t worry, you’re staying, lad. You deserve it!”

  Toddy glanced skyward again and then grinned. He couldn’t stop

  grinning even as he translated.

  Abruptly, Hrruna rose to his feet. Everyone scrambled hastily to theirs as the First Speaker adjourned the meeting—over Third’s spluttered objections—and arbitrarily nominated certain members to pursue minor details with their Terran counterparts at another time. He trusted that a finished document would be presented to himself and Sumitral within three days, Hrruban time; no significant changes to be contemplated or acceptable on matters already discussed. He then bowed ceremoniously to everyone and, beckoning to Todd, stepped away from the table.

  Instantly the Second Speaker, dressed in deep gray, left the Council table to say a few quiet words to his first assistant, who immediately approached Sumitral and Landreau.

  “We may leave now,” Hrrula murmured to Ken. “They’ll be transmitting those who do not care to remain for the rest of the day.”

  “Should Todd be left with the First Speaker?”

  Hrrula grinned broadly, wheezing a little as he flexed muscles

  stiff from long standing.

  “Intimate pitch is being used. It would be an insult to interrupt without invitation.”

  “Got acquainted, I see.” Kiachif’s booming tones penetrated the still subdued conversation. Ken turned to see the inimitable captain, followed by his supercargo, striding toward them across the Common. “Seems to me, though,” he growled, glaring in Chaminade’s direction, “that my ship’s a bit superfluous with all that sitting idle on its tails. How do, sir?” and he nodded affably to Hrrula.

  “Chaminade will cancel that order personally, Kiachif,” Ken assured him. “We drew up a Treaty today with the Hrrubans and we’re staying.

  “Did right to disappear then, didn’t I?” Kiachif grinned expansively, winking at Ken. “Having another one of those dry do’s of yours?” He jabbed his pipe stem toward the groups setting up tables under the trees of the Common.

  “You do get here at feast time, don’t you?”

  Kiachif eyed him speculatively, rubbing a grimy hand through his

  beard. “Seeing as how you’re friends with the cats now you haven’t by any chance discovered if they’ve a—I mean . . .”

  “An alcoholic beverage? No. Things have been a little confused here lately.”

  Hrrula wheezed.

  “He understand Terran?” Kiachif asked in mild surprise, favoring

  Hrrula with a thoughtful look.

  “If I listen hard,” Hrrula purred.

  “Say, Haroola, do you folks happen to have any happy juice? Party

  drink? Alcoholic drink?” Kiachif pulled Hrrula cozily off to one side.

  Ken glanced down to see Hrrula’s tail tip describing a gentle arc. Suddenly Kiachif froze, staring at the Council table. Three Speakers remained seated, Third immobile with disapproval, the other two arguing with amiable intensity. They looked up in mild surprise at the mist closing over them before returning to their argument.

  There’d be four important guests then, Ken decided, automatically checking the whereabouts of each. Hrruna, who was now accompanied by Hrriss as well as Todd, strolled back toward the grid. No sooner had it cleared of one mist than another formed. Ken became aware now of the increased noise and activity on the Common; of groups of Hrrubans in vivid colors arriving from the woods. He could smell delicious odors and realized that he had had very little to eat since that pre-dawn stale bread and coffee. Land vehicles slowly drove up from the field, huge cylinders of fifty-gallon coffee makers lashed to their cargo beds.

  The transmitter grid cleared to disclose a group of elegantly gowned Hrruban women. One good thing about rigid courtesy, Ken decided, was that females had to be on time. Hrruna had stepped forward with the vigor of a narrow Stripe, taking the hand of one slender lady—his mate. Hrriss doubled up in a deep bow, his tail lashing out to swat Todd promptingly on his unprotected legs. Then the group moved off toward the barn, while unobtrusive guards, three Hrruban and one Alreldep, ambled behind in a satellite course.

  “Oh, Ken, did Todd behave himself?” Pat cried, rushing up to him.

  Her hair was damp-curly, her face flushed, her make-up and clothes fresh. “Who’s he going off with? Oh, isn’t that the First Speaker? Is that his wife? They say we’re staying and that you’ll be named Spokesman with Hrrula. Is that good? Is that what you wanted?”

  “Yes, yes, yes, and yes, honey,” Ken laughed, hugging her. “Todd has redeemed the family name for all time.”

  “Thank God!”

  “Where’ve you been since I woke you this morning?”

  Pat’s face clouded and her mouth thinned with irritation.

  “I had to explain to four hundred Hrrubans how to cook Terran

  style. Oh, for one lousy button to punch. There are times when automation had certain undeniable advantages—“ She broke off with an accusing expression on her face. “Do you realize that Mrrva is a physical health Specialist—that’s equivalent to having five Technical degrees on Terra. She’s a full fledged doctor, a biochemist and she was playing house on Rrala! She was up all night planning the banquet and she admitted to me that she’d used Todd as a guinea pig to see what Hrruban foods we can tolerate. And she and Phyllis have been going on at . . .”

  “And so are you,” he teased. “Hey, what’s the matter?” for Pat suddenly burst into tears and buried her face in his chest. He pulled her around to the back of the mess hall, away from the crowds. “Pat, darling, what’s wrong?” He tipped her head up.

  “It’s just—it’s just too much,” she gulped back her sobs. “I’m all right, really. Nerves.” But she couldn’t stop crying. “And I think I’m pregnant and I’ve been so scared and all with the snakes and the mining planet and . . .”

  Ken just held her tightly to him, gently stroking her hair. If he hadn’t been so roaringly happy inside—well, women cry because they’re happy, too. It was almost a relief to Ken to stand here, holding his wife in his arms. It gave him a chance to catch up too. He was having a little difficulty himself, adjusting to the fact that they were safely ensconced on Rrala, and that the Hrrubans were back for good.

  He looked down the sweep of the greensward to the barn. Hrrula was showing off the paces of the black stallion to Hrruna and his lady while Hrriss and Todd perched on the corral fence, cheering him. The guards lounged by the water trough, the Terran offering the Hrrubans a drink from the dipper. Beyond the barn, toward the plain, he could clearly see the black smudges where the snakes had been lasered away by the launch guns the day before. There was the faintest trace of stink when the wind blew from that direction. Far, far away he could see the dots of the urfa grazing. To his right, nearer the river, stood the four vari-sized ships
, silver-green in the westering sun.

  Pat had quieted in his arms, comfortable against him, warm and soft

  and his. As Rrala was his—and his children’s

  Pat looked up at him with a tremulous smile, her lips soft and inviting. He kissed her tenderly, for her hard work today, her courage yesterday, and the promise of tomorrow. Arm in arm they returned to the Common.

  L’ENVOI

  THE LAST OF THE GUESTS returning to Hrruba waved good night through the transmission veil. With a deep sigh, Ken turned to check the dark Common. The barbecue pits still glowed ruddily, striking the master grid at his feet with red fingers, flaring occasionally to light the deserted tables, the overturned benches. Above him the open sky of Rrala was star-dazzled but moonless. The last of the villagers were crossing the bridge, their way lit by yellow power beams instead of torches. Ken chuckled to himself. A race that had matter transmission carrying torches to confuse their unexpected guests!

  “Rrev,” purred a tired voice and Hrrula emerged from a dark splotch of shadow, Hrrestan right behind him, “we can find neither Hrriss nor Todd. Any ideas?”

  “Where’ve you looked?”

  “All over the Common, under the table, in the mess hall, at the

  bridge, the river,” Hrrula enumerated wearily. “All the Likely places,”

  “C’mon. We’ll try the unlikely” and Ken led them toward his cabin.

  They found the two boys fast asleep in Todd’s bed. And chuckled at

  the sight. Arms around each other, heads tilted as if they had fallen asleep midsentence, it was obvious that this pair worked hard at good interracial relations. Todd wore his mda vest and a pair of pants, his rope tail stuffed down one pant leg. Hrriss’s nether regions, too, were trouser clad, and his tail had worked down a leg, thereby equalizing the appearance of the two friends.

  Hrrestan smiled at Ken over their sleeping sons. “We do not need to part such friends tonight, do we?” and the two fathers covered the boys.