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Gringg, but intellectually she understood very well the need to remain on
guard until both sides were satisfied of the other's peaceful intent. The
Amalgamated Worlds had been at peace for centuries. The very thought of an
interstellar war chilled her. She felt a warm touch at the back of her hand,
and looked up to find Jon
Greene watching her with his brows drawn upwards, asking a silent question.
His moulded lips curved at the corner in a small smile of confidence. She
nodded at him, returning the smile in spite of her worry. The expression in
his eyes became warmer. Despite their obvious differences of opinion, she was
inexplicably attracted to this man.
But she was now on alert status and there was no time for any private life.
"Of coursse, all waits upon being able to speak to each otherrr,' Hrrto said.
"At least the most experienced man we've got is in charge of that,'
Grace Castleton said, finding relief in the fact.
"Sumitral?" Barnstable asked. "Has he arrived?"
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"Not that we've been informed, Admiral,' Grace said, "but I meant Reeve
Barnstable gave a little grunt. "I heard that he learned Hrruban first." Then
he remembered the presence of Hrrubans in the room, and smoothly went on,
"Which was only logical at the time, of course."
"I hope he's the right man to do the initial work,' Greene said, looking
concerned. "Some people get so wound up in their own specialty that they fail
to see the broader view.
"Rrev has proved his competencee on several levels,' Hrrto said, surprising
himself as well as MIlaba. "He prrotects, as alwayss, Rraladoona." He dropped
his jaw in a slight smile.
"Of course, Second Speaker,' Greene said quickly, "but I found his manner of
taking charge of the first contact a shade officious.
"He was asked to do so,' Castleton reminded him. "After all, he expedited
them to the planet which protected the technology on this ship from their
scrutiny."
"Aye,' Hrrrv agreed. "It waz wise to rrremove zem from zis vessel at once."
"Zo, Admirral,' Second said, folding his arms across his chest, "we wait?"
"I'll instruct Sumitral,' Barnstable said decisively, "to find out as soon as
possible, using whatever methods, signs, sketches, are needed what part of the
galaxy they come from, and how they found their way here."
"Zat, surely, can wait, Admirmal,' MIlaba said, smoothly.
"Ze threat is here, now, not wherever ze Gringg home system iss.
"But the Gringg fleet?" Barnstable held on to his concern.
"No evidence zat zere is any. Nothing is detectable in the near reaches of
space,' Captain Hrrrv said.
Castleton confirmed it. "I've checked with my telemetry officer.
He agrees. They came in alone.
"Each one of them is an 800 pound warrior!" Barnstable barked.
"They're a potential danger to Humanity!"
"And to Hrrubankind as well,' Hrrto added.
"And from that tape,' Greene added, "it doesn't look as if it takes more than
a single ship to decimate a planet." MIlaba was thoughtful. "Now what we
really need is furzzer support for our position of caution. Ze
Doonarralans will go on zeir merry way, never suspecting zat zey are set up
ftrr destruczhon until ze bomb falls on zeir heads. We require prrrsons of
influence, who can prevail upon zem to move with greazzer care. What about
zis Hayuman Landreau? Can we gain his support to suggest a more cautious
approach to ze Rralan administration?" Greene shook his head. "No, he's like
a child with a new toy with the Gringg.
In fact, he treats them rather like playmates. He's frivolous."
"Son, never call a Landreau frivolous,' Barnstable warned him darkly.
"His family has considerable influence on Earth and elsewhere. I'd prefer to
have him with us than against us." Second spoke up. "I shall endeavrrr to
inform ze Hrruban High Council zat a wary approach is a wise one.
Most of zem are conservative, and I do not zink zere will be protest.
Perhaps more pressure can be brought to bear on ze Doonarralans from ze two
home governments?"
"Direct intervention would be better,' Barustable said.
"We need reinforcements, to have a physical presence.
Trouble is we can't get them here quickly enough. It will take weeks for
ships to arrive from Earth or any of the colonies where some of our potential
allies reside. We must be ready for any eventuality!' "In zis
I can help,' Second said, "at least with regard to transportation. I
will auzorize use of ze grid for ze specific purrpose of supporrt in zis
possible crisis. A wise Stripe moves cautiously zrough a strrange forest."
"Honoured Speaker,' Mllaba began, "it would be wiser still to be sure zat ze
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grid operazors on duty are ones known to us, and zrrussworzy. Zey must not
disclose who auzorized zis movement wizout your specific prrrmission.
"Discretion widens a Stripe,' Second replied, nodding acceptance.
"I'd feel a lot happier if we had some sort of military back-up, just in case
the Gringg slough off the charm and turn on the heat,' Barnstable said.
"Sir,' Castleton said, an odd expression on her face, "need I remind you that
we have a full marine complement on board the Hamilton?
Not to mention the fact that her crew have won every single martial arts
competition the fleet has put on over the past five years?" The Admiral
grimaced and raised a conciliatory hand.
"Now, Grace, medals for exhibition affairs are not quite the same thing as
military experience "Who's had that in God knows how many years?" she asked,
pursing her lips.
The Admiral's face reddened, a sharp contrast to his mane of white hair.
"Grace, don't overstep yourself. I'm in charge of the safety of this sector,
and dammit, I'll protect it any way I can. I allowed Reeve to take those
aliens to the surface of a peaceful colony and I'll make damned certain peace
is maintained there' "Yes, sir,' Grace Castleton said. "But may I still
counsel moderation?"
"I've taken your counsel, and now hear mine. We're on yellow alert, and
I mean alert!
We're going to be ready for anything . . ." Barnstable paused, closed his
eyes briefly, suddenly remembering that there were Hrrubans right there with
him, so he hastily altered what he'd been going to say.
"What I mean is, those Gringgs are naturally armoured, those fangs, their
talons, their forearms have the reach of any among us.
why, that thick furry hide of theirs could probably turn away slugs.
Mllaba put in silkily, "Perhaps permeability of zeir skin and skin tension can
be one of ze tests performed by your medical technician.
"Good suggestion. Maybe. In the meantime, Speaker Hrrto, I'll take advantage
of your offer to use the Treaty Island grid. And, bear in mind, please, that
if those Gringg make a move before we're ready for them, one of those grid
operators must reach Earth alive to let them know what went on here." Hrrto
nodded. "I will remain on Rrala,' he said, well aware that the Hayumans might
have thought he'd chosen the easy option out by grid. The Gringg terrified
him, but a more acute terror would be to lose face by fleeing.
"As you wish,' the Admiral said, rising. "I'll get in touch with a few
people, transfer them up here for a little conference." He turned to
Greene. "Put the connections through yourself, lad. I want a stop put to
this chummy foolishness stat!"
"Admiral,' Castleton said, also rising, "shouldn't we inform the planetary
administration of our discovery?"
"Indeed we should not, sir,' Greene said, suddenly.
He was still smarting from Todd Reeve's off-hand treatment of him while on [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]