Starbridge (38 page)

Dhurrrkk's sensitive nostrils twitched as he stood on his hind legs, bracing himself with his hands on the protective barrier. "I mean no offense," he muttered, in English, "but it smells to me as though those people badly need a decent grooming. Or perhaps one of your baths."

"They look like a cross between oysters and green garden slugs," Rob observed, pitching his voice low.

"I could have nightmares about those things," Mahree whispered back. "I'm sure they're nice people, but they're ... I can't describe it, but they look just
awful."

"No worse than what I've pored over during autopsies," Rob pointed out.

"But it goes beyond their physical appearance. Now I know how Steve McQueen felt when he saw The Blob.' "

"Remind me to skip that one," Mahree said dryly.

Rob nerved himself up to greet the creatures politely, but, to everyone's relief, Shirazz informed them that communication with Rigellians was a skill currently mastered only by a few special Chhhh-kk-tu. The creatures "spoke"

only by means of body pulses. They were unable to use voders or artificial communication aids.

"So how do the Chhhh-kk-tu speak with them?" Mahree asked.

"They enter the tanks and the Rigellians wrap themselves around their bodies. It is extremely difficult and exhausting work, translating for the Rigellian Councillor and its aides," Shirazz explained.

Dhurrrkk's crest drooped as he considered that prospect. "The 241

Chhhh-kk-tu are beings of great honor and remarkable courage," he said gravely.

"We are currently honored to have one of Rigel's foremost artists here for an exhibition," Shirazz told them. "Would you care to see its works?"

"Sure," Mahree said, forcing enthusiasm. "What kind of art could something that looked like
that
produce?" she whispered to Rob as they followed the Guest Liaison.

In a gallery adjoining the aquarium, a series of pedestals displayed a variety of shapes that made the humans stare wide-eyed.

The "sculptures" were airy, spun marvels--iridescent swirls of color, about the size of a human hand. The rippling, rainbow- hued material they were composed of looked like a cross between natural pearls and opals.

Each graceful shape had a predominant color--powder blue, lilac, rose, palest yellow, mint green. But, even more than their exquisite shapes and colors, each creation's delicate symmetry and balance of design captured and delighted the eye.

"They're wonderful!" Mahree breathed. "How are they made?"

"The Rigellians excrete the iridescent substance from their bodies," Shirazz explained. "It is an ability they all have, but not all of them are artists. Most produce lumps of the substance, which are cut, then used in jewelry or as inlay work for mosaics. But this particular Rigellian--they do not have names, so we call it simply 'Master'--is different. It produces works of intrinsic beauty."

"The Rigellians sell this substance they produce?" Rob asked, wishing he had some way to buy a piece for Mahree.

"Yes. It is in great demand."

"Does Master sell its works?" Dhurrrkk' asked. "They seem . . . beyond price."

"Yes, each of these pieces will be sold. We are fortunate to have them displayed here, before they take up residence in the homes of the wealthy."

"I wish I could afford one," Mahree said softly, still enthralled. "I'd look at it for hours each day. And each time I looked at it, I'd learn something new . . .

about myself, and about the transcendence of true art, true beauty." She gave Rob a rueful glance. "I've already learned something, from seeing the creator, then seeing its creations."

242

* * *

"Rob ..." Mahree began, then trailed off.

On the verge of falling asleep, he opened his eyes in the dim light of their sleeping room. "What, sweetheart?"

"Do you ever wish you could stay here, and not go back?"

"To the
Desiree?"

"Or Earth."

The doctor stretched, then rolled over and propped his head on his hand, looking down at her. He could see the pale oval of her face, surrounded by the dark masses of her hair, but could not make out her expression. "You mean, assuming that Dhurrrkk' was safe and all?"

"Yeah. Does Shassiszss strike you as a place where you could be happy?"

He shrugged. "I wouldn't want to stay here and never see home again. But this place
is
wonderful." He thought about it for a moment. "Yeah, I could live here ... especially when I think of how much the Mizari bio-sciences have to offer.''

"I could stay here, too," she whispered.

Rob grinned. "No need to ask
you
why. Your eyes light up brighter with every new alien species you see." He yawned suddenly, widely. It had been a long day. "Why the question, anyway? You planning to ask the Mizari to let us stay?"

"I might," she said half seriously.

"Go to sleep," he said, smothering another yawn. "We've got a busy day tomorrow."

He had nearly drifted off again, when she suddenly nestled against him.

"Rob? Hold me, okay?"

"What's wrong?" he asked, settling her head against his shoulder. "You aren't still having nightmares about what happened when Doctor Blanket rearranged your mind, are you?"

"No . . ."

"Then what is it?"

"Nothing ... I just want to be close to you, that's all."

He smiled. "If you keep me talking, I'm going to wake all the way up, and
then
you'l see what 'close' is."

He could hear an answering smile in her voice. "Don't make threats unless you plan to follow through."

Rob rolled over until she was lying within the circle of his arms. "Okay. Don't say I didn't warn you."

243

Mahree and Rob crowded uncomfortably into the Simiu lounge seat before the communications equipment, as the "screen" flickered, and Rhrrrkkeet's features emerged. Both humans made the greeting gesture. "Honored MahreeBurroughs! Honored HealerGable!" the First Ambassador exclaimed.

"I am so relieved to see that you are safe!"

Mahree said, in Simiu, "We are well, Honored Rhrrrkkeet'."

The Simiu Ambassador gave an almost-human start of surprise to hear the young woman speaking her language, but she quickly recovered. "I have just spoken with my cousin-son, and yesterday I talked with First Councillor Ahkk'eerrr. You three miscreants have had many adventures aboard my vessel, and at Shassiszss Station." There was a wry twinkle in her violet eyes.

"We did, Honored Rhrrrkkeet'," Mahree agreed. "But your vessel is undamaged." She ducked her head, a little abashed. "We apologize for taking it without asking."

"I commend your courage, if not your actions." The Simiu Ambassador's expression was rueful; her maned crest stood at half mast.

"Please, Honored Rhrrrkkeet'," Mahree began. "Do not judge your cousin-son harshly. I demanded his help because we shared an honor-bond. He had little choice, if he wished to keep his honor.''

"That is not what Honored Dhurrrkk' told me," the F.A. said. "He offered no excuses and no regrets." Her pale eyelids drooped as she paused thoughtfully. "Frankly, I am impressed with his initiative. Before you humans came, my cousin-son lacked this. Now, it appears, he has more than enough."

"Will . . . will Dhurrrkk' be punished? Will he have to meet a professional gladiator in the Arena?"

"I do not know," the Simiu told her. "The answer to that question will depend on the decision of the League Members tomorrow--whether our world is granted full membership because of our contact with your people. I do not consider that fair, and am doing all that I can to point out that my cousin-son cannot be expected to bear the responsibility for unwise choices made by our Council. I have supporters, but it is too early to tell whether our side will prevail."

"I am glad you are defending Honored Dhurrrkk', Honored Rhrrrkkeet',"

Mahree said gratefully. "I was afraid that no one would stand up for him."

244

"My cousin-son acted with the impetuosity of youth, but in accordance with his personal honor," the F.A. said. "Others agree with me. This communication," Rhrrrkkeet' added, "has been authorized so that you may speak with your people. I will transfer you to them."

Her image flicked out--immediately replaced by Raoul Lamont's broad, good-natured features, his mouth smiling beneath the thick moustache, the glare of Simiu lighting gleaming off his balding forehead. "Mahree!" he exclaimed. "Honey, how are you? And Doc! Are you both okay?"

"We're fine, Uncle Raoul!"

"We're fine, Captain," Rob said. Deliberately, he put an arm around Mahree and pulled her tightly against him. "We've been through a lot, but we're managing."

Raoul's eyebrows went up.
"We?"
was all he said, but the intonation was enough. He looked directly at his niece. She nodded at his unspoken question, and he hesitated, then smiled uncertainly. "Congratulations," he said, with a touch of irony. "You're happy, Mahree?"

"Oh,
yes,
Uncle Raoul!" she said, her eyes meeting his across the parsecs.

"I've never been so happy!" She took a deep breath. "If I weren't so worried about that hearing tomorrow, that is," she amended, her smile vanishing.

"Dhurrrkk' may be in real trouble."

"So I hear," Raoul said.

"Tell me, Captain, how is Joan? Any trouble with that arm?"

Lamont's expression turned grim. "Joan's arm is healed," he said, "but things aren't the same around here." He took a deep breath. "We . . . aren't together anymore, if you get my drift."

"Oh, Uncle Raoul . . ." Mahree said, in French, "when I heard how she talked to you during that meeting, I was afraid of that."

"Thanks for your discretion," he said, in the same language. "But Rhrrrkkeet'

knows about that meeting. She and I are old buddies, by now. Still, it's not nice to wash dirty linen in the presence of strangers."

"You
told
Rhrrrkkeet' what happened in that meeting?" Mahree was aghast.

"Mon Dieu!"

"I told her, yes. And the lady stuck up for us, even so. The Council was already on the verge of firing her for defending us.

245

Now she thinks her defense of Dhurrrkk' will constitute the last straw. But she doesn't give a damn."

"Oh,
mon oncle
..." she said, thinking of all that had happened, how things had changed, "did I mess things up, coming here? At the time, I thought I was doing the right thing, but now ..."

Raoul gave her a smile that was meant to be reassuring. "It took strength to do what you did. I'm sorry that you didn't come to me before taking off--but I understand why you didn't. Nobody was communicating very well about that time." He sighed.

"But tell me how things are now!" Mahree said, to change the subject. She couldn't bear to see her normally cheerful uncle like this.

"Your departure really brought things to a head. When the story of what you and Dhurrrkk' had done hit the Simiu news media, they knew that it was only a matter of time until the CLS found out about us. So the High Council started falling all over themselves to tell us that
of course
we were free to leave."

"Is Khrekk's family stil demanding satisfaction?"

"I understand Khrekk's family resigned their positions in protest when diplomatic relations with us were resumed. One good thing ... they're screening the people they allow to meet us a bit more carefully these days,"

he said, with a touch to irony. "Things are still rather strained, but I think any danger to
Desiree
is definitely past.''

"I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear that," Mahree said. "And,
mon
oncle,
if there's any way you can manage to let the Simiu Council know that humans will take it very ill if they try to punish Dhurrrkk' for helping us, you owe that to him."

"I agree," Lamont said. "And I will. When are you two coming back?"

Oh, God,
Mahree thought, with a stab of anguish.
What if only I return? What
if Rob stays here!
But she schooled her face. "I'm not sure. The Mizari will tell Rhrrrkkeet', so you'll know. It'll take about a month to get back from here.

We've got to stay through tomorrow, because that's when the CLS

Councillors are meeting, and we have to testify."

"Rhrrrkkeet' explained all that to me," Raoul said, then switched back to English. "I wish you both the best of luck tomorrow. Doc, I think you ought to let her make the closing

246

remarks ...I'll never forget how she spoke that day we decided to pursue that crazy frequency. She convinced
me . . .
maybe she can convince a bunch of aliens." He gave his niece a proud smile. "Wait until the Terran government finds out that our best and brightest hope for the biggest event in history was a seventeenyearold," he said. "I hope I'm the one that tells them. I want to see the President's face." He chuckled, then sobered. "I guess that's it, except to tell you both to take care of yourselves."

Rob cleared his throat. "One more thing, Raoul--how's Sekhmet?"

Lamont grinned. "Thought you might ask that," he said. "Yoki?" He beckoned, and a second later a pair of hands deposited a sleek, purring black bundle into his arms. "She sleeps on my bunk at night."

247

I feel as though I'm suspended in a cube of transparent plassteel--I can't think about anything but that hearing. Everything else seems muffled and distant . . . unreal. Rob and Dhurrrkk' aren't here; Dhurrrkk' is in his room, grooming himself nervously, and Rob went to talk to Shirazz, get her advice on how best to conduct ourselves at the meeting.

Will she take this opportunity to tell him about the job? Will I have to return to
Desiree
by myself? Maybe the Mizari could find something for
me
to do--

translating, maybe, so I could stay with him? I can't imagine settling down as a university student on Earth after all this. There's no career they can teach me at the Sorbonne that I have any interest in pursuing. Rob was right-- what I want to do is learn about aliens, and there's no college degree for
that.