Freedom's Ransom Part 15

We'll need new bolts and, of course, the locks.'

'Is that far from what you Catteni euphemistically call a drinking spot?' Kris asked hopefully. She remembered all too clearly the brawl she had nearly been embroiled in the last time she'd been in Barevi.

'Yes, and not near the main intersections,' Zainal added, satisfied. 'On a good wide aisle.'

'Did you catch the names of any merchants?'

Zainal handed Chuck the hand cam he had been using on his tour of the market areas. 'Which one of our crew can develop film?' he asked, taking out the film he had used up on his return to the KDM. 'Then we can see who our neighbours are.'

'Gail,' Kris said, and, going to the wall unit, depressed a toggle. 'Lieutenant Sullivan to the wardroom, please.' 'Coming,' was the cheerful reply.

It didn't take her long to arrive, almost breathless, at the door. She raised her arm to salute, but changed the motion to pus.h.i.+ng her hair back from her face. Zainal had long since requested that formality be reserved for those times when other Catteni were present, but service habits were hard to break.

'Can you please process these, Gail?' 'Certainly, sir. Are they urgent?'

'Reasonably. And no one is to leave the s.h.i.+p alone. Especially you women. Never leave without a man with you... preferably Clune or Ninety. Pa.s.s the word along.'

'Yes, Zainal. I will.' She widened her eyes briefly and then flicked her fingers at him in a salute and turned left down the pa.s.sage. Kris took a new camera unit from a closet and handed it over. He pocketed it, patting the slim rectangle for a moment.

'Should we all carry one, just in case?'

'No reason why not. Photo proof might be necessary and some of what I shot might not develop because of shadow but...'

'We might be able to identify enough to help find the right ransomables.'

Kris finished the thought. 'We are adding tyres, batteries and spark plugs to the list, aren't we?' He nodded a vigorous affirmative.

'The name of the market chief is Kapash. He would not want the world and Barevi to know that, at one time, he was storing illegal substances: Flip, Strew and Lily.'

'Oh?' Kris said, her tone asking for elaboration.

'Flip destroys Catteni balance. It's a powder and, blown into the face, can cause vertigo. Often illegally used during fights. Too much can destroy balance completely. Strew clings to skin and has an obnoxious stink to it. It also clouds memory. Lily is the worst. It's toxic, especially to the Turs, and was often used to subdue them. In quant.i.ty it can be lethal to any of the known species. I don't think it was used on Earth, but it might have been.'

'Lily is your word for a bad drug? I used to love stargazer lilies. They could scent up a room for weeks.' She smiled nostalgically. 'Why did you warn me about such substances?'

'I'm warning you about Kapash. You may threaten him with exposure if he makes any move on you or any of the crew. Dealing with any of those three drugs carries a mandatory sentence to one of the mining colonies. He'll know that.'

'So he wouldn't want that bruited about.'

'No, he would not. Your threat is - if you need to use it - that if you are not back by a specified time, such information will be delivered to the s.p.a.ce commander, Ladade. He knows I know, but he can't touch me. Or hasn't tried to. As I told the lieutenant, no one is to leave the s.h.i.+p alone. I'd rather you,' and he pointed his finger at her, 'went out only with me or Clune.'

'Isn't Alex McColl big enough, too?' Kris asked, grin ning. She knew she shouldn't feel so c.o.c.ky but she had benefited from sessions with Mpatane c.u.mmings in unarmed combat training, and was adept enough to have floored Clune and Chuck in exercise sessions. Mpatane might look delicate but she was dangerous with hand and foot. She'd had Kris doing some toughening exercises with the edge of her hand. Mpatane could split a hunk of wood with a blow. She'd also taught Kris how to send a man's nose into his brain with the heel of her hand. Not, Kris thought, that a Catteni nose would be as fragile as the human equivalent but a crack there would certainly be smart enough for her to get out of a Catteni's clutch. Catteni used genital guards even when off-duty, so the cla.s.sic ploy of a knee to the crotch would not be an option. Kris was glad to have other time-tried manoeuvres, and got quite adept at flooring anyone who dared grab her: once you knew how, it was simple to use the force of a rush to the attacker's detriment. Most of the Catteni fighting she had observed had been flailing fists and b.u.t.ting heads. Not much finesse, more pure brute force. She now had countermeasures but would prefer not to have to use them.

'We could get in a few good licks in ten seconds,' Kris said, noticing that the other women bristled a bit at the notion that they couldn't defend themselves. 'But Catteni don't fight fair,' she added.

'Just a safety precaution. Until you know the Barevi market area, you need to have a fail-safe,' Zainal said, accepting their rebuff. When he gave Kris an admonis.h.i.+ng glare, she gave him an impudent grin.

They spent the rest of the afternoon getting the bulky dental elements onto Natchi's big lift and checked to be sure they had everything else they needed. They had found a digitally locked strongbox for the smallest gold items. The metal ingots were a little easier to safe-keep, being heavy and bulky in themselves and not something even a Catteni could slip into a pocket. They had more than enough of a crew to leave someone on board on comm watch at all times, and Bayes had rigged a perimeter alert in the berth against snoopers. The KDM, aka Ba.s.s-l, had integral s.h.i.+elding against electronic snoopers so one person on board should be sufficient. Possibly two or three. Herb Bayes knew some rudi mentary Catteni.

One of the first things Zainal wanted to liberate was a carton of handheld comm units so that all members of his group could keep in touch no matter where they were on Barevi. He gave each of the women a tiny Mayday patch that would emit a ten-second yowl if they got cornered. The sound was one that was particularly irritating to Catteni ears and was guaranteed to let them escape while their would-be a.s.sailant was battered by the noise.

The water tested 99 per cent pure without any unusual bacteria or noxious minerals. It was a bit high in iron but that would be temporary, as Zainal knew from his term as market manager that the piping was all properly done. The tap only needed to run a bit. Sometimes just to be awkward, the market manager would do silly things, like health checks on a merchant. A water filter from the survivor kit would let them filter enough water for the first urnful of coffee - just to be on the safe side. Zainal hoped that the coffee could be made quickly enough so that he'd've collected some local credits before Kapash figured out a new way to derive income from their stall. Zainal surely hoped that Kapash would prove to be a caffeine addict. That would be useful. After reading the manual for the roaster, they had been able to dry several more sacks of beans on their flight to Barevi, and the results had brewed into a decent coffee. They'd do more once they found out how the beans were selling. Kris was keen to try some blending of the two bean types.

The next morning, when Zainal woke up early, he could already smell the onboard coffee. Dressing quickly, he went to the galley and found Kris pouring cups for those already gathered in by the delightful aroma. She had made pancakes, too, from the last of the flour, milk and eggs on board. There were ripe bananas to start with and he was becoming quite fond of the fruit. They had several big stalks of bananas slowly ripening in the hold along with the oranges they had taken on board at Santa Lucia. They would see how things went before they offered the fruits in the market. But there was a threeweek limit to the bananas and they might well have to trade them for what they could get, even if Kris had hopes of returning with some to Botany as a special treat. The oranges would keep and some of the other fruit had been bought green enough to make the trip back to Botany.

'I made another big pot of coffee,' Kris was saying now, as Floss and the boys joined them in the galley, 'so we could bring some to the stall just in case we have early customers,' she told him, jerking her chin at the big padded thermal bottle.

'Good thinking.'

'Do my best with the first cup of coffee,' she replied. One of the things Zainal particularly liked about Kris was her ability to wake up in a good mood. It certainly started the day off well for those working with her. She had toasted the last of the baked bread she'd been able to make from the flour they had brought from Botany.

If Zainal remembered correctly, there had been a bakery in Barevi market, unless a fight had trashed it. The one he remembered had done good business, especially after some of the Terran breads had been offered for sale, when different types of flour became available following the ma.s.s looting of Earth. Coffee and bread from Terra were good things.

'We're ready when you are, Zainal,' Bayes said. 'All loaded on the lift.'

Despite the heat of the coffee, Zainal managed to drink it down, felt it slosh in his belly and hoped it would have its usual stimulating effect on his system. Kris carefully handed him a nicely browned slice of bread, spread with some of the sweet stuff he liked. He smiled at her.

'Take the hottle,' she said, nodding to the padded affair.

By its convenient handle, he swung it off the worktop and followed Herb Bayes, Chuck, Captain Harvey, Sally Stoffers and the two Doyle brothers, who were on the first s.h.i.+ft of the ransom team. His sons followed him, eager for their first glimpse of famed Barevi. Zainal hoped that someone would apply for the job of tutor. While experience in the market - as well as their command of both languages - would be useful, they badly needed training in other areas. They wouldn't like it, but then, he hadn't enjoyed his schooling either. Piloting was always good training to have.

Other merchants were beginning to open their stalls one by one, pausing in the process to talk to their neighbours and a.s.sure waiting customers that they would be ready presently. His team made short shrift of setting up, since they would be buying, not selling merchandise. Even the coffee wasn't for sale, offered only as a courtesy to those who came to show their goods.

'Filter the first water that comes out, Ninety,' Zainal murmured to the heavyset Doyle brother.

'Smart, too,' Ninety muttered back as the tap spat rusty water into the filter material, but there was soon enough to fill the big urn. Bayes nodded a.s.surance that the power conduit was good and they wouldn't need a transformer to handle the electrical current, while Kathy Harvey set out cups, brown sugar and the Botany sweetener and every spoon from the galley. Kathy had taken it upon herself to be sure the spoons did not go missing.

Zainal hadn't liked milk in his coffee when they'd had enough to use it, said it ruined the full coffee taste, which he preferred dark and sweet. Thinking about it made him pour a cup from the hottle. Second one was nearly as good as the first, and he could savour the taste. Then Natchi appeared at his elbow.

'Does that smell like I think it does?' the old man murmured, inhaling deeply. 'Oh, it does. It's coffee, isn't it?' He was salivating in antic.i.p.ation.

'Coffee', being an alien word, sounded the same from Catteni lips as it did from Terran. Zainal had noticed that the Kenyans called it kahawa.

'I brought my own seat,' Natchi said, holding up a battered crate as he reminded Zainal of the previous day's promise. Zainal poured him a cup.

'Put your seat where you will be comfortable, Natchi, behind the stall where you won't be trampled in the rush,' Zainal suggested when he saw that sharp noses down the line were picking up the unmistakable aroma from his pouring.

'We have a list of items we are looking for,' he said in a carrying tone, glancing down the row of stalls and catching the gaze of several other merchants, 'and those who wish to peruse the lists might enjoy a warming cup.'

By then, the others with the dental equipment lift had arrived, with Eric Sachs hovering at the tailgate, anxious that his precious equipment not be harmed. Only if it fell on someone else's toe, Zainal was sure, gesturing for Eric to use the cubicle they had rented for that purpose. Ferris and Ditsy had offered to see if they could find men in the drink shops who might need Eric's skills and persuade them to come and see the wonders of tooth repair and restoration. As aids, Gail, who had a gift for printing and sketching, had done a flip chart depicting examples of the dental care Eric could provide, even putting a small diamond in one crown when she had heard that Mike had included some flat-cut stones in their barterables.

'You say you have a list?' asked a low voice at Zainal's side, and he saw a man, ostentatiously wearing a communications badge, standing beside him.

'Yes, we do, please step up,' Zainal replied, remembering what Peter had told him of the ways of treating prospective sellers.

'Who speaks Catteni besides yourself, Ema.s.si?' Clune had mentioned on the journey here that no one would ever mistake Zainal for anything but Ema.s.si cla.s.s, no matter what he did or how he introduced himself.

'All who are here, merchant. Captain Harvey, I think list two,' and he held out his hand to Clune for a copy of that list. They had printed up lists of units and numbers, as well as logos of the various manufacturers whose items they were eager to find. 'And would you like a cup to sip?'

'The aroma attracted me first, Ema.s.si,' was the unusually candid reply, and Bazil was quick to pour another cup from the hottle and present it with suitable dignity to the merchant. 'I grew accustomed to this Terra drink, but it is hard to obtain in any quant.i.ty.' Zainal chose to ignore the subtle request for more information about his sources.

'It may be stronger than the brew you drank on Terra, merchant, and you may wish to add sweetener.'

The man took a sip and let it drain down his throat with an expression of delight and relief. 'No, it is fine as it has been poured, Ema.s.si.'

Kathy was holding out a copy of the list to the prospective trader. She had also put out a little bowl, and totally without shame, she caught the merchant's eye and rubbed her thumb against her forefinger suggestively. 'Have as many cups as you desire,' she said very graciously. Zainal watched the man's face, but he showed no offence and, indeed, dug into his pocket and flipped a coin into the bowl, which already held some small change.

'We try to serve only the very best brew. This is called robusta, grown in the mountains of Kenya and considered the best of the best. It is, however, strong and you might prefer a milder brew.'

The man cleared his throat and swallowed. 'True, but exactly what is needed to start a chilly morning and a day's trading.' He held out his hand to take the list from Kathy. 'Ah, these all seem to be electronic parts from Terra.'

'We are looking for spare parts to repair damaged machinery,' Zainal said cautiously. 'Do you know if you have any of these items in your stores?' According to the reconnaissance Chuck had done, this man did.

The man raised one hand over his shoulder, twiddling fingers, and suddenly two younger men were by his side.

'Check our stores and see if any of these items are in stock.' He pa.s.sed the list over. The clerks ran off but not without a longing sniff in the direction of the coffee.

'Return swiftly,' Zainal added to their retreating backs, 'and have a drink.'

'Do not be so quick to offer enticements, Ema.s.si,' the merchant said, 'or you will have all the raff and scaff of the market begging.'

'The raff and scaff,' Zainal said, gesturing towards Natchi, who was savouring each sip of his cup, 'often know local gossip and fact. Natchi and I have known each other a long time and I find his talk is informed and genuine.'

'I am Zerkay, Ema.s.si,' the merchant said, 'and it is right that you should treat him with respect.'

'As a veteran, he is due some preference.' Zainal was not going to get into an argument about the treatment of ex-soldiers when he knew very little about the man to whom he was speaking.

Zerkay had finished his second cup, and when he would have added another coin, Zainal stayed the gesture and beckoned for Kathy to replenish his supply.

'Have a cup of the freshest brew, Merchant Zerkay, and from different beans and grind. Let me know which you prefer,' she said in Catteni. She even had the right inflection of inferior to superior in words and cadence, and Zerkay raised his eyebrows in appreciation.

'Your Terrans speak good Catteni.'

'They practise,' Zainal replied, not without a touch of pride.

'Amazing,' Zerkay said, lifting the freshly made coffee close enough to his nose to sniff appreciatively. 'Hmmm. Yes, I can smell the difference. Lighter, milder.'

'Arabica beans, grown on the highlands of Santa Lucia,' Kathy replied.

'Highlands?' Zerkay asked.

'There are many sorts of coffee beans grown in Terra, Zerkay, and nearly as many ways of preparing the cup you drink.'

'Are there? How interesting. I did not know. But then, I have had little chance to enjoy Earth.' He inclined him self first towards Kathy and then towards Zainal, obviously quite eager to be indoctrinated.

'We can supply you with the beans you like best, Zerkay, that is, if we can agree on the items I require.'

'Have you enough coffee to satisfy both your needs and my tastes?'

'That is what we must discover, Zerkay.' Zainal held his cup up to Kathy for a refill.

'Ahhhh!' Zerkay raised his hand, signalled with his fingers for another of his young minions to attend him, and this one placed a stool by the table for his senior to use.

There was a bustle and reshuffle of people at the far end of the broad market corridor, and for a moment Zainal was afraid that the advancing pile of cartons would tumble off the lift that transported them. The cargo had not been tied to the lift bed and Zainal feared for the safety of all the so-irreplaceable items. Then the two young men appeared, one towing the lift, while the second made frequent adjustments to the piled cartons to prevent any from falling off.

Zainal caught Kathy Harvey's glance and the flick of white paper in her hand, doubtless a copy of the list. He made a flourish with one hand for her to check the items proffered. Most of the cartons were prominently embellished with the Terran Motorola logo, and some were indeed cell phones. Another carton seemed to hold switching mechanisms, vitally needed for the satellites. Zainal had memorized some of the relevant alphanumeric combinations of parts used by the various manufacturers of what he most needed, and these looked right: three letters and six or more numbers with a final letter.

Kathy Harvey was calling out the codes on the boxes to Bayes, who was checking them off.

'Pay dirt, boss,' she said in English. 'How about we give the nice man his own bean grinder as a special offer? Bayes hooked one up on an extension and we can give a demonstration. And let him smell the difference in the roasted beans. He has a big enough nose.'

'Not that it'd work with all the stinks around here,' Bayes remarked sotto voce.

'Coffee has its own indescribable smell. He may not catch the nuances but would he admit that he doesn't when we give him the pitch?' Kathy replied.

'Which cup did you prefer, Zerkay?' she asked at her most deferential.

'The one I just had,' the merchant replied, noting that Bayes had finished checking off the list and handed it with a bow to Zainal. Zainal nodded approval and settled himself on the edge of the stall top to see what was the most vital on this list to bid for.

'We must decide a fair exchange for this merchandise,' he said. 'Since you like coffee, are happy to find a supply, would you consider trading in coffee beans?'

'You have the beans themselves?' Zerkay was impressed.

'With great difficulty, but we have managed to obtain a small quant.i.ty,' and Zainal thought of the hold full of fragrant beans in their sacks, 'which I will offer for the specific goods I have been sent to find.'

'Sent by whom, might I be so bold to inquire?'

'Why, by Botany, of course,' Zainal replied. Which, at one level, was true enough.

'Ah yes, the planet that you have discovered.'

'No, Zerkay, the planet on which I was dropped.'

This information appeared to stagger Zerkay to the point where Zainal was afraid the man might tumble off his stool.

'You? An Ema.s.si? Were dropped?' 'Like a common criminal' was the unuttered qualifier.

'I was dropped, and I stay,' Zainal replied firmly.

'Yes, I see,' Zerkay said, and perhaps, Zainal thought, he really did. One day Zainal would discover who had made sure that a Catteni had been included in a disparate lot to be left to live or die on an unknown planet. However, Zerkay recalled himself to the business at hand, leaning an elbow casually on the stall, glancing at his half-empty cup and then at the list dangling in Zainal's fingers. 'And how shall we judge the worth of each carton? For I think your friendly veteran will have already told you that trade has been very slow.'

'Surely not slow for a man of your ac.u.men.' Zainal gestured towards Zerkay's obviously large and expensive stall, with its well-built amenities and outbuildings. 'And trading finesse.' Zainal indicated the fine fabric in which Zerkay clothed himself. So, Zainal thought, the initial courtesies were over. He had to play a very delicate balance now between desire and acquisition. His first encounter with a Barevi merchant was all-important... at least on what Kathy called their 'coffee' standard.

'Is coffee another of those items no longer available on Earth?' Zerkay asked casually.

'What use could you possibly have for these parts?' Zainal countered, flicking his fingers towards the pile of cartons. 'We Catteni are an inventive race, to be sure, but...' He let his tone drop off.

'But you would surely be searching them out to deliver the units into the hands of those who can a.s.semble them effectively?' shrewd Zerkay replied.