Crisis On Doona Part 12

"Shouldn't there be more like a hundred sixty?" Todd asked.

"Yeah, should be,' Lon said, scratching his ear with the edge of his comp. "I put in a call to Mike Solinari at the Veterinary Hospital, and the foreman on the Hu spread, just in case any of our animals have hopped the fence.

"Not b.l.o.o.d.y seventeen of "em,' Todd replied grimly.

"With that ssersa you found today, that might account for some, but we haven't even found any bodies. Not even mda will touch a sscrsa carca.s.s." Lon gave a disgusted snort. "My dad told me that if I can't hand-pull fields, I deserve to have such losses but, honest, Todd "Didn't Hiriss and I spend'-Todd made himself continue despite the pang that the reminder of happier days gave him-'a whole week helping you?

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"A shuttle burn-off?" Lon's tanned face paled.

"There's been no emergency landing in that section.

D'you think . . ." He stopped, not liking his own thoughts.

"Rustling does present itself as an explanation,' Todd said, not wanting to believe it either.

"especially if there've been no bodiesound." Since Doona's wealth was its stock, not minerals or mining, rustling was the sovereign crime and punishable by immediate transport to the nearest penal colony. To keep track of all stock, each animal was branded with freeze-dry chemicals as soon after birth as possible: a painless process that left a permanent ID, naming its ranch of origin, breeding information, and control numbers. The brand was unalterable so that it was easy to keep a rccord of inoculations and vaccinations throughout an animal's lifetime. It made illegitimate transfer of owners.h.i.+p impossible. It also made rustling-on Doona-an unprofitable occupation.

Despite rigid psychological tests devised by Lee Lawrence, the colony sociologist, sometimes unsuitable personalities slipped through. People eager enough to get off Earth were known to equivocate about their open-mindedness as regards living with aliens, or their willingness to learn and speak an alien language. Their bigotry was generally discovered soon enough to do no lasting harm and they were sent off Doona, either to Earth or to see if they would fit into a totally Human colony.

Other new settlers became overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for a whole, stocked ranch, let alone a house set in the midst of more uninterrupted land than anyone on Earth had ever seen. Some could not adapt to the lack of laborsaving devices which were felt to be superfluous or environmentally dangerous. Fossil fuels were avoided, and natural power, windmills, river barrages, or battery cells charged by solar panel supplied what power was required. Some settler learned to cope, others requested transport back t familiar constrictions.

Those unwilling, or unable, to take responsibilit for themselves in a pioneer society posed the wors problem. Sometimes, folk who had been told al their lives what to do couldn't adjust to makin their own decisions. Or, once they realized that behavior monitors had been left behind on Earth they began acting as if they could behave any wa: they wanted. And take anything they wanted Rustlers generally emerged from that group.

"We haven't had any rustlers for years,' Lon said "And how could there have been a shuttle landin when we've got satellite controllers?"

"Have we got any newcomers from Earth who'vt gone possession crazy? You know that syndrome.

"How could I forget?" Lon asked grimly, spittin into the dust.

"It was my father's new mares thai were stolen. A guy named Hammond did it. I've c' hard place in my mind for anyone named Ham mond.

Since then I've learned to judge people. I'V( a good record at picking those who won't make ii through their first season."

"You helping Lee with his testing these days?"

"He has only to ask. Now, let's double-check th( ones we do have so I can send in the brands of thost we're missing." Together they checked the withers of eact animal that came out of the chute, entering th( brand and updating the' inoculation record.

"Yeah, we're seventeen shy. I'll just send the IDs on to Vet.

They'll forward the list to Poldep. Once the word's out we've done that, we might just find those seventeen missing horses back in their home pastures." Squinting at the sky, Todd shook his head. "They might not be on Doona anymore."

"Oh, come on, Todd. The security satellites would have reported any unauthoriii:ed transport in orbit,' Lon said, scornful of that suggestion. "No, we'll find out where they got stashed on this planet.

Might take a while, but we'll find "em on Doona." Todd did not argue the point now, but he was annoyed that seventeen animals were missing.

Seventeen! At the current market price, that was almost half the value of a good farm. Doonan horses were a valuable commodity, not only as transportation and a constant source of fertilizer but for the end product of meat, hide, and bonemeal.

"I'll look into it, find out if the neighbors have any inexplicable losses, and I can make that report to Poldep." Even as he spoke, Todd realized he was no longer the person to make reports to Poldep.

"No, I'm farm manager. I'll make the report,' Lon said, almost too quickly. "I need your help more out here in the pens,' he went on, stumbling to get the words out. "You've a longer attention span than those two flibbertigibbets,' he said, nodding toward Todd's two siblings.

It was obvious that the ranch foreman knew the details of Todd's house arrest, even if he had the tact not to comment on it directly.

Most of the neighbors had radios, so Todd could ask his questions without leaving the ranch. But he could see that keeping his word was going to complicate life considerably.

"I'll radio them, Ion, he said quietly. "And thanks."

"The Reeves have been having a run of bad luck lately,' Ion said stoutly, turning his head to spit in the dust. "I figure you don't deserve it.

Count on me if you need help-off the ranch."

"Me, too!" said Robin. At eighteen Terran years of age, he was the youngest of the Reeves' five children. He and Inessa climbed out of the corral as the last of the foals galloped free. "I don't think I'm grounded. Am I?" He turned wide ingenuous eyes to his brother.

"No, it applies to me."

"And Hrriss,' Inessa said in a low angry tone, then she turned to Ion. "We've put the five that need to be observed in the stable. Don't think any of "em are contagious but they need a bit of hand feeding. So I'm through."

"n.o.body is through until you put the rest of the medicines away and clean out the inoculators,' Ion ordered, shouting down their protests. "And last time I looked that pen hadn't been mucked out.

Hop to it!" With affected groans, the two young Reeves shouldered the vaccination equipment and staggered dramatically toward the medical outbuilding behind the foreman's house.

"What a pair of actors,' Todd observed.

"Eh,' Ion said, slapping him on the back. "You and Hrriss were the same at that age." Then he ducked his head at the ill-chosen reminder and spat again in the dust.

"Hrriss?" Kelly tapped on the part.i.tion of the Hrruban's room.

"Your mother said I'd find you here. Are you very busy?"

"Not too busy to see you,' Hrriss said, and Kelly chuckled at his gallantry. He rose from his computer console and they brushed cheeks affectionately.

"You okay?" Kelly asked, looking him over with sisterly concern.

"Do you need anything I could bring in for you?" She knew she'd be stirrazy if she had to stay in one room too long. How she'd gotten through school on Earth without dropping out had required every ounce of self-discipline she possessed.

"I'm okay,' Hrriss said, but ruined it with a sigh.

"I may move about the village, you know. But it is friTustrating to be restricted. I want for nothing but I will think of something to give you the pleasure of visiting me again." Then he clamped his lips so tightly that his eyeteeth were visible under the tightly drawn flesh.

"He misses you, too,' Kelly said softly. "And that's not a message,' she added angrily, "that's my personal opinion. I'm ent.i.tled to speak for myself." Hrriss nodded understanding and his muzzle relaxed across his teeth.

"So, what've you been doing with yourself?" Kelly asked, hoping that she could carry on some sort of a lighthearted conversation that wouldn't constantly remind both of them of the third person who should be here and must be nameless and messageless-all for honor!

"A little research into matters of concern to my mother,' Hrriss said, his eyes twinkling. "I have also been monitoring the official zranscripts of the Zreaty negotiations, and sending out correspondence to friends on other colony worlds. I hope to locate someone with contacts among the purveyors of illicit artifacts. If we could find out where the articles found on the Albatross were purchased, and by whom, we could prove our innocence." Hrriss felt a wash of shame every time he thought of the harsh-voiced prosecutors who dismissed his sworn word of honor as meaningless.

Kelly sensed his disquiet. "That's a d.a.m.ned good idea, Irrriss.

In fact, I'm doing a bit of research along those lines myself." Then she made fists of her hands and frowned angrily. "How anyone could be daft enough to think you and. . . to think you could be a pirate and a smuggler is beyond my comprehension. I want you to know that!"

"Thank you,' Hrriss said.

"And I'll bet no one in this village believes it, either,' Kelly went on, wound up by indignation.

"A Hrruban does not bring disgrace to his Stripe..." Kelly rolled her eyes skyward. "You are not in disgrace, Hrriss, any more than Todd is. You're just just pending investigation. You're sure I can't get you something?" she asked in a milder tone, rather surprised at her own vehemence. But the idea of an honorable person like Hrriss even thinking the word "disgrace' infuriated her.

"Nothing I can think of,' Hrriss said, dropping his jaw at her energetic defense. He was as much touched as amused by it. "You have already brought me something I appreciate greatly: yourself. Will you please visit again when you may?"

"Of course,' Kelly said, giving him a big hug as she turned to go. "Hang on, Hrriss. This won't last long." Ken found Emma Sumitral in a research room in the Treaty Center. She was a tall, slim woman of thirty, with large, smoky gray eyes and dark brown hair. She had the same formal carriage as her father the Admiral, which somehow made even the casual smock she was wearing look elegant.

"I am very troubled by what you've told me,' she said after Ken had detailed the seizure at the Albatross and the findings of the hearing. "You may count on our support. My father will certainly want to help you, but I'm not sure what he can do. I'm not sure if there's anything I can do."

"You can help me find out who informed Rogitel that the Albatross was stuffed with contraband.

Naturally he refused to reveal his source. The Treaty Controller doesn't know, or won't tell. The rest of the Council refuses to talk to anyone other than Hu s.h.i.+h or Hrrestan. And they're probably only speaking to Hrrestan because he's head of the Hrruban contingent. I hate like poison being ignored, Emma." And Ken managed a weak smile at that defect in himself. "I've got to find out who planted that junk, especially that blasted Byzanian Glow Stone, because they admitted being near Hrrilnorr IV. But no one there believed that they'd heard a Mayday. 1 believe!"

"I personally find it very hard to believe that either Todd or Hrriss could be smugglers or pirates.

But it is most unfortunate that they did not have the Albatross inspected as soon as they landed.

Especially in view of that Mayday."

"I reported that to Hu and Hrrestan myself. You know the boys were Masters of the Hunt, that that trip to Hrretha meant they'd have to work day and night to get the Hunt organized. Newry saw no harm in sealing the s.h.i.+p and letting the boys get on with crucial Hunt details." He hissed out a sigh, sounding more Hrruban than Hayuman, letting his hands go limp in his lap.

"But Treaty Law had been violated,' Emma reminded him in a gentle voice. She was a noted expert on the topic.

"A Mayday should be considered extenuating circ.u.mstances, Emma, not a crime. And there was no one else capable of 5rganizing the Hunt.

That could not be cancelled, and that's why I thought it was permissible for the formal inspection to be deferred. Just for two weeks." Ken raised his hands again in a pleading gesture. "You know yourself that we have to have the Snake Hunt, whether we dress it up as a tourist attraction or New Home Week or whatever. Those snakes would swarm whether or not there were any Hunters to restrict them. Hu and Hrrestan agreed with my a.n.a.lysis of the situation-Doona has to be profitable and the Snake Hunt provides a large hunk of our income.

If anyone is guilty of not insisting on that inspection, it's me.

I should be taking the blame." Emma looked very grave.

"Ultimately you may have to." Then, having startled him, she went on.

"From what you have told me, Ken, it is not just that delay, it is also all those valuable items that were found on the Albatross and the tape record of landings and launches within the framework of that Hrrethan journey."

"Neither Todd nor Hrriss is untrustworthy or a pirate or smuggler."

"No, they are not the type. However, the fact that blame is being attached to those two young men may yet work in their favor. They are much admired on Earth. Their friends.h.i.+p is legendary. I think you could say that it epitomizes Doona in many people's minds.

"Will it? After all this has been broadcast about the galaxy?" Ken asked bitterly.

Emma looked at him sternly. "If there is any rumor, gossip, slander, or libel about this investigation before it has been completed and its report made, there will be far more trouble for the loosemouthed than they can swallow! The boys are under house arrest, not incarcerated in a Poldep facility. Unless they break their bond, they are safe from slander. Now, let's see what we can find." She turned to her desktop console.

She initiated a search based on the boys' names and the name of their s.h.i.+p, the word "Hrrilnorr,' and the names of the artifacts that Ken could recall.

"Now we wait.

When the computer eventually spat out a list of file names, Emma briefly scanned each one, and instead of data, found she was looking at a moir graphic with a blinking square in the center requesting a confirmed pa.s.sword.

"Cla.s.sified! In the last two weeks, every one of these has acquired a special clearance pa.s.sword.

They're locked!" Ken swore softly. "d.a.m.n it, I'd hoped you'd be able to get through. I got the same graphics. Not a single code I knew got me any results. Do I need to start standing on desks to get cooperation?" "Not yet. . . I hope,' Emma admitted with a wicked light in her eyes. She bent over the board.

"I've got Father's code-key number. They wouldn't dare cla.s.sify these files too high for the head of Alreldep to access." To Todd's surprise, his father arrived home for dinner with a very attractive woman whom he introduced as Emma Sumitral.

"How do you do, Miss Sumitral?" Todd asked stiffly, and then the name registered. "You wouldn't be related to Admiral Sumitral, would you?" "Indeed I am, Todd Reeve,' she responded, squeezing his hand warmly. "I've heard a great deal about you from my father." She had a brilliant smile that lit up her gray eyes. Then she crooked her neck to look behind him.

Suddenly his formality deserted him and he burst out laughing. "I gave up wearing that rope tail a long time ago, Miss Sumitral."

"Emma," please,' she said, and he gestured for her to take a seat. "My father used to regale me with stories about Doona. I was only five when the first wave of settlers left Earth for Doona, so this world has always been special to me. I always wished my father didn't work for the government so we could have come, too,' she admitted. "I'm glad now that he does. His position has opened otherwise locked doors for me as a researcher, and now I believe it may help you, too."

"What?" Todd said, grasping at whatever hope was offered him.

"Todd, we'll wait until Hrrestan and Mrrva arrive. This concerns them, too, you know." Ken's expression was so concerned that Todd wondered what they could have found out that would upset his father-more than he was already.

Hrrestan and Mrrva arrived at the Reeves' house shortly before sunset. Todd greeted them courteously. He had to bite his tongue on "How's Hrriss?" Even with the parents of his friends, he would not break his given word.

Hrrestan and Mrrva nodded gravely to their son's dearest friend, their liquid eyes saying what they, too, would not say aloud. Both Hrrubans already knew Emma Sumitral.

"I've chased out the other children for the evening,' Pat said, trying to set all her guests at ease. An adult evening. Kelly ought to arrive any minute now.

Todd looked up, somewhat surprised, but Kelly hadn't smothered him with sympathy earlier and she'd scarcely do it in front of guests.

"She is?" Pat glanced at him, worried. "I thought you'd want her input. Isn't that all right?"

"Sure,' Todd said hastily.

As deftly as her father would, Emma led the discussion away to other matters, and held forth on the subject of trade among the colony worlds. Todd found her not only charming but intelligent. He rather thought she and Kelly would like each other.

Kelly arrived only minutes behind the Hrrubans.

They greeted each other warmly. "It's nice to see so much of you these days,' she said ingenuously.

Todd couldn't help but gawk at her, for she couldn't have more plainly told him she'd visited Hrriss, too.

"Well,' said Pat, surprised, "you did learn some diplomacy, after all." Then Ken introduced her to Emma and offered drinks all round.

For the first time, Todd found that the simple courtesies be usually enjoyed extending struck him as unnecessary time-wasters. Once Hrrestan and Mrrva were settled, Emma began to detail the files she had unlocked.

"It's turned out to be more than juSt trusting my father's opinions of you and Hrriss,' she said, "I think we may have stumbled onto a very complex and highly organized smuggling operation." She waited patiently until everyone stopped demanding details. "I found some, all right. And more data from the beacons...o...b..ting the other prohibited worlds is still coming in. So far, all of them show the identification number of the Albatross as having entered those systems shortly before or shortly after the s.h.i.+p visited Hrretha. The information is not yet complete. There are still four buoys circling interdicted systems left to be heard from, and that data will come in within the next few days."

"I can't believe that they all have the code number from the boys' s.h.i.+p,' Pat said.

"Now, the beacons identify the Albatross as being the s.h.i.+p that crossed their barriers in each instance.