Crisis On Doona Part 32

"It looks very bad that they haven't returned yet,' Sumitral said.

"Where could they have gone? And why? The Amalgamated Worlds court was well disposed to give them a fair hearing on the basis of their achievements." Hrriss burned with shame. "They would come if they could,' he insisted.

Sumitral eyed him curiously. "Do you know where they went?"

"No.

But they would have returned if they could.

Of that I am certain. They are held somewhere against their will." He placed his hand on his heart1 his upper lip, and his forehead to emphasize his stated belief.

"I fear you may be right. Neither has ever betrayed an ounce of cowardice. Defection does not fit their characters,' Sumitral declared. "You have searched Rrala?" Hrriss nodded. "I alerted all Alreldep offices. Can none of you Hrrubans search your own planet?

They have to be somewhere."

"If they are alive,' Hrnss murmured, for he had denied that possibility as long as he could.

Then he saw the slender frame of Admiral Sumitral stiffen. A hand touched his arm in apology and Sumitral moved toward Hu s.h.i.+h.

"Come, Hu,' the Admiral said as he urged the man toward the platform where a small, thin, cleanshaven Terran in a white tunic descended from the grid. "May I introduce you to the representative of the Amalgamated Worlds Congress? Hrrestan, I am pleased to make you known to Dorem Naruti, of the AWC." He continued to make introductions among the village elders.

At a signal from the Hrruban grid operator1 Sumitral took his place beside the other Terran delegates. Third Speaker appeared from the mist surrounding the transport grid and, looking neither left nor right at those who bowed courteously to him, marched majestically into the Hall. The glow of triumph in his eyes was absolutely indecent.

Many Rralans, seeing that look, growled quietly under their breath at his lack of restraint and the implications for them.

The rumors of dissolution spread from Rralans to Hayuman friends and neighbors. Hrriss fielded glares and blatant animosity from longtime acquaintances. Who was holding the Rrevs captive?

No, which of the known antagonists to the Treaty had succeeded in denying the Rrevs the dignity of facing their enemies and confounding them?

As if in answer to his thoughts, Admiral Landreau in gleaming dress whites and an almost garish display of medals materialized on the grid. A moment earlier and he might have tread on Third's tail. The Admiral was accompanied by Rogitel and two other aides. Landreau had arranged his features in an expression of pious serenity which would fool no one on Rrala, certainly not Hrriss. His demeanor added more discouragement to Hrriss's depressed morale. Why didn't Zodd appear1 through the grid or out of the underbrush, with his doc.u.ment case in his hands, to wipe the smugness from the faces of Third and Landreau?

At last, Second Speaker Hrrto made his way from the grid through the hanging garlands of flowers to the platform. With his arrival, the complement of delegates from both sides was complete. Only the Treaty Council was yet to arrive before the ceremony would begin.

As the a.s.sembly of settlers held its collective breath, the Council appeared1 cl.u.s.tered together on the grid behind the Treaty Controller, magnificent in flowing red robes. On his breast hung a medallion of two intertwined gold suns, studded with sapphires mined and cut from native crystals.

It represented the interweaving on Doona of Human and Hrruban cultures. The light reflected from the jewel vanished abruptly as soon as the Treaty Controller stepped inside the a.s.sembly Hall. Immediately behind the Council came two clerks, one Human and one Hrruban, each of whom carried a large leather-bound and gemstudded book.

Solemnly the Council ascended to the dais. Each member bowed to the a.s.sembled dignitaries. The Treaty Controller was the last to do so. He made an especially deep obeisance to Third Speaker1 who returned a curt nod. The clerks moved silently to lay the huge books side by side on the table in the center of the stage. Without further hesitation, the Treaty Controller held up one hand.

"Hrriss, son of Hrrestan and Mirva, stand forth!

Zodd Rrev, son of Ken and Patrricia, stand forth!" he intoned.

The purrs and growls of High Hrruban had never sounded so severe.

Hrriss stepped forward, holding. his spine straight, and willing his tail to refrain from twitching with his inner turmoil.

Hrruvula, clad in his official professional garments, joined Hrriss.

"Sir, Zodd Rrev has been unavoidably detained,' Hrriss said. "I speak for us both." The Treaty Controller's tail twitched once from side to side behind him. "Both of the accused must face this Council.

Have you, perhaps, a doc.u.ment of the ill-health of your codefendant?" At that moment, Hrriss was very certain who had detained Zocid and his father. His heart sank but he raised his chin just enough to show that he knew the sordid game the Controller was playing out. "Be that as it may, you and your absent accomplice stand accused of crimes which violate the laws of the Hrruban League, the laws of the Amalgamated Worlds, and the Treaty of Doona. These are serious crimes, which shake the very fabric of trust which made the Treaty possible twenty-five years ago. What proof can you present to attest to your innocence?" "There is doc.u.mentation,' Hrruvula said, stepping forward and pulling one flimsy after another from his case, "to prove that the Mayday beacon was heard by Zodd Rrev and Hrriss, son of Hirestan, said beacon being found among cargo s.h.i.+pped to Earth and designated to be delivered to a minor office connected with s.p.a.ce Department.

And here is a declaration from a noted laser expert stating that the log tapes of the Albatross had been skillfully tampered with to show landings and launchings never made by the Albatross, as further testified to the signatories of the doc.u.ments that the condition of its engines, rocket tubes, and other equipment showed no sign of the abuse such a hegira would have done to said equipment. I have these doc.u.ments stating the health and energy of both defendants, who would have suffered even more physical deterioration than engines, rocket tubes, and other equipment from a medical condition known as journey lag, which is known to affect unwary travellers making as many different landings and launchings as the defendants are alleged to have done." Hrruvula paused for breath. "Also available are doc.u.ments,' and the attorney spread the s.p.a.cedep slush fund flimsies, "that prove that deposits ostensively made into an account purported to have been initiated by a Terran of Zodd Rrev's general description in fact tally with sums and deposits from a slush fund. There is a signed and attested declaration by an ex-criminal known as Askell Klonski.

"You overwhelm us,' said the Treaty Controller with broad sarcasm.

Hrruvula bowed. "Even as my clients were overwhelmed with evidence which we have conclusively proved to be a ma.s.sive conspiracy to discredit Zodd Rrev, Hrriss, and in their names the integrity of the entire population of this lovely planet." Hrruvula took another breath.

"With such overwhelming evidence to sustain my clients' plea of innocence, these charges must, in all conscience, be dismissed and their reputations and honors returned to them." He bowed low in deep respect toward the other members of the Council, but noticeably not in the Controller's direction.

Behind Hrruvula, an entire planet's population held its breath.

Third Speaker's eyes narrowed and glittered. He stepped forward.

"You have defended your clients well, Hrruvula,' and the attorney executed another courteous bow. "But it was clearly stated, and so resolved by the Council of Speakers, that both young men must be present to clear their names.

One is clearly not present. The reason for his absence is immaterial. The conditions of that resolution have not been met.

Therefore the Council of Speakers must withhold ratification of a permanent Treaty of Rrala.

There was a silence that nothing in the Hall disturbed. Third Speaker, his manner patronizing and smug, turned to Second Speaker Hrrto. Second Speaker seemed to rise with great difficulty, his shoulders slumped beneath the weight of his robes.

"It was so resolved and must be maintained." He sat down heavily, head bent, arms limp at his sides.

"No!" a woman wailed from the depths of the crowd. "No. That's not fair. Not fair at all! They were innocent. "You can't use that as an out, Third Speaker!" a Hrruban called.

Dorem Naruti of the Amalgamated Worlds Congress rose then, holding up his arms for silence.

"It was resolved. In honor we must abide. Our Congress is constrained to comply with that resolution, much as it pains me to do so. The Congress cannot sanction the colony any longer. We would be glad and proud to trade with the Hrruban League under a new treaty, but the Decision al Doona must be considered annulled. The Cohabitation Principle is herewith invoked. Protests were yelled from all directions then unti Dorem Naruti, not wis.h.i.+ng to be a target foi anyone's frustration, took refuge behind Thir Speaker.

Landreau was all but jumping up and down ir jubilation. He, Rogitel, and their a.s.sistants kepi calling for silence, for order, for good manners. But it was Admiral Sumitral whose amazing voice was heard above the babel and restored order.

"Dear friends, Hrruban and Hayuman, we are all persons of honorable intent. Having entered into an honorable agreement, we must indeed recognize the commitment we undertook twenty-five years ago, and abide by this very, very painful conclusion to what has been an experiment of cohabitation of. - -" He paused, craning his neck to see through the open doors of the Hall. His attentiveness,- the surprise that began to wreathe his features with new hope, caused everyone to turn to discover what he saw.

The grid was misted, indicating a transportation, and as it cleared, three figures became visible: a bent figure in ornate red robes supported on either side by two others, one tall, straight, and proud, one slender, delicate, and equally proud. The central personage could only be First Speaker Hrruna! His companions, dressed in diaphanous red gauze spangled with gems, were Nrrna and Kelly.

Hrriss felt joy nearly bursting his heart. The girls had reached him, after all, and with the remaining evidence that Hrriss had felt lost forever. A reverent silence settled on the green and the Hall as if noise was snuffed out like a candle flame.

Everyone watched the aged Hrruban walk into the Hall and slowly toward the dais, leaning heavily on the arms of the two girls.

He looked kindly at the colonists and gave an especial smile to Hrriss, who was gawking like a cul at the First Speaker.

"This is an occasion for which I have waited long, First Speaker said in High Hrruban, mounting th ramp to touch hands with Sumitral.

"Sir,' Sumitral said, replying in the same tongue "we did not think to expect you."

"Your accent has improved so very much over th last years, Admiral. You no longer need your young translator,' Hrruna said, dropping his jaw ii a smile and glancing around at the crowd.

"But miss his presence. He has been a joy to me. Wheri is my young friend? Where is Zodd?" With a surprising swiftness that belied his age, h( rounded on Treaty Controller, and his tone, n( longer kindly or gentle, rang with conviction. Thi Controller was so startled, he backed up a pace.

Hrruna's eyes narrowed to fierce slits, though hi: clear voice was calm and even-toned. "I believe that you know precisely where Zodd and his father Rrev, are to be found,' Hrruna said. "You are t( produce them instantly, or your Stripe will hi forever dishonored. If harm has come to tw( Hayumans of indisputable integrity and honor, yot and your immediate family will be transported t( the most primitive mining colony in the galaxy, an allowed only the most meager of rations." Hrriss listened with awe. Few of the settler could understand Hrruna's speech, but they could easily see the effect it had on the Treaty Controller From a haughty administrator, he was reduced tc snivelling like a cub, protesting that his actions ha been taken in the best interests of Hrruba.

"The return of the Rrevs at this point would have made it impossible to avoid the ratification of the Treaty,' the Controller babbled. "I meant no harm to them. They are unhurt. They would have been returned to Earth with everyone else of their species."

"You kidnapped my friend?" Hrriss demanded in a snarl. He felt the savage blood of his ancestors coursing through his veins and he forgot his upbringing, the position he held as a scion of a civilized race. Claws and teeth bared, he gathered himself to leap and strike, as he had leaped at the Momma Snake. Without a moment's hesitation, Hrrestan knocked his feet out from under him, and signalled to several others to drag his infuriated son away from the cowering Treaty Controller.

"Produce the Rrevs, father and son!" Hrruna commanded, his eyes ablaze with green fury.

Cringing, the Treaty Controller signalled to his grid operator in the audience, who ran to the transporter. Making a few deft adjustments to the controls, the operator stepped onto the platform and vanished. In a few moments, the Hrruban reappeared, no longer alone.

With him were two very large Hrruban males in guard harness, and Ken and Todd, clothes torn, faces empurpled here and there with bruises and long scratches, but alive and smiling as they recognized their destination.

"Come here, my friends,' Hrruna beckoned them. His voice, soft again, nevertheless penetrated the ringing cheers that reverberated inside and outside the Hall at this much-longed-for reappeal ance.

Together Todd and his father marched smartl up the steps and into the Hall. When Todd saw wh occupied the dais, he smiled in amazement an shaking his head, continued through the partin crowd. When Hrrubans and Hayumans alik reached out to slap his back or grab his hand, Tod became aware of the deficiencies of his appearano in such a gathering. Still walking forward, h brushed at the dirt on his tunic and combed baci his hair with his fingers. Ken, similarly embarra.s.sed , straightened tunic and hair. Crying with relief Pat ignored protocol and pushed through the cww to embrace husband and son just as they reache the foot of the dais.

"It is good to have you back,' Hrruna said, as i Todd and his father had only been off on scm minor errand. With Pat between them, the: climbed the ramp to the dais. The old Hrrubai signalled for Hrrestan to release his son. In tw( leaps, Hrriss was beside his dear friend, wrap ping his tail firmly around Todd's nearer thigh "This silly cub'-Hrruna pointed to the Treat Controller-'is not the only dishonorable on among Hrrubans to sow discord on Rrala."

"The discord was not solely Hrruban,' Ken said "And during our incarceration, our guards spok freely, not being aware that we bareskins under stood what they said. "Whatever is pertinent to sustain the Treaty anc this colony must be related so that all may hear.

Hrruna said at his most austere, "although I am aware of much that has happened of late, of false accusations and tamperings and alterings that would have greatly strained my patience had they not been delivered by such charming couriers." Todd had not failed to notice that his Kelly and Hiriss's Nrrna were Hrruna's attendants. Kelly was grinning at him with a total lack of discretion, which gladdened his heart immensely, but at least Nrrna had cast her eyes down modestly despite Hiriss's attempts to make eye contact.

Then Todd saw Hrruna's peremptory gesture to Ken. "Be so good as to explain what you overheard, Rrev. "While it was the Treaty Controller who had our destination altered from Earth and our appointment with the AWC panel, he received his orders from another, high in the Speakers Council,' Ken said. "In good plain Low Hrruban, they mentioned his name frequently: the Third Speaker for Internal Affairs." Ken looked pleasantly at Third Speaker.

"We can repeat what was said in our presence..

"Lies!" Third Speaker hissed. "All lies. These Hayumans mean to dishonor me.

Hrruna gestured for those on the dais to move aside so that he could confront Third face-to-face.

His eyes had narrowed to implacable slits, and the hem of his heavy robes flicked with the las.h.i.+ng of his tail.

"I will believe the words of Rrev and Zodd even over those of my own Stripe,' Hrruna said in an ominously calm tone. "Deceit is not in them. Any dishonor on your stripe has been brought there by you. You have forsaken the objectivity necessary to just administration, Third.

You have sought to interfere in a matter which is outside your commission. You were also one who insisted that Rrala would stand or fall on its own merit. You have not abided by your own decree. I invite you to resign your post." Third opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, but at last nodded curtly at Hrruna.

"Very well,' Third Speaker said, his own eyes closed to vindictive slits. "I tender my resignation."

"1 accept it, effective now! But we have waited long enough to discover whether Rrala may continue. In view of what you have heard in these past minutes, do the Treaty Council and the representative of the Amalgamated Worlds Congress wish to alter their decision?" Hrruna asked pleasantly, turning firmly away from the dismissed Speaker. "1 surely see no bar to the continuation of this colony nor to the ratification of the Treaty Renewal so anxiously awaited by us all.

What say you?" Madam Dupuis smiled as she stepped forward, a.s.suming the position of Controller. She bowed with great reverence to the First Speaker. "Most honored of persons,' she said in perfect High Hrruban, "the Council must indeed overturn the recent verdict, and clear the defendants of all charges against them, including nonappearance." Dorem Naruti was jittering with relief at being able to rescind the verdict he had been forced, by the previous circ.u.mstances, to announce.

"Then let us adjourn all this formal talk and harangue and let the festivities begin,' said Hrruna, dropping into Middle language and leaning toward Nrrna in a paternal fas.h.i.+on. "The smell of roasted meat is making this old belly rumble." Few heard that comment, for cheers had erupted as he ordered the festivities to begin.

Colonists of both species were hugging each other, weeping or purring in an excess of relief after the dramatic scenes that had first dashed then restored their hopes.

Robin and Inessa were shrieking for their father and brother to come down so they could be suitably welcomed. lisa was trying to calm them down but she was smiling and crying at the same time, upsetting her daughters, who began to fret, too.

"We should take an official vote, you know, Sumitral said, looking out over the jigging, whirling ma.s.s of colonists.

"Oh, don't be so hidebound,' Madam Dupuis told him, waving at the jubilation below them. "That's the loudest, most unanimous "aye" I've ever witnessed."

"I'd agree to that,' Dorem Naruti said, beaming from ear to ear. "I've never seen anything quite so official as this! Must be something in the air here, I think."

Sumitral chuckled. "Then we shall record that the vote was unanimous. And I'm hungry, too. Naruti, they have the most delicious little birds here, covered with a sweet spice, that simply melts in your mouth. You really must try some, mustn't he, Nesfa dear friend?"

"Indeed, and although the suggestion might seem bizarre, the snake stew they make is exceedingly tasty. We shall tell you what to sample first, Dorem, if you will accompany us." While they were settling the voting issue, First Speaker's escorts had guided him to his place at the Treaty table set in exactly the same place it had rested twenty-five years before, under the trees that cl.u.s.tered just beyond the Hall. Hrruna gestured for Naruti to be seated to his right and Sumitral to his left. Both senior diplomats, with the precision of long practice, sat down at the same moment. The gemmed and tooled volumes containing the Treaty of Doona were opened before them.

"There's a lot of work, many years of negotiation in the doc.u.ment,' Madam Dupuis said, "but it is as fair as it could be made.

"A thing of beauty, outside as well as inside, these are,' Naruti said in flawlessly inflected High Hrruban. "As handsome as the ideals they represent." Hrruna's jaw dropped in pleasure. "So they are,' First Speaker agreed.

Each signed one, and the volumes were exchanged. One by one, the Treaty Councillors stood by to affix their signatures to the doc.u.ments.

Hrrestan placed heavy seals on the signature pages and closed the books. Bowing, he presented one to each of the princ.i.p.als.

Sumitral looked to Hrruna for peThission to speak and it was graciously given with a nod of the dignified and graying head.

"The Treaty of DoonaiRrala is now officially extended indefinitely. May I extend the congratulations of my service to Hrrubans and Hayumans alike!" His last syllables were drowned out by wild cheering.

When the noise began to abate, Todd approached the Treaty table. Someone had found him a decent tunic to replace his torn one, and he'd been able to wash his face and comb his hair so that he looked considerably more presentable.

"May I be permitted to speak?" Todd asked in High Hrruban, executing a deeply reverent bow to the First Speaker.

"Pray listen to the first Hayuman amba.s.sador to the Hiruban people,' Hiruna said, his voice carrying over excited conversations and laughter, and immediately silence prevailed again.

Sumitral, leaning across to Hrruna, chuckled.

"And that was a day! About a meter tall, dressed in mda skins with a rope tail hanging behind and the dignity of a dozen judges for all he was six years old. He and Hrriss have done great service for AIreldep since then. I hope they'll continue to do so." Todd glanced at Hrriss, who nodded, jaw dropped humorously. "As long as we can, sir." With Hrriss beside him, Todd stood forward to address his friends and neighbors. "I feel like I got thrown from a bucking stallion into a compost heap, so I hope you'll forgive my appearance." The a.s.sembled settlers chuckled. "I've dreamed of this day since I was a small boy.

I was afraid for a while that the day wouldn't come, and then I feared I wouldn't be able to be here. Now'-he grinned, throwing an arm around Hrriss's shoulders-'all we have dreamed of has happened. Doona is now a permanent reality. As long as we live, we can live here together.

"Today is not just a continuation of Doona but the start of a brand-new era for Hrrubans and Hayumans. From the trust that has been built here, both species can spread out, can make new homes on new planets together and separately." He smiled around at all the faces, bare and furred. "Honored folk, Doona has taught us all the most important lesson: that we both can make friends, firm friends, trusted friends, of each other and of other species.

The Siwannese example must never be forgotten, but it mustn't stop us from keeping an open mind and extending an open hand. The generations that will be born on this planet,' and with that he sent a glowing look at Kelly, "will meet others, strong in the practice of Cohabitation. So long as they remember what we have all learned here, the stars beckon. Long live DoonaiRrala!" Todd shot his fist toward the sky and Hiriss's joined it in the next second.

When other arms tired of holding fists aloft and throats turned hoa.r.s.e with cheering, Hiruna turned plaintively to Sumitral. "Now do you think we can eat?" Totally reunited and in the best of harmonious spirits, the entire population of Doona and its guests began the long-awaited feast. Platters of food poured out of the kitchen to tables inside and outside the Hall. Beer, wine, mlada, and even wildberry juices flowed to every cup as friend toasted friend and the success of the Doona Experiment was drunk to over and over again. The members of the DoonaiRrala Ad Hoc Band rarely got time for more than a few mouthfuls of food, so much in demand was celebratory dance music.

Hiriss tried repeatedly to extract Nrrna from attendance on the First Speaker, but he couldn't get any nearer her than Todd could get to Kelly. If it hadn't been Hiruna who monopolized the attentions of their promised ladies, the two friends would have snagged them away at the very first opportunity, but Hiruna seemed to require that they serve him the various delicacies prepared by the colonists' best cooks.

"d.a.m.n it, Hiriss, I'm the one who was on short rations. Couldn't Kelly come feed me?"

"I'm doing my best, Todd,' his sister lIsa said, her knees buckling under the laden tray she was bringing them.

"Urfa steak and snake stew?" he said, salivating.

"Sis, you know how to treat a brother."