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diff --git a/24187-h/24187-h.htm b/24187-h/24187-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cf30562 --- /dev/null +++ b/24187-h/24187-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1814 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Transmutation of Muddles, by H. B. Fyfe + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + + h2 {text-align: center; clear: both;} + h1 {text-align: center; clear: both; line-height: 1.5em;} + + hr {width: 45%; margin: 1em auto; visibility: hidden;} + + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin: 0 .75em .2em 0; padding: 0;} + .figleft img {border: double 3px;} + .fgcap {text-indent: -.5em;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin: 1em 0 1em 1em; padding: 0;} + + .trans1 {border: solid 1px; margin: 3em 15%; padding: 1em; text-align: justify;} + + img {border: none;} + + .dcap {text-transform: uppercase;} + + .illo {margin-bottom: 2em; margin-top: 1.5em; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} + .tease {width: 22em; margin: 1.5em auto; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;} + .theend {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 2em;} + + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's A Transmutation of Muddles, by Horace Brown Fyfe + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Transmutation of Muddles + +Author: Horace Brown Fyfe + +Illustrator: H. R. Van Dongen + +Release Date: January 7, 2008 [EBook #24187] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TRANSMUTATION OF MUDDLES *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Bruce Albrecht, Stephen Blundell +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>A<br /> +TRANSMUTATION<br /> +OF MUDDLES</h1> + +<div class="tease">An experienced horse-trader, bargain-haggler, +and general swapper has a very special talent for +turning two headaches into one aspirin pill....</div> + +<h2>By H. B. FYFE</h2> + +<p class="illo">Illustrated by Van Dongen</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 51px;"> +<img src="images/001.png" width="45" height="45" alt="T" title="T" /> +</div> + +<p class="fgcap"><span class="dcap">he</span> rugged little stellar +scout ship flared down +to the surface of Kappa +Orionis VII about a +mile from the aboriginal +village. The pilot, Lieutenant +Eric Haruhiku, scorched an open +field, but pointed out to Louis Mayne +that he had been careful to disturb +neither woodland nor shoreline.</p> + +<p>"The Kappans are touchy about +those, Judge," he explained, "They +fish a lot, as you'd guess from all +these shallow seas, and they pick +fruit in the forests; but they don't +farm much."</p> + +<p>"No use provoking trouble," Mayne +approved. "It's a long way from +Rigel."</p> + +<p>"It's a longer way from Sol," said +the pilot.</p> + +<p>"Don't I know, boy! If it weren't, +I'd be just another retired space captain, +quietly struggling with my ranch +on Rigel IX. As it is, to get the grant, +I had to remain on call as an arbitrator."</p> + +<p>"Somebody has to settle these +things," said Haruhiku. "There's not +much law way out here, except what +the Space Force can apply. Well, if +you'll excuse me, sir, I'll have them +get out the helicopter and take us +over to the village."</p> + +<p>"Let me see that last message +again, before you go," Mayne requested.</p> + +<p>The pilot extracted a sheet from +his clipboard and handed it to Mayne +as he left. Mayne studied the text +with little pleasure.</p> + +<p>Terran Space Force headquarters +on Rigel IX wished to inform him +that the long awaited envoy from +Terra to Kappa Orionis VII not only +had arrived but had departed two +days behind Mayne.</p> + +<p>It was hoped, the communication +continued, that nothing would interfere +with the desired objective of +coming to some friendly agreement +with the Kappans that would permit +Terran use of the planet as a base for +spaceships. The envoy, of course, was +prepared to offer trade inducements +and various other forms of help to the +semi-civilized natives. Mayne was requested +to lay whatever groundwork +he could.</p> + +<p><i>In my spare time, no doubt</i>, he +reflected. <i>I'm to settle this silly business +any way at all—as long as the +natives get their way. But has anybody +told the government about insurance +companies? If it costs money +or a lawsuit, will they back me up?</i></p> + +<p>He felt himself to be in a ridiculous +dilemma. The Kappans were reported +to have seized a Terran spaceship +as it landed to trade. Naturally, +the captain had squawked for help. +He claimed he had crashed; his insurance +company thought otherwise; +the Kappans seemed to have some +entirely different idea in mind. Mayne +had been summoned into action to +render a decision, after the rough and +ready system of these settlements on +the surface of Terra's sphere of explored +space.</p> + +<p>Regretfully, he made his way now +to the cubbyhole allowed him on the +cramped scout, where he changed to +a more formal tunic of a bright blue +he hoped would look impressive to +native eyes. By the time he was ready, +the helicopter was waiting. He and +Haruhiku entered, and the crewman +at the controls took off for the scene +of the dispute.</p> + +<p>Arriving over the village, they hovered +a few minutes while Haruhiku +studied the lay of the land. The lieutenant +had been to this world before, +long enough to pick up some of the +language and customs, so Mayne was +content to follow his advice about +landing a little way off from a spaceship +that towered outside the village.</p> + +<p>They came down about a hundred +yards away, between a rutted sort of +road and a long hut covered by a +curved, thatched roof.</p> + +<p>"They're expecting us," said Haruhiku, +gesturing at the group before +the hut.</p> + +<p>It consisted of half a dozen humans +and several of the Kappan natives. +The latter, naturally, caught Mayne's +eye first. The most imposing individual +among them stood about five feet +tall. The planet being of about the +same mass as Terra, the Kappan probably +weighed over two hundred and +fifty pounds. He was a rugged biped +with something saurian in his ancestry; +for his skin was scaled, and bony +plates grew into a low crown upon +his long skull. His arms and legs +were heavy and bowed, with joints +obscured by thick muscles and loose +skin. Mayne was struck by the fancy +that the Kappan's color, a blend of +brown and olive, was that of a small +dragon who had achieved a good suntan. +A yellow kilt was his main article +of attire, although he wore a few +decorations of polished bone.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>One of the Terrans stepped forward. +He wore a semimilitary uniform.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you're Louis Mayne?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"Right," answered Mayne. "You +would be Captain Voorhis, of the +<i>Gemsbok</i>?"</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 448px;"> +<img src="images/002.png" width="448" height="500" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>"Check. This here is Eemakh. He's +more or less chief of the village, or +tribe, or whatever you wanna call it."</p> + +<p>Mayne found his gaze sinking into +catlike slits of jet in a pair of huge +orange eyes shaded by massive brow +ridges. The native made some statement +in a clicking language that had +a harsh, choppy rhythm.</p> + +<p>"He welcomes you to Kappa," +Haruhiku interpreted. "He hopes +the gods will not be displeased."</p> + +<p>"What a warm welcome!" commented +Mayne. "Have you been +getting along that well, Captain +Voorhis?"</p> + +<p>"Just about," said the spacer. "One +of my boys knows a few words. Rest +of the time, we make signs. I gotta +admit they ain't been too unfriendly."</p> + +<p>"But they <i>have</i> seized your ship?"</p> + +<p>"You're damn' right! That insurance +guy they sent out don't see it +that way though."</p> + +<p>"Where is this representative of +the Belt Insurance Company?" asked +Mayne.</p> + +<p>"Melin? His ship landed over on +the other side of the village, about +half a mile. He oughta be along soon. +Must've seen you land."</p> + +<p>Mayne wondered whether it were +necessary to await the arrival of the +insurance adjustor before asking any +questions. To cover his hesitation, he +turned to take his first good look at +the hull of the <i>Gemsbok</i>.</p> + +<p>"What do they think they're doing?" +he demanded, staring.</p> + +<p>The <i>Gemsbok</i> was—or had been—an +ungraceful, thick starship on the +verge of aging into scrap. Towering +here between the village and the +huge, bluish-green leaves of the Kappan +forest, she was in the process of +being transformed into a planet-bound +object of a certain weird +grace.</p> + +<p>A framework was being constructed +about the hull by a swarm of +natives. They had reached halfway +up the ship, which served as a central +column. Much of the exterior appeared +to be a network of strangely +curved sections of wood that had been +given a high polish. Mayne suspected +the greenish highlights were reflections +of the forest color.</p> + +<p>"Bone," said Voorhis succinctly. +"They collect it from things they +catch in the sea. Main supports of +timber, of course, built to fit the +hull."</p> + +<p>"The fish here grow very large," +put in Haruhiku. "If you could call +them fish, that is. I once saw them +butchering what looked more like a +dinosaur."</p> + +<p>Mayne realized that the bone +framework formed a sort of curtain +wall. At the lower levels, some of the +natives seemed to be experimenting +with a coating of wet leaves which +they were molding to the wall.</p> + +<p>"They've soaked them in something +they boil out of fish parts," his +pilot explained. "Like the village +roofs. When it dries, it's pretty hard, +even waterproof. The stink never +dries out."</p> + +<p>"But what do they have in their +bony little brains?" asked Mayne. +"Just what is that mess supposed to +be?"</p> + +<p>"A temple, believe it or not," answered +Voorhis. "They tell me I set +her down on land sacred to the great +god Meeg!"</p> + +<p>Mayne looked at Haruhiku.</p> + +<p>"Oh, come on, now! I came all the +way from—" He stopped as he noticed +the pilot's grave expression. +"Oh! That sort of thing <i>could</i> be +serious, I guess."</p> + +<p>He imagined he had seen the chief, +Eemakh, come alert at the mention +of the local god. Mayne sighed. It +was going to be a long day.</p> + +<p>He was saved for the time being +by a hail from the direction of the +village. A procession was approaching +along the set of ruts between Mayne +and the ship.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>The place of honor appeared to be +occupied by a two-wheeled cart of +crude but massive design. Upon it +rode a Kappan driver, two Kappans +with spears and the look of official +guards, and a Terran with a death-grip +upon the side railing. A brace +of truculent beasts of frighteningly +saurian mien shuffled ponderously +along in the loose harness. From time +to time, one or the other would stumble +over a turn in his rut and emit +a menacing rumble as if he suspected +his team mate of causing the misstep.</p> + +<p>Before and behind this conveyance +marched a guard of honor of Kappan +warriors. The rear contingent kept +close to the cart, but the advance +party had opened a noticeable gap +between themselves and the hulking +team.</p> + +<p>The procession halted, the soldier +in charge raised his spear in salute to +Eemakh, and the shaken Terran was +assisted to dismount. He introduced +himself to Mayne as Robert Melin.</p> + +<p>"Let's go over to the hut they made +for us an' sit down," suggested Voorhis.</p> + +<p>Melin, a tall, gloomy blond whose +civilian suit seemed a trifle formal for +the surroundings, acceded gratefully. +He mopped the dust from his long +face and watched the cart being turned +around.</p> + +<p>The procession moved off in the +direction of the village, the advance +guard stepping out especially smartly, +and Mayne began to get his conference +arranged.</p> + +<p>He learned that the evicted crew of +the <i>Gemsbok</i> had been living in the +hut nearby. Before it stood a long +table with benches, all evidently +knocked together from recently felled +timber. Melin was given credit for +this by Voorhis, since before the arrival +of the insurance adjuster and his +crew, no power tools had been available +to the men from the <i>Gemsbok</i>.</p> + +<p>Mayne took a place at the end of +the table. Some of the <i>Gemsbok's</i> +crew came out of the hut to watch. +Most of the Kappan warriors attending +the chief took up stations between +the table and the ship, in a manner +suggesting long habit. Mayne guessed +that attempts had been made to re-enter +the ship.</p> + +<p>He put Haruhiku at his right hand +to translate should it be necessary. +Melin and Voorhis sat at his left, +their backs to the hut. To the other +side of the table, Eemakh brought +two Kappans who were explained to +Mayne as being the tribal high priest, +Igrillik, and Kaynox, who represented +a sort of district overlord.</p> + +<p>"I meant to land up by <i>their</i> city," +Voorhis put in, "but we hit some bad +winds up in the stratosphere. We got +knocked around a bit in the storm, +and set down where we could."</p> + +<p>"Well, tell me about the details," +said Mayne. "I want to get this +straight from the start, if I can. By +the way, Lieutenant Haruhiku, explain +to the chief that a special envoy +is on the way, that we want his +friendship, and that he will be dealt +with fairly."</p> + +<p>He waited out the exchange of +choppy speech between the pilot and +Eemakh.</p> + +<p>"He says he is sure he will be +fairly dealt with," reported Haruhiku.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what he meant by that," +murmured Mayne. "If we make a deal +here, and thereby with his overlord, +will that cover enough territory to be +official?"</p> + +<p>"As much as you can get together +anywhere on this world, sir."</p> + +<p>Mayne nodded, then turned to +Captain Voorhis.</p> + +<p>"Now about this so-called crash?" +he prompted.</p> + +<p>"Well, there was this storm, like +I said. Trouble was we didn't expect +to hit it and ... well ... somebody +took it in his head to blow some of +the fuel tanks for a crash landing. +That's why I'm not claimin' anythin' +on the fuel," he finished, turning to +Melin.</p> + +<p>"We are perfectly willing to pay +on that item," replied the insurance +man.</p> + +<p>"Anyhow," continued Voorhis, "I +set down here where we saw the open +spot, an' then of course we were stuck +with nothin' to lift off with. It looked +all right. We'd unload our goods, an' +if the local crowd couldn't use them +all, why they'd pass the rest on at a +profit to themselves. So we come out +to palaver, an' then they won't let us +go back in the ship. We were just +lucky my com man had sent out a +landing report when it looked like +we piled up, or the Space Force patrol +never woulda heard of us."</p> + +<p>"Was there any trouble?" asked +Mayne. "Any unnecessary hostility?"</p> + +<p>Voorhis considered, rubbing the +back of his head thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Well ... I suppose, lookin' at it +their way, they coulda been a lot +rougher. A couple of punches got +thrown, an' one of my boys got a +spear busted over his head, but mostly +they acted ... well ... maybe +more like cops than cannibals."</p> + +<p>"Just enforcing the native laws, +eh?"</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>Voorhis did not swallow that quite +so graciously. He did not know or +care what the local laws might be, +but he thought it suspicious in the +extreme that he should have plopped +down exactly upon the spot chosen +by the natives for a temple.</p> + +<p>"So do they have to use my ship +to hang it on?" he finished plaintively.</p> + +<p>"The company is in agreement with +you there, captain," Melin put in. +"You see, Judge, our point is that +nothing is really lost or seriously damaged, +neither ship nor cargo. They +are merely being withheld from their +rightful owner, and we believe that +puts the responsibility for recovery +upon the Terran government. Captain +Voorhis has our entire sympathy—"</p> + +<p>"Yeah!" said Voorhis. "An' if I +get my head sliced off tryin' to get at +that undamaged cargo, you'll come to +my funeral! I say it's a loss!"</p> + +<p>"Now, gentlemen!" interrupted +Mayne. "Let me get on with this. +Both of you, I'm sure, realize that I'm +not a lawyer in spite of being a special +judge. If the colonies way out +here had enough lawyers to spare, I +certainly wouldn't be sticking my +head into this. Nevertheless, any decision +I make here will be regarded +as legally binding by the government +of Rigel IX, so let us remain level-headed."</p> + +<p>"Very well, Judge," said Melin. +"Here are the figures on—"</p> + +<p>"Please round them off," said +Mayne. "If I have to listen to a long +list in centicredits, I'll probably go +off to see what kind of beer they +brew here."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't like it," muttered +Voorhis, staring sourly at the village.</p> + +<p>"No doubt," grinned Mayne.</p> + +<p>Melin swallowed and returned to +an inner pocket a sheaf of papers he +had withdrawn.</p> + +<p>"Speaking very loosely," he went +on, as if hating to do anything loosely, +"the coverage was about as follows: +for the <i>Gemsbok</i> herself, two +million; but that was really a nominal +figure accorded as a sort of courtesy. +Otherwise, at her true worth, the +authorities would hardly have permitted +Captain Voorhis to take her into +space—"</p> + +<p>"Get on with it," urged Mayne, to +forestall any wrangle.</p> + +<p>"Er ... yes. Then on the cargo, +the purchase cost of two hundred +thousand credits."</p> + +<p>Voorhis visibly flinched and began +to acquire a ruddy hue.</p> + +<p>"And, finally, on the fuel load, the +cost price of three hundred thousand. +Of course, Judge, there are detailed +clauses as to normal use of fuel. He +was actually insured against defects, +premature explosions, accidental loss, +et cetera."</p> + +<p>Mayne did some addition in his +head.</p> + +<p>"So your company," he said aloud, +"is prepared to pay two and a half +million for the loss sustained by Captain +Voorhis. What seems to be +wrong with that?"</p> + +<p>Both men began to talk but Melin, +struggling less with temper, got the +lead.</p> + +<p>"Actually," he said, "we feel liable +for only three hundred thousand."</p> + +<p><i>Now it will get tough</i>, thought +Mayne. He silently awaited elucidation.</p> + +<p>The combined stares of all parties, +including the enigmatic glance of +Eemakh, calmed the spluttering Voorhis. +Melin continued.</p> + +<p>"In the first place, the true value +of the ship, even if we consider her +to be incapacitated—which we do not—is +only about one hundred and +fifty thousand."</p> + +<p>"She's worth more than that as +scrap!" bellowed Voorhis.</p> + +<p>"No, captain, just about that. It is +exactly how we valued her. Do you +have any idea, Judge, of how old that +crock is?"</p> + +<p>"Let's not go into that just yet," +suggested Mayne.</p> + +<p>"As to the fuel," said Melin, "I +am willing, as a gesture of good will, +to stick my company's neck out—and +mine with it, you may be sure—and +honor a full claim."</p> + +<p>"Even though he used about half +the fuel getting here?" asked Mayne.</p> + +<p>"We'll ignore that. We admit that +he is out of fuel, and we want to—"</p> + +<p>"You want to give me a moon and +take a star," said Voorhis.</p> + +<p>"Just a minute!" Mayne held up +his hand. "That's the ship and the +fuel. What about the cargo?"</p> + +<p>"Why, as to that, Judge, we do not +admit that it is lost. It is right over +there, easily accessible. We consider +it more the job of the Space Force to +restore rightful possession than it is +the responsibility of the company to +reimburse Captain Voorhis for the +inflated value he sets upon it."</p> + +<p>"I begin to see," murmured Mayne. +"You can't stick each other, so you're +out to slip <i>me</i> the bill."</p> + +<p>That aroused a babble of denials. +Mayne eventually made himself heard +and demanded to know how the +spacer's evaluation differed from Melin's. +Voorhis pulled himself together, +glowering at the insurance man.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>"In the first place," he growled, +"I don't want his lousy payment for +fuel. I said I'd take the blame for +that, an' I will. On the ship ... well, +maybe she ain't worth two million. +Maybe she ain't been for a few years +now—"</p> + +<p>Melin made a show of counting +on his fingers.</p> + +<p>"... But they charged me +premiums by that figure an' I say +they oughta pay by that figure."</p> + +<p>"But can you prove she's a total +loss, captain?" asked Mayne.</p> + +<p>Voorhis grimaced and spat upon +the ground.</p> + +<p>"Try to get near her, Judge! You'll +get proof fast enough!"</p> + +<p>"Well ... about the cargo, +then?"</p> + +<p>"<i>That's</i> where he's gouging me!" +exploded Voorhis. "The idea of +using the cost as of loading on Rigel +IX! Hell, you know the margin of +profit there is in trading on these +new planets, twenty to one at least. +I figured to lift off with four million +worth of ores, gems, curios, and +whatnot."</p> + +<p>"So your point is that the mere +transportation of the goods through +space to this planet increased their +value. What about that, Mr. +Melin?"</p> + +<p>Melin shifted uncomfortably on +his bench. Mayne would have liked +to change his own position, but +feared splinters.</p> + +<p>"There is an element of truth in +that," admitted Melin. "Still, it +would be rash to expect such a return +every time a tramp spaceship lands +to swap with some aboriginal easy +marks."</p> + +<p>"I suppose," said Mayne, "that our +orange-eyed friends speak no Terran?"</p> + +<p>"I hope not!" exclaimed Voorhis.</p> + +<p>"Well, anyway," Melin said after +a startled pause, "how can we be +expected to pay off on hopes? He +wants the paper figure for the ship; +but he refuses the paper figure for +the cargo."</p> + +<p>Mayne shrugged. He turned to +Haruhiku.</p> + +<p>"If Captain Voorhis and Mr. +Melin don't mind, lieutenant, I'd like +to get the chief's view of all this."</p> + +<p>"Hah!" grunted Voorhis, clapping +both hands to his head.</p> + +<p>Melin contented himself with +rolling his eyes skyward.</p> + +<p>With Haruhiku translating, +Mayne began to get acquainted with +the Kappans. The visitor from the +neighboring city chose mostly to listen +attentively, but Igrillik, the +priest, occasionally leaned over to +whisper sibilantly into Eemakh's +recessed ear. Mayne fancied he saw +a resemblance between the two, despite +Igrillik's professional trappings—a +long robe of rough material that +had been dyed in stripes and figures +of several crude colors, and a tall +cap to which were attached a number +of pairs of membraneous wings.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 529px;"> +<img src="images/003.png" width="529" height="500" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>The first thing that Mayne learned +was that the <i>Gemsbok</i> was not a +spaceship; it was a symbol, a sign +sent to the Kappans by the great god +Meeg.</p> + +<p>"And why did he send it?" asked +Mayne.</p> + +<p>He had sent it as a sign that he +was impatient with his children. +They had vowed him a temple, they +had set aside the necessary land, and +yet they had not begun the work.</p> + +<p>"Is that why they're all over there, +slaving away so feverishly?"</p> + +<p>It was indeed the reason. After +all, Meeg was the god of the inner +moon, the one that passed so speedily +across the sky. If he could guide +the strangers' ship directly to his own +plot of ground, he might just as +easily have caused it to land in the +center of the village. They had seen +the flames that attended the landing. +Could the honored chief from the +stars blame them for heeding the +warning?</p> + +<p>"I see their point," muttered +Mayne resignedly. "Well, maybe we +can talk sense about the cargo. Tell +them that there is much in the holds +that would make their lives richer. +Tools, gems, fine cloth—give them +the story, lieutenant."</p> + +<p>This time, Eemakh conferred with +the high priest. It developed that the +cargo was a sacred gift to be used or +not as the god Meeg might subsequently +direct. The chief meant no +insult. The Kappans realized that +Voorhis and his crew were no demons, +but starmen such as had often +brought valuable goods to trade. The +Kappans had not sought to harm or +sacrifice them, had they? This was +because they were both welcome as +visitors and respected as instruments +of Meeg.</p> + +<p>Eemakh wished to be fair. The +starmen might think they had lost +by the divine mission. Very well—they +would be granted land, good +land with forest for hunting and +shoreline for fishing. But go near the +temple they should not!</p> + +<p>"Could <i>I</i> get in to inspect the cargo?" +asked Mayne.</p> + +<p>Haruhiku took this up with the +Kappans, who softened but did not +yield.</p> + +<p>"The best I can get, Judge," said +the pilot, "is that they wish it were +possible but only those who serve the +purposes of Meeg may enter."</p> + +<p>"They <i>would</i> look at it that way," +sighed Mayne. "Let's leave it at that, +until we can think this over some +more. It's time for a lunch break +anyway."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>He and Haruhiku were flown back +to the scout ship. Mayne brooded silently +most of the way. Voorhis +thought he was entitled to about six +million credits for ship and cargo; +Melin thought half a million for the +ship and fuel would be stretching it. +Mayne foresaw that he would have +to knock heads.</p> + +<p>The two of them lunched in the +pilot's cabin, with hardly room to +drop a spoon. Except for companionship, +Mayne would as soon have +eaten standing in the galley.</p> + +<p>He considered the vast area of the +planet's land surface. Would it be +wiser for the envoy to land elsewhere? +What sort of ties were there +between tribes?</p> + +<p>"Loose," the pilot told him. "Still, +word gets around, with no great +mountain or ocean barriers. They've +split into groups, but there is a lot +of contact."</p> + +<p>"So if the Space Force should seize +the <i>Gemsbok</i>, they'll all hear about +it?"</p> + +<p>"Within a few weeks, sir. That +kind of news has wings on any +world. I think we could take her for +you, but we might do some damage. +The size of a scout crew doesn't lend +itself to hand-to-hand brawls."</p> + +<p>"And if you sling a couple of torpedoes +at the Kappan village, you'll +probably wipe it out," said Mayne +thoughtfully. "Give the story a +month to spread, and no Terran +would be trusted anywhere on the +planet. Hm-m-m ... hardly practical!"</p> + +<p>"There would also be a chance of +damaging the <i>Gemsbok</i>."</p> + +<p>"Actually, Eric, I'd hardly care if +you blew her into orbit, with Voorhis +and Melin riding the fins! But I'm +supposed to spread sweetness and +light around here—not scraps and +parts of spaceships."</p> + +<p>He gnawed moodily upon a +knuckle, but saw no way to escape +putting up some government money. +Soaking the company would just +make <i>them</i> appeal instead of Voorhis.</p> + +<p>"This Meeg," he said to change +the subject. "How important is he?"</p> + +<p>Haruhiku considered a moment +before replying.</p> + +<p>"They have a whole mess of gods, +like most primitive societies. Meeg +is pretty important. I think he has a +special significance to this tribe ... +you know, like some ancient Terran +cities has a special patron."</p> + +<p>"He's the god of that little +moon?" Mayne asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, more than that, I think. +Really the god of speed, a message +bearer for the other divinities. There +always seems to be one in every +primitive mythology."</p> + +<p>"Yes," murmured Mayne. "Let's +see ... one parallel would be the +ancient Terran Hermes, wouldn't +it?"</p> + +<p>"Something like that," agreed +Haruhiku. "I'm a little vague on the +subject, sir. At least, he isn't one of +the bloodthirsty ones."</p> + +<p>"That helps," sighed Mayne, "but +not enough."</p> + +<p>He got a message blank from the +pilot. With some labor, he composed +a request to Terran headquarters on +Rigel IX for authorization to spend +two million credits on good-will +preparations for the Terran-Kappan +treaty conference.</p> + +<p><i>It almost sounds diplomatic</i>, he +told himself before having the message +sent.</p> + +<p>The waiting period that followed +was more to be blamed upon headquarters +pussyfooting than upon the +subspace transmission. When an answer +finally came, it required a further +exchange of messages.</p> + +<p>Mayne's last communique might +have been boiled down to, "But I +<i>need</i> it!"</p> + +<p>The last reply granted provisional +permission to spend the sum mentioned; +but gleaming between the +lines like the sweep of a revolving +beacon was a strong intimation that +Mayne had better not hope to charge +the item to "good will." The budget +just was not made that way, the hint +concluded.</p> + +<p>"It's due to get dark soon, isn't +it?" he asked Haruhiku, crumpling +the final message into a side pocket. +"I don't believe I'll resume the talks +till morning. Maybe my head will +function again by then."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>In the morning, one of the scout's +crew again took the pilot and Mayne +to the meeting by helicopter. Mayne +spent part of the trip mulling over +a message Haruhiku had received. +The spaceship <i>Diamond Belt</i> could +be expected to arrive in orbit about +the planet later the same day, bearing +special envoy J. P. McDonald. +The captain, having been informed +of Haruhiku's presence, requested +landing advice.</p> + +<p>"I told him what I know," said +the pilot. "We can give him a beam +down, of course, unless you think we +should send him somewhere else."</p> + +<p>"Well ... let's see how this goes," +said Mayne. "They seem to be waiting +for us down there."</p> + +<p>They landed to find Voorhis, Melin, +and the native officialdom gathered +at the hut facing the new +"temple." After exchanging greetings, +they sat down at the table as +they had the day before.</p> + +<p>"All right, gentlemen," said Mayne +to the two Terrans. "You win. The +government is going to have to put +something in the pot. I want to make +it as little as possible, so let us have +no more nonsense about the true +value of ship or cargo as they stand."</p> + +<p>They looked startled at his tone. +Mayne went on before they could +recover.</p> + +<p>"The object I have in mind, if it +seems at all possible, is to put Captain +Voorhis back in business without +costing Mr. Melin his job. Now, let's +put our heads together on that problem +and worry about justifying ourselves +later."</p> + +<p>The most difficult part was to convince +Voorhis to surrender his dream +of fantastic profits; but sometime before +Mayne got hoarse, the captain +was made to see that he could not +have his cake and eat it, too.</p> + +<p>Melin agreed that he might pay +the paper value of the <i>Gemsbok</i> if +he could pay likewise for the cargo, +in which case he would admit a loss. +After all, a spaceship anchored by a +temple might reasonably be termed +unspaceworthy. He would take over +the cargo and cut his losses by allowing +the government to buy it at two +million.</p> + +<p>"You wanna come with me next +trip?" invited Voorhis when he +heard this. "If that's how you cut +loose, we'll make a fortune!"</p> + +<p>"Well, there it is," said Mayne, +straightening up to ease his aching +back. He must have been leaning +tensely over the table longer than he +had thought. "The captain gets two +and a half million, Mr. Melin gets +off with paying only half a million, +and you've stuck me for the rest."</p> + +<p>"Congratulations, Judge!" said +Melin. "You now own a ship and +cargo which I presume you will present +to the Kappans."</p> + +<p>"How can he?" demanded Voorhis. +"They figure they own it +already."</p> + +<p>"We'll worry about that later," +said Mayne.</p> + +<p>"<i>You</i> will!" Voorhis guffawed. "I +hope you get <i>some</i> credit out of it."</p> + +<p>Haruhiku interrupted to inform +Mayne that the Kappans, who had +been interested if bewildered listeners, +had invited the Terrans to a +small feast.</p> + +<p>"I translated enough to let them +understand there would be no attempt +to disturb their temple building," he +explained. "They now feel they owe +us hospitality."</p> + +<p>"Good, that's something," said +Mayne.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what else will be +something," grunted Voorhis. "The +food!"</p> + +<p>The assemblage repaired to the +Kappan village. The Terrans—though +it took some doing—survived +the feast.</p> + +<p>Mayne thought it best not to inquire +into the nature of the dishes +served. Eemakh was evidently determined +to display his village's finest +hospitality, so the Terrans even tried +the Kappan beer. Mayne absorbed +enough to get used to it.</p> + +<p><i>Or did it absorb me?</i> he wondered. +<i>Igrillik's beginning to look +almost human!</i></p> + +<p>Eventually, carts were brought, +and they rode bumpily out to admire +progress made on the temple. +A fresh breeze helped Mayne to remember +that it was now late afternoon +and he had yet to settle one +matter with Eemakh.</p> + +<p>When they arrived at the site, +crewmen from the <i>Gemsbok</i> saw fit +to take Voorhis in charge and carry +him into their hut. Mayne sank +down at the table outside, watching +Melin grope to a place beside him. +He noticed that Haruhiku's helicopter +pilot handed him a message as soon +as the lieutenant alighted.</p> + +<p>"That will be from the <i>Diamond +Belt</i>," Mayne guessed.</p> + +<p>He eyed Melin with some amusement. +The insurance man stared very +quietly at the board beneath his elbows. +His complexion held a tint of +green. Even Eemakh, plodding ponderously +up, lowered himself to a +bench with a sigh. The high priest +seemed less affected by the celebration, +and Mayne was proud when +Haruhiku walked over with his normal +bland alertness.</p> + +<p>"They're getting near?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Doing braking circles," reported +the pilot. "I sent an order for the +scout to give them a beam. There +may still be time to send them somewhere +else—"</p> + +<p>"One more try here first," Mayne +decided. "Tell Eemakh we want to +straighten out some confusion about +Meeg and the cargo."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>Haruhiku permitted himself a +small shrug and translated. Eemakh +aroused himself to a show of interest, +while Igrillik turned a suspicious +orange stare upon Mayne. The latter +strove to frame in his mind an argument +that would strike them as logical.</p> + +<p>"Tell him," he instructed, "that +we believe this Meeg was known on +Terra, but by another name. Then +describe the mythical Hermes and +see what he says."</p> + +<p>Haruhiku began a conversation +that lasted several minutes. Igrillik, +as an authority, obviously felt moved +to deliver a lengthy opinion. At last, +the pilot turned to Mayne.</p> + +<p>"They say we are to be congratulated," +he reported.</p> + +<p>"Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"Well, they do seem a bit more +friendly. I was going to try drawing +a picture of that famous statue, with +the winged heels and hat, but it +would never match their own conception. +Igrillik asks if you claim belief +in Meeg."</p> + +<p>"Avoid that," said Mayne. "Now—do +they know about ship communications?"</p> + +<p>"They are aware that it is done," +said Haruhiku. "After all, they just +saw me send a message to the scout +over the helicopter screen."</p> + +<p>"Good! Point out to them that the +<i>Gemsbok</i> also has such equipment."</p> + +<p>Haruhiku engaged in another long +talk. The Kappans began to show +signs of uneasiness at the end. They +remained silent.</p> + +<p>"And that therefore," added +Mayne, "the Terran who served this +machine should rank in their eyes +as a servant of Meeg just as much +as Igrillik. The cargo in the ship +was no more his than a message belongs +to the messenger bearing it."</p> + +<p>The pilot put this into Kappan, +with gestures.</p> + +<p>"And furthermore," said Mayne, +before it could be suggested that the +owner might be Meeg, "what I have +arranged here with Melin and Voorhis +is that the cargo now belongs +to all of the Terran people."</p> + +<p>Eemakh began to scowl, an impressive +contortion on a broad, olive +Kappan visage. Mayne hurried on.</p> + +<p>"This being the case, the Kappans +<i>have absolutely no right</i> to deny us +the privilege of contributing all these +goods to the glory of their temple!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, boy!" grunted Haruhiku. He +rattled off the translation.</p> + +<p>Mayne watched it hit home. Igrillik +leaned over to peer at him unbelievingly. +Eemakh seemed to have +difficulty in focusing his glowing +eyes on the Terran.</p> + +<p>There were, of course, requests for +clarification. Mayne left the repetitions +to the pilot.</p> + +<p>In the end, Eemakh arose and +embraced him, a startling action that +left Mayne feeling introspectively of +his ribs. Igrillik called out something +to the bodyguard attending the chief, +causing Mayne to repress a shudder +at the flashing display of big Kappan +teeth. He assumed that a smile +was a humanoid constant.</p> + +<p>Haruhiku's pilot approached with +a new message.</p> + +<p>"Now they have to land near here, +in half an hour or less," said the +spacer.</p> + +<p>"There's just one more thing," +Mayne told him. "Voorhis is satisfied, +Melin—look, he's gone to sleep +on the table!—is relieved, the Kappans +are friendly, and J. P. McDonald +will be happy when he lands. +Now I have to get myself off the +hook for two million!"</p> + +<p>He turned to the <i>Gemsbok</i> crewmen +loitering before the hut.</p> + +<p>"Who was the communications +man?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>A lean, freckled youth with a big +nose admitted to the distinction. +Mayne draped an arm about his +shoulders and told him he was back +in business.</p> + +<p>"Say to them," he instructed +Haruhiku, "that if they are to learn +how to use the equipment Meeg has +provided for their temple, they must +not delay one minute in taking our +friend here into the ship ... uh ... +make that 'temple.' He will show +them how a spaceship is called down +from the skies."</p> + +<p>Haruhiku gave him a straight-faced +glance that was a masked guffaw. +He translated, and orders began +to be shouted back and forth among +the Kappans, all the way to the top-most +level of the construction. The +lieutenant called his pilot.</p> + +<p>"I'll have him flash the scout an +order to monitor the <i>Gemsbok</i> and +transfer landing control as soon as +they hear her on the air," he explained.</p> + +<p>Mayne nodded. He clutched the +arm of the <i>Gemsbok</i> operator, who +was being urged away by Igrillik and +a group of warrior escorts.</p> + +<p>"Just one thing, son," he shouted +over the babble. "Forget about the +ship's call sign. You go on the air +calling yourself Kappa Orionis Central +Control."</p> + +<p>"Kappa Orionis Central...?" +repeated the youth distrustfully.</p> + +<p>"You've got it," said Mayne, and +shoved him on his way. He turned +to Haruhiku. "The last thing to do +is to send the helicopter for some +paint. I don't care if it <i>isn't</i> dry +when the <i>Diamond Belt</i> touches +down—I want a sign over the door +of this hut!"</p> + +<p>"A sign?"</p> + +<p>"Make it read 'Spaceport Number +1.' Two million is cheap enough +for buying a spaceport already in +operation. There won't be any trouble, +since the Kappans promised the +land."</p> + +<p>Everyone seemed to be running +somewhere. Mayne wiped his face +with a handkerchief and sat down +beside Melin, who looked comfortable +enough with his head on the +table.</p> + +<p>From inside the hut, Mayne could +hear snores that must have Voorhis +as a source; the rest of the <i>Gemsbok</i> +crewmen had followed the crowd to +the control tower that was also a +temple. After a while, Haruhiku returned +and sat down across from +Melin.</p> + +<p>"Magnificent, Judge!" he said. +"We might even get away with +it."</p> + +<p>"Of course we will," said Mayne, +gazing at Melin and listening to +Voorhis. "After all, Hermes was the +god of thieves, too!"</p> + +<p class="theend">THE END</p> + +<div class="trans1"><b>Transcriber's Note:</b><br /> +This etext was produced from <i>Astounding Science Fiction</i> September +1960. 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