"And when our families land, what do we tell them?" Ken demanded softly. "Do we say, Hello, honey, how are you? Have a good trip? Well, that's nice because we're going to turn around and go right back home." Home!" And into that last word Ken crammed all the bitterness, frustration, disappointment and black anger that boiled inside him.
Home! A planet so overpopulated you married at sixteen to get on the list to have one of the two children allowed you before you were thirtythat is, if you could prove that you had no hereditary genetic faults or handicapping recessive traits. A planet so crowded for space there were only twelve Square Miles of international backyard remaining. He'd been eighteen before he had touched dirt, seen grass or smelled a pine tree. A trip to the local Square Mile had been his cherished award for being top man in Section Academy. The poignant memory of the experience had motivated and sustained him during the frustrating years of intensive study necessary to qualify for immigration under Colonial Department jurisdiction.
Once a man met the basic requirements of Codep, he was put on another list which permitted him to study specialties, one of which might get him a place on a Colony list. That is, if he had been lucky enough to choose a specialty needed on the very few planets turned over by the Spacedep and the Alien Relations Department to the Colonial Department.
In order for a planet to be relinquished to Codep control, it must meet two simple requirements: 1) Humans must be able to support themselves on it without atmospheric or gravitic adjustment. 2) It must be devoid of any dominant intelligent species.
In a hundred years, only nineteen of the two-thousand-odd worlds examined had been cleared by both Spacedep and Alreldep to Codep. Small wonder that this pastoral planet, with its earthlike atmosphere, its slightly-less-than-Earth gravity presented such a desirable Eden. Even the fact that its sidereal year was twice that of Earth, with winters and summers lasting ten months, did not form an insurmountable obstacle to its settlement. True, Doona was light on metals, but it was larger than Earth by some two thousand miles in diameter. Doona's two satellites might possibly have some mineral or light metal deposits that could be developed later on. The first job of the Initial colony was to farm the land, experimenting with both Terran and indigenous grains, adapting Terran livestock to Doona and, if possible, domesticating the herd, animals which roamed Doona's pasturelands. When the colony had proved itself self-supporting, it would be augmented from Earth's teeming millions. Considering the relatively few transport ships in Codep service, this would take decades.
A constant source of bitterness between the three departments were the miserly appropriations allowed them by the Amalgamation Congress. With government funds constantly drained for new ways to ease housing and food shortages, to provide entertainment for the restriction-ridden masses, Spacedep, Alreldep and Codep got short shrift despite their logical pleas that, if more money were allocated for shipbuilding, for explorations, for immigration, the strain on Terran resources would naturally be eased.
True, not a large percentage of the population desired to move from the tri-D tube and the work-saving mechanisms which provided the bread, beer and tranquilizers that made their convention-rimmed life supportable.
There were still enough Ken Reeves, Sam Gaynors, Hu Shihs to fill Codep rosters; men and woman eager and willing to accept hazard and struggle rather than a life of restriction and boredom. However, pastoral planets were not high on the preferred list. Worlds with quantities of ore or rare minerals had preference. Man could always live on hydroponics and synthetics while he mined rocky planets like NC-A-43 or water worlds like SE-B-95. Fortunately, the zoological lobby had helped put Doona on the preference list. Livestock such as horses, cows, buffalo, deer, chickens, dogs, cats and other once common animals and fowls were dwindling to extinction, despite Preservation's techniques, so that a pastoral planet would have to be opened to perpetuate the useful animal species once common on Earth.
A subtle campaign had been waged on Earth through Tri-D, brain-washing a generation of children with ancient movies of animal heroes, by blackmail, by subliminal posters. When the bill to colonize pastoral Doona came up before the voters, it was passed by a landslide.
As Ken Reeve's bitter words echoed through the mess hall, Hu Shih thought rapidly.
The arrival of their families would only underscore the enormity of this catastrophe. There is always a solution to any problem, the colony leader told himself, firmly turning his mind from a static round of recriminations, but it may be difficult to accept the necessary solution.
This incident was the first infringement of Codep's guiding rule, the Principle of Non-Cohabitation. He forced himself to review the terrible Siwannah tragedy which had resulted in that very same Principle. And never, since the mass suicide of the gentle Siwannese, had a colony been set up where another intelligent species had been discovered by Spacedep. He shuddered, strengthening his flagging resolve that another such infamous incident must not be recorded about Doona. But any moment the transport ship, and their families, would arrive, compounding the original error. He took what comfort there was in the knowledge that his Phyllis would have a few days on Doona, walking in its lovely forests, smelling the cinnamony bark of theHu Shih's thoughts halted. He rose.
"Home? Yes, Ken, home. We will have to go home. Because, gentlemen, we can argue until the cows land," and he smiled, surprised at his inadvertent humor, "and still not change the fact that we are bound by the rules of our home planet. We cannotcannotremain on a planet already inhabited by an intelligent species.
"Not only have we unwittingly fractured that rule, but our very proximity to the natives places us in a still more delicate situation. We cannot simply ignore them as we might have been able to do if they were on the other side of the planet. Then we could simply pack up our equipment and leave when the Phase IV ship comes.
At any moment, one of them may discover us.
So, we must first apprise Codep of the existence of these natives by homing capsule. Even at faster-than-light speeds, it will take four and a half days to reach Earth . . .
And probably four and a half weeks while Codep fumbles to any decision, Lee interjected.
And another four to five days before we receive an answer. In the meantime, the Phase IV ship will have arrived with our families. Hu Shih paused, exhaled deeply. It is impossible to leave this site until they do arrive, otherwise we could simply pack up right now and eliminate the danger of contaminating this species with a premature contact with us. No, we are constrained to stay. We must also prevail upon the captain of the Phase IV ship to remain, pending subsequent removal orders.
Shih, Gaynor interrupted, those transport ships are so tightly scheduled, they can't lay over any longer than it takes to unload.
In an emergency of this nature, I'm certain discretion will override commercial interest, the colony leader replied. The captain will certainly understand the delicate situation at a glance and adjust to necessity.
What about the livestock? Ben asked. There would be only fodder enough for the outgoing trip.
That is why we must wait for instructions. I think you must agree with me, then, that we will have at least a nine day interlude, during which time the natives are certain to discover us.
How in hell did they manage to camouflage that village, Shih? Ken demanded. Where have they been all winter?
Nomads? Lawrence suggested. There's an easy route from the southern part of the continent, come to think of it, beyond the range.
"Where they came from is not as important as what to do now they are here," Hu Shih reminded Lee gently. "Consider the relevant problem, please.
"Undoubtedly, if someone from Alien Relations Department had been included in our number, he would know exactly what course of action should be, must be taken. But unfortunately, Codep did not see fit to include someone with any xeno training in our number, and he smiled less tentatively now. "Besides, we have natives, not aliens, to deal with and there is nothing in our copious instructions to cover this contingency."
Lee Lawrence choked on a burst of derisive laughter while Gaynor glared at him savagely. It had become axiomatic that whatever manual of procedure was consulted, the guidebook failed to cover the major emergencies encountered on this non-mining world. There were also large areas in which theory fell far short of practical need. The 'experts' who had compiled the guides had no actual colonial experience and were far too conditioned to stocked storerooms, planetwide resources or frequent supply ship runs.
«It does seem reasonable to me,» Hu Shih continued, «to try to communicate with ourlandlordsin an effort to cushion their cultural shock . . .»
Their cultural shock? Lee cried out.
They may well be nomads.
With houses like that? Gaynor protested.
Hu Shih held up his hand for order. «As I mentioned, we cannot ignore them; they are just across the river We are the trespassers, against the law of our own home world.» 'Home' had been delicately stressed. «In all conscience we must do what we can not to compromise their cultural evolution, or worseprecipitate another Siwannah. Once we have established in our own minds their level of civilization, we can continue intelligently. Therefore, since Ken is the only one among us with any semantic training, he will make the initial contact.»
Now wait a minute, Sam protested. They carried knives. And big cats on Terra used to be carnivores, didn't they, Dautrish?
Well, yes, the botanist agreed
Ezra Moody raised his hand. «Judging from the lack of protruding eyeteethor fangs, I'd hazard that they have evolved beyond the chase-hunt level. Here, Ben,» and Ezra indicated one particular photograph to the veterinarian, «look at this jaw. Don't you agree?»
Ben nodded cautiously.
Fangs don't indicate temperament, Lawrence said.
True, Moody agreed seriously, but you'll notice the absence of anything more lethal than a knife in their belts. No clubs or . . .
A knife is lethal enough, Ken said. And I plan to carry one too, he asserted, turning to Hu Shih.
Oh, that's definitely in order, Lawrence agreed. Lack of a knife might mean emasculation. Ritual, of course, he added hastily with a laugh as he caught Ken's startled glance.
Exactly what do you want me to do, Shih? Ken asked.
Mainly, tape as much of their language as possible. Alreldep is sure to want it as a basis for their own investigations. We ought to sleep-learn as much as we can synthesize in order to deal with the natives. He sighed. Of course, it's not the best way to learn a language, for no adult ever learns another's tongue properly, but we must somehow get across to them that our stay will be brief; that we did not know we had trespassed . . .
And you want Ken to walk in there armed with a lousy knife and a tape recorder? Sam exclaimed. Those cats are six feet, Hu Shih . . .
Christ's sake, Sam, take it easy, Ken said, though he appreciated Sam's solicitude. You're spoiling for a fight.
Fight? No! But common sense tells me those babies can be dangerous. And for you to walk in among fifteen-twenty of those males?
One unarmed man constitutes no threat, Hu Shih replied firmly.
And leaves ten to defend our position here, Sam interjected.
Hu Shih regarded him with mild reproof for a moment before continuing. And one man can tape sufficient language and shoot enough additional film for the departments interested to have some foundation on which to base their assessments of the damage we have inadvertently done to a less advanced species.
"If they are not advanced, is there a chance we could cohabit?" With their permission?" Lee suggested softly.
Hu Shih held up his hand to dispel such false hope.
We are bound by the Principle of Non-Cohabitation, gentlemen. This is our first consideration.
It wasn't our fault! Ramasan said, his dark eyes sparking.
What were those Phase II buggers using for eyes? Vic Solinari demanded, slapping the table with the flat of his hand.
All true, Hu Shih agreed. However, it is useless to waste time in idle recrimination. We will go back to Earth but we do not need to return empty-handed. The remark gained instant attention and Shih was inwardly relieved Obviously none of them had thought beyond the immediate problem. Doona is full of treasure long since lost on Earth: the fragrant bark of the porous wood tree, the wood itself which polishes to brilliance; the translucent river pebbles, the . . .
He's right! No sweat, man, we could buy our way anywhere with a handful of that quartzite. Ben, where'd you find those silver traces? Those berries . . .
The sudden possibilities turned the men from despair to constructive planning, each vying with the other as to what would command the highest credits back on Earth.
When Hu Shih reluctantly left them, to compose the formal message he must speed to Earth by homing capsule, he knew that they would be able to salvage something from this disaster. And they would have at least eight or nine days, even with the faster-than-light speed of the capsule, before Codep could instruct him on procedures. Yes, there would be time to gather enough of Doona's treasure to ease some of the problems of their return.
Chapter IV. CONTACT
KEN REEVE reached the top of the rocky saddle above the valley where he and Gaynor had seen the catmen's settlement. He paused for a moment to hitch the recorder to a more comfortable position on his shoulder. Like most burdens, it had seemed to gain weight with every mile. With a shrug he swung it off and, striding to a reddish boulder, sat down in the shade of the stately ribbed porous wood trees.
I'll need a break before the show starts, he told himself, removing his wide-brimmed hat and wiping his moist forehead. After nearly a year, he was still as unused to the pressure of the headband as he was to the smell of sweat. He squinted up at the warm spring sun, orange against the green-blue sky.
Gazing back the way he had come, Reeve grunted when he realized that their own settlement, nestled in an outcropping of trees, was no more visible to him than that of the natives. Far below in the river valley, beyond the second loop, the rising heat haze hid the slim metal spire of the homing beacon, despite the fact that it occupied dead center of the landing site.