x
The argument between brother and sister might well have continued, with the spacemen still unenlightened, but the healer interrupted. "I think he'll be all right now, Miss. I've got a recovery room that's not being used now. Let's put him in there till the sedation wears off."
"That's awfully good of you," said Vesh. And then as she saw Shaun open his mouth, she held up a finger. "Wait. Don't try to talk yet. Do you have an extra translator on you, healer? These three men are off the spaceship and my bratty brother thought it'd be funny to sneak the translators out of their gear."
The healer grinned. "Oh, so that's what all the commotion was about? Being initiated into the oddities of Droth, eh? Well, I doubt that I have three translators, but I might have one spare."
He stepped over to a desk in the corner and rummaged through a drawer. "Here you go, Miss. Try to remember to bring it back."
"Oh, we will. We've got plenty of them aboard our flota." Vesh took the small oblong object from the doctor and and started attaching it to Shaun's breathing apparatus where it hung around his neck. "There now. When you speak, just remember to direct it downward towards your breathing mask. The translator will pick it up and make the needed adjustments."
"But how---why?" began Shaun, relieved and delighted to find that his speech had returned to normal. "I don't understand."
His two friends stood in the doorway, their mouths open in shock, but not daring to utter a word lest they sound like some demented bird.
"It's the helium atmosphere in the deeper buildings," Skem began. "Better breathing at this depth, but it won't carry sounds as well. This electronic gadget, which everybody wears...."
"Yes, and you can give yours to our guests right now!" his sister interposed. "Hurry up and hand it over."
"Aw now, wait a minute! Now, Sis!"
But Vesh had grabbed the instrument away from him and his further protests turned into angry but indistinct squawks.
"If you feel that way about it, you can go back to the flota and get enough for all of us!" And Vesh turned to show the two athletes how to attach the voice box. "You'll have to share it between you until that rascal gets back."
For Skem had already disappeared down the corridor, and Shaun fancied he'd heard the splash as the youngster hit the exit hole.
"So let's get on with moving the patient," the doctor suggested.
Shaun stepped forward and took hold of the dog's head and shoulders and the doctor took the rear, and between them they moved Worf into a small adjacent room and stretched him out on the floor.
"Better there," said the doctor. "He might fall off the table, and I'm not sure about strapping him down. What planet did you say he comes from?"
"He's a real Terran-class dog, sir, but he was born and raised on Sobillon."
"Sobillon? You mean the heavy-gravity planet? That's where yoiu come from?" The healer looked at him curiously. "Tell you what, you let me run some heart and lung tests on you and I won't charge you for treating the animal."
"That's quite unnecessary. I've got plenty of newdollars," Vesh began, but Shaun interrupted.
"I don' t mind. I'd be glad to help the healer, after all he's done for Worf. Are you sure he'll be all right? We'll have to wait around awhile for him to recover, I guess. You can run tests while we're waiting."
"But I wanted to show you the city!" Vesh said. "And I don't know about you guys, but I'm getting hungry. All right, go ahead and make tests till Skem gets back. We'll have to wait for him at any rate or one of us will be distinctly miserable."
So Shaun followed the doctor into a back room where he sat in a chair and allowed a contrivance of wires and electrodes to be attached to various parts of his body. Then, as the healer went over him with his instruments, he answered questions, while the man smiled, and scribbled in his notebook.
At last Skem returned, and everybody was fitted with a translator and the doctor's gadget was return to him. Shaun stood up to accompany his friends.
"Thank you very much," the healer shook hands. "And don't be afraid for your four-legged friend. Come back in a few hours and he'll be ready to go with you. But don't hurry. The more rest the better."
"Maybe I should stay," Shaun began. "When he wakes up...."
"Don't be a fool! You heard the healer. He'll look after him, and he's good for several hours sleep at least."
Shaun allowed himself to be dragged from the room, and he followed Vesh and the others down a labyrinth of crossing corridors, or "streets," as she and Skem insisted upon calling them.
They passed numerous native citizens, scurrying about with fishing spears and nets or tools of other trades. All of them wore diving gear and many were damp or dripping from recent seawater contact.
Vesh and Skem held a hasty consultation, and then led them to a big, grottolike room, dimly lit from points in the high ceiling and from the serving kiosk in the center. All about were little tables, and Shaun followed the group to one against the wall. Only when he was seated did he realize that the enter wall was of glass, affording an unrestricted view of the ocean depths beyond. The light was kept dim within the room and the waters outside were floodlighted, so that the activities of the denizens of the deep were readily visible.
"This isn't the best restaurant here," said Vesh. "But it's famous for its view of the fish. They put out food to attract them, you know, and nobody's allowed to hunt nearby. We'll have some light refreshment here and then go on to a better place higher up. Go get us a tray, Skem. You know what's good. And bring me the chit to sign."
Her brother trotted off obediently and soon came back with a tray of cool drinks and a plate of strange but enticing tidbits. The spacers were quick to agree that food on Droth was of the first order. Maybe because he felt it necessary to make up for his recent pranks, Skem went back and forth to the serving table, replenishing their glasses and bringing more orders of food.
While they ate, Vesh explained and interpreted the life beyond the window. A gorgeous array of many-colored fish, some large, some small, sped past their viewport. Red, green, blue, gold, they were like jewels in a rich crown. But moving jewels that danced gracefully to and fro, in and out.
"If you watch, you may see one of the things that attacked Worf," said Skem.
"That's right," agreed his sister. "They do nothing to clear the predators out. Everything's kept as natural as possible. That's what makes it fun."
Shaun was so interested in the colorful parade that he had nearly forgotten to watch for the black sea-bat, when Vesh laid her hand on his arm.
"There's one now! A little one. A baby. Watch closely, it's after a fish!"
Shaun looked where she pointed and saw a thin black shape, barely visible among the rocks and weeds. As it came closer he saw that it was taller than it was wide and propelled itself slowly by little fins at the sides. It came to a rounded hump above and had a kind of beach protruding at the front. Extending from somewhere between the hump nd the beak were two long, thin barbs that waved and trailed in the water.
Presently a little fish passed close to the creature, and one of the barbs shot out and wrapped itself around it. The fist was almost enveloped in the coils of the whiplike protuberance, which immediately began to draw the victim up to the waiting beack.
Shaun watched in hypnotized horror as the black devil began its meal, and he was relived when at last the creature passed from view behind some rocks.
"Of course, that's just a baby," said Vesh. "The one that got Worf was many, many times bigger."
Shaun shuddered inwardly. "I don't see how you ever got him away in time."
"Aw, they're easy to deal with," Skem said. "You just cut off that long barb."
"But don't they attack swimmers?" asked Jan-o.
"They're not as dangerous as they seem," Vesh said. "Of course, if it gets its barb around you and you get a dose of venom, you've got to seek treatment immediately, as with any kind of poisonous sting. Coari's good at chasing them away. She's so fast they can't catch her. But this time she forgot."
"She was having too good a time teasing Worf," said Skem.
"Where's Coari now?" Merl asked.
"More'n likely gone to sleep in the flota," Vesh said. "Hidden away in disgrace. She knew I was mad at her!"
The ocean planet, with its bright and exotic inhabitants, no longer seemed so beautiful and desirable to Shaun, and he was glad when Vesh suggested that they go on to what she considered a better eating place.
They followed her out of the grotto and along more of the city's streets, climbing up stairs and ramps, till they passed through an airlock and found a different taste to the atmosphere. They entered a room where people were lining up in queues, the men at one side and the women at the other.
"You'll have to go with Skem," Vesh told them. "And don't let him pull any tricks on you. I'm trusting you, Skem! We don't need our diving gear or translators here. Atmosphere's normal, as we're nearer the surface. Less pressure. But we've got to get dressed to go to a good restaurant Skem will show you where to stow your gear and get proper clothes."
"Don't worry, I'll look after them," said Skem, happy to demonstrate the customs of his world. "Meet you here in 15 minutes."
"Half an hour," said Vesh, and disappeared into the women's quarters.
It took Skem no more than the promised fifteen minutes to get himself showered, dressed and ready for the most elaborate dining. But fitting out the others took longer. The spacers learned that the boy and his sister kept a suitable change of clothing in lockers so they could occasionally enjoy the good life of the upper sections of the city. Meanwhile, there was clothing for rest for just such visitors as the three spacers, and Skem, who had apparently decided to behave himself for the time at least, was helpful in selecting it and arranging for its rental.
Shaun presently found himself clad in scarlet slacks and silver-trimmed jacket, more colorful and elegant costuming than he'd ever seen back home. Merl and Jan-o took advantage of expressing themselves in equally fancy attire, and by the time they were all dressed and returned to the outer lounge, Vesh was impatiently awaiting them.
"Fifteen minutes, indeed!" she said. "That's how long I've been waiting for you out here."
"We had to pick out their clothes," said Skem. "And I was trying to be helpful, as you told me."
"Well, come along then. I'm starving!"
She led them up along ever mounting corridors, past doors, rooms, and alcoves. Shaun, following just behind her, saw that she wore an evening gown of a very beautiful design. In fact, for the first time he realized that she was beautiful, too. Her hair was no longer dank and clinging, but piled artfully above her head. He was wondering how she could possibly have achieved this transformation and still had 15 minutes to wait for them, when Skem noted the direction of his glance. The body sidled up close to him.
"Don't let her fool you. It's a wig!"
Shaun frowned. Were the infantile pranks going to start all over again? But he had no time to worry. Vesh swept into a big and elegant dining salon and was quickly ushered to a corner table. The boys followed her, wondering nervously if they were wearing their new clothes with quite the air of confidence exhibited by their hostess.
When they were seated Vesh and Skem went into a huddle over the menu and then the girl gave instructions to the waiter. Presently a succession of delightful dishes arrived at their table, beginning with fruit, which was followed by soup, and continuing through several courses of fish of various kinds. It was all alien to Shaun, but he found that he was really hungry, and ate with relish.
As they ate, Vesh told them about many of the other diners in the room. Some were famous personages on Droth, but many were people whom she and Skem knew personally.
"Gee, Sis!" the boy interrupted. "Let's introduce them to the Nilliumsons. Marko will be crazy about Worf!"
"Later," she said firmly. "It's rude to run about a restaurant like this."
"I only thought.....I saw him looking at us...."
"Everyone looks without seeming to do so," she replied. "After dinner will be time enough Now as I was telling you...."
As she talked, Shaun watched the other tables and realized that they were also being scrutinized politely and covertly. Did they appear that different, even with the native clothes? Had the news leaked out that they were spacemen and strangers here?
By the time the 2nd fish course arrived, Vesh had exhausted her storehouse of information. She signaled a hovering waiter. "I think we'd like some entertainment. Can you bring a vid-box?"
The waiter nodded and a small table was rolled up, bringing an electronic receiver. He positioned it in front of their table so that they could watch it without disturbing the other diners.
"Get something good," Vesh told Skem."
The first picture that came on the screen might've been taken right in front of them. The camera showed a big dining hall, and then went down a line of feasting guests, pausing briefly for closeups of each.
"For galaxies sakes!" cried the boy, and turned the switch.
The picture vanished, but before he could find another, Merl cried out.
"Wait a minute! Get it back, please! Can you?"
"Sure. But whatever for? I can watch that right there."
"I thought I saw something," Merl said. "I thought I saw Tris."
"Tris? Impossible!" cried Jan-o.
"Get it back for them," Vesh directed.
By the time Skem had the picture back on the screen, a man at the head table was making a speech. The man was quite obviously not Tris, but Merl motioned to Skem to leave things alone and leaned forward to watch.
"......and I must admit that trading with our friend from across the spaceways," the speechmaker was saying, "has been most enjoyable. Yes, enjoyable and profitable for both sides, surely. So now before we begin our performance, I want you all to join me in a toast to our distinguished visitor. To Trader Zeth Tristotha! Your health!"
There was a shout of voices and the screen showed the diners rising up all around and extending their glasses. And then the picture zoomed in on one man and there was Tris, sitting as satisfied as a well-fed vezonker and beaming at the camera.
The boys all cried with one voice: "It's him!"
"Shut up!" ordered Vesh. "You'll get everyone looking at us!"
"You mean that's your boss?" demanded Skem. "I can't see anything scary about him."
"He's having a good time now," Jan-o said. "Wait till he gets a mad-on."
But the scene on the screen had already shifted away from trader, and now it showed a series of swimming girls, diving from various heights and executing all manner of swimming maneuvers.
"You are viewing the entertainment presented last night in honor of Trader Zeth Tristotha, lately come to this planet from way across the Cluster. The Premier of Puralina gave this dinner and celebration in his honor. Now the high back-twist by diver Namantha..."
But Skem had reached out and changed the channel.
"Aw, Sis can do better than that," he said. "Besides, all that happened last night. It's ancient history now."
"If it happened last night, "said Merl, "maybe Tris's on his way back to the ship by now. We don't want him to get back there and find us gone."
"That's right," said Shaun. "Maybe we'd better start getting back." He looked uncertainly at Vesh, but the girl just smiled.
"Have some dessert first," she said. "They make wonderful things here." She signaled the waiter, who began to clear away the dishes. "Pretty soon we'll go back and get Worf. We'll take you all back to your ship in plenty of time. Right, Skem?"
"Sure. That flota's got super speed."
"I can believe that, with you at the wheel." Merl eyed the mount of frozen cake that the waiter was bringing. "Well, right after this. But don't ask me to swim very far!"
As Shaun dug into his serving of dessert, enjoying the delicate blend of flavors, he was aware that Skem had another station on the screen. A man was talking from a sheaf of notes in his hand.
"Latest news," muttered Skem, with his mouth full. "Not yesterday's stale dinner."
As if to contradict him, the man started speaking: "That bang-up dinner, tendered to Trader Tristotha last night, may be the last good thing the man experiences on this planet. Latest reports say that he got back to his ship this morning only to be knocked flat by a force-field placed around it without his knowledge."
All at once the cake tasted flat in Shaun's mouth. Skem was doubled up with laughter. Vesh's mouth hung open in shock, and Merl and Jan-o were on their feet, both talking at the same time."
"He's back already!" It's impossible! Holy Galactica, our name will be mud!"
Vesh made herself heard over the bedlam. "If you'll control yourselves, there may be more to the message. Get the station back, Skem! What'd you turn it off for?"
"I thought maybe you didn't want to hear the bad news," said Skem, fiddling with the controls.
The anchorman reappeared on the screen, caught in mid-sentence. "......and a dog. That's a Terran animal, folks, for those of you unaware of it. Where his crew may have gone to, there was no indication. The officer on duty said he thought they were planning to take the shuttle, but the shuttle people had no record. So be on watch, citizens, for three young men----a little different in appearance, as spacers usually are---and accompanied by an odd quadruped. They're wanted."
This second bit of news was greeted with silence and worried looks. Vesh motioned her brother to turn off the screen. "I'm sorry," she said, "to have led you into this unfortunate situation. I'd no idea it could turn out this way. We'll get you back as fast as possible. Hurry up, Skem, we can't wait for you to finish that."
Skem was shoveling cake into his mouth at near warp-speed, but the rest of them seemed to have lost interest in it. Vesh signaled the waiter and credit slip he presented, and they all followed her out of the room. They retraced their steps, stopping at the costume lounge, where they resumed swimming attire. Under happier circumstances, Shaun would've noticed that his shorts were well dried and pressed. But now all he could think about was the reception they would receive from the trader. As they made their way down into the lower sections of the city, he shied from every citizen they passed, fearful that he might be recognized as one of the spacemen who looked "different" and was "wanted." It would be the last indignity to be arrested and delivered to Tris in chains! If only they could manage the return of their own accord! Well, at least they didn't have Worf with them yet. The dog would be an appalling giveaway.
Some such thoughts were in the minds of all of them, for as they approached the healer's quarters, Jan-o hesitated.
"Do you think he knows?"
"Yes, if he heard that broadcast. He'll have us all figured out." Merl was pessimistic.
"Oh, I don't think so." Vesh paused to give the matter a little thought. "Maybe you two had better go on with Skem. Get the flota ready to blast as soon as we're aboard. Shaun and I can manage the dog. Hurry, now!"
Skem didn't wait for a second urging, and Merl and Jan-o seemingly had no other choice. They hastened after him, with a fast wave to Shaun.
"Come on," said Vesh. "I don't think he knows. And if he does, I don't think he'll do anything about it."
The girl had guessed right. The young healer welcomed them with unassuming pleasure and the announcement that Worf was practically recovered. They went into the small room and the healer smiled happily as Worf jumped all over Shaun and Vesh, expressing his joy with little yelps, barks, and excessive tail-wagging.
"I can see why the ancients called them Man's Best Friend," said the healer. "Take good care of him now. How are you going to get him back to your ship? I imagine he's had enough of our ocean for awhile."
Shaun had been wondering about just that problem, but Vesh didn't seem to be bothered.
"By rescue cylinder, naturally."
"Good idea. You'll find them at the lower exit. He should about fit into a Mark 3."
Vesh agreed and shook hands goodbye, offering to sign more credit slips for the medical care, but the young healer shook his head. He had been amply paid by the chance to examine a man from a heavy-grav planet.
Holy Galactica! thought Shaun. That was another giveaway! He called Worf and tried to hurry Vesh along, but she refused to be rushed and spent several more minutes talking to the healer. When she finally followed him down the corridor, he was wet with sweat.
"Don't be so nervous!" she whispered. "He hasn't heard, and you'll only give us away."
"But he'll know the minute he hears---a heavy-grav spacer!"
"We'll be far away by then. Come on, here's where we get the rescue cylinder."
It was like a little boat, just the right size for Worf, with a lid that sealed air-tight and its own compressed-air supply. It took a bit of coaxing to get Worf inside and the cover shut against his protesting howls. As soon as it was secure, Vesh grabbed the handle, pulled her own mask down and jumped into the exit pool. Shaun was hard-pressed to keep pace with her. But he was getting used to this underwater monkey-business. He could not swim or maneuver as skillfully as skillfully as Vesh, but he could at least keep her in sight.
It was a short swim. With a sure sense of direction, the girl made for her ship, and a few minutes later they surfaced inside the flota. Shaun helped her pull the cylinder inside and pry out the shocked Worf. As soon as this was done, to Shaun's shock, she closed the cylinder and rolled it back out the exit. It would be picked up the next morning on the surface, she explained. Then she pushed the control and the hatch slid shut.
Vesh took three steps and shouted up the companionway, "All tight! Full speed ahead!"
Shaun hadn't stopped to think whether the others would be aboard, but apparently they were, and waiting for the signal. Almost right away the motors roared to life, and he felt the flota leap forward with a force that indicated that Skem must be at the controls.
At dawn the flota submerged to make its final approach to the spaceport island. Vesh had devised a harness of rope for Worf, with two leads to be held by swimmers.
"Poor Worf," she commiserated. "I'm sorry we must take you into the water again. Water, water, all is water on this planet. I think I'll go with him to be sure he gets safely ashore."
"But it was agreed that we'd say goodbye here," Shaun protested. "We don't want to get you in any trouble."
"I think it's really better if we return by ourselves," Merl said.
"Don't worry, I'll stay out of the way. Nobody'll see me, but I'd like to take a look at this Trader Tris you're all so afraid of."
"It's not that we're afraid," Jan-o protested. "He's our boss."
"Well, I'd like to see your boss. Also Worf must get safely ashore."
"I'm coming, too!" cried Skem. "I want to see what their boss is like!"
"You'll do no such thing," she declared. "You'll tend to the flota. Bring it in as close as you can and surface so we can use the side lock."
"But then everyone will see it," he protested.
"Not unless they happen to be looking. As soon as we're in the water, go back out and submerge."
"Aw, Sis!"
The two stared at each other in a momentary contest of wills, and then Skem went back to the pilot's seat and began maneuvering the flota close to the shore. At last the forward movement stopped and Shaun felt the vessel slowly rising to the surface. When the bubble was above water and they could ascertain that they had returned to approximately the same spot from which they had departed, Vesh led them to the side hatch.
"As soon as it's open, get out, both of you. Shaun and I will come last with the dog."
She pressed the switch and the hatch slid slowly open. Merl and Jan-o lost no time in diving through it and striding out for shore. Vesh followed them and called out to Shaun.
"Now throw Worf out and come yourself!"
Shaun took hold of the reluctant dog, and before he could struggle, heaved him into the ocean. Then he jumped after. He was aware that the hatch began to slide shut almost before his foot left the flota.
Vesh already had hold of one of Worf's leads, and Shaun quickly picked up the other lead. Between them they shepherded the plucky dog ashore. He swam resolutely, but it was evident that his recent experience had sapped his strength. Shaun was glad that the distance wasn't long. Soon he could walk, and he reached out to support Worf until the dog's feet touched sand through the surf.
Merl and Jan-o were already climbing up the dunes, and Shaun ran after them, with Worf jumping happily at his heels. The morning sun was just beginning to warm up the yellow sand. When they reached the edge of the landing field, he turned around, but neither Vesh nor the flota could be seen.
"C'mon," said Merl. "The soonest met, the soonest dealt with."
"Hey, do you suppose the shield's still up?" Jan-o slowed as they approached the ship.
"Not unless he's gone away and left it again."
"Maybe he's gone looking for us," Shaun suggested.
"No. Don't you see the light in the port?" Shaun said. "And the lock's open. He's aboard. Probably up and about."
With dragging steps the trio approached. And suddenly he was in the entrance lock, the little man who at times could appear bigger than any of them. For a full minute they stared at each other.
"Well, as I live and breathe!" cried the trader. "Where'd you three drop from? Did you know the whole planet's been looking for you? Or were you hidden away in some kind of fourth dimension?"
"We came back as soon as we heard you were looking for us," said Shaun.
"But not in time to keep me from being practically demolished by the hellish trap you set upon my ship1"
"It didn't hurt you---at least I hope it didn't!" cried Merl. "They assured us it was harmless."
"They said they used it for all ships," Jan-o added.
"And that you'd be sure to ask in the office and they'd turn it off for you." This from Shaun.
"A pack of lies! The rogues were all off celebrating," cried Tris. "If you worthless space-rats had stuck to your posts, this idiocy wouldn't have been necessary."
"We're sorry," the boys began to apologize. "We'll never do it again. What can we ever do...."
"For right now, just get your little fannies to work!" their boss exploded. "Right now, this minute! Unload Cargo Bay 2. I want it empty by noon. The new cargo'll be here at that hour. You've got all afternoon to load up and then we blast-off by evening."
"Tonight?" cried Merl. "But we haven't been here a week!"
"You said we'd stay two weeks," said Jan-o plaintively.
"That's was before trading started! Trading's done and we're going. Now get busy all of you, or we won't make the deadline."
Reluctantly, Merl and Jan-o went through the lock and Shaun was about to follow them, but he turned to call to Worf. The dog had not come up the ramp. He stood at the foot of the ship, looking expectantly towards the sea.
Tris glanced at him curiously. "So you took the dog with you. How'd you manage it?"
"Worf always goes with me," said Shaun. But he had a nagging suspicion that the dog's loyalty was becoming divided.
"What's he looking for out there?" snapped the trader.
Shaun didn't feel this was the time to describe their illegal adventures. He countered with another question. "How was the trading at Puralina? Didn't you get what you wanted?"
Tris looked up at him, and Shaun sensed a similar reluctance to go into details. "The trading went all right. As good as I could expect. But who wants to trade with insular, narrow, conceited pigs!" With each adjective, his voice went up an octave.
Shaun stared at his boss in amazement. "You didn't like them?" he cried. "It looked to us like if you were having one top-orbit celebration!"
"It looked to you?! Were you there?"
"No, on vidi-screen," Shaun explained. "They showed the dinner. Everybody drinking to your health."
"Oh. Well, maybe then they showed all those beautiful girls swimming and diving, and such water cavortings as were never seen on any planet but this one."
Shaun nodded, but the trader gave him no chance to speak.
"Would you believe it?" Tris's voice was rising again with hurt fury. "Not a one of those expert beauties would sign up for my team? They couldn't be bothered with the Olympiad. They'd never heard of interplanetary games or if they had, it meant nothing to them! Then I return to my ship, and it's a case of adding insult to injury!"
Understanding broke over Shaun. He realized that Tris's anger was not wholly directed against him and his friends. If two first-class swimmers had agreed to join his team, he could've shrugged off the matter of the force-field and the fact that the boys had played hookey.
And in that moment, Shaun had a brilliant idea. "If you want a swimmer, I know where you can get the best girl in the galaxy."
"Really?" Tris raised a suspicious eyebrow. "What are you waiting for? Get her here!"
In answer, Shaun gave a sharp whistle to alert Worf. "Where's Vesh?" he commanded. "Go get her, Worf!"
The dog cocked his head, barked twice, and ran around behind the ship, to reappear a few minutes later, followed by Vesh.
"What's going on?" she asked. "Did you send him for me?" She looked curiously at the trader, and he in turn was staring at her.
"Is this the girl? I understand you're a pretty good swimmer, Miss. Plenty of speed?"
"Everyone swims on Droth," she replied. "Almost more swimming than walking."
"I believe it. And I also believe any serious statement by Shaun Sili. Would you care to join my small team and go with us to the Games? I gather you already know the boys pretty well."
"We've had a good time together, Mr. Tris. And I'm sorry if we caused you any trouble or worry. As soon as we heard about it, I brought them right back. But as for my leaving Droth...."
"You wouldn't be leaving for good," he argued. "You'd see something of the Cluster planets, and I'd bring you back, first stop on the return trip."
From the dunes beyond the field where the spaceship's shadow still lay darkly, a shrill voice emanated.
"What are you waiting for, Sis? Grab it! Of course we'd be glad to go, Mr. Tristotha!"
All heads turned in his direction as the small, red-topped figure of Skem approached the ship.
"Who's 'we'?" demanded his sister. "Nobody asked you. And why aren't you with the flota?"
"Oh, the ship's all right. She's anchored right where we've often left her. I knew if I didn't come along you'd make some mistake like turning down a chance like this."
"The boy seems to have the right idea," said Tris. "Would you like to be an Olympiad champion, sonny?"
"You bet I would! And a spaceman someday."
"Well, you came to just the right place. Funny what homebodies all the girls on this planet seem to be."
"Hey, Tris!" called a voice seemingly from the air. "Don't do that! If you take the kid, you'll be sorry!"
Looking upward, Shaun saw Jan-o standing on the crane hoist as it shifted a huge cargo crate out over the pad. Merl was leaning from the cargo hatch and it was apparent that both boys had been listening to what transpired below.
"Why will I be sorry?" Tris called, craning his head to look upwards. "Can't the boy swim?"
"Like a water rat," said Merl. "But he'll be more trouble than he's worth."
"He put some kind of fish in Shaun's bed and he made us all talk like unintelligible birds....!"
"We......ell. I don't imagine that was too hard. What about it, sonny?"
Skem opened his mouth to answer the charges, but his sister cut in first. "He's not as bad as all that, Mr. Tris. But I think he must be too young."
"How old are you?" asked the trader.
"Eleven, sir. Going on twelve." Skem's voice fell in dejection.
"Well, now, I've heard of contenders that young. It's in the records. Of the ancients, I mean. I don't know of any that young in the Olympiad. But there's always a first time and I don't know of any rule against it. You'd be competing against athletes a lot bigger and stronger than you are. No favors handed out to juniors or anything like that."
"If that's so, I'd like to try, Mr. Tristotha."
"There's just one catch, young man. We take like pretty very seriously in this business. You might not have gotten that impression from these young men, but everybody works hard on my ship. We also train hard and we study. No time and no room for jokers and pranksters. And if you pull anything like that, I'll whale the hide off you!"
He put his head down on a level with Skem's and hissed the last words through his teeth. But Skem never flinched.
"You won't have any trouble with me, sir. I'll do anything to go into space!"
"Then what're we waiting for? Go get your Dad's permission or whatever you have to have. How soon can you two be ready for blastoff?"
"Wait a minute!" Vesh had her face set in a look of stubborn defiance. "Who said anything about going? He's a minor, and you haven't convinced me of anything, Mr. Tris."
"Oh, but you wil come, won't you?" cried Shaun. "You're just what the team needs. I know you'll win and you'll be famous, and you'll make your colony famous----and----and----"
He was running out of words, but at that moment Worf, excited by the loud, arguing voices, started barking. He was licking her bare feet, running around her and capering on the pad.
"And how can you bear to say goodbye to Worf?" Shaun finished. "You'll never see him again."
Vesh reached down to pat the dog and her resistance seemed to ebb away. "Yes, Worf," she said, "Yes, Worf. We won't say goodbye. Oh well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to go. Be rather fun at that. If you really think we're what you want, Mr. Tris."
"Of course, you're exactly what we ant. I'll put it to the boys up there. Can the two of them swim?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBltIsH40v
"Like nothing you've ever seen before!" said Merl.
"All right. How soon can you be ready to blastoff?"
"In three days, if my father says we can go. Come on, Skem! We've got to get hold of Daddy, and there are a million things to get for the trip."
The two shook hands with Tris and then turned towards the sea and their flota. The spacers watched until they had disappeared.
"Do you think he'll let them go?" the trader asked.
"Any man who lets his children gad about all over the planet in a vessel like that will never worry about a space trip," Merl said.
"In that case, let's get busy, so we'll be ready when they are. Not quite so much hurry, boys, but we'd better get her unloaded by tonight."
"You mean to say, we're back in favor?" cried Jan-o from the hoist.
"You sure are. Come on down. We'll get a little breakfast before we start unloading. And we've got to fix up nice quarters for these two."
A yell of enthusiasm greeted this statement, and the two boys came hurrying out of the ship. Then all four set off for the port buildings and the canteen, talking excitedly about the new plans and possibilities for their team.
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