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drastically from that of the plain. There were also more clearings in which to
land the sled but the telltagger buzzed so continually that Varian declined to
take an unnecessary risk.
We can try the swamps where we found the hyracotherium tomorrow, Varian
suggested and Lunzie agreed that this might be a more profitable site for the
purple moss.
They were turning back when Varian sighted pod-bearing trees, at the northern
end of the fault.
Although there was room enough to land a space cruiser, the land was occupied
by large tusked animals which were either fighting or bashing headlong into
slender trunked trees to dislodge pods for noisy consumption. The air-sled
frightened the creatures off but Varian preferred to hover well above the
tuskers while Lunzie picked, happily muttering about high protein content.
Make a note of these coordinates, will you, Varian? We ll want more of these.
They re what give my special stew its flavor.
Taking another tangent back to the sea cliffs of the golden fliers, they made
one more stop, in fruiting trees which Varian also noted for future reference.
The fragrance of the ripe fruit, picked from boughs grazing animals couldn t
reach, filled the enclosed air sled with tantalizing sweetness.
No more stops no matter what you see, Lunzie. It s getting dark, and I don t
fancy night landings in that cave.
I might just wake Bonnard, Lunzie said after they d ridden on in silent
appreciation of the sunset display of distant lightning that brightened clouds
in the far west. He can run this boat, can t he? He s smart, quick, and he
thinks. Besides
Look, if you re worried, Portegin can stay with you.
My concern is for you, Co-leader, not myself. Not that any of you are safe if
it s new blood they re
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after.
What exactly is bothering you, Lunzie? Tell me now. I ve had enough
surprises.
It may just be my suspicious nature, Varian, but your Aygar did mention a
beacon. It is forty-three years since the mutiny ...
So?
What do you know of unrest among planetary minorities.
Huh? It took Varian a moment to grapple with the sudden switch.
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I d heard rumors that choice planets usually end up managed by one of the FSP
majors. Financing was the usual rationale. Krims! You don t mean ... Varian
shot a horrified glance at Lunzie, you don t mean that the ARCT-10 might have
been taken over by another set of mutineers, do you?
A compound ship does not lend itself to mutiny. Lunzie gave Varian a tight
grin. Too many minorities involved, too many different atmospheres, too
bloody strict a surveillance against a possible take over.
Command can, you know, close off, gas or eject any section of a compound ship
without affecting overall stability, life support, drive or control elements.
And the ARCT-10 had a large Thek group. No minority goes against Thek. What I
had in mind were the rumors of expeditions on worlds such as this, where
sizable teams simply disappeared. Not planted, but no sign of natural
disasters or deaths accidental or otherwise. Just the rumor and no official
acknowledgment of the problem. No official announcement about finding the lost
units, either. Of course, the change-state problems of this immense
Federation could account for the lack of news or official confirmation. Very
little gets done quickly, especially when Thek are concerned. Forty-three
years since our distress call? Lunzie s expression was grimly thoughtful.
That, my dear co-leader, is long enough for a homing capsule to arrive at its
destination and to permit an expedition to reach the distressed party. In my
opinion, that s why your
Aygar was not much bothered by the gene balance in his settlement. And the
reason he was surprised you hadn t homed in on his beacon.
Varian inhaled a long whistle. That does put a frame around his attitude. But
three days? Could he be that certain of a touch down when they don t have any
communications? Varian frowned again, mulling over Lunzie s theory. When I
crossed his line of march, he did get rid of me as fast as he could.
Which might mean the newcomers have arrived or are expected soon.
He certainly expects to own Ireta!
Your space law s worse than your botany, Varian. If my theory has any
substance, you were possessed with sheer genius when you posed as a new FSP
expedition.
I was? Why?
One, and Lunzie ticked off her points on fingers, the heavyworlders don t
suspect you are from the original team; they can still assume that we died of
our own incompetence after the stampede or went into cold sleep. But if, and
another finger emphasized that point, an FSP relief party arrives before
their reinforcements, summoned by that homing capsule, they will not have
clear title of the planet.
How could they think they d have a clear title anyhow? Varian demanded.
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There s a considerable code of space law dealing with ship wrecked survivors
who reach habitable planets and/or stranded expeditionary members who manage
to achieve a certain level of civilization.
What does that code of space law say about mutineers?
That s why it s safer for us to be a relief party.
If at first you don t succeed, have another go? Varian asked drolly.
Precisely.
But, Lunzie, when the reinforcements arrive, they d know there aren t any
other ships orbiting the planet.
The reinforcements, my dear Varian, are probably illegal and would be most
anxious not to be hailed by another vessel. They ll probably enter the
atmosphere under radio silence and as quickly as possible to avoid detection.
Since the obvious orbit of a rescue ship is synchronous with the site of
original landing, even a large ship can escape detection if the captain has
any intelligence.
And then set about raping this rich world and indulging in their
anachronistic behavior. It s easy now to understand why specialists of the
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