Moon Flower (35 page)

“But do you really think their system can stay the same?” Jerri said. “Or will things have to change eventually?”

“You brought that up last night.”

“I know. It still bothers me.”

“You mean because of some inexorable law like all of the house-trained professors back home teach? Numbers growing, competition for resources increasing, and all that kind of thing.”

“Yes, exactly.”

“I just hope Evan’s right,” Nick replied. “He’s pretty sure they’ll steer clear of the pitfalls. They seem to have done all right so far. The way they go about things avoids the huge concentrations of wealth that cause all the trouble back home. Everything’s distributed among small family businesses and local municipal bodies. If they want to take on something bigger, a bunch of them will get together and appoint a lead contractor to direct things. But they keep their independence. So the little guy doesn’t end up with nothing. He owns a share in the product.”

“I’m not sure how you mean,” Jerri said.

Nick sought for an example and then waved at some felled trunks lying to one side, waiting to be hauled away. Ahead, where a site had been cut into the slope and leveled, Cyreneans with picks and shovels were digging trenches for foundations. “Suppose that you and I got those fellas that you met back in Doriden to make a machine for us that cuts timber faster.”

“You mean a power saw, for a mill?”

“Yeah — something like that. And then we find a couple of guys up here, say Bill and Joe, to work it for us. Now the way it is back home, we’d pay them a flat wage and then own the lumber, which we’d then go out and try to sell. Right?”

“Okay.”

“So now you’ve got a conflict. The less we can get away with paying Bill and Joe, the more we have to keep for ourselves. And once they’ve been paid, they don’t give a toss about whether we sell the stuff or not... that is, until it turns out we can’t, and they get laid off.”

“So how is it different here?”

“All four of us own the timber. We provided the mill. Bill and Joe did the work. We split the proceeds between us, so everybody is on the same side with the same incentives. We all want to see it sell. No conflict.”

Simple enough, Jerri thought to herself. But surely not something that could be universal. They had stopped to watch Cyreneans digging the foundation. She nodded, indicating them. “You’re not saying it could work even for guys like that.”

“Sure it can,” Nick said. “Knowledge is a big commodity here. What comes out of Linzava will earn income from all kinds of sources. And every one of those guys down there can choose a small piece of it instead of a pay check — kind of like a stock certificate. You collect them through life — for all the enterprises that you’ve put something into. They might only be pennies in some cases, but they add up. You can trade them or sell them if you want. So even if you lose an arm and a leg, you’ve still got income. And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?”

“So who takes care of all the record-keeping and paperwork?”

“Lawyers. Who else?”

They came back around to the side of the house where the stable was located, facing the paddock inside the gate. Nick suggested that they could use what was left of the afternoon to begin Jerri’s riding lessons. “Great! Let’s do it,” she replied.

He led the way inside, and after exchanging a few words with one of the stable hands, went to a stall and led out a plain dun colored mount, smaller than the one he had ridden the day before and seemingly younger. “This is Sheila,” he announced, patting the animal’s neck. “Nice and friendly. Cyrenean horses are amazing. If you get lost just give them a free rein and they’ll always bring you home.” He selected a saddle and harness from several hanging on hooks on the wall, and carrying them under one arm, brought the horse out into the open. Jerri followed with Nim, who was accustomed enough now to Cyrenean animals not to pay much attention.

“You seem to be the animal expert,” Jerri commented as Nick slung the saddle and began fastening straps and buckles. “I thought you said you were a physician.”

“Aw, human animals, animal animals. Same thing, really. Didn’t they say you’re an anthropologist?”

“That’s right.”

“Well, there you are then. Same thing. You won’t have a problem.”

He let her handle and talk to the horse until each was comfortable with the other, and then went through the basics how to mount and dismount, and the elements of control. Then he held the reins while Jerri lodged a foot in the stirrup, lifted herself up, and swung her other leg over.

“Okay?” Nick called.

“Fine.”

“I’ll just walk her around the field for a bit first, to let you get the feel of it.” They set off, heading out away from the house, Nick still holding the reins.

“So what part of Australia are you from?” Jerri asked.

“Adelaide, in the south — on the coast going toward the middle, west from Melbourne.”

“Did you come to Cyrene from there, or had you moved?”

“I was still there when I applied for the slot — on the same mission as Evan. For some reason they weren’t getting a lot of doctors.”

“So what made you decide to go?”

“Oh... The payoffs from drug companies were corrupting everything. If anyone tried to speak out or blow a whistle, it was the end of their career. I suppose I’m too much of an idealist. I went through med school to learn how to make sick people better, not help stockholders get rich. So, all things considered, I figured there might be a better chance of making a go of it here.”

The horse kept to a loose, steady rhythm, and Jerri was quickly at ease. “So you just came out on your own? No ties, or anything left behind?” she said.

“None that matter too much. But there’s a neat Cyrenean lady down in Ulla that I’ve been kind of sweet about for a while now. Her name’s Sakari. I guess you’d say we’re serious.” Nick looked up and winked.

“Does that mean little Nicks running around before too much longer, maybe?” Jerri asked; then she realized that she wasn’t even sure if it was possible. She hadn’t heard of any precedents on Cyrene, although it had happened on some worlds.

“I don’t think anyone knows yet,” Nick answered. “Some of the experts say yes, and others say no. But you already know what I think of experts. How about you? I guess you’re just about set with that Marc, eh? He seems a pretty good guy. Sharp, anyhow. Reckon you’ll make a go of it here?”

Jerri looked around at the forest, with higher peaks rising to the south above the pass over which they had come. It could have been the enchanted woods of an old European folktale set in Transylvania. The splendor of the raw, natural scenery reminded her of the approaches to Yosemite not far from Pinecrest, where she had lived, and places she had seen in her field trips back on Earth. “Oh yes,” she said, and smiled.

“That’s fine,” Nick pronounced. “Want to take Sheila yourself for a bit now?”

“Sure.”

He handed up the reins and stood back while Jerri guided the horse into a wide circuit toward the middle of the field. “Remember what I said. Loose on the grip, and gentle on the reins. Use your knees and your weight as a guide. She can read it.... You’re doing great. Try opening it up a bit back here to me.” Jerri urged the horse into a slow canter to complete the circuit. “Are you sure you’ve never ridden before?” Nick asked her as she drew up.

“I dabbled a bit here when I was a kid, but never anything serious.”

“Then you’re a natural.”

“Although I did try a camel once.” Jerri heeled Sheila into motion again and set off on another round. Nick stood and watched, his hands on his hips.

“You’re joking! A camel? That puts you one ahead of me,” he called.

“When I was in Algeria. It’s like trying to stay on a roller coaster. They can be mean brutes too. Do they have anything like them here?”

“Oh, there are all kinds of strange creatures on Cyrene. The climate extremes produce some amazing adaptations. When the novennial cycle goes into the hard winter, this valley will be all ice. The Woohosey freezes solid.”

Jerri reined to a halt beside him again. “It sounds as if there’s going to be a lot to get used to,” she said

Nick shrugged. “It’s what life’s all about, isn’t it?” He looked around. Daylight was close to ending by that time. “I’ll tell you what,” he said. “It’s a bit late for me to saddle up now. But first thing in the morning I’ll take you on a ride down into the valley for a few miles. Give you a chance to really get your hand in. What do you say?”

“Sounds good,” Jerri agreed.

She dismounted. They were walking back toward the stable, when Nim looked toward the gate and barked a warning. The sounds of hoofs came through the trees, and then five mounted figures appeared on the road outside, coming from the same direction that the carriage had arrived from the day before. A horn sounded as they turned in through the gate and headed along the track toward the house. Nick stopped to peer through the fading light. “I recognize three of them.... But not the other two,” he said. As the horsemen reached the door, other figures emerged from the house. “You go on,” Nick said, nodding to Jerri. “I’ll take care of Sheila. See you in a minute.” Jerri gave him the reins and headed over toward the house as the group at the door began disappearing inside. Three who had been left to take horses around to the stable passed her coming the other way. Jerri attached Nim’s leash and went in.

In the front hallway, wrapped in a dusty riding cloak, was none other than Jeff! With him was a Cyrenean in the process of handing his hat to one of the household staff. The Cyreneans who had accompanied them were talking rapidly with others, and somebody was hurrying out through a passageway at the rear.

“Jeff!”

He turned and saw her. His face was tired and grubby, but the smile was genuine. They hugged, and he clapped her on the back fondly. “Hi, Jerri. You guys didn’t think you could get rid of me that easily, did you?”

“But what on earth...”

“It’s not Earth.”

“Whatever....” Jerri found that she was too astonished to be able to frame a question.

“Strange things happen here, remember?”

“But how did you... I mean...” Then she realized that Marc had appeared from somewhere.

“What in hell? Jeff?...”

Before Jeff could respond, Wade appeared from the passageway at the rear, brought by one of the Cyreneans. Jeff and his companion disposed of the rest of their traveling clothes amid a babble of questions and fragmented introductions. The other was called Xorin, recruited by Jeff as a guide in Revo. But what was Jeff doing in Revo?... Then Wade ushered them through into a room opening off from the hallway, where they would be able to sit and talk more comfortably, and asked one of the Cyreneans to organize some kind of refreshment for the arrivals. As they moved on through, Nick joined them from the passage, having entered via another door.

Inside, Marc and Jerri immediately resumed pressing Jeff with questions. But he shushed them by shaking his head and making staying motions of his hands, conveying that he had something more important to say.

“Look, guys, before we get into all that, there’s something I have to tell you. It’s a confession. I was never what you thought. I was a plant ever since the briefing program in Redwood City — working for Milicorp. I was put there by Myles Callen.”

Jerri forgot what she had been trying to say, and shook her head in protest, while the other Terrans stared disbelievingly. Even the Cyreneans who couldn’t follow what was being said saw from their faces that this was something serious.

“Why?” Marc managed finally in a whisper.

“It was the whole reason why your application was rushed through, Marc.” Jeff inclined his head briefly in Wade’s direction. “To find Professor Wade. They knew that he’d set up a way to get you to where he was. I was supposed to go with you, and then let them know the location. But you caught them with their pants down when you pulled that stunt at Vattorix’s.” Jeff looked directly at Wade. “That was neat.” Wade acknowledged with a gratuitous nod.

Jerri knew that Marc had had suspicions for a long time about his sudden release from Berkeley. What he hadn’t been so sure of was why they were so anxious to catch up with Wade — although it seemed a lot clearer now.” What was so important about finding Professor Wade?” she asked, curious to see if Jeff would bear it out.

“That wasn’t something I was considered as having a need to know,” Jeff replied.

“Oh, I think I do,” Wade said in a voice bordering on a growl.

“So you lost us at Vattorix’s,” Marc resumed. “How did you manage to find us from there?”

“That’s what I’m waiting to hear,” Nick put in from one side. He sounded concerned.

Jeff shrugged. “Easy, really. I showed up in Revo with the story of having gotten separated and wanting to catch you up. If anybody checked, I already had the credentials of being one of the gang. And with people like these you can’t go wrong. They can’t help you enough.”

“Very well,” Wade conceded. His manner was grim. “But why are you telling us all this now?”

Jeff didn’t smile. “Because... I don’t really know how this happened. You hear about the things that come over people here. I turned into what I’d pretended to be.” Jerri turned her face toward Marc. He shook his head and returned an equally strained expression. This was too much to take in all at once. “I’m with you guys now.” Sincerity and anxiety were written across Jeff’s face, a pleading to be believed. “Here for the duration — and whatever happens next.”

Wade gestured shortly at Jeff’s person. “But good God, man, aren’t you hot?”

Jeff shook his head. “I got rid of that stuff. It’s all a long way from here, at the bottom of the Geevar river.”

Meanwhile, outside the stables, two of the Cyreneans who had taken care of the horses stopped to enjoy the night air before going back into the house for their supper.

“Look.” One of them pointed to a light moving across the darkening sky. “The Terran ship that travels between the stars is passing over.”

His companion scanned in the direction the other was indicating. “I see it.” There was a pause, and his expression became a frown. “But there’s something strange, Lun. Look again. I’ve never seen that before. Aren’t there two of them now, close together?”