Rhythm of the Imperium (17 page)

“Lord Thomas merely wished to greet you and welcome you on board this ship,” Parsons said, forestalling me.

Mrdus didn’t seem to appreciate the import. “Do all human interactions begin in this fashion?”

“They do not,” Parsons assured him, quelling me with a firm glance. “It was a special effort from his lordship.”

“Don’t do it again,” Phutes said, turning his gravelly face in my direction. “His body moves around in an unnatural fashion. He jiggles too much. It is offensive.”

That aroused my ire still further. Jiggles! After all the training I had undergone to bring my frame to its present flawless condition and depth of muscular control. Offensive! While keeping in mind my vow to show them nothing but kindness and good fellowship, I took their negative opinion as a personal challenge. I would keep up my performances until they
liked
them.

Parsons, as always, seemed to intuit my thoughts, and raised his left eyebrow a quarter of a millimeter. I didn’t take his admonition to heart. For once, I had nothing about which I might potentially feel guilty. I wasn’t going to break into an impromptu reel. After all, Madame Deirdre had been firm about making certain the symbols I evoked were deliberate and arranged in an artful fashion. I needed to go away and choreograph future dances. I would swallow my annoyance so I did not undo any of the effort that Special Envoy Melarides was going to put forth on behalf of the Imperium. However, I planned to work into my next performance my irritation that they had not appreciated my first effort. I would show them!

“What may we do for you now?” Melarides asked the Kail. “May we show you to the cabins we have arranged for you?”

“We do not risk being shut in,” Phutes said. The wordless cry that served him for a voice rose almost to a scream. “We will not occupy one of your ‘cabins.’”

“I have seen to it that there are no doors on your domicile,” Melarides said, soothingly. “Only curtains made of chained metal strands. You cannot be shut in, but you will have privacy.”

A low level hum, like that emitted by an air purifier, arose between the three stone giants.

“That is adequate,” Sofus said at last. Melarides looked relieved.

“Shall we go there now?”

“No,” Phutes declared. “Proton Zang. We want to see Proton Zang.”

“Very well. Please come this way.” The envoy gestured for the Kail to follow her. The ambassadorial staff closed ranks behind the visitors. Nesbitt and Redius fell in beside the guards and securitybots. Redius shot a humorous glance over his shoulder at me, and his coral-scaled tail twitched in amusement.

Though it was clear that I was dismissed from attendance, I attached myself as additional escort. In my pique, I found solace in watching the Kail navigate down the corridors. They went to considerable lengths to avoid casual contact with any of the inhabitants of the
Jaunter
. That proved a challenge to Melarides, who was a tactile individual, always reaching out to put her hand on a misshapen forearm or shoulder. But she was also an observant one. Once she noticed them flinch from her, she tucked her hands into her capacious sleeves, out of the way of accidental touching. In addition, the Kail’s uneven gait provided me with endless entertainment. It had never occurred to me what logistics might be involved in walking with three legs, let alone five. Whereas upright bipedal beings, among whom I counted myself, utilized cut-time rhythmic locomotion, I had observed from movement studies that four-legged beings moved by putting forward opposite limbs front and back. The largest of the Kail was able to make use of this fairly graceful gait. His two companions rolled and rollicked as though they couldn’t make up their minds which foot to use. I began to set myself wagers as to which leg would move next.

I thought that the lift shaft might confound them, but they entered it with ease. Melarides maneuvered within the car so that she stood by the door, waving off any crew who might seek to ride along with us as we descended deck after deck.

I found myself beside the translatorbot at the rear of the party.

“Hello,” I said to the cluster of eyes just below the level of my chin. “I am Lord Thomas Kinago.”

“Yes,” it replied, tilting one of the lenses up toward me. “I have seen your name on the manifest, my lord. A pleasure to meet you. I am NR-111.”

I made a slight bow. “The pleasure is mine. How long have you been working in the diplomatic service?”

“Three hundred and fifty-two years. This is my first assignment with the Kail, though. Most refreshing.”

“Is it really?” I asked, dropping my voice to a whisper. I knew its receivers were sensitive enough to hear me, even if no biological being could. “They seem very difficult.”

“It is refreshing. They have not attempted to destroy or disassemble me, as the Donre did on my second mission. I went through six structural housings during that assignment. Representative Phutes and his siblings claim a kinship with silicon-based beings such as myself.”

“They are siblings?” I asked, surveying the motley assortment before me. “One could not miss that they are of the same species, but they bear little resemblance to one another.”

“So they claim,” NR-111 said. “I have no means of determining whether or not they speak literally or figuratively. The Kail don’t discuss family or reproduction with outsiders. That is one of the most profound taboos in their culture. I know that Dr. Catalan is hoping to learn more about their biology. I maintain a list of no-go subjects according to my briefing by the diplomatic service central office. I do not pass along those questions to the Kail; I merely inform them that an unwelcome question has been asked. They get a little … excitable … when provoked. Therefore, it’s best not to insult them by pressing on topics that they prefer not to discuss. The envoy knows that. She is well-briefed.”

“A culture of privacy,” I commented. “That presents a challenge to the envoy, does it not? If she can convince them to ally with the Imperium, Infogrid files will be opened on them, whether or not they choose to update them.”

“Most likely those files will be encrypted, to be used only for reference by the government LAIs and appropriate ministers who brief the emperor, not open for public commentary. Very likely it will be one such as I who will update them. The Kail won’t have to if they prefer not to.”

“Well, I don’t care,” I said. “My concern is that they do not do to this ship what they did to the
Whiskerchin
. When will they release it?”

“Once they’ve conversed with the Zang, I believe,” NR-111 said. “That was my understanding. They don’t discuss their plans with me. As you no doubt noticed, they speak among themselves in a supersonic frequency that delivers considerable information in a very short time, similar to although slower than the way we converse among ourselves.”

“Don’t you listen just a little to them?” I asked, in a wheedling tone. Mrdus rotated in place so he could see the others in the lift. His three odd eyes fixed upon me. I dropped into Sang-Li fingerspelling so that no word of mine could be picked up by the Kail. Another of NR-111’s lenses tilted downward to view my hands. “You must have every opportunity to hear their private conferences.”

A small screen popped up on the top of the translator’s upright cylinder and canted toward me so only I could see it. On it, I saw the image of a pair of hands almost precisely identical to my own.

“I am sorry, Lord Thomas,” the translator spelled out. “That is outside my brief. I have taken an oath to provide expert language assistance to our visitors. What they say in private is held as strictly confidential. Besides, the way they converse privately is in a dialect that it is difficult to understand, although we are working on comprehension.”

“But we know so little about them. You could be of enormous service to the Imperium by giving us insights into their thoughts.”

“I am sorry,” NR-111 said again. “The rules are very strict. I would be sacked if I violate them.”

I dropped my hands. “I wouldn’t want that to happen,” I said aloud. “I’m just very curious.”

“I am sure there will be enough new data made public later on to satisfy querents,” the translator said, cheerfully, returning to voice communication. “Pardon me; we are arriving.”

I made way for NR-111 to rejoin her charges, and the shaft door slid open.

CHAPTER 17

The chamber that had been arranged for the Zang was on the same level as the cargo bay and the engineering department. It had a very large door, even though the Zang did not need to use it, or the cargo lift adapted for its especial employment, or need anything to eat. It was, to all intents and purposes, as far as the Zang was concerned, the symbol of a cabin. We were rather honored that it chose to use it at all.

When Ambassador Melarides was still several meters from the hatch, it slid open, and Dr. Derrida, dwarfed by the enormous portal, peeked out. When I saw her large brown eyes, my heart did a grand jeté and a back flip. She spotted me among the crowd of escorts and smiled, then turned to the Kail.

“Welcome,” she said. “Proton is expecting you. Please come in.”

Phutes honked indignantly. NR-111 promptly spoke up.

“What is she doing here? Our audience must be private.”

“She will translate the Zang’s impressions for you, Phutes,” Melarides said. “None of us have that skill to impart your meaning to Proton, not even our translator.”

Phutes stamped his center foot, making even a floor as sturdy as the deck plate shudder. The smell of rain on wet concrete became more pronounced. “This was not told to us! We know how to communicate with the Zang. We want to speak with it alone.”

“You can try,” Laine said, cheerily, standing to one side, though there was plenty of room for them or a small army platoon to pass. “I don’t have to be there if you don’t want me. Go right in. It’s waiting.”

The Kail didn’t hesitate for courtesy. They thundered past the tiny woman and into the high-ceilinged chamber. NR-111 rolled sedately after them.

I followed them over the threshold. Then I felt a hand settle gently upon my forearm.

“I think they want to be confer alone,” the envoy said, with the gentlest of admonitory and motherly glances.

“I’d like Lord Thomas to stay,” Laine said, with a look that made my heart melt. “He can sit with me on my end of the room.”

“It would be my honor,” I said. I peered around for Parsons, but he had oozed away silently at some point, unobserved by us all. To my mind, that meant I was free to do as I pleased.

“As you please, Dr. Derrida,” Melarides said. She looked resigned. I seemed to obtain that reaction more commonly than not, but I was too delighted by Laine’s interest to take offense. “Then, I’ll just take my leave of the Kail. The guards will remain outside the door to escort the Kail to their quarters when they have finished with their conference.”

It would take a superb actor to hide the response that the Zang’s presence elicited in a mere human being, let alone a heap of stones like the Kail. I had already experienced it, so I was more prepared than my fellows for the sensation of awe and sheer force that impacted upon my person. How Laine withstood it day after day, year after year, I did not know. I felt as though sound waves battered against my chest, making my ribs reverberate. My eyelids fluttered frantically, as if fighting against bright sunshine. I forced them open so I could behold the majesty of the Zang. The Kail approached it with their hands up, almost in a gesture of supplication, or fear. They were every bit as impressed by it as I hoped that they would be. So were my crewmembers.

“Marvelous,” Redius whispered, staying close to my shoulder. I could almost hear the echo in his voice.

Nesbitt swallowed deeply. “Yeah. We didn’t get to see it when it arrived. Pretty amazing.”

“That’s a very small word for an overwhelming sensation, isn’t it?” I said, enjoying the effect once again. “One can feel the eons of its very existence. This is, as far as we know, the elder race of the galaxy. Possibly the universe. It invites awe.”

“Uh-huh,” Nesbitt agreed, unable to take his eyes off the glowing alien. “It’s like that.”

The Zang towered over its visitors, exuding silver light that I fancied I could see through the very bodies of the Kail. Phutes, who seemed to be the leader, began honking and shouting at it in rising and falling tones that might have been a song of some kind, if I suspected that the Kail were in any way familiar with music. The Zang did not turn toward them. The enormous eyes were hidden from view, facing a hull plate a meter or so from the corner. The stone giants that were so large in comparison with humans were dwarfed by the other alien and its immense aura. I felt the sweep of energy flood through me again and again. Though silent, it had the enveloping quality of rich, orchestral sound, drowning out the pathetic noises that the Kail were making.

“It’s very curious today,” Laine said. “I can sense it reaching out a lot. Listening, but I don’t think it’s listening to them.”

“What does a Zang listen to?” I said, leaning closer to her so I did not need to shout over the cacophony. She wore a spicy scent that was warmed by the temperature of her body. I found it enticing and intriguing as the woman herself. I leaned closer.

“All sorts of things,” Laine said, with a high-pitched titter that stabbed at my eardrums and made me withdraw hastily to a safe distance. The Kail swiveled their massive bodies and looked at us with annoyance. She noticed their body language, and beckoned to me. “Come over here. They made me up a nice little conversation pit.” She gestured toward the far side of the cabin. A cozy little nook had been set up as a residence for her. A knitted blanket woven in orange and brown zigzags had been flung over a narrow bunk. Her battered travel case sat upon a two-legged stand adjacent to the bed. Beside the sleeping area was a long, narrow table with a round mirror that could have served as a desk or dresser. The table acted as a divider from the circle of overstuffed couches that surrounded a handsome, low, oblong cherrywood table with a vase of exotic, oval-petaled blue and yellow flowers. The door to a rather nicely appointed bathroom furnished in cheerful yellow stood a hand-span ajar beside a kitchen unit. A timer went off, and fragrant coffee began to pour down into a silver pot. “Come and have a cup. There’s enough for all of us.”

I was suddenly jealous that I had to share her attention even with my closest friends, but duty called.

“Must return,” Redius said, ruefully. “Lieutenant Plet waits.”

“She will want a full report,” I agreed. “But I want to hear the parts later that won’t be in the official transcript.”

Nesbitt’s big face turned red. “It’s nothing, my lord. Just a little fun.”

“That’s the best kind of omission,” I assured him. “Later. I will supply the drinks.”

Nesbitt reddened still further. Redius hissed with laughter and pulled him away. Most of the guards and the embassy staff went with them out the door. Only the envoy and I remained with Dr. Derrida.

Phutes walked up and back before the Zang, waving his blocky fists, bellowing like a tornado. Suddenly, he stormed up to Dr. Derrida and shook a thick paw in her face. NR-111 rolled beside him.

“Make it hear us!” he said.

Laine shook her head.

“If it notices you, it notices you. There’s nothing more I can do to draw its attention, Mr. Phutes. You can talk to it as long as you want, though. I don’t mind.”

“Phutes, since we have fulfilled our promise to allow you access to the Zang,” Ambassador Melarides began, in her gentle voice, “may we discuss allowing the Wichu to resume command of their ship?”

“No!” Phutes blared, rounding on the envoy. “If it does not listen to us, nothing is accomplished.”

“That wasn’t our agreement,” the envoy said, gently but firmly. “Please, I would like to reopen this discussion now. It’s of the utmost urgency. The Wichu must be liberated. It is unfair to keep them prisoner on their own ship. Surely you must understand that.”

Phutes swung an enormous arm at her.

“Like they kept us? Get out. You are in the way.”

Hastily, I sidled forward, interposing my person in between the envoy and her would-be assailant. The moving hand caught me by the shoulder and sent me sprawling. The blow was a hard one, but I was in the best shape of my life. I leaped up and resumed my stance faster than the stone being could react.

“There’s no need to be violent,” I said, fixing the Kail with a stern glare. My shoulder throbbed. There would be a large bruise on it later. I refused to show weakness, putting up my chin in defiance.

My stance seemed to enrage the Kail further. It brought its fist up over its head, then down like a hammer. I crossed my forearms and caught it. The effort evoked a grunt from me. Those creatures were heavy! I braced myself, holding the limb pinioned. Blaring indignantly, the Kail tried to force its arm down. I held as firm as I could. The rough grains of sand cut through the fine fabric of my tunic sleeve and scraped my skin raw. It hurt, but I tried to keep my voice steady. “Do be reasonable, old fellow. You have what you want. Won’t you keep your promise? I’ve always heard that the Kail were beings of honor.”

Phutes wrenched his arm up and away. The gesture pulled me off my feet again. Relying upon my martial arts training, I tucked myself into a ball and rolled, coming up once more in a position intended to protect the envoy. The guards moved in to flank us, weapons drawn, but the Kail paid them no attention. He stood frantically brushing at his limb.

“You touched me!”

“Strictly speaking, you touched me,” I pointed out.

“Go away. You are not wanted. Only the Zang.”

Melarides raised her voice over the insistent whine from the Kail.

“You may of course continue to speak with the Zang. While you are conducting your business with it, we will convey you to the platform where we are to hold our official conference with you, but we would prefer it if the rest of your, er, siblings vacated the
Whiskerchin
. Will you give the order? We will send a conveyance for the rest of the Kail.”

I wrinkled my nose in distaste. I couldn’t help but notice the smell of the Kail, a combination of wet stone and sulfur fumes, had grown stronger in this smaller chamber. An entire contingent of the unhappy beings was more than I was glad to countenance. Fortunately, Phutes waved away this suggestion.

“When the Zang speaks with us, we will release the
Whiskerchin
to its messy crew.”

NR-111 seemed to shrug apologetically as it translated that insulting phrase.

“We must depart from Counterweight. None of us wish to miss the upcoming event,” Melarides pointed out.

“Then we go,” Phutes said, his face a mask. “The Wichu ship will follow us. Open a communication channel to us so we may speak to Fovrates.”

Melarides looked disappointed but resigned.

“I will see to it. Please contact me if you change your mind.” She withdrew. Phutes waited.

“Why are you not going, too?” he asked us, in an accusing tone.

“This is my room,” Laine pointed out. “Lord Thomas is my guest. As are you.”

Its shoulders moved in a way that dislodged some of the smaller stones, but they were absorbed into its skin before they fell off. I watched the effect with fascination. The Kail glared at us.

“Stay across the room. Where we can’t see you. And you will not listen.”

“I promise,” I said. “The word of a Kinago is more reliable than sunrise.”

The Kail emitted a noise like a vacuumbot spitting out lint.

“There was a great deal of supersonic invective in that,” NR-111 said. “I apologize.”

I waved a hand. “We do not blame you for repeating their words. I have heard far worse from my cousins,” I said. I turned to Laine. “Shall we enjoy some of that excellently scented coffee before it loses its volatile compounds?”

We settled onto the circular couches and sipped the dark brew. It was heady and exotic, not unlike the young lady opposite me.

“At last, we are alone,” I said. I regarded her with growing affection, admiring her small, round face, her smooth neck, and the charming form that was hinted at but not revealed by her soft, pale blue gown. I thought I saw some interest in her eyes for me, or perhaps it was only my hope. “That is, apart from half a dozen guards, three Kail, your Zang and a translator. On the other hand, that describes nearly any attempt one of my rank has at being alone.”

“I’m nearly always on my own, when Proton and I are ranging,” Laine said, snuggling into the cushions. “We’re alone for parsecs in any direction. This feels like a huge crowd to me. How do you shut out all those other people?” She swept a hand to include the ship.

“I meditate,” I said. “I picked up the skill during one of my previous enthusiasms, before I took up dance. But to be honest, I don’t really notice. I like having others around me. I thrive on society.”

Laine’s rosebud mouth twisted. “I don’t. Not really. I never did.”

I was struck by the sudden vehemence of her declaration.

“Should I go away?” I asked.

“No!” she said, thrusting out a hand to forestall me. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean you. You’re so nice. This is nice.” She seemed on the edge of saying something else, then her cheeks bloomed red. I changed the subject to allow her to collect herself. There was no need to rush. I was enjoying just being near her.

“Do you like the coffee?” I asked. “The beans come from Rumdisa, some of the finest in the Imperium.”

“This is so good,” she said, breathing in the steam. “I hardly ever get fresh coffee. Or pastries like these. They’re amazing!” She glanced at the small plate beside the large china serving platter. Only crumbs remained of a couple of petits fours. I leaped to fill her plate for her, adding a slice of glazed yuzu-lime cake over cursory objections.

“Try just a bite,” I urged her. “This ship is installed with the best culinary technicians in the Imperium, apart from those who are in the personal service of my cousin, the emperor. We of the Imperium house also bring along our favorite foods and wines. The Grisgor limes are from an orchard I own outside Taino.”

“Well, these are wonderful!” Laine said, brushing a few crumbs from the bosom of her gown. “You’re right. This cake tastes just right with the coffee. It’s counterintuitive to mix sour with bitter, but it works.”

“I always enjoy experimenting in combinations of the five tastes and the six basic food groups. If you will come up again this evening, I invite you to sample some of my private selections.”