Starbridge (40 page)

Fys towered over both humans by half a meter. "How do you do, Most Esteemed Fys?" Mahree said in Mizari, holding out her hand. "It is a pleasure and an honor."

The Drnian barely hesitated. "I do well, most well, Mahree Burroughs. I thank you," she said, in heavily accented but

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understandable English, while extending her own hand. Surprised and touched, Mahree took the Drnian's hand gently and carefully shook the dry, sticklike fingers. The Secretary-General lapsed back into Mizari. "Thank you for attending our meeting. We are eager to hear your story."

Dhurrrkk', at Mahree's side, made the Simiu greeting gesture, and Fys returned it, greeting him in accented Simiu.

"Most Esteemed One," Dhurrrkk' said.

The Drnian hesitated again as she turned to Rob, but his hand was already out. "A pleasure and an honor to meet you, Most Esteemed Fys," he said, carefully, in Mizari, bowing over her hand.

"How do you do, Doctor Robert Gable," Fys said, enunciating the English words carefully.

"Very well, thank you," he responded, smiling.

The humans and Dhurrrkk' stepped back as the Drnian turned away.

Ssoriszs bowed, first to them, then to the Secretary- General, and finally, ceremoniously, to the assembly. "We are begun," he said formally, in Mizari.

Rob, Mahree, and Dhurrrkk' walked over to the bench Shirazz indicated. It appeared to have been constructed especially for humans. Dhurrrkk'

squatted beside them on the floor, and Shirazz coiled herself at the opposite end.

Mahree took out her computer link to record the proceedings, while Rob reserved his to translate, since Shirazz had warned them that Mizari was the official CLS language.

While she waited for the hearing to start, Mahree glanced around, seeing the Simiu contingent sitting tensely atop their padded lounges. One elderly female she tentatively identified as First Councillor Ahkk'eerrr. There were also three other females and a male representing the Simiu worlds.

Not far from their bench a complicated sling-type arrangement supported a single Shadgui. Mahree wondered what the symbiont was doing there, but she was distracted as Ssoriszs began to speak: "Friends, we are gathered on this occasion to meet two individuals from a hitherto unknown species, an occasion which is always one of great celebration for our League. Allow me to present the humans, Mahree-Burroughs . . . and Doctor-Robert- Gable."

As he spoke her name, the young woman stood up and made the Mizari greeting, as did Rob.

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A ripple of murmurs ran throughout the amphitheater.

"We meet today in special session, to hear the stories of these humans, and a young Simiu, Honored Dhurrrkk'." Mahree's friend made the greeting gesture. "The Simiu Councillor has testified that the actions of these three in coming here was unwarranted and capricious, since no League intervention was needed or desired by their world or the humans in authority. The Simiu contend that their First Contact with the humans has been entirely successful, and thus qualifies them for full League membership and representation."

Ssoriszs' thin tongue lashed out for a second, then withdrew as the Mediator went on. "Since ascension to ful membership is dependent on establishing a successful First Contact with a previously unknown people, it is vital that we discover the truth. We therefore ask our visitors to tell their story."

The Mizari turned to Dhurrrkk'. "Honored Dhurrrkk', as a member of a League-affiliated species, will you speak first?"

Dhurrrkk' straightened up onto his haunches. "With all due honor and respect, Esteemed One, I will not speak."

The Mizari stood very still, in what Mahree now recognized as the way his species expressed surprise or distress. First Councillor Ahkk'eerrr growled wordlessly, in the silence.

"May we know the reason why, Honored Dhurrrkk'?" the Secretary-General asked.

Dhurrrkk' nodded. "I am honor-bound to MahreeBurroughs. We braved danger together, we have shared the prospect of imminent death as well as the breath of new life. Her honor is thus mine to defend and uphold. Because we share many honor- bonds of silence, I wish her to speak for us. I place full trust in her judgment. Also, I hereby release her from all constraints occasioned by our honor-bonds, so that she may speak as freely as necessary, in relating our stories."

Mahree stared at her friend in dismay. "Dhurrrkk'!" she whispered. "You have to defend yourself! It's your only chance!"

He shook his head, calmly. "It is my right to ask that you speak for me. Speak truthfully and well, my friend, and you will do us both honor."

Ssoriszs then turned to Rob. "Very well. Doctor-Robert-Gable, will it please you to speak first?"

Rob rose to his feet and faced the Mizari, his eyes steady.

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"Esteemed One," he said, in slow, careful Mizari, as though reciting something he had memorized, "I respectfully decline."

"Rob!"
Mahree blurted.

"Shut up," he whispered, in English. "This is the way it has to be. Don't make it any harder."

Again the Mediator seemed distressed. "May we know why, Doctor-Robert-Gable?"

"Yes," Rob said, in that slow, precise manner, "I would prefer that MahreeBurroughs speak for me, since my ability to speak League-recognized languages is inferior to hers. Effective communication is essential in a situation of this magnitude, too essential to be entrusted to mechanized--and possibly faulty-- translation programs." He bowed and sat back down.

Ssoriszs hissed quietly to Fys, evidently concerned, then turned back to the humans. "Mahree-Burroughs, will
you
speak?"

Mahree rose to her feet, trembling. "One moment, please, Esteemed Ones."

"Certainly," the Mediator said. "Begin when you wish."

Still shaking, she managed to bend her knees and sink back onto the bench.

She looked at Rob's set, determined face.
"Why?"
she demanded, her mouth so dry she could barely speak.

"You heard why," he said fiercely, his voice low and bitter. "You think I like bowing out of the most important event in human history? Shit, no! But this is too important. Remember the 'pubic awareness' translation the other night?

We can't risk any misunderstandings!"

"But I
can't--
" she began.
It's too much to have the whole thing depend on
me! It's too much!

"Yes, you can!"
he snapped. "Now stand up and
do
it!"

Mahree's mind seized on one inconsequential matter out of all the questions and protests jumbling within her. "But you-- where . . . how did you learn the Mizari?"

"Take deep breaths," he ordered, reaching over to grip her hands. "Relax.

You'll do fine. What do you think Shirazz and I were doing all morning? I told her that I had decided to let you speak for both of us, and she agreed. Hell, Raoul knew it too, remember what he said? So I told her what I wanted to say, she translated it, and I memorized it."

As he spoke, he absently chafed her hands, eyeing her closely. Mahree forced herself to breathe slowly and, though she was still

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shaky, that helped. "Are you
sure?"
she pleaded. "What if I screw up?"

"I'm
positive,"
he said, his eyes holding hers.

Mahree stood up.

"Most Esteemed Fys, Esteemed Ssoriszs, Esteemed Shirazz . . . Honored Ahkk'eerrr and her staff, Honored FriendDhurrrkk', my esteemed companion, Doctor Robert-Gable . . . and members of this most admirable and beneficial League," she spoke Mizari, feeling as if her voice were coming from someplace light-years away. "I am grateful for your invitation to speak."

She glimpsed First Councillor Ahkk'eerrr's reaction as the Simiu heard her speaking fluently in the official CLS language ... saw her flame-colored crest suddenly droop, then flatten completely.
Surprised you? You deserve it, for
what you tried to do to Dhurrrkk'!
she thought triumphantly.

Mahree had memorized a prepared speech earlier, but little of it now applied, since it was up to her to relate both sides of the story.

What should I say?
she wondered frantically.

Suddenly her mother's words from when she was a child in the third grade flashed into her mind. "Honesty is the best policy, Mahree," Renee Lamont had told her little girl. "Not only because it's morally and ethically right, but because trying to remember lies is chancy. But you'll always
know
the truth."

Okay, Maman,
she thought.
Here goes.

Mahree took a deep breath. "I am young, the daughter of a builder and a healer. I was traveling between the stars so that I could attend a place of higher education when our ship picked up a radio frequency ..."

She recounted what had happened as she had witnessed it, sparing neither her own people nor the Simiu. The misunderstandings and evasions that had mounted up between them, then Simon's insanity, and Khrekk's wounding. Her voice faltered as she spoke of Jerry's death, then of Khrekk's tragic suicide, resulting from Raoul's refusal to allow his people to enter the Arena. She related her panic when she'd overheard the frightened crew making plans to escape, no matter what the cost . . . then proudly told of Dhurrrkk's decision to seek CLS aid, knowing that he might be punished for helping the humans. Then, briefly, she summed up their voyage and its perils.

She left out only two things: how she had held Rob at gun

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point, and the truth about Doctor Blanket's sentience. But even as she characterized the blanket as simply an oxygen-emitting fungus, a plan was crystallizing in the back of her mind concerning the Avernian.

As she spoke, Mahree lost her self-consciousness, and her voice grew in conviction. "My people want only honor and good to come to the Simiu, who have been our gracious hosts. We regret the misunderstandings that occurred and would not want our voyage here to stand in the way of their full League membership."

She took a deep breath. "Our actions were impulsive, I know that. It is possible that we did the wrong thing, Dhurrrkk' and I, in not appealing to our elders. But we were two young people who faced a situation whose possible consequences seemed to us too dire to risk.

"So we acted. For me, the decision to act was easy, because my people stood to lose the most by inaction. My friend Honored Dhurrrkk' is the one who demonstrated not only nobility of spirit and great courage, but also a true commitment to interstellar peace. He could have related to his people what I had told him, but he chose instead to stand by his personal honor and the bonds of our friendship. It is my greatest hope"--she looked straight at Councillor Ahkk'eerrr--"that he will not be made to suffer for helping my people."

Mahree paused to wet her lips."The Simiu goal of CLS membership is one I can fully understand, one that I believe humans will share. I am not officially authorized to speak for the leaders of our worlds, but I believe that Earth and its colonies will be very interested in becoming CLS members. Your organization seems to be the embodiment of all that is best and noblest in human dreams coming true--and if my words have helped in any measure to advance that day, then my life has been given lasting meaning."

She paused, then said, "Thank you for listening."

And sat down.

Again the rippling murmur, much louder now, ran through the vast auditorium. Mahree closed her eyes, then turned to Rob, a silent question on her face.

"You were
wonderful,"
he whispered hoarsely, giving her a lopsided grin.

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Mahree heard a sound from the Drnian. She faced the Secretary- General, then, at a gesture from Shirazz rose to her feet again.

"We thank you, Esteemed Mahree-Burroughs," the Drnian said. "Your story is one we will not soon forget." The Drnian glanced over at the Simiu contingent. "Most importantly, it was
true."

Ahkk'eerrr did not move, but seemed to wince inwardly.

The Secretary-General gestured at the lone Shadgui, whom Mahree had forgotten, hanging there, silent and still. "Though you did not know it, our Esteemed Truth-Searcher touched your feelings to evaluate the truth of your words."

That Shadgui's some kind of living lie detector!
Mahree glanced at Rob, with a can-you-beat-that? expression. Wondering whether Dhurrrkk' had known the Shadgui's function, she gazed inquiringly at him. Interpreting her look, he nodded, proudly. "Ahkk'eerrr refused monitoring," he said softly. "That is not unusual among my people, for we are renowned for our honesty. But it makes her look very bad in light of your testimony."

Dhurrrkk's got more faith in me than I deserve,
Mahree thought, feeling wrung out. She returned the Drnian's bow, then sat down again.

Ssoriszs now spoke: "Assembled members," he said. "You have heard the human's story. You have also heard the testimony of First Councillor Ahkk'eerrr during our previous session. What is your decision? Shall the Simiu receive credit for a First Contact, and thus full League membership, or not? Please indicate your decision at this time."

A heartbeat's worth of silence fell over the massive dome, then the Mediator glanced down at his podium. "The decision is rendered," he said. "The Simiu did not handle their contact with this new species successfully enough to qualify them for full League membership."

Mahree gasped. Somehow, she'd never really believed that the Simiu would lose the vote.
Dhurrrkk's in a world of trouble. What'll they do to him? What
will they do to the
Desiree?

First Councillor Ahkk'eerrr sat up on her haunches, only her diplomat's training keeping her from snarling openly. "I appeal the decision!"

"I regret that the voting has gone against your people," the Mediator said.

"But the decision of the assembled members is well reasoned and just.

Evasions, untruths, and lack of tolerance

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for other customs are not the way to forge bonds of trust and friendship. Your appeal is denied."

With a glare at Dhurrrkk', Ahkk'eerrr subsided.

The Secretary-General spoke up. "Contact with the humans will be pursued, through a joint Mizari-Simiu mission to their home world, Earth. We will conduct the humans back to Hurrreeah, where CLS contact will be initiated with the
Desiree.
Esteemed Ssoriszs wil lead the contact specialists."