The Alien Trace [Cord 01] (10 page)

    They gathered before the tiny shrine in the main room. It contained the relics of sixteen of Cord's ancestors on his father's side and of three on his mother's. The main mementos of Neteel's people had remained with her parents, brother, and sister. All she had were those of her deceased grandparents. These were particularly important to her, Cord knew, because she had known her parents' parents. She had made small, beautifully knotted ancestor bags to hold their oddments: Grandmother Kattan's hair ornament, a poem carved on a wood plaque by Grandfather Tanit, and a well-worn bracelet of Grandmother Neteel, for whom she had been named.

    Fyrrell's ancestral inheritances went farther back, but although their bags and the hangings around the shrine detailed their lives' achievements and their most cherished traits, there was no knowing now why a certain great-grandfather was commemorated by a smooth piece of petrified wood or why a great-great-grandmother's memory should be kept alive by a bracelet of braided hair in several shades and textures.

    "I think the different hairs were from her love-friends," Fyrrell had once said. It was as likely an explanation as any.

    Gratitude offered to his forebears, Cord left the unit. As he went out into the street he could not refrain from imagining how the tale of the telepathy machine would be handed down to his own descendants.

    

    

    This time Cord entered the spaceport complex proudly and without shyness, tail flicking. He asked for Greffard, and was directed to him without delay: Neteel's name seemed to be a talisman.

    Greffard listened politely while Cord explained that his parents wished to give a demonstration of an important new invention as soon as possible. His mother preferred to have one major meeting which included human scientists rather than repeat herself many times for piecemeal gatherings.

    "What's the nature of the invention?" Stev Greffard asked.

    "It is a mind-reading machine." Cord observed with satisfaction that his statement had surprised the human.

    "And it works?" The words were tinged with incredulity.

    "Yes."

    "You're sure? How much has it been tested?" The disbelief had turned to excitement.

    "My mother, my father, and I have all tried it. It works."

    "That's not much of a sampling." Greffard's emotions were now colored with disappointment. "Perhaps Neteel should test it further-"

    "If you are not interested in my mother's invention, which will revolutionize crimefighting, we will not press you. She will find a ready market, if not so large a one, here on Mehira."

    "Please do not misunderstand, Cord. We are interested in your parents' devices, but it is difficult to believe in a mind reader."

    Greffard's level of excitement was again high, but his face was now impassive. "Many have attempted it but none has succeeded."

    "That is why I am here to arrange a demonstration," Cord said with careful patience. "When you have experienced it, you will believe."

    "Well, why not?" Greffard shrugged. "I have seen some strange things from your mother's lab. But you understand, one of my functions here is to screen trade offers so the experts can devote their time to the ones with real commercial potential."

    Cord bowed his head in courteous acceptance of the semi-apology. Inwardly he smiled at Stev Greffard's attempts to conceal his desire-and greed-for the device.

    "What will you need for the demonstration?" Greffard asked.

    "A room large enough to hold those who wish to attend. If you will arrange for the presence of whoever might be interested, that will be all that is required. Can you set a time now?"

    "Yes, it should be easy enough to get the necessary group together. Would the day after tomorrow be all right? At the"-Greffard paused, seeming to count to himself-"at the fifth hour? Oh, will Neteel need extra time to set up the device?"

    "No, it will be ready when it arrives. The fifth hour will be acceptable. Thank you." Cord rose to leave, then thought to ask, "Do you know where I might locate Julia McKay, the missionary?"

    "You know Julia? Ah-yes, she was your guide once. Her quarters are on the sixth level-section Sigma, room S-600."

    "Thank you," Cord said again.

    "Is she a friend of yours?" For some reason, Greffard seemed mildly surprised.

    "I regard her as a friend, although we do not know each other well." Yet, Cord added mentally.

    "Then perhaps you would not object if I asked her to help make the arrangements? There's a lot to be done before the demonstration: advising various departments, inviting a few Council representatives… it has been made very clear to us that the Council expects to be kept advised of our trading activities."

    "Will it be necessary to mention the nature of the device?" Cord inquired, suddenly uncertain. The thought of such news going out while the telepathy machine was still in their possession filled him with unease. Not that he mistrusted anyone… well, spirits of his ancestors, he did! He did not want the Council to know about it until it was safe in the Terran compound. He could not remember if the Council had ever suppressed an invention or confiscated one, but there was no law to prevent its doing so. Once the sale was accomplished, the Council would do nothing, he was sure. In the meantime it would be best if it knew nothing about it.

    "No, it won't do any harm for it to come as a surprise. Besides, it will make a better publicity release if those attending are startled. Ten Suns Enterprises likes to record its history-making moments. Your family won't object to that, I hope, Cord?"

    "No." It could make no difference.

    "Good. It's set, then. I'll see you all the day after tomorrow."

    Their interview might be over to Stev Greffard's way of thinking, but there was still one point to be settled.

    "And what sort of payment can my family expect?" He should not have to ask. Among Mehirans, the reward would have been named when the service to be performed was stated. Matters seemed both more and less complicated among humans with their marked preference for bargaining.

    "If it works, we will pay ten measures of gold and five of whatever other element you specify."

    "I think," said Cord speculatively, "that a thought-reading machine would be worth more than that to our own Council."

    "Well, we won't argue about it now. After the demonstration we can discuss the details."

    Cord was satisfied with the response. The humans wanted it, all right. Neteel and Fyrrell could probably name their own price.

    

    

    He found his way to Julia McKay's door without much difficulty. Clearly he was in the residential section of the complex-two or three humans he met in the corridors reacted with surprise.

    When Julia came to the door, Cord almost forgot what he had intended to say. Her hair hung loose in a cloud that almost brushed her shoulders, and her robe was a diaphanous gray webbed with silver. Promising hints of a fully curved and feminine body showed in the swells of material. Surprise flared briefly in her green-gold eyes, but not in the serene aura she maintained.

    "Come in." She said it calmly, as though she'd been expecting him. But he was sure she was glad to see him.

    He stepped inside and curiously looked around. The room was small, no larger than the common area in his parents' unit, but it was bright and airy. The walls and ceiling were a pale, pale yellow, while the bed, set level with the floor, was covered in purple. It was simple, yet exotic and strangely enticing. Somehow it was the perfect setting for the human woman, who outshone her surroundings.

    The one chair was not meant for someone with a tail, so Cord sank to the floor to be comfortable. Julia did the same, though she knelt rather than crouched. The gray fabric swirled about her in a way that made Cord pleasurably aware of the organ in his pouch.

    "I came to make an appointment for my mother and father to demonstrate their newest invention," he told her. "Since I was here, I thought… I wanted to see you again."

    He knew he was being as awkward as a boy making his first assignation. Worse, he could not recall being so inept when he'd asked Bird to be his love-friend. But Bird and he had grown up with the same conventions and moral code.

    "I'm happy you did. Can you stay for dinner? The kitchens can produce a few Mehiran dishes as well as those of a number of our own worlds."

    "You are kind, but my parents expect me back soon. I must not linger."

    "Then I won't detain you." But neither of them moved.

    "I think Stev Greffard will ask you to aid him in arranging the demonstration," Cord said.

    "Good!" Julia smiled. "It will give me something useful to do. But why is he asking me?"

    "The device my mother invented is very special," Cord explained. "Perhaps the first of its kind. I trust you to help gather the appropriate humans-and not to reveal the nature of the device."

    Julia plucked at the folds of her garment, pulling the material above her knees and revealing creamy flesh. Cord stared at the smooth pale skin. He had never touched a human, really, and longed to caress Julia's skin, to run his hands slowly along her milky inner thighs, to discover the sweet delights beyond.

    "What is this special device?" Julia asked, seemingly oblivious to Cord's stare.

    Cord tore himself away from the erotic pleasures he was imagining. "It is a machine that reads minds." If Julia could read his mind now, would the human woman be shocked or would she be willing to share his lustful curiosity? Suddenly he was desperate to explore the physical differences between them.

    "Thank you for telling me. It is an honor to receive your trust." She learned forward and squeezed his forearm-a human gesture of reassurance?-and said, "I regard you as a good friend."

    Cord captured her hand in his own. "One trusts one's good friends. I wish you felt the same way about me."

    "I do, Cord." She placed her free hand over his; a pulsing current passed through him at this, burning his already heated body.

    "Among Mehirans," he said slowly, "if two people are friends-as we are-and find each other attractive… You are very beautiful in my eyes, but perhaps I am not to your taste."

    Julia pulled her hands free. "If I understand you, Cord, you are inviting me to have sex with you."

    "Yes. I don't wish to offend you, but I hope since we are friends you won't be offended."
Oh, Cord
, he addressed himself,
you sound like a fool
.

    "I am flattered." She lowered the lids over her eyes. "But you know my religion is very important to me, and I have already explained this to you."

    The faint odor of her body came to Cord like an intoxication, stealing over his senses. Cord placed his hands on her thighs. Desire rose in him like a tide of lava. It was almost like the excitement of the chase.

    "Don't," Julia cried. She tried to push him away, but he was too strong. "The truth is that I'm afraid. I've given myself to God, but I'm afraid I'll give myself to you any way you want, as often as you want!"

    The pupils of her eyes were dilated, and Cord could feel her arousal, though it was like none he had ever felt in a woman. And her words confused him: who was this "God"?

    If she had given herself to a human male, then why would she be afraid of sex with Cord?

    "I'll go," he said finally, his own emotions painfully churning. "But I hope your ancestors will give you a satisfactory enlightenment in this matter."

    Julia rose gracefully.

    "I hope so, too," she said, her voice husky. Her nipples were standing up hard against the flimsy material of her gown. With an obvious effort to regain control, she added, "I will study the holy books carefully."

    "Will you give me your answer at the demonstration?"

    Passion flared in her eyes once more.

    "If I can."

    Cord, standing in the hallway outside her closed door, was baffled at the feelings she aroused in him. He found himself almost able to understand why some deviates forced themselves upon an unwilling partner. His overwhelming desire for Julia had nearly made him lose control, and now his hunger was turning to shame and disgust.

    But he still wanted the alien woman.

    

    

    Bird, flying home from a party, savored the cool night air. It seemed to caress her body, just like… she laughed to herself, remembering. A pleasant evening, she thought, with several interesting young men. She'd drunk too much aphrodisiac, though: her clitoris began to feel hot and large as she enumerated the men who'd pleasured her-or wanted to. Her thighs tingled at imaginary touches and her breasts ached. She smiled and sighed. It was too bad Cord refused to accompany her to passion parties; he would be such an asset. And she would have liked others to learn how exciting and virile her love-friend was, to sample the strength of his muscular body.

    The sight of the Council building, fully illuminated as it was when a session was in progress, distracted her. Bird slowed her skim and stared at the massive structure. Resumption of a Council meeting in the evening was a sign of serious trouble.

    
I should go in
.
Father will be there and he may need me
. Strange he had not mentioned an evening continuation when she'd left the house late in the afternoon. Maybe something had arisen suddenly.

    No, there was no point in her going in. It was very late, and they would certainly adjourn soon. Father would tell her to go home anyway. Also, the scent of passion was heavy around her, and it was in poor taste to distract those who were working. Certainly she was too tired for any more lovemaking, and she wanted to look her best for tomorrow. Her father had been invited to attend an affair at the spaceport the following afternoon. Bird was to go with him, and she wanted to be fresh, because it was in honor of some machine Cord's mother had built.