Anvil Of Stars Part 50

"But there's hope," Paola persevered. "Real hope."

Jennifer looked at Martin, saw the beseeching in his eyes, and said, "I think so. I haven't given up."

They endured the four-g deceleration for a day. They had created liquid-filled couches for these times; Martin and all the humans kept to their couches and tried to sleep through it. The Brothers' cords clutched their rings.

Orbital insertion was now a.s.sured without any further action.

The craft that came alongside a day before they entered orbit gleamed white as snow, a sand-blasted, spherical purity of forty or fifty meters.

The dry voice and image of bishop vulture instructed them, and they pushed their made-up weapons through the mechanical airlock.

The sphere opened a black mouth and swallowed the weapons like a big fish after a school of sprat. Its brightness dulled to charcoal gray; almost lost against the stars, visible only as shadow, it slipped away.

"Nothing lost," Eye on Sky said. "They were not good weapons. They gave no comfort."

Actually, to Martin, holding a laser rifle had had afforded a kind of comfort. He hadn't held an actual gun since target shooting with his father when he was seven; the smooth gunmetal blue and gray lines of the laser rifle, though cinematic, had at least given him the sensation, however illusory, of doing something for immediate defense. afforded a kind of comfort. He hadn't held an actual gun since target shooting with his father when he was seven; the smooth gunmetal blue and gray lines of the laser rifle, though cinematic, had at least given him the sensation, however illusory, of doing something for immediate defense.

None of the weapons had ever been fired. Compared to the ability to control ma.s.s at billions of kilometers, a high-powered laser beam and chemical kinetic bullets seemed less than a stone axe against an atomic bomb.

One of the cords died playing chess. It belonged to Sharp Seeing. A brief ceremony was held before the Brothers, alone in their quarters, ate it, separating into their own cords to do so. After, with only twelve hours to go before orbiting Sleep, Sharp Seeing explained that the cord had died of frustration, facing potential checkmate and unable to find an escape. "I we begin to think perhaps this game is bad," Sharp Seeing said. The cord he had lost was not, so he claimed, an essential part.

Paola was the only human allowed to attend the ceremony, after which she emerged both deeply moved, and very proud.

Sleep filled the screen in hypnotic detail. Hakim and Sharp Seeing busily gathered information, expressing each in his way the excitement of witnessing and recording such an extraordinary object.

The fourth planet's supply of internal heat was sufficient to keep its surface at a constant twenty degrees centigrade, except where molten material and hot gases leaked through, chiefly along the mountain ridges, which seemed to show where ma.s.sive rocky plates ground against each other.

The physics, as Hakim had already said, was incomprehensible, pointing to ma.s.sive technological adaptations. Possibly the entire planet was artificial, but the crudity and violence of its design said otherwise...and there was no way to unravel the contradiction, given what they knew and what they could see.

Sleep's crudity lay in the uncertainty of its surface. With an area of thirty-two billion square kilometers, nine tenths of it under water, hundreds of millions of square kilometers of land churned in apparently useless turmoil. Angry black clouds rose where molten material flowed into the broad seas, rolling from the wall-like mountain ridges.

The air was moist and high in carbon dioxide, low in oxygen. Martin thought it might be an atmosphere adapted for plants. Hakim and Sharp Seeing used the Double Seed Double Seed's primitive instruments to capture images of ocean-going forests of dark green, rising from the water like drifting continents, the largest of them wallowing for ten thousand kilometers across a smooth sea.

Low, rounded quartz-like mountains punctuated the dark basaltic crust, topped by thick crests of pink and orange.

"The colors are probably phosphates, volcanic sulfur compounds, and hydrocarbons," Hakim said. "Wonderful sights, wonderful knowledge, but our instruments are so limited!"

"Time for an open meeting, all of us, now," Martin said.

All twenty of the Double Seed Double Seed'screw gathered in the cafeteria, humans and Brothers mingling easily.

Eye on Sky and Martin floated at the center. Eye on Sky spoke first in a rich sequence of odors and sounds, head cords stretching wide, claws clicking for the third, almost musical component. Paola might have been able to understand some of this; to Martin, who knew only a few of the less sibilant sounds, the speech was interesting, but empty of meaning. Then Eye on Sky switched to English.

"Decided days ago that we we should speak before we our hosts in language we all us may understand. All we our ten on this ship now speak English enough to be understood, with Paola Birdsong giving help. Thus, we we now will use English exclusively when we are together."

"We appreciate the gesture," Martin said.

"It is some stifling," Eye on Sky said, "but necessary."

"We're going to take some important precautions after our first contact with our hosts," Martin said. "We don't know what they can learn about us at a distance, but we can be pretty sure that once they've actually touched this ship, secrecy may be impossible. We're going to have to be circ.u.mspect. We're reasonably sure the noach chamber can't be breached. If we have anything to say to each other that we don't want our hosts to hear, we say it there.

"But if we allow anybody or anything into the Double Seed, Double Seed, we'll have to a.s.sume no place is safe." we'll have to a.s.sume no place is safe."

"Micro-scale listeners," George Dempsey said. "They could even be in our bodies."

"Right. We'll a.s.sume they can't be detected. That means no written messages, no winks or nods, nothing suspicious...or out of character. "

Humans murmured and nodded, Brothers undulated slightly.

"The play's the thing," Martin said. "We're actors from now on."

Double Seed entered orbit ten thousand kilometers above Sleep, and the bishop vulture appeared again. There was no discernible delay in communications now. "We have asked you to orbit this fourth planet because it is the safest. Your ship would not be safe near any other planet in our gathering, for there is much activity-exchange of forces, coming and going of other ships. But the fourth planet is not especially comfortable for your kind. We ask that you give us samples of your atmosphere and tissues and nutritional requirements, that we may prepare vehicles and implements for your use." entered orbit ten thousand kilometers above Sleep, and the bishop vulture appeared again. There was no discernible delay in communications now. "We have asked you to orbit this fourth planet because it is the safest. Your ship would not be safe near any other planet in our gathering, for there is much activity-exchange of forces, coming and going of other ships. But the fourth planet is not especially comfortable for your kind. We ask that you give us samples of your atmosphere and tissues and nutritional requirements, that we may prepare vehicles and implements for your use."

Martin had already drawn blood from himself and Ariel with the Double Seed Double Seed's medical kit. Silken Parts took tissue samples from one of his cords.

On the screen, the bishop vulture lifted its long nose, revealing breathing and speech orifices beneath. Its chest expanded and it hissed slightly while saying, "We are very interested in your aggregate species. We have no such intelligent beings in our gathering. You will be very valuable and respected among us, and you will teach us much."

Erin glanced at the ceiling. Martin stared fixedly at the camera, face blank.

"A ship will attach to your ship in a few minutes," the bishop vulture said. "The samples will be collected by a sterilized machine within your ship."

"Maybe we should introduce ourselves and exchange names. We prefer to use names," Martin said.

"We have no need for names, but names can be a.s.sumed for your convenience."

"My name is Martin."

"I can be called Amphibian, since I seem to most resemble, in my biology, that cla.s.s of animals you call amphibians."

"A better name might be Frog," Martin suggested.

"Then I will be called Frog. You will meet other representatives, and a.s.sign them names and categories, as you wish."

"Ship is approaching," Sharp Seeing announced.

With a gentle sc.r.a.ping sound, the ship attached to Double Seed, Double Seed, a thick extrusion surrounding the mechanical airlock like lips. Martin took a deep breath. Here it was-intrusion, and all the dangers that might bring. He wondered, too late, if they should have resisted direct contact-decided that would have been impossible. a thick extrusion surrounding the mechanical airlock like lips. Martin took a deep breath. Here it was-intrusion, and all the dangers that might bring. He wondered, too late, if they should have resisted direct contact-decided that would have been impossible.

Eye on Sky opened the exterior door. A gray cylinder with rounded ends entered. Then he closed the exterior door and opened the interior. The cylinder propelled itself into the bridge area with quiet spurts of air drawn through small slits in its middle, and expelled in similar slits arranged around its length.

Paola opened a small refrigerator and pa.s.sed the samples in their transparent plastic container to Silken Parts, who swung around to release the container in front of the cylinder.

An arm extruded from the cylinder and took the container. The cylinder propelled itself softly to the airlock, and the door closed behind.

On the screen, the bishop vulture-Frog, Martin corrected himself-turned away for a moment, head c.o.c.ked, then turned back. Martin corrected himself-turned away for a moment, head c.o.c.ked, then turned back.

"We have several possibilities open to us. You may come to the surface of our fourth planet, to meet directly with our representatives, or you may remain within your ship. If you choose to visit the surface, you may use equipment we supply to make your stay comfortable; this is recommended, as testing of your samples tells us you would soon grow tired under this planet's gravity."

They've a.n.a.lyzed the samples already... Martin's neck and shoulders tensed and he shivered. Martin's neck and shoulders tensed and he shivered.

"You may also choose your mode of conveyance. These decisions may be made at your leisure. I will remain available to you at any time."

The screen blanked.

"Are we still sending?" Martin asked.

"I cut off when they did," Hakim said.

"It's a little abrupt," Martin said, "but it seems clear. We're going to spend some time getting used to them. If they're as smart as they seem, maybe we should expect them to get used to us." He made this speech in complete expectation of being overheard. He stumbled over the next few words, trying to say and do what they might be expected to say and do by the unimaginable minds that might be listening. "We've adapted to each other, but we were nearly equal when we fought our wars...How much harder to understand species much more advanced?"

He visualized tiny machines in the cylinder's exhalation, hiding in the ship like dust motes, transmitting by noach. Nothing at all compared to what we've already seen. Nothing at all compared to what we've already seen.

"It took us centuries to grow together," Silken Parts said, with no discernible unease. "We we hope for no atrocious deals here."

High-school students emoting before master critics. How long could it last? How long could it last?

The most important moment arrived: the first meeting, face to face, between the crew of Double Seed Double Seed and some of the beings who seemed to control the Leviathan system. and some of the beings who seemed to control the Leviathan system.

Donna Emerald Sea had devised fancy uniforms for the humans to wear, and decorative sashes and ribbons for the Brothers. She adjusted Martin's particularly resplendent garb, winked at him briefly, stood before him with hands on hips, and said, "You look perfectly barbaric, Captain."

"Thank you," Martin said, and turned to Eye on Sky, who resembled a young girl's braided pony tail done up with ribbons, brought to life perhaps by G.o.dpapa Drosselmeyer for a joke. The Brothers and humans did did look splendid-and naive; he hoped Frog and the others would find the display amusing, whatever pa.s.sed for amus.e.m.e.nt among them-and convincing. look splendid-and naive; he hoped Frog and the others would find the display amusing, whatever pa.s.sed for amus.e.m.e.nt among them-and convincing.

Donna went among the others, pinning, fidgeting. Martin remembered her adjusting the projected world-wedding gown on Theresa and became acutely aware once more of human limitations-and human beauties. He closed his eyes and swallowed.

Paola helped Donna with her uniform, black and red with gold sash, crew style.

Hakim wore his outfit stiffly. He reached up as Martin approached and stuck his finger between neck and high collar, Adam's apple bobbing in his thin throat. "Many years since we have worn these," he said. Hakim might be the least convincing of them.

The Brothers seemed natural actors. Not once had they broken character or showed the strain of their roles.

"We're ready, Captain," Donna said.

Six-three humans and three Brothers-would leave Double Seed Double Seed and descend to Sleep's surface: Silken Parts, Strong Cord, and Eye on Sky; Martin, Paola, and Ariel. Martin appointed Erin Eire to replace him. Sharp Seeing would replace Eye on Sky. and descend to Sleep's surface: Silken Parts, Strong Cord, and Eye on Sky; Martin, Paola, and Ariel. Martin appointed Erin Eire to replace him. Sharp Seeing would replace Eye on Sky.

In the screen, they caught a glimpse of a white sphere, heard it sc.r.a.pe midships and seal itself around the airlock. The inner airlock door opened. Single file, they entered the smooth green interior of the transfer ship. Beyond a transparent panel, visible only as they turned a corner, stood another bishop vulture, not-Martin guessed-Frog itself.

"I am your helper now," the new bishop vulture said. "I have taken your word Salamander as name." It hissed faintly beneath its words. "If it does not offend or bring wrong meanings, you may so call me."

Eye on Sky introduced his companions. Martin and Eye on Sky had decided it might be best for a Brother to serve as primary leader on this excursion. Paola seemed up to the task of interpreting between two non-native speakers-the Brothers and their hosts.

There was method to this inconvenience: it could masquerade as power sharing, and the inevitable misunderstandings could hide their own confusion.

They drifted weightless in the middle of a small cabin. Martin noted a sensation of motion as the vessel separated from Double Seed. Double Seed. Invisible constraints much like fields surrounded them; their hosts' technology had advanced in parallel with the Benefactors at least to this degree. But then, fields were as logical and inevitable as fire had once been for humans. Invisible constraints much like fields surrounded them; their hosts' technology had advanced in parallel with the Benefactors at least to this degree. But then, fields were as logical and inevitable as fire had once been for humans.

Salamander hissed faintly again, said, "We descend now. There should be no discomfort. Would you like to examine conveyances for walking on the surface?"

"We we would like so now," Eye on Sky said. A panel of curved wall became transparent, revealing Salamander against a dark backdrop.

Another panel to Salamander's right cleared. Beyond, motionless white skeletal frames stood like robots made of elegant bones, one set for humans, another for the Brothers.

Martin was particularly impressed by the design for the Brothers' suits. Like padded snake ribs tied to two backbones, they would allow braids to move much as they did naturally, in normal gravitation, with a sinuous caterpillar motion.

"We hope these are suitable," Salamander said. "They are made to go unnoticed while worn."

"We we are a.s.sured," Eye on Sky said.

"There will be one for each member of your party."

"As expected," Eye on Sky said.

"And they will be fitted to each individual's shape and size," Salamander said.

"As expected."

"Your schedule for surface excursion..." Sharp hissing intake of breath, raising of the miter's nose, "winking" of the three amber eyes into the pale green flesh. "Upon landing and suiting up, there is orientation to teach you with more basics of how we behave and work. Then a meeting under shelter with representatives of the five primary races. Followed by proper induction ceremony for entry into the Cooperative of Fifteen Worlds. Exchange of information in a formal meeting with secretaries of the Living Council. I will accompany you and explain what is necessary, what you have questions for."

Ariel looked at Martin with a brief expression of boredom. Martin lifted his eyebrows in concurrence. Whatever excitement this meeting might have had-under any other circ.u.mstances, should should have had-was lost in the tincture of overwhelming ceremony, not to mention awareness of its almost certain insincerity. have had-was lost in the tincture of overwhelming ceremony, not to mention awareness of its almost certain insincerity.

Camouflage upon masquerade upon deception.

Do these beings believe they are real, and free? Martin wondered. Martin wondered. Are they? Have the Killers faded into their decoys? Are they? Have the Killers faded into their decoys?

Salamander lowered its head and gripped the metal bar before it, freezing suddenly like a museum display. After a moment, as the skeletal white suits disappeared behind opacity, it lifted its head again. "We have refreshments, liquids and foods, which we hope are palatable. Landing will be in fifteen minutes. You will not need to inconvenience yourselves, and you will not experience any discomfort beyond mild sensations of motion. We have provided food. You may dine after landing."

"Thank you," Eye on Sky said. "Reasons of religious nature, we all we must eat our own food."

They had taken enough risks already. There was no sense inviting microscopic spies into their bodies, or anything else they could avoid.

"Religious nature," Salamander repeated with some savor. "Rules dictated by perceived higher beings?"

"Food for humans and Brothers must be specially prepared. We all we will send food from our ship when needed, with we our food handler."

"That will be done," Salamander said. "Is this religious requirement very strong?"

Eye on Sky glanced at Martin and wove a small figure eight with splayed head cords. It seemed to want his help.

"Very," Martin said. Then, innocently, "Don't you have religious food laws? We a.s.sumed all civilizations would...obey higher authority."

Salamander did not answer for a time. It-or something listening through it-was obviously thinking over this question thoroughly. "We do not observe specific religious rules," it answered. "Nor do most of us absorb nutrition by eating. There is one exception, a type living on the fourth planet."

Martin's expedient, and little test, had been neatly sidestepped. Martin said, "Are...most of you mechanical?"

"No," Salamander said. "We are organic."

"We we foresee such things as artificial bodies," Eye on Sky said, back on track. "Are you naturally born, or artificial?"

"These questions can be answered later," Salamander said. "They are not as simple as they might seem."

Martin curled his legs and folded his arms, floating within his protective field. He could feel little of the ship's motion; no obvious acceleration. But the always-sinking sensation of weightlessness changed in a way he couldn't quite describe; as if his arms and legs might be getting heavier, yet not his torso.