The plump woman from Humanity First! pounded on Todd's desk and thrust an accusing finger at Cinnamon.

"This monster should never have been allowed to go unsupervised among decent beings! It could have been one of us!"

"It was an accident,' Robin Reeve said firmly. "Cinnamon has repeatedly said so."

"I will recompense for its loss,' Cinnamon said, miserably. "I will adopt its youngster and nurture it."

"It'll need a foster mother of its own kind,' Mike Solinari explained but the spontaneity of Cinnamon's offer softened his harsh expression. "There's a couple of mares who have lost their foals. We can put the colt in with one of them. That part'll be all right."

"But he killed "Ma'am, it's upsetting, but can we put the incident in perspective?" Todd asked politely.

"What perspective is that, Reeve?" Greene asked, sardonically. He stood with fingertips poised on Todd's desk, not as loud or insistent a gesture as the angry woman's but somehow much more menacing. "That one of these gigantic aliens of yours killed a horse, or that he did it with one blow? They can break necks with the same effortlessness that you or I would use to brush away dust.

You've sown them among the population of a civilian planet like poisonous weeds. Where in this perspective do we find responsibility?" "Oh, very picturesque, Commander,' Robin Reeve said, applauding with sarcastic exaggeration.

Greene showed no signs of impatience or temper.

"As Admiral Barustable has repeatedly requested, these creatures should be sequestered."

"Locked up like wild beasts?" Hrrestan said, shaking his mane. Unrrreasonable. You would not lock up a Hayuman for killing a hrrss. You would fine him and set him frrree. So would a Hrruban trrrbunal."

"Only in cases where malicious inzenz does not exist,' Second Speaker Hrrto said. He was as far away from the Gringg as the dimensions and crowd in the room would allow. Mllaba was not present. Neither, Todd was relieved to observe, was Barnstable. "Ze question now remains if ze Gringg intended to kill."

"Why would he?

And let me remind you that, in our laws,' Todd said, "as in yours, a suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Prove that Cinnamon acted in malice."

"Our laws forbid violence,' Eonneh protested, making his way forward to stand beside his colleague. The room seemed to shrink around them. The animal rights woman from Terra let out a squeak of surprise and retreated behind Mike and Robin, who exchanged a glance of disgust.

"I am sorry,' Cinnamon repeated, staring at his big paws reproachfully. "I strove only to push away the hrrrss's attack. It hit me with its feet, here." He showed a torn patch on his coat where the mare's hooves had struck his chest and the gash on his broad muzzle. "I did not realize I had struck it so hard until I heard "And somehow he imitated the precise sound of a bone breaking. Everyone in the room shuddered. "I grieve to have killed a harmless animal, especially one prized so highly by our new friends.

My hosts assured me that the hrrrsses were eager to have friendship. I sought only to make friends with the beautiful animals."

"Dr Gross,' Todd said, keeping his voice level and consequently forcing the crowd to hush to hear him.

Inwardly, he was ready to roar with fury that a petty, though tragic, incident had given such fuel for trouble.

The veterinarian came forward and cleared his throat.

His face was red, and he nervously rearranged his hands from pockets to belt, to hip; his right hand twitched towards Cinnamon, and ended up scratching the nape of his neck.

"Well, he, I mean the Gringg, went right into the corral, and he started chasing the herd around and around.

Anyone with sense wouldn't have done that. Then the mare charged him, defending her foal. He struck her down like swatting a fly' "It is so,' Errrne said, with a terse nod.

"Why didn't you stop him?" Dr Adjei asked, his eyes narrowing, "When you saw the herd reacting? You had the voder."

"Why would you leave ze Gringg alone in ze corrrrl in ze first place?" Hrriss asked.

He had stood beside Todd, silent until now.

"Huh?" Gross looked at his Hrruban comrade. Errrne lifted both hands palm up, shrugging.

"I heard them." A very soft voice came from within the muttering crowd.

"You were a witness?" Hrrestan asked, glancing around the crowd.

"Come forward." A slender girl in a soiled coverall raised her hand.

"I saw. Juanita Parker. I work at the animal hospital." Robin elbowed his way through the crowd to escort her towards the desk.

"Will you tell us what you heard?" Hrrestan asked her in a kind voice.

Nita blushed deeply, but Hrrestan kept his big, green eyes fixed on her deep brown ones. "Dr Gross invited the bear, I mean, the Gringg to see a herd of horses on the other side of the barn. I I didn't mean to be eavesdropping, but the barn's open all the way through, and there's an echo."

"No one's accusing you of anything, Nita,' Todd said, in a gentle voice. "You're helping us." The girl nodded, and swallowed nervously. "They told him to get into the corral and get close to the horses.

It was their idea. They were laughing about it. I didn't realize that anything was wrong until I heard the stampede and then the mare screamed."

"So you say that the two Rralandoonans led him to believe the situation was controllable, and then failed to act responsibly and in time to prevent a tragic occurrence?" Admiral Sumitral asked.

"That's a leading question!" Bert Gross protested.

"You watch too many courtroom videos, Bert,' Ken Reeve told him.

"Will you answer, Nita? Just tell the truth."

"Well, my dear?" Sumitral prompted.

Nita nodded, not looking at the men. "I think they were trying to play some kind of joke on. . . Cinnamon, but it backfired. That mare was very protective of her foal. We had trouble getting close to her and she knows us.

"So the mare reacted out of fear of a stranger,' Todd said flatly.

"I think that sums things up pretty well, don't you, Hrrestan?"

"I agrrree,' Hrrestan said. "If it was not forr zis witness who has come brrravely forward, zeir dishonour would nevrrr be discovrrrd, since ze Gringg would continue to believe he was guilty of a crrrime."

"We,' and Todd included Hrriss at his side, "apologize, Cinnamon, that you were subjected to such infantile behaviour."

"Hey!" Bert Gross protested.

Errrne hissed. Todd met their glares with a cool stare. Both of them suddenly found something else to look at.

"I'll talk to the two of you later on,' Todd said, his voice cold.

"But I think Dr Solinari might have something to say to you first." "You're damned well right,' Mike said, grimly.

"I have a restoration to make,' Cinnamon insisted, inclining his big head. "I did not mean to cause a loss of life. I wished to make friends."

"I am positive of that!" Todd replied earnestly.

"You are most courteous,' Eonneh said, bowing.

"Is that all?" Greene asked. "You stand here and compliment one another ad nauseam, when this alien has shown the dismaying ability to destroy without effort?"

"Not at all,' Todd said, as if he had noticed the Spacedep commander for the first time. "As Cinnamon has already offered to make restitution, what else could be demanded of him? A day in the stocks? A month of bread and water?

Mike'll determine the value of the mare and how much fostering the colt will cost and Cinnamon'll pay what he owes. End of matter!

"In whatever way becomes possible, I will make the value good,' Cinnamon promised.

"You forget loss of use of a valuable brood mare and any subsequent earnings,' Greene said.

Cinnamon nodded his head obligingly. "That, too, is fair and can be decided. I await the decision.

"But we have formulated no schedule of payment or value,' Second Speaker said, looking distressed.

"You can't just let these . . . aliens,' and Greene larded the word with repugnance, "buy their way out of any incidents. This one involved only the death of an animal. You let the Gringg wander where they like.

What happens "We Gringg will cooperate in any way we can,' Eonneh said, looking intently from Greene to Second Speaker to Todd. "The just reparations for accidents must be decided, clearly stated and set down. This regrettable incident is unlikely to be repeated but we Gringg are big and accidents can happen no matter how careful we try to be in our excursions." Greene rolled his eyes and had gathered himself to speak when Hrrestan held up his hand.

"Agreement must be formulated with all despatch,' Hrrestan said, "so zat justice - unlike zis. . . inforrmal and crrowded hearring can be calmly and sensibly rendered on any matters zat could be required.

A tribunal of one each of our zree species should do very well, should it not, zOdd, Sumitral?"

"Now wait a minute,' Greene said.

"You are not, Commander Greene, a resident, norrr even a frequent visitor to Rraladoon,' Hrrestan said, gently but firmly dismissing the man's protest.

"We Gringg will cooperate in any way we can,' Eonneh said, looking from one to the other. "Justice must be clearly stated and set down.

It is the only fair way in which we can interact, now or in the future." "Done and done,' Hrrestan said, jaw dropped as far as it would go.

"A second Decision at Doona,' Todd said, with a grin at his mentor. Today's accident had provided a major forward step in the tri-partite relationships. The Rralandoonans in the crowd cheered but not all the visitors looked pleased by the outcome.

"Impossible situation,' Greene protested, realizing he had lost control of the situation. "There are ramifications you cannot understand " He broke off suddenly.

At Second Speaker's side, Mllaba stared at him, her huge eyes glinting, and a hot flush rose from Greene's collar to flood his face unbecomingly. In his presence, almost with his cooperation, the ridiculously naive Doonans had struck a bargain with their would-be destroyers. They proposed galactic policy with a dangerous species, and were grinning like idiots. Sumitral, beside them, who should have been wary, was behaving just as foolishly.

"This whole thing is an inappropriate response to the situation,' he said through clenched teeth.

"Not at all,' Todd raised his voice to be heard over the hubbub.

"The malice was not on Cinnamon's side.

If he had deliberately destroyed property, it would have been necessary for him, as it is for anyone on Rraladoon, to be disciplined in some fashion. However, we have established, haven't we that he was the victim of an ill-conceived trick."

"Hear! Hear!" Mike cried.

Robin, breaking off his quiet but intense conversation with a blushing Nita, echoed the vet's sentiment, glaring at dissenting expressions of faces in the crowd.

"Since it seems that Rraladoon is fast becoming a popular spot for aliens to meet,' Todd went on, injecting some levity into the discussion. He was rewarded with a few grins, "it behaves us to consider contingency plans and guide-lines until formal proceedings can be instigated.

This is my world, and I am the Hayuman leader of it.

Hrrestan, as my Hrruban colleague, do you concur with me?" Hrrestan nodded, his gleaming eyes never leaving Greene's face. "I could almost suspect,' and Todd paused significantly though he pointedly did not look in the commander's direction but at the outspoken woman, "that the whole incident was manufactured by those intent on causing trouble between our people and our new friends.

Our guest,' and Todd emphasized that word, "has been most gracious, considering he was the butt of a bad joke.

End of incident. Now, you all, clear out of here, and tend to your own business. Not mine!" Greene stood staring at the tabletop, then he looked up to meet Todd's eyes.

"I. . .1 agree with you, Reeve,' Greene said, nodding his head slowly. "You should not have become involved with a tempest in a teapot. Delicate relationships between our three races should not be fractured. As Human colony leader, you are in a superior position to facilitate such guide-lines. Spacedep wishes to offer any assistance you require." Todd gawked at the Spacedep officer's sudden change of direction. He was unable to detect any sarcasm in Greene's earnest face.

"That's very wise of you, Commander Greene,' Sumitral said. "And the sooner we can devise final terms the better. In the meantime, let us extend immunity to these stray visitors of ours until we have achieved a proper treaty with the Gringg." He sighed. "If only they came in a slightly smaller package, there'd be less objection!" They were talking in a tight group as Robin and Mike were urging people to disperse, joking that the show was over for the day.

"Or less dangerous,' Mllaba said, staring at the dejected Cinnamon. "It is not merely ze sheer size of the Gringg zat is off-putting.

"Not to menzion ze zurprize of zeir trade items,' Hrrestan said.

Hrrto was shaking his head and his tailtip twitched convulsively.

He spoke Middle Hrruban in a low voice.

"Perhaps if all business was conducted by commlink, there would be less need for protection.

"Why, honoured sir, when they offer no violence?" Hrrestan said.

"I think some responsibility devolves on us - to be sure they are not victimized, as they were today." That aspect had clearly not occurred to Hrrto. "Yes, yes, I take the point, Hrrestan. But " and he sighed heavily. His priorities were in constant turmoil. Only the prospect of the essential purralinium remained of constant importance.

"It always depends who the victim is, doesn't it?" he added enigmatically.

"Hall's cleared now, so goodbye. I've got a hospital to run,' Mike Solinari said over his shoulder as he firmly pushed the last of the curious out the door.

"Especially when the victim does not realize he has been made one,' Hrrestan said, looking at the retreating figures of the veterinary contingent. "The laws of Hrruban are far more stringent than are needed here on Rraladoon, Second Speaker. Diplomatic immunity should be tendered and the terms of such immunity are already known to both Hayuman and Hrruban. Let us examine them first.

But certain values remain constant . . . innocence until guilt is proved should be the most important aspect. Then the law forms of our visitors so that there is no ambiguity or misinterpretations." As he spoke to Hrrto, Hrrestan leaned away from Greene, as if he hoped the commander would take the hint and depart. "We of Rraladoon will be honoured to mediate such discussions if that would solve the current dilemma of jurisdiction." Mllaba nudged Hrrto. "Such a project would greatly enhance your prospects for election, Speaker!"

"I . . . yes, of course it would, MIlaba,' he said testily.

Then to Hrrestan, "Justice for all is the primary purpose of the Council,' Hrrto said. "And also of our allies on ze Amalgamated Worlds Council." Greene had not taken the hint and entered his discussion, also using Middle Hrruban. "Diplomatic immunity is certainly a good point at which to start since we are all familiar with its workings. I was for a while attached to Spacedep Legal so I would like to assist.

His offer surprised every one in the room so that he was able to glance meaningfully at Mllaba without comment.

She nodded, understanding that the two of them must have a private conference.

"Then it's settled,' Sumitral said, cheerfully. "Ah, Captain Grzzeearoghh, we've been expecting you. There's a matter of great importance I wish to broach to you.

Todd glanced up. The enormous Gringg filled the doorway, her red eyes nearly sparking. Behind her were her cub, Kelly, Jilamey Landreau, and Landreau's servant, Barrington.

"What matter is that?" Grizz asked, carefully, her sweeping glance having taken in the forlorn Cinnamon.

Eonneh went to her side and began to speak in a low voice. Grizz bent over him, and waved her claw now and again in assent.

"If I may,' Admiral Sumitral began, nodding to Todd and Hrrestan for peimission. Then he approached the Gringg Captain. "As undoubtedly Honey has informed you, there has been a slight mishap involving Cinnamon, which has been resolved under our laws. As guests of this planet, Rraladoon, you are now granted diplomatic immunity, the ramifications of which I would gladly explain to you. I can safely assure you that this will be immediately ratified by the governing body of Amalgamated Worlds." Somewhat stunned by Sumitral's announcement, Hrrto forced his way over and said, "And by the High Council of Hrruba." As he heard himself saying such words, he wondered that he had so spontaneously promised what he would have to argue at his most eloquent in the Council to obtain. And yet, all he had to do now was mention "purralinium' to them and they'd agree to any measures needed to procure the metal. Nevertheless he had been forced to take an action which he ought to have discussed, at least with Mllaba, before committing himself. Could the Hayumans and Zodd Rrev have manoeuvred him cunningly into agreeing? Or was it that Sumitral had once again made the Second Speaker of the High Council dance to his tune as if Hrrto was a mere apprentice in the halls of diplomacy? Either way, Sumitral had always been a formidable mediator and young Zodd had indeed grown up.

Then Hrrto wondered at the sudden shift in Greene.

It had been the commander all along, declaring that the Gringg could not be trusted. Hrrto would like to discover the reason behind such a switch. Then it occurred to him that, under the guise of diplomatic immunities, "escorts' could be assigned to any Gringg on the planet - to insure that the immunity was observed. Ahh, thought Hrrto, that Greene is quick, clever and shrewd. He had got the better of Sumitral, Hrrestan and Rrev and used the concession to forward his own aims.

"Of course,' he continued, hoping his pause had not been overlong, "all three interested parties, plus their home world representatives must be present to discuss a Trade Agreement - in the same chamber." Grizz gave him a brilliant smile, her long fangs gleaming. "Of course, Second Speaker Hrrto,' said the pleasant voice of the voder. "It would not be correct or courteous any other way." Second Speaker bowed to the Gringg leader, suddenly feeling that twice in a short space of time he had been manipulated by another clever strategist. Zodd and the two Hrrubans were not laughing, but he thought they might be on the edge of a humorous outburst.

"I would be most interested in a Treaty between us all, especially if it will facilitate trade practices here on Rraladoon,' Grizz said, addressing both diplomats. She put a maternal claw on the cub's head.

He grinned up at her lovingly. "My son has been telling me how delicious are the eggs of the native species of snake of Rraladoon.

How glad I would be to trade with Rraladoon for such a commodity."

"Now that you mention our friend, the snake,' Jilamey said, addressing everyone who remained in Todd's office.

"I happen to have a delicious specimen which we can barbecue tonight. You are all invited to partake of the unique taste of Rraladoonan snake, a real delicacy. I feel a lot of policy can be discussed over a friendly spare rib or two, eh?" He winked at Kelly "You two are never, never, NEVER to leave your handset off again,' Todd said, towering over his offspring with uncharacteristic anger. Alec and Alison studied the ground and each other's shoes for a moment, then peeked up at Todd. "If there had been an accident, no one would have known where to find you until it was too late!

"But everything came out all right in the end,' Alison offered, fluttering the thick lashes of adoring golden eyes at her father. "We stayed with Teddy to make sure he'd be all right until Mama found us." She could sense him softening, and nudged Alec with her elbow. Her twin added the earnest plea in his blue eyes.

"Honest, Papa, the radios were working when we left!

It's not our fault they failed,' Alec said.

Kelly spotted the silent communication between her children and interjected her own comment. "It doesn't matter how it came out; it's how it began. Promise, or you'll never get to ride Hunt until you're old and grey.

Promise!"

"She means it,' Jilamey said, lounging in the porch seat while Barrington, elegant as ever, sliced snake up into manageable portions for the barbecue grills. "She nearly made me stay behind from my first hunt because I didn't want to carry a handset.

The twins sighed and matched glances. They knew they hadn't been remiss but couldn't prove it. They were frustrated because their parents didn't believe them.

Being accused of a lie was almost worse than getting chased by snakes.

"I promise,' Alec said at last. Alison nodded.

"We'll check and double-check from now on. We're very sorry to cause trouble. And we washed Teabag and all our horses down and groomed them real good."

"And so you should have, kids. But it isn't what happened, it's what might have,' Todd said, hunkering down to the children's eye level. "Teddy's a stranger here, and we trusted you to look after him. Your responsibilities make it imperative that you remember things like making sure that your equipment is functioning properly. You were unable to call for help, or notify anyone as to your location. Think of me. I'd have been devastated if anything happened to you.

The thought had passed through the twins' minds.

They threw their aims around Todd, who hugged them tightly.

"We'll never let it happen again, Daddy,) Alec said, in a low, tight voice. Over their shoulders, Todd glanced up at Kelly.

When Teddy had emerged from the Gringg shuttle at the Double Bar Gemini, he was also a much chastened person. He stood, scuffing one foot in the dust, for his friends to come out again to play. Hrrana, Hrrunival and Ourrh had been assigned extra chores by Nrrna as their punishment. Kelly watched Teddy mooch around the grass kicking a stone, bored and lonely. She relented.

"All right,' she said, and the Alley Cats perked up. "Go and play, but when I call, you come right in, all right?

I'm counting on you to help me with all the guests we're having tonight. You're my best assistants."

"Yes, Mama!" Like twin bolts of lightning, the twins raced down the steps calling to the small Gringg.

"And we wanted children, didn't we?" she said, taking Todd's hand and squeezing it as they watched the children play together on the grass.

"We did and I wouldn't have it otherwise, even with double trouble,' Todd said, gathering her under one arm and enfolding her tightly. "It's not an easy job, but I love it The smell of roasting meat made a tantalizing atmosphere for the negotiators who gathered over the course of the next hour or two. Robin and Jilamey acted as chief cooks, turning hunks of meat on the broad grills, and explaining to the Gringg what "barbecue' meant. Big Paws, the black-and-white Gringg, couldn't seem to stay away from the fragrant, spitting roasts.

He stayed close, chatting with the chefs.

"I have had only preserved snake,' Big Paws said, with a sidelong glance at a smallish steak, only centimetres from the edge of the grill, as if he'd swipe it if backs were turned.

"I am looking forward to tasting fresh meat."

"This'll be the best,' Robin said, expansively. "Reeve family recipe. There's a secret to cooking snake to bring out the true flavour. First, you sear the sides of the meat, then season - - "No: season, then sear,' Jilamey said, interrupting.

"Right,' Robin said. "Then cook for four to eight minutes on a side." "How is it a secret if he knows?" Big Paws asked, pointing to Jilamey.

"I'm practically family, Landreau said, grinning. He sliced off a piece of rare steak and held it out on a toasting fork to the Gringg.

"Taste. The bite disappeared in a twinkling. "Delicious!" Paws exclaimed, licking his chops with his long, brown tongue.

"I would like to have much more of this. Is this barbecue the only way of preparing it?" He looked dubiously at the glowing coals.

"What ever way rocks your jollies. Tell you what, come along on Snake Hunt,' Robin suggested. "If you catch your own snake, you can cook it any way you want."

"Oh, I would love that,' the Gringg said, his eyes lighting up. "I will make the suggestion." He raised his voice, already quite loud enough to be heard all across the yard.

"Captain Grzzeearoghh, may I suggest a concept to you?" The black-and-white Gringg lumbered off towards his leader. Robin grinned at Jilamey and went back to turning steaks.

Hrriss passed among the guests with pitchers of lemonade and beer, filling glasses. He stopped to offer refreshment to Ali Kiachif, who looked at the contents of the two carafes, and shuddered.

"Unfermented fruit squeezings! Don't you have a decent tipple for a man?" the old spacer asked.

"I will find something,' Hrriss said, his jaw dropped humorously.

"So you're the chief meeter, greeter, and feeder for tonight?" Kiachif asked. "Where's your tail-twin? Scrubbing dishes?"

"Zalking,' Hrriss replied, with a grin for his longsuffering friend. "I am sure he would razzer be washing dishes. Zodd is engaged in deep talks with my father, Second Speaker, the Gringg, Spacedep, and Alreldep, so I offer hospitalizy on behalf of us both."

"Ah, one of you is as good as the other' Kiachif said, airily. "And I saw your assorted offspring going about handing out baked toties, salad, and fruit like very pros.

You re raising "em right, young Hrriss, so you are.

"Thank you,' Hrriss said, extremely gratified. "I will see if there's any miada in the house."

"Ah, this picnic is doing wonders for calming overstretched nerves, so it is." Kiachif sat down on the porch seat to wait.

Mllaba and Greene left their seniors engaged in the informal Treaty talks, and made their way surreptitiously as far removed from the party as possible. Grace Castleton and Captain Hrrrv were at the end of the fence waiting for them. There was a small tray table before each of them. Hrrrv's platter was empty, and looked as if it might have been licked clean. Castleton's food was virtually untouched. She toyed with a beaker, picking it up and putting it down again without drinking from it. She felt she couldn't force anything past the tightness in her throat.

"I could not zink what you were doing, Greene, in agreeing to enter formal discussions with these creatures,' Mllaba said, as soon as they were out of earshot of the party. "But it was cleverly done. We can szretch out zuch dialogues for many weeks."

"Glad you caught on to my drift,' Greene said smugly, settling on to a chair beside Castleton.

"And it had the effect of disarming Reeve's objections. The Admiral was very pleased when I reported back to him. The bruins have now sworn to abide by a peace accord. Now they'll have one, and Admiral Barustable is personally involved in drawing it up. It gives the fleets time. This diplomatic immunity also allows us to keep track of where the Gringg go. They'll have escorts everywhere. If once they show what they are capable of, we'll have witnesses!"

"How does the meeting go?" Hrrrv asked, in a low voice.

"Second Speaker has become caught up in the dream laid out by Hrrestan and Rrev,' Mllaba said, her eyes gleaming with faint disgust.

"He will lose the election if he does not take care. All of them are so enamoured of the concept of unity that no one listens to reason.

"They'd sign tonight if the Admiral wasn't there, Greene said, grinning with malice. "He insists on discussing each clause in the Diplomatic Immunity Handbook over and over again, then letting himself be talked into the original wording already set down.

"But very slowly,' Mllaba said, laughing in short, breathy grunts.

"A very cleverrr man, for a Hayuman.

The Immunity Agreement will not be finished tonight.

And yet they continue to look upon his involvement as helpful!' The other two joined in the laughter, but it had a forced sound.

Castleton took a sip from her drink, but did not taste it. The thought of deliberately sabotaging a safeguard for both Gringg and themselves worried her, almost more than the up-coming confrontation when the naval support ships arrived. Despite the tape, she found much to admire in the Gringg.

"Now Reeve has committed himself, Greene said, "the confrontation with the Gringg will make him look the idealistic fool he is. All we have to do now is stall. When the fleets arrive .

"They're close,' Grace said quietly. "The Terran fleet is within twenty-four hours of making orbit.

Greene looked at her, almost for the first time, and his expression changed from triumph to concern as he saw how worried she was.

"What's wrong?" he asked, suddenly perceptive of her mood.

"Nothing,' Grace replied carefully, glancing at the two Hirubans.

"All ship-shape, and observing radio silence."

"Ze Hrruban fleet will arrive just outside ze heliopause a few hourz later,' Hrrrv added.

"Very good,' Greene said. "The Gringg are most likely to strike when we expect it least. Possibly while we conclude agreements and treaties they never had any intention of signing. We'll hold up the final agreement as long as possible until both fleets are in position."

"It cannot be held long,' Milaba said. "Ze movement toward accord is inexorable. Ze Gringg, Sumizral, and Rraladoon are in agreement. Zere are reasons why Second Speaker will sign zat I cannot discuss but no one will oppose him in ze Council."

"Then that trade agreement could be the last thing any Human or Hrruban does on Doona,' Greene warned.

"Admiral Barnstable has sent sealed orders to open fire on that Wander Den of theirs the moment their reinforcements arrive, or at any first hostile sign.

"Zouzanns of lives are at risk,' added MIlaba. "We have to stall until ze ships are in place to defend zem. Ze Gringg shipz must be blown apart before zey can attack."

"We shall be ready,' Greene said, leaning over and speaking in a low voice so the others had to listen very closely. "Then we'll support Hrrto by telling the Council that he was on the right side - the side of caution - all along. The Admiral has the tape to justify our actions. That's our ace in the hole.

Barnstable also wants to sabotage that scientific get-together planned for tomorrow.

"It is already being zaken care of,' Mllaba said, her yellow-green eyes watchful in the twilight. "I attend ze conference again in ze mrrning." "Good! This charade has gone on long enough, Greene said.

"In the meantime, we pretend to cooperate and thus allay suspicion until our fleets are in position.

"Then we demand the truth of the massacre in the Fingal system,' Hrrrv said, flourishing his claws. He stood up, bowed to Mllaba, and left.

"I, too, must go,' Mllaba said. "Ze Council expects me to report on ze Zreaty's progress." Her black robes whispering over the long grass, Mllaba glided away.

Like a shadow, she passed between the hulking figures of Gringg and Hayuman, and disappeared between the gateposts.

"What if we've been wrong?" Castleton asked Greene suddenly, in the thoughtful silence that followed the Hrrubans' departure. Her voice was too loud, and she forced herself to lower it. "What if they truly are peaceful creatures? What will the Gringg think when our forces surround them? They'll feel betrayed. They'll never trust us again.

Greene put a gentle hand on her wrist, and she shuddered slightly.

"You've seen the tape, Grace. We can't ignore that proof. We have every right to demand an explanation, and to take reasonable precautions."

"I still don't agree with your conclusions,' Grace said.

"I'll fight, and even die, if I have to, to protect Humanity, but I still can't bring myself to believe in the Gringg threat.

I'll just be doing my job." She lowered her gaze, and sat staring at the ground between her feet.

"Yes,' Greene said, moving closer to her. They were now knee to knee. She was aware of the warmth in his eyes and the scent of liis skin mixing with the cooler aromas of the night air. "After tomorrow we might be very busy.

"Or dead,' Grace said, her eyes fixed on his.

"But not without having given a good battle,' Greene said. He held out his hand to her. "Let's go back to the ship and form our own plan of action." With a sad smile, she nevertheless took his hand.

Chapter 11

COMMANDER FRiLL COURTEOUSLY PUSHED BACK HiS chair and stood when Milaba entered the conference room. He wasn't sure if protocol for a Speaker of the High Council applied to his personal assistant, but it was better to err on the side of courtesy. MIlaba spared him an annoyed expression then made straight for his side of the table. He remained standing until she had taken a chair and he assisted her to draw it under the table.

Cardiff, on his other side, glanced up at the Hrruban, but his conversation with a pair of Gringg engineers and the technician from the Hrruban warship did not falter.

The Gringg were arguing a complex point about drive engines that the Hrruban couldn't believe, but wanted to. Vocabulary was not yet adequate for high technology so most of the dispute was carried out in mime, with each side making subtle alterations in the technical diagrams showing on the computer screens set between them.

Cardiff's talk was peppered with untranslatable military and corridor slang that a couple of the Gringg were beginning to repeat back to him.

Hurrhee, the chief scientist from Hrruba, interrupted his talk to pay heed to Second's assistant. He was, as Frill understood it, a medium-wide Stripe, which put him among the upper class on Hrruba, but Milaba was his Superior. She muttered a long, low stream of grunts and growls at him, flipping off the control on his voder.

Hurrhee submitted to that action but Frill frowned and pricked his ears, though he only recognized a few of the glottal changes as belonging to High Hrruban rather than Middle. He wished he knew that dialect, because whatever it was she was saying, it sounded important.

"What is it, madam?" Hurrhee asked with just a touch of asperity.

"I am in a most interesting conversation. I do not wish to get left behind in the details.

The assistant's gold-green eyes glinted with impatience.

"What have you learned?"

"About their grasp of matter transport technology?" The military tech glanced up at the words. Mllaba stared around her in alarm, but no one else had comprehended.

"Yes,' she said. "Speak not using terms, but concepts." Hurrhee lowered his voice further. "Most interesting, madam. I spoke in a general way about crystalline focusing systems from deliberately impure mineral complexes.

Those,' he nodded towards the hugest Gringg, a female, who sat beside the Hayuman scientist and a large, brownpatched male bear, "began to study the false diagrams I gave them. To my great delight, they have an idea how to prolong the life of the tuning crystals, madam. But I am now absolutely positive that the purralinium they are willing to trade us has the impurities we so urgently need. Though that metal did not come up in conversation, the dark-skinned Hayuman has made a suggestion that could very well result in still further protection for our supplies."

"What?" Mllaba replied, deeply troubled.

"How could he? Hrruba has sought such advances for centuries."

"But a fresh eye,' Hurrhee said in a grunting whisper, may see things a jaded one cannot. I am most enthusiastic about pursuing this discussion.

And Sixth Speaker for Production was eager that I should continue.

"If the Hayumans suspect what aim you serve, they will be in possession of valuable information regarding gr-That technology,' Milaba said sternly. "Discredit anything which comes too close." Hurrhee shook his greying mane, disbelievingly. "But should these things be secrets, madam? Science is the only universal language which cannot lie. Sooner or later they might deduce it on their own. The Hayumans seek it now, and I believe the Gringg have a fair idea that purralinium is what powers the grid systems. The large female has asked several leading questions. I hate to keep putting her off, since who may know what advances she may lead us to?"

"But it would be advances the Hayumans might be able to share to the disadvantage of Hiruba, and that must not be. Our secrets must remain our own. Can you not equivocate?"

"No,' Hurrhee said, bluntly, but still in a whisper. "The facts would swiftly bear against me. There is more. A few of the naval Hayumans are quite upset about it, and in fact tried to speak out against open discussion.

"Could you tell what the subject was?" Hurrhee shook his head slightly. "I think it had to do with spaceship technology, maximizing poor resources for greatest effect. It may well be, madam, that both our technologies are short of essential metals to increase our respective transportation mediums. In my deepest heart, I feel cooperation, total cooperation, would benefit us more than the current secrecies." Mllaba eyed him coldly. "Then it is as well that you are not in any position to make policy." Her voice was devoid of expression. "Follow the instructions given you and do not deviate.

"Madam,' Hurrhee replied, with great dignity, "how can I, in my capacity as a leading scientist, ignore the chance to gain advantages which will result in massive leaps forward in many fields? I must know what these Gringg have to say, and to do so, I must be honest."

"Honesty!" Mllaba was astonished. "What is that when our security is at stake?"

"False security, I would say,' Hurrhee replied haughtily.

Mllaba didn't trust herself to speak further. An outburst here would only serve to disgrace her office and that of the Speaker she served. Angrily, she pushed back her chair and stalked out. Hurrhee watched her depart, then returned to his discussion.

"Ah, Koala,' he said, pleasantly. "Now, where were we?"

"Hrrestan, may I speak to you?" At Second Speaker's voice, the senior Hrruban administrator glanced up from a stack of angry messages scattered across his desk, then rose hastily to his feet. The older male seemed agitated. "But of course, honoured Speaker.

Please be seated. How may I serve you?" The Hrruban settled himself into the padded chair opposite and attempted to compose his thoughts. "May I take you into my confidence, Hrrestan? You have always held the Hrruban cause dear."

"This sounds ominous, Speaker Hrrto,' Hrrestan said, infusing a light tone into his voice. "It is true, I act for the best of all Hrrubans, but also to secure prosperity for my Hayuman neighbour."

"My request does not counter either of those purposes,' Hrrto said. "You are aware of the scientific conference going on in the Treaty Centre?" Hrrestan inclined his head. "But of course. Your interest honours us. What is your request?"

"It is not a simple one to explain. I must tell you I disapprove of the openness which pervades there. Instead of discussing generalities, as I thought the conference was meant to do, the participants seem to have gone straight on to sensitive topics, discussing engineering and space sciences as if they were exchanging recipes."

"Scientists do tend to become enthusiastic about their pet topics,' Hrrestan said. "If you wanted them to learn only names and formulae, that could have been done with simple teaching tapes, instead of allowing free-thinking beings to participate. The Gringg have their own sciences, some in advance of ours, from what I have been told. Evidently our own inventors and technicians have discovered they can proceed quickly to the satisfyingly and interestingly complex."

"No! That is not the way it should be operating,' Second insisted, raising his voice almost to a shout. He stopped, surprised at his own lack of discretion. "There are reasons why we should be more discreet. I . . . I cannot be more candid at this time, but I am greatly worried that indiscretion reigns with creatures unknown to us a mere four weeks ago." And Second Speaker allowed his alarm to colour his tone. He controlled himself and went on firmly.

"We take quantum leaps before we understand walking with them as partners. So much is at stake here."

"Indeed, but what exactly alarms you so?" Hrrestan asked earnestly.

"I beg your pardon?"

"From what I have heard, there has been accord and much exchange of information among our scientists while others are busily discussing trade agreements. What specific problem agitates you so, Second Speaker?"

"Mllaba has been attending on my behalf while I dealt with the Diplomatic Immunity Affair,' Hrrto said in a testy tone: he had the right to use his assistant as an information gatherer. Hrrestan did not react adversely.

Perhaps he, too, had spies. "Her sources suggest that the Gringg may have already deduced the workings of our grid transport system!" He paused to let Hrrestan absorb the significance of that before he continued. "We know they have purralinium on offer as barter. We must obtain all, ALL of the material. We cannot allow the Hayumans to have any. Surely I do not need to remind you why."

"Pure purralinium is also on offer and the Hayumans seem much more interested in that,' Hrrestan said soothingly. "They like quality and insist on the purest assays.

"But the danger exists and you should by now know how Hayumans can grasp a single word and end up with a statement! If they ever connected the impure purralinium with our grid technology Second Speaker threw his hands up at such a catastrophe. "MIlaba has tried to slow the talks or divert them from discussions that would inevitably lead to its disclosure, but she has been unsuccessful.

These scientists are so single minded! Therefore, you must disband the science conference!"

"I must not do that. For shame, Speaker Hrrto,' Hrrestan said, his large eyes flashing. "For shame that you will not allow the Gringg to prove themselves as strong and supportive allies. If they can deduce our poor technology by casual examination - as our Hayuman friends have never yet managed to do - and yet have offered their friendship and their assistance instead of taking advantage of us, you should be pleased and grateful instead of treating them with distaste and fear. I shall be proud to have them as friends which is much more preferable than making them rivals or potential enemies.

As you have said, I support Hrruba, and I say that Hrruba would benefit greatly by frank and honest interaction with such a race.

Hrrto regrouped his arguments. "But you do not fear them yourself? You do not find their size frightening?"

"Not at all,' Hrrestan said, his jaw dropping in a slight smile. "Their voices are annoying, but they cannot help that. We become accustomed and nape hair no longer rises when they speak too loudly. If they are large of Stature, what of it? They are intelligent, caring beings.

Yesterday, at the incitement of my grandchild, one of the Gringg picked me up and held me in the air like an infant. You were at the barbecue; you might have seen it yourself. It was a game the two of them were playing together, and yet the Gringg is the size of a large horse.

My rambunctious grandson considered him a playmate. If my children and their offspring trust them, can I do less?

Children are most intuitive. The Gringg value the same things we do, hold life as dearly. I find a great basis of mutual understanding already."

"I see,' Hrrto said, slowly, realizing that he could form no alliance with this person. "Thank you, Hrrestan. It has been most instructive speaking with you." Hrrestan rose and bowed deeply. "I am always glad to be of service." Hrrto left the Government House and made his way to the grid in the heart of the First Village. The mist obscured his vision for a moment, matching the muzziness of his thoughts. Hrrestan had always seemed such a sensible Stripe, even if he seemed to have wasted his opportunities by being a mere co-leader on an agricultural planet.

Furthermore, nothing Hrrto had seen or heard of the Gringg, even the unfortunate horse accident, contradicted their contention of pacific nature. The horrific tape shown to him by Spacedep seemed more and more of a fantasy.

And they had purralinium.

Throughout the weeks since the Gringg had arrived, Mllaba harped at him that revealing the Gringgs' inherent evil would serve to propel him into his world's highest honour. Yet he continually temporized and did not reveal the existence of that damning tape. If he was wrong, he was risking the destruction of a Hrruban colony. He had almost told Hrrestan about the tape. Would that omission cost lives?

Few people of any species were in the corridor of the Federation Centre. Hrrto walked soft-footed into the Council Chamber and took the same seat he had occupied the day of the trade negotiations. The chamber was empty, for which he was grateful. He wanted solitude to mull over the conversation with Hrrestan.

In the final analysis, Hrruba had to have whatever purralinium the Gringg had! He could even use that as his excuse for withholding vital evidence.

"But why, Tom?" Todd asked, puzzled and unhappy. The emigration request Tom Prafuli had just handed him was possibly the worst document to cross his desk. A totally unexpected and unwelcome surprise Tom Prafuli pushed the sheets towards Todd. His solemn, dark brown eyes were mournful. "Just sign the emigration order, will you, Todd? Don't take it personal.

Get it over with.

The colony administrator took the pages in both hands and met the other man's gaze. "Tom, we've been friends for more than twenty years.

We grew up together; we suffered through university exams together. I don't want to see you take off on an impulse like this."

"It's no impulse,' Prafuli said, straightening his thin shoulders.

"Sigrid and I talked it out all night, but a month of nights arguing won't change our minds. We want to get off Rraladoon. We don't like the change the neighbourhood is taking." The colonist made a meaningful gesture with one hand, holding it high above the ground beside his head.

"The Gringg?" Todd asked, astonished. "Tom, you're one of the greatest proponents of diversity I know.

The Gringg will make great friends and allies. They're harmless."

"Oh, yeah!" the rancher said, bitterly, and Todd could almost see tears starting across the man's shiny dark eyes.

"Ask Crystal Dingo how harmless they are."

"Crystal Dingo?"

"My mare. My prize brood mare that was. She's the one who's going to be cheval steaks and a tanned hide today. But my mare is just the beginning, isn't she? I hear you're giving a big, prime chunk of Rraladoon to those Gringg." Todd stared. "What? Who told you that?"

"There's a Hrruban going around saying that you're going to plant those bruin-monsters right in the middle of town, taking our land away for them, and fardle anyone who protests. I'm not one for racial or Species solidarity, Todd, you know that, but I think these Gringg are plain dangerous. Just like that Hrruban said. A lot of people are listening close to him, and what he says makes sense. I've been hearing worse, too. They're killers."

"That's bull,' Todd replied staunchly, suppressing the rise of anger at such ridiculous gossip, "and you know it, Tom. Even if one of them wanted to settle right here, they'd have to take unclaimed land. That's in both the Decision and the Treaty. You know how I feel about them, don't you?" Todd put a little heat in his words because Tom had been pro-space port.

"Well, there's those that say you're thinking of them before your own folk, Hayuman or Hrruban." Todd eyed him. "If you weren't hurting, I'd take exception to a crack like that, Tom."

"You can take what you like, so far as I'm concerned. You can give them my ranch when I'm gone.

I don't want to be anywhere near them. Let me go, Todd,' Prafuli begged. "I heard through the bulletin board that they're taking applications for homesteaders on Parnassus. We're already booked on a ship heading in that direction next week."

"I wish you'd reconsider,' Todd said, Sensing even as he spoke that his attempt was going to fall flat. "Snake Hunt is only a week away. We'd miss you if you left before it started." Prafuli shook his head. "Thank God, because that's how we can get out of here now, when we want to. I'm not the only one who feels this way, Todd. I'm just the only one who's going right now.

You ought to get out there and listen to your friends." Without further protest, Todd signed and affixed his seal to the form and handed it back to the rancher, who left the room without saying another word.

When the sound of Prafuli's retreating footsteps died away, Todd got up from his desk and stared out the window for a moment. Usually the view relaxed him enough so he could think. The vast garden changing with the season, overlooked by the grand presence of Saddle Ridge was a most soothing view. This morning, though, the garden was flooded by a gathering crowd. Among them he could pick out the probable dissidents by their pallid complexions, somewhat scorched across noses and cheeks by the sun. All this past month there had been a steady stream of agitators, swelling the original numbers which Todd was sure Barustable had grided in.

He really hadn't thought they'd have much effect on dedicated Rraladoonans but Tom Prafuli had proved him wrong. Unfortunately Rraladoon had never seen the need for any exclusion policy for "undesirable' visitors, much less professional agitators. Whoever had the money - or the interest - to come to Rraladoon was made welcome.

Right now, with so many arriving for New Home Week and the Snake Hunt, and every Rraladoonan involved in those affairs, there wasn't someone to screen the spurious from the serious. Wryly Todd thought that those who took in paying guests for the New Home Week festival would be making good money.

He vowed that, once New Home Week and the Snake Hunt Festival, which was its finale, were over, he'd start weeding out the agitators on the grounds they were disturbing the peace. Which they were.

As he watched, in full view of the crowd, some of these new "activists' unfurled banners and stapled them to poles of green rla wood. Todd squinted to read the badly printed messages snapping in the light breeze: Gringg Go Home, Two's Company - Three's a Crowd!, Doona for Doonans.

That last slogan was obviously contrived by Earthdwellers, since they didn't even use the Current name for the planet. He hoped that not everyone in that large mob were agitators. Todd recognized many neighbours and people he knew from all six Villages. No one seemed to protest the waving banners and that saddened him.

Once the banners were erected, the group hoisted the poles and began to march in a large oval, obstructing the pedestrian walkways to the building. Todd forced himself to watch several circuits, listened to them chanting their slogans, then turned back to his desk.

His mail was full of messages of complaint: the Gringg were an unwelcome and threatening presence. He erased most of them as soon as he saw their content, stunned by the depth of ill-feeling. A half-dozen suggested that he step down from office immediately and allow a "responsible, right-thinking Terran' to take over before disaster struck. Where had his wits been all these weeks? He'd been so convinced that the best possible outcome for all Hayuman- and Hrruban-kind was to form a partnership with the new species that he'd ardently pursued that goal.

Had he been so wrong to inflict his world-view on the rest of his people? Was his idea of galactic unity so unwelcome to the majority?

Hrriss slipped into the office. "Arre you ready to go yet, Zodd?

My father would like to take a few moments to talk with you beforr ze conference begins. What is ze mazzer?" Todd looked up at him, his blue eyes wide with confusion and hurt like a lost child.

"The first real test of my government, and I don't know if I've failed my responsibilities or not." He told Hrriss about Prafuli's visit. "I've forced my judgement on others, without caring what happened to anyone, or what anyone else thought." He threw up his hands and paced fitfully to the end of the room, and spun accusingly on his heel.

"You have not failed,' Hrriss assured him. "Hrrestan has had such messages, too, and he is paying no heed zo zem.

Zere is bound zo be malcontents who will not wait frr all to come out right. How many of zose messages were signed by Villagers?"

"More than I like to count." Todd felt suddenly unworthy of the office Hu Shih had ceded to him.

"You always assume zat you are ze one who is wrong, Hrriss said, with a gentle grin as he opened the door.

"Let me suggest a little experiment. Ask zese folk what zey zink." Todd's personal staff consisted of two Hrrubans and a Hayuman, whose work-stations were in the outer office.

They looked up as Todd and Hrriss came out. The office manager, Kathy Hills, fluttered her long blond lashes at him in a demi-flirt, then stopped when she noticed his expression. Her large blue eyes filled with concern.

"Todd, what's wrong?" He wasn't very sure how to frame the question. Anyway, these people were loyal to him personally. It was those who had no connection to him that he had to reassure.

"Er, Kath, are you comfortable with the idea of allying with the Gringg?"

"That's a funny question,' she said, a little puzzled.

"Sure. Why?"

"Well, I . - - Do you have any trouble having them as permanent trading partners? Neighbours? Friends?" Kathy laughed.

"Well, I can't imagine being closer to anyone than I am to my two best Hrruban friends. It'll be a shade difficult,' she added with a giggle, "to be on the same level as a Gringg but every one of them I've met so far has been polite and curious and really rather interesting.

Need you ask?"

"Well, yes,' Todd said. "It seems I do need to ask. I should have done it before." Mrrowan, at the desk across the room, exchanged pitying glances with Kathy and Hrriss, and shook her head.

"Zodd, you can be so blind sometimes. We zrust yrrr judgement.

We zure wouldn't work so hard for you if we didn't!" Barrough, beside her, his jaw halfway to the floor in amusement, nodded agreement.

"We can't be considered a good cross section in a random poll,' he said. "But we get out and about when you haven't got us slaving over hot consoles here. So we do know that the majority will follow you and Hrrestan.

We elected you to succeed Hu Shih, didn't we? And most of the people I know,' and he turned to get emphatic nods from the two females, "think you're handling a difficult situation very well. Any fainthearts don't know how good they've got it here.

"Thank you,' Todd said, his shoulders relaxing somewhat, though the tight knot in his gut still remained. "I needed to hear that. I was half-convinced that I've been ignoring what's been going on right around me. I'm not going to bull it through without the approval of the people who live here.."

"And you are not, Mrrowan insisted.

"Rraladoon exists as it does because we've always helped each other.

You have had help from many people zese long weeks of zeaching ze Gringg to speak our language. Zose are not disapproving. It has been a prrject we have all shared.

And enjoyed.

"Tom Prafuli's grg,) Todd said, still ashamed of that disappointment.

"So?" Barrough demanded with a shrug. "He was never really a Rraladoonan. He only came here to hunt snake.

We can do without his kind."

"And you're letting that upset you?" Kathy demanded, screwing her face up in disgust. "You amaze me, Todd!

Let it run off your back, the way you did the other stupidities that have been perpetrated. You're on the right track.

Don't you doubt it!" Her expression turned fierce.

"I second that!" Barrough and Mrrowan chorused.

"But it is nice of you zo ask,' Mrrowan added, dropping her jaw in a big grin.

"I zold him he was mad,' Hrriss said, his eyes alight.

"No, they're not exactly disinterested parties,' Admiral Sumitral said when Todd consulted him on the matter, "but loyal enough to you to warn you if the matter was getting out of hand. So why are you letting one emigration give you second thoughts?"

"It just made me realize that not everyone agrees with the policy Hrrestan and I have been following.

I mean, bringing the Gringg along as quickly as we can, Opening our homes, our businesses, our lives to them, but are we doing the right thing for the greatest good of the people on the planet we administer?" Todd said, and paused.

Hrriss grunted low in his throat but it was Sumitral who answered.

"Would I,' and the diplomat touched his chest, "have backed you so solidly if I felt you were not acting in the best interests of a planet which is very dear to my heart?" That rhetorical query wrung a wry smile from Todd.

"You'd be the first to set me straight, I guess.

"If I hadn't firrrst,' Hrriss said, twitching his nose and whiskers.

"I admit that it can be unnerving to see people carrying such unflattering banners round and round your office,' Sumitral agreed.

"But surely you saw how many of them are not even residents?"

"It's the ones who were that upset me. There were letters demanding that I step down. Kelly's reported rumours all over the complaint board."

"Pay no azzention to zem,' Hrriss said. "Zey do not speak for ze majrrity' "Do you, in your mind and heart, doubt the merits of what you're doing?" Sumitral asked, leaning forward over his folded arms.

"No! Not for a moment,' Todd said. "Not for myself!

But I'm not acting for myself any more - or alone." Sumitral smiled. "You are acting for the good of Rraladoon and that has always been an instinCt with you, and with Hrriss. Remember that. Ignore the dross. Myself, I have trusted very few in my life. . . a survival technique.

But I trust you, and Hrriss, and certainly Hrrestan. And oddly enough, I also trust the Gringg. Call it professional instinct.

That's why I'm backing you. And, to give you a little encouragement,' Sumitral pulled up a file on his desk computer and swung the screen around for the two friends to see, "I'll give you the straight facts from home world newsprints. Here's the result of an opinion poll circulated by the Amalgamated Worlds Council on Earth.

You see, in the beginning when the first data about the Gringg's arrival began to circulate, a general poll showed seventy-five per cenr were against getting involved with them. But look at the demographics: most of them are old timers, who grew up when there weren't even Hrrubans on the horizon, when settling space meant hardship and terror.

The young people, between sixteen and twenty-five, were ninety-two point seven in favour of getting to know the Gringg better "Now, after the initial reports,' Sumitral allowed a tiny smile to touch his lips, "and I might add, after a little judicious salting of news programmes with tapes of you two and other Rialadoonans interacting in friendly, non-threatening activities with the Gringg, teaching them Middle Hrruban and playing with them, there's a forty per cent swing in the oldest demographics, and anyone under sixty is ninety per cent or better in favour of forming a Treaty with the Gringg. This is what I based my platform on when approaching the Council, and that's how I won approval to offer them both diplomatic immunity and a Trade Agreement." Sumitral tapped the screen with a stylus. "Don't doubt yourself, Todd Reeve. You've the backing you need. And an interstellar reputation as a fine example of Hayumankind and a role model for aspiring youngsters.

"Zere, you see?" Hrriss asked, whacking Todd solidly on the upper arm with the back of his hand.

With such reassurances, Todd was finding it hard to hold on to his gloomy mood. Hrriss was grinning widely, his jaw dropped almost all the way to his breastbone "I'm not sure I like having an interstellar reputation,' Todd said in a low grumble.

"You should have thought of that when you were six,' Sumitral said, with the ghost of memory limning a smile on his face. "Now, come, take your optimism into the negotiating room with you. You can deal with the rumourmongers when the job is done.

In their dress uniforms, Sumitral, Todd and Hrriss shouldered their way out of the building past the protesters and walked quickly to the transport grid. Ignoring the cries at their backs, Hrriss set the controls. The mist rose around the three of them, obscuring the ring of dissident Hayumans and Hrrubans. Todd was never more grateful to see the plain white walls of the Federation Centre. He nodded a greeting to the grid operator, a young Hrruban male with a very pointed face and narrow-striped tail.

"We'll meet the Gringg on the landing pad, Sumitral said.

As they emerged from the grid facility, they were surprised to see the crowds on the Treaty Centre grounds.

A handful of Alreldep regulars in their maroon uniforms stood guard on the concrete apron attached to the building, around a grand table with three pens and inkwells but only two seats, for the public signing of the Treaty between Terra, Hrruba, and Gringg.

Most of the Hayumans and Hrrubans waiting near the landing pad were Rraladoonans, waiting eagerly to view the signing. Many had brought seating while others had spread blankets on the ground. There was a buzz of pleasant talk which stilled as the official escort arrived.

To one side, however, Todd was dismayed to see yet another cluster of protesters. This bunch suddenly pushed their way through the scattered onlookers, right up to the boxy Gringg shuttle, waving their posters. These featured caricatures of Gringg, ill-drawn as well as defamatory as one showed a Gringg tearing apart a small body, obviously a Gringg cub. Another featured a mass of Gringg, wearing extravagant collars and harnesses trampling down both Havumans and Hrrubans, exaggerated paws reaching towards a table heaped with foodstuffs.

Ken Reeve, Jilamey Landreau, and Ali Kiachif immediately stepped up to the shuttle hatch, daring the mob to start something. A phalanx of the commercial space crews emerged from behind the shuttle, their hand weapons still holstered but ready, and formed a sort of barrier.

Jilamey waved to Todd and Hrriss and gave one of his outrageously cocky grins.

"Damn!" Todd muttered under his breath.

"Well, I didn't expect this!" Sumitral muttered under his breath.

"I did, after the crowd around my office. Kiachif and Horstmann dragooned their crews into guard duty,' Todd replied out of the side of his mouth. "I'd hoped it was just talk. Damn "em for using pictorial insults."

"Since it's all too well known that the Gringg have concentrated on spoken, not written language, that's one way to make your points."

"And Eonneh's in the shuttle and has probably faithfully drawn what's on the posters for posterity' Todd said, his tone savage with frustration. Even as he'd been speaking, he'd been surveying the faces in the ground of the orderly Rraladoonans, estimating the numbers.

"Wait a sec!" He held up his hand to delay the others in the formal escort. Then he took another step forward.

"You're not citizens of this planet,' he said, rapidly scanning the protest group to find the leader. "You have no right of protest here." Then he turned to the friendlier faces and raising his voice, added, "I recognize a lot of you from previous snake hunts. How about removing the vipers in our midst? I think they need to go back to whatever hole they emerged from. Quietly! Out of respect for the rules of hospitality!" Before the protesters could rally effectively to defend themselves, their posters were confiscated and their persons bodily removed by willing hands. Some loud and outraged cries drifted back. Todd waited a bit, grinning at Sumitral.

"All right, that's out of the way. Let's proceed with the scheduled formalities.

As soon as Todd, Sumitral and Hrrestan approached the Gringg shuttle, the door slid open. A buzz started, this time a welcoming one.

Waving cheerfully and with a pleasant smile showing all her fangs, Grizz alighted, her powerful legs making the long step easily. Todd sighed, hoping that the Gringg had not been there very long.

Honey and Kodiak followed Grizz, turning to help Teddy down the tall steps.

A hearty cheer rose from the crowd and some laughter.

Grizz twitched her ears and seemed to scan the gathering but her fanged smile remained in place - a fanged smile that had been caricatured on one of the posters. Todd hoped that the Gringg might just dismiss those as bad Rraladoonan art. The Gringg and officials had taken no more than a few steps when suddenly a fist-sized rock winged past Todd's head, ricocheting off the side of the shuttle. A clatter of pebbles hit the ground around them.

Todd swung immediately in the direction of the assault.

A man, tawny-skinned but with the sallow complexion that spoke of limited exposure to the sun, threw another rock straight at Grizz.

Anticipating its trajectory, Todd jumped up with one hand high and caught the rock. He swore as it stung his fingers. Teddy squealed with fear. The Gringg immediately closed about the cub, hiding him from any further attack.

There were cries of "Shame! Shame on you!" from most of the onlookers at such an assault and from agitated movements in the crowd, the pitcher was being chased.

By all that was holy, Todd resolved, I'll find some punishment to fit this crime, all quite within my authority as co-leader. A glance at Hrrestan told Todd that the Hrruban had the same uncompromising opinion. The sharp chunk of granite that he had caught would have done some damage had it reached its target, no matter how tough Gringg hide was.

"I'll want to see that man when you catch him,' Todd said aloud and gestured to two of the crewmen to officiate.

Todd dropped the stone to the ground and, with his boot, ground it into the dirt.

"My sincere apologies, Captain,' he said in a ringing voice. "Let us proceed with the order of business.

Then, flexing his stinging fingers, he raised his arms and gestured for the crowd to give way and a respectful aisle immediately opened up, wide enough for the Gringg and escort to proceed. That such an incident had occurred at all rankled deeply in Todd, marring what should have been a great occasion.

With Kiachif, Jilamey, Ken and Hrriss flanking the aliens, they marched toward the Centre. The space crews then formed a guard behind them.

The Treaty Chamber door swung wide to admit Hrrto's erstwhile allies, the Havumans from Spacedep. Of those expected at the noon hour, they were the first to arrive.

Barnstable, in his dress blues, nodded sharply to Hrrto as he slid into the chair opposite, and surveyed the room. The only other Occupant was Mllaba, who sat discreetly against the wall, allowing her senior to mull over his thoughts by himself. Greene waited discreetly as his senior seated himself, then escorted Castle ton to her chair on the other side of their senior commander.

"Well, Speaker Hrrto?" Barnstable asked. "Anything to report?"

"I have spoken to Hrrestan. Ze conference goes on unhindered, and a Zreaty seems imminent whether we will or will not apprrove,' Hrrto said, but his voice was distant. "If we are right, zis means zere are only hours left.

I can do nothing more. Despite all advice to the contrary, the High Council wants to trade with zese Gringg." That was true enough for, once Hrrto had mentioned the existence of purralinium, the High Council would hear of nothing but any agreement that would augment the dwindling supplies.

Mllaba, in her chair by the wall, glared at the floor with glowing yellow eyes, but said nothing. Hrrto had not requested her presence at that High Council meeting and he knew she was certain that he had mishandled that meeting. No matter. His conversation with Hrrestan had caused him to alter more than one long-held opinion. He had even altered his desire to win the upComing election: such crushing responsibility for all sorts of unexpected incidents had lost any appeal.

"Withhold your approval,' Greene said. "The Treaty will require signatures from all three governments."

"I am not sure zat will be possible,' Hrrto replied. "Nor zat it will mazzer.

"But it can,' Barustable said urgently, his eyes glittering.

"Think of it: the Gringg have given us a map of their systems.

They have claimed hundreds of planets. If you don't sign, all the provisions and the safeguards become null and void. Hrruba could take over valuable mining planets: even habitable worlds. Considering what they did on Fingal. the Gringg don't deserve to colonize more worlds." "No, Second said, wearily. "I am too old for war. Nor am I one to take anozzer's worlds. We Hrrubans, too, have put such greed behind us. But ze others will sign ze Zreaty anyhow. It will not matter if I sign or not."

"It will matter, Speaker,' Greene assured him. He held out a small datacube. "I have the tape from our exploration ship. It proves that the Gringg ship did fire on Fingal III, destroying at least one of the cities on the surface and several of the satellites. The weapons we have suspected all along must be hidden somewhere aboard that leviathan. Our combined fleets are hours away. They must not hesitate to attack." "Is zis wise?" asked Hrrto. "It is not us who will die." And we are so close to gaining new supplies of purralinium.

He closed his eyes in despair.

"Too many will die if we don't act. You saw that tape,' said Greene through gritted teeth. "These Gringg are deceivers and vicious killers. I can sense it every time I'm close to one of them." Grace Castleton, sitting by Greene, angled her body away from him. She was weary with trying to argue with Jon. He kept on the same theme and would see no other logic. For the first time since she'd received her own commission, she found her command onerous. Her private opinions could not interfere with her obedience to orders from the Admiral.

Barnstable was as rabid against the Gringg as Jon, wholeheartedly willing to believe evidence she found spurious.

"We need more time,' Mllaba said. "Just a few hours and ze fleets will be here to support our views. We need a diversion. Now is ze time to show Rrev and Hrrestan zat tape!"

"And Admiral Sumitral,' Castleton added.

"Those confounded optimistic hand-in-friendship fanatics won't believe it,' said Barnstable, dismissing the leaders of Rraladoon with a gesture. "Alreldep is full of fools who can't see a real threat when it weighs half a ton and has claws."

"Yes,' Greene said promptly, "but showing them the tape buys us time. They'll demand proof of its authenticity and we can drag that out as long as we want to. Let "em rant and rave a while. That'd be to our benefit. And I've arranged one more delaying tactic. Those should eat up the hours we need for the fleet to get into position." Everyone nodded in agreement, and nervously settled back to wait.

As soon as they were safely past the crowd, Teddy started to whimper, having managed to control his terror until the safety of the Treaty Centre was in sight.

"Here, Teddy,' Jilamey said, stroking his shoulder, handing the cub a handful of peppermint humbugs he happened to have in his pocket.

"Can't imagine how those layabouts got here! Must be some fringe nuts." Far more reassured by something to put in his mouth, Teddy stuffed in as many as he could and so forgot the fright he had had.

Having emerged unscathed from that obstacle, Todd was dismayed to find there was an even more substantial number of onlookers surrounding the meeting hall. But this time there were no placards nor stones.

Disconcertingly, there were people carrying tri-d cameras and flashing legitimate reporter idents, who wanted to ask the Gringg questions: a tiresome but necessary interview.

Todd tried to appeal to them to wait until after the formal signings but the protests were so loud that he relented. Voders were passed over to the reporters which Todd hoped would prove so irksome to use that the newsgatherers would depart. Instead there was a barrage of the inane questions, the kind of tripe that made Todd's innards roil.

"Captain Gringg, how did you feel discovering not one but two sentient races inhabiting this planet?"

"Do we differ from other species you've encountered?"

"How long was your jourriey here?"

"From what part of space do you originate?"

"What's your home world like?"

"How many cubs would you have in a life span and doesn't it interfere with your professional duties?"

"Why was Middle Hrruban used as the bridge language?"

"I wasn't informed that newsgatherers had landed here Todd murmured to Hrrestan.

"Nor was I, but it is never wise to annoy zose who broadcast news,' Hrrestan said.

"If such broadcast is ever aired on Earth and Hrruba,' Todd said, feeling uneasy about the unexpected delay. He glanced down at his wrist chrono. They were already late for the scheduled arrival time but he agreed with Hrrestan that it wasn't politic to irritate newsgatherers. How many of those quickly flashed credentials might prove bogus?

And how did so many arrive so propitiously? As if he needed to go far to find an answer to that question. What did Barnstable and his crowd think they'd achieve by these delaying tactics?

However, when he and Hrrestan did suggest that the interview had gone on long enough, there was immediate protest.

"This isn't half enough of an interview, Reeve,' protested one of the more aggressive Hayuman interrogators.

"Our people, too, need to know ze facts,' an Hrruban of very narrow Stripe chimed in.

"What news channel do you represent?" Todd asked, holding out his hand for their credentials. "My office was not informed of your arrival and any interview should have been cleared with myself or Hrrestan. We could then have allotted sufficient time for a proper interview. Now, we've given you as much as we can. After the ceremony's over, I'll arrange a longer session for you with Captain Grizz and her crew Todd cast a significant look at the commander of the Alreldep honour guard and immediately his troops moved in to form a barrier between the Gringg and the newsgatherers. Then Todd and the others politely herded their guests into the building.

"I know who planned that little diversion,' he muttered to his father. "I don't know why!"

"The "why" worries me, too,' Ken said.

"I must check the records of ze grrrid operrators,' Hrrestan said.

"Zere have been too many unauzorized uses of zat facility!" He twitched muzzle and whiskers and his tail lashed in angry switchings.

When they reached their destination, Todd sighed with relief, thinking as he did so that maybe such relief was premature.

"Who was so kind as to arrange a press interview?" he said, glancing around those already seated at the table.

"There were no newsgatherers when we entered,' Barristable said, glancing up casually from his personal clipboard. "Just the usual bunch of onlookers one would expect."

"Surely,' and Greene grinned smugly, "you want as much publicity as you can get on such a momentous occasion?

Surely you don't wish to keep any of these negotiations secret?"

"Surely you don't expect me to believe you didn't arrange it, Greene,' Todd countered with an insincere smile.

"Please, let us put aside rancour,' Hrrestan said in Middle Hrruban, hand raised for silence. "Will you not all sit down? This is the final phase of our negotiations. I have here three copies of the Treaty worked out between Admiral Sumitral, Captain Grzzeearoghh, Second Speaker, Admiral Barnstable, myself, and Zodd Rrev. The suggestions and input comes from many quarters and has taken days to compile. I ask you all to glance over these documents to ensure that all the salient points discussed have been included to your individual satisfaction." It was only when Hrrestan sat down that he realized half the room was more interested in the ornate timepiece at one end of the room - a fine piece of engineering since it registered the precise time on Hrruba, Earth and Rraladoon. He had the distinct sense that only the Gringg and Rraladoonans had paid any attention to his brief words.

While he was not of a Stripe that took offence at minor snubs and slurs, he was decidedly uneasy about the atmosphere in the chamber. He glanced at Speaker Hrrto who had his eyes carefully averted.

To Hrrestan's surprise, the Spacedep commander asked to be recognized. He nodded to Greene, and the Hayuman rose.

"The agenda of this meeting does not allow sufficient time to read every clause of this weighty document,' Greene said, making a show of the effort it took for him to raise the weight of the thick document in Basic language.

"There were many points that had to be discussed in great detail.

We will need more time for a thorough reading than you have allowed."

"I must point out, Commander, that you are not an official member of the Trade Treaty Committee,' Hrrestan said in Middle Hrruban for the voder to translate. "You were present only as an observer for the Admiral who was involved in another discussion."

"However, as the Admiral's appointed representative, surely I may speak to that point?" There was the slightest edge of smug superiority about Greene's manner that irritated Todd. The commander was obviously initiating yet another delaying strategy. Why?

was what was beginning to obsess Todd.

"You attended all the meetings, that is true, Hrrestan said, replying with dignity. "You had ample opportunity to bring up any points then for clarification. Read!" As Greene quickly riffled a few pages, and then held the document open, it was clear to Todd that the man was totally familiar with the contents.

"On page 14, clause 5, subsection 12, there is an ambiguity in wording that I feel ought to be changed,' and he read it out.

"I hear no such ambiguity,' Hrrestan said, "and furthermore, he tapped the keys on the terminal nearest him, "here is a transcript of that particular discussion. You will note that the wording is exactly as it was decided upon at that meeting."

"Ah, I see that you are correct,' Greene said, all affability even as he tuined pages again to a new section.

"Would you also check Paragraph 9, clause 3, honoured co-leader?

Now is that as it was decided? I really do feel there's been an error in the quantity of lithium in respect of trade weights.

Todd began to fidget but a glance from Hrrestan suggested to him that his colleague would allow only so much of Greene's disputation.

"No,' Jilamey said bluntly, "that's written as discussed, Commander. And you know it!" He pointed an accusing finger at Greene.

"I do, Mr Landreau?" Greene asked, all innocence.

"You forget, Greene, that I have an eidetic memory,' Jilamey said.

Captain Grizz raised her brow at the new word and Jilamey leaned across the table to clarify the term.

"Ev,' Sumitral said, turning to Barnstable, "what is all this in aid of?"

"Well, you can't expect me to sign a faulty or errorstricken Trade Agreement, now can you?" Barnstable said, raising his eyebrows at Sumitral. "And I never approve of a document I haven't read thoroughly."

"Your approval of this document is not required,' Todd said bluntly. "This is Alreldep business. You are here as an observer, Admiral, and on our sufferance." Barnstable raised his eyebrows in placid amusement at the warning.

"But I,' Hrrto said firmly, "wish to read the text before it is signed." Second Speaker glanced around the table. "I would be failing in my duty to my Stripe and my position to dispense with such a formality,' and he bowed courteously to lIrrestan, "for such a momentous document." Todd had to stifle his impatience. The conspiracy of delay which he had suspected was now proven. Spacedep and Second Speaker were clearly working together to slow the proceedings down to a crawl. Fortunately the Gringg seemed unconcerned by the delay. So Todd offered the oval mass of the Gringg-language copy to Eonneh who brought it to Grizz. She flipped to the first page of the document and began to read.

Most of the Hayumans crowded around Admiral Barnstable who had pulled the Terran-language copy over in front of him. Kiachif put a pair of spectacles on his nose and peered down them at the pages, scanning as Barnstable read to himself.

Just then the first quiet, decorous intrusion of Spacedep aides began, the first with just a whispered message: the second and the third bringing Greene message cubes which he read before passing to Barnstable for his perusal.

Mllaba stood behind Second Speaker as he read slowly.

She hissed startlement as Jilamey Landreau sidled up to look over Hrrto's other shoulder "Too much of a crowd over there,' he said, smiling at her winsomely. "Just as well I can read formal High Hrruban as easily as Basic."

"Provisions for trade, galactic court, common currency based on table of values - - -, Barnstable muttered to himself after spending several minutes thumbing through the pristine pages.

"Wait just a nanosecond, here: what is this?" he demanded, planting an indignant finger in the middle of one page. "What is this about a panel for scientific interchange to be chaired by the Gringg?"

"At my humble suggestion,' Honey replied. "The Gringg see that Hrruba and Terra require an arbiter of scientific matters to ensure most efficient development of important technology. We will do this for you, in exchange for a place among you.

"Never!" cried Barustable. "Ridiculous! Afroza, you can't sign this,' he boomed at Sumitral.

"I can, Ev, and I shall,' Sumitral said. "I have the permission of the Amalgamated Worlds Council to do so.

"But a seat on the Joint Supervisory Council overseeing trade!' Barnstable's face turned bright red with aggravation.

"If the Gringg trade with you,' Grizz asked, "is it not fair to allow us a small say in the laws and privileges? We will agree to abide by them. If we governed, would you not expect such a courtesy?" For that Barnstable had no objection. "I . . . suppose so "We keep faith,' Grizz replied. "Even as you have asked us, we have kept our ship in the same orbit you recommended many weeks ago.

Greene was surprised to have that fact raised. Could the Gringg suspect? Had they instrumentation powerful enough to see through the larger Rraladoon moon which was obscuring the approach of the fleets?

For another half hour everyone read quietly while Todd and Hrriss became more uneasy. Todd drummed his fingers on the tabletop. Every legitimate signatory for this Trade Agreement had been intimately involved and had approved each day's finished negotiations. Why delay the inevitable? Or did those messengers mean the Spacedep contingent were waiting for some sort of confirmation?

Greene had edged forward and was perched on the front of his seat, turning an occasional worried glance at Captain Castleton, who responded with small shakes of her head.

"And what is this?" MIlaba asked a few minutes later, pointing over her senior's arm at a statement near the end of the document. "A section of Treaty Island to be designated as an Embassy of the Gringg?"

"Of course,' Todd said. "As we discussed at length last Tuesday afternoon, they will have ambassadorial status to Rraladoona. It's an acceptable compromise since they are not actually members of our Hayuman-Hrruban alliance.

No, change that to "federation". An alliance suggests there is an enemy to ally against." To Todd's surprise and concern, Castleton visibly winced at his wording. She looked almost guilty but he continued with his explanation. "They are entitled to have a base for their trading houses and a diplomatic compound.

I'm still not at all happy to see the Hrrunatan inhabited but that part of the continent's useless for anything else so it might as well be a space port and the Gringg are to hoe their own quarters there as well as here in the Treaty Centre." He looked around the table at the troubled expressions. "Look, you'll have to accept that the universe isn't composed of only two sentient races any more-' He stared significantly at Greene. "r just one. We've been sought out by a third. One day there may even be more.

He kept his grin at their dismay to himself. "That portion of the text was agreed on yesterday morning."

"And you agreed to this?" Barnstable demanded of Hrrto. "When? After I left? How could you?" Suddenly stung by the Hayuman's presumption, Hrrto struck back.

"Hrruba does not answer to Earth for its actions, he replied. "It sounded quite reasonable to me when I discovered how much that would benefit Hrruba you Hayumans would deny us.

"Now, wait!" Barnstable roared. "We deny you? What about you and your precious grids?"

"Just a moment, Admiral,' Kiachif said, soothingly.

"To be just, judicious, and non-judgemental, there are processes we deny the Hrrubans and could very well offer without a loss to ourselves, if you understand me. Our new cryogenic techniques for one thing."

"That's top secret, military only!" Greene said, narrowing his eyes at the Codep captain.

"As if we have a constant call for frozen soldiers,' replied Kiachif with a snort.

"If we may be allowed to mediate this point,' Grizz began pleasantly, with her paws folded over her belly, "the function of trading is to sell to others what they do not themselves have. Both parties should gain in the exchange."

"So let's exchange,' Jilamey said eagerly. "Let's exchange spaceships for grid systems. Amalgamated Worlds would gain what they need and Hrruba would be able to explore more efficiently. That'd be the greatest trade - and the greatest gain - possible." He beamed around the table, apparently unaware of the frozen and outraged silence.

"And, under special auspices, that might very well be possible,' Hrrto said. Mllaba nearly choked and jumped from her seat to whisper urgently in Second Speaker's ear.

Mter only a few words, he pushed her from him.

"D'you mean that, Second Speaker?" Jilamey asked, incredulous.

Just then two ensigns hurried quietly into the meeting room and placed a communications unit on the floor next to Barnstable. Todd noticed that the unit was operational and broadcasting.

"Now just a moment, Barnstable,' Todd said, rising from his chair.

"This is a closed session and that thing is on broadcast. You two,' and he pointed to the ensigns, "get that out of here, on the double." Hrriss indicated his distaste with a swish of his tail.

Hrrto, usually a stickler for protocol, glanced up and seemed to draw in on himself.

Todd's order was ignored as, hard on the heels of the Spacedep technicians, uniformed Hrrubans brought a similar unit for Hrrrv.

"Just what is going on here?" Todd demanded, glaring at Barnstable and Hrrrv. Neither answered him. "I want an answer or, by all that's holy, you'll leave this meeting!"

"Not until you've seen what we can now show you, Reeve,' Greene said, pitching his voice louder, his eyes fixed on Todd. "You've lost this one, Reeve. You and your all for one, one for all!" He sneered. "You've lousy judgement, Reeve.

"In what respect, Greene, or by the powers of the office Hrrestan and I hold, you'll be off this planet and you'll never get back on it!' Out of the corner of his eye, Todd saw the smug grin on Barnstable's face. He nodded at Greene, an obvious signal to continue.

"Yes, you've erred catastrophically in the matter of the Gringg.

These great, peace-loving creatures you're so eager to invite everywhere! That you're stupid enough to trust. Sumitral and Hrrestan both leaped to their feet.

"If you fault Reeve's judgement, then you fault ours, too,' Sumitral said in a cold hard voice.

"You're getting a little too old to practise basic common sense.

Sumitral,' Barnstable said. "If you resign now, we can probably see that your long service is suitably rewarded."

"My what?" Sumitral's face was expressionless but his response was unforgiving.

"You've all made the mistake of taking the Gringg at face value,' Barnstable said. "And it is a mistake! Which Spacedep and the Hrruban Arm can at least control."

"You had better explain yourself, Admiral,' Todd said, anger rising to a barely controllable pitch.

"Indeed you'd better, and immediately,' added Sumitral.

"Now!" and Hrrestan's single word held overtones of threat to which the Gringg now began to respond.

"Before those naval ships coming in behind the moon get into a position to cause both us and our Gringg friends considerable discomfort,' Ali Kiachif said, his black eyes flashing with warning.

He removed from under the table a small but powerful receiver which he had obviously been monitoring.

"What?" Todd asked, thunderstruck. "Space fleets? Ali, why didn't you tell us?"

"Just got the confirmation I've been waiting for.

I thought this laddie buck,' and he jerked a thumb in Greene's direction, "was up to no good so I've kept eye and ear pricked until he overstepped himself. You, too, Admiral.

Todd turned on Barnstable. "I demand to know on what grounds you have brought armed ships into Rraladoonan space!" Sumitral drew himself up in regal dignity. "If you have data you've been concealing from us during these negotiations, you must now reveal why you are obstructing the progress of these peace talks."

"The data,' Greene stressed the verb, "was classified until it could be confirmed. It is now. I contend that, in your naive and ingenuous fashion, you have put all of Humanity and Hrrubanity at risk."

"And that you, in your usual warlike and suspicious nature, have arbitrarily decided we need to be defended by two space fleets. Humpf." And Kiachif's black eyes sparkled with outrage and indignation.

"Ev, what have you done?" Sumitral asked, distress and disbelief spread across his face. "How could you supersede my authority in this matter?" "I have rectified - and not arbitrarily - a serious error of the current civilian government,' and Barnstable turned towards Todd, levelling a finger at him. "You have negligently placed the civilians of this planet in grave mortal danger. Therefore I declare martial law on this planet. I am taking over here. Two cruisers are approaching the Gringg ship and have orders to fire if it moves or they detect any unusual emissions. Furthermore, the entire fleet will take action in one hour, if I do not cancel the mission with a code word known only to myself." The Spacedep Admiral glared at Grizz as he finished speaking and Todd realized just how frightened the man really was.

At this point a squad of heavily armed Human marines and another of even more heavily armed Hrruban soldiers entered the Chamber.

Mllaba smiled with intense relief.

"Guards will be here in minutes to take these Gringg into protective custody until we can search their ship." Greene pointed at Grizz and Honey as he spoke, signalling the mannes. One immediately tried to remove Grizz's collar.

Honey attempted to prevent it, but withdrew when a laser rifle was levelled in his face.

"How dare you?" Todd said, furiously, rushing over to place himself between the guards and the Gringg. "We're on the verge of making lasting peace with these people.

We've already begun commercial transactions!"

"You are so naive, Havuman,' Mllaba said, her voice coldly insulting, "opening the way to the Gringg domination of Humankind and Hrrubankind? Because that's the climate you were preparing - or did they make it worth your while?" The marines had removed the collars of all the Gringgs now, even Teddy's though he had tried to resist. His dam had given one shake of her head and, sniffling, he had allowed it to be removed, though he kept his eye on it, where it lay on a side table. Then marines took up positions behind the now shocked Gringg, their rifles pointed at the large aliens' backs. At that, Teddy slipped from his chair and nestled under his dam's arm.

Eyes straight ahead, she cuddled him.

Todd ignored the snide insult. "Domination?" he asked, wanting to guffaw out loud as he glanced at the passive Gringg. If she had chosen to, Grizz by herself could have overcome both squads, without requiring the help of Honey and Kodiak but she remained quiescent, almost amused, Todd thought. Or were the loud and conflicting exchanges jamming her voder with meaningless sounds.

Barnstable continued. "Spacedep is in possession of data that proves a Gringg ship destroyed a planetary civilization in the Fingal system." Sumitral sat bolt upright. "I have received no information on such an incident!"

"The matter was classified but we have the tape of the exploration group, tape showing the devastated planet, with a dead Gringg ship orbiting it, and Barnstable enunciated that phrase with intense satisfaction at its effect on the Rraladoonans. Almost patronizingly, he continued. "Further examination proves that the weapons that killed the population and destroyed the cities came from that ship."

"What proof is there the Gringg actually were the aggressors?" Todd demanded.

"Quite enough, Reeve. More than enough,' Greene observed drily.

"We missed the shot, but can see the smoking gun."

"Then the evidence is circumstantial?" Hrrestan asked, stiffening his shoulders under his formal attire.

"They were there!" Barnstable said defensively. "The remains of their ship is still in orbit. The race they wiped out did inflict mortal damage on the ship which is why we have proof of their infamy "And when did this happen?" asked Kiachif. "How many eons ago?"

"That hasn't been ascertained yet,' Grace Castleton said, speaking for the first time. Greene gave her an odd look then he hurriedly took over the explanation.

"What we have is from a scoutship "Which only have limited scientific capacity,' Sumitral said in a crisp tone.

Greene glared at the AIreldep official. "The fully equipped naval team sent to conduct a thorough investigation of the system hasn't had time to reach Fingal yet."

"And for this you want to put Rialadoon under martial law?" Todd protested.

"It is for your own protection,' Greene answered, looking pleased at Todd's dismay, "since you aren't showing the sense to protect yourselves. Spacedep is doing its job, risking lives to rescue you from your folly.

Todd spun to confront Barnstable. "As the representative of Rialadoon, I order you to end this nonsense. There is no clear threat and you have no basis for the illegal actions you have taken, including letting an unauthorized war party into Rraladoonan space.

The Gringg were now looking around nervously, their subsonic rumbles adding to everyone's agitation.

"He's right,' Kiachif agreed. "These are bears, not bombs or brigades." "They aren't bears,' Barustable said. "They're an alien race - strangers."

"I have always made myself personally responsible for Grizz and the others,' Todd added. "Send those guards out. I know these people, and they are a threat to no one "Gone native again,' Greene said to Todd with such repugnance the room was completely silent for several seconds.

"I have evidence of a clear threat, as I've told you all along,' Barnstable said. "Sit down, Reeve."

"If you're accusing me of being a closet Gringg, then this won't surprise you, either." With lightning fingers, Todd reached out and wrenched the corner of Greene's collar away from the body of his tunic. There was an audible gasp from Grizz and the rest of the Gringg. Greene recoiled, wondering if Todd was about to strike him, then sat very still. He had been present for Honey's explanation of the Gringg custom, and knew precisely what the gesture meant. Second Speaker and his aide looked puzzled, and glanced at Todd for enlightenment.

Todd spoke intensely, to Greene alone. "I challenge you personal combat. I resent your interference. I deplore your attempt to embroil me and my world in your petty secret bureaucratic games. You have tried and condemned an entire race on the basis of an isolated incident and no evidence. Do you realize that if they weren't so peaceful, you may have just given them cause for retaliation?

You've insulted Captain, scared her cub, and have they moved a muscle?" "How could they?" Greene demanded with a sneer.

"With lasers aimed at them?" Todd laughed again. "Haven't you seen how fast the Gringg can move when they want to? Have you any genuine notion of their physical strength? Grizz alone could account for every marine in this room and bend those laser barrels into pretzels. But I've a quarrel with you, Greene. And I mean to get it settled right now!" He poked a hard finger into Greene's sternum.

"Knives or bare hands?" Greene hesitated, shocked at Todd's wrath.

"Knives or bare hands? That's barbaric . . . that's . . -, "Barbarians have a keen sense of honour, you stupid button jabber,' Todd cut him off with a ferocious smile on his face that made him look not unlike a hairless Gringg. "I do, too, and there are many on Earth who have considered me an arrogant barbarian. But I'm willing to fight for what I believe in. Whereas you are preparing to initiate a bloody and unnecessary war, and turn a very profitable colony on its ears with martial law! Well, I'm willing to fight for self-determination. Are you as willing to fight for your beliefs, Greene? Is individual combat too immediate, too undignified for you? In your hearing, the Gringg said that "tearing the collar" has long been considered unacceptable.

Or didn't you understand that?" Greene was stunned by the onslaught of Reeve's tirade.

He glanced down at his torn collar and up again at the relentless glare of Reeve's hard eyes. He'd never been challenged before: not since he'd been a very young boy.

He hadn't won that fight either. Physical training as an officer had always been isometric. For the first time he was aware of a man who was physically fit and was known to have wrestled with and killed a large Doonan snake.

The two men stood facing each other for long moments.

Castleton moved her hand to her sidearm, only to be answered by a threatening growl from Hrriss.

"zis is between the two of them,' he said.

"Enough!" the Admiral said, in a thundering voice. "Jon, Reeve, sit down! The very idea of a physical contest between the two of you is repellant." The two men remained eye to eye for a moment, then Greene spoke.

"I. . . decline your challenge, Reeve.

"There speaks a really brave man,' Ken Reeve said.

Greene eyed him, looking for sarcasm, but the colonist's face was as sincere as his voice. "Maybe we can all have the courage to refuse to fight when there are alternatives."

"Admiral Barnstable, you will show us that incriminating tape. NOW!" Sumitral said so forcefully that he had the instant attention of everyone in this room. "I count on your support, Second Speaker,' and Sumitral turned to Hrrto. "An individual, as well as a species, is innocent until proven guilty. The Gringg are here to speak for themselves. The tape, please,' and he held his hand out to Greene. "Somehow I feel certain that you have it to hand." As if in a trance, Greene fumbled at a tunic pocket and drew out a tape, laden with security seals. "Thank you. But,' and Sumitral raised his hand, "no matter what transpires here, this Gringg and her crew are to be allowed to proceed out of this system without hindrance.

Do I make myself clear?" His cold gaze fell on the Spacedep officers.

"Or by all the powers and the favours I can call in the Amalgamated Worlds, you'll be sorry!" The silence was profound.

"Grurghgle . . ." Eonneh's voder began, "I have not completely understood all that was said but I did hear you mention a destroyed Gringg ship, did I not?" There was an interrogatory lift to his final word. "I would very much like to see this tape you speak of. It may well solve an ancient history that has troubled us." Barnstable and Greene exchanged cynical glances but Second Speaker looked decidedly uneasy. When Mllaba wanted to whisper in his ear, he pushed her away.

"Well?" Todd asked pointedly With quick deft fingers, Sumitral slipped the tape into the appropriate slot and keyed it to play on the table projection. Todd was not the only one in the chamber who watched in horror as the camera skimmed over the dead surface of the planet, then followed a searchlight through the heart of a cold, dark ship.

The faces of the dead Gringg swam out of the blackness and disappeared again. Eonneh and Grizz were still, watching, their mobile faces for once devoid of expression.

"Hold that image,' Grizz said suddenly, pointing an unsheathed claw as the recorder skimmed along the battered outside of the hulk.

She peered closely at the picture and then leaned back in her chair, her face saddened. She gave Eonneh a brief nod.

"We can identify this sad ship,' Eonneh said in a slow and sad tone. "It is the Searcher and was commanded by Captain Vrrayagh, an ancestor of our captain. It left the motherworld many long Revolutions ago. We had only two brief reports from Vrrayagh. The first when the Searcher arrived at that system and discovered the planet was torn by a massive war, its peoples fighting against one another. When the Gringg attempted to make contact and sent a shuttle to land in the largest remaining city, it was immediately attacked and destroyed." Eonneh bowed his head briefly. "Then, even as the two armies still fought each other, they turned their weapons also against the Searcher.

Whatever armament was used was immensely powerful and the Searcher's engines were destroyed. The second and last message told us that and that the crew would defend themselves as well as they could but, if no further message came from the Searcher, this planet was not to be approached again." Honey bowed his great head, and Grizz put a sympathetic hand on his back. "It was a long time ago and, for some considerable Revolutions, we worried that these hostile people might trace the Searcher to our motherworld. But no one came. A brave captain, Zeeorogh, volunteered to make a solo mission to that system in case our people had survived but were without communication. She found the world - and the Searcher - lifeless. Perhaps if the Searcher had not returned the attack, it might have been allowed to depart in peace.

Perhaps, even our people might have mediated the quarrel that started such total conffict. Our presence had possibly only made the situation worse. But in those early days of our exploration programme, our ships were armed.

No longer. Better the loss of one ship than encourage retaliation or indulge in lethal exchanges which require so much expenditure of energy."

"How wise of you!" Sumitral said, softly. "So we are the first life-forms - and with the events of the day I am not sure I can say either of our species are as intelligent as they should be." He shot an almost malevolent glance at Greene and another at Mllaba. "We are the first you have encountered. I deeply regret this misunderstanding.

Though to be perfectly fair, the evidence would give a military mind cause to make exhaustive inquiries." He glanced briefly again at the Spacedep contingent out of the corner of his eye.

"Morra,' Grizz said, nodding solemnly. "It would cause concern when similar strangers appear in your skies.

Vrrayagh's ship was left where it had died and it is our custom to take those cubs who would arm our ships to see what this can cost.

Gringg cubs learn that lesson at once."

"How tragic to encounter a race bent on selfextermination,' Kiachif said in a sympathetic voice.

"Morra. It became a great sadness to all Gringg,' Honey said. He bowed his large head in deference but then lifted it again and smiled at Kiachif. "It is why we were so happy to meet the Rraladoonans and that they came to welcome us, without loss of life." Sumitral looked at Todd, with a wry expression. "Their experience is not so far from ours of the Siwannah Tragedy."

"Gringg, Hayuman and Hrruban have a great deal in common,' Todd said. He breathed a deep sigh of relief that his faith in the Gringg had not been misplaced, nor had he been mistaken to trust his gut feelings about them. He felt a tremendous surge of elation.

"So, zey are trrruly friendly,' Second Speaker said to Hrrestan, respect in his eyes. "You were right to trust."

"Trust is worth more than any other treasure of spirit, mind and heart,' Hrrestan said, nodding sagely.

"But what about those parts of the ship you would not let us enter?" Greene asked. "What's hidden in that mass of water at the centre of your ship? Why did you pull me away when I went to investigate?"

"You did not ask to go,' Honey replied, surprised. "It is our custom to ask permission before viewing another's domicile.

What do you wish to see? The bottom of our swimming pool?" He broke into a loud, grunting laugh, joined by his mate and cub. "Most certainly, if you can swim, you are welcome to come see that or any part of our ship, any time. Come now!" Greene flushed, but said nothing.

"But why do you want such trivia as food and clothes from us?" Barnstable asked the Gringg, breaking the uncomfortable silence. He was still looking for reasons to doubt.

"With all due respect, Admiral, Kiachif said, with a huge grin, "you stick to running spaceships and leave this to us trade captains.

Whatever the customer wants, if he's willing to pay for, I'll convey it to him. Trade is important for more than just the items we transport.

Trade opens minds as well as credit sources. It brings new customers together and circulates goods, which means more goods get made, and more gets traded to satisfied customers, anywhere in this galaxy that we can navigate to."

"Reh,' Eonneh said, showing his teeth in a brilliant white grin. "No misleading was meant. It is not the items themselves which are important to the Gringg, but the act of exchange, leading up to the exchange of all things: goods, then techniques, then ideas. We understand the confusion, and we forgive without grudge."

"I was misled by another's enthusiasm,' Barnstable said, glaring at Greene. "There are some who always see the downside of situations.

"Sir,' and there was a humble tone to Greene's voice, "I thought that, based on the information I had, that I was acting in the best interests of us all."

"Look, Greene,' Todd said, turning towards the chastened officer, "no hard feelings. It is your job to err on the side of caution. Just stick to that and leave us planetary types to do ours." Greene's face flushed, and his lips were pressed tight.

He turned to Barustable. "Sir, I wish to tender my resignation and accept full responsibility for my actions, authorized and unauthorized." "You acted under my authority so I bear the responsibility, too, which is to safeguard this colony as I would our home world. I did as I thought advisable under the very unusual circumstances. And that's that!" He turned toward Hrrto and Hrrestan, then muttered brief, crisp orders into the communicator. "Red alert's cancelled and my units are returning to previous duties."

"I have done ze zame,' Captain Hrrrv said with an impassive expression and dulled eyes.

Barnstable exchanged a glance with the Hrruban captain and cleared his throat. "With your permission, Captain Grizz,' he said to her and she nodded, lowering the lids over her eyes briefly. He cleared his throat again. "I would welcome a full tour of your ship and its facilities. I believe Captain Hrrrv would, too." He even attempted a smile at the Gringg.

At a gesture from Castleton, the marines returned the Gringgs' collars, shouldered their weapons and filed out of the room. Hrrrv's squad of catmen followed.

Barnstable swivelled his chair to face Greene.

"In view of the unauthorized actions you personally initiated which put civilians in danger, I accept your resignation, Jon. What may serve a combat officer well is simply no good in an aide. Perhaps you're more suited for other duties "If I may suggest an alternative for Commander Greene, Admiral,' Captain Castleton said, her manner devoid of emotion, "the Hamilton has an opening for an executive officer. Commander Fletcher's tour of duty is over in two weeks' time.

I would certainly accept Commander Greene as a replacement.

Barnstable's snowy eyebrows rose high on his forehead, and he favoured her with a paternal smile. "Whatever you say, Grace. It looks like someone has to keep a leash on him."

"I won't let him out of my sight for long, sir,' Castleton said. Her eyes met Greene's in a coy gaze. His expression changing from stern endurance of disgrace to surprise. He pushed back his chair and stood up.

"Request permission to be excused for a moment, sir?" he said, saluting both Barnstable and Castleton. Grace looked queryingly at the Admiral and he flicked his fingers for her to answer.

"Granted, mister,' Castleton said. Without another word Greene stalked from the room.

Todd leaned sideways to Hrriss. "Whaddya want to bet there won't be any protesters awaiting our departure?"

"I never bet on sure thing!' Hrriss wrinkled his nose.

"Hope no one will need ze grid for ze next few hours."

"Admirrrral,' Hrrestan said, severely to Barnstable. "In all this confrontation, I have seen that Spacedep has been closely involved.

Why should it be necessary to start trouble where there need not be any?" Barustable glared at the tabletop. "You have to admit that that tape was pretty damning. What else was I to have done to protect the colony?"

"You could have informed ze colony leaders of your suspicions,' Hrrestan said. Then he turned to Second Speaker.

"And for you, a speaker of the High Council, to go along with such machinations!" Hrrestan said. Todd heard the hurt and suppressed anger in his colleague's voice and trembled as he had when he and Huiss were small, caught by the cat man, doing something they knew they shouldn't.

"We must learn to see all beings as potential friends for we are terribly alone in the void of space. No offer of friendship should be rejected out of hand. See what you nearly did, destroying the peace both our species have enjoyed. For the sake of Hayumankind, for the sake of all Hrruba, for our hopes for the future, we must never come this close again to disaster!" Hrrto gazed at him thoughtfully. No one spoke, for Hrrestan's words struck home in every heart.

Sumitral broke the silence. "Well, gentlefolks, we do have some business to conclude here. Are there now any changes to be made to the Trade Agreement?" Silently, Barnstable shook his head. Second Speaker glanced up and blinked.

"No." Grizz spoke for the first time, smiling. She had been watching and listening to the whole interchange with the greatest of interest, and beamed upon Todd. "I find all to be very well."

"Then let nothing delay the signing,' Sumitral said urgently. "Shall we make this official?"

"All in favour?" Todd said. The vote was unanimous. A moment later, he sent a clerk running to the Duplication Office with the approved copies of the Tripartite Trade Agreement.

The party went outside to the prepared table. The AIreldep guard withdrew to each corner and stood proudly flanking the officials. It was such a momentous occasion that Todd felt quite six years old again.

He could almost feel Hrruna's reassuring presence as that six year old helped to formulate the Decision at Doona.

As they neared the table, Todd could see that the newsgatherers were gone and those that remained were smiling with friendliness, eager to be present at an auspicious occasion. Grizz, accompanied by her two scribes and her son, took her place at the end of the table and rolled her haunches gracefully on to the pad provided. Sumitral took his place opposite her and waited until Second had seated himself in the centre of the table.

Todd, Hrriss, and Hrrestan opened the copies of the Trade Treaty Agreement and placed one before each of the signatories. Ken Reeve dipped the archaic pens into the inkwells and handed them ceremoniously to each delegate.

"Hayumans, Hrrubans, and Gringg,' Sumitral said, rurning to the crowd. "I welcome all of you to witness the signing of this historic trade agreement between our three peoples. This is only the beginning of what I hope will be a long and fruitful alliance." There was a wild cheer. The deep voices of the Gringg boomed louder and lower than the rest of the crowd.

Flowers, brought along specially for the occasion by Rraladoonans, were thrown into the air like confetti.

A handful of fragrant stephanotis landed on the treaty table in front of Second Speaker Hrrto.

"An omen, Speaker?" Mllaba whispered the question in his ear.

"I believe so, MIlaba,' Hrrto said, nodding.

When the Trade Agreement was placed before him with the page open to the complex and beautiful seal of Hrruba, ready for his signature, Hrrto took up the pen and signed.

He felt relieved, strangely at ease, as if more had been settled that day than the peaceful accord of three diverse and independent races.

ù . For our hopes for the future, this must not be!" The tape ended, and the lights came on in the High Council Room. Hrrto glanced around at his fellow High Council members. Sixth Speaker was looking irritated, Fifth thoughtful. The sergeant-at-arms was smiling slightly. At a glance from Hrrto, he snapped his jaw closed and assumed a properly blank expression.

Second Speaker rose and placed his hands on the desk. "This concludes the file I have been assembling on Hrrestan, son of Hrrindan.

You have had copies for your personal review, and heard personal witnesses testify to his wisdom and devotion to Hrruba. I nominate him for the seat of First Speaker of the High Council, and withdraw my own candidacy in his favour." Gasps and muttering from the rest of the council.

Mllaba looked absolutely livid, but she suppressed her anger as best she could even if she couldn't control the twitching of her tail.

Hrrto did not entirely regret that he was unable to help her advance further, but he no longer envied anyone who must sit in the First Speaker's chair. The power - which old Hrruna had rarely invoked - was simply not worth the attendant responsibility. Younger, stronger shoulders would bear the burdens better. He would be remembered, however, perhaps as often as Hrruna, as the Stripe who had secured unlimited quantities of purralinium from the Gringg.

"He is a younger, stronger person, impartial and possessed of great patience and wisdom. With all humility, I would serve the Council and Hrruba best by remaining as Second Speaker. In that capacity, I can cement the relationships with the Gringg which I have already begun.

Therefore, as temporary Council leader, I direct the sergeant to commence the voting for the First Speakership." Each member placed his hands on the hidden panel below the level of the table. The blind monitor at the head of the table would tally the votes without revealing who had cast them. The sergeant stood up.

"The nominees for the position of First Speaker are Fifth Speaker for Health and Medicine, Sixth Speaker for Production, Carrdmarr, an industrialist and philanthropist of Hrruba, and Hrrestan, Village and Colony Leader of Rraladoon and Chief Liaison Officer to Hrruba,' the sergeant intoned. "For Fifth Speaker?" One light went on at the tally board.

As tradition dictated on Rraladoon, the construction of new quarters - in this case the Gringg Embassy - became a community affair.

The site chosen for their Gringg compound was a woody area near the northern sea on the banks of the Treaty River, the major artery on the small continent. From all over Rraladoon, trunks of the fast growing rla trees were brought in and cut to size according to the blueprints worked out by a team of indigenous architects and the Gringg. Vats of strong smelling rlba bubbled in several places on the site. Hayumans and Hrrubans in respirators with brushes full of the sticky sap treated the timbers, which became strong as iron and immobile in their newly cut shapes, yet still light enough to be hauled about by two sturdy workers or one Gringg. Other teams carried the finished beams and wall sections to the builders. It was all going by the numbers.

While others prepared the building materials, heavy loading equipment that had been used to build the Centre and the Councillors' Residences had been rolled down, and were now hard at work excavating a deep swimming hole, with dams at each end to keep the level suitably high.

In the spirit of cooperation, artists from every village worked alongside the Gringg scribes to stencil and paint handsome, colourful designs as soon as the walls were ready.

When Todd arrived that morning on the site, he estimated that there must have been five hundred people pitching in to help. He was inordinately pleased by that: another subtle vote of confidence in himself and Hrrestan.

When he and Hrriss had put out the word that volunteers were needed, the response had been so overwhelmingly enthusiastic that they'd had to set up two shifts. Feeding the crew was also no problem: over a hundred households had offered to supply meals.

"At this rate, it could be finished in two days,' Todd told Hrrestan, who was sitting at a safe distance from the sawyers, going over the blueprints. Amid loud cries to beware for safety, workers raised the pylons for the foundation.

Gringgs, using mighty hammers, almost casually pounded them into the ground. From where they sat, Todd could see how enormous the finished complex would be. But then, the Gringg liked a lot of space.

The curved archways were a lot like the halls on their ship.

"As quickly as the rlba sets,' Hrrestan agreed, cheerfully in Low Hrruban. "It is hot enough to dry the sap, but not too hot. Donations of furnishings have also been coming in. Have you noticed them? I asked Kelly and Nrrna to take careful notes so the donors can be thanked." The generosity of the Rraladoonans was indeed impressive.

Piles of tapestries, cushions, carefully boxed works of art, even some electronic entertainment equipment lay upon outspread tarps under a vast expanse of waterproof canvas. The period of settled weather had been chosen but with such fine gifts, no chance was being taken. Kelly and Nrrna climbed around the heap of goods, compiling a rough inventory.

"Hey, the pickings are great! The Gringg'll be able to furnish several embassies with what's come in,' Kelly yelled down to him, waving her clipboard.

Todd grinned, and held up a hand, still slightly yellowed from last week's bruising rock. Hrrestan glanced at it.

"Kiachif tracked the culprit down."

"He did?" Todd was surprised.

"Is he still breathing?" he asked, knowing Kiachifs penchant for making punishment fit crimes.

Hrrestan grinned. "Kiachif is careful to keep his customers. The man is from a trading company which does a lot of business with Spacedep. With all the rumours being circulated by inaccurate reports, he evidently believed that the Gringg were going to be allowed sanctions that would ruin his business."

"So, what punishment fitted his crime?" Todd asked, seeing Hrrestan was amused.

"Tell, tell, tell!" Kelly cried, sliding down the mound to join them.

"So Kiachif demanded a cut rate for all merchandise he is now empowered to supply at the space port." Hrrestan's dropped jaw indicated how well he approved of the solution and Todd's smile was just as wide.

Kelly turned wide eyes on her husband. "You've given up fighting the space port?"

"Well,' Todd said, dragging out the word and the suspense, "a triangle is a much more stable construction than a two-sided affair." He heaved a sigh. "And with the Gringg mediating, I don't foresee the problems that obsessed me when the project was first suggested."

"The Gringg have done us many favours,' Hrrestan said and answered a hail from one group of workers, leaving the two Reeves together.

"That's a tremendous relief, darling,' she said, giving him a firm hug and a long kiss. "You don't know how Nrrna and I have worried "Oh, yes, I do,' Todd said and held her tightly for a long moment more when she would have disengaged. "Yes, I do,' he added more softly, "and blessed you for letting me make up my own mind."

"Humph,' she said, struggling out of his embrace. "As if any agency but you will make up your mind!" She resumed her stool and her inventory-taking. "So when will that start?"

"Right after Snake Hunt,' Todd replied, with a broad sweep of his arm. "Which will be soon. Ben Adjei predicts it'll start in two days at the most." Kelly gave a groan of dismay. "Oh, lordie, will we have time to finish the Gringg house?" Todd laughed, waving his hand at the hustling workers.

"I don't see why not. At least they'll have a roof over their heads. They're as eager to join the hunt as anyone else on Rraladoon right now." He grinned broadly. "That'll be some sight! Gringgs tackling Big Mamma Snakes." Nrrna arrived as he finished his sentence.

"Hrriss says to tell you zat ze Sighters say ze snakes are gathering on ze sea marshes. Some are even heading for the dunes."

"Good, good!" Todd said, nodding.

Nrrna grinned. "Ze children have talked of nothing else all day.

Zey arre eager to show Zeddy what a G.B.M.S.

looks like."

"From a safe distance, I hope." Todd looked arouna.

There were numerous children on the site, but he couldn't spot his twins. "That reminds me: where are they?" Kelly glanced up. "Hmm?

They were around here just a minute ago, with Teddy in tow.

They're so inseparable I'm starting to think of them as the Fearless Five." She stood up and called out the twins' names.

"Over here, Dad,' Alec's unhappy voice came from around the back of the tarpaulins.

Todd found the five youngsters sitting together in a heap. Hrrana had her tail wound firmly around Teddy's leg, and Hrrunival was sandwiched between the Alley Cats with his head on Alison's lap. All of them wore glum expressions.

"So what's wrong here, Cats?" he asked.

"Daddy, couldn't Teddy stay here with us?" the twins asked in hopeful unison. "We're afraid if he goes away, we'll never see him ever' "Well, since his mother's a starship captain as well as a fully accredited consul to Rraladoon, she might be spending a lot of time either in the embassy or running cargoes between our world and his,' Todd explained, "so you might get to see him as often as you do Ali Kiachif."

"That'd be OK,' Alec said. He had screwed his face up under his mop of red hair, hardly daring to let hope show.

"You may be absolutely certain that we will be staying in touch with our Gringg friends,' Kelly promised, sitting down on the tarp's edge beside them.

"How?" Alison asked.

"How?" Todd echoed, beating Alec's identical query.

Kelly smiled. "Oh, Grizz has signed on my computer bulletin board. Her engineer and that marvellous Cardiff worked out a conversion program. Her entries will be holographic or audio/video for a time, but the Gringg have all the parameters to create a congruent writtenlanguage program. I gave them a lot of read-and-listen books to help them connect the spoken to the written word."

"What kind of books?" Todd asked, eyebrows raised, seeing the mischievous gleam in his wife's eyes.

Kelly affected innocence. "Very simple ones to start with.

Children's books, like The Three Bears, and Winniethe-Pooh." Todd laughed and hugged her close. "Thank you, love."

"But of course! I don't want to lose touch with them either,' Kelly said, and reassured the children with her smile. "So you can message to Teddy as often as you want."

"I'm glad,' Alison said, seizing Teddy's paw. "I like him." Teddy blinked at her shyly. "I like you too, Alison."

"And me?" Hrrunival demanded, determined not to be left out.

"And you. All of you. The young Gringg bestowed rib-cracking hugs on each of his dear friends, which left them gasping for breath to giggle.

"Teddy is going to be able to ride out on hunt with us tomorrow, isn't he, Dad?" Alec asked, his tone demanding an affirmative. "Hrriss said he could have that old plodder of his." Todd scowled. "It may not be tomorrow. And it might not be safe. Have you considered what Captain Grizz thinks of all this?"

"Oh, she wants to go, too,' Hrrana said. "She is very interested in snake eggs. Teddy told her about his lunch that day."

"Please, Dad?"

"Please?"

"Please, Uncle Zodd?"

"We will stay back where it is safe,' Hrrana promised, opening large green eyes at him. Todd sighed.

"Let us talk it over with your parents later."

"Oh, there you are!" Ken Reeve said, peering in under the makeshift tent flap. He held up his camcorder. "Part of the frame is up, and they're setting the braces for one wall. I thought I'd immortalize this historic moment of galactic cooperation. I'm looking for models to show the scale of the building,' he said, glancing meaningfully at the children.

"Any volunteers?"

"Oh, yes!" exclaimed both Alley Cats at once, springing to their feet.

They dragged the rest of the Fearless Five behind them, although no one required much urging. Kelly and Todd, holding hands, followed more slowly.

The same Hrruban and Hayuman skills which had raised the friendship bridge now translated an architectural design by Honey; a mighty, cave-like building was already starting to take shape. Part of the first level, which would support a solidly buttressed terrace, was cantilevered over the river, so that the water-loving Gringg could dive into the warm, tropical water from their dwelling.

Todd admired its handsome lines as much as he did its symbolism.

"Gosh, your own swimming hole, right inside your house!" Alec said, catching the gist of the design immediately. "Hey, Dad, this is a great idea! Can we run a walkway right to the swimming hole? It would be terrific!"

"You wouldn't say that in no-see-um season,' Todd said, with a mock grumble.

"Aw, Dad!" the twins chorused.

Hrriss and Eonneh pulled themselves away from their conference with the senior builder, a heavy-set Gringg with a greying mane and muzzle.

"Are you pleased with what you have wrought, friend zOdd?" Hrriss asked.

"More and more,' Todd said, waving a hand at the building framework. "That's a grand design, Honey, functional and impressive.

The architect sighed. "It is not often such an opportunity is given. I am sorry I shall never live in it,' but he eyed his design with evident satisfaction. "Others shall stay as the permanent residents. I and my mate and offspring will only be occasional visitors."

"Well, you'll be welcome whenever you part space to come here,' Todd said. "We've certainly enjoyed your visit."

"I contemplate with great sorrow the ending and I thank you for the invitation to join in the Hunt festivities."

"Couldn't, and wouldn't, leave you out of them,' Todd said, instantly. "It's just too bad we don't have horses strong enough for you to take part in the Hunt itself."

"Zat is so,' Hrriss added, dropping his jaw in a broad grin. "You make even a Big Mamma Snake zink twice about attacking."

"I will enjoy what is possible,' Eonneh said, with the usual equanimity of the male Gringg, "from the shuttle."

"Well, then, Fate protect any snake that gets in your way. In any case, you'll be more than welcome, if only to keep our assorted offspring from haring away to find big snakes by themselves,' Todd added, with a laugh. "This is the time to see Rraladoon at its best, during New Home Week. Every Rraladoonan who can scrape up the fare from Earth or one of the colonies comes home. We'll introduce you to as many as you can tolerate meeting.

They'll spread the word about our new trade allies with no tall tales and embroideries. That I can promise!"

Chapter 12

Two MORNINGS LATER, SIGHTERS LANDED THEIR LIGHT helicraft outside Todd's bedroom window just after dawn to inform him that the hundreds of female snakes were nearly finished with egg-laying in sandy dunes.

Between one breath and another, Todd roused himself out of sound sleep to full organizational mode. As he dressed, he reviewed one or two points that he wanted Robin to check out but, despite the overlapping problems with Spacedep and the Gringg, long familiarity with Snake Hunts assured him that they were ready for the snakes.

Robin was such a good organizer and so meticulous in detail, that Todd anticipated few problems. But then, the snakes might not cooperate.

They could throw glitches almost as if they were testing the Hayumans and Hrrubans who had invaded their traditional routes. Years of coping provided ample experience to handle anything that could possibly happen. He hoped!

Fortified by a good breakfast, he and Hrriss reined their Hunt horses in the middle of the village square in front of the Assembly Hall. The peripheral support personnel - Sighters, Beaters, Lures, Wranglers and first aid crews - as important as the teams who herded the snakes along the way, were all accounted. The complements of the individual teams were still assembling, their team leaders checking each person that gear was in proper order and appearance. The aids were well supplied with traditional medical gear, plus big tubes of the healing salve vrrela, good for any general wound, but a sovereign remedy against rroamal poisoning. The mere touch of the toxic vines was enough to raise healthy welts even on furred skin. Team members carried supplies as well but it wasn't just team riders who blundered into the poisonous weed.

Experienced Hayuman and Hrruban hunters wore "chaps and straps' to protect them against rroamal and the thin whips of young branches that scored flesh on a hellride through the forest. Hardhats were buckled across chins and were inspected for soundness. Where a team had green riders, one member was assigned as "wrangler' to assist those who might have trouble controlling their horses in the excitement of the Hunt.

The square was crowded with double the indigenous population of Rraladoon: the ones who got vicarious thrills out of watching the Hunt, observing those who were qualified to participate. Visiting dignitaries from planetary governments all over Hrruban and Hayuman space were present.

Not only did the Hunt provide a real boost to the treasury of the colony, it attracted enough competent people to help the resident conservationists drive the snakes safely back to their natural preserve with a minimum of loss. Even the most ardent ProLife fanatic admitted to the necessity of discreet culling for a species whose females laid hundreds of eggs, a large proportion of which survived natural disasters. Even when there had been few to control the thousands of reptiles, wholesale killing had been prohibited.

The decision of a safety kill or capture of a certain number of snakes was the prerogative of the Hunt Masters, requiring split second decisions during the high excitement of the Hunt. Fresh snake meat was a delicacy, generally only available during Hunt season or when marauding young males attacked outlying farms.

Todd and Hrriss checked with each team leader that all his riders had snake sacks and operational handsets.

Someone always forgot these essentials. As usual, there was one young rider who protested having to wear a poxy belt unit which he was certain would hamper him. Hrriss merely gave the cold-eyed stare of a person who did not wish to argue.

"No handset, no hunt, young man,' Hrriss said, firmly.

Grumbling gracelessly, the Hayuman took the unit and retreated out of sight of the Masters of the Hunt.

The onlookers framed the main square, keeping a judicious distance from the heels of excited horses, cavorting and showing off. Old hands at this Hunt, like Todd's Gypsy, Hrriss' Rrhee, the old mares that Errala and Hrrin used, calmly circulated, miraculously avoiding a kick or a bite.

"Sappers?" Todd asked, checking his pad.

"I have hrrrd from Hrrol,' Hrriss confirmed, pointing a sharp claw at his pad to underscore that entry. "She says zey have finished laying mine charges under bridges and blockading with fences, zorns and razor wire over all other accesses leading to vulnerable targets. Zey are spread out along ze route for stragglers, particularly the old,' and Hrriss was not above grinning at Todd over that, "Space Centre.

Lures are ranged along the route and zere are relief and back-up riders ready to accompany the teams." The Lures, mounted on dirt bikes, were trained in their function - to attract renegade snakes of any size and "lure' them back to the main drive. Their bikes and persons were liberally smeared with bacon fat, redolent and irresistible to snakes.

"Great,' Todd said. "We've got about half an hour before we have to ride out. I'd better let the guests get into position." He informed the heli pilots.

The excited clamour, mostly from first-time hunters duffers in Rraladoonan parlance - vied with the hacking sound of copter blades beating the air, the impatient whinny of the occasional horse, and the general babble among old friends reuniting after long separation, as Rraladoon prepared for its annual event. While duffers were permitted to accompany hunting teams, they could not participate in the more difficult and dangerous occupations of Beater or Lure, though over the years, some off-world hunters who showed the proper amount of care and skill could be "promoted' to hunter status.

Few had the patience to be accorded that honour. Many of the duffers who joined in only wanted to have a crack at "one of the big ones', a Great Big Mamma Snake, reptiles that reached up to sixteen metres in length.

For the ardent predator, the Rraladoon snake provided a sufficiently dangerous prey and there were many who wanted the accolade of bringing in either two live snakes or twelve intact eggs. For a Rraladoonan it was a coming of age ritual but hunter-mentalities of all ages vied to meet that challenge.

Pet ocelots, who hunted alongside their masters and mistresses, now huddled underneath horses' bellies or sat on pillion behind their owners' saddles. Hrriss was running a new ocelot this year, Gerrh; a cub of his two beloved pets, Preen and Mehh, who were getting too fat and lazy to run beside horses. The spotted cat sat bolt upright on the back of the shifting mare, his tail curled around his haunches much as his master's was. Most Hrrubans tucked their long tails down inside chaps or bandaged them to one leg to prevent accidents.

As one of the Masters of the Hunt, Todd stood up in his stirrups, one hand on his Gypsy's neck to steady him.

In a stentorian voice, he ran through his usual caveat.

"We are not here to decimate the snake population.

If that's your intention, you can stay right here in this square when we move out,' he announced, eyeing the crowd. "The Hunt is for the purpose of controlling the flow of the snakes, driving them back into the salt marshes after they've spawned. When those females come off the dunes, they're hungry! There is plenty of food for them in their regular habitat. Our task is to prevent them from stopping off for a snack on the way." There was appreciative laughter from the crowd.

A timid hand went up among the riders. "But what if a snake attacks me?" a young Hayuman visitor asked. Her riding coat was so new Todd fancied he could see the mark on the cuff where the bar code had been.

"If you should be so unlucky as to have a snake attack you, call in your position and then get out of the way as fast as your horse: and a snake-chased horse really moves! If flight's not an option, shoot as straight as you know how,' Todd said. "That one's for the stewpot. If a snake attacks and gets a taste of blood, it'll go for any hunter near it next year. We call them "renegades" and we kill them to prevent real trouble next year. The snakes that proceed peaceably back into the marshes are to be left alone. Don't provoke them! You don't know what they're capable of. Do not mingle in the main swarm; just flank it. You don't want a snake running up your horse's leg to get a chunk of you!" He grinned then. "I assure you Rraladoonan horses will do their best to keep you clear all by themselves. If you hotdog, endangering yourself, your mount, or anyone else, the leader of your team has full right and responsibility to sideline you for the duration. If you don't want to spend the rest of the day in a snake blind, listen to your leader and obey any orders.

He or she knows how to save your life. Any questions?" There were brash mutters as the inexperienced hunters mulled over Todd's remarks.

They got louder and more intense as the Gringg, led by Kodiak, appeared on foot over the span of the Friendship Bridge.

Fifteen or twenty of the huge aliens had elected to join the teams, to the amazement and enthusiasm of some of the returning Rraladoonans, and the nervousness of others. Todd was unhappy to see that there was still some distrust among his folk for their newest allies, but he hoped the Gringg performance in the Hunt might alter diehard notions.

Since there were no horses up to the weight of an adult Gringg, they had agreed to work as assistants to the Beater Teams, whose task was to make enough noise to scare an escaping snake back into the mass.

The job was by no means a sinecure. Since the beaters drove tractors and other light farm machinery fitted with heavy snake-bars, the crews equipped with noisemakers, flails and, at the last resort, heavy calibre hand-guns, anything that could persuade a snake to return to the stream heading south towards their natural habitat.

Todd had Kodiak brief the other Gringg on the safety procedures and then pointed out which driver each Gringg would accompany. Beater Teams One and Two, stationed nearest the spawning sands, got two Gringg apiece.

"Heavy artillery,' said a grinning Mark Dautrish, the wheelman for Beater One. He reached down to give Big Paws and Koala a hand up into the cab of the wide-bucket heavy-duty tractor, one of the largest on the planet. It was effective in blocking snakes' escape routes among the marsh grasses and Mark was wizard in the things he could make his rig do, should push come to shove.

"Move "em out!" Todd cried as he saw all the Gringg on board their designated vehicles. He pumped a fist in the air. With a roar of engines, the Beaters departed to take up their positions, followed by the Lures, on their nippy dirt bikes that looked all too flimsy for the work they must do.

With Grizz and Eonneh riding in the farm hover truck, Kelly drove slow enough for the five children to follow on their horses. She also didn't want to bottom the truck with all the weight it currently carried. With her huge arms folded neatly across her belly, Grizz sat with the utmost dignity in the front seat, though her bulk was crushing Kelly up against the door. Rolling the window down gave Kelly the opportunity to lean her upper torso outside. Honey, filling the rear seat, was armed with his ubiquitous pad and stylus. The youngsters were leading Kelly's mare Calypso and Alison had a lead rein on Teddy who was mounted on Rock, the calmest horse in Hrriss's stable. The young Gringg sat on a much more professionally modified pack saddle, cushioned by deep fleeces and surrounded by rolls of canvas that acted like a safety belt, preventing him from falling out of the saddle.

As the truck reached the square, Kelly hooted the horn to clear a space for her to manoeuvre the truck inside the crowd and waved furiously to get Todd's attention.

Hrriss noticed her and trotted over, leaning down to the window.

"Nrrna and the farm managers are lined up at the ranch fences with heavy guns and dynamite in case of tiddlers!

Where do you want us?" she called over the din.

"You and the children go with Llywelyn Cam's Beaters toward Boncyks' farm,' Hrriss said, checking them on his list, "wherrre the woods end.

"Right you are!" Kelly saluted cheerfully and set the hover truck moving in the right direction. In her rear-view mirror, she could see the youngsters urging their horses after her, east towards the river, disappearing among the houses and trees at the edge of town.

"Four zeams filled and despatched, twenz> seven to go, Hrriss informed Todd.

"There you are!" Jilamey exclaimed, forcing his horse through the crowd. The entrepreneur was clad in new and flambpyant riding gear that had nevertheless been chosen with the perils of the hunt in mind.

His handunit radio and voder were clipped to crossed bandoliers in the centre of his chest where they wouldn't interfere with free movement.

After Todd's initial reproof, Jilamey always wore every bit of the compulsory Hunt safety gear. He added a few pieces of equipment which he considered necessary. His saddlebow was hung with quivers, one full of short spears, another of crossbow quarrels to fit his custom-made, fast reload weapon, including some marked with the red seal for high explosive. The sedately clad Barrington followed closely behind his master in the small, but very speedy flittercar. Responding to an over-the-shoulder nod from Jilamey, he parked the vehicle beside the Assembly Hall, and disappeared inside.

"Old Overprotective's going to help cook this time!" Jilamey said, with an impish grin that made him look like a balding faun. "Out of my way at last. I'm ready, able and oh so willing! Bring on the snakes!' "Good to see you,' Todd said, chuckling. "Now that you've arrived, our team is present and accounted for.

Take a position next to Hrrin and Errala."

"We musst all move to our assigned places,' Hrriss said.

"Then, my old friend, let us go!" Todd's grin was as much for past Hunts and their success as Masters as it was for the present one. The stresses and problems of the recent past were all behind them. This Hunt was now!

A Sighter flew in overhead. The copter swooped low, facing the Hunt Masters. Through the open hatch, Dar Kendrath waved wildly to get Todd's attention. He pointed to his wrist and held up one finger, then five more. The main swarm would reach the dunes in about fifteen minutes.

"That's cutting it close, Todd said to Hrriss, giving Dar the thumbs up sign that he understood the message. He stood in his stirrups, twisting around at his waist. "At the trrrrrot, forward!" he yelled, swinging his arm in an age-old gesture.

Dar veered his craft out of the way of the on-coming horses. The second Sighter chopper, a good distance from the throng, followed a moment later.

Hrrula, with Robin Reeve as his second riding behind him at the head of Team Two, wheeled his horse around.

His team was full of visiting duffers, some of whom were reasonably good riders, but Hrrula was competent in keeping team members out of grief.

"Moving out,' the Hrruban said, his sharp teeth flashing brightly in a wide smile. "See you at ze salt mrrrshes!" Jilamey paired off with Hrrin as Team One moved out.

As Todd and Hrriss led them along the well-worn river trail, they could hear the two of them shouting excitedly to each other about grids and ships. That left the one recently promoted hunter, a man named Harris, riding beside Hrrin's mate Errala, with Jan and Don, Team One's own Wrangler and sharpshooter, bringing up the rear. Team One was lighter in personnel than most of the other groups of hunters, but as the team that took responsibility for steering the lead snakes, they needed to be able to peel away and move faster than any other.

Todd held the fast trot pace to the head of the desert where the snakes lay their eggs. The weather was slightly overcast which was a minor blessing. Bright sunshine meant hours of hot riding. Gerrh twitched nervously on his pillion, reacting to the strong odour of snake which a slight breeze wafted down the river path. Errala covered her sensitive nose with a citrus-scented cloth, and coughed. Team One cut along the trail past the other teams in place. As Todd and Hrriss passed, each leader acknowledged their readiness.

The radio crackled on Todd's hip.

"They're swarming!" Leah Kalman's shout came through clearly.

"Teams Six and Seven spreading out." Todd squeezed his legs into Gypsy's sides and lifted him into a gallop, heard his team follow his lead. They arrived at the edge of the marsh in time to see Mark Dautrish rolling up his big tractor with its wide bucket inches above the ground. No snake could squirm through that space.

Several young tiddlers, none more than four metres long, broke in that direction. At the sight of the sharp metal, they thought better of it and cut away towards Todd. Hrrula's team was circling around to the north.

"Yaw!" Todd exclaimed, his gaze sweeping the heaving multitude of snakes.

"Numbers have increased beyond estimate,' Hrriss called in Low Hrruban. "More must have survived zan usual. Good for us that we can trade the excess to the Gringg now they've got a taste for the flavour.

"This swarm s going to take real handling, partner,' Todd called back and then began shouting orders to the other riders. "Spread out!

Contain them. We've got to keep them rolling or they'll stack up here and we'll have the devil's own time!" Big Paws, his powerful body crouched low to the ground, was almost on all fours. But his fangs and claws were bared and the small snakes that had tried to scoot out past him reversed, and he herded them back to the marked route. When a three-metre tiddler made a hasty break to dive between his legs, he seized it at the back of the neck, and flung it bodily into the main stream of snakes leaving the dunes. He glanced up and waved at Todd.

"Fun!" he cried.

The subsonics in his voice, which tended only to disconcert or annoy the Hayumans and Hrrubans, seemed to cause a violent reaction among the reptiles. At the sound of his rumbling roar, several that were headed in that direction stopped where they were and doubled back on their own lengths.

"Look at zat!" Hrriss said, gleefully. "A new deterrent!

Zey must dislike Gringg vibrrations!" Todd, vigorously applying his quarterstaff to curtail breakouts, grinned back. "Keep up the good work, Big Paws!"

"Reh!" the Gringg chortled, flinging another four-metre snake overhand. It struck the ground on its nose and hastily sought refuge among its fellows, slithering away as quickly as it could from the gigantic black-and-white terror.

Todd wheeled to follow the vanguard of the reptiles through the woods. The snakes were relatively placid up near the dunes, in strong contrast to the way they would act later on, when they were tired and the clutching hunger had fully kicked in. Then they became dangerously cunning. Any breath of air which carried rumours of a quick meal caused them to take any reasonable chance to avoid the hunters and find food.

"Ware!" Todd cried, pointing at a pair of very small snakes, probably at the dunes for their first clutches, that zipped around the front of the tractor.

"I'll get the one of the right!" Jilamey shouted, waving his crossbow over his head and spurring his horse through the marsh waters after the snake. He aimed and pulled the trigger, but the quarrel struck mud, missing the tiddler completely. His horse slipped, nearly precipitating him into the fetid waters. Jilamey was improving but he would never be a match for Kelly and he missed her support on the team.

She certainly wouldn't have missed an easy shot like that but she had offered to cart the captain around.

A roar sounded from behind the farm machine, and one of the young snakes came sailing over the top of the tractor to land in a heap on the path. Todd jumped. Don swore.

"Fardle it, I didn't think they could fly!"

"Compliments of Koala,' Dautrish called to the team.

"She missed the other one, though!"

"I'll call ahead!" Todd said, and thumbed the switch on his handset. "One escapee, heading west from the dunes."

"Got it, Todd,' replied Leah Kalman and broke the contact.

The river road became a living, writhing sea of reptilian bodies.

Todd kneed Gypsy to the edge of the marsh grasses, loping alongside the leading snakes and keeping the foot of his quarterstaff poised for use.

His team fanned out in single file behind him, riding hard.

A flashgun popped to one side of the path. Todd caught the glare out of the corner of one eye. A margin hunter, turning back a tiddler that had strayed between the cordon of horses. They entered the woods.

The terrain here favoured the snakes, who could disappear without trace into the undergrowth by virtue of their natural protective patterning. It took quick eyes to make sure none of the leaders strayed, encouraging others to follow. Not for the first time, he was grateful to the river for bordering one side of the snake run, keeping the hunters from having to double up teams along this section.

A low ridge of rock rose up in the middle of his path.

Avoiding the obstacle, Todd hugged the opposite side and came out ten feet behind the lead snakes. He urged Gypsy forward. Once they came level again, the experienced horse dropped back to a trot.

From behind him came the racuous snarl that told him that Gerrh had joined the hunt. He risked a quick glance over his shoulder. The young ocelot had leaped from his perch and was after a three-metre-long tiddler that was attempting to go the wrong way around the rocky upthrust. Hrriss cantered by his pet and administered a thwack with the butt end of his spear to the snake's head. It coiled up and headed into the stream without further hesitation. Gerrh galloped after his master and leaped neatly back on to Rihee's back.

The ridge had provided one of the only breathing points the hunters got on the trail, where geography did their work for them in keeping the snakes from straying.

After that, the long, hot ride was made dangerous by low branches which knocked against Todd's helmet and shoulders while he tracked the swift-moving snakes along their way He passed the first of the snake blinds: one of the small, well-sealed rla-wood cottages smeared with the citrus perfume that deterred snakes from smelling the contents.

The broad window at trailside was filled with spectators staring out at him through field glasses.

"Todd, I've got a lively one here,' Don called through the handset. "Could use your help." With one hand, he laid the reins along Gypsy's neck and turned him around, while he lifted the small communications unit to his mouth.

"Hrriss, take point. I'm circling back to help Don."

"Ruight!' The friends passed in mid gallop, Hrriss spurring Rrhee to catch up with the lead snakes.

Far back along the line, Jan was over-stretched, herding much more of the cordon of young reptiles than she could really handle as Don went in pursuit. The sharpshooter waved to Todd as he approached, and pointed at the five-and-a-half-metre snake he was pacing. As steady as if he was sitting on still ground, Don's rifle aimed at the back of the reptile's head.

"The damned thing won't go back in line!" Don called.

He ducked a branch. "I've got a bead on it, but I don't want to kill it if it's just ornery.

"Crank a ground shot next to its head on the right, Todd said, unlimbering his quarterstaff to help prod.

He called for a Lure to come and assist. Nodding, Don squeezed the trigger, and a puff of dust kicked up on the right of the snake's nose. With a violent check, the snake turned a sharp corner and veered towards the stream, but five metres of body was a lot to manoeuvre.

The tail whipped around and struck Don's galloping horse, knocking it off its feet.

"Wheeeee-e!" the gelding screamed, falling on to its side. Don jumped off and, cursing, rolled into a stand of bushes. He emerged, brushing himself off. Todd raised his flashgun and reined Gypsy to a stop between the fallen horse and rider, standing guard.

The incident attracted the attention of more tiddlers.

Todd shot off flash after flash of brain-searing light to divert the predatory snakes while Don helped the gelding to its feet and regained his saddle. Suddenly, a leather-clad Lure on a cycle burst out from among the trees and began riding a serpentine trail between Todd and the mass of snakes. Across his shoulders, inside out was a fresh sheep hide. The heavy scent of blood got the slow-witted attention of the stray snakes. They followed the Lure who led them to the main stream. The bike tilted to an angle and roared down the riverbank, out of the snakes' reach.

"Whew!" Don said. "Thank heavens for loaves and little fishes."

"Ow, this thing gets hot,' Todd said, letting the flashgun fall on its strap against his chap-covered leg and airing his gloved hand. Don swung up and leaned over to slap Todd on the shoulder.

"Thanks, friend,' he said, reining the horse towards the perimeter of the snake cordon. "I'm not even bruised." Team Two was coming up fast behind them, and Don paced in a couple of beats before Hrrula arrived.

Todd turned Gypsy inland and galloped onwards to come level with Hrriss. He passed another group of Beaters with Cinnamon. They were sweeping the snakes back on to the path with brooms, flails, and in the Gringg's case, his own big feet. A jab here, a prod there, and the tiddlers kept in the boundaries of the swarm. Cinnamon waved and called out happily as he and Hrriss passed.

The day was going well. No injuries or losses had been reported yet from up the line. The most serious problems would probably arise on the Boncyk farm, still some klicks ahead.

Kelly felt as if they'd been waiting for hours in the meadow near the Boncyk farm, but she knew it hadn't been more than one. It just seemed longer, because the children, antsy with anticipation, were on the edge of driving her crazy. She'd known all along the folly of bringing youngsters into the heart of a Snake Hunt. Corn had brought up her horse so at least she had a chance of chasing them down if necessary. Staying back with a Beater team was simply the best way for them, and their guests, to see the action without getting hurt. She'd explained the roles of each of the hunting teams and the auxiliaries.

The Gringg listened with careful attention, but the children, who'd heard it repeated for years, were bored.

"Now, if anything goes wrong, Kelly repeated again and again, hoping her instructions stuck in the minds of the excited children, "you pull back! Get out of the way of the hunters! Immediately! Is that clear?"

"Yes, Mom."

"Yes, Aunt Kelly."

"Yes, Gelli,' Teddy promised, wiggling deep into the sheepskins.

Somehow she wasn't totally reassured. In the hour since they'd taken up positions, the five youngsters had made friends with the Beaters, galloped up to take a look at the Boncyk farm, and found the nearest citron-covered snake blind. Alec came galloping back with a report of who was inside it, watching for the snakes to come by.

"That Admiral is in there,' her son announced. "The cranky one with white hair."

"Alec!"

"In a blue uniform,' Alison said. "Well, he grumbled at us.

"Admiral Barnstable?" Kelly asked. "Huh. Whaddya bet he's here more to keep an eye on the Gringg than the snakes!" She hadn't her voder on just then but nevertheless, looked over to where Grizz sat at her ease in the soft meadow grass. The captain daintily plucked a tiny yellow flower between two claws and examined it closely. Delicately, she extended it to her mate, sitting with his shaggy golden side pressed against hers.

"See here, Eonneh, the five petal structure. Most attractive, is it not?" she asked, her red eyes gentle "Most attractive,' Eonneh replied, accepting it. Their claws intertwined.

There's more going on there than a botany lesson, Kelly thought, with a silly smile of approval on her face.

"They're coming,' called Leader Corn. Kelly stood up in her stirrups and let out a sharp whistle for the children.

"Come on!" yelled Alec, and headed Tornado uphill.

Seeing his friends respond, Teddy wheeled the lethargic Rock in a wide loop and, at a dignified plod, followed Alec back towards the threshing machine.

Admiral Barnstable, pacing around outside the snake blind, felt unwilling to enter the reeking enclosure until it was absolutely necessary. He noticed that there was some commotion up on the high meadow where Mrs Reeve and her horde of children were waiting. Hastily hiking up the dusty path, he called out to her.

"What's going on?"

"Please get back to the blind, Admiral,' Kelly shouted.

"The snakes are coming."

"If you're safe, I'll be safe,' Barnstable said, panting a little as he reached the crest of the low hill.

The Reeve woman had a small arsenal's worth of primitive weapons arrayed on her sheepskin-padded saddle.

There was a strong smell of animal sweat and excrement coming from across the lea to the right. Looking down the hill towards the farm buildings, Barnstable saw a thin, dour-faced farmer and his family waiting on horseback, behind an odd assortment of heavy farm machinery that had been rolled up to the low fence. What a ridiculous barricade, he thought. He turned back to eye the two adult Gringg, seated on the grass nearby, who met his gaze pleasantly.

"Aren't you carrying any defensive weapons?" Barnstable demanded.

"These snakes are highly dangerous and excitable."

"Why will you not believe that we have no such tools?" Honey asked, then held up his paws. He flexed his digits and the sharp claws gleamed in the grey sunlight. "These natural fittings are all we need." The sounds of galloping and a curious, terrifying hiss came from the edge of the woods. Mrs Reeve tensed, and raised a loaded crossbow. Barnstable turned.

Out of the thin forest came a dappled, tossing, undulating reptilian river. Barnstable's heart started to pound in his chest and his mouth went dry. He sucked his cheeks for saliva. This was like the prelude to a battle. Beside him, the enormous farming machine revved its engine and bucked down the slope towards the snakes.

Two horses, looking amazingly small next to the swarm, cantered along, prodding an occasional snake that tried to break free. What Reeve and Hrriss were doing looked almost easy. For all their admonitions about the dangers involved in the Hunt, it looked like there was nothing more to herding snakes than quick reflexes and concentration. Barnstable was unimpressed.

Then the wind changed to the south-west. Instead of blowing into their faces from the salt marshes, the shift brought a miasma of heavy, stinking air direct from the byres at the rear of the barn behind them.

Barnstable gagged.

"What is that appalling stench?" Barnstable asked, pinching his nostrils shut.

"Pigs,' said Kelly amiably. "Boncyks raise China and Poland pigs.

No help for it now,' and urgency had crept into her voice, "the snakes have the scent.

The tumbling tide of snake shifted until it was heading directly towards them. Everett Cabot Barnstable had a sudden change of heart regarding the difficulty of managing thousands of snakes as the whole boiling wave of them seemed to come straight at him. For the first time in his life, he experienced gut-twisting terror.

"Llywelyn!" Kelly shouted, angling her steed between Barnstable and the stream. The horses, having caught the snake stink, were dancing frantically about, their riders controlling their antics with unconcerned skill.

Teddy bounced up and down in his high saddle like a ball.

"Behind me, Kelly,' Corn shouted, raising his handunit.

"Lures! Edge of the Boncyk farm! Now!" The thresher rolled around the crest of the hill and headed for the outbuildings. The huge machine moved down like an avalanche, pushing the snakes away. A cluster of the reptiles avoided the Beaters by going every which way at once, and looped uphill at speed.

"They're headed to Mr Boncyk's farmyard!" Alec cried.

"Can we go help?"

"No!" Kelly exclaimed. "You stay right here or.

. .!" She left the threat of dire punishment hanging.

Then a three-metre tiddler attempted a fast break around the wheels of the thresher. Corn promptly lowered the boom on it and Kelly shot the crossbow bolt directly into its brainpan. The snake lashed about in muscular spasms, but it was no longer a threat. One of Cam "5

assistants dismounted and stuffed the writhing corpse into a snake bag.

Todd and Hrriss galloped by, their attention on the fan of stragglers who were enticed by the strong swine smell.

Hrriss growled orders into his handset for Don and Jan to keep the rest of the snakes moving down the path to the marshes.

Having learned by bitter experience in the early years of their homesteading just how tempting their stock was to snake, Wayne and Anne Boncyk prepared for the worst. In fact, as individual defenders went, they had more personnel massed on their property than any other farm on the route. As luck would have it, their prize sows tended to farrow every year about the same time as Snake Hunt. But the shrewd and aggressive sows had also learned to defend their piglets against these wriggling predators.

The females were ruthless and attacked any snake that crossed into their tract, chopping them into squirming pieces with sharp little hoofs.

The males were more aggressive, charging at any snake, no matter what its size, that dared impinge on their territory. Todd had nicknamed the swine herd Wayne's War Boars, a more euphonious title, even though there were more sows than boars.

Just to the right of the line of outbuildings, the pigpens were surrounded by high, lightweight but sharp-edged metal barriers that could rip open the belly of any snake trying to crawl through. Wayne left the spoor of snake blood on them year after year to try and scare off new marauders, though Todd and others warned him that it worked just the opposite way. Snakes happily consumed their own dead. But to get to the barriers, let alone the styes, the snakes had to pass the cordon of angry boars.

Todd counted the boars ranged along the white metal fence, and gave up at thirty, each averaging about 275

kilos. Two black-and-white Border collies ran up and down the line, using The Look to keep the pigs from wandering away before the battle began.

"C'mon, Reeve! Get these snakes out of here,' Wayne cried, hoisting his bow to his shoulder. That was the signal to his crew.

They pressed forward to help the hunters form a strong cordon against the advancing mass of snakes. With hand gestures, Todd directed them to the best points to reinforce the defences around the byres.

"Where's the rest of the barricades?" Todd demanded, looking at the bare rear edge of the pens.

"Got a stand of new olive trees,' Wayne said, pointing beyond the pen to a grove of young saplings with greygreen foliage. "I don't want them snakes mowing them down."

"For life and love, Wayne,' Todd said in a groan, slapping himself in the head. "Snakes don't eat olives, they eat meat!"

"The boars'll get "em,' the stockman assured him.

The inrush of stragglers made for a lively few minutes to the joy of Jilamey Landreau who'd somewhat been disappointed in the tame atmosphere of this year's hunt.

Once on the Boncyk property, the hunters and snakes were within a few kilometres of the marshes, the end of the journey, which meant that Jilamey had only a short time to secure his second snake to complete his Rite of Passage, or go without for another year. Snake sacks in hand, the Hayuman was casting frantically about him for a likely catch.

"Jilamey!" Todd shouted. "Help Anne!" With a guilty start, the younger man wound the sack around his saddlehorn and kicked his horse over to where Mrs Boncyk and two farmhands were fighting off tiddlers who were slithering around the pen looking for any weakness. The open edge drew the wily squirmers like a magnet. Boars rushed to protect their families, getting underfoot of the horses and squealing fiercely whenever a quarterstaff blow meant for a snake struck one of them in the back. Jilamey prodded escaping snakes until they retreated far enough upwind to lose the pig-redolent air.

Most departed hastily for the marshes. One struck back at his quarterstaff. Anne Boncyk raised the crossbow at her knee, and fired.

The quarrel hit the ground under the snake's jaw, missing it by feet. Anne reined her horse away not quite believing she'd missed.

Hurriedly, Jilamey kicked his horse over and bashed the surprised snake over the head with his quarterstaff which made it recoil and double away.

"Aim a little higher,' he called. "I make that mistake myself."

"My darned sights must be off,' Anne said, fiddling with the crosshairs.

There was a tremendous explosion on the opposite side of the barn.

Todd grabbed for his radio.

"Anybody! What was that?"

"Sapper mine,' Kelly's voice replied.

"A horde of tiddlers was moving in between the house and the granary.

The survivors are stopping to eat the carrion. You won't have to worry about this avenue for a while. Team Two's moving up! I just saw Hrrula.

"Thanks, han,' Todd said, replacing the unit on its clip. He gestured to Don to move out to the opposite end of the grounds to check that no small snakes were trying to sneak around the far end of the building.

Hrriss had had his eye on a good-sized Mamma Snake that moved up among the ranks of younger reptiles. The smell of delicious fresh meat just beyond the barrier tempted it away from the road home. At present, the huge snake was staying out of range of Hrriss's sharp spear, but still trying to make a break for the pigpens.

Gerrh leaped down to join the boars hunting small snakes.

The pigs grunted at him, but didn't attack, accepting him tentatively as a fellow predator Inside the smelly enclosure, the sows were running around and around their mudpatches, screaming chal lenges to the snakes outside; detailing in Pig, Todd grinned to himself, just exactly what they'd do to any reptiles they got.

The screams of the attacking boars as they stomped tiddlers to death added to the din as the hunters tried to regain order. Todd's horse slipped slightly on the bloody pieces of one snake. The boar who had killed it was eating some of the flesh with savage grunts of pleasure. Todd held tight with his knees as Gypsy recovered and got to mort secure footing. Then he chased four live snakes away from a damaged portion of the fence that lay tilted, leaving a tempting rent through which a small snake could squeeze.

"We are here,' Hrrula's voice called through the radio link.

"Good,' Todd replied. "I want to split this stream of snakes into two parts. Send "em around the farm and down into the swamps. Can you set up a blockade just below the fence with the Beaters to deflect them?" "Will do,' Hrrula affirmed.

Hrriss's Mamma Snake made one more effort to escape before he harried it beyond the farm. Once it was upwind of the pigs, the smell of salt air touched its sensitive tongue and nostrils, reminding it that there were easier meals elsewhere.

"He's down, he's down!" the handsets screeched. With a final swipe at a pair of tiddlers who'd just decided to leave, Todd grabbed for his radio.

"Report! Who is it?"

"Hrrula,' wailed the voice. It was evidently one of Team Two's duffers.

"It's me, Todd,' Robin's voice exclaimed, interrupting the hysterical outcry. "Hrrula got spun off when a snake twined a foreleg.

He's okay, but there are a couple of Mamma Snakes coming around the barn with a flood of tiddlers. I'll join you as soon as I've got him up again.

Llywelyn's blocking the path. Five Lures just came out of the woods to help. Hey, it's the Biker Babes!"

"Thanks, Robin,' he said, smiling grimly. His eyes met Hrriss s over the pigpens. They were in for a tough fight.

Mamma Snakes were tough and canny, having survived many years of Snake Hunts, and they were big.

Another exploding charge echoed, alerting them that more snakes had tried to enter the vulnerable farmyard.

Not for the first time, Todd cursed Boncyk who refused to move his pigs to a more secure location during the farrowing season. The sharp whine and buzz of motorbikes cut through other noise, marking the arrival of the all-female bike team Robin had nicknamed.

Robin was right to call the mass a flood of snakes. The very ground undulated with a hissing carpet that inexorably flowed towards the stycs. The dry grass beneath it sounded as if it were on fire.

All the hunters who were free moved to intercept them.

"Blockade in position, Todd,' Llywelyn Corn reported by radio.

"Hope you can handle what's up there!" The smaller reptiles braided in and out between the hooves of the horses, causing even some of the hunthardened mounts to dance nervously. Not even seasoned horses liked a snake twining up their legs so most were also lashing out, fore and hind. The eleven-metre length of the first Mamma Snake slithered into view, making directly for the War Boars. She wouldn't be intimidated by their hooves or their cries of defiance. She could swallow one whole while on the move. Todd fretted that the few hunters he had on hand might not be equal to her determined challenge.

Then the second of the Mamma Snakes appeared around the edge of the barn, pursued by Anne Boncyk and Kelly. They loosed crossbow bolts, hitting it along the back just below the head, which distracted it, but didn't really slow it down. Hrriss and Jan joined the chase.

"Hi!" Kelly called to Todd. "This one's a real trier.

"Where are the children?" Todd asked, looking about him in panic.

The ponies would be vulnerable to this Big Mamma.

"Back there!" Kelly gestured. "With the Gringg!" Now the cluster of five young riders and their horses, with their gigantic escort, galloped up the rise. Not allowed to carry more dangerous weapons, the Alley Cats and Hrriss's children did have dart guns and slingshots with which they were uncannily expert. Keeping their horses moving at a good distance and parallel to snakes, they used darts and sling-propelled rocks to distract them from their intended prey and drive them along.

Teddy threw rocks, too. His pad-fingers were too big to fit inside the trigger-guard of a needler, but the stones he threw had the force of a bullet. He hit one snake broadside with a hand-sized stone that opened a bleeding wound on its back. At the smell of blood, several larger snakes swarmed over their unlucky mate and it was torn to pieces.

"Good shot, Teddy!" Jilamey called. He was reloading his crossbow. "Look out, someone! Get that one!" Attracted by the new rich musk from Gringg fur, a four-metre tiddler made for Teddy's horse.

No one was nearer than Jilamey. Not stopping to think, he spurred his horse forward until he was nearly on top of the reptile before he struck at it with his quarterstaff. The snake evaded his blow and wound up the shaft on to the saddle before he could drop it. Jilamey went for his knife, but the snake trapped his arm. Jilamey let out a roar of pain just as the snake opened its huge maw to engulf his head.

"Morra! Chilmeh!" Teddy cried. The little bear leaned over towards Jilamey's saddle and grabbed the hissing snake around the throat with one hand. Hauling the head away from Jilamey's body, he began to batter the snake with his other handpaw, his claws rending the thick scales as if they were no more than cotton. Blood spurted and the snake hung limply in his grasp. Jilamey, rubbing snake spit from his face, stared down at it. Teddy raised his eyes to the Havuman, almost surprised at what he had done as Jilamey.

"Thank you,' Jilamey said, sincerely. As he scrubbed at his face, he could feel his heart racing at his narrow escape and his pulse nearly knocked through his neck.

The muscles of his squeezed arm tingled, and he wiggled the fingers to ease them. "Thank you very much."

"Rehmeh,' Teddy replied.

"I am sorry I got blood on your coat."

"Think nothing about it,' Jilamey said, shaking his head in wonder. "You saved my life. You're a real hero, little bear!" He gave a shaking laugh. "People have always warned me about losing my head over snake hunting." A roar from Grizz attracted their attention. The two adult Gringg had caught the Mamma Snake that Hrriss was chasing. Grizz had caught it by the tail and was now working her claws up its back to the head. Meanwhile Eonneh tackled its wide open jaws, attempting to shut them. The Mamma had been all set to swallow the War Boar it had stunned. The immense snake writhed in a furious attempt to dislodge one or the other of its attackers.

"DON'T LET IT GO, GRIZZ!" Robin roared. "It'll be twice as dangerous now it's tasted pork blood." All the farm hunters converged upon the scene, peppering it with quarrels, all the while Eonneh was closing its mouth by the simple expedient of locking his claws right through its tough skull and jaw. Gradually its frenzied thrashing subsided to an occasional twitch. Only then did the two Gringg let go, without noticing the very respectful expressions of the other hunters.

"Great kill, Gringgs. Thanks. But that's one down and still one to go,' Wayne said, grimly.

The remaining Mamma Snake had turned at bay. It was coiled in a huge knot at the corner of the sty, ready to spring on whatever puny creature dared to attack. Todd estimated the snake at a good twelve metres or he'd lost his eye. In that posture and cornered, it would be a bitch to kill. It could strike out in any direction and even if all of them charged, it was capable of inflicting considerable damage.

He and Hrriss signalled to the team to form a circle around the snake. If there was any way to get it moving, they might be able to drive it downhill into the marshes without killing it.

Just then, Jilamey's horse buckled to its knees and sent him over its head, right into a mass of squirming tiddlers trying to brave the bloodstained barriers around the olive grove. The horse got up and, squealing, fled its immediate danger. Hailing arms and legs, Jilamey desperately sought to get to his feet. Like living ropes, the snakes impeded his efforts, tripping him until he was up against the light metal blockades. With a cry, he slipped again into the midst of them.

Todd spurred Gypsy into the tiddlers, brandishing his quarterstaff from side to side.

That distraction gave the Mamma Snake its opportunity. It launched out of its coil at the smallest creatures it could see: the children. Trained in evasive actions, the Alley Cats and Hrriss's cubs scattered their horses, in their mad dash leaving Teddy behind on the old and slow Rock.

While Teddy tried to urge Rock to move, the powerful snake skimmed the ground towards him, as relentless as lava, as fearsome as lightning. Todd and the others wheeled and hurtled towards the vulnerable cub. Teddy let out a deafeningly squeal that startled old Rock more than the approaching snake. He reared, adding his own scream of terror and walked backward on his hind legs right up against the wall of the grain barn. The Gringg cub had learned his lesson about holding on. His legs were locked firmly on the packsaddle, but he didn't know what to do except hang on.

"Mama!" he cried. The voder at his throat made it a weak, high-pitched whimper.

Horses were fast, but Gringg could move with astounding speed when necessary.

"Weddeerogh!" Grizz cried, streaking forward to fall on the snake's back.

It dragged her for yards, then strained to a halt as the Gringg clawed her way up its back, repeating the tactic that had been so successful with the earlier creature. She threw one massive arm around its neck, wrapped the other one across her wrist, and squeezed. And squeezed. And squeezed.

The snake's long body whipped dangerously from side to side, too perilous for anyone to approach to help her.

The Gringg hung on, rolled over and over in the dust by the muscled strength of her prey. As Todd and the others watched in astonishment, the serpent's frenzied movements grew weaker and finally ceased. The great coils gave one more convulsion and then lay still.

Shakily, Grizz rolled off the dead snake and lay on her back.

Eonneh rushed forward to help his mate to her feet.

Teddy dismounted and hurried to his parents, dragging the unwilling horse behind him by the reins.

"That,' said Robin Reeve, the first to regain his voice, "was the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my life.

Ever.

"I warned you how dangerous Barnstable began, then stopped, aware of the sudden, almost hostile repudiation of his audience. He cleared his throat and began again. "You are correct. It was an astounding feat of strength. The Gringg make formidable hunters." Todd leaned over and slapped the Spacedep man on the back. "Now that admission has made my day, Admiral!"

"You may be sure, Reeve, that I never intended that,' Barnstable said, eyeing Todd warily.

"Oh, I'm sure,' Todd laughed. Nevertheless, he offered Barnstable his hand and the Admiral accepted it. "Well done, Grizz,' he called.

The Gringg, clutching her cub and mate close to her massive chest, beamed at him, showing all her fangs.

"Isn't anyone going to congratulate me?" Jilamey called, rising to his feet from the dust. "I'm going to pass my Coming of Age Ritual at last!" He held up not one, but three snake bags, tightly tied and wriggling.

"You young fool,' Boncyk said with a groan, bowing over his saddlehorn in despair. "You've flattened half my new olive trees!" A beaming Hu Shih took his place of honour on the dais at the Snake Hunt feast that evening in the Assembly Hall. His wife Phyllis, tiny and exquisite, sat beside him in a Hrruban robe of red silk tissue spangled with gems.

Presentations for successful hunters had taken place, with a special round of applause for Jilamey Landreau and his bag of three.

But the roar of approval when Grizz was given her medal was deafening: deservedly so.

Then the servers began distributing the dishes of the feast which had been tantalizing everyone with their aromas. Jilamey sat at the Reeve family table in the front row below the dais, proudly showing off his Coming of Age medal with four wiggly ribbons to everyone.

Hu tapped his water glass with the side of his fork, and waited for silence.

"Thank you, friends,' he said, beaming. "I've been asked to say a few words. This is a triple celebration. Today we celebrate yet another successful Snake Hunt, a festival I have always enjoyed, as it marks the climax of New Home Week, the very first of the traditional Rraladoonan festivals. Rialadoon - the name has passed through many changes over the years: Doona, Rrala, Doonarrala, Rialadoona. It is really time we settled on one designation to be used by everyone.

Rraladoon demonstrates our unity as one people, despite our different biologies. "We be of one people, thou and I," as an ancient poet once said now and for ever.

"The second reason for celebration is the historic Trade Agreement signed with our newest allies, the Gringg. I welcome their captain, Grzzeearoghh-' The name set him coughing. "Dear me,' he said when he recovered, "I hope I said that right, and all her crew, and hope they make many more trips here to visit us and enjoy the beautiful new residence on Treaty Island."

"Here, here!" Ken Reeve shouted from his table near the dais. Pat Reeve raised her glass to clink against her husband's. Jilamey, and Commander Frill, seated at Ken's particular request at the Reeve family table, joined them.

Teddy, urged on by his parents, came forward with a heap of tissue-wrapped bundles. He stopped next to Hrriss, waiting with pleading, scared red eyes until the Hrruban took the top bundle.

"Zonk you, young Zeddy,' Hrrestan said, gravely.

The young bear sketched a clumsy half bow, made all the more endearing by the roundness of his figure, and moved on to Todd, then one by one to each of the original party visiting the Gringg ship.

Commander Frill was delighted to be included, and patted the cub on the shoulder. Teddy's last delivery was to Greene, sitting at one of the front tables with Grace Castleton.

"What is it?" Greene asked, handling the package as if it might explode in his hands.

"It is a collar,' Teddy replied shyly, "like mine." He scooted back to his place on the dais beside Grizz and Honey.

"That's sweet,' Grace Castleton said, with a warm smile for Teddy and elbowed the unresponsive commander.

"Put it on, Jon!

"This is in recognition,' Grizz announced in Middle Hrruban, the voder raising her voice to a tolerable pitch for the guests present, "of our first friends here on Rraladoon, and in hopes for the many yet to be made." She waved gradously, acknowledging the pandemonious applause and cheers. Todd immediately unwrapped his gift and put it on, preening. Gringg-sized, it hung over his shoulders like a shawl.

Hrriss donned his. Each collar was beautifully and individually decorated. Grinning at one another at the tableau they made, they leaned over towards the Gringg leaders.

"Beautiful,' Todd said, fervently. "Thank you."

"It is our pleasure,' Honey said. "You have given us many gifts, most treasurable of all being the gift of friendship." Hu Shih smiled, and pur up a hand for attention.

"And thirdly, we celebrate, a little prematurely, the fortieth birthday of Todd Reeve. I know it's two weeks away, Todd, but surely you'll forgive an old man for rushing things a little." The crowd chuckled, and Hu continued. "He is the very calendar of our life here on Doona, and the symbol of our unity, our friendship with our neighbour, the Hrrubans. I am proud that he is my successor as Colony Leader. He has secured my safety and my enjoyment in retirement. Let me swear now that I'll continue to vote for him any time he comes up for re-election. Happy birthday, Todd, and long life to you." Hu Shih sat down amid applause and cheers.

The Alley Cats left their seats between their two sets of grandparents and mounted the dais, joined by Hrriss' children. Alison pushed Alec, who presented a giftwrapped box to Todd.

Alec cleared his throat. "We have a special present for you, too, Daddy."

"It was our own idea,' Alison added.

"Why, thank you,' Todd said, really touched by the gravity on their faces. He opened the box.

"It's from us, too,' Hrrunival said. Hrrana, behind him, nodded vigorously.

"What is it?" Hrriss said, noticing a suspicious hint of moisture in Todd's eyes. Todd held up a rope tail, unmistakably braided together by small, inexpert fingers but colourful with ribbons interwoven with the sisal.

"It's beautiful, kids,' he said, his voice husky with emotion. He tied it around his waist and tugged the knots taut. "What do you know?

It fits!" The children gave him kisses and hugs made shy by the onlookers and hurried off to return to their places by their grandparents.

"Speech, speech!" Hrriss cried, clapping his hands together. The cry was taken up by the rest of the room.

"Speech!"

"My friends,' Todd began as he rose. He pointed at the collar and the rope tail. "If my age is the calendar, then this is the composite picture of the make-up of Rraladoon part Hrruban, part Hayuman, and now part Gringg but all very, very happy and grateful.

Thank you so much."

"Lions and Hayumans and Bears, oh my!" Kelly chortled. Everyone laughed.

Overwhelmed by a deep feeling of joy, Todd sat down. Kelly, Hrriss, and Nrrna raised their glasses to him. "Happy birthday, my love,' Kelly whispered. She was dressed in a glowing, green silk dress that fitted her slender form to a degree that was almost illicit.

"My present's waiting for you at home." She raised her eyebrows wickedly, and Todd grinned.

Second Speaker Hrrto, seated at the end of the dais, rose. May I speak, Mr Hu?" he asked politely.

"But of course, Speaker,' Hu Shih said, startled, but in perfect High Formal Hrruban. "We'd be honoured by your words."

"It is I who am honoured,' Hrrto said, bowing. Then he altered to the Middle Hrruban most in the room would understand. "I have a most important announcement to make. I do not wish to diminish the last presentation, but there is a fourth reason for celebration tonight. You are aware that our beloved First Speaker Hrruna became one with the Stripes some months ago. We have all mourned his loss, I more than I knew at first.

An election was held last night for his successor. The results affect you, more, and he dropped his jaw slightly in the equivalent of a Hayuman grin, "than you might think."

"Old Hrrto looks almost happy,' Todd whispered to Hrriss. "He must have won the election after all." "Finally,' Hrriss replied, with a grin of relief. "He'd be a better First Speaker than most, not that there was a lot of choice." Silvery mane gleaming in the lanternlight, Second looked noble and somewhat fragile, except for the totally uncharacteristic gleam in his eyes which gave his appearance a spurious youth.

"This is a most happy day for me as well,' he went on in Middle Hrruban. "I am proud to announce that the Hrruban who will pass into the First Speakership is revered for his wisdom. He is known to have trod a difficult but just path in the best interests of both Hrruba and Rraladoon. He is well known to you all. It is perhaps as well,' and again that brief amused drop of the jaw, "that he is not a member of the High Council at present, which I believe is one reason why many of my fellow Councillor felt able to vote unanimously in his favour." His smile broadened as he deliberately tantalized his breathless audience.

"By that admission, you know that it is not I who won such an honour.

I find myself content to remain Second Speaker and serve First.

But I did sincerely believe for some time that I was the only suitable candidate.

"Over the course of the last two months, I have watched and been impressed by another whose achievements I presented to the attention of the High Council. They have seen the merit of my arguments.

Consequently I can announce to you that the duly elected First Speaker of the High Council of Hrruba is and he paused to turn to the recipient, "Hrrestan, son of Hrrindan.

The surprise was so complete that gasps rippled through the room before yells and cheers broke out and the entire assembly rose to its feet, clapping hands raw and making the Gringg cringe away from the wild whistlings.

A dazed Hrrestan got to his feet, shaking his head at Hrrto as if he could not believe such an honour would fall to him. Then with a snap of his head and a straightening of his lean shoulders, he held up his hands. As silence finally fell in the hall, Hrrestan seemed unable to find words. Into the stillness, tiny Hrrunna who could have no recognition of the honour just bestowed on her grandsire, purred a childish question. "Rra?" Hrrto chuckled at the baby's reaction. "It is auspicious that Hrruna's namesake also approves.

rhen, with a formal bow of unusual humility, Hrrto presented Hrrestan with a small box. Hrrestan opened it, his eyes widening whitely. The audience gasped as he held up the great blue sapphire which had been Rraladoon's present to Hrruna.

"Where's Mrrva? She should be here,' Todd murmured to Kelly and started to beckon Alec to him.

"She is here,' Hrriss said, drawing his attention to the rear of the dais. The graceful Hrruban woman, her mane whitening slightly around her sweet face, was clad in the most exquisite of diaphanous red. She joined her mate, looking up at him with great pride as she adorned him with his new badge of office. Another round of cheers and applause followed that little ceremony. Todd was so affected by the tableau that he could feel involuntary tears starting in his eyes.

Hrriss wound his tail around Todd's knee and gave him a companionable squeeze. Todd threw his arm over his best friend's shoulders. Kelly and Nrrna joined the hug, insinuating themselves into the embrace and clasping their hands across to one another. The baby sat in the middle, gurgling happily.

"What a splendid tribute! So long deserved,' Kelly whispered.

Todd nodded and sniffed surreptitiously. All his life, he'd respected the Hrruban who was, in many ways, a second father to him.

Without Hrrestan's guidance, Todd might not have grown up to take over the responsibilities that had been predicted as the fate of the exuberant, disobedient six-year-old colonist. Hrrto was right. There was no one else of all the high-ranking wide Stripes that Todd had met during his nearly forty years who was better suited, or trained, to accept the First Speakership. He overcame his thickened throat and added his cheers to the prolonged accolade.

"I am honoured beyond speech,' Hrrestan said when the applause abated enough for him to be heard. "I do not presume to take the place of First Speaker Hrruna, for he was unique in the history of both our worlds, and certainly of this. But I will do my utmost to live up to the honourable principles he endorsed.

"The one regret I have is that my appointment to the position of First Speaker will limit the amount of time I may spend here, among my friends and family on Rraladoon. I will never give up my home here, so it is a good thing that our new friends the Gringg have come to us with the materials to make more, and more efficient grids. So efficient, in fact, that we will be extending this technology to our longtime allies and brothers, the Hayumans. And it is the Gringg who have brought us the means to share that technology with Hayumans." The applause which followed this announcement was thunderous. Hrrestan, beaming, resumed his seat.

"Couldn't think of a better cat for the job,' Ali Kiachif said, toasting him with mlada and draining the glass dry.

He beckoned to one of the young Hrrubans helping to serve at the feast. "Give me another shot of liquid headache son." Todd had one more announcement to make and stood, raising his hands for quiet.

"The space port planners committee will meet tomorrow - tomorrow afternoon,' he said with a grin, "giving the delegates some chance to recover from the party tonight." He held up a handsized holographic projector. "I have something else that should be public knowledge now.

May I have the lights off, please?" The lights dimmed, as Todd triggered the holograph and a map appeared on the dais before the head table.

Each species' claimed systems showed in a different colour: amber for Hrruba, red for Gringg, and green for Amalgamated Worlds. "Now, the moment of truth!" He touched the relevant key, and three spots began glowing in the heart of each nebulous blob. The crowd let out a collective gasp.

"Reeve, that's classified!" Barnstable roared in protest, jumping to his feet at his place on the opposite end of the dais.

"Not really,' Todd said. "Not for years. It's long been possible to extrapolate the location of the home systems from radio-telescope transmissions. I tried it myself. There is Earth, there is Hrruba, and there is the Gringg home world. We're going to be open and above board now.

We've agreed that the home worlds will be off-limits to the uninvited, but who knows what the future will bring? Oh, and there,' Todd said, pointing to a small blue spot glowing gently in the centre of the map, "there's Rraladoon.

"Like the nucleus of a molecule,' one of the Hayuman scientists observed aloud. "I hope it's a stable one."

"Oh, I doubt it,' Todd said, shaking his head, to the shock of the scientist and the assembled guests. "A stable molecule is a closed system. We have to be open." He gestured at his fellow Hayumans. "It all started with one race of sentient beings. Then there were two, and now there are three. It's only a matter of time before there are four, then ten, then fifty "Stop!" Barnstable protested, his face flushed. Then he suddenly took a deep breath and managed a weak grin.

"Take it easy, Reeve. Some of us can take only so much incredible news at a time."

"Then let us become a homogeneous whole,' Hrriss said, his eyes sparking merrily. "Let the party begin!" The DoonaiRrala Ad Hoc band had a guest instrumentalist among their number: Artos, the Gringg lutanist. He confessed to having learned the Rraladoonan system of musical notation only recently.

"But I can play harmony if required,' he added.

"You'll play solos, if I have anything to say about it,' Sally Lawrence smiled at him winningly. "Ready, everyone? A-one, a-two, a-three!" They struck up dance music. After listening carefully for a handful of bars, Artos added a delicate but intncate descant to the melody. Everyone listening smiled and started snapping fingers or stamping to the tempo.

"C'mon, Koala,' Lieutenant Cardiff said, urging the Gringg engineer out onto the dance floor. "Show us how you do it." The rangy technician and his giant tnend were soon the centre of a dozen or so couples merrily stepping along.

The children joined hands with grandparents and danced in a circle around them. Teddy spun into the circle holding hands with Ken, and Hrrunival coaxed Kodiak to join with him and Hrrana.

At the side away from the musicians, a couple of hunters who'd started their party not long after dismounting from the ride had adopted Cinnamon, and were telling him tales of being misunderstood in their lives.

"I broke my mother's heirloom teapot when I was a child,' one of them said sadly. "Was an accident. Coulda happened to anybody. Have some mlada. You don't have to worry about a hangover, do you? Your eyes are already red."

"My eyes are always red,' Cinnamon said, puzzled. "Is this another joke on me?" The hunters grinned. "Yeah, Br'er Bear, but a harmless one. Have a drink.

Tentatively Cinnamon accepted their hospitality, sipping and then, liking the taste, upending his glass.

"Thassa good bruin!" Ben Adjei collected the pool as tne winner for the thirtieth year running, having made the most accurate guess of the onset of snake migration. First-time visitors paid off with groans. Mike Solinari was among the losers, but he antied up with good grace.

"I don't know,' he said, shaking his head at the senior physician.

"I think you have some arcane set of motivators to know just when they'll come because it's never the same hour any two years in a row.

"I've spent a lot of time studying my subject, lad,' Ben said, clapping the young veterinarian on the back. "Live, learn and one day you might guess, too.

On the dance floor, Robin Reeve tapped Grace Castleton on the shoulder. She and Jon Greene executed a gliding turn and stopped.

"Can I help you, young man?" she asked.

"You're a ship's captain,' Robin Reeve said, his words slightly slurred. Robin had his arm firmly tucked around Nita Parker's waist.

"Could you marry us?"

"Oh, Robin,' Nita said, blushing. "That's an ancient custom."

"But still a valid one, I'm pleased to inform you,' Grace said, smiling fondly at the two young people. "I can see that you're both of an age to know your minds. So if you wish, I'd be delighted to officiate. But it'd have to be done aboard my ship. You don't want to leave the party so soon, do you? We certainly don't." Greene whispered in her ear, and she blushed. "Perhaps later, Exec." Beside her, Barnstable was recounting the events of the Snake Hunt to a circle of listeners. "Never seen anything like it in my life. Snake comes up and tries to eat a rider, slithers right up the horse's a-' He glanced at his wife beside him and she gave him a long-suffering look.

"Er rump. The beggar - I mean, Gringg - just yanked it off by the tail and battered that reptile about the head with her paws until it was dead as a mat! Nothing but her paws!

Now I believe they don't need any personal armament."

"Ah, young Reeve,' Ali Kiachif said, shouting at Todd and Kelly above the raucous music of the DoonaiRrala Ad Hoc Band. "Congratulations to you and greetings to you, lovely Kelly. My glass must have a hole in it, if you understand the problem. The mlada's all gone."

"I'll find you some,' Todd laughed. Spotting one of the servers, he directed the girl towards Ali. Arm in arm, he and Kelly wriggled through the crowd to the dance floor.

Hrriss and Nrrna were already there, gracefully gliding to the music.

"Todd Rreev,' Grizz called. The Gringg captain towered head and shoulders above everyone else in the room.

"Todd Rreev, Hrriss? A moment of your attention?" Todd and Hrriss rose from the table where they and Hrrestan, Surnitral, Fred Horstmann, Jilamey, Barustable, and Kiachif had been having an unofficial roundtable about the space port facilities over a glass or two. Kelly glanced at Nrrna.

"Should we go?" she asked Grizz.

"Morra,' the Gringg replied. Several of the other Gringg filed in around them, surrounding the table like an impromptu forest. "It is a most interesting thing to tell you.

You will like to hear it. Rrawrum, my communications officer, has just called me." She tapped her collar with a foreclaw. "Another species has just attained an orbit around our home world. They are so unlike us that they cannot communicate anything except that like us, they arrive in peace." She shot Todd a knowing glance. "And yes, our people have determined that their ship has no weapons although they do have meteor shields."

"Another race?" Kiachief demanded. "Another kind of alien? Not like us, or them, or you?"

"Reh." Grizz smiled, her rubbery black lips peeling back to show all the sharp white fangs in her mouth. "Since you Rraladoonans seem to be able to master new languages with little trouble . . ." She glanced at Todd when he groaned. "That is a proven ability, Zodd, so our leaders who have been vastly impressed by the voder and all your courtesies to us, have managed to convey the spatial coordinates of Rraladoon to these new creatures.

"Your leaders did what?" Todd asked, half-appalled but also finding himself ready to accept a new challenge.

After all, with Hrrestan as First Speaker, there would be harmony with that world.

"They are speeding with all despatch here to this Treaty Planet,' Grizz said. "It is the sensible solution to a problem we Gringg are not capable of solving."

"Look, Grizz, we can only do so much,' Todd began, temporizing because he didn't want to appear eager.

"But you did so well in greeting us, putting us at our ease, showing us how two species can live in harmony."

"But we treated you badly,' Barnstable said who had joined them. "We distrusted you.

"You only acted with caution, as a Gringg would,' Grizz said. She nodded her big head in approval.

"Great stars,' Barustable exclaimed involuntarily, and then looked around as if embarrassed to be complimented so publicly by someone he had, until just recently, held in great suspicion.

"I wonder what kind of joy juice they might bring with them,' Kiachif mused, sloshing the thick amber liquid which Eonneh suggested he try. "I mean, every civilized species has something or other to ease the pains to which flesh - of any kind - is susceptible."

"What do zey look like?" Nrrna asked.

"We do not know,' Grizz said. "A description and other details will follow.

Todd's mind was boggling over the hundreds of possible shapes an alien species could have. Kelly nudged him with her elbow.

"I wonder if they have young,' she said, assuming a most innocent expression.

"And if zeir young will play with ours,' Hrriss added, enjoying the bemused expression on his best friend's face.

Admiral Sumitral of Alreldep grinned broadly at Todd.

"Prime your children, Reeve and Hrriss. Alreldep can't seem to get anything done without their assistance."

THE END