John Maddox Roberts - Spacer: Window of Mind by John Maddox Roberts Read Free Book Online Page B

"they aren't likely to be impressed by anything we can show them."
    "All levels of technological development needn't be equally advanced," said Pierce blandly. "They seem to have some kind of engineering new to us. They may well find our own space-going technology equally awesome."
    "It will not have escaped your notice," Nagamitsu said, "that those people were using a masking device it is unlikely they would have dreamed up unless they've had experience of warfare. At some time in their history, posssibly recently, they've had good reason to mask their ships and facilities. We have to proceed as if warfare between our species were a possibility. They won't know that the TFCS is our largest and most powerful warship. If it doesn't strike them as all that impressive, we can always leave them with the speculation that maybe we have far more powerful vessels."
    "Who's in command of the Supernova?" Ham asked casually.
    "Ramon Izquierda." said Pierce. Kiril ignored Pierce and concentrated on Nagamitsu. His face revealed nothing, but something about him changed at mention of the name.
    "The directors of Satsuma assured us that only Commander Izquierda could be entrusted with the Supernova," Nagamitsu said thinly. "It's still largely experimental, and they wouldn't have anybody else. The Council seems not to have been inclined to dispute with them."
    "I see, " said the skipper grimly. "Are we going to have to ride in your hold for the whole trip?"
    "I'm afraid so," said Nagamitsu. "Sorry, but you wouldn't be able to keep up with us to the edge of the system. If you wish, you may travel independently afterwards."
    "Just as long as we don't have to travel in Izquierda's ship," said the skipper. The admiral seemed about to snap out a sharp retort, but Pierce stepped in to smooth things over.
    "This evening we will be having a formal dinner for the ship's officers and the higher-ranking scientists and diplomatic personnel. Your entire ship's company is, of course, invited. You are, after all. interplanetary celebrities. Everyone would be most disappointed if you weren't there."
    "That's real democratic of you," said the skipper. "Sure, we'll be there. Wouldn't miss it for anything."
    They took their leave and made their way back to the Angel, this time without the marine guard. Inside they held a council.
    "Skipper," said Achmed, "do you really buy all this stuff about us being valuable in an advisory capacity?"
    "Not for a minute," she said. "They don't need us for this expedition. What do we know about these aliens? I can see them wanting Homer. He might have encountered them before, and if not, he could learn their language faster than any human. But the rest of us?" She looked around the cabin at her crew and snorted. "We wouldn't have much advice to give, and they wouldn't take it if we had."
    "It's got to be Izquierda," said Ham. "He's behind it, somehow."
    "I don't think old Nagamitsu likes this business of Izquierda being along," said Torwald.
    "He hates him," said Kiril. "He'd like to see him dead."
    "Huh? Why do you say that?" asked the skipper.
    "Wasn't it obvious?" said Kiril, surprised. "Couldn't you teli from his voice and face?"
    Nope," said Ham succinctly. "Michelle, you think Kiril might be a sensitive?"
    I wouldn't be surprised. If she has even a latent capability, living where she did would bring it out as a survival mechanism."
    Excellent," said K'Stin, hearing every Viver's favorite word.
    "Let's hope she has the talent," said the skipper. "Michelle, I want you to give her the best test series you can come up with. Kiril, from now on I want you with me whenever 1 have dealings with any of those people."
    "Sure," Kiril said, confused, "but what's all this business with Izquierda? Why do you all hate him?"
    "Back before he became one of the richest and most powerful men in known space," said the skipper, grim-faced, "he was a navy officer, at one time holding the position of commodore of a heavy squadron. He had the