Part 17 (2/2)

”But, Gentleh.o.m.o,” Starns showed no signs of any emotion but eager curiosity, ”to be here at this time is a privilege we could not hope to equal except by good fortune! The T-Casts will be avid for our stories.”

What had that to do with the matter, puzzled Vye. But he saw Starns'

reminder produce a quick change in Chambriss.

”The T-Casts,” he repeated, his expression of anger smoothing away.

”Yes, of course, this is, in a manner of speaking, a truly historic occasion. We are in a unique position!”

Had Yactisi smiled? That change of lip line had been so slight Vye could not call it a smile. But Starns appeared to have found the right way to handle Chambriss. And it was the same little man who offered his services in another way when he said, diffidently to Hume:

”I have some experience with coms, Hunter. Do you wish me to send your message and take over the unit until you return? I gather,” he added with a certain delicacy, ”that it will not be expedient for your gearman to engage in that duty now.”

So it was that Starns was installed in the com cabin of the s.p.a.cer, sending out the request for Patrol aid, while Rovald was locked in the storage compartment of the same s.h.i.+p, pending arrival of those same authorities. As Hume sorted out supplies and Vye loaded them into the waiting flitter, Yactisi approached the Hunter.

”You have a definite plan of search?”

”Just to cast north from their camp. If they've been gone long enough to hit the foothills we may be able to sight them climbing. Otherwise, we'll go all the way up to the valley, wait for them there.”

”You don't believe that they will be released after they have been--processed?”

Hume shook his head. ”I don't think we would have been free, Gentleh.o.m.o, if it hadn't been for a series of fortunate accidents.”

”Yes, though you didn't give us many details about that, Hunter.”

Hume put down the needler he had been charging. He studied Yactisi across that weapon.

”Who are you?” His voice was soft but carried a snap.

For the first time Vye saw the tall, lean civ really smile.

”A man of many interests, Hunter--shall we let it go at that for the present? Though I a.s.sure you that Wa.s.s is not one of them in the way you might believe.”

Gray eyes met brown, held so straightly. Then Hume spoke. ”I believe you. But I have told you the truth.”

”I have never doubted that--only the amount of it. There must be more talking later on--you understand that?”

”I never thought otherwise.” Hume set the needler inside the flitter.

The civ smiled again, this time including Vye in that evidence of good will before he walked away.

Hume made no comment. ”That does it,” he told his companion. ”Still want to go?”

”If you do--and you can't do it alone.” No man could take on the valley and Wa.s.s and his men.

Hume made no comment. They had rested briefly after their return to the safari camp, and Vye had been supplied with clothing from Hume's bags, so that now he wore the uniform of the Guild. He went armed, too, with the equipment belt taken from Rovald and that other's weapons, needler and tube. At least they started on their dubious rescue mission with every aid the safari camp could muster.

It was mid-afternoon when the flitter took to the air once again, scattering the hovering globes. There was no alteration in the ranks of the blue watchers waiting--for the barrier to go down, or someone in the camp to step beyond that protection?

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