Part 25 (2/2)
”Gotcha! Fair and square,' he said, grinning because it had been a close thing. But he hadn't been about to let Kelly go now he realized how much she meant to him. And before she could say or do anything to put him off his intended action, he kissed her hard.
The shock that coursed through his body at the touch of their lips was totally unexpected. Briefly he held her off so he could see her face, see if she could possibly be feeling the same way he did about that kiss. But her eyes were closed and there was an incredibly dreamy look about her face. So he gathered her to him more tenderly and found that their second kiss was even sweeter than the first and so he didn't break it off in any hurry at all.
Especially when he felt her arms clasping him, one around his ribs and the other pressing at the nape of his neck so he couldn't have released her even if he'd wanted to.
The feel of Kelly in his arms was something magical. Much better than dancing with her had been, so he pressed her as close to him as he could.
Until he felt Fargo-who was not up to the weight of the pair of them-buckle a bit on the forehand.
”Robin'll kill us if we lame Fargo,' she murmured. ”But Calypso could carry us both a long time.”
”I think we'll rest both horses after that mad race,' he said, managing to dismount with her still in his arms. Then he clipped an arm under her knees and carried her to the nearest clear patch of gra.s.s. ”I love you, Kelly Solinari. Will you forgive me for being dumb blind stupid iggerant not to realize how precious you are to me?”
”I might, but it could take a long time-like forever,' she replied in a lilting voice.
Sometime later, Fargo decided that he'd make his way back to his stable. Calypso had better manners. She wouldn't leave her rider and grazed contentedly until she was needed again.
CHAPTER 9.
THE NE)Cr MORNING, THE TWO YOUNG couples composed a carefully worded message to Dalkey, containing instructions on where to hide the information he wanted to send. They posted it signed with Kelly's key-code. Couched in the chatty phrases about their years together in college was the fact that several pallets of medical supplies were being transported to Doona in two days. Dalkey swiftly responded with an ardent note, the tone of which made Todd frown and Kelly blush.
”But it sounds genuine, Toddy,' Kelly said soothingly. Then she giggled. ”You're here and he's pa.r.s.ecs away. Don't be silly.
Besides, he does say that he understands the instructions and I get the impression that he accessed more data than he originally promised.” Todd apologized for acting silly, but the truth was, they were all nervous. Something could delay the s.h.i.+pment, or Dalkey might be seen where he had no reasonable explanation to be. Both Nrrna and Kelly arranged to be on hand to receive the supplies. This time Nrrna did not wear any scent.
The grid operator flinched when he recognized Nrrna appearing on the platform from First Village.
He still found her attractive, though not as strongly, and especially not when she was accompanied by a Hayuman female. He only hoped that the Treaty Controller was not expecting another s.h.i.+pment, but a quick glance at the manifest told him he didn't need to worry about that tonight.
Kelly was relieved that the operator seemed too busy to chat them up. She and Nrrna managed a desultory conversation while they waited, but they were so keyed up they'd forget what the other had just said.
Kelly kept imagining problems: what if the envelope didn't come or got torn loose in the transfer? what if Dalkey got caught? They needed to have genuine, hard doc.u.mentation. Well, maybe if Dalkey didn't come through for them, they might have some luck with the doc.u.ments that the Treaty Controller had personally awaited. Anything that pleased an a.s.sociate of Third Speaker was likely to be bad for Doona.
when the suspense became so great that Kelly was prepared to dive right through the pillars and drag the s.h.i.+pment up from Earth, the air thickened over the gridwork and the pallets materialized. She and Nrrna let out sighs of relief.
”Will you check it now so I may clear the grid?” the operator asked.
”That's why we're here,' she said, handing a sheaf of papers from her clipboard to Kelly and peremptorily gesturing her to go to the back of the grid.
They'd planned this so Kelly would be screened from the operator and could feel under the pallet for the envelope. Then she thought of a better stratagem than blind groping.
She let her clipboard drop. ”Ooops,' she said gaily, and, in attempting to pick it up, kicked it under the pallet. ”Wouldn't you know?” she said with cheerful self-disgust. She got down, peering under the s.h.i.+pment, trying to see Dalkey's envelope. He'd been instructed to use a gray one which wouldn't be so readily visible to anyone casually glancing under the plastic pallet. She shook her wrist so the small torch would fall out of her sleeve where she'd hidden it, and played its dim beam around, but she saw absolutely nothing, not even cobwebs.
”Does your friend need help rising?” the operator asked rather irritably.
”Probably,' Nrrna said in intimate pitch, trying tc stall. ”Her balance is very poor. Hayumans have weak inner ears.”
”I had noticed that their ears are abnormall small,' he said, and came round to help Kelly to hei feet. She feigned momentary weakness before she met Nrrna's eyes over the boxes and gave a shake to her head.
”Thank you, sir,' she said to the operator reaching out suddenly to grab his arm, swaying ira fas.h.i.+on that alarmed him. ”My balance is none toc good. That had given Nrrna sufficient time to lool underneath on her side. But she shook her head too.
”Is this all we're supposed to get today?” Nrrna asked, checking over the number of boxes on her board. ”I am missing several cartons.” He leaned over to examine her list. ”No, you do not have all. Those sizes have to be broken down into two s.h.i.+pments. Second lot will come through in'-he paused to check his own schedule-'two hours. A s.h.i.+pment of ore from one of the mining worlds is due in next. Come back. ”Very well,' Nuna said, masking her relief in a cool response, ”I will accompany this lot to the Health Center.- Will you stay on the island and wait for the rest?” she asked Kelly.
”Oh, I don't mind. I've got a few things I can do while I wait.
See you in the village.” Kelly threw a good-luck gesture to Nrrna.
Once the characteristic mist rose around the crates and Nrrna, whisking them from sight, Kelly left the reception area. As she departed, she heard the operator's audible sigh of relief.
She'd been to the Treaty Island often enough to know the general layout, which was another reason why she had the best chance of accomplis.h.i.+ng her second, and possibly more important, errand. But she stopped for a long moment to reread the inaugural plaque outside the main administration building.
”This Treaty Center was constructed in the fourth year of the Colony by the people of Hrruba, Earth, and DoonaiRrala in the spirit of cooperation represented by the Treaty of I)oona. Kelly felt a tingle of pride and renewed determination that the colony world, the turning point ii the histories of both civilizations, would no become a future battleground. She knew where thi Councillors' quarters were but she didn't want t( blunder into the Controller's rooms if he wa: present.
From the look of so many lights in the lov Administration Building, there might be late meetings that would solve that problem.
She strode right up to the information desi where two Humans and a Hrruban, wearing officia guide badges, were drinking malak.
”I've a message for the Treaty Controller,' sh( said brightly, addressing all three.
One of the Humans peered at a list on the desk ”He should still be in the Council chamber. They'vt got an all-day session. Back the way you came an( around the corner to the right at the T-junction.”
”Oh!
But I was told to take it to him at hi.
personal quarters, sir.” The guide exchanged a glance with the other two ”Well, they'd be due for a break soon.” He pointe( out the gla.s.s door facing the desk. ”Across th( courtyard there, and along the garden walk. Trea Controller's apartment is the last on the right.”
”Thank you so much,' Kelly said, and followec the directions, swinging her arms and striding off a if she hadn't a care in the world.
Several blocks on the left of the Administrator Building housed visitors to the island, mosfl researchers there to consult the ever-increasin Archives. To the right were the residences a.s.signe( to members of the Treaty Council. Each species Hayuman and Hrruban, sent three delegates to the Council. Of those three, one was chosen from the species' homeworld, one from DoonaiRrala, and the third could be from either of those or from a colony world. The seventh member, the Treaty Controller, was nominated every three years in turn from the Hayuman or Hrruban side. Most frequently the Councillors were justiciars by profession.
The seven apartments were actually small detached houses ab.u.t.ting the formal garden and maintained by Treaty staff. Kelly followed the row to the end and found the modest home of the Treaty Controller.
Swallowing her nervousness, she slipped through the gate and approached the door, which was shaded by a stand of fringed palms. It wasn't just the tropical sun that was making Kelly sweat. She had no idea what excuse she could give if the Controller should find her here.
Following the spirit of openness and trust fostered on Doona, nothing was locked. Doors had fastenings and fences with strong latches to keep animals from wandering in or out. Irreplaceables and valuables were locked up safely out of sight, but few residences on Treaty Island were ever secured. She hoped the Treaty Controller, not known for his acceptance of Doonan traditions, followed the local custom.
The door opened without resistance.
”Sir?” she called out tentatively. There was no answer, and indeed, as she stepped inside, the apartment had the silence of an uninhabited s.p.a.ce.
Gently she pushed the door almost shut. She ought to hear footsteps on the sh.e.l.l-lined walk.
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