Part 32 (1/2)
”It looks very bad that they haven't returned yet,' Sumitral said.
”Where could they have gone? And why? The Amalgamated Worlds court was well disposed to give them a fair hearing on the basis of their achievements.” Hrriss burned with shame. ”They would come if they could,' he insisted.
Sumitral eyed him curiously. ”Do you know where they went?”
”No.
But they would have returned if they could.
Of that I am certain. They are held somewhere against their will.” He placed his hand on his heart1 his upper lip, and his forehead to emphasize his stated belief.
”I fear you may be right. Neither has ever betrayed an ounce of cowardice. Defection does not fit their characters,' Sumitral declared. ”You have searched Rrala?” Hrriss nodded. ”I alerted all Alreldep offices. Can none of you Hrrubans search your own planet?
They have to be somewhere.”
”If they are alive,' Hrnss murmured, for he had denied that possibility as long as he could.
Then he saw the slender frame of Admiral Sumitral stiffen. A hand touched his arm in apology and Sumitral moved toward Hu s.h.i.+h.
”Come, Hu,' the Admiral said as he urged the man toward the platform where a small, thin, cleanshaven Terran in a white tunic descended from the grid. ”May I introduce you to the representative of the Amalgamated Worlds Congress? Hrrestan, I am pleased to make you known to Dorem Naruti, of the AWC.” He continued to make introductions among the village elders.
At a signal from the Hrruban grid operator1 Sumitral took his place beside the other Terran delegates. Third Speaker appeared from the mist surrounding the transport grid and, looking neither left nor right at those who bowed courteously to him, marched majestically into the Hall. The glow of triumph in his eyes was absolutely indecent.
Many Rralans, seeing that look, growled quietly under their breath at his lack of restraint and the implications for them.
The rumors of dissolution spread from Rralans to Hayuman friends and neighbors. Hrriss fielded glares and blatant animosity from longtime acquaintances. Who was holding the Rrevs captive?
No, which of the known antagonists to the Treaty had succeeded in denying the Rrevs the dignity of facing their enemies and confounding them?
As if in answer to his thoughts, Admiral Landreau in gleaming dress whites and an almost garish display of medals materialized on the grid. A moment earlier and he might have tread on Third's tail. The Admiral was accompanied by Rogitel and two other aides. Landreau had arranged his features in an expression of pious serenity which would fool no one on Rrala, certainly not Hrriss. His demeanor added more discouragement to Hrriss's depressed morale. Why didn't Zodd appear1 through the grid or out of the underbrush, with his doc.u.ment case in his hands, to wipe the smugness from the faces of Third and Landreau?
At last, Second Speaker Hrrto made his way from the grid through the hanging garlands of flowers to the platform. With his arrival, the complement of delegates from both sides was complete. Only the Treaty Council was yet to arrive before the ceremony would begin.
As the a.s.sembly of settlers held its collective breath, the Council appeared1 cl.u.s.tered together on the grid behind the Treaty Controller, magnificent in flowing red robes. On his breast hung a medallion of two intertwined gold suns, studded with sapphires mined and cut from native crystals.
It represented the interweaving on Doona of Human and Hrruban cultures. The light reflected from the jewel vanished abruptly as soon as the Treaty Controller stepped inside the a.s.sembly Hall. Immediately behind the Council came two clerks, one Human and one Hrruban, each of whom carried a large leather-bound and gemstudded book.
Solemnly the Council ascended to the dais. Each member bowed to the a.s.sembled dignitaries. The Treaty Controller was the last to do so. He made an especially deep obeisance to Third Speaker1 who returned a curt nod. The clerks moved silently to lay the huge books side by side on the table in the center of the stage. Without further hesitation, the Treaty Controller held up one hand.
”Hrriss, son of Hrrestan and Mirva, stand forth!
Zodd Rrev, son of Ken and Patrricia, stand forth!” he intoned.
The purrs and growls of High Hrruban had never sounded so severe.
Hrriss stepped forward, holding. his spine straight, and willing his tail to refrain from twitching with his inner turmoil.
Hrruvula, clad in his official professional garments, joined Hrriss.
”Sir, Zodd Rrev has been unavoidably detained,' Hrriss said. ”I speak for us both.” The Treaty Controller's tail twitched once from side to side behind him. ”Both of the accused must face this Council.
Have you, perhaps, a doc.u.ment of the ill-health of your codefendant?” At that moment, Hrriss was very certain who had detained Zocid and his father. His heart sank but he raised his chin just enough to show that he knew the sordid game the Controller was playing out. ”Be that as it may, you and your absent accomplice stand accused of crimes which violate the laws of the Hrruban League, the laws of the Amalgamated Worlds, and the Treaty of Doona. These are serious crimes, which shake the very fabric of trust which made the Treaty possible twenty-five years ago. What proof can you present to attest to your innocence?” ”There is doc.u.mentation,' Hrruvula said, stepping forward and pulling one flimsy after another from his case, ”to prove that the Mayday beacon was heard by Zodd Rrev and Hrriss, son of Hirestan, said beacon being found among cargo s.h.i.+pped to Earth and designated to be delivered to a minor office connected with s.p.a.ce Department.
And here is a declaration from a noted laser expert stating that the log tapes of the Albatross had been skillfully tampered with to show landings and launchings never made by the Albatross, as further testified to the signatories of the doc.u.ments that the condition of its engines, rocket tubes, and other equipment showed no sign of the abuse such a hegira would have done to said equipment. I have these doc.u.ments stating the health and energy of both defendants, who would have suffered even more physical deterioration than engines, rocket tubes, and other equipment from a medical condition known as journey lag, which is known to affect unwary travellers making as many different landings and launchings as the defendants are alleged to have done.” Hrruvula paused for breath. ”Also available are doc.u.ments,' and the attorney spread the s.p.a.cedep slush fund flimsies, ”that prove that deposits ostensively made into an account purported to have been initiated by a Terran of Zodd Rrev's general description in fact tally with sums and deposits from a slush fund. There is a signed and attested declaration by an ex-criminal known as Askell Klonski.
”You overwhelm us,' said the Treaty Controller with broad sarcasm.
Hrruvula bowed. ”Even as my clients were overwhelmed with evidence which we have conclusively proved to be a ma.s.sive conspiracy to discredit Zodd Rrev, Hrriss, and in their names the integrity of the entire population of this lovely planet.” Hrruvula took another breath.
”With such overwhelming evidence to sustain my clients' plea of innocence, these charges must, in all conscience, be dismissed and their reputations and honors returned to them.” He bowed low in deep respect toward the other members of the Council, but noticeably not in the Controller's direction.
Behind Hrruvula, an entire planet's population held its breath.
Third Speaker's eyes narrowed and glittered. He stepped forward.
”You have defended your clients well, Hrruvula,' and the attorney executed another courteous bow. ”But it was clearly stated, and so resolved by the Council of Speakers, that both young men must be present to clear their names.
One is clearly not present. The reason for his absence is immaterial. The conditions of that resolution have not been met.
Therefore the Council of Speakers must withhold ratification of a permanent Treaty of Rrala.
There was a silence that nothing in the Hall disturbed. Third Speaker, his manner patronizing and smug, turned to Second Speaker Hrrto. Second Speaker seemed to rise with great difficulty, his shoulders slumped beneath the weight of his robes.
”It was so resolved and must be maintained.” He sat down heavily, head bent, arms limp at his sides.
”No!” a woman wailed from the depths of the crowd. ”No. That's not fair. Not fair at all! They were innocent. ”You can't use that as an out, Third Speaker!” a Hrruban called.
Dorem Naruti of the Amalgamated Worlds Congress rose then, holding up his arms for silence.
”It was resolved. In honor we must abide. Our Congress is constrained to comply with that resolution, much as it pains me to do so. The Congress cannot sanction the colony any longer. We would be glad and proud to trade with the Hrruban League under a new treaty, but the Decision al Doona must be considered annulled. The Cohabitation Principle is herewith invoked. Protests were yelled from all directions then unti Dorem Naruti, not wis.h.i.+ng to be a target foi anyone's frustration, took refuge behind Thir Speaker.
Landreau was all but jumping up and down ir jubilation. He, Rogitel, and their a.s.sistants kepi calling for silence, for order, for good manners. But it was Admiral Sumitral whose amazing voice was heard above the babel and restored order.
”Dear friends, Hrruban and Hayuman, we are all persons of honorable intent. Having entered into an honorable agreement, we must indeed recognize the commitment we undertook twenty-five years ago, and abide by this very, very painful conclusion to what has been an experiment of cohabitation of. - -” He paused, craning his neck to see through the open doors of the Hall. His attentiveness,- the surprise that began to wreathe his features with new hope, caused everyone to turn to discover what he saw.
The grid was misted, indicating a transportation, and as it cleared, three figures became visible: a bent figure in ornate red robes supported on either side by two others, one tall, straight, and proud, one slender, delicate, and equally proud. The central personage could only be First Speaker Hrruna! His companions, dressed in diaphanous red gauze spangled with gems, were Nrrna and Kelly.
Hrriss felt joy nearly bursting his heart. The girls had reached him, after all, and with the remaining evidence that Hrriss had felt lost forever. A reverent silence settled on the green and the Hall as if noise was snuffed out like a candle flame.
Everyone watched the aged Hrruban walk into the Hall and slowly toward the dais, leaning heavily on the arms of the two girls.
He looked kindly at the colonists and gave an especial smile to Hrriss, who was gawking like a cul at the First Speaker.
”This is an occasion for which I have waited long, First Speaker said in High Hrruban, mounting th ramp to touch hands with Sumitral.
”Sir,' Sumitral said, replying in the same tongue ”we did not think to expect you.”
”Your accent has improved so very much over th last years, Admiral. You no longer need your young translator,' Hrruna said, dropping his jaw ii a smile and glancing around at the crowd.
”But miss his presence. He has been a joy to me. Wheri is my young friend? Where is Zodd?” With a surprising swiftness that belied his age, h( rounded on Treaty Controller, and his tone, n( longer kindly or gentle, rang with conviction. Thi Controller was so startled, he backed up a pace.