Part 22 (1/2)

”What creature has the largest brain of any animal that ever lived on the Earth?”

”Sperm whale,” her daughter said promptly.

”They're going to talk to us?”

Cora looked back to Sam, ignored Rachael's wide- eyed expression. ”I'll get the cameras. Think they'll mind?”

”If they do,” he replied in a no-nonsense tone, ”they'll let us know.”

Time pa.s.sed. They remained together, leaning against the rail and staring to the west. There was no sign of the orcas, nor yet of those they would try to question.

Sam studied the miniature grid on the master con- trol. ”Pretty far-sized pod, according to the sonarizer.

I'd guess between two and three hundred.” He felt a hesitant hand on his arm, saw in surprise that it was Cora's.

”No, I'm not all that worried,” he told her. ”The catodons aren't openly hostile toward humanity. None of the great whales are. They just don't like our company. They're more indifferent than anything else, I believe. We annoy them. They're the most suspicious of the Cetacea, as well as the smartest.

”However, Latehoht and Wenkoseemansa can be persuasive. As to whether they can turn the pod to speak to us, that will depend largely on the mood the pod leaders are in. If they do consent to talk with us,

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it will likely be only to insure that we won't chase them in hopes of getting them to talk at some future date. They may try to get rid of us now, as soon as

possible.”

”Not worried, then, but still nervous. I can sense it.”

”You know me that well already?” he asked gently.

She pulled her hand from his arm. ”I can tell when anybody's nervous. You learn.”

”They're just so d.a.m.ned unpredictable,” Sam said after several minutes had pa.s.sed in silence. ”I said they're not overtly hostile, but that doesn't mean this bunch couldn't be covertly hostile. Without witnesses, they could do whatever they pleased to us without fear of retribution. The law here favors them every step of the way.”

”Why take the chance, then?” Rachael wondered.

”Because what Wenkoseemansa said happens to be true. If any among the native cetaceans knows any- thing about what happened to the four lost towns and their inhabitants, it would be the catodons.”

”Because they have morbid interests?”

”Because they're interested in everything, young lady-except maintaining a relations.h.i.+p with mankind.

I think it's a chance we have to take at least once, and we'll never have a better opportunity or meet a more likely placed pod than now.” He studied the increas- ing darkness.

”Anyway, I trust Latehoht and Wenkoseemansa. If the pod appears irritated or cantankerous, if there's any significant mating taking place, they'll stay clear and not make the request.”

”Shouldn't you be up in the bridge?” Merced won- dered.

”What for? To run our puny weapons system?” He waved the master control at the horizon. ”There's two to three hundred catodons out there. If they do join us, they'll surround us in a minute. Most of them are likely bigger than this s.h.i.+p. If they're friendly, all's

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well. If they take it into their heads to get nasty . , .

well, we'll be up against twelve to twenty thousand tons of intelligent, carnivorous ma.s.s. Might as well pray.”

It was almost dark and still no sign of any visitors.

Cora had believed herself well prepared, but she for- got all her preparations, fell back against the wall of the cabin. She let out a loud ”Oh!” of surprise.