180 An Answer In Black and White (1/2)

The deputy governor in charge of Fort Alaya looked uncomfortable while he searched for hidden criticism in Kirk's praise. Fort Alaya currently consisted of a dozen shacks housing a dozen colonists and essential workshops. It had no pier - Kirk had come ashore in the dinghy stored aboard the Albatross - and it bore no resemblance whatsoever to a fort.

One of the two cows providing the settlement with milk stood near Kirk's landing spot, watching him with its big wet eye. Kirk grinned and winked at it, and the cow raised its tail and squirted a jet of liquid shit onto the ground.

”I'm really happy to be here,” Kirk repeated firmly. He waited, in vain, for the governor to show him where he'd be staying during his visit. He didn't mind staying in a shack, as long as that shack had a bed of ordinary dimensions, and didn't stink of tar and resin.

”I feel privileged and happy to see you here so soon, sir,” lied the governor. ”Would you like me to show you around?”

”Certainly. Certainly! But I think the captain wants a word with you first. We've brought you some supplies.”

While captain Craw discussed the details involved in bringing the supplies ashore, Kirk walked up to the nearest pair of shacks. He was smiling. It was wonderful to feel solid, stable ground under his feet. He really had no idea why he'd disliked staying on the ship so much. Back in the Old World, back in the good old times he'd often boarded ships and joined yachting friends and he'd never felt this way.

The door to the shack was closed, which was a pity: Kirk was curious how things were inside. His curiosity was partly satisfied, for he heard a male voice inside the shack say:

”... kissing the governor's ass.”

”He's scared he'll get fired,” a female voice stated confidently.

”You think so?”

”I'm sure of it. He didn't expect an inspection so soon.”

Kirk softly stepped away from the shack, and glanced over his shoulder. Captain Craw and the deputy governor Kirk had appointed to run Alaya were engaged in a heated exchange of words. He began walking towards them, ears flapping. He heard Craw say:

”No way. She's got just six feet of water under the keel, and I'm not moving her in any closer. You'll have to build a raft.”

”But you have a boat.”

”It's too small to handle some of the stuff we've brought. You'll have to build a raft, and build it fast. It has to be ready by the evening.”

”That's impossible. I - ”

”Captain Craw,” said Kirk, coming to a stop beside them, ”I think it would be a good idea if we sent the governor some help. Maybe the ship's carpenter, and a few crewmen who know how to work wood.”

”Thank you, sir,” said the governor of Alaya, breathless with gratitude.

”Let's take a little walk,” Kirk said, putting his hand on the governor's shoulder and exerting a little friendly pressure to turn him around. They began walking side by side up the muddy path that led to the group of shacks which constituted Fort Alaya. As they passed the cow, it emitted an unhappy grunt.

”Is someone looking after that animal?” asked Kirk.

”Yes, of course, there must be.”

”Never mind. Governor, if I recall correctly we sent a couple of canoes with clothes, tools, and food. You had all that waiting for you upon your arrival here.”

”Yes, sir. We were very grateful, we are very grateful for your help,” said the governor. He felt totally bewildered. His ears told him a small shitstorm was coming. Yet Kirk had been praising the wonderful progress made in Fort Alaya just a moment earlier!

”I assume you've been able to furnish the homes you've built with beds.”

”Well yes, a couple,” said the governor.

”A couple?”

”Well, most people sleep on hides you've so kindly sent. They put them on top of some hay and leaves and it's quite comfortable. The carpenter's currently completing a new bed every few days. That's all he can do at present, he's also busy with a lot of other things.”

”Do you have a bed?”

”Yes.”

”Can I see it?”

”Why, yes, of course.”

”Let's go.”

They walked to the last shack in the group that stretched along the muddy path running down to the shore. It was also the most poorly built of them all; Kirk guessed the governor had moved into the very first shack that had been completed. Its walls were made of wattle, and the door was a bunch of trimmed branches roughly nailed together.