Decision at Doona

He did not protest when Third insisted that the government of Rrala – whatever government there was Third added sourly – must prove itself by showing a balance of credit and smoothly ru

Third insisted that all minors were to be taught high formal Hrruban as well as middle. Sumitral agreed, if Terran were taught and if middle Hrruban was considered the official language of Rrala.

Sumitral pointed out that the Hrrubans had five village sites on Rrala at this point whereas the Terrans had only one, causing a disparity of population. He requested that sufficient Terran family units be added to equalize the inhabitants from each planet. Third adamantly insisted that no more adults could then emigrate to Rrala. Unless there is a vacancy caused by an exile, Sumitral countered.

By now Todd was showing unmistakable signs of strain, stammering and fumbling for words, but struggling gamely along. Hrruna began to frown with concern. At this point Landreau's wrist unit beeped and he looked around for permission to answer it just as a Hrruban technician stepped forward to whisper to Hrruna's first assistant.

“A ship comes.” Todd a

Third half-rose, his eyes starkly apprehensive. Todd gave him a faintly contemptuous look. Ken pinched the boy's leg under the table and Todd subsided with a sullen glare at his father. The Hrrubans were conferring in low undertones. Then the homing beacon lit.

“Are we expecting anyone else?” Ken demanded in a whisper of Sumitral, who shrugged and glanced toward Chaminade.

“An evacuation order was issued for you people,” he remarked softly, flicking his eyes toward Ken and smiling slightly. “Of course, in the light of today's proceedings, it will be canceled. Unless, of course,” and the grin widened maliciously, “you elect to return home?”

“You gotta be kidding,” Ken exclaimed far louder than he intended.

Chaminade leaned back in his chair, his expression smug although his round belly appeared afflicted with a curiously rhythmic i

“Toddy,” Sumitral was saying, “please tell them that the ship is a transport vessel ordered here to prevent further violation of the Principle we both uphold.”

Toddy frowned. “But we don't need the ship. We don't have to go. Isn't that what this is all about?”

“Oh, don't worry, you're staying, lad. You deserve it!”

Toddy glanced skyward again and then gri

Abruptly, Hrruna rose to his feet. Everyone scrambled hastily to theirs as the First Speaker adjourned the meeting – over Third's spluttered objections – and arbitrarily nominated certain members to pursue minor details with their Terran counterparts at another time. He trusted that a finished document would be presented to himself and Sumitral within three days, Hrruban time; no significant changes to be contemplated or acceptable on matters already discussed. He then bowed ceremoniously to everyone and, beckoning to Todd, stepped away from the table.

Instantly the Second Speaker, dressed in deep gray, left the Council table to say a few quiet words to his first assistant, who immediately approached Sumitral and Landreau.

“We may leave now,” Hrrula murmured to Ken. “They'll be transmitting those who do not care to remain for the rest of the day.”

“Should Todd be left with the First Speaker?”

Hrrula gri

“Intimate pitch is being used. It would be an insult to interrupt without invitation.”

“Got acquainted, I see.” Kiachif's booming tones penetrated the still subdued conversation. Ken turned to see the inimitable captain, followed by his supercargo, striding toward them across the Common. “Seems to me, though,” he growled, glaring in Chaminade's direction, “that my ship's a bit superfluous with all that sitting idle on its tails. How do, sir?” and he nodded affably to Hrrula.

"Chaminade will cancel that order personally, Kiachif," Ken assured him. "We drew up a Treaty today with the Hrrubans and we're staying.

“Did right to disappear then, didn't I?” Kiachif gri

“You do get here at feast time, don't you?”

Kiachif eyed him speculatively, rubbing a grimy hand through his beard. «Seeing as how you're friends with the cats now you haven't by any chance discovered if they've a – I mean . . .»

“An alcoholic beverage? No. Things have been a little confused here lately.”

Hrrula wheezed.

“He understand Terran?” Kiachif asked in mild surprise, favoring Hrrula with a thoughtful look.

“If I listen hard,” Hrrula purred.

“Say, Haroola, do you folks happen to have any happy juice? Party drink? Alcoholic drink?” Kiachif pulled Hrrula cozily off to one side.

Ken glanced down to see Hrrula's tail tip describing a gentle arc. Suddenly Kiachif froze, staring at the Council table. Three Speakers remained seated, Third immobile with disapproval, the other two arguing with amiable intensity. They looked up in mild surprise at the mist closing over them before returning to their argument.

There'd be four important guests then, Ken decided, automatically checking the whereabouts of each. Hrruna, who was now accompanied by Hrriss as well as Todd, strolled back toward the grid. No sooner had it cleared of one mist than another formed. Ken became aware now of the increased noise and activity on the Common; of groups of Hrrubans in vivid colors arriving from the woods. He could smell delicious odors and realized that he had had very little to eat since that pre-dawn stale bread and coffee. Land vehicles slowly drove up from the field, huge cylinders of fifty-gallon coffee makers lashed to their cargo beds.

The transmitter grid cleared to disclose a group of elegantly gowned Hrruban women. One good thing about rigid courtesy, Ken decided, was that females had to be on time. Hrruna had stepped forward with the vigor of a narrow Stripe, taking the hand of one slender lady – his mate. Hrriss doubled up in a deep bow, his tail lashing out to swat Todd promptingly on his unprotected legs. Then the group moved off toward the barn, while unobtrusive guards, three Hrruban and one Alreldep, ambled behind in a satellite course.

“Oh, Ken, did Todd behave himself?” Pat cried, rushing up to him. Her hair was damp-curly, her face flushed, her make-up and clothes fresh. “Who's he going off with? Oh, isn't that the First Speaker? Is that his wife? They say we're staying and that you'll be named Spokesman with Hrrula. Is that good? Is that what you wanted?”