He waved the girl to the door and gave Cregar his orders. "I want both coyotes undamaged. Stun them. Try not to kill any of the natives or the girl either. The Quade boy was talking to Laris in one of the bugged rooms. Too many people are beginning to put two and two together and they're getting a conspiracy against beast masters as their answer. Take as many men as you need and stun the whole camp if you have to. Set their horses free, and stun everyone again before you leave. It should give you enough of a head start."
"Uh-huh. Baris and Ideena were heading here the last I heard of them." He gave a hard grin. "I had a contact of mine keep a watch on what they were doing. You know, Dedran, I could use that scout ship of theirs. If I offer them the right to loot the camp before we get out they'd take me in and off Arzor again without declaring a passenger. If Arzoran security start looking for anyone it would be for them."
"And if they get themselves killed you could fake voice-prints and lift off with a sweet ship to add to our outfit. They aren't guild." Dedran agreed slowly. "I like it. Talk to them. Offer them anything but let them set the price." His eyes met those of the man opposite him. "And if the natives don't kill them, maybe they still won't make it back."
"I think that's possible. I'll look for them as soon as we land." He stood and left the cabin. A man couldn't choose the ones he worked with. A pity. But the money was good and the chance of beasts again sounded even better. But he'd see to it that his hirelings didn't harm the Tani girl. She wasn't a real beast master. Not one of those who'd stood by and let him be dumped like rubbish. He'd allow her to live. Since she wasn't trained the loss of her team wouldn't be so bad anyhow. He went to his cabin, laid down, and dreamed of days long past when one was many and all were one.
He was near the cages the next day, gazing at the beasts as Laris scurried to and fro in her work. He noticed her struggling to move a larger box of supplies from the top of several others, and moved forward just as the box began to tilt dangerously downward. It had been heavier than Laris expected as it slid toward her. Cregar jumped forward, realizing if it fell on the child she could be injured. His hands closed on the box's handles and he caught it before lowering it down safely with her help. He glanced at her.
"Be careful, if you are hurt Dedran won't be pleased."
Her mouth twisted into a wry smile. "I know." He turned to leave and without thinking she spoke. It was the old custom of the camps binding her to a fair exchange. The man had maybe saved her from injury, a favor of the same kind was owed.
"Cregar?" He turned to listen. "Don't discount the natives on Arzor. Logan told me they're warriors. A clan can fight like a tigerbat swarm." He said nothing, only nodded in reply before he left again, but Laris was satisfied he'd understood her warning.
They touched down on Lereyne to find that Dedran's forerunners had whipped up crowd enthusiasm to almost a frenzy. Cregar faded into the crowd seething on the port periphery, watching the circus set up on the back lot. He found Baris drifting quietly along, eyes flicking from side to side. Cregar could have taken the idiot right there. But he wanted to use the pair as long as possible. And it would fire the other man's touchy pride.
Cregar half turned away and waited. Crats, but the man was clumsy. He'd sensed him sneaking up minutes before he closed in to hand range. He encouraged his body to flinch when the hand tapped him lightly on the shoulder. Turning, he had time to see the gratified look in Baris's eyes. The man had been a skulker, a scavenger, and a hanger-on during the war and in some ways he'd never gotten over not being a real fighter.
Now it delighted him that he'd successfully surprised one who'd not only been a warrior, but one of the elite. Cregar allowed him his moment of triumph before beginning negotiations. Ideena was more suspicious.
"What's in this for you?"
She was sniffing at the bait. Now to set the hook. "We'll both do well," Cregar told her calmly. "For us, I get the beasts Dedran wants. You'll be transporting me and them free. I'll split the cost of those we hire. For you, Dedran had his little snooper staying with the family there for weeks. She says that the Storm woman is off visiting with a native clan." He leaned forward and splayed a set of photos across the table. "Ever seen something like this?"
Ideena gaped. "Cat's-eye gems." She stared at him, her tongue flicking out to lick her lips. "Where?"
He smiled. He had her now. "Where'd you think? Arzor, where I want to go. That's the world which produces them. The Thunder-talkers there wear sets like this. Thunder-talkers are their witch doctors and they always wear the most valuable green gems as their symbols. Some of the wealthier clan people would have lesser jewels. The ones in gold or red maybe. Those photos are from the early days. Now the planet holds a native treaty in place. They don't go onto native lands, they can't hunt there or even fly-over without specific clan permission." He added one further comment, his voice stressing the words slowly.
"And the clans have only bows and arrows. They ride horses. No guns, no copters, no nothing."
Ideena's eyes were glittering. "And any clan would have a Thunder-talker."
"And any Thunder-talker would have a set of gems like these, maybe better," he confirmed.
She exchanged looks with Baris. "We're in. But we get to check the whole clan if there's time."
"There should be. If there isn't we can just stun them again." He watched her. Ideena looked at Baris who signaled acceptance.
"All right," she said. "We're definitely in. But any tricks, Cregar, and Baris'll feed you to those damn beasts you're snatching."
"I'm interested in the animals, and getting in and out with my hide and no peacekeepers on my tail. That's all. But while you're giving out warnings take one for yourself." He fixed her with his eyes until she nodded. "Good. When can you lift off?"
Ideena consulted Baris in a low mutter as they walked to the ramp. Baris seemed to be protesting. She overrode that and turned to Cregar. "Tomorrow morning at the earliest. We need supplies, and Baris has something he wants to do."
Cregar would have bet on it. At the very least Baris would be planning some way to make sure they weren't tricked. Considering the man, it wouldn't be anything too subtle though. And since neither of this precious pair would want anyone knowing their business, they'd be unlikely to be planning the timeworn "leaving an envelope with someone to be opened" routine. There was always a chance that trick would go wrong, and the envelope used to convict them of something.
He waved graciously. "Tomorrow morning then. And I'll contribute to supplies. That's fair." He handed over a hundred-credit note, contriving to brush against Baris's sleeve as he did so. The tiny bug should stay there long enough. He'd planted two larger bugs already. One under the table here, and another by their ship's ramp. Ideena would expect that. She'd look, find them, and be satisfied. But they were meant to be found. Now he flicked three more from his fingertips when neither quarry was watching.
One bounced off and was lost. The other two clung to Ideena's clothing near the hem. Not an ideal spot but they had good amplification. He should be able to hear what this pair said. He left the duo with protestations of comradeship and hurried to a secluded place behind a shed. Then he thrust the receiver into his ear hastily. Baris was complaining.