Pyanfar drew a long, long breath, wrinkling up her nose so that the translator drew back a pace. "There is no profit in such a wager, esteemed Director."
"— What profit to any dealing with Chanur? We restore your papers and see how you repay us.
Where are our damages? Where will you obtain the funds, who claim to be a terror to the kif? We fine you. You dare take nothing from them."
"They by the gods steal nothing from us except where we have relied on stsho authority."
The moonstone eyes acquired wider, darker centers. "-You have brought a male of your kind here. I hesitate to breach this delicacy, but it is well known that this gender of your species is unstable.
This surely contributed-"
"This is a hani affair."
"— Other hani find the state of affairs on your ship disturbing and improper."
"A hani matter."
"— A deputy of the han has shown concern. The deputy has assured me that this is not new policy, that the han deplores this action-"
"It's none of the deputy's gods-rotted business. Or anyone else's. Let's stay to the issue of safety on the docks."
"— Hani have not found it wise to bring their males into foreign contacts, for which they are naturally unsuited and unprepared. Other hani are shocked at your provocation."
"The docks, esteemed director. And public safety."
"— You have violated law. You have brought this person-"
"A member of my crew."
"— This person has a license?"
"He's got a temporary. All in order. Ask your own security."
"— A permit granted at Gaohn station. By a Chanur ally, doubtless under pressure. He is here without permissions-"
"Since when does Compact law require permissions for listed crew?"
"— Since when does listed crew take liberty during unloading and visit bars?"
"This is my ship and my affair!"
"— It became a stsho affair."
"Indeed it did! And any other question is utter persiflage. Let us stay to the issue: a kif attack on personnel of my ship; on personnel of my ship, who relied on the security assured by stsho law and custom. We have suffered outrage; I have suffered personal outrage in being detained for hours while kif assassins doubtless do as they please on the docks, to the hazard of life and property, some of which is mine — and who guarantees the safety of my goods waiting loading, when we are the victims of this outrage? I hold the station responsible. Where are my crew, esteemed Director? And who pays the indemnities we're due?"
This was perhaps too much. The translator wrung gist hands and stammered on the words, bowed like a reed in the wind on receiving the reply.
"— Why not ask the mahendo'sat you conferred with?"
Pyanfar's ears went tight against her skull. She brought them up with utmost effort, smoothed her nose and assumed a bland expression. "Would the director mean perhaps the mahendo'sat whose registry board malfunctioned in this well-ordered station?"
Another exchange. The translator's skin lost its pearly sheen and went dead white. "-The director says gtst knows about this board. A subordinate has been disapproved in this malfunction."
"It would be impolite to suggest higher connections. It would be stupid to doubt them."
The translator made several gasps for air and performed, with further hand-wringing. "-The subordinate in question had no inkling of higher complicities, such as you and your co-conspirators arranged. This mahen ship has elected departure during the disturbance. The disturbance reached also to the methane-breathers. The director asks — are you aware of this? Are you aware of hazards with tc'a and chi?"
"Not my affair. Absolutely not my affair."
"— The director asks — do you want the merchandise this person left?"
Pyanfar took in her breath, feeling an impact in the gut.
"— It is," the translator rendered the next remark, "perishable."
"I take it then station will deliver this merchandise. . recognizing its obligation."
"— There are entanglements. There is, for instance, the question of our damages. This shipment is impounded."
"I refuse to be held to account for thieving krf! Take it up with the mahendo'sat you dealt with!"
"I cannot translate this," the translator said. Gtst eyes were round. "I beg the esteemed hani captain-"
"Tell gtst if I behaved as the kif did gtst would not be speaking to me about damages."
"Ashosh!" the Director said: the translator turned and folded gtst hands on gtst breast, lisped in softest tones, turned with moonlike eyes at widest.
"— We will speak of damages later. Now this merchandise, this — perishabie merchandise."
Pyanfar set her hands within her belt, stood with feet set. "In the estimable Director's personal keeping, I trust."
"— Four canisters. Am I a menial, to keep such goods personally?"
"Gods rot it-" She amended that, flicking up her ears, trying for a quieter tone. "Considering they are perishable, I trust there is some care being taken."
The translator relayed it. The Director waved a negligent hand. Gtst eyes were unblinking, hard. "-Customs matters. Unfortunately the consignor in his haste for departure left papers in disarray, lacking official stamps. Have you suggestions, hani captain, that would prevent this property being sold at public auction? There would, I am certain, be interested bidders — some very rich. Some with backers.
Unless the esteemed Chanur captain takes personal responsibility."
A blackness closed about the edges of the room, on everything but the graceful nodding stsho.
"— Also," the stsho continued, "the matter of papers lately cleared. This station is dismayed. .
utterly dismayed at the betrayal of its trust. I am personally distressed."
"Let's talk," Pyanfar said, "about things good merchants like us both understand. Like fair trade. Like deal. Like I take my small difficulty out of Meetpoint within a few hours after getting my cargo in order, and I take it elsewhere without a word to anyone about bribes and mahendo'sat. You want to talk trouble, esteemed Director? You want to talk kif trouble, and word of this getting back to your upper echelons? Or do you want to talk about the merchandise, and finding my crew, and letting me take this off your hands — with my permits in order — before it gets more expensive for your station than it already is?"
The translator winced, turned and began to render it in one hand-waving spate.
"Ashosh!" the Director said; and other things. A flush came and went over gist skin, mottlings of nacre. The nostrils flared in rapid unison. "Chanur sosshis na thosthsi cnisste znei ctehtsi canth hos."
Another flinch from the translator, a rounding of round shoulders as gtst turned.
"Tell gtst," Pyanfar said without waiting, "gtst is in personal danger. From the kif, of course. Say it!"
It was rendered. The Director's skin went white. "-Unacceptable. There is a debt which in your doubtless adequate if unimaginative perception you must acknowledge was incurred by your crew, to have released a member of your species widely acknowledged to be unstable-"
"A member of my crew and my mate, you fluttering bastard!"
Nostrils flared. "-The debt stands. No agreement embraced such damages."