And so the exalted are tempted, hmmm? and Ken felt sick with the bitterness of additional disillusionment. The sooner we get off Doona, the better. We don't deserve its bounty.
Pat's sigh was half a sob. He put his arm around her shoulders, wondering how much more defeat they would have to endure.
Landreau's at the mess hall, Ken, Pat said, halting as he guided her in the opposite direction, toward their cabin.
So? If he wants me, he'll find me at home.
Ken, I can't tell him that, Pat objected.
Pat, honey, you're telling him nothing. You're going to cook my dinner. They can't take that away from me yet.
Oh!
He could feel her resisting him ever so slightly. He turned her toward him.
Pat, I'm tired of deferring to this department and that manager. I'm tired of apologizing for my right to exist, for what I've seen, for what I know for what I am. If Landreau has anything to say to me, he can find me. This morning was the last time I trotted obediently in answer to an official summons.
He opened the cabin door, then saw Pat looking at him, scared and uncertain. Relenting, Ken took her by the shoulders and gave her a little shake.
Don't you see, Patty? It isn't a question any more of culture, it's a question of courage. With that theft, Codep has lost the right to command our loyalty. Landreau lost it by refusing to believe us or Todd. He sighed. I'd give anything to believe Alreldep has one brain in its collective head, but the odds are sure against it.
Alreldep doesn't enter the picture, Reeve, said Landreau who had quietly approached the house.
Oh yes they do. The Hrrubans are not native to this planet.
Landreau snorted contemptuously. Don't try that on me, Reeve. I won't credit it. Your so-called native-aliens are gone again, all right, because they never were here! And I've got proof. I planted satellite guards all around this planet. Nothing could have got through. And according to those sentinels, nothing did. Except Codep's ship.
I'm not going to argue with you, Landreau.
You can't, and Landreau's expression was openly scornful. And I'll tell you another thing. I'm onto your little plot. Oh, I don't know how you managed those films mighty clever, I'll say that.
What are you talking about?
No skin off my teeth, pal, if you Tee Effs can't take the life. Open space is too much for you. isn't it? You all want to go back to your nice comfortable closets on Earth. Go ahead. I'll help. Then we can open this planet up to some real men!
Reeve reached out and grabbed Landreau by the collar, jerking the shorter man off his feet.
I've had my bellyful of insults today, Landreau. You want to retract that statement? and Ken poised his right fist right under Landreau's chin.
Ken, don't! Pat cried out, grabbing at his raised arm. You can't fight with everyone. Not when we have to go back . . .
When Ken saw Landreau's eyes flicker briefly with triumph, he thrust Pat back and purposefully tightened his hold on the spaceman's jacket.
Give this planet a clear slate in your Department, remove Chaminade and his farting company and just see if you hear us pleading to leave Doona!
But we've got to leave, Ken. The Principle of . . .
Shut up, Pat. That damned principle's not even involved.
Make up your mind, Reeve, Landreau sneered and wrenched himself free.
When Ken took a menacing step toward him, Pat threw her arms around her husband.
Ken, stop it!
Where's your son, Mrs. Reeve? Landreau demanded curtly. This time you and that Moody woman won't stop me from probing that kid. I'll prove this is a phony scheme to get home.
Pat cried out in alarm, but Ken threw back his head and laughed at Landreau's request.
Find him, Landreau. You have to find him first!
The spaceman marched angrily down the short corridor to the bedrooms, slamming open doors to peer into the empty rooms.
All right where is he? He wasn't with the other kids in the mess hall. Where is he?
He was in the Hrruban village when the Codep ship arrived, Landreau, so wherever the Hrrubans are, Todd is.
Landreau's sharp eyes bored into Ken's for one long minute as though he could penetrate this suspected evasion by sheer will power,
I'll find him. Believe me, I'll find him. Then we'll get to the bottom of this! And he stalked out.
Oh, Ken, why are you doing this? Pat sobbed. You've antagonized Chaminade, and now Landreau and what are we going to do when we get back to Earth? We'll be pariahs and . . .
Pat, don't you see why I had to stand up to them? For everyone's sake. He held her a little from him so she had to look into his eyes. They've been pushing us around to suit themselves, and as long as we let them, they'll push us further and further down.
But we know the Hrrubans exist and they've got Todd. Oh, Ken, if Landreau gets Todd, I'll know he'll do a probe and . . .
Landreau will get Todd over my dead body, Pat. But for the time being, he's safe with the Hrrubans. Bless 'em.
He could not reassure Pat. She had suffered too many disrupting shocks in the past two weeks. And although his thoughts about the Hrrubans and the reasons for their disappearing act were beginning to crystallize, he didn't dare hold out such a vague hope to her. Not in her state of mind.
The sound of running feet penetrated Pat's soft crying and she clung to him tightly, breathlessly.
It's only Bill Moody, Pat. Todd's light on his feet.
But her body remained expectantly taut in his arms until Bill's reedy voice called out.
Mr. Reeve, Mr. Chaminade wants to see you immediately.
Oh, Ken, and Pat's voice held a world of entreaty.
Thanks, Bill. Please give my compliments to Mr. Chaminade and tell him I'll receive him here.
Pat gasped and Bill's eyes went round and wide as rocket tubes.
Bububut he wants to see you, the boy repeated.
Yes, so you said. Well, he can see me here.
Bill stared at him a moment longer and then took to his heels as if a mda were after him.
That boy's going to make a good runner, by God.
Kenneth Reeve, his wife broke away from him in horror. Can you imagine what will happen to that child when he repeats such an insolent message to an official like Chaminade?
Ken dropped his hands to his side and returned Pat's accusing glare.
Nothing will happen to the child. Let me point out that my message was more polite than Chaminade's. But I'm not going anywhere else today unless it's back to the bed I never should have left.
Pat was instantly contrite. I forgot all about your wounds.
My galls, he corrected her. Well, I haven't, but it was not the galls on his hide he was thinking about as he sank gratefully down onto the couch.
He had barely settled himself in as comfortable a position as the nature of his injuries allowed before he heard the subdued murmur of many people nearing the house. He sighed resignedly. Well, this ought to be short and sweet, he told himself; just like my frame of mind.
It was so kind of you to come, Mr. Chaminade, Pat began obsequiously as the Codep man, followed by his delegation, strode in. My husband is in a good deal of . . .
That's enough, Pat, Ken interrupted her sharply. His wife wasn't going to suck up to Chaminade either.
I received your message, Chaminade said acidly, brushing by Pat as if she didn't exist. His little eyes, narrowed in his fat face, glittered with a dangerous intensity. The others ranged themselves behind him, every one of them socially scrawny. Then Landreau entered, standing slightly to one side of the Codep contingent, his face expressionless save for his mocking eyes.
Hu Shih and Lawrence came in next, their faces set. They nodded to Pat as they took positions behind Ken's couch, facing the officials. Outside the cabin, quiet in the twilight, the rest of the adult colonists stood about anxiously.
Won't you sit? Pat suggested in an inane attempt to restore social behavior.
We shan't stay long, Chaminade said. We have already delayed our departure, waiting for the return of Mister Reeve. Where did you disappear to, Mister Reeve?