Adikor smiled. Thank you.
So what happened? said Ponter. He grinned. Your voice doesnt sound any higher, so I assume she didnt succeed.
Actually, said Jasmel, the case will be heard by a tribunal, starting tomorrow.
Ponter shook his head in wonder. Well, obviously, we must have the accusation expunged.
Adikor smiled. If youd be so kind, he said.
The next morning, Adjudicator Sard was joined by a wizened male and an even more wizened female, one sitting on each side of her. The Gray Council chamber was packed with spectators and ten or so silver-clad Exhibitionists. Daklar Bolbay was still wearing orange, the color of accusation. But there was considerable whispering among the crowd when Adikor entered, for instead of the accuseds blue, he had on a rather jaunty shirt with a floral print, and a light green pant. He made his way to the stool hed gotten to know so well.
Scholar Huld, said Adjudicator Sard, we have traditions, and I expect you to observe them. I think by now youve learned how little patience I have for wasting time, so I wont send you home to change today, but tomorrow, Ill expect you to be wearing blue.
Of course, Adjudicator, said Adikor. Forgive me.
Sard nodded. The final investigation of Adikor Huld of Saldak Rim for the murder of Ponter Boddit of the same locale now begins. Presiding tribunal consists of Farba Dondthe elderly man noddedas well as Kab Jodler, and myself, Komel Sard. The accuser is Daklar Bolbay, on behalf of her late woman-mates minor child, Megameg Bek. Sard looked around the packed room, and a self-satisfied frown creased Sards face; she clearly knew this was a case that would be talked about for countless months to come. We will begin with the initial statement of the accuser. Daklar Bolbay, you may begin.
With respect, Adjudicator, said Adikor, rising, I was wondering if the person speaking for me might present my defense first?
Scholar Huld, said Dond, sharply, Adjudicator Sard has already warned you about ignoring traditions. The accuser always goes first, and
Oh, I understand that, said Adikor. But, well, I do know of Adjudicator Sards desire to speed things along, and I thought this might help.
Bolbay rose, perhaps sensing an opportunity. After all, if she went after the defense, shed be able to pull it apart during her initial statement. As accuser, I have no problem with the defense being presented first.
Thank you, said Adikor, bowing magnanimously. Now, if it
Scholar Huld! snapped Sard. It is not up to the accuser to determine protocol. We will proceed as tradition dictates, with Daklar Bolbay speaking first, and
I only thought said Adikor.
Silence! Sard was getting quite red in the face. You shouldnt be talking at all. She faced Jasmel. Jasmel Ket, only you should speak on Scholar Hulds behalf; please make sure he understands this.
Jasmel rose. With great respect, Worthy Adjudicator, I am not speaking for Adikor this time. You did, after all, suggest that he find a more appropriate defender.
Sard nodded curtly. Im glad to see he can listen at least some of the time. She scanned the crowd. All right. Who is speaking on Adikor Hulds behalf?
Ponter Boddit, who had been standing just outside the Council-chamber doors, walked in. I am, he said.
Some spectators gasped.
Very well, said Sard, looking down, preparing to make a note. And your name is?
Boddit, said Ponter. Sards head snapped up. Ponter Boddit.
Ponter looked across the room. Jasmel had been restraining Megameg, but now she let her younger sister go. Megameg ran across the Council-chamber floor, and Ponter swept her up off the ground, hugging her.
Order! shouted Sard. There will be order!
Ponter was grinning from ear to ear. Part of him had worried that the authorities might try to keep the existence of the other Earth a secret. After all, it was only at the last moment that Doctors Montego and Singh had prevented Ponter from being taken away by the Gliksin authorities, possibly never to be seen again. But right now, thousands were using their Voyeurs at home to look in on what the Exhibitionists here were seeing, and a room full of regular Companions were transmitting signals to their owners alibi cubes. The whole worldthis whole worldwould soon hear the truth.
Bolbay was on her feet. Ponter!
Your eagerness to avenge me is laudable, dear Daklar, he said, but, as you can see, it was premature.
Where have you been? Bolbay demanded. Adikor thought she looked more angry than relieved.
Where have I been? repeated Ponter, looking out at the silver suits in the audience. I must say Im flattered that the trifling matter of the possible murder of an undistinguished physicist has attracted so many Exhibitionists. And, with them all here and with a hundred other Companions sending signals to the archive pavilion, I will be glad to explain. He surveyed the facesbroad, flat faces; faces with proper-sized noses, not those pinched things the Gliksins had; hairy male faces and less-hairy female ones; faces with prominent browridges and streamlined jaws; handsome faces, beautiful faces, the faces of his people, his friends, his species. But first, he said, let me just say that theres no place like home.
Chapter 47
Adikor and Ponter arrived at the home of Dern, the robotics engineer. Dern ushered them inside, then turned off his Voyeurhe was a fellow Lulasm fan, Ponter saw.
Gentlemen, gentlemen! said Dern, its good to see you. He pointed at the now-black square of the Voyeur. Did you look in on Lulasms visit to the Economics Academy this morning?
Ponter shook his head; so did Adikor.
Your friend Sard has stepped down from being an adjudicator. Apparently, her colleagues thought she looked somewhat less than impartial, given the way your trial turned out.
Somewhat? said Adikor, astonished. Theres an understatement.
In any event, said Dern, the Grays decided shed make a more meaningful contribution by teaching advanced mediation to 146s.
It probably wont catch any Exhibitionists eye, said Ponter, but Daklar Bolbay is getting help now, too. Therapy for grief management, anger management, and so on.
Adikor smiled. I introduced her to my old personality sculptor, and hes gotten her hooked up with the right people.
Thats good, said Dern. Are you going to demand a public apology from her?
Adikor shook his head. I have Ponter back, he said simply. Theres nothing else I need.
Dern smiled and told one of his many household robots to fetch beverages. I thank you both for coming over, he said, lying down on a long couch, ankles crossed, fingers interlaced behind his head, his round belly rising up and down as he breathed.
Ponter and Adikor straddled saddle-seats. You said you had something important to talk about, said Ponter, prodding gently.
I do, said Dern, lolling his head so that he could look at them. I think we need to find a way to make the gateway between the two versions of Earth stay open permanently.
It seemed to stay open as long as there was a physical object passing through the gateway, said Ponter.
Well, yes, on short time scales, said Adikor. We really dont know if it can be maintained indefinitely.
If it can, said Ponter, the possibilities are staggering. Tourism. Trade. Cultural and scientific exchange.