“Relax, my friend. You would still be in charge of the distribution and sale of all supplies and equipment, including any new devices we choose to provide.”
“Where do the people live?” Ethan asked.
“Which people?”
“The engineers, the technicians who run this place.”
“We have constructed an extensive underground facility for their comfort.” Bamaputra was obviously annoyed at the interruption, feeling he’d been making progress with Hunnar and Elfa. “Given the climate, underground living is much more practical. That is one of the things we will change, of course. Why do you ask?”
“I was just wondering,” Ethan told him evenly, “if they’re all aware of what the end result of their work here is going to be.”
“It wouldn’t be practical to try concealing our aims from those who work for us. Each has his own reason for being here. You see, my idealistic friend, there still exists a sufficiently large segment of humanity which is not concerned with the fate of alien races as much as they are with improving their own circumstances—the thranx excepted, naturally. We pay very well and our method of payment ensures that the taxing authorities have trouble tracing such disbursements.
“Even so, not all know everything. Safer to keep as many as possible in the dark. They prefer this as much as we do. Should they be discovered and arraigned they will be able to plead honest ignorance before the truth machine. It’s not hard to find competent people to perform under such circumstances, provided you phrase your job offer appropriately. The number of zeroes at the end of financial statements is likewise efficacious.”
September was looking around the conference room/office. “You’re right about one thing. Somebody’s put a lot of money into this. I imagine they expect they’re going to get it all back by selling vital supplies and equipment for the development of a new civilization to the grateful survivors?”
“I would not know. I am not much interested in commerce myself, though in order to deal effectively with my backers I have been forced to learn something of the financial world, yes. Your supposition is correct insofar as it goes, but it does not go far enough. It is not only the Tran who will be dependent on my backers for favors.
“When the sea level begins to rise, low-lying harbors such as Brass Monkey will be flooded. Much of the island Arsudun will likewise become untenable. The Commonwealth will need a new location for its outpost, not to mention its refugee centers. Not enough of Arsudun will remain above water to suffice.
“Here, the government will find not only facilities suitable for human habitation already in place, but also the new center of Tran civilization. Uncertainty over how this all came about will be overwhelmed by the need to establish a new base quickly.”
“To help the migrants,” Ethan muttered.
“Precisely. In any fight between necessity and morality the latter never wins.”
“It’s still not the right way to do things,” Ethan argued.
“What is the right way anymore?” Everyone turned in surprise to Mousokka, second mate of the Slanderscree. “So much has changed since these people have come to our world.”
“For the better,” Elfa reminded him, “because we know that Ethan, Skua, and Milliken are our friends. This have they proven not with words but with deeds.”
“They are changing us. The skypeople are changing us. Why is one group better than another? None of them are Tran!”
“Why don’t you talk over my offer?” Bamaputra suggested with a smile. “Return to the familiar surroundings of your beautiful ice ship. Discuss it among yourselves. I would much prefer to have your cooperation than not, though it will not make any difference in the end either way.”
“And if we don’t cooperate?”
“You people have this charming way of dispensing with diplomacy.” Bamaputra retained his good humor. “That can be discussed if and when it occurs. Do not trouble yourself with such thoughts. We are not barbarians here.”
“No,” echoed Corfu proudly, “we aren’t barbarians here.”
“I don’t like giving ultimatums. But keep in mind that nothing is going to stop this project. There is too much invested. You can be part of it or not, as you will. Go and talk in private. If you have any more questions, Corfu will see to it that they are relayed to me.
“Meanwhile I need to talk about your unexpected appearance here.” He was staring straight at Ethan as he spoke. “Devin Antal is plant foreman. It is his responsibility, too.”
“Any preliminary thoughts on the matter?” September asked easily.
Their slightly built captor tilted his head back to regard the giant casually. “When any occur to me, Mr. September, I assure you that you and your companions will be made aware of them immediately.”
X
HUNNAR WAS TOO NERVOUS to sit. He paced the Slanderscree’s dining room, ruffing his dan and clicking his canines.
Escape was out of the question. The icerigger’s anchors had been wrapped around heavy pilings, and Corfu had mounted a guard on the deck. Upon returning from the installation their situation had been explained to the crew. Now the sailors and soldiers were conferencing out on deck while Hwang and her companions anxiously discussed their own options in the cabin that had been reserved to them.
Elfa was present, of course, as were Ethan and Skua. Ta-hoding, Suaxus-dal-Jagger, and the Slanderscree’s mates sat off to one side.
“What I do not understand is what’s so bad about the offer we have been made.” The second mate, Mousokka, leaned against a wall and crossed his arms.
“You can’t let someone turn your world upside down like this,” Ethan tried to explain.
“Why not?” The mate eyed him sharply, then let his gaze rove around the room. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I like the idea of being warm all the time. Simply because our weather is always cold does not mean it is to be enjoyed. The north winter wind never delights me. If our bodies will adapt themselves to warmer temperatures, why should we not welcome their arrival?”
“And we could also,” the third mate put in, “gain an advantage over all other Tran, as this human says. With the Slanderscree to lead the way, all of Wannome could move to this place.”
“It would mean starting over with nothing,” Elfa argued. “Would you then abandon the homes of your forefathers for a promise?”
“If what this human says comes to pass, we will be forced to do that one day anyhow. We will become like the Golden Saia.” Kilpit looked at Ethan. “Is this so?”
Ethan nodded. “But we’re talking ten thousand years or more before the change occurs naturally.”
“Why not start now? This human says his people will help us. We will be given light weapons and sky boats for our own use.”
“At a price,” Hunnar snapped. “And a price we know nothing of.”
Kilpit looked to Mousokka for support, then shrugged. “Everything comes at a price. We can pay these humans now or pay the world later.”
“What about your union?” September asked him. “What happened to the idea of all Tran cooperating and working together for a common goal?”
“We will all be united as the world warms and the seas die. Only some of us have a chance to be united before everyone else.”
“Such thoughts go against the whole idea of union. Either we work together as equals or we cannot work together at all,” Hunnar insisted.