The Stones of Nomuru
- Автор: Де Камп Лайон Спрэг
- Серия: Viagens Interplanetarias #7
- Язык: английский
- Жанр: Научная фантастика
Электронная книга - «The Stones of Nomuru». Краткое содержание книги:
Mild-mannered Terra archeologist Keith Salazar was just minding his business, digging up the alien past on an out-of-the-way site on the planet Kukulcan, when suddenly he was beseiged by intruders on his scholarly peace: hostile natives, an indifferent ex-wife, and a demon developer with rapacious eyes glued on both his site and his true love.
In the course of protecting his dig, regaining his loved one and vanquishing his rival, Salazar will fight a giant reptilian predator bare-handed, leap into snake-filled pits, engineer the planet's first imperial conquest, lead and train a battalion of alien riflemen, and hold a séance. Pretty exciting work--but then maybe Keith Salazar wasn't such a milquetoast after all...
He did not succeed in covering all the boshiyas; three remained outside the coat. As he stamped on the jacket, he whirled the rope to fend off these, presently joined by another that had escaped from beneath the garment.
He stamped and stamped, until the mass beneath his feet ceased to move. When at last he stepped back and looked around, the four unharmed boshiyas were scrambling up the rough Utile ramp that he had unintentionally made in the side of the pit.
A chorus of Kookish croaks drew his attention to his audience. Several Kooks fled the tent; others aimed their weapons at the escaping animals. Flintlocks boomed, scattering bloody bits of boshiya about the inclosure.
Ignoring the commotion, Salazar sprang to the center of the pit and cut Kara's rope with his pocket knife. As the last rope fell away, he held out his arms, expecting her to fall feinting into them. Instead, she drew her slender body up, saying:
"Thanks a lot, Keith. Now do you think they'll let me put on my clothes?"
A woman of steel! Salazar thought proudly, as he picked up his jacket, befouled as it was with boshiya blood and guts. He helped her up over the side of the pit, vaulted up himself, and walked with her to the place where General Jidsho stood immobile. Ignoring the general, Kara retrieved her tattered garments and began to put them on. Salazar eyed the general coldly as his hard-pushed heart slowed down to normal. He said:
"Well, Your Gallantry?"
"Honorable Sarasara, you have proved by the Universal Law that your version of events be the true one. Since Shta and I are longtime rivals, I assume he sent the letter to get me into trouble. Such treachery is unheard-of among gentlefolk; Shta has been corrupted by his contact with the Terrans. I offer my apologies to your female and my assurances to you that I accept your soldiers with their newfangled guns; although, if such execrable devices spread amongst us human beings, I shall quit the trade of soldiering. It will no longer be an occupation for genteel persons."
"We thank you," said Salazar with a tinge of sarcasm. "May I ask why someone fired the shot that cut the rope?"
"Had he not, the test had not been fair. We knew not that you, in your sly Terran way, had a second knife concealed on your person."
"If you did not think to inspect my garments, the fault was yours."
Another long hiss floated across the silence.
"True. Although you are a mere animal, honorable Sarasara, and at death you will perish utterly without leaving a spirit to guide your descendants, your logic almost ranks you as a reasoning being like us. Now you and the female may return to your command. An officer will show you the way to your quarters. May good health pursue you both!"
"May the general likewise enjoy good health," growled Salazar as he began the tedious ritual. A Terran could have told from the archaeologist's tone that he wished General Jidsho anything but health, wealth, and happiness; the general, fortunately, was incapable of drawing such subtle inferences.
At last Salazar said: "Ready, Kara?"
"Yes, Keith. Your jacket's a mess, and I'll have to spend the rest of the day mending my own things."
Salazar grinned. "Remember those baths in the creek, when we killed the porondu?"
"What about them?"
"Well, I must say that your shape is as splendid as ever!
"Damned old satyr!" she muttered, following Salazar out of the tent.
As they emerged into the slanting shafts of the afternoon sun, Kara said: "I—I'm sorry, Keith. I really am eternally grateful. You were brave and clever—a real hero!" Her voice trembled, and Salazar though he saw the glisten of an unshed tear.
"No, darling," he said. "You were the heroic one. I did what I did because I love you; and I'd do it even if I never saw you again in my life. Now let's find some better food than was offered at our so-called buffet lunch."
As, following one of Jidsho's officers, they walked toward the Ranger's tents, Salazar saw a mud-stained courier pull up his juten and leap down, crying that he bore a letter from the Empress to General Jidsho. As the Kook was led into the big tent, Salazar remarked:
"Lousy timing, eh?"
The following sunrise saw Salazar and Kara standing before the main tent. Kono held the lead straps of three jutens, one for himself, one for Salazar, and one for gear. Kara and Salazar were concluding a friendly but heated argument over who should have the pup tent while they were apart. She insisted that he take it with him, while he was equally determined to leave it with her.
"After all," he said, "I've been sleeping under the stars a lot lately—"
"I know. But you'll be traveling alone, and it's sure to rain. Then you'll get sick, and what will happen to me?"
"Well—" Salazar weakened.
"Besides, I'll be perfectly fine in with Major Kange; his tent's big enough for the pair of us."
Salazar grunted. "I suppose it will be all right, if you can stand the Kookish smell. But don't let him get too fond of you."
"Silly! I must be as sexually repulsive to him as he is to me. Think you'll run into Conrad Bergen?"
"Shouldn't be surprised. The route lies past that Nomuru site."
"Promise me you won't try to kill him! Not that I care about him, but it would cause us endless trouble."
"I won't shoot unless he tries something first, and he's a terrible shot. Try to practice your Feënzuo on Kange; maybe he'd like to learn a little English."
He half opened his arms, but all he got was a brisk handshake and a gentle smile.
Keith Salazar, with Kono and the baggage animal, jounced expeditiously back to Shongosi on their way to the Chosho frontier. Salazar lingered in Biitso only long enough to learn that High Chief Miyage had gone to the frontier, taking all but a handful of his army. In Shongaro he made a similar discovery when he inquired about Chief Sambyaku.
The forges of Neruu glowed redly in the dusk as Salazar rode through the town, while the smoke of a hundred chimneys dimmed the stars and the little starlike moons. The whirring, clanking machine shops were working overtime on muskets and other military gear.
Knowing the route, Salazar went on to his old camping ground. Kono had lighted a fire, and he and Salazar were putting up the pup tent, when a crackle of twigs apprised them of intruders. As Salazar picked up his rifle, the light of a lantern fell on him and a Kookish voice croaked: "Stand! Who be ye?"
Three Kooks painted with the insignia of the army of Shongosi came toward the firelight, muskets raised. Salazar identified himself.
The Kook wearing the symbols of an officer said: "I am Captain Te of the Biitso Civil Guard. Honorable Sarasara, know that the High Chief has forbidden either you or the other Terran, the large one with a name like 'Boogen', to touch the site of Nomuru until he decides which of you is legally entitled to do so. We are here to enforce His Highness's command."
"I understand," said Salazar. "In fact, I am here to assure myself that no unauthorized work has been done on the site in my absence. With such alert, dutiful guards as you on hand, I realize that my fears were groundless."