Crisis On Doona by Anne McCaffrey, Jody Lynn Nye Page A

Todd managed a fine approximation of an Hrruban growl — “it got over serviced when the Hrrethan space station insisted on being sure the Albatross was in perfect working order.”
    “Even though we assured them that our own people had serviced it before we started out,” Hrriss added, letting one claw escape its sheath.
    “So no idea who put the drone out there?” Kelly asked, knowing the answer even before Hrriss shook his head.
    “There were others who would make their second warp jump at those particular coordinates,” Hrriss said, “but everyone knew we were anxious to return speedily to Rrala.”
    “So it was set up to catch you two.” Her remark was more statement than question.
    “That’s the most logical assumption,” Todd said, “in the present circumstances, but we have a recording of that Mayday, which I don’t think we were supposed to have.”
    “And you let Hrriss do all the talking, didn’t you?” Kelly asked briskly, and looked relieved when both nodded. Then her shoulders sagged. “But it’s just the sort of incident Spacedep would contrive, an unnecessary breach of the Treaty and by a Doonan.”
    “And a Hrruban!” Hrriss reminded her.
    She did not like the inferences that even an idiot could draw, let alone an anti-Doona faction. “Who else knows about this?”
    “Our fathers,” Hrriss said, “Hrrestan and Rrev. It was decided to defer the matter until after the Hunt.”
    “Sensible. No one on Doona’d let you escape your Hunt responsibilities,” Kelly said, and then to insert some levity into the conversation, “including me. And,” she added more brightly, “since this is Doona, you’ll be believed. It’s on Earth that I wouldn’t give a cracked egg for your chances. If we can only limit the incident to Doona — once the visitors have left and can’t get their noses into something as juicy as an interdiction breach.”
    “In any case, I’m the one at fault,” Todd said in his characteristic forthright manner. “I was piloting the ship, and I insisted that we respond to the Mayday, even if it meant passing an interdiction buoy. It’s serious but it oughtn’t to damage the Doonan Treaty.”
    “Hear him. He would have us suffer even before being found guilty,” Hrriss said wryly, nudging Todd in the ribs with the back of his hand. “First it must be proved to the Treaty Council that we acted out of malice. If sanctity of life cannot supersede borders and barriers, then we may not call ourselves civilized.”
    “Well, let’s not borrow trouble from tomorrow, huh?” Kelly said, cocking her head at them. “I’m not without resources, you know. Just let me know when to call in favors, and where, and you know I’ll do it.” Then, seeing a swarm of guests crowding into the Hall, she reverted to Standard. “It’s party time, lads,” she said, rising to her feet, giving her skirts a practiced flirt. “And I intend to party!”
    * * *
    Since by tradition and Treaty, there was no hotel, guests were assigned space in the old plastic cabins of the original village. Many visitors found them a diverting change from the usual sterile accommodations. The more prestigious were billeted with Doonan host families, and the overflow used canvas tenting shelters. However, Doonans, Hayuman and Hrruban alike, provided visitors with Friendly Native Guides to keep them company and, more important, to show them the dangerous vegetation and keep them from unexpectedly rousing the ferocious bearlike mda. Such individual contacts with those from other worlds had improved good opinions of Doona over the past twenty-five years.
    This year, the Shihs, Phyllis and Hu, leader of the First Human Village, were pleased to have the honor of hosting the Fifth Speaker, the Hrruban Minister for Health and Medicine. The Hrruban’s stripe was noticeably broader and his mane was whitening around his face, but he was solemnly kind to all who approached to greet him. He caught Todd’s eye and