never do such a thing! I am insulted. Insulted!”
“But not absolutely, one hundred percent sure that it couldn't be the case?” Hasa commented thoughtfully.
Both trunks wilted, droplets running down their naked lengths. “No. How could I possibly say that? This whole situation in which we find ourselves is so unthinkable, so bizarre, that I fear nothing can be ruled out.” Moon eyes regarded the tall Sakuntala. “Which means that it is also entirely possible, sirs, that elements among the Sakuntala have instigated our present difficulties with an eye toward blaming them upon my people.”
“Why would they do that?” Hasa pulled the leading edge of his rain cape lower on his forehead.
“As one more rationale for trying to drive us off this world, which has been a major desire of certain radical elements among the Sakuntala ever since my ancestors were first brought here. Any excuse, however absurd, to wreak violence against the Deyzara is keenly welcomed by such hostile groups.”
Jemunu-jah accepted the accusation quietly. He had to, because he knew it to be true.
The tension between the two of them seemed to amuse the human. “You folks really don't like each other much, do you? Well, if it means anything, I don't like you, either. I don't like ignorant, big-eared, thieving primitives. I don't like mincing, snake-faced, money-grubbing immigrants. And I don't like this stinking, soaking, moldering muddle of a planet.”
“My goodness gracious. Is there anything that you do like, Mr. Hasselemoga?” Masurathoo gave voice to the same response Jemunu-jah had been considering, only in far more polite terms than the Sakuntala would have managed.
The human smiled at the Deyzara. “Yes, there is. I like money. I like the compliments I get when I discover and bring back something useful. I like my privacy. I like certain other things you farcical resident freaks wouldn't understand. Understand
that
about me, respect
that
about me, and maybe we'll get out of this together.”
Understand I do, Jemunu-jah thought darkly.
Respect,
however, was not a term that he found he could apply to the human.
“Just to be fair,” Hasa added, “there are certain brainless bundles of morons within the Commonwealth who think humans and thranx should stay off any world not already classified Class Two or above. While I'm not personally acquainted with representatives of any such organizations on this dirt ball, that doesn't mean they aren't here. They could've been the ones responsible for putting me down, and for working to prevent any rescue.” He smiled broadly. It was an easily recognizable expression Jemunu-jah had come to associate with human amusement. In the case of this particular individual, however, it clearly had other associations and meanings.
“Being around my own kind most of the time, I've no illusions about what they're capable of. So there's enough potential blame to go around. Don't worry. When we get back I'll find out who's responsible, and deal with them in my own way.” Implicitly suggesting that the Deyzara would be useless in such an undertaking, Hasa focused his attention on Jemunu-jah. “You can help if you like.”
“You seem very sure we will get back, sir.” Masurathoo found that more and more of his attention was being drawn away from the ongoing conversation and toward their saturated, inhospitable surroundings.
“I'm always sure I'm going to get back. I've been in bad situations before, and I'm still here.”
“You not spent time on foot in Viisiiviisii,” Jemunu-jah countered. The human just glared at him but said nothing.
“Well, I daresay that our present obligation is to make ourselves as safe and comfortable as possible while we await our own rescue.” Masurathoo began searching for a drier place among the leaves and branches.
“What rescue?” Hasa snorted. “Want to bet that whatever took over your skimmer also disabled its emergency equipment, just as it did mine?”
“But not absolutely, one hundred percent sure that it couldn't be the case?” Hasa commented thoughtfully.
Both trunks wilted, droplets running down their naked lengths. “No. How could I possibly say that? This whole situation in which we find ourselves is so unthinkable, so bizarre, that I fear nothing can be ruled out.” Moon eyes regarded the tall Sakuntala. “Which means that it is also entirely possible, sirs, that elements among the Sakuntala have instigated our present difficulties with an eye toward blaming them upon my people.”
“Why would they do that?” Hasa pulled the leading edge of his rain cape lower on his forehead.
“As one more rationale for trying to drive us off this world, which has been a major desire of certain radical elements among the Sakuntala ever since my ancestors were first brought here. Any excuse, however absurd, to wreak violence against the Deyzara is keenly welcomed by such hostile groups.”
Jemunu-jah accepted the accusation quietly. He had to, because he knew it to be true.
The tension between the two of them seemed to amuse the human. “You folks really don't like each other much, do you? Well, if it means anything, I don't like you, either. I don't like ignorant, big-eared, thieving primitives. I don't like mincing, snake-faced, money-grubbing immigrants. And I don't like this stinking, soaking, moldering muddle of a planet.”
“My goodness gracious. Is there anything that you do like, Mr. Hasselemoga?” Masurathoo gave voice to the same response Jemunu-jah had been considering, only in far more polite terms than the Sakuntala would have managed.
The human smiled at the Deyzara. “Yes, there is. I like money. I like the compliments I get when I discover and bring back something useful. I like my privacy. I like certain other things you farcical resident freaks wouldn't understand. Understand
that
about me, respect
that
about me, and maybe we'll get out of this together.”
Understand I do, Jemunu-jah thought darkly.
Respect,
however, was not a term that he found he could apply to the human.
“Just to be fair,” Hasa added, “there are certain brainless bundles of morons within the Commonwealth who think humans and thranx should stay off any world not already classified Class Two or above. While I'm not personally acquainted with representatives of any such organizations on this dirt ball, that doesn't mean they aren't here. They could've been the ones responsible for putting me down, and for working to prevent any rescue.” He smiled broadly. It was an easily recognizable expression Jemunu-jah had come to associate with human amusement. In the case of this particular individual, however, it clearly had other associations and meanings.
“Being around my own kind most of the time, I've no illusions about what they're capable of. So there's enough potential blame to go around. Don't worry. When we get back I'll find out who's responsible, and deal with them in my own way.” Implicitly suggesting that the Deyzara would be useless in such an undertaking, Hasa focused his attention on Jemunu-jah. “You can help if you like.”
“You seem very sure we will get back, sir.” Masurathoo found that more and more of his attention was being drawn away from the ongoing conversation and toward their saturated, inhospitable surroundings.
“I'm always sure I'm going to get back. I've been in bad situations before, and I'm still here.”
“You not spent time on foot in Viisiiviisii,” Jemunu-jah countered. The human just glared at him but said nothing.
“Well, I daresay that our present obligation is to make ourselves as safe and comfortable as possible while we await our own rescue.” Masurathoo began searching for a drier place among the leaves and branches.
“What rescue?” Hasa snorted. “Want to bet that whatever took over your skimmer also disabled its emergency equipment, just as it did mine?”
Similar Books
