about “the military.” The comments confused Sar-Say at first. His impression from his studies of the Earth’s public data network was that the humans had a very small space navy, more constabulary than fighting force. He finally realized that Dr. Plessey’s complaints were traditional, a holdover from times when the humans had been quite warlike, and were directed at the uniformed personnel of the Stellar Survey.
Then there was Professor Irving Kostmeier, who could talk for hours if one of Sar-Say’s questions triggered an enthusiasm. Despite his tendency for loquaciousness, the Broa detected a sharp intellect hiding beneath the professor’s too friendly façade.
One thing the conversations were was never ending. Day after day, his interrogators quizzed him about life in Civilization. As he had before, he told them the truth. With his secret revealed, he had no reason to lie and every reason to keep whatever trust he could with humans. They were a strange species. Individuals not involved in the recent voyage to Sky Flower seemed to treat the expedition as ancient history. Each new acquaintance presented him with a blank screen on which he could write anew.
Despite the long days, the sessions with his interrogators were profitable. For, while they probed his knowledge of Broan Civilization, he learned about Earth and humanity in turn. Nor was his curiosity unfocused. While he interacted with an ever-expanding circle of human academics, he continued to search for those who might prove useful in the future.
Having been discovered before he could make contact with the Voldar’ik, he faced the prospect that remainder of his life would be spent in captivity. The possibility did not frighten Sar-Say. His species was not built to agonize over what might have been. Instead, he put aside his regrets and began to plan anew.
His new plan was elegant, but required the assistance of a few humans to be successful. Homo sapiens , as they rather grandiosely styled themselves, were much more individualistic than were Broa. Given the proper inducements, he was sure he could bribe a few humans to help him. He just had to find them.
“Good morning, Sar-Say,” Director Fernandez said as he exited the combination airlock and security barrier leading to Sar-Say’s cell.
“Good morning, Director,” Sar-Say replied.
Fernandez visited him every morning at precisely 08:00 hours to see how he was doing, sometimes in the company of Dr. Knowlan or Dr. Hirakawa, but most often alone. He seemed solicitous of Sar-Say’s welfare.
“I have news this morning,” Director Fernandez said.
Sar-Say waited. He had not yet learned to make the automatic responses humans used to signify they were ready to receive information.
“We have gotten permission to expose you to a wider range of people than just us ivory tower types.”
The Broa did not understand the reference to towers. That, however, was not the reason he answered, “I don’t understand.”
“We are going to arrange a faculty reception at which you will be the Guest of Honor. A number of important people will be there. You will meet the elites of our society. Besides, it will be an occasion to show you off.”
“Why would you do that?”
Fernandez wrinkled his upper face in an expression that Sar-Say knew meant that he was puzzled.
“A good question,” the director responded, realizing that he was talking to an alien. “It will be a chance for you to learn more about us, and we about you. Also, it will enhance the status of our institute. That can’t hurt at budget time, you know.”
The accumulation of value was one thing that Sar-Say understood. “When will this function take place?”
“At the beginning of next month. There are invitations to send out, schedules to be adjusted, catering to be arranged, all manner of tasks to be completed.”
“Will I be caged?” Sar-Say asked, suddenly realizing that this might be the occasion he had been waiting for.
“Of
Then there was Professor Irving Kostmeier, who could talk for hours if one of Sar-Say’s questions triggered an enthusiasm. Despite his tendency for loquaciousness, the Broa detected a sharp intellect hiding beneath the professor’s too friendly façade.
One thing the conversations were was never ending. Day after day, his interrogators quizzed him about life in Civilization. As he had before, he told them the truth. With his secret revealed, he had no reason to lie and every reason to keep whatever trust he could with humans. They were a strange species. Individuals not involved in the recent voyage to Sky Flower seemed to treat the expedition as ancient history. Each new acquaintance presented him with a blank screen on which he could write anew.
Despite the long days, the sessions with his interrogators were profitable. For, while they probed his knowledge of Broan Civilization, he learned about Earth and humanity in turn. Nor was his curiosity unfocused. While he interacted with an ever-expanding circle of human academics, he continued to search for those who might prove useful in the future.
Having been discovered before he could make contact with the Voldar’ik, he faced the prospect that remainder of his life would be spent in captivity. The possibility did not frighten Sar-Say. His species was not built to agonize over what might have been. Instead, he put aside his regrets and began to plan anew.
His new plan was elegant, but required the assistance of a few humans to be successful. Homo sapiens , as they rather grandiosely styled themselves, were much more individualistic than were Broa. Given the proper inducements, he was sure he could bribe a few humans to help him. He just had to find them.
“Good morning, Sar-Say,” Director Fernandez said as he exited the combination airlock and security barrier leading to Sar-Say’s cell.
“Good morning, Director,” Sar-Say replied.
Fernandez visited him every morning at precisely 08:00 hours to see how he was doing, sometimes in the company of Dr. Knowlan or Dr. Hirakawa, but most often alone. He seemed solicitous of Sar-Say’s welfare.
“I have news this morning,” Director Fernandez said.
Sar-Say waited. He had not yet learned to make the automatic responses humans used to signify they were ready to receive information.
“We have gotten permission to expose you to a wider range of people than just us ivory tower types.”
The Broa did not understand the reference to towers. That, however, was not the reason he answered, “I don’t understand.”
“We are going to arrange a faculty reception at which you will be the Guest of Honor. A number of important people will be there. You will meet the elites of our society. Besides, it will be an occasion to show you off.”
“Why would you do that?”
Fernandez wrinkled his upper face in an expression that Sar-Say knew meant that he was puzzled.
“A good question,” the director responded, realizing that he was talking to an alien. “It will be a chance for you to learn more about us, and we about you. Also, it will enhance the status of our institute. That can’t hurt at budget time, you know.”
The accumulation of value was one thing that Sar-Say understood. “When will this function take place?”
“At the beginning of next month. There are invitations to send out, schedules to be adjusted, catering to be arranged, all manner of tasks to be completed.”
“Will I be caged?” Sar-Say asked, suddenly realizing that this might be the occasion he had been waiting for.
“Of
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