Rissa and Tregare by F. M. Busby

what?"
    He turned away from the terminal. "Considering that Charleyhorse probably isn't exactly loaded with navigational talent, my best guess is that the Shrakken found their direc-tions were a litle off-and were correcting course for here." Rissa said, "Then let us hope they arrive well before your deadline for leaving." He stared at her. Then he laughed, and Limmer said, "You married wel, Tregare." returning to the port, Tregare took a different routing. This time he showed Rissa the indicators-arrows painted on roofs 68
    and paved streets-that guided him. "Those tell you which way to go, and the way they're drawn-solid, dotted round or square, or double line-al in different colors, you'l notice-the four altitude lanes they apply to. Above those, you needn't folow any pattern, but for local hops it wastes time to go that high." He gave her the altitude figures; she repeated them and nodded.
    "Yes, I can remember that easily enough."
    At the port Limmer shook hands with both. "I'l refuel and sel off cargo I don't need, as soon as I can. Should I buy any-thing-for the sake of appearances-so nobody thinks some-thing's funny?"
    "Let 'em think what they like." Then; "Or say you intend to load up at an outer-planet mine. You're stocking food any-way, so that'd fit." Limmer's perpetual sneer came close to imitating a smile; he threw a half-salute and turned away. Tre-gare lifted off and headed north, toward the Lodge.
    After a time, Rissa spoke. "Limmer-was he one of your men on Inconnul"
    "Not at first. A lot of our people Escape by jumping ship on a colony planet and hiding out until one of us comes along. It's a big help-otherwise we'd always be short of trained people for newly Escaped ships. I found Limmer on UET's iceworld colony Hardnose; for a few years they had a regular Underground Railroad there. I was short a Second Hat, then, and he filed the bil until we got him a ship of his own."
    "At first he gives a poor impression-but he improves with acquaintance."
    "Too right. His face, Rissa-he got those scars at UET's Academy when he was fourteen years old." Between her teeth, breath hissed. "UET! Always UET-and the Presiding Commitee, its puppet. Tregare, I must go with you-to Stronghold and then, peace wiling, to Earth."
    He looked at her; low-voiced she added, "Some there-it wil be hard to grieve for their deaths." He did not answer; during the flight neither spoke again.
    in their room at the Lodge, viewscreen and intercom set to record incoming calls but not to interrupt, they proved again that Rissa's climax the night before had been no fluke. Then for a while they shared the tub. Out of it and dried, while Tre-gare still steeped himself, Rissa checked the intercom and found a recorded cal from Liesel. She dressed, told Tregare where she was going, and joined Liesel in her office. She reported Tregare's conclusions about the Shrakken; then the talk turned to Rissa's business affairs.
    The board meeting of Bleeker, Ltd., had gone as expected. Rissa now owned the warehouse complex; her recommended changes were under way. Fennerabilis would sell the North Point area but wished to speak with Rissa directly-by screen, at least. Ami Gustafson could help her in hiring a patrol boat for the fishing season to control poachers. Rissa was not in-vested into Hulzein holdings, as such, so as not to waste the control value of her moneys. And when Rissa and Tregare left on Inconnu, Hulzein Lodge would handle her affairs on com-mission as Erika did on Earth.
    "And we've covered al the smal stuff," said Liesel. "Now, then-has Bran told you his plans yet?"
    "Some of them. Has he told you?"
    "Not enough for my liking, but I won't ask you for them."
    Rissa laughed. "Good-then I wil not have to refuse you or risk breaking confidence." After a moment she said, "And while we were gone, how has it been with-with all of you here?"
    "Us?" Liesel grinned. "Same as always, except that in a few days Hawkman's leaving-be gone a month-for Big