‘A notion? What is your notion?’ Zammo reached for one of his cigars.
‘It’s something that might help you. Why not study the creatures in a more integrated fashion? Let them use their initiative. After all, they did have a highly-developed science. Your reports speak of it continually. Give them problems to solve.’
‘Such as?’
‘Oh . . . oh,’ Antyok waved his hands helplessly. ‘Whatever you think might help most. For instance, spaceships. Get them into the control room and study their reactions.’
‘Why?’ asked Zammo with dry bluntness.
‘Because the reaction of their minds to tools and controls adjusted to the human temperament can teach you a lot. In addition, it will make a more effective bribe, it seems to me, than anything you’ve yet tried. You’ll get more volunteers if they think they’ll be doing something interesting.’
‘That’s your psychology coming out. Hm-m-m. Sounds better than it probably is. I’ll sleep on it. And where would I get permission, in any case, to let them handle spaceships? I’ve none at my disposal, and it would take a good deal longer than it was worth to follow down the line of red tape to get one assigned to us.’
Antyok ondered, and his forehead creased lightly, ‘It doesn’t have to be spaceships. But even so – If you would write up another report and make the suggestion yourself – strongly, you understand – I might figure out some way of tymg it up with my birth-rate project. A double-A priority can get practically anything, you know, without questions.’
Zammo’s interest lacked a bit even of mildness, ‘Well, maybe. Meanwhile, I’ve some basal metabolism tests in progress, and it’s getting late. I’ll think about it. It’s got its points.’
From: AdHQ-Ceph18
To: BuOuProv
Subject: Outer Province Project 2910, Part I-Birth rate of non-Humans on Cepheus 18, Investigation of.
Reference:
(a) BuOuProv letr. Ceph-N-CM/car, 115097, 223/977 G.E.
Enclosure:
1. SciGroup 10, Physical & Biochemical Division report Part XV dated 220/977 G.E.
1. Enclosure 1 is forwarded herewith for the information of the BuOuProv.
2. Special attention is directed to Section V, Paragraph 3 of Enclosure 1 in which it is requested that a spaceship be assigned SciGroup 10 for use in expediting investigations authorized by the BuOuProv. It is considered by AdHQ-Ceph18 that such investigations may be of material use in aiding work now in progress on the subject project, authorized by reference (a). It is suggested, in view of the high priority placed by the BuOuProv upon the subject project, that immediate consideration be given the SciGroup’s request.
L. Antyok, Superv. AdHQ-Ceph18,
240/977 G.E.
From: BuOuProv
To: AdHQ-Ceph18
Subject: Outer Province Project 2910 – Birth rate of non-Humans on Cepheus 18, Investigation of.
Reference:
(a) AdHQ-Ceph18 letr. M-LNmn, dated 240/977 G.E.
1. Training Ship AN-R-2055 is being placed at the disposal of AdHQ-Ceph18 for use in investigation of non-Humans on Cepheus 18 with respect to the subject project and other authorized OuProv projects, as requested in Enclosure 1 to reference (a).
2. It is urgently requested that work on the subject project be expedited by all available means.
C. Morily, Head, BuOuProv,
251/977 G.E.
IV
The little, bricky creature must have been more uncomfortable than his bearing would admit to. He was carefully wrapped in a temperature already adjusted to the point where his human companions steamed in their open shirts.
His speech was high-pitched and careful, ‘I find it damp, but not unbearably so at this low temperature.’
Antyok smiled, ‘It was nice of you to come. I had planned to visit you, but a trial run in your atmosphere out there—’ The smile had become rueful.
‘It doesn’t matter. You other worldlings have done more for us than ever we were able to do for ourselves. It is an obligation that is but imperfectly returned by the endurance on my part of a trifling discomfort.’ His speech seemed always indirect, as if he approached his thoughts sidelong, or as if it were against all etiquette to be blunt.
Gustiv Bannerd, seated in an angle of the room, with one long leg crossing the other, scrawled nimbly and said, ‘You don’t mind if I record all this?’
The Cepheid non-Human glanced briefly at the journalist, ‘I have no objection.’
Antyok’s apologetics persisted, ‘This is not a purely social affair, sir. I would not have forced discomfort on you for that. There are important questions to be considered, and you are the leader of your people.’
The Cepheid nodded, ‘I am satisfied your purposes are kindly. Please proceed.’
The administrator almost wriggled in his difficulty in putting thoughts into words. ‘It is a subject,’ he said, ‘of delicacy, and one I would never bring up if it weren’t for the overwhelming importance of the . . . uh . .. . question. I am only the spokesman of my government—’
‘My people consider the otherworld government a kindly one.’
