Glawen remained at the rail, watching the familiar contours of Araminta Station receding across the water. On knife-edge keels the Faraz sliced into the northeast, cutting narrow furrows into the face of the transparent dark blue sea.
Glawen went to the forward observation lounge, where he sat considering his mission. The Bold Lions had put no definite term on the excursion; most talked in terms of three days, though wondered if the resources of Pussycat Palace could be exploited in anything less than five days. If all went well, three days might be adequate to learn what they wished to know. Still, soft and easy were the guiding words, and he must make sure that Kirdy fully subscribed to this doctrine.
Almost as if awaiting his cue, Kirdy dropped into the seat beside him, with his back to the observation windows, so that he was not obliged to look at the sea.
"So here you are! I wondered if you had fallen overboard." He grimaced and risked a glance over his shoulder.
"Horrible thought!"
"No, I'm still aboard."
"You should be in the saloon with the others," said Kirdy, using the chiding tone he tended to take with Glawen.
"It's no mystery why you're not popular. You act as if you consider yourself a superior being."
From time to time Glawen suspected that Kirdy did not like him much. He gave a noncommittal shrug.
"Better to say, I act as if I prefer to avoid Aries' insults."
"Still, it's only decent to be diplomatic."
"It makes no great difference, one way or the other."
"Wrong!" declared Kirdy.
"The Bold Lions are supposed to be your cover."
"It's far more placid here. Kiper has been drinking, which means growls and roars."
Kirdy gave his head a dour shake.
"He wanted three great roars for Pussycat Palace, but the lounge steward told him to quiet down, and he's been out of sorts ever since."
"Oh, very well," said Glawen.
"I suppose it's proper tactics to join them."
"One moment," said Kirdy.
"There's something we must discuss."| He frowned and turned his round blue eyes toward the ceiling.
"Iri| regard to this mission, I conferred with the Supervisor yesterday. Hfe| emphasized that we must work together as a team." 1J Glawen heaved a sigh. At times Kirdy could be most tiresome.
He| wondered how best to detach himself from a close association. He said:;
"I've had rather definite instructions myself, and " ;
"These instructions have been superseded." Kirdy turned his bright blue gaze on Glawen.
"It's been decided that, since I have an edge on you in both seniority and experience, I should be in command of the mission."
Glawen sat stock-still for a long ten seconds.
"I have not been notified of this."
"I'm notifying you now," snapped Kirdy.
"That should be sufficient. Do you believe me or not? We'd belter have an understanding." here and now."
"Oh, I believe you well enough," said Glawen.
"Only " "Only what?"
"I should think that Bodwyn Wook would have notified me in person."
"Well, he told me and that should be quite enough. If you don't like it, complain when we get back. If the truth be known, Glawen, this is exactly what is wrong with you in a professional sense. You think too much. For instance, let's say that there's a pile of something nasty in the walk and you've been ordered to remove it. Well, you'd dither and sniff and wonder whether to use a shovel or a shingle, and meanwhile an old lady comes along and steps in it. I don't wish to be unkind but that's the sort of thing we've got to avoid, in favor of decisive leadership. I pointed this out to Bodwyn Wook and he agreed in every respect. So that's how it is. Perhaps I'm coming on a bit stronger than might be tactful, but in an operation like this, there can't be any slipups."
"I see. What were your precise instructions?"
Kirdy said in a measured voice: "I was told that you had what information we would need. You might as well brief me now."
"You've memorized the map of Yipton?"
"What map?"
"This."
Kirdy took the map and examined it. His mouth drooped in distaste.
