Stranded on Haven Page 17

“Are you requesting landing instructions? Over.” The voice sounded unbelieving.

  “Not exactly,” I replied. “However, I expect a lot of excitement when I ground. Is there somewhere I can ground that will limit interference with normal operations? Over.”

  Another voice now, deeper, more authoritative. “Startrader’s gig, this is Air Traffic Control. Whatever you do, you’re going to cause a ruckus. We will call with instructions when you are overhead. Over.”

  “Startrader’s gig. Understood. Over.” Smart man. Don’t give the crowds time to assemble. Get the troublemaker down before they can get there.

  Then we were over the airship field and circling the control tower.

  “Startrader’s gig, Air Traffic Control. Recommend you ground just outside the hangar farthest from the control tower, and taxi inside. Crews are waiting to close the doors. Over.”

  Even as I passed my thanks, I was swooping down toward the hangar. It was designed for an airship, so the hangar was huge, as were the doors. We swooped inside and grounded while over a dozen men struggled to slide the twenty-meter-high doors closed. They succeeded barely in time. I could already see horses and carriages closing on the hangar.

  Heidi insisted that she, Becky, and even Terry exit before me and Ollie. The women formed a triangle with Heidi at its point some ten meters from the gig. As I followed Ollie out of the gig, I saw Heidi move to get in the way of a burly, older man.

  All of the women were wearing normal Haven clothing, though each of them had a hand inside their decorative handbags. I hurried over, staying slightly behind Heidi. Why have a bodyguard if you’re going to make things difficult for her?

  I put on a broad smile. “Good day to you, sire. I am Jerd Carver. I apologize for all the excitement and the headaches it will cause.”

  The man raised his eyebrows at Heidi, and then grinned at me. “There’ll be excitement and headaches, all right. It’s already started.” He stuck out a hand, and Heidi stepped in front of it. After a long moment and another long look at Heidi he withdrew it. “I’m Jav Renk, Manager of the Tarrant Airship Port. So you’re the Star Man, eh? Finally come down to mingle with the people?” He was smiling, but there was steel in his tone.

  “Yes, and I’m certainly glad to escape that International Zone prison, now that all the security stuff is finally satisfied.” I glanced at Heidi. “I’m sorry I can’t shake, but a bodyguard is part of the price I must pay for my freedom. I’m glad to meet you, sire, and I’m impressed by your ability to deal with such a challenge so effectively on short notice. I thank you, sire.”

  The men who had closed the doors had formed a circle just outside the limit the women had created. I raised my voice. “I thank you all,” I said loudly, “For your quick action, and your help in keeping us from being mobbed or even attacked.” A number of stony faces relaxed a bit, and I was searching for something else to say when there was a rumble and a shuffling of feet.

  I didn’t need to turn around to know that the robot pilot had exited the gig, closed the airlock, and begun patrolling around the vehicle. I heard mutters and a rustle of movement. I knew that my robots had caused a lot of excitement on Haven, and that many people actually believed I was planning to take over the planet with a robot army.

  “The mechanical man is our pilot,” I said in the same loud voice. “He is only here to protect the gig,”

  “Yeah? How?” came a voice from the crowd. “I hear those things is killers!”

  This was something I had to deal with, right now. If I didn’t, it would add substance to the rumors and fears of the ‘bots. I walked over to the speaker. He was just what I’d been hoping for: a burly unshaven man with scarred knuckles and smelling of alcohol. A brawler. As a slum rat, I’m very familiar with the type. I smiled. “Hit him,” I said in a friendly tone.

  He got a puzzled look. “Huh?”

  “Hit him,” I repeated. “Go ahead. Surely you’re not afraid of him? Don’t worry, he won’t hurt you.”

  As I’d expected, it was the last phrase that did it. “I ain’t afraid of nothin’!” the man insisted. “Maybe I’ll hurt him!” He took a full-arm swing, and his fist smashed into the bot’s featureless ovoid head.

  A ‘bot’s metal chassis weighs about 200 kilos. The thug was tough; he actually made it stagger backward a step. But it quickly straightened. “Please don’t do that, sire,” it said in a mechanical voice. “You might hurt your hand. Did you sustain an injury? Do you require assistance?”

  The tough was cradling his right hand in his left and glaring at the solicitous robot. Some of the men were now struggling to hide grins. “If you are in need of medical care, sire,” the ‘bot continued, “I can radio for assistance.”

  The red-faced man shook off a man that was offering assistance. “I’m all right,” he snarled, although I’d be surprised if he hadn’t broken his hand. With a last glare at the ‘bot, he stomped off. Now the chuckles and giggles were becoming louder.

  “As you can see,” I said in my loud voice. “No one was killed, no monster machine went berserk. The robot will merely protect the gig from harm.” I turned back to the Manager. “I regret to impose on you any further, Messer Renk, but do you suppose you could help me find, say, ten men to help the robot protect the gig for a few hours for, oh, ten creds?” I was suddenly very glad I’d brought all my tiny supply of Westin currency, just in case.

  Renk grinned and nodded slightly, more an acknowledgment than an affirmation. “Happens these boys’ shift ends in ten minutes.” He turned to them. “Anybody need ten creds?” Hands shot up, and Renk selected ten large men. I tried to hand him a twenty-cred note, but he waved it off with a smile. “Naw. Watchin’ you get Laws to bust his hand was worth it.” He looked at me appraisingly. “Maybe you ain’t just a chaz, after all.” He nodded and walked off.

  I turned to Ollie. “Please tell me you can call Turlow and ask him to send a carriage. otherwise I’m going to have to hire another ten of these bruisers just to get us out of this hangar!”

  Ollie opened his mouth to answer when a loud pounding resounded through the cavernous hangar. Even I could hear the shouted “Police!” One of the bystanders went over and opened the small personnel door next to the huge sliding ones. Six men in police uniforms burst through it, led by a youngish man in a spotless, knife-edged uniform. He hurried toward us, and seemed surprised when Becky stepped in front of him. He tried to step around her, but she stepped back into his way. He tried to push her out of his way, and I saw Becky’s hand begin to lift out of her bag. I hurried over. “It’s all right, Becky,” I said, but I remained slightly behind her as I asked, “May I help you?”

  The man threw another glare at Becky. “Messer Carver?” He asked as though conveying a favor. His tone became pretentious. “I’m Lieutenant Card of the Westin State Police. The President’s compliments sire, and we’re to escort you to the palace.”

  I frowned. “May I see your credentials, Lieutenant?” The man stiffened and frowned. After a moment, though, he did fish in his uniform and come up with an ornate identification card. The name and picture matched.

  “The problem, Lieutenant,” I said, “is that we didn’t come to Tarrant to visit the palace, but rather on business related to the Space University. You recognize Doctor Ollar Canva, Chancellor Emeritus of New Home University and Haven’s most famous biologist, of course.”

  The Lieutenant’s eyes widened. “But … but … The President …”

  I smiled. “One moment, Lieutenant.” I walked a few steps away from him and took out my tablet. “Lisa, can you connect me with President Curran’s tablet?”

  After a few moments, the very surprised face of President Curran appeared. “Good day, madam President. By now you know that I’m at the Tarrant Airship Port.”

  Her face relaxed. “By now everyone on Haven knows.”

  I smiled. “I’m sure. I think half of them are outside this hangar. I’m sorry to bother you, Madam President, but did you send an e
scort of State Police to escort us to the palace?”

  Her eyebrows rose. “Why, yes. Of course. I assumed …” her voice trailed off.

  “My apologies, Madam President. I would not be so crude as to visit a head of state without prior notice. No, I merely accompanied Doctor Ollar Canva on a recruiting mission. I’m sure you’re aware he is beginning to staff up the Space University. Please forgive me if our abrupt appearance has caused you any inconvenience.”

  Her face relaxed into a genuine smile. Her smile was a pleasant, tomboy smile. “A bit. Traffic in half of Tarrant is snarled as people try to get to the Airship Port.

  “But I would very much like to meet you in person, young man.” She continued. “You mentioned that you are merely accompanying Doctor Canva? Suppose I have some of the police escort Dr. Canva to his destination, and the rest bring you to the palace for a visit?

  I sighed. “Again I must beg your pardon, Madam President. But after my problems with Maximum Leader Len, I’m afraid I must have bodyguards wherever I go.”

  She looked irritated. “Oh, I understand. But this is ridiculous. We can’t meet because my bodyguards don’t trust your bodyguards, and your bodyguards don’t trust mine.

  “Pah!” she continued. “Come on over, young man. I don’t think you’re an assassin, although I hear you’ve hired one. We’ll work it out.”

  I smiled and nodded. I liked Ada Curran. “I would be honored, Madam President. Oh, purely as a precaution, could you please identify this officer?" I stuck the tablet in the Lieutenant’s face.

  “Oh, good heavens!” She said. “He sent that …” she stopped herself. “Yes, yes, he’s one of ours.” She paused, looked away from the tablet. “I’m told we only sent an escort of six men, Messer Carver. Might I ask you to wait for a few minutes while I send an additional detachment? This one will remain with you, of course, until the larger one arrives. They will then escort Dr. Canva to his destination and return him to the palace when he has finished.”

  I nodded. “Of course, Madam President, and I appreciate your courtesy.”

  The tomboy smile reappeared, faded to a grimace. “Then, may I speak to Lieutenant Card?”

  I stepped back to where Becky was still blockading Card. “Lieutenant,” I said, smiling, “The President would like to speak with you.”

  His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open, but he instantly recognized the image on the tablet. She gave him his orders curtly, without courtesy, then made him repeat them back to her before she nodded, satisfied. “Messer Carver, I look forward to our meeting.”

  I smiled. “As do I, Madam President.”

  I wondered if Ada Curran was taking as much abuse from her bodyguards as I was from mine. Heidi was furious, accusing me of stepping into the litiger’s jaws. Becky wasn’t much better. Even Terry felt it was an unwise risk.

  It took nearly an hour for the new escort to fight its way to the Airship Port, and the wait was no fun at all. The Lieutenant looked relieved as one of his men opened the personnel door to admit a middle-aged, rather pudgy man in a conservative civilian suit. “Good day to you, Messer Carver. It’s an honor to meet you. I’m George Cass. I’m afraid I’m only an Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, but you caught us rather unawares. Still, it is truly an honor for me. I have followed your … ah … adventures since you arrived. After all, you are actually the one behind the reversing current, and that fascinating work they’re doing in Cornwell.”

  He turned a cold eye on the Lieutenant. “That will do, Lieutenant. Carry out your orders.” The Lieutenant stiffened, saluted, and marched away. Cass shook his head. He looked around admiringly. “I must say, Messer Carver, you have the most decorative bodyguards I’ve ever seen.” He noticed the frowns and hurried to add, “Oh, I don’t mean to imply that you ladies are unskilled.” He fixed his gaze on Heidi. “Oh, no,” he murmured, “not at all.”

  I was relieved to notice that Cass had brought a closed coach, and not a steam wagon. I’d heard that those things had a tendency to explode. Cass followed my gaze. “Ah, yes,” he said, “A closed coach is so much more secure, don’t you agree?”

  Six uniformed police on horseback shouting “Make Way” loudly and using short clubs to speed compliance preceded us. I sat sandwiched between my two lovely bodyguards facing forward, while a smiling George Cass sat alone in the rear-facing seat. Two armed police rode standing on the rear of the coach, followed by another six uniformed police. And they were needed.

  I doubt there would have been room to ground an airship on the landing field. It was jammed with people, horses, carriages and steam buggies. The streets were no better, All I could see was a sea of heads wherever I looked. I was glad Ada Curran was taking no chances with the Star Man. I remembered that I had warned them all that if I died, Startrader would self-destruct, and they would be unable to access much of the information aboard Adventurer. Apparently President Curran took me at my word. Heidi was able to whisper that George Cass was actually Deputy Director of Westin’s shadowy ‘Security’, and not simply an Assistant Secretary for International Affairs. I wasn’t surprised. No competent security force would miss a chance like this.

  Heidi’s and Becky’s heads swung in a never-ending search for threats as we inched our way to the palace. Both women’s right hands remained inside their bags, on the grips of their weapons, throughout the ride. Cass noticed, of course, but he made no comment, merely smiling slightly.

  I was pleased to note that the “Palace” was much smaller and more businesslike than Len’s huge monument to tastelessness. I’d heard that General, now ‘President’ Runtz was razing most of that monstrosity.

  The welcome was also gratifyingly informal. Once we debarked from the coach, me last, of course, George Cass simply escorted us into the building, which most closely resembled an office block.

  Twice he had to argue with security types about searching us for weapons, and once he was forced to have the officious guard call the President’s office. But eventually we made it to President Curran’s office with my bodyguards’ weapons intact.

  It was when we reached the office that I had problems. Neither Heidi nor Becky were willing to wait outside the door of the President's office. Finally, after Cass arranged for Heidi to check the office and all the connecting rooms, she reluctantly consented.

  Cass reciprocated by allowing none of the President’s guards to remain in the office during our meeting. He also took pains to make certain I understood that it was only on the President’s order, and over his protests.

  Finally, though, I was alone with President Ada Curran of Westin. It was something of an anticlimax. She looked somewhat like a lean, rangy tomboy trying to be feminine. She even dressed the part, wearing print dresses rather than more formal suits. I suspected it caused many to underestimate her, to their later regret.

  When Cass bowed his way out of the office, closing the door behind him, President Curran rolled her eyes and breathed a huge, gusty sigh. She bounced out of her chair, and bustled around her large desk, a wide, genuine smile on her face.

  “Finally!” she said. She grabbed my hand. “I’m Ada. Please don’t use the word ‘President’. I hear enough of that all day, and I truly want us to be friends, not just political allies.”

  I nodded. “Ada, it would be an honor to be your friend. I’m Jerd, of course, and I’m terribly sorry to intrude unannounced like this. I’m afraid I badly underestimated the excitement I’d cause.”

  She nodded. “Jerd, I’m truly excited to meet you. I’ve been very impressed with you, young man. You arrived with an appreciation of the problems you were certain to cause, you took the time to learn as much as possible before establishing contact, and you’ve managed to avoid all political entanglements.” She threw me a sideways glance. “You were even wise enough to not warn us about asteroid bombs.”

  I think I jerked. I was certainly surprised. The locals weren’t supposed to know about the asteroid bombs. I wondered how many of
the others knew what happened in Cellia that day. At least she hadn’t hinted that I’d had anything to do with Len’s death.

  She still hadn’t released my hand, and now she patted it with her other one. “Oh, don’t worry, Jerd. I don’t think anyone but George Cass and Duke Richard have added it up. But finally,” she continued, “you figured out how to distribute your information with the least risk of conflict, and you passed out ‘samples’ that have already begun to revolutionize our society.”

  I felt my face warming. “Really, Mistr … uh … Ada, I’m nothing special. I want what I’ve wanted all along: to make a place for myself here while helping my new home develop. And as for my ‘samples’ and the ‘university’ idea, I think you deserve as much of the credit as I do.

  “I was very worried about how to get those ‘samples’ into wide circulation. After all, there were only twelve copies, and I expected the heads of state to hold onto six of them. I had visions of six copyists spending years painfully copying out all that stuff. When you had those ‘samples’ typeset and bound into books, you jumpstarted science on Haven. My AI tells me that once your ‘alternating current’ takes over your electrical grid and makes cheap electricity available, development will leap ahead.

  “And the university idea was very much in doubt until your man came up with alternating current. So, you deserve as much credit as I do, and I plan to spread that word far and wide. Frankly, I hope you remain in office for life!”

  She laughed aloud. “I don’t!”

  We chatted comfortably for over two hours, mostly about the direction development should take.

  I frowned. I hadn’t really planned to mention this, but I liked Ada, and I liked what she had done to spread the information I’d provided.

  “I guess you’re hoping to pick my brain for some inside information, Ada,” I said, “But as I keep saying, I’m just a cargo monkey. I’m no kind of scientist or historian.

  “But I’ve talked with my ship’s AI about the course of development here, of course. She has very complete history files, and based on our talks, I’d suggest you put your resources into alternating current and something called a ‘diesel’ internal combustion engine. Lisa tells me that cheap electricity literally reshaped Earth’s culture, and that the diesel engine revolutionized transportation, replacing steam power in everything from seagoing ships to locomotives, to personal motor carriages. And that doesn’t even count the industrial uses. Information on the diesel engine is in your tablet.