Inge had pointed out that their s.p.a.ce flight capabilities were still limited. They could count on having a month, at the least, to prepare themselves, but at the rate their situation was deteriorating that would only mean they would be less prepared to fend off an invasion, not more prepared.

He was tempted to drop the matter in the laps of the politicians, but discarded the notion after a very little thought. They might not be in a position to launch an offensive war, but they sure as h.e.l.l couldn't allow the humans to know that and he didn't trust the politicians to convince the humans it would go badly for them if they did did attack. attack.

So, the only option was to try to play politician himself.

Wryly, he thought it wouldn't be hard to frighten them away if the women were any indication. Sybil had merely looked at him as if he was a monster. The other woman had had hysterics and had to be sedated before he could even get around to questioning her.

It rankled. He'd tried to convince himself it didn't, but it bothered the h.e.l.l out of him.

Research had shown they were p.r.o.ne to view anything new to them with deep suspicion if not outright fear and hostility and he knew the humans had never seen any of the ferils. Their reaction was to be expected.

He thought he had been prepared for it. He had, in point of fact, approached them himself for that very reason-because he had wanted to throw them off-balance and keep them that way.

And yet he realized he hadn't really antic.i.p.ated the depth of their reaction to seeing him. He supposed that was because, although he had never actually met a human face to face, he'd grown accustomed to the way they looked from the years of research that had been done on them. But the fact was that he'd never been repulsed by them-not in a general way, anyway. Not surprisingly, some were far more appealing than others. They were certainly strange in many ways, but the similarities between the two species was such that they weren't nearly as alien to him as some of the species they'd discovered and, because they weren't, he'd been able to adjust his perception of them fairly easily.

But perhaps that was the problem? The similarity raised the expectation of familiarity and the differences between them seemed more freakish and monstrous because of that?

Possibly, he decided, not a comfort or much salve to his ego, but that likely explained it and it was for the best when all was said and done. Wasn't it?

He considered that, not on a personal level, but as benefited them all. Would it be better to inspire fear? Or would that in itself become a threat to the people?

Given the time to establish themselves and grow stronger, the humans would not be a real threat to his people's survival. Technologically, they were a hundred years or so more advanced.

They had been, at any rate, before the fall of their civilization, he thought in disgust. They'd lost so much, though, so many of the people that had built their civilization, built their technology-who was to say they could count on any of the advantages they'd had?

The likelihood was slim, he realized. They were already struggling to rebuild the things they'd had before that were completely familiar to them. Not one thing they'd had to do had been simple or easy. The handful of mechanics and engineers they had now had had to pour over manuals and instructions for hours, days, weeks and sometimes months to figure out how to fix whatever it was that needed fixing. Then, they'd spent hours, days, weeks, and sometimes months searching for a part that would work or could be modified to work.

Life had become an unending nightmare. None of them had realized just how easy life had been for them before and that had been yet another thing to contend with-the fact that they'd become lazy and lax, unused to hard labor, unaccustomed to having to scratch out a living, to having to *make do', to doing without. They'd had to put down more fights over rationing their resources than anything else.

Regardless of the problems the humans had themselves, an alliance with them could ease things for them them considerably, but did they dare try it? Was there any chance, at all, he wondered, of forming one? considerably, but did they dare try it? Was there any chance, at all, he wondered, of forming one?

Despite their typical behavior, the aggressiveness and territorialism he'd pointed out to the woman, their studies had shown that the humans could be amazingly generous hearted when moved by the plight of their neighbors. It was incomprehensible, something they'd never understood about the humans as long as they'd studied them, but they'd displayed that behavior often enough it couldn't be denied that they had empathy for the hardship of others.

They were at their most dangerous, though, when they knew the weaknesses of anyone they considered an enemy.

Could they achieve a balance? Could they appeal to the humans for some of the things they so desperately needed and, at the same time, convince them that they didn't stand a chance of defeating them and taking what they had?

It was an idea worth exploring, he decided.

The question was, how could they begin?

At that thought, he lifted his head to study his quarters, trying to decide how it would appear to their eyes. Would it seem as impoverished to them as it did to him?

Probably-very likely, he decided. It was oppressive.

They couldn't afford to allow the humans to see just how harsh their conditions were, but he couldn't continue to keep them separated. They were already demoralized enough.

Reaching across his desk, he depressed the com b.u.t.ton and summoned his adjutant.

Chapter Three.

'The plan,' Anka announced, 'is to convince the humans of what we want them to believe before we send them back.' He discovered when he'd surveyed his audience that most of the officers were staring at him blankly and annoyance flickered through him. His adjutant, Minh, signaled a wish to speak and he nodded at him.

'Just so that we're completely clear, Sir. What is it that we wish them to believe?'

'We wish to convince them that we are prosperous, strong, and powerful and that any challenge will be met with absolute ruthlessness. We will condescend to trade with them, in the interests of promoting friendly relations between neighbors, but we have staked our claim upon this planet for colonization and will not tolerate any interference.'

Most of them merely gaped at him at that announcement, but a few, he was pleased to see, looked thoughtful. Rafi signaled a wish to speak and he nodded at him.

'Given what we know about them, I understand, and I can certainly see a benefit in trading with them, although I'm not sure what we have to offer. However, I'm confused about the plan you outlined to convince them, Sir.'

'They understand power and respect it-and very little else. It's essential to our survival to convince them that we have the power to crush them or they will not consider it in their best interests to form any sort of alliance-even to trade. On the contrary, they are far more likely to attack us and take what they want-or try-and we can't afford the attempt that would force us to expend resources in defending ourselves.

'We must convince them that they need us far more than we need them. To do that, we must appear successful. To appear successful, we will need to prepare a place to convince them we are, gather together what we have and set a stage to perform on, pool together what we have to make a grand show of prosperity and comfort. We will allow them to have freedom to move around on this *stage' and examine it as they please.

'Will behave in a cautiously friendly manner at all times and allow them to know that we are open to the possibility of friendship.'

He surveyed the group. 'Make certain that your people understand this. Anyone who doesn't feel that they can behave accordingly should make certain they steer clear of the humans.

'We will be on double rations until the humans depart. Unfortunately, this will require half rations for a while afterwards, but it can't be helped. Convincing them we're starving isn't the impression I want to convey,' he ended dryly.

To his relief, everyone seemed to understand the psychology behind his plan. 'Just be certain that you explain everything carefully to your subordinates and have their full cooperation in this operation. And let's make it quick. We can't afford to hold them long.'

Dismissing the men and women, he left the conference room where they'd met and headed toward stores to examine the contents. Once he'd discussed the menus for the meals with the head cook, they decided three days was about the maximum they could afford to maintain a show of plent.i.tude.

It would have to be enough, he decided grimly, realizing that it would be pushing the limits to hold them any longer anyway. The humans might, even now, be preparing to send another ship.

They might also have decided that the ship had met with an accident, but they couldn't afford the alternative possibility-that the humans would decide they'd attacked.

It was a fortunate thought. It would give them their first bargaining chip, he realized. If they transported the humans back to their base, they could emphasis their own superior flight capabilities and open negotiations for returning their property as a gesture of good will.

They could take the rations...o...b..ard first, though, he realized. No doubt it would be a disgusting mess, but they would've had to have lain in supplies for five for a trip that would take them many weeks, Earth time.

He frowned at the thought. They would have to take other things, as well, if they didn't want it to look like the food was all they were interested in, and that was liable to p.i.s.s them off, but he didn't see leaving the food.

He wasn't altogether pleased with the results of their efforts. The small observation room they'd set up to allow the humans to see their technology at work-one of the terra-forming units on Venus' surface-looked well enough. It was only supposed to be an observation room, after all, for them to relax, interact, and socialize during their brief stay and if it lacked any particular comfort or aesthetics it was still workable. The same could be said for the mess hall where they would dine. They could, convincingly enough, he thought, put the utilitarian austerity down to the fact that it was a military base.

The new quarters where he'd planned to house them left a lot to be desired, however. They didn't look any d.a.m.ned better than the cubicles where they were now confined-and those looked more like prison cells than what they actually were-standard quarters for housing.

'No one had any furnishings to make the quarters a little more-comfortable?' he demanded irritably, focusing specifically on the women. The women, he knew, were accustomed to making their quarters as home-like as they possibly could and bartered for anything they could get their hands on to manage it.

They met his gaze with feigned innocence.

'We are only suggesting you loan your possessions for a very short time,' he added.

'And what if we pick up something from them? They carry all sorts of diseases!'

The sullen, feminine voice, he realized immediately, was Myune. He hadn't endeared himself to her with his comment about her state, but this wasn't personal and she d.a.m.ned well knew it! 'We've immunized ourselves against their diseases,' he said pointedly. 'You know that.'

'So the scientists a.s.sure us,' Hybah, the woman next to her, said pointedly. 'How much faith can we place in that, though, when the vaccines have never been tested?'

'They're insubordinate, Sir,' Minh said in an under voice. 'Shall I have them escorted to the brig and appropriate their belongings?'

Anka threw him a speculative glance but shook his head. 'If we threw everyone in the brig for the smallest infractions, there would be more in the brig than outside it,' he said dryly. He lifted his head and surveyed the others. 'Myune and Hybah have expressed a disinterest in acting for the greater good. They will be expected to keep their distance from the humans. I would like anyone else who feels as they do to express their feelings now.'

Everyone shifted uncomfortably. Lonlea lifted her hand a little timidly. 'I have a few things that I could contribute.'

Relief flooded him. He smiled at her. 'Thank you, Lonlea. It is much appreciated. Put them in the women's quarters. They will appreciate them more.'

He could have kissed her. Once she'd made the offer, the other women disappeared and brought back some of their prized possessions. To his mind, the accommodations still looked less than inviting, but he decided it would do. It was enough to make it appear that they'd made an effort to offer hospitality.

After some consideration, he decided to send the droids to escort their *guests' to the observatory. Given the reaction of the humans to their appearance, he thought it might be best to allow them as much time as he dared to come to grips with it.

The hours that Sybil had spent in confinement had done very little to calm her. It had given her way too much time to think of unpleasant things that she might have to face and not nearly enough to accept that she would have to if and when the time came. The appearance of the creepy little gray beings, therefore, sent her spiraling toward panic.

'We are to escort you to the observatory. Please to accompany us without struggle.'

Sybil stared with pure horror at the creature that had spoken, wondering if she was the main attraction of the *observatory'.

Try to preserve what dignity she had left, she wondered?

Or throw caution to the wind and try to fight her way out of her predicament, knowing she didn't have a chance in h.e.l.l of winning?

She swallowed convulsively several times and struggled to get up from the bunk she'd retreated to and had her answer. She was so weak with fright she didn't think she could manage even a token resistance. That being the case, maybe she should just focus on trying to put up a good front and meet her fate with what dignity she could?

It seemed like cold comfort, and yet, since there didn't seem to be an alternative anyway shouldn't she at least make the attempt not to shame her entire species by showing her cowardice?

She thought they were going to have to support her. Her legs felt like rubber and her knees like water and her upper body felt too heavy to support. She managed, by grim determination, and a horror of being touched by the things, to walk unaided. Her relief was so profound when they reached their destination, however, that she nearly collapsed. Spencer appeared to be unconscious, but Kushbu and Rains were there already and appeared to be unharmed-badly shaken, but alert-and Powell was escorted into the room even as she arrived.

Resisting the urge to burst into tears of relief, she moved as quickly across the room as she could and practically threw herself into Rains' arms as if they were bosom buddies instead of bare acquaintances. Holly hugged her as tightly, conveying the desperation they both felt. 'Thank G.o.d you're alright!'

'What happened to Spencer?'

Holly Rains pulled away and looked down at the man. 'We don't know. He was lying on the floor when we got here.'

At that comment, Sybil finally lifted her head to survey the room. She didn't know what to think once she'd examined it. If it was an observatory, where were the windows? For that matter, given the fact that she'd been sure it would be some sort of torture chamber where the aliens could *observe' while they were dissected, where were the gurneys?

'It doesn't look like I expected,' Holly commented.

Sybil sent her a questioning look and the other woman shrugged. 'They said it was an observatory.'

'I'm guessing both of you thought the same thing I did,' Powell said wryly. 'Alien abductions leapt to the forefront of my mind, which translated to unpleasant medical examinations.'

Sybil was about to point out that they still didn't know that wasn't the case, that they might've merely been brought together to wait, when a sudden noise distracted all of them. Glancing around fearfully, they discovered panels along the rounded end of the room were moving, both at the ceiling and upper wall.

Sybil and Holly clutched at one another again, staring wide-eyed as the panels opened slowly wider and wider. Sybil found herself holding her breath, as if that would protect her from deadly ga.s.ses. She didn't even realize she'd instinctively sucked in a breath and held it because she'd thought they were about to be flushed into s.p.a.ce until it dawned on her that the panels were revealing windows. Beyond the windows a landscape was unfolding before them that was starkly beautiful and breathtakingly deadly.

It hadn't occurred to her that they might be on the surface of Venus, though why it hadn't she had no idea. It should've dawned on her immediately when she saw the other crewmembers.

The realization thawed her and, after a moment, as if by unspoken consent, she and Holly released each other and crossed the room to stand staring out of the wall of winds that offered a wide vista of the planet Venus. On the far horizon, the thick layer of clouds veiled the rising sun. They could clearly see the demarcation of the spreading light as it spilled across the virtually flat plains of Venus, unmoving. It took her several moments to recall that Venus' rotation was so slow that it took almost a full year, Earth year, to rise and set. The building where they stood was on the dark side, facing Earth. When she'd searched the sky for it, she thought she detected the tiny blue globe that was home.

She wasn't certain if she actually had spotted it or if it was wishful thinking. The cloud cover was still thick enough to make visibility of the sky poor. Redirecting her gaze to the landscape outside once more, she studied it with all the wonder of seeing a sight never seen before-at least by her. She'd seen images, of course, but that wasn't the same as actually seeing it-particularly since there was an enormous structure of some sort blocking the southern view.

Sybil studied it, knowing what it had to be, and yet it might have been most any kind of factory she was familiar with. Disappointingly, there was no way to tell anything about the technology represented within the structure beyond the fact that it was incredibly effective.

Even giving them that, though, she thought there must be more. Maybe it was just because she was having a hard time swallowing just how advanced they were, but she couldn't accept that one plant would be sufficient to terra-form on such a ma.s.sive scale in so short a length of time.

She could see see that the planet was cooling. No doubt it was still blistering hot outside, but she could see the thin trails of lava flow in the distance cooling and solidifying along the edges. Steam rose from newly formed lava rock, making visibility even at ground level spotty. After a while, though, she noticed movement. Drawn by that discovery, she saw a vehicle slowly creep into view. Directly behind it were several others. The vehicles stopped on a nearly perfectly flat plateau maybe a half mile from the building where she stood and shadowy figures emerged. that the planet was cooling. No doubt it was still blistering hot outside, but she could see the thin trails of lava flow in the distance cooling and solidifying along the edges. Steam rose from newly formed lava rock, making visibility even at ground level spotty. After a while, though, she noticed movement. Drawn by that discovery, she saw a vehicle slowly creep into view. Directly behind it were several others. The vehicles stopped on a nearly perfectly flat plateau maybe a half mile from the building where she stood and shadowy figures emerged.

She thought at first that they must have gone out to take samples and readings, but she realized after a while that they were beginning some sort of construction.

'Clearly they aren't worried about us seeing anything now,' Powell murmured after a time. 'No idea what that might mean to us, but I'm thinking it isn't good.'

Cold washed over Sybil. She moved away from the observation window abruptly, rubbing her arms up and down her bare arms. It was the first she'd noticed that she was the only one of the group the next thing to naked. The others were still wearing their suits-minus the helmets, but Was that because she was the only one that had been transported via a particle beam? Or had they done something she couldn't remember?

Almost as if he'd read her mind, Powell seemed to focus on her condition, his eyes alive with speculation. 'How did you get here?'

Sybil swallowed a little convulsively. 'I'm guessing via particle transport beam. I'm not sure, actually. The last thing I remember is discovering I wasn't alone. When I turned, I saw an intruder and attacked and then nothing until I woke up on a gurney surrounded by those creepy little beings.'

'The droids.'

Sybil whirled at the sound of the voice, meeting the alien's gaze in time to detect what almost looked like amus.e.m.e.nt. She realized when he spoke again that she hadn't misinterpreted it.

'They were designed by our scientists specifically for study of your world.' He shrugged. 'They had some notion that the humans wouldn't find them as threatening since they were humanoid and small.'

'What happened to Cpl Spencer?' Powell asked tightly.

Anka felt a flicker of hostility in response to that he'd detected in Powell, but he resolutely ignored it. 'He was reluctant to be moved. He was sedated. He is unharmed.'

'But still unconscious.'

'And still unharmed. If you'd like, we can move him to the quarters we've prepared.'

Powell and Kushbu moved immediately to the supine man. Kushbu helped Powell lift Spencer onto his shoulders and the alien led them to the opposite side of the room. A door opened and the men disappeared inside. The alien emerged alone a few moments later and gestured toward her and Holly.

The two exchanged an uneasy look. Sybil didn't particularly want to get any closer, or have any interest in whatever it was he seemed to want to show them, but she also wasn't keen on the idea of ending up like Spencer. After a brief hesitation, she approached the alien man.