The ship's nose carried one large ion-beam projector, a plasma gun that had been intermittently malfunctioning, so maybe it was working and maybe not, and only one of the two high-drive torpedoes it would normally carry; the other had been used in testing and not yet replaced.

"We did get a few breaks, then," said Barton. "Any- thing else?"

"Yes," said Vertan. "The part I do not like to say- or think about. The ship Hishtoo took-it was not empty."

"You mean he killed some of your people?"

"Or worse, that he did not." Face contorted, Vertan shook bis head. "Two were on board. In charge, a man named Gerain. And visiting him, his most needful per- son. Her name is livajj-a person well loved by those who know her."

233.

livajjt "So young she is, but of good thought"

"I know her," Barton said. "Damn it all! Hishtoo does

learn."

"What do you mean?" Tarieton spoke. "What's wrong?

I mean, 1 know it's bad, but what-?"

Barton felt old. 'The hostage principle, is what. Same as when -I used Eeshta against Hishtoo, to bluff my way onto the Demu ship I took to Earth. If I catch up to Hish- too, he breaks livajj's arm, gets on the screen -to me and says *crab salad.' The only difference is, Hishtoo won't be bluffing. You saw what he did to Helaise."

'Then he has achieved immunity?" Vertao.

*'You mean we're stymied?" Tarieton.

^Hell, no." Barton shook his head. "But it's bard. And 111 be breaking my promise to Eeshta, too."

"You lost me. Barton. Maybe you can spell it out?"

"What Hishtoo doesn't realize, the big hard-shelled copycat, is that the stakes are too big now. With roe it was Eeshta's life against letting me board the Demu ship. I was stretched all out of shape and Hishtoo had a gun; not a bad bet, in his view. And even if I got on the ship, what could I do with it? Where be missed was, you cage a man like an animal long enough, what comes out u an animal. When he pulled the gun, be learned that."

"I follow you," said Tarieton. "But what about now?"

"Like I said; he's made the stakes too big, especially now that he's got a laser. No two people's lives--" Bar- ton's teeth gritted. "He won't eat anybody alive-but I'll have to gun the ship. If I can." He shuddered. "That's where Eeshta comes in. When she fingered Sisshain for me, the idea was that I had no intention of killiag Hisb- too."

"Will you tell her?"

"I have tol If we ever make talk-contact with the Demu, Eeshta's the key to all- of it. With somebody in that spot, you don't fake. Besides, on straight merit, the kid deserves the truth."

"And if she turns against us?" said Vertan.

"If we have to do things without her, the hard way, better we know it now."

"What you must do. Barton, is very hard," Vertan said.

"Bad enough, for me, will be the telling that Gerain and livajj are as dead. At least, can you do so, dead swiftly and without pain."

The Tilaran stood, saying he must leave and declining

234.

the offer of a spare compartment for sleeping. "My most needful person waits, and I would not disappoint her." So the two men escorted the Tilaran offship to his groufldcar, shook hands, and watched him drive away.

"How'd you make it up so quick?" Tarieton asked.

"He said he was sorry and I believed him. Instant peace pipe."

"Yes? Well, good. For a while there, I was worried."

Barton saw lights approaching. "Two cars, there. The crew?"

"I'm afraid so." Tarleton shrugged. "Not looking for- ward to reciting the whole situation again, for them."

"Hell, I'll do it, if you want." But Tarieton shooed him away, saying that one of them had to be able to think in the morning, and sloshed full of coffee, the big man couldn't sleep, anyway. So Barton went aboard, and was asleep before any returning footsteps may have sounded outside his door.

He woke refreshed; the load on his mind had settled, some. He dressed and headed for the galley passing the control room he saw Cheng asleep. Well, any of the alarms would wake him, fast.

No one else was up; Barton was stuck with his own cooking. Well, what was wrong with scrambled eggs again, and some toast? Figuring that he wouldn't be alone very long, he made a large pot of coffee and cooked for several.

Heavy-eyed, but looking cheerful, Alene Grover was his first customer. She leaned to hug him; her hair brushed his cheek. "Tarleton's still with the dead. I didn't try to wake him."

"Good job you didn't. He can use the sleep."

"Yes. Any of those eggs have my name on them?"

"Help yourself."

She did, and sat across from him. "Hell about Terike, isn't it? I can't say I liked him-I was his first roommate here, you know, and it wasn't the greatest relationship I've ever had-but he had his good points.

"I guess he was pretty badly out of line with the local girl last night. But I can't see that he deserved to die for it."

"By these people's lights, he did. But in case you hadn't heard, they didn't kill him, even by inaction-it was an internal injury that Cummings couldn't spot until too late.

And on the woman's part, it was self-defense. As to ap

235.

Fenn, I agree with you. I won't miss him personally, but I didn't want him dead. Tarletoa fill you in on all the rest of it?"

"Quite a lot, yes. Oh, those poor Tilaransi"

He wasn't up to this. "Is it all right with you, Alene, if we don't discuss them just now?"

"Yes, Barton." For a time, they ate in silence. "Bar- ton?"

"Yes?"

"Last night, being with you-I liked it. I'm glad we did."

"So am I, Alene."

"Barton, do you suppose ... ? Can we, sometimes?"

"Not on the ship. Not unless the rules-our customs- change a lot."

Her eyes widened, "And if they did?"

"// they did, agreed by all-hell, yesi Did you need to ask, Alene?"

"Maybe not-but I liked hearing the answer."

"You smile nice, but you have egg on your face. Lit- erally, I mean."

She laughed and used her napkin. "When it comes to romance. Barton, you're in a class by yourself." But as she patted his cheek and left, she was still smiling.

Barton had begun to think he had run out of customers, when Eeshta came in to the galley. Her chitinous face could show no sign of fatigue or refreshment, but she moved well. "Good morning. Barton."