Hidden Empire - Kevin J. Anderson [35]
Descending through Theroc's misty atmosphere, Rlinda followed the tracker beacons down into a clearing in the densely wooded terrain, where she expertly landed the ship among the tall trees.
With a delighted smile on her broad dark face, she climbed out. Around her, the clustered worldtrees spread out in an undulating ocean of foliage as far as the eye could see. After days aboard the merchant ship, she relished the moist, perfumed atmosphere. She drew another breath to purge the residue of spaceship air from her lungs.
Caught in her smiling reverie, Rlinda turned and was surprised to see a slender young woman waiting. Sarein's eyes were large and dark, her skin a deep bronze. Her hips were narrow, her breasts small, and her dark hair cut in a short, serviceable style. Sarein's garments were an unusual mixture of home-dyed cocoon-fiber fabrics, natural products from Theroc, highlighted with processed polymers and glittering jewelry from Earth.
"Rlinda Kett, thank you for coming here. Your journey was long, but I promise you the rewards will be worth the trouble."
"No trouble," the merchant said, patting the hull of her ship. "Glad to have the opportunity to see this place with my own eyes. I've heard many intriguing things about Theroc."
Sarein gave a brief surprised frown, which she covered with a welcoming smile. "Intriguing, truly? Maybe I've missed something."
Sarein led her toward the fungus-reef city where hundreds of families lived. The massive communal dwelling was a whitish gray growth fossilized in the junctures of several large worldtrees. The fungus reef was a giant swelling built up from thousands of generations of hard, shelflike mushrooms. The huge fungus continued to spread as it sprayed layers of spores on top of itself, hardening as it grew older like a fungal coral reef.
"It looks like bubbly whipped cream," Rlinda said.
Sarein smiled at the reference. "I loved whipped cream when I was on Earth. But this is hard and filled with gaps and holes—enough to build an entire city."
Sarein escorted her through the marvelous organic monument. "The first colonists from the Caillié abandoned their prefabricated shelters early on and moved into these fungus reefs." She rapped her knuckles on the spongy yet sturdy wall. "Then they augmented, decorated, and added to the city. Plumbing, lighting strips, coolant systems, power conduits, and communication nodes."
"It's not exactly primitive." Rlinda's eyes brightened. "Still, seems to me there could be a market here for a few new amenities." Sarein flashed a glance at the large merchant woman, smiling in agreement, though she didn't say it out loud.
"Tell me, though," Rlinda said. "How is it that I'm the one who came to your attention? The Hansa has hundreds of merchants who would love to make their pitch."
"I thought of you, Rlinda Kett, because you applied for licenses to explore the marketability of certain food items and jungle fabrics. Everyone else who pokes around on Theroc is only interested in the green priests. You seem different." She lowered her voice. "A few test cargoes may well be the wedge that we need with my parents. You could be our first intermediary."
Rlinda was barely able to believe her good fortune. "If that's my duty, I'm happy to serve."
Sarein wore a dreamy look. "Chairman Wenceslas is also very supportive of any venture that brings my world into the larger fold of galactic commerce. He told me so himself."
They entered a large chamber that opened to a breathtaking view of the tree-strewn forest levels. Sarein gestured for Rlinda to sit at a long table of iron-hard wood spread with a hundred colorful delicacies. Rlinda gaped hungrily at the selection of trays and goblets, decanters of juices and fermented drinks, steaming hot beverages and chilled ices swirled with colored sugars and glistening edible seeds.
"Before we can properly discuss the market potential of Theron products, I've arranged for you to sample our best. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all! A merchant is required to personally vouch for the quality and desirability