Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [82]
Cheron, Trip thought, reminding himself yet again that it would be a bad idea to slip up and call the place by its Earth astronomical designation, 83 Leonis V.
Aloud, he said, “But I saw huge cities when we were making our approach from orbit.
Terix shook his head. “No. You saw but the skeletons of those cities. Their builders preceded the Rihannsu presence on this world by many millennia. They died out before our people arrived and gained a toehold here, perhaps centuries before. If they died by their own hands, they did quite a thorough job of destroying themselves.
Terixs statement roused Trips curiosity. “What do you mean?
Terix paused to quaff some of his own drink. “I take it youve never wandered about in the unexplored sectors of this city.
“No. Ive never been here before. And I didnt think you wanted to take the time for a sightseeing tour today.
“Well, I have been here before, Cunaehr, when time was not so pressing. I have seen the results of whatever plague felled these people, whether it came from happenstance or biological warfare. Whatever the cause, it killed all but a few of the hardier lower species of plants and animals. Even most of the natural microbiological processes that should have rotted away the remains of the dead eons ago have been crippled, or even stopped altogether.
The centurions eyes grew distant and haunted. “This world is like an unburied corpse, mummifying alone and forgotten in an uncaring desert.
Trip shivered inwardly. “Then why would anyone want to come to this planet, much less establish a permanent outpost here?
“For the strategic value of the place, of course, Terix said, studying him as though he were an exotic butterfly awaiting an unpleasant end in some oversize killing jar. “This system provides an almost completely unobstructed view of the world of our most remote ancestors. He paused, cranking up the amperage of his already accusing stare. “As well as those of their degenerate allies.
A beachhead, Trip thought. The beginning of an invasion route thatll take bastards like this straight on to Vulcan.
And then Earth.
A hand gripped his shoulder, startling him into nearly falling off the awkwardly contoured barstool. He turned and dismounted clumsily from the seat, expecting combat.
Instead Trip stood facing a smiling Romulan woman who appeared to be about his age. She was dressed much as both he and Terix were, in simple, dark travelers robes.
“Whos your new friend, Terix? the woman said to the centurion, her eyes moving appraisingly up and down Trips body in a manner that made him feel distinctly uncomfortable. No wonder Vulcans are so hard to get along with, he thought. Id be cranky, too, if I had to try to keep a libido like theirs reined in all the time.
“His name is Cunaehr, Terix said in a tone that implied that he still wasnt absolutely convinced of that fact.
“Cunaehr. Good, solid name, the woman said, her dark eyes now fixed on Trips, although she was still pointedly addressing the centurion. “And does he know how to talk?
“Maam Trip began.
“Its not his job to talk, TLuadh, Terix said, interrupting. “We came to this necropolis of a world to hear what you have to say.
“So much for formal introductions, the woman said, looking disappointed. “Its always right down to business with you, isnt it, Terix? Perhaps you should have another round of khehirho brews before we proceed. She raised a clear glass full of a sapphire-blue liquid, which she seemed to have conjured out of thin air. Trip wondered if he was drinking the same stuff she was.
“Do not play games with us, TLuadh, the centurion said. “The Ejhoi Ormiin cell we seek could be putting many liorae-eisae of distance between themselves and lawful pursuit even as we speak. He reached into his robe, and Trip feared for a moment he might draw one of his weapons.
Instead, Terix pulled out a small cloth sack and gave it a gentle toss. The little bag jingled as it landed heavily on the bar, and the woman wasted no time snapping it up, hefting it, and tucking it inside her own