Spartan Planet - A. Bertram Chandler [8]
Diomedes was making his own self-introduction. "I am Diomedes, Captain of Spaceport Security. Please state your business, Johngrimes."
"I've already done so. And, as you must know, I received clearance to land."
"Then state your business again, Johngrimes."
"All right. We're carrying out the census in this sector of space. Of course, your cooperation isn't compulsory, but it will be appreciated."
"That is a matter for the King and his Council, Lieutenant Commander."
"We can wait. Meanwhile, I'd like to comply with all the usual regulations and clear my ship inwards. I'm ready to receive the officers from Port Health and Customs as soon as you like."
"We have no need for them here, Lieutenant Commander Johngrimes. My orders are that you and your crew stay on your side of the barrier until such time as you lift off."
The strange-looking man was talking to the spaceship commander in a high, angry voice. "But this is impossible, Commander. How can we carry out any sort of survey in these conditions? They distinctly told us that we could land—and now they turn their spaceport into a prison camp just for our benefit. Do something, Commander."
Brasidus saw the Captain's prominent ears redden. Nonetheless, he replied mildly enough, "But this is their world, Miss Lazenby. We're only guests."
"Guests? Prisoners, you mean. A wire barrier around us, and a fleet of antique gasbags cruising over us. Guests, you say!"
Strange, thought Brasidus, how this peculiar-looking spaceman appears attractive when he's in a bad temper, while poor Achron and his like just get more and more repulsive . . . And why do I compare him to Achron and the others? A finer bone structure, perhaps, and a more slender body—apart from that shocking deformity—and a higher voice?
"Quiet, please!" The owner of the shocking deformity subsided. Johngrimes turned again to the barrier. "Captain Diomedes, I request that you get in touch with some higher authority. I am here on Federation business."
"What federation?" asked Diomedes.
"You don't know? You really don't know?"
"No. But, of course, I'm Security, so nobody ever tells me anything."
"What a bloody planet," murmured Margaretlazenby. "What a bloody planet!"
"That will do, Peggy," admonished Johngrimes.
And how many names do these people have? Brasidus asked himself. Through the wire mesh of the barrier he stared curiously at the Lady. He must be some sort of alien, he thought. And yet . . . Margaretlazenby, suddenly conscious of his stare, blushed, then returned his gaze in a cool, appraising manner that, fantastically, brought the blood flooding to the skin of his own face.
Chapter 5
BRASIDUS FLUSHED as he met the spaceman's appraising—and somehow approving—stare. He heard him murmur to his captain, "Buy that one for me, Daddy," and heard Johngrimes reply, "Peggy, you're incorrigible. Get back on board at once."
"But I am the ethologist, John."
"No need to get wrapped up in your work. Get back on board."
"Yes, sir. Very good, sir. Aye, aye, sir."
He looked at Brasidus for a long, last time and then turned with a flounce of kilts. The movement of his hips and full buttocks as he mounted the ramp was disturbing.
"Now, perhaps," said the Commander, "we can get down to business. I may be old-fashioned, but I've never cared much for a mixed crew."
"So it's true, Lieutenant Commander," Diomedes said. "So you aren't from Latterhaven."
"Of course not. We shall be calling there after we've finished here. But tell me, what made the penny drop so suddenly?" He grinned. "Or should I have said 'obol'?"
"You speak strangely, Johngrimes. What do you mean?"
"Just a figure of speech. Don't you have automatic vendors? No? What I meant was this: Why should my mention of a mixed crew suddenly convince you that my claim that this is a Federation ship is correct?"
Diomedes did not answer at once. He glared around at Cleon and his aides, at Brasidus and his men. He growled, "You all of you have ears—unluckily. You all of you have heard far too much. But you will not speak of it. To anybody. I need