The Inheritors - A. Bertram Chandler [29]
"And now, Commander," asked Danzellan, "what can I do for you?"
"If you would, sir, you can tell me what you are doing here."
"Trade, Commander, trade. This is a competitive galaxy, although you ladies and gentlemen in the Survey Service may not find it so. My employers are not in business for the state of their health . . . ."
"Aren't they?" inquired Maggie. "I would have thought that the state of their financial health was their main concern."
"A point well taken, Commander Lazenby. Anyhow, the Dog Star Line is always ready and willing to expand its sphere of operations. When a Dog Star ship, Corgi—but I imagine that you know all about that—stumbled upon this world, quite by chance, the reports made by her master, myself were read with great interest by the Board of Directors. It was realized that we, as it were, have one foot well inside the door. It was decided to strike the iron while it is hot. Do you read me, Commander Grimes?"
"Loud and clear, Captain Danzellan. But tell me, what sort of trade do you hope to establish with the people of Morrow via?"
"There are manufactured goods from a score of planets on our established routes for which there will be a demand here. For example, I have in my hold a large consignment of solar-powered refrigerators, and one of solar cookers. On the occasion of my first visit here a refrigerator was left with the, er, Queen of Melbourne. I was pleased to discover on my return that it is still working well, and even more pleased to learn that other, er, queens have seen it, and that still others have heard about it . . . ."
"You will remember, Commander Grimes," said Maya, "that I told you about the cold box."
"So even this lady, from Cambridge, many miles from here, has heard about it."
"Mphm. But how are the people going to pay the freight on these quite unnecessary luxuries—and for the luxuries themselves?"
"Unnecessary luxuries, Commander? I put it to you—would you be prepared to sip your pre-prandial pink gin without an ice cube to make it more potable? Do you enjoy lukewarm beer?"
"Frankly, no, Captain. But—the question of payment . . . ."
"These are sordid details, Commander. But I have no doubt that something will be worked out."
"No doubt at all," commented Maggie Lazenby. "When people want something badly enough they find some way of paying for it."
"In a nutshell, Commander Lazenby. In a nutshell." Danzellan beamed upon her benignly. Then, "I am sorry that I cannot ask you aboard my ship, but we are rather cramped for space. In a merchant vessel carrying capacity for money-earning cargo is of greater importance than luxurious accommodation for personnel."
"I understand," said Grimes. Such merchant vessels as he had been aboard housed their officers in far greater comfort than did the Survey Service. He went on, "Maya, here, wishes to pay her respects to her sister queen. We will accompany her."
"I'll show you the way, Commander," volunteered Mr. Delamere eagerly.
Danzellan frowned at his second officer and the young man wilted visibly. Then the captain relented. "All right," he said. "You may take the party from Seeker to Queen Lilian's palace." He added sternly, "See that they don't get lost."
15
Delamere led the way from the landing site to the town, walking fast. He did not pause when he took the party past a survey team from Schnauzer, busily engaged with tapes, rods and theodolite, working under the direction of a young woman with third officer's braid on her shoulderboards. He acknowledged her wave absently. Watching the surveyors was a large group of children, with a smaller number of adults. These people, Grimes saw, were very similar to those whom he had encountered at Seeker's landing place—well formed, beautiful rather than merely handsome. He was interested to note, however, that here the rudimentary nipples below the true breasts were the exception rather than the rule, whereas among Maya's people almost every woman—as she herself—was so furnished.
The dirt roads between the houses were level and tidy. The wooden