The Inheritors - A. Bertram Chandler [30]
Lilian's palace was larger than the other houses. It had, like Maya's a tall staff standing outside its main entrance, a pole surmounted by a star fabricated from glittering metal rods. Also, in the full light of the westering sun, there stood just outside the door a metallic box, mounted on small wheels. Grimes had seen such contraptions before; this was the famous sun-powered refrigerator.
A tall woman came out to meet them. Her skin was creamy; the hair of her head and body was a glowing orange color. She said to Maya, "Welcome, sister. My house is yours."
"Thank you, sister," replied Maya. Then, "We have corresponded, but I did not think that we should ever meet."
"You are . . . ?"
"Maya, from Cambridge, Lilian."
"I know of you, Maya. Now I have the pleasure of knowing you."
"Lilian . . ." said Delamere.
"Yes, Francis?"
"How is Tabitha?"
"She is well, Francis."
"Can I see her, Lilian?"
" It will be well if you do not, Francis. Unless you are willing to abide by our customs."
The young man looked desperately unhappy. His long nose quivered like that of a timid rabbit. He said, "But you know . . . "
"What do I know, Francis? Only what I am told. Only what I see with my own eyes." (And those green eyes, thought Grimes, will see plenty.)
"Lilian," Maya said, "I have brought friends with me."
"So I see." The woman was regarding the people from Seeker with a certain lack of enthusiasm. Her attitude seemed to be, If you've seen one stranger from beyond the stars, you've seen them all.
"Lilian, this is Commander Grimes, captain of the ship called Seeker. The lady is Commander Maggie Lazenby. The gentlemen are Lieutenant Pitcher and Ensign Billard."
Grimes saluted. Lilian Morrow inclined her head gravely, then said, "Be pleased to enter."
They followed her into the palace. Inside it was very like Maya's official residence, the big wall map being the most prominent decoration on a wall of the room into which she led them. She saw them seated, then excused herself and went back outside. While she was gone Grimes asked Delamere, "Who is Tabitha, Mr. Delamere?"
The second mate flushed angrily and snapped, "None of your business, Commander." Then, obviously regretting his display of temper, he muttered sulkily, "She's Lilian's daughter. I . . . I met her when I was here before, in Corgi. Now her mother won't let me see her again unless . . . "
"Unless what?" prompted Maggie. "Unless what, Francis?"
That's right, thought Grimes. Turn on the womanly charm and sympathy.
Delamere was about to answer when Lilian returned. She was carrying a tray on which was a rather lopsided jug of iced water, a dish of some greenish looking flesh cut into cubes, glass drinking bowls. She filled a bowl for each of them from the jug.
The water was refreshing, the meat tasted how Grimes imagined that the flesh of a snake would taste. He supposed—he hoped—that it was non-poisonous. Maya seemed to be enjoying it.
"And now, Commander Grimes," asked Lilian, after they had all sipped and nibbled, "what do you here?"
"I represent the Federation, Lilian . . . ."
"Just as Captain Danzellan represents the Dog Star Line. Captain Danzellan hopes to make money—and Morrow warned us about that—for his employers and himself. And what do you hope to make for yourself and your employers?"
"We are here to help you, Lilian."
"Do we need any help, Commander Grimes?"
"The Survey Service, Lilian, is like a police force. You know what a police force is. You have read The History. We protect people from those who would exploit them, rob them, even."
"Have we asked for protection?"
"You may do so."
"But we have not done so."
"Yet."
"Lilian knows that she has nothing to fear from us," said Delamere, more than a little smugly.
"Indeed, Francis?" The look that she gave him drove him back into sullen silence. Then she addressed