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Updated: May 13, 2025
Then the clatter began again. "This is different," Mannion said. "It's longer." I went back to the bridge, and waited for the next move from the stranger, or for word from Mannion. Every half hour I transmitted a call identifying us, followed by a sample of our language. I gave them English, Russian, and Standard Interlingua.
"They just repeat that over and over," Mannion said. "They don't answer our call." "Try translating into old Interlingua, adding their sound changes, and then feeding their own rise-and-fall routine to it," I said. "Maybe that will get a response." I waited while Mannion worked out the message, then taped it on top of their whining tone pattern. "Put plenty of horse-power behind it," I said.
"I don't know what the flowery phrases are all about, but the symbols refer to common proteins, lipins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and biomins," he said. "What is this, a game?" "All right, Mannion," I said. I was trying to hold back the excitement. "Ask them if they have fresh sources of these substances aboard." The reply was quick; they did.
Then we can each check the other's merchandise." "All right," I said. "We can use a ground-service cable; rig a pilot light on it, and kick it out, as soon as they get in close." "We'll have to splice a couple of extra lengths to it," Mannion said. "Go to it, Mannion," I said. "And send two of your men out to make the pick-up."
Mannion's men reported out. I saw the red dot of our power lead move away, then a yellow point glowed on the side of the vast iodine-colored wall looming across the screen. Nothing else emerged from the alien ship. The red pilot drifted across the face of the sphere. Mannion reported six thousand feet of cable out before the pilot disappeared abruptly.
It was visible now through the direct observation panel, without magnification. I left Clay in charge on the bridge, and I went down to the Com Section. Joyce sat at his board, reading instruments and keying controls. So he was back on the job. Mannion sat, head bent, monitoring his recorder. The room was filled with the keening staccato of the alien transmission. "Getting anything on video?"
If it was the same as the sample, I thought, we had made a terrific trade. Discipline would recover if the men felt we still had our luck. Then Mannion called again. "Captain," he said excitedly, "I think there may be trouble coming. Will you come down, sir?" "I'll go to the bridge, Mannion," I said. "Keep talking." I tuned my speaker down low and listened to Mannion as I ran for the lift.
It's a creature they discovered in the wild state and it's very rare. The wild ones have died out, and only their domesticated herds exist." "O.K., we're lucky," I said. "It better be good or we'll step up the amperage and burn their batteries for them." "Here's more," Mannion said. "They say it will take a few hours to prepare the cargo. They want us to be amused."
"Captain," Mannion reported, "they're drawing power." "O.K.," I said. "Let them have a sample, then shut down." I waited, watching carefully, until Mannion reported the cannister inside. "Kramer," I said. "Run me a fast check on the samples in that container." Kramer was recovering his swagger. "You'll have to be a little more specific," he said. "Just what kind of analysis do you have in mind?
"Tell them that in return for 1,000 KWH we require 3,000 kilos of sample six," I said. Mannion reported back. "They agreed in a hurry, Captain. They seem to feel pretty good about the deal. They want to chat, now that they've got a bargain. I'm still taping a long tirade." "Good," I said. "Better get ready to send about six men with an auxiliary pusher to bring home the bacon.
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