“Maybe they can’t be bought.”
“And maybe they can, so stop arguing with me. I’ll find out one way or the other after I go down.”
“I wouldn’t just jump right in with the big question, were I you. Asking them to fight their own kind might not go over too well, you know.”
“I know how to test the waters, old girl. I do have another reason for being here, after all.”
“And if it’s a ‘no-go’ after you take the plunge?”
“Then maybe I can trade forTorenosteel. Sword-wielding can be learned with practice.”
If Martha had eyes, they would have rolled. She settled for a few unnecessary flashes on her display grids.
“The gravity was slightly off, but you’ve been slowly acclimated to it since you entered my domain, so it won’t take you by surprise when you get down there. The air is purer than you’re accustomed to, but that won’t be a problem.”
“How’s the weather?”
“Moderately warm directly below, which is in the southern hemisphere. I would suggest a private Transfer, a mile or two away from any settlements. No point in dropping their jaws with a pop into the midst of them. Might get your head hacked off that way.”
“Very funny.”
“I thought so,” Martha gloated. “And the time of day?”
“Midmorning. But I can have you on the other side of the planet in a flash if you’d prefer to arrive at night, when there’s less chance you’ll be seen making Transfer.”
“I might not be seen, but then I wouldn’t see much either. Right here’s just fine, and if that’s it …?”
“Not so fast, kiddo. Where’s your lazor unit?”
“The phazor combo will do.”
“Not if you have to use it repeatedly.”
“I’m officially here to negotiate trade, Martha, not wipe out the planet. And if I start killing them, I’ll never get their help. The phazor will go me a long way on stun. It’s only when it’s set to demolish that the power drains. And the lazor looks too much like a weapon. World Discovery frowns on its use, and I’m a World Discoverer for now, not a Sec. If I get into trouble I’ll tell you, and you can Transfer me back.”
“Then make sure you keep the link open.”
“Not to worry, old girl. That’s standard procedure with first Transfer. And your scanners should have informed you that my homing signal has been activated, and it can’t be turned off. You couldn’t lose me if you tried. So go ahead and Transfer. I’m ready.”
“You are, huh? What’s with the face?”
Tedra sighed and unsqueezed her eyes, and found Corth standing in front of her.
“I wish you a safe Transfer, Tedra De Arr.”
“Ireallywish you hadn’t said that, Corth.”
But he was on a one-track program. “And until you return …”
He picked her up and kissed her, and Tedra had the absurd thought that those couldn’t be mechanical lips, they really couldn’t. When he set her back on her feet, he was grinning. She didn’t have the heart to get mad.
“Okay, babe, you made your point. I’llthinkabout it when I get back.” And then, “I’m ready, Martha.”
She closed her eyes again and waited, but nothing happened. When she opened her eyes again, she was on another world.
Chapter Seven
The tree limb was becoming uncomfortable tolieupon, but it would not be much longer now. Thetaraanwas moving steadily closer, only fortyyaridaway now, and it was large enough that it was worth the wait. With this kill, there would be enough meat to end the hunt and return to Sha-Ka-Ra the next sunrise.
