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"I dislike the uncouth way they sniff at us, Speaker,' Mllaba hissed under her
breath. She spoke in a very high-pitched whisper which the
Gringg were unlikely to hear. "So primitive." All the home world
Hrrubans attending the trade meeting were initially disturbed by the
Gringg behaviour, but as the aliens had proved to be affable and intelligent,
they began to relax. Hrrto did not: torn between the need to introduce
purralinium and memories of that tape. He wanted to be able to at least warn
these Rraladoonans, since they were in the final analysis also Hrruban, that
the Gringg were dangerous: warn them not to rush into discussions that would
display their vulnerability to the
Gringg: warn them to learn as much about Gringg customs and culture as the
Gringg about theirs. But he could not yet speak of that tape, not until the
combined navies were in position. They were still some days away. Until
then, Hrrto was forced to dissemble. He also had until then to discover the
coordinates of systems that might produce purralinium. With difficulty, Hrrto
turned his attention to the proceedings.
While Hrrestan was basically a sensible Hrruban, he appeared to be badly
infected with young Rrev's enthusiasm. Perhaps, Hrrto thought, it might be
wise to tell Hrrestan about that damning tape. Hrrestan was of an old Stripe
and did not deserve the fate that might await other
Rraladoonans when their apparently cultured and civilized visitors showed the
violent side of their natures.
But Hrrestan was so honourable a Stripe that he might feel obliged to impart
that information to Rrev. No, no warning to anyone until the fleet was in
place.
Then the aliens produced a computer program showing molecular diagrams of the
minerals they were ready to use as trade mediums.
Hrrto shot a warning glance at Hurrhee who was already trying to see what was
on offer.
"These ores are available in quantity now from our mining worlds,' said the
one called Kodiak. "We have printed diagrams for you to compare with your
molecular data. If you require any of these, we are please to offer them to
you as goods for barter against our own requirements."
"I am sure we can come to agreeable terms for all parties,' Hrrestan said.
"Indeed we should,' Hurrhee murmured, flicking a confirming glance at
Hrrto. "We have often found a use for this,' and he extended a nail to
delicately single out one item, "impure as it is." Hrrto inwardly sighed with
relief. They did have purralinium to offer.
"What is Hurrhee doing here?" Mllaba demanded in an annoyed undertone to
Hrrto. "He's a scientist, not a trader."
"He is here at my command,' Hrrto murmured back, protruding the claw of his
fifth digit to indicate the need for discretion.
Suddenly Milaba became extra alert and leaned as far across the table as
possible to get a view of the slate. Under the table, Hrrto pulled her
roughly back. She nearly hissed at him so great was her indignation but one
look at her superior's eyes and she obeyed, though stiff with the insult just
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given her. Hrrto ignored her manner.
Nothing must indicate to the Gringg how important the purralinium was to the
Hrrubans.
Although Kodiak and his partner, a black-and-white Gringg whom the children
called Big Paws after zOdd's sister's cat, were speaking very clear Middle
Hrruban, modulated into audibility by the voders, the edge given by the
subsonics of Gringg speech wore on Hrruban nerves.
Hrrto wondered how long he would have to remain in such an ambience.
"Yes, you do have goods that might form a trade currency,' banker Hrrouf said
with extreme affability, his tailtip switching. Ah, Hrrouf had noticed the
purralinium, too. And, in his high position in the financial world, he would
have access to the knowledge of the lack of new supplies of the metal. "What
is it you would require in exchange?"
Big Paws regarded the Hrruban amiably and folded his enormous hands on the
table.
"You appear to be comfortable without the clothes used by Hayumans to cover
their skin. We Gringg also do not need coverings. We admire the way that the
Hrrubans adorn their natural fur with the most striking ornamentation. Most
especially I like these harnesses of hide." The black and white Gringg put out
a claw and plucked at the strap of the handsome harness Hrrouf was wearing.
"The variety of these and of other pretty stuffs are most desirable to us.
Such will be need to be made much larger to fit Gringg, but we wish to trade
for quantities of harness. Plain and with many sparkle stones."
"What?" Hrrouf demanded, unable to believe his ears.
Other Hrruban representatives were equally astounded and, if Hrrestan and
Hrrin managed to hide their amusement, few of the others expecting to trade
advanced technologies of all kinds to the bears saw the humour of the
announcement.
Second Speaker sputtered, his headache forgotten.
"Garments? Jewellery? Ornaments? You must be joking!"
"What is joking?" Kodiak asked, looking up from his electronic keypad.
He turned to Hrrestan for clarification.
"He asks if you tell him something that is not true to make him laugh,'
Hrrestan explained solemnly.
Kodiak returned his dark-red gaze to Second Speaker.
"Morra, very, I do not joke."
"This is what you wish to receive in trade from us?
Not technology?" asked Nrrena. "Hrruban technology is famous.
You must have observed the transport grids -"
"Sst!" Hrrouf hissed at her in a high whistle. The manufacturer stopped,
embarrassed.
"Ah, yes,' Kodiak said casually, observing the byplay.
"The transport system. But it does. not interest us. We travel fast enough
and are comfortable doing it. Items of wear and personal adornment are more
important. And we insist to be told new styles and modes." Hrrto wondered at
Kodiak's dismissal of the "transport system'.
Could it be that they knew the special use for purralinium and had matter
transporters on their own worlds? And if they did, would they trade any of
that precious commodity to the Hrrubans? Many of the
Gringg had used the grids, getting about Rraladoona but no reports had been
made by any of the operators that the Gringg had shown any interest at all in
the workings of the grid: or had even looked closely at either the purralinium
columns or the floor grid though these were, in any case, thickly coated by
the conducting material.
"This is outrageous,' Nrrena said in a growl, rising from the table. Her tail
swished angrily, lashing her sides, and her eyes all but shot sparks. "I was
made to understand that this was a high level trading conference, not a
fashion show. I have the honour to wish you a good day." The Hrruban made a
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bow to Second Speaker and strode stiffly from the room. Second was glad to
see her go. She would report back to
Fifth that the conference had been a charade. When Hrrto arranged for
substantial quantities of purralinium, she would look a fool, Fifth would lose
face and Hrrto gain it in the contest for the Speakership.
"Perhaps all should go, Hrrin suggested, sourly, "and put an end to this
pretence."
"Have I offended?" Kodiak asked Hrrestan.
"No, friend,' Hrrestan assured him. "That Hrruban re resents manufacturers on
our home world and elsewhere.
There is nothing in these current talks which interests her." Hrrestan also
suspected that Nrrena would be grateful to get out of the range of
Gringg speech. Kodiak accepted his explanation.
"Ah,' the Gringg said, returning a bland gaze to those left at the table.
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