Stranger in a Strange Land

«But we never found him. My misgivings about Martians date to that incident. They never again seemed to be just big, gentle, harmless, rather comical creatures, even though we never had trouble and they always gave us anything we wanted, once Stinky figured out how to ask for it. I played down the incident — can't let men panic when you're a hundred million miles from home. I couldn't play down the fact that Dr. Agnew was missing; the ship's company searched for him. But I squelched any suggestion of anything mysterious — Agnew got lost among those rocks, died when his oxygen ran out … was buried under sand drift. I used it to clamp down on always traveling in company, staying in radio contact, checking breather gear. I did not tell that crewman to keep his mouth shut; I simply hinted that his story was ridiculous since his mate did not confirm it. I think the official version prevailed.»

Mahmoud said slowly, «Captain, this is the first I've heard that there was any mystery. And I prefer your “official” version — I' m not superstitious.»

Van Tromp nodded. «That's what I wanted. Only Sven and myself heard that wild tale. But, just the same — » The captain suddenly looked old. « — I wake up in the night and ask myself: “What became of Agnew?”»

Jubal listened without comment. Had Jill told Ben about Berquist and that other fellow — Johnson? Had anyone told Ben about the battle of the swimming pool? It seemed unlikely; the kids knew that the «official» version was that the first task force had never showed up, they had all heard his phone call with Douglas.

Damn it, the only course was to keep quiet and keep on trying to impress the boy that he must not make unpleasant strangers disappear!

Jubal was saved from further soul-searching by Anne's arrival. «Boss, Mr. Bradley is at the door. The one who called himself “senior executive assistant to the Secretary General”. »

«You didn't let him in?»

«No. We talked through the speakie. He says he has papers to deliver to you and that he will wait for an answer.»

«Have him pass them through the flap. This is still the Martian Embassy.»

«Just let him stand outside?»

«Anne, I know you were gently reared — but this is a situation in which rudeness pays off. We don't give an inch, until we get what we want.»

«Yes, Boss.»

The package was bulky with copies; there was only one document. Jubal called in everyone and passed them around. «I am offering one lollipop for each loophole, boobytrap, or ambiguity.»

Presently Jubal broke the silence. «He's an honest politician — he stays bought.»

«Looks that way,» admitted Caxton.

«Anybody?» No one claimed a prize; Douglas had merely implemented the agreement. «Okay,» said Jubal, «everybody witness every copy. Get your seal, Miriam. Hell, let Bradley in and have him witness, too — then give him a drink. Duke, tell the desk we're checking out. Call Greyhound and get our go-buggy. Sven, Skipper, Stinky — we're leaving the way Lot left Sodom … why don't you come up in the country and relax? Plenty of beds, home cooking, no worries.»

The married men asked for rain checks; Dr. Mahmoud accepted. The signing took rather long because Mike enjoyed signing his name, drawing each letter with artistic satisfaction. The remains of the picnic had been loaded by the time all copies were signed and sealed, and the hotel bill had arrived.

Jubal glanced at the fat total, wrote on it: «Approved for payment — J. Harshaw for V. M. Smith,» and handed it to Bradley.

«This is your boss's worry.»

Bradley blinked. «Sir?»

«Oh, Mr. Douglas will doubtless turn it over to the Chief of Protocol. I'm rather green about these things.»

Bradley accepted the bill. «Yes,» he said slowly, «LaRue will voucher it — I'll give it to him.»

«Thank you, Mr. Bradley — for everything!»

Part Three His Eccentric Education

XXII

IN ONE LIMB OF A SPIRAL GALAXY, close to a star known as «Sol» to some, another star became nova. Its glory would be seen on Mars in three-replenished (729) years, or 1370 Terran years. The Old Ones noted it as useful, shortly, for instruction of the young, while never ceasing the exciting discussion of esthetic problems concerning the new epic woven around the death of the Fifth Planet.

The departure of the Champion they noted without comment. A watch was kept on the strange nestling sent back in it, but nothing more, since there would be waiting before it would be fruitful to grok the outcome. The humans left on Mars struggled with environment lethal to naked humans but less difficult than that in the Free State of Antarctica. One discorporated through an illness sometimes called «homesickness.» The Old Ones cherished the wounded spirit and sent it where it belonged for further healing; aside from that Martians left Terrans alone.