The Quillian Sector

"The same species, yes," admitted the man, "but only if you accept the ability to interbreed as a sign of similarity. That could be quite accidental. My own feelings are that life evolved on worlds of similar type and so would have evolved on similar lines."

"You're forgetting the basic chemical composition," said another. "The blueprint of the DNA units surely proves that for all mankind there has to be a common point of origin. I don't mean all came from a single world. As you say, that is ridiculous, but what if we were 'planted'. By that, I mean supposing that, long ago in the past, a superior race passed through this galaxy and seeded suitable worlds with specialized compounds. Spores or sperm or seeds which became life as we know it? That would account for the diversity of types found on a variety of worlds, and also the fact we can interbreed."

Gliss said firmly, "That's fantasy, Ulk, and you know it."

"Speculation, my dear. Of course, if you'd rather believe in accident, or the idiocy of a single common origin on a small, lonely world, that's your privilege. Or perhaps you have a more esoteric belief? A superior being, for example, one who-"

Dumarest said dryly, "I thought that was your belief. A superior race, a superior being-surely they are the same?" Then, as the girl shot him a grateful look, he added, "Would anyone care to join me in a game?"

It was going to be a poor trip, he decided when later he retired to his cabin. The archaeologists had preferred to talk rather than gamble, and while their conversation held interest, it wouldn't swell the profits. Only the girl, Gliss, had shown interest and Dumarest was certain that it wasn't in games of chance.

He rose when, an hour after he had lain down, the door clicked open to reveal a figure standing in the opening. The girl, he was sure, and hoped he could handle her without too much fuss. Then she spoke and he realized his mistake.

"Earl?"

"Dilys-is something wrong?"

"No." Clothing rustled as she stepped into the cabin and closed the door behind her. In the darkness, she said, "I wanted-that is-Earl, I haven't had a chance to thank you for what you did."

"Forget it."

"I can't."

"Why not? We're shipmates, aren't we? We're supposed to help each other. You would have done the same."

"No, Earl, I couldn't. The way you moved, your speed, that knife you threw. If it hadn't been for you, those men-"

He said quickly, "Forget it. It's over. You owe me nothing."

"I disagree, Earl. May I talk?"

"If you want." Fully awake now, he remembered something. "How did you open my door?"

"With the master key." She paused as if awaiting his objection and when none came she said, "How was it in the salon?"

"Slow. We'll get little extra this trip."

"From the men, no, but from the women?" Her voice held a question. "I saw the way they looked at you. That young one in particular. Gliss, I think her name is. Gliss. She was lingering in the passage when I came along and I was surprised to find your door locked."

"If it hadn't been, would you have entered?"

"If I'd been entertaining, then the door would have been locked," he reminded. "What would you have done had I not been alone?"

"Broken the bitch's neck!" Then, while he was still assessing the intensity of her answer, she added, "No, Earl, I don't mean that. Not really. I-damn it, why can't you help me? Why won't you understand?"

Something fell on his cheek, a touch of wetness followed by another. Rearing up on the bed, he felt for the panel, found it, touched a switch and caused moonglow to illuminate the darkness. In the pale luminescence he saw her face, her eyes, the tears which filled them to stream down her cheek.

"I love you," she said. "Earl, I love you."

"Jumoke?"

"Thinks I'm his property. We've been lovers, yes, but he doesn't own me. No man does that. Not now or ever. Not even you, Earl, though I'd walk barefoot over broken glass to be at your side. But you don't own me. No man can ever do that."

She was protesting too strongly, rejecting something he hadn't offered, defensive when there was no need. A woman too sensitive about her size, perhaps; one who must have suffered the scorn of others when young. Finding a haven on the ship and doing work which made her the equal of any. An environment in which she didn't have to meet opposition or face the competition of her own sex. Or perhaps it was more than simply a matter of size. A secret vulnerability which robbed her of the strength needed in order to survive in hostile situations. He remembered the recent attack, the way she had frozen, to act the way she had, in a fury of misguided and unnecessary effort. The man she had hit had already been rendered harmless. The effort used to smash his jaw had been an act that had endangered her life.

"Earl?"

"I'm thinking."

"Of us?"