“So they expect she’ll move on them.”
“They reckon she’ll push. One way or the other.”
“Tell me, you’re not backing McGee’s assertions, are you, that we’re dealing with calibans as well as humans out there.”
“No.” That answer was firm. “Absolutely not. Except as the Cloud‑siders may do some kind of augury whereby they thinkthe calibans have an opinion. The old Romans, they used to plan their days by the behavior of geese. The flight of birds. Must have worked at least as well as calibans. They got by.”
“Different brain size, geese and calibans.”
“Biologists can argue that point. Look at the Weirds. There’s a good example of humans that talk to calibans. They crawl around underground, let the gray fishers feed them, don’t talk, don’t interact with the rest of humankind except to take orders and shove dirt around. You want the caliban vote, ask a Weird and see if you get any answer. Sir. McGee will learn that pretty quick if she wants to do some honest work out there.”
“I’m aware of your differences of opinion. Is it possible this is a difference of the cultures you’re observing?”
“I doubt it.”
“But you don’t draw conclusions.”
“Absolutely not. I’m simply waiting for data out of McGee. And in sixteen years, there’s been nothing new out of her but speculation. Maybe this will prove matters once for all. But for the record I want to caution the committee that this move is very serious–that with observers inside both cultures, we could embroil ourselves in local problems. Or worsen them. Or push these two cultures into conflict. It’s waiting to happen.”
“Because of a caliban. Because it’s as you say…mean.”
“It means this Elai has a higher status than her situation warrants. That she has a higher confidence than it warrants. She didn’t hesitate to snatch McGee in defiance of the Base. That’s worth thinking on.”
“It still sounds very much like McGee’s theories.”
“There’s a critical difference. McGee thinks the calibans decide. They don’t. It’s human ambition based on status. And this Elai has a lot of status. They might miscalculate–psychological strength for military strength. A lot of people could die over that mistake. I’m talking about McGee’s precious Cloudsiders. And the Styx. They’ve got too much going to waste it all in war.”
“Maybe it wouldn’t be miscalculation. On those terms you cite.”
“We’ve got roads built; agriculture increased. Unification of the Towers. We could lose a hundred years in a war right now.”
“A hundred years down whose course?”
Genley gave him a puzzled look, and the look became a frown.
“Maybe,” the Director said, “the calibans won’t permit a war. Or maybe they fight them for their own reasons. And humans just go along with it.”
“That’s more radical than McGee’s hypothesis. Sir.”
“One just thinks–sitting here behind the wire. No matter. We play it cautiously. Since McGee has the chance she can use it.”
“Or maybe they can use McGee. That’s what Jin thinks about it. I’m sure of that.”
“Well,” the Director said, “we just let it go along for now. Frankly, I don’t see much else that we could do about it, do you?”
xxxii
204 CR, day 42
Message, E. McGee to Base
Couriered by Dain of the Flanahan line to the Wire
by order of Elai Eldest
Wish to report I am safe and well and have persuaded the new ruler of the Cloud Towers to have this couriered: to satisfy Security, my id number is 8097‑989 and the holo on your desk is a Terran rose, so you’ll know this is all my idea.
Ellai has been succeeded peacefully at her death by Elai her daughter and designated heir. Elai took advantage of her accession to power over the Cloud to have one of her riders escort me to the Towers. I have been treated with all courtesy and am presently comfortable and content in my situation. This is a rare opportunity with the Cloud Towers and presages an era in which I believe the Cloud may be as productive in research as the Styx has been in recent years. I am not eager to break my stay here at this stage in which I believe much good can be accomplished in stabilizing mission relations with the Cloud.
I will need some equipment and supplies. Elai has agreed to this, and will send to my hut in seven days to collect the supplies which I hope will be there.
Please send:
Writing materials
All such operations apparatus as has been cleared for operations outside the wire, incl. recorder, etc.
4 changes clothing
pair boots
hygiene field kit (forgot mine)
soap!
field medical kit
Also and most important, 1 case (case!) broad spectrum antibiotics, class A, field; 1 case vitamin and mineral supplement; 1 case dietary supplement.
I realize this quantity is unusual, but due to my supply resting on local transport, and due to the possibility of being isolated from supply by circumstance beyond my prediction, I feel this request is only prudent on my part and of utmost urgency, due to close contact with unaccustomed population and drinking and eating unaccustomed food: as approved for Styx mission.
Thank you.
E. McGee
204 CR, day 42
Base Director’s Office
“I am going to approve this,” the Director said to the secretary.
“Sir,” the secretary said, tight‑lipped. “Sir, this is talking about cases. I checked with supply. A caseof antibiotics is one thousand 50 cc units. A box is one hundred. Dr. McGee undoubtedly meant–”
“Approved,” the Director said, “just as ordered. Case lots.”
“Yes, sir,” the secretary said, with thoughts passing behind his eyes.
“Any word from Dr. Genley?”
“Message.” The secretary keyed it up. “Non‑urgent. He’s gone back to the field.”
“He did receive the McGee transcript.”
The secretary hit more keys. “Oh, yes. He did get that copy. Was that a mistake? It wasn’t coded no‑dispersal.”
“No. It wasn’t a mistake. I want to be informed when anything comes in from outside. Or when any native comes to the wire. Personally. No matter what hour.”
“Yes, sir.”
“That load for McGee’s going to take a light transport. Make the order out. I’ll sign it,”
“What about Smith?”
“Smith.”
“McGee’s assistant. Does Smith go out again? He’s asking.”
“Does he want to go out?”
“He’s suggested he wants someone with him if he does.”
“Exactly what is he requesting?”
“Security. And supplies.” The secretary keyed up the request. “He wants a whole list of things.”
“Never mind Smith. Just put one of our Security people out there. I’ll sign that too. Someone who’s been outside the wire. But not anyone who’s worked in the Styx regions. They might be known. If information passes. Check all past assignments. I don’t want any nervous people out there. I don’t want an incident.”
204 CR, day 42
Memo, Base Director to Committee Members
I am approving new operations in the Cloud River area. New and promising contacts have opened. We are presented the opportunity to secure comparative data.