Chapter 13

Barati was in trouble. The fast shuttle had overtaken the females' transport shuttle near the foothills of the high mountains of their home villages. The chase had taken nearly all of the remaining day across the flat fertile plains which surrounded Settlement. The star was now low on the horizon and his senior wife was still refusing to obey him — perhaps he should have beaten her; his parents had always said he was too lenient with her. There she stood like a rock defying him. Scattered around him were bundles of belongings acting as backrests for the females, chattering like the monkeys in the mountains passing criticising comments on the argument. He knew he was on a losing argument; he needed a way to save face or even his wives would scorn him. The spectre of an angry Sovereign supported by a furious Memsahib was causing him serious heartburn. The females on his left became silent and he saw them rise to their feet, press their palms together in front of their chest and respectfully bob to the approaching figure. All the women followed suit. He took a good look at the man walking out of the deepening shadow of the mountains and felt the chill pass down his spine and his bowels loosen. He could barely stand but quickly saluted the Shaman.

The Shaman? How? It's a day's march to the home village. Why?

Shaven headed, covered in a red gold cloth wrapped in the traditional manner, sandal shod, without a speck of dust on him, the Shaman glared at the husband and wife for two minutes; he turned to Dama,

"Woman! Obey your husband."

The females exploded into movement, gathering their bundles and climbing into the shuttle so quickly the driver was left sitting on the top of the shuttle from whence he had been observing events and calculating his fare. A glare from the Shaman, spared from Barati, got him moving. The heavy shuttle was turned around in quick order and swirled past the two men. The dust avoided the Shaman but covered Barati.

"You," hissed the Shaman at Barati, "grant the women's wishes in this and obey your Memsahib." and with that, turned on his heel and stalked off into the now full darkness leaving Barati to restart his shuttle and once again chase after his women.

"Aggy, I'll doss down on the computer deck, if you've got no objection. I am a haggard sleeper and when if I get an idea, I need to get onto it or I lose it. I found a storage room and I got the Bosun to put in a cot frame. There's a fresher next to it and working surfaces in abundance at which to put my chair; the Bosun and I rigged clamping so that things won't go flying about. He's arranging an extra set of dungarees and smalls so I don't have to worry about one off one on as the laundry doesn't cover working areas."

"No mind, Henry. As long as you remember you dine here and that is not just logistical, its networking of command and staff; we aren't as jealous of position, Oh, sorry, I forgot. Why are you still on the active list?"

"I was in DNI before I swallowed the anchor and went to the Observatory. I was working out my terminal leave entitlement there, unpaid of course, but DNI frequently had me working on astronavigational problems; come to think of it, like yours. DNI was using me as a consultant and someone with nothing better to do calculated that it cost less to retain me on the Active List than to periodically reactivate me as a Reserve List officer let alone paying me at consultant rates. So I am a Lt Cdr with, I think, fifty three years seniority; Navy wouldn't promote me because I didn't have a permanent posting — unattached. Apopros of nothing, I did my middy cruise in "Vance". I want the story on her when we have a day to chat.

And a thing I think you should know. "Infamous's" original BC 'puter is still in situ. Bosun thinks it was made part of the ship's structure and at the refit was too much to remove so the connection cable was pulled and the data scrubbed. This was being built as a battle cruiser, an experiment, all the later CV or CHACs or whatever are new builds. The 'puter deck was meant to be "A" missile magazine. So it was left still with power available and a new modular BB 'puter was placed in the "B" magazine space. I want to power the BC and assess it and if it works, use it exclusively for Greenhouse. Suit?"

"Suits Henry, show me this treasure and I'll check your accommodation as well so I don't have the Master at arms, when I get one, complaining of unauthorised sleeping accommodation." As they traversed the companionways, McCock explained the manning travesty on "Sniffy" and mentioned that Sir Laurence and his PS were visiting eight morning next day to discuss the situation.