"I don't know. Anyway, we'll play it safe with double records." He
accepted the ration pack Raf had brought out for him. But he did not
unwrap it at once; instead he stared at the globe, digging the toe of
his space boot into the soil as if he were grinding something to
powder.
"They're operating under full jets," he commented. "As if they were
about due to be jumped--"
"They told us that this was territory now held by their enemies,"
Lablet reminded him.
"And who are these mysterious enemies?" the captain wanted to know.
"Those animals back on that island?"
Raf wanted to say yes, but Lablet broke in with a question concerning
what had happened to him, and the pilot outlined his adventures of the
day, not forgetting to give emphasis to the incident in the celled
room when the newly rescued alien had turned upon him.
"Naturally they are suspicious," Lablet countered, "but for a people
who lack space flight, I find them unusually open-minded and ready to
accept us, strange as we must seem to them."
"Ditto done, Captain." Soriki stepped out of the flitter, the wrist
camera dangling from his fingers.
"Good." But Hobart did not buckle the strap about his arm once more,
neither did he pay any attention to Lablet. Instead, apparently coming
to some decision, he swung around to face Raf.
"You went out with that scouting party today. Think you could join
them again, if you see them moving for another foray?"
"I could try."
"Sure," Soriki chuckled, "they couldn't do any more than pop him back
at us. What do you think about them, sir? Are they fixing to blast
us?"
But the captain refused to be drawn. "I'd just like to have a record
of any more trips they make." He handed the camera to Raf. "Put that
on and don't forget to trigger it if you do go. I don't believe
they'll go out tonight. They aren't too fond of being out in the open
in darkness. We saw that last night. But keep an eye on them in the
morning--"
"Yes, sir." Raf buckled on the wristband. He wished that Hobart would
explain just what he was to look for, but the captain appeared to
think that he had made everything perfectly plain. And he walked off
with Lablet, heading to the globe, as if there was nothing more to be
said.
Soriki stretched. "I'd say we'd better take it watch and watch," he
said slowly. "The captain may think that they won't go off in the
dark, but we don't know everything about them. Suppose we just keep an
eye on them, and then you'll be ready to tail--"
Raf laughed. "Tailing would be it. I don't think I'll have a second
invitation and if I get lost--"
But Soriki shook his head. "That you won't. At least if you do--I'm
going to make a homer out of you. Just tune in your helmet buzzer."
It needed a com-tech to think of a thing like that! A small adjustment
to the earphones built into his helmet, and Soriki, operating the
flitter com, could give him a guide as efficient as the spacer's
radar! He need not fear being lost in the streets should he lose touch
with those he was spying upon.
"You're on course!" He pulled off his helmet and then glanced up to
find Soriki smiling at him.
"Oh, we're not such a bad collection of space bums. Maybe you'll find
that out someday, boy. They breezed you into this flight right out of
training, didn't they?"
"Just about," Raf admitted cautiously, on guard as ever against
revealing too much of himself. After all, his experience was part of
his record, which was open to anyone on board the spacer. Yes, he was
not a veteran; they must all know that.
"Someday you'll lose a little of that suspicion," the com-tech
continued, "and find out it isn't such a bad old world after all.
Here, let's see if you're on the beam." He took the helmet out of
Raf's hands and, drawing a small case of delicate instruments from his
belt pouch, unscrewed the ear plates of the com device and made some
adjustments. "Now that will keep you on the buzzer without bursting
your eardrums. Try it."
Raf fastened on the helmet and started away from the flitter. The
buzzer which he had expected to roar in his ears was only a faint
drone, and above it he could easily hear other sounds. Yet it was
there, and he tested it by a series of loops away from the flyer. Each
time as he came on the true beam he was rewarded by a deepening of the
muted note. Yes, he could be a homer with that, and at the same time
be alert to any other noise in his vicinity.
"That's it!" He paid credit where it was due. But he was unable to
break his long habit of silence. Something within him still kept him
wary of the com-tech's open friendliness.
None of the aliens approached the flitter as the shadows began to draw
in. The procession of moving teams stopped, and most of the
burden-bearing warriors withdrew to the globe and stayed there. Soriki
pointed this out.
"They're none too sure, themselves. Look as if they are closing up for
the night."
Indeed it did. The painted men had hauled up their ramp, the hatch in
the globe closed with a definite snap. Seeing that, the com-tech
laughed.
"We have a double reason for a strict watch. Suppose whatever they've
been looking for jumps _us_? They're not worrying over that it now
appears."
So they took watch and watch, three hours on and three hours in rest.
When it came Raf's turn he did not remain sitting in the flitter,
listening to the com-tech's heavy breathing, but walked a circular
beat which took him into the darkness of the night in a path about the
flyer. Overhead the stars were sharp and clear, glittering gem points.
But in the dead city no light showed, and he was sure that no aliens
camped there tonight.
He was sleeping when Soriki's grasp on his shoulder brought him to
that instant alertness he had learned on field maneuvers half the
Galaxy away.
"Business," the com-tech's voice was not above a whisper as he leaned
over the pilot. "I think they are on the move."
The light was the pale gray of pre-dawn. Raf pulled himself up with
caution to look at the globe. The com-tech was right. A dark opening
showed on the alien ship; they had released their hatch. He fastened
his tunic, buckled on his equipment belt and helmet, strapped his
boots.
"Here they come!" Soriki reported. "One--two--five--no, six of them.
And they're heading for the city. No dollies with them, but they're
all armed."
Together the Terrans watched that patrol of alien warriors, their
attitude suggesting that they hoped to pass unseen, hurry toward the
city. Then Raf slipped out of the flyer. His dark clothing in this
light should render him largely invisible.
Soriki waved encouragingly and the pilot answered with a quick salute
before he sped after his quarry.
13