Howling Stones Read Free

block Pulickel’s path. He wore a duty uniform of green shorts, shirt, and sandals. Insignia decorated his sleeves andshoulders. “Eric Train. On behalf of the department, welcome to Senisran.” He extended a hand and flagged Pulickel’s up and down. “No hand luggage?”
    “No. I just have the one case.”
    “That’ll be waiting for you in the baggage area.” He turned and Pulickel fell in step alongside him. “I’ve seen your schedule. You have a couple of days here in town before you have to head out to the site. I’d be glad to show you around.”
    “I’d enjoy that.” Actually, Pulickel wasn’t sure that he would, but he’d learned early on in his career that when traveling, no amount of research, no matter how thorough, could substitute for the knowledge of someone local. While Train was exposing him to the few simple pleasures Ophhlia had to offer, Pulickel would patiently pump him for more practical information.
    “How was your flight?”
    “Like any KK-drive journey. Pleasant enough. Quiet and busy. I had plenty of time to study and to work with the language synapse. It’s a long way from Earth.” They left the busy main atrium and turned down a side corridor. “I must say that based on everything I’ve read I don’t quite see why my presence is so actively required.”
    Train put a comradely arm around the other man’s shoulders, a gesture that Pulickel disliked but had grown used to. “Let’s just say that Parramat’s a special problem that needs a specialist’s attention.” The newly arrived xenologist knew as much but politely allowed Train the pleasure of explication.
    The terminal was busier than Pulickel expected. Though Senisran was a far-off, recently discovered world, Ophhlia was a busy place. Things were happening here.
    “After the initial contacts,” Train was saying, “the xenology department was able to put together a few basic contact templates. With minor variations for individualisland groupings these have worked pretty well—until Parramat.”
    “So all the reports say.” Pulickel commented only to show that he was paying attention.
    “But these Parramati, they’re different.” Train was shaking his head dolefully. “Not physically, of course. As far as appearance, physical ability, and intelligence, they’re no different from any of the other seni. By the way, except for the overtly warlike tribes, the natives are nice folks—for semihumanoid aboriginal aliens. And even the most aggressive tribes are usually ready to sit down and have a chat or share a meal before they paddle off to bash somebody else’s heads in.
    “Generally speaking, we’re getting along well with them. Staying a few jumps ahead of the AAnn. You know the lizards: they tend to be kind of impatient, whereas the seni are a species that likes to take its time. It reflects the nature of their environment. That’s not to say that if we weren’t here that every one of them wouldn’t readily align themselves with the AAnn.”
    Pulickel nodded. The AAnn were always in a hurry, expecting a yes-or-no answer to a question the first time it was asked. Establishing formal relations with new species often required a good deal more patience. This the AAnn had learned, but their natural instincts still had a tendency to frustrate their own efforts in that area. As a result, the Commonwealth had forged ahead in its efforts to secure alliances with Senisran’s scattered and highly individualistic tribes. Struggling to catch up, the Empire had poured considerable resources into its local efforts. In territories where the locals remained uncommitted, such as the Parramat Archipelago, they were just as active as the representatives of the Commonwealth.
    The Parramati had shown themselves to be wary of theoffers from both sides, as was to be expected. Like primitive sentients anywhere, they didn’t want to make the mistake of allying themselves with a weaker party. So they listened patiently to the