“We are in the center of New York City. One of the largest and most important on Earth…”

  “I must re go into the ship!” The alien was across the room as he spoke, clumsily working the sealing controls on the door. Groot had his automatic out and aimed, but Rob waved him back.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Inside!”

  The door opened and Hes’bu plunged through—with Rob right behind him, the others following j after. Hes’bu ran down the corridor and into the j control room where he stopped to examine the banks of instruments. He apparently found what he wanted because he hurried to a panel and was reaching up to it when Rob called out loudly.

  “Stop! Do you see this weapon in my hand? It is the same as the one that killed the Blettr in the corridor. It can kill you. If you touch anything on that board I will fire. Now lower your hands.”

  Hes’bu did so, slowly, turning about.

  “Do not stop me. I must…”

  “Do what—and why?”

  “Make this not to work. Turn off the control, here, on the main thrust control, see, it must be stopped. That was why they landed here.”

  “Why?”

  “In dying to destroy. Knowing they were to dying. Make of this ship a great bomb to destroy this city and in all directions. Now, please, there is no time left. I must make it not to work!”

  4. Intelligence Report

  “Don’t touch anything! I will fire if you do!” Rob snapped on his communicator. “Patch me to General Beltine, emergency. General? You heard? Do you have instructions, sir? Yes, sir, I’ll wait.”

  They stood in silence then, all four of them, three human and one alien, waiting. Rob and the sergeant had their guns trained and ready. Corporal Shetly took one step backward, then stopped. There was no walking away from this one. The silence stretched on and on…

  “Right!” Rob said in answer to an unheard command. He lowered his gun. “They said go ahead. They have no option but to believe you.”

  Hes’bu had turned about at the first words, his paired, spatulate fingers prodding at the board. He made three rapid movements and stepped back. There was a sudden clicking sound—loud in the frozen silence. Then all of the lights on the board went out.

  “It is done.” Hes’bu slumped visibly. “We return to the question chamber.”

  Hes’bu asked for water and was given a glass.

  That’s one question answered at least, Rob thought. They breathe our air and drink water, so they must have carbon-based metabolisms like ours. He drank some water himself but wished that it had been heavily laced with scotch. Later. This job had to be done first. He thought about the next question and decided to approach it indirectly.

  “When we first saw you, you spoke to us in Russian. Then you changed to English. How do you know these languages?”

  “Radio. Your broadcasts are very strong. Experts intercept and prepare lessons in the two languages most heard. We learn them. Interesting to do.”

  Interesting!, Rob thought. What sort of brains did the Oinn have to enable them to learn this many languages with such little effort? Yet what was the reason for this? He spoke the question aloud.

  “Why listen to our broadcasts—and learn our languages?”

  “Because we have been afraid for a long time, many of your centuries, that this planet will be next. In our defensive battle against the Blettr we retreat and we are followed. We are being pushed further and further from our home worlds, making our battle that much more difficult. In this retreat we have unknowingly led the enemy to your planet. We have honor. We feel guilt about what we have done, even though it was not on purpose done. Therefore we learn your languages and prepare for the day when you must be told. We did not plan it to happen like this, but that day has now come.”

  Rob’s eyes narrowed in thought; he did not like this. “Are you trying to tell me that there is some kind of war going on? And that you want to enlist this planet to battle on your side of the galactic conflict? Are you trying to lead us into war?”

  “No, not that all. We must now tell you that you will be attacked. We will help you all that we can to defend yourselves.”

  “That is very generous of you—considering that you led the attackers here.”

  “Not on purpose done!”

  “Of course. But still done. What if we decide not to get involved in this conflict?”

  “It is not a matter of decision with the Blettr. They discover you, they destroy you. All living intelligence their enemies. From space the bombs of destruction. We can supply weapons of planetary defense if you permit us.”

  Rob sighed and stretched; he suddenly realized how exhausted he had become. “Happily forme,” he said, “that is not my decision to make. I simply ask the questions. It will be up to the authorities to decide what actions should be taken. I’ll be back in a moment.”

  Rob went to the service area and found the medical kit. He took out the jar of amphetamines and swallowed two of them. This was going to be a long session.

  It went on for five long hours more before Hes’bu suddenly announced that he would answer no more questions because of fatigue. They all needed the rest, all except Sergeant Groot.

  “Get some sleep, sir,” he said. “I’ll just sit here a bit and keep an eye on our friend. You too, Shetly, just set up the recorder to keep running by itself.”

  “Are you sure?” Rob said.

  “No sweat, colonel. Got a lot to think about.”

  “Don’t we all.”

  “That’s the truth. And I’ve been thinking of a question or two myself. Like why this turkey has got steel legs.”

  “A good question, and I intend to ask it. Make a memo of any more ideas you have like this. I imagine the general and the staff will have some of their own as well. I’m going to get some rack—but wake me up as soon as Hes’bu stirs.”

  Only moments seemed to have passed before Rob felt the firm hand steadily shaking his shoulder. He blinked his eyes open to see Groot standing there, holding out a cup of black coffee.

  “Is Hes’bu awake?” he asked, smacking his dry lips together.

  “No, sir. It’s just been about two hours. But General Beltine is on the phone.”

  “All right. I’ll be right there.” Rob sat up, yawning, then sipped a mouthful of coffee before he stumbled over to the phone. “General?”

  44It looks like there’s another emergency coming together, Rob. I can’t tell you in person because the medics still haven’t given the ship or our visitor a clean bill of health. So I’m sending someone in to brief you. Along with a doctor for your wounded man.”

  “Yes, sir.” There was little else that he could say. What kind of an emergency could possibly involve him? He couldn’t think—but knew that he had better be able to soon. Two more of the bennies, washed down with the coffee. They gave him a stabbing heartburn, but at least brought him to life. There was a sudden rattling as the sealed door was unlocked. Rob went to wash some of the sleep out of his eyes and when he came back he could only blink dazedly at the girl standing next to the great bulk of Sergeant Groot.

  Black eyes, long black hair, a heart-shaped face, full but graceful figure…

  “Nadia Andrianova,” he said. She nodded.

  “And you are Colonel Robert Hayward. We meet for the first time.”

  She stepped forward and shook his hand, firmly, one time up and down in the French manner. Although they had never met before, they each knew a good deal about the other. Rob had seen her once, at a distance, at an embassy reception. An associate from the CIA had pointed her out to him.

  “Lovely, isn’t she? Skin like peaches and cream. Mind like a steel beaver trap. Started out as a translator for OGPU. Kept adding languages—must speak at least fifteen by now. Moved on to analyst and now she is head of the US section of intelligence in Washington. Wish we had her on our team.”

  “A field agent?” Rob had asked.

  “No. Nothing like that. More valuable than a dozen goons—and strictly legal. Reads everything printed in this country, from weather charts to local newspapers, and puts it all together. A very bright lady.”

  And now she was here. In-the center of what Rob had thought was a classified security operation. All very confusing, particularly when you still aren’t awake.

  “Please, sit down,” Rob said. “Would you like some coffee?” Wonderful, he thought, playing mine host; but it was all he could think to say.

  “Thank you, no. But I would like some tea. Black, strong, just sugar.”

  “I’ll take care of that,” Groot said.

  “Do you know what’s happening outside?” Nadia asked, placing her large shoulder bag on the floor beside the chair then sitting down across from Rob, then crossing her legs. Very nice, he thought, blinking at them then burying his face in his coffee. “What do you mean?” he asked, swallowing. “Your interview with the alien. Do you know that it was transmitted live to the United Nations?”

  “They forgot to tell me. I assumed this was all top security.”

  “Hardly,” she said, flaring her nostrils slightly in disdain at the thought. “Your country and mine have been in constant communication since the alien craft entered your airspace. Some attempt was made by your military authorities to keep events secret, but your President wisely overruled them.” Rob had a good idea of the amount of infighting that lay behind her words. The hawks in the department wanting to sit on the whole thing. A liberal President who believed in open government. The press blanketing the world with coverage. The other countries pushing for information. Nadia nodded, as though following his thoughts.

  “Reports have been given to the press, without all the details of course. But the UN ambassadors have watched everything. It is due to this unusual cooperation that my nation has been able to make a valuable contribution. You know of course of our science satellite, Pitnatset?”

  Rob nodded. “Radio star research, in geostationary orbit over the Black Sea.”

  “All current research projects were cancelled when the alien ship appeared. It has been utilized as a highly sensitive search radar and receiver since then. No unidentified objects have yet been discovered in nearby space, but of course the search is a slow and careful one and will take a good deal of time.”

  “But you have come up with something—or you wouldn’t be here.” _

  “That is correct. A number of radio broadcasts have been received and recorded. They appear to emanate roughly from the direction of Jupiter. Some are quite clear and they have been analyzed. I have aided in this. It was of my opinion, since verified by the Department of Languages in Moscow University, that the language being spoken is not of human origin.”

  “Then the next step is obvious,” Rob stood and stretched. “We see if our friend inside can do a translation for us. Do you have copies?”

  Nadia dug into her large bag and produced a small recorder. She placed it on the table and slipped a micro cassette into it, then pressed the play button. There was a whistle of static, then a rumbling voice spoke.

  “N’slht nweu bnnju kloi ksjhhsbn bsu …”

  Rob shook his head with incomprehension and Nadia turned it off. “Certainly nothing that I ever heard of. Unless it is spoken code…”

  “Do not turn it off, play more,” Hes’bu said, appearing in the doorway to the other room.

  “Do you know what this broadcast is?” Nadia asked. She did not seem at all bothered by the alien’s presence.

  “It is my language. A ship to ship transmission. I did not know we had ships in this solar system. Perhaps they followed the Blettr ship. Please, I must hear more.”

  Rob looked over at the freshly bandaged Corporal Shetly who was yawning widely while he set up his recording apparatus. “Are you getting this?” Rob asked.

  “On the tape and on the wire, sir.”

  “Good.” Rob turned back to Hes’bu. “We are going to play the tape now, but only if you give a running translation of it. Is that agreed?”

  “Yes, of course. Now the playing.”

  Most of what was said was incomprehensible, even though the alien labored to translate it. Ship to ship communication is technical shorthand discussing orbits, passing on commands, a few bits of what appeared to be personal chat. Then Hes’bu hesitated, became excited.

  “Something important coming. An overcall…override announcement. These are only for matters of great urgency.”

  The crosstalk ceased and there was a short silence before a single voice broke in, talking fast, rattling out the phrases. Hes’bu was silent, leaning forward and listening intently. He made no attempt to translate. Rob waited a few moments longer—then leaned over and turned off the machine.

  “No, don’t!” Hes’bu wailed. “Continue the playing!

  “You’re not translating.”

  “I know, yes, no—a moment longer, I am begging, then the complete translation. Message not complete.”

  Rob hesitated, then reached to turn it back on. “We want that translation.”

  Hes’bu stared into space as the words crackled out, and his mouth dropped slowly open. Then he signalled with his paired fingers, a clicking motion like scissors blades, and his mouth clacked shut.

  “Message finished,” he said. “You must contact your authorities at once, all authorities of different languages all over your world. It is for them to hear 11

  “What was the message,” Rob broke in. “Tell us now. The authorities are listening.”

  “Coming soon. Those were scout ships of my people who are watching an attacking fleet of the Blettr. Their course is certain. They come here, to Earth. The war now comes to your planet. You cannot stop it. I am most regretful.”

  Hes’bu hesitated, his fingers clicking together nervously, then he spoke. “The scouts are sure that a large attack vessel is in this fleet. If that is true that is very, very bad news for your planet. Very bad indeed.”

  5. The Quest

  The door of the trailer burst open and a shaft of bright sunlight lanced into the darkened interior. General Beltine stood in the opening, flexing his swagger stick in both hands.

  “The medics have called an end to the quarantine,” he announced. “Dissected the bodies from the ship. Anything those might have we can’t catch. Metabolism is too alien. So we’re moving the interrogation to the Pentagon.” He pointed the stick at Nadia as she started to speak. “Don’t worry, young lady, this is a combined operation. Your team is there already. The news media don’t have the whole story yet, but it’s sure to leak from that crowd at the UN. We want you, Colonel Hayward, and Hes’bu in Washington before it hits the fan. Let’s go.”

  A VTOL airship was just setting down onto the churned-up grass when they emerged, blinking, into the sunlight. A command car, engine running, stood just outside. All of the soldiers present were facing outwards away from the trailer, weapons ready. As soon as the passengers were inside the car the driver—a full colonel—gunned it to life. General Beltine briefed them during the short ride.

  “There is going to be trouble, right around the world, when everything gets out. The UN is calling an emergency session—but we’re not going to wait for that. The President has been on the Hot Line to Moscow and there is complete agreement on bilateral cooperation between our two countries. We need to move fast and we can’t wait for the UN. The Soviet Union and the United States are joining in emergency defense arrangements. By the time you get to the Pentagon the first steps will have been decided. Here we are.”

  The VTOL was an Arachne, the newest medium attack bomber, that had been modified for passengers. There were just six seats in the cramped cabin. The three of them were alone after the general had sealed them in—and the door to the pilot’s compartment remained closed.

  “Please be seated and fasten your safety belts,” the voice said from the speaker above their heads. “Takeoff in thirty seconds.”

  Hes’bu was fumbling with his belt as the engines started. Rob leaned over and fastened it for him, and had just dropped back into his own seat when the plane stirred and lifted. It was like going up in a fast elevator. They were pressed into their seats as the VTOL plane leapt into the air, then tilted over to horizontal flight as it gained altitude.

  “I did not understand the details of what the large man told you,” Hes’bu said. “I am not familiar with your forms of governing.”

  “He was explaining emergency action that has been taken,” Nadia said. “The United Nations is a group of representatives of the sovereign countries of Earth. They are slow at reaching decisions. However the two largest and most important countries have agreed to take all defense precautions that are needed at the moment. It is an empirical decision. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.” She took out her miniature recorder and turned it on. “You will now begin to teach me your language.”

  “It is a very difficult one,” Hes’bu said, turning and looking out of the window.

  “I am very good at languages, do not concern yourself. We begin. Is yours an inflected or agglutinative language?”

  “I do not know those terms.”

  “Then we will do it in a simpler manner. In English the present tense of the verb to speak is: I speak, you speak, he, she or it speaks. Singular. Plural: we speak, you speak, they speak. That is called conjugating the verb to speak in the present tense. What is your verb to speak?”

  “Kln’r,” Hes’bu said, with some reluctance. The word had a strange clicking sound in the middle of it, and ended with a rasping glottal cough.

  “Very good.” Nadia repeated the word with great exactitude, so close to the original sound that Rob could not tell the difference. It must have impressed Hes’bu as well for he threw her a quick glance and turned away again. Nadia was not deterred in the slightest by the apparent reluctance on his part. She persisted in her linguistic interrogation, supplementing the recording with quick phonetic notes entered into her scratchpad. By the time the craft touched down beside the Pentagon she had the work well under way.