Man-Kzin Wars IX, Larry Niven [leveled readers TXT] 📗

"Thank you," she answered, snuggling, refusing to wonder if he'd used those words before or how often. "Same order of magnitude to you, sir. But let's settle for ordinary novas. They can repeat."

He chuckled. His lips brushed her cheek. "Shameless hussy."

"I'd better be. You too. How many bets will be paid off tomorrow?"

He looked away. She heard the sudden seriousness. "You told me you . . . don't do casual."

She confronted her own spirit. "I don't."

"It's far too early to make promises. On either side."

"I realize that. But I decided, nothing ventured, nothing gained." And, if this didn't last—certainly the obstacles were many—she would at least have a profit of memories. As he would; she'd see to that. And she had the strength to pay the price. Which maybe wouldn't be required of her.

His eyes met hers. "I'm being as honest as I'm able," he said, "because in fact I am in love with you."

"All right, it's mutual."

"I wish I could, well, give you more. Now, I mean, before we go . . . home. We have so little here."

Through the eased-off happiness she felt her mind sharpen. She had given thought to this too. She did not believe the idea had snapped the leash she kept on herself. His escape did that. Nor was it a price she set, a bargain she struck.

Nevertheless—

"You can," she said.

His head lifted off the pillow. "What?"

She moved slightly aside from his warmth and male odor to lean on an elbow and keep hold of his gaze. "When Kumukahi begins breaking up, you'll be out there to watch, won't you?"

"Of course. We haven't that many free machines, and we don't know enough to write adequate programs for any. Who can tell what human observers might catch?"

"Take me along."

"Eh?" he exclaimed, and sat straight. After a moment, he leaned back. "No, really, darling, it's not feasible. If the event begins in the next few days, and it probably will, Birgit won't yet be fit to pilot. That leaves Josef for one boat, crammed with scientists and their gear."

Tyra nodded. "I know," from what Rover's crew had told her. Neither they nor Eisenberg were weaklings, but kzinti captivity was at best unnerving. Given a stiff enough emergency, you could force yourself to carry on for a while. Thereafter medications merely helped time and nature. Eisenberg was absolutely right to disqualify herself for another week or two.

"And autopilot won't do for the other, not when we are bound to be surprised and must react fast if we are to collect the data," Raden went on. "I shall have to steer." Even now, she heard the relish.

"Exactly," Tyra said. "In that case, you can pick who comes with you, can't you? If you make a point of it."

"Well, I see where it could give you a spectacular story. But no, the hazard—no."

"What hazard?" she challenged. "You're skilled, you're not a fool, you won't take unnecessary risks."

"Not knowingly. Still, who can foresee what happens?"

"Who can foresee what will happen anywhere?" She moved back to his side and laid an arm around his neck. "Yes, I may get quite an eyewitness account, but that doesn't matter, Craig, truly it doesn't. This," she crooned, "is something you can give me, because it's something splendid we can share."

She was entirely wholehearted and honest. Well, almost.

Her free hand roved. She knew she could persuade him.

10

The three ranking kzinti met for their last time in the command lair of Strong Runner.

"Once more, master, I ask that you reconsider, and take me with you," said Rach-Scientist.

Ghrul-Captain growled negation. "And once more I tell you that you are wanted to oversee what other data collection this expedition can do, and bring the booty safely home, whatever may become of me. You have been less than enthusiastic about my plan. Do you challenge my decision?"

Rach-Scientist slipped his tail briefly between his hocks. "No, master, assuredly not."

Ghrul-Captain relented. "Bear in mind, this is a trial run, the first severe one. Yes, the instruments will peer and snuff, but foremost is to prove that the vessel can run such a course. That ride is for me alone." And for me alone the glory, and the triumph that it will be over the monkeys, he thought; it was as if he tasted fresh blood. "On later flights, yes, perhaps I will let you come too."

"Master, I have not questioned your wisdom, nor do I now," said Shayin-Mate. "However, I venture to ask that you record a summary of your intent. Should anything go awry, against my wishes—"

Then you will be acting captain, who takes the ship back, makes trophy of the prestige that that confers, and contrives to lay the full blame for the debacle with the monkeys on me, thought Ghrul-Captain sardonically. Not altogether against your wishes.

He did not resent it. In the mate's position, he would have done the same.

His rage at the humans flared. Because of their contumely, the exploit ahead of him would merely win back the standing Ress-Chiuu had lost for him. No net advancement. Unless, of course, he could do the foe a real injury. . . .

"The lords at Kzin will want a quick overview of events," Shayin-Mate went on. "The technical reports can be digested for them later."

Ghrul-Captain's fury smoldered back down. He expanded the ears he had folded and gibed, "Since you feel yourself incapable, I will pace the track for you."

"Master, it is simply that your own words will have the most force. I hope with all my entrails you will be on hand to deliver them personally."

"So be it." Ghrul-Captain set the intercom scanner to record. Having curtly stated the purpose, he declared:

"I am about to take the sundiver Firehunter on a swing around the sunward side of the giant planet we have come to spy out. The planet has just commenced its death struggle, so this is urgent. How things will go is unpredictable; they may become too violent for another such flight, although I am ready to dare whatever looks possible. For the