Crown of Slaves

But she said nothing. And something subtle in Cachat's expression made it clear to her that he appreciated her ability to refrain from making the catty remark which she was tempted to make.

She covered the personal awkwardness with political awkwardness.

'So what's this about, Officer Cachat? Why all the secret agent rigmarole?'

The smile was still on his face. 'As I recall, I simply sent a message over to your hotel asking for a lunch date. Nothing spy-ish about it. Wasn't even written in secret code. You were the one who insisted on meeting here.'

Thandi was a bit embarrassed. She was tempted to tell him that Watanapongse had insisted on the location. But, again, she didn't. Thandi was no more capable of being catty about a fellow officer than another woman. She'd agreed, after all.

'Okay, maybe it was foolish. But… what do you want? And don't bother telling me it was just the pleasure of my company.'

'As a matter of fact, that is the reason I specifically asked for you,' he said. The words came out a bit stiffly. Thandi suspected Cachat was as uncomfortable with personal emotions as she was. And, again, felt herself warming toward him still more; and-again-felt like an idiot for having the reaction. She was a professional military officer trying to advance her career, damnation, not a schoolgirl with a sudden crush on a man who was essentially a complete stranger.

Fortunately, Cachat hurried past the moment. 'What this is about, however, is the political situation in Erewhon. It seems to me that the Republic of Haven and certain officers of the Solarian League Navy with close connections to Governor Barregos have certain interests in common. And, if I'm right, there's a way we could both advance those interests.'

Her eyes narrowed a little. 'You're suggesting a distance exists between the Governor and… ah, what you call 'certain officers' in the SLN. For the record-'

'Cut it out, Lieutenant Palane. 'For the record,' all officers of the SLN are disinterested and apolitical military figures whose personal and political loyalties are identical. 'For the record,' the Office of Frontier Security is an organization devoted to the advancement of backward planets. 'For the record,' while we're indulging in this game, a brothel is a clinical center for the study of human sexual behavior. Of those three statements, which do you think is the least absurd?'

She snorted. 'The one about the brothel.'

'My opinion also.' He leaned forward in his chair. 'Look, Lieutenant, I don't care in the least what personal ambitions Captain Rozsak might have. Or how those ambitions might-or might not-clash eventually with those of Governor Barregos. It's none of my business. Nor is it the Republic of Haven's business, except insofar as any changes in the Solarian League's political setup might affect the none-too-secret tech transfer we get from certain Solarian commercial interests.'

'I'd think that would be your major concern.'

He waggled a hand. 'Yes and no. Yes, it's always out major concern about the Solarian League. We avoid irritating them over minor matters, which is the reason that Ginny and I were sent here to pay Haven's respects to the Stein family instead of an official delegation. But-no-we don't lose a lot of sleep over it, if it involves something important enough to make it worth our while to annoy the Solarians. Push comes to shove, as long as we can keep coming up with the cash, somebody in the Solarian League will sell us what we need. The only difference between a major SL commercial combine and a whore is that a whore is more selective and a lot less mercenary.'

Thandi couldn't find any fault with that characterization. Certainly not with any of the Solarian combines which maintained operations in OFS territory. So, with a little waggle of her own fingers, she indicated her agreement.

'Keep talking.'

Cachat planted his hands on the table. Then, after a short pause, began moving the utensils around. The sight reminded Thandi that she was getting hungry.

'Let's call the salt shaker 'Erewhon.' The spoon shows the wormhole connecting Erewhon with the Solarian League. This is the only terminus the Erewhonese have, except for the one to Phoenix, which means that they're commercially more tied to the Solarians than they'd like to be. Okay, now let's call the pepper shaker-'

'I need to eat,' she said abruptly.

He paused, scrutinizing her. 'Sorry. I'm always forgetting to eat, myself. I'm overlooking the price you'd have to pay for your physique. You must have a metabolism like a furnace.'

He turned and motioned at the waiter. The man began slouching over. A bit disgruntled, obviously, that he was going to have to do some work.

After she and Victor gave the waiter their orders, Thandi cocked her head. 'And what would you know about my metabolism?'

'I study things. Ginny tells me I'm compulsive about it. So after I met you, I did some research on the Mfecane worlds. Ndebele, in particular.'

'And?'

He made a face. 'If you'll pardon my saying so, your ancestors were a bunch of lunatics.'

'Tell me something I don't know.'

'Still, there was a method to their madness. At least, once you get past the initial premise that the African genotype is the purest human stock. It's actually the most variegated, since it's the oldest. However, in an odd sort of way, that initial racialist obsession worked to their advantage. Because it meant that they had the widest genetic variation to start applying natural selection to, not to mention-'

'Their own grotesque genetic manipulations.' Harshly: 'Tell me something I don't know.'

He shrugged. 'What I suspect you don't know-fully realize, anyway-is that the combined effect of the whole process made the Mfecane worlds an even greater experiment in human development than the Ukrainian laboratories which produced the so-called 'supersoldiers' of the Final War, whose modern descendants we call 'Scrags.' About the only thing comparable is the slave breeding laboratories run by Manpower Unlimited. Except that Manpower is deliberately trying to contain development within narrow limits, whereas your ancestors were trying to exceed all limits. Which they certainly did, as far as most physical characteristics are concerned.'

'Yeah, great,' she said sourly. 'That explains why we're all serfs today.'

'Well, I did say they were a bunch of lunatics. I know this will sound cold-blooded, but I actually find the fact that neither the Ukrainians nor the Mfecane founders succeeded in their aims to be profoundly satisfying. Philosophically, if you will.' A bit stiffly: 'I've detested elitism my entire life. That much hasn't changed, whatever else I've changed my mind about.'

Thandi smiled crookedly. 'Shrimps of the world, unite, is that it?'

His own smile was just as crooked. 'What can I say? I'm not much good at it myself, but the crude and simple fact is that the main way the human race gets ahead is by being lovers, not fighters. Mix it all up, and let the devil take the foremost. If nothing else, the supermen will starve quicker.'

She burst into laughter. And since, fortunately, the waiter had just plopped down bowls of soup, didn't find the humor of the moment undermined by famine.

She more or less inhaled the soup. The waiter appeared with a basket of rolls, and she began mopping up what was left of the soup. Victor was trying not to stare at her.

'S'true,' she mumbled, after more or less inhaling her third roll. 'I have to eat-lots-at least four times a day. If I don't, I start suffering starvation symptoms way, way faster than most people.'

There was a fourth, and last, roll left. She eyed Victor and he gestured politely.

After inhaling the fourth roll, she'd taken the edge off. 'It's something of a problem for me, actually. On campaign, I need to carry a lot of extra rations. Luckily, the weight's not a big deal for me. As it is, my field kit's about twice as heavy as that of most Marines.'

'Do you like being a Marine?'

She considered the question for a moment. 'Not… exactly. I like the status, yes. I also like the training and skills.' Coldly: 'Wish I'd had them when I was a kid. There's a few bastards-ah, never mind. Ancient history. But- overall? I don't know. It's something to do, and I don't know what else I'd do instead.'

She shook her head. 'Enough of me.' Pointing to the pepper shaker: 'Continue, please.'