Do not visit me yet. I will continue to work to set up the meetings, but it may take several days.
madharVnectVlatsinVux
#
madharVnectVlatsinVux
Greetings, Madhar Nect.
We are sorry to be the focus of such unfortunate attention.
Under the circumstances, we may have to meet with your Regdenir cousins before we meet your officials. We have set up a session with them tomorrow.
g101VnectVlatsinVux
#
g101VnectVlatsinVux
Greetings, Jim Able.
I am amazed! After what you went through last time, are you seriously going back? I urge you to wait. With the situation as it is, I can’t guarantee your safety. I don’t think there would be unanimity in arranging a second rescue. Please don’t do anything so foolish!
madharVnectVlatsinVux
#
madharVnectVlatsinVux
Greetings, Madhar Nect.
Too late—we are committed. I don’t think this will have the same kind of outcome. This time we are meeting with Regde1 people. We would not go if we thought we were in danger. But just in case, we will be at the same location.
g101VnectVlatsinVux
#
g101VnectVlatsinVux
Greetings, Jim Able.
Are all alien races so stubborn and unwilling to take advice? I do not have the faith that you show in the good nature of even the Regde1. They are crazy! Do not trust them. Do not go without at least a plan to get out quickly!
madharVnectVlatsinVux
#
Tella nodded slowly. “Her caution is wise. We will have a remote control for the flier with us at all times.” He drew out a compact device from a compartment in the ceiling. He spent several minutes explaining to Jim the main controls. “These are for the weapons. You can see here the targeting parameters.”
“That’s...That’s very dangerous, isn’t it?”
“Danger is relative. If we need to activate this system, it means that the danger is imminent and, for some reason, we have lost control of the situation.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
“I respect all life, as you do. But I have used this system in an emergency before. It has saved my life. I hope we do not have to activate it.”
“Damn right!”
Madhar Nect waited for a while to see if Jim Able would reply to her last warning. She was seated in her office at the Latsin Institute. It was midafternoon, and the teaching day was winding down. The last class was finishing its work in silence in the classroom next door. As soon as they were done, she could make her way to the TV studio for the evening broadcast.
“Madhar Nect?”
The voice came from the door to the corridor. Her visitor was tall and muscular. He wore a thick armored tunic and held a projectile weapon loosely in his hand.
“No, she’s in the room down the end.”
He hesitated only for a second. “You are Madhar Nect. You will come with me.”
“I’m still teaching a class. Who are you?”
“No questions. Come now!” He raised his weapon. As he did so, a young student opened the door from the classroom.
“Professor?”
“Not now, Yura! Can’t you see I’m being kidnapped?”
The student froze in shock for only a second as she took in the scene, then she threw herself back into the classroom and slammed the door.
“You must at least tell me who sent you.”
“I don’t ask questions like that. Nor should you. Move quickly!”
Madhar got up slowly from her desk. She gave a thought to Jim Able. This might complicate things for her friend. As she raised her hands and walked toward her visitor, she could hear her class moving next door. By the time she had stepped into the corridor, it was full of wide-eyed students.
“Move back!” shouted her visitor.
The students froze, and the corridor became silent.
“Or you’ll do what?” asked Nect. “You’ll kill thirty-five students and me? I don’t think that’s quite what you were told to do, is it?”
“Make way and no one will get hurt!”
“No, my ignorant friend, that isn’t how we do things here. You will place your weapon on the floor, and we will let you leave unmolested.”
“Stand aside!” Surprised, he forgot to keep his eyes on his target.
Nect held a small device to the thug’s arm, pressed a button, and the would-be kidnapper crumpled to the floor.
“Well done, everybody! Megra, call the principal. Andra, secure that weapon. You four, drag this oaf into the classroom. Segre and Thapi, go down and block the exit for his colleague. He’s probably waiting in an unmarked vehicle with darkened glass. You’ll have no trouble finding it. Darsenagre, get your jamming device onto the vehicle as soon as you can.”
The youngsters leapt into action. Madhar withdrew to her office.
#
jisporaVflacVmeblishVnrc
Greetings, Alliance Chair.
I have had a visit from a hired kidnapper.
Surveillance recordings of the attack upon my person will be included in tonight’s Science World unless you immediately take steps to ensure my safety as I have requested.
I will soon have the attacker’s vehicle stripped down and its origins ascertained. This information will also be broadcast unless I receive your full protection.
madharVnectVlatsinVux
#
The next hour was a busy one for Madhar and her students. Only the presence of a TV news crew persuaded the driver to abandon his vehicle. Once that was done, the electronics were stripped from it and taken to one of Madhar’s labs. Government guards reported to the scientist: some took up positions throughout the institute, while others removed the still-unconscious kidnapper.
“Results?”
“Yes, professor,” said Yura Gre, pushing back her glasses. “We can identify the codes and addresses.”
“Who was it?”
“The Arpinata Chemical Company.”
“Arpinata!” Madhar laughed coldly. “Well done. Say nothing to anyone else about this. Let me have your notes.”
“Yes, professor.”
She handed them over, smiling shyly.
“Full marks,” said her teacher, smiling back.
***
Tella landed the flier on the strip midmorning. The tidal waters had swollen the rivers to their fullest, and Beauty was a pale semicircle high above their heads. Jim and his friend watched it as they stood next to the flier. No one came to greet them.
Jim walked first to the shed
