The Course of Empire(36)

Again, the question forced itself forward: What has Narvo been doing here?



But Aille saw no reason to raise that issue before Aguilera, much less Tully. Being forthright with subject species was not the same thing as kochan back-biting gossip, after all.



"Actually," he said, "we Jao have no idea of what particular world birthed our race. All our histories begin when a sizable population escaped the slave compounds of the Ekhat."



"They captured your whole race?"



"No, they crafted us, from a semi-sentient species swimming in an ocean somewhere so that eventually we could work and fight for them as slaves."



"Slaves?" Aguilera ran a hand back over his unruly black hair.



"Yes, and we were the fortunate ones," Aille aid. "Apparently, for whatever reason, they must have seen some promise in us. Most intelligent or semi-intelligent species they encounter are exterminated immediately."



"So if we don't help prepare for their coming," Aguilera said, "we'll fall too."



"Most likely," Aille said. "Now, return to the refit floor and arrange the meeting."



Aguilera gave the human nodding gesture, then slipped back out the door.



"I don't really believe that," Tully said, speaking for the first time since they'd returned to the office. "I think you Jao just make all that stuff up so we'll stay in line."



The phrase "stay in line" sounded peculiar, especially coming from someone whose Jao was obviously quite good. How instantly, Aille thought, these humans thought in terms of order and regimentation. Their minds seem to run in straight lines everywhere. Perhaps that was why they encountered so many obstacles to proper association. Straight lines made for corners.



But there was a more pressing matter at hand. "You are in my service now," Aille said. "On the one hand, that gives you the right to question me, but I suggest you refrain from insinuations that I am being untruthful. If Yaut were present, you would already be bleeding again. He is a forceful trainer."



Tully drew back a little, but did not cringe. He was courageous, whatever else, that much was clear. Aille decided he had made the point sufficiently well and moved on. "Beyond that, while you may think what you wish, it does not matter what you believe as long as you make yourself of use."



"And how exactly do you expect me to be of use?" Tully held up his wrist with its locator.



"I do not know yet," Aille said. "It may happen that you cannot be, after all."



"Then what?" Tully raised his chin. His eyes glittered with that stubbornness Aille was coming to know.



"Then I will decide what else to do. But that flow may never complete itself, so why concern ourselves with it?"



Tully started to say something else, but broke off. Yaut had returned.

* * *



The fraghta had a raw-boned scruffy female drifting in front of him. The scion of Pluthrak studied her for a moment. Blunt-eared, as well as blunt-faced, she seemed to lack the intelligence Aille preferred in his subordinates. His hands formed bemused-surprise as he gazed at his fraghta.



"Vaish," Yaut said, as though nothing were untoward. The doorfield activated with a faint crackle.



Aille's nose twitched.



"This one is in need of training," the fraghta said. "I brought her along so it may be accomplished with greater ease."



"I assume then, she has also joined my service?" Aille's ears quirked at an ironic angle.



Yaut swiveled his windward hand to indicate diffident-assent. "The bau-holding scion of a great kochan should have a large service, and wide-flung. You need a nose in every pertinent area."



"True, but have you considered that perhaps we are accumulating too many too quickly for effective training?" Aille's gaze flicked to Tully, who was now standing against the wall. His stance was rigid, exuding unease. "You are, however efficient, only one."



Yaut followed his gaze. "Apparently training proceeds," he said, eyeing Tully, "whether I am here or not."



"Apparently."



"I have uncovered two Binnat who may meet your needs," Yaut said. "They—"



A rap sounded on the door. Yaut keyed the doorfield off.



A group of humans stood outside, led by Rafe Aguilera. "Subcommandant?" He glanced within to Aille. "Here are the men you requested. I served with some of them myself, and the rest I know by reputation."



"Do they speak Jao?" Aille asked.



"Not all of them."



"Then send those who do not away for now," Aille said. "But retain a list of their names. I will interview them later, when my English has improved."