Sliding Scales Read online

  A large intruder came drifting down into the closely packed flock of satubvwo. That it was not a peaceful nocturnal herbivore like the choluub was made immediately apparent by the flock's rapid switch from confused wail to frantic whining. Seeing that the newcomer was a blohkbaa, Takuuna left his sidearm holstered. The local carnivore would soon have the flock cleared away.

  Descended from active, hungry predators himself, it was always instructive to watch another carnivore feeding. Like the choluub and the satubvwo, the blohkbaa was kept airborne by a gas-filled sac attached to its back. The difference was that the carnivore's serpentine form was lined with not one, not three, but more than two dozen such sacs, arranged in double rows along its widely separated upper ridges. By venting or adding gas to these it gained far greater maneuverability than its harmless drifting relations, who traveled solely at the mercy of the wind and weather.

  Its method of consumption was straightforward. Positioning itself beneath chosen prey, it extended a single flexible, sharply pointed tendril upward. Ignoring its quarry's frantic twitching and futile efforts to escape, it utilized this tool to puncture the prey's supporting gas sac. Deprived of lift, the quarry would immediately begin to sink downward—directly into the yawning orifice that occupied much of the blohkbaa's dorsal expanse.

  In this efficient manner it proceeded to munch its way at a surprisingly rapid pace through at least a third of the satubvwo flock. It completely ignored the busy Vssey who, relieved of the need to make a decision on how to deal with the temporary obstacle, used the steadily widening gap in the helpless flock to continue on their way up the street. Borne along on two highly capable limbs instead of one, Takuuna impatiently pushed his way to the front and soon outdistanced the crowd. Continuing back to his rooms he was forced to dodge numerous Vssey who were unable to hop out of his way. Unlike the roadblocking flock, however, this caused the administrator no undue distress. Having been assigned to Jast for several years, he was used to it by now. One could not allow oneself to become frustrated by individual pedestrians when their entire species was a constant source of frustration.

  He did not dwell on the execution of the two Vsseyan thieves. He could not. He had paperwork to attend to.

  Lwo-Dvuum eyed the gathering of friends glumly. Without a formal, pre-agreed-upon agenda, they could not properly be labeled conspirators. Without a declared manifesto, they could not be condemned as rebels. And without weapons, they could hardly be considered dangerous.

  What they could do was talk and, perhaps more significantly, commiserate. It had not taken long for news of the execution of the two unfortunate young thieves in rural Tual-Sihb to reach metropolitan Skokosas. That the sentence had been carried out by a local AAnn administrator instead of by the Vssey themselves did not particularly concern the members of the group. What did trouble them, what had troubled them enough to bring them together in the first place, was that it had been done according to AAnn law that had been adapted for Vsseyan use.

  “We have always ha' our own laws,” Mua-Briiv was saying. As a senior member of the circle, the Elder had assumed a stance with his back to the setting sun. Behind him, silhouetted against the fading light, a mixed flock of jwoyourn and pwalakum were settling down for the night, sifting to earth as lazily as fine flour as their airsacs lost buoyancy. “Then these right swift AAnn come, promising all manner of goo' things if only we will welcome them and their needs, and those of our own kin' we truste' to look after our interests turn into mindless spore sacs.”

  Next to the Elder, Bno-Cassaul fluttered those tentacles that were not presently interlocked with those of the young historian's immediate neighbors. Like everyone else who had gathered on the outskirts of the city, ostensibly to observe the sunset ritual, Bno-Cassaul formed part of the circle of close friends. Originally a defensive posture that in olden days gone by enabled a group of Vssey to hold off attackers larger and quicker than themselves, the circle had evolved to serve numerous cultural and commercial purposes. It would have astonished the members of the other, similar circles who had also gathered on the ancient wall for the purpose of contemplating the evening sunset that the avowed aim of the one currently occupying the far corner of the revered ramparts was sedition.

  “Somehow we must regain control of our culture,” Bno-Cassaul was saying, “an' expel these fast-moving, fast-talking guests.”

  “How?” wondered a seemingly resigned Tvr-Vheequa. “It cannot be denie' that these AAnn have brought many wondrous things to Jast. As a result, the government is comfortable with the present arrangement and alliance.”

  “Too comfortable by a long hop,” declared BnoCassaul.

  Lwo-Dvuum knew that Bno-Cassaul could be counted on to do whatever was necessary to help expel the domineering AAnn. The trouble was that, while there existed among the circle of friends many who were inclined in that direction, Bno-Cassaul was the only one who could be counted on. Before any serious moves could be contemplated, the two coconspirators needed the support and cooperation of some of the Elders. Support that needed to take the form of something more substantial than encouraging platitudes.

  Among the Elders who had gathered to converse, MuaBriiv seemed the most likely to lend serious backing. But even that aged worthy, patches of whose trunk-like torso were exfoliating with age, remained far from convinced. Nwi-Pwaal gave voice to such concerns.

  “Even if the majority of Vssey wishe' to oust the AAnn, how could such a thing be accomplishe'? The AAnn are skille' in the arts of war, while we Vssey are a peaceable people.”

  “Our ancestors invente' and built many powerful machines to defen' themselves against the predators of Jast,” Bno-Cassaul pointed out. “While physically we are slow and almost helpless against such as the AAnn, our machines are not.” Reflecting deeply felt passion, the speaker's eyestalks were fully erect and many bubbles accompanied his earnest word-speaking. “It is true that the AAnn are agile, but no AAnn can outrun a heat drill. Their flesh fries as astringently as that of any Vssey.”

  Tvr-Vheequa's tentacles rippled with distress as the orange-hued hearing comb twitched. “Talk of frying flesh unsettles my central digestive system.” By way of supplying visual confirmation, the upper edge of the speaker's listening comb flushed a pale pink. “In this I believe the majority of Vssey would agree with me.”

  “Which is why we must strive harder than ever to convince them of the nee' to make such sacrifices.” LwoDvuum was adamant to the point of bouncing slightly up and down for emphasis, the four protruding fleshy pads at the base of the body contracting forcefully to propel the speaker straight up into the air—albeit only for a couple of dozen centimeters. Still, it was a vigorous physical exhibition of commitment.

  Tvr-Vheequa rotated to contemplate the last rays of the setting sun. The ancestors of modern-day spectators had gathered here for hundreds of years, ever since the great city of Skokosas had been founded by the Pandur MwuUmool IV at the height of the Guluu Dynasty, blessings be unto its buddings. The direction the circle's conversation was taking made Tvr-Vheequa uncomfortable. Yet in the venous cavities that pumped blood through TvrVheequa's system, the reluctant one saw the wisdom in the words of Lwo-Dvuum and Bno-Cassaul. They were rash, in the manner of those not long full-grown from buds. Tvr-Vheequa was more inclined to listen to the admonitions of fellow Elders such as Mua-Briiv.

  Yes, the Vssey possessed advanced devices and modern weapons. But so did the AAnn. And over the centuries the AAnn had used them not to defend against charging pluead or acid-spilling dvojebai, but to build an empire. Tvr-Vheequa had studied their history. The AAnn did not need an empire. They simply wanted one. You could cooperate with them, join with them, and enjoy all the benefits of Imperial membership. Or you could resist, as some had, and find your kind subdued through subterfuge, manipulation, corruption, or, if all the other multi-farious means at their disposal failed the clawed ones, force.

  Unless you joined the other, even greater galactic confluence of species called
the Commonwealth. TvrVheequa knew far less about the Commonwealth. Only a handful of its representatives had ever visited Jast, and they had not stayed long. From all accounts, they were as impatient as the AAnn and found the slow-moving Vssey and their ways not much to their liking.

  Located between two such vastly more powerful associations of worlds, the independent Vssey had been largely left to themselves until it had been decided to ally informally with the AAnn. Hence the present presence on the planet of AAnn scientific outposts, AAnn forward military bases, AAnn commercial interests, AAnn touristic enterprises, and AAnn governmental agencies and aid programs. For much of this the Vssey were grateful, and found the arrangement to their advantage without having to commit to formal integration with the Empire.

  Except, Tvr-Vheequa reminded himself, for the occasional disquieting incident when Vsseyan niceties found themselves suborned to AAnn insistence, and a couple of recently budded thieves got themselves shot for their trouble instead of reeducated, which would have been the Vsseyan way.

  “Tvr-Vheequa?” Tentacle-tips moved gently against the tentacles that lined the rear semicircle of the thoughtful one as Lwo-Dvuum sought to bring a drifting associate back from contemplation of the sunset—and other things.

  Tvr-Vheequa pivoted. “These are such meaningful matters. Clearly they require much more thought before any sort of serious response can be considere'. I myself will broach the matter to an additional triplet of high worthies and report back to you the nature of their reaction.”

  “Another study group. More talking, more consideration, more thought! But no action.” Bno-Cassaul's impatience was atypical for a Vssey. “Jast will be absorbe' wholly into the AAnn Empire while well-meaning, thoughtful individuals are still discussing the prospective ramifications of possible resistance. When they finally awaken, an independent Jast will be a distant memory suitable only for the casual amusement of curious archivists!”

  Seeing that friend Bno-Cassaul had hopped too far, Lwo-Dvuum hastened to intervene. “Wisdom lies between haste and torpor. You all speak worthwhile thoughts.” One eye swiveled to regard the quietly seething BnoCassaul. “We are not nearly strong enough to move against the AAnn in any significant fashion. Indee', we are barely strong enough to organize these meetings.” The other eye rotated to focus on Tvr-Vheequa. “Talk then to your eminent triplets. With luck you will there find sympathy for our position as well as insight.” Having soothed the situation, Lwo-Dvuum used a dozen tentacles to gesture meaningfully in the direction of the other spectators. Having observed and enjoyed the sunset, the viewing circles were now breaking up and making preparations to return to the city proper.

  “Until the next agree'-upon meeting time and place, it is best we are not seen together in more than a casual pairing. I do not think the AAnn know of our faction or its philosophical bent. It is desirable to maintain that useful anonymity. Meanwhile, each of us will continue to advance the aims of our faction in any way that they can.”

  The circle was re-formed. Tentacles were entwined. Eyestalks withdrew into concave upper bodies until only the glimmer of the eyes themselves were visible. MuaBriiv recited the Kwolal liturgy. That helped to banish any lingering feelings of stress, whereupon they all went their separate ways: friends united behind a common idea as yet devoid of the slightest means of implementing it.

  Tvr-Vheequa and Bno-Cassaul chose to return to their dwellings by means of the latest type of air-repulsion vehicle. Three other members of the circle who had not spoken, who had only listened, utilized other mechanical means of transport. Only Mua-Briiv and, somewhat surprisingly to the others, Lwo-Dvuum chose to ride traditional ouvomum.

  Both were tethered near the very end of the old city wall. As was only courteous and proper, Lwo-Dvuum waited until Mua-Briiv had slipped into the other riding sling and departed before approaching the remaining mount.

  Five times the length but weighing less than the average Vssey, the ouvomum browsed contentedly at the public feeding trough to which it had been secured. Long and flat, mottled brown and green on top and blue on its underside, the creature chewed cut grass and grain with a wide, flattened protrusion of a mouth. Working against the feed, the grinding plates inside the mouth masticated it to a pulp before swallowing.

  The ouvomum had four limbs that were neither arms nor legs. Instead, the quadruple projections that extended from each corner of its roughly rectangular body curved upward instead of down. Their tips terminated in muscular, cylindrical tubes that expanded into four huge, colorful, membranous balloons. If not for the strong artificial leather tether that kept it secured to the feeding trough, the ouvomum would have rapidly and contentedly drifted off into the evening sky.

  The elegant, embossed harness that encircled its body formed a kind of conical sack beneath the central stomach, with the base of the harness resting on the smooth stone pavement of the old city wall. A single well-practiced high hop landed Lwo-Dvuum's four-sided base perfectly in the center of the harness. Leaning forward, the rider used several tentacles to release the mount's tether and pull it in. As it was secured to one side, four reins dangling from above were gripped confidently in two other sets of tentacles. The ouvomum let out a melancholy moan as it drifted away from the feeding trough. When it started to deflate its two fore gas bladders in an attempt to descend back toward the food, Lwo-Dvuum tugged firmly on the rearward reins.

  Within a couple of moments the well-trained ouvomum responded to the controlling tugs on the four reins. Alternately deflating and inflating its bladders, it turned back toward the city proper as it rose. As mount and rider soared gracefully over the city's outskirts, Lwo-Dvuum reflected that even if they were neither long nor particularly strong individually, having more than two dozen manipulating limbs had its advantages. It was possible to keep a double grip on each of the four reins while simultaneously steadying oneself in the harness by holding on to several of the enclosing straps.

  In an age of modern conveniences, flying an ouvomum was a stylish and fashionable way to get around. The only drawback was a lack of speed. The ouvomum was anything but swift. But soaring along beneath one gave a rider time to think, something the Vssey had always prized. The AAnn felt that the Vssey already spent too much time thinking. Lwo-Dvuum did not care what the AAnn thought, so long as they did not discover what the circle of friends was thinking.

  Difficult as it was to admit it, there was no question that Tvr-Vheequa's caution was well founded. Weapons alone, even allowing for a sufficiency of those willing to employ them, offered no guarantee of being able to expel the AAnn. Masters of the conciliatory phrase and cunning proclamation those swift-running, sharp-toothed warriors might be, but when words failed them, LwoDvuum knew that they would not hesitate to butcher any who stood in their way. Knew this because much AAnn history had passed in perusal before the teacher's intensely curious eyestalks. On the whole, it had not made for pleasant reading.

  What we need, Lwo-Dvuum thought as the ouvomum dipped toward the conical structure whose topmost level was home to its rider, is something to spark the wider interest of the otherwise contented and disengaged Vssey. Something to shake them from their communal lethargy. Something to stiffen their eyestalks and open their eyes to the true intentions of the seemingly benevolent long-legs. An incident. A diversion. An event. In the continuing absence of anything palpable, could one perhaps be manufactured?

  If nothing else, it was, his mind insisted as busy tentacles directed the mount to void gas from its bladders and descend homeward, something to think about.

  3

  That the shuttle was granted permission to land at all was due in no small part to the fact that the entire staff of Skokosas port operations was composed of Vssey. By the time the local AAnn representatives found out about and learned the true nature of the unanticipated arrival, the visitor was already on the ground and it was too late to do anything about it. Nor could they blow it up out of hand, its crew having followed proper procedure in request
ing and being granted permission and concurrent directions on how and where to set down.

  That did not mean that the AAnn authority on Jast was happy about this unexpected development. Captain Qerrudd VXXDLM in particular was distressed. As liaison to the Vssey Ministry of Transportation, it was she who was ultimately responsible for any untoward visitation that might impair Imperial influence among the natives. The fact that a Commonwealth vessel had managed to arrive and settle unnoticed into orbit around Jast was embarrassing enough. She knew that the fact that it had arrived unannounced, alone, and without a formal preceding request from the Commonwealth government, unlike every Commonwealth craft that had come before it, would not be sufficient to excuse the oversight.

  Hoping to minimize any damage—especially to her career—she hastened from her workplace within the AAnn Authority complex inside the city to the main shuttleport that was located on a flat, rocky plain not far to the south. Pushing the compact aircar to its limits, she took the risk of annihilating any leisurely Vssey who might be unlucky enough to get in her way. Those traveling in modern conveniences such as her own, either of local or imported AAnn manufacture, would be perfectly safe. Their on-board avoidance systems would prevent any collision. Regrettably, there were still Vssey who preferred to travel around and outside the metropolitan sector utilizing more traditional means of transportation.