This must be one of their crack field operatives, thought Flandry, growing cold. He did the basic Intelligence work on Vixen. Now, with Vixen in hand, he’ll be sent to do the same job when the next Terran planet is attacked. Which will be soon!
Flandry slumped. “Very well,” he said in a dull tone. “I captured Temulak.”
“Ha!” Svantozik crouched all-fours on the dais. The fur stood up along his spine, the iron-colored eyes burned. “Where is he now?”
“I do not know. As a precaution, I had him moved elsewhere, and did not inquire the place.”
“Wise.” Svantozik relaxed. “What did you get from him?”
“Nothing. He did not crack.”
Svantozik stared at Flandry. “I doubt that,” he said. “Not that I scorn Temulak—a brave one—but you are an extraordinary specimen of a civilization older and more learned than mine. It would be strange if you had not—”
Flandry sat up straight. His laughter barked harsh. “Extraordinary?” he cried bitterly. “I suppose so … the way I allowed myself to be caught like a cub!”
” ‘No ground is free of possible pits,’ ” murmured Svantozik. He brooded a while. Presently: “Why did the female betray you? She went to our headquarters, declared you were a Terran agent, and led our warriors to your meeting place. What had she to gain?”
“I don’t know,” groaned Flandry. “What difference does it make? She is wholly yours now, you know. The very fact she aided you once gives you the power to make her do it again—lest you denounce her to her own people.” Svantozik nodded, grinning. “What do her original motives matter?” The man sagged back and picked at the straw.
“I am interested,” said Svantozik. “Perhaps the same process may work again, on other humans.”
“No.” Flandry shook his head in a stunned way. “This was personal. I suppose she thought I had betrayed her first—Why am I telling you this?”
“I have been informed that you Terrans often have strong feelings about individuals of the opposite sex,” said Svantozik. “I was told it will occasionally drive you to desperate, meaningless acts.”
Flandry passed a tired hand across his brow. “Forget it,” he mumbled. “Just be kind to her. You can do that much, can you not?”
“As a matter of fact—” Svantozik broke off. He sat for a moment, staring at emptiness.
“Great unborn planets!” he whispered.
“What?” Flandry didn’t look up.
“No matter,” said Svantozik hasitly. “Ah, am I right in assuming there was a reciprocal affection on your part?”
“It is no concern of yours!” Flandry sat up and shouted it. “I will hear no more! Say what else you will, but keep your filthy snout out of my own life!”
“So,” breathed Svantozik. “Yes-s-s-s … Well, then, let us discuss other things.”
He hammered at Flandry a while, not with quite the ruthlessness the human had shown Temulak. Indeed, he revealed a kind of chivalry: there was respect, fellow feeling, even an acrid liking in him for this man whose soul he hunted. Once or twice Flandry managed to divert the conversation—they spoke briefly of alcoholic drinks and riding animals; they traded some improper jokes, similar in both cultures.
Nevertheless, Svantozik hunted. It was a rough few hours.
At last Flandry was taken away. He was too worn to notice very much, but the route did seem devious. He was finally pushed into a room, not unlike Svantozik’s office, save that it had human-type furniture and illumination. The door clashed behind him.
Kit stood waiting.
XIII
For a moment he thought she would scream. Then, very quickly, her eyes closed. She opened them again. They remained dry, as if all her tears had been spent. She took a step toward him.
“Oh, God, Kit,” he croaked.
Her arms closed about his neck. He held her to him. His own gaze flickered around the room, until it found a small human-made box with a few controls which he recognized. He nodded to himself, ever so faintly, and drew an uneven breath. But he was still uncertain.
“Dominic, darlin’—” Kit’s mouth sought his.
He stumbled to the bunk, sat down and covered his face. “Don’t,” he whispered. “I can’t take much more.”