The pelting rain eased off as they pulled up to the docks and, in accordance with Jao etiquette, he emerged last from the car. Voices rose and Aille looked up to see a crowd of natives forming on the parking area above the docks.
Caitlin stepped out of the car, then narrowed her eyes. “More protesters,” she said to Aille in a low voice. “They’re not going to let this drop. Since the Governor is doing this in your honor, can’t you just request some other activity instead, one less controversial? We could tell them we were just going out for a cruise, or perhaps we could fish for shark.”
“I cannot refuse the Governor’s attention,” Aille said. “There is long-standing strain between Narvo and Pluthrak. I would only add to it by questioning his judgement over such an inconsequential matter. Pluthrak depends on me to behave in an honorable manner here. I can do nothing else.”
Her blue-gray eyes seemed very large in her small oval face. “Don’t you see?” she said. “He’s deliberately provoking them. They feel very strongly about this. There is going to be trouble, and, whenever there is, humans always pay the price.”
He could see her hands trembling, an element of human body-speech he’d never before observed. Did it indicate dread, perhaps, or eagerness? He was uncertain how to respond.
Without acknowledging the crowd, Oppuk strode down to the end of the rickety wooden dock, which was slick with rain, then used a temporary walkway to access the vessel. It was smaller than Aille had expected, but trim and gleaming, bristling with equipment and what seemed to be a huge projectile weapon of some sort at the far end. Along the side of the hull was marked the name Samsumaru, apparently another example of the human quirk for personalizing material objects.
One of the Governor’s service beckoned to Aille, haste implicit in the set of his ears. Aille started to comply, then stepped aside as several humans trotted down the weathered wooden planks, carrying the slim shaft of a portable Jao laser. He glanced back at Yaut, question in his eyes.
Yaut flicked a whisker. “There has been much complaining in this area,” he said. “The Governor would like a chance to flex his muscles. According to his staff, things get very boring in that dusty palace in the center of the continent. He likes a good row now and then.”
Then Oppuk did indeed expect trouble. Aille glanced at Caitlin, who was studying the crowd. She knew, he thought. They all knew. The natives were being deliberately provoked here, just as she said. Although he did not understand why the life of one sea animal should matter so much, he could see, if they did nothing to prevent its death, they would have lost in some important regard involving their sense of honor. And if they did indeed resist, Oppuk would ensure they lost even more.
He motioned to Kralik. “Have the unit stand by here on the docks,” he said. “I think there will be some expression of local dissatisfaction before the hunt is over.”
Kralik nodded. His sodden hair clung to his skull, but his eyes were sharp now with anticipation. “Do you want me to stay behind with them?”
Aille considered. “No,” he said finally, as the wind buffeted him, “if there is trouble out on the water, I will need my most experienced advisors at my side.”
Kralik pulled out a pocketcom and disseminated a quick order to the unit’s commander.
Someone shouted up in the parking lot, then several fist-sized rocks arched down, falling far short of the docks. Oppuk’s guard emerged from the water vessel, weapons ready. The Jao guards fired immediately, their lasers raking the distant crowd. Screams broke out, and then the crowd scattered as most fled inland.
Caitlin turned her head away and hurried toward the fishing trawler. Aille delayed to evaluate the altercation, minor as it was, until all the participants had either been put down or routed.
“Ineffective,” Yaut commented, rain dripping down his snout. “That cannot be how they defended this planet, with shards of rock and loud, disagreeable sounds.”
“No, indeed,” Aille said, “it cannot.”