The whale would have to make itself of use, thus, as did all reasoning beings. Sometimes that required the laying down of one’s life. Aille readied his hands on the controls and waited for the wounded whale to break the surface again.
The first harpoon’s rope creaked and then the whale’s immense back parted the waves like a gray boulder. He angled the harpoon’s sight as the trawler pitched, depressed the trigger—and missed as the whale once more dove, almost as though it were trifling with him.
The human crew unshipped another harpoon and handed it off to the Jao for reloading. Then the trawler jerked as the whale suddenly ran heartward beneath the choppy waves, sawing the rope against the metal railing. Beneath his feet, Aille could feel the thrum of the trawler’s laboring engines. Wait, he told himself. It would have to surface again.
Oppuk stalked back and forth at the rail, trying—not very successfully—to conceal his anger. “I lack your eye for shooting this device,” Aille said. “Have you any advice?”
“Try not to miss this time,” the Governor said curtly, then fell against the cabin as the whale surfaced again, this time beneath the trawler so that the boat lurched sideways. Aille gripped the harpoon, fighting the tilt, and waited as his pulse raced. This creature was indeed clever. Might one ever be converted into an ally? he wondered. Imagine swimming with such a massive, cunning being. What a partnership that would be!
Its huge gray head broke the waves, but not as high this time, as though the whale were growing tired. You weary, great one, Aille thought. It is time to submit. He put his eye to the sight, acquired his target, and fired.
This time the harpoon struck the leviathan midbody before it could submerge. The attached rope sang through the air, then went taut with a snap that jerked the trawler forward. Several of the watching humans went to their knees, Tully and the Japanese ambassador among them.
“A true shot,” Yaut said, suddenly at his side, though he had not been close before.
Oppuk gripped the rail and watched the floundering whale as the sailors again reloaded the harpoon mount, then looked to the Jao for who might take the next shot. He motioned impatiently for Caitlin to come forward. “Come,” he said, “I think even a human could not miss now.”
She closed her eyes, then let humble-refusal shape her body. “I fear it is too great an honor,” she said. “I have never trained as a warrior or served in the military. My father would be quite angry if I put myself forward in such a way.”
The Japanese ambassador glanced quickly at Stockwell and then came forward, stopping in front of Aille. “There is danger of the carcass sinking, once the whale dies,” he said, bending low in an obvious posture of submission. “The crew says it would be best to secure it with several more harpoons until it can be winched onboard for flensing. May I recommend that his Excellency’s skill is needed here.”
Interesting, thought Aille. He realized at once what was happening. Whatever the nature of the conflict between the two human moieties, the Japanese were clearly attempting to avoid unnecessary further humiliation of their opponent, now that they had won the initial sally. It was well done, quickly and smoothly—and boldly, too, given Oppuk’s obvious ill-temper.
Very Jao-like, in fact. Just so did kochan properly battle with each other.
Oppuk’s hand began to rise, as if he were tempted to strike the old Japanese ambassador. But he lowered it, his stance stiff, and then pointed at Aille. “It is the Pluthrak’s hunt. Let him see it to the conclusion.” Thereupon, he stalked off.
Aille moved at once, since it was now time to end this little contest with the Narvo with a small but clear victory. He solicited the crew’s suggestions on their placement, via the ambassador’s translation, then fired two final harpoons.
* * *
When it was done, he followed Yaut and the rest of his service below decks. The Stockwell scion, after glancing at the Governor, attached herself to them. The area below decks was another of those spaces, Aille found, never intended for the breadth of Jao shoulders. But he knew Yaut had his good reasons for taking them there. Oppuk and most of his personal service were remaining on deck, enjoying the wind and rain while the crew went about the business of winching the whale up onto a processing deck where it could be butchered. Given the situation, it would be best to put some separation between them now.