“And the Terran work force will be disgruntled,” Aille said. His ears were aslant with foreboding. “The workers will see it as yet another affront to their expertise in these matters, and they do have a point. The tanks will be much less effective for combat in an atmosphere, refitted as Kaul would have them.”
“Forget about the refit for now,” Yaut said and indicated his board with its message. “We have been summoned to a reception in the population center known as Oklahoma City to be held in your honor by Governor Oppuk krinnu ava Narvo. I had hoped such a meeting between the two of you could be put off, but it seems you have already come to his notice.”
Aille’s eyes flashed as he realized the implications. Historically, associations between Narvo and Pluthrak had been few, opposition nearly constant. It was not in Narvo’s interests for a Pluthrak to do well here, or anywhere else, for that matter.
“Why did he accept my appointment in the first place?” Aille asked. “I still do not understand that. Granted, it would have been rude to refuse, but Narvo has never hesitated to be rude.”
“You are young,” Yaut said, his body stiff with blunt-truth. “The young often make mistakes because that is the nature of learning. Such mistakes could be employed to cast Pluthrak in a bad light, harming future associations which then might never come to pass.”
“So I cannot afford to make any mistakes,” Aille said.
“No,” Yaut said, “not even those which are sure to be forced upon you.”
“Like this pointless refit.” Aille sat back in his chair and stared out over the work floor, which was visible through the glass wall beyond.
“I was thinking more of Tully.” Yaut exhaled, fighting the exasperation he felt over this matter. Guidance must be firm, he told himself, but ever subtle. “That is one burden I would have counseled you not to take up. However, we could put him down before we leave.”
“No, the Terrans are watching what I do now,” Aille said. “They know about Tully. Even Aguilera, who disapproves of him, does not want him dead.”
Yaut could not help gesturing in stymied-frustration. “Once we leave,” he said, “despite the locator, he will find a way to escape. Only my constant vigilance has restrained him this long.”
“Then bring him with us.”
Yaut circled the desk so he could study the invitation again. “Quarters for five have been set aside, which is an insult, although a sly one. The Governor’s staff must know you have already begun to assemble your own service, now that you are in place.”
“So, after Tully, we can take along only two more.” Aille composed his hands in the classic form of careful-contemplation. “The female bodyguard, I suppose, then?”
“Tamt,” Yaut said. “She has progressed to the point that I have granted her right to be named.”
“And Aguilera,” Aille said, eyes still focused on his hands. “I will add him to my service. He can assist you in keeping an eye on Tully.”
“Two Terrans out of four you are to be allowed?” Yaut cocked his head, very dubiously. “Might it not be better to select another Jao?”
“We are on Terra,” Aille said. “I have been given charge of all jinau troops. If I do not demonstrate the ability to form associations with the natives, then I will look ineffective.”
“True.” All the same, Yaut shuddered. “Which makes it all the more important not to be embarrassed by Tully. Let me arrange an unfortunate ‘accident.’ Perhaps he could drown while accompanying you on a morning swim. Terrans are notoriously poor swimmers, and his fellow natives would deem it noble if he perished while attempting to provide companionship.”
Aille’s ears flattened. “They would never believe it. Tully has done nothing so far without being forced. He will go with us and he will behave, or we will make him wish he had.”
That, Yaut thought, was much easier desired than accomplished, but for now, he held silent.
* * *
When the order came through, Tully had been assigned for the morning to Rafe Aguilera, who therefore had the damned locator control on his belt. Aguilera had stationed him down in the next refit bay, working to remove the engines and tracks from old Bradleys. No one would trust him to install the new maglev drives, of course, but he could hardly damage anything crucial while stripping outmoded equipment.