Mr. ICiku answered, “We are not supposed to know that it is a weapon. Assume that it is apparatus for their own record of the conference.” Dr. Ftaeml was standing beside the foremost Hroshiu; the Under Secretary said to him, “Tell them what our Secretary General is. Describe him as chief of seventeen powerful planets.”
‘The Rargyllian hesitated. “What about the President of your Council?”
“The Secretary General embodies both of them for this occasion.”
“Very well, my friend.” The Rargyillan spoke in highpitched speech which reminded Kiku of puppies whining. The Hroshiu answered him briefly in the same tongue, and suddenly Mr. Kiku no longer felt the dread that had been inspired by the creature’s stare. It was not possible to feel awe for a person who sounded like a lonesome puppy. But he reminded himself that deadly orders could be given in any speech.
Ftaeml was speaking. “Here beside me is . .” He broke into a multiple squeal of the strange tongue. “. . . who is commander of the ship and the expedition. She. . . no, perhaps ‘he’ would be better. . . he is hereditary marshal and. . .” The Rargyllian broke off and fretted. “You have no equivalent rank. Perhaps I should say ‘mayor of the palace.'”
Greenberg suddenly said, “How about ‘boss,’ Doc?”
“A happy suggestion! Yes, this is the Boss. Her. . . his social position is not highest but his practical authority is almost without limit.”
Kiku asked, “Is his authority such that he may conduct plenipotentiary bargaining?”
“Ah, yes, certainly!”
‘Then we will get on with it.” He turned to the actor and nodded. Then he spoke to the desk in front of him, using a hush circuit: “Getting all this?”
A voice answered his ears alone. “Yes, sir. The picture pick-up faded once but it’s all right now.”
“Are the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff listening?”
“I believe so, sir. Their offices are monitoring.”
“Very well” Mr. Kiku listened to the Secretary General’s speech. It was short but delivered with great dignity and the actor paced it so that Ftaeml might translate. The Secretary General welcomed the Hroshii to Earth, assured them that the peoples of the Federation were happy that the Hroshii had at long last found their lost sibling, and added that this happy accident should be the occasion for the Hroshii to take their rightful place in the Community of Civilizations.
He sat down and promptly went to sleep for all practical purposes, eyes open and face fixed in kindly dignity. The double could hold this Roman-Emperor pose for hours without really noticing the review, or ceremony, or whatever he might be chaperoning.
Mr. Macclure spoke briefly, seconding the Secretary General and adding that the Federation was now prepared to discuss any matters of business between the Federation and the noble Hroshii.
Greenberg leaned to Kiku and whispered, “Should we clap, boss? Somebody ought to and I don’t think they know how.”
“Shut up,” Kiku said amiably. “Dr. Ftaeml, does the commander have a speech of formality to deliver?”
“I think not.” Ftaeml spoke to the leading Hroshiu, then answered, “The reply is a serious comment on the two speeches made, rather than an answer of formality. He states that the Hrosliii have no need of other lesser. . . breeds and says we should not get to business without further, ah. . . trivia.”
“If it is true that they have no need for other peoples, please ask him why they have come to us and why they have offered us presents?”
“But you insisted on it, my friend,” Ftaeml answered in surprise.
“Thank you, Doctor, but I do not want your comment. Require him to answer. Please do not coach him.”
“I will try.” Ftaeml exchanged several sentences of the high whining with the Hroshij commander, then turned back to Kiku. “Forgive me. He says that he acceded to your childishness as the simplest means of accomplishing his purpose. He wishes to discuss now the surrender of John Thomas Stuart.”
“Please tell him that the matter is not open to discussion. The agenda requires that we first settle the question of diplomatic relations.”