“Yes,” said Prilicla.
Shech-Rar showed its teeth, whether in a smile or a scowl Hewlitt could not be sure, then said, “A clear, single-syllable answer. Good. But when a vessel like Rhabwar arrives on a confidential mission that is neither important nor sensitive, that is curious and so am I. No matter, Doctor. What do you need from me?”
It took only a few minutes for Prilicla to detail its requirements, but it was obvious from Shech-Rar’s voice when it spoke that suspicion had replaced its former impatience.
“I was not assigned here until five years after these incidents took place,” said the colonel, “so I have no direct responsibility in the matter. The flyer accident to the subject’s parents, which to my mind is the only incident worthy of attention, was fully investigated. The findings were that the cause was a combination of adverse weather conditions, a power system malfunction that affected the control linkages, and pilot error, the error being in not waiting until the storm had passed. You are welcome to a copy of the report. But why is it that young people with long lives ahead of them take needless risks while the old ones, with much less time remaining, are so careful?”
The colonel made an untranslatable sound, as if irritated with itself for digressing into philosophy, and went on, “In spite of what you have told me, the arrival of Rhabwar and your team here is the true measure of the mission’s importance. However, if your investigation is likely to uncover any long-past act of negligence or other misbehavior on the part of any of my officers, I will not allow you to question them until I have satisfied myself that they have Corps legal representation before answering any charges. Is that understood, Doctor?”
The empath’s fragile body and limbs trembled for a moment, as if it was sensing Shech-Rar’s emotional radiation at extreme range; then it said, “I assure you, Colonel, it is not that kind of investigation. We require permission to explore the locality where the incidents took place and, if they are still on Etla, interview the beings concerned. We are interested in their recollections, nothing more, and will make allowances for any lapses of memory. The approximate timing of the event is known to us, but we will need your help in identifying the people concerned. At present we do not even know their names.”
“That information will be on my predecessor’s file,” said the colonel. “Wait.”
Rather than the transmission ending, when Shech-Rar’s image disappeared it was replaced by the Monitor Corps symbol on a field of deep blue, indicating that the wait was not expected to be a long one. On Rhabwar everyone remained silent, not wishing to start a discussion that was sure to be interrupted. Hewlitt watched the screen until the hairy features of the colonel reappeared.
“The names you require,” said Shech-Rar without preamble, “are Stillman, Hamilton, and Telford. Major Stillman, who was then a surgeon-lieutenant, is now retired but still attached to the base as an Etlan cultural advisor, as is Dr. Hamilton, the civilian specialist in other-species dentistry. Should you need to interview it, Surgeon-Captain Telford, the senior base medical officer at the time, was posted to Dutha three years ago. The present encumbent, Surgeon-Lieutenant Krack-Yar, will make the hospital records available and discuss them with you on request.
“The matter is not important enough to warrant going to Dutha,” said Prilicla. “In the absence of the original medical officer, a copy of its records and the flyer accident investigation report will be fine, as soon as you find it convenient, Colonel.”
Shech-Rar looked at someone offscreen, nodded, then said, “Is fifteen minutes soon enough?”
“You don’t believe in wasting time, Colonel,” said Prilicla. “Thank you, yes.”
“Rather than send you the names, locations, and a map,” said Shech-Rar, “it will waste even less of your time if Major Stillman acts as your guide and escort. He can take you over the ground and introduce you to the people concerned as well as, hopefully, telling me what you are really doing here ..”
Definitely, thought Hewlitt, the colonel had spent a long time among Kelgians.