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Chapter Three
They disposed o£ the packages by stacking them in the empty shipping carton and shoving it into a far
corner. September was for taking all the garbage outside and tossing it to the winds. He wanted to keep
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their hideaway neat, as long as they were stuck in it.
By now, though, the gale outside had risen to brobding-nagian proportions. That wind carried quick,
freezing death, despite the protection of their suits and face heaters. Outvoted four to one, the big man
assented.
"Wish I knew more about these natives," he muttered. An-other log was sacrificed to the greedy flames.
Fuddled in their survival suits around the orange-red kinetic sculpture, they looked like so many frozen
carcasses awaiting the butcher's saw. But the wood continued to burn comfortingly, although sometimes
the fire took on an eerie purple halo. A nice little pile of coals was growing beneath. Even the supporting
dural-loy seemed to be taking on a reddish tinge under the steady throb of flame.
"It's not surprising we haven't encountered any yet," said Ethan. "For all we know, we might have come
down in the middle of the biggest desert on the planet."
"It's all right, father," Colette was murmuring to her sire. "Your flowers are being well taken care of ...
and Inter-national Lubricants of Goldin IV was up six points, last I looked."
"You'd think they would have -noticed the boat coming down," September grunted. "As clear as this air
is, we ought to have been visible for hundreds of kilometers."
"We might have been seen," Ethan conceded. "Even so, it might take days or weeks for the locals to
organize an expedition to reach us. Assuming they are so inclined."
"Still, we should post a watch," said the big man.
"I haven't taken anything but the basic mestapes," Wil-liams began, "but it seems to me that your natives,
no matter what their makeup, wouldn't be abroad on a night like this." Another gust rattled the door, as
though in support of the schoolmaster's theory.
"This could be a tropical evening to them," Ethan coun-tered. "But if we're as far away from the
settlement as we seem to be, then the locals couldn't be familiar with flying craft. We can't tell how they
might react. We might have come in over the local metropolis, too, and scared the populace half out of
their wits. In which case they might declare! this section of ice forever taboo, or the local equivalent. I've
seen it happen before."
"Let's hope not," said September fervently. "I'm beginning to think we're going to need outside aid if
we're ever going to see the inside of a brandy snifter again. But that's not why I think we should stand
watch.
"And it has nothing to do withhim ." He gestured at Wal-ther. A thin whine from the kidnapper's location
was the only reply, a mouse of a snore. Already sound asleep.
"Although, as long as he entertains thoughts of attack, and as long as we still have one operational
beamer"-he patted his vest pocket-"it would be a good idea if everyone didn't drift off to slumberland all
at once.
" No, my main concern is keeping that fire going. If that goes, it's liable to get downright chilly in here.
And we might never wake up."
"Quite so," agreed Colette promptly.
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"I usually remain awake late at night," .Williams informed them. "If no one objects, I would be pleased to
take the first, uh, watch."
"Very well ... and I shall take the second," volunteered Colette. "But you will have to excuse my father
from such duties ... he's not up to it, I'm afraid."
"But my dear ..." the elder du Kane began. Colette kissed him perfunctorily on the forehead.
"Hush, old man. Lean on me."
"But your mother would think-"
Colette's eyes grew suddenly so wild that Ethan missed a breath. She looked about to scream, but
instead her voice came out under airtight control-barely.
"Don't mention that woman to me now," she snapped out.
"But-"
"Don't!" There was more than just a hint of warning in that voice. Ethan thought about putting a subtle
question to her, took another look at those penetrating green orbs, and decided against butting in. Mind
your own business, stupid! He rolled over twice, facing the fire.
It seemed he'd only just put his head down after con-cluding his two-hour watch when he was suddenly
awakened. He was facing the fire a half-meter away. For a moment something very primitive deep inside
him was badly startled. It did wake him quickly, though. He rolled over and found himself almost nose to
nose with Williams.
The schoolteacher held fingers to lips. Ethan sat up slowly and stifled his questions. Across the glow of
the fire he could see Colette du Kane. Her expression chased the rest of the sleep from his eyes. She
was chewing on one set of knuckles. Her father was kneeling tensely next to her, an area around her
shoulders.
The Hephaestean form of Skua September, outlined by the fire, stood to one side. He was staring
intently at the door. The remaining beamer was clutched tightly in his right fist. It hadn't grown much
colder inside, thanks to the fire, but you could feel the alien darkness pressing close on all sides.
Ethan was aware of something new and unpleasant in the tiny cabin. Humans are not as adept as their
dogs at smelling fear, but they can recognize it in each other.
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