Short Fiction Collected by Mary Caraker

Author:Mary Caraker [Caraker, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-09-17T00:00:00+00:00

The Innocents

Translation has never been easy—and with aliens, the subtleties may do you in!

“What incredible luck,” SEF colonial director Jamison crowed. He angled his gravchair to allow him to lean backwards while he surveyed the cloud-streaked, blue and green sphere that filled half the viewscreen. “We’ll make millions on immigration permits alone, not to mention the lumber and mining rights. It’s a gold mine!”

“Yes, it’s a find, in every way,” agreed Captain Lorq of Space Exploratory Force’s military division. “A perfect location for our base in this sector. “ He frowned slightly. “I only hope, though, that the natives are as amenable as you seem to think. Just because they’ve asked for teachers . . . and are you sure that’s what they actually said?”

“There couldn’t be any mistake,” Jamison assured him. “The contact team used the voder, and it had no difficulty translating their speech. They want teachers, all right.” He folded his hands on his round stomach and smiled complacently. “Trust me—they’re practically handing us the planet.”

“How do you figure that?”

Jamison tilted his chair back upright. “You know the contact rules. No contamination of an alien culture. We aren’t allowed to tell them anything unless they specifically ask. Hell, the bleeding-heart xenologists have got us so tied up it’s a wonder we ever find a world we can use.” He stabbed with his finger at the display on the screen. “These monkey-men, though, they’re trusting as babies. The contact team said they’re eager to know all about us. The ‘teachers’ I’m sending won’t have any restrictions from the xenos, and they’re primed with what I want them to say.” He grinned. “ ‘We good guys. We give you nice presents, you let us have land you don’t want.’ ” He leaned back again. “So, does that answer your question?”

The captain returned the grin. “I’ll get started right away with plans for the base.”

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