The Currents of Space by Isaac Asimov

Author:Isaac Asimov [Asimov, Isaac]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3, pdf
Tags: Retail, Personal
Publisher: Random House
Published: 0101-01-01T07:00:00+00:00

11. THE CAPTAIN

It was the first time, really, that Captain Racety had found himself unable to impose his will upon a passenger. Had that passenger been one of the Great Squires themselves, he might still have counted on co-operation. A Great Squire might be all-powerful on his own continent, but on a ship he would recognize that there could be only one master, the Captain.

A woman was different. Any woman. And a woman who was daughter of a Great Squire was completely impossible.

He said, “My Lady, how can I allow you to interview them in private?”

Samia of Fife, her dark eyes snapping, said, “Why not? Are they armed, Captain?”

“Of course not. That’s not the point.”

“Anyone can see they’re only a pair of very frightened creatures. They’re half scared to death.”

“Frightened people can be very dangerous, my Lady. They can’t be counted on to act sensibly.”

“Then why do you keep them frightened?” She had the tiniest stammer when she was angry. “You’ve got three tremendous sailors standing over them with blasters, poor things. Captain, I’ll not forget this.”

No, she wouldn’t, the Captain thought. He could feel himself beginning to give way.

“If Your Ladyship pleases, will you tell me exactly what it is that you want?”

“It’s simple. I’ve told you. I want to speak to them. If they’re Florinians, as you say they are, I can get tremendously valuable information from them for my book. I can’t do that, though, if they’re too frightened to speak. If I could be with them alone it would be fine. Alone, Captain! Can you understand a simple word? Alone!”

“And what would I say to your father, my Lady, if he discovers that I allowed you to remain unguarded in the presence of two desperate criminals?”

“Desperate criminals! Oh, Great Space! Two poor fools that tried to escape their planet and had no more sense than to board a ship going to Sark! Besides, how would my father know?”

“If they hurt you he would know.”

“Why should they hurt me?” Her small fist lifted and vibrated, while she put every atom of force she could find into her voices. “I demand it, Captain.”

Captain Racety said, “How about this then, my Lady? I will be present. I shall not be three sailors with blasters. I shall be one man with no blaster in view. Otherwise”—and in his turn he put all his resolution into his voice—“I must refuse your demand.”

“Very well, then.” She was breathless. “Very well. But if I can’t get them to speak because of you I will personally see to it that you captain no more ships.”

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