The Gods of Sagittarius by Eric Flint & Mike Resnick

Author:Eric Flint & Mike Resnick [Flint, Eric]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781476782126
Publisher: Baen Books
Published: 2017-05-02T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

“They should pay us to sleep on those goddamned beds!” growled Tabor as the sun hit him in the eyes through the shadeless window. “Hey, Rupert—get up.”

“Who could sleep?” replied Shenoy, drying his face with what passed for a towel as he emerged from what passed for a bathroom.

“Got a question,” said Tabor, who’d slept above the covers in his clothes, and began pulling on his boots. “The Old Ones were bright enough to master space travel, right?”

“Possibly not the way we do it—in ships and such,” answered Shenoy. “But yes.”

“And they mastered magic?”

“I think that yes, they did.”

“So one could say that they were reasonably bright?” persisted Tabor.

“Definitely.”

“Then what the hell did they come to Cornwallis for?” said Tabor. “Or, having come, why didn’t they turn right around and leave?”

“That’s what we’ve come to find out.”

“Well, if and when you find them on this godforsaken dirtball, I’ve got some questions of my own to ask them.”

“Finish your ablutions and let’s be on our way,” said Shenoy. “I’m anxious to see what’s out there.”

“More anxious than I am to wash in the brown gritty stuff that passes for water in our sink,” said Tabor, walking to the door. “Let’s go.”

They walked back to the main room, where the same Paskapan was at the desk.

“Don’t you ever sleep?” asked Shenoy.

“Not on these beds,” answered the innkeeper with a look of distaste. “I’ll sleep when I go home at midday.”

“First intelligent thing I’ve heard since we landed,” muttered Tabor.

Pippibwali was waiting for them just outside the building, which Tabor refused to think of as a hotel.

“I trust you slept well,” he said.

Tabor merely glared at him.

“As well as could be expected,” replied Shenoy. “And now we’re ready to proceed with our mission. You’ll want the coordinates of our destination, of course.”

“Of course,” agreed Pippibwali.

Shenoy rattled them off to him.

“That’s eight hundred and fifty qubisks from here,” said Pippibwali. “We’ll need to rent or purchase transportation.”

“Get a translation first,” said Tabor. “On this world, a qubisk is as likely to be a meter or even an inch as a mile.”

“I heard that,” said Pippibwali.

“I wasn’t trying to hide it from you.”

“A qubisk is one-point-zero-three-seven-nine-four kilometers,” said the Paskapan. “Approximately.”

“Approximately?” said Tabor, frowning.

“Give or take,” answered Pippibwali.

“How do you suggest we get there?”

“We shall rent a skimmer.”

“Which is?” persisted Tabor.

“An airborne vehicle which skims approximately a meter above the surface, making for a very smooth ride.” He offered the Paskapan version of a smile. “I have anticipated your need and have reserved one for our use.”

“How much?” said Tabor suspiciously.

“Just one. We’ll all fit on it.”

“I said how much, not how many?”

“Ah!” replied Pippibwali. “I have even had them translate the price into your primitive and confusing economic system. It will come to four thousand eight hundred and twelve credits.” Then he added: “Each way.”

“I think not,” said Tabor before Shenoy could reply.

“You’d prefer to walk?”

“Certainly not,” said Tabor.

“Then what—?”

“You will carry us for two thousand, four hundred and six credits each. Both ways.

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