The Humanoid Touch by Jack Williamson

Author:Jack Williamson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Fiction, Science fiction, American, &WORKING, Adventure, General, Short stories
ISBN: 9780030560521
Publisher: New York : Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, c1980.
Published: 1980-10-14T23:00:00+00:00

"My mother—" Desperately, he fumbled for words that might repair his indiscretion. "She thought the braintrees were rhodo-"

"Braintrees?" Her tight voice sharpened. "What are they?"

"The natives call them"—he checked himself, hi fear of another betrayal—"call them something else. I forget the word."

"Why did she believe they are rhodomagnetic?"

"I couldn't guess." He tried to make his shrug seem casual. "Maybe something in the old Crew files. I never knew."

"Did she have equipment? Actual rhodomagnetic equipment?"

"I doubt it. No point hi wondering now. Whatever she had was lost with her hi the jungle."

For another breathless moment she leaned to watch him, silent and intent. Trying to smile, he felt his stiff limbs tremble, tasted cold terror in his throat. He couldn't speak or mtove or even think.

"If that's all . . ." She drew slowly back, speaking more softly. "You had me alarmed for a moment. You see, the humanoids have been attacked by misguided scientists trying to change their wise Prime Directive, or even to stop them altogether. Something too dreadful even to think about!" Shuddering, she tossed her dark head.

"Let's relax. Forget about the humanoids."

She refilled their glasses.

"Trust me, Keth," she begged him softly. "It's so really grand to be back with you. In love again—the way love should be, with no need to worry about anything or anybody else."

"What about the Commodore?"

"My Cousin Zelyk?" Her tone turned hard with contempt. "A stupid lout all his life. Reeking with scent to cover up his body stink and slobbering with his disgusting lust. Some things the humanoids can't change. He's still a stupid lout."

She slid his glass toward him.

"So let's forget the Commodore." Her voice sank. "Let's talk about you. I guess you're a graduate now. Tell me what you've been doing." He sipped cautiously, searching for something that would not endanger the Lifecrew. Again that hot sharpness lingered in his mouth.

"I left the Academy," he said. "Went out to the Zone. Hoping to find some clue to the fate of the Fortune."

"Hoping to rescue me?" Her warm hand covered his. "Thank you, darling!" In a moment she was graver, her face speculative. "I imagine the humanoids will want to bring everybody home from the Zone. They won't need anything from Malili. The news will be a jolt to my dear uncle. I can imagine his face when he meets his first humanoid."

Chuckling softly, she bent closer.

"But we were talking about you." Her smile grew tender. "I need to know you better, Keth. You and your family. I barely met your father and Cyra. Where are they now?"

The question disturbed him a little, because she seemed too eager, leaning too close, her eyes too intent. He reached for his glass to make time to think, but suddenly he wanted no more of its hot tartness. Could the wine be drugged?

His hand shook, and a few drops spilled.

"Don't you like it?" Her concern seemed too quick. "An excellent vintage."

"I'm just clumsy." He fumbled for his napkin and mopped at the table. "Sorry."

"We were talking about your people.

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