The Stainless Steel Rat Returns by Harry Harrison

Author:Harry Harrison [Harrison, Harry]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science Fiction; American, Families, Humorous, Satire, Satire; American, Interplanetary Voyages, General, Science Fiction, DiGriz; James Bolivar (Fictitious Character), Adventure, Swindlers and Swindling, Fiction
ISBN: 9780765324412
Google: 5rsyh8H0qX4C
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 2010-08-03T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

It was reflex, pure and simple. As the first words were spoken Angelina’s gun—and mine too of course—appeared. Pointing dead center at the intruder.

“I mean you no harm,” he said, smiling and holding up the bow he was carrying. “I use this for hunting only. I’ll place it on the ground to prove that I wish only peace.”

Angelina smiled at the thought of his causing us any harm and her gun vanished as fast as it had appeared. As did mine.

“You surprised us,” she said.

“I’m sorry. But it was necessary for me to contact you.”

He wore a kilt of tanned green leather, shoes made of the same material. The bow was carefully constructed, as were the arrows protruding from the quiver.

Most important was the color of his skin. It was tanned a light and healthy brown.

“My name is Bram. Might I sit? It has been a long and tiring night following that one who was tracking you.”

He dropped to the ground and leaned back against the thick bole of a tree. “Again welcome strangers, to our unhappy world.”

“And a hearty welcome to you, good Bram,” I said, sitting down as well. “Since you are here by your own choice I hope you won’t mind a few questions?”

“I am delighted to help in any way I can.”

“What are you doing here?” Angelina asked, getting in the first question.

“A runner came to our camp and told us the wonderful news of the arrival of an off-planet spaceship. It has been over five years since the last one. We have been waiting—and hoping to make contact this time. The Rememberer tells us that we have always failed in the past. But could we do it now? I must say there was great jubilation when word was passed that a number of domestic animals and two people had left the ship and escaped capture. You were followed by a small party of our people as soon as you entered the forest. You were not approached until we had captured most of the trackers the Greens had sent to follow you. The one remaining tracker was kept under surveillance until you took possession of him. Then I was chosen to have the honor of greeting you.”

He sprang to his feet and bowed.

“Welcome, good travelers. May the future be a wonderful one.”

“It would be more wonderful,” Angelina said, pointing to our captive, “if you would tell us why he is green and you are not.”

“Would that I could—but I am not conversant with the details of the history of this unhappy planet. But I will be more than happy to take you to the one who can tell you. The Rememberer, who at this moment is being joyfully rushed to meet with you. It has been agreed that we will join him at our campsite. It will be my pleasure to guide you—and your domestic creatures—there.”

He was intelligent—unlike our prisoner—and happy to talk with us. But it appeared that there was little he could add to what he had already told us.

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