Treaty at Doona by Anne McCaffrey; Jody Lynn Nye

Author:Anne McCaffrey; Jody Lynn Nye
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Fiction - Science Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Mccaffrey, Life on other planets - Fiction, Fiction, Anne - Prose & Criticism, Science Fiction - General, Fantasy, Adventure, Science fiction, Life on other planets, General
ISBN: 9780441000890
Publisher: Ace Books
Published: 2010-01-21T14:54:59+00:00

"Oh, come now, the captain masses no more than some of those "visitors" you've been bringing in all week,' Todd said, cocking an eyebrow at her. Then he pointed to the schedule hung above her control board. "You've got an opening of almost ten minutes before you receive the next pallets. Captain Grzzeearoghh is a person of importance.

She shouldn't have to hang about here with you, now should she?"

"No, sirrrr, no!" the Hrruban gasped. "Step up on to ze platform, most honrrrred guests, please!" She gestured the Gringg between the slim transmission pillars and fumbled to key in the coordinates.

"I know you'll enjoy your visit, Captain,' Todd said, waving.

"Kelly will be waiting for you!"

"G'bye!" Weddeerogh said, waving both his paws energetically. As the mist rose and began to swallow him up, he squealed on such a note that the grid operator laid back her ears.

The conference room which Todd entered on his return was providentially carpeted, floor and walls, in a warm, burnt orange that complemented the golden woods of the furniture frames. The pading on the walls would baffle some of the more annoying overtones of Gringg speech.

The chairs, upholstered in the same handsome colour, were set around a polished table of a golden hardwood.

Several computer monitors on swivel boards occupied positions on the tabletop and could be turned to face any direction.

Someone had brought in the cushions on which the two Gringg were seated on one side of the large square table.

Ken Reeve, the merchant captains, Sumitral and Jilamey and some Hayumans Todd didn't know were occupying the chairs on the opposing side. Todd was annoyed to find Commander Greene also present: Barnstable having his cake in the space port discussions and eating it, too, with Greene here to listen to trade talks. Todd did recognize several Doonarralan representatives of the craft and farm collectives.

These men and women were trying not to appear awed by the company in which they found themselves.

"Are you comfortable now?" Sumitral was asking. "I would be happy to sit on the floor. We could move the table."

"Eye to eye, please, is Gringg way,' Eonneh said, politely. "Sofas are fine for Gringg, chairs for you, thank you." The translator had picked up the unfamiliar word, "cushions,' and given the Gringg the closest equivalent it had. "New friends, I am Eonneh, named Honey by a child of this world. I approve the name, as I consider it the first step to close links with your people. This is Krrpuh. You may call him Coypu - easier to say.

Todd had to restrain a broad smile. He recalled, and cherished, the memory of the Gringgs being assigned "bear' names by his twins and Hrriss's two eldest. The youngsters took the naming responsibility very seriously, having made a list of every synonym or cognate for "bear' that could be found in Terran philology. He remembered Hrrunival being peeved that his planet had no corollary creature. They matched names as closely as they could to the Gringg sounds, delighting the recipients.

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