Treaty at Doona by Anne McCaffrey

Author:Anne McCaffrey [McCaffrey, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B00CX93DSC
Publisher: Event Horizon EBooks/Britton Knowles Publishing Group
Published: 2013-05-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

BY MIDAFTERNOON, EXCHANGE RATES HAD BEEN decided and some groundwork laid for an exchange board.

Honey was also deftly inquiring what sort of warehousing would be available for the goods until sufficient had been accumulated to make a

voyage to the home world profitable.

Ali was trying very hard to negotiate a contract but Honey was sidestepping him neatly, suggesting that they would prefer to build their own facilities on Doonarrala if some deserted space could be found. There was much still to be learned, and language skills perfected. By dinnertime, Todd had a deep respect for Honey's skills as a negotiator.

He fought hard for concessions with the Amalgamated World-based traders, and won a few, even from Ali Kiachif, whom Todd thought would never yield.

"Such a facility not being currently available, we meet you halfway and do ship-to-ship transfers at designated points in space,' Honey said in conclusion. "It will save transit time. From here it is far to the Gringg worlds."

"The same goes on our side,' Kiachif said.

"No trip, no tax or tariff. That's fair. But there's still a need for full transits, or else how are we to meet your folk and find out all about you for ourselves?" Honey grinned, showing his fangs.

"Reh,' he said, noting the terms on his tablet. "We seek only equity."

"None of this is final until we check with Earth,' Markudian warned, not for the first time. "It's subject to approval by the trade authorities and the Amalgamated Worlds Council."

"As you say, as you say,' Honey said, nodding his great head. He had been incredibly patient with the man s continual complaints and criticisms.

Todd wondered why Barnstable and Greene had picked so obvious an agitator. Even Honey had displayed brief annoyance at Markudian's constant interruptions and trivial complaints. But, Todd supposed, that's why the man was there, to try and disrupt the meeting as much as possible. That Markudian had failed was due as much to the Gringg's unshakeable affability as Todd's own determination not to let such ploys develop.

A loud, insistent clicking sound arose from the vicinity of the Gringg's collar.

"Communication device?" Ken whispered to Todd.

"Sounds more like a timer,' Todd said. "I'll bet Kodiak and Big Paws just heard one of those, too." Todd's surmise was correct. Honey carefully finished the last of his hieroglyphs and glanced up to nod at the assembled Hayumans.

"That is all I may do today, friends,' he said. "I thank you most very.

I will be able to give you final numbers when I have presented these terms to Captain Grzzeearoghh. She is who decides what is best for Gringg." Todd rose and bowed to the Gringg. "On behalf of the people of Terra and Doonarrala, I thank you for coming, Honey and Coypu."

"Doonarrala,' Honey said. "Have I not heard the Hrrubans say Rraladoona? Which name for your world is right?"

"Both, really,' Todd admitted. "Each of our species had their own name

for the planet: Hayumans called it Doona, the Hrrubans, Rrala. Now we each use both names combined but putting the one from the original language first.

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