Rockets In Ursa Major by Fred Hoyle & Geoffrey Hoyle

Author:Fred Hoyle & Geoffrey Hoyle [Hoyle, Fred & Hoyle, Geoffrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-12-01T05:05:32+00:00

SEVEN

WE were still transfixed when Ganges appeared from the lift with Alcyone, followed by a large tweedy woman.

'Hello, Sir John, Betelgeuse, Warboys,' he nodded to each in turn. 'Got a mass of instructions from the higher brass, start with the lady -- Miss Atlanta Belpuize.' He introduced us all. 'Anthropologist, you know -- dam' clever -- wants to compare you with us and all that sort of thing.'

Betelgeuse said courteously, 'We shall be pleased to give you whatever information you need.'

Atlanta Belpuize looked at him thunderstruck. 'Please open your mouth again,' she said. Betelgeuse did so. 'It's unbelievable,' she said. 'The dentition is identical with our own. I don't know what to think. I need a more detailed examination, but at first sight these are humanoids.'

'Just what I thought, dear lady,' said Ganges. 'But then I'm just a simple chap.'

'But, Ganges,' she said, 'the point is that the chances of this degree of similarity are extremely small'; she was excited and bewildered. 'I'd better get straight into this.' She picked up Betelgeuse's hand and began examining the fingers and joints minutely.

'Er -- Miss Belpuize, could you take one of the other to pieces?' said Ganges. 'Top brass want to confer with Betelgeuse.' He extracted Betelgeuse from her clutches saying: 'Perhaps another member of the crew?'

Betelgeuse was about to speak when Atlanta Belpuize said:

'Want the girl of course and how about that er -- man over there?'

Rigel tried to look inconspicuous but everyone's attention was diverted by the irruption of the 3 M's. Spotting Ganges, they all grinned broadly.

'Come on, Betelgeuse,' said Ganges hurriedly. 'Got a lot to do.'

'Bad show, what!' the 3 M's said as one man.

'Dam' impertinence,' rapped Ganges, his red face suffused with anger, blue eyes popping.

'Not cricket, what!' chorused the 3 M's.

Ganges turned an outraged back on the company and only Alcyone saw the twinkle in his eye. She crossed to Betelgeuse and spoke to him quietly; he nodded, turned to the 3 M's and spoke in their own tongue. Their chortles died down and looks of dismay crossed the normally cheerful, open faces. They expostulated; Betelgeuse silenced them with a gesture and, turning to Atlanta Belpuize, said:

'The 3 M's will be very pleased to co-operate in any way you require. Alcyone will see that all our facilities are at your disposal.'

Sir John, Betelgeuse, Warboys and Ganges entered the lift. As the doors closed they heard the 3 M's muted explosion, 'Gallfuiders!'

'That,' said Sir John, 'sounds like disgust in any language.'

'Quite incapable of translation,' said Betelgeuse blandly. 'I hope Colonel Ganges is not too offended by their high spirits.'

Hmph -- whippersnappers,' said Ganges, 'still -- like a bit of spirit -- look after myself anyhow -- think the Belpuize has her work cut out though.' The thought did not displease him.

I did not take much notice of the exchange as my mind was racing over what Betelgeuse had said in the ship. The sinister message of the Yela had put a sharp edge on my fear. I looked at Sir John; he was gravely preoccupied.

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