Hal Clement - The Nitrogen Fix

Neither she nor Bones could tell whether they were being pursued. Some, judging by the voices, had stayed to help the guard, but others might be following. It seemed unwise to wait to find out.

They paused briefly while Bones took over Danna and gave the sandals to the woman. She fastened them on after some difficulty, and they went on. Kahvi was leading the group around the hill toward the west; her first months as a Nomad had been passed mostly on that side of Great Blue Hill, and she was certain of finding a breathing refuge there.

Her cartridges and Danna’s still had many hours in them after their recent pause in the other jail, but some Nomad decisions were without detailed thought. Her goal was reached with the raft, but she would not head toward it without checking on possible pursuers; and she would not make that check without being close to a breathing refuge.

They were travelling slowly now, even with Bones carrying the main burden. Kahvi was not worrying about glass as long as her feet were protected, but she was tired and half way through a pregnancy; and the best of breathing masks interferes with activity.

They came finally to a jail on the northwest slope of Great Blue Hill, which suited the wornan’s purpose. Kahvi led the way to a thicket of realwood on the farther side of the structure, and all concealed themselves inside. Danna went to sleep in a hastily assembled nest, and Kahvi devoted some time to exchanging information with the Observer. While doing this, however, she looked frequently back along the way they had come.

Presently the moon was high enough to illuminate the landscape plainly, and drown out the faint light which had been visible through the roof of the jail. As it grew brighter, two figures appeared on the shoulder of the hill where the trio had traveled. They were walking slowly. Kahvi, with no tracking experience, did not guess at the reason; she assumed that they had followed by sound, and wondered why they had taken so long to arrive.

The pursuers saw the jail as soon as they reached the near slope. One pointed, and their speed increased. One of them waited a few meters from the air lock while the other quietly circled the building; then they approached the lock together, and one of them entered.

To Kahvi’s surprise, conversation sounded from the building almost at once. It hadn’t occurred to her that there might be someone already inside. The waiting pursuer also seemed a little taken aback, and after a few seconds of listening he, too, disappeared through the lock. Kahvi, uttering a quick “wait here” in words only, and hoping that Bones would understand, dashed to the near wall of the jail and was at the top in seconds.

Eavesdropping had been useful before and was certainly worth trying again. As before, she was careful about moonlight and gold jewelry. This place was better lighted inside. The two who had just entered were easily recognizable, since they were dripping wet. The three others appeared to form a family group; they were a man and woman somewhere near Kahvi’s own age, and a boy of nine or ten.

This was not too surprising; Kahvi knew that both custom and law in most cities worked toward a tight family knitting.

Parents were expected to take active part in their children’s education, and be with them whenever anything important or dangerous was due to happen. It was quite understandable that the parents would be outdoors if the child had to be.

It was much less obvious why the child had to be out, but Kahvi gave little thought to the matter; there was a much more interesting difference between the groups. The newcomers had promptly removed their masks, but the family, who had evidently been inside for some time, had theirs on. There was an obvious explanation; it really qualified only as an inference, but it seemed a very, very strong inference.

This jail must be oxygen-loaded, too. There must be a surprising number of oxygen-junkies in Great Blue Hill; what had been happening to the city since Kahvi had been Nomadded, anyway?

There was still more to be inferred. The family members were normal people, and they knew aboutthe changed air. The conversation came as no surprise. One of the newcomers was speaking.

“How did you know about the oxygen? Don’t tell me you could smell it!” The masked adults shook their heads negatively, and the man replied aloud.

“Of course not; but look at the trays. Every last one of them has Bence or Trendell growths-makers.

There isn’t a nitrogen maker or dilution tube in the place.”

“You noticed that as soon as you got here?”

“Of course — Who could be sloppy enough not to make that check in a new building? I’m glad to say that Ray, here, was — ” The other cut in.

“You weren’t expecting something of the sort, were you.? Why are you here so late at night?”

“Well,” the father admitted reluctantly, “as a matter of fact, yes. We’ve checked several buildings.

We — ”

“Never mind softening it. You came to check the air, on purpose?”

“Yes.”

“Why? And you say you’ve been to others?”

“Yes, several. It was reported that many of the safety buildings had been sabotaged by oxygen wasters, and a lot of families came out to make repairs.

Both newcomers stiffened, and the one who had hitherto been silent asked quickly, “You brought N-cultures with you?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Have you spoiled any of the O-plants yet?”

“We’ve fixed them, yes, of course. It was the first thing we did. Of course it will take a while before the air becomes normal, so we’re staying masked for the night.”

The two looked at each other, frowning. One seemed uncertain; the other was more organized.

“Which ones did you fix?”

The woman answered after a moment’s hesitation, “We’re not exactly sure — it didn’t seem to make much difference, so we didn’t pay a great deal of attention.”

“You’re a liar!” was the snarled answer. “With three of you doing it, you’d never have left it to chance who did what. You’d never have risked destroying them all!”

The husband straightened up indignantly. “Watch your language, waster. There was no danger of doing them all; our N-spores couldn’t grow in a Bence culture. We probably did do all the others, if it’s so important to you. We don’t lie, and if you think anyone would on such a minor matter please get out of here — you’ll be giving the boy dangerous ideas, though I’d trust him not to be much impressed by your kind!”

“Breathe it! Don’t tell me you’d spoil all of even one of the cultures. Even if you’re stupid enough to think that your masks will keep extra oxygen out, you can ‘t be dumb enough to risk the last of any culture.” He laughed at the expressions visible even with the masks in place. “Deep thinkers, aren’t you?

All a rebreather bellows does is mix the gas from your cartridge with some of the outdoor air. You’re like a couple of Nomads — follow the rules without any thinking!”

“Good for them!” retorted the woman. “At least, they know about rules. It was a Nomad who told us about the vandalism in the jails. I’d rather look like one of them than be mistaken for one of you if-a-little-is-good-more-is-better types. Now get out of the way. We’re leaving.”

The taller of the addicts was wearing an unpleasant smile. “Sure. Two of you go any time you want.

The kid stays until we know just which O-plants you heirs of righteousness ruined.”

“You can’t stop him. We’ll — ”

“You’ll what? Even if you count him, the three of you aren’t strong enough to get past us without having your masks ruined. Think it over. Lots of spare cartridges here, but only a few masks, and we can take care of those before you can save them. It’s so much easier to smash things than to fix them, isn’t it?”