Алан Дин Фостер - Relic

Very tall, very determined, and very straightforward, the lead Vrizan would have none of it. Untutored in Myssarian, she utilized an electronic translator to address Bac’cul and the members of the scientific team who had gathered around him. The Vrizan’s immediate attention, however, was not on the tripeds but on the internally lit circular opening in the mountainside behind them. Their multi-jointed arms folded almost tentacle-like around large weapons, two soldiers flanked her.

“I am called Zizanden Ait Orl.”

“Bac’cul.” A three-fingered hand fluttered, respectively and accusingly, at each of the soldiers. “We are researchers. There is no need for heavy weapons here.”

Surprisingly, the Vrizan responded with a conciliatory gesture. The soldiers stepped back, to be replaced by a pair of unarmed males. If they were research specialists, Bac’cul mused worriedly, he might have been better off not objecting to the presence of the guns.

In typical forthright Vrizan fashion, Zizanden indicated the illuminated tunnel opening. “You have found something of significance.”

“We have found something,” Bac’cul admitted. There was no point in denying what the Vrizan could see with their own eyes. “Thus far it has not proven to be of any especial consequence. It may be a human depository. That has yet to be determined. It may well be empty. We arrived here only this morning.” Striving to assume a defiant pose, he added, “Our agreement with Vriza allows us to study anything we discover.”

Inherently imperious, Zizanden looked down at him. “You do not need to lecture me on the details of the agreement. Though I do not personally subscribe to its tenets, I am bound by the details.” Once more her gaze rose to the circular opening, trying to penetrate its depths. “I do not accept your claim to have found nothing. I do accept that you have not had time to study or evaluate it, because the same orbital locator that detected your presence here recorded it, as you truthfully declare, only this morning.” Her tone grew less martial. “Might I suggest that it would be of scientific benefit to all, not to mention conducive to the amelioration of relations, if examination of this site were to proceed on a joint basis?”

Bac’cul tried to sound accommodating without actually committing to anything. “The ramifications of your suggestion extend beyond the limits of my individual professional mandate. It is something for my superiors to determine. Meanwhile, since we have found nothing worth examining, might I counter-suggest that matters remain as they are until those occupying more senior levels of responsibility than you or I decide how to proceed?”

That put the Vrizan in the position of possibly making decisions that would later be overridden. Recognizing the ploy, Zizanden opted to change the thrust of the conversation.

“Even at this distance I can see that the cave, or tunnel, is beautifully machined and internally lit. The ancient humans were not known for expending such effort to protect or conceal ‘nothing.’”

Unable to deny this without admitting an ignorance he did not possess, Bac’cul countered, “I agree. As further study, quite possibly by the kind of conjoined research group you propose, may well prove.”

“Come now, three-legs.” Zizanden stared hard at her Myssari counterpart. “You have found more than a hole in the ground. What does it hold? Plant material, like the celebrated island depository to the north of here? Preserved fauna? Miscellaneous relics, artwork… what?”

“I have told you,” Bac’cul insisted, “we have been here only a very short while and have not had time to probe the interior and its possible contents in any depth. But out of common interest and amity, I will agree to call a halt to further exploration until the question of possible joint exploration is settled by our respective superiors.”

The Vrizan commander hesitated. Then, sufficiently pleased by what she determined to be her counterpart’s willing acquiescence, she turned and snapped an order in her own language. To Bac’cul’s relief the regular soldiers turned and headed back toward their waiting vessel. Even at a distance, their weapons had been discomfiting. With one more constructive gesture he felt he could convince the Vrizan to depart, if only for the remainder of the day. Such a gesture would be by far the best means of demonstrating to them that he and his team had nothing to hide.

“As a further indication of goodwill on the part of my people, I can tell you that the two well-known humans who advise the Science Sectionary are also here. They are present to aid in analyzing and identifying any artifacts of significance that may be found, though thus far none such have been located.”

The Vrizan said something that was unrepeatable in polite company. Her translator struggled to convey it accurately. “There is no need to brag. We are aware of and envy the assistance they provide your researchers. By formal agreement between our governments, we are no longer permitted to try to persuade them to provide such services for us.”

Meaning they are now safe from your egregious efforts at abduction, Bac’cul thought with satisfaction. Having more or less successfully befriended, discouraged, and finally misled the Vrizan, there was but one thing left to do to conclude the matter. He addressed his communicator, making sure the Vrizan could overhear him clearly.

“Ruslan, Cherpa—everything out here has been settled satisfactorily. Please come out so that you can confirm to our Vrizan friends that the tunnel holds nothing worthy of immediate examination, and so that you may bid them a mutually agreeable farewell.”

Isolated from the confrontation, Ruslan and Cherpa listened to the research team leader’s words—and worried, and wondered.

“I’m sure Bac’cul wants us to close down the place. He just couldn’t say so in front of the Vrizan.” Ruslan’s words lingered in the still air. “As we leave, you or I will stroke the relevant section of wall and the outside barrier will come down. Then the Vrizan won’t be able to get inside no matter what they decide to do next. This place will be sealed tight again.”

Bright blue eyes met his. “You think that will be the end of it, Bogo? I don’t trust the Vrizan no matter how much they quote the compact between their government and the Combine. You know me.” Her expression tightened. “I’d rather be talking from behind a gun.”

He smiled. “Me, I’m used to fighting with pages and pages of detail. That’s what I’m really afraid of: that exploration of this place will get bogged down in bureaucratic infighting between both governments. And worse, that the Myssari will accommodate the Vrizan’s wishes and allow for co-investigation of this place. I don’t know that I like the idea of the broadheads wandering around in here.”

Her words fell to a whisper. “Bogo, I don’t know that I like the idea of the Myssari doing so, either.”

He frowned. “I’m not sure I follow you, Cherpa.”

Spreading her arms wide, she indicated their subterranean surrounds. “This installation is special, Bogo. We don’t know special for what, but it’s special for something. If not revivification, then something else. I know it. I feel it. This place is not for the Vrizan. It’s not for the Myssari, either.” Her eyes met his once again. “It’s for us. For humans. Whatever it does. Whatever it means.”

It was silent in the chamber for some minutes. Eventually he looked back at her. “All right. I’ll stay behind. You bring down the barrier on your way out. Say that I’m waiting until everyone else decides what to do.”

“There’s no food down here,” she pointed out quietly. “No water.”