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military-polite manner, "but if anyone has the prerogative to claim possession
through right of discovery, it's the five of us, what?"
"I have no time for jokes." The Chakan did not smile. "You represent no world
or league, you do not function in any recognizable official capacity. I remind
you: We have monitored all your transmissions. We know who and what you are.
The tide of time has passed you by." As if aware that his gruff words were
availing him nothing, he softened his tone.
"We don't want anyone to get hurt. Your presence aboard the artifact is an
accident, and we will take that into account. But I want you to understand my
position clearly. I have information that substantial forces from the FFF, the
Keiretsu, and elsewhere are on their way to the Sol system even as we speak.
"The Chakans have always struck boldly. I cannot waste any more time."
The Autothor flared briefly, a delicate pale blue. "A portion of my exterior
has just been damaged due to the impact of destructive energies. Steps are
being taken to preserve atmospheric pressure and systems integrity."
Hawkins looked around nervously. "Damn! They aren't kidding."
Shimoda blinked. "I didn't feel anything. They must have hit the ship
somewhere far away from our location."
"Next time they might not." Follingston-Heath, too, looked troubled.
"That was just a warning strike." Now the Chakan allowed himself a slight
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smirk. "Our ships may be far smaller than the artifact itself, but size means
nothing in these matters. The quadratic is quite capable of reducing a
modest-sized city to ash. You can see that if necessary we can make our own
entrance. I'd rather not do that. It could destroy valuable artifacts and
information.
"Don't think to run. Our predictors are locked onto you and will activate
suitable weapons accordingly. Please provide us with an entry port
immediately. If you do not cooperate, then when we have finally made our way
aboard, I assure you your unplanned sojourn will come to an abrupt and
unpleasant end."
"What am I to do?" The Autothor was whirling rapidly and there was agitation
in its voice. "This isso confusing." In addition to spinning, it began to
bounce off the floor like a ball on the end of a rubber band. "I don't know
what to do!"
"Can you slip into tachyspace and lose them?" Gelmann wondered.
"Not if they're locked on with predictors, old boy," Follingston-Heath said
bleakly.
"There must be something we can do." Iranaputra confronted the bobbing,
dancing ellipse. "Search your memory. Look for analogies.Try ."
"I have tried. Perhaps if my cortex was completely restored& at this point I
don't even know what I am, so I can hardly decide how to respond."
"Well, we can't just let them in." Gelmann sounded decisive.
"Why not?" Hawkins eyed them all wonderingly. "What do you all think
you'redoing ! What are we doing here? Look at us! We're a bunch of decrepit
old loons. We should be sitting on the porch at Lake Woneapenigong, playing
checkers and discussing last night's triball game or vidcom. We're not
marines." He noticed that Follingston-Heath was eying him reprovingly. "That
includes you too, Wesley. So don't give me any of that supercilious lip of
yours." He approached the ellipse.
"Hey you, Chakans! We don't want any trouble neither. Gimme a minute to talk
to this thing and we'll find a way to let you and your people& mmphl"
"Very sorry, Wai." Shimoda had placed a massive hand over the much smaller
man's mouth. Hawkins squirmed like an electrified wire but even as a young man
he couldn't have freed himself from the sumo enthusiast's grasp. "I feel your
declaration of our surrender is premature."
"That might be all it is." Shimoda looked at Follingston-Heath in surprise.
The Colonel shrugged helplessly. "Much as I hate to agree with Wai, there
really isn't anything we can do, chaps."
"They are directing destructive fire at me again!" The Autothor was panicky.
"What shouldIdol"
Hawkins finally freed his mouth, if not his body. "Let go of me, rice-ass!
This is crazy! You're only gonna get us all hurt, or worse!" He glared wildly
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