Page 12 - The Perpetrations of Captain Kaga

Unloading the Warehouse of Nim

material to go around, and the warehouse’s stock is used up more
slowly.”
“As I was about to leave, having congratulated myself on making
this great discovery, I beamed my light into some of the bins near the
recycling point. My heart skipped a beat: the next Appliances in line
to be destroyed were jukeboxes. ot exactly like the antiques you see in
the Hall of Popular Mechanisms at the Technology Museum on
Earth, but very close. By the way, did you know I’m crazy about
those old machines?”
“Ah, no, I didn’t,” Kaga had replied, his eyes narrowing. “So
what?”
“So I want one. I’m going back tonight to rescue one of those
beautiful jukeboxes before they’re all gone. Who knows when—if
ever—the factory will produce them again?”
Then Kaga realized his friend was serious. He tried to talk Lugo
out of his plan, without success. Now he could only hope that the
theft would go undetected.
A week went by. Kaga did not see Lugo often during that time,
wishing not to be implicated in his friend’s malfeasance. He did
notice, however, a larger than usual number of Nworg farmers
passing through the fields outside the base. He supposed the harvest
season had begun, and thought no more about it. Final exams were
over, and only a few days on Nim remained for the cadets.
Then a special meeting of all officers and trainees was suddenly
called. Captain Kaga joined the others in the assembly hall in a state
of mild curiosity. Has everyone flunked out? he wondered.
The commanding officer, Colonel Lotfalla, entered the room and
strode rapidly to the front. He was frowning and his short webbed
fingers were clenched into knobby green fists.
“Gentlemen,” he began abruptly, “there is a crisis in the
government of Nim. The Rulers are blaming the PKU, and we may
have to pull out at any moment. You are all confined to quarters until
further notice. There shall be no unauthorized fraternization with
Nworg Cultivators. Is that clear?”
Amid the murmurs of assent and consternation, Kaga glanced
across the room at Lugo. His friend was pale, sweating, and looking
around wildly as if for escape. Oh, no, thought Kaga. He’s done it
again. But how?
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