Page 23 - The Perpetrations of Captain Kaga

Persuading the Zookeeper of Apadat

groundwork for trade with its residents. Again, keep your opinions to
yourself and learn from my expertise in handling these situations.”
As they climbed into the landing vehicle, Kaga recalled that
gorkalon was a substance highly valued on Saldemesa, Admiral
Borjug’s native land. It was an inorganic substance impossible to
synthesize; extinct micro-organisms had petrified early in Earth’s
history, and the process could not be artificially duplicated. In its
refined state, gorkalon was essential to the preparation of a certain
medicine. That drug was the only cure for omphalobifurcosis, the
leading cause of geriatric mortality on Saldemesa. No wonder old
Borjug is worked up, thought Kaga; he may be showing early signs of
the disease.
The small intra-atmosphere craft was launched from the side of the
Jai Singh and began a slow spiraling descent to the ground. It landed
in a fallow field close to the town the orbital surveillance had
identified. As the junior officers were unbuckling themselves from
their harnesses, the admiral’s voice came crackling over their
ComSets.
“Gravity: 0.9g. Atmosphere: close enough to Terran air for
humanoids to breathe without aspirators. Temperature: 28 degrees
centigrade. Relative humidity: 16 per cent. Local time: 0934. Length
of diurnal rotation: 32.17 hours. Very much like Saldemesa, for those
of you who’ve had the privilege of visiting that reclaimed archipelago.
Now, let’s move!”
The non-humanoids in the party scrambled to hook themselves
into any special life-support apparatus necessary for them to survive
in the external environment. Kaga and Lugo were right behind the
Admiral as they went down the ramp to the ground. When the entire
group had assembled, Borjug addressed them.
“All right now, men. It is standard procedure to wait one hour for
the aliens to approach us. During that time we must appear harmless
and friendly. Remember that the landing craft has within it sufficient
power to deflect most weapons hurled at us from long range. If it
becomes necessary to retreat, I will give the command. Otherwise,
remain alert but act naturally, and pay attention to the manner in
which I establish rapport with these beings, whatever they are.”
They didn’t have long to wait. Lugo was the first to spot the
wagon.
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