Howling Stones Read Online Free PDF Page B

didn’t expect full field uniform, but do you always meet the supply shuttle from Ophhlia that way?”
    Seaforth glanced down at herself. “Something wrong with the way I’m dressed?”
    “I didn’t say that. I just wondered.”
    “Sure you did.” She kept her gaze forward and her attention on their course.
    He struggled to recover. “It’s just that it’s been my experience that indifference to casual detail leads to sloppy work.”
    “Does it, now?”
    He gave up. “If you’re going to respond to everything I say with another question, we’re going to have trouble communicating.”
    “You mean we’re not already?” Her gaze narrowed. “Tell you what, Pulickel. Wait till you’ve been here for a few weeks. Then talk to me about protocol, okay?”
    “Fair enough.” He returned his attention to the view forward, blinking repeatedly. The tropical sun reflecting off the water was harsh against his pupils, and his eye-shades were still packed inside his travel case.
    She was silent for several minutes, then sighed and reached into a side storage compartment. The goggles she handed him were similar to his own.
    He accepted them gratefully. “I have several pair, but they’re packed away. I didn’t expect so long a ride from the pickup point to base.”
    “So they didn’t tell you everything back on Earth.”
    “There wasn’t much time. Normally I’m given more advance notice. I had to complete basic preparatory studies on the journey out from Earth.”
    “Yeah, well, everyone’s in a hurry to get the situation here resolved.”
    He nodded knowingly. “The mineral rights.”
    “Among other things.” She swerved to avoid a coral pinnacle that rose high above the water. “Smell that air, Pulickel! Everything’s unspoiled here. Fresh, unpolluted, natural.”
    He eyed her thoughtfully. “Is that why you’re here?I’d think someone like yourself would miss the excitement of a developed world, or at least the comforts of Ophhlia.”
    She turned to him so quickly that he started. “Someone like me? For a guy I met less than an hour ago, you presume a lot.” Her darkened eyescreens prevented him from seeing her eyes. “For a supposed specialist with a fancy reputation, you show a disappointing tendency to fall back on unsupported assumptions.”
    He hastened to make amends. “I’m sorry. Let’s start over, okay? I’m Pulickel Tomochelor. It’s nice to meet you.”
    “Pardon me if I don’t shake hands. I’ve got to steer this air skate.” But she smiled, and he was relieved.
    “It’s not that I dislike parties and civilization,” she went on, “but you can get used to peace and quiet. Even,” she added coolly, “someone like me.” After a moment she added, “Leastwise, it’s peaceful and quiet most of the time.”
    “Trouble with the locals?”
    “More frustration than trouble. You’ll see.” Reaching down, she pulled the hem of her overshirt out in front of her and eyed the stains. “I guess you’re right. This
could
use a wash. Especially now that I have company.”
    If she was waiting for him to demur, she’d have a long wait. It was unfortunate if his attitude put her off, but he felt it necessary to establish from the start who was in charge and whose work philosophy was to prevail. She might be the one with on-site experience, but within the Department he easily ranked her. Convincing her to do some personal laundry was a relatively painless way of reminding her of their respective positions. Once she accepted that, their working relationship would improve.
    Maybe she enjoyed going native, or playing beach-comber, or whatever it was that had happened to affect her attitude, but relaxation and indifference weren’t going to solve the problems at hand. She might be in love with Parramat, but all he wanted was to fix what he’d been sent out to fix, receive his commendation, and get out. Goddess or no, he wasn’t about to let her stand in the way of that goal.
    About