"Let me consult to see what else we can offer,” Havoc said. He retreated to join the others. “Any ideas? This is a man without many interests other than acquisition of goods."
"Let us try,” Symbol said. “He's bound to want something, even if he doesn't know it yet."
"Welcome."
Symbol and Gale stepped up to join Track. Havoc knew that Symbol would make suggestive remarks while Gale read his mind. If he had a secret, they would evoke it.
They talked with Track. After a moment they returned: “We have achieved a deal,” Symbol said. “We evoked a desire he didn't realize he had: to be an actor in a play."
"We can't take the time to train him in,” Havoc protested.
"Dummy role. You and Gale can handle it; the rest of us will be the audience. Plus his girlfriend, Clean."
"She is concerned with being sanitary?"
"She cleans houses."
"And right now she's mad at him,” Gale said. “For the last time he accepted a no fault crossing with a particularly pretty maiden. He wants to make up, but she'll hardly speak to him, let alone share his bed."
"Can't think why,” Symbol said innocently, provoking laughter.
"We told him the play would change her mind,” Gale said.
So now the reason for the man's sudden interest in drama was clarifying. They had better come through for him.
While Track went to fetch his irate girlfriend, Havoc and Gale organized the presentation. They would adapt a familiar song to the circumstance, making actors of duffers, making them like it. This had to be more than merely having villagers sit in chairs and be acted around; they had to give the subjects a real impression of acting themselves. They knew they could to it; the key was to do it well enough to completely satisfy the duffers. Especially the angry woman.
Clean turned out to be a plain White Chroma woman on the far edge of youth. She was, however, quite clean, as befitted her name; her white clothing and skin fairly shone. She seemed doubtful about this business, but wanted to know exactly what her boyfriend was getting into. She also remained angry; it was uppermost in her mind. If this were some trick, she would bid Track permanent parting. He had reason to be concerned.
Havoc joined them. “You are about to be the lead characters in a song play,” he said. “The two of us will sing your lines; you have only to stand and gaze at each other."
"Ludicrous,” Clean said. “I'm wasting an hour of working time for this?"
"You must be satisfied,” Gale said. “Or Track won't convey us across the lake."
"Let's give it a try, honey,” Track said. His desire, once evoked, was strong. He wanted to act in a play, and to have Clean respect that. He also wanted her to forgive him.
"Satisfy yourself.” Clean stood looking at him with an expression of impatience.
Havoc went to stand just behind Track, and Gale stood behind Clean, while the five other members of the ensemble seated themselves in a circle around the four.
Havoc addressed the audience. “Track has just come across a lovely woman he has not seen before. He falls immediately in love with her. He knows he must win her, or be forever desolate. There she stands.” He gestured to Clean, who snorted with derision, very much with this aspect. “Now Track speaks.” Havoc broke into song:
On yonder hill there stands a creature
Who she is I do not know.
I'll go court her for her beauty:
She must answer yes or no.
Then Gale sang, from behind Clean:
Oh, no Track, no Track, no Track no!
Havoc spoke quietly to Track. “So she rejects you out of hand? There must be some reason. After all, handsome suitors do not appear every day."
Now Track snorted derisively: he had no illusions about his appearance.
Gale sang again, for the woman:
My father was a village merchant
Went on tour a month ago
First he kissed me, then he left me
Bid me always answer “No."
Oh, no Track, no Track, no Track no!
"So that's it,” Havoc murmured, loud enough for others to hear. “Her father gave her a directive. But maybe we can break down her resistance. I think she likes you.” That brought the first partial smile from Clean, who was discovering she liked being feted on stage, even foolishly. The thawing was beginning.
Havoc sang again, for Track:
O Madame in your face is beauty
On your lips red roses grow
Will you take me for your lover?
Madame, answer yes or no.
The woman maintained her frown, but it was weakening. It was difficult for any woman to remain aloof when described in such terms by an evocative singer. But Gale sang again for Clean:
Oh, no Track, no Track, no Track no!
"I think the lovely creature is weakening,” Havoc said. “Just a little more persuasion should do it."
Oh, Madame I will give you jewels
I will make you rich and free
I will give you silken dresses.
Madame, will you marry me?
But the same refrain came back:
Oh, no Track, no Track, no Track no!
Havoc shook his head. “She has more resistance than I thought. But I know she likes you. How can we get around this imperative her father left?"
Track glanced at him blankly; the song was evidently new to him. It seemed that not all of the old standards from ancestral Earth made it to all listeners in all Chroma. But Havoc took it as a speech, for the purpose of the presentation. He straightened up as if just learning something exciting. “A simple reversal? I think you're right; what a brilliant notion! We'll try it. After all, we can't let this beauty get away."
Clean nodded, beginning to enjoy this. Gale had figured she would; plain women liked the feeling of seeming beautiful, even in outrageous pretense.
Havoc sang again:
Oh Madame since you are so cruel
And that you do scorn me so—
Since I may not be your lover
Madame will you let me go?
Now Gale spoke to Clean: “Did you hear that? He reversed the question! But did your father give you leave to change your answer?” Clean shook her head, participating to that extent.
And Gale sang with surprised enthusiasm:
Oh, no Track, no Track, no Track no!
"It's working!” Havoc stage-whispered. “She truly wants you to stay. But let's make sure."
Then I will stay with you forever
If you will not be unkind
Madame I have vowed to love you
Would you have me change my mind?
Oh, no Track, no Track, no Track no!
"Now to nail it down,” Havoc said. “Here comes the proposal. By the time her father returns, it will be too late. You'll be married."
Oh hark! I hear the church bells ringing
Will you come and be my wife?
Or dear Madame, have you settled
To live single all your life?
Oh, no Track, no Track, no Track no!
"She's yours,” Havoc said. Go claim her.” He urged Track toward the woman. Gale simultaneously directed Clean toward the man. The woman was unable to resist this clever and flattering ruse.
They met in the middle and kissed. The audience broke into applause. The play was done.
Clean whispered in Track's ear, then tugged him toward the tractor. “Be right back,” he called over his shoulder. “Got to prepare the equipment."
"The consummation,” Symbol said. “That certainly thawed her ice."
"We must do that song some time,” Lucent said to Dour. He nodded happily. That was another romance that had worked out, and indeed the two were well matched.
"With two maidens,” Ine said to Havoc.
"Love and mistress,” Symbol agreed.
"Some other time,” Havoc said.
"Why wait?” Ine asked. “Now is the romantic time. Let's make it more.”
She beckoned wickedly to Gale and Symbol.
"Should such generosity be denied?” Symbol inquired rhetorically. The two stepped forward, willing to participate in this manner.
The four women closed around him. “Let's see if you can do a round of four before they emerge,” Ine said.
"Fabulous notion, Air sister!” Symbol said. “You have a rare imagination."
"It comes with the territory,” Ine said, opening her shirt to reveal her seemingly empty bodice. The sight nevertheless caused Havoc to react; he had an excellent notion of the shape of that invisible flesh. The Air sorceress had turned out to be quite a girl, and not fooling about her taste for naughtiness.
"I knew I shouldn't have traveled with so many women,” Havoc said. “Any one of them is more than enough.” He was only partly joking.
They pressed in on him from four sides, acquainting him with assorted anatomy. One claimed a kiss while another goosed him. One reached into his shirt while another reached into his trousers. Thoughts of hot passion came from all of them, even Stevia; it seemed that she could open her mind when she chose to.
"Who has waited longest?” Ine asked.
"I have,” Gale said. “All three of you have had him several times since I have."
"Then you're due."
"But this is not the way,” Havoc protested without real force. They had made him want it, any way it came.
"Who asked you?” Stevia inquired as the two Air Chroma women helped Gale strip.
But then the two White Chroma folk emerged from the tractor. “Frustration!” Gale exclaimed, hurriedly dressing.
"Rain check,” Ine said, and the others nodded.
Would they really let Gale have a turn on this excursion? He hoped so, because while all of them were fun, Gale was the one he loved.
I caught that, Gale thought at him.
"Equipment's ready,” Track said. “Clean's coming along."
Havoc nodded. The song had really melted her—and all of them, as it turned out.
They filed into the tractor. It seemed to have room for about ten, so there was not a lot of room left over. It was open in the center, with handholds. It could not have been very comfortable for lovemaking, but Track and Clean had surely found a way. Havoc found himself beside Stevia and before Ine, who had evidently reclaimed him for traveling. Ine had no companion beside her; that was the empty tenth place. Before him were Gale and Symbol, and before them were Dour and Lucent.
"Stay in your places, and don't let go your holds,” Track said. “Sometimes the sand shifts, and we don't want to tip it over. Don't touch the outer walls; they get hot."
There were round port holes on the sides. Havoc could see the white lake shore outside his port.
Track took his place at the front, with Clean beside him. He closed the front portal and twisted it tight. He did things with several small wheels and bars. It seemed that Science magic required complicated mechanical controls.
Suddenly a roaring developed, startling them all. “Dragon?” Lucent asked, touching her short sword.
"Motor,” Dour said. “A machine. White magic power device.” He had evidently had experience with White Chroma effects.
Havoc had encountered similar, but it remained weird magic. Animals or plants were natural, and floating was common, but machines were unlike any of those. He would be glad to get through this zone and back into regular magic.
The tractor lurched forward, splashing into the water of the lake. How was it moving?
"The wheels turn, carrying the treads along,” Track called back. He had surely had questions about this many times before. “The power comes from turning axles, and the axles are turned by the motor. That is a boiler—a heated chamber—that heats water to steam, and the escaping steam makes the axles turn."
A steam engine. Havoc had encountered one of those before, so was less confused than he might have been. But it hardly needed to be understood, any more than any other magic. Just so long as it worked.
The water of the lake splashed up against Havoc's port, and he saw the lower part under water, and the upper part showing the rippling surface. For a moment he felt as if he were drowning.
"Breathe,” Stevia said.
Oh. He had been unconsciously holding his breath. He had been under water before but hadn't yet managed to quite trust this particular method of going under.
The line of water rose until it covered the port. Now the whole view was below, and it was interesting. Stringy white water plants reached up from the lake floor, making a weedy waving forest. The tractor forged on through, going ever deeper. That was scary, but at least they didn't have to borrow magic so as to breathe the water.
The tractor turned, and Havoc saw that it was following a kind of ledge. Beyond, the lake dropped much deeper. There seemed to be lights on the outside of the tractor, and these illuminated the surrounding scene. All of the travelers were watching avidly. Few if any had seen a white underwater scene before.
The ledge trail wound down below the level of the plants. Now there were white fish swimming, perhaps attracted by the lights of the tractor. One put an eye to Havoc's port, peering in. It seemed to find him as interesting as he found it.
"Horror,” Gale murmured. Havoc looked at her port, and saw a mass of white sucker-lined tentacles.
"Squid,” Tractor called back. “He always comes to look, but he has learned that he can't get inside to eat us, so he's friendly. He's adapted to the extreme heat, as are the local fish; they would die in cool water."
They came to the bottom, and there was a mound somewhat like a small volcano cone. From it white water jetted, bursting into smoke as it rose.
Smoke? Under water?
"Yes, smoke, of a sort,” Track said. “Super-hot water, carrying many minerals from below. It turns into steam when it can, and the white dust falls out. This is one of the sources of both the heat and the science magic. The White Chroma demons are thick at all the vents. My tractor always works very well here."
Indeed, the vehicle was now moving rapidly along. It left the White smoker behind, crossing the bottom of the lake.
Havoc's seed buzzed. Then Gale looked back, and he caught her thought: hers too. Something was wrong. But what could they do to avoid trouble? They were confined to the tractor.
There was a clanking sound, and the tractor halted. “Expletive!” Track swore.
"Problem?” Lucent inquired nervously. As an Amazon she had courage, but seemed as uneasy about this confinement as Havoc was.
"Affirmation. A tread has come loose and snagged. I can't fix it here. I'll have to signal for help."
Havoc did not like the sound of that. “How long will it take for help to arrive?"
"Depends how close the next tractor is, and whether it's busy. Probably several hours."
"Air,” Dour said. “How long will it last?"
"Several hours."
"And if help doesn't arrive on schedule?"
"No need to consider that."
That sounded worse. “What happens?” Havoc asked.
"It would become uncomfortable here,” Track said reluctantly. “But that is academic; help will come."
"Can we fix it ourselves?” Dour asked.
"I have a hot water suit, but I've outgrown it.” Track patted his belly. “Stupid of me not to get a larger one, but I never thought I'd need it. I can't go out to tackle the cleat."
"But one of us could,” Lucent said. “Following your instructions."
"I suppose so. But it's dangerous out there. Even with the suit, it's uncomfortable, because it can't protect fully against the heat. Very soon the person would have to come back in, or be cooked. You are passengers; it's not your business to take any such risk."
"I could do it,” Dour said.
"Negation; you're way too tall and long. So's the minstrel."
"I could fit in that suit,” Clean said.
"Oh, honey, no! You're not strong enough."
"What about me?”
Lucent asked. “I'm strong."
Track looked at her. “Amazon, eh? Yes, you could probably handle it. Still—"
"I will do it,” Stevia said suddenly.
All turned back to look at her, surprised? “Gray lady, I don't think so,” Track said. “You're no Amazon."
"My Gray magic nullifies other magic, when it needs to,” Stevia said. “That will help. I can handle the White magic heat, and I can use a White magic tool. I will do it.” She left her place and started forward.
"I don't like this,” Havoc said. “This is more danger than you should risk. I did not bring you here for such peril."
She looked at him, and there was something murkily potent in her gaze. “I brought myself,” she said. “I craved adventure and wild romance, and I'm getting both. You're sweet to be concerned. Do not fear for me."
Havoc would have protested further, but something about her set him back. Did her ability to null magic extend to nulling a person's will? He remained silent while she advanced to the front and climbed into the suit. She had to strip naked to fit into it, and her gray body was chunky yet excellently formed, and he admired that, but remained quiet.
Only when she used the double portal to exit the tractor did his volition return. “I did not mean to let her go,” he said.
"She's a remarkable woman,” Ine said. “She can surely handle it."
"I hope so."
They watched through the ports as the Gray Chroma woman in the White suit made her way around to the stuck cleat. She found it, and must have used the tools to adjust it, because suddenly a light blinked on Track's panel. “She fixed it!” he said, amazed.
"A woman can't fix things?” Clean inquired.
"I thought it beyond fixing in the field. It normally requires special tools, and a team of trained men. It must have been less serious than I feared."
Stevia returned to the lock. Track let her in. “Gratitude!” he exclaimed. “I feared you could not—that no one could—"
"It was fortunately only out of position, not broken,” Stevia said, stepping out of the suit.
"You're burning!” Clean exclaimed.
"It did get hot out there,” Stevia agreed. Then she sank to the floor, unconscious.