"I don't think it worked," Maddog said as he paced in a circle around Kharmadi's lab. Kharmadi had finally succeeded in dislodging him from her computer, and was busy bringing her own reports up to date. Along with trying to ignore the two men grousing impatiently.
"Maybe, maybe not." Everest sat with his head back and eyes closed, pretending to be resting.
"Holing up here was a bad idea." Maddog continued his circuit of the lab at a steady slow rate. "We should've been out there trying to get back into the thick of it. We shouldn't have let them marginalize us."
"Perhaps you're right." Everest didn't move a muscle.
"Or at least out trying to schmooze the Rcyyt."
"You're both free to leave anytime you want," Kharmadi said as she filed one report and pulled up the next.
The lab door opened, and Uljana walked in, leaving Dr. Ayers and General Baxter standing just outside the door behind her. "Apparently we're wanted at the negotiations. Us, and you three." Her mouth twisted a moment. "I was given to understand that Kharmadi had something to do with this request."
Kharmadi tried her best to look innocent and ignorant of all such goings on.
"Would this have anything to do with Iol's visit here last night?" Uljana glared at Kharmadi. "The one you neglected to report."
"Could be." Kharmadi shrugged and hurried out of her lab. The sun shone brightly down on them as they headed toward the fur brush stand between the colony and the Rcyyt village. Bluish tendrils of sour-mint scented fuzz undulated around them as they walked along the well-worn path to the meadow.
General Baxter towered over her. "Tell me you didn't kidnap another alien."
"No!" Kharmadi said quickly.
Dr. Ayers stepped up beside Kharmadi. "I think it is premature to accuse Dr. Kharmadi of some unknown crime before we even know why we are being summoned."
"It can't be good," Uljana said.
"Why not?" Maddog nearly suppressed his grin.
"The only thing I can think of," General Baxter said ominously, "is that they wish to press charges against Kharmadi for kidnapping a Rcyyt."
"Oh, I don't think so." Everest plucked a stray fuzzy branch to sniff. "For one they don't want to discuss their reproduction within their own group. I doubt they want to make a scene about it with strangers. Besides, I doubt they want to advertise that their reproductive organs go wandering off by themselves, out of control and into trouble." He grinned at Baxter. "And two, I think they like Kharmadi. And you."
Uljana stopped everyone before they exited the fur brush stand. "Just let me do the talking, and deal with whatever comes up. And please, everyone, stay calm." She led the way back out into the bright sunshine of the meadow.
The six were admitted to the shade of the pavilion. The chief I.A. delegate and lead Terran representative glared at them. Uljana managed to give them her best bureaucratic smile. "I believe you sent for us. How may we assist?"
The lead Terran representative, Ambassador Sabino, frowned. "The Rcyyt insist on negotiating any and all treaties with, and through, you. You six specifically, and the colony in general." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Would you have any idea why?"
"None at all." Uljana appeared to be truly astonished, but soon smiled.
"Perhaps you should ask them." Everest moved to stand beside Uljana.
"We did. They said it was because you, more specifically Dr. Kharmadi, made them clap. You wouldn't know what that means?"
It seemed to Kharmadi that everyone there turned to stare at her. She shrugged, wishing she could disappear into the ground, and stammered out, "I guess I make them laugh."
"Personally," Sabino said, "I don't see anything the least bit funny about you."
"You just need to get to know her better," Everest said. He stepped forward, past Uljana and the leaders of the I.A. and Terran groups to stand in front of the Rcyyt elders. He made a short speech, thanking the Rcyyt for their confidence in the colonists, in his associate, and in himself; thanking the Rcyyt for being willing to consider an alliance with people of another species; and pledging to see that the treaties the Rcyyt entered into were fair, honorable, and mutually beneficial for all concerned.
"I said to let me handle things," Uljana groused quietly. "He's going to make a mess of this."
Maddog leaned toward her to whisper. "He does good work. You can trust him."
Uljana just shook her head.
Everest, meanwhile, continued on a roll, pitching his voice to be picked up clearly by all the recording equipment. "And as a gesture of our goodwill, we hereby promise that this planet shall remain in the possession of the Rcyyt. This planet, and everyone on it, shall be governed by your laws. Your homes, traditions, cultures, and customs will always be here for you."
The elderly spokesperson for the Rcyyt bowed to Everest. "We accept, and thank you. Also we have made a record of your words and our agreement with them. For us this agreement has become a binding treaty between us. Is it so with you?"
"It is so with us," Everest said. As the Rcyyt bowed again, Everest also bowed.
Sabino cleared his throat. "May I have a private word with these six, before we continue."
The elderly Rcyyt nodded, and the six followed away from the Rcyyt, back almost to the fur brush stand.
"Why did you give them the planet?" Sabino demanded.
Everest smiled smugly. "It is their planet. And in my judgment, knowing that it would remain theirs will make them more open to accepting the rest of the universe and further treaty negotiations."
"It's not their planet," Sabino said. "Their village is just a colony, not all that different from ours."
Baxter shook his head. Uljana gasped in surprise. Dr. Ayers looked enlightened. Maddog remained impassive. Kharmadi winced. She should have known. All the hints were there. The strange plants in the village, the tremendous size difference between the Rcyyt and all the other fauna, and the lack of evidence of natives before the colony landed.
Everest's smile appeared false and as if it had been plastered to his face. "I still think they'll be more open to negotiations now."
"I doubt it. They have shown no interest in anything the rest of the universe has to offer. And if they shut us out because of what you've done today, I'll personally carry the torch to light the bonfire when you're burned at the stake."
His smile didn't slip one bit as Everest said, "Let's just see how it goes."
When they returned to the pavilion, they ousted the current squatters at the main table, and turned their attention to the Rcyyt.
Uljana managed to get the first word in by standing and bowing. "Perhaps there are other things we can agree on."
"Yes." The elderly Rcyyt nodded, bowing while seated. "There has been much discussion among us about your entertainment media."
"Really?" Everest said, jockeying for position with Uljana. "Perhaps you'd care to set up a trade agreement."
Knowing that there was little she could contribute to the proceedings, Kharmadi looked over the assembled Rcyyt, until she found Iol. He was staring back at her, his bottom jaw working back and forth, grinding his teeth. So Kharmadi knew he was worried. She smiled at him. When he didn't respond, she realized he probably wasn't certain what a smile meant.
Kharmadi lifted her hands from her lap, and holding them up where he could see them, began slowly and silently clapping.
After a moment, Iol's jaw stopped moving. With his hands clasped across his round middle, Iol bowed to her while sitting. Kharmadi made a similar sitting bow.
Maddog leaned toward her and whispered, "What's so funny?"
Without taking her eyes off Iol, Kharmadi answered, "We are."
The End
Squatter’s Rights copyright © 2012 by Viking Horde Media
Cover art copyright © 2012 by Alan L. Lickiss, Jacob Lickiss, and Rebecca Lickiss