body, he had a strong impression that the question was an important one. Finally it came.
"Who owns you, stranger?"
Chapter 6
BE careful, Martin thought. The alien's understanding of the word "own" might be different from his. Could the question involve patriotism, or loyalty owed to its country, tribe, or employer? Was the Teldin using some kind of local slang which the translator was reproducing literally? He dare not answer until he was completely sure of the meaning of the question.
"I'm sorry," he said. "Your question is unclear to me."
Before the Teldin could reply, Martin introduced himself and began describing his planet of origin. He spoke of the Earth as it had been before the coming of the Federation, not the denuded and well-nigh depopulated planet that it had since become. Then he quickly went on to talk about the lander and the much larger hypership in orbit above them and, when the Teldin expressed sudden concern, he assured it that neither had anything to fear from the meteorites. He added that he, himself, did not carry such protection nor, for that matter, any other means of defense or offense.
When he finished speaking the Teldin was silent for a moment. Then it said, "Thank you for this information which, in spite of being hearsay, could be of great importance. Does the being in the orbiting vessel own you?"
In the earpiece he could hear Beth, who was monitoring the conversation, suppressing laughter.
"No," he said.
"Do you own it?"
"No," he said again.
"You only act that way sometimes," Beth said. "But be alert. Another pedal vehicle is heading out of the city toward you. It is painted brown and bright yellow, towing an enclosed trailer and flying some kind of pennant, with two people on board pedaling fast. It should reach you in about twenty minutes."
Martin bypassed the translator momentarily to say, "The local constabulary, do you think? I can't react until they come into sight, when it would be natural for me to ask who and what they are. But our friend here worries me with its constant harping on ownership. And what does it mean by hearsay? I can't give it a straight answer until I know why it thinks the question is so important."
He cut in the translator and went on to explain the relationship between Beth and himself. He was nonspecific regarding the division of their work, but he had to go into considerable detail on Earth-human social anthropology, cultural mores, and reproduction. But suddenly the Teldin was holding up two of its four hands.
"Thank you once again for this interesting hearsay," it said slowly, as if uncertain that the true meaning of the words was getting through to Martin. "You are answering questions which have not been asked, and not answering those which must be asked."
The brown and yellow tricycle came into sight just then. Martin said quickly, "The vehicle which approaches us at speed and flying a flag, and the beings propelling it. Is their mission important?"
The Teldin glanced at it in a manner suggesting impatience. "It flies the pennant of the Master of Sea and Landborne Communications. Their mission has nothing to do with us and is of no importance compared with the visit of an off-planet being who avoids answering the most important question about itself..."
"Just a couple of mailmen," Beth said in a relieved voice.
"... Your status is not clear," the Teldin went on. "Do you or your life-mate own the vessels which brought you here?"
"My status"... Martin thought. A little light was beginning to dawn. Aloud, he said, "The vessels are not our personal property, but we are responsible for their operation."
"But they are owned, presumably, by someone who directs you in their use?" the Teldin said quickly, and added, "You must obey this being's directions?"
"Yes," Martin said.
The Teldin made a loud, gurgling sound which did not translate, then it said, "You are a slave, Martin. Highly placed, no doubt, considering the nature of
"Who owns you, stranger?"
Chapter 6
BE careful, Martin thought. The alien's understanding of the word "own" might be different from his. Could the question involve patriotism, or loyalty owed to its country, tribe, or employer? Was the Teldin using some kind of local slang which the translator was reproducing literally? He dare not answer until he was completely sure of the meaning of the question.
"I'm sorry," he said. "Your question is unclear to me."
Before the Teldin could reply, Martin introduced himself and began describing his planet of origin. He spoke of the Earth as it had been before the coming of the Federation, not the denuded and well-nigh depopulated planet that it had since become. Then he quickly went on to talk about the lander and the much larger hypership in orbit above them and, when the Teldin expressed sudden concern, he assured it that neither had anything to fear from the meteorites. He added that he, himself, did not carry such protection nor, for that matter, any other means of defense or offense.
When he finished speaking the Teldin was silent for a moment. Then it said, "Thank you for this information which, in spite of being hearsay, could be of great importance. Does the being in the orbiting vessel own you?"
In the earpiece he could hear Beth, who was monitoring the conversation, suppressing laughter.
"No," he said.
"Do you own it?"
"No," he said again.
"You only act that way sometimes," Beth said. "But be alert. Another pedal vehicle is heading out of the city toward you. It is painted brown and bright yellow, towing an enclosed trailer and flying some kind of pennant, with two people on board pedaling fast. It should reach you in about twenty minutes."
Martin bypassed the translator momentarily to say, "The local constabulary, do you think? I can't react until they come into sight, when it would be natural for me to ask who and what they are. But our friend here worries me with its constant harping on ownership. And what does it mean by hearsay? I can't give it a straight answer until I know why it thinks the question is so important."
He cut in the translator and went on to explain the relationship between Beth and himself. He was nonspecific regarding the division of their work, but he had to go into considerable detail on Earth-human social anthropology, cultural mores, and reproduction. But suddenly the Teldin was holding up two of its four hands.
"Thank you once again for this interesting hearsay," it said slowly, as if uncertain that the true meaning of the words was getting through to Martin. "You are answering questions which have not been asked, and not answering those which must be asked."
The brown and yellow tricycle came into sight just then. Martin said quickly, "The vehicle which approaches us at speed and flying a flag, and the beings propelling it. Is their mission important?"
The Teldin glanced at it in a manner suggesting impatience. "It flies the pennant of the Master of Sea and Landborne Communications. Their mission has nothing to do with us and is of no importance compared with the visit of an off-planet being who avoids answering the most important question about itself..."
"Just a couple of mailmen," Beth said in a relieved voice.
"... Your status is not clear," the Teldin went on. "Do you or your life-mate own the vessels which brought you here?"
"My status"... Martin thought. A little light was beginning to dawn. Aloud, he said, "The vessels are not our personal property, but we are responsible for their operation."
"But they are owned, presumably, by someone who directs you in their use?" the Teldin said quickly, and added, "You must obey this being's directions?"
"Yes," Martin said.
The Teldin made a loud, gurgling sound which did not translate, then it said, "You are a slave, Martin. Highly placed, no doubt, considering the nature of
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