Free Freedom's Ransom by Anne McCaffrey Page B

hand.
    Peran took it, giving her a rather stiff bow, which caused her to blink at the unexpected courtesy. Doubtless, Kris decided, the women hadn’t ever encountered Catteni with good manners. Still, it proved that the Masai had trained the boys to respect age and females.
    â€œMay I introduce Clune, Ferris, and Ditsy, Misses Mitford?” Kris said to complete the introductions.
    â€œRose is a pharmacist,” Chuck said, helping the older of the two up the first step. “And Cherry’s a physiotherapist.”
    â€œYou could have brought them if all they could do was knit,” Kris said, dismissing Chuck’s comment and smiling warmly at them.
    â€œIf you’re of a mind to put your skills to use,” Dorothy said, climbing into the driver’s seat, “you’ll be thricewelcome once Leon has cleared you. He’s our chief medical officer.” And she nodded goodbye to the reception committee.
    â€¢Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â â€¢
    AS SOON AS THE CART WAS OFF THE FIELD, Chuck turned purposefully to Zainal.
    â€œI lucked out. Traded four tins of Nescafé instant coffee for some of those satellite parts we were trying to find on Earth. What we need is on Barevi, you know.”
    â€œWe suspected that.”
    Chuck pulled a hand recorder out of his jacket. “Got a Jet Propulsion Lab director to give me a list of what we need. He said that there were some built most recently with switchable units. That would make it so easy to maintain those already in orbit. The ones the Catteni used for target practice. I did a quick survey of the loot on Barevi and they’ve got the replacements we need.”
    â€œWe’re organizing a ransom party,” Zainal said.
    â€œA ransom?” Chuck stared at him. “Yeah,” and his shoulders slumped, “and I hope you got stuff they want.”
    â€œNo coffee, but gold—”
    â€œFor their teeth?” Chuck’s surprise was obvious. “How’d you hear about that?”
    â€œDoesn’t matter how but we did.” Zainal gave an indolent shrug. “Though vanity has never been a Catteni problem. Still, no one ever thought lost teeth could be replaced. We also have a dentist.”
    Chuck’s laugh was hearty as he gave Zainal’s massive shoulder an appreciative buffet.
    â€œI was wondering how I was going to break the news to you,” he said, “about ransoming our own equipment back from those Barevi looters. And we gotta make tracks there, fast. Too much is being ground into the mud in the marketplace by those bozos working off steam.” He shook his head. “When I think of all the hard work and the material we can’t reproduce . . .” He stopped, took a breath, and then went on. “You wouldn’t believe what they’ve achieved on Earth.”
    â€œReconstructing?” Kris asked.
    â€œMore than just infrastructures. You’ll be proud. Look, Zainal, can we call a meeting of the colonists?”
    â€œOne is set for this evening. We have to get permission to use the colony’s assets as ransom, you know.”
    â€œGood. I’ll grab a shower and change. Oh, and I got some crew with me.” He looked over his shoulder at the open ramp of the KDL. “In-service training but boy, do they know their stuff. Of course, they should. Many of ’em are ex-NASA.” Chuck’s grin was broader. “Brought more than I needed for the KDs but we do have other ships.” He gestured to the ones parked on the field. “They learn real quick and I had space available.” He turned and called, “Olly-olly in free. Welcome to Botany, guys and gals.”
    Out filed a line of men and women looking very smart in flight gear. They made a double row in front of Chuck, who was still grinning from ear to ear.
    â€œSir, Excellent Emassi Zainal, Botany airforce recruits reporting for duty,” said the man who took two