Free Michaelmas by Algis Budrys Page A

his alpaca sleeves. "Why do you ask this, Laurent?"
    How many times, thought Michaelmas, have I helped UNAC over rough spots that even they know of? And I'm ready to do it again, God knows. And here Frontiere was counting up every one of them. Who would have thought a man would have so much credit deducted for such a simple answer? Merely an answer that would let the world's most prominent newsman frame his press conference comments more securely. "Norwood was in command, Papashvilly was put in command, Papashvilly is a major. Answer my ques-tion and you tell me much. I think it a natural query . . . vecchio amico."
    Frontiere grimaced uncomfortably. "Perhaps it is. We are all very much into our emotions this morning, you under-stand? I was not giving you sufficient credit for sapience, I believe."
    Michaelmas grinned. "Then answer the God-damned question."
    Frontiere moved his eyes as if wishing to see the people behind him. "If necessary, an announcement will be made that it is not planned to change the flight crew."
    Michaelmas cocked his head. "In other words, this is an excellent fish dinner especially if someone complains of stomach. Is that the line you propose to defend?"
    Frontiere's sour grin betrayed one of his famous dimples. "I am not doing well with you this morning .. . old friend," he said softly. "Perhaps you would like to speak quietly with me alone after the conference."
    "Between friends?"
    "Entirely between friends."
    "Bene."
    "Thank you very much," Frontiere smiled slightly. "Now I must get back to my charges. Take your place in the audi-torium, Laurent; the dogs and ponies are all cued. Despite one or two small matters, we shall begin shortly." Frontiere turned and walked back towards the others, spreading his arms, palms up, in a very Latin gesture. They resumed their intent whispering. Limberg shook his hand repeatedly over the one particular photograph. The side of his fingertip knock knock knocked on the table-top.
    Michaelmas stepped out and softly closed the door. "We must be certain we're doing everything we can to protect Papashvilly," he said in the empty hall.
    "Against what, exactly?" Domino said. "We're already doing all we can in general. If he's taken off the mission, despite all that bumph, he needs no more. If he's still in, what am I supposed to suggest? UNAC is apparently con-cerned for him. Remember they almost put him on a plane for here, then Sakal ordered him back from the Cité d'Afrique airport. What do you make of that?"
    "There are times when I would simply like to rely on your genius."
    "And there are times when I wish your intuitions were more specific."
    Michaelmas rubbed the back of his neck. "I would very much like some peace and quiet."
    "Then I have disturbing news. I've just figured out what Rybakov is for."
    "Oh?"
    "The Russians can also think ahead. If UNAC attempts to reinstate Norwood, they won't just threaten to pull Papashvilly. They'll threaten to pull Papashvilly and they'll threaten to insist on honest workman Rybakov being second-in-command."
    Michaelmas's tongue clicked out from the space between his upper lip and his front teeth.
    "There would be a fan-tastic scandal."
    "More than that."
    "Yes." If UNAC then refused to accept that proposition, the next move saw the USSR also withdrawing Rybakov. That would leave the so-called Mankind in Space pro-gramme with only an East German lieutenant to represent half the Caucasian world's politics. "We'd be right back into the 1960s. UNAC can't possibly go for that, or what's UNAC for? So as soon as they see the Russians moving Rybakov up out of the pawn row, they'll drop the whole scheme. They may be rocking back a little now, but one glimpse of that sequence and they'll stonewall for Papash-villy no matter what."
    " 'What' may be Viola Hanrassy and everything she can throw."
    "Exactly. I wonder what would explode." Michaelmas rubbed the back of his neck again. "I would very much like some peace and quiet," he said in