Free A Galaxy Unknown 10: Azula Carver by Thomas DePrima Page A

Jumaka? For me?"
    As Jenetta uttered the words, Cayla, Tayna, and Thor, who were standing by her sides, raised their heads and looked at her briefly before returning their attention to Wilkerson.
    "Yes. You told me in one of our communications back in 2282 that you had two females but no way to impregnate them. So I purchased a male for you before I left Taurentlus-Thur. It was extremely difficult to get an export license for him because the government has placed a complete ban on Jumaka exports. I was only able to get him off the planet because I told the authorities he was for Admiral Jenetta Carver, who already owned two females but no male. As soon as they heard he was for you, they agreed immediately. They had heard the stories about you and your Jumakas. And— the fact that you are one of the most powerful persons in Space Command didn't hurt. They said that once I delivered the animal, you would have to contact them so they know you actually received him. If you don't, I can never return there."
    "Who do I contact?"
    "I have all the information in my computer files. I'll dig it up and bring it to you." Looking around, he asked, "Uh, where should I have the tug place my container?"
    "You can stay in the palace while you're here."
    "Thank you, but the lab in my cargo container is all set up for my work. I have a large collection of recordings I've tried to use to learn the language of the Jumakas, but I couldn't seem to make any headway with the Jumaka I purchased. He appears to be a very healthy male. He just won't talk to me, even though he seems to understand everything I say."
    "Do you keep him caged?"
    "The freighter captain insisted on that, but I let him out every day to run in the exercise area of my container, and his cage is not small. I tried to make him understand that I was only following the orders of the ship's captain, but I don't know if he understood. However, he always went back into the cage when I told him to."
    Turning towards Captain Pwuhvasqu, Jenetta said, "Captain, is there an area on the palace grounds where a cargo container wouldn't look too much out of place?"
    "At the very rear of the grounds, Your Grace, there's a heavily treed area just inside the palace walls where a full-sized cargo container should be completely hidden from the palace. In fact, it should only be visible from directly above. "
    "Good. Would you make arrangements for Mr. Wilkerson's cargo container to be placed there?"
    "Of course, Your Grace."
    "There, Mr. Wilkerson. You're all set. I'd very much like to meet the Jumaka you've brought as soon as you're settled."
    "Of course, Your Grace. And I'd very much like to become acquainted with your present Jumakas. They all appear very healthy. Um, when did you acquire the third Jumaka?"
    "He was a gift from the Hudeerac government. They had him in a zoo, and he was not being treated well."
    "Him?"
    "Yes."
    "Then have the females been impregnated?"
    "Not yet. At least not before we arrived here. I've given them permission to do whatever nature motivates them to do now that we're here on my estate."
    "Marvelous. I'm delighted I'll be here to record the entire event. If there is to be an event. I've been studying them for fifteen years, and we still know so little about them. In the wild, it's virtually impossible to study them. Whenever I set up an observation post, they always seemed to learn I was there and would melt off into the jungle."
    "I contacted you because you were reputed to be the foremost expert on Jumakas, and you stated that you were trying to develop an interface so we could communicate. Have you made any progress in that area?"
    "I've developed several prototypes, but I haven't been able to get any Jumaka to talk for me."
    "How does it work?"
    "It's like the microphone that undersea divers or astronauts used to wear," Wilkerson said as he put his hand to his throat, spreading his thumb and forefinger as wide apart as possible and placing the area between them