and gestures to make it easier for him to deal with them.
"Cheu'rut was hand-picked by you, was he not?"
"Yes." Then he shrugged, another adopted human gesture. "Apparently, I was misinformed of his skills."
"I wouldn't be too hard on him. As I understand it, it takes considerable discipline and fortitude for a Hero to confront a combat-trained female, and he was up against two at once."
He took her jibe with good humor. It was a game they played: each tried to needle the other to provoke a response, though the overlord had the advantage, in that he could order her death if she cut too deep.
Assuming he didn't just scream and leap at her over his desk.
"On the contrary, he had slain a dozen manrretti during his career. He knew what he was in for."
"Hmph. I wasn't aware of that."
"It makes no difference. Despite his experience, caution, and foresight, when he saw one that close, he reverted to instinct and let himself get lured into a trap. The only mitigating factor is that those two monkey-girls fight in an unorthodox manner, using unconventional tactics."
"Speaking of which, correct me if I'm wrong, but according to the rules, the Girls don't actually have to kill, just not be killed, is that true?"
"Yes."
"Then, why do you suppose they do it?"
He shrugged again. He really was good at that. "I would expect no less of a manrret."
She smiled. For all his supposed sophistication, there were still gaps in his comprehension of humans. He accepted the killings as a natural consequence of the nature of the hunting game, whereas she knew the Girls could simply hide and still win. On top of which, they were not true manrretti. That was the Kzin term for women soldiers. Female Kzinti were sub-sapient, barely able to function outside of a male's harem. It had been disconcerting enough for the Kzinti to find out human females were just as smart as the males, but to confront one capable of fighting was a Hero's worst nightmare. Some Kzinti even thought they were a separate species.
The point being, the Girls had no formal military training and were not even members of the resistance. So there had to be a reason they went on the offensive each time.
"You don't seem terribly upset that they take the hides of those they kill as trophies."
"Had they prevailed, their opponents would have taken their ears after eating them. I do not see a difference."
No, you wouldn't, she thought. Another blind spot. She knew there was no point to a contestant taking trophies when what they wanted was the prize money, so like their attacks the Girls had to have a reason for doing so.
"That makes twenty-three wins, correct?"
"Yes."
"And you pay the prize each time?"
"Of course. To not do so would be dishonorable."
That at least was one trait she could understand. Kzin honor was similar to that of the Wunderland aristocracy, or the ancient samurai of the Earth nation of Japan. A Kzin would willingly starve to death within easy reach of food, if his honor demanded it.
"Their accumulated wealth must be considerable by now."
"After today, it will be twenty-five million credits." The invasion had virtually destroyed the old economy and financial institutions; credit scrip issued by the conquerors was the only money available, except for family heirlooms, gold, and gems used in barter. They were essentially promissory notes, but as with anything else, Kzin honor demanded that the notes be payable if hard currency was needed. Still, scrip could be used to buy anything; there were even moneychangers who would exchange it for gold or diamonds, at a discounted rate.
"And if they survive hunt number 24?"
"Fifty million, and an extra 200 million for the final match. Of course, they forfeit it all if they lose."
"Are you not afraid they will quit while they're ahead?"
"That's always a possibility, but that's why I set up the reward system as I did."
She had to admit, that had been a stroke of genius. The Kzinti knew it was possible for a human to survive a single hunt, or even two or three. However, the odds were on their side, and they increased as the number of hunts increased. The prize system was designed to keep a winning human coming back. The first few hunts paid little, but the more hunts a human won, the bigger the payoff became, and it increased exponentially. The Kzinti were counting on greed combined with hubris to kill any successful human in the end.
The only problem being, the Girls were defying the odds.
"They've won too much already to back out now."
"You hope. How long do they have to declare for the next match?"
"Until noon tomorrow."
"Please send me word if they do. And the same wager as before? Or would you like to double it?"
He managed a thin smile. "Very well, double it is."
"I suppose you are thinking of ways to defeat them."
"I have one or two ideas."
"Nothing dishonorable, I trust."
He grinned at her as he narrowed his eyes and laid his ears back. That was a threat; she had pushed him too far.
"I meant no disrespect." She closed her eyes and bowed her head. That left her vulnerable, giving him an opening to attack, but it was also a gesture of trust, an attempt to mollify him. "I was merely being facetious."
"What does that mean?"
She opened her eyes and found him relaxed, his ears open and facing forward, and his eyes wide. For something that looked like an overgrown tiger cub, she found those round pupils disturbingly human, despite the yellow irises.
"It's a form of humor. One makes a statement that sounds serious, but is actually meant to be lighthearted and comical."
"Is it similar to mocking?"
Kzinti didn't like to be mocked, but they hated liars even more. "In a way, but whereas mocking is meant to be cruel, facetiousness is not. One can think of it as a shared joke between friends."
He purred at her response. He didn't do it often, but each time it seemed to her he was amused with something she said.
"You consider us friends?"
For once she shrugged. "It could be seen that way. You and I can talk about things that would send most Kzinti into fits of rage." But even you have your limits.
"True enough. And to give you your due, it is tempting to cheat in the hunt with these two, but that would be counterproductive in the long run. Though we are permitted to, how do you put it, 'push the envelope'."
She nodded. "I understand. And speaking of playing fair, I always thought the prizes to be very generous, considering."
The overlord eyed her in manner she interpreted as sardonically amused. "Considering our reputation."
"The aristocracy understands, and appreciates, the restraint with which you govern." That was not meant to be flattery. Thagn was the epitome of the benevolent despot. Though he had issued harsh laws as part of the occupation, to maintain order and protect his troops and collaborators, he did not mount reprisals against attacks, he forbad looting and indiscriminant 'hunting', and his justice, if swift and summary, was fair; he was as likely to acquit as condemn.
"Too bad the general populace doesn't see it that way." He also permitted free expression and a free press, as long as everyone acted in a respectful manner. He was less concerned with anti-Kzin feelings and rhetoric than he was with armed insurrection.
"They will come around in time, especially after the resistance has disbanded. Your offer of amnesty should convince all but the fanatics, and they can be easily dealt with."
"I have not yet decided whether I will make such an offer."
"I understand, but it would be in keeping with your general policy, like the hunts. The Roman Empire did much the same thing."
"Bread, circuses, and citizenship."
"Naturally. Not only does it give the masses something to root for other than insurrection, it also distracts them from their woes. On top of which, it takes a negative--punishing criminals and terrorists, who are often viewed as freedom fighters--and tu
rns it into a positive--giving people a chance to better themselves. The masses always love that sort of thing. Amnesty would reinforce that image: by offering mercy, you will convince the vast majority it would be better to cooperate than oppose you."
"I see the advantages you describe. What I do not see is how this will benefit you and the rest of your class."
"We only want peace."
"And the retention of your status and privileges."
She smiled. "Of course."
"Therein lies the problem. For now, collaboration is your best means to achieve that, but what if one day you decide that rebellion is better? General amnesty would mean that a hundred thousand fighters would be available for your use. That is a force even I would find difficult to deal with, barring drastic measures."
"With all due respect, I could turn that argument back on you. For now, you believe that preserving our way of life is the best way for you to rule us with a minimum of force, but what if one day you decide that putting us all on reservations is better? Or turning the entire planet into a hunting preserve, with us as the prey? Or even exterminating us altogether and restocking Wunderland with a more docile slave and food animal? We would of course fight back, but with your numerical and technological superiority you would eventually overwhelm us. Faced with that possibility, would it not be more prudent, if we are to die anyway, for us to fight you now, while we are still relatively strong, and delay the fifth invasion of Sol, or perhaps cripple your ability to ever launch another invasion again?"
"You make a good point, though I suspect that, whatever the circumstances, your class will find a way to be on top."
"In fact, Sir, my point was that, while we may cooperate to serve our own immediate selfish ends, doing so also benefits the long-term greater good of our two societies. That is why both of our worst-case scenarios are unlikely to occur, unless one side pushes the other into a corner. Our jobs, in part, are to see that doesn't happen."
"As usual, your reasoning and logic are impeccable, but there is the unspoken reality that our mutual cooperation is reinforced by certain checks and balances that prevent either of us from acting imprudently. I do not fail to see that preserving the strength of the resistance while holding it in abeyance strengthens your position. My concern is whether it weakens mine."
"I would argue that whatever strengthens me benefits you as well."
He purred again; twice in one audience was unprecedented.
"Graf Van Helsing, you are my most loyal, powerful, and valuable collaborator. Your efforts and those of your family before you have allowed me to govern your colony with a minimum of bloodshed, and have insured peace and stability for your people as well as safety for mine. But I do not trust you, any more than I trust any collaborator. There is a whiff of dishonor that clings to you like a miasma. If you would so easily betray your own people, would you not betray me as well, under the right circumstances? You or someone else like you could be in league with the resistance. Therefore, prudence suggests that I should treat you cautiously, as I would any semi-tame ferocious animal."
He paused, as if waiting for a response. She decided she had better stay quiet.
"You do not object. If you were a Kzin, you would have challenged me by now, if you were innocent."
And if you were a member of the aristocracy, I would not have hesitated to do so. But she wanted to diffuse the situation, not escalate it.
"I could, but to what end? If you killed me, you would lose my power and influence, and governing would become more difficult. If I killed you, your replacement would probably not be as enlightened as you. Either way, we'd both lose more than we would gain."
"Once again, your logic is compelling, even if I find your monkey caution distasteful. But let me make one thing very clear. I have as yet no evidence that you are involved with the resistance. If you are not, you have nothing to fear, but if I ever discover that you are, despite our 'friendship', I will have you served as my evening meal. And I prefer live prey."
She gave him a cold half-smile. "Naturally."
He eyed her in a strange way. "I will confess, you puzzle me sometimes. You seem to have a Kzin's liver, yet you scheme like a monkey. It makes you an invaluable ally, but it would also make you a formidable opponent, the most terrifying manrret of all. Pity, though. I would enjoy fighting you, more than I enjoy our chess matches."
She chuckled. "I would feel the same way."
"The question is, are we combatants now, only I am unaware of it? Take these girls for example. I have to ask myself, what is your interest in them?"
"The same as anyone else's. They are two humans who, despite their weaknesses and disadvantages, have continually prevailed against the mighty Kzin. We humans love an underdog."
"I believe they are more than that. They have become heroes to the masses, members of the aristocracy lionize them, and even some Kzinti praise their courage and prowess."
"Underdogs often inspire the downtrodden with hope."
"But what if they were used as a rallying point for unrest? After a general amnesty, that would be a dangerous combination."
"I see what you're getting at, but if they don't survive either of the remaining two hunts, our problem is solved."
"What if they do?"
"Then perhaps we should look upon that as an opportunity."
"I do not understand."
"Sir, you once told me you have these conversations as much to help train you to think like a human. We have a knack for turning disadvantages into advantages. Let's suppose the Girls survive the last hunt. What if during the award ceremony they give a speech in support of you and the occupation? What if afterwards they call for cooperation and an end to violence? There would be some who would feel betrayed, but most would listen to them. They could become powerful spokespersons for Man-Kzin rapprochement."
"Why would they agree to something like that?"
"They participated in the game for financial gain. If you offered them other incentives they would probably be receptive."
"What kind of incentives?"
"At the very least, a cash bonus, in gold. A small plot of land, perhaps trading privileges or a position of minor authority; we can work out the details later."
"But they've killed Heroes."
"Your own people kill each other in duels and other forms of honorable combat. We aristocrats do much the same, so the masses would accept that with little hesitation. You haven't retaliated against the Girls for their killings, and that sets the precedence that you believe there are honorable ways humans could fight and kill Kzinti. If you institutionalized that, it would allow anyone who had a grudge against your people to oppose them without openly rebelling."
"If I permitted humans to challenge my people to duels, I would have to allow them to do the same."
"As long as they obey the rules you set up and act in an honorable fashion, I don't believe that would be a problem. Wunderlanders have a long tradition of settling quarrels with formalized personal combat, and we are hunters just as you are. If you allowed us to hunt you under the same controlled conditions you hunt us, that would go a long way towards welding our two species into one society. To that end, I could see the Girls being models demonstrating how humans could live like Kzinti. If they popularize it and you endorse it, within a generation we could be completely assimilated into your culture."
"What if they do not agree?"
"Then we will have to make sure they lose."
"Would that not make them martyrs?"
"Not if they lost fair and square. It would just be another example of your species' superiority."
"And how would we accomplish that?"
"'We' wouldn't; I would. Your hands must be clean of this, otherwise there could be a riot, perhaps even an uprising. As well, your honor must remain intact. And, if the treachery is discovered, you can blame it on us humans."
"Why would humans kill those girls?"
"You haven't realized this yet, but
during any occupation there are always people who cooperate completely with the occupying authority, no matter how brutal or reprehensible. They serve out of self-interest, but they still serve loyally, if for no other reason than they would be the first to be killed if the occupiers are ever driven out. Such persons could see the Girls as a threat to Kzin authority, by assaulting the concept of Kzin superiority. By killing the Girls and making it look like it was a natural result of the hunt, they remove the threat by confirming the concept."
"Hrmm. It would appear that monkey-scheming has its advantages. When would be the best time to implement such a plan?"
"During the final hunt; it would have the biggest impact then. Also, it would give me a month to prepare."
"And if they are killed during the next one?"
"Then as I said before, our problem is solved for us."
"Very well. I give you leave to proceed, but I must have final approval of any plans, and you cannot execute them without my authorization. Understood?"
"Perfectly."
"Very well. I regret we cannot play chess today, I have a staff meeting in an hour, but I look forward to your visit next week."
She was being dismissed. She stood up and bowed. "It would be a pleasure, Sir."
"Oh, and one more thing. Please do not ever bring that abomination with you again."
"He is honor-bound to defend my life; I doubt I could dissuade him from following me on his own."
"Nonetheless, if he ever shows up here again, I will have him killed on the spot."
She bowed again. "I understand. I will see what I can do."
Thagn watched Differel leave his office. Yes, she was very clever, and it had benefited him well in the past, but the question in the back of mind as always was, what else did she have going on? How many plans within plans within plans did she have working at that moment? Despite almost constant surveillance and informants within her own household, he had nothing definite to go one, just gossip, speculation, and suspicion, most of it worthless because it was no doubt inspired by spite. Still, he could not let down his guard for one moment with her; it could prove fatal.
He switched on the viewscreen and watched the girls as they finished skinning Cheu'rut. Behind them a number of slaves waited to carry the carcass away, and they all looked rather pleased that it was another Hero. His claws extended by reflex and he gouged eight parallel furrows in his desk as he raked his fingers along its top.
It had to end, and soon, before it was too late. Even if she was playing a game of her own, Van Helsing's idea seemed perfect. He would just have to be watchful for whatever trap she would set for him.
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