Hand Jive, page 28
“Nossir, it wasn’t. Somebody did a good job, putting a handle into that access panel. Looked like it took a long time with a stone to put an edge on it.”
“At least now we know why only those panels were missing. It would be too much work to cut the other ones to shape, with the tools they have.”
I said, “It sure would. He must be big stuff in his tribe, to carry the weapon with the star metal on it. All the video you sent showed people carrying stone spears.”
Dingus replied, “I hadn’t noticed that yet, but you’re right. He didn’t send a flunky out to meet us.”
“I’m glad he didn’t. One of those spears wouldn’t have done much to that snake.”
“Nope. He sure was quick with that thing, wasn’t he?”
“That’s for sure. I thought I was gonna need some fresh undies, when he swung it so close to me.”
“What would you call that thing, anyhow?”
“I don’t know for sure. I’ve seen things like it in history books, but I don’t remember what that particular style is called. I’ll have to look it up, when I get a chance.”
Dingus said, “Go ahead, I’ll watch for snakes.”
I slung my rifle, and got on my watch. It took a minute, to get to the internet archive on the Gene. I got to the Wikipedia page on polearms, and found a chart of shapes. I showed it to Dingus. I said, “According to this, it’s a fauchard of some kind.”
“Well, well. These folks barely making a living, and carrying fancy polearms. Will wonders never cease.”
I replied, “You know, and I know, they only made them that way because that was the shape of the panel cover, and they did their best to find something they could use for a weapon.”
“I know that, but it sounds better the other way, don’t you think?”
“You could be right about that. Do you think we need to hang around to see if he comes back, or just go back to the ships?”
“Might be a good idea to hang around till suppertime, at least.”
“Sounds good to me. Wonder what else they have here that’s going to try and kill us?”
“You’re just a ray of sunshine, Bob.”
One of the techs waved at me, calling me over. I went to see what she wanted. “Boss, we had the bots run simulations, but they can’t figure out what these extra parts are for. The only thing we can think of to do is to pull a few of them, and see if we can figure out their functions. Could I get your approval to remove parts from the ships?”
I looked around, and said, “I don’t see anything here that’s going to fly without a lot of work. The locals are down to using the access doors for weapon blades, so I don’t think they’re going to worry about you grabbing a few odd bits to have a better look at. I don’t think I could justify calling them salvage, with the woods full of the rightful owners, but I sure don’t see where studying the bits is going to hurt anything. Go right ahead.”
“Thanks, Boss.”
She pulled a couple of the parts we couldn’t identify, and put them in some kind of scanner. Dingus walked up. “Do you think they’ll be able to tell much?”
I replied, “If the crews in this fleet can’t figure it out, I’ll be dang surprised.”
“That’s a fact, Bob. We’ve got some good people working for us, don’t we?”
“Dang fine people. What are we gonna do when they wise up, and figure out they don’t need us?”
“Retire, Bob. That’s what we’re gonna do. Find a nice planet like this one, and retire.”
“I like the sound of that, Dingus, but I don’t know if I’m ever gonna get tired of sailing in the black.”
“You’ve got it bad, Bob.”
“That’s a fact.”
We hung around, poking our noses into the techs’ business all afternoon, but our friend with the fauchard didn’t make another appearance. It got to be suppertime, and I said, “I think I’m gonna head back to the Gene, Dingus. See you tomorrow.”
“See you then, Boss.”
I climbed aboard Taz’s Revenge, and Ace took us up. Our landing didn’t feel like the launch bay, in fact it felt like we had come into the landing bay. I wondered what Ace was up to, but I figured it was better if I played along. I went to the door, and saw an honor guard, but not arranged the regular way. They were spaced about twice as far apart as normal. Curiouser and curiouser. I stepped out of the ship, and it all became clear, when the band cut down on ‘Hand Jive’ and the honor guard started doing the dance. I looked over at the Skipper, and motioned marking him up a point. He nodded, and kept playing. I smiled.
Thanks for sticking with my books. I hope you had as much fun reading as I did writing. I sure would appreciate it if you took the time to leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or anywhere else that strikes your fancy. Thanks to all of you who have started using Amazon’s rating feature, as well. Those huge numbers give me a nice, warm feeling.
Boyd, Jerry, Hand Jive
