15. Terra Nova

Such a reminder of Earth was an unfortunate name for the settlement, and no one admitted responsibility. But it was slightly more glamorous than ‘base camp’, and was quickly accepted.

The complex of prefabricated huts had shot up with astonishing speed — literally overnight. It was Tarna’s first demonstration of Earthpersons — or rather Earth robots — in action, and the villagers were hugely impressed. Even Brant, who had always considered that robots were more trouble than they were worth, except for hazardous or monotonous work, began to have second thoughts. There was one elegant general-purpose mobile constructor that operated with such blinding speed that it was often impossible to follow its movements. Wherever it went, it was followed by an admiring crowd of small Lassans. When they got in its way, it politely stopped whatever it was doing until the coast was clear. Brant decided that this was exactly the kind of assistant he needed; perhaps there was some way he could persuade the visitors…

By the end of a week, Terra Nova was a fully functioning microcosm of the great ship orbiting beyond the atmosphere. There was plain but comfortable accommodation for a hundred crewmembers, with all the life-support systems they needed — as well as library, gymnasium, swimming pool, and theatre. The Lassans approved of these facilities, and hastened to make full use of them. As a result, the population of Terra Nova was usually at least double the nominal one hundred.

Most of the guests — whether invited or not — were anxious to help and determined to make their visitors’ stay as comfortable as possible. Such friendliness, though very welcome and much appreciated, was often embarrassing. The Lassans were insatiably inquisitive, and the concept of privacy was almost unknown to them. A ‘Please Do Not Disturb’ sign was often regarded as a personal challenge, which led to interesting complications…

“You’re all senior officers and highly intelligent adults,” Captain Bey had said at the last staff conference aboard ship. “So it shouldn’t be necessary to tell you this. Try not to get involved in any — ah — entanglements until we know exactly how the Lassans think about such matters. They appear very easygoing, but that could be deceptive. Don’t you agree, Dr Kaldor?”

“I can’t pretend, Captain, to be an authority on Lassan mores after so short a period of study. But there are some interesting historical parallels, when the old sailing-ships on Earth put to port after long sea voyages — I expect many of you have seen that classic video antique, Mutiny on the Bounty.”

“I trust, Dr Kaldor, that you’re not comparing me to Captain Cook — I mean Bligh.”

“It wouldn’t be an insult; the real Bligh was a brilliant seaman, and most unfairly maligned. At this stage, all we need are common sense, good manners — and, as you indicated, caution.”

Had Kaldor looked in his direction, Loren wondered, when he made that remark? Surely it was not already so obvious…

After all, his official duties put him in contact with Brant Falconer a dozen times a day. There was no way he could avoid meeting Mirissa — even if he wished to.

They had never yet been alone together, and had still exchanged no more than a few words of polite conversation. But already, there was no need to say anything more.