“Have you noticed that the attitude of the females toward you has been different lately?” asked Rodriguez.
“No,” said Brenner. “Have you?”
“I am not sure,” said Rodriguez. “It is something subtle, but I think it is there.”
“I did not even know you could tell them apart,” said Brenner.
“It is not easy,” said Rodriguez.
“I am surprised you didn’t strip a couple of them,” said Brenner.
“I did, the first week in the village,” said Rodriguez.
“No!” said Brenner, horrified.
“They are only Pons,” Rodriguez reminded him.
“You told me nothing of this,” said Brenner, angrily.
“I was not sure you would approve,” said Rodriguez.
“I do not!” said Brenner.
“Why not?” asked Rodriguez.
“It is terrible!” said Brenner.
“It is all in the interest of science,” said Rodriguez.
“You should not have done it,” said Brenner, angrily.
“It is not like removing the clothing of a free female of our own species,” said Rodriguez.
“That is not the point,” said Brenner.
“And even there,” said Rodriguez, “once they understand there are no two ways about it, and feel the lash once or twice, they are quick enough to comply.”
“I see,” said Brenner.
“No longer then do they waste your time.”
“I do not wish to hear this,” said Brenner.
“Surely scientists of other species have seldom hesitated to subject members of our species to such examinations.”
“That is irrelevant,” said Brenner.
“It makes the point about the interests of science,” said Rodriguez. It was true, of course, that the members of Rodriguez and Brenner’s species, as being life forms, were of interest, along with other sorts of species, to various forms of scientist. Members of Rodriguez’ and Brenner’s species, as we have indicated earlier, were usually held in low esteem, and often actually in contempt, throughout the galaxy. There were many reasons for this, which it would be tedious to recount. They were occasionally removed from vessels for purposes of study. On some worlds they were kept as pets. It was not unusual, either, to find them in zoological gardens.
“What did you find?” asked Brenner.
“Minimalistic, but distinctive, sexual differentiation,” said Rodriguez.
“Interesting,” said Brenner.
“It seems almost of a vestigial nature,” said Rodriguez.
“Interesting,” said Brenner.
“You have not noted any difference on the part of the females toward you lately?”
“In maintained distances, or something?” said Brenner.
“In anything,” said Rodriguez.
“No,” said Brenner.
“I am probably mistaken,” said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez and Brenner were now at some distance from the palisade.
Brenner noted that Rodriguez had with him the Naxian rifle, disguised as an optical instrument. That made sense, of course, as they were now in the forest.
“Why are you turning about?” asked Brenner. “I thought we were going southwest?”
“We are going to the northeast,” said Rodriguez.
“To see some pretty rocks?” asked Brenner. He seemed to recall that that was what Rodriguez had wanted to show him.
“Don’t be silly,” said Rodriguez.
“What is it then?” asked Brenner.
“You will see,” said Rodriguez.
Brenner brushed aside a low-hanging lantern fruit.
“Is it far?” asked Brenner.
“No,” said Rodriguez.
“It could have been reached much more easily from the village,” said Brenner.
“Of course,” said Rodriguez.
“I do not like keeping things from the Pons,” said Brenner.
“I have no objection to doing so,” said Rodriguez.
“This is not the way to win their trust.”
“Do not concern yourself,” said Rodriguez. “They are no more capable of trust than a git.”
“I do not believe that,” said Brenner.
“They are sly, sneaky, secretive little bastards,” said Rodriguez.
“No,” said Brenner. “They are simple, innocent, loving, and childlike.”
“And they are thieves,” said Rodriguez.
“But only like children,” said Brenner.
“Or gits,” said Rodriguez.
“If we are going to go this way, we should let them know,” said Brenner.
“Nonsense,” said Rodriguez.
“I do not think this is in the best interests of the study.”
“That may be better judged later,” said Rodriguez.
They continued on their way. Some minutes later, they were northeast of the village.
“What is it you are looking for?” asked Brenner. “There,” said Rodriguez, stopping, pointing. “There it is. I must have passed it a dozen times in the past weeks and not noticed it.”
“Where? What?” asked Brenner.
“There,” said Rodriguez.
“That?” asked Brenner.
“Yes,” said Rodriguez.
“What is its meaning?” asked Brenner.
“I don’t know,” said Rodriguez.
“How far does it go?”
“I don’t know,” said Rodriguez.
“You intend to follow it?”
“Certainly,” said Rodriguez.
“How did you find it?” asked Brenner.
“It became clear to me almost from the first that the Pons did not want me to explore in this direction. Accordingly, I determined to find out why. Again and again I returned to this area, usually, as today, by a circuitous route. I only located this yesterday.”