Cubs of the Wolf | Page 5

their origin, because they have been wanderers for so many generations
among alien races. Perhaps it would be a good idea to make a study of
them, too--I don't know that a thorough one has ever been made."
"That's what I wanted to warn you about," said Fothergill, smiling.

"Stick to one subject at a time. The Ids would make a nice research
project in themselves, and maybe you can get around to it eventually.
But leave them alone for the present and don't become distracted from
your basic project among the Markovians. The policy of the Corning
Foundation is to demand something very definite in return for the
money they lay on the line. You won't get to go back next year unless
you produce. That's why I don't want you to get sidetracked in any
way."
II
Cameron admitted to himself that he was getting more edgy as the day
of departure approached, but he tried to keep Joyce from seeing it. He
was worried about the possible development of further opposition now
that the Markovian had expressed his displeasure, and he was worried
about their reception once they reached the Nucleus. He wondered why
they had not seen in advance that it would be an obvious blunder to let
the Markovians be aware of their real purpose. It didn't even require a
pirate ancestry to make groups unappreciative about resurrection of
their family skeletons.
But no other hindrance appeared, and on the evening before their
departure Fothergill called that word had been received from Ebbing
stating the Markovian representative had approved the visit now that
Cameron had expressed a change in his objectives. Their coming had
been announced to the Markovian people and the way prepared for an
official welcome.
Cameron was pleased by the change of attitude. He was hit for the first
time, however, by the full force of the fact that he was taking his bride
to a pirate center which the Council had never overthrown and which
was active only moments ago, culturally speaking.
If any kind of trouble should develop the Council would be almost
impotent in offering them assistance. On the face of it, there was no
reason to expect trouble. But the peculiarly oblique opposition of the
Markovian delegate in the Council continued to make him uneasy.

His tentative suggestion that he would feel better if he knew she were
safe on Earth brought a blistering response from Joyce, which left him
with no doubts about carrying out his original plans.
And then, as the last of their packing was completed and they were
ready to call it a day, the phone buzzed. Cameron hesitated, determined
to let it go unanswered, then punched the button irritably on audio only.
Instead of the caller, he heard the voice of the operator. "One moment
please. Interstellar, Transpace, printed. Please connect visio."
It was like a shock, he thought afterwards. There was no one he knew
who could be making such a call to him. But automatically he did as
directed. Joyce had come up and was peering over his shoulder now.
The screen fluttered for a moment with polychrome colors and cleared.
The message, printed for English translation, stood out sharply. Joyce
and Cameron exclaimed simultaneously at the titling. It was from
Premier Jargla, Executive Head of the Markovian Government.
"To Wilder, Cameron and Joyce," it read, "greetings and appreciation
for your proposed visit to the Markovian Nucleus for study of our
history and customs. We have not been before so honored. We feel,
however, that it is an imposition on your Foundation and on you
personally to require that you make the long journey to the Nucleus for
this purpose alone. While we would be honored to entertain you--"
It was the same proposition as Ebbing had reported the delegate offered.
Only this time it was from the head of the Markovian government
himself.
They sat up nearly all the rest of the night considering this new
development. "Maybe you shouldn't go, after all," said Joyce once.
"Maybe this is something that needs bigger handling than we can
possibly give it."
Cameron shook his head. "I've got to go. They haven't closed the door
and said we can't come. If I backed out before they did, I'd be known
the rest of my life as the guy who was going to crack the Markovian

problem. But I'd much rather you--"
"No! If you're going, so am I."
* * * * *
They consulted again with Fothergill and finally drafted as polite a
reply as possible, explaining they were newly married, desired to make
the trip a honeymoon excursion primarily and conduct an investigation
into Markovian culture to prevent the waste of the wonderful
opportunity their visit would afford them.
An hour before takeoff