Kraich

The Rebel Worlds, IV.

I said here that governor Aaron Snelund's apparent concern was a dramatic performance. Sure enough, when Snelund, smiting his chair arm, declaims:

"'No negotiation with a traitor!'" (p. 35)

- Flandry reflects, "How dramatic..." (ibid.)

After Flandry's interview with Snelund, the company of two xenos is very welcome. In a rooming house in Catawrayannis, Flandry's executive officer, Rovian of Ferra:

"...shared his kennel with a betentacled hulk from an unpronounceable planet. The hulk reeked of exuded hydrogen sulfide but was personally decent enough; among other sterling qualities, it did not know the Eriau language. It rippled on its bunk when Flandry entered, mushed an Anglic greeting, and returned to contemplation of whatever it contemplated.

"Rovian stretched all six limbs and yawned alarmingly. 'At last!' he said. 'I thought I would rot.'" (p. 38)

 

We are told that the rooming house's clientele are "...mostly nonhumans: unchoosy ones." (ibid.)

 

Mostly: it follows that a few very unchoosy human beings do share lodgings with beings like the hulk and the Ferran. Flandry, who has just come from the governor's palace with its live-fur carpet, moving sculptures, incense and music must sit on the floor because there are no chairs and must smoke a cigarette to cover the stench. However, this company is more acceptable than Snelund's. Rovian converses exactly like a man albeit while addressing Flandry in the principle Merseian language.

Because they are speaking Eriau, when the alert Ferran pounces on something that Flandry says, the latter responds, "'Kraich.'" (p. 39) OK, what does it mean?

"Faintly from outside came traffic rumble and an occasional raucous cry." (ibid.)

Plausible background details are always with us. There is a whole city out there.