Cooperation And Conflict

A Circus of Hells, CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

The period of inter-species cooperation is satisfying although unfortunately brief. Flandry has swapped yarns with Cnif, appreciates his thoughtfulness and reflects:

"You could do worse than pass your life among friends like Cnif and Djana -" (p. 312)

Cnif has stayed in the airbus while the team, including Flandry, observes the Domrath settling into hibernation. If disturbed, the semi-conscious Domrath, currently scarcely aware of their observers, will lash out. They must not be touched or spoken to. Djana, back at Ydwyr's base, calls the bus with an urgent message for Flandry. Cnif, thoughtfully, calls Flandry immediately. Thus, Flandry's communicator says, with Cnif's voice:

"'Dominic Flandry.'" (ibid.)

The team leader urges quiet so Flandry obligingly goes outside. Djana, who has spoken fluent Eriau to Cnif now warns Flandry of imminent danger to himself but in Anglic. Suddenly Flandry is back on a war footing. He must knock out Cnif and hijack the airbus. Unsuspecting, Cnif remains sympathetic. He serves Flandry a drink, strokes him with his tail and agrees to join him in a drink even though on duty. He thinks that Flandry is troubled by the news of Djana's defection to the Roidhunate. Of course, Flandry does not allow himself to become demotivated on account of that or any other bad news. The Merseians, like the Scothani in a later instalment, have a tiger by the tail.