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trucks as a possible way of getting there. From Santiago it might be easier to
get a commercial flight over the Pacific, perhaps to New Zealand, where
Neville Baxter was, and then return on a regular flight into the Western
Federation, avoiding the politically doubtful areas on the direct line
between. Hudro could perhaps go on from New Zealand to join the Hyadeans with
Krossig in Australia, and work out a new life from there.
That still left the question of how to get them through the populous area
around Lake Titicaca and La
Paz. Someone made a suggestion that brought laughter from some quarters and
ridicule from others. Cade couldn t follow, although Hudro seemed to be able
to. As the noise fell, an old man near the stove began speaking. Miguel moved
closer and translated in a low voice for Cade s benefit. He says the two of
you can t travel together. The American is no problem. It s easy to make you
invisible among the people, even if we have to darken your skin a little. But
how do you hide a blue giant with a face like a rock statue?
At that point, a man in a dark shirt, with straight hair combed forward and a
thick mustache, rose and began talking loudly, pointing a denouncing finger at
Hudro and making appealing gestures to the room.
He was angry and had maybe taken a bit too much wine. The gist was that he
wanted to know why they were talking about helping an alien at all. The aliens
were behind the people who sent planes to destroy their villages, and soldiers
who took their land. He had lost his farm and his son. Why was this alien
here, eating their food and expecting them to save him? Heated words and
admonishments followed, with
Miguel getting involved and hence failing to keep Cade informed. It ended with
the man in the dark shirt stalking from the room.
A clear-skinned boy with deep, dark eyes, probably around fifteen, brought
them back to the subject by reminding everyone that next week would be a time
of festivals and parades, with devil dancers in costumes designed to
exaggerate their height, and masks that covered their heads completely. What
better way could there be to disguise the blue giant?
Hudro said something that brought laughs from all around. What was that?
Cade asked Miguel.
He says does that mean he has to learn to dance too?
A woman pointed out that seeing devil dancers in a parade was one thing, but
how would you explain one out on the highway or halfway across the Altiplano?
Eventually it was conceded that ingenious though the idea was, it had too many
difficulties.
As Cade watched and listened, he contrasted the company to the kind he was
used to at his own parties.
These were just simple, self-sufficient people, asking no more than to live as
they chose and be left alone.
Nobody was coerced or robbed to provide their needs. Dee had said something to
him once about the people who did the really important things, but he hadn t
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understood what she d meant. Now, he did. The people he had known were as
incapable of turning wilderness into food, rocks into a home, plants into a
coat, or a dead tree into a table as they were of levitating. They depended
for their very survival on the knowledge and skills of others. Told that their
comfort and affluence arose from their innate excellence and the free
interplay of market forces, they were happy to accept it. But Cade had seen
what really went on.
As the debate continued, Cade remembered how Vrel had concealed him and Marie
in St. Louis.
Seizing a moment, and using Miguel again as translator, he told everybody, If
somebody is that conspicuous, then instead of trying to hide him, the thing to
do might be to put him out in the open as something everyone would be
expecting to see.
Such as what? Miguel asked.
Would it be possible to get hold of a Hyadean military uniform somehow?
Miguel and I dress as
Bolivian army. We ride through openly in a jeep or something a Hyadean officer
and two Terran troopers. Cade looked around. The idea seemed to have merit.
The uniforms might take some time. . . . Inguinca said finally. He sounded
dubious. And then a suitable vehicle? . . . I don t know. That might be more
difficult still. You would need papers to get gas. . . .
More debate followed. Then a girl that Inguinca had introduced earlier as
Evita, wearing jeans and a red shirt, her hair woven in braids, said, Let me
be the guide who will take them through. There is no problem with the vehicle.
I drive a van for the telephone company, which passes everywhere. Hyadeans
work with the telephone people sometimes when they put in special equipment.
So he can wear his own clothes. Evita nodded toward Cade. The American s
idea is good. Let the Hyadean ride up front with me where everyone can see
him. Hiding him in the back would look suspicious if there was a check.
Miguel and the American come as workmen. When a pretty girl drives, the
soldiers want to be nice guys.
It is the best plan.
Nobody came up with any objection.
Is this van of yours here? Cade asked Evita.
She hesitated for a moment. Yes. . . .
And I assume it would have a phone in it too?
Sure. All the regular phone company equipment.
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