Chanur's Venture Author:C.J. Cherryh IT had cost Pyanfar Chanur plenty to get her papers back in order. Now, docked at Meetpoint for the first time in a year, she was in no mood for socializing, and especially not with the mahendo'sat who had so complicated her life recently-financially and almost fatallly. — Unfortunately, the alien was very glad to see her. — "Got present, hani," h... more »e grinned showing off gold-capped primate fanges, and slapping the captain of The Pride on the back as he propelled her toward his ship. She wanted to resist; this warm reunion was apt to draw unwelcome attention. But since Goldtooth was as close a friend as she had in deep space, she reluctantly allowed him to maneuver her up the ramp-certain that the aforementioned present was going to mean trouble.
She was so right.There in the dark corridor of the alien vessel, a pale apparitioni appeared...a being that looked like nothing in civilized space-with a face pyanfar knew well. It was the human. Tully!
"Friend," he called here, stuffling hard to communicate, and barely able to pronounce the simple hani word. He smelled of filth and fear.
As she tried to reassure him that he was safe for the moment, Pyanfar's mind was racing. Tully was the last thing she needed just now, with Chanur in disgrace and in debt. Rival clans were vying for power at home-a sistuation PYanfar had aggravated by bringing her husband offworld even though hani males were held tobe too emotionally unstable for spaceflight.« less