"I meant to land up by their city," Voorhis put in, "but we hit some bad winds up in the stratosphere. We got knocked around a bit in the storm, and set down where we could."
"Well, tell me about the details," said Mayne. "I want to get this straight from the start, if I can. By the way, Lieutenant Haruhiku, explain to the chief that a special envoy is on the way, that we want his friendship, and that he will be dealt with fairly."
He waited out the exchange of choppy speech between the pilot and Eemakh.
"He says he is sure he will be fairly dealt with," reported Haruhiku.
"I wonder what he meant by that," murmured Mayne. "If we make a deal here, and thereby with his overlord, will that cover enough territory to be official?"
"As much as you can get together anywhere on this world, sir."
Mayne nodded, then turned to Captain Voorhis.
"Now about this so-called crash?" he prompted.
"Well, there was this storm, like I said. Trouble was we didn't expect to hit it and ... well ... somebody took it in his head to blow some of the fuel tanks for a crash landing. That's why I'm not claimin' anythin' on the fuel," he finished, turning to Melin.
"We are perfectly willing to pay on that item," replied the insurance man.