Plague Ship · Chapter
III: Contact at Last explained
Dane Thorson discovers that a young Salarik is intensely attracted to catnip in the ship's hydro garden.
What happens
Dane Thorson discovers that a young Salarik is intensely attracted to catnip in the ship's hydro garden. He and Mura give the native a few leaves, which the cub takes to the storm priests. The catnip is tested and approved by both Terran and Salarik medical experts, defusing an I-S accusation that the Free Traders introduced a harmful drug. Van Rycke and Jellico continue trading while I-S Cargo-master Kallee is forced to withdraw.
Themes in this chapter
Trade and Commerce
The entire chapter revolves around the negotiation and validation of catnip as a trade good, highlighting the protocols and power dynamics of interstellar commerce.
Science and Medicine
Medic Tau and the storm priest jointly test the catnip, demonstrating the importance of cross-species medical evaluation in trade.
Corporate Power and Rivalry
The I-S company attempts to use trade regulations to sabotage the Free Traders, showcasing corporate competition.
Characters to notice
- Dane Thorson
Discovers the Salarik cub's attraction to catnip and brings the matter to Van Rycke and Tau; later witnesses the I-S confrontation.
- Frank Mura
Steward who grows catnip in the hydro garden and explains its properties to Dane.
- Sinbad
The ship's cat, who reacts strongly to catnip, confirming its appeal to the Salarik.
- Van Rycke
Cargo-master who calmly handles the I-S accusation by invoking Code Four, Article Two and calling on Medic Tau and the storm priest.
- Medic Craig Tau
Confirms the catnip's safety after testing with the storm priests; acts as intermediary in the trade dispute.
- Captain Jellico
Present during the trading and the confrontation with I-S, supporting Van Rycke's actions.
Key passages
“To no alien race shall any Trader introduce any drug, food, or drink from off world, until such a substance has been certified as nonharmful to the aliens.”
Traders are forbidden to give any alien species off-world substances without first proving they are safe.
Dane recalls this regulation when I-S accuses them of violating it.
“Code Four—Article two: Any organic substance offered for trade must be examined by a committee of trained medical experts, an equal representation of Terrans and aliens.”
Trade goods that are organic require a joint medical review by both human and alien experts.
Van Rycke uses this rule to counter I-S's accusation.
“We all off-fire our tubes at times.”
Everyone makes mistakes sometimes.
Tau reassures Dane after the catnip incident.