Touchdown, Touchdown, Rah, Rah, Rah!

“We are the experts in dealing with non-humans,” Nyquist said. “And I suppose I should thank you people. The mess you’ve made will give the UN the leverage to pass legislation that lets us control all business conducted between Earth and Kya. We’ll put a stop to fast-buck artists like Bennett.”

“While you decide what we can and can’t have,” Zelk said. Her floppy ears swiveled back in obvious anger. “Being the wisest creatures in existence, you naturally know more about what’s good for us than we do.”

“No, but we have a certain amount of experience,” Nyquist said, ignoring her sarcasm. “You should try to benefit from it. Good day.”

Elizabeth watched him go, then turned to Zelk. “Is it too late for me to join the bagdrag team?” she asked.

Zelk let out a puzzled gronk. “Why do you ask?”

“Ray suggested I play in the game,” she said. “If the team can field a human player, that may save the contract—and if you’re going to do anything to stop Nyquist, you’ll have to start with that. So is it too late for me to get on the team?”

“Never having had a situation like this before, I can’t say.” Zelk took a long, thoughtful sniff. “The only requirement for joining the team being good grades, you are qualified, so you can play.”

“She’s also a teacher,” Ray said.

“The rules say nothing about that,” Zelk said. “Calling Coach Znayu, I’ll tell him to schedule extra practice sessions for today and tomorrow morning.”

“I’ll get over to the field now,” Elizabeth said.

Ray left with her. “Thanks,” he said. “I’m sorry I sprang that on you so suddenly last night.”

“It’s OK,” she said. “But my playing in one game won’t help much, not if Nyquist is going to run everyone out of town.”

“At least he won’t be able to bankrupt me,” Ray said. “Or Vrekle. But he still wins in the end, damn it.”

“Maybe not,” Elizabeth suggested. “He’s too clever for his own good; maybe he’ll outfox himself. Just remember, it ain’t over until the skinny lady sings.”

They went to the locker room, where Coach Znayu was talking to his assistants. “I know, I know,” he gronked to them. “It smells like the dean’s been sniffing her own breath, but she’s the boss. Get the team together and we’ll do what we can.” He turned to the two humans and sniffed happily. “Congratulations, Shevield! Having spoken with the dean, I scent you’re running with our herd. Let’s get you into a uniform.”

They went to a storage room, where Znayu dug into a heap of uniforms. “This is about the smallest we have,” he said, handing it to Elizabeth. “We’ll lace on some extra pads, so you’ll have more protection.” He peered at her as though looking for any sign of muscle. “The question is, can you handle your part of the bag?”

Elizabeth nodded “Sure, no problem.”

Ray realized what was being said. “You want to put her on the bag?” he asked in dismay. “Can’t you put her in a safer position, like outrunner?”

The coach let out a snort of amusement. “Her? Are you kidding? It takes a year to train a good outrunner. The inner bag-carrier spots are the easiest positions to learn and play—just hold on and follow the leader.”

“Until the other teams break the defensive line.” Ray felt faint. “She’ll get squished.”

Elizabeth looked annoyed. “I love your optimism.”

“I’m not kidding,” he said. “Maybe you’d better back out.”

“And let Vrekle down?” She shook her head. “Besides, I can’t go back to Earth, unless I want to be sick all the damned time. I’d rather go down fighting.”

“I see.” With her allergies to Terran foods, she was better off on Kya. It was one more reason to defeat Nyquist, Ray thought. “You’re sure you can handle the bag position?”

“Don’t worry about me,” Elizabeth said. “Worry about Nyquist. Have you got any ideas on handling him?”

“Just one,” Ray said.

“Well, let’s hear it.”

“I want to ask if you have any ideas.”

* * *

Ray was still looking for ideas that evening when he took her back to the dorm. He realized that he was the only healthy human being on the campus. The students were still sick from last night’s dinner, and Elizabeth was worn out from long hours of bagdrag practice. He nearly had to carry her into her room.

“I’ll be OK tomorrow,” she said. She lay face-down on the bed while Ray massaged her shoulders with liniment. “The bag positions aren’t too bad. I’ve got seven other kya helping with the weight. All I have to do is carry twenty pounds of sand and keep up with them.”

“And keep from getting turned into jelly when the opposing teams charge the bag,” Ray said. When one team had sole possession of the bag, the other two teams would gang together to take it away from them. The play looked like a furry tidal wave.

“That’s why the uniforms have a lot of padding,” she said. “Besides, Vrekle has the best defensive line in the league, so I’ll be safe. ‘Stick together and you can block anything,’ that’s what Coach Znayu says.”