No smile this time, the burgermeister shook her head side to side. It was fascinating to me that, between two alien species, body language seemed to be universal. No translation needed there. "Perhaps that is a convenient excuse. The true reason is that all of your communications go through a Kristang network. The Kristang monitor every word you say, they capture all your data transmissions, they track your every movement, anywhere on the planet. They can also shut down all of your communications, any time they want. Sergeant Bishop, when you leave here, you will certainly report our conversation to your military intelligence people. I suggest you conduct that conversation in person, rather than over the radio. Unless you want to be overhead by the lizards."

That was all true, I guess. We all did use Kristang comm gear exclusively. But, why not? It was free, it worked great, it saved us from the effort of setting up microwave towers across the planet, and from trying to get American radios to talk to Chinese and Indian radios. Besides, the Kristang were our allies. "Maybe you are right. So what? The Kristang are our allies."

That irritating smile came back. "Allies? Alliances are for equals. The Kristang are your patrons, and you are their client species. Their pets. Or slaves."

"And you are our enemies." I said it before thinking. My mother would not have been happy about that; I was a guest in the hamsters' house, drinking tea, and I was not being polite.

"We have no wish to be your enemy. Please wait for me to speak," she held up a hand, "I can understand if you are angry, there is much you need to know, much the Kristang have not told you, or have lied to you about. My people have known about your species for over a thousand of your years. Our long-range probes found you, and placed stealth satellites in orbit around your planet to observe. Tell me, haven't you wondered why, since this war has been going on for thousands of years, Earth wasn't attacked a long time ago?"

My jaw dropped slightly open. She was right, that had been bugging me, seriously bugging me, and I wasn't the only person who had been asking that question. Why wait to attack now, when humans have nukes? Why not attack long ago, when humans were living in caves, and thinking fire was the pinnacle of technology? It didn't make any sense. The Ruhar weren't stupid, so...? Why? If UNEF HQ knew, they hadn't told me.