“Then it’ll be all right,” he said with some relief, as he too walked down the hall to his quarters.
Once out of sight, however, he ’ported into Laria’s room. She was curled in a little ball, weeping.
“Oh dear, I was trying not to broadcast,” she said, lifting her head to show her distressed, contorted face. Instantly, he picked her up, sat back down on the bed and arranged her comfortably across his legs, tucking her head under his chin and exuding quantities of sympathy.
I know misery rather well, he said gently.
It’s just that it hit me so unexpectedly. She lifted his free hand to her cheek. I can’t imagine a world without Grandfather and Grandmother there and available to us ... to all of us.
My very dear Laria, there will come a time when we must let them go. Talents do enjoy long lives, long healthy ones, but for even the strongest of us, there comes the day, the hour, the moment when... it just becomes... too much.
They could retire ...
Ha! Kincaid dismissed that with a laugh that bounced her on his chest. One day, dear heart, they simply won’t wake up. They will, however, never suffer the debilities that used to depress and make our ancestors demand the mercy of euthanasia.
But no one gets that sick nowadays, protested Laria, still fighting inwardly against the demise of her beloved grandparents. And her parents. Afra was much older than Damia ...
And he is Capellan, who are known to be indestructible.
But not invulnerable ...
If you’re going to continue to torture yourself with such thoughts, I’m leaving. He made as if to move. She held him there with both hand and Talent, immobile.
Remind me not to try to depart without your full permission, he said with mild reproof. Then, as she immediately lifted the restraint, he put one hand on her belly. Here, love, is the real immortality... the continuance of the genes which made both your grandparents and parents. This is your hope and their eternal renewal. I think such news would be good for them to hear right now.
What if they don’t ...
Approve of me?
I didn’t mean for you to hear that.
Then don’t think so loudly so close to me. He hugged her affectionately, to indicate absolution. The child will be yours, and mine, and Talented. That is the salient fact that will render any minor details superfluous.
Are there any other Talents in your family?
He gave a snort. No, there weren’t.
Flashing through Laria’s mind was a kaleidoscope of punishment scenes, the angry, contorted face of a woman and echoes of voices from Kincaid’s past that gave her a shocking insight into the childhood of a Talent reared by a family which did not approve of nonconformity. She was equally aware that he didn’t know what he had just projected: their minds were more deeply linked than she realized. She wondered if he did, but decided not to mention it.
I do know, he went on, and those childhood flashes faded, that your parents welcomed me without reservation to your home and family. I care more for their good opinion than anyone else’s.
But what if Grand—
Your grandparents are older and wiser than even Afra and certainly you, dear heart. I’d far rather everyone knew and settled that little detail. Now rest. We both need it after the morning that’s... thankfully gone, and this afternoon’s traffic is mercifully light.
They rearranged themselves more comfortably in restful positions, though Laria clung to his arm and nestled as close as she could get to his long body.
It doesn’t matter what earth-shattering things happen, does it? she said almost bitterly. Primes have to man the Towers.
Responsibility, and routine, give you balance too, Laria. I’d rather have them both than be without either. Rest, Laria. You need it after that shork.
And much to her surprise, reassured by his presence, she did.
Flavia equably received the news directly from Earth Prime that Zara was required immediately by Prime Elizara. Jeff Raven said that orders were coming for Captain Soligen and her attendant ships to leave orbit around Talavera and proceed to the system that contained Ciudad Rodrigo.
“Earth Prime would like myself” and Flavia placed a hand on her chest—“with Rojer”—she paused to grin at Captain Vestapia Soligen—“and Asia, with whatever other team members and security personnel we need, to do a survey of that Hiver-occupied planet. We must gather the usual samples for comparative examination.”
Captain Soligen frowned, obviously rapidly running through who else should go with the Talents.
“Earth Prime is sending Thian’s report on his surface ventures ...” Flavia paused. “I believe the confirmatory message tube has just come in. Let us do without that dreadful Dr. Esperito, if we can. Wayla Gregarian should accompany us as science officer and Yakamasura and possibly Rosenery Mordmann, plus whatever team Kwan Keiser-Tau feels is necessary to protect us.”
“I think I’d like to come along too,” Vestapia said.
“Me too,” said Rhodri Eagles, rapping belatedly on the half-open door. He had a message tube in his hand. “This is, I believe, for you.” He handed it to Flavia, grinning with his usual insouciance. “You wouldn’t dream of leaving me out of the expedition, now would you?”
Flavia grinned at the captain’s bemused expression.
“None of us would, Roddie. After all, you’ve had more personal experience with queens than any of us,” Flavia said.
When Zara was told of her reassignment, she was excited to be asked to work with Elizara again, but there were no specifics for her of what that work entailed among the many contained in the message tube. There were certainly enough recordings and readings from the Washington as guidelines for the Ciudad Rodrigo landing team.
“Well, at least I’m not being yanked out of here and dumped where I’m going, as Rojer was,” Zara said with a slight grimace of exasperation.
“Then we’ll have time for a farewell party on Talavera,” Flavia said, pleased. She loved swimming in the lake—careful, though, not to swallow too much water.
Yeah, but who’s Grandfather got to manage my Tower?” Rojer demanded, incensed.
Don’t fret. Asia’s coming with you, Zara said placatingly.
She has to come with me. Wherever I go. He snarled when he heard Zara’s mental sigh. Don’t come over all sisterly on me, Zara.
Stop treating her like a child.
I’ll court her my own way, with no help from you.
Just so long as she knows she’s being courted, was Zara’s tart reply.
Whaddya mean by that?
If you can’t figure it out by yourself... Oh, never mind. Grandfather’s sending three T-3’s for the ‘porting and a pair for the ’pathing and older experienced T-5’s as expediter and engineer. I’d say that needing five to replace you is a compliment, Roj.
Well, I have brought all the big heavy stuff in with my team.
Stop grousing.
Stop nagging.
CHILDREN! Flavia’s cool soprano interrupted their wrangling.
“I think it’s a compliment that so many are needed to replace you, Roj,” Asia said when Rojer came into the lounge, still frowning over that exchange.
“Am I leaving too?” Jes Ornigo asked.
“Yes, it’ll be almost a complete new crew,” Rojer said, looking at Asia, cool and-pretty in a one-piece of a particularly nice shade of green that ended at her knees. She had cute knees. He shook his head impatiently at being diverted from the more important news. “My grandfather wouldn’t dare separate you and Flavia,” he said, grinning at the droll glance Jes gave him. “There’re two experienced T-5’s as expediter and engineer and we’re to break in our replacements.”
“Does Dr. Esperito get to go to Ciudad Rodrigo?” Asia asked, her expression anxious. Her inherent shyness had made her one of the few who didn’t just leave the doctor. He endlessly pontificated to anyone he could catch.
Rojer laughed. “No. He stays!”
“T
hat’s a relief,” Jes and Asia said in unison.
“So when do our replacements get here?” Jes asked.
As soon as you lot stop gossiping and get to your couches, said the unmistakable voice of their grandfather. I’m waiting ...
“Hold your horses,” Zara murmured under her breath as she and Rojer ’ported themselves into position. Asia had darted to her generators, and when they were needed, they sang sweetly in use.
From the large personnel carrier emerged seven people, including a man in his sixth decade who was the expediter and had been drafted from Blundell Building. The engineer, a younger man, had also been at Blundell and was clearly delighted with what he saw of his new Tower.
The T-3 kinetics were twin brothers and a sister from one of the western Denebian clans that even Rhodri had never met. They were just out of their teens and eager to prove their abilities. The ‘paths, Andy and Ivy Dumas, were in their early twenties but obviously already partnered, and they had ’Dini pairs.
“Sorry to rush you into work right away,” Rojer-said, not the least bit apologetic, “but we’ve some afternoon deliveries and that’ll give you some practice while we’re still here.”
“You’re leaving soon?” asked one of the twins. Rojer didn’t stay long enough to know if it was Scott or Stuart who spoke: they were almost identical. Their sister, Sara, was only a year younger and looked enough like them to have been a triplet. The T-5 expediter was from Capella and was known to Jes Ornigo, Flavia and Mallen. Mal was to stay on at Talavera to help the new group settle in.
“No rest for the wicked, you know,” Zara said, indicating that it was her brother who was wicked, then grinned when Asia stepped to Rojer’s side supportively.
“We’ve another assignment, but most of the heavy stuff’s been brought in,” Rojer said, pointing to the settlements so obviously built of prefabricated sections. “If you’ve been trained at Blundell, you’ll do just fine. And the Columbia—and us,” and he indicated Flavia and tapped his chest, “are only a thought away.”
Ivy Dumas rolled her eyes at that oft repeated Talent reminder, thus recommending herself to Rojer.
“So let’s hit the Tower ... gang,” Rojer said, rubbing his hands together. “Oh, Mal, see if we can rustle up more couches. We can use comformables from the lounge right now, but a good couch is essential for everyone on duty in a Tower.”
The comformables had appeared on the Tower floor by the time Rojer led the five newcomers up the stairs.
Thanks, sis, he said, since he suspected she had done the ’porting.
Happy to oblige.
The two ’paths hadn’t caught that exchange, but then they hadn’t been included.
Asia was already explaining the vagaries of the Talavera generators to the engineer when the Tower group took their places.
Rojer let the five follow him on a ’port of some faulty units back to Betelgeuse, introducing the new Tower staff to David, and then let the three kinetics bring in some medium-heavy shipments from Procyon, again introducing them to the Tower Prime. By the time Altair had fresh produce and nursery plants to send, Scott, Stuart and Sara were much more at ease and Rojer backed off completely. A shower of the inevitable message tubes startled all of them, but Rojer explained that most message tubes could be sent the entire way by the deliverer and this would happen frequently.
They’ll do, was Zara’s verdict.
They’re too tense.
They’re brand-new at it, Flavia said. And Mallen’s there to lend a hand. I’ll bring down the caterers and the others from the Columbia, she added. I’m in the mood for a good party. As a rule, we don’t get much chance to celebrate reassignments.
Grandfather’s way of making all this shuffling palatable, Rojer replied, but he wasn’t opposed to a party. It might even give him the chance he’d been waiting for.
For Pete’s sweet sake, don’t wait any longer.
Flavia’s advice surprised Rojer. She usually minded her own business. But she’d been aboard the Columbia with Asia long enough to know how young and shy Asia was, how easily intimidated. Why, she wouldn’t even brush off old Esperito when he was boring her with his latest observations, usually at the top of his voice as well as his mind.
The four new ’Dinis of Ivy and Andy had been made very welcome and were delighted to help in the yard. They were quite young and a sort of greeny gray. There were no others of their color on Talavera, but the grays said they were close enough to join their house.
Someone had brought out lights for the Tower yard where the Columbia’s caterers set up their food dispensers. ’Dinis appeared with chairs and tables gathered from the personnel quarters as well as their own homes. Mal and Jes, with the help of the twins, lit a path in orange to the lake and along the shore. Vestapia and her senior officers had been invited, but no one said a word to Esperito about the upcoming surface investigation of Ciudad Rodrigo.
“He’s lonely, you know,” Asia said when Rojer had for the fourth time that night taken her away from Esperito. The old xeno had immediately seized on the old expediter as a listener who was considerate enough to take on the role.
“Small wonder,” Rojer said. “Why didn’t you just invent an errand you’d forgotten?” he demanded, waving his hand about. “Or remember a message. Or go to the bathroom.”
“I can’t keep using the same excuses all the time, Roj,” Asia said meekly, her head down.
“Now, I don’t mean that as criticism, Asia,” Rojer said, realizing that one of her more sterling qualities was her innate kindness and forbearance. He reached for her hand, and her fingers curled about his in acknowledgment.
They continued along the orange-lit path in a darkness that was already boasting some night insect sounds.
“Sounds a bit like Deneb,” he added, and daringly put his arm about her shoulders. She was so light-boned. The perfume she was wearing was floral. Pheromones of a pleasant sort.
“Yes, it does.” She grinned up at him. “Makes all that hard ’porting worth it, doesn’t it?”
“It does.”
Rojer swung them back to look at the Tower in its illumination.
“You’re not going to miss it, are you, Roj?” Asia asked, astonished.
“I am. Sort of. I think. We set it all up, from scratch.”
“You’ve not worried about our assignment on Ciudad Rodrigo?”
“Me? Worried about Hiver queens? Never,” he said, with such vehemence that she recoiled. But he caught her back, pulling her into both arms. “Are you?” He knew she didn’t like slithers, but queens were definitely not slithers. Although Thian had mentioned something scuttling over his feet ...
“If I’m with you, I’m never scared.”
He looked down at her face, shadowed so that she looked older, mysterious. He wanted very much to kiss her.
Then why don’t you? Zara said in exasperation.
“What’s the matter, Rojer?” Asia asked, and anxiety flickered across her face, making her his dear young Asia again.
Not that young, Rojer. This time it was Flavia who was chiding him.
Both of you, get out of my head and my space and let me do my own courting.
Then do it! the two Primes said in a chorus of disgust. You’re the one who’s shy now.
“I know that look,” Asia said, her voice no longer soft and yielding. “You’re ’pathing, and just when we’re in the most romantic setting we’re ever likely to have for the next few months. Sometimes, Rojer Lyon, you can be the most exasperating of men.” She gave his shoulders a shake and then, standing on her tiptoes, reached up and pulled his head down to hers, kissing him soundly and far more thoroughly than he thought his Asia should know how to kiss.
Well, it’s about time!
Rojer ignored the snide telepathed whisper and later couldn’t remember who had spoken, because he and Asia were responding to each other in a passionate embrace. With their emotions awakened and reinforced by mutual desire, Asia ’pathed to him for
the first time ... a far firmer voice than her audible one.
Your room or mine?
“Asia!” He broke off the kiss to stare down at her, not that that wasn’t what he had in his mind.
Believe me, Rojer Lyon, I’m grown-up enough!
Where did my shy Asia go?
She got tired of waiting, Rojer Lyon.
Thian woke, gasping for breath, stunned by a dream so terrible that he clung to Gravy beside him.
“Whatever’s the matter. Thian? Oh, Lordy, look how Mur and Dip are thrashing about. They’ll hurt themselves ...”
Gravy was as fast to assist the two writhing creatures as Thian.
“I just had the most awful dream, Thian,” she said, holding Mur to her and stroking it, thinking reassurance as hard as she could. “Freezing. Choking.”
Thian was doing much the same to Dip.
“Let’s surround them.” He rearranged himself and Gravy so the two ’Dinis were on their laps, Human arms making a safe cage about the shuddering, quivering bodies.
“Whatever can have happened?”
Rame, Clancy, Lea, how many ’Dinis on board are having nightmares? Thian broadcast to the entire complement of the Washington.
His com unit started buzzing and the panel at the workstation in the lounge was announcing urgent in-ship messages.
The replies were all the same and came from all parts of the ship where Humans had ’Dini friends. As abruptly as it started, the convulsions ended. Whimpering, the ’Dinis were coaxed back to sleep, but only when they were held tightly by their Humans.
Thian thought to check with Captain Spktm of the KSTS.
WHATEVER IT WAS, IT WAS WIDESPREAD, THN. BAD DREAMS FOR THOSE ASLEEP. FOR US AWAKE, THE MOST HIDEOUS THOUGHTS OF TERROR, COLD, CHOKING. IT IS OVER. WE ARE ON DUTY. WE WILL TAKE RESTORATIVE DRINK.
That was not good enough for Thian. Not when the “bad dreams” were reported on every Human ship with ’Dinis in their crews and on all the ’Dini vessels.
Rojer, you had any trouble there? Thian ’pathed to his brother on the Columbia, en route to Ciudad Rodrigo.
The Tower and the Hive Page 20
