“GREAT PLEASURE TO SERVE WITH YOU AGAIN, CAPTAIN SPKTM,” both Rojer and Thian said to the large ’Dini, to whom their friends were making proper obeisance.
“THIS ONE ASKED FOR YOU, THN, RJR. WITH YOUR HELP WE WILL OVERCOME,” Captain Spktm replied, bending its poll eye in a complimentarily flattering fashion.
“Prime Thian, you will notice a few friendly faces have followed me to the Washington, but we’ll leave that until dinner, when we’ve made the initial push,” Ashiant went on.
He can’t wait, can he? Rojer said in private amusement to his brother.
Nor can we, added Earth Prime. Work now, play later, boys.
Another carrier was deposited in the cradle beside theirs. Clancy Sparrow sprang out, repeating the traditional request to board. Ashiant welcomed him and Clancy’s ’Dinis made their courtesies to Spktm.
As Captain Ashiant nodded to ratings standing nearby to handle the duffels of the new arrivals, he gestured for the Talents to follow him and Captain Spktm, Clancy bringing up the rear.
“You’ll want to learn the intricacies of the Washington’s many decks and facilities, Primes…” and he gave Thian a long look.
“I was afraid you’d hold that against me forever, Captain Ashiant,” Thian said with a broad grin.
“Well, it made naval history,” and Ashiant turned to Rojer. “Has your brother ever told you how much protocol he shattered the first hour he was aboard my old command?”
“Sir, you should have heard what Dad had to say about it, and he’s not even Navy,” Rojer said mendaciously but with a broad smile.
“It’s good to know you will not try to outdo him.”
“Me, sir, no, sir. That’s not what I do best.”
“And what do you do best, Prime Rojer?”
“Classified, sir.”
Ashiant regarded Rojer with the same cynical look he had once leveled at Thian.
“I see that this trip is going to be instructive…for all of us,” and there was warning in that mild remark.
There was only the one short walk to a turbo-lift and then another dog-leg down a carpeted corridor clearly in officer territory before Ashiant stopped at a double door, guarded by two marines who immediately braced to attention.
“These accommodations were specifically designed for the use of Talents, Primes, so if you’ll press the palms…” and Ashiant nodded to the security pad. Thian, Rojer and Clancy laid their hands on it.
“Sir, you will need access, too,” Thian said, “she’s your ship.”
Ashiant nodded and placed his palm on the pad as well. “I appreciate the courtesy.”
Then Thian pressed once again and the double doors slid apart. With considerably more poise than they were inwardly feeling, the young men walked into a large lounge, the captains following.
“This is sinfully luxurious,” Thian said, glancing around at the appointments of the room. Doors, slightly ajar on either side of the lounge, showed sleeping accommodations, but there were two doors in front of them that were not open, and one set catercornered on the left-hand side.
Now Ashiant strode across the lounge. “This,” and he opened it with a palm pressed to the door’s pad, “is your Washington Tower, if you will, and this,” he opened the second room, “a ready room, while that,” and now he pointed to the catercornered one, “is the access corridor to the bridge. So you’re right on top of everything.”
“This is all much more than we had any right to expect, Captain,” Thian said, making a bow of appreciation.
“Earth Prime’s orders,” Ashiant replied with an expressionless face, which altered to a smiling one. “No more than you deserve for the services you supply an entire fleet. If you’ll assemble the rest of the team you have aboard immediately,” and he gestured to the intercom system in the Tower room, “we can get going.”
“Right, sir,” Thian said.
“Just leave those duffels there, lads,” Clancy said as the ratings arrived with their luggage.
“If you’ll proceed to the bridge, sir,” Thian added, opening that door, “we’ll organize the advance. Oh, sir, who’s the Washington’s engineering officer?”
Ashiant regarded him with surprise. “Tikele, of course.” He pointed to the screen. “When you’ve the chance, check the roster. I brought as many of my officers with me as I could.”
Captain Spktm followed Ashiant, murmuring that it would join its own ship when the Primes were free to ’port it there.
“Rojer can oblige you right now, sir, as I imagine you’d prefer to be on the LSTS on her jump,” Thian said, giving his first order in his new position.
“Sure can, Captain, if you will be good enough to return to the hangar and your carrier,” Rojer said, and strode to the Tower room. Boy, have we landed in gravy, bro?
WHAT? And Thian ’ported in beside Rojer, peering around the place.
Enough nonsense! said Earth Prime, his tone slightly peevish.
Rojer slid onto the couch beside him, which happened to have been made to his height so he settled comfortably in it. Clancy and Thian took two of the remaining six couches and settled themselves.
As soon as Rojer had ’ported the Mrdini captain to its Constellation-class ship, Thian took him into the merge, then Clancy, and announced the merge’s readiness to proceed.
First came Jeff Raven, assuming the focus position while the Rowan slipped in right beside him. Sublimated in her mind, Thian recognized Flavia, Zara, Asia, the undistinguishable current complement of both the Blundell Cube and Callisto Tower, then the familiar touches of his parents arrived, Laria and Kincaid, David of Betelgeuse, the T-2s of Altair, Capella and Procyon Primes, his Uncle Jeran and Aunt Ceran and even the only faintly familiar touch of his Uncle Ezro on Vega…and other Talents as the teleportation force gathered more strength than it had ever before had and launched the immense bulk of the Washington in a long-drawn breath to where the tiny mote of the Maine patiently followed the strong ion traces of a Hive sphere’s course.
Then one by one, the other vessels—two Constellation class, four of the Galaxy and four destroyers—were ’ported fluently to take their assigned positions in the fleet. Despite the restrictions of the merge, Thian activated the forward screens in their Tower room and saw, no longer quite a mote, but decidedly small in comparison, the lean shape of the Maine. He wondered if her crew were aware of their mighty neighbors but he was too integral to the merge to inquire.
Abruptly, most of the merge, having acquitted their part of this gargantuan transportation, disengaged. Only the Earth-Callisto element remained.
Thian, you can tell the Maine now, that merge said, that they are relieved of their duty. The merge was amused. Captain’s name is Bremerton.
Still elated by the contact with so many energies, Thian had no trouble making the contact. Bremerton’s mind was wide open with the relief he was experiencing at the arrival of his replacements.
Eleven ships at once? was Bremerton’s half-stunned, half-exultant response. Thian had the distinct impression of sudden physical movement along with peripheral mental jolts of relief and joy. Oh, my God, you are. Fleet’s here! Look lively. Fleet’s here. Open a channel to the Washington, Sparks. We’re about to be relieved!
Captain Bremerton, we can ’port you back to Base as soon as you’re ready, Thian said. Though I hate to rush you, sir, the merge is on-line and waiting.
Clancy was nearest those controls so he cut on the bridge screen. Despite a crisply neat shipsuit, the tired face of a relatively young captain was visible on the Washington’s main com screen, saluting smartly.
“Clark Bremerton, Captain Ashiant, and my respects.” His face developed a broad smile comprised of respect, awe and amazement. “I’m sending my log over for your records but I can’t say that anything unusual has happened, sir. No deviation is noted in the ion trail since the split-up three weeks ago and the Hiver we’re following hasn’t altered speed.”
“Good work, Captain. I won’t keep you as
I imagine you, the crew and the Maine are looking forward to home.”
“Indeed we are, sir,” was the heartfelt response.
“Your log’s been transferred. On your way, Maine.”
Ashiant saluted smartly and the salute was being returned by an obviously grateful Bremerton when his image on the forward screen faded.
“Your turn, Primes,” Ashiant said into the chair com.
And about time. Thian heard the unmistakable voice of his grandmother Rowan. All this naval pomp and circumstance is time-consuming.
Thian felt the pressure of the merge in his mind and the Maine disappeared. So did the constriction of the merge. Beside him, Rojer gave an exaggerated sigh of relief while Clancy stretched until his sinews cracked.
“Do we know where we are?” Clancy asked.
“Since I’m the engineer,” Rojer began and slipped off the couch and over to the console. It was so shiningly new, not so much as a scratch on any surface but, it was also familiar, and he had their main screen showing the vista before them: an expanse of stars of all variations in color and pulsation.
“Far, far away from every star we know and recognize,” was Clancy’s thoughtful comment.
All three were startled at a discreet rap on the door.
“Come in.”
“Lieutenant Senior Grade Greevy reporting for duty, Primes, and I’ve taken the liberty of ordering peppers for you.”
Alison Anne was appropriately solemn-faced as she advanced with the tray of tall drinks which she presented first to Thian, managing a sly wink before she served his brother and Clancy.
“Good thinking, Lieutenant, and congratulations,” Thian said formally, then grinned. “Alison’s taken courses in ’Dini health care, Rojer, Clancy…”
“Yes, while waiting for you to perform your first duties,” Greevy said, still very much in a dignified naval attitude, “I’ve had the chance to meet all your ’Dinis. So has Commander Kloo…”
“Rame’s here?” Rojer cried and, careful not to slop the drink from his glass, he made his way to the lounge, where Semirame Kloo snapped him a salute before her face broke into a proud and grateful grin.
“I can’t thank you guys enough. Del Falco turned pissant with a vengeance when you skivved off,” she said, “which made him difficult enough until Clancy was yanked off, too. When the Admiral discovered his destination, the shit really got recirculated. I was clenching my teeth in expectation of where he’d land next when I got my orders. I don’t think anyone’s ever cleared the Phobos Base as fast as I did. And to the Washington, of all assignments! D’you guys have any idea how many people hate my guts now?”
“And we don’t bloody care,” Clancy said, swinging Semirame up and around before he put her down on her feet again.
Still grinning, she pulled her tunic straight, because she was wearing the same formal uniform that the medic was.
“Then you’ve already been on the Washington a week?” Thian asked. When she nodded, still grinning, he asked who else Ashiant had brought of his Vadim officers.
“I haven’t met even half my own watch yet,” Rame said, “but I know for sure he brought his engineering officer, Yuri Tikele, Ailsah Vandermeer as first officer and Commander Fadh Ah Min as weapons, plus quite a few of the Vadim’s chief petty officers, too.”
“Not his number one? Commander Germys?”
Rame grinned. “He got booted up to captain on the Vadim.”
“Commander Exeter’s here in sick bay,” Alison Greevy said, “and we’ve a Mrdini unit, because this is a mixed crew, and I’m liaison.” She added that with a grin of pride.
I always said you were cleverer than you knew, Greevy, Thian said.
And you kept your promise.
Only because you added an element that made it absolutely possible.
With due ceremony, Rame then handed a disk to Thian. “I’m told you’re officially the head of the Talent facility, Prime Thian, and I personally received this from Earth Prime Raven with instructions to give it into your keeping. It’s for you three only: a listing of all the Talents in this fleet. A handful are known to their superiors as possessing some Talent, but they’re mostly higher than the grade they’re listed as. Some have come aboard in minor capacities with T-2 and T-3 qualifications. I respectfully suggest that you either ’port them to this lounge privately or allow me or Lieutenant Greevy to make contact. A code word for all Talents to open their minds to you has been set up throughout the Fleet. That’s in the orders, too, and every one of us has been primed to response, though Earth Prime told me that we don’t know what the word is.
“On an open frequency, the code word ‘Saki’ will alert us to be on guard, for you and whoever else is named after that code.”
“Now,” and Alison took a step forward, “peppers not withstanding, Misters Prime, or is that Prime Misters, or what?”
“I’m not a Prime,” Clancy said with a grin.
“In here, we’re informal, but if you’ve got to use titles, Prime’ll do,” Thian said.
Alison cocked her head slightly. “I heard—scuttlebutt, mind you—that you got captain’s rank.”
“I,” Thian responded with a broad smirk, “was told that, humble civilians though all Talents are, T-1s are considered as holding a rank similar to that of a ship’s captain.”
“But that doesn’t mean we’re captains,” Rojer said, finishing the explanation.
“So a T-2 like me would be equal to a lieutenant commander?” Clancy asked.
Thian shrugged. “Why not?”
“You did well…Clarence,” Semirame Kloo said, arching her eyebrows.
“I’ve got the Talent, kid.”
“What I started to say,” Alison began in a stern tone, “is that peppers notwithstanding, you Primes have a captains’ dinner tonight, and that’s captains plural plus all first officers so that’s a mess of people. So you Primes get some rest. That was a big push you just made. Even Rame and I felt it, didn’t we?” She looked toward the shorter commander for verification and got an answering grin.
“We’re fine,” Rojer said negligently.
“That’s because you’ve never been to a captains’ dinner, coz,” said Clancy and glanced around at the half-open door. “Which is mine?”
Rame shrugged. “Whichever—since you’re informal here.”
“Haven’t you…” and Clancy stopped, gesturing vaguely at the room doors.
She shook her head. “I’m quartered nearby but Alison’s down in sick bay. Now, you guys sack out! C’mon or they’ll never stop talking.”
Greevy managed one more sly wink at Thian as the door slid shut behind her.
“Eeney, meeney, miney mo!” and Rojer’s finger ended up pointing at the middle door on the port side of the lounge.
Thian grabbed his duffel and made for the top room on the other side as Clancy made for the nearest starboard one.
Thian noted with approval that this was a proper bedroom, though there were storage units under the double bed, and wardrobes, as well as private shower and toilet. He didn’t feel fatigued at all until he had dutifully lain down. Almost as if there’d been a subliminal command, he fell instantly and deeply asleep.
CHAPTER
SEVEN
THE captain’s captains’ dinner was every bit as formal as Thian, Rojer and Clancy dreaded. Captain Ashiant made good use of their fluency and acquaintanceship with Mrdinis and each had a ’Dini on either side. Opposite them were Humans and it was permissible to talk across the table from time to time.
Captain Ashiant sat at the head of the table, with Spktm, now captain of ’Dini Constellation LSTS, on his right and Thian on Spktm’s right with the ’Dini first officer, Mgl, from the Galaxy KLTL as his other partner. Rojer was across from his brother with the ’Dini Galaxy-class commander, Ktpl of the KLTS, on one side and AS LSTS’s first officer, Tlpl, on the other. All four ’Dinis were quite conversable so there was no problem for the brothers. They both ’pathed messages of
encouragement to Clancy who was seated at the bottom of the table between the ’Dini destroyer captain and a Galaxy-class number one. But Clancy was also seated across from one of the three women, a very attractive commander. The captain of the destroyer Athene was seated beyond Rojer and the third woman, another first officer, was beyond Thian by two places. Clancy quipped back that he was better off than they.
The food was good and each species treated to specialties designed to satisfy different palates. The wines were excellent and Spktm obviously relished the yellow beverage it was served, though the first officer, Tlpl, drank only water.
The dinner went on and on, with numerous courses, and much conversational time between each. Then Thian began to appreciate the ulterior motive of such a lengthy and seemingly formal affair. By the end of it, every one of the top-ranking officers had had a chance to assess each other, and the Primes, either by direct conversation or by observation.
When the final course of savories had been finished, and after-dinner beverages had been replenished, the stewards withdrew, the double doors swooshing shut, and Captain Ashiant rose.
“Captains, Primes and commanders, while we are still far enough away from the Hivers’ objective, wherever that may be,” Ashiant began, and received a few chuckles, “I suggest that you take advantage of the lull to personally inspect the new facilities aboard the Washington. I know that the two Constellation-class ships have had the new weapons systems installed and so has the Solidarity, but we must all be aware of how these missiles can be effectively used. If we need to employ them.”
“WHY HAVE THEM IF NOT TO USE THEM,” Ktpl asked bluntly.
Ashiant leveled a glance at Ktpl. “OUR ORDERS ARE WRITTEN SO THERE IS ONLY ONE MEANING, CAPTAIN KTPL.” He glanced around to be sure that all the Humans had understood his ’Dini reply. While Thian noted that Ashiant’s command of the ’Dini language had improved in accent and fluency, he wasn’t surprised when the captain continued in slow and well-enunciated Basic. “The Alliance High Council has spoken in these orders and guides us all in the performance of the objectives of this mission. We have the greatest fleet ever to set out across this galaxy. We will accomplish its aim: to be sure the remaining Hive spheres do not destroy life forms, do not begin two new colonies. When that is done, as you all know, this fleet is to separate and investigate other G-type star systems with M-5 planets that have been bypassed. And establish their condition. Five years have been allotted to these tasks. Let us drink to success, captains, Primes and commanders.”
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