“We’ll see you again at dinner,” Blairik said.
“We’re all rather pleased,” Wayla said as they made their way to a lift, “with the way the Columbia’s been refitted. Done up in jig time, I’ll tell you. Almost didn’t recognize the old tub,” she went on with the affectionate insults of a fond and long-term association.
“We heard there was trouble…” Flavia began tentatively.
It wouldn’t have taken much Talent to “hear” the fury and indignation that came out as a blast from the science officer. The emotions were quickly controlled before Wayla Gegarian answered calmly enough.
“Whole thing was stupid and badly handled—by the Shore Police, too. Good thing we have marines. We’d only minor injuries and the families who had come to see us off got the worst of it. Despicable, useless sort of violence. Didn’t change our leaving, though I devoutly hope they’ll be gladder to see us return! Here we are. Just down this corridor.”
The odors of fresh paint and the dyes of new carpeting were unmistakable.
“Is blue the captain’s favorite color?” Zara asked, her ebullience returned.
“Actually, green,” Wayla said with a grin, “but blue’s traditional for officer territory. Here we are,” and she had all of them register their handprints on the door pad.
“We haven’t taken someone else’s place, have we?” asked Asia uneasily.
“Not at all,” Wayla said, so promptly that Asia’s uncertainty was set to rest. “Like I said, the ship was refitted with this expedition in mind, so shielded quarters were arranged. Maybe not as roomy as those on the Washington but not shabby, and definitely suitable for Talents.”
Remembering her brief tour on the Genesee, Flavia was quite certain of that: a generous lounge with workstations that could be recessed into the walls or the tables, and six private sleeping rooms. One end of the room was paneled off into screens: a central large one with three smaller on either side. A semicircle of six reclinable chairs faced this.
“I think everything in here is self-explanatory, but you do have a meal dispenser behind this panel,” Wayla said, indicating the opaque dark brown panel. “Just settle in and use the door call panel if you need any assistance.” She glanced at Rhodri, who grinned back.
“What they don’t know, I’ll teach ’em,” he said, and her smile lingered on him as she took one final backward look as the door panel closed behind her.
“Made a conquest already, have you, Rhodri?”
Rhodri shrugged and winked at Jes and Mallen. “Hell, we’ve just got aboard, coz. And there’re two other Human ships we haven’t even cased. If no one minds, I’ll take this one,” he said and, grabbing his duffel from those the yeomen had stacked inside, mumbled a cheerful tune as he settled in.
* * *
Flavia realized quickly enough that her sojourn on the Genesee had been no prelude to this voyage. Not only did the Talents have messages and courier services to perform, they had to sit in on long briefings and lectures with the expedition teams, and satisfy the marine commander, Kwan Keiser-Tau, that they were physically fit and were knowledgeable about hand weapons. He’d been a trifle put out when all six Talents showed arms proficiency in the Master class.
“You guys using Talent?” he said, jutting out his head and jaw in a suspicious pose.
Zara laughed. “I come from Aurigae, Major. I’ve been hunting small game all my life. Easier to use reflexes than Talent to hit those stationary targets.”
He turned from Zara to Flavia, his mistrust still plain.
“I hail from Altair, also a pioneer planet, Major.”
“None of us are city bred, Major,” Mallen said, shifting his position so he was nearer Asia. He had already adroitly intercepted criticism of the shy girl on several occasions.
“And I come from Deneb,” Asia said, enough aware of the discreet support to take advantage of it from time to time.
“Let me reassure you, Major, you need not concern yourselves with our safety,” Mallen continued with a slightly conciliatory smile. “The dedicated scientists aboard, however, are seldom aware of externals and can be quite focused on their enthusiasms. Feel free to call on our support to maintain their safety whenever necessary.”
“My orders are to guard the lot of you”—and Major Keiser-Tau did not much relish these orders.
“Well, then, now that you’ve checked us out,” Zara said, “work the others and let us get on…”
Watch your manners, Zara, Flavia said.
“…with our duties,” she finished with no perceptible pause. “I must meet with my ’Dinis, who are tutoring Captain Soligen,” she added, and, making a careful show of snapping the safety on the weapon she was holding, stowed it in the correct rack. Frankly, I think she’s language-deaf!
* * *
When Squadron B was close enough to the beacon left by Squadron C, Flavia suggested to the captain that they could speed the voyage up by several weeks if they tried a merge.
“I’d remain on the Columbia, put Rhodri on the KMTM, Mallen on the Valparaiso, Asia on the Valiant and Zara and her ’Dinis on the KVS, and with a merge of all available Talents of lesser ratings, we can reach the Talavera beacon, cutting off two weeks.”
“That won’t cause you undue strain?” Soligen asked, though she clearly liked the notion.
“Not with the generator gestalt available to us,” Flavia said, her expression confident and reassuring.
Vestapia Soligen fingered her lower lip for a long, thoughtful moment. “Why put Zara on the KVS? Wouldn’t she be needed on one of the larger vessels?”
“I think it is wiser to place Zara and her ’Dinis on a ship that is so ready and…eager…to meet opposition,” Flavia said. “Zara could stop Klml’s ship cold. Asia’s told her how.”
Soligen chuckled. “So Klml’s…attitude hadn’t escaped you?”
“Captain Klml’s attitude was noted by Lieutenant Eagle on his first meeting. He’s reasonably sure that the moment the system is in range, the KVS will detour. He thinks it’s had private orders to that effect. There hasn’t been a real Mrdini strike against a live Hiver in far too long to promote any color to prominence.”
“Run that last statement past me again, Flavia?”
“You will have noted that ’Dini hides are many different shades. The color denotes a clan relationship. All ’Dinis in a color, therefore, gain prestige if one of their color achieves merit.”
“In this instance, blowing up a Hiver sphere even if they go with it?”
“That’s about it.”
“I guess we should be glad that the ethnic groups in Human history that considered suicide for whatever cause they espoused an honorable end have now been thoroughly integrated,” the captain said in a tart voice, “or isolated on worlds where that kind of prejudice is limited to that population.”
Flavia nodded agreement. “The ’Dinis do find our insistence on caution and safety as odd as we find their willingness to self-destruct.”
“I wonder how much of a chance the KVS’d have to take out that Sphere?”
“Captain?” Flavia was astonished at such speculation.
The captain chuckled. “The Fleet’s been a passive force a long time, Flavia. I suppose you’ve also noticed the average mean age of my crew, rating and officer, is younger than on most ships of this class?”
“I had.” That accounted for the fact that Asia was suddenly developing poise and the self-confidence that comes from being popular with her peers.
“No matter how we conduct this Hiver campaign, Prime, we’re going to have to learn new techniques and some will prove fatal. Maybe not as suicidal as what the KVS might have in mind, but certainly more daring than the usual tactics.”
“Maybe the Columbia’s in the wrong squadron if that’s your thinking, ma’am.”
The captain’s eyes were ice-green as she gave the Talent a long look.
“Where do you—personally—stand on that ground?”
“I c
ome from a planet that is barely settled. I’m used to hunting to feed my family. There are times when aggression is required, but certainly not courted. However, I would feel privileged to serve with you on one that might test my theories, too.”
“Theories?” The captain leaned forward with obvious interest.
Flavia smiled and dismissed the question. “Right now, let us pass the immediate danger point, keeping the KVS with the Squadron. I am obliged to inform you that this sort of maneuver is not specifically mentioned in the parameters of my assignment to Squadron B.”
“I didn’t think it was. I’d call it ‘bending’ to exigencies, myself, and it will be noted in my log as a means to the end of saving a planet. I’ll hope we can do without too much such ‘bending’ but…”
“I would consider any reasonable request, Captain.”
“I appreciate that, Prime. So let this ’portation be duly authorized and executed. I’d rather explain this than how a valuable Alliance ship defected. How soon before you can effect this…bypass?”
“Within the hour.”
Vestapia Soligen regarded Flavia with open admiration and a genuine relief dominated her public mind. So, the captain had entertained the same notions Rhodri had voiced.
“The sooner the better!”
Transferring the Talents to their designated ships, revving generators to their highest effective performance level and alerting every talent on the Human ships was all done within the specified hour.
First, Flavia sent her mind ahead to locate the identifiable pulsations and small mass of the beacon. Then she called for each of her Talents to gather the lesser ones into the individual merges before she integrated first Rhodri, then Jesper, Mallen, and Asia and finally the fine strong blaze of Talent that was Zara.
Let’s get there! Flavia said, seizing the exact peak of the generated power for the gestalt.
We’ve got here! was Zara’s exultant response a second later.
When Zara was ’ported back on the Columbia, she made straight for Vestapia’s ready room and requested an interview.
“Ma’am, Captain Klml definitely would’ve defected. It’s a bit upset at being where it never expected to arrive in the first place and in the second place, isn’t too happy to have been denied ‘honorable action.’ Klml’s words. My ’Dinis say that it’s raging that it has been assigned to such a…well, there isn’t really a Basic equivalent but…” Zara shrugged her inadequacy.
“Bunch of spineless slugs?” Vestapia suggested.
“That’s close,” she replied though there was little levity in her tone. “So I took the liberty of reminding Klml that this planet had the priority. I get the distinct impression its orders differ from yours.”
“In that, Prime, you demonstrate an astute understanding of a classified situation. Do I make myself clear?”
“You do, Captain.”
“See that it remains classified. And, by the way, Flavia has seen the matter clearly but I would rather the others do not.”
“They already may but they won’t talk about it.”
“We should make an appropriate orbit in three days max. I shall require Captain Klml to make the initial landing, hopefully defusing a lot of pent-up resentment. I don’t think there’s a chance there’re any Hivers left alive down there but you never know. And since Klml is so eager to meet the enemy, let us give him first go.”
Zara hesitated, then grinned. “You did know that your marines would prefer to claim that distinction?”
“They can gain ancestral merit by guarding the scientists everywhere they need to go.”
“Yes, ma’am. Did you wish me to convey your orders to Captain Klml?”
“Please, since I can barely manage ‘good morning and do you require supplies.’ But even that much is progress for me.”
“Dis and Pal remark most favorably on your progress.”
“Well, they’re the only ones. You know, I’d’ve sworn Mrdinis were pessimists.”
“Only those raised on Clarf. Can I leave now?”
“Yes, but if your ’Dinis can, keep in touch with our wily Captain Klml.”
“You just bet they will.”
* * *
By dint of careful compliments and skillful innuendo—not easy in the straightforward ’Dini language—Rhodri managed to imply that Klml would be the first Mrdini captain to ever set foot on a Hive colony planet. That fact alone helped soothe Klml’s wounded pride and damaged honor.
“Smart thinking, Rhodri,” Flavia as well as Vestapia Soligen told him when he reported on that successful interview. “I hope Major Keiser-Tau will not feel his prerogative has been usurped.”
The captain smiled. “Keiser-Tau will keep his thoughts to himself—fortunately. He is not looking forward to keeping tabs on scientists.”
“Oh, I’m supposed to be down testing those locator buttons with Asia and Lieutenant Ismail,” Flavia said. “If you’ll excuse me…” and she departed without waiting for permission.
“Talking ’Dini makes my throat very dry,” the captain said, rising from her desk and going to the dispenser.
“Mine, too,” Rhodri said, in the circumstances not above confirming the reason behind her hospitality.
* * *
Zara reported hearing the major swear by several god figures she didn’t know existed in Alliance space, but he desisted the moment he was aware of her presence in the repairs shop.
“He’s been briefing his men with every single tape available in the Columbia’s library on what they might expect, landing on a Hiver planet,” she went on.
Rhodri grinned. “That was predictable,” was all he said. “Captain said he doesn’t like escorting scientists about. They tend to get themselves lost or in dangerous situations which ‘sensible’ people would avoid.”
“We’ll have locator buttons,” Asia said with quiet pride. “Sadler…I mean, Lieutenant Ismail…has set up a very efficient assembly line of off-duty personnel.”
“Like you?” Rhodri grinned affectionately. “No wonder we never see much of you, sis,” he added kindly, ruffling her hair.
“I do wish you’d stop that, Roddie,” she said with far more exasperation than she had ever displayed.
“Sure, sure!” Rhodri snatched his hand away as if it burned. “Don’t get your knickers in a twist!”
“Mine aren’t!” she retorted with such a sly look that Rhodri unaccountably flushed, causing Zara to demand whom he fancied.
“None of your damned business,” he said and, going into his room, slammed the automatic door forcefully across the opening.
No speculations at this time, Flavia told Zara firmly. “When will we get these locator buttons, Asia?”
“They’re being distributed now to everyone who’s to be landed,” Asia said, having retreated to her customary unassuming behavior.
“Well, it’ll be a relief to get on with what we were sent here for,” Flavia said, and no one in the lounge disagreed.
* * *
The actual landing was somewhat of an anticlimax although the state of the planet caused immediate uproar in the scientific corps. Sensor readings had indicated that the ozone layer was undamaged, which had been a major concern to the ecologists and added to the puzzle of its barrenness. Rivers and lakes, as well as several large seas, seemed to be in good order, life forms visible if unidentifiable. There was still topsoil, but unless plants could be coaxed to grow, it would sift away in the winds. On the higher ground, erosion was already obvious.
Avidly watched on remote relays, the ’Dinis landed in smart array and secured the main Hive installation. Its huge expanse, covering over three acres, was found to be empty of everything save windblown debris. Klml had its crew mapping the site and measuring both interior and exterior, plotting the different levels and sections and sending the results up to the waiting teams. When the tunnels were discovered, Klml itself led the exploratory team. Flavia was asked to ’port down more supplies and was very glad that she would
not be included in this Operation Illuminate. All but one tunnel dead-ended and the completed one was connected with the smaller building ten kilometers from the original—and probably headquarters—building.
Between the two there were signs of attempts to cultivate the land: even plastic-lined reservoirs for water and several hundred meters of irrigation channel.
When Captain Klml was satisfied that no living enemy was apparent, it allowed “others,” meaning the Humans, to come down. Despite Flavia’s offers of teleportation, multipurpose shuttles were used as these would provide ground transport, not best accomplished by ’portation, which tended to go from Point A to any designated Point B. The Talents were asked to ’port down sensitive instrumentation once the base camp was established.
Where the Talents were undeniably indispensable was to see if the panels in the queens’ quarters which Klml had located were still operational. Flavia, Rhodri and Zara slid down the connecting links in the main building while Asia, assiduously accompanied by Lieutenant Ismail and a detachment of marines, went off to the second building. Mallen and Jesper Ornigo went with whichever group thought it might require Talented help.
“They really don’t alter their structures much,” Flavia said when the three Talents picked themselves up off the dusty floor of chambers that so closely resembled the queens’ quarters on Refugee. Dust had filtered in a thin film over the “foot” panels but the upper ones had been installed high enough to be covered by only a light layer. Rhodri and Flavia were tall enough to brush this off.
“First left-hand panel’s exactly the same,” Rhodri said, peering at what his hand light revealed. “But these—are different.”
“You’d expect that, wouldn’t you,” Zara asked with some asperity. “This is a ground operation. So what do we do now?”
“Try to start it up: that panel’s the same and I brought mock-ups,” Rhodri said, removing from his thigh pocket a handful of triangular-tipped wands which approximated the shape of a queen’s palps. He handed some to Flavia and Zara.
“I’m not damned tall enough,” Zara muttered.
“Nor am I,” Flavia said with some disgust.
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