Clancy raised his hands and recoiled slightly at the thought of such perfidy.
“Okay, then! Relax. So long as Number Three’s mine!”
“Only because Captain Ashiant wants to be sure,” said Rojer, joining them then, “it leads us to the right star.”
“’Twinkle, twinkle, little star / Tell me, please, which one you are!’” Clancy said, grinning with devilment.
The two Primes groaned in unison.
“Any word on which?” Thian asked.
“Not yet, but we’ve got six scouts doing broad sweeps and it can’t take forever…If Number Two had to stop to resupply, Number Three must be running low, too.”
“Maybe she did,” Clancy said. “Wasiq had been running through D’s log tapes and found that they had lost the trail for about three weeks and had to trawl around to pick it up again.”
“Stierlman never mentioned that.”
“Well, it’s in the official log.”
“Bet Ashiant was furious.” Thian said, cursing Stierlman.
“With Captain Steverice, not Stierlman. At least they found the ion trail again.”
Thian sighed. “How far behind Number Three are we hanging?”
“Far enough so there’s no chance of any known sensors picking us up on Number Three.”
“But, if they do have communications…”
“Look, bro, the spheres that got blown up wouldn’t have had time to send a click, clack or clatter!”
“A lack of communications from ships known to have been operable and following Number Three would make the rest of them suspicious,” Thian said, running an impatient hand through his hair, and hauling back into place the white lock that was always falling in his eyes.
“Ashiant feels the same way,” Clancy said and then shrugged. “But they won’t know what took ’em out. I’d say great uncle is making sure none leave Alliance space. Ashiant ordered the KLTR and the Comanche to hang back and sweep for any late arrivals.”
“So, it’s a waiting game again, is it?” Thian said.
“Looks that way,” Clancy replied.
“We can always pass the time making up a few more packages, Thi,” Rojer suggested. “We don’t know how many Hiver colonies there are, or how many spheres lurk on our way to Paradise Regained.”
* * *
The Franklin, crewed by a mixture from the Vadim and the Galaxy KLTS, discovered Number Three’s destination: a youngish G-type star, matching the original Hiver primary within .0378 disparity in its spectrum, which the astrogators considered close enough. It had eleven planets, two of them with the suitable atmospheres and the correct proportion of land mass to sea that Hivers preferred, in the M-5 and M-6 positions. The Sphere would shortly have to make a course alteration if this were, indeed, the primary it sought.
Tension mounted in the Fleet when reports from Captain Soligen that she had “surprised” another sphere coming up behind her added to the dismay of those wanting to reach confrontation.
Captain Ashiant broadcast shipwide that as soon as Number Three made a course correction to approach the heliopause of its target system, they would intercept it. As a precaution, he asked Thian to arrange the ’portation of Captain Spktm and the LSTS and two Galaxy-class, the KLTL and the Vadim, and the destroyers, the KLTR and the Comanche, in case Number Three sent her three scouts out ahead of her to confirm the suitability of the system. He recalled the furthest-ranging scouts but let the Franklin and the Revere remain with the task force.
Jeff Raven reported phenomenal success with the Genesee ploy, and Captain Osullivan was reassigned to one of the newly commissioned Constellation-class ships to play an active part in the defense of the Alliance. His old crew toasted their former captain with considerable enthusiasm, with Captain Germys springing for the beverages served. If Rojer looked a little smug, since it was he who had actually originated the Genesee ploy, no one who knew that denied him that right.
Since Zara remained “unavailable” for the offensive maneuver, Captain Soligen redeployed her Squadron to cover a larger area of space. Asia and Mallen Bastianmajani were transferred to the KMTM and Rhodri and Jes to the Valparaiso: the two Galaxy-class ships hung slightly back of the Columbia’s center and she was guarded by the two destroyers as she maintained her course following the ion trail of Number Three, the main Fleet ahead of her.
Only one more Sphere ship met its end under their aegis but, to the chagrin of the main Fleet, it gave Squadron B an impressive total without a single casualty.
* * *
“Number Three’s slowed,” Ashiant said over the com unit to the Talents. “She’s hanging outside the heliopause. Ah, now she’s deploying her scouts. Could she have sensor readings of our forward elements?”
“Whether she has or not, sir, will it make any difference how she receives the package?” Thian asked, striding toward his couch. This one’s mine, remember!
Gee, can’t we watch? Rojer asked in a pesky kid-brother voice.
“Commander Yngocelen here, Prime Thian, package is ready to go.”
“Thank you, Commander.” Thian settled himself, caught the gestalt of the generators, “found” the explosive package where it sat on the floor of the landing bay, sent his mind ahead to the darkness of Number Three’s engine room, the macaroni junction of tubes and pipes, and ’ported the package there.
One…and Rojer had jumped to the terminal to activate the forward view screen.
“Two,” Thian said, racing on long legs to the bridge door. When he got there, Ashiant was saying “Three.” The bridge crew, eyes on the main view screen, chorused “Four!”
Rojer, Clancy, four ’Dinis and Alison Anne crowded at the entrance as everyone said “Five!”
The screen showed the vivid blossoming of the distant explosion, tiny though it was at this distance. The screen cleared more rapidly than perhaps the watchers could wish at this moment of ultimate triumph, but the after-image of that dramatic climax to a long search would be remembered often in the mind’s eye. No one felt like cheering, but there were sighs of relief to be heard around the bridge and thoughtful expressions on every face.
“Mr. Wasiq, check with the LSTS to see if the scouts got away,” Ashiant said, breaking the silence. Other muted sounds on the bridge indicated the resumption of normal duties.
“Sir, Captain Spktm and the other ships have engaged two of the scouts, the third was caught in the blast destroying Number Three. The captain believes that the scouts received some damage…”
“With no Minds to guide them, of course they have,” Thian murmured.
“…and the Vadim and the KLTL have launched a barrage. Sir, Captain Spktm reports the demolition of both remaining scouts.”
“Operation Number Three completed,” Ashiant said quietly.
As Thian lay on the couch, readying himself to report Captain Ashiant’s words to Earth Prime, he felt none of the sense of triumph he had anticipated. Relief was the dominant emotion, relief from tension, strain, apprehension, uncertainty. This phase of the centuries-long struggle against Hiver aggrandizement no longer threatened the Alliance. But there were all those other Hive planets, and who knew how many spheres waiting until their populations had swelled to the point where yet another planet would have to be “prepared” to receive the Hive species. That could be his job for the rest of his life: finding all those myriad colonies.
Not necessarily, Thian, came his grandfather’s voice softly in his mind. Though I’m sure you could pick whatever Prime opportunity you choose.
You know Number Three’s gone?
I read that. I also perceived your state of mind and on that you have my most sincere compliments. You are a credit to our calling and to your family. A war where only the enemy dies!
Thian was startled to hear his own phrase repeated, though the thought would have occurred to more than one person who disliked unnecessary violence.
We have won this part of the war, Thian lad, but only this part. If it gives your mind any ease, a great
many people, wise and simple, are trying to find out how to control the population pressure on Hive worlds, in that way reducing the species’ need to colonize, eliminating their aggressiveness.
Either is preferable to their solution for life on other planets, Thian said.
War-weary, are you?
Weary, yes, sir.
How about finding new worlds Humans and ’Dinis can live on, either together or by the species?
There are a couple of hot-sun worlds the ’Dinis can have all to themselves, sir. I gather that we are to explore all possible colonial systems on our way back?
Yes, those are the official orders to relay to Captain Ashiant, plus his promotion to admiral.
Thian grinned, feeling pleasure at such a task pushing back the various types of relief that had dominated his present mood.
Meanwhile, the sociologists and bios and xenobs and all the rest of that stratum of reparational specialists will be using the data the Fleet has amassed to see if we can’t come up with a solution to containing, but not necessarily restricting, Hivers to their current colonies.
Zara would like that part especially.
There was a beat of a pause. Yes, I suspect with her ambivalence, she would, and she may join them in that research, especially if she’s a burden on Captain Soligen and Flavia.
You might, sir, transfer Rojer to the Columbia if you reassign Zara to a research situation.
The little Asia enters into that suggestion?
She does.
Well, the degree of cousinship is not a detriment, and Thian thought his grandfather sounded mildly pleased and surprised. Hmm. Both Squadrons will now be assigned colonial explorations but…I see no reason to put the boy through any more emotional stress than he’s already had. He likes Asia that much?
Sir, he’s very protective of her. Either a steady dose will cure him or it will consolidate his current interest.
You don’t like Asia? This was definitely Grandfather talking.
She’s sweet and engaging and, when she’s out of shy mode, she can be fun but…
She’s not your type.
In a word, yes. And, Grandfather, I’ve got my own plans.
So I understand, Thian. And we approve.
Abruptly, although a chuckle echoed distantly, Jeff Raven had broken the contact.
ROJER! CLANCY! Thian shouted. Did either of you mention…
YOU THINK WE’RE CRAZY! The two Talents answered in unison and Rojer burst in the door to the Tower room, glaring at Thian that he’d believe him guilty of such an indiscretion.
Then how the hell does Grandfather know about Alison Anne?
Rojer shrugged. “How the hell does Grandfather know half of what he does? He just does, and what did he just tell you? Thanks, maybe?”
Don’t be cocky, boy, Thian said, with a grin and a punch on his brother’s arm as he passed him on his way to Captain Ashiant’s ready room down the hall.
Well, give us a clue, wontcha? Clancy added his complaint to Rojer’s.
Thian heaved a sigh as he knocked politely on the captain’s door. Just listen in. I get so tired of having to repeat things… “Captain Ashiant, the compliments of Earth Prime, who forwards the deep thanks and appreciation of the High Council and all Alliance citizens for the speedy settlement of this threat to our civilizations.”
Ashiant regarded Thian for a long moment.
“Is that really what he said they said?”
“Well, sir, if not, that’s how it should have been phrased. Earth Prime is deeply relieved that, as he did say, this is a war where only the enemy died.”
“Not quite, but near enough to make it a valid comment,” Ashiant said, nodding acceptance.
Then Thian grinned broadly. “I’ve also the happy duty to inform you that you have just been promoted to the rank of admiral in recognition of your services.”
“Prime, I don’t take kindly to practical jokes.”
“No joke, sir, not to you, Captain Ashiant.”
“Admiral, hmmm?” and Ashiant swung his chair around so that, when Thian next saw his face, it was as composed as ever, save for a brief upward slant of the corner of his mouth. He tugged at the blouse of his shipsuit. “That’s rather good news and certainly an honor.”
“Aye, aye, Admiral, sir, an honor to your family, your color and everyone serving under you.”
“If you don’t mind, Prime, I think we had best wait until this has been officially confirmed, but I thank you for apprising me of it.”
There was another polite tap on the door, but First Officer Vandermeer did not even wait for Ashiant’s response before she entered, holding out the usual documents carrier.
“This just ’ported in, sir, and it’s addressed to ‘Admiral Ashiant’! Sir!” Face wreathed in a broad and happy smile, she handed him the narrow carrier with her left hand while snapping him one definitely high-class salute.
“Well,” Ashiant said, uncapping the cylinder and taking out the tightly rolled official document, “well,” and he unrolled it, “well, and so it says.”
“May I be the first to congratulate you, Admiral Ashiant?” Vandermeer said, tears of pride in the corners of her eyes.
“Why, that’s splendid news, Admiral Ashiant,” Thian said quickly, stepping forward and holding out his hand. “I’m honored to be present on such a felicitous occasion. My sincerest congratulations, Admiral Ashiant, for a well-deserved promotion!”
Ashiant cocked a sardonic eyebrow at the Prime, but there was no way Thian would have deflated Vandermeer’s moment.
* * *
The news was all over the ship before Thian finished the further report and the orders he was to relay from Earth Prime. It didn’t matter that Rojer and Clancy had been instrumental in its dissemination. The promotion was official and everyone went about their duties grinning: Ashiant was a popular man.
“So, our orders are to make our quadrants of this great galaxy safe for us harmless Human and ’Dini colonists,” Rojer said when they were all back in their quarters. Thian was grooming Mur and Dip, a pleasant task he enjoyed but had had little time to do.
“We signed up for a five-year mission,” Thian reminded him.
“That could have some dangerous moments, too,” Clancy said in a hopeful tone. “But Cousin Raven’s correct. There’s a lot more to be done to see if we can’t alter the Hivers sufficiently to reduce the threat they pose.”
“Did those boffins at Phobos Base discover how to communicate with the Spheres?” Rojer asked, remembering that unresolved line of endeavor.
“Who knows? We destroyed all the Spheres they could have talked to. But there’s got to be some way to establish contact. Communication might even explain to them—in a much nicer way—that what they’re doing isn’t currently acceptable social behavior,” Clancy said facetiously. “That would settle the problem and we’ll divvy the available M-5s equally among us.”
“Only the Hivers would want to be more equal than the rest of us,” Rojer said. “They breed faster.”
* * *
By evening everyone knew of Ashiant’s promotion and he had to tour the messes on all the nearby ships to take the toasts due his new rank. When Alison Anne got off duty, Rojer insisted that he could as easily ’port the Admiral wherever he needed to go, so Thian should go enjoy dinner with Greevy and Clancy.
“You know, don’t you,” Alison said, a certain remonstrating tone in her voice as she fixed Thian with what she called her “nurse glare,” “that you should have had the promotion? You’re the one that thought of the idea that got Ashiant his promotion.”
“Come on, now, honey,” Thian said, putting his fingers on her mouth and trying to make it curve up into a smile. “Ashiant deserves his admiral stars. Don’t deny him.”
“But does he realize that without you Primes,” and she included Clancy in her gaze and rattled her fingers at Rojer in the ready room, “he’d be in deep kimchee right now with Spheres doing billiard balls with him the eight ba
ll.”
“Honey,” and Thian’s voice rose above her unexpected championship of Talents. He patted the chair beside him for her to take. “We’re all in the same boat, win or lose. We did win, if that’s what killing all your enemies is about.” With a deft snake of his arm, he pulled her to his lap, though her body resisted him, tense and unrepentant. He kissed the nape of her neck and felt her give just a little. “Look at it from my point of view, hon. I’m just not supposed to be a combatant at all. I’m supposed to ’port and ’path and that’s all I did.”
“Yes, but that’s what won the war for Ashiant…”
“…and all of us, love. And that’s the only time in my life I hope I’ll have to do that! Don’t you?”
He tried to turn her head toward him so he could look her in the eye. And then, those tactics unsuccessful, he tried another one.
I’ve asked Grandfather to send Rojer to the Columbia and Asia. He’s really missing her.…
“Oh, did you, Thian darling!” She was suddenly supple in his arms again and twisted to put hers around his neck.
Neither noticed Clancy’s discreet withdrawal, with Mur and Dip, through the ready room.
“Oh, what a marvelous idea. I mean, we’ve still got years of this mission and I think Rojer’s really and truly in love with her…”
Thian was more interested in cuddling Alison’s pliable form than her opinions about his brother’s love.
I know it hasn’t come up between us recently, he said, kissing her lovingly to end the unprofitable conversation, but isn’t it nice to be able to talk together the way we are and still be able to kiss?
Hmmm, was her response as he picked her up in his arms and, deftly managing to maintain firm contact on her mouth, carried her toward their room.
Grandfather also approves of us, you know, he said.
She broke the kiss and stared at him, wide blue eyes incredulous. “The Prime of Earth approves of meeee?”
With reference to your complaint about who should get the credit for all this, as long as I have you, Alison Anne Greevy, I won’t complain.
I guess, she said in a dreamy contemplative voice as he laid her gently on the bed, maybe I did have just the tiniest bit of precog when I first met you…
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