The Ship Who Sang

by Anne McCaffrey

  ‘Some Federation credits are still pending,’ Helva replied, conceiving it politic to be truthful, particularly if it would leaven Railly’s anger.

  ‘The credits are in but . . .’ Railly began.

  ‘Then the original financial obligation incurred by the XH-834 has been satisfied?’ Amiking asked in a gentle voice.

  ‘Yes, however . . .’

  ‘The contingent of servicemen clustered so congenially on the landing pad occupied by Helva are there, then, to protect her from the importunities of independent bidders?’ Rocco asked.

  Railly compressed his lips into a very thin line as he stared coldly back at the Double M representative.

  ‘Otherwise it looks very much like a form of moral restraint, for Helva could certainly not remove herself, if she so desired, without charting them. Which a BB ship cannot do. They ought to withdraw. Immediately.’

  ‘This is a Service Base, Mr Rocco . . .’

  ‘Immediately, Chief Railly, or Captain Amiking and I will be forced to suspect coercion.’ The Double M agent smiled indolently but his voice, too, had a cold, hard sound.

  Railly barked at his aide, who fumbled with the com-unit. Almost instantly the men on her landing site began to disperse.

  ‘Have they left, Helva?’

  ‘Yes, Mr Rocco. But you must understand that I extended my Central Worlds contract.’

  ‘So I’d heard,’ Rocco remarked, his eyes glittering as he turned politely to her. ‘Which makes a guard totally uncalled for. However, I’d also heard that one of the conditions of the extension specifically requested by you cannot now be filled through circumstances beyond your control. Therefore, that contract is invalid . . .’

  ‘That contract is not invalid until Central Worlds has failed to fulfill that condition!’ Railly said, emphasizing his words with an angry fist on the desk.

  ‘Which they cannot do,’ Rocco countered with equal emphasis. ‘Niall Parollan was the brawn of your choice, isn’t that correct, Helva?’

  ‘Yes, but . . .’

  ‘He has resigned from the Service and is no longer available . . .’

  ‘Niall Parollan will be on board the XH-834 by nightfall,’ Railly bellowed, rising to his feet to tower over the others. ‘That condition will be met and the contracted assignment will proceed.’

  ‘If you can find Niall Parollan,’ Rocco amended.

  ‘Gentlemen, this is ridiculous,’ Helva said, raising her voice to be heard. ‘Yes, I wanted Niall Parollan as my partner. I am sorry that he could not oblige me. I deeply regret that he felt it necessary to resign from the Service to emphasize that reluctance. But I would not coerce him into accepting an onerous duty . . . Hound him. I’d rather discuss another brawn assignment.’

  ‘Why you fickle-minded, double-crossing, wire-haired retard of a tin-assed martyr,’ a rasping voice roared from her main corridor. ‘You’ll discuss another brawn assignment?’

  Niall Parollan stood by the open drive-room hatch, his torn mechanics overall grimed, his angry face scratched and smeared.

  ‘Don’t try to fool me, Helva, that’s Parollan,’ Railly yelled from the comscreen.

  ‘It is, and I deal with him first, Railly!’ Helva cried. She cut the connection, slammed the lock shut, activated the tamperproof field on her hull. She was going to thrash this out right now. ‘What do I mean by discussing another brawn assignment? What alternative do you leave me, you drunken, womanizing, litersized knave! How else can I get Railly to lift the search and let you go free?’

  ‘Free? Who’s free? The moment I leave you alone you’re ready to sell yourself right back into slavery! Of all the stupid, half-brained, short-sighted, fardling foolish . . .’

  ‘Foolish?’ Helva sputtered with rage and indignation. ‘Look at you, selling off 7 years’ hard work and rank because you’re too damned bed-happy to go on one lousy mission for me. Force me to mortgage my soul for the second time in 2 days . . .’

  ‘Rocco and Amiking got here, didn’t they? They were to see Railly before he got out of bed to be sure you’d go free. Next thing I know that queen gossip Broley is telling me there’s a full search on and . . .’ His agitated recital broke off. He gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing so angrily Helva knew that Broley’s sermon had been read in pure vitriol. ‘Rocco and Amiking are with Railly now, aren’t they?’ he asked with considerably less vehemence.

  ‘Yes, they are.’ She matched her tone to his, too relieved to have him safely aboard to prolong a quarrel. ‘And you’d better have a sound explanation for Railly in nothing flat, because there’s a no-nonsense penetration team assembling on the pad. And Railly knows my release syllables, too.’

  Niall didn’t need that reminder as he heard the penetration team clank against the outer hull.

  ‘You fool, you could have been all clear,’ he murmured, more desperate now than angry.

  ‘Just the Beta Corvi mission, Niall. That’s what he wants.’

  Niall jerked his head up. ‘I don’t think it’s that simple even for Railly.’

  ‘If the CV drive’s good, I’m ahead of the game,’ she said. ‘If it’s bust, then I’m free and so are you!’

  ‘Free?’ Niall repeated softly but there was an odd grin on his tired face. He put one hand out, gently stroked the panel, sensitive fingertips finding and running along the all but invisible seam of her quarters. ‘I’m no more free than you are, Helva. But, as the gods are my witness, I tried to get you out of this fardling foul contract I cooked up.’ Deliberately he jammed one fist against the column, breaking the skin and bloodying his hand.

  ‘Stop it, Parollan. If we couldn’t settle a piddling 500,000 debt in less than 10 years, we’re not the team I think we are!’

  He had cocked his fist to strike again, but he stepped back, staring at her, eyes wide with surprise and hope.

  ‘You know, you’re right. Absolutely right.’

  ‘Of course I am. And if you’ve got to exact penance, get the hell on the com and persuade Railly to call off that penetration team!’

  He was already at the console, banging for vision, forgetting that Helva would do it faster for him.

  ‘What’n’hell’s going on out there, Railly? Damnall, can’t a brawn leave his ship alone on a Service Base, for chrissake, without finding her subjected to some asinine indignity? I thought that nardy Beta Corvi flap had top priority! Where are the specs? Where are Breslaw’s models? I need Dobrinon’s files. How in hell can we lift off in 5 days unless you move those lazy techs!’

  ‘Parollan,’ Railly began with a full spleen to unload, ‘you’re under arrest. You’re fined. You’re . . .’

  ‘I resigned, remember, Railly?’ Niall roared back, gathering fresh impetus. ‘You have no authority to fine or arrest or order me anywhere. I’m a citizen of Central Worlds, acting as mobile partner to the Helva-834. She contracted a mission with you, stipulating in Paragraph 6, Section 1, that she would have free choice of aforesaid partner, to wit, one Niall Parollan. There was nothing taped about the rank or status of said Niall Parollan. And, if you think you can make something of it, my resignation is time-stamped before those Federation credits came in. Therefore, before the contract extension took effect. Now, if you want to tie this ship up in a court battle over who bosses who, go right ahead. But if you want to get this ship off her expensive ass to Beta Corvi to vet your lovely new power source, you’d better start moving!’

  Helva should have known that Niall would neither explain or humble himself. And perhaps such an offensive was the only effective method of dealing with Railly. She could feel sorry for the Chiefs aide, standing in paralyzed shock at Railly’s elbow. She was glad for his sake as well as theirs that Rocco and Amiking were still there. In fact, she didn’t doubt that Niall counted on their presence to force Railly to accept this bald revision of the facts.

  And the Chief was going to have to accept this version. He had no choice and no recourse, not before representatives of powerful organizations that he could no
t antagonize.

  ‘You’ll move, Parollan,’ he vowed in a strangled voice, ‘and you’ll work like you never believed a team could work.’

  ‘Naturally.’

  ‘And one day . . .’ Railly grated out the words, ‘one day, Parollan, you’re going to outsmart yourself!’

  ‘No prophecies, Chief, just the tapes and models. Nice to see you, Rocco, Captain. Signing off.’

  As the screen blanked, Niall turned back to Helva, his expression oddly defenseless.

  ‘He’d give his pension to know I already have, wouldn’t he, Helva?’ He spoke in a quiet, resigned voice, but his wide grin took away the sting. And the look in his eyes, possessive, proud, loving, intensely alive, made Helva’s mind reel with joy.

  They’d come through this crisis together after all. They could face any challenge. They knew each other better than she and Jennan ever had. They knew each other’s strengths – and flaws. This was going to be bright heaven with fireworks, a constant stretching toward challenge and achievement. Helva longed to extend this ardent moment. Such pure happiness was so rare, so fragile.

  The Cencom beeped to shatter it.

  ‘Ah, Mr Parollan? I mean, XH, ah, NH-834?’ a nervous voice stammered.

  ‘Parollan here,’ he said without glancing away from her column, knowing she’d open the channel.

  ‘Sir, we can’t use the lift to make delivery because . . .’

  Helva cut him off as she belayed the tamper field, restored the lift power and slid the lock open.

  ‘Fardles, what a way to take command. Look at me!’ Niall swore, suddenly, aware of externals again, of the filthy clothes he wore. ‘I’d’ve been cleaner if they’d dragged me back.’ He began to strip off the torn clothes as he strode toward the pilot’s quarters. ‘Order me some gear from Base quartermaster, Helva. They know my size. Tell someone to pick up a small black carrier on guard post 17. And, oh yes – the perimeter sensors are shorted between 17 and 18.’

  He continued to give instructions while showering, dressing in the hastily delivered shipsuit, grabbing a quick meal from the galley. Neither her lift nor com-circuits were free a moment. The main cabin sprouted additional tables to accommodate the drive models and the tape files Dobrinon rushed over. Niall sent for every film-strip from the exploratory ship. He seemed indefatigable, yet he’d been up the previous night and running half the day. Railly could never work Niall as hard as he’d work himself . . . and her.

  ‘Hey, Helva,’ Niall said suddenly, squinting toward the open lock, ‘turn on some light. I can barely see.’

  ‘I’d no idea it had got so late.’ She scanned the equatorial dusk.

  Just then the mellow brass voice of a trumpet from the top of Base Tower sounded the ceremonial day’s end call. Day’s end . . . and requiem. The rich measured notes floated over the great Service Base, out to the distant cemetery under the great trees. Once she’d heard it only as requiem. Tonight . . . each day dies, Helva thought, to let night with its darkness for sorrowing and sleep complete its course and bring . . . a new day. Taps, a simple, poignant statement of end and beginning.

  Day is done

  Gone the sun,

  From the sea, from the land, from the sky.

  All is well.

  Rest in peace,

  God is nigh!

  Goodbye, Jennan. Welcome, Niall.

  As the last note died away in dark space and in her heart, she saw Niall’s knowing eyes on her – wary, expectant.

  ‘Such a sentimental tradition for a modern Service,’ Helva murmured. ‘. . . Blowing taps at sundown.’

  ‘And you love it,’ he said, unexpectedly, in a grating voice. ‘You’d have tears in your eyes – if you could.’

  ‘Yes,’ she admitted. ‘I would. If I could.’

  ‘It’s a good thing I’m so nasty. Balances your soft heart – partner,’ he said. ‘Helva! Don’t ever change.’

  He might as well have been singing.

  THE END

  Also by Anne McCaffrey

  Anne McCaffrey’s books can be read individually or as series. However, for greatest enjoyment the following sequences are recommended:

  The Dragon Books

  DRAGONFLIGHT

  DRAGONQUEST

  DRAGONSONG

  DRAGONSINGER: HARPER OF PERN

  THE WHITE DRAGON

  DRAGONDRUMS

  MORETA: DRAGONLADY OF PERN

  NERILKA’S STORY & THE COELURA

  DRAGONSDAWN

  THE RENEGADES OF PERN

  ALL THE WEYRS OF PERN

  THE CHRONICLES OF PERN: FIRST FALL

  THE DOLPHINS OF PERN

  RED STAR RISING: THE SECOND CHRONICLES OF PERN

  (published in US as DRAGONSEYE)

  THE MASTERHARPER OF PERN

  THE SKIES OF PERN

  and with Todd McCaffrey:

  DRAGON’S KIN

  DRAGON’S FIRE

  DRAGON HARPER

  DRAGON’S TIME

  SKY DRAGONS

  by Todd McCaffrey:

  DRAGONSBLOOD

  DRAGONHEART

  DRAGONGIRL

  Crystal Singer Books

  THE CRYSTAL SINGER

  KILLASHANDRA

  CRYSTAL LINE

  Talent Series

  TO RIDE PEGASUS

  PEGASUS IN FLIGHT

  PEGASUS IN SPACE

  Tower and the Hive Sequence

  THE ROWAN

  DAMIA

  DAMIA’S CHILDREN

  LYON’S PRIDE

  THE TOWER AND THE HIVE

  Catteni Sequence

  FREEDOM’S LANDING

  FREEDOM’S CHOICE

  FREEDOM’S CHALLENGE

  FREEDOM’S RANSOM

  Individual Titles

  RESTOREE

  DECISION AT DOONA

  THE SHIP WHO SANG

  GET OFF THE UNICORN

  THE GIRL WHO HEARD DRAGONS

  BLACK HORSES FOR THE KING

  NIMISHA’S SHIP

  A GIFT OF DRAGONS

  The Petaybee novels

  written in collaboration with Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

  POWERS THAT BE

  POWER LINES

  POWER PLAY

  CHANGELINGS

  MAELSTROM

  DELUGE

  The Acorna Series

  ACORNA (with Margaret Ball)

  ACORNA’S QUEST (with Margaret Ball)

  ACORNA’S PEOPLE (with Elizabeth Ann Scarborough)

  ACORNA’S WORLD (with Elizabeth Ann Scarborough)

  ACORNA’S SEARCH (with Elizabeth Ann Scarborough)

  ACORNA’S REBELS (with Elizabeth Ann Scarborough)

  ACORNA’S TRIUMPH (with Elizabeth Ann Scarborough)

  ACORNA’S CHILDREN: FIRST WARNING (with Elizabeth Ann Scarborough)

  ACORNA’S CHILDREN: SECOND WAVE (with Elizabeth Ann Scarborough)

  ACORNA’S CHILDREN: THIRD WATCH (with Elizabeth Ann Scarborough)

  and published by Corgi Books

  TRANSWORLD PUBLISHERS

  61–63 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5SA

  A Random House Group Company

  www.transworldbooks.co.uk

  THE SHIP WHO SANG

  A CORGI BOOK: 9780552159647

  Version 1.0 Epub ISBN: 9781448152193

  Originally published in Great Britain by

  Rapp & Whiting Limited

  Rapp & Whiting edition published 1971

  Corgi edition published 1972

  Copyright © 1969 by Anne McCaffrey

  The Estate of Anne McCaffrey, Literary Trustee, Jay A. Katz

  Anne McCaffrey has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

  This book is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Revised for this edition are the following sections which first appeared listed as:


  The Ship Who Sang © 1961 by Mercury Press, Inc.

  The Ship Who Mourned © 1966 by Conde Nast Publications, Inc.

  The Ship Who Killed © 1966 by Galaxy Publishing Corporation

  The Ship Who Dissembled © 1969 by Galaxy Publishing Corporation

  Dramatic Mission © 1969 by Conde Nast Publications, Inc.

  This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

  A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

  Addresses for Random House Group Ltd companies outside the UK can be found

  at: www.randomhouse.co.uk

  The Random House Group Ltd Reg. No. 954009

  About the Author

  Auspiciously born on April Fool’s Day, 1926, Anne Inez McCaffrey was the second of three children and the only daughter.

  She, like so many of her time, was shaped by the two World Wars and the Depression. Her father, George Herbert McCaffrey had served as a lieutenant in the First World War and after the war helped the Polish set up their government before returning home to marry Anne Dorothy McElroy.

  Anne Dorothy McElroy McCaffrey was a very talented woman with a decent touch of what the family came to call ‘the Sight’. Just before the very worst of the stock market Crash in 1929, she pulled all her money out. Her husband, less trusting of such things, did not.

  When not drilling the children in the backyard or maintaining his reserve status with the Army, the ‘Kernel’ – as he called himself – indulged in gardening. He was also a great reader and one of Anne’s first memories was of him at the far end of the hallway reading Kipling’s Barrack-room Ballads while she was sick with scarlet fever.

  As Anne got older, she learned to ride horses and thus began a lifelong equestrian love affair.

  When the Second World War broke out, the Kernel reported immediately to the draft board, offering his services. Elder brother Hugh had already joined the Army and was stationed in Hawaii, desperately trying to get off the island and go to Officer Candidate School.