All The Weyrs Of Pern Part 44

Call the others in, Ruth. We d better get back. Call the others in, Ruth. We d better get back.

In eight seconds the green, blue, and brown riders rejoined the others. In eight seconds the green, blue, and brown riders rejoined the others.

Now came the dangerous part, the one Jaxom had fretted over since Aivas had informed him of this maneuver: getting all the dragons and riders safely back to their own time.

Impress on every dragon, Ruth, that he is to return to his own weyr. We will have been gone fourteen minutes, so there is really no chance that they will collide with themselves on the way back-is there? Impress on every dragon, Ruth, that he is to return to his own weyr. We will have been gone fourteen minutes, so there is really no chance that they will collide with themselves on the way back-is there?

I have told you many times, Jaxom, that I do not think they will become lost. Every dragon knows his way back to his own weyr.

Every dragon is to impress on his rider that there are to be no exceptions to this order, Jaxom insisted. Jaxom insisted.

I will tell them that they are too far away from Pern to disobey. They will not. The dragons certainly will not. will tell them that they are too far away from Pern to disobey. They will not. The dragons certainly will not. Ruth paused briefly. I Ruth paused briefly. I have told them. I may not be a queen, but dragons trust me. have told them. I may not be a queen, but dragons trust me.

Still apprehensive, Jaxom asked Ruth to rise up over the surface, so that every dragon could see him. Still apprehensive, Jaxom asked Ruth to rise up over the surface, so that every dragon could see him.

Back at their weyrs, they are to get out of the suits immediately, so they can be collected by browns and brought to Fort Weyr. Back at their weyrs, they are to get out of the suits immediately, so they can be collected by browns and brought to Fort Weyr.

For our next trip. Jaxom couldn't believe the smug satisfaction in Ruth's tone. So much for worrying if this double time jumping was affecting the resilient white dragon. He saw that faceplates were turned in his direction, and he raised his arm, making the hand gesture to go Jaxom couldn't believe the smug satisfaction in Ruth's tone. So much for worrying if this double time jumping was affecting the resilient white dragon. He saw that faceplates were turned in his direction, and he raised his arm, making the hand gesture to go between. between. A second later, he asked Ruth to take him back to A second later, he asked Ruth to take him back to Yokohama. Yokohama.

Curiously, time seemed to go more slowly on the return. Yet Jaxom reached his thirtieth exhalation gust as they emerged in the cargo bay of the Curiously, time seemed to go more slowly on the return. Yet Jaxom reached his thirtieth exhalation gust as they emerged in the cargo bay of the Yokohama. Yokohama. The first dragon he saw was Ramoth, Lessa beside her, and to one side, Mar appeared. Jaxom glanced down at his wrist.w.a.tch: F'lar's trip had lasted the full fifteen minutes that dragons could endure without oxygen. The cargo bay. was lit, but not well enough for Jaxom to tell if Mnementh was off color. Looking down at Ruth, he saw no alteration in the l.u.s.trous coat. The first dragon he saw was Ramoth, Lessa beside her, and to one side, Mar appeared. Jaxom glanced down at his wrist.w.a.tch: F'lar's trip had lasted the full fifteen minutes that dragons could endure without oxygen. The cargo bay. was lit, but not well enough for Jaxom to tell if Mnementh was off color. Looking down at Ruth, he saw no alteration in the l.u.s.trous coat.

We've done it, We've done it, he said. he said. Everyone safely back below? Everyone safely back below?

Monarth tells me so. Heth... Ruth hesitated, and Jaxom felt part of him shrivel in fear. Ruth hesitated, and Jaxom felt part of him shrivel in fear. Heth says they are all back, but several dragons are in bad color. Heth says they are all back, but several dragons are in bad color.

If that's all, it's nothing a good meal won't cure. And you?

I'm fine. We have done very well. So far.

Now if I can only think of some pretext for the Buenos Aires, Jaxom said as he removed his helmet. Buenos Aires, Jaxom said as he removed his helmet.

You will.

"Yeeeeow!"

Jaxom was so startled by the loud cheer from F'lar that he nearly lifted himself from Ruth's back. The white dragon, eyes whirling in amazement, also turned his head to see F'lar propel himself off Mnementh and go shooting toward the equally surprised Lessa. When he grabbed her, his momentum spun them off in a lazy twirl until they careened into Ramoth. The great gold dragon arched her neck to look down at the extraordinary behavior of the Benden Weyrleaders.

"We did it! The dragons of Pern did it! Aivas'll have to eat sand on this one! He never thought we could do it!" F'lar was yelling at the top of his voice and laughing when echoes bounced back at him.

"Really, F'lar..." Lessa struggled to regain her balance, but Jaxom could see that she was smiling. "Yes, it is a splendid moment for the Weyrs! A splendid one! You've kept your promise. Indeed you have. That'll show the Holds and Halls!"

Still grinning fatuously, F'lar leaned back against Ramoth, pushing back his wayward lock.

"In point of fact, Lessa," he said then, his expression turned wry, "we haven't quite done it. There's N'ton's wings to lift the third engine, and then we have to wait. First for the explosion, and then to see if it had the proper effect."

Jaxom rubbed his hand across his lips. Knowledge of the fixture was a parlous a.s.set. But it was enough that Jaxom knew knew this great enterprise would work. this great enterprise would work.

"All safely down with your wings, Jaxom?" F'lar inquired as Jaxom floated to the deck.

"A few dragons off color..."

"Ruth's not," Lessa said, scrutinizing the white dragon and smiling approval at Jaxom.

"He says I've been stuffing him. Which of us gets to tell Aivas?" Jaxom asked, smiling broadly. , "We both do," F'lar said. He clapped an arm across Jaxom's shoulders, and together they bounced across the deck to the cargo-bay console. "You know, I didn't see your wing."

"Nor I yours," Jaxom said, chuckling. "We poor soil-bound Pernese have no appreciation of real size..." He spread his arms wide. "That Rift is mammoth. We planted our engine really well down in the Rift on a wide stone ledge."

"Aivas already knows," Lessa said. "I told him you'd all gone and that Ramoth was in touch with Mnementh. Oddly enough," she added, peering at Jaxom, "she couldn't hear Ruth."

"That is odd," Jaxom said, pretending to be puzzled. "Ramoth hears him quite well. But you both forget how far that Rift stretches, and we were at the far northern tip of it."

They reached the console.

"Aivas?" F'lar said.

"You have succeeded. Are all safely returned?"

"Yes. Now do you doubt draconic abilities?" F'lar asked, vindication mixed with the triumph in his laugh. He pulled Jaxom over in a comradely fashion. "You didn't want to believe that dragons could do what we said they could."

"We were right on schedule, too," Jaxom said, allowing himself to chuckle. "My team set that engine down right where you wanted it. No problem!"

"You are both to be complimented on your courage and daring."

"Don't lay it on too thick, Aivas," F'lar said.

"You deserve every credit that will accrue to your valorous deed. You have performed an incredible feat, Weyrleader F'lar. There is no doubt of that. Or that you will have achieved your personal goal-the end of Thread on this planet."

Jaxom grinned at F'lar, pleased at Aivas's unusual rhetoric.

"Your achievement is historically equivalent to that of the first dragonriders to fight Thread. Your name will be remembered with Sean O'Connell's, Sorka Hanrahan's-"

"That is laying it on too thick," Jaxom said. "You're the only one who remembered who were first to fight."

"Actually, Jaxom," F'lar said, grinning broadly, "Sebell showed me the corrected Harper Hall Records, and the eighteen riders who partic.i.p.ated in that Fall were honored in their Turn. No one ran afoul of any of those dangers you warned us about," F'lar added, savoring this auspicious moment.

"It is wise to prepare for unusual contingencies," Aivas said.

"Well, we've done it."

"And you deserve this," Lessa said, joining them with a wineskin in her hands. "Best Benden."

"The 'sixteen?" Jaxom asked, craning his head for a look at the label.

"What else?" Lessa replied with a coquettish smile before she put the wineskin to her lips.

Jaxom blinked and, recovering, grinned back. It was about time that she treated him as an adult. Then he grew serious as he accepted the wineskin from her and raised it to the Benden Weyrleaders. "To all the Weyrs of Pern!"

"To us for this triumphant day!"

Jaxom took a long swig, then pa.s.sed the wineskin to F'lar, who drank, then pa.s.sed it to Lessa. As she sipped, F'lar turned to Jaxom. "You did tell 'em all to shuck those suits for the next round?"

"As planned, brown riders'll bring them to N'ton at Fort Weyr."

"Did your team scatter those treated ovoids as Aivas wanted?"

Jaxom winked at Lessa. "Mirrim wanted to bring back some examples of empty ones she found lying about." Lessa looked outraged, but he waved a rea.s.surance. "I recommended that she didn't."

"How long before the explosion, Aivas?" F'lar asked.

"The HN03 gauge readings rea.s.sure that there is no stoppage. The corrosion continues." gauge readings rea.s.sure that there is no stoppage. The corrosion continues."

"That's no answer," F'lar said, frowning.

Jaxom grinned. "That's all you're going to get right now. And we've still the third one to go." Which const.i.tuted a major problem for him. He desperately needed a few private words with Aivas, to see if he had come up with any ideas on how Jaxom could insinuate himself into N'ton's flight and get the dragons to take Ruth's coordinates for the second time leap of a mere five hundred Turns. Somehow he had had accomplished it, for the other crater was there on the southern tip of the Rift. Jaxom had racked his brains and, whenever he was private with Aivas over the past few days, had tried to figure out any way that didn't involve explaining to N'ton. Not that Mon wouldn't believe Jaxom, or that he wasn't discreet, but the fewer who knew about the time-traveling the better. Lessa would be furious at the risk involved. accomplished it, for the other crater was there on the southern tip of the Rift. Jaxom had racked his brains and, whenever he was private with Aivas over the past few days, had tried to figure out any way that didn't involve explaining to N'ton. Not that Mon wouldn't believe Jaxom, or that he wasn't discreet, but the fewer who knew about the time-traveling the better. Lessa would be furious at the risk involved.

So now he looked around him. "Are you the only ones up here, Lessa?"

"Oh, no." She grinned. "Everyone else is on the bridge, peering through the telescope, hoping to see the explosion. Oh, I told them it wouldn't happen soon. They were confident that they'd see the wings." Jaxom's breath caught when she said that. Oblivious, she went on. "Of course, they couldn't. Sometimes, even Fandarel doesn't comprehend vast distances. But today's excitement is being shared."

"How long has it been since we got back?" F'lar asked Jaxom.

"About twenty minutes," Jaxom replied. "N'ton's wings won't be ready yet, F'lar. Does anyone need your suit?"

"I shouldn't think so, but to be on the safe side, I'll shuck out of it. Could you bring it over to the Buenos Aires Buenos Aires if it is needed?" F'lar handed Jaxom the helmet and, with Lessa's help, started removing the bulky suit. As he laid it over Jaxom's arm, he added, "I think we'll join those on the bridge, and the telescope, and watch N'ton work." if it is needed?" F'lar handed Jaxom the helmet and, with Lessa's help, started removing the bulky suit. As he laid it over Jaxom's arm, he added, "I think we'll join those on the bridge, and the telescope, and watch N'ton work."

As soon as the lift doors closed on them, Jaxom returned to the console. "All right, Aivas, just how do I get to go with N'ton?"

"That is being arranged," Aivas replied, surprising him.

" "How is it being arranged?" Jaxom demanded. it being arranged?" Jaxom demanded.

"You are quick and clever. You already have a reason to be on the Buenos Aires. You will Buenos Aires. You will know what to do when the time comes. Transfer now to the other ship." know what to do when the time comes. Transfer now to the other ship."

"I'll know when the time comes, will I?" Jaxom muttered to himself as he threw the extra suit over his shoulder. Carrying the suit and two helmets, he made his way over to Ruth. "Hand this one up to me, will you?" he asked, giving the white dragon one of the two helmets so he would have a free hand to mount. "How's Mon doing? Has he got all the suits yet?"

As he arranged F'lar's suit in front of him he caught a whiff of sweat. Well, he didn't smell that sweet himself after his exertions.

N'ton says that says that some suits have to be sponged, and helmets have some suits have to be sponged, and helmets have to match to match the suit the suit.

Washed? Dragonriders tended to be fastidious in their personal habits, and dressing in a sweaty suit might be distasteful to many. Oh, Dragonriders tended to be fastidious in their personal habits, and dressing in a sweaty suit might be distasteful to many. Oh, yes, perhaps they yes, perhaps they might at that. I don't might at that. I don't understand understand about about the helmets. the helmets.

There was a pause while Ruth inquired of Monarth, N'ton's bronze.

They forgot to put the suits the suits back together-Ruth was obviously repeating something he did not quite understand-and back together-Ruth was obviously repeating something he did not quite understand-and the helmets got the helmets got mixed up mixed up.

How long is sorting going to long is sorting going to take? take? And suddenly Jaxom had a glimmer of an idea. With nearly a hundred suits to match to helmets, it could take several hours. He hoped it would take a long time. And suddenly Jaxom had a glimmer of an idea. With nearly a hundred suits to match to helmets, it could take several hours. He hoped it would take a long time.

Monarth didn't know. N'ton is not happy.

Rea.s.sure Monarth and N'ton, would you would you please, Ruth? Because this is going to work for our benefit. I think we can now put please, Ruth? Because this is going to work for our benefit. I think we can now put in in an appearance on the an appearance on the Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires.

There were three blues and two greens waiting there, all from Eastern Weyr, and Ruth was greeted with considerable awe by the young dragons. Knowing that the white dragon would enjoy their deferential attention, Jaxom left him there and took the lift up to the smaller bridge of the Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires.

"What's holding up N'ton's wings?" Fandarel asked, relieved to see Jaxom. "That was a splendid sight, Jaxom, watching all those dragons lifting the engines like they were so many fire-stone sacks. Aivas has informed us that all went well." Fandarel looked concerned. "Why isn't N'ton here?"

"Because no one thought to keep helmet and body suit together," Jaxom said. Then he realized that he should also appear concerned and managed a frown. "I don't think it's going to matter in the long run," he added thoughtfully as he made his way to the nearest console. "Aivas, there is going to be a delay. Helmets weren't kept with suits, and they've got to match."

"That could be inconvenient if the delay is prolonged," Aivas said.

"It's three-quarters of an hour since we went off. How long before N'ton has to have different star-pattern references? It would be disastrous if he arrived at the wrong time and his engine went off either prematurely or too late." If Aivas expected Jaxom to use his wits, he hoped he would see what he was aiming at.

"A consideration to be sure. Reprogramming contingency." The screen altered from the current view of the Buenos Aires Buenos Aires engine to rapid shifts of star configurations. "With any lengthy delay, the star picture will be slightly different." engine to rapid shifts of star configurations. "With any lengthy delay, the star picture will be slightly different."

"Is there going to be a problem?" Fandarel asked.

Jaxom smiled rea.s.suringly at the Mastersmith and the others on the bridge, Masterminer Nicat, Master Idarolan, Jancis, and Piemur. Jaxom wished Piemur were not there: they knew each other far too well. "I don't think it's insurmountable. As you heard, Aivas is already programming contingency plans. I'd better inform Lessa and F'lar of the delay."

When he had done that, a call came through from Evan in engineering, patiently waiting to complete the separation. Jaxom was glad it was he, rather than Fosdak, in charge of that task. Fosdak had no patience.

Of all on the three bridges, Jaxom was the only one delighted that it took N'ton and his wings nearly four hours to get suited up. N'ton was usually a calm, easygoing, and relaxed Weyrleader; his patience had been sorely tried by the delays.

Monarth says they're ready. Ramoth says they must get the new configurations from you. Aivas is giving you the new star patterns to memorize and give Monarth. Monarth says they're ready. Ramoth says they must get the new configurations from you. Aivas is giving you the new star patterns to memorize and give Monarth. Ruth delivered the various messages just as the new configurations came up on the monitor. They were, as Jaxom knew, those for the five-hundred-Turn jump with the Red Star in the same relation to Rukbat at the Eighth Pa.s.s. Aivas had made a slight time alteration on those original coordinates, judging by the position of the Wheel and the Plow constellations on the horizon. Ruth delivered the various messages just as the new configurations came up on the monitor. They were, as Jaxom knew, those for the five-hundred-Turn jump with the Red Star in the same relation to Rukbat at the Eighth Pa.s.s. Aivas had made a slight time alteration on those original coordinates, judging by the position of the Wheel and the Plow constellations on the horizon.

"Lessa," Jaxom said, toggling the ship-to-ship link, "I've got the visuals here. I'll give them to N'ton. Can Ramoth tell them to transfer in five more minutes? I have to get Ruth from the cargo bay."

"Just give N'ton the coordinates, Jaxom," Lessa said.

"That's what I intend doing," Jaxom replied mendaciously. "Fandarel, five-minute warning for Evan?"

The smith nodded enthusiastically, for the waiting had made everyone edgy. Waiting, in the smith's lexicon, was inefficient. As Jaxom took the lift to the cargo bay, he wondered if Fandarel ever rested. Here he had completed the most complex and exhausting work of a lifetime and he still fretted over inactivity.

We go? We go? Ruth asked Jaxom, his eyes whirling with excitement. Ruth asked Jaxom, his eyes whirling with excitement.

We don't really have to go, you know, Ruth, We don't really have to go, you know, Ruth, Jaxom said. Jaxom said. Lessa said we only have to give N'ton the new coordinates... J Lessa said we only have to give N'ton the new coordinates... Jaxom chuckled as he saw the disappointment in Ruth's eyes. He mounted and, crowning his head with the helmet, twisted it shut. That will get them there safely enough but... I think you'll make an error and go, too. You feel all right about that? That will get them there safely enough but... I think you'll make an error and go, too. You feel all right about that?

I have rested, and this is the shorter trip, isn't it?

I hope so. Between the first jump, fretting over how to join N'ton's wings, and the long wait, Jaxom was feeling slightly frayed. He took care not to let Ruth sense that. so. Between the first jump, fretting over how to join N'ton's wings, and the long wait, Jaxom was feeling slightly frayed. He took care not to let Ruth sense that.

Monarth comes! Monarth comes! Excitement colored Ruth's tone. Excitement colored Ruth's tone.

"Fandarel, do you see them?" Jaxom asked through his helmet link.

"Yes, magnificent. I have given Evan the order to separate."

Let's get to the stern, Ruth. Let's get to the stern, Ruth.

Jaxom took a deep breath, but they flashed Jaxom took a deep breath, but they flashed between so between so fast that he had not quite completed the inhalation when Ruth reappeared gripping the stern. Monarth and N'ton were beside them, and below, the bronze dragons of Fort, High Reaches, Telgar, and Ista ranged along the top spars. fast that he had not quite completed the inhalation when Ruth reappeared gripping the stern. Monarth and N'ton were beside them, and below, the bronze dragons of Fort, High Reaches, Telgar, and Ista ranged along the top spars.