Damia's Children Part 17

Have been for weeks. I didn't realize how much I'd miss them.

They're larger, too. Had a good hiber.. Dad, send me a visualization of this Heinlein Base, please? It's not part of the KLTL's files and Captain Plr wants to see where the Queen's being kept.

They sure are nervy about her being anywhere near Earth.

Rea.s.sure them. Heinlein Base is built in solid rock.

Nothing could burrow through that. And there's nowhere to go.

Certainly nowhere with oxygen.

I'll tell them.

Rojer couldn't keep awake any longer, falling asleep during the next part of the rapid mental exchanges.

A full week went by before Damia had to agitate for the return of her husband and son. There were big daddies to transport and there was no way she could handle them without the mental muscle Afra and Rojer supplied.

Rojer hadn't minded. Ensign Bhuto was a.s.signed to show him around the ship.

'Don't you mean, nursemaid me!' Rojer asked when the exec officer had completed the introduction and moved away.

Bhuto, with the darkest skin, the whitest teeth and the biggest brown eyes Rojer had ever seen, grinned broadly.

'Mr Lyon, sir, you don't need a nursemaid, not after what you did yesterday!' And he rolled his eyes.

'Eat up, Mr Lyon, sir, breakfast's the best meal of the day! Say, you couldn't haul in some fresh stuff for us, while you and your daddy are here, could you? I haven't had any fruit in yanks. I didn't get any last time your brother brought stuff in, but I figure, if I'm with you as your companion on board this ship, if supplies come in, I've a better chance now of getting a share. Wouldn't you say so?' Just a little push at Bhuto's wide open mind and Rojer knew he was genuine.

He soon learned that Bhuto talked all the time, a sort of verbal diarrhoea.

But he knew the Beijing from turret to shuttle bay, and every single one of the access alleys. Literally he gave Rojer and the 'Dinis a tour of the ship!

He also practised his 'Dini, translating what he to)id Rojer into their language.

'Look, why don't you just speak 'Dini?' Rojer said when they were midships and descending. 'Save your throat.' ''Dini saves no-one's throat. How do they manage in long speeches? That's why I speak Basic to you, give my vocal cords a rest now and then. Sure, I could just use the one language 'co they certainly understand Basic, too, the way their eyes shine. Not stupid, 'Dinis, not like some of the A.B.s think, just because they look like weasels wearing fezes. I've never seen a weasel - live that is - but there's only a general look of a weasel about them, what with the smooth pelt and all. But 'Dinis are not the least bit weaselly, if you take the distinction.' Then he turned to help Mur through a narrow aperture into yet another access alley. KEEP HEAD DOWN SO AS NOT TO POKE OUT POLL EYE.

'where did you get so fluent in 'Dini?' Rojer shoved the question in quickly.

'Oh, my older brother had 'Dini pairs. We were one of the first families, though I expect that you Lyons were the first-' and he grinned, white toothed, to show no ill-feeling, '-so to speak, what with being children of the Raven-Lyon family and each of you had pairs?' Rojer only had time to nod before Bhuto was off again.

'All of you? Eight? Well, I suppose it's working out what with your brother first Priming the Vadim and now the KLTL. That was a really fine gesture of his, to accompany the KLTL to be sure they had sufficient supplies so that no 'Dini had to lay on the line.' Bhuto rolled his eyes again.

Rojer thought he must be one of the very few people who understood what that meant. He shuddered, glad that there was absolutely no chance that either Gil or Kat would have to volunteer.

'One really has to hand it to that species for persevering against incredible odds, and suiciding to prevent a Hiver from overcoming the worlds they were pledged to protect.' 'Bhuto? Do you stop talking in your sleep?' 'Oh, sorry, Mr Lyon, sir. I do tend to talk a bit.' He was silent for all of two minutes - Rojer's time sense kept track.

They were in the shuttle deck by then and Rojer was quite willing to listen to the ensign's vivid description of how the Hiver pod was netted and hauled inboard.

'Tried to run from us and used up the last whiff of fuel, whatever it is they use. So the pod was just drifting. Captain thinks towards the yellow sun in 757-283. No other suitable system nearer than ten light years in this quadrant. D'you suppose the Queen knew that and had a pre-planned destination? I mean, that's awful close to their homeworld, spatially speaking. Could be there's a colony already there. Isn't one of the 'Dini explored worlds: we had to check that.

But it's not one that's tagged. Rather far out from our Hub.

Even with several million planets in this arm of the Milky Way that are suitable to habitation by our three species, it's remarkable there was one near enough for the pod to reach. Of course, some think the Queen'd just go into hibernation, or suspended animation or something until such time as the instrumentation located a suitable planet. Or maybe this was always a destination. Off the wreck's trajectory but then it might not have had a chance to correct when the nova shock wave hit it.

'At that, our shuttle bay was only just large enough to haul the pod in. Biiiiiig! Six metres if a centimetre. If it were a human vehicle, could fit a whole watch on board it. Just hope there's more in there than just one Queen body. She'd be one mighty huge mother, she would. But they're saying that she'd have to bring attendants and workers and drones and such like because she couldn't survive without their ministrations. 'Dinis told us - when we were kids - that the Queens decide what sort of offspring the Hive needs to function and then parcel out the types among 'em to breed. That's a handy habit.

Not enough deck scrubbers - make two dozen more eggs of that kind.

Not enough ensigns - produce six more.' Bhuto grinned as Rojer inadvertently made eye contact.

'I do talk too much, don't I?' 'You talk all right,' Rojer said, projecting rea.s.surance, 'but mostly you're interesting. Say, any of your crew interested in the puzzle?' Bhuto drew in a delighted breath, lifted both hands in surprise and then, grinning even more broadly than usual, he beckoned Rojer to follow him towards the stern of the Beijing.

'We're allowed to work in Cargo Hold 3 on account of it's empty.

Chief Firr programmed the engineering computer to replicate, to scale, every single one of the pieces found and he keeps up to date when new ones are brought in. I'll bet we got as good a set-up as Naval Intelligence or the High Councils of either ally.' For a reason Rojer suspected was due to peer pressure, Bhuto did not talk non-stop in Cargo 3 In fact, he whispered only twice: once to suggest that they eat down here with the other diligent puzzlepiece workers and the second time to ask if perhaps the 'Dinis wouldn't like tripods. He knew there were some available for when Captain Smelkoff had had 'Dini experts on board.

For a short while, Rojer wrestled with his conscience: whether or not to tell Chief Firr of Thian '5 new finds. Wandering around the edge of the immense table on which facsimiles .of the pieces were placed - much the same way Xexo had set up his display - Rojer found the ones he thought were sections of the whole he and Xexo had been working with.

He asked Bhuto to point out the chief, if he was present, and when Bhuto did, without saying a word, Rojer accosted the man, a stocky man with a big, red-veined nose.

'Sir, I'm...' 'And a good day to you, Mr Lyon,' was the affable reply. 'My compliments on your hoist yesterday.

Glad to see the last of it. It's safe now?' 'At Heinlein Base on Earth moon.' The chief scowled. 'Wouldn't like it in my sky, I can tell you. What can I do for you, Mr Lyon? I perceive that you may also be a compulsive jigger or you wouldn't've hung around so long.

Know that look. What do you think of our set-up? Impressive?' And the chief peered up at Rojer, projecting a wish for praise.

'It's a splendid set-up: easy access to all the main and peripheral parts,' and Rojer knew he was sounding just like Xexo but it seemed to gratify the chief. 'Ensign Bhuto---' and an odd expression flashed across the chief's face which Rojer interpreted as meaning the chief found the ensign tiresome, 'aid that you've machined all these pieces.' 'I have indeed, Mr Lyon 'I've the specifications of some new additions.. ' Before he could complete his sentence, the chief had him by the arm and was propelling him to an alcove where the parts programmer was installed.

'So... 'the chief said, turning it on and holding his fingers expectantly over the keys.

'Rounds,' Rojer said and the chief's fingers keyed the basic shape in. 'In these dimensions and Rojer rattled them off. Like most of his family he had an eidetic memory.

When the chief had finished the programming and the items had dropped into the basket, he made a grand show of adding them to the table, announcing that these were Mr Lyon's contribution and what said they?

Rojer felt himself blushing at the cheer that issued from nearly thirty throats and hid his embarra.s.sment by picking up the first piece to see if he. could make a match.

Much later in the ship's day, his father extracted him from Cargo 3 to bring in three supply drones.

Rojer remembered the ensign's comment and saved a net of a.s.sorted fruits. The young man's grat.i.tude was touching and Rojer realized that his talk was as much nerves as anything and Bhuto really needed understanding and rea.s.surance. Those Rojer could project whenever they were together, and not necessarily in Cargo 3. Perhaps only Rojer noticed the decrease in verbiage. Or was it only because Bhuto would take Gil and Kat to one side and improve his 'Dini intonations and vocabulary. Evidently as long as Bhuto maintained silence, he could remain in the cargo hold so Rojer, too, was able to indulge his obsession.

A second compulsive Hive-oriented preoccupation had begun at Heinlein Base. All over the alliance, viewers waited to see the Queen emerge from her escape pod. A special channel was devoted to Queen watching, with experts giving learned discussions on what she must be doing inside the pod (making sensible investigations of her new location?); when she could be expected to emerge (a matter which now involved thousands, even millions, of credits from the speculators); what she looked like - but this was based on the partial remains that had been gathered from the nova wreckage and other detritus (large and insectoid with useful mandibles). Some earlier estimates had to be considerably revised on the basis of the size of the escape pod.

Granted, considerable s.p.a.ce would be taken up by its life support, guidance and propulsion units. No weapon apertures had been discerned but weapons on an escape pod were considered unlikely. Of equal interest to a sight of the Queen was a look into the pod itself, to examine it inside out in minutest detail and subject the vehicle to most intense a.n.a.lysis. The hull sheathing was of particular interest.

Considerable debates went on about her probable companions. One block insisted that she was alone to ensure her survival if a lengthy journey to a safe haven was required. 'Dinis pondered her possible suicide rather than fall into inimical hands.

A very small group of humans wanted to greet her civilly - that being the best way to win her cooperation. How would she know, these proponents argued, that she had been rescued/retrieved by putative enemies? Human vessels had only recently taken s.p.a.ce with their 'Dini allies and the Queen would be unaware of the Alliance. Perhaps if she was met with courtesy, more could be learned.

'Dini resistance to that interpretation was solid.

Denebians and any Talent interviewed refuted that att.i.tude.

They weren't at Deneb, the Rowan said in an implacable tone of voice that made Rojer hope his grandmother never directed it at him.

He had heard her addressing his father and he couldn't help but hear that part of the conversation. They didn't feel the alienness that we felt, the resolution to have Deneb for their get! The Hivers cannot be allowed uncontrolled proliferation. Their depredations must be curtailed.

I agree, Rowan, Afra said. Risking your displeasure, I wonder if we are taking the right att.i.tude.

With the Hive homeworld destroyed, isn't it possible that the loss of their home base will limit further activities?

Afra! Do you recall nothing of your contact with the Hivers? His grandmother's anger at his father's mildly delivered reb.u.t.tal was such that Rojer strengthened his shields. He was only on the periphery of her mental projection and the agitation was palpable. How could his father handle the full weight of her disapproval?

I recall it all in an exceedingly vivid memory, Rowan, but so far - and I haven't been against the Alliance in any way, shape or form we've blithely accepted the Mrdini judgements as irrefutable. Would it not be the better part of wisdom - since we consider ourselves sophisticated and civilized - to see if direct contact with a representative of the Hivers is justified?

Really, Afra Lyon, only our long-standing friendship and involvement keeps me from suspecting your loyalties!

Rojer scrunched down under his thermal blanket, rea.s.sured by the warmth of Gil and Kat, sleeping on either side of him. This bunk was not made for such occupancy and he woke up each morning with cramp.

Not that this minor discomfort was more than that. His bed at Aurigae had always allowed for three growing bodies. He'd been having a fascinating 'Dini dream and he used this to get back to sleep, ignoring the distress that conversation had produced in him. The Rowan might be his grandmother and highly respected, a heroine for being the focus of the Denebian repulsion, but she shouldn't speak to his father like that!

When Rojer woke the next morning, he had vivid recollections of his 'Dini dream. So did Gil and Kat.

They were all for rushing down to Cargo 3, for the dream had been about fitting pieces together.

As sure as they were that three pieces would fit, Rojer scrambled into his clothes, remembered to depilate the fuzz from his jaw - while Gil and Kat harangued him for dawdling, jumping up and down like jacks in their excitement.

CERTAIN PERSONAL HABITS MUST BE PERFORMED TO PROJECT AUTHORITY AND PRESERVE DIGNITY, he told them so firmly that they subsided. He couldn't run ragtag about the Beijing as he could about Aurigae. And his father would give him one of those looks, letting Rojer know that he had dropped the family standard.

GET ThERE MOST QUICKLY? Gil asked, for the first time asking to be 'ported. Usually that was Rojer' S option and scrupulously observed by the 'Dinis.

GOOD IDEA THIS ONE TIME.

Rojer hunkered down, arms about his friends, and 'ported into the pa.s.sageway adjacent to Cargo 3.

That should be a safe enough destination. If someone spotted them miraculously appearing, well, everyone on board knew he was a Prime and why shouldn't he use the Talent he'd been given. It wasn't as if he had been indiscriminately popping in and out. And anyone who might be near Cargo 3 would know that he was also a puzzle buff.

They met no-one but they could hear the usual low murmur and occasional curse as a hoped match dissolved. Rojer was greeted by a few noddings but the attention of most was on their fittings and piecings.

Prompted by their 'Dini dreams, the three strode about the table Gil and Kat with their heads bent so the poll eyes were fastened on their objective.

Rojer scooped up one piece, moved down the table, extracted a second and found the third as far to the centre of the table as he could stretch. By then, everyone was watching, sensing an Incident.

Rojer held his breath and carefully turned the one piece on its rim, for it was rounded, fitted the s&nd to its longer side and the third to the short one. There was no question of the fit. A cheer rang out and those nearest him were slapping him on the back, nearly upsetting Gil and Kat, and rejoicing in his success. Chief Firr was roused from his bunk with the news and it percolated quickly through the ship. Rojer's piecing was registered. The fact that he was one of seventeen others in the Alliance, six 'Dini and eleven humans, to have found the same match did not reduce the jubilation on the Beijing.

Enjoy this moment with discretion, Rojer, his father said but did not hide his pleasure at Rojer's achievement.

Count on that, Dad, Rojer replied without bothering to dampen his private elation. After all, his dad wouldn't think badly of him if he kept the lid on a public display. Besides which, I was not the only one.

You are in very good company, for all the others are trained engineers. I believe that perhaps your mother and I have erred in appreciating your positive vocation. We will discuss this on our return.

Your grandparents will be pleased. Ah --a.s.sociation had brought to the surface Rojer's inadvertent eavesdropping the previous night and his father had unerringly caught it.

Well, that can't be helped. Rowan was too distraught to narrow her thought. We are to return today. You timed your success perfectly. My compliments, Rojer.

We couldn't possibly go by way of Heinlein Base, could we? The request was out before Rojer could censor it. Everyone and his uncle's brother's cousin's grandson would be trying for a chance to visit Heinlein Base. What made him think that he had a priority on visiting?

I believe we can make a case for ourselves, his father replied.

I didn't mean that to be heard, Dad, believe me!

There was a chuckle through his father's voice. I do. You're high from your success because, I must a.s.sure you in my turn, I was not invading your privacy.

The significance of that mild statement capped Rojer's day.

Talented parenting involved the perquisite of reading a child as deeply as possible - especially highly Talented children; to correct any psychological quirks before they became established and warped a personality. That Afra had resigned that prerogative meant he considered his son adult enough to function with no further acute surveillance.

Then his father went on. It happens that I, too, wish to see the escape pod closer than at the end of a long tether. Screen definition is very sharp but there is a certain quality that one perceives only in the presence of the object of scrutiny. We will have the opportunity to scrutinize it.

This exchange occurred while the general celebration was continuing, with many of the dedicated puzzlers examining the fit, doing and undoing the pieces. When Chief Firr arrived, he put the three sections under the 'scope and verified the fit. He couldn't have been more pleased than if he'd done the deed himself.

'It's up to you guys now,' Rojer said when the excitement had calmed down sufficiently for him to speak. 'Dad and I have our orders: we're to 'port back to Callisto.' 'h.e.l.l, man, why'nt you just 'port over to the Moon and get a good look at that al' pod?' one of the mates asked.

Rojer grinned. 'Rank has some privileges...

'Rank?' the chief asked, his eyes widening.

'I'm a civilian after all,' Rojer said, deceptively meek.

'You're a good... guy,' the chief said and Rojer knew that he'd been about to say 'kid' and Rojer grinned in appreciation.

'Wish you luck, Chief. Maybe you'll get the next match!' 'For the honour of the Beijing!' Firr replied with a broad grin and held out his hand to Rojer.

Without hesitation Rojer took it, and knew that the chief had liked him for himself, and because he'd put a plug in that motor mouth of an ensign. He had to shake hands all round after that and did so, gathering the impression that, despite being a Talent and still downy cheeked, the crew liked him.

Almost more elated by that than the piecing, Rojer went to join his father in the messroom.

Gil and Kat asked to stay in Cargo 3, just in case something else from their shared dream had results. When Rojer asked permission for the 'Dinis to stay behind, Chief Firr absently concurred: he was already collecting more rounded bits that might possibly add to Rojer's contribution.

As Rojer left, behind him was an excited buzz of folk given a positive stimulus to their avocation.

Captain Smelkoff joined them for breakfast, adding his own compliments for the join.

'On an extended mission like this, Rojer, this sort of preoccupation is invaluable and you've just added the impetus of success. Good morale booster. You two are quite a team. I liked that older boy of yours, Mr Lyon, didn't see enough of him. Real pleasure to have you aboard, and special thanks for importing those fresh supplies! Feed the crew well enough and they'll put up with a lot of privation.' Then the captain leaned towards Afra in a mock conspiratorial pose. 'You couldn't leave this one behind for a while, could you? I guarantee I'd make a sailor of him!' Afra grinned broadly. 'Unfortunately, Captain, he's about to take up his own station.

That was news to Rojer but, on the heels of that thought, he realized his father was courteously dissembling.

'Well, I'm sure he'll be a credit to you. A real credit.' Rojer began to feel distinctly uncomfortable in the light of such effusive commendation. He knew he'd done a good job of what he was sent to do: he was delighted to have had a whole week on board a mission vessel; he was elated to have matched artefacts, even if he wasn't the first to do so. That was almost a relief. But he had only been doing what he was trained to do, 'porting and interpreting 'Dini dreams.

How many of the others could have shared the same dream? he asked his father, as he ate, in as self-effacing manner as he could.