Tower And The Hive Part 17

Gravy shuddered, hugging her arms. Semirame nodded her agreement with such a dire punishment apparent.

"That's why it's so imperative to find Talents young and train them up so they can't be subverted," Thian added with a sigh, looking out the porthole. "Well, we're not the only ones who haven't wasted time," he said, pointing. The sphere was no longer visible and the view of the starscape was altering slowly.

Being nearer, Semirame flipped on the panel that showed the helm's maneuvers.

"We are definitely leaving orbit," she said with satisfaction. "How soon can we 'port the Hivers?"

"Show the engineering board, will you, Rame?" Thian asked, rising and going to his couch. "I'll just warn Grandfather to tell the spheres to be ready for their new inmates."

"Nine carriers are going to make some generator noise," Clancy said, sliding onto his couch just as Semirame got to hers. Gravy stretched out in her lounge chair.

"Do 'em one at a time. Two a couple of times, Grandfather is telling me. Just merge with me. Three, two, one .. ."

The merge was completed with the ease of long practice. Semirame raised one hand, eyes on the engineering board.

We won't need much push, Thian told the others in his mind. Here's the first pair. . . Any variation, Rame?

None that isn't consistent with our breaking orbit. A pair to the next sphere at Sef. Rame? No problem.

It took only ten minutes to dispatch the carriers, the last one the longest since the Washington was picking up speed with every pa.s.sing moment.

"She's one sweet ship," Semirame remarked with a sigh of understandable pride.

Thian lay still on his couch much longer than the others and only seemed to rouse himself when Gravy brought him the restorative drink. She sat down beside him on s.p.a.ce he instantly made for her slim self. What troubles you, Thi?

That's only the first occupied planet, Gravy. Are we going to have trouble with every one we find?

Probably. She was being candid since she had no reason to hide her thoughts from him.

What if they want specimens from every other River planet? Thian let the others in on his quandary.

It's lively they will, Semirame said, not at all concerned. We did it successfully this time. We can probably manage again.

Not if the local sphere is occupied.

Let's worry about that when, as or if it happens, Thian, Semirame said.

We've given the experts enough to chew on . . . Clancy hastily added, metaphorically speaking, of course.

Thian swung his legs over the couch, keeping as close to Gravy as his altered position allowed. I want us to checl^every Talent, major and minor, on this ship and see who's disaffected by the militants. I want to be able to trust all of them, not just a few.

Semirame regarded him, her expression almost sad. We can't chec^ every Talent in the entire Fleet, Thian.

I'm more concerned with the morale of those on this ship, since it's the flagship.

And what do we do to the ones we already fynow are suspect? Gravy asked, her expression blank.

There's a way. . . a safe one. . . of suppressing the Talent of anyone under a 5. A sort of lid on their Talent. It can be removed, but it would feep them from tumbling to any stray 'paths and it would fyeep them from feeling any sting-pzzt. We might need to do that at some point. I'd asf^ Grandfather for permission first, and inform Admiral Ashiant if Grandfather says I should.

I'd rather you did, Semirame said bluntly, even if Grandfather says you shouldn't.

Raven would insist you told the Admiral, Thian, Clancy said, glaring at Semirame.

"Okay, okay, so I'm new at this," she said, holding up both hands in surrender.

Ever regret we too^ advantage of your Talent, Rame? Clancy asked, quirking one eyebrow at her.

It sure gave me a chance to get ojfPhobos Base with my record still clean. She reached over and tousled Clancy's neatly combed hair. Oh, hey, one last thought. . . to still the voice of the militant. We all know-she swung her finger in a circle to include them all-that the sphere down there ain't going nowhere, not with the metal fatigue in its hull, much less all the holes.

But if we were to ostentatiously plant one of your little packages, Thian, to blow it to kingdom come if any queen tried to bring the engines up . . .

Those engines-Clancy snorted derisively-wouldn't go . . . Oh, I see what you mean. Smart idea!

I do get them. Part of being around you guys so long. By all means mention that to the Admiral, Commander, and I'd rather it came from you since I would be exceeding my orders to do so. That ought to earn you a commendation too, said Thian, grinning. There'd be no way it could be detonated without knowing the detonator code.

I sort of hate that we have to placate them, Gravy said, looking rebellious.

Not when it antic.i.p.ates a possible demand they might thin of, Clancy said with a malicious grin.

"I don't know about anyone else," Thian went on aloud, sliding off the couch and hauling Gravy after him, "but I'm starving of the hunger."

"Considering how little you've had to do lately," Gravy said, "I can't imagine what's been developing an appet.i.te in you."

"Whatever it is, it's catching," Clancy said, taking a comb from his hip pocket and giving a few swift, accurate pa.s.ses over his messed hair. "Coming, Commander?"

"Now that you mention it, it is past my lunch break."

1 p J 1 0 L ^ *

The announcement that the Washington and its Fleet were moving onward in the Search for other Hiver-occupied systems was at first met with some jubilation, as the militants did indeed believe that their agitation had had an effect on the weasel lovers. Admiral Ashiant's advice to the High Council that an explosive device had been left on board the decre- -pit sphere-as a deterrent- rought a loud demand for its immediate detonation.

The Admiral had Commander Yngocelen announce that detonation was automatic should the sphere be boarded, and the militants would have to be happy with that.

Thian sent Earth Prime a message tube full of the recordings taken of the Hivers, complete with the interesting altering "panels" which the queens had been watching. He copied all ten boards in the various queens' quarters. Maybe some expert could find the Rosetta stone that would translate those weird patterns. He also recommended that they see what reaction they got from the Heinlein queen by playing them in her presence.

The euphoria over forcing the Washington to remove itself from the "dangerous Hiver-occupied planet" did not last long. Militant leaders must have engaged in considerable discourse, and they decided that the High Council had deliberately ordered the Washington onward in an attempt to cool the volatile situation. They were certain that an even more egregious plan was being formulated by weasel lovers to subvert what was, to them, so obviously the "will of the people." The Washington was still searching, and who could know what might be the next attempt to pollute Earth or one of the other civilized Star Leagueworlds. The only sure answer to the threat posed by the spheres was the complete annihilation of the Hiver worlds. Renewed agitations stressed the formidable weaponry of the Washington and the other ships in that Fleet: the availability of weapons that could scorch the surface of any planet, wiping out all life-forms, including the hated Hivers. The reb.u.t.tal that this would only put Humanity on the same level as the Hivers was scorned and ignored.

Two of the larger yachts attempted to bomb the Heinlein Base where the captured queen was being "coddled." The missiles were repulsed by the automatic shields that guarded the facility against stray meteors. The resultant explosions mids.p.a.ce caused damage to ships that had not been warned of the action. There were forty fatalities on nine of the small craft ringing the moon, some of which did not have escape pods so that all aboard perished when the hulls of their ships were penetrated by debris. The crews of both large yachts were arrested on charges of manslaughter, endangering the lives and property of twelve other ships and malicious damage to a government facility.

A more devious mission by dedicated militants came closer to success when a heavily armed and well-drilled group, using moon vehicles, made an a.s.sault on the installation. Their advance was seen in time by Til lown and lie Hive in the observation post and marine units were 'ported in-again arousing intense criticism of FT&T-to deal with the invaders.

More splinter groups evolved from those abortive attempts, disgusted with the inefficiency with which these had been conducted. In general, the two attacks on the Heinlein Base had an adverse reaction on the militants. Such unnecessary deaths roused to action those who felt that it was immoral to wish to destroy an entire species. Broadcasts replayed ancient examples of genocides, hoping to remind Humans that such vengeance produced longer-lasting problems than it eliminated. Surely Humankind had grown beyond such heinous solutions, whether the target of such annihilation was Human or alien.

The issue began to involve many Mrdinis, since they were well known to side with the militants on the issue of destroying any planet occupied by Hivers. However, there was dissension within the largest militant group about including aliens to achieve their G.o.d-given objective. Fortunately, the oldest of the Mrdini colors held the power to control the official Mrdini political position and they were of one mind on the immorality of annihilation. Since adulation of and obedience to their elders was a fundamental concept of Mrdini social behavior, no Mrdini would disobey their leaders. The example of Prtglm, who had murdered Rojer's Gil and Kat on board the KTTS, was a constant reminder that no unauthorized or independent action could be taken against their ancient adversary without the most stringent redress.

The hope of the High Council rested on the abilities of their Human counterparts and the combined scientific research into finding a way to restrict Hivers to the planets they now occupied. Such a constraint would placate the most vengeful of the younger Mrdinis, such as Captain Klml and others in positions to vent their belligerence. A formidable task, but one in which both Human and Mrdini scientists were determined to succeed.

Another dedicated faction still dreamed of finding a way to communicate with the queens, by odor since that had provoked some reaction from the queen during the Washington's infiltration of their quarters. Though ridiculed by some xenologists, the idea was not with- out merit. The odors of Human perspiration and*or the smells of the uniform material and gear they carried had provoked the only reaction from a queen yet recorded.

With the Talavera settlement expanding so rapidly, the High Council decreed the opening of Marengo as well. Exhaustive investigations of Marengo's environment showed that it was suitable for either Mrdini or Human occupation. Since the planet had a decided axial tilt, similar to Earth's, with large continental ma.s.ses making almost a complete circuit at the equator, as well as four medium continents in the temperate zones, the planet would be opened to dual colonization: the Mrdini concentrated in the tropics while Humans could settle the higher, more temperate areas.

Of course, the militants were joined by other factions in an outcry that this was so obviously an attempt to placate everyone, and please no one, There were enough Humans and Mrdinis-especially Humans paired with Mrdinis-volunteering for the mixed colony that the Marengo expedition was enthusiastically acclaimed by the moderate and the conservative elements. At least FT&T was able to place Morgelle of Betelgeuse, who was no relation to the Gwyn-Raven-Lyon Primes, as Tower Prime so that much publicity was attached to her appointment. That accord was brief, but a return to the insistence of the militants was deflated by the Second Fleet's discovery of another Talavera-type world, bearing traces of a failed Hiver colony. The disquieting element of that news was that no sphere remained in orbit. The optimists said that meant the Hivers were unlikely to return to that solar system again, and the pessimists wanted to know where, in that case, the sphere had gone. This planet was named Clariflor-since its surface had elements that resembled ClarPs terrain as well as climate and a vast primeval swamp area reminiscent of the old American state of Florida. There were highlands and cooler areas suitable for Human occupation, but Clariflor would be mainly a Mrdini world.

After the disasters befalling both Thian and Rojer and the overuse of T-2 Kincaid Dano, FT&T had initiated the practice of never sending a single high T out on an a.s.signment without a support Talent. Unfortunately, that left insufficient T-2's and T-3's to establish a Tower, until a suitable Prime could be released from other duties. Naturally this allowed the militants the chance to complain that FT&T was not doing its duty by supplying Primes when needed. No amount of argument could explain that Prime Talents were thin on the worlds const.i.tuting the Human part of the Alliance. All who could be useful were in full employment. Meanwhile, the Clariflor expedition was being serviced to the best of FT&T's ability by Talents on shipboard.

"And that's that!" Jeff Raven remarked to the meeting that he had called to explain the current FT&T situation to the two High Councillors. "We can't supply what we do not have. The militants may cry 'nepotism,' " he went on, making quote marks with his long fingers, and seeing the answering grins at the conference table, "and ignore the exhortations of FT&T to test every child at an early age to cultivate and develop even the slightest bit of Talent. The best way toget more Talents is to breed them from Talents."

"And we" said the Rowan firmly, for she was present in one of her rare in-system trips to attend this conference, "have certainly done our part. Now if a certain other planet. . ." Leaning both elbows on the table and propping her chin on her clasped hands, she gave her mate a penetratingly meaningful stare.

"All right, all right, Rowan, Deneb is well endowed with latent Talents, but d.a.m.ned few Primes-old enough, that is," he hastily corrected himself since his son Jeran had fathered several likely ones, "to take on the responsibilities of a Tower. Young Barry's not quite old enough. He needs more training. We'll have to put Xahra in for a while at the beginning, and let her break him in. He could just do for Clariflor. But you have to admit that more Denebians are voluntarily coming forward .. ."

"Even if their willingness smacks more of nepotism than the critics would like," Gollee Gren added, since he referred to those of the Sparrow, Eagles and Hawk clans, who were loosely related to the Ravens.

"Do we have to use Primes for Towers everywhere?" asked Elizara Reldinger, whose T-l gifts were used medically rather than in communications.

"Not always," Jeff said, "but finding matching pairs of T-2's, or triplets of T-3's with sufficient versatility to manage the Tower duties is almost as hard as finding a Prime. They at least need little training . . ."

"Especially if they are Tower-born," the Rowan said, with a hint of pride for her grandchildren's recent achievements.

"Right now, all the T-2's we can spare are on the main Search expeditions. And if you consider how far we will have to range to identify all the Hiver-occupied planets . . ." Jeff gestured to the 3-D tank which replicated the scope of the Alliance's exploration, marking those systems that had at least one Hiver-occupied world. There were a depressing number of them.

"Hivers have been in s.p.a.ce far longer than we have," Admiral Mekturian remarked with a weary sigh.

MUCH TOO LONG, said High Councillor Gktmglnt, large enough to tower over everyone else at the conference table, even the tall Jeff Raven.

ARE WE ASKING TOO MUCH OF OUR NAVIES AND OUR PEOPLES TO CONDUCT SUCH AN ENDLESS SEARCH?.

NOT IF IT ALSO DISCOVERS NEW PLANETS FOR BOTH OUR SPECIES,.

Jeff replied in faultless Mrdini.

THERE EXISTS A SECONDARY PROBLEM TO FINDING SUFFICIENT PLANETS TO HOUSE OUR EXCESS POPULATION NOW THAT SO MANY.

DO NOT NEED TO GO ON THE LINE, said Gktmglnt, and it closed its poll eye long enough to indicate that it had a sensitive subject to discuss. WE MRDINI, IN ONE ASPECT, RIVAL THE ENEMY IN REPRODUCING. It turned to Elizara. YOU ARE THE MOST RESPECTED OF THE MEDICAL PEOPLE WITH WHOM WE HAVE HAD CONTACT. AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION WITH OUR PEOPLE, WE REQUEST THAT YOU a.s.sIST US IN DISCOVERING SOME MEANS TO ... REGULATE AND REDUCE THE MRDINI BIRTHRATE. Gktmglnt closed its poll eye and lowered its head. BUT YOU HAVE MANY TRAINED HEALERS, HONORED GKTMGLNT, Elizara said, surprised. She remembered how Thian's Mur had been treated by the KLTL 'Dini medic.

SUCH MEDICS TREAT SICK AND WOUNDED MRDINI. Gktmglnt shook its head slowly from side to side. HIBERNATION AND CREATION ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE KEEPERS. A DIFFERENT MATTER ENTIRELY.

Specialists, huh? Jeff murmured.

Oh, this can be very difficult then. 1 understand the peepers are a law unto themselves and share nothing of their work(. Then Elizara inclined her head with great respect to the High Councillor. ONE UNDERSTANDS THE DIFFICULTY. HUMANS RESPECT THE HIBERNATORY. HOWEVER, TO DO.

AS YOU REQUEST, she began slowly, HUMANS WOULD NEED TO KNOW MUCH MORE ABOUT THE PROCESS WHICH, WE DO COMPLETELY APPRECIATE, IS THE MOST SACRED ASPECT OF MRDINI CULTURE.

IT IS, Gktmglnt said, bowing even farther in either embarra.s.sment or humility, so that Gollee cast a frantic look at Jeff, fearful that the huge Mrdini might overbalance.

Jeff held up a rea.s.suring finger and Gollee, who was sitting beside the Mrdini, relaxed back into his chair. As discreetly as possible, Gollee did tighten the shield on his right side . . . just in case. Being smothered in a Mrdini ma.s.s was not high on his list of priorities, even if the personage was one of the most prestigious of that race.

IT IS KNOWN THAT HUMANS ARE ABLE TO ... REGULATE THE NUMBER OF OFFSPRING. IT IS BECOMING MORE IMPERATIVE THAT MRDINI DO SO. ATTEMPTS TO EFFECT A REDUCTION IN THE HIBER-NATORIES OF OUR MAJOR PLANETS HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL.

Having delivered the burden of its message, Gktmglnt straightened, though its color remained less vibrantly gray than usual. THIS MUST BE CAREFULLY DONE . . . WHATEVER MUST BE DONE . . . NOT TO OFFEND . . . NOR TO ALLOW SUCH TO BECOME PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE ON OUR PLANETS, FOR THE NECESSITY IS NOT PERFECTLY UNDERSTOOD AND MIGHT BE CONSIDERED A RESTRICTION OF LIFE. BUT IF THE ALLIANCE IS COMMITTED TO RESTRICTING THE POPULATION OF.

HIVERS, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT MRDINI SHOULD NOT INDULGE IN UNRESTRICTED BREEDING TOO.

DISCRETION CAN BE MAINTAINED, Elizara said, emanating rea.s.surance, understanding, approval and praise for the Mrdini decision, even though she knew Gktmglnt was not empathic. IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE ABLE TO EXAMINE SUFFICIENT MRDINI IN A HIBERNATORY TO ... UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS OF CREATION . . . OUR BEST BIOLOGISTS AND GENETICISTS WILL BE PREPARED TO THUS DISCOVER A METHOD BY WHICH REPRODUCTION CAN BE REDUCED WITHOUT LOSS OF REFRESHMENT TO MRDINIS. Although who-and Elizara's mental comment to the telepaths around the table was fraught with her astonishment at such a monumental task and how best to proceed, when so many of the most important pract.i.tioners ot their specialties were up to their eyeb.a.l.l.s trying to make some headway with the Hiver problem-can I find to deal with Mrdini reproductive procedures .. .

Zara, said the Rowan, in a tone of voice which indicated that problem had just been settled. She's been raised with 'Dinis and more than once on Iota Aurigae helped when there were injuries in the mines.

Elizara blinked and then grinned. "She'd need laboratory facilities and other xenbio specialists, but it need only be a small team."

"I doubt you'll have trouble finding one," Gollee Gren said with a grin of pure relief. Zara was, indeed, the exactly perfect selection. "I could give you a long list of trained personnel dying for a chance to know about the hibernatories and 'Dini reproduction."

THAT MIGHT POSE SOMEWHAT OF A PROBLEM OF CONFLICTING LOYALTIES FOR ZARA AND PLG AND DZL, Gktmglnt said.

NOT IF THE MATTER IS HANDLED AS ADROITLY AS I SUGGEST YOUR ZARA RAVEN-LYON IS CAPABLE OF DOING. 'DINIS DO TRUST HER IMPLICITLY, Elizara said, AND YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THE MATTER, HONORABLE GKTMGLNT, WOULD APPEASE ANY POSSIBLE DOUBTS THEY MIGHT HAVE.

I WILL SO INSTRUCT THEM. IN PERSON. IF IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ESTIMABLE PRIME ZARA AND HER COMPANIONS TO ATTEND GKT-.

MGLNT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THIS PROBLEM MUST BE SOLVED BEFORE MORE MRDINIS ARE AFFECTED.

Elizara looked concerned. AND HOW, COUNCILLOR GKTMGLNT, ARE MRDINI CURRENTLY BEING AFFECTED?

Once more, Gktmglnt bowed its poll eye, covering it with several of the protective lids, expressing chagrin and embarra.s.sment. BY LOWERING THE TEMPERATURE OF HIBERNATORIES IT WAS HOPED THAT CREATION WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.

Odd that they would seize on temperature to control reproduction, the Rowan said, her eyes glinting with irony, since we d.a.m.ned near filled that queen by peeping her quarters too cold.

ESTIMABLE GKTMGLNT, WHAT DID RESULT? Elizara asked at her gentlest.

Gktmglnt's head lowered farther and Gollee could not help but lean slightly away from the huge 'Dini whose bulk seemed to widen in remorse. Erect, the great gray 'Dini did not take up quite as much horizontal s.p.a.ce.

MANY VERY UNHAPPY MRDINI. UNFULFILLED WHERE FULFILLMENT WAS NEEDED. UNCREATIVE WHERE CREATIVITY IS JOY AND.

REFRESHMENT.

THAT'S CERTAINLY NOT WHAT YOU HOPED TO ACHIEVE, is IT, Jeff said wryly. * wonder just what the repercussions are, especially on those Mrdinis who are vital to the wordings of the Alliance.

If we do it correctly, few will be aware, Elizara said, and that is exactly what Gktmglnt is anxious to ensure.

Elizara reached across the corner to lay a rea.s.suring hand on Gktmglnt's flipper, lying so lax in an att.i.tude of resignation and despair. ONCE WE KNOW MORE ABOUT MRDINI BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO RESTORE JOY AND FULFILLMENT, FOR WE HUMANS ARE ABLE TO SO DO EVEN AS WE RESTRICT CREATION.

Rea.s.sured, Gktmglnt straightened itself. BEGIN AT ONCE, ESTIMABLE PRIME ELIZARA REIDINGER. THE SITUATION HAS BECOME CRITICAL ON ALL OUR PLANETS . . . Then it bowed toward Jeff Raven I.

and Rowan sitting side by side. WITH THE NOTABLE EXCEPTION OF IOTA AURIGAE.

IN THAT CASE, the Rowan said, PERHAPS THAT WOULD BE THE BEST PLACE TO START SUCH INVESTIGATIONS. WITH MRDINIS WHO TRUST AND WORK SO CLOSELY WITH HUMANS.

ADMIRABLE SOLUTION. Gktmglnt's color acquired an instant brighter sheen. THOSE OF US WHO UNDERSTAND THIS ALLIANCE BEST WERE CERTAIN OF HUMAN SUPPORT AND a.s.sISTANCE IN THIS VERY DELICATE AND FUNDAMENTAL MATTER.

Gollee Gren was looking down the agenda for the next item to be discussed at this conference, when of a sudden, alarms warbled shrilly. Despite all the security measures on this level of the Blundell Building, three Humans and one large blue Mrdini appeared in the conference room, spraying the occupants of the table with dartlike missiles which were spat out in a deadly, almost inaudible spray.