Tower And The Hive Part 9

Oh?

Later, lad, later. Morgelle's in liriefor the next Tower. Good sending. And, as abruptly as Jeff Raven had touched his grandson's mind, he was gone.

That was nice of them, Mallen said. I've never been in contact with either of their minds before. Awesome.

Hmmm, well, yes, I guess it was. Only how'd he know we 'd started send-inS? The Blundell Building was not the destination.

They always know, said [es sardonically. And our next service will be four messages for Clarf. How'd they fyjotv we were up and ready?

Because theya?r, )es said.

l ' > Stop the chatter. Four to Clarf?

The generators lifted briefly as Rojer made the'port. Coming in, Clarf Prime, he said formally.

Rojer? You're on the Talavera Tower? Laria asked him. They set that up fast enough.

Talavera Tower? That sounded very good to Rojer. That they did. So you can lob anything to me now on the surface. Flavia and Zara are still on we Columbia. We'll bring down what's being held in orbit.

But you're on the business end. Good. I've a lot more to send ou.

Tired, sis?

We II, it's been hectic here. J put my foot down and we only do one big one an hour . . . every hour . . . and they are weight, but. . .

I won't let them overwork^ her, Kincaid said, joining the conversation.

She can make sure of that herself, thank^ you both, Laria added with some asperity. Here's the latest one'.freighter, cargo all inanimate. Got a big enough cradle?

I've enough delicacy of touch not to warp our brand-new cradles, Rojer replied. Thank, you, sis. Nice 'port.

There'retwo more scheduled for today and that's it for Clarf Tower. What time of day is it therefor you? I'll marf( it up for a "Talavera Tower" rotation.

Rojer glanced up at the multiple time displays, each identifying a different main Tower time, nicely placed for easy reading for the couch occupants. It is fourteen-thirty hours of a twenty-six-point-fife-oh-hour day.

I have that information. Thanyou, Talavera Tower.

Incoming from Earth, Mallen said.

Five drones. Inanimate, was his grandfather's terse message, Rojer linked and brought the drones in the rest of the way, slotting them neatly into the waiting cradles. "Jes, ask my 'Dinis to come up here, will you? We're going to need more drone-size cradles if they keep sending us job lots like that."

Kat and Gil came tumbling up the steps, front limbs forward to prevent slipping back down in their haste.

KAT, GIL, PLEASE SEE WHO IS CONSTRUCTING CRADLES. WE'RE GOING TO NEED MORE OF THE SAME SIZE AS THE ONES- Rojer broke off because the yard manager was already organizing crews to empty the drones and load the grav sleds. Then a crew often 'Dinis manually lifted the light drone sh.e.l.ls off their landing web. IF THE YARD CREW CAN DO IT THAT FAST, MAYBE WE DON'T.

MORE COMING, Kat said. WE ASK FOR MORE. BETTER MORE THAN FEW.

"That's for sure," Rojer said. "Off you go, then, and please ask who is the yard manager. I haven't met him yet."

That's Seelbat Buffer, a Capellan and a T-5 kinetic, Asia informed them from her station by the generators. He has 'Dinis.

"How many?" Rojer asked, since the yard seemed to be swarming with all the colors Mrdini bodies came in.

He's a friend ofFlavia's and she pried him loose from Capella Tower Yard. She's very good at that sort of doing, you know.

Rojer cleared his throat, remembering that Flavia had got her brother and her mate included on the crew of the Columbia. But if Seelbat worked as well as Mallen and Jes Ornigo, he'd have no complaints.

"Isn't it unusual for a Capellan to have 'Dinis?"

Yes, he was the first. . . Some edge to her voice suggested to Rojer that likely Seelbat had taken a lot of criticism and dislike from the methody folk of his home planet for being partnered with "heathen aliens."

"He's here now and that's good," Rojer said.

Incoming from Sef, warned Jes.

Congratulations, Rojer, chorused Yoshuk and Nesrun from Sefs Tower.

Or do we commiserate? asked Nesrun in her droll way.

*'** let you know in a day or so, Rojer replied. Speaking of which, our day is twenty-six-point-five-oh hours long and you are slinging meat. . . He caught their send, a medium-sized pa.s.senger yacht. Precisely fourteen forty-five.

We'll mar% it down. You'll be peeping standard Tower hours?

I'll have to or be worn down to a nubbin. Is Laria all right?

Overworked, but I thinfy things'll ease off once the impatient get to Talavera. Oh, and we added a little welcome gift. The 'Dini bean counter, Fsslm, has it for you.

Bean counter? Beside Rojer, Mallen chuckled.

"Accountant," he said. "We've a full complement of governing officials down here already, you know, from the pa.s.senger ships we caught on the Columbia."

Let's hope that Fsslm doesn't complain about the luxury they've provided us, Jes said.

Here it comes, warned Sef Tower, and Rojer met the Mind Merge which Yoshuk and Nesrun used, and placed the yacht carefully into its cradle.

Seelbat, full honors to the pa.s.sengers, Rojer said. Fsslm is to be specially treated. It's got something for us from Yoshu^and Nesrun.

1'ue the steps in place and Put and Car acting guard, Rojer.

Thanks, Seelbat. Sorry I didn't get to greet you formally.

Who has time for formality right now?

Rojer grinned. Seelbat's tone had rippled with amus.e.m.e.nt. Since the Tower was gla.s.sed all around, Rojer could observe the arrivals, all but the first one carrying heavy sacks. Fsslm was a mature blue-gray, large enough to have earned its five-letter name. Ground transport wheeled into the yard, ready to accommodate Fsslm's party and their accoutrements. Not all the disembarking pa.s.sengers were admitted to that vehicle, so Put let out one of the shrill whistles a 'Dini could emit and a second air cushion appeared to transport the remainder of the newcomers.

As soon as the vehicle was cleared of its animate cargo, the yard tractor tackled the yacht and moved it to the storage area.

Rojer leaned back on the couch, pleased with such efficiency.

Fsslm's directed its car here, Rojer. You'd better get down.

KAT, GIL, COME WITH ME. HONORABLE FSSLM ARRIVING. Come On up, Asia.

Should I?

Yes, you should, Rojer said firmly as he rose from his couch, gesturing for Mallen to join him below. ** isn't that you don't kpow 'Dims, m'love. He paused at the foot of the steps until she joined him; then he tucked her hand under his arm, ignoring her pull to free herself, and they proceeded to the Tower entrance.

Their timing was perfect, for the car arrived just as the four Talents emerged, Kat and Gil slipping around them to flank the vehicle.

WELCOME TO TALAVKRA, HONORABLE FSSLM. Rojer calculated his bow, his arm pulling Asia's upper body down to the appropriate level for a five-letter-name 'Dini.

AH, IT IS A PLEASURE FOR FSSLM TO MEET RJR AT LONG LAST,.

Fsslm said, bowing just a tad lower to emphasize its pleasure, and handed over the large box it carried. Rojer had to drop Asia's arm to accept the package, which had a suspiciously cold bottom. THIS IS SMALL TOKEN OF ESTEEM FROM SEF TOWER AND FROM SEF PLANET FOR THE RELEASE OF THIS MARVELOUS NEW WORLD TO MRDINI OCCUPATION. SOON THIS WILL BE AS BEAUTIFUL AS CLRF, SF, TPLU, KIF AND PTU.

OF THAT I AM CERTAIN, HONORABLE FSSLM, NOW THAT YOU ARE HERE TO HELP ORGANIZE AN ORDERLY AND ACCOUNTABLE FINANCIAL STRUCTURE. Rojer and Fsslm bowed simultaneously.

Rojer, incoming, Jes warned.

WITH GREAT REGRET I MUST SHORTEN OUR FIRST MEETING, AS THE TOWER IS EXTREMELY BUSY AT THIS HOUR. WE WILL MEET AGAIN IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, FSSLM. OUR GRAt.i.tUDE AGAIN FOR THIS GIFT.

Rojer was stepping backward, the package beginning to freeze his hand. Asia kept pace with him, with several more bows.

BE COMFORTABLE, HONORABLE FSSLM, she said in well-accented 'Dini, which surprised Rojer.

* only know a few of the polite phrases, Roj, but Flavia said I must have some.

Indeed you must, m'love.

Fsslm bowed once more and then mounted the steps into the car, which it imperiously waved to proceed.

The door slid open and Rojer and Mallen made for the steps to the Tower, Rojer pausing long enough to deposit the package at Jes's station.

"What's in it?" Mallen asked as they clambered two steps at a time.

'Don't know, but it's cold. See to it, will you, Jes, when you've a chance."

"Probably Sef fruit. It's the right season," Asia called up from the generator level.

What's incoming?" Rojer called over his shoulder as he and Mallen made it to their couches.

I f Ant Hthffiey Drones, of course. Another five.

We really will need more cradles if we're getting this much traffic in, Rojer said.

** should level off. How much more stuff do they need to get a planet started? was Mallen's complaint.

His sentiment was echoed when Talavera Tower signed off for the day at 2200 of its 2650 hours. The traffic had been steady the entire day, and the Talents had had to s.n.a.t.c.h meals-and some of the excellent ripe fruit that Sef Tower had sent-in between the almost continuous bombardment of large, medium and message tubes, many from Earth or the other 'Dini planets. Seelbat was possibly the weariest when they finally called a halt. He had worked nonstop even with all the 'Dinis helping him to empty cradles and stack the drones, or park the vehicles.

"Who have we got up on the Columbia?" Rojer asked, slouched on one of the recliners in the main lounge. Asia, with a smear of generator oil on one cheek, lay curled up on another couch.

Flavia, Zara, fifteen T's of various abilities, she answered him, too weary to speak aloud.

Well, we're going to need Zara. I'm not burning Mallen out with such loads.

I'll be all right, Rojer, really I will, Mallen a.s.sured him. Didn't f f^eep up with you all day?

You did and you're a pleasure to merge with, Mal, but if we get several weeks of this sort of heavy traffic, we need to spell everyone. Tower experience is useful for any Talent, Rojer said firmly. But we don't have the extras that Callisto or Iota Aurigae or Earth has. Loof( at Seelbat. He's a shadow of his morning's self. Rojer tried for a little levity, since he could sense Asia's apprehension. I don't ne.eA another engineer if I have you, but we do need someone to share the load with Jes, if only to keep the data in order. He turned to Jes and pointed a finger at him. And you're to go to bed when we all do, not stay up till dawn to file today's receipts. We'll get a yeoman down to help with that. If we should, the G.o.ds forbid, lose a drone or a freighter, we've got to fynow what it was and what was on it, or our bean l counter will not be pleased with us. And Seelbat cannot work^ at such a clip without relief. Did you get anything to eat at all?

Wasn't hungry. Seelbat didn't even open his eyes, though his right hand idly stroked Put's back. His 'Dinis were sound asleep, heads pillowed on his thighs.

Rojer turned to Seelbat. Who 've you worked with on the Columbia who can a.s.sist you in the yard, Seel?

Yeoman Dorot Bay or CPO Esther Stapleton. Kinetic T~6s who can receive, but are not much good at sending.

As we're on the receiving end, that'll do us. Where did you get all those 'Dinis?

Seel chuckled without opening his eyes. Their bosses send them to make sure they get the packages they're expecting. Some of 'em stay because they prefer the prestige of wording in the yard to whatever manual wor they've been stucf^ with right now.

A never-ending supply? Rojer asked, grinning at 'Dini tactics.

Just about. Seel gave a weary grin.

Rojer rose to his feet with a sigh and walked out to Jes's workstation. Flopping down into the chair, he activated the com unit to the Columbia. Despite the hour, someone would be manning communications round the clock - whichever time the ship operated on.

"Yes sir?"

"Rojer Lyon here at Talavera Tower."

"Good evening, Captain Lyon, how can [ help you?"

"Is that Lentard?"

"Why yes, Captain, it is," replied the CPO, obviously pleased to be recognized.

"Don't wake anyone at this unG.o.dly hour, but would you please ask Captain Soligen if we can borrow my sister Zara, CPO Esther Stapleton and Yeoman Dorot Bay for auxiliary Tower duty? We're swamped here, and probably will be for the next week or ten days while everything gets 'ported in."

"Yes sir, Captain. I've recorded the message. Is it a priority?"

"Not before tomorrow at breakfast, Lentard."

I.

8 B.

hit "Yes sir, Captain. I understand. Thank you. Over."

"There. That should do the trick," Rojer said. "And I'm for my bed."