THE TOWER AND THE HIVE
by
ANNE MCCAFFREY

An Ace/Putnam Book Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons Publishers Since
1838 a member of Penguin Putnam Inc. 375 Hudson Street New York, NY
10014

Copyright 0 1999 by Anne Mccaffrey All rights reserved. This book, or
parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
Published simultaneously in Canada Library of Congress
Cataloging-in-Publication Data Mccaffrey, Anne.

The tower and the hive / Anne Mccaffrey.

p. cm.

"An Ace/Putnam book."

ISBN 0-399-14501-X I. Title.

PS3563.A255 T69 1999 98-51946 CIP 813'.54 -de2l

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

This book is printed on acid-free paper. &

Book design by Patrice Sheridan

I have excellent reason to be
particularly grateful to four experts in writing this conclusion of the
Talent (aka The Tower and the Hive) series. Dr. Jack Cohen of the
University of Warwick and I discussed how I could solve the problem of
colonizing Hivers. So I had a structure to begin with. I was dumbfounded
to discover that my dictionary had only five lines about the very
complex subject of pheromones. The Web came to my assistance and I asked
for help, which was quick in coming from Jonathan Beecher and Louis
Culot of Cambridgesoft on their special expertise, both as generalists
and for specific knowledge about pheromones. We had some lively Enmail
exchanges, since Jonathan knew of Lyon's Pride when I approached him for
assistance. His colleague Louis Culot supplied additional details. I
wish also to thank Bibb Graves from Hewlett Packard Houston for a
description of gas chromatographs, which register the strength and
composition of pheromones. We extrapolated - as is the function of
science fiction that the future would miniaturize what are actually
large and cumbersome instruments. But then most current gas
chromatographs (GCS) have altered considerably from their original
forms, and no doubt will have altered even more by the time of The Tower
and the Hive.

I am also grateful to my readers - Mary Jean Holmes, Lea Day and my
daughter, Georgeanne Kennedy - who try to spot any inconsistencies,
typos and grammar problems which might occur in the fifth of a series
that was first started in 1990. I am indebted to my editor, Susan
Allison, and her staff of copyeditors, for their valuable comments and
assistance overall.

This book is affectionately and gratefully dedicated to Graham Hamsiton
For blue Jaguars and Eddie Stobbart Hanliers

When an unknown enemy
threatened all Human life on Deneb, Jeff Raven shouted - telepathically
- for help and reached the Rowan, the lonely Lady in the Tower at the
Callisto Tower of Federated Teleport and Telepathy. With her help
as Callisto Prime Talent, Jeff freed his planet of invasion. He also
became the next Earth Prime.

The Rowan and Jeff Raven had five children. The precocious Damia, the
second daughter of their marriage, emerges as a Prime Talent too, and is
sent to occupy the Tower at Iota Aurigae's new mining planet. There she
encounters an intelligence on a distance spaceship, known as Sodan. He
tries to lure her into giving him directions to her planet. Her family
become suspicious of her enchantment with this ,'mind" and send her
brothers Larak and Afra to divert her. In the ensuing meeting of minds,
Larak is killed by a brutal telepathic bolt from Sodan, who is only a
mind. Damia and Afra are seriously injured too. While recuperating on
Deneb, Damia and Afra are contacted by the "dreams" of the Mrdini. An
alien race, they have been fighting the dread spheres of the Hiver
queens, who were the invaders which Jeff and the Rowan had thwarted.

The Mrdini are exceedingly impressed by the fact that Deneb was able to
defeat the attacking Hiver sphere without loss of life. They have been
fighting the Hivers for two centuries and only suicide squadrons are
able to penetrate and destroy the spheres.

In order to cement relations between the two species, Mrdini young are
placed, with Human young and grow up learning each other's lanstarting
with young Laria, each guage and culture. Damia's children, 3 have a
pair of Mrdini young.

The Rowan, 1990

Damia, 1991

Damias Children, 1992

When Laria reaches sixteen years of age, she is sent to Clarf, one of
the five Mrdini worlds. On Clarf, Laria teaches Basic to Mrdinis and
learns their "adult" language, accompanied by her two "Dinis, Tip and
Huf. At eighteen, she takes over as FT&T Prime at Clarf Tower as the
Star League Alliance of Human and Mrdini continues to track down or
resist the Hiver incursions.

Then three Hiver spheres penetrate League Space and three pursuit
squadrons of mixed Human and Mrdini ships are sent after each of the
Hiver ships, to track them to their separate destinations. Another group
is sent to trace their ion trails back to their planet of origin. In
order to continue these searches most effectively, FT&T is asked to
supply the flagship of each group with a Prime, or sufficient lesser
Talents, to keep in touch with the League Base and to "receive"
additional supplies of food and material on what could be long voyages.

Young Thian Raven, Laria's brother, is sent to the Vadim, under the
command of Captain Ashiant, as he and the ships backtrack the fleeing
Hiver spheres. Thian himself comes under threat when the novablasted,
derelict Great Sphere of the Hivers is found in space. A jealous latent
Talent attacks him while he is part of a team exploring the dead sphere,
and he is nearly killed. Damia assists him in identifying his assailant.

Meanwhile one of the queens fleeing the Great Sphere has been captured
and is incarcerated in an unused facility on Heinlein Moon Base, where
she can be studied from a viewing station carefully placed safely out of
her reach in her "prison." Mrdini and Humans alike await her exit from
the pod. Attempts to contact the huge, mantislike queen are futile, as
she does not recognize any other species. All hopes to establish
negotiations and thus curtail Hiver incursions in the Star League are
thwarted.

The Mrdini are not convinced that the nova which had devastated the
Great Sphere has destroyed the Hiver homeworld and wish to have proof
Thian, bravely recovering from the attack, agrees to accompany the
Mrdini ship the KLTL in its Search, thus making sure of supplies and
contact during what is possibly a yearlong trek. By doing so, he will
prevent any young Mrdinis from "going on the line"-a Mrdini euphemism
for self-sacrifice to feed their crewmates.

The League decides to try to salvage what they can of the Great Sphere
to learn more about Hiver space engineering.

Afra accompanies his second-born son, Rojer, to the Genesee under
Captain Etienne Osullivan, for special duty when a sphere is tracked to
a Hiver-occupied system identified on Mrdini maps as Xh-33. Despite
being of the same species, the sphere is fired upon from the planet and
its queens are destroyed as they try to escape the bombardment of their
ship in pods.

Back on Iota Aurigas, Zara Lyon, sister of Laria, Thian and Rojer,
becomes quite upset about the condition of the queen in Heinlein Base
and determines to assist the captive. She manages to sneak a ride to
Earth's Moon. Her interference results in saving the life of the captive
queen, who has been slowly freezing. Even before this incident, Damia
and Afra have worried about Zara's potcntial as a Tower Prime. Jeff and
Rowan Raven agree that Zara might be better suited to another profession
and Zara is, with Elizara Reidinger, as a dedicated medical T-I.

Despite orders from the High Council to maintain a watching brief,' a
Mrdini ship's captain attempts to coerce Rojer into teleporting the
ship's missiles to destroy Hiver settlements oti Xh-33. Rojer's two'dini
friends, Kat and Gil, are killed defending him from the Mrdini captain.
Roier barely escapes with his life. His mother, Damia, arrives to succor
him and removes him to his grandmother's quiet home on Deneb Five to
recuperate from the loss of his dear friends. 5

The Rowan, arriving on the Genesee in the Xh-33 system, helps Captain
Etienne Osullivan execute a daring plan to "steal" the refugee sphere,
and to destroy the two Hiver vehicles in orbit about Xh-33. She requires
the assistance of Thian, returned from his post on the Mrdini ship, and
Flavia, a T-I from the Rowan's native planet, Altair. With the use of
Talent, the sphere is purloined from the system and sent 4 Lyon 9 Pride,
1994 5 It is a facet of the Mrdinis' reproductive biology that Gil and
Kat could be replicated, and this was done as a mark of esteem for the
Lyon family in Lyonk Pride.

on its way to the League, thus giving the Alliance a relatively
undamaged Hiver spaceship for Mrdini and Human engineers to examine.
Teleported explosives blow up any chance for the Xh-33 Hiver population
to leave the surface. The smaller Hiver scout ships that emerge from an
underground hangar to fight back are also destroyed. The Alliance sets
up on one of the Xh-33 moons to monitor the surface.

Once the intact sphere ship is moored off Phobos Moon Base, teams are
set up to examine it in detail. This is best accomplished with the help
of Talents. To avoid the aggravating "sting-pzzt" emanating from Hiver
artifacts, the Talents control the exploration from a distance. Thian
heads the team that includes the newest engineering graduate, his
brother Rojer, Flavia and other assorted Talents, including several
latent ones (Lieutenant Commander Semirame Kloo) who discover that they
are bothered by the sting-pzzt emanations of Hiver artifacts. (Only
Talents are affected by this phenomenon.)

While the Talented team is able to search the intricate labyrinth of a
Hiver ship, including the "bridge" apparently staffed by twelve queens,
they are unable to power it up. The Talents decide that the only
recourse is to teleport the Heinlein Base queen into the bridge and see
how she activates the ship. Ever watchful of his grandchildren, Jeff
Raven, Earth Prime, approves of this ploy and comes along to be sure the
queen does not escape. She shows the watching Primes the power-up
sequence and is then deftly 'ported back to her prison.

Meanwhile, other squadrons are following a sphere designated Number
Three, which seems uninterested in many likely M-5 worlds that it
passes. These are briefly investigated by Talents, in one instance by
T-2 Kincaid Dano, whose capacity is overtaxed by the scope of the
mission. Before he can be burned out, either by his duties and by the
unfortunate struggle for his attentions by officers on the ship, he is
transferred to Laria's Tower on Clarf with his "Dinis, Nil and Plus. He
insists, despite his fatigue, on contacting Earth Prime with a report
that there are more Hiver-occupied worlds than previously suspected:
Hivers now occupy four of the twenty likely planets he has probed.

He recommends that these worlds be examined by the League as possible
colonial worlds to relieve the pressure on overpopulated Mrdini Planets.

Consequently, while the main squadron under Captain Ashiant continues to
follow the sphere so obviously headed in a special direction, another
group, under the command of Captain Vestapia Soligen on the Columbia, is
staffed to explore the four M-type worlds: Talavera, Waterloo, Marengo
and Ciudad Rodrigo. Prime Talent Flavia, Zara Lyon and Lieutenant Rhodri
Eagles, T-3 and incidentally cousin to the Lyon children, are part of
that contingent.

Suddenly more spheres are identified, some uncomfortably close to the
Columbia while others speed to join or assist the Hiver that Captain
Ashiant is tracking. This unexpected development suggests that the
Hivers do have some form of communication. It would appear that this
sphere is searching for a star as near to their homeworld's primary as
possible. But what are the parameters? From records of earlier star maps
in the general area of the nova, the signature of the primary, before it
was destroyed by its primary, is verified. Thus the searchers are able
to discover exactly what sort of primary the Hivers are looking for..

Following Number Three, the astrogators spot a primary with the
requisite signature and Captain Ashiant engages some of the enemy
spheres in a space battle. At first the Human/Mrdini ships are
overwhelmed, until Thian realizes that Talent can end the battle by
teleporting explosives to detonate the fuel tanks of the Hiver ships. As
Talents are not supposed to engage in defensive, or offensive,
maneuvers, there is some criticism of Thian's actions. However, the
explosives do destroy the spheres. Captain Soligen's squadron, also
being pursued by Hivers, is able to use this method too to destroy the
spheres. In contrast to a direct confrontation, the Hivers do recognize
other spaceships as threats, so the Hivers are prevented from
establishing a new homeworld.

While that threat is eliminated, many more Hiver worlds have been
located during the chase. All of them must be identified, and since the
ethics of the Human/Mrdini Alliance do not include species genocide, how
can the Hivers be prevented from following their cyclic behavior of
overpopulating their planets and looking for new worlds to inhabit?

How can FT&T under Jeff Raven's capable management find enough suitable
Talents to keep up with the ever-expanding demands for Primes?

By noon of the day after the destruction of the Number Three Hiver
sphere, the newly promoted Admiral Ashiant was already glying orders to
elements of his Flee to implement the second phase of their five-year
mission. They could now begin to identify and reconnoitre all
Hiver-occupied worlds in this quadrant of space. They were to initiate
indepth probes of such planets, disable any orbiting spheres and
establish monitoring satellites to warn the Alliance of any further
suspicious surface activity.

As the Vadim and KLTL were a ready within the system targets Number
Three as possessing a primary simi lar to their original one, Admiral
Ashiant ordered Captains Pat Shepherd and Prlm to do a thorough envi
ronmental exploration of the viable planets in the M-5 and M-6
positions.

"They might as well," Admiral Ashiant told his Captain, Allsah
Vandermeer, "since the chase to destroy the two remaining scouts has
already taken them halfway there. Rather far out to consider an
immediate colonization of those worlds, but who knows how fast the
Alliance will spread once the threat of Hivers is reduced? The Mrdini
certainly need more space."

"So they do," Ailsah agreed sympathetically.

"I suspect those habitable worlds closer in to our home systems, "Dini
and Human, will receive the first mandates. However"-and he slapped his
desk top decisively-"no need for us to hang about. Captain Vandermeer,
if you will please initiate a three-hundred-and-sixtydegree turn of the
Washington, we'll begin the long journey home."

"Aye, sir," Vandermeer said, giving him a crisp salute and a wry grin.
"It will, as you know, take us five full ship days to slow enough to
execute the maneuver."

"Long enough for Shepherd and Prlm to do their probes and be halfway
back to us," Ashiant murmured.

"Should be an interesting cruise, sir."

"Indeed," Admiral Ashiant said, lightly fingering the circle of tiny
stars that was his new rank. Hastily withdrawing his hand, he cleared
his throat.

"Anything else, sir?" Vandermeer asked, pretending not to see that
gesture.

"No, Captain, that'll be all. Good day."

When news of those orders reached the Primes relaxing in the FT&T
lounge, there was both excitement and regret.

"I wish one of us had been able to go with Captain Shepherd," said the
recently promoted Lieutenant T-2 Clancy Sparrow in a wistful tone. "It'd
be interesting to see what Hivers consider 'perfect worlds.' "

"They seem to have found sixteen planets near enough perfect to
eliminate any other life-forms, including Deneb," Prime Talent Thian
remarked in a droll tone. "And seemingly about one in five of other
M-type worlds we marked on our way while pursuing Number Three."

He still couldn't believe that he and his fellow Talents had managed to
defeat the Hiver sphere: a process in which, after the first skirmish,
only the enemy had died. It had been incumbent on the Alliancesomehow-to
keep the Hivers from establishing a new home system to replace the
original world that had been consumed by their sun's nova. If Prime
Talent Thian had thought of a way to reduce loss of life among Human and
Mrdini, surely he should not be criticlied for devising what was now
known as the Genesee ploy. That fact that he was Talent was the point of
dispute, for Talent should not be involved in combat, however tenuous
the connection. The pacifist clement of Humankind had been appalled and
the FT&T organization had received considerable criticism, despite the
success of the Genesee ploy. The success was almost irrelevant in the
storm of display and rebuke. However, the majority of the Alliance had
been relieved that the problem had resulted in few losses. After all,
the Prime Talents had only delivered what the Navy explosive experts had
prepared. "Teleportation" was a main FT&T function. The explosive
packages, carefully placed on the Hiver fuel tanks, had been actually
detonated by naval personnel with the sanction of the High Council and
on the orders of Admiral Ashiant, so the Talent involvement had been a
quite legitimate duty.

The old argument about a gun not being dangerous until it is loaded and
aimed at a target was revised and adjusted to the FT&T. So, as the
delivery agent, like a gun delivering a bullet, were the Talents guilty
because they had sent a lethal package where it could destroy the
acknowledged enemy of the Alliance? Or were those who gave the command
for the substance to explode the guilty ones? That the resultant
combination of "Talents" and "naval specialists" had caused the enemy
ships to disintegrate offered much fuel to the point where the
satisfactory outcome was nearly irrelevant.

A good night's sleep had restored energy to the Primes and the rest of
their team on the Washington, and they'd wound up the last details of
their controversial participation in the battle to their own
satisfaction. They were definitely looking forward to the exploration
phase of their current assignment, studying the scanty probe reports of
the first Hiveroccupied planet on the Fleet's return heading.

"Will we have to wait until the other ships rejoin the Fleet before we
actually get to probe or land on the up-coming world?" Clancy asked,
pacing up and down the lounge cabin.

"Don't see why we'd need to wait for Shepherd and Prlm," Thian said. He
was himself beginning to get restless, though the respite from frantic
activity and precision teleportations had been welcome.

"Don't see why not if we get there first," Clancy said.

"Speaking of getting anywhere, just when do I get transferred to the
Columbia?" asked Prime Rojer, cocking his head and making his urgency
plain to his older brother and team leader. "That was the deal for me,
remember? I help demolish the Hiver spheres and then I get transferred
to the Columbia-"

"And Cousin Asia," Clancy put in, his expression carefully bland. Rojer
shot him a dire look that Clancy ignored.

"When you've helped me reprovision this squadron," Thian answered,
linking his fingers behind his head as he leaned back and stretched out
his long legs.

"Then you don't think the conservatives are going to insist that FT&T
stop assisting the Fleet?" Roj asked.

Clancy's scoffing laugh echoed Thian's dismissal of that possibility.

"Look, bro," Thian said, sitting forward, elbows on his knees. "The FT&T
was very carefully," and he emphasized the syllables, "nurtured as an
autonomous public service-"

"And who can argue that getting rid of an implacable enemy isn't a
public service?" Clancy put in.

"Back in the twenty-first century, when Henry Darrow was the manager of
our budding organization, he determined to split it from any political
group and to remain legally separate from any governmental agency until
Earth became a united world. His successors stu diously kept FT&T
apolitical and also made certain that the facilities of the Towers were
on a first-come-first-serve basis. It's impossible to bribe a Talent,
remember, not with Primes who can'read'anyone's mind. The guilty always
give themselves away anyhow." He grinned. "Of course, the present
emergency with the greedy Hivers required FT&T to do a lot of kinetic
transfers that would make the founders of our elite band spin in their
graves. Nevertheless, it is still in our precious Charter that we
Talents are required to teleport a lot of people and things that are
repellent to our sensitive souls, though not illegal. Meanwhile we
preserve the entity and integrity of FT&T ..

"And suborn Primes whenever they could be found ..." Clancy added. "Like
your grandmother on Altair."

"Granddad was the one who was really suborned. He had had no intention
of leaving Deneb ... before he met Grandmother.' Thian's grin was broad.
"Had the Hivers but known they had met their match in Jeff Raven and
Angharad Gwyn aka the Rowan as partners, they might have quit while they
were ahead."

"Not while there were Hiver queens needing planets to colonize," Clancy
put in.

"And that, of course, brought the entire FT&T organization in at the
time of the Deneb Penetration with the Rowan as the focus for the Mind
Merge that helped Jeff Raven dispatch the Hiver scouts trying to
depopulate his homeworld," said Roger.

"And why the Mrdinis decided to ask us, through Mother and Dad, to join
forces and defeat the Hivers," Thian said, "since we could take out a
Hiver sphere without having to resort to suicide missions." He leaned
back again, pleased with his summation of the events leading up to
recent developments: denying the Hivers a new base from which to
continue their unique form of colonization.

"I wonder how many of the bleeding hearts and conservatives have
bothered to see the Hiver queen at Heinlein Base," Rojer said. "The
sight of her would be instructive."

"We could ask Cousin Roddic Eagles." Thian gave his brother another sly
look.

Rojer's anxiety to get to the Columbia had much to do with his courtship
of Roddie's youngest sister, Asia, an engineer as well as a T-4.
Initially the Columbia, flagship of Squadron B's five ships, had been
sent to examine four M-type planets that had been used, and abused, by
the Hivers, one-named Marengo-being on the verge of total ecological
disaster. The massive effort initiated to save the world was well under
way and some encouraging succession of hardy grassoids had already been
triumphantly broadcast. Ruins of Hiver occupations were evident on two
of the other planets, Waterloo and Talavera, while the fourth, Ciudad
Rodrigo, seemed to have an active Hiver colony.

"I should be aboard the Columbia. Now. Not still stuck here."

"Don't fret so, Roj," Thian said, broadcasting soothing thoughts to his
pacing brother. "Our orders were approved by both High Councillors,
Admiral Mekturian and Gktmglnt. They'll handle any interference to the
rest of our mission."

"Not to mention Earth Prime Jeff Raven and Callisto Prime Rowan," Clancy
added. "I see no reason for anxiety, Roj." Clancy at least forbore to
tease his cousin about the real reason for his fretfulness-missing Asia.

"All we have to do on our way home," Thian said, "is find all the
Hiver-occupied planets ... and constrain attempts by any of them to
dispatch another colonial venture."

"That's all!" Rojer's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Which will probably take the best part of our lives," Clancy said, not
particularly depressed by the prospect. "I might even make commander by
the time we're done."

"I doubt we'll devote our lives to the project," Thian said, gesturing
to include his brother. "No, you're Primes," Clancy agreed without
rancor.

There was a pause.

"Think I can talk the Admiral into letting me get down on the Hiver
world we're heading for?" Thian asked wistfully. He clasped and
unclasped his hands in frustration.

"You're a Prime, Thi,",Clancy said. "Too valuable to be risked."

"And far more capable of defending myself than anyone else on the ship,'
Thian said, then bowed quickly to his brother. "And you too, Roj. I'm
sure I'd find something no one else could."

"You're a Lyon, aren't you," Clancy said, "as well as a Prime? You
will," he added with a reassuring grin, and stretched his legs out,
yawning. "The Admiral won't deny you anything."

"Well, then again, Ashiant may be under orders not to risk you on
anything, Thian," said Rojer in a knowing drawl.

"Oh?" Thian's raised eyebrows encouraged Rojer to elaborate on that
statement.

"You can't be risked, bro," Roier said with a snort. "They need you to
take over from either Grandmother or possibly Grandfather."

Thian gawked at his brother. "How do you come to that remarkable
conclusion? "

"You've been the focus for all our Mind Merges. I'm surprised you didn't
guess. It's obvious to me"-Roier looked over to Clancy, who nodded in
agreement-"that you're the logical successor."

Thian sat for a moment, mouth agape; then he "glanced" into the minds of
his younger brother and cousin and realized that both were certain of
that. Slapping his forehead dramatically, he flung himself back on the
couch, staggered by the prospect.

"Not for a few more decades," Rojer said consolingly, "since, praise be,
our grandparents seem in excellent health."

"Spare mel" Thian said, groaning, his hand still clapped to his
forehead.

What's the matter, Thian? asked Alison Ann Greevy, T-5, nursing empath,
from the sick bay.

Thian let his lover, Gravy, "hear" the conversation.

Oh, I thought something was w=g, she said with a mental sigh of relief,
and her mind touch left his.

"What's wrong with that sort of future, bro?" Rojer asked. "You're at
least getting a chance to travel now and see real life and all that good
stuff. Besides, you've got Gravy. And it isn't as if you can't pick a
nice inaccessible s t to live po in to enjoy your private life when you
do get stuck with being Earth Prime." Rojer rolled his eyes, coloring
his thoughts with envious scenes of marital harmony.

That@ enough of that! Thian said sternly, abandoning his shocked
surprise.

Rojer only grinned, delighted to have annoyed Thian. "And don't keep me
here one moment past getting the last load of supplies on board."

"I'll be well rid of you," Thian said emphatically.

"I'll never be more than a thought away," Rojer said, and teleported
himself out of the room before his brother could take physical
vengeance.

Thian caught Clancy's amused glance and, with a laugh, was restored to
his usual good humor.

"Younger brothers," Clancy murmured sympathetically.

That evening in the privacy of their quarters, Thian and Gravy had
talked over the prospect of his having to take up either of those
tremendous responsibilities-Earth Prime or Callisto Station. Since both
his parents and grandparents had expressed their approval of Alison Ann,
the couple no longer needed to conduct their liaison as discreetly as
possible. Indeed, once Thian knew his attachment to Gravy was approved,
he teleported her belongings into his quarters.

"Frees space up for someone else," she'd muttered as she saw her things
neatly being fitted into his closets and drawers. "Though it was kinda
fun being zapped about by you, Thi darlin'."

"You never knew where you were going to wake up, though," he'd teased,
hugging her tightly against him.

"Well, I'm here where I belong," was her contented reply.

She was, however, surprised when Admiral Ashiant adroitly started
including Lieutenant Greevy when he invited the FT&T personnel to his
mess table, a tacit recognition of their current status as well as pub
Ik approval. Once Alison Ann got over the shock, she rather enjoyed the
perks that now came her way more frequendy.

""Sides which, no one dares complain about 'em either," Gravy added,
tweaking Thian's nose. "They're jealous and can't do a thing about it."

The next morning Earth Prime Jeff Raven contacted Thian.

Supply drones are ready, Thian, said Jeff. Letk see how many we
canforsmrd at a time, shall tve?

As you like, Thian replied, accepting the challenge, and allowed his
grandfather to hear him summoning the merge on his end of the exchange.
He smiled to himself, remembering Rojer's prediction, though he kept
that very much in the back of his mind. He didn't intend to be styled a
"cocky boy" by his grandmother, the Rowan. Incoming cargo, he th pa ed
to the other shipsn the Fleet in a broadcast alert.

Thian's team quickly assembled in their "command" room, with its
comformable couches: Rojer teleported in, Clancy and Commander Semirame
Kloo used their own feet, and so did CPO Lea Day since she had been
nearby when she received Thian's summons. The Fleet electrician was a
new addition to the team but was improving steadily with each new
opportunity to use her previously unexpected parapsychic Talent. She
liked being what she called a "power weasel."

They had only just arranged themselves on the couches when Jeff warned
them of the first shipment-nine drones.

And we thought the big daddiesftom Iota Aurigas were heavy, Rojer said,
and warned the boat bays to stand by to receive the drones about to be
imported.

On their way, Jeff said, and the team caught the first shipment at the
halfway mark and deftly brought them in to the readied space.

That'sfor the Washington. Are the other boat hays akrted? asked Jeff.

They have been, Thian replied, and checking briefly, knew the other
ships' Talents were standing by to receive.

Then Jeff called out which drones went to which ship and they spent the
next half an hour completing the reprovisioning.

Nou, can Igo to the Columbia, Grandfather? Rojer asked.

Are you packed? There was a malicious laugh tagging along with that
question.

Halfa mo, Rojer replied, frowning in concentration.

"We'll send on anything you left behind," Thian said at his most
helpful. "And say hi to all when you get there."

Rojer disappeared from his couch, his "Dinis, Gil and Kat, with him.

We're set. Takes longer to get into the camer than  ... Thian didn't
really need his team's help to push Rojer's personal capsule to the
Columbia, for he felt his grandfather's touch assisting him, then
Flavia's when Rojer arrived at the Constellation-class Columbia
flagship.

Thanks, Jeff, Thian. We've been expecting him.

Keep him out oftrouble, Thian said, and sent a fleeting kiss to Flavia
and his younger sister, Zara, who was present in the Columbia's teleport
team.

You couldn't, was Zara's pert reminder, and Thian kinetically tweaked
her nose to remind her of his seniority. She sent a laugh back over the
incredible distance between them.

How soon will you arrive at the first suspect system, Thian? asked his
grandfather, all business after the sibling exchange.

Admiral ... Thian paused to emphasize the new rank and felt his
grandfather's satisfaction. Ashiant advised us last night that we shouzd
make the heliopause by tomorrow evening. We're slowing now. The first
exploratory probe indicates that the M-4 is occupied and has an old
Hiver ship in orbit.

Strange the Hivers didn't notice the proximity of such a close match for
their homeworld.

There@ quite a distance between the two star systems, sir. And besides,
if the ship's as old as it looks to be, the colony queens probably
didn't know it existed when they stopped at this one.

Same sphere ship design? asked Jeff.

Haver design never changes ...  except to get bigger Anyany, analysis of
the pitting and metalfatigue on this sphere suggests this one has been
hanging m orbit a long time.

Garbage? Jeff asked succinctly, since Hiver planets invariably used
space as a refuse dump.

Not as much as you'd thin@ the age of the sphere.

Hmm. Check it out thoroughly.

Why? Does another "Dini planet want its oum display?

There had been four vacant spheres captured in orbit around other
Hiver-occupied planets. These had been brought back to the "Dini
homeworlds, much honor accruing to the colors of the prize crews.

No. We're more curious about kngth of settlement as well as its current
popt4lation. There doesn't seem to be a hard-and-fast rule of when
queens send out new expeditions.

Or when their planet begins to get overcrowded?

That's it.

Why is that important, Grandfather? Thian asked.

If we knew precisely what factors precipitate a needfor migration, we
might l(now how to inhibit them and contain the queens on the planets
they now inhabit.

Trouble adth the conservatives? Or the bleeding hearts?

Thian caught the amusement in his grandfather's response. A bit of both.

From which source? Human ordini?

A laugh echoed between minds. A bit ofboth.

All right. Fll refrain fmm asking questions you have no intention of an
swering.

Your grandmother sends her regards. So do your mother antifather. And
the presence that was Jeff Raven left Thian's mind.

When he took notice again of his immediate surroundings, Gravy was there
with a glass of his favorite restorative. Even though that had not been
a particularly taxing use of his Talent, Alison Ann in her capacity as
Talent nurturer insisted that they all replenish their bodies after
every teleportational session. She had half finished her own drink.
Clancy, Semirame and Lea Day were dutifully sipping theirs. The "power
weasel" didn't look as tired from this day's work as she had been from
others'. She was shaping up nicely into a good backup kinetic. She
raised her glass in a toast to him. As he returned it, his eyes fell on
the couch that Rojer had so recently occupied. He blinked.

Didn't you think you'd miss him, Thi? Gravy asked, cocking her head at
him.

Actually, no, hut I do. And that surprised Thian. And if you say he@
only a thought away, I'll ...  I'll  ... "Quickly now, Prime, think of
something," she teased, and ruffled his hair.

He patiently smoothed it back with his free hand just as the corn unit
bleated.

"Yes sir," Thian said promptly, for the call originated from the
Admiral's ready room. Ashiant's rugged face filled the screen.

"Will you and your team please join me for dinner tonight, Prime Lyon?"
Ashiant asked.

"We'd be delighted, sir," Thian replied. "Did your steward get all he
ordered?

"He's still checking, but I understand the manifests included all his
requirements and wishes to make full use of the freshest."

"Very thoughtful of you, sir," Thian replied.

"My choice, Prime," Ashiant said, and disconnected.

"No more than he should," said Gravy staunchly. "You should get pick of
the crop."

"He doesn't mean me, does he? " asked Lea Day, surprised. CPOS did not
normally dine at the captain's table.

"You're part of the team, Lea," Thian said. "What's the matter?

Don't you like slumming in officers' territory?"

"Not really ... if it's only us, the team, I mean. I try not to
disappear from my station, you know. Might cause bad feeling."

"We'll avoid that whenever possible," Thian said, though he doubted the
problem was immediate since the whole squadron was still elated by their
destruction of the final Hiver sphere. As Lea Day had been part of the
Talent team to help effect that destruction, she was a persona very
grata. But envy was common among the non-Talented for those who had a
measurable quantity of psychic ability. Maybe he should discuss her
position with the Admiral and see if Lea could be bumped up to ensign.
He suspected she'd rather stay a CPO, top of her own pile, than become
an ensign and bottom of another. Not that, in the final analysis, a
Talent was ever bottom of anything.

She was an attractive woman, her dark hair crew-cut like a velvet
skullcap in the acceptable fashion that did not, in her case, disguise
her essential femininity. In her early forties, she was nearly as tall
as he, lean and trim in her shipsuit; a career petty officer, having
come up from the ranks: a native of Earth from the old American
continental mass who'd joined as soon as she was old enough to enlist.
Her electrical skills-especially her uncanny ability to avoid live wires
and unnecessary shocks and to dowse exactly the trouble spot in the mass
of circuit conduits needed by spaceships-should have alerted someone
long ago to her latent Talent. Commander Kloo had spotted it when CPO
Day had been assigned to the crews examining the captured sphere that
Rojer and his father had teleported back to Phobos Moon Base. Admiral
Ashiant had had her transferred to the Washington on Kloo's
recommendation.

"Now that Roier's gone," Thian went on, to put Lea at ease, "we'll be
needin you more, rather than less. We'll add another of the crew Talent
to keep you company. By the time we're through with you, Chief, you'll
definitely be able to integrate into any Talent team."

"Gee, Talent Captain, sir, that's real nice of you."

Thian wanted to grin at her ambivalent reception of that threat. Instead
he took her rejoinder at face value and gave her a bow.

"If that's all, Talent Captain, sir?" she said, coming to attention,
"I'd best return to the profession of my choice."

"Can we send you on your way?" Thian asked, his lips twitching to keep
his grin under control.

"Thanks, but no thanks, sir," she said as she strode on quick long legs
to the door. "I can do just fine the ordinary way." She closed the door
firmly behind her.

They all had a good laugh then at her hasty retreat.

"Any truth in what she said about envy, Rame?" Thian asked the
commander.

Kloo made a face and tilted her head from one side to the other. "I
haven't heard of any disgruntlement. I'll keep an ear open. Mind you,
that power weasel can take care of herself She's been in the Navy long
enough to know how. But you're wise to shift around with the other lower
Talents. Give all of them a break as well as practical lessons."

"Some are much better than others," Clancy said. "See you at dinner?" he
added as he and Kloo also took their leave.

Well? asked the Rowan, Callisto Prime, pointedly of her husband, Jeff
Raven, Earth Prime.

Well what? was the innocent response.

I don't want to have to drag it out of you.

rm waitingfor Damia ... Ah, there you are, Jeff said, ignoring the
exasperated snort from his wife. All your kids arefine and healthy in
tone and we shipped every single one ofthose heavy supply drones with
nary a variation on either gestalt support. Rojer and his "Dinis are now
on board the Columbia, and that should prove interesti . ng.

Are you sure about Thian? Damia asked.

Can't youfeel the truth in my mind? Jeff asked.

Don't be di icult, If Father, Damia said. You keep taking my children
and depositing them where you want them, and wonder why I worry.

It isn't as if they haven't improved, her mother said in a slightly
censorious tone.

Just remember thepressures they are notsubjected to right now, Jeff said
with no humor at all in his mental touch.

Is it getting worse, Dad? Damia asked contritely.

Anything we can do to help? added Afra. The two Primes had sensed his
presence, but Afra waited for the appropriate moment to join
conversations between his wife and her parents.

Just keep our goodft" on Iota Aurigas happy and ship off as much of
thatfine ore as possibk.

More ships? asked Afra.

The Navy wantssix Washington-class so it can reduce the number ofsupport
vessels needed. They plan to use the Constellations and Galaxies to
stand guard on Hiver uorlds that might be about to send off a new colmy
ship. Jeff's tone was droll. That Genesee ploy the kids invented has
given both Navies tremendous confidence.

TOO much? Afra asked.

We'll see.

Even if there's been such criticism about Taknts abandoning our
"tradifi=l' noncombative role? Damia asked, her tone wry. She'd been
very proud of Thian and Rojer for coming up with a strategy that had
ended the need of suicide missions to destroy Hiver spheres. It had gone
against Afra's methody pacifism that events had caused his sons to think
of such a tactic even if it had saved lives and, in another application,
destroyed Hiver spheres.

De has I en ertniss .fensc a ways be p ibk, Jeff replied. The Council
now has other, more pressing uo'ies.

Then the estimated ratio of Hiver-occupied planets has gone up? Afra
asked.

Unconfirmed. Probably doam, since some of those probed show dead in
stallations. But that doesn't reduce the threat the species poses. The
results of Kincaids report whik on search with Squadron D have to be
revised iffour of the twenty probed are either ecologically nonviabk or
prove to befailed colonies.

Those were all farther out from the original homeacrid, said Afra
pensively.

True, so we'vejust begun to search. The humorous note in Jeff's voice as
he paraphrased an old adage showed his incredible resilience in the face
of constant attacks and criticisms from the various factions of the two
allies, Human and Mrdini. rm only the messenger, he added, as if he had
perceived Afra's thought. The two knew each other to their fundamental
conscious levels.

For which we are all eternally grateful, said the Rowan crisply.

What's being reportedfor the other side of the gaam? Afra asked.

Fm waiting to hear. Perry' the Prime with the Fourth FL-et. Ishould have
s

to4d Thian that Admiral Ashiant's squadron is to be called First
Fleetftom now on.

MY, we are gettingfancy, the Rowan said.

rmsogladyougotperryandmorgelleawayfromolddavid, Damia said at the same
time.

Yes, their Talent was being wasted, Jeff replied, especially since David
I ' s now willing to train up Xahra and that youngling Prime hejust
discovered in his oum backward. rll have to reassign Morgelleftom Second
Fleet shortly but she@ learned enough, Flavia said, to run a Tower. You
provoked him, you know, Damia, with all your brood  ... Not all my
brood, Dad, and you leave the babies alone. I don't want them to have to
grow upfast like Thian and Rojer did.

That's a low blow, Damia, said her mother and her husband almost in the
same thought.

No one can regret the attack on Thian or Prtglm's outrageous wasting of
Gd and Kat and its effect on Rojer more than L There was such deep
remorse in her father's voice that Damia was immediately contrite,
laving him with affection and apology.

They did matureftom those experiences, Damia, said the Rowan in a
neutral tone ... and Damia was further rueful when she knew her mother
obliquely referred to her brother Larak, dead these many years, lost in
the necessity of countering the mental entity Sodan. She had been the
designated focus, but Larak had gone in first and Sodan's mental strike,
aimed at her, had killed her T-2 brother. And we are all exceedingly
proud of them.

Which David would like a little of, please, for his children, Jeff
continued, getting over that sad reminder quickly. You'll he happy to
know that Gollee Gren'sfound a half-dozen new potential high Talents.
One who had a near-death accident bringing osa k" tnetic Takni. He's
testing well at the Tuo Level.

Is he? That's very good news. Damia meant that sincerely. So I get to
keep my younglings awhik longer?

We'll see how they develop, her father said in a teasing tone, as if he
didn't expect much from the four younger Lyons.

Dadl Jeff chuckled. You do leave yourse&(wide openfor a tease, you
l(now, dear heart. To business- when's the next oreshipment?

Miner Mexalgo hasfour big d4Uies but wants to wait till he has thefull
hay'-dozen. To make our effort uvrthwhik. Another hullftom the mines of
Iota Aurigas? Damia's tone held pride for her world's ability to supply
the raw materials that would become elements of the expanding Allied
Fleet. rll let you l(now. It shouldn't be too long at the rate they're
working. Humans and Mrdini. She chuckled and heard her father echo that.

Iota Aurigas had as many Mrdini settlers now as it had Human. The "Dinis
missed their hot fierce primaries, but in a mine, who sees the sun?

They had space, their own settlements including finer hibernatories,
better than those on their home planets, Clarf and Sef, although there
was considerably more prestige in going to a Clarf facility.

As a Prime Talent, Damia was far more aware than most people that the
Mrdini worlds were overpopulated and the pressure on them needed relief-
much of her awareness derived from her oldest daughter, Laria, who was
Clarf's Prime. The High Council had discussed the disposition of
colonial expansion in private and public debates. Since the seven Human
colony worlds had been free from the Hiver assaults until the Hivers'
abortive attempt on Deneb-known as the Deneb Penetration-Human worlds
were by no means as critical in population densities as the five Mrdini
planets were. With the Alliance, fewer "Dini were dying in combat
against spheres, although their birth rate remained as high as it had
been when more spacers were needed. The Allied Council had voted, almost
unanimously, that the first nine suitable planets would be given to the
Mrdini and the tenth made available for Humans. That decision had
immediately met with resistance from a new faction, calling itself
Planets for People, to the many disparate ,(voices" on the twelve
Alliance worlds. However, the High Council was not moved to award an
equal distribution of suitable worlds, since the intent of that
opposition was specious.

In the first place, an "ideal" Mrdini planet would be hotter than those
comfortable for Human habitation. In the second place, few Humans
realized how desperately crowded the five Mrdini worlds were, in
conditions no Human would tolerate. The Humans had only begun to spread
out across the earth-type planets in the Capella, Deneb and Iota Aurigas
systems. Their need was not as urgent-unless it was prompted by obvious
tit-foretat mentalities. On Clarf and Sef, the two most overpopulated
Mrdini worlds, a corresponding faction immediately erupted, demanding
that the first twenty suitable worlds should be Mrdini, since their race
had struggled alone for two hundred years against the Hivers.

In the third place, the disposition of any new colonial worlds depended
on many factors, the most important being that the relevant planet not
already be occupied by an emerging sentient species. To which the
obvious argument was that if the Hivers had already rid the planet of
any large, possibly predatory life-forms, that wouldn't be a problem,
would it? Since Talavera, a world that had been "prepared" for Hiver
occupation, was ecologically ill, how many other prospective planets
would be in a similar state?

There would probably be as many theories-and opponents of those
theories-as there were M-type planets in the galaxy. And who knew what
other intelligent spacefaring species might exist in the quadrants not
yet explored by Mrdini, Human and Hiver ships?

While most Humans met Mrdini on equal terms, not all Humans and not all
Mrdini were in favor of continued close association now that the
enemy-the Hivers-had received a major setback. Matters closer to home
and divisive individual concerns often received more attention and
publicity than the problem that still faced the Allies: finding
Hiveroccupied worlds and somehow restricting the alien creatures to
them.

Masses of details needed to be gathered by elements of both Navies:
discovering which worlds the Hivers occupied, how full they were, which
M-type planets ignored by the spheres trying to find a new homeworld
would be suitable for Mrdini or Human occupation.

One loud group didn't want any further Human expansion. A more virulent
sect wanted to control FT&T because FT&T were "weasel lovers" and should
not be trusted to conduct the Towers in strict accordance with its
original Charter. This ominously growing group took note' of the most
minute variation, discrepancy or minor modification undertaken by Towers
or emanating from the Blundell Building, the main FT&T headquarters on
Earth. Some of the dissidents were medium to low Talents, dissatisfied
by their assignments or claiming professional partisanship.

"Everyone knows that the Towers are dominated by a few families," was
the most frequently lodged, and unfortunately accurate, accusation. The
fact that Primes were rare enough did not apparently enter into the
complaints. In the matter of Tower Primes, nepotism was far more benign
than malignant or inefficient. In reality, the responsibilities and
duties of a Prime far outweighed any reward: remuneration was strictly
controlled, although a Prime could, by virtue of his or her ability,
live anywhere he or she chose. Genetics played a critical part in
providing more high Talents, though some emerged from unexpected
sources, as had the Rowan, Callisto Prime, reared on Altair, and Jeff
Raven, Earth Prime, who had come-rather reluctantly-from Deneb to assume
the responsibilities which had been Peter Reidinger's until his death.
Children on every Human world were now routincly tested at puberty for
any vestige of trainable Talent. Every scrap of latent Talent was
carefully nurtured, developed and trained to make the best possible use
of it. If some had delusions of strength, they were soon ineluctably
placed in the category appropriate to their real abilities. Oftentimes,
a minor Talent increased with usage, and FT&T was only too pleased to
reassess and upgrade that person.

It had been a matter of necessity that four of the five children born to
the Rowan and Jeff had been encouraged to produce large families.

Jeran, Cera and Damia were T-Is, Ezro was a T-3 physician, while the
deceased Larak had been a T-2. Even his one child, Grayhan, was a T-2.
All of the offspring in the Raven-Lyon marriage were T- I's, though for
some time it was thought that Zara, the second daughter, might be a
dysfunctional T-I. She was now fully trained in a medically oriented
Talent, so it was unlikely that she'd be asked to assume the
responsibilities of a Tower.

David of Betelgeuse had three T-I children: Perry, Morgelle and Xahra.
Jeran, now Denebian Prime, had four, Barry being of an age with Rojer,
while Cera had three, also potential high Talents. The Bastianmajani
couple from Altair had produced a T-I in Flavia, though her brothers and
sisters were lesser Talents. They were completely unrelated to the
Gwyn-Raven-Lyon group. Rather more Denebians had latent Talents than
other first-generation colonial worlds. They were lazy about using them,
though the Eagieses, Ravens, Sparrows and other clans supplied many of
the high 4, 3 and 2 Talents-when they chose to move off-planet. No one
could be forced, against personal inclination, to make use of Talent.
The Denebians, as a group, were far more interested in developing their
world. Unfortunately, Talents were still an elite and limited group and
their abilities were more and more in demand now that Humans and Mrdinis
were spreading ever outward from their homeworlds. The plain facts, of
course, rarely figured in the complaints of nepotism that were lodged.

Any good news? the Rowan asked, so pointedly her daughter winced.

If you mean great-grandchildren, no, Damia said with a sigh. She had so
hoped that Laria would be able to win Vanteer's constant affection. The
T-6 engineer at Clarf Tower had one failing: he couldn't settle to just
one woman and already had several offspring from different women, Humans
living on Clarf That two of the infants seemed to have Talented minds
augured well for any children he might give Laria.

What's the prohlem? the Rowan asked.

I think-the reply came from Afra-that Laria intimidates hi'm. A T-6
would have no defense against a mental invasion by a determined Prime.
Damia was picased that Laria had not resorted to that in her wish to
become pleasing to Vanteer.

What? The Rowan found that hard to belicve. She's not aggressive.

Like some you could name, Damia put in, referring to her own teenage
experiments in finding a partner.

But you sorted yourscl(out, her mother said.

La ria is a differen t persona lity en tirely  ... For which we are
grateful, said Jeff, teasing again, but his touch was fond.

So don't youtuao Meddle, Damia said sharply.

We have our ethics, Jeff said, though there are some who do not helieve
it.

Father, of course you do. rm sorry I said that. Damia was once again
contrite.

We might shift some more willing prospects to Clarf now that we have
some breathing space, Jeff suggested.

I can't think who uould be suitabk, Damia said with another sigh.

Well, this latent T-2 kinetic, the one Goilee Gren's been training, is
an attractive person, the Rowan said. I think he's also related to
-Yoshuk at Sef Tower, a younger brother.

Yoshuk'sagoodman, Damia said with a lift of hope in her voice. There was
a hint in her mind that she found Vanteer's reluctance to ally her
daughter an insult to the entire family.

She's twenty-six and a hit Afra reminded them. Give her time to settle
on someone who is c-ompatibk. And no need to remind us, Damia m'love,
that youw hadfour children at Lariak age.

I uas lucl(y. The deep love and affection she had for Afra was a vibrant
note in her voice.

You werel the Rowan said softly.

I was the lucly one, Afra said firmly. Worth waitingfor, and kt us give
Laria that opts . on too.

Agreed, said Jeff, and on that comment he and the Rowan left the merge.

"How can Vanteer say that Laria intimidates him?" Damia asked, sliding
upright and swinging her legs to the side of her couch. "Zara might, but
not Laria. She's very careful with relationships. Look how well she and
Kincaid get along .. ." She made a face. "I so wish he was interested in
women." She gave a gusty sigh. "As a T-2, he'd be an ideal match."

Afra sat up too, his expression thoughtful. "Kincaid is so good with our
younger ones when he visits." Damia gave him a sharp look. But he
shrugged. "Just an observation. She and Kincaid have a very good
rapport."

"Not that good..

"At least as far as it goes." Then she said briskly. "If Gollee has
someone to send to Clarf for training, it might even make Vanteer
jealous. After all, there'll be a lot of activity from that planet once
colonization starts. Another Talent might be needed."

"Kincaid's certain that Clarf has already started provisioning colony
ships, choosing specialists and color groups, ready to go the moment
First Fleet-I rather like that new designation-"

"So do I," Damia agreed, standing up and arching her back in a stretch.

"That Clarf will be overworked, sending off personnel carriers, message
tubes and cargo drones. Up, up and away." He grinned at her over such
eagerness.

"Well, the'dinis need the room to spread out in, that's certainly true.
I just hope the Hivers haven't ruined other, perfectly good worlds as
they did Talavera." She frowned, having heard from Zara in detail about
the ecological damage wreaked on that planet. She put on her coat and
prepared to leave.

Putting an affectionate arm about his wife's shoulders, Afra guided her
to the Tower steps. They met Keylarion on her way up.

"Oh, you haven't gone," their T-6 station manager said, surprised.

"Oh yes, we have and you haven't seen us," Damia said.

"Unless it's urgent," Afra appended, giving his wife a reproving look.
She made a face at him.

"Xexo and me are set to do some recalibrations, that's all," Keylarion
said, and as if on cue, the T-8 engineer arrived from his section of the
Tower, diagnostic equipment hanging from both arms and down his back.

"Ah, you're finished. Good,' Xexo said as he went past them on the
stairs, grunting at the weight he was carrying.

"Anything serious?" Damia asked, since Afra's reproof had recalled her
sense of duty.

"No, just to be sure," Xexo said, and Keylarion winked as she followed
him.

Damia grinned back at her, knowing how particular the engineer was about
his beloved generators.

Outside in the brisk late-winter air of Iota Aurigas, Damia folded her
coat about her and huddled against Afra's long frame, to shield herself
from the worst of the wind.

Their "Dinis came rushing out of the house, chattering as if their
friends had been gone for weeks instead of a few hours. Tri caught
Afra's free hand while Fok took Damia's and escorted them the rest of
the way.

Rojer joined the Columbia in the middle of ship night, just before the
dogwatch came on.

Sorry, Flavia. Should have checked to he sure. t was convenient, he said
justfinished hauling the drones a Grandfather was ready to ship me out,
so it seemed silly to waste the ride.

"I'm here, I'm here," said Flavia, appearing in the boat bay and nearly
colliding with the duty officer, Lieutenant Sadler Ismail, who was on
his way to the personnel carrier. "Zara went back to bed."

"oops, sorry about that, Prime." He took Flavia's arm steady her
precipitous arrival. "Good to see you, sir," Ismail said, belatedly
saluting as he remembered that Prime Talents had the honorary rank of
captain while on Fleet maneuvers. "Need some help there, Gil, Kat?" he
added as the "Dinis emerged.

rdve had,4sia greet you, hut she stayed helow on some minor emergency.
Iffd known  ... That's all right. So we're orbiting Talavera.

Sure. Flavia looked surprised. Didn't you know?

No, I didn't know. Grandfather just whisked me away from the Washington.

just then various items dropped into the personnel carrier just vacated:
one soft-soled boot, a cascade of disks and two worn, obviously dirty
shipsuits.

"I left the suits behind for a reason," Rojer said, making a face in the
general direction of his previous ship. He pointed to a shoulder patch
that displayed a clearly printed "A.S.S. Washington."

Flavia grabbed the offending suits and they disappeared: a disposal
hatch hissed receipt. She gave him an affectionate hug, touching his
mind with warm greetings.

"You needn't have come down yourself, Flavia." He returned her embrace.
"But I'm glad you did." Despite the hour, she felt as vibrant and
self-assured as ever. He could wish, feeling her very womanly body
against his, that she wasn't already attached to Jesper Ornigo, T-6 from
Betelgeuse.

Iknow. It@sadwecan't replicateourselvesandsharethe wealth, she said,
half teasing. "C'mon,.I'll take you to your quarters. Thanks, Sadler.
He's my problem now."

"Yes ma'am." Ismail signaled for one of the yeomen on duty to take
Rojer's luggage.

"No need to disturb your watch," Flavia said airily, and with a gesture
the duffels disappeared, including the ship shoe and the disks.

"We'll go the easy way," she said. Turning to say good night to officer
and watch, she took his hand and 'ported him to the passageway outside
his assigned quarters.

"You go on back to bed now, Flavia. I'll settle myself in." He gave her
a mental push.

"I'm just two doors down,' she said, and walked away. "G'night!"

"Night," he responded with an airy kiss for her cheek. He put his hand
on the doorplate and it slid open, showing him a room that conlained
both bed alcove and a lounge. Not as luxurious as the specially designed
quarters for the Talents on the Washingom but larger than his original
accommodations on the Genesee and Phobos Moon Base. You wanted the
change ofassigntnent, he muttered to himself He had indeed half hoped
that Asia would be there to welcome him. That was the trouble with
Primes. Always launching people when it was convenient for them. He
glanced at his duffels, wincing because of the speed with which he had
stuffed them. Ah well, he could sort them out tomorrow. Right now he'd
follow Flavia's example and get some sleep. He took off his ship shoes,
loosened the top cover of his bunk and slid under it. With a mild
suggestion to his diurnal self, he was asleep in moments.

Is that all, Van? Laria asked as Clarf Tower's generators hit an even
pitch after the latest drone launch.

Yupt was the relieved response. I told you we were going to get busier.

It's toing-and-livingfteight, Laria said, somewhat disgusted.

Throwingfteight, you mean, Lionasha, Tower's T-7 expediter, corrected.
It's much morefunftving "Dinis about.

Ah ah ahl Kincaid Dano said, with a mental image of a wagging finger. He
grinned across the way at Laria as they both sat up on their Tower
couches and stretched against the long session.

"I don't feel like a mule," Laria said, rotating her shoulder blades and
rubbing her neck. "I feel like I've been kicked by one."

Kincaid swung his long legs over the edge of his couch and, with equally
long arms, reached across the narrow space and began to massage her
neck, his strong fingers sensitively touching just the right spot. Iaria
let her head hang and murmured appreciatively.

Van's a damnedfool, Kincaid said on a tight link with her.

Leave it, Dano, Laria said.

Why should I? the T-2 asked. Forall he's one of the best Tower
engineers, he@ an aggravation.

Do I sound aggravated? Laria asked.

Patient is what you sound and you're too goodfor him. He gave her a
final hard rub, nearly sliding her off the smooth surface of her couch.
He caught her body with a mental block and she couldn't help but giggle.
That@ better.

He@ handy, she said with a shrug.

You should tell him that and depress his ego.

It@ the thought of a T-I in his bed that depresses him, Laria said, and
sighed.

I don't think you're in love with him anyway, I-aria. Not the way you
should he. He has been, as you say, handy. And t'n an attractive enough
package.

Very, very deeply, Laria thought that Kincald was in an even more
attractive package, but his preference lay with his own sex. Meanwhile
that didn't interfere with their understanding each other as perfectly
as she could have wished Van and she did.

"Which idiot was it that said once we've got the last sphere, work'll
slack off?" Lionasha asked, as Laria and Kincald descended the short
flight of steps from the cupola above the station building that acted as
a Tower.

"Wasn't me," Kincaid said, making for the cold drinks cabinet. "What'll
you have, Laria, with your electrolytes?" he asked.

"Do we still have any of that real old-fashioned lemonade flavor?"

"We do." Kincald 'ported her a nice cold flask, grinning as she deftly
caught it in her open hand. "Not a drop spilled either."

Vanteer joined them from the lower level that housed the great
generators needed for Talent gestalt. He was wiping his hands on a
greasy cloth.

"I need a beer," he said, and 'ported one without quite the same
deftness as the others used. He shot them a look as he peeled off the
cap. "Number three needs servicing. I had to rev it manually during the
last three 'ports."

"Will it be down long?' Laria asked.

Lionasha also looked apprd=ive. "We've the same schedule for tomorrow,
you know."

"So you told me. I'll have it up and running sweedy by tomorrow when
it's needed," he said, turning to retrace his steps, "even if I have to
work all night.'

Lionasha looked from Laria to Kincaid and rolled her tawny eyes.

Keep a lid on it, Lio, Laria said, aiming the thought at the Tower
expediter, whose eyes matched her hair, set off by a skin that took
Clarfs sun well.

Kincaid gave a low snort. Likes to rub is in, doesn't hel You too, Dano.
Laria glared at the T-2.

Lionasha returned to her desk, shaking her head, and began checking the
next day's schedule on her screen.

We're agoodteam. Let's neterfotget that, Laria said. "I'm going
swimming.'

"You'll fry," both Lionasha and Kincaid told her.

She held up sun-browned arms, as dark as acorn hulls, and laughed. "I've
sunblock. I need the exercise."

WE COME Too, cried her "Dinis, just entering the Tower from the landing
field.

Kincaid stretched, yawned. "I'm for a nap, frankly." His'dinis, who
arrived on Laria's heels, vehemently agreed, all three sauntering down
the cool hall to their quarters.

She went to her room and changed into her swim togs, struggled into the
long caftan that would also be a protection against Clarfs lateafternoon
sun. Tip and Huf rummaged to find paels to lie on and the umbrella that
Laria wisely carried to shield herself from the sun at the swim place.

"Have fun," Lionasha said as she watched the three of them file out the
door.

Halfway there in her ground car, her caftan clinging to her sweating
body, Laria wondered why under any sun she was doing this now.

She could have waited until sunset, when the air was less humid and
Clarfs primary was not shining directly in her eyes, as it was now that
she was heading west. If Vanteer was going to work on the generator, she
couldn't remain in the Tower premises, especially after Kincaid's
remarks.

She knew Van had acquired another girlfriend: a chemical analyst just in
from Betelgeuse on a three-month assignment. That was a long enough stay
for most Humans who came from colder Human planets. They might exude joy
over a world that rarely had any rain; when they had to endure the
constant heat and humidity night and day, the noyelty soon wore off An
unlucky minority would prove to be allergic to the harsh rays and have
to be transferred, to the annoyance of their contractors, Human or
"Dini. Meanwhile, there was no point in trying to get Van's attention:
this Marjolee Hess-Tukin monopolized him. Laria had seen her at the very
party where Van first met her: a pretty little woman, Laria admitted
impartially, with long eyelashes, which she used to good effect on any
male. Ironically, it was because Vanteer was Talented and part of the
Clarf Tower staff that he was such a conquest for Marjolee. Doubtless
one of the other, less tactful females who had also been wooed by
Vanteer would warn the girl of his fickle nature. Laria had come to the
reluctant conclusion that Van couldn't resist the challenge of a new
female to be courted and won. He required diversity. And the way he kept
up with the demands made on him by his other women-he had once sworn to
Laria that he loved her to the exclusion of any other woman he'd ever
known-astounded his colleagues in the Tower.

"How does he do it?" Lionasha often remarked when Van had lured yet
another girl into his bed.

"I know plenty of men who'd like to know," Kincaid had replied,
grinning. "Of both inclinations," he'd added with a droll smile.

Whatever, Laria needed to get out of the Tower. She thought wistfully of
cool, dark-sun Iota Aurigas and home: with the wild wind and the
mountains, and riding Saki to hunt scurriers and avians. But now was not
the time to ask for home leave.

One of the four planets that Kincaid had discovered of those he had
probed on his unhappy stint in Squadron D on the Galaxy-class Valparaiso
had been named Talavera, following the nineteenth-century naming of his
other three M-type finds: Marengo, Waterloo and Ciudad Rodrigo. Its
primary was not quite as fierce as Clarfs but would certainly suit
"Dinis better than Humans. With so few dying in combat against the
Hivers, all five worlds were bursting with candidates willing to
undertake the immense task of colonizing, even if it meant heavy
ecological work. No birth control methods existed for the "Dini species.
Indeed, their prolificacy had been an advantage during their two hundred
years of fighting the spheres. They could "lose" suicide crews, knowing
that others of the same genetic pattern would be born in the
hibernatories at some later date. Such a "reincarnation" allowed the
"Dinis, if it became necessary, to sacrifice themselves willingly. This
was, of course, a fundamental difference between them and Humans, who
did not waste their space personnel. Fortunately, Mrdini High Command
and all its Councillors we . re aware of this major psychological
difference between the two species, or the mind-set might have caused an
insuperable schism. The difference occasionally caused trouble on
mixed-species crew ships despite continued lectures on the subject.

Ironically, the Mrdini race had originally been attracted to the Humans
because they had witnessed the seemingly effortless destruction of the
first Hiver sphere to approach Human space at Deneb, when the Mind Merge
of the Rowan and all female Talents had paralyzed the Hiver queens and
the male Mind Merge of Jeff had sent their sphere into Denebs sun.

The "Dinis had come to the point where, with dwindling resources, they
were hard pressed to continue their defense against the spheres. So they
had used "dreams" to make contact with Humans-with Laria's mother and
father, Damia and Afra, recuperating on Deneb from Larak's tragic death
and their exhaustion in battling the mental entity Sodan. An Alliance
had been promulgated between Human and Mrdini. Now, if suitable worlds
could reduce the population density on the five "Dini homeworlds, much
of the growing dissatisfaction on the "Dini half of the Alliance would
be eased.

Laria reached the river swimming facility before the place became
crowded. "Dinis liked water sports. Though sun-warmed, the water was
noticeably cooler-since the current was swift-and Laria sank gratefully
into it up to her neck. Tip handed her one of the rope harnesses that
the wise swimmer looped around the arms. She let her body be carried
flat out to the length of the rope by the current. The river flowed over
her in a rippling massage. Tip and Huf joined her, their furry bodies
silkily touching hers now and then in the current. Letting herself relax
with her head back, Laria closed her eyes. She was facing east so that
the sun was no longer in her face. Tip and Huf gurgled happily, and
there they remained until the Clarf sun with its customary abruptness
sank below the distant hills and darkness spread across the deep plain,
with its thousands of "Dini dwellings and the occasional lump of a
hibernatory.

As soon as Laria heard the rewing of other ground cars, the put-put of
individual fliers approaching the riverbank and the chatter of "Dini
tongues, she flipped over and began to pull herself, hand over hand, to
the bank. Shucking off the harness, she swam vigorously to the slanted
permacrete lip that assisted entry and exit. Almost before she reached
her car, Tip and Huf dancing beside her, totally refreshed by the swim,
her skin and her suit were dry. But the water had been therapeutic. She
made a private wager that Vanteer would have finished the servicing and
would be gone when she returned to the Tower.

She won.

Lionasha had left a note saying she was dining with friends in the Human
Compound, lavishly air-conditioned. Lio had a new male interest. Kincaid
was probably still asleep, but he was always a restful and undemanding
companion.

Laria woke in the night, gasping with panic, her heart pounding against
her ribs, her'dinis twitching in their sleep and mumbling. She had been
caught in their dream and it had been ...  What had it been? Terrifying?

No. But charged ... heavy with emotion and an odd "dead" smell.

"Laria?" Kincaid 'ported into her room, striding to her bedside and
gathering her up in an anxious embrace. "What is it? What's the trouble?

She clung to his bare arms, her head against his chest, struggling with
the aftermath of such intense sensations, gasping for breath.

"Easy now, easy now," he said as he stroked tangled hair back from her
face, his hands gende."

"Dini dream?"

She nodded.

"Are they due for hibernation?" he asked.

Tip and Huf were flapping at her side in whatever dream still held them.

"Possibly," she said, and knew that had to be part of the problem.
Humans might not know how "Dinis mated-the hibernatories were off limits
and even "Dinis did not mention what went on-but sometimes, when her
pair were close to that part of their life cycle, their dreams could be
extremely erotic. Her own frustration had magnified the intensity of
their dreams and she had been frightened by her own response. That was
what had wakened her. "They usually know and tell me."

Kincaid pulled her closer, holding her against him, soothing her with
soft touches and a wave of mental consolation. It felt so good to be
held-a thought she kept very, very tight. Good to be held by Kincaid.
That rider startled her, and her panicky breathing under control, she
started to push away from him. His hands resisted.

"I offer myself, Laria," he said softly in her car. "You need someone
right now and I am here." He gave a soft, self-deprecating laugh.

She gripped his arm, unable to answer yet desperately wanting to agree.

"You offered me friendship, dear Laria, when I needed it desperately.
Why may I not assuage your need now?"

She could feel his mind touching hers, lightly at first, then stressing
his remarkable offer, as his arms folded her more closely to him. She
could not deny the honesty of his gesture. She most certainly could not
deny her need of relief.

"Admittedly I'd be a virgin sacrifice." The laughter in his voice found
an amused response in her. "But I like you better than any other woman I
have ever met. And I am not the least bit intimidated by you being a
Prime." He kissed her forehead and then held her away from him, seeking
her eyes in the darkness as his mind sought hers on a deeper level. She
did not resist. "After all, it's much the same with ei their partner."
His mouth curled in an ironic smile. "Shall we see if we can make it
together?"

She opened her mind completely and felt within him the desire to
console, the respect and admiration he had for her and a suddenly fierce
yearning for sexual release.

I am honored, she said.

I am horny.

I; That's my problem too. Let@ solve that mutual problem. Just don't, he
added, shield for or from me.

Gently he pushed her backward onto the rumpled bed, stretching his long
self beside her, and then pulled her tightly against him, one arm about
her shoulders, the other fondling her bare body. She let down all mental
and physical barriers, felt him do the same, saw all that had troubled
him before he came to Clarf Tower, and was shaken by an incredibly
powerful desire to erase such devastating memories with a selfless
abandon to the growing passion that Kincaid's deft lovemaking roused in
her.

Laria hadn't had many lovers and the fulfillment they gave her had been
satisfactory enough. But nothing was like the climax she achieved with
Kincaid, and she felt the surprise in him, the exaltation, when he
collapsed against her, shuddering in release. They lay together for a
long time in the sweet aftermath, his mind wondering at his response to
Laria, hers savoring the fullness of rapport with the personality that
had taken refuge in irony and detachment.

That was rather more than I expected, he said wryly.

And exactly what I needed, dearfmd.

I am more than yourfend now, Laria.

Are you?

You can see that easily enough, Prime.

Yes, but is it fightfor you?

She could feel his mental shrug, vividly accompanied by the lingering
astonishment of completion with a woman.

You would consider that aspect, dear heart, he said in a droll tone. I
feel u,eshouldexplorethepossibilitiesuithoutpridudice.
Certainlyihavenever fell such rapport histh anyone since Josh died
Because he still had all his shields dropped, she knew who Josh was, how
deeply they had loved each other and how Josh had died in a sporting
accident that happened so quickly Kincaid had "seen" only when it was
too late to save his lover. Struggling to find equilibrium after such a
terrible loss, Kincaid had welcomed the assignment to the Valparaiso in
an effort to distance himself from increasingly painful memoriesonly to
find himself torn in two directions by the officers who vied for his
company.

One thing sure, Laria said sternly. I cannot-hurt you as those tuo did.
0 .f that Fm sure, he responded with one of his soft chuckles, and he
gave her a hug. "Now get some sleep. Tomorrow will be busy." He made a
move to sit up.

She made a sound, closing her mind quickly lest he see how reluctant she
was to have him leave her.

"On second thought," he said, settling back down, wedging the pillow
under his head and replacing his arm around her shoulders, "that would
require more effort than I care to make right now."

Thank you.

Don't mention it. Now sleep, Prime.

Yes sir, she said in a meek tone, and wove her fingers into his hand.

Beyond them, on the wide bed, the "Dinis also sank into a deeper, more
restful slumber.

"That swim did you good," Lionasha remarked as Laria started up the
steps to her Tower the next morning.

"Yes, I think it did," Laria replied as casually as she could, because
Kincaid let out a burst of laughter in his room, and let her hear it.

"That's good," Lionasha said with obvious relief. "We've a very busy
day. Oh, the generator wasn't as much of a problem as Vanteer thought."

"I know. He wasn't here when I got back," Laria said over her shoulder,
unperturbed.

No, Lio can't read us, my dear, Kincaid said, and then as he swung into
the Tower hall from the private quarters, added: "Morning, Lio. Good
evening?"

"Yes indeed." And the other two Talents caught the unmistakable smugness
of her satisfaction with her evening's pleasure.

"Good for you," Kincaid said affably, trotting up the stairs. "At least
you didn't get a burn yesterday at the river," he added, grinning at
Laria as he reached the Tower. The mischief in his smile made Laria
quickly stifle her amusement lest Lionasha catch it. He shook his head,
indicating that he was not pro jecting his ebullient mood.

"Morning, all," said Vanteer, striding into the Tower. He leaned into
the stairwell, calling up to them. "Fixed the generator, Laria. Did you
have a good swim?"

"Yes, thanks," she called back cheerfully. "Start'em up, Van, we've a
busy day ahead. Got two hours before that sun starts scorching again.
Let's get to it."

Kincaid touched her with approval as he settled back on his couch and
got into position for the work ahead.

They had had a very full day by noon and took time off for a siesta.
Even their "Dinis grumbled about the heat on the plascrete of the
landing field. There were not as many loads for the late afternoon, but
enough to tire them. Laria made a salad for supper with fresh fruit that
Yoshuk had sent them from Sef They all ate together, while Lionasha
sorted out the orders for the next day's teleportations. Soon after Van
had waffdered off by himself, Plrgtgl arrived, its poll eye draped in
vivid magenta lace, with endless questions for laria and Kincaid about
the progress of the explorations.

Over and over, Laria repeated that as soon as she heard something she
would most certainly inform Plrgtgl. Kincaid brought up the files on
their lounge screen, showing Plus, as Laria called her "Dini contact,
what was so far known about the four planets that he had found,
paraphrasing Laria's reassurances with his own. Their "Dinis, of course,
served Plrgtgl the juice drink it preferred and got whatever their Human
partners asked for, as well as some of the bits and nibbles which Plus
had come to like.

SEF IS MUCH LIKE THAT, Plus said in "Dini, pointing its flipper at the
surface of Talavera.

THE PLANET COULD EASTLY BE SEF-RENEWED, Kincaid agreed. IT SUFFERED
DAMAGE BY HIVERS WHICH MUST BE REPAIRED AND WILL NEED LIFE-FORMS FROM
THE SMALLEST No, said Plus firmly. THERE ARE SOME THAT WE CAN DO WITHOUT
THIS TIME. LIKE THE LICE, AS YOU CALL THEM, AND THE STINGERS. NO HARM TO
THE ECOLOGY BY LE'ING THEM OUT.

HOW CAN YOU BE SURE? Laria asked, amused at Plus's vehemence as well as
its wish to leave behind such bugs. She saw that Tip and Huf as well as
Nil and his Plus were keenly interested in both queries and answers
though they did not voice their own opinions, not in the presence of
such a senior "Dini.

WE HAVE STUDIED CAREFULLY, Plus said, shaking the lace on its poll eye
until Laria was afraid it would come loose. WE USE THIS AS PROBLEMS IN
TEACHING THE YOUNG. WHAT MAKES A GOOD PLANET BETTER. WHAT IS NEEDED TO
SPREAD POLLENS AND SEEDINGS. WE WOULD BE UP AND RUNNING, AS YOU
SAY-Plus's large frame shook with its delight in using Basic
slang-BEFORE YOU CAN SAY BOO? IS THAT WHAT YOU SAY ... Boo?

"Boo" came out in Basic. Laria and Kincaid agreed that Plus had used the
slang properly and then listened as it enumerated the various plans for
the revitalization of the planet.

Full night had settled on Clarf before the two Talents tactfully managed
to get Plus to leave. "I thought it'd never go," Laria said, exhaling
with exaggeration.

"They've been doing a lot of research on reviving Talavera's ecology,"
Kincaid said thoughtfully.

"From the way Plus was going on, that must be their latest game to play
at night."

"As useful an occupation as many, certainly," he agreed.

"I'm for a shower and bed," she said, waving over her shoulder at him as
she left the lounge for her own room, Tip and Huf following on her
heels.

"I won't be far behind."

She was tired, and when she had soaped and rinsed herself, turned the
shower to cool to reduce her body temperature. Wrapping a towel about
her body in sarong fashion, she left the bathroom. Her "Dinis were
already curled up.

"Let's have nice dreams tonight, shall we?" she said, but they did not
answer.

She had no trouble falling asleep. But once again, early in the new day,
she woke with the same panic syndrome, gasping for breath, unable to
remember what had roused her so thoroughly.

Again?

Again, and worse this time, she said, tears dripping down her cheeks.

Kincaid seemed to step into the room at the bedside and was enfolding
her in his arms, mentally soothing her alarm and helping her control the
ragged breaths and agitated respiration.

"What are they doing to you?"

"I don't know. They've ... never been like ... this before. And I'm in
much better shape ... after you ... last night," she said, leaning her
head against his shoulder, gripping his arm with both hands and trying
to still the shudders that ran up and down her spine.

"You were fully asleep, weren't you? I wasn't." He said the last
ruefully. "I couldn't seem to get comfortable. Odd smell in my room the
circulator isn't removing." His hands smoothed down her back, as if he
were trying to push the shudders from her.

Gradually they ceased and she lay limply against him, her hands still on
his arm, keeping her by him. When he felt her totally relax, he shifted
slightly and she grabbed reflexively to keep him close, as if he were
the talisman to ward off the frightening dream.

"Don't worry. I'll stay. Perhaps you can help me get to sleep?" His
voice was oddly wistful and she giggled.

"Why not? We both got to sleep last night."

"This could get to be a habit," he said, chuckling as he put one hand on
her chest and pushed her back into the pillows.

"Not if it has to start with me scaring myself to death," she said as
she reached out with her hands to collect him to her.

The third night was worse as both Laria and Kincaid woke at the same
instant, both feeling the shafts of intense emotion. Sobbing, laria was
struggling out of the twisted sheets of her bed when Kincaid arrived,
tripping over the sheet he had 'ported with him in his haste. Laria shot
up, reaching to steady him, and then they clung together until the
spasms gradually cased.

I think both sets ofdinipals-his tone was sharper than she had ever
heard from him-need to go to the hihernatory. That smell ot4ght to have
akrted us. I reineinher itftom "Dinis in our squadron. They've been
having fun antigames with us.

They have? Laria was astonished. She didn't want their new intimacy to
be anyone's fun and games, even her devoted "Dinis'.

Can you explain this any other way?

Are you angry with them?

Ahl His arms tightened about her, his lips turning up a soft smile as he
gazed down at her. I can't say that I am, dear heart, but I'll be damned
ifril kt them man ipulate us like thou. I can do without the pan ic
triggers a nd I know you can.

She glanced over her shoulder, half expecting to see two bright poll
eyes watching them. They'refast asleep, she said, seeing only the two
lumps to one side of her wide bed.

And so were Plus and Nil when I staggered out of bed, but that doesn't
keep them from conniving dreams. You'd have had more experience with
"Dini dreaming than L Not L My parents were the first to have "Dini
dreams. Tip and Hufhave always given me nice dreams.

My pair kept mefrom going crazy on the Valparaiso, Kincaid allowed, his
tone puzzled now. Tomorrow we'll take allfour to the hihernatory and see
what their condition is. D'you want to het they've used their sex drive
to stimulate ours?

Laria tried very hard not to giggle at the outrage in Kincaid's tone. Of
course, he could feel the rising laughter in her under his hands, and he
held her off to look into her face.

And it worked, she said meekly just before a chuckle broke from her
lips.

All right, all right, he said, rocking her from side to side in his
arms. Fllgive in. Will you?

She hesitated, not quite sure how to handle this because she had no
intention of forcing herself on Kincaid, despite how deep her feelings
for him had become. She felt him begin to withdraw and tightened her
arms about his neck.

ijust want to be sure you want to too.

I do. And she couldn't doubt he meant it.

The next morning, just as false dawn lit the skies, they hauled all four
"Dinis into the ground car and drove them to the nearest hibernatory.

The large keeper, unusually gaunt for a Mrdini of its age, took one look
at the quartet and started scolding them.

HOW DARE COLORS GET INTO SUCH CONDITION, MAKING SUCH DEAD SMELLS! NPL,
PLS ARE YOUNGER, BUT TLP AND HGF KNOW WHEN SMELL Too BAD. WHY DELAY?
THIS SPECIAL TIME AND SPECIAL PLACE THIS TIME. DELAY CAUSE PROBLEMS.
COULD BE ALL WRONG. TIMING IS ESSENTIAL NOW OF ALL TIMES. Railing at
them angrily, the keeper pushed them ahead of it-swatting first
Kincaid's Plus and then Tip, Nil and Huf because they weren't moving
fast enough to suit it-through the door, which was emphatically slammed
shut.

As much amused by the scolding their friends had received as relieved by
the knowledge they had acted properly, Kincaid and Laria locked arms and
made their way back to their ground vehicle.

Such dead smells? Kincaid said rhetorically, grinning. Could cause great
problems?

They did smell and they were trying to put something over on us.

And succeeded very well, didn't they, dear heart?

I concur, dear man. I concur.

He stopped and, in the peculiarly pellucid light of Clarf, looked deeply
into her eyes and touched her mind.

If they were the problem, Laria  ... She caught his hands. I haven't
askedfor any promises, Kincaid. I am first and always yourftiend.

Yes, that you are, dear heart. That you always are. Then he gave her a
gentle push toward the ground car and he drove them back to the Tower.

The Washington hung behind the largest of the three moons that circled
the subject planet, while probes began their exploratory flights. Thian
had control of those investigati the planet while Clancy and Semirame
Kloo had sent theirs to the sphere set in a geosynchronous orbit above
what appeared to be the same sort of flat field used for Hiver scout
ships on the Xh-33 Hiver world.

"That ship is ancient," Clancy reported to Admiral Ashiant, who wa
seated behind the Talents couches. "It is?"

"The hull's pitted," Rame Kloo added.

"And that odd covering they use on their spheres has all worn away.
Never seen that before. We should ask the "Dinis about such erosion."

"I'll send a message to Captain Spktm on the KSTS," Clancy said, and
gestured for Rame to continue searching without him for a moment.

"Can you get inside the sphere, Commander?" the Admiral asked Kloo,
leaning forward, elbows on his knees, as he peered at the screen which
did indeed show the deterioration of the surface of the Hiver vessel.

"Indeed we can, sir," Rame said. "They left a door open for us," she
added in a droll voice.

The Admiral recolled slightly in reflex as the probe dove for a jagged
hole in the exterior. For a moment, the screen was black. Then the
probe's lights came on and displayed the now-familiar drive area, did a
sweep and then focused on the hull fragments from the hole littering the
deck.

"Just what we need," Clancy said and activated the probe's sweeper to
collect the debris. "I'll just 'port them to the lab, sir, and we should
get an estimate of its age from forensic examination.

"I'll tell them to expect it," the Admiral said, raising his wrist corn
to his lips.

"If you wouldn't mind, sir," Clancy said, grinning to himself Sometimes
he had the notion that Admiral Ashiant felt somewhat at a disadvantage
in the presence of the Talents. "Spktm is querying its experts on the
deterioration of the sphere's skin. It'll come back if it has any
information."

"Ah, here we are, sir," Thian said, gesturing to the screens he had just
activated, showing pictures of the surface taken by the probes he was
controlling. "Odd."

"What's odd?" the Admiral asked, lowering the corn now that he had
contacted the lab technicians.

"I'd've expected a much larger facility if this planet has been settled
as long as the age of the ship seems to indicate."

"Yes, you're right in that. The Xh-33 had a much larger installation
near its field. Can you see the entrances to the underground scout
storage?'

Thian shook his head. One probe swooped lower to the ground and then
quartered the field area. Thian halted it a few centimeters above the
ground.

"I can just make out a long seam, sir..

"Yes, yes, and covered with sand or dust or whatever."

"Hangars don't look to have been opened in a long while," Thian said.

"No, ( tiky don't."

"And if you'll look to the other screen, sir, there doesn't seem to be
as much under cultivation."

"Is this colony then dying?"

"Doesn't look to be, not with those flourishing crops which seem to be
well tended. In fact, it's a rather nice world, Admiral. There's a good
balance between cultivated and fallow fields. See that stretch just
coming up ... and forestry. And that lake ... lovely. Almost Arcadian,"
Thian remarked.

"Arcadian?" the Admiral echoed. "What's its designation on the Mrdini
star maps."

"Huh? Oh. Let me see." Thian tapped a few keys before he said, "Cj-70."

Ashiant gave a disapproving grunt deep in his throat. "Shame to stick to
alpha numerics on it, pretty as it is. Let's refer to it as Arcadia.
Agreed?"

"Willingly, sir," Thian said obligingly, and keyed in a substitution.
"However, it's certainly not as active as Xh-33 was."

To this the Admiral agreed, seeing the neatly weeded rows of greenery,
the adjacent field sporting some dark pumply-green foliage.

"Go on, will you, Thian?"

And Thian sent his two probes, in opposite directions, skimming over the
surface at a height of twenty meters. In each screen, they saw several
of the collection squares, none as big as those on Xh-33 but substantial
enough. Finally the right-hand screen showed movement and homed in on
it. Workers were trundling along in their ordered phalanx down to yet
another collection point. The creatures were head to tail, moving on six
limbs at a brisk trot. Two more limbs were cocked at each "head" and the
watchers could see the specialized arrangement of trowel and fork.

"Those creatures aren't as large as the ones Rojer recorded on Xh-33,
are they?" Ashiant said, puzzled.

"No, they don't seem to be," Thian concurred, and activated another
screen with the relevant disk of Roer's exploration of that planet.
"Much smaller."

"But carrying the same sort of tools, so they're similar to the Xh-33
workers. Why would they be smaller?"

"I haven't a clue, sir. Shall I get one of the xenbios in here?"

"Aren't you projecting all this on their lab screens?"

"I am, but there's no reason you can't have a running report on their
assessment."

"Ask Lieutenant Weiman and "Dini Grm to join me at the Talent st, will
you?" Admiral Ashiant said into his wrist corn, his eyes not PO leaving
the screen.

While they were waiting for the specialists to arrive, Ashiant gave
Thian a curious look. "Would you mind my asking you"-his glance included
the other Talents-"a little more about Talent? I mean, I know that
Primes do both telepathy and teleport over enormous distances, but
Clancy here's a T-2 and I know he 'paths as well as 'ports and ..
Ashiant shrugged, his rugged face indicating a sincere desire for a full
briefing on the distinctions.

Thian grinned, saw Clancy reddening and Kloo trying hard not to grin.

"It's basically a difference in strength and length, and combinations of
inherent skills, sir. I can 'path or 'port with or without generator
gestalt. Clancy's got more kinetic ability than telepathic, and while
he's strong in kinetics, he can't really 'path or receive far, even in
gestalt, but his abilities multiply mine. And Kloo. Now she didn't know
she was a latent Talent until the Phobos examination. At first she could
only send." Thian smiled again at Kloo rolling her eyes over her
discovery of latent abilities. "Now she can receive, and come in to add
strength to our"-he pointed to Clancy-'merge. Alison Ann was a T-5
empath, but she's advanced in skill, learning to 'port as well as 'path,
but her initial ability made her a superb nurse."

"It's association with us lot that's improved her at least a full grade
up," Clancy said, slyly grinning at Thian.

"It does help to be continually in use, as it were, sir. Our father,
Afra Lyon, was originally a T-3, but constant association with our
grandmother increased his skills to T-2. He may even be as close to
Prime as he wants to get."

Clancy made a grimace of surprise.

"Not that he'd admit it," Thian went on. "However, two T-2's, one with
more telepathic strength, the other with kinetic, like Yoshuk and Nesrun
on Sef, or the Bastianmajanis, Flavia's parents, on Altair, mesh Talent
so well they are all but equal to Prime. My sister Zara, as another
example, has both kinetic and telepathic ability but her empathic level
is too high for her ever to be a Tower Prime. Like Elizara, she's best
fitted for the medical and healing profession. So not all T-Is can
automatically be Tower Primes ... which, as you know, sir, FT&T badly
needs."

Ashiant nodded and gestured for Thian to continue.

"Below the 2s, you get variations of the abilities to 'port or 'path,
sometimes just one and not the other at all. Or some can receive but not
send. Or send a fair distance on a gestalt but not receive. T-3's are
useful as aids to T-2's or Primes. There are far more T-4's and downward
available as backup, but they don't have the inherent stamina, even in
connection with a gestalt, to work on their own, or for very long.
However, engineers from T-4 down are apt to work solo anywhere and we've
a lot of choice among them."

"I thought that your cousin Asia"-Ashiant turned to Clancy'trained with
Rojer as engineer."

"Yes, she did, sir, and is on the Columbia as T-4 and will probably get
a post on a Tower."

"That's just the Federated Teleport and Telepath side of Talent," Thian
went on. "Sometimes we get T-2 rank for clairvoyants, finders and
empaths. FT&T tries to contact anyone with latent Talent, assess and
train them. Some are better off going into private firms where their
particular level of other aspects of Talent, like dowsing or affinities
to water and fire, makes them invaluable to their employers." Thian made
a face and scratched the back of his head. "I know my grandfather's
trying to lure some of the higher ranks away from commerce and industry
because FT&T never expected to expand so heavily into this sort of
assignment ..." Thian gestured to indicate the Washington and naval
duty.

"Damned glad FT&T permits it," Ashiant said, nodding his head and then
giving Thian a wry smile. "Though I wouldn't have thought I'd admit that
when you first came aboard."

Thian laughed out loud, remembering how many naval regulations and
traditions he had set on their ears in his first few hours aboard the
old Vadim. Ashiant grinned back and nodded his head.

"We've both learned a thing or two since then, haven't we, Isthian?',
Ashiant said, using his Prime's full first name.

"I know I have, sir," Thian said. He turned toward the entrance to the
Talent quarters. "The xenbees're here." A discreet knock on the door
panel followed his words.

However, when Ashiant explained the reason for their summons, neither
Weiman nor Grm could give him any answer to the puzzle.

"The queens activate whatever sort of worker they need for the task,"
Sam said, rubbing his chin while Grm, a dusty brown "Dini, rocked gently
on its flat feet. "I have been noticing, Admiral, that this planet
doesn't seem to be as densely farmed as Xh-33."

"I have decreed"-the Admiral glanced about in a pseudopompous
manner-"that this planet is to be referred to in all documentation as
"Arcadia.'

"That gives it more personality than Cj -70," Sam said with a big grin.

Grm pondered this, fingering its chin. AGREE. AR-CA-DEE-A.

At that point, the Admiral's wrist corn bleeped quiedy with an incoming
message.

"Yes? Now that's very interesting. Thank you, Commander," Ashiant said.
"They've dated the sphere by the deterioration of the metal fragments at
five hundred and eighty years old."

"That's oldl" Sam added a soft whistle. "What is the oldest sphere you
ever encountered, Grm?

"This one older than any seen," Grm replied in good Basic, still rocking
on its feet. "We have only two hundred years fighting. That is much
older." Now it shook its head up and down and clicked softly in its
throat. "Far, far from homeworld too."

"Rather daunting, actually," Ashiant murmured. "Just how deeply have
they penetrated our galaxy?"

The probes had entered the night side of the planet.

"Shall we continue, sir?"

"Yes, since I believe those probes are equipped for dark-vision. I want
to know just how many collection points and queen installations there
are, and where."

"Queens live deep under the ground," Grm said, pointing to the deck and
jabbing its digit to indicate considerable depth.

"Have we got any probes sensitive enough to pick up queen life-form
readings?" Ashiant asked Thian.

"Rojer managed to do some probing in the collection facilities on Xh33,"
Thian said, "but he didn't actually find a tunnel that opened into a
queen's living quarters. It was a maze ... with low-ceilinged waiting
places for the various types of workers." He shook his head at the
immensity of such an undertaking.

"Much smaller workers," Sam said, still rubbing his jaw. "Don't
understand what that could mean. Prime, can you get us some soil samples
from"- he grinned-"Arcadia's surface? Dr. Tru Blairik, the bio on the
Columbia, suggests that the soil on Marengo and Talavera was deficient
in a variety of minerals and earths. We also have the components of the
Xh-33 for comparison."

"I'll direct the probes to start collecting soil samples. Random selec
tion, Lieutenant?" Thian asked.

"Yes, please."

"We can help you now," Clancy said. "There's nothing left in that sphere
that we haven't seen in the others, though it doesn't have escape pods.
Maybe that was a brand-new innovation for the Hivers when they met
Mrdinis, Grm." He grinned at the "Dini, who swiveled its poll eye around
to Clancy.

"Int'resting." Admiral Ashiant began to rub his chin thoughtfully.

"Indeed," Grm agreed, continuing to rock as if that was as much an aid
to thought as jaw rubbing.

"Prime, have we any updates from Squadron ... excuse me, Fleet B?" the
Admiral asked.

Thian leaned across to Clancy and indicated that the T-2 was to take
over the maneuvering of the probes. Clancy nodded as he and Rame took
firm control of the two, while Thian leaned into one of the Washington's
generators for the gestalt needed for a far sending. While he could have
done it without aid, he had learned to save unassisted contact for
emergencies.

Rojer? You available?

Always, was the cheerful reply, and a mental sketch of a deep bow.

Is it daytime wherever you are? Thian couldn't be sure, since it was his
brother's touch that he had contacted, not the ship or a planetary
surface.

It is -and I'm on Talavera, where we've started investigations.

And?

This is the one with afailed Hiver colony, and we've about concluded
that the soil lacked some element vital to the queens. There@ one queen
corpse left and a few workers, hut they've been here a long time.

Five hundred and eighty years or so?

What? No. At least I don't think so. Why?

Thian informed his brother of their discoveries on Arcadia, emphasizing
the size of the workers.

That's intresting, Roier said. Y ra and Blaitik noticed that "4th the
uorker shells here. Much smd& than those at Xh-33. You can see the
difference with the naked eye. Are you &elling me that the planet you're
in vestigating is that old and not overcrowded?

That's what Fm telling you.

What's the soil analysis?

Just getting in samples now.

Tsk, tsk, you're slow.

Not at all, Thian replied, refusing to rise to his brother's jibe. just
being cautious. This planet is occupied.

Hmmm, yes, that ulouldadvisesome caution, Isuppose. Five hundredand
eighty years? That@ grabbed the xenos'attention. And there was laughter
in Rojer's mental tone. Yes, thatk what Thian said ...  Howd you a'we at
that estimate? they want to know.

Forensic analysis offtagments of their sphere.

Pass that along, wou4d you?

Thian flipped the file in a 'port to his brother's position.

Hey, close shave, bro. So your planet's off the colony list?

It's occupied.

Well, this one isn't. Thedinis can have it. All except this compound
until we've scraped all the data we canfi= it. Those Hivers obviously
didn't do enough homework. But then, they had queens to waste, didn't
they?

Looks like.

"Deed it does. Send me your soil analyses when they're ready, will you,
bro? Blairik is doing comparisons. We're moving to a morefelicitous site
... to erect the Tower.

I'll send on the samples. And with an image of himself giving Rojer a
brotherly pat on the back, Thian disengaged.

He did not, however, resume his control of the probes.

"I would like to get down to Arcadia's surface, Admiral Ashiant," he
said after a long, thoughtful pause.

"What?' Ashiant was astounded. "I don't think I can allow that, Thian.
You're far too valuable to us ..."

Thian held up his hand. "I'd run no risk, I assure you." Then he turned
to Grm and Weiman. "The queen kept on the Heinlein Base. Is she still
ignoring the presence of Humans or "Dini?

"It has made no response at all," Grm said, shaking its head.

Sam Weiman sighed. "I had the opportunity to transfer to the  ... ah ...
facility," he said. "Stood as close to her as I am to you right now,
sir. I have never been so completely ignored in my life." He gave a
droll grin on his moon face. "No one has ever had a reaction from her.
There have been so many attempts at some form of communication. Every
method has been tried: sound, color, every radio-wave band and
electromagnetic frequency modulation. We don't even know if she's been
aware of them." He sighed again. "It is so terribly frustrating," he
added with considerable vehemence.

Thian turned to the Admiral. "I would be in no danger because the Hivers
do not recognize us as enemies or friends, or anything. They don't
recognize ... any ... other ... living species."

"Not even those who have recently blasted all their spheres to bits?"
asked the Admiral, cocking one eyebrow at Thian.

"I won't be in the ship, sir. I do need to be in their ambience," Thian
said in a slow, measured way. "I will bring a full squad of marines, if
you feel that is necessary. I don't. And Clancy would be here to snatch
me right back if I was threatened."

Sam Weiman jerked his index finger up and down, the eagerness on his
broad Dink face sul, esting that he'd be very willing to accompany any
such expedition. Grm gave Thian a long searching, hopeful look.

"You go, Prime. I go and Sam," it said with more than usual firmness.

All three regarded the Admiral, who looked from one to another as if he
doubted their good sense.

"Such a mission, seeing the queens in their natural habitat, would be
most instructive, sir," Sam said, his body taut with anticipation. "I'd
like to take as many readings as possible, of soil, air ... anything
that might be useful for our study of the Hivers as a species. And
perhaps leave remotes to view while we're still in orbit?"

Ashiant gave a snort, then with a combination of impatience and
irritation.

"Very well," he said, flicking his fmgers to show that he was not happy
with the request but permitting it. "If there is any reaction
groundside, you'll be hauled out instantly.' He fixed a basilisk stare
at Clancy, who nodded vigorously in agreement.

Sam's face was beatific, Grm did a litde dance on its feet and Thian
grinned.

"And that squad will be right there beside you .. ." Ashiant pointed at
each in turn. Then he twisted around, finger pointing at Clancy, who was
trying to maintain an imperturbable expression, though his eyes danced.
"And you don't lose sight of them for one moment."

"No sir, of course, sir," Clancy replied, sitting up as if at attention.
One of the probes zigzagged and he instantly rectified its course.

"Sir, if I may be allowed to lead the surface party," Licutcnant
Conunander Semirame Kloo said, "I'd be able to assist Lieutenant Sparrow
with a speedy evacuation."

Ashiant widened his eyes, threw both hands in the air and rose to his
feet.

"You're all mad. Very well, Commander. Assemble a squad. Handpicked
martial arts experts. I've seen the clips of how fast that queen can
move the few times she has. Side arms, missile-loaded. I want to see
where you intend to landl And you"-Ashiant pointed again to Thian, his
finger shaking a bit-"wear body armor."

"Yes sir."

Ashiant glared about the room once more and then with an exasperated
"Whoosh" went through to the bridge.

"Admiral on the bridge," was plainly heard just as the door slid shut.

Thian brought his hands together with a loud clap. "L4et's get with it,
team," he said enthusiastically. "Sam, you get into body armor too. Grm,
do you have anything similar?"

Grm drew itself up to its full meter and a half. "I am "Dini. I need no
armor against queens.

I could throw Grin back by myseir, if I had to, Semirams said with a
sniff. Then she held up her wrist corn and started snapping out her
orders.

"Shall I keep on with the probes?" Clancy asked.

"Please, Clancy. We ought to have a full surface scan so we can map all
the Hiver installations. Get Lea Day up here to help, and who's that
other good telekinetic on board?"

"Vlad Ivanoy in the machine shop," Thian said. "He'll do fine if he's
available."

"He is," Semirame said, interrupting herself "Thought he'd be needed.
And have you picked out our landing spot?"

"Yes." Thian pointed to one of the unused screens in the bank ranged
across the bulkhead. A scene came up from some of the initial footage of
their day's scanning of Arcadia.

"By a collection facility?" Semirame asked in surprise.

"Why not? That space right there." Thian put the cursor on the spot.
"Nice open space for the shuttle, good visibility. Computer, print
screen five." The hard copy rapidly extruded from the unit and he handed
it to Semirame, who frowned as she scanned it. "Copy to the Admiral's
screen. I'll leave it up for you, Clancy."

"Thanks," his cousin said drolly.

Then Thian flicked his fingers at Sam Weiman and Grm. "C'mon. Get ready.
I don't want to hang around ... in case the Admiral has second thoughts
about this." He grinned, once more, mischievously before he turned. With
a skip and hop more suited to a much younger person, Thian made his way
to his room to suit himself in the gear specified by the Admiral.

Any sign we've been noticed, Clancy? Thian asked when he felt the slight
bump as the shuttle landed on Arcadia's surface. Nice 'port. You're
improving.

Thank you. Clancy's tone was droll. Nary aflicker on the telliales!

Thian turned. "Let's have a reading on the air, Mocmurra," he said, and
the woman promptly held up the peculiar device she carried. A long, thin
spiral tube contained a worm of intricate, flexible coils coated with a
polyamide material that turned them brown: a compact and efficient gas
chromatograph.

Mocmurra grinned. "Air's fresher than the Washington's."

"Let's move out, men,' Commander Semirams said, touching the shutdcs
hatch control as her squad instantly got to their feet. She nodded to
Thian, allowing him to be first, but Grm slipped in ahead of him and
jumped deftly to the ground, the tools on the belt it wore clanking
together.

"Soft," it said as it flipped its feet through the greeny-brown ground
cover that stretched beyond and over the collection facility. Tendrils
from the vegetation had spilled over the wide entrance but were trimmed
short of covering it.

"Keep the place tidy, don't they," Semirams said, right at Thian's elbow
as he stepped onto the surface. She gestured for her squad to spread out
and around the shuttle, checking on all sides.

"All clear, sir," her sergeant reported.

"Now what, Thian?' she asked.

"I don't quite know,' he said, looking around at the plain that extended
in all directions, at the cultivated land with an occasional access
alley for the workers. He took deep breaths of the air, tasting it,
feeling it on his skin. "Faint odor? "

"There is." Semireme took another deep breath. "Sort of ...  crisp."

"Yes, exactly," Thian said, having been unable to find the right
descriptive word for the lingering smell in the air.

It was extraordinary to be standing here, on a Hiver world, and he
didn't bother to hide the slight smile of wonderment and incredulity
this moment provoked. He snapped mental fingers at Roier's jibe that
he'd never be 'risked" on a personal tour.

Semirams pointed. "Look at it move I Thian saw the "Dini, cavorting over
the ground cover, headed right for the collection facility entrance,
down the slope.

Semirame whistled for her squad leader's attention, but the sergeant had
already allocated two men to follow the "Dini.

Any "livity, Clancy?

Not so much as a pip out ofplace. Admiral's in here, on your couch, eyes
glued to the screen. His expression-well, Id call it avid, I think.
Certainly nothing's going to surprise him. Whatk it like?

Like any other M-type planet we've been on. Air has a ns'ce cropness to
it. We've taken GC readings and Weiman's taking sampks of the ground
cover. Grm's on its way doum the embankment to the entrance and
we'refollowing. Keep track of m, Just don't expect me to move all of you
out of danger if you run into it. Clancy's tone was slightly sour.

You can come on the next excursion, Clancy.

Do I have a choice?

Thian only laughed as he started down the steep slope that led into the
subsurface collection center. He was elated in a way he had never before
experienced, not even when he and Kiely-Austin had penctrated the
nova-scared Great Sphere and found the egg repositories intact. Even the
familiar sting-pzzt that was now noticeable couldn't dampen his mood.
Anyway, the body armor somewhat deadened the sensation. He hoped that it
would continue to do so when they were in closer proximity to the
Hivers.

Semirame had sent men trotting on ahead of the adventurous Grm, whose
short legs could not match the jog trot of the marines. She gave a brisk
nod of her head and then tilted it to mentally inform Thian that her
advance scouts had seen nothing inside to alarm them. Thian stepped onto
the approach ramp, excitement rising inside him. With his special
senses, he couldn't hear, see or feel anything. No, that wasn't quite
right. There was something ... a presence ... not something truly
sentient, but something alive. Some things, he corrected himself.

The ground beneath his feet had been trampled down for so long that it
was now below its original level by several centimeters. In fact, if he
looked closely he could see the slight ruts worn by workers that had
tramped up and down it for centuries. In the depths beyond the overhang,
he could see light-Semirame's scouts checking it out.

"Scouts say it's all clear. Stinks a lot, like rotted vegetation," she
said with a snort.

She raised her arm to call the rest of her team forward. Sam Weiman had
knelt down to scoop up more soil samples, grunting as he forced his tool
to loosen the closely packed dirt. Semirame pulled down the darkvision
visor from her helmet and Thian followed her example as they moved into
the facility.

The prevalent smell was indeed of slightly rotting vegetation. The odor
deepened as they penetrated farther in. The flooring was clean and their
boots scraped on a different surface. Thian leaned down to touch it.

"Some sort of plascrete," he said.

Another of Semirame's noncommittal grunts.

"Lots of low tunnels now, sir, leading deeper in and down to other
levels," said the tinny voice issuing from Semirame's wrist corn. She
looked at Thian for orders.

"Can you navigate them?" he asked into his own wrist unit.

"Can do," was the answer after a slight pause.

"Hands-and-knees job?" Thian asked.

"Can do," was repeated.

"Found where the stuff must get dumped, sir," another voice reported.
"Straight ahead of you. "Bout ten meters."

Semirame and Thian rapidly covered the distance, their quick steps
echoing in the underground space since stealth did not seem to be
required.

The smell was heavier as they reached the dumping point. Peering down
the slide that was at a forty-five degree angle, they could see a
parallel chute and conveyor belt. Despite the smell, their handlights
showed no refuse at all, the plascrete clean.

"Down and down they go," Semirame remarked at her driest. "Hemmer, Vale,
Singh, take a look below." To Thian she added, Mark 'ein as they pass
you, Thian, so's you know 'em to bring'em back up, like you did the
crews in the Phobos Sphere.

He could see her wide grin, her teeth showing brightly in his visor. He
nodded, getting a touch of each of them as the troopers imperturbably
slid down the ramp and started examining the direction of the belt.

"Found a whole bay or holding level full of ... worker? Sir? Sir?"
another trooper reported. "Smells bad but no garbage."

"Got enough light to send me back a scan, Wixell?"

"Do my best. Place's as dark as .. ." Wixell paused, cleared her throat
and went on. "Dark, sir."

Thian watched his wrist unit and the scan came up, lumps of darkness
then illuminated by a slowly moving beam of light.

"The workers Thian said when he saw the tool extension crossed
lifelessly on the front of the creature. "Standing by for orders from
the queen?"

"Can't move any farther in, sir," Wixell went on. "Place is stuffed with
them, and the ceiling's just high enough for them to lie down, or
whatever it is they're doing. More vegetable stink too."

"Any other exit from the ..." Semirame paused, grimacing as she tried to
find an appropriate word.

"Stable?" Thian suggested.

"Stables are for living things. That's a garage," she said, sounding
disgusted.

"No sir, blank walls."

"C'mon back then, Wixell."

"Sir?" Another scout reported in. "Found a bigger tunnel, leads down and
straight ahead for several hundred meters." Her voice had an edge of
excitement. "Big enough for a queen, I think, sir. I'm getting static
from the GC, so I'll take readings."

"Do that, Mocmurra." Thian could see the commander grinning.

"Go on, Thian. I'll call them." She jerked her thumb toward the slide
and then her finger in the direction Thian should go. "Captain Lyon's on
his way, Mocmurra. Wait for him, will ya? Bessy, Trainor, scout ahead
for the captain."

Thian trotted across to the light held by the figure at the opening to
the tunnel's slit. It wasn't very wide, but then the queens weren't
either; they were tall.

"This way, sir," Mocmurra said; the sturdy marine was grinning over her
discovery. "Only one the size for Humans."

"Anyone know where Grm is?" Thian asked, realizing he hadn't caught
sight of the "Dini since it had entered.

"It was with me, sir. It's up ahead."

"Let's move it, then," Thian said. It wouldn't do for a "Dini specialist
to get hurt or captured by the Hivers. He picked up his feet and ran
down the straight tunnel, blessing the visibility of the visor.

Itk okay, Thian, came Clancy's reassuring thought.

Can you track Grin?

Itk got a locator on its tool helt.

Thian kept running, trying to keep the nail-studded bootheels from
hitting the tunnel floor too loudly, just in case the queen could feel
vibrations. He had nearly run Grm down when the "Dini appeared in front
of him, at the T-junction. Actually, it was more than a T, for
additional tunnels, all queen height, opened up like a delta. Nine more.

THIS way, Grm said, pointing to the first one on the left-hand side, its
poll eye gleaming with excitement and the fur at an almost perpendicular
angle to its body. When Thian would have moved forward, it held up one
flipper, bringing it around to its mouth to indicate a necessity for
stealth. Then Semirame yanked at Thian's sleeve and slipped in front of
him. Well, she was right, of course, to guard him. They cautiously moved
forward, placing their feet noiselessly.

An old snatch of a song-with catlike tread, upon our way we stealsprang
to his mind.

No sound at all, eye never speak a word, Alison Ann's voice continued.

Tracking me again? Thian said, amused that Gravy was in touch.

Afly'sfootfall uould be distinctly heard, was Semirame's addition,
surprising a gasp out of Thian. just happened to reinernher it, she
added with a touch of bashful humor in her voice. Thian grinned. The
commander's mental tone was quite different from her vocal one, and far
more revealing of her personality than her spoken words.

Another smell impinged on their senses.

Queen stink? Semirame asked Thian.

Heavy sting-pzzt, that'sfor sure. Thian tried to ignore the
concentration of that phenomenon, though the body armor did help. Tell
Moctnurra to get more readings. He heard her give the order. My sister
Zaras the only one of us who@ been close to a queen. Sam didn't mention
smell as a factor in his confrontation with her. And nothing recorded
about the ambience ' her ... quarters ... suggests a poisonous
emanation.

in f course, we had space suits when we were on the Great Sphere, but
the vacuum ofspace would have erased any residual odors.

Wasn't much reek on the refugee sphere by the time itgot to Phobos Base,
but tht's smells a hit like it. 000ps!

Semirame had caught up to Grm and her halt was so abrupt that Thian
walked into her. She pointed to her right and Thian saw the opening and
what was beyond it, as plain in his visor as if they'd been in full
light-a queen, standing, with her groomers, her upper limbs extended for
the attentions of her minions.

She isn't that big, was Thian's first thought.

She isn't? Where are you? Clancy demanded brusquely. That's the
Admiral's question, not mine.

We seem to be at the entrance to a queen's quarters. I don't think she@
as big as the one at Heinlein Station.

Estimate!

A meter thirty centimeters, give or take a centimeter, Thian said,
looking at Semirame, who nodded though she kept her visor focused on the
queen.

Grm tugged at Thian's arm and Thian leaned down to let Grm speak softly
in his ear.

SHE IS NOT BIG. SHE IS OLD.

Thian passed on that information, though how Grm could tell the
creature's age was beyond him.

I'llgo in, he told Semirame, at the same time he announced that
intention to Clancy.

NOIII came at him from two directions and he shook his head against the
blast.

Semireme looked at him, her eyes hidden by the visor, but there was no
mistaking the negative posture of her body or her raised hand, ready to
clout him if he moved.

All right thm. You go first, Rome, he said, trying to sound pleasant
when he wanted to lift her up and shake her for being so damned cautious
about his Talented self, when he could react faster in his own defense
than anyone else could because he'd instantly sense injurious intent.

Semirame must have caught some of that, because she lowered her hand and
shrugg4ed. Carefully she entered the queen's quarters, Thian with equal
stealth right behind her, so they were almost moving in tandem.

This is much bigger than I expected, Thian said, and Semirams gave a
barely perceptible nod of agreement.

Palatial, cons&dng where she stashes the guys that do all the work.

Describer Clancy demanded. Admiral talking, he added a second later in
an explanatory fashion.

Thian could just see the scene, with Ashiant stiff with apprehension.

The main room is say thirty meters by thinly meters and haifthat to the
ceiling. It? crammed udth bodies, her at&Mnts, and there? a kdge against
one unall, and against the unall perpendicular to it, another sort of
seat-it may be where she extrudes her eggs  ... Yeah, it does look like
a birthing stool inth the big hok in the back and a sort oftube opening
in the wall Semirams said, then added in a tone of disgust, I don't know
why rm 'pathing. We could be moating and this lot u,ouldn't hear us.
We're ?ight infima of them-they've got to l(now there are three
individuak staring at them. And somethingjust scu'ied over my feet ...
didn't even notice it uw canted to one side doing so. Hey, wait a
minute, Grm.

It doesn't hear you, Rame, Thian said, quickly following the "Dini as it
moved farther into the room. Grm did have the good sense to move slowly,
but the "Dini was determined to see all it could of the habitat of its
lifelong enemy. He caught up with Grm and planted one hand firmly on its
shoulder, tightening his grip when the "Dini tried to evade. He squeezed
his fingers to make certain Grm knew it wasn't supposed to go on
unattended.

Look at the walls, Thian, Semirame said urgently, and Thian glanced
upward, having been far more aware of the queen and her bustling
attendants. He really hadn't noticed more than the size of the room. Now
he saw that on three walls, just above the height of his head, there
were glowing screens or monitors.

Their communications hoards?

Why not? The queen's reading the one in front other. Look at her head.
She@ tracking something, Semirame said. But I don't see as much change
in the panels on the side walls.

Thian watched long enough to be aware of changes, rippling top to bottom
of the panel, as if scrolling.

CAN YOU SEND SAMPLE?

Only if you and the Admiral stop roaring at me suddenly. I damned near
jumped onto something, Thian said testily. Rame, tape a recording of the
side panels. I canfocus on the one she's watchingftom where I am now. He
lifted his wrist corn, activating the record touch button, and grabbing
Gem's arm before it took advantage of his need of both hands and got
loose. Grm did pull its feet out of the way of several rapidly moving
attendants who passed where it had been standing and went out through a
hole in the wall. Get Mocmurra in here too, to record the smells.

I think Sam would call them pheromones, Clancy said.

Then something rammed into Thian's heel and he lifted his foot as
another variety of attendant charged out, only momentarily thwarted by
his being in its way.

Place is crawling with bugs and beetles, Thian said, dipping his hand so
the watchers could see the rammer skittering into the heap that
surrounded the queen. With two of her nether limbs, she was tilted
slightly backward, her egg-bulb just clearing the floor. Thian could see
that it was being coated-or cleaned, he wasn't sure which-by those
surrounding that section of her.

Admiral and Lieut=nt Commauff Brits, the science officer, say that she
is not, I repeat not, as large as the Heinkin qucen. Commanw, pkase
focusfor one minute on the kft-handpanel. Thenfor a minute on the
fighthand one. We seein to get some sort of tariation, but very erratic.
Thian, go back to the wall she's watching. This may be a significant
breakthrough.

Being sure he wasn't going to walk on anything scuttling about, Thian
backed up so that his recorder would catch the full screen of the front
wall the queen was watching. She opened her mouth. Thian and Rame both
froze. A creature, slightly larger than most of her attendants, held up
a lump. She lowered her head slightly, opening a maw, and the lump was
inserted. She seemed to inhale the material because it certainly didn't
go down her throat as a lump.

Did you see that? A male? Feeding her?

Before Semirame could answer, Thian was distracted when something
connected hard against his shin. He danced off that foot, then replaced
it to lift the other and avoid what was scurrying about.

Keep the camera still, Clancy said.

I will if they'll stop kicking me in the shins. Therel That better?

Frankly, I couldn't tell, Clancy said, but the experts sure are excited.

Why? Semirame asked in her droll fashion. We'd need a Hiver to decipher
it ...  maybe even read it, and none of 'em are talking to us.

If it keeps the experts happy, Clancy said, his mental tone amused, let
'etn try it.

Wonder what would happen if we could replicate thisfor the Heinlein
queen? Thian said mischievously. He heard Clancy's mental chortle and
Semirame's snort.

Ah, that would be sheer mental cruelty, Thian, Semirams said, after
'porting her into a functional sphere so she could start it upfor us and
then whisking her back to prison.

Thian grinned in the green darkness around him at the memory of that
incident. Well, the ploy had worked and the queen had shown them the
sequence of start-up controls that the Human engineers had been unable
to fathom. They'd 'ported the queen without the knowledge of the Phobos
Base commander, but the tactic had worked.

That wouldn't work this time, Rame. She won't talk to us, and how what
they might be saying to each other would help us, I don't l(now.

You're right, Semirame said wistfully.

4dmiralasks couldyou set up a surveillance unit in her quarters? Clancy
asked.

Sure. But I'll need a night-vision unit and some heavy-duty stickum,
Semirame said. She added quickly, And it has to be an odor-free
adhesivel Can do, Clancy said. Just hang in there a few minutes, if you
can.

We can, Semirame blithely assured him.

On their way, Clancy said.

To get it really stuckproper in position, I'm going to have to stand on
your shoulders, I think, Thian. You're good for something now and then,
you know. Semirame gave him a picture of her, patting his head. Only she
was on stilts and he was much, much shorter.

Suddenly Thian heard a mechanical whirring and air was blowing against
him.

That's odd, Semirame said.

Thian felt Grm tug at his sleeve and he leaned down.

THEY SMELL US, the "Dini murmured in his ear.

Grm seems to think we smell, Thian said.

I don't douht that in the kast, Semirame said. They gotta have clean
air.

Ifthey smell us, why don't they see us? Thian asked.

I dunno, and rm as happy they can't. Hurry up with that spy-eye, will
ya? If they're cleansing the air, they might lookfor ... Thanks. A
package landed against Rame's chest and she clutched it firmly to her.

Good catch, Clancy said.

Now Semirame pushed Thian to the back wall, gestured for him to make his
hands into a footrest. He shook his head, grinning, spread his legs
slightly and 'ported her to his shoulders. Wincing, he also lightened
her not insubstantial weight before her heavy boots could dig welts into
his shoulders. Instinctively, he put his hands up on her muscular calves
to steady her. He could feel her smear on the adhesive with quick
movements, then the pressure as she stuck the surveillance unit into the
goo.

Can you see, Clancy? She asked.

Ah ... yes, coming through ... as ekaras it'll get, I guess.

Now's the lime to know, Clamy, she said, in her best
have-you-doneas-l-told-you commander manner.

Wellfiddk with resolution up here. Admiral says get out of there before
you do stink up the place enoughfor them to start lookingfor you.

Right.

Thian 'ported her back to the floor, and she gave a curt flick of her
fingers to indicate they should leave. Grm tried to resist Thian pulling
it along, but with the air circulation blowing across his face, Thian
really did think it was high time to leave.

We got lots of pictures, Thian. Landing party's recording all over the
facility. Clancy sent each of the teams night-vision remotes, Semirame
said, and the group at the entrance now stepped back to allow them to
leave the queen's quarters. As soon as she was a ways down the
passageway, Semirame gave low-voiced orders to reassemble in the main
chamber.

There was a substantial breeze flowing across the chamber when they got
there.

"All units here?" she asked, scanning the figures in front her.

"All present and accounted for," said the squad sergeant.

"Let's get outa here before they try to find who's making their house
smell," Semirame said, and raising her arm in forward sweep, trotted up
out of the collection point. Pushing up her visor, she ran backward as
she checked again that all who had entered were coming out. Then she
turned forward again and kept up the trot the short distance to the
shuttle. She stood by the door, with the sergeant, checking once more.
In minutes, everyone was seated, ready for the 'port back to the
Washington.

We're ready, Thian told Clancy.

Steady as you go, Clancy answered.

"Sir." Having got the commander's attention, Wixell pointed through the
window.

They just had time to see low-slung creatures flowing up out of the
collection facility, waving antennae about.

"Trying to find out where the smell comes from," Semirame said,
chuckling. "Have to remember to neutralize us stinking types the next
time we do a reconnaissance."

Thian chuckled. "I wasn't sweating. Were you?"

"Naw," Semirame replied. "Might be our boots." She looked down at her
dirt-stained footwear. "Or our uniforms. Always did say the dye's got a
vicious pong to it."

All set?

All set.

A moment later Thian nodded approval as the shuttle landed so smoothly
only he and Semirame were aware that they had been transported the
thirty-six thousand kilometers to the geosynchronous orbit above the
surface of the planet-though there was a startled look on Wixell's face,
as she'd been facing one of the two portholes.

Should we run a GC on us to see if we do stink enough to register with
those ultrasensitive queens? Semirame asked, cocking her head at Thian.
And what we smell like?

Wouldn't that upset our ultrasensitive and c ici t r ps?

en t oo Whatever she might have replied was lost in the next second.
Someone pounded on the door, to indicate that they should undo the
hatch. Instantly the entire squad had weapons at the ready, aimed at the
hatch.

Nothing wrong with their re)7exes. "Re-lax, troops. We're back."

A gusty sigh of relief came from all sides, and with it a whiff of
garlic.

"Garlic!" Thian said to Semirame.

"Yeah. "Just noticed. Wonder ifthat's relevant, but we'll use a stink
'graph just to be on the safe side.

Garlic used to be a specific against witches, ghosties, ghoulies and
things that go bump in the night, Clancy said.

Whose side are you on? Thian asked while Semirame muttered orders
through her wrist corn. Then she smiled up at him, giving her head one
sharp nod to show that the pong test would be accomplished.

"Sir," said the boat deck watch officer, "Admiral's compliments, and can
you report to him immediately."

rllj . ust ho4d 'em up a moment and then they canfik past Exit Five and
get adorized, Semirame told Thian.

Should make an interesting appendix to the mission report.

He waved his hand at her as he exited the ship and strode to the nearest
lift, busy formulating his report to the Admiral. He's going to love the
garlic.

Laria and Kincaid got the announcement of the release of Talavera to the
Mrdini from Earth Prime, who was nearly as jubilant as all of Clarf
would shortly be.

That's marvelous, Granm. You don't know how happy that'll make everyone
here.

I've a very good idea, Laria, but doubtless You'ufill us in. Please
inform Pirgtgl immediately as a courtesy and-he'is the wrt . iten
notift-cation-in Basic as well as Mrdini.

Both Tower Talents heard the message tube rattle into the basket.

Good shot, Earth Prime.

The hand hath not missed decades.

How soon can they set off? Laria asked, grinning in triumph at Kincaid,
who was smiling too.

How soon can colony ships be loaded? Jeff Raven responded.

Who's catching?

Rojer, Flavia and the Columbia team. No probkm on the receiving end.

No, there won't be. May I leave the Tower to take the message to
Plrgtgl?

You are Tower Prime, Laria Raven -Lyon, you can leave the Tower anytime
you wish. rm sure there@ nothing coming in that Kincaid can't handk by
himself Right?

Right, was Kincaid's instant reassurance. He jerked his head at Laria to
urge her to leave.

The note of the generators slid deeper without Laria's using them. She
remembered to use the glove to pick up a message tube still freezing
from its'portation through the vacuum of space, and ran down the steps.

"We got it, we got it!"

"Got what?" Lionasha asked.

"HEY, what's wrong with the Tower? Generators are off ..."

Vanteer called from his level.

"IT'S OFFICIAL," Laria yelled back. "The "Dinis get Talavera!"

Vanteer was up the short flight in one leap. "They do?"

She waved the cylinder. "I'm off to make a personal delivery of the
go-ahead," she said, leaving the cool of the station and, stopping dead
in her tracks, gasping at the hot air outside. But she persevered on to
her ground vehicle. YOU'VE GOT THE PLANET! she shouted in'dini to Fig,
Sil, Dig and Nim, who were on yard duty.

"Dinis did exultant cartwheels all across the plascrete. She laughed at
such antics as she got into the ground car. Someone had already turned
on the air-conditioning full blast-Kincaid, no doubt-getting rid of the
trapped heat inside. She took off fast enough to raise a dirt cloud and
pebbles that pattered against the undercarriage. She turned out of the
Tower compound, heading for the Clarf Administration Building. She drove
at daring speed through the afternoon traffic and into the compound
where Plrgtgl had its office. Braking in front of the main entrance, she
didn't wait for the air cushion to settle before she flung herself out
of the car, through the roasting air, and was in the relatively cool
building in four long strides.

"What's the rush, Prime?' one of Plrgtgl's Human assistants asked,
sffrised at her mippearance.

"You'll hear, you'll hear,' Laria said, brandishing the message tube.
'l,s Plus here? Oh, do tell me it is."

"Far's I know," was the reply. "Naciana's at her desk."

As Plrgtgl was responsible for managing all the Humans currently
employed on Clarf, it employed Human staff assistants too. So Laria
courteously knocked on the door before sliding it back.

Naciana looked up. "Laria?"

"Is Plus in?"

"Yes," Naciana said, waving her to the inner door, but half rising from
her seat as she sensed Laria's excitement, and also saw a tube that must
carry important documents if Clarf Prime was hand-carrying it.

Plrgtgl looked up at her entry, rose to its full height.

EARTH PRIME HAS REQUIRED ME TO GIVE THIS DIRECTLY TO YOU, HONORABLE
PLRGTGL, she said in "Dini, and with a flourish, handed him the tube.

Plus lowered its poll to eye her for a long moment.

IT IS THE NEWS WE WISH FOR, IS IT NOT? Plus said, holding the tube
tightly to its chest for a moment. Then, with a flick of its flippers,
it opened the container and disks fell onto the desk along with a sheaf
of hard copy. NACIANA?

YES SIR? Naciana had followed Laria to the threshold.

PUT THIS ON MY SCREEN, Plus said, tossing Naciana one of the disks,
which her eager fingers fumbled into the appropriate slot on its desk
while Plus was unrolling the hard copy. AHHHHHHHHHH. Plus's ecstatic
warble echoed out of the office and through the door Laria had left
open, to starde Humans and "Dinis alike in the halls. WE HAVE IT!

WE HAVE IT! WE HAVE IT!

Laria, knowing what the "Dini meant, leaned back against the desk to
avoid a collision as it charged past her, waving what looked like a
Mercator projection oftalavera. Plus danced up the hall, knocking bodies
aside in its exultation. Then, almost ricocheting off across the hall at
the end of the main corridor, it returned, giving everyone in its path a
glimpse at the map, babbling in a combination of Basic and "Dini that
made no sense to anyone-except Laria, who knew enough to understand its
garbled comments.

The moment Plus reentered its office, it altered completely, becoming
dignified and organized. After her first surprise at Plus's reaction,
Naciana, well accustomed to her superior's volatility, had put the full
report up on the screen.

COPIES, MAKE COPIES, LOTS OF COPIES, Plus said, flipping its free arm at
her to show great urgency. Once behind the desk, it smoothed the
Mercator projection out, holding the map down with objects on its desk,
and then unrolled the rest of the hard copy. CALL THEM ALL. WE MEET AS
SOON AS THEY GET HERE. OH, THIS IS MARVELOUS. OUR WORLDS WILL ALL
REJOICE, Plus said to Laria. Then it scrutinized the documentation with
a poll eye that was shining with its inner joy.

Communications units buzzed from Naciana's desk. Plus waved her to
answer while it picked up its own unit and began what Laria was certain
would be a string of calls to Clarf's administrative personages.

"Good luck," she said to Naciana, who was listening to a caller whose
audible tone was as excited as Plus's.

Naciana waved her free hand and gave Laria a thumbs-up sign, her eyes
wide with excitement as she tried to get a word in edgewise to the
caller. In the hallway, Laria was stopped time and again by Humans and
"Dinis for an explanation.

"The High Council has awarded'dinis the planet Talavera," she said again
and again and again as she plowed her way to the entrance.

There she was almost knocked down by excited "Dinis, large and small,
who were trying to get into the building she was trying to exit.
She'ported herself out of the way and got into the car, sweat running in
rivulets down her face and body. When she started the vehicle, she
realized that there were so many other cars parked every which way that
she had no clear exit left, even on air cushion.

ril help, Kincaid said, laughter in his tone.

You'll have to. Therek no other way rll get out ofhere. She linked her
mind with his and together they 'ported her car all the way back to the
Clarf Tower compound. Just as amil, she added, because the traffic's
backed up on all the roads and the air's thick anth incoming "Dints on
belts. How come?

We do have "Dinis here, you know, and I think they broadcast the news
even before you got to Plus.

You shou4d have seen the old gray deart Laria said, grinning, and gave
Kincaid a replay of the'dinis'ecstatic hall dance. Then she'ported her
self out of the car and into the cool Tower. "Phew! Only something as
important as this news could get me out in that heat."

"I take it there is great rejoicing on all Clarf's streets?" Lionasha
asked in a wry tone.

Laria gave the T-7 a repeat of what she'd 'pathed to Kincaid.

Is there any hard copyfor us here on Sef? Laria was astonished to hear
Yoshuk's voice.

How did you hear?

Earth Prime was kind enough to repeat the good news to us. Hefigured it
would take you a little time to get is to Plrgtgl and we'd need to
beforewarned. Care to wager on how long it takes the "Dinis to start the
immigra tion?

No, Laria said firmly. But I suspect both'towers'll be overworked.

Infact, Lionasha said, holding her corn unit slightly away from her ear,
Clar Tower is being asked tofacilitate the dispatch of the KLTL  ...
They can't have organized a ship and crew in ... what is it, ha#an hour?

Laria objected.

You were wise not to bet I-4ria, Yoshuk said, laughing. Nesrun hasjust
received a requestftom the KLLM to be lifted as soon as possible.

Have they had shipsjust standing by? In case? Laria demanded of no one
in particular as she 'ported herself onto her couch in the Tower. Never
kt it he said that we dallied in transporting them to their desired
locatton.

Here's where the KLTL is right now, Laria, Lionasha said. The
coordinates came up on the Tower screen. Good thing you know that ship
so well.

Is it all ready? Laria demanded. rm not about to send a ship that far
with its hatches still open.

I checked, said Kincaid. It@ ready. Let's shift it to Talavera.

Rojer, are you ready to receive?

Ready? Rojer was as astonished as she was, but caught the excitement in
her 'pathed words. Let no moss grow on "Diniflippers. Yes, now I'm
ready.

Laria felt his mind firmly contacting hers: she felt Kincaid's strong
support, and reaching out for the KLTL, she 'ported it off its field and
toward the distant system.

Got it! Nice throtvl Rojer said.

The first ofmany, Fm sure, Laria said.

I'llget the rest of'ein up then.

You did that alone, brother? Laria turned from sister into Clarf Tower
Prime in an instant.

Me and the Columbia's generators! We're ahle. Don't try it again, Prime
Rojer.

Yes, Prime I-aria. Rojer's tone was anything but penitent.

He'll burn himsel(out if he doesn't take care, Laria said privately to
Kincaid, scowling.

A Lyon burning out? Kincaid made a scoffing noise deep in his throat.
Highly ,likely.

Not even Lyons are infallible.

I heard you say it. Kincaid, grinning mischievously from his couch,
waggled his finger at her.

She couldn't stay angry with Rojer when Kincaid was in such a good mood.

A half hour later, in the midst of congratulating themselves on the
portation of the KLTL, Lionasha received official notification that two
more ships, one a large freighter (its tonnage was included in the
information) and the other a passenger vessel, awaited teleportation.

"Have they been living on board just in case a planet was released?"

Laria demanded, lying back down on her couch.

"Wouldn't surprise me. Shouldn't surprise yo(4 considering how
overcrowded Clarf is right now,' Kincaid said.

No sooner were those big ones shifted than three smaller units requested
assistance from Clarf Tower. After them, two more of the big naval
K-class ships reported readiness to be 'ported.

"Never even remotely suggest that our'dini allies are unprepared for any
contingency that might rear its head," Lionasha said as Laria and
Kincaid came down for a restorative drink after such heavy duties.

When a request to transport three more loaded freighters and two
passenger ships came in, Vantcer had already left the Tower, and the
others were eating a late supper.

"Get me Plrgtgl, Lio," Laria said, trying to keep her exasperation under
control. Lionasha was nearer the Tower office.

"It's unavailable," Lio replied.

"Is Naciana still at the office?"

"It's her I'm talking to."

Laria'ported the corn unit out oflionasha's hand. "Naciana, tell your
boss no more tonight after this lot. And only one an hour tomorrow.
Talavera's a long way to toss anything and there really is a limit to
what this Tower can process in one day."

"I'll tell him." Naciana didn't sound too happy about it. "I've never
seen them in such a frenzy. You'd think the planet would disappear .. ."

"It's more likely to get as crowded as Clarf with this rate of traffic.
And have they brought enough food? There's nothing there, you know."

"Oh, they know. That's what's on the three freighters. They do have to
be sent as fast as possible, Laria ... ' Naciana let her voice trail off
with a silent plea.

"No more after these five until full daylight tomorrow. We have got to
get some rest. I absolutely will not 'port when I've reached my limit.
And Rojer will be as tired at his end.'

"I'll tell Plus," Naciana murmured in a deflated response to Laria's
ultimatum.

"Mules we're not," Laria muttered darkly to Kincaid and Lionasha.

"Yes, we are. You just kicked!" Kincaid said, and at the sight of his
roguish grin, some of her exasperation drained.

Rojer seemed in better spirits than Laria was when they touched minds
again, but he had Primes and high Talents to assist.

That is absolutely the last delivery tonight, Roj'er.

I should hope so, but they make quite a display orbiting Talavera. Or
Thvr, if you prefer. I am relishly informed that that's what it will now
be called.

Iprefer my bed right now, thanks, brother.

Until tomorrow then.

Laria made the barest formal acknowledgment, and rose wearily from her
couch. Kincaid put a helpful arm around her waist as she gracelessly
thumped down the steps and turned toward her quarters.

"I did wonder if the "Dini tongues would be up to "Talavera,' " she
murmured.

"

"Thvr' is very "Dini-ish."

"Yes, it is."

It was Kincaid who pulled off her station boots, pushed her into the bed
and drew the light cover over her.

Sleep well, myftie,(I.

Laria yawned, turned on her side and was asleep.

The next day both Clarf and Sef Towers operated on all the power the
generators could give them. Sef, with T-2's Yoshuk and Nesrun, handled
the lighter shipping and much of the drone traffic. Clarf Prime I ported
one major ship an hour for the next twelve, interspersed with message
tubes and "urgently required" cartons of equipment which had not been
ready to leave when the mass migration began. Almost as many messages
came back in from Tainvera within that hour frame as went out. "Dinis
were busy collecting and delivering tubes and cartons in response to the
shower of messages.

The experts on the Columbia had recommended a wide valley near one of
Talavera's large inland lakes as the primary site. The land around it
supported some vegetation and was pronounced arable and without the
Icthal trace elements that had been found near the queens' original
installation. The water would have to be treated before it was potable
by Humans or "Dinis, but it wouldn't harm the millions of plants being
sent to begin the resurrection of the planet. The initial "Dini swarm
from Clarf and Sef managed miracles in their first forty hours on
Talavera, assembling prefabricated headquarters buildings, living
quarters, storage barns, ground vehicles and heavy earth-moving
machinery, making landing cradles for all sizes of incoming drone
deliveries as well as personnel carriers. A second swarm were planting
and seeding large areas around the lake. A Tower was erected to one side
of the landing field, with living accommodations for the Humans who
would staff it.

Rojer, Roddie, Asia, Jesper Ornigo and Flavia's brother, Mallen,
transferred down from the Columbia, leaving Flavia as Prime with Zara
assisting until the Tower was fully operational. Rojer, Flavia and Zara
had agreed to take turns as Prime. Morgelle had been returned to Earth
to await reassignment. The ecological team-Dr. Tru Blairik, Mialla
Evshenk, Rosenery Mordmann and Yakamasura-set up their camp to one side
of the Tower. Without being asked, the "Dini work teams arrived with
additional housing units, offices and a field laboratory, and staffed
the facility with trained "Dini assistants by the same evening.

"They must have gone hyper to have all this ready to teleport so
quickly," Roddic said, eyes wide with amazement, when they arrived on
what had so recently been empty land. "They even have shade trees for
us."

"All the comforts of home,' Rojer said, grinning. "Even the sun," he
added, shielding his eyes from the glare of Talavera's primary.

"Not quite as bright as Clarf's," Roddie said, with a quick glance in
the direction of the sunset. "Thank all the gods!"

"I envy Laria's tan," Asia said at Rojer's side.

"You be careful of the sun down here, Asia," Roier said, as usual
assuming she needed his guidance.

"I have sunblock on, dear," she replied, unruffled. "See!" She made him
examine the slight sheen the cream gave her clear complexion.

Rojer grumphed. "Just don't forget to put it on."

Jesper and Mal rolled their eyes and Roddie regarded Rojer as if he were
slightly bereft of common sense.

"As long as you do too, Rojer," Asia said in a sweet voice without a
tinge of sarcasm.

Their effects neatly dropped into a pile just beyond them.

Thanks, Flavia.

You're welcome, Roj, hut please stop treating Asia as ifshe was an
imhecile. She's extremely competenh Flavia added with a bit of asperity
in her tone.

"I know, I know. Let's get settled in, team," he said, and found his
duffel. He would have taken Asia's as well, but she forestalled him and
was already trudging up to the Tower quarters, Rojer's"Dinis supporting
the end of her sack.

Dr. Blairik, whom Rojer found a pain in the neck, intercepted him before
he could catch up with Asia.

"I really do feel, Prime Rojer, that we should have been informed that
the "Dinis were going to take over everything," he said, clearly
disgruntled.

"Why? Because they're so highly organized?"

"Well, I would have expected to be consulted about my requirements .. ."
Tru Blairik began sententiously.

"Is there anything wrong with the facility provided?" Rojer asked.

"I haven't had time to really investigate ..

"Why don't you do so, and then we can rectify any problems," Roier said,
and quickly moved away from the astounded biologist. An indignant "Well,
I never ..." followed Rojer into the Tower.

"Good on you, Rojer,' Rosenery Mordmann said, grinning. "Saw him corner
you." She had a memge tube. "When you've had a chance to setde in, I was
asked to provide ecological reports to various groups on Earth."

Rojer gestured toward the worktop that would serve Jes Ornigo as Tower
expediter. "It's first in line."

"Thank you." Putting the tube down, she left with a cheerful farewell
wave.

Rojer continued to the personnel quarters and nearly knocked into Jes
coming back to the Tower proper.

"Yours is obviously the one at the end of the hall, Roj," Jes said, his
arms laden with disk files. "They've done us proud even with the speed
they put this all together."

"We've already got our first message to 'port from Talavera," Roier
said, continuing down the hall.

"We'll be ready when you are, Rojer," Jes assured him.

Rojer peered into the next open door, and the room was empty. So was the
one on the left-hand side of the corridor. So he walked on to the end
and opened the door into a large lounge room, subtly decorated with
"Dini artifacts and Human-type furnishings, a thick plain green carpet
on the floor-restful. Windows gave onto the space that was already lined
with trees and the beginnings of a patio. The inner wall had worktops
and several screens mounted on the wall. A proper office. On the short
wall to his left were two doors. One was a closet and the other was
locked. He crossed the room to the door beyond the office space and
entered a spacious bedroom, complete with the extra-wide bed that also
featured a "Dini trundle. Another door gave into a well-equipped
bathroom, attractive restful "Dini designs on the tiles. laria's
accommodations on Clarf were not as fine as this. He grinned with
satisfaction as he swung his duffel onto the bed.

"Mine is nice too," Asia said, startling him, and Gil and Kat came
racing into the room behind, taking a running jump to land on the bed.

"Where are you?" To his "Dinis, he said, "Act your age, you two. You'll
make holes in the mattress before I ever sleep on it."

"I'm around the corner," she said, grinning as the two'dinis flowed down
onto the trundle and began rolling around on it, testing its surface.
"Jes said there's already a message tube to be sent. Or did you want to
unpack first?"

He gave his duffel a diffident look. Then, smiling at the thought of
opening a brand-new Tower on a now "Dini-occupied world, Rojer threw a
proprietary arm about her shoulders and guided her back through the
lounge. He could hear the generators chugging quietly.

"Who started them?" he said, surprised.

"I did," Asia said. "After all, I'm the engineer," she reminded him
almost pertly, and continued on her way to the three steps down to where
the generators had been housed.

Do you mind working with me as backup? Mallen asked, an odd smile on his
face.

No, no, of course not  ... It'sjust that Asia's prettier than I am,
Mallen said.

Rojer adjusted his thinking quickly, for he'd assumed that this was his
chance to work with Asia and he'd really looked forward to such rapport.

I have to admit to that, Rojer said, coloring his tone with amused
chagrin. But Fll need your strength as T-3, Mallen. No insult intended.

"Let's get to work, team!" he said, reaching the lounge and clapping his
hands. He heard the enerators kick over. "Jes, you're expediter?

Jes Ornigo pulled out the chair at that workstation. "That's me." He
peered down at the message tube, rubbing his hands together as if eager
to start the day. "I'll send the coordinates up to your screen."

"Thanks." Then Rojer made a flourish at Mallen toward the Tower. "Shall
we ascend?"

"By all means, Captain," Mal replied with a flourish of his own.

Mallen Bastianmajani took the left-hand couch with a sigh of
satisfaction.

Didn't you think you'd make a Tower? asked Rojer, amused but entirely
understanding Mallen's reaction as he settled in the right-hand one, a
perfect fit for him.

Frankly, no.

You may wish you hadn't Rojer said drolly. Asia, generators up to speed?

Yes, Prime, was her quick response.

Jes screened the coordinates in the High Council buildings in Old Europe
and Rojer, checking to see that Mal had them, nodded once. He felt Malis
mind joining his as easily as a foot slips into an old shoe.

Here we gol And the message tube disappeared.

You didn't hang ahout, did you? Earth Prime said to his grandson.

Can't set a bad example, Grandfather. Not the way the "Dinis are swarm
ing in here.

Welcome to Tower life, Rojer, Mallen, Asia, said the Rowan graciously.

Thank you, maam.

Enjoy it whik you can, Rojer, his grandfather said. Don't l(now how long
I can spare youftom Operation Search.

Oh?

Later, lad, later. Morgelle's in linefor the next Tower. Goodsending.
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, Iguess it was. Only howd he know we'd started sending?
The Blun&ll Building uas not the destination.

They always know, said jes sardonically. And our next service will be
four messagesfor Clarf. Howd they know we were up and ready?

Because they are, jes said.

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
,pfast ,ogh.

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
the Columbia. We'll bring doun what's being held in orbit.

But you're on the business end. Good. rye a lot more to send you.

Tired, sis?

Well it's been hectic here. Iput myfoot 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@ the latest onefreighter, cargo all inanimate. Got a big
enough cradle?

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

There're two more scheduledfor today and that's itfor Clarf Tower. What
time of day is it therefor you? rll mark it upfor 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 isfourteen-thirty hours ofa twenty-six-point-five-oh-hour
day.

I have that information. Thank you, Talavera Tower.

Incomingfrom 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- Roer broke off because the yard
manager was already organizing crews to empty the drones and load the
gray sleds. Then a crew of ten "Dinis manually lifted the light drone
shells 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," Roer said. "Off you go, then, and please ask who is
the yard manager. I haven't met him yet."

That's Seelbat Buffer, a Copeflan 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 aftiend of Flavia's and sliepried him I=efinm Capella Tower Yard.
She's very good at that sort ofdoing, YOU l(now.

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 Casellan 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.

Incomingftom Sef, warned Jes.

Congratulations, Rojer, chorused Yoshuk and Nesrun from Sef's Tower.

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

rll let you know in a day or so, Rojer replied. Speaking of which, our
day is twenty-six-point-five-oh hours lmg and you are slinging me at ...
He caught their send, a medium-sized passenger yacht. Preciselyfourteen
forty-five.

We'll mark it down. You'll be keeping standard Tower hours?

Fll have to or be uorn doum to a nuhbin. Is Laria all right?

Overworked, hut I think things'll ease off once the impatient get to
Talavera. Oh, and we added a little we'm gift. The "Dini bean counter,
Fssim, has itfor 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 passenger 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 passengers, Rojer said. Fssim is to be
specially treated. It's got somethingfor usfrom Yosh uk and Nesrun.

Fve the steps in place and Put and Car acting guard, Rojer.

Thanks, Seelhat. Sorry I didn't get to greet youformally.

Who has time forformality right now?

Rojer grinned. Seelbat's tone had rippled with amusement. Since the
Tower was glassed 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 passengers 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
newcorners.

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.

Fssim's directed its car here, Rojer. You'd hatter get down.

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

Shou4d I?

Yes, you should, Rojer said firmly as he rose from his couch, gesturing
for Mallen to join him below. It isn't that you don't know "Dinis,
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 TALAVERA, HONORABLE FSSLM. Roier calculated his bow, his arm
pulling Asia's upper body down to the appropriate level for a
five-letter-name'dini.

All, IT IS A PLEASURE FOR FULM 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. Roier 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 Plu.

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.

Reyer, iwming, 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 GRATITUDE 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.

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

Indied 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 jess 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.

Drones, of course. Anotherfive.

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

It 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 snatch 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 7-s of various ahhities, she answered him, too
weary to speak aloud.

Well, we're going to need Zara. Fm not horning Mallen out with such
loads.

r" he all right, Rojer, really I will, Mallen assured him. Didn't I keep
up with you all day?

You did and you're a pleasure to merge with, Mal, hut if ue get several
weeks of this sort of heavy tra ic, e need to spell ey one. Tower experi
.If w ery ence is usefulfor any Talent, Roier said firmly. But we don't
have the extras that Callisto or Iota Aurigas or Earth has. Look at
Seelbat. Hek a shadow of his morning's self. Rojer tried for a little
levity, since he could sense Asia's apprehension. I don't need another
engineer ifi have you, hut 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 @ receipts. We'll get a yeoman down to help with
that. If we should, the gods forbid, lose a drone or a freighter, we've
got to know what it was and what was on it, or our hean counter unill
not be pkased *M us. And Seelbat cannot work at such a clip unout
relief. Did you get anything to eat as all?

Warnt 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. Whoveyou workedidth on the Columbiawho can
assist you in the yard, Seel?

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

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

Seel chuckled without opening his eyes. Theirbossessendshetn to make
sure t&? get the packages they're expecting. Some of 'etn stay because
they prefer the prestige of aerking in tk yard to whatever manual uork
they've been stuck with ?ight now.

A m"-Wing 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 Jess workstation.
Flopping down into the chair, he activated the corn 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 I help you?"

"Is that lxntard?"

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

"Do it wake anyone at this ungodly hour, but would you please ask n

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."

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

"There. That should do the trick," Roier said. "And I'm for my b,ed."

The other four managed to get to their feet and slowly made their way
down the hall to their quarters, "Dinis following those who had them.

Talavera Tower, ho4ding up okay? Jeff Raven asked as he contacted Roier
with the warning of a passenger ship full of experts, coming from Earth,
to help establish the "Dini colony.

A good night's sleep helps a lot, sir, and I drafted Zara off the
Columbia ... to keep her out of mischic I wasn't in mischief,
Grandfather, Zara said with a dire look at her older brother. She had
arrived just after breakfast Talavera time and, after one look at
Mallen, announced that they'd work shifts. She was taking the first one.
Mallen could go back to bed.

I had brothers too, Zara. Jeff chuckled. Never any respecifor siblings.
Handle this bunch care ully. Some of 'em arefragile.

Do they have quarters, Grandfather? Zara asked. "Dinis don't mind
sleeping rough. Humans do.

They'll use the ship. If you can set it down near the "Dini
headquarters, thatwillsu icequitenicely.

Good idea, Rojer said as jes sent up the size of the liner. I don't
happen to have a cradle that big anyhow. Come to think of it, the Tower
yard isn't that long either Ready? Jeff asked.

Roger shot a look at Zara, who instantly merged her mind with his, all
that practice in the Tower at Iota Aurigas making a smooth meld. Ready.

000of, said Zara. What are they carrying besides themselves?

Equipmentfor three major laboratoryfacilities as well as botanical and
biological specimens that the zoologists think will do well on Talavera,
Jeff said. I trust you didn't crack so much as a beaker.

Nary a one, sir, Rojer said, grinning at Zara. There's a Takni aboard
who hasn't realized they've landed here.

That'll be Dr. Seyes Real Fsperito, Jeff said, and there was an edge to
the tone of his mind to indicate to his grandchildren that T-5 Dr.
Esperito was not high on Earth Prime's "will see" list. Man has no
control when he's excited. He is ofun veryfunny without being aware of
either his humor or that he's broadcasting it. He's toleratedfor his
very excelknt knowledge ofxenobiology.

Good heavens, you mean we've left Earth and are on Talavera already?

How cou4d that be? Ifelt no motion whatever.

Sir, this t's Tower Prime Lyon and I assure you that your ship is on
Talavera, if you wou4dcare to lookatthe nearestscreen orporthole. May ue
take this opportunity ... jes, are they on ourscreen? Rojer asked
privately.

One of the smaller screens instantly displayed the substantial liner
landed just beyond the four-story headquarters block.

 ...  to welcome you and your associates. We shall be meeting at some
later date, sir, but you must excuse me, as more cargo is 'porting in to
the Tower. And Rojer cut off the beginning of an effusive paean of
gratitude. "Remind me not to go to any parties he's at, Zara," he said,
grinning at his sister.

I should imagine you'd hear him coming andport out ofhis vicinity, she
said.

"They have to have occupied all the whole continent by now," Laria said,
tryin keep desperation out of her voice. It was the end of another long
day of 'porting loaded vehi cles and drones and importing message tubes
that resulted in additional drones or tubes sent back to Talavera.
At-tuned as he now was to her moods, Kincaid heard her aggravation and
sent soothings at her. She glared at him. "I'm not that badly off."

"You're not?" he asked mildly. "It seems to me," Lionasha said, "that we
haven't sent anything to anywhere but Talavera for the past three weeks.
What are they doing with all that raw material?"

"Where are they storing it, for that matter?" Vanteer put in.

"According to my brother," Laria replied in a somewhat caustic tone,
"the heavy freight we've been struggling to 'port is loads of
prefabricated partitions which the "Dinis seem to be able to make up
into whatever shelter is needed. He says that they've a first-class
Tower with every amenity possible."

"Well, at least the "Dinis got that priority right," Lionasha remarked.
"Not that we can complain. They do right by us here on Clarf."

Laria grimaced and finished the last of her lemonade. Lio was right:
Plrgtgl was forever inquiring if there was anything the Clarf Talents
required to ensure their comfort. And their quarters were luxurious.
What was wrong with Clarf was the heat. Talavera would enjoy a winter
season of some six months: it had a longer rotation around its primary
and three degrees more of axial tilt than Clarf had. Clarf was just
constantly hot! Nights did get cool-well, relatively cooler-but the
daytime heat was enervating in full Clarfian "summer." Once again she
thought longingly of home, the darker sun of Iota Aurigas and the cool
breezes that came down from the mountains  ... As soon as this migration
is over, you're taking a holiday, Kincaid said sternly.

How? Laria demanded, and this time there was a wail of desperation in
the tight tone she 'pathed at him. Every T-I Grandfather can find 'll
workingfull-time somewhere. She got to her feet, somehow managing to
keep her expression from revealing her inner despair. "I'm for bed. See
you all in the morning, fellow mules."

"It's a light day tomorrow, Laria, if that's any consolation," Lionasha
said encouragingly. "Oh, they're sure to find a half-dozen emergency
drones to be sent," Vanteer said.

Lionasha rolled her eyes. "You would!" She pushed herself up out of her
chair and, with a disgusted look in Van's direction, left the lounge.

"What'd I say wrong?" Vanteer demanded of Kinca'd.

"If you can't figure it out, Van, I can't help you," the T'-2 said, and
left the Tower engineer alone.

Van shrugged, finished his drink and left the Tower. He had a date. It
suddcnly occurred to him that Kincaid had stopped visiting whatever
friend he had in the Human Compound. But then, they were all tired these
days. Not that he was ever too tired for his favorite off-duty
occupation. He grinned as he left, bracing himself for the sultry air
outside the cooled Tower.

"You do need a break, Laria,' Kincaid said, entering her room. She was
spread-eagled on the bed, as if she had merely fallen backward onto its
surface.

"I don't know what's wrong with me, Kincaid," she said, raising her head
briefly to acknowledge his Presence. "It's all I can do not to snap at
folks, and no one deserves that. Not with the loads we're 'porting. All
I want to do is sleep." She let out a long sigh.

He stretched out on one side, propping his head up on one hand and
looking down at her, letting his mind reach hers with gentling thoughts.

"I think we're both missing our "Dinis. I know mine have kept me
balanced in times of stress," he said softly. "Only three more weeks."

"Well, let's hope they don't try any more tricks on us," she said
glumly, then immediately turned remorseful and reached out to touch his
free hand. "I didn't mean that the way it sounded, Kincaid." She could
feel her face flushing with embarrassment. "Whyever they did it, I
really, truly enjoyed ... I mean ... I'm just sorry it wasn't.. ." She
rolled her eyes as her attempt to explain about the pleasure she had had
L I Nothing could have forced me, Lmk. He gave her hand an affectionate
squeeze and then began to smooth her hair back from her face. Oh, our
"Dinis heightened the aumphere a great deal, thatkfor sure. And he
chuckled softly, wrapping a strand of her hair about his index finger.
Then, turning his body and propping himself on both elbows, he dropped a
light kiss on her cheek. However, we aren't being manipulated came out
all wrong. We were together, )Gncaid, and it was just aculd rather it
had not heenforced on you  ... by sex-driven "Dinis right now and plain
ol' sex between consenting adults usually relaxes the sort oftension
we're both under. If you're not too tired  ... Kincaid cocked his head
at her, a one-sided grin curving his lips, as if he was amused to be
making such a suggestion.

"I think I'd like that very much, Kincaid," she said sofdy, reaching up
with both hands to run her fingers through his hair and then bring his
face down to hers.

They were gentle with each other, as much from weariness as from a
genuine and leisurely interest in making sure each would be satisfied.
While not as passionate as their encounters had been when the "Dinis
were involved, release was unexpectedly and delightfully prolonged so
that they drifted into sleep in each other's arms.

They woke together, one mind's consciousness awakening the other, and
they were still entwined. Kincaid lifted himself on one elbow and gently
outlined her mouth with one finger, smiling a little.

"might even get accustomed to this, my dear. You're very restful."

He had no barrier set, and she perceived how much his mind and emotions
had healed from the desperately weary, disillusioned and battered man he
had been when he arrived at Clarf Tower.

"That's as you wish, Kincaid," she said lightly but oh so very pleased
to know the healing was now complete. "And thank you." She raised her
head high enough to reach his lips and gave him a soft kiss, then
immediately rolled to the side of the wide bed to rise. "Let's hope that
Van wasn't right and today's load doesn't include sudden emergencies.
And we are all going to take a holiday when we finally get Talavera
completely supplied."

"Good idea," was his amiable reply. "I'd best shower ... in my own
room." And he'ported himself away.

It would he morefun to shower together, she thought very quietly and to
herself alone. But she did feel much better today. In fact, she was
aware of some very important change in herself as she bathed and
dressed.

"All I needed was a good night's sleep," she told Lionasha as they met
for breakfast.

"Does wonders ... that is, if you spend your night sleeping," Lio said,
and for one startled moment, Laria wondcred if Lionasha could possibly
know how she really had spent the first part of the night. But Lio was
looking significantly in the direction of the enginecring section and
obviously meant Vanteer. laria felt his weary but satisfied presence
doing the usual dawn check on the generators.

Kincaid was whistling when he emerged into the lounge and started
building himself a breakfast.

"Let us devoutly hope, Lionasha my dear, that you were not enjoying any
prescience for today's workload," he said as he filled his tray.

"There's not an ounce of clairvoyance in my Talent, Kincaid," Lio said.
"Besides which, I can't imagine what can have been left out of what
we've sent streaming out to that planet."

"Officials to make sure the work's being done well and on time," laria
had occasion to remark drolly later that morning when a small passenger
craft belzed 'portation to Talavera. "And Plrgtgl's on it, so let's set
it down as lightly as possible by headquarters.'

"At least that's the only one," Kincaid said, stretching until his
joints audibly popped when they had dispatched it. "Was that Zara aiding
Rojer this morning?"

"No, actually, it was Flavia. But they're both T- I'sand strong."

"I thought Zara was more of a healer than a Towci'pme,' he said, slewing
sidewise and resting his elbows on his knees, his big hands clasped
lightly.

"That's her personal preference, but Rojer's been rotating the T-Is.
We're not the only ones sending him 'portages.'

You know, Id like to see what they've done adth all the stuff we've sent
to Talavera, Lionasha said, busy sorting the day's files into their
respective piles.

Want to rotate with someone there? Laria asked.

Wet, not exactly rotate, hutjust have a good look round, Lionasha said
in a careful tone.

a Kincaid and Laria chuckled at her qualification.

I think I amuld too, Kincaid said, winking at Laria. Sort of busman's
holiday.

Bu=n? Lionasha repeated, confused.

Laria grinned at Kincaid, since she did understand the archaic
reference.

Like a spaceman taking a cruise on a liner for the fun of it, she
explained.

Ohl Wouldn't he have had enough space travel? Lionasha asked.

That's the point, Kincaid said.

Not much ofa point, or a holiday, Lionasha said with a little snort of
contempt.

Laria and Kincaid exchanged glances, his eyes twinkling with an
amusement he kept well hidden from Lionasha. She had a pedantic tendency
and misunderstood the subtler whimsy of Laria and Kincaid.

Laria, a special cargo-quite animate-and just for you, said Jeff Raven,
with such a smug tone to his voice that Laria was very much surprised,
and curious. I know both "Dini Towers have been hardpressed with
outgoing. Gollee suggested this T-Z so kindly don't bang him up.

As ifi uould, Laria replied tartly.

She heard her grandfather's chuckle and then felt the incoming personnel
carrier, which she deftly caught and landed gently in an appropriate
cradle. "Dinis swarmed to greet the newcomer.

Messages, Laria, said Rojer at the same instant. Priority.

When she realized from his mind that there was a drove arriving, she
immediately linked with Kincaid to prevent any of the incoming tubes
from getting lost. The mass of them took up every available rack, with
several rolling onto the ground. The "Dinis who had opened the personnel
capsule were now chasing the fugitives.

Well, at least it's all man-ahhhhh. Lionasha's exclamation of total
surprise and her sudden surge of immense sexual attraction caused both
Laria and Kincaid to exchange startled looks.

As one, they made for the stairs. Kincaid halted but Laria continued,
curious to see who could have had such a startling effect on Lionasha.
The tall man had been holding both Lionasha's hands in his-surpris ing
enough, a tactile contact from one T for another-but she was gawking
like a teenager at the very handsome and somehow familiar man bending
toward her. Vanteer was standing stock-still on the top step of the
stairs down to engineering, his face expressionless.

The new arrival, still holding Lionasha's fingers in his hands, turned
slowly toward Laria, smiling with such charisma that Laria had no
trouble at all understanding Lionasha's reaction. What she didn't
understand was the immediate and intense antipathy that his smile
generated in her.

"Vagrian Beliakin, T-2, reporting from Blundell Tower to assist Clarf
Tower and Prime Laria Lyon," he said, showing very white and even teeth
in a smile that was meant, Laria knew instantly, to have the same effect
on her that it had had on Lionasha. "Kincaid." His smile alrering
subtly, he gave Dano a glancing look. "I look forward to merging with
the man who developed the probe techniques on the Stmngbow..

Laria caught the spurt of absolute rejection from Kincaid: a violent
abhorrence at the thought of even the lightest merge with the mind of
this man. Fast as it was, Kincaid's reaction also had something to do
with his long tour on the Strongbow.

"It's required reading now, you know," Vagrian went on, totally unaware
of anything save his making a very strong impression on everyone in
Clarf Tower. Laria shot a quick probe at Vanteer and caught envy,
distrust and, unusually enough, a touch of fear from her engineer.
Lionasha was still smitten, the undercurrent of her thought wondering if
she had a single chance of getting him into bed, along with a sense of
puzzlement because Vagrian looked familiar to her too.

Familiar to whom? Laria realized, although the impact of his forceful
greetings on her staff had diverted her briefly from that thought. Now
he advanced on Laria, hand extended sideways in the prescribed position
for Talent touching.

Inadvertently she took a backward step, banging her heel into the first
riser. She felt Kincaid descend to stand directly behind her, and never
had she needed his support more.

"You're Yoshuk's younger brother," Laria said, looking down at the
extended hand and wondering how she could avoid touching him.

Do it and know, Kincaid said on a very tight tone.

She couldn't smile but she did manage to make the
touch-red/acerbic/pepper-as briefly as she could and being very careful
not to let him see past a tightly shielded mind.

A wry smile pulled Vagrian's sensuous mouth to one side. "Yes, my older
brother by a scant year. I am late come to my Talent." His smile became
winsome but slightly embarrassed, and he smoothed back his wavy dark
hair. "A freak accident stimulated it and I was lucky enough to save
others from sure death."

"Yes, such stimuli do activate miracles of self-preservation," she
replied, trying to fathom why she was having such a negative response to
the man.

She had never felt the least bit threatened by Yoshuk,. whom she had
always considered the handsomest man she'd ever met. Vagrian was the
taller by at least eight centimeters and, tall as she herself was, she
felt dominated by his almost offensive nearness. But she couldn't step
back with heels already pressed against the riser.

"Dinis, rushing in with the addresses of the piles of message tubes,
broke the tableau.

"Ah, I seem to have arrived at a propitious moment to start work,"
Vagrian said, his smile promising eager cooperation as he glanced up to
the Tower.

"In point of fact, Vagrian," Laria began, "it's not so much Clarf that
needs bulwarking as Sef. A third T-2-and I know how easy it is to merge
with a brother or sister-would ease the burden which Yoshuk and Nesrun
have been struggling with. So, if you'll just get back in your personnel
carrier, Kincaid and I will 'port you over."

Vagrian's expression was stunned, his jaw dropped and all the good
nature and camaraderie of his first minutes in Clarf Tower dissipated in
a sudden blast of angry rejection of such a transfer. He recovered so
adroitly that Laria wondered if she had accurately read that split
second of fury. His disappointment she could well understand, but not
that flash.

"Alternatively, I'm sure Earth Prime can find you another posting, where
your charismatic personality will work in your favor."

As Laria stepped to one side before turning to mount the stairs, she
heard Lionasha's gasp, and was aware of Vanteer gawking in surprise. She
caught Kincaid by the arm and urged him up to the Tower.

"Prime, I was posted here," Vagrian said, the wave of his hand taking in
all of Clarf Tower, his voice edged with a barely concealed and
increasing anger. "By Earth Prime himself. Your grandfather."

Laria turned on the top step, staring down at him, her body rigid with
her rejection of him, and his effect on her Tower personnel. She started
to tremble and felt Kincaid's sudden support as she drew herself up.

"I am Prime. I was not informed of this posting and I do not need an
additional T-2. Kincaid is more than adequate for any merging I need.
You have a choice, Vagrian Beliakin: Sef Tower, which does need a third
T-2, or back to Blundell Tower., "But I was chosen for you,' he said,
allowing disappointment to show in his face as he lifted one hand in
appeal. His emphasis informed her all too succinctly of why he had been
posted here. Her fury at such tactics now included her grandfather.

"For me?" Laria said softly. Neverl She turned back, sliding into her
couch and leaning into the generators. If you do not walk simight out of
this Tower and into the personnel ca'ier, I udll 'port you there myself,
Vagrian Beliakin. You have exac-tlyfive seconds. And I have decided that
you will causejust as much trouble with the excelknt team at Sefas you
umu4d here, so you are going hack to Blundell. MOVEI He is moving,
Vanteer said, and there was deep satisfaction in the engineer's voice.
Wise decision, Laria.

I don't understand you, Laria, Lionasha said, baffled.

He's in the carrier, Van reported.

Earth Prime! This is Clarf Ptime. I am returning that man undamaged, but
only because I wouldn't waste the time or soil my hands with him. She
acted with such alacrity that the carrier was back in the cradle on
Earth before she finished speaking.

Laria! You can't have given Beliakin time to present his credentials.
Nor did Laria have any doubts that her grandfather was considerably
annoyed by her rejection.

What did you tellhim about me? Or was he Grandmother's idea?Because he
is the most repellentpersonality Ihave ever encountered. self-centered,
aggressive, domz'neeting, worse than a "Dini days latefor hibernation!
He had Lionasha drooling like a teenager. It was all Van could do to
keep from punching him, and he had the effrontery to decide he could
displace Kincaid in the first merge we made. Nor will Ipermit Kincaid to
he exposed to such higotryliwouldsoonermind-merge with
twelvehiverqueensthan thatodious man.

There was silence from her grandfather. A silence that meant he was
digesting her polemic. You have stated your case, Prime. I was
attempting to arrange for a reliefteam to allow your entire Tower some
well-earned rest. Vagrian was the first candidate Golleefelt capable.

Laria gave a bark of laughter. Not him. Send him to a squadron where
h'll ... peculiarpersonality will be controlled by naval discipline. We
may be tired but we haven't shirked a single responsibility yet.

No, you have not. Jeff Raven's tone commended their efforts.

If you willforgive me, Earth Prime, we have two -score message tubes to
'port to their recipients.

Do so, then. This time the silence was his absence.

Battered by the encounters with her grandfather and Beliakin, she
covered her face and started to weep. Kincaid gathered her into his
arms, stroking her hair and laving her troubled mind with reassurances.

"Try this," said Lionasha. The expediter had a cup of steaming coffee in
her hand, eyes and face anxious. Vanteer stood beside Lio, looking both
concerned and amazed.

"We heard," Vanteer said. "Couldn't help it, Laria." He blinked and gave
her a little rueful grin. "Never heard you speak to anyone like that
before. Especially not to your grandfather." Vanteer was awed. just be
yond him, on the step below the Tower level, his Dig and Nim and
Lionasha's Fig and Sil were ranged, poll eyes startled and wide.

Laria took several quick sips of coffee, then the tissue Lionasha
offered, and dried her eyes and cheeks.

"Kincaid, you knew that man, didn't you?"

Kincaid nodded slowly, his eyes echoing the sadness that had carved
lines in his face in the space of a few minutes. "Once." Then, with a
noticeable effort, Kincaid forced his taut body to relax. "Slightly
longer than just now. And that was before his Talent asserted itself.
But I was just as happy to see him leave adthout making the kind of
trouble he's often caused."

"He was trouble, all right, and all too ready to do what he intended
here,' Van said. "I'm only a T-6, but he was coming over loud and
clear."

His hands were still clenched into fists.

"I've never met anyone like him before," Lionasha said, shaking herself
as if to dispel an unwanted burden. "He was ... overwhelming."

And she let out a self-conscious litde laugh, then shook her head again
more vigorously.

"Too recking sure of himself," Vanteer said.

GLAD YOU KNOW THAT, Dig said, and the other three "Dinis nod ded. BAD
DREAMING WITH THAT HUMAN. BAD DREAMING.

Laria regarded the "Dinis with surprise, and a certain gratification
that they concurred with her own instinctive and almost unreasonable
rejection of a person in such a short space of time. She gulped down
most of the coffee and handed the cup back to Lionasha.

"We do have work to do, team. lets get to it. Day's heating up.'

The tubes were duly 'ported to various locations on Clarf "Most of 'em
are from that bunch we just sent out,' Lionasha said.

"How could they report back so quickly?"

"Whaddya wanna bet they forgot half the stuff they now find they urgendy
need," was Van's suggestion.

He was proved correct, for small and large drones made up the rest of
the morning's imports to Clarf Tower and exports to Talavera. By
lunchtime, Lionasha announced with some surprise that the Tower had
cleared all cradles and nothing else had come in for the afternoon.

"May I respectfully suggest that we enjoy a siesta until something does
turn up?" Kincaid said as he made his way to the kitchen. "What can I
get you, Laria?"

"Salad, sandwich," she answered from the Tower. Vanteer had left the
generators idling, but she didn't need assistance for the quick call she
felt she should make.

Yoshuk?

Laria? There was pleased surprise in the man's voice. Sometimes there
was little resemblance between siblings of the same parents.

Your brother, Vagrian, was here.

Oh nol Yoshuk didn't sound pleased. Ah! You used the past tense? My
congratulations on your perception and immediate dismissal of Trouble on
Tu)o Feet.

Yes. Isent him hackto Blundell. Inearlysent him to you two to help with
your workload.

Merciful heaven, I thank youftom the bottom ofmy heartfor that show of
common sense.

Is he as ... difficult as I read him, Yoshuk? You're not.

Most emphatically I am not my brother Vagrian. Whyever was he sent to
you of all people?

I think my grandfather had dynastic notions.

Hal Earth Prime's slipping, or his initial screening has developed
serious flaws. Not that Grian cou4dn't-without hay'trying, I might
add-give the tight answers. Unless someone thought to deep-prohe him.
Did you? So that you found out how poisonous he 'll? Accept my profound
apology for being related to him. That might have had something to do
with yourgrandfather's momentary lapse of good sense. Or he was taken in
hy circumstances of Griank sudden emergence as a Talent. Chagrin colored
Yoshuk's tone.

You've relieved my mind, Yoshuk. I didn't think myjudgment hadfailed me.
Especially when Kincaid@ reaction was total rejection and abhorrence.

Kincaid was right on line, and the first thing my dear brother would
have done is to displace Kincaid.

lunchtime, Lionasha announced with some surprise that the Tower had
cleared all cradles and nothing else had come in for the afternoon.

"May I respectfully suggest that we enjoy a siesta until something does
turn up?" Kincaid said as he made his way to the kitchen. "What can I
get you, Laria?"

"Salad, sandwich," she answered from the Tower. Vanteer had left the
generators idling, but she didn't need assistance for the quick call she
felt she should make.

Yoshuk?

Laria? There was pleased surprise in the man's voice. Sometimes there
was little resemblance between siblings of the same parents.

Your brother, Vagrian, was here.

Oh nol Yoshuk didn't sound pleased. Ahl You used the past tense? My
congratulations on your perception and immediate dismissal of Trouble on
Tulo Feet.

Yes. I sent him back to Blundell. I nearly sent him to you two to help
with your uorkload.

Merciful heaven, I thank youftom the bottom of my heartfor that show of
common sense.

Is he as ... difficult as I read him, Yoshuk? You're not.

Most emphatically I am not my brother Vagrian. Whyever was he sent to
you ofallpeopk?

I think my grandfather had dynastic notions.

Hal Earth Prime' slipping, or his initial screening has developed
serious s

flaws. Not that Grian couldn't-without ha&ftryi'ng, I might add-give the
right answers. Unless someone thought to deep-probe him. Did you? So
that youfound out how poisonous he is? Accept my profound apologyfor
being related to him. That might have had something to do with
yourgrandfatherk momentary lapse of good sense. Or he was taken in by
circumstances of Griank su" emergence as a Talent. Chdgrin colored
Yoshuk's tone.

You've relieved my mind, Yoshuk. I didn't think myjudgment hadfailed me.
Especially when Kincaid's reaction was total rejection and abhorrence.

Kincaid was right on line, and the first thing my dear brother would
have done is to displace Kincaid.

That isn't possibk.

Oh yes, it aculd be if Vag%n desk& to ... Yoshuk paused. There was a
smile in his tone as he continued. Kiwaid deums your loyalty, Laria, and
rm glad it's in such deep for him. You idli never regret it.

Are you peeking, Yoshuk? Laria was surprised and clamped her thoughts
down.

Me? You're the Primel I do suggest that you stop broadcasting quite so
loudly, or both Vanteer and Lion'ha'll hear.

Thanks, Yoshuk.

onthecontrity, thankyou,Lariaforsendingthatbadpackagerighthack
jjjjjjjjjjjjjjkkkk where it can be dealt with.

"Laria?" Kincaid called at the base of the Tower steps.

"Coming." She ran down the flight, taking the plate of sandwiches from
Kincaid's hand, smiling as she did so. "Yoshuk is not enthralled with
his younger brother either," she said, joining the others at the table.

"Good thing I didn't send him there. We could probably have heard the
roar of rejection all the way from Sef."

"A bit of a shame, though," Lionasha said, casting a sideways glance at
Vanteer. "He'd've cut a fascinating swath through the compound here.'

"Not if he intended to make a handfast arrangement with Laria, he
wouldn't," Van said in a low growl of dislike. "I wouldn't've liked that
for you, Laria. Or for you, Kincaid," he added. "Mffiat I'd like to know
is how he passed Gollees screening?' He directed that query to Laria.

"Oh, that one could pass any screening he'd a mind to,' Lionasha
replied. When the others regarded her with surprise, remembering her
reaction to Vagrian's charm, she grimaced. "I may have been suscepti ble
to all that masculinity, and the smarmy way he came on to you, Laria,
but I'd've come to my senses pretty quick. Especially after I caught
that shaft he aimed at you, Kincaid."

"I appreciate that, Lio," Kincaid said with a wry grin as he regaine(y
his equilibrium. "I thank you too, Van."

"We haven't worked this Tower so long that I'd let you down when someone
like that piece of ego threatened you," Van said staunchly. "You're a
helluva lot more man than that one can ever be."

Kincaid looked slightly bemused and surprised.

"Well, it takes all kinds to make this universe, you know," Van went on,
a little abashed.

"The devil you know?" Laria said teasingly.

"Better than that one, that's for sure," Van said, one hand
unconsciously closing into a fist again. Then he rose. "Dig, Nim, would
you clear this away for us so we can get that siesta while it's quiet?"

SURE, SURE, SURE. The chorus came from all four "Dinis.

"When are yours due back?" Lionasha asked. "I've missed them."

"We all have."

YES, YES, YES, was the unison reply as the four "Dinis began to pile
dishes and take them to the recycling unit.

The Humans were all smiling as they dispersed to their quarters. When
laria heard the last door close, she 'ported into Kincaid's room. He had
his back to her, pulling down the top sheet of his bed.

Yes ?

Kincaid, she began, not quite knowing exactly how to break her news to
him. He turned, eyebrows rising in surprise at her obvious hesitation.

She walked up to him, took his hand and laid it on her stomach. We
started a child last night.

How can you he so sure? he demanded, astonished.

It's one thing a Prime l(nows almost instantly: that a new life has
started. I wasn't positive ...  because this hasn't happened to me be
ore. She reached up to stroke his hair with an affectionate hand. I knew
when Vagrian threatened you ... because he threatened me as well. If you
do not object, I shall nurture the embryo. If you do object, I can
rernove He pulled her into his arms, embracing her as tightly as he
could, as if warding off any possible harm to her or his seed in her
womb. No, no, no. Pkase. Tofather your child? More luck than I ever
dreamed would happen. As much as I can, and in spite of my orientation,
I love you, Laria, as much as it is possibkfor me to love a woman. As
tightly as he already held her, the pressure of his arms increased. Did
you know how kffifted I was when Vagrtan appeared? Te'ifted to lose the
gift offrw&hsp you gave me when Iarrivedheresickanddesperate and
wantingfar more to die than live?

I knew you were in very bad shape ...  And she let him see that she had
not known how close to suicide he had been.

He held her away from him and she saw the tears in his eyes. You healed
me then with such a simple "ceptance ofwhat I was. What I am now is all
your doing.

She put her fingers on' his mouth. "No more regrets, my friend. No more
looking back. I don't require any promises from you, Kincaid Dano. I do,
however, require a father for the child."

He folded her tightly against him again and, with a shaky laugh that was
almost a sob, said, "That would give me the greatest possible JOY.

"Even if I should require more children from you?" she said, her lips
against his ear. "We Lyons tend to be prolific, you know."

"Let's see how we do with this one first, shall we?" he asked, but his
voice rippled with amusement. Then he picked her up in his arms and,
carrying her to the bed, laid her down, settling beside her and 'porting
the cover over them both. "It's more important than ever that you take a
siesta," he said in a stern voice, turning his head to frown at her.
"And if your grandfather will talk to you again in the next few weeks,
d'you think we can get a more congenial T-2? Of even a couple of 3's?"

She put her fingers on his lips. "Shhhh. Morag's just about old enough
for some Tower training. I'll ask Mother first."

"Good idea. Now close your eyes and sleep."

I don't think I can, Fm so wired  ... rll help ... Gently he put his
hand over her heart.

As if you could overcome a ... T  ... "I've a few tricks you don't know
about, dear heart," he said softly, as her face relaxed and her
breathing slowed to the rhythm of a natural sleep.

"How could we possibly have missed Beliakin's overweening
selfimportance, Gollee?" Jeff Raven asked, rattling his fingers on his
desk with aggravation.

"Because he's an exceedingly clever young man," Gollee said, and tossed
over a folder of hard copy. "With good shields that only you, the Rowan
and perhaps Damia could have penetrated. I certainly caught nothing more
than an intense pleasure at activating a Talent he was sure he had,
since his only brother is a T-2, and the hope that he would get a 'good
assignment.' No harm in such thoughts and aspirations. However, if you
run down the names of those who passed him through the testing process,
there's only one male. To be quite candid .. Gollee sighed briefly.
"With the workload in my department, I was delighted to find a T-2
proving out. I reviewed the assessments and had no reason to doubt them,
since he most certainly possessed a strong kinetic T-2 when I put him
through his paces. With a sibling as capable as Yoshuk already working
as Talent, I made the mistake of assuming more familial integrity and
rectitude than he appears to have." Gollee thrust the file into the
reader, scrolling down to nearly the end. "I just looked over these
comments from acquaintances again. I should have paid more attention to
them. While he doesn't appear to have made close personal friends, that
is not uncommon for the Talented. I originally dismissed the references
as malice or understandable envy. On a closer perusal, all of them were
men and women of sound judgment and personal integrity. They were
attempting to warn us.

"And I, like a damned fool, was so delighted to find a splendid young
fellow for Laria, I didn't question those careful comments either." Jeff
flipped the folder shut. He sighed. "Well, no one's perfect."

Gollee chuckled. "So you figured he'd suit Laria?"

"If he hadn't had this serious personality flaw, as a T-2 he'd've been
ideal. I think we'll give him to the Navy as Laria suggested. God knows
we're hard pressed to provide kinetic T's to keep the distant elements
of Hive Search supplied."

"Good idea. He can hardly take over a ship as he evidently planned to
take over Clarf Tower. Send him out on the Strongbow.' Gollee's grin was
definitely malicious. "That should pay them back for the gauntlet they
ran Kincaid through."

"You're not the vindictive sort, Gollee," Jeff remarked, raising his
eyebrows in surprise.

"Only in particular cases," Gollee said with a droll grimace. "I just
don't like manipulative Talents when they're as strong as Beliakin and
can so easily inhibit lesser Talents. We can at least employ his
unquestionable abilities where they will do the least damage."

"I believe I concur with that. Which brings us back to the original
problem: Who do we have to assist laria's team? They're overloaded right
now and the traffic is not likely to case off for several more months."

"Morag's how old now?"

Jeff regarded Gollee with surprise and chuckled. "With all those
complaints about nepotism coloring the political scene? Do we dare
augment Clarf with yet another Lyon?"

"She won't be in charge. And why shouldn't she visit her sister and get
some on-the-job training?"

"I'll ask Damia. Morag is close to seventeen now and has been merging
with her parents on a regular basis. She'd know the proceduresthat would
be a decided advantage. Afra says the four local Talents they discovered
after that mine collapse are fitting in very well as support staff.
Xexo's snagged one as an engineering prospect, .. a T-5. Nothing like a
brush with calamity to stimulate resources."

"Which," Gollee said, rising to his feet, "is exactly what brought
Vagrian Beliakin to our notice."

"We shall be more careful, shan't we?'

"Indeed we shall. And make sure we have an even distribution of the
sexes in the initial interviews."

"And for anything above a T-3, a Prime does the final check probe," Jeff
said.

"When, that is, you can fit it in," Gollee remarked, and 'ported himself
out of the office.

Did you hear all of that, my love? Jeff asked, leaning back in his
comformable chair and propping his feet on his desk.

Can I never eavesdrop hut you know I'm doing it? the Rowan asked with
some asperity.

We are of the same mind and heart, Lady of the Tower. How can I not know
when our m,'nds are linked?

Hmmm. Beliakin seemed almost too good to be true. But then rye no
clairvoyance, even ifi should have been more suspiciousjust because it
was such a perfect solution.

Jeff heard his wife's mental sigh of remorse.

Send Kaltia with Morag, Jeff, the Rowan said after a moment's pause.
They are accustomed to working together and will be companyfor each
other in what is definitely an older grouping.

What? And deprive Damia of more of her childer?

rye an even better idea  ... Send Beliakin to Iota Aurigas? Jeff
snatched the notion from his wife's mind with the ease of their long
association and closeness. What a spiendid solution! Damia and Afra will
handle hi'm, and he's unlikely to realize he's being tutored and having
his thinking adjusted. When he@ suitahly reformed-Jeff chuckled-then we
can responsibly send him to a Search ship.

He can't do any damage at Damia@ at all. Not even to the two youngest.
He may be a strong kinetic, but looking over hisfile, I ths'nk that's
all he has. Hek not strong on telepathy, only on short sends and
receives. Also, we must do all we can to redress the embarrassment he
received at Lari'a's hands  ... Embarrassment?

All right, humiliation, the Rowan corrected herself. But I suspect he
came on too strong, so cockily sure of his ability to enchant anyfemale
that he succeeded in alienating her. Isn't that what the therapist said?

You hadn't read the report?

No, you didn't give it to me. But I know Laria, and she doesn't respond
well to such masculine assertiveness. You know that she@ been puzzled,
and hurt, by Vanteer's vacillations because shegenuinely likes him and
trusts him as engr . neer. Not as a mak companim.

We could transfer him  ... No, because Damia thinks she might yet
oterlook Van's ... ah ... failings. Letkgxve hertheassistance
ofmoragandkallia whik thepressure's on the Tower. Then we'll have more
time tofind a reliabk mak.

Reliabk malef Jeff pretended to be affronted.

I could wish-the Rowan ignored that reaction-that more Dencbians could
bating themselves to explore their 14ims Taknts. You are unique, dear
heart, but there must be some malefor my granddaughter. And you know
your homeuor4d keeps ignoring their most exportabk assets.

If Golke senses no definite biasfi-om Beliakin when he proposes a Tower
posting at Iota Aurigas, his being available might ease Damia?
reluctance to part sdth the girls. Afm and Damia really do need a good
kinetic to keep on shoving those big-daddy ore drones.

Morag and Kaltia like Kincaid too. Then we could send thepn on to Rojer
at Talavera ... Oh, you're reassigning him too?

I have to, love, udih Operation Search expanding in all directions.
However-he forestalled the objection she didn't even have to think at
him-rmformulating a valid reason for Asia to accompany Reyer, if that
partnership is coming along as well as Flatia thinks it is.

If-the Rowan's thought was tinged with criticism-he'll stop acting like
her protector and more like a lover.

She's developing a good se&r-image, "cording to Zora.

About Zara, Jeff ...  can we now use her more effxciently?

Doing what?

The Rowan went so quiet he wondered at the silcnce.

Making contact with the queens. Somehow we must achieve communications
with thetn.

Why? Jeff asked. Even when Thian was in the queenk quarters he and his
team were totally ignored ... They were smelled.

Fm not so sure we can manage a cymmunication level based on synell,
m'dear. Jeff guffawed. Unless we find a stink that drives them out of
their lairs or exterminates them. Then he turned serious. But I have
heen wonhdng how we could capitalize on the fact that only Zara, of all
the specialists who have tried to establish communications with the
Hiverspecies, has been able to sense something ... even if it was only
that the Heinlein queen was sufferingfrom hypotherinia.

I do so wish we'd make some sort ofa breakthrough. Ifonly to silence
those who want us to eliminate the species entirely, wherever Hivers
arefound. I can't believe we have become so sophisticated in so many
areas and that sort of harharic thinking can still exist.

Jeff sent reassurances to her, sensing her distress over a large, very
vocal faction which was growing stronger and stronger, especially since
estimates of the number of planets occupied by Hivers was also
increasing as the Fourth Fleet went farther on their segment of the
Search, in the opposite direction of the First Fleet. Three species were
vying for the same sort of new M-type worlds to ease population
densities. Fortunately for Humans, their Mrdini allies preferred the
hot-sun worlds that could scorch the hide off Human beings. The
marginal, semitropical worlds might cause contention that could become a
serious issue. And each new settlement insisted on having the benefit of
FT&T, causing Jeff Raven, as Earth Prime, more and more headaches as he
tried to accommodate the growing pressure of requests. There were only
so many Talented minds available and he was sensible of the risks
overburdening could cause. Overburdening and the same sort of problem
which the emergence of a flawed T-2 like Vagrian Beliakin could cause.
Federated Teleport and Telepath had enough to cope with, without
internal dissension.

We'll find a solution, the Rowan said, in her turn reassuring her
beloved husband.

We usually do, was his equable response.

They both turned back to their separate responsibilities, each gaining
strength and courage from their momentary rapport.

Incidentally, have you considered i'ntroduci'ng Beliakin to Tarmina
d'estes?

Jeff allowed his chuckle a lascivious edge.

I believe she introduced herselfto him theftest hour he was back here in
Blundell.

The Rowan sent an image of a saccharine smile on her face. No better
ua=n to pour salve on a uounded mak. On the other hand, I hope Damig
doesn't know that Laria r,#ec-ted Beliakin.

r know when I suggest Beliakin to her.

"My father's up to tricks again," Damia told Afra.

Afra turned amused yellow cues at his wife of twenty-seven years,
patiently awaiting further explanation.

They had completed the day's stint at Iota Aurigas Tower and were
walking back to their house, which sat well above the bustling, growing
capital, its noise muted by the distance.

"Because he's offered us a strong kinetic T-2 in return for sending our
daughters to their sister?"

A slight smile tilted one corner of the Casellan's narrow, attractive
face. He had the kir of features that improve with maturity. He reached
for Damia's hand, as much to reinforce their intimacy as to fat her
remark.

"I'll bet you anything this Vagrian Beliakin, for all he's Yoshuk's
younger brother, poses a problem we're supposed to solve for Earth
Prime."

"What's wrong with that?"

Damia didn't need to shoot him an annoyed glance: he could easily feel
her agitation.

"Haven't you solved enough Gwyn-Raven problems, Afra?"

His answer was to throw his arm about her shoulders and drag her close
against his lean body. Being so much shorter than he, she fit in under
his arm quite easily.

"I admit to things being a little dull lately ..

"Oh, you ... you ... methody Capellan," she said in exasperation, making
a brief attempt to slip from under his arm, but he was far stronger than
she and she couldn't escape. Not that she really wanted to.

"We're enjoying such a nice respite, with even Petra able to manage
without constant supervision ... and isn't training our own Aurigaeans
enough of a challenge? If we needed yet another one?"

"Then you don't object to Morag and Kaltia getting some experience at
Clarf? "

"Not at all. Summers on Deneb are well enough, and Isthia is superb with
them, but they haven't really left home, as it were, for something
completely alien."

"Clarfs that, even if they've been raised with "Dinis," Afra admitted in
a droll tone. He frowned briefly. "Will Kaltia's very fair skin be at
risk?"

"Sunblock helps and she already knows she has to be careful after that
awful case of sunburn she had on Deneb. And that primary's not at all as
harsh as Clarf's .. ." Damia's voice trailed off, and she frowned
slightly. "Well, she's old enough to know to keep out of the sun."

"That's right, my dear, and she could always make parasols fashionable
on Clarf"

"They are. But to get back to this Beliakin T-2 ..

"Let's worry about him when he gets here. Didn't Jeff say that Gollee's
giving him some extra training?"

"Gollee doesn't train, dear, he tests."

"Hmmm. For what?' That casually dropped remark from her fatheir was what
really alerted her to a possible contretemps. "If the fellow's already
been passed through the assessment process, why is Gollee handling him
and not one of the regular trainers?" Damia asked, lengthening her
stride to match her husband's long-legged pace.

"We'll know soon enough They both heard the staccato rhythm of hoofbeats
on the path winding up the hill behind their home. "There they go.. ."
They caught sight of their four younger children, galloping out to hunt.
"Oh well, dinner's soon enough to give them the good news.

Afra tightened his grasp on her, pulling her closer yet, looking down at
her.

"It'll be good to have the house all to ourselves for a while," he said.

Damia caught the gleam in his eye and put her arm about his lean waist.
"Yes, it will. How convenient that Tri and Fok are hibernating. We
really will be alone again." She sighed in gratitude.

"Except for the tribes of Darbuls, slithers and Coonies that infest our
house," Afra teased her.

"This time of day they'll all be asleep. Let's hurry."

Laughing, they 'ported into their spacious.room at the top of the house.

They were grateful for that respite by dinnertime when they informed
their ecstatic daughters Morag and Kaltia that they were to go to Clarf
and assist their sister's Tower team with the vast loads still being
poured onto the planet Talavera.

"So we're going to do something more than push big daddies," Kaltia
said, her unusual yellow eyes, legacy of her Casellan father, glistening
like miniature suns.

"Huh. We'll be pushing just as much around, and Laria'll be bossing us,"
Morag replied sourly.

"Laria has never been bossy," her mother said firmly. "And if you need
bossing, you'll take it, young miss, if it comes from a Tower Prime."

"I'm going to be a Tower Prime when I'm old enough," Kaltia informed
them with the complacency of her youth.

"That remains to be seen," Afra said, for he was methody enough not to
condone bragging. Kaltia gulped, subsided and concentrated on eating.

"Kincaid never bosses," Morag said, affecting a pose, "even when he's
hunt leader." She got on well with her sister's T-2. She'd been
impressed with how well he rode and what a good shot he was. She
considered him a very comfortable person to be with. "Is Vanteer still
engineer?" Her sly attempt to wheedle information from her mother was
duly noted.

"Yes, and we'll have no gossip, Morag," Damia said firmly. "Lionasha's
Tower expediter."

"Have they'dinis?"

THEY DO, THEY DO, chorused Key, Su, Sim and Dar at once. WE'LL GO TO
CLARF. The four of them started to do cartwheels and other acrobatic
antics around the dining table.

WE'LL HIBERNATE IN CLARF ITSELF, said Dar, springing up and down with
more height than one would expect from a "Dini.

WE'LL SEE TIP AND HUF, AND NIL AND PLUS.

"You'll have to help in the yard," Morag said sternly. "No running off
to your color houses whenever you want to."

NO, NO, WORK IS FIRST. ALWAYS, Dar assured her, and then began to twirl
Sim round and round until Morag was dizzy watching them.

"So, who's this T-2 you'll have to do our work?" Kaltia asked in a
proprietary tone.

"Yoshuk's younger brother," Damia said.

"Isn't Yoshuk the T-2 with Nesrun at Sef Tower?" Kaltia asked. "Thought
so," she added when Damia nodded. She was silent a moment. "There won't
be ponies, will there?"

"No, not on Clarf, silly. No room. "Dinis there usc flying belts," said
Morag.

"And you will not," Afra said, pointing an admonitory finger at Morag,
who was more athletically inclined, and reckless, than Kaltia. "You
already drive a ground car and they've the same models there. Or you can
'port."

"That's not bad manners on Clarf?" asked Kaltia, surprised. On Deneb it
was, but then, on Deneb they had had ponies.

"You will first inform anyone in the immediate vicinity what you intend
to do," Damia said firmly. "Otherwise it's just as ill-mannered as it
would be here or on Deneb." When Kaltia made a long-suffering grimace,
her mother added, "Not that I want you out in the Clarf sun any longer
than is absolutely necessary."

"I know, I know. I must use enough sunblock. Why"-her tone turned
petulant-"did I have to get the fair skin and freckles in the family? No
one else has them."

"Grandmother says you're a throwback," Ewain said, as helpful as teenage
brothers generally are.

"And you're a ..

"That's enough," Afra said firmly, and the three subsided and resumed
eating.

"I think it's great," Petra said suddenly. "There'll just be you and me,
E, and no one to tell us which pony we can't ride."

"Yeah, but we'll have to do all the hunting."

Petra grinned. "But we won't have to hunt so much with just four of us
here ..

"Possibly five," Afra said, "unless Vagrian Beliakin chooses to live
down in the city instead of here."

"Forgot about him," Petra said, turning glum. "Do we have to have him
here? It's E's and my turn to have you," she added, looking sternly from
one parent to the other. "We've waited long enough."

"When were you ever neglected?" demanded Morag tardy.

"I said, that's enough," Afra repeated, adding a mental quietus. "Good
hunt, today? Where'd you go?"

"Laria's valley. It hasn't been hunted in just ages," Morag said. "It
has been neglected .. ." She cast a daring glance at her father. "So the
hunting was good."

Afra regarded his daughter with such a long thoughtful look for her
impudence that she turned her whole attention to her dinner plate.

She needs more work and responsibility, Damia said, though her tone was
amused by her daughter's clever wordplay.

The rest of the evening passed without incident, Damia and her daughters
making certain the guest quarters, private from the main living area,
were in order for the new arrival. Both Afra and Damia felt that a man
of twenty-four would want to live nearer the city with all its
possibilities of entertainment, though he would need to stay at Tower
House until he'd found accommodations.

"You're Vagrian Beliakin, aren't you?"

Since the words were spoken close to a tone that was almost a challenge,
Beliakin looked up at the woman who had stopped at his table. He felt
her shields resist his initial touch. She was only marginally attractive
and he was far too involved with Tarmina d'estes to need to seek
additional female companionship.

"I'm T-2 and a far sender," she said, with a twist of her lips that
bordered on mocking.

Beliakin rose and gestured for her to be seated opposite him. He had
chosen a table well away from the other Talents enjoying meals in the
spacious and restfully decorated Blundell dining room. He had had an
exhausting morning with Gollee Gren, and really did not want any
company. But she had in effect challenged him, he had to respond,
however briefly.

"Clarissia Negeva," she said, sliding awkwardly into a chair.

Nerves, Vagrian thought, and gave her one of his reassuring smiles. Her
reaction was a deep flush of blood to her face, and she averted her gaze
to some point over his left shoulder. She'd be easy, he thought.

"I lasted longer at Clarf Tower than you did," she said, composing
herself and her telltale color, clasping thin hands in front of her on
the table and leaning toward him. Now she regarded the pulsc in his
throat rather than his face.

"Did you?" He fought to stifle the burst of anger her comment roused in
him. He had been given to understand by Gollee Gren that the abortive
incident had been expunged from the record. His common sense took over.
Tarmina certainly hadn't known, nor had any other of those he had been
in contact with. All the testers had assumed he was being reassessed. He
was certain that if that abortive mission were known, he'd've been aware
of either ridicule or prurient interest. He managed to keep his
expression pleasantly puzzled as a third consideration occurred to him.
If somehow this Negeva woman had information that was not normally
available to others in Blundell Tower, she might be worth cultivating.
He intended to pay back Clarf Tower's Prime no matter how long it took.
"May I ask how you knew that I had been to Clarf? "

Her lips moved slightly, and although she did not give him a direct
look, he felt positive that she too had a bone to pick with Laria Lyon.

"I have a friend, a good friend, in the yard," she said. "He had been on
duty when you were 'ported and saw your precipitous return. He thought I
should be informed."

"Why?

Even though Vagrian had come late to his Talent, he knew from his
brother's conversations at home that Talents did not generally avoid
direct eye contact-since they could shield their true thoughts from all
but the most determined invasion. In the point of courtesy on a first
encounter, Negeva had neglected to offer him her hand ... almost an
insult between Talents. While he was not a strong'path, this close he
could read her deep enough to find some reason for her approaching him.
He ignored the fact that she'd been rattled by his smile: few women
failed to respond-generally in positive ways. He resolved to make sure
they made a tactile contact before she left his company.

She leaned even closer, lowering her voice, and now her eyes met his,
anger and a sort of implacable hatred easy to note.

"That family dominates FT&T and they have no right to do so. They make
arbitrary decisions and enforce them on us in an unjust and humiliating
manner. They are weasel lovers, every single one of them!"

"You're referring to the Gwyn-Raven-Lyon clan?' he asked, lounging back
in his seat because her breath was sour. Probably from the curdled
enmity that festered in her skinny frame.

"Who else? They have all the best Towers, all the best accommodations.
They sit in judgment on every single Talent and they don't  ... have ...
that ... right!" Her eyes had narrowed and she had had to lower her
voice as she stressed that opinion.

"Who's to oppose them?" Beliakin asked.

"They haven't enslaved all the T-Is in our worlds."

"Really?" This was news to him.

"By no means. Nor all the T-2's. Furthermore"-she gestured for him to
close the gap between them-"they ignore the clairvoyant as if they were
dirt."

"And there has been a prediction that the mighty will fall?" he asked,
feigning a hopeful anticipation.

"Of course. The higher they are, the harder they will fall. And fall
they will. Then we will assume our rightful positions in the Towers, and
annul the infamous Alliance. We have no more need of those ...
creatures! " She gave a shudder of repugnance.

"Disgusting," Beliakin said ambiguously.

"And giving worlds we Humans discovered with our advanced technology to
... them ... when we are to be given what's left over is intolerable. No
more promising colony sites can be so summarily just given away! Our
future generations will be denied their rights of expansion on worlds
that have been just handed over to ... them."

Beliakin tightened his shields against this woman's intrusion, though it
occurred to him simultaneously that she was so wrapped up in her angry
spiel that she was taking no notice of his reactions. Personally, he had
no objections to the Mrd"2', She was patently xenophobic. That species
had taken the brunt of centuries of war against the Hivers. Their long
struggle should have some rewards. As far as he knew, the one world
released to the Mrdini would have been too hot to be comfortable for
Human residence. On the other hand, he didn't like the Hivers at all,
having taken an opportunity to see the qucen imprisoned at Heinlein Moon
Base. That creature revolted him more than "Dinis could-it and the
scurrying forms that it had hatched from its mound of eggs. So the
Mrdini were welcome to Talavera. The sun would fry an egg on a rock by
midday. However, he was definitely curious about her group and wondered
just how many Talents might be involved in any effort to overthrow the
Primes. Though how that could be achieved was beyond him. On the other
hand, reporting on their dissidence might be one way to nullify the
Clarf disaster with FT&T.

"Are there many who feel as you ... and I?" he asked in a low
conspiratorial tone, as if he agreed with her opinions.

"More than you'd believe," she murmured. Then abruptly she rose. "I
shall contact you. I shall use the word expunge so that you will know it
is I contacting you and you will open your mind to me."

Not if I can help it, Beliakin thought, but he rose too, and tightly
shielding his thoughts as he'd been taught, extended his hand. She
regarded it suspiciously and he could certainly sense her hesitation
without any benefit of Talent. Her fingers gave his a glancing touch. He
gleaned very little from it, but enough to know that this Talent could
be dangerous in her hatred of the Gwyn-Raven-Lyon family. As he watched
her stalk-yes, that was the right word-out of the dining facility, he
wondered if he could effect a revenge on Laria Lyon without being
tainted by whatever devious plans Negeva and her group had in mind. That
is, if these had not already been "seen" by other, more sensitive
Talents. She was, however, a T-2, and a sender was apt to have better
shielding from any but a T-I. What a very odd creature she was. And
viciously xenophobic! Talents were supposed, by the very nature of their
abilities, to practice tolerance. Of most things ... He finished his
meal, discarded the dishes and made it to his appointment with Gollee
Gren to see what his new assignment was going to be. He wondered to
which boondock he'd now be sent after his utter failure at Clarf.
Hopefully where that wretched female couldn't reach him, no matter how
strong a sender she claimed she was. He did wonder, however, just how
many agreed with her sentiments. Generally speaking-and it was why he
was so jealous of Yoshuk-Talents enjoyed many more privileges and more
prestige than any other profession in the galaxy. Few made full use of
all such advantages. He intended to-that is, if he was any place where
he could use the perks. What he found hard to understand in Negeva was
why any disaffected person would wish to destroy ... No, she didn't wish
destruction, she wished a larger role. Beliakin knew there were factions
dissatisfied with the Alliance, with the distribution of colonizable
worlds (once Hivers had been dispossessed) and with the Mrdini in
particular. Since weasel haters generally had little if any contact with
the "Dinis, he couldn't see what upset them so much. In any event, he
still had a score to even with Laria Lyon by whatever agency came his
way, even as unattractive and virulent a one as Negeva. And he'd get
Kincaid Dano at the same time. Whistling happily at such a prospect, he
took the lift to the administrative level.

"Iota Aurigas?" Vagrian stared in disbelief at Gren.

"You'd be working with two of the top Talents in FT&T, you know," Gren
said, "and I can assure you that the contretemps at Clarf will not be
repeated. In fact, your kinetic ability is very much why you're being
posted there."

"I thought the family handled all traffic," Vagrian said, temporizing as
he assimilated the fact. Such a posting had been so far out of
possibility that he couldn't believe it. Was this a tacit apology for
Laria's treatment? Damia and Afra Raven-Lyon offering him such a post to
make amends for the vagary of their daughter? Considering its distance
from the other main solar systems, Iota Aurigas could be considered a
boondock, being a very recently developed mining world, but it was
gaining prominence and expanding as the need for its ore resources
increased. Topmost in his mind was the realization that he'd be able to
hunt there-an activity frowned on by the more sophisticated worlds as
archaic, or nonexistent as on Clarf, and one that he thoroughly enjoyed
and excelled at. Afra was almost legendary as the Rowan's T-2 partner
until he married her daughter Damia Gwyn-Raven and they took over Iota
Aurigas Tower, producing ... what was it ... eight T-I offspring? Or
were all the kids gone now? Not that it mattered. If he proved his
capabilities as a strong kinetic at their Tower, he'd achieve an
enviable reputation at FT&T. And he might also just happen to find out
how to get back at Laria. Nothing like the home ground to discover the
precise way to wound her the most. He had absolutely no reservations
about working with the Casellan T-2, but Damia was known to have
inherited the same volatile temper as her mother, the Rowan. Well, most
of the Primes he knew anything about had tempers. Came with the awesome
responsibility, he supposed. Were they aware of his calamity at Clarf?
Could there be an ulterior motive to that posting? Apart from rectifying
their daughter's unexpected rejection of him?

"The family has, until recently,handled the Tower," Gren was saying, and
Beliakin paid attention, trying to catch any shielded thought. Gren did
have unusually tight barriers, but his public mind was quite open as he
went on. "As you probably know, all the Raven-Lyon children are T-I's,
so they are assigned off-planet to broaden their experience. They're
down to the two youngest, who are not old enough to assist as fully. You
would be working with several indigenous Aurigacans who had breakthrough
stimulation similar to your owna mining accident in their case." Gren's
expression was rueful. "It's easier if one comes less abruptly to the
emergence of Talent, but we can use cyery one we can classify. Both
Damia and Afra have had experience with bringing on latent Talents."

"Yes, of course," Beliakin said, realizing some comment on his part
would be courteous.

"That also was a factor in assigning you to Iota Aurigas. A T-2 of your
kinetic strength is such a find for FT&T at this particular moment in
time"-Gren smiled in a manner that bordered on apology-"that perhaps we
might have pushed you a tad too quickly where your abilities were most
needed, with the mass of material Clarf Tower's had to process lately.
The Lyons-and rightly-are treated with great caution and respect. It
wasn't easy to find suitable Talents for Clarf"

Gren sounded sincere, Beliakin thought. Perhaps Clarissia Negeva had
simply not been up to the work on Clarf and transferred before she could
mess things up. Or the Prime hadn't liked her. That was more
understandable. Negeva was not an attractive person ... and xenophobic
too. Not a good mind-set for working on Clarf. Perhaps he should avoid
any further contact with her. Their cases were not at all similar.

"There's also good hunting on Iota Aurigas, which is, I realize from
your transcript, one of your avocations. Tower House has an excellent
stable and the hills are full of game, large and small and not so easy
to bring down, I might add." Gren's lips twitched as if he was
remembering unsuccessful experiences. "Damia has issued an invitation
for you to stay with the family if you wish-though there are new and
wellappointed apartments in the city and transport would be no problem
for you." He consulted his notepad, checking off another item. "Living
accommodation is in addition to your salary, and you have the usual
privileges of importing whenever drone space is available. It usually
is. Drones may be full enough leaving Iota Aurigas, but they're mainly
empty on the return trip. Personal effects above and beyond what will
fit in a personnel carrier will be forwarded .. ." Beliakin waved aside
that consideration, since he had little in the way of impedimenta and no
wish to import anything from a homeworld that had little to recommend it
except that he had escaped its bucolic lifestyle. "Would you be
agreeable to leaving here at twenty-two hundred hours?"

"Today? "

"Yes, if that's convenient. You'd arrive late afternoon at Aurigas and
be able to settle in before dinner." Gren regarded him and then added,
"I believe there're six big daddies-as they call the ore transports-to
be heaved to Betelgeuse tomorrow, so you'd have a chance to demonstrate
your kinetic abilities. Which, may I say, are the strongest we've ever
measured in a latecomer."

While Vagrian Beliakin knew this to be very true, he accepted that
assessment modestly. Gren flipped down dic cover of his notepad to
indkate the formal interview was over, and stood.

"I am certain that Iota Aurigas Tower will appreciate your presence and
your willingness to accept the posting on so litde advance notice."

As Beliakin reached the door, considerably relieved, Gren had a final
comment.

"You also have the best wishes of Earth Prime and his regrets that he
could not be present at this hour to wish you well."

If that was an additional apology for the humiliation Beliakin had
suffered at the whimsy of Earth Prime's granddaughter, Vagrian accepted
it in a gracious manner. He might come out of that initial disaster well
ahead in FT&T. He would certainly bend every effort to do so.

"You're just getting us out of the way before Beliakin gets here," Morag
said fiercely, although she wanted to get to Clarf as fast as her
parents seemingly wished her there.

"How old are you?" her mother asked, with a slight strain showing in her
patience.

"Well, he's supposed to be absolutely gorgeous .. ." Morag said
wistfully.

Afra laughed. "A good seven years your senior, love, and far too
practiced a-"

"Lover," Damia said blundy, "for my young and relatively inexperienced
daughter." She cocked an eyebrow at Morag, making it plain that she was
aware of Morag's experiments with young miners in the capital city.

Morag made nervous adjustments of her personal belongings under the
couch of the carrier rather than meet her mother's shrewd and knowing
eyes.

"You've been well instructed on how to handle ... such matters," Damia
went on. "Do not fail to protect both yourself and the object of your
affections."

"No, Mother," Morag said solemnly, for she vividly recalled the pain in
Damia's eyes when, in the course of handling her daughters' sex
education, she had confessed the terrible damage she had inadvertently
done her first young lover.

"No, Mother," Kaltia agreed as quietly.

"There is quite a large Human Compound on Clarf now, so I suspect that
there will be opportunities for a social life while you're there."

Damia hugged first Morag and then Kaltia, keeping an exceedingly tight
hold on how much she would miss them, despite their sibling bickering.
There had been a certain justice in Petra's remark that she and Ewain
would have more of their parents' time now. Both she and Afra intended
to spend more time with the two youngest of their brood. Indeed, Damia
was not too old  ... You may not he, lover, but I most certainly am,
Afra inserted into her mind, with such intensity that she had to keep
from laughing at his vehemence.

Then it was Afra's turn to bid his daughters farewell and he held each
for a long moment in his arms before he released them to enter the
personnel carrier. Their'dinis were chattering excitedly about actually
getting to Clarf, the Mrdini homeworld.

Xexo and Keylarion smiled and grinned as the cover locked into place.
There was no need for the practiced Talents of Iota Aurigas to return to
their Tower couches to speed the light carrier on its way. But all could
hear the generators change tone as first Damia alerted Laria at Clarf
Tower that her sisters were on their way, and then father and mother
sent the carrier on its almost instantaneous long-distance journey. Xexo
muttered something about an odd squeal from Generator B and Keylarion
said she'd best check that the big daddies would be ready to ship once
they had this strong kinetic Talent in the Tower.

"Have we time for lunch before they send Beliakin on?" Afra asked.
"Gollee said he wouldn't arrive until the girls were away," Damia said.
"Twenty-two hundred hours Earth time."

"Midafternoon here, then. We've time for lunch and a swim."

"We've enough from the last hunt?"

Afra sighed with amusement. "I'm not sure there'll be any left for this
Beliakin. Gollee says he likes to hunt.'

"Well, we certainly won't stand in the way of that, now will we? She
started back to the house.

" How long did he and Clarissia talk?" Jeff Raven asked Gren.

"Not long, but perhaps long enough."

"What was his reaction to his posting?"

Gollee chuckled, crossing his legs at the ankles and relaxing. "He was
startled because he certainly didn't expect to be at a major Tower,
especially at the one managed by the father and mother of the woman who
humiliated him so. From the first I've maintained that laria's rejection
is known only to you, me and Clarf Tower, which has not even mentioned
it. If he thinks we've told Damia and Afra, and they're in some way
expiating their daughter's rejection, all to the good ... unless of
course Damia reads it in him."

"She's t the capability," Jeff said, "but she's got to have a strong
kinetic, and both Afra and Damia know the pressures Laria's under.
Considering how Beliakin comes on to women, my hindsight is now clear
enough to realize that his brand of charisma would put Laria's hackles
up."

"True," Gollee said, grinning. "He certainly cut a swath through the
feminine complement of Blundell Tower. Tarmina allowed as how-" Gollee
grinned-"he's most unusual."

Jeff chuckled. "She'd know."

"She's offered to take on any others like him anytime you choose."

"She would." Jeff caught Gollees tilted eyebrow. "None of that, Gren. I
know she tried to get you in bed too. If I wasn't well married to Rowan,
I should have been sorely tempted."

"At least Tarmina takes refusal in good part," Gollee said, clearing his
throat. "If we could be sure Beliakin might forgive and forget, I'd rest
easier."

"I count on Damia's expertise as well as her immunity to the sort of
charisma Beliakin dispenses. You handled this well, Gollee, and I
appreciate it. However, did you perceive how susceptible he might be to
what Clarissia's group is peddling?"

Gren snorted. "Depending on his success at Iota Aurigas, plus the fact
that Clarissia was exactly the wrong female personality to make contact
with him, I doubt he'd jeopardize what could be a very useful career
with FT&T. She's her own worst enemy, that one, even if she thought she
could capitalize on Beliakin's abrupt dismissal from Clarf. Though how
she knew of that needs to be discovered."

"Damn." Jeff swung his gimbaled chair from side to side in an agitated
manner, running his hand through his thick dark hair. "It's so much more
to our advantage to catch Talents young enough so that the basic
conditioning is completed. A wild card like Beliakin could prove very
dangerous, especially in today's volatile political and economic
situations."

"Well, he's in the best place for some fine tuning, Jeff. And if he does
well there, there's any number of postings whire he'd be invaluable. I
think that's the ploy to use ... support that ego of his, nurturing it
until what the dissidents offer wouldn't tempt him."

"It's that ego of his I worry about." Jeff slapped one fist on the
desktop. "Stupid of me to assume the man would have sense enough to be
tactful. At least until he'd settled into Clarf Tower. He was so
deferential to Rowan."

"Who isn't?" Gollee said with a laugh. "And if he managed to fool her ..
." Gren let his sentence trail off. "Your children tend to find their
own mates, Jeff. And so far, they've done exceedingly well. Give your
grandkids the same leeway."

Jeff made a face. "My dynastic leanings are obvious, aren't they?"

"The Gwyn-Raven line is not the only one to produce T-Is." Gren paused.
"Just the most reliable."

All four of the senior Tower staff at Iota Aurigas were in the yard when
Vagrian Beliakin's personnel carrier was gently cradled. His ear caught
the contented purr of generators that had had little to do with his
transport. The lid was cracked and crisp cool air with a mountainy tang
to it flooded in.

That was enough right there to please him after the blast of hot air
that had greeted him on Clarf.

"Welcome to Iota Aurigas, Vagrian Beliakin," said one of the most
stunning women Beliakin had ever seen. And not just beautiful in a
classic way, but so vital that she seemed to have an almost visible aura
around her. To his surprise, she extended her hand and he found himself
responding, while all his initial impressions were reinforced by
rich/green/spice in that deft, but far too short, contact. "I'm Damia
Lyon. This is my husband, Afra."

The lean man, much, much older than Damia, smiled in warm greeting as he
extended his hand. Vagrian was still so shaken by touching the Prime
that he almost missed the strength of Afra's equally electric contact.

What a pair, Beliakin thought, as deeply as he could keep such a
startled assessment. The mother was so dramatically different from Laria
that he couldn't believe they were related, save for the distinctive
white lock all Gwyn-Raven-Lyon offspring seemed to have. Until he took a
second, longer look at Afra. Then he saw where laria had inherited her
looks.

"Let me introduce you to Keylarion, ou'r station expediter." Though the
woman-probably the same age as Damia-touched hands with him, he got very
little more than deep blue and pine.

"Xexo here is our engineer." Damia now presented the gnarled older man
who stepped forward.

"Pleased," was Xexo's comment, and his touch was oily/black/pungent.
Exactly what one would expect of an engineer.

"We've four trainees but you can meet them later, Vagrian," Damia said.
"You didn't bring much with you," she added as Xexo casually slung the
heaviest of the duffels out of the personnel carrier.

"Always travel light," Vagrian said, keeping his smile pleasant and his
manner quiet, struggling to restore his composure and a public show of
confident ease. He hauled out the other two.

"I'll just 'port them to your room," Damia said, and all three
disappeared.

"I should have done that," Vagrian said.

"I know where the room is," she said with an engaging grin. Then she
gestured toward the well-worn path to the house he could see sitting on
its height. "Bit of a walk."

"Not in this marvelous air." He breathed deeply, catching himself before
he had expanded his chest ostentatiously. "It's like a fine wine."

"One of the fringe benefits," Afra remarked as they set out.

Aware that neither Xexo r;or Keylarion were following, Beliakin looked
around.

"Xexo isn't happy with the B generator," Damia said, grinning at the
vagaries of her engineer, "and Keylarion's checking the coordinates for
tomorrow's cargo. Did anyone warn you that you'll be put to work
tomorrow and that we lift them straight from the mine yards?"

"Gollee Gren did mention big daddies," Vagrian said, "not that we lifted
them from sites."

In his mind with alarming ease came a picture of the immense drone that
he was to help shift the next day.

"Well, there'd be few cradles that size." While he responded as
surprised as he was supposed to be by the size and tonnage of a drone
full of ore, he felt no qualms at all about managing such weights. That
had been his specialty ever since he'd diverted that mud slide on
Altair. "Did I understand Gren correctly that your children have been
helping you shift those things?"

Damia chuckled. "Only when they are old enough. In a merge with Afra and
myself, we could add their strength without stressing them. I've seen
your testings, Vagrian, and I must say that I'm impressed by your solo
shifts."

"I'm not good at much else, though, in any other Talent range," he said,
with what he thought was exactly the right note of modesty.

"You wouldn't need to be," Afra said with a chuckle.

By then they had reached the steps up to the house, and Beliakin emitted
a startled cry when Darbuls, slithers and Coonies charged out of
wherever they had hidden themselvcs.

"Forgot to warn you, Vagrian,' Damia said as she 'ordered" the mass of
striped, mottled, tabbied and plain-colored creatures to clear away.
"Don't tell me Gollee forgot to warn you about the menagerie."

"He mentioned horses." Beliakin was looking all around him, not wanting
to step on someone's favorite beast ... unless one of Laria's was
identified to him.

Suddenly all of the beasts were sitting quietly, watching him; even the
slithers had coiled their supple bodies into compact circles.

"Each of our children and their'dinis have favorites, which of course
are prohibited from going with them, so we inherited the whole zoo,"
Afra said, picking up one of the Coons and stroking its creamy orange
fur. "You don't have an allergy to any of these, do you?" He gestured to
the herd.

"Oh, no, no. In fact, the only ones I recognize are the felines. I
thought they didn't like snakes." Vagrian had been able to stifle the
brief panic he'd felt surrounded by so many strange beasts.

"Slithers are not precisely reptilian," Damia said, allowing one to
twine itself about her forearm. "But they are the favored pets of our
"Dinis. If you don't care for them, just gently disengage any that try
to cling to you. They take hints quickly."

"Yes, that's good to know."

"They also stay outside," Afra said, "unless their "Dinis are here."

"I see."

"This way, Vagrian," Damia said, gesturing up the broad stone steps to
the wide sheltering porch of the house. Three Coons and two Darbuls
followed her; none of the slithers did. "Our "Dinis are currently in
their hibernatory, though you'll meet the pairs my two remaining
youngsters have. They're out hunting. I gather you enjoy the sport?"

"Yes, I do," Vagrian said.

"And you ride?" Damia gave him a measuring look. "I suspect we can mount
you adequately."

"Yes, I originate from Altair..

"Yes, you'd ride, all right," Afra remarked approvingly.

"Your room is just up these stairs," Damia said. "If you'll do the
honors, Afra, I'll get us something to snack on."

The room was certainly an improvement on his quarters in Blundell Tower,
Vagrian thought, and Damia had neatly'ported the two smaller sacks to
the wide bed and the large duffel to a luggage stand. The door to the
right was ajar and showed the usual bathroom fixtures. It was, however,
the view from the double windows of the room which got his full
attention, showing a breathtaking panoramic view of the distant city and
the shore it bordered.

"Never seen anything like it," Vagrian said quite truthfully, going to
the nearest window and opening it. He took another deep breath of the
exhilarating air. "Blundell never smelled this good."

Afra smiled. "I'll leave you to get settled in." Well? Damia asked
pointedly when Afra joined her in the kitchen. Interesting personality.

Dangerous personality with all that masculine charm. Damia gave a
shudder. I had this auful sensation that he was Sodan come hack to haunt
me.

Did you? Afra looked surprised.

Damia flushed. Well, he has a si'mi'lar dynamic charisma and you can't
deny he@ decidedly attractive.

Not at all my type.

It's not a laughing matter, Afra. Young Naja Numto@just the age to he
howled over and readyfor an infatuation.

He'll be an equal shock to our three Aurigaean lads, Afra said with a
teasing glance. He@ not a threat we can warn them about.

He@ so much on his best behavi'orl Damia said thoughtfully. Maybe it'll
last. I can't imagine why Father thought he'd do for us. When Laria  ...
Damia paused and turned wide eyes on Afra, who grinned knowingly back at
her. He did? And she sent him packing? Myfather sometimes exhibits very
poorjudgmentfor a Ptime. Did Mother know?

Ifshe did, she was perhaps too hopeful and not as astute in her reading
of VWIAN k character as I uould have thought.

Damia regarded her husband with a measure of dismay. He is absolutely
the urong sortfor Laria, especially after all shek been through with the
wayward Vanteer. How could Father have been so stupid?

Don't think he was stupid, mdear I think he was so glad he'dfound a shmg
T-2 kinetic to ease the load at Clarfthat he sent the man ahead with out
preparing Laria at all. Afra poured cold Aurigacan wine for them both.
Damia absently accepted the glass and took a slow sip of the dry
vintage. rd venture to say Vagrian blew it. Probably took the troubk to
charm Lionasha, ignored Vanteer and then made afool of himse#'trying to
t . mpress Laria. He's onlyjust discovered his Talent, and you know how
witkss that can make someone.

It hasn't made Numto, Clunen or De .ferson witless.

They're younger by a few years, whereas rd be very surprised if Yoshuk's
big younger brother hasn't been having his way udth any girl he chose on
Altair. If-and we can always conftrtn this with Gollce, Afra went on,
holding up one hand, Vagrian made a balls ofmeeting Laria, and they've
sent him to us to ... ah ... adjust  ... 0 .feourse they have. Damia
scowled into her wineglass.

Then let's see how well he per o .f rms and what we can do. Neither
yourfatheir nor Gollee uould have sent him here unkss he has real
ability that they wish to channel and save.

Damia was too accustomed to Afra's sense of justice and common sense to
ignore his comments.

Small wonder he wanted Morag and Kaltia away be ore Vagrian ar7,ived,
she murmured. Can you imagine the impact he'dve had on Morag?

With no trouble at all, Afra said with a chuckle. He's descending. "I
thought we still had some of that Brie-type cheese left, or did Morag
eat the last of it?"

"I've pitd and the local soft cheese," Damia was saying, having swiftly
'ported crackers and spreads from the larder and cold store, while Afra
opened a second bottle of white wine to add to the one they had nearly
finished, as well as other liquors.

"What's your preference, Vagrian? " Afra asked. "There are two local
lagers that are quite palatable and something the miners drink that they
call 'bitters.' "

"Isn't that an Altairian white?" Vagrian asked, pointing to the wine.

"Indeed it is," Damia said, smiling approval. "One of our perks as Tower
staff. You can order anything in when we've empty drones returning. And
we have them in fleets," she added in a weary tone.

"Let's go into the lounge. Sunset's rather unusual here on Iota," Afra
said, the indulgent host, and carried the drinks tray while Damia and
Vagrian followed.

They were still on broad conversational topics when Petra and Ewain
arrived, their Darbuls and Coons at their heels. Sim, Dar, Key and Su
followed, each with just one slither.

Thank you, dears, Damia said, nodding and smiling before she introduced
her youngest aloud to their house guest. He'll need time to hecome
accustomed to the slithers, I think. Reptiles on Altair are too
dangerous to be consideredpets.

When they wished to, Petra and Ewain could be the epitome of wellbehaved
children. Attuned to parental attitudes, they assumed that pose and
passed snacks, then politely urged Vagrian to try some that they
preferred. His inquiry about what they hunted on Iota met with such
explanations and eagerness for him to join them that Damia was able to
go out to the kitchen with the "Dinis to finish dinner preparations.

The hunting topic was pursued during dinner because Vagrianwith every
appearance of good nature-was quite happy to compare his forays as a
young hunter on Altair with the experiences of Petra and Ewain.
Listening with an acute ear for any false tone, Damia had to concede
that Vagrian was not exaggerating his prowess. Both she and Afts knew
that some of the game he had pursued on Altair was a good deal larger
and more dangerous than anything on the coasts or mountains of Iota
Aurigas.

"We've nothing like ballbites and heartards here on Iota," she said at
one point.

"Frankly, it's never been the size of permissible prey that's attracted
me, Damia," Vagrian replied with perfect sincerity, "but the skill the
hunting requires. If you do hunt here for the table, I'd be very happy
to take part, if you'll tell me what is and is not permitted."

"What's your weapon of choice?" Petra demanded, her eyes keen, mouth
half open awaiting his answer. Damia was relieved that Petra was still a
trifle too young to be seriously affected by Vagrian's good looks. After
all, her older brothers were just as attractive.

But, Afra put in wryly, merely brothers.

"What's available?" asked Vagrian with a shrug.

"Just about anything," Afra said, "from slingshot-"

"Slingshot? You can bring down prey with that?" Vagrian's surprise was
not feigned.

"Sure," Ewain said nonchalantly. "Get most of the avians that way. Head
shots that don't bruise the edible parts."

"Bow and arrow?" Vagrian asked now.

"Yup, and spear now and then against the bigger scurriers," Petra said,
and then grimaced, "though that's kinda overkill. I mostly stick to my
twenty-two."

"Head shots?" Vagrian asked.

"If I don't have a clear view of the eye."

"Will I be safe out hunting with this pair?" Vagrian asked their
parents.

"We haven't eaten a guest yet," Ewain answered, giggling.

After dinner, Petra, who was in charge of evening stables, asked if
Vagrian wanted to come along.

"We've turned most of the ponies out," Petra explained.

"And you've a favorite mount?" Vagrian asked.

"Yes, I'm allowed to ride Saki now. She was Laria's special mount, but
she's such a brilliant ride we've all used her until our legs get too
long." She spared a glance at Vagrian's legs. "You're much too tall
already."

"Which is Saki? " Vagrian asked as they entered the stable.

"Here she is," Petra said, and turned to the first box on the right.
"Isn't she beautiful?" She held her hand out flat and Vagrian had a
brief glimpse of a tidbit that quickly disappeared into the mare's eager
mouth. When Vagrian stepped closer, the mare backed up, ears flat.

Once more unexpectedly startled, Vagrian wondered if the animals in this
unusual household were also telepathic. The diverse herd that had
startled him in front of the house had immediately withdrawn and sat in
patient order until released. And now this mare seemed to sense his
keen, and inimical, interest in her.

"She'll behave better when she sees you more often," Petra said airily.
Then she tugged at Vagrian's sleeve. "The horses are farther down and
I'd say China will be up to your weight. She's very sure-footed, which
you need in our hills, and quite onward bound."

Seeing a bucket of horse pellets, Vagrian took a handful, determined to
make a positive impression on this mare. The dappled gray accepted his
offering quite willingly and allowed him to stroke her neck and scratch
her ears. When Petra clicked twice, China stepped back and he got a good
look at her.

"Good bone and strong hindquarters," Vagrian said appreciatively, and
when Petra gave him an approving glance, left his assessment at that. He
was going to have to be very careful in this household, even in its
stables. He must certainly remember that all of the Lyons were T- I's.
He wondered if such ratings extended to the animals. He would try to
make friends with at least one of the Coon cats. They were an expensive
import on Altair, so he had little direct experience with the breed.
Canines were another matter, since he'd used dogs in hunts. He wondered
how close to canines the Darbuls were.

"So what are our duties now?" he asked Petra.

"Oh, we just check to be sare their water bowls haven't clogged, and
clear out droppings. We didn't hunt today, so we don't have to check for
prods or scratches. We have to be careful about them here on Iota. Lots
of odd stuff even the horses born here can't handle. There's the medical
kit." She pointed to the green box on the wall. "Everything's marked in
case you need to use something and no one's here to help. Though we
always hunt in pairs at least."

"Wise," he said. "So let's clean the boxes."

Petra went to an elongated object held by brackets to the wall at the
entrance, and she pointed to a similar affair on the other side. "Xexo
did ,em and these vacuum brooms save so much trouble. Try to lift only
the droppings. Too many shavings mean you gotta empty more often."

Vagrian had not seen such a handy device before, since Altair tended to
use old-fashioned methods on its farms. However, following Petra's
advice, they had cleaned up the droppings in a fraction of the time such
a task usually took. Then she showed him where to empty the now filled
containers: a large tank.

"It processes the manure for use in agriculture," she said, deftly
handling the transfer. Having watched closely, Vagrian repeated the
process. "Hey, you're good," she declared approvingly. "Do it wrong and
it's all over you."

"I'm doing my best to make a good first impression," Vagrian said.

"Oh, you're doing all right," she said, so airily that Vagrian once more
tightened his guard. "Oh, don't be so silly. Nobody here imposes even if
we are T- I's. It's such bad manners. Just keep on my mother's good
side," she added in a whisper. "That should be easy for you." And with
that cryptic remark, she motioned for him to replace the gadget on the
wall.

Although the minor job he had just completed with Petra had required
very little effort, he felt tired as he climbed the steps back up to the
house.

"You look all in," the girl said, cocking her head up to him as he held
the door open for her. She frowned. "If you got here late afternoon,
it'd've been twenty-two hundred hours at Blundell. You'd better get to
bed. Tomorrow you'll be initiated into transporting big daddies, and
they're something else again."

Damia appeared in the hall. "I apologize for forgetting the time
difference, Vagr'an. And all of us handle the big daddies first thing
when we 're well rested. Sleep well."

Though the dismissal was kindly meant and Vagrian could not deny that he
was tired, he wasn't too pleased to be sent to bed like an adolescent
who wouldn't admit to fatigue.

The next morning after an excellent breakfast, he joined Damia and Afra
in Iota Aurigae's Tower. If the views from the house had been splendid,
the positioning of the Tower in a gap of the mountains gave breathtaking
panoramas of the foothills, which culminated in an immense range of
snowcapped crests and endless ridges.

As they entered the facility, Keylarion, at her workstation, gave them a
good morning and turned back to the screens showing the big daddies they
would shortly send on their way. The throb of generators pulsed through
the floor of the building as Vagrian followed Damia and Afra up the
stairs to where three couches were centered, wall-mounted screens
mirroring those at Keylarion's desk. Several smaller couches had been
pushed back against the outer wall. The one on the left that Damia
pointed out to him was brand-new while the ones onto which the Prime and
Afra settled showed years of use and frequent repairs.

Vagrian was not the least nervous once he settled onto the couch, which
fit him as if it had been custom-made for his tall, wide frame.

"What's first, Keylarion?" Damia asked. One of the screens brightened.
"Maltese Cross, huh?" She turned to her left, to Vagrian. "You have been
trained in merge techniques, haven't you?"

"Of course," he said, and tightened his inner shields.

"Let Afra take you into the merge. And relax!"

He felt the gentle push of Afra's mind against his and did manage not to
resist. He was still unsure of merging despite the practice sessions at
Blundell. But this was almost effortless and he could relax. And he did,
then felt the incredible strength of Damia joining and picking up the
existing merge. Afra increased and drew him to a higher level. An
unexpected excitement began deep inside him to respond to the draw on
his Talent.

Easy, Vagrian, Damia said. Nowfollow my lead to our target. We'll need
your heft ... DAVID, coming your way ... at top speedl NOW!

As if he were part of the drone they were manipulating, Vagrian felt its
dead weight, felt the merge lifting it with incredible ease and then
shifting it until he, within the merge, felt the contact of another
merge, taking the drone the rest of the way to Betelgeuse.

He was aware then of the generators, dropping from the height at which
they had assisted the gestalt of mind and direction.

Well done, Vagrian, Damia said, grinning at him. Keep in mind we've f#Ve
more of these brutes to shove. Allow me to draw the heft as I need it.
Don? anticipate. It'll take even you a little time tofeel the needs ofa
merge.

The second screen brightened with the second target. "Trefoil Mine, this
time, and then back to Maltese Cross."

Afra was still in merge with him, and Vagrian had to appreciate the
experienced delicacy of the other T-2's touch. But then, the man had
decades of practice, first with the Rowan at Callisto Station and then
twenty-six or more years with his wife. No matter, the Capellan's
deftness was remarkable and most certainly did not give Vagrian any
sense of violation or intrusion. He had thought that most merges
occurred with the focus mind initiating the process, then including the
others involved. Damia k strong evenfor a Prime, was Afra's discreet
remark. Especially working with our children, I could lead them i'nto
merge.

Ready? Damia asked.

Ready. When you are, said another male voice that must be David of
Betelgeuse. Who've you got throwing today? Certainly not Petra and
Ewain.

Vagrian Beliakin, Damia said. Are you ready, David?

Quitel This time Vagrian was ready for the sensation and the weight, and
remembering not to anticipate, he found this thrust was indeed easier.
By the sixth and final 'portation, Vagrian knew he had worked hard.

There was sweat on his forehead from the mental and physical effort.

He was somewhat reassured to notice that Afra was mopping his fore head
and there was a glow of perspiration on Damia's composed and beautiful
face.

Keylarion came up the steps with a tray of tall drinks, handing one to
each of them. She grinned at Vagrian.

"I see you survived to tell the tale," she said with a grin. "Didn't
even have the generators at max either. Xexo's going to love having you
here."

He was debating a retort, when Keylarion turned to Damia. "Some incoming
scheduled in half an hour. Okay?"

"You bet," Damia said, tipping her glass at Vagrian. "We could damn well
push to the Magellanic Cloud with this one assisting."

"All in a day's work," he said, taking refuge in a trite reply because
he hadn't expected such approval. After all, she had had to tell him to
exercise restraint. And she was Laria's mother? Would he have made such
a balls of it at Clarf if Damia had been the Tower Prime?

"Work's not over yet," she said teasingly, and took a long drink.

He did too, knowing that the stimulant would restore the energy those
heists had taken, even if he didn't feel them ... yet.

He concluded his first day's work at Iota Aurigas Tower well pleased
with himself and this assignment. This was a real challenge for any
Talent, and for the first time since he discovered he had Talent, he
felt he had used his mental muscles. It was also the first time he had
not had a nightmarish flash of that mud slide. He was glad that little
reminder was receding. He'd been one of the senior wardens of a large
game preserve on Altair, accompanying a big group of hunters, and he had
managed to include in their number his current female companion.
Alcibaca had claimed an enthusiastic interest in hunting-feigned, he
suspected, in an effort to capture his attention. For once, his
suspicions were false. She'd kept up with him and the others he had
escorted on a regular basis. Without a murmur of complaint, she'd done
her share of camping chores and had bagged three of the largest
heartards, skinned and dressed down the meat properly.

They were on the fourth day of the week, and its third rainy one, when
he led them, carefully, up a steep slope to a narrow valley he knew was
the home of a large enough "bear" clan which needed to be culled. He had
his charges spread out across the slope, since he was well aware of the
dangers of mud slides in these hills. What with keeping an appreciative
eye on the rear view Alcibaca presented and the other on the weakest
hunters of his group, he did not see three of them closing up, ahead of
him. Nor did he see the avian that one of them, who ought to have known
better, fired at. The sharp crack was all that was needed to set the
treacherous ground moving.

The three men had time to leap to the far side, clinging to the nearest
saplings and bushes, but the slide, once it started, picked up momentum
in an awesome, inexorable cataract of moving mud, heading right at the
rest of the hunting party. Horrified, Vagrian kept his wits, saw that
there was one chance to protect himself and his group. The slide was
heading toward a granite outcropping. If there was only a way topush the
slide to the opposite side of that, instead of over it, the mud would
head harmlessly into the valley below. With every ounce of body
language, he valiantly pushed the bulging, rippling head of the slide,
and when it actually did pass on the far side of the rock, he fell to
his knees, gripping his head against the most appalling, blinding
headache he'd ever experienced.

Alcibaca and one of the executives had the good sense to call in their
position and airlift the hunting party out-all of them. The one who had
fired without checking with him was served with a lifetime ban at that
preserve. Vagrian had been interviewed by a T-4 and the outcome was
sufficient to alter the course of his life. His one regret for the
precipitous way in which he was 'ported to Blundell for further
assessment was that he hadn't been able to persuade Alcibaca to
accompany him. She had expressed gratitude to him for saving her life in
a time-honored fashion and she was his sole regret in leaving Altair for
Earth.

Laria's delight in having her sisters come was sufficient for her to be
the one to open their personnel carrier in the dawn cool of Clarf. She
hugged them both, introduced them and their "Din to those doing the yard
duty.

All of a sudden, Moraly pulled out of her sister's embrace and, her jaw
working in astonishment, pointed skyward. "What's sparkling up there? Or
is it my imagination?" She squinted toward the distant but visible
shining point. "Or do you have a morning star I didn't know about?

"Oh, that," Laria said dismis without bothering to look up. "That's a
Hiver sphere!"

Kaltia's eyes widened with some apprehension as she too peered at the
sparkling spot.

"It's empty, though occasionally Mrdinis go up to prowl around for the
fun of it," Laria said. "That's the one Captain Klml brought back as a
trophy for its color. Then every other "Dini world had to hijack one to
maintain the honor of their colors."

Morag, eyes still on the sphere hanging like a malignant metal moon in
the morning sky, shook her head. "Thing still looks dangerous."

Then she wiped the beads of perspiration that the relative cool of very
early morning oozed out of her pores.

"Wouldn't think that would have bothered you, Morag," Laria said,
somewhat concerned.

"It's not the sphere that made me break out in sweat. It's what you call
climate here."

"Why, it's cool right now," Laria replied.

"You call this cool?" Morag demanded.

"All is relative," Laria said, grinning. "You'll gradually get
acclimated and I don't expect you'll want to go out much at first, but
the Tower's set to Iota temperatures. Don't worry about the duffels. The
"Dinis'll bring them in."

Laria paused only long enough to 'port the personnel carrier into the
storage shed, where its interior wouldn't heat up when the full sun
appeared. Then she turned both girls, who were still staring up at the
sphere, firmly toward the Tower as eight "Dinis argued over who was to
carry which duffel.

EACH OF YOU GRAB ONE END. THEN CART THEM TO ROOMS THREE AND FOUR, WILL
YOU PLEASE? Laria told them so she could introduce her sisters to her
Tower crew.

"You know Kincaid, of course," she said, "Lionasha here is our expediter
and Vanteer our engineer. And that's all of us, bar the "Dinis. We've
got four off in hibernation-mine and Kincaid's-but they're about due to
come home."

Lionasha hugged both girls, Van treated them to a bow and a kiss on
their hands, grinning mischievously when Morag gave him a mock scowl and
Kaltia pretended to swoon at such courtesy. Standing slightly to one
side of the others, Kincaid appeared uncertain as to what form his
greeting should take, but Morag dragged him down by the shoulder and
kissed his cheek, laughing at his startled expression.

"Missed you hunting with us, Kincaid," she said, winking at him.

Kaltia, less the hoyden, extended her hand, and when he took it, folded
her other hand over for a closer contact. She grinned up at him.

"My sister hasn't worked you to death then..

"Not yet," Kincaid replied with a mock grimace. "But your presence will
make my demise much less likely. I couldn't believe it when Laria said
your mother had relented."

"I thought it was Grandfather's idea," Morag said, looking from Kincaid
to Laria.

"His idea, but Mother had to agree to parting with you," Laria said,
linking an arm about their shoulders and hugging them into her. "Oh, but
it's good to have family here. Now, are you hungry or do you want to
settle in? You may, once you've got accustomed to Clarf, wish to take an
apartment together in the Human Compound because there's a lot more
going on there than here. I've asked for another ground car since I
know" she cocked a finger at Morag-"that Dad passed you for driving
years before he let me solo."

"Had to," Morag said with a grin.

"We can settle in later. We came here to work," Kaltia said, rubbing her
hands together with a roll of her eyes.

"You will," Lionasha said, gesturing to the load of disks. "We've some
heavy drone freighters to go .. ."

"Ah, piffle," said Morag, with a toss of her heavy dark hair, the
silvered lock that was the family's trademark falling neady down the
center of her tresses. "We've done big-daddy ore drones until it's
second nature."

"Why else do you think you're here?" Vanteer remarked dryly, but he was
grinning at the ebullience of the sisters, which had lightened the
semigloom that had emanated from Laria since she'd 'ported the unwanted
T-2 back to Blundell. Surprised as he had been at Laria's precipitous
removal of Yoshuk's brother, he had been intensely grateful. Vanteer had
just a touch of prescience in his Talent, and warning ripples had gone
down his spine the moment the man entered the Tower. Morag and Kaltia,
by their very presence, eagerness to work and delight in being able to
help their sister, had dispelled the last of that unpleasantness. He
knew that Kincaid had visited the Lyon home on Iota Aurigas, and both
girls were obviously glad to renew the acquaintance. The nebulous
worries that he recently sensed in the Tower dissipated in the giggles
of two more Lyons. "Is there anyone left at home?" he added.

"Sure, Ewain and Petra," Kaltia said, and dismissed them with a wave.
"But they're still too young, so Grandfather sent in a strong kinetic
T-2 to help Mother and Dad."

"Really? " Kincaid said, to break a stunned silence, since all the
adults in the Tower had a good idea just who that T-2 could be.

"We had to leave but he's supposed to have more than enough heft for the
big daddies. And Mom and Dad will break him in properly."

"Yes," Laria said, an odd look on her face, "I'm sure that they will."

Lionasha suddenly started sorting disks, Vanteer retreated to the
generators, and if Morag caught some undercurrent, Laria quickly urged
them to follow her to their quarters.

"We won't really have much time before the Tower's busy, but as near as
I can remember, you'd've left home at about nine-thirty? "

"On the nose, sis, or do we have to call you Prime?" Kaltia said.

"Have you ever called Mother Prime?" Laria retorted, chuckling.

"Only Grandmother," Morag said pertly.

"Oh, but I am glad to have you here!" Laria repeated.

"And we're glad to be allowed out," Morag said, "but that sun is
incredible! "

They all heard the unmistakable sound of generators turning over and
speeding up.

"I don't think you'll have more than time to look into your rooms,"
Laria said, sliding open a door on one side of the hall and pointing to
the one just opposite it. "See which one your duffels are in, wash your
faces or whatever, but come on back to Tower. Today'll be so easy."

And it was, despite six hefty drones loaded with machinery and spare
parts, two large passenger vehicles and the usual incoming shower of
message tubes. That caused Morag the most astonishment.

"It's raining tubes out there," she cried, watching the canisters
falling into and all around the cradle.

"We could use something else," Kaltia said. "Like a big round bin.
They're too short to land in a cradle and too many to stack neady."

Bins are a great idea, Lionasha said. Why couldn't we think of that?

Because we've been too busy catching, Laria said with a note of
exasperation.

New brooms sweep clean, Kincaid said, grinning at the girls.

Or a ramp to slide them into a big enough enclosure so it doesn't matter
howmany come in atonce, Morag suggested, projecting the image of such a
device.

Roll 'em in line like bowls in an alky, Vanteer said. Good notion. Lzt's
get the "Dinis on it. They'll know where to get the stuff we'd need.

And we thought the mining companies got lots of messagest Morag
exclaimed, remaining in the Mind Merge but at the same time 'porting
loose message tubes into an orderly pile. How Iffig's this been going
on?

Since Talavcra, Laria said. We've one more crate ... Easy does it! It's
.fragile.

The crate, the machinery inside it visible through the slats of its
carrier, landed without so much as a bump.

Whatk the waybill on that, Lio? Kincaid asked.

A return to the FCR Works at Fl. Malfunction. Needs recalibration.

Well, let's put it in the shed, out of the way, then, until FCR tells us
it's ready to receive it, Laria said. They'll have to rescheduk to take
on repair uork.

"That's the lot for the morning," Lionasha said. "Be right up."

Morag stretched, arms above her head, toes pointing out, and Kaltia
turned on her side and assumed a brief fetal position-each relaxing in a
different fashion. Kincaid looked casually over at Laria. As defily as
he could as the next in line to Laria in the Mind Merge, he'd drawn more
heavily on the vibrant young strength of the girls, knowing they'd have
enough experience to ease some of the burden that fell to the Prime.

She turned her head slowly toward him and cocked her finger at him,
letting him know that she was well aware of what he'd been doing.

She was not, apparently, going to reprimand him.

"That was good work, kids," she said as she heard Lionasha coming up the
steps with the restorative beverages.

Kaltia took a long swallow, her eyes widening with pleasure at the
taste. "Hey, where does this come from?"

"The ever tropical planet of Clarf," Laria said. "There are some ad
vantages to it and this is one of the nicest ways to drink replacement
elec trolytes. Of course, the "Dinis prefer lemonade, but they're not
shifting tons about."

"Do they grow citrus fruits on Clarf now? " Morag asked, licking her
lips to be sure she'd got all the liquid.

"A varietal grows here but it's Earth lemonade they adore," Laria said.
"Now, we all take a siesta at this time of day, especially newcom ers.

"Why? We haven't been outside or anything," Morag said.

"I'm conserving your energies for the afternoon session, which can be
heavier," Laria said, swinging her legs to the side of her couch before
she finished her drink. "Besides, you should get settled into your
rooms.

Sliding from their couches, the girls went down the steps, where Morag
halted, eyes widening at the stacks on Lionasha's desk.

"Hey, I can help with that. I used to do it on Iota and you've far too
many. May I?" she said, already finding a chair to draw up to the lit
tered desk.

"I really would appreciate the help. It's all those tulles!" The word
came out with an emphasis short of resignation.

"Vanteer? Do you think we could rig some sort of a ramp to channel the
tubes into stacks?" Kaltia said, stepping down into engineering as he
began to drop generator power to idle.

He handed her a stylus and a pad. "Go to it, gal."

"That's what this Tower has needed,' Kincaid remarked, offering a hand
to Laria. "Young eager blood l A transfusion for us weary weight
lifters."

"I've these sorted, Lio," Morag was saying. "Now how do I contact the
recipients?"

"That"-Lionasha took the pile from Morag-"is where our'dinis assist.
Here's another set. Fraggit, but I'm glad you read "Dini that fast. I
still have to puzzle. Fig, Sil, Nim and Dig .. ." She beckoned the'dinis
over. "As soon as you've got these done, you can show Key, Su, Dar and
Sim how we arrange them for collection. Then you may take the girls'
"Dinis out for a look round."

GOOD, GOOD. WE DO FAST. Fig, who was organizing things in the absence of
Tip and Nil, handed out the sorted files. The experienced "Dinis picked
up corn units from the rack, and as they dialed the appropriate numbers,
explained to the newcomers how distribution was handled. Fig was as good
as its boast, and within half the time it usually took, thanks to
Morag's deft help with Lionasha, the "Dinis went out of the Tower to
rack the message tubes where they could be collected.

WE'RE DONE, WE'RE DONE. WE GO. BACK LATER, Sil announced, opening the
door just wide enough to lean its head inside and deliver the message.

"Wow," exclaimed Lionasha, looking with deep relief at the clear
workspace. "No wonder Lyons are the Primes of choice," she added,
grinning at Morag.

"Well, we're still learning, you know," Morag said, with such modesty
that Laria, overhearing, laughed. "Honest, sis. There's a lot more in
such a busy Tower as Clarf than there ever was at home, for all the big
daddies we had to heave."

"What do you think about a setup like this, Laria?" Vanteer asked,
showing both the Prime and Kincaid the sketch pad. "This'd be easier to
construct.. ." The stylus tapped the third drawing. "But this might be
more efficient. And dead easy to put up. Could have one done by morning,
I think. I know Lvir can get us the materials and have them here by
dark. Might even get it to g've us the benefit of its expertise.

Levis done some bits and pieces for us before now."

"Then you'll keep us?" Morag asked, eyes round and mocking.

"You just bet we will!" Laria and Lionasha chorused, and they all burst
out laughing.

Your reportandthe materials collectedon thesurfacearestillbeinganalyzed,
Jeff told Thian on the Washington. His mental chuckle echoed in his
grandson's mind. I am relishly led to helieve hy no less a personage
tha" High Councillor Gktmglnt that the planet you've so adroitly
investigated is completely atypical of the Hiver colonies and has
confounded all the Mrdini experts. Ours as well, despite thefact that we
may not have had as much experience with the species as the "Din 'll.

What@ the gist, Grandfather? The xenhees here will want details.

When such arefortnulated, a copious report tvill he sent. Right now con
fusion reigns. One: Your Hivers do not appear to have sent out any
spheres, since you say there has been little use of the available ore
deposits and the sphere they used to arrive there is deteriorating. Two:
The queens are a third smaller than our specimen at Heinlein Base.
Three: Eighty installations on a planet that size are unusuallyfew,
since Xh -33 had ten times that many and, tojudge by the age of their
oldest sphere-fragments have been analyzed-Xh -33 is a much younger
settlement. Four. The inactive tvorkers you found i'n the stable,
holding place, whatever, are also much smaller than usual Five:
According to Mrdinis, Hivers always send off excess queens.

If there are no excess queens?

Aye, there's the rub, Thian. There should be and there aren I. Yet that
colony is byfar the oldest, judging by the analysis of the
spherefragments it should have sent off colonies in keeping with the
currently understood Hiverpatterns.

So, what do you wish us to do now?

Check yourfindings by infiltrating at least ten of the other queen Hives
and get more GC readings. The pheromones you gotfrom the one queen @

quarters are not at all what enonatesfun the Heinlein queen. Get us more
soil samplesftom as many cultivatedfields as possible near existing
Hivesfor cross-checking. And as a treat, snag us samples of the various
worker types. If, as you've discovered, they're domwnt or resting or
whatever it is that keeps thepn immobile until needed, that shouldn't be
difficult or expose a team to queenly renibution. It uou4d, however, be
very interesting if the queens did respond in somefashion to ... ah ...
losing some of their uwking types.

Thian couldn't help but chuckle at his grandfather's droll tone.

"Let us in on the joke, will you, Thian?" Admiral Ashiant asked dryly.

When Thian recited exactly what his grandfather had reported, Ashiant
guffawed. "Well, frankly, I don't see that we'd have any trouble
absconding with a few specimens."

The experts want several of each from different installations, Jeff
Raven said, having been able to hear the Admiral's response through the
link with his grandson.

"Don't want much, do they?" Ashiant said with a sniff. "I suppose the
experts'll want some of the queens'attendants too, for comparison's
sake."

Yes indeed. But not if it puts teams at risk.

"I shouldn't indulge myself with whimsical remarks in your presence,"
Ashiant said.

Who's to know tvhat risk is involved until we try it, Grandfather? Thian
also vocalized that query. We will neutralize the smell ofus, though,
since odor does seem to get through their chitinous skulls.

the Admiral that' a splendid idea, to get queens' attendants too, inform
s was Earth Prime's response. And might prove a salientfactor in
figuring outthis atypical situation. Thian obeyed.

"Humph," said Ashiant, looking pleased. "It is an oddity, to be sure,
but how that can help us reduce the threat of Hivers in general is
beyond me. We'll still need to identify any, and every, planet they
occupy and somehow render them unable to colonize."

Inform the Admiral that I could wish his vieu, was more widely held.
Again Thian relayed the message.

"Are the militant still asking for species annihilation?" Ashiant asked,
his bushy eyebrows raised in dismay.

With growingfervor. The High Council remains unanimously infavor ofsome
solution that does not. The militant annihilationists refuse to
hepaci'fted hy planetary containment and insist that the queens would
only find some other way to "terrorize occupied space." Odd that you,
Admiral, are more of a pacifut.

"As Admiral of the first Star League' Fleet that managed to destroy an
enemy without sustaining casualties of our own," Ashiant replied when
Thian conveyed that information, "I would prefer to keep that record.
Going up against aplanet of belligerent Hiver armies might ruin such a
worthy aspiration."

"If you'll pardon my intrusion, Admiral," Thian said, speaking for
himself. "They didn't even know we were in the queen's inner Hive. How
would they recognize a punitive force if they refuse to 'see' us when we
are patently present? The only objects they appear to recognize as a
threat are other spaceships. Even one of their own spheres, as Xh-33
proved to us."

"Ah, but an attack launched on their installations would surely result
in some reaction," Ashiant said. "You identified a great quantity as
well as variety of creatures in the underground Hives."

"None of them armed with anything but farm tools and a lot of limbs,"
Thian said.

History isfull of examples of very poorly armed insurgents managing in
credible victories over much stronger, hatter armedfoes, Jeff said.
However, we do have the advantage ofheing ahle to 'port specimens into a
secure container, especially if you can replicate the environments of
their Hive accommodations to prevent their being aware they've been
moved.

It's the sting-pzzt we'd have to endure that bothers me, Grandfather,
Thian said, and gave a shudder at the thought of proximity to such a
concentration of that uncomfortable Hiver emanation, despite the I The
Nine Star League of the original yarns had increased its membership and
is now referred to as Star League.

muffling the body armor provided. Eighteen Hives to visit? That first
one had been enough.

Only need to handle them lmg enough to get them in a personnel carrier
to 'port 'em back.

Where?

Offhand, rd say Heinkin Base. There are otherfacilities within that
base, well separatedfun where the queen is. Ofcourse, if you can acquire
enough, rm certain there are enough eager xenbees elsewhere in the Star
League desperate to check their theories about the creatures.

Thank you, Grandfather, for this interesting and chalknging assignment.

Cheel(y boy, was the retort, but Thian sensed only Jeff Raven's
amusement in his use of the Rowan's favorite epithet.

As Thian suspected, far too many scientists back on Star League worlds
and Mrdini home planets were eager to examine live specimens of the
different Hiver workers.

Will I be expected tofill that order lut, Grandfather? Itd practically
depopulate the planes.

Certain Iy not, Jeff replied. Both Gkttnglnt and Admiral Mekturian
reaffarmed the original orders. There may be other Hiver planets where
more specimens can be gleaned ... that is, if the militants calm doum.
Heinlein Base is out and another, less obvious destination is being
considered. rd limit those who know about this operation.

Even on the Washington? Thian was surprised.

Especially on the Washington. We have reason to believe that the
militants managed to get a few aboard despite our precautions.

When Thian discussed his orders with Clancy, Gravy and Commander Kloo,
Semirame immediately confirmed Earth Prime's suspicions.

"How did that happen? I thought security checked everyone on board."

"There's been some scuttlebutt," Rame said with a shrug. "Sleepers or
those who were halfway in agreement anyhow."

"After all we did?" Thian found himself appalled at such intransi gence.
He'd achieved far more than his original brief by removing eight spheres
with no Fleet casualties. Semirame gave him a sympathetic smile. "You
remember the reac bo tion we had at Pho s Base when we wanted to import
the queen to show us how to start up a sphere? Well, Commander Baldwin
may be an asshole, but he's heading a long line of 'em. Then, too, Day
heard some scuttlebutt she wasn't too happy with. Couldn't identify the
speakers 'cause she was in the mess hall. About why didn't we just use
one of the little bombs in every installation and end the problem
forever, and wasn't that why the Washington was out here?"

"I think I'll check everyone we do decide to use on this mission) Thian
said.

Clancy gave him a hard stare. Probing without the permission of the
individual was one of the most stringent Talent prohibitions.

"Not when it's for security purposes, Clancy. Even the Admiral would
agree on those grounds," Kloo said, siding with Thian. "Especially if
the High Council finds this planet atypical. Looks pretty typical to
me," she added with a grin.

So, disliking the necessity, Thian did a quick probe of those on the
list of possible team members that Kloo submitted. He deleted nine
names, two of which Gravy had already had doubts about. One that he was
happy to discover unbiased was a T-7 petty officer who had been along on
the reconnaissance of the other installations. Hazur Adi had
automatically taken soil readings that he said would be no trouble to
duplicate, especially if they managed to grab some from each holding
cavern to replicate the dominant odor.

"Mostly the right temperature is what keeps them dormant until the queen
activates them," Hazur said when he sat in on the second briefing
session. "Love to know how she does that."

"There has to be some communication between her and her workers," Lea
Day said, as she often did. "Even if it's on no frequency we can hear or
identify. One thing, Prime, I thought I'd better ask ... if you'd
planned to stash them on board until you know where they're to be
'ported?"

Thian looked at her for a moment, snapped his fingers and dramatically
slapped his hand against his forehead. "That damned sting-pzzt'll be
obvious to any one as low as T-9." He groaned.

"There's one place we could use that wouldn't reach anyone," Lea said
with a broad grin on her face.

"You got me, Chief Where?" Thian asked.

"Gee, sir, you surprise me," the CPO said, savoring the moment for a
beat. "On board that old sphere, a'course. As I remember the report, it
wouldn't be hard to repair one of the boat bays the Hivers use for their
scout ships. Send over enough oxygen, park the carriers inside and no
sting-pzzt to clue even a lamebrain T-9 to what we're about. The
critters'd be safe. More ways than one."

Because it was her idea, Thian ordered Lea Day and Gravy, who was
immediately brought into the project, as well as Hazur, who would do the
environmental adaptations, to accompany him in space suits to the
long-inoperative sphere that circled the atypical planet. Clancy and
Semirame 'ported ahead the supplies. In the weightlessness of the aged
sphere, it was relatively easy, if tedious, to seal the least damaged of
the boat bays and pump in the necessary oxygen. Once the area was
airtight and no loss of oxygen was visible in space from the Washingwn,
the medium-sized drones which would accommodate the captive Hivers were
'ported in for Hazur to doctor to approximate the underground
accommodations from which they'd be shanghaied. Three nights later, when
Thian, Iza Day and Hazur Adi had recovered from that expedition and
their other preparations were complete, Thian initiated the raids.

He kept each infiltration to the most effective minimum team so that
Human odors would not alert the queens. They'd also been careful to
eliminate any new-plastic stink from the body armor. They'd smeared
their gear with dirt from the worn tracks that led underground. On two
occasions they were able to make off with workers returning at twilight
from cultivation duties. Though they did "remove" some of the varieties
tending the queens, this set off an unexpected agitation in the queen so
deprived. Since they had installed monitors in each of the queens'
quarters, they watched anxiously to see what would happen, ready to
replace any or all of the variants rather than incite the queens to
action. After a period in which Kloo said she was sure one queen counted
up her attendants one by one, the queen extracted an egg from one of the
tubes of embryos and evidently prepared the egg to replicate the missing
attendant.

It took five nights to complete the pro ject, which Thian code-named
"Shanghai," complete with soil and a replication of the food pellets
found in the various underground caverns.

"They'll never even know they're not at home," Hazur Adi said, with an
understandable pride in having completed his part of "Shanghai."

Monitors within the drones indicated that all the captives remained in a
passive state.

Somehow word of the importation of "hordes of Hiver creatures" for
scientific purposes set off a reaction that proved just how strong the
militant annihilationists were. The very notion that Hiver creatures
would become laboratory specimens on "civilized" planets turned many of
those as yet undecided into fierce opponents to the prospect. Human
militants took full advantage of the panic and fear, agitating in ever y
capital city of the Human-occupied worlds against such an "invasion."

Heinlein Base was rin ed by private yachts, orbiting just beyond the
legal limit and obviously determined to prevent the landing of any of
the "deadly" specimens. Another useless display of protest, since anyone
who thought twice would have realized that Talent could 'port the
objectionable creatures anywhere without alerting the sentinel craft.

Commander Baldwin had his revenge on the Talents on the Phobos Base
project who had started up the intact sphere. He reminded them that the
biggest danger came from Talents who were "minions" of the High Council
and determined to subvert the will of the majority. Blundell's answer
was a calm restatement that they were apolitical and that it was
impossible to subvert Talent to purposes other than those described in
their Charter. That this happened to include the transporta tion of
approved carriers of all types and telepathing of any messages, overt or
covert, was not open for discussion or for intervention. Any attempt to
interfere with the operation of FT&T would result in the closure of
every Tower and the facilities on which all interstellar trade depended.
Further, any attempt to interfere with Talents of any grade could result
in stoppages in the locality of the interference.

There were, of course, renewals of the frequent accusations of the
monopoly of FT&T. The response did remind the public in general and
dissidents in particular that there were indeed other ways of
transporting.goods and messages, even if these methods required
considerably more time and considerably more Human effort. Hence FT&T
was not a monopoly, merely the best and most effective method currently
available.

The Mrdinis, showing amusement at these demonstrations of Human
intransigence, contacted Gktmglnt, who quietly informed Earth Prime that
the best possible place to install the specimens would be in the various
captured and intact spheres in geosynchronous orbits about the main
"Dini planets. Quarters and laboratories could be arranged to
accommodate those Human scientists who wished to join the Mrdini
specialists in the evaluation of the species.

So when can we 'port these dangerosu, vicious creatures loan junl(noam'
destination? Thian asked his grandfather.

"I'll handle the security, Thian," Admiral Ashiant said. "Major Gefferny
has uncovered a ring of sympathizers-some of those we'd already
suspected of militant tendencies. You'd best get on with Shanghai as
unobtrusively as possible."

"We've already'shanghaied,'sir," Thian said. He ignored his
grandfather's delilyhted Luffaw.

"You have?' Ashiant blinked in astonishment. Thian also did not mention
that Earth Prime was bellowing with laughter at his grandson's
efficiency.

"In fact, sir, if I may be bold enough to suggest it," Thian went on,
"it might put a stop to the unrest on board as well as those
demonstrations if you leave this orbit and get on with the Search."

Ashiant grumphed, jutted out his chin belligerently before replying.

"What? And give those militants the satisfaction of thinking they won
this round?"

"Since they haven't, sir," Thian replied with understandable amusement,
"why not let them deceive themselves? It'd make it that much easier for
the scientific work to proceed without interference."

ing-pzzt you te "They can't be on board. Can they? Where that st' 11

me about could be detected?"

"No sir," Thian said, shaking his head, noticing that Gravy, Clancy and
Semirame were having trouble stifling their amusement at having
confounded the Admiral.

"Are you going to tell me, young Thian?"

"I'd've thought you'd figured that out, sir." Thian turned his head
slightly in the direction of the planet they were orbiting. The
abandoned sphere was just in sight.

Ashiant began to nod his head. "In plain sight, so to speak. Well done,
Prime Lyon. Well done, all." He included Clancy, Gravy and Commander
Kloo. Then he pounced. "How'd you manage transfers without it showing up
on generator use?"

"Didn't need to use estalt, Admiral," Thian said, "not with these three
and the others we tagged for the job. We were very cautious too. By the
way, Petty Officer Hazur Adi was of inestimable assistance and if you
could see some way to give him a commendation ..

"I'll speak to my flag captain ... without specifics."

"Well, she's safe," Thian said, since he knew Captain Ailsah Vandermeer
from his time aboard Ashiant's first ship.

"She'd better be," was Ashiant's unequivocal reply. "Well done, people.
Well done. Only ... when are they leaving ... Where they are?"

Jeff Raven then confided the coordinates of the ultimate destinations to
Thian.

"Grandfather has informed me, sir, so we'll just wait until we're under
way again, when the fluctuations of the generators will be less
noticeable and the 'port can be effected with the least possibility of
anyone noticing it."

Ashiant chuckled all the way out of the Talents'lounge until the door
slid shut.

Then Gravy and Semirame could indulge in the howls of laughter they had
been holding back. Clancy was grinning from ear to car at their notable
success.

"And Baldwin can go ..." Semirame began, and then clamped her mouth
shut, long habit interfering with her yearning to castigate a senior
officer. Even one who richly deserved it.

"You know, after seeing that ring ofyachts around Heinlein Base and some
of the nastier militant demos, is there any chance some idiot might try
to breach Blundell?" Clancy asked soberly.

"Sure, if they want to stop all interstellar transport."

"I meant, more personally, against Jeff Raven?"

Thian seemed to consider this and then, so abruptly that he was a blur
of motion, he launched himself at Clancy, who instantly'ported himself
aside. Thian spread both hands at the success of his demonstration and
walked back to his seat.

"Unlikely. And Clancy's just a T-2. With good instincts, I might add,"
Thian said. "Grandfather's guarded. So's Callisto Base and every single
Tower FT&T operating. Even if all the lower T's became disaffected, some
of it would leak to a higher rank and they'd be.. ."

"What do Talents do to those who transgress?" Gravy asked when Thian
didn't go on.

"I haven't heard of any ... reprimands," Thian said, "but in the early
days of Talent, those who didn't obey the tenets of Henry Darrow or
subsequent Talent leaders got ... mind-locked.'

"They got their minds burned," Clancy corrected coldly.

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

"Thats 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
thefirstpair ... Any variation, Rame?

None that jun'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 passing
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 space he instantly made for her slim self.

What troubles you, Thl'?

That's only the first occupiedplanet, Gravy. Are we going to have
trouble with every one wefind?

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

What if they want specimensftom every other Hiver planet? Thian let the
others in on his quandary.

Itk likely they u4ll, Semitame said, not at all concerned. We did it
successfully this time. We can P'bly manage again.

Not if the local sphere is occupied.

Letk uorty about that when, as or ifis happm, Thian, Semirame said.

We've given the experts enough to chew on ... Clancy hastily added,
metaphoriclly speaking, ofe-o,rse Thian swung his legs over the couch,
keeping as close to Gravy as his altered position allowed. I want us to
check cyery Talent, major and minor, on this ship and see who's
disaffected by the militants. I want to be able to tyst all of then,
notjust a few.

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

rm 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 l(now are suspect? Gravy asked,
her expression blank.

There's a way ... a safe one ...  ofsuppressing the Talent ofanyone
under a 5. A sort of lid on their Talent. It can be renoved, but it
uould keep them from tumbling to any stray 'paths and it uould keep them
from feeling any Sit . ng-pzzt. We might need to do that at some point.
rd ask Grandfatherfor permission first and inforn Admiral Ashiant if
Grandfather says I should.

rd rather you did, Semirame said bluntly, even if Grandfather says you
shou4dn'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 took advantage of your Talent, Rame? Clancy asked,
quirking one eyebrow at her.

Itsuregave me a chance toget offphobos Base with my recordstillclean.
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 metalfatigue 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 ifany queen tried to bring the engines
up  ... Those engines-Clancy snorted derisively-uouldn'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 Id rather it
camefrom 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 ofhate that we have to placate them, Gravy said, looking
rebellious.

Not when it anticipates a possible demand they might think 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 appetite in you."

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

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

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
wilation, as the militants did indeed believe that their tation had had
an effect o the weasel lovers. Admiral Ashiant's advice to the High
Council that an explosive device had been left on board the decrepit
sphere-as a deterrent- rought a loud demand for its immediate
detonation.

The Admiral had Commander Yngocclen anno that detonation was aui ati
should the sphere be boarded, 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 rebuttal 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 midspace 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 assault on the installation. Their advance was seen in time by 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 God-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 KITS, 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 masses 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 Clarf's
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 assismment 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
constituting 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
themftom 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 damned 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
Reidinger, whose T-I 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 space 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 ASSIST 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 he very di)ftcult then. I unustand the keepers are a law
unto themselvesandshare nothingoftheir uork. 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 embarrassment or
humility, so that Gollee cast a frantic look at Jeff, fearful that the
huge Mrdini might overbalance.

Jeff held up a reassuring finger and Gollee, who was sitting beside the
Mrdini, relaxed back into his chair. As discreedy as possible, Gollee
did tighten the shield on his right side ... just in case. Being
smothered in a Mrdini mass 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 HIBERNATORIES 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 reassurance,
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 practitioners of their specialties were up to their eyeballs
trying to make some headway with the Hiver problem -can Ifind to deal
with Mrdini reproductive procedures  ... Zara, said the Rowan, in a tone
of voice which indicated that problem had just been settled. She@ heen
raised with "Dinis and more than once on Iota Aurigas 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 AFFECTM?

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

OW that they would seize on temperature to control reproduction, the
Rowan said, her eyes glinting with irony, since wedamnednearkilkdthat
queen hy keeping 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 remorsc.
Erect, the great gray "Dini did not take up quite as much horizontal
space.

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.
I wonder just what the repercussions are, especially on those Mrdinis
who are vital to the uorkings of the Alliance.

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

Elizara reached across the corner to lay a reassuring hand on Gktmglnt's
flipper, lying so lax in an attitude 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.

Reassured, 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 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 ASSISTANCE 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.

The intended victims had faster reflexes than their attackers: Jeff and
the Rowan 'ported themselves high up, out of range. Increasing his
shields, Gollee Gren covered Gktmglnt's body with his own. Elizara had
'ported herself and Admiral Tohl Mekturian to the far corner. The four
attackers were themselves mind-stunned by Talents and collapsed,
paralyzed. The door to the conference room burst open and the security
guards rushed in, immediately taking charge of the intruders.

May I ask, Jeff said, in a tone not even his lifelong partner had ever
heard him use, how Clarissia Negeva got in here? And he indicated one of
the paralyzed forms.

Sir, the location ofthis conference room is protected, said an
exceedingly red-faced and furious T-3 security officer. We do not know
how the security system could have been so compromised.

"Clarissia Negeva? Why so it is," the security captain said as he turned
over the first of the two women sprawled on the carpet.

"She's the xenophobic T-2 Laria bounced out of Clarf," Jeff went on.
Elizara was 'porting restorative drinks to the Rowan, who was
ashenfaced, and to the stunned Admiral while Gollee apologized profusely
to Gktmglnt for both the intrusion and his rough handling of the
Mrdini's person.

"The others-both T-2's and strong kinetics-are Duvona Tselligan and Nyol
Greb, both Casellans," Jeff said, having touched their stunned minds.

THE MRDINI IS A DISGRUNTLED MEMBER OF MY OWN STAFF, said Gktmglnt in a
tone dripping with distaste and disillusion. IT IS TO BE SENT BACK IN A
PERSONNEL CARRIER IMMEDIATELY AND PLEASE, NOT TO CLARF THIS TIME, the
Rowan said, raising one hand in appeal.

IT IS FROM KEF AND WILL BE SENT TO THE MOST PUBLIC PLACE POSSIBLE.

WOULD IT NOT BE WISER TO DISCOVER WHO ELSE AMONG YOUR STAFF MIGHT BE
INVOLVED? asked T-3 Security Officer Harry Sargent with a formal bow to
the High Councillor.

THE MANNER OF ITS PUNISHMENT WILL BE SUFFICIENT DETERRENT FOR ANY OTHERS
WHO CONSIDER THAT ELIMINATING A HIGH COUNCILLOR WILL REDRESS WHATEVER
GRIEVANCES EXIST.

FATHERI GRANDFATHER? GRANDMOTHER? FATHER?

GRANDFATHER? SIR? UNCLE? SON?

Commendable reactions, all of you, Jeff said with a wry smile as his
mind was flooded by the queries from various alarmed offspring and
relatives. All is well. A discreet and very private message will
beforthcoming. Allow us to deal with the matter in our oam time. Thank
you.

They'dve been too late, the Rowan remarked very quietly to her mate. I
had no idea rd broadcast this ...  recent untoward event.

Isuspect all ofus did, Jeff said, managing a grin at Elizara and Gollee.

Harry Sargent, his hand carefully gloved, picked up one of the many
darts scattered about the room by the Talents' self-protection
instincts. He examined it, sniffed cautiously, and his expression became
even more implacable.

"Poisoned. A particularly virulent type. Even Elizara couldn't have
saved all of you. Especially these"-he indicated a scatter on the table
in front of Gktmglnt-"would have been impossible to neutralize." He
bowed his abject apologies to the High Councillor who had resumed its
seat, its figure regally erect.

TAKE THAT Away IMMEDIATELY. Gktmglnt nodded at the immobilized "Dini.

CERTAINLY, HIGH COUNCILLOR, said Sargent.

ALLOW ME TO ASSIST, Gollee said, and he 'ported the body to one of the
many personnel carriers available at the Blundell Building's yard, an
action the others followed with their minds.

WOULD YOU KNOW THE COORDINATES OF ITS ... FINAL PLACEMENT, GKTMGLNT?
Jeff asked. THE BIG SQUARE ON KEF WOULD BE THE MOST PUBLIC PLACE.

WE KNOW THOSE COORDINATES, Jeff said.

YOU DON'T GET TO DO IT BY YOURSELF, the Rowan said, rising straight up
from her chair until she hovered tall as the High Councillor. I INSIST
ON NOT UNLESS I AM IN ON THE THROW TOO, Gollee said in an equally
arbitrary tone.

IN THE TIME IT'S TAKING US TO ARGUE WHO DOES IT, IT COULD HAVE BEEN
DONE, Jeff replied.

WE'LL ALL DO it, Elizara said at her most reasonable. ONE, TWO, THREE.

WHAT'S GOING ON UP THERE? MY GENERATORS DAMNED AEAR OVERLOADED! was the
outraged roar from T-2 Viling Iredit, the Blundell Tower engineer.

Operation Overkill, was Jeffs unapologetic reply. It@ not likely to
happe, again.

THE TRANSFER IS COMPLETED? asked Gktmglnt.

MOST DECIDEDLY, Admiral Mektur'an said, leaning across and lightly
touching the Mrdini's arm, a big grin on his face.

Jeff held up his hand, looking first to the Rowan, who gave a slow nod
of her head, then to Gollee, who was also in accord. Elizara hesitated.

"You'll need to know who else is involved. I shall attend to that when
the meeting is concluded," she said.

"That's my job," Gollee said.

Elizara, her usually sympathetic expression neutral, turned to him. "In
this instance, I disagree, Gollee. You are an excellent T-2, but I am
the medical Prime and these three had ... sick minds."

The Rowan leaned across the table, her eyes bleak. "Their minds are not
to be healed, Elizara."

"That is a given, Angharad Raven, since they have abrogated any
consideration by such an unwarranted attack." She turned to Harry
Sargent. "Secure them in the infirmary and request my assistant to
administer the necessary suppressant. They are to be placed in separate
rooms and are not to be allowed to move or communicate with anyone, even
my assistant."

Harry gestured to his team, who bowed respectfully. The team, Harry and
the three remaining limp bodies 'ported out of the room.

"I should review security features," Gollee said with a grim expression.

"Three kinetic-strong T-2's could, and did, manage it," Jeff said,
rubbing his jaw.

"Who'd've expected we'd be bearded in Blundell after all," the Rowan
said, grinding the words out, obviously still coping with her anger over
the attack.

"I'll see it never happens again, no matter how many dissident T's they
can assemble," Gollee said in a tight, implacable tone.

"I shall discover why, which I believe to be even more important,"
Elizara said, "there are dissident T-2's at all."

"Consider me available, Elizara, if necessary," the Rowan said.

Elizara nodded in compliance.

"Now that that's all settled.. ." Jeff gave himself a shake, indicating
he had been more upset about the incident than he was willing to admit.
"How far had we progressed on the agenda, Admiral Tohl?

"Item nine," Mekturian said, blinking slightly in reorienting his
attention as he touched his notepad. When he looked up, his expression
suggested that Jeff knew exactly what the next topic should be. "Having
a surface team investigating the Hiver-occupied planet named Ciudad
Rodrigo."

"Yes, we could do with more comparative samples of pheromones and soil,"
Elizara said. "As has been remarked, the Hivers might test the air and
remove any life-form large enough to be considered a predator, but they
don't seem to test soil for its components. They just dig in, as it
were." She gave her mouth a quirk at her phrasing.

"We'll be taking Zara from the Soligen and Talavera Tower," Gollee Gren
said, scrolling down on his notepad.

"Flavia can do the surface inspection of Ciudad Rodrigo?" the Rowan
asked.

"Hmmm, I'd thought to send Rojer-" Jeff began.

"Not without Asia," Elizara interrupted him, waggling a finger.

"I know, I know," he said, nodding his head to the caution and holding
up one hand. "I want him to have some surface experience as well, with
Asia." He turned to Gollee. "Is that mixed team you've been training
ready to tend Talavera Tower? If they work out, that'll free Rojer  ...
and Asia ..." He held up his hand before anyone could remind him.

"Five?" the Rowan said.

"Well, if three T-3's can't handle 'porting and two good T-2 'pathers
can't manage in the Tower, we'll have to see just how much support
they'd need in a larger merge," Gollee replied. "Denebians too."

"Really?" Elizara said with a sly grin at Jeff.

That's quite enough of that, if you don't mind. Out of deference to the
two High Councillors, he added, "How soon does the Washington make its
next destination?"

"Two more weeks, I believe," Gollee said.

"Mmmm," Jeff murmured ambiguously.

"I can't reach any of them. Neither can Mother," Laria told everyone in
the Tower who had rushed up the stairs at her scream. Kincaid, who had
been in merge with her, was clutching his temples in pain. Morag and
Kaltia quivered with reaction to the fright they had felt all too
clearly. Vanteer and Lionasha had rushed up the Tower. Now Lionasha
passed restorative beverages to everyone with the firm advice to drink
first, talk later.

Laria was still too full of the panic she had sensed, despite the
distance between Clarf and Earth, to do more than take quick sips
between phrases.

"Somehow ... they were all ... Grandfather, Grandmother, Gollee, Elizara
...  and I'm sure I felt the presence of the two High Councillors as
well ...  had all been in danger. I do apologize for broadcasting to all
of you too." She swallowed the rest of the drink, rose and started to
reduce the headache she had given Kincaid.

"We all felt surprise, distress, not so much panic," Kincaid said,
gratefully allowing laria to heal the splitting headache. He felt that
his eyes were crossed and kept them closed.

"You shielded us," Morag said to him almost accusingly. "Nice of you,
but we should have been shielding you," she added.

"Habit," he said, his eyes still closed and his shoulders slumped.

"When will we get any details?" Kaltia asked softly, more distressed
than any of the others as she kept wringing her hands. "It's awful not
knowing."

Morag and Lionasha both reached out to comfort her physically, nearly
bumping heads in their effort. That bit of nonsense in itself relieved
some of the tension.

Where is everybody? Yoshuk demanded. I gave the coordinates, but I can't
... Oh, something@ gone very whig?

So they had to explain to the Sef Tower Talents what litde they knew.

rlljust get the coordinates, Yoshuk. Lionasha hurried down the stairs.

"Morag, Kaltia, you 'port with me," Laria said, glad to have something
to do. "Kincaid's mind's in no condition to merge."

"I .. ." Kincaid got that far before he was flattened by three T-Is
gently but firmly to his couch. "I yield."

So what happened at Blundell, sis? Rojer asked. Grandmother and Mother
shut me up.

When I know, I'll tell you. I suspect we'll all be told at the same
time, but if we aren't ... Here comes your shipment, Yoshuk, Laria said,
taking her two sisters into merge as gently as she could.

Hey, save your strength, Lar ... Oh, you have Morag and Kaltia? What
happened to Kincaid? ... Ah yes, well, if he was merge, it's to he
expected. rll keep 'em pacified here, Rojer went on.

Despite the nagging worry about how under all the Star League suns
hostiles had invaded the conference room at Blundell Tower, the other
Primes continued with their duties.

No one felt much like eating any lunch, but they were all present when
Jeff reported the whole incident.

"Clarissia Negeva? " Laria was so surprised that she spoke aloud,
although all the other Talents were listening to Earth Prime's
explanation. "She said she'd get even with us 'weasel lovers' the day
she left here." Don't blame yourselffor her higotry, Jeff said sternly.
You warned us that she was xenophohic, and that was vital information.
We simply didn't realize how vital That she was ahle to enlist other
Casellans is not surprising. To have got to a member of the High
Councillor's staff is more unusual So, what's happened to them all?
Laria demanded without a shred of pity.

Elizara  ... Elizara? But she'll  ... Don't ever get on the wrong side
of Elizara, my dear, her grandfather said in a droll warning. There are
limits to even herfamous compassion and understanding. The "invaders-
have been unable to keep any of their sordid little machinationsftom her
searching mind. They also have been deprived of whatever Talent they
once enjoyed and are being sent back to Capella to serve
theirpenalservitude as menial laborers infrontiergarrisons.

And the "Dini?

It "Uperforming the same salutaryfunction as did the unlamented Prtglm,
on Kif, its planet of origin, Jeff replied dryly. Gktmglnt pronounced
sen tence. Gollee isfull ofplansfor more advanced security on this level
too.

But how did someone like Clarissia get asfar as she did?

With two other strong T-2 kinetics, she could get veryfar once she knety
where to look. Now this has heen a very tiring day, and while there are
other messagesfor all of you, these &WU come hy tube and are to be
divulged on a need-to-know basis. Thank you for your immediate support.,
Can't imagiw how I kt out my surpriml I suppose one does react sdth an
instinctive Mayday when unexpectedly attacked in what is supposed to be
an invulnerabk chamber.

For the first time in her life, Lar12 heard a puzzled, almost uncertain
note in her grandfather's voice. Her grandfather insecure?

Kincaid reached over and clasped his hand tightly about hers,
broadcasting reassurance, shaking his head.

Yes, you wou4d appreciate that better than anyone else, Dano, said jeff
with a chuckle not too far off his usual irrepressible humor. We all had
a bit ofa shock that we're making very certain cannot be repeated. All
right?

Then the presence of Jeff Raven was gone from their minds.

"Perhaps that was needed, Laria dear," Kincaid said, leaning toward her
and capturing the other hand as well. "Nothing happened beyond a nasty
shock ..

"And the punishment of those who dared violate Blundell!" said Morag,
her eyes sparkling with anger. Kaltia still looked uncertain.

"We Talents get so we feel we can lick anyone with hands and feet tied
down, Kaltia," Kincaid said gently. "It isn't true. We all have limits.
Even Jeff Raven, the Rowan and the very efficient Gollee Gren."

"But can you imagine what chaos would result if the Blundell Building
had been ..." Lionasha began.

"It couldn't be," Vanteer said, so stoutly and angrily that Lionasha
recoiled. "It's far too well protected from the outside.. ."

"That's what I mean. They were inside!" Morag said.

"And they were Talents," Kaltia said, outraged and appalled.

"T-2's and only kinetics," Morag went on. "You heard Grandfather. Three
could get just about anywhere in Blundell except his office. The meeting
was in one of the conference rooms."

"Clarissia would have known where all the conference rooms are," Laria
said, but her voice did not have its usual firmness. "And she left here
threatening..

"Did I or did I not hear your grandfather say that you are not to blame
yourself, Laria?" Kincaid said, making her look at him when he
deliberately pinched the hands he still held. "Then listen to him."

"Yes, do, Laria," Lionasha said, her eyes angry. "Van and I couldn't
believe how tolerant you were of that methody Casellan and her prissy
ways." Lionasha did such a good imitation of Clarissia's long-suffering
expression that Laria managed a weak smile. She turned to Kincaid. "And
we thought that idiot Stierlman was ineffectual!" She rolled her eyes at
her understatement. "You'-she cocked her finger at Kincaid'know what
you're doing and you do it. How's the headache?" she added.

"Gone, thanks." Kincaid used that reply to release Laria's hands and
lean back. "If I may be so bold as to suggest a siesta today, I think
we'd all benefit."

"I know I would," Laria said, and rising, left the room.

Morag and Kaltia exchanged anxious looks.

"She'll be all right," Kincaid said, "but a rest is a good idea for all
of us."

"Indeed it is," Lionasha said briskly. "We've more cargoes, and I don't
know how many message tubes to be sent all the way to that new planet,
Clariflor."

"Who's receiving?" Kincaid asked, frowning because he couldn't remember.

"Right now, Xahra, one of David of Betelgeuse's kids." Morag grinned.
"He must be seething to have had to let another of his precious children
leave his control. She's a Prime and has T-2 and T-3 support."

"Then it'll be all right," he said with some relief, as he too walked
down the hall to his quarters.

Once out of sight, however, he 'ported into Laria's room. She was curled
in a little ball, weeping.

"Oh dear, I was trying not to broadcast," she said, lifting her head to
show her distressed, contorted face. Instantly, he picked her up, sat
back down on the bed and arranged her comfortably across his legs,
tucking her head under his chin and exuding quantities of sympathy.

I know misery rather well, he said gently.

It's just that it hit me so anepectay. She lifted his free hand to her
cheek. I can't imagine a world adthout Grandfather and Grandmother there
and available to us ... to all of us.

My w7 dear Larta, there wtil come a time when we must let them go.
Taknts do enjoy IW lives, long healthy ones, butfor even t.4e strongest
ofus, dwe comes the day, the hour, the moment when ... itjust becomes
... too much.

They could retire  ... Hal Kincaid dismissed that with a laugh that
bounced her on his chest. One day, dear heart, they simply uon't wake
up. They adil, however, neversuffer the debilities that used to
depressand make ourancestors demand the mercy of euthanasia.

But no one gets that sick nowadays, protested Laria, still fighting
inwardly against the demise of her beloved grandparents. And her
parents. Afra was much older than Damia  ... And he is Casellan, who are
l(nown to be indestructibk.

But not invulnerable  ... If you're going to continue to torture
yourself with such thoughts, I'm Raving. He made as if to move. She held
him there with both hand and Talent, immobile.

Remind me not to try to depart adthout your)Wllpermission, he said with
mild reproof. Then, as she immediately lifted the restraint, he put one
hand on her belly. Here, love, is the real immortality ... the
continuance of the genes which made both your grandparents and parents.
This is your hope and their eternal renewal I think such news ulould
begoodfor them to hear right now.

What if they don't  ... Appmve of me?

I didn't meanfor you to hear that.

Then don't think so loudly so close to me. He hugged her affectionately,
to indicate absolution. The ch14d will be yours, and mine, and Talented.
That is the salientfact that will render any minor details superfluous.

Are there any other Talents in yourfamily?

He gave a snort. No, there weren't.

Flashing through Laria's mind was a kaleidoscope of punishment scenes,
the angry, contorted face of a woman and echoes of voices from Kincaid's
past that gave her a shocking insight into the childhood of a Talent
reared by a family which did not approve of nonconformity. She was
equally aware that he didn't know what he had just projected: their
minds were more deeply linked than she realized. She wondered if he did,
but decided not to mention it.

I do know, he went on, and those childhood flashes faded, that your
parents welcomed me without reservation to your home antifamily. I care
morefor their good opinion than anyone else@.

But what if Grand Your grandparents are older and wiser than even Afra
and certainly you, dear heart. Idfar rather everyone knew and settled
that little detail. Now rest. We both need it after the morning that's
... thankfully gone, and th'll afternoon's traffic is mercifully light.

They rearranged themselves more comfortably in restful positions, though
Laria clung to his arm and nestled as close as she could get to his long
body.

It doesn I matter what earth-shattering things happen, does it? she said
almost bitterly. Primes have to man the Towers.

Responsibility, and routine, give you balance too, Laria. Id rather have
them both than be without either. Rest, Laria. You need it after that
shock.

And much to her surprise, reassured by his presence, she did.

Flavia equably received the news directly from Earth Prime that Zara was
required immediately by Prime Elizara. Jeff Raven said that orders were
coming for Captain Soligen and her attendant ships to leave orbit around
Talavera and proceed to the system that contained Ciudad Rodrigo.

"Earth Prime would like myself" and Flavia placed a hand on her
chest-"with Rojer"-she paused to grin at Captain Vestapia Soligen-"and
Asia, with whatever other team members and security per sonnel we need,
to do a survey of that Hiver-<xcupied planet. We must gather the usual
samples for comparative examination."

Captain Soligen frowned, obviously rapidly running through who else
should go with the Talents.

"Earth Prime is sending Thian's report on his surface ventures .. Flavia
paused. "I believe the confirmatory message tube has just come in. Let
us do without that dreadful Dr. Esperito, if we can. Wayla Gregarian
should accompany us as science officer and Yakamasura and
possibly,Rosenery Mordmann, plus whatever team Kwan Keiser-Tau feels is
necessary to protect us."

"I think I'd like to come along too," Vestapia said.

"Me too," said Rhodri Eagles, rapping belatedly on the half-open door.
He had a message tube in his hand. "This is, I believe, for you." He
handed it to Flavia, grinning with his usual insouciance. "You wouldn't
dream of leaving me out of the expedition, now would you? "

Flavia grinned at the captain's bemused expression.

"None of us would, Roddic. After all, you've had more personal
experience with queens than any of us," Flavia said.

When Zara was told of her reassignment, she was excited to be asked to
work with Elizara again, but there were no specifics for her of what
that work entailed among the many contained in the message tube. There
were certainly enough recordings and readings from the Washington as
guidelines for the Ciudad Rodrigo landing team.

"Well, at least I'm not being yanked out of here and dumped where I'm
going, as Rojer was," Zara said with a slight grimace of exasperation.

"Then we'll have time for a farewell party on Talavera," Flavia said,
pleased. She loved swimming in the lake-careful, though, not to swallow
too much water.

Yeah, but who's Grandfather got to manage my Tower?" Rojer demanded,
incensed.

Don'tftet. Asia's coming with you, Zara said placatingly.

She has to come with me. Wherever I go. He snarled when he heard Zara's
mental sigh. Don't come over all sisterly on me, Zara.

Stop treating her like a ch14d.

rll court her my own way, with no helpftom you.

just so long as she knows shek being courted, was Zara's tart reply.

Whaddya mean hy that?

If you can'tfigure it out by yourse&f ...  Oh, never mind. Grandfather's
sending three T-3'sfor the 'porting and a pairfor the 'pathing and older
experienced T-5's as expediter and engineer. rd say that needingfive to
replace you is a compliment, Roj.

Well, I have brought all the hig heavy stuff in tvith my team.

Stop grosig Stop nagging.

CHILDREN! Flavia's cool soprano interrupted their wrangling.

"I think it's a compliment that so many are needed to replace you, Roj,"
Asia said when Rojer came into the lounge, still frowning over that
exchange.

"Am I leaving too?" Jes Ornigo asked.

"Yes, it'll be almost a complete new crew," Rojer said, looking at Asia,
cool and pretty in a one-piece of a particularly nice shade of green
that ended at her knees. She had cute knees. He shook his head
impatiently at being diverted from the more important news. "My
grandfather wouldn't dare separate you and Flavia," he said, grinning at
the droll glance Jes gave him. "There're two experienced T-5's as
expediter and engineer and we're to break in our replacements."

"Does Dr. Esperito get to go to Ciudad Rodrigo? " Asia asked, her
expression anxious. Her inherent shyness had made her one of the few who
didn't just leave the doctor. He endlessly pontificated to anyone he
could catch.

Rojer laughed. "No. He stays!"

"That's a relief," jes and Asia said in unison.

"So when do our replacements get here?" jes asked.

As soon as you lot sup godping and get to your couches, said the
unmistakable voice of their grandfather. rm uaiting  ... "Hold your
horses," Zara murmured under her breath as she and Rojer 'ported
themselves into position. Asia had darted to her generators, and when
they were needed, they sang sweetly in use.

From the large personnel carrier emerged seven people, including a man
in his sixth decade who was the expediter and had been drafted from
Blundell Building. The engineer, a younger man, had also been at
Blundell and was clearly delighted with what he saw of his new Tower.

The T-3 kinetics were twin brothers and a sister from one of the western
Denebian clans that even Rhodri had never met. They were just out of
their teens and eager to prove their abilities. The 'paths, Andy and Ivy
Dumas, were in their early twenties but obviously already partnered, and
they had "Dini pairs.

"Sorry to rush you into work right away," Rojer said, not the least bit
apologetic, "but we've some afternoon deliveries and that'll give you
some practice while we're still here."

"You're leaving soon?" asked one of the twins. Rojer didn't stay long
enough to know if it was Scott or Stuart who spoke: they were almost
identical. Their sister, Sara, was only a year younger and looked enough
like them to have been a triplet. The T-5 expediter was from Capella and
was known to Jes Ornigo, Flavia and Mallen. Mal was to stay on at
Talavera to help the new group setde in.

"No rest for the wicked, you know," Zara said, indicating that it was
her brother who was wicked, then grinned when Asia stepped to Rojer's
side supportively.

"We've another assignment, but most of the heavy stuff's been brought
in," Rojer said, pointing to the settlements so obviously built of
prefabricated sections. "If you've been trained at Blundell, you'll do
just fine. And the Columbia-and us," and he indicated Flavia and tapped
his chest, "are only a thought away."

Ivy Dumas rolled her eyes at that oft repeated Talent reminder, thus
recommending herself to Rojer.

"So let's hit the Tower ... gang," Rojer said, rubbing his hands
together. "Oh, Mal, see if we can rustle up more couches. We can use
comformables from the lounge right now, but a good couch is essential
for everyone on duty in a Tower."

The comformables had appeared on the Tower floor by the time Roier led
the five newcomers up the stairs.

Thanks, sis, he said, since he suspected she had done the 'porting.

Happy to oblige.

The two 'paths hadn't caught that exchange, but then they hadn't been
included.

Asia was already explaining the vagaries of the Talavera generators to
the engineer when the Tower group took their places.

Roer let the five follow him on a 'port of some faulty units back to
Betelgeuse, introducing the new Tower staff to David, and then let the
three kinetics bring in some medium-heavy shipments from Procyon, again
introducing them to the Tower Prime. By the time Altair had fresh
produce and nursery plants to send, Scott, Stuart and Sara were much
more at ease and Rojer backed off completely. A shower of the inevitable
message tubes startled all of them, but Roier explained that most
message tubes could be sent the entire way by the deliverer and this
would happen frequently.

They'll do, was Zara's verdict.

They're too tense.

They're brand-new at it, Flavia said. And Mallen @ there to lend a hand.
rll bring down the caterers and the othersfrom the Columbia, she added.
I'm in the moodfor a goodparty. As a rule, we don't get much chance to
celebrate reassignments.

Grandfather's way of making all this shuffling palatable, Rojer replied,
but he wasn't opposed to a party. It might even give him the chance he'd
been waiting for.

For Pete@ sweet sake, don't wait any longer.

Flavia's advice surprised Rojer. She usually minded her own busi ness.
But she'd been aboard the Columbia with Asia long enough to know how
young and shy Asia was, how easily intimidated. Why, she wouldn't even
brush off old Esperito when he was boring her with his latest
observations, usually at the top of his voice as well as his mind.

The four new'dinis of Ivy and Andy had been made very welcome and were
delighted to help in the yard. They were quite young and a sort of
greeny gray. There were no others of their color on Talavera, but the
grays said they were close enough to join their house.

Someone had brought out lights for the Tower yard where the Columbia's
caterers set up their food dispensers. "Dinis appeared with chairs and
tables gathered from the personnel quarters as well as their own homes.
Mal and Jes, with the help of the twins, lit a path in orange to the
lake and along the shore. Vestapia and her senior officers had been
invited, but no one said a word to Esperito about the upcoming surface
investigation of Ciudad Rodrigo.

"He's lonely, you know," Asia said when Rojer had for the fourth time
that night taken her away from Esperito. The old xeno had immediately
seized on the old expediter as a listener who was considerate enough to
take on the role.

"Small wonder," Roier said. "Why didn't you just invent an errand you 'd
forgotten?" he demanded, waving his hand about. "Or rememher a message.
Or go to the bathroom."

"I can't keep using the same excuses all the time, Roj," Asia said
meekly, her head down.

"Now, I don't mean that as criticism, Asia," Roier said, realizing that
one of her more sterling qualities was her innate kindness and
forbearance. He reached for her hand, and her fingers curled about his
in acknowledgment.

They continued along the orange-lit path in a darkness that was already
boasting some night insect sounds.

"Sounds a bit like Deneb," he added, and daringly put his arm about her
shoulders. She was so light-boned. The perfume she was wearing was
floral. Pheromones of a pleasant sort.

"Yes, it does." She grinned up at him. "Makes all that hard 'porting
worth it, doesn't it?"

"It does."

Rojer swung them back to look at the Tower in its illumination.

"You're not going to miss it, are you, Roj? " Asia asked, astonished.

"I am. Sort of. I think. We set it all up, from scratch."

"You've not worried about our assignment on Ciudad Rodrigo?

"Me? Worried about Hiver queens? Never," he said, with such vehemence
that she recoiled. But he caught her back, pulling her into both arms.
"Are you?" He knew she didn't like slithers, but queens were definitely
not slithers. Although Thian had mentioned something scuttling over his
feet  ... "If I'm with you, I'm never scared."

He looked down at her face, shadowed so that she looked older,
mysterious. He wanted very much to kiss her.

Then why don't you? Zara said in exasperation.

"What's the matter, Rojer? " Asia asked, and anxiety flickered across
her face, making her his dear young Asia again.

Not that young, Rojer. This time it was Flavia who was chiding him.

Both of you, get out of my head and my space and let me do my otvn
courting.

Then do itl the two Primes said in a chorus of disgust. You're the one
who's shy now.

"I know that look," Asia said, her voice no longer soft and yielding.
"You're 'pathing, and just when we're in the most romantic setting we're
ever likely to have for the next few months. Sometimes, Rojer Lyon, you
can be the most exasperating of men." She gave his shoulders a shake and
then, standing on her tiptoes, reached up and pulled his head down to
hers, kissing him soundly and far more thoroughly than he thought his
Asia should know how to kiss.

Well, it's ahout time!

Rojer ignored the snide telepathed whisper and later couldn't remember
who had spoken, because he and Asia were responding to each other in a
passionate embrace. With their emotions awakened and re inforced by
mutual desire, Asia 'pathed to him for the first time ... a far firmer
voice than her audible one.

Your room or mine?

"Asial" He broke off the kiss to stare down at her, not that that wasn't
what he had in his mind.

Believe me, Rojer Lyon, rm groun -up enough/

Where did my shy Asia go?

She got tired of waiting, Rojer Lyon.

Thian woke, gasping for breath, stunned by a dream so terrible that he
clung to Gravy beside him.

"Whatever's the matter, Thian? Oh, Lordy, look how Mur and Dip are
thrashing about. They'll hurt themselves ..

Gravy was as fast to assist the two writhing creatures as Thian.

"I just had the most awful dream, Thian," she said, holding Mur to her
and stroking it, thinking reassurance as hard as she could. "Freezing.
Choking."

Thian was doing much the same to Dip.

"Let's surround them." He rearranged himself and Gravy so the two "Dinis
were on their laps, Human arms making a safe cage about the shuddering,
quivering bodies.

"Whatever can have happened?"

Rame, Clancy, Lea, how many "Dinis on board are having nightmares?

Thian broadcast to the entire complement of the Washington.

His corn unit started buzzing and the panel at the workstation in the
lounge was announcing urgent in-ship messages.

The replies were all the same and came from all parts of the ship where
Humans had "Dini friends. As abruptly as it started, the convulsions
ended. Whimpering, the'dinis were coaxed back to sleep, but only when
they were held tightly by their Humans.

Thian thought to check with Captain Spktm of the KSTS.

WHATEVER IT WAS, IT WAS WIDESPREAD, THN. BAD DREAMS FOR THOSE ASLEEP.
FOR US AWAKE, THE MOST HIDEOUS THOUGHTS OF TERROR, COLD, CHOKING. IT IS
OVER. WE ARE ON DUTY. WE WILL TAKE RESTORATIVE DRINK.

That was not good enough for Thian. Not when the "bad dreams" were
reported on every Human ship with "Dinis in their crews and on all the
"Dini vessels.

Rojer, you had any trouble there? Thian 'pathed to his brother on the
Columbia, en route to Ciudad Rodrigo.

I Is Troub e, ' he cal it, was Roer's sarcastic repl v. Every "Dini went
into convulsions. Never seen the like of it. Humans who were uniucky
enough to be asleep had nightmares  ... Offreezing cold, choking and
terror  ... Yours got it too? I thought Asia and Id never calm Gil and
Kat.

Whole damned First Fleet had it.

Do you call Grandfather or do I?

As Earth Prime, Jeffs voice interrupted their conversation, I
reluctantly report that there seems to have been a major Potverfailure
at Clarf Main Hibernatory. Many are dead and we are trying to estimate
the losses. It is hopedthat aproportion may besaved by restorative
methods that are currently being applied.

But Grandfather, how did our "Dinis know sofar away? Thian asked.

Who was it said that bad news travelsfast? Thl let you know when we can
find some Mrdini tvho will tell us exactly what happened. And how! A
rough estimate is that nearly eight hundreddinis o)fall colors were
affected. Those here at Blundell say that the very young and the oldest
would have died. Fll sen (I a fu 11 repo rt.

On another topic, Jeff said after a brief pause, the Heinlein observers
rigged a screen in the q ueen's q ua rters a nd played selected passages
from the material you sent me a while back.

Oh?

Jeff's chuckle was malicious. She took one glance at the side panels and
ignored them. She walked up to the main panel, the one where the
patterns alter, and watched it. Those who have becomefamiliar with what
gestures or movements she makes thought she was, one, startled, and two,
disgusted. She returned to her couch and didn't pay the screen
anyfurther attention.

The corn experts are of the ginion that the side panels are static, unth
very few alterations, whik the main screen gites some sort of running
cymment on whatever it is queens on the same planet aculd be talking
about.

Interesting.

Yes, isn't it? I don't know if itk good news, but it's better news. Tell
your experts. And before Thian could thank him for the report, Jeffs
presence had left his mind.

"Well," Sam Weiman said with a sigh that Grm repeated when Thian gave
them the report, "we did what we could. I don't understand such a
negative reaction from the Heinlein queen," he added, rubbing his jaw
thoughtfully.

ONE QUEEN WARLIKE, THE OTHER PLACID. THEY WOULD NOT LIKE EACH OTHER.
ALSO FROM DIFFERENT HIVE WORLDS, Grm remarked.

"Would they all use the same language?" Thian asked.

WHY SHOULDN'T THEY? THEY DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING ELSE THEY Do. Gem's
narrow shoulders raised in a very Human shrug.

"Suppose"-Thian stopped to orient his thoughts-"the queens did not
develop the technology they're using, but adapted it to their use?"

The concept clearly starded his listeners. He leaned forward, developing
the theory. "I believe there was an ethnic group that could perfect any
sort of mechanical or electronic technology but could not, for some
reason, take the next step upward in that technology. Perhaps that's
what the queens are: perfectionists but not originators."

"Hmmm." Sam nodded his head, looking at his colleague, and Grm seemed to
be considering the notion too. "We still have to find a way to keep them
contained." Then, exchanging a glance with Grm, Weiman excused himself
from the lounge.

rye got a big problem, Elizara, Medical Prime Zara 'pathed to her mentor
and instructor.

And what would that be? Elizara's prompt return thought traveled the
distance between Earth and Iota Aurigas.

rm not sure it's ethical or medical, hut did ou realize that there are
no y species on Clarf, or any of the other Mrdini planets, similar to
them?

Thatk a well-knownfact, mdear.

Then how do I experiment? There was anguish and alarm in Zara's
question, and suddenly what she said was painfully and dreadfully clear
to Elizara. Surprise, and shock, kept her from forming an answer, and
Zara went on. We Humans have pigs and mice and rats and other mammalian
creatures whose anatomy, and responses, we can usefor experimentation.
But we hloody don't have any other species like Mrdin'll to use in the
lahoratory. There simply is no other life-form that does the same thing
they do when they are reproducing.

Ah yes, well ... Elizara bought more time as her mind frantically went
through the known categories of species, some of which were definitely
alien and also definitely not Mrdini. That is certainly a problem.

Imean, I'vegotallthefacilities Icouldposj'ihly needandsomeofthebest
young Mrdini medics to ass'llt, as well as their equipment-which, hy the
way, I don't know how to use ... but I'm learning. But how can Ipossibly
do any substantive experimentation that willgi've us any sort ofan
answer?

I've nothing to practice on! And-the wail of moral outrage gave way to a
far more human despair-old Frtlmp is hemming, hawing, turning
itselfupside doun not to let us try to analyze tvhat chemicals they put
into the air of the hihematory. And I've got to have that information.

Yes, indeed you do. I shall speak immediately to High Councillor
Gktmglnt.

Fine. Fd appreciate it. Very much, replied Zara, punctuating her phrases
with telepathically transmitted sighs that made Elizara smile, despite
herself.

The other ethical issue facing Zara was not something she could as
easily solve. And one that had certainly not come to her mind when
Councillor Gktmglnt approached her with the Mrdini contraception
request. Unique the species was, but she hadn't quite realized how, or
that there were indeed no other even vaguely similar creatures on the
Mrdini planets. Perhaps, in some prehistoric time on Clarf, primitive
Mrdinis had prevented or interfered with the evolution of biologically
similar life-forms. Whatever! That did not help Zara face, or solve, the
problem.

In this instance, my dear, Elizara said compassionately, I think we must
approach the probktn on an einpitical basis. Whik it would be helpful to
have laboratory specimens on which to egffiment, such are not available.
Have you discussed this problem with any of the "Dini medics?

Oh yes, Zara replied quickly, in such a tone of voice that Elizara
realized she had not received the answer she needed. They reminded me
that Mrdini do not hesitate to go on the line when it is necessaryfor
the sunival of the species.

Elizara shuddered and felt that Zara had done the same.

I can't-Zara's voice was a wail of distress-4o that, Elizara. I just
can't.

Then concentrate on the empirical, dear. That's all we can do.
Ishallst4nd by your modus operandi, no matter what.

Thanks, Elizara. A little of the very young Zara whom Elizara had taken
in as her student crept into that response.

I'm always open to you, mdear.

And the contact broke.

Better get out here, Laria. Four extremely dg;ected Mrdinijust walked
in, Lionasha said.

Di#ected? But they've just been in hibernation. Laria and Kincaid
scrambled out of her bed and 'ported to the Tower foyer.

TIP, HUF. Laria was down on her knees, embracing the shriveled, weary
creatures that stared with hooded polls at the ground. Kincaid was
hugging his pair and calling for restoratives which Lionasha was already
preparing. The other "Dinis clustered in an anxious circle, not the
usual hilarious and joyous one with which returning "Dinis were greeted,
"Dinis who were usually eager to resume their duties. WHAT HAS HAPPENED
TO YOU?

She remembered how angry the keeper had been to have them arrive at the
hibernatory so late, but surely a Mrdini keeper did not exact punishment
for delays.

COLD. TERRIBLE. NO JOY. NO REFRESHMENT.Tip and Huf pushed into her arms
as if they couldn't get close enough.

THERMAL COVERS, FIG, SIL, DIG, NIM, Lionasha ordered.

SHIFT IN ALL PILLOWS TOO,Vanteer called after the "Dinis hurrying to
obey, murmuring in disturbed whispers as they went.

Should we ask for a healer to come? Kincaid asked.

How could they be released in th'll condition? Laria said angrily,
soothing her pair with kisses and fondlings, all the time holding them
as close to her as she could. Their skins are all wrinkled and they feel
squishy. They've never been this way before.

Nor mine, said Kincaid, in a tone that gave warning that he intended to
investigate thoroughly.

What's wrong? What's happened? Morag, Kaltia and their "Dinis 'ported
in, fortunately close to the steps as if both had "seen" where it was
safe to arrive.

"We don't know," Laria said, struggling to keep her tone even.

"They're very sick," Morag said as Dar and Sim clung to her legs. Key
and Su had wrapped flippers about Kaltia, their poll eyes wet with fear.

The "Dinis burst into the room, arms filled with pillows, trailing
thermal covers, and instantly Morag and Kaltia arranged these into a
nest, into which Kincaid and Laria put their wasted-looking "Dinis.
Lionasha offered the hot drinks she had prepared with herbs she knew
were restorative for Mrdini.

"Shouldn't we get a healer for them?" Morag asked.

"There's supposed to be healers at the hibernatory for emergencies,"
Laria said, barely able to suppress the anger she felt.

Suddenly the door to the Tower flew open and Plus, followed by other
medium-large gray Mrdinis, charged right up to the invalids.

MOST APOLOGIES, PRIME LARIA. CAN NEVER SUITABLY AMEND APPRLLING
CONDITION OF YOUR DEVOTED FRIENDS. HERE ARE HEALERS TO ATTEND. CLEVER
PRIME TO ALREADY START TO DO THE NECESSARY CARING. WE DID NOT KNOW THAT
YOUR FRIENDS WERE THERE.

JUST WHAT THE HELL HAS HAPPENED?

Eny, Laria. Itk as upset as you are or Plus amuld not just barge. n
here, Kincaid said. WE AWAIT AN EXPLANATION, he added in Mrdini, folding
his arms in a fashion that was tantamount to an insult to Mrdinis.

Plus kept bowing, apologizing, almost incomprehensible in the speed with
which it delivered regrets, remorse and promises of restitution.

SLOW DOWN, PLIASE, ESTIMABLE PLUS. WE CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU SAY.
Laria had caught a garble about inhibiting creation without harm and how
were they going to treat so many sick "Dinis with so few to heal the
desperately deprived.

HEATING OF HIBERNATORY AT FAULT. COULD NOT REACH ASSISTANCE. MANY
SUFFER. WE COME TO YOU FIRST OF ALL COLORS.

I'll bet they did, Vanteer said, for he had folded his arms as well to
indicate the displeasure of the entire Tower. They can't aj" to lose our
goodwill.

You wou4d take that positionl Laria retorted, eyes flashing so angrily
that Vanteer flinched as if she had lashed at him mentally as well. She
would have liked to, considering the mundanity of his remark. THE TOWER
SERVES CLARF'S NEEDS NO MATTER WHAT OR WHEN, PLRGTGL.

HONORABLE, HONORABLE PRIME. Plus kept on bowing. THESE FOUR UNFORTUNATES
H'E NOT BENEFITED. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THEY COULD BE SENT TO IOTA
AURIGAE, WHERE SPECIAL TREATMENT IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE?

OF COURSE. BUT THEY ARE SCARCELY IN A CONDITION TO TRAVEL ANYWHERE,
Laria pointed out. SURELY HERE IN CLARF  ... IOTA AURIGAE, MOST
RESPECTED PRIME ... Plus made such a low obeisance that for one anxious
moment Laria was afraid it would tip over onto the supine "Dinis. AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE. AS VERY SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THERE IS WORK FOR THE TOWER WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED. I MUST ACCOMPANY
TLP AND HGF. She gestured to Kincaid. NOR Wli.L KNCD LEAVE NPL AND PLS
TO TRAVEL WITHOUT HIS PRESENCE.

Larial Lionasha said, aghast. You can't  ... Oh yes she can, Morag said,
taking a step forward, her jaw set. There's nothing here at Clarfthat
Kaltia and I cannot handk, with you and Vanteer backing us up. The
"Dinis comefirst right now, antifor once, the Tower comes second.

Although it doesn't really, since we're still here, Kaltia put in, jaw
jut ting out in stubbornness which both Lionasha and Vanteer recognized
as a family trait. We are certainly able to do a few days on our own. rm
sure we won't ha ve to pinch -h itfor vely long. Will we, Laria ?

No longer than absolutely necessary. You can't know how Kincaid and I
both appreciate your willingness, Morag, Kaltia. Laria managed a grate
ful wisp of a smile. The relief in her expression at their volunteering
un derlined her belief in their abilities. She turned back to the
Mrdini. IF OUR FOUR ARE IN SUCH POOR SHAPE, WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF THE
OTHERS WHO SHARED HIBERNATION WITH THEM?

Plus turned the oddest shade and the healers glanced up from their
ministrations with horror-stricken expressions.

I REQUIRE AN ANSWER, PLRGTGL.

THEY ARE BEING CARED FOR TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE.

MORE HELP MAY COME FROM IOTA AURIGAE. TLP, HGF, NPL AND PLS MUST BE
GIVEN FIRST ADVANTAGE. CLRF HONOR REQUIRES THIS. All, LOOK NOW AND SEE
THAT THEY ARE RESUMING A NORMAL COLOR.

Laria looked as Kincaid, kneeling beside the four "Dinis, gently touched
each wizened chest in turn.

The color may be improved, but rye neverfelt spongy "Diniflesh before.

And they are not appreciably warmer. Though his face did not mirror his
concern, Kincaid expressed his sense of urgency in his 'path.

Lionasha, Morag said firmly, checking the afternoon's workload, I see
little more than light drones, message tubes and ordinary piffle.

Piffk? Lionasha blinked at Morag. Kaltia leaned around her sister to
look at the pad.

Piffkk all it is, when you what av've donefiom Iota, Kaltia said, her
manner exhibiting more youthful disdain than Morag had exhibited.

But your parents were therel Lionasha said, alarmed.

Laria 'ported Lionasha's notepad to her. Fd cywider it piffk too, Lio,
after what we practiced with on Iota. They can handk it. Antiprobably a
lot of what adil come in in the morning. Right now, Kincaid and I zr.?,e
going to Iota Aurigas if that@ where we can get our "Dinis treated
pn*erly.

Vanteer took a forward step. You'll check adth Earth Primefirst, of
course?

I act on my own cognizance, Vanteer. You will assist my s'llws and
Lionasha to the best of your ability. Morag, 'port that multipit cam& to
the door. Kaltia, 'port my mattress into it and all the pillows and
thermals we have. Laria turned to Plus. WE SHALL WASTE NO MORF. OF YOUR
VALUABLE TIME. YOUR HEALERS WILL HAVE OTHERS TO ATTEND. THE TOWER WILL
CONTINUE ALL OPERATIONS. MORAG AND KALTIA ARE PRIMES AND THEIR ABILITIES
ARE SUFFICIENT TO ANY TASK REQUIRED OF THEM.

RETURN YOUR "DINIS TO CLARF IN FULL HMLTH, HONORM PRIME. Plus kept
bowing itself as it moved backward toward the automatic door, which
opened, letting in a blast of the hot afternoon air.

Carriers all set, Morag said. "C'mon, Kaltia.' She took. the steps two
at a time up to the Tower. "We're operational as of right now. Thank
goodness we know Iota Aurigas better than the back of our hands.' Sure,
but you tell Mothcrl it slither Don Kaltia.

Vanteer heard his generators picking up and darted back down the steps,
muttering imprecations about children, but Lionasha sent up the Iota
Aurigas coordinates because she had to do something to steady her
nerves.

Laria, Kincaid and the nested "Dinis disappeared right into the carrier
without bothering to open the wide hatch.

Mergel cried Laria.

Vanteer, for one moment fearful of his beloved generators being
manipulated by novices, put his fingers on the off toggle, but the
pressure from the Tower was as deftly done as if Laria and Kincaid were
doing it.

"You left your sisters in charge of Clarf Tower?" Damia demanded when
she and Afra were awakened by the arrival of a large personnel carrier
in front of the house at dawn on Iota Aurigas.

Considering the urgency ofgetting their'dinis here, Afra said with quiet
authority, gently moving his outraged wife to one side at the window,
they could do nothing else, and I'm sure Morag and Kaltia will have
Lionasha, as well as the two at Sef Tower, to guide them. Z4RA!

"I'm down here." Zara a peared, in the act of shrugging a warm p cover
over her bare body. She knelt beside the carrier, opening it only far
enough to reach in and touch the nearest of the four "Dinis within.
Warmer clothing rained down on her. "You did right. They're in very bad
condition, but don't worry. I know exactly what to do. Get out, Kincaid.
I'm the only Human who has permission to enter the hibernatory here."

Kincaid did not argue, though after the heat in the carrier, he and
Laria began to shiver in the crisp cold morning air of Iota Aurigas.

"Inside!" Damia said, pointing to the house.

"But I said I'd be with.. ." Laria began, and disappeared.

Having 'ported her daughter inside the house, Damia gave Kincaid a
merciless stare of tacit permission, and he 'ported himself inside too.

"Into the kitchen with you," Damia said, deftly 'porting herself into
unoccupied space in the entrance hall. Then Afra was beside her,
throwing woolen wraps about the shoulders of the new arrivals. They
pulled them tightly around their bodies, meekly following Damia.

"I didn't think Zara would have to put her new expertise to the test
quite this soon," Afra said, his hands gently propelling Kincaid and
Laria in Damia's wake, where she indulged in a remarkable display of
domestic telekinctic activities. These produced a hot meal, a choice of
beverages and additional early-morning snacks that Damia happened to
know were favorites of her daughter and Kincaid Dano. While the new
arrivals consumed warm food and beverages, they 'pathed the account of
the circumstances that had precipitated their arrival.

"And if ours are this sick, I'd want to know what exactly are the
conditions of the rest of those in Clarf's biggest and most prestigious
hibernatory," Laria said, holding out her cup to be refilled. She was
too shaken to do that herself.

"The Mrdini are attempting to curtail their birthrate now that so few
are dying in Hiver attacks," Damia said. "So, in what has turned out to
be a very ill-advised attempt to limit creation, they lowered the
temperature in the hibernatories."

"All of them?" Laria exclaimed, nearly spilling the hot liquid in her
cup m astonishment.

"Fortunately, no. Unfortunately, the main one in Clarf was evidently a
test site," Afra said. "This is after the fact, Laria, or I'm sure
you'd've been warned not to take yours there."

Laria flushed. "They were overdue to hibernate and the keeper rushed
them in." She frowned and turned to Kincaid.

"That explains its cryptic remarks, I guess," Kincaid said ruefully.

Afra paused a moment and then asked "You're sure there's nothing Morag
and Kaltia can't handle?"

"Nothing. They've been exceedingly well trained," Laria said, with a bow
to her parents.

"They consider the afternoon's quota of tubes is mere 'piffle,' Kincaid
said with a droll smile.

"And tomorrow's? " Damia asked, not quite scowling but concerned,
knowing the amount of traffic Clarf Tower was handling.

"They can handle whatever we can," Kincaid said with a shrug. "We'll
return as soon as we're certain our "Dinis are in good hands."

"You'll get right back to ..." Damia began, but Afra, making eye contact
with Kincaid, put a restraining hand on his mate's shoulder.

"Their priorities are correct, Damia," he said, using a tone and firm
ness he rarely directed at her. "They have left their Tower well
attended, so they're scarcely derelict in their duties." He gave her a
quick smile, then turned back to Kincaid. "We will ask Lionasha and
Vanteer not to reveal who is actually 'porting at Clarf. I doubt Plrgtgl
will even know you're here."

"Plus saw us leave," Laria was obliged to admit, seeing now through her
mother's reaction how ill advised their abrupt departure was.

It wasn't. Kincaid's hand gripped her thigh firmly. "From what Plrgtgl
said, it will be far too busy treating the other ... victims ... to
question how Clarf Tower is being handled, so long as it is operational.
I can, of course, return immediately, and leave my friends with Laria to
deputize for me."

"Only when they are well enough not to require the reassurance your
presence can give them," Afra said.

Damia was blinking in surprise at Afra's domination of the interchanges.

"So some idiot decided that freezing "Dinis would prevent reproduction?"
Laria asked scornfully.

"You'd think the last thing a "Dini would do is emulate a queen" Kincaid
remarked caustically.

Damia did frown. "How do you construe that?"

"Well, the Heinlein queen nearly died from cold before she started
hatching eggs for attendants," Kincaid replied. "Or perhaps you never
saw the report I did. When they installed the queen at Heinlein, they
provided the same ambient temperature that had been in her escape pod.
What they didn't realize was that that was not the normal Hive
temperature: it was low to reduce her activity level by the cold so
she'd have the maximum amount of oxygen to take her where she meant to
go."

"So it was plain logic, rather than communication, that Zara acted on
that time?" Damia asked.

"She's always been interested in biology," Afra said. "She acted on a
logical conclusion she didn't know how to explain at the time. I'm glad
to hear what prompted her."

"But that doesn't explain why the Mrdini would use cold to reduce
creation.

Afra gave Kincaid a wry look. "Mrdini logic sometimes defeats Human
mental processes."

"It damned near killed our "Dinis," Laria said in a sayage tone, and
added an unreproduceable sound of disgust. "So how is it that Zara
happens to be here in Iota Aurigas and able to nurse "Dinis?

"She has had metamorphic training," Damia began, "and Elizara felt that,
having grown up with "Dinis, she was the best available medical
personnel. Your grandfather as well as the High Councillors considered
her the proper choice .. ." Damia paused, emanating a complex blend of
pride, anxiety and surprise. "A select, high-powered team of medical
personnel and xenbees has been assembled and permitted to enter a
hibernatory to see exactly what does happen. Whatever activities
ordinarily take place are limited to specially chosen and trained
keepers."

Laria and Kincaid exchanged respectful glances. "Well, good for Zara,
said her proud sister. "So she ... or someone else here on Iota  ...
really can restore ours?"

"I'd rest easy on that score, my dear," Afra said. Then he rose suddenly
and strode from the room.

"What's ..." Laria began.

"I believe your father is aware that Vagrian is awake," Damia said.

"Oh, him! I completely forgot you took him on."

"It may be early, but perhaps we could do stables. I'd find it soothing
work," Kincaid said, rising.

"I'll help."

"Now just a moment, Laria," her mother began.

"With all deference, Damia, we'll do stables," Kincaid said, taking
Laria's hand in his, and they 'ported out of the room-the height of bad
manners for Talents and especially in front of Damia Ravenlyon.

How dare  ... Enough, Damia, Afra said, so bluntly that Damia was
silent.

Though they were safely out of the house, Kincaid and Laria winced,
waiting for Damia's reaction to such a dictate.

"Better we were rude just to Mother," Laria murmured as she and Kincaid
strode quickly up to the stables. "I'd've been a lot ruder in his
presence. I wonder how Zara copes with him."

"I suspect she's not around often enough right now for that to be a
problem," Kincald said. "Imagine that! She's allowed in a hibernatory!

That's another first for the formidable Lyon's Pride."

" "Lyon's Pride?' " Laria stopped and stared at him.

"Well, you are, you know, and it's meant as a compliment by all I've
heard use the term," he said in a placatory tone.

"Lyon's Pride, huh." Laria savored the label and then chuckled. "Does
Dad know?"

"I shouldn't wonder," Kincald replied.

"Hope Mother doesn't. She's rather partial to being a Gwyn-Raven."

"So she should be." Kincaid slid apart the stable doors and grinned as
the inmates whickered joyfully at such an early arrival of those-whofed.
There was additional noise as resting horses rose to all four legs and
their shod hooves scraped against plascrete floors.

In the first right-hand stable, Saki nickered more urgently, stamping
her feet in welcome to a well-known voice, demanding her breakfast
nuggets.

"The morning feeds are usually made up the night before," Laria said,
pausing to let her favorite horse sniff, then lick her palm. "The middle
door."

"I remember ... and so they are."

Saki pushed at Laria, obviously urging her to speed her breakfast to
her, so Laria trotted down to the feed room and helped Kincaid load the
trolley. "We have to start with Saki or she'll damage her knees kicking
the door if anyone else's fed first."

"Shamelessly spoiled .. ."

"Knows she's the alpha mare."

"Will they mind a Lyon-Dano in the Pride?" Kincaid asked, pulling out
the feed dish of the brown gelding opposite Saki, who seemed to be
inhaling her pellets.

"I told you, I don't want you bound officially," Iaria said, moving down
the aisle to the next horse.

"Our child will have two parents and that's not negotiable, Laria
Gwyn-Raven-Lyon-Dano," Kincaid said, in almost the same adamant tone
Afra had used to Damia.

"Like that, are you?" Laria grinned, rather pleased at his attitude,.as
she dumped yet another breakfast into a manger.

"Unless your parents kick up a stink ..

They happened to be facing each other over the feed flat.

"I doubt that, Kincaid Dano." She not only made eye contact with him but
opened her mind, letting him see her high regard for the person he had
struggled to become despite a miserable childhood. "Since they already
respect you. As well as," she added in a blithe tone, "quite likely
admire you for putting up with their eldest daughter. Now, let's finish
feeding."

The activity of feeding, haying and straightening stable sheets had a
soothing effect on them both, considering the multiple shocks of the
day.

"Isn't this the fellow I rode the last time I was here?" Kincaid asked,
stepping back to get a proper look at the animal he was tending.

"He is," Laria said, getting a stable stain from Saki's flank.

"Sure is, and he seems to remember you fondly enough not to race you
around the box."

Afra appeared in the wide stable opening. "Beliakin's presence has been
requested at Blundell House for the next few days, in connection with
Clarissia Negeva's attempt to recruit him," Afra said. "He had the good
sense to tell Gollee immediately before he left Blundell. They knew she
had, of course, but his coming forward acquits him."

"He'd've had significant assets to lose," Laria said blandly, "but I'm
glad I don't have to dodge him." She gave her father a quick glance to
see if she could 'path the real reason Beliakin was now elsewhere.

Afra chuckled, but she could read nothing beyond what he wished her to
know. "That young man could see far too many excellent possibilities in
the immediate future to jeopardize them. He told us exactly what he
recalled of her remarks immediately after that abortive assassination
attempt. He was shocked enough when we heard to be wide open to us. He
is a strong T-2 kinetic and once he has cleared himself with Gollee and
Jeff, he's liable to be assigned either to a Search vessel or with a T-2
'path for one of the new Towers that have to be set up."

Laria eyed her father with skepticism and he grinned back, his yellow
eyes twinkling.

"Of course, with you and Kincaid here, we could allow him the chance to
clear his reputation at Blundell. So this will be no holiday for you,
though I could wish it were. You are more tired than you should be,
Laria," Afra said, and in an unusual display of affection, stroked her
head. His hand stopped and his brows wrinkled in surprise. "And ..."

His expression was puzzled.

Kincaid instantly stepped to her side. "Laria carries my child, Afra
Lyon."

Afra nodded briefly. "The pregnancy is very recent then, for I could
barely detect the physical changes." He held out his hand to Kincaid.
Kincaid did not shield the relief he felt at the quickly proffered hand,
taking the gesture as the approval it was meant to reinforce. "I will
have to admit," Afra continued with a warm grin, "that I am relieved
that you have sired the child, Dano, rather than Vanteer or Beliakin."

"Beliakin never got near enough to touch me," Laria said, affronted by
the mere thought.

And too recent to guess its sex! came Damia's interjection.

And what ifit jun't Talented, Mother? Laria asked coyly.

Don't be ridiculous, Damia said dismissively. Dano@ genes checked out
with a very high potential ofpassi'ng on psychic ahhities.

Mother, thatk ... Laria felt a surge of anger.

Let he, I-aria, Afra said in quick reprimand. We've known that much data
since Kincaid was assigned to Clarf Tower.

Then you know what I- Kincaid began, when a quick cutting motion of
Afra's hand interrupted him.

That is between you and Larial Afra said so firmly that his answer
dismissed further consideration of the topic. Am I not correct, Damia?

You are, was the immediate agreement.

"It may be morning here, but it was late afternoon on Clarf, as memory
serves me," Afra went on. "The horses are tended. You both need tip
rest. You may have to just settle for breakfast instead of whatever meal
you have missed in your haste to get your "Dinis here. But you are both
tired and anxious. I'd say you'd benefit from a relaxing swim. And some
rest."

Laria swiveled in the direction of the Tower.

"We can handle what's due in or out. We'll wake you the moment there's
any news about your "Dinis," Afra said.

Zara says they're already responding to the medicated bath. They absorb
quite a lot of nutrients through the skin pores, you know, said Damia.

"Where are Ewain and Petra?" Laria asked as they followed Afra back to
an oddly silent house.

"School, of course," Afra said. He bent to kiss his daughter's cheek.
"Damia sent them. They don't know you're here yet and we'll keep them
out of your hair until you've had a chance to rest."

Then, with a hand on each to shove them in the direction of the pool, he
left them.

Zara@ here, said Damia gently, waking them. Your "Dinis are improving
rapidly, she added when she sensed their immediate alarm. Come down.

"What time is it?" Kincaid asked, then yawned widel enough to pop his
jaw hinge, stretching his long body.

"Late afternoon, Iota time," Laria said, struggling to lift herself on
one elbow to glance out her window and check the way the shadows fell on
the hillside. Odd to be waking in her own bed, with Kincaid beside her.
Odd, bu nice.

"I feel like I've slept the clock round." He sat up, rubbing a lean
empty belly.

You did, said Zara.

Both shot to their feet, grabbing for clothes they had dumped in a chair
after their relaxing swim. Someone must have removed the damp towels
which Laria vaguely remembered dropping on the floor on her way to the
bed.

You needed it, Zara went on.

Morag and Kaltia? Are they all right? Laria said, hopping on one foot,
trying to get the other foot into the trouser leg.

Take it easy. There was a touch of amusement in Zara's voice. You can
bet your bones you'd've been awakened sooner if there'd been a need. Dad
says they're doingjust great. Blood will tell.

So what's with Tip and Huf ... And Nil and Plus ...  Kincaid put in,
with such matching anxiety that Zara's chuckle echoed in both their
heads.

When you get down here.

There're drinks and things ready, Damia added.

Speedily dressing, the two lingered only long enough to visit the
bathroom and wash hands and faces before they went downstairs. Laria led
the way into the room Kincaid remembered from his previous stay, where a
circle of comfortable couches ringed a fireplace. Flames danced on the
hearth and they were glad of the warmth by then, more accustomed to
Clarf's heat and not the crisp colder temperature at which this house
was generally kept.

Zara was already ensconced on one couch, nibbling a long thin cheese
stick. She pointed to the drinks set opposite her and the variety of
predinner snacks. "Don't eat too much. Mother's got a good dinner to
make up for the meals you've missed."

"Tip and Huf?" Laria asked, brooking no further delays.

"And my two?" Kincaid added, but they both sat at Zara's gesture.

"What I have to tell you is highly confidential. Dad's out hunting with
Ewain, and Petra and Mother have promised not to listen."

Laria regarded Zara with surprise and a touch of trepidation. She
sounded more like her grandmother than her kid sister.

"As head of a team trying to penetrate the mysteries of Mrdini
reproduction, I must also be as discreet as possible in my explanations.
But to my way of thinking, you're owed. Your'dinis ought not to have
been in that hibernatory. And the keeper should have had the sense left
to tell you to take them anywhere else."

"That's where they usually go," laria exclaimed.

"So what happened there?" Kincaid asked.

"A damned fool experiment that any zoobio would have quashed instantly
had we known it was planned," Zara said, biting off the last of her
cheese stick as if it were something else. She let out a sigh. Then
resettling herself, she turned to Laria and Kincaid and began.

"We're still not sure what happens or why certain pairs choose each
other, or are put together by the keeper for the express purpose of  ...
creating a new "Dini life-form ... but Tip would not necessarily be
matched with Huf nor Plus with Nil in a hibernatory. Colors are always
paired. As we've discovered, Human bodies replicate every single cell
over a seven-year period. Mrdini"-Zara gave a wry smile-"do it in two
months. From what we've been able to discern, dead cells in a'dini give
off an unhealthy chemical ..

Laria and Kincaid exchanged startled glances, remembering that their
"Dinis had been smelling a little stronger than usual.

"Hmm ... the fools were probably delaying as long as they could then.
However, the dead cells give off a pheromone of which one hundred-let's
call them units to give us a scale-is the top. At a concentration of
eighty units, they start getting irritable and try to get to the
hibernatory to relieve their discomfort. Most "Dinis wait too long to
come to the hibernatory. But I have discovered that those who come
early, say when the chemical is at seventy-five units, are less likely
to reproduce. If the concentration got over the hundred mark, they'd
probably die, but we haven't confirmed that. You see, what substitutes
for hormones or glandular activity or cell renewal and differentiation
in their particular physiology, works mainly to rejuvenate them cell by
cell. From the extra 'material' "-and Zara shrugged, spreading her hands
to indicate she couldn't find a more appropriate word-"generated by this
extraordinary osmotic process, a new "Dini is created-between them, but
not in orftom them ... between them. The new life could be considered a
clone, but not as we understand or use that process: they are created,
budded, what have you from the brand-new rejuvenated material of the
process the "Dinis called 'refreshment'-which is actually quite
accurate-and they are a mix of the two Mrdini between whom they are
made.

"They gorge themselves with a high-protein, high-mineral
complexcarbohydrate substance, the recipe for which is known only to the
keepers. We've been trying to analyze it, but there are some elements
... Never mind, I digress." Zara flapped her hand in self-re rimand.
"And p the air in a hibernatory is not only hot but humid, with a
special blend of pheromones. The best analogy is the sort of dream state
created by some chemicals ... again a formula zealously guarded by the
keepers. I don't know if the pheromones could be altered to provide
contraception. Or if the earlier hibernation will do the trick. Frankly,
I think our solution is to find out which of the chemicals used can be
left out and not trigger the clone/bud to develop. A sort of abortion,
if you will, except that it's not taking anything as yet 'live.' I
wouldn't like to think how many eggs we females produce that never get
fertilized." She shot a grin at Kincaid. "But that would be an
appropriate analog. The bad news is that there are some nineteen
different components used in the hibernatory incense. The really bad
news is that there are no "Dini-type experimental animals on which we
could try any solution before using it on real live'dinis." Zara heaved
a big sigh, but that didn't fool her sister. The ethics of direct
experimentation on a life-form they considered their equals would have
been anathema to any dedicated medical person. "Then too, the recipe is
so old that the keepers don't remember exactly what the basic elements
are, only how to mix and burn it at a steady rate of emissions. So,
we've set up nineteen different wards, you might call 'em, in Iota's
hibernatory, and thank all the gods that be that it's such a new
facility and we can separate the wards completely. In each ward a
different chemical will be omitted, while the rest of the hibernators
get the usual incense. When we've figured that out, we can decide what
chemical to eliminate. One just can't stop all'creation'without some
notice being taken of it in the general "Dini population." She grinned.
"It's going to take time. But we will succeed."

"Reassuring yourself, sis?" Laria asked with an understanding grin. She
was still close enough in mental rapport with her sister to catch Zara's
frustration despite the very positive statement of intent.

"Yes, I am," Zara agreed, much to Laria's surprise. "What's so
frustrating is the time it's going to take to be absolutely sure that
what happened to your quartet isn't repeated anywhere else."

"Did many die?" Kincaid asked.

Zara nodded slowly. Her expression was grim. "Not the best way to reduce
excess population."

"Were any very important "Dinis lost?" Laria asked.

"Yes, and some whose matches were also lost so they can't be replaced as
Gil and Kat were. No big "Dinis were involved in the Clarf fiasco. Their
hibernations are strictly for the 'refreshment' aspect of the seclusion.
The'creative'stage is quite individual, but the larger the'dini, the
less it is likely to have enough left of the 'creative' material
required to produce a juvenile."

"That's a lot more than we've ever known," Laria said thoughtfully.

"It took us Humans long enough to learn to control our populations,"
Zara said. "We have had many "Dinis, every color, come forward and agree
to be used as anatomical subjects..

"What?' Kincaid was no less horrified than Laria, but she was able to
voice her objection.

"Well, they don't leave a corpse, you know ...  Oh, you didn't know?
Since they evolved on such a hot planet, they have a waterregulating
physiology, reacting to osmotic pressure. So they sort of turn to mush
when the physiology shuts down at death, the cells rupture and
essentially the body disintegrates. Unless they are immediately
used000ps ... Well, let's not get into the archaic tradition of 'going
on the line.' They are rendered unconscious but have to be used
immediately or immersed in a solution of the right liquids until they
are used. None of us like the idea of ...  operating on a live entity
... and keep hoping we won't be forced to that expedient." Her face had
turned as pale as theirs. She went on more briskly. "They do have an
entirely different attitude toward death. You both know that from the
history of suicide raids on the Hiver spheres. They were convinced that
they, as themselves, would be re-created. As Gil and Kat were."

"But to dissect a live'dini .. ." Laria could not continue, shaking her
head in repugnance.

"I've learned a lot more about Mrdinis since I started this assignment,
Laria," Zara said, in the most solemn and respectful tone Laria had ever
heard from her younger sister. "And since we're seeing it more and more
as a pheromone problem, we won't need to do biological dissections.
000ps, sorry. You're looking very green, Lar."

"Exactly what is happening to our friends?" Kincaid said anxiously.

"We're refreshing them. They're in separate tubs, to get the full
benefit of that osmotic therapy, and in the same room. At the rate
they're absorbing the substance, they should be physically fit again in
about three more weeks. You were smart to get them here as fast as you
did. I've made arrangements with the head keeper to allow you to come
and see them whenever you wish. They're not really conscious right now,
but they'll know you're there."

"Three weeks?" Laria was alarmed. There was no way she could be absent
from Clarf that long.

"There's not a thing that prevents us from coming back as often as we're
needed," Kincaid said, a reassuring hand squeezing Laria's knee.

Clarf's Tower Prime rolled her eyes as she realized that he was right.

"You've had a shock, sis," Zara said. Then she shook a finger at them.
"You're not to wear yourselves out-not with the time distortion between
Iota Aurigas and Clarf You especially, Laria." Her finger settled
warningly. "Not"-she smiled, "that I'm not delighted."

"You looked?" Laria was perversely annoyed at her sister's knowledge of
her pregnancy.

Zara guffawed. "Honey, the change didn't require me to look any farther
than the glow in your skin and a certain shine in the eye that many
pregnant women develop."

Laria turned to Kincaid. "Do I look that different?"

"If I say yes, you'll thump me," Kincaid replied with mock fear,
pretending to recoil from her wrath.

"Would notl"

"Then you've mellowed, sis," was Zara's tart response. "You're built
right for having babies, unlike the Rowan, but take it easy-as easy as
possible," she corrected herself immediately, 'in Tower work. Give Morag
more of the merges. She can handle anything. And it wouldn't hurt Kaltia
to take a few either. They're well able to do it after their
apprenticeship here, even if they are technically too young to be full
Primes." She grinned. "Just as if I had the say in the matter." Okay
tojoin us, Mother, Dad.

Damia and Afra did, Damia carrying a tray of hot canapts.

"You shouldn't've let us sleep so long," Laria began.

"After your sister the healer said you obviously both needed it?"

Damia replied, raising an eyebrow in reproof. "We've checked with the
girls and they're coping superbly;"

"Though they do,feel," Afra added, "that not every single relative of
the many they have-bar Thian and Roier, who probably are unaware of the
circumstances at Clarf Tower-needs to check in on an hourly basis."

"Lionasha would let us know," Laria started, sharing what she also
considered an affront to the capabilities of the pair, as well as a
tacit criticism of herself.

Kincaid gave her a gende nudge with his elbow. "Where are all the
other'dinis I know live here?"

Zara chuckled. "The adults are all taking turns nursing your lot, and
the young are out with Ewain and Petra, hunting. Eatl " She pointed
imseriously at the tray Damia now presented to them.

"I'd sort of looked forward to hunting," Kincaid remarked in mild
disappointment. "You can hunt all day tomorrow if you want ..." Damia
began.

"Only after we've seen our friends," Laria said.

"You can come in with me after dinner," Zara said. "They'll be lucid
enough to know you're nearby."

"Lucid?" Every ounce of Laria's anxiety returned.

"Because"-Afra sat himself down on the other side of his distressed
eldest daughter-"they're swimming in a nutrient fluid and so surfeited
with regenerative substances that they're not likely to make much sense.

Laria wasn't sure she found that description any more reassuring.

I uouldn't lie to you, Lar, Zara said, passing her cheese sticks. "Don't
you like them anymore?

Well, that's nicer than reminding me Fm eatingfor two.

You haven't even started that.

"Enough," Damia said.

"Why, Mom? Can't you read us?" Zara grinned, reverting to her gamine and
younger self "There's a level at which you two can communicate that
excludes us," Afra admitted as Damia hesitated. He looked directly at
Kincaid. "The sort of level that develops between two people who are
often in merge and rapport. Morag and Kaltia, being so close in age,
have that facility. So do Ewain and Petra. Thian could go in either
direction, to you, Laria, or to Roier. But clearly"-he waved the cheese
stick he was eating from Zara to Laria-"the girls can activate the old
sideslip at will."

"Sjdeslip?" Kincaid asked. "Is it limited to siblings and couples?"

Damia shrugged. "I doubt it. It works when it works."

Afra chuckled, deep down in his chest. "Jeff has often remarked that he
can't say anything that your mother doesn't hear."

"And you, Afra Lyon?" asked Damia, cocking her head at her mate of
twenty-seven years.

Afra merely smiled. "That's for me to know and you to find out!"

"Why, you ornery yellow-eyed Capellan-"

"Kitchen timer's ringing, Mother," Zara said, pointing.

"Oh Lord ..." Damia moved so quickly she might as well have 'ported.

"Do you, Dad?" Zara asked in a whisper.

Afra's response was another chuckle.

"Oh, you!" she exclaimed in disgust when he refused to answer.

The clatter of horses' hooves, yells from jubilant hunters, provided an
additional distraction.

"I can't believe Ewain and Petra hunt for the family now," Laria said,
rising.

"They're pretty good at it too," Afra said, unfolding his long frame. He
peered out the window. "They'll need help."

Which the young hunters did, their horses laden with avians and
scurriers.

"Did you bring me in any fresh greens and tubers?" Zara demanded, her
expression somewhat censorious as she watched the unpacking.

"Sure, sis." Ewain tossed her a sack that had been tied to the front of
his saddle. "Not much at this time of the year, but there's enough for
your needs."

In the absence of any of the family Mrdinis that enjoyed helping in the
kitchen, the Humans all pitched in, Kincaid electing to dress down the
carcasses outside the back door. Avians particularly were best eaten
fresh and the scurriers lightly grilled. Vegetables were prepared, and
with so many to help, dinner was ready in a very short space of time: a
dinner to which Laria and Kincaid did full justice.

"You three go on now," Damia said. "We'll clean up ..." She included
Ewain and Petra.

"Aw, Ma, we hunted," complained Petra. "And I've studies ..."

"You may 'port to save time," Damia said, "but don't you dare show off
or break a single dish."

Zara beckoned for Laria and Kincaid to exit quietly before Ewain could
start his protests.

The main hibernatory on Iota Aurigas was in the hills above the city and
had been built with considerable care by the first "Dinis that came to
the mining world. Damia and Afra had insisted on, and 'ported in, the
favorite woods and other materials preferred by the Mrdinis. A special
"growing" tank had also been constructed, though until very recently no
Human had known what was grown in it. Only that the substance was
essential for a good hibernation.

Zara did not park the airsled in front of the entrance, but swung around
back, landing on a ledge that apparently had been built for discreet and
private use. Two other small craft were parked. Zara neady took the
single remaining empty space. Emerging, Laria and Kincaid could see no
visible entry.

Zara grinned. "They've left nothing to chance," she said, and walked
right up to the apparently seamless rock. She touched something and
instantly a door opened outward. She ducked inside, for the lintel was
low, gesturing urgently for Laria and Kincaid to enter quickly. The door
shut and Laria felt her ears pop.

Zara turned on a wrist light. "I know the way, but it's narrow and I
don't want you falling."

Laria caught the unusual odor and had to cram a finger under her nose to
keep from sneezing. Then she became conscious of the incredibly humid
heat.

We've only a few steps to go. Door's to our kft. Slip in asfast as
possible. That smell can get to you realfast.

Her wrist light showed them the door and they followed close enough that
they nearly stumbled in their effort to enter. The panel slid shut so
fast it just missed Kincaid's heels. They were on the landing of a
flight of stairs, lit from a brighter light below, and Zara led the way
down to yet another door. This opened into a laboratory of considerable
size, filled with smells that made Laria very nauseous-those pheromones
Zara had been talking about? There were busy Humans and "Dinis,
diligently peering into microscopes or other instruments at their
workstations. Zara's entry with her companions was noted only briefly by
those they passed.

"Your'dinis are in the private infirmary." Zara pointed to her right, to
the side aisle in which closed doors were unevenly spaced. "Third one on
the left." Again a swift parting and then closing of the door. LR AND
KNCD HERE NOW, she said, pointing to a viewing window that gave onto a
dimly lit inner room.

Instantly a panel slid aside and her parents' two "Dinis, Tri and Fok,
emerged. As they embraced her, their heads at her shoulder level, Laria
was immediately surprised at how much larger they'd become.

YOU ARE SO BIG Now, she exclaimed, leaning only slightly down to hold
them tightly against her. THANK YOU FOR HELPING TLP AND HGF.

AND NPL AND PLS, Kincaid added, spreading his fingers on their
shoulders.

THEY DO BETTER NOW, Fok told Kincaid, turning to hold out its flipper
and squeeze Dano's hand firmly. SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN TAKEN THERE IN
FIRST PLACE. WHY WERE YOU NOT TOLD?

WE DON'T KNOW WHY, Laria said. THEY NEEDED TO GO AND DID NOT ASK TO BE
TAKEN UNTIL WE REALIZED THEY HAD TO GO.

Tri looked up at Laria, its poll eye unblinking. CAN GUESS.

GUESS WHAT, TRI? Laria insisted.

YOU SEE THEM NOW, Tri said, and pulled her with it. You Too, KNCD.

Go with them, Zara said. rll tell you one thing. The four of thetn got
chewed t4o small pieces and spat out when Tri and Fokfirst spoke to
them. Never heard "Dinis speak like that. Even older "Dinis.

Tri and Fok have grown so much  ... They'refour-letter'dinis now too, hy
the way. Congratulate them when you can.

Then they were inside the dim room and could make out the four tanks,
smell the astringent odor of the fluid in which their "Dinis were
floating. There were other odors mixed in with astringency, as well as
traces of the strong smell that had assailed them as they entered the
hibernatory.

Despite the immersion of her friends almost to the poll eyes, Laria had
no trouble identifying Tip and Huf, and knelt between their tanks,
reaching out to stroke the sides of their heads, below the poll eyes.

WE H'E MISSED YOU AS MUCH AS WE WOULD MISS OUR HEARTS, Kincaid murmured,
one hand on each "Dini's neck. BETTER NOW, Nil muttered in a voice just
barely above a whisper. OH TIP, HUF, WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. Laria felt
Zara touch her mind with reassurance and great affection.

MUCH BETTER, SINCE NOT SILLY NOW AND DO AS TOLD, Tri said quite firmly,
coming around the tank to its head and emptying a small pail of
something whose fumes came close to making Laria gag. She felt Zara
instantly depress the reaction.

YOU SLEEP, SLEEP WELL, Huf said, before Fok emptied a pail into its tank
and a second wave of nausea nearly overwhelmed Laria.

YOU COULD HAVE WAITED, FOK, TRI, Zara said with some impa tience.

CANNOT WAIT, Fok said, trotting off, empty pail swinging in its hand.
EXACT ON TIME IS IMPORTANT. YOU BRING THEM BACK BETWEEN PAILS. ENOUGH
FOR NOW. SHORT VISIT BEST.

They have seen you antifelt your touch and love, Zara said, putting a
hand under Laria's arm and lifting her up.

Kincaid rose too, swallowing convulsively. His reaction made Laria feel
less weak-stomached.

It affects all Humans that way, Zara said drolly as she pushed them
toward the door. "But it's always good to breathe fresh air again," she
added as they were once more in the anteroom. OH, THERE YOU ARE, she
added to the four "Dinis who were sitting on stools. THESE HAVE GROWN
TOO, SO YOU MAY NOT RECOGNIZE EWAIN'S VTL AND BFR AND PETRA!S JN AND
THV.

IT IS GOOD TO MEET THE FRIENDS OF MY BROTHER AND SISTER, Laria said,
executing a bow appropriate to young'dinis. THIS IS KNCD, WHOM YOU MAY
NOT REMEMBER.

WE KNOW NIL AND PLUS AND HELP ALL WE CAN, Vtl replied, bowing more
deeply.

WE ARE MORE GRATEFUL THAN WE CAN EVER EXPRESS AT THE CARE AND ATTENTION
YOU ALL ARE GIVING OUR SICK FRIENDS, Kincaid said, and his bow was
deeper than Laria's. Vtl was almost embarrassed, and Thy, the youngest
of them all, slid quietly behind Jn.

DO NOT BE EMBARRASSED BY THE GOODWILL OF KNCD, Zara told them. OTHERWISE
HE WOULD BE WITHOUT HIS FRIENDS, AND YOU KNOW HOW PAINFUL THAT IS.

WE DO. All four of the young'dinis now bowed as deeply as Kincaid had.

Laria was still experiencing nausea and she could see the odd greenish
tinge to Kincaid's face.

EXCUSE US, GOOD MRDINI FRIENDS. WE LEAVE, Zara said, and 'ported all of
them out to the clear, crisp cold air of the ledge.

Laria leaned weakly against the airsled while Kincaid stood, inhaling
and exhaling in deep drafts.

"That's the best way to clear your lungs," Zara said. "I'm so used to
the stenches that I don't even smell them anymore."

"You mean"-Kincaid pointed to the solid cliff-"you can get used to that
smell?"

"I've smelled a lot worse lately," Zara said with a wry smile. "C'mon,
Laria, climb into that sled before you fall in. They've seen you, you've
seen them and Flkm and Trpl have reassured you. Those two could have
waited until you'd left before they slopped your "Dinis again," she
added irritably.

"Are they getting even with us then, for not taking good care of ours?"
Laria wanted to know, carefully fastening the seatbelt since she still
felt woozy. She heard Kincaid's belt click too.

"No, just being officious. They're actually enjoying the celebrity
they've acquired by being able to effect a rapid improvement."

"How many did die at Clarf?"

"Too many." It was obvious to Laria from Zara's tone that she was not
going to give statistics. "The very young and the oldest. The midage
group seemed to have more resilience and are responding to treatment."

"The same ours are getting?"

Zara nodded, flying carefully around the back of the hibernatory. Of
that Laria was just as glad, for the route they'd taken on the way in
had required some dips and veerings that she was not certain her innards
could have handled.

"I'll give you something for nausea when we get home," Zara said kindly.
"The big if," she went on in a grim voice, "is whether or not your
friends-and the other survivors-will be able to ' create again. So
essentially we have two diametrically opposite problems to solve:
contracaption and restoration of the creative function."

"And?" Kincaid asked gently.

Zara gave a shrug. "If we succeed in finding which pheromones can be
withdrawn to provide contraception, the top Mrdini will be happy. We'll
try to concentrate on the majority. We'll do the best we can on the
other."

With that to mull over, no one spoke on the flight back. Zara parked the
sled but before the other two could descend, she offered Laria a shot
glass with a pale green liquid in it. "Drink. Then go watch the sunset.
That's as much a part of restoring your equilibrium as the potion." She
shooed them off toward the steps that led up to the little garden
created especially to view the sinking sun of Iota Aurigas.

Very few on Clarf ever knew that there had been a substitution of Tower
Primes. At first, quick-witted Lionasha inferred that Laria and Kincaid
were exceedingly busy helping the poor unfortunate victims of the Clarf
Tower disaster. "Which actually isn't a lie at all."

"Fiasco, not disaster. You can prevent fiascoes," Vanteer grumbled from
his engineering station.

The official story spread by Mrdini keepers was that power had failed at
the hibernatory and all attempts by the keeper to repair the damage had
been in vain, causing the death of 405 of the 789 using the facility.
Very few knew that this had been an attempt to interrupt conception. On
Clarf, of course, everyone knew that one did not interrupt hibernation
and the keeper had been overly confident in its ability to cope with the
emergency. By the time it admitted failure, the damage was done. Top
technicians from other Mrdini planets were called in to restore power
and cleanse the building. If a discreet new facility was added on one of
the upper ranks, it escaped notice in the general confusion of repair.
The head keeper and its staff were permanently reduced to menial rank.
Three-the oldest, who had also been head keeper, and its two immediate
subordinates-went into an osmotic failure and turned into mush. From old
age, it was said. Whatever their shortcomings were, their records had
been meticulously kept so that it was known which pairings should be
repeated to restore many of the lost Mrdinis. When the next group of
"Dinis arrived for their two months' hibernation, an entirely new,
younger management was in charge: the new head keeper had just finished
advanced training on Iota Aurigas.

Very few off Clarf in fact knew that substitute personnel were in charge
of the Tower for nearly three weeks. The assignment of a third hot
planet, a mere two light-years away from Clariflor, to relieve the
overburdened Mrdini homeworlds provided an additional distraction. Other
Primes receiving or sending material to Clarf were too busy to query any
minor differences they might have discerned in'porting techniques. Quick
to learn and already well versed in Tower protocol, the Lyon sisters got
the hang of the workload within four days. Morag and Kaltia were quite
as diligent in the performance of their duties as Laria had been. To
share the learning experience as well as the loads they were having to
'port, they took turns being the merge mind. Lionasha was punctilious
about serving them the restorative drink and they had youth as well as
innate strength to support their heavy duties.

Lionasha took it into her head that Laria would have introduced the
girls around, and seen that they enjoyed the social life of the Human
Compound. She told Vanteer quite blundy that he would have to act as
their male escort. Mrdinis worked longer hours than most
Humansconsidering their hibernation as their vacation-but Prime Towers
kept to the normal Star League eight-hour working day with two rest days
in seven.

"You can do what you like the five other nights, but those girls are not
going to be immured in the Tower," she said, so firmly that Vanteer did
not argue. "They're going to Sixth Day dances and the vid nights, and if
they meet someone whom you and I both consider proper, they have every
right to enjoy a night off. They aren't nunnies, or whatever hermits
were called."

"Nuns," Kaltia corrected, having been silently cheering Lionasha on in
recruiting Vanteer as escort. While the Human society on Clarf was
conducted in a relaxed attitude, neither girl had reached adult status.
As juveniles on a foreign world, they ought to be properly accompanied.

Lionasha did not mention Vanteer's reputation, but she would be along to
ensure the proprieties.

"Actually, I think she meant'nannies,'but they didn't have much fun
either," Morag said, looking forward to meeting new people, dancing and
having some fun.

"All work is wrong," Lionasha told Vanteer. "We need a break and so do
they. So, because Laria and Kincaid are far too occupied with Tower
management, we'll escort the girls. It'd be damned funny if they weren't
allowed out of here now and then, you know."

To that Vanteer had to agree.

So they escorted their charges to functions in the air-conditioned Human
Compound. Lionasha took them shopping-Tower personnel had the advantage
of knowing in advance if there was anything worth looking at-and both
Lionasha and Vanteer escorted them to the dance evenings. The girls were
good dancers and rarely sat out. They had the good sense to make
themselves as popular with their own sex in the intervals, especially
when they tipped the girls off to special imports. They also dropped
little clues to support the fiction that they were on an apprenticeship
level: Morag moaned a bit at how hard it was to keep track of all the
message tubes. Kaltia fretted about getting chapped hands from the
cleanser that removed the grease of Clarf's generators.

"We were sent here to learn Tower management, and we are," Morag said,
with such sincerity that Lionasha had all she could do not to laugh at
her long-suffering pose. "Sis may be strict, but I can't fault her for
that."

Although they admitted to Talent, they were careful not to mention their
actual rank, intimating that they were destined for less glamorous
positions than Primes. If any of the more knowledgeable from Terra had
suspicions, they kept silent. Since the girls were Primes, they deftly,
and shamelessly, used that advantage in 'pathing just enough from the
minds of those they met to take the right attitude that would lead to
friendly, rather than envious, relationships.

"Well, we never look below the public mind," Morag admitted to Lionasha
and Vanteer. "But we can't afford to make mistakes with Humans or'dinis.
We only read surface stuff. That's usually more than enough when people
are out to have fun." Morag grinned. "They are under the distinct
impression that I am training with you, Lionasha, and Kaltia's getting
some hands-on experience with the station generators."

"Yeah, I heard you talking to Scott Attenboro," Vanteer said with
reluctant admiration. "You know more than he does about station
generators."

"We both do," Kaltia said flatly. "Xexo trained us, you know."

"He did?" Vanteer's eyebrows raised in surprise. "I didn't think he'd
let anyone touch his generators." The Iota Aurigas engineer was a legend
in his specialty.

Several times Morag and Kaltia made courtesy calls at the Clarf homes of
their "Dinis' colors and gained much favor from their impeccable manners
to the elder'dinis. Sim and Dar, who were gray, and Key and Su, who were
blues, consequently enjoyed more prestige in their color houses.

When the sisters were asked about the absence of Laria, they had ready
answers: "Sis is pretty tired right now with all the traffic. You'd
think half the planet was emigrating." "She and Dano have to do some
Tower adjustments."

"There's a huge shipment to go tomorrow and we're even going to have to
help."

To the amusement of all three women, Vanteer took a very responsible
attitude about which males he'd introduce to the sisters. If he was the
victim of some joking about chaperoning, he ignored it.

"He's almost worse than Dad," Morag complained. "He practically hauled
that gorgeous Leonard Perutz away from me, and all Leonard wanted was a
dance."

"Ha! That one!" Lionasha said. "And if he hadn't kept Perutz away from
you, I would have, and a thump for being so stupid."

"But he's so handsome," Kaltia said with a wistful sigh.

"And about as trustworthy as ... as.. ." An appropriate comparison
failed Lionasha. "Laria won't acknowledge him whenever he's sent here as
a troubleshooter. If she snubs him, you will too. Don't ask the other
girls about him either. Ignore him."

"Oh!" Morag and Kaltia exchanged thoughtful glances and sighed in
unison. Lionasha went on. "Now, young Vince Studebaker may not have
Perutz's looks or charm, but he's a good dancer, as funny as "Dinis on a
mud slide and worth much more of your attention than Perutz."

"I danced with him, and you're right, Lio, he's quick on his feet and he
is very funny. He's got some of the most hilarious jokes. Nice ones
too."

"Just take it from me, girls, and if Vanteer cuts you out from a
partner, he knows what he's doing."

"Even if we're wrecking his game?" Morag said with a wicked glint in her
eyes.

"We both promised Laria we'd take care of you. Frankly, I think I like
Van the better for being so vigilant. Takes one to know one." Then
Lionasha chuckled, her tawny eyes twinkling. "Though it's good Laria and
Kincaid are due back. The strain on Vanteer's beginning to show."

just before false dawn, after three weeks' absence, Laria and Kincaid
returned to Clarf, but without their "Dinis.

"They're much better, much better," Laria said, dropping to her knees to
embrace the other Tower "Dinis clamoring for news of their friends.
"We've missed you all. We're so glad to be back."

"Not any gladder than Van will be," Lionasha said, winking at Laria. tu
tell you later.

"Are we expected to go right back to Iota, Lar?" Morag asked, her
expression anxious. "I've met this real neat guy .. ." Over Morag's
head, Laria caught Lionasha's approving nod. "Vince Studebaker, and
there's a fancy dress ball next Sixth Day .. ."

"You'll be stuck here awhile longer, girls," Laria said. "I might even
have to send one of you to help Yoshuk and Nesrun at Sef Tower with all
that has to go to that latest planet that's been released. Jeff routed
quite a bit of heavy stuff through Iota rather than overload you."

"Overload us! Why, the nerve of Grandfather," Morag said, outraged.

laria laughed, hugging her sister. "You tell him. I won't. Now, fill us
in, will you, girls, Lio, and where's Vanteer?'

"He'll be along at real dawn, Laria. He's been more help than you could
possibly imagine.' Lionasha's straight face was belied by the gleam in
her eyes.

"Kept all the no-no's from dancing with us, even Perutz!"

Laria's expression froze and she stared at Lionasha. "If that man got
... "Not with Van acting chaperone, he didn't," Lionasha said, grinning.

Laria's eyebrows went up in surprise. "Turned over a new leaf, has our
Van?"

"Not likely." Lio gave a snort and then smiled. "But he was damned sure
he wasn't going to be blamed for any incidents. As far as the Human
society of Clarf is concerned, your sisters were here to learn the lower
grades of Tower management."

"Well done, kids," Laria said, hugging her sisters once more.

"Hey, you two look a lot better," Lionasha said. "Like you got enough
sleep or had a vacation."

"We had both, actually," Laria said. "Mother and Dad wouldn't let us
near the Tower ..."

"Not with Beliakin there, I'll bet," Lionasha said in an acid tone.

Laria grinned. "We never saw him once. He had to report to Blundell
about that wretched Clarissia. He cleared himself of any suspicion."

She paused, with a little smile on her face. "I wouldn't be surprised at
all if Mom and Dad didn't sort of ...  well ... adjust his general
attitude."

"That!couldn't hurt," Lionasha said, glancing over at Kincaid, who
grinned back.

"Somehow I don't think he'll stay long, now he's had such good
experience at Iota." Laria smothered a grin. "But you know how valuable
strong T-2's are right now. Grandfather's sure to put him in some
crucial position. Not that their replacement will be anywhere near the
kinetic Beliakin seems to be. Mother said Gollee's description of him is
I very young and so eager to learn he's almost pathetic.' Kobold von
something or other. Well, if Mom can trim down Beliakin's amazing ego,
maybe she can build this little fellow's up."

"Kobold von Gruy? So he developed, did he? He comes from my city,"
Kincaid said with an odd smile, "so he'd have to overcome the odd ideas
about Talent prevalent where we come from."

Laria gave Kincaid a quick look and laid her hand briefly on his arm.
Lionasha had trouble repressing the questions those brief, and intimate,
gestures provoked. She turned away to go get breakfast started.

"He'll do fine with Mother and Dad to sort of ease him into Tower work,"
Laria said.

"Didja hunt much?" Kaltia asked, so eagerly that it was obvious she
missed that task.

"Indeed we did. In fact, I think that between us Kincaid and I finally
hunted out that valley of mine."

"Can't be done," Kaltia argued.

"Kincaid here"-once again Laria touched the T-2's arm-"gets full honors
for bagging the most every time we went out, wherever we went. Ewain was
disgusted."

"He would be," Kaltia said with a snort. "But when do you get your
"Dinis back?"

I'll tell you what I can later, Laria said.

"Zara's still at Iota?" Morag asked, though she already knew the answer.

Laria nodded. "And likely to be for some time. She's done great work and
pulled our'dinis round." Then her face lost all expression. "Did we lose
many we know?"

Returning with a tray of hot drinks, Lionasha nodded sadly. "I knew
twenty, and Van knew another half-dozen. Some eighty of Huf's main house
died and thirty of Tip's."

"Morag and Kaltia made appropriate visits to the color houses, since
their own "Dinis wished to express condolence."

"We will too, of course," Laria said. "It was all so needless."
Abruptly, she took a sip of the hot drink and then stepped over to
Lionasha's work station. "Have we much for the morning? You two"-she
pointed at her sisters-"have the day off."

"That's fine by us," Morag said, "because there were some real neat
fashions shipped in from Earth that should be on display and I need
something new to wear. We didn't bring half enough good things with us.
You coming too, Kaltia?"

Laria looked queringly at Lionasha and was reassured by Lio's dismissive
wave.

"That pair know Clarf from hither to thither, Laria. Don't worry about
them," Lionasha said. "Now, I don't want you to lose all the good the
holiday did you, so if the girls'll stay long enough to help 'port in
the heavy machinery, it'd ease you back into the routine."

"Shops don't open until late morning," Morag said.

"Sure, don't want to lose my touch," was Kaltia's reaction.

"That's most unlikely," Laria said, 'pathing her pride in her sisters.

Lyon's Pride, Kincaid added, mischief twinkling in his eyes.

An excited Sam Weiman and Grm begged a moment of Thian's time as the
Washingm and the fleet she led made their way toward the next suspect
system.

"I know this may sound absolutely ridiculous," Sam began, with Grm
bouncing up and down on its flipper beside him. "But I've been thinking
about pheromones, our odors'he tapped his chest'and theirs." He pointed
astern, meaning Arcadia or system Cj -70, which was now a good week
behind them. "I think smell has a lot more to do with Hivers than we may
have adequately investigate When we had Operation Sh under way, I
automatically took sa; ples of the air as we went from place to place
-sort of a headspace analysis, the sort we'd do with alien insects - in
each collection point. I believe that the Hivers have been classified as
basically insectoids. I also had Commander Kloo add gas chromatography
to the remotes to keep track of any pheromone alterations. At any rate,
Grm here and I have discovered that these pheromones are distinct,
identifiable chemical compounds, especially when the queen made
replacements for the attendants we took from her quarters."

"Really?" Thian raised his eyebrows in surprise. "More than
interesting," he went on, "since Earth Prime forwarded me in his latest
report of the general situation at Blundell news that my sister Zara is
working on the Mrdini hibernatory problem." He turned to Grm and spoke
in Mrdini with a quick but respectful bow. YOU MAY NOT HAVE HEARD THAT
THE MRDINI FRIENDS OF CLARF'S PRIME AND T-2 DANO WERE PART OF THE
TRAGEDY AT CLARF'S MAIN HIBERNATORY. MRDINI HAD GRACIOUSLY REQUESTED
ZARA AS PRIME MEDICAL HUMAN TO HELP REVIVE AND HEAL THE VICTIMS.

Grm, however, bowed, its poll eye covered slightly by its lids in
deference to the sad incident. DID HEAR. AS XENBEE, THIS ONE KNOWS THAT
SPECIAL PHEROMONES ARE USED IN HIBERNATORIES. BUT NOT WHICH ONES. Grm
nodded but indicated for Thian to continue. DEEPEST, MOST SACRED
INFORMATION KNOWN ONLY TO KEEPERS WHO ARE TRAINED TO MANAGE
HIBERNATORIES. It gave a little shudder.

"I wonder what sort of smells we exuded on our first visit to that
queen's quarters. She sure aired the place out in a hurry."

"The point is," Sam went on, giving Grm another apologetic bow, that if
we knew what pheromones the queen produces under which circumstances, we
might find a way of ... of sort of replacing certain pheromones and thus
producing a more pacific attitude. Reducing their size and
aggressiveness: making them more like the Arcadians. Has anyone done a
'headspace analysis' of the Heinlein queen?"

"I can certainly find out," Thian said at his most cooperative.
"Wouldn't it be ironic if pheromones were the key to the Hiver problem
as well as the Mrdinis'? We've been too husy, he thought to himself,
having to eliminate the Hivers to discover how to contain them. But that
differ ence in size between Arcadia's uorkers and those at Xh-33 and by
the Heinlein queens must be significant.

Once Vagrian Beliakin got back from rather intensive sessions with
Gollee Gren and with the team investigating the abortive assassination
attempt over his one interview with that dreadful Casellan female, he
settled back into Iota Aurigae's routine with great relief He learned
that he had missed a visit home by Laria and Kincaid Dano. He couldn't
figure out if the call to Blundell had been to keep him out of their
way, but he was just as glad that he had been absent. He had even had a
final quarter hour with Earth Prime himself and felt he'd made a good
impression on Jeff Raven, though the man had kept to two topics: the
horses currently at Iota and the hunting that Vagrian had done with his
youngest grandchildren. Although Beliakin felt that Raven's geniality
had to mask some other devious purpose, he sensed no mental intrusion
during their spoken conversation.

Back at Iota, and genuinely glad to be there, he saw little enough of
Zara-she rarely even slept at the Tower House right now, trying to save
the victims of the Clarf hibernatory's breakdown. He hunted with Petra
and Ewain, careful to keep up an easy relationship with them and their
parents. He had no trouble finding female companionship of the type he
preferred in Iota Aurigas City.

Two days later, they had just finished shifting another six big daddies,
when Earth Prime asked for a few words with Vagrian.

Damia grinned and gestured for Vagrian to answer while she and Afra left
the Tower ... just as if, Vagrian thought very carefully, they couldn't
have "heard" whatever Jeff Raven said if they wished. He doubted they
would stoop to listening, since both were scrupulous in Talent protocol
and traditions and Afra was a methody Casellan.

Hoey wou4d youfeel ahout managing a new Tower, Beliakin?

Beg pardon? Vagrian gripped the armrests of his couch in surprise.

The Fourth Fleet's released a new planet and your kinetic strength is
certainly needed to 'port the supplies the place u4ll need. I helieve
they've calkd the planet Iuojima. I don't know what it is that has the
Star League so keen on naming p14nets after Human battle victories, hut
the Mrdinis don't complain. It'll end up Wjmfor them, Fm sure.

I hardly know what to say, sir, Beliakin replied, swallowing
figuratively and literally, but rll certainly do my hest to prove my
ahhities.

Which is exactly why you've heen chosen. You'll have a good support in a
T-3'pash, a T-3 expediter, a T-4 engineer and, during the initialsurge
to supply, a third T-3 kinetic, as support. We'llpush a lot of the heavy
stuffthrough Perry, the Fourth Fleet's Prime, so initially you'll do
more catching than throwing. We're trying tofind a good T-2 'pather to
augment you, similar to the arrangement that's worked so well with your
brother and Nesrun at Sef Tower. But it'll take time tofine-tune a Tower
crew, so don't be reticent in telling me if there's a mismatch.

Vagrian was still so stunned at his unexpected good fortune that he said
the first thing that came to mind.

But ... but ... what ahout Iota, and who'll assist on those big daddies?

Your anxiety does you credit, Vagrian. Gollee's got a T-2 in training,
Kobold von Gruy, and they will augment him with their T-2 and T-3
students. All but one are old enoughforfull Tower work. I needyou at
Iwojima. How soon can you be ready?

Won't take me long at all, sir. And he was out of his couch and
descending three steps at a time, the clatter causing Keylarion to stare
at him. Then he also realized that Xexo hadn't come up out of his
engineering pit and the generators hadn't been turned off.

"I'm going to a new Tower," Vagrian cried as he passed the two. "I've
got to pack. I'll have my own Tower." He caught at the doorframe with
both hands to stop his reckless forward momentum since Damia and Afra
were in the little lounge, grinning at him.

"Take all the time you need to pack, Vagrian," Damia said cheerfully.
"And congratulations. We didn't think we'd have you long. Not with your
kinetic strength."

"I won't take long," he promised, and stifled the urge to teleport to
his room. He did, however, use his kinetic Talent to start gathering up
his belongings in the house onto the bed, and was rolling his disks into
shirts and sweaters before he was out of sight of the Lyons. Then he
'ported to his room and speeded up the process of packing. Since he'd
seen Damia 'port his things into her house, he had no qualms about
'porting them back to the Tower yard by the personnel carrier that was
always racked in one of the side cradles.

Damia and Afra were coming down the Tower steps as he jogged up from the
house. He said all that was suitable for a leave-taking, grinned at
their repeated congratulations, waved a farewell and thanks to Xexo and
Keylarion, who came out of the Tower to see him off.

Afra closed the cover with one last smile. Of course, Vagrian didn't
feel the transfer, not one being done by the Iota Aurigas Tower. He did
hear a male voice accept transfer: Got 'im, Damia. Thanks. Greetings,
Beliakin. Perry here. Then he heard a great deal of exterior noise as
his personnel carrier settled into its destination cradle. We'll meet
later, Beliakin. Do get into the Tower as soon as possible. We're quite
busy.

The tenor voice sounded slightly breathless, which suggested to Vagrian
that this Perry-one of David of Betelgeuse's sons, wasn't he? -was
multitasking. A tap preceded the opening of his carrier and he felt a
rush of fresh, air, warmer than Iota's, filled with myriad smells-mostly
of building materials, paint, oil, grease and Human sweat.

"Hi, I'm your expediter, T-2 Vagrian Beliakin," said the dark-haired
woman looking in at him. "My name's Beejay, T-3'pather." She stepped
back to allow him to exit the carrier, her grin broadening with just the
sort of appreciation for his masculinity that Vagrian appreciated.

After the quiet of Iota Aurigae's Tower facility, the hectic activity
here-in a hilltop clearing which had obviously been leveled for the
Tower-and the noise were an assault on his ears. Glancing round to
identify what and where the diverse noises were coming from, he saw
Humans and "Dinis everywhere, putting up sections of buildings, roofing,
dashing from one of the many open large drones for supplies, so that the
place appeared totally populated instead of the most recent colony
world. Beyond the immense clearing, beyond the mounds of dirt that had
been pushed out of the way for the Tower, he could see wave after wave
of odd-looking tree types spread out in all directions, and up the
foothills of mountains not quite as sharp, or young, as Iota's.

"Takes a bit of getting used to," Beejay said, grinning. "All that
greenery. Hiver ruins are all overgrown too." She held out her hand and
Vagrian hastily responded by touching her long, blunt fingers:
yellow/citrusy/flowing, were what he got from their touch. She had an
attractive, rather than pretty, face and a compact but feminine body.
Her grin widened and she cocked one narrow eyebrow in a mutual
appreciation of the information conveyed. ""Port your stuff into the L
section-the lounge is the first room." She pointed. "Nice one too. We
got our quarters built yesterday and nothing's sorted out. Though the
Tower is. That's why we're not all here to meet you. Vaclava, our T-3
,expediter, is in direct contact with Perry on the Asimov with a long
list of things we need yesterday. Janfinde's fussing with his generators
because he's got a shimmy he has to fix before we're actually
operational. Hope you can reach the Asimov in just a merge because we're
stuck for so much right now ... C'mon."

Vagrian's T-2 kinetic strength was put to an immediate testing, but the
merge techniques he had acquired when Damia and Afra had him work with
their Aurigaean latents and their two youngest children couldn't have
been better experience. The metal stairs up to the "Tower" lacked
carpeting and it was a cupola like Clarfs. Comformable couches were
brand-new-someone had guessed his height and width right, though, so he
had no fault to find with that, though he hoped the screens were more
securely hooked to the still-unfinished walls than they looked. Bee'ay
must have done a lot of merging, because as soon as she had settled on
her couch, she opened her mind to him. By the time Perry called a lunch
break, Vagrian realized how much he missed the oomph of working with T-
I's, even Ewain's stolid mind.

"C'mon," Beejay said, "the Navy supplies our grub and it's
captain'stable quality." He would have eaten anything, but he rather
thought he'd miss Damia's inventive menus.

The "lounge" had no furniture, bar the duffels stacked around its
circular form and the trestle table in the exact center with rough
benches on either side, facing windows with magnificent views.
Steaming-hot food was waiting on the table, and shority the rest of his
Tower staff gathered to eat.

"Told you, didn't I?" Beejay said, grinning when Vagrian lifted the lid
from a covered dish and inhaled spicy aromas. Had Damia somehow managed
to send along his food preferences: hot and hotter? "Of course, there's
space here for a proper kitchen and I really do like to cook. We can
have non-T staff if we want, and I suspect you may want to request help.
We'll have a lot to do getting started ...  Hi there, Vaclava. Meet
Vagrian."

Vaclava shyly offered her hand to Vagrian and he felt violet/lavender
scent/liquid. She slipped in opposite him, a quieter, younger
personarity than Beejay. He'd have to deal carefully with her. He
learned later this was her first post after being trained by the
Bastianmal'anis on Altair. He sensed a charming determination to do
everything right the first time. Janfinde, who was
brown/nutmeg/cautious, brought the smells of grease and oil with him,
though he had changed to fresh clothing before joining them at the
table.

"I've a CPO coming down tonight, Tower," Janfinde said, filling his
plate, 'to help me tune the number two. We should be running on our own
power by morning." And that was the last thing he said, concentrating on
his food.

Beejay had enough conversation to cover his silence and Vaclava's
shyness, and pulled out of Vagrian the details of where he'd been, what
he'd done and all about the assassination attempt, which had been, she
was sure, played down by Perry and Captain Osullivan, commander of the
Fourth Fleet. She admitted coming from Procyon's planet, Truro,
wrinkling her nose because her homeworld had as much a reputation for
oddball cults and preserves as Capella had for strictly methody ways.
Truro also harbored many of the clairvoyant or prescient Talents and
some of the more gifted Talent therapists. As a T-3 'pather, she'd
decided to enlist when the call came out through Truro's Talents that
Blundell was in need of high T's on well-paid short-term contracts that
could be extended.

So she'd come to see what a new world looked like.

"Not that I expected it to be a Hiver world, but hey, well"-she
shrugged, her ready grin wry-"new Tower, good chow, the Navy's been real
helpful and those "Dinis are a hoot and a half. You don't have any?" She
made a pretense of looking around her.

"Only the ones I met at Iota Aurigas," Vagrian replied with a slight,
self-deprecating grin. "But they're likable and they can work all the
hours God gave the day. Which reminds me, how long a day do we have
here?

"Twenty-five hours, fifteen minutes. No one's bothered to figure out a
leap year yet, but at this latitude we have about twelve hours of
daylight." She pointed upward. "Perry insists we keep to an eight-hour
working day." She glanced down at her wrist. "And we're due to work the
second half of it like right now."

Dutifully Vagrian rose, gesturing at the dirty plates and dishes
remaining from a completely consumed lunch.

"You're the kinetic." Beejay gave him a vivid mental glimpse of the
galley on the Asimov. "The head cook gives us hell if we break
anythingcaptain's service, you see, not plastic."

Vagrian nodded understandingly, and with a dramatic wave of his hand,
the dishes disappeared.

Beejay jutted her chin out as if she were looking, grinned and
straightened up. "You're neat! Stroganoff will love you!"

"Stroganoff?" Vagrian exclaimed, remembering that he'd been served what
Damia called scurrier Stroganoff.

Beejay made a cross over her chest. "Swear by all I hold sacred, that's
her real name. Mina Stroganoff. And she hates being teased about it."

"I never tease someone who can cook like that. Let's assume our Tower
positions, shall we?" He included the shy Vaclava Soolik in his courtly
gesture. He did a two-fingered salute to Janfinde, who nodded in
acknowledgment and went back to his truculent generators.

By the end of the eight-hour day, Vagrian was exceedingly grateful to
Perry's insistence on set hours. His last task of the day was to bring
down the CPO engineer who was going to help Janfinde.

Anything that comes in to the Asimovfiom now on can wait until morn ing.
There was something like droll humor in the Prime's tone. We're expects
. ngfuel drones, but there've been priorities going astray, so no
nightlight uork doun there until our reserves are sufficient. Get a good
nightk rest and thanksfor your help today, Beliakin. Lookforward to
meeting youface toface. Captain Osullivan sends lits regards too.

Thanks ...  Perry, and my compliments to Captain Osullivan.

Another delicious meal awaited the Talents and made the CPO's eyes gleam
greedily.

"You guys got it made," he said, restlessly waiting until Beejay, acting
hostess, told him to seat himself and dig in.

"Prime eating," was the CPO's opinion, even though Janfinde set the pace
of eating to get back quickly to the ailing number two generator.

After he'd cleared the table of dirty china, Vagrian thought to ask if
the CPO would need to be transported back to Asimov too.

"Well, sir, Captain Beliakin, if it's all right with you, when we
finish, I'll just doss down here until after breakfast." And the man's
wide, hopeful grin relieved Vagrian of one last duty. What he really
wanted was a shower and a bed.

"Which room's mine?" he asked Beejay.

"Yours is the last door facing the corridor. Not much in it yet, but the
shower water should still be hot. We haven't got everything set up," she
said, "what with other priorities, but the bed's good. We're to get
proper furniture later and you can choose ...  Waitl Look at that! Worth
a few minutes'watching," she added, pointing to the western-facing
window as Two's sun set, gilding the evening clouds with gold and orange
that seemed to linger long after the primary was finally out of sight.

"See what you mean," Vagrian said appreciatively. Then he nodded her a
good night as he looked down the corridor for his door. He'ported his
duffels in that direction.

Bare the accommodation was, with a desk, a chair, a desk lamp in his
"lounge." A door set in the west wall led into a bedroom, golden in the
last of the dusky light, furnished with a wide bed that had a double
sleeping bag on it. There was a wide bench. Sliding panels covered the
closet space on one side of the door, and to his left there were rough
shelves and in the south wall another door, which opened into a
wellequipped bathroom.

Someone got priorities right. Towels hung on a rack and a variety of
toiletries were lined up on the space by the handbasin. As he stripped,
he crossed to the bed and tested it. Yes, someone knew the priorities:
the bed had some sort of soft layer and was firm beneath. Just right! He
walked naked to his bathroom, 'porting shut the doors he hadn't bothered
to close behind him. The shower stall was also a surprise: big enough
for two. The water, while warm, was more hot than cool and there was
enough of it for him to get a good scrub.

When he left the bathroom, the air had already cooled in the bedroom. A
light on the headboard had come on automatically, so he made his way
quickly to the sleeping bag, which he would doubtless be glad of if the
night got much cooler, and lay down. He turned on his stomach and
applied relaxing techniques to a mind spinning with work and myriad
impressions. His last thought was that he had not had time to do
something to Laria's favorite mare before he'd left Iota. Then he
remembered that she was also Petra's mount and he owed the Iota Lyons.
Maybe he even owed Laria. His own Tower ... Vagrian Beliakin slept the
sleep of the just.

The report of the onset of war on Hiver-occupied world Xh-33 reached
Captain Enenne Osullivan on the Asimov while he was on the bridge.

"Emergency code from the Xh-33 Moon Base, sir," the communications
officer said, swinging her chair round to face him.

"Put it up."

There was the usual time lag due to the distance between the Asimov and
the Xh-33 system.

"Captain Osullivan, Wisla Makako here." The screen showed the Oriental
features of the facility's commander. "All hell's breaking loose down
there on the Main Continent. Queens leading armies of really big ..."
The screen now switched to the surface carnage with queens leading some
of the biggest creatures, which Osullivan recognized as augmented
"worker" types from his captaincy of the Genesee ... . dangerous looking
types."

"Is the situation more serious than your reports of earlier skirmishes
over field boundaries?" Osullivan asked, his eyes intent on the scene.
During the pause between query and answer, the captain sent quick
orders. "Prime Perry, on the bridge right now!" Osullivan had never
given the T-I such a direct order, in fact didn't even realize he hadn't
couched it as tactfully as he usually did. Perry 'ported beside him and
Osullivan had only to point to the screen's grim scene to explain the
summons as he continued firing off orders. "Helm, set an immediate
course for the Xh-33 system. Top speed. Fortunately we're not spatially
that far from it. Send a signal to Iwojima that they're on their own for
the next couple of days. We'll be back in orbit as soon as we've
assessed the situation. Perry, the Moon Base has only a T-3 kinetic."

Makako was replying: "This seems to involve all the queens on the Main
Continent, sir, and I wouldn't call it a 'skirmish.' I'd call it an
allout war. The carnage is unbelievable I " Her wide-eyed expression
reinforced her dismay.

"Has she said what started that?" Perry demanded, eyes glued to the
scene. "Is the Moon Base in any danger?"

Osullivan shook his head as the Asimov could be felt surging forward in
star-speckled space until the stars blurred.

"There's no way the queens can reach the Moon Base. Remember?

We destroyed their spheres and scouts. Makako has reported that they've
reopened their mines, but ore must be hard to find. New shafts have been
sent down. On all the continents, by the way."

"There must be far too many queens, sir," Makako was reporting now.
"I've counted forty separate battlefields and several queens contesting
ground in one."

"Nothing you can do about it, Commander," Osullivan said by way of
reassurance, and then turned to Perry. "Prime, please make contact with
Earth Prime whether he's at Blundell or Callisto. He needs to know about
this. We really do need a telepath at every installation, even if he or
she only receives." The last was said in a low murmur of regret.

"There's never enough to go round, sir ...  Lieutenant Balidovino."

Perry turned toward the duty engineer. "I'll need to draw on the
generators for this distance."

"As you need, sir," Balidovino replied, fingers poised on the pressure
plates of his engineer panel.

"Yeoman, my compliments to Commander Voorhees, and I'd like him on the
bridge as soon as possible," Osullivan added, rubbing his jaw without
moving his eyes from the battle.

"Yes, doubtless they'll want an evaluation from the science officer,"
Perry said, crossing his arms on his chest. Then he closed his eyes as
he telepathically leaped the long distance to Earth.

Quite imposing in that attitude, Osullivan thought, surprised at his own
observation. Perry was no more powerfully built than any of the other
Primes Osullivan had met, but there was an aura about the darkhaired,
sharp-featured Betelgeusian that made him appear much bigger and
ineluctably more powerful.

"My apologies, Earth Prime." Perry spoke aloud as well as telepathically
so that Osullivan knew what was said. Replies would come back, through
his mouth but in Jeff's voice. "But a situation has developed on Xh-33
that you should see through my eyes." Perry opened his. There was a
slight pause, and then Perry's voice deepened, closer to Raven's tone.
"So that's what happens when queens do not migrate. An awesome sight.
Hmmm, and these creatures are much larger than those that were found by
the Washington on Arcadia. Yet that is a much older colony and hasn't
yet overburdened its planet's resources. A puzzle, what? Captain
Osullivan?" Perry turned to Osullivan with a slight grin, encouraging
response.

Lieutenant Commander Jan Voorhees came striding onto the bridge and
stopped dead when he saw what was on the main screen, his eyes widening.

"A puzzle indeed .. ." Osullivan waved a helpless hand at the scene and
the hideous, unceasing massacre, with broken limbs and scattered parts
oozing viscous internal liquid.

"This is one time"-Raven's voice came through Perry's mouth'when we
allow the conflict to proceed. Ask Makako to keep recording. I'm calling
up our own xenbees to'see'this through me."

"Sir," Voorhees murmured to the captain, "we should get pheromone
readings ... once they've stopped fighting. That could be vital
information."

"Quite right, Mr. Voorhees," Jeff Raven's voice replied, starding the
man. Earth Prime chuckled through his link to Perry. "However, even if
Humans have been able to move among Hivers without being noticed, I
recommend hazmat gear and full masks."

"Of course, sir, since we don't know what effect such violent
pheromones, even poisonous gases from all those visceral parts, could
have on Humans," Voorhees said, running a nervous hand through thinning
blond hair. "And if the prevailing winds happen to carry the stink to
the other continents ... well, I hate to speculate what reaction would
occur."

"Good point," Jeff Raven said. "I'll mention that to our experts. We
have, by the way, discovered a T-10 in the perfumery business who has
volunteered to lend us his nose in identifying the smells. He's supposed
to be good at more than the flowery stuff." Perry's voice dutifully
echoed the amusement in Jeff Raven's tone, and one of Perry's eyebrows
raised in surprise. "My xenbees are rubbing their hands in an excess of
delight to know we can get samples of the dominant pheromones.
Preferably as soon as possible after the battles end."

"I'll have a team standing by either from here or from the Moon Base,
but I request permission to lead it." Voorhees deferentially looked at
his captain, who nodded permission. Then Voorhees turned to Perry. "Is
that possible, Prime?" Perry nodded. "Respond in your own time,
Commander Makako."

The response lag was shortening as the powerful Asimov sped toward the
Xh-33s system.

"Sir," Makako replied, shaking her head, "I would hate such  ...
butchery ... to extend to the other continents. Right now the weather
system is mild with moderate winds blowing east to the sea. My Met
officer says there are rain clouds over the intervening ocean. According
to him, we might have as much as thirty-six hours before those winds
reach the next landmass. We'll keep a strict eye on it. Continent Two is
nightside and doesn't show any disturbance .. ." Her voice trailed off
briefly.

"Have you hazmat gear on the base?"

Another pause. "Yes sir, as well as the crew who placed the remotes in
the queens' collectives. I've put them on standby."

"Very good, Commander. Inform us when ... the fighting is over."

"Commander Makako, Blundell wants you to copy whatever is already
recorded and tube it," Perry said with Jeffs voice. "I'll pick it up
myself from your base in fifteen minutes from my mark ...  Mark! We need
to have some idea of how they fight."

"Yes sir," Makako said, looking toward Perry and rather startled to hear
another voice issuing from his mouth. "I'm ordering a copy and it'll be
in a message tube at lock 482, sir, in fifteen minutes."

"Thank you, Commander Makako. Let's hope we can stop the ..."

"Butchery? Slaughter? Genocide?" Perry supplied synonyms in his own
voice without a trace of emotion. Then once more Jeff Raven spoke
through the link. "The queens demonstrate a curious killing rage.
Similar to old berserkers. My regards to you, Captain Osullivan." As
soon as those words were out of Perry's mouth, he altered his stance and
nodded to the captain to indicate that he was no longer in contact with
the Earth Prime. The generators whined down to a lower level.

"Berserkers?" Osullivan said, turning to Perry. "Yes, an apt term.
Organize that landing party, will you, Mr. Voorhees? We want to be
ready. Pheromones? How interesting."

Voorhees saluted and immediately left the bridge to organize his team.

Perry stepped slightly closer to the captain's chair and said softly,
"One thing is certain, sir. Those records may have a salutary effect on
those who criticized Admiral Ashiant's destruction of the spheres."

"I should certainly hope some good comes of that." Osullivan waved his
hand in the general direction of Xh-33. Then his upper body shivered in
a sudden convulsive shake. "Thank you, Prime, for your assistance."

"You're welcome, sir." Perry exited through the door of the short
passage from the bridge to the Talents' lounge.

He went immediately to the alcove that housed the lounge's refreshment
facility and poured a hefty glass of the strongest brandy of a very
respectable selection of spirits and wines. He drank it in one gulp.

"Perry?" his wife, Adela, asked sleepily, from the door of their
bedroom. "What was that all about? Etienne's never done that before."

"A question for Earth Prime that was urgent. Want a drink?" He held up
the bottle.

She frowned prettily. "No, I can go right back to sleep if you're beside
me." She was a T-3 kinetic, able to'path when in contact with someone,
and then only someone she knew well.

"I'll be right there, dear," Perry said, and poured a second but smaller
drink. With her beside him to neutralize what he had just seen, he too
could go back to sleep.

By morning, Captain Osullivan requested Perry to come to the bridge. The
Asimov was already within the Xh-33 system and, with no need for a
discreet approach, was still running at top speed. The corn screen was
scanning the devastated Main Continent on Xh-33, showing the carnage but
also a bottom line that gave feeble blips, identifying survivors.
Commander Voorhees was dressed in his hazardous material suit, complete
with independent oxygen system. He had a compact gas chromatograph lying
across his left arm. Four other hazmat-suited figures stood slightly
behind him and out of the way of the bridge crew, each carrying a
similar device, their attention riveted on the shambles of once green,
crop-sown fields.

"It seems to be pretty much over," Commander Makako was saying over the
appalling vista of destruction down on Xh-33. "We know some of the
queens have taken refuge in their quarters, and suspect many are
injured. Haven't established how many died, but of course, their  ...
workers or warriors, or whatever we should call them, were without
leadership. While we watched as some fled, a lot of the leaderless were
wasted by whatever actively directed queen's group was nearby. Winds
remain moderate. When Commander Voorhees joins us, my surface party's
ready to go."

Holding up his device, Voorhees said, "It might be a bit clumsy but
it'll give the readings needed," adding to the captain, who was
regarding the instrument with a frown, "Probably selenoaldehydes or
selenoketones. I've accessed what data we have on queen pheromones. They
can vary a lot. Include thioketones at times if there's enough sulfur
around."

"I also have four portable GCS," Makako said, with practically no pause
between his words and her response. "We used them when we made our first
surveys down there to plant the remotes."

"I've four xenbees to come along from the Asimov to help, if that's all
right."

"No problem," she replied. "Main boat bay is cleared except for the
shuttle to get us downside."

The screen switched from the battlefield to Makako in her hazmat gear in
the boat bay, her surface team and the shuttle behind her.

"Prime Perry, would you be good enough to 'port the Asimov party to the
Moon Base?" Osullivan asked.

"I'll even give them a boost," Perry said with a droll grin. The
generators whirred and Voorhees and his team disappeared. "When you're
settled, sing out." He paused, in a listening attitude, and then leaned
on the generators.

"They're here," Makako said on the screen, blinking her slightly slanted
eyes in acknowledgment of their arrival. "Commander Voorhees is now
transferring his men to my shuttle."

"Where do you want to be set down, Commander?" Perry asked.

"Sir?" Makako's expression was a query.

"See that relatively empty spot, Perry? " Osullivan pointed to the area:

a vegetable field that had been trampled down but was clear of corpses.
It wasn't far from a queen's collecting facility.

"Yes sir. Are you ready, Mr. Makako?'

"As ready as we'll ever bel" Makako sounded resigned.

"Get us as many samples in and out of the queens' quarters as possible.
I know that the Hivers generally ignore us, but how they'd react now ...
is debatable. Keep alert. Is that clear?" Osullivan said.

The baritone of Voorhees chorused with Makako's lighter soprano in a
unison "Yes sir." The hum from the generators was deeper and Perry
reached out and deposited the shuttle. The corn officer switched to the
planet's surface, and the shuttle was already in place.

"Neatly done, Perry." Osullivan settled back into the bridge chair,
rubbing his jaw as he watched. "Please inform Earth Prime that Operation
Nose is under way."

"I have, sir, and I'll just gather my team in the lounge and keep a
watch, just in case we have to rescue anyone."

"Good idea," Osullivan said.

Balidovino transferred the landing site to the main screen as the
figures emerged cautiously from the shuttle and began spreading out. The
four under Voorhees's command headed toward the nearby Hiver facility,
while Makako was gesturing for her group to fan out, making for the
first of the many piles of inert worker bodies, a dead queen lying on
the ground at the forefront. "Hope they don't need any rescuing."

Perry nodded and exited through the door to the Talents' lounge, calling
up his team members. He was rather pleased with those unassisted 'ports,
especially the shuttle.

Yourfather wouldpin your ears hack, Perry, came Jeff Raven's voice in
his head.

Perry shrugged. Sorry, Prime. My team would have taken time to assemble,
since this wasn't on today's scheduk.

First laty of the Prime is to conserve energy, Perry.

Yes sir.

Perry kept his reply neutral, but he was strong and able for the work
he'd just done.

"Path me their reports as soon as they have anything significant to
bepassed on.

Yes sir.

Especially ifthat weatherfront alters and the windspick up. Iget the
disti . net. repression that while pheromones cannot be transmitted in
space, they cou4d well affect the entire planet.

Not all the queens died in thisfight, sir.

That@ not what interests the xenbees here, Jeff replied, and absented
his presence from Perry's mind.

"What's the problem?" Adela spoke from their bedroom door. "The team
wasn't due to meet ... Oh, yes. I see. Can I get you something?"

"I can get my own," he said with a grateful smile. "You get dressed."

At Osullivan's quiet command, the main bridge screen was split so that
both teams could be observed. As they neared the queen's collection
building, Voorhees and his men had to step around and over dead forms,
kicking aside severed limbs. They carefully skirted the few that were
struggling back to their Hive, leaving behind yellowish trails of vital
fluids. Then Voorhees hunkered down by a dead worker and looked it up
and down, lifting one limb and measuring it against his hand span.

"Admiral?" Voorhees spoke into his corn unit, turning his head up in a
reflex action toward the Asimov and the observers he knew were watching.

"What's wrong, Voorhees?

"Sir, if I remember the dimensions of the workers mentioned in Prime
Thian's report on that planet he surveyed ... called it Arcadia, didn't
he?"

"Go on," the Admiral encouraged him.

"This fellow's a good twenty centimeters longer in the leg, and its body
is at least ten longer. And see.. ." Voorhees poked at an extendable
limb, hacked off at the first joint. "This one's got a mallet, ham mer
..." He prodded it with his finger so that unbroken spikes were visible.
"Now that's a wicked modification, or do I mean mutation?"

"It certainly is," Osullivan said. "Get it recorded and do a spot check
on other worker bodies ... or should I call them warriors, if that's
what they've put in place of shovels and rakes?" Osullivan turned to his
corn officer. "Put me on a wide corn line. I want to get all surface
units to check if all the ... workers"-he made an ironic grimace-"are
the same."

The order was duly given and accepted.

Makako's fan was also avoiding the stumbling wounded forms that blindly
retreated back toward Voorhees, or dragged themselves in the opposite
direction.

"Can't tell the players without any markings," one of her team remarked.

"According to my GC readings, each queen must stink different," said
another, "and boy, am I glad I'm in a hazmat suit and can't smell a
thingl"

"Button up," Makako said firmly.

Then Voorhees's voice came on line just as he and his four entered the
facility. "There's a badly wounded queen in here, her egg bulb is
collapsed on one side, lost most of her hind legs to the second joint
and has only one front arm with palps. She's making for her quarters and
there're little scuttlers coming out to assist. They aren't her usual
attendants. She'll squash'em ...  No, they're managing, several on each
side of a joint. Spread out, men, and let's see how many she has left of
her Hive. Miko, you're the shortest-check the waiting area down that
right-hand tunnel."

"Sir, I'm getting heavy concentrations of the selenoaldehydes," one of
his team said.

"I'd expect that inside a collection facility. Wonder what they'll be in
the queen's quarters."

"Off the scale, prolly," another remarked with a snort.

"Let's get to the queen's quarters. There may be some interesting
variations of Hiver patterns on her main screen. You have that recorder,
don't you, Hickey?"

"Yes sir, but even with the help she's getting, I don't see how she can
make it back. She's oozing with every step."

"As well for us. The left-hand tunnel leads to her quarters, Hickey.
Gallard, stay back and warn us if she gets too close."

"Not that she has an arm left to do anything with," murmured Gallard.

"She's not the one who fights," Hickey replied with disgust. "She's got
all them worker-warrior types we saw dead up above."

"Fighter or not, someone mauled her good."

The watchers on the ship could see Makako's team working farther away
from the landing site. They were some ways from any other collective,
stepping across sizable vines which had been ripped from supporting
posts, Hiver bodies caught in the tangles.

And so the searching went. When Voorhees's team had exited from the
facility, they returned to the shuttle and sent the first reports back
to the Asimov, then purged the portable GCS for their next stop.
Voorhees took the shuttle up, cruising at a low level until they caught
up with Makako's point. Then they veered slowly in another direction,
landing on top of another facility. There weren't even any corpses
around it. The queen's quarters were empty, although Gallard thought he
heard tiny scrabblings against one wall.

"The scuttlers, prolly."

The screens were dead.

"They die when the queen does?" Hickey asked.

"Probably," Voorhees said. "Concentration in here is only parts per
trillion, sir, much lighter."

There were over 240 known Hive facilities on the Main Continent, and
battles had been fought in every direction around them as queens led
their warrior-workers out to either defend their Hives or attack others.
When the massed assaults ended, thirty-two facilities still had queens,
some of them badly injured: two were combing through their egg reserves,
beginning to fertilize eggs in a valiant attempt to repopulate their
Hives. The surface team did not have to physically inspect all of them.
Life-form readings, set to queens and the large warrior-workers, showed
which facilities had queens and provided a rough assessment of their
remaining minions. Recordings had been made of pheromones in a
sufficient variety to give the scientists much to study.

Perry lifted the shuttle safely back to the Moon Base. The moment the
shuttle doors opened, alarms in the boat deck went off.

"Do we stink that bad?" Gallard asked.

"You do," was the response of the lieutenant on duty in the base
headquarters. "You go through decontam until you register zero on the
stinkometer and you guys are thoroughly deodorized. That okay with you,
Commander?"

"If we reek enough to set off the alarms, we should clean off before we
undress," Makako agreed, and waved the troops toward the decontam
facility. Since the unit held only one person at a time, there was a
tedious wait.

"They still stink," Gallard said, wrinkling his nose as the last man to
hang his gear up in the storage closet. "I'll never get rid of that
reek."

He felt his hair, rubbed down his arms and legs. "Yuckl Commander, can
we use enough water to get really clean?"

"Permission granted," Makako said, devoutly wishing she had enough
cologne left to get rid of the residual smell. She lifted her arm to her
nose.

"All in your mind," Voorhees said, grinning.

"If it is, I'm in real trouble," Makako murmured to him. "And that
shuttle still stinks. We'll have to moor it out in space for days. It's
permeated the metal. Gods, those pheromones are pervasive."

"All in your mind," Voorhees repeated, enjoying his tease of the
commander.

The corn unit buzzed for Makako's attention: "Prime Perry says he's
moved the personnel carrier to the gym so you won't have to back through
boat bay, sir, until it's been deodorized."

"Thank him." He held out his hand to Makako. "Pleasure working with
you."

She shook his hand solemnly. "And with you, but gods, how I hope we
don't have to do it again."

"Sir," the corn unit continued, "Met says wind's picking up. What do we
do about that? XO says all that smell moving to the eastern continents
might be bad."

Makako groaned. "Get back to the Asimov. We'll have to do something ...
maybe seed some clouds and dilute those pheromones. Some of my readings
were off the scale and most of 'em were subtly different."

"I'll tell what comes up in the analysis, soon's I know myself,"
Voorhees said and then called for his four to come with him to catch
their ride back to the Asimov.

Though the 'port was swift, the five men exuded enough residual
pheromones to cause the ensign who opened the carrier to recoil with
disgust written all over his face.

"Beg your pardon, sir," he said sheepishly.

"Into the showers, all of you," Voorhees said. "Tell the captain I'm
taking our readings up to the lab. I'll shower again there."

"Yes sir, but Captain Osullivan's orders were for you to contact him
immediately." The ensign gestured to the boat bay's corn unit on the
upper level.

"All right," Voorhees said, resettling the bag of data disks that
contained the readings.

"What's this about a bad Met report, Voorhees?" asked Captain Osullivan.

"Winds have picked up. Can we do something about diluting the pheromones
it's carrying to the east? I'm on my way to the lab, sir, but I really
don't want to bring a pong to the bridge, if you don't mind."

"Appreciate that, Mr. Voorhees. Report when you're ... deodorized."

"Yes sir.'

Voorhees then made it straight to the ship's well-equipped laboratory
and started his technicians on a preliminary report on pheromones,
levels and types. Either the ensign had warned them or constant
proximity to lab smells had dulled their olfactory nerves, but none of
them so much as wrinkled a nose when he came near them.

"Do a quick assessment and inform Prime Perry when it's ready to be
forwarded. We'll do the detailed chemical analyses later." He caught one
of the yeomen by the arm. "Get me a clean shipsuit from my cabin, will
you, Naves?"

"Yes sir, right away, sir." The man jogged out of the lab.

A cloud seeding is advisable, Prime, Perry told Jeff Raven. The
consensus here is that we'd hest dilute thepheromones as much with rain
as we can before the stench spreads across the eastern continents. I
wou4dn't like to see such slaughter as on the Main Continent again. The
pheromones are diverse and power ul Th e s e s t kbatt the personal
carrier Commander f er is om cuha Voorhees returned in is stinking up
the boat deck. I believe he has takenfour showers and applied to sick
bayfor a pungent skin lotion.

Does he really need it? Or is it all in his mind? Jeff asked.

rye a message tube ready for 'portation, sir. There was an edge of
amusement in Perry's voice. See what your scientists think.

rll ship you appropriate seeding materials. You've done it before, I
believe, on Betelgeuse?

Yes sir, I have, and the meteorological conditions
arefortunatelyfavorable ...  Ah, sir? The science ojficer says we'd
better check the eastern con tinentsafterthestorin to besurethe rain
dispersedtheaggressivepheromones.

By all means, and my compliments to Commander Voorhees. Good thinking.

The chromatograms, taken both in the open air and in the queens'quarters
that were visited, with and without the occupants, compared @i with
those taken by Prime Thian on the planet Arcadia, kept the lights
burning in laboratories and offices all night long. A preliminary
report-with many protestations of being a hurried summation and some
speculations-was on Jeff Raven's desk by the time he arrived at his
office in Blundell Building from Callisto. Copies had been sent to both
High Councillo and Prime Elizara. Jeff glanced through the first few
pages and 'pathed a call to Thian on Washington.

Thian, sorty to rouse you, hut I need to have Lieutenant Weiman and Grin
herefor an important meeting.

Sure, Grandfather, Thian said, dragging himself from sleep and the
comfort of Gravy's warm body. Right away.

The queens on Xh -33 went to war on the Main Continent yesterday and
damned near exterminated the?nselves.

WHAT? That news brought Thian wide awake and he increased his efforts to
get into his shipsuit.

Please have Weirnan and Grin bring all their data and visual records.

"Path me when they're ready and I'll assist in the 'port.

No need, sir. I can do it easily enough in gestalt with the Washington's
generators.

It is urgentl I believe it.

Thian was at his corn unit, tapping in Lieutenant Weiman's quarters.

"A war?" Such news had as electric a shock on Sam as it had had on
Thian.

"Grm is also needed and you're to bring everything you have on Arcadia's
queens and any other research you two might have on the Hivers. Please
go immediately to the boat bay and get into the personnel capsule. I'll
alert the watch officer as soon as I've roused Grm."

"It's here," Sam said apologetically. "We were correlating some data and
.. ." His voice trailed off "Great. How long do you need?"

Thian could hear Sam's gulp. "Ten minutes, sir?"

"You're a star," Thian said with sincere appreciation.

Still groggy with insufficient sleep, Sam and Grm found themselves on
Earth, in Blundell. The yard supervisor greeted them effusively, hurried
them into the great blocky building and turned them over to Gollee Gren.

"Do you have any details about the war, sir?" Sam asked, stumbling along
the corridors as the Prime's top assistant escorted them past security
and to the high-speed elevator.

"Visual and data files," Gren said, "are awaiting you. I'd prefer you to
see them first before I comment. Prime Raven has called for a meeting
with the two High Councillors and other experts at two o'clock."

"But ... but ... but ..." Sam began, and followed him into the elevator,
absendy keeping Gem's material from slipping out of the Mrdini's arms.

Gollee turned and grinned at him. "Assimilate what you can in the time
you have ... and if a correlation is obvious, make notes of it. We're
all trying to absorb what happened yesterday."

When the doors opened, he waved to the security guards who had come to
attention.

"Lieutenant Weiman and the Mrdini Grm," he said, looking up at the
ceiling. "From the Washington, at the request of Prime Raven. I am their
escort."

The guards relaxed. Another came forward with two scintillating disks,
which she planted first on Sam's chest and then on Gem's upper arm. As
Sam looked down at it, the surface dulled.

"That admits you to this floor only, Lieutenant, Grm. If you need
anything, use the corn unit in the room,' she said, saluting as she
stepped back and gestured down the short hall. "It's set up with what we
thought they might need," she added to Gollee Gren.

"Grand, thanks, Monnic. This way, gentlemen.'

The room had the dead feeling of a high-security facility.

"Yes," Gollce said with another grin, noticing Sam's happy reaction.

"It's a grand room," the lieutenant said, glancing around a space that
was quadruple the size of his office on the Washington. A full corn unit
with viewing screens above it occupied one wall, a wide sturdy round
table with eight chairs were in the center and comformable chairs and a
long couch stretched along the other wall. A serving unit was to the
left of the entrance.

"You haven't had a chance to eat yet, have you?"

"We should get to work immediately," Sam said, starting to arrange the
files he had brought.

"I suggest you eat first, Lieutenant, Grm," Gollec said with a grave
bow. "This will be a very busy day and you'll need to sustain yourself.
Especially before you see the recording of the ... queens' war on
Xh-33."

"That bad?" Sam asked softly.

Gollee nodded slowly.

"Coffee," said Grm firmly, "black, and porridge."

"Good choice," Gollee said, and dialed it up.

"I'll have the same," Sam said, his tone wary.

When they were served, Gollee left them to eat. "There are other
preparations to make for this afternoon's conference. If you'll excuse
me?

"Of course," Sam replied, and turned to his meal.

Five minutes before the two o'clock meeting, Gollee collected the two
xenbees. He saw the haunted look in Sam's eyes, the droop of Gem's poll
and knew that the queens' war had affected them as deeply as it had
everyone who had seen the recording. The viewers might have been spared
the sounds and smells of the carnage, but the omissions hardly mattered
in the overall effect.

"It's nearly time, Lieutenant, Grm."

"Yes, yes," Sam said, hastily bundling up the scattered sheets of the
hard copy, his files and notebook. Grm kept dropping files until Gollee
gave it a helping hand.

"This way, please," Gollee said, and to Sam's surprise, indicated the
end of the corridor. "Prime Raven will 'port you himself from this
point."

He nodded to them both and strode back to the elevators.

The next thing Sam knew, he was in a huge office, facing a conference
table that had individual units built into its surface. There were
twelve conformable chairs, four of which were already occupied. He
noticed the Chief Xenbee in charge of the Heinlein Base's queen
installation and bowed to her, but he didn't recognize the others except
that they were all Fleet officers. For a scared moment, Sam wondered if
this was where the assassins had made their attempt on the lives of the
Primes and the High Councillors.

"Actually, no." The quiet, slightly amused voice turned Weiman's
attention to Prime Jeff Raven, whom he recognized from newsvids. He was
talking to the equally recognizable High Councillors, Admiral Mekturian
Tohl and Gktmglnt. "Lieutenant Sam Weiman and Grm are from the
Washington, " Jeff said to the others. "Mr. Weiman, perhaps you already
know Lieutenant Commander Whila Gallahue from the Heinlein Base." When
Weiman nodded, he continued, "So I will make you known to Lieutenant
Commander Jan Voorhees of the Asimov, to the HGHL xenbee, Stg, and to
Lieutenant Verla Mitab from the Xh-33 Moon Base."

As they were acknowledging the introductions, a slender elegant woman
seemed to glide into the room from nowhere, causing Sam some
consternation, as he was facing her point of entry.

Jeff smiled, holding out his hand. "I'm sure you all must know my wife,
Angharad, Callisto's Prime. No cause for alarm, Mr. Weiman, the Rowan is
the only other person who can enter my sanctum sanctorum without
invitation." He guided her, with an air of conscious pride, to the
nearest seat. "Please, ladies and gentlemen, take your places. We have
much to discuss."

When they all had taken seats, the two minor "Dinis slipped reverently
into the Mrdini-suitable chairs on either side of the High Councillors
tilting their poll eyes deferentially away from such an allgust
neighbor. Jeff Raven remained standing.

"This meeting was convened at the behest of the High Councillors and in
this room for security's sake. I turn it over to Admiral Tohl."

With a courteous bow to the Admiral, Raven sat down beside the Rowan.

"I trust you all"-the Admiral glanced round the table needlessly, for
every eye was on him-"have had time to assimilate the details of ... the
war." He grimaced. "Most unfortunate, especially as that sort of madness
could spread to the other four continents of Xh-33."

He noted that Verla Mitab of the Xh-33 Moon Base winced. "My sen timents
precisely, Mitab," he remarked. "And we must endeavor to formulate some
solution. For in the solution for Xh-33, we may find the germs of a way
to end the cyclic behavior of the Hiver queens.

"I am given to understand"-and now he nodded to Commander Whila
Gallahue-"that the Hiver society exists in an oscillating equilibrium.
This theory is borne out by the fact that, once the war was over and
some of the surviving queens had returned to their hives, they
immediately began to fertilize eggs to replace their losses. That is
typical of such a society. It builds up population, overburdens
resources and then forces the queens to set out aggressively to acquire
enough land to support increased numbers. Since we confined the queens
to their planet, destroying their spheres and preventing them from their
usual modus operandi ..."

"What else were we to do?" the Rowan interjected.

"Quite so ... the need to expand could only result in more than mere
border skirmishes."

"You're not suggesting that we're responsible for their war?" asked the
Rowan.

"Of course not. But we are certainly responsible for preventing them
from leaving Xh-33 in a more orderly solution than war."

"With respect, Admiral," the Rowan went on, "what's the difference?
Their war solved their immediate problem. There's now plenty of
unoccupied space available on Xh-33."

"Not if the other continents erupt."

"With so many queen Hives vacant," said Commander Gallahue in an
unusually deep voice for a woman, "couldn't we spread the queens and
their followers about the planet, and relieve the crowding that led to
the war on the Main Continent?"

"That possibility is currently being examined," said Gktmglnt, turning
its poll eye toward her. "That is only a stopgap. We who have suffered
much from the Hivers look to find a permanent solution to the problem of
queen migration." It turned its eye on Lieutenant Weiman. "Arcadia is
much different, is it not, Lieutenant?"

"Ah? Oh yes, indeed, honorable Gktmglnt," Sam said. "It is pacific,
totally nonaggressive, and from what evidence we have, it has been so
for centuries."

Gallahue leaned slightly across the table in his direction. "I have read
your report on that Hiver colony with great interest," she said
sincerely. "I must comment that even though the Heinlein queen is
quiescent, the pheromones she occasionally releases are unlike those you
reported .. ."

She held up her hand when Sam opened his mouth to defend his findings.
"I do not doubt the accuracy of your report. But if you compare
Arcadia's ambience to the concentration of pheromones on Xh-33 .. She
shook her head, leaving her sentence unfinished.

"That's it," Sam said excitedly. "There is no comparison, but Arcadia
has remained a pastoral, nonaggressive, almost underpopulated planet. So
what happened to produce the warlike queens of Xh-33? " He spread his
hands in puzzlement. "And those who have plagued our Mrdini allies for
two centuries?"

"If we could discover that, we could solve the problem," said Admiral
Tohl, also spreading his hands.

"It is on record," Gallahue began, "that the Heinlein queen did, on one
occasion, emit pheromones similar to, though not as intense or as
concentrated as, those reported on Xh-33."

"She did?" Jeff Raven asked. "When?"

Only his wife knew him well enough to be wary of that tone in his voice:
almost teasing and very knowing.

"I remember exactly," Gallahue replied briskly. "For it was the day when
the Phobos Moon Base managed to activate the refugee sphere they were
examining." She gave a shrug. "There could not possibly have been a
connection, but she went into a state of frenzy, charging about her
quarters. It was the most active she had ever been. She also started
emitting what must be her mating pheromones, for the two males,
generally as languid as she, got quite excited-for them-and vied to
stuff food into her maw and then to fertilize her by agitated stroking
of her egg-bulb."

"Yes, I vividly remember that report, Commander Gallahue," Sam said.
"I've studied all you've had to say about the queen."

"Thank you, Lieutenant. That was the only occasion when she was fed from
vat six," Whila Gallahue added thoughtfully. "We were given supplies for
her from the stored vats of that captured sphere, you know. She usually
accepted food from vats three and four."

"We took samples from the foodstuffs stored on Arcadia, but nothing
there resembles the compound from vat six. Yet another anomaly."

Sam shook his head.

"Perhaps not," Stg said, entering the conversation. "Both Human and
Mrdini require different food when engaged in martial activities. That
has been noted. Why not Hiver queens?"

"If I may?" Verla Mitab from the Xh-33 Moon Base raised a tentative
finger.

"Go on," Jeff said encouragingly.

"Well, sirs, ma'am, I think part of it is what they eat," she said,
"because I've done two tours on the Xh-33 Moon Base, and by the time the
base was ready, they were growing a different main crop in their fields.
I noticed that when I played back the probe recordings the young Prime
Rojer Lyon took." She nodded half apologetically at Rowan and Jeff. "And
they also harvested more often. Another thing I noticed on my second
tour"-she was talking as fast as she could to prevent an
interruption-"was the way the workers started acting."

"What way? " Admiral Tohl asked kindly, bouncing his fingertips
together. "Well, you know how the field workers march out in pairs?"

Sam was not the only one who nodded.

"Well, they stopped doing that. They started coming out one by one.
They'd form pairs when they got enough space to do so. And it got worse.

"How?" Jeff smiled encouragingly and she suddenly relaxed.

"It was like they had to push past ... obstacles. Commander Makako sent
a probe down, but all we saw was more bodies. Only ..." She paused
again, and cocked her head in a puzzled fashion. "What we saw was not
too many workers trying to get out. It was many bodies mov ing around so
the workers could actually exit. Then'-she blinked'when the workers came
back in, it looked as if the others, who never came out of the Hive,
were taking the food from their backs before they could get it to the
ramps or storage like they should have done."

"Did you send another probe in to investigate the anomaly?"

Admiral Tohl inquired.

She shrugged. "Several more and in different Hives, but none had enough
light to give us details beyond a sort of seething mass of bodies. And
Commander Makako didn't want to send in a lighted probe."

"Probably just as wise that she didn't," Tohl said, "though in hindsight
I could wish that she had."

"As I recall it," the Rowan said quickly, "remotes were installed in
quite a few Hives, weren't they?"

"Yes ma'am," Verla Mitab replied. "Once the base was established, we
were told to put remotes in fifty Hives on each continent. But just in
the queens' quarters. Those green boards of theirs gave us enough light
to see what the queens were doing. And all they were doing was being fed
and stroked to fertilize more eggs."

"How many males did each queen have?" Stg asked, leaning forward. "Where
did the eggs go?"

"Oh, eight or nine. We could see that they were sort of ...  courting
her like. You know, trying to be the only one she'd take food from. We
never did see what hatched from the eggs. The scurriers would take them
out once they'd been ... done."

"That was standard behavior in all the Hives you could observe?" asked
Gallahue.

"Yes ma'am."

"Undoubtedly the queens were building up their forces in secret," Tohl
suggested. "I would hazard the guess that the ... press of creatures
that slowed the workers on their dutiful way to the fields ... were the
warrior mutations that followed the queen to war, having somehow been
fitted with maces instead of shovels."

"How did the queens mutate?" Gallahue asked. There was no im mediate
answer. Then she added, "Diet? Only on that one occasion did the
Heinlein queen eat from vat six."

"How long did that last?" Tohl asked.

"Six days only, though the two males kept forcing food into her mouth.
She'd let it dribble away from her maw," Gailahue said.

"The males kept forcing her to eat?" Jeff asked, sitting upright. "Maybe
the queen isn't the guiding force in her Hive that we thought she was.
Could the males pressure her by feeding her a special diet  ... to
produce the mutated warrior types?"

Glances were exchanged by the xenbees.

"Anything could happen with Hive queens," Gktmglnt said in a voice
nearly as deep and dark as Gallahue's.

"Wait a minute," Jeff said, putting his elbows on the conference table.
"How many males did you say the Xh-33 queens had?" he asked Verla Mitab.

"At least eight, sometimes nine."

"Big ones?"

"Yes sir, bigger certainly than any from Lieutenant Weiman's Arcadia
reports." Verla gave him a little smile.

"Big enough then to coerce an Xh-33 queen, big as they are," Jeff said.

"But it was the queens that led the battles," Verla said in protest.
"The males formed up like a sort of honor guard, to protect her. It was
the mace holders who did the actual fighting."

"Until the queen was dead, or issued the'llee'pheromones," Stg said.

"Flee pheromones?" Jeff asked.

"Yes sir," said Lieutenant Commander Jan Voorhees, speaking for the
first time. "That suggests"-he turned his gaze from Jeff to the other
xenbees at the table-"that the Hivers once did have natural enemies,
since 'llee' pheromones imply an automatic stimulus-response behavior."

"Too bad we don't know what scares 'em," said Admiral Tohl with a wicked
grin.

Gktmglnt nodded agreement.

"A flee pheromone?" Gallahue repeated, pointing at Voorhees. "I hadn't
thought of that possibility in Hivers."

"How could you, ma'am, with just a quiescent queen that has been
separated from its normal society?" Voorhees said in a courteous tone.

"True," she admitted, "but a flee pheromone is apparent in many
Earth-type creatures like termites, ants and bees. That's not to suggest
that Hive queens are hymenopterous, of course, merely that they also can
produce flee pheromones."

"Accepted," Jan Voorhees said. "However, Stg and I noticed distingtive
variations in every site where a queen was killed. We also noticed that
a dead queen's remaining warrior types, as well as her males, ran away.
Of course, some of them just ran into the forces from another Hive."

"How did they tell who was friend or foe?" the Rowan asked.

"Each queen also generates her own specialized pheromone so her minions
can identify her." Voorhees rolled his eyes. "It was murder trying to
differentiate, but we did manage to identify quite a few of the Hives of
dead queens by the residuals."

"Remarkable," Sam said, remembering how many pheromones he'd had to log
from the Arcadian queens. "Arcadian queens are not quite as ... intense,
shall we say, as the readings you report on Xh-33."

Jan Voorhees stared at Sam, pushing out his chin. "What did you say?

"I said the Arcadian queens do not emanate the same powerful pheromones
that the Xh-33 queens do or did."

He locked eyes with Voorhees as both, evidently simultaneously, made the
shift to a conclusion.

"Can we substitute the pacific Arcadian pheromones for the aggressive
ones of Xh-33?" Jan cried, almost hopping out of his seat.

"I would have thought that was an obvious solution," the Rowan said, her
chin propped in her left hand.

"Obvious perhaps," Sam said, shaking his head, "but very difficult to
implement. We would have to eliminate the identifying pheromones of an
Arcadian queen and substitute the Xh-33 queen's. If that would even
work."

"Difficult to do," Voorhees said, staring thoughtfully at Sam Weiman.

"But not impossible," said Stg.

"This one agrees with Stg." Grm spoke formally, its poll eye glisten
ing. It turned almost apologetically to Sam sitting beside it.

"You would have to duplicate the pheromones exactly to get the re quired
effect," Gallahue said, shaking her head over that difficulty.

"Ma'am, with the practice Stg and I have just had, it's a case of accu
rately reading the GCS," Voorhees said, almost boasting of his prowess.

"That is not simple," Stg said, heaving a big sigh.

"Look, do I understand you correctly?" Jeff began. "You are sug gesting
that if we can accurately duplicate the Arcadian queen pheromones, we
might pacify the Xh-33 queens? What's left of them?"

"The pacific pheromones could be sprayed on the surface and re newed
frequently," Voorhees was saying, more to the other xenbees than in
answer to Jeff "It might just work. We could give it a try. What have we
to lose?" He looked from Gallahue to Sam; he blinked at Gktmglnt and
held Admiral Tohl's gaze.

The Admiral swung his glance to Commander Gallahue.

"It is a possibility," she said, though she obviously still had reserva
tions.

"In the meantime," Jeff said, "I have had an urgent message from Perry
on the Asimov. The weather pattern is shifting. Captain Osullivan has
asked for permission to seed the clouds for rain. I will need your
permission, Admiral Tohl, honorable Gktmglnt. The aggressive pheromones
must be diluted before reaching the other continents on Xh-33."

The two High Councillors made eye contact. Gktmglnt inclined its poll
permissively and the Admiral gave a sharp nod of his head.

"By all means, seed the clouds and revent more battles."

"Then we have bought time to investigate the Arcadian possibility," Jeff
said.

"But not yet an answer to the main problem," said Gktmglnt in a
lugubrious tone. "There are so many occupied Hiver worlds."

"There is an Arcadia," Sam ventured to say. "Maybe there are more."

"We can but hope," the Rowan said pessimistically.

"Shall we then go a step farther,' Admiral Tohl said, gesturing toward
Commander Gallahue, who had made the suggestion, before he turned to
Gktmglnt, "and ask the Asimov to implement a clean sweep of the Main
Continent's vacated premises?"

"To resettle the queens is a good idea," the Mrdini agreed, nodding its
head with great dignity. "It will be interesting to note how long that
expedient keeps Xh-33 peaceful."

Jeff cocked his head, an attitude that suggested he was listening to a
telepathed message. The others remained respectfully silent.

"The Columbia is just now entering the Ciudad Rodrigo system. Perhaps
their examination of that Hiver-occupied planet will give us fresh
insights, or confirm what we already know. Do we by any chance know
whether or not one of the xenbees ever took GC readings on the big
sphere? Three of the escape pods were activated and those queens fled,
so the Hivers must have known they weren't going to outrun the nova
wave."

Commander Gallahue smiled. "I do believe the Vadim xenbee records show
that GC readings were taken, along with every conceivable analytic
material the Alliance specialists have." She tapped rapidly on her
notepad. "I thought so. Yes, the readings, though faint, are available.
Mostly of corrosion. Perhaps not enough to use for an additional point
of reference."

Jeff rose to his feet. "Perhaps you would all care to continue
discussing plans in a secure conference area?"

The xenbees certainly did.

"We have begun to control our destinies," Gktmglnt said, lifting its
large self to its feet, causing Grm to cower away from the mass. "That
is good. Our good fight continues." It bowed to Jeff and those
assembled, the approving gaze of its poll eye lingering slightly longer
on the two Mrdini participants. IF YOU WOULD BE SO GOOD, PRIME RAVEN, TO
RETURN THIS PERSON TO ITS OFFICE, THERE IS MUCH TO BE DONE.

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO ASSIST YOU, HONORABLE GKTMGLNT. Jeff bowed
formally. The Mrdini High Councillor disappeared. "Anyone else? Admiral?
To your office?" When the Admiral nodded, he disappeared and Jeff turned
to the others. "I believe that Gollee has secured a conference room for
you, one with laboratory facilities attached." He smiled at the xenbees.
"You've been exceedingly helpful. My warm thanks and good day."

"Very good of-" was all Commander Gallahue could say before she
disappeared, along with the other six.

Captain Osullivan ordered the Main Continent cleaned up, using teams
from each of the nine ships in Fourth Fleet.

"That's so we all smell as bad," the corn officer on the A.S. A was
heard to say to the corn ficer of the A.S. Strongbo The comment was
wisell ignored.

The removal of all the dead Hivers would require combined efforts, since
the safest way to dispose of so much carnage was to vaporize it. While
that left strong odors behind until the prevailing winds dispersed the
the pheromones matched none that might activate a queen's re sponse.

"Not that many queens survived that horrendous battle," Captain
Osullivan remarked. "What effect will that have on the real estate we'll
be selling to queens we want to settle there, Mr. Voorhees?

"Some vegetation thrives on being burned out once in a while," Voorhees
replied. "Whether that holds true for this planet I don't know, sir, but
I do know that the longer we delay getting rid of the corpses, the
longer it's going to take to prepare the vacant facilities for new
residents."

The battlegrounds had to be plowed and decontaminated to remove the
taint of the body fluids spilled so futilely. Not many viable crops
remained unscathed, but what there were were fertilized with the dung
kept in the queens' facilities for that purpose. The stored eggs in each
facility were vacuumed out of their repositories and those were flung
into the seas and lakes for whatever denizens lurked there.

"Too bad the Hivers don't fancy fish," one of the CPOS on that detail
was heard to remark. "Lots of aquatic types."

The next job, preparing the vacated quarters for new residents, was made
easier by Commander Makako's records of every queen facility on the
entire planet. By pointing out the sites of the most recent "boundany"
skirmishes, she could show the xenbees where to find the most aggressive
ones. These would be kept busy enough in their new quarters to forget
about extending their holdings. Her observers had also identified
several young queens who had only begun to lay eggs and develop an
entourage.

The best job, according to the scuttlebutt of Fourth Fleet, was
following the Nose around. Jeff had explained to Pierre Laney the
urgency and importance of applying his unique Talent to the minute, but
important, differences of smell in queens'quarters. If the relocation
was to work effectively, the queen must think she was still in her
original quarters. Once Laney was assured that he was in no personal
danger, and how important it was to replicate the distinctive aura in
each facility, he accepted the job, and the enormous fee that went with
it.

A spare man in his forties, he had indeed a remarkable nose, in size and
appearance, for it was, as Cyrano de Bergerac had described his, a
veritable rock, a crag, a cape ... a peninsula ... of a nose, reddened,
with capillaries fanning out on both cheeks. He totally ignored any
stares it caused, evidently well accustomed to every kind of reaction,
but when he first came on board the Asimov, he had a habit of taking a
quick sniff of each area he passed through.

"I can find my way about anywhere in total darkness entirely by scent,"
Laney confided in Captain Osullivan, for he was naturally included 'in
the captain's mess. His manner was always gracious and he was as good a
listener as a nose. "Some places are more interesting'he tapped the tip
of his thick nose-"than others."

"We're grateful for your willingness to serve,' Captain Osullivan said.

"A change is as good as a rest," was Pierre's reply, with a broad smile.
"I've never been on a spaceship before. For that matter, I've never been
off Earth."

He never got tired either, in his relentless tour of the deodorized
facilities. He carried a wrist pad on which he made notations.

"Chemical formulas for the distinctive aromas," he replied to Voorhees's
query. "However, I rarely forget one."

"Never thought of these," Voorhees murmured, gesturing around him at the
empty queen quarters that they were currently evaluating, "as aromatic."

"Oh, they are, whether or not they are also pleasant to smell or so
faint that only I can differentiate. Aroma does imply nice, as does
scent. Aromatic suggests something stronger. But reek, smell, stink,
pong, stench, fetor, redolence, all evoke memories in our minds of other
times and places where our olfactory sense has met with that ... flavor
... on a previous occasion. Think on it," Pierre Laney suggested.
"Aroma, smell, fragrance, whatever.. ." And he gave a Gallic twist of
his hand. "The mind"-he tapped his proboscis-"and the schnozzola
remember."

"Schnozzola?" Voorhees echoed, his eyes protruding in astonishment.

"Schnozzola," Pierre echoed with a dignified nod of his head. "An
ancient comedian with a beak like mine"-he caressed it with an
affectionate finger-"made an advantage out of what others would have
called a disfigurement. Now, of course"-another Gallic wave of his
hand-"physical perfection can be easily achieved." He shrugged in a
dismissal of physical perfection as the ideal. "Now do I get to see the
occupied Hives?" he asked.

Voorhees respectfully gestured for Pierre to precede him out into the
fresher air, wondering how the queens had turned on the air-circulation
device that Thian had mentioned.

They moved more cautiously in their searching and assessment of the
quarters of the queens, scheduled to be relocated on the Main continent
to relieve the population pressure and the threat of more territorial
battles on their continents. Once Laney got over the initial shock of
seeing a Hiver queen, propped up on her hind legs watching the green
wall screen and whatever messages it conveyed to her, he followed
wherever Voorhees and his security team led him.

"I did review tapes taken of the queen at Heinlein Moon Base, you know,"
he confided to Voorhees after the first investigation, "when Prime Raven
approached me for this assignment. Being in the same  ... ah ... chamber
with one is quite another matter."

On his return to theasimoy, he would also concoct, as he called it, the
essence of each live. queen.

"There are so many to be remembered in such a short time, I should not
like to put queen thirteen's scent where queen thirty-three's should be.
No, no, such a mistake would queer the entire operation," he explained
to the laboratory technicians who assisted him.

The concerned head technician informed Captain Osullivan that the Nose
apparently took little sleep.

"Ah, but I need little sleep." Pierre beamed at such consideration when
Enenne Osullivan expressed anxiety over his diligence. "I only require
four hours a night, you see. I love my work, you know." His brown eyes
twinkled as he held a cautionary finger to his lips. "I have even
discovered several new fragrances from the musk of the queens."

"Really?" Osullivan was surprised.

"Of course." Another Gallic shrug. "Many of the most popular per fumes
are based on remarkable substances.' He held up his hand, bowing his
head as one who is divulging an important fact . "I have made up
several, quite passable colognes. Your female officers are kind enough
to say they are enchanted." He winked again.

"So am II"

"If I recall correctly," Captain Vestapia Soligen of the Columbia said,
"Ciudad Rodrigo had a sphere which they sent up our tail end." Her
expression was unforgiving.

"No good did it do them," Lieutenant Rhodri Eagles remarked dryly,
twiddling his thumbs where he had stretched out a long body in one of
the comformable chairs in the Talents'lounge aboard the
Constellationclass ship.

The captain gave him a long stare, and as if it had been his idea and
not his captain's look, he straightened up and clasped his hands
together.

"Do we know if it took its scout ships with it? " she asked those in the
room.

"No sir, we don't," said Commander Wayla Gregorian, the science officer.

"Mostly they do," Rojer said, "or they have no way of getting to and
from the sphere when they reach their destination."

"Unless of course," Roddie remarked, "they've got ground-toship
transports we've never seen."

"A distinct possibility." Major Kwan Keiser-Tau frowned at the security
risk that could pose.

"However, I've never seen any," Rojer said, from a position of more
experience with Hivers than anyone else in the lounge, and looked at
Captain Hptml of the KMTM. H'E YOU, SIR?

The large bronze-colored "Dini shook its head. HAVE BEEN IN COMBAT WITH
SCOUTS. NEVER BEEN TO AN OCCUPIED PLANET WITH LIVE QUEENS. THE
POSSIBILITY EXISTS.

"Since your experts"-Major Keiser-Tau inclined his head stiffly but
respectfully in Hptml's direction-'seem to think that the planet Prime
Thian explored is atypical and since you, Rojer, were at Xh-33 when its
spaceworthy craft were demolished, we shall proceed with caution."

As ever, Roddie said in a 'pathed aside to the Talents in the room His
hide gets skinned if ue get hurt, Rhodri, Flavia reminded him.

"Prime Raven is anxious for us to reconnoiter," Captain Soligen said.

The world they were fast approaching had three big, sprawling continents
as well as small islands that might once have been connected to the main
continents. Ice caps glittered at both north and south poles. There was
little seismic activity anywhere, so the planet was old, geologically
speaking. The initial probes indicated it was well settled and most of
the arable lands had been laid out in typical Hiver field patterns. One
of the continents narrowed on the equator so that, from space, it looked
like a tightly corseted caricature of a Human figure. Soligen pointed to
an area above the "waist," a wide plain with a range of hills that
separated it from the ocean.

"I propose we start with this one. There appears to be a large enough
underground area to house scouts."

"If they have any left," Roddie said, but he was paying close attention
to the briefing.

"Certainly they have no sphere, just the debris that suggests one was in
geosynchronous orbit to that field. Helm"-Vestapia raised her wrist corn
to her mouth-"how soon before we reach orbit?"

"Four hours twenty minutes, Captain."

She rose. "Very well then, Major "-she turned to the security
officer-"assemble a small team to accompany our Primes. I shall be most
interested in having a running commentary on your exploration." She
turned at the door leading to her bridge. "The treated hazmat gear is to
be worn."

And don'tforget to hrush your teeth and gargle away the garlic, said the
irreverent Roddie, though his expression was bland.

I just hope I'm around when you forget and speak those mean thoughts out
loud, Flavia said, rising.

"Thank all the gods that I don't have to go with you. The tempera ture
down there is like Clarfs," she added, jerking her thumb at their target
on the planet.

"I don't know about anyone else," Roddie said, "but my hazmat is able
for any temperature."

"Even the frost when you get cheeky with Vestapia?" Asia asked.

Roddie slowly brought his head around to look down at his youngest
sister.

"Look who's talking about cheekl" he exclaimed, throwing up his hands as
if in defense. He shot a quick glance at Rojer, who merely smiled at
Asia. "I should never have encouraged him to court you." He laid a hand
flat on his chest and appeared wounded to the core. "Serpent to my
breast."

Asia only laughed, and putting a hand on Rojer's arm, hauled him in the
direction of their cabin off the Talents' lounge.

"Remember," Roddie called after them, "we have to report in four hours
and ... ten minutes."

As the surface party's shuttle touched lightly down on the designated
spot, Rojer could sense Asia's excitement as she darted glances out the
porthole. Kwan Keiser-Tau gestured authoritatively at his sergeant to
lead out the scouting party for a quick look around.

"Nothing's stirring, sir," the sergeant said.

"Not even the dust," came a low murmur.

"Can it!" the sergeant ordered. "Found what seems to be a man made ...
excuse me, unnatural formation. Spread out there, Monks, see how far it
goes. Might be the opening to the underground."

j;"Check for anything resembling a ... manufactured remote or spot ting
device."

Rojer peered past the wiry, shorter security major and then jumped to
the ground ... holding up his hand to silence Kwan's protest.

"Ain't no one here but us chickens, Major," Lieutenant Rhodri Eagles
observed as he dropped beside the Prime.

Roier hunkered down to push a finger into the obviously manufactured
seam, looking along its length until he saw the scout reach the end and
hold up his arm. The man pointed south, indicating the perpendicular
direction of the seam.

"This is it, then. There's enough space to send an optic down." Roler
indicated the opening.

The major snorted, but beckoned to one of his technicians, who promptly
came forward swinging the equipment pack from his back to a ready
position. Kneeling by the crack, he inserted the optical wire, pushing
it down, then kept his eyes on the dials and the small screen.

"Nothing down there but dust, and some sort of equipment stacked against
the far wall. Over there, underneath us," he said, pointing to well
beyond the parked shuttle.

Tell Captain Soligen, Flavia, that the stahle's ernply and the barn
doork still locked, Rojer said.

Do I repeat exactly what you tell me, Rojer? There was a ripple of
laughter in Flavia's tone.

Whatever. She likes a good laugh now and then. We'll move out now, Kwan
ever vigilant, to the nearestfacility, about two kilometersfrom here,
rdsay, Rojer added, adjusting the glare by darkening his helmet's visor.
"Can we move out now, Major?" he asked politely.

"To the target area, Captain?"

"That's the idea, Major," Rojer said, controlling his impatience with
the methodical officer, and beckoned for Asia, Mialla Evshenk,
Yakamasura and Wayla Gregorian to exit the shuttle.

Nice touch that, though, Asia said, grinning up at her spouse, reminding
you that you may be a captain in the Talents'lounge but he outranks you
on the ground.

Roddie was carefully walking the very straight line of the hatch, did an
abrupt right-hand turn with military precision, a hundred meters to
another right turn, to the other end and around back to them ... leaving
a straight line of boot prints to mark out the underground garage.

The rest of the surface team exited the shutde, and at Keiser-Tau's
gesture, some trotted out to the perimeter, heads turning from side to
side in careful survey. Others bracketed the specialists. When his
scouts reported in that all was clear, the major signaled them to
return. Once his team had reassembled, Keiser-Tau raised his arm and led
them at a jog trot up the slight incline from what had been the queens'
landing field.

The terrain altered abruptly into lush green vegetation, obviously
cultivated, neat tamped-down earth marking well-used paths.

"They sure do keep a tidy garden," murmured one of the troopers.

"Maintain silence," the major said, a scowl in his voice and probably on
his face. He stopped at the edge of the cultivation, looking this way
and that.

"The queens do not, I repeat, do not see or hear us, Major," Roier said.

"If they could hear, the patter of booted feet on an empty chamber would
have roused some reaction," Roddie added.

"As you say, Lieutenant." Kwan awarded the T-3 a bare turn of his head
in acknowledgment.

"Nor should we trample down the fields of corn," Mialla said, pointing
to the neat, well-used paths. "We can easily stick to them. There's
certainly nothing else moving. Major," she added deferentially.

"Keep to the paths. Sergeant, take the point."

Mialla used his momentary distraction to snatch a leaf from the nearest
plant and was stowing it away in a specimen container before Keisertau
could protest.

"Need to analyze everything cogent to the project, Major." Her remark
was not an apology. When that crop ended and a new, feathery plant was
visible, she also took samples of that variety.

Following the paths, they came to a T-junction.

"And leading directly to our target too," Yakamasura said.

The security officer grunted, but despite his scans of the surrounding
fields, nothing moved save the top leaves in a light wind.

So quiet you can hear the leaves growing, Asia said to Roier.

A grunt from the major had the sergeant and two others jogging up the
track to a distant pyramidal structure, the slope to its open side
plainly visible as a black maw.

"We can move out now." Keiser-Tau's raised arm gave them a needless
direction.

Both Mialla Evshenk and Yakamasura paused long enough to gather
botanical and soil samples on their way, a patient rear guard stopping
as they did so.

Ididn'tthinkallivertvorldwouldlooksogrand, Asiaconfidedtorojer.

There was just enough room on the path for her to jog beside him.

That's because you've only seen the ruined ones before. Xh -33 'll ...
was like this, he said, shaking his head. The Columbia had received
copies of the Xh-33 massacre. Rojer had been particularly horrified by
the slaughter, since he remembered his probes across the orderly
landscape now ruined by war.

Major Keiser-Tau halted them twenty meters from the slope into the
facility. He sent the sergeant to the vantage point of the top of the
pyramid and the man adjusted his visor for distance, turning slowly as
he searched for movement. He paused, stiffened and pointed. The major
adjusted his helmet, but he had to join the taller sergeant on the
structure to see what had alerted him.

"A group of inbound workers from the look of them," he said. "Up here,
everyone. We'll let them precede us. Some appear to be carrying leaves
and things."

Without haste, the specialists "Joined the major and his troopers, where
they too could see the advance of swaying backs.

"All in step too, looks like," someone murmured.

"Worsen boot camp," another anonymous voice added.

"Silence."

Roddie twiddled with a setting on his helmet. "MAYDAY! MAYDAY!

"Cut out the nonsense," Rojer said, because the major had gone into a
crouch and his troopers had drawn their weapons.

"I told you they wouldn't hear us.'

The major walked up to the T-3, his face contorted with rage. He was a
full head shorter than Rhodri Eagles. "You're on report, Lieutenant.'

"Yes sir," the lieutenant replied briskly, saluting.

Roddiel Asia said in exasperation. One day one of thesefunny litik
things you think up is going to bacld7re on you.

So everyone tells me, Rhodri said with a carefully 'pathed sigh.

The surface party watched the stalwart workers trundling along, their
backs loaded with freshly plucked wide, red-veined leaves.

"Like chard," murmured Mialla Evshenk softly.

The burdens covered most of the creatures so that details of their
appearance were obscured. They counted one hundred pairs of workers
descending toward the facility. Still in impeccable files, they walked
around to the entrance slope and disappeared into the maw. A mechanical
rumble startled everyone.

"Sending the harvest to the processors," Rojer said. "Remember the data
from Thian's downside visit?"

"Oh yes, of course," Yakamasura said, smiling with relief.

Keiser-Tau gestured to another technician, who activated a handheld
device, turning it as it followed movement below.

"Life-forms are now in a short tunnel and proceeding into a low wide
..." one of the technicians reported, his handheld sensor following the
movement.

Hole in the wall, said Roddic Eagles, irrepressibly.

" ...  stable or some sort of holding place." A long pause. "No more
movement there, sir."

"Where is there movement, Corporal?" the major demanded.

The corporal walked, as if on eggs, across the top of the structure and
then stopped at the edge of the roof. "Farther below, out in that
direction, sir."

"Laid out just as Thian's planet was," Roier said. "And Xh-33, though I
never got into the queens'quarters." He gestured for the major to lead
on.

We need GC readings eye?ywhere ... andsamples ofany dirt, Flavia said.
And keep talking. To me, if not to the major.

So Rojer described everything as the ever vigilant major led them
cautiously down the slope. Yakamasura and Mialla took dirt samples,
having to dig with their bootheels to loosen enough tamped earth to fill
their containers.

Once inside the structure  ... "000ps. GC is picking up a high
concentration of selenoaldehydes and selenoketones, sir."

Rojer reported that to Flavia.

"Night visor on," the major ordered needlessly. Everyone had already
adjusted their helmets to see in the underground darkness.

"The workers would have dumped their loads down a ramp directly in front
of us, and the moving belts are still taking the stuff wherever it needs
to go," Roier said. "The tunnel to the queen's quarters should be to our
left." He felt a vague sensation of uneasiness, yet with Thian's report
to reassure him, he couldn't imagine what he need worry about.

The major grunted and signaled for advance scouts to go left.

"Tall narrow tunnels all right enough, sir," was the report.

"D'you think we could have a look at where the workers went?"

Yakamasura asked wistfully.

"Is that necessary?" Keiser-Tau asked.

"Well, if this report is to be as complete as Prime Thian's was, then we
should," he replied in his most conciliatory manner.

"Corporal, take four men and Dr. Yakamasura ..

"Me too, please," Mialla said, putting up her hand.

"And Dr. Evshenk .. ." The major's sigh was audible over the corn.

When they had come to the end of the long narrow tunnel which Rojer
described as well as he could-his apprehension still keen-their
emergence into the queen's lair was almost anticlimactic. In fact, it
was almost a duplicate of Thian's visuals. Scuttling things were running
around on the floor, and the queen, sitting among the attendants who
were busy stroking and cleaning her many limbs, had her black eyes on
the quivering, changing wall screen.

I've been here before, Rojer said to Asia, who squeezed his hand and,
ever so slightly, pulled him back the way they had just come. Nothing
new or any different.

"We need GC readings, Prime,' the major said, and held out something to
Rojer. "And this remote is to be placed.. ."

Rojer took the remote, removed the strip from the adhesive on the back
of it and 'ported it into place, exactly where Thian had positioned his.

Now, kt? get out of here, Asia said. Something is butting into me.

"Could we be under attack, sir?" the scrgcant asked, shifting his weight
and lifting first one leg and then the other, trying to look all around
him at the same time. Rounded beetles were buffeting him.

"Same thing happened to my brother, Sergeant," Rojer said, with as much
reassurance as he could. "Just more of the queen attendants."

ril say one thing. There was an odd touch of pride in Rhodri Eagles's
voice. She isn't as big as my queen at Heinkin Base.

She im't?

"We'll need to find scrapes, fragments, something metallic, Major, for
carbon dating of this facility," Roier said.

"Sabin, can you find any metallic refuse in the workers' garage?" Major
Keiser-Tau said over the corn, but he spoke sorry, as if he too was
impressed by being in the presence of the queen.

"Yes sir. Some sort of tool. Some broken bits just scattered about."

"That may suffice. Now let's get out ofhere before they begin to smell
us," the security officer said.

If he had cautiously led the specialists to the chamber, he now rapidly
led them all out again and into the wide-open spaces. There were many
sighs of relief heard over the connected coms.

How many of the se do we have to go into, Ro#er? Asia asked.

Oh, we have to do afair number to make a valid report, how? ... He felt
the least bit of a reluctance she was trying to hide from him. But you
don't have to go to another, if you don't want to.

Asia stood up as tall as she could, which was not quite to Rojer's
shoulder. Where you go, I go. But it is spooloi doam there.

At least, in these hazmat suits, tve don't have to endure sting-pzzt.

No, Asia brought her hands up to her suit, startled by his observation.
We don't. Trust you to reme?noer that.

I kept waitingfor it, Roer said, only just realizing that that was what
he had been anticipating.

Fooled me too, Roddie admitted with a sheepish grin he allowed only the
two Talents to see.

They felt the sting-pzzt, though, the moment they opened their helmets
back in the shuttle. Sabin had draped a lumpy sack over his feet from
which emanated the unique Hiver pheromones. The return'portation took
seconds, and the moment the deck officer opened the shuttle door, the
three Talents 'ported themselves to the lounge.

"What on earth.. ." Flavia began when she saw all three lifting an arm
and smelling it.

"Well, it didn't stick to us," Rojer said with an exaggerated sigh of
relief.

"What didn't stick?"

Rojer explained on his way to his bedroom, Asia on his heels, both
peeling down the hazmat suits as they walked.

"The sting-pzzt, for one thing," Rojer said.

"Sweat and dust for another," Asia said, and waggled her fingers at
Flavia before she palmed the door shut.

For comparisons-of which there weren't many, Rojer, Asia and Rhodri all
agreed-they sampled twenty Hives on the major landmasses.

"There's still room for more Hives." Yakamasura agreed with Mialla
Evshenk.

"But it would be better if there were fewer, rather than more, queens,"
she said, giving a satisfied punch to the key that finished her personal
evaluation of their efforts. "So where do we go from here?"

"Doubtless, we'll be asked to accept a message tube with that infor
mation," Roddic said, yawning hugely and settling his frame more
comfortably on the couch.

A rap on the door from the bridge startled everyone just as an eerie
chuckle touched the minds of the Talented.

"Come in, Captain," Flavia called, having checked who was knocking. "New
orders seem to be on their way."

You guessed it, Flatia, said Earth Prime. Message tube coming in, and if
the captain has her resupply list  ... She actually has it in hand, sir.

Warn her. The flimsies in Captain Soligen's hand suddenly disappeared.

"How did that happen?" She looked around the room, glaring at Roddic.

"Earth Prime effected immediate acceptance of your supply list,
Vestapia," Flavia said, managing to keep a straight face. "I didn't have
time to warn you. And here ..." She held out her hands, cocking one
eyebrow briefly, as she 'ported a pillow into them. A message tube
landed square on the pillow. are our orders, ma'am," she added with a
flourish of her hand.

Vestapia looked down at her right hand, fingers still in a gripping
position, then at the message tube, and slowly walked over to it.

"I suppose just about the time I get used to the vagaries of Talent,
I'll lose you." She poked at the tube and jumped back when Rojer, using
kinesis, opened it and the tightly packed data disks spilled onto the
carpet.

"Not anytime soon, I hope," Roier said, meaning it.

Vestapia picked up the packet with the Admiralty seal on it and broke it
open, scanning the contents. "Famous last words," she said, clicking her
tongue, and looked at Rojer. "Earth Prime needs you, and Asia, to help
with Operation Switch."

"Operation Switch?" Rojer asked, confused.

Roddie, craning his head around to the data disks on the floor, read the
tides and flipped one into Rojer s hand. "Operation Switch l All the
data you need for background on the new and spectacular Xh-33 real
estate program." He clasped his hands behind his head and stretched out
again. "Better you than me."

"I don't know about that," Vestapia said ambiguously, and returned to
the bridge.

Zara, any progress to report? Elizara said, tapping lightly into the
hospital generators for her contact with her namesake on Iota Aurigas.

Yes, I was about to contact you.

Have you heard about Operation Switch?

Mother and Father pass the very latest bulletins on to me. Is that
prograssing? Now that the Main Continent on Xh -33 has been cleansed, I
believe they are goingforward with the plan. So what is your good
newsfor me?

If you havegood newsfor me topass on to the High Councillor Gktmglnt, it
would be very grateful Zara's tone brightened immediately. I do. She
chuckled. Using the principle that the last place you look is the right
one, I started at Ward Nineteen. She chuckled again. There was
considerable wagering  ... Don't be difficult, Zara  ... It was Ward
Eighteen, the second one. The chemical we need to delete to curb
'creation ' is a valeric acid analog ...  and we must also reduce the
quan tity ofphenol We have now ascertained that a "Dini bud starts
toform, actually, before a "Dini enters hibernation. It needs the
hibernatorypheromones to be completed successfully. In essence, if the
bud is nipped early enough to abort it before it hasformed between the
tevo "Dini, reproduction will not take place. The keepers will remove
the unformed buds so that the still hibernating'dinipair will never
know. There are all kinds ofreasons that can be given. At least this
way, population can be regulated without any interference in cleansing
the "Dini'of dead cells and the restoration of their ouln bodies.

That 'll very good news. May I report this to Councillor Gktmglnt?

That's also why I was going to call you. Zara's tone turned grim. The
very honorable Gktmglnt is going to have to convince the older keepers
that they must departfi= tradition, by elsminating the valerte add
analog and reducing thephenol content, to regulate repwuaim. The younger
ows, and I am blessed by having only one oldfartflapping about in d&my
over interrupting "creation,'see the sense of the process. They're quite
willing togo along with it, although Iota Aurigas must be the only world
where we could use all the "Dinis that can be created-at kast whik
mining is in an intensive stage to supply more Washington class ships.
Pass the word aling to Grandfather and Gollee Gren. They'll see that
those who need to l(now will be informed. Fm tubing thefortnal stuff
directly to you, Elizara.

You've done very well indeed, Zara. Very well.

Thanksl Elizara was aware of Zara's pride in having achieved such a
notable success.

My "Dinis are real pleased too. They helped me every step of the way,
arguing with the oldfart-its name is Frllmp, so that wordfits it per
.fectly. Elizara had no trouble imaging a malicious expression on Zara's
face as she said that, and the medical Prime laughed out loud. It uouldn
I know what I meant even if I spoke its nickname out loud.

Pal and Dis would, Elizara said, still chuckling.

Oh, they think ilk apt enough, but of course, they are
exceedinglyforinal in their encounters with Frtlmp. 7any rate, itk up to
the High Councillor and the various "Dini leaders to settk how much they
need to decrease creation and enforce the orders at all hibernatoes.
Even on the shipboard ones.

F-specially on those, Elizara said. Furthermore, it would be easier to
explain the noncreation in the Fleets.

Yes, it would. Here comes your package.

Thanks, dear, Elizara said as she heard the message tube rattle into the
basket behind her. Again, you've done very well.

Thank you. And if Elizara thought that Zara had responded in an
unusually modest tone, she was right. Her experience in the hibernatory,
especially curing the victims of the Clarf disaster, had matured her as
a healer and as a person. We will have to do morefield tests, as it
were, to be sure it works on all "Dini color groups.

The acuity of Pierre Laney's nose had never been put to such unusual
usage. His infallible organ caught the subtle nuances of each queen's
pheromone output, the minor variations of the quarters, so that when!4i
the details were replicated in !@im the hundred different sites that had
been made available on the Main Continent, the queens were undisturbed.
That is, until workers were sent out to cultivate the fields that had
been left behind and found only raw turned earth instead of
ready-to-harvest crops.

"We will add just a soup!Fon, Pierre told Captain Osull n, pinching
thumb and forefinger gather, "of the essence so unique to the world
Prime Thian explored. This ingredient may, in the long term, be what is
needed to neutralize the aggressive ones and turn our ... belligerent
queens into tame pussy cats, like yours." He warily eyed the captain's
tricolor ba rque cat, Tabitha, asleep on her pillow in the corner of
Osullivan's ready room.

Osullivan snorted. "You have only seen her asleep, Pierre," he said.

"Which is what we want our queens to be, asleep. If my soup!rol is
successful, use it as a spray, dropping as a gentle rain upon the place
below." He smiled beatifically at Osullivan, who tried to remember the
source of what was obviously a quote.

"Indeed," he said ambiguously and gestured for Pierre to go on.

"And it can be applied anytime to the surface. And renewed as necessary.
We will infect all Hiver-occupied worlds with the serenity of the most
ancient Hive in this part of the galaxy!" His vibrant voice roused Tab,
who looked sleepily at him for a moment, and then resumed her nap. His
upraised hands indicated his exultation in discovering an answer to the
vital question of how to keep the queens where they were.

"Excellent news, Pierre," Osullivan said, realizing that praise for such
a resolution-if it worked-was in order. "Excellent!" He rose from his
desk and came around, clapping Pierre on the back and accepting the
Gallic embrace with his usual aplomb. "Let's tell the good news to our
team and have them forward it to Earth Prime and the High Council. I
must tell you"-he laid a hand on Pierre's back to guide him to the
Talents' lounge-"that I was dubious about so simple an answer to such an
immense problem. But you've done it!"

"I live in hope," Pierre said with a very Gallic shrug, a complete
change from his previous exuberance.

To effect Operation Switch, Perry asked for more Primes and as many
strong T-2 kinetics as could be spared for the several days the
transfers would take. After all, it was not just the queens but all
their workers, attendants and eggs that had to be moved. Damia allowed
Afra as well as Kaltia and Morag to be nominated for the teams.

It'll be go& eandthiswon'ttaketool", adflst?Damia asked her father.
We're bellmen U& and our ap'wces can handk anything else that might come
in adth me as merge.

rm sending Golke too, by ik amy. He needs a break.

This will be a break? Damia asked with some asperity.

Her father chuckled. rd borrow Zara too, but Elizara has told me that
her ...  avrk ...  is in its concluding phase. So she said she'd come.
She can knd heft to a merge. Shek deeply interested in the prejec-t.
Shek volunteered her youngest, a strong ksnetic T-2, for an unparalkled
opportunity to meet so many of his peers.

How old is Pietro?

Oldenough ...  There was a brief pause. Same age as Barry,
yourgrandmotherjust tartly informed me. rm borrowing Rojer and Asiafi=
Second Fket.

Oh, that'll be so nicefor the children. We do miss them. And don't you
dare say, "Only a thought away,' she added in a fierce tone.

Wouldn't dare, her father replied.

I almost wish I couldjoin them. But I can't and that's thatl Damia said.
I do hope it's worth the effort.

We can uait and see. The Xh -33 at kast allows us to ivy the theory that
the alteration of the local pheromones "wll have the desired effect.

Are the militants giving you more trouble?

Oh, theml If we can prove we'vegot the queensplanet-bound, and we rekase
enough of the newly discovered M-type ulorlds, they'lifind something
else to complain about.

Damia could almost see her father shrugging his shoulders. She wanted to
remind him that he was not, as he sometimes assumed, invulnerable.

rm not, you know, he replied. But nearly. And I nwer make claims of
being infallible.

Not with Mother to keep you on your toes.

A chuckle trailed off into silence.

The Xh-33 planet was not at the other end of the galaxy, but with the
help of the occupants and their Towers, the various personnel carriers
landed in orderly fashion in the boat bays of the various ships of the
Fourth Fleet that were to host them. Perry and Adela on the Asi'moy
would host Elizara and her youngest son, Pietro. Gollee Gren and Barry
Raven came in to the Beijing to be greeted officially by a cheerful
Captain Smelkoff. Afra, Morag and Kaltia went to the Nova Scotia and an
enthusiastic welcome by Captain Ellen Hogarth, while Rojer, with his
"Dinis and Asia, graced the decks of the M.S. HGHL to the delight of
Captain Ghl. Xahra was to be a guest of the Galaxy-class Strongboty and
was instantly impressed by Captain Halsted, who had given up his
quarters as being the only ones suitable for a Prime on his smaller
ship.

As soon as everyone had arrived and had a chance to look through the
schedule, the Primes and the T-2's assembled for a briefing session on
the Asimov in the Talents' lounge.

Not as b' as the Washington@, Rojer remarked to Asia.

Bigger than the Columbla@, though, Asia said, and Rojer gave her a quick
look at her suddenly meek tone.

Don't you dare go all modest and nervous on me.

Oh, I won't. She grinned up at him and reached for his hand, squeezing
it. But it is bigger ...  Oh, is that gorgeous woman Xahra?

Perry@ sister. She's pouting. No, she@ not. She@ smirking.

She looks haughty to me.

Oh, she is that too, Rojer agreed. And Xahra was certainly stunning in
an exotic way. Odd that she was stolid Perry's sister. He much preferred
Elizara's tranquil beauty.

Why, thank you, Rojer, Elizara said, nudging the lad beside her. "Come,
Pietro, I want to introduce you to Roler and Asia Lyon."

Pietro might be the same age as Barry Raven, but he had a great deal
more poise than the Denebian.

The result of so much exposure to Talents at Blundell, Elizara replied,
smiling graciously, and he@ shortly to get a Tower assignment. Ah, her
mental tone sighed. They grow up sofast these days.

Morag and Kaltia arrived, squealed with delight to see their brother
with Asia and rushed over to the couple.

Not all of the tn do, Rojer replied like any unimpressed older sibling,
hugging first Morag and then Kaltia because he was glad to see them and
they really couldn't be classed as kids anymore. Working on Clarf with
Laria had subtly altered them, despite their reversion to juvenile
exuberance.

His father had a slight smile on his face as he looked over the Talents
already present. Adela, assisted by Navy stewards, was serving hot
canapts and looking slightly nervous.

"Never thought I'd be able to sneak up on you, Afra." Afra turned to
grip Gollee Gren's extended hand, savoring once more the essence of the
man who had been so much a part of his professional life.

Looking your agefinally, are you? Afra said, noting the grizzle of
silver in the T-2's dark hair and the crinkle of lines about the light
green eyes.

Actually, it's constant proximity to Guyn-Raven offspring and the rigors
of dealing with all those eager young Tal-nts.

So this is work as well as play? Afra asked.

Gollee rolled his eyes. A bit of both and indeed a testing time for
Barry, Pietro and ...  He paused to grimace slightly ...  Morag and
Kaltia.

Morag's old enough, Afra said with a slight nod of his head. Did well at
Clarf during the emergency.

They both did. You've a grandfamily to be proud of. Ah, and Rojer is
still protecting Asia, I see.

Afra chuckled. She's well abkfor him to think so.

The exchange had taken brief seconds, for now they heard "Dini voices
behind them as Afra's Trpl and Rojer's Gil and Kat came down the
passageway. Trpl was taller by a full head-human head-than Rojer's two
and was obviously regaling its juniors on the part it had played in
nursing the four victims of the Clarf disaster. More muted human voices
echoed respectfully as the naval Talents who would form part of the
whole merge arrived.

A goodly crew, Gollee said, nodding as he was recognized by the Fleet
Talents, and he accepted their salutes with a wave of his hand. One of
the women looked apprehensive. "They won't bite, Mimi, I'm here to
protect you."

"Then we've nothing to fear," an ensign said, grinning.

"Asaf Katzin, isn't it?" Gollee replied. A good kinetic T-3.

"Do you know who we all are,"' Asaf asked, stopping in surprise.

"He'd better or Prime Raven will replace him with one of you," Afra
said, so solemn-faced that Ensign Katzir goggled slightly until Gollee's
grin reassured him.

"But you wouldn't have had the chance to meet Afra Lyon of Iota
Aurigas," Gollee said.

"I think you can tell who's a Prime in there without naming names."

"Don't listen to him," Mimi advised her crewmate, winking coquettishly
at Gren, who winked right back.

"If we're all here," Perry said when they had entered the room, "I'd
like to get on with the briefing. We're doing this in four teams, with a
Prime as merge, assisted by the naval Talents. Since we can all be in
contact, we can each use the generators of our host ships. Xahra, I'm
putting Gollee and Pietro with you on the Strongbow. Rojer will have
Barry and Asia to back him up on the HGHL. Afra will be merge with his
daughters. I've spread out the stronger Talents from the Asimov." He
nodded deferentially toward Captain Osullivan. "Elizara and I will lead
the Asimov team. We might need to do some switching around after our
first day, but that's to be expected when none of us have ever done
anything even remotely like what we are about to do."

Even Xahra nodded agreement with that, slightly amused by her brother's
instructions.

"I have data files for all the queens we are transferring and visuals
for the Main Continent quarters they're to inhabit. Fortunately for us,
the Hivers'llnvarying patterns are of inordinate help to us." He tapped
his chest, grinning. "According to our expert, Pierre Laney"-he gestured
to the Nose, who was listening avidly to the briefing-"the quarters of
any individual queen might smell slightly different..

"Indubitably, they do," Pierre said, ta ' his nose with a sage ex
pression on his face.

"Yes, but the layout for every installation is exactly the same. We have
visuals on each separate facility, but they're all much of a muchness.
Our communications people have been able to transfer the wall screens.
At least they hope so." Perry grimaced slightly. "But they haven't found
out how or where to turn them on or off."

"They have very small creatures to do that," Rojer said, "as we
discovered when we started up the sphere at Phobos Moon Base."

"How small?" Perry said, blinking at Rojer in surprise.

Rojer indicated the first two joints of his index finger. "Their tunnels
ran everywhere on the sphere. Doubt their holes would be visible."

"They are but seemed to go nowhere," Perry said, looking down at his
notepad and checking something off. "We'll see what happens."

Then he looked around at his audience. "We're hoping that we've done our
... renovations ... so well that the queens won't notice. They will,
however, notice the fields. We can't transfer the crops. We're good but
not that good." His chuckle was answered by smiles. Xahra rolled her
eyes at her brother's attempt at humor. "So, if there are any questions
about procedures, I-and the staff officers-are at your disposal."

"Body weights?" Afra asked.

"Good point, sir," Perry said, pointing his stylus at the Casellan.
"We've estimated you will be lifting the equivalent of a large drone
with the queens, likewise each stable of her workers." He gave a shrug.

"But it's animate cargo," Afra said.

"That's why we have designated teams. Watch your remotes and catch as
many of the queen's attendants as possible in the first 'port and pick
up the remainder on a second trip if necessary," Perry replied. "You can
take the workers by rows..

"They make it handy enough," Rojer said, wondering if the creatures
would even know they'd been lifted.

"Wouldn't the eggs be fragile?" Xahra asked.

"The ones in with the Heinlein queen have a thick outer coating," Rojer
said. "Reasonable caution is all you'd need."

"They are in a storage tube, at the back of the queen's quarters," Perry
said, and brought up the visual. "Once you know the shape, 'port that.
They won't crack." His manner suggested that the Primes were more than
capable of handling the transfer.

"You said there were little creatures, Rojer?" Gollee asked. "What
happens if some get left behind and come looking for Momma? "

"You will, of course, check on each of the facilities to be sure that
none are left behind," Perry said, a bit on his dignity.

"The queen'll make more if we lose a few," Rojer said.

"The wounded queens have been steadily replacing the attendants that
were killed in the war," Perry said. "According to Thian's report, when
he removed specimens for study, the queen would count.. ." He broke off
and shot a glance at Pierre Laney, who winked back when Perry did not
finish the sentence.

"Noses, is what they count," Pierre said blithely, arms folded over his
chest where he sat beside Captain Osullivan..

"Noses it is then," Perry said with a slight grin. "They didn't appear
to be concerned in any way that they were missing attendants, and
promptly replaced them."

"It's the field and the crops that's going to throw them, isn't it.
Elizara said.

"Yes, but there's nothing we can do about that. And some of the fields
they'll now possess will be in bad condition," Perry went on. "We're
hoping that the queens will just"-he gave a shrug-"replant or harvest or
whatever. Again, their adherence to tradition includes their plantings.
The same crops appear time and again. Of course, not in the same order,
because some of the vegetables require different soil and/or more
watering. But that should be a challenge to each queen-to put her
individual domain back in order as soon as possible."

"Well, let's hope they take up the challenge in the spirit in which it
is presented, and more space to expand," said Captain Osullivan. "Any
more questions?" He looked around the room.

When there were none, Captain Osullivan rose. "Then let us proceed to
the main hangar. The Washington is a grand big ship, but we wish all of
our Talents to be seated in the same chamber for tonight's feast. Or
would it be easier to 'port yourselves down?'

"Those of us who can should do so,' Perry said, "leaving the lifts for
those who can't."

He took Adelas hand in his and disappeared. Immediately half the
assembly followed suit.

"I could take you, Captain Osullivan, if you don't mind that kind of
transport," Elizara said, "and Pietro can convey you, Mr. lancy."

"Pierre, please, Elizara." Then the Nose turned to Pictro and spread
both hands. "When you're rea-"

"Neady done," Osullivan said with a grin.

"Show-off," she said, but the next instant she was facing Osullivan on
the deck of the main hangar where a long Unshaped formation had been set
out, with white napery that glistened in the overhead lights, set for
the many diners. At one side, in a straight line, the captains and
executive officers of the other ships awaited the arrival of the
Talented guests. The main hangar had been cleansed of its usual grease
and oil and was redolent with aromas activating everyone's salivary
glands.

"Ah, superbl" Pierre said, lifting his hand, forefinger and thumb
meeting, and then he inhaled deeply. "Magnificent l May I escort you to
your seat, Elizara?"

And it was a magnificent meal. Several times the captain thanked the
Primes for bringing in the raw materials-fresh meats, fish, vegetables,
cheeses, fruits and sweets which the Washington's galley had transformed
into such an elegant repast.

Once the meal was completed and everyone sated with good food and wine,
Perry stood and suggested that a good night's rest would be essential
for the morning's endeavor.

The guests were escorted to personnel carriers in the smaller boat bays
and returned to the ships that accommodated them.

The next morning after a solid breakfast to sustain them in their
labors, the Talents gathered in the cabins designated for their usc:
comformable couches, screens, an expediter and engineer as well as
assistants to keep track of the progress on screen and in notations. To
one side Of the large screens were a big schematic of a queen's facility
and the map showing which queen was to be transferred to which place on
the Main Continent. The targets of each of the four teams were a
different color.

"Very organized," was Xahra's comment when Captain Haisted led her into
the mess room of the Strongbow, which had been converted for this usage.

"Very well done," Gollee Gren agreed as he and Pietro followed her. "As
good as I have back in Blundell," he added amiably, and caught startled
thoughts from both T-Is.

Xahra smiled as she checked on the other amenities. There was a
courteous tap on the door before the five minor Talents on board the
Strongbow reported themselves ready for duty and stood at attention by
the padded chairs arranged behind the three major Talents.

"Shall I stand by?" Halsted asked politely.

"It won't bother us," Xahra said, and took her seat, gesturing for all
to be seated. "Do you have the order of ...  transfer, expediter?"

"Yes ma'am," was the prompt reply.

"Engineer, prepare to affect the gestalt. Gollee, let's start Operation
Switch ... to number fifty-four green."

The expediter highlighted number fifty-four on the map, and its
destination on the Main Continent, and the two quarters came up on
screen: the one with its occupants grooming their queen, the other empty
and ready to receive its new tenants. The generator hum increased.

"Gollee, merge. Pietro, Sam, Jennifer, Elias, Amos, Kathleen. Xahra
paused just the moment to gather the merged minds to her, then: "NOW!

A sudden deep noise in the generators and then the queen with every
creature, was transported from their original premises into their new
domain.

"Let's wait for it," Xahra said, eyes going from one screen to the next.

"000ps. One just entered, stage right,' she said, and flicked it to its
new quarters.

A squeak was plainly heard.

For a long moment, the queen sat still, then slowly, majestically, she
rose to her hind limbs, staring straight ahead of her.

"Aha," Gollee said, "she's noticed the screen isn't hersl"

From under her and around, movement could be seen, but even with the
remotes set up to receive images in the usual darkness of a Hive, the
watchers could not tell where and what was sent. Then, all of a sudden,
a perceivable green glow bathed the queen. She sat back down.

"Suspects merely a power outage," Gollee said, chuckling.

The queen had just settled back when she rose and scrambled with
unexpected speed down her tunnel ... beyond the remote's range.

"Can we get an outside fix on transfer fifty-four?' Xahra asked.

"I'm working on screen transfer, ma'am," said the expediter. "On screen
three."

That showed the outside of the collection point. The queen, scuttling
with breakneck speed and followed by her male attendants, raced to the
top of her facility and stood, slowly turning to survey the fields. She
moved her lower limbs.

"The queen of all she surveys," Gollee remarked.

"I don't think she likes what she sees," Pietro said.

"Not one little tiny bit," Gollee agreed.

"Lets get her workers in place, shall we? She's going to be calling them
and they'd better answer or we've blown the maneuver," Xahra said, and
the generators built up speed. "Expediter, let's see the garages there."

The screens split into several smaller sections. Quickly Xahra leaned
into the merge and one stable after another the workers were transferred
from one facility to the other. Immediately, the ranks began to move.

"We got that in time."

Thanksfor the warning, Xahra. Perry's voice came to them. I think we
caught number one in her morning nap. Ah, now she's waking up to the
switch. Damn it. Why couldn't we have transferred their screen designs
too?

Numberftfly-four is sending her children out in their hordes, Gollee
said as the ranks came trundling up out of the building, two by two,
each file turning off and up into the fields. Ifshe's setting them to
work, she seems to be settling in her ... new quarters all right enough.

The trampled fields were farther from the queens' quarters, as each had
tried to protect her home grounds. The queen remained in position,
slowly turning to be sure the workers were reaching the damaged fields
before she came down on all legs and descended into the dark interior
and back to her Hive. She arrived and could be seen on the remote
putting her face close to the screen, before she backed off and resumed
the position in which she had first been seen.

"One down and fifty-three more to go," Gollee said.

"We have the eggs to do first, you know," Xahra said. "Let's see if we
can get them in the one basket."

That was the trickiest part, as they all admitted, trying to keep the
ovoids from slipping away from their 'port. The first time they tried,
half the eggs eluded their grasp. Some fell out onto the deserted floor
of the queen's Hive. These had to be gathered up.

Get the sides, Golke and Pietro, ru get the top and bottom, Xahra said.

Why not Pietro said, think a sleeve around them so they can't escape?

That's not a bad concept, Gollee agreed.

A stocking is better because it has a toe and nothing can slip out the
hottorn, was Xahra's amendment.

Better and better.

Then let's do it. Ready? Xahra asked her crew.

"When you are, ma'am," said Amos, who was the receiving 'path.

This time the transfer worked smoothly.

"Whee, that's a 'port and a half," Gollee said.

"You're just out of practice," Xahra said with a teasing contempt in her
voice. "Expediter, may we have the coordinates for number fiftythree."

"Yes ma'am."

Letk not be so ski this time. On the doubk, queen and her gangfirst, the
workers second and the eggs third. Tkn we can watch the queen react,
said Xahra.

Now, now, we have to karn the tricks of doing these mass 'ports, Gollee
said cheerfully.

Xahra shot him a startled look. What do you mean?

I mean that if this proves successful in preventing another war on
Xh-33, we're apt to be doing it on other occupied planets where we need
to prevent similar massacres.

We are? Pictro looked delighted with the prospect even if Xahra didn't.

Speak for yourself, Gollee, she said rather tartly.

Oh, I do. And we all obey Earth Prime. A touch of reprimand colored his
tone, but he had carefully spoken only to Xahra. He could see the flush
on her cheeks. "Let's handle number fifty-three, shall we?"

And they did, with expedition and efficiency, missing not one egg or
tiny scurrier.

Sir, said Prime Thian to Earth Prime from the Washingwn, in orbit around
its second target Hiver-occupied planel This one has twelve
einptyfacilities. It was one of those that sent its sphere after us ...
or rather, came out tojoin the sphere heading toward the system adth the
right kind of primary.

Really? replied Jeff Raven with suddenly active interest. Just twelve?

Been down on the surface yet?

We've done initialprohes, sir, and can investigate if you wish. There
seems to be a lot of arable land lefifor them to expand onto.

We need to have GC readings on at kast twelve Hives to be certain of the
basic ...  shall I say, health and weyare ...  of the queens. The more
data we havefor comparison, the better we can plan the containment of
the Hiver queens.

Thian chuckled. As you wish. And, ah, how's Operation Switch doing?

Jeff Raven chuckled. With the massed might of eightfine Primes, the
switcheroo ', got',g ery well indeed. Got two more days of shifting to
do. They average about ten a day. Bit tricky getting those eggsfmm one
basket to another. Young Pietro thought of a sleeve and Xahra upped that
notion to a stockingjust about the time Elizara thought ofa tube
bandage.

Yes, Thian replied, remembering how they had been stored on the Great
Sphere, that would be trioly. They don't make a neat package, like
workers do.

However, the ones thatfell out don't seem to have been harmed, nor did
theirfall concern the queens. They had more on their minds than wobbling
eggs underfoot. Jeff Raven sent Thian a flash of a report of the queens'
marshaling workers to the fields. Yourfather, your brother and your two
sisters have all performed very well, Gollee tells me.

You sent Gollee Gren out there?

Why not?A change isasgoodas a rest. Broaden his outlook on life. There
was a pause. Your grandmother informs me that Gollee Gren's outlook is
quite broad enough. Get me some GC readings and data for comparisons,
will you, Thian? We want to try Pierre Laney's gentle rainftom heaven on
that planet and see if it 'll as effective as we hope it will be at Xh
-33. Smell may be more powerfl than a missle. a chuckle. the deterrent
of the future-alter the outlook by altering the ambient smells. Wish I
could apply that to certain elements on Earth.

Then the touch of Jeff Raven's mind left Thian's.

"Anything wrong, Thian honey?" Alison Ann Greevy asked him.

"More tunnel crawling," he said with a sigh. "To get comparison stinks
and all the data we can find."

She laughed, rumpling his hair. "You know you love it when you stand
right in front of a queen and she doesn't so much as give two hoots n'a
holler."

"I do like that part." Thian smoothed back his hair. "It's that damned
hazmat suit ... and decontam and deodorizing afterwards."

"Yeah, but that suit keeps the sting-pzzt out, doesn't it?" Gravy said.

"It does." He rose from the couch and took the four long strides to the
door into the bridge. "I better tell the Admiral. Oh, and honey,
Operation Switch is going along well.'

"Wonders will never cease!"

"I hope not."

Thian did, however, shorten the time of the onerous assignment by
organizing twelve teams, all eager for a chance to do a live inspection
of a Hive facility. There were enough T-2's and T-3's in the First Fleet
to accompany each team in case of trouble. Not that one expected any
from the aloof queens, but he wasn't about to have anyone under his
guidance become a victim. He wondered what could provoke a Hiver queen
to action-aside from checking her fields. Surely there must have been
some recognition among the queens on Xh-33 that they had been removed
from their original quarters?

Gravy went with him this time, and she was rather more impressed than
she had been from the visuals and all the reports he had made.

"Sure is one thing to hear about and another to see,' she remarked,
having clung to his hand as they entered the queen's quarters.

With the familiarity of many such visits, his teams collected the
samples of air and soil both inside and outside the facility, counted
workers, checked to be sure none of them were sporting new macelike
accessories in their extendables and returned to the Washington. By
midafternoon, Thian was able to send the carrier with the garnered
samples and details back to Earth Prime. He received the formula of the
pheromone "gentle rain" that was being used on Xh-33. This was to be
disseminated in a spray over the lands, to disperse through the soil and
thus into the food and the Hives.

"We'd have to check periodically,' the Admiral said, shaking his head as
if he didn't quite believe that such an expedient would suffice.

"I expect so, sir," Thian agreed amiably. "But that wouldn't take more
than one of the fast scouts, with a T-2 aboard, instead of a Fleet."

"True, true," Ashiant said, still not truly convinced, as Thian
perceived from his body language.

"Your orders are now to leave this system and proceed to the next one
that's been listed as Hiver-occupied."

Ashiant tapped in the relevant report. "Hmmm. Seven days away at top
speed. Ah well, one more on our way home. Thank you, Thian."

"Thian honey," Gravy began that night as they made ready for bed. "If we
have to check out every single one of those suspect systems on our way
back, there's no reason I can't ask for maternity leave, now is there?

I mean, Laria's working her Tower and nay regs allow me to work till I
get too clumsy ... and ... well, would you mind being a father?"

Thian turned toward her, his face lighting up with his delight. He
crossed the distance between them and held her fiercely to him.

"Mind? I've been hoping to persuade you to consider it!"

"I don't need much persuasion, Thian honey," she said pertly, and
reached up to brush back his white lock before framing his face in her
hands. "In fact, I stopped prevention just in case you were ..."

His response showed her just how much he appreciated her willingness.
Laria might have the first new generation of Lyons, but with such
obvious cooperation, he and Alison Ann would not be far behind. And a
"happy event" would certainly make the long Search worthwhile on a
personal as well as a professional level.

Operation Switch was completed two days later. In several of the now
abandoned hives, tiny creatures had been found running circles and been
'ported to their respective new homes.

While an atmosphere of celebration marked the final evening meal on
board the Asimov, attended by all the participating Talents and the
captains, every one involved was tacitly hoping that the "gentle rain"
would have a long-term effect. Certainly the potential for another
queens' war on Xh-33 had been defused.

Captain Osullivan had orders from the High Council to leave the
Strongbow and the M.S. KLLM in orbit, keeping a close watch, with
Commander Makako in the Moon Base on Xh-33. They had sufficient
quantities of the gende rain of Pierre Laney's compound to soak the
ground: the pheromone compound would permeate the atmosphere and drift
down into the queens' quarters.

The report from Thian Lyon in the First Fleet had confirmed that the
latest Hiver-meupied world he had investigated was in no danger of
erupting into dispute, and the pheromone spray saturating the soil
should have the necessary calming effect. If the oldest Hiver-meupied
world had never indulged in overproduction of workers to require
colonization, perhaps that had been the original intent, not the
constant emigrations and "sterilization" of other planets and their
indigenous life-forms. Yet there were many questions unanswered. Those
worlds that the Hivers had occupied, or were occupying, had to be
identified. In the course of that wide-ranging survey, more planets
could be made available to Mrdinis and Humans.

"Our drives starward are not so different from the Hivers' after all,'
Pierre remarked sotto voce to Captain Osullivan.

"No, they're not," Etienne Osullivan replied. He had entertained that
thought on several occasions, with some private chagrin. "Except that
any world with an evolving protosentient life-form is off limits to us
and our Mrdini allies."

"True," Pierre replied with a tight smile. "But should we not also limit
our aggrandizement when we have so criticized another's?"

"That is not for me to decide.' Osullivan was extremely glad of that.

"Nor I. I merely make an observation. But this has been the most
stimulating task of my entire career," Pierre went on, idly turning his
wineglass by its stern as he mused. Then he lifted it to Osullivan.
"This has been a marriage of the scientific and the psychic."

"Indeed it has," said Osullivan, lifting his glass to touch Pierre's.
"You might say God-sent."

Pierre caught the pun and laughed appreciatively before he finished the
fine wine in his glass. "I am scarcely God or a god, Captain, but I do
have the finest nose in the galaxy. I never once expected that my Talent
would prove of such worth to my profession."

"We all serve, Pierre, each in our own way."

Jeff Raven brought back to the Rowan in their Callisto quarters the news
that Zara's research had borne fruit.

"You mean, don't you, that no fruit will be borne," said the Rowan,
locked in her husband's homecoming embrace. She could feel the sense of
accomplishment vibrating through his body without needing to touch his
mind.

"Whatever," he said, chuckling at her correction. He released her
somewhat so that, with his arm draped around her slender waist, they
could walk into the dining room where dinner awaited him. He appreciated
that his wife preferred to cook their meals. They enjoyed the
tranquillity of their evening hours together. Both were on call for
emergencies, but both had also trained their assistants in Blundell and
Callisto Tower to recognize a "real" problem from something that could
be solved by them or in the morning.

"Odd that the solution to both our major problems should be linked to
pheromones."

"They certainly play a larger part in interactions of all the known
species than I ever realized," Jeff Raven said as he drew out her chair
and seated her at the table. "Let's just hope that such simple remedies
could be found to all our problems."

He filled their wineglasses before he sat down. Then he inhaled deeply
of the aromas waiting up from the covered dishes on the hot plates.
"This smells great!"

"It's the taste that really matters," the Rowan said, and then waggled a
finger at him. "Let's think no more about problems, love."

Jeff smiled lovingly at her. "A toast first, to Pierre and his nose, to
our children and their children and to those who will take our places:
May they have the sense ... and the scents ... to provide peace
throughout the galaxy."

"To peace!"
