Damia's Children Part 18

That was how it came to you then? It might be instructive to find out how many had similar dreams. The com indicated diverse origins.

Rojer kept to himself, and from Gil and Kat, that there'd be a diversion to Callisto Station and a side trip to Heinlein Base. But that made it easier for him to say his farewells to captain, chiefs, crew and Ensign Bhuto who, for once, only grinned and let Rojer do the talking.

With the hatch closed, Rojer took a deep breath and stood behind his father's focus to push the carrier back to Callisto Station.

So my grandson has covered himself with glory, has he? said his grandmother in a mood much different from the one he had overheard in the night.

Not especially, Grandmother, Rojer said equably because he just knew she'd be waiting to jump on any pretensions.

Hmm. I'd say the mission did you a lot of good, young man. I hate a c.o.c.ky boy!

When would one of us Lyons have a chance to learn to be c.o.c.ky?

That's exactly what I meant. All right, get out of that spatial coffin and have a meal with me. I don't get the chance to see you often enough.

I'm stuffed with breakfast, thank you. Hungry as he usually was, there was a limit to Rojer's capacity.

You'll stop then while I breakfast. Then you can take yourself to Heinlein Base. I can trust you to do that, can't I?

If Dad's too tired to, Rojer said, wondering just how long last night's conversation had lasted.

I've an hour before Ca llis to clears.

Rojer caught his father's eye and grinned. They unstrapped, helped the 'Dinis out and took the path from the yard to the Rowan's house.

To Rojer's surprise, because he'd had no hint, Jeff Raven was also seated at the breakfast table and beckoned them enthusiastically to join him.

were set for two more humans and 'I add my compliments to all the others, Rojer,' his grandfather said.

'I'd like a kiss, Rojer,' the Rowan said.

That was the ultimate accolade and Rojer nearly stumbled on his way to his grandmother's side of the table. His mother had often said that her mother shamelessly cultivated her imperious pose.

It certainly scared Rojer. But, keeping the thought scrupulously private, Rojer thought she was a very beautiful grandmother, with her striking ma.s.s of silvery hair, her small but delicately featured face.

She was no taller now than his shoulder. She turned her cheek to him, held up one hand to encircle his head when he appeared to hesitate, and he kissed her.

What he had expected to feel he didn't know: what he got was unqualified approval and acceptance. Her cheek was smooth as a petal and her perfume was subtly but not sweetly floral.

Thanks, Grandmother, he said gratefully.

That's the trouble with being Talented, Rojer.

The ordinary human touches a.s.sume merits beyond their true status.

That was a grandmotherly kiss of welcome after long absence: nothing more. But I am pleased with your performance. As deftly as ever I or your grandfather could do it. You deserve to see the thing if that's your desire.

Clearly the Rowan had no desire to view the escape pod, though that was all he sensed. No trace of her rancour and anger of last night was perceivable.

'Coffee or tea, Rojer?' she asked, gesturing him to take his place. WERE YOUR DREAMS GOOD? she asked Gil and Kat in clipped 'Dini accents as they took their stools.

VERY GOOD. WE FIT PIECES. NOT FIRST BUT FIRST FOR THE s.h.i.+P WHICH RESULTS IN MUCH excitement AND PRAISE, Gil replied.

'Ve virr plezz'd,' Kat added not to be outdone in the courtesy department. It had never had much luck with the 'w' sound though Gil managed well enough. 'Good fun to play Uman gamez.' Kat always leaned on the plural '5' A USEFUL GAME, the Rowan replied though the word she, employed to express game was 'well-spent free time Rojer drank his coffee and found enough s.p.a.ce for one of the delicious breakfast rolls that his grandmother said had been 'ported in only an hour before. His grandfather talked of the latest arrivals to the Denebian cousins and several recent pairings.

He asked after Afra's nieces and nephews who, with Afra's adroit sponsors.h.i.+p, were finding positions in Talented businesses away from Capella. Rojer found the Capellan relatives dull - at least until they'd been off-world a while. Then they shed what his father called 'methody' ways but not, fortunately, their early childhood training.

If his Denebian cousins were wild, outspoken to a fault, his Capellan ones were too prim and restrained.

Certainly nothing more was said about the Hive vessel or the escape pod and the Queen or other problems besetting either the Talented or the Alliance. Breakfast was conducted much as it was at his own home: pleasant, tension-free, easing into the stresses of the day.

Linking her arm through her husband's, the Rowan led the way back to the yard and the two personnel carriers cradled there. The smaller one was Jeff's and he'd 'port himself to the Blundell Tower which was the immense FT&T administrative headquarters on Earth.

Jeff and the Rowan saw Afra, Rojer and the 'Dinis settled in their capsule.

Who's making the 'port? the Rowan asked.

Rojer, Afra replied, with a solemn wink at his son.

Catch the platform bay from my mind, Rojer. This is where you'll view that place. She apotheosized 'that place' in a dismissive tone but then he'd been forewarned of her att.i.tude so he 'looked' deeply and 'saw' the area and the cradles available to visitors. The military police had their own docking facility.

Rojer could feel the Callisto generators picking up revolutions.

He suppressed the slight nervousness he felt at performing the 'port in the presence of both grandparents but if he was able, he was able. And he'd do it. He did: the Heinlein Base vivid in his mind's eye.

Though, of course, he did not land in the base: he set their carrier down in the orbiting platform that was held a hundred metres above. The platform looked like a quick a.s.sembly job and Rojer remembered to check the small panel of the carrier that monitored exterior conditions. There was plenty of air and the clatter of nailed boots on metal flooring as someone rushed to check on them.

Talents Afra and Rojer Lyon as expected, his father both thought and said.

'Yes, sir, right on!' was the shouted acknowledgement. 'I'll just open the hatch for you. Ladder's in place.' They heard the sc.r.a.ping and the hatch opened.

Nice of you two to come, said a second voice laughingly and Rojer recognized him as his cousin, Roddie Eagle.

His father gave him a stern look and Rojer made a grimace back, then smoothed his features. Roddie was welcome to guard duty if that's all he was good for.

Enough of that! his father said on the very tightest beam.

Rojer rose, handing his 'Dinis out first so that he'd be - sure not to 'leak' his true feelings at encountering Roddie here. When he finally did make eye contact, he was rather surprised to see that scrawny, pimple-faced Roddie was a clean-shaven, fresh-faced young man of about his height, neatly dressed in an Alliance uniform and wearing the bars of a first marine lieutenant.

'I guess you all hadn't heard,' Roddie said, smiling a welcome.

'You've been away the past week. I can't say I like being constantly sting-pzzted all the time - not at the level that Queen is projecting but it's the place to meet everyone!' And he laughed. GOOD DREAMS, GRL, KTG. RDI SHARED YOUR DREAMS BUT NO PIECES. 'Real glad you succeeded, Roj. And boy, your placement of that pod was smack on the X-mark. Good 'portation! Got a bad case of family pride, I can tell you.' Rojer was coping with the new improved Rhodri Eagle, so unlike his disagreeable adolescent self.

'We've breakfast laid on, Uncle Afra, Roj, if you're hungry.' 'Thank you, Rhodri, Afra said with a nod, 'but I don't think either of us could handle a third breakfast this morning.' Roddie grinned affably. 'Yes, that's one disadvantage to 'portation. You meet yourself coming and going, so to speak. This way. Getting here before breakfast-' And Roddie chuckled. His humour, Rojer decided, had not altered all that much: still heavy-handed. '-you've avoided the crowds. And -we've had them. Thank you, Sergeant,' he said to the man guarding the entrance to the main section of the platform. 'They tell me we'll have more permanent quarters shortly. These are stripped down basic but they suffice.' Roddie led them down the corridor and Rojer noticed that all his baby fat had been converted to a trim muscular shape. He was however, a finger or two taller and that pleased uhim.

'I'll take you right away to the main viewer uroom. It's got full screens of the base. She won't be able to move anywhere without observation.

That is, if she ever comes out!' u'She's still alive?' Rojer asked.

u'Oh yes. We've sensors on the hull, you know, uand sounds are being picked up all the time. What she's doing with all those scratching and stroking noises we can't gather. Nothing we have will penetrate the hull. We did detect that she must have sampled the atmosphere. But that happened at the end of the first day. Here we are!' The large room they entered had a plasglas viewplate from floor to ceiling directly aligned with the escape pod, i hundred metres below, but optically the gloss was altered to produce a tri-d effect that made the observer feel he was no more than a few feet from the pod. Screens gave other views and an auxiliary tier of smaller screens would be activated when the Queen exited the pod and began using the buildings.

'She appears to prefer a higher temperature than we humans like, though 'Dinis would be comfortable enough in 32 degrees Celsius. We have increased the ambient temperature in the base. Blrg, the 'Dini specialist, hypothesized two days ago that she won't make a move until the pod's oxygen is exhausted. I kinda go along with that.' Roddie smiled modestly.

'The pod would have had only so much oxygen even in that generous-sized lifeboat, for some of the cubic volume must be occupied by food and other necessities. At that you may be very lucky indeed.

Three estimates for her to come out have already been pa.s.sed: the experts favour her supply being exhausted some time today. Can you hang around?' 'We have time to hand,' Afra said, to Rojer's intense delight.

It'd be awful, Rojer thought, to have had the chance to hang about and see her emerge and not be able to do so.

Not that your timing's been off at all this past week, Rojer.

Except for hunting, his father added privately.

Rojer 'pathed a repentant grimace. His cousin then showed them the amenities and facilities of the installation: they were spa.r.s.e enough for the twenty men and three officers a.s.signed here.

'A larger ready room's being 'ported in this week, more sanitary units, a larger kitchen though we get fresh stuff 'ported in daily.

I'd put in a special order for breakfast buns. Sorry you've no appet.i.te,' and there were traces of the young Roddie in the patronizing grin he gave Rojer.

'Maybe later, if there are any left. Wouldn't want to deprive you,' and Rojer managed to keep his tone light and pleasant.

They returned to the viewing room where more technicians were on duty, a.n.a.lysing tapes and discussing print-out.

'Lieutenant, we've a party of twelve asking permission for an hour's viewing about-' The corporal broke off abruptly as a loud clatter issued from the speakers. His eyes went wide, his mouth worked and he pointed frantically to the window.

Rojer and his father had been turned towards the speaker but they looked back and, as one, recoiled slightly from the view on the magnified plasglas.

The pod hatch had blown out and rattled about on the plascrete surface. First, one long spiny, oddly jointed limb appeared, slender pointed digits closed about the frame on one side, then another. The limb was a burnished deep coppery red, covered with fine hairs that Rojer thought might be sensitive: maybe he just thought they moved.

Four more arms came forward to support the body slowly emerging.

Then a 'fobt' appeared on the sill. Someone had the presence of mind to alter a spotlight and catch the form framed just inside the hatch.

Rojer took firm hold of his nerves and his over-full stomach as, slowly, the tall, segmented creature emerged: its nether region a swollen tear-drop, nipping into a narrow joining to a long thin upper torso. Three sets of arms were s.p.a.ced along this torso, and two sets of 'legs', one pair moving forward while the other supported the immense bulge of the lower body. A triangle with bulging eye sockets at the top of the thin upper torso had to be the head, and from the top of that multiple antennae waved furiously.

Its coloration, more than its form, captured eye, mind and attention, for the Queen was the most beautiful shades of s.h.i.+mmering deep coppery, burgundy red, blues and greens, like the blossom sheath of the Siberian iris his mother grew in the garden at Aurigae. The spotlight caressed undertones from her body parts, from the flat surfaces of the oddly jointed limbs, from what appeared to be the vestigial wings joined to the upper torso at what would be shoulder-height, running down to the nipped-in waist and half-opened over the bulging lower body.

'A praying mantis, that's what she's like,' his father said softly as the creature remained in the hatchway 'Like an actress waiting for her cue,' was Roddie's unexpected comment.

'She's afraid!' Rojer blurted out, surprising himself and everyone mesmerized by her appearance.

IT SHOULD BE DESTROYED, Gil said with such fervour that Rojer had formed a sharp reprimand before he caught his father's quick head shake. IT HAS DESTROYED MANY MRDINI.

NOT THAT ONE, GRL, his father replied mildly.

It is alone and afraid, Rojer thought and shook his head to dispense with pity for this member of a dangerously predatory species.

Then, without any grace, the Queen dropped to her six upper limbs and crawled out of the pod.

She showed more grace when she stood erect on the four lower limbs and turned her head slowly in a full circle. With great deliberation then, she waddled, again ungainly, towards the mounds of fresh vegetables and plants that had been replaced daily just beyond the pod.

Setting back on her hind legs which Rojer thought ended in suction pads, she daintily conveyed food, hand over hand, to an orifice that opened in the triangular head. Some hands discarded samples from time to time and Roddie alerted a corporal - for the viewing room was now full of the station's personnel - to make notes of what she rejected.

She ate fruits, rind, skin and pith, but carefully put aside seeds and pits. She rejected gra.s.ses, including wheat, rye and oat, though she sampled all that had been provided, ate tubers, leaf vegetables of all kinds, and sugar cane, legumes and pulses. She did not eat rice.

She ate steadily through the piles and then sat.

She sat and sat and sat and did not so much a flourish an antenna or the feelers on her limbs or blink her eyes, settle her wings or give any further indication that she had moved. Rojer thought she'd stuffed herself with breakfast. How long had she been without any food, he wondered.

The twelve visitors who just missed the spectacle were horribly disappointed at such inertia and one oafish man insisted that Captain Waygella, Roddie's superior who had not missed the emergence, do something to stimulate her. The captain refused but she did set the tapes of the event to automatic replay on the main viewscreen.

When a second visitation was said to be scheduled, Afra, Rojer and the 'Dinis made a determined move to leave. The captain asked Roddie to accompany them to the bay and greet the new lot.

'Made a tape for you to take back to Aunt Damia and the others,' Roddie said, pa.s.sing it to Afra as they reached the bay.

'That's very thoughtful of you, Rhodri.

'Not at all. The corporal'll be copying that sequence all day.

I've been 'porting 'em out by the dozen to Aunt Rowan to s.h.i.+ft to everyone who needs to know,' and Roddie grinned wryly, 'and Primes need to know, don't they?' Unexpectedly he nodded at Rojer, for the first time accepting Rojer's higher rating.

'Thoughtful of you all the same, Rhodri,' Afra said.

Rojer murmured a thank you as well because the old Roddie certainly wouldn't have been so generous. Life in the Alliance Guards had certainly improved him.

They got into their carrier, made sure the 'Dinis were harnessed properly.

Generator's up, ready for your push, Roddie said.

Do it, Rojer, his father said. If my time sense hasn't failed me, we should be home in time for breakfast.

DAD!.

You're back! Good, Damia said cheerfully. Come have some breakfast.

Rojer groaned as he unbuckled and his father chuckled.

Little breakfast was actually eaten that morning, and most became cold as the entire household and Tower staff watched the tape of the Queen's emergence.

'So that's what they really look like,' Damia said.

'She's rather spectacularly coloured.

'I think she's beautiful!' Zara said, almost defensively.

Fok and Tri had been clicking softly to themselves, their pelt colours darkening with what Rojer recognized as their aggressive shade.

Gil and Kat were not as bad but Zara's two, Pig and Dzl, were at first speechless: then crept close, not to Zara, but to Fok and Tri to be comforted.