Pegasus In Space Part 23

As Peter blinked in surprise at such an unexpected question, Johnny roared with laughter, Lance guffawed, and the admiral grinned broadly, leaning back in his chair in relief. Fraga's smile was polite but Alicia Taddesse did not seem to appreciate the levity at all.

"Once we establish a safe caloric expenditure for you, Mr. Reidinger," Georg Fraga said, taking out his notepad, "can we present you with a delivery schedule for material most urgently needed at First Base?"

I think you should handle this, Pete, Johnny said, stretching his legs out under the table. Johnny said, stretching his legs out under the table.

Peter hid his annoyance at Johnny Greene's manipulation of this meeting, even if it was to his advantage and that of parapsychics in general. He did feel great satisfaction at proving his ability to doubters like Alicia Taddesse. The Secretary appeared to be openminded. What position did Georg Fraga hold in the s.p.a.ce Authority? Senior what?

Pete turned his mind from that to how to set fair parameters. Johnny had made him test his own abilities. And, to be truthful, it had been relatively easy. Especially knowing that he had already managed to reach First Base from Adelaide. How much ma.s.s could he s.h.i.+ft if he really really tried? Obviously, he should set parameters now. What sort? Johnny was always trying to get him to reach out a little farther. How far would please him? Peter wondered. For that matter, how far would please Peter Reidinger? Today had opened up possibilities he had only tentatively dreamed about. And possibilities that he oughtn't to dream about-yet. The qualifier startled him. tried? Obviously, he should set parameters now. What sort? Johnny was always trying to get him to reach out a little farther. How far would please him? Peter wondered. For that matter, how far would please Peter Reidinger? Today had opened up possibilities he had only tentatively dreamed about. And possibilities that he oughtn't to dream about-yet. The qualifier startled him.

He brought his attention back to the matter under discussion.

"I need to have comparison figures on what-" Alicia Taddesse began, glaring briefly at Fraga, as she pulled her notepad toward her "-Mr. Reidinger's services will cost SA as opposed to traditional fuel."

"Ms. Taddesse, I am already under contract to SA," Peter replied gently.

Ha, she forgot that, Johnny said. Johnny said.

"My salary on a per diem basis is a quarter of the cost of a pair of full full " and Peter could not resist lightly emphasizing that adjective, "fuel tanks and most freighters require ten for a round-trip." " and Peter could not resist lightly emphasizing that adjective, "fuel tanks and most freighters require ten for a round-trip."

She spoke figures into her notepad. A hint of a smile played on her lips.

"Less urgent supplies would still have to be freighted," Peter said, steepling his fingers; in an att.i.tude he thought would make him appear more a.s.sured than he was.

You're doing fine, Pete, Johnny said, a grin in his voice though he kept his expression politely attentive. Johnny said, a grin in his voice though he kept his expression politely attentive.

"I would like to physically visit the Moon, if that's all right with you, Colonel Watari," Peter said, and smiled at Lance Baden. "I would need good telepad sites."

"Telepad?" the colonel repeated.

"Like the X in a circle that designates a helicopter landing site. I doubt you want me to place s.h.i.+pments at the third bollard from the right in the parking lot."

"I see no problem with establis.h.i.+ng formal delivery locations," the Secretary said, smiling as he looked over at Johnny Greene. "If you'd care to accompany Mr. Reidinger, General? I know you haven't made it to First Base yet." When Johnny nodded, Abubakar went on. "I think we can provide you both with a personal inspection of the facilities, don't you, Colonel?"

"Yes, yes, of course, Secretary," Watari replied. "We've a Rest and Reenlistment flight going out tomorrow, in fact. It's returning with some urgently needed personnel but there's certainly room for Mr. Reidinger and General Greene."

"I appreciate that, Secretary."

"That would take over a week," Alicia Taddesse said, not quite protesting, "even if they only stayed a day to site these, ah, telepads."

"A necessary condition," Peter said. "I must also remind you that my current contractual schedule is three weeks onstation, one week on the surface."

Taddesse shot upright in her chair, startled. "But-!"

Peter managed an indolent Greenesque shrug. "That schedule is in my current contract," Peter said in a tone that brooked no argument. She stared at him, all hint of the smile wiped from her expression. "The Eastern Parapsychic Center would strenuously resist any amendment at this point in time."

"I find that unacceptable," she began.

"I do not," said the admiral firmly. "We are lucky to have Mr. Reidinger at any time, Ms. Taddesse. His presence on the Station was the reason Monday's fiasco did not turn into a major disaster."

"My contract does include emergency a.s.sistance, Ms. Taddesse," Peter added politely.

Taddesse turned to the admiral. "Aren't there emergency crews on standby at all times?"

"Of course there are, Ms. Taddesse," the admiral replied. "Rescue gigs are on patrol in every quadrant and they quickly moved into position, as you can see on the visuals when you review the tapes. Mr. Reidinger and General Greene expedited rescue and containment, reducing damage to personnel, freighter, and cargo."

"Excuse me, sir," Colonel Watari said. "Engineering would be very grateful if Mr. Reidinger could send us Waybill number AF22BH47503."

"What's the ma.s.s?" Peter asked, wanting to show Taddesse that he was cooperative.

Watari looked offscreen. "One hundred and five kilos."

Ask if that figure includes its packaging, Pete. Johnny said. Johnny said.

"That includes packaging, Pete," Lance said from First Base.

Great minds, Johnny said with a chuckle. Johnny said with a chuckle.

"How much much of that ma.s.s is packaging?" asked Peter aloud. of that ma.s.s is packaging?" asked Peter aloud.

"You'd need the packaging," Watari protested.

"Packaging's forty kilos," Lance said, and Watari gave him a sharp look for his response. "The volume is 100 by 40 by 60. Centimeters."

"Those selenoseismic sensors can't be bounced about," the colonel objected.

"They won't be," Lance said, with a sideways, almost condescending glance at the base commander. "I can receive, Pete, if you think I'm needed."

He doesn't think he is, Johnny said so emphatically that Peter ignored the growing doubt in Taddesse's att.i.tude. He trusted Lance implicitly. He trusted Johnny, too, but not the general's propensity to get him into situations before he realized he was involved. Johnny said so emphatically that Peter ignored the growing doubt in Taddesse's att.i.tude. He trusted Lance implicitly. He trusted Johnny, too, but not the general's propensity to get him into situations before he realized he was involved.

"We'll have to locate the item first," Peter said, trying to sound very businesslike.

"Of course," the admiral said, and turned to give orders to his yeoman and Commander Chatham, who had antic.i.p.ated the request and were busy at their notepads.

"I'm not so sure about removing the packaging," Taddesse said, regarding Peter with narrowed eyes.

"I don't drop things," Peter said, irritated by her continued skepticism. "If I am to be effective as a courier, the less unessential ma.s.s I have to teleport, the better, and the more I can s.h.i.+ft per working hour."

That's right, Pete, don't let her bully you. She needs you far more than we need her Johnny imagined himself a rooster, crowing on a rooftop at sunrise. Johnny imagined himself a rooster, crowing on a rooftop at sunrise.

"A good point," the Secretary said, tactfully overriding that concern.

"I've located the s.h.i.+pment, sir," Commander Chatham said.

"If you'll put up the coordinates, Commander," Johnny said, losing his pose of indolence. "Naturally it's the one in that temporary net." He gave a long-suffering sigh. "But at least it's in the priority section."

"That poses a problem, General?" Taddesse said, and it was obvious that she hoped there was one.

"Do you want it in here?" Johnny asked.

"You wouldn't want it in here, General," Commander Chatham said. "Not with all that packing."

"Oh, I stripped off unessentials," Johnny said, and leaned back in his chair.

Of all in the room only Peter was aware that the general had employed a light gestalt. He couldn't resist grinning.

The three sensors, in lightweight, transparent bubble pack, appeared on the end of the conference table where Mai Leitao had been seated. Taddesse gasped, one hand going to her throat. Colonel Watari jerked out of his chair on First Base.

"Careful with those!" Colonel Watari cried, one hand extended in an unconscious warding.

"I didn't hear so much as a b.u.mp, Colonel," Secretary Abubakar said soothingly.

"More like a swoosh as it slid into place," Fraga added encouragingly.

"Do you enjoy playing hopscotch, General?" Taddesse said in an acid tone of voice.

"Only with those who can't see the numbers on the paving, Ms. Taddesse," Johnny said, showing her his teeth.

Whatever the CFO might have said, and her anger was palpable in her flushed cheeks and rapid breath, the Secretary held up his hand to forestall it. With a visible shake of her head, she subsided, staring at the montage of Padrugoi on the opposite wall.

During that brief exchange, Peter had "felt" the substance of the sensors, mentally examining the volume, as someone would take a cautious taste of unfamiliar food. Most times he didn't need to do any psychic handling since the manifests always told him what he was about to 'port.

"I think it would be wisest for me to deliver them directly to your office, Colonel," Peter said. "Lance, may I have the exact coordinates?"

"Of course, Pete," and yet another window opened at the base of the conference room screen with the lunar location. First Base in Ocea.n.u.s Procellarum was situated near the Moon's equator at 311'40'' south lat.i.tude and 2323'8" longitude.

Take your time, Pete, Johnny said. Aloud he added, "Commander Chatham, you might have one of the standby gigs collect the packaging before someone in the marshaling yard sounds an alarm. It's in, the priority section of the corral." Johnny said. Aloud he added, "Commander Chatham, you might have one of the standby gigs collect the packaging before someone in the marshaling yard sounds an alarm. It's in, the priority section of the corral."

"Very good, sir."

You can get a direct contact with Bergkamp, Pete.

"Admiral, may I have a direct contact with Engineering," Peter said, hoping he sounded calm. Was it his imagination or did his voice shake a little?

No! was Johnny Greene's firm rea.s.surance. was Johnny Greene's firm rea.s.surance.

"Of course," said Dirk Coetzer, his blue eyes decidedly twinkling, "and I think so that we can watch you in action, let's have the engineering station board up on our screen, Pota."

"Very good, sir."

Another window crowded against the others on the bottom of the screen.

"I'm ready," Peter said, wondering if all those on his side were in league to give him more time. "Lance? I'll put the sensors on the worktop behind you." Peter leaned into the gestalt. The surge on the generators' gauges flickered at the highest point and fell back as he eased off to what he now sensed was just the right amount of power required. He tried very hard not to think of the immense distance involved. Only that these sensors, their specific volume, had to be placed elsewhere, on the worktop behind Lance. For a nanosecond he felt Lance's mind, reacting in exultation over this second display of pure, boundless telekinetic power.

"Wait!" That was all the time Colonel Watari had to utter a protest before the teleportation was completed.

"Neatly done," Lance said, grinning from ear to ear as he swung around in his chair to face the delivered package.

With a cry of alarm, Colonel Watari leaped across the room, anxious hands examining it, gesturing for Cyberal to help him remove the one outer plastic sheet of packing so he could a.s.sure himself that the sensors had not taken any harm during their unique journey through s.p.a.ce.

"I heard only a slither," Lance was saying, and turned back to the screen to those in the Station conference room. "Excellent, Pete."

"Would you be in need of a midmorning snack, Mr. Reidinger?" Secretary Abubakar asked with attentive courtesy. "To replace the calories you just burned up?"

"That's very kind of you, sir," Peter replied, inclining his head graciously to the Secretary. "Yes, thank you."

"I think we are all in need of sustenance," the admiral said, and raised his voice. "Barney?"

Okay there, Pete? Johnny asked. "A marvelous idea!" he added aloud. Johnny asked. "A marvelous idea!" he added aloud.

"Could we have a reading on the-" Fraga began, looking at Peter beside him, his fingers still steepled together. Alicia Taddesse was apparently deprived of speech; she sat staring at the s.p.a.ce where the three sensors had been. "The gestalt. Is that what you call it, Mr. Reidinger?"

"I use a gestalt, Mr. Fraga," Peter said. "What the Engineering records tell us is how much generator power was involved in the teleport."

"I see."

I wonder if he really does appreciate the distinction, Johnny remarked. Johnny remarked. You're tired, Pete. No more showing off today. Got me? You're tired, Pete. No more showing off today. Got me?

Showing off? Me? Peter imaged himself with a huge mouth, lower lip drooping to the floor. Johnny gave a smug mental chuckle. Peter imaged himself with a huge mouth, lower lip drooping to the floor. Johnny gave a smug mental chuckle.

Admiral Coetzer suggested that perhaps they should end the conference on this good note. Peter could see that the colonel was tight strung with the desire to get the sensors into place. Lunar quakes were a constant hazard to new construction. Watari was certainly more than polite when he efficiently went off-line. The admiral and the Secretary exchanged grins.

Teleportations or schedules were not even discussed during the break. Before the proceedings at Padrugoi ended, the Secretary had dropped the formal Mr. Reidinger and was calling him Peter. Georg Fraga seemed anxious. One of those, Peter thought, who did not realize that parapsychics were still people, with minds that worked differently. Alicia Taddesse confined her remarks to agreeing with her superior or the admiral. She did request a report on Mai Leitao. The senior medical officer responded that Ms. Leitao was in a deep and restful sleep.

"I can 'port her," Johnny offered, "to whatever destination you suggest? The infirmary at your headquarters, perhaps."

Taddesse reared back in her chair, scowling. "Not when we know that she's terrified of teleportation."

"She needn't know," replied the general with a shrug. "You can tell her she was brought down from the Station on a regular transport. Which is no lie since I regularly 'port personnel downside."

"Commander de Aruya recommended that she have immediate treatment for her, ah, malnutrition," the Secretary said, "and a holiday."

"There's not another regular, self-powered shuttle going down for a week," the admiral put in, his expression solicitous. "She need never know."

"I think that's wisest, Alicia," Fraga said earnestly.

"We can ask the medic at Headquarters Infirmary to keep her sedated overnight. She obviously needs the rest. I hadn't realized I was working her so hard," Abubakar said, his expression anxious.

"She's meticulous in the performance of her duties," Taddesse said in a low voice.

"I'm sure," the Secretary murmured. He rose, offering his hand to the admiral, who got to his feet. Then he approached Peter.

"Mr. Reidinger," and he grinned over the formal t.i.tle, "Peter, I am deeply grateful for your willingness to extend yourself. You must tell me quite frankly if we overwork you at any point."

"I will, sir."

If you don't, I will, Pete, Johnny said, also rising. Johnny said, also rising. There is no way I'm going to allow anyone to risk skeleteam. There is no way I'm going to allow anyone to risk skeleteam.

Except you! Peter tried to keep his tone jesting. Peter tried to keep his tone jesting.