Distant Thunders_ Destroyermen Part 13

"It has already been done, my dear, with careful observation to details! I expect he is watching the proceedings with us, through the eye of his mind, at this very moment." He grinned and blinked amus.e.m.e.nt. "I took the liberty of sending your warmest love as well."

Sandra blinked back more tears and hugged the tall Sky Priest.

"Now, ain't that the d.a.m.nedest thing?" Spanky asked. They all turned to look where he stared. Sister Audry, surrounded by a few dozen 'Cats, was standing near the pier mumbling something none of them could understand. Adar caught a word or two, but over the hubbub, any meaning was lost. The nun finished speaking and brought the fingertips of her right hand to her forehead, down to her stomach, then to her left and right shoulders. The Lemurians with her copied the gesture.

"Say," said Silva, "does this mean our good sister's a 'Catechist?"

"You idiot," Spanky groaned, "you don't even know what that means!"

"Do so!"

"Yeah, he does," Letts confirmed. "And pun aside, he may be right." He looked at Adar. "Mr. Chairman, we've been promising each other a lot of 'talks' lately. Maybe we'd better have one this evening." He glanced around. "Lieutenant Tucker, please join us. Better invite Courtney too, or he'll pout. Spanky, you're Catholic. . . ."

"Sorta."

"I'd like you and Princess Rebecca to attend as well. Princess, you've stated several times that there are others of perhaps . . . similar faith to that of Sister Audry. I think it's time we sort that out, at least. I'll go invite the young nun to our little meeting."

Other eyes watched the proceedings discreetly, through eyelids narrowed with concern.

"I had heard rumors, but I could hardly credit them. Didn't dare to hope," Billingsly muttered to the man beside him. Linus Truelove was Billingsly's most trusted agent and a talented a.n.a.lyst as well. He doubled as Ajax Ajax's third lieutenant, hiding his skills beneath a competent but unimaginative, almost oafish facade. His "cover" was easy to maintain. He was a large man, bigger even than the one-eyed protector who often escorted the princess, and even though he pretended drunkenness on occasion, he never drank enough to cloud his quick, devious mind-another advantage he had over the man called Silva, who appeared just as oafish as Truelove pretended to be.

"The enemy grows more capable by the day, and our window of opportunity may close before we are ready."

"We will be ready soon enough," Truelove a.s.sured him. "Curtailing our obvious activities has lulled them, I think. Even the guards at their industrial section are not as alert as they were." He grinned wickedly. "I think they are beginning to trust trust us, or at least they no longer have as great a care." us, or at least they no longer have as great a care."

"Possibly. Regardless, when we move it must be as quick and silent as possible. They must not know what has happened for a good many hours and they must not be allowed to interfere once they discover the truth."

"You did not mention 'bloodless' as an imperative. 'Quick and silent' is almost never bloodless," Truelove observed.

"Quick and silent remains the priority."

"Bloodless," repeated Truelove, eyeing Silva. "I doubt that would be possible, regardless. That one, I think, hides behind much the same mask as I. I doubt he will accede 'bloodlessly.' Besides, he is the first I have seen among these barbarians whom I might enjoy testing myself against. He has a reputation."

"Put it out of your mind!" Billingsly snapped. "Perhaps he does, but your 'reputation' must remain secret!"

When the water level inside the basin equalized with the bay, the great gates opened and Walker Walker was towed slowly, gently clear of the dry dock. Even as she was tying up to the old fitting-out pier, the dry dock's next inhabitant was being positioned to enter. Keje-Fris-Ar paced nervously back and forth on the strangely abbreviated battlement that remained offset, above the rebuilt deck of his Home. was towed slowly, gently clear of the dry dock. Even as she was tying up to the old fitting-out pier, the dry dock's next inhabitant was being positioned to enter. Keje-Fris-Ar paced nervously back and forth on the strangely abbreviated battlement that remained offset, above the rebuilt deck of his Home.

"This is madness!" he remarked, eyeing the angle of approach. "The dry dock is too small!"

"It is not not too small, Father," a.s.sured Sela.s.s, Keje's daughter. She strode each step right beside him and placed her hand comfortingly on his shoulder. "Really, you should not exert yourself so. Your wound . . ." too small, Father," a.s.sured Sela.s.s, Keje's daughter. She strode each step right beside him and placed her hand comfortingly on his shoulder. "Really, you should not exert yourself so. Your wound . . ."

"My little wound is well healed, thank you," he said gruffly, but then looked fondly at his child. He and Sela.s.s had been estranged far too long. First, her choice of a mate had upset him-and then the self-centered fool had the effrontery to die a hero's death! Even before that occurred, she'd developed a hopeless infatuation for Chack-Sab-At, whom she'd first driven away, right into the arms of Safir Maraan! He'd despaired that she might ever become a sensible creature. Perhaps her friends.h.i.+p with Sandra Tucker had helped. She'd even grown civil to Chack's sister, Risa, who commanded Salissa Salissa's Marine contingent. Whatever the cause, ever since the Great Battle, she'd been devoted to him and he admitted he was glad their rift had mended.

He stared the length of his s.h.i.+p. His Home was unrecognizable now. Where her great tripods and paG.o.da apartments once stood, there remained only a huge, flat deck. New quarters were under construction below that deck, but no more would Big Sal Big Sal, as the Amer-i-caans called her, move with the power of the wind and tide that had controlled her every course since her very birth. She was becoming a machine, a s.h.i.+p of war! A thought once so alien to Keje he could never have imagined it. That anyone would build a s.h.i.+p just for war-besides the Grik-seemed unnatural. At least, it had before the Amer-i-caan destroyermen came. But these were unnatural times. Salissa Salissa had been all but destroyed by the Grik and their j.a.panese allies, just as had been all but destroyed by the Grik and their j.a.panese allies, just as Walker Walker had. He pondered that a moment. had. He pondered that a moment.

Was Walker Walker not a live thing, even though she was a machine? Captain Reddy and all her people always behaved as if they thought she was. Keje not a live thing, even though she was a machine? Captain Reddy and all her people always behaved as if they thought she was. Keje felt felt she was. When they repaired her, would not her soul return to her? It must. Where else would it go? If a body lived, it must have a soul. If she was. When they repaired her, would not her soul return to her? It must. Where else would it go? If a body lived, it must have a soul. If Walker Walker had indeed been "dead" for a while, perhaps her soul was trapped within her. Or maybe it had rested in the Heavens above, with all the people she'd lost? It was all so confusing! had indeed been "dead" for a while, perhaps her soul was trapped within her. Or maybe it had rested in the Heavens above, with all the people she'd lost? It was all so confusing! Salissa Salissa had been nearly as "dead" as had been nearly as "dead" as Walker Walker, but Keje had never felt her soul had left her. That should should mean her soul would remain with her whether she became a machine or was restored completely to what she was before. His tension ebbed a bit. He'd discussed this with Matt, with Spanky, Adar, and even his daughter. All had different thoughts regarding the soul of a s.h.i.+p, but all completely agreed that, whatever it was, mean her soul would remain with her whether she became a machine or was restored completely to what she was before. His tension ebbed a bit. He'd discussed this with Matt, with Spanky, Adar, and even his daughter. All had different thoughts regarding the soul of a s.h.i.+p, but all completely agreed that, whatever it was, Big Sal Big Sal still had hers. Looking at her now, though, a mere naked hull with a long, flat top, he found it hard to imagine somehow. still had hers. Looking at her now, though, a mere naked hull with a long, flat top, he found it hard to imagine somehow.

"The wings are machines, Father," his daughter reminded him, easily guessing his thoughts. "By our construction and by our design, they harness the wind-a natural element-to our will. We make them, we control them, they move as we direct them. The wings are machines." She nodded toward the gaping hole in the aft center of the broad, flat deck. "The engines, when they are installed, will do the same." She pointed at the s.h.i.+pyard, where the ma.s.sive contrivances lay covered with sailcloth, awaiting installation. "There they are, Father. They are not wings, but we made them and we shall control them. They will move us as you you direct them! They will burn gish, yes, and we will no longer be independent of the land folk, but with this terrible war, that time was already past. Those engines will burn gish to make steam-merely heated water and also a natural thing-and that steam will move the engine and turn the propeller that will soon be installed. direct them! They will burn gish, yes, and we will no longer be independent of the land folk, but with this terrible war, that time was already past. Those engines will burn gish to make steam-merely heated water and also a natural thing-and that steam will move the engine and turn the propeller that will soon be installed. Salissa Salissa will move like will move like Walker Walker, the very same way!" She paused and chuckled. "Perhaps not as fast . . . but by the same means. If Walker Walker has a soul, then surely has a soul, then surely Salissa Salissa's is safe. It might even be proud!"

"Proud?"

"Indeed. Have you not seen the aar-planes? They will be Salissa Salissa's! With the guns she still carries and the aar-planes to carry her strength farther than the eye can see, Salissa Salissa will be the mightiest s.h.i.+p in the world! Mightier even than will be the mightiest s.h.i.+p in the world! Mightier even than Amagi Amagi ever was!" ever was!"

Keje laughed. "You have been talking to Letts again!" He grew thoughtful. "But Captain Reddy says the same. As much as he loves his s.h.i.+p, he loves aar-planes just as much-and hates not having them!" He sighed, then laughed again. "Did you know I must go to school? I must learn how to handle my own s.h.i.+p all over again! And Mallory says we must form 'operational procedures'! " He shook his head at Sela.s.s's concerned blinking. Her tail was rigid with tension. "Fear not! I will be a model pupil! It does amuse me, though."

"What?"

"To 'relearn' how to handle my very own Home, I must practice by controlling their tiny launch!"

They stood together in silence as the great vessel was maneuvered entirely into the basin. Huge b.u.mpers dropped into place and a tally was made of every object that had once supported the destroyer so they'd know nothing protruded from the flat, permanent trestle below. Only then were the pumps engaged.

"How long will it take?" Sela.s.s asked.

"A day. Perhaps more. Not as long as it took to empty for Walker Walker. Salissa Salissa 'displaces' a great deal more water! Is that not a fascinating term? It has no real meaning in situations other than this, because 'displaces' a great deal more water! Is that not a fascinating term? It has no real meaning in situations other than this, because Salissa Salissa cannot displace enough water to be even noticed in the wide ocean of the world, but here, because of her size, there is far less water in this dry dock, even though the level is the same as before!" cannot displace enough water to be even noticed in the wide ocean of the world, but here, because of her size, there is far less water in this dry dock, even though the level is the same as before!"

"I have heard the term," Sela.s.s admitted, "when the Amer-i-caans discuss the size of the new construction s.h.i.+ps. Evidently, they do not weigh the s.h.i.+ps themselves, but the water they push aside! How can they do such a thing?"

"Mathematics. They are fiends for it in all things. Everything you see that they have made involves mathematics and the most precise measurements imaginable. It is amazing and stirring, but it makes me somewhat sad as well."

"Why, Father?"

"Well, it is yet another example of how things have changed. Nothing will be built by eye again. Artwork may survive, but the talent, the skills pa.s.sed down from one maker to the next, will be supplanted by mathematics! The guilds are howling, much like our wing clans did when they learned our Home would lose its wings! I am but an example. I have spent my life learning to move Salissa Salissa from place to place, and still I do not know everything there is to know about that. Now I must learn to drive a little boat before I will know the from place to place, and still I do not know everything there is to know about that. Now I must learn to drive a little boat before I will know the first first thing about moving my Home again." thing about moving my Home again."

"You agreed."

"Yes, I did, and it is well. I will move her again, and when I do . . . I am informed"-he grinned-"she will be a weapon the Grik cannot match. I would . . . I have have sacrificed much for that. So will Geran-Eras when she allows the same alterations to sacrificed much for that. So will Geran-Eras when she allows the same alterations to Humfra-Dar Humfra-Dar. But what of the builders, the makers of things? Soon, any leeching pit turner will be able to operate a machine that will quickly make things a s.h.i.+pwright has spent his life learning to build!" He shook his head, part in wonder and part in sadness. "What's more, that pit turner will be able to do it quicker and better and exactly the same every time."

"You sound as if you wish the Amer-i-caans never came."

"No. That is ridiculous. They have saved us. We would be filling Grik bellies if not for them. But in a way, as much as we fought to survive, we, the People People, also fought for things to remain the same. I know that is what Nakja-Mur fought for, but deep down, even he knew it could never be. I will miss the old ways. It was a good, happy life. If this war ever ends, and it must must end in victory, I know not what the world will be like. I do know it will be different. Let us just hope it will be different in a good way . . . and that we will live to see it." end in victory, I know not what the world will be like. I do know it will be different. Let us just hope it will be different in a good way . . . and that we will live to see it."

"She's up!" Clancy shouted, racing up Donaghey Donaghey's companionway. Matt and those gathered with him on the quarterdeck turned toward the exuberant outburst. Donaghey Donaghey was moored a short distance from the rebuilding dock and many of the AEF's officers were aboard for a conference of sorts. "She's up and floating and there're no leaks worth a mention! was moored a short distance from the rebuilding dock and many of the AEF's officers were aboard for a conference of sorts. "She's up and floating and there're no leaks worth a mention! Walker Walker's off the bottom and Lieutenant Tucker sends her love!" There was a resounding cheer and Matt's ears heated just a little.

"Mr. Clancy," he said, unable to summon a frown, "that's wonderful news and I'm glad you shared it with us all, but the last part may have been meant as a private message."

Clancy halted his dash and his face went white. "Uh . . . oh. Ah, sorry, Skipper! I'm so sorry!"

"Oh, shut up," Garrett said, grinning. "That part isn't news!" There was more laughter. "What's the first part say?"

Jim Ellis retrieved the message form and scanned it. He looked at Captain Reddy and Matt nodded. "It's true. Walker Walker's been moved to the fitting-out pier and Big Sal Big Sal's gone in the tank." He chuckled. "Ben saw fit to celebrate with a flyover. One plane had to land on the bay and be towed in! Let's see. Ta.s.sat Ta.s.sat was launched and has been moved to the new fitting-out pier. The new generators are doing swell, but they've had a couple of engine casualties." He looked at Matt. "Hmm. Hope we don't have any out here. Says it wasn't much of a deal, but still." He looked back at the page. "Still no word from Laumer and 'Task Force S-19.' Palmer got that one signal that they were about to try the gizmo, then nothing. He figures it cooked the transmitter." He glanced at Clancy, who'd suddenly stiffened. He and Palmer had argued a lot over the design. "Anyway, they're probably fine. Saan-Kakja arrived safely at her brother's city and they made a successful test transmission of their set-" was launched and has been moved to the new fitting-out pier. The new generators are doing swell, but they've had a couple of engine casualties." He looked at Matt. "Hmm. Hope we don't have any out here. Says it wasn't much of a deal, but still." He looked back at the page. "Still no word from Laumer and 'Task Force S-19.' Palmer got that one signal that they were about to try the gizmo, then nothing. He figures it cooked the transmitter." He glanced at Clancy, who'd suddenly stiffened. He and Palmer had argued a lot over the design. "Anyway, they're probably fine. Saan-Kakja arrived safely at her brother's city and they made a successful test transmission of their set-"

"Yes, sir," Clancy interrupted. "I picked it up."

"Wow," said Jim. "Real long-distance comm. Why didn't you tell us?"

"Well, ah . . . you see, they were transmitting the raising of the s.h.i.+p in a kind of blow-by-blow sort of way. . . ."

"Anything else? What about our report of the Grik prisoners?" Matt asked. Jim looked down and chuckled.

"Yeah, it's got a postscript. 'Bradford excited.' "

"Ha!"

"I do wish we could speak to them," Safir mused.

"We can," Alden said. "They just can't talk to us. Maybe when we s.h.i.+p 'em home, Lawrence can talk to 'em."

"I doubt it," said Matt.

"Why not? Most of the 'Cats understand each other okay, except maybe a few of the ones from southern Australia."

"Yeah, but they've been in contact with one another. Look, we now know there's Grik all over the place, or something like Grik. They seem to fill the niche humans did where we came from. There's the Grik we fight, from Africa and Madagascar originally, but there's Grik-like lizards just about everywhere. Lawrence says his people are 'Tagranesi' or something. We've managed to squeeze enough out of Rasik to know the dead aborigines we found here were s.n.a.t.c.hed from Java and the neighboring islands as slave labor and, well, food. I'm sure they don't call themselves Grik."

"I did not even know they were here," Rolak admitted.

"Maybe they haven't been for long, or at least not in any numbers. Our first and only meeting with them on Bali proved to us they were pretty smart. They didn't carry weapons, but then they didn't really need them, did they? They may have been leaking over here from Bali or other islands for a long time and just staying to themselves. As primitive as they were, compared to our enemies, they actually displayed even better tactical sense. Courtney's long believed that Grik behavior has more to do with societal conditioning than anything else."

"That might explain why the prisoners act so different," Ellis speculated. "After we licked them here, they wandered on their own for a while. Maybe they had time to think things over a little."

There was silence for a moment while everyone contemplated the significance of that.

"All the more reason we must not give the enemy more time to think things over," Safir said.

"If I were a member of this Alliance, I would tend to agree with the Queen Protector," Harvey Jenks said with a touch of irony. It was the first time he'd spoken, beyond civilities, since he'd come aboard. Something had changed in his demeanor ever since he went ash.o.r.e and saw the aftermath of the Grik occupation for himself. Aryaal and B'mbaado were unusual cities, perhaps unique among Lemurians. Even before the Grik came, they'd been built of stone with stout walls to protect the inhabitants. The devastated architecture was more similar to Imperial construction than any other he'd seen so far, or than he cared to admit. It was as though he'd experienced a premonition of what would happen if the Grik ever threatened his home.

The rabidly gruesome nature of the enemy the Allies faced had been driven in to the hilt as well, and he felt he understood them and their motives much better now. The heads had been taken down and sent to the sky in the fires and much of the debris had been cleared, but the mental image remained. The thaw in his att.i.tude toward the Allies, and Matt in particular, had continued at an accelerated pace. Still, he'd clearly been surprised to be included in this strategy session. He hadn't given any a.s.surances that he was at their disposal or that he'd help them in any way. He had had begun to consider himself on their side just a little, however. begun to consider himself on their side just a little, however.

"Jenks is right," agreed Rolak. "We cannot linger here. Has that vile creature"-he referred to Rasik-Alcas-"spilled any more beans?"

Matt shook his head. "He's told us all he knows about what happened here, and a little more about his activities while in exile, but he knows we've already measured him for a noose. No matter how fair we make it, the outcome of any trial is a foregone conclusion. He's guilty as h.e.l.l and he knows everybody knows it. When he's not off in the land of Oz, he's sharp enough to be scary. The guy's a real psycho."

"No clues about what he found?" asked Ellis.

Matt shook his head. "The crummy thing is, I think there is is something. Everything we thought we knew about the Squall that brought us here is changing all the time. First, we thought it was just us and something. Everything we thought we knew about the Squall that brought us here is changing all the time. First, we thought it was just us and Mahan Mahan. Then the PBY. Then we learned about Amagi Amagi. Why wasn't it there when the Squall pa.s.sed? Okada said they came out of it in the dark dark, probably sometime during the night after we did. Unlike us, they were moving with it, not through it. Is it possible that by staying in it longer, they experienced its effects longer too?" He shook his head. "I doubt even Courtney has an answer for that. Anyway, we now know the sub came through as well. It was pretty far away, judging by the log we brought back, but close enough to hear our fight on the surface. How close was the PBY?" He shrugged. "Up till now, we've a.s.sumed we were it, but what if we weren't? That was a big squall and the track it took might have sucked up anything. Why some things and not others? No clue. Maybe the energy or local intensity had something to do with that. Anyway, we need to start thinking about the possibility that other stuff did did come through, and if it did, we d.a.m.n sure want to find it before the j.a.ps and Grik do." He snorted. "His Nasty Highness did confirm that they watched a bunch of j.a.ps get off Esshk's s.h.i.+p when it stopped here, roam around unattended, then get back on, so I guess they didn't eat the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds after all." come through, and if it did, we d.a.m.n sure want to find it before the j.a.ps and Grik do." He snorted. "His Nasty Highness did confirm that they watched a bunch of j.a.ps get off Esshk's s.h.i.+p when it stopped here, roam around unattended, then get back on, so I guess they didn't eat the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds after all."

"Pity," Ellis said.

"Yeah. The thing is, though, Rasik thinks if he tells us what he found, we'll just kill him anyway. He insists on showing showing us." us."

"We promised him clemency; what more does he expect?" spat Safir. It was the first time she'd agreed to the "deal" that had been proposed. She hated the very idea of letting Rasik live. Chack, who'd remained uncharacteristically silent, put a hand on her shoulder and stroked it.

"It does not matter," Rolak grumbled. "He still expects to be killed. He views all things in terms of what he would do in our place."

"I'll get it out of him," Alden promised.

Matt laughed. "Pete, I bet you and Boats could get him to confess he painted the moon, but that wouldn't do us much good." He thought for a moment, staring at the bleak sh.o.r.eline. There was a lot of activity: building a new dock, erecting tents, and preparing materials for structures that would serve as forward supply depots. Few would remain at first, when the Allies moved on. They had more pressing business. Aryaalans and B'mbaadans would return, however, and begin the work of rebuilding.

"Here's the deal," he said at last. "We have to move. The scout we sent to Singapore reports the Grik are pulling out there too. We need to get there before they leave it like this." He gestured sh.o.r.eward. "We also have to know if Rasik's pulling our chain. He says the things he found are accessible by sea, near Tjilatj.a.p-Chill-chaap." He looked at Jim. "Not at at Chill-chaap, but near it, so your guys would have missed it when they went ash.o.r.e there." Chill-chaap, but near it, so your guys would have missed it when they went ash.o.r.e there."

Jim winced slightly. They hadn't exactly been his his guys at that point. guys at that point.

"Here's what we'll do," Matt continued. "You take Dowden Dowden and a company of Marines and see what Rasik has to show you. If you can do it without puking, try to buddy up to him. He doesn't really know you, after all. Maybe he'll let something slip." and a company of Marines and see what Rasik has to show you. If you can do it without puking, try to buddy up to him. He doesn't really know you, after all. Maybe he'll let something slip."

"May I command the Marine company, Captain Reddy?" Chack asked.

Matt hesitated. "I'd rather have you with me, but I guess so. Just don't remind the silly b.a.s.t.a.r.d you're the one who trapped him with fire and left him to be eaten by the Grik!"

"He cannot know that," Chack said.

"Right. Say, talk to Koratin. Maybe he can convince him he's on his side. Might get something out of him. Anyway, while you're doing that I'll take the rest of the fleet and all the troops we can transfer out of Dowden Dowden and head for Singapore. You meet us there if you can. Stay in wireless contact. If something breaks down you can't fix, come back here." and head for Singapore. You meet us there if you can. Stay in wireless contact. If something breaks down you can't fix, come back here."

"Aye-aye, Skipper. We'll meet you at Singapore," Jim promised. "If there's a fight, I don't want to miss it."

Chack looked at Safir and caressed her furry cheek. They'd made no announcement at Aryaal after all. They hadn't had the heart. No one felt much like celebrating the reconquest of Aryaal and B'mbaado. "Do not fear, my love. I shall see you at Sing-aapore."

Matt looked at Jenks. "Commodore, if you'd care to dine with me, I'd appreciate it. Juan?" he called, summoning the Filipino who always hovered nearby, "if he has no objection, please escort Commodore Jenks to my quarters. I'll be along directly."

Knowing he was being dismissed, but not resenting it-he wasn't wasn't a member of the Alliance, after all-Jenks bowed and went with Juan. a member of the Alliance, after all-Jenks bowed and went with Juan.

Matt turned to Jim. "Take O'Casey with you. I think he's a good guy and he might be a help. Besides, I expect to be spending a lot of time with Commodore Jenks over the next few weeks, and O'Casey needs a break. He can't keep hiding forever."

CHAPTER 13.

One of the changes Adar had made during the reconstruction of Nakja-Mur's Great Hall (he still had difficulty considering it his his Great Hall) was the addition of a number of separate chambers. Some of these were offices, such as the War Room, which was usually occupied by Matt when he was present. Letts had a small office of his own as well. There was also a conference room large enough to accommodate a fair number of attendees while still being relatively cozy. He'd been inspired in this by Keje. In Keje's case, the chamber on Great Hall) was the addition of a number of separate chambers. Some of these were offices, such as the War Room, which was usually occupied by Matt when he was present. Letts had a small office of his own as well. There was also a conference room large enough to accommodate a fair number of attendees while still being relatively cozy. He'd been inspired in this by Keje. In Keje's case, the chamber on Salissa Salissa wasn't part.i.tioned, but he often had informal, intimate meetings around a simple wooden table supplied with crude stools. In Adar's conference room, the table was bigger of necessity, and there were more stools, but there were also a number of the more traditional cus.h.i.+ons for guests to lounge upon. The somewhat uncomfortable stools tended to keep those present awake and relatively alert, but Adar had discovered that often, people he met with needed to contribute only brief reports or accounts. There was no reason for them to suffer while others hashed things out. Many times, for example, he'd watched an exhausted Ben Mallory fall fast asleep on a comfortable cus.h.i.+on while Captain Reddy and the members of his battle line discussed the ramifications of his aerial observations. wasn't part.i.tioned, but he often had informal, intimate meetings around a simple wooden table supplied with crude stools. In Adar's conference room, the table was bigger of necessity, and there were more stools, but there were also a number of the more traditional cus.h.i.+ons for guests to lounge upon. The somewhat uncomfortable stools tended to keep those present awake and relatively alert, but Adar had discovered that often, people he met with needed to contribute only brief reports or accounts. There was no reason for them to suffer while others hashed things out. Many times, for example, he'd watched an exhausted Ben Mallory fall fast asleep on a comfortable cus.h.i.+on while Captain Reddy and the members of his battle line discussed the ramifications of his aerial observations.

Mallory wasn't here for this discussion. Those present were essentially the same ones he and Alan discussed inviting earlier, with the exception of Keje, whom Adar had asked to attend as well. Most of them-Letts, Sister Audry, Rebecca, Sandra, and Keje-joined Adar on stools around the table. Only Spanky and Courtney took advantage of the cus.h.i.+ons. Spanky was exhausted after his perpetual "watch-on-watches," and claimed to be only marginally Catholic anyway. Adar got the impression he didn't know why he was there. Courtney was fascinated by the looming discussion, but he always accepted a cus.h.i.+on (and the beer he preferred over seep) when the occasion allowed.

Adar had secretly hoped Alan Letts would start things off, but for once, the light-skinned officer waited for Adar to begin. "Well," he said at last. "I suppose we must hammer things out, as you Amer-i-caans so aptly phrase it. Mr. Letts and I have long planned what he calls an economic discussion, but there appears to be a more pressing matter before us. The economic discussion will . . . must must happen, I'm sure, but it need not require the presence of some of you. What we must fas.h.i.+on this evening is some sort of accommodation between what appears to be a growing spiritual factionalism." He blinked at Sister Audry. happen, I'm sure, but it need not require the presence of some of you. What we must fas.h.i.+on this evening is some sort of accommodation between what appears to be a growing spiritual factionalism." He blinked at Sister Audry.

"I have long enjoyed our brief discussions concerning your faith and how it may have . . . influenced ours historically, but until recently I presumed you understood my fears that openly revealing that faith might contribute to a schism of some kind among our people-right when our growing unity is our greatest advantage. Aryaalans, B'mbaadans, and even Sularans hold substantially different beliefs from most sea folk, and even the People of Baalkpan, yet those differences are primarily matters of interpretation. The fundamental belief system is quite similar. We all revere the Sun and the Heavens, even if we place slightly different emphasis on one or the other, and our understandings of our lives beyond this one are somewhat different as well. Still, the differences are little more profound than the color of our fur. My dear Sister Audry, the differences you preach are far more profound-and potentially more corrosive to the mutual trust and understanding my people have achieved."