“No, Commander. I haven’t been able to get any of them to speak to me. My personal contact, the one called Tor, is not among them. May I have access to your computer on the subject of Thek?
I want to check other occurrences of such numbers descending on a planet. They seem to be settling on the points where: we discovered existing cores.”
“Existing cores?” Sassinak was surprised. “According to Fleet records, this planet has never been explored.”
“That was our understanding, too, Commander.” Kai’s tone was dry.
“Nevertheless, my geology team found cores of extreme antiquity in place.”
“Fascinating. I can only hope that we shall be enlightened in due course.”
“Commander Sassinak,” Kai began more formally, “does your presence here constitute the relief of the ARCT-10 expeditionary team?”
“How could it, my dear Kai?” Sassinak grinned. “I didn’t know you existed. My jurisdiction begins and ends with that transport out there. You were, and still are, an authorized exploration team to Ireta. As Varian has reminded me, that makes you both governors pro-tem on Ireta. Since your EV has not collected you in the time allotted for your explorations, in FSP law that makes you shipwrecked—stranded, if you prefer. And it is standard Fleet procedure to give all aid and assistance to stranded personnel. Have I made my position plain?”
“Indeed, you have.”
“Will I see you both at dinner this evening?”
“You will, Commander, and our thanks for the invitation.”
“It isn’t often that representatives of two generations four times removed get a chance to meet, is it? Even in this crazy universe!” Sassinak was smiling as she broke the connection.
“Do you need any supplies urgently, Governors?” Fordeliton asked with a grin. Kai and Varian tendered their lists. “Good, then, I can escort Kai to Mayerd’s clutches and take Varian on to the quartermaster. Mayerd’s very good, you know,” Fordeliton went on easily as he preceded them through the confusing maze of corridors. “Loves nothing better than a medical puzzle. So much space medicine is fairly cut and dried—if you’ll forgive the puns. She’s always writing obscure 108
Anne McCaffrey – Dinosaur Planet II – The Survivors essays for the Space Medical Journal. This is our first planetfall in four months. Too bad the planet stinks so. We could use shore leave.”
“The first forty years are the hardest,” Kai remarked.
Fordeliton paused before the sick-bay entrance and Kai, with a grimace, waved them a jaunty farewell.
109
Anne McCaffrey – Dinosaur Planet II – The Survivors CHAPTER ELEVEN
Varian and Fordeliton had swung down the corridor toward the quartermaster section when Aygar and two of the group from the camp meeting came down another access hall. Aygar gave Varian only a curt nod of acknowledgment. All three wore the brief Iretan costume adopted by the native-born, now enhanced by forcebelts, stunners, and clips. Varian decided the Iretans were really much more attractive as human derivatives than the Heavyworld adaptations.
After she had filled her list, with the exception of the nose plugs which the quartermaster felt would be her most pressing need, Varian was asking for help to convey her booty to the sled, when Fordeliton’s caller sounded.
“A moment, Varian, this concerns you, too. Commander Sassiness’ compliments, and can we join her immediately? Crewman, secure those supplies in Governor Varian’s sled.”
Varian was surprised to find Kai, the medic Mayerd, and Florasse, Tanegli’s daughter—whom she had met when barriered as Rianav. While she was being introduced, Aygar was admitted.
Then the commander activated the main screen. “This report has just arrived from the southwest, from the geologist Dimenon. He thought we should know about this development.”
“That’s the site of Dimenon’s last strike,” Kai said when he recognized the terrain.
“And the current habitat of twenty-three small Thek if my tally is correct,” Sassinak added with wayward amusement. “Now watch the edges of the picture.”
Even as she spoke, Kai let out an inadvertent gasp of horror and revulsion. He held both hands out in front of him as the fringes advanced in their inimitable close-stretch propulsion, heading directly toward the sedentary Thek.
“Those critters are in for a big surprise, Governor,” Sassinak remarked.