There’s also a freak genetic twist that prevents recessives from surviving on Heavyworld planets.
The babies are either shipped off world or …” Lunzie sighed, continuing briskly. “So that six are, were, the finest physical specimens, with nary a blurred chromosome for three or four generations back of adjustment to heavy-gravity worlds. Prime breeders.”
49
Anne McCaffrey – Dinosaur Planet II – The Survivors
“Aygar resembles Berru,” Varian said for no reason at all except the long thoughtful pause had to be broken.
“Then I’d be more careful than ever with that young man. Neither Berru or Bakkun was short on brains.”
“Which is why I never figured they’d join Paskutti,” Triv remarked.
“How could they have fallen for Gaber’s rumor that we were planted.”
“But we have been,” Varian said, unable to contain laughter that bubbled up in spite of her realization of the incredible odds against them. “At least until ARCT-10 remembers they left us here. Kai, did Tor say anything to you on your way to the compound?”
“I was far too busy hanging on to talk. And when we got to the compound, Tor began to search for the core so I went looking for the sleds. I’d just found them when I heard Tor blasting off.” He shook his head as he remembered his unworthy thoughts at that moment. “When I got back to the compound, I saw it’d left the power pack with a lifter, and the cavity where it’d found the core.”
“It never even waited to see if the sleds were operable?” Portegin asked.
“Well, those sleds are built to withstand tremendous pressures and adverse conditions,” Kai replied, temporizing.
Lunzie snorted.
“Then Tor may be back?” asked Portegin.
“I wouldn’t count on it, Portegin,” Lunzie said. She had been busy at the hearth and now brought a filled shell to Kai. “I know it tastes vile but it brought your temperature down. Drink up.”
“It smells vile, too,” Kai said, regarding the purple liquid with distaste.
“Which means it does you more good,” said Varian with a laugh.
Kai drank it all in one gulp. His violent shudder was no affectation and to take the taste away he quickly sucked at the slice of fruit Lunzie handed him.
Varian covered her smile. Kai was becoming dependent on natural foods despite his aversion to them. She was a bit startled to realize that Lunzie was advancing on her with a stern air. The medic’s fingers closed on the younger woman’s wrist, timing pulse rate.
“I’d prefer it, Varian, if you could take a full day’s rest after your exertions—”
“We both know I can’t, Lunzie. Triv and I have got to retrieve the other sleds.”
“I could go along and dismantle what we need,” Portegin suggested.
“You’re not ready for that sort of exertion yet, my friend,” Lunzie said.
“I’d rest easier if we got all the sleds here.”
“Don’t see any problem in that, Kai.” Triv rose to his feet and extending a hand pulled Varian to hers. “That four-man sled will easily take the other two, lashed into the cargo bed. All Varian’ll have to do is watch out for the fringes.”
“You can smell them coming,” Kai said.
“That’s why Varian has to come along,” Triv said. “I can’t smell anything but Ireta yet.”
“From which direction did it attack you, Kai?” Varian asked.
“Behind.” Kai grimaced. “I’d just locked the power pack into position and turned when it rushed me. I thought it was just a larger dose of Ireta’s usual stink.”
“Wait a minute,” Lunzie called as Triv and Varian moved toward the sled. She rummaged under the stores and then held both hands high. From one hung a thick coil of rope, from the other what could only be a force-field unit and, more miraculous still, a wrist comunit.
“Where did you find those?” Varian leaped over the fire in her eagerness to examine the prizes.
Lunzie permitted herself a grin at the effect of her treasure trove.
50
Anne McCaffrey – Dinosaur Planet II – The Survivors
“Bonnard had the unit and the forcebelt on. Remember the mutineers never caught him so he had all his gear. You wear the forcebelt, Varian. I doubt the fringe would suck electrical impulses for long. The rope,” which she tossed to Portegin, “I synthesized out of our very plentiful vine.”