98
Anne McCaffrey – Dinosaur Planet II – The Survivors
“Watch out!” Kenley’s cry seemed to lend her impetus.
With considerable dexterity, she had managed to secure both fringes in the clasp of the gripper, whirling to hide her actions from the giffs as she beat a hasty retreat before their charge. “Did you get one? Krims! What are they doing now? Say, I don’t think they were after you …”
Safe on the rocks below the feeding area, Varian paused long enough to thrust the fringes into the container while holding her breath against the stench of the things, before she looked to see what was exciting Kenley so much. Methodically the giffs were flicking every evidence of the fringes off into the chasm, as if deliberately clearing away a menace which they were not going to permit their visitors to handle.
“I got two!”
“I got it all down,” cried Kenley. “They are quick! In the air or on the ground. Though I think you’d have to say they were semi-airborne when they came after you. You know, I think they were trying to keep me away from the fringes this morning—not away from the edible food.”
Just then Varian and Kenley flinched away from the rock wall for the two giffs loomed above them, stern and chittering non-harmoniously. They spread their wings, flapping them as if to emphasize their remarks, then extended their heads down toward the two humans. The distance was too great for contact but Varian and Kenley ducked.
“Like kids to avoid a well deserved slap,” Kenley said, grinning at Varian.
“Then let’s pretend we’re suitably punished and get the hell out of here.”
Once back in the cave, the sample container turned over to Lunzie, Kenley regaled Varian with the spectacular record he had made of the giff attack on the Mazer Star’s sled and the astonishing withdrawal as Lunzie’s sled made its appearance and was escorted safely past the intruder.
Unfortunately his footage of the feeding was marred by drizzle and haze. He hadn’t thought to change tape or use an appropriate filter.
“I’ll redo that record. Maybe with you, I can get closer.”
“Better yet, we’ll both follow the fishers tomorrow on their daily round. That’s a sight to take.
Fardles!” Varian snapped her fingers as she recalled that Sassinak awaited the reports. “Well, with any luck, I’ll give the commander what she needs and be back in time to take you fishing. I want to show their high level of basic intelligence in that sort of a joint enterprise.” She was recounting to the entranced Kenley the incident with the Three Giffs and her surmises when Kai returned with Dimenon and Margit.
Kai had not been able to locate Tor, nor indeed engage any of the Thek—large, small, or medium—in conversation.
“The silence of the Thek is profound,” Kai remarked. He seemed more like his old self. “Maybe in a year or two, one will remember to forward my message.”
“Kai would go up to a Thek, rap on the shell and say in a loud clear voice, “Speak?”’ Dimenon was also in good spirits. He dangled both hands at chest level and then uttered a series of short barks, grinning with no apology for his whimsical behavior, “Require Tor response.”
The geologists had little time for further conversation because Triv returned with Trizein, Bonnard, and Terilla. Trizein was so ecstatic about each and every new species that their expedition had sighted that he would break off describing one to cite the more fascinating specimen they had next encountered. Bonnard pretended to be weighted down by the film clips. Terilla waved a sheaf of drawings while Triv made for the hearth and some food. Varian waited until the first exuberance’s had been expended before she explained the need for Sassiness’ reports.
“But they’re all dead, aren’t they?” Terilla’s expression mirrored her sudden fright and her voice held an unsteady quaver. Bonnard stepped to her side and put an arm about her.
99
Anne McCaffrey – Dinosaur Planet II – The Survivors
“Tanegli’s alive but he’s very old and senile,” Varian told Terilla with a reassuring smile.
“I wouldn’t have thought the mutiny was the major issue now,” Triv said, surprised at the disclaimers. “Well, how can it be? With a colony ship illegally landing—”