I don’t believe that will be necessary, his grandfather’s voice said gently in his head. Please listen, Rojer!
Right and tight, sir!
Then his parents added their touch to his and he knew this was a Talent business. He sat up straight on his chair and, putting a hand on each of his `Dinis, made them stop their wriggling.
An old installation of Earth’s moon is available as security quarters for the Queen and whatever else occupies that pod. I’ve just lifted a probe with all necessary placement pictures to the Beijing and Captain Smelkoff will be fully briefed and is expecting you. Your grandmother and I will `port your carrier to the Beijing.
The very best handling, added his grandmother’s unmistakable voice at its dryest.
Rojer didn’t dare even say `hello’ – this was business.
This is where you’ll be setting the pod down, and Rojer’s mind was flooded with details that instantly organized themselves into a coherent vision of moonscape, a dome, with blocky buildings under secondary domes. The place slightly resembled ZZo 11I Callisto Tower compound in that it was protected from the vacuum by main and auxiliary domes. It was bleak, whereas Callisto was bright and colourful. The viewpoint altered while his grandfather continued to explain the internment site.
Food will be provided: Hivers are vegetarians and an ample selection is being installed. The Rowan’s working on that right now with both human and `Dini biologists and botanists. If no indication is shown of tending the crops, it’s easy enough to resupply. They can make what they like of the buildings: they’re all empty and all exit locks are being sealed. The only way in or out will be by `portation.
Fortunately Hivers are also dependent on oxygen and it’s doubtful if there’d be the Hiver equivalent of spacesuits aboard a pod.
Aren’t there going to be guards, or scientists or something?
Rojer couldn’t help but ask.
Not in situ, Rojer, his grandfather said just when Rojer thought he’d get a scolding from his mother for blurting that out. Remote sensors are all over the facility. That’s one reason it was chosen.
The `Dinis have nothing comparable anywhere and we can provide their experts with laboratories, scanners and whatever diagnostic or screening instrumentation they need. Our science has not been on the defensive mode as long as the `Dinis’ has.
The images faded.
Sir, what if that pod has comunits `n’ things?
Jeff Raven chuckled. Quick lad. It took the High Council a lot longer to ask that. Truth is, Rojer, where would a com signal go now that their homeworld’s rubble. The `Dinis assure us that there are no nearby Hive worlds. They aren’t a species that clubs together for protection as we and the `Dinis do. Each Hive world is apparently autonomous.
The only suitable planets they won’t attack are ones already colonized by their species. Unless which the best of the experts agree is unlikely they have some sort of integral communication.
They couldn’t be telepaths, could they?
Don’t interrupt your grandfather, his mother said sternly He’s a member of the mission, Damia, he has the right to ask questions.
They’ve been good ones.
No, Rojer, there is no evidence of telepathy beyond what your grandmother and other Denebian women `felt’ which many say was a mass precognition or premonition of tremendous danger. More that, than a thought transference. I think it’s reasonably safe to say that no interstellar communication was ever developed. However, the monitors about the compound are extremely sensitive and will record the most minor variations. The underground units have clocked solar winds and monitored even the slightest coronal flares. I think the creatures will be safely contained.
There’s also a very handy and hot sun in case of emergency, his grandmother said in a voice that sent shivers down Rojer’s spine.
Any other questions? Jeff asked.
Rojer shook his head, mentally as well as physically.
We’ll be ready as soon as we’ve changed, Jeff Afra said and paused. Xexo’s got the generators up.
Rojer remembered his manners and wished his grandparents a good day.
That’s a few hours off right now, lad, but I accept the thought.
Rojer wondered if his grandfather had really meant that.