`Come in, young Lyon, and be seated.’ The captain steepled his fingers, once again rubbing the fleshy end of his nose before speaking.
Today Thian sensed that the hard mind shield was not so firmly in place and the captain was not certain how his next words would be taken. `I’m given to understand that you’ve an illwisher on board the Vadim.’ Thian nodded.
`Your mother has not been able to apprehend your assailant and, although the gunnery officer discovered one of the weapons had been discharged, unfortunately no record was kept of which weapon was issued to which member of the boarding party.
Do you know who the party is?’ Thian shook his head.
`Well, then, you’ll not be staying on board the Vadim, lad. I’m not risking a Prime’s life.’ `Sir . the KLTL’s continuing. She’s not going to make the entire trip on the provisions she’s been taking on: not even if she stuffed every spare cabin.
Not unless she has … me on board. If I could volunteer for the duty.
`But you’d be the only human on board … for well over a year.
Thian grinned at Ashiant’s expression. `Sir, I’m too young for a year to matter that much.’ `Claptrap! A year’s a long time at your age.
`Captain Ashiant, it’s like this. I can’t finger my enemy. I won’t give whoever it is the satisfaction of thinking that he or she has forced me to retreat.
I’m too `Dini for that. I can and will continue this voyage.
That was what I was asked to do and what I intend to do – with your permission – continue on until we reach the Hive system. That makes me very human, Captain, living to fight another day.’ `Well, well! Well!
Hmmm, yes, well,’ and Ashiant steepled his fingers again, the slow grin on his lips echoed in his eyes. `Yes, well, that would serve both causes admirably because, to be aboveboard with you, Thian Lyon, Spktm asked me if you’d consider transferring to the KLTL. It’s been impressed with you, as interpreter, teacher and crewmate. It sees this voyage as a marvellous chance to make its crew learn sufficient Basic to get along with humans anywhere.’ `what did my mother say?’ Thian asked, knowing perfectly well that she’d been asked.
Ashiant chuckled. `She left it up to you. Says you’re a grown man now.’ He chuckled again. `I think she’s proud of you.’ `Then I’ll transfer to the KLTL, if I may.’ “And Spktm also wished me to say that it’ll be happy to receive your `Dinis back when they can return. Said that’ll make you happier aboard a `Dini vessel.’ `Oh, I will be happy on board the KLTL!’ Alison-Anne was not happy that he was continuing onward when he could just as honourably have returned home on the Vadim. With her. She had been a regular evening guest as she was fortunately doing the day watches.
`How’ll you ever find out who nearly killed you?
And nearly killed Ensign Kalickmo! You’ll be well guarded up here and we’ll find the bastard sooner or later.’ Gravy could look exceedingly fierce and determined for all she was a sensitive empath.
`It’s more knowing where I could be of real service, Gravy,’ he said, smoothing her silky blonde hair. It had enough static so that the fine stuff clung to his hand, leaping out from the pillow to caress his skin. Her skin was silky soft, too, but he needed to catch his breath a bit. `I know the `Dinis will be on pretty slim rations until they can reach a pick-up point. Young `Dinis need proper nutrients or they will never reach any significant height. And the older `Dinis need just as much to keep healthy.
If I stay with them, they won’t have to go on hard rations. And they’ll feel freer to investigate every aspect of the nova position without losing any crew.
`whaddya mean? Losing crew?’ She propped herself on an elbow to stare accusingly down at him.
More of her hair tangled about his wrist.
“Dinis hold slightly different views about life and living.
`Dinis are taught to revere their elders — `And we aren’t?’ `Not in the same way. A `Dini will starve itself to give food to an elder..