Afra squeezed once in acknowledgement and then pushed open the door into his home, always aware of his great satisfaction in being here!
You’re in good time! `Wash!’ Damia said, scowling at the state of her third child and his `Dinis and pointing a slender but firm finger towards the washroom.
Zara was coming down the backstairs as Rojer entered the washroom and she gave him a look of such deep reproach that he knew his hunch had been right. Morag, not at all sensitive when the quantity of food on her daily plate might be reduced, came clattering down and grinned when she saw him.
You’re in deep kimchee. I called! I called good and loud!
`From where? The hillside?’ Rojer asked because he knew how fond Morag was of hunting. And, to be Out as hunt-leader, would have pleased her no end.
He ignored both sisters then and scrubbed diligently at his greasy hands and arms, right up to the elbow. No sense being sent back for another scrub like Ewain always was: not when dinner smelled as good as that. Then he helped Gil and Kat get their arm pelts dry. They didn’t like to have their fur back-rubbed but it was the only way to blot the moisture sufficiently to stop itch.
It was a good supper: a stir-fry with the greens chopped fine and cooked crisp in fat. There were enough greens to satisfy him and Gil who were particularly fond of them done that way.
Mother was just about to serve the sweet course when she jerked erect and the `look’ crossed her face.
She whirled, gesturing for all of them to link with her. It was now such a reflex action that they were linked before the second word in Damia’s mind.
Recognizing his grandfather’s voice, and the tone in which the news was couched, Rojer’s eyes widened in reaction.
best possible news has come through from the Beijing of its pursuit of the Hive escape pod: it has been found with its occupants alive.
Soundlessly Rojer mouthed `wow’: a sentiment which certainly his parents shared, judging by their jubilant expressions.
Jeff Raven’s mind-touch relaxed as he continued.
Evidently very much alive and the Beijing captain says that he has grave doubts of how to contain the occupants if they break through the seal they managed to affix to the main hatch of the pod.
He recommends immediate transfer to reinforced accommodations.
That means Talented help on the spot. The mass is such that I’d not risk collecting it myself.
You wouldn’t do it by yourself Jeff Raven, said the unmistakable voice of the Rowan.
Rojer noticed Morag’s grin and signalled her to clear her expression. Grandmother wasn’t being funny.
Where’s the pod right now? Damia asked.
When Smelkoff realized that the hatch might be opened, he put the pod off the ship, on tow. He couldn’t risk it staying on the Beijing, even if they evacuated the air in the shuttle bay. Damned awkward that Thian’s so far away, on board the KLTL.
Ah… Jeff began.
Rojer saw his mother’s eyes flash.
Father!
Actually, my dear, I was wondering if I could borrow Afra and young Rojer…
Rojer’s only fifteen – Dad and I fling big daddies about all the time, Mom, Rojer cried, though he knew he oughtn’t to interrupt.
Dad… Damia began again.
They all heard Jeff’s sigh. Rojer thought his grandfather had a real good repertoire of expressive sighs, though he daren’t think that very loudly.
Afra and Rojer have already teamed up on many occasions when you were unavailable, Damia. This is a one-shot affair. We’ll get them out to the Beijing.
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They’ve the experience required from shifting so many drones from the mine yards so the pod being on tow won’t be a problem, once they can see it. Captain Smelkoff has estimated the mass and volume involved which is no more than both have handled easily. Afra will handle the focus, if that’s what’s bothering you. But we’ve got to get that thing in a secure installation as soon as possible.
Then Rojer saw his mother narrow her eyes in a way he knew would exclude him from hearing what she said on a very tight personal mental shaft to his grandfather and he knew he was going to be left out of the fun things. Why hadn’t he remembered to hunt today? It wasn’t fair, because he was a T-1, just too young for Tower responsibility as yet even if he could do everything on his own … especially with his father. They really linked well, even better than he could with his mother, or even with both parents during very sustained heavy `ports.