`So they approve of our hardware, huh? Well, they’re right as well as honest,’ Ashiant replied and gave the necessary orders for a probe. `It’ll be at least twenty-three hours before it gets there and starts reporting. Carry on, gentlemen, and rejoin me at 0800 tomorrow.
A moment, if you will, Thian.’ `Captain?’ Ashiant nodded for him to keep his seat as the others filed out.
`I read somewhere that your family can identify Hive materials by the … ah … sound of them?’ As this question wasn’t at all what Thian had expected, he laughed as much in relief as surprise.
`That’s true enough, sir. On Deneb they’re still turning up buried pieces of the first scout vessels.
There’s a naval research facility investigating the composition of the material. I was on only one successful expedition with my cousins: we got an interior panel about,’ he encompassed the size with his hands, `this big. It did give off a distinctive emanation, I guess you’d say Family called it a stingpzzt. Other sensitives agree.’ He shrugged, searching for another way of describing the sensation. `It comes across as an actinic smell in the back of your throat, a sharp pinch in your nasal passages and an unpleasant smell.’ Ashiant grunted.
`But you would know it?’ `Anywhere, sir.’ Thian waited, respectfully silent while the captain continued to ruminate. He made no attempt to plumb those thoughts.
`A probe can bring back only mechanical information, Thian,’ Ashiant said at length and suddenly Thian knew what he might be asked to do.
He couldn’t help but react and the captain caught his grin.
`Yes, Thian?’ He raised his eyebrows, expecting an answer.
`I’d heard, Captain … well, there’s some spaceflot about Talents grabbing all the glory…
`Oh, that,’ and a gesture dismissed the rumour.
`As you’re already aware, I am under orders not to put you at risk – which is where glory is usually grabbed – but I will ask how far you can propel yourself in a capsule.’ `To the derelict-planetoid-whatever ?` The captain held up his hand, `But well outside the known range of Hive weaponry … with which our allies are so familiar.’ `If it would help, sir, I’m willing.’ `I’m just thinking aloud, Thian. Wanted to get the straight of that … ah … trick. You are of great assistance to us in many other capacities.’ `I appreciate that, Captain. In the event such a service is required, it is entirely within my scope i6o i6i of abilities and the position I was asked to fill .
if that’s what’s bothering you.’ `Thank you, Thian. That’s all now, I think, until we’ve the probe report. Damned thing could be just lying doggo.’ `That isn’t what Senior Captain Spktm believes.’ `Oh?’ `But it is adamant about approaching with great caution. Even Hiver wrecks have had nasty surprises for boarding parties.’ `So I’d read in those exhaustive `Dini reports they furnished us. You’ll be informed when the probe starts transmitting.’ `Aye, sir `And Thian, I wouldn’t let the spaceflot bother you. Nerves talking, not common sense. We’re still on yellow alert, of course, but some of the urgency has dissipated now we know the thing’s inactive.’ `Thank you, sir.’ As Thian left the ready room, he wondered if he had missed an opportunity to mention Malice.
Though he hadn’t heard any barbs from that direction since the blip had come up. Hopefully too occupied with more urgent duties. The crew of the Vadim were busy preparing for action. He was nearly at his quarters when another pod drill was called by the hooting of the siren.
With a grunt, he `ported himself to his designated escape pod and counted in the nine others assigned to it. By now he knew all of them well enough to have `saved’ them no matter where they were on the Vadim should the abandon ship order be given. He wondered if any of them knew of these orders but all he ever sensed was annoyance that their current task had once again been interrupted by a geedee drill.
A circumnavigation by the probe produced very interesting results.
The derelict was undeniably Hive designed which excited the `Dinis who were generous in their rectitude.