`We can at least propose a few colonial sites for the `So far nothing we have discovered explains why they have ranged so far, especially now,’ Spktm said in an almost lugubrious tone, echoing some of the pessimism Prim displayed.
`I would have thought that obvious, sir,’ Ashiant replied courteously. `Their homeworld was lost to the nova. They must be seeking an alternate.’ `That must not happen!’ Spktm said, bringing both upper hands hard down on the table, the percussion felt by everyone touching it.
`That is the purpose of this squadron, Captain, Ashiant said as resolutely. `And, especially, the reason the Washington was conceived and built!’ `And the Hivers built their Great Sphere to establish a new homeworld,’ Thian said. `Could it be in all the volume of space they, and we, have explored, they have not yet found a similar one? And that’s why they have ranged so far, and looked in as many directions as they have?’ `You give the Hivers credit for emotions which they do not have,’ Spktm said, its poll eye swivelling to give Thian the full glare.
`Now, a moment, Spktm,’ Ashiant said, raising one hand, `the Prime has a valid point. Wouldn’t Mrdinis, deprived of Clarf, search for one as near to what they’d lost as could be found?’ Spktm’s flir ruffled firther, and so did Prim’s and the other two `Dini captains seated around the table. Thian inwardly groaned at his tactless remark.
Exuding as much pacifying empathy as he could, he followed Ashiant’s lead.
MRDINIS HAVE LONG HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE THAT HIVERS FOLLOW INSTINCT WHICH HAS NOT CHANGED, HONOURED SIR, AND THAT IS, ABOVE ALL, SURVIVAL OF THEIR KIND. THEIR SPECIES MUST HAVE HAD A VERY UWSUAL HOMEWORLD TO HAVE ALLOWED THEM TO BECOME DOMINANT THAT WORLD IS GONE. SURVIVAL OF THEIR SPECIES REQUIRES THEM TO FIND ITS LIKE. THAT IS WHAT THIS ONE MEANT. PARDON THE OFFENCE THIS ONE HAS UNWITTINGLY CAUSED THE HONOURED SPKTM.
The `Dini captain’s fur began to settle, and so did PrIm’s. Thian felt the wave of relief from his fellow humans that the Mrdinis were molified by his explanation.
`So they haven’t found it. And, by my honour, I hope they don’t,’ Cheseman of the Solidarity said, `but, give us a little hope, Captain Spktm, do we even know what their primary’s spectrum was like before it went nova?’ Spktm and Thian, who had reached the area where the dead star was still cooling, shook their heads.
`Bluntly, no,’ Thian said.
`We’ve got a helluva lot of space to check out, Cheseman said, made gloomy by the sheer magnitude of the task facing them. `Five years won’t be long enough!’ `But a lustrum makes a start, gentlemen,’ Ashiant said, adopting a firmly positive tone, `and let us not discount what we have managed to accomplish in the past two years. We may have been forced by circumstances to explore firther than any previous programme for either of our species but we have already discovered enough new worlds to support members of the Alliance for thousands of generations to come.
`Let me come back to the point that there may be a more specific goal for these Hive spheres – finding a new homeworld under a sun similar to the original one.
I certainly don’t know what spectra-analytical means the Hivers possess,’ and Ashiant attempted to inject some humour, `but I’d like our astrogation officers to start checking the spectrums of all G-type stars, however far away they are, on the off chance that it’s a certain type they’re hunting, not just any G-type system with M-5 planets.
Even the Mrdinis saw the merit of that suggestion and the meeting ended with considerably more enthusiasm and purpose than it initially had. Ashiant later confided to Thian that there’d been some very tricky moments but he was positive they were on to a line of investigation that was going to prove invaluable.
`Certainly it’s giving us another purpose while we’re tracking that damned sphere to wherever it’s going.
What odds would you take that it has a definite primary objective?’ Thian regarded Ashiant for a moment before letting out a startled guffaw. For one moment, Ashiant glared at him and then, realizing what he had said, joined Thian in a much-needed laugh.