`In line with that, sir,’ Thian said, still shaking with laughter, `maybe I ought to contact Flavia. Squadron B’s been to quite a few systems now, too. Maybe they can throw some light on the matter.
`Light on the matter?’ Ashiant echoed and enjoyed another chuckle.
`I needed that, Lyon. That was a hairy moment there .
`You mean, of course, when all the `Dini fiir started to ruffle up?’ That set them both off again until Ashiant, huffing and coughing, pulled himself back to sobriety, but his eyes still twinkled and he continued to grin.
`Actually, sir, even a process of elimination, based on what types of G-stars they ignore, might help us establish the criteria they’re looking for. Even minute differences – the period of variability, sun-spot cycles, size – in a G-type primary can have incalculable effects on the satellites in its system. It certainly has proved so in species adaptations.
`On another subject, Captain – which I didn’t have time to pass on to you before the meeting – Flavia’s message this morning contains some interesting items.
The first being that they, too, have devised a beacon to be set outside any Hive suspect M-5 system: to warn vessels off and to send a message back to the nearest Prime to warn of any outgoing sphere.’ `Great minds, huh?’ `I’ve received specs, sir. Captain Soligen thought you might like to glance over them in case they have modifications we could use.’ Thian handed over the hard copy and the software. `Or the other way round,’ he added tactfully.
`Indeed and we will,’ Ashiant replied as he glanced through the material. `Though the one your brother and Tikele designed seems to be similar.’ `Flavia also informed me that, with Earth Prime’s express permission, they are going to approach the Hive-occupied planet.’ Ashiant gave him a hard stare.
`There are good reasons to take the chance,’ and Thian grinned, `the main of them being to give the KVS under Captain KimI the opportunity to puif the Genessee ploy.’ `Steal another Hiver ship?’ Ashiant said, almost exploding. `Whatever do we need with another one?’ do so under the ship’s power. We were able to establish Thian chuckled, as much at the captain’s reaction, as the one which would surely await the triumphantly returning crew aboard it.
`Captain KimI is of the new Mrdini generation which hasn’t seen much direct contact, of the kind that allows a colour to gain prestige `Damned untried young scuts, Ashiant murmured, shifting restlessly in his chair, `they could precipitate more trouble . ` Then he cleared his throat as he remembered all too vividly the morning’s near breach between human and `Dini. `Ah well, I suppose it’s more recent in their culture than … Is “counting coup” the action I mean . . ?` `I’ve heard the phrase,’ Thian replied, not remembering where or in what connection.
`Go on. Tell me how this `Dini plans to gain prestige so I’ll know how to prevent it in this squadron.’ `First, Flavia got Earth Prime’s permission. And I assure you, as Flavia did me, that Captain Soligen would not contemplate such a move unless she was very sure of success.’ `Well,’ and Ashiant simmered down, `Vesta’s one helluva fine captain, even if she does have some odd ideas of opting for young and virtually untried crew. I assume all you Primes are restricted by the same rules?’ `Yes, sir!’ `Then let me know the outcome of the… what did you call it. `The Genessee ploy.’ `Osullivan must be pleased by that. Too bad he’s stuck at a desk now. And how is Captain KimI intending to get its prize back to our occupied space?’ `Flavia seemed to feel the captain would be able to the disposition of certain controls on the panel. She’s known them. And we know what file! is used `That’s fine until the damned thing gets in more travelled space Thian nodded, grinning. `I believe the plan is to decorate the sphere with `Dini designs to let all and sundry know who is bringing this one in.’ `Do ask your Prime to send out an all-ship warning.
Wouldn’t do to have a trigger-happy missile crew trying out the new weaponry on a “friendly” hostile vessel!