`Signal the Galaxy class ships to assume Formation C and begin firing as soon as they are in maximum range.
The sphere must be distracted from the destroyers.’ She’s some mother this one, Thian distinctly heard someone say. It could have been anyone on the bridge, even Ashiant, dropping his mind shields in the excitement of battle.
The first of the new missiles the Washington launched was not that far off its target but exploded on contact with a large fragment of the Hiver’s scout. The next three, one from the Washington and the others from the Solidarity and the Athene, penetrated the sphere as easily as a sharp knife cut through soft fruit.
`One, two,’ began Ashiant under his breath, `three, and he was led by Vandermeer, `FOUR’ and it was practically a chorus. No-one got to five’. The Hiver disintigrated by quadrants, like skin being peeled off a round from top to bottom. Then the fireball blossomed and its lurnace expanded, melting all in its white-hot circle.
The KLTL peeled off to follow one Hiver scout and the Franklin went after the other.
With ordinary communications opened again now the enemy was routed, Captain Spktm was able to send its regards to the Washington.
Its voice was shaky but proud of being aboard the ship that had fired the first missile against the enemy. The KLTS had taken a lot of damage from the blast concussion: many Dinis were dead and injured.
Some compartments had had to be closed against the vacuum without knowing if they had been occupied.
Thian did not have time to find either Rojer or Clancy to give them the dressing-down they so richly deserved for disobeying orders in spite of the life-saving success of that violation. By the time he spotted them, some of his anger had dissipated. They were across the Washington cargo hold which had been turned into an auxiliary `Dini sick-bay, doing much the same sort of emergency use of telekinesis he was: `lifting’ the injured into beds, onto gurneys. Rojer was helping Medic Sblipk among the injured `Dinis, with Gil and Kat rushing about on errands. Clancy was working among the human wounded.
We’ll all have a little talk later, Rojer, Clancy, Thian said in cold voice.
Sure thing, bra. when there’s a little more free time .
Don’t get cocky with me, Rojer Raven-Lyon!
who? Me? Cocky? After what I just went through, bra?
That was almost … almost worse than the KLTL, Thi.
His brother’s words, unrepentant though they were, cooled Thian still further but he’d have to tell Earth Prime about their escapade.
He was responsible for all the Talents on this expedition and somehow he had failed to make them obey orders they knew they mustn’t ignore.
If he’d had to tell his mother and father that Rojer had – – `Hey, Thi, said a soft voice in his ear, and he felt a touch on his shoulder, `you need rest, honey.’ Gravy looked up at him, her blue eyes anxious, though her face was as tired as his. He and his `Dinis had been working with her, using kinesis to help her use her healing skills.
`if I rest, you do, too, Lieutenant Senior Grade,’ he said sternly.
She glanced over the now orderly ward, where `Dinis were immersed in tubs of restorative fluids, or wrapped in bandages of various colours, repairing damaged tissues, wounds, burns, and breaks. `Dinis endured discomfort better than humans did, Thian thought, and wondered if that was a species differentiation, rather than stoicism.
`Ah, here comes the new watch, Gravy said with relief that came out close to a sob.
Thian leaned back against the nearest support and `listened’ for his brother. Rojer was asleep – Thian couldn’t tell where – and so was Clancy. He’d get them both tomorrow . . when he’d had enough sleep.
`Thian,’ and Gravy caught him by the hand and pulled him around the corner. `You got enough energy left to `port us to my room?’ He put weary arms around her, his head resting on hers, and `ported them to her quarters on the level below. She palmed the door lock and they collapsed in each other’s arms onto the bed, asleep almost before they had stretched out on the horizontal surface.