`Just leave those duffles there, lads,’ Clancy said as the ratings arrived with their luggage.
`If you’ll proceed to the bridge, sir,’ Thian added, opening that door, `we’ll organize the advance. Oh, sir, who’s the Washington’s engineering officer?’ Ashiant regarded him with surprise. `Tikele, of course.’ He pointed to the screen. `When you’ve the chance, check the roster. I brought as many of my officers with me as I could.’ Captain Spktm followed Ashiant, murmuring that it would join its own ship when the Primes were free to `port it there.
`Rojer can oblige you right now, sir, as I imagine you’d prefer to be on the KLTL on her jump,’ Thian said, giving his first order in his new position.
`Sure can, Captain, if you will be good enough to return to the hangar and your carrier,’ Rojer said and strode to the Tower room.
Boy, have we landed in gravy, bra?
WHAT? And Thian `ported in beside Rojer, peering around the place.
Enough nonsense! said Earth Prime, his tone slightly peevish.
Rojer slid on to the couch beside him, which happened to have been made to his height so he settled comfortably in it. Clancy and Thian took two of the remaining six couches and settled themselves.
As soon as Rojer had `ported the Mrdini captain to its Constellation class ship, Thian took him into the merge, then Clancy, and announced the merge’s readiness to proceed.
First came Jeff Raven, assuming the focus position while the Rowan slipped in right beside him. Sublimated in her mind Thian recognized Flavia, Zara, Asia, the indistinguishable current complement of both the Blundell Cube and Callisto Tower, then the familiar touches of his parents arrived, Laria and Kincaid, David of Betelgeuse, the T-2s of Altair, Capella and Procyon Primes, his Uncle Jeran and Aunt Cera and even the only faintly familiar touch of his Uncle Ezra on Vega and other Talents as the teleportation force gathered more strength than it had ever before had and launched the immense bulk of the Washington in a long-drawn breath to where the tiny mote of the Maine patiently followed the strong ion traces of a Hive sphere’s course.
Then one by one the other vessels – two Constellation class, four of the Galaxy and four destroyers – were `ported fluently to take their assigned positions in the fleet. Despite the restrictions of the merge, Thian activated the forward screens in their Tower room and saw, no longer quite a mote, but decidedly small in comparison, the lean shape of the Maine. He wondered if her crew were aware of their mighty neighbours but he was too integral to the merge to enquire.
Abruptly, most of the merge, having acquitted their part of this gargantuan transportation, disengaged. Only the Earth-Callisto element remained.
Thian, you can tell the Maine now, that merge said, that they are relieved of their duty. The merge was amused.
Captain’s name is Bremerton.
Still elated by the contact with so many energies, Thian had no trouble making the contact. Bremerton’s mind was wide open with the relief he was experiencing at the arrival of his replacements.
Eleven ships at once? was Bremerton’s half-stunned, half-exultant response. Thian had the distinct impression of sudden physical movement along with peripheral mental jolts of relief and joy. Oh, my God, you are. Fleet’s here! Look lively. Fleet’s here. Open a channel to the Washington, Sparks. We’re about to be relieved!
Captain Bremerton, we can `port you back to base as soon as you’re ready, Thian said. Though I hate to rush you, sir’ the merge is on-line and waiting.
Clancy was nearest those controls so he cut on the bridge screen.
Despite a crisply neat shipsuit, the tired face of a relatively young captain was visible on the ůWashington’s main comscreen, saluting smartly.
`Clark Bremerton, Captain Ashiant, and my respects.
ůHis face developed a broad smile comprised of respect, awe and amazement. `I’m sending my log over for your records but I can’t say that anything unusual has happened, sir. No deviation is noted in the ion trail since the split-up three weeks ago and the Hiver we’re ůfollowing hasn’t altered speed.’ `Good work, Captain. I won’t keep you as I imagine both you, the crew and the Maine are looking forward to home.’ ů`Indeed we are, sir,’ was the heartfelt response.