ů`Your log’s been transferred. On your way, Maine.
Ashiant saluted smartly and it was being returned by an obviously grateful Bremerton when his image on the ůforward screen faded.
`Your turn, Primes,’ Ashiant said into the chair com.
And about time, Thian heard the unmistakable voice of his grandmother Rowan, all this naval pomp and ůcircumstance is time-consuming.
Thian felt the pressure of the merge in his mind and the Maine disappeared. So did the constriction of the merge. Beside him, Rojer gave an exaggerated sigh of relief while Clancy stretched until his sinews cracked.
`Do we know where we are?’ Clancy asked.
`Since I’m the engineer,’ Rojer began and slipped off the couch and over to the console. It was so shiningly new, not so much as a scratch on any surface, but it was also familiar and he had their main screen showing the vista before them: an expanse of stars of all variations in colour and pulsation.
`Far, far away from every star we know and recognize,’ was Clancy’s thoughtful comment.
All three were startled at a discreet rap on the door `Come in.’ `Lieutenant Senior Grade Greevy reporting for duty, Primes, and I’ve taken the liberty of ordering peppers for you. AlisonAnne was appropriately solemn-faced as she advanced with the tray of tall drinks which she presented first to Thian, managing a sly wink before she served his brother and Clancy.
`Good thinking, Lieutenant, and congratulations,’ Thian said formally, then grinned. `Alison’s taken courses in `Dini health-care, Rojer, Clancy .
`Yes, while waiting for you to perform your first duties,’ Gravy said, still very much in a dignified naval attitude, `I’ve had the chance to meet all your `Dinis.
So has Commander KIoo .
`Rome’s here?’ Rojer cried and, careful not to slop the drink from his glass, he made his way to the lounge where Semirame Kloo snapped him a salute before her face broke into a proud and grateful grin.
`I can’t thank you guys enough. Del Falco turned piss ant with a vengeance when you skived off’ she said, `which made him difficult enough until Clancy was yanked off too. When the Admiral discovered his destination, the shit really got recirculated. I was clenching my teeth in expectation of where he’d land next when I got my orders. I don’t think anyone’s ever cleared the navy base as fast as I did. And to the Washington, of all assignments! D’you guys have any idea how many people hate my guts now?’ `And we don’t bloody care,’ Clancy said, swinging Semirame up and around before he put her down on her feet again.
Still grinning, she pulled her tunic straight because she was wearing the same formal uniform that the medic was.
`Then you’ve already been on the Washington a week?’ Thian asked.
When she nodded, still grinning, he asked who else Ashiant had brought of his Vadim officers.
`I haven’t met even half my own watch yet,’ Rome said, `but I know for sure he brought his engineering officer, Yuri Tikele, Ailsah Vandermeer is first officer and Commander Fadh Ah Minas weapons, plus quite a few of the Vadim’s chief petty officers, too.
`Not his number one? Commander Germys?’ Rome grinned. `He got booted up to captain on the Genessee.
`Commander Exeter’s here in sick bay,’ Alison Greevy said, `and we’ve a Mrdini unit because this is a mixed crew and I’m liaison.’ She added that with a grin of pride.
I always said you were cleverer than you knew, Gravy, Thian said.
And you kept your promise.
Only because you added an element that made it absolutely possible.
With due ceremony, Rome then handed a disk to Thian. `I’m told you’re officially the head of the Talent facility, Prime Thian, and I personally received this from Earth Prime Raven with instructions to give it into your keeping. It’s for you three only: a listing of all the Talents in this fleet. A handful are known to their superiors as possessing “some” Talent but mostly higher than the grade they’re listed as. Some have come aboard in minor capacities with T-2 and T-3
qualifications. I respectfully suggest that you either `port them in this lounge privately or allow me or Lieutenant Greevy to make contact.