`The other excuse Jeff Raven concocted was that every ůcrewman or woman has the right to send a private message home.’ When Rojer rolled his eyes, Ashiant chuckled. `I know we’ve six thousand crew on the Washington alone but there’re a lot of families aboard so that drastically cuts the number who might use the ůprivilege. Nevertheless some’ll be too shy to deliver them here,’ and he jerked his head towards the doors, `but that’ll be one excuse for you to circulate frequently.’ He glanced up at the digital. `Any questions?
I’ve to be back in my quarters, finishing my breakfast, by 0710.’ `Yes, Captain,’ Thian said, `who are the priority personnel we must rescue in the unlikely event of an emergency?’ `Me,’ Ashiapt said with an amused snort. `Contrary ůto naval history, the captains of every vessel, especially and including the `Dinis, plus as many first officers as possible, any Talents 5 and above, your `Dinis, Commander Tikele and Commander Yngocelen ů`Where’s he?’ Rojer interrupted, remembering Yngie with affection.
`On the Genessee and he’ll be delighted to see you, Lyon. So, as one of your first duties, figure out which each of you’ll be responsible for. As you know, the Washington carries six scouts `But there’re only three of us,’ Rojer said in some consternation.
`There are also three other T-2s whom you’ve yet to meet, Primes, so count them in your calculations.
Scouts can accommodate fifteen easily, twenty cramped.
Most of the Washington pods are built for fifty persons each: for one hundred on the family decks. Constellation pods thirty `We’ll take care of the disposition, sir,’ Thian said, noting the time on the digital.
`We’ll have the usual drills,’ Ashiant said, rising then.
`You can practise then.’ He nodded to Thian.
`Sir?’ and Rojer solemnly handed him the cup he had come with.
`Good lad!’ Cup in hand, a friendly and amused grin on his face, Ashiant was `ported back to his own quarters.
`Talk about security ů ů -, Clancy said, dramatically wiping his face with his napkin.
`Actually, it’s a sound idea,’ Rojer replied.
The door chime sounded, almost imperiously.
`Whoops,’ Clancy said and hastened to disable the inside lock, allowing the door to slide open to admit a puzzled Semirame KIoo. She regarded her palm.
`I thought I was keyed in to that pad.
`Rojer, I told you we didn’t need to enable an inner lock on the Washington,’ Thian said with a hint of pique in his voice.
`Sorry about that, Rome. Coffee?’ the culprit asked, holding up the thermal pot.
Thus began the first of many long days on the way to their distant and unknown goals.
Flavia, with her team – Asia, Zara, Mallen and Jes arrived at Clarf Tower for a conference with Kincaid.
Flavia had checked with Laria whether or not Kincaid (1) would object or (2) could expand on his initial report.
He certainly doesn’t object, Flavia, was Laria’s reply, and I don’t know whether he doesn’t want to expand on the reports or it’s the time when he wrote those reports that bothers him.
We don’t have to No, and Laria’s negative came out as a slow mental drawl, I think it might do him the world of good to have to speak of those days. He’s much easier in himself now, you know.
That’s good to hear. He’s a very likeable person.
I know. Laria’s brief comment had echoes that set Flavia wondering about Laria’s feelings about Kincaid.
I caught that, Flavia Bastianmajani, and I’m his friend. I really like him.
He’s lucky then.
I’m the one who’s lucky. I’ll catch you tomorrow then at 1400 your time. That `11 put you here in the cool, cool dawn of Clas autumnal day.
Laria’s facetiousness made Flavia even more thoughtful but that exchange she could keep to herself and did.
Zara’s enthusiasm for practising her qualifications could well extend to her oldest sister and that, in Flavia’s mind, would be totally improper. Flavia’s opinion of Laria was quite high and, whatever her relationship was with Kincaid, it was a very private matter. As all such matters should be.
* `This is cool?’ Flavia asked Lionasha, her forehead beaded with sweat from the short walk up to Clarf Tower in the crepuscular dawn light. Behind her, Zara, Asia, Jes and Mallen were also finding the closeness of the sultry air uncomfortable.