Flk and Trp returned, their pelts almost colourless.
THERE ARE MANY PUNITIVE MISSILES IN THE CARGO BAY. GRL AND KTG DIED ON THE LINE.
The Rowan’s face mirrored the horror both she and Afra felt.
No wonder Rojer disappeared, she said in the saddest tone Afra had ever heard from her in all their long association. She swayed and he stepped close to support her.
`ESCORT ME, Mrtgrts told the bridge officer who had met them. Its whole body shuddering, it turned to another of the exits from the bridge facility, Flk and Trp falling in behind him.
The Rowan made a move to follow but Afra restrained her and eased her on to the nearest stool before her knees buckled. Keeping one hand lightly under her arm to comfort her, Afra blanked out the flood of emotions she continued to broadcast. Far better for all if she dispersed as much of her feelings as possible where it could not be felt or heard before Mrtgrts returned.
why would Rojer’s `Dinis be killed, Afra? why? They were young, blameless.
Rojer would have refused outright to `port weapons of any kind, Afra said wearily for he now had a sense of what had probably taken place. He oughtn’t really to have sent probes either, but certainly the knowledge that has been amassed is more than worth that shg’ht deviation from his orders. But – Afra shook his head.
We started these operations to clear the stars of Hive incursions, didn’t we? the Rowan began and Afra was relieved by the healthier indignation of her mind.
It was also mutually decided by the Alliance not to promulgate any attack against an entrenched Hiver position because we bloody well couldn’t succeed.
The least that should be done is blow up those ships so this group will be planet-bound for a long time to come, and her eyes flashed with determination to wrest that much of a concession from those who preferred non-aggression.
We’ll never be able to communicate with that species. I certainly don’t want to have to meet any mind of theirs again, single or many!
Afra certainly understood her hostility and resentment of the species but he had been raised on a methody planet which did not approve of violence of any kind, even in self-defence. `There are always alternatives: keep talking’ had been the guiding rule about confrontations that might lead to force and bloodshed.
Until we can find the weaknesses of this species, we cannot arrive at a solution which will produce success without needless waste of life, he said as gently and persuasively as possible.
He didn’t wish to aggravate the Rowan, and he knew her sentiments in depth, but he also had the right to his opinions and the right to express them.
Even when Rojer has been the first casualty of such an attitude?
The Rowan’s grey eyes flashed at him and she shifted herself away from his gentle support.
He sighed but he expected nothing else.
A door whooshed open and Mrtgrts stood there a moment, its poll eye aimed directly at the two human Talents. As it stepped onto the bridge, Flk and Trp followed.
PRTGLM EXCEEDED ORDER AND OBEDIENCE. A CARRIER IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. IT MUST BE TRANSPORTED TO CLaRF IF SUCH A TASK CAN BE REQUESTED OF TALENTS, KNOWING THAT A YOUNG OF YOURS HAS BEEN BASELY ABUSED. THERE WILL BE NO GOOD GREY DREAMS.
The Rowan gave a little shiver. I’d like to consign Prtglm to this primary, not to Cia That would be sparing Prtglm the ultimate humiliation, Rowan, Afra pointed out. I can send a carrier that far if you would rather not deal with the send.
Oh, and her eyes blazed at him, in that case I myself will bump him back to Clarf arid half bury the capsule Afra signalled her to wait as he turned to Flk and Trp. `WHAT HAPPENED TO GRL AND KTG AND WHY?’ THEY PRESUMED TO INTERFERE WITH PRTGLM’S ORDERS TO RJR. PRTGLM PUNISHED SUCH PRESUMPTION’ The Rowan hid her eyes for a moment and a sob racked her. Afra sent the gentlest soothing thought he could, though his heart pounded bitterly at the sacrifice, at the terrible shock such a loss would have dealt his son. Rojer was no older, in either `Dini or human terms, than the two who had tried to help him.