Rojer immediately closed his mouth and managed a smile.
`He’s out on his feet, Captain,’ Afra said, putting a protective arm about his son’s shoulders. `I’ll take him to his cabin.’ Which Afra did with as much tenderness and affection as he thought would not rob Rojer of his new manliness.
Then the Rowan indicated to the captain that she wished to speak with him privately and he led her back to his ready room.
`What Rojer had no authority to do, I have,’ she said, gracefully seating herself.
With no subtle prompting from her, he offered wine which she accepted with relief They both sipped, organizing their thoughts. The Rowan had acutely experienced Rojer’s trauma which went deeper than she had expected. But then she had not had close `Dini relationships. The boy’s attachment to his `Dinis went far beyond that of the unusually deep familial bonds of the Talents so his loss was far more profound.
They’d have to deal with that on his return. She had another, more immediate, matter to attend.
`We must, of course, discuss the proposal I have in mind with Gktmglnt and Admiral Mekturian,’ she began and Captain Osullivan gave her as good a double take as she had seen in many a year. She allowed a slight smile to put him at his ease. `That refugee ship must never be used by Hivers. Nor the other ships in orbit.
We have enough of this species loose in the galaxy right now. She held up her hand when Osullivan opened his mouth. `I certainly cannot condone – much though in essence I approve of Hiver containment – what Prtglm had planned nor its proposed delivery. As you may be aware, controversy rages over whether we, the Alliance, have the right to inflict the atrocity of destroying occupied Hiver worlds. That’s the sort of barbaric retribution which we humans have outgrown.
Yet we cannot, by the same token, permit them to continue to exterminate life on the planets they wish to colonize.
`It has been put forward that perhaps they recognize only their own species as intelligent and sentient and are unaware that they are slaughtering developing sentient forms. Be that as it may, certain actions have been discussed and this situation here allows us some leeway. I will propose to Gktmglnt and Admiral Mekturian, subject to their agreement, that Squadron B demolish the three orbiting ships to prevent the obviously imminent colonial expedition. I shall myself `port the missiles so expediently available: an action in which T-2
Afra Lyon cannot be expected to take part, since he is methody by training and choice.
Now it was Captain Osullivan’s turn to drop his jaw and stare at her in amazement, tinged with a certain equally gratifying relief and delight.
`First, however, it will be necessary that the refugee ship be surreptitiously removed beyond the range of planetary missiles. Then it should be easy enough to tow it back to where the Great Sphere is being examined.’ She grinned with wicked delight. `How much more we can learn from an intact vessel than a melted hulk.’ Osullivan’s expression brightened considerably.
`Prime Rowan, it went severely against the grain to know that those Hivers would have four colony ships available to them.’ She chuckled, twisting the stem of her wine glass, her grey eyes sparkling at him over its rim.
`Soon there will be none. I’m delighted you find yourself in tune with this plan.
`Delighted isn’t strong enough but it will suffice, Osullivan said. `I’m certain that Captain Quacho will concur. I assume,’ and he hesitated, `that the KTTS will release the missiles to us.
`The KTTS will insist on taking part as well, Captain.
Their honour needs some restoration.’ `Shall we confer with Captain Quacho?’ `Of course,’ and Osullivan turned to his console to key in the signal.
Afra joined them some time after the Rowan, having obtained Quacho’s enthusiastic cooperation and Mrtgrts’s agreement, had relayed the proposal to her husband who put the matter before the two Alliance commanders. Captain Osullivan had ordered dinner and, when Afra appeared, asked for service. First he poured Afra a glass of wine.
`My own special favorite, Mr Lyon,’ the captain said, hoping by his courtesy he managed to convey what he could not express to the Aurigaean T-2.