That took guts.’ `Why on earth did he bother to save Hive larvae?
Sometimes I don’t understand these Talented people.’ `Two women and one male barely into manhood to move that mass?’ `I wonder will Rojer turn out as well.’ And Thian identified the thinker of that remark as the pretty dark-haired astrogation officer, Anis Langio.
There was nothing subtle in his grandfather’s seconding of Flavia to this mission, and she was certainly a lovely young woman, but Thian was not going to settle quite so quickly into the family pattern of an early marriage.
Captain Osullivan formally made Flavia, Thian and his `Dini companions welcome. Then, with the Rowan on his right side and Flavia on his left, with Thian seated beside her, he opened the official final planning conference. The captain was certainly not in on any of grandfather’s machinations but Thian was extremely conscious of Flavia’s proximity, aware of the delicate scent she wore, of the pulse of her very finely tuned and attentive mind. After a year on the KLTZ, he had mastered the art of concentration.
`This is, as I’m sure you’re all aware, the first time the Alliance has taken action against a Hive world. You have all seen tapes of the kind of ground-to-air missile attack on the refugee ship but we also know the extent of its range. However, we must not be for a moment lax in vigilance against any unsuspected retaliatory strikes.’ Mrtgrts nodded in verification of that caution.
`As you also know, the Rowan has already `ported explosives into the assigned positions to destroy the orbiting ships. Heat-seeking missiles are ready in each ship of the squadron for use in destroying any shuttle craft lifting through the mess they leave in orbit around their planet. Operation Snatch,’ and Osullivan grinned, his gaze ending on Flavia’s attentive face, `can begin as soon as our Primes are in position. Once the refugee sphere is out of range of surface missiles, the other ships will be blown. We will then seed additional space mines in case the Hive do still have scout ship capability that has not been detected by Rojer Lyon’s intensive probing.’ He nodded briefly at Thian for his brother’s accomplishment. `Are there any questions?’ After a brief pause, Thian raised his hand. `Grandmother, Flavia, may I escort you to our vehicle so we can get this show on the road?’ `You may be mixing metaphors, thian, but if Commander Metrios’ engines are ready to support gestalt… She turned to Mrtgrts and Captain Quacho `Are you ready to return to your own ships?’ `Ready indeed, ma’am,’ the engineer said but his last word was spoken to empty air for all five had gone. `I wish they wouldn’t do that!’ he murmured, giving a shake.
`Stations, everyone,’ Captain Osullivan said, rising.
`Red alert!’ `This must be the captain’s pod,’ Thian said as the three T-1s made themselves comfortable in the escape pod.
`It’s a lot roomier than the last one I was in.
`For three, yes, it’s roomy enough,’ the Rowan said.
`Shall we?’ and she nodded at both young people.
`Of course,’ Flavia said and Thian murmured consent.