`Then do so, Mr Lyon,’ Captain Osullivan said, nodding to Yngocelen. `And program it for a full scan, Mr Yngocelen. It’s about time we learned what’s going on in there since Mr Lyon’s Talents allow us to be discreet.’ Although Rojer sent the tiny probe through ventilation ducts and up and down dark and empty corridors, `nothing’ was going on inside the hulk. Nothing apart from a haze which still hung like a miasma in the interior, and was especially heavy in the centre of the vessel.
`Could be a combination fg55, the science officer said, `because there sure aren’t any workers of any description left, and there are signs of corrosion on the few organic substances the monitor identifies. The Hivers seem to specialize in lethal doses. I wouldn’t want to send anyone in to investigate. Despite the hole in the hull letting vacuum in, the stuffs lingering. It’s going to take time to flush all that out.’ `Sections weren’t closed off either,’ Yngocelen said, tappinRojer approvingly on the shoulder. `Yup, and that junk even cleared out the tubes where larvae are stored. Clean sweep!’ Rojer could not entirely suppress his delight that his theory had been verified but everyone was smiling so he felt it wasn’t inappropriate for him to do so, too.
`Good thinking, Rojer,’ Osullivan said to cap his moment of triumph.
None the less Rojer heard – not from the direction of the officers less grateful sentiments from one or two of the ratings on duty.
`It was only a theory, sir,’ Rojer said, altering his grin to modest self-deprecation. It was hard to please everyone all the time no matter how carefully he conducted himself `How long will it take for that gas to clear, Mr Mrkovic?’ Osullivan asked.
`Can’t say for sure, sir, it’s heavy stuff: All systems are dead on the ship. If they were activated – – -, and he shrugged. `With respect, sir, the Genessee doesn’t have eva suits on board that would protect us humans against a corrosive gas atmosphere.’ Nor did the Mrdini when the options were discussed at a captains’ conference.
Although the derelict Great Sphere was being subjected to the most exhaustive scrutiny by both humans and Mrdini, the emphasis had been on establishing what powered Hive ships, what fuel was used, and analysing the peculiar composition of the hull material. Ventilation and lifesupport systems were a low priority.
`Captain Prtglin would like us to figure out a way to get in that ship,’ Captain Osullivan reported to his staaf officers. Rojer was also itting in as he had attended the captains’ meeting as translator.
`It has an idea,’ and Osullivan’s smile was amused, `of boarding and bringing a relatively undamaged Hive ship back to Clarf. I gather Prtglin is to be retired at the end of this mission and it would like to do so in glory, as it were.’ There were murmurs of understanding for such ambition.
`I didn’t think Mrdini did things like retire,’ Anis Langio remarked.
Osullivan cleared his throat and smoothed back his hair. `I believe it’s a question of size.’ `Yeah, it is the biggest `Dini I’ve ever seen, Yngocelen sao thoughy. `If it gets much bigger, it won’t fit in its own ship. It has to bend over to walk our companionways and this ship’s built for tall.’ As the gunnery officer was just under the two-metre mark, he was sympathetic. `But you know,’ he went on offhandedly, `maybe Rojer could `port a small boarding party directly into the torpedo hole. They’re obviously waiting until the gas disperses. Of course, we’d have to figure a way of doing that first.
`What do we know about the Hiver ventilation systems?’ Osullivan asked rhetorically.
`No more than what the probe could see, sir,’ Metrios replied.
`Any idea of where or what the controls would be?’ Everyone turned in Rojer’s direction.
`Me? I know as much as you do but `But what, Mr Lyon?’ the captain prompted in an encouraging tone.
-`Well, sir; when I first came on board, I believe I mentioned that groups back on the home worlds are ůtrying to reassemble the innards of the Great Sphere?
We know what the main investigative team is working on – the fuel and engines – but maybe somebody else might have a clue to the lifesupport area. I could make a discreet enquiry.’ `Of whom?’ ů`The T-8 engineer at the Aurigae Tower.