Then everyone began to talk at once.
`Then I see no bar at all to sending the scouts out to home in on that star before Number Three can,’ Shepherd said, almost shouting to be heard.
`We approve,’ Spktm said, raising its voice above the second spate of excitement. `But,’ and it raised its flipper-like arm, its digits displaying in a fan-like motion, `there are still eight spheres to be disabled, preferably before any reach this star. They would fight more fiercely than ever before to protect it. And to deny us the way to such a reverent destination.’ `They will fight with madness never seen,’ Prim said.
`Even the new missiles might not work.’ `They’ll work, all right,’ Thian said, suddenly rising to attract everyone’s attention, `-if they’re put where they will do the most damage and that is a Talent we possess!’ That momentary silence was broken by a burst of laughter from Commander Yngocelen of the Vadim.
`Thian Lyon, you have made my day!’ And he gave a triumphant whoop of delight, jumping to his feet.
`Don’t you all see what the Prime proposes? I mean, with that technique, it doesn’t matter a hoot in hell how many spheres come after us, they get a missile where it’ll do the most good and booom!’ He clapped his hands together and then extended his arms outward.
`This is the Genessee ploy in a new guise. And it means we don’t even have to get in range of any sphere to destroy it. We’ll only need to know where it is! Thian, Rojer and Clancy here plant the missile hey, it doesn’t even have to be a missile `Which actually wouldn’t fit in a sphere engine room – Rojer remarked, grinning at Yngocelen’s enthusiasm.
– Whatever,’ and Yngie flicked that minor detail away with one long-fingered hand. `The package can be delivered and the sphere is history!’ `BUT THAT IS NOT THE WAY MRDINIS FIGHT HIVE SHIPS, said Captain Ktpl of the Galaxy class KLTS. Its fur ruffled in agitation and it looked across to Spktm who was still on its feet, glancing from one human speaker to another.
MOST RESPECTED SIR,’ Thian said first to Spktm and, bowing to Ktpl, `MRDINIS SOUGHT HUMAN AID BECAUSE WE DESTROYED A HIVE SPHERE WITH NO LOSS OF LIFE AMONG US. NO HUMAN BLOOD WAS SPILT. TOO MUCH MRDINI BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILT IN TWO HUNDREDS OF YEARS. NOW IS THE TIME TO END THAT WASTE OF COLOUR’S BLOOD AND SPEND YOUR TIME FINDING NEW WORLDS ON WHICH TO LIVE AT PEACE. YOU SOMETIMES FIND OUR CAUTION COWARDLY – . A rumble of protest from as many human throats as Mrdini briefly interrupted him. `BUT WE HUMANS DO NOT RE-CREATE AS MRDINIS MAY SO WE ARE CAREFUL OF THE ONE LIFE WE HAVE.’ Thian wondered whether he had overstepped the bounds to inteiject that fact but he had to assume all Mrdinis of Spktm’s, and probably Prim’s, status would know of the re-creation of Kat and Gil. `THERE WILL BE FIGHTING ENOUGH TO SATISFY HONOUR BUT FEWER DEATHS TO CAUSE GRIEF. LET US HUMANS DO WHAT YOU SOUGHT US OUT TO DO – DESTROY THE HIVER THREAT WITH THE LEAST POSSIBLE LOSS OF ALLIANCE MEMBERS.
The few human captains and commanders who had not followed all his impassioned speech were quickly given its gist. Even Shepherd looked approving. Spktm bowed to Thian from its mid-section with great dignity and resumed its chair, thus acknowledging Thian’s points.
Hey, bra, good points!
Thian, you’re marvellous, came AlisonAnne’s comment.
I’m with you, Lyon, was KIoo’s enthusiastic acknowledgement.
This is supposed to be a high-level top-secret strategy meeting but, Kloo, kiss that ensign of yours who had the wits to compare astronomical tapes!
Not quite. I’ll leave that for you or Rojer!
Ashiant rose and banged the gavel to restore order.
`I observe that most of us here are in accord with Prime Lyon’s excellent suggestions, although I’m sure he’ll be the first to admit that we haven’t solved all the tactical problems facing us. But our priorities are now clearly defined. Yngocelen, figure out what sort of payload would be needed to destroy a sphere if `ported into the engine room.