Hey, Granddad, that’s a low blow, Thian said chuckling.
Hit `em again, harder, Rojer suggested, delighted.
Admiral del Falco glared and his impassive face settled into an even more threatening blandness. `They may change their minds when they see the report I shall insist be attached to their NE-440 forms.
`Really? That they prevented serious injury by rescuing seventy-five crew members, human and Mrdini, during the course of your exploration of Refugee which was completed in less than thescheduled time: that they were also able to discover and turn on the ship’s independent power system. That, by the way, was not in their assignment’s parameters but Talents pride themselves on doing “more” than they are required to do. Part of the dedication of our personnel, Admiral.
And don’t go riffing out NE-440 forms on FT&T personnel: a waste of time as they’re not under your jurisdiction. Thank you for your perceptions on this mission and good luck with your operational enemy ship.’ With a peremptory wave of his hand, Jeff blanked the screen.
`And that makes the Phobos Moon Base low man on FT&T job priorities.’ He rose from his chair, still taller than his grandsons, vigorous and obviously amused by recent events. `I don’t think they gave you anything to eat during that three-hour grilling, did they?
Name your pleasure,’ he added, gesturing for them to take seats in the lounge area of his spacious office.
`My guts wouldn’t’ve let me eat any more of their food anyhow,’ Rojer said and, turning his head to the dispenser, called out the elements of a sustaining meal.
Jeff chuckled at the choice, then urged Flavia to send her order.
Thian realized that his stomach was unknotting as well and shortly had as comprehensive a spread of dishes as his brother.
`Hope you haven’t taken a dislike to navy life, Flavia, Jeff said when he had ordered a salad and all were sitting about the beautiful Altairian fruit wood table, now laden with succulent comestibles.
`No, sir. I had no trouble with the lifestyle, sir. Both Thian and Rojer have told me a little bit ` She shot Rojer an anxious glance until she realized he was applying himself diligently to his meal and only half listening. ` – – about the services they performed. I’d have no apprehensions of serving as a Talent on a ship.
Taking an objective viewpoint, I did feel that Admiral del Falco’s internal conflicts and ambitions were the source of much of his behavioural pattern.
`Well said,’ Jeff murmured with a laugh and roguish grin at his grandsons.
`Were you considering another naval assignment for me, sir?’ she asked.
Watching Flavia delicately consuming a pasta dish, managing a neat twine of strands of hot cheese around her fork, Thian could well imagine the impression she’d make on any crew. Maybe he’d read more into Granddad’s choice of her as a mission member than existed.
Except he knew Jeff Raven wanted his grandchildren to marry into Talented families to produce yet another generation of gifted children.
`Several situations have come up for T-1s so I’ll spread the lot of them on the table,’ Jeff said. `Squadron C’s been brought back for refitting and resupply, as well as a change of personnel. C’s been out longer than D.’ `Then they’re going to follow the other Hive ships to their destination?’ Thian was excited as well as relieved. He hadn’t liked the idea of that ship loose and preying on an unsuspecting planet.
`That’s what I hear,’ and implicit in Jeff Raven’s voice was the caution that what he had heard might be altered.
`Squadron A replaces elements of C and D and will continue the search with augmentation and would very much like you back, Thian, especially Captain Spktm.
Squadron B will now consist of four human and four `Dini ships and, if you’d consider that assignment, Rojer, you’d have no prejudice, believe me.’ Jeff glanced reassuringly at Rojer. `The KTTS is one of them but the ship has a new captain, officers and crew.
Captain Quacho’s finally been relieved at Xh-33, but the Arapahoe will need refitting. There’s to be some other reshuffling of units in B, but I don’t know what.