Acorna gratefully agreed.
“At least we know, since word of the malfunction or whatever it is that is occurring that’s keeping our people from being able to contact us-came from the Baiakiire, that Neeva and the crew are safe. As a precaution, the ships going up now are having their corn units equipped with special filters and boosters as well as the repair equipment for existing transmitters. New communications programs are being installed tonight as -well by the prep crews, with extras being sent along for the ships already abroad and of course, the main receivers, transmitters, and computers are being checked for some sort of fault in their space relay systems as well.”
“What do you suppose could be causing the problem?” Acorna asked.
“I don’t know. Perhaps a meteor storm between us and the closest transmitters in the relay system? Maybe some kind of mechanical difficulty in the transmitters themselves or even a programming flaw? A sun going nova? Liriili is right about one thing-I’m sure the problem, whatever it is, is one our crews are well equipped to sort out by themselves.”
“You don’t sound as if anyone believes there really -would be a need to evacuate our people elsewhere, more as if the silence is a technical problem. In which case, why’not just send out crews to the most likely areas of interference? If there is a larger problem, all of your-our-ships could be cut off from communication with the planet, maybe even each other, and we would have no idea what was occurring. Wouldn’t it be wiser to risk fewer personnel?”
The animation left Grandam’s face and her mouth settled into a grim line. “We are hoping that this is a technical problem. If so, the council’s reasoning is that the more ships we deploy to the most places, the sooner the problem will be mended. The communications channels are a lifeline to our ships, and through them to our allies, as well as a lifeline for us. It would be impossible to devote too many resources to their preservation. And in case there is a more ominous threat”-Acorna heard with her mind rather than her ears that the council was most deeply afraid of a new, heretofore unheralded attack by the Khieevi “we need to cover all options as quickly as possible so we can learn of the danger, assist if possible those affected by the threat, evacuate those it does not yet affect, and have our ships return home.” She paused and said, “We would not need them for evacuation from narhiiVhiliinyar. We do not, at this time, have an alternative home ready so evacuating this planet is not an option.”
“But-if nothing else, people could go to Kezdet, Maganos moon, Rushima. All of the human worlds are compatible with our species.”
Grandam took a deep breath, let it out, and said, “Of course. There are other worlds as well. But until we know there is a threat and if so, where it comes from, we would hardly know where to run, would we? The personnel in space could well be safer than those of us here on narhiiVhiliinyar. One option seems about as good as another. If this place is not safe, Khornya, is any place?”
She shuddered and Acorna realized that the elder was not only deeply worried but also deeply frightened. Since there seemed to be little either of them could do about the situation, Acorna deliberately changed her focus.
This was not hard to do once they arrived at the Grandam’s pavilion. It shimmered with a ribbon of silver streaming around teal green under the light of the two moons, one blue and one golden, and although there was nothing about it that seemed lamiharly cozy it nonetheless exuded a charming warmth and hominess.
Grandam Naadiina “waved her hand and soft light emerged from beautifully patterned glass pillars that upheld the center and corners of her pavilion. The flaps farthest from them were open so that once more the moons “were visible, and all the stars. Naadiina beckoned Acorna to follow her toward the flap, where three soft beds were arranged. On one of these lay Maati, sound asleep.
“I like to sleep with my face to the stars, and my memories of my lifemate on the old world,” Grandam said, peeling off her gown and sliding beneath the top blanket of the bed. Acorna did the same, grateful to be rid of the makeshift finery.