off both tanks. Used a retardant on the rope, too.
Had plenty of description of how Thread falls, and this is as near as we
can get.
Now,’ and he turned back to his students, it’s best to get Thread
before it gets to you or to the ground. We know there are two kinds:
first the ones that eat themselves dead – they’re not a problem, even if
they are in the majority and messy.
Records tell us that the second kind find something in what they ingest
that allows them to progress to the second step of their life-cycle; our
ancestors never could do much with investigating this type. They only
knew that it existed. We know it existed, too, because there are areas
here in the north which are still sterile two hundred-odd years since
the last Fall. If this type gets the nourishment it needs, above and
beyond organic materials, then it can propagate, or divide or whatever
it is Thread does. This is what ground crews were needed for. This is
the type we don’t want hanging around and burrowing out of sight. Our
ancestors thought Thread had to have some trace minerals or elements in
the dirt but, as they never figured out what, we’re not likely to now.”
Kalvi heaved a sigh of regret. So,’ and with a wide sweep of his arm,
we incinerate all the buggers the dragon riders miss!” He paused and
looked up the cliff-side where the catapult crews were waiting.
OK UP THERE?” he yelled, hands bracketing his mouth.
Immediately in response, red flags were waved at intervals along the
cliff.
All right, in groups of five, range yourself parallel to the red flags
you now see. When we’re all in place – and out of range of anyone’s
wand,’ and Kalvi gave a wry grin, I’ll give the signal and we’ll see
how you manage.
The results were somewhat erratic: some men seemed to get the hang of
their equipment immediately, while others couldn’t even get the right
mix on the gases to produce flame.
Well, it happens,’ Kalvi said in patient resignation. Should make em
climb the thread back up the cliff he added.
Do em good.” Take too much time. THROW DOWN THE NETS,’ Kalvi roared
and then grinned at Paulin. Thought we’d have some trouble.
We’ll get our mock threads back up and in use.” How much did you
bring?” Yards,’ was all Kalvi said with another grin.
By the time the short winter afternoon was closing into darkness, all
the holders had had a chance to sear’ thread despite hiccups and
misses. The mock thread supply ran out before they lost interest in the
practice.
Now I don’t want you to overdo it on your own,’ Paulin said to those
nearest him as they walked back to the Hold.
The practice area had been some distance up the North Road from Fort
Hold, where there were neither beasts nor cot holds that could be
affected. HNO3 isn’t all that hard to manufacture, but the equipment
is. Don’t wear it out before it’s needed.
During their practice, the main Hall had been rearranged for the evening
meal and the trainees were as hungry as gatherers.
Tomorrow we’ll clean the gear,’ Kalvi announced while klah was being
served, and you’ll strip down and reassemble the units so I’m sure you
know what you’re doing. The man who does it fastest and best will get
Lord Paulin’s reward.” A loud cheer resounded through the Hall.
Morale’s good,’ Paulin said to Kalvi who nodded, well satisfied with
the way this first instruction session had gone.
If all of those meetings planned for the Head Engineer at the other
major holds went as smoothly, Kalvi thought he might even get a chance
for a few days off to fish in Istan waters. In the frantic search
during the run-up to the Second Pass for materials long left in storage,
some reels of stout nylon fishing line had been found. The bar-coding
on the carton had been damaged so there was no way of knowing how long
ago the line had been manufactured, but Kalvi Was eager to put it to the