short time. The third Fall will start on the south coast of the Tillek
peninsula, east of the site of the Hold: and proceed out to sea, again
over land only for a short time.
Thread giving us all a chance to get accustomed to fighting it?” asked
B’nurrin of Igen.
Your levity is ill-placed,’ S’nan said, but there were too many grins
around the table for his reprimand to affect the irrepressible young
Weyrleader. He cleared his throat and launched once more into his
discourse. The next two Falls will be the most dangerous for
unseasoned wings,’ and he shot a stern glance at B’nurrin as he found
the proper Thread path.
The first will start over the sea in the east and proceed over Benden
Weyr and Bitra Hold, ending almost at Igen Weyr.
This would normally be flown jointly by Benden and Igen Weyrs.
The second will start at the northern end of the Nerat peninsula and
proceed across it, over the east coast of Keroon and the east tip of
Igen, and end just offshore from Igen. This also would normally be a
joint Fall, flown by Benden over Nerat, Igen over the northern part of
Keroon, and Ista over the southern part of Keroon.
We really do know what Falls we fly, S’nan,’ M’shall said.
Yes, yes, of course,’ and S’nan cleared his throat again.
However,’ and his glance went to the Lord Holders seated around the
table, it was decided at the last meeting of the Weyrleaders that,
since any of these would be the first Fall in our experience, every Weyr
would supply a double-wing at the initial engagement. Thus each Weyr
would have first-hand experience.
I still think we could all get that by hitting those first Southern
Falls,’ B’nurrin began. If the dragons miss, it’s not going to fall on
anyone’s head or ruin any farmland.” B’nurrin!” M’shall said sternly
before the startled S’nan could open his mouth.
K’vin privately thought B’nurrin had a good idea and had backed him, but
they had been overruled by the older Weyrleaders. K’vin suspected that
if he were to take some wings down South for that first Fall there, he’d
be likely to find B’nurrin practising’ there, too.
I still think it’s a good idea,’ the Igen leader said, shrugging.
Pretending such an interruption hadn’t even occurred, S’nan went on. As
was customary in the First Pass, Lord Holders will supply adequate
ground crews and have them assembled as directed by the Weyrleaders. In
this case, Weyrleader M’shall.” He inclined slightly towards the Benden
bronze rider. Master Kalvi,’ and he bowed courteously to the Head
Engineer, has assured me that his foundry has turned out sufficient
HNO3 cylinders to equip the ground crews, but the HNO3 must be made up
on site. As in the First Pass, the labour and material are supplied by
the engineer corps as part of their public duty. You all should have
received your full allotment of tanks by Year’s End.” S’nan paused and
peered at Kalvi who rose to his feet.
The Fort Weyrleader was precise in his language, scorning to use the
term Turn’ for a year which was coming into use among the younger
generation.
I’ve scheduled every major Hold with three days of training in the
maintenance and repair of the flame-throwers and a practice session
which, I think,’ and Kalvi grinned, you will find comprehensive as well
as interesting.” He shifted his stance and would have gone on, but S’nan
held up his hand and gestured Kalvi to sit.
With a bit of a snort and a grin, Kalvi complied.
Now the Fort Weyrleader turned his glance to Corey. I believe you also
plan a three-day seminar to instruct major and minor hold personnel in
burn control and Thread — ah first aid.
Corey did not rise but nodded.
Lords Holder must assign suitable medics with every ground control
unit, or have one member of each trained in first aid and supplied with
kits containing numb weed fell is juice and other first-aid medications,’
S’nan continued.
Now,’ and he flipped over the top sheet, I have done pre-Pass
inspections of all Weyrs and find them well up to strength, with