White, James – Sector General 05 – Sector General

technical notation systems, and computer facilities capable of analyzing this

material. A large, ship-borne translation computer should be able to handle the

job—”

“That means Descartes'” Skempton protested.

“—In the time remaining to us,” Conway resumed, “and I hear Descartes recently

completed its first contact program on Dwerla and is free. But the third and

most technically difficult part of the problem is the reassembly. For this we

need fleet auxiliaries with the engineering facilities and space construction

personnel capable of rapidly rebuilding those parts of the alien vessel’s

supporting framework which cannot be salvaged from the wreckage. Ideally the

people concerned should be experi­enced Tralthan and Hudlar space construction

teams.

“Four,” he continued, allowing no time for objections, “we need a ship capable

of coordinating the reassembly operation.

and mounting a large number of tractor and pressor beam bat­teries with officers

highly trained in their use. This will reduce the risk of collision in the

assembly area between the retrieved sections and our own ships. The coordinating

vessel will have its own computer capable of handling the logistic—”

“Vespasian, he wants,” Skempton said dully.

“Yes, its tactical computer would be ideal,” Conway re­plied. “It also has the

necessary tractor and pressor batteries and, I believe, a very large cargo lock

in case I have to withdraw some of the CRLTs from their suspended animation

compart­ments. Remember, several segments of the entity were de­stroyed and

surgery may be required in these areas to close the gaps. But until we know a

great deal more about this entity’s, physiology and environment I have no clear

idea of the type and quantity of medical assistance which will be needed.”

“At last,” Thornnastor growled through its translator, “you are about to discuss

the needs of the patient.”

“The delay was intentional, sir,” Conway said, “since we must repair the ship

before we can help the occupant. Regarding this entity, or entities, Pathologist

Murchison and myself have examined one cadaver and we seek confirmation of our

pre­liminary findings and as much additional physiological data as you can

provide from the specimens brought back in Tyrell, and from the contents of the

intravenous infusion equipment which is used, apparently, to induce, extend, and

reverse the suspended animation process. Specifically, we require much more

information on the nervous system, the linkages to the voluntary and involuntary

musculature, the degree and rapidity of tissue regeneration we can expect if

surgical intervention is necessary and additional data on the transparent

material which covers and protects the raw areas at the forward and rear

ex­tremities. Naturally, sir, this information is required the day before

yesterday.”

“Naturally,” Thornnastor growled. Its six elephantine feet, which had been

silent while Conway was speaking, resumed their slow thumping. Clearly-the

Tralthan was eager to go to work on those specimens of the completely new

life-form.

O’Mara waited for precisely three seconds, then he scowled up at Conway and

said, “And that is all you require. Doctor?”

Conway nodded. “For the present.”

OCOIU«

Colonel Skempton leaned forward and said caustically, “‘For the present he needs

the services of a Sector subfleet, including Descartes and Vespasian. Before we

can recommend the de­ployment of so many Service units we should refer the

matter to the Federation Council for—” He broke off because the thumping of

Thornnastor’s feet was making conversation dif­ficult.

“Your pardon, Colonel,” the Tralthan said, “but it seems to me that if we refer

this matter to the Council they will ponder on it at great length and then

decide to make it the responsibility of the beings best able to understand and

solve the problem, who are the entities comprising the technical and medical

crew of Rhabwar. The special ambulance ship program was designed to deal with

the unexpected, and the fact that this problem is unexpectedly large is beside

the point.

“This is an entity, or entities, of a hitherto unknown spe­cies,” it went on,

“and I recommend that Senior Physician Conway be given the assistance he

requires to rescue and treat it. However, I have no objection to you

recommending this course and referring the matter to the Council for discussion

and ratification, and for amendment should they come up with a better idea.