Damia's Children

by Anne McCaffrey

  A rasp of ’Dini laughter caused all talk on the Genesee bridge to stop. “They need the ship unharmed. They wish to force the queens to leave it. This is a new tactic. Very new. Very interesting.”

  After a while, it didn’t seem so to Rojer who had to rub his eyes every now and then as the battle, millions of miles below, was relayed by the probes to the interested audience. Due to relay time, they didn’t realize exactly when it was over . . . except there were less tiny sparks about the third planet.

  “Watch, allies,” Prtglm said, intoning in such a deep voice that everyone obeyed. “Observe that escape pods now leave ship.” One probe was fortunately in the perfect position for such an observation.

  “They’re bloody well sitting ducks, if those bugs have the range,” Ynggie said.

  He groaned as each of the sixteen pods leaving the safety of the Hive ship was blasted to bits, seconds into its escape trajectory.

  “Now, how do they take over the ship?” the exec asked. “No queen minds to tell the ordinary ranks what to do . . . and they haven’t stopped firing, have they?”

  “What to happen is not known. Observe. This is not usual pattern.”

  What happened took far longer than forcing the queens to abandon their ship. Rojer had, in fact, fallen asleep on his couch, weary of watching screens. The comm officer roused him with a few gentle shakes to his shoulder.

  “We need you, lad,” he said kindly, but his face was haggard with fatigue. “It’s over and we’ve got to report it.”

  “Wha . . . happened, finally, sir?” Rojer knuckled his eyes but a cup of steaming coffee was put in front of him and he took it gratefully from the astrogator Langio.

  “The incomer ran out of ammunition, by the looks of it,” Metrios said, pausing before he sipped from his own cup. “Then a big shuttle blew a hole midships—probably a cargo or docking area. Prtglm said that once queens got on board, they’d take over control of the crew. But that’s only supposition because as Prtglm kept saying . . .”

  “. . . on and on and on . . .” Doplas muttered, rolling his eyes.

  “. . . The ’Dinis have no precedent for the behavior we witnessed. Now everybody, except you, Rojer, can stand down from red alert. Nor shall I keep you up much longer, either,” said Captain Osullivan. And surprised Rojer no end by giving him a friendly buffet on the shoulder as he extended the notepad.

  Grandfather was sleepy, too, but he was instantly alert when he recognized Rojer’s voice and overrode apologies.

  Rojer delivered the message, speaking it aloud, which of course made it much longer to transmit.

  Well, that is stunning news. Then his grandfather chuckled. The Squadron would have had a very warm welcome had it plowed right in there as some would have liked. Don’t repeat that, Rojer.

  Of course not, sir, and Rojer even managed to keep his face straight. We were on red alert. For hours. I’m not sure how long the fighting did last.

  That’s irrelevant, Rojer. That it occurred, with such ferocity and duration, with such a result, is relevant! Caution, and more caution, are needed. Even the most bellicose ’Dini will see that now. That battle may have saved many Human and ’Dini lives.

  But, Grandfather, for Rojer realized that the official part of their contact had been discharged, there’re now four Hive ships that this world can use for colonizing. That’s not good.

  Perhaps, Rojer. But they haven’t left that system yet. Maybe they won’t. I’m nattering with you, lad, because I’ve sent Captain Osullivan’s report and there may be an immediate signal back. Can you stay awake? I can feel you yawning along with me.

  Rojer grinned. He saw Captain Osullivan’s eyebrows raise in query. “Earth Prime wants me to stay in touch, sir, in case there’s an immediate reply to your report.”

  “Oh!” And Captain Osullivan began to pace up and down the narrow walkway along the stations. Many of the other officers had left the bridge and the duty helmsman had been replaced. A lieutenant manned Doplas’s seat but the nice astrogator was still at her desk, blinking frequently as she stared at the display in front of her.

  Fraid we’ll have to leave you where you are, Rojer, his grandfather said, and that goes for the squadron, too. Repeat aloud “Message for Captain Osullivan aboard AS Genesee, report received. Data being analyzed. The squadron is to remain in present positions unless enemy traffic requires resettlement. All activity on subject planet is to be reported on an ongoing basis: in twelve hour intervals unless increased activity suggests imminent departure of enemy ships. Reconnaissance by probe must be continued and the scope increased if at all possible. Additional personnel will be teleported at further notice. High Councillor Gktmglnt and Admiral Tohl Mekturian. End message.” Rojer, I think your brother will be joining you. May even be replacing you.

  Aw, Granddad, it’s getting exciting now! And they don’t think of me as just a “kid” anymore!

  Professionally and personally, I’m delighted to hear that, but I do believe that you may have witnessed the only “exciting” part that will happen for a while. Be that as it may, you’re stuck there a while longer . . .

  Hurrah!

  Thian is six weeks at least from a point where we can ’port him from the KLTL. You’re stuck on board til then.

  That’s all right with me, sir. Commander Metrios is giving me some naval engineering courses, so I’m not even missing schooling.

  Ha! was his grandfather’s surprising comment. You’re not the only one of my grandchildren who takes the initiative. Since you couldn’t possibly guess what your sister Zara did . . .

  She got to see the queen?

  There was such a pause that Rojer wondered if he’d lost contact and then he heard the low chuckle. You’re not adding precog to your other Talents, are you, Rojer?

  No, sir, I just know she was in bits over the queen.

  On the contrary, she put bits together, Rojer. You may be proud of your sister. She’s staying on Earth, living on Callisto, and studying with Elizara. Meanwhile, there’s a female T-4 on the Module, monitoring the queen. Zara discovered the poor creature was freezing to death. Temperatures in an egg-laying chamber are degrees higher than they would be anywhere else in a Hive.

  You mean, Zara did all this from Aurigae? Rojer was overwhelmed by his sister’s abilities.

  His grandfather gave him a summary of his sister’s adventure, which astonished Rojer thoroughly because he hadn’t thought she’d ever do something as wild as that.

  Sometimes, Rojer, we don’t know what we are capable of until we have unexpected goals to achieve! Zara’s happily placed with Elizara now, to the relief of all of us, I might add. Now, as I can feel you yawning, you get to bed. We’ve a waiting game to play, but for now, we can all get some rest.