As sure as I can be, never have seen Hive larvae but whatever it is in there isn't damaged and this is also the general area on a Hive ship where eggs were stored.' Kiely still wasn't sure. `Fardles, but there's acres of `em. How many d'you suppose are in each tube?

tunnel? comb? And how are we going to blast `em in such a confined position?' `74 `75

`Blast them?' Thian was stunned. `They shouldn't be blasted, Ridvan. They should be studied.' `HUH?' Now it was the lieutenant's turn to be stunned. `You don't know what you're saying, Thian. Here we have hundreds of our enemy...

`Helpless and vulnerable! Great targets for warriors!' `No need to come on like that! But you certainly don't expect us to leave all these -- - these things alive?' `Considering how little we actually know about Hivers, this is a find of unparalleled magnitude.

Even more important than the ship itself.' `I can't believe you!

Let `em live?' `I think you'll find that the `Dinis will insist on it.' To make certain of that, Thian turned his helmet comunit up to full and crisply informed Plr of the find.

`Lyon!' roared Vandermeer. `I heard that!' `Of course, sir. The `Dinis expect to be informed of any unusual discovery,' Thian said, deliberately misinterpreting her.

`what'd you expect from a goddamned weasel lover!' Despite distance and com distortion there was no mistaking Malice's tone nor an implicit promise of retribution. That chilled Thian more than the prospect of someone trying to destroy the most important alien artefact - if one could so term the larvae - that had yet been found.

So far the xenobiologists had had to extrapolate mock-ups of Hive Queens, drones, workers and other specialized forms from fragments of corpses strewn in space after encounters, or charred remains on destroyed ships. Though much had been learned even from such imperfect material, they were still guessing about the true form and nature of the types of Hiver which made up a ship's crew.

`Belay that!' Vandermeer bellowed again to quell the vociferous protests. She went on in an icy voice.

`You've exceeded your authority, y) `No, ma'am, I haven't.' `You're in for it now, for sure, Lyon,' Kiely said and his voice was harshly accusing.

`I operate under directives of higher authority than yours, hers or even Captain Ashiant's,' Thian said as stoutly as he could but the objections had shaken him. `Get back up and lead them here.' `Me? Go?

Why you'll `I won't do anything to them. I can't trust you not to.' And, grabbing Kiely by the arm, he thrust him upward in the tube while the lieutenant sputtered in indignation.

Thian watched as Kiely continued upward, and then propelled himself out of the shaft. Thian waited until he could hear Kiely's angry mental noise diminishing. Then he, too, exited the tube and propelled himself to one of the few chambers that opened on to space itself. The hole wasn't large but it also wasn't shielded by the ship's hull material.

He had never tried such an unpowered stretch of his mind before.

It would have been better to use the shuttle's engines but he didn't have time enough to go that far - and make certain the larvae would not be summarily destroyed by those coming to see what he'd found. The larvae must be saved! The information that could be revealed far outweighed any momentary destructive satisfaction.

Grandfather! Jeff Raven! Earth Prime! Listen to me? He put the energy of every cell of his body in that call.

An unpowered send? I'll tan your hide, boy!

Later! Larvae have been discovered intact. Must be preserved.

Of course they must! What incredible luck!

I'm the only one who thinks so.

Not at all, my boy. You've done well. I'm already forwarding the news where it must be known. Now, shut up and save your strength! The very idea of an unpowered call that far. He's worse than his mother.

Thian had to grin at that tag or perhaps that was why Jeff Raven had allowed it to be heard.

He felt depleted but not as bad as he might have.

The elation of discovery seemed to have buffered him. Though that dwindled away as he thought of facing the anger and resentment of his shipmates.

And Malice was in the boarding party. That was an unfortunate circumstance. But that was the goad that stimulated Thian to action now. If Malice got here first, before the commander --- He pushed off the deck and floated beyond the target tunnel, catching a thin pipe and halting his drift, slowly pulling his body slightly into the next tube opening.

That was all that saved him.

GOTCHA! That was all the warning he had.

Out of nowhere, for no helmet lights heralded the approach, the shock wave of a stunner blast shoved him with crushing force against the back curve of the tube.

That single mental shout, with its ferociously triumphant tone, gave him the nanosecond required for him to tap reserves he didn't know he had.

Reflexes he had never had to use were triggered to form a shield, not as strong as it would have been if he hadn't lost energy calling his grandfather.

Even so, he blocked the worst of the blast effect and struggled to retain the consciousness needed to keep the protection in force in case Malice came to inspect his victim. He tried very, very hard to project a Mayday, and was mildly amused that his attempt came out in `Dini. He felt himself slipping.

Here goes the captain's bright plan to evacuate his chosen few, he thought, amused that he could be amused as he wilted completely.

A buzzing in his ear was irritating but it could not be ignored.

It was a warning. Why did every nerve in his body scream? He tried for mental control of pain synapses but his head was indulging in a monumental ache. His brain lining felt far too full to be contained by his skull. He was panting with effort. He opened his aching eyes a slit, coughed in the foul air he was breathing and vaguely realized he was wearing a helmet. The buzzing continued.

He tried to focus his eyes. His vision was blurred but he seemed to be inside an escape pod.

There had been an emergency, hadn't there? The buzzing meant it was over. Good! He could get out of the space suit. He fumbled strengthless gloved fingers on the helmet release and knew he'd succeeded only because he felt cooler air brushing across his sweaty throat. He couldn't do more than twist the helmet once but more fresh air relieved the necessity to pant. He lay where he was and willed himself away from the pain of his body.

`HE IS HERE! I'VE FOUND HIM!' The glad cry came through Thian's mind physically and mentally. It was the mental identification that reassured him and he opened his eyes, smiling weakly up at Gravy's anxious, tear-streaked face.

`Oh, however did you get here, Thian? Oh, thank all the gods that you're safe! If you knew..

I have an enemy, Gravy. Guard me! he said.

Her eyes bugged out. `I heard that,' she said, sensibly whispering. An enemy? she added with reasonable telepathic strength.

Who'd want to hurt you? You're a Prime.

Tell only the captain but guard me.

Even that brief exchange took what energy he had.

`Stungun. Bolt. Got me. Hurt,' he whispered, too weak to writhe with the pulsing agony still throbbing along nerves and blood.

`Stungun? On you?' He couldn't have missed the outrage, horror and fury she broadcast had he been a 12. Returning consciousness reminded him that there was something much more important he had to know and he struggled with words to form the question.

`This is only standard, but it might help,' Gravy was saying and her hands were pulling at the neck closures of his suit: it hurt even to be moved about.

He was relieved that he'd still been out when she'd removed the helmet. Then he felt the blessed coolness of a hypospray and tried to speed its dose through his system. He couldn't manage much on that front either. `Who did this?' she demanded.

He managed a helpless grunt in answer. Even that sent a spasm of pain through him. `Larvae? Safe?' `Oh, Thian love,' she cried and bent to kiss his forehead, a loving gesture which Thian knew oughtn't to hurt as much as that one did, `you're amazing! Worrying about those damned things when you're in bits. .

`Safe?' he repeated urgently, trying to raise one hand to emphasize his need to know.

`Yes, of course they are. The most important find ever! The `Dinis are triumphant. Mind you,' she added swiftly, with a glance over her shoulder, `there're some who were for blasting `em to space dust but the captain stopped `em. Well, it took you guys long enough!' she added in a brisk critical tone.

There was movement beyond him, movement and noise and his head began to throb painfully in reaction.

`Gotta get his suit off `im first, a male voice said.

`How'd he get through the port with it on?' `Never mind. Is Commander Exeter there?' Gravy asked in a no-nonsense tone. `The man's badly injured and will need heavy sedation before he can be moved.

Here, Commander,' and Thian felt in every nerve of his mangled body the reverberation of heavy feet as the medic entered the pod.

Gravy dropped her voice. `He's been stunned, Ted, with one of the Hiver weapons.

Exeter inhaled sharply. `That's criminal!' A second cool spray on Thian's throat and he thankfully dissolved into a painless world.

He regained consciousness a number of times for very short periods, finding himself immersed in a thick liquid, his head resting on a cradle. Mostly it was pain that woke him but he was immediately medicated and was sent back to sleep. The third, or maybe it was the fourth time, he awoke, the pain wasn't so intense. And his mother was sitting beside him.

`Ah, Thian, back with us for a bit?' she asked, her expression loving and yet oddly stern. She smoothed his hair, the silver streak that matched hers, back from his forehead, and, with that tender gesture, the pain was also smoothed from his body.

`Mother?' `Didn't you know I'd come if you were hurt?1 Absently, she gathered the long hair that had fallen forward across her shoulder and flicked it to her back.

`You're improving. No brain damage, no lasting physical damage, though you may twitch occasionally. The worst discomfort will disappear very soon now. You were lucky to get only the fringes of that blast the tunnel as well as the suit protected you from a direct hit. Which you wouldn't have survived.' `D'you know who, yet?' `Lieutenant Greevy said you mentioned an enemy.' Her lips thinned briefly with displeasure. `D6 you know who?' `I had suspicions only.

I got resentful sendings, malicious ones, but I could never identify who. I had choice.' `I must see what I can discover then.

Thian's reaction was ambivalent.

`The punishment should fit the crime?' his mother asked, wryly amused at the dominant thought in his mind.

`Well, I know Primes aren't supposed to be vindictive but...' he began in a rueful tone, `but I'd sure like to pay back in kind for something like this.' `Natural enough,) Damia replied neutrally.

`Oh well,' and Thian found himself forced to rationalize. `He or she was only spouting the usual anti-Talent-privileged position nonsense we've all heard from time to time,' he said, having thought better of inflicting that degree of agony on another human, however misguided. `I suppose me wanting to have the larvae was the last straw!' `Something like that,' Damia agreed easily.

The `Dinis were right, Thian mused, humans were soft. `How long have you been here?' `Three days now. I had to push your father out of the way to come,' she added with a grin. `But I am your mother and the stronger Talent. He had to admit that I have a special touch for easing pain.' Her smile was extremely tender but Thian knew she wasn't thinking of him just then. She stroked his face again, her fingers marvellously gentle and reassuring as she moved down to gently knead muscles in his neck and shoulders. `You were very wise to have contacted Dad. He had me in a capsule and on my way with Fok and Tri before the boarding parties had assembled at the larval combs. I made it eminently clear that no larvae were to be destroyed.

That was my first priority. That was, of course, before I realized I couldn't "feel" you on the wreck.

I could sense you near by which confused everyone but you wouldn't - then I realized - couldn't respond.' Her face mirrored the anxiety she had endured.

`But the larvae weren't touched?' `Indeed not! Their discovery will provide inestimable data on Hivers. Incalculably valuable.

However, not as valuable as you are to us. Your life would not have been a fair exchange for that data.

And I was horrified not to be able to locate you: you were there and you weren't. You couldn't be located here on the Vadim but I knew approximately where your body should be. It was Alison who thought of the pods. Why ever did you go there?' `Abandon ship drills,' Thian said, managing a slight grin which surprisingly didn't hurt, though his face muscles still ached. `Are you great-grandmothering me?' he asked, realizing that her subtle soothing strokes were purposeful and he was feeling drowsy again.

`A bit of,' she said with a grin. `Glad you can feel it working.

Isthia swears it brought Dad back to life.

And you're in need of more healing.' Gravy was his attendant the next time he surfaced.

Testing his mental health, he found it sufficiently cured so that a light mental cast located his mother, fast asleep near by.

`Gravy?' `So you're awake, are you?' And she moved to the side of whatever sort of a tank they had him floating in. `By any chance, would you be hungry?' `You must be reading my mind.' Her smile was radiant. `Nab, you should be hungry about now, if the treatment's working.' His first meal was only broth but it was more delicious than any he remembered.

`That's because you're hungry,' she said.

`I didn't say anything,' he replied, giving her a long look.

She grinned, wrinkling her nose at him. `That's something, isn't it? I'm picking up more than ever I did before. Only short-range but that's fine by me!

Damia says sometimes fright triggers or expands Talent. And I won't lie that I wasn't terrified when they reported you couldn't be found at the wreck.

Lieutenant Kiely set up an awful stink. Then your mother arrives in an unscheduled capsule, knocking a drone out of its cradle. The watch in the shuttle bay thought they were being invaded by Hivers and she'd have been charred if she hadn't paralysed their hands so they couldn't fire on her. Then she compliments the captain on such an alert crew and insists that the larvae be preserved... Which is the first Captain Ashiant had heard about that! But he got Vandermeer on the blower which was smart, because they were having quite a time, keeping the `Dinis off `em while they planted charges because they thought destroying the things,' and Gravy shuddered, `was the right thing to do.' Then she grinned. `I think your mother made herself known to Vandermeer and that was that! End of problem!

I heard Vandermeer say she found herself removing the charges before she knew what she was doing. Can Talents do that? Make someone do something?' `It's not considered good manners,' Thian began, enjoying the vision of his mother manipulating the sturdy and strong-minded security commander as easily as she'd have controlled an errant child. `It's an invasion of privacy and not something Talent would consider except under very unusual circumstances.

`which those were! Crims, Thian,' and Gravy's eyes sparkled with excitement, clearing her mobile face of more solemn considerations, `even the guys who were for charring the larvae are now patting themselves on the back for being in on such a find. But the glory's all yours!' `Mine?' Thian hesitated only one brief moment before he said as earnestly as he could. `But Kiely was first down the tube, not me,' he said in perfect truth.

`Kiely?' Gravy was astonished.

Thian nodded once emphatically. `Kiely was first down that tube.' She stared at him, puzzled. `But I thought..

`Kiely deserves the glory for being first. I wasn't even sure what the things were. I called Commander Vandermeer because I thought she should see what Kiely'd found' `And here Kiely's been down-playing his part...' Gravy trailed off and then her grin was smug. `Well, we'll just see about that!' Thian was well pleased.

I am, too, son of mine, said Damia. That will go a long way to discredit rumours.

You've heard some?

He heard his mother's sigh flutter in his mind. No more than usual.

Have you found my assailant?

I shall perhaps have better luck now. Your touch is much surer today. Everyone will be overjoyed to hear my report of your return to health - with one notable exception. I'll be `listening' for that!

`Considering the trauma to nerve, bone and tissue, you've recovered amazingly, young man,' Exeter told him when Thian was allowed out of the restorative fluid. `I thought that stunner was supposed to work as effectively in vacuum as in atmosphere, but maybe not. Can't think how else you could have survived.' `Oh, I was raised hardy on Aurigae, you know, Thian said easily.

Exeter scratched his close-shaven pate and grinned wryly. `So I'm led to believe. Amazing woman, your mother. Ah, here's the orderly to escort you to your quarters. Now, you're still on sick leave, Thian.

My orders are for you to take it easy: report to Lieutenant Clark for physiotherapy to get those muscles toned up. You'll be on the special diet for a while but that's not going to hurt anyone's feelings the way your mother's been hauling in provender for us.' Thian thanked Exeter for his attendance and followed the orderly into the passageway.

To his surprise, Flk was waiting and rubbed its silky furred arm up and down his in affectionate greeting.

FLK MOST WELCOME OF OLD FRIENDS. HOW GOOD TO BE SO GREETED.

DAMIA ASKS. FLK AGREES. ThN WALKS SAFELY Thian gave the orderly a quick glance and smile but the man seemed unconcerned by their quick `Dini exchange.

DAMIA SAYS ENEMY HERE? Thian asked, swinging his voice upward in query.

ENEMY EXISTS UNTIL REVELATION. CLEVER ONE.

HIDES IN CROWDS. TIGHT MINDED. FIRST SON CANNOT BE VULNERABLE IN PRESENT WEAKNESS.

NONSENSE! Thian said with such angry authority that Flk skipped a step and tipped its poll eye down to Thian's face. SORRY! DAMIA HAS UNNECESSARY ANXIETY. THN WELL ABLE TO CARE FOR THN.

THAT WILL BE SEEN. And the downward note of the last sound was the end of that discussion.

To his surprise, Thian was escorted up to officer country.

`Your gear's all stowed here, Mr Lyon,' the orderly said, pulling back the door into one of the visitors' cabins, far more spacious affairs than his previous quarters.

`Thank You very much indeed, Tedwars,' he said, peering in, but he gestured for Flk to precede him.

`Checked the place out myself, Ambassador Flk,' Tedwars said in mild reprimand.

Thian laughed. `I guess I'd better get used to being treated like eggs.' `No, sir, the eggs get treated much better'n you, Tedwars said in an aggrieved tone but closed the door before Thian could recover from his surprise.

He did shoot a quick probe at the orderly whose mind he had found to be open and honest. Tedwars privately thought all the trouble about the beetle eggs was vastly overdone. Eggs as could survive a bloody nova wouldn't be harmed by much else.

`Ah!' Thian turned excitedly to FIk. ThE SAILOR SAYS ThE WRECK WAS DAMAGED BY STAR NOVA?

Flk gestured for Thian to seat himself which he was quite willing to do for even the short walk up from sick-bay proved tiring. `Dini seating had been included in the furnishings of this stateroom and FIk made itself comfortable on the padded stool.

ANALYSIS SUPPORTS NOVA THEORY. ONE RECENT NOVA IS IN ESTIMATeD TRAJECTORY OF WRECK.

SIZE OF VESSEL SUGGESTS FINAL MASS EXODUS. UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF STORAGE SPACE ON VESSEL PLUS EXTRA SHIELDING AROUND EGG REPOSITORIES AND QUEENS' QUARTERS. TWO QUEEN quarters WERE NOT TOTALLY DESTROYED BUT BODIES REDUCED TO RUBBLE. VALUABLE STILL. BIGGEST QUEENS EVER NOThD. THEORY IS THAT VESSEL WAS ESCAPING WHEN STAR ABRUPTLY EXPANDED.

THEORY IS THAT PREVIOUS ThREE SHIPS WERE ALSO FLEEING, IN TIME, FROM NOVA.

ESCAPE PODS? Thian asked, having such facilities much in the fore of his mind.

Flk gave the rasping noise of `Dini amusement.

SOME ESCAPE PODS RELEASED ON OUTWARD SIDE.

TWO QUEEN SKELETONS FOUND IN PODS ADJACENT TO QUARTERS. FOUR MORE PODS WERE NOT OCCUPIED AND HAD NOT BEEN ACTIVATed. ThREE WERE GONE.

ALWAYS SAVE THE WORST NEWS FOR ThE LAST, MMMM, FLK?

Fik shrugged its upper limbs and bent its poll eye on him. NOT WORST NEWS BUT REQUIRES ALTeRATION OF CURRENT PLANS.

IN WHAT WAY?

Flk tapped its feet, which included the toe wriggling that had fascinated Thian since he was a child and found his toes could not duplicate the motion.

SPKTM VOThS TO CONTINUE VOYAGE TO INVESTIGATE NOVA, DISCOVER WHAT DEBRIS MIGHT EXIST OF THAT STAR system.

Thian grinned. TO BE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE THAT ThE HIVE WORLD WAS VICTIM OF NOVA?

EXACTLY.

THN CAN HARDLY FAULT THAT.

THN WOULD NOT AND THE HUMANS VOTE?

THEY WISH TO PICK UP TRACE OF ESCAPE PODS AND FOLLOW THAT COULD TAKE A LONG TIME AND A WIDE AREA TO SEARCH.

NOT SO WIDE. TRACES ALREADY FOUND. THREE PODS, THREE HUMAN SHIPS. GOOD CHASE. NO REAL DANGER BUT MUCH LEARNING AND MUCH GLORY.

SO LONG AS IT IS THE HUMANS WHO ACQUIRE GLORY. Thian heard a trace of bitterness in his tone and corrected his thinking.

IF GLORY IS GOAL. Fik shrugged.

THAT LEAVES ONE HUMAN ONE DINI SHIP?

WRECK MUST BE BROUGHT BACK FOR INTENSIVE INVESTIGATION.

THAT COULD BE DONE ON SITh, Thian said, thinking of the monumental salvage operation that would mean.

CAN ALSO BE started NOW AND CONTINUED UNTIL FINISHED. THAT WILL TAKE ME. ThIS VESSEL SALVAGES WRECK. ThN REST NOW. ORDERS.

WHOSE? Thian asked even as he swung his legs around to the bed.

And it was a bed, not a bunk, and a double one at that.

FROM ThIS TRP, DMA, MEDIC, CAPTAIN, SECURITY PERSON, ENGINEER AGREED. ACQUIESCE. GRATIThDE. DREAM WELL.

TRP STAYS. ThN MAY SAFELY DREAM.

BODYGUARD? Thian half-rose from the comfortable bed, disgusted but oddly reassured. That triumphantly hateful `GOTCHA' lingered in his mind like a glowing canker.

REST GUARD SO SLEEP WILL RESTORE STRENGTh, THN. And FIk spoke as gently as to a `Dini pup.

Sleep, Thian, or shall I assist? his mother said.

Oh, very well, he said and drew the cover over him.

Over the next few days, Thian learned more of what had been done and discovered during his convalescence. Once the yellow alert was cancelled, shore leaves were granted and, when Damia `ported them to their various destinations, she `ported in specialists, civilian and naval, who were excited to be able to examine a more or less intact Hive facility. There were many new faces in the officers' mess and he realized how very lucky he was to have such a fine stateroom to himself. Two ensigns had shift usage of his old cabin while scientists bunked in theirs.

The six ships had taken up positions for easy access to the wreck.

It was ablaze with lights, in `9' every corridor, tunnel and chamber, colour coded by area so that the ship blazed like a minor galaxy.

Big drones had been `ported in to transport sections as well as the invaluable larvae, the charcoal and dust and anything else that could be detached from the shell.

Three distinctly separate types of Hive larvae had been identified and sufficient numbers of each so that, as his mother dryly remarked, the diverse theories on how to stimulate and mature the life forms could be tried. Scientific debates raged more fiercely than any armed encounter.

`A full-scale war would probably be quieter,' Damia remarked, `and with fewer battles.' `It's all bloodless,' Captain Ashiant said.

`There are nevertheless casualties, bloodless or not,' Damia added.

"And no discharge in the war",' Thian put in, not quite sure what he was quoting.

ThE MRDINI POET KPLNG, FIk said, THN IS WELL VERSED IN CLASSICAL STUDIES.

Captain Ashiant blinked in surprise at that for he was now able to follow most `Dini conversations.

`Kping? It means Kipling!' `whoever,' Damia said, smiling. Then she turned to Thian. `You go back to work tomorrow, Thn!' And she used the affectionate `Dini of his name.

`I'll be bloody glad to, too.' Damia tsk-tsked at his language but she approved his attitude.

`We've a lot to `port back and team-work will reduce the load for me and ease you back into the job. As soon as I'm certain you're fully operational, I've got to go back. Your father can NOT handle big-daddies with just Rojer.' `Zara's old enough, isn't she?' Damia wrinkled her nose. She's too inattentive to be of any real assistance.

Heaving big-daddies requires full concentration.

`But surely the mines will be slowing down if the Hive sun went nova,' Thian said.

The captain snorted and his mother regarded him oddly.

`The sun may have gone down on the Hive homeworld but there're all those hundreds of Hive ships and Hive-dominated worlds out there! Oh, no, Thian, this is just a brief chapter even if a very illuminating one,' his mother said.

`The other squadrons, lad,' Captain Ashiant took up, for evidently the subject had been much under discussion, `that are in pursuit of the three outwardbound ones, will need support. And then there's mopping up all the worlds that the Hive ships have already ah ... appropriated.

They must be discovered and . .. cleared.' `Aren't we then doing exactly what the Hivers tried to do to the `Dinis and us?' `which would you rather have? Them on the loose or contained?' the captain asked.

Damia leaned forward. `That's another bloodless war that's being raged in the High Council. Total destruction or planetary containment.' `That's species suppression which is against the finest principles of both human and `Dini morality,' Thian said, beginning to be annoyed with their intransigence. what had happened to his mother?

where were the values she had instilled in him and his sisters and brothers?

THN VIEWS BLACK AND WHITE. GREY IS A VERY GOOD COLOUR, Fik said, surprising the three humans by entering the conversation.

But its remark caused Thian and Damia to burst out laughing.

which required a rather long explanation to Captain Ashiant because Fik had been unusually witty; `grey' was one of the most prestigious pelt shades for `Dinis.

`Fik is grey!' Ashiant exclaimed, slightly more puzzled than enlightened. `what would be called battleship grey - if that matters.' VERY GOOD GREY AS TRP HAS SAID, was the rejoinder and Fik, in an excess of camaraderie, bobbed its head up and down, blinking several lids.

`We'd better stop,' Damia said, struggling with her laughter, `or Flk'll be impossible.

`By the way, where's Tri?' Thian asked his mother.

`I thought it'd join us for dinner.' TRP IS NEEDED ON THE KLTi, FIk replied. TRP WILL BE PLEASED TO BE MISSED.

when Thian returned to his stateroom that evening, he realized that somehow he had been subtly diverted from what might have been a fierce debate over the morality of the courses open to humans and `Dinis on how to end the Hive menace. Or did you just apply your ethics to your own species?

His intercom buzzed. He hesitated before answering. Very few people knew where he was now billeted. He might have very little pre-cog, though turning into that tube might have been in response to a subliminal forewarning. He didn't `feel' any premonition and depressed the acknowledge toggle.

`Lieutenant Greevy speaking...' `Gravy!' he said and pressed full visual.

`Am I glad to find you! Look, you should know this: one of the ensigns in your old quarters is in here with a knife wound. He got attacked as he was opening the door. Knife just missed his lung. You being careful? who knows where you are now?' `Very few. How'd you get through?' `Ted Exeter told me to warn you. He's still operating.' Anxiety kept flickering across her expressive face.

`I'm fine. I've a `Dini guard out front and, with so many important experts on board, this deck's well patrolled.' Seeing Gravy reminded him that such vigilance could also be a disadvantage. `Are you on duty, Gravy?' `No,' she began with a frown and then her face brightened into a broad, happy and eager smile.

`No, Thian, I'm not. I just ended my watch.' He was also exceedingly well pleased with his `portation of her. Though he felt an uncomfortable surge of awkwardness when she was amazed by the luxurious amenities of his stateroom, it was hard to stay tense in Gravy's company. She had him laughing over her queries about some of the unusual items in one locker. In the next she found the bottles of exotic spirits, and couldn't make up her mind which to try first, so she poured judicious levels of each one into a big glass, careful not to disrupt the lower layers, finishing up with a remarkably colourful `lethal cocktail' which she made him sample, too. By the time he fell asleep with his arms about her, he decided that the most exotic spirit in the room wasn't bottled!

It was great to be working again, and with his mother. They accomplished a great deal before their `day' ended: auxiliary engines, propulsion units thrusters and communications gear were `ported' from Earth, Betelgeuse, Altair and Procyon for installation on the wreck for its outbound journey.

The impetus given the vessel by the searing wave of nova force was nearly spent and, even on tow, it would need some independent impulsion. One of the large shuttles had been altered and then anchored to the most stable level to serve as bridge and quarters for the watch.

Once the wreck was close enough for a `portation, it would be `lifted' to its final destination, at the moment a point equidistant between the `Dini homeworld and Earth was being discussed, though as all the Primes pointed out, its exact location was relatively unimportant. Scientists could be transported from anywhere. There was also controversy that the very presence of the hulk might somehow attract other Hive ships to its position - therefore it should be as far away from either homeworld as possible. This was a theory more voiced on human worlds than `Dini.

`Perhaps,' Thian had remarked when the subject was discussed in the wardroom where he was lunching, `because `Dinis have already had Hive ships in their skies and survived. But then, so have we!' There was a moment of stunned silence, broken by such a whispered curse from Malice that Thian wondered if he had imagined it. He took himself heavily to task for being so lax, and slow. He ought to have followed that whisper as quickly as thought.

But he hadn't. He should have been ready, especially since the attack on the ensign who was recovering slowly. Thian hoped that Malice had had a shock over that miscalculation. With his mother, he'd gone over the names of the boarding party in the hope that some clue might be triggered. Except that twelve of the other fourteen members had attended his language classes, there was nothing to trigger identity Although there were still deliveries of equipment, most of what Damia and Thian `ported now was food and water to provision the three human ships that were to pursue the three Queen pods, and the KLTL which was continuing on to the suspect nova. Spectroscopic analysis said that the flaring star contained all the elements which had permeated the wreck. The `Dinis would not accept that evidence as proof positive that the Hive world had been involved in, and not survived, the holocaustic disaster.

Thian wondered if his tour of duty would soon be over and was almost relieved when he had a summons to appear in the captain's ready room.

`Come in, young Lyon, and be seated.' The captain steepled his fingers, once again rubbing the fleshy end of his nose before speaking.

Today Thian sensed that the hard mind shield was not so firmly in place and the captain was not certain how his next words would be taken. `I'm given to understand that you've an illwisher on board the Vadim.' Thian nodded.

`Your mother has not been able to apprehend your assailant and, although the gunnery officer discovered one of the weapons had been discharged, unfortunately no record was kept of which weapon was issued to which member of the boarding party.

Do you know who the party is?' Thian shook his head.

`Well, then, you'll not be staying on board the Vadim, lad. I'm not risking a Prime's life.' `Sir . the KLTL's continuing. She's not going to make the entire trip on the provisions she's been taking on: not even if she stuffed every spare cabin.

Not unless she has ... me on board. If I could volunteer for the duty.

`But you'd be the only human on board ... for well over a year.

Thian grinned at Ashiant's expression. `Sir, I'm too young for a year to matter that much.' `Claptrap! A year's a long time at your age.

`Captain Ashiant, it's like this. I can't finger my enemy. I won't give whoever it is the satisfaction of thinking that he or she has forced me to retreat.

I'm too `Dini for that. I can and will continue this voyage.

That was what I was asked to do and what I intend to do - with your permission - continue on until we reach the Hive system. That makes me very human, Captain, living to fight another day.' `Well, well! Well!

Hmmm, yes, well,' and Ashiant steepled his fingers again, the slow grin on his lips echoed in his eyes. `Yes, well, that would serve both causes admirably because, to be aboveboard with you, Thian Lyon, Spktm asked me if you'd consider transferring to the KLTL. It's been impressed with you, as interpreter, teacher and crewmate. It sees this voyage as a marvellous chance to make its crew learn sufficient Basic to get along with humans anywhere.' `what did my mother say?' Thian asked, knowing perfectly well that she'd been asked.

Ashiant chuckled. `She left it up to you. Says you're a grown man now.' He chuckled again. `I think she's proud of you.' `Then I'll transfer to the KLTL, if I may.' "And Spktm also wished me to say that it'll be happy to receive your `Dinis back when they can return. Said that'll make you happier aboard a `Dini vessel.' `Oh, I will be happy on board the KLTL!' Alison-Anne was not happy that he was continuing onward when he could just as honourably have returned home on the Vadim. With her. She had been a regular evening guest as she was fortunately doing the day watches.

`How'll you ever find out who nearly killed you?

And nearly killed Ensign Kalickmo! You'll be well guarded up here and we'll find the bastard sooner or later.' Gravy could look exceedingly fierce and determined for all she was a sensitive empath.

`It's more knowing where I could be of real service, Gravy,' he said, smoothing her silky blonde hair. It had enough static so that the fine stuff clung to his hand, leaping out from the pillow to caress his skin. Her skin was silky soft, too, but he needed to catch his breath a bit. `I know the `Dinis will be on pretty slim rations until they can reach a pick-up point. Young `Dinis need proper nutrients or they will never reach any significant height. And the older `Dinis need just as much to keep healthy.

If I stay with them, they won't have to go on hard rations. And they'll feel freer to investigate every aspect of the nova position without losing any crew.

`whaddya mean? Losing crew?' She propped herself on an elbow to stare accusingly down at him.

More of her hair tangled about his wrist.

"Dinis hold slightly different views about life and living.

`Dinis are taught to revere their elders -- `And we aren't?' `Not in the same way. A `Dini will starve itself to give food to an elder..

`Huh! They are backward.' `Not really. `Dini elders possess great wisdom and experience and must be preserved for their knowledge.

An inexperienced young `Dini considers it honourable to die lest those assets be lost to the race.

`So - couldn't they just ration food?' He tried to do this tactfully. `Ah, they -- - well, they not only give up their lives She drew in her breath in horror. `You mean. -.

when he nodded, she gulped. `Go ssake! Didn't think they'd have that in `em!' She was more awed at that final sacrifice than appalled.

Thian was oddly pleased by her attitude especially when she added, `Knowing that, you've got'to go. I like the `Dinis. I miss your two.

But, say, Thian, that trip's projected for a whole year, Standard.

How'll you get along? I mean. -. ` and to Thian's delight and amusement, Gravy blushed.

He hugged her to him and her hair clung to his face like a gossamer veil. He'd miss this right enough and said so. `I'll be fine though. I'll miss you, I really will. It's much better this way but well, you've heard of `Dini dreams?' She nodded and he had to carefully remove clinging filaments from his mouth, chuckling as he did so.

very -- - well, `Well, `Dini dreams are very they do the trick.' `NO!' She was up on her elbows again. `That, too?' `If Mur or Dip were here, I'd get them to show you.

`Now just a living minute, Thian Raven-Lyon, Prime -- . ` He turned off her threats with a deep kiss because he knew she'd withdraw any objections once he got the `Dinis to dream with her. And that he did plan to do some day when he was back.

The unsolved problem of Malice continued to niggle at him.

Unfinished as well as unsolved which, despite his strategic retreat, did not set well with him. And there was the matter that it was no longer Malice's hatred of him that had to be addressed but the iniquitous attack on Kalickmo. Yet how to identify Malice when that mistake had obviously zoo zoi resulted in this current total silence.

Then Thian remembered his sister's suggestion and mentioned this to Damia.

`I'll spring the trap, Mother. The two of us ought to be able to close on him.' `Him? You're sure of that?' `After the knife attack, yes.' `Humph. Really,' was his mother's cryptic response. `Very well.

When?' `Tonight you're being given a special dinner. I know Malice was part of both my language classes and the boarding team.

I'll have the wardroom steward put all of us at the same table.

That won't look particularly contrived. We often chow down together.' `All?' `Uhuh.

That's why I'm so puzzled as to who it really is. I mean, he's got stomach enough to eat with me, hating me as he does?' `So? when this evening? I'll want to know so I can be wide open, which is not exactly comfortable for any length of time around here.' Thian smothered a guffaw because his mother had been admired by every male officer of the human squadron and one of the like-sex lieutenants.

Regarding his mother objectively, she certainly didn't appear `old': she'd married his father at eighteen and had only recently celebrated her fourth decade. She certainly didn't look the mother of eight and she was unquestionably the most beautiful female on board.

`Clean up that laugh, son of mine,' she said, but there was an amused sparkle in her eyes.

`Since it's my last night aboard, I have to give a farewell speech. I'll spring the trap then.' `when you stand, I'll snap!' And she brought her teeth together with an audible click, then went off to finish her day report.

THAT IS WELL DONE, THN, Flk said, appearing at his side from nowhere. TRP WILL WATCH AS WELL.

Several times during what seemed an inordinately long dinner, Thian had to rub his sweaty palms on his trouser legs. He hoped that he gave no other outward sign of tension. At one point, he asked his mother's opinion but she assured him that he wasn't laughing too loudly at Kiely's jokes or looking bored by Eki Wasiq's long-winded yarns.

In fact, you look quite handsome and confident.

Shakes don't show?

Only a mother would notice the shakes, and tonight I'm playing belle of the ball.

He grinned absently as someone on his left finished a joke but he knew she'd know it was for her.

Dinner ended almost too abruptly and it was time for him to spring his trap. He rose, glass in hand, stepping slightly back from the table so that he had a good view of the faces on both sides, politely turned in his direction. Then, while everyone was gathering themselves to stand to join the toast, he said mentally as loud as he could: GOTCHA!

Down the table - and it was only then that Thian realized the man had never sat close to him - Lieutenant Sedallia doubled up, slamming his face against the table edge, hands to his skull.

zol ZO3

`Oh, do something about the wretched man, Flk Damia said and, with the startling speed which `Dinis could show on occasion, FIk and Trp moved to bracket the lieutenant. Smoothly, they lifted him from his seat and as smoothly, carried him from the wardroom. `I do believe he's had a seizure,' she said to Commander Exeter who excused himself immediately and followed.

Captain Ashiant frowned, looking at her composed expression and then at Thian.

I never once suspected Sedallia, Mother, Thian said, shaken by the surprise.

He's an inhibited Talent from what I could probe.

Ugh! I didn't care to go very deeply. Get the toast over with.

Everyone's waiting and it's the best wine Afra could get for us on short notice`I guess Lieutenant Sedallia will be sorry to see me go, gentlemen and ladies,' Thian began and saw expressions that suggested Sedallia's departure had caused the mildest ripple of surprise and no curiosity.

Thian, you're as cool as your father! And no, no-one thinks anything of it. The man was just taken ill and decorously removed. We can explain to the captain later. His mother's comment almost rattled him but he went on.

`For I must leave the Vadim tomorrow-' His announcement provoked murmurs of genuine regret, though some were tinged with envy. `-to serve on board the Mrdini vessel, the KLTL.' That produced more reactions and surprise exclamations. `I did, after all, sign on as a civilian-' and the reaction to that made him grin, `-Prime to assist a search for the Hive Home System. My `Dini colleagues say we have not ended that search-' `They're nuts,' Kiely said stoutly, glowering at Thian.

`A waste of time!' `Your Talents are needed elsewhere, Lyon!' `Stay with us! We need you, too.' `Captain Ashiant . . . I protest.

when Thian raised his hand for silence, it was politely restored.

`You all must know by now that my family is deeply involved with our Mrdini allies.

I know that those on board the KLTL would suffer considerable hardship and loss if an FT&T Prime does not accompany them. Look at it this way, mates, I finally learned human naval customs: now I've got to learn `Dini ones!' That brought a sprinkle of chuckles. `I shall miss you. I've learned more these last few months than stevedoring and I'm grateful for your patience and your understanding. Good luck and a safe journey back.' Then he raised his glass, surveyed the messroom and knocked back the last of his drink.

He sat down to raucous cheers and banging of cutlery on glasses and the mess' good porcelain.

`Now hear this,' and the captain's stentorian voice could have been heard from stem to stern with no amplification. `I think I speak for the entire crew, Mr Lyon, when I say that it has been a pleasure to have you on board and it is our right to wish you good luck and a safe, and speedy, journey home, lad!' `And so say all of us,' Kiely leaped to his feet, glass in hand and all in the messroom were not a second ZO4

behind in joining him as Kiely led the traditional three cheers for Thian, a jolly good fellow!

Your father and I are very proud of you, Th ian!

his mother said. Your grandfather and grandmother have decided that you are eminently worthy of being in the Clan Gwyn-Raven!

`Xexo?' Afra called. XEXO? he added with more volume in the mental call. The Tower engineer had enough Talent to hear that.

Rojer!

Afra could now locate both minds in the machine shop where Xexo in his capacity as chief mechanic - and lately his truant son - were most often found.

when Afra `felt' Rojer's mind, it was bristling with such vivid calculations, theories and excitement that small wonder the boy hadn't answered his shouts or telepathic query. Rojer's fascination with and attention to all things mechanical - preferably with moving parts - was absolute. Not a bad area of concentration, but only in the proper place and time.

Yeah, watcha want, Dad?' was the muffled but incurious-sounding acknowledgement.

Rojer's mental tone held neither apology nor anxiety: more an impatience at being interrupted just then for any reason.

It seemed undignified to Afra to summarily `port his son away as he had frequently had to do when the boy was younger. But fifteen-year-olds can be extremely concerned with dignity - even if they are concerned with little else except the project at hand.

while Afra and Damia approved of the boy's zo6

keenness - Xexo said he was a very good mechanical apprentice - a Prime had to be well rounded and versed in more than just the generators which augmented his mental abilities. Afra muttered to himself and proceeded to the oil- and grease-redolent chamber that was his wayward son's heaven. when he reached the doorway, he stood for a moment, surveying the scene.

Xexo and Rojer were peering at a screen which showed an enlargement of many parts, some obviously twisted out of their original shape, others broken, with assortments of likely missing bits arranged like satellites about them, indicating possible appropriate matches.

On the table were scale accurate plastic facsimiles of all these pieces, arranged almost exactly as the screen display.

Xexo was a master mechanic, often inspired, considering how he managed to keep the elderly generators of the Iota Aurigaean Tower working.

He adored machines, contraptions, gadgets, any device, far more than he liked humans. In that he had found a soulmate in Rojer Raven-Lyon up to the point where said fifteen year old skived out of regular duties - and Rojer was definitely delinquent in these right now.

Furthermore, his `Dinis, as much satellites of Rojer as the boy was of Xexo, were also engaged in trying to assemble anomalous parts' into a whole.

Sprawled belly-down on the grease-stained floor, they were clicking and clacking as their clever finger digits patiently pushed bits around the periphery of larger pieces, trying to make a fit.

`Rojer... oh, Rojer,' and Afra added a mental poke.

`Huh?' His son looked over his shoulder, widened his eyes in semi-horror as he also saw the digital clock on the wall, clapped an oily hand to his mouth, leaving a black four-fingered imprint on an already grease-smeared skin, and broadcast apology, dismay, guilt and self-reproach all at once. `Gee, Dad, I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was getting so late - Did anyone else go out hunting?' Hunting had been an immediate heed and, his parents having dismissed Rojer from the Tower to handle it, they had gone on to other business. Afra tapped his foot and sighed heavily to indicate his displeasure. Lately, since the Joint High Councils had released data on every bit of the salvage so far recovered, as well as schematics, drawings, approximations and deductions concerning the Hive wreck, there wasn't an engineer anywhere that wasn't trying his or her hand at putting just a tiny portion of the puzzle together.

The `Dini ship, the KLTL, which had continued its search for the Hive homeworld and/or the space debris thereof, had collected more bits and pieces which had been strewn by the injured Hive ship as its nova-driven path hurtled it outward. Afra thought that Thian's affinity for the odd sting-pzzt of Hive artefacts must be on overdrive, considering how much he had located in the vastness of space.

There was no telling how much more would be found but each discovery was carefully documented in the absurd (Afra felt) hope that perhaps enough of the enigmatic Hive engines could be reconstructed to give the Allies some clue as to how their space drive had operated, and what fuel it used.

zo8 Z09

In the centuries of their lone battle against the Hivers, the `Dinis had twice managed to pierce a Hive ship with projectiles and, they thought, punched through to the drive unit but each time the torpedo had failed to explode and `Dinis wished to know why. The firing mechanism on their projectiles was designed to explode. The fuel Hivers used would at least give the Allies an idea of how to explode it the next time. The monetary award offered to any one or any group who solved even part of the immense problem was secondary to the prestige such a feat would accrue.

`You're lucky tonight,' Afra said severely because Rojer's mind exhibited his singular concentration.

`Zara and Morag went out by themselves.' He noted that Rojer was chagrined by that. `Zara and the `Dinis picked enough greens to last a week and Morag stumbled across a warren. But you were to have led the hunt and preferably bring back enough to provide several days' protein.

You know that Zara and Morag are much too young to go far on their own.' `But they did it, didn't they?' `That's not the point, Rojer, and you should appreciate the difference by now.

Rojer sniffed and hung his head, mentally sorting which excuses might propitiate his parent. `I just didn't happen to look towards the digital.' That was genuine enough.

`Not with your nose pushing plastic about, Afra said, trying to keep his tone severe.

`It's my fault as well, Afra,' Xexo said, wiping his hands. `He was helping me with the alternators, and then we both thought we recognized how these pieces,' and Xexo pointed with the fine-tip driver to what was strewn on the table, `might link up. I should have reminded him that he had chores.' `Xexo, every one of my children has a well developed and perfectly adequate time sense. You only needed to trigger an alert, Rojer. From now on, if you don't do so, you will be sequestered. Do you understand that clearly?' `Yes, sir.' Rojer's head was down and he tried to shield his thoughts but Afra wasn't a T-2, as well as a practised parent by now, to be diverted. In any event, he was faster at reading than Rojer was at shielding. `I'll have none of that sass, either, young man.

Rojer shot his father a guilty, but still slightly impenitent, look and sniffed again. Clear blue eyes met orange and began to glitter: the intent now carefully hidden from Afra's sight.

`If Xexo and me did get a piece together, you'd be awful proud of us, wouldn't you, Dad,' Rojer said, smiling with the charismatic brilliance that this grandson had inherited in far too generous a measure from his mother and grandfather to suit Afra.

Even so, the Raven charm melted his severity.

`Your mother and I would be immensely proud, of course, but we'd be prouder if you could - at least once a week - remember you are needed for mundane duties.' `I do my Tower duty like everyone else.' `Few would consider those hours mundanely spent,' Afra said, gesturing for Rojer to clean up his workspace and himself and hurry back to the house.

z'o ZI I `Leave it, Roj, Xexo said, rubbing greasy fingers along his jaw. `Not the pieces. I want to puzzle this a bit longer. It'll be here for you tomorrow - if you're free.' The engineer shot a quick glance at Afra and received a nod.

`And do remember to feed yourself sometime today, Xexo, Afra said, although he sent word to Damia at the house to see that some sort of hot meal appeared near enough to Xexo for him to see, and eat, it.

`Sure, sure,' Xexo agreed but he was already brooding over the artefacts.

DINNER TIME IS NOW, GRL, KTG, Afra added to the `Dinis who hadn't looked up from their shoving and shirring.

HUNGER NOT IMPORTANT. MUST FIT PIECES. GAIN MUCH RESPECT AND ENLARGE THIS PAIR, Gil said but it jumped upright in the sudden way of `Dinis shifting position. Sometimes Afra thought they must have some latent kinetic Talent to execute such rapid displacements. And there was still the conundrum of how `Dini dreams could penetrate human subconsciousness.

In deference to their `Dini companions, for Afra's friend, Tri, was waiting outside, enjoying the fresh air, the Primes walked up the slope to their home.

Lights were coming up as dusk was well settled on Iota Aurigae.

The ever-present dim noise from the mines and smelting works which were active on an uninterrupted schedule reached their ears, punctuated by occasional loud rattles, like distant avalanches.

More big daddies to shift tomorrow then, Rojer thought with a resignation which he quickly depressed where his father couldn't sense it. But involuntarily a sigh escaped his lips.

It's good practice for a developing Prime, his father said, permitting a little pride to be read in the thought. Linking minds as well as `porting masses.

`Porting all the time is booooooring. As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Rojer regretted it.

And spending hours contemplating bits and pieces is not? Afra gave a good-natured snort.

Rojer answered that with a sniff. Not the same thing at all, Dad.

Link, grip, lift, push! That's boring. We're never allowed to hang about and listen to what the other Primes tell you because, and here Rojer allowed his disgust to colour his tone, we're too yung The time of being too young is so short, my son.

The wistful tone in his father's mind surprised Rojer and he glanced at Afra. Suddenly his father smiled and Rojer answered because they both realized that he didn't have to look so far up any longer.

They were nearly of a height.

Yes, Rojer, the time of being young is very short.

There are very few months left when you may indulge your enthusiasms.

But, Dad, haven't there been engineering Primes?

The critical need for FT&T right now is for Talents able to handle the responsibilities of a Tower.

Or a ship? Like Thian? That prospect did excite Rojer. Dad, couldn't I at least ship out?

Because Thian has? Afra smiled without rancour, for Rojer adored his older brother and, most of the z'z time, chose to emulate his example. That is not up to either your mother or me.

Wouldn't you at least ask Grandfather?

Afra placed his arm gently across his son's shoulders: broad enough already and certainly strongly muscled.

Your grandfather is aware of every facet of your training, abilities, and yes, your wishes. I will not say we have to transcend personal preferences right now - You just said it anyway, but Rojer grinned at his father. And I know my duty!

Afra heard the resignation in that and wished that Rojer were as pliant as his older sister and brother, as enthusiastic about the shape of his future as they had been. He also remembered how rebellious he had been at Rojer's age but, he devoutly hoped, without the same cause.

As much as they could within the framework of their contracts with Federal Transport and Telepath, they tried not to prevent their children from feeling trapped by their Talent. They'd sent their children to other planets Deneb, Earth, Altair, and once even Capella though that was not a successful visit - to broaden their outlooks and perspectives. The service of FT&T was not without its prerogatives which - most of the time - made up for the responsibilities. He must have a few words with Jeff, to be sure that the head of FT&T was fully aware of Rojer's mechanical aptitude and interest. Or perhaps a word with Gollee Gren - who was head of Placement and Training - might be more fruitful.

Aromatic odours wafted on the soft evening breeze and both men and `Dini increased the speed of their strides.

`I'll tell you this but once, Rojer,' Afra said sternly as they hurried up the terrace steps to the house, `you hunt next, by yourself, on Thursday, and if you forget, you'll not only get no supper of any kind, but you're sequestered!' `Yes, Dad,' Rojer agreed meekly because that was fair. Zara hated to hunt - she was really so sensitive an empath that she could not accept the necessity of killing for food.

Good thing she had gone with Morag who had no such compunctions and had developed into the best shot in the household. But she shouldn't have to do all the hunting: that wasn't fair either. But he had been so sure that he'd find the match the very next minute --WE ALL GO. WE FIND MUCH TO EAT, Gil said earnestly, tugging on Afra's fingers.

Afra squeezed once in acknowledgement and then pushed open the door into his home, always aware of his great satisfaction in being here!

You're in good time! `Wash!' Damia said, scowling at the state of her third child and his `Dinis and pointing a slender but firm finger towards the washroom.

Zara was coming down the backstairs as Rojer entered the washroom and she gave him a look of such deep reproach that he knew his hunch had been right. Morag, not at all sensitive when the quantity of food on her daily plate might be reduced, came clattering down and grinned when she saw him.

You're in deep kimchee. I called! I called good and loud!

`From where? The hillside?' Rojer asked because he knew how fond Morag was of hunting. And, to be Out as hunt-leader, would have pleased her no end.

He ignored both sisters then and scrubbed diligently at his greasy hands and arms, right up to the elbow. No sense being sent back for another scrub like Ewain always was: not when dinner smelled as good as that. Then he helped Gil and Kat get their arm pelts dry. They didn't like to have their fur back-rubbed but it was the only way to blot the moisture sufficiently to stop itch.

It was a good supper: a stir-fry with the greens chopped fine and cooked crisp in fat. There were enough greens to satisfy him and Gil who were particularly fond of them done that way.

Mother was just about to serve the sweet course when she jerked erect and the `look' crossed her face.

She whirled, gesturing for all of them to link with her. It was now such a reflex action that they were linked before the second word in Damia's mind.

Recognizing his grandfather's voice, and the tone in which the news was couched, Rojer's eyes widened in reaction.

best possible news has come through from the Beijing of its pursuit of the Hive escape pod: it has been found with its occupants alive.

Soundlessly Rojer mouthed `wow': a sentiment which certainly his parents shared, judging by their jubilant expressions.

Jeff Raven's mind-touch relaxed as he continued.

Evidently very much alive and the Beijing captain says that he has grave doubts of how to contain the occupants if they break through the seal they managed to affix to the main hatch of the pod.

He recommends immediate transfer to reinforced accommodations.

That means Talented help on the spot. The mass is such that I'd not risk collecting it myself.

You wouldn't do it by yourself Jeff Raven, said the unmistakable voice of the Rowan.

Rojer noticed Morag's grin and signalled her to clear her expression. Grandmother wasn't being funny.

Where's the pod right now? Damia asked.

When Smelkoff realized that the hatch might be opened, he put the pod off the ship, on tow. He couldn't risk it staying on the Beijing, even if they evacuated the air in the shuttle bay. Damned awkward that Thian's so far away, on board the KLTL.

Ah... Jeff began.

Rojer saw his mother's eyes flash.

Father!

Actually, my dear, I was wondering if I could borrow Afra and young Rojer...

Rojer's only fifteen - Dad and I fling big daddies about all the time, Mom, Rojer cried, though he knew he oughtn't to interrupt.

Dad... Damia began again.

They all heard Jeff's sigh. Rojer thought his grandfather had a real good repertoire of expressive sighs, though he daren't think that very loudly.

Afra and Rojer have already teamed up on many occasions when you were unavailable, Damia. This is a one-shot affair. We'll get them out to the Beijing.

zi6

They've the experience required from shifting so many drones from the mine yards so the pod being on tow won't be a problem, once they can see it. Captain Smelkoff has estimated the mass and volume involved which is no more than both have handled easily. Afra will handle the focus, if that's what's bothering you. But we've got to get that thing in a secure installation as soon as possible.

Then Rojer saw his mother narrow her eyes in a way he knew would exclude him from hearing what she said on a very tight personal mental shaft to his grandfather and he knew he was going to be left out of the fun things. Why hadn't he remembered to hunt today? It wasn't fair, because he was a T-1, just too young for Tower responsibility as yet even if he could do everything on his own ... especially with his father. They really linked well, even better than he could with his mother, or even with both parents during very sustained heavy `ports.

Afra leaned forward across the table, lightly tapping his wife's hand and she turned to make eye contact. Rojer held his breath, wanting to be bold enough to `peek' at what was being said, but knowing that would be the death of any chance he had.

Surely his father was arguing that he ought to have this chance In the hour, then, and thank you, Damia. Once again, you're decorating the family crown with the jewels of your womb!

DAD!

Rojer couldn't help grinning because his grandfather had meant him to know that he'd get this splendid chance to see some action! Then he caught how thin his mother's lips were and saw the anger in her eyes.

Oh, pleeeeeeassssse, he said, shutting his eyes so he wouldn't see any other negative signs.

Oh, open your eyes, Rojer. Wiser heads than mine have prevailed, his mother said, her tone caustic, but when he dared look in her direction, she had just the slightest hint of a smile. I think you're too young but my father and yours believe you're not! She cocked one eyebrow up - in challenge - and he grinned back at her.

`In an hour, Mother?' Rojer was so excited he could barely enunciate the words.

`You're going to let roj go?' Zara asked, incredulous with eyes wide as saucers.

Damia cleared her throat. `He won't be gone long, Zara,' she said firmly and shot Rojer a reproving glance for he was jumping up and down in his chair.

WE GO TO THE BEUING, TO THE SHIP, TO SEE THE QUEEN, he told his `Dinis who began hooting and whistling. That set off all the rest of the young `Dinis - with the exception of Gil and Kat who were so astonished at their good fortune that they had covered their poll eyes.

It took all the adults, and some loud crackling from Flk and Tri to reduce the noise level. Then Damia called her dinner table to order.

`You'll need all your dinner for a stunt like this,' she said and served Rojer first.

It happened to be his favorite fruit pie. He'd finished up his portion when Zara dumped half hers on his plate: her manner was so mournful zi8

that she must think he was going to his death or something.

Sweetie, don't be sad! I want to go, he said, cuddling his sister because he could never bear for Zara to be anything but happy and carefree. She never whined but oh, could she look pathetic! Not even Mother could withstand a truly unhappy Zara.

Morag, on the other hand, was frankly envious of his assignment and Rojer hoped that this would settle her down when she had to be in a Tower link. Kaltia, Ewain and Petra were still much too young to do more than exercise around the house and grounds. But Morag was twelve and a good strong Talent, probably Prime stuff - if she'd ever work at it.

who was he to talk?

That's right, son, his father said unexpectedly and Rojer grimaced, hoping Dad hadn't `heard' much.

Dad just didn't violate privacy. He had wanted to get his attention. If you've finished eating, we've some details to go over, and listen for. They're still deciding where to plonk the pod down.

I'll just bet they are! Rojer still couldn't believe his good fortune. Going on such a trip and with his dad! Then he saw his mother's unqualified smile of approval and grinned back. You'll see, Mom. We'll make `em all notice Iota Aurigae!

Damia was still smiling but she said, I'd rather the operation went so smoothly, no-one noticed!

Damia, love, he's fifteen and this is glory!

You got it, Dad! And Rojer gave the all-ahead-go signal.

`You'll need ship suits and they're packed away,' Damia said, leaving the table to go to the storeroom.

Is she really angry? Rojer asked his father as softly as he could while he pretended to finish scraping his dessert plate.

Not angry, son, not angry at you. You're all growing up too fast for her. The proud look Afra gave his son made him feel as if he could lick a Hiver Queen singlehandedly.

I don't believe that will be necessary, his grandfather's voice said gently in his head. Please listen, Rojer!

Right and tight, sir!

Then his parents added their touch to his and he knew this was a Talent business. He sat up straight on his chair and, putting a hand on each of his `Dinis, made them stop their wriggling.

An old installation of Earth's moon is available as security quarters for the Queen and whatever else occupies that pod. I've just lifted a probe with all necessary placement pictures to the Beijing and Captain Smelkoff will be fully briefed and is expecting you. Your grandmother and I will `port your carrier to the Beijing.

The very best handling, added his grandmother's unmistakable voice at its dryest.

Rojer didn't dare even say `hello' - this was business.

This is where you'll be setting the pod down, and Rojer's mind was flooded with details that instantly organized themselves into a coherent vision of moonscape, a dome, with blocky buildings under secondary domes. The place slightly resembled ZZo 11I Callisto Tower compound in that it was protected from the vacuum by main and auxiliary domes. It was bleak, whereas Callisto was bright and colourful. The viewpoint altered while his grandfather continued to explain the internment site.

Food will be provided: Hivers are vegetarians and an ample selection is being installed. The Rowan's working on that right now with both human and `Dini biologists and botanists. If no indication is shown of tending the crops, it's easy enough to resupply. They can make what they like of the buildings: they're all empty and all exit locks are being sealed. The only way in or out will be by `portation.

Fortunately Hivers are also dependent on oxygen and it's doubtful if there'd be the Hiver equivalent of spacesuits aboard a pod.

Aren't there going to be guards, or scientists or something?

Rojer couldn't help but ask.

Not in situ, Rojer, his grandfather said just when Rojer thought he'd get a scolding from his mother for blurting that out. Remote sensors are all over the facility. That's one reason it was chosen.

The `Dinis have nothing comparable anywhere and we can provide their experts with laboratories, scanners and whatever diagnostic or screening instrumentation they need. Our science has not been on the defensive mode as long as the `Dinis' has.

The images faded.

Sir, what if that pod has comunits `n' things?

Jeff Raven chuckled. Quick lad. It took the High Council a lot longer to ask that. Truth is, Rojer, where would a com signal go now that their homeworld's rubble. The `Dinis assure us that there are no nearby Hive worlds. They aren't a species that clubs together for protection as we and the `Dinis do. Each Hive world is apparently autonomous.

The only suitable planets they won't attack are ones already colonized by their species. Unless which the best of the experts agree is unlikely they have some sort of integral communication.

They couldn't be telepaths, could they?

Don't interrupt your grandfather, his mother said sternly He's a member of the mission, Damia, he has the right to ask questions.

They've been good ones.

No, Rojer, there is no evidence of telepathy beyond what your grandmother and other Denebian women `felt' which many say was a mass precognition or premonition of tremendous danger. More that, than a thought transference. I think it's reasonably safe to say that no interstellar communication was ever developed. However, the monitors about the compound are extremely sensitive and will record the most minor variations. The underground units have clocked solar winds and monitored even the slightest coronal flares. I think the creatures will be safely contained.

There's also a very handy and hot sun in case of emergency, his grandmother said in a voice that sent shivers down Rojer's spine.

Any other questions? Jeff asked.

Rojer shook his head, mentally as well as physically.

We'll be ready as soon as we've changed, Jeff Afra said and paused. Xexo's got the generators up.

Rojer remembered his manners and wished his grandparents a good day.

That's a few hours off right now, lad, but I accept the thought.

Rojer wondered if his grandfather had really meant that.

Father loves to pun, his mother said, her tone amused so Rojer realized that he hadn't embarrassed her.

Then he, Gil and Kat made a dash for the bathroom and made a very thorough job of cleansing themselves. Afra came in just as Rojer had finished, with a single suit of navy blue over his arm. He was dressed in a similar outfit, and there was an unusual twinkle in his eyes. It occurred to Rojer that his father was going to enjoy this break from routine just as much as he was and he grinned at that perception.

It is sometimes very beneficial to do something different. Afra tossed the single suit at him. Wear your Tower shoes. The navy gets annoyed if you scar their planking or decking or whatever the term is for their floors.

when they came back into the living room, Zara was cheerful, too, as she and Morag were clearing the dining table with their `Dinis.

Rojer rather thought Morag was trying very hard not to look envious or resentful.

`I'll ride Saki while you're gone. She needs the exercise,' Morag said, watching to see his reaction.

`I appreciate the offer, Morrie,' he said with great dignity, `but we're not going to be gone more than a day.' `You didn't ride her yesterday, you know.' Trust Morag to keep track.

`So you'll ride her first thing tomorrow morning, his mother said and Morag rolled her eyes and turned to her chore, `then you'll do Tower duty With my top Talents off gallivanting about the galaxy, we gals have to prove we can stand in with no trouble at all.' Zara looked as if she'd been offered a summer on Deneb with that silly cousin she adored, but Morag tossed Rojer a `so-who-needs-you' look. He didn't need his mother's quick glance to know he'd better not react to that blatant challenge.

Then in the next breath, it was time to go. Gil had lost its favorite belt and when that was found, Kat started drinking bowls of water until Flk stopped that, and hauled Kat off to drain.

They got to the Tower and into the capsule well before the end of the hour. Rojer settled himself, strapping Gil and Kat in on either side, both squirming like eels, as the generators built. His father was last in and then Keylarion herself closed the hatch.

Ready? His mother sounded so cool and businesslike. Just remember, and suddenly her voice wasn't so sure: to his astonishment, she seemed to catch herself back, but continued, just remember that your father links first, Rojer.

He knew what she meant and why her voice had suddenly altered.

You've drilled me well enough in that protocol, Mother. Have no fear!

Even through the stout metal walls of the personnel carrier, he heard the exact moment when the generators reached the peak note. He didn't feel motion - but then he never did when his mother or father `ported. He did feel a subtle alteration in the pressure of `portation.

He's clever, this one, Jeff, said his grandmother and Rojer realized that his mother had handed over the `port to Callisto Prime.

The pressure increased and he felt his father's fingers squeeze his hand. He turned his head and grinned, saw his father grin back and then the pressure went away. Outside the capsule were distinct noises, metallic clangings, shouts, orders.

Someone politely rapped on the hatch. `You all right in there, sirs?' `Indeed we are.' The hatch opened and an older man looked in, then braced himself and saluted. `Chief Petty Officer Godowlning, Mr Lyon sir! Captain Smelkoff's compliments. He's on his way here but you sure made it in a hurry,' he added in a less formal tone.

Rojer tried not to gawk and turned to release the straps on his `Dinis who began to snicker.

GOOD DAY. GOOD DREAMS, Godowlning said in understandable but oddly accented `Dini and that set both of them clittering and clattering.

`Thank you!' Rojer said, not knowing the proper way to address a chief petty officer. He should have listened to Thian's meanderings about naval protocol and stuff.

`Tank 00,' Gil replied in its best Basic.

Godowlning's broad pinkish face was graced by a jovial smile, showing yellowish but even teeth.

THE SHIP WELCOMES MRDINI GUESTS and the chief got that sentence out with the concentration of one who has rote-learned phrases and was not really thinking in the language. But thinking in `Dini, as Rojer well knew, was not easy to achieve.

`You don't know how pleased they are to hear `Dini, Chief Godowlning,' Afra said, rising up from the carrier.

`Your son was giving lessons, Prime, and I took as many as I could,' the chief said and then, hearing new voices, turned. Rojer could see his shoulders ease with relief. `Here's the captain.' He leaned conspiratorially towards Afra, a tableau that made Rojer grin.

His father was long and lean and the chief rather short - Rojer was taller - and as rotund as regulations allowed. He turned now and braced again. `Captain, sir, the Primes have arrived.' `For the record, chief,' Afra said in a low voice as the captain hurried to the cradle, `I'm not the Prime.

My son is. I'm T-2.' The chief gave Rojer a worried look but Rojer smiled at him as he'd often seen his mother smile at sceptics and bent to help Gil and Kat from the carrier.

`I say, Mr Lyon ... Messrs Lyon,' and Smelkoff corrected himself with a genial laugh that echoed in the big shuttle bay, `you are prompt to the second.

Caught me still on the bridge. But we've auxiliary screens here so you can see what we've salvaged.' He was then close enough and extended his hand.

One shake is only polite. Shield, Afra told his son as he followed his own instructions.

Rojer complied and noticed the surprised look on the chief's face but their acquiescence to the courtesy did much to raise them in his estimation. Talents rarely allowed casual contacts but to have refused this the forgetful captain would have been impolite.

Remember that, Afra said.

`So you're the Prime, are you, boy? This your first official act?' `No, sir, I've been on Tower duty since I was twelve.' Rojer could `feel' his father listening hard and not reminding him to be properly modest about his abilities. `All of us do Tower time. But my father is the focus, not me. He's got to guide. I'm the grunt.

Rojer heard someone's politely muffled guffaw but he could also sense his father's approval, and that the captain was totally reassured.

`That wasn't how Earth Prime described your separate talents, young Mr Lyon, but whatever gets that pod where it 5 safe . ` Only the two Talents were aware of how nervous and vulnerable he felt, even with the pod towed kilometres behind the Beijing.

Outwardly, the captain was relaxed, assured and exuding an air of authority and competency. `This way...' and he led them to the companionway leading up to the control room. `Commander Strai, my chief engineer, is waiting for you in case you need to know anything about our engines.' `I understand from reports sent back by Isthian Lyon on the Vadim that we'll have no problem gestalting the Beijing's engines. More power than we'd ever need.' `You are Mr Lyon's father, then,' the captain said conversationally.

`Yes.' And you're his brother, young Mr Lyon.' `Yes sir,' and Rojer couldn't suppress how proud he was of Thian. `We're a long-tailed clan,' he added because the captain was telling himself not to babble: there was only one Talent family named Lyon, and they were kin to the Earth and Callisto Primes.

`I've half a dozen cousins serving on Capella in various Towers.' `Do you so?' the captain continued, feeling less gauche. Rojer couldn't help but read his public thoughts: the man's apprehension left him wide open. Rojer did ignore Smelkoff's fears that the kid didn't look that young, with that white streak of hair, but he couldn't be very old or he'd already be Towered somewhere, since FT&T could use a hundred Primes and still have vacancies. Couldn't the senior Lyon have handled the `portation by himself? He had a very competent, experienced look, the sort a man could trust, even if he was Talented.

T-2?

That wasn't much under a Prime. Oh, well, FT&T knew what it was doing. He hoped.

`Messrs Lyon,' and the captain gave his engineering officer a broad and genial grin as they entered the control room, `meet Commander Strai.

He rigged the tow in jig time! Neatest job I've ever seen.' Commander Strai, a keen-eyed man with rustyed hair, gave the two Talents a crisp and respectful bow, and then swung round to the two conformable seats that looked out of place in the room. `Thought these might help.' `Very kind of you, Commander,' Afra said and motioned for the `Dinis to stand in one corner.

MAY DREAMS BE DEEP, the commander said to them, again surprising the Lyons.

`Does everyone speak some `Dini on the Beijing?

Afra asked, smiling his surprise.

`Seemed silly not to take advantage of the opportunity, Mr Lyon,' Strai said as he keyed codes and the screens above the console lit up.

At the sight of the Hiver sphere, apparently just sitting in space, Rojer caught his breath but then so did his father so he didn't feel he had betrayed too much surprise.

`Any idea what the hull is made of?' Afra asked after a moment's pause.

`Still analysing. It's highly sophisticated alloy but with an ingredient we can't identify,' Smelkoff said.

`One of my lieutenants thinks it's a coating of some kind, maybe even something the Hivers secrete from their bodies,' Strai said.

`Doesn't even pit, so it's remarkable the other pod was destroyed.' `I wonder they released the pods at all,' Afra said, `if they knew the nova was about to happen.' Then he added more briskly, `We'll need your mass and volume figures, gentlemen. I think everyone will feel easier once this package is secured elsewhere.' `Amen to that,' the captain said, trying to sound more jovial than relieved by the prospect.

`How can I assist you, Mr Lyon?' And Strai looked from Afra to Rojer who were both reclining on the chairs and settling themselves.

`Please tell your helmsman not to deviate from the present speed.

Our drain will not affect the ship's speed or direction but you will hear a change in the generators.

The captain gave the appropriate orders. Rojer had been listening to them with half his mind while the rest of his attention was on the pod. The upper hemisphere was bathed in the Beijing's external lights and glowed, slickly metallic. It didn't look all that big, Rojer thought until he glanced for verification at the mass and volume.

`About as big as the Trefoil carriers, wouldn't you say, Dad?' Rojer said, flexing his mental muscles.

That's not necessary, son, but his father's tone was amused.

`Yes, I do believe you're right. Almost to the gram, I'd say' `We had a batch of them to go to Clarf only last week.' `So we did.' Rojer did not dare look at his father but the fact that Afra was keeping up the conversation indicated that his instinct to natter was valid. The tension in the control room abated a few degrees.

They were two specialists, organizing their thoughts, making idle technical comparisons.

Seen enough? his father asked. His parents were always making sure that the visual had been properly scanned before a `portation.

You had to know what you were lobbing before you `lifted'. Casual thrusts could cause uncasual damage.

Of the pod, yes. I just push you, right? Rojer eyed the barren moonscape and the lighted domes of their placement photos.

That's right. Now, pick up the power. Good lad.

Rojer was also aware of the generator gauge swinging up and over, almost to the overload position.

Link!

As he had so often done, Rojer opened his mind and `placed' it at his father's disposal. One day, others would pay him that courtesy.

Right now he was subsumed by the deep and ruddy brown of his father's mental touch, comfortable and comforted.

He felt power, directed it to the brown: brown expanded and, as if he had put his shoulder to the mental brown, he heaved forward and was suddenly the envelope that contained the pod. Wincing at the sudden sting-pzzt, he did not flinch from his thrusting.

For the first time in his life, he heard his father let out a string of spaceman's curses. Forgot we'd get that with this erring great ball of spit! Afra said and Rojer knew his father was feeling, tasting the revolting smell/touch/flavour of Hive. In the next second they had reached their destination and inserted the pod neatly inside the second dome.

Relief made Rojer light-headed. He wondered if they should have tapped on the pod door and cried, `allay, allay in free' or some other, more formal, invitation to exit the vehicle.

I thought of that, too, Afra said, his mind equally lightened by success. You took no harm, he added, less as a question than a statement of what he knew to be fact. Rojer had felt him `brush' deeply to reassure himself.

A snap, Dad. I can understand now why we've all had to push big daddies.

`All safe and secure at the Heinlein installation,' Afra said, swinging his legs off the couch and rising.

I knew you'd appreciate all those boring Tower exercises. You've an enviable shove in you, Rojer.

Most commendable. `I think you can safely say that Operation Bounce went off very well. We thank you for your courtesies.' `Then join us for dinner, won't you? Surely you don't have to go right back?' Rojer didn't dare breathe how much he wanted to not to have to go meekly back to Aurigae. Surely, they deserved a meal. He might have had dinner only three hours ago, but he was monstrously hungry suddenly.

`Thank you kindly, Captain, we'd be delighted but only-' and, to Rojer's dismay, Afra held up his hand, `-if we're not depriving you of much needed stores?' `No, indeed you're not, Mr Lyon. Wouldn't matter anyway, considering the service you've done the Beijing, but not only do we have orders to return now but your son provisioned us for a much longer journey. As soon as we're in `portation range, six weeks at best, we'll be back to our base. We insist on celebrating with you tonight!' It was, Rojer thought later that night as he slid down in a real navy bunk in a ship that had searched space and found live Hivers, the most glorious celebration he'd ever had. No-one had treated him like a kid. He'd been Mr Lyon this and Mr Lyon that though he'd asked some of the officers to call him Rojer - that he would have to get his head down to size by the time they got home or his mother'd discipline him for fair. But tonight had been his!

Just as he drifted off to sleep, he thought he heard voices: He's come of age, Damia. It's all there to be tapped. To delay risks more than it could possibly gain.

Then he fell into one of the more marvellous `Dini dreams he'd ever had: all bright colours, swirling masses, and intricate shapes and high-flying swirls and loops - a totally positive dream even if he hadn't a clue what it signified!

DAD!

The name was broadcast on a wide enough band to bring Rojer wide awake. It took him only a nanosecond to recognize Thian's voice.

Rojer glanced at the digital's illuminated face and saw he'd been asleep a bare hour.

Hey, Thi, let a guy sleep.

Sorry, Roj -- That was overlapped with Afra's acknowledgement of the mental contact.

I didn't wake you, did I, Dad? I checked times and it's...

You didn't wake me, Thian. I've been enjoying the ship's hospitality. The captain and his officers are quite starved of news so long in this part of the galaxy. Callisto and Earth are inundated with requests for transport of personnel and materiel. Mainly to Heinlein Base, and Rojer heard the amusement in his father's calm tone. So we have been informed that we must wait in the queue.

I can just believe that! Hoooeee! Every one who can `11 be flocking out there to gawk. Thian's voice altered. Did you have any trouble with the stingpzzt? I forgot to warn about that. Did Mother remember?

I should have, and Afra's tone was unexpectedly rueful, but your brother was superb. Not so much as a twitch, despite the force and the unexpectedness of it. You can be very proud of Rojer Of course, I am.

He's my brother, isn't he? That sting-pzzt, and Rojer didn't know if Thian was explaining or apologizing, it's much heavier around live ones, though, isn't it? That's how I tumbled to the larvae. Any news on their development?

None, and that's officially honest. Having a live Queen may speed things up If it doesn't `Dini out on us. How is your quest going?

We're still several months away from a pick-up point... and we'll probably have to wait our turn in the queue, too, but I've turned into a real hotdog artefact finder. Better'n a metal detector in a mine field.

But that's what you are, Rojer said, awake now and delighting in this midnight conference with his brother and father. Hey, you haven't found any more shards like this ... and Rojer envisioned the group that he and Xexo had been so sure would fit: heavy bands of some ten centimetres thick, finely tooled. They look like they should fit together, all of the same pattern.

Yes, we did in fact. I'll copy through to you.

Going for tine reward, too? And the amusement in Thian's voice took the sting away. There isn't a `Dini on board that isn't trying to fit the puzzle pieces together. Blank your mind now and I'll send the specs through.

They'd done this often enough with mass, weights and capsule sizes during Tower practice so Rojer thought of nothing and Thian sent him the particulars. Rojer thanked his brother as he swung out of the bunk and to the terminal where he copied down the specs. Then a yawn overcame him and he crawled back into his bunk, fitting his legs between the sleeping `Dinis.

Say, Thian, are Mur and Dip back with you?

Have been for weeks. I didn't realize how much I'd miss them.

They're larger, too. Had a good hiber.. Dad, send me a visualization of this Heinlein Base, please? It's not part of the KLTL's files and Captain Plr wants to see where the Queen's being kept.

They sure are nervy about her being anywhere near Earth.

Reassure them. Heinlein Base is built in solid rock.

Nothing could burrow through that. And there's nowhere to go.

Certainly nowhere with oxygen.

I'll tell them.

Rojer couldn't keep awake any longer, falling asleep during the next part of the rapid mental exchanges.

A full week went by before Damia had to agitate for the return of her husband and son. There were big daddies to transport and there was no way she could handle them without the mental muscle Afra and Rojer supplied.

Rojer hadn't minded. Ensign Bhuto was assigned to show him around the ship.

`Don't you mean, nursemaid me!' Rojer asked when the exec officer had completed the introduction and moved away.

Bhuto, with the darkest skin, the whitest teeth and the biggest brown eyes Rojer had ever seen, grinned broadly.

`Mr Lyon, sir, you don't need a nursemaid, not after what you did yesterday!' And he rolled his eyes.

`Eat up, Mr Lyon, sir, breakfast's the best meal of the day! Say, you couldn't haul in some fresh stuff for us, while you and your daddy are here, could you? I haven't had any fruit in yanks. I didn't get any last time your brother brought stuff in, but I figure, if I'm with you as your companion on board this ship, if supplies come in, I've a better chance now of getting a share. Wouldn't you say so?' Just a little push at Bhuto's wide open mind and Rojer knew he was genuine.

He soon learned that Bhuto talked all the time, a sort of verbal diarrhoea.

But he knew the Beijing from turret to shuttle bay, and every single one of the access alleys. Literally he gave Rojer and the `Dinis a tour of the ship!

He also practised his `Dini, translating what he to)id Rojer into their language.

`Look, why don't you just speak `Dini?' Rojer said when they were midships and descending. `Save your throat.' ``Dini saves no-one's throat. How do they manage in long speeches? That's why I speak Basic to you, give my vocal cords a rest now and then. Sure, I could just use the one language `co they certainly understand Basic, too, the way their eyes shine. Not stupid, `Dinis, not like some of the A.B.s think, just because they look like weasels wearing fezes. I've never seen a weasel - live that is - but there's only a general look of a weasel about them, what with the smooth pelt and all. But `Dinis are not the least bit weaselly, if you take the distinction.' Then he turned to help Mur through a narrow aperture into yet another access alley. KEEP HEAD DOWN SO AS NOT TO POKE OUT POLL EYE.

`where did you get so fluent in `Dini?' Rojer shoved the question in quickly.

`Oh, my older brother had `Dini pairs. We were one of the first families, though I expect that you Lyons were the first-' and he grinned, white toothed, to show no ill-feeling, `-so to speak, what with being children of the Raven-Lyon family and each of you had pairs?' Rojer only had time to nod before Bhuto was off again.

`All of you? Eight? Well, I suppose it's working out what with your brother first Priming the Vadim and now the KLTL. That was a really fine gesture of his, to accompany the KLTL to be sure they had sufficient supplies so that no `Dini had to lay on the line.' Bhuto rolled his eyes again.

Rojer thought he must be one of the very few people who understood what that meant. He shuddered, glad that there was absolutely no chance that either Gil or Kat would have to volunteer.

`One really has to hand it to that species for persevering against incredible odds, and suiciding to prevent a Hiver from overcoming the worlds they were pledged to protect.' `Bhuto? Do you stop talking in your sleep?' `Oh, sorry, Mr Lyon, sir. I do tend to talk a bit.' He was silent for all of two minutes - Rojer's time sense kept track.

They were in the shuttle deck by then and Rojer was quite willing to listen to the ensign's vivid description of how the Hiver pod was netted and hauled inboard.

`Tried to run from us and used up the last whiff of fuel, whatever it is they use. So the pod was just drifting. Captain thinks towards the yellow sun in 757-283. No other suitable system nearer than ten light years in this quadrant. D'you suppose the Queen knew that and had a pre-planned destination? I mean, that's awful close to their homeworld, spatially speaking. Could be there's a colony already there. Isn't one of the `Dini explored worlds: we had to check that.

But it's not one that's tagged. Rather far out from our Hub.

Even with several million planets in this arm of the Milky Way that are suitable to habitation by our three species, it's remarkable there was one near enough for the pod to reach. Of course, some think the Queen'd just go into hibernation, or suspended animation or something until such time as the instrumentation located a suitable planet. Or maybe this was always a destination. Off the wreck's trajectory but then it might not have had a chance to correct when the nova shock wave hit it.

`At that, our shuttle bay was only just large enough to haul the pod in. Biiiiiig! Six metres if a centimetre. If it were a human vehicle, could fit a whole watch on board it. Just hope there's more in there than just one Queen body. She'd be one mighty huge mother, she would. But they're saying that she'd have to bring attendants and workers and drones and such like because she couldn't survive without their ministrations. `Dinis told us - when we were kids - that the Queens decide what sort of offspring the Hive needs to function and then parcel out the types among `em to breed. That's a handy habit.

Not enough deck scrubbers - make two dozen more eggs of that kind.

Not enough ensigns - produce six more.' Bhuto grinned as Rojer inadvertently made eye contact.

`I do talk too much, don't I?' `You talk all right,' Rojer said, projecting reassurance, `but mostly you're interesting. Say, any of your crew interested in the puzzle?' Bhuto drew in a delighted breath, lifted both hands in surprise and then, grinning even more broadly than usual, he beckoned Rojer to follow him towards the stern of the Beijing.

`We're allowed to work in Cargo Hold 3 on account of it's empty.

Chief Firr programmed the engineering computer to replicate, to scale, every single one of the pieces found and he keeps up to date when new ones are brought in. I'll bet we got as good a set-up as Naval Intelligence or the High Councils of either ally.' For a reason Rojer suspected was due to peer pressure, Bhuto did not talk non-stop in Cargo 3

In fact, he whispered only twice: once to suggest that they eat down here with the other diligent puzzlepiece workers and the second time to ask if perhaps the `Dinis wouldn't like tripods. He knew there were some available for when Captain Smelkoff had had `Dini experts on board.

For a short while, Rojer wrestled with his conscience: whether or not to tell Chief Firr of Thian `5

new finds. Wandering around the edge of the immense table on which facsimiles .of the pieces were placed - much the same way Xexo had set up his display - Rojer found the ones he thought were sections of the whole he and Xexo had been working with.

He asked Bhuto to point out the chief, if he was present, and when Bhuto did, without saying a word, Rojer accosted the man, a stocky man with a big, red-veined nose.

`Sir, I'm...' `And a good day to you, Mr Lyon,' was the affable reply. `My compliments on your hoist yesterday.

Glad to see the last of it. It's safe now?' `At Heinlein Base on Earth moon.' The chief scowled. `Wouldn't like it in my sky, I can tell you. What can I do for you, Mr Lyon? I perceive that you may also be a compulsive jigger or you wouldn't've hung around so long.

Know that look. What do you think of our set-up? Impressive?' And the chief peered up at Rojer, projecting a wish for praise.

`It's a splendid set-up: easy access to all the main and peripheral parts,' and Rojer knew he was sounding just like Xexo but it seemed to gratify the chief. `Ensign Bhuto---' and an odd expression flashed across the chief's face which Rojer interpreted as meaning the chief found the ensign tiresome, `aid that you've machined all these pieces.' `I have indeed, Mr Lyon `I've the specifications of some new additions.. ` Before he could complete his sentence, the chief had him by the arm and was propelling him to an alcove where the parts programmer was installed.

`So... `the chief said, turning it on and holding his fingers expectantly over the keys.

`Rounds,' Rojer said and the chief's fingers keyed the basic shape in. `In these dimensions and Rojer rattled them off. Like most of his family he had an eidetic memory.

When the chief had finished the programming and the items had dropped into the basket, he made a grand show of adding them to the table, announcing that these were Mr Lyon's contribution and what said they?

Rojer felt himself blushing at the cheer that issued from nearly thirty throats and hid his embarrassment by picking up the first piece to see if he. could make a match.

Much later in the ship's day, his father extracted him from Cargo 3 to bring in three supply drones.

Rojer remembered the ensign's comment and saved a net of assorted fruits. The young man's gratitude was touching and Rojer realized that his talk was as much nerves as anything and Bhuto really needed understanding and reassurance. Those Rojer could project whenever they were together, and not necessarily in Cargo 3. Perhaps only Rojer noticed the decrease in verbiage. Or was it only because Bhuto would take Gil and Kat to one side and improve his `Dini intonations and vocabulary. Evidently as long as Bhuto maintained silence, he could remain in the cargo hold so Rojer, too, was able to indulge his obsession.

A second compulsive Hive-oriented preoccupation had begun at Heinlein Base. All over the alliance, viewers waited to see the Queen emerge from her escape pod. A special channel was devoted to Queen watching, with experts giving learned discussions on what she must be doing inside the pod (making sensible investigations of her new location?); when she could be expected to emerge (a matter which now involved thousands, even millions, of credits from the speculators); what she looked like - but this was based on the partial remains that had been gathered from the nova wreckage and other detritus (large and insectoid with useful mandibles). Some earlier estimates had to be considerably revised on the basis of the size of the escape pod.

Granted, considerable space would be taken up by its life support, guidance and propulsion units. No weapon apertures had been discerned but weapons on an escape pod were considered unlikely. Of equal interest to a sight of the Queen was a look into the pod itself, to examine it inside out in minutest detail and subject the vehicle to most intense analysis. The hull sheathing was of particular interest.

Considerable debates went on about her probable companions. One block insisted that she was alone to ensure her survival if a lengthy journey to a safe haven was required. `Dinis pondered her possible suicide rather than fall into inimical hands.

A very small group of humans wanted to greet her civilly - that being the best way to win her cooperation. How would she know, these proponents argued, that she had been rescued/retrieved by putative enemies? Human vessels had only recently taken space with their `Dini allies and the Queen would be unaware of the Alliance. Perhaps if she was met with courtesy, more could be learned.

`Dini resistance to that interpretation was solid.

Denebians and any Talent interviewed refuted that attitude.

They weren't at Deneb, the Rowan said in an implacable tone of voice that made Rojer hope his grandmother never directed it at him.

He had heard her addressing his father and he couldn't help but hear that part of the conversation. They didn't feel the alienness that we felt, the resolution to have Deneb for their get! The Hivers cannot be allowed uncontrolled proliferation. Their depredations must be curtailed.

I agree, Rowan, Afra said. Risking your displeasure, I wonder if we are taking the right attitude.

With the Hive homeworld destroyed, isn't it possible that the loss of their home base will limit further activities?

Afra! Do you recall nothing of your contact with the Hivers? His grandmother's anger at his father's mildly delivered rebuttal was such that Rojer strengthened his shields. He was only on the periphery of her mental projection and the agitation was palpable. How could his father handle the full weight of her disapproval?

I recall it all in an exceedingly vivid memory, Rowan, but so far - and I haven't been against the Alliance in any way, shape or form we've blithely accepted the Mrdini judgements as irrefutable. Would it not be the better part of wisdom - since we consider ourselves sophisticated and civilized - to see if direct contact with a representative of the Hivers is justified?

Really, Afra Lyon, only our long-standing friendship and involvement keeps me from suspecting your loyalties!

Rojer scrunched down under his thermal blanket, reassured by the warmth of Gil and Kat, sleeping on either side of him. This bunk was not made for such occupancy and he woke up each morning with cramp.

Not that this minor discomfort was more than that. His bed at Aurigae had always allowed for three growing bodies. He'd been having a fascinating `Dini dream and he used this to get back to sleep, ignoring the distress that conversation had produced in him. The Rowan might be his grandmother and highly respected, a heroine for being the focus of the Denebian repulsion, but she shouldn't speak to his father like that!

When Rojer woke the next morning, he had vivid recollections of his `Dini dream. So did Gil and Kat.

They were all for rushing down to Cargo 3, for the dream had been about fitting pieces together.

As sure as they were that three pieces would fit, Rojer scrambled into his clothes, remembered to depilate the fuzz from his jaw - while Gil and Kat harangued him for dawdling, jumping up and down like jacks in their excitement.

CERTAIN PERSONAL HABITS MUST BE PERFORMED TO PROJECT AUTHORITY AND PRESERVE DIGNITY, he told them so firmly that they subsided. He couldn't run ragtag about the Beijing as he could about Aurigae. And his father would give him one of those looks, letting Rojer know that he had dropped the family standard.

GET ThERE MOST QUICKLY? Gil asked, for the first time asking to be `ported. Usually that was Rojer' S option and scrupulously observed by the `Dinis.

GOOD IDEA THIS ONE TIME.

Rojer hunkered down, arms about his friends, and `ported into the passageway adjacent to Cargo 3.

That should be a safe enough destination. If someone spotted them miraculously appearing, well, everyone on board knew he was a Prime and why shouldn't he use the Talent he'd been given. It wasn't as if he had been indiscriminately popping in and out. And anyone who might be near Cargo 3 would know that he was also a puzzle buff.

They met no-one but they could hear the usual low murmur and occasional curse as a hoped match dissolved. Rojer was greeted by a few noddings but the attention of most was on their fittings and piecings.

Prompted by their `Dini dreams, the three strode about the table Gil and Kat with their heads bent so the poll eyes were fastened on their objective.

Rojer scooped up one piece, moved down the table, extracted a second and found the third as far to the centre of the table as he could stretch. By then, everyone was watching, sensing an Incident.

Rojer held his breath and carefully turned the one piece on its rim, for it was rounded, fitted the s&nd to its longer side and the third to the short one. There was no question of the fit. A cheer rang out and those nearest him were slapping him on the back, nearly upsetting Gil and Kat, and rejoicing in his success. Chief Firr was roused from his bunk with the news and it percolated quickly through the ship. Rojer's piecing was registered. The fact that he was one of seventeen others in the Alliance, six `Dini and eleven humans, to have found the same match did not reduce the jubilation on the Beijing.

Enjoy this moment with discretion, Rojer, his father said but did not hide his pleasure at Rojer's achievement.

Count on that, Dad, Rojer replied without bothering to dampen his private elation. After all, his dad wouldn't think badly of him if he kept the lid on a public display. Besides which, I was not the only one.

You are in very good company, for all the others are trained engineers. I believe that perhaps your mother and I have erred in appreciating your positive vocation. We will discuss this on our return.

Your grandparents will be pleased. Ah --Association had brought to the surface Rojer's inadvertent eavesdropping the previous night and his father had unerringly caught it.

Well, that can't be helped. Rowan was too distraught to narrow her thought. We are to return today. You timed your success perfectly. My compliments, Rojer.

We couldn't possibly go by way of Heinlein Base, could we? The request was out before Rojer could censor it. Everyone and his uncle's brother's cousin's grandson would be trying for a chance to visit Heinlein Base. What made him think that he had a priority on visiting?

I believe we can make a case for ourselves, his father replied.

I didn't mean that to be heard, Dad, believe me!

There was a chuckle through his father's voice. I do. You're high from your success because, I must assure you in my turn, I was not invading your privacy.

The significance of that mild statement capped Rojer's day.

Talented parenting involved the perquisite of reading a child as deeply as possible - especially highly Talented children; to correct any psychological quirks before they became established and warped a personality. That Afra had resigned that prerogative meant he considered his son adult enough to function with no further acute surveillance.

Then his father went on. It happens that I, too, wish to see the escape pod closer than at the end of a long tether. Screen definition is very sharp but there is a certain quality that one perceives only in the presence of the object of scrutiny. We will have the opportunity to scrutinize it.

This exchange occurred while the general celebration was continuing, with many of the dedicated puzzlers examining the fit, doing and undoing the pieces. When Chief Firr arrived, he put the three sections under the `scope and verified the fit. He couldn't have been more pleased than if he'd done the deed himself.

`It's up to you guys now,' Rojer said when the excitement had calmed down sufficiently for him to speak. `Dad and I have our orders: we're to `port back to Callisto.' `Hell, man, why'nt you just `port over to the Moon and get a good look at that al' pod?' one of the mates asked.

Rojer grinned. `Rank has some privileges...

`Rank?' the chief asked, his eyes widening.

`I'm a civilian after all,' Rojer said, deceptively meek.

`You're a good... guy,' the chief said and Rojer knew that he'd been about to say `kid' and Rojer grinned in appreciation.

`Wish you luck, Chief. Maybe you'll get the next match!' `For the honour of the Beijing!' Firr replied with a broad grin and held out his hand to Rojer.

Without hesitation Rojer took it, and knew that the chief had liked him for himself, and because he'd put a plug in that motor mouth of an ensign. He had to shake hands all round after that and did so, gathering the impression that, despite being a Talent and still downy cheeked, the crew liked him.

Almost more elated by that than the piecing, Rojer went to join his father in the messroom.

Gil and Kat asked to stay in Cargo 3, just in case something else from their shared dream had results. When Rojer asked permission for the `Dinis to stay behind, Chief Firr absently concurred: he was already collecting more rounded bits that might possibly add to Rojer's contribution.

As Rojer left, behind him was an excited buzz of folk given a positive stimulus to their avocation.

Captain Smelkoff joined them for breakfast, adding his own compliments for the join.

`On an extended mission like this, Rojer, this sort of preoccupation is invaluable and you've just added the impetus of success. Good morale booster. You two are quite a team. I liked that older boy of yours, Mr Lyon, didn't see enough of him. Real pleasure to have you aboard, and special thanks for importing those fresh supplies! Feed the crew well enough and they'll put up with a lot of privation.' Then the captain leaned towards Afra in a mock conspiratorial pose. `You couldn't leave this one behind for a while, could you? I guarantee I'd make a sailor of him!' Afra grinned broadly. `Unfortunately, Captain, he's about to take up his own station.

That was news to Rojer but, on the heels of that thought, he realized his father was courteously dissembling.

`Well, I'm sure he'll be a credit to you. A real credit.' Rojer began to feel distinctly uncomfortable in the light of such effusive commendation. He knew he'd done a good job of what he was sent to do: he was delighted to have had a whole week on board a mission vessel; he was elated to have matched artefacts, even if he wasn't the first to do so. That was almost a relief. But he had only been doing what he was trained to do, `porting and interpreting `Dini dreams.

How many of the others could have shared the same dream? he asked his father, as he ate, in as self-effacing manner as he could.

That was how it came to you then? It might be instructive to find out how many had similar dreams. The com indicated diverse origins.

Rojer kept to himself, and from Gil and Kat, that there'd be a diversion to Callisto Station and a side trip to Heinlein Base. But that made it easier for him to say his farewells to captain, chiefs, crew and Ensign Bhuto who, for once, only grinned and let Rojer do the talking.

With the hatch closed, Rojer took a deep breath and stood behind his father's focus to push the carrier back to Callisto Station.

So my grandson has covered himself with glory, has he? said his grandmother in a mood much different from the one he had overheard in the night.

Not especially, Grandmother, Rojer said equably because he just knew she'd be waiting to jump on any pretensions.

Hmm. I'd say the mission did you a lot of good, young man. I hate a cocky boy!

When would one of us Lyons have a chance to learn to be cocky?

That's exactly what I meant. All right, get out of that spatial coffin and have a meal with me. I don't get the chance to see you often enough.

I'm stuffed with breakfast, thank you. Hungry as he usually was, there was a limit to Rojer's capacity.

You'll stop then while I breakfast. Then you can take yourself to Heinlein Base. I can trust you to do that, can't I?

If Dad's too tired to, Rojer said, wondering just how long last night's conversation had lasted.

I've an hour before Ca llis to clears.

Rojer caught his father's eye and grinned. They unstrapped, helped the `Dinis out and took the path from the yard to the Rowan's house.

To Rojer's surprise, because he'd had no hint, Jeff Raven was also seated at the breakfast table and beckoned them enthusiastically to join him.

were set for two more humans and `I add my compliments to all the others, Rojer,' his grandfather said.

`I'd like a kiss, Rojer,' the Rowan said.

That was the ultimate accolade and Rojer nearly stumbled on his way to his grandmother's side of the table. His mother had often said that her mother shamelessly cultivated her imperious pose.

It certainly scared Rojer. But, keeping the thought scrupulously private, Rojer thought she was a very beautiful grandmother, with her striking mass of silvery hair, her small but delicately featured face.

She was no taller now than his shoulder. She turned her cheek to him, held up one hand to encircle his head when he appeared to hesitate, and he kissed her.

What he had expected to feel he didn't know: what he got was unqualified approval and acceptance. Her cheek was smooth as a petal and her perfume was subtly but not sweetly floral.

Thanks, Grandmother, he said gratefully.

That's the trouble with being Talented, Rojer.

The ordinary human touches assume merits beyond their true status.

That was a grandmotherly kiss of welcome after long absence: nothing more. But I am pleased with your performance. As deftly as ever I or your grandfather could do it. You deserve to see the thing if that's your desire.

Clearly the Rowan had no desire to view the escape pod, though that was all he sensed. No trace of her rancour and anger of last night was perceivable.

`Coffee or tea, Rojer?' she asked, gesturing him to take his place. WERE YOUR DREAMS GOOD? she asked Gil and Kat in clipped `Dini accents as they took their stools.

VERY GOOD. WE FIT PIECES. NOT FIRST BUT FIRST FOR THE SHIP WHICH RESULTS IN MUCH excitement AND PRAISE, Gil replied.

`Ve virr plezz'd,' Kat added not to be outdone in the courtesy department. It had never had much luck with the `w' sound though Gil managed well enough. `Good fun to play Uman gamez.' Kat always leaned on the plural `5' A USEFUL GAME, the Rowan replied though the word she, employed to express game was `well-spent free time Rojer drank his coffee and found enough space for one of the delicious breakfast rolls that his grandmother said had been `ported in only an hour before. His grandfather talked of the latest arrivals to the Denebian cousins and several recent pairings.

He asked after Afra's nieces and nephews who, with Afra's adroit sponsorship, were finding positions in Talented businesses away from Capella. Rojer found the Capellan relatives dull - at least until they'd been off-world a while. Then they shed what his father called `methody' ways but not, fortunately, their early childhood training.

If his Denebian cousins were wild, outspoken to a fault, his Capellan ones were too prim and restrained.

Certainly nothing more was said about the Hive vessel or the escape pod and the Queen or other problems besetting either the Talented or the Alliance. Breakfast was conducted much as it was at his own home: pleasant, tension-free, easing into the stresses of the day.

Linking her arm through her husband's, the Rowan led the way back to the yard and the two personnel carriers cradled there. The smaller one was Jeff's and he'd `port himself to the Blundell Tower which was the immense FT&T administrative headquarters on Earth.

Jeff and the Rowan saw Afra, Rojer and the `Dinis settled in their capsule.

Who's making the `port? the Rowan asked.

Rojer, Afra replied, with a solemn wink at his son.

Catch the platform bay from my mind, Rojer. This is where you'll view that place. She apotheosized `that place' in a dismissive tone but then he'd been forewarned of her attitude so he `looked' deeply and `saw' the area and the cradles available to visitors. The military police had their own docking facility.

Rojer could feel the Callisto generators picking up revolutions.

He suppressed the slight nervousness he felt at performing the `port in the presence of both grandparents but if he was able, he was able. And he'd do it. He did: the Heinlein Base vivid in his mind's eye.

Though, of course, he did not land in the base: he set their carrier down in the orbiting platform that was held a hundred metres above. The platform looked like a quick assembly job and Rojer remembered to check the small panel of the carrier that monitored exterior conditions. There was plenty of air and the clatter of nailed boots on metal flooring as someone rushed to check on them.

Talents Afra and Rojer Lyon as expected, his father both thought and said.

`Yes, sir, right on!' was the shouted acknowledgement. `I'll just open the hatch for you. Ladder's in place.' They heard the scraping and the hatch opened.

Nice of you two to come, said a second voice laughingly and Rojer recognized him as his cousin, Roddie Eagle.

His father gave him a stern look and Rojer made a grimace back, then smoothed his features. Roddie was welcome to guard duty if that's all he was good for.

Enough of that! his father said on the very tightest beam.

Rojer rose, handing his `Dinis out first so that he'd be - sure not to `leak' his true feelings at encountering Roddie here. When he finally did make eye contact, he was rather surprised to see that scrawny, pimple-faced Roddie was a clean-shaven, fresh-faced young man of about his height, neatly dressed in an Alliance uniform and wearing the bars of a first marine lieutenant.

`I guess you all hadn't heard,' Roddie said, smiling a welcome.

`You've been away the past week. I can't say I like being constantly sting-pzzted all the time - not at the level that Queen is projecting but it's the place to meet everyone!' And he laughed. GOOD DREAMS, GRL, KTG. RDI SHARED YOUR DREAMS BUT NO PIECES. `Real glad you succeeded, Roj. And boy, your placement of that pod was smack on the X-mark. Good `portation! Got a bad case of family pride, I can tell you.' Rojer was coping with the new improved Rhodri Eagle, so unlike his disagreeable adolescent self.

`We've breakfast laid on, Uncle Afra, Roj, if you're hungry.' `Thank you, Rhodri, Afra said with a nod, `but I don't think either of us could handle a third breakfast this morning.' Roddie grinned affably. `Yes, that's one disadvantage to `portation. You meet yourself coming and going, so to speak. This way. Getting here before breakfast-' And Roddie chuckled. His humour, Rojer decided, had not altered all that much: still heavy-handed. `-you've avoided the crowds. And -we've had them. Thank you, Sergeant,' he said to the man guarding the entrance to the main section of the platform. `They tell me we'll have more permanent quarters shortly. These are stripped down basic but they suffice.' Roddie led them down the corridor and Rojer noticed that all his baby fat had been converted to a trim muscular shape. He was however, a finger or two taller and that pleased ùhim.

`I'll take you right away to the main viewer ùroom. It's got full screens of the base. She won't be able to move anywhere without observation.

That is, if she ever comes out!' ù`She's still alive?' Rojer asked.

ù`Oh yes. We've sensors on the hull, you know, ùand sounds are being picked up all the time. What she's doing with all those scratching and stroking noises we can't gather. Nothing we have will penetrate the hull. We did detect that she must have sampled the atmosphere. But that happened at the end of the first day. Here we are!' The large room they entered had a plasglas viewplate from floor to ceiling directly aligned with the escape pod, i hundred metres below, but optically the gloss was altered to produce a tri-d effect that made the observer feel he was no more than a few feet from the pod. Screens gave other views and an auxiliary tier of smaller screens would be activated when the Queen exited the pod and began using the buildings.

`She appears to prefer a higher temperature than we humans like, though `Dinis would be comfortable enough in 32 degrees Celsius. We have increased the ambient temperature in the base. Blrg, the `Dini specialist, hypothesized two days ago that she won't make a move until the pod's oxygen is exhausted. I kinda go along with that.' Roddie smiled modestly.

`The pod would have had only so much oxygen even in that generous-sized lifeboat, for some of the cubic volume must be occupied by food and other necessities. At that you may be very lucky indeed.

Three estimates for her to come out have already been passed: the experts favour her supply being exhausted some time today. Can you hang around?' `We have time to hand,' Afra said, to Rojer's intense delight.

It'd be awful, Rojer thought, to have had the chance to hang about and see her emerge and not be able to do so.

Not that your timing's been off at all this past week, Rojer.

Except for hunting, his father added privately.

Rojer `pathed a repentant grimace. His cousin then showed them the amenities and facilities of the installation: they were sparse enough for the twenty men and three officers assigned here.

`A larger ready room's being `ported in this week, more sanitary units, a larger kitchen though we get fresh stuff `ported in daily.

I'd put in a special order for breakfast buns. Sorry you've no appetite,' and there were traces of the young Roddie in the patronizing grin he gave Rojer.

`Maybe later, if there are any left. Wouldn't want to deprive you,' and Rojer managed to keep his tone light and pleasant.

They returned to the viewing room where more technicians were on duty, analysing tapes and discussing print-out.

`Lieutenant, we've a party of twelve asking permission for an hour's viewing about-' The corporal broke off abruptly as a loud clatter issued from the speakers. His eyes went wide, his mouth worked and he pointed frantically to the window.

Rojer and his father had been turned towards the speaker but they looked back and, as one, recoiled slightly from the view on the magnified plasglas.

The pod hatch had blown out and rattled about on the plascrete surface. First, one long spiny, oddly jointed limb appeared, slender pointed digits closed about the frame on one side, then another. The limb was a burnished deep coppery red, covered with fine hairs that Rojer thought might be sensitive: maybe he just thought they moved.

Four more arms came forward to support the body slowly emerging.

Then a `fobt' appeared on the sill. Someone had the presence of mind to alter a spotlight and catch the form framed just inside the hatch.

Rojer took firm hold of his nerves and his over-full stomach as, slowly, the tall, segmented creature emerged: its nether region a swollen tear-drop, nipping into a narrow joining to a long thin upper torso. Three sets of arms were spaced along this torso, and two sets of `legs', one pair moving forward while the other supported the immense bulge of the lower body. A triangle with bulging eye sockets at the top of the thin upper torso had to be the head, and from the top of that multiple antennae waved furiously.

Its coloration, more than its form, captured eye, mind and attention, for the Queen was the most beautiful shades of shimmering deep coppery, burgundy red, blues and greens, like the blossom sheath of the Siberian iris his mother grew in the garden at Aurigae. The spotlight caressed undertones from her body parts, from the flat surfaces of the oddly jointed limbs, from what appeared to be the vestigial wings joined to the upper torso at what would be shoulder-height, running down to the nipped-in waist and half-opened over the bulging lower body.

`A praying mantis, that's what she's like,' his father said softly as the creature remained in the hatchway `Like an actress waiting for her cue,' was Roddie's unexpected comment.

`She's afraid!' Rojer blurted out, surprising himself and everyone mesmerized by her appearance.

IT SHOULD BE DESTROYED, Gil said with such fervour that Rojer had formed a sharp reprimand before he caught his father's quick head shake. IT HAS DESTROYED MANY MRDINI.

NOT THAT ONE, GRL, his father replied mildly.

It is alone and afraid, Rojer thought and shook his head to dispense with pity for this member of a dangerously predatory species.

Then, without any grace, the Queen dropped to her six upper limbs and crawled out of the pod.

She showed more grace when she stood erect on the four lower limbs and turned her head slowly in a full circle. With great deliberation then, she waddled, again ungainly, towards the mounds of fresh vegetables and plants that had been replaced daily just beyond the pod.

Setting back on her hind legs which Rojer thought ended in suction pads, she daintily conveyed food, hand over hand, to an orifice that opened in the triangular head. Some hands discarded samples from time to time and Roddie alerted a corporal - for the viewing room was now full of the station's personnel - to make notes of what she rejected.

She ate fruits, rind, skin and pith, but carefully put aside seeds and pits. She rejected grasses, including wheat, rye and oat, though she sampled all that had been provided, ate tubers, leaf vegetables of all kinds, and sugar cane, legumes and pulses. She did not eat rice.

She ate steadily through the piles and then sat.

She sat and sat and sat and did not so much a flourish an antenna or the feelers on her limbs or blink her eyes, settle her wings or give any further indication that she had moved. Rojer thought she'd stuffed herself with breakfast. How long had she been without any food, he wondered.

The twelve visitors who just missed the spectacle were horribly disappointed at such inertia and one oafish man insisted that Captain Waygella, Roddie's superior who had not missed the emergence, do something to stimulate her. The captain refused but she did set the tapes of the event to automatic replay on the main viewscreen.

When a second visitation was said to be scheduled, Afra, Rojer and the `Dinis made a determined move to leave. The captain asked Roddie to accompany them to the bay and greet the new lot.

`Made a tape for you to take back to Aunt Damia and the others,' Roddie said, passing it to Afra as they reached the bay.

`That's very thoughtful of you, Rhodri.

`Not at all. The corporal'll be copying that sequence all day.

I've been `porting `em out by the dozen to Aunt Rowan to shift to everyone who needs to know,' and Roddie grinned wryly, `and Primes need to know, don't they?' Unexpectedly he nodded at Rojer, for the first time accepting Rojer's higher rating.

`Thoughtful of you all the same, Rhodri,' Afra said.

Rojer murmured a thank you as well because the old Roddie certainly wouldn't have been so generous. Life in the Alliance Guards had certainly improved him.

They got into their carrier, made sure the `Dinis were harnessed properly.

Generator's up, ready for your push, Roddie said.

Do it, Rojer, his father said. If my time sense hasn't failed me, we should be home in time for breakfast.

DAD!

You're back! Good, Damia said cheerfully. Come have some breakfast.

Rojer groaned as he unbuckled and his father chuckled.

Little breakfast was actually eaten that morning, and most became cold as the entire household and Tower staff watched the tape of the Queen's emergence.

`So that's what they really look like,' Damia said.

`She's rather spectacularly coloured.

`I think she's beautiful!' Zara said, almost defensively.

Fok and Tri had been clicking softly to themselves, their pelt colours darkening with what Rojer recognized as their aggressive shade.

Gil and Kat were not as bad but Zara's two, Pig and Dzl, were at first speechless: then crept close, not to Zara, but to Fok and Tri to be comforted.

After her remark, Zara watched with such a wary, scared expression on her face that Damia moved closer to her. Rojer `heard' reassuring words which confused him since his mother wouldn't be projecting that on a wide enough band to include him.

Rojer began to wonder if Zara should watch the rest of the tape.

He found it affecting enough when the Queen adopted her static position. Zara was such a sensitive empath, lots of things that didn't bother him or the others made her fret. At the conclusion, when the Queen became stationary and the tape wound on and on with that scene Zara burst into tears and fled the room. Damia cast a quick anxious look at Afra and then followed her.

Zara's `Dinis did not. Fok and Tri conferred for a moment and left the room, too.

When the tape finished, Keylarion, Xexo and Herault, the station manager, wanted to see it again.

So Afra keyed for a repeat.

Rojer slipped out then. He didn't quite know what to do: should he tell Zara that he had felt sadness and the Queen's loneliness, too.

He doubted his mother would find that a suitable reaction: but it was genuine. But Zara might be reassured to know she wasn't alone in her sensitive response to the Queen.

As he started up the stairs, his mother was coming down and her expression told him she was very worried. But she cleared her face and smiled down at him, pausing beside him on the step. To his surprise, she touched his cheek.

`I'm very proud of you, Rojer. Now I'm glad that Father seconded you. He's very pleased, too. Even about your fussing with the pieces!' She gave him a droll grin.

`Mother, is Zara all right?' `You're sweet, Rojer. She'll be all right,' and Damia gave a heavy sigh. `She's just getting used to being womanly and is a bit ... volatile right now.' `Oooooh,' and Rojer drew out the soft exclamation as he understood. Then he shook his head.

`Laria wasn't!' `Laria has an entirely different personality. A much stronger Talent. In fact,' and Damia let out a sigh, `I'm delighted you're back. What with menstruation hitting her so hard, she's been useless in the Tower for all she's a T-1. I've never heard menstruation causing a dysfunction in Talent before, but I suppose there's always an exception.' Damia sighed again. `I hope you and your father are rested enough to push out some big-daddies this morning.

Morag was a great help - at least with the Tower,' and Rojer didn't need a `path to realize that Morag had probably been acting the maggot.

She could be quite domineering and Zara was too pliable to resist her.

`How much is there to `port, Mother?' Rojer asked crisply. `I need to work off several breakfasts. Will you need me to hunt?' `A lot and yes. We'll warm up the generators while the others have a second gawk at that raree tape you brought back.' Aware now of her animosity towards the Hive Queen, he was glad he hadn't revealed his private reaction.

Afra joined them in the Tower and brought the rest of the Tower staff with him.

`Did you hear Xexo saying that three more pieces have been added on to your start?' Afra said as he took his couch.

`No, but I'm glad of it. And it wasn't my start, Dad. Seventeen other people found it, too.' Damia grinned at her son, then nodded for them to get set for the first `portation. There was a backlog to send so they didn't clear the loads until almost lunchtime. Rojer's stomach gave embarrassing growls as they made their way back to the house.

Morag had lunch ready, looking slightly smug and officious, Rojer thought, and decided to hunt her legs off in the afternoon; take her down a peg or two. Morag could be a pain in the neck when she tried to compete with her siblings. There was really no need for her to do that. Of Zara there was no sign, though she should have been helping.

Kaltia and Ewain had fed all the Coonies, Slithers, Darbuls and horses, mucked out the stable, and evidently still had time to replay the tape for they were watching it again before lunch.

`Where's Zara?' Afra asked, glancing about.

`Leave her, Afra,' Damia replied, and obviously added a private explanation for Afra said no more about his missing daughter.

Deliberately leaving all the `Dinis home, Rojer took Morag out with him, taking the short cut - which meant hard and careful riding to the next valley. He knew of a couple of scurrier dens and rabbit warrens which he hoped had remained his secret. They were difficult to access, which was all to the good. At first Morag was delighted to show him how good a rider she was and kept her pony at Saki's tail on the way up. On the narrow decline trail, especially where the open side dropped hundreds of metres down to scree, she was not quite so cocky. They had to go through stiff underbrush but he'd put on his leathers and she was only in a shirt. She was definitely sweaty, branch and thorn marked, and not at all as smug when they reached the ravine at the bottom. By the time Rojer reached his destination, she was thoroughly chastened but determined to endure.

Rojer gave her credit for that on the way home, with ten braces apiece of avians, rabbits and scurriers, which had the most delicious flesh if you caught them young enough. Rojer had. He relented enough to take an easier if longer route back but he made that seem deliberate, rather than considerate, because that track passed by stands of edible greens and bushes of early plummy-fleshed rindfruits.

They arrived home late afternoon laden down with provender for the next three days - unless they had unexpected guests.

Although the miners' representatives, Yugin and Mexalgo, had come to collect copies of the tape, they left after the most cursory of visits with profuse thanks. They couldn't wait to view the tape and see the enemy, they said, and on hearing that, Zara ran from the room, stifling sobs. The miners did not notice, being on their way to the door.

Zara! Easy, sis, Rojer called. I'll help her, Mother, he added and followed her.

She was in Laria's old room, having moved out of the one she had shared with her two younger sisters.

Rojer noticed that neither of his `Dinis accompanied him.

No, Rojer, leave it! she said in a voice that was broken by her mental anguish.

Sis, would it help if I told you I thought the Queen looked lonely and sad, as well as beautiful?

But you were there! You watched! And you said nothing?

He entered the room and saw her, tear-streaked face, rebellious expression, facing him in an attitude of defence.

`Aw now, Zara,' he said tenderly but she held up one hand to restrain him.

`Don't you dare "aw now, Zara" me,' and she sniffed back tears.

`I get enough of that from Mother.

She just won't "see" or "feel" what I'm going through. And if you come out with some male gibberish about the time of month, I swear I'll lash you!' Rojer hadn't any such platitudes in mind and he wasn't alarmed by her threat though it was one of the first he'd ever heard her make. She was the gentlest of his sisters and usually self-effacing and acquiescent: hardly surprising amid seven other strong sibling personalities. Rojer perched on one edge of her worktop and folded his arms, subtly projecting affection and reassurance.

`And don't try that either,' she said, rubbing tears away.

`You know, you look more like Grandmother Rowan than any of us.' She narrowed her eyes. `Don't try misdirection either, Rojer Lyon!' `I'm not, actually,' he said in a brisker voice, `but I had breakfast with Grandmother just this morning so I can see the resemblance very clearly.

You are more like her than Laria or Morag. You haven't seen Grandmother in a while but you'd be the last one to see the likeness.

I wonder if Dad would.' But Zara was not going to be distracted.

`She'd want to kill the Queen, too, wouldn't she?' `Grandmother 5

not...' and Rojer shrugged, `pacific at any time. You know that,' and he grinned.

He got an ironic shrug from his sister. `But I'm not talking about Grandmother's reaction to the Queen, only how much you look like her. By the way, there is a group of humans who feel that we should at least make an attempt to understand the Hiver viewpoint.' `But you don't think much of them,' she retorted, angrily defiant, irritably pushing back her own silver wing of hair.

`I didn't say that and I don't even project it, sis.

But I did want to tell you that you're not the only one to have different perceptions. I-' And Rojer jabbed a thumb into his breast bone. `-thought she was beautiful, too.' He couldn't quite admit that he, too, had felt she was lonely and afraid.

Zara narrowed her eyes. `Half Aurigae City wants her publicly...

murdered... torn apart limb from limb. Did you know that?' `No, but it doesn't surprise me, considering the source, and Rojer smiled condescendingly. `Look, sis, I do respect your reactions, your feelings about the Queen. I had them myself...

`But you hadn't the guts to make them known!' Zara flashed back at him, her eyes glinting just like Grandmother Rowan's had but with a different cause.

`Oddly enough, not all the `Dinis want her killed.

They do want to...

`Probe, pry and drive that poor creature mad, finding out how she works, how she produces her young. They've already killed half the larvae Thian found. Oh, I wish he hadn't. Oh, how I wish he hadn't!' `Sis, you're going off in all directions to no purpose at all,' Rojer said, becoming slightly exasperated by her capriciousness. `You're not a Talent for nothing. There are more ways of doing things than blasting out left, right and centre. That's not like you anyway. Get in touch with the other like-minded folk. I'll help you there without Mom and Dad knowing. See what you can do to help change public opinion. It can be changed, you know. And you'd make a damn fine lobbyer. That way you can help the Queen.' `She'll never be released.' Zara was not about to be consoled. Rojer thought she was enjoying this wallow in sentiment. `She'll die in that awful place, friendless, childless, alone, with her home all blown up...' Zara put her hands to her face, weeping desperately again.

Despite `sensing' that she was working herself up, Rojer couldn't stand his pretty sister in tears. He took her into his arms, and she leaned exhaustedly against him, crying more piteously than ever.

I'll take over, Rojer, his mother said as she came down the hall.

No need, Mom. I can handle it. I'll soothe her.

You know I always could get her to sleep when she was a baby.

Yes, you could, at that. There's a strong affinity between the pair of you like- Damia broke off and Rojer knew she had been about to name Larak.

There is, Mom, so let me use it now to calm her down.

It took time, and it meant Rojer had to forgo the few free hours he had hoped to spend with the Hive pieces but Zara was more important.

He consoled her with lavish affection, support and understanding, until, spent with such an emotional storm, she fell asleep.

When she appeared the next morning, she was calm and her usual self-effacing self though there was a sadness in her eyes that wrenched Rojer's heart.

She's over her menses, now, Damia said very privately to him.

Thank you for calming her down.

You're a sweet boy as well as a clever one.

Sweet? Rojer replied in disgust. Zara's too tenderhearted for her own good.

His mother continued, but not to him, to his father and on such a subject that Rojer was surprised to be included. Then he realized, he wasn't included: he was catching a private conversation he ought not to be able to `hear'. He'd've shielded had his mother not been discussing Zara with his father.

She's a dysfunctional Prime, Afra, Damia was saying with deep regret and distress. Father can't expect her to do Tower service.

She'd wilt under the stress. And with everyone knowing she's a T-1, they'll expect her to go to a Tower.

Everyone is not your father, nor Gollee Gren who has a lot more to do with placing Talents these days than Jeff. Certainly we must inform Gollee of our anxiety and our assessment. Zara can be trained for other duties, less emotionally laden. She's got good thrust.

Erratic as her sympathies. . . His mother's tone was peevish.

Well, I'll admit that I felt a pang of sympathy for the Queen YOU?

Rojer was equally startled, and relieved.

Yes, I. It's an attitude that won't endear me to many, but to be honest, Damia, and we have always been honest in our private thoughts, there was something pathetic about that Queen! Pathetic, awkward, and... valiant, I think one could say.

There was a long pause of silence. If one isn't swayed by conditioning, his mother admitted slowly, and unfortunately, I am biased about Hivers - I can't help it - one could call her brave to leave the pod.

Of course, she had to, didn't she? No oxygen, no food.

Rojer nearly cheered to hear his mother admit this.

I worry more about Zara's `Dinis, Damia went on. They do not understand her perversion...

Not perverse surely, Damia. Wayward, or maybe deviant, but not perverse. She's an extremely sensative girl . . . I'll work on reassuring her `Dinis.

Oh, I think they'll pull round once they're over the shock of hearing Zara defending the Queen.

I don't think she's defending the Queen so much as empathizing with her. And she's thrown up a very tight mental shield about her thoughts. We must allow her the privacy we always permit other Talents, Afra said.

She's not adult yet.

But nearly. I seem to remember.

Afra!

There was such an intimacy in their minds that Rojer hastily closed off the intriguing conversation.

That mental exchange was not the only one he inadvertently `overheard' in the next few days for there were `pathed messages filtering in from all the Primes. Some of the messages Rojer would rather not have heard: others were curious and fascinating.

Especially the badinage his mother enjoyed with her father, or her pithy remarks to her brother, Jeran, and her sister, Cera, both of them Towered Primes.

Rojer now caught Laria's reports from Clarf. Those he was glad Zara couldn't hear.

There was a faction on Clarf that mirrored the Aurigae City wish for summary execution as public as possible.

He also caught all the reports from Heinlein Base.

The Queen had remained stationary for seventy-six hours, ignoring replenishments of the foods she had been seen to eat. Xenobiologists and xenozoologists were doing their best to be sure the offerings covered all nutritional requirements for they were certain she would be laying the eggs that strained her lower body to the point where striations or cracks were visible in the bulb of it.

There had been several more failed attempts in laboratories within the Alliance to vitalize the larvae and their numbers were dwindling rapidly. That was when someone suggested that perhaps the remaining larvae should be sent to Heinlein Base in the hope that the Queen could hatch them. Perhaps she required attendants for the egg-laying and, with these missing, she would be unable to function.

Some of the larvae of each type were therefore `ported into the base, to see if their appearance would activate the Queen. Men seemed to dominate the push to give the Queen the larvae. Women seemed less inclined to sympathize with her condition. For, apart from eating again, the Queen had done nothing else, though her egg-filled bulb continued to expand.

However, when the decision to give her some of the three types of larvae was implemented, Rojer got Zara off by herself to give her what he felt should be good news.

`The least they can do,' was all Zara said in a disgusted tone, though, for the rest of the day, Rojer thought she was more cheerful.

Certainly she was on hand to see a screening of the transfer. The scene was even more dramatic than the Queen's emergence.

The Queen rushed to the larvae, running her upper limbs across each sac, emitting a low hum.

She deftly turned each larva so she could inspect all round, then she awkwardly swept a path to the nearest building. This, the experts said, had to be some sort of instinctive behaviour for the paving had been brushed clear of any dust or grit when the base was cleaned for her occupancy. She ran back to collect the day's green offerings and piled them in the big entrance hall. When she'd done that, she patiently rolled each larva to its new site, with many pattings and turnings and hummings. The day's efforts seemed to exhaust her for she resumed the immobile post-prandial position, propped up by her hind limbs.

Biologists and zpologists - including two eminent human orthopediterists - argued over what sort of `bedding' would suit her needs, and chose straw and wood shavings, as well as several types of artificial chips, bits and bobbles. A quantity of fine artificial `wax' and natural tallow were added to the offerings, in case she was more apiarian than insectoid.

When she settled on the shavings, heaping them in mounds over the larvae, more was sent in. Rojer had a private smile for the things cousin Roddie had to do as the Observation Talent.

Zara brightened at each new concession granted the `prisoner' and kept within viewing distance of the screen, waiting for the next development. Her mother let her because, as Damia privately admitted to Afra, she was more use in the house than in the Tower. Zara was certainly not the only one so involved in what happened at Heinlein Base. Queenwatching had replaced piece-finding as a galactic pastime.

Two mornings later a frantic call from Zara reached them as they left the Tower. Damia nodded once at Afra and Rojer and they all `ported into the main room.

Oh, look! Just look! She's laying! Zara cried, frantically gesturing at the screen. Morag, Ewain and Kaltia erupted from their rooms and thundered down the steps. For once, Damia didn't reprimand them.

The Queen had propped herself up on all frontal limbs, her bulb half-hidden in the mound of shavings which seemed to heave and enlarge.

`Can't they allow her any privacy!' Zara demanded, her eyes vivid with her angry protest.

`We can't see anything, Zara,' Ewain said, flopping down in the nearest chair with a disgusted expression on his face. `And we watch the Coonies and the Darbuls when they give birth. What's wrong with watching her?' `Ewain's right, you know, Zara,' Afra said placidly, `we see nothing of the process itself: merely the result of eggs.' But he cast a look at his daughter, adding, Your sensitivity is commendable if unnecessary, Zara. Insectoids do not share human feelings of embarrassment. In her Hive, helpers and attendants would be swarming over her at such a time. Privacy is probably a hardship for her.

Rojer knew he wasn't supposed to hear that private remark and he shook his head, wondering why he was getting all these unexpected confidences. But Zara plainly had only extrapolated what she might feel during the birth process, and not the spedes' differences. She gradually subsided.

`Biology Teach's doing a special on orthopterus, on account of the Queen,' Ewain said casually, eyes glued to the steady rise of the shaving-topped mound. `It said insects lay enormous quantities of eggs at a time. They'll be bursting out of the bedding any moment now.' They did, shiny white covered pearls, hundreds of them. `Wonder what variety she's laying now?' Ewain continued conversationally. `She must've been pregnant - er whatever Hivers get egg-full? - before her ship was wrecked. There wasn't anything else in the pod with her.' `Some insects eat the male after mating,' Morag said, casting a quick glance at her sister. `Maybe that's what caused all the scrabbling we heard in the pod...' `That is quite enough, Morag,' Afra said firmly `But, Dad, Biology Teach said we got to observe the Queen for our project,' Morag protested, her voice almost the whine her parents deplored in her.

`Then observe, but keep your comments for your class hour.' Morag obeyed. After such a putdown from her father, Rojer knew she wouldn't dare provoke Zara any further. Anyway, Zara seemed oblivious to Morag's taunting, for her gaze was glued to the screen, her expressive face tender. Her `Dinis were seated close beside her but they apparently were not picking up on her emotions. Rojer made a tentative probe at her but she was shielded so tightly he doubted that either of his parents could have `heard' her thoughts and feelings just then.

It did take the Queen hours to finish her laying.

Rojer left when he got bored and spent an hour with Xexo, trying to build on his Beijing success.

There were new pieces. The KLTL had calculated the point at which the Hive ship was probably hit, and quartered the area. Rojer wondered if that had been Thian's bright idea for it had produced quite a lot of flotsam and jetsam: some of it too twisted or melted to be useful, but each fragment, splinter and scrap was gathered up. There were some big sections of hull, warped and melted but the art of reconstruction might be able to render the original from the remainder.

Neither Xexo nor Rojer was as interested in the bigger pieces as the smaller ones that had remained intact, easier to match and piece together.

These newest pieces Xexo and Rojer first sorted into the appropriate subdivisions where the most likely matches were possible.

`If only this one didn't have that little hooky edge,' Rojer said, having vainly tried to mate two very likely looking bits.

`Hooky place?' Xexo flipped the bit he'd been fiddling with to Rojer.

`That's it! That fits a treat!' Rojer said, crowing with delight.

Xexo rushed around the table to see and grimaced.

`And I handed it over to you!' `I give you leave to report it, though!' Rojer was quite willing to defer. Lately his name had come up in his parents' conversations and he'd closed up, rather than hear them discuss him. They had such high standards, standards he might not be meeting.

He wished he hadn't become so acute a telepath.

When Xexo returned from making that call, he was grinning from ear to ear. `Brace yourself for a surprise or two, lad,' he said but refused to explain.

`Qh, it won't hurt you to simmer a bit. This fit's original, by the bye. I'm the first to report it. And I made it a joint discovery.

Only fair, Roj. Now, let's see if my hunch is right because I think we've got part of a gyroscope here. I know it sounds far fetched because gyroscopic drives are ancient history in engineering usage...

`Gyroscope! Of course it is!' Rojer cried, reaching across the board for half a dozen shards and scraps which, with little fussing, came together into a whole ring. Xexo's eyes bulged at the result.

`They won't believe this: two sets in one day . `Well, we always thought the first match would be the hardest. .

`You report this one on your own, Rojer Lyon!' Xexo said, turning the band. `Might not be part of a drive. They might have used it as a compass leveller or ... Go report it.' And Xexo shooed him out of the basement.

Rojer reported it in as unassuming manner as he could, relieved when he got an automated answering service. It asked for details and he gave piece numbers and the sequence in which they fitted together.

He was asked his name and the time of the match and he was thanked for prompt reportage.

The nice thing about machines, Rojer thought, was that they couldn't be impressed by rank. They took you as you were!

He and Xexo tried to build in their match but then Rojer's time sense alerted him that his leisure time was over. He and Morag had to exercise the ponies and their `Dinis wanted to come along. Damia asked them to get more greens, if they saw any ready for picking, but they didn't need to hunt. Ewain and Kaltia came along, stuck up on their ponies with their young `Dinis still able to ride pillion. Zara stayed at home, glancing up at the screen and the Queen half-covered with shavings and eggs.

When Rojer and his group returned to the house, Zara was once again in floods of tears.

`She might be dead. Has anyone looked? They don't report the sensor readings. She's exhausted, delivering all those eggs, Mother.

Oh someone has to help her! I'll call Grandmother Isthia myself if you won't.' `You will not disturb your grandmother. Either one of them.

And you will stop this hysterical nonsense immediately Rojer recoiled slightly at the force of his mother's peripheral `pathing.

She was both trying to calm Zara and making certain the girl could not project a call. Even Damia couldn't `path all the way to Deneb without some assistance. For that matter, Rojer was on hand - but his sympathies were oddly on Zara `5

side.

`Ah c'mon, sis,' he began in a drawl, sauntering across the room to them, `Look there now! They just put food right by her palps.

Roddie's getting good at making deliveries.' `Roddie...' Mention of their cousin surprised Zara and she blinked her tear-filled eyes and looked back at the screen, seeing the neat piles of food in easy reach.

`How d'you know Roddie did that?' He sensed that it mattered that a member of her family, sidereal or not, was involved in actively succouring the Queen.

`He's the only Talent up there, isn't he, Mother?' Damia agreed with him vocally and mentally, glad of any diversion for her daughter's over-sensitivity.

`I know he `ports the fresh food in daily. And, if you'd stop and think a minute, she has been assisted in every way as soon as her needs were seen. Like the shavings. Every xenbio and xenzoo's watching the screen as closely as you. Stop fretting so much. And if you're really worried, I don't think Roddie'd mind if you shot him a query or two.

Do you, Mother?' Damia regarded him a moment longer and Rojer knew he'd surprised her.

`If it would ease your anxieties, Zara, I don't think Roddie would mind. But you're not to bombard him with inane questions,' Damia said, raising a stern finger. `He has duties to perform and he can't be distracted any more than your father and I, even if he isn't a Tower Talent.' `Mother, you never liked Roddie,' Zara said, picking up on that aspersion.

Rojer felt his mother relax: her remark had been a deliberate attempt to keep Zara diverted from the Queen. Zara had always perversely stood up for Roddie, simply because her brothers and sisters detested him.

`Look, Zar,' Morag said, `she's eating!' Zara was instantly back in her chair, eyes glued to the Queen's activity. Her movements were slow, but she'd laboured mightily and she would be drained.

Rojer watched until he saw her carefully putting seeds and pips to one side and then he went to seek his father. With everyone else involved in something else, he'd have a chance to speak to his father who was taking an evening swim, without being interrupted. He descended to the pool level and shucked out of his clothes.

They swam a companionable few laps and then Afra caught the edge and turned to his son.

`Something's on your mind and, for the first time in your life, I can't get a hint of it,' Afra said.

Rojer grinned, having the opening he needed.

`That's just it, Dad, I can block and I am also hearing a lot of exchanges that I don't believe I should. But I swear, Dad, I'm not trying to hear.' Afra lazily swirled his free hand and both feet to keep balanced in the water and he smiled thoughtfully.

`I'd say that you were coming into your full strength as a Talent.

Your mother and I thought you might after the pod transfer. It was about time for you. You confirmed it by `porting us neatly to Heinlein and then back here.' `You were in on those --- Weren't you, Dad?' Afra chuckled, the sound reverberating in the pool.

`No, actually I wasn't. I let you do the work.' `I did those `ports all by myself?' `I'm surprised you didn't realize it. I assure you that I wasn't involved.' `But I thought you were the focus -`Only for lifting the pod.' `Then Afra nodded. `Your mother would rather that we tell you tonight after the younger ones are in bed.' But the news, and his father's pride in its purport, was so vivid that Rojer caught it.

`They have? I'm to join the squadron?' he cried jubilantly. Then Rojer gasped. `I should have listened to Thian!' `You've already conducted yourself quite adequately on the Beijing, Rojer. Do you think you can contain yourself until later, when we can discuss this in my study?' `Sure, Dad, sure!' But it was hard not to let his joy escape. Zara, being so sensitive, caught the edge of his elation but no specifics. So he deliberately regaled everyone at dinner with the news of the double find, and let her believe that success caused his jubilant mood.

The youngsters went to bed and then Zara, probably with some prompting from her mother for she started yawning much earlier than usual, went off to bed.

Damia winked and led the way into Afra's study which was completely shielded.

`You've been very good this evening, dear, and we appreciate it because the news is not generally known. Father said there's a hold on it. But the B-Squadron which went to track down one of the three Hive ships that did escape the nova has been located.' Afra took up the narration. `There're three ships in Squadron B: the `Dini KTTS --` `That's one of the class Aurigae ore built --` `Yes, and so are the two human cruisers, the Arapahoe and the Genesee. This may be premature but the High Councils want to have a Prime out there, to relay messages. Your brother has done so well in that capacity that, even though you are not quite sixteen, your grandfather, and Gollee, feel that you are able for the duties and responsibilities.' `Dad, I can't teach like Thian could...

`That wouldn't be one of your duties. The complement of the KTTS have enough Basic, and both human captains have sufficient `Dini for necessary exchanges. It's the heft of your Talent that's required.' `Oh,' and Rojer grinned. `Stevedoring' was a longstanding family joke.

`But why, Dad, might it be premature?' `The squadron has discovered that the Hiver ship is decelerating. Their apparent destination is a type star system. When the message capsule was sent, the Hiver was closing with the heliopause. It also had not despatched either scouts or probes.

It is thought that this system may contain a Hive colony.' `Wow!' `Precisely. A reasonable enough assumption since this G-type star is not that far, spatially speaking, from the Hive homeworld. The feeling is that these are refugees, not colonists.' `Wow! And we're going to attack it?' `Ah, now that has not been discussed, much less decided.

Considerable reconnaissance is required. In the matter of how Hive colony worlds are protected, even the `Dini High Council has no expertise. That star system is galactically opposite to Clarf, north in a manner of speaking and rimward.' `And that's why a Prime is needed to `port the findings of reconnaissance probes and scouts!' `Exactly!

To expedite data delivery and receive necessary orders. You have always been discreet, Rojer.' Rojer let out a sigh, only then realizing he had been holding his breath. `I'll be a clam with my shields at maximum.' `Not quite, dear,' his mother said. `You'll be on call at all times, but there are no Talents above an eight on either of the human ships. So you can't be read.' `You'll be going out with supply drones which are badly needed,' his father added.

`I don't mind what I go with so long as I go.' Afra placed his hand on Rojer's shoulder and gripped it tightly, allowing his pride to flow through.

Rojer glanced at his mother. There was a slightly sad look in her eye that made Rojer appreciate his luck was her regret.

`Mom!' He reached out to touch her cheek and she held his hand to her face briefly. He sensed that she had accepted, if reluctantly, the disposition of yet another of her children.

`It's all right with me, too, Rojer. But for you, it does mean deferring your training in engineering. According to Xexo, you've shown considerable aptitude in that area. And you aren't really the staid sort that would thrive on Tower life.' `I'd do it, Mother, you know that.' Damia lifted her eyebrows. `You've had little choice. Nor more had I at your age.

`But, Mother, it's not a question of choice, is it?

Talent has responsibilities -- ` He stopped.

`You learned thoroughly, didn't you?' she said, smiling.

`Yeah, I guess. You brought us up real good, Mom. And we have choices, you know. You're seeing that we do. Even Zara `Oh,' and Damia clicked her tongue. `She is becoming a problem with this mercurial instability...

`She'll be all right,) Afra remarked soothingly, `though she'll probably surprise all of us eventually.' `I think so, too, Dad,' Rojer said stoutly, to reassure his mother. And himself. `Ah, when will I have to go? And do I take Gil and Kat with me?' `You certainly do.

They're only just out of hibernation so they'll be fine. Not that it did Thian's pair any harm to do theirs on Clarf,' and Afra smiled when that remark got a chuckle out of Damia. `As to when you leave, we'll inform your grandfather that we've asked you and you've consented.

It's not going to be easy, but you have Thian's experiences as a guide.

You are a civilian and you are to be protected so don't have a fit if someone summarily throws you into an escape pod and tells you to get yourself home. Primes are not expendable.' Rojer grinned, imagining the ruckus his grandparents would make if anything did happen to a Prime grandson.

`We'll keep in touch, too,' Damia said, combing her fingers through the white lock which Rojer kept short. `We're only a thought away wherever you are.' `I know, Mom, Dad, but I don't think you ought to tell Zara where I'm going. I think she'd freak out.

Damia nodded, pursing her lips. `I must ask Elizara to come visit her namesake. Maybe this is just a phase she's going through. It's not like my family, and certainly not like your father's.' `All our children are individuals in their own right, Damia.' `I know!' Captain Osullivan of the Genesee himself welcomed Rojer Lyon on board and politely but firmly took control of the courier pouch that Rojer had been sternly charged to deliver only into the captain's hand. His personal carrier, with drones attached like oblong satellites around it, was `ported by the efforts of Callisto, Earth, Aurigaean and Denebian Primes.

That gave Rojer some indication of how very far from his part of the galaxy the B-Squadron was.

A thought away, indeed, he thought. More like a hoarse whisper.

That's all you know about it, young man, said his grandmother's unmistakable voice, fainter than usual but clear. I can't abide cocky youngsters.

There was, for Rojer's peace of mind, the ripple of amusement in her tone.

The two drones directly obstructing his hatch were shifted and it was opened. Neither he nor his two `Dinis suffered any untoward effect from the atmosphere on board: the Genesee, being the prototype Constellation-class vessel, had an extremely efficient oxygen regeneration program: sgit plants played a large part in air filtration.

Rojer shook right hands with the captain: with his left hand, Rojer released the documents pouch to its stated recipient. Osullivan, a tall man in his fifth decade, tall, fit, slightly balding but urbane gave not the slightest reaction, as others behind him did, that such a young person had been entrusted with the courier pouch and had helped bring the drone supplies. The captain then introduced Rojer to the lieutenant who would be his aide while on board. He also issued an invitation for Rojer with Grl and Ktg - whose names he had no trouble pronouncing - to join him and his officers at dinner at 1930 hours. He then excused himself, courier bag clasped tightly to his side, and, nodding right and left to the dawdling crewmembers to get back to their work, left the bay.

Lieutenant junior grade Lin Xing Tsu, a slight, wiry young man with so close a haircut that his sallow scalp showed through his black hair, immediately picked up Rojer's one duffel and led the way to his quarters.

Lin was obviously proud of the Genesee, recently commissioned and on her maiden voyage, and described her amenities in glowing detail as they traversed the passageways. As they passed some of the more important features, or Lin indicated which lift to take to reach the gym, sick-bay and commissary, Rojer began to feel more assured. He, Gil and Kat were shown into a stateroom, not quite as large as the one Thian had occupied as described by Damia, but certainly not the cramped cabin that had been his brother's first accommodation on the Vadim.

`Can I get a little something to eat. .. to tide me over until dinner?' Rojer asked because he had left Aurigae just after breakfast, arrived before lunch at Callisto where the drones were attached to his capsule and arrived after the noon meal on the Genesee.

Smiling, Lin inclined his head. `Sure thing! Considering you brought us several tonnes or more of food, you're entitled to a decent meal. Betcha all the edibles are already in the galley and storage.' As they made their way back to the mess-hall, Rojer asked, `Is there a piece table aboard this ship?' `A peace table?' Lin slowed to glance back over his shoulder in surprise at Rojer. `We haven't declared war yet. How can we make peace?' `Not that kind of peace.' Rojer spelled out the correct one. `You know, Hive ship pieces... Putting them together?' His explanation fell on puzzled ears.

`On the Beijing, they had all the pieces, in scale of course, of the Hive ship that was caught by the nova shock wave. The one that the Vadim squadron found? People are trying to put it back together.

Lin still didn't understand, so while Rojer continued to explain, he glumly realized that he'd have no more chance of participation. By the time this mission ended, the wreck would probably have been totally reconstructed. He'd so wanted to be part of that effort.

`Maybe Lieutenant Gander would know,' Lin said helpfully, `he's the morale officer.' `You have seen a tape of the Queen's emergence, haven't you?' `Queen? Didn't know there were any left on Earth!

Or is it Procyon that has a royal family?' `I'm referring to the Hiver Queen that was found alive in an escape pod.' `You don't say? A live Hive Queen? Oooh! Wouldn't want to see that!' `Actually, she's quite beautifully coloured,' Rojer said, speaking in the most diffident manner. This was a warship, chasing a Hiver vessel, and their attitude towards a Hiver Queen would be coloured by that. `They've put her in Heinlein Base on Earth's moon.' `Thought that installation was decommissioned decades ago.' `It was, but it's been reopened to accommodate the Queen. She can't get out of there.' `Who'd want to get in?' Lin wanted to know.

ù`Your ship's really been out of touch,' Rojer said, shaking his head.

`Oh, we know what we need to know,' Lin assured him affably.

`We're more interested in what's likely to happen than what has!

Here we are,' he ùadded unnecessarily, for the smell of roasting meat wafted appetizingly along the corridor.

A meal was cheerfully set before him.

`A single zap and you'd never know it wasn't freshly prepared,' the cook's mate said as he was served a piping hot plate. `We alius has something' ùfor the watch. You really a Talent, kid?' `So they tell me,' Rojer said, grinning. He didn't mind being called a `kid' by a seaman so grizzled he was probably older than Grandfather Raven.

Then Rojer half-goggled at the multi-coloured pictures on the sailor's massive forearms: tattoos, he thought they were called.

`Where'd you get them?' he asked between attempts to cool his food enough to put it in his mouth. The plate had been well zapped.

`Ah, now these, me laddie buck, are the result of a wager. -- ` Settling into the seat opposite Rojer and Lin the mate proceeded to embellish a tale almost as garish as his forearms.

`Mr Lyon here,' Lin began when the tale was over and duly appreciated, `says they caught a Hiver Queen. Got her locked up on Heinlein Base.' `Do they?' and the mate was either sceptical or not easily impressed.

`She's laid eggs,' Rojer said, hoping to generate some interest.

`Well, laddie buck, in a month or two, we may see more eggs'n she'll ever lay,' the mate said, rising to his feet. `Aye, wouldn't doubt we'd see more.

That's a Hiver system we're coming to. Knew we'd find one sometime. Glad I've lived to see the day.

I'm Denebian, you see, so vengeance is mine! Enjoy your meal.' `Th ... thanks, I am.' Mentally Rojer was glad he'd kept his remarks neutral. He was amused, though, that all the startling events he had witnessed recently were unexceptional on the Genesee, and philosophically, resigned himself to the situation.

Mother, Father, Damia said, initiating a call to her parents, still at their breakfast on Callisto.

Yes, Damia? her mother replied. Something is the matter. Jeff I told you that yesterday when we exchanged Rojer's capsule. And it's ... Zara?

There was gratifying surprise in the Rowan's tone.

Whatever could be the matter with Zara? She's the most pliable of your lot.

Not any more, Mother. And quickly Damia conveyed a summary of her daughter's recent aberrant and capricious behaviour. I don't know where she gets these notions about the Queen --Unusual that, the Rowan said. Especially across such distance, and with only a tape to stimulate the reaction - D'you mean - others have reacted the way Zara has?

Yes, indeed, Jeff put in. There's a growing minority who feel the Alliance has been authoritarian, peremptory and high-handed. Which is muddleheaded thinking. After all, the creature was humanely rescued from sure death. There was no planet on which she could have landed before oxygen and food supplies ran out. She may be isolated but that's as much for her own good. There've been two attempts to...

eradicate her from `human soil' already.

We hadn't heard about them Damia was indignant. The Queen was in responsible protective custody: by observation alone much could be learned from her about others of her species. She wouldn't be released but, on the moon, she was certainly no threat to anyone.

You haven't heard because it's been kept top secret. Young Rhodri is to be commended once more for prompt and effective action, Jeff said.

Mind you, the Rowan added in a terse caustic tone, there were a few snide remarks about the profligacy of plummy jobs held by one particular Denebian family --Damia heard her father's amused chuckle.

Our critics simply fail to appreciate large families: but we're by no means the only Denebian family with phalanxes of progeny. And certainly not one family at that: there're Ravens, Eagles, Cranes, Gwyns, Lyons and a healthy sprinkling of Terran Reidingers, Owenses, Grens, Maus and Thigbits in the top echelons. That isn't really a monopoly - just clever family planning.

However, the remarks were just short of libel and slander, and decidedly snide, the Rowan said, irritated.

Irrelevant, all of it, Jeff said. So far the Queen has been cared for to the best of our small knowledge.

High Council `Din is are in accord with ours that she be treated with care as any prisoner of war.

The old Geneva Conventions - and I don't know how old they actually are - have been scrupulously applied. The difference here is that she has never seen her keepers, curators, whatever. Which may be pure serendipity.

Why?

We have to assume that, after centuries of space battles and the one landing the Hive managed on the `Dini Sef colony, that her species know what Mrdinis look like. But they can't know what humans look like, never having encountered us in the flesh as it were. There is a school of thought that she could be approached by a human representative, in a friendly manner. That way we may find out.

Father, that is totally reprehensible! That's . . that's taking advantage of a helpless - You too? the Rowan put in.

Me, too, what?

You feel that she's helpless, alone, isolated, friendless, worldless? Her mother's tone was sardonic.

Not particularly, Damia remarked dryly, but Zara does!

Zara? Yes, she's always been particularly sensitive, hasn't she?

But how would she pick that up from looking at a tape? That's real distancing, the Rowan said thoughtfully. Still, there's a use for that sort of Talent, too.

Damia caught an undertone in her mother's mind.

Mother, she's not fourteen yet. And -- And. . . Jeff Raven prompted his daughter when she faltered, although what she was finding hard to say was the reason for her contacting her parents.

Lately she's been almost ... dysfunctional as a Talent. Cross her off your list of prospective Tower candidates!

Not fourteen yet? the Rowan repeated. And presently dysfunctional? She's just started menstruation?

Well, the dysfunction could right itself when her cycle settles.

Is that what you wanted to tell us?

Damia heaved a sigh. Yes, I felt you should know.

The Rowan projected sympathy but again Damia felt that undertone, and a flash of keen interest and some satisfaction.

I will not say that you were not a handful at that age, dear Damia, her father said, a ripple of fond amusement in his tone.

I was never dysfunctional as a Talent.

No, that you weren't. There was a shade of irony in the affectionate wave that washed over Damia and she relaxed.

I just wish I knew what to do to help Zara right now, she said wistfully. We've tried so hard to support and encourage her.

There isn't a parent in the universe who hasn't felt inadequate and at fault at one time or another, Damia, Jeff said.

Like your father, and the Rowan's mental touch was as full of affection as Jeff's, I feel that you are being unnecessarily anxious about Zara. Perhaps you aptly chose to name her after Elizara who has such amazing empathy for her patients. There's no disgrace in having a Prime medical Talent.

I doubt Zara has the stomach for a medical career, and Damia shot a tableau of Zara's reactions to limp animal bodies and the preparation of meat for cooking.

Surgery's only a minor part of medicine. More is done through bio feedback, metamorphics, mental conditioning, and genuine compassionate therapy than intrusive methods, the Rowan said. Consult with Isthia and Elizara. Either would have some insights that will help you.

I felt you two should know first, Damia added lamely. Why had she expected her parents to solve her parenting problems when neither she nor Afra could?

Because you are closest to us, dear heart, said her father, having picked up on that thought. Don't be hard on your daughter when she is what she is.

She is what most people aren't right now, sorry for that wretched Queen. The mental tone in which Damia said `wretched' indicated that she didn't apply the usual meaning.

Leave it, Damia. Just love Zara, the Rowan said.

And consult with Isthia and Elizara.

Damia withdrew then, but not without a farewell surge of affection and approval from both parents. Wanting to sort this out now she'd admitted her reservations about her daughter, she checked the time differences. And swore under her breath.

Isthia would not enjoy being awakened from sleep.

When she tried for Elizara, she touched a mind that was intensely occupied in something vital. So Damia desisted, waiting for a more opportune moment to reach the two healers.

Maybe her parents were right: Zara would settle when her cycle did. She'd wait a few months and meantime give Zara the benefit of unconditional support. That was, after all, what Afra had recommended.

He'd lived through her mother's vacillations and vagaries . and her own. He had always shown how much he understood - and loved - her.

And he was very gentle and understanding with Zara. That might be all the child needed.

When Rojer, Gil and Kat appeared at the captain's mess for dinner that night, his presence was welcomed by officers keen to hear more details to flesh out the official communications that Rojer had brought.

`Bare bones of the matter,' Captain Osullivan said. `I believe your brother went on with the KLTL to check on the exact location of the nova and where the Hive homeworld was supposed to be.' `Did you know about the great Hive wreck, sir?' `That was the last communique' we've received,' Osullivan said.

`Then you don't know that three pods escaped.

Rojer asked.

`Three? But they only mention capturing one -, `That's the only one so far located, sir `Any survivors?' asked one officer.

`Any live survivors?' asked another.

Captain Osullivan held up his hand for silence as his usually orderly mess erupted into minor bedlam of information-starved queries.

`Shall we let our guest explain in his own time? Then, if there are additional questions, they can be dealt with in due course.

Rojer took a deep breath, sending his recall back to the proper sequence of events and gave as comprehensive a report as possible. The only thing he left out was his own participation, limiting it to mention of nameless Talents. He had `picked up' that most of them identified him as a `kid'. He didn't want them to add `cocky' to that.

`We have tapes, gentlemen,' the captain said when Rojer had wound down, `but these can wait until after a very good dinner. Provided, I might add, by the arrival of Mr Lyon and eight supply drones.

We'll all be the better for a meal.' However, there were questions put to Rojer that he was not able to answer. Some he knew nothing about and others he replied to not as fully as he could, but as fully as he should. When pressed by the engineering officer, Rojer had the chance to describe how the great Hive ship was being painstakingly reconstructed. This venture, aided and abetted by so many autonomous groups throughout the Alliance, aroused the interest of many of the officers. They were suddenly obsessed with the notion of initiating their own piece table Once again the captain's table erupted into excited babble. When order was restored, Rojer had to disappoint them because he hadn't brought his spec files with him. It hadn't occurred to him that the Genesee wouldn't have their own on board.

Every other ship, world, city, town, settlement in the Alliance seemed to.

`While it would have been a nice leisure-time activity during the long pursuit,' Captain Osullivan said ruefully, `I think we will soon be concentrating on more immediate concerns, especially if that is indeed a Hive-colonized system.' Then he leaned on one elbow towards Rojer. `With your permission, Mr Lyon,' Rojer felt awkward being so formally addressed but he tried to look relaxed, `I feel you should personally report all these details to the Arapahoe and Captain Quacho, and the KTTS and Captain Prtglm. I'll signal them to join us at 1230 tomorrow for the midday meal. Is that all right?' Rojer grinned.

`Anything you say, Captain. Did you want me to `port them aboard?' Osullivan cleared his throat and Rojer `heard' that the captain had overlooked that possibility. `Ahem, yes, that would save hours of time and a good deal of fuel that we might urgently require in the near future.' `That's why I'm here, sir.' Rojer saw amusement on faces about the table and `felt' a generally benign acceptance of him.

The general opinion was that the `kid' was being very useful.

The next day Rojer was more fluent in his account of all that had happened since the last official bulletin had reached the three ships of B Squadron. Captain Prtglm was as large and charcoal grey a `Dini' as befitted its name. It was also the most fluent speaker of Basic that Rojer had encountered, even more so than his parents' friends, so, although he used more technical language and emphasized certain phrases with body movements, he knew the captain of the KTTS understood every word he said.

`I doubt not that squadron approaches a Hive held system, Prtglm said, nodding its poll eye politely towards Rojer when he had finished.

Then Prtglm added a gentle tlock. `Captains do not agree with whole mind but Prtglm is old captain. Longly pursued Hivers. Have also brought new device for early viewing. Not sensitive to sensors.

It gestured for one of its aides to bring over and unwrap a warty-looking object which had the sheen of plastic, even about the obvious jet mouths that ringed one end of it.

With eager excitement, Commander Metrios and the Arapahoe's engineering officer leaned across the wide table to examine it and then looked at Prtglm for explanation.

`Hive sensors read metal. No metal in this probe.

Undetected is. Good look round gets.' Captain Prtglm emitted the rasping noise of `Dini laughter and, when the aide who had unwrapped the `probe' spoke in a spate of `Dini too fast for anyone but Rojer to translate, all the `Dinis had a good rasp over that, to0: even Gil and Kat joined in; more in courtesy, Rojer hoped.

He pretended to look puzzled. The substance of the remark was that,' `Dinis now had an instrument that would provide even humans with as long a look ,as was required to be sure of what to do Thian had mentioned something about the dichotomy of human and `Dini attitudes as far as aggressive or offensive action was concerned, so Rojer wasn't as upset about such subtle censure as he might have been. Someone who hadn't lived with `Dinis all his life might take umbrage at the subtle insult of such a remark.

`A totally plastic probe, huh?' Captain Osullivan said. `Compact, and looking like a meteor or an asteroid. Just the sort of debris that litters space.

But have we ascertained whether or not this system has an asteroid belt?' `All space has floating and flying objects of no definite description,' Prtglm said, stiffening its bottle neck.

`The captain would certainly be correct in that, sir,' the Genesee's astrogator replied, smiling at Prtglm and signing approval and respect.

`I meant no disrespect, honoured Prtglm,' Osullivan said suavely and inclined his body in apologetic movements.

`I'd worry about ion trails, sir,' Commander Metrios said.

`Those'd be picked up `What if it left no ion trail?' Rojer put in. `I mean, it doesn't have to go there, I could send it. No trails then.' Slowly, with obvious elements of disbelief in its turn, Prtglm swivelled its poll eye down to Rojer, and blinked.

RESPECTFULLY, LARGE HONOURED PRTGLM, RJR IS

ONE OF THOSE WHO CAN PUT THINGS AND PEOPLE

WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED. SEND MESSAGES TO DISTANT MINDS. Then Rojer made a most obsequious bow. Beside him, Gil made a barely audible click of approval.

Prtglm had ignored Gil and Kat from the moment it stepped into the ready room. So had the rest of its contingent because all the `Dinis knew that had immediately identified Rojer's friends as younglings with few hibernations.

THIS IS THE HUMAN TALENT RJR LN, Captain Osullivan added quickly.

THIS SHIP IS ALREADY INDEBTED TO HIM FOR NEWS AND FOOD SUPPLIES, AND THOSE SUPPLIES FORWARDED TO THE KTTS.

Prtglm clicked and clattered, even shocked once in surprise but it regarded Rojer without blinking.

With a very slight movement of its head, it also examined Gil and Kat who respectfully presented uncovered poll eyes to the KTTS captain.

`Rijor,' and Rojer did not worry about misplaced vowel sounds: the fact that Prtglm would use his name at all was sufficient notice. `You are Tower?' RJR IS TOWER TYPE SENDER RECEIVER NOW. Which

was true. Adding a title of any kind to his name,

at his obvious age, would have arrogance beyond excuse in the eyes of such a prestigious `Dini.

YOU ARE ABLE TO SEND PROBE TO HIVE SHIP, AROUND HIVE SHIP FOR PERFECT SCAN?

RJR IS ABLE, HONOURED PRTLGM.

`Well, lad, that would certainly help a great deal in deciding what to do next,' Captain Osullivan said suavely. `We've got to know a lot about that system and which ever worlds the Hivers are using.' `I can send something that light and little-' and Rojer pointed to the lumpy, metre-long, quarter-of-a-metre-wide probe, `-anywhere you want it to go.

And it won't leave ion trails.' The briefing that followed was as heady an experience for Rojer as finding that first match of Hive ship pieces.

`We'll have to make certain there're no sensor devices or mines outside or just inside the heliopause first,' Captain Osullivan said, `before we let you go inside.' `No such devices are used by Hives,' Captain Prtglm said and then flicked its forearms open in a gesture that meant it knew that its reassurance was insufficient for its human colleagues, and they'd complete that search first.

By the time the squadron reached the heliopause, Captain Osullivan admitted there were no early warning buoys. `But there was no harm, and no delay, in making certain of it.' Once inside the heliopause, they examined the astrogator's diagram of this solar system. It was so far from Earth and the Nine Star League that it hadn't even a number on human charts: the `Dini ident was a long series of consonants and `Dini numerals which were shortened to Xh-33. It had ten planets, having no asteroid belt where a fifth planet would have been in Earth's system.

When the `Dini engineering contingent produced a round dozen of the plastic probe lumps, Rojer said that he was quite able to handle several in the air at one time.

`A juggler, are you, kid?' Commander Metrios asked, mildly sceptical.

From the beverage counter in the ready room, Rojer `lifted' four mugs and three glasses, two saucers and a knife, a fork and a spoon and had the cups gyrating like compass points, the glasses were circling the room - well above everyone's heads - while the two saucers made a obvious strip path around both groups as the knife, fork and spoon dipped into either mug or g!ass at random. This sort of juggling had been a favorite pastime at home for him and his siblings as good practice for Tower work. He didn't mention that his parents would have scolded him for showing off in such a childish fashion or that the probes would take a lot more concentration - plus generator gestalt but as soon as he'd figured he'd made his point, he neatly returned everything to its original position.

`A most accomplished juggler you are, kid,' Commander Metrios said.

`How much difference is there from that exhibition to handling the probes, Mr Lyon?' the captain asked.

`To be honest, sir, I'd better stick to no more than three at a time.' `Even so, we'll cover a lot of ground in a much shorter time than if we had to wait for the probe to get there by... ah... ordinary transport methods, Osullivan said. `When you're ready, Mr Lyon.' Commander Metrios still radiated a certain amount of scepticism as he led Rojer to the bridge station where a couch had been placed for his use during gestalt. With the ship in flight, the generators were humming nicely. It took Rojer only a moment to lift them to the requisite power to `port the three probes: a second each to lob them on the parabolic courses about their target planets.

The outer planet, predictably a small cold hunk with a heavy core, then a larger but equally sterile one, and the third was no more interesting, though it had several moons. On his second foray, Rojer sent the first probe around the gas giant. It was not a ringed planet but it had twenty moons and lots of debris, which interchanged when two or more moons were close enough to affect gravitational pulls. Rather a show for the astrogation officer, a very pretty woman named Langio, who was enchanted by the lunar dance. The fifth in was the largest, with awesome surface activity and again possessing a herd of moons: some of which had man-made ruins. Rojer was asked to take that probe in for closer examination. That suggested that the moon had been mined at one time.

The sixth planet displayed more extensive ruins, enough to suggest that it had once been habitable before its atmosphere had drained off and it had lost the necessary warmth from its cooling primary.

Captain Osullivan called a halt to Rojer's day then and told him to get some rest. Rojer was only too happy to comply. He was exceedingly tired and wished he hadn't been such a show-off.

Prtglm's doubt had incensed him. He might still be considered a youngling by his own kind as well as `Dinis but he was `a useful kid' and he wanted to prove he was.

When he reported to the bridge the next day, all three captains were present again and their manner suggested they'd new plans for him.

`Mr Lyon, we'd like you to send one probe to the Hive ship. We've been lucky that the outer planets do not have warning mechanisms on them but, if the seventh planet is Hive settled, Prtglm is confident that it will have monitors in space.

Today let's scan the Hive ship.' Rojer was quite willing to limit himself to the one `seeing' rock.

`Now,' said It-Commander Langio in her quiet voice, `we know the Hiver's present position, just past the eighth planet, but we don't dare risk extending our sensors that far to get you good definition.' `I don't need it, Commander,' Rojer said easily.

`Hive ships are always the same shape.

`Not always same size,' Captain Prtglm added.

`True, but as there isn't but one out there, that isn't a consideration.' Rojer nodded to Commander Metrios who ceded control of the generators to Rojer so he could achieve the necessary gestalt.

He'd seen where Langio had sited the Hive ship on the astrogation chart: he picked up the lumpy probe and `ported it in a wide parabolic curve towards the Hiver.

The com officer gave a grunt of surprise. `Getting readings,' Doplas said. `Can you hold it still a minute?' Rojer obliged and then followed his directions so that, by the time he retrieved it, the probe had done several circumnavigations around the Hive ship without, apparently, alerting the ship to the probe's presence.

Rojer wasn't nearly as tired as he'd been yesterday but that brief hour's work now occupied every area of the Genesee and every specialist on all three ships of Squadron B. He was relegated to the sidelines which he tried to take philosophically.

That lasted until dinner time when he was politely, if absently, asked to eat in the main mess-hall. He didn't mind that because Gil and Kat kept him company. The food was nearly as good as he'd gotten at the captain's table and there was not nearly so much formality. And a lot of the crew tried out their `Dini on his pair ... with often amusing results. Gil was particularly good with pronunciation problems but the methods by which it taught caused great hilarity and provided an interesting evening's entertainment for everyone. He was proud of his `Dinis and told them so.

He was roused from a sound sleep by an irritating noise and finally realized that his comunit was squawking for attention.

`Hmmm? Yes, whacha wan'?' `Captain's compliments, Mr Lyon, and can you come to the ready room immediately?' Grumpily, Rojer obeyed but he didn't wake Gil and Kat. They were dead to the world. Someone should get a full night's rest. Although he was in officer territory, it was still a hike to the ready room. If he'd been wider awake, he'd've `ported, but a Talent never did that without full control of his faculties.

`Ah, there you are, Mr Lyon,' the captain said when he arrived but there were scowls, an irritated tlock and snubbing switch of the upper torso by one of the younger `Dini on Captain Prtglm's staff, as if he'd deliberately delayed his appearance. That they'd been up all night was obvious by the smell in the room, and the numbers of discarded mugs, half full of cold liquid which orderlies were clearing away as well as serving fresh drinks to both human and `Dini. `I'm happy to say that your efforts bore extremely ripe fruit. There you are!' On the big tactical screen Rojer sleepily noticed a Hive ship. Only something about it wasn't quite right: it had coloured marks all over it: different coloured marks that hadn't been on the original scans.

`I'm not sure what I should be looking for, Captain,' Rojer said, too sleepy still to pretend to understand.

`You're looking at an unarmed Hiver, is what you're looking at, lad,' Commander Metrios said, smiling with tired triumph. `She's a new ship: not so much as a scratch on her hull. She's not on search or armed to invade. That's a colony world and she doesn't expect us. And it doesn't know we're on its doorstep.

`Yes, sir,' Rojer willingly agreed, hoping that was all that was required of him.

`This time a Hiver will not escape,' Captain Prtglm said, and his body mirrored satisfaction and triumph.

`If she doesn't have weapons, she can't defend herself,' Rojer said blankly.

His comment caused all conversation in the big room to cease and he became the unhappy focus of every eye, especially big poll eyes.

`Where's the glory in attacking an unarmed ship?' he asked, looking directly at Captain Prtglm. The silence continued, but it had a different quality: a quality that made Rojer terribly uneasy.

`You've a message you need me to send to the Alliance?' he went on, thinking that was why he had been sent for. The silence was almost deafening and he was too muddle-headed with sleep to be able to `read' the conflicting ones. `Or do you want another probe sent out?' `A message and a probe, lad,' Captain Osullivan said and then signalled to one of the orderlies. `Some coffee for Mr Lyon, please. He'll need his wits about him.' When Rojer settled in the couch on the bridge to `path to Earth Prime, he heard and `felt' not so much animosity as cynicism and dislike: not outright hatred but definitely contempt.

What he did hear, almost spoken aloud the thought was so strong, was: `How can we be sure the kid'll send what's written?' The captain handed him the message. `This must be transmitted verbatim, lad.' `Sir,' and Rojer raised his voice so that he'd be heard across the wide room, `a Prime, which I am, has the duty to send what he is given to send and forget what he is not supposed to remember. I've been trained in Tower ethics since I was old enough to use telepathy for distance speaking ten years ago.

And that is why I was sent to serve on the Genesee, because I can `path accurately over distance. When you're ready, Mr Metrios, I'll need every erg those engines can give me right now.

To be sure he had made his point, he read the message in a low voice that would be audible to the captain, Commander Metrios and the com officer so that they'd know he had sent what he was asked to send and without comment. He kept his mental tone even and bland but inadvertently he caught his breath as he felt his grandfather's touch: clear despite the distance involved.

That's some report, Roj. You been stirring things up?

Me, sir? No, sir.

Jeff Raven had not held his important position as Earth Prime and the strongest T-1 in the Nine Star League without sensing what sometimes was not `pathed. He altered his voice after his official acknowledgement of the communique' to a less formal tone.

Giving you a bit of a rough time, huh, Roj? He was sympathetic but bracing.

Nothing I can't handle, Granddad. I guess I'm just not used to naval ways.

There'll be a reply to this, I'm sure, Rojer. Let's set an arbitrary time every hour on the hour for reply. That'll make it a tad easier on you. What is your current time?

Rojer looked up at the digital and told his grandfather the ship's time: 0505. Then, out loud, he added, `The message has been acknowledged at 0933 Earth time, Captain, and has already been forwarded to the High Councils. Earth Prime asks me to be ready to receive a message every hour on the hour: or 0600 Ship's time.' He slipped out of the couch, making himself straighten up.

`If you don't need me now, sir, I'll get back to my `Dinis. If they wake and find me gone, they won't know where to find me.' Rather awkwardly, Captain Osullivan gave him a pat on the back. `Do that, lad. Do just that.' The fourth time Rojer arrived on the bridge for the appointed hour, to his immense relief, he `heard' his grandfather's alert.

`The generators, please, Commander,' he said, nodding to Metrios.

He lay back and let the gestalt extend his range. He also pushed down all the negative feelings he'd been subjected to during the last four hours. Hell, he was only a kid. Why was he getting the stick?

It's not as if he could warn the Hivers. Or even wanted to. If only he'd been more awake, he would have sensed the vibes in the room and kept his mouth shut. No-one here could tell what he was thinking.

Were these some of the reactions his parents and grandparents had had to deal with when they were among the unTalented?

That message put the cat among the pigeons, lad, his grandfather said, chuckling. Here are their orders. Repeat mentally and vocally after me. There 3" must be no misunderstanding. Rojer said that much aloud. To Captain Etienne Osullivan, aboard the AS Genesee in response to telepathed message received 0933 this date by Earth Prime. Reply 1300 hours precisely from Earth Prime Raven to Aurigaean Prime Lyon.

Message reads: No action is to be taken against unarmed ship. No action must arouse the suspicions of the colony world that it has been penetrated. If squadron can launch additional reconnaissance units of the new type, details of the inhabited planets and moons would be of inestimable value in formulating strategy. Repeat, further reconnaissance may only be undertaken if there is no risk of disclosing Alliance presence in the system. When the reconnaissance is completed, or risk of discovery imminent, Squadron B is to retreat behind heliopause, maintaining discreet surveillance of system. Do not, repeat, do not engage enemy. This is by order of the High Councils of the Alliance. Gktmglnt and Admiral Tohl Mekturian presiding. End of signal. Earth Prime Raven sending.

Aurigaean Lyon receiving at Earth time 1300:10.90 and acknowledging.

Well done, lad.

I'll hope they think so, Granddad.

They will. And you are entitled to call yourself Prime, you know, since you're doing the work of one. That was delivered in a firm admonitory tone which made Rojer wriggle a little in pride.

Grandfather would not have said something like that if he didn't mean it. Then his voice took on its `official' tone. A message capsule has also been des patched. That's what took so long, getting it written down. Naval types! Get ready to catch it.

Confirmation of the message, signed, sealed and pick it up for delivery... Now!

`A message capsule's on its way, Commander,' Rojer said, sitting up and gesturing for Metrios to keep the generators up to peak. `It's coming in now.' And the slim message tube dropped the last inch on to the carpeted floor by the captain's feet. Rojer grimaced, wishing that he had managed an absolutely, perfect landing. `This way, sir, you know no-one 5 been able to tamper with it.' Someone, somewhere on the bridge, gave a low whistle. The security officer glared around but the culprit was not identified.

Captain Osullivan pressed his thumb to the seal of the tube and it obligingly popped its lid, the rolled sheaf extruding. The captain opened it, scanned it and grunted. `Good transmission, lad. Every comma and dot in place.' He handed the flimsy to the com officer.

`Send a coded fax to the Arapahoe and the KTTS, for captains' eyes only.' He was silent a moment, looking at the forward screens and the distant glow of the G-type star. None of the planets that Rojer had sent probes to were visible, just a tight pattern of winking stars of all kinds.

`Mr Lyon, have you had lunch?' Rojer shook his head, unable to say that he'd gone to the messroom but the moment he'd been seen, the place had gone very quiet. He'd left, his `Dinis tlocking in distress behind him.

`Then it's high time you did eat. We need your particular talents again and we must be extremely delicate in our investigations.

Engineering, security, astrogation, exec, join us in the ready room.

And Doplas, inform Captains Quacho and Prtglm that we'd like them to join us if they'd signal the time to be `ported over after lunch.' Of all her relatives, only her great-grandmother Isthia proved truly understanding of what became known as Zara's Antic. Granny Isthia had raised one beautifully arched eyebrow and said `You do teach them that where there's a will there's a way!

If they implement their teachings, don't fuss.' Even her father who was the most understanding kind of dad you could want had replied, `What if she'd been killed?' `She's half Denebian. We're born survivors!' was Isthia's imperious reply to that.

Zara had actually spent a lot of time and thought on how to achieve her end. The will to the way was also well researched.

Eventually her mother gave her credit for that. What really incensed Grandmother Raven had been Zara's shameless and often unethical use of her Talent. The redeeming part of that was that Zara had not abused or misused anyone or more than bent a few laws.

For days after Rojer left - and the nights in which Zara had had horrible nightmares all involving him in lethal situations - Zara had alternated Queen watching with her planning. Ever since hatching, the Queen had been stationary. You couldn't call the use of one palp to draw food to her mouth `activity' though she did that from time to time.

Roddie had deftly replaced foods by the one palp used and put more enticing offerings near the other forward limb. She stayed where she was, her hind end in the mound of mixed shavings and eggs.

A theory was now circulating that this species of orthopterus might require a male fertilization of the eggs after laying, not before. There was endless discussion on the merits of every theory put forth: sometimes rather loud and furious debates in which speakers lost their temper with colleagues in other camps.

These discussions did more to make up Zara's mind than deter her from her wild scheme, for it became painfully obvious that no-one knew what to do for the Queen. Something would have to be done soon or Zara was afraid she'd be lost. She was sure she would know if she could only get close enough to `sense' the need. Roddie was doing as well as a male could be expected to do. But the Hive Queen was female. It had been females like her great-grandmother Isthia and her great-aunts, Besseva and Rakella, who had `heard' the Hive response to the arbitrary return of the one scout to survive the Rowan-Raven Repulsion above Deneb.

And that act had brought the great ship to Deneb to be vanquished in Deneb's hot sun. That was, of course, before the Mrdini had made contact with humans: in fact it was why `Dinis had made contact with humans. But that didn't exactly exonerate either from current actions in Zara's estimation.

The only female on the Observation Module was the non-empathic Captain Waygella. Why under the suns hadn't either her grandfather or grandmother thought of putting a Talented empath on board that Module?

They hadn't. She had to supply the need.

That took timing as well as planning for although there was a lot of FT&T traffic out of Aurigae, not as much as served her purpose went to either Earth or even Callisto. That's where she had to be unethical - listening in to `pathed messages to keep informed of what shipments might be made to either Earth or Callisto. She'd secreted in her own room a breathing unit in case she was obliged to go by carrier drone, and a comfortable padded blanket.

She'd her travelling clothes ready and a small sac of necessities, including travel food for they used such bars on longer hunting and camping trips.

Her `Dinis, Pal and Diz, were in hibernation which solved that problem. Not that she couldn't keep things from them but it would be unfair of her to seem to desert them for no reason she could explain beforehand.

Time got shorter. The Queen seemed enfeebled and nothing could tempt her to eat more than a few mouthfuls and the intervals between these were increasing.

Zara overheard her parents talking about Rojer on board the Genesee. Until he'd managed to get some new sort of probe around the inhabited planet of the Hive colony, he'd had some sort of problem on board. Served him right, she thought disloyally, when he was actively participating in the destruction of a species. And people said the Hivers were predatory, merciless and ruthless. She was even pleased to hear - and certainly did not form part of the majority - that this colony world was swarming with all kinds of Hive life, with well-developed defences, and hundreds of satellites and large ships orbiting. Evidence suggested that the Hivers were even readying for more exploratory voyages. That was, of course, what they did, according to the `Dini.

When a world became too populated, that meant too many Queens, a ship was provisioned with excess Queens and sent forth to find its own world.

Would that procedure alter when the unarmed homeworld Hive ship arrived to tell the colony of the nova, and the destruction of their original system? Many thought it would cause chaos in every one of the Hive worlds. Maybe even, the incurable optimists suggested, curtail their explorations while they established a new homeworld. Others were certain that it wouldn't even give the living Hivers a moment's pause.

There was speculation over what would happen if the Hive worlds knew a Queen was held prisoner on Earth? Since it was unlikely that even the B-squadron's quarry would know that the biggest ever Hive ship had been destroyed, why would they care?

Which made this lone Queen's life even more important to Zara.

Miner Representative Mexalgo approached Aurigae Tower for transport to Earth for an important meeting of the Federated Nine Star Miners and Metallurgists Association. That was Zara's chance, for Mexalgo was a large man, nearly two metres tall and close to one hundred and ten kilos. He wouldn't fit in the usual single carrier. A double was allotted him. He also had some alloy samples he wanted to bring with him. Zara nearly yodelled with delight.

She was so slight in build that she wouldn't cause an imbalance, especially if she `lifted' herself. And she was small enough so that she could fit under the second padded couch, with a dark blanket covering her from Mexalgo's notice.

And, when the double carrier was cradled in the yard first thing in the morning, she took breakfast with the family as usual but when she went back to her room, ostensibly to access her morning's Teach, she assumed a crouched position and `ported right into the carrier.

She hadn't quite judged the interior and barked her shins hard against the inner couch and scraped her back along the outer one.

She ought to have crouched long ways to the carrier, not athwart it. Rubbing her legs fiercely and setting a minor block to reduce the ache, she positioned herself, her sac, and the blanket so that she'd be lost in the shadow when the carrier was open to settle M.R. Mexalgo.

She'd put her Teach on automatic the night before so it would air and turn off at appropriate times, and left a note saying she'd gone to look for greens.

No-one would expect to see her before dinnertime.

She had a moment's shock when something very heavy swung into her back as Mexalgo settled himself.

`You'll want to secure those samples to the other couch, Mexalgo,' the stationmaster said, and Zara caught in her breath and shielded tightly against the chance that Keylarion might investigate.

`Why?' grunted the miner rep.

`Tower policy, sir. Wouldn't want you squashed.

The pack'll fit nicely on the spare couch and belt down safely' That accomplished and the hatch closed. Despite holding her shields down as tight as she could, Zara could `feel' the initial lift of the capsule.

`Takes longer'n I thought it would,' Mexalgo was muttering. `When are they going to `port me? Don't want to be late for that meeting.

Awkward having different times on different worlds. Why'nt they synchronize?' Zara would have laughed at his ignorance and his nervousness. She'd known when they left and when they'd arrived seconds later, and then the hatch opened.

`Miner Representative Mexalgo?' and cool air flooded the carrier.

`I'm T-10 Guanil. Ground transport will take you to the Blundell Building where an air car awaits you. Here, let me undo that for you, sir.

Neither man had any inkling of her presence and Zara stopped the trembling in her belly. She did exert just a little pressure to keep the hatch from locking. Just that little bit wouldn't be noticed but using the kinetics necessary to unlock it from the outside might be.

This was a secured area.

Outside she could hear all kinds of activity but then Earth Prime was an extremely busy facility, especially since the operations against the Hiver species had stepped up. She could pick up a gestalt from any one of the engines she heard moving about outside. But where did she want to go now?

She had to decide that no-one would expect to be `pathed here on the cargo field. And Roddie was bringing shipments in from Earth every day...

What if she could find one? If not today, then tomorrow.

Carefully she let her senses flow beyond the capsule, just as she'd been taught, to estimate and establish her surroundings. It had used to be a gene they'd all played, the reward of the most comprehensive report got one of Dad's origami figures. She didn't have as many as Laria, Thian and Rojer had got, but then she was younger than they were and hadn't done that exercise as often. Morag'd only gotten two.

She was amazed at the size of the cargo yard, as the cradles emptied and filled almost instantaneously. Then she began to worry if hers would be flipped out again and quickly, despite her barked shins and bruised back, `ported herself underneath the carrier. There was no-one immediately near by so she cautiously looked around the prow of the capsule.

Gradually, as she `probed carefully, she realized that there were distinct areas: she was in `live' cradle which was nowhere near as busy as some of the others, where goods were loaded on to and from immense grav-lift platforms that silently went up and down the ranks of drones, large and small. Most of the grav-lift was crated or wrapped. Nothing `fresh' Nothing even marked fresh food.

She was suddenly startled to hear voices coming near her.

`OK, use that double, Orry, a man's voice said.

`We can put the crates in. The Talent's always careful lifting so nothing'll roll Out or crash about.

Handles his stuff like he would a baby. Don't know why he bothers since she doesn't eat it.' `Who does eat then? Them in the Module.' `I doubt it,' said the first voice with a snort. `It'd be contaminated or something, having been down there by that critter. I sure as hell wouldn't touch it. All this choice number-one stuff going to an insect.' `Big insect . . . OK, strap this down. Harness'll just fit.

Zara did a scan, as she'd been taught, to assess mass and volume in a capsule. There wasn't much space left. Yes, there was. If she folded into a tight ball, she could just fit on the end of the couch where the fresh fruit had been tied down.

This time she knocked herself on the head and nearly gave her presence away as well by her inadvertent exclamation of pain.

`You hear that, Orry?' `Here what?' Ah, nothing. Let's get out of the way. Carrier FT-387-B ready for lift. Now like I said -- And she heard the voices dwindle away.

She also felt the lift: a little jerky as the Talent had to expend more gestalt to `port her weight.

What have they sent along today? And, if she wasn't mistaken, that voice was her cousin Roddie's.

She had done her homework, however, and knew exactly where she'd been landed: in bay A, the Original facility of the now greatly expanded Module. A second carrier should be in the other cradle. She `ported herself out of the first one and then hid behind the second.

She'd bumps and bruises enough getting in and Out of capsules and didn't want to risk any more.

She was no sooner hidden than the door slid open and she `sensed' her cousin Roddie. His mind was full of his duty and his concern for his charge. He'd ordered some specially succulent tropical fruits she'd shown a real interest in fruit until just recently: eating and saving pips and seeds. She wasn't even doing that lately. He had to stimulate her appetite, somehow, someway. The xenobs and xenzoos were getting vehement about her lack of interest in the larvae. Those things could die from neglect just like the young of any species. If the Queen didn't make a move to attend them soon, they'd have to be taken from her to join the programme. Two had made successful transitions to the next step in their life cycle . . Roddie only knew the fact not the reality of the transition.

Zara congratulated herself on being on time. She wasn't too late.

She'd help the poor Queen. She'd save her. The sounds of scuffling continued.

`Right. The fruit first,' and Zara followed Roddie's mind as he delivered sweet-perfumed melons to the occupant of Heinlein Base.

`Bingo!' he said.

His irreverent attitude towards important things had always raised dislike in his cousins and, despite having heard his mental ruminations, it roused Zara's enmity. She followed his second `port.

Felt his confusion. `Hey, now, what's that?' `What's what, Lieutenant?' `I don't quite know, Sergeant, but I think I should find out.' Horrified, Zara took a deep breath and followed the direction of his last `port and slipped on the congealed juices of many ripe fruits, falling backwards and cracking her head against a larval sac.

For a long moment, Zara was stunned. And then she felt terribly cold: as if every fibre of her body was frozen. Zara paused, knowing perfectly well that the temperature of the base was kept at 32

degrees Celsius. Then she looked down at the motionless body of the Queen. It was a lot larger than Zara realized: taller than she was, though she wasn't tall: short for a Lyon, in fact. Not for a Gwyn. Fleetingly she remembered Rojer telling her how much she resembled her grandmother.

Well, she did, and she was here for a purpose.

And she had part of the answer. 32 degrees Celsius was not warm enough for an egg-laying queen nor the eggs around here. Zara sensed terrible hunger, terrible weakness, fear of leaving a. task undone.

Solitude! Hunger! Cold! Strangeness everywhere.

Cold! Hunger!

Zara Raven-Lyon? What are you doing down there? She stared up at the Observation Module, aware she was dripping rancid fruit juice.

She's cold! She's bloody freezing to death! She's frozen, that's why she can't eat. Turn up the temperature. Get more shavings down here to cover her and her eggs or you're going to lose them all.

How under the seventy suns of the Alliance do you know that, Zara Lyon?

Hive minds are female. The Rowan and everyone else who heard the Hive Many Mind were female.

I'm female! She's cold! Turn up the heat!

I've already turned it. And I'm turning you up here to face heat of another kind, young lady!

Zara felt him touch her, to `port her to the Module. She resisted, grinning.

Did you forget, Cousin Rhodri, that I'm T-i? You can't lift me unless I want to come.

I suggest, said another voice with great authority and no humour, that you lift yourself into the Module immediately, Zara Gwyn-Lyon!

Grandmother Rowan, don't make me until she's warm enough to eat because she needs help and I'll give it to her if no-one else will!

Why you cheeky little snip!

A male chuckle spared Zara from matching strengths with her grandmother. She's come a long way to do this, Rowan, and it was her grandfather. Since she's brave enough to be there, and may be correct in her diagnosis, let's give her the chance to prove it. Otherwise, the experts are fearful we will lose the Queen.

Over the next two hours, Zara removed what she could to reach some comfort for herself in what became midsummer tropical heat. But the Queen began to move, began to eat, and Zara pushed more and more food close enough for her to grasp it with her palps.

When the bales of shavings appeared, Zara piled them around the eggs and the larvae. Her cousin sent her down something to drink to ease her own parched throat, a sweat-band and replaced towels as soon as they became sopping.

Then slowly, the Queen worked herself free of her egg pile, crawling forward on her upper limbs.

Zara, keeping a respectful distance from those long arms and powerful-looking palps, remounded the shavings. The Queen continued to eat. When she stopped, Zara moved as far from her as she could, with the larvae in between. The Queen busied herself with adding more shavings, as if criticizing Zara's efforts. Then she went into stationary mode.

Zara could sense nothing.

You've done what you set out to do, Zara, now report to the Module, her grandmother said but she didn't sound angry even if her statement of what Zara was to do now was not something Zara would, or could, disobey. I suggest that you shower before you join us on Callisto. There was a thread of amusement in that addition.

`I'm in for it though,' Zara thought, `but I did do what I set out to do. And the Queen will live now!' To her surprise those on the Module did not attack her, or put a guard over her. The first thing Captain Waygella did was hold her nose and suggest a clean-up for the first priority.

`We've got a good recycling plant in the Module but, child, you'll use up all the deodorants for the month.' So Zara was led, at a jog trot, to the sanitary facility, someone thrust a big towel in her hand and someone else a knee-length tunic and some soft-soled station shoes.

Only when she picked up her suit, after a long shower, did Zara realize the pong she'd given off. At arm's length she pinched two fingers on the leg and thrust it into the disposal.

Then she scrubbed the fingers again.

She was just opening the door, noting a female soldier outside when she was arbitrarily `ported to the shuttle and beside the carrier she'd hidden behind.

In you get, chi(d, her grandfather said. We'll spare you what publicity we can.

Zara `sensed' that Jeff Raven wasn't exactly angry with her, more surprised than angry, but it was only him she could be sure of on that score.

She was right about that for when she arrived at Callisto, she was met in the yard by Gollee Gren, her grandfather's first assistant, and the man who decided where Talents should be placed when they were old enough to have official assignments.

`You have surprised all of us, young Zara!' `But, don't you see, Uncle Gall, I had to do what I did. No-one else knew.' `Zara, honey,' and he put an arm about her shoulders, sort of guiding her towards the path that led to her grandmother's house, `the only thing that saves you from being sent for ever to a boondock Capellan transfer station is that you did know. And you did save the Queen.' Zara began to feel a little better and lengthened her step to match his longer stride. His arm was comforting across her shoulders and she `knew' that she'd need comforting if her mother was in Grandmother's house. She didn't even dare `sense' if her parents were there.

I'm here, and she felt the cool serenity of her great-grandmother lap over her. Your mother and father are far too busy pushing big daddies about the Alliance.

Then they were on the steps and the door was open.

Great-grandmother Isthia and, Zara's eyes widened, the woman she was named after was there as well, Elizara. That sank Zara's spirits.

She'd've known where she was with Mother and Dad, even with Grandmother and Grandfather, but Isthia and Elizara. . ! Uncle Gollee's arm was still strong on her shoulders and she felt the touch of both her great-grandmother and the medic implacably - if kindly gathering her to them.

Rojer woke when he heard the klaxon of red alert.

He scrambled into clothes, wondering for a brief frantic second if he was supposed to go to his escape pod. But this was red alert, not abandon ship. He was supposed to report to the bridge for either yellow or red alert. He pushed his feet through the legs of the fatigue suit, found the ship shoes with his toes at the same time as he poked his arms through the sleeves.

STAY HERE. WILL RETURN FOR YOU, he told his

sleepy `Dinis as he closed the front fastening. Then

he `ported himself to his station on the bridge and

just missed colliding with Commander Metrios who

was lunging for his station.

Rojer opened his mind and found the captain's.

The alert was not for danger to them but to the incoming `Dini which seemed to be under attack.

The previous day, Rojer had put several probes into geosynchronous orbits about the inhabited planet, high enough to avoid many Hive units, and about the moons which previous probing had shown to have weapon emplacements of some kind.

These planetary probes were showing unusual activity and the lunar ones indicated that long-range torpedoes were being aimed at the incoming vessel.

`Doesn't have an updated security code, huh?' Metrios remarked to their gunnery officer, a Lieutenant-Commander Yngocelen.

`Either that or they know that vessel's coming in loaded with Queens and they don't need more.

Bearing in mind,' Yngocelen added, `what we know of their colonizing rationale and what seems to be happening on the planet.' `Yes, but it's their own species, isn't it?' the astrogator said, her voice puzzled.

`Like I said, maybe they don't have today's password. Wouldja look at that barrage! Damned glad we don't have to run it!' `They're not hitting a thing. Look at the blasts!' `Maybe a shot across the bows?' suggested the exec.

`Their markmanship's not great, Ynggie,' Metrios said contemptuously. `And the incoming's not in range, not by spatials!

Why'nt they wait?' `Call for you, Captain,' Doplas said, `signal from Captain Prtglm.' `On screen.' `This is how they fight, Captain Osulvan, Prtglm said. `Barrage will continue until ship is either destroyed or retires. Then it will be followed until it is dead.' `But it's their own ship, Captain.' `The Queens do not like to share, Osulvan,' Prtglm replied.

`Perhaps the incoming ship has not been able to identify itself as being a Hiver, or that it comes from the destruction of the homeworld.' `That does not matter, Osulvan. Too many Queens!

The extra die!' `At least we're learning where their surface-to-space missiles are launched,' Yngocelen said, his hands busy over his terminal. `I'm logging them in.' Any chance they'd exhaust their supply so we'd have a clear run in?' Metrios said.

`Not a valid theory, Commander,' Prtglm said.

`Wooops!' Doplas said and one of the probe screens suddenly went blank.

The loss of one probe did not mitigate the volume of destruction that could be followed.

`This is different,' Prtglm said suddenly as the missiles which had begun to land on the surface of the incoming ship altered to miss.

`They can't miss. They're in range,' cried Ynggie.

`How can they possibly miss? They're bouncing missiles off the hull!' 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 intringsic 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 com 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.' What.... 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 incommer 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 behaviour we witnessed. Now everybody, except you, Rojer, can stand down from red alert. Nor shall I keep you up much longer, either,' Captain Osullivan said, 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 ploughed 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!

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' 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 analysed. 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 till 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 Queen.

On the contrary, she put bits together, Rojer. You may be proud of your sister. She's staying on Earth, living on Ca llis to, 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.

The End-For the Time Being