Laria and Kincaid got the announcement of the release of Talavera to the Mrdini from Earth Prime, who was nearly as jubilant as all of Clarf would shortly be.

I’ve a very good idea, Laria, but doubtless you’ll fill us in. Please inform Plrgtgl immediately as a courtesy and—here’s the written notification—in Basic as well as Mrdini.

Both Tower Talents heard the message tube rattle into the basket.

How soon can they set off? Laria asked, grinning in triumph at Kincaid, who was smiling too.

How soon can colony ships be loaded? Jeff Raven responded.

Rojer, Flavia and the Columbia team. No problem on the receiving end.

You are Tower Prime, Laria Raven-Lyon, you can leave the Tower anytime you wish. I’m sure there’s nothing coming in that Kincaid can’t handle by himself. Right?

Right, was Kincaid’s instant reassurance. He jerked his head at Laria to urge her to leave.

The note of the generators slid deeper without Laria’s using them. She remembered to use the glove to pick up a message tube still freezing from its ’portation through the vacuum of space, and ran down the steps.

“We got it, we got it!”

“Got what?” Lionasha asked.

“HEY, what’s wrong with the Tower? Generators are off...” Vanteer called from his level.

“IT’S OFFICIAL,” Laria yelled back. “The ’Dinis get Talavera!”

Vanteer was up the short flight in one leap. “They do?”

She waved the cylinder. “I’m off to make a personal delivery of the go-ahead,” she said, leaving the cool of the station and, stopping dead in her tracks, gasping at the hot air outside. But she persevered on to her ground vehicle. YOU’VE GOT THE PLANET! she shouted in ’Dini to Fig, Sil, Dig and Nim, who were on yard duty.

’Dinis did exultant cartwheels all across the plascrete. She laughed at such antics as she got into the ground car. Someone had already turned on the air-conditioning full blast—Kincaid, no doubt—getting rid of the trapped heat inside. She took off fast enough to raise a dirt cloud and pebbles that pattered against the undercarriage. She turned out of the Tower compound, heading for the Clarf Administration Building. She drove at daring speed through the afternoon traffic and into the compound where Plrgtgl had its office. Braking in front of the main entrance, she didn’t wait for the air cushion to settle before she flung herself out of the car, through the roasting air, and was in the relatively cool building in four long strides.

“What’s the rush, Prime?” one of Plrgtgl’s Human assistants asked, surprised at her appearance.

“You’ll hear, you’ll hear,” Laria said, brandishing the message tube. “Is Plus here? Oh, do tell me it is.”

“Far’s I know,” was the reply. “Naciana’s at her desk.”

As Plrgtgl was responsible for managing all the Humans currently employed on Clarf, it employed Human staff assistants too. So Laria courteously knocked on the door before sliding it back.

Naciana looked up. “Laria?”

“Is Plus in?”

“Yes,” Naciana said, waving her to the inner door, but half rising from her seat as she sensed Laria’s excitement, and also saw a tube that must carry important documents if Clarf Prime was hand-carrying it.

Plrgtgl looked up at her entry, rose to its full height.

EARTH PRIME HAS REQUIRED ME TO GIVE THIS DIRECTLY TO YOU, HONORABLE PLRGTGL, she said in ’Dini, and with a flourish, handed it the tube.

Plus lowered its poll to eye her for a long moment.

IT IS THE NEWS WE WISH FOR, IS IT NOT? Plus said, holding the tube tightly to its chest for a moment. Then, with a flick of its flippers, it opened the container and disks fell onto the desk along with a sheaf of hard copy. NACIANA?

YES SIR? Naciana had followed Laria to the threshold.

PUT THIS ON MY SCREEN, Plus said, tossing Naciana one of the disks, which her eager fingers fumbled into the appropriate slot on its desk while Plus was unrolling the hard copy. AHHHHHHHHHH. Plus’s ecstatic warble echoed out of the office and through the door Laria had left open, to startle Humans and ’Dinis alike in the halls. WE HAVE IT! WE HAVE IT! WE HAVE IT!

Laria, knowing what the ’Dini meant, leaned back against the desk to avoid a collision as it charged past her, waving what looked like a Mercator projection of Talavera. Plus danced up the hall, knocking bodies aside in its exultation. Then, almost ricocheting off across the hall at the end of the main corridor, it returned, giving everyone in its path a glimpse at the map, babbling in a combination of Basic and ’Dini that made no sense to anyone—except Laria, who knew enough to understand its garbled comments.

The moment Plus reentered its office, it altered completely, becoming dignified and organized. After her first surprise at Plus’s reaction, Naciana, well accustomed to her superior’s volatility, had put the full report up on the screen.

COPIES, MAKE COPIES, LOTS OF COPIES. Plus said, flipping its free arm at her to show great urgency. Once behind the desk, it smoothed the Mercator projection out, holding the map down with objects on its desk, and then unrolled the rest of the hard copy. CALL THEM ALL. WE MEET AS SOON AS

Communications units buzzed from Naciana’s desk. Plus waved her to answer while it picked up its own unit and began what Laria was certain would be a string of calls to Clarf’s administrative personages.

“Good luck,” she said to Naciana, who was listening to a caller whose audible tone was as excited as Plus’s.

Naciana waved her free hand and gave Laria a thumbs-up sign, her eyes wide with excitement as she tried to get a word in edgewise to the caller. In the hallway, Laria was stopped time and again by Humans and ’Dinis for an explanation.

“The High Council has awarded ’Dinis the planet Talavera,” she said again and again and again as she plowed her way to the entrance.

There she was almost knocked down by excited ’Dinis, large and small, who were trying to get into the building she was trying to exit. She ’ported herself out of the way and got into the car, sweat running in rivulets down her face and body. When she started the vehicle, she realized that there were so many other cars parked every which way that she had no clear exit left, even on air cushion.

I’ll help, Kincaid said, laughter in his tone.

You’ll have to. There’s no other way I’ll get out of here. She linked her mind with his and together they ’ported her car all the way back to the Clarf Tower compound. Just as well, she added, because the traffic’s backed up on all the roads and the air’s thick with incoming ’Dinis on belts. How come?

You should have seen the old gray dear! Laria said, grinning, and gave Kincaid a replay of the ’Dinis’ ecstatic hall dance. Then she ’ported herself out of the car and into the cool Tower. “Phew! Only something as important as this news could get me out in that heat.”

“I take it there is great rejoicing on all Clarf’s streets?” Lionasha asked in a wry tone.

Laria gave the T-7 a repeat of what she’d ’pathed to Kincaid.

Is there any hard copy for us here on Sef? Laria was astonished to hear Yoshuk’s voice.

Earth Prime was kind enough to repeat the good news to us. He figured it would take you a little time to get it to Plrgtgl and we’d need to be forewarned. Care to wager on how long it takes the ’Dinis to start the immigration?

No, Laria said firmly. But I suspect both Towers’ll be overworked.

In fact, Lionasha said, holding her com unit slightly away from her ear, Clarf Tower is being asked to facilitate the dispatch of the KLTL ...

They can’t have organized a ship and crew in... what is it, half an hour? Laria objected.

You were wise not to bet, Laria, Yoshuk said, laughing. Nesrun has just received a request from the KLLM to be lifted as soon as possible.

Have they had ships just standing by? In case? Laria demanded of no one in particular as she ’ported herself onto her couch in the Tower. Never let it be said that we dallied in transporting them to their desired location.

Here’s where the KLTL is right now, Laria, Lionasha said. The coordinates came up on the Tower screen. Good thing you know that ship so well.

Is it all ready? Laria demanded. I’m not about to send a ship that far with its hatches still open.

I checked, said Kincaid. It’s ready. Let’s shift it to Talavera.

Ready? Rojer was as astonished as she was, but caught the excitement in her ‘pathed words. Let no moss grow on ’Dini flippers. Yes, now I’m ready.

Laria felt his mind firmly contacting hers: she felt Kincaid’s strong support, and reaching out for the KLTL, she ’ported it off its field and toward the distant system.

Got it! Nice throw! Rojer said.

The first of many, I’m sure, Laria said.

You did that alone, brother? Laria turned from sister into Clarf Tower Prime in an instant.

Me and the Columbia’s generators! We’re able.

Yes, Prime Laria. Rojer’s tone was anything but penitent.

He’ll burn himself out if he doesn’t take care, Laria said privately to Kincaid, scowling.

A Lyon burning out? Kincaid made a scoffing noise deep in his throat. Highly unlikely.

I heard you say it. Kincaid, grinning mischievously from his couch, waggled his finger at her.

She couldn’t stay angry with Rojer when Kincaid was in such a good mood.

A half hour later, in the midst of congratulating themselves on the ’portation of the KLTL, Lionasha received official notification that two more ships, one a large freighter (its tonnage was included in the information) and the other a passenger vessel, awaited teleportation.

“Have they been living on board just in case a planet was released?” Laria demanded, lying back down on her couch.

“Wouldn’t surprise me. Shouldn’t surprise you, considering how overcrowded Clarf is right now,” Kincaid said.

No sooner were those big ones shifted than three smaller units requested assistance from Clarf Tower. After them, two more of the big naval K-class ships reported readiness to be ’ported.

“Never even remotely suggest that our ’Dini allies are unprepared for any contingency that might rear its head,” Lionasha said as Laria and Kincaid came down for a restorative drink after such heavy duties.

“Get me Plrgtgl, Lio,” Laria said, trying to keep her exasperation under control. Lionasha was nearer the Tower office.

“It’s unavailable,” Lio replied.

“Is Naciana still at the office?”

“It’s her I’m talking to.”

Laria ’ported the com unit out of Lionasha’s hand. “Naciana, tell your boss no more tonight after this lot. And only one an hour tomorrow. Talavera’s a long way to toss anything and there really is a limit to what this Tower can process in one day.”

“I’ll tell him.” Naciana didn’t sound too happy about it. “I’ve never seen them in such a frenzy. You’d think the planet would disappear...”

“It’s more likely to get as crowded as Clarf with this rate of traffic. And have they brought enough food? There’s nothing there, you know.”

“Oh, they know. That’s what’s on the three freighters. They do have to be sent as fast as possible, Laria...” Naciana let her voice trail off with a silent plea.

“No more after these five until full daylight tomorrow. We have got to get some rest. I absolutely will not ’port when I’ve reached my limit. And Rojer will be as tired at his end.”

“I’ll tell Plus,” Naciana murmured in a deflated response to Laria’s ultimatum.

“Mules we’re not,” Laria muttered darkly to Kincaid and Lionasha.

“Yes, we are. You just kicked!” Kincaid said, and at the sight of his roguish grin, some of her exasperation drained.

Laria made the barest formal acknowledgment, and rose wearily from her couch. Kincaid put a helpful arm around her waist as she gracelessly thumped down the steps and turned toward her quarters.

“I did wonder if the ’Dini tongues would be up to ‘Talavera,’ ” she murmured.

“‘Tlvr’ is very ’Dini-ish.”

“Yes, it is.”

It was Kincaid who pulled off her station boots, pushed her into the bed and drew the light cover over her.

Laria yawned, turned on her side and was asleep.

The experts on the Columbia had recommended a wide valley near one of Talavera’s large inland lakes as the primary site. The land around it supported some vegetation and was pronounced arable and without the lethal trace elements that had been found near the queens’ original installation. The water would have to be treated before it was potable by Humans or ’Dinis, but it wouldn’t harm the millions of plants being sent to begin the resurrection of the planet. The initial ’Dini swarm from Clarf and Sef managed miracles in their first forty hours on Talavera, assembling prefabricated headquarters buildings, living quarters, storage barns, ground vehicles and heavy earth-moving machinery, making landing cradles for all sizes of incoming drone deliveries as well as personnel carriers. A second swarm were planting and seeding large areas around the lake. A Tower was erected to one side of the landing field, with living accommodations for the Humans who would staff it.

Rojer, Roddie, Asia, Jesper Ornigo and Flavia’s brother, Mallen, transferred down from the Columbia, leaving Flavia as Prime with Zara assisting until the Tower was fully operational. Rojer, Flavia and Zara had agreed to take turns as Prime. Morgelle had been returned to Earth to await reassignment. The ecological team—Dr. Tru Blairik, Mialla Evshenk, Rosenery Mordmann and Yakamasura—set up their camp to one side of the Tower. Without being asked, the ’Dini work teams arrived with additional housing units, offices and a field laboratory, and staffed the facility with trained ’Dini assistants by the same evening.

“They must have gone hyper to have all this ready to teleport so quickly,” Roddie said, eyes wide with amazement, when they arrived on what had so recently been empty land. “They even have shade trees for us.”

“All the comforts of home,” Rojer said, grinning. “Even the sun,” he added, shielding his eyes from the glare of Talavera’s primary.

“Not quite as bright as Clarf’s,” Roddie said, with a quick glance in the direction of the sunset. “Thank all the gods!”

“I envy Laria’s tan,” Asia said at Rojer’s side.

“You be careful of the sun down here, Asia,” Rojer said, as usual assuming she needed his guidance.

“I have sunblock on, dear,” she replied, unruffled. “See!” She made him examine the slight sheen the cream gave her clear complexion.

Rojer grumphed. “Just don’t forget to put it on.”

Jesper and Mal rolled their eyes and Roddie regarded Rojer as if he were slightly bereft of common sense.

“As long as you do too, Rojer,” Asia said in a sweet voice without a tinge of sarcasm.

Their effects neatly dropped into a pile just beyond them.

You’re welcome, Roj, but please stop treating Asia as if she was an imbecile. She’s extremely competent, Flavia added with a bit of asperity in her tone.

“I know, I know. Let’s get settled in, team,” he said, and found his duffel. He would have taken Asia’s as well, but she forestalled him and was already trudging up to the Tower quarters, Rojer’s ’Dinis supporting the end of her sack.

Dr. Blairik, whom Rojer found a pain in the neck, intercepted him before he could catch up with Asia.

“I really do feel, Prime Rojer, that we should have been informed that the ’Dinis were going to take over everything,” he said, clearly disgruntled.

“Why? Because they’re so highly organized?”

“Well, I would have expected to be consulted about my requirements ...” Tru Blairik began sententiously.

“Is there anything wrong with the facility provided?” Rojer asked.

“I haven’t had time to really investigate ...”

“Why don’t you do so, and then we can rectify any problems,” Rojer said, and quickly moved away from the astounded biologist. An indignant “Well, I never...” followed Rojer into the Tower.

“Good on you, Rojer,” Rosenery Mordmann said, grinning. “Saw him corner you.” She had a message tube. “When you’ve had a chance to settle in, I was asked to provide ecological reports to various groups on Earth.”

Rojer gestured toward the worktop that would serve Jes Ornigo as Tower expediter. “It’s first in line.”

“Thank you.” Putting the tube down, she left with a cheerful farewell wave.

Rojer continued to the personnel quarters and nearly knocked into Jes coming back to the Tower proper.

“Yours is obviously the one at the end of the hall, Roj,” Jes said, his arms laden with disk files. “They’ve done us proud even with the speed they put this all together.”

“We’ve already got our first message to ’port from Talavera,” Rojer said, continuing down the hall.

“We’ll be ready when you are, Rojer,” Jes assured him.

Rojer peered into the next open door, and the room was empty. So was the one on the left-hand side of the corridor. So he walked on to the end and opened the door into a large lounge room, subtly decorated with ’Dini artifacts and Human-type furnishings, a thick plain green carpet on the floor—restful. Windows gave onto the space that was already lined with trees and the beginnings of a patio. The inner wall had worktops and several screens mounted on the wall. A proper office. On the short wall to his left were two doors. One was a closet and the other was locked. He crossed the room to the door beyond the office space and entered a spacious bedroom, complete with the extra-wide bed that also featured a ’Dini trundle. Another door gave into a well-equipped bathroom, attractive restful ’Dini designs on the tiles. Laria’s accommodations on Clarf were not as fine as this. He grinned with satisfaction as he swung his duffel onto the bed.

“Mine is nice too,” Asia said, startling him, and Gil and Kat came racing into the room behind, taking a running jump to land on the bed.

“Where are you?” To his ’Dinis, he said, “Act your age, you two. You’ll make holes in the mattress before I ever sleep on it.”

“I’m around the corner,” she said, grinning as the two ’Dinis flowed down onto the trundle and began rolling around on it, testing its surface. “Jes said there’s already a message tube to be sent. Or did you want to unpack first?”

He gave his duffel a diffident look. Then, smiling at the thought of opening a brand-new Tower on a now ’Dinioccupied world, Rojer threw a proprietary arm about her shoulders and guided her back through the lounge. He could hear the generators chugging quietly.

“Who started them?” he said, surprised.

“I did,” Asia said. “After all, I’m the engineer,” she reminded him almost pertly, and continued on her way to the three steps down to where the generators had been housed.

Do you mind working with me as backup? Mallen asked, an odd smile on his face.

It’s just that Asia’s prettier than I am, Mallen said.

Rojer adjusted his thinking quickly, for he’d assumed that this was his chance to work with Asia and he’d really looked forward to such rapport.

I have to admit to that, Rojer said, coloring his tone with amused chagrin. But I’ll need your strength as T-3, Mallen. No insult intended.

“Let’s get to work, team!” he said, reaching the lounge and clapping his hands. He heard the generators kick over. “Jes, you’re expediter?”

Jes Omigo pulled out the chair at that workstation. “That’s me.” He peered down at the message tube, rubbing his hands together as if eager to start the day. “I’ll send the coordinates up to your screen.”

“Thanks.” Then Rojer made a flourish at Mallen toward the Tower. “Shall we ascend?”

“By all means, Captain,” Mal replied with a flourish of his own.

Mallen Bastianmajani took the left-hand couch with a sigh of satisfaction.

Didn’t you think you’d make a Tower? asked Rojer, amused but entirely understanding Mallen’s reaction as he settled in the right-hand one, a perfect fit for him.

You may wish you hadn’t, Rojer said drolly. Asia, generators up to speed?

Yes, Prime, was her quick response.

Jes screened the coordinates in the High Council buildings in Old Europe and Rojer, checking to see that Mal had them, nodded once. He felt Mal’s mind joining his as easily as a foot slips into an old shoe.

Here we go! And the message tube disappeared.

You didn’t hang about, did you? Earth Prime said to his grandson.

Welcome to Tower life, Rojer, Mallen, Asia, said the Rowan graciously.

Enjoy it while you can, Rojer, his grandfather said. Don’t know how long I can spare you from Operation Search.

Later, lad, later. Morgelle’s in line for the next Tower. Good sending. And, as abruptly as Jeff Raven had touched his grandson’s mind, he was gone.

That was nice of them, Mallen said. I’ve never been in contact with either of their minds before. Awesome.

Stop the chatter. Four to Clarf?

The generators lifted briefly as Rojer made the ’port. Coming in, Clarf Prime, he said formally.

Rojer? You’re on the Talavera Tower? Laria asked him. They set that up fast enough.

Talavera Tower? That sounded very good to Rojer. That they did. So you can lob anything to me now on the surface. Flavia and Zara are still on the Columbia. We’ll bring down what’s being held in orbit.

I won’t let them overwork her, Kincaid said, joining the conversation.

She can make sure of that herself, thank you both, Laria added with some asperity. Here’s the latest one: freighter, cargo all inanimate. Got a big enough cradle?

I’ve enough delicacy of touch not to warp our brand-new cradles, Rojer replied. Thank you, sis. Nice ’port.

There’re two more scheduled for today and that’s it for Clarf Tower. What time of day is it there for you? I’ll mark it up for a “Talavera Tower” rotation.

Rojer glanced up at the multiple time displays, each identifying a different main Tower time, nicely placed for easy reading for the couch occupants. It is fourteen-thirty hours of a twenty-six-point-five-oh-hour day.

Incoming from Earth, Mallen said.

Five drones. Inanimate, was his grandfather’s terse message.

Rojer linked and brought the drones in the rest of the way, slotting them neatly into the waiting cradles. “Jes, ask my ’Dinis to come up here, will you? We’re going to need more drone-size cradles if they keep sending us job lots like that.”

Kat and Gil came tumbling up the steps, front limbs forward to prevent slipping back down in their haste.

KAT, GIL, PLEASE SEE WHO IS CONSTRUCTING CRADLES. WE’RE GOING TO NEED MORE OF THE SAME SIZE AS THE ONES—Rojer broke off because the yard manager was already organizing crews to empty the drones and load the grav sleds. Then a crew of ten ’Dinis manually lifted the light drone shells off their landing web. IF THE YARD CREW CAN DO IT THAT FAST, MAYBE WE DON’T.

MORE COMING, Kat said. WE ASK FOR MORE. BETTER MORE THAN FEW.

“That’s for sure,” Rojer said. “Off you go, then, and please ask who is the yard manager. I haven’t met him yet.”

That’s Seelbat Buffer, a Capellan and a T-5 kinetic, Asia informed them from her station by the generators. He has ’Dinis.

“How many?” Rojer asked, since the yard seemed to be swarming with all the colors Mrdini bodies came in.

Rojer cleared his throat, remembering that Flavia had got her brother and her mate included on the crew of the Columbia. But if Seelbat worked as well as Mallen and Jes Omigo, he’d have no complaints.

“Isn’t it unusual for a Capellan to have ’Dinis?”

Yes, he was the first ... Some edge to her voice suggested to Rojer that likely Seelbat had taken a lot of criticism and dislike from the methody folk of his home planet for being partnered with “heathen aliens.”

“He’s here now and that’s good,” Rojer said.

Incoming from Sef, warned Jes.

Congratulations, Rojer, chorused Yoshuk and Nesrun from Sef’s Tower.

you are slinging me at ... He caught their send, a medium-sized passenger yacht. Precisely fourteen forty-five.

Bean counter? Beside Rojer, Mallen chuckled.

“Accountant,” he said. “We’ve a full complement of governing officials down here already, you know, from the passenger ships we caught on the Columbia.”

Let’s hope that Fsslm doesn’t complain about the luxury they’ve provided us, Jes said.

Here it comes, warned Sef Tower, and Rojer met the Mind Merge which Yoshuk and Nesrun used, and placed the yacht carefully into its cradle.

Seelbat, full honors to the passengers, Rojer said. Fsslm is to be specially treated. It’s got something for us from Yoshuk and Nesrun.

Thanks, Seelbat. Sorry I didn’t get to greet you formally.

Rojer grinned. Seelbat’s tone had rippled with amusement. Since the Tower was glassed all around, Rojer could observe the arrivals, all but the first one carrying heavy sacks. Fsslm was a mature blue-gray, large enough to have earned its five-letter name. Ground transport wheeled into the yard, ready to accommodate Fsslm’s party and their accoutrements. Not all the disembarking passengers were admitted to that vehicle, so Put let out one of the shrill whistles a ’Dini could emit and a second air cushion appeared to transport the remainder of the newcomers.

As soon as the vehicle was cleared of its animate cargo, the yard tractor tackled the yacht and moved it to the storage area.

Rojer leaned back on the couch, pleased with such efficiency.

KAT, GIL, COME WITH ME. HONORABLE FSSLM ARRIVING. Come on up, Asia.

Should I?

Yes, you should, Rojer said firmly as he rose from his couch, gesturing for Mallen to join him below. It isn’t that you don’t know ’Dinis, m’love. He paused at the foot of the steps until she joined him; then he tucked her hand under his arm, ignoring her pull to free herself, and they proceeded to the Tower entrance.

Their timing was perfect, for the car arrived just as the four Talents emerged, Kat and Gil slipping around them to flank the vehicle.

WELCOME TO TALAVERA, HONORABLE FSSLM. Rojer calculated his bow, his arm pulling Asia’s upper body down to the appropriate level for a five-letter-name ’Dini.

AH, IT IS A PLEASURE FOR FSSLM TO MEET RJR AT LONG LAST, Fsslm said, bowing just a tad lower to emphasize its pleasure, and handed over the large box it carried. Rojer had to drop Asia’s arm to accept the package, which had a suspiciously cold bottom. THIS IS SMALL TOKEN OF ESTEEM FROM SEF TOWER AND FROM SEF PLANET FOR THE RELEASE OF THIS MARVELOUS NEW WORLD TO MRDINI OCCUPATION. SOON THIS WILL BE AS BEAUTIFUL AS CLRF, SF, TPLU, KIF AND PTU.

OF THAT I AM CERTAIN, HONORABLE FSSLM, NOW THAT YOU ARE HERE TO HELP ORGANIZE AN ORDERLY AND ACCOUNTABLE FINANCIAL STRUCTURE. Rojer and Fsslm bowed simultaneously.

Rojer, incoming, Jes warned.

WITH GREAT REGRET I MUST SHORTEN OUR FIRST MEETING, AS THE TOWER IS EXTREMELY BUSY AT THIS HOUR. WE WILL MEET AGAIN IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, FSSLM. OUR GRATITUDE AGAIN FOR THIS GIFT.

Rojer was stepping backward, the package beginning to freeze his hand. Asia kept pace with him, with several more bows.

BE COMFORTABLE, HONORABLE FSSLM, she said in well-accented ’Dini, which surprised Rojer.

Fsslm bowed once more and then mounted the steps into the car, which it imperiously waved to proceed.

The door slid open and Rojer and Mallen made for the steps to the Tower, Rojer pausing long enough to deposit the package at Jes’s station.

“What’s in it?” Mallen asked as they clambered two steps at a time.

“Don’t know, but it’s cold. See to it, will you, Jes, when you’ve a chance.”

“Probably Sef fruit. It’s the right season,” Asia called up from the generator level.

“What’s incoming?” Rojer called over his shoulder as he and Mallen made it to their couches.

We really will need more cradles if we’re getting this much traffic in, Rojer said.

It should level off. How much more stuff do they need to get a planet started? was Mallen’s complaint.

His sentiment was echoed when Talavera Tower signed off for the day at 2200 of its 2650 hours. The traffic had been steady the entire day, and the Talents had had to snatch meals—and some of the excellent ripe fruit that Sef Tower had sent—in between the almost continuous bombardment of large, medium and message tubes, many from Earth or the other ’Dini planets. Seelbat was possibly the weariest when they finally called a halt. He had worked nonstop even with all the ’Dinis helping him to empty cradles and stack the drones, or park the vehicles.

“Who have we got up on the Columbia?” Rojer asked, slouched on one of the recliners in the main lounge. Asia, with a smear of generator oil on one cheek, lay curled up on another couch.

Flavia, Zara, fifteen T’s of various abilities, she answered him, too weary to speak aloud.

I’ll be all right, Rojer, really I will, Mallen assured him. Didn’t I keep up with you all day?

You did and you’re a pleasure to merge with, Mal, but if we get several weeks of this sort of heavy traffic, we need to spell everyone. Tower experience is useful for any Talent, Rojer said firmly. But we don’t have the extras that Callisto or Iota Aurigae or Earth has. Look at Seelbat. He’s a shadow of his morning’s self. Rojer tried for a little levity, since he could sense Asia’s apprehension. I don’t need another engineer if I have you, but we do need someone to share the load with Jes, if only to keep the data in order. He turned to Jes and pointed a finger at him. And you’re to go to bed when we all do, not stay up till dawn to file today’s receipts. We’ll get a yeoman down to help with that. If we should, the gods forbid, lose a drone or a freighter, we’ve got to know what it was and what was on it, or our bean counter will not be pleased with us. And Seelbat cannot work at such a clip without relief. Did you get anything to eat at all?

Wasn’t hungry. Seelbat didn’t even open his eyes, though his right hand idly stroked Put’s back. His ’Dinis were sound asleep, heads pillowed on his thighs.

Rojer turned to Seelbat. Who’ve you worked with on the Columbia who can assist you in the yard, Seel?

Seel chuckled without opening his eyes. Their bosses send them to make sure they get the packages they’re expecting. Some of ’em stay because they prefer the prestige of working in the yard to whatever manual work they’ve been stuck with right now.

A never-ending supply? Rojer asked, grinning at ’Dini tactics.

Just about. Seel gave a weary grin.

Rojer rose to his feet with a sigh and walked out to Jes’s workstation. Flopping down into the chair, he activated the com unit to the Columbia. Despite the hour, someone would be manning communications round the clock—whichever time the ship operated on.

“Yes sir?”

“Rojer Lyon here at Talavera Tower.”

“Good evening, Captain Lyon, how can I help you?”

“Is that Lentard?”

“Why yes, Captain, it is,” replied the CPO, obviously pleased to be recognized.

“Don’t wake anyone at this ungodly hour, but would you please ask Captain Soligen if we can borrow my sister Zara, CPO Esther Stapleton and Yeoman Dorot Bay for auxiliary Tower duty? We’re swamped here, and probably will be for the next week or ten days while everything gets ’ported in.”

“Yes sir, Captain. I’ve recorded the message. Is it a priority?”

“Not before tomorrow at breakfast, Lentard.”

“Yes sir, Captain. I understand. Thank you. Over.”

“There. That should do the trick,” Rojer said. “And I’m for my bed.”

The other four managed to get to their feet and slowly made their way down the hall to their quarters, ’Dinis following those who had them.

A good night’s sleep helps a lot, sir, and I drafted Zara off the Columbia ... to keep her out of mischief...

I wasn’t in mischief, Grandfather, Zara said with a dire look at her older brother. She had arrived just after breakfast Talavera time and, after one look at Mallen, announced that they’d work shifts. She was taking the first one. Mallen could go back to bed.

I had brothers too, Zara. Jeff chuckled. Never any respect for siblings. Handle this bunch carefully. Some of ’em are fragile.

Do they have quarters, Grandfather? Zara asked. ’Dinis don’t mind sleeping rough. Humans do.

Good idea, Rojer said as Jes sent up the size of the liner. I don’t happen to have a cradle that big anyhow. Come to think of it, the Tower yard isn’t that long either.

Roger shot a look at Zara, who instantly merged her mind with his, all that practice in the Tower at Iota Aurigae making a smooth meld. Ready.

Oooof, said Zara. What are they carrying besides themselves?

Equipment for three major laboratory facilities as well as botanical and biological specimens that the zoologists think will do well on Talavera, Jeff said. I trust you didn’t crack so much as a beaker.

Nary a one, sir, Rojer said, grinning at Zara. There’s a Talent aboard who hasn’t realized they’ve landed here.

That’ll be Dr. Seyes Real Esperito, Jeff said, and there was an edge to the tone of his mind to indicate to his grandchildren that T-5 Dr. Esperito was not high on Earth Prime’s “will see” list. Man has no control when he’s excited. He is often very funny without being aware of either his humor or that he’s broadcasting it. He’s tolerated for his very excellent knowledge of xenobiology.

Sir, this is Tower Prime Lyon and I assure you that your ship is on Talavera, if you would care to look at the nearest screen or porthole. May we take this opportunity.... Jes, are they on our screen? Rojer asked privately.

One of the smaller screens instantly displayed the substantial liner landed just beyond the four-story headquarters block.

... to welcome you and your associates. We shall be meeting at some later date, sir, but you must excuse me, as more cargo is ’porting in to the Tower. And Rojer cut off the beginning of an effusive paean of gratitude. “Remind me not to go to any parties he’s at, Zara,” he said, grinning at his sister.