Part 5 (1/2)

”Queens live deep under the ground,” Grm said, pointing to the deck and jabbing its digit to indicate considerable depth.

Have we got any probes sensitive enough to pick up queen life-form readings?” As.h.i.+ant asked Thian.

Rojer managed to do some probing in the collection facilities on Xh-33,” Thian said, ”but he didn't actually find a tunnel that opened into a queens living quarters. It was a maze . . . with low-ceilinged waiting places for the various types of workers.” He shook his head at the immensity of such an undertaking.

Much smaller workers,” Sam said, still rubbing his jaw. ”Don't understand what that could mean. Prime, can you get us some soil samples from”- he grinned-”Arcadia's surface? Dr. Tru Blairik, the bio on the Columbia, suggests that the soil on Marengo and Talavera was deficient in a variety of minerals and earths. We also have the components of the Xh-33 for comparison.”

”I'll direct the probes to start collecting soil samples. Random selection. Lieutenant?” Thian asked.

”Yes, please.”

”We can help you now,” Clancy said. ”There's nothing left in that sphere that we haven't seen in the others, though it doesn't have escape pods. Maybe that was a brand-new innovation for the Hivers when they met Mrdims, Grm.” He grinned at the 'Dim, who swiveled its poll eye around to Clancy.

”Int'resting.” Admiral As.h.i.+ant began to rub his chin thoughtfully.

”Indeed,” (inn agreed, continuing to rock as if that was as much an aid to thought as jaw rubbing.

”Prime, have we any updates from Squadron . . . excuse me. Fleet B?” the Admiral asked.

Thian leaned across to Clancy and indicated that the T-2 was to take over the maneuvering of the probes. Clancy nodded as he and Rame took firm control of the two, while Thian leaned into one of the Was.h.i.+ngton's generators for the gestalt needed for a far sending. While he could have done it without aid, he had learned to save una.s.sisted contact for emergencies.

Rojer? You available?

Always, was the cheerful reply, and a mental sketch of a deep bow.

Is it daytime wherever you are? Thian couldn't be sure, since it was his brother's touch that he had contacted, not the s.h.i.+p or a planetary surface.

It is -and I'm on Talavera, where we've started investigations.

And?

This is the one with a failed Hiver colony, and we've about concluded that the soil lacked some element vital to the queens. There's one queen corpse left and a few workers', but they've been here a long time.

Five hundred and eighty years or so?

What? No. At least I don't thinly so. Why?

Thian informed his brother of their discoveries on Arcadia, emphasizing the size of the workers.

That's int'resting, Rojer said. Yafyamasura and Blairify noticed that with the worker sh.e.l.ls here. Much smaller than those at Xh-33. You can see the difference with the nafed eve. Are ou telling me that the planet you're investigating is that old and not overcrowded?

That's what I'm telling you.

What's the soil a.n.a.lysis?

Just getting in samples now.

Ts*(, tsf(, you're slow.

Not at all, Thian replied, refusing to rise to his brother's jibe, just being cautious. This planet is occupied.

Hmmm.yes, that would advise some caution, I suppose. Five hundred and eighty years? That's grabbed the xenos' attention. And there was laughter in Rojer's mental tone. Yes, that's what Thian said. . . . How'd you arrive at that estimate? they want to know.

Forensic a.n.a.lysis of fragments of their sphere.

Pa.s.s that along, would you?

Thian flipped the tile in a 'port to his brother's position.

Hey, close shave, bro. So your planet's off the colony list?

It's occupied.

Well, this one isn 't. The 'Dints can have it. All except this compound until we've sc.r.a.ped all the data we can from it. Those Hivers obviously didn't do enough homewor. But then, they had queens to waste, didn't they?

Loo^s life.

Deed it does. Send me your soil a.n.a.lyses when they're ready, will you, bro? Blairif^ is doing comparisons. We're moving to a more felicitous site. . . to erect the Tower.

I'll send on the samples. And with an image of himself giving Rojer a brotherly pat on the back, Thian disengaged.

He did not, however, resume his control of the probes. I would like to get down to Arcadia's surface, Admiral As.h.i.+ant,” he said after a long, thoughtful pause.

'What?” As.h.i.+ant was astounded. ”I don't think I can allow that, *Ihian. You're far too valuable to us . . .”

1 man held up his hand. ”I'd run no risk, I a.s.sure you.” Then he turned to (inn and Weiman. ”The queen kept on the Hcmlcin Base. Is she still ignoring the presence of Humans or 'Dim?”

”It has made no response at all,” Grm said, shaking its head.

Sam Weiman sighed. ”I had the opportunity to transfer to the . . . ah ... facility,” he said. ”Stood as close to her as 1 am to you right now, sir. I have never been so completely ignored in my life.” He gave a droll grin on his moon face. ”No one has ever had a reaction from her. There have been so many attempts at some form of communication. F,very method has been tried: sound, color, every radio-wave band and electromagnetic frequency modulation. We don't even know if she's been aware of them.” He sighed again. ”It is so terribly frustrating,” he added with considerable vehemence.

Thian turned to the Admiral. ”I would be in no danger because the Hivers do not recognize us as enemies or friends, or anything. They don't recognize. . . any . . . other . . . living species.”

”Not even those who have recently blasted all their spheres to bits;” asked the Admiral, c.o.c.king one eyebrow at Thian.

”I won't be in the s.h.i.+p, sir. I do need to be in their ambience,” Thian said in a slow, measured way. ”I will bring a lull squad of marines, if you feel that is necessary. I don't. And Clancy would be here to s.n.a.t.c.h me right back if I was threatened.”

Sam Weiman jerked his index finger up and down, the eagerness on his broad pink face suggesting that he'd be very willing to accompany any such expedition. Grm gave Thian a long searching, hopeful look.

”You go. Prime. I go and Sam,” it said with more than usual firmness.

All three regarded the Admiral, who looked from one to another as if he doubted their good sense.

”Such a mission, seeing the queens in their natural habitat, would be most instructive, sir,” Sam said, his body taut with antic.i.p.ation. ”I'd like to lake as many readings as possible, of soil, air . . . anything that might be useful for our study of the Hivers as a species. And perhaps leave remotes to view while we're still in orbit?”

As.h.i.+ant gave a snort, then exhaled with a combination of impatience and irritation.

”Very well,” he said, flicking his fingers to show that he was not happy with the request but permitting it. ”If there is any reaction groundside, you'll be hauled out instantly.” He fixed a basilisk stare at Clancy, who nodded vigorously in agreement.

Sam's face was beatific, Grm did a little dance on its feet and Thian grinned.