Part 8 (2/2)

”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.

Thanks, Fiavia.

You're welcome, Roj, but please stop treating Asia as ij she was an imbecile. She's extremely competent, Fiavia added with a bit of asperity m her tone.

”1 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 em! 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 mzi 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 sententious!)1.

”Is there anything wrong with the facility provided?” Ro]er 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 Ro]er into the Tower.

y 11 11 n i a n H h I n G M ”Good on you, Rojer,” Rosenery Alordmann 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

es 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 [es 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,” Jcs a.s.sured 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 'Dim artifacts and Human-type furnis.h.i.+ngs, a thick plain green carpet on the floor-restful. Windows gave onto the s.p.a.ce 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. ()n the short wall to his left were two doors. ()ne was a closet ant! the other Was locked. He crossed the room to the door beyond the off ice s.p.a.ce and entered a s.p.a.cious bedroom, complete with the extra-wide bed that also featured a 'Dim 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 ne swung his duffel onto the bed.

Mine is nice too,” Asia said, startling him, and CJiland Kat came rac- 1(*g 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.

r ,._ XU II make holes in the mattress before I eer sleep on it.”

”I'm around the corner,” she said, grinning as the two 'Dmis 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 'Dim-occupied 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 wording with me as backup? Mallen asked, an odd smile on his face.

No, no, of course not. . .

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

Rojer adjusted his thinking quickly, for he'd a.s.sumed 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 Ornigo 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 ma^e a Tower? asked Rojer, amused but entirely understanding Mallen's reaction as he settled in the right-hand one, a perfect fit for him.

flu IIKEI and the Hiu SI Frankly, no.

you may wish you hadn't, Rojer said d roily. 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.

Can't set a bad example, Grandfather. Not the way the 'Dims are swarm-ing in here.

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

Than^you, ma'am.

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

<script>