Part 10 (1/2)

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.

Talavera Tower, holding up ofay? Jeff Raven asked as he contacted Rojer with the warning of a pa.s.senger s.h.i.+p full of experts, coming from Earth, to help establish the 'Dini colony.

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 s.h.i.+fts. She was taking the first one. Mallen could go back to bed.

* 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. 'Dims don't mind sleeping rough. Humans do.

They'll use the s.h.i.+p. If you can set it down near the 'Dint headquarters, that will suffice quite nicely.

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

Ready? Jeff asked.

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. * trust you didn't crac^ so much as a beafyer.

1.

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 xen.o.biology.

Good heavens, you mean we've left Earth and are on Talavera already? How could that be? I felt no motion whatever.

Sir, this is Tower Prime Lyon and I a.s.sure you that your s.h.i.+p is on Talavera, if you would care to loofy at the nearest screen or porthole. May we take this opportunity. . . .]es, are they on our screen? Ro]er 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 a.s.sociates. 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 grat.i.tude. ”Remind me not to go to any parties he's at, Zara,” he said, grinning at his sister.

I should imagine you'd hear him coming and 'port out of his vicinity, she said.

p J.

”They have to have occupied all the whole continent by now,” Laria said, trying to keep desperation out of her voice. It was the end of another long day of 'porting loaded vehicles and drones and importing message tubes that resulted in additional drones or tubes sent back to Talavera. At-tuned as he now was to her moods, Kincaid heard her aggravation and sent soothings at her. She glared at him. ”I'm not that badly off.”

”You're not?” he asked mildly.

”It seems to me,” Lionasha said, ”that we haven't sent anything to anywhere but Talavera for the past three weeks. What are they doing with all that raw material?'

”Where are they storing it, for that matter?” Vanteer put in.

”According to my brother,” Laria replied in a somewhat caustic tone, ”the heavy freight we've been struggling to 'port is loads of prefabricated part.i.tions which the 'Dinis seem to be able to make up into whatever shelter is needed. He says that they've a first-cla.s.s Tower with every amenity possible.”

”Well, at least the 'Dinis got that priority right,” Lionasha remarked. ”Not that we can complain. They do right by us here on Clarf.”

Laria grimaced and finished the last of her lemonade. Lio was right: Plrgtgl was forever inquiring if there was anything the Clarf Talents required to ensure their comfort. And their quarters were luxurious. What was wrong with Clarf was the heat. Talavera would enjoy a winter season of some six months: it had a longer rotation around its primary and three degrees more of axial tilt than Clarf had. Clarf was just constantly hot! Nights did get cool-well, relatively cooler-but the daytime heat was enervating in full Clarfian ”summer.” Once again she thought longingly of home, the darker sun of Iota Aurigae and the cool breezes that came down from the mountains . . .

As soon as this migration is over, you're taking a holiday, Kincaid said sternly.

How? Laria demanded, and this time there was a wail of desperation in the tight tone she 'pathed at him. Every T-l Grandfather can find is wording full-time somewhere. She got to her feet, somehow managing to keep her expression from revealing her inner despair. ”I'm for bed. See you all in the morning, fellow mules.”

”It's a light day tomorrow, Laria, if that's any consolation,” Lionasha said encouragingly.

”Oh, they're sure to find a half-dozen emergency drones to be sent,” Vanteer said.

Lionasha rolled her eyes. ”You would!” She pushed herself up out of her chair and, with a disgusted look in Van's direction, left the lounge.

”What'd I say wrong?” Vanteer demanded of Kincaid.

”If you can't figure it out, Van, I can't help you,” the T-2 said, and left the Tower engineer alone.

Van shrugged, finished his drink and left the Tower. He had a date. It suddenly occurred to him that Kincaid had stopped visiting whatever friend he had in the Human Compound. But then, they were all tired these days. Not that he was ever too tired for his favorite off-duty occupation. He grinned as he left, bracing himself for the sultry air outside the cooled Tower.

”You do need a break, Laria,” Kincaid said, entering her room. She was spread-eagled on the bed, as if she had merely fallen backward onto its surface.

”I don't know what's wrong with me, Kincaid,” she said, raising her head briefly to acknowledge his presence. ”It's all 1 can do not to snap at folks, and no one deserves that. Not with the loads we're 'porting. All I want to do is sleep.” She let out a long sigh.

He stretched out on one side, propping his head up on one hand and looking down at her, letting his mind reach hers with gentling thoughts.

”I think we're both missing our 'Dinis. I know mine have kept me balanced in times of stress,” he said softly. ”Only three more weeks.”

”Well, let's hope they don't try any more tricks on us,” she said glumly, then immediately turned remorseful and reached out to touch his free hand. ”I didn't mean that the way it sounded, Kincaid.” She could feel her face flus.h.i.+ng with embarra.s.sment. ”Whyever they did it, I really, truly enjoyed ... I mean . . . I'm just sorry it wasn't. . .” She rolled her eyes as her attempt to explain about the pleasure she had had came out all wrong. We were together, Kincaid, and it was wonderful. I just would rather it had not been forced on you . . .

Nothing could have forced me, Laria. He gave her hand an affectionate squeeze and then began to smooth her hair back from her face. Oh, our 'Dinis heightened the atmosphere a great deal, that's for sure. And he chuckled softly, wrapping a strand of her hair about his index finger. Then, turning his body and propping himself on both elbows, he dropped a light kiss on her cheek. However, we aren't being manipulated Jl by s.e.x-driven 'Dinis right now and plain ol' s.e.x between consenting adults usually relaxes the sort of tension we're both under. If you're not too tired. , .

Kincaid c.o.c.ked his head at her, a one-sided grin curving his lips, as if he was amused to be making such a suggestion.

”I think I'd like that very much, Kincaid,” she said softly, reaching up with both hands to run her fingers through his hair and then bring his face down to hers.

They were gentle with each other, as much from weariness as from a genuine and leisurely interest in making sure each would be satisfied. While not as pa.s.sionate as their encounters had been when the 'Dinis were involved, release was unexpectedly and delightfully prolonged so that they drifted into sleep in each other's arms.

They woke together, one mind's consciousness awakening the other, and they were still entwined. Kincaid lifted himself on one elbow and gently outlined her mouth with one finger, smiling a little.

”I might even get accustomed to this, my dear. You're very restful.”

He had no barrier set, and she perceived how much his mind and emotions had healed from the desperately weary, disillusioned and battered man he had been when he arrived at Clarf Tower.