Lyon's Pride (41 page)

“Any word on which?” Thian asked.

“Not yet, but we've got six scouts doing broad sweeps and it can't take forever…If Number Two had to stop to resupply, Number Three must be running low, too.”

“Maybe she did,” Clancy said. “Wasiq had been running through D's log tapes and found that they had lost the trail for about three weeks and had to trawl around to pick it up again.”

“Stierlman never mentioned that.”

“Well, it's in the official log.”

“Bet Ashiant was furious.” Thian said, cursing Stierlman.

“With Captain Steverice, not Stierlman. At least they found the ion trail again.”

Thian sighed. “How far behind Number Three are we hanging?”

“Far enough so there's no chance of any
known
sensors picking us up on Number Three.”

“But, if they
do
have communications…”

“Look, bro, the spheres that got blown up wouldn't have had time to send a click, clack or clatter!”

“A lack of communications from ships known to have been operable and following Number Three would make the rest of them suspicious,” Thian said, running an impatient hand through his hair, and hauling back into place the white lock that was always falling in his eyes.

“Ashiant feels the same way,” Clancy said and then shrugged. “But they won't know
what
took 'em out. I'd say great uncle is making sure none leave Alliance space.
Ashiant ordered the
KLTR
and the
Comanche
to hang back and sweep for any late arrivals.”

“So, it's a waiting game again, is it?” Thian said.

“Looks that way,” Clancy replied.

“We can always pass the time making up a few more packages, Thi,” Rojer suggested. “We don't
know
how many Hiver colonies there are, or how many spheres lurk on our way to Paradise Regained.”

*   *   *

The
Franklin
, crewed by a mixture from the
Vadim
and the Galaxy
KLTS
, discovered Number Three's destination: a youngish G-type star, matching the original Hiver primary within .0378 disparity in its spectrum, which the astrogators considered close enough. It had eleven planets, two of them with the suitable atmospheres and the correct proportion of land mass to sea that Hivers preferred, in the M-5 and M-6 positions. The Sphere would shortly have to make a course alteration if this were, indeed, the primary it sought.

Tension mounted in the Fleet when reports from Captain Soligen that she had “surprised” another sphere coming up behind her added to the dismay of those wanting to reach confrontation.

Captain Ashiant broadcast shipwide that as soon as Number Three made a course correction to approach the heliopause of its target system, they would intercept it. As a precaution, he asked Thian to arrange the 'portation of Captain Spktm and the
LSTS
and two Galaxy-class, the
KLTL
and the
Vadim
, and the destroyers, the
KLTR
and the
Comanche
, in case Number Three sent her three scouts out ahead of her to confirm the suitability of the system. He recalled the furthest-ranging scouts but let the
Franklin
and the
Revere
remain with the task force.

Jeff Raven reported phenomenal success with the
Genesee
ploy, and Captain Osullivan was reassigned to
one of the newly commissioned Constellation-class ships to play an active part in the defense of the Alliance. His old crew toasted their former captain with considerable enthusiasm, with Captain Germys springing for the beverages served. If Rojer looked a little smug, since it was he who had actually originated the
Genesee
ploy, no one who knew that denied him that right.

Since Zara remained “unavailable” for the offensive maneuver, Captain Soligen redeployed her Squadron to cover a larger area of space. Asia and Mallen Bastianmajani were transferred to the
KMTM
and Rhodri and Jes to the
Valparaiso:
the two Galaxy-class ships hung slightly back of the
Columbia
's center and she was guarded by the two destroyers as she maintained her course following the ion trail of Number Three, the main Fleet ahead of her.

Only one more Sphere ship met its end under their aegis but, to the chagrin of the main Fleet, it gave Squadron B an impressive total without a single casualty.

*   *   *

“Number Three's slowed,” Ashiant said over the com unit to the Talents. “She's hanging outside the heliopause. Ah, now she's deploying her scouts. Could she have sensor readings of our forward elements?”

“Whether she has or not, sir, will it make any difference how she receives the package?” Thian asked, striding toward his couch.
This one's mine, remember!

Gee, can't we watch?
Rojer asked in a pesky kid-brother voice.

“Commander Yngocelen here, Prime Thian, package is ready to go.”

“Thank you, Commander.” Thian settled himself, caught the gestalt of the generators, “found” the explosive package where it sat on the floor of the landing bay, sent his mind ahead to the darkness of Number Three's engine
room, the macaroni junction of tubes and pipes, and 'ported the package there.

One
…and Rojer had jumped to the terminal to activate the forward view screen.

“Two,” Thian said, racing on long legs to the bridge door. When he got there, Ashiant was saying “Three.” The bridge crew, eyes on the main view screen, chorused “Four!”

Rojer, Clancy, four 'Dinis and Alison Anne crowded at the entrance as everyone said “Five!”

The screen showed the vivid blossoming of the distant explosion, tiny though it was at this distance. The screen cleared more rapidly than perhaps the watchers could wish at this moment of ultimate triumph, but the after-image of that dramatic climax to a long search would be remembered often in the mind's eye. No one felt like cheering, but there were sighs of relief to be heard around the bridge and thoughtful expressions on every face.

“Mr. Wasiq, check with the
LSTS
to see if the scouts got away,” Ashiant said, breaking the silence. Other muted sounds on the bridge indicated the resumption of normal duties.

“Sir, Captain Spktm and the other ships have engaged two of the scouts, the third was caught in the blast destroying Number Three. The captain believes that the scouts received some damage…”

“With no Minds to guide them, of course they have,” Thian murmured.

“…and the
Vadim
and the
KLTL
have launched a barrage. Sir, Captain Spktm reports the demolition of both remaining scouts.”

“Operation Number Three completed,” Ashiant said quietly.

As Thian lay on the couch, readying himself to report Captain Ashiant's words to Earth Prime, he felt none of the sense of triumph he had anticipated. Relief was the dominant emotion, relief from tension, strain, apprehension, uncertainty.
This
phase of the centuries-long struggle against Hiver aggrandizement no longer threatened the Alliance. But there were all those other Hive planets, and who knew how many spheres waiting until their populations had swelled to the point where yet another planet would have to be “prepared” to receive the Hive species. That could be his job for the rest of his life: finding all those myriad colonies.

Not necessarily, Thian
, came his grandfather's voice softly in his mind.
Though I'm sure you could pick whatever Prime opportunity you choose
.

You know Number Three's gone?

I read that. I also perceived your state of mind and on that you have my most sincere compliments. You are a credit to our calling and to your family. A war where only the enemy dies!

Thian was startled to hear his own phrase repeated, though the thought would have occurred to more than one person who disliked unnecessary violence.

We have won this part of the war, Thian lad, but only this part. If it gives your mind any ease, a great many people, wise and simple, are trying to find out how to control the population pressure on Hive worlds, in that way reducing the species' need to colonize, eliminating their aggressiveness
.

Either is preferable to their solution for life on other planets
, Thian said.

War-weary, are you?

Weary, yes, sir
.

How about finding new worlds Humans and 'Dinis can live on, either together or by the species?

There are a couple of hot-sun worlds the 'Dinis can have all to themselves, sir. I gather that we are to explore all possible colonial systems on our way back?

Yes, those are the official orders to relay to Captain Ashiant, plus his promotion to admiral
.

Thian grinned, feeling pleasure at such a task pushing back the various types of relief that had dominated his present mood.

Meanwhile, the sociologists and bios and xenobs and all the rest of that stratum of reparational specialists will be using the data the Fleet has amassed to see if we can't come up with a solution to containing, but not necessarily restricting, Hivers to their current colonies
.

Zara would like that part especially
.

There was a beat of a pause.
Yes, I suspect with her ambivalence, she would, and she may join them in that research, especially if she's a burden on Captain Soligen and Flavia
.

You might, sir, transfer Rojer to the
Columbia
if you reassign Zara to a research situation
.

The little Asia enters into that suggestion?

She does
.

Well, the degree of cousinship is not a detriment
, and Thian thought his grandfather sounded mildly pleased and surprised.
Hmm. Both Squadrons will now be assigned colonial explorations but…I see no reason to put the boy through any more emotional stress than he's already had. He
likes
Asia that much?

Sir, he's very protective of her. Either a steady dose will cure him or it will consolidate his current interest
.

You don't like Asia?
This was definitely Grandfather talking.

She's sweet and engaging and, when she's out of shy mode, she can be fun but
…

She's not your type
.

In a word, yes. And, Grandfather, I've got my own plans
.

So I understand, Thian. And we approve
.

Abruptly, although a chuckle echoed distantly, Jeff Raven had broken the contact.

ROJER! CLANCY!
Thian shouted.
Did either of you mention…

YOU THINK WE'RE CRAZY!
The two Talents answered in unison and Rojer burst in the door to the Tower room, glaring at Thian that he'd believe him guilty of such an indiscretion.

Then how the hell does Grandfather know about Alison Anne?

Rojer shrugged. “How the hell does Grandfather know half of what he does? He just does, and what did he just tell you? Thanks, maybe?”

Don't be cocky, boy
, Thian said, with a grin and a punch on his brother's arm as he passed him on his way to Captain Ashiant's ready room down the hall.

Well, give us a clue, wontcha?
Clancy added his complaint to Rojer's.

Thian heaved a sigh as he knocked politely on the captain's door.
Just listen in. I get so tired of having to repeat things…
“Captain Ashiant, the compliments of Earth Prime, who forwards the deep thanks and appreciation of the High Council and all Alliance citizens for the speedy settlement of this threat to our civilizations.”

Ashiant regarded Thian for a long moment.

“Is that really what he said they said?”

“Well, sir, if not, that's how it should have been phrased. Earth Prime is deeply relieved that, as he did say, this is a war where only the enemy died.”

“Not quite, but near enough to make it a valid comment,” Ashiant said, nodding acceptance.

Then Thian grinned broadly. “I've also the happy duty to inform you that you have just been promoted to the rank of admiral in recognition of your services.”

“Prime, I don't take kindly to practical jokes.”

“No joke, sir, not to you, Captain Ashiant.”

“Admiral, hmmm?” and Ashiant swung his chair around so that, when Thian next saw his face, it was as composed as ever, save for a brief upward slant of the corner of his mouth. He tugged at the blouse of his shipsuit. “That's rather good news and certainly an honor.”

“Aye, aye, Admiral, sir, an honor to your family, your color and everyone serving under you.”

“If you don't mind, Prime, I think we had best wait until this has been officially confirmed, but I thank you for apprising me of it.”

There was another polite tap on the door, but First Officer Vandermeer did not even wait for Ashiant's response before she entered, holding out the usual documents carrier.

“This just 'ported in, sir, and it's addressed to ‘Admiral Ashiant'! Sir!” Face wreathed in a broad and happy smile, she handed him the narrow carrier with her left hand while snapping him one definitely high-class salute.

“Well,” Ashiant said, uncapping the cylinder and taking out the tightly rolled official document, “well,” and he unrolled it, “well, and so it says.”

“May I be the first to congratulate you, Admiral Ashiant?” Vandermeer said, tears of pride in the corners of her eyes.

“Why, that's splendid news, Admiral Ashiant,” Thian said quickly, stepping forward and holding out his hand. “I'm honored to be present on such a felicitous occasion. My sincerest congratulations, Admiral Ashiant, for a well-deserved promotion!”

Ashiant cocked a sardonic eyebrow at the Prime, but there was no way Thian would have deflated Vandermeer's moment.