The Tower and the Hive (14 page)

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.

 

Talavera Tower, holding up okay?
Jeff Raven asked as he contacted Rojer with the warning of a passenger ship 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 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.

“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. Attuned 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 partitions which the 'Dinis seem to be able to make up into whatever shelter is needed. He says that they've a first-class 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-1 Grandfather can find is working 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 I 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 flushing with embarrassment. “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 by sex-driven 'Dinis right now and plain ol' sex between consenting adults usually relaxes the sort of tension we're both under. If you're not too tired ...

Kincaid cocked 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 passionate 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.

“That's as you wish, Kincaid,” she said lightly but oh so very pleased to know the healing was now complete. “And thank you.” She raised her head high enough to reach his lips and gave him a soft kiss, then immediately rolled to the side of the wide bed to rise. “Let's hope that Van wasn't right and today's load doesn't include sudden emergencies. And we
are
all going to take a holiday when we finally get Talavera completely supplied.”

“Good idea,” was his amiable reply. “I'd best shower ... in my own room.” And he 'ported himself away.

It would be more fun to shower together,
she thought very quietly and to herself alone. But she did feel much better today. In fact, she was aware of some very important change in herself as she bathed and dressed.

“All I needed was a good night's sleep,” she told Lionasha as they met for breakfast.

“Does wonders ... that is, if you spend your night sleeping,” Lio said, and for one startled moment, Laria wondered if Lionasha could possibly know how she really had spent the first part of the night. But Lio was looking significantly in the direction of the engineering section and obviously meant Vanteer. Laria felt his weary but satisfied presence doing the usual dawn check on the generators.

Kincaid was whistling when he emerged into the lounge and started building himself a breakfast.

“Let us devoutly hope, Lionasha my dear, that you were not enjoying any prescience for today's workload,” he said as he filled his tray.

“There's not an ounce of clairvoyance in my Talent, Kincaid,” Lio said. “Besides which, I can't imagine what can have been left out of what we've sent streaming out to that planet.”

“Officials to make sure the work's being done well and on time,” Laria had occasion to remark drolly later that morning when a small passenger craft begged 'portation to Talavera. “And Plrgtgl's on it, so let's set it down as lightly as possible by headquarters.”

“At least that's the only one,” Kincaid said, stretching until his joints audibly popped when they had dispatched it. “Was that Zara aiding Rojer this morning?”

“No, actually, it was Flavia. But they're both T-1 's and strong.”

“I thought Zara was more of a healer than a Tower Prime,” he said, slewing sidewise and resting his elbows on his knees, his big hands clasped lightly.