The Tower and the Hive (25 page)

“Do we have to use Primes for Towers everywhere?” asked Elizara Reidinger, whose T-1 gifts were used medically rather than in communications.

“Not always,” Jeff said, “but finding matching pairs of T 2's, or triplets of T 3's with sufficient versatility to manage the Tower duties is almost as hard as finding a Prime. They at least need little training...”

“Especially if they are Tower-born,” the Rowan said, with a hint of pride for her grandchildren's recent achievements.

“Right now, all the T-2's we can spare are on the main Search expeditions. And if you consider how far we will have to range to identify all the Hiver-occupied planets...” Jeff gestured to the 3-D tank which replicated the scope of the Alliance's exploration, marking those systems that had at least one Hiver-occupied world. There were a depressing number of them.

“Hivers have been in space far longer than we have,” Admiral Mekturian remarked with a weary sigh.

MUCH TOO LONG, said High Councillor Gktmglnt, large enough to tower over everyone else at the conference table, even the tall Jeff Raven. ARE WE ASKING TOO MUCH OF OUR

NAVIES AND OUR PEOPLES TO CONDUCT SUCH AN ENDLESS SEARCH?

NOT IF IT ALSO DISCOVERS NEW PLANETS FOR BOTH OUR SPECIES, Jeff replied in faultless Mrdini.

THERE EXISTS A SECONDARY PROBLEM TO FINDING SUFFICIENT PLANETS TO HOUSE OUR EXCESS POPULATION NOW THAT SO MANY DO NOT NEED TO GO ON THE LINE, said Gktmglnt, and it closed its poll eye long enough to indicate that it had a sensitive subject to discuss. WE MRDINI, IN ONE ASPECT, RIVAL THE ENEMY IN REPRODUCING. It turned to Elizara. YOU ARE THE MOST RESPECTED OF THE MEDICAL PEOPLE WITH WHOM WE HAVE HAD CONTACT. AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION WITH OUR PEOPLE, WE REQUEST THAT YOU ASSIST US IN DISCOVERING SOME MEANS TO ... REGULATE AND REDUCE THE MRDINI BIRTHRATE. Gktmglnt closed its poll eye and lowered its head.

BUT YOU HAVE MANY TRAINED HEALERS, HONORED GKTMGLNT, Elizara said, surprised. She remembered how Thian's Mur had been treated by the
KLTL
'Dini medic.

SUCH MEDICS TREAT SICK AND WOUNDED MRDINI. Gktmglnt shook its head slowly from side to side. HIBERNATION AND

CREATION ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE KEEPERS. A DIFFERENT MATTER ENTIRELY.

Specialists, huh?
Jeff murmured.

Oh, this can be very difficult then. I understand the keepers are a law unto themselves and share nothing of their work.
Then Elizara inclined her head with great respect to the High Councillor. ONE UNDERSTANDS THE DIFFICULTY. HUMANS RESPECT THE HIBERNATORY. HOWEVER, TO DO AS YOU REQUEST, she began slowly, HUMANS WOULD NEED TO KNOW MUCH MORE ABOUT THE PROCESS WHICH, WE DO COMPLETELY APPRECIATE, IS THE MOST SACRED ASPECT OF MRDINI CULTURE.

IT is, Gktmglnt said, bowing even farther in either embarrassment or humility, so that Gollee cast a frantic look at Jeff. fearful that the huge Mrdini might overbalance.

Jeff held up a reassuring finger and Gollee, who was sitting beside the Mrdini, relaxed back into his chair. As discreetly as possible, Gollee did tighten the shield on his right side ... just in case. Being smothered in a Mrdini mass was not high on his list of priorities, even if the personage was one of the most prestigious of that race.

IT IS KNOWN THAT HUMANS ARE ABLE TO ... REGULATE THE NUMBER OF OFFSPRING. IT IS BECOMING MORE IMPERATIVE THAT MRDINI DO SO. ATTEMPTS TO EFFECT A REDUCTION IN THE HIBERNATORIES OF OUR MAJOR PLANETS HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. Having delivered the burden of its message, Gktmglnt straightened, though its color remained less vibrantly gray than usual. THIS MUST BE CAREFULLY DONE ... WHATEVER MUST BE DONE ... NOT TO OFFEND ... NOR TO ALLOW SUCH TO BECOME PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE ON OUR PLANETS, FOR THE NECESSITY IS NOT PERFECTLY UNDERSTOOD AND MIGHT BE CONSIDERED A RESTRICTION OF LIFE. BUT IF THE ALLIANCE IS COMMITTED TO RESTRICTING THE POPULATION OF HIVERS, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT MRDINI SHOULD NOT INDULGE IN UNRESTRICTED BREEDING TOO.

DISCRETION CAN BE MAINTAINED, Elizara said, emanating reassurance, understanding, approval and praise for the Mrdini decision, even though she knew Gktmglnt was not empathic. IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE ABLE TO EXAMINE SUFFICIENT MRDINI IN A HIBERNATORY TO ... UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS OF CREATION ... OUR BEST BIOLOGISTS AND GENETICISTS WILL BE PREPARED TO THUS DISCOVER A METHOD BY WHICH REPRODUCTION CAN BE REDUCED WITHOUT LOSS OF REFRESHMENT TO MRDINIS.
Although who
—and Elizara's mental comment to the telepaths around the table was fraught with her astonishment at such a monumental task and how best to proceed, when so many of the most important practitioners of their specialties were up to their eyeballs trying to make some headway with the Hiver problem—
can I find to deal with Mrdini reproductive procedures ...

Zara
, said the Rowan, in a tone of voice which indicated
that
problem had just been settled.
She's been raised with 'Dinis and more than once on Iota Aurigae helped when there were injuries in the mines.

Elizara blinked and then grinned. “She'd need laboratory facilities and other xenbio specialists, but it need only be a small team.”

“I doubt you'll have trouble finding one,” Gollee Gren said with a grin of pure relief. Zara was, indeed, the exactly perfect selection. “I could give you a long list of trained personnel dying for a chance to know about the hibernatories and 'Dini reproduction.”

THAT MIGHT POSE SOMEWHAT OF A PROBLEM OF CONFLICTING LOYALTIES FOR ZARA AND PLG AND DZL, Gktmglnt said.

NOT IF THE MATTER IS HANDLED AS ADROITLY AS I SUGGEST YOUR ZARA RAVEN-LYON IS CAPABLE OF DOING. 'DiniS DO TRUST HER IMPLICITLY, Elizara said, AND YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THE MATTER, HONORABLE GKTMGLNT, WOULD APPEASE ANY POSSIBLE DOUBTS THEY MIGHT HAVE.

I WILL SO INSTRUCT THEM. IN PERSON. IF IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ESTIMABLE PRIME ZARA AND HER COMPANIONS TO ATTEND GKTMGLNT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THIS PROBLEM MUST BE SOLVED BEFORE MORE MRDINIS ARE AFFECTED.

Elizara looked concerned. AND HOW, COUNCILLOR GKTMGLNT, ARE MRDINI CURRENTLY BEING AFFECTED?

Once more, Gktmglnt bowed its poll eye, covering it with several of the protective lids, expressing chagrin and embarrassment. BY LOWERING THE TEMPERATURE OF HIBERNATORIES IT WAS HOPED THAT CREATION WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.

Odd that they would seize on temperature to control reproduction,
the Rowan said, her eyes glinting with irony,
since we damned near killed that queen by keeping her quarters too cold.

ESTIMABLE GKTMGLNT, WHAT DID RESULT? Elizara asked at her gentlest.

Gktmglnt's head lowered farther and Gollee could not help but lean slightly away from the huge 'Dini whose bulk seemed to widen in remorse. Erect, the great gray 'Dini did not take up quite as much horizontal space.

MANY VERY UNHAPPY MRDINI. UNFULFILLED WHERE FULFILLMENT WAS NEEDED. UNCREATIVE WHERE CREATIVITY IS JOY AND REFRESHMENT.

THAT'S CERTAINLY NOT WHAT YOU HOPED TO ACHIEVE, IS IT, Jeff said wryly.
I wonder just what the repercussions are, especially on those Mrdinis who are vital to the workings of the Alliance.

If we do it correctly, few will be aware,
Elizara said,
and that is exactly what Gktmglnt is anxious to ensure.

Elizara reached across the corner to lay a reassuring hand on Gktmglnt's flipper, lying so lax in an attitude of resignation and despair. ONCE WE KNOW MORE ABOUT MRDINI BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO RESTORE JOY AND FULFILLMENT, FOR WE HUMANS ARE ABLE TO SO DO EVEN AS WE RESTRICT CREATION.

Reassured, Gktmglnt straightened itself. BEGIN AT ONCE, ESTIMABLE PRIME ELIZARA REIDINGER. THE SITUATION HAS BECOME CRITICAL ON ALL OUR PLANETS ... Then it bowed toward Jeff Raven and Rowan sitting side by side. WITH THE NOTABLE EXCEPTION OF IOTA AURIGAE.

IN THAT CASE, the Rowan said, PERHAPS THAT WOULD BE THE BEST PLACE TO START SUCH INVESTIGATIONS. WITH MRDINIS WHO TRUST AND WORK SO CLOSELY WITH HUMANS.

ADMIRABLE SOLUTION. Gktmglnt's color acquired an instant brighter sheen. THOSE OF US WHO UNDERSTAND THIS ALLIANCE BEST WERE CERTAIN OF HUMAN SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE IN THIS VERY DELICATE AND FUNDAMENTAL MATTER.

Gollee Gren was looking down the agenda for the next item to be discussed at this conference, when of a sudden, alarms warbled shrilly. Despite all the security measures on this level of the Blundell Building, three Humans and one large blue Mrdini appeared in the conference room, spraying the occupants of the table with dartlike missiles which were spat out in a deadly, almost inaudible spray.

The intended victims had faster reflexes than their attackers: Jeff and the Rowan 'ported themselves high up, out of range. Increasing his shields, Gollee Gren covered Gktmglnt's body with his own. Elizara had 'ported herself and Admiral Tohl Mekturian to the far comer. The four attackers were themselves mind-stunned by Talents and collapsed, paralyzed. The door to the conference room burst open and the security guards rushed in, immediately taking charge of the intruders.

May I ask,
Jeff said, in a tone not even his lifelong partner had ever heard him use,
how Clarissia Negeva got in here?
And he indicated one of the paralyzed forms.

Sir, the location of this conference room is protected,
said an exceedingly red-faced and furious T-3 security officer.
We do not know how the security system could have been so compromised.

“Clarissia Negeva?
Why so it is,” the security captain said as he turned over the first of the two women sprawled on the carpet.

“She's the xenophobic T-2 Laria bounced out of Clarf,” Jeff went on. Elizara was 'porting restorative drinks to the Rowan, who was ashen-faced, and to the stunned Admiral while Gollee apologized profusely to Gktmglnt for both the intrusion and his rough handling of the Mrdini's person.

“The others—both T-2's and strong kinetics—are Duvona Tselligan and Nyol Greb, both Capellans,” Jeff said, having touched their stunned minds.

THE MRDINI IS A DISGRUNTLED MEMBER OF MY OWN STAFF, said Gktmglnt in a tone dripping with distaste and disillusion. IT IS TO BE SENT BACK IN A PERSONNEL CARRIER IMMEDIATELY AND—

PLEASE, NOT TO CLARF THIS TIME, the Rowan said, raising one hand in appeal.

IT IS FROM KEF AND WILL BE SENT TO THE MOST PUBLIC PLACE POSSIBLE.

WOULD IT NOT BE WISER TO DISCOVER WHO ELSE AMONG YOUR STAFF MIGHT BE INVOLVED? asked T-3 Security Officer Harry Sargent with a formal bow to the High Councillor.

THE MANNER OF ITS PUNISHMENT WILL BE SUFFICIENT DETERRENT FOR ANY OTHERS WHO CONSIDER THAT ELIMINATING A HIGH COUNCILLOR WILL REDRESS WHATEVER GRIEVANCES EXIST.

Commendable reactions, all of you,
Jeff said with a wry smile as his mind was flooded by the queries from various alarmed offspring and relatives.
All is well. A discreet and very private message will be forthcoming. Allow us to deal with the matter in our own time. Thank you.

They'd've been too late,
the Rowan remarked very quietly to her mate.
I had no idea I'd broadcast this ... recent untoward event.

I suspect all of us did,
Jeff said, managing a grin at Elizara and Gollee.

Harry Sargent, his hand carefully gloved, picked up one of the many darts scattered about the room by the Talents' self-protection instincts. He examined it, sniffed cautiously, and his expression became even more implacable.

“Poisoned. A particularly virulent type. Even Elizara couldn't have saved all of you. Especially these”—he indicated a scatter on the table in front of Gktmglnt—“would have been impossible to neutralize.” He bowed his abject apologies to the High Councillor who had resumed its seat, its figure regally erect.

TAKE THAT AWAY IMMEDIATELY. Gktmglnt nodded at the immobilized 'Dini.

CERTAINLY, HIGH COUNCILLOR, said Sargent.

ALLOW ME TO ASSIST, Gollee said, and he 'ported the body to one of the many personnel carriers available at the Blundell Building's yard, an action the others followed with their minds.

WOULD YOU KNOW THE COORDINATES OF ITS ... FINAL PLACEMENT, GKTMGLNT? Jeff asked.

THE BIG SQUARE ON KEF WOULD BE THE MOST PUBLIC PLACE.

WE KNOW THOSE COORDINATES, Jeff said.

YOU DON'T GET TO DO IT BY YOURSELF, the Rowan said, rising straight up from her chair until she hovered tall as the High Councillor. I INSIST ON—

NOT UNLESS I AM IN ON THE THROW TOO, Gollee said in an equally arbitrary tone.

IN THE TIME IT'S TAKING US TO ARGUE WHO DOES IT, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE, Jeff replied.

WE'LL ALL DO IT, Elizara said at her most reasonable. ONE, TWO, THREE.

WHAT'S GOING ON UP THERE? MY GENERATORS DAMNED NEAR OVERLOADED!
was the outraged roar from T-2 Viling Iredit, the Blundell Tower engineer.

Operation Overkill,
was Jeff's unapologetic reply.
It's not likely to happen again.

THE TRANSFER IS COMPLETED? asked Gktmglnt.

MOST DECIDEDLY, Admiral Mekturian said, leaning across and lightly touching the Mrdini's arm, a big grin on his face.

Jeff held up his hand, looking first to the Rowan, who gave a slow nod of her head, then to Gollee, who was also in accord. Elizara hesitated.

“You'll need to know who else is involved. I shall attend to that when the meeting is concluded,” she said.

“That's my job,” Gollee said.

Elizara, her usually sympathetic expression neutral, turned to him. “In this instance, I disagree, Gollee. You are an excellent T-2, but I am the medical Prime and these three had ... sick minds.”

The Rowan leaned across the table, her eyes bleak. “Their minds are not to be healed, Elizara.”

“That is a given, Angharad Raven, since they have abrogated any consideration by such an unwarranted attack.” She turned to Harry Sargent. “Secure them in the infirmary and request my assistant to administer the necessary suppressant. They are to be placed in separate rooms and are not to be allowed to move or communicate with anyone, even my assistant.”