Authors: Anne McCaffrey
When telekinesis had given Peter mobility, he had pleaded with Dr.
McNulty to reconnect him, but the doctor had regretfully replied that Peter did not have the sympathetic nervous system to control voluntary actions, no matter how clever he had been at counterfeiting movement in his limbs.
“If I have to wait for voluntary muscle control to develop, how will I know when it does?” Peter asked Finn.
The doctor twitched his lips, cleared his throat, and his eyes gleamed. “You’ll know. The man in you will stand up and be noticed.”
It took Peter a moment to realize what Markstein meant, and then he felt the blood rush to his face. He remembered, all too vividly, the three
A.M
. bath!
“You’ll know, Peter,” the doctor repeated gently.
I
t took ten days of designing, testing, and refining—and some very serious headaches—before Professor Gadriel and Peter were satisfied with their results.
“Look at this, we have a one hundred percent decrease in power consumption when the circuits are tuned.” Professor Gadriel chortled happily to himself. “And you were so right, Peter, to think of using musical notes for tuning—very efficient. I also notice that your friend Lance Baden is tone-deaf, which probably explains why he cannot achieve the gestalt. It is also true that some telekinetics take longer to achieve a gestalt, but those times decrease significantly when the generators are tuned to their pitch.”
“It’s as though a telekinetic has a particular range of ability—and the peak efficiency is at a particular frequency,” Peter observed.
“I agree,” said Johnny Greene, who had been brought in as a later test subject. He rubbed the back of his neck in a vain attempt to rid himself of his latest headache. “And now I know why I like songs in G major more than those in C.”
Peter’s best key was C major.
“I also see that our efficiencies increase with the greater efficiency of the gestalt circuitry—the 0.1 micron circuits are much easier to work with,” Johnny noted. “Professor, when do you think we can push down to finer circuitry?”
Tomas frowned and shook his head. “We are dealing with a great
amount of power, General Greene. It is very hard to design such fine traces to handle such high loads.”
Johnny sighed and nodded. “But it is obvious that the closer we are to the quantum-mechanical limit, the easier it is for us to enter into the gestalt.”
“Ah, but we must be careful not to let other quantum-mechanical effects overwhelm our circuitry,” Tomas countered.
“I think the really important thing, Tomas, is when can we get this new circuitry installed up here on Padrugoi?” Peter said.
Tomas perked up. “Oh, didn’t I mention?” Across the link, the other two shook their heads. “Ah, well—today, if you can stand the headache of picking it up.”
“Can we!” Peter and Johnny chorused. The several crates of ultrasensitive circuitry from CERN were deposited with butterfly delicacy to the high-security storage on Engineering deck.
F
rom such sublimity, Peter reported for another very physical session with Mike. And so he sweated, had his muscles galvanically stimulated, ate the special diet—which included the complex carbohydrates he needed—despite the extra loads that had to be emptied more regularly from the waste-bag. He also reinstituted the limbic exercises Sue had taught him. In a way, that was following Mike’s advice about thinking into his tissue. And deadening the pain! It was almost good to
feel
pain, to stretch and compress. Almost!
P
eter was also almost sorry to have the next week off, because Lieutenant Temuri Bergkamp was quite willing to install the CERN circuits to improve the performance of his generators in gestalt. He said it would take at least the week to get them integrated. He grinned at both Johnny and Peter, a twinkle in his eye that told them he’d been on the list of those who needed to know how
Limo-34
had been able to make it back to First Base.
A week off from telekinesis did not, however, mean a week off from intensive physiotherapy, because Martin McNulty made provisions for Peter to continue the relentless exercises.
Nevertheless, he and Johnny gratefully ’ported downside to the Jerhattan terminal. For the first time, Peter noticed the expanse of low land that had once been a nice urban area until a compulsory government acquisition had transferred the residents to other, quieter habitations. Jerhattan Transport Complex had grown but not outstripped the available area. The telepad was east and south of the main buildings and the grid of concrete takeoff and taxiing strips. Even the airbus hotels needed room to maneuver and make their vertical landings. Small craft used auxiliary fields.
Here, there would be space for a suitable headquarters, Peter decided, near enough Jerhattan proper for access—especially by telekinetics—and cargo space for the containers. Johnny had never referred to Peter’s mention of a commercial amalgamation of telekinetics and long-distance telepaths. Peter was not going to rush the idea. Simply because Johnny hadn’t taken him up on that casual reference didn’t mean that the general had not heard it.
Nor had Peter had time to trick Johnny into sending to “South America.” In between his physio sessions, there had been so many and unexpected developments. Especially more talks with Tomas Gadriel. The professor had also offered the new circuitry to Rhyssa. While she was dubious about how this would help other parapsychics, she and Sascha excitedly discussed how this would alter the training of the new kinetic. This could well be the most important breakthrough for parapsychic research since Henry Darrow had invented the Goosegg that could record the brainwaves and prove genuine incidents of psychic ability.
Maybe, Peter mused, when they got back to work, the Gadriel gestalt would make it easier to trick Johnny into sending to “South America.” And then he’d also make time to stargaze … or rather, asteroid-gaze.
Now, he was just a step away from Amariyah.
Both Rhyssa and Dorotea told him frequently and in no uncertain terms not to mention Amariyah’s part in his neoneurogenesis, that he wondered if they thought he’d lost his wits as he regained his limbs. He, of all people, knew he must be adroit. How he was going to also impress on Amariyah
not
to inhibit her Talent—which she didn’t yet know she had—was another matter. He had read all he could about Dorotea’s mother, Ruth Horvath, who had been able to manipulate cells, but could never consciously tap into her micro-kinetic Talent. He read how deftly
Daffyd op Owen, Rhyssa’s grandfather, had dealt with Ruth, subtly inspiring her innate maternal sympathies for persons he wished her to heal and alter. Sometimes this had been successful; it was not an easy Talent to have, use, or direct.
According to most parapsychic experts, a person did not come into his or her Talent until puberty or until a trauma forced them to use alternate skills, as had happened to him. Instinct had governed Amariyah’s abilities—the instinct to heal, nourish, protect. Some latent Talents, like Ceara Scott’s empathy, were not apparent even at puberty, emerging gradually, almost unnoticed.
Long after Johnny had taken himself on to his home in Virginia, Peter tarried at the Jerhattan telepad. Finally realizing that he was ridiculously postponing his reunion with Amariyah, he ’ported himself to the Henner estate, the trees around the perimeter beginning to leaf out. Why did that surprise him? Objectively, only four weeks had elapsed since he had said good-bye to Dorotea and Maree. Subjectively a very great deal had happened.
He would have given much to stride smartly down the path to Dorotea’s neat house. That was in the future. He didn’t yet have the physical strength to relinquish kinesis. Also, he wasn’t sure how often he
would
. It was such an effort. Only the reward of removing the waste-bag was worth the struggle. And having a longer, healthier life. Markstein had been eloquent on that topic. Long-term paralysis had devastating effects on the body of the skeleteam. Peter grinned. While there was a trickle of people heading toward the transport tube and their day’s work, they were in the distance.
Amariyah! Dorotea! Rhyssa!
His mental tone was not quite a shout since all three were nearby.
PETER!
Rhyssa’s response was a second faster than Dorotea’s. Both rang with joy!
I’ll meet you at Dorotea’s
, Rhyssa said.
You sound
so
good!
Amariyah doesn’t ‘hear,’ Peter, but we’re just having breakfast
.
I ate above. Padrugoi’s day is ahead of Earth’s right now but I could certainly use another cup of tea
.
He ’ported himself into the hallway outside the kitchen. He sensed Amariyah in her bedroom.
“Maree? I’m home,” he called, and opened the door to the kitchen.
Quickly wiping her hands on her apron, Dorotea opened her arms to him. He couldn’t step fast enough to get to her, but he could close his arms tightly around her body, and “feel” her frailty. Fortunately, he only had so much muscle in his arms so “tight” wasn’t bone-crushing.
“Oh, Peter, you
have
improved,” she cried, and he could feel the pressure of her arms about his waist as she hugged him enthusiastically. Then she pushed him away, to stare into his eyes, trying to assess the less obvious alterations in him. “In so
many
ways, my dear, dear boy!”
Amariyah charged into the kitchen, shouting with joy. If he hadn’t instinctively braced himself, she would have propelled them against the sink unit.
“Peter, Peter, Peter, Peter,
Peter
!” she caroled in a litany of welcome, flinging her arms about his waist.
“Ama-ree-yah,” Dorotea exclaimed in automatic protest. “Have some manners!”
Peter embraced her slender frame, so much more vibrant than Dorotea’s, wriggling as if to bore inside him to display her joy at his homecoming. A swift, impetuous hug, and then she released him, grabbing his hand, not even noticing that he could close his fingers about hers.
“Come see, come see. I’ve so much to show you,” and the wiry little girl tried to haul him after her.
“Amariyah Bantam,” Dorotea said firmly, gripping a fold of her tunic top and pulling her back. “Breakfast is ready and the garden will not disappear.”
Though at times I wish it did
, she added with an exasperated sigh.
No, I take that back
, and her face mirrored guilty dismay. “Peter, sit down at the table. The kettle is about to boil for your tea, and you will surely eat some of the Danish rolls I made for you.”
If you sit, she will
.
Peter sat. Heaving the most dramatic of sighs and rolling her eyes in pique, Amariyah reluctantly settled to her place.
“Did Ping Yung tell you if those plants thrived.” was the first question she asked after a long drink of orange juice.
“Yes, he did, and they did, and he wants you to come more often.”
Amariyah flung a see-I-told-you look at Dorotea, who smiled tolerantly.
“Does the hydroponics unit at First Base use
Triticum
, too.” Amariyah continued to fire questions at him throughout the meal. But only, Peter thought affectionately, because she wasn’t guiding him around her gardens
and explaining which plants had done the best this spring and what she’d accomplished during his absence. After all he had survived and been part of and victim to, her chatter was a relief, the restorative touch of a different kind of reality.
Rhyssa joined them for coffee and one of Dorotea’s Danish pastries. The three Talents began one of those lightning mental exchanges of the details that Amariyah did not need to know. Both Rhyssa and Dorotea were eager to hear all about Peter’s physical progress.
“You’re not taking a vacation from your exercises, are you, Peter m’dear,” Rhyssa said as she dunked her pastry in her coffee.
As if I’d have the chance with Martin, Mark, and Mike—three formidable M’s—choreographing my ‘week off,’
Peter said with some asperity.
“Helping me in the garden is exercise,” Amariyah said. “And I will massage you.”
Peter grinned. “I’ve missed it, dear.” He laid his right hand on hers and squeezed.
“That’s much stronger,” the girl said with all the solemn approval of an adult.
Very privately Peter wondered that these days people only felt free to mention his physical condition because his paralysis was being reversed.
Definitely I felt more heft in you, Peter
, Dorotea added, then her eyes filmed briefly.
Just as Amariyah did. Even squeezing for a hug. So telling. So reassuring
.
Dorotea
, Peter exclaimed, hiding what he had discovered about her body.
“I suppose there’s no indication yet how long it will take you?” Dorotea went on more briskly.
Peter replied meekly. “I must work hard and not shirk my exercises no matter how painful.”
And if I’m a good boy, I should be fit for the marathon in October
.
MARATHON?
The two women exclaimed together.
“I will see that you do, Peter,” Amariyah said.
You both know what I want the most
, he said on an entirely sober note.
Dorotea nodded.
Daily teleporting to the Moon has not been a strain on you with all that strenuous physical exercise?
A snap
, Peter said, accepting the change of subject.
If I can tune myself into the available generator, I can ’port it
. Opening his perceptions wide, he
watched Rhyssa’s face to see her reaction to that very broad, if accurate, statement. He was surprised that she didn’t take him up on that. She probably had more urgent problems. Just as well, since he hadn’t completed his theory. He really would have to get back to those reports.
Would that it was true for more psychics
, she said with a rueful expression in her eyes and a lift of one shoulder.
Remember the basketball incident?
Yes
, and Peter couldn’t think why she would remind him.
One of the villains of the occasion
, and then she spoke out loud. “Scott Gates is demonstrating strong kinetic ability.”