The Tower and the Hive (28 page)

Rojer ignored the snide telepathed whisper and later couldn't remember who had spoken, because he and Asia were responding to each other in a passionate embrace. With their emotions awakened and reinforced by mutual desire, Asia 'pathed to him for the first time ... a far firmer voice than her audible one.

“Asia!” He broke off the kiss to stare down at her, not that that wasn't what he had in his mind.

 

Thian woke, gasping for breath, stunned by a dream so terrible that he clung to Gravy beside him.

“Whatever's the matter. Thian? Oh, Lordy, look how Mur and Dip are thrashing about. They'll hurt themselves ...”

Gravy was as fast to assist the two writhing creatures as Thian.

“I just had the most awful dream, Thian,” she said, holding Mur to her and stroking it, thinking reassurance as hard as she could. “Freezing. Choking.”

Thian was doing much the same to Dip.

“Let's surround them.” He rearranged himself and Gravy so the two 'Dinis were on their laps, Human arms making a safe cage about the shuddering, quivering bodies.

“Whatever can have happened?”

Rame, Clancy, Lea, how many 'Dinis on board are having nightmares?
Thian broadcast to the entire complement
of the Washington.

His com unit started buzzing and the panel at the workstation in the lounge was announcing urgent in-ship messages.

The replies were all the same and came from all parts of the ship where Humans had 'Dini friends. As abruptly as it started, the convulsions ended. Whimpering, the 'Dinis were coaxed back to sleep, but only when they were held tightly by their Humans.

Thian thought to check with Captain Spktm of the KSTS.

WHATEVER IT WAS, IT WAS WIDESPREAD, THN. BAD DREAMS FOR THOSE ASLEEP. FOR US AWAKE, THE MOST HIDEOUS THOUGHTS OF TERROR, COLD, CHOKING. IT IS OVER. WE ARE ON DUTY. WE WILL TAKE RESTORATIVE DRINK.

That was not good enough for Thian. Not when the “bad dreams” were reported on every Human ship with 'Dinis in their crews and on all the 'Dini vessels.

Rojer, you had any trouble there?
Thian 'pathed to his brother on the
Columbia,
en route to Ciudad Rodrigo.

“Trouble,” he calls it,
was Rojer's sarcastic reply.
Every 'Dini went into convulsions. Never seen the like of it. Humans who were unlucky enough to be asleep had nightmares ...

As Earth Prime,
Jeff's voice interrupted their conversation,
I reluctantly report that there seems to have been a major power failure at Clarf Main Hibernatory. Many are dead and we are trying to estimate the losses. It is hoped that a proportion may be saved by restorative methods that are currently being applied.

But Grandfather, how did our 'Dinis know so far away?
Thian asked.

Jeff's chuckle was malicious.
She took one glance at the side panels and ignored them. She walked up to the main panel, the one where the patterns alter, and watched it. Those who have become familiar with what gestures or movements she makes thought she was, one, startled, and two, disgusted. She returned to her couch and didn't pay the screen any further attention. The com experts are of the opinion that the side panels are static, with very few alterations, while the main screen gives some sort of running comment on whatever it is queens on the same planet would be talking about.

Yes, isn't it? I don't know if it's good news, but it's better news. Tell your experts.
And before Thian could thank him for the report, Jeff's presence had left his mind.

“Well,” Sam Weiman said with a sigh that Grm repeated when Thian gave them the report, “we did what we could. I don't understand such a negative reaction from the Heinlein queen,” he added, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully.

ONE QUEEN WARLIKE, THE OTHER PLACID. THEY WOULD NOT LIKE EACH OTHER. ALSO FROM DIFFERENT HIVE WORLDS, Grm remarked.

“Would they all use the same language?” Thian asked.

WHY SHOULDN'T THEY? THEY DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING ELSE THEY DO. Grm's narrow shoulders raised in a very Human shrug.

“Suppose”—Thian stopped to orient his thoughts—“the queens did not develop the technology they're using, but adapted it to their use?” The concept clearly startled his listeners. He leaned forward, developing the theory. “I believe there was an ethnic group that could perfect any sort of mechanical or electronic technology but could not, for some reason, take the next step upward in that technology. Perhaps that's what the queens are: perfectionists but not originators.”

“Hmmm.” Sam nodded his head, looking at his colleague, and Grm seemed to be considering the notion too. “We still have to find a way to keep them contained.” Then, exchanging a glance with Grm, Weiman excused himself from the lounge.

I've got a big problem, Elizara,
Medical Prime Zara 'pathed to her mentor and instructor.

And what would that be?
Elizara's prompt return thought traveled the distance between Earth and Iota Aurigae.

Then how do I experiment?
There was anguish and alarm in Zara's question, and suddenly what she said was painfully and dreadfully clear to Elizara. Surprise, and shock, kept her from forming an answer, and Zara went on.
We Humans have pigs and mice and rats and other mammalian creatures whose anatomy, and responses, we can use for experimentation. But we bloody don't have any other species like Mrdinis to use in the laboratory. There simply is no other life-form that does the same thing they do when they are reproducing.

Ah yes, well...
Elizara bought more time as her mind frantically went through the known categories of species, some of which were definitely alien and also definitely
not
Mrdini.
That is certainly a problem.

I mean, I've got all the facilities I could possibly need and some of the best young Mrdini medics to assist, as well as their equipment—which, by the way, I don't know how to use... but I'm learning. But how can I possibly do any substantive experimentation that will give us any sort of an answer? I've nothing to practice on! And
—the wail of moral outrage gave way to a far more Human despair
—old Frtlmp is hemming, hawing, turning itself upside down not to let us try to analyze what chemicals they put into the air of the hibernatory. And I've got to have that information.

Fine. I'd appreciate it. Very much,
replied Zara, punctuating her phrases with telepathically transmitted sighs that made Elizara smile, despite herself.

The other ethical issue facing Zara was not something she could as easily solve. And one that had certainly not come to her mind when Councillor Gktmglnt approached her with the Mrdini contraception request. Unique the species was, but she hadn't quite realized
how,
or that there were indeed no other even vaguely similar creatures on the Mrdini planets. Perhaps, in some prehistoric time on Clarf, primitive Mrdinis had prevented or interfered with the evolution of biologically similar life-forms. Whatever! That did not help Zara face, or solve, the problem.

In this instance, my dear,
Elizara said compassionately, I
think we must approach the problem on an empirical basis. While it would be helpful to have laboratory specimens on which to experiment, such are not available. Have you discussed this problem with any of the 'Dini medics?

Oh yes,
Zara replied quickly, in such a tone of voice that Elizara realized she had not received the answer she needed.
They reminded me that Mrdini do not hesitate to go on the line when it is necessary for the survival of the species.

Elizara shuddered and felt that Zara had done the same.

I can't
—Zara's voice was a wail of distress—
do
that,
Elizara. I just can't.

Then concentrate on the empirical, dear. That's all we can do. I shall stand by your
modus operandi,
no matter what.

Thanks, Elizara.
A little of the very young Zara whom Elizara had taken in as her student crept into that response.

And the contact broke.

 

Better get out here, Laria. Four extremely dejected Mrdini just walked in,
Lionasha said.

Dejected? But they've just been in hibernation.
Laria and Kincaid scrambled out of her bed and 'ported to the Tower foyer.

TIP, HUF. Laria was down on her knees, embracing the shriveled, weary creatures that stared with hooded polls at the ground. Kincaid was hugging his pair and calling for restoratives which Lionasha was already preparing. The other 'Dinis clustered in an anxious circle, not the usual hilarious and joyous one with which returning 'Dinis were greeted, 'Dinis who were usually eager to resume their duties. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU?

She remembered how angry the keeper had been to have them arrive at the hibernatory so late, but surely a Mrdini keeper did not exact punishment for delays.

COLD. TERRIBLE. NO JOY. NO REFRESHMENT. Tip and Huf pushed into her arms as if they couldn't get close enough.

THERMAL COVERS, FIG, SIL, DIG, NIM, Lionasha ordered.

SHIFT IN ALL PILLOWS TOO, Vanteer called after the 'Dinis hurrying to obey, murmuring in disturbed whispers as they went.

Should we ask for a healer to come?
Kincaid asked.

How could they be released in this condition?
Laria said angrily, soothing her pair with kisses and fondlings, all the time holding them as close to her as she could.
Their skins are all wrinkled and they feel squishy. They've never been this way before.

Nor mine,
said Kincaid, in a tone that gave warning that he intended to investigate thoroughly.

What's wrong? What's happened?
Morag, Kaltia and their 'Dinis 'ported in, fortunately close to the steps as if both had “seen” where it was safe to arrive.

“We don't know,” Laria said, struggling to keep her tone even.

“They're very sick,” Morag said as Dar and Sim clung to her legs. Kev and Su had wrapped flippers about Kaltia, their poll eyes wet with fear.

The 'Dinis burst into the room, arms filled with pillows, trailing thermal covers, and instantly Morag and Kaltia arranged these into a nest, into which Kincaid and Laria put their wasted-looking 'Dinis. Lionasha offered the hot drinks she had prepared with herbs she knew were restorative for Mrdini.

“Shouldn't we get a healer for them?” Morag asked.

“There's
supposed
to be healers at the hibernatory for emergencies,” Laria said, barely able to suppress the anger she felt.

Suddenly the door to the Tower flew open and Plus, followed by other medium-large gray Mrdinis, charged right up to the invalids.

MOST APOLOGIES, PRIME LARIA. CAN NEVER SUITABLY AMEND APPALLING CONDITION OF YOUR DEVOTED FRIENDS. HERE ARE HEALERS TO ATTEND. CLEVER PRIME TO ALREADY START TO DO THE NECESSARY CARING. WE DID NOT KNOW THAT YOUR FRIENDS WERE THERE.

JUST WHAT THE HELL HAS HAPPENED?

Easy, Laria. It's as upset as you are or Plus would not just barge in here,
Kincaid said. WE AWAIT AN EXPLANATION, he added in Mrdini, folding his arms in a fashion that was tantamount to an insult to Mrdinis.

Plus kept bowing, apologizing, almost incomprehensible in the speed with which it delivered regrets, remorse and promises of restitution.

SLOW DOWN, PLEASE, ESTIMABLE PLUS. WE CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU SAY. Laria had caught a garble about inhibiting creation without harm and how were they going to treat so many sick 'Dinis with so few to heal the desperately deprived.

HEATING OF HIBERNATORY AT FAULT. COULD NOT REACH ASSISTANCE. MANY SUFFER. WE COME TO YOU FIRST OF ALL COLORS.

I'll bet they did,
Vanteer said, for he had folded his arms as well to indicate the displeasure of the entire Tower.
They can't afford to lose our goodwill.

You would take that position!
Laria retorted, eyes flashing so angrily that Vanteer flinched as if she had lashed at him mentally as well. She would have liked to, considering the mundanity of his remark. THE TOWER SERVES CLARF'S NEEDS NO MATTER WHAT OR WHEN, PLRGTGL.

HONORABLE, HONORABLE PRIME. Plus kept on bowing. THESE FOUR UNFORTUNATES HAVE NOT BENEFITED. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THEY COULD BE SENT TO IOTA AURIGAE, WHERE SPECIAL TREATMENT IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE?