Resurgence

“We reevaluate. We got a ship, we have a set of Bose nodes and stars and planets to go with ’em. We could take off and explore the Sag Arm.”

“What of our return to the Orion Arm?”

“Why would we go back? We’re no better off there than we are here—maybe safer here. Nobody’s chasing our tail in the Sag Arm.”

“Louis, for you that may be an option. For me it is not. Ultimately I must return to the Cecropia Federation and mate. If I do not, I die.”

“The end of your travels?”

“By no means. After mating is complete I will again be free to wander as I choose.”

“An’ we’ll be back to work. None of my business, but I was told that Cecropians mate for life.”

“It would perhaps be more accurate to say that Cecropians mate for death.” Atvar H’sial’s forelimbs made a reflexive motion, pulling something toward her and crushing it hard against her chest. “Louis, the process is a rapid one, quickly accomplished. I suggest that you do not require details.”

“Damn right I don’t.”

Although J’merlia was present, the silent interaction was wholly pheromonal and did not involve the Lo’tfian interpreter. J’merlia was following what was said, but the idea that he might interrupt a conversation with his dominatrix, or pass any of what he heard to a third party, was to a Lo’tfian literally unthinkable.

Half a dozen other conversations, by no means silent, had been going on around the chamber. They ended with the sudden arrival of Julian Graves.

The councilor glanced around. “I see that everyone is present. Good. I will not keep you long. Here is my decision. We have pursued the path to the Sag Arm as far as the end point of this dead stellar system. The path leads no farther. It would be logical to say, no more, and use the Bose network to return to the Orion Arm by the same route that brought us. The node sits there, it is available and waiting. You might argue for that course of action, since any other option seems to expose all of us to danger.

“Against that, we must set the fate of a whole species, the Marglotta. And, still more important, in the longer term we must consider a possible threat to everything in our own Orion Arm. My conclusion is that the larger danger outweighs any personal one.”

Louis Nenda muttered, “Get on with it!” But he spoke silently and pheromonally.

Graves went on, “That conclusion does not dictate a best course of action, which I come to now. Three alternatives were suggested. Rather than taking the risk of choosing the wrong one, we will pursue all three. The Pride of Orion will be divided. Professor Lang, you will take one of the sub-ships to Iceworld and explore that planet. To assist you in that effort and alert you to possible dangers, survival team specialists Ben Blesh and Lara Quistner will accompany you. Captain Hans Rebka will serve as your pilot. Does any one of you have questions?”

“Yes.” Hans Rebka spoke up. “You can’t have four different people in charge. Who makes the decisions?”

“Until your ship touches down on the planet, you do. After that, you will follow the instructions of survival team member Ben Blesh. Professor Lang will of course be in charge of scientific investigations.”

Louis normally had little sympathy for Hans Rebka, but he knew what he would do if somebody told him to take orders from some freshly weaned child. He saw Rebka turn red. However, the other man said nothing more.

“E.C. Tally,” Graves continued, “you proposed to take another of the sub-ships and travel toward the edge of the dark zone within which we are presently located. That effort is approved. You will seek the Marglot system, but you will of course explore anything on the way that you find interesting.”

“Councilor, may I speak?”

“What is it now?”

“I find everything interesting.”

“Dear me, I suppose you do. Very well. Let me be more specific. You are to explore only those matters which seem relevant to the goal of this expedition. I hope that such things will be found at no great distance. However, there is a possibility that your journey will extend indefinitely. You will therefore travel alone.”

“Naturally. When may I depart?”

“I will defer that decision. I may need your help.” Graves turned to face Louis Nenda and Atvar H’sial. “This brings us to our third course of action. You wish to seek a Chism Polypheme. Very well. You will be free to do so, in your own ship. However.” Misty blue eyes stared into Louis’s. “Based on previous experience, it would be less than honest of me to say that I trust you to follow the agenda of the expedition rather than one that represents your own private interests. Therefore, I insist that a survival team member go with you, and use your equipment to report back to me regularly as to your movements and actions. You are, I know, already acquainted with Sinara Bellstock.”