The Rowan Part 18

Along with manning the Tower for 'porting men and supplies out to the platinum mine, the Rowan did some judicious investigation into what could not be found in the salvage sheds. No-one had fully inventoried what had been saved from the ruins so, when she learned from Rences that he had spent fruitless hours trying to find certain unusual bolts and fasteners, when she heard Rakella complaining about the lack of some surgical instruments, or from Isthia which size of work boot was no longer available, she discreetly contacted other Primes and, pledging her credit, made up the shortages. She respected the fierce independence of the Denebians but they could carry it too far, even if the planet was poor. A few bits and pieces could be added without offending anyone's pride.

Then Jeff paid her a surprise visit at the Tower while she was s.h.i.+fting some internal freight, including two crates of tools which she had discreetly brought in from Capella.

The kinetics she was training for in-planet freight never questioned what she asked them to 'port. Jeff was another matter entirely. Unfortunately, not only was the origin of the crates clearly stenciled on the side, but also they were far too fresh-looking to have been miraculously 'unearthed'. There were also two inbound s.h.i.+pments still in their cradles, waiting to be dispersed.

Where did all that come from? Jeff wanted to know, striding into the Tower room. He halted, staring about a facility which bore little resemblance to its previous appearance. He whistled in apparent appreciation which made the three youngsters grin, but the Rowan had no trouble sensing a growing concern and anger.

'All right, Tony, you and Seb link and send Cradle 4 to the mine,'

she said, continuing the procedure. 'Good,' she added as Seb punched the appropriate coordinates up on the screen. 'Touch the gestalt . .

.' The generator's whine peaked. 'No, don't look at me for the go.

You have to know yourself when it's go . . . that's right. On the b.u.t.ton! Good transfer!' Jeff found himself a seat and, if he seemed to be interested in how the three trainees were teleporting, the Rowan was all too aware of the tension building in him.

His eyes were brilliant with what she identified as suppressed outrage.

'That's all for today, crew,' she said. 'Now, why don't you take all you've learned 'porting inanimate objects, and take yourselves back to the City while the generator's still running sweetly.' She added that impudently.

'You'll never know until you try,' Jeff added with a hearty enthusiasm for them to be well gone from the tower. 'Out you go.

You've thrown heavier stuff than yourselves. And you ought to know where home is by now. Off with you.

One by one they managed the feat, echoes of astonished delight from each of the three minds before their touches dissolved.

'And why are you annoyed, anxious, outraged?' the Rowan demanded because she couldn't bear his displeasure 'Deneb's bankrupt!' The words exploded from him and his eyes seemed to shoot sparks at her. 'How're we going to pay for all this? Hire more kids out to FT&T when we need every survivor we've got to rebuild?' 'It's all paid for,' she said, clamping down but not quickly enough for someone as swift to see an opening as Jeff Raven. Why not? I never use half my contractual monies anyway. I called in a few favors . . Deneb isn't your planet, isn't your problem Don't be so d.a.m.ned proprietarial! It's my problem if I make it mine. I've great respect for this planet's people. I admire your family tremendously .

Family's the keyword, isn't it? Jeff's tone had abruptly altered and his eyes narrowed. He caught her by the shoulders then and before she guessed his intention, he had pierced through every layer of privacy in her mind.

She cried out at the force of his mental penetration as he also broke through the block that had remained intact against every other invasion.

Trembling violently, she clung to him as his intrusion restored the memory of that horrendous time. Then slowly, with infinite tenderness, he withdrew, soothing away forever the terrors of a three-year-old girl, battered about in the dark of a rolling, plunging vehicle.

They stood a long while locked in each other's arms, until the glorious sunset colored the sky and they realized just how long this pa.s.sage of restoration had taken.

Rowan's tears were dry on her cheeks and she was no longer racked by shudders.

'I was named Angharad Gwyn. My father was a shaft supervisor and my mother was a teacher. I had a brother named Ian 'She looked up in amazement.

'We have something else in common then. He tucked her head under his chin again, holding her more firmly now. 'It was a rough trip all right, enough for one small, lonely girl.' He pressed her tightly when he felt her begin to shudder again. 'You know, I don't think that it was all Siglen's fault that you were afraid of big, black holes in s.p.a.ce. Not after that trip!' 'You know, you might be right,' the Rowan said slowly, for she remembered all too clearly her terror at being propelled toward the shuttle that was to have taken her to Earth for training. She'd been so frightened that she'd even dropped Purza as she 'ported herself back to the one safe place she knew. 'I couldn't think of anything but you on my way here.' She gave a convulsive shake at the memory of her first glimpse of Jeff.

'I was really messed up, wasn't I?' he said in a thoughtful tone as he caught the image in her mind. 'It's probably a very good thing that patients don't see how they look to observers.' She hugged him as hard as she could. 'So, if you don't object, may I please contrive in my own small way to be of a.s.sistance to the beloved planet of your birth?' Jeff c.o.c.ked an eyebrow as he looked down at her. 'You do mean well. And Makil and the Council are about to give you honorary citizens.h.i.+p for getting this facility working again, so I'll trust your discretion. Now, since the Tower is functional, how much longer do you think Reidinger is going to allow you a leave of absence?' The Rowan smiled beatifically at him. 'Oh, as long as I can make him believe you're still recuperating.' 'Oh?' and Jeff was highly skeptical.

'It's nice and quiet out here,' she said, pulling him toward the long bench under the windows, 'and no-one will knock on the door and then just . . .' she halted, hearing the edge in her voice.

Jeff chuckled understandingly. 'I thought it was getting a bit much for you - all the Raven togetherness. You have to grow up in such bedlam to be able to ignore it, and you never really had much childhood, did you?' 'Don't patronize me!' 'Temper, temper!' And he kissed the corners of her mouth in a way that put all trace of temper out of mind.

AND JUST WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING, YOU WHITE-HAIRED, BUG-EYED ALTAIRIAN LOON..

An empath with half your range should instantly perceive that I am feeding my nephew his breakfast, she replied equably, as she managed to get another spoonful of thin cereal into Ian's mouth.

Jeff, hands cupped under his chin, was closely observing this totally unexpected facet of his lover. Ah! Our master's voice. Glad it's directed at you!

NOW, LISTEN YOU, YOU UNREGENERATE - You know I'm immune to flattery, the Rowan replied.

You're not immune to contract penalties. And that goes for that culchie whom I sense is in your immediate vicinity. If you and that bondmate of yours are not back at your respect:ve stations by the end of this day - this Earth Day - you will both suffer the maximum deductions for dereliction - of duty. And that should put a crimp in this altruistic spending spree of yours, Rowan of Callisto!

'I think he means it,' Rowan told Jeff, giggling.

'I am sufficiently recovered to shove you back,' he said ruefully, for the past week had been one of joyful discoveries about each other.

Despite busyness requiring long days, they had managed to work in tandem now whenever possible. And they had managed to get sufficient sleep at night to work equally hard the next day.

'I'm secure enough now to do my own 'ports,' she replied, deftly sc.r.a.ping up the residue of cereal around Ian's mouth and popping it in again. 'This doesn't seem to be too arduous a task.' The first time, no, Isthia Raven said from another room.

By the twelfth, you, too, will be delighted to have volunteers.

My, what a long ear you have, Granny Raven, Jeff said.

I can hear with it, too, she added drily. Or are you two so totally engrossed in each other that you can't tell when you're speaking or minding it?

'I'll mind leaving here,' the Rowan said with a deep sigh, mopping young Ian's mouth clean. Her brother's namesake was twice as precious to her for having had the brief care of him. The baby waved his arms vigorously, a deep scowl on his little old man's face which utterly entranced the Rowan. She lifted him over her shoulder, patting his back.

'Anyone would think you'd been handling babies all your life,'

Jeff remarked with a snort though he regarded his littlest brother with great affection.

'A natural talent,' was her quick retort. Simultaneously each realized that their inane remarks covered the dismay both felt at the imminent end of this idyll.

It's not an end at all, Rowan, Jeff said, his tone infinitely tender and his blue eyes ravis.h.i.+ng her with love.

It's a separation! she said rebelliously.

For six days? He raised both arms, to dismiss such a minor parting. Your place or mine? His eyes glinted mischievously.

I'd prefer to come here, but it might be more politic to remain at Callisto after being away over three weeks.

The first vacation, may I point out to you, my love, which you've had in the ten years you've been Callisto Prime!

Ah, but I never had vacation plans before now! And I suspect from the depths of our Master's anger, that it had little to do with my absence.

Oh??

I may, of course, be doing Reidinger an injustice .

That's hardly likely, love, considering the terms of the contract he made me sign -in heart's blood.

Just keep everyone at their exercises while I'm gone, Jeff I know Sariie's young but she should be at the mines, learning all she can about metals and mining. She should go to Earth for training.

Especially since mining's Deneb's main source of income.

We can't afford to send her away. She'd hate Terra, Jeff added.

We Denebians are real home bodies and don't like leaving our birthplace.

You did!

I, my love, had devious ulterior mot:yes . . . and besides, I lost the toss. He grimaced in mock horror. However, lest he chastise me by sending me somewhere too remote from Deneb Nothing habitable is remoter than Deneb Checking appropriate times, the Rowan and Jeff decided it was best for her to arrive at the beginning of Callisto's working day, when s.h.i.+pments would be forwarded from Earth. For the first time, the Rowan could enter her personal capsule without a single vestige of the old inhibiting terror. In fact she was eager for the challenge.

That's the girl. And aren't you going to surprise Reidinger!

Through him she felt the generator whining up to full power. Jeff had done some fine tuning, though he had been full of pride in how she had effected the initial repairs. Closing off the fierce regret at having to leave him for even six days, the Rowan settled her mind against his and readied herself to exert their mutual gestalt.

The voyage was accomplished in a mood of high elation, for Jeff followed her all the way back. As she felt the slight jar of her carrier settling back into the cradle it had left twenty standard days before, she felt another of his special phantom caresses.

ROWAN? Afra's incredulous shout was accompanied by cheers from every other empathic Talent in the Station.

Those who could teleported to the landing area.

Protocol and privacy was forgotten as she was grabbed, hugged, slapped, and made to feel royally welcomed. She found herself unexpectedly warmed by such a reception and felt color flooding her cheeks.

'We'll lay on a real celebration later, folks,' Brian Ackerman said, 'but we got a heavy morning's work. Boy, am I glad to see you, Rowan! You'll just never know!' 'You know,' she said with a surprised laugh, 'I'm glad to be back, too!' When she reached her Tower, with all the sophisticated technology which the makes.h.i.+ft one on Deneb lacked, she was surprised to see two couches in place. And then turned to meet the T-2s who had replaced her. The rising whine of the generators reminded them all of duty.

We'll talk later but you have my deepest grat.i.tude and appreciation, she told Torshan and Saggoner. She realized from a quick 'look' that their deep, personal attachment raised their efficiency to a level close to Prime.

The entire Station knew the difference when the Rowan began to spin outbound materiel in or launched waiting inbound s.h.i.+pments.

Deneb's facilities would need to be quadrupled to match Callisto's, she thought with the part of her mind that was not needed in these routine shunts.

There was so much still to be done there: so little more that would be wise to do without giving offense.

Finally back at work, are you? demanded Reidinger as she deftly caught a 'fragile' s.h.i.+pment directly from him.

I thought you'd never notice!

I'll have a few private words with you later, girl! he said in a tone that once might have distressed her.

Deep down inside herself, she chuckled. He'd have those words.

In private and in person.

Then, one by one, the other Primes contacted her with welcoming thoughts. David remarked rather caustically that she had finally found out what it was all about, and did she like it? The Rowan had forgotten how clever he could be. Fortunately Capella had so many complaints about 'inefficiency' from Callisto that she didn't bother with personal remarks. The others were courteously glad to have her back in her Tower and relieved that Jeff Raven was able to resume his own duties. Siglen alone sent no greeting, but the Rowan wasn't particularly surprised by silence from that quarter. Siglen would not have understood why she'd jeopardize everything to go to a sick man!

Once outward bound freight had been received, and inward stuff dispatched, there would be a four-hour period in which Jupiter's bulk still s.h.i.+elded Callisto Station from deep s.p.a.ce. As the Rowan figured she could complete her 'talk' with Reidinger well within that time frame, she spoke in a tight shaft to Afra.

I've a few things to discuss with Reidinger, old friend, she began. And felt his astonishment. Yes, of course, I'm going to Earth!

I can make my points a lot stronger in person. And, it's about time we met face-to-face.

Is that wise? Afra asked noncommittally. He had met Reidinger on a number of occasions and was always relieved to escape unscathed.

He can't be that bad! He's got no call to discipline me for responding to an emergency. The Station was covered. I' ve just had a look through the records, and you've managed quite nicely without me: Nothing got cracked or spilled and no freight got misdirected. What's his problem?

The risk to Callisto Prime, Afra replied, his tone dry and his yellow eyes sardonic.

He gained a lot more than I risked, she said tartly.

I know, Afra answered with gentle emphasis.

The Rowan grinned. I'd like to surprise the old geezer.

Geezer? Afra sputtered at her impudence.

You've contacts at Earth Prime Headquarters. Can one of them sneak me in without having to announce my arrival?

Hmmm, that's not the easiest thing to arrange, you know.

Callisto keeps you secure but there're still a lot of crazies on Earth. Reidinger's pretty heavily guarded.

Guarded?

Guarded!

But surely a Prime is able to defend himself A waste of energy that could be expended elsewhere on FT&T's behalf, Afra remarked dryly.

The Rowan snorted. Well, can you help at all?

There's a T4 I trained with: one of Reidinger's trouble shooters, a Terran named Gollee Gren. I'll see if he can oblige Don't tell him who I am!

At that Afra laughed. I doubt there's a single Talent who doesn't know who you are, my dear Rowan.

Oh! And when she had absorbed the implications of that, What if I s.h.i.+eld tight? And if he's not expecting the Rowan, why would he know my ident.i.ty if he can't read it?

A point there but you still have to pa.s.s Security to get into the FT&T cube. A routine check will reveal your ident.i.ty.

If a Prime can't manage a minor formality like that The Rowan was dismissive.

If you want to get in quietly, to surprise Reidinger, it'll take managing. Let me check with Gren. There was a fairly lengthy pause before Afra came back to her. Well, he's agreed on my especial request to escort my anonymous young friend as far as he's able but Security has to be placated. He'll meet you at the landing entrance.

The journey was so effortless that the Rowan wondered that self-portation had once seemed so arduous and terrifying. She wondered if there was anything to be done to release Capella or David from that imposed travel fear.

She indulged in a projected scene, where she just waltzed into Altair Tower and told Siglen that she had just come in from Callisto Station. The old dear would probably faint.

She settled her carrier at 14.30 Earth time in one of the single cradles just outside the reception building. She had always known what the main FT&T facility looked like, having s.h.i.+fted carriers, pods, and vessels of all sizes in and out of the great landing field. But standing in the center of it, dwarfed by the immense cube to her right that was the Headquarters building on a field of twenty-square kilometers, gave her the proper perspective.

Cradles, scarred by long use and rough handling, surrounded her, from the singles and doubles nearest the building to those looming on the edges of the field that could receive the largest freighters, pa.s.senger and naval craft. To the east she caught the glint of water.

Surrounding the field on its land sides were rank upon rank of buildings, starting with low industrial complexes. Behind them, in seried ranks of varying height and bulk, the business and residential towers of the largest single metropolis of the Central Worlds receded into the distance.