Flinx Transcendent_ A Pip & Flinx Adventure - Alan Dean Foster [96]
Picking idly at a gaudy spray of spore-filled spheres growing near his feet, Tse-Mallory nodded understandingly. “It's a terrible burden you bear, Flinx. Tru and I worried and worried about how you would cope when you had to flee New Riviera alone and leave the rest of us behind.” He looked up. “It's apparent from what you've just told us that you coped by avoiding. Well, from now on you won't have to do that. Tru and I will be with you at all times.”
“As will I.” Clarity's fingers tightened on Flinx's leg.
Hearing this, the terrible anxiety that was his constant companion did not vanish; Flinx knew it probably never would. But he felt better, more confident, than he had in months of wandering aimlessly around the Blight and then the sundry worlds of the Arm. The likelihood was that despite his best efforts he would never again make contact with the wandering Tar-Aiym weapons platform, and even if he did, any attempt to make use of it against the oncoming Evil would prove as futile as it seemed on paper. But at least now he would no longer have to carry on by himself, alone in the vastness of space-plus save for the faithful company of a considerate but soulless shipmind.
“You're not going to cry, are you?” Eyeing his young friend, Tse-Mallory looked suddenly alarmed. “Cry after the threat has been dealt with, weep once the danger has passed—but not now.”
Flinx rubbed at his right eye. Or maybe he hit himself. In any event, no tears were shed. “It's just that I'm so glad to see you all again.” Reaching over, he put an arm around Clarity and drew her to him. Forced together, the two flying snakes slithered petulantly in opposite directions in search of more individual space.
“This time there'll be no delay, no mistakes.” Tse-Mallory rose from his seat. Though comfortable in the underground park, which was designed to accommodate thranx, he much preferred the warm sunshine of Nur's surface. “Tru and I can leave immediately.” He turned his attention to Clarity. “What about you? Have you made any arrangements?”
“Some, yes, but I can't just vanish into the ether like you two. I need a little time to do it right.” Disdaining Flinx's proffered hand, she rose easily to her feet. “There are people who would miss me and file reports if I simply disappeared.”
His characteristic self-control notwithstanding, Flinx's expression darkened ever so slightly. “Tambrogh Barryn, for example?”
She made a face at him. “Don't be a fool. I have to alert and prepare medical personnel who've worked on my case, coworkers at Ulricam, casual friends, and others.” She eyed Tse-Mallory. “We're not all of us famous, independently wealthy scientists, philosophs, or interstellar vagabonds who can just take off on a moment's notice to go gallivanting around the galaxy.”
“I do not ‘gallivant,’” Truzenzuzex commented primly. “I plan in haste.”
Tse-Mallory smiled considerately. “Will a couple of days be sufficient for you to get your affairs in order?” When she nodded, he turned to Flinx. “And you?”
Flinx did not have to think. He had worked through departure procedures many times, on many worlds. “There are supplies and provisions the Teacher can't synthesize. There's no telling where we're going or how long we'll be gone. It would be good to be able to start the search again knowing the ship is fully prepared.”
Instead of replying, Tse-Mallory glanced over at his companion. “Tru?”
The thranx gestured impatiently. “Humans invariably find a way to rationalize delay. But I suppose our young friend's logic is sound. Very well then. A couple of days. I will use the time until our departure to compose and plant certain situation-sensitive messages with professional acquaintances.”
“What kind of messages?” Flinx asked curiously.
The thranx philosoph's great golden eyes rose to regard him impassively. “The kind that might prove useful to friends and colleagues in the event we don't