Metal Swarm - Kevin J. Anderson [132]
The Tamblyn brothers and the Osquivel shipyard workers had to scurry out of the way so as not to be swept aside in the rapid reconstruction. What would have required months or even years for the Roamer workforce to complete, Jess and Cesca finished in less than an hour.
Tingling with energy, the two stepped back to inspect the results. The walls and ceiling of the grotto throbbed with leftover lambent energy. Wynn and Torin stood with identical expressions, their mouths agape, looking more like twins than Jess had ever seen them, Caleb remained sceptical, as if sure that something would still go wrong, no matter how bright and shiny everything appeared.
The wentals seemed reluctant to leave their new habitation. They had gained strength and even pleasure by infusing the ice moon. 'It's time to withdraw,'Jess said.
We know.
All of a sudden, he felt energy streaming back into him. The phosphorescence drained out of the walls, withdrew from the shining pillars, and rose back up from the depths of the sea. The shining wonder left the frozen moon, and it returned to normal.
Jess let out a long breath. Cesca wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. 'We've done a good day's work.'
Eighty-two
Denn Peroni
When the Dogged Persistence landed on Ildira, Denn self-consciously touched the ribbon that held his hair back. He had dabbed a bit of cologne on his neck and put on his finest outfit. Caleb thought of him as a dandy, overly concerned with his personal appearance, his clothes, and 'colourful plumage like some fancy bird, but Denn didn't let the teasing bother him. Caleb himself could have paid a bit more attention to personal appearance and hygiene.
Inside the Prism Palace, Rlinda Kett and Branson Roberts were already in the midst of a diplomatic reception. He learned that he had - thankfully! - missed the performance of Ildiran singers. Denn had never understood the alien music.
The Mage-Imperator welcomed him and asked him to take a seat at his long table near the other human traders. 'Captain Kett has been telling me about the new government humans are forming. It always intrigues me to know of your political differences and difficulties, although I do not truly comprehend them.'
'Neither do we, Sire. We're still trying to figure it out after thousands of years. But we do our best.'
Servant kithmen moved about like frenetic worker ants, hurrying to bring him his own plate and a wildly extravagant meal. It certainly beat prepackaged shipboard food and the commissary fare at Osquivel.
During the meal, they spoke of opening various trade routes, expanding markets for Ildiran goods, ekti from Roamer sky-mines, exotic items from Theroc, heat-resistant materials from Constantine III. Rlinda was, after all, the Trade Minister, and Denn was the designated representative of the Roamer clans.
Except for the news about the EDF invading Rhejak and the generally grim reports from Earth, Denn felt that times were getting better. Stories of the Klikiss returning from wherever they had disappeared millennia ago sounded more like fairy tales than any real threat, though Denn did not doubt the reports.
He had been to Ildira before, but he was impressed with the changes. 'I saw your space construction facilities from orbit, Sire. You're rebuilding the Solar Navy ten times faster than my Roamer shipyards can do the work. Must be your perfect Ildiran cooperation.'
The Mage-Imperator smiled. 'Actually, we have humans to thank for this efficiency. Our industrial operations are managed by an engineer named Tabitha Huck. She was among the Hansa cloud harvesters who were our… guests for some time. We offered her a job.'
'Hansa humans accomplished that?' Denn said, offended by the very idea. 'Maybe I could learn a thing or two from her.'
The Mage-Imperator