The Mystery of Ireta_ Dinosaur Planet & Dinosaur Planet Survivors - Anne McCaffrey [198]
“What are those things?”
“Thek,” Varian replied, grinning.
“What are they doing here?”
“Verifying.”
Aygar swiveled his upper body to look at the silent and rigid Thek. “Verifying what?”
“They didn’t say.”
“Do they always mess up landing grids like that? Must make them unpopular visitors.”
“When you get that big, no one has the nerve to complain.”
“That commander woman said they’re allies?” When Varian nodded, he went on. “Allies of whom? Your lot,” and his gesture included the cruiser, “or them?” And he indicated the transport.
“Who are you allied with?” Fordeliton asked in a suspiciously bland tone. “Them or us?”
Aygar grinned back, the first time Varian had seen genuine amusement on the young Iretan’s face. “You’ll know when I have decided. If I do.”
With that he swung about on one heel and marched back to his sled, moving with an unexpectedly graceful economy of motion. In a single fluid movement, he climbed into the sled, closed its canopy, and took off.
“Varian?” Anstel’s call was breathless. “Oh, I was afraid that you’d taken off. I just needed a few things.”
Varian choked on her laughter. Anstel had festooned himself with a variety of equipment, some of which she could not identify.”
“Well, I’m ready when you are,” Varian said. “Keep me informed, will you, Ford? Kai? It’s as well to let the giffs settle down to normal this afternoon so, Anstel, this quest of yours is most welcome. Shall we go?”
18
THE two men left at the campsite were still goggle-eyed about the appearance of so many Thek.
“More than I’ve ever seen, thassa fact,” said the older steward, “and I been around this galaxy, so I have. Seen a lot of them, you know, only sort of one here and then another there, but so many at once?” He scrubbed at his stubbly pate, dragging his hand down his face, and then mimed the wiping off of an expression. “Quite a sight, really! Something to swap for drinks.”
“Did any address you?”
The steward’s mouth dropped in amazement. “Address me?” he cocked his thumb and jabbed it against his chest. “Me? I told ’em to locate the cruiser,” and he paused to wink broadly, “ ’cause I know they can find anything anywhere.”
Kai and Fordeliton exchanged amused glances.
“They found you.” He exhaled a hissing breath. “Never seen anything like it, though, all those Thek,” and he planed their angle of arrival with his left hand, “just flowing in—if silicon triangles can flow—just sort of gliding in and never losing their formation, just all of a sudden down on the ground.”
“Thek can be impressive,” Fordeliton agreed urbanely and then gestured for the men to board the pinnace.
“Governor, we left some dinner on the hob like. Had some time to kill,” the older steward said, and the younger one began to grin, well pleased with himself. “I like messing with real foodstuffs. Only this time, someone else gets the KP.”
Kai nodded, grinning. “That’s fair enough. Believe me, your efforts will be much appreciated by everyone.”
“Least we could do, you guys having had such a rough time and all.”
As the pinnace took off with a high-speed whush, the globe’s glow caught his eye, brightening momentarily before regaining its regular coloration. Then the silence in the amphitheater was broken only by the faint hiss of the forcescreen as it disintegrated insects, a comforting noise. Kai took in a deep breath, inordinately relieved to be alone, to have a few hours before the others trooped back in. He strolled over to the mess hall, sniffing at the odor of simmering stew.
He realized suddenly that he had never had the chance to delve into the Zaid-Dayan’s memory banks, to check whether there had been any similar mass movements of