Brightness Falls From the Air by James Tiptree Jr

Author:James Tiptree, Jr [Tiptree, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Fiction, Action & Adventure
ISBN: 9781497611412
Google: AdIqAwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 2014-04-01T11:51:29+00:00

XIV

The Nova Grows:

Algotoxin

Stunned silence falls on the deck after the alien’s apocalyptic death.

It is so still, under the uncanny radiance of the sky, that Baram, who is finishing Kip’s emergency splint, can hear the soft brush of tree branches on the windward side of the hostel, and now and then a faint wind whine which inexplicably troubles him. Linnix, helping from Kip’s other side, seems to hear it, too, and frowns.

The stillness brings it home hard to Baram that, of the dozen Humans here, only he and Linnix and Cory are conscious— and Cory may be gravely hurt. She’s still sitting where she was when Vovoka fell, but she has turned to watch Baram with Kip. She seems alert, but once or twice Baram catches her looking into nowhere with an expression that reminds him too much of patients to whom he’s given the worst of news.

And young Pao— where is his little scout? He should have been back long ago. Has he run into trouble from Yule and Hiner? Has he, Baram, done serious wrong in sending the boy?

Someone should go for him at once. And someone, most urgently, should go down to Yule and Hiner’s quarters and settle the crucial issue: Are they locked in drugged slumber, from which it follows that Ochter is indeed the harmless, kindly old body he appears; or was that drugging story a lie and Ochter a dangerous enemy in league with them?

But Cory and Linnix must not be left alone while these three are unaccounted for. And someone should also check the too-long-neglected radiation counters, since this great new flux of radiation has come upon them.And Baram should examine Cory at once, not to mention taking a look at the others—

The conflicting urgencies racing through his mind dismay Baram. It’s been a long time since the war, he thinks. A long time since a younger Baramji coped with a dozen life-or-death calls at once. Maybe too long since he’s had to think of living Human enemies instead of microscopic pathogens.… He snaps the last lacing in and suddenly recalls a vital point.

“We’re done here, Linnie. Will you go collect that weapon Vovoka dropped? I heard it fall on this side.”

“Right, and I’ll tend to the decencies.” She snatches a blanket off Zannez’ screens and goes toward the parapet near Cory, where Ser Xe Vovoka, last of all great Vlyracocha, lies headless in death.

Cory is rising, heading for Baram and Kip. Baram watches her come. She moves quite normally, but with great weariness— understandable enough— and he sees no signs of damage. Nevertheless, his doctor’s prescience refuses to quiet; that weapon fired into her brain.

“Cory, my dear, what did he do to you? Let me look—”

“How badly is Kip hurt, Bram?”

“Not badly.” He’s trying to check her pulse, but she pulls her wrist away.

“I’m fine for now.” Her voice strengthens. “Bram dear, stop looking at me as if I’m about to fall dead and tell me how Kip is.” She sinks down by Kip’s unconscious head.

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