Survivors by Anne McCaffrey

Author:Anne McCaffrey [McCaffrey, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Fantasy, Life on other planets, Dinosaurs, Ireta (Imaginary place)
ISBN: 9781857230895
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 1984-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

that by continuing with the original intention of the landing party: a

survey of the geological and xenobiological features. It would be better if

we could prevent the colony ship's landing, any way we can. If we somehow

validate the "rescue" before the colony ship sets down, we could limit the

settlers to that part they have worked."

"They'd do right well then," Triv said with a long sigh, "for the

plateau is iron-rich. Aulia and I also found significant uranium traces

along the up thrust of that long mountain chain the day they mutinied.

Never did have a chance to tell you that, Kai."

"One wouldn't wish them to have nothing for their labors," Lunzie

said with deep irony, before she turned to Varian. "There're also your

pets, the giffs, Varian, who need to be permitted to evolve without

interference. I'd go before the Supreme Council to defend their protection

as a patently intelligent species."

"The whole planet should fall under that protection," Varian

declared.

"Quite possibly," Lunzie said, "especially if Trizein's notion is

correct about this planet's having some how been populated with species

from Earth's Mesozoic age. That could be the preemptive consideration."

"Not with a world as rich as transuranics as this." Kai said in a

tone that brooked no contradiction.

"The two are not mutually exclusive," Lunzie remarked mildly. "But

if the colony ship gets down . . ."

"And if we should be found?" Triv asked.

"Which is undoubtedly the first thing Aygar would instruct them to

do," Varian said, remembering the fury in that young man's eyes, promising

retribution.

"We could use Dimenon and Margit," Kai said thoughtfully into the

silence that followed.

"And Trizein," Lunzie said.

"Why him?" Portegin asked. "He's only an analyst and he wouldn't

have any facilities."

"He's our authority on the Mesozoic zoology," Lunzie said.

"Portegin, could you rig a jammer for the communications mast at

the plateau?" Kai asked.

"That'd mean getting close to the settlement again," Portegin was

making no secret of his disinclination.

"Not very close," Triv remarked blandly.

"They wouldn't be expecting a 'rescue' party to interfere," Kai

said with a grin.

"Good point," Varian said, pleased and relieved that her co-leader

was reasserting himself. "And the sooner that is done, the better."

"Agreed!" Lunzie's single word was unexpectedly emphatic. "But, if

doing that would use matrices required to reach the Ryxi . . ."

"No, I think enough are available," Portegin said blithely unaware

of the consternation on the faces of both Kai and Varian.

"Kai," and Lunzie turned almost brusquely from the technician, "how

clearly do you recall the deposits of ore we'd already found?"

"Very clearly," Kai said in a tone that he hoped Lunzie would

interpret.

"Excellent. When I go back to the shuttle, I'll run fiber through

the synthesizer for writing material. Trizein never forgets anything he's

analyzed, so he can rewrite his notes."

"Terilla could repeat those exquisite drawings of hers, "Varian

said.

"Children do not adapt well to the trauma of elapsed time," said

Lunzie in a cool voice. "It's hard enough on adults to realize that most of

their friends, and probably all their immediate family are aged or dead."

The silence that greeted her remark caused her to glance at each of their

faces. Her expression was kinder as she went on. "It's hard enough for us,

but at least we have a task to which we can devote our energies.

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