Damia by Anne McCaffrey Read Free Book Online Page A

the generations, albeit without the same range and strength as the Rowan. He had always secretly felt that he had more range than he’d ever been permitted to use on Capella—if only because he
felt
he could. Afrawas also too well disciplined a Talent to be foolishly overconfident. But, working with the Rowan, he became aware of a sense of extended resources and deeper strengths, which he had never experienced working with any other Talent. It was as if the Rowan added a new dimension to his Talent.
    And that, my dear Afra, is exactly how it should feel between Prime and her backup
, the Rowan said before shifting a heavy freighter.
If it isn’t there to begin with, it won’t come, not for all the wishing in the world.
    That was enough to give Afra a second wind, for the pace was beginning to get to him. Inhaling deeply, he carried on.
    When the last drone had been spun out to its destination and the generator gauges on his board dropped down to zero, Afra was too expended momentarily to move. The muscles along his back ached and he had a mild throbbing at his temples. Then he grinned to himself. He’d survived. He hadn’t made a single error—that he could think of. He felt someone standing beside him and, craning his head to the right, saw the Rowan grinning at him. Lightly she touched his shoulder, just enough for him to sense a mental flavor of deep green and mintiness from her.
    “We did good work today.” Then one of her arched black eyebrows lifted sardonically. “That is, if you can keep up this sort of pace.”
    “Try me,” Afra said, taking up the challenge. “Just try me.”
    “You just bet I will,” but her grin got broader and eyes twinkled. “C’mon, I owe you a cup of coffee. Anyone want to go downside? We’re in occlusion.”
    A chorus of “I do’s” and waving hands answered that offer.
    “Grab what you need and find a capsule,” the Rowan said. “I won’t send you down yet, Afra. But plan on next full occlusion. Reidinger wants to interview you. Oh,” when she felt him tense, “don’t worry about him. I,” and she jerked her thumb at her chest, “say who works in
my
Tower.”
    Lightly she climbed back up into the Tower and although the generator gauges did not so much as flicker, Afra could see the capsules arrowing away from Callisto in Earth’s direction.
    You’ve seven to catch down there, Reidinger
, she said.
    THEY’RE NOT SCHEDULED
, was the roar from the Earth Prime.
    Let your apprentices catch. My crew need the downside time.
    So, how did that Capellan manage?
Reidinger added, and his words echoed in Afra’s mind, confusing the Capellan until he realized that the Rowan was backfiring the conversation. Capella would never have done
that
, Afra thought, astonished, and held his breath for her reply.
    He held up well today. I’ll give him a three-month trial.
    Not before I’ve seen him, you won’t!
    Sure thing
, and the Rowan’s tone was not only saucy but very confident.
    Most of the Tower personnel disappeared when the Rowan made her transportation offer. Only Brian Ackerman remained, discussing a few matters quietly with Joe Toglia. Afra continued to sit where he was. He felt drained and even the few steps to the beverage dispenser seemed too far, but he could certainly use a caffeine boost.
    Then he saw one cup move under the spout, the dark liquid splash in and move aside for a second cup to be filled with sugar and milk added. As the cups made their way to his station, the Rowan came down the stairs again.
    “Thanks,” he said with a wry grin of appreciation as she approached. She caught the back of a chair and, hauling it behind her, sat down beside him. He lifted his cup and she touched hers to it in the traditional fashion. “Thanks a lot, Rowan.”
    She gave him a sideways glance. “Couple of things we got to straighten between us right away, Afra. Just let me know when you need a boost and tell me when you’ve foozled. I prefer to correct as soon as