Freedom's Challenge by Anne McCaffrey Read Free Book Online

computer.”
    She and Zane had gone back to sleep again before full daylight and, by then, Zainal had gone off to work. In a neat pile on the mantel he had left all but the primer. Doubtless that had gone back to the library shelves for something more challenging. The manual was still there but then, there had been plenty of those in the packing cases they’d brought back from the marketplace at Barevi. But why this sudden need to understand computers…ah, yes. It probably had something to do with Zainal’s master plan. Maybe it was plans since he intended not only to free Earth but destroy the Eosi
and
release Catten from slavery. Did he also plan to use the mind stimulator on everyone? To equalize the Catten race? Oops, she sort of thought that might be a bad idea.Zainal was a most unusual Catteni. Still, there might well be similarly motivated Emassi among those whom he was going to enlist to help. But the Drassi…and the Rassi…though she despised herself for generalizing…were different: especially since they were such big people with lots of muscles and not much common sense.
    She had an early shift this morning so she and Zane started off in the fresh morning air to the day care center. He was crawling around everywhere, even trying to climb, and spent more time falling down. But she let him fall…and let him get up. He rarely hurt himself. On the advice of other mothers, she had put extra padding on the knees of his trousers, saving him scratches if not bruises. Actually, Kris thought, Botany’s new generation was generally sturdy and few mothers had the time to pamper their children. With the notable exception of Janet and Anna Bollinger. Their kids, however, had enough rough and tumble at the day care center to have developed allergies to maternal fussiness.
    No television, no Coke, or chocolate—though sometimes Kris’ craving for a chocolate bar was almost overwhelming—was all to the good. She did miss caffeine and, while the experiments with beer and other spiritous liquors had been successful, there was as yet no tobacco substitute. As soon as the children were able, they were put to little tasks and chores that would make them as self-sufficient as their parents had learned to be.
    Raisha Simonova was checking in the children at the day care center this morning. Zane toddled firmly off to the room that catered to his age group. One of the Deski children, Fil, was on its way (gender in Deskis developed later) so he waited for Fil. Another plus for Botany—no racism. Well, not to fret over, because the few who had trouble assimilating with the Rugarians and Deskis weregradually losing their sense of Human superiority: difficult to maintain when a Deski walked
up
a wall to carry slates to the roof. Or a Rugarian easily hefted weights that took two or three Humans to manage. Both races were also becoming more and more fluent in English, though they had trouble with past tenses of verbs. Who didn’t? And a good couple of dozen Humans were attempting to master their languages.
    Almost, Kris thought, as she stopped by the library to pick up the day’s reading, it would be a shame to have to open Botany up. It could easily ruin the harmony that had been achieved. And yet…
    All three of her charges were sitting in their bedside chairs, an aura of anticipation about them.
    â€œThey know to the minute when you’re due, Kris,” Mavis Belton said.
    â€œThat’s good, isn’t it?”
    â€œYou don’t know
how
good,” Mavis said with a deep sigh, slightly turning her head toward one of the “difficult wards” where the worst of the Victims were kept.
    â€œGood morning, Marjorie,” Kris began, initiating her morning routine by touching the arm of each in turn, “Good morning, Peggy. Good morning, Sophie.”
    â€œWhy do you call me Sophie? That’s my middle name. My
Christian
name is Norma,” the woman