Lyon's Pride by Anne McCaffrey Read Free Book Online Page A

soothingly.
Rojer seems to have been very well liked and Captain Osullivan is genuinely and deeply upset by his disappearance
.
    And so he should be. A good lad. Not too cocky, either
.
    The Rowan did not, however, wait until the encircling pods were removed by the
Genesee
cargo handlers but ’ported herself and her companions directly to the bridge. She heard Captain Osullivan’s apologies and a reiteration of the circumstances. Then she and Afra ’ported with their ’Dinis to the
KTTS
, where they were met by the next in command, another grey ’Dini of good size but one who instantly made deep obeisance to Mrtgrts.
    â€œ THE PRESENCE OF PRTGLM IS REQUIRED ,” Mrtgrts said, its tone coming from deep inside its strong large body.
    The poll eye of every ’Dini on the bridge was turned respectfully in its direction.
    â€œ I, PRIME OF CALLISTO, REQUIRE THE PRESENCE OF PRTGLM
NOW !” the Rowan said, drawing herself up to her full height. Despite being dwarfed by almost all the ’Dini bridge staff, she was so imperious in manner that she received equal respect and attention.
    â€œ I, FR, SIRE OF RJR LN, REQUIRE THE PRESENCE OF PRTGLM ,” Afra said, and he towered above everyone. Though he knew the ’Dini were not empathic, he allowed himself the luxury of radiating the anger and indignation that consumed him despite all his attempts to suppress such unmethody emotions.
    Trp and Flk, the ’Dinis who had lived with Damia and Afra for the past eighteen years, suddenly began to swell.
    â€œ WE KNOW, WE GO ,” said Trp, and with no further explanation, it and Flk ran, as nearly as their body shapes allowed them, to a bridge exit and disappeared. That precipitous departure caused some of the lower crew members to moan and prostrate themselves.
    Mrtgrts took charge, flicking one set of digits in a warning to the two Humans. The Rowan bridled, incensed to be ignored.
    Don’t, Rowan. Let Mrtgrts handle this. I’ve never seen such behavior from ’Dinis before and we must be patient
.
    Patient? When we don’t know…
    We know that Rojer lives. If we can find out what caused him to run like that…
    A Gwyn-Raven doesn’t
run, the Rowan began, her mental tone a vivid purple-red, she was so incensed.
    â€œThere has been a command failure,” Mrtgrts told them suddenly and now it, too, made a humble inclination of its upper body to the Talents.
    â€œA what?”
    â€œPrtglm has attempted unilateral action that would not be approved by Admiral Mktrn or Gktmglnt.” Mrtgrts bowed again, its color paling to exhibit a degree of embarrassment that Afra had seen only in very young ’Dini miscreants.
    â€œWhat sort of action?” the Rowan demanded imperiously.
    â€œThe Talent offspring of Afra Lyon became so deft at sending unseen probes that Prtglm saw the opportunity to destroy the function of this world forever.”
    Damn!
The word exploded with ferocity in the Rowan’s livid mind and included the actions which she desired to inflict on Prtglm’s person.
    â€œHow dared it!” Afra’s fury matched the Rowan’s and Mrtgrts swayed back from them as if it felt the impact as a personal blow. “That was not the assignment my son accepted and that I, as his parent, approved, Mrtgrts. I do not know what punishment can be meted out to a personage of Prtglm’s rank and color but this is an unacceptable perversion of FT&T services and a gross affront to the pacific nature of FT&T personnel.”
    â€œAll FT&T services will be withdrawn from…” the Rowan began, suddenly white and trembling with reaction.
    Flk and Trp returned, their pelts almost colorless.
    â€œ THERE ARE MANY PUNITIVE MISSILES IN THE CARGO BAY. GRL AND KTG DIED ON THE LINE .”
    The Rowan’s face mirrored the horror both she and Afra felt.
    No wonder Rojer disappeared
, she said in the saddest tone Afra had ever heard from her in all