The Dolphins of Pern by Anne McCaffrey Read Free Book Online Page B

team.”
    Struggling to absorb the concept that the dolphins, too, had been original colonists on this world, Alemi stumbled into the nearest chair and seated himself, eyes glued to the scene. There was something … not quite … right about the scene he was viewing. The dolphins were correct but—and then the concept of seeing moving pictures of living creatures staggered him.
    “How do you do that?” he asked. In the previous meeting the screen had only shown maps, or what Aivas had called “sonar” readings, not these glimpsesof dolphins, doing what he had observed them doing, disporting in the seas, most of his life.
    “This is but one of the many tapes available to this facility,” the Aivas said. “Moving pictures were an integral part of the information services of your ancestors’ culture.”
    “Oh!” Alemi was fascinated by dolphin antics. “I’ve seen them do that! That’s—that’s exactly what the shipfish do!” he said excitedly as the scene shifted to the creatures escorting a ship, diving along its forward wake.
    “This tape was taken more than twenty-five hundred of your Turns in the past,” Aivas said in a gently instructive tone.
    “But—but they haven’t changed!”
    “Evolutionary changes take much longer than twenty-five hundred Turns, Master Alemi, and zoologists are of the opinion that this species has gone through several changes in the developmental path to this present form.”
    “Including speaking?” Alemi blurted out.
    “The dolphins which accompanied the colonists to Pern had been treated with mentasynth to enhance their empathic abilities and to assist them in learning human speech. It was reported that you heard them speak understandable words?”
    “Readis and I both heard them speak.” Alemi chuckled. “Readis was far more credulous than I,” he admitted ruefully.
    “The boy was considered too young to attend.”
    “Yes,” Alemi agreed with a sigh. “I’ll tell him you asked.”
    There was a brief pause. “As you wish. It is reassoringto know that dolphins have not forgotten either speech or their duties.”
    “Duties?”
    “One of their prime functions was to perform sea rescue operations.”
    “Well, they not only saved Readis and me, but since then, every crewman in my hold has some tale to relate about doll-fins rescuing folks.”
    “Elucidate, please.”
    “You mean, explain?”
    “Yes, if you please.”
    “For a machine, you’re very polite,” Alemi said, trying to master his awe for this amazing creation of the ancients.
    “Courtesy is essential in all dealings with humans.”
    “Especially between humans,” Alemi added drolly.
    “Would you be kind enough to detail your recent personal experience with the dolphins?”
    “Of course, although really you should have had Readis tell you. He’s got it all down pat.”
    “So Lord Jaxom said.”
    “You’ve a sense of humor?”
    “Not as you know it. Relate your experience.”
    “I’m not harper trained …”
    “You
were
there. Your firsthand account will be greatly appreciated.”
    Though there was no hint of censure or impatience in Aivas’s tone, Alemi obeyed. To his own amusement, he found himself repeating phrases that Readis had used in describing the adventure. The boy did have a gift for the dramatic. He must remind Jayge toapply for a harper at Paradise River Hold. Fleetingly he regretted Aramina’s decision for Readis.
    “They called themselves ‘mam’ls,’” Alemi added as he concluded the actual events. “Not fish.”
    “They are,” Aivas said in an uncontradictable tone, “mammals.” He emphasized the correct pronunciation.
    “What, then, are mammals?”
    “Mammals—m-a-m-m-a-l-s—are life-forms that bear live young and suckle them.”
    “In the seas?” Alemi demanded incredulously.
    The picture on the screen altered to one of swirling waters and tails, and suddenly Alemi was conscious that he was watching the birth of a shipfish. He gasped as the tiny