[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
"How many?"
"Only ten, what you see here," Keff said.
Ten?' Big Voice squawked, waving his hands in the confines of his plastic
globe.
'Thousands! Millions! I thought to be torn alive!"
"Hush!" Big Eyes snapped. She turned to Keff. "Why no more?"
"Because they don't live here," Keff said. They're invaders. This system is,
er, only of
Cridi. These come from elsewhere."
"Of course this system is ours," Big Voice said. "Of course." He floated away,
muttering about the piles of computer equipment and speculating on their
value.
"Cridi, alone."
file:///G|/eMule/Incoming/Nye_Jody_Lynn_-_Ship_06_-...006]%20-%20Ship%20Errant
,%20The%20(EDGv1,html).html (150 of 329)15-7-2004 1:12:50
JODY LYNN NYE - [The Ship Who Sang Series - 06] The Ship Errant
"His mind is clouded," Narrow Leg signed, sympathy on his old face. "Too much
to understand at once."
"Most interesting body structure," Carialle said, as Keff looked around at the
captives.
When the brawn had his breath back again, he hauled himself to his feet. "It
feels almost obscene to be able to examine living creatures this way."
"Yes, but it's the only way to study them without getting torn to ribbons,"
Keff said.
"They're strong! Did you see how fast they were moving, even in this gravity?
They'd be super-creatures on a Standard planet."
"But they're not natives of this one," Carialle said. "In spite of those
magnificent wings they couldn't fly up to get at the Cridi on the ceiling."
"Terrible monsters," Tall Eyebrow signed. He had stayed by Keff as the human
Page 99
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
took detailed video of the griffins. "More than any in the game we play. Why
much hate?"
"I don't know," Keff said. "But I don't think we'd get much of an answer out
of them if you released them now."
"What fearsome beings," Long Hand signed, her eyes enormous. Small Spot, color
returned to his face, nodded vigorously in agreement.
Narrow Leg rolled in close for a good look, and bumped against Keffs leg for
attention. "These are the destroyers of spaceships?"
Keff shook his head. "Ones like them, perhaps. I have no idea if this crew has
been around for fifty years."
"We should destroy them," Gap Tooth, one of Tad Pole's crew signed, his small
face set. "Killers!"
"We can't do that," Keff said quickly.
"Why not?" Big Eyes demanded. "They killed some of your people. Their friends
or ancestors killed ours. They die!"
"No!" Keff said. "We don't do things like that. I can't execute anyone. That's
against my code of ethics, as well as my instructions."
"Why?" Narrow Leg said, but the question was not for Keff. "Ask them why."
"I can't," Keff said, raising his hands to show helplessness. "I don't speak
their language. It would take time to learn theirs. We can't keep these beings
like this. I'm
file:///G|/eMule/Incoming/Nye_Jody_Lynn_-_Ship_06_-...006]%20-%20Ship%20Errant
,%20The%20(EDGv1,html).html (151 of 329)15-7-2004 1:12:50
JODY LYNN NYE - [The Ship Who Sang Series - 06] The Ship Errant frustrated,
but any further action is out of my hands. It's up to my superiors to make a
decision like this."
"Not our superiors," said Big Voice, catching Keffs sign out of the corner of
his eye.
"We are superiors."
"But you are under my instructions here," Keff said, signing with strong
gestures. "It's always possible that we could be making a mistake. The matter
deserves investigation."
All the Cridi broke out in protests. Narrow Leg held up his hands. "Let us be
guided by those with experience in such matters. What should we do?"
"We'll disable their spaceship so they can't leave. That will make sure
they're here for the CW inspection ships to find. We can search for armaments,
and in the meantime, try to discover clues as to where they came from."
"I want to know more about them, too," Carialle said. "This is just an
outpost. There is no superior intelligence directing operations from here. I
want to hunt them back to their source, find the big fish. I have unanswered
questions, too."
Keff repeated Carialle's words to the Cridi. "In the meantime, let's glean
what we can from this site."
file:///G|/eMule/Incoming/Nye_Jody_Lynn_-_Ship_06_-...006]%20-%20Ship%20Errant
,%20The%20(EDGv1,html).html (152 of 329)15-7-2004 1:12:50
JODY LYNN NYE - [The Ship Who Sang Series - 06] The Ship Errant
CHAPTER 10
« ^ »
"M
ove in closer to the face, Keff," Carialle instructed, as he walked slowly
around the largest griffin. "I want a good look at that upper lip."
Keff did as he was told, with the Cridi in close attendance. They stayed
huddled beside him as if in need of his protection. Keff found it ironic since
it was their power that was keeping them safe at that moment. More ironically
still, Core power was also keeping the griffins alive. The Cridi had made up
Page 100
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
their minds that the aliens must be condemned to death. Only through a lot of
talking and pleading had Keff argued that one couldn't kill them while they
were helplessly frozen in place. The mutterings for revenge abated somewhat.
Keff was relieved. With luck, an inspection team could be dispatched quickly
from a nearby station, to arrive within a few weeks. The matter needed to be
investigated before the Cridi decided to take it upon themselves.
"Very interesting," Carialle said, as Keff shifted the camera eye upward. "I
think that those apertures in the gumline are nostrils. Yes. On the infrared
level I'm seeing warm gas expelled at regular intervals. Admirable dental
sets. Whatever their species evolved eating, it fought back."
"It was nearly us," Keff said. "Docket everything and time-stamp it so we can
send word home to Exploration. I don't want anyone else scooping us on the
discovery." He walked up behind one being whose long tail was flung up over
its back. The tip seemed to twitch, and Keff eyed it suspiciously.
"You are certain that they can't get loose?" he signed to Narrow Leg.
"Held perfectly," the old Cridi said. "Internal pulses may move, but not
body."
"Can they see us?" Keff asked.
"Eighty percent probability yes."
"Very interesting," Carialle said, as Keff passed the video pickup around and
under the creature's torso. "What beautiful musculature. Look at the evidence
of a
file:///G|/eMule/Incoming/Nye_Jody_Lynn_-_Ship_06_-...006]%20-%20Ship%20Errant
,%20The%20(EDGv1,html).html (153 of 329)15-7-2004 1:12:50
JODY LYNN NYE - [The Ship Who Sang Series - 06] The Ship Errant sophisticated
circulatory system. I'm taking internal images to find out whether those
organs and orifices around the backside and underside are generative or
excretory in function, or a combination. If this was a Terran animal, I'd call
it a hermaphrodite. All of this is an educated guess, so far. It's a pity we
can't ask them."
"Maybe medical information is in the database," Keff said. "It's time we
cracked it."
Tall Eyebrow stayed with Keff. The rest of the Cridi split up to explore the
dome structure. Confirming Carialle's guess, they found no access to
below-ground excavations, except for heating tunnels that vented to the
surface on the ridge high above the domes. The Cridi, recovered from their
adventure, were enjoying being the first of their race to explore a new world
in fifty years. Keff heard the triumphant chirruping of their high voices
echoing in the empty stone corridors. The two councillors, Big Eyes and Big
Voice, documented the building and furnishings in their admirably minute
shorthand.
Under the baleful auspice of gargoyle wings and fangs, Keff sat down on the
sling before the blue-glowing computer screen. He followed Carialle's
instructions to disconnect the I/O port for his universal translation device,
and hooked it to the computer's small processing unit.
Carialle fidgeted nervously as Keff made the connection. She checked her data
security systems over and over again, looking for potential leaks. She had no
wish to allow an alien bug to run rampant through her memory banks. Surely the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl exclamation.htw.pl
"How many?"
"Only ten, what you see here," Keff said.
Ten?' Big Voice squawked, waving his hands in the confines of his plastic
globe.
'Thousands! Millions! I thought to be torn alive!"
"Hush!" Big Eyes snapped. She turned to Keff. "Why no more?"
"Because they don't live here," Keff said. They're invaders. This system is,
er, only of
Cridi. These come from elsewhere."
"Of course this system is ours," Big Voice said. "Of course." He floated away,
muttering about the piles of computer equipment and speculating on their
value.
"Cridi, alone."
file:///G|/eMule/Incoming/Nye_Jody_Lynn_-_Ship_06_-...006]%20-%20Ship%20Errant
,%20The%20(EDGv1,html).html (150 of 329)15-7-2004 1:12:50
JODY LYNN NYE - [The Ship Who Sang Series - 06] The Ship Errant
"His mind is clouded," Narrow Leg signed, sympathy on his old face. "Too much
to understand at once."
"Most interesting body structure," Carialle said, as Keff looked around at the
captives.
When the brawn had his breath back again, he hauled himself to his feet. "It
feels almost obscene to be able to examine living creatures this way."
"Yes, but it's the only way to study them without getting torn to ribbons,"
Keff said.
"They're strong! Did you see how fast they were moving, even in this gravity?
They'd be super-creatures on a Standard planet."
"But they're not natives of this one," Carialle said. "In spite of those
magnificent wings they couldn't fly up to get at the Cridi on the ceiling."
"Terrible monsters," Tall Eyebrow signed. He had stayed by Keff as the human
Page 99
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
took detailed video of the griffins. "More than any in the game we play. Why
much hate?"
"I don't know," Keff said. "But I don't think we'd get much of an answer out
of them if you released them now."
"What fearsome beings," Long Hand signed, her eyes enormous. Small Spot, color
returned to his face, nodded vigorously in agreement.
Narrow Leg rolled in close for a good look, and bumped against Keffs leg for
attention. "These are the destroyers of spaceships?"
Keff shook his head. "Ones like them, perhaps. I have no idea if this crew has
been around for fifty years."
"We should destroy them," Gap Tooth, one of Tad Pole's crew signed, his small
face set. "Killers!"
"We can't do that," Keff said quickly.
"Why not?" Big Eyes demanded. "They killed some of your people. Their friends
or ancestors killed ours. They die!"
"No!" Keff said. "We don't do things like that. I can't execute anyone. That's
against my code of ethics, as well as my instructions."
"Why?" Narrow Leg said, but the question was not for Keff. "Ask them why."
"I can't," Keff said, raising his hands to show helplessness. "I don't speak
their language. It would take time to learn theirs. We can't keep these beings
like this. I'm
file:///G|/eMule/Incoming/Nye_Jody_Lynn_-_Ship_06_-...006]%20-%20Ship%20Errant
,%20The%20(EDGv1,html).html (151 of 329)15-7-2004 1:12:50
JODY LYNN NYE - [The Ship Who Sang Series - 06] The Ship Errant frustrated,
but any further action is out of my hands. It's up to my superiors to make a
decision like this."
"Not our superiors," said Big Voice, catching Keffs sign out of the corner of
his eye.
"We are superiors."
"But you are under my instructions here," Keff said, signing with strong
gestures. "It's always possible that we could be making a mistake. The matter
deserves investigation."
All the Cridi broke out in protests. Narrow Leg held up his hands. "Let us be
guided by those with experience in such matters. What should we do?"
"We'll disable their spaceship so they can't leave. That will make sure
they're here for the CW inspection ships to find. We can search for armaments,
and in the meantime, try to discover clues as to where they came from."
"I want to know more about them, too," Carialle said. "This is just an
outpost. There is no superior intelligence directing operations from here. I
want to hunt them back to their source, find the big fish. I have unanswered
questions, too."
Keff repeated Carialle's words to the Cridi. "In the meantime, let's glean
what we can from this site."
file:///G|/eMule/Incoming/Nye_Jody_Lynn_-_Ship_06_-...006]%20-%20Ship%20Errant
,%20The%20(EDGv1,html).html (152 of 329)15-7-2004 1:12:50
JODY LYNN NYE - [The Ship Who Sang Series - 06] The Ship Errant
CHAPTER 10
« ^ »
"M
ove in closer to the face, Keff," Carialle instructed, as he walked slowly
around the largest griffin. "I want a good look at that upper lip."
Keff did as he was told, with the Cridi in close attendance. They stayed
huddled beside him as if in need of his protection. Keff found it ironic since
it was their power that was keeping them safe at that moment. More ironically
still, Core power was also keeping the griffins alive. The Cridi had made up
Page 100
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
their minds that the aliens must be condemned to death. Only through a lot of
talking and pleading had Keff argued that one couldn't kill them while they
were helplessly frozen in place. The mutterings for revenge abated somewhat.
Keff was relieved. With luck, an inspection team could be dispatched quickly
from a nearby station, to arrive within a few weeks. The matter needed to be
investigated before the Cridi decided to take it upon themselves.
"Very interesting," Carialle said, as Keff shifted the camera eye upward. "I
think that those apertures in the gumline are nostrils. Yes. On the infrared
level I'm seeing warm gas expelled at regular intervals. Admirable dental
sets. Whatever their species evolved eating, it fought back."
"It was nearly us," Keff said. "Docket everything and time-stamp it so we can
send word home to Exploration. I don't want anyone else scooping us on the
discovery." He walked up behind one being whose long tail was flung up over
its back. The tip seemed to twitch, and Keff eyed it suspiciously.
"You are certain that they can't get loose?" he signed to Narrow Leg.
"Held perfectly," the old Cridi said. "Internal pulses may move, but not
body."
"Can they see us?" Keff asked.
"Eighty percent probability yes."
"Very interesting," Carialle said, as Keff passed the video pickup around and
under the creature's torso. "What beautiful musculature. Look at the evidence
of a
file:///G|/eMule/Incoming/Nye_Jody_Lynn_-_Ship_06_-...006]%20-%20Ship%20Errant
,%20The%20(EDGv1,html).html (153 of 329)15-7-2004 1:12:50
JODY LYNN NYE - [The Ship Who Sang Series - 06] The Ship Errant sophisticated
circulatory system. I'm taking internal images to find out whether those
organs and orifices around the backside and underside are generative or
excretory in function, or a combination. If this was a Terran animal, I'd call
it a hermaphrodite. All of this is an educated guess, so far. It's a pity we
can't ask them."
"Maybe medical information is in the database," Keff said. "It's time we
cracked it."
Tall Eyebrow stayed with Keff. The rest of the Cridi split up to explore the
dome structure. Confirming Carialle's guess, they found no access to
below-ground excavations, except for heating tunnels that vented to the
surface on the ridge high above the domes. The Cridi, recovered from their
adventure, were enjoying being the first of their race to explore a new world
in fifty years. Keff heard the triumphant chirruping of their high voices
echoing in the empty stone corridors. The two councillors, Big Eyes and Big
Voice, documented the building and furnishings in their admirably minute
shorthand.
Under the baleful auspice of gargoyle wings and fangs, Keff sat down on the
sling before the blue-glowing computer screen. He followed Carialle's
instructions to disconnect the I/O port for his universal translation device,
and hooked it to the computer's small processing unit.
Carialle fidgeted nervously as Keff made the connection. She checked her data
security systems over and over again, looking for potential leaks. She had no
wish to allow an alien bug to run rampant through her memory banks. Surely the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]