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  “No, Captain. Piper did a full check following the loss of the signal from the orbit of Rhiava. He reported a distinct trace of interference. Whatever it was that caused the transmission difficulty, it wasn’t the instrumentation. Hardesty said he’d checked the shuttle’s systems too and there was definite interference at their end.”

  “But it could still just be a transmission problem, couldn’t it?” asked Henson. “There needn’t be anything wrong with them?”

  “Maybe, but how do we know for sure? If it’s just interference in the area of Rhiava we won’t get confirmation until the shuttle leaves. That could be some time. If they’ve made contact and talks are progressing well, it’s doubtful they’ll want to leave too soon.” The captain rose, moving to stand behind his chair, leaning his arms on the back. “On the other hand, how long do we wait? If they’re in trouble it's probable that they'll need help right away.”

  “Well, shouldn’t we go now then?” Henson asked.

  “We did acquire all the supplies we needed from Midea,” Simpson commented.

  “Yes, but it’ll take some time to receive what we’ve arranged. Of all people, Henson, you know how much we need those supplies. It's not possible for us to leave without them,” Captain Sullivan replied.

  “Also, Captain, you managed to get some more Kerosphamide,” Hendricks interjected. “You’ve no idea how pleased I am about that. I told Mr. Barlow while you were on the surface that some of my repairs were becoming crucial. I have two major problems just now, sir. First, I’ve discovered the protective plating on the hull is beginning to depolarize. Second, we’re facing an imminent failure in the life support system.”

  “What are you suggesting, Sara?” asked the captain with a sigh.

  “Well, I understand everyone is concerned for Jon and Manny, but we also need to be concerned for the ship. It’s impossible to travel in safety at any decent speed in deep space without the protective plating. Once depolarization begins, it’s cumulative and swift. I need to reline the plating with the Kerosphamide at once, before we leave here. Also, I have to fabricate the part needed for the life support system.”

  “But you carry all the spare parts required for the life support system, in fact two of everything as I understand it,” Barlow said.

  “Yes, parts that are known to fail and need replacing. This happens to be something that in ordinary circumstances couldn’t fail except for our enforced trip through the storm. It has lasted until now, for which perhaps we should be grateful. With the material we gathered on that asteroid just after the accident, and one of the ores the captain obtained here, I can make the necessary alloy and fabricate the part.”

  “And how long would the work take, Sara?”

  “If I split my staff into two teams, one for each task, I would estimate a minimum of forty-eight hours.”

  “Forty-eight hours! And it will take us, what? Thirty-six hours plus to reach Rhiava afterwards. They could be dead by then!” Henson exclaimed.

  “It’s possible they’re dead already,” Barlow said matter-of-factly. “However, if they’re not but need our help, how would it help them if we destroyed the ship in the process of trying to reach them?”

  “Is there no way you could cut the time down?” Captain Sullivan asked.

  “It’ll take at least twenty-four hours for the alloy to be completed, and maybe thirty-six to complete the fabrication. I’d already included twelve hours of that work whilst we are on the move, but I have to re-line the entire plating before we can leave orbit—”

  “Does that include the complete hull plating to be re-lined?” interrupted Barlow.

  Sara sighed. “Yes, my estimate was for the full plating re-lining.” She glanced around the room, accepting she would have to compromise. “However, if I double-check which plates need treatment now and those that can wait until after we reach Rhiava, then perhaps I could cut down the overall time for the plating. Let me get my teams checking, and I’ll report back to you on that. But I will need at least the twenty-four hours to complete the alloy.”

  “Very well, get to it,” the captain ordered and Sara strode away.

  “You know us?” Jon queried, for the first time feeling threatened, though he couldn’t say why.

  “Don’t be disturbed,” Triena replied. “You’re in no danger from us.”

  There she goes again, Jon thought.

  “What did you mean by the Gift?” asked Manny from her other side.

  “It’s a term we use to describe our ability to discern things about others and our surroundings and, in certain cases, particular abilities of the mind that can manifest physically. It varies from person to person, but each Rhiava has the Gift to some degree, for one particular purpose or another. Some have more than one manifestation.”

  “You referred to those Elders remaining not being strong enough in the Gift. What does that mean?” Manny queried, glancing at Jon who didn’t understand either. It was probable Manny didn’t even know what questions to ask.

  “You’re a curious people to be sure,” interjected one of the other Rhiava from across the table.

  “Allow me to introduce Sernov, one of the senior Elders.”

  “Do you object to our asking questions?” Jon asked. “If so, please accept our apologies, we meant no offense.”

  “No offense has been taken, young one. I see nothing wrong with curiosity; it’s the way one learns. Mistress Triena explained to you we all possess the Gift. What she didn’t tell you is that, when necessary, we can combine our Gifts for the good of all. Those who didn’t attend Ritual and who faced the Midea alone were not strong enough when joined to discern the truth of their intention until it was too late.”

  “Enough talk for now,” interrupted Wirva. “My good food will be cold if you don’t stop talking and start eating.”

  Everyone gave Wirva a small bow and began eating. Jon was surprised at how good the stew was. He finished his plate in record time.

  “I appreciate your gesture,” Wirva said on seeing his empty plate.

  “It was no gesture. That was delicious.”

  “Yes, indeed it was,” Manny agreed. “It’ll make a welcome addition to Martin’s collection when we return to Questor, if you’ll allow us to take the recipe, and perhaps some supplies?” He raised a questioning eyebrow. “If we can discuss some form of exchange when you are ready,” he said.

  “That can be discussed later. When will your vessel begin to be concerned that you do not return?” asked Sernov.

  “It's probable they already are. We were supposed to contact our vessel when we attained orbit, but the transmission was somewhat garbled due to interference. I’d said we’d try again on landing. That was before I entered your atmosphere and discovered just how bad the interference was. Manny, how long was I unconscious?”

  “About three hours I’d say. Triena and Lector found us almost at once following our crash and then brought us here. It must be over four hours since we last spoke to the XO.”

  “They’re certain to be anxious already, but how long before they can come after us is another question,” Jon said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I believe Manny has already told you a little of our story. We’ve a rather long journey home and we must gather all our supplies en route. We’ve just crossed a huge void, and when we arrived at Midea we were in desperate need, not just for food, but also for repair substances for many of our engineering systems. The captain led a team down to Midea to negotiate for supplies while we came here. It’ll be impossible for the ship to leave Midea without first gaining those supplies.”

  “Are you saying your ship will not come for you?” asked Triena, disbelief in her voice.

  “No, no. Of course, they’ll come. As soon as they can, but it could be longer than they, or we, would wish. There’s a crew of two hundred and ten persons onboard Questor, and the safety of all has to be our priority,” Jon explained.

  Triena glanced around the table,
and Jon noted she seemed to take a quick look at each of the other Rhiava in turn. There was much more going on with these people than he could yet quite comprehend.

  “Very well,” Sernov said. “You will stay with us here until your ship arrives. Understand we must be most careful to keep clear of the Mideans. They’d like nothing better than to take the Elders so they could use us against our own people.”

  “In particular the Spirit of our People,” Lector added, his tone dark.

  FOUR

  Jon, Manny, Triena, and Wirva were seated around a small table outside one of the huts, having just finished their meal, when Triena asked, “Jon, would you like to accompany me on a scouting mission?”

  “A scouting mission?” he asked, intrigued. He didn’t notice Wirva’s quick glance at Triena.

  “Yes, we all take a turn at keeping a close watch on things. We don’t just wish to protect ourselves, we also try to discover any loopholes in the Midean oppression. Our long-term aim is to free our people.”

  “Do you want me to come too?” Manny asked.

  “Wirva has suggested he’d take you to our growing area and show you the variety of plants we produce. You could then decide what you might be interested in. Our Elders have discussed your request and they are, in principle, in favor of supplying your needs. We do have surplus food supplies, and when at last your ship arrives everything will be inspected in detail then.”

  “An excellent idea,” Manny said. “But, as I think I mentioned, we’re also in desperate need of other supplies, minerals or certain kinds of formed metals and alloys. Would it be possible for us to obtain such items from you? As I understand the information the captain gained from the Mideans, your planet is rich in minerals, and you are technologically advanced. If I can study what you may have available, I could draw up a list of our requirements. Then when Questor arrives we’ll have a proposal prepared.”

  “We’ve put aside what you would consider our technological advancement and have no wish to share such knowledge with others. As I explained, we believe each race should make its own journey. However, if all you require are raw materials for the repair of your own technology, then I see no problem. It would be best to discuss such matters with Sernov.”

  “Thank you, I’ll do that.”

  “What’s the specific purpose of this scouting mission?” Jon queried.

  “It’s been suggested we take a look at your crash site. It’s almost certain the Mideans tracked your craft through the atmosphere, and it's probable they’ll send out a search party. They’ll reach the area soon; the nearest small outpost is about seven hours from here.”

  “Is that wise? If you expect them to be at the site, why would you go there on purpose?”

  “I’ll be able to learn something from closer contact. It’ll be safe. We can observe yet keep hidden. Do you wish to accompany me?”

  “Yes, how many others will be going?”

  “Just the two of us. It’s safer that way.”

  “Oh, I see.” He didn’t quite see, but he didn’t want to admit it. Neither did he want to question it.

  “I’m just going to talk to Sernov a moment, when I return we’ll leave,” Triena said.

  Manny drew Jon to one side. “Be careful, Jon.”

  “You heard what Triena said. It won’t be a problem. We can observe the Mideans without being seen ourselves. I’m not sure how, but I’ll try and find out.”

  “I wasn’t suggesting you be careful of the Mideans, I was suggesting you be careful around Triena,” Manny said in a rather caustic tone.

  “What?”

  “Come on, Jon. I know you well enough by now to understand when you are...interested. Triena is indeed beautiful. I get the impression you’re rather overwhelmed.”

  “Manny!” He was about to protest, then, almost unbidden, he said, “I agree Triena is lovely, but I also think I’m a little afraid of her. There’s something about her, I can’t put my finger on it. Sometimes I feel as if she can see into my mind. In one way she draws me like a magnet, and at the same time...” How do I explain to Manny when I can’t explain to myself?

  “Oh, Jon, you are indeed in trouble,” Manny said with a groan. “Please be careful.”

  “Why is it you walk everywhere? I'm sure you have other methods of transport?” Jon queried as they left the forest and headed for the hill above the crash site.

  “Yes, many different kinds are available, but when the shield was erected we stopped all transportation on the planet, except for natural methods,” Triena replied.

  “You stopped all transportation. Are you saying...?”

  “Yes, every kind in use by every being. That’s why it takes the Mideans so long to reach here even from their nearest outpost—they have to walk too. There’s no form of land travel, sea, or air travel permitted. Even your craft would’ve crashed anyway once you broke through the atmosphere. No Midean craft has managed to land since we instituted the ban.” She said it in such a matter-of-fact way. “They thought they’d be able to come and go through the shield and we’d be trapped here. Things haven’t worked out quite as they expected,” she added with a smile.

  “However did you manage that?”

  Triena gave him a gentle smile. “We used the Gift.”

  Jon was quite disturbed. Such a natural power as these people possessed was awesome. Or was it truly just natural?

  “Triena, this Gift you keep mentioning, it puzzles me. It sounds so powerful, is it just natural or do you somehow enhance it?”

  “It’s natural, but it’s been enhanced by the passage of time. We’re an old race, and succeeding generations have, over a long period of time, improved upon their predecessors.”

  “You mean as part of your evolution?”

  “Yes, that’s correct. We believe it could be linked to our world though. Do you know the meaning of the name of our planet?”

  “I’m afraid not.”

  “Rhiava means Treasure. But it’s a two-edged sword. The treasure is in the beauty and proliferation of nature on the planet, but it’s also in her people and what they give back to the planet. It’s one of the reasons we stopped using technology. It gave us much but cost us much. It took away our natural understanding of our own being, our own world. We’re not against technology in principle. We still use certain kinds if it will benefit us, providing its use isn’t detrimental to the natural balance of our world. We use the Gift to help keep the planet in good order and the planet gives us the Gift, so to each other we are the Treasure.”

  Jon wasn’t quite sure what she meant by all this. It all sounded somewhat mystical to him, and he’d never quite understood such philosophies. He thought perhaps his best way to understand was to watch and learn.

  As they reached the crest of the hill Triena put up a hand in front of his mouth, which he realized meant he should stop talking. With caution they glimpsed over the top, and Jon got a first look at his crash landing. In truth he was quite alarmed by what he saw. He knew the shuttle must’ve had a hard landing, but he’d not understood how far into the ground the nose of the shuttle had buried itself. No wonder he’d taken such a battering. In retrospect, he realized both he and Manny had been lucky to survive.

  Even as they watched, a troop of Mideans approached the craft from the other direction. Jon had never seen a Midean, though he’d heard a description of them following the captain’s visit to the planet. They were not what you'd call unattractive, though he found the striking differences between such pale skin color and black hair somewhat too dramatic for his taste. He noted the patrol was all male. It struck him then he’d now seen two alien races in one day, a rarity in anyone’s calendar.

  There were eight of them, walking in twos behind a leader, and they were carefully scanning the area, not just with their eyes, but with some kind of small device. Jon pointed to it and then indicated Triena and himself. Triena shook her head. Such gestures were universal, Jon thought. He wondered, though, how he and Triena were pro
tected from discovery by the device.

  The group of Mideans approached the shuttle with caution. Even though the impact had been severe, there was no external damage to the craft’s hull except, maybe, to the portion buried in the soil. The one way in was by the hatch that Manny had remembered to lock and seal after their exit. It was standard procedure to secure all such vessels, damaged or not. If it was clear it couldn’t be recovered, then standing orders were to initiate self-destruct. It was improbable that the craft would ever fly again, though he couldn’t be certain it wasn’t repairable.

  He watched as the Mideans tried all sorts of ways to get inside the craft, including using some kind of weapon to blast a way in. The craft’s emergency power system included an electrical field, which acted as an additional security device. When the weapon struck the field there was an electrical feedback that sent the Mideans scattering. There was no damage to the vessel however, or to any of the aliens.

  How long the defense field would last depended on how much emergency power there was. Jon was relieved it appeared there was more than sufficient to keep out the Mideans for quite some time judging by the power of the charge. Triena must’ve sensed something, because she glanced over at him and returned his grin with one of her own.

  She pointed over to the left and indicated they should go in that direction. Jon followed. It was unfortunate that as they moved around an outcropping just under the lip of the hill, Triena lost her footing, slipped, and fell to the base of the hill. She landed with a thud and Jon rushed to her side. She was conscious but appeared somewhat woozy. Jon helped her to sit up, but he felt something was wrong. He couldn’t say why, but something was different.

  Without warning he heard shouts from over the hill. Then there were the sounds of boots on rock. Someone was heading their way in a hurry. Jon didn’t understand what had happened, but somehow they’d been discovered.

  He pulled Triena upright where she swayed a little. He lifted her off her feet and swept her into his arms, heading for a small hillock just off to his right. If he could just get behind there before he was seen they had a chance. He slipped around the base of the hillock just as he heard shouts behind him. He laid Triena down and whirled back to face them.