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Massood. They were much more at ease dealing with graceful Wais and short
S van. So T var acted in his stead, daily apprising his captain of
developments below.
Caldaq s concerns were exacerbated by the ever anxious Hivistahm. The contact
party was virtually helpless without any Massood to protect them, though the
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S van could fight if absolutely necessary. Their versatility was another of
their admirable traits. If the natives were intent on deception, T var could
probably manage a successful retreat.
His fears were groundless. The natives quickly demonstrated their maturity and
friendship. Soon representatives were routinely shuttling back and form
between the surface and the ship, where they marveled at the achievements of
the Weave and listened somberly to the history of its confrontation with the
Amplitur. Such information was not restricted to the local elite, but was
disseminated by domestic means of communication to the populace at large.
Caldaq s people spent a good deal of time educating and explaining. They were
rewarded when the natives decided unanimously to join with the Weave and
support the fight against the Purpose. Their enthusiasm was exhilarating and
gratifying. The long voyage had not been in vain. Caldaq grew emotional.
The natives possessed good mechanical and learning skills. Upon the
introduction of Weave technology and training they would be able to make a
significant contribution to the war effort. Fighters they were not, but that
would have been too much to hope for.
There was a considerable outpouring of honest affection when it came time for
the ship to finally depart.
T var left their new allies with the promise that Weave ships would soon be
calling in large numbers. The natives looked forward to receiving such
visitations as soon as possible. Their eagerness to help was touching. It was
also only sensible, of course, since if they failed to join the Weave they
would eventually find themselves dominated by the Amplitur. Acquisition of a
new, intelligent ally was enough to render the
expedition a complete success and justify its expense. They would return to
applause and commendation.
All those good things that Soliwik had told him could come from such a journey
now seemed within his grasp.
But it was not yet time for Caldaq to enjoy them. Their mission was not
completed. Eleven more systems remained to be scanned and examined before they
could begin the long Underspace journey homeward. With success already
assured, the atmosphere on board improved noticeably. The Hivistahm grumbled
less and ceased provoking the Lepar. The S van relaxed, and even the bored
Massood were cheered. The latter looked forward to returning to combat,
promoted and acclaimed.
They had reached the limit delineated by navigation, a region of few stars and
sterile worlds, when to everyone s surprise and delight instrumentation
detected what might be communications signals.
There was nothing remarkable about them. They possessed no extraordinary range
or power. Very typically stratified electromagnetic pulses. Nothing to suggest
true civilization, of course. That would have been too much to hope for. But
they did hint that another world had been located on which electronic means of
communication had been developed.
As soon as they arrived masking procedures were initiated and the ship
established itself in a safe orbit several planetary diameters out. Initial
anticipation fell rapidly when no indications of space-traversing capability
were noted.
Everyone was tired, Caldaq knew. Many besides the Hivistahm now spent much
time thinking of home, and a predictable but nonetheless very real letdown had
followed the discovery and cementing of an alliance with the inhabitants of
the world previously visited. Surely any species they encountered subsequently
could not be as helpful or friendly. He was tired himself. Despite his
twice-daily workouts on the ship s track, he felt himself steadily losing the
muscle tone so carefully established through years of training.
This world could be similar to the last one, but that was too much to hope
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