The Rowan
- Автор: Маккефри Энн
- Серия: Tower and the Hive #1
- Язык: английский
- Жанр: Научная фантастика
Электронная книга - «The Rowan». Краткое содержание книги:
The kinetically gifted, trained in mind/machine gestalt, are the most valued citizens of the Nine Star League. Using mental powers alone, these few Prime Talents transport ships, cargo and people between Earth's Moon, Mars' Demos and Jupiter's Callisto.
An orphaned young girl, simply called The Rowan, is discovered to have superior telepathic potential and is trained to become Prime Talent on Callisto. After years of self-sacrificing dedication to her position, The Rowan intercepts an urgent mental call from Jeff Raven, a young Prime Talent on distant Deneb. She convinces the other Primes to merge their powers with hers to help fight off an attack by invading aliens. Her growing relationship with Jeff gives her the courage to break her status-imposed isolation, and choose the more rewarding world of love and family.
After a cursory look about the room, it went back to drinking.
"I'm not really sure," Lusena said, covering her thoughts because she knew exactly why Reidinger wanted one: he could then focus his thoughts directly to the Rowan. Oh dear! Would she be up to the sort of a searching interview for which Reidinger was famous? Lusena looked down at her ward, at her total absorption in the barquecat and gave a discreet sigh of relief. If Reidinger gave her even half a chance… When the cub had finished drinking and had eaten sparingly of milk-soaked bread, it preened briefly and then curled up for another nap to rest from such arduous exercise. As soon as its breathing settled, the Rowan made for the keyboard and accessed information on barquecats, fact and fiction. "What he should eat," she said, handing Lusena the first few pages, "and what he is likely to want to eat. I want to catch Gerolaman before he leaves for the day. Be right back." She was out the door before Lusena could protest. Oh, Lord, what time was it on Earth? Lusena ground her teeth. She wanted to be near the Rowan when - and if Reidinger did contact her directly.
By that evening, there was no doubt that Rascal approved of the Rowan. Waking from his second nap, the cub had looked around for a litter box (for Lusena had thought to provide a temporary affair) and then hauled himself up her arm, settling companionably on her shoulder, claws hooked into the fabric of her shirt.
"Don't fuss, Luse," the Rowan told her, "he's not sinking them in deep." She giggled and gave a funny shudder. "But his whiskers tickle. There, now, Rascal." Although the cub appeared to be settling down for a lengthy residence, he suddenly vaulted from the Rowan's shoulder to the back of the couch, running along it to the opposite end. He turned then and sat glaring at the girl accusingly.
"What on earth did I do?" "Why…" Lusena began in surprise and then saw the Rowan suddenly tense to an erect sitting position.
"Yes, Prime Reidinger?" "I've been meaning to address you directly, Rowan," the deep voice said as clear as if he had been beside her on the couch and speaking audibly. "Even I," and Reidinger added a chuckle, "require a talisman on which to focus and I have added your hologram to those on my special access list. I have, by the way, informed Siglen that you are to take whatever regular holidays are current in Altair's schooling system. She may drive herself but there are rules which apply to minor children that must be observed."
"I haven't minded, Prime Reidinger. There is a lot to be learned…" "A loyal child, too. The discussion I just had with Siglen should clear the air over several misapprehensions on her part.
"And about your future training. Let me make this plain to you as well. Rowan: you have the right to contact me directly on any question you might have. A suitable hologram is on its way to you to make that contact easier. You have the range." The Rowan heard the smile in his voice. "Use it. You should also be receiving holograms from David of Betelgeuse and Capella.
"It won't hurt for you to get to reach them mentally from time to time. Good practice as well. They both studied with Siglen."
The Rowan caught the dry note in his mental tone and wondered about it.
"One more thing: Gerolaman is to conduct a Tower Basics course and I wish you to join his students. Tower management is not merely mental, you know." There was a distinct pause and the Rowan wasn't sure if she should respond with thanks for his intercession or what. "You have a barquecat cub? Well, my dear young lady, you have been honored."
"Yes, sir, I think so, too. And thank you for the holidays and the Basics course and… and everything."
"Never fear, Rowan. I'll take it all out of your hide at a later date."
Then the space he had occupied in her mind abruptly became empty and the Rowan blinked with surprise.
"Rowan?" asked Lusena tentatively, leaning across the table to touch her hand.
"Earth Prime Reidinger was speaking to me," she replied and then she looked down the length of the couch to the tawny cub. "He knew about Rascal," she added in a mystified tone.
"Reidinger probably would," Lusena remarked caustically, glancing quickly at the cub as he now marched toward the Rowan again along the back of the couch.
"How could he?" Lusena shrugged. "The Reidinger Family have always had unusual Talents and perceptions. They've been Talents for centuries. What else did he say?" The Rowan grinned with pure malice.
"I'm to have the same holidays that schools give here. And I'm to join Gerolaman's course on Tower Basics." Lusena paused. "I didn't know he was giving one."
The Rowan laughed. "According to Reidinger he is." "Then he is." When Gerolaman arrived late that evening to check on the cub's settling in, he was looking exceedingly pleased with himself. He accepted the brew that Lusena offered and sat opposite the Rowan, whose lap was occupied by a fist-sized ball of fur. He raised his glass to her.
"I thought you'd make the grade. I'll make it official and you'll get the papers direct from the Captain of the Mayotte. He said to tell you Rascal is from a line of real champions." "I can see that," the Rowan replied, smiling fatuously at the sleeper. She hadn't so much as twitched a muscle since Rascal had curled up after his supper.
"It's been a good day," Gerolaman said, stretching comfortably.
"Placed a barquecat and got notice that a fully subscribed class of young T-4s and 5s are arriving next week all the way from Earth, to learn what there is to know about Tower management and maintenance.
"Siglen says that it's a mark of her standing in FT amp;T that Altair has been chosen." Gerolaman winked at Lusena who chuckled. "You're included, Rowan. I was told to inform you myself. You'll be in the Tower as usual in the mornings, but you'll attend my classes in the afternoon and evening. OK?" The Rowan nodded acknowledgment and Lusena silently applauded her discretion.
"I haven't taught you all I know yet by a long stretch, but now it's official. You mind yourself with these imported Talents, girl.
"It's a mixed bag, T-4s, 5s, kinetics, empaths, a couple of mechanicals, but only one true telepath. Still, it'll give you more insight into some of the other manifestations of Talent. And perhaps a friend or two your own age." "How many?" Lusena asked, noting the Rowan's sudden wariness.
"Eight, I'm told." "That many? Surely Siglen won't permit them to be quartered at the Station?" "Not on Station. Over at the guest facility," Gerolaman replied with a knowing grin. "My wife's moving in to keep them under control. Not much gets past Samella even if she is only a T-6. Strong empathy, especially for teenage nonsense. Smells it before it can happen." He drained his brew and rose. "I've got a lot to organize before they get here so I'll leave you, ladies. Oh, and I'll get you what you need for the cub on my way home. The Mayotte Captain gave me a list. Bring it in tomorrow." The Rowan once again expressed her deep gratitude for the barquecat.
"I should have thought to get you one a long time ago, Rowan," Gerolaman said in a gruff voice and, with a curt nod of his head at Lusena, left.
The next day the Rowan found that Siglen was by no means delighted with the thought of her Station as a training facility. But this distracted her to the exclusion of any other topic, including the Rowan's recent behavior.
Siglen fired orders to Bralla and Gerolaman who, the Rowan observed, both pretended to be disgruntled over the "invasion". They had so many complaints to lodge with Siglen over suitable accommodations, lecture room, which part of the big landing field beyond the Tower would be far enough away to avoid interference with these lamebrained numskulls that they'd have to pamper and instruct.
By midday, Siglen got so flustered that she rounded on Bralla.
"If Earth Prime Reidinger has chosen Altair for this course, then we must cooperate with him in every possible way, and I am heartily tired of listening to your laments.