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the males ... I see what you mean."
"Since the Myriad colony was wiped out, and not replanted, the references to
native wildlife are pretty vague. In fact, the only comment on gorbnari gives
their color as 'mid-to-light brown, lighter below'
because it's taken from the first scoutship report - and that ship sampled on
the other continent, where they are that color."
"So you're going to mingle with the crew, and check that sort of thing, stuff
that doesn't come up in the records at all?"
"Right. And of course, I'll fill you in on whatever I find."
Dupaynil was the last incoming crewman - when Sassinak thought about it, the
perfect arrangement, since anyone transferring out so late would be noticed.
The orders came through for them to leave, and soon they were on their way to
their assigned position. Sassinak wasn't sure whether to be glad or sorry that
she had no chance to attend Huron's funeral. Soon she was far too busy to
brood about it.
For one thing, she had to supervise the continuing education of five newly
"hatched" ensigns, fresh from the Academy, and eager to prove themselves
capable young officers. Fordeliton handled their assignment slots, but she had
an interview with each one, and chaired the regular evaluation sessions. It
was a very mixed group. Claas, one of the largest heavyworlder women Sassinak
had ever seen, came with a special recommendation from Sass's old friend
Seglawin at the Academy. ("I can trust you," she'd written, "to perceive the
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sensitivity and generosity of this ensign - she's bright, of course, and
reasonably aggressive, but still too easily hurt. Toughen her, if you can,
without sending her straight into the
Separationists.") Sassinak looked up - and up - at the broad face with its
heavy brow and cheekbones, and mentally shook her head. If this girl was still
oversensitive, after four years in the Academy, she had small chance of curing
it.
Timran, stocky and just above the minimum height, had a low rank in the
graduating class, and an air of suppressed glee. Clearly he was thrilled
(surprised, even?) to have made it through commissioning, and equally
delighted to have such a good assignment - and such a commanding officer.
Sassinak was used to male appreciation, but his wide - eyed admiration almost
embarrassed her. She wondered if she'd really been that callow herself. His
only redeeming characteristic, according to the file, was "luck." As his pilot
instructor said, "Under normal circumstances, this cadet is adequate at best,
and too often careless or rash. But in emergencies, everything seems to come
together, and he will do five
wrong things that add up to the best combination. If he continues to show this
flair in active duty, he may be worth training as a scoutship pilot, or a
junior gunnery officer."
Gori, on the other hand, was a quiet, studious, almost prim young man who had
ranked high in academics and sports, but only average in initiative. "The born
supply officer," his report said. "Meticulous, precise, will do exactly what
he is told, but does not react well in chaotic situations. He should do well
in a large crew, and ultimately onstation in a noncombat capacity. Note that
this is not lack of courage; he does not panic in danger - but he does not
exceed his orders even when this is desirable."
Kayli and Perran were more "average," in that their abilities seemed to be all
on one level. Physically they were something else. Kayli was a stunning
diminutive brunette, who could have had a new partner every night if she'd
wanted it. What she wanted, apparently, was Gori.
Sassinak was not surprised to find that they were already engaged, and planned
to marry at the end of their first cruise. What did surprise her was Kayli's
continuing disinterest in the other men - very few people were exclusive in
their relationships. But despite all suggestions, Kayli spent her off-duty
time with Gori, much of it in the junior officer's mess with books spread all
over the table. Perran, not at all as overtly attractive as Kayli, turned out
to be the vamp of the group. She had an insatiable interest in electronics . .
. and men. Ford's description of her stalk of the senior communications tech
gave Sassinak her first relaxed laugh in weeks.
As the trip progressed, Claas seemed content enough, if quiet, and
Sassinak noted that she seemed to spend some free time with Perran. It seemed
like an odd combination, but Sassinak knew better than to interfere with what
worked. Timran got into one scrape after another, always apologetic but
undaunted as he discovered the inexorable laws of nature all over again.
Sassinak wondered if he'd ever grow up - it didn't seem likely at this point.
Only her experience with other such youngsters, who surprisingly grew into
competent adults if given the chance and a few years, reassured her. Gori and
Kayli occupied each other, and
Perran, having caught her first man, soon started looking for another.
Sassinak felt a twinge of sympathy for the unlucky quarry; Perran was none too
gentle in her disposal of the former lover.
Dupaynil turned up evidence of several anomalies in the crew. He said quite
frankly that most of them were probably innocent errors - data
entered wrong in the computer, or misunderstandings of one sort or another.
But sorting them out meant hours of painstaking work, correlating all the data
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