I'll file a formal request with the Children's Protection League and have her legally made our ward. Pause. Pause. Kayan's very interested in our Tirla. Kayan's very interested in our Tirla.

Ha! was Dorotea's response to that. was Dorotea's response to that.

And inordinately impressed by Peter.

As well she might be. Dorotea had a very soft spot for Peter Reidinger. Dorotea had a very soft spot for Peter Reidinger.

Are you comfortable with Amariyah?

I'll be more so when I can get her to laugh and smile.

So how does your garden grow? I saw you two out there. Did Tirla sneak in to Teacher?

Dorotea indulged in a mental snort of disdain. As soon as she could. Well, she was Linear-bred. I can't expect her to be horticulturally minded. Amariyah, on the other hand, is to the manner born. As soon as she could. Well, she was Linear-bred. I can't expect her to be horticulturally minded. Amariyah, on the other hand, is to the manner born.

Those tools were sheer inspiration.

I thought so, too. But we must find her some patch somewhere on the estate, all hers. Mine is the dida's garden. She'd take on the entire grounds if we let her.

Maybe old Ted Comer will take her on as an apprentice.

Him? Dorotea and Ted were more frequently at odds over minor details of gardening than in charity with each other. I Dorotea and Ted were more frequently at odds over minor details of gardening than in charity with each other. I have to get her on the Teacher program first. We'll see just how good her orphanage tuition was. have to get her on the Teacher program first. We'll see just how good her orphanage tuition was.

With Tirla a.s.sisting the next morning, Amariyah Bantam was found to understand the basics that any five-year-old should know. Her spelling was the English-English variety, her vocabulary and arithmetic adequate, her handwriting the cramped little script that "saves paper," as Dorotea remarked. She was also fluent in Bangla. She knew nothing about technical Teacher aids, such as a computer, or even how to find her way around the tri-d. She informed them almost regally that only the older girls were given technical instruction. The orphanage had a communications system and a satellite connection, donated by the Presbyterian Women's a.s.sociation. Occasionally they were all allowed to watch instructional programs and nature films.

Unexpectedly, her IQ testing ranged toward the genius level but her schooling so far had not been in the least bit challenging. Concurring with Carmen Stein's a.s.sessment, Dorotea could also feel the spark that so often blossomed into Talent.

It was Tirla, to whom such an item meant so much, who reminded Dorotea that Amariyah had no identification band.

"She'll hardly need it," Dorotea began. "She's not likely to go anywhere yet without an adult."

"You haven't even stranded her!" Tirla c.o.c.ked her arms at her waist and glared accusingly at Dorotea. "We don't want another incident, do we?" she added, tilting her head, her eyes wise beyond her years as she obliquely referred for the first time to being kidnapped.

"Yes, you're quite right." Dorotea was prompt to admit mistakes. Even those she made. "If you'd just go up to the main house and get Sascha to give you some strands, you can weave them into her hair yourself."

"Yes, Sascha would have strands, wouldn't he?" Tirla said and, flipping her own long black hair with its security strand over her shoulder, briskly strode out of the house on her errand. "And I'll make him get an ID bracelet for Maree. Like an hour ago!"

"She's mute right now as far as telepathy is concerned," Dorotea told Rhyssa when she dropped by after Amariyah had gone to bed, exhausted by an exciting day. Dorotea pursed her lips. "We have, however, come to a compromise about how she will address me. Dida Tea is formal enough for her convent-trained sensibilities and it at least sounds like my name." Then Dorotea went on more thoughtfully. "She might have some kinetic ability although she didn't display any while we were weeding. She'd never seen daffodils. She's been poring over garden encyclopedias like the print would fade." She beamed over having another ardent plant lover as a companion. "Never thought those old printed books would be more than a curiosity. I noticed today that some of the print is fading. Or at least some of the color 'graphs in them. I've tried to explain to Amariyah about common and Latin designations of flowers. My Latin's rusty but Tirla and I did show her how to access Dictionary. She's been looking up all the big words as if her life depended on it. I think we'll plan a little trip to the Botanical Gardens once she's more acclimated to this part of the world."

"D'you think she's homesick for Bangladesh or the Sisters?"

Dorotea shook her head. "She may be later on when the novelty wears off. She asked to write to the Sisters. I must get the address from you. Oh, and she did smile at Peter tonight. Just a little smile but enough to rea.s.sure me that she knows how."

"Don't fret that, Dorotea. She must be a little overwhelmed by her change in circ.u.mstance. Have you told her about her . . . lack of blood kin?"

"No, I didn't. She's far too involved with differentiating asphodilus, which is Latin, from narkissos, which is Greek, in case you didn't know."

"I didn't," Rhyssa said, rising and beating a strategic retreat.

When, four months later, the earth warmed in spring sunlight, Dorotea and her new ward had become fast friends, despite the age difference. Ted Comer was also taken with the solemn little girl and was cajoled into giving her a garden plot all her own. He'd planned to put it into zinnias, which were not Dorotea's favorite flower, but Amariyah had endeared herself to him by naming every single shrub, tree, and greening plant by their Latin names.

"I couldn't stop her learning. She's inhaling gardening terms," Dorotea said in an aside to the surprised groundsman.

"I've some seeds I can give her."

"Any vegetables?" Dorotea asked, eyeing him. "She seems to feel that we are lacking in kitchen garden s.p.a.ce."

Ted looked stunned.

"I do plan to take her to the greenhouses," Dorotea went on. "She wasn't that impressed with flowers and trees and shrubs being stuck indoors in the conservatory but she took the point that some of them wouldn't flourish in the open."

Ted nodded with the vigor of someone who doesn't quite understand what he has just been told.

"We can let her have both, can't we? Vegetables and flowers?"

"If it makes the little girl happy, I ain't agin it," Ted replied.

Only after she had planted it to her satisfaction did Amariyah show Tirla her her garden. Tirla pretended a keen interest that took Dorotea by surprise. garden. Tirla pretended a keen interest that took Dorotea by surprise.

"When did you start learning anything about gardening?" she asked Tirla when she had a chance.

The Linear-bred girl shrugged. "I gotta keep in touch."

Peter also feigned interest. He was able to make an escape from his horticulturally determined housemate because Rhyssa allowed him to accompany Lance Baden back to Adelaide, to continue their experiments in a.s.sessing his limits.

"If he has any," Lance amended when he discussed the resettlement with Rhyssa and Sascha.

"Traveling is a good idea," Sascha said, "especially since we've got to keep him busy until he's old enough to be put on the roster."

"I must get ahold of Dirk Coetzer," Lance said. "Peter keeps harping on that promise to tour the s.p.a.ceship."

"I'll check with Dirk," Rhyssa said.

"And nudge Johnny Greene about it, too," Sascha suggested.

"That's not a problem," Rhyssa said. "The outfitting of the Andre Norton Andre Norton is still on schedule." is still on schedule."

"So Barchenka's not the only one to make good," Lance said slyly.

"And I'll make sure Peter's on the first tour available. There are promises that must be kept."

"And miles to go before I sleep," Lance quoted, surprising them all.

The s.p.a.ce Station Commander Admiral Dirk Coetzer did not forget his promise to young Peter Reidinger. Without any reminder from General John Greene, just before Peter's sixteenth birthday in September, the admiral extended a special invitation to the young kinetic and to anyone else from the Eastern Parapsychic Center who wished to come. Rhyssa was coping with her colicky son, Eoin, but insisted that Dave go along with Peter, Sascha, Lance, and Boris Roznine. It turned out to be the first tour of the nearly completed s.p.a.ceship and the Talents were the only guests. Johnny Greene was present, too; he knew the great ship almost as well as her designers.

" 'Every rivet and girder in it.' " Johnny's grin was malicious as he quoted Ludmilla Barchenka.

"That's enough of that," Dirk Coetzer said and the others guessed that Johnny Greene was not above trying the admiral's patience with occasional references. The former etop pilot remained the only other Talent who had sussed out and could effect Peter Reidinger's gestalt in telekinesis.

The colony s.p.a.ceship was still moored in the construction quadrant, with access tunnels to the various hatches, and was surrounded by small rigs, with nets of supplies attached by tethers. For this visit, all but the engine and fuel storage segments had been aired up and the artificial gravity turned on so the guests could move about more freely. The tour started in one of the levels in which cryogenically suspended astronauts would be stored in racks of specially engineered "cradles."

"We prefer 'cradle' to 'coffin' or 'tank,' " the admiral said, patting the nearest empty container.

Peter eyed it speculatively. "Like a single-pa.s.senger carrier," he said to Johnny Greene. Carefully, with well-rehea.r.s.ed control, he was able to lay his hand, but not his fingers, flat against the container. John and Lance, knowing how difficult it was for Peter to make small motor gestures, exchanged glances over that little triumph.

"There are nine levels so we can accommodate a suitable colonial gene pool," Coetzer went on.

He showed them one of the storage holds, already half full of supplies, and demonstrated how the locks would operate to prevent oxygen leakage from any hull penetration.

"No t.i.tanic t.i.tanic disaster in s.p.a.ce," Coetzer said with satisfaction. "The disaster in s.p.a.ce," Coetzer said with satisfaction. "The Andre Norton Andre Norton has been built to survive. The ship is separated into units, each one self-sufficient. From the bridge, the captain can remotely initiate the revival of pa.s.sengers should that be necessary." has been built to survive. The ship is separated into units, each one self-sufficient. From the bridge, the captain can remotely initiate the revival of pa.s.sengers should that be necessary."

"Let's hope it isn't," murmured Dave.

The admiral took his guests further forward, into the living levels where the skeleton crew-Coetzer grinned at Peter-would be running the immense colony ship. Each crew member was to serve two years' duty on rotation for as long as the journey would last.

"Not that the Andre Norton Andre Norton will get to Altair any faster but certainly eventually." Of that the admiral was certain. will get to Altair any faster but certainly eventually." Of that the admiral was certain.

"Some degree of privacy is essential to crew well-being," he said, showing them one of the cabins, where he demonstrated how cleverly furnishings had been built into the wall s.p.a.ces. "They also afford shielding," and he nodded to Lance and Johnny. "We learned that lesson even if we aren't likely to ship any psychics in the crew."

"Why not?" Peter asked, jerking his head around to the admiral.

"None have volunteered, Pete."

"I would," Peter said firmly, almost belligerently.

"I know, son, I know," the admiral said, a rea.s.suring hand on the boy's shoulder. Coetzer thought he'd fleshed up a bit, had lost the bony look he'd had at the Inauguration. He was taller as well and had an unmistakable but modest confidence about him now. Nothing succeeds like success, Coetzer thought, remembering the comments on young Reidinger's progress that Johnny Greene was always dropping. Which was why Coetzer had never forgotten his promise to the boy. "But your future is linked with this planet. G.o.d knows I'd give anything to sail this ship out of our system, on her way to Altair."

"Why can't you?" Peter asked. Surely admirals could do what they wanted. Cut orders or something.

Coetzer chuckled. "Doesn't work like that, Pete. Now, come with me and I'll show you the nerve center of this ship."

"Admiral on the bridge," was the ringing cry, causing officers and ratings to snap to attention.

"As you were. If you'll-" Coetzer began, and stopped as he saw the awed expression on Peter's face. He'd never quite got over the wonder of the scene that was visible in the forward screen of the Andre Norton so Andre Norton so he stood in respectful silence as Peter absorbed the panorama. The ship's prow, although parallel to the great wheel of Padrugoi, faced outer s.p.a.ce. Sometimes the prospect terrified those with any degree of agoraphobia. Mostly the view reduced people to stark amazement and wonder, as it did Peter. he stood in respectful silence as Peter absorbed the panorama. The ship's prow, although parallel to the great wheel of Padrugoi, faced outer s.p.a.ce. Sometimes the prospect terrified those with any degree of agoraphobia. Mostly the view reduced people to stark amazement and wonder, as it did Peter.

The hunger, the yearning for the unknown and the unreachable was visible on the boy's face. For a long moment, the boy was stockstill until Lance leaned forward and lightly touched his arm. Peter exhaled.

"Say again, Pete?" the admiral asked, sure that he had heard words on that breath.

"I only need to know where to stand," Peter murmured, eyes focused beyond the plasgla.s.s to the black s.p.a.ce, pinpointed with stars.

"When you find out," Johnny said gently, "do let me know."

Peter gave his head a shake, grinned with sheepish apology to the admiral.

"Well, then, let me show you how the Andre Norton Andre Norton operates." operates."

Peter was attentive, asked intelligent questions, but his eyes were constantly seeking the scene outside.

"He's mesmerized," Lance remarked quietly to Johnny.

"Has that effect, all right , " Johnny replied, giving a short sharp sigh. "Can't blame him. I ogle it every chance I get."

Once the bridge tour was done, the admiral offered his guests lunch in his quarters. It was obvious to the others that Peter would have gladly taken a sandwich to the bridge and stared at s.p.a.ce until it was time to leave. But he had learned manners from Dorotea and, though he kept looking at s.p.a.ce until the lift door closed it from sight, he recovered his poise on the way back to Padrugoi. He kept thanking the admiral throughout the excellent lunch,asking now and then about details he wished to make clear in his own mind.

"Would it be against security if I asked if I could have some, well, sort of details, like how she ma.s.ses? And you know, some idea of her interior and her decks?" Peter asked while the adults were having coffee. He didn't like any stimulants. He hadn't needed any medication since he'd left the hospital. Other than his paralysis, he enjoyed very good health.

"We do have just the sort of doc.u.mentation you'd like, Pete," the admiral said. "Oh, nothing that breaches security or shows more than the general outlines but the specs do include the dimensions as well as the ma.s.s, though that's estimated rather than actual. We know how much the components weigh in gravity. Of course, it isn't as if the Andre Norton Andre Norton were a seagoing ship and we'd know how much water she displaces." The admiral grinned. "But yes, you may have what we've prepared as a press handout at her Launch." He leaned across the table to Peter, who was on his right. "You will, of course, be on hand?" were a seagoing ship and we'd know how much water she displaces." The admiral grinned. "But yes, you may have what we've prepared as a press handout at her Launch." He leaned across the table to Peter, who was on his right. "You will, of course, be on hand?"

"I'd be delighted, sir," Peter replied, beaming with grat.i.tude.

"Good, that's settled. You are high on the invitation list," and the admiral winked.

"Any time I can be of service, sir, you have only to think it."

"Really?" and Dirk Coetzer rolled his eyes.

"Oh, not 'pathing you, sir, never," Peter a.s.sured him hurriedly.

The admiral grinned. "Just teasing. I'm well aware of the high ethics of Talent."

"Anyway," and now Peter paused to smile impudently, "you've got a natural shield that only lifts when you get very angry."

"Oh? I do?" Coetzer was pleased.

Now you've done it, Johnny said with feigned disgust. Johnny said with feigned disgust.

Done what?

I've had the admiral believing I could read his mind so he'd tell me what I needed to know before I went in and found it.

Peter looked from Johnny to the admiral who was still grinning with great satisfaction. Coetzer raised an eyebrow significantly at Johnny and sat back in his chair.

Looking without permission isn't ethical, Peter said, distressed that the man he admired most would do such a thing. Peter said, distressed that the man he admired most would do such a thing.

Who said I looked? Johnny replied. Johnny replied. He just thinks-thought, thanks to you-I could read him. He just thinks-thought, thanks to you-I could read him.

Tsck, tsck Lance Baden said without glancing at their end of the table. He was chatting with unusual animation with the attractive engineering officer, Lieutenant Commander Pota Chatham. Lance Baden said without glancing at their end of the table. He was chatting with unusual animation with the attractive engineering officer, Lieutenant Commander Pota Chatham.

A copy of the coveted plans, secured in a big envelope with ISS ANDRE NORTON ANDRE NORTON blazoned on the front, was shortly delivered to the admiral, who handed it over to Peter. Then the Talents rose from the table, thanked the admiral and his officers for the tour and the lunch, and took the lift to the boat deck and the recently installed telepad. As they swung out of the lift, they nearly collided with a cleaning crew. Johnny felt a surge of menace and looked around at the janitors running vacuum tubes over the deck and walls. The flicker of what-ever-it-was was gone. Probably one of the grunts, annoyed by their appearance. blazoned on the front, was shortly delivered to the admiral, who handed it over to Peter. Then the Talents rose from the table, thanked the admiral and his officers for the tour and the lunch, and took the lift to the boat deck and the recently installed telepad. As they swung out of the lift, they nearly collided with a cleaning crew. Johnny felt a surge of menace and looked around at the janitors running vacuum tubes over the deck and walls. The flicker of what-ever-it-was was gone. Probably one of the grunts, annoyed by their appearance.

"Admiral Coetzer did say we were the first, didn't he?" Peter asked as he ducked into the personnel carrier, the envelope hugged to his chest. Lance was not the only one to notice that his fingers actually curled possessively on its edges.

"Yup," Johnny said, climbing into the forward left-hand seat. "Care to 'port us home, Peter?"

Peter hesitated and then, with careful hands and fingers, put the envelope on the forward shelf. He even managed an extra pat, as if telling the envelope to stay put.

"Sure," he said.