Read Online Freedom's Ransom by Anne McCaffrey - Free Book Online Page B

a shrewd glance.
    â€œSome more than others,” she replied, grinning.
    â€œAnswer me a question, if it’s not out of line,” Eric went on, cocking his head to one side. “Why is Zainal seemingly working against his own people?”
    â€œIt might look that way, but it was the Eosi that he wanted to overthrow—”
    â€œAnd did, I understand, with no small effort on his part.” His manner was that of someone hoping to be told more than he had actually asked for.
    â€œWhen he was dropped here as an unwilling colonist—with the rest of us”—her gesture included everyone in the dining room—“he wanted to free his people from Eosi domination.”
    â€œHe did that,” Eric agreed, wanting her to continue to explain a situation she really didn’t have an explanation for.
    â€œThere were other like-minded Catteni Emassi, remember. He couldn’t have pulled it off without their help.”
    â€œThis Kamiton being one of them?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œSo?” Eric prompted, lifting both arms in a gesture of perplexity.
    â€œI think the situation was not as simple on Catten itself and obviously not on Barevi. The Catteni are set in their ways, and Kamiton may have overestimated support from other Emassi. Zainal achieved freedom for Botany and the other enforced colony worlds. It wasn’t just Botany that the Catteni dumped people on, you know.”
    â€œNo, I didn’t know,” and Eric slightly stressed the last word.
    â€œThere are three other planets that the Eosi were colonizing the same way.”
    â€œThose planets that worked out were then taken over by the Eosi?”
    Kris nodded. “We were exceedingly fortunate, you know.”
    â€œTo have someone like Chuck Mitford, you,” and he pointed a finger at her, daring her to deny his role, “and Zainal.”
    â€œWe were lucky,” she amended, “to have the right mix of people to work with.”
    â€œI like your positive attitude, Kris Bjornsen.”
    â€œI dropped, I stay,” she replied, with a broad grin, pleased that he was willing to accept Zainal and work with him.
    â€œIs that Botany’s motto? I hear it often enough,” Eric said.
    â€œIt’s been a rallying slogan as well as a promise, Eric.”
    Eric glanced around, from the duty roster to the glass doors opening outside. “I like the promise! If I could just practice my profession here, I’d stay.”
    â€œDon’t you have family back on Earth?”
    â€œNephews; my wife, Molly, was in Florida when the Catteni invaded so I’ve no idea what happened to her. Her name hasn’t appeared on any of the Florida lists of survivors.”
    Kris touched his hand sympathetically. “Not all thesurvivors are listed yet, Eric. We’ll be picking up the updated lists when we touch down on Earth. One of the goals of this ransom trip is to widen the communication channels so we can find where survivors are—and get back those who were taken.”
    Eric’s eyebrows rose high. “That’s a large job to undertake.”
    â€œThe Holocaust survivors managed to trace their relatives. And we have just as many dedicated folk!”
    â€œWhy don’t you just relax and raise your kids?”
    â€œI can’t.” She gave a self-deprecating grin. “Zainal feels responsible, in a bizarre way, and so do I.”
    â€œResponsible for entire worlds? Oh, c’mon now, girl. Be reasonable.”
    â€œI don’t think ‘reason’ has much place in my feelings, Eric. People who are unreasonable sometimes achieve more than those who are totally rational!”
    â€œAdmittedly. Ah, here comes Zainal now.”
    Kris saw him entering, with his sons and Clune, Ferris, and Ditsy, obviously showing them around. The boys all wore new clothing, suitable to the cooler weather at Retreat, and had packs slung carelessly on their backs or