Read Online Lyon's Pride by Anne McCaffrey - Free Book Online

instinct had been correct.
    A cheer cut through their private reunion and Metrios was the first to grasp Rojer’s hand and pound him on the shoulder, forgetting every protocol regarding the Talented in his relief at seeing the boy. Rojer was too exhausted to be offended and much too gratified by Metrios’s genuine response. Doplas, Anis Langio, Yngocelen, even the yeomen and women on duty, all crowded around to welcome the boy back. The captain’s approach made them step aside.
    â€œRojer, it is such a relief to see you unharmed…” the captain began, pumping Rojer’s hand in his turn. “No, you’re not exactly
un
harmed, lad, are you, after such an encounter, but you have our sympathy for your losses and our appreciationof your courage. I should have been hard-pressed to stand up to Prtglm when it was so obviously deranged.”
    The captain’s admission surprised Rojer so much his mouth dropped open.
    Close your mouth, boy. Learn to accept praise with proper modesty
, the Rowan said, but her tone was kind.
    Rojer immediately closed his mouth and managed a smile.
    â€œHe’s out on his feet, Captain,” Afra said, putting a protective arm about his son’s shoulders. “I’ll take him to his cabin.” Which Afra did, with as much tenderness and affection as he thought would not rob Rojer of his new manliness.
    Then the Rowan indicated to the captain that she wished to speak with him privately and he led her back to his ready room.
    â€œWhat Rojer had no authority to do, I have,” she said, gracefully seating herself. With no subtle prompting from her, he offered wine which she accepted with relief. They both sipped, organizing their thoughts. The Rowan had acutely experienced Rojer’s trauma, which went deeper than she had expected. But then she had not had close ’Dini relationships. The boy’s attachment to his ’Dinis went far beyond that of the unusually deep familial bonds of the Talents, so his loss was far more profound. They’d have to deal with that on his return. She had another, more immediate matter to attend to.
    â€œWe must, of course, discuss the proposal I have in mind with Gktmglnt and Admiral Mekturian,” she began, and Captain Osullivan gave her as good a double take as she had seen in many a year. She allowed a slight smile to put him at his ease. “That refugee ship must never be used by Hivers. Nor the other ships in orbit. We have enough of this species loose in the galaxy right now.” She held up her hand when Osullivan opened his mouth. “I certainlycannot condone—much though in essence I approve of Hiver containment—what Prtglm had planned nor its proposed delivery. As you may be aware, controversy rages over whether we, the Alliance, have the right to inflict the atrocity of destroying occupied Hiver worlds. That’s the sort of barbaric retribution which we Humans have outgrown. Yet we cannot, by the same token, permit them to continue to exterminate life forms on the planets they wish to colonize.
    â€œIt has been put forward that perhaps they recognize only their own species as intelligent and sentient and are unaware that they are slaughtering developing sentient forms. Be that as it may, certain actions have been discussed and this situation here allows us some leeway. I will propose to Gktmglnt and Admiral Mekturian, subject to their agreement, that Squadron B demolish the three orbiting ships to prevent the obviously imminent colonial expedition. I shall myself ’port the missiles so expediently available: an action in which T-2 Afra Lyon cannot be expected to take part, since he is methody by training and choice.”
    Now it was Captain Osullivan’s turn to drop his jaw and stare at her in amazement, tinged with a certain equally gratifying relief and delight.
    â€œFirst, however, it will be necessary that the refugee ship be surreptitiously removed beyond the