Anne McCaffrey - Pern 11 - All The Weyrs of Pern

ALL THE WEYRS OF PERN by Anne McAffrey

Original Scanned/OCR: Friday, October 27, 2000 v1.0 (edit where needed, change

version number by 0.1)

PROLOGUE

THE Aivas FELT its sensors responding to a renewal of power from the solar

panels on the roof above it. The wind must have become strong enough to blow

the clogging dust and volcanic ash away from the panels. There had been enough

of these incidents over the past 2,525 years so that Aivas had been able to

maintain function, even if only at a very low maintenance level.

Running through the main operating circuits, Aivas found no malfunctions.

Exterior optics were still obstructed, but once again the Aivas was aware of

some activity in its vicinity.

Was it possible that humans had returned to the Landing facility?

It had not as yet completed its priority assignment: to discover a means to

destroy the organism that had been termed "Thread" by the captains. It had

received no significant input to allow it to complete that task, but the

priority had not been canceled.

Perhaps, with the return of humans, that assignment could at last be

completed.

Power began to swell its resources as the panels were uncovered; the

removal was not haphazard, as would be caused by wind and weather, but was

consistent with a workmanlike activity. As more of the panels were cleared,

solar energy recharged the long-unused power collectors. The Aivas responded

by distributing the revitalizing energy through its systems, running rapid

function checks through circuits long dormant.

Aivas had been efficiently designed, and as power continued to be

available, it found itself in full running order by the time the exterior

sensors had also been uncovered.

Humans had returned to Landing! Many of them! Once again humankind had

triumphed over tremendous odds. Aivas duly noticed through its adjustable

optical elements that they were still accompanied by the creatures called

fire-dragons. Noise, too, was now filtering through the audio channels: human

voices speaking in unusual word patterns. A lingual shift? In 2,525 years,

that was entirely likely. Aivas listened and interpreted, measuring the

altered vowels and slurred consonants against the speech patterns that had

been programmed into it. It organized the new sounds into groups and checked

them with its semantics program.

Within its vision came an immense white creature. The descendant of the

bioengineer's first production? Aivas did a rapid extrapolation from the

biolab's files and reached the inescapable conclusion that the so-called

dragons had also matured and prospered. It searched for, but did not find,

"white" in the parameters of the engineered species.

Not only had humankind survived the incursion of Thread for 2,525 years of

Threadfall, but it had flourished. The species had the tenacity to survive

where others succumbed.

If humans had been able to return from the Northern Continent, had they

also managed to destroy the organism? That would be well done. What must Aivas

then do if its priority was superseded?

Humans, with their insatiable curiosity and restlessness, would undoubtedly

have new tasks which an Artificial Intelligence Voice-Address System could

undertake. They were not, Aivas knew from its memory banks, a complacent

species. Soon those who worked to clear the debris of centuries would uncover

the entire building and reach its position. It must, of course, react as its

program ordained.

The Aivas waited.

1

Present (Ninth) Pass, 17th Turn

BY THE TIME the Aivas had finished its recital of the first nine years of the

colonization of Pern, the sun Rukbat had set with an unusually fine display.

Not that many of the reverent listeners of the history that the Artificial

Intelligence Voice-Address System narrated were aware of such externals.

During the hours that the Aivas's resonant tones had filled the chamber and

penetrated to the hallway beyond, more people had crowded in to hear what it

said, jostling each other to get an occasional look at the incredible moving

pictures with which Aivas illustrated its narrative. Those Lord Holders and

Craftmasters hastily summoned by fire-lizard messengers willingly crowded into

the stuffy inner room.

Lord Jaxom of Ruatha had asked his white dragon, Ruth, to summon the Benden

Weyrleaders, so they were the first to join the Masterharper Robinton and

Mastersmith Fandarel. Lessa and F'lar slid onto the stools that Jaxom and

Journeyman Harper Piemur vacated for them. Piemur frowned at his mate,

Mastersmith Jancis, when she started to get down and gestured to Breide,

standing gawking in the doorway, to bring more seating. When F'nor, the Benden

Wingleader, came, he sat on the floor, where he had to crane his neck to see

the screen, though he quickly became too engrossed in the history to notice

any discomfort. Room was made in the small, crowded chamber for the Lord

Holders, Groghe of Fort, Asgenar of Lemos, and Larad of Telgar. By then, Jaxom

had been pushed back to the doorway and politely but firmly refused entry to

anyone else.

Subtly the Aivas increased its volume so that the tale was audible to all

those in the corridor. No one seemed to mind the stifling closeness of room

and corridor, though matters improved when someone considerately passed around

water and redfruit juice and, later, meatrolls. Someone also had the foresight

to open as many of the windows in the building as possible, thus circulating

some air down the corridor, though little enough reached the Aivas chamber.

"The final message received by this facility from Captain Keroon was to

confirm that Fort Hold was operational. This message was logged in at 1700,

fourth day of the tenth month, eleventh year after Landing."

When the Aivas ceased speaking, there was a profound and awed silence,

finally broken by small scufflings as people shifted, almost apologetically,

from long-held positions. A few polite coughs were quickly muffled.

Feeling it incumbent on him to make some response to these historic and

unexpected revelations, the Masterharper cleared his throat.

"We are deeply indebted to you, Aivas, for this amazing tale." Robinton

spoke with deep humility and respect. A murmur of agreement circulated room

and corridor. "We have lost so much of our early history: It's been reduced to

myth and legend in many cases. You have clarified much that puzzled us. But

why does it end so abruptly?"

"There was no further input from the authorized operators."

"Why not?"

"No explanation was given. Failing prior instructions, this facility

continued observations until the solar panels became clogged and power was

reduced to the minimum needed to retain core integrity."

"Those panels are the source of your power?" Fandarel asked, his bass voice

rumbling with eagerness.

"Yes."

"Those pictures? How did you do that?" Fandarel's usual reserved manner was

discarded in his excitement.

"You no longer have recording devices?"

"No." Fandarel shook his head in disgust." Among many of the other marvels

you mentioned in passing. Can you teach us what we have forgotten?" His eyes

glowed in anticipation.

"The memory banks contain Planetary Engineering and Colonizing data, and

the multicultural and historical files considered relevant by the Colony

Administrators."

Before Fandarel could organize another question, F'lar held up one hand.

"With respect, Master Fandarel, we all have questions to ask Aivas." He

turned around to signal Master Esselin and the ubiquitous Breide to come to

the door. "I want this corridor cleared, Master Esselin. This room is not to

be entered without express permission from one of us present now. Do I make

myself plain?" He looked sternly from one to the other.

"Indeed, Weyrleader, perfectly plain," Breide said, his manner as

obsequious as ever.

"Of course, Weyrleader, certainly, Weyrleader," Master Esselin said, bowing

with each use of F'lar's title.

"Breide, make sure you report today's event to Lord Toric," F'lar added,

knowing perfectly well that Breide would do just that without permission.

"Esselin, bring enough glowbaskets to light the hall and the adjacent moms.

Bring a few cots or pallets, as well, and blankets. Some food."

"And wine. Don't forget wine, F'lar," Robinton called. "Benden wine, if you

please, Esselin, and make that two wineskins. This could be very thirsty

work," he added in a conversational tone, grinning at Lessa.

"Well, you're not going to drink up two skinsful, Robinton," Lessa said at

her sternest, "talking yourself hoarse with Aivas. Which I can see is what you

have in mind. I'd say you already had quite enough excitement for one day.

It's certainly more than I can believe in one day."

"Be assured, Madam Lessa," Aivas said in a placatory voice, "that every

word you have heard is factual."

Lessa turned toward the screen that had displayed marvels to her, images of

people who had turned to dust centuries before and objects totally foreign to

her eyes." I don't doubt you, Aivas. I doubt my ability to absorb half the

wonders you have described and shown us."

"Be assured that you have achieved wonders of your own," Aivas replied, "to

survive the menace that nearly overwhelmed the settlers. Are those immense and

magnificent creatures ranged on the slopes outside the descendants of the

dragons which Madam Kitti Ping Yung created?"

"Yes, they are," Lessa replied with proprietary pride. "The golden queen is

Ramoth-"

"The largest dragon on all Pern," the Masterharper said in a sly tone, his

eyes twinkling.

Lessa started to glare at him but instead burst out laughing. "Well, she

is."

"The bronze who is probably resting beside her is Mnemonth, and I am his

rider," F'lar said, grinning at his mate's discomfort.

"How do you know what is outside?" Fandarel blurted out.

"The exterior sensors of this facility are now operational."

"Exterior sensors..." Fandarel subsided into silent amazement.

"And the white one?" Aivas went on. "It-"

"He," Jaxom said firmly but without rancor, "is Ruth, and I am his rider."

"Remarkable. The bioengineering report indicated that there .were to be

five variations, imitating the genetic material of the fire-dragons."

"Ruth is a sport," Jaxom replied. He had long since stopped being defensive

about his dragon. Ruth had his own special abilities.

"A part of our history," Robinton said soothingly.

"Which," Lessa said with another stern glare at the Harper, "will wait

until some of us have rested: "

"My curiosity will be contained, Madam."

Lessa darted a suspicious look at the dim screen panel." You have

curiosity? And what is this 'madam'?"

"Gathering information is not restricted to humans. Madam is a title of

respect."

"Lessa's respectful title is Weyrwoman, Aivas," F'lar said with another

grin." Or Ramoth's rider."

"And yours, sir?"

"Weyrleader, or Mnementh's rider. You have already met Masterharper

Robinton, Harper Journeyman Piemur, Mastersmith Jancis, and Lord Jaxom of

Ruatha Hold, but let me make known to you the Mastersmith Fandarel, Lord

Groghe of Fort Hold, which we have always known was the first to be founded-"

F'lar hid a grin at Lord Groghe's suddenly modest demeanor. "-though certainly

not why. Lord of Telgar, Larad, and Lord of Lemos, Asgenar."

"Lemos? Indeed." But before the listeners could react to the mild surprise

in Aivas's tone, it continued. "It is good to know that the name Telgar

survived."

"We have lost the knowledge of the naming," Larad murmured. "And are

prouder to know that the sacrifices of Sallah and Tarvi are remembered so

lastingly."

"Aivas," F'lar said, standing squarely in front of the screen, "you said

that you were attempting to discover where Thread came from and how to

exterminate it. Did you come to any conclusion? "

"Several. The organism known as Thread is somehow attracted to the

eccentric planet which, at aphelion, pierces the Oort Cloud; as it approaches

perihelion, it drags matter with it into this sector of space. This trailing

cloud disgorged a little of its burden into the skies of this planet.

Calculations at the time indicated that this would continue for approximately

fifty years, at which time the material in Pern's orbit would be exhausted.

Calculations also indicated that there would be recurrences of the phenomenon

at intervals of two hundred fifty years, give or take a decade either way."

F'lar glanced about to see if anyone had understood what the Aivas was

saying.

"With due respect, Aivas, we do not understand your explanation," the

Harper said wryly. "A great deal of time has passed since Admiral Benden and

Governor Boll led the settlers north. We are currently in the seventeenth Turn

-what you call a year, I think- of the Ninth Pass of the Red Star."

"Noted."

"It has always been assumed," F'lar said, "that Thread came from the Red

Star."

"It is not a star: the most reasonable explanation is that it is a stray

planet, probably drawn out of its native system by some odd event, traveling

through space until it was attracted by Rukbat's gravitational pull and became

trapped in this system. The matter you call Thread does not come from its

surface. It originates in the Oort Cloud of this system."

"And just what is an Oort Cloud?" Master Fandarel asked ingenuously.

"According to the Dutch astronomer Jan Oort, the eponymous cloud is

composed of material orbiting a sun far beyond the orbit of its outermost

planet. Cometary material leaks from the cloud into the inner part of the

system. In the particular case of Rukbat, some of the material is hard-shelled

ovoids that change in a peculiar manner, losing their outer layers and

attenuating on contact with the upper atmosphere, falling to the surface as

what has been termed 'Thread'; this resembles a voracious organism that

devours carbon-based organic material.

Fandarel blinked in his attempt to digest the information.

"Well, you did ask, Master Fandarel," Piemur remarked with a mischievous

expression.

"Your explanations only confuse us, Aivas, for none of us have the learning

to understand them," F'lar said, lifting a hand to indicate that he was not to

be interrupted. "But if you knew, and presumably our ancestors knew, what

Thread was and where it came from, why didn't they destroy its source?"

"By the time this facility reached those conclusions, Weyrleader, your

ancestors had removed to the Northern Continent and did not return to receive

the report."

A depressed and defeated silence prevailed over the room.

"But we are here now," Robinton said, straightening up on his stool. "And

we can receive your report."

"If we can understand it," F'lar added drolly.

"This facility has educational programs that can supply remedial teaching

in all branches of science. The prime directive given this unit by captains

Keroon and Tillek, as well as Admiral Benden and Governor Boll, was to gather

information and formulate a course of action that would end the threat posed

by these incursions."

"Then it is possible to remove the threat of Thread?" F'lar asked,

carefully schooling his expression to reveal none of the hope that he was

feeling.

"The possibility exists, Weyrleader."

"What?" was the incredulous response of everyone in the room.

"The possibility exists, Weyrleader, but will require tremendous effort

from you and quite likely the majority of your population. First, you must be

able to understand scientific language and learn to work with advanced

technology. In addition, access to the main banks of the Yokohama must be

obtained to add to relevant data on asteroid positions. Then a course of

action can be initiated that could probably result in the cessation of these

incursions."

"Possibility? Probably result? But the possibility exists?" F'lar strode to

the screen and put a hand on each side of its subtly glowing blankness. "I

would do anything-anything-to rid Pern of Thread."

"If you are prepared to relearn lost skills and perfect them, the

possibility does exist."

"And you would help us?"

"The end of these incursions remains the first priority of this facility."

"Not half as much as it is of ours!" F'lar replied. F'nor fervently

seconded him.

The Lord Holders exchanged quick glances, hope warring with surprise. The

destruction of all Thread was what F'lar had promised them nineteen Turns

before when he had become leader of Pern's then single Weyr. Benden's wings of

brave dragons and riders had been all that stood between the certain reduction

of humankind on Pern to hunters and gatherers by the totally unexpected

resumption of Threadfall after a lapse of four hundred Turns. In their

extremity, the Lord Holders had promised support of all his emergency

measures. Struggling with the exigencies of the Pass, they had quite forgotten

his vow. But all three were quick to perceive the advantages to them-if they

could also see the disadvantages to the Dragonriders-to be quit of their

ancient responsibilities. Jaxom, as both rider and Holder, regarded F'lar with

consternation. Yet there was no doubt the Benden Weyrleader meant exactly what

he said-that he would do all he could to rid Pern of Thread forever.

"Then there is much to be done," Aivas said in a brisk tone. Almost, Master

Robinton thought, as if the thing was relieved to have employment after so

long a recess. "Your Records, Masters Robinton and Fandarel, would be of

immense value in assessing your history and potential, and what knowledge of

science you currently possess. Certainly a synopsis of your own history would

assist an evaluation of the educational programs required to achieve your

goal."

"The Harper Hall has assiduously kept accounts," the Harper said eagerly,

"though the oldest of them have become illegible over the hundreds of Turns

which have passed. I think the more recent Records of the seventeen Turns of

this current Pass would inform you adequately. Jaxom, could you and Ruth

possibly go to the Harper Hall and collect them?"

The young Lord Holder immediately rose.

"If you wouldn't mind, bring Sebell and Menolly," Robinton added, glancing

at F'lar, who nodded emphatically, "back with you?"

"The records of my crafthall," Fandarel began, inching forward on his

stool, wringing his huge hands together in an uncharacteristic gesture of

tension, "are missing so many words and explanations -perhaps even one about

this Oort Cloud. Generally what's missing is just where we cannot possibly

figure out from the context what was meant. If you were able to tell us what

words were missing or corrupted, you would be granting the most invaluable

assistance to our efforts at self-improvement."

He was about to continue when Robinton's hand on his shoulder stopped him.

They all heard Master Esselin come bustling down the corridor, directing those

who carried food, cups, and wineskins to hand them over to Jancis and Piemur.

He peremptorily gestured those carrying pallets and blankets into the smaller

adjacent rooms. At a nod from F'lar, he horned back down the corridor, out of

earshot.

"A moment, dear friend," Robinton said when Fandarel was about to continue

his request for help. "Aivas, you may have all the information the colonists

considered relevant, but I don't really think we should dispense it without

due consideration."

"Exactly what I was about to say," F'lar added.

"Discretion is a built-in feature of this Aivas model, Master Harper,

Weyrleader. You should discuss among you who is to have access to this

facility and in exactly what ways it may be of use to you."

The Masterharper groaned, holding his head in both hands, and was

immediately surrounded by Lessa, Piemur, and Jaxom.

"I'm all right, I'm all right," he said testily, waving them off." Have you

all realized just what this source of knowledge can mean to us?" His voice was

rough with emotion." I've only now begun to absorb how profoundly this

discovery could change our lives."

"I've been struggling to absorb that myself," F'lar said with a grim

smile." If this Aivas knows something about Thread and the Red Star that would

help us ..." F'lar halted, his hope too precious to express aloud. Then he

smiled wryly and held up his hand." First, I believe it is extremely important

to decide the question of who should be permitted into this room. As you

pointed out, Robinton, Aivas cannot be accessible to everyone."

"Definitely," Master Robinton said. He took a long swig of the wine he had

poured for himself." Definitely. Considering that crowd in the hall, there's

no way we can censor the discovery of Aivas nor, " he added, holding up his

hand at the protests, "do I think we should. However..." He grinned." We can't

just have anyone who wants to popping up here and monopolizing -this-"

"Facility," Piemur put in, his expression genuinely thoughtful." When word

of Aivas gets about, there'll be any number of people who'll want to talk to

Aivas just to say that they had, because they don't grasp its significance."

"For once I agree with you, Piemur," Lessa said. She looked around her. "I

think there's enough in this room right now with a real need to talk to Aivas

and the common sense and courtesy to know when to stop." She paused to cast a

stern eye on Master Robinton, who grinned back amiably. "Certainly we are

representative of the planet -Weyrleaders, Masters, and Lord Holders-so no one

can say Aivas is being monopolized by one group. Or is that too many, Aivas?"

"No." For some reason this easy acceptance made the Masterharper grin.

Aivas went on. "The authority may be expanded or contracted as may be deemed

necessary. To recapitulate, it is permitted for you..." And all those in the

room were named in pleasant baritone tones.

"And Jaxom," Piemur added quickly, since Jaxom had gone on Robinton's

errand and someone needed to speak up for the third party to the original

discovery of Aivas.

"And Lord Jaxom of Ruatha Hold," Aivas amended, "to command my services. Is

that correct? Very good. The necessary voiceprints have been registered,

including Lord Jaxom's, whose voice I registered earlier, and this facility

will respond to no others, or in the presence of others, until further

notice."

"As an added precaution," Master Robinton said, "to change that roster, there

must be one of the Weyrleaders, one Master, and one Lord Holder present in

this room." He glanced about to see if that precaution was acceptable.

Just then, Esselin bustled down the corridor to ask if there were any

fisher orders for the night.

"Yes; Esselin, assign the most responsible and least curious of your men to

guard the building's entrance. Only Lord Jaxom and those who accompany him are

to be permitted to enter the building tonight."

By the time Esselin had assured F'lar of his total cooperation, a rather

tense discussion had started between Fandarel and Larad as to which crafthalls

should have precedence in learning from Aivas.

"If I may interject a suggestion," Aivas said loudly, startling them all,

"it is a relatively simple matter to expand this facility to accommodate many

requirements." When the silence lengthened, Aivas added in a milder, almost

apologetic tone, "That is, if the contents of the Catherine Caves are still

intact and undamaged?"

"Do you mean the caves at the southern side of the grid?" Piemur asked.

"Those would be the ones." To the bewilderment of the watchers, images of a

variety of items appeared on the screen. "And these are the objects required

to supply additional stations."

"Your beaded panels, Piemur," Jancis said, clutching at his sleeve with one

hand and pointing excitedly with the other.

"You're right," Piemur said. "What are they, Aivas? We seem to have boxes

and boxes of them, all different sorts."

"Those are computer cards." To the listeners, it sounded as if Aivas's

measured tone betrayed a discreet excitement. "Were there also any of these

objects?" And boxes were displayed with screens that were smaller replicas of

the screen facing them, along with rectangles resembling what Aivas had

identified as a touch panel.

"Yes," Master Robinton said with surprise. "I couldn't think what they might

be when I saw them, swathed in that thick film."

"If there are sufficient parts in good working order, then there need be no

contention for access to this facility. These were the remainder of the

ordinary processors. All other voice-activated units were packaged for

shipment to the north and, it seems, lost, but these elementary models will

admirably suit the current need. With sufficient power, up to twelve stations

can be accommodated without affecting response time."

Once again the audience lapsed into numb silence.

"Do I understand you correctly?" Fandarel began, after clearing his

throat." You can divide yourself into twelve segments?"

"That is correct."

"How can you do that?" Fandarel demanded, spreading his. arms wide in

disbelief.

"Surely, Mastersmith, you do not limit yourself to one hearth, or anvil or

forge, one hammer, one fire?"

"Of course not, but I have many men..."

"This facility is not a single hearth or fire or hammer, but many, and each

can work as diligently as the others."

"This I find very hard to understand," Fandarel admitted, scratching his

balding pate and shaking his head.

"Before you is a machine, Mastersmith, which can be segmented, and each

discrete part can function as a separate tool."

"I don't begin to understand how you can do that, Aivas, but if you can, it

would certainly solve the problems of priorities," Master Robinton said,

grinning from ear to ear. Oh, the questions of past paradoxes that could now

be answered by this marvelous creature! He took a large pull of his wine.

"To create these separate tools," Aivas went on, "will, in itself, provide

the first of many lessons that must be understood before you will be ready to

attack your primary objective, the annihilation of Thread."

"By all means, let us begin then," F'lar said, rubbing his hands together,

infused with the first stirrings of real hope he had felt during the last few

grueling Turns of the current Pass.

"There isn't enough space in here for a dozen of us all talking with a

dozen of you, Aivas," Lord Larad of Telgar said reasonably.

"There are other rooms in this building that can be utilized. Indeed, it

would be wise to have separate offices, and perhaps one larger room where many

could observe and learn. It is best to begin at the beginning," Aivas said,

and suddenly sheets began to roll out of a slot to one side of the main

screen. "These are the items that will be needed in the morning, the tools

that will be required to construct the additional stations, and a diagram of

how to design this building to accommodate them."

Being earnest, Piemur caught the sheets as they were spewed out. Jancis

came to his aid.

"More material will soon be needed for the printer," Aivas went on "Rolls

should be stored in the Catherine Caves with the other supplies. Paper would

be an acceptable substitute."

"Paper?" Larad exclaimed. "Wood-pulp paper?"

"If nothing else is available, that will do."

"It would seem, Asgenar," F'lar said with a chuckle, "that the skills of

Master Bendarek were not developed a Turn too soon."

"You have lost the skill of extruding plastic from silicates?" Aivas asked.

Master Robinton thought he heard a note of surprise in its voice.

"Silicates?" Master Fandarel asked.

"But one of the many skills we have lost," Robinton said ruefully. "We will

make diligent pupils."

The flow of sheets stopped, and as Piemur and Jancis sorted them, they

realized that there were six copies of each page. When they had assembled the

sheets, they looked around expectantly at those in the room.

"Not tonight," Lessa said firmly. "You'd break your necks stumbling about

those caves in the dark. We've waited this long, we can wait until morning.

And I think that we all should" -she swung around to pinion the Masterharper

with a stern eye "either seek a bed for the night or go back where we belong."

"My dear Weyrwoman," Robinton began, pulling himself erect. "Nothing,

absolutely nothing, including your direst threat would compel me-" And

suddenly he seemed to wilt and fold in on himself. Piemur caught the cup

before it fell from the Harper's hand. As-he supported his Master's limp body,

he had a smug smile on his face.

"Except of course the fellis juice I put in his last cup of wine," he said

by way of explanation. "So let's get him to bed."

F'lar and Larad immediately started forward, but Fandarel held up one huge

hand. Picking up the long Harper in his arms, he nodded to Jancis to show him

where to put the sleeping Robinton to bed.

"Piemur, you haven't changed, have you?" Lessa accused with a mock scowl

that turned into a grin. Then, because she wondered at what the machine would

think of what it had seen, she added, "Aivas, Masterharper Robinton often lets

his enthusiasm get the better of his well-being."

"This facility is able to monitor for physical stress," Aivas said." The

Masterharper emanated considerable excitement but nothing harmful."

"You are a healer, as well?" F'lar exclaimed.

"No, Weyrleader, but this facility is equipped to monitor the vital signs

of those in this room. However, the medical information stored in files was

updated to state-of-the-art at the time the expedition departed for this

system. Your medics may wish to avail themselves of this information."

F'lar's groan was audible. "Master Oldive must come here as soon as

possible."

"Half the planet must come as soon as possible," Lessa said tartly. She

gave a gusty sigh. "I doubt twelve of Aivas will be half enough."

"Then let us organize ourselves," Fandarel said, returning from his errand.

"We must contain our excitement and direct our energies in the most efficient

way..." There were chuckles at the Mastersmith's use of his favorite word.

"You may laugh, but you know it is only sensible and time-saving to work

efficiently, and we are each going in several directions at once tonight. We

cannot but be stimulated by this sudden gift from our ancestors, but we should

do nothing hasty. I will go back to Telgar crafthold now, if F'nor and Canth

will be so kind. I shall make suitable arrangements and draft the services of

those who can help us delve into the caves to find the required materials, and

to find people to understand the diagrams Aivas has given us. But tomorrow is

soon enough. F'nor?" And, raising his hairy eyebrows at the brown rider,

Fandarel nodded to one and all, bowed courteously to the screen, and took his

leave.

"A moment, F'nor," Larad said, "for I should return to Telgar. Asgenar, do

you join us?"

Asgenar looked about him and smiled ruefully. "I think I'd better leave

now. My mind is seething with questions to put to Aivas, yet I don't think I

could actually come out with a sensible query. I'll bring Bendarek with me in

the morning."

Lord Groghe, who had said very little but looked exceedingly thoughtful,

asked N'ton to return him to Fort Hold.

"Jancis and I will stay here in case Master Robinton wakes," Piemur told

Lessa and F'lar. Then his mischievous grin surfaced. "And I won't ask my eight

thousand five hundred and thirty-two burning questions all in one breath,

either."

"Then I think we all bid you good night now, Aivas," F'lar said, turning

toward the dark screen.

"Good night." The lights of the room dimmed to a faint glow. One pulsing

green light remained at the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.

Two hours later Jaxom and Ruth arrived with both Harper Masters, Sebell and

Menolly. The white dragon was festooned with sacks. By considerably reducing

the level of klah in the beakers Esselin had provided, Piemur had managed to

stay awake while Jancis got a nap.

"One of us has to be alert tomorrow to organize people," she had told the

young journeyman harper. "I'm better at that than you are, love." She had

given him a kiss to sweeten the comment.

Piemur had no quarrel with that; with a mock-paternal kiss he settled her

on a pallet in the room beyond Master Robinton's.

Despite his joke about not asking questions, when Piemur returned to the

Aivas room he found that he couldn't immediately formulate a single

intelligent query. Instead, with a cup in hand and the beaker beside him,

Piemur sat, bereft of words, in the semigloom of the chamber.

"Aivas?" he began tentatively.

"Yes, Journeyman Piemur?" The room brightened enough for Piemur to see

clearly.

"How do you do that?" Piemur asked, startled.

"The panels that you and Journeywoman Jancis exposed yesterday are capable

of drawing energy from the sun: it is called solar power. When all the panels

are exposed, an hour's bright illumination will power this unit for twelve

hours."

"You're not going to have ordinary usage from now on;" Piemur said with a

snort.

"A query: You apparently utilize the luminescent organism in handlights,

but do you not have some sort of power generation, perhaps hydroelectric

power?"

"Hydroelectric?" Piemur's quick ear allowed him to repeat the unfamiliar

words accurately.

"The production of electric current by the energy of moving water."

"Master Fandarel uses water wheels in Telgar Smithcrafthold to drive the

big hammers and the forge bellows, but 'electric' is an unfamiliar word.

Unless that's what Fandarel does with those acid tanks of his."

"Acid tanks? Batteries?"

Piemur shrugged." I don't know what he calls them. I'm a harper. Whatever

'electric' is, so long as it is efficient, Master Fandarel will love it."

"Would Master Fandarel's equipment resemble this structure?" The screen

suddenly lit up with a diagram of a water wheel.

"That's it. How did you know?"

"This is the most frequent primitive application. Have you explored the

Landing site, Journeyman Piemur?"

"I don't need my title all the time, Aivas. Piemur is enough."

"No disrespect would be construed?"

"Not from me, Aivas. Some of the Lord Holders get a bit touchy, but Jaxom

doesn't, nor Larad and Asgenar. Lessa can be sticky, but not F'lar, or F'nor,

or N'ton. And yes, I've explored the Landing site. What should I be looking

for?"

The screen displayed a complex mechanism, set at the base of the river

hill.

"Nothing like that there now," Piemur said, shaking his head.

"As Mastersmith Fandarel already uses water wheels, a new installation can

be erected so that this facility is not dependent on the solar panels, which

will be inadequate for the projected demands just discussed."

"They didn't store away any of your panels in the caves?"

"No."

"How can you be sure?" Piemur found such didacticism irritating. It would

be totally unfair if this-this intelligence was always right.

"The list of items in the Catherine Caves is available data and does not

include spare panels."

"It must be nice to know everything," he said.

"Accuracy is required of an Aivas system-and a very large data base, what

you would call 'knowledge.' You must not believe that the data base can

contain 'everything.' But sufficient to realize the priorities of the

programming."

A harper has to be accurate, too," Piemur said sourly. Master Fandarel's

search for efficiency had always had, for Piemur, its humorous side. He wasn't

sure if he could be as tolerant of Aivas's rectitude.

A harper -one who plays a harp, an instrument?" Aivas asked.

"I do that, too," Piemur replied, his capricious humor revived as he realized

that Aivas did not know very much at all about present-day Pern." The primary

function of the Harper Hall is, however, to teach, to communicate, and at

need, to arbitrate."

"Not to entertain?"

"We do that, too-it's a good way to teach, as well-and there are many who

only do that, but the more skilled of us have multiple duties. It would be

presumptuous of me to usurp Master Robinton's right to enlighten you on that

account. Although, in actual fact, he is no longer the Masterharper of Pern.

Sebell is, because Master Robinton had a nearly fatal heart attack and was

made to retire from active service to the Harper Hall. Not that he has

retired, despite being in Cove Hold now, because of all that has happened

since Jaxom discovered Landing and the Ship Meadow, and then the caves."

Piemur halted, realizing that he was rattling on. It was just like him to want

to impress Aivas with his knowledge; more than that, Piemur was experiencing

an intense need to anchor his personal values in the presence of this superior

intelligence.

"Sebell, who is now Masterharper of all Pern, is on his way with the

Records," he went on. "And Menolly. They may look young to you, but they are

the most important people in the Harper Hall." Then he added deferentially,

"But you should know that Master Robinton is the most honored and respected

man on Pern. The dragons kept him from dying. That's how important he is."

"The dragons then have been a successful experiment?" Aivas asked.

"Experiment?" Piemur was indignant and then subsided with a rueful chuckle.

"I wouldn't let the Weyrleaders hear you calling their dragons 'experiments.'"

"The advice is appreciated."

Piemur eyed the screen for a moment." You mean that, don't you?"

"Yes. The culture and societies of your present-day Pern have evolved and

altered considerably from the early days of the colony. It is incumbent on

this facility to learn the new protocol and thus avoid giving unnecessary

Anne McCaffrey - Pern 11 - All The Weyrs of Pern

相关推荐

开通VIP享超值会员特权

作者详情

相关内容

热门标签

举报选择: