Read Online Pegasus in Flight by Anne McCaffrey - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Anne McCaffrey
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kinetic could put everything in place for the grunts to lock on and weld.
“Then, the noise element. Samjan ran some of the ‘noises’ past me—” He grimaced and crossed his eyes in sympathy. “—and I think if we did a tape simulation of what a sensitive hears in unshielded quarters and played it back . . .”
“Not to Ludmilla. She insists there is no noise in space.”
“She’s more of a Mute than I am.”
“But I take your point. I hadn’t thought of a trick like that.”
“No trick, my dear, just presentation—and that’s where I’m the expert.” His grin was a mixture of impudence and malice.
For the first time in her Talented life, Rhyssa found herself fascinated by a Mute, and half of that fascination was due to the fact that she could not predict what he would do or say next. It was fun matching wits with him during subsequent interviews, giving the onerous task an unexpected exhilaration.
Dave Lehardt was at her side for the initial meeting with a Barchenka who oozed smug satisfaction that she made no attempt to disguise. Rhyssa was hard put to remain civil. Dave Lehardt talked so fast that the engineer had to listen attentively to catch his points. Per Duoml was, as usual, with her, but Rhyssa had been spared another confrontation with Prince Phanibal.
“All we have had is talk, empty talk,” Ludmilla Barchenka said when Dave had explained the dual problems of short shifts and shielding. “Even the physically impaired are able to work proper shifts in space: no gravity, no sound!” She shot an accusatory look at Rhyssa.
“Ah, but it is not gravity which is a problem, nor the vacuum. Ludmilla Ivanova, I have arranged a demonstration . . .”
“I have no time for demonstrations,” the Exalted Engineer stated dismissively. “I must return to the platform. Already there are delays which must be rectified.”
“Understood, Engineer Barchenka,” Dave said soothingly, with just the right amount of respect and understanding. “Perhaps Per Duoml will attend. This demonstration is likely to put the basic problems into proper perspective, and thus help us all resolve the main problems with the maximum benefit to your project.”
Duoml would be much easier to deal with—his mind was not totally closed, although he was as dedicated to the project as Barchenka. If they could
prove
their points to him, they would be halfway to victory.
“I think she’s disappointed she didn’t have to invoke that wretched statute,” Rhyssa told Sascha later.
“D’you think we gave in too easily?” he asked.
“The news quotes Barchenka calling it the ‘cowardly capitulation of the effete.’ ”
“Let her. If we can just swing Duoml to our side.” Rhyssa frowned. “I don’t see what else we could have done. Dave Lehardt is running public-opinion polls. One point is clear:
Everyone
wants Padrugoi to be finished,
everyone
wants someone else to work up there, and
everyone
thinks people who volunteer for anything are crazy.”
The next day, Dave Lehardt and Rhyssa Owen took Personnel Manager Per Duoml to the most prestigious exercise complex in Jerhattan, a facility that occupied the first nine floors of a Residential ziggurat near Central Park. The largest gymnasium was set up with three sets of stress-monitoring paraphernalia and technicians, three pyramids of standard-size packages, a forklift, a bevy of impartial observers, and the Complex director, Menasherat ibn Malik, who had been a multiple Olympic gold medalist for four times running.
Per Duoml was suitably impressed by ibn Malik. So was Rhyssa, for the man exuded physical vitality and competence. He also had no more Talent than Dave Lehardt, who appeared well acquainted with him. Dave stood by, a slight smile on his face, while ibn Malik accepted Per Duoml’s homage and conversed amiably with him.
“Now, Manager Duoml,” the Complex director said, gesturing to the three men who entered from the side. Stripped down to their
“Then, the noise element. Samjan ran some of the ‘noises’ past me—” He grimaced and crossed his eyes in sympathy. “—and I think if we did a tape simulation of what a sensitive hears in unshielded quarters and played it back . . .”
“Not to Ludmilla. She insists there is no noise in space.”
“She’s more of a Mute than I am.”
“But I take your point. I hadn’t thought of a trick like that.”
“No trick, my dear, just presentation—and that’s where I’m the expert.” His grin was a mixture of impudence and malice.
For the first time in her Talented life, Rhyssa found herself fascinated by a Mute, and half of that fascination was due to the fact that she could not predict what he would do or say next. It was fun matching wits with him during subsequent interviews, giving the onerous task an unexpected exhilaration.
Dave Lehardt was at her side for the initial meeting with a Barchenka who oozed smug satisfaction that she made no attempt to disguise. Rhyssa was hard put to remain civil. Dave Lehardt talked so fast that the engineer had to listen attentively to catch his points. Per Duoml was, as usual, with her, but Rhyssa had been spared another confrontation with Prince Phanibal.
“All we have had is talk, empty talk,” Ludmilla Barchenka said when Dave had explained the dual problems of short shifts and shielding. “Even the physically impaired are able to work proper shifts in space: no gravity, no sound!” She shot an accusatory look at Rhyssa.
“Ah, but it is not gravity which is a problem, nor the vacuum. Ludmilla Ivanova, I have arranged a demonstration . . .”
“I have no time for demonstrations,” the Exalted Engineer stated dismissively. “I must return to the platform. Already there are delays which must be rectified.”
“Understood, Engineer Barchenka,” Dave said soothingly, with just the right amount of respect and understanding. “Perhaps Per Duoml will attend. This demonstration is likely to put the basic problems into proper perspective, and thus help us all resolve the main problems with the maximum benefit to your project.”
Duoml would be much easier to deal with—his mind was not totally closed, although he was as dedicated to the project as Barchenka. If they could
prove
their points to him, they would be halfway to victory.
“I think she’s disappointed she didn’t have to invoke that wretched statute,” Rhyssa told Sascha later.
“D’you think we gave in too easily?” he asked.
“The news quotes Barchenka calling it the ‘cowardly capitulation of the effete.’ ”
“Let her. If we can just swing Duoml to our side.” Rhyssa frowned. “I don’t see what else we could have done. Dave Lehardt is running public-opinion polls. One point is clear:
Everyone
wants Padrugoi to be finished,
everyone
wants someone else to work up there, and
everyone
thinks people who volunteer for anything are crazy.”
The next day, Dave Lehardt and Rhyssa Owen took Personnel Manager Per Duoml to the most prestigious exercise complex in Jerhattan, a facility that occupied the first nine floors of a Residential ziggurat near Central Park. The largest gymnasium was set up with three sets of stress-monitoring paraphernalia and technicians, three pyramids of standard-size packages, a forklift, a bevy of impartial observers, and the Complex director, Menasherat ibn Malik, who had been a multiple Olympic gold medalist for four times running.
Per Duoml was suitably impressed by ibn Malik. So was Rhyssa, for the man exuded physical vitality and competence. He also had no more Talent than Dave Lehardt, who appeared well acquainted with him. Dave stood by, a slight smile on his face, while ibn Malik accepted Per Duoml’s homage and conversed amiably with him.
“Now, Manager Duoml,” the Complex director said, gesturing to the three men who entered from the side. Stripped down to their
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