Discovery by T M Roy Page A

and rescue. Was she infused with the local speech-patterns before her descent?”
    Suddenly ashamed, H’renzek cast his gaze to the deck.
    “Commander H’renzek,” she said sternly, “I thought that was prerequisite for all the observers, even though they don’t plan to make a contact.” Her tentacles rose in disbelief toward her head. Mottled spots and stripes appeared and disappeared on her smooth skin.
    “You know Povre,” said another Sirgel scientist who had been on the team. “Every time she was scheduled with the Teacher she would have some other important study to review…”
    “I meant to infuse her before turning her loose in the camp,” H’renzek said. “It only takes a few hours. But Povre has a real gift for languages. That’s one of the reasons she was chosen.”
    “But her mission was to discover if the lower life forms had any real language. So she—”
    H’renzek glared at the speaker and she fell silent. Of course it had been Povre’s close friend, Jennsle, another of the science team.
    “Captain,” the young technician said after a moment, appealing directly to the Kemmerian, “I want to go look for her.”
    H’renzek had to give her credit for bravery, since she went right over his head with that request. All the same he filled his second glance with cold warning. Had the young technician learned the fine art of being outspoken from Povre?
    “Absolutely not.” He and the ship’s captain spoke at the same time.
    “I’m sorry, Jennsle,” added the Kemmerian, one of her eye stalks rotating toward H’renzek. The deliberate change in her tone warned him to back off the technician. “Your offer is admirable, as is your loyalty to your friend. But if anyone at all is allowed to recover Dr. Povresle it will be one of the military personnel, someone who is trained for it.”
    “Like the Commander? But he—”
    H’renzek ground his teeth together. The technician was very lucky she wasn’t within his reach right now.
    “That’s enough, Jennsle,” said the Captain in a very soft voice.
    Jenn’s color deepened, her ears went down, and she lowered her gaze.
    “Now, Commander. Since Dr. Povresle’s preparation for the surface expedition was lacking in a critical area, how is she to compensate?”
    “She’s a local empath,” said H’renzek after taking a deep breath. “If she makes a contact with one of the higher native lifeforms she should be able to make herself understood. Also, if she mindlinks she’ll pick up the language quickly.”
    “Links with a native?” another science staff member asked. “We know it’s possible, of course. The Folonar do it. But an unfiltered sensory overload will make her sick. Might kill her.”
    The captain’s tentacles dropped to the surface of the table and her colors reverted to their normal soft pink. “Science team, you are all dismissed.”
    H’renzek remained in his place quietly as the scientists and technicians left the room. The captain, her attention obviously on the departing members of the surface team, also didn’t move, aside from the normal rippling her gelatinous form made even at rest.
    Once the room was cleared, her eyestalks swung toward H’renzek once more. “I know Povre can be very…shall we say, persuasive? And you’re entitled to be a little indulgent with her, H’renzek.” Amusement rippled in her otherwise serious voice. “But—”
    “I understand,” said H’renzek, his heart heavy. Of course he knew firsthand how independent and curious Povre was. He also knew very well the Teacher made her sick. Thus he hadn’t insisted, instead agreeing to allow her to access his rudimentary knowledge of the local dialect once he returned with the rest of the landing party. She had learned directly from his mind on previous times with minimal ill effects.
    “You know the procedure from here, I think, Commander,” added the Kemmerian, not unkindly. “When you’re ready, we’ll pick up this