Pegasus In Space Part 10

Dave Lehardt was relatively accustomed now to telekinesis but he was not accustomed to seeing it happen: the view of the boat deck of Padrugoi was suddenly the sunny late afternoon of the Henner grounds, and not a hint of movement-just the abrupt alteration of physical position. Dave swallowed in awe at the ease with which Peter displayed his ability. The kid hadn't even taken a deep breath: just teleported them. Snap! Like that! Amazing!

He was holding holding the envelope, Rhys," he told his wife, imitating Peter's gestures." He c.o.c.ked his fingers around the edges and he was holding it to his chest-like his most precious possession-with both hands flat and definitely hugging it to him. He may not the envelope, Rhys," he told his wife, imitating Peter's gestures." He c.o.c.ked his fingers around the edges and he was holding it to his chest-like his most precious possession-with both hands flat and definitely hugging it to him. He may not know know he was doing it but Johnny, Lance, and I saw him." he was doing it but Johnny, Lance, and I saw him."

Rhyssa smiled at her husband over the head of their son. "He's been close to such small motor movements for some time now, but only when he isn't really trying to use them. Lance hasn't mentioned it to him, though he's told me. That's good news. Peter still has no feeling below the neck. Maybe he'll just forget trying and let his Talent take over. When he's not conscious of the need for movement, sometimes he just moves like an ordinary sixteen-year-old. He doesn't even hover just above the floor as much anymore."

Dave chuckled softly, sitting down to watch his wife feed Eoin. "He would have liked to hover outside the Andre Norton. Andre Norton. Seems to me that a kinetic would make a very good s.p.a.ce traveler. He, or she, would function well in no gravity." Seems to me that a kinetic would make a very good s.p.a.ce traveler. He, or she, would function well in no gravity."

"For goodness' sake, don't mention that to Peter. Or he'll be after permission to do s.p.a.cewalking next."

"Why not? Johnny does. And Coetzer dropped a hint that they would like to contract Pete for a.s.sembly jobs."

"I know that," she said in a glum voice.

"You're going to have to let him, you know. You'd be wrong to fight it."

Rhyssa gave him a long, hard stare that he returned, a little smile tugging at his lips.

"It's good public relations to plan ahead for every likely contingency, m'love. And look at it from Pete's perspective. Do you know anyone else who's so totally accustomed to no-gravity?"

She gave a little laugh. "I hadn't thought of his kinesis as no-gravity."

"It might be a little different, learning to cope wearing a s.p.a.ce suit. He does, after all, still have to breathe air. Or does he?" He gave Rhyssa a quirky glance.

"Of course he does," she said. "Only why was it so important for him to get the plans?"

"Souvenir, of course. We were the first two civilians to see the finished product."

"Yes, that makes sense." Rhyssa paused, stroking her son's thin but waving hair. "Does he know Coetzer wants to employ him when he's of age?"

"Nothing was specifically said in Peter's hearing. But the boy's not dumb. He'll figure it out. He'd have Johnny on his side."

"That is, of course, a great consolation to me." Rhyssa lifted her son to her shoulder to burp him.

"It is to me," Dave said, leaning back in the chair and stretching his legs out.

"Maree?" Peter called from his room. "Can you give me a hand here?"

Amariyah appeared at the doorway, very much aware that her friend meant that literally. She knew that he did not use his body the way she could. She had even mentioned once, very tactfully, that he should remember to touch his heel to the floor first, then his toe. That's how people naturally walked. But she was quick to respond to any need he voiced.

"How?" she asked.

"I want to put this," his index finger limply pointed to the unfolded sheet on his worktop. It depicted the Andre Norton, Andre Norton, the sections color-coded for the different functions: red for engineering, green for living, blue for life support, orange for command, yellow for cryogenic, and brown for storage. "On the wall." He swiveled his body, his finger now pointing to the display s.p.a.ce. "There." the sections color-coded for the different functions: red for engineering, green for living, blue for life support, orange for command, yellow for cryogenic, and brown for storage. "On the wall." He swiveled his body, his finger now pointing to the display s.p.a.ce. "There."

"You have the tacks?" she asked, coming forward. She was, as usual, dressed in gardening clothes, well washed and well used. Dorotea had put extra pads on the knees.

Amariyah pushed a chair against the wall while the top drawer of his desk opened far enough to allow the box of pins to exit and float toward her. She got up on the chair.

"Here?" She tapped thewall, looking over her shoulder at him.

"That's right." The thumbtack box hovered by her right hand. Then the sheet made a stately way across the room and flattened against the wall.

Amariyah straightened it slightly, took out the necessary tacks and neatly secured the corners, while Peter inhaled anxiously, wincing as each tack pierced the paper. She took the box out of the air, shut it, and, descending from the chair, replaced it and closed the drawer. Then she regarded the neatly hung drawing.

"That's what you saw today?"

"Yesss," and the awed tone Peter used made her regard him with polite surprise.

"You had a good look at it then?" she asked, knowing how excited Peter had been to be invited for a tour of the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p.

"But you should have seen outside!"

She blinked. "I thought it was inside that you wanted to see. What was outside that was worth seeing? You are telling me that s.p.a.ce is all black."

"Yes," and Peter slowly shook his head from side to side, his eyes glowing, "it is. But then there're stars and s.p.a.ce." The last word was reverently spoken.

"You and your s.p.a.ce," she murmured affectionately. She was well aware of Peter's intense interests. He had got in the habit of confiding in her. She listened intently and unlike Tirla, his other confidante, she never interrupted or argued with him. Usually, of course, she was busy weeding. That gave them added privacy. Often he did what he could to help her because sometimes she tried to move things too heavy for her strength, like peat moss and fertilizer sacks or heavy pots and tubs. He'd even thrust his insensitive fingers into the mud because it was her notion that somehow messing in mud and dirt would be good for him. He knew Dorotea found gardening therapeutic, but not quite the same way that Amariyah did. She had an almost religious fervor for her her garden. He understood it better now, with the diagram of the garden. He understood it better now, with the diagram of the Andre Norton Andre Norton on his wall. on his wall.

"Thanks, Amariyah," he said.

"You're hovering," she replied, gently pressing on his shoulder until he was grounded.

"Thanks," he said absently, his eyes going from stern to prow, up and down the decks, memorizing.

"Print won't fade, you know," she said kindly, quoting Dorotea's oft-repeated maxim.

"It better not," Peter said, but he smiled in her direction. "She's beautiful, Amariyah. Just beautiful. Everything I imagined she'd be. Inside and out."

"Do you want to go with her when she flies?"

Peter heaved a sigh, Amariyah slyly noting that his chest had actually lifted. When she had been in the Center long enough to be able to ask personal questions, she had broached the subject of Peter to Dorotea while they were companionably weeding the side bed. Why did he move so oddly? Had he been born like that? Dorotea had explained about the wall falling on him, his paralysis, and then his unusual ability to use a "connection," Dorotea had called it (though Amariyah learned later from Tirla that it was called a gestalt), to use the power of his mind to move his damaged body. While she was on that subject, she said that Peter could also not use the toilet as others did, and wore a bag for waste disposal. Amariyah calmly accepted this explanation with a nod of her head.

Peter, Dorotea went on, couldn't feel anything so they all had to watch out that he didn't inadvertently burn or injure himself. He was a.s.siduous in doing the daily Reeve exercises to keep muscle tone, and in getting ma.s.sage. Dorotea a.s.sured Amariyah that it was polite to remind Peter to keep his feet on the ground. When he got excited, he started to hover. Amariyah was to ignore any other unusual motions. Peter was still trying to control, by his mind, the smaller movements of hands and feet that everyone else took for granted.

"Are you going to move the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p when she's ready to go?" Amariyah asked. Several times now she had been in the personnel carrier, taken with Peter and Tirla on special educational trips.

"I wish." Peter shook his head, altering the mood. He grinned down at Amariyah. "The Andre Norton Andre Norton has to get where she's going under her own power." has to get where she's going under her own power."

"But you know where she's going. Why can't you just send her there? Is she too big for you?"

Amariyah was as aware as everyone at the Center that Peter Reidinger had the most astounding telekinetic ability.

"I've got to know where to stand first," Peter said, his eyes focusing on a distant goal.

She waited in case he had more to say. The s.h.i.+ne in his eyes warned her that his thinking had turned very private. He'd said all he intended to right now. She slipped away, leaving him to thoughts that made his face both sad and glad. She was pleased that this admiral person had kept his promise to Peter. It was good that important people kept promises. She was pleased, too, that Peter had confidedin her as much as he did. She loved Peter.

She left his room, tiptoed to the door, which she closed quietly so as not to interrupt all his happy-sad thinking. She really did have to check on the seedlings. Ted was very pleased with the way hers came on. He said she had magic fingers, not just green ones, because her garden produced the most beautiful flowers and the tastiest vegetables. He had stopped trying to persuade her to concentrate on flowers; even stopped complaining that she bordered her garden with marigolds. She liked Ted: he was always smiling and cheerful. Just seeing his thin, weathered face made the day better. Dorotea liked him, too.

"Never a harsh word for anyone, bar insects and those dratted moles," Dorotea said. "A good man, our Ted. Knows his flora, too."

"He misp.r.o.nounces the Latin names."

"But," and Dorotea held up one hand in mild rebuke, "he knows them."

Amariyah was suitably chastened.

"Now, now, child. Remember, too, that he understands gardening in this climate. Which is quite different from Bangladesh."

As Amariyah walked over to her garden, the other children in the Center were also released from their Teaching sessions. There were fifteen, six boys and nine girls, ranging from four to twelve. The Center also had daycare and early training for infants, but she didn't see much of them. Dorotea liked her to play with the older ones, and Amariyah endured activities like hide and seek-as long as no one tried to injure the bushes they hid behind or stepped on her her garden-and jumping rope. She had quick, clever feet and knew about rope dancing from the orphanage. She learned the songs in English and added a few in Bangla. She did not, however, see any point in the endless tossing of the big ball up into the net circle. The ball was too heavy for her and the iron rim too high. Mostly the older boys and girls monopolized that outdoor activity. None of them was at all interested in gardening but she was as glad of that. They had no delicacy of touch and might damage young plants. She never forgot the death of her garden in the orphanage, nor Lila. It was therefore odd that she had felt from the very moment of their meeting that Tirla was different, safe, and trustworthy, even if Tirla did, somewhat, resemble Lila in physical type. Tirla was as special to Amariyah as Peter was. Tirla was sister to her, though sometimes the girl could be more motherly and demanding than Dorotea. Tirla considered Amariyah ineluctably garden-and jumping rope. She had quick, clever feet and knew about rope dancing from the orphanage. She learned the songs in English and added a few in Bangla. She did not, however, see any point in the endless tossing of the big ball up into the net circle. The ball was too heavy for her and the iron rim too high. Mostly the older boys and girls monopolized that outdoor activity. None of them was at all interested in gardening but she was as glad of that. They had no delicacy of touch and might damage young plants. She never forgot the death of her garden in the orphanage, nor Lila. It was therefore odd that she had felt from the very moment of their meeting that Tirla was different, safe, and trustworthy, even if Tirla did, somewhat, resemble Lila in physical type. Tirla was as special to Amariyah as Peter was. Tirla was sister to her, though sometimes the girl could be more motherly and demanding than Dorotea. Tirla considered Amariyah ineluctably hers. hers. Tirla was also very smart about things in Jerhattan and the Linears. When Tirla took her out and about, Dorotea always reminded Amariyah to listen to Tirla and do exactly as she said. Tirla was also very smart about things in Jerhattan and the Linears. When Tirla took her out and about, Dorotea always reminded Amariyah to listen to Tirla and do exactly as she said.

Amariyah reached her garden and stood where she could survey the bed. It had started out as a small rectangle, almost begrudged by Ted as a special concession to Dorotea. He had now enlarged it three times; one end had partial shade during the hottest part of the day, so she could grow those special flowers that did not do well with full sun. She was, as Dorotea called it, counting heads when the ball bounced once, slamming into the display of narcissus, breaking heads off; bounced a second time and broke branches off the orange-colored Azalea indica. Azalea indica.

Amariyah let out a shriek that was heard throughout the grounds, both orally and telepathically. The ball rolled from the Azalea indica Azalea indica down the slight slope and mashed down her marigold seedlings. Amariyah was not a violent child but she kicked that ball so hard that she sent it high into one of the trees, where it stuck in a bole. down the slight slope and mashed down her marigold seedlings. Amariyah was not a violent child but she kicked that ball so hard that she sent it high into one of the trees, where it stuck in a bole.

Peter got to her first because he could 'port himself. Dorotea was not far behind him, Ted as well as two other groundsmen, Sascha and Sirikit from the control room, and Rhyssa from her office, while apartment windows were flung open as people reacted to the loud scream.

Amariyah was on the ground in front of her flattened marigolds, keening and rocking back and forth, tears streaming down her cheeks. She ignored Peter, though he tried to put a consoling arm around her shoulders. She ignored Dorotea, and Sascha and Rhyssa and even Sirikit whom she usually liked. Ted reached out to a.s.sess the damage and an invisible barrier blocked his hand. Startled, he looked to Dorotea who shook her head and he drew back, clucking his tongue at the damage.

"It isn't that much," he muttered to Dorotea.

"Any damage is too much," Dorotea said. "Find out who was shooting baskets and shoot them." damage is too much," Dorotea said. "Find out who was shooting baskets and shoot them."

"They wouldn't have done it on purpose," Ted said. "Whyn't we just leave the ball up there?"

Dorotea followed the direction he pointed and gave a sour grin.

"I could put anchor fencing around the court, help keep the ball inside," he suggested. "Like I have around the tennis courts.

"Do so, Ted," Rhyssa said, having heard their discussion. "And no more basketball shooting until the fence is up." Did you get the same blast of fury and vengeance as I did? Did you get the same blast of fury and vengeance as I did? she asked. she asked.

Is there anyone on the estate who didn't hear it? Dorotea countered wryly. Dorotea countered wryly.

It's gone now, Sascha said, making eye contact with Rhyssa from the other end of Amariyah's garden bed. Sascha said, making eye contact with Rhyssa from the other end of Amariyah's garden bed. Not a trace of telepathy from her now. Not a trace of telepathy from her now. He ran a frustrated hand through his thick hair. He ran a frustrated hand through his thick hair.

Did you have a chance to a.s.sess it, Dorotea ? Rhyssa asked. ? Rhyssa asked.

Dorotea shook her head. Might only occur for protection. Might only occur for protection.

Peter said, She sure tore hair out of a bigger and older girl's scalp at the orphanage. The nuns were amazed at her reaction. Is there anything we can do about the bush and the bulbs? She sure tore hair out of a bigger and older girl's scalp at the orphanage. The nuns were amazed at her reaction. Is there anything we can do about the bush and the bulbs? He reached out to pick up a narcissus bud and couldn't. He shoved his fingertips against the barrier and it dissolved. He reached out to pick up a narcissus bud and couldn't. He shoved his fingertips against the barrier and it dissolved. She's got a barrier around it. So protective yes, but I don't feel any 'pathing. And the barrier just went away. She's got a barrier around it. So protective yes, but I don't feel any 'pathing. And the barrier just went away.

She trusts you, Peter, Dorotea said. Dorotea said. And I get no hint of Talent right now. She is a bit young. And I get no hint of Talent right now. She is a bit young. She started to get down on her knees by the child. She started to get down on her knees by the child.

"Don't," Amariyah said sharply, but her voice was low and dispirited. "I'll fix it."

"Can you?" Peter asked, putting a world of sympathy and encouragement in his voice.

"I can, you can't. Go away!" Then Amariyah seemed to realize that she was speaking to the most important adults of the Center. "Please!"

"If you need any help, Maree," Ted said, "lemme know. I'll go put up a fence so it can't happen again."

"We'll find out who was playing," Rhyssa began.

"No!" There was no "please" to that sharp reply. "Go away while there is still time."

Time for what? Sascha asked. Sascha asked.

Go away, she said, Peter added and, with an apology, 'ported everyone out of the immediate area, including himself. Peter added and, with an apology, 'ported everyone out of the immediate area, including himself.

Peter! Rhyssa, Dorotea, and Sascha said in surprise, finding themselves back where they had been only a few minutes before. Rhyssa, Dorotea, and Sascha said in surprise, finding themselves back where they had been only a few minutes before.

He's right, Dorotea said to forestall rebuke. As well she was back in her kitchen. She rescued the cookies she'd been baking before they were crisped. Dorotea said to forestall rebuke. As well she was back in her kitchen. She rescued the cookies she'd been baking before they were crisped.

When Amariyah came in for her supper, she was unusually silent. To be expected under the circ.u.mstances, Dorotea thought, and didn't remark on it. Peter kept watching the child across the kitchen table. Her eyes were swollen from crying despite the fact that she had washed her face. She hadn't quite got all the dirt from under her nails.

She's not unhappy, Peter remarked, Peter remarked, but she sure is tired. but she sure is tired.

Amariyah finished her dinner, thanked Dorotea, rinsed her plate and utensils and put them in the dishwasher. Then she went to her room. She was in bed, fast asleep, ten minutes later when Dorotea surrept.i.tiously checked.

It was Ted who came knocking on Dorotea's door early the next morning, before anyone else was awake.

"You better see this, Miz Horvath," he said, his eyes wide in their sockets and his whole body tense.

Dorotea flung a jacket over her dressing gown and followed him across the lawn and to Amariyah's garden.

"What?" Dorotea stared, as amazed as Ted. The marigold seedlings that she had seen smashed were upright and whole. The Azalea indica Azalea indica had not a trace of broken boughs. The narcissus sported intact buds. had not a trace of broken boughs. The narcissus sported intact buds.

"She could have replaced the marigolds," Dorotea told herself and Ted. "She might have also changed bushes, though I can't imagine where she got another orange azalea on short notice."

"It's the same one, missus. She didn't change it," Ted said, slowly shaking his head from side to side. "And bulbs don't transplant well when they're ready to bloom. They'd wilt."

"You're right about that."

Without a thought for gra.s.s or dirt stains on her elegant burgundy velvet housecoat, Dorotea knelt down and peered at the resurrected plants.

"And I sensed nothing at all. But then she murmured, fingers on her lips, "I was busy with the cookies and then supper." Peter? Wake up. Do you remember the state of Amariyah's garden in the orphanage when you saw it? Peter? Wake up. Do you remember the state of Amariyah's garden in the orphanage when you saw it?

HUM What?

Dorotea repeated her question.

I didn't see it. Or rather, I saw where it had been; all neatly raked as if nothing had ever grown there.

Oh. That's a pity.

Why?

Well, and Dorotea accepted Ted's hand to help her to her feet, and Dorotea accepted Ted's hand to help her to her feet, I'll see if I can winkle it out of Amariyah. I'll see if I can winkle it out of Amariyah.

Why? Peter's tone was stronger, wider awake. Peter's tone was stronger, wider awake.