The Ship Who Sang by Anne McCaffrey

untimely ripped, ripping it and rendering her completely barren.’
    Kira spanned her tiny hips with slender hands. ‘No life in these loins, ever . . . not implanted nor impregnated. No nothing of Thorn or all we had together. That,’ and she snapped her fingers, ‘for our supreme egotistical self-assurance.’
    It was for such accidents that the RCA recommended seed donations from every young adult. It was pointless to remind Kira of this. She was all too patently aware of her folly.
    â€˜That’s why I returned to medicine afterThorn’s death rather than the Service. But all my studies proved that there was no rebirth in me nor birth for me. Science can do many wonders, make many adjustments, but not that.’
    She sighed heavily but her bitterness was not as frantic as that first explosion. Helva wondered if Kira had resigned herself to barrenness as she had not, from appearances, resigned herself to living.
    â€˜Which is why, dear Helva, it is ironic for me, of all people, to be assisting this particular cargo around the Great Wheel.’
    Helva refrained from any remarks. Kira finished her coffee and retired to rest. Within a few hours there would be Merak to deal with, then on to Alioth.
    They cleared Merak in record time, the technicians being both quick and careful. Alioth was only a few days onward before the last spatial hop to Nekkar. Scout and ship had now achieved a pleasant routine in which Helva filled gaps in her classical and ancient musical repertoire with Kira’s comprehensive acquaintance with folk music from old Terra and the early colonial periods of the now major worlds.
    Helva woke Kira just before touchdown on Alioth. The scout dressed quickly in a somber tunic, braiding her hair so closely to her scalp Helva wondered her head didn’t ache.
    Touchdown was not auspicious. To begin with, the spaceport was overshadowed by the jagged, glowing peaks of Alioth’s active continentalspine. They were told to touch down some distance from the small rectangular building that housed what spaceport control and administration the inhospitable planet required. Kira protested they were too far from the building to effect a quick transfer and was brusquely informed she was to await the arrival of a ground vehicle. It took its time in arriving, a huge transport truck loaded with cowled figures who took positions around Helva’s base, elbow to elbow. Their belligerent attitude and presence seemed an insult to a ship bearing Helva’s markings.
    â€˜What is the meaning of mounting a guard on a Scout Ship in Central Worlds Medical Service?’ Kira demanded in firm tones to the control tower.
    â€˜For the protection of your cargo.’
    At this moment the charge officer of the guard contingent requested permission to enter the scout ship.
    â€˜Well?’ Helva asked softly of Kira.
    â€˜I don’t see we have much choice but I suggest you tape this and tight beam it back to Regulus.’
    â€˜My thought, too,’ Helva agreed. ‘And I think I’ll play silent.’
    â€˜A good idea,’ Kira said, adjusting a contact button on her cloak.
    There were many backward planets where the partnership of the mobile brawn scout and his brain ship were improperly understood. On suchworlds it often had been to the advantage of the partners to keep the brain’s abilities unknown until needed, if needed. The button would allow Helva to keep in sight and sound contact with Kira.
    The officer, an ominous, tall figure in his black cowl, appeared at the airlock, which Helva opened. The man, his face unseen, towered above Kira. A thin hand was extruded from the draperies and made a gesture toward breast and hidden face that could be interpreted as a salute of sorts.
    Kira responded in kind, waiting for him to speak first.
    â€˜Second Watch officer Noneth,’ he finally intoned.
    â€˜Medical Scout Kira of Canopus,’ Kira replied with dignity.