The Tower and the Hive by Anne McCaffrey Page A

“Or our uniforms. Always did say the dye’s got a vicious pong to it.”
    All set?
    All set.
    A moment later Thian nodded approval as the shuttle landed so smoothly only he and Semirame were aware that they had been transported the thirty-six thousand kilometers to the geosynchronous orbit above the surface of the planet—though there was a startled look on Wixell’s face, as she’d been facing one of the two portholes.
    Should we run a GC on us to see if we do stink enough to register with those ultrasensitive queens? Semirame asked, cocking her head at Thian. And what we smell like?
    Wouldn’t that upset our ultrasensitive and efficient troops?
    Whatever she might have replied was lost in the next second. Someone pounded on the door, to indicate that they should undo the hatch. Instantly the entire squad had weapons at the ready, aimed at the hatch.
    Nothing wrong with their reflexes. “Re-lax, troops. We’re back.”
    A gusty sigh of relief came from all sides, and with it a whiff of garlic.
    â€œGarlic!” Thian said to Semirame.
    â€œYeah.” Just noticed. Wonder if that’s relevant, but we’ll use a stink ’graph just to be on the safe side.
    Garlic used to be a specific against witches, ghosties, ghoulies and things that go bump in the night, Clancy said.
    Whose side are you on? Thian asked while Semirame muttered orders through her wrist com. Then she smiled up at him, giving her head one sharp nod to show that the pong test would be accomplished.
    â€œSir,” said the boat deck watch officer, “Admiral’s compliments, and can you report to him immediately.”
    I’ll just hold ’em up a moment and then they can file past Exit Five and get odorized, Semirame told Thian.
    Should make an interesting appendix to the mission report.
    He waved his hand at her as he exited the ship and strode to the nearest lift, busy formulating his report to the Admiral. He’s going to love the garlic.

four
    Laria and Kincaid got the announcement of the release of Talavera to the Mrdini from Earth Prime, who was nearly as jubilant as all of Clarf would shortly be.
    That’s marvelous, Granddad. You don’t know how happy that’ll make everyone here.
    I’ve a very good idea, Laria, but doubtless you’ll fill us in. Please inform Plrgtgl immediately as a courtesy and — here’s the written notification — in Basic as well as Mrdini.
    Both Tower Talents heard the message tube rattle into the basket.
    Good shot, Earth Prime.
    The hand hath not missed in decades.
    How soon can they set off? Laria asked, grinning in triumph at Kincaid, who was smiling too.
    How soon can colony ships be loaded? Jeff Raven responded.
    Who’s catching?
    Rojer, Flavia and the Columbia team. No problem on the receiving end.
    No, there won’t be. May I leave the Tower to take the message to Plrgtgl?
    You are Tower Prime, Laria Raven-Lyon, you can leave the Tower anytime you wish. I’m sure there’s nothing coming in that Kincaid can’t handle by himself. Right?
    Right, was Kincaid’s instant reassurance. He jerked his head at Laria to urge her to leave.
    The note of the generators slid deeper without Laria’s using them. She remembered to use the glove to pick up a message tube still freezing from its ’portation through the vacuum of space, and ran down the steps.
    â€œWe got it, we got it!”
    â€œGot what?” Lionasha asked.
    â€œHEY, what’s wrong with the Tower? Generators are off...” Vanteer called from his level.
    â€œIT’S OFFICIAL,” Laria yelled back. “The ’Dinis get Talavera!”
    Vanteer was up the short flight in one leap. “They do?”
    She waved the cylinder. “I’m off to make a personal delivery of the go-ahead,” she said, leaving the cool of the station and, stopping dead in her tracks, gasping at the hot air outside. But she persevered on