Dragonsdawn - Chapter Ten
Apr. 4th, 2023 07:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kalinara posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
i_read_whatSo last time, I got to boggle hard as Sallah Telgar not only managed to be a shitty rapist (admittedly, she's hardly the only one who falls into that category in this series), but doubles down on it by continuing to rape her husband on the regular and is also stunned that they don't have the healthiest relationship!
Apparently it gets worse? Vague warnings have me full of dread.
Oh yeah, also, we're laying the ground work for dragons. (I'm editing to add, since I complain a lot in this chapter, that I am genuinely looking forward to this, and I really like this aspect of the story.)
So now that the dragons are an idea, everyone's getting put to work. Basically, everyone with a medical degree, and even the veterinarians and apprentices (like Sean and Sorka) are working shifts. This is on top of infirmary and ground crew duty, which seems like a recipe for trouble. But I can't judge. Thread is fucking scary and they're desperate.
Even injured people who are able to watch monitors are drafted into service. Genetic codes are extracted from fire dragonets, conveniently, despite being alien, their biology is similar enough to work with. Apparently they've worked with weirder on Centauri.
There's also the need to fight Thread - apparently there's a four shift rotation, ideally to allow everyone time to themselves, though some people are passionate enough that they have to be ordered to sleep.
Apparently the plan to use Kenjo and the Mariposa to deflect thread in the upper atmosphere failed. I don't see any sign that he's given back the fuel though. Fuck that guy. We also get some updates on various threadfalls that are upcoming. Not great.
It's interesting to me that we've yet to see any mention of AIVAS, despite his prominence in All the Weyrs of Pern. I guess, maybe it's just that AI and the technology is so commonplace to these people that they're not bothering to personalize it. Whereas to the Ninth Pass folks, it's practically magic. Or more likely, McCaffrey hadn't thought of him yet. I'm not judging, that happens with long series. Sometimes you get cool ideas later on, and you gotta run with it despite contradiction.
I bring this up because there's mention of Ezra connecting with the Yokohama mainframe to try to scan histories and come up with some solutions. He's also trying to find ways to possibly alter Pern's orbit, but with little luck.
I know THAT will come up again, but I do wonder how that will effect Pern long term, since we know the fish at least have evolved to eat Thread. What effects does stopping Thread have on the ecosystem? Not that I blame the Ninth Pass folk for not thinking about that.
Anyway, Ezra's using Kitti's ID to get into secret info. But so far, he doesn't seem to be having a lot of luck. He is however intercepting complaints and minor problems that would have added unnecessary burdens to Benden and Boll. Why? It seems like Ezra is doing something actually potentially useful, but okay.
I still hate Kenjo:
Kenjo was sent on three more missions, each time trying to find a more efficient way of destroying enough Thread in space to justify the expenditure of precious fuel. The gauges on the Mariposa dropped only slightly with each trip, and Kenjo was commended on his economy. Drake was openly envious of the space pilots skill.
“Jays, man,” Drake would say. “You’re driving it on the fumes.”
Kenjo would nod modestly and say nothing. He was, however, rather relieved that he had not managed to transfer all the fuel sacks to their hiding place at Honshu. All too soon, he would have to broach that supply to ensure continued trips into space. Only there did he feel totally aware and alive in every sense and nerve of his body.
This guy is literally robbing his fellow colonists of vital resources, getting praised for it, and I'm supposed to hate Ted and Bitra?
Anyway, he does get useful info about Thread for us:
Thread, it turned out, traveled in a pod that burned away when it hit the atmosphere of Pern, leaving an inner capsule. About 15,000 feet above the surface, the inner capsule opened into ribbons, some of which were not thick enough to survive in the upper reaches. But, as everyone at Landing well knew, plenty fell to the surface.
Neat!
So Benden orders Avril and Stev back. To his credit, Stev decides to be useful and load up with ores useful to Landing. Everyone's surprised not to see Avril, but Stev says she flew back weeks ago. And yay, more let's shit on Bitra here:
Stev looked at him, slightly surprised. “She flew back weeks ago. He peered back at the landing grid and saw the sun glint off the Mariposa’s hull. “Hasn’t she reported in?” Ongola shook his head slowly. “Well, now, fancy that!” Stev’s gaze lingered thoughtfully on the Mariposa just long enough for Ongola to notice. “Maybe Thread got her!”
“Maybe her, but not the sled,” Ongola replied, knowing that Avril Bitra was too adept at preserving her skin to be scored. “We’ll keep an eye out for her.”
I wouldn't mind so much if the book ever gave us like a personal history between Ongola (or Sallah for that matter) and Bitra that would explain this scornful suspicion. WE know Bitra's planning shit, but how do they know that? And why are they so worried? All we know that they know that she's done is bang Benden, and I still think that reflects as poorly on him as it does on her.
I also would probably mind less if I wasn't reminded of Kenjo's existence two pages ago.
Threadfall charts were displayed everywhere and constantly updated; previous Falls were deleted and future ones limited to the next three, so that people could plan a week ahead. Avril could not have stopped ten minutes in Landing without learning of the dangers of Thread. Ongola reminded himself that he must remove that guidance chip from the Mariposa as soon as Kenjo landed. He knew exactly how the space pilot had extended the fuel; he did not want anyone else, especially Avril Bitra, to discover how. Admiral Benden had been right about Kenjo. Ongola did not want to be right about Bitra!
...Kenjo is still ACTIVELY robbing your fucking colony. Yes, he's being somewhat useful. But so would the fuel he's siphoned and hidden away. And you know, the entire colony ought to know about it, not just the leadership that's willing to turn a blind eye. He's robbing ALL of them.
Look I'm sure McCaffrey has a reason, in her head, why these two characters deserve so very different treatment. My problem is that I don't think she's effectively communicated that to me. And I generally would like to be on the same page with the author whose world I am experiencing.
Speaking of, we do get caught up on Avril:
Avril had stayed around Landing that night just long enough to know that she did not wish to be conscripted into any of the several teams who could use her special skills. The only skill she preferred to employ — space navigation — was thwarted. So, before dawn broke on Landing and before anyone noticed the existence of a spare sled, she lifted it again, loaded with useful supplies, both food and material.
She touched down on the rocky height above the ravaged Milan Stake, where she had a clear view of Landing and, more importantly a good view of the busy, illuminated grid where the Mariposa would touch down. She spent the early morning hours using the metal sheets she had filched to arrange an umbrella over the sled’s siliplex canopy. She preferred to take every precaution against the deadly airborne stuff. By midmorning she had camouflaged her eyrie and tuned the sled’s scope on her objective. She was rewarded by a provocative view of Kenjo’s return.
Apparently, by listening to the sled's comm unit, she's learned about his mission and its limited success. She's relaxing and waiting. I'm glad that we're probably getting to the point where Bitra will actually warrant the villain label, but I can't help but feel that it would been more effective if McCaffrey had ever tried to present her more neutrally BEFORE this.
Benden is getting an update from Kitti. And we're told no one is idle. Mairi Hanrahan, for example, is supervising small children and teaching them to assemble control panels by chip color. Others are gathering fruits and fish.
Kitti seems to have some dubious news. They can't accelerate gestation, but they do seem to have twenty two prototypes growing into their first semester. It's looking good. Yay.
I wonder who will bond with these initial dragons (I don't really wonder.)
Paul and Emily chat a bit and we see that Emily's never heard "Rome wasn't built in a day" as a maxim. I kind of like that. Paul, when describing Rome to her, thinks about a circus and next we know, there's a festival in place:
The platform on Bonfire Square was gay with multicolored bunting, and a new planetary flag was hoisted on the pole to flap in the breeze. Tables, benches, and chairs were placed around the square leaving its center clear for dancers. Vats of quikal were to be broached, and Hegelman would produce ale — no one wished to think that it might be the last made for a long while. Joel Lilienkamp released generous supplies without grudge. “Thank the kids that gathered them! Child labor can be efficient,” he said with a grin. The Monaco Bay fishermen brought in shining loads of fish and the more succulent seaweeds to be baked in the big, long-unused pits, twenty farm stakes donated as many steers to turn on spits; Pierre de Goorci had worked all the previous night, baking cakes and making extravagant sweets. “Better to fatten humans than Thread!” He was always happiest when overseeing a large effort.
That child labor line is an amusingly unfortunate quote. But everyone seems to be having a much needed good time, and thus we see the birth of the "Gather" tradition.
Later, Ongola is looking over a list of casualties. Avril almost gets a compliment, as a young mining apprentice had apparently been killed or injured, and Ongola thinks she was safer "after all" with Avril.
Seriously, WHAT is the backstory here? Why does Ongola think Avril is dangerous? Why were Benden and Boll worried that she'd find the already stolen fuel stash? Why does Sallah (hypocritical rapist that she is) hate her so much?
If there's a story here beyond "fucked our boss", then SHARE IT.
Apparently one of the other casualties is one of a set of twins, the other having died already. How sad.
A new character comes in: Catherine Radelin-Doyle. She apparently has just found Kenjo's stash. Oh, thank you, Ms. McCaffrey, I wasn't irked enough aleady:
Ongola sat up straight. “It had a lot of fuel sacks in it?” he asked. If Catherine had found it, would Avril? No, Avril did not have the same sort of luck Catherine had.
“However did you know, Mr. Ongola?” She looked faint with relief.
“Possibly because I know they’re there.”
“You do? They are? I mean, they weren’t put there by ‘them’?”
“No, by us.” He wanted to make as little fuss about Kenjo’s hoard as possible. He had been counting the dwindling numbers and wondering why Kenjo seemed so complacent after each trip. Ongola flicked a glance at the corner of the shadowed shelving where the guidance chips were hidden in their darkfoam case.
Catherine suddenly sank to the nearest chair. “Oh, sir, you don’t know what a fright it gave me. Thinking that someone else was here because everyone knows there’s so little fuel left. And then to see . . .”
But you saw nothing, Catherine,” Ongola told her crisply. “Nothing whatever. There’s no cave worth noticing down that particular crevasse and you won’t say a thing about it to anyone else. I will personally tell the admiral. But you will tell no one.”
SERIOUSLY WHAT THE FUCK?!?!
"Would Avril"??
KENJO is hoarding fuel. Even this young girl knows that it's a scarce resource. But they're keeping quiet. But I'm supposed to be worried about AVRIL finding it.
You know what scenario would keep Avril from getting her hands on it? TAKING IT BACK AND PUTTING IT IN THE APPROPRIATE STORAGE PLACE.
AND, you're making this young girl an unintentional accomplice. FUCK you people. I'm starting to think you deserve however Avril will inevitably screw you over, because you're all fucking stupid.
He ends up sending the girl off with the vague order to find something...else. Seriously, fuck these people.
On the plus side, a character I like (or at least pity) enters. Tarvi, being happy about something. He's figured out that, rather than desperately mining ore, they can dismantle the shuttles that have been left to rot. He's very enthused about this, and I can't really blame him, but um...why the fuck have you people not been doing that already?
But it is good to see Tarvi happy. Poor Tarvi.
Back with Kitti Ping...well, actually, she's apparently keeled over dead. (Edited to add: I am being callous here, but it is really sad!) But she's completed her program. They now have a fully labeled altered egg cell. (Trial 2684/16/M: nucleus #22A, mentasynth Generation B2, boron/silicon system 4, size 2H; 16.204.8.) It's being placed alongside forty-one similar units that hold the hope of Pern.
Another shift of scene: Ezra reporting to Paul and Emily that another probe's malfunctioned. He's apparently not doing well, looking wearied and aged. Paul and Emily are concerned, especially as Kitti had just died. Ezra is so frustrated that he's almost started to buy into one of the conspiracy theories (that it's an attack to bombard them into submission) - but the real source of his fear is that he's done the math and realized they'll have Thread for forty or fifty years, assuming it comes from the red planet.
Since we know it does, and we know it's right, we can skip some of the speculation here.
Anyway, Ezra wants to go to the Yokohama and figure out what's wrong with the probes. And hey, let's shit on Avril some more:
“The big question is, Paul, is there enough fuel to get someone to the Yoko and back? Kenjo’s already made more trips than I thought possible.”
“Good pilot,” Paul said discreetly. “There’s enough for what we need now. Kenjo will pilot, and did you wish to go with him?”
Ezra shook his head slowly. “Avril Bitra has the training for the job.”
“Avril?” Paul gave a harsh bark and then shook his head, grinning sourly. “Avril’s the last person I’d put on the Mariposa for any reason. Even if we knew where she is.”
“Really?” Ezra looked at Emily for an explanation, but she shrugged. “Well, then, Kenjo can double. No,” he corrected himself. “If something’s wrong with the probes, we’d need a good technician. Stev Kimmer. He’s back, isn’t he?”
“Who else?” Paul jotted down names rather than worry Ezra with more suspicions.
I love how in the same bit of dialogue where there's a verbal concern over the fuel that Kenjo stole, we're meant to be alarmed about Avril.
WHY?
Look, I know McCaffrey by now. I know Avril will be evil and betray them. I know she will retroactively earn all of this. But since these characters aren't supposed to be psychic, this just seems overdone. They're also alarmed about Stev. WHY? Because he hangs around with Avril?
What had Avril done in the last eight years to make them so suspicious? All we know is that she staked a claim on Big Island (Ista) and found some gems. She double-crossed Stev, but they don't know that!
What had Avril done BEFORE that to make them so suspicious? Sallah caught her making some search inquiries. Okay, but again, Kenjo stole fuel. Why are the search inquiries more disturbing? What is the pattern of behavior that these characters are responding to?
I am generally a reader that sides with the heroes against the villains. I might sympathize with a villain, but I generally am able to align myself to the heroes' points of view.
WHEN I AM GIVEN ENOUGH INFORMATION!
Look, you could tell me that Avril let something slip during pillow talk with Paul that soured the relationship and has caused him to look askance at her ever since. And I'd accept that!
I'd still resent Kenjo getting away with bullshit though.
They also suggest Ongola. Fair enough. Emily suggests she and Paul had better start training replacements.
So back to Avril, who is definitely nefariously plotting now. She's been observing Kenjo's jaunts and has figured out that there's something different this time: Kenjo isn't doing his usual checks. And she's seeing Fulmar Stone (who was probably mentioned before, but I don't remember) and Zi Ongola entering the vessel.
We go to rapist Sallah, who is feeding her daughter at Mairi Hanrahan's house. She notices Avril, and again, somehow recognizes her from her walk. Seriously, what history is between these women that Sallah is THIS distrustful AND alert enough to pinpoint the woman by her walk.
It's got to be more than banging Benden, because Sallah doesn't have fucking leg to stand on when it comes to sexual judgment.
Oh, well, there is this:
Ever since Sallah had overheard Avril’s conversation with Kimmer, she had known the woman would attempt to leave Pern. Did Avril know of Kenjo’s fuel dump? Irritably Sallah shook her head. Cara blinked her huge brown eyes and stared apprehensively at her mother.
That conversation was eight years ago, but okay.
Tell me something though, say Avril DID steal the fuel and leave Pern. How does that negatively impact anyone else? I mean, yes. She'd be taking fuel they need. You know, fuel that was ALREADY stolen by someone who doesn't intend to give it back. I suppose she'd deprive them of the use of a ship, but I almost think that it'd be worth it to get rid of her. Let her take Ted Tubberman and you have two fewer headaches. Win/win!
I mean, at least Sallah has some reason to actually think Avril would do something with the fuel, as opposed to every other character, who is just vaguely worried. And even Sallah admits that Avril spent the last few years mining on Big Island. I'll take that.
Ah, cliffhanger: Sallah notices a space gear-clad figure walking toward Kenjo and Ongola. She again recognizes Avril's walk. Dude, do YOU want to fuck her? Anyway, she loses sight of the men, then catches up:
Rounding the pile, Sallah saw both Kenjo and Ongola flat on the ground. Blood covered the back of Kenjo’s head and Ongola’s shoulder and neck. Sallah ran flat out, ducking down to keep scrap metal between her and the Mariposa. As it was, she just made it as the airlock was closing. She threw herself inside and felt something scrape her left foot; there was an immense hissing, and then she blacked out.
At this cliffhanger, the chapter ends.
Hey, villain Avril. FINALLY. I know I said I'm rarely a villain fan, but given how much shit she's taken from the narrative, a part of me thinks they're reaped what they sow. I realize that makes no sense, but fuck it. Go Avril! Wreck their shit! Especially Kenjo. Fuck that dude! Kill Sallah too, if you can! Free Tarvi!
...I do hope Ongola's okay though. He's just got the occasional bad judgment.
Apparently it gets worse? Vague warnings have me full of dread.
Oh yeah, also, we're laying the ground work for dragons. (I'm editing to add, since I complain a lot in this chapter, that I am genuinely looking forward to this, and I really like this aspect of the story.)
So now that the dragons are an idea, everyone's getting put to work. Basically, everyone with a medical degree, and even the veterinarians and apprentices (like Sean and Sorka) are working shifts. This is on top of infirmary and ground crew duty, which seems like a recipe for trouble. But I can't judge. Thread is fucking scary and they're desperate.
Even injured people who are able to watch monitors are drafted into service. Genetic codes are extracted from fire dragonets, conveniently, despite being alien, their biology is similar enough to work with. Apparently they've worked with weirder on Centauri.
There's also the need to fight Thread - apparently there's a four shift rotation, ideally to allow everyone time to themselves, though some people are passionate enough that they have to be ordered to sleep.
Apparently the plan to use Kenjo and the Mariposa to deflect thread in the upper atmosphere failed. I don't see any sign that he's given back the fuel though. Fuck that guy. We also get some updates on various threadfalls that are upcoming. Not great.
It's interesting to me that we've yet to see any mention of AIVAS, despite his prominence in All the Weyrs of Pern. I guess, maybe it's just that AI and the technology is so commonplace to these people that they're not bothering to personalize it. Whereas to the Ninth Pass folks, it's practically magic. Or more likely, McCaffrey hadn't thought of him yet. I'm not judging, that happens with long series. Sometimes you get cool ideas later on, and you gotta run with it despite contradiction.
I bring this up because there's mention of Ezra connecting with the Yokohama mainframe to try to scan histories and come up with some solutions. He's also trying to find ways to possibly alter Pern's orbit, but with little luck.
I know THAT will come up again, but I do wonder how that will effect Pern long term, since we know the fish at least have evolved to eat Thread. What effects does stopping Thread have on the ecosystem? Not that I blame the Ninth Pass folk for not thinking about that.
Anyway, Ezra's using Kitti's ID to get into secret info. But so far, he doesn't seem to be having a lot of luck. He is however intercepting complaints and minor problems that would have added unnecessary burdens to Benden and Boll. Why? It seems like Ezra is doing something actually potentially useful, but okay.
I still hate Kenjo:
Kenjo was sent on three more missions, each time trying to find a more efficient way of destroying enough Thread in space to justify the expenditure of precious fuel. The gauges on the Mariposa dropped only slightly with each trip, and Kenjo was commended on his economy. Drake was openly envious of the space pilots skill.
“Jays, man,” Drake would say. “You’re driving it on the fumes.”
Kenjo would nod modestly and say nothing. He was, however, rather relieved that he had not managed to transfer all the fuel sacks to their hiding place at Honshu. All too soon, he would have to broach that supply to ensure continued trips into space. Only there did he feel totally aware and alive in every sense and nerve of his body.
This guy is literally robbing his fellow colonists of vital resources, getting praised for it, and I'm supposed to hate Ted and Bitra?
Anyway, he does get useful info about Thread for us:
Thread, it turned out, traveled in a pod that burned away when it hit the atmosphere of Pern, leaving an inner capsule. About 15,000 feet above the surface, the inner capsule opened into ribbons, some of which were not thick enough to survive in the upper reaches. But, as everyone at Landing well knew, plenty fell to the surface.
Neat!
So Benden orders Avril and Stev back. To his credit, Stev decides to be useful and load up with ores useful to Landing. Everyone's surprised not to see Avril, but Stev says she flew back weeks ago. And yay, more let's shit on Bitra here:
Stev looked at him, slightly surprised. “She flew back weeks ago. He peered back at the landing grid and saw the sun glint off the Mariposa’s hull. “Hasn’t she reported in?” Ongola shook his head slowly. “Well, now, fancy that!” Stev’s gaze lingered thoughtfully on the Mariposa just long enough for Ongola to notice. “Maybe Thread got her!”
“Maybe her, but not the sled,” Ongola replied, knowing that Avril Bitra was too adept at preserving her skin to be scored. “We’ll keep an eye out for her.”
I wouldn't mind so much if the book ever gave us like a personal history between Ongola (or Sallah for that matter) and Bitra that would explain this scornful suspicion. WE know Bitra's planning shit, but how do they know that? And why are they so worried? All we know that they know that she's done is bang Benden, and I still think that reflects as poorly on him as it does on her.
I also would probably mind less if I wasn't reminded of Kenjo's existence two pages ago.
Threadfall charts were displayed everywhere and constantly updated; previous Falls were deleted and future ones limited to the next three, so that people could plan a week ahead. Avril could not have stopped ten minutes in Landing without learning of the dangers of Thread. Ongola reminded himself that he must remove that guidance chip from the Mariposa as soon as Kenjo landed. He knew exactly how the space pilot had extended the fuel; he did not want anyone else, especially Avril Bitra, to discover how. Admiral Benden had been right about Kenjo. Ongola did not want to be right about Bitra!
...Kenjo is still ACTIVELY robbing your fucking colony. Yes, he's being somewhat useful. But so would the fuel he's siphoned and hidden away. And you know, the entire colony ought to know about it, not just the leadership that's willing to turn a blind eye. He's robbing ALL of them.
Look I'm sure McCaffrey has a reason, in her head, why these two characters deserve so very different treatment. My problem is that I don't think she's effectively communicated that to me. And I generally would like to be on the same page with the author whose world I am experiencing.
Speaking of, we do get caught up on Avril:
Avril had stayed around Landing that night just long enough to know that she did not wish to be conscripted into any of the several teams who could use her special skills. The only skill she preferred to employ — space navigation — was thwarted. So, before dawn broke on Landing and before anyone noticed the existence of a spare sled, she lifted it again, loaded with useful supplies, both food and material.
She touched down on the rocky height above the ravaged Milan Stake, where she had a clear view of Landing and, more importantly a good view of the busy, illuminated grid where the Mariposa would touch down. She spent the early morning hours using the metal sheets she had filched to arrange an umbrella over the sled’s siliplex canopy. She preferred to take every precaution against the deadly airborne stuff. By midmorning she had camouflaged her eyrie and tuned the sled’s scope on her objective. She was rewarded by a provocative view of Kenjo’s return.
Apparently, by listening to the sled's comm unit, she's learned about his mission and its limited success. She's relaxing and waiting. I'm glad that we're probably getting to the point where Bitra will actually warrant the villain label, but I can't help but feel that it would been more effective if McCaffrey had ever tried to present her more neutrally BEFORE this.
Benden is getting an update from Kitti. And we're told no one is idle. Mairi Hanrahan, for example, is supervising small children and teaching them to assemble control panels by chip color. Others are gathering fruits and fish.
Kitti seems to have some dubious news. They can't accelerate gestation, but they do seem to have twenty two prototypes growing into their first semester. It's looking good. Yay.
I wonder who will bond with these initial dragons (I don't really wonder.)
Paul and Emily chat a bit and we see that Emily's never heard "Rome wasn't built in a day" as a maxim. I kind of like that. Paul, when describing Rome to her, thinks about a circus and next we know, there's a festival in place:
The platform on Bonfire Square was gay with multicolored bunting, and a new planetary flag was hoisted on the pole to flap in the breeze. Tables, benches, and chairs were placed around the square leaving its center clear for dancers. Vats of quikal were to be broached, and Hegelman would produce ale — no one wished to think that it might be the last made for a long while. Joel Lilienkamp released generous supplies without grudge. “Thank the kids that gathered them! Child labor can be efficient,” he said with a grin. The Monaco Bay fishermen brought in shining loads of fish and the more succulent seaweeds to be baked in the big, long-unused pits, twenty farm stakes donated as many steers to turn on spits; Pierre de Goorci had worked all the previous night, baking cakes and making extravagant sweets. “Better to fatten humans than Thread!” He was always happiest when overseeing a large effort.
That child labor line is an amusingly unfortunate quote. But everyone seems to be having a much needed good time, and thus we see the birth of the "Gather" tradition.
Later, Ongola is looking over a list of casualties. Avril almost gets a compliment, as a young mining apprentice had apparently been killed or injured, and Ongola thinks she was safer "after all" with Avril.
Seriously, WHAT is the backstory here? Why does Ongola think Avril is dangerous? Why were Benden and Boll worried that she'd find the already stolen fuel stash? Why does Sallah (hypocritical rapist that she is) hate her so much?
If there's a story here beyond "fucked our boss", then SHARE IT.
Apparently one of the other casualties is one of a set of twins, the other having died already. How sad.
A new character comes in: Catherine Radelin-Doyle. She apparently has just found Kenjo's stash. Oh, thank you, Ms. McCaffrey, I wasn't irked enough aleady:
Ongola sat up straight. “It had a lot of fuel sacks in it?” he asked. If Catherine had found it, would Avril? No, Avril did not have the same sort of luck Catherine had.
“However did you know, Mr. Ongola?” She looked faint with relief.
“Possibly because I know they’re there.”
“You do? They are? I mean, they weren’t put there by ‘them’?”
“No, by us.” He wanted to make as little fuss about Kenjo’s hoard as possible. He had been counting the dwindling numbers and wondering why Kenjo seemed so complacent after each trip. Ongola flicked a glance at the corner of the shadowed shelving where the guidance chips were hidden in their darkfoam case.
Catherine suddenly sank to the nearest chair. “Oh, sir, you don’t know what a fright it gave me. Thinking that someone else was here because everyone knows there’s so little fuel left. And then to see . . .”
But you saw nothing, Catherine,” Ongola told her crisply. “Nothing whatever. There’s no cave worth noticing down that particular crevasse and you won’t say a thing about it to anyone else. I will personally tell the admiral. But you will tell no one.”
SERIOUSLY WHAT THE FUCK?!?!
"Would Avril"??
KENJO is hoarding fuel. Even this young girl knows that it's a scarce resource. But they're keeping quiet. But I'm supposed to be worried about AVRIL finding it.
You know what scenario would keep Avril from getting her hands on it? TAKING IT BACK AND PUTTING IT IN THE APPROPRIATE STORAGE PLACE.
AND, you're making this young girl an unintentional accomplice. FUCK you people. I'm starting to think you deserve however Avril will inevitably screw you over, because you're all fucking stupid.
He ends up sending the girl off with the vague order to find something...else. Seriously, fuck these people.
On the plus side, a character I like (or at least pity) enters. Tarvi, being happy about something. He's figured out that, rather than desperately mining ore, they can dismantle the shuttles that have been left to rot. He's very enthused about this, and I can't really blame him, but um...why the fuck have you people not been doing that already?
But it is good to see Tarvi happy. Poor Tarvi.
Back with Kitti Ping...well, actually, she's apparently keeled over dead. (Edited to add: I am being callous here, but it is really sad!) But she's completed her program. They now have a fully labeled altered egg cell. (Trial 2684/16/M: nucleus #22A, mentasynth Generation B2, boron/silicon system 4, size 2H; 16.204.8.) It's being placed alongside forty-one similar units that hold the hope of Pern.
Another shift of scene: Ezra reporting to Paul and Emily that another probe's malfunctioned. He's apparently not doing well, looking wearied and aged. Paul and Emily are concerned, especially as Kitti had just died. Ezra is so frustrated that he's almost started to buy into one of the conspiracy theories (that it's an attack to bombard them into submission) - but the real source of his fear is that he's done the math and realized they'll have Thread for forty or fifty years, assuming it comes from the red planet.
Since we know it does, and we know it's right, we can skip some of the speculation here.
Anyway, Ezra wants to go to the Yokohama and figure out what's wrong with the probes. And hey, let's shit on Avril some more:
“The big question is, Paul, is there enough fuel to get someone to the Yoko and back? Kenjo’s already made more trips than I thought possible.”
“Good pilot,” Paul said discreetly. “There’s enough for what we need now. Kenjo will pilot, and did you wish to go with him?”
Ezra shook his head slowly. “Avril Bitra has the training for the job.”
“Avril?” Paul gave a harsh bark and then shook his head, grinning sourly. “Avril’s the last person I’d put on the Mariposa for any reason. Even if we knew where she is.”
“Really?” Ezra looked at Emily for an explanation, but she shrugged. “Well, then, Kenjo can double. No,” he corrected himself. “If something’s wrong with the probes, we’d need a good technician. Stev Kimmer. He’s back, isn’t he?”
“Who else?” Paul jotted down names rather than worry Ezra with more suspicions.
I love how in the same bit of dialogue where there's a verbal concern over the fuel that Kenjo stole, we're meant to be alarmed about Avril.
WHY?
Look, I know McCaffrey by now. I know Avril will be evil and betray them. I know she will retroactively earn all of this. But since these characters aren't supposed to be psychic, this just seems overdone. They're also alarmed about Stev. WHY? Because he hangs around with Avril?
What had Avril done in the last eight years to make them so suspicious? All we know is that she staked a claim on Big Island (Ista) and found some gems. She double-crossed Stev, but they don't know that!
What had Avril done BEFORE that to make them so suspicious? Sallah caught her making some search inquiries. Okay, but again, Kenjo stole fuel. Why are the search inquiries more disturbing? What is the pattern of behavior that these characters are responding to?
I am generally a reader that sides with the heroes against the villains. I might sympathize with a villain, but I generally am able to align myself to the heroes' points of view.
WHEN I AM GIVEN ENOUGH INFORMATION!
Look, you could tell me that Avril let something slip during pillow talk with Paul that soured the relationship and has caused him to look askance at her ever since. And I'd accept that!
I'd still resent Kenjo getting away with bullshit though.
They also suggest Ongola. Fair enough. Emily suggests she and Paul had better start training replacements.
So back to Avril, who is definitely nefariously plotting now. She's been observing Kenjo's jaunts and has figured out that there's something different this time: Kenjo isn't doing his usual checks. And she's seeing Fulmar Stone (who was probably mentioned before, but I don't remember) and Zi Ongola entering the vessel.
We go to rapist Sallah, who is feeding her daughter at Mairi Hanrahan's house. She notices Avril, and again, somehow recognizes her from her walk. Seriously, what history is between these women that Sallah is THIS distrustful AND alert enough to pinpoint the woman by her walk.
It's got to be more than banging Benden, because Sallah doesn't have fucking leg to stand on when it comes to sexual judgment.
Oh, well, there is this:
Ever since Sallah had overheard Avril’s conversation with Kimmer, she had known the woman would attempt to leave Pern. Did Avril know of Kenjo’s fuel dump? Irritably Sallah shook her head. Cara blinked her huge brown eyes and stared apprehensively at her mother.
That conversation was eight years ago, but okay.
Tell me something though, say Avril DID steal the fuel and leave Pern. How does that negatively impact anyone else? I mean, yes. She'd be taking fuel they need. You know, fuel that was ALREADY stolen by someone who doesn't intend to give it back. I suppose she'd deprive them of the use of a ship, but I almost think that it'd be worth it to get rid of her. Let her take Ted Tubberman and you have two fewer headaches. Win/win!
I mean, at least Sallah has some reason to actually think Avril would do something with the fuel, as opposed to every other character, who is just vaguely worried. And even Sallah admits that Avril spent the last few years mining on Big Island. I'll take that.
Ah, cliffhanger: Sallah notices a space gear-clad figure walking toward Kenjo and Ongola. She again recognizes Avril's walk. Dude, do YOU want to fuck her? Anyway, she loses sight of the men, then catches up:
Rounding the pile, Sallah saw both Kenjo and Ongola flat on the ground. Blood covered the back of Kenjo’s head and Ongola’s shoulder and neck. Sallah ran flat out, ducking down to keep scrap metal between her and the Mariposa. As it was, she just made it as the airlock was closing. She threw herself inside and felt something scrape her left foot; there was an immense hissing, and then she blacked out.
At this cliffhanger, the chapter ends.
Hey, villain Avril. FINALLY. I know I said I'm rarely a villain fan, but given how much shit she's taken from the narrative, a part of me thinks they're reaped what they sow. I realize that makes no sense, but fuck it. Go Avril! Wreck their shit! Especially Kenjo. Fuck that dude! Kill Sallah too, if you can! Free Tarvi!
...I do hope Ongola's okay though. He's just got the occasional bad judgment.