Dragonsdawn - Chapter Fourteen
May. 7th, 2023 08:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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i_read_whatLast time, IMPRESSION. Also the planetary leadership annoyed the shit out of me. BUT DRAGONS!!!
So rather than spend time with the characters I like and their dragons, we're stuck listening to Emily, Paul, Pol and Bay talk about dragons. Wind Blossom is here too, but I don't mind Wind Blossom. I'm not really looking forward to the technobabble nonsense that McCaffrey is going to use to explain the extreme gender essentialist bullshit she's written into the setting.
Which, you know, is her call. She's allowed to make her world work the way she wants it to. And sometimes a flawed setting makes for good stories. But I know the explanation is going to annoy me anyway. I'm like that.
So anyway, there are eighteen hatched dragons. Pol thinks they've learned a lot from the ones that doesn't hatch. And we've got some slight possible racism to boot:
“So far, so good?” Paul asked hopefully.
“Oh, very good,” Bay said enthusiastically, grinning and nodding her head vigorously. Wind Blossom managed a prim, set smile. The air of impenetrable gloom that had surrounded her on the Hatching Day had been exchanged for an aloof superiority.
If anyone's got the right to be superior, it's the lady who made this work. Still though, I side-eye describing the East Asian woman as "aloof and superior" in this context.
It is pretty funny to see Paul try to press her for a commitment as to whether or not all the babies will grow and chew firestone ("phosphine-bearing rocks") and go between. She just says they have to await their maturity with patience.
Pol and Bey are encouraged though by the mind-to-mind connection, which is, of course, especially strong for Sorka and Sean. But since I actually like these authorial pets, I don't mind. I'm a hypocrite that way.
Bey made me dislike her a few chapters ago and Pol is joining her:
“Kitti Ping did not alter those capabilities, you know. They will, of course, have to be refined and controlled,” Pol went on. He did not like Wind Blossom’s attitude, her refusal to concede the triumph already achieved. “I must say, I am very glad that the young Connells both Impressed. With their veterinary training and their general competence, not to mention their proven ability to discipline their dragonet fairs, we couldn’t ask for better mates.”
Wind Blossom made a slight noise, which the listeners took as disapproval.
“They’re qualified,” Bay said with unexpected heat. “Someone must make the beginning.”
“Their progress must be strictly monitored,” Wind Blossom said, “so that we will know what mistakes must be avoided the next time.
God forbid the woman not immediately assume everything is a-ok. And I'm getting the sense that McCaffrey doesn't really want us to like her by the way she's described here:
“I will begin anew,” Wind Blossom informed them in a tone that almost implied martyrdom. Pol and Bay regarded her in astonishment. “With what we learned from the post mortem examinations, I cannot be sure that any of the living will be fertile or reproduce. More importantly — reproduce themselves! I must try again, and again, until success is assured. This experiment is only begun.”
“But, Wind Blossom — ” Pol began, astounded.
Come, you shall assist me.” With an imperious gesture, she swept from the room.
But you know, she has a point. They're assuming a LOT from this success. Just because the Impressions happened doesn't mean that everything will turn out right. We know they will, of course, but part of, y'know, SCIENCE, is not assuming results. This is a vitally important project.
Also, for genetic diversity, they might want more than 18 dragons. Though that's never really seemed to be a problem for the Ninth Pass.
Carenath and Faranth definitely have personalities already. And unlike the earlier stories, we get to see them interact with each other...
She’s preening, Dad,” Sorka said, amused, as she poured oil on a scaly patch between the dorsal ridges. “Is that the itchy spot, Farrie?”
My name is Faranth and that is that itchy spot, Faranth said in tones that went from reproof to relief. Another is starting on my hind leg.
“She doesn’t like to be called by a nickname,” Sorka said tolerantly grinning at her father. “But jays, she takes scrubbing.” A bristle brush had been made for the purpose, firm enough to rub in oil but not harsh enough to mar the tender, smooth hide.
Suddenly everyone was drenched as Carenath, sweeping his glistening wings forward in the low bath, showered them with water.
“Carenath, behave yourself!” Sorka and Sean spoke in the same sharp tone.
I am already clean, you polka-dotted idiot, Faranth said in an excellent mimicry of one of Sorka’s favorite admonitions. I was nearly dry, and now my oiling has to be to done again.
...you know, I'd predicted that SORKA was going to be the Hears All Dragons person, but it's kind of implied here that Sean heard Faranth, as they laugh and then have to explain to the drenched people that they're laughing at Faranth's comment, not Carenath's antics. Though I suppose Carenath could have transmitted it.
They discuss whether or not the dragons can be ridden. Kitti Ping's program said to wait for a year. Gosh, it seems like this isn't an immediate solution. If only there was an invention that could help protect the land while we...sorry, I'll behave.
Anyway, when someone presses, Sean states that you don't attempt to ride a foal, even if they're big, and you don't rush horses. We do learn that the dragons have a born-silicate skeletal structure.
We also hear how Impression has influenced the individual riders. Sean is very openly tender, concerned and affectionate with Carenath, to the point where it's "almost embarrassing to hear". (Hey, fuck off.) Sorka's even more radiant. I like this bit:
Young David Catarel had altered in the most spectacular way. Badly scarred mentally as well as physically by that First Fall and Lucy Tubberman’s tragic death, the young man had retreated into a wallow of self-disgust and needless guilt. Not even intensive therapy had broken through the stubborn facade. David fought Thread with a vindictive intensity that was frightening to watch. Only when he had seen how useful dragonets were in ground-crewing had he tolerated their wistful affection.
The renaissance of his personality had begun the moment Polenth nudged his knee. An openly smiling, ecstatic David Catarel had left the hatching sands, solicitously and deftly assisting the staggering little dragon. The changes in the other youths had been felicitous as well, though Catherine Radelin-Doyle’s tendency to giggle at some unheard comment from her golden mate could be disconcerting. Shih Eao, who had Impressed bronze Firth, also went about with smiles on his once pensive face, Tarrie Chernoff had stopped apologizing for any minor accident or inconsistency, and Otto Hegelman’s stutter had completely disappeared.
It is both uplifting and a little creepy. Carenath and Faranth, by the way, seem to have bonded already, as Faranth doesn't want to sleep until Carenath is finished with his bath. She likes leaning on him.
Amazing couple,” Phas Radamanth said, smiling up at Red. “Now if that bronze is fertile, and the gold willing, we’ll have our next generation.”
“Let’s not rush too far ahead in our hopes,” Caesar said, looking back over his shoulder at the scene. “Wind Blossom strongly advocates caution about this first batch.”
“Her Grandmother bioengineered them.” Phas spoke firmly, stopping in his tracks.
“Well, she also produced imperfect ones that didn’t hatch.”
“Eighteen was a very good result, and we learned a great deal from dissecting the aborts,” Phas said.
Seriously, why are you all being dicks about Wind Blossom again? I suppose it's realistic, in a way, everyone wants desperately for this to work and they're clinging to hope. But they're also being dicks.
Okay, I will say that the downside to reading Sean and Sorka taking care of the dragons is that it's not really all that recappable. It's enjoyable to read, but basically can be summed up as: Sorka and Sean (who are now referred to as "the Connells") take care of their dragons. There is some indication of isolation though:
The two Connells exchanged amused and tolerant grins. The human dragonmates had abruptly found themselves a group set apart, by occupation and dedication, as well as by the subtler changes within them. Though they had the unqualified support and help of every member of the medical, veterinary, and biological teams, they found that talking minor problems over among themselves brought better results. One had to be a dragonmate to appreciate the problems — and the joys!
Sorka noted with quiet pride that it was Sean’s opinion that seemed to be sought most frequently by the others. And she agreed. He had always been sensible about animals. But, she realized, she could not really call the dragons “animals.” They were too . . . human. Even their voices Carenath’s voice sounded just like Sean’s light baritone being spoken through a long tunnel. And Sorka suspected that Faranth’s voice was a version of her own.
a) So we see the roots of the Weyrleader thing. Though here (rather like for F'lar) it seems natural based on temperament. It's annoying though because a woman COULD have a similar temperament and become a leader too. If she had, maybe things would have evolved differently.
AND FUCKING CALLED IT:
From the moment they had brought the two hatchlings to Irish Square, Sorka had realized that she heard both Faranth and Carenath, while Sean heard only Carenath. That Sorka could hear both did not seem to distress either dragon. They were amenable to everything in life as long as they had full bellies and oiled hides. Then, as Sean’s bond with the bronze developed, Sorka heard fewer private exchanges. She, too, had learned, as she suspected each dragonmate had, to communicate telepathically on a private band.
Of course, of course, Sorka can hear all the dragons. Of course!
I like Sorka, so I don't mind. Her sensitivity was established early on. This isn't Brekke, who only seemed to have it as a shorthand to tell us that she's special. But it's still fucking funny.
There is also other concerns: Sorka's pregnancy. Sorka's been so focused on the dragons that she hasn't really thought about it. So far though, things seem to be going well. She's more worried about whether or not the dragons will be able to teleport like the dragonets. Sorka even uses the phrase "fly between" which seems a little weird. I don't think that concept's really been discussed yet. Teleportation, yes, but not where they go. If I were McCaffrey's editor I'd have circled that with a question mark.
They also discuss how to house the dragons. Catherine's caves might be a likely choice. Catherine likes the idea.
Other changes that need to be made: Sean wants to give the horses to Red Hanrahan. They're afraid of dragons, and Sorka's brother, Brian, gets along with Cricket.
--
Ugh, back to the idiot leaders. I can't believe I'm saying this, but can we go to the Weyr system yet? Sean and Sorka would be better in charge. Or maybe not. But they annoy me less.
But basically, the issue is volcanic activity and earthquakes. They'd settled in the center of three volcanos. Which...seems like a bad idea, though apparently the experts noticed that the last eruption was a millennium ago. I guess I can't judge, I don't know anything about seismology.
But anyway, there's a lot of shaking and churning now, which is making people pretty nervous. Eventually someone named Patrice, who we've probably met before, but fuck all if I've kept anyone straight, comes to explain that there's a new volcano that's risen "like Aphrodite rising from the sea". It's a ways away, not dangerous, but apparently explains the disruption. It's on the same tectonic plate as Mt. Garben though. But Patrice doesn't think an eruption is likely.
...so did Tarvi change his FIRST name to Telgar? If so, what was the point of that??? But every time people start to call him Tarvi, they correct themselves. I'd figured he just took her last name, because then the kids would have it too?
I'm perplexed. But he is still good at reassuring people, and even has a "hint of his former joviality". Good. Though later he has a pained look as he thinks about his rapist wife.
Oh, hey, Nabli's coming back down. But he's "on a bad course". Of course he is. He's an evil asshole, so he's not allowed to be competent. That's how McCaffrey works in this series, with the exception of Bitra and Ted (who was just dislikable).
Paul's wife is pregnant by the way. But anyway, they're going to be closing down their stake as an example, since THreadfall is having a devastating effect on supplies and resources. (Fuck you, Kenjo, in eternia).
Ezra and Jim have produced actual information:
Yesterday Ezra and Jim had produced the latest analysis of the eccentric’s orbit. It was as wayward, in Jim Tillek’s phrasing, as a drunken whore on a Saturday night at a space facility in the Asteroid Belt. What had looked to be a reasonable, predictable elliptical orbit through Rukbat’s system proved to be even more bizarre, at an angle to the ecliptic. The planet would wobble into the vicinity of Pern every two hundred and fifty years, though Ezra had made extrapolations that provided some variations of its course, due to the effect of other planets in the system. During some of its orbits, it looked as if the eccentric and its cloud of junk would miss Pern.
“The most singular planet I’ve ever tried to track,” Ezra had said apologetically, scratching his head as he summed up his report.
“Natural orbit?” Jim had asked, with a sly grin at the astronomer.
Ezra had given him a long scornful look. “There’s nothing natural about that planet.”
I remember reading a fan theory that Thread were basically mindless stripped-bare larva of the planet eaters from Acorna. I kind of like that, but I don't know anything about Acorna. McCaffrey does like bringing ideas back though, as the Federation in ancient Pern time is pretty similar to the setting where we have both Crystal Singers and Brainships.
At this point, Paul is pretty sure that Ezra's theory about Thread being deliberate and malicious is false. Ezra gets to be the rare example of a "good" character who is wrong about something. Woo. But the analysis makes sense. There's been no acceleration in frequency or density. And the patterns appear mindless and correspond with the shifts of the planets.
Hey, Bart managed to do something useful: faxing back info about the debris trail - it's "endless". But they won't know for sure what it is, until they see what Bart scooped up.
Landing, by the way, is crowded with refugees. Some folks are settling in the Catherine Caves, which are spacious and Threadproof. Paul gets the same idea as Sorka and Catherine about housing the fast-growing dragons.
Oh, here we go:
Paul dropped to the chair and toggled in the comm unit. “Tower to Moth do you read me? Benden here. Moth, respond.”
“Good morning, Admiral Benden,” Nabhi replied promptly and insolently. “We are on course and reentering at a good angle.”
“Your instrumentation is giving you false readings. Repeat, you are getting false readings, Nabol. Course correction essential.”
“I disagree, Admiral,” Nabhi replied, his tone jaunty. “No need to waste fuel! Our descent is on the green.”
“Correction, Moth! Your descent is red and orange across our board and on our screen. You have sustained instrument malfunction. I will give you the readings.” Paul read the numbers off from the calculator pad that Ongola handed to him. He was sure he heard startled gasp in the background.
But Nabhi seemed undisturbed by Paul’s information, and he did indeed report readings consonant with a good reentry.
So Nabli does have a genuine reason for not knowing, but Paul also thinks that if Nabol can't feel the "wrongness" of his entry, then he's not the pilot that he thinks he is.
That said, it sounds like Nabli might have listened despite his posturing based on this:
“I’m captain of this ship, Admiral,” Nabol snapped back. “It’s your screen that’s malfunctioning . . . Whadidya say, Bart? I don’t believe it. You’ve got to be wrong. Give it a bang! Kick it!”
“Yank your nose up and fire a three-second blast, Nabol!” Paul cried, his eyes on the screen and the speed of the incoming shuttle.
“I’m trying. Can’t fire. No fuel!” Sudden fear made Nabol’s voice shrill.
Paul heard Bart’s cries in the background. “I told you it felt wrong. I told you! We shouldn’t’ve . . . I’ll jettison. They’ll have that much!” Bart shouted. “If the farking relay’ll work.”
Nabli wouldn't have known that the fuel wasn't enough if he didn't try. And Bart is being primed for a heroic sacrifice here, it looks like. But it heats up too fast and...
Horrified, Paul, Ongola, and Jake watched the dissolution of the shuttle. One stubby wing sheared off and the shuttle began to spin. The tail section broke off and spun away on a different route, burning up in the atmosphere. The second wing followed suit.
“It’ll hit the sea?” Paul asked in a bare whisper, trying to calculate the impact of that projectile on land. Ongola nodded imperceptibly.
Like an obituary, the relay screen lit up with a glorious sunlit spread of many bits and one larger object, disappearing into many faint pricks of glitter.
...damn. The dolphins investigate, but the wreck is wedged in a reef too deep for them to get to. They're searching for the jettisoned scoop, but eventually told not to bother. There won't be anything left to analyze. And well, if Thread DOES come from the years-long tail...they're stuck with it for a long time.
Hm. I wonder if this will come up again in Dolphins of Pern. I feel like it probably will.
Everyone bucks up. Oh, look at this nonsense though:
“Right! We’ll cope.” She spoke in a firm, resolute voice. Surely we can hold out for ten years, she thought to herself, if we’re very careful. She wondered why no one mentioned the homing capsule. Perhaps because no one had much faith in Ted Tubberman. “We’ve got to.”
You guys fucking EXILED the man and you don't even have faith that he succeeded?! Also, GRUBS. God, I hate you fuckers.
Okay, but now we're getting to more important events. Time to talk about resettlement. Landing isn't feasible anymore. It's a link to the ships, which aren't accessible. And surrounded by volcanos and earthquakes. Telgar has talked about moving into caves in the north. They can make it work.
The chapter ends with a bit of optimism.
Hm. You know, it's funny how no one treats Nabli and Bart as heroes. Sallah never chose to risk her life. She was already dying and chose to try to send off probes in an attempt to be useful one last time. It was noble, sure, but they remember her like she saved the colony. Nabli and Lemos intentionally went into space, risking their lives on a half-dead shuttle. Sure, Nabli had ulterior motives, but they'd collected and were bringing back vital intelligence. They made a mistake, one that sounds reasonable based on the information readings. (They're not the mechanics who fixed the shuttle after all)
But they're dicks who followed Avril Bitra, so of course they're not heroes. That said, we WILL see holds named after all three. But ten bucks says it'll be presented as some kind of unjust misrepresentation of history.
We'll see, I guess. At least the migration and dragon stuff will be fun!
So rather than spend time with the characters I like and their dragons, we're stuck listening to Emily, Paul, Pol and Bay talk about dragons. Wind Blossom is here too, but I don't mind Wind Blossom. I'm not really looking forward to the technobabble nonsense that McCaffrey is going to use to explain the extreme gender essentialist bullshit she's written into the setting.
Which, you know, is her call. She's allowed to make her world work the way she wants it to. And sometimes a flawed setting makes for good stories. But I know the explanation is going to annoy me anyway. I'm like that.
So anyway, there are eighteen hatched dragons. Pol thinks they've learned a lot from the ones that doesn't hatch. And we've got some slight possible racism to boot:
“So far, so good?” Paul asked hopefully.
“Oh, very good,” Bay said enthusiastically, grinning and nodding her head vigorously. Wind Blossom managed a prim, set smile. The air of impenetrable gloom that had surrounded her on the Hatching Day had been exchanged for an aloof superiority.
If anyone's got the right to be superior, it's the lady who made this work. Still though, I side-eye describing the East Asian woman as "aloof and superior" in this context.
It is pretty funny to see Paul try to press her for a commitment as to whether or not all the babies will grow and chew firestone ("phosphine-bearing rocks") and go between. She just says they have to await their maturity with patience.
Pol and Bey are encouraged though by the mind-to-mind connection, which is, of course, especially strong for Sorka and Sean. But since I actually like these authorial pets, I don't mind. I'm a hypocrite that way.
Bey made me dislike her a few chapters ago and Pol is joining her:
“Kitti Ping did not alter those capabilities, you know. They will, of course, have to be refined and controlled,” Pol went on. He did not like Wind Blossom’s attitude, her refusal to concede the triumph already achieved. “I must say, I am very glad that the young Connells both Impressed. With their veterinary training and their general competence, not to mention their proven ability to discipline their dragonet fairs, we couldn’t ask for better mates.”
Wind Blossom made a slight noise, which the listeners took as disapproval.
“They’re qualified,” Bay said with unexpected heat. “Someone must make the beginning.”
“Their progress must be strictly monitored,” Wind Blossom said, “so that we will know what mistakes must be avoided the next time.
God forbid the woman not immediately assume everything is a-ok. And I'm getting the sense that McCaffrey doesn't really want us to like her by the way she's described here:
“I will begin anew,” Wind Blossom informed them in a tone that almost implied martyrdom. Pol and Bay regarded her in astonishment. “With what we learned from the post mortem examinations, I cannot be sure that any of the living will be fertile or reproduce. More importantly — reproduce themselves! I must try again, and again, until success is assured. This experiment is only begun.”
“But, Wind Blossom — ” Pol began, astounded.
Come, you shall assist me.” With an imperious gesture, she swept from the room.
But you know, she has a point. They're assuming a LOT from this success. Just because the Impressions happened doesn't mean that everything will turn out right. We know they will, of course, but part of, y'know, SCIENCE, is not assuming results. This is a vitally important project.
Also, for genetic diversity, they might want more than 18 dragons. Though that's never really seemed to be a problem for the Ninth Pass.
Carenath and Faranth definitely have personalities already. And unlike the earlier stories, we get to see them interact with each other...
She’s preening, Dad,” Sorka said, amused, as she poured oil on a scaly patch between the dorsal ridges. “Is that the itchy spot, Farrie?”
My name is Faranth and that is that itchy spot, Faranth said in tones that went from reproof to relief. Another is starting on my hind leg.
“She doesn’t like to be called by a nickname,” Sorka said tolerantly grinning at her father. “But jays, she takes scrubbing.” A bristle brush had been made for the purpose, firm enough to rub in oil but not harsh enough to mar the tender, smooth hide.
Suddenly everyone was drenched as Carenath, sweeping his glistening wings forward in the low bath, showered them with water.
“Carenath, behave yourself!” Sorka and Sean spoke in the same sharp tone.
I am already clean, you polka-dotted idiot, Faranth said in an excellent mimicry of one of Sorka’s favorite admonitions. I was nearly dry, and now my oiling has to be to done again.
...you know, I'd predicted that SORKA was going to be the Hears All Dragons person, but it's kind of implied here that Sean heard Faranth, as they laugh and then have to explain to the drenched people that they're laughing at Faranth's comment, not Carenath's antics. Though I suppose Carenath could have transmitted it.
They discuss whether or not the dragons can be ridden. Kitti Ping's program said to wait for a year. Gosh, it seems like this isn't an immediate solution. If only there was an invention that could help protect the land while we...sorry, I'll behave.
Anyway, when someone presses, Sean states that you don't attempt to ride a foal, even if they're big, and you don't rush horses. We do learn that the dragons have a born-silicate skeletal structure.
We also hear how Impression has influenced the individual riders. Sean is very openly tender, concerned and affectionate with Carenath, to the point where it's "almost embarrassing to hear". (Hey, fuck off.) Sorka's even more radiant. I like this bit:
Young David Catarel had altered in the most spectacular way. Badly scarred mentally as well as physically by that First Fall and Lucy Tubberman’s tragic death, the young man had retreated into a wallow of self-disgust and needless guilt. Not even intensive therapy had broken through the stubborn facade. David fought Thread with a vindictive intensity that was frightening to watch. Only when he had seen how useful dragonets were in ground-crewing had he tolerated their wistful affection.
The renaissance of his personality had begun the moment Polenth nudged his knee. An openly smiling, ecstatic David Catarel had left the hatching sands, solicitously and deftly assisting the staggering little dragon. The changes in the other youths had been felicitous as well, though Catherine Radelin-Doyle’s tendency to giggle at some unheard comment from her golden mate could be disconcerting. Shih Eao, who had Impressed bronze Firth, also went about with smiles on his once pensive face, Tarrie Chernoff had stopped apologizing for any minor accident or inconsistency, and Otto Hegelman’s stutter had completely disappeared.
It is both uplifting and a little creepy. Carenath and Faranth, by the way, seem to have bonded already, as Faranth doesn't want to sleep until Carenath is finished with his bath. She likes leaning on him.
Amazing couple,” Phas Radamanth said, smiling up at Red. “Now if that bronze is fertile, and the gold willing, we’ll have our next generation.”
“Let’s not rush too far ahead in our hopes,” Caesar said, looking back over his shoulder at the scene. “Wind Blossom strongly advocates caution about this first batch.”
“Her Grandmother bioengineered them.” Phas spoke firmly, stopping in his tracks.
“Well, she also produced imperfect ones that didn’t hatch.”
“Eighteen was a very good result, and we learned a great deal from dissecting the aborts,” Phas said.
Seriously, why are you all being dicks about Wind Blossom again? I suppose it's realistic, in a way, everyone wants desperately for this to work and they're clinging to hope. But they're also being dicks.
Okay, I will say that the downside to reading Sean and Sorka taking care of the dragons is that it's not really all that recappable. It's enjoyable to read, but basically can be summed up as: Sorka and Sean (who are now referred to as "the Connells") take care of their dragons. There is some indication of isolation though:
The two Connells exchanged amused and tolerant grins. The human dragonmates had abruptly found themselves a group set apart, by occupation and dedication, as well as by the subtler changes within them. Though they had the unqualified support and help of every member of the medical, veterinary, and biological teams, they found that talking minor problems over among themselves brought better results. One had to be a dragonmate to appreciate the problems — and the joys!
Sorka noted with quiet pride that it was Sean’s opinion that seemed to be sought most frequently by the others. And she agreed. He had always been sensible about animals. But, she realized, she could not really call the dragons “animals.” They were too . . . human. Even their voices Carenath’s voice sounded just like Sean’s light baritone being spoken through a long tunnel. And Sorka suspected that Faranth’s voice was a version of her own.
a) So we see the roots of the Weyrleader thing. Though here (rather like for F'lar) it seems natural based on temperament. It's annoying though because a woman COULD have a similar temperament and become a leader too. If she had, maybe things would have evolved differently.
AND FUCKING CALLED IT:
From the moment they had brought the two hatchlings to Irish Square, Sorka had realized that she heard both Faranth and Carenath, while Sean heard only Carenath. That Sorka could hear both did not seem to distress either dragon. They were amenable to everything in life as long as they had full bellies and oiled hides. Then, as Sean’s bond with the bronze developed, Sorka heard fewer private exchanges. She, too, had learned, as she suspected each dragonmate had, to communicate telepathically on a private band.
Of course, of course, Sorka can hear all the dragons. Of course!
I like Sorka, so I don't mind. Her sensitivity was established early on. This isn't Brekke, who only seemed to have it as a shorthand to tell us that she's special. But it's still fucking funny.
There is also other concerns: Sorka's pregnancy. Sorka's been so focused on the dragons that she hasn't really thought about it. So far though, things seem to be going well. She's more worried about whether or not the dragons will be able to teleport like the dragonets. Sorka even uses the phrase "fly between" which seems a little weird. I don't think that concept's really been discussed yet. Teleportation, yes, but not where they go. If I were McCaffrey's editor I'd have circled that with a question mark.
They also discuss how to house the dragons. Catherine's caves might be a likely choice. Catherine likes the idea.
Other changes that need to be made: Sean wants to give the horses to Red Hanrahan. They're afraid of dragons, and Sorka's brother, Brian, gets along with Cricket.
--
Ugh, back to the idiot leaders. I can't believe I'm saying this, but can we go to the Weyr system yet? Sean and Sorka would be better in charge. Or maybe not. But they annoy me less.
But basically, the issue is volcanic activity and earthquakes. They'd settled in the center of three volcanos. Which...seems like a bad idea, though apparently the experts noticed that the last eruption was a millennium ago. I guess I can't judge, I don't know anything about seismology.
But anyway, there's a lot of shaking and churning now, which is making people pretty nervous. Eventually someone named Patrice, who we've probably met before, but fuck all if I've kept anyone straight, comes to explain that there's a new volcano that's risen "like Aphrodite rising from the sea". It's a ways away, not dangerous, but apparently explains the disruption. It's on the same tectonic plate as Mt. Garben though. But Patrice doesn't think an eruption is likely.
...so did Tarvi change his FIRST name to Telgar? If so, what was the point of that??? But every time people start to call him Tarvi, they correct themselves. I'd figured he just took her last name, because then the kids would have it too?
I'm perplexed. But he is still good at reassuring people, and even has a "hint of his former joviality". Good. Though later he has a pained look as he thinks about his rapist wife.
Oh, hey, Nabli's coming back down. But he's "on a bad course". Of course he is. He's an evil asshole, so he's not allowed to be competent. That's how McCaffrey works in this series, with the exception of Bitra and Ted (who was just dislikable).
Paul's wife is pregnant by the way. But anyway, they're going to be closing down their stake as an example, since THreadfall is having a devastating effect on supplies and resources. (Fuck you, Kenjo, in eternia).
Ezra and Jim have produced actual information:
Yesterday Ezra and Jim had produced the latest analysis of the eccentric’s orbit. It was as wayward, in Jim Tillek’s phrasing, as a drunken whore on a Saturday night at a space facility in the Asteroid Belt. What had looked to be a reasonable, predictable elliptical orbit through Rukbat’s system proved to be even more bizarre, at an angle to the ecliptic. The planet would wobble into the vicinity of Pern every two hundred and fifty years, though Ezra had made extrapolations that provided some variations of its course, due to the effect of other planets in the system. During some of its orbits, it looked as if the eccentric and its cloud of junk would miss Pern.
“The most singular planet I’ve ever tried to track,” Ezra had said apologetically, scratching his head as he summed up his report.
“Natural orbit?” Jim had asked, with a sly grin at the astronomer.
Ezra had given him a long scornful look. “There’s nothing natural about that planet.”
I remember reading a fan theory that Thread were basically mindless stripped-bare larva of the planet eaters from Acorna. I kind of like that, but I don't know anything about Acorna. McCaffrey does like bringing ideas back though, as the Federation in ancient Pern time is pretty similar to the setting where we have both Crystal Singers and Brainships.
At this point, Paul is pretty sure that Ezra's theory about Thread being deliberate and malicious is false. Ezra gets to be the rare example of a "good" character who is wrong about something. Woo. But the analysis makes sense. There's been no acceleration in frequency or density. And the patterns appear mindless and correspond with the shifts of the planets.
Hey, Bart managed to do something useful: faxing back info about the debris trail - it's "endless". But they won't know for sure what it is, until they see what Bart scooped up.
Landing, by the way, is crowded with refugees. Some folks are settling in the Catherine Caves, which are spacious and Threadproof. Paul gets the same idea as Sorka and Catherine about housing the fast-growing dragons.
Oh, here we go:
Paul dropped to the chair and toggled in the comm unit. “Tower to Moth do you read me? Benden here. Moth, respond.”
“Good morning, Admiral Benden,” Nabhi replied promptly and insolently. “We are on course and reentering at a good angle.”
“Your instrumentation is giving you false readings. Repeat, you are getting false readings, Nabol. Course correction essential.”
“I disagree, Admiral,” Nabhi replied, his tone jaunty. “No need to waste fuel! Our descent is on the green.”
“Correction, Moth! Your descent is red and orange across our board and on our screen. You have sustained instrument malfunction. I will give you the readings.” Paul read the numbers off from the calculator pad that Ongola handed to him. He was sure he heard startled gasp in the background.
But Nabhi seemed undisturbed by Paul’s information, and he did indeed report readings consonant with a good reentry.
So Nabli does have a genuine reason for not knowing, but Paul also thinks that if Nabol can't feel the "wrongness" of his entry, then he's not the pilot that he thinks he is.
That said, it sounds like Nabli might have listened despite his posturing based on this:
“I’m captain of this ship, Admiral,” Nabol snapped back. “It’s your screen that’s malfunctioning . . . Whadidya say, Bart? I don’t believe it. You’ve got to be wrong. Give it a bang! Kick it!”
“Yank your nose up and fire a three-second blast, Nabol!” Paul cried, his eyes on the screen and the speed of the incoming shuttle.
“I’m trying. Can’t fire. No fuel!” Sudden fear made Nabol’s voice shrill.
Paul heard Bart’s cries in the background. “I told you it felt wrong. I told you! We shouldn’t’ve . . . I’ll jettison. They’ll have that much!” Bart shouted. “If the farking relay’ll work.”
Nabli wouldn't have known that the fuel wasn't enough if he didn't try. And Bart is being primed for a heroic sacrifice here, it looks like. But it heats up too fast and...
Horrified, Paul, Ongola, and Jake watched the dissolution of the shuttle. One stubby wing sheared off and the shuttle began to spin. The tail section broke off and spun away on a different route, burning up in the atmosphere. The second wing followed suit.
“It’ll hit the sea?” Paul asked in a bare whisper, trying to calculate the impact of that projectile on land. Ongola nodded imperceptibly.
Like an obituary, the relay screen lit up with a glorious sunlit spread of many bits and one larger object, disappearing into many faint pricks of glitter.
...damn. The dolphins investigate, but the wreck is wedged in a reef too deep for them to get to. They're searching for the jettisoned scoop, but eventually told not to bother. There won't be anything left to analyze. And well, if Thread DOES come from the years-long tail...they're stuck with it for a long time.
Hm. I wonder if this will come up again in Dolphins of Pern. I feel like it probably will.
Everyone bucks up. Oh, look at this nonsense though:
“Right! We’ll cope.” She spoke in a firm, resolute voice. Surely we can hold out for ten years, she thought to herself, if we’re very careful. She wondered why no one mentioned the homing capsule. Perhaps because no one had much faith in Ted Tubberman. “We’ve got to.”
You guys fucking EXILED the man and you don't even have faith that he succeeded?! Also, GRUBS. God, I hate you fuckers.
Okay, but now we're getting to more important events. Time to talk about resettlement. Landing isn't feasible anymore. It's a link to the ships, which aren't accessible. And surrounded by volcanos and earthquakes. Telgar has talked about moving into caves in the north. They can make it work.
The chapter ends with a bit of optimism.
Hm. You know, it's funny how no one treats Nabli and Bart as heroes. Sallah never chose to risk her life. She was already dying and chose to try to send off probes in an attempt to be useful one last time. It was noble, sure, but they remember her like she saved the colony. Nabli and Lemos intentionally went into space, risking their lives on a half-dead shuttle. Sure, Nabli had ulterior motives, but they'd collected and were bringing back vital intelligence. They made a mistake, one that sounds reasonable based on the information readings. (They're not the mechanics who fixed the shuttle after all)
But they're dicks who followed Avril Bitra, so of course they're not heroes. That said, we WILL see holds named after all three. But ten bucks says it'll be presented as some kind of unjust misrepresentation of history.
We'll see, I guess. At least the migration and dragon stuff will be fun!
no subject
Date: 2023-05-08 08:49 pm (UTC)Beg your pardon,
Date: 2023-05-09 04:29 pm (UTC)Also, Tarvi Andiyar decided to be only Telgar. People (and Mrs. McCaffrey) slip up sometimes, though.
Sorka mentioning "going between" is also interesting, like you pointed out. It could well be Mrs. McCaffrey forgot the colonists hadn't started calling it that yet, but we could also look at it as accidental foreshadowing, like Sorka said it on a lark and it caught on later. (Which is being very generous, I know.)
= Multi-Facets.
Re: Beg your pardon,
Date: 2023-05-09 04:33 pm (UTC)Poor Telgar. No (non-terrible) therapists on Pern I guess. I'd like to imagine that the Hold is actually named for him, not Sallah.
Re: Beg your pardon,
Date: 2023-05-10 12:24 am (UTC)= Multi-Facets.
Re: Beg your pardon,
Date: 2023-05-10 12:38 am (UTC)Hm, has McCaffrey ever written a male HAD character?
(ETA: Maybe Robinton, but I was never sure if that was just a matter of "he's so respected, even the dragons talk to him when they want.)
Re: Beg your pardon,
Date: 2023-05-10 03:40 pm (UTC)Of course, I haven't read Todd's Pern after the massive "I'm sorry, WHAT?!" reaction his stuff got, and I didn't read the entirety of Gigi's first foray into Pern, so maybe they changed that?
= Multi-Facets.