Dinosaur Planet

“Hard goods?”

“Knives, film and sheet extruders, spare charges for life-belts . . .”

“What did the secondary camps take?”

“Not enough to account for some of these items. Unless, of course, they haven't reported the losses and have merely helped themselves when I was busy elsewhere.” That solution sounded plausible. “If I may, I'll appoint Cleiti as requisitions officer and have her on hand when anyone needs to Visit the supply hold. We can keep a check that way without giving offence . . .”

“Or warning,” thought Kai, and then decided that his imagination was working overtime. He did need that day's respite.

Varian returned to the camp from one of her search and identity sweeps early in the afternoon before rest day. She cornered Kai in his dome, scornfully clacking the tape holders that were stacked in front of him, tugging at the seismic print-out on the volcanic action in the north-west which he had been studying. Pressures were mounting on a long transform fault and he was hoping they'd have enough warning to be able to observe the earthquake when the phenomenon occurred.

“Leave that, Kai. You can zip through report work a lot faster with a fresh mind.”

“It's early yet . . .”

"Raking right it is. I got back special so I could pry you out of here before the teams come in and dump such glowing reports on you that you feel obliged to listen." She went back to the iris lock. "Cleiti! Did you organize those supplies for us? And where's Bo

Varian moved purposefully to his storage chest so that Kai pushed back his stool and waved her away. She stood, gri

“I knew I'd have to haul you out of here.” Varian sounded grimly smug.

“Then what are you dragging your feet for?” asked Kai with a smile and exited before her. As an afterthought, he thumblocked the iris control. He didn't really want anyone to happen across the message tapes with the Theks.

As Varian neatly swung the big sled over the encampment, sparkling with the blue demise of insects, she groaned. “We should have brought a small unit for tonight. We'll have to sleep in belt screens!”

“Not if we sack out on the sled floor,” said Bo

“This once, we'll leave it silent,” said Varian. “There wouldn't be anything untagged this close to camp anyway.”

A companionable silence enveloped the three and lasted the entire trip to the inland sea which they reached just as the last speck of gloom, as Bo

The first hour after sunset there was a brief surcease of daytime insect activity before the nocturnal creatures became a menace. During this interim, Varian heated their evening meal on the bare stone terrace. Then, to the amazement of Bo

“Campfire is very comforting even if you ship-bred types think it's atavistic. My father and I used to have one every night on our expeditions.”

“It's very pretty,” said Bo

Kai smiled and told himself to relax. Fire on shipboard was a hazard: his instant reflex had been to grab something to smother the flames, but as he eyed the small fire, which posed no danger to him, the dancing spikes were pleasantly hypnotic. The small warmth it exuded gave them a circle of light and certainly kept the insects away.

“The oldest belt-screen in the world,” Varian said, poking the fire to fresh vigour with a stick. “On Protheon, they were particular about their firewoods, choosing those which gave off pleasant aromas. They liked scent with their warmth and light. I wouldn't dare try that on Ireta.”

“Why not?” asked Bo

Varian and Kai both laughed. “You'll know soon enough when we get back to the EV,” Varian told him.

“Yeah!” Ba

“You'd be sorry to leave?”

“I sure will, Kai, and it's not because we'll have to leave Dandy. There's so much to do here. I mean, tapes are great, and better than nothing, but this trip I'm learning hundreds of things. Learning's got a point . . .”

“You have to have had the theoretical study before you can attempt the practical,” Varian said but Bo

"I've studied basics till data comes out my pores but it isn't the same thing at all as being here and doing it!" Bo

foamer!"

Varian gri

“Your point's taken, Bo

"He does?" Ba

“As far as you can be sure of a heavy-worlder.”

“Are there more expeditions pla

“More or less,” she replied, catching Kai's gaze. “I was signed on this tour for three expeditions requiring a xenob over a period of four standard years. You'd be eligible as a junior member in that time. Of course, you might opt for geology rather than xenob.”

“I like animals,” said Bo

“I'd think you'd be best as an all-round recorder, with as many specialties in that area as possible,” said Varian, helping him.

“You do?”

His reaction made it obvious to Kai and Varian that it was the mechanics of recording that fascinated the boy, rather than any of the individual disciplines. They talked about specialization as the fire burned down, was replenished, and burned down again. By the time Kai suggested they sack out, the two leaders had assured Bo

Safe under the sled's protective screen, they slept deeply and without a bother from the night creatures of Ireta.

Varian was aroused the next morning by something prodding her shoulder. She was still sleepy but again she was prodded, more emphatically this time, and her name was whispered urgently." Varian. Varian! Wake up. We got company."

That forced her to open eyes which she instantly closed, not believing her first sight.

“Varian, you've got to wake up!” Ba

“I am. I've seen.”

“What do we do?”

“Have you moved yet?”

“Only to nudge you. Did I hurt?”

“No.” They were both speaking in low tones. “Can you prod Kai awake?”