All The Weyrs of Pern

"In that you are correct. For we have lost so much knowledge, so many techniques." Oldive had never been more keenly aware of the gaps in his Craft.

"You distress yourself u

"Industrialized? That term is unfamiliar to me, though I recognize the root word."

"Industrialize, " Aivas intoned. "Transitive verb: to organize large industries in; as, to industrialize a community; to introduce the economic system of industrialization into; as, to industrialize a new nation. An industrialized society, in contrast to an agrarian one like yours."

"Thank you. Why would an industrialized society produce less healthy folk?"

"Pollution of the atmosphere and environment by industrial wastes, noxious fumes, chemical effluents, contamination of field-grown edibles, among other evils."

Master Oldive was speechless.

"Those who settled Pern wished to found an agrarian society. To that end they were receptive to many anti-industrial cultures, like the ancient gypsies, as well as retired military types. Their objective has been attained in this, your present," Aivas said.

"It has?" Master Oldive was surprised that Pern had succeeded in anything other than surviving nine Passes of Threadfall.

"In more ways than you might imagine, Master Oldive, being too close to have an objective view. Apart from the inconvenience of the organism, Thread, you have achieved much."

"Addressing you, Aivas, I perceive that we have also lost much."

"Perhaps not as much as you think, Masterhealer."

"In my Craft, I know that we have lost the capacity to alleviate much suffering, prevent the plagues which have all but decimated the population from time to time..."

"The strong survived, and your population was renewed."

"But so much knowledge was irretrievably lost, especially in my Craft."

"Those losses can be remedied."

Master Oldive was caught up short by what sounded very much like a pun to him. But surely a machine... He cleared his throat, but it was Aivas who continued speaking.

"Would it ease your mind to know that even the most astute medical. practitioners among your ancestors sometimes felt themselves helpless against plague? That they constantly sought new methods of easing pain and correcting afflictions?"

"It should, but it doesn't. But, to urgent matters, if I may, Aivas?"

"Of course, Master Oldive"

"There are several patients, three suffering severe pain which we are unable to relieve, wasting in both flesh and spirit. If I tell you their symptoms, would that be sufficient for diagnosis?"

"Proceed with the symptoms. If they can be matched with cases on record, a diagnosis is possible. As there are three point two billion documented histories that can be consulted, a similarity may be found that would suggest suitable treatment."

With fingers fumbling with hope, Master Oldive opened his casebook to the first of Sharra's two patients. He owed Jaxom that courtesy.

"What're you doing?" Jaxom asked, mystified by the way the others were intently regarding their gray screens. Aivas's main screen was not at all like these smaller ones.

Benelek gave a snort of impatience and bent further over the board. He pecked about with his index fingers in no pattern that Jaxom could discern.

"We're becoming familiar with the keyboard configuration," Piemur said, with a malicious grin at Jaxom's ignorance. "We're learning our way through the commands. Don't let us keep you from contrapting your own. You're a half day behind us already.

"That's mean, Piemur," Jancis said. Taking Jaxom by the hand, she pulled him over to the boxes and cartons that had only been partially unpacked. "Take a keyboard, then one of those larger boxes. Put them on the table, and take one of the liquid-crystal display screens."

"The what?"

"One of those." She pointed. "And be careful. Aivas said they're fragile, and we only have so many of them. Take off the plastic, and you'll need your knife. That stuff is unbelievably tough. Then," she continued, handing him a very small-headed screwdriver and a magnifying glass, "unscrew the big box. You'll have to check over all the circuits to be sure none of them have come adrift. The glass will help you quickly locate any breaks."

Benelek suddenly uttered a resounding oath and banged his fists on the table. "I've lost it all. Everything!"

Piemur glanced up, surprised at Benelek's uncharacteristic outburst. "Well, reboot." The new word tripped easily from his Harper-trained tongue.

"But you don't understand!" Benelek waved his hands wildly above his head. "I lost all I had typed. And I had it almost done!"

"Did you save?" Jancis asked sympathetically.

"Yes, I did, up until just the last bits," Benelek said, his frustration dissipating. Jaxom watched in fascination as the journeyman jabbed at various places on the board in front of him and then ahhed in satisfaction at the result.

"Don't dally now, Jaxom," Piemur said with a wicked grin. "You must join our jolly band, where one misused key can destroy a whole hour's hard work."

"Aivas did say we'd have to learn many new skills," Jancis said reasonably. "Oh, shards! I've done something wrong now, too." She peered at the blank screen, then frowned down at the keyboard. "Now what key did I press that I shouldn't have?"

As he drew his beltknife, Jaxom wondered just why he wanted any part of what was obviously an occupation fraught with frustrations.

The quick tropic evening caught them unawares. Piemur, cursing under his breath at any interruption, darted around the room, opening the glowbaskets. But the light was not shining at the correct angle to light up his screen so, still swearing, he altered his chair. Absently, still tapping away, Benelek followed his example. Jancis and Jaxom, seated at the right angle, continued with their lessons.

"Who's in here now?" Lessa's voice said from the hallway. The door opened and she stuck her head in. "So this is where you all got to. Jaxom, Master Oldive needs you and Ruth again, and I think it's high time you left here. Your eyes are burnt holes in your head. And the rest of you are no better."

Benelek glanced up only briefly. "This is no time to stop, Weyrwoman."

"This is the time to stop, Benelek," she replied in an uncontradictable tone.

"But, Weyrwoman, I've got to assimilate all these new terms and be able to-"

"Aivas!" Lessa raised her voice as she turned her head to the right. "Can you turn these things off? Your students are too diligent. Not that I don't approve-in theory-but they could all use a good night's rest."

"I didn't save-" Benelek shouted, spreading his hands in high indignation and staring in horror at a suddenly darkened and unresponsive screen.

"Your work has been saved," Aivas's voice assured him. "You have toiled without renewing yourself all day long, Journeyman Benelek. Even machines need maintenance. Your body can be considered a soft machine which also needs frequent sustenance. Refresh yourselves. Return tomorrow with energy and concentration renewed."

For a few seconds Benelek looked as if he might rebel. Then he sighed and pushed himself back from the table over which he had been bent for hours. He gave Lessa a sheepish grin. "I will eat and rest. And begin again tomorrow-but there is so much to be learned, so much more than I ever imagined."

"Indeed there is," Master Oldive said, emerging from the Aivas room, a thick sheaf of papers clutched in one hand and his satchel in the other. He looked from one to the other in bewilderment. "So much more than I dreamed." And then he sighed with great satisfaction, holding up the sheaf. "But this is a good start. A very good start."