The Tower and the Hive Read Online Free

Slapping his forehead dramatically, he flung himself back on the couch, staggered by the prospect.
    â€œNot for a few more decades,” Rojer said consolingly, “since, praise be, our grandparents seem in excellent health.”
    â€œSpare me!” Thian said, groaning, his hand still clapped to his forehead.
    What’s the matter, Thian? asked Alison Ann Greevy, T-5, nursing empath, from the sick bay.
    Thian let his lover, Gravy, “hear” the conversation.
    Oh, I thought something was wrong, she said with a mental sigh of relief, and her mind touch left his.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with that sort of future, bro?” Rojer asked. “You’re at least getting a chance to travel now and see real life and all that good stuff. Besides, you’ve got Gravy. And it isn’t as if you can’t pick a nice inaccessible spot to live in to enjoy your private life when you do get stuck with being Earth Prime.” Rojer rolled his eyes, coloring his thoughts with envious scenes of marital harmony.
    That’s enough of that! Thian said sternly, abandoning his shocked surprise.
    Rojer only grinned, delighted to have annoyed Thian. “And don’t keep me here one moment past getting the last load of supplies on board.”
    â€œI’ll be well rid of you,” Thian said emphatically.
    â€œI’ll never be more than a thought away,” Rojer said, and teleported himself out of the room before his brother could take physical vengeance.
    Thian caught Clancy’s amused glance and, with a laugh, was restored to his usual good humor.
    â€œYounger brothers,” Clancy murmured sympathetically.
    Â 
    That evening in the privacy of their quarters, Thian and Gravy had talked over the prospect of his having to take up either of those tremendous responsibilities—Earth Prime or Callisto Station. Since both his parents and grandparents had expressed their approval of Alison Ann, the couple no longer needed to conduct their liaison as discreetly as possible. Indeed, once Thian knew his attachment to Gravy was approved, he teleported her belongings into his quarters.
    â€œFrees space up for someone else,” she’d muttered as she saw her things neatly being fitted into his closets and drawers. “Though it was kinda fun being zapped about by you, Thi darlin’”
    â€œYou never knew where you were going to wake up, though,” he’d teased, hugging her tightly against him.
    â€œWell, I’m here where I belong,” was her contented reply.
    She was, however, surprised when Admiral Ashiant adroitly started including Lieutenant Greevy when he invited the FT&T personnel to his mess table, a tacit recognition of their current status as well as public approval. Once Alison Ann got over the shock, she rather enjoyed the perks that now came her way more frequently.
    â€œâ€˜Sides which, no one dares complain about ’em either,” Gravy added, tweaking Thian’s nose. “They’re jealous and can’t do a thing about it.”
    Â 
    The next morning Earth Prime Jeff Raven contacted Thian.
    Supply drones are ready, Thian, said Jeff. Let’s see how many we can forward at a time, shall we?
    As you like, Thian replied, accepting the challenge, and allowed his grandfather to hear him summoning the merge on his end of the exchange. He smiled to himself, remembering Rojer’s prediction, though he kept that very much in the back of his mind. He didn’t intend to be styled a “cocky boy” by his grandmother, the Rowan. Incoming cargo, he ’pathed to the other ships in the Fleet in a broadcast alert.
    Thian’s team quickly assembled in their “command” room, with its comformable couches: Rojer teleported in, Clancy and Commander Semirame Kloo used their own feet, and so did CPO Lea Day since she had been nearby when she received Thian’s summons. The Fleet electrician was a new addition to the team but was