Free Freedom's Challenge by Anne McCaffrey Page A

their willingness: Joe Latore, both the Doyle brothers, Mack Dargle, Bart Lincoln, Matt Su, and Sandy Areson were those she recognized first in the show of hands.
    â€œThank you very much,” Zainal said.
    â€œGratifying, most gratifying,” Ray said, holding up his hand, too, as did all the other military men seated at the table. “More than the ships can hold.”
    â€œSome must speak and understand Catten,” Zainal said.
    â€œWe’re learning,” quipped someone.
    â€œYou will learn harder,” Zainal said with a wry expression.
    â€œWhat about the Farmers?” Jay Greene asked when the laughter at that threat died. “Shouldn’t we wait for their response? And their advice?”
    â€œNo, the time to move is now,” Scott said.
    Zainal stood. “The Eosi will try very hard to break through the Bubble. That is their way. Run shod roughly over any opposition with the force of their weapons. We must leave before they reinforce their warships. They have many.”
    â€œBut they haven’t been able to penetrate the Bubble, and we know they’ve tried,” Jay said.
    â€œThey will keep trying until they have,” Zainal said. “That is why they tried to discover new information in the minds of your specialists.”
    Dick Aarens jumped to his feet, his expression angry and obstinate. “And what happens to those of us left here when they do break through the Bubble? Have you contingency plans for that—if you’re taking all three ships away with you?”
    â€œWe move quickly and not where they expect us to go and learn what they plan and how to…” Zainal looked down at Kris for the word he needed.
    â€œCounteract,” she murmured.
    â€œCounteract their plans.”
    â€œWe’re still fleas on a dog’s back,” Jay said, “with all the ships you said they have. I was talking to Rick Farmer, and he says they’ve got hundreds in their navy. What if they use all of them against the Bubble?”
    Judge Iri Bempechat raised his hand and was given precedence over others who wanted to add their comments.
    â€œZainal, such a fleet is widely dispersed, is it not?” And when Zainal nodded, the Judge went on, still looking at Zainal, “and it would take weeks, even months, to direct them all here. So we have some leeway if we make our moves quickly. Admiral Scott believes that they would try to install a battery on the moons that are outside the Bubble. To do so, they must bring in machinery, material—and life support systems for whichever unfortunate species is drafted for such an undertaking. I am also of the opinion, with which our military and naval representatives concur,” and, with one hand on his chest, he bowed his head to the right and left, “that the Farmers must have placed some sort of sentinel to monitor our protective Bubble. They made it clear, in that one regrettably short interview with various groups of us, that they intend to preserve us. I believed in their sincerity as well as their interest in us…even if it should be the interest of a scientist watching ants to see how they contrive—”
    â€œNow, wait a bloody minute…” and Geoffrey Ainger jumped to his feet. Kris had not noticed him, seated at the back, and wasn’t happy at his presence. “What is all this going to do for us? Except put the colony in more danger? Simply because one…” and his pause was pregnant with his distrust and animosity toward Zainal, “…person wants to pursue a private revenge?”
    â€œFirst duty of a captured soldier…sir…” and it was a stern Mitford whose parade ground voice dominated the shouted reactions from an angry audience, “is to do his best to escape and return to his unit. Mine is on Earth. And if Zainal wants to see his people freed of the Eosian domination, we sure as hell do, too, ’cause it means