The door lights on the panel turned from red to green, and suddenly the aggravating orange light winked out.
"Operation completed," Jaxom said, wanting to shout in relief.
"That is enough for today. Retrace your steps and return to base."
Later that afternoon, when Robinton, Lytol, and D'ram arrived for a private meeting, Aivas had further interesting disclosures to make.
"Your wandering planet is flagrantly erratic," he told them. "There has been time to study most of the Records presented to this facility. Even the most illegible ones have been deciphered, using available restoration techniques. The Red Star, as it is inaccurately called, has an aberrant course and does not cross Pern's path every two hundred and fifty years. The orbit varies by almost ten years in four Passes-three were two hundred fifty-eight, and one was two hundred forty. Thread Passes alter from forty-six years in the Second Pass to fifty-two in the Fifth and forty-eight in the Seventh. The two intervals of four hundred years each appear to suggest that the planet did not, in fact, orbit as far as the Oort Cloud, or was, in some inexplicable fashion, diverted from its usual orbit. The former theory is more acceptable than the latter. Another possibility"-and the resonant tone indicated that this was most unlikely-"is that it passed through attenuated portions of this cometary reservoir. Of more importance, and based on calculations from the Yokohama's bridge, this Pass will be short by three years."
"Now that is very good news indeed," D'ram said. "But I don't understand how such inaccuracies could have slipped into the Records."
"That is not at issue," Aivas replied. "Though the method of dating on this planet promotes error."
"Then that would account for the need to position the Eye Rocks, wouldn't it?" Lytol asked. "Because no matter if dating was faulty, the Weyrs would always know exactly when a Pass was imminent."
"An ingenious method of ascertaining the correct position of a planet, though by no means original," Aivas replied.
"Yes, yes," Lytol said hastily. "You told me about Stonehenge and the Triangles of Eridani. Do the inaccuracies have any other importance?"
"That information is still being correlated and updated. Optimistically, it augurs well for the success of the Plan."
"And we can reassure Holds and Halls on that account?" Robinton asked, his voice buoyant with hope.
"You can indeed."
"This briefing, then, is to decide what information can be made public."
"Yes."
"What else can we tell them?"
"As much as you know."
Robinton chuckled. "Which is very little."
"But significant," Aivas replied. "The two expeditions to the Yokohama have been extremely successful. You may also report that the next exercise will extend to the four green riders. It is vital for them to make bridge transfers and continue the research that Jaxom and Piemur initiated. Each will have an objective during his time on board."
"Why did Jaxom have to close the cargo-bay doors today? Especially when you said that that area will not be used for some time," D'ram asked, curious.
"It is necessary for someone to get practice in working in free-fall and to become accustomed to using the space suit. Jaxom is the most adept computer operator, and Ruth is the most courageous of the dragons."
Robinton noticed that Lytol perceptibly preened himself on hearing such praise of his ward.
"Does the fact that he is also a Lord Holder and can report on his expedition come into consideration?" Robinton asked, amused.
"That did figure in the choice; but competence, and being a dragonrider, were more important."
Robinton chuckled. "So who goes next?"
"Now that Ruth has led the way, the green dragons will feel compelled to follow where the littlest one of them has gone before. They will be sent in pairs: Mirrim and Path, G'rannat and Sulath. They have complementary temperaments and skills."
Robinton chuckled. "You are indeed well versed in manipulating people."
"It is not manipulation, Master Robinton. It is understanding the basic personalities of those who are being trained."
"The cargo area is large enough for bronze dragons to transfer," D'ram suggested.
"Not until there is also sufficient air for them to breathe. They will play a major role in future steps, D'ram," Aivas said. "But the next step will be to reestablish oxygen-producing algae in the hydroponics area to purify the air of the few usable areas on the Yokohama. The telescope will have to be adjusted periodically. There is one probe left that may or may not be operational. It could be useful. Failing that, it would be helpful if perhaps a bronze dragon and his rider could venture to obtain samples from the Oort debris."
"What?" The exclamation came in a chorus from all three startled men.
"A sample of pre-Fall Thread was never obtained by the colonists, though several attempts were made. An analysis," Aivas insisted, raising its voice over renewed protests from the three custodians, "would be carried out in the one remaining operational laboratory on the Yokohama in the cold-sleep facility. The rewards of a proper scientific analysis of the Thread material far outweigh any risk. From what I have seen of the abilities and intelligence of the bronze dragons and their riders, the risk would be minimal-once, of course, they have the exact directions for such a flight, and when protective gear is available for the rider."
The three regarded the screen with varying degrees of stunned amazement.
"Thread in its nodular form is not dangerous," Aivas continued, as if oblivious to the effect of that statement on the custodians. "It is only when it finds a hospitable environment that it alters. For the purpose of analysis, it can be kept safely contained in one of the sleep capsules. Seven of the most promising biology students are already sufficiently trained to handle such investigations, Lady Sharra being the best of them. Much equipment for the investigation of frozen human and animal tissue is still up there. Even an electron microscope is in place in the cryogenic laboratory-making it an ideal site for our purpose."
Aivas sounded perfectly reasonable, his suggestions as logical and forthright as always, but Robinton instinctively balked at the mere notion of such an undertaking. He didn't dare glance at D'ram, or Lytol.
"To destroy a menace, one must perceive it as a whole and in its separate manifestations," Aivas continued.
"How can we possibly destroy Thread, if what you have told us about this Oort Cloud that surrounds our system is true?" the Harper asked.
"What you have been told is fact."
"Fact is not the only truth," Lytol reminded them all.
"Now, let's not deviate from the subject at hand," Robinton said, eyeing Lytol sternly. The former dragonrider and Aivas could indulge in semantics and philosophy on their own time.
"One alters the facts," Aivas went on as if Lytol had not interrupted. "That is the plan."
"I wish," Robinton said, leaning forward earnestly, "that you would tell us the whole of this plan of yours."
"Master Robinton, to use an analogy, you would not expect a new student to read a score of music perfectly on his first try, would you?" When Robinton agreed, Aivas continued. "Nor would you expect that same student, no matter how talented, to be able to perform to a high level of competence, playing intricate passages, on an unfamiliar instrument, would you?"
"I take the analogy," Robinton said, raising both hands in surrender.
"Then be reassured by the successes already achieved: the lessons learned and understood. Progress toward the high level that must be achieved is being made, but it would be harmful to overwhelm your valiant people before they are properly prepared by education and experience."