However there was one exception, one terracompatible planet which they settled successfully: Atlantis; so named because it was a single giant ocean of salt water. Its sole exports were the seafood delicacies for which it was renowned across the Confederation. The variety of marine life below its waves was so great that even two hundred and forty years after its discovery barely one-third had been classified. A vast number of traders, both independent and corporate, were attracted to it; which was why Syrinx flew Oenone there right after their navy duty tour finished.
Syrinx had decided to go straight into the independent trading business once her discharge order came through. The prospect of years spent on He3 deliveries depressed her. A lot of voidhawk captains took on the tanker contracts for the stability they offered, it was exactly what shed done when Oenone started flying, but the last thing she wanted was to wind up in a rigid flight routine again; the navy had given her quite enough of that already, a feeling the rest of the crew heartily shared (apart from Chi, who left along with all the weapons hardware in the lower hull). Although some doubts lingered obstinately in her mind, it was a big step from the precisely ordered navy life she was used to.
On seeing her daughter dithering, Athene pointed out that Norfolk was approaching conjunction, and spent an evening reminiscing on her own flights to collect the planets fabled Tears. Three days later Oenone left the maintenance station dock at Romulus; new cargo cradles fitted, a new civilian registration filed, licensed by the Confederation Astronautics Board to carry freight and up to twenty passengers, crew toroid refurbished, and crew-members in a tigerish frame of mind.
It emerged from its wormhole terminus a hundred and fifteen thousand kilometres above Atlantis, almost directly over the dawn terminator. Syrinx felt the rest of the crew observing the planet through the voidhawks sensor blisters. There was a collective emission of admiration.
Atlantis was a seamless blue, overlaid with rucked spirals of pure white cloud. There were fewer storms than an ordinary world, where continental and sea winds whipped up high and low air fronts in unceasing turmoil. Most of the storms below were concentrated in the tropical zones, stirred by the Coriolis effect. Both the polar icecaps were nearly identical circles, their edges amazingly regular.
Ruben, who was sitting in Syrinxs day cabin in the shape-moulding couch beside her, gripped her hand a fraction tighter. This was an excellent choice, darling. A true fresh start to our civilian life. You know, in all my years Ive never been here before.
Syrinx knew she was still too tense after every swallow manoeuvre, alert for hostile ships. True navy paranoia. She let the external image bathe her mind, soothing away the old stress habits. The ocean had a delightful sapphire radiance to it. Thank you. I think I can smell the salt already.
As long as you dont try and drink this ocean like you did on Uighur.
She laughed at the memory of the time he had taught her how to wind surf in that beautiful deserted cove on a resort island. Fourno five years ago. Where did the time go?
Oenone descended into a five-hundred-kilometre orbit, complaining all the while. The planets gravity was exerting its inexorable influence over local space, tugging at the stability of the voidhawks distortion field, requiring extra power to compensate, a degradation which increased steadily as it approached the surface. When Oenone reached the injection point, it could barely generate half a gee acceleration.
There were over six hundred voidhawks (and thirty-eight blackhawks, Syrinx noted with vague disapproval), and close to a thousand Adamist starships, sharing the same standard equatorial orbit. Oenone s mass-sensitivity revealed them to Syrinxs mind like muddy footprints across snow. Every now and then sunlight would flash off a silvered surface betraying their position to the optical sensors. Ground to orbit craft were shuttling constantly between them and the buoyant islands floating far below. She saw that most of them were spaceplanes rather than the newer ion-field craft. There was a quiet background hum in the affinity band as the voidhawks conversed and exchanged astrogation updates.
Can you find Eysk for me?she asked.
Of course,Oenone replied. Pernik Island is just over the horizon, it is midday for them. It would be easier to reach from a higher orbit,it added with apparent innocence.
No chance. Were only here for a week.
She sensed the affinity link to Eysk opening. They exchanged identity traits. He was fifty-eight years old, a senior in a family business that trawled for fish and harvested various seaweeds then packaged them for transit.
My sister Pomona said I should contact you,syrinx said.
Im not sure if thats good or bad,eysk replied. We havent quite recovered from her last visit.
Thats my sister, all right. But Ill let you decide. Im sitting up here with a tragically empty cargo hold which needs filling. Four hundred tonnes of the classiest, tastiest products you have.
Mental laughter followed. Heading for Norfolk by any chance?
How did you guess?
Take a look around you, Syrinx, half the ships in orbit are loading up ready for that flight. And they place contracts a year in advance.
I couldnt do that.
Why not?
We just finished a Confederation Navy duty tour three weeks ago. Oenone has spent the time since then in dock having the combat-wasp launchers removed and standard cargo systems fitted.she felt his mind close up slightly as he considered her request.
Ruben crossed his fingers and pulled a face.
We might have some surplus,he declared eventually.
Great!
Its not cheap, and its nowhere near four hundred tonnes.
Moneys no problem.she could sense the dismay tweak of the crew at that blas statement. They had all pooled their navy severance pay, and taken out a big loan option from the Jovian Bank, in the hope of putting together a cargo deal with a Norfolk roseyard-association merchant. Contrary to the firmly seated Adamist belief, the Jovian Bank did not hand out money to any Edenist on request. Between them, Oenone s crew had only just scraped together enough fuseodollars for a cash collateral.
I should be so lucky,eysk said. Still, anything to help out an old naval hand. Do you know what youre looking for?
I had some unlin crab once, they were gorgeous. Orangesole, too, if you have some.
Futchi,cacus chipped in.
And silvereel,edwin said eagerly.
I think youd better come down and have a tasting session,eysk said. Give you a better idea of what we have available.
Right away. And do you know any other families who might have a surplus we can buy up?
Ill ask round. See you for supper.