Choice of the Gallant - Paradox Equation I

  ****

  "Parthan ship Elpeth calling Parth. Come in, please."

  "Parth control. Who is this?"

  "My name's Lane Gallant. The prince is on board and safe. This ship was attacked and he was injured, but he's all right now. We'd like a pick up. He made an emergency patch and it's a good one, but we don't want to tempt fate by trying it out on a surface landing."

  "We've got you. Establish an orbit. The king just ran out of here. I'd say he was on his way. Thank you. We're mighty fond of our prince. Parth control out."

  Lane laughed and thumped Pethnar on the back. Pethnar grinned at him.

  "I told you he wouldn't be mad. Just make sure you tell him you won't be taking any more experimental ships for a joy ride. I imagine he's going to keep one hand on you for a few days just to make sure you're really here."

  He laughed at Pethnar's expression.

  "Yeah, overprotective. Probably why you took the ship in the first place. Thought so. I'll do what I can to help. You really saved your own life. I just brought the medical equipment on board. Don't shake your head at me. I didn't slap a patch on that wall with a hole in my side and I didn't outmaneuver the bunch that attacked this ship."

  "Parth ship Denvith calling Elpeth. Come in, please."

  "Elpeth here. That was quick."

  "The king was in a hurry. We're going to take Elpeth aboard. It'll be a tight fit. Want us to send a pilot?"

  "No, the prince is as good as anybody you could send and I'm fair help. Give us speed and course. We'll be there."

  Pethnar grinned and shook his head. Lane was much more than fair help. He was better than anyone he'd ever seen. He just wished he could really say thank you to him, but he couldn't. He was telepathic with his own race, as were the majority of his people. They were beginning to adapt to it and he was one of those 'more advanced.' He no longer agreed with that designation. He had never really wished he could speak, until he hadn't been able to communicate with the ships that attacked him. When he hadn't answered, they had decided he was hostile. Now, he wished it again. He 'touched' his father, showed him Lane and his feeling for him.

  Lane gave the pilot's chair to Pethnar and took the operations console. He began reading off course and speed corrections. The little ship entered the hold of the big transport and landed with barely a bump. They got an all clear and opened the hatch. Pethnar grinned at Lane. His father was on his way across the hold at a dead run. He would tell him thank you for them both.