Freedom's Challenge Read Online Free PDF Page A

supplies and fuel when…” And then he shrugged as if both women knew his history from then on.
    â€œZainal picked a fight,” Kris said, answering the querying look on Dorothy’s mobile face, “killed a Drassi and went on the lam. I saw his flitter crash and went to see whom the Catteni were after this time. I had no idea what I was rescuing. If I had,” and she gave Zainal a mock dirty look, “I might have thrown him to the wolves. Then I decided I’d better get him back to Barevi. Only we both got caught in one of those gassings theCatteni spray to quell rebellion.” Kris knew that Dorothy would be familiar with that tactic which was often used on Earth. “And ended up here on Botany.”
    â€œFor which many of us are exceedingly grateful,” Dorothy said sincerely. “Will, Dr. Ansible, and a former TV reporter, Jane O’Hanlon, were able to bring us up to date with the situation on Earth, by the way. Which I can give you without benefit of sponsors or commercials,” Dorothy said in a droll tone of voice. “I think there was probably more than one reason for the Eosi to resort to extracting information from human beings. Not only have we here on Botany produced a new wrench in the works with the Bubble but resistance is increasing on Earth despite their attempts to control or contain it.
    â€œI gather that there will be an effort made to support activities on Earth now that there’re three spaceships at our disposal?” And she looked at Zainal for comment.
    â€œWe haven’t heard of any,” Kris said and added “yet.” Zainal had been so busy getting pictorial proof to send the Farmers that they hadn’t discussed any future plans.
    He shrugged. “Three ships are too few against as many as the Eosi have.”
    â€œNot even for a teensy-weensy hit,” and Dorothy left a very tiny space between her forefinger and thumb by way of illustration, “just to serve notice on the Eosi?”
    â€œI think we’ve just done that,” Kris said with a droll grin.
    â€œThey will try to penetrate the Bubble,” Zainal said. “They will have to figure out what it is and how it is maintained. That will annoy them seriously.” And he was patently delighted. “We must hope that it remains. The Eosi have other weapons that destroy planets.”
    â€œDo they?” And Kris felt a twinge of fear under her bravado.
    â€œIf they cannot possess, they do not leave it for others to have.”
    â€œOh!” Kris had no flippant reply for that.
    â€œDoes the Council know?” Dorothy asked, concerned.
    â€œI will tell them,” Zainal said, nodding solemnly.
    â€œWell, then, that’s all I can bother you with,” Dorothy said, beginning to gather up her notes. Then she paused, tilting her head at Zainal. “You don’t have any idea where the Eosi came from, do you?” When Zainal shook his head, she managed a self-conscious laugh. “From a galaxy far, far away?”
    Kris chuckled, delighted that Dorothy was not only
Trek
oriented, but could also quote from
Star Wars.
    â€œThank you, Zainal. You’ve given me valuable information.”
    â€œI have?”
    Dorothy smiled. “More than you might think. I do apologize for besieging you after what has been a very difficult day but we needed this input.” She held up the notes. “We can design appropriate treatment now. In so far as our resources permit, that is.”
    Zainal opened the door, and they stepped into a moonlit night.
    â€œOver here, Dorothy,” Chuck said, flipping on the runabout’s light.
    â€œOh, thank you, and thank you again, Zainal, Kris.” She hurried over to the little vehicle, murmuring her thanks to Mitford before she turned it northward.
    â€œI’ve one of the flatbeds and there’s room on the boxes for you two to ride back to your place,” Chuck said.