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of hesitation upon approach he assigned to Gat's account, for breaking the web of her concentration and
recalling her to the chancy world of human interaction.
The course she had chosen to OutEight had been ambitious for a second class provisional, though well
within her abilities. Daav had several times noted her pushing the navcomp, as if she found its entirely
respectable response time almost too slow to bear. The filed descent was worthy of a Scout and Daav
had no doubt she would execute it with aplomb.
Aelliana Caylon, he thought, watching her fragile hands flickering over prime board, might very well be
that rarest of precious things: a natural pilot.
Guild law required a master pilot engaged in evaluating a junior to judge and implement appropriate
training. Aelliana Caylon, in the judgment of Scout pilot/Master Daav yos'Phelium, was easily capable of
achieving first class. It was likely that master pilot was within her grasp, did she care to leave her own
work for a relumma or two and devote herself to study.
Thus, a variation from the simple meeting of second class flight-time requirements was mandated. Daav
ran an experienced eye over his scans, double-checked the filed approach and addressed the pilot,
pitching his voice soft out of care for her concentration.
"I wonder," he murmured, keeping his eyes scrupulously on his board, "if you might wish to attempt a
sling landing."
"Now?" she asked, voice sharp with surprise.
"You will have to master the skill, soon or late," he said, all gentle reason. "Why not begin today?"
"To refile the course, to tie up the Port's emergency sling& "
"The most minor readjustment of course," Daav soothed, "and no need to discommode Port at all.
Binjali's has a sling."
Hesitation. Daav consulted his scans and dared push his point a bit, before time became too short.
"I can call Jon, if you like it, and see if we have clearance. We will come in on automatic first time, of
course." He paused. "Unless you have already trained on sling-shots?"
"No& "
"I'll call now," Daav said, flicking the line open.
"Good-noon, Captain darling!" Clonak ter'Meulen's voice filled the tiny cabin a moment later. "What
service shall my humble self be delighted to perform for you?"
Daav's lips twitched. "Where's Jon?"
"Up to his neck in a gyro-fix. Service?"
"Sling-shot, automatics, current coords " he reeled them off, confident of Clonak's abilities as of his
own. "Flight plan downloaded now. Cleared?"
"Cleared, oh Captain. You and the pilot can take a nap. Until soon."
"Until soon, Clonak." He cut the connection and turned his head to glance at Aelliana Caylon.
She was looking directly at him, green eyes wide, less misty than he recalled, and holding something akin
to amusement.
"It seems a sling-shot is mandated," she observed, and there was the barest thread of laughter, too, in the
weave of the fine, strong voice. Daav grinned.
"Your pardon, pilot. Of all people, you must know what Scouts are!"
"Bent on mischief," she agreed, astonishingly tranquil, "and decided entirely upon their own course." She
turned back to her board and her hair shifted to conceal her. "I shall file an amended descent."
They were well into the amended descent when a certain subtle lack called Daav's attention to the upper
left quadrant of his board. Apparently the navcomp's inefficiencies had become too burdensome to
tolerate, for it was shut entirely down. He reached for the reset.
"That's wrong," Aelliana Caylon told him sharply.
"Wrong?"
"Off by two places." Her fingers were flying over the board, as well they should, he thought abruptly, with
her running such a course on manual. He punched navcomp up.
Wrong, indeed, and off by nearly three places. Swearing silently, he called for the back-up. It came
on-line with a suspicious stutter, accepted its office and failed.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
In the absence of clan, a partner, comrade or co-pilot may be permitted the burdens and joys of
kin-duty. In the presence of kin, duty to partner, comrade or co-pilot must stand an honorable
second.
From the Liaden Code of Proper Conduct
"Comp Two down," Daav said, eyes raking the scans.
It was too late by several minutes to change course now.
"We're committed to the sling. I'll call Jon and file the change. Begin sending your numbers to me for
verification."
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