Canticle Blue

66. Supplies

The Per'sa supply ship arrived on time, gliding slowly past the starboard side of the Crisopa and swinging around behind it with an economy and fluidity of motion suggestive of passage through water. In fact, according to Amdahl, the ship was capable of travel on or under water. With its fusiform shape, flawless e-matter skin, and graceful transitions between horizontal and vertical elements, it was easy to imagine it doing so. Its smooth surfaces revealed nothing of propulsion units, antennas, sensors, or even doors.

As it passed, those watching through the shuttle canopy filled the darkened room with hushed superlatives. Astonished by the consummate elegance of the ship's design, Elyse whispered to Cian, "Suddenly, our shuttle doesn't feel state-of-the-art anymore."

Cian laughed. "Yes, but now we can imagine upgrades."

The supply ship followed the Crisopa closely for a few minutes and then began to
back toward the main airlock. As it approached, it extended a rectangular collar of very supple exotic matter that merged with it seamlessly. When the merge was complete, the ship briefly tested the seal for leaks and then turned on two rows of boarding lights.

Although there was no shortage of people who were eager to enter the ship, they were initially hesitant until Maire stepped forward holding a playfully struggling Ip in the air in front of her. "I found this brave volunteer to go first," she said. "And once she makes sure it's safe, I'll be second."

But actually, Ip and other Middi had been communicating with the ship long before it arrived, familiarizing themselves with the lexicon, supply locations, piloting instructions, and an extensive sampling of the Per'sa library at Shoriel. They had also received permission to share information between the onboard Per'sa database and the Deep-Core archives at Nantis.

The interior of the supply ship was clean, bright, and comfortable. Nearly all of its furnishings, including the pilots' seats were capable of multiple configurations, depending on its intended use and orientation as it moved through space.
The supply areas in the ship contained not only food, water, juices, and eating utensils, but herb gardens in small greenhouse areas as well. One entire supply area was devoted to clothing, bedding, and portable high-efficiency e-matter heaters and lights. There were also several large containers full of what were unmistakably intended to be gifts for children and adults.

As the Crisopa crew excitedly poured over every part of the Per'sa ship, it was becoming clear to them that the three Per'sa vessels were on more than just a humanitarian mission.

When the other Per'sa ships arrived, they docked with the supply ship. By this time there had been so much communication between the three crews that they felt they knew each other to some extent. As they all met in various passageways and rooms, exchanging greetings customary to their cultures, they made extensive use of the Middi as translators.

The first night, the Per'sa crews prepared a banquet in honor of their meeting. It was held on Amdahl's ship, which was so cavernous inside that it reminded the Nantis colonists of Center Island on the Picarin. In an arrangement largely unfamiliar to the Crisopa crew, Amdahl shared a table only with the mission leaders, but for a reason. Over dinner he told them, "By now you might have guessed that there is a diplomatic aspect to our mission. I have been given authority to make a proposal to your people at Nantis. To prevent possible discord among them, we felt it would be necessary to speak to your leaders here first and then allow you time to contact those in your colony."