?What I said was that as far as I was concerned the body was clean and showed no sign of contagion. You know how sophisticated the facilities I have at my disposal are, and what an outstanding reputation I maintain in the interworld medical profession.?Andrews grunted understanding.

?Just because I pronounce the body clean doesn’t mean that it necessarily is. It would appear that the child drowned plain and simple, though without the proper forensics tests it’s impossible to be absolutely certain. At the risk of contradicting my own analysis I think it would be unwise to tolerate even the possibility of a mutated virus getting loose within the installation. I don’t think the members of the rescue team would look kindly on such a development upon their arrival, either. It might make them rather standoffish, and we do treasure our occasional visits, don’t we?

?Not to mention which a preventable outbreak of something the marines had to nuke Acheron to destroy 46

would look very bad on your report, wouldn’t it? Assuming you were still alive to care.?

Andrews now looked distinctly unhappy. ?Freezing the body should take care of any viruses present.?

?Not necessarily,?Ripley told him.

?How do you know it wouldn’t??

?We’re talking complex bioengineered mutations here. How do you know that it would??

The superintendent cursed under his breath, his troubled expression deepening. ?There are at present twenty-five prisoners in this facility. They are caretakers second. All are double Y chromos-former career criminals, thieves, rapists, murderers, arsonists, child molesters, drug dealers … scum.?He paused to let the litany sink in.

?But scum that have taken on religion. It may make them appear and sound mellow, but I, for one, don’t think it makes them any less dangerous. However, I value its meliorating effect. So I try not to offend their convictions. They appreciate my tolerance and I’m rewarded with a greater amount of peace and quiet than you’d expect to find in a situation like this.

?I don’t want to disturb the established order. I don’t want ripples in the water. And I most especially don’t want a woman walking around giving them ideas and stirring up memories which they have conveniently managed to bury in their respective pasts.?

?Yes,?Ripley agreed. ?Obviously, as you’ve said, for my own personal safety. In addition to which, despite what you seem to think, I’m not entirely oblivious to the potential problems my temporary presence here creates for you.’

?Exactly.?Andrews was clearly pleased by her apparent desire to cooperate. Or in other words, to make life as easy as possible for him. He glanced back at the med tech. 47

47

?I will leave the details of the cremation to you, Mr. Clemens.?He turned to leave.

?Just one thing, Superintendent.?

Andrews halted. ?Yes??

?When I’m done, will you be wanting a time and circumstances report? For the official log, of course.?