The lead works was a kind of liquid hell, a place of fire and simmering heat waves, where both vision and objects wavered as if uncertain of outline. Like much of the rest of the mining facility it had been abandoned largely intact. The 52

difference was that it gave the prisoners something to do, lead working being considerably less complex than, say, platinum wire production or heavy machinery maintenance. Fiorina’s inhabitants were encouraged to make use of the facility, not only to occupy and amuse themselves but also to replace certain equipment as it broke down.

Presently the automatic extruders were drawing molten lead from the glowing caldron into thin tubes which would be used to replace those in an older part of the facility’s plant.

The prisoners on duty watched, alternately fascinated and bored by the largely automated procedure. Not only was the leadworks a popular place to work because it offered opportunities for recreation, but also because it was one of the consistently warmest spots in the complex.

?You goin’??The man who spoke checked two of the simple readouts on the monitoring console. As always, they were well within allowable parameters.

His companion frowned. ?Haven’t decided. It’s nothin’ to do with us.?

?Be a break in routine, though.?

?Still, I dunno’.?

A third man turned from the searing caldron and pushed his protective goggles up onto his forehead. ?Dillon gonna be there??

Even as he ventured the query the towering prisoner in question appeared, striding down the metal catwalk toward them.

?Shut it down,?he said simply when he reached them. The first prisoner obediently flipped a switch and the caldron immediately began to cool.

?What’s the story, man??asked the man with the goggles, blinking particles from his eyes. 53

53

?Yeah,?said the prisoner in the middle. ?We been talkin’ about it, but we ain’t been able to decide.?

?It’s been decided,?Dillon informed him. He let his gaze rest on each of them in turn. ?We’re all goin’. Maybe we didn’t know these people, but we show our respect. They wanna burn bodies, that’s fine by us, long as it isn’t one of us.?Having imparted this information, he turned to leave.

The three men followed, the one with the goggles slipping them down around his neck. ?Ain’t had a funeral in a long time.?

?That’s right,?agreed his companion somberly. ?I’ve been kind of missing the service. It’s so much like a passage, you know? Off this place.?

?Amen to that, brother,?said the first man, increasing his stride to keep pace with the taller Dillon.