Still, he was aware of his unique position, and as grateful as he could be under the circumstances. Recently those circumstances had become a great deal better than normal.

Ripley shifted beneath the bedsheets of the cot, stretching 74

and blinking at the ceiling. Clemens stood across the floor, near the built-ins. A narcostick smoked between his lips as he poured something dark and potent from a canister into a glass. For the first time she saw him with his official cowl down. The imprinted code on the back of his shaven skull was clearly visible.

Turning, he saw her looking at him and gestured with the container.

?Sorry I can’t offer you a drink, but you’re on medication.?

She squinted. ?What is it this time??

?It would surprise you.?

?I don’t doubt it.?She smiled. ?You’ve already surprised me.?

?Thanks.?He held the glass up to the light. ?The medical instrumentation the Company left behind is rudimentary, but sophisticated enough in its way. Since we can’t always rely on supply drops I have to be able to synthesize quite a range of medications. The program that synthesizes rubbing alcohol doesn’t take much adjusting to turn out something considerably more palatable.? He sipped at the contents of the glass, looking pleased with himself.

?A small hobby, but a rewarding one.?

?Does Andrews know??she asked him.

?I don’t think so. I sure as hell haven’t told him. If he knew, he’d order me to stop. Say it was bad for morale and dangerous if the other men knew I could do it. I couldn’t disagree with him there. But until he does find out, I’ll go on happily rearranging ethyl molecules and their stimulating relations to suit my own personal needs.?He held the canister over an open tumbler. ?Don’t worry. I’ll save you some. For later.?

?That’s thoughtful of you.? 75 ?Don’t mention it. When I was in school recombinant synthetic chemistry was one of my better subjects.?He hesitated. ?Speaking of thoughtfulness, while I am deeply appreciative of your attentions, I also realize that they manifested themselves at just the right moment to deflect my last question. In the best possible way, of course. I wouldn’t want you to think for a minute that I’d have had it any other way. But the damn thing has a grip on me and won’t let loose.?

She stared up at him, his glass held delicately in one hand. ?You’re spoiling the mood.?

?That’s not my intention. But I’m still a medical officer and one does have a job to do, and frankly, the more effort you put into avoiding the issue, the more curious I am to find out why. What were you looking for in the girl? Why were you so insistent on having the bodies cremated??