?I get it. Now that I’m in your bed, you think I owe you an answer.?

He replied patiently. ?Trying to get me mad isn’t going to work either. No, you owe me an answer because it’s my job to get one and because I stuck my neck out for you to give you what you wanted. Being in my bed has nothing to do with it.?He smiled thinly. ?Your nonresponsiveness in this matter is likely to complicate our future relationship no end.?

She sighed resignedly and turned onto her side. ?It’s really nothing. Can’t we just leave it at that? When I was in deep sleep I had a real bad dream.?She shut her eyes against the gruesome memory. ?I don’t want to talk about it. I just had to be sure what killed her.?

She looked back up at the medic. ?You have no idea what my recent life has been like or what I’ve been through. It would make your wildest nightmares seem like the fuzzy

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musings of an innocent five-year-old. I know that I’ll never forget any of it. Never! But that doesn’t keep me from trying. So if I seem a little irrational or unreasonably insistent about certain things, try to indulge me. Believe me, I need that. I need someone to be concerned about me for a change. As far as Newt… as far as the girl is concerned, I made a mistake.?

His thumb caressed the side of the small glass he held as he nodded slowly, tight-lipped and understanding. ?Yes, possibly.?

She continued to stare at him. ?Maybe I’ve made another mistake.?

?How’s that??

?Fraternizing with the prisoners. Physical contact. That’s against the rules, isn’t it??

?Definitely. Who was the lucky fellow??

?You, dummy.?

Clemens eyed her uncertainly. ?I’m not a prisoner.?

She gestured. ?Then what about the code on the back of your head??

His hand went reflexively to the back of his skull. ?I suppose that does demand an explanation. But I don’t think this is the moment for it. Sorry. We are rather spoiling things, aren’t we?? The intercom buzzed for attention. He looked apologetic as he moved to acknowledge the call.

?Got to respond. I’m not allowed the luxury of refusing calls. This isn’t Sorbonne Centrale.?He flicked on the two-way. A thin, poorly reproduced voice filtered through.

?Clemens??

The medic shot her a resigned look. ?Yes, Mr. Aaron.?

‘ ?Andrews wants you to report to Vent Shaft Seventeen in the Second Quadrant. ASAP. We’ve had an accident.?

Suddenly involved, he turned to make certain the 77

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omnidirectional mike built into the unit got a good dose of his reply. ?Something serious??

?Yeah, you could call it that,?the assistant told him. ?One of the prisoners on work detail got diced.?The unit clicked off abruptly.