She made a small noise. ?If you’re worried about me fainting on you, you’ve got the wrong lady.?

?I thought as much. Just giving you the option. It happened in one of the operational air shafts.?He shook his head at the memory. ?Poor silly bastard backed into a working two-meter high-speed fan. Splattered him all over the place. We had to scrape him off the walls.?

?I get the picture. It happens.?

?Not here it doesn’t. Andrews is ticked. It means he has to file a report.?

?By communications beam??

?No. No need for the expense. I imagine it’ll go out with the next ship.?

?Then what’s he worried about? Nobody’ll read it for months.?

?You’d have to know the superintendent to understand. He takes everything personal.?

?Too bad for him, especially considering his current employment.?

Clemens nodded, looking thoughtful. ?I found something at the accident site, just a bit away from where it happened. A mark, a burn on the floor. Discolored, blistered metal. It looked a lot like what you found on the girl’s cryotube.?

She just stared at him, her gaze unblinking, uninformative, her expression unfathomable. 83

83

?Look, I’m on your side,?the medic insisted when she remained silent. ?Whatever it is you’re involved in or trying to do, I want to help. But I’d like to know what’s going on, or at least what you think is going on. Otherwise I’m not going to be able to be of much use to you. Maybe you can do whatever it is you’re trying to do alone. I can’t make you talk to me. I just think that I can help, make it easier for you. I have access to equipment. You don’t. I have some knowledge that you don’t. I won’t interfere and I’ll rely entirely on your judgment. I have to, since I don’t have a clue as to what you’re up to.?

She paused, considering, while he watched her hopefully. ?I hardly know you. Why should I trust you??

He forced himself to ignore the hurt, knowing there was nothing personal in the query. ?No reason. Only that without somebody’s help it’s going to be hard for you, whatever it is you’re trying to do. I hardly know you, either, but I’m willing to follow your lead.?

?Why? Why should you? By your own admission you don’t have any idea what’s going on, what’s at stake.?

He smiled encouragingly. ?Maybe I think I know you a little better than you think you know me.?

?You’re crazy.?

?Is that a hindrance to what you’re doing??