?Rejoice, brothers! Even for those who have fallen this is a time of rejoicing. Even as we mourn their passing we salute their courage. Because of their sacrifice, we live, and who is to say which of us, the living or the dead, has the better deal?

?Of one thing we are certain: they have their reward. They are in a far better place because there can be no worse one. They will live forever. Rejoice. Those who are dead but go on, freed of their restraints, free from the excoriations of a thoughtless society. It abandoned them, and now they have abandoned it. They have moved up. They have moved higher. Rejoice and give thanks!?

158

Alan Dean Foster

The men bowed their heads and began to murmur softly to themselves.

Ripley and Aaron watched from the gallery above. Eventually the assistant superintendent glanced over at his companion. Both had spent time in the showers. They were far from refreshed, but at least they were clean. Ripley had delighted in the hot, pounding spray, knowing that this time she could enjoy it without having to keep a wary eye on the sealtight or the vents.

?What do you think of this??He indicated the ragged, makeshift assemblage below.

She’d been listening with only half a mind, the rest of her thoughts elsewhere. ?Not much. I guess if they take pleasure in it…?

?You got it right there. Fuckers are crazy. But it keeps ‘em quiet. The super and I were in agreement on that. Andrews always said it was a good thing Dillon and his meatballs were hung up on this holy roller crap. Makes ‘em more docile.?

She glanced back at him. ?You’re not the religious type.?

?Me? Shit, no. I got a job.?He looked thoughtful. ?I figure rescue team gets here in four, five days. Six, tops. They open the door, go in there with smart guns, and kill the bastard. Right??

?Have you heard anything from them??Her tone was noncommittal.

?Naw.?He was feeling pretty good about the situation. And about himself. Out of this mess there was sure to come some good things.

?We only got a ‘message received.’ No details. Later we got something that said you were top priority. Again, no 159

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explanation. They don’t cut us in on much. We’re the ass-end of the totem pole out here.?

?Look,?she began guardedly, ?if the Company wants to take the thing back-?

?Take it back? Are you kiddin’? They aren’t lunatics, you know. They’ll kill it right away.?He frowned at her, then shrugged mentally. Sometimes he thought he understood this unusual woman perfectly, and then she’d throw him a complete curve.