?You’d be dead meat anyway. I saw enough to know that. But it doesn’t matter because it ain’t gonna get in here.?He smiled proudly. ?We got it trapped. Me and the others. Locked up tight. I’ll bet it’s good and mad. The Company’ll deal with it when the ship gets here.?

?That’s right,?Golic agreed readily. ?And the way I hear it, they’ll be here soon. So what’s the big deal? Why should I have to hang around like this? By the time the ship shows orbit my arms’ll be dead. I’ll need surgery, and all for nothin’. Come on, man. You know they ain’t gonna take me offworld for no surgery, and we may not get a new medic for months. I’ll have to suffer all that time, and it’ll all be your fault.?

?Hey, lay off. I didn’t put you in that.?

?No, but you’re keepin’ me in it, and the guy that gave the order’s dead now. Aaron doesn’t give a shit. He’s too busy trying to make that lady lieutenant. Has he even asked about me??

?Well, no,?Morse admitted guardedly. 163

163

?See?? Golic’s face was full of pathetic eagerness. ?I won’t cause you no trouble, Morse. I’ll lay low until the ship gets here. Aaron won’t even know I’m around. Come on, lemme loose. I’m hungry. What’s the big deal? Didn’t I always give you free ciggies before anybody else??

?Well… yeah.?

?You’re my friend. I love you.?

?Yeah, I love you too.?Morse hesitated, then cursed softly. ?Fuck it, why not? Nobody deserves to be tied up like an animal all day. Not even a big dumb schmuck like you. But you’re gonna behave yourself. No fuckin’ around or I’ll get nothin’ but shit.?

?Sure, Morse. Anything you say.?He turned to present his back and Morse began undoing the seals on the straps. ?No problem. Trust me, buddy. I’d do it for you.?

?Yeah, but I ain’t crazy enough to get myself in a sack like this. They know I’m sane,?the other man said.

?C’mon, don’t make fun of me. Do I sound like I’m crazy? ‘Course not. It’s just that everybody likes to make fun of me because I like to eat all the time.?

?It’s not that you like to eat, it’s your table manners, man.?Morse guffawed at his own humor as he undid the strap. ?That’s got it.?

?Gimme a hand, willya? My arms are so numb I can’t move ‘em.?

?Shit. Bad enough they ask me to keep an eye on you, now I gotta play nursemaid too.?He reached up and pulled the jacket off Golic. The bigger man helped as best he could.

?Where they got it??