The cocoon had also contained contraband. Not on the manifest—not the official one, at any rate—were two metal boxes the size and shape of coffins. Heineman had a good idea what they contained—high-speed radar-controlled Gatling guns.

He could also guess where they would be installed, and for what reason. They were Joint Space Command items, and the only man who needed to know about their arrival was Captain Kirchner. They were in direct violation of ISCCOM guidelines for the Stone.

Heineman was used to serving two masters. He knew Kirchner and JSC had their reasons for breaking the rules. He knew Lanier and Hoffman would appreciate those reasons when the time came.

Heineman made sure the crates were delivered to the external security staging areas and then forgot about them.

He floated past the assembly and looked at his watch. Garry was late.

Lanier pulled himself along the ropes to the third dock staging area. The tuberider and V/STOL occupied center stage like grand ladies of the theater awaiting costumers' attentions.

Heineman eyed him unenthusiastically as he approached. "You look exhausted," he commented, handing the slate over for inspection. Lanier handed it back without a glance or comment. "You'll spook people, coming out of the chambers like that."

"Can't be helped," Lanier said.

Heineman shook his head and let out his breath in a dubious low whistle. "What in hell have you got down there?"

"Are they ready?" Lanier asked. Heineman nodded and pulled the box of memory cubes out of his beltsack.

"For now. I'm pushing them down the tube next week. If I get my badge. . .”

Lanier reached into his inside jacket pocket and produced a green badge, flipping it around to show Heineman. "Yours. Second level. Go and find out for yourself. You're so eager."

"That's my nature," Heineman said. He clamped the badge to his lapel. "How's the girl doing? She any help?"

"I don't know," Lanier said. "She's resilient." He raised his eyebrows and took a deep breath. "Seems to be a survivor." He seemed anxious to change the subject. "I'll have provisional greens for your flight crew."

"I'm going to fly it into position alone," Heineman said. He was surprised when Lanier simply nodded; he had expected some argument. "Who'll take the first sortie with me?"

"I will, if I have time," Lanier said.

"You haven't flown in years."

Lanier laughed. "Neither of us has ever done this kind of flying. Besides, it's not a skill you forget. You should know that."

A guard drifted across the staging area toward them. Lanier glanced in her direction, held out his hand and received a sealed envelope. She left without a word being exchanged.

"You expected that," Heineman said.

"I did." He opened the envelope, read the enclosed note, then stuck it in the pocket where Heineman's badge had resided. "My orders Earthside. I'm going to spend another couple of days here, then take the next OTV. Larry, get the tuberider in position, prepare for a flight test, but hold everything until I return."