"Hell, Farley's been feeding them stuff about the seventh chamber for months now. That doesn't keep them happy?"

"No. The Russians know the basics, too."

"The hell with all of them," Lanier grumbled. "That sums it up."

"Admirably." Carrolson grinned.

"Just make sure Patricia doesn't talk to anyone she shouldn't."

"Got you."

"Including you."

Carrolson bit her lower lip, crossed herself and shook her head fervently. "Hope to die. Seriously, aren't I just about due for my upgrade?"

"I hope to bring it back with me. I'll be talking with Hoffman. Patience."

"Patience is," Carrolson said.

Lanier stared at her sternly, eyes flickering back and forth across her face. Then he cracked a broad smile and reached up to touch her shoulder. "Our watchword. Thank you."

"De nada, boss."

Wu approached the truck as Carrolson and Lanier stepped down. "Expedition to the second circuit is back," he said. "They're about sixty kilometers away. Security has them on track, and messages have been relayed."

"Good," Lanier said. "Let's get ready for the homecoming."

The second expedition consisted of four trucks and twenty-six people Sitting near the dwarf forest, Patricia watched the column of dust as the vehicles approached. She picked up her slate and the processor and strolled back to the camp.

Two more trucks entered from the sixth chamber tunnel, rumbling and whanging down the ramp. They parked by the tent and Berenson—commander of the German security forces, and now in charge of security in the seventh chamber—stepped down from one, Rimskaya and Robert Smith from the other. Rimskaya nodded cordially at Patricia as he passed by. His mood’s improved, she thought.

Lanier and Carrolson emerged from the shadow of the tent overhang.

"How far did they go?" Patricia asked Lanier.

"Nine hundred and fifty-three kilometers—half battery range." He held the felt-bagged instrument out to her. "Your multi-meter. We've logged it into the equipment list, and now it's yours. Treat it carefully. Electronics won't be able to duplicate it quite as quickly."

"Thank you," Patricia said. She removed the instrument and the instructions on a folded slip of paper. Carrolson looked over Patricia's shoulder.

"It has a range of about ten centimeters," she commented. "Strictly local."

Rimskaya came up behind them and cleared his throat. "Miss Vasquez," he said.

"Yes, sir?" Old habits die hard.

"How do you like the problem?"

"It's marvelous," she said, her tone level. "It will take time to solve—if it can be solved."

"Certainly," Rimskaya said. "I trust you have become aware of our hypotheses?"

"Yes. They've been helpful." They had been, too. She didn't want to overstress the point, however.

"Good. You've been to the singularity?"

She nodded. "I wish I'd had the multi-meter." She passed it to him and he examined the device, shaking his head.

"A fine idea. I see you are making progress. Much better than I. That is as it should be. There is a gentleman on the expedition who might be able to help you more. His name is Takahashi, the expedition's second-in-command. A very experienced theorist. I trust you've read some of our joint papers."