She peered up at the orange bulb of the sensor-eye. It was a baleful orb, a cyclopean pupil with its surrounding metal grid through which Ship’s voice issued. Was Ship angry with her? The measured control of that awful voice filled her with awe.

“I am not angry with you. I merely suggest that you show more confidence in Me. I am concerned about you.”

“I’m . . . confident of You, Ship. I WorShip. You know that. I just never thought You would talk to me like this.”

“As I talk to Kerro Panille? You are jealous, Hali.”

She was too honest to deny it, but words would not come. She shook her head.

“Hali, go to the keyboard at the end of this aisle. Depress the red cursor in the upper right-hand corner and I will open a door behind that station.”

“A . . . door?”

“You will find a hidden room there with another instruction station which Kerro Panille often used. You may use it now.”

Wondering and fearful, she obeyed.

The entire keyboard and its desk swung wide to reveal a low opening. She crouched to enter and found herself in a small room with a vaguely yellow couch. Muted green light came from concealed illuminators at the corners of the room. There was a large console with screen and keyboard, a familiar holofocus circle on the floor. She knew the setting—a small teaching lab, but one she had not even known existed. It was smaller than any other of her experience.

She heard the hatch seal itself behind her, but she felt unaccountably secure in this privacy. Kerro had used this place. Ship was concerned about her. There was the unmistakable musk of Kerro’s flesh on her sensitive nostrils. She rubbed at the gold ring in her nose. There was a stationary swivel seat at the keyboard. She slipped into it.

“No, Hali. Stretch out on the couch. You will not need the keyboard here.”

Ship’s voice came from all around her. She looked for the source of that awesomely-measured voice. There were no sensors visible or monitor-eyes.

“Do not fear, Hali. This room is within my protective shield. Go to the couch.”

Hesitantly, she obeyed, The couch was covered with a slick material which felt cold against her neck and hands.

“Why did you come here looking for an unoccupied terminal, Hali?”

“I wanted to do something . . . definite.”

“You love Kerro?”

“You know I do.”

“It is your right to try to make him love you, Hali, but not by subterfuge.”

“I . . . I want him.”

“So you sought My help?”

“I’ll take any help I can get.”

“You have free access to information, Hali, but what you do with it is your own decision. You are making a life, do you understand that?”

“Making a life?” She could feel her own perspiration against the slick material of the couch.