Cal swiveled in his chair and leaned forward as a small viewing screen rose out of the console. Sound filled the cockpit. Impassive, he watched his own image flicker on. From her chair, Libby stared mesmerized, as the playback progressed. She could see him sitting precisely where he was sitting now. But there were lights flashing, buzzers sounding. While the cockpit vibrated, he reached up to secure a safety strap. She could see the sweat beading on his face as he fought the controls of the bucking ship.

“Widen image,” Cal commanded.

Then Libby saw what he had seen through the shield. There was the vastness of space, seductive and compelling. There were stars, clusters of them, and what was surely a distant planet. There was a blackness, an absolute blackness, that spread for miles. The ship seemed to be hurtling toward it.

She heard Cal swearing—or rather the image of Cal was swearing as he pulled on a lever. There was a sound, a screaming rip of metal that seemed to vibrate all around her. The cockpit began to roll, end over end, with sickening speed. And then the screen went blank.

“Damn it. Computer, continue playback.”

Memory banks damaged. No further playback possible.

“Terrific.” He started to command an analysis, but then he caught a glimpse of Libby. She was sitting limply in the chair beside his, her cheeks a dead white, her eyes glassy. “Hey.” He was up quickly and leaning over her. “Take it easy.” Cupping her face in his hands, he pressed his thumbs lightly on either side of her throat.

“It was like I was there.”

He cursed himself and took her icy hand in his to warm it. He had known better, Cal thought in disgust. But he had only been thinking of himself and his need to see what had happened. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“It was horrible.” Whatever doubts she had harbored had vanished completely during the playback. Her fingers tightened convulsively on his as she looked up at him. “It’s all been horrible for you.”

“No.” He combed his fingers through her hair. “Not all.” Softly, gently, he touched his lips to hers, then skimmed them over her jaw. She reached a hand to his face, letting it linger while she gave and took the comfort.

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to find a way back.”

She felt a pain, sharp and sudden. Of course he couldn’t stay. Carefully she laid her hand back in her lap. “When will you go?”

“It’s going to take a little time.” He straightened and glanced around the cabin. “I need to do some repairs on the body of the ship. There are a lot of calculations that have to be done.”

“I’d like to help you.” She made a helpless gesture with her hands. “I don’t know how.”