Intrepid

''These?'' Vicky said, glancing down at what with the effort of a fast walk behind them could only be described as heaving bosoms. ''They get in the way when I'm running. They're two big pains in the back. You don't know how lucky you are to have gotten off lightly.''

''And, of course, the boys just never notice your problems,'' Kris jabbed.

''You have no idea,'' Vicky began.

''The troubles I've got,'' Kris finished.

Vicky laughed for a moment, then swallowed hard and glanced off into the unmeasured distance. ''You don't, do you?''

''Mine are different,'' Kris agreed.

Vicky opened her arms, Kris went into an honest hug. ''I hope someday we can get together when no one's life is on the line. Someday when we can just talk girl talk.''

''It would be nice,'' Kris agreed. ''I'm not sure I've ever done that.''

''Me neither. But all the books make it sound so nice.''

Kris hated breaking from the hug. It was the only equal hug she could remember. But worry was gnawing at the corners of Vicky's eyes, and Kris suspected she needed to get the Wasp out and away before all hell broke loose.

''I will see you,'' she said.

''Looking forward to it,'' Vicky said,

And they went their separate ways: Kris into the launch, which sealed hatches the second she was aboard; and Vicky to whomever the internal affairs of Greenfeld were killing at the moment.

''Hang on,'' the pilot of the longboat hollered, not even giving Kris a moment to sit down and buckle in.

57

The trip to the Wasp was made at one gee with plenty of zigging and zagging to throw off any of the station's lasers that might have been brought up and calibrated in the last few days.

None fired.

Kris wasn't out of the longboat before the Wasp was backing down the pier. The clanking of tie-downs coming off warned Kris not to let go of her handhold on the boat. Only after Captain Drago announced the ship under way at one gee did she risk trotting across the hangar bay's space.

Once Kris was on the bridge, Penny grabbed her for a hug. ''We were so worried.''

Abby was next. ''I wasn't. Everyone knows you can't get rid of a Longknife.'' But the hug was tight.

Jack looked like he'd love to hug her, too, but limited his greetings to ''Glad to have you back aboard.''

Even Professor mFumbo was there, only his welcome was more what Kris would have expected. ''Now can we do some real science?''

''Didn't we come here to get out their Jump Point Gamma?'' Kris asked Sulwan.

''That's the rumor I picked up, long ago and far away.''

''Well, Captain Drago, how long will it take us to set a course for Jump Point Gamma?''

''That course is locked in.''

''Then make it so, my good captain. I could use some nice boring scientific discoveries for a change.''

Only Kris's inner ear told her the ship was changing its course. Blinking that discomfort away, Kris wondered how many days she could go without anyone trying to kill her.

NELLY, START A COUNTER. LET'S SEE HOW LONG IT IS BEFORE SOMEONE TAKES A POTSHOT AT ME.

KRIS, I AM NOT SURE I CAN COUNT THAT LOW.

About the Author

Mike Shepherd grew up Navy. It taught him early about change and the chain of command. He's worked as a bar-tender and cabdriver, personnel adviser and labor negotiator. Now retired from building databases about the endangered critters of the Northwest, he's looking forward to some fun reading and writing.

Mike lives in Vancouver, Washington, with his wife, Ellen, and her mother. He enjoys reading, writing, dreaming, watching grandchildren for story ideas, and upgrading his computer—all are never-ending pursuits.

His website is www.mikeshepherd.org, or you may reach him at Mike_Shepherd@comcast.net.