Rhyssa had the grace to look abashed. You know I had to. You know I had to.

"How do you know Johnny doesn't like working in s.p.a.ce?" Dave asked, surprised.

"I just do," Peter said, and he lifted his shoulders in the general's characteristic shrug. "You get to know who likes EVA and who's the least bit nervous." A genuine case of mind over matter, Rhyssa. A genuine case of mind over matter, Rhyssa.

"Why do they work in s.p.a.ce then, if they're nervous?" Amariyah wanted to know.

"It's a good job and pays well," Peter said.

"And safe enough once Barchenka was no longer in charge," Dave remarked.

"Why? Wasn't it always safe?" Amariyah tilted her head inquiringly at Peter, wanting his opinion.

"No, it wasn't, Maree, but no one needs to worry about getting lost in s.p.a.ce anymore."

"Why? Do you rescue them?" she asked, although she indicated there could be but one answer.

Peter dropped his eyes to his drink.

"Well, do you?" she insisted, leaning toward him. "You can do anything you want."

"I suspect that if Peter needed to rescue anyone, they wouldn't be aware of it. Would they, Peter?" Rhyssa asked.

He grinned at her. "More or less. Didn't happen often anyway. All they needed was a bit of a halt to stop their spin."

"Did you have eyes in the back of your helmet?" asked Dave, amused.

"No, I had Madlyn looking out for me and she knew the signs. "So," and his grin was self-deprecating, "it was more her than me, Maree, preventing the need for rescue."

"When I've learned hydroponics and work on the s.p.a.ce Station, will I get to go out into s.p.a.ce? Will you rescue me if I need it, Peter?" Amariyah asked.

"Of course I will," he said stoutly.

Rach.e.l.le appeared in the doorway. Eoin and Chester saw her and clung to Peter's arms.

"You've had an extra fifteen minutes, boys," their father said, gesturing for them to go to Rach.e.l.le. They grumbled and shifted about, hoping for a reprieve.

"C'mon, boys. The bubbles are all ready for your swim," Rach.e.l.le said, holding out both hands.

"Which bubbles?" Eoin wanted to know, reluctant to leave Peter.

"I'll be back tomorrow morning, Eoin. You can tell me which ones then," Peter said, and gave the little boy a subtle push off the couch. Rach.e.l.le saw the obstinate look on Chester's round face and went to scoop him off the couch. "I'll see you tomorrow morning, too, Chester. It's great to be back!"

"I think dinner's ready," Rhyssa said, rising to her feet and indicating to Dave that he should escort Dorotea to the dining room.

During dinner, Rhyssa brought Peter up to date on all Center news. Lance Baden was back in Adelaide, flown directly into the Woomera s.p.a.ce Station, his contract for the Moon expansion completed. He would probably sign up for another. Dorotea had Peter repeat some of the tales he had recounted the previous evening of his experiences on Padrugoi. Rhyssa was not unaware of some of the pressures he had experienced. That was why the subtle Dorotea had prompted him to repeat them. Rhyssa had plenty of food for thought while Peter, with great relish, ate the meal she had prepared for him.

"Not that I can't get anything I want up at Padrugoi," he hastily amended.

"Food eaten in the company of good friends always has more savor," Dorotea said pontifically.

"Why? We're eating the same things you cooked last night," Amariyah said.

Dorotea cleared her throat and rolled her eyes heavenward at such tactlessness. Dave guffawed.

A bit like Tirla, isn't she? Peter said, rea.s.suring Rhyssa with a wide grin. "I'd like seconds of the garlic potatoes, please. That's one thing they don't use on the Station." Peter said, rea.s.suring Rhyssa with a wide grin. "I'd like seconds of the garlic potatoes, please. That's one thing they don't use on the Station."

"Why not? Garlic has many healthful properties," Amariyah said.

"It also has one effect that may not be appreciated in a recycled air environment," Dave said.

"What?" Amariyah asked.

"Bad breath," Dave replied, ignoring flatulence.

"Elephant garlic has no odor," the girl said.

"We take the point, Maree," Peter said, grinning with mischief.

"He's growing up," Rhyssa said wistfully to her husband when they were getting ready for bed that night.

" 'Bout time. And he's enjoying life. All All of it, I hope." Dave rolled his eyes. of it, I hope." Dave rolled his eyes.

"David!" she said in protest, because his expression was slightly salacious. "He's only eighteen!"

"Honey, I'd had my first s.e.x by the time I was sixteen."

"You did?"

"We won't go into that. It was youthful exuberance, love!"

"Peter's not sterile," she added. "The medics say that paraplegics can, you know."

"I know. I asked," Dave said.

"Then kindly don't encourage him."

"It's not for a guy guy to encourage him," Dave said with a second suggestive leer. to encourage him," Dave said with a second suggestive leer.

"David!"

"And he's closer to nineteen, you know." He tried to change the subject. "So he has a week home, and then another three being a stevedore?"

"Stevedore?" Rhyssa gave him another hard look for his word choice.

"All right, transport and construction kinetic!"

"That's better. I wonder who else we could send up to Padrugoi from the Center?"

"I thought you didn't want him to experience 'life' yet?" Dave asked, stacking the pillows behind him so he could watch Rhyssa at her nightly beauty ritual. Privately he didn't think she needed to fuss with creams and lotions, but he liked watching her.

"Another male male his age. He's very lonely. I caught that." his age. He's very lonely. I caught that."

"He is? I thought he was having the time of his life, doing what he's wanted most! Building a colony ship."

Rhyssa swung round from her dressing table mirror. "I couldn't let him go on a colony ship."

"Did I say he wanted to go on one? But sometimes, my telepathic darling, you don't notice the obvious."

Rhyssa blinked her eyes, then had to blot the cream out of them.

"He feels out of place," Dave explained. "He hasn't formed any friendships with the Station personnel."

"Even now he's doing EVA?"

"Dorotea noticed it. Amariyah didn't."

"How would you know that?" she asked.

"She'd've been on it like a shark. She doesn't miss much about Pete, you know."

"Oh, dear." Rhyssa paused in wiping off her cleansing cream. "We don't have another Tirla-Sascha item, do we?"

Dave shrugged. "That wouldn't be all bad, would it? What does Dorotea say?"

"It's true that Maree adores him. Almost-"Rhyssa paused to chuckle. "-as much as she does gardening."

"There're gardens on Padrugoi and at First Base. And I suspect they'll be even more important on that proposed Mars Base."

"If," and again Rhyssa paused a beat, "the s.p.a.ce Authority ever makes its mind up on the project."

"They have Pete now."

Rhyssa finished removing the cleanser. "Yes, they do, but do they know what they have in him?"

"I doubt it. Hey, come to bed, love."

On his nineteenth birthday, Peter opted to take his special friends to dinner in a well-recommended uptown ziggurat restaurant. Rhyssa, Dave, Johnny Greene, Lance Baden, Tirla, Sascha, Dorotea, and Amariyah were his guests. It was Amariyah's first adult outing and Tirla had taken her shopping. Amariyah Bantam had inherited her parents' estate, including their insurances, and they had been prudent managers, so she had independent means. Although the interest from the total-which was carefully invested by the Center's Financial Office-was more often spent in acquiring horticultural rarities, she could afford to dress herself stylishly. Peter had reserved a first balcony table, which had not only the hanging baskets of exotic flowers that fascinated Amariyah but an impressive, downtown view of Jerhattan. Theirs was a more sedate party than the one on the balcony above, which got louder and louder as the evening progressed.

Rhyssa, watch out! Amalda Vaden's telepathed warning distracted her from accepting her slice of birthday cake. It took Rhyssa a moment to wonder what Mallie was warning her against and then it was almost too late. She had little time to react because events had already been set in motion. The party above them had erupted into angry shouts and curses. She had time to Amalda Vaden's telepathed warning distracted her from accepting her slice of birthday cake. It took Rhyssa a moment to wonder what Mallie was warning her against and then it was almost too late. She had little time to react because events had already been set in motion. The party above them had erupted into angry shouts and curses. She had time to try try to get a shield out over Peter's guests. The next moment two bodies hurtled over the balcony railing and dropped, striking Peter flat against the table, knocking both Rhyssa and Amariyah, seated next to him, off their chairs. to get a shield out over Peter's guests. The next moment two bodies hurtled over the balcony railing and dropped, striking Peter flat against the table, knocking both Rhyssa and Amariyah, seated next to him, off their chairs.

Johnny and Lance "lifted" the pair off, dumping them unceremoniously to the floor to continue flailing at each other. Dave helped Rhyssa to her feet, Sascha went to Amariyah, who had been dazed by a blow to her head. Dorotea was bending over the unconscious Peter, feeling for a neck pulse. Amariyah surged to her feet, covered with cake, and lunged for Peter with an inarticulate cry. Tirla, being nearest, caught her. The child struggled, moaning with anguish.

He didn't have his shields up! Dorotea cried in consternation. Dorotea cried in consternation.

Why would he? At his birthday party and in a respectable restaurant, Rhyssa replied, caustic with fear and anger as Dave steadied her. Rhyssa replied, caustic with fear and anger as Dave steadied her. I tried to help. Is Peter all right? I tried to help. Is Peter all right? She pulled Dave with her as she joined Dorotea examining him. She pulled Dave with her as she joined Dorotea examining him. How is Amariyah? How is Amariyah?

She's got cake all over her, Tirla said in disgust, and reached for napkins and a water gla.s.s. Tirla said in disgust, and reached for napkins and a water gla.s.s.

Secure those two, Rhyssa said needlessly because Johnny and Lance had already exerted force on the drunken pair and they were locked motionless, face to face on the floor, arms outstretched as each was aiming blows at the other. Gargling sounds came from their throats but they couldn't move. Rhyssa said needlessly because Johnny and Lance had already exerted force on the drunken pair and they were locked motionless, face to face on the floor, arms outstretched as each was aiming blows at the other. Gargling sounds came from their throats but they couldn't move. I want a medical team here instantly, Sirikit, I want a medical team here instantly, Sirikit, she 'pathed to the Duty Office at the Center. she 'pathed to the Duty Office at the Center. Johnny and Lance can 'port them. Just tell me who! Johnny and Lance can 'port them. Just tell me who!

All conversation had ceased in the restaurant at the sound of the crash. Now curious guests were trying to see what had happened. Those on the upper floor were leaning over, their queries slurred by the drink they had taken. Two waiters came forward, one of them beckoning urgently to the maitre d' who hurried up the short flight of steps, undoubtedly forming apologies and stopping short as he took in the damage, and the inert body.

The lights of the restaurant dimmed as Johnny and Lance used that source of power to effect the arrival of the medicopter. Instantly the emergency trio homed in on Peter.

He's got broken bones, Dorotea said, anxiously wringing her hands. Peter had not yet developed osteoporosis but brittle bones were a.s.sociated with long-term paralysis. His exercises on the Reeve Board and frequent ma.s.sage were supposed to slow the onset. Dorotea said, anxiously wringing her hands. Peter had not yet developed osteoporosis but brittle bones were a.s.sociated with long-term paralysis. His exercises on the Reeve Board and frequent ma.s.sage were supposed to slow the onset.

Dave had an arm about Rhyssa's shoulders, trying to console her. Sascha gave them a short nod, indicating that he had reported the incident to LEO headquarters.

Boris is coming. Johnny, Lance, bring him in, Sascha added and suddenly there was a LEO copter hovering sideways outside the windows. Boris Roznine peered into the restaurant and then gave crisp orders. The copter swept away to the helipad on the next level. In moments, uniformed officers were rounding up those in the disruptive party. Boris arrived on the first balcony with two more officers. He halted when he saw Peter. Sascha added and suddenly there was a LEO copter hovering sideways outside the windows. Boris Roznine peered into the restaurant and then gave crisp orders. The copter swept away to the helipad on the next level. In moments, uniformed officers were rounding up those in the disruptive party. Boris arrived on the first balcony with two more officers. He halted when he saw Peter.

Is he all right? he asked Sascha. he asked Sascha.

We're checking. Those are the ones responsible. Bury them deep in the LEO cells, will you, bro?

As deep as the law allows me, was Boris's response and he signaled for a.s.sistance. was Boris's response and he signaled for a.s.sistance.

"Fractures to the right arm, leg, and rib cage," the emergency medic was reporting to Rhyssa. "I don't think his neck, or his back, are injured. His pelvis might be. A portable scanner's on its way in."

Rhyssa came as near to fainting as she ever had, leaning into Dave's supporting body. Dorotea started to weep. Lance, who was nearest, a.s.sisted her to a chair and ordered a brandy. Cursing and uttering dire threats in a variety of languages, Tirla was attempting to clean cake off Amariyah's pretty dress. Amariyah, tears streaming down her face, kept her eyes on Peter. Then Tirla grabbed the arm of one of the medics, and pointed to Amariyah.

"She's in shock," she said, and the woman swung round to check the dazed child.

I'm terribly, terribly sorry, Rhyssa, Mallie said. Mallie said. It all blew up so suddenly. One moment it was all right and then I felt the precog. How badly is Peter hurt? It all blew up so suddenly. One moment it was all right and then I felt the precog. How badly is Peter hurt?

We don't know yet. I saw the falling bodies and tried to shield him. The portable scanner just got here. He's alive. Tell me something good will come of this, Mallie. There's got to be something good out of it.

A long pause. He isn't going to die. He can't hurt, you know. He'll heal. I see nothing else. He isn't going to die. He can't hurt, you know. He'll heal. I see nothing else.

Thanks.

Wish I'd been just that little bit faster, Mallie's repentant voice dwindled into silence. Mallie's repentant voice dwindled into silence.

"He will be all right, Rhyssa," Dave said. "He survived the wall. He'll survive this. He is is a survivor!" a survivor!"

The portable MRI scanner was in place, clicking as it was slowly pa.s.sed over the unconscious victim. Rhyssa leaned close enough to see the monitor that Bob Gerace, the emergency medic, was intently watching.

"Yup, buckle fracture of the humerus, three, no four, broken ribs, a hairline fracture of the right pelvic bone, a break in the femur, fortunately just past the joint so he'll," Gerace hesitated on "walk again" and then continued briskly, "well, nothing that won't mend. No internal injuries that are visible on the portable. It could have been worse, Rhyssa."

"It's quite bad enough as it is, Bob," she said tartly, and felt Dave's hands on her elbows, calming her. "No further damage to his spine?" she asked because she had to know.

"He had enough to begin with, Rhyssa," Gerace said with a grimace. "It was obviously a glancing blow, all the injuries are on the right side. Okay, people, let's immobilize him." He visibly winced at his choice of words, apologizing for his gaffe even as he placed a protective sh.e.l.l over Peter's upper arm.

With skill and speed, the breaks were given first aid. Johnny and Lance kinetically turned him over and laid him very, very carefully on the litter.

"D'you know Henry Hudson Hospital?" Gerace asked of no one in particular. "It's nearest."

"I do," Rhyssa said, turning to Johnny and Lance. Take the placement from my mind. Take the placement from my mind. She let them see the accident and emergency facility at the uptown hospital. She let them see the accident and emergency facility at the uptown hospital.