"Dirk, we can work just as easily from the conference room as CIC and get at least some of this stuff cleared," Johnny rattled the lists, "before we officially return."

"Good notion. Most of the pa.s.sengers on the 28 are in transit downside right now in the regular shuttle," Dirk said, tapping a code into his wristcom. "Sakai, you will ignore any sudden fluctuations of the generators. Do you read me?" The admiral gave a nod of satisfaction for the immediate and unquestioning confirmation. "Do you need anything else in the conference room? Yeoman Nizukami can supply it."

Johnny gave a sideways grin of mischief. "Nothing we can't get ourselves, I suspect."

"Especially since you made it to First Base."

"Exactly. See you later, Dirk. C'mon, Pete. We'll earn our luxury holiday to the Moon."

They 'ported themselves into the conference room and turned up the lights. When Johnny 'ported in the recording equipment, Peter made his usual grimace. No need to alter his reaction to being recorded until he could prove his point.

"Look, we're doing this according to Mr. Hoyle and with tapes to prove it. I'm not going to have you overloaded," he said as he began placing the sensors on Peter. "I need logged proof of what ma.s.s you 'ported and the energy you expended. To give CFO Taddesse the proper corroboration that you're working according to the terms of your contract."

Peter submitted, hoping his suppressed excitement didn't register as an energy reading. Then he spread out the list, beginning to check off the items, which included calculations of ma.s.s, descriptions of contents, and the current location in the various cargo corrals. Johnny called up separate windows for each of the locations and gestured for Peter to settle himself comfortably.

"Watari doesn't want much, does he?" he grunted as he checked off individual units and tallied a total of their ma.s.s.

"A lot are lightweight," Peter said, keeping his smile to himself. Once again he was diverted by the subcutaneous spasms on the back of his right hand. He didn't feel anything, of course, but he'd never noticed a visible twitching before.

"Okay! This is the first batch. I'll a.s.semble them in a pack." He grinned at Peter. "You can send them all to the main supply depot on First Base now that we both are familiar with it!"

"That's right. We've both seen it." But Peter amended to himself: It isn't that we need to see see where we're going to dump shipments, though that's essential, too. It's that we don't put artificial limits on ourselves, like only to and fro between Jerhattan s.p.a.ce Port and Padrugoi Station. That was the distance Johnny had limited himself to. Another requirement was to use the right sort of generator for each individual until he or she could learn to "tune" in to any kind. Like the CERN generators that he had tapped in to save where we're going to dump shipments, though that's essential, too. It's that we don't put artificial limits on ourselves, like only to and fro between Jerhattan s.p.a.ce Port and Padrugoi Station. That was the distance Johnny had limited himself to. Another requirement was to use the right sort of generator for each individual until he or she could learn to "tune" in to any kind. Like the CERN generators that he had tapped in to save Limo-34 Limo-34 in that critical moment. He was relieved that an official apology, and compensation for the fried circuits, had been given Professor Gadriel. in that critical moment. He was relieved that an official apology, and compensation for the fried circuits, had been given Professor Gadriel.

However, if he was to fool Johnny into an innocent 'port as far as the Moon, where had he been on First Base that Johnny hadn't? Oh, and Peter felt a surge of amus.e.m.e.nt, the observatory! Were there visuals of that distinctive stain, the southern half of the South American continent? Or, using that as a design, could he render a good digital representation? The voice-address unit in his cabin was stateof-the art.

"I've got the first load a.s.sembled, Pete," and Johnny pointed to the lower left-hand window on the monitor. Station lights illuminated the mix of crates.

Peter "felt" them. Then he put his mind to "touching" Padrugoi's generators. They were different; lighter, crisper, easier to deal with than nuclear- or fuel-powered ones. He chuckled. They were tuned to a C major chord, the same as the CERN gestalt generators and the Farside Telescope's solar array. Which would be best for his ultimate purpose? He wondered if his use-energy readings would mirror the light crisp feeling, the C major. Did he have to draw on them less, or more, than other types?

He couldn't see the screen of the recorder from his angle. He could wait until the day's work was dispatched. Back to the matter at hand, sending his bread-and-b.u.t.ter thank-you shipments to First Base.

The ma.s.s of the containers was not unwieldy: certainly nothing like the heavy ma.s.s of the 34 34, which he had heaved toward First Base. He "saw" the exact area on the depot floor against the north wall that he and Johnny had designated. He caught up the ma.s.s, leaned just the right amount into the generators, and pushed.

"Easy," Peter said, taking a deep and satisfied breath when he'd finished.

"Now, let's see how long it takes them to realize they've got their order. How do you feel, kid?" Johnny c.o.c.ked an eyebrow.

"Fine," Peter said with a shrug.

"I'll get the next batch ready. Do you need anything?"

"Not yet. Hey, shouldn't we tell Rhyssa that we're back?"

"Not at three A.M." Johnny pointed to the time zone clocks. The face labeled "Jerhattan" displayed the very early morning hour.

Peter now remembered the odd jerks of the muscles on his right hand. The hand was doing nothing right now, relaxed on the tabletop.

They did three more light 'portations in the next two hours. Johnny was separating a larger ma.s.s when the conference room comm beeped.

"Yes, sir," Johnny answered without much courtesy. "Oh ," and his face brightened. "Took them long enough to notice." He pressed the speaker b.u.t.ton and the admiral's query was audible to Peter.

"How many have you sent? How's Pete?"

"Four." Johnny answered the first question.

"I'm fine, Admiral," Peter replied for himself.

"Do you need any calories?" A faint hint of amus.e.m.e.nt colored the admiral's voice.

"Not yet."

"I had Barney order in some fruit and savories for you." Then the connection was broken.

Peter could not stifle his groan. Did everyone on the Station know exactly what he was supposed to eat? He saw the muscles on the top of his left hand begin to jump. As soon as he could, he wanted to ask Ceara about that! He didn't want any physical problems cropping up right now to postpone his a.n.a.lysis of the use-energy printout data.

"Time, kid," Johnny said and Peter obediently "saw" the ma.s.s ready to 'port and dispatched it.

"Now, I'll have some fruit," he said.

At nine A.M., at the end of his shift, he 'pathed to Rhyssa, who would now be in her office. Rhyssa? Rhyssa?

Peter! Where are you?

Onstation, earning my keep. Is everyone all right down there?

Of course, and her mental tone implied that nothing ever happened "down there" that he should worry about. and her mental tone implied that nothing ever happened "down there" that he should worry about. But I wasn't notified. But I wasn't notified.

No one was, Rhyssa. Not even the admiral.

You said you were earning your keep? When did you get back to Padrugoi? Why haven't you contacted Madlyn? She said you weren't to be back onstation for another two days from the last report she had.

You know how devious Johnny can be.

Indeed!

We're still not not here, which is why we didn't contact Madlyn. Only Dirk. here, which is why we didn't contact Madlyn. Only Dirk.

She paused. Well, I suppose that's advisable with all that's happening. Did he bring you up to date? Barchenka may be implicated as well as that wretched Shimaz . . . Well, I suppose that's advisable with all that's happening. Did he bring you up to date? Barchenka may be implicated as well as that wretched Shimaz . . . Peter felt her mental revulsion for the man. He had never forgotten the way the man had leered at Rhyssa that day in her office. Peter felt her mental revulsion for the man. He had never forgotten the way the man had leered at Rhyssa that day in her office. And Flimflam. I can't believe they're able to pull off such antics when they're supposed to be so closely watched! And Flimflam. I can't believe they're able to pull off such antics when they're supposed to be so closely watched!

Me neither! Peter tried to suppress the rancor he felt. Peter tried to suppress the rancor he felt.

Peter! Rhyssa, catching it, sounded alarmed and critical. Rhyssa, catching it, sounded alarmed and critical.

Then she went on more briskly. We also need to talk about that long-distance call you made me. We also need to talk about that long-distance call you made me.

Look, Barney's bringing in our order and I'm starved, he said to change the subject. He didn't want to talk about that now. Maybe he could fob Rhyssa off until he had really good news to impart. he said to change the subject. He didn't want to talk about that now. Maybe he could fob Rhyssa off until he had really good news to impart. When I've finished eating, I'm going to bed, tucked in safely by the good general. When I've finished eating, I'm going to bed, tucked in safely by the good general.

Peter! There was now concern in her tone. There was now concern in her tone.

I need to eat, Rhyssa, and I need to sleep. I'm real tired. Catchya later, as Johnny would say. He managed to imbue his mental tone with lighthearted amus.e.m.e.nt to rea.s.sure Rhyssa. He really didn't want to lose her good opinion of him. In fact, he was a bit surprised by what he'd said to her. He managed to imbue his mental tone with lighthearted amus.e.m.e.nt to rea.s.sure Rhyssa. He really didn't want to lose her good opinion of him. In fact, he was a bit surprised by what he'd said to her.

Rhyssa wasn't naive. Surely she accepted the fact that Barchenka and Shimaz would try to revenge themselves on him and the general. That Flimflam would not have meekly accepted his sentence; that it was in his nature to do all he could to evade restrictions set on him and seek to get back in any way he could at those who had been at all responsible for the curtailment of his preferred lifestyle.

"What'd you say to Rhyssa?" Johnny asked him when Barney had left them alone.

"Why?"

"She says you've got cynical."

Peter shrugged. "I guess you do when you've been the object of a . . . what did you call it, a fatwa?"

Johnny gave him a long look. "Yeah, I guess."

Peter noticed his left hand muscles jumping. "When are we going to be officially back?"

"About the time someone notices the corrals are being mysteriously emptied."

Ranjit! Ca.s.s said urgently, not wanting to use her wristcom in the midst of the crowd of men and women on their way to and from the level's mess hall. Ca.s.s said urgently, not wanting to use her wristcom in the midst of the crowd of men and women on their way to and from the level's mess hall. Flimflam just went into Kibon's. Flimflam just went into Kibon's.

Hear ya! He goes several times a day.

Not every hour on the hour like he's done today. Besides, I caught a glimpse of someone else in there with him and Kibon. He never allows two in that room.

Right! Gotcha. Can Suzanne spin off to tail the other guy when he comes out?

The LEO Commissioner had insisted that the girls work paired, considering the fear Ca.s.s had reported emanating from Flimflam. If the man was cornered, there was no telling what he could do. Ca.s.s was strong and well trained in self-defense but she was glad of Suzanne's company. She was able to get a good night's sleep, too, with Suzanne there to stand a watch on their quarry.

Can do. Wanted to warn you.

Keep on Flimflam's track, the LEO lieutenant replied. the LEO lieutenant replied.

Like epoxy!

I'm sending Chet down to your level. Just in case. Lemme know if you can suss out who's the third man at Kibon's.

Abruptly Suzanne swore an oath, hauled Ca.s.s to the side of the corridor, and bent to fix her boot, loudly cursing the cheap junk that was given out as shoes. Ca.s.s bent over, pretending to help, able to c.o.c.k her head sideways to keep Kibon's door in sight. She could "hear" Flimflam's dominant emotions: his mental tone was shrill, like someone close to breaking, and colored with righteous indignation and anger. She could sense Kibon's stillness, as if, by his silence, he would be unnoticed. The third man was in as much control of himself as Kibon, emanating condescension and amus.e.m.e.nt. Suddenly that evaporated and she felt a stab of pain, Flimflam's, then Kibon's flash of fury. The door wrenched open and a swarthy-skinned man of medium height, wearing the sort of anonymous coverall that would permit him to blend into any group onstation, ducked out, and in one stride was part of the corridor traffic.

Got him, Suzanne said. Suzanne said. One real satisfied b.a.s.t.a.r.d. One real satisfied b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

I'll check Flimflam.

Kibon had not even had time to get off his stool to close the door when Ca.s.s barged in. Flimflam was pressed against the far wall, dislodging pencil files as he began to slide to the floor, his eyes bulging out with pained incredulity. Foremost in his mind was the betrayal; after all he'd done for them . . .

Flimflam's down, Ca.s.s told Suzanne and Ranjit and, managing to get the door shut before anyone in the hall was aware of what was happening, repeated the Mayday on her wristcom. Ca.s.s told Suzanne and Ranjit and, managing to get the door shut before anyone in the hall was aware of what was happening, repeated the Mayday on her wristcom.

"Back on your stool, Kibon"' she ordered the bookie as she reached into a hip pocket for a shock-shot. Crouching down by Flimflam, she sprayed the emergency aid into his arm with one hand and with the other, examined the wound. "You'll live. He missed anything vital. What're you wearing? Deflected the blade. He was aiming to gut you."

A knife would have shown up on any one of the security arches, to keep offies from smuggling weapons into this level. Padrugoi might have to allow the working public to walk freely on the main levels, but that didn't mean precautions were not taken whenever possible.

Ca.s.s, Ranjit, he's heading up, said Suzanne. I think he's freighter personnel. They got a certain way of walking when they're back in gravity. You know what I mean? think he's freighter personnel. They got a certain way of walking when they're back in gravity. You know what I mean?

A stir in the hallway outside and Kibon's door opened again. Kibon groaned at the security and medical team that had materialized there.

"More won't fit," he muttered. "Get him outta here."

"No sweat, Kibon," Ca.s.s said so sweetly that Kibon blinked in surprise. Beckoning to the first man to grab Flimflam's shoulders, she hoisted his feet and they hauled him out into a corridor occupied only by the emergency team and the backs of those hurrying from the vicinity.

Flimflam's dimming consciousness was colored by shock, betrayal, fury, blooming pain, and a determination to "make them pay."

"He'll live," said the medic after a cursory examination, and he waved the team to proceed to the nearest elevator.

Where are you, Suzie? Need help?

I got Ranjit and Chet with me.

Then I'll stay with my quarry. He's angry enough to think something useful. Maybe I'll just get him thinking that perhaps confession would be very good for his soul.

He has one? Just get him to talk out loud, Ca.s.s. It doesn't count in court if he just thinks thinks it! it!

Tell me about it.

Commander Ottey, Shandin Ross, and two other security officers Ca.s.s didn't know were already in the infirmary two levels up. All the way there, while Ca.s.s pumped the injured man with thoughts of "confess," "make 'em pay," "get 'em good," and similar provocative mental directions, she managed to stay out of his direct line of vision as much as possible. Flimflam's thoughts continued to revolve about retaliation and how much pain he was in. That was all he voiced.

"Something for the pain. I'm hurt. I'm in pain. Gimme something for the pain!"

"We did. It'll kick in in a minute," one of the medics snapped to shut him up.

Has he said anything useful, Ca.s.s? Shandin asked. He and the others also stayed out of Flimflam's immediate vision. Shandin asked. He and the others also stayed out of Flimflam's immediate vision.

He's full of revenge. Then she caught the reason. Then she caught the reason. But he's too d.a.m.ned scared of 'them' even to think names or faces. But he's too d.a.m.ned scared of 'them' even to think names or faces.

Maybe he doesn't know any, Shandin Ross suggested. Shandin Ross suggested.

That's always possible. But today he's been in and out of Kibon's like a yo-yo. So I figure he was expecting to meet someone there. And he did. Has Ranjit caught up with his a.s.sailant yet?

Closing. Man doesn't realize he's being followed either. Arrogant b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Shandin raised an eyebrow in distaste, then grinned. Shandin raised an eyebrow in distaste, then grinned. Got him! In possession of a very sharp plastic, b.l.o.o.d.y spike. Got him! In possession of a very sharp plastic, b.l.o.o.d.y spike.

"d.a.m.n!" the medic examining Flimflam exclaimed, reaching for a stimulant.

"He's dying," Ca.s.s said telepathically as well as out loud. "Tell them to watch that spike, Shandin. It must have been poisoned. The wound was superficial."

Medics closed in on Flimflam, trying to resuscitate him. Ca.s.s stepped back, leaning against the wall, trying to catch something useful from the man's receding consciousness. The need for revenge remained dominant until he was totally mindless.

"Ca.s.s? Ca.s.s!" Shandin caught her shock at the death and reached her before her knees gave way.

"I hate it. I hate it when minds wink out like that," she whispered, grateful for the lieutenant's support.

"I need help," Shandin began, looking around for a medic.