so though the medical situation is not really bad I still recommend

He hurried. Ahead two ship’s officers leaned against a bulkhead. Nigel slowed. They might not know anything, but then again—He veered down a roundabout route. And hurried.

he be put into the Sleepslots until we make Earthside. I’m sure it would be more poetic if he died out here but simple humanity

He was getting close. There would be discussion and that would give him time.

so I throw it open to discussion before we take up the Earthside

He was within sight of the auditorium doors when three women from the senior crew saw him.

his absence from this gathering of his fellows speaks volumes about his attitudes and, yes, I think his own shame at his childish deception he has

The women started toward him. He backed away and walked rapidly toward a drop tube.

well it appears no one wishes to counter my recommendation and therefore

Nikka! Why hadn’t she said anything argued—

pass on to the fresh news of a Swarmer offensive against all mainlands and indications of their concerted biological campaign

Whatever she thought of him, surely the thing with Carlos could not have made her go along with this. Nigel refused to think otherwise. He fell three decks at maximum speed in the drop tube. He came out next to a work gang carrying a thruster housing and fell in behind them unnoticed. When the women came out of the tube he was bent over, pretending to adjust the magnetic sled’s balance. He ducked into a prep-up room and waited. Then he doubled back on his trail. The women were gone.

as well as, we are told, continuing provocative allegations about cooperation—yes, I know this is hard to believe—between the Chinese and some elements of the Swarmers

He sent a query to their flat, but it answered that no one was home. He kept moving. If she was not at the meeting, then—Of course.

and since the newest information on this biological transformation of the enemy may tie into or provide a clue about their planetary origins, I think we should move immediately to review this data in the light of

He approached the medical complex quietly, carefully. He found Nikka arguing with an administrator. He waited until she looked around in exasperation, caught her eye, and signaled for silence. She said nothing until they were out of sight of the big med center archway.

“I came to get you! What took you so long? Ted has called a—”

“I know.” He explained in rapid, clipped sentences, feeling a sure anger come welling up. “And there’s no point in barging in there now. That lot won’t give me a hearing.”

“You’ve got to.”

“Ted hasn’t the power of a captain, but the consensus is clearly with him. And consensus, luv, is everything.”

“In a free discussion—”

“Right you are. But getting it free, there’s the rub. Ol’ Ted’s been quite pissed at me for some time, I gather. He’s a very smart man.”

“He is unprincipled, short—”

“Has it occurred to you that all I’m resisting is a soft ride home?”

“It’s more than that. This is, well, your life.”

“Was.”

“It still can be.”

“Hard to see how to beat him.” He took her head in his hands and kissed her on the forehead with a wan, distant affection. He felt strange energies building in him, a resolve he had thought lost.

“We can go home, refuse to let them in. Request time on the group net to discuss your case.”

“There’s plenty of evidence for Ted’s position.”

“Empty facts.”

He sagged against a bulkhead. Under pressure he had been dealing adequately with the inverted vision, but the strain was beginning to tell. Turning his head rapidly brought on nausea. Upside down, people’s expressions were alarming, grotesque, usually impossible to decipher.

“Y’know, I am rather a bastard. Surely it’s not escaped your notice.”

Nikka grinned and looked determined. “They don’t—”

“Wait,” Nigel held up a palm. “Listen. Shipcomm.”

—I’ve just been handed an emergency signal from Earthside. I’ll read it: “Nuclear weapons were used today in a military confrontation off the coast of China. The combatants are China, the USSR and USA, as well as smaller fleet forces of Japan and Brazil. Damage is unknown. Satellite recons shows the engagement is continuing and spreading, with apparently all major forces engaged. Cause is unknown. May have been triggered by attempt to inhibit Swarmer landings on sea coasts. Will advise shortly on possible implications for space communications net.” Well, I don’t know what to say—

Nigel smacked his fist against the bulkhead. “That’s it.”

“Wh-what?”

“They’ve bitten into the apple. Not much good our information’ll do ’em now.”

“This, this may be a mistake—”

“No mistake. All quite predictable, I expect. If any of us had been half swift …” He sighed.

“Well …” She blinked, confused. “Let’s, let’s go home. We can forget about our problems …”

He nodded grimly, putting his arms on her shoulders, peering into her lined, coppery face. “But don’t you see? That message is years old! We can’t influence events there. We’re on our own.”

“Well, yes, but …”

“Whatever happens, ol’ friend Ted will still carry out his precious policy. So we might as well do as we like, too. Earth’s another issue.”

“I, I don’t know … everything’s … so fast.”

“Look, it’ll be awhile before we learn more from Earth. The big satellite transmitters have got other things to do than beam to us.”

“Yes, I suppose …”

“So Ted’s going to go on with business. And so should we.”

“Let’s go home.”

“Right. For a bit. But there’s really only one place left for us now, luv.”

Nine

They crouched together in the freight elevator, hemmed in by crates.

“Are you all right? Your eyes?” Nikka asked.

“I think I’m integrating the change. Resting helped.”

“I’ve heard something about that medtech error. It’s a common one, easy to make.”

Nigel chuckled. “Gratifying to know.”

“I don’t think I can fix it.”

“Not without microsurgery tools, no.”

“I remember that the brain adjusts, though. Eventually you’ll see upright images.”

“How long?”

“A few days.”

“Um. I say, it seems that long since I went merrily off with smiling Ted. How long was I gone?”

“Half a day,” Nikka said. “They came and told me. I argued with Ted but he was busy. Carlos was there.”

“What was his reaction?”

“Sad. He went down to Pucks on the morning shuttle, just after you left. Reporting for his new job. A chance to put his training into action. I think he wants to—”

“Wash his hands of it all. Quite so. There’s still you, waiting here, after he’s done.”

“Nigel, that’s not fair.”

“Who said I was fair? Carlos is confused, but he’s not dumb.”

“Can’t we forget that? With all that’s happening—”

“No, we can’t. Might have to use it.” He slapped the portable medfilter resting between them. The elevator whine reverberated in the sheet-metal floor. It had taken over an hour for Nikka to strip Nigel’s jury-rigged device down to essentials, and then wedge it into a carrying case. Their apartment was no longer a candidate for House Beautiful.

He hoped the filter would still work. It was touch and go getting out of the apartment, too—Ted hadn’t put guards on their door, but Nigel was sure someone would lay hand on him if he showed his face in public.

“You’re going to have to keep the dockmen busy while I get this on,” he said.

She nodded. “Our chances aren’t good.”

“So what? Haven’t any choices left. Ted will nab us in hours if we stay.”

The elevator groaned to a stop in near-zero gravity. The door lurched open, revealing the aft ship’s lock. No one in view.