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I knew what I wouldn't do. I wouldn't panic. That wouldn't help anyone, especially me. I would be cool and calm. Save my fury for the Iri.
"You're taking this surprisingly well," J'avet remarked.
"Would you prefer I throw myself on the floor and kick and scream?" I asked sweetly.
He smiled again, still just slightly. "No, but it seems more in character for you."
I regarded him for a moment. "If I didn't know better, I might think you're teasing."
His eyebrows twitched. "I don't tease."
"Of course you don't." I didn't believe that. Nothing he said contained malice. "You must have taken quite the hit to the head. You're almost being nice."
"I'll work on that some more," he said.
I took his empty soup bowl and handed him a cup of water with ice floating in it.
He nodded in thanks and sipped slowly.
"So when are we going?" I asked. "You should heal first. Maybe just Brinley and I should—"
He cut me off. "No. I'm not letting the two of you go by yourselves. I shudder to think of the trouble you'd get yourselves into."
"Wow," I said slowly. "It's almost as if you care."
He gave me a 'yeah, right' expression, but his eyes said something more.
Perhaps lust wasn't a one way street. How about that?
"I suppose it would be difficult with two," I said. Not that I was going to let him tell me what to do, but I was a nurse, not a soldier, pilot or a navigator… "Chimera is a bit big for us anyway. It would feel too empty."
"We're not taking Chimera," J'avet said. "She's too noticeable and too damaged. We'll take one of the pods."
I sat back and stared at him. "You mean one of the pods designed for short trips? Like, a few hundred kilometres and then they run out of fuel? Those pods?"
"We'll take spare fuel," he said evenly. "It will only be three of us."
I shook my head. "Now I know you're trying to get me killed."
His smile was wider this time. "Only as much as you seem to be."
I snorted. "I am never trying to get myself killed," I said firmly. "Trouble finds me wherever I go."
"Only since you left Earth," he reminded me.
"That old argument." I waved a hand. "You need to make up your mind. Do you want me to help, or go home?"
"Both," he said. "You'd be safe on Earth, but this mission is vital to the whole IF."
"No pressure then," I said.
"Not at all," he replied with a gusty sigh out his nose. "You don't even have to come. There are other humans…"
"I'm going," I said firmly. "Brinley will too."
I missed Zarex and Slek. Both would have thrown in several innuendos by now. Danec would have his bags neatly packed and ready. Within the hour we'd be out the door, so to speak.
"Was… was there any sign of Danec?" I asked gingerly.
