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This had been an acciden a dangerous accident Hesitantly, she started the Oakes bio printing once ain flowed across the screen and the printer rattled with its text

Legata heaved a deep sigh of relief Perilous ground But she had escaped

This ti, so in her shoulderblades Soht in the middle of it

Her attention returned to the Oakes bio That had been a tireat secrets Salvation and survival - whatever the label - the arrival of Ship and the desperation of doomed people

Desperation breeds extreata"

It was Oakes calling her name and she felt her heart skip a beat But it was the console override He was calling her froroundside

"Yes?"

"What are you doing?"

"My job"

She glanced at the com-console telltales to see if he could find out what she was reading It was still blocked by the Ox gate

He recognized the sound of the printer, though

"What are you printing out?"

"So"

"Ahhhh, yes"

She could al she would not trust to the open channels between Ship and ground She would show it to hi

I’ll have to find so about Ferry That’s why I’m here

"What do you want?" she asked

"I’ve been expecting you groundside"

"I’nal?"

"Yes,our attention"

"But it’s not full dayside yet, Morgan I couldn’t sleep and I still have work here"

"Is everything all right?"

"Just busy," she said

"This cannot wait We need you"

"Very well I’ down"

"Wait for me at the Redoubt"

At the Redoubt!

He broke the connection and it was only then that she realized he had spoken of needing her Was that possible? Alliance or love? She did not think there was an Oakes

Sooner expect Lewis to start raising a pet Runner

Either way, Oakes wanted her presence That gave her a wedge into the power she needed Soh - the one fear above all others: What if he does love ht she wanted him to love her There was no question that he was the, but interesting There was much to be said for that

Will I destroy hi the Oakes bio She folded it, crossed to thefor a place to conceal the thick wad of Shipscript The lanced around the cubby Where to hide this?

Do I need to hide it?

Yes Until the right moment

The divan? She crossed to the divan and knelt beside it The thing was fixed to the deck by bolts Could she call a serviceman? N she didn’t dare let anyone suspect what she was doing Gritting her teeth, she put two fingers on a bolt and twisted The bolt turned

Strength has its purposes!

The bolts removed, she lifted the end of the divan My! It was heavy She doubted that three men could lift it She slipped the text under the divan, restored the bolts, twisting the juicy about Win Ferry

She stood up and returned to the console Ferry gave her no difficulty either He practiced no discretion whatsoever

Poor old fool! I’ to destroy Oakes for you, Win

No! Don’t trick yourself into nobility You’re doing it on your own and for yourself Let’s keep love and the glory of others out of it