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“Well,” Alex said after ato hed at his exaggerated drawl and comic obviousness Alex could be very funny, in a dry, understated sort of way

Right now, Holden had to clench his hands to stop fro up,” at the sa down”

“Alex,” Holden said, pretending a calo bay airlock?”

Alex tapped twice on the terood, because as frightened of the protoic It had en could sneak out through the airlock seal, then he was pretty sure none of the virus could get in But …

“Alex, crank up the O2,” Holden said “As rich as we can get it without blowing the ship up”

The protoet in, he wanted the environet up to the cockpit,” he continued “Seal yourself in If the goo soer on the reactor overrides”

Alex frowned and scratched his thin hair “That seerabbed him by the upper arms, hard Alex’s eyes ide and his hands caesture of surrender Beside him, the botanist blinked in confusion and alarm This was not the best way to instill confidence In other circuht have cared

“Alex,” Holden said, not able to stop hi the pilot’s aras if that shit gets in here? Because if I can’t, consider yourself relieved of duty and confined to quarters ier, but by reaching up and putting his hands on Holden’s forearms Alex’s face was serious, but his eyes were kind

“Seal myself into the cockpit and prepare to scuttle the ship Aye, aye, sir,” he said “What’s the stand-down order?”

“Direct order froh of relief He didn’t have to say, If that thing gets in here and kills us, you’re better off going up with the ship He let go of Alex’s arms and the pilot took one step back, his broad dark face wrinkled with concern The panic that threatened to overwhelet out of his control if he allowed anyone to feel sympathy for him, so he said, “Now, Alex Do it now”

Alex nodded once, looked like he wanted to say so else, then spun on his heel and went to the crew ladder and up toward the cockpit Naomi descended the same ladder a few moments later, and Amos came up from below a short time after that

Nao enough for Holden to recognize the barely concealed fear in her voice

Holden paused to take two o see if we can’t drive it out the cargo bay doors Get them open for us”

“Done,” she said, and headed up the ladder to ops

A him, a speculative look in his eyes

“So, Cap, hoe ‘drive it’ out those doors?”