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“I a froht, then,” Holden said

For a few seconds, no one htly on the cheek The captain’s arms moved out to e out through the narrow hallith the air of a woman on her way solances

“Ah, Cap’n?” Alex asked Compared to the voice of themetal wheel in the middle of interplanetary space, this voice was hesitant and concerned “Are we lookin’ for a new XO?”

“We’re not looking for anything until I say so,” Holden said Then, his voice quieter: “But, God, I hope not”

“Yessir,” Alex said “Me too”

The four , aard moment Amos was the first to speak

“You know, Cap,” he said, “the place I’ve got booked has room for two If you want the spare bunk, it’s yours”

“No,” Holden said He didn’t look at them as he spoke, but reached out his hand and pressed his palht here”

“You sure?” Aanywhere,” Holden said

“All right, then”

Prax cleared his throat, and Aot a place to bunk down?”

Prax’s prepared speech—I wanted to tell you all howboth thoughts

“I … ah … I don’t, but—”

“Right, then Get your stuff, and you can come with me”

“Well, yes Thank you But first I wanted to tell you all—”

A ht no about you just coainst the wall now His jaas set hard, like that of aat the ship but seeing past it Sorroelled up in Prax as if he were looking into a mirror