"Milk or lemon, sir?" cater asked.

"Lemon?" syrona managed to gulp in surprise through her tears.

"Lemon, I'd say," Nimisha told cater and had to deal with a new outburst of tears from syrona. She glared up at the two men, both of whom seemed perplexed, and timmy, who looked worried.

Nimisha smiled reassurance at him over syrona's head and continued to pat and hug the woman.

"With extra sugar," doc added.

When casper brought this to syrona she reached eagerly for the cup. Nimisha tactfully balanced the cup in the shaky hands that syrona lifted to her mouth. She managed one sip, then wept a few more tears, sniffled, and rubbed at a runny nose.

Jonagren took a napkin from the table and passed it over to her. Nimisha held the cup while syrona blew her nose and wiped her eyes.

Then syrona took back her cup and gave everyone a watery smile.

"Even a cup of tea," she said in an unsteady voice. "You don't know what this means." she held the cup up as if voicing some inner toast.

I think I do," Nimisha said gently. "Would you like something to eat, too?" she asked when the cup had been drained.

Timmy had nestled in close to syrona on the other side while the two men had pulled chairs closer, offering moral support and sympathy by their proximity.

I ate a burger, syrie," timmy said, grinning impishly. "And drank milk!" "Milk?" syrona swallowed. Sniffing again, she was about to use the make-do handkerchief when she stopped. "I can smell burger.

Oli, my word!" and she closed her eyes, hands tight against her lips to prevent another outburst of tears.

"I would prescribe food," doc said.

"How do you like your burger?" Nimisha asked.

Medium rare," syrona said as if this was almost too wonderful to be believed.

"medium rare, coming up," cater said. "And did you wish ketchup on it, ma'am?" "Ketchup?" syrona's eyes shot wide in amazement. Shaking her head and laughing weakly, she commented, "why am I surprised that this ship would have such a sauce? Even fleet units do.

But it's been so long..

"Too long," casper said, retrieving the burger, smothered with ketchup. "Some foods simply cannot fade from continuous use.

The burger is universally a favorite. Yours, ma'am." with plate balanced on one hand, he made a bow to bring it to syrona's hands.

They watched her as she tried not to bolt the food. After three quick bites, she slowed down, smiling hesitantly around.

"Good, isn't it?" timmy asked, nodding his head to give her a clue to the necessary response.

"Nimisha's given us a tour of the ship while you were otherwise occupied," jonagren said, relaxing again. "She's the chief designer at rondymense ship yard. We're on the fiver, and if it took no damage after its trip through that fragging wormhole, then it's definitely better designed than the old pootheg was." "Wait'll you see the cabins, syrie. Your own head and a bathtub like you told me about, and soft covers that aren't fur," timmy rattled on. "And all kinds of growing things that don't try to attach to you and-and-" "easy, lad," casper said, laughing.

"If that burger will stay your hunger," Nimisha said, for the food had disappeared quickly in spite of the small bites syrona had taken, "perhaps a bath and clean clothes will restore you completely." "A bath sounds like heaven." "I cleaned you up quite well," doc said, sounding miffed.

"Yes, of course, sir," syrona replied and then stopped, realizing that it was an AI she was talking to.

"Doc tends to be cheeky," Nimisha said by way of explanation and apology.

"I'd love a bath, with hot water, and proper cleansing gel and-" syrona paused. "Any fragrant oils on board?" Nimisha chuckled. "I have a respectable inventory. You've only to look at the dispenser menu and dial the one, or ones, you want." syrona stood, and both men leaped forward to offer a hand each to their crewmate.

I can get up myself now," she said in an almost haughty tone and proved it. A teary smile crossed her face and she firmly held back more tears. "And that's a real pleasure. Thank you so much, doc," she added, turning toward the medical unit.

"My pleasure, I assure you." "This way, ensign lester-pitt," Nimisha said, formally gesturing the way for syrona. "The com equipment is standard for reportage, captain," she told svangel, nodding her head in the direction of the bridge. "And casper, I think we also have tape entertainment suitable for tim. Just check with the library." "Great! We didn't have much on the shuttle unit, mainly mual." "I can read," timmy said, puffing out his chest.

Nimisha was following syrona's proud gait-nearly a strut-to the living accommodations. She knew the library included some younger child entertainment tapes, because cuiva had mentioned old favorites she wouldn't mind seeing again when she was traveling with her mother. No one saw the pang that thought gave Nimisha.

she stayed with syrona at the ensign's request.

"It's so good to see another woman," syrona said apologetically. "It's not that casper and jon haven't been solicitous and reassuring. They've been wonderful ... but-" she paused with a wry smile. "-there's something about having a member of your own sex around. And I'm sorry to have wept all over you.

"You have nothing to apologize for, syrona," Nimisha said, assuming a mock scowl. "Now what had you in mind for fragrance?" "Sandalwood," syrona said, stripping off a uniform that was thin to transparent in places. "And lots of bath foam.

The water was pouring into the deep tub that would accommodate any size human body. There was a shelf to sit on in its circle.

The steam rose, carrying with it the aroma of sandalwood. Syrona in haled deeply and took the two steps up to insert herself down into the hot bath. She, too, was terribly thin, her pregnancy apparent as an abdominal bulge between gaunt pelvic bones. Her skin was now free of the scrapes, bruises, and dry patches she'd arrived with. The injured leg, still slightly pink from the medic unit's ministrations showed a straight line of tibia.

Oh, this is heavenly." "Your sandalwood soap, ma'am, and a sponge. A lytherian sponge-they're softest." expensive, too," syrona remarked as she dipped the delicate bath accessory into the water. "Oh, I've dreamed of this!" the water was deep enough for her to be buoyant and, sitting on the ledge, she fitted her head into the appropriate concavity in the wall of the bath, her eyes closed, steam rising gently in aromatic waves. Nimisha sat on the slip bench, quite pleased with the effect the amenities of the fiver was having on this survivor.

With her eyes closed, hot water bringing more color to her face syrona had the bone structure that would make her-once she was in better condition-a very attractive woman. Her dark hair began to curl about her face. It had been cut rather raggedly to just below the ears. Nimisha studied the resting face and saw the character in it, the lines made by the last years of struggle, perseverance, and repeated disappointments. She wondered how many children syrona had had, and lost.

mmys jon's son," syrona said without opening her eyes.

"The boy casper and I had together died of a fever. I miscarried twice, and then they made me wait until they could build me up." she gave a snort. "I don't think the indigenous diet was good for any of us even if it was edible. We ran out of the supplements we took from the pootheg's supplies. No vitamins, too few trace minerals ; I think that's why we had so many spontaneous abortions. But we hadn't thought of increasing the population while we had them.

Casper insisted that we'd be found before we had to start a colony." her eyebrows quirked in amusement. "That man's the eternal optimist," she added, her lips curling a trifle in a fond and loving smile. "Jon's more of a realist so the two balance each other." she opened one eye, clear now and a pretty light green. "Jon's a good man," she said firmly.

"I've already decided that," Nimisha remarked with a chuckle.

"It's been harder on him when he knows how much casper and I care for each other." "I should imagine so," Nimisha replied casually. "While you were still being treated, I caught up on the basic facts of the expedition's history. There are two other habitable planets within a reasonable distance." syrona's eyes flew open and she regarded Nimisha solemnly.

"You're first family. None of us are, though my older sister is bodyheir to my mother. But jon's family is long time fleet and he's ... he's very good," she finished in a rush. "Don't-don't-" syrona flushed deeply and closed her lips tightly.

"I have no intention of denying him human rights, but," Nimisha said with a little smile, "I think we both need to get to know each other a little better." "Oh, fraggit, lady Nimisha," syrona said, squeezing her eyes closed with embarrassment. "I didn't mean it to come out that way.

Sounds like I'm pimping for jon.

Nimisha burst out laughing. "Is that how fleet works out these partnerships for long-term voyages? A spokesperson to sound out the chosen?" syrona opened her eyes and regarded Nimisha squarely.

"Well, it generally works out. Of course, there's usually more choice available. But sometimes a crew member has to settle for what's left over. Not that I would consider jonagren a leftover." "That's encouraging." "It's just that casper and I have been mates a much longer time. Peri was jon's." a look of intense sorrow crossed syrona's face and she closed her eyes against painful memories. "She's been dead a long time now." her voice cracked a bit-partly the remembered loss and partly fatigue.

I think you ought to rest by yourself, syrona," Nimisha said gently, touching her arm as it lay on the tub side. "Until the water cools. Good to soak and let the sandalwood soothe you." I didn't offend you, did i, lady Nimisha?" "Nimisha, please, syrona. We're equals on this planet. And all first families!" she said as she slid the door closed behind her. To her relief, she heard syrona chuckling.

Nimisha paused a moment before rejoining the others. Syrona hadn't wasted any time at all in setting out the interrelationships of survivors, possibly because she felt that was her duty in smoothing the trio into a quartet. Well, Nimisha found jonagren svangel not only attractive enough but also an interesting human being certainly one she would find acceptable and deserving the comfort of "human rights," as she had so drolly put it. But she was not about to rush matters. If nothing else, the situation was slightly awkward for them both. She was civilian, as well as first family, and he was fleet and leader of his group. She'd have to figure out how to set him more at ease. What with all that she had had to do prior to leaving on the shakedown cruise, she hadn't had a chance for an intimate interlude with caleb. Intercourse was still one of the most effective therapies for the relief of stress. No doubt why it was part of the human equation, rather than required solely for procreative purposes.

At breakfast the next morning, they started to make plans.

"I'd very much like to have a look at the other two anomalies, Nimisha," jon said politely.

She heard fleet in his tone and grinned back.

"That would be my first order of today," she replied, looking at Casper and syrona for agreement. Both nodded first in jon's direction. "I don't have room on the fiver for the pootheg's gig," she said.

"I think it might just be possible to fit-without your skiff," jon said thoughtfully. "As you pointed out last night at dinner, the skiff has no defense capability, but the gig does. We might need that when we investigate the other two planets. There seems to be sufficient fuel on board the fiver to make both journeys feasible and still get back here." "We can store the skiff in the cave," casper said. "Plenty of space there. Does it have repellers?" "Yes, but why would it need them in the cave?" Nimisha asked, puzzled. They had been living in the cave, hadn't they?

"Well," casper replied, scratching his head and grinning wryly, as long as we make noise, nothing comes to investigate us, but I wouldn't want to leave the gig silent and unprotected." "Oh," Nimisha said softly, still puzzled.

Syrona caught her eye and grinned. "It's mostly the mess they leave behind," she explained. "The acid residue could damage even petralloy. Shame to mess a new skiff exterior if it can be protected." "I'm agreeable," Nimisha said. "Are you sure it will fit?" "Casper and I did a bit of measuring, and it will," jon said, "but this is your ship, Nimisha." "And one that I hoped to sell to fleet for long-distance exploration. So let's test all its capabilities." jon's eyes echoed his smile. Were they gray or blue?

Nimisha still wasn't sure. They were large and well set in his head and, now that he was definitely relaxing, filled more often with a droll sense of humor.

"Do you have anything else you want to bring on board?" she asked. The two men had gone out in the last light of the spring evening and she'd watched them climb up the ladder. They'd taken two loads from the cave, which they'd stored in the shuttle before returning to the fiver. Casper had brought in some handcarved toys and a stuffed creature that was obviously timmy's comforter.

it was made of animal fur, stuffed with some sort of plant fiber, and wore a small fleet uniform, complete with ensign bars. Timmy had greeted it with a loud cry of delight, and immediately sat down to tell it all about the new ship it was on.

"No," jon said, shaking his head, then grinned in apology for his bluntness. "We stored whatever could be useful in the shuttle last evening." "All right, then, helm, let's open the hatch and see about switching my skiff with the gig," Nimisha said. "I'll take it up to the cave.

I'm curious to see where you've ... survived." "It has served its purpose," jon said.

"And may again," Nimisha remarked.

Jon beckoned to casper. "Let's do it, then." she followed them back and watched for a moment as they used the anti-grav handles to move crates and make the necessary room for the skiff.

"Don't worry. We won't scrape the shining new walls," jon said, noticing her dubious expression.

"If it'll fly, jon'll fly it," casper said. "Been with him when he squeaked through some very tight asteroid belts." jon shook his head. "But not the wormhole." "Even helm, and he can respond into seconds, had trouble keeping the fiver from careening into the walls," Nimisha reassured him. "Anyway, that bedamned hole didn't even have a constant diameter." "Hmmm," was jon's rejoinder.

She had to admit, when they had adjusted the supplies in the garage area, that the skiff might indeed fit, though tightly. She got into it and, after making sure the men had stepped back, eased the little craft out and then up to the cave.

The entrance was partially obscured by drooping vines from which a flutter of tiny insectoids departed as the top of the skiff brushed them loose. Rather like colored snowflakes and not much larger. Surely they weren't the acid-droppers. Then she turned on the skiff's lights for a good look at the cave site.

They certainly had done their best to make it a home. Hewn wooden partitions closed off spaces for privacy on either side of the wide entrance. She could see that they had also built a rock wall across the rear of the cave. The amenities included roughly built couches, chairs, tables, a fireplace, and a cooking area. Shelves had been built and there were lighting fixtures on the walls, powered by the solar panels she had seen outside. There was even a rug, woven of rags all space-blue and gray. A bookcase, now empty, had obviously held reading materials.

When she heard the gig engine thrum softly, she slid down the lift rope to the ground and ran to see jonagren svangel's performance. He lined up the gig with the open hatch and, with a precise exhibition of his skill as a pilot, backed the vehicle inside the fiver.

He left just enough space on one side to permit him to disembark, but there wasn't more than finger's width between the gig and the wall of the cargo hatch on the other.

"Well done," Nimisha said, applauding when he emerged. He was grinning in almost boyish delight at his success.

He jumped down to the ground beside her, an I-told-you-so look in his eyes.

"Indeed you did," Nimisha said. "You're good enough that I'll even let you take the fiver to our first destination." jon laughed, cupping her elbow and walking her to the main entrance. "Considering helm would automatically correct any errors I might make, I accept the offer." they entered the spacecraft laughing.

"Helm, captain svangel is herewith authorized to fly the fiver, and you are to insert that order in today's log."

"Log so reads, ma'am," helm replied. "If you will respond for a voice record, captain?" "This is captain jonagren svangel, helm, accepting the authorization of lady Nimisha Boynton-Rondymense to act as additional pilot of the fiver. Will that suffice, helm?" "Yes, captain." Nimisha winked at the now-authorized pilot.

"Set us a course, helm, to the nearest of the two anomalies you discovered on this-" jon turned to Nimisha. "We never bothered to give this planet a name." "I've called it erehwon," Nimisha said.

"Nowhere?" jon said after a blink of surprise and a bark of laughter. Casper and syrona joined in the laughter.

"Well, it is the back of nowhere, isn't it?" Nimisha said.

"All too true," jon said ironically. "Helm, set us a course to the nearest of the two anomalies on erehwon." "Casper, syrie, timmy, join us," Nimisha said.

There was a manner of intense satisfaction about jonagren svangel as he took the pilot's chair and waited while it adjusted to his longer frame. "More comforts than at home," he said.

Course laid in, sir," helm said. "Maximum fuel conservation." "Accepted. Let's go," jon said, leaning to one side on the armrest.

As the fiver lifted away from the meadow and the place they had lived for so long, Nimisha noticed that only syrona glanced down. Timmy seemed to be fascinated by the altitude and the speed with which the ground dropped away as the fiver angled her nose skyward. Once she had reached the programmed altitude, the engines throttled back and were almost silent, minute use of the thrusters keeping her on course.

"It's not a bad-looking planet," Nimisha remarked.

"In the safety of high altitude," jon replied. "Lovely ship. Smooth as a baby's ... ah, cheek."

Nimisha grinned at the quick substitution, obviously made in deference to her social standing. She caught the turn of head from both syrie and casper but she ignored them. They maintained this altitude for nearly an hour before the fiver smoothly tilted forward and began her descent. They were passing over one of the oceans between the continental masses.

"What about life-forms, helm?" jon asked.

"Those are being observed and catalogued, sir." one of the auxiliary screens lit up.

Timmy drew back, wide-eyed at the size of the aquatic leviathans pictured on the screen.

"Well, I did see little butterfly things in the foliage at the cave," Nimisha remarked, "so not everything on the planet is oversized." "Chichim-he was our geologist-thought this planet was possibly in a late pleistocene epoch. He was hoping to find fossils before ..." casper's voice trailed off. "I mean, the size and variety of life-forms does compare to that period in earth's history. And there is evidence of at least one ice age. We got "-he turned to Nimisha-"too busy surviving to do much real exploration." "We managed botanical research and what biological specimens didn't want to eat us," syrona added, somewhat defensively.

"We did an in-depth survey of our immediate area, which was relatively free from the largest carnivores and grazers," jon said firmly, "as well as a complete sampling of riverine life-forms." "A lot were very poisonous," syrona put in.

" Good thing I didn't get a bath in that lake," Nimisha said.

"Ooh, you're right about that," syrona said feelingly. "Jon got peri out before something with tentacles tried to drag her under the surface and we hadn't even known it was there." "Not quite a cetapod," jon said, "but similar, from what we saw. Very strong. Peri had marks on her leg for weeks." "The surface feeders were small enough to be fished, and there were nine types that we could safely eat," casper added. "Two are very tasty grilled." "I like burgers better," timmy said, turning on his mother's lap to look up appealingly at her face. "Can-may I have a burger for lunch, syrie?" "I believe that can be arranged," syrona said with a straight face, but her eyes danced. A second long rest had given more sparkle to her, and she had managed to trim her hair with sharper scissors. It curled like a cap about her head. Though her face looked smoother, there hadn't been time to fill out the hollows in her cheeks or completely eradicate the dark circles under her eyes.

The fiver was over land again, the topographical features discerned even at their present height.

"Much the same geologically," casper remarked. "Though that's some desert area with not so much as a shrub or ground cover to show the presence of water." they were angling across the desert when they encountered deep canyons and, in their depths, the sparkle of water a long way down. Gradually that terrain gave way to more of the grasslands, and they could see the black clusters of the grazers moving steadily across it.

"well, maybe over that mountain range we'll find something new," casper said, ever the optimist.

"Our objective is seven kilometers directly forward," helm said. He brought that image up and magnified it.

"That's new," jon observed drily. "Not one of ours." "Not by a long shot," Nimisha agreed. The metallic mass was strangely formed, with rounded semicircles on its uppermost surface and what looked like atmospheric fins buried in the dirt. "It seems to have had a sharp prow." "Until it met the hard rock," jon added. "Broke its nose."

"it does look sort of like a bird, doesn't it, with the fins legs and those blobs on the top a series of eyes," syrona said. "Is it a green metal or is that paint?" "It's badly scraped, whatever," casper remarked. "If it came through the wormhole, it took more damage than we did." "Alien. It looks very alien to me," Nimisha said.

"Helm, land the fiver half a klick from the vehicle," jon said.

"We'll take a closer but safer look from the gig." he caught Nimisha's eyes, looking slightly apologetic for assuming command so automatically until she gave him a wave of approval. " sort of habit." "I enjoy being a passenger ... now and then," she replied evenly.