"Thank you," she said. "How long does it take to get to Padrugoi?"

Peter lightly leaned into the generators. "Not very long," he replied, unable to resist grinning. The field vanished and they were on the telepad in Padrugoi's transit bay, a cleaning gang just beyond the telepad circle, goggling at the suddenly materializing personnel sh.e.l.l.

"Ohhhhh," her gasp was a startled indrawn breath. For a long moment, eyes wide, mouth slightly ajar, she stared out the forward window at the abruptly altered view. "Ohhhh," she said again. Closing her mouth, her very blue eyes still wide, she turned to him. " 'Not very long,' huh? More like instantaneous, wasn't it, Peter?"

"That's kinetics for you," he said, opening the hatch and lifting himself out. He hadn't quite got the hang of doing that as a normal person would. She didn't seem to notice as she emerged.

"Oh!" she said, immediately aware of the lower Station gravity.

"You'll get used to it quickly," Peter said.

Just then the Station alarm went off.

Pete? said Johnny, his tone urgent. said Johnny, his tone urgent. Get up here! Fast! Some G.o.dd.a.m.n d.i.n.k of a freighter captain just sliced through a very full cargo net and containers are popping out of it like pus out of a wound. Some are headed toward the Wheel. We need your a.s.s up here. Get up here! Fast! Some G.o.dd.a.m.n d.i.n.k of a freighter captain just sliced through a very full cargo net and containers are popping out of it like pus out of a wound. Some are headed toward the Wheel. We need your a.s.s up here.

The ensign who had been awaiting Peter and Dr. Scott didn't know what to do with the alarm wailing.

"Escort Dr. Scott to the sick bay, Mr. ahh-" Peter picked the man's name out of his head, "-Patterson and then proceed to your duty station. Nothing to be alarmed about, Ceara. Safety drill sort of thing," he added mendaciously. "Excuse me."

And he 'ported himself to the CIC where everyone was scrambling to their stations. The main screen had been divided into multiple windows: the freighter with its empty cargo rack tangled with the cargo net; the stream of containers let loose from the corral; the gigs and tugs speeding to head off those in a trajectory toward the Wheel of the Station; and the s.p.a.ce-suited workers jetting to converge on the loose objects.

"Neatly timed, Pete," Admiral Coetzer said, arriving from his ready room. "Linke, have we identified the freighter? Who's the captain? And I want him in here as soon as he gets his d.a.m.ned vessel out of the net and moored property! Find out who his employer is and about getting his contract and his license revoked. Portmaster Honeybald is apoplectic. Who's EV watch officer? Who do we have out there that can a.s.sume command and bring order to that chaos? Pete," and Coetzer motioned to the upper left-hand screen, "can you stop that one from tumbling? It looks to be on a collision course."

"Yes, sir," Peter said. He immediately repositioned himself at the engineer's station manned by Lieutenant Junior Grade Spencer Ci. Peter hadn't worked with him before. Not that he needed gestalt to tip the upper facet of the cube the admiral had pointed to. He pressed against it, perceptibly slowing its end-over-end motion and bringing it to a halt in s.p.a.ce, relative to the Wheel.

Good catch, Johnny Greene said, striding into the CIC. "Where do you want me, Admiral?" Johnny Greene said, striding into the CIC. "Where do you want me, Admiral?"

"Screen three, Johnny. See what you can do with that that mess." The Station generators picked up revolutions as the general tapped their power. mess." The Station generators picked up revolutions as the general tapped their power.

"Sir, Bergkamp here, I've got a full unit suited up and cycling through the lock."

"Good, proceed to the Wheel and deflect any incoming. Peter, do us a mean favor and detach that fragging freighter from the net and put it where it belongs. The dolt who's driving it doesn't know his a.s.s from his elbow." While the admiral's suggestion was facetiously delivered, it was no less the appropriate measure to take. To judge by the erratic use of his maneuvering thrusters, the captain was only making matters worse by pushing the rest of the net's captives hard against the far side of the net that bulged ominously. Without conscious thought, Peter leaned into the Station's power and turned off the vessel's thruster rockets, picked it out of the net, and deposited it at the nearest empty gate in the commercial mooring section. Pieces of the cables it had severed or tangled with floated in reaction in s.p.a.ce. The CPO in charge of the nearestcrew sent men to secure those before they const.i.tuted an additional hazard. Almost as an afterthought, Peter secured the freighter to the wharf and connected the accordion airlock to its main hatch.

Well done, Pete! Johnny exclaimed. Johnny exclaimed.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Reidinger," the admiral said with great aplomb, slapping his armrest in one-handed applause. Cheers from the other officers echoed Coetzer's sentiment. "Now, let's round up those strays, patch that net."

Lift that barge, tote that bale, the irrepressible General Greene sang inaccurately. the irrepressible General Greene sang inaccurately.

"And restore chaos to confusion." Oblivious to the 'path, the admiral finished his command. Peter choked on suppressed laughter.

Don't do that to me, Johnny, he said. he said.

Relief, lad, sheer relief, Greene replied. Greene replied. Now help me get that inward bound quartet of dome arcs. Their shape makes their trajectory erratic. Now help me get that inward bound quartet of dome arcs. Their shape makes their trajectory erratic.

Where shall we put them?

Just stop 'em. Here comes the cavalry, and Johnny pointed to the lower left-hand screen where EMU-clad figures were jetting into view. and Johnny pointed to the lower left-hand screen where EMU-clad figures were jetting into view.

"Bergkamp, get your men on those dome arcs. General, are you available?"

"On the mark, Admiral," Johnny replied.

"Mr. Sakai, I want a secure link to Mr. Honeybald at the Portmaster's office," the admiral went on, handling other aspects of the emergency.

Peter, and the unmistakable voice of Madlyn Luvaro nearly deafened him, I and the unmistakable voice of Madlyn Luvaro nearly deafened him, I have three tumblers outward-bound from the net, sou'-sou'-east at five thousand kps relative to the Station. have three tumblers outward-bound from the net, sou'-sou'-east at five thousand kps relative to the Station.

I'll get 'em. Where do you want them?

The 822 looks to be the nearest gig. It's not all that far from where they spun off. They're panicking. Maybe Dash hasn't heard them with so much confusion on the bands.

Peter found the grunts easily enough by opening his mind, augmenting his telepathic range with gestalt from the generators, just as the communications officer reported their predicament.

"I have them, Lieutenant Sakai," Peter said into the comunit.

"You do?" Dash Sakai swung his chair round toward the engineering station in surprise.

"Madlyn," Peter said in explanation.

"Oh. Very good. Thank you, Reidinger. They didn't think we'd see them with so much else going on."

A simple case of 'quis custodiet,' Madlyn said smugly. Madlyn said smugly.

Peter thought her quote inappropriate but her watchfulness was not.

The pilot of the gig to which Peter shifted the three grunts acknowledged their proximity and gave them a tow back to the Station.

"Admiral Coetzer, I have the captain of the CeeCeeD CeeCeeD on-line, demanding to know who turned off his maneuvering engines and who-" and Sakai paused. on-line, demanding to know who turned off his maneuvering engines and who-" and Sakai paused.

"Let me have it, Lieutenant," the admiral said with a malicious smile.

"The h.e.l.l endangered his crew with that-I'd rather not repeat that, sir-precipitous mooring?"

"Inform the captain of the CeeCeeD CeeCeeD that he is to be in my office with his log file at 1600 hours. Inform Mr. Honeybald that the crew is not allowed sh.o.r.e leave and that the captain is not to be admitted back on board without direct orders from me." that he is to be in my office with his log file at 1600 hours. Inform Mr. Honeybald that the crew is not allowed sh.o.r.e leave and that the captain is not to be admitted back on board without direct orders from me."

The emergency lasted two hours, of which only the first threequarters were critical; the rest was spent mending the broken net cables and herding the captured cargo back into confinement.

Peter did not admit to anyone how tired he was from that spate of concentrated activity. He was unexpectedly relieved when the admiral stood the watch down from the scramble. Coetzer gave a "well-done" and a special nod of thanks to Peter and Johnny before he left the CIC for his office. Peter was surprised to see others reacting to the all clear. Temuri Bergkamp sat back from the engineering panels, dramatically mopping his sweaty forehead.

"Never appreciated what you guys can really do," he said. "I know you shift cargo up here, but bouncing a freighter with its thrusters on is something else again."

"I turned the thrusters off first and I thought the admiral meant what he said," Peter replied.

"He did," Temuri replied feelingly. "I just don't think he thought you could do it that fast."

"No problem with the generators the Station has," Peter said, feeling his face flush at the praise.

"Pete loves generators, Bergkamp," Johnny said with a wide smile. "The bigger the better. He can do anything with the right amount of power . . . and a place to stand."

There are moments, General, when you're a pain in the a.s.s, Peter remarked. Peter remarked.

If anything, the general's smile got wider.

Sorry, Pete. Let's blow this joint.

"Thanks for your help, Bergkamp. C'mon, Pete, I know you didn't get a chance to settle in." And I won't mention the beautiful redhead you brought up with you. And I won't mention the beautiful redhead you brought up with you.

You just did.

Rank has some privileges. I'm grabbing some lunch. What about you?

I need to unpack.

Catchya later. Johnny Greene turned in the other direction and Peter gratefully went to his quarters. He'd left his bag in the personnel carrier and now 'ported it up to his cabin. He would have to apologize to Dr. Scott for leaving her in the abrupt way he had. Maybe they would have explained it all to her when she reached the sick bay. Thinking of apologies reminded him that his remarks to the general had been uncalled for, even if Johnny had not apparently taken offense. But Peter was annoyed with himself for snapping like that. Johnny Greene turned in the other direction and Peter gratefully went to his quarters. He'd left his bag in the personnel carrier and now 'ported it up to his cabin. He would have to apologize to Dr. Scott for leaving her in the abrupt way he had. Maybe they would have explained it all to her when she reached the sick bay. Thinking of apologies reminded him that his remarks to the general had been uncalled for, even if Johnny had not apparently taken offense. But Peter was annoyed with himself for snapping like that.

Peter changed his waste-bag and showered, closing his eyes as he levered shampoo to his head. He stood under the fine air-driven hard spray until he no longer felt the sting of soap on his sweated face. The warm air circulated through the shower enclosure and died away as the cubicle's sensors ceased registering moisture to be recycled.

Peter lay down on the bunk, lifting the light cover over his bare body.

"I'll just close my eyes," he murmured. He did, and was startled by the strident buzz of the intercom.

"The admiral's compliments, Mr. Reidinger," said a voice he recognized as Yeoman Nicola Nizukami, "and would you kindly join him for dinner at 2130 hours?"

Peter saw that he had an hour to get dressed.

"Yes, certainly, Mr. Nizukami. Delighted."

He must have slept nearly three hours. He'd have to get fit. There was a Reeve Board up here for him to use and he could rig the hydrotherapy bath for swimming against a current. He'd start tomorrow morning. That is, if his schedule allowed.

8.

"Asked their permission?" Incredulity and outrage colored Johnny Greene's voice as Peter Reidinger arrived at the admiral's lounge, promptly at 2130 hours. "Asked their permission to move the freighter?"

"Or so the company spokesman informed me," the admiral said, his tone amused.

"Then that captain should have asked our permission for tangling in our net , " Johnny said.

"The net was not where it was supposed to be," Dirk replied in the manner of someone reporting conversation. "Good evening, Pete. Barney, see what Mr. Reidinger wants to drink."

"Lit up like a Christmas tree," Johnny went on, "dense enough to be clearly visible on the antiquated screens those tubs use, and three klicks from where he should have been to reach the mooring Honeybald a.s.signed him. That captain is suffering from a serious visual malfunction." Then as an afterthought, "Or he wasn't even on the bridge."

"How did you know?" Dirk said, grinning. "And he's captain no longer."

"Good!" Johnny took a swig of his drink like a toast to that dismissal. "We've got enough problems up here without someone inventing more. Freighting's a boring job. I wouldn't want it. But that," and he pointed his finger at the admiral, "doesn't mean I would be a d.a.m.ned fool."

"Ah, Dr. Scott," the admiral said, leaving Johnny to greet another guest. "Hope that little flap on your arrival didn't give you a false impression of our hospitality."

"Of course not. I was impressed by the way you all handled the emergency. Good evening, Peter," she added, nodding to him.

Ceara Scott was certainly not fl.u.s.tered this evening. She wore a burgundy silk suit that was a stunning contrast to her upswept red hair and fitted her extremely well. She certainly didn't look like any medical person he'd ever encountered.

"Admiral?" Johnny's tone chided Coetzer to introduce him and, grinning, Dirk did so.

"A pleasure to meet you, Dr. Scott," the general said, with a wide grin and appreciative glances.

"So you are the famous John Greene," she said. "I was warned about you."

"You were?" Johnny pretended surprised dismay. "Who would cast aspersions on my innocent head?"

"My uncle, Jerry Scott, was in your etop squadron."

"Rosie Scott?" Johnny's surprise was no longer pretend. "You're Rosie's niece?"

She nodded and sighed. "Rosie!" She added, with a grimace, "He hated that nickname."

"Then he shouldn't have been saddled with that shade of red hair," Johnny replied. "d.a.m.ned good etop, though," he said in an aside to Dirk.

Dash Sakai and Madlyn Luvaro, who looked elegant in a rich emerald green, Pota Chatham, and Shandin Ross arrived in a group and that completed the admiral's table.

Peter sat across from Ceara Scott and tried not to stare at her or worry if she was noticing him. He felt unaccountably awkward with knife and fork. He also felt awkward in answering her questions, especially when the admiral, Johnny, Madlyn, and Dash informed her of his particular part in coping with the emergency. She had watched the s.p.a.ce drama from the sick bay.

"Didn't put you off a s.p.a.ce walk, did it?" Shandin Ross asked.

"If anything, I was rea.s.sured," she replied, her glance flicking from Peter to Johnny.

"Just let us kinetics know when you're ready to try and we'll stand by," Johnny said.

"A s.p.a.ce walk is not obligatory, you know," Madlyn said. "I'm one of those who can't 'hack the black,' as they say up here." She gave a little shudder.

"I'd like to try, but only after I've got my experiments started," Ceara Scott replied.

Johnny asked her what area of s.p.a.ce medicine.

"It's esoteric and I'd bore you all stiff with the process but I'd be happy to show you my lab work, if you're interested." She smiled at Johnny's startled reaction to her invitation and turned to the admiral. "You must be very proud of the facilities you have up here. So much has already been done. Even under Ludmilla Barchenka."

"Yes, so I understand," the admiral replied at his blandest.

Ceara blushed.

Peter caught her embarra.s.sed thought that possibly the name of the previous Station commander revived unpleasant memories.

Madlyn Luvaro rea.s.sured her and then the entree was served and everyone's attention turned to the excellent roast. It was all told a very pleasant evening and, toward the end of it, Peter relaxed sufficiently to enjoy it as much as the others did.