woman's.

For no reason, Barton was disgusted with himself. He took a beer from the cool-box and sat across the tabfe from the disguised prankster.

"You're right-it's a damned good job. But Hallow- een's over now; take off your head and let's see who's in- side."

The hood was thrown back; the gloves came off. The mask wasn't so easy-"Help me. Barton"-it was like pulling off a rubber boot. Then, there was Helaise Renzel, grinning through the tangled blonde hair that fell to veil her face.

"Well. Nice to see you out and around, Helaise, That first look, though-it just about had me back in diapers.

Whose idea?"

"Oh, mine. I modeled it for the others, and then decided to stay in costume and give you a personal preview." Her hands were busy, disentangling her hair, smoothing back the strands as they came loose from the mass. r "Where is everybody?"

"Various places. Everyone seemed to have something to do, or maybe think about-I don't know. So I just stayed here and waited for you."

"Anything wrong?" The cast wasn't hampering her movements, he noticed, and thought: That's good.

"No-no, nothing's wrong." She wasn't looking at him.

"Oood." He swallowed the last of his beer, rose, and got another. "Well. Have you decided-has Max Cum- nungs said-whether you're coming with the strike force?"

Head down, fingers working through the last tangles of her hair, she said, "Max cleared me, all right. But I'm not going; I'm staying. Alene will join you instead." With her hair now m fair order, she dropped her hands to her lap and looked up at him.

**Alcne? I don't think I get it. Explain?"

The hair was still good for a spectacular toss of the head. "It's simple. I've moved in with Tarleton."

"You've what?"

"Moved in with Tarleton- In Compartment One, on

258.

Ship One, with man. Number One. Do you mind. Barton?"

Jesus Christ!-was there no end to the supply of kooks?

Sure as hell, he thought, she saw her move as a power play. Well, maybe it was contagious-she'd been with ap Fenn quite a while . . .

"No," he said. "I don't mind-I don't mind at all. It's none of my business, except that I stilt need a weapons man for the strike force. But one thing I'm curious about."

"Yes?" Her air of disinterest struck Barton as overdone.

'Tve worked for Tarleton a long time-a lot longer than you have. He has a lot of good qualities. And I'm wondering-which of these attracted you the most?"

Eyes bright, mouth stretched past smile into grimace, she answered. "He's big. Barton! Not just tall-he's Number One! I had to live with Terike-a large man who was small inside. You beat the living hell out of him-and I couldn't have you, except once. And then I couldn't even have poor goddamned Terike, because he died."

"Are these the good things you wanted said over his memory?"

"Damn you. Barton!" She almost screamed it. "All right-it was a corny idea, wasn't it?" She shook her bead, hair swinging. "No, not that, I guess-it's more that whatever good there was to say, I've already said it, when the hurt of his death was fresh and I felt guilty for it. Does that make sense?" ^

"I guess so. All right-consider the ceremony can- celled. And now what?"

"And now I have Tarleton-Number One. And I'm going to keep him."

How had she managed it? No matter-she had. "Well.

My best wishes, Helaise. And keep one thing in mind, will you?"

"What's that?"

"Tarleton is Number One. Don't forget it. Treat him that way."

She looked away. "Yes, Barton-I know." Then she met his eyes. "If you want to speak with- Alene-about going on the strike force, or anything-she's in my old compartment It's torn up a lot, installing your spare laser -but she's there."

"Yes. I see. Thanks. Perhaps I'll look in on her a little later." He thought briefly. "Tell Tarleton I'll see him after dinner." If LJmila wasn't back yet. Barton was of a mood

259.

to eat alone, in Two. He'd had enough company for a

while.

In Two, no Limila-Barton bathed and changed,

found himself hungry. Back at the galley he found He- laise gone; Cheng Ai was loading a tray with two thaw- and-heat dinners to carry out.

Cheng smiled at him. "It's not very good, but it's quick."

"Yeh, I know. I'm probably having the same." tie wanted to say something to Cheng-but what? "Hey.

You and Myra ready to plunge with the strike force to- morrow?"

The man nodded. "Oh, yes. We would come in any case, since you asked for us. But we talked it over, Myra and I, and decided we are glad to be asked-to be relied on in such an important matter."

"You both earned it-I just hope you never regret it."

"We'll take our chances, the same as you will. Bar- ton."

"Your dinners are getting cold, Cheng. See you. '. . ."

Barton was tired of the frozen stuff but too lazy to try anything more ambitious. He brought out a package, thought a moment. On the intercom circuit, he punched for Cabin Three.

"Yes?" It was Alene, all right.

"Barton. Speaking from the galley, and hungry.' How about you?"

"Oh . ..." A few moments of silence. "Thanks-but I don't feel like joining a group just now. Later, maybe."

"I was thinking of heating a couple of Frozen Freddies.

If you can't use company, I could hand yours in to you, and leave. Okay?"

"Well.. . yes. And thanks. Barton."

"My pleasure. And signing out-I go to heat the meat."