She allowed her mind to wander,wondering what he looked like beneath that cloak. On, no…! How could she havesuch a thought? One look at his face told her he had caught her.
“You have a very active imagination,”he told her, unable to hide his pleasure. His eyes twinkled.
She looked away, the heat ofembarrassment beginning to flood through her. She hadn’t meant… that! Therewas no point in trying to explain it to herself when he was standing beside her. She raised her hand to her forehead, trying desperately to clear her mind. Anything… anything at all to distract her.
Cush allowed her time to composeherself. He had learnt more from her in the few minutes they had been outsidethan he had during their hours of negotiation.
The building in front of her, shedecided. That would do. She studied it… carefully. The design was familiar,reminiscent of the Ancient Greek architecture she had studied at school. Thesharp lines and geometric symmetry, the columns and pillars carefully cut tolook perfect.
Suddenly overcome by an unsolvedquery that had plagued her since her schooldays, she crossed the street to thenearest column. It towered above her. She looked up, her careful scrutiny notquite able to confirm an answer. Climbing up onto the pedestal, she gauged itsdimensions with her hands, measuring its width around. Tilting her head to oneside, she placed her cheek flat against the column and closed one eye as shelooked up its length. She smiled as she saw the outward curve that didn’tallow her to see to the top of the column.
“It is curved,” she smiled toherself.
Cush was impressed. “You seethrough the illusion to the truth beneath.”
“When I know what to look for.”
Cush offered McReidy his hand. She took it and jumped down beside him. As she straightened up, he releasedher. “Tell me about yourself.”
Why, what don’t you already know,she wondered.
“There’s not much to tell,” sheanswered, pulling her thoughts back under control.
“You seem rather young to be incharge of a starship.”
It was almost a question,carefully voiced to keep her off her guard.
“And…” He deliberately didn’tfinish.
And female, she guessed. Thatstruck a raw nerve.
“I didn’t say that,” he cutsharply into her thoughts. “What I was going to say, and I don’t mean tooffend you…”
That much, she felt was true. Neither wished to damage their fledgling relationship.
“Is that you are not of a ranksuperior enough to be in command.”
“The captain was killed a whileago in a mining accident. As yet, he has not been replaced,” she truthfullyanswered.
Cush accepted it as the truth. Still, he did not seem satisfied. He stepped around in front of McReidy,blocking her path. His eyes were almost hypnotic as he searched hers, tryingto sort through the jumble of thoughts that were racing through her mind.
“Your thoughts betray you.” Hisvoice was quietly confident. “Who is… he?” He confirmed his earliersuspicions.
John, was the one word that shotthrough her mind. So clear, she was convinced the entire planet picked it up.
“Yes… John,” Cush nodded.
McReidy knew it was no use to tryto deny him. She had no power to control her own thoughts.
“Commander John Madison,” sheanswered in a defeated tone. “He has temporary command of the ship until thecaptain is replaced.”
“That explains everything. Please forgive my persistence –”
No, she wouldn’t.
Cush chose to ignore her thoughtand continued without pausing. “On a matter as important as this, I would haveexpected the most superior officer to be present during all negotiations. Considering our past history,” he couldn’t keep the hint of antagonism out ofhis voice, “I can see why he is reluctant. He has chosen wisely in you. Youare very capable.”
The comment was taken with therespect with which it was given.
“However, as the superiorofficer, I expect his presence.”
“I don’t think that’s a very goodidea.”
“I will not continue negotiationsuntil he is here. In fact, if he is not here within half of one hour, I will cancelthe entire proposal.”
The tone turned hostile. Themention of John’s name was enough to do that to some people. Cush, itappeared, was every bit as stubborn and pigheaded. No wonder they didn’t geton.
“Yes, I am stubborn.” Thelightness returned to his voice. “You may contact your ship.” He backed away,allowing her her space.
McReidy switched on hercommunicator. “McReidy to Bismarck,” she began tentatively.
“Humphries here.”
“I need to speak to thecommander.”
John frowned and shook his headas Humphries turned to him for advice. “You handle it,” he whispered. Herubbed his chin. Something must be wrong for McReidy to be contacting himdirectly.
“Humphries here,” Humphriesrepeated, unsure what else to say.
“Put the commander on,” she hissed.
“What is your problem, LieutenantCommander?” Humphries continued.
“At the moment, you are! Now youput him on or so help me, the next time we go through an asteroid field, you’llbe doing it from the outside of the ship!” A threat she would more than likelybe tempted to carry out, considering their experience earlier that day.
John sighed; Humphries wascompletely lost for words. “You really have no idea how to handle women.”
It was not meant to be critical,but it was a comment better left alone.
“Put her through… Commanderhere. What seems to be the problem?”
“I think you should come downhere.”
“Negative.” John’s mind had beenmade up hours ago. He saw no need to change it now.
“Then I should tell you thatGovernor Cush will cancel all negotiations if you are not here in –”
“Twenty six minutes,” Cushfinished.
“Twenty six minutes,” McReidyrepeated.
She misheard John’s response –she hoped she misheard it. At least Giacomo had the decency not to swear inEnglish. There was a short silence.
“I’m on my way down,” Johnanswered at last.
McReidy was apologetic to Johnwhen he materialised, wanting to get in first to explain before he started. “I’m sorry, sir. I couldn’t help it –”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s notyour fault,” he assured her, his glare cutting through Cush. He knew she wascompletely blameless.
“Commander Madison.” There
