Giacomo was the only one whohadn’t turned up for poker. It surprised John so much that everyone else hadturned up, he felt he had to comment on the absence.
“Where’s Giacomo?” he asked, hiseyes resting on McReidy.
She avoided his look as sheanswered somewhat vaguely. “Oh, he said something about a walk along the beachand a moonlight swim.”
John’s eyes lit up. “What do youthink?” he asked Gillespie.
“Sounds like a good idea.”
McReidy frowned as she lookedfrom one to the other.
“Oh, no, you don’t.” She was onher feet as soon as they moved, blocking the doorway from them. “You are notgoing down there spying on him.”
“Us?” John asked innocently,feigning shock at the thought of such a thing.
“Yes, you.” She couldn’t helpbut respond to his baiting.
“Gentlemen, I do believe we havea romantic among us,” he grinned cheekily.
“You better believe it.”
It was only confirmation of afact they already knew.
“You can’t leave till midnightanyway,” she told Gillespie, who sat down.
“I don’t know what you’re sopleased about,” John continued provoking. “You’ve got the following watch.”
A fist headed to the centre ofhis chest. He caught it and held it still.
“Don’t ever throw a punch at meunless you intend landing it.”
She stared at her fist for amoment before tilting her head to catch his eyes.
He saw her surprise at her actionand a touch of guilt as she braced herself for the inevitable repercussion.
He wasn’t angry. He’d provokedher worse than that before for less response. It just indicated the currentmood. She was stressed – they all were.
“Shall we play?”
His soft voice barelypenetrated. Her eyes and her attention were elsewhere. “Huh?”
“Poker.”
She blinked. “Yes… of course.”
* * *
At Dunlop’s suggestion, theyspent another two days. Two more days was going to really mess up theirschedule.
“It’s already messed up,” Dunlopreminded John.
Yes, but Dunlop didn’t have toanswer to Powers. John couldn’t figure out why the doctor was so insistent.
The crew deserved it; there wasno doubt about that. He’d heard nothing from Command about being late to Aranso maybe he could sneak a few more days. The Chatikan President had nohesitation in granting permission for another two days.
It was a happier crew thatfinally bid farewell. It would probably take another day to pull them all backinto line and get their minds back on their jobs.
It was probably that thought thatweighed on John’s mind. He didn’t feel as refreshed as everyone else. He felttired. He hadn’t been able to sleep the previous night.
“Greetings from sick bay.”
Dunlop’s voice over the intercomas the ship pulled away from the planet caught John by surprise. He didn’tthink there had been any of the usual shore leave altercations.
“What do you want?” he asked.
“Guess what time of year it is?”
There was silence, thensimultaneous groans from John, Giacomo and Tan as they remembered. John sankdown into his chair. Giacomo’s head dropped onto his forearms across theconsole, his eyes screwed shut. Tan slowly shook his head. McReidy looked toGillespie for an answer. He shrugged unknowingly.
By Dunlop’s continued overlysweet tone, it was apparent that the shipwide reaction had been similar. “That’s right. Annual medical checkups.”
“Does he have to sound so happyabout it?” Giacomo sulked.
“Please make yourselves availablefor appointments and we’ll get through this a lot quicker.” The intercom wasswitched off before hundreds of reasons for non attendance could be thought of.
John now knew why Dunlop hadsuggested more time for shore leave. A happy, relaxed crew would have betterreports than a burnt out, stressed crew.
* * *
It wouldn’t have taken long toget through the ship’s personnel if some crewmembers didn’t find that they hadno time available. It amazed Dunlop the number of people who suddenly appearedto have duty twenty four hours a day. Whatever time of day or night he triedto get them seemed to be the same exact time they were due on shift.
“I’d have more success if I heldthese checkups in the bar,” he complained to Kat.
“Why don’t you?”
“Because their blood alcoholreadings would send everything else through the roof.”
He finally managed to chase mostof them down, even resorting to lying in wait and duty restrictions to anyonewho did not submit. He had the rank to carry out such threats, and John’sblessing to do so. Confinement to quarters did keep a couple of rebels in oneplace long enough for examinations to be carried out.
Dunlop didn’t know why so many ofthem made it difficult. All were in excellent health and had nothing to hide. A few symptoms of minor ailments made no difference to the end result. It tookalmost the week he had allowed to get through them. Theoretically, a couple ofdays were all that was necessary.
There was only one person left. Someone whose excuses were verging on the edge of reality: who seemedimpossible to locate unless he actually was on duty.
“What are you going to do abouthim?” Kat asked.
“Outsmart him,” Dunlop answered. “If you need me, I’ll be on the bridge.”
Dunlop was not on the bridge agreat deal. When he was, it was usually important. His arrival and greetingof, “Commander, I need to speak with you,” was heeded immediately.
“In my office.”
John took his seat. Dunloppreferred to stand, casually strolling in front of the desk. For their ownreasons, neither of them made eye contact and avoided looking at the other.
“Finished the reports?” Johnasked lightly.
“Almost. That’s what I need tospeak to you about.”
“Oh?” John felt slightlyuncomfortable.
“Yes. One of your crewmen seemsto be avoiding me. It doesn’t matter what I say or do, he just refuses to turnup.”
John thought for a minute. Asmuch as he disliked it himself, he wasn’t going to let any of the crew out ofit. It was as much a requirement as any other duty. “Then you can tell himthat I am ordering him to report to sick bay immediately and he is suspendedfrom all duty until you have finished with him.”
“Good,” Dunlop smiled. “Getgoing.”
“Me!” John spun his chair toface the doctor.
“Yes, you. You’re the only one–”
John turned away from Dunlop’slook. But he wasn’t quick enough. The doctor was around the desk and spun thechair back to face him.
John’s head fell against theback. Dunlop’s hand was on his forehead.
