He continued forward as the spaceand light increased. An air vent to the engines filtered warmth. Hestraightened up, sat back against the wall and looked out into space beyond.
The stars retreated slowly. Tinyballs that became pin pricks before reducing to nothing.
He switched his communicator off– no one was finding him – and sighed, letting his problems wash away from himin the insignificance of what was beyond.
He was as far from anything as hecould get on the ship. A place where he’d found he could be alone – a place hehadn’t felt the need to be for a long time now.
When he’d first been transferredto Bismarck, he’d been banned all contact with his friends and Captain Deckerhadn’t given him a moment’s peace. While he didn’t regret his actions atBetelgeuse, he’d often come here and watch the stars and his life disappear,and wonder how things might have been different.
While he’d long passed that pointof self pity, it was the solitude that he sought now. That and the enormity ofwhat was beyond – and the dreams they had sparked in him as a child.
He didn’t know how long he stayedthere – time had no measure. Case and Red were still in engineering; the chiefacknowledging him with a soft nod.
These boys worked hard; the wholecrew worked hard. The ambassadors had no right to inflict their presencetwenty four seven. And it stopped now.
John banned the ambassadors fromthe bar between midnight and eight am. While this caused immediate outrage, hewasn’t budging. Anyone who breached the ban would find their privileges andthemselves restricted to their quarters.
“Having a drink is not aprivilege,” Finook fumed.
“I’m not stopping you having adrink,” John answered. “Just not in the bar during that time.”
The Fillarmar’s nose twitchedfrom side to side in irritation.
“The dining room is stillavailable to you.”
“The offensive fragrances thatemanate from that room –”
“Do you want me to make itpermanent?”
The Neelund and Massicambassadors expressed visual annoyance, not willing to voice anything untilFinook’s confrontation was decided. They hadn’t caused any problems yet andJohn hoped they weren’t going to start now.
“Very well,” Finook decided,realising his support was only going to be moral. “The Fillarmars will accedeto your request.”
“You go by the clock on thewall,” John pointed to the clock and held his temper. “And it’s not arequest.”
* * *
The evening poker game was heldin John’s quarters. It wasn’t worth the protest. Given the choice, Johnthought it was preferable to being anywhere else on the ship. If he had tohave company, it might as well be enjoyable.
Giacomo was the only onemissing. Kowalski had finally gained enough sense to keep his mouth shut. Giacomo was serious about Lorraine and any teasing from the engineer usuallyhad the rest of them giving him a hard time. He was not as naive as they allthought.
Of course he wasn’t, they allagreed, barely managing to keep straight faces.
“Come and talk to me when you’reolder,” John told him in the most serious manner he could.
Kowalski tossed his cards to themiddle of the table and stood up. “That’s it. I’m offended and I expect anapology.” He couldn’t have been more serious if he tried. His feelings weregenuinely hurt.
“You’ll get an apology whenyou’ve got something to be offended about. Now sit down and play.” Johndidn’t want to hurt him any more than he was.
Kowalski sat. “I’m out.”
“If you knew as much about womenas you know about engines…” John frowned slightly as he rethought hisstatement. “If we all knew as much about women as we do about engines, we’d bemuch better off.”
“I think I have a distinctadvantage over you in that department,” Dunlop boasted.
“I don’t think he meantbiological,” Gillespie put in.
John was surprised that McReidyhadn’t had her say. She was leaning on the edge of the table resting her headon her folded arms. “McReidy.”
“Huh?” She lifted her head.
“Your turn.”
“Oh…” She looked at her cards;squinting at them, opening her eyes wide and squinting again. Then she rubbedher eyes with the palm of her hand and yawned. “I’m out.”
She tossed her cards in thegeneral direction of the table’s centre.
“Why don’t you go home,” Johnadvised softly.
“I can’t, I mean… it’s onlyearly,” she hurriedly added.
John glanced at his watch. Itwas nearly midnight. “Last hand. Some of us have got to get up earlytomorrow.”
*
McReidy gave plenty of warningthat she had arrived back at her quarters. She didn’t intend to walk in on anycompromising situations. She needn’t have worried.
Giacomo was asleep on the lounge,his arms around Lorraine. She was lengthways along the lounge snuggled intohim, using his chest as a pillow, a book resting on her uplifted knees. It wasonly when she turned a page did McReidy realise that she was still awake.
“I thought you were asleep,”McReidy whispered.
Lorraine’s eyes looked up inacknowledgement, but she didn’t answer.
“Where’s Kat?”
“Night shift.”
McReidy’s attention turned to thebook. “When’s your exam?”
“Two days.”
“Are you worried about it?”
“Not really. It’s just that it’sbeen complete chaos around here recently. Giacomo’s a big help. He’swonderful, isn’t he?” Lorraine looked up dreamily at him.
McReidy chose a safe answer. “Atleast he doesn’t snore. Come on, time to put him to bed.”
Lorraine’s eyes sparkled.
“That’s not what I meant. Sendhim home.”
Lorraine nudged him lightly andwhispered his name.
Giacomo was reluctant to wakeup. His arms tightened around her and his cheek rested on her hair. She wasjust as reluctant to move.
McReidy sighed. “Giacomo, wakeup. Time to go home.”
“Do I have to?” he mumbledsleepily, the words barely penetrating.
“Yes. Go home.” McReidy’s voicewas a little louder, more insistent.
“Can’t I stay here?” he moaned,his eyes slowly opened. “I’ll behave.”
“No, you can’t. A gentleman doesnot spend the night alone with two ladies.”
“Then… I’m not a gentleman,” hedecided.
“Yes, you are.” McReidy draggedhim out from under Lorraine and bundled him towards the door. “Or I wouldn’tlet you in here in the first place.”
He placed a hand on the doorframeand turned around as McReidy pushed him out. “Good night, Lorraine,” helingered, his voice soft.
She had sat up, leaning her armsalong
