Чужой

           Sixcrewmembersracedrelievedlyforhome.Sixcrewmembers,andsomethingelsenamedKane..

           Theysataroundthemesstableandsippedcoffee,teaorotherwarmliquidstimulantsaccordingtotasteandhabit.Theirrelaxedposturesreflectedtheircurrentstateofmind,whichuntilrecentlyhadbeenstiffasglassandtwiceasfragile.Nowlegssprawledunconcernedlyoverchairarms,andbacksslumpedagainstcushions.

           Lambertwasstilluponthebridge,makingfinalcoursechecksbeforeshe’dpermitherselftheluxuryofcollapsing.Ashwasdownintheinfirmary,keepingwatchoverKane.Theexecutiveofficerandhisconditionweretheprincipaltopicsofconversation.

           Parkerdownedsteamingtea,smackedhislipsindelicately,andproposedwithhisusualconfidence,’Thebestthingtodoisjustfreezehim.Arrestthegoddamndisease.’

           ’Wedon’tknowthatfreezingwillalterhisconditioninanyway,’Dallasargued.’Itmightmakehimworse.WhataffectsEarthsidediseasesmightonlyintensifywhateverthisisthathasaholdonhim.’

           ’It’sadamnsightbetterthandoingnothing.’Parkerwavedthecuplikeabaton.’Andthat’swhattheautodoc’sdoneforhimsofar:nothing.Whateverhe’sgotisbeyonditscapabilitytohandle,justlikeAshsaid.Thatmedicalcomputer’ssetuptohandlethingslikezero-geesicknessandbrokenbones,notsomethinglikethis.WeallagreeKaneneedsspecializedhelp.’

           ’Whichyoujustadmittedwecan’tofferhim.’

           ’Right.’Parkerleanedbackinhischair.’Exactly.