За разломом орла

           InsteadIjustcommittedtheexistingmessagefortransmissionandwonderedhowlongitwouldhavetowaitbeforegoingonitsway. SinceitseemedunlikelythattherewasavastflowofcommerceinandoutofSaumlaki,ourshipmightbethefirstsuitableoutboundvessel. 

           Iemergedfromthebooth.ForsomereasonIfeltguilty,asifIhadbeeninsomewayneglectful. IttookmeawhilebeforeIrealizedwhatwasplayingonmymind. I’dtoldKaterinaaboutSaumlakiStation. I’deventoldheraboutKoldingandthedamagetotheBlueGoose. ButIhadn’ttoldheraboutGreta. 

           *** 

           It’snotworkingwithSuzy. 

           She’stoosmart,toowellattunedtothephysiologicalcorrelativesofsurgetankimmersion. Icangiveherallthereassurancesintheworld,butsheknowsshe’sbeenundertoolongforthistobeanythingotherthanatrulyepicscrew-up. Sheknowsthatwearen’tjusttalkingweeksorevenmonthsofdelayhere. Everynerveinherbodyisscreamingthatmessageintoherskull. 

           "Ihaddreams,"shesays,whenthegrogginessfades. 

           "Whatkind?" 

           "DreamsthatIkeptwaking. Dreamsthatyouwerepullingmeoutofthesurgetank. Youandsomeoneelse." 

           Idomybesttosmile. I’malone,butGretaisn’tfaraway. Thehypodermic’sinmypocketnow. 

           "Ialwaysgetbaddreamscomingoutofthetank,"Isay. 

           "Thesefeltreal.Yourstorykeptchanging,butyoukepttellingmeweweresomewhere… thatwe’dgonealittleoffcourse,butthatitwasnothingtoworryabout."