Rhade saw the Perseid scientists Hohne and Reekeb off. "Thank you both for all you have done for my engineer", Rhade said.
"Oh, it was our pleasure. Just imagine the knowledge that it all brought us." Hohne was very happy.
"Well, thank you again." Rhade saw them off. Then he started back to his office.
Andromeda popped up. "Now what?"
"We just go on doing what we were doing."
"I was not speaking of our mission. I was speaking of a certain someone who is currently not happy with you right now."
"Yes, I think saying she's unhappy with me is quite an understatement."
"And?"
"I wait. I can't think of anything else to do at the moment."
Beka stopped crying. Having already decided that going on a hunger strike was pointlless, she took the tray and began to eat. And think. 'O.K. I'll try and be calm. I'll act the way he wants me too. No, that won't work. I can't escape in the Maru anyway because I'd bet Andromeda wouldn't let me. So what...I'll try and keep a lid on my temper. If I can then maybe I can reason with him.'
Having finished, she lay on her bunk, staring at the ceiling. It was boring. There weren't even any holo-novels to keep her entertained. "Andromeda, do you think that someone might be able to fetch me my holo-novels, so I'm not bored?"
Andromeda popped up. "I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you."
This was quite a change from her earlier demeanour. It seemed suspicious. She reported the request to the captain. He smiled. "She's trying to play the part of a good, obedient and cooperative person. Wonderful. Little does she know whatever she tries only makes me love her more. But she shouldn't be bored. Get her novels for her." Andromeda winked out. There was a knock on his door. "Come in."
It was Trance. "Unh, sir, Harper just told me about....Are you sure it's a good idea?"
No. But it will never, ever be worse then the first mistake I made. I can live with it. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't try again.'
Trance nodded. "All righty, then. Just checking."