Chapter 16
Morning, the Fourth Day

The next morning Ziem was wakened at 0400 by Rudolph. She remembered immediately that she was angry at him, but tried not to sound it when she advised him to grab a nap, since he would be on duty again at 0600. She built up the fire and then prepared the water and other supplies for the day's work. She set out the breakfast rations, and looked doubtfully at the few remaining main meals. The others had been correct. There was one beef and noodles, all the rest were fish. She considered briefly, and then tucked the beef and one of the salmon into her own pack. Rudolph had said she could just take what she wanted; she thought it would please Pasha if she gave the beef to him at lunch time. He deserved it she thought, and he seemed to have such strong feelings about the fish. Then she rummaged through the supplies until she found the chief's private stash. He always added a few things. She used his supply to make coffee from scratch. The chief believed the smell of real coffee was good for esprit de corps. She felt certain this group, on this mission, on this particular morning, was going to need all the help it could get.

At 0500, just as the sun began to rise, Chekov came by and set a pail containing some of the eggs on the fire. He asked her to stir it while he dug some more potatoes. Ziem thought he looked even scruffier than he had the night before. He explained he had pulled his sleeping bag into the sand by the senior officer's tent rather than spend the night in close quarters with Lapinski. He promised to go no further than the edge of camp to dig the roots, which he offered to share with Ziem, "But no one else, because I hate Lieutenant Lapinski."

"I know he was rude, but it seems like he did worse things before last night and it didn't bother you. Why are you so mad now?" Ziem asked.

Chekov shrugged, grabbed a spade, and started to drag it off in the direction of the river. Ziem could hear him muttering to himself, in Russian she assumed, as he went. She wondered if she should accompany him. The chief had said everyone was to have a security escort at all times. Before she could decide, he was out of sight. She told herself that going with him would have meant abandoning her current post. She hoped he would really stay within the camp confines.

He was safely back and poking at his breakfast by 0530. The exercise had improved his mood. He was cheerfully encouraging Ziem to finish the eggs when Lieutenant Sascheja left her tent and walked past them. Her blue uniform was crisp and her head held high. She nodded to Chekov and Ziem before positioning herself outside the junior officer's tent. She turned on a PADD and began working on it, dragging things from one area to another. She smiled, clearly pleased with whatever she saw. Chekov looked at Ziem questioningly. She shrugged in reply. Ziem thought Sascheja was probably organizing the talk Rudolph had suggested she have with Lapinski, but felt it was too hard a story to explain.

Shortly, Martin climbed out of the tent. He started to laugh when he saw the nurse and greeted her loudly enough to wake Rudolph, who bolted out, red eyed but grinning, clearly eager to see the little scene he had set up play out. Wilson followed Martin. He looked very tired and made straight for the coffee with appreciative murmurs. Lapinski came last. As soon as he exited the tent the nurse stepped in front of him.

"Have your plans changed?" she asked.

He looked at her critically and said, "What are you talking about?"

"My question concerns your stated plans to slaughter and then to butcher some of the local birds." said the nurse.

"Do you think I can't?" Lapinski asked.

Sascheja did not answer the question; instead she launched into a lecture on proper hygiene and animal slaughter techniques.

Lapinski frowned, but other than that, acted as if he couldn't hear her. He walked around her to the fire. She followed him closely, still talking. He poured himself a coffee and took one of the breakfast packs. He sat down on a stone, opened, and began to eat his food, all without acknowledging her. She continued to talk. Her voice grew shriller as she started to become frustrated by his lack of response. She asked him a question. She stared at him angrily, waiting for a reply. He ignored her. She answered. It made her sound silly, like she was correcting herself. Martin and Rudolph sat close together and giggled. Wilson stared at the nurse with his mouth hanging open. Chekov kept his head down and avoided looking at Lapinski. Ziem picked at her food, too worried to feel hungry. She felt certain that something bad was going to happen soon.

Her comm pinged. She picked it up and looked questioningly at Lapinski. He turned to the nurse and pointing at her said, "You, stop talking!" Surprised, the lieutenant paused with her mouth open. Lapinski nodded at Ziem. Obediently she opened the comm.

"Chief?" she squeaked.

"Sabide, what is wrong with you? Why is it you cannot just speak in a normal voice over a comm?" Giotto sounded cranky already.

"I, I don't know sir. I just can't. I guess," she said in a voice even more quavery than usual. Lapinski rolled his eyes, Chekov looked up long enough to give a quick, sympathetic glance. Ziem felt herself start to blush again.

She knew the chief would not care how she felt about what was happening at camp. Good security officers did not allow anything to deter them from their duty. It was the mission that was important, not the individuals participating. How could she possibly think she could defend the Federation from all threats when she could not tolerate four young men and a nurse teasing each other? If she were to have any chance of moving into leadership she needed to regain her focus. She turned her back on the others, cleared her throat, and started again in a stronger voice. "But I can report sir that we uh, had an uneventful night and um, are just about ready to go into the field. How is it with you?"

"I too had an uneventful night." the chief said. "That may not be true of everyone in the party however. In fact judging from the smells emanating from the bedrolls of my fellow officers, many of them had quite eventful nights. Not that most of them are awake enough to discuss it, but I have spoken to Mr. Spock and his interpretation supports mine."

"Yes sir," Ziem said uncertainly. Rudolph laughed. She wondered if she had something stuck on her back.

Giotto said, "Nothing has happened since our arrival that required defensive action on our part."

"Well, uh, that's good at least," said Ziem. "So you probably don't have any idea when we could expect you back then?"

"No I do not. Our hosts haven't roused themselves yet, but I have heard they are planning to serve breakfast. I wouldn't count on us for hours lieutenant, certainly not until afternoon. I of course plan to strenuously oppose any sightseeing side trips, but nothing has happened this mission to give me any reason to expect that my recommendations will be accepted. It is possible we may not be back until nightfall."

Rudolph threw his head back and mouthed a silent "Yeah!"

"That late?" asked Ziem.

"Yes that late. I'll check in at noon, earlier if anything changes. We'll continue to ping hourly. Keep an eye on things there Sabide, don't let people relax. Relaxing leads to carelessness."

Rudolph laughed harder, Martin joined him. "Yes sir," Ziem said, blushing harder. Rudolph was making her feel very self-conscious. It was difficult to ignore him. She wondered if it was possible to put someone on report for their sense of humor.

"If that's it Sabide I think I'm going to go allow myself the pleasure of waking Hendorff. Giotto out."

Ziem closed her comm and looked at Lapinski, who said nothing, but stared off into space with a thoughtful expression.

"Poor Geoff, imagine having to wake up to the chief kicking your bed. I'm glad I'm not him." said Rudolph. "Well that was funny. Did you ever notice how he chief hates everything? It's hilarious. And at least we know we have some time before they get back. What's the plan Tim?"

Lapinski nodded his head like he had made a decision then turned to the security guard and in a business like voice said, "The plan Mr. Rudolph, is for you all to get to work. The teams for today are as follows: Chekov and Sascheja, Martin and Wilson. Eat up. You have ten minutes before you hit the ground."

Martin rolled his eyes at Lapinski's word choice, but joined Chekov in a murmured acknowledgement of the orders.

"I wasn't planning," began Mr. Wilson, Lapinski turned to him with a belligerent look. "Oh never mind," finished the geologist feebly.

"Report back here at 1300 hours. We'll break half an hour for lunch and then return to the field for another shift."

"Might I ask if you will be joining us sir?" asked Rudolph in a highly respectful tone. Ziem looked at him, uncertain if he was teasing, trying to provoke the lieutenant, or actually interested.

"You might. And because I want to, I will even tell you. I am going out to get the stupid birds. We will eat them for lunch. You said that's what you wanted. Far be it for me to let you down." Lapinski sounded fierce, like he was daring Rudolph to argue.

"You better take Chekov with you." said Rudolph. Ziem wondered if he were constitutionally unable to tell when he was bothering people.

"I want to be in the field." said Chekov to the ground.

"No one asked, and you'll do as you are ordered." Lapinski snapped, narrowing his eyes as he glared at the younger man.

Chekov glanced up, muttered "Yes sir." and looked away again.

"And you're ordered to report to the field in..." Lapinski checked the chrom on his comm. "eight minutes."

"I would like to finish our discussion," began Lieutenant Sascheja.

"Tell him." said Lapinski, jerking his head toward Chekov. "He's your work buddy and he's a super smart guy. He is always interested in new information."

Miss Sascheja looked frustrated, closed her lips tightly and stared disapprovingly at Chekov, who smiled weakly and excused himself to get the tricorders.

"Get ours too, will you?" Martin called after him. Then he turned to Lapinski and said, "Who's going to be your security escort sir?" He used the same mocking, respectful tone Rudolph had.

"I don't need an escort." Lapinski said. "The birds aren't going to kill me."

Ziem opened her mouth to disagree, but Rudolph beat her to it. "The chief said no one goes anywhere without an escort. You can order up whoever you chose, as long as it's either me or Sabide." Lapinski glared at him and Rudolph added, "Sir."

"Sabide, you're with me. The rest of you have five minutes to get finished and get out." snapped Lapinski.

Chekov returned with the tricorders. As he handed them out Lieutenant Sascheja began again to explain her concerns with Lieutenant Lapinski's plan. Perhaps because the lieutenant had been so unreceptive, she seemed to have decided to share her thoughts with the whole group. She spoke in her usual accusing way. After just a few minutes Martin and Wilson got up and left, walking in the direction of the field. Rudolph followed them. He was eating a breakfast bar and still occasionally snickering. Only Chekov stayed to listen, and he shifted his weight from foot to foot, and tried several times without success to interrupt her. Finally he sighed and looked up at Lapinski entreatingly.

"Ensign." barked Lapinski, loud enough to startle and stop the nurse. "Get going. You're late."

"Yes sir." said Chekov, he touched the lieutenant's arm and added, "Ma'am? Shall I show you where we shall be working today?"

Sascheja didn't acknowledge him. She shut off her PADD and picked up her tricorder. Her face flushed an angry orange. Her round eyes began to bulge, protruding slightly from her face. They turned an even darker orange than her skin. Hugging the machines closely to her body, she began to walk briskly towards the worksite.

Ziem had known other Venzi; the facial discoloration was involuntary, like her own blushing. They only did it when they were very upset. The swollen, bloodshot eyes were another sign of distress. She had always considered it to be the Venzi equivalent of crying. Lieutenant Sascheja was obviously very upset. Ziem wondered if she was angry because she had been up all night preparing the unlistened to lecture, or embarrassed because she realized she had been set up. Ziem wanted to say something comforting, or at least look sympathetic, but the nurse didn't make eye contact as she went past. Chekov hurried to catch her and then trotted beside her for several steps, looking at the older woman with concern.

"Ma'am," Ziem heard him say in a quiet voice, "you didn't finish describing to me what you learned from your research."

The nurse stopped and stared suspiciously at the ensign. He smiled his nervous little smile and added, "I think you mentioned the importance of fresh water?"

Lieutenant Sascheja cleared her throat, blinked her eyes several times and then said, "Yes. Well, a source of readily available fresh water is essential. Perhaps ensign, you would enjoy seeing the slides I prepared? They are quite informative." She hit the switch and handed him her PADD. She continued to talk as they walked, her voice growing stronger as she went on. He loped awkwardly beside her, attention shifting from the PADD to her face, and then to the horizon as he kept trying to guide her towards their work.

Watching them Ziem felt tears sting her eyes. She blinked and shook her head hard. I am getting tired and that is making me overly sensitive, she thought. We all are, it is probably half of what's bothering Lieutenant Sascheja. She had often heard the chief say exhaustion made for easily provoked and sloppy crews. She decided that at every level she was going to demonstrate better control over herself. She took a deep breath and turned to Lapinski, who was the commanding officer, no matter what she thought of him. She prepared to hear and follow his orders enthusiastically.

"God he's an idiot." remarked Lapinski staring after Chekov and Sascheja. He sounded uninterested, like he was talking about the weather.

Resolve immediately broken, Ziem snapped, "I was just thinking that he is a remarkably kind young man."

"You say kind, I say idiot. Potato, potahto." laughed Lapinski.

Ziem stared at him in confusion.

"Never mind," he said, still laughing, "Earth thing. It means we all just see things the way we want to."

Ziem tightened her lips and did not reply.

"Okay then security escort, let's go get some birds." said Lapinski in a friendly way. He started to walk towards the river, but stopped and asked Ziem where she thought would be the best place to go.

Chapter 17
Morning to Noon, the Fourth Day

It was a long, long morning. Lieutenant Lapinski began it in a good mood. He was confident and friendly. Ziem could even see why he was so popular. He talked about his plans in a way that made her feel like she was a valued member of his bird killing team. At one point they were climbing over a little rise, and he offered her a hand up over a rocky patch. It was an empty gesture, as she outweighed him, but he did it in such a kindly way that she wasn't embarrassed. He asked her opinion on hunting sites and techniques, and listened carefully without seeming angry that she had so little advice to give. He opened his pack and showed her several snares he had made with rope from the emergency supplies. They were professional looking, and Ziem was impressed. They had taken him most of the night to construct. When she told him he should have gotten some rest, he replied that this project was important too, in the serious way that Ziem liked to hear missions discussed.

When they reached the river Ziem showed him the nesting area. He sat down on the ground and opened his PADD. Peering over his shoulder, Ziem saw that he was checking some articles about using the snares. Ziem approved of researching one's assignment prior to beginning work. She began to hope Lieutenant Lapinski might be successful.

After several minutes of review, he shut down the PADD and went to work. First he set out the snares in several areas. He tied one end of each to a small bush and buried them. Then he spread the noose like part on the ground and baited it with bits of rolls he had saved from breakfast.

"If they jar the rope the branch springing up will set the trap." He explained. "Or I can pull them from a distance using this part." He showed her a long string coming from one trap. "We will see which one works better."

Smiling, he settled down to watch the traps. He whistled happily to himself as he waited. Ziem sat down by him and watched too. Once the sun was completely above the horizon, the birds arrived.

They moved out from the nesting area, flying away or waddling along the ground diving after the wriggling bugs that made up much of their diet. They squawked and fussed, and periodically lunged at each other in brief tussles. What they didn't do was spring a snare. Several walked in the direction of the traps, and Ziem would feel her hopes rise, but as soon as they got close each one took to the air, squealing an alarmed call that made every bird in the area go skyward.

After forty minutes Lapinski was no longer whistling. He told Ziem to go walk through the nesting grounds and try to drive some of the birds toward the snares. She did so, but not happily, as the birds were thick and messy. The plan didn't work. Several times she got the birds moving ahead of her, but they would panic, and fly back toward the nests. They all seemed to fly right over Ziem, with the usual result.

Eventually Lapinski came out and joined her. They tried to work as a team, and funnel the birds between them. They tried walking slowly, calmly encouraging the animals. They tried running into a crowd of the birds, screaming and waving their arms. Neither method was better for getting the birds to go where they were supposed to.

After nearly two hours, Lapinski abandoned the snares. He tried to just chase the birds down and grab them with his hands. He had no success. Next he tried to hit them with rocks, but that didn't work either. In the air they never seemed to fly where the rock was going, and on the ground they dodged surprisingly well.

Lapinski was swearing and sweating, and no longer friendly. Ziem tripped while trying to maneuver one bird into a blind. She hit the ground hard, Lapinski yelled at her to get back at it. She wasn't hurt and bounced up quickly, but shot him an angry look that he didn't acknowledge.

Finally, after several hours, Lapinski collapsed. Ziem stood by him, waiting to hear what his next idea would be. He lay in the sand, gasping. When he finally caught his breath, he began to mutter to himself, mostly about birds, stupid, stupid birds. He looked more and more frustrated. Finally he sat up and smacked the ground with both fists. He roared in the direction of the nesting area. Startled, Ziem stepped back.

Lapinski turned to her, face red and sweaty, and snarled, "Give me a phaser."

"You're supposed to go through security to be issued a weapon on this mission." said Ziem.

"I am going through security. You're it. I just told you to issue me a phaser."

He looked so angry Ziem felt she should explain protocol to him. "Sir, I am sure you know the guidelines, we are in no danger, it would not be appropriate for me to issue you a weapon."

I'm not using it as a weapon." stopping himself, Lapinski continued in a calmer voice, "Listen Sabide. I am just going to be using it for target practice. We do that all the time on these little backwater planets. It's no big deal. This time the targets just happen to be those stupid birds."

Ziem wasn't sure what to do. On the one hand, she did have a spare phaser in her pack. It was standard to have one available for members of the crew to assist in defending themselves in the event of an attack. As ranking officer, Lapinski would have been her first choice for it should the need arise. She knew he was qualified on the weapon. And she had been present on other missions when the chief had allowed crew members to take target practice. On the other hand, although he seemed better, minutes before he had been acting irrationally. She wasn't sure he was a good candidate for possession of a deadly weapon. She wished the chief had left more specific instructions.

"Sabide, enough, I'm the commanding officer and I am ordering you to get me a phaser." Lapinski said smoothly, sounding perfectly in control of himself and very much like he expected to be obeyed.

Ziem sighed and reached for her pack. She said, "Sir, you are the acting commanding officer, and the rules apply to you too. I have no choice but to report this."

"Report away. My report will present my version of the event. I am not worried. Now step off and let me shoot some birds."

Ziem removed the weapon from her pack. She handed it to him. He checked the safety and began to sight it.

"You do realize that even on the lowest stun setting that is far too powerful a blast for such a small animal?" asked Ziem.

Lapinski held the weapon down and began to walk after the flock. He said, "We shall see. I have an idea."

"I am sure you do." muttered Ziem as she followed.

His plan, as far as Ziem could tell; he did not discuss it with her, was to try to hit the bird on a wing or tail. Even on stun the weapon would vaporize such a small target, and the bird would be rendered unable to fly. She assumed he planned to walk along picking up disabled birds and dispatching them.

Lapinski's luck did not change. Phasers were not designed for precision shooting. He was a pretty fair aim, and hit some of the birds, but it would have taken a far better marksman than he to take out something as small as a wing of a flying bird with an energy weapon. All of the animals he hit disappeared in a brief burst of light.

As he grew angrier his shots got a little more erratic. She warned him twice and then backed away, to watch at a safer distance. At noon, while Lapinski continued to shoot at birds, her comm sounded. With no audience she was able to answer it in a calm, professional manner. Chief Giotto didn't notice.

"This is Sabide." she said.

"Sabide, Giotto here." said the chief.

"Hello Chief! I have almost nothing of note to report." Ziem decided to put as positive spin on the morning as she could, while still speaking the truth. She continued, "Lieutenant Lapinski has left the main group to gather samples and take some target practice. I felt I had to accompany him and left Rudolph with the rest of the party. I have checked in with Rudolph several times and he says it has been an uneventful morning. We are to reconvene at 1300."

"Target practice! That lazy bastard. Did he not hear me specifically say that you were to stay together as much as possible? Not to mention we were on a tight schedule before all these...unplanned for...contingencies started popping up. We are never going to get off this planet. Tell him to get back to work." Hearing Mr. Giotto say exactly what she was thinking made Ziem feel vindicated.

"Sir, I have said just that several times. He believes as acting commander that he has some freedom to interpret the orders. Realistically, I do not see any threats, but I am concerned that he is running down the charge on a phaser unnecessarily." she said.

"I agree with your assessment Sabide." Then uncharacteristically, Giotto added in a quiet, bitter voice, "It's the yellow shirts Sabide. You'll find out, the more of this you do. You can ask them what they want, and plan accordingly. You can involve them in making the plans, think they are on board, and then when they start going sideways you can remind them of the plans. But it won't matter. They will still do whatever the hell they want in whatever way they want."

Ziem thought he must be finding his trip very frustrating to be confiding in her. She cleared her throat and said, "Yes sir. Any idea when we should expect you?"

Giotto sighed. "No. We are just packing up the vehicles with picnic supplies. We are going on a little sightseeing trip, and then going to have lunch, late, because so many people wanted to sleep in. We just finished breakfast. It may be hours yet before finally, we will start back. No one can agree to a timeline. In fact no one will even estimate a time for any of these activities. I have asked our hosts repeatedly, have told them I would appreciate even a rough estimate, and all they ever say is that we should thank them for taking us away from the survey work, which they claim is a waste of time. They are impossible. I am beginning to doubt that these beings even understand the concept of time. And the captain is finding that charming. Frankly, I don't see how the Phadruans ever got into the Federation."

"Yes sir, very frustrating sir. Well. We will track you, and I will ping you hourly." Ziem couldn't think what else to say.

"I agree Sabide. I will call again at 1800. Tell Lapinski I said to shut off the weapon and see if he could actually get some work done, not that I expect him to listen. The yellows never do. Giotto out." Without waiting for reply, Mr. Giotto terminated the conversation as he always did, by abruptly slamming shut his comm.

Ziem looked around for Lapinski. She didn't hear him or the phaser. She had been so involved in her conversation with the chief that she hadn't noticed when he stopped shooting. The silence made her nervous; she was just reaching for her visor when she saw him. He was a dozen meters away, lying on his back, arms out, staring at the sky. Alarmed, she ran over to him.

He was red faced, and sweaty, streaked with the birds' white droppings. To cool himself he had pulled his shirt up, and he lay very still with his eyes closed. When her shadow fell across him he opened his eyes and smiled at her.

"Hey." he said as she bent over him.

"Are you alright lieutenant?" Ziem was worried that he might have stunned himself. It had happened before on away missions. So many beings refused to take the weapons seriously.

"I give up." Lapinski said quietly.

"Sir?"

"The stupid birds win. I give up." He raised his arm toward her. Ziem grabbed it and helped him to his feet.

"I am mad," he said.

He looked so tired and disappointed she couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. She said, "You tried really hard. We just don't have the right supplies. The snares you made were amazing. They should have worked. I just don't think those stupid birds are smart enough to recognize bread crumbs as food." She tried, but couldn't think of much else encouraging she could say.

He smiled wearily. "Yeah, well that's nice of you, but the point is they didn't work. Nothing did. Now I get to go admit it in front of everyone." He sighed as he spoke. Ziem felt even worse for him. She knew she wouldn't want to confess failure to Martin and Rudolph. She hoped they would be kind. She doubted they would be. He sighed and handed her the phaser. Together they started the long walk back to the base camp.

"Only one thing makes me feel a little better." said Lapinski.

"What's that?" asked Ziem.

"I do get the pleasure of ordering my least favorite subordinate to spend his whole afternoon failing too." said the lieutenant.

Ziem turned to stare at him.

"Yes," he said contentedly, "It's only a little after noon. Ensign Chekov is still in the field. Let's go find him and I will share the good news. That is a thought that definitely gives me a lot of pleasure."

Chapter 18
Early Afternoon, the Fourth Day

Chekov stood with his arms crossed defiantly, looking up at Lapinski with distaste. "Sir, I already explained that I do not wish to do this." he began again.

"Let me be clear. I do not care what you wish, and I am not asking what you want. I am telling you that you are going to go kill some birds. Say eight. Yes, kill eight birds and don't return to camp until you do." Lapinski didn't sound angry at all. He sounded like the team captain outlining a play.

Chekov stared doubtfully at the lieutenant for a few seconds. "Ensign Chekov," Lapinski said. "You said you could do it. You insisted you could do it. If you were just showing off, well, I would understand. You do that a lot. Just admit it, and we will all go back to work." Chekov frowned and looked away. Lapinski smiled. Ziem wondered again at his ability to take pleasure from other's discomfort.

"Admit it," the lieutenant said again.

Chekov slipped off his tricorder and handed it to Lapinski. "It will take me several hours. I will have to clean them after I kill them. I will call on the communicator if I will be much later than 1700." he said.

"Fine." said Lapinski.

Chekov turned to Rudolph and asked, "Could I please use your knife again?"

Randy reached towards his boot but Lapinski interrupted him saying, "Oh no Rudolph. You just go with him. Sabide will relieve you and then you and Chekov can go have fun. I am excited to see you tonight with all the birds you take. We will have a regular feast. In fact, I stopped at camp and grabbed you both lunch rations so that you can get right to it. Eat them on the way. No sense in wasting time."

Lapinski reached into his pack and pulled out two of the salmon packs. Rudolph took one but Chekov only shook his head.

"Suit yourself, but that's lunch. If you faint I am not carrying you." said Lapinski.

"I won't faint." said Chekov quietly, and then added, "Sir."

Ziem remembered the rations she had slipped into her own pack that morning. She pulled them out and called to Chekov. He looked over at her and she handed him both packs. When he saw the beef noodle label he looked up at her with one of his beautiful smiles. He shrugged an apology to the rest of the group but said, "Thank you Ziem," to her.

Ziem felt her pulse jump, and a blush creep up her cheeks.

"You got the beef? No fair." said Rudolph, peering over his shoulder.

"Yes fair." said Ziem firmly. "You all admitted yesterday I could take whatever I wanted. Well I did. And then I gave it to him. So do you have a problem with that Randy?"

Rudolph gave Ziem an appraising look, and then said, "Actually no."

"I don't care how you feel about anything," said Lapinski. "Get walking."