caught on to that.” She led the way into her office, where a light blinked on her board. “I’ve got to go to the bridge. Would you like to stay here, or go back to your cabin?”

Lunzie had hoped to be invited onto the bridge, but nothing in Sassinak’s expression made that possible. “Ill stay here, if that’s convenient.”

“Fine. Let me give you a line out.” Sassinak touched her terminal’s controls. “There! A list of access codes for you. I won’t be long.”

Lunzie wondered what that actually meant in terms of hours, and settled down with the terminal. She had hardly decided what to access when she heard heavy steps coming down the passage. Aygar appeared in the opening, scowling.