Varian and Kai both laughed. “You’ll know soon enough when we get back to the EV,” Varian told him.
“Yeah!” Bannard’s reply lacked any enthusiasm for return.
“You’d be sorry to leave?”
“I sure will, Kai, and it’s not because we’ll have to leave Dandy. There’s so much to do here. I mean, tapes are great, and better than nothing, but this trip I’m learning hundreds of things. Learning’s got a point …”
“You have to have had the theoretical study before you can attempt the practical,” Varian said but Bonnard waved that consideration aside.
“I’ve studied basics till data comes out my pores but it isn’t the same thing at all as being here and doing it!” Bonnard was emphatically banging his knee. “Like that fire, and all. Rakers, on shipboard you see flames and dash for the foamer!”
Varian grinned at Kai and caught his rueful expression.
“Your point’s taken, Bonnard,” she said. “And I think it’s safe to say that you’ll be in demand for more expeditions once Kai and I have made our report. Bakkun thinks highly of your performance as his recorder.”
“He does?” Bannard’s expression which had soured at the contemplation of return to EV, brightened with such a future. “You’re sure?” His gaze went from Varian to Kai.
“As far as you can be sure of a heavy-worlder.”
“Are there more expeditions planned, Varian?” asked Bonnard urgently.
“More or less,” she replied, catching Kai’s gaze. “I was signed on this tour for three expeditions requiring a xenob over a period of four standard years. You’d be eligible as a junior member in that time. Of course, you might opt for geology rather than xenob.”
“I like animals,” said Bonnard, testing the words in his mouth so as not to give offence to either leader, “but I do Like … sort of fancy the more scientific aspects of …”
“I’d think you’d be best as an all-round recorder, with as many specialties in that area as possible,” said Varian, helping him.
“You do?”
His reaction made it obvious to Kai and Varian that it was the mechanics of recording that fascinated the boy, rather than any of the individual disciplines. They talked about specialization as the fire burned down, was replenished, and burned down again. By the time Kai suggested they sack out, the two leaders had assured Bonnard that they would give him as much opportunity at tape and recorders as possible to see if this was really where his interests lay.
Safe under the sled’s protective screen, they slept deeply and without a bother from the night creatures of Ireta.
Varian was aroused the next morning by something prodding her shoulder. She was still sleepy but again she was prodded, more emphatically this time, and her name was whispered urgently.” Varian. Varian! Wake up. We got company.”
That forced her to open eyes which she instantly closed, not believing her first sight.
“Varian, you’ve got to wake up!” Bannard’s whisper was anxious.
“I am. I’ve seen.”
“What do we do?”
“Have you moved yet?”
“Only to nudge you. Did I hurt?”
“No.” They were both speaking in low tones. “Can you prod Kai awake?”
“I don’t know how he wakes up.”
Bonnard had a point. It wouldn’t do to rouse someone who erupted out of the sack like a torpedo. He’d known how to rouse her since he’d often done so when they’d first acquired Dandy.
“Kai’s quiet if you do it as gently as you woke me.”
Varian grinned to herself. She wasn’t sorry she’d included Bonnard on this trip: last night’s discussion had proved how much he’d needed the encouragement as well as the opportunity to talk without reservations imposed on him by the presence of older team members or the two girls. It had been obvious last evening that Kai would have preferred to have made this a duet trip, and a complete break from the exigencies of leadership. Now she’d pried him away from his tape decks, she’d do it again, without a third party.
They had slept head to foot, so while Bonnard prodded Kai’s shoulder with his foot, Varian whispered the warning to him.
“Kai, wake slowly, don’t move. The observers are observed.”