“And that’s the sum of it,” Leoh concluded. “I believe that it will be possible to use the dueling machine itself to examine your father’s thoughts and determine what took place during his duel against Major Odal. It might even help to break him out of his coma.”
She asked softly, “But it might also be such a shock to him that he could die?”
Leoh nodded wordlessly.
“Then I’m very sony, Professor, but I must say no.” Firmly.
“I understand your feelings,” Leoh replied, “but I ope you realize that unless we can stop Odal immediately. we may very well be faced with war, and millions will die.”
She nodded. “I know. But we’re speaking of my father’s life. Kanus will have his war in any event, no matter what I do.”
“Perhaps,” Leoh admitted. “Perhaps.”
Hector and Leoh drove back to the university campus and their quarters in the dueling machine building. Neither of them slept well that night-
The next morning, after an unenthusiastic breakfast, they found themselves in the antiseptic-white chamber, before the looming impersonal intricacy of the machine.
“Would you like to practice with it?” Leoh asked.
Hector shook his head gloomily, “Maybe later.”
The phone chimed in Leoh’s office. They both went in. Geri Dulaq’s face took form on the viewscreen.
“I just heard the news,” she said a little breathlessly. “I didn’t know, last night, that Lieutenant Hector had challenged Odal.”
“He challenged Odal,” Leoh answered, “to prevent the assassin from challenging me.”
“Oh.” Her face was a mixture of concern and reluctance. “You’re a brave man, Lieutenant.”