Impulsively, Vorgens tapped out another set of instructions on the computer keyboard. He spent a few more minutes reading very carefully the Star Watch regulations that appeared on the viewscreen in answer to his request.
Vorgens nodded to himself. He turned off the computer once again and stepped out of the tiny compartment into the passageway. At one end of the passageway was an open hatch, and Vorgens could see the sky beginning to pale.
The Watchman made his way to the dreadnaught’s dispensary. A sleepy-eyed medic, gray-haired and sourfaced, was sitting next to the diagnostic booth, checking his inventory of supplies.
“I’ll need some energy capsules that will keep me going at top efficiency for the next day.”
The medic looked up at him. “When’s the last time you slept?”
Vorgens had to think a moment. “Night before last— until about noon.”
“Pills are no substitute for sleep.”
“Doctor, I have no time to argue.”
The medic got up from his chair and went to a cabinet. “All right. But 1 want your name. I’ll have to check on you. I don’t want anybody living on pills.”
Vorgens grinned. “Doctor, if we’re both alive by the end of this day, you can check on me as much as you like.”
The medic handed him three orange capsules. “That should keep you going for a whole day. Take one now, the others when you ieel you need “em.”
“Thank you. My name is Vorgens. Star Watch Junior Officer.”
Vorgens left the dreadnaught and trotted toward the cruiser where his quarters were. His thoughts were racing even faster than his body, though.