Jay was evidently developing a feel for Chironian directness. “We’re kind of curious about the people inside,” he said. “Especially my dad. It’s funny that he wasn’t told anything about it.”
Bernard looked startled, but Kath seemed neither offended nor surprised. “I thought you might be,” she said, nodding half to herself. “Nanook told me about that.” She looked at Bernard. “We don’t have a lot of time for secrets,” she told him. “Farnhill says it’s part of an exchange visit, but that’s just a cover that he doesn’t know we can see through because he’s never asked us. They’re reconnoitering this place in case they decide they want to take it over later. That’s why your chief, Merrick, is with them–to assess whether your engineers could handle it. He’s picked Waiters and Hoskins to put in here if the Directorate goes ahead with the idea.”
Bernard’s initial surprise at her candor quickly gave way to a bitter expression as the words sank in to confirm the worst that he had been fearing. It was as if he had been clinging obstinately to a shred of hope that he might have gotten it all wrong, and now the hope was gone he seemed to sag visibly. Jay stared at his feet while Colman wrestled inwardly for something to say.
Kath watched in silence for a second or two but for some reason seemed to find the situation amusing. Bernard stared with a mixture of uncertainty and resentment. “I think I know what’s going through your mind,” she told him. “But don’t worry about it. We don’t take orders from Farnhill or Merrick here. Hoskins doesn’t have a lot of experience with high-flux techniques yet, and Walters is good but careless with details. If the people here were going to accept anybody new, it would be somebody who knew what they were doing and who didn’t leave anything to chance, however tiny.”
“Just . . . what are you getting at?” Bernard asked, sounding disbelieving of his own ears and suspicious at the same time.
Kath switched on her impish smile again. ‘That’s all I’m prepared to say,” she replied. “For now, anyway. I just thought you’d like to hear it.” She turned to Jay to change the subject. “Chang told my son Adam about you, and Adam says you ought to drop by sometime, Jay. He lives in Franklin, so it wouldn’t be far. Why don’t you do that?”
“Sounds great. I will. How do I get directions–from the net?”
“You’ve got it.” Kath smiled.
Jay glanced at Colman, then looked at Bernard. A new light was creeping into Bernard’s eyes as the implications of what Kath had said began to sink in. Jay hesitated, then decided that his father was in the fight mood. “You know, this is a bit of a risky place, Dad,” he said in an ominous voice. “People getting shot all over the place and stuff like that. I could run into all kinds of trouble on my own. I’m sure you’d feel a lot happier ff I had some professional protection.”
Bernard looked at him suspiciously. “Just what are you up to now?”
Jay grinned, just a trifle sheepishly. “Er.. . would you get mad if I asked Steve to come along too?”
“I’m sure Adam would be more than happy,” Kath interjected. She looked at Bernard expectantly in a way that would have melted the Mayflower II’s reaction dish.
Bernard looked from Kath, to Colman, to Jay, and then back to Colman. He was beaten, and he knew it. But after Kath’s cryptic statement, he wasn’t inclined to argue too much. “Hell, it’s not so bad. He doesn’t need anyone to stop him from getting shot,” he replied. Beside him, Jay’s face dropped. Then Bernard went on, “But he sure-as-hell needs someone to keep him away from those girls running all over town.” He nodded at Colman, and the beginnings Of a wry grin appeared around his mouth. “Keep a good eye on him, Steve. He’s crafty.” He turned his head and stared resignedly at his son. “And you,” he grunted. “Get home on time, and don’t say anything about this to your mother.”