d some
appreciable amount of time on this ship, it would be in such pleasant
surroundings. A yellow light flashing on a panel beside the door caught
her attention, and she pointed to it. "What is--oh, I remember."

"Ship's status, right," Sunbeam said. "We're in Condition Yellow;
what's General Quarters?"

"Red, with a wavering buzz. I do not have a battle station, so I would
remain here unless told otherwise by a senior officer."

"Right again!" Sunbeam looked around. "I think that's all here. So
unless you need something else . . ." Her voice trailed off, and she
pointed to Corina's neck. "Is that blood?"

"Oh." Corina reached up and touched the spot. "I forgot, and I have
had no chance to wash it off before now. Excuse me for a moment,
please." She left, returning with her throat fur damp but clean, to
face a thorough scrutiny by the young Ensign.

Sunbeam nodded at last. "And that's a blaster burn--"

Corina felt a curiosity as strong as her own, and hastened to say, "I
do not think I should discuss it until Ranger Medart tells me I may."

Sunbeam looked dissatisfied, and Corina didn't really blame her. "You
must be something pretty special," the Ensign said. "He comes back
from convalescent leave early, brings you along--wounded--as his
special assistant, puts the ship on Condition Yellow . . . and I bet
you can't talk about any of that, either. Uh, do they hurt? I can
take you to sickbay if they do."

"You cover many things at once," Corina said with amusement. "No, I
cannot talk about it, but no, they do not hurt. The burn just singed
my fur a little. It looks bad, but it is not a problem; I need no
medical attention."

Sunbeam frowned briefly. "Whatever's going on must be big! But okay,
I know about security. If you're sure you're all right, and there's
nothing else, what say we go eat? You could have a meal right here, of
course," she indicated the service panel, "but it's more fun to eat
with others. I usually go to Mess Three; the food's the same
everywhere, but Three's where junior officers mostly eat, Ensigns and
Lieutenants, and it's usually lively. Want to?"

"You are the guide," Corina said, wondering how, if she always talked
this much, Sunbeam managed to eat. Apparently she didn't manage much;
she was quite slender.

* * * * *

Medart did some serious thinking about the young Irschchan while he
waited in the briefing room for Hobison.