Part 10 (2/2)
”So what?”
”So nothing--not necessarily. Except that with it you have a very well balanced personality. We can use you, Temple.”
”That's why I'm here.”
”I mean--elsewhere. Mars is only a way station, a training center for a select few. It takes an awful lot of administrative work to keep this place going, which explains the need for all the station personnel.”
”Listen. The last few weeks I had everything thrown at me.
Everything, the works. Mind answering one question?”
”Shoot.”
”What's this all about?”
”Temple, I don't know!”
”You what?”
”I know you find it hard to believe, but I don't. There isn't a man here on Mars who knows the whole story, either--and certainly not on Earth. We know enough to keep everything in operation. And we know it's important, all of it, everything we do.”
”You mentioned a need for some men elsewhere. Where?”
The psychiatrist shrugged. ”I don't know. Somewhere. Anywhere.” He spread his hands out eloquently. ”That's where the Nowhere Journey comes in.”
”Surely you can tell me something more than--”
”Absolutely not. It isn't that I don't want to. I can't. I don't know.”
”Well, one more question I'd like you to answer.”
The psychiatrist lit a cigarette, grinned. ”Say, who is interviewing whom?”
”This one I think you can tackle. I have a brother, Jason Temple.
Embarked on the Nowhere Journey five years ago. I wonder--”
”So that's the one factor in your psychograph we couldn't figure out--anxiety over your brother.”
”I doubt it,” shrugged Temple. ”More likely my fiancee.”
”Umm, common enough. You were to be married?”
”Yes.” _Stephanie, what are you doing now? Right now?_
”That's what hurts the most.... Well, yes, I can find out about your brother.” The psychiatrist flicked a toggle on his desk. ”Jamison, find what you can on Temple, Jason, year of--”
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