Part 18 (2/2)
one other person. You haven't.”
”That may indeed make a difference,” Corina agreed. ”I wonder if I will experience that part, or if it was bypa.s.sed as unnecessary.”
”I imagine you'll find out. If you do, I'm sure you'll find it both interesting and different. For now, though, let's go eat.”
Corina followed him to the shuttle, conscientiously trying not to think about the rapport, but with only moderate success. It was less the contents of the transfer that concerned her, than the reason for it.
Her undermind must be trying to tell her something, but what? And . . . did she really want to know?
The shuttle, at Medart's instructions, took them to Mess Three. ”With Sunbeam a.s.signed to you, she's probably staying on the day-s.h.i.+ft schedule, so she'd be going to eat about now. She should be able to keep our minds off anything too serious, as long as we don't start talking shop.”
”Do you eat there often?” Corina asked, glad of the change of subject.
”Fairly often,” Medart replied. ”I like the relaxed atmosphere, even if it is a bit on the noisy side occasionally. It was stiff the first few times, right after I took over Chang, until they adapted. It wouldn't be quite acceptable for me to join in the horseplay, but n.o.body minds as long as I just watch and listen.”
Sunbeam was indeed in the mess, standing at the row of autochefs with Major Dawson. Medart and Corina got in line behind them and, when Sunbeam turned around, were invited to join the pair. They agreed; it was, after all, what they had hoped for. Corina decided on h.e.l.lbeast steak again; it was becoming one of her staples, since Sunbeam had introduced her to it. Besides that, she ordered two things she hadn't yet tried--a taco and tapioca pudding--and her usual milk.
Medart looked at her tray. ”That's quite an a.s.sortment you've got there. What're you trying to do, sample everything on board?”
”Not quite, though I am trying a number of things. It appears I will be aboard for some time, and I prefer variety. The tastes are strange, but some are quite good.”
They were carrying their orders to the table when Medart noticed something seemed to be missing. ”No coffee?”
Corina shook her head. ”No. I cannot understand how you can drink something so corrosive, much less appear to enjoy it.”
”It's an acquired taste,” the Ranger agreed. They sat down as he continued, ”But the Navy seems to run on it, and I'll admit to drinking more than I should.”
”Drink what?” Sunbeam asked, having missed the first part of the conversation.
”Coffee,” Medart replied. ”Sir Corina thinks we're crazy to drink it.”
Sunbeam giggled. ”If she thinks coffee's bad, she should try tea!”
”I did!” Corina said emphatically, trying to imitate Sunbeam's gaiety.
”The things you humans ingest and claim to enjoy, it is a wonder that you survive at all.”
”It's not that bad,” Sunbeam said, still amazing Corina with her ability to eat and talk simultaneously--and neatly. ”You remember Major Dawson, don't you, Sir Corina? His name's Pat; we got to talking while you were ha.s.sling with Colonel Greggson. He's going to coach me in unarmed combat--he's the s.h.i.+p's men's champion, since Lieutenant DarLeras says it wouldn't be proper for him to compete with non-warriors--and he thinks I may have a chance at the women's champions.h.i.+p next month.”
”You must be quite good, then,” Corina said.
”What ha.s.sle with Greggson?” Medart demanded.
”It was nothing serious,” Corina said, and summarized the incident for him. ”I was nervous, but not badly upset.”
”That's good,” Medart said, then continued silently. *Maybe it doesn't bother you, but it does me. I'll let it go for now, since His Majesty's already warned him and I have a feeling we may need his s.h.i.+eld, but if he tries anything else, I want to know about it right away.*
Corina was impressed by his seriousness. *Yes, Ranger.*
The spoken conversation continued on a light tone, with Sunbeam as usual carrying most of it. Corina was almost silent, content merely to absorb the alien atmosphere and continue accustoming herself to it.
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