Part 29 (1/2)
”Is she the result of the one-time genetic engineering program?”'
”I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised if that were so, however.”
”Do you trust her?”
”In what way? She has helped me.”
”Do you know that she is the wife of Dr. Barron Neville?”
”There is an emotional connection; not a legal one, I believe.”
”None of the connections are what we would call legal here on the Moon. The same Neville you want to invite as third author of the paper you are to write?”
”Yes.”
”Is that merely a coincidence?”
”No. Neville was interested in my arrival and I believe he asked Selene to help me in my work.”
”Did she tell you this?”
”She said he was interested in me. That was natural enough, I suppose.”
”Does it occur to you, Dr. Denison, that she may be working in her own interests and in those of Dr. Neville?”
”In what way would their interests differ from ours? She has helped me without reservation.”
Gottstein s.h.i.+fted position and moved his shoulders as though he were going through muscle-pulling exercises. He said, ”Dr. Neville must know that a woman so close to himself is an Intuitionist. Wouldn't he use her? Why would she remain a tourist guide, if not to mask her abilities-for a purpose.”
”I understand Dr. Neville frequently reasons in this fas.h.i.+on. I find it difficult to suspect unnecessary conspiracies.”
”How do you know they are unnecessary.... When my s.p.a.ce-skipper was hovering over the Moon's surface just before the ball of radiation formed over your equipment, I was looking down at you. You were not at the Pionizer.”
Denison thought back. ”No, I wasn't I was looking at the stars; rather a tendency of mine on the surface.”
”What was Miss Lindstrom doing?”
”I didn't see. She said she strengthened the magnetic field and the leak finally broke through.”
”Is it customary for her to manipulate the equipment without you?”
”No. But I can understand the impulse.”
”And would there have been some sort of an ejection?”
”I don't understand you.”
”I'm not sure I understand myself. There was a dim sparkle in the Earthlight, as though something was flying through the air. I don't know what.”
”I don't either,” said Denison.
”You can't think of anything that might naturally have to do with the experiment that-”
”No.”
'Then what was Miss Lindstrom doing?”
”I still don't know.”
For a moment, the silence was heavy between them. Then the Commissioner said, ”As I see it then, you will try to correct the leak-instability and will be thinking about the preparation of a paper. I will get matters into motion at the other end and on my shortly forthcoming visit to Earth will make arrangements to have the paper published and will alert the government.”
It was a clear dismissal. Denison rose and the Commissioner said easily, ”And think about Dr. Neville and Miss Lindstrom.”
17.
It was a heavier star of radiation, a fatter one, a brighter one. Denison could feel its warmth on his faceplate, and backed away. There was a distinct x-ray component in the radiation and though this s.h.i.+elding should take care of that there was no point in placing it under a strain.
”I guess we can't question it,” he muttered. ”The leak-point is stable.”
”I'm sure of it,” said Selene, flatly.
”Then let's turn it off and go back to the city.”
They moved slowly and Denison felt oddly dispirited. There was no uncertainty any more; no excitement. From this point on, there was no chance of failure. The government was interested; more and more, it would be out of his own hands.
He said, ”I suppose I can begin the paper now.”
”I suppose so,” said Selene, carefully.
”Have you talked to Barren again?”
”Yes, I have,”
”Any difference in his att.i.tude?”
”None at all. He will not partic.i.p.ate. Ben-”
”Yes?”
”I really don't think it's any use talking to him. He will not cooperate in any project with the Earth government”
”But you've explained the situation?”
”Completely.”