Docchi stiffened, glowing involuntarily.
"Forget the dramatics, General," said Cameron with distaste.
"Resistance we'd have had in any event. He's responsible merely for
making it more effective."
He frowned heavily, continuing. "At the moment what he's trying to do
is obvious. He needn't bother tearing down our morale though--it's
already collapsed. I can't think of a thing we can do that will help
us." He wished the medicouncilor had been able to land; he needed
further instructions. His own role wasn't clear and he kept thinking,
thinking.... He should stop thinking. Of course the ship that carried
the medicouncilor couldn't actually touch on the asteroid--there were
too many important people aboard and they couldn't risk being taken
out of the system. Still, the medicouncilor _might_ have spared a few
minutes to discuss things with him. He knew what he ought to do.
The sun was high in the center of the dome. Sun? It was much more like
a very bright star. It cast no shadows; it was the lights in the dome
that did. They flickered and with monotonous regularity went out again.
Each time the general swore constantly and emotionlessly until service
was restored.
A guard approached, walking warily behind his captive. He saluted
negligently. "I think I've found her, sir."
Cameron looked at the girl. "I don't think you have. And it seems to me
you were unnecessarily rough."