Without a word, Annellica departed and returned in a minute with two
rifles. Strapped to her side was one of the "nasty little nuclear
pistols" that her husband deplored. He took one of the rifles and lined
out the telescopic sight in the direction of the herd. I continued
eating until he ejaculated, "Blitzmachen!"
On my knees, I could see a brief commotion in the herd, and the gusty
wind brought the wavering sounds of grunts and a shrill neighing. A
flash of bright orange tore back for the jungle dragging one of the
smaller, lumpy herbivores that would have weighed half a ton on earth.
So I was right. There was interesting big game on Turgish II. Daphne
sank into a tense silence. Annellica dropped beside me but didn't eat.
She sat on her legs, hands folded in her lap while I rustled through
the edibles hungrily.
Finished, I stretched out in the dry grass that crackled under me,
intending to take a nap. Daphne turned his head and whispered with
irritation, "You people are making too much noise. Go on back to the
ship until I get a line on what we're after."
His wife shrugged, and we turned back, leaving the picnic debris with
Daphne.
When we reached the ship, she tossed her head and breathed deeply. "I
like it out here. The air--it's--wonderful."
We sought the shade on the far side, out of view of the crouching Major
and lay side by side facing each other. It was the first time we had
been alone since the moment in the galley. I was determined not to
upset her again, but she kept her gaze on my eyes, waiting, expectant.
This time I answered _her_ unasked question. "No. You're oxygen drunk.
Besides, there's no future in it," I said bluntly.
"I know him," she said softly. "He won't return until dark. This may be
our last chance to--to find out about each other."
"Find out what?"