Flight From Eden

She held up a hand in a gesture of surrender. "Okay, fair enough. If you can arrange it without getting either of us arrested, I'll meet these others and hear you out. That's all I can promise."

Dennis shook his head, looking very distressed. "It's not that simple," he admitted. "If you meet them, and learn what we plan to do, then decide that you won't or can't commit to this?" His voice trailed off into miserable silence.

"Then I become a danger to you? Yes, I can see that." She thought for a moment, chewing on a knuckle as she wavered between choices. "Dennis, it would appear that I have a decision to make, and I don't have a lot to go on. Let me ask you a general sort of question."

Dennis nodded. "If I can answer, I will."

"You and I have been friends for six years, since I started working on my doctorate. We've worked together, fought college politics together? even studied together on occasion. You have never lied to me, and I've always known you to be honorable in your dealings with others. So divorce yourself from what you want for a moment and think about what you know of me. If I knew the whole story you have to tell, would I want to do as you ask? Don't answer too quickly. Our friendship may rest on your answer."

He frowned, looking troubled. "I don't know. There are so many factors involved . . . "He took a deep breath, making his decision. "I think you would. I know I would, in your place."

"That's all I can ask. Thank you."

"Kris, before you decide, I also have to tell you that what we intend is hideously dangerous. Not just to your life, either. Death is not the worst thing that can happen to you if you come with me."

Kris nodded. "I'd already guessed that. There have been some ugly rumors about our gentle brethren in National Security."

He grimaced. "You don't know the half of it."

"I'd guessed that, too."

The silence grew very long. Kris turned away from Dennis, pacing the length of the hangar and eyeing her little airplane fondly. "You know, I think I will miss flying most of all."

Dennis grinned at her. "Not if you come with me, you won't."

Kris jerked around suddenly, staring at him with wide blue eyes. "I must be some kind of a brain dead twit," she whispered. "I won't miss flying? Not if I come with you?" A laugh welled up from deep inside her, born of genuine humor and hope where there had been none. "Old friend, you stepped on yourself that time. Just what is it you've got up that wicked sleeve of yours?"

Dennis looked very uncomfortable, but he didn't say anything.

"It's true I'm not at my best right now," Kris admitted. "It never even occurred to me to wonder why a leading computer and robotics expert who flies his own plane every chance he gets would so desperately need an astrophysicist who also happens to be a pilot. Dear God, Dennis, did you think me too stupid to add two and two?"

His mouth tightened, and his expression became grim and closed as he watched her work it out. He waited in tense silence for her next words.

Kris Garrick drew herself up to her full five feet, still grinning at her friend and colleague. "You can relax, Dr. Alderman. I'm in. All the way."