A Step Beyond by Christopher K Anderson Page A

knew it should have probably been slightly less, since he was holding her in such a way that his body formed a shield against the radiation. She felt warm in his arms. There was nothing for them to do but watch and wait.
    “I wonder how Jean Paul is doing,” Tanya said. No one replied. Their thoughts focused hazily upon Brunnet as they watched the rem counter silently increase. They knew that each ionized particle that passed through their bodies left a wake of altered cells.
    “I wonder how Jean Paul is doing,” she persisted.
    Vladimir squeezed her hand, and she returned the warmth. His suspicions had nearly disappeared under the tender influence of her affection. The danger had brought them together. He did not fully understand why, but then he did not really care. All that mattered was that they were happy again.
    “I suppose we could contact them,” he offered.
    “No,” said Komarov.
    “Why not?”
    “It would not be appropriate.”
    “Why would it not be appropriate?”
    “If they need our assistance, they will contact us.”
    Vladimir thought about his commander’s response and decided not to pursue the point further even though he disagreed. Tanya, on the other hand, would not be put off so easily.
    “I think we should radio them,” she said.
    Dr. Takashi Satomura, who had nearly fallen asleep, perked up at the sound of the challenge. Without opening his eyes, he raised his head so that he might be able to hear better. He was
    seated next to Komarov.
    “No,” Komarov said in a low, firm voice.
    “What harm could it do?” she replied softly.
    Komarov looked up at the ceiling. “They will contact us when they are able.” He glanced at her hand clasped within Vladimir’s.
    Suddenly Tatiana understood. Dmitri was jealous, and he was trying to anger her. She started to speak, but checked herself. She did not want the others to hear what she had to say. After a moment of indecision, she stood up and walked over to the communications console.
    “I shall contact them myself,” she said.
    Komarov started to get up, but Satomura stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder.
    “It’s not worth it,” he said softly into his Komarov’s ear. “Let her be.”
    Dmitri Komarov knew he had gone too far. Lowering his head, he rubbed hard on the creases above his brow. He did not know why he had insisted upon waiting for the
Liberty
to contact them. He was angry with Tatiana, and he wanted to upset her. But he had allowed his anger to interfere with his judgment. He had given them reason to question his authority, and this now angered him even more. He closed his eyes so that the sight of Tatiana would not anger him further. He concentrated upon regaining his composure.
    “
Druzhba
to
Liberty
.” She spoke louder than usual.
    “This is
Liberty
, over,” Carter responded.
    “How is your patient?”
    “He’s sleepin’ like a baby. They got him to the shelter just in time. Although Doc here looks like he’s starting to glow. How’s the weather over there?”
    “Weather?” “Radiation count.”
    “We’re averaging about twenty-five rems.”
    “That’s better than us. I’m sitting at forty. The other guys are close to ninety.”
    “That’s high. Is there anything we can do?”
    “Negative. Looks like we’re just going to have to ride this one out.”
    “Good luck then.”
    She turned around to face the others. All eyes were upturned and looking at her.
    “He is doing fine,” she said. An ionized particle passed through her body.
    E ndicott was beginning to feel nauseous, but he felt certain it was his nerves. It was still too soon to experience the effects of the radiation. He was checking the pulse of Brunnet, whose head was rolling back and forth on his shoulders as if the muscles in his neck had been severed. Brunnet’s eyes were open but blank. The drugs they had administered for the surgery were beginning to wear off.
    “Did you see that?” Carter asked excitedly.
    “See what?”