Power Play by Anne McCaffrey

now, which put more color in her face.
    “Buns,
gatita
!” Diego said, throwing up his arms in a dramatic gesture. “They’re on a shipping deck. There’s plenty of other vehicles here they could use. We’ve just got to keep them from breaching the security of other levels. Or whatever they’re on this station to do. You coming?”
    “Sure,” she said, but the hatch refused to reopen.
     
    “The last time I saw them, they were watching the collies bring in a derelict,” Millard told Marmion.
    “Yes,” Sally said, “that’s right. But they were told they’d have to wait for Charmion and Bailey.”
    “Right,” Yana said drolly. “And kids always do as they’re told, don’t they? Look, never mind. They’re my responsibility. Just tell me how to get to the repair bay.”
    “I’ll show you, Yana,” Marmion said. “I’m sure they’re fine. Sally, go put in a page for them, will you, dear? And Millard, if you would let Faber and the others know to meet us in my salon in three-quarters of an hour, that would expedite matters considerably.”
    Millard looked dubious and started to say something, but just then Macci strode up to them, looking less languid than Yana had ever seen him before. He visibly relaxed when he saw her, as if he’d been searching for her and her alone.
    “Macci, dear, I don’t suppose you’ve seen the youngsters, Diego and Bunny, around anywhere, have you?” Marmie asked.
    “As a matter of fact, I have, entering Bay Sixteen.”
    “Which one would that be?” Marmie asked.
    “It would be my pleasure to escort you there.”
    Millard still looked anxious, but Marmion waved him away. “How considerate of you, Macci, but then you always are, and you’re the perfect escort. Millard, you can then go ahead and get the meeting arranged for me, will you? Thanks.”
    Yana was treated to a view of Macci’s splendid back and the smiles of encouragement he tossed over his shoulder as he led them down the corridors. They passed a number of people in the first few levels of their descent. On reaching the docking area, Macci led them on a twisting, turning route until they found themselves in a long silvery tunnel, the kind of passage that always reminded Yana of being in the guts of a large worm. At the far end of the tunnel, several figures approached clad in white helmeted suits of the type one wore for making ship’s repairs or effecting an exterior ship-to-station link.
    “Now, there hasn’t been a leak anywhere, has there?” Marmion asked, surprised.
    “Oh, we’d’ve been denied access to this area if there was, but I’ll just check it out, ladies,” Macci said, and sprinted athletically toward the men. Marmie and Yana increased their strides so they were not far behind him.
    Yana and Marmion could hear him speaking, though not what he said. Then, suddenly, he crumpled to the floor. The men stepped over him, blocking him from the women’s view. The leading figure was holding a weapon pointed at Marmie and Yana. Instantly Yana flung herself into Marmie, knocking her to the floor. She heard no projectile zinging toward them, no snake’s-strike hiss of laser, only a sort of slow whine. She looked up, her nose filling with a sweet perfumy fragrance. A pink cloud blossomed between her and the men, obscuring them and enveloping her and Marmie.
    “Shit,” she said, remembering to hold her breath and wondering what she could do to stop being gassed again. That’s when she remembered the alarm Marmion had given her. She got her fingers to the buttons and pressed what she hoped would be the right ones before she lost consciousness. Her last thought was: Not some kind of fraggin’ gas
again
.
     
    Kilcoole
     
    Sinead didn’t worry about making her “guests” comfortable.
    “They can bed down with the dogs,” she told Aisling. “Maybe if they have close acquaintance with some animals, they’ll acquire a little more respect for them.”
    “Now, alannah . . .” Aisling’s