,,contagion ,by ,,ka!r9e ,mac,l,e,a,n ,transcrib]'s ,note3 ,?is etext 0 produc$ f ,galaxy ,sci5ce ,fiction ,octob] #aiej4 ,ext5sive rese>* did n uncov] any evid5ce t ! ,u4,s4 copyright on ?is publication 0 r5ew$4 ,m9os 0 su* a lovely planet4 ,n a ?+ seem$ wrong ) x4 ,except+ ! food1 p]haps4 ,& a disease t wasn't really4 ,x 0 l an ,e>? =e/ 9 ! fall1 b x 0 n fall4 ,! =e/ leaves 7 gre5 & copp] & purple & fi]y r$1 & a w9d s5t pat*es ( bright gre5i% sunlight danc+ among ! leaf %ad[s4 ,! hunt p>ty ( ! ,explor] fil$ along ! n>r[ trail1 guns ready1 walk+ c>efully1 li/5+ to ! di/ant1 half famili> cries ( /range birds4 ,a fa9t crackle ( /atic 9 _! e>phones indicat$ t a gun _h be5 fir$4 ,got any?+8 ask$ ,june ,walton4 ,! helmet int]com c>ri$ h] voice to ! e>s ( ! o!rs )\t break+ ! /illness ( ! =e/4 ,took a %ot at some?+1 expla9$ ,george ,b>ton's *e]ful voice 9 h] e>phones4 ,%e r\nd$ a b5d ( ! trail & came ^u ,b>ton /&+ pe]+ up into ! trees1 8 gun /ill rais$4 ,x look$ l a duck4 ,?is isn't ,c5tral ,p>k1 said ,hal ,b>ton1 8 bro!r1 com+ into sight4 ,8 gre5 spacesuit /ruck an incongru\s note aga9/ ! bronze & r$ =e/4 ,!y won't all look l ducks1 he said sob]ly4 ,maybe "s w look l dragons4 ,don't get eat5 by a dragon1 ,june1 came ,max's voice quietly into h] e>phones4 ,n :ile ,i /ill love y4 ,he came out ( ! trees c>ry+ ! blood sample kit1 & t\*$ h] glove ) 81 ! gr9 on 8 ugly belov$ face b>ely visible 9 ! m+l$ light & %ade4 ,a pat* ( sunlight /ruck a gre5i% gl9t f 8 fi%b[l helmet4 99 99 99 99 99 ,!y walk$ on4 ,a qu>t] ( a mile back1 ! space %ip ,explor] t[]$ ov] ! =e/ l a tap]+ skyscrap]1 & ! p ( ! %ip look$ out ( ! viewplates at fre% w9ds & sunlight & cl\ds1 & !y long$ to be outside4 ,b ! lik5ess to ,e>? 0 dang]1 & ! cool w9d might be dea?1 = if ! animals 7 l ,e>? animals1 _! diseases might be l ,e>? diseases1 alike en\gh to be contagi\s1 diff]5t en\gh to be impossible to treat4 ,!re 0 w>n+ en\gh 9 ! pa/4 ,colonies _h vani%$1 & travel$ spaceways drift$ ) ! corpses ( %ips :i* _h t\*$ on "s plague planet4 ,! p ( ! %ip wait$ :ile _! doctors1 9 airtight spacesuits1 hunt$ animals to te/ !m = contagion4 ,! f\r m$icos1 = ,june ,walton 0 also a doctor1 fil$ ?r\gh ! ali5 homelike =e/1 walk+ s(tly1 wat*+ = motion among ! copp] & purple %ad[s4 ,!y saw x sudd5ly1 a light] mov+ copp] pat* among ! d>k] br[ns4 ,reflex action swung ,june's gun into l9e1 & beh9d h] someone's gun w5t (f ) a fa9t crackle ( /atic1 & made a hole 9 ! leaves beside ! specim54 ,!n = a :ile no "o mov$4 ,?is "o look$ l a man1 a magnific5tly muscl$1 leanly graceful1 humanlike animal4 ,ev5 9 its callus$ b>e feet1 x 0 a head tall] ?an any ( !m4 ,r$-hair$1 hawk-fac$ & d>kly tann$1 x /ood brea?+ heavily1 look+ at !m )\t expression4 ,at its side hung a %ea? knife1 & a crossb[ 0 slung across "o wide %\ld]4 ,!y l[]$ _! guns4 ,x ne$s a %ave1 ,max said reasonably 9 _! e>phones1 & he rea*$ up to 8 helmet & flipp$ ! swit* t let 8 voice be he>d4 ,some?+ we c\ld d = y1 ,mac8 ,! fri5dly drawl 0 ! fir/ voice t _h brok5 ! =e/ s\nds4 ,june smil$ sudd5ly4 ,he 0 "r4 ,! /rict logic ( evolution did n dem& be>ds2 !re=e a non-human w\ld n be we>+ a ?ree day gr[? ( r$ /ubble4 ,/ill pant+1 ! tall figure lick$ dry lips & spoke4 ,welcome to ,m9os4 ,! ,mayor s5ds greet+s f ,alex&ria4 ,engli%8 gasp$ ,june4 ,we 7 afraid y w\ld take (f aga9 be=e ,i c\ld br+ ^w to y4444 ,x's ?ree hundr$ miles4444 ,we saw y\r sc\t plane pass twice1 b we c\ldn't attract its att5tion4 99 99 99 99 99 ,june look$ 9 /unn$ sil5ce at ! /rang] lean+ aga9/ ! tree4 ,?irty-six light ye>s--?irty-six times six trillion miles ( monoton\s space travel--to be told t ! planet 0 already settl$6 ,we didn't "k !re 0 a colony "h1 %e said4 ,x is n on ! map4 ,we 7 afraid ( t1 ! tall bronze man answ]$ sob]ly4 ,we h be5 "h ?ree g5]ations & yet no trad]s h come4 ,max %ift$ ! kit /rap on 8 %\ld] & (f]$ a h&4 ,my "n is ,max ,/>k1 ,m4,d4 ,?is is ,june ,walton1 ,m4,d41 ,hal ,b>ton1 ,m4,d41 & ,george ,b>ton1 ,hal's bro!r1 also ,m4,d4 ,patrick ,mead is ! "n1 smil$ ! man1 %ak+ h&s casually4 ,j a hunt] & bridge c>p5t] myself4 ,nev] met any m$icos be=e4 ,! grip 0 ef=tless b ev5 ?r\gh h] airpro($ glove ,june c\ld feel t ! f+]s t t\*$ h]s 7 z h>d z padd$ /eel4 ,:at--:at is ! population ( ,m9os8 %e ask$4 ,he look$ d[n at h] curi\sly = a mom5t be=e answ]+4 ,only "o hundr$ & fifty4 ,he smil$4 ,don't worry1 ?is isn't a city planet yet4 ,!re's room = a few m p4 ,he %ook h&s ) ! ,b>tons quickly4 ,t is--y are p1 ar5't y8 he ask$ />tl+ly4 ,:y n8 said ,max ) a poise t ,june admir$4 ,well1 y are all s--s-- ,patrick ,mead's eyes roam$ across ! faces ( ! gr\p4 ,s v>i$4 ,!y c\ld f9d no mean+ 9 t1 & /ood puzzl$4 ,i mean1 ,patrick ,mead said into ! sil5ce1 all ^!--int]e/+ diff]5t hair colors & face %apes & s =?-- ,he made a vague wave ) "o h& z if he _h run out ( words or 0 anxi\s n to insult !m4 ,joke8 ,max ask$1 bewild]$4 ,june laid a h& on 8 arm4 ,no h>m meant1 %e said to him ov] ! int]com4 ,we're j z mu* ( a %ock to him z he is to u4 ,%e address$ a "q to ! tall coloni/ on outside s\nd4 ,:at %\ld a p]son look l1 ,mr4 ,mead8 ,he indicat$ h] ) a smile4 ,l y4 ,june /epp$ clos] & /ood look+ up at him1 consid]+ h] own description4 ,%e 0 tall & tann$1 l him2 _h a few freckles1 l him2 & wavy r$ hair1 l 84 ,%e ignor$ ! brightly humor\s blue eyes4 ,9 o!r words1 %e said1 ev]yone on ! planet looks l y & me8 ,patrick ,mead took ano!r look at _! f\r faces & began to gr94 ,l me1 ,i guess4 ,b ,i hadn't ?\ght ( x be=e4 ,i did n ?9k t p c\ld h diff]5t color$ hair or t noses c\ld fit s _m ways onto faces4 ,i 0 judg+ by my own appe>ance1 b ,i suppose any fool c walk on 8 h&s & say ! _w is upside d[n6 ,he laugh$ & sob]$4 ,b !n :y we> spacesuits8 ,! air is brea?able4 ,= safety1 ,june told him4 ,we c't take any *ances on plague4 ,pat ,mead 0 we>+ no?+ b a lo9 clo? & 8 weapons1 & ! w9d ruffl$ 8 hair4 ,he look$ com=table1 & !y long$ to take (f ! /uffy spacesuits & feel ! w9d aga9/ _! own sk9s4 ,m9os 0 l home1 l ,e>?4444 ,b !y 7 /rang]s4 ,plague1 ,pat ,mead said ?\ghtfully4 ,we _h "o "h4 ,x came two ye>s aft] ! colony arriv$ & kill$ ev]yone except ! ,mead families4 ,!y 7 immune4 ,i guess we look alike because we're all relat$1 & t's :y ,i grew up ?9k+ t x is ! only way p c look4 ,plague4 ,:at 0 ! disease8 ,hal ,b>ton ask$4 ,pretty gruesome1 accord+ to my fa!r4 ,!y call$ x ! melt+ sickness4 ,! doctors di$ too soon to f9d out :at x 0 or :at to d ab\t x4 ,y %\ld h tra9$ = m doctors1 or s5t to civilization = "s4 ,a trace ( impati5ce 0 9 ,george ,b>ton's voice4 ,pat ,mead expla9$ pati5tly1 ,our %ip1 ) ! p[] plant & all ! books we ne$$1 w5t (f into ! sky to avoid ! contagion1 & nev] came back4 ,! crew mu/ h di$4 ,long ye>s ( h>d%ip 7 indicat$ by t /atem5t1 a colony ) electric p[] gone & ma*9]y /ill$1 ) key te*nicians dead & no way to replace !m4 ,june realiz$ !n ! full mean+ ( ! primitive %ea? knife & b[4 ,any recurr5ce ( melt+ sickness8 ask$ ,hal ,b>ton4 ,no4 ,any o!r diseases8 ,n a "o4 ,max 0 eye+ ! bronze r$-head$ figure ) some?+ approa*+ awe4 ,d y ?9k all ! ,meads look l t8 he said to ,june on ! int]com4 ,i w\ldn't m9d be+ a ,mead myself6 99 99 99 99 99 ,_! job _h be5 made easy by ! com+ ( ,pat4 ,!y w5t back to ! %ip laugh+1 ex*ang+ anecdotes ) him4 ,!re 0 no?+ n[ to keep ,m9os f be+ ! home !y want$1 except ! melt+ sickness1 &1 =ew>n$ aga9/ x1 !y c\ld take precautions4 ,! poli%$ silv] & black column ( ! ,explor] seem$ to rise high] & high] ov] ! trees z !y ne>$ x4 ,!n its symmetry blurr$ all s5se ( specific size z !y /epp$ out f among ! trees & /ood on ! edge ( ! mead[1 look+ up4 ,nice6 said ,pat4 ,beautiful6 ,! admiration 9 8 voice 0 w>m+4 ,x 0 a ya*t1 ,max said1 /ill look+ up1 second h&1 an old-"t beauty )\t a sign ( we>4 ,syn!tic diamond-/udd$ control bo>d & murals on ! walls4 ,x doesn't h ! new spe$ drives1 b x br\ght u ?irty-six light ye>s 9 "o & a half subjective ye>s4 ,pl5ty good en\gh4 ,! tall tann$ man look$ fa9tly wi/ful1 & ,june realiz$ t he _h nev] _h access to a full libr>y1 nev] se5 a movie1 nev] exp]i5c$ luxury4 ,he _h be5 born & rais$ on ,m9os4 99 99 99 99 99 ,may ,i g abo>d8 ,pat ask$ hopefully4 ,max unslung ! specim5 kit f 8 %\ld]1 laid x on ! c>pet ( plants t cov]$ ! gr\nd & began to op5 x4 ,te/s fir/1 ,hal ,b>ton said4 ,we h to f9d out if y p /ill c>ry ?is s-call$ melt+ sickness4 ,we'll h to de-microbe y & take specim5s be=e we let y on bo>d4 ,once on1 y'll be no good z a *eck = :at ! o!r ,meads might h4 ,max 0 tak+ out a rack & a /& ( pres]vative bottles & hypod]mics4 ,are y go+ to jab me ) ^?8 ,pat ask$ ) int]e/4 ,y're j a specim5 animal to me1 bud6 ,max gr9n$ at ,pat ,mead1 & ,pat gr9n$ back4 ,june saw t !y 7 fri5ds already1 ! tall pan!ri% coloni/1 & ! wry1 black-hair$ doctor4 ,%e felt a /ab ( guilt because %e lov$ ,max & yet c\ld pity him = be+ small] & frail] ?an ,pat ,mead4 ,lie d[n1 ,max told him1 & hold /ill4 ,we ne$ two sp9al fluid samples f ! back1 a body cavity "o 9 front1 & ano!r f ! arm4 ,pat lay d[n ob$i5tly4 ,max knelt1 &1 z he spoke1 exp]tly swabb$ & ins]t$ ne$les ) ! smoo? spe$ t _h made him a f9e n]ve surgeon on ,e>?4 ,high above !m ! sc\t helioplane came out ( an op5+ 9 ! %ip & angl$ (f t[>d ! we/1 its buzz dim9i%+4 ,!n1 sudd5ly1 x ve]$ & head$ back1 & ,r5o ,unri*'s voice came t9nily f _! e>phones3 ,:at's t y've got8 ,hey1 :at are y docs do+ d[n !re8 ,he bank$ aga9 & came to a /op1 hov]+ fifty feet away4 ,june c\ld see 8 />tl$ face look+ ?r\gh ! glass at ,pat4 ,hal ,b>ton swit*$ to a n>r[ radio beam1 expla9$ rapidly & po9t$ 9 ! direction ( ,alex&ria4 ,r5o's plane lift$ & flew away ov] ! odd-color$ =e/4 ,! plane w drop a note on y\r t[n1 tell+ !m y got ?r\gh to u1 ,hal ,b>ton told ,pat1 :o 0 sitt+ up wat*+ ,max dext]\sly put ! blood & sp9al fluids into ! "r bottles )\t expos+ !m to air4 ,we won't be free to contact y\r p until we "k if !y /ill c>ry melt+ sickness1 ,max add$4 ,y might be immune s x doesn't %[ on y1 b /ill c>ry en\gh g]ms--if t's :at caus$ x--to wipe out a planet4 ,if y d c>ry melt+ sickness1 said ,hal ,b>ton1 we won't be able to m+le ) y\r p until we've cle>$ !m ( ! disease4 ,/>t+ ) me8 ,pat ask$4 ,/>t+ ) y1 ,max told him ruefully1 z soon z y /ep on bo>d4 ,m ne$les8 ,yes1 & a few little extras ?r[n 94 ,r\gh8 ,x isn't easy4 ,a few m9utes lat]1 /&+ 9 ! /alls = spacesuit decontam9ation1 be+ buffet$ by jets ( hot dis9fectant1 ba!d 9 gl>es ( /]iliz+ ultraviolet radiation1 ,june rememb]$ t & comp>$ ,pat ,mead's treatm5t to !irs4 ,9 ! ,explor]1 /or$ c>efully 9 seal$ tanks & conta9]s1 0 ! ultimate1 multi-purpose cureall4 ,x 0 a solution ( enzymes s l ! key cataly/s ( ! human cell nucleus t x caus$ *emical d]angem5t & dis9tegration 9 any non-human cell4 ,no?+ c\ld live 9 contact ) x b human cells2 any ali5 intrud] to ! body w\ld die4 ,nucleocat ,cureall 0 its trade "n4 ,b ! cureall alone 0 n en\gh = complete safety4 ,plagues _h be5 kn[n to slay too rapidly & univ]sally to be *eck$ by human treatm5t4 ,doctors are n reliable2 !y die4 ,!re=e spaceways & int]planet>y heal? law dem&$ t %ip equipm5t = gu>d+ aga9/ disease be totally me*anical 9 op]ation1 rapid & effici5t4 ,some:]e ne> !m1 9 a s]ies ( /alls :i* l$ ar\nd & ar\nd l a rabbit maze1 ,pat 0 be+ h]d$ f /all to /all by p]emptory me*anical voices1 direct$ to soap & %[]1 ord]$ to ins]t 8 arm into a slot :i* took a sample ( 8 blood1 giv5 solutions to dr9k1 ba!d 9 g]micidal ultraviolet1 %ak5 by sonic bla/s1 brea?+ air ?ick ) sprays ( g]micidal mi/s1 be+ direct$ to put 8 arms into o!r slots :]e !y 7 ane/hesiz$ & inject$ ) v>i\s immuniz+ solutions4 ,f9ally1 he w\ld be put 9 a room ( high temp]ature & extreme dryness1 & in/ruct$ to sit = half an h\r :ile m fluids 7 dripp$ into 8 ve9s ?r\gh long ?9 tubes4 ,all legal space%ips 7 built = safety4 ,no *ance 0 tak5 ( all[+ a suspect$ c>ri] to br+ an infection on bo>d ) him4 99 99 99 99 99 ,june /epp$ f ! la/ %[] /all into ! lock] room1 zipp$ (f h] spacesuit ) a sigh ( relief1 & contemplat$ h]self 9 a wall mirror4 ,r$ hair1 d>k blue eyes1 tall4444 ,i've got a good figure1 %e said ?\ghtfully4 ,max turn$ at ! door4 ,:y ?is sudd5 int]e/ 9 y\r looks8 he ask$ suspici\sly4 ,d we /& "h & admire y1 or d we f9ally get some?+ to eat8 ,wait a m9ute4 ,%e w5t to a wall phone & dial$ x c>efully1 us+ a comb9ation f ! %ip's directory4 ,h['re y do+1 ,pat8 ,! phone pick$ up a hiss+ ( wat] or spray4 ,!re 0 a />tl$ *uckle4 ,voices1 too6 ,hello1 ,june4 ,h[ d y tell a ma*9e to g jump 9 ! lake8 ,are y hungry8 ,no food s9ce ye/]day4 ,we'll h a banquet ready = y :5 y get out1 %e told ,pat & hung up1 smil+4 ,pat ,mead's voice _h a vitality & enjoym5t :i* made %ipbo>d talk s\nd l sad artificial gaiety 9 contra/4 ,!y look$ into ! ne>by small laboratory :]e twelve squeal+ ham/]s 7 prote/+ly submitt+ to a small injection ea* ( ,pat's blood4 ,9 mo/ ( !m ! injection 0 foll[$ by "o ( antihi/am9ics & adaptives4 ,o!rwise ! ham/] def5se sy/em w\ld treat all non-ham/] cells z enemies1 ev5 ! h>mless human blood cells1 & fight back aga9/ !m viol5tly4 ,"o ham/]1 ! twelf?1 0 giv5 an extra l>ge dose ( adaptive1 s t if !re 7 a disease1 he w\ld n fight x or ! human cells1 & ?us succumb m rapidly4 ,h[ ya do+1 ,george8 ,max ask$4 ,r\t9e1 ,george ,b>ton grunt$ abs5tly4 ,on ! way up ! long spiral ramps to ! d9+ hall1 !y pass$ a viewplate4 ,x %[$ a long sc5e ( m\nta9s 9 ! di/ance on ! horizon1 & betwe5 !m1 ris+ /ep by /ep z !y grew f>!r away1 ! l[ roll+ hills1 bronze & r$ ) pat*es ( cle> gre5 :]e !re 7 fields4 ,someone 0 look+ out1 /&+ v /ill1 z if %e _h be5 !re a long "t--,bess ,/4 ,clair1 a ,canadian woman4 ,x looks l ,w9nipeg1 %e told !m z !y paus$4 ,:5 are y doctors go+ to let u out ( ?is bli!r+ b>b]pole8 ,look1 %e po9t$4 ,see t pat* ( field on ! s\? hillside1 ) ! brook w9d+ ?r\gh x8 ,i've /ak$ t hillside = our h\se4 ,:5 d we get out8 99 99 99 99 99 ,r5o ,ulri*'s t9y sc\t plane buzz$ sl[ly 9 f ! di/ance & began circl+ lazily4 ,soon] ?an y ?9k1 ,max told h]4 ,we've discov]$ a ca/away colony on ! planet4 ,!y've done our te/s = u by j liv+ "h4 ,if !re's any?+ "h to cat*1 !y've caught x4 ,p on ,m9os8 ,bess's h&some ruddy face grew alive ) excitem5t4 ,"o ( !m is d[n 9 ! m$ical dep>tm5t1 ,june said4 ,he'll be out 9 tw5ty m9utes4 ,may ,i g see him8 ,sure1 said ,max4 ,%[ him ! way to ! d9+ hall :5 he gets out4 ,tell him we s5t y4 ,"r6 ,%e turn$ & ran d[n ! ramp l a small girl go+ to a fire4 ,max gr9n$ at ,june & %e gr9n$ back4 ,aft] a ye> & a half ( isolation 9 space1 ev]yone 0 hungry = ! sight ( new faces1 ! s\nd ( unfamili> voices4 99 99 99 99 99 ,!y climb$ ! la/ two turns to ! cafet]ia1 & ent]$ to a ri* subdu$ bl5d ( s(t music & quiet conv]sations4 ,! cafet]ia 0 a section ( ! old d9+ room1 left :5 ! re/ ( ! %ip _h be5 conv]t$ to liv+ & work+ qu>t]s1 & x /ill _h ! orig9al f9ely gra9$ wood ( ! ceil+ & walls1 ! s\nd absorb5cy1 ! s(t music spools & ! intimate small light at ea* table :]e p leisurely ate & talk$4 ,!y /ood 9 l9e at ! hot foods c\nt]1 & beh9d h] ,june c\ld he> a girl's voice talk+ excit$ly ?r\gh ! murmur ( conv]sation4 --new man1 hone/6 ,i saw him ?r\gh ! viewplate :5 !y came 94 ,he's d[n 9 ! m$ical dep>tm5t4 ,a real fronti]sman4 ,! l9e drew abrea/ ( ! c\nt]s1 & %e & ,max *ose ?ree heap+ trays1 />t+ ) hydroponic mu%room /eak1 rais$ 9 ! gr[+ trays ( wat] & *emicals2 %>p salad b[l ) rose tomatoes & aromatic pepp]s2 tank-gr[n fi% ) special sauce2 f\r diff]5t dess]ts1 & assort$ bev]ages4 ,pres5tly !y _h ?ree tott]+ trays successfully maneuv]$ to a table4 ,brant ,/4 ,clair came ov]4 ,i beg y\r p>don1 ,max1 b !y are say+ some?+ ab\t ,r5o c>ry+ messages to a colony ( savages1 = ! m$ical dep>tm5t4 ,w he be back soon1 d y "k8 ,max smil$ up at him1 8 squ>e face affectionate4 ,ev]yone lik$ ! %y ,canadian4 ,he's back already4 ,we j saw him come 94 ,oh1 f9e4 ,/4 ,clair beam$4 ,i _h an appo9tm5t ) him to g out & confirm :at looks l a nice ve9 ( iron to ! nor!a/4 ,h y se5 ,bess8 ,oh--!re %e is4 ,he turn$ swiftly & hurri$ away4 ,a v tall man ) fi]y r$ hair came 9 surr\nd$ by an eag]ly talk+ cr[d ( %ip p4 ,x 0 ,pat ,mead4 ,he /ood 9 ! doorway1 al]tly scann+ ! d9+ room4 ,%e] vitality made him seem ev5 l>g] ?an he 04 ,sight+ ,june1 he smil$ & began to ?read t[>d _! table4 ,look6 said someone4 ,!re's ! coloni/6 ,%elia1 a pretty1 jewel$ woman1 foll[$ & caught 8 arm4 ,did y really swim across a riv] to come "h8 ,ov]fl[+ ) good-w & curiosity1 p approa*$ f all directions4 ,did y actually walk ?ree hundr$ miles8 ,come1 eat ) u4 ,let me help *oose y\r tray4 ,ev]yone want$ him to eat at _! table1 ev]yone 0 a speciali/ & want$ data ab\t ,m9os4 ,!y all want$ anecdotes ab\t hunt+ wild animals ) a b[ & arr[4 ,he ne$s to be rescu$1 ,max said4 ,he won't h a *ance to eat4 ,june & ,max got up firmly1 edg$ ?r\gh ! cr[d1 captur$ ,pat & escort$ him back to _! table4 ,june f\nd h]self pleas$ to be claim+ ! h]o ( ! h\r4 99 99 99 99 99 ,pat sat 9 ! simple1 subtly design$ *air & lean$ back almo/ voluptu\sly1 te/+ ! way x gave & fitt$ itself to him4 ,he ran 8 eyes ov] ! bright tablew>e & heap$ plates4 ,he look$ ar\nd at ! ri* gra9$ walls & s(t lights at ea* table4 ,he said no?+1 j look+ & feel+ & exp]i5c+4 ,:5 we build our t[n & leave ! %ip1 ,june expla9$1 we w turn all ! /at]ooms back into ! l\nges & ballrooms & cocktail b>s t us$ to be inside4 ,oh1 ,i'm n compla9+1 ,pat said neglig5tly4 ,he cock$ 8 head to ! music1 & tri$ to locate its s\rce4 ,t's big ( y1 said ,max ) g5tle irony4 ,!y fell to1 ,pat beg9n+ ! fir/ meal he _h _h 9 m ?an a day4 ,mo/ ( ! o!r d9]s f9i%$ :5 !y 7 halfway ?r\gh1 & began walk+ ov]1 diffid5tly at fir/1 !n 9 ano!r wave ( smil+ faces1 h&%akes1 & introductions4 ,pat 0 ask$ ab\t crops1 ab\t f>m+ me?ods1 ab\t ra9fall & floods1 ab\t f>m animals & plant bre$+1 ab\t ! compatibility ( import$ ,e>? se$s ) local gr\nd1 ab\t m9es & /rata4 ,!re 0 no ne$ to protect him4 ,he lean$ back 9 8 *air & drawl$ answ]s ) ! lazy ease ( a pan!r2 :]e he c\ld ?9k ( no /ati/ic1 he w\ld fill ! gap ) an anecdote4 ,x develop$ t he enjoy$ sp9n+ campfire y>ns & especially be+ ! c5t] ( int]e/4 ,betwe5 b\ts ( que/ions1 he ate ) undim9i%$ & gl[+ reli%4 ,june notic$ t ! female speciali/s 7 prolong+ ! que/ions m ?an !y ne$$1 clu/]+ ar\nd ! table laugh+ at 8 jokes1 until pres5tly ,pat 0 almo/ surr\nd$ by pretty faces1 eag] que/ions1 & *im+ laughs4 ,%elia ! beautiful laugh$ mo/ *im+ly ( all4 ,june nudg$ ,max1 & ,max %rugg$ indiff]5tly4 ,x wasn't any?+ a man w\ld pay att5tion to1 p]haps4 ,b ,june wat*$ ,pat = a mom5t m1 !n glanc$ uneasily back to ,max4 ,he 0 eat+ & li/5+ to ,pat's answ]s & did n feel h] gaze4 ,= "s reason ,max look$ almo/ %runk5 to h]4 ,he 0 %ort] ?an %e _h realiz$2 %e _h =gott5 t he 0 only ! same height z h]self4 ,%e 0 dimly aw>e ( ! cle> lilt+ *att] ( female voices increas+ at ,pat's end ( ! table4 ,t guy's a m5ace1 ,max said1 & laugh$ to himself1 cutt+ ano!r slice ( hydroponic mu%room /eak4 ,:at's eat+ y8 he add$1 glanc+ aside at h] :5 he notic$ h] sudd5 /illness4 ,no?+1 %e said ha/ily1 b %e did n turn back to wat*+ ,pat ,mead4 ,%e felt disloyal4 ,pat 0 only a sup]b animal4 ,max 0 ! man %e lov$4 ,or--0 he8 ,( c\rse he 01 %e told h]self angrily4 ,!y _h gone coloniz+ toge!r because !y want$ to sp5d _! lives toge!r2 %e _h nev] ?\ght ( m>ry+ any o!r man4 ,yet ! s5se ( dissatisfaction p]si/$1 & along ) x a feel+ ( guilt4 ,l5 ,m>l[1 ! prote9 tank-culture te*nician responsible = ! mu%room /eaks1 _h worm$ 8 way into ! gr\p & ask$ ,pat a "q4 ,n[ he 0 say+1 ,i don't dig y1 ,pat4 ,x s\nds l y're putt+ ! p into ! tanks in/ead ( ! vegetables6 ,he glanc$ at !m1 look+ puzzl$4 ,see if y two c make any?+ ( ?is4 ,x s\nds m$ical to me4 ,pat lean$ back & smil$1 sipp+ a glass ( hydroponic burgundy4 ,wond]ful /uff4 ,y'll h to %[ u h[ to make x4 ,l5 turn$ back to him4 ,y p live (f ! c\ntry1 "r8 ,y hunt & br+ 9 /eaks & eat !m1 "r8 ,well1 say ,i h "o ( ^? /eaks "r "h & ,i want to eat x1 :at happ5s8 99 99 99 99 99 ,g ahead & eat x4 ,x j w\ldn't dige/4 ,y'd /ay hungry4 ,:y8 ,l5 0 aggriev$4 ,*emical diff]5ces 9 ! basic protoplasm ( ,m9os4 ,diff]5t am9o l9kages1 left-h&$ in/ead ( "r-h&$ molecules 9 ! c>bohydrates1 ?+s l t4 ,no?+ w be dige/ible "h until y are adapt$ *emically by a little te/-tube evolution4 ,till !n y'd />ve to dea? on a full /oma*4 ,pat's side ( ! table _h be5 load$ ) ! di%es f two trays1 b x 0 almo/ cle> n[ & ! di%es 7 /ack$ neatly to "o side4 ,he />t$ on ?ree dess]ts1 ?\ghtfully ta/+ ea* 9 turn4 ,te/-tube evolution8 ,max repeat$4 ,:at's t8 ,i ?\ght y p _h no doctors4 ,x's a /ory4 ,pat lean$ back aga94 ,alex&] ,p4 ,mead1 ! head ( ! ,mead clan1 0 a plant g5etici/1 a v det]m9$ p]sonality & no man to argue )4 ,he didn't want u to g ?r\gh ! /ruggle ( kill+ (f all ,m9os plants & putt+ 9 our own1 spoil+ ! face ( ! planet & upsett+ ! balance ( its ecology4 ,he decid$ t he w\ld adapt our g5es to ?is planet or kill u try+4 ,he did x all "r4' ,did :i*8 ask$ ,june1 sudd5ly feel+ a s\rceless prickle ( fe>4 ,adapt$ u to ,m9os4 ,he took human cells-- 99 99 99 99 99 ,%e li/5$ int5tly1 try+ to f9d a reason = fe> 9 ! explanation4 ,x w\ld h tak5 _m human g5]ations to adapt to ,m9os by ord9>y evolution1 & t only at a heavy toll ( dea? & hung] :i* evolution exacts4 ,!re 0 a %ort] way3 ,human cells h ! ability to return to _! primeval condition ( indep5d5ce1 hunt+1 eat+ & reproduc+ alone4 ,alex&] ,p4 ,mead took human cells & made !m into phagocytes4 ,he put !m ?r\gh ! h>d savage s*ool ( evolution--a ?\s& g5]ations ( multiplication1 h>d%ip & hung]1 ) ! ali5 indige/ible food always pres5t1 (f]+ its rew>d ( pl5ty to ! cell t reluctantly le>n$ to absorb x4 ,leucocytes c run ?r\gh sev]al ?\s& g5]ations ( evolution 9 six mon?s1 ,pat ,mead f9i%$4 ,:5 !y rea*$ to a po9t :]e !y w\ld absorb ,m9os food1 he plant$ !m back 9 ! p he _h tak5 !m f4 ,:at 0 suppos$ to happ5 !n8 ,max ask$1 lean+ =w>d4 ,i don't "k exactly h[ x work$4 ,he nev] told anybody mu* ab\t x1 & :5 ,i 0 a little boy he _h gone loco & 0 w&]+ ha-ha-+ ar\nd wav+ a te/ tube4 ,fell d[n a rav9e & broke 8 neck at ! age ( eighty4 ,a "*1 ,max said4 ,:y 0 %e afraid8 ,x work$ !n8 ,yes4 ,he tri$ x on all ! ,meads ! fir/ ye>4 ,! o!r settl]s didn't want to be exp]im5t$ on until !y saw h[ x work$ out4 ,x work$4 ,! ,meads c\ld hunt1 & plant :ile ! o!r settl]s 7 /ill eat+ out ( hydroponics tanks4 ,x work$1 said ,max to ,l54 ,y're a plant g5etici/ & a tank culture exp]t4 ,!re's a job = y4 ,uh-uh6 ,l5 back$ away4 ,x s\nds l a m$ical problem to me4 ,human cell control--"r up y\r alley4 ,x is a "o-way /reet1 ,pat w>n$4 ,once x is done1 y won't be able to dige/ %ip food4 ,i'll get no good f ?is prote94 ,i ate x j = ! ta/e4 ,hal ,b>ton appe>$ quietly beside ! table4 ,?ree ( ! twelve te/ ham/]s h di$1 he report$1 & turn$ to ,pat4 ,y\r p c>ry ! g]ms ( melt+ sickness1 z y call x4 ,! dead ham/]s 7 inject$ ) blood tak5 f y be=e y 7 de-infect$4 ,we c't settle "h unless we de-infect ev]ybody on ,m9os4 ,w\ld !y object8 ,we w\ldn't want to give y folks g]ms1 ,pat smil$4 ,any?+ = safety4 ,b !re'll h to be a vote on x fir/4 ,! doctors w5t to ,r5o ,ulri*'s table & walk$ ) him to ! hang>1 expla9+4 ,he 0 to c>ry ! proposal to ,alex&ria1 m+le ) ! p1 be p]suasive & wait = !m to vote be=e return+4 ,he 0 to give himself %ots ( cureall e two h\rs on ! h\r or run ! risk ( disease4 99 99 99 99 99 ,r5o 0 pleas$4 ,he _h dabbl$ 9 sociology be=e retra9+ z a me*anic = ! exp$ition4 ,?is gives me a *ance to /udy _! mores4 ,he w9k$ wick$ly4 ,i may n be back = sev]al nights4 ,!y wat*$ ?r\gh ! viewplate z he took (f1 & !n w5t ov] to ! laboratory = a look at ! ham/]s4 ,?ree 7 alive & heal?y1 mun*+ lettuce4 ,"o 0 ! control2 ! o!r two _h be5 giv5 %ots ( ,pat's blood f be=e he ent]$ ! %ip1 b ) no additional treatm5t4 ,app>5tly a ham/] c\ld fight (f melt+ sickness easily if left alone4 ,?ree 7 /ill fev]i% & ruffl$1 ) a l[ r$ blood c\nt1 b recov]+4 ,! ?ree dead ones _h be5 giv5 /rong %ots ( adaptive & c\nt] hi/am9e1 s _! bodies _h n f\ght back aga9/ ! attack4 ,june glanc$ at ! dead animals ha/ily & look$ away aga94 ,!y lay twi/$ ) a /range semi-fluid limpness1 z if ready to dissolve4 ,! la/ ham/]1 :i* _h be5 giv5 ! heavie/ dose ( adaptive1 _h app>5tly lo/ all its hair be=e dea?4 ,x 0 hairless & p9k1 l a /ill-born baby4 ,we c f9d no micro-organisms1 ,george ,b>ton said4 ,none at all4 ,no?+ 9 ! body t %\ld n be !re4 ,leucosis & anemia4 ,fev] only = ! ones t f\ght x (f4 ,he h&$ ,max "s temp]ature *>ts & graphs ( blood c\nts4 ,june w&]$ out into ! hall4 ,p$iatrics & ob/etrics 7 h] field2 %e left ! cellul> rese>* to ,max1 & j help$ him ) laboratory r\t9e4 ,! /range mood foll[$ h] out into ! hall1 !n abruptly light5$4 ,com+ t[>d h]1 busily tell+ a tale ( adv5ture to ! gorge\s ,%elia ,dav5port1 0 a tall1 r$-head$1 magnific5tly h&some man4 ,x 0 8 h&som5ess :i* made ,pat su* a pleasure to look ^u & talk )1 %e guiltily told h]self1 & x 0 8 trem5d\s vitality4444 ,x 0 l meet+ a movie h]o 9 ! fle%1 or a h]o out ( ! pages ( a book--,de]-slay]1 ,john ,clayton1 ,"l ,grey/oke4 ,%e wait$ 9 ! doorway to ! laboratory & made no move to jo9 !m1 m]ely ackn[l$g$ ! two ) a nod & a smile & a casual lift ( ! h&4 ,!y nodd$ & smil$ back4 ,hello1 ,june1 said ,pat & cont9u$ tell+ 8 tale1 b z !y pass$ he lightly t\*$ h] arm4 ,oh1 pione]6 %e said mock+ly & s(tly to 8 pass+ pr(ile1 & knew t he _h he>d4 99 99 99 99 99 ,t night %e _h a nightm>e4 ,%e 0 runn+ d[n a long corridor look+ = ,max1 b e man %e came to 0 a big bronze man ) r$ hair & bright blue eyes :o gr9n$ at h]4 ,! p9k ham/]6 ,%e woke sudd5ly1 feel+ z if al>m bells _h be5 r++1 & li/5$ c>efully1 b !re 0 no s\nd4 ,%e _h _h a nightm>e1 %e told h]self1 b al>m bells 7 /ill r++ 9 h] unconsci\s4 ,some?+ 0 wrong4 ,ly+ /ill & try+ to pres]ve ! images1 %e grop$ = a mean+1 b ! mood fad$ "u ! cold t\* ( reason4 ,damn intuitive ?9k+6 ,a p9k ham/]6 ,:y did ! unconsci\s h to be s vague8 ,%e fell asleep aga9 & =got4 ,!y _h lun* ) ,pat ,mead t day1 & aft] x 0 ov] ,pat delay$ ,june ) a h& on h] %\ld] & look$ d[n at h] = a mom5t4 ,i want y1 ,june1 he said & !n turn$ away1 answ]+ ! hails ( a p>ty at ano!r table z if he _h n spok54 ,%e /ood %ak51 & !n walk$ to ! door :]e ,max wait$4 ,%e 0 p>ticul>ly affectionate ) ,max ! re/ ( ! day1 & x pleas$ him4 ,he w\ld n h be5 if he _h kn[n :y4 ,%e tri$ to =get ,pat's blunt /atem5t4 ,june 0 9 ! laboratory ) ,max1 wat*+ ! gr[? ( a small tank culture ( ! ali5 protoplasm f a ,m9os we$1 & li/5+ to ,l5 ,m>l[ p\r out 8 tr\bles4 ,& ,elsie tags ar\nd aft] t big go( all day1 li/5+ to 8 /ories4 ,& !n %e tells me ,i'm j jeal\s1 ,i'm imag9+ ?+s6 ,he pass$ 8 h& across 8 eyes4 ,i came away f ,e>? to be ) ,elsie4444 ,i'm gett+ a heada*e4 ,look1 c't y p]suade ,pat to cut x out1 ,june8 ,y & ,max are 8 fri5ds4 ,"h1 h an aspir91 ,june said4 ,we'll see :at we c d4 ,?anks4 ,l5 pick$ up 8 tank culture & w5t out1 n at all *e]$4 99 99 99 99 99 ,max sat brood+ ov] ! dials & met]s at 8 end ( ! laboratory1 app>5tly sunk 9 ?\ght4 ,:5 ,l5 _h gone1 he spoke almo/ h>%ly4 ,:y enc\rage ! guy8 ,:y let him hope8 ,f\nd out any?+ ab\t ! diff]5ces 9 protoplasm8 %e evad$4 ,:y let him kid himself8 ,:at *ance has he got aga9/ t hunk ( muscle & smoo? talk8 ,b ,pat isn't aft] ,elsie1 %e prote/$4 ,e scatt]-bra9$ woman on ?is %ip is trail+ aft] ,pat ) h] tongue hang+ out4 ,brant ,/4 ,clair is 9 ! b> "r n[4 ,he doesn't say :at he is dr9k+ ab\t1 b d y ?9k ,pat is resi/+ all ^! wom5 cr[d+ d[n on him8 ,!re are o!r ?+s besides looks & *>m1 %e said1 grimly try+ to conc5trate on a slide "u h] b9ocul> microscope4 ,yeah1 & :atev] !y are1 ,pat has !m1 too4 ,:o's m compet5t to support a woman & a family on a fronti] planet ?an a h&some bruis] :o 0 born "h8 ,i meant1 ,june spun ar\nd on h] /ool ) unexpect$ passion1 !re is old fri5d%ip1 & !re's fondness1 & memories1 & loyalty6 ,%e 0 half %\t+4 ,!y're n wor? mu* on ! second-h& m>ket1 ,max said4 ,he 0 sitt+ slump$ on 8 lab /ool1 look+ dully at 8 dials4 ,n[ ,i'm gett+ a heada*e6 ,he smil$ ruefully4 ,no kidd+1 a real heada*e4 ,& ov] o!r p's tr\bles yet6 ,o!r p's tr\bles4444 ,%e got up & w&]$ out into ! long curv+ halls4 ,i want y ,june1 ,pat's voice repeat$ 9 h] m9d4 ,:y did ! man h to be s ov]p[]+ly attractive1 s gl>+ a contra/ to ,max8 ,:y c\ldn't ! univ]se manage to run on )\t g5]at+ tr\blesome love triangles8 99 99 99 99 99 ,%e walk$ up ! curv+ ramps to ! d9+ hall :]e !y _h eat5 & drunk & talk$ ye/]day4 ,x 0 empty except = "o c\ple talk+ =ehead to =ehead ov] cold c(fee4 ,%e turn$ & w&]$ d[n ! long easy spiral ( corridor to ! ph>macy & disp5s>y4 ,x 0 empty4 ,george 0 probably 9 ! te/ lab next door1 :]e he c\ld he> if he 0 want$4 ,! automatic v5dor ( h>mless euphorics1 /imulants & opiates /ood 9 ! corn]1 brightly decorat$ 9 pa/el ab/ract designs1 ) its automatic tabulator graph gl[+ above x4 ,max _h a heada*e1 %e rememb]$4 ,%e record$ h] ?umbpr9t 9 ! ma*9e & pu%$ ! plung] = a box ( aspir9s1 try+ to focus h] att5tion on ! problem ( adapt+ ! p ( ! %ip to ! planet ,m9os4 ,an aqu>ium tank ) a fa9t solution ( hi/am9e w\ld be en\gh to conv]t a piece ( human sk9 into a community ( voraci\s active phagocytes individually seek+ some?+ to dev\r1 b c\ld !y eat en\gh to live away f ! ri* su/a9+ plasma ( human blood8 ,aft] ! aspir9s1 %e pu%$ ano!r plung] = some?+ = h]self4 ,!n %e /ood look+ at x1 a small box ) ?ree pills 9 h] h&--,!obrom9e1 a he>t /r5g!n] & a confid5ce-giv+ euphoric all 9 "o1 some?+ to /eady %aky n]ves4 ,%e _h us$ x be=e only 9 em]g5cy4 ,%e ext5d$ a h& & look$ at x4 ,x 0 trembl+4 ,damn triangles6 ,:ile %e 0 look+ at h] h& !re 0 a click f ! automatic drug v5dor4 ,x summ$ ! morn+ use ( ea* drug 9 ! v5dors ?r\gh\t ! %ip1 & record$ x 9 a neat addition to ! end ( ea* graph l9e4 ,= a mom5t %e c\ld n f9d ! gre5 l9e = anodynes & ! r$ l9e = /imulants1 & !n %e saw t !y w5t almo/ /raight up4 ,!re 7 too _m be+ us$--f> too _m to be expla9$ by jeal\sy or psy*osomatic peevi%ness4 ,?is 0 an epidemic1 & only "o disease 0 possible6 ,! dis9fect+ ( ,pat _h n succe$$4 ,nucleocat ,cureall1 kill] ( all infections1 _h n cur$6 ,pat _h br\ght melt+ sickness into ! %ip ) him6 ,:o _h x8 ,! drugs v5dor gl[$ *e]fully1 uncommunicative4 ,%e op5$ a panel 9 its side & look$ 9 on re/less int]lac+ cogs1 & on ! inside ( ! door saw pr9t$ "s directions4444 ,to remove or exam9e records be=e rea*+ end ( ! reel-- ,aft] a few fumbl+ m9utes %e _h ! answ]4 ,9 ! cafet]ia at breakfa/ & lun*1 ?irty-eight m5 out ( ! =ty-eight abo>d %ip _h tak5 m ?an 8 norm ( /imulant4 ,tw5ty-"o _h tak5 aspir9 z well4 ,! only woman :o _h made an unusual pur*ase 0 h]self6 ,%e rememb]$ ! ham/]s t _h ?r[n (f ! infection ) a %ort %>p fev]1 & *eck$ back 9 ! records to ! day be=e4 ,!re 0 a %ort rise 9 aspir9 sales to wom5 at late aft]noon4 ,! wom5 7 safe4 ,x 0 ! m5 :o _h melt+ sickness6 ,melt+ sickness kill$ 9 h\rs1 accord+ to ,pat ,mead4 ,h[ long _h ! m5 be5 sick8 99 99 99 99 99 ,z %e 0 leav+1 ,j]ry came into ! ph>macy1 record$ 8 ?umbpr9t & took a box ( aspir9 f ! ma*9e4 ,%e felt all "r4 ,self-control 0 work+ well & x 0 pleasant /ill to walk d[n ! corridor smil+ at ! p :o pass$4 ,%e took ! em]g5cy elevator to ! control room & %[$ h] cr$5tials to ! te*nician on wat*4 ,m$ical ,em]g5cy4 ,at a small control panel 9 ! corn] 0 a l>ge r$ button1 precisely label$4 ,%e consid]$ x & pick$ up ! control room phone4 ,?is 0 ! h>d "p1 tell+ someone1 especially someone :o _h x--,max4 ,%e dial$1 & :5 ! click on ! end ( ! l9e %[$ he _h pick$ ! phone up1 %e told ,max :at %e _h se54 ,no wom51 j ! m51 he repeat$4 ,t "r8 ,yes4 ,probably x's *emically ali51 inhibit$ by "o ( ! female sex hormones4 ,we'll try sex hormone %ots1 if we h to4 ,:]e are y call+ f8 ,%e told him4 ,t's "r4 ,give ,nucleocat ,cureall ano!r *ance4 ,x might "w ?is "t4 ,pu% t button4 ,%e w5t to ! panel & pu%$ ! l>ge r$ button4 ,?r\gh ! long height ( ! ,explor]1 bells woke to life & began to r+ 9 fright5$ clangor1 em]g5cy doors ?ump$ %ut1 me*anical app>atus humm$ into life & cann$ voices began to give rapid urg5t directions4 ,a plague _h come4 99 99 99 99 99 ,%e obey$ ! me*anical ord]s1 w5t out into ! hall & walk$ 9 l9e ) ! o!rs4 ,! capta9 walk$ ahead ( h] & ! gorge\s ,%elia ,dav5port fell into /ep beside h]4 ,i look l a positive hag ?is morn+4 ,does t mean ,i'm sick8 ,are we all sick8 ,june %rugg$1 unwill+ to say :at %e knew4 ,o!rs came out ( all rooms into ! corridor1 ?ick5+ ! l9e4 ,!y c\ld he> ea* room lock z ! la/ p]son left x1 & !n1 fa9tly1 ! hiss ( dis9fectant spray4 ,beh9d !m1 on ! heels ( ! la/ p]son 9 l9e1 segm5ts ( ! %ip slamm$ (f & began to hiss4 ,!y w\nd d[n ! spiral corridor until !y rea*$ ! m$ical treatm5t section aga91 & !re !y wait$ 9 l9e4 ,x won't sc> my arms1 w x8 ask$ ,%elia appreh5sively1 glanc+ at h] smoo?1 lovely arms4 ,! me*anical voice said1 ,next4 ,/ep inside1 please1 & /& cle> ( ! door4 ,n a bit1 ,june reassur$ ,%elia1 & /epp$ into ! cubicle4 ,inside1 %e 0 direct$ f cubicle to cubicle & giv5 ! usual buffet+ by sprays & radiation1 _h blood samples tak5 & 0 inject$ ) ,nucleocat & a s]ies ( o!r protectives4 ,at la/ %e 0 direct$ ?r\gh ano!r door into a t9y cubicle ) a *air4 ,y are to wait "h1 comm&$ ! record$ voice metallically4 ,9 tw5ty m9utes ! door w unlock & y may !n leave4 ,all p n[ treat$ may visit all p>ts ( ! %ip :i* h be5 protect$4 ,x is =bidd5 to visit any qu>ant9$ or un/]ile "p ( ! %ip )\t p]mission f ! m$ical (fic]s4 ,pres5tly ! door unlock$ & %e em]g$ into bright lights aga91 feel+ slightly batt]$4 ,%e 0 9 ! cl9ic4 ,a few m5 sat on ! edge ( b$s & look$ sick4 ,"o 0 ly+ d[n4 ,brant & ,bess ,/4 ,clair sat ne> ea* o!r1 n speak+4 ,approa*+ h] 0 ,george ,b>ton1 read+ a !rmomet] ) a puzzl$ expression4 ,:at is x1 ,george8 %e ask$ anxi\sly4 ,"s ( ! wom5 h slight fev]1 b x's go+ d[n4 ,none ( ! fell[s h any--b _! :ite c\nt is way up1 _! r$ c\nt is way d[n1 & !y look sick to me4 ,%e approa*$ ,/4 ,clair4 ,8 usually ruddy *eeks 7 pale1 8 pulse 0 light & too fa/1 & 8 sk9 felt clammy4 ,h['s ! heada*e8 ,did ! ,nucleocat treatm5t help8 ,i feel worse1 if any?+4 ,bett] set up b$s1 %e told ,george4 ,get ev]yone back into ! cl9ic4 ,we're do+ t1 ,george assur$ h]4 ,t's :at ,hal is do+4 ,%e w5t back to ! laboratory4 ,max 0 pac+ up & d[n1 abs5tly runn+ 8 h&s ?r\gh 8 black hair until x /ood /raight up4 ,he /opp$ :5 he saw h] face1 & sc[l$ ?\ghtfully4 ,!y are /ill sick8 ,x 0 m a /atem5t ?an a "q4 ,%e nodd$4 ,! ,cureall didn't cure ?is "t1 he mutt]$4 ,t leaves x up to u4 ,we h melt+ sickness & accord+ to ,pat & ! ham/]s1 t leaves u less ?an a day to f9d out :at x is & le>n h[ to /op x4 ,sudd5ly an idea = ano!r te/ /ruck him & he mov$ to ! "w table to set x up4 ,he work$ rapidly1 ) an occasional uncoord9at$ movem5t betray+ 8 usual effici5cy4 ,x 0 /range to see ,max tr\bl$ & afraid4 ,%e put on a laboratory smock & began to "w4 ,%e work$ 9 sil5ce4 ,! me*anicals _h fail$4 ,hal & ,george ,b>ton 7 busy /av+ (f dea? f ! weak] cases & try+ to ga9 "t = ,max & h] to "w4 ,! problem ( ! plague _h to be solv$ by ! two ( !m alone4 ,x 0 9 _! h&s4 ,ano!r te/1 no results4 ,ano!r te/1 no results4 ,max's h&s 7 %ak+ & he /opp$ a mom5t to take /imulants4 ,%e w5t into ! w>d = a mom5t1 f\nd ,bess & w>n$ h] quietly to tell ! o!r wom5 to be ready to take ov] if ! m5 became too sick to g on4 ,b tell !m calmly4 ,we don't want to fright5 ! m54 ,%e l+]$ 9 ! w>d long en\gh to see ! ^w spread among ! wom5 9 a wid5+ wave ( pal] faces & compress$ lips2 !n %e w5t back to ! laboratory4 ,ano!r te/4 ,!re 0 no sign ( a micro-organism 9 anyone's blood1 m]ely a gr[+ horde ( leucocytes & phagocytes1 pr[l+ z if mobiliz$ to repel invasion4 99 99 99 99 99 ,l5 ,m>l[ 0 :eel$ 9 unconsci\s1 ) ,hal ,b>ton's writt5 comm5ts & conclusions p9n$ to ! blanket4 ,i don't feel s well myself1 ! assi/ant compla9$4 ,! air feels ?ick4 ,i c't brea!4 ,june saw t 8 lips 7 blue4 ,oxyg5 %ort1 %e told ,max4 ,l[ r$ corpuscle c\nt1 ,max answ]$4 ,look into a drop & see :at's go+ on4 ,use m9e2 ,i feel ! same way he does4 ,%e took two drops ( ,max's blood4 ,! c\nt 0 l[1 fall+ too fa/4 ,brea?+ is useless )\t ! prop] m9imum ( r$ corpuscles 9 ! blood4 ,p bel[ t m9imum die ( asphyxiation al?\gh _! lungs are full ( pure air4 ,! r$ corpuscle c\nt 0 fall+ too fa/4 ,! "t %e & ,max _h to "w 9 0 too %ort4 ,pump "s m ,,co#b into ! air sy/em1 ,max said urg5tly ov] ! phone4 ,get "s into ! m5's end ( ! w>d4 99 99 99 99 99 ,%e look$ ?r\gh ! microscope at ! live sample ( blood4 ,x 0 a d>k cle> field & bright mov+ ?+s spun & swirl$ ?r\gh x1 b %e c\ld see no?+ t did n belong !re4 ,hal1 ,max call$ ov] ! g5]al speak] sy/em1 cut ! o!r treatm5ts1 *eck = accel]at+ anemia4 ,treat x l monoxide poison+--,,co#b & oxyg54 ,%e rea*$ into a cupbo>d "u ! "w table1 locat$ two cyl9d]s ( oxyg51 crack$ ! valves & h&$ "o to ,max & "o to ! assi/ant4 ,"s ( ! blui% t9t left ! assi/ant's face z he brea!d & he w5t ov] to ! pati5t ) reawak5$ conc]n4 ,n brea?+1 ,doc6 ,max 0 work+ at ! desk1 mutt]+ equations ( hemoglob9 catalysis4 ,l5's gone1 ,doc1 ! assi/ant said m l\dly4 ,artificial respiration & get him into a reg5]ation tank1 said ,june1 n mov+ f ! microscope4 ,hurry6 ,hal w %[ y h[4 ,! oxidation & me*anical he>t action 9 ! tank w keep him go+4 ,put anyone 9 a tank :o seems to be dy+4 ,get "s wom5 to help y4 ,give !m ,hal's in/ructions4 ,! tanks 7 ord9>ily us$ to susp5d animation 9 a nutri5t ba? dur+ ! regr[? ( any diseas$ organ4 ,x c\ld pres]ve life 9 an almo/ totally de/roy$ body dur+ ! usual dis9tegration & regr[? treatm5ts = canc] & old age1 & x c\ld enc\rage heal+ z de/ruction cont9u$ 444 b !y c\ld n prev5t ultimate dea? z long z ! disease 0 n conqu]$4 ,! drop ( blood 9 ,june's microscope 0 a great1 d>k field1 & 9 ! =egr\nd1 br\ght to g>gantuan solidity by ! /]eo effect1 drift$ neat sauc] %apes ( r$ blood cells4 ,!y turn$ end = end1 float+ by ! hump$ mi/y mass ( a leucocyte :i* 0 crawl+ on ! cov] glass4 ,!re 7 n en\gh r$ corpuscles1 & %e felt t !y grew few] z %e wat*$4 ,%e fix$ h] eye on "o1 n bl9k+ 9 fe> t %e w\ld miss :at might happ54 ,x 0 a tidy r$ button1 & x spun z x drift$1 ! curr5t mov+ x aside 9 a curve z x pass$ by ! leucocyte4 ,!n1 abruptly1 ! cell vani%$4 ,june />$ numbly at ! place :]e x _h be54 ,beh9d h]1 ,max 0 call+ ov] ! speak] sy/em aga93 ,dr4 ,/>k speak+4 ,any te*nician :o kn[s any?+ ab\t ! life tanks1 />t br++ m out ( /orage & set !m up4 ,em]g5cy4 ,we may ne$ =ty-sev51 ,june said quietly4 ,we may ne$ =ty-sev51 ,max repeat$ to ! %ip 9 g5]al4 ,8 voice did n falt]4 ,set !m up along ! corridor4 ,hook !m 9 on ext5sion l9es4 ,8 voice filt]$ back f ! empty floors above 9 a s]ies ( dim e*oes4 ,:at he _h said meant t e man on bo>d might be on ! po9t ( he>t /oppage4 99 99 99 99 99 ,june look$ bl9dly ?r\gh ! b9ocul> microscope1 try+ to ?9k4 ,out ( ! corn] ( h] eyes %e c\ld see t ,max 0 wav]+ & brea?+ m & m frequ5tly ( ! pure1 cold1 burn+ oxyg5 ( ! cyl9d]s4 ,9 ! microscope %e c\ld see t !re 7 few] r$ cells left alive 9 ! drop ( 8 blood4 ,! rate ( fall 0 accel]at+4 ,%e didn't h to glance at ,max to "k h[ he w\ld look--sk9 pale1 black eyebr[s & ke5 br[n eyes slightly squ9t$ 9 ?\ght1 a fa9t ironical gr9 twi/+ ! blu+ lips4 ,intellig5t1 ?91 s5sitive1 8 face 0 "p ( h] m9d4 ,x 0 inconceivable t ,max c\ld die4 ,he c\ldn't die4 ,he c\ldn't leave h] alone4 ,%e =c$ h] m9d back to ! problem4 ,all ! m5 ( ! ,explor] 7 at ! same po9t1 :]ev] !y 74 ,mov+ to ,max's desk1 %e spoke into ! int]com sy/em3 ,bess1 s5d a c\ple ( wom5 to look ?r\gh ! %ip1 room by room1 ) a /ret*]4 ,make sure all ! m5 are d[n "h4 ,%e rememb]$ ,r5o4 ,sp>ks1 he>d any?+ f ,r5o8 ,is he back8 ,sp>ks repli$ weakly aft] a lag4 ,! la/ ,i he>d f ,r5o 0 a call ?is morn+4 ,he 0 rav+ ab\t mirrors1 & ,pat ,mead's folks n be+ real p1 j c>bon copies1 & claim+ he 0 crazy2 & ,i %\ld s5d him ! psy*iatri/4 ,i ?\ght he 0 kidd+4 ,he didn't call back4 ,?anks1 ,sp>ks4 ,r5o 0 lo/4 ,max dial$ & spoke to ! bridge ov] ! phone4 ,are y okay up !re8 ,=get ab\t eng9e]+ controls4 ,drop ev]y?+ & head = ! tanks :ile y c /ill walk4 ,june w5t back to ! "w table & :isp]$ into h] own phone4 ,bess1 s5d up a /ret*] = ,max4 ,he looks pretty bad4 ,!re _h to be a solution4 ,! life tanks c\ld su/a9 life 9 a damag$ body1 enc\rag+ x to regr[ m rapidly1 b !y m]ely sl[$ dea? z long z ! disease 0 n *eck$4 ,! po/ponem5t c\ld n la/ long1 = de/ruction c\ld g on /eadily 9 ! tanks until ! nutritive solution w\ld hold no life except ! triumphant microscopic kill]s t caus$ melt+ sickness4 ,!re 7 v few r$ blood corpuscles 9 ! microscope field n[1 incr$ibly few4 ,%e tipp$ ! microscope & !y began to drift1 sp9n+ sl[ly4 ,a lone corpuscle float$ ?r\gh ! c5t]4 ,%e wat*$ x z ! curr5t swept x 9 an arc pa/ ! dim (f-focus bulk ( ! leucocyte4 ,!re 0 a sweep ( motion & x vani%$4 ,= a mom5t x meant no?+ to h]2 !n %e lift$ h] head f ! microscope & look$ ar\nd4 ,max sat at 8 desk1 head 9 h&1 8 rumpl$ %ort black hair /ick+ out betwe5 8 f+]s at odd angles4 ,a p5cil & a pad scrawl$ ) =mulas lay on ! desk be=e him4 ,%e c\ld see 8 conc5tration 9 ! rigid set ( 8 %\ld]s4 ,he 0 /ill ?9k+2 he _h n giv5 up4 99 99 99 99 99 ,max1 ,i j saw a leucocyte grab a r$ blood corpuscle4 ,x 0 unbelievably fa/4 ,leukemia1 mutt]$ ,max )\t mov+4 ,gallop+ leukemia yet6 ,t comes "u ! head+ ( canc]4 ,well1 t's "p ( ! answ]4 ,x might be all we ne$4 ,he gr9n$ feebly & rea*$ = ! speak] set4 ,anybody /ill on 8 feet 9 !re8 he mutt]$ into x1 & ! "q 0 amplifi$ to a boom+ voice ?r\gh\t ! %ip4 ,hal1 are y /ill go+8 ,look1 ,hal1 *ange all ! dials1 *ange ! dials1 set !m to deep melt & reg5]ation4 ,"o week4 ,?is is l leukemia4 ,got x8 ,?is is l leukemia4 ,june rose4 ,x 0 "t = h] to take ov] ! job4 ,%e lean$ across 8 desk & spoke into ! speak] sy/em4 ,doctor ,walton talk+1 %e said4 ,?is is to ! wom54 ,don't let any ( ! m5 "w any m2 !y'll kill !mselves4 ,see t !y all g into ! tanks "r away4 ,set ! tank dials = deep reg5]ation4 ,y c see h[ f ! ones t are set4 ,two exhau/$ & fright5$ wom5 clatt]$ 9 ! doorway ) a /ret*]4 ,_! h&s 7 scrat*$ & oily f help+ to set up tanks4 ,t ord] includes y1 %e told ,max /]nly & caught him z he sway$4 ,max saw ! /ret*] be>]s & /ruggl$ upright4 ,t5 m m9utes1 he said cle>ly4 ,might ?9k ( an idea4 ,some?+ n "r 9 ?is setup4 ,i h to figure h[ to prev5t a relapse1 h[ ! ?+ />t$4 ,he knew m bact]iology ?an %e did2 %e _h to help him ?9k4 ,%e motion$ ! be>]s to wait1 fix$ a brea?+ mask = ,max f a cyl9d] ( ,,co#b & ! op5$ "o ( oxyg54 ,max w5t back to 8 desk4 ,%e walk$ up & d[n1 try+ to ?9k1 rememb]+ ! ham/]s4 ,! melt+ sickness1 x 0 call$4 ,melt+4 ,%e /ruggl$ ) an impulse to op5 a tank :i* held "o ( ! m54 ,%e want$ to look 91 see if t w\ld expla9 ! "n4 ,melt+ ,sickness4444 ,foot/eps came & ,pat ,mead /ood unc]ta9ly 9 ! doorway4 ,tall1 h&some1 rugg$1 a pione]4 ,any?+ ,i c d8 he ask$4 ,%e b>ely look$ at him4 ,y c /ay out ( our way4 ,we're busy4 ,i'd l to help1 he said4 ,v funny4 ,%e 0 vici\s1 enjoy+ ! :ip ( h] words4 ,e man is dy+ because y're a c>ri]1 & y want to help4 99 99 99 99 99 ,he /ood n]v\sly cl5*+ & uncl5*+ 8 h&s4 ,a gu9ea pig1 maybe4 ,i'm immune4 ,all ! ,meads are4 ,g away4 ,god1 :y c\ldn't %e ?9k8 ,:at makes a ,mead immune8 ,aw1 let 'im alone1 ,max mutt]$4 ,pat hasn't done any?+4 ,he w5t wav]+ly to ! microscope1 took a t9y sliv] f 8 f+]1 susp5d$ x 9 a slide & slipp$ x "u ! l5s ) deta*$ habitual dext]ity4 ,some?+ funny go+ on1 he said to ,june4 ,symptoms don't feel "r4 ,aft] a mom5t he /raight5$ & motion$ = h] to look4 ,leucocytes1 phagocytes-- ,he 0 bewild]$4 ,my own-- ,%e look$ 91 & !n look$ back at ,pat 9 a gr[+ wave ( horror4 ,!y're n y\r own1 ,max6 %e :isp]$4 ,max re/$ a h& on ! table to brace himself1 put 8 eye to ! microscope1 & look$ aga94 ,june knew :at he saw4 ,phagocytes1 leucocytes1 attack+ & dev\r+ 8 tissues 9 a gr[+ incr$ible horde1 multiply+ insanely4 ,n 8 phagocytes6 ,pat ,mead's6 ,! ,meads' evolv$ cells _h le>n$ too mu*4 ,!y 7 contagi\s4 ,& n ,pat ,mead's4444 ,h[ mu* alike 7 ! ,meads8444 ,mead cells contagi\s f "o to ano!r1 n a disease attack+ or be+ f\ght1 b act+ z normal leucocytes 9 :atev] body !y 7 96 ,! leucocytes ( tall1 r$-head$ p1 f9d+ no /rang5ess 9 ! blood/ream ( any ( ! tall1 r$-head$ p4 ,no /rang5ess4444 ,a toti-pot5t leucocyte f9d+ its way into cellul> wombs4 ,! womblike life tanks4 ,= ! m5 ( ! ,explor]1 a week's cure ) deep melt+ to de-diff]5tiate ! leucocytes & turn !m back to normal tissue1 !n regr[? & re=m+ f ! cells t 7 !re4 ,f ! cells t 7 !re4 ,f ! cells t 7 !re4444 ,pat-- ,i "k4 ,pat began to laugh1 8 face twi/$ ) sudd5 und]/&+4 ,i und]/&4 ,i get x4 ,i'm a contagi\s p]sonality4 ,t's funny1 isn't x8 ,max rose sudd5ly f ! microscope & lur*$ t[>d him1 fi/s cl5*$4 ,pat caught him z he fell1 & ! bewild]$ /ret*] be>]s c>ri$ him out to ! tanks4 99 99 99 99 99 ,= a week ,june t5d$ ! tanks4 ,! o!r wom5 volunte]$ to help1 b %e refus$4 ,%e said no?+1 hop+ h] guess w\ld n be true4 ,is ev]y?+ all "r8 ,elsie ask$ h] anxi\sly4 ,h[ is ,j]ry com+ along8 ,elsie look$ hagg>d & worn1 l all ! wom51 f do+ ! "w t ! m5 _h always done4 ,he's f9e1 ,june said tonelessly1 %utt+ tight ! door ( ! tank room4 ,!y're all f9e4 ,t's good1 ,elsie said1 b %e look$ m fright5$ ?an be=e4 ,june firmly lock$ ! tank room door & ! girl w5t away4 ,! o!r wom5 _h be5 li/5+1 & n[ !y w&]$ back to _! jobs1 unsatisfi$ by ,june's answ]1 b n d>+ to ask = ! actual tru?4 ,!y 7 !re :5ev] ,june w5t into ! tank room1 & !y 7 /ill !re--or reliev$ by o!rs2 ,june 0 n sure--:5 %e came out4 ,& always "s "o ( !m ask$ ! unv>y+ "q = all ! o!rs1 & ,june gave ! unv>y+ answ]4 ,b %e kept ! key4 ,no woman b h]self knew :at 0 go+ on 9 ! life tanks4 ,!n ! day ( completion came4 ,june told no "o ( ! h\r4 ,%e w5t into ! room z on ! o!r days1 lock$ ! door beh9d h]1 & !re 0 ! nightm>e aga94 ,?is "t x 0 reality & %e w&]$ d[n a pa? betwe5 long r[s ( c(f9like tanks1 call+1 ,max6 ,max6 sil5tly & look+ into ea* "o z x op5$4 ,b ea* face %e look$ at 0 ! same4 ,wat*+ !m dissolve & regr[ 9 ! nutri5t solution1 %e _h only be5 able to guess at ! horror ( :at 0 happ5+4 ,n[ %e knew4 ,!y 7 all ! same lean-bon$1 blond-sk9n$ face1 ) a p9-fea!r gr[? ( r$di% d[n on *eeks & scalp4 ,all horribly--& h&somely--! same4 ,a m$ical kit lay c>elessly on ! floor beside ,max's tank4 ,%e /ood ne> ! bag4 ,max1 %e said1 & f\nd h] ?roat clos+4 ,! cann$ voice ( ! me*anical mock$ h]1 speak+ glibly ab\t wak+ & sitt+ up4 ,i'm sorry1 ,max4444 ,! tall man ) rugg$ features & bright blue eyes sat up sleepily & lift$ an eyebr[ at h]1 & ran 8 h& ov] 8 r$-fuzz$ head 9 a ge/ure ( bewild]m5t4 ,:at's ! matt]1 ,june8 he ask$ dr[sily4 ,%e gripp$ 8 arm4 ,max-- ,he comp>$ ! relative size ( 8 arm ) h] h& & said wond]+ly1 ,y %rank4 ,i "k1 ,max4 ,i "k4 ,he turn$ 8 head & look$ at 8 arms & legs1 pale blond arms & legs ) a d[n ( r$ hair4 ,he t\*$ ! ?ick left arm1 squeez$ a p9* ( h>d fle%4 ,x isn't m9e1 he said1 surpris$4 ,b ,i c feel x4 ,wat*+ 8 face 0 l wat*+ a /rang] mimick+ & di/ort+ ,max's expressions4 ,max 9 fe>4 ,max try+ to und]/& :at _h happ5$ to him1 look+ ar\nd at ! o!r m5 sitt+ up 9 _! tanks4 ,max feel+ ! t]ror t 0 9 h]self & all ! m5 z !y />$ at !mselves & _! fri5ds & saw :at !y _h become4 ,we're all ,pat ,mead1 he said h>%ly4 ,all ! ,meads are ,pat ,mead4 ,t's :y he 0 surpris$ to see p :o didn't look l himself4 ,yes1 ,max4 ,max1 he repeat$4 ,x's me1 all "r4 ,! n]v\s sy/em didn't *ange4 ,8 new blue eyes held h]s4 ,my love didn't1 ei!r4 ,did y\rs8 ,did x1 ,june8 ,no1 ,max4 ,b %e c\ldn't "k yet4 ,%e _h lov$ ,max ) ! ?91 ironic face1 ! rumpl$ black hair & ! twi/$ smile t nev] really hid 8 quick sympa?y4 ,n[ he 0 ,pat ,mead4 ,c\ld he also be ,max8 ,( c\rse ,i /ill love y1 d>l+4 ,he gr9n$4 ,x 0 /ill ! wry smile ( ,max1 ?\gh fitt+ /rangely on ! h&some new blond face4 ,!n x isn't s bad4 ,x might ev5 be pretty good4 ,i envi$ him ?is big1 muscul> body4 ,if ,pat or any ( ^! ,meads s mu* z looks at y1 ,i'm go+ to knock 8 block (f4 ,und]/&8 99 99 99 99 99 ,%e laugh$ & c\ldn't /op4 ,x wasn't t funny4 ,b x 0 /ill ,max1 try+ to be unafraid1 draw+ on humor4 ,maybe ! re/ ( ! m5 w\ld also be _! old selves1 en\gh s ! wom5 w\ld n feel t _! m5 7 /rang]s4 ,beh9d h]1 male voices spoke *>act]i/ically4 ,%e did n h to turn to "k :i* 0 :i*3 ,?is is "o way to keep a guy f /eal+ y\r girl1 t 0 ,l5 ,m>l[2 ,i've got to write d[n all my reactions1 ,hal ,b>ton2 ,n[ ,i c really "w t hillside ve9 ( metal1 ,/4 ,clair4 ,!n o!rs compla9+1 swe>+1 laugh+ bitt]ly at ! trick t _h be5 play$ on !m & _! flirt+1 tempt$ wom54 ,%e knew :o !y 74 ,_! wom5 w\ld "k !m ap>t1 too4 ,we'll g outside1 ,max said4 ,y & ,i4 ,maybe ! %ock won't be s bad to ! wom5 aft] !y see me4 ,he paus$4 ,y didn't tell !m1 did y8 ,i c\ldn't4 ,i wasn't sure4 ,i--0 hop+ ,i 0 wrong4 ,%e op5$ ! door & clos$ x quickly4 ,!re 0 a small cr[d on ! o!r side4 ,hello1 ,pat1 ,elsie said unc]ta9ly1 try+ to look pa/ !m into ! tank room be=e ! door %ut4 ,i'm n ,pat1 ,i'm ,max1 said ! tall man ) ! blue eyes & ! fuzz-r$d5$ skull4 ,li/5-- ,good heav5s1 ,pat1 :at happ5$ to y\r hair8 ,%elia ask$4 ,i'm ,max1 insi/$ ! man ) ! h&some face & ! %>p blue eyes4 ,don't y get x8 ,i'm ,max ,/>k4 ,! melt+ sickness is ,mead cells4 ,we caught !m f ,pat4 ,!y adapt$ u to ,m9os4 ,!y also *ang$ u all into ,pat ,mead4 ,! wom5 />$ at him1 at ea* o!r4 ,!y %ook _! heads4 ,!y don't und]/&1 ,june said4 ,i c\ldn't h if ,i hadn't se5 x happ5+1 ,max4 ,x's ,pat1 said ,%elia1 daz$ly /ubborn4 ,he %av$ (f 8 hair4 ,x's "s k9d ( joke4 ,max %ook h] %\ld]s1 gl>+ d[n at h] face4 ,i'm ,max4 ,max ,/>k4 ,!y all look l me4 ,d y he>8 ,x's funny1 b x's n a joke4 ,laugh = u1 = ,god's sake6 ,x's too mu*1 said ,june4 ,!y'll h to see4 ,%e op5$ ! door & let !m 94 ,!y hurri$ pa/ h] to ! tanks1 look+ at =ty-six id5tical blond faces1 beg9n+ to call 9 fright5$ voices3 ,j]ry6 ,h>ry6 ,lee1 :]e are y1 swee!>t-- ,june %ut ! door on ! voices t 7 gr[+ hy/]ical1 ! wom5 t]rifi$ & helpless1 ! m5 %\t+ to let ! wom5 "k :o !y 74 ,x isn't easy1 said ,max1 look+ d[n at 8 own ?ick muscles4 ,b y ar5't *ang$ & ! o!r girls ar5't4 ,t helps4 ,?r\gh ! muffl$ noise & hy/]ia1 a bell 0 r++4 ,x's ! airlock1 ,june said4 ,pe]+ 9 ! viewplate 7 n9e ,meads f ,alex&ria4 ,to all appe>ances1 eight ( !m 7 ,pat ,mead at v>i\s ages1 f fifte5 to fifty1 & ! o!r 0 a h&some1 leggy1 r$-head$ girl :o c\ld h be5 8 si/]4 ,regretfully1 !y expla9$ ?r\gh ! voice tube t !y _h walk$ ov] f ,alex&ria to br+ news t ! plane pilot _h contract$ melt+ sickness !re & _h di$4 ,!y want$ to come 94 99 99 99 99 99 ,june & ,max told !m to wait & return$ to ! tank room4 ,! m5 7 enjoy+ _! new height & /r5g?1 & ! wom5 7 bewild]$ly le>n+ t !y c\ld tell "o ,pat ,mead f ano!r1 by voice1 by ge/ure ( face or h&4 ,! panic 0 gone4 ,9 its place 0 a dull acceptance ( ! fanta/ic situation4 ,max call$ = att5tion4 ,!re are n9e ,meads outside :o want to come 94 ,!y h diff]5t names1 b !y're all ,pat ,mead4 ,!y fr[n$ or look$ blank1 & ,george ,b>ton ask$1 ,:y didn't y let !m 98 ,i don't see any problem4 ,"o ( !m1 said ,max sob]ly1 is a girl4 ,patricia ,mead4 ,! girl wants to come 94 ,!re 0 a long sil5ce :ile ! implication settl$ to ! fe> c5t] ( ! wom5's m9ds4 ,%elia ! beautiful felt x fir/4 ,%e cri$1 ,no6 ,please don't let h] 96 ,!re 0 real fright 9 h] tone & ! wom5 caught x quickly4 ,elsie clung to ,j]ry1 begg+1 ,y don't want me to *ange1 d y1 ,j]ry8 ,y l me ! way ,i am6 ,tell me y d6 99 99 99 99 99 ,! o!r girls back$ away4 ,x 0 illogical1 b x 0 human4 ,june felt t]ror ris+ 9 h]self4 ,%e held up h] h& = quiet1 & pres5t$ ! necessity to ! gr\p4 ,only half ( u c leave ,m9os1 %e said4 ,! m5 _c eat %ip food2 !y've be5 condition$ to ?is planet4 ,we wom5 c g1 b we w\ld h to g )\t our m54 ,we c't g outside )\t contagion1 & we c't sp5d ! re/ ( our lives 9 qu>ant9e inside ! %ip4 ,george ,b>ton is "r--!re is no problem4 ,b we'd be *ang$6 ,%elia %rill$4 ,i don't want to become a ,mead6 ,i don't want to be somebody else6 ,%e ran to ! inn] wall ( ! corridor4 ,!re 0 a brief hesitation1 & !n1 "o by "o1 ! wom5 fl$ to t side1 until !re 7 only ,bess1 ,june & f\r o!rs left4 ,see6 cri$ ,%elia4 ,a vote6 ,we c't let ! girl 96 ,no "o spoke4 ,to *ange1 to be someone else--! idea 0 /range & horrify+4 ,! m5 /ood uneasily glanc+ at ea* o!r1 z if look+ into mirrors1 & aga9/ ! wall ( ! corridor ! wom5 wat*$ 9 fe> & huddl$ toge!r1 />+ at ! m54 ,"o man 9 =ty-sev5 poses4 ,"o ( !m made a besee*+ move t[>d ,elsie & %e %rank away4 ,no1 ,j]ry6 ,i won't let y *ange me6 ,max /irr$ re/lessly1 ! ironic smile t made 8 new face 8 own unconsci\sly twi/+ into a grimace ( pity4 ,we m5 c't leave1 & y wom5 c't /ay1 he said bluntly4 ,:y n let ,patricia ,mead 94 ,get x ov] )6 ,june took a small mirror f h] belt p\* & /udi$ h] own face1 aw>e ( ,max talk+ =cefully1 ! m5 /&+ sil5t1 ! wom5 plead+4 ,h] face 444 h] own face ) its d>k blue eyes1 small nose1 long mobile lips 444 ! m9d & ! body are insep>able2 ! %ape ( a face is "p ( ! m9d4 ,%e put ! mirror back4 ,i'd kill myself6 ,%elia 0 sobb+4 ,i'd r die6 ,y won't die1 ,max 0 say+4 ,c't y see !re's only "o solution-- ,!y 7 look+ at ,max4 ,june /epp$ sil5tly out ( ! tank room1 & !n turn$ & w5t to ! airlock4 ,%e op5$ ! valves t w\ld let 9 ,pat ,mead's si/]4