HE COULDN’T HELP OVERHEARING the end of that conversation. The runway that fed the control turret was narrow and metal-walled; it formed a perfect soundbox. Moreover, the door was ajar. The voice was Captain Algase reached his ears perfectly as he approached the room.
“—don’t want to have to remind you again, Norton, that it is highly unethical for a space officer to become involved with a woman passenger. Especially with a married woman.”
And the surly voice of Third Mate Rick Norton saying, “Very well, sir!” Then footsteps approaching the door, a figure confronting his squarely, Norton flushing, snarling, “Getting an earful, Mallory?”
Dan was in no mood for bickering. He said, “Don’t mind me, Norton. I’ve known for months you were a skirt-chaser. I don’t consider it any of my business
