CHAPTER IIThe captain was a broad-bodied, heavy-shouldered man with the veined red nose and cheeks of a heavy drinker. The cold-eyed way he looked at Boone, low-lidded, told how he felt.
“Don’t think I’ve turned you loose because I like you, Boone,” he clipped. “I don’t. But we’re coming into Saturn’s orbit, and that means we need a biologist on duty. Prisoner or not, you qualify, so you’re elected.”
Boone stared. “Miss Rey—”
“Her temperature hit 104 an hour ago.”
A chill ran through Boone. “You mean—”
“That’s right. Titan fever.”
Boone caught his breath as the door swung open to admit a thin-faced young ensign. “Another down, Captain,” the man reported grimly. “Verdov, converter crew.”
“That makes four. Thank the good Lord we’ve got plenty of chandak extract.” The captain hunched f
