"Eric," whispered Sheila. "Please. I can't be brave for you all the time."
He was ashamed of himself then. He shook the black despair away with cynical fatalism.
"All right, Sheila. We'll be heroes to the bitter end. You, Avery. Get your great brain working. How can we save our people, and, incidentally, our own skins?"
Avery flinched as though some swift fear had stabbed him. "Don't ask me, Falken. Don't!"
"Why not? What the devil's the matter...." Falken broke off sharply. Something cold and fierce and terrifying came into his face. "Just a minute, Avery," he said gently. "Does that mean you think you know a way?"
"I.... For God's sake, let me alone!"
"You do know a way," said Falken inexorably. "Why shouldn't I ask you, Paul Avery? Why shouldn't you try to save your people?"
Gold
