As one, Boone and Eileen spun around.
The stranger, he who had lain in the golden sphere, was getting up. Calmly, he strode to a low ledge on the far side of the bubble and picked up one of two bulky bundles; tossed it deftly to Eileen. "Everything is there."
Boone gripped his blaster. He moved a quick step forward. "You! Who are you?"
"They call me Lor."
"A name's no answer. Where'd you come from? How'd you get here?"
The other bent to pick up the second bundle, then straightened and, turning, stood full-face to Boone. "You ... do not know? You cannot guess?"
Boone studied him ... stared narrow-eyed at the calm, strangely-familiar face.
A youthful face, yet with eyes somehow old beyond all years.
A prickling ran up and down Boone's spine. "You—look—like me!"
"Of course." Lor smiled, turned to Eileen. "Surely you can tell?"