"Then you'd let this ship go out without a biologist?" Eileen's breath came fast and shallow. "You'd let the crew face the monsters with not even a fighting chance to win?"
Boone clipped his words: "Don't worry. There'll be a biologist aboard." And then: "You see—I'm going in your place."
"So—!" Face alight, Krobis turned to Eileen. "I was right, my dear! Boone's jealous, that's all—jealous of you, your ability, the chance I've given you to solve this problem!"
A tremor ran through Eileen. For an instant she swayed, her pale face a mask of mixed emotions.
Then, heedless of the nerve-gun, she clawed at Boone.
He stepped back fast; clubbed his left fist upward.
It caught her squarely on the point of the jaw. Her teeth clicked; her head snapped back. Already sagging, she reeled against the wall, then slid unconscious to the floor.
Krobis started to spin about.
Boone said tightly, "Come ahead, Krobis! Eileen I wouldn't burn. But you—it'd be a pleasure!"
Krobis froze in his tracks.