He grinned at the girl. "I know it was a strain. Remember, we've all been through it, too."
Jan had a nice smile. "You're right," she admitted. "I was so scared I wouldn't do it correctly! Then, when I knew that it was all right, I sort of fell apart."
Barby arose. "Come on, Jan. Let's go shower and change." She smiled with false sweetness at the boys. "Now that you're through testing Jan, I'm sure you won't mind doing your own work. 'Bye, now." And she left them to pick up the gear and truck it back to the laboratory building where it was kept.
Rick got to the shower first, then stretched out on his bed to wait for Scotty. It's a fine day, he told himself. All is well. JANIG has the island covered like a blanket. The project team is going full speed ahead. We're having fun. Jan is just the companion Barby needs. All's right with the world.
He turned over on his stomach and bunched his pillow up more comfortably. Then why, he asked himself, did he still feel funny?
Scotty came in from the shower, toweling vigorously. "What's eating you?" he demanded.
Rick turned over and stared at his pal. "Is it that obvious?"
"It is to me. What's up?"
"I don't know," Rick admitted. "Wish I did. Have you noticed how quiet everything is? It's like the day before a hurricane moves in. The ocean gets glassy, and there isn't any wind, and you're almost afraid to breathe because the air is so charged a breath might start the lightning."
"'The calm before the storm,'" Scotty quoted. "Maybe it is. I feel it a little, too. But what can we do?"