"For murder."
"Not this lad."
"Don't be too cocky. Remember the Blue Door episode? You're the key man ... and that makes you the key target. Without you the rest would be a cinch."
"I'll be careful," Crag promised.
"Doubly careful," Gotch cautioned. "Don't be a sitting duck. I think maybe we'll have a report for you before long," he added enigmatically.
"If the warhead doesn't get us," Crag reminded him. "And thanks for all the good news." He laughed mirthlessly. They exchanged a few more words and cut off. He turned to Prochaska, weighing his gaunt face.
"You get your wish, Max. Climb into your spaceman duds and I'll take you for a stroll. As of now you're a working man."
"Yippee," Prochaska clowned, "I've joined the international ranks of workers."
Crag's answering grin was bleak. "You'll be sorry," he said quietly.