“Tabu? You’ve never used that word before.”
“Forbidden.”
“Who forbids it?”
“The Gods—the Old Ones. It is not for Lani. Nor for you.” Her voice was harsh. “Come away before it is too late. Before the Silent Death strikes you down.”
“I’m going to have a look at this.”
“You’ll be killed!” Copper said. “And if you die, I die too.”
“Don’t be foolish. There’s nothing here that can hurt me. See those trees and plants growing right up to the crater’s edge. If they can take it permanently, I can stand it for a few moments. If there’s any radioactivity there, it’s not very much.”
“But the redes say—”
“Oh, forget those redes. I know what I’m doing. Besides, I’m a Betan and can stand more radiation than most men. A brief exposure isn’t going to hurt me.”
“You go and I go too,” Copper said desperately.