The captain groaned and picked up the mike. "Captain to Power Section," he said. "Hold your present course until you hear from me." He dropped the mike and looked up at Retief.
"It's eighteen hours yet before we pick up Jorgensen Control. You going to sit here and bend my arm the whole time?"
Retief released the captain's wrist and turned to the door.
"Chip, I'm locking the door. You circulate around, let me know what's going on. Bring me a pot of coffee every so often. I'm sitting up with a sick friend."
"Right, Mister. Keep an eye on that jasper; he's slippery."
"What are you going to do?" the captain demanded.
Retief settled himself in a chair.
"Instead of strangling you, as you deserve," he said, "I'm going to stay here and help you hold your course for Jorgensen's Worlds."
The captain looked at Retief. He laughed, a short bark.
"Then I'll just stretch out and have a little nap, farmer. If you feel like dozing off sometime during the next eighteen hours, don't mind me."