"Oh." The victory did not matter. What mattered was being out of the game in one piece. He said, "They must be out of their minds."
"FLN is a nut about water polo," the girl agreed.
"I thought I was finished."
"He pulled you out." With a toss of her head the girl indicated the stranger watching over her shoulder. Hendley tried to identify the faintly sardonic smile, the cool ascetic face with its expression of weary boredom. He noted that the man's uniform was soaking wet.
"The robot rescue team was on another call," the man said diffidently, dismissing his action. "I thought they might not get to you in time."
Hendley closed his eyes. "Thanks," he murmured. He felt terribly tired, but the pain in his groin had dulled a little and the other aches were bearable, even the knee. Suddenly he remembered the young man's face. He had been sitting with his air of indolence at a table near Hendley's in the outdoor cafe. Hendley looked up again. The young man was gone.
"Where did he go?" Hendley asked.
"Never mind him," the brown-eyed girl said soothingly. Gently she massaged his neck. "Do you think you can get up?"
"I don't know."
"I'll help you."