"At that time," said Axel, "we believed—and he did, too—that there would be suffering from lack of water. However, we have been able to distill water for irrigating the garden by using the vacuum of the air locks. There is plenty to drink—if we're careful not to waste it—and for our dehydrated food. We can even do a washing once in a while." He smiled and rubbed his hands over his dirty T-shirt. "Now it is not necessary to reduce the size of the crew because of lack of water."
"Why didn't he wait before trying it in the first place?" I asked.
"Morrie Grover had to be eliminated," Axel explained. "Spartan gave his reasons. He said there was no prison aboard the ship, hinting that Morrie should be confined. He figured that what had happened once could happen again; that Morrie might very well flip under further pressure."
"And was I dangerous or unstable?" I demanded.
"Neither," Gail broke in to answer for Axel, "but he considered you expendable and in his way."
"You fought for Gail," Axel said. "Spartan wants no interference when he tries to have his way."
"He's as crazy as poor Morrie," said Gail.
"In a different way," said Axel, "I've known Doc a long time. Went to the moon with him. He's pushed by ambition and the dislike of sharing credit for a job well done. He was very disturbed when the newspapers gave a bigger play to the Loring-Drake wedding than to the objectives of the Mars flight. Spartan wanted to be the only hero."
"Isn't that why we're all making this trip? To win credit, fame, glory—or whatever else you want to call it?"
"Partly. There is also something else," said Axel.