The unexpectedness of it caused Garry to cry out for the first time. As the door of the dormitory slid back, he scrambled inside, hurriedly pressed the button closing the door, then sank back against it, panting.
The bright lights went on in the room. Garry’s eyes blurred in the sudden sharp brilliance. When they came into focus, Garry saw everyone sitting straight up in their bunks, their eyes squinting and staring at him in amazement.
After a few tense moments, Captain Eaton asked from his bunk, “Garry, what’s the matter?”
“A woman—a big woman’s out there!” he blurted. “She was after me!”
Garry heard the men begin to laugh.
“Garry, that’s Katrinka,” the captain explained. “She wouldn’t hurt a thing. She couldn’t. She’s not built that way.”
“Not built that way?” Garry echoed. “What do you mean? She’s built pretty strong I think!”
Captain Eaton chuckled. “She’s a robot, Garry.”
“A robot!” Garry said. “So that’s why she looks so different!”
“Yes, I made her as lifelike as possible,” Captain Eaton went on, “but I’m afraid I’m no Michelangelo as a sculptor.”