Ileth drew a deep breath, shrugged. A grim smile flashed across her pretty patrician features.
"If you can stand it," she replied with an unexpected twinkle in her hazel-green eyes, "I suppose I can too."
He stood up. "Like to meet the rest of the staff? Fine. You're all settled in your cabin, aren't you? No? Then I'll give you a hand as soon as we finish our tour of introduction."
Ileth's eyes had grown darker and darker.
"Now don't lose your temper," he said hastily.
"I haven't said a damn word. At least let me get my answers out of my mouth."
Saxon laughed, taking her arm. "Come along. We're accelerating at one G constant. We'll have no trouble moving around." He hesitated, then asked in an off hand manner,
"Has Q62 identified himself yet?"
Ileth looked startled, frightened. She tried to draw away but Saxon held onto her arm. "No. No, he hasn't. Please let go. You're hurting me, Jon."
But he didn't release her. "Is he aboard the ship?"