Thus is with life's fitful fever:

the comunit. Damage report! Sir, came the disembodied voice from the bowels of the cruiser, casing blown, foam applied, no injuries. As you were! An acrid stench. a combination of odors arising from the intense heat on the crystal casing and on the foam, was still being exhausted by fans when Killashandra, Engineering Officer Fernock, and Lars reached the drive deck. The captain had hurried to inform Elder Torkes of the delay. Killashandra winced as she caught residual echoes from the other crystals of the drive. Or perhaps more than one element had blown. That could happen. Fernock quickly directed his men to sweep up the now hardened foam and remove the cover. The durametal had been fractured by the explosion and came off in piece . See if stores have a replacement. Fernocks expression suggested this was unlikely. Id not want to drive unshielded crystal. Thered be no problem so long as the remaining brackets are secure, Killashandra said, reasonably sure that she was correct. After all, there was no shield at all around black crystal. And they generated far more power than greens. Suction was used to clean foam from the intact blocks but both Killashandra and Fernock warned the seaman to stay away from the fragmented shaft. Bracketing came adrift, Killashandra announced, remembering her manners enough to look to Fernock for confirmation. Youre right. See, here? Fernock pointed to the lopsided bracket at the greens base. Now how could that happen? You said the seas were turbulent. And that you were overdue an overhaul. Doubtless the discrepancy would have been seen and corrected. No fault of yours, Officer Fernock. I appreciate that. All right, then Killashandra squatted by the drive, reached for the shattered green crystal. What are you about, Guildmember? Fernock grabbed her wrist and Lars moved forward. Well, until this crystal is moved, we wont. And she again reached for the crystal. But youve no gloves and crystal Cuts clean and heals quickly. For me. Allow me Fernock. The man continued to protest, but he made no further attempt to stop her. The first splinter did not cut her. Fortunately the broken bracket also made it easier for her to lift out the pieces. She pointed to a metal oil-slop pail and when it was fetched, she laid the crystal in it. recommended entry level digital cameras She removed the remaining portions with only one slice, when the final fragment resisted her initial pull. She held up her bleeding hand. Behold, before your marveling eyes, the incredible recuperative powers of the crystal singer. One of my professions few advantages. What is another? Lars asked. The credit! She reached for the suction device. This wont be good for anything, and no one is to touch it on its way to the disposal unit. She depressed the toggle and made sure that the few loose slivers were cleared. Ill check all the brackets to be sure none are loose. More problems are caused by faulty bracketing than anything else. That was a tedious enough process but it was her own safety she was ensuring, hers and Larss. With Fernock and Lars handing her the appropriate tools, she released each bracket in turn and reseated the five squat crystal shafts remaining. Then she struck each in turn for tone. They were all Gs, of course, in a crystal drive, and to her intense relief, each emitted a pure unblemished tone. She glanced up at Lars, to see him nod at the true G she had just sung. He had not been the only one fascinated by the process. There had been a constantly changing if discreet audience on the catwalk above the drive floor. As well. This would only enhance the image of the crystal singer. And it might just safeguard her against any more nonsense from the Elders. There now. Mr. Fernock, she said at last, arching her back against the crick caused by awkward positions. I think you can safely proceed with reconnections. I dont think theres any danger if the load is properly apportioned. A five-shaft drive should generate enough power to get us to the Mainland. She held up the hand that had been profusely bleeding an hour before. See? All better. Guildmember, do you know how long it would have taken me and my men to make such repairs? I couldnt begin to guess, Mr. Fernock, but do get on with the job. She smiled at the disconcerted officer and then, with Lars a step behind her, retraced her steps to the upper deck. Citizen, youre too much for this island boy. Huh! I was showing off again, and, leaning backward on one hand, kissed him lustily. Just in time to avoid the exchanges being witnessed by Captain Festinel, who was hurrying to check on repairs. You were a very deft assistant, Captain Dahl. I must