Choice of the Gallant - Paradox Equation I

  ****

  "Mick, is she... out again?"

  "Just sleeping, Elaine. Gallant. Gallant, drink a bit of broth, then sleep. I know how it works. Mom told me."

  Mick sat back and smiled. They were both tired, but his mother's injuries were healed.

  "Elaine, I'm going to trek back and check to see if Alice has anything she wants to tell us. I'll bring more food too. Stay with them?"

  "Naturally. Mick, this is a... bower. A beautiful clear pool, flowering trees, soft deep grass, roses on trellises... A bower in the middle of the ship."

  "Not half the middle. You should see some of the... rooms. There's a meadow and a forest of strange trees. There's something that can only be a racecourse of some kind. There's a room full of nothing but labels hanging in the air, all with names of musical instruments. Bedrooms in a hundred different styles... Thousands of rooms. Told you I got lost. I keep looking for a kitchen closer to us, but haven't found one. Well, it's only a little more than a K. Not bad. Be back. Love."

  "Love. Mick! How long?"

  "Sleep? Same as trance. Five days. Want a book or three?"

  "Yes. No, bring my pack. Might as well work on my thesis. I might get to deliver it."

  "Bother you?"

  "No. Truth is, I'm as excited as I've been about anything in my life. You?"

  "About. Right up there with you saying yes when I asked you out the first time. Elaine, marry me."

  "Gee, I thought I was going to have to ask you."