Saul regained consciousness with a jolt and an angry snort. The spot on his stomach where the bullet had impacted the mesh hurt like hell. The part of his back that had been slammed against the uneven walkway when he fell was even worse. The cook was on his feet in an instant, knife in hand swinging around frantically to the pockets of shadow that surrounded him, but it was obvious the gunman was long gone.

He bent down to examine his armor through the hole in his tee shirt. The good news was that even at point blank range, the round hadn't penetrated the skin. The bad news was that someone had just shot him. No less, someone who, judging from his timing, was probably on his way to Artemis right now. Saul sheathed his knife, slung the sack he had intended to use for supplies over his shoulder, and broke into a sprint with a annoyed curse.

He was getting too old for this.

"So you don't think he was justified?"

The doctor shook his head. "I'm saying that there's a certain emotional level where any act can be considered justified. But it's not a good basis for a legal system."

Mariah stopped walking and turned to face him. "Are you saying I'm too emotional?"

The edge in her voice made Leo freeze. "Wait…no, I, I mean…" When he finally noticed the expression in her eyes, the doctor's apology caught in his throat. Mariah broke into a grin. "I walked right in to that one."

"Yes, yes you did."

"That's not funny."

"Actually, it's very funny. I spent my formative years learning that a good Core woman wasn't supposed to be as rational or intelligent as a good Core man and now I get to do something about it."

Leo chuckled as the pair resumed walking. "By running circles around helpless medical professionals?"

"Mostly, yes."

"Well, I suppose we all have our purpose in life."

The dilettante smiled warmly. "This was a wonderful idea. Thank you, Leo."

"Always happy to be of service." A flickering sign broadcast against the wall of the corridor caught his eye, and he smiled. "I don't suppose you'd like to get a drin