“We were on our way to Athens to pick up a cargo run when we got your message” Simon explained as they walked through the cargo bay. “Our ship will be laid over for the next two days and our captain had nothing happening that required our presence, so we were happy to offer our services”.

“And your sister?” Gerrin asked.

“I’m his pilot”, River broke in.

“His pilot?”

She looked at her brother critically. “He can’t fly a kite”.

“That’s not true!” her brother protested, turning toward her. “I’ve flown before!”

She snorted “Model sky planes, years ago”.

Gerrin broke it up. “I’m sure your piloting skills are fine, doctor, but right now, we need your medical expertise”.

“Oh, yes. Of course”. Turning toward the ladder, he addressed Doc. “Doctor, if you’ll show me to your medical bay-”.

“I’m not a doctor”, Doc informed him. “I’m a medic. ‘Doc’ is just what they call me”.

“Oh”. Simon thought about how to recover before saying “Well, I’m – I’m sure you do an excellent job of taking care of your crew”.

“You’ll find few better”, Gerrin responded.

“It’s all right, doctor. This way”. Doc started up the ladder, followed by Simon, River and Gerrin. Halfway up the ladder River stopped. Her face blank, she said “There’s something dark up there. It wants out”.

“Something dark?” Gerrin asked.

Simon turned. “She sometimes picks up on things most people miss. She’s extremely perceptive”. Turning back, he said “Come on, River, let’s go upstairs so we can examine our patient”.

“No”, she shook her head. “It’s hungry…angry. She can’t hold it back”.

Simon looked from River to Gerrin. “I’m sorry, she’s not usually like this. There was an ‘incident’ when she was at school-“

“That’s all right”, Gerrin said. “If your sister wants, she can wait down here with Anna and the crew”.

Simon looked at Gerrin, then at River. “River, do you want to stay down here?”

River returned his gaze. “We all should”, she answered.

Gerrin stepped down the ladder and gestured to Anna. “Anna, will you look a