I’d never claimed to be a brave man. The very thought turned my bowels to water.
* * * *
After I returned to Eden, I was too unsettled to retreat to my quarters, so I made my way into the mess hall and stared around in surprise. The buzz of conversation was reminiscent of a bee hive. What was everyone so excited about?
“Hey, Doc.” Sergeant Eriksen threw an arm around my shoulder, ignoring the way I stiffened under his touch. “Great news, isn’t it?”
“What news?”
“Where’ve you been? Colonel Berger found the skimmers. He and Doctor Bradley are so excited they’ve declared today a holiday.”
“Colonel Berger found them?”
“Yeah. Right where you said…uh…”
“Yes?”
He turned a dull red and swallowed. “Uh…”
I thought I’d get some credit for finding the skimmers, at least a nod, but it seemed
