Clean air rushed in, letting his head clear. He'd forgotten that the
inflated suit held enough oxygen for several minutes.
His body struck the edge of the airlock and a hand jerked him inside.
The outer seal was slammed shut and locked, and there was a hiss of air
entering.
He threw back his helmet just as Chris Ryan jerked hers off.
Her voice shook almost hysterically. "Thank God. Dan, I almost gave up!"
"I liked the air out there better," he told her bitterly. "If you'll
open the lock again, I'll leave. Or am I supposed to believe this is
rescue and that you came along just to save me?"
"I came along to see you killed, as you know very well. Saving you
wasn't in my orders."
He grunted and reached for the handle that would release the outer lock.
"Better get back inside if you don't want to blow out with me."
"It's up to you, Dan," she told him, and there was all the sincerity in
the world in her blue eyes. "I'm on your side now."
He began counting on his fingers. "Let's see. The spare battery, the
delay in arresting me, the choice of Matthews--"
"It was all true." Anger began to grow in her eyes. "Dan Feldman, you
get inside this raft! If you don't care about me, you might consider the
people dying of the plague who need you!"
She'd played her trump, and it took the round. He followed her.
"All right," he said grudgingly.
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