The Stones of Nomuru

After a quarter-hour of amiable chitchat, Kara dug a sheaf of manuscript out of her handbag. "Here's my story on the Battle of Nomuru. It doesn't mention automatic rifles; just the well-drilled Feënzuo musketeers."

After, reading in silence, Salazar handed back the manuscript.

"Looks okay." Seeing Kara's look of disappointment, he added: "Excellent reporting, in fact." Then he turned to his roommate. "Oleg, I'd like a promise from you, not to tell anyone about the Terran guns."

Pokrovskii remained silent for a minute, then nodded. "Hokay, if you promise never to repeat story about Conrad and Derek."

"You mean to let Conrad's official version stand?"

"Yes."

"But why? He's dead and can't mind; and Derek's family deserves to know the truth."

"Just say I sentimental fool. You keep my secret, I keep yours. Otherwise not."

"Oh, all right." Salazar turned. "Kara, will you walk me down the hall? The doc wants me to exercise."

Out in the corridor, he said: "Oleg's a bit of an ass, but one can't help liking him."

Kara asked: "What was the story about Conrad and Derek?"

"You'll have to ask Oleg. I think he's wrong to suppress it; but a promise is a promise."

"Too bad you didn't think of that on that other—"

Salazar interrupted her caustic remark. "Please, Kara! I want to ask you something."

"Yes?"

"I know I've been a louse; but even a louse can learn. Kara, I love you. Will you marry me again?"

She took her time. At last she said: "Keith, I've seen this coming, and I've given the matter a lot of thought. You're a fine man, and I tremendously admire the things you've accomplished. I'm proud to be your friend. And you're the man who thought he could never be a general!

"But a successful marriage needs not only the combination of attraction and attachment we call love; it also needs trust. The main reason for marrying nowadays is for mutual support and protection—for someone on whom one can always rely."

Kara sighed. "You're a very attractive man, my dear. At times during our travels, it was all I could do to keep my guard up. It hurt to fend off your advances when I wanted you as much as you did me; but I felt that to give in would only lead us down the road to another disaster.

"I'm deeply attached to you, as one is to anybody one's lived with for years. I guess one never completely gets over a former spouse. But the other necessary element, trust, is missing."

"Haven't I been straightforward with you?"

Close to tears, Kara said: "Yes; you have, all through this dreadful war. But that doesn't turn the clock back. After you killed my trust, the feeling just isn't there any more." She gave his arm a squeeze. "I really am sorry, Keith; but that's how things stand."

"Even after all we've been through together?"

"Even after that."

After a bleak silence, Kara added: "Don't look so downcast, Keith. There are other women, even on this world."

Salazar's tone was fretful. "How do you expect me to look when the great love of my life slams the door in my face?"

Kara smiled a bitter little smile. "I know how it feels. I've been through it."

"Oh. You're right. I deserved that crack."

"I shouldn't have come out to your dig for that story and then gone on the hunt with you. All that bumming around together was bound to awaken old passions. Despite what you did, I'm sorry to put you through this. Hereafter we'd better keep our distance."

After another silence, Salazar looked up with a sly grin. "But we did have some pretty lively adventures, didn't we? We can dine out on those for years!"

She said: "The nurse will be bringing in your dinner soon, so I'll say good-night." Head up, she turned and walked away.