never wanted to discuss that sort of thing. "
33 "It's all right, son," North comforted, "We all have to learn from
someone. Remember, there was a time I was going through the same thing
you are right now."
34 The young Officer managed to smile. "Sir," he answered, "I don't
think there's a time you were EVER feeling the way I am."
35 He departed back to his room. The bedroom door slid open, and the
woman with North stood against the frame, smiling. "I didn't know the
Senior Officers had to teach the younger Officers EVERYTHING," she
laughed, "but my, what those Senior Officers know!"
36 "You were listening!" snapped North.
37 The woman just smiled, and headed back into the bedroom. North
followed and shut the door behind him.
38 The next day at the banquet just before they left, North saw
Thundering River laughing and joking with his female companion.
Apparently, the young man had learned quickly. The woman obviously
didn't want him to go.
39 The Colony Commander approached North, advising him that there was
an opening in his colony for a Staff Officer, and he would be very glad
to have Thundering River assigned. It seemed the young lady was his
niece and very pleased with her companion.
40 "I'm sure," praised North, "it can be arranged."
41 The first two days of the trip back were uneventful. Then, early
in the third day North had the Pilot's seat, Thundering River and Red
Mountain were sleeping, while Little Star was doing random checks on
the other positions. North's head was hurting again, and as casually as
he could, he took a pain pill. These headaches were getting worse and
he knew he ought to speak to Doc Astra about it, but that would mean
test after test, and poke after poke, and North would be going