Diane looked around the small laboratory Dr. Frost had appropriated for her. It definitely needed a cleaning but it was perfect for her needs. It had been a blood analysis lab at one time, among other things and some equipment still remained. Diane examined various pieces, pleased to see an incubator and a standard water bath.

Against one wall a sheet was draped over a few more pieces she hoped she could find useful and she smiled at Dr. Frost.

"This is ideal, Winston. You are amazing."

"I've always hoped to resurrect this place once again. It is its own world - undiscovered by anyone else since I closed it. The Ultracentrifuge is a good one and there's a direct reading electronic balance. A few other items used in blood analysis were removed long ago but I think there is still a good microscope under there. Everything will need a good cleaning and some recalibration but--"

"Winston it's perfect. Really. I can get my own things in here and be up and running in a day or two."

Dr. Frost took his glasses off and wiped them on his shirt front. "I'm concerned that we are still doing business with Horace. The promise of the funding came through when I asked again without having to use your friend's threat and I don't know why."

"I imagine it is as Hunter said, they want my- our data. I imagine they will wait until we have proved the research demonstrably and then attempt some kind of take over."

"But aren't you worried?"

"This is too far-reaching to hold back now, Doctor. That's a bridge I'll cross when I come to it." She brushed some dust from her hands, smiled and suggested they leave then followed him up the narrow staircase to street level.

The steel door was locked and Winston busied himself with a piece of equipment concealed in the door frame.

"What's that?"

"Alice. I'll tell you about it back at the office."

"Alice?"

"Your assistant while on site here. I'll explain later."

********

Hunter decided his best chance to find Chesterton, since he didn't appear to be in any listings, was to find Hargreave. The kid had mentioned that Chesterton sold his story to some media and something about a film. Chances were that he would have a location or know somebody who would.

After running a number of searches on his pad he found a Cliff Hargreave, consultant, living in Bathtown, a seedier part of the sprawling city. It was the only one matching all he knew about the kid so Bathtown it was.

Traffic, bad air, bad food, smoke and noise were the main features of Bathtown. Gaudy neon with virtual advertising, hawkers and hucksters plying the crowded main street peddling their blue smoke and spin pills gave the whole scene a carnival atmosphere.

He was approached three times by sex droids in the space of a couple of blocks, each with the same overdeveloped attributes and common spiels. He found Hargreave's address and climbed the stairs to the third floor of the grungy building. The name on the door hung at an angle and instinctively he tried to straighten it - it fell off on the floor.

The door opened as he picked it up and a young woman with silver hair stared at him.

"Sorry, it fell off. Is uh, Cliff Hargreave here?"

The woman turned and Hunter stepped inside, tossing the name plate into a corner. In the dim light he could see she was naked and beyond her, he saw Cliff spread out on a bed working a canister of blue smoke.

The woman sat in a chair by the bed, her eyes fixed on nothing. Hunter walked over and kicked Cliff's foot.

"You wanna stop sucking on that and sit up a minute?"

Cliff opened his eyes and squinted up at the figure at the foot of his bed. He set the mouthpiece aside and lifted on his elbows.

"I know you?"

"Hunter Lewis."

"Hunt- right, the Commander!" He swung up to a sitting position and fiddled with a remote device. The girl stood and left the room. "My other vice."

"You own that one? Consulting must be a good business. Why live in a dump like this?"

Cliff stood and started dressing. "I did a solid for a designer and he paid me with Judith there. She is a beta model from a few years ago." He sorted his clothes then stood, hands on hips and looked at Hunter. "So, why are you here?"

"I'm trying to find Chesterton and not having any luck. You mentioned something about him selling his story to the media . . .?"

"He did. He made a small fortune selling his story of the HEEP disaster to various underground networks and publishers."

"Hah, that's what you hoped to do with me."

"That answers your other question about why I live here."

Cliff went to a shelf in the corner and pulled out a rare paper magazine. He tossed it to Hunter and told him he could read one version inside.

"This is what I wanted to do with you."

"Yeah, well that didn't work did it. But you can make a few credits if you help me find him."

"I might be able to help . . . but this time I want a story."

"How about we find him first and I can get what I need then we can discuss what you want."

"Give me your contact info and I'll call you tomorrow."

"That fast?"

"It's what I do."

They shook hands and Hunter went to the door. Judith held it open, he hadn't seen her move and he smiled - nothing. Droids weren't into social manners. Outside he stopped and looked at the article in the magazine. There was only a hint of secret developments on Galapagos, it seemed old Mark kept  from revealing what he felt might be useful at some point.

Hunter was sure that point had been reached.

********

Diane contacted Hunter and told him the news about the laboratory and also that Vatten Industries had agreed to the financing and were initiating construction of the first stages of processing equipment. In turn, he told her about his search for Chesterton.

"It looks like you might have been right about him. He must have discovered your work on the flight back."

"But he didn't tell?" Diane said.

"No, I don't think he has it all and what he did get he saved that for a moment just like this."
"What are you saying?"

"I only have my gut but I believe Chesterton and Horace Torrance are in cahoots and that's why the quick turnaround on credits. They're going to help you and the Doc complete your process and then take over. Their man couldn't find out anything from Frost and the attempt on me was to insure easier access to you."

Diane expressed frustration with the situation and his deductions. "How are you impeding access to me?"

"Chesterton must figure I'm a problem . . . he knows we- you and I have . . . about us." He mentally whacked his head.

Silence followed then in a slightly cooler tone Diane suggested she was quite capable of looking after herself and that she would wait to hear about his success in finding Chesterton.

********

Diane focused on getting her private lab in order, moving furniture and other heavy work, ignoring the recent tension and emotional confusion in her relationship with Hunter. Alice, as it turned out was an extremely advanced computerized security system that monitored everything that went on inside the location.

Diane enjoyed the novelty of asking for any information including the surprisingly casual opinions. Alice's voice was soft and calming and almost eerily realistic. When Alice asked out of the blue if she should include Hunter in the lab clearance Diane wondered just how sophisticated her assistant was.

"Not right at this time, Alice. I'd like to get established here first. How do you know about Hunter?"

'Very well, Dr. Sommers. I will put that request on hold.'

"You didn't answer my question, Alice." Diane said, concerned she could be overruled.

'That's fine, Dr. Sommers. It is your choice.'

The continued lack of an answer made Diane a little uncomfortable and she decided to wait and speak to Dr. Frost about her concerns.

"Thank you. Could you please activate the power and the recording program for my equipment bench. I want to begin cataloguing the samples I managed to retain from Galapagos." 'Certainly, Dr. Sommers. The power has been activated.'

"Diane would be quite appropriate since I call you Alice." She smiled at the room, uncertain if it would be received.

'Alice is my name, Dr. Sommers.'

". . . oh . . . very well then."

Soon Diane was lost in the challenge of her work and time passed without notice.