Hunter grabbed an autocab and directed it to the address Hargreaves had supplied as promised. He hadn't planned on what he would say or do when they met but on the spot decisions had been a big part of his life as commander of a cargo ship.

He spotted the house and the large balcony overhanging the sloping hill and stopped the cab. Hunter put his card in and paid then punched in a wait reservation before climbing out. The area was dotted with expensive residences on large sections of property, so neighbours were a fair distance apart. Hunter climbed the shallow hill and then the steeper steps up to Chesterton's door.

He glanced at the video camera following his movements, wondering if Chesterton would answer. When the door opened he wasted no time.

"Hello, Mark mind if I come in?" He stepped inside without waiting and turned to face his old exec.

"Hunter! What- how . . .?"

"Shut the door and invite me in." He stepped down three stairs into a vast living area of ceramic tile floors and glass walls. "Wow, you did well for yourself."

"What do you want here, Hunter?"

"I wanted to see how a demoted executive officer lived - make sure you weren't having any hardship. Apparently you aren't."

"It wasn't a crime making credits off what happened at Galapagos." Mark said churlishly, passing Hunter and moving to a drinks dispenser.

"No, it wasn't. A heads up might have been nice . . . you know, so reporters' questions might have been handled more factually."

"I can't help the spin they put on my words." Mark selected a drink and found a modular chair to roost; his confidence gradually returning. "Is that how you found me, through the media?"

"It is but not how you might imagine it." Hunter helped himself to a drink and wandered over to the doors to the massive balcony. "I didn't come here about your celebrity seeking, Mark. I came because of your connection with Vatten Industries - Horace Torrance to be exact."

The silence before the denial told Hunter all he needed to know. His theory was confirmed.

"Mark, give it up. I know what you're after and probably how you think you're going to get it. I have Arlen Downs and videos of his attempt on my life."

"I had nothing to do with that--"

Hunter smiled as he watched Chesterton squirm. "It's never you is it, Mark. "Tell you what, you back off now and I won't go to the media myself . . . and that's about everything to do with the work taking place at Vatten."

"Get the hell out of my house, Lewis!"

"Everything, Mark." Hunter finished his drink and handed Mark the glass, who automatically accepted it, and left.

He chuckled as he closed the door, hearing the smashing of glass inside. Chesterton wouldn't quit but at least his game was out in the open. Hunter summoned the autocab and headed back to the city.

********

Diane looked up from her microscope and frowned as Alice announced Hunter Lewis at the door.

How did he find me here? "You may admit him, Alice. Thank you."

'Certainly, Dr. Sommers.'

She smoothed her smock and fussed with her hair then assumed a pose by the work bench. Hunter came down the stairs and stopped, gaping about.

"Boy, your friend Frost really came through."

"How did you find me here?"

"I asked the Doc."

"You might have called first."

"Hey, if I'm not welcome just say so--"

"Of course you're welcome it's just that . . . oh never mind."

'Would you and Mr. Lewis like a beverage, Dr. Sommers?'

Hunter spun around. "Who the heck was that?"

"My security assistant, Alice . . . she uh- she is a computer program."

'Actually, Dr. Sommers I am an artificial intelligence prototype developed by Dr. Frost.'

"I'm sorry, Alice and thank you yes, we would like a beverage."

"Where is she?" Hunter asked.

Diane shrugged and whispered, "I honestly don't know."

A small chime sounded and a panel opened at the end of the room releasing a tray with a mug of coffee and a glass of beer.

"Oh now that is spooky."

"I've given up understanding Alice's incredible abilities and simply enjoy the amazing convenience.

'A full scan was done of Mr. Lewis before his entry. I was able to determine a complete picture of his physical and mental health and dietary preferences at this time. Also that he has recently shaved.'

"Hey now wait a minute!"

Diane burst into laughter at his discomfort and sagged back against the bench.

"That was priceless! Oh, Hunter, if you are going to visit me here you had better get used to it."

He looked around the room, baffled by this invisible assistant then sighed and lifted his glass.

"Okay, Alice you win. here's to you."

'I always win, Mr. Lewis.'

"Right . . ."

The next hour was spent exchanging information. Hunter told her all about Hargreave again and his visit to Chesterton - confirming his theory - and an update on Arlen. Diane, in turn, showed him what she was working on and how she was preparing her samples for further experimentation.

"Nothing from HEEP about the recordings." He asked.

"No . . . a surprise actually considering the time."

"Speaking of time, how long does this thing take?"

"The original Promession stage takes maybe three hours - depends. Mass differs in human bodies."

"Yeah, but you aren't using human bodies."

"For experimental purposes, the soil samples I have would take less than ten minutes but another hour or maybe more to reinstate them. That depends on how successful we are in designing the equipment."

"But you did it on Galapagos."

"That was a minimal sample in a very controlled environment - and we had equipment."

"So on a larger scale and new samples it will be like starting over."

"Except that we have the knowledge of how to do it."

Hunter finished his beer and set the glass back on the tray, startled again by a ghostly thank you.

"I don't think I could get used to that."

Diane set her mug next to his glass, received the same thank you and the tray disappeared back into the wall.

"I wonder if she does windows."

"I wouldn't keep asking questions, Hunter. I have work to finish so . . ."

"Of course, I'll take off then." He fumble stepped his way to the stairs. "Will we- can I see you later?"

"I'll call you when I get home."

"Okay."

'Goodbye, Mr. Lewis.'

Hunter fled.

********

Judith opened the door and turned away, walking back inside, the man following behind her.

"Who is it?"

"She didn't ask, Hargreave. Not very good security." He watched Judith sit and stare at nothing."
"Chesterton? What are you doing here?" Cliff got off his bed and slipped a shirt on.

"You gave - or more likely sold my location to Hunter Lewis."

Cliff hesitated then shrugged. "It wasn't a secret."

"But he came to you to get it because he couldn't find me."

"So what, you're here to scold me?" He opened a bottle and washed a pill down, shuddering as it hit his system.

Chesterton watched and smiled to himself. Hargreave was going to make this easy.

"I'm here to see you don't sell any more information about me."

"I only know what was public knowledge."

"Yes, but not everyone has access to that as easily as you."

"Look, I'm busy so unless--"

The move was quick and Hargreave fell back on the bed with Chesterton on top holding his throat. The pill container appeared and he struggled harder as Chesterton forced a handful toward his mouth.

"Get off" The hand covered his mouth and he felt the dry texture of the pills on his tongue. "No!"

"Be a good boy, Cliff and swallow."

In desperation Cliff fumbled for his remote while he shook his head back and forth. He pressed a code button and in an instant Judith grabbed Chesterton by the collar and hurled him across the room. Too late to keep from swallowing, Cliff pushed another button that went to automatic then he went into convulsions.

Chesterton blinked in confusion, rubbing his shoulder where it had slammed against the door frame. He looked up as a blank-faced Judith yanked him to his feet and began bending his arm to an impossible angle. Roaring in pain, he managed to get his free hand on his weapon and thumbing the charge to maximum, he fired it against Judith's head.

Sparks exploded from the silver hair and the droid stepped back, limbs flopping uncontrollably. Chesterton grabbed his arm and groaned as he watched Judith shoot off sparks and smoke before collapsing beside the still body of Cliff. He reached down and felt his neck for a pulse, satisfied his visit was over.