"Thought we'd lost you, Lors," Narvi grinned. "You almost did," he replied, choking on the Thista honeywine. "Haven't you anything else, something from Darkkan?" "Sorry, friend," Narvi grinned, "but you can be glad to get this. The 36th Command has been drinking up even this stuff. I'll see you later, in the hospital." "All right, Narvi." The big man started away, but Lors stopped him by grabbing his blue sleeve. "Narvi?" "Yes." "Thanks. Thanks a lot." Firstspacer Narvi punched him playfully on the arm and left the compartment. The medical men came in then, hooking the anti-gravity capsules to the bed and setting them into motion. The cot-like stretcher lifted and the men towed him out to the freight elevator. As they stowed him into the ambulance, he could see Narvi's staff car skimming toward the Commandant's building to make out his report. No doubt Commandant Imry would be coming to see him, later on. * * * * * Nick groaned. Another dream that was beginning to clear things up a little... "He's coming around." The words were not English, but Nick understood them. The big blond cursed softly. "Speak English, Thesa. Someone might hear you!" "There hasn't been anyone around this farm in months," Thesa replied, lapsing into English. "But if you're getting particular, don't call me Thesa." Nick opened his eyes and blinked at them. It was the two watch dogs, the blond and his sandy haired friend. The giant was grinning at him. "Hello," he beamed. "Remember me?" "No! Who in hell are you?" Nick struggled to get out of the chair he'd been dumped in, but was pushed back firmly. "When you didn't report, we went out to find you. The old guy at the gas station covered up for you, so we had to watch Beth's house. Used all kinds of tricks, Lors. Why in the blue heaven didn't you make contact?" "You're Narvi!" Nick stared with wide eyes. "You're the man in the dream!" "Dream? Say, what's wrong with you, Lors? You refuse to report, you take pot shots at us... That crash was a bad thing; don't tell me your head..." "Narvi," Thesa put in quickly. "The crash! He was lucky to get out of it alive. Maybe he can't remember what went on. That right, Lors?" Nick stared at them and foggy pictures swung vaguely into his mind. Galaxies of stars whirled about, silver ships streaking in the sky and tiny points of light whipping across ochre deserts. Men in blue uniforms drilling beneath a violet sky in the heat of a solar wafer splotched above them. It was real! The fears he had had, the crazy alternative that the dreams presented to him ... it was all real. "It wasn't a dream," Nick muttered, shaking his head like a punch-drunk fighter. "I really am Firstspacer Lors! And I know you! I know you!" "Take it easy, boy," Narvi said softly. "You've had a bad time. I might have known you _couldn't_ report to us. Thesa, get some water! He looks as though he's going to pass out!"