Fragment

10:34 P.M.

In the mess, they sat at a table, Nell and Geoffrey eating tuna fish sandwiches and Thatcher nibbling at a veggie burger with pickles.

“So, Thatcher, do you still think we made the wrong decision?” Nell asked.

“The question is moot,” Thatcher grunted, wiping his mustache with a napkin.

“But do you?” she persisted.

“As Geoffrey says, everyone’s wrong sometimes. Eh, Bins-wanger? The Redmond Principle is obviously in error. Intelligent life is not destined to destroy its own ecosystem. You win some, you lose some. It’s playing the game that counts.”

“That’s mighty big of you, Thatcher,” said Geoffrey.

“Why, thank you, Geoffrey.” The zoologist inclined his head.

“Yes, I thought you might still be harboring some resentment.” Nell reached for a pickle.

“Never! It is clear that we have just saved a species of life whose intelligence is at least as advanced as our own.”

“We’re not out of the woods yet. There’s no telling what will happen when we let the President know what we saved. Out here in the middle of nowhere, they could make up any cover story they wanted. But if we don’t tell them, and they catch us smuggling, we stand even less of a chance.”

“Who are ‘they’?” Thatcher asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I don’t know,” Geoffrey admitted. “The President. The Navy. The Trilateral Commission, the Bilderbergers, the Priory of Sion.

Does it matter? If this ship were lost at sea, how would anyone be the wiser?”

Thatcher smiled. “A calculated risk.” He took the last bite of his burger. “Well, kids, I’m an old man in need of a soft bed. It’s been a long day.”

“Did they give you a nice cabin?” Nell asked.

“Yes, thank you, my dear.” Thatcher rose from his chair.

“Good night,” Geoffrey said.

“Good night,” Thatcher bowed his head and smiled. Then he left them.

“Well that sandwich hit the spot,” Geoffrey remarked, after a moment.

“Nothing but the best,” Nell said. “Dolphin-safe.”

“Let’s check in on the hendros.”

“You read my mind, Dr. Binswanger.”

Nell led Geoffrey down the corridors below deck to the starboard pontoon, where they spotted Cynthea and Zero outside one of the cabins.

“Where’s Hender?” Nell asked.

“In there,” Cynthea pointed, sourly.

“Andy just kicked us out,” Zero told them.

“Why?” Geoffrey said.

“He says Hender’s sleepy.”

Nell laughed and tapped on the hatch. “Hi, Andy, it’s Nell! Can Geoffrey and I say good night to Hender?”

“Sure, come on in!”

Cynthea frowned.

The door opened a crack. “Just no more filming, OK? Don’t let Cynthea in.”

Nell smiled at him through the crack. “OK. Sorry, Cynthea.”

Andy admitted Nell and Geoffrey into the room.

Hender was hopping on the bed as Copepod jumped up onto the mattress and back down again, barking excitedly. Then Hender stepped down from the bed and reached his upper arms out toward them, nodding happily.

“Hello, Hender,” Nell said, taking one of his hands as Geoffrey took another. “OK?”

“OK, Nell! Hello, Geoffrey!”

Geoffrey laughed. “Hello, Hender!”

“Have they eaten anything, Andy?” Nell asked.

“Yeah, the cook boiled three bags of frozen shrimp. They loved them. So did Copepod. They let him eat from the same tray with them.”

Nell laughed. “Do they really seem all right? Do they need anything?”

“Yeah, they’re OK, Nell.”

“That’s great,” Geoffrey said, watching Copepod chase himself through Hender’s legs. “OK, Hender? Yes?”

“Yes, Geoffrey. OK. Thank you thank you thank you!”

Copepod ran to Nell.

“Copey, sweetheart, you OK, too?” She smiled as she kneeled and took his licks, scratching his shoulder blades. The little dog moaned in ecstasy.

“Copey good,” Hender piped.

“Copey won’t leave Hender’s side,” Andy confirmed. “Talk about a dog whisperer. He could have his own TV series.”

“Maybe he will!” Nell smiled. “What about the others? How are they?”

“They’re asleep already. They showered, ate, used the toilets, and conked out as soon as they got to their rooms.”

“Wow!” Geoffrey grinned. “OK, good night, Hender. Goodbye. OK?”

Nell reached out and gave Hender a full hug and whispered next to his head. “Safety, Hender. Safety now!” Even as she said it she wondered if she could keep that promise.

“Safety, Nell,” Hender echoed softly, his fur effulging warm colors where she touched his back.

Geoffrey watched, gasping at Hender’s display, as she pulled back.

“Good-bye, Geoffrey and Nell,” Hender nodded. “OK, sleep, right?”

“Yes, sleep! Right!” Nell saluted.

“Good night,” Geoffrey waved.

“Good night, good night, good night!” purred Hender, saluting and waving with four hands.