2 Progenitor by Michael Jan Friedman

Author:Michael Jan Friedman [Friedman, Michael Jan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Adventure, High Tech, Mystery & Detective
ISBN: 9780743427968
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2002-05-13T23:00:00+00:00

Picard and his colleagues had been jogging down their ritual trail for less than twenty minutes before Simenon slowed them to a walk.

The captain himself could have continued at a trot for another hour, if necessary. However, it was clear that at least one member of their party could not.

And that member was Greyhorse.

The doctor was breathing heavily even now, still feeling the effects of the quicker pace. But then, he was a big man, not exactly made for long-distance running, and to Picard's knowledge he had never dedicated himself to a fitness regimen.

Of course, Greyhorse had prescribed such regimens for others. Why was it that physicians so seldom practiced what they preached?

Simenon glanced back at the doctor. Then he muttered something beneath his breath.

"What's that?" asked Greyhorse.

Simenon shook his head. "Nothing."

"Don't give me that," Greyhorse said. "You don't mutter at someone that way and then not tell them what you're thinking."

The Gnalish rolled his eyes. "All right. I admit it. I was wishing that you were in better shape."

The doctor frowned. "Really."

"Really. And," Simenon added, "while I was at it, I wished one of the Asmunds could have come in your place."

Picard would have expected Greyhorse to react negatively to such a statement. But if his feelings were hurt, he didn't show it.

Instead, he told Simenon, "Believe me, so do I."

Clearly, the admission caught Simenon by surprise. "You know," he said, "no one told you you had to come."

Greyhorse chuckled derisively. "As usual, my friend, your gratitude knows no bounds."

"Gentlemen," said Picard, "I suggest we table this discussion for the time being. As you may have noticed, the Asmunds are not in evidence here, nor is there any possibility that they will arrive before the start of the ritual."

"And as for the doctor's conditioning," Ben Zoma chimed in optimistically, "I expect him to catch his second wind any moment now."

Simenon looked at Greyhorse. "Maybe you're right."

"That's the spirit," said Ben Zoma.

"But," Simenon added as he forged ahead, "I doubt it."

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