They slowed to match velocities with the planet and let the universal translator do its thing. After a couple of minutes they began to understand the ...peech coming from the radio, so they moved a little bit closer.'Edward' was sent to try to learn who and what was going on around the planet. Harry, the captain, reported that these were oxygen breathers who had set up a refueling station around this planet. The local intrasystem trade was done with ships that used the hydrogen extracted from the. "We set it up to put him between a rock and a hard spot, but whatever happens Michelle can't run this cycle or he'll realize we were bullshitting him. Let's keep that among Michelle and us, OK?" OK, you're sneaky," Crystal grinned. "So he's on now?" Yeah, unless something else happens." Is he going to be up to running a raft?" That's the sixty-four dollar question, ain't it?" Jeff shrugged. "Michelle and I pretty much agree that when he gets on the river he'll realize he can't just sit there. I mostly looked at the underwear. It was exciting to see girls and women in bras and knickers. I loved slips too. They looked so smooth and silky. Strangely, at that time, I had a fascination for directoire knickers and can remember dreaming about wearing them. I also enjoyed looking at all the outerwear and shoes etc. thinking how nice it must be to wear all those pretty things. Another thing I liked to do was read my sister’s comics and magazines. Quite naturally, (or so I think) I read the. .." What do they think about you being here?" I think they'd like me at home." I thought about all the calls with mymum, how she looked sad when we hung up. And I thought about my dad andhow he'd really come around to Allie. I started to get a little sad."Sorry. They're very supportive of my being here. But they miss me. AndI miss them."Maybe he caught how embarrassed I felt. "Don't. That must...I meanthat's nice that you have that." He paused. "Is it OK if I kiss you?" Only if you don't ask.".