A good idea, except that the three groups were liable to either kill him, or get him killed, if he fucked up.The more he thought about it, the more he...found himself leaning toward Azamel. The only thing she asked is for him to try and help her if she and the others were under attack. Of all the options, that seemed the nicest; except that, of course, hunters were already in the city, trying to kill her. But they were probably going to try and kill him too, so that was almost a moot point.And. As she served dinner I could see she was wanting to say something, but was holding back. She didn't fear me, because she knew I loved her with an overwhelming passion, but she was now submissive enough not to wish to bother me if it wasn't necessary. I could see she was letting me relax from my day at work and enjoy my meal. She was such a great cook. Tonight she had made a favorite of mine. It was stuffed grape leaves. I loved them. After the meal she cleaned up and I went into the den to. Meiersdottir's wishes, her orders."Ultimately, as Igwanda knew he must, Miller acceded. But he did so with the caveat the colonel had expected."We'll send Ms. Cherney and the lander," he said. "But if Dr. Meiersdottir is going to be absent for a period of time, I expect she'll understand that the lander's going to come empty. I can't in good conscience approve an expansion of the planetside contingent under those circumstances."Since that suited his own preferences, in light of the information. .well, the two of them--" "She's a stubborn bitch," Dr. Pruett said. "Wicked stubborn bitch. Things she does. Can't tell her mother. Not all of it. Anyway. Did what I could. Can't do more. Goodbye." "That--that's it?" I croaked. "Can't help you, son. Women, you know. All this gay liberation talk. Nonsense. Women. Lots of problems." He went back to the window and started watering the plants again. I left. # .