That means something like a 'ship operator.' I'm authorized to make things work aboard the ship. Some particular things. Steve, Judy and Kathy hold th...t title as well." I'm only paying half attention, Dr. Taylor -- and saying half is being generous. I'm busy catching up correcting months of half-assed assumptions." I hesitate to offer direction to such august company," Gail told them. "I hope at least Colonel Baird is paying attention." I'm hanging on your every word, Dr. Taylor." Sir, the. . I will become a knight... andso, I WILL slay you, dra-"He was cut off as the dragon's claws moved with lightning speed, strikingthe sword out of his hand. Her other paw shot forward and slammed him intothe wall, once again shaking the room, and knocked all the fight out ofhim. Her talons closed around his body and she lifted him up to her face."Stupid boy," she said. "Do you have any idea how many knights have triedand failed to kill me over the years? You should have left when I gave youthe. When I finished, I was stunned to hear Leigh say quietly, "My turn."I tossed the bottle to Dustin. He heaved it back to me."I think she wants you to do it."I couldn't see Leigh's eyes for the huge sunglasses she wore, but her head and body language said she was staring at me, daring me to bathe her with the lotion."Uh, Keely," I began."Oh, go ahead," my wife said. "Don't be such a prig." That's right, Warren," Leigh repeated, "don't be such a prig."Leigh rolled over and I rubbed the lotion over. Some peoples survived, some didn't. Not only did some cultures survive, they prospered. And others wilted like a snowflake in an inferno. She had no idea what the characteristics were that made the difference between a culture imploding on contact with a more advanced society, or adapting and accommodating itself to the changes required.In her second year at the University a call had gone out for temporary researchers, to study the Kalvan Time Line.Tanda had been exposed to Paratemporal.