My shoulder still twinged when I stretched too far, but the redness of the scars had already begun to fade. Odin Thor stood behind his desk and peered at me, and I still didn’t know whether Wryan was really behind me or not. At least, she’d agreed to come. “The divers can’t stay here any longer.” “Why not, Trooper Sammis?” “First, because it makes your troopers uneasy. Second, because they need to adjust to the real world. And third, because this base isn’t suited to rebuilding the future.” My voice almost squeaked, but I got it all out. Wryan said nothing, just stood there with a faint smile on her face. Odin Thor smiled even more broadly. “My troopers will do what I say.” “Not necessarily.” “Oh … ?” “Not if I tell them your big secret—that you’re a diver yourself.” For once, the colonel-general looked surprised. He opened his mouth, then shut it. Then he just sat there. “You, madame.” he finally said, “Do you believe such an absurdity?”
