Tangle in the Dark - Kassidor

office, but not the place to sit and chat. He lead Elmore downthree steps to the stand-cushions against the ancient limewortedstone walls of this house. It was sunny here and daybloomcrowded the larorlie along their front wall. “She’sfeeling abandoned,” Alan sighed as they sank into the standcushions.“And she’s coming to you about it?”“We work together, she’s vented a little, nothing to worryabout.” Alan went over his personification. Stuck in three-dreality like he was, he didn’t even have a med panel he couldaccess, and his sweat could actually give him away. He turnedit around and asked, “How well do you know Thom?”“Better than most commanding officers three steps up thechain of command do. We were mortal together, we swam theOhio together.” That meant they had both escaped fromAmerica to Laurentia.Alan knew he swallowed, he didn’t have enoughvoluntary control of his personification to prevent it. “So heconfides in you a lot?”“Maybe more than he should.” Elmore stood up. Theroom was twelve feet high here, at least thirty feet long. Hepaced only a short way. Alan had no doubt where hisdifficulties lay. In spite of all Alan had done, Colonel ElmoreBovok still tried to maintain a friendship. Alan’s foster father,Alfred McReady, was one of Elmore’s best friends on theexpedition.“I wasn’t mortal with you,” Alan said. “I can never be that73