The Dark Lady

other.”
    “Are there any animals?” I asked.
    “The Pioneer Corps’ survey says there are, but I never saw any. Next!”
    We saw, in quick succession, a Doradusian mountain range, an abstract representation of a laser rifle, a still life of Binder X fruits, and a naturalistic impression of a Thunder Lizard.
    “I'm almost ashamed to show you the last one,” said Kobrynski.
    “Why?”
    “Because it looks like a direct steal from a painting you've already seen.”
    “The Dark Lady?” I asked.
    “Is that what you call her?”
    “That is what she calls herself,” I replied. “May we see the preliminary painting, please?”
    “Next,” ordered Kobrynski— and an instant later the Dark Lady's face appeared almost within my reach, her sad eyes staring directly into mine.
    “It's her, all right,” said Heath.
    “It is indeed an excellent likeness,” I agreed. “How long have you been working on it?”
    “Three years,” said Kobrynski uncomfortably, as if he were ashamed that he had not been able to create it in an evening.
    “Where would you create the explosions?” I asked.
    “Probably in her eyes,” he said. “It would give them life.”
    I nodded in approval. “It might even make her look less unhappy.”
    “Maybe the earlobes, too,” suggested Heath. “I can't remember now— did she wear earrings or not?”
    “She wore no jewelry at all, Friend Valentine,” I replied.
    “Computer— deactivate,” commanded Kobrynski.
    The image disappeared— and just as it vanished, Reuben Venzia opened the door and entered the cabin.
    “Who are you?” demanded Kobrynski.
    “He is Reuben Venzia,” I said.
    “Well, well,” said Heath with a wry smile. “The gang's all here.”

22.
    “She is not here yet, Friend Reuben,” I said as Venzia mopped the sweat from his face.
    “But thanks for waiting for us, just the same,” added Heath sarcastically.
    “I just couldn't take the chance,” replied Venzia. “It was too important to get here before she did. Besides, I never had any agreement with you; I was under no obligation to take you here or anywhere. You just want to sell her to Abercrombie.”
    “Just a minute,” interrupted Kobrynski. He turned to Heath. “You never did say why you were interested in her. I think it's about time you told me.”
    “Why?” responded Heath. “You don't believe in her anyway.”
    “If she exists, I'm not letting you sell her to anyone. ”
    “She can take care of herself,” said Venzia. “Or didn't Heath tell you what happened the last time he decided to sell her?”
    “Well?” said Kobrynski, staring at Heath.
    “She vanished.”
    “What do you mean, vanished?”
    “I mean,” said Heath, “that she disappeared from inside a sealed spaceship.”
    Kobrynski shook his head in disgust. “You're all crazy.”
    “ I didn't say it,” Venzia pointed out.
    “No, but you believe it.”
    “Yes, I do.”
    “By the way,” said Heath to Venzia, “how the devil did you get here so quickly? I would have sworn we'd reach Saltmarsh three days ahead of you.”
    “I stayed in Deepsleep for two weeks, and when I woke up I radioed ahead, found out that Kobrynski was on Solitaire, and changed course.”
    “I should have thought of that myself,” admitted Heath.
    “Some master thief!” snorted Venzia contemptuously.
    “Well, no matter,” replied Heath with a shrug. “We beat her here, and that's all that counts.” He paused. “By the way, you're not the only person with a question for her when she shows up.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Friend Leonardo had a nocturnal visitation from the Dark Lady.”
    “She actually appeared to you?” demanded Venzia, turning to me.
    “I am not certain, Friend Reuben,” I replied. “That is what I must ask her.”
    Venzia seemed about to make a comment, then pursed his lips and emitted a short sigh. “So now we wait,” he said.
    “Now we wait,” I agreed.
    “Excuse me for interrupting,” said Kobrynski sardonically, “but this cabin doesn't sleep four; as a matter of fact, it doesn't even sleep two. I'm happy to have three madmen provide me with a little diversion during the day, but when you get ready to sleep, you go back to your ships.”
    “Do you wish us to leave now?” I asked.
    “It's up to you— but you can't see the full effect of a plasma painting through a ship's viewscreen.”
    “When will you begin?” I asked.
    “It'll be dark in another twenty minutes or so,” he