One pad and opposable thumb.One pad and opposable thumb. Soft and dextrous. "Dr. Traken." "Dr. Shardik," she said, acknowledging my presence. "Dr. Traken. I invited you to help me on a rather difficult project that I sensed I could not manage on my own." This was a rather over-rehearsed speech, and I think it sounded that way. "Unfortunately, I now find our personal differences too large to make us an effective research team. While you are welcome to take notes and consult with Hal as you see fit, I'd like you to not return to Alpha labs in the future." Without waiting for a reaction, I turned on my heels and walked out. I spent the next five hours at home, fretting and fuming over my decision. Damn it, I had reasons other than just the professional for not wanting Brieanna as a research partner. I had a lot of personal reasons. I reviewed records. There was Hl. T. C. Rhys himself. There was Dr. F. Vaughnnel. There was a Dr. T. D. Mittleson, another Tindal. All competent, but none of them really had Dr. Traken's skill, and this was brought home to me over and over as AI Dave, AI Jean, and I reviewed the records. I sighed and leaned back in the couch, lying down and closing my eyes. I awoke to hear a pounding at the door. "Ken!" The pounding grew more insistent, and I said "Dave, let them in." The door opened to reveal Chelsea, an older Uncia female who I'd been friends with for years and years. She stood over me, her furred ears flared to their full width and her upper lip drawn back into an unpleasant snarl. "I heard what you did to Dr. |