Free Isaac Asimov by Fantastic Voyage Page B

seriously, “It is quite necessary for me to have you. I couldn’t rely on anyone else as I do on you.”
    Cora moved to Grant who, having turned to watch Duval, was now fiddling with his own harness.
    “Do you know how to work that?” she asked.
    “It seems more complicated than the ordinary aircraft seat belt.”
    “Yes, it is. Here, you’ve got this hooked incorrectly. Allow me.” She leaned across him and Grant found himself staring at one cheek at close quarters and catching the understated delicacy of light scent. He restrained himself.
    Cora said in a low voice. “I’m sorry if I’ve been hard on you, but my position is a difficult one.”
    “I find it delightful at the moment … No, forgive me. That slipped out.”
    She said, “I have a position at the CMDF quite analogous to that of a number of men but I find myself blocked at every step by the completely extraneous fact of my sex. Either I receive too much consideration or too muchcondescension and I want neither. Not at work, at any rate. It leaves me a bundle of frustration.”
    Grant thought the obvious answer but didn’t say it. —It was going to be a strain if he were going to continually refrain from the obvious; more, perhaps, than he would be able to bear.
    He said, “Whatever your sex, and at this point I’ll be careful not to commit myself, you’re the calmest person here except for Duval, and I don’t think he knows he’s here.”
    “Don’t underestimate him, Mr. Grant. He knows he’s here, I assure you. If he’s calm, it’s because he realizes that the importance of this mission is greater than that of his individual life.”
    “Because of Benes’ secret?”
    “No. Because this will be the first time miniaturization has been used on this scale; and that it is being used for the purpose of saving life.”
    Grant said, “Will it be safe to use that laser? After what it nearly did to my finger?”
    “In Dr. Duval’s hands that laser beam will destroy the clot without disturbing one molecule of the surrounding tissue.”
    “You have a high estimate of his ability.”
    “It is the world’s estimate. And I share it with reason. I have been with him ever since I got my master’s degree.”
    “I suspect he shows you neither too much condescension nor too much consideration merely because you are a woman.”
    “No, he doesn’t.”
    She returned to her seat and slipped on her own harness in one fluid motion.
    Owens called. “Dr. Michaels, we’re waiting.”
    Michaels, having stepped from his seat and moved slowly about the cabin seemed, for the moment, abstracted and uncertain. Then, looking quickly from one strapped person to another said, “Oh, yes,” sat down and adjusted his own harness.
    Owens swung down from his bubble, checked each harness quickly, mounted again and put on his own. “Okay, Mr. Grant. Tell them we’re ready.”
    Grant did so and the loudspeaker sounded almost at once:
    “ATTENTION,
PROTEUS
. ATTENTION,
PROTEUS
. THIS IS THE LAST VOICE MESSAGE YOU WILL RECEIVE UNTILMISSION IS COMPLETED. YOU HAVE SIXTY MINUTES OBJECTIVE TIME. ONCE MINIATURIZATION IS COMPLETE, THE SHIP’S TIME-RECORDER WILL GIVE THE SIXTY READING. YOU ARE AT ALL TIMES TO BE AWARE OF THAT READING, WHICH WILL BE REDUCED ONE UNIT AT A TIME, EACH MINUTE. DO NOT—REPEAT, DO NOT—TRUST YOUR SUBJECTIVE FEELINGS AS TO TIME PASSAGE. YOU MUST BE OUT OF BENES’ BODY BEFORE THE READING REACHES ZERO. IF YOU ARE NOT, YOU WILL KILL BENES REGARDLESS OF THE SUCCESS OF THE SURGERY. GOOD LUCK!”
    The voice stopped and Grant could find nothing more original with which to encourage his sinking spirits than, “This is it!”
    To his own surprise, he found he had said it aloud.
    Michaels, next to him, said, “Yes, it is,” and managed a weak smile.
    In the observation tower, Carter waited. He caught himself wishing he were in the
Proteus
, rather than outside it. It would be a difficult hour and it would be easier to be in a position where he