“We’re going to need you and miss you⁠—Doctor.”

He found Bemmon in the food storage cavern, supervising the work of two teenage boys with critical officiousness although he was making no move to help them. At sight of Lake he hurried forward, the ingratiating smile sliding across his face.

“I’m glad you’re back,” he said. “I had to take charge when Anders got sick and he had everything in such a mess. I’ve been working day and night to undo his mistakes and get the work properly under way again.”

Lake looked at the two thin-faced boys who had taken advantage of the opportunity to rest. They leaned wearily against the heavy pole table Bemmon had had them moving, their eyes already dull with the incipient sickness and watching him in mute appeal.

“Have you obeyed Chiara’s order?” he asked.

“Ah⁠—no,” Bemmon said. “I felt it best to ignore it.”

“Why?” Lake asked.