Read The Mystery of the Solar Wind Page 10

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  Wolf opened his eyes through a zingy red haze. Across on the other infirmary bunk crouched Paean Donegal, her eyes stuck on his face.

  “You okay?”

  He probed tentatively for the headache that was still lingering just under the surface. It was survivable. His sight cleared as he finished waking up.

  “I’ll live,” he grinned.

  “Coffee for you,” said Paean and pressed a mug into his hand.

  “Aw! Thanks! That’s thoughtful!” She was cute!

  “And painkiller,” she added, handing him a strange powdered substrate. Wolf sipped his coffee and eyed the powder with deep suspicion. Not so cute!

  “Don’t need that, thanks,” he said.

  “Alright.” Paean got up from the second bunk. “I’ve got to get back to work.”

  “Sherbet, so do I,” exclaimed Wolf. “How long did I sleep?” It was dark outside!

  “Few hours,” replied the redhead. “But you were booked off injured. So it’s okay.”

  “What? I was just knocked out by some oaf’s stun gun, that’s all! Who booked me off?”

  Paean grinned and pointed to herself.

  “Don’t do that again!” growled Wolf. “Thanks all the same.”

  “Any day, Wolf,” called Paean, already halfway out of the door. “Later.”

  Wolf shook his head as he collected himself and got up.