The Colors of Space

The light from the undarkened hall fell on their faces as they moved

toward the door. "Bart! Why, it can't be!"

In utter dismay, Bart looked down into the face of Tommy Kendron.

In the rush of danger, he had absolutely forgotten that Tommy Kendron

was on this ship--to make his alias useless; Tommy was looking at him in

surprise and delight.

"Why didn't you tell me, or did you and your father decide at the last

minute? Hey, it's great that we can go part way together, at least!"

Bart knew he must cut this short very quickly. He stepped out into the

full corridor light so that Tommy could see his black hair.

"I'm sorry, you're confusing me with someone else."

"Bart, come off it--" Tommy's voice died out. "Sorry, I'd have sworn you

were a friend of mine."

Bart wondered suddenly, had he done the wrong thing? He had a feeling he

might need a friend. Badly.

Well, it was too late now. He stared Tommy in the eye and said, "I've

never seen you before in my life."

Tommy looked deflated. He stepped back slightly, shaking his head.

"Never saw such a resemblance. Are you a Vegan?"

"No," Bart lied flatly. "Aldebaran. David Briscoe."

"Glad to know you, Dave." With undiscourageable friendliness, Tommy

stuck out a hand. "Say, that bell means dinner, why don't we go down

together? I don't know a soul on the ship, and it looks like

luck--running into a fellow who could be my best friend's twin brother."

Bart felt warmed and drawn, but sensibly he knew he could not keep up

the pretense. Sooner or later, he'd give himself away, use some habitual

phrase or gesture Tommy would recognize.

Should he take a chance--reveal himself to Tommy and ask him to keep

quiet? No. This wasn't a game. One man was already dead. He didn't want

Tommy to be next.

There was only one way out. He said coldly, "thank you, but I have other

things to attend to. I intend to be very busy all through the voyage."

He spun on his heel and walked away before he could see Tommy's eager,

friendly smile turn hurt and defensive.

Back in his cabin, he gloomily dialed some synthetic jellies, thinking

with annoyance of the anticipated good food of the dining room. He knew

he couldn't risk meeting Tommy again, and drearily resigned himself to

staying in his cabin. It looked like an awfully boring trip ahead.