The man's name -- or at least the name under which he does most of his business -- is Jacek Chaiprasit. His brother Stefan is the one Simon treated for respiratory infection on Beaumonde, years ago.

He takes a deep breath as the image forms on the screen.

"Mr. Chaiprasit? Thank you for taking the time to speak with me."

"As working vacations go," he says as he closes the aircar door behind him, "that went pretty well, I thought."

His suitcases are in the back; his flight departs in three hours, giving them plenty of time to get to the spaceport.

"The question is," he says, gesturing at the two files side by side, "whether it's worth gambling on this man's sense of obligation. Or his family's."

He's sitting at one end of the couch in Jordie's living room, studying the tiled display on his datareader screen.

Wednesday was the day of his report; he's glad to have that part over with. The rest of the business trip has been -- not dull, exactly, but uneventful ( Read more... )

The commercial flight from Praxed to Osiris takes the better part of two days. Simon's got a berth to himself -- a small one, as these things go, but private ( Read more... )

Jordie,

My job is sending me to Osiris for two weeks (dates attached). Would it be feasible for me to stay at your apartment? (I can, of course, make other arrangements if it isn't.)

Please let me know,

Simon

Simon's been trying to encourage the other doctors at work to come to him with suggestions. Most of them he brings to Dr. Keren; some he recommends refining a little further, first ( Read more... )

At home these days (and he's gradually getting into the habit of calling the new house home), he's almost always a little rushed and almost always wishing there were a little more time ( Read more... )

The old rule still applies. During the time that's designated as theirs, together, there are to be no work-related distractions ( Read more... )

It's midmorning in Logan City on Praxed -- early afternoon, ship's time -- when Serenity touches down at the spacedocks. There's supplies to take on, and cargo to unload ... and two members of the crew to go ashore ( Read more... )