artificial.  I'd guess it was one of the early Venus
probes.  At least I hope it was!" Kay thought about this
for a moment before giving a hesitant reply. "Well there
are some out here.  But they shouldn't be anywhere near
this far out." "Whatever it was, it sure ain't a comet.
I'd say . . ." Then the intercom went dead.


Roberts battled towards the emergency respirator as the
atmosphere thinned.  The one main disadvantage was her
lack of physical fitness, which worked against her.  The
door to the corridor sealed itself.  It felt like being
imprisoned with the key just thrown away with no thought
by her jailer.  It was like swimming upstream against a
raging torrent.  Stupid and futile.  After all these
years, perhaps she had got what she deserved . . .

That thought surprised her.  Gasping for breath, she tried
to pull herself together.  No!  She had been wrong.  It
didn't matter what they thought of her now.  She had
showed them all right.  Given them exactly what they
deserved.  To hell with them!  To hell with them all!


As Kay passed by the surgery door she glanced briefly at
her former leader.  Roberts was on life support, and would