No Direction Home Read Free

as we go along. In an ideal world, there’d have been years of research put into this before we’d even have thought about trying it out on human volunteers.’
    â€˜But it wasn’t exactly an ideal world, was it?’
    â€˜No… it wasn’t.’ They’d reached the Med Lab at that point, effectively ending the conversation, but now, Vinter decided to resume it, if only to take his mind off the very intense massage she was giving him. Yes, it would help restore his muscles, but wasn’t there a less painful method?
    â€˜Ilona?’ he asked, trying not to let out a grunt of pain as her knuckles dug deep into his gluteal muscles.
    â€˜Yes?’
    â€˜How long does this disorientation you mentioned last for, generally?’
    â€˜It varies. On average, about three to four days. After that, they’re generally passed as fit for duty and off they go. They still have to come back for another four or five physiotherapy sessions before they’re passed as fully fit, though – only having a maximum of less than three quarter gravity doesn’t help with that, to be honest.’
    â€˜And you had to go through it?’
    â€˜Yes. I was signed off after three days.’ There was a hint of pride in her voice.
    â€˜Including the final physios?’
    â€˜Yes – but they were fast-tracking me.’
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜So that I could supervise you. You’re being fast-tracked as well, which is why this is all being done on a one-to-one basis – you must be pretty important.’
    â€˜Ow…’ he gasped as she did something to the back of his right knee. ‘I could probably do with just a little less fast-tracking at the moment, thank you.’
    â€˜Orders, I’m afraid. Whatever they want you for, it’s urgent.’
    â€˜You don’t know why?’
    â€˜I was hoping you might tell me – it’s all very hush-hush. In fact…’ Her voice trailed off suddenly.
    â€˜In fact?’
    â€˜Nothing,’ she said dismissively. ‘Forget I said anything.’
    â€˜Ilona, I’m a police officer, when all’s said and done – I’m not
allowed
to forget things. So… you were saying?’
    â€˜OK, I don’t suppose it matters, really. They’ve only revived me specifically for this – for you, that is. Once you’re passed fit, I go back into the Zombie Pits – sorry, I mean the Cryosleep Chambers.’
    Vinter chuckled. ‘Is that what you call them?’
    â€˜We all do – the Cryosleep Team, that is. I’m actually a Senior Specialist – not quite a doctor, but with more practical knowledge of revival techniques and cryosleep rehabilitation than most of those who are.’ There was an undertone of bitterness in her voice. ‘And I’m under strict instructions not to talk to anyone about you being revived – that’s what I meant about hush-hush. In fact, I’m not supposed to be asking you any questions at all, apart from the memory related ones.’
    â€˜Don’t worry – I won’t tell anyone if you won’t. How do you feel about going straight back into the Pits?’
    â€˜I don’t know, really. I wasn’t supposed to be revived at all until PlanetFall, but a few days here and now won’t make much difference. Except…’
    â€˜Yes?’
    â€˜I could have done without knowing about the disorientation issues. Now, I’m starting to worry about waking up with my brain completely scrambled.’ He heard her giggle momentarily. ‘Mind you, some would wonder how you’d notice.’ She leaned over him, placed her forearm at the base of his spine and ran it upwards towards his neck, pressing down hard and forcing an involuntary grunt out of him; she repeated this twice more, then stepped back. ‘That’s you done, Mister VIP,’ she said.
    â€˜Until when?’ he asked, moving