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if—”
    â€œWe’re much better prepared this time. Don’t worry. We won’t lose this team.”

FOUR
    F OR THE SECOND TIME IN AS MANY MONTHS , A SHLEY stuck her nose in Major Michaelson’s face. Even now, outfitted in his dress blues, she recognized the same blue-eyed plastic soldier boy who had escorted Dr. Blakely to her doorstep. “I don’t care if you and your two goons come along with my team,” she said, accosting him just outside the auditorium. “I want it made perfectly clear right now. This team is mine .”
    He stood straight, not pulling an inch from her face. “Ma’am, I have my orders.”
    She hated surprises like these. Blakely should have forewarned her that there would be armed escorts accompanying her team. “This is a scientific mission. Not a military one.”
    â€œAs Dr. Blakely explained, we’re merely going along for defensive reasons. For safety.”
    â€œFine,” she said, staring him square in the eyes. “But you remember, even though you may be carrying the guns, I give the orders. Understood?”
    He did not blink, just nodded slightly. “I have my orders, ma’am.”
    She ground her molars, squelching an outburst. What could she do? She stepped back. “As long as we understand each other.”
    â€œIs there some trouble, ladies?” Ben had appeared at her elbow. He smiled, but there was a tightness to his lips as he eyed the major.
    Ashley sensed Ben’s edginess, nothing like his earlier casual attitude. Probably isn’t too keen on the idea of being surrounded by guns either, she thought. “No,” she said aloud. “We’re just clearing up a few points.”
    â€œGood. We’re going to be buried together for the summer in a hole two miles deep. Let’s start out friends.” Ben stuck out a hand toward the officer.
    Major Michaelson ignored Ben’s hand. “You do your job, and I’ll do mine.” With a nod toward Ashley, the major turned and strode away.
    â€œNice bloke,” Ben said. “Real friendly.” The sarcasm in his voice was tough to miss.
    â€œI didn’t need rescuing.”
    â€œPardon me?”
    â€œI can handle Major Michaelson without your intervention.”
    â€œI could see that.” Ben looked hurt. Honestly hurt. “But that wasn’t the reason I came over. I talked to Professor Furstenburg and Mr. Najmon. We’re all going to the hotel bar. I just wanted to invite you along.”
    Ashley glanced down, embarrassed by her rude remark. It wasn’t Ben who deserved her wrath. She had just needed someone to vent her frustrations upon, and unfortunately he was at hand. “Listen, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
    â€œDon’t give it another thought.” A smile had returned to his lips. “Us Aussies are a thick-skinned breed. So how about coming along?”
    â€œI should be getting back to my room. My son. He’s upstairs.”
    Ben raised his eyebrows. “You brought your son? How old is he?”
    â€œEleven,” she said defensively. “He’s been on digs with me before.”
    â€œCool. Nothin’ like getting your kids involved with your work.” He pointed to a white hotel phone on the wall. “Why don’t you check up on him? If he’s fine, c’mon and join us.”
    She’d expected to be lambasted for dragging her son halfway across the globe, and his response eased her tension a bit. Maybe it was all right that Jason came along on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. “You’re right. Let me just call him.”
    A quick call from the lobby phone found Jason still hooked to his Nintendo Game Boy like an addict. She could hear the blips and dings of his portable video game in the background. “Can’t talk, Mom. Almost to level twenty-three. I’ve never been this far. And I got three lives