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all babies master creamed rice before they're twenty no matter what you do.
    Claire laughed, secretly relieved. It's just that Mr. Van Atta was asking about his progress.
    Ah. Dr. Yei's lips twitched in a rather compressed smile. I see. She defended her earring from a determined assault by placing Andy in air just beyond reach. A frustrated paroxysm of swimming-motions gave him only an unwanted spin. He opened his mouth to howlprotest; Dr. Yei surrendered instantly, but bought time by holding out just her fingertips.
    Andy again headed earring-ward, hand over hand over hand. Yeah, go for it, baby, Tony cheered him on.
    Well, Dr. Yei turned her attention to Claire. I actually stopped by to pass on some good news. The company is so pleased with the way things have turned out with Andy, they've decided to move up the date for you to start your second pregnancy.
    Tony's face split in a delighted grin, beyond Dr. Yei's shoulder. His upper hands clasped in a gesture of victory. Claire made embarrassed-suppression motions at him, but couldn't help grinning back.
    Wow, said Claire,warm with pleasure. So, the company thought she was doing that well. There had been down days when she'd thought no one noticed how hard she'd been trying. How much up?
    Your monthly cycles are still being suppressed by the breast feeding, right? You have an appointment at the infirmary tomorrow morning. Dr. Minchenko will give you some medicine to start them up again. You can start trying on the second cycle.
    Oh my goodness. That soon.Claire paused, watching the wriggling Andy and remembering how the first pregnancy had drained her energy. I guess I can handle it. But whatever happened to thatt wo-and-a-qua rter-year ideal spacing you were talking about?
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    Dr. Yei bit her words off carefully. There is a Project-wide push to increase productivity. In all areas.
    Dr. Yei, always straightforward in Claire's experience, smiled falsely. She glanced at Tony, hovering happily, and pursed her lips.
    I'm glad you're here, Tony, because I have some good news for you too. Your welding instructor Mr.
    Graf has rated you tops in his class. So you've been picked as gang foreman to go out on the first Cay Project contract GalacTech has landed. You and your co-workers will be shipping out in about a month to a place called Kline Station. It's on the far end of the wormhole nexus, beyond Earth, and it's a long ride, so Mr. Graf will be going along to complete your training en route, and double as engineering supervisor.
    Tony surged across the room in excitement. At last! Real work! But—he paused, stricken. Claire, one thought ahead of him, felt her face becoming mask-like. But how's Claire supposed to start a baby next month if I'm on my way to where?
    Dr. Minchenko will freeze a couple of sperm samples before you go, suggested Claire. Won't he . . . ?
    Ah—hm,said Dr. Yei. Well, actually, that wasn't in the plans. Your next baby is scheduled to be fathered by Rudy, in Microsystems Installation.
    Oh, no! gasped Claire.
    Dr. Yei studied both their faces, and arranged her mouth in a severe frown. Rudy is a very nice boy. He would be very hurt by that reaction, I'm sure. This can't be a surprise,Claire, after all our talks.
    Yes, but—Iwas hoping, since Tony and I did so well, they'd let us—Iwas going to ask Dr. Cay!
    Who is no longer with us, Dr. Yei sighed. And so you've gone and let yourselves become pair-bonded. I warned you not to do that, didn't I?
    Claire hung her head. Tony's face was mask-like, now.
    Claire, Tony, I know this seems hard. But you in be first generations have a special burden. You are first step in a very detailed long-range plan forG alacTech, spanning literally generations. Your actions have a multiplier effect all out of proportion—ak, this isn't by any means the end of the worldo r you two. Claire has a long reproductive careersch eduled. It's quite probable you'll be getting back together again someday. And you, Tony—you're