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nightie.
    “We’re leaving at sunup,” I told her.
    “Oh, but you cant go yet” she said and yanked Ev inside.
    Carson motioned me out halfway between the bunkhouse and the stable. “What did you find?”
    “A hole in Sector 248-76. We’ve missed it twice, and Bult was leading both times.”
    “Fossil strata?”
    “No. Metamorphic. It’s probably nothing, but Wulfmeier was on Dazil yesterday afternoon, and verified on Starting Gate. I don’t think he’s either place.”
    “What do you think he’s doing? Mining?”
    “Maybe. Or using it as headquarters while he looks around.”
    “Where’d you say it was?”
    “Sector 248-76.”
    “My shit,” he said softly. “That’s awfully close to 246-73. If it is Wulfmeier, he’s bound to find it. You’re right. We’d better get out there.” He shook his head. “I wish we weren’t stuck taking this loaner with us. What was he doing out here? Resting between rounds with C.J.?”
    “We were discussing mating customs,” I said.
    “Sexozoologist!” he said. “Sex can mess up an expedition quicker than anything.”
    “Ev can handle C.J. Besides, she’s not going on the expedition.”
    “It’s not C.J. I’m worried about.”
    “What are you worried about, then? Him trying to name one of the tributaries Crissa Creek? Him building a nest fifty times his size? What?”
    “Never mind,” he said and stomped off toward the gate area. “I’ll tell Bult,” he said. “You load the ponies.”
     
     
    Expedition 184: Day 1
    We ended having C.J. fly us as far as the Tongue. Carson and I tallied up how long it would take to get to uncharted territory and how many fines wed run up on the way and decided it was cheaper to go by heli, even with the airborne vehicle fines. And C.J. was overjoyed to have a few last chances at Ev. She kept him up front with her the whole way.
    “Quit lollygagging with Evie and send him back here,” Carson called to C.J. when the Tongue came in sight. “We’ve got to check his gear.”
    He came back into the bay immediately, looking as excited as a kid. “Are we in uncharted territory yet?” he asked, squatting down and looking out through the open hatch.
    “We charted all this side of the river last time,” I said. “The regs are no alcohol, no tobacco, no rec drugs, no caffeine. You carrying any of those?”
    “No,” he said.
    I handed him his mike, and he stuck it on his throat. “No advanced technology except for scientific equipment, no cameras, no lasers or firearms.”
    “I’ve got a knife. Can I take that?”
    “Only if you don’t kill anything indigenous with it,” I said.
    “If you get the urge to loll something, kill Fin,” Carson said. “There’s no fine on us.”
    The heli swooped down to the Tongue and hovered above the near shore. “You’re the first out,” I said, pushing him over to the door. “It’s too big a fine to land,” I shouted. “C.J.’s going to hover it. We’ll throw down the gear to you.”
    He nodded and got ready to jump. Bult elbowed him aside, shot his umbrella open, and floated down like Mary Poppins.
    “Second out,” I shouted. “Don’t land on any flora if you can help it.”
    He nodded again, looking down at Bult, who already had his log out.
    “Wait!” C.J. said and came shooting out of her pilot’s seat and past Ev and me. “I couldn’t let you go without saying good-bye, Ev,” she said, and flung her arms around his neck.
    “What on hell are you doing, C.J.?” Carson said. “Do you know how big the fine is for crashing a heli?”
    “It’s on automatic,” she said, and planted a wet one on Ev. “I’ll be waiting,” she said breathily. “Good luck, I hope you find lots of things to name.”
    “We’re all waiting,” I said. “All right, you told her good-bye, Ev. Now, jump.”
    “Don’t forget,” C.J. whispered, and leaned forward to lass him again.
    “Now,” I said, and gave him a push. He jumped, and C.J. latched onto the edge of the bay