They left the technician staring up at Mars with his mouth hung half-open.
"You will see that I am correct," intoned Chiun, examining the pile of mixed molten metals that had been the Reliant.
"I will admit you're right when there's no other way to go."
"Why stumble through the maze of doubt when the true way has been shown to you?"
"I like doing things my way."
"I give you my permission to stumble about blindly and confused. Meanwhile, I will stand here and guard against malevolent Martians."
"Try to capture the next one alive, okay?"
"If he does not force my hand," Chiun said, thin of voice.
MOVING AWAY from the Master of Sinanju, Remo retreated to get a longer view of the situation. The air was sticky, and interior floodlights made the tall launch-assembly building down the marsh-bordered road look as if it were about to launch itself into orbit.
From farther back, the shuttle was even more impressive somehow. What remained of it.
Remo was thinking that something very, very powerful had done this when he almost bumped into one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen.
She was tall yet shapely. Her long hair reminded Remo of a chestnut mare the way it hung down to the small of her back in a long ponytail, twitching skittishly. The color of her intelligent eyes was mahogany. She filled out her dress exactly the way Remo thought a woman should.
Remembering a promise he'd made to himself, Remo put on his most disarming smile and said, "What's a gorgeous girl like you doing in a place like this?"
"I am not a girl," she said in a severe accent.
"Woman. Sorry. The question stands."
"I am journalist."
"Remo Cupper, NTSB." He flashed his card.
Cool interest made her intelligent eyebrows bunch together. "You are investigating this tragedy?"
"Yeah."
"Then I will consent to interview you. Even though you are impertinent."
Remo frowned. He tried again. "Trade you an interview for a late dinner?"
"I am here to work, not eat."
"I meant dinner as in let's get to know each other."
"I am here to work, not make new friends," the woman retorted.
Remo blinked. Normally women didn't act this coolly toward him. He decided to take the direct approach. "Did I say friends? I really want to jump your bones."
"I do not know this, please."
"I want to kiss you all over."
The woman made a disapproving face. "This does not appeal to me, thank you."
"Suit yourself. But your interview is walking away." And Remo turned to go.
"Wait. I am hasty. I will consent to have Beeg Mek with you."
"What's that?"
"Delicious American fast food."
"You mean a Big Mac?"
"Yes, we will share Beeg Mek and much information. It will be of mutual benefit to us."
Remo shrugged. "It's a start."
"It is the best I will do to accommodate you. What is your name, please?"
"Remo."
"I am Kinga Zongar."
"Nice name for a-"
"I am sometimes known as Kinga the Butch."
"That explains it," said Remo.
"Although I do not consider myself a butch," Kinga added.
Remo blinked. "You mean bitch?"
"Perhaps that is correct term. In my language it is szuka."
Remo frowned. "I don't know a lot of languages."
"Mine is a very fine language. 'Merry Christmas' is said this way-Boldog Kardcsony. "
"I like plain old 'Merry Christmas' better. Let's find a place we can talk."
"You may talk. I will listen attentively and absorb your words."
"It's a start," said Remo.