Thank you all for the kind words.
And Nan, thank you in particular for a certain idea... More, I shall not say here and now, but I now have the perfect way to deal with something...
James,
why might not a thermal grenade be in the offing this time?
I certainly haven't said anything to rule it out...
Maria, Lois spotted Ralph because he came out of the elevator, which attracts attention of itself, and because he wanted to talk to her. The mysterious eavesdropper(s?), however, was just standing around, listening to what was being said, and Lois and Clark were concentrating on what they were doing at the time. Which may indicate something about who was listening, or it may not; deponent sayeth not -- yet.
And to daneel, merry and everyone else who is urging me not to take so long about writing this... well, I would if I could, FoLCs. It's a busy time of year for me, so I promise nothing, but rest assured I want to push this along as quickly as circumstances and my Muse allow.
Phil
