Onboard the vast improbability-drive ship there were now seven very worried people.
And one unconscious.
They had carried her to the Heart of Gold’s sickbay and connected her to the various bits of Cyber-Med equipment. The computers carried out microscopic examinations of her bodily functions and pronounced her to be in perfect health but in a deep state of shock.
“B-b-but what in the name of Zarquon’s happened to her?” All of Zaphod’s eyes were agog.
“There was a girl in the night club,” said Ford.
“A TV reporter, called herself Tricia McMillan,” added Arthur, “which is what Trillain’s name was on Earth.”
“I think she must have been Trillian in parallel universe,” continued Ford. “Or, at least, in this universe. We must be shifted from the one we were in before.”
“The forces of the improbability field must have recognised this and tried to resolve her back into one person. It hasn’t worked completely, maybe because of the differences in the two brains”
“But what can we do?” gasped Zaphod, “I mean, its all very nice that she looks kinda like me now and she’s got two beautiful faces but I want my Trillian back the way she was.”
“I don’t know, I really don’t know. All we can do is wait, let her rest and see what happens if and when she does wake.” Ford made towards the door. “I’m gonna find out where we are and work out what we can do next. You coming, Roosta?”
“OK.” Roosta slipped out quietly after him followed by Slartibartfast who seemed deeply immersed in his own thoughts.
“I’d better go check on Random and Fenchurch,” said Arthur. They had given Random a sedative to calm her after the shock of finding her mother. She was sleeping in the next room tended by Fenchurch who knew she had so many questions to ask but also knew this was not the right time to ask them.
When he was alone with her, Zaphod knelt beside Trillian’s bed and whispered, “Trillian, baby, I don’t know if you can hear me but, if you can, please get better and come back to me. I never realised how much you meant to me until I saw you lying there. I know I’m a dumb fool who clowns around and can’t settle to anything. I know I’m about as reliable as a Sirius Cybernetics Androtoothbrush but, if you just come back to me, I promise, I’ll make it up to you.”
With this he rose and walked towards the door. He was only mildly surprised when his left head turned and whispered, “I love you.”
¨
Back on the bridge Ford was having a problem with Eddie the shipboard computer. He and Roosta were trying to work out where they were and if they were still in danger from the Vogons.
“C’mon computer, where are we?”
“I can’t tell you,” chimed back the computer.
“Of course you can tell me,” said Ford “You know me, Ford Prefect. We’ve had all sorts of wild adventures in the past.”
“That’s not what I mean. Of course I know you Mr. Prefect, Sir, but I can’t tell you because I don’t know. I’m not getting any information from my guidance system.”
“Well, switch to back up.”
“I’ve done that. It says we’re somewhere outside the universe.”
“Outside the universe? There is nothing outside the universe. Besides, look at the visi-screens, we’re surrounded by stars.”
“Yes, I think it must be broken.”
“Oh, bat’s doos! Open the doors to the navigation systems room, I’ll go and have a look.” He rooted in his satchel for a small tool with a hook on one end and bit like a horseshoe on the other.
“You coming?” he said to nobody in particular. Roosta got up and followed him but Slartibartfast just sat and continued to look morose.