"Not only can I," A.J. answered, pacing out the area again as though measuring it, "it's pretty much part and parcel of the process-nice alliteration there, huh? I keep the raw data and track the sequence of filtering and analysis, all the way in. I have to-sometimes you don't get the best results and you need to experiment by taking out one step, moving it to another point in the sequence, and so on. It can make a big, big difference in the final results whether you filter first and then run an enhancement process, or enhance first and then filter, for instance. Pillage, then burn, so to speak."
He stopped, nodded to himself, then turned back towards the tents. "Well, it's getting pretty dark out here, but rather than waste time, I'll just get started."
Jackie and Helen held the lights as A.J. unpacked a number of devices with thick, rugged power leads.
As he did so, Helen studied him, a bit surreptitiously. Somewhat to her surprise, she was starting to find the man interesting.
In many ways, A.J. Baker was obviously a classic geek. Who else got that enthusiastic about dry-as-dust technical matter? But the muscles visible in his arms when he hefted the first case-the one that had nearly pulled Helen's shoulder out of its socket-made it clear that A.J. was in far better physical condition than the average geek.
On a personal level, the muscles impressed Helen even less than the flamboyantly awkward geeky mannerisms. But she found the combination rather intriguing. It reminded her of…
Well, herself, actually.
Since Helen didn't have that damnable male ego to deal with- the one that crucified every high school geek in existence-her own mannerisms weren't as awkward as A.J.'s. At least, she hoped not. But she could get just as enthusiastic when discussing paleontological issues, which were often literally as dry as dust. And on the few occasions when she ventured into public gymnasiums for a workout, she usually got admiring looks from all the men present and envious ones from the women. Even from women half her age.