Patting Clark's hand as it withdraws, an instinctive gesture of reassurance, Bel looks down, imagining what he must be seeing. Simulated blood -- why? Just for the ghoulish effect? To cause arguments as crewpeople disagreed over what they were seeing? A sinister forecast of pain to come? A way to smoke out guilty consciences? A target?

"Any number of things." A wry twist to the lips. "If you have a sick mind. I can't say much for the policies if this was done to prisoners here -- psychological torture can be much worse than anything physical."

It can't be a vision from the past; wading breast-deep in blood is an experience Bel has thankfully missed. If it's the reverse... Bel's not sure of wanting to know.

Best not to give D.E.L. any new ideas, though. A quick round of twenty questions with it might not be amiss.