Her tone grew weary. "Oh, yes, the change in probabilities is minute. I haven't learned the measure of it. But I have learned that starfaring increases the danger. It's one reason the Tahirians stopped. That was so long ago, and the point is so esoteric, that few today have ever heard of it, and they shun discussion of it even among themselves. It's as if they have a sense of ancestral guilt."

He sat mute. Rain slashed, wind keened.

"Can we take the risk on ourselves?" he wondered at last. "May "May we?" we?"

"That is the question."

"How certain is this?"

"I don't know. I'm at the limit of my mathematics and physics. If Esther has a better idea, it's not something en can make clear to me. We'll have to wait till Hanny gets back and follows the proof herself." Bleakly: "If that isn't the voyage that triggers the downfall."

"It won't," he declared.

"It mustn't." She shuddered.

He released her hand and laid his arm around her shoulders. "You've had a downfall of your own, dearest," he murmured. "A dreadful intellectual shock. Let me get some food into you, and a sedative to sleep on. Things will look brighter tomorrow." dreadful intellectual shock. Let me get some food into you, and a sedative to sleep on. Things will look brighter tomorrow."

"I hope so. The stars - life, beauty, love, meaning -"

She clutched at him. They held each other close, taking what they could while they could.

CHAPTER 31.

Year five.

The first snow lay crisp around the landing field. It sparkled white, blue in its hollows, broken by shrubs which it dusted with diamond. Air rested cold and still. The folk at Terralina could not see Envoy Envoy as a spark in orbit through this dazzle, but they clustered at one edge of the pavement, and when another gleam appeared above them, they cheered. as a spark in orbit through this dazzle, but they clustered at one edge of the pavement, and when another gleam appeared above them, they cheered.

The Tahirian spaceboat bearing the returned explorers descended smoothly. Cleland and Kilbirnie could stand in a compartment, shut off from the world, hearing merely a low thrum, feeling merely a faint shiver.

"Well," he ventured after silence had become unendurable. Then he could not go on.

He heard the sympathy: "I'm sorry, Tim. I know what you mean to ask, and I have to say no."

"Not even ... a good-bye time . . . just once, after all these days in the d-damned gimbal dorms, crawling along on jets?"

"I told you at the outset how it would be."

His shoulders slumped. "Yes, you did."

"Maybe I should have said it oftener."

"No, I was glad you didn't. I could pretend." Cleland raised his head. "Well, let me thank you for what you gave me."

"I wish I could go on giving it."

"But."

"Yes, but."

After a while, she said, looking straight at him though he kept dropping his glance and lifting it again: "I should have been stronger, Tim. I should have curbed myself that first time. Or if it had to happen, I should have stopped straightaway afterward. But I couldn't bear to hurt you. Now I must, and beg your forgiveness."

He achieved a smile of sorts. "I hope you weren't just being kind to me."

She smiled back. "I enjoyed it." Sober: "I even wondered if something more might grow between us. But the expedition was all we shared, really. You deserve better." She took his hands. They lay passive in hers. "Fare you always well."

"And you," he mumbled.

She kissed him lightly, stepped back before he could respond, and felt the slight thud as the boat set down. Her smile flashed full. "Now, my fere," she said, "let's go out and put a good face on things. You did conduct one glorious explore. I'm sure you'll do your next one likewise."

Slipping out into a passage cluttered with gear and people, she grabbed her personal bags. He stayed behind, in no hurry to debark.

A gangway extruded like a tongue from an open airlock to the ground. Kilbirnie bounded its length and over the paving. Nansen stood ahead of his crew. "Welcome home!" he called.

She dropped her load and dashed to him. "Oh, skipper, what you radioed to us inbound - might we go on from here? To more discovering?"

"We might." The sky was less blue than her eyes. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"I'd love it, skipper. And so would you."

Hands linked and tightened. They stood where they were. The others held back, forgotten.

Nor did anyone immediately seek Dayan when she went down the gangway. Her gaze traveled over the group and came to rest on Zeyd and Mokoena, side by side. Very slowly, Mokoena nodded. Zeyd seemed half abashed. Dayan waved at everybody. Thereafter Sundaram, Yu, and Ruszek met her. She exchanged a hug with the engineer, handshakes with the men. Ruszek took her bags. She went over to Mokoena and Zeyd. A few words passed. Dayan threw an arm around either and held them for a minute.

Cleland and Brent descended together. They said the greetings and received the good wishes. When all were walking toward the settlement, Brent drew Cleland aside.

"Tim," he muttered, "we've got to talk, first chance we get at some privacy. This lunacy about the black hole -"

"I don't know anything except what was in the captain's message to us." A minim of life roused in Cleland. "It's like a scientific miracle."

"If it is a miracle," Brent said, "then it's the kind that could make me believe in Satan."

Piece by piece during the sojourn, the dwellers in Terralina had decorated their meeting hall as they had done their common room aboard Envoy. Envoy.

Tonight the bright colors, mural panels of Earth scenes, and kinetic figures were obscured by festoons and spangles. Music rollicked from speakers. The robots had set a table with white napery, crystal, and the noblest menu in their programs. After a time of rest, recollection, and re-acquaintance, this was the reunion celebration.

It became a curious mingling of festivity and formality, moodiness not always quite concealed, mirth not always quite restrained. There were toasts, little speeches, and the songs that had gotten to be traditional on special occasions. Although complete reports lay in the database and individuals had talked with each other, viewshows followed. Zeyd presented the most attractive scenery and interesting life-forms encountered on Tahir; Nansen showed views from its sister planets and the engineering works upon them; Dayan discussed her astrophysical findings, with spectacular images of the pulsar, taken by robots that would continue to transmit for many decades; Cleland doggedly described the world he had studied.

(He did not dwell on the near disaster there, and made no mention of its aftermath. But, "Dios misericordioso," "Dios misericordioso," Nansen whispered to Kilbirnie, seated beside him, "we almost lost you," and, "I almost lost you," she whispered back.) Nansen whispered to Kilbirnie, seated beside him, "we almost lost you," and, "I almost lost you," she whispered back.) Things livened when the program was over, the robots had cleared away the table, and it was time to dance.

The four women duly circulated among the six men. Presently Dayan joined Ruszek. That number was the swirl, for separate couples. They undulated across the floor, one hand clasping the partner's, his other on her waist and hers on his shoulder. The music sang low and easy, composed for intimacy.

"Ah-h," she murmured, "I appreciate this, Lajos. You're nimble on your feet."

He beamed. "Koszonom szepen. "Koszonom szepen. Thank you very much." His glance flickered to Cleland and Brent, with whom she had gone the previous two rounds. They stood at the sideboard drinking and desultorily talking. Remarks would have been tactless. He did attempt modesty. "You're better, though. And, uh, I hear the captain is an expert." Thank you very much." His glance flickered to Cleland and Brent, with whom she had gone the previous two rounds. They stood at the sideboard drinking and desultorily talking. Remarks would have been tactless. He did attempt modesty. "You're better, though. And, uh, I hear the captain is an expert."

She didn't deny that, but neither did she look toward Nansen and Kilbirnie where they dreamily circled. Her smile quirked rueful. "He's busy this evening. I expect he will be for some while to come."

Ruszek chuckled. "He has much lost time to make up. It took two and a half years away from her to break down his propriety."

An underlying darkness tinged her voice. "Let them be happy while they can."

He was not too surprised. They had seen considerable of each other since she came back. Mostly it had been in the company of two or three more, swapping accounts of experiences. But twice she had taken him off to inquire about his dealings with Tahirians and his impressions of them; and this had touched on the personal, however indirectly.

His hold on her strengthened. "You're not happy yourself, are you?"

"Nonsense." The red head tossed. "I'm fine. Magnificent immediate past, incomparable prospects."

"You don't mind about Mam and Selim?"

"Not if you don't."

"Well, nobody is anybody else's property."

She grinned. "Lajos, you're as subtle as a crashing asteroid."

His steps faltered. "Sajnalom "Sajnalom - I'm sorry -" - I'm sorry -"

She led him back into the rhythm. "It's all right. In answer, no, I'm pleased, and not surprised. They were falling in love before I left. I think it's become solid."

"They are . . . fine people. But you, Hanny, you are, nos, nos, you have trouble in you." you have trouble in you."

"Why should I?" she demanded.

"Is it this business about the zero-zero drive? The danger to the universe? I doubt that is everything."

They trod another measure. She regarded him, bald head, sweeping mustache, blouse open on hairy breast, a slight male odor of sweat. "You're more perceptive than you let on."

"Is the risk to worry about?"

"I don't know. I've barely glanced at the math yet." Determination clanged. "At worst, the probability is very small. It can't - even morally, I'd say - keep us from going home. Or from first going to the black hole."

Again his steps failed. They stood halted, ignoring the music and the other couples. "Do you truly want to do that? An extra thousand years?"

"Something is there we thought was impossible." Ardor mounted in her. "A whole new vision -" She hauled at him. "Oh, Lajos, come on, let's dance!"

Only once as they swept onward did her look seek Nansen and his Kilbirnie.

The last good nights rang through the frost, across the snow. Stars in their myriads gave light to see by. Dayan walked with Ruszek, leaning on his arm. Much music had played, much wine had gone down, nobody was drunk but it was as if the sky still sang.

"The wonder of it," she said. "Something utterly strange, I don't know what, something we could never have foreseen if we'd stayed home - We haven't come this whole long way for nothing, Lajos!"

They stopped between two cottage walls. Shadows hid them, but overhead stood constellations unknown to Earth. Blindly impulsive, they embraced. It became a kiss, which went on while hands roved.

"Hanny," Ruszek said in her ear - a cold and delicate coil between cascading locks and sculptured cheekbones - "Hanny, I've wished, you're so beautiful -"

She laughed aloud under the stars. "It's been a long time for us both, hasn't it? Tonight we'll make free!"

CHAPTER 32.

Heavy snowfall and the silence it brought laid an air of solemnity on the meeting room. Colors and ornaments seemed unreal.

Nansen took stance before the semicircle of chairs. His gaze ranged briefly over his crew. He had come to know them as well as he had known parents and siblings on the estancia, estancia, who were dust these five thousand years; but how well does one human being ever really know another? who were dust these five thousand years; but how well does one human being ever really know another?

Kilbirnie met the glance and joy flamed up in hers. A quieter happiness wrapped Yu and Sundaram like a shared cloak. Mokoena and Zeyd were as content as ever. Dayan and Ruszek were - well, friendly, anyhow, he perhaps more than that.

Grim Brent and haggard young Cleland remained. Poor devils. Maybe things would have been simpler if two of the persons who applied and qualified for berths, so long ago, had chanced to be homosexual. Or maybe not.

"The meeting will please come to order," Nansen said. He insisted on formal procedure at gatherings like this, for the same reason he insisted on proper attire whenever they ate supper together. Ritual was a bulwark against chaos in the spirit.

And obviousness could soothe, thereby helping clear the mind to think about what might not be obvious. "It may seem absurdly unnecessary. Haven't we talked and disputed enough? But I repeat what I have often said before, we must present our positions in an orderly manner, both for the record and because it is prudent. I trust those of you who wish to speak have prepared their words with care. Furthermore, some new and important information has come to my attention, which you should all hear.

"After our discussion we'll take a preliminary, nonbinding vote on whether to return to Earth at the end of this terrestrial year, if not a little sooner, or set our contract aside - as it provides we may - and first make an expedition to the black hole. You know I personally favor the expedition -"

"Cheers, skipper!" Kilbirnie shouted. "What've we come this weary way for, if not to explore?"

Nansen frowned fondly at her. "Order, please. I'll be as impartial a chairman as I can. To begin with, for the log, let us declare our opinions, though there will be no surprises. Will those in favor of a black hole venture please raise their hands?"

Kilbirnie's shot up. Dayan's was nearly as quick. Sundaram's came after in more deliberate fashion. Then Yu's and Ruszek's rose. Reluctant, those two, Reluctant, those two, Nansen understood, Nansen understood, but loyal to their lovers. but loyal to their lovers.

"Opposed?" Brent and Cleland responded at once, Mokoena and Zeyd slowly. "Thank you. A well-reasoned presentation may change somebody's view. Dr. Sundaram, I believe you wish to speak." For the record, the database, the history that perhaps no historian on Earth will get to write. For the record, the database, the history that perhaps no historian on Earth will get to write.

The linguist nodded, smiling at first, soon gaining a fervor they had rarely seen in him. "As "As you say, Captain, what can I say that has not been said among us a you say, Captain, what can I say that has not been said among us a lakh lakh of times? This is an incredible opportunity. The physics of black holes is Hanny's department, and conceivably humans will have observed several in person when we return. Or conceivably not. The apparent limitations and mortality of interstellar connection do suggest that they will not have done so. But in all events, the life, the intelligence at this one may well be unique. From it we may receive a revelation as profound as any that our species has ever been vouchsafed. I feel more than curiosity, I feel a moral obligation to learn what we can." of times? This is an incredible opportunity. The physics of black holes is Hanny's department, and conceivably humans will have observed several in person when we return. Or conceivably not. The apparent limitations and mortality of interstellar connection do suggest that they will not have done so. But in all events, the life, the intelligence at this one may well be unique. From it we may receive a revelation as profound as any that our species has ever been vouchsafed. I feel more than curiosity, I feel a moral obligation to learn what we can."

"Hear, hear!" sang out Kilbirnie.

"Dr. Dayan, you have something to add, don't you?" Nansen prompted.

The physicist nodded. "Yes. It concerns the possibility that a zero-zero drive, borrowing substrate energy, may kick the universe out of its metastable state and set off an expanding sphere of annihilation. The probability is exceedingly small. I can't give you a number, because I'm still at work trying to acquire the theory. The Tahirians seem to have developed a concept of probability that denies it can ever be zero. There is always a minimal chance of an event, finite though tiny. I think of it as the Planck probability."

"Get to the point, will you?" Brent grumbled. Nansen frowned, but before he could reprove, Dayan continued.

"Well," she said, "inframinuscule though the chance of any given voyage bringing on destruction is - the likelihood of a quantum gate malfunction wrecking just a single ship is immensely greater - nevertheless, a few of you, like some Tahirians, question whether anyone should make any trips. Is our duty not to go straight home, hearing this news, and do what we can to end human starfaring, too?"

She looked around. "My word today - so far I've only told the captain - is that the Tahirian theorem doesn't feel quite right to me. I don't grasp the mathematics fully enough yet to identify a mistake, and perhaps there is none. Call this a hunch, and remember that hunches are wrong more often than not. However, the fact is that the theorem is based on things the Tahirians learned at the black hole. They did not go back there more than twice. I suspect, and Captain Nansen agrees, this was in part because they were so horrified. They never established more than rudimentary communication with the aliens. Therefore, it's possible that the math is correct but a premise or two are false, that the Tahirians misunderstood something or obtained poor data, and the danger does not exist.

"We can only find out by conducting our own investigation. I may add that Colin, who's a physicist enself, is afire to go."