"Still about thirty-six hours out. That's our fleet- when nobody met us in Scalsa's corridor, I decided we'd better come at max, with the others arriving when they got here.'1

Barton squinted at the picture. Besides Tarleton, he recognized Vito Scalsa and Liese Anajek; the rest were strangers.

"How's Helaise?" he said.

"Fine, the last I saw her," said Tarleton. "She stayed on Tilara."

"I see," lied Barton.

"Yes. By the way, how come you're alone? Where's everybody else?"

"Mostly over at the great ship-studying it like crazy.

Alene's in the galley, though. Want to talk to her?"

"Uh-yes. If you would .... "

Barton paged the galley and Alene came to Control.

"Hello, Tarleton," she said.

"Alene." The big man paused. "I'm alone now, and...."

She frowned and started to turn away, then swung back to face the screen. "I'll think about it. Okay?"

"Yes. Of course." Alene Grover about-faced and stalked out. Tarleton tried to smile. "I suppose I can't blame her."

"No," said Barton, "I suppose you can't." Tarleton didn't answer, so Barton said, "Now then-can we get on with it? We're finding enough problems to last you maybe twenty years. Even moonlighting. . . .'*

" Twas the night before liftoff, and all through Ship One ..."

331.

"Barton," said Alene Grover, "you couldn't cany a tune in a bucket." y

Barton grinned. "Another thing I can't do is worry about it But if you don't appreciate my golden voice . ..." He opened a beer and sat, considering the events of the past eight days. Once landed, Tarieton had made a lot of decisions in a hurry.

The combined fleets were preparing to disperse on various missions, carrying Sholur's spokesmen to take the "peace treaty" to other Demu planets; Ship One's job was to return and inform Tilara. livajj and Gerain, had Cabin Six, since Eeshta was to stay on Sisshain ^vith the slowly recovering Hishtoo. He had neither become nor died; a new factor had entered into Demu rituaL Or per- haps, thought Barton, in a way Hishtoo had become.

Eeshta would not be alone. Tarieton's ship, Estelle Cummings' and one ship of each allied race were staying, to set up a joint embassy. It should work out, thought Barton.

"Abdul-you have enough data on the great ship?"

"In so short a time? Hardly, Barton. But enough for now. As I have said, the ship is dead only in that it was deliberately disabled-I am certain-by the Great Race.

It could be lifted within five years, perhaps less,"

Barton sat straight. "Nobody heard that! Except to us here, that ship is dead! Tarieton agrees."

Abdul shook his head, protesting.

"No, Abdult With the political mess on Earth, do you want to see any of those idiots get control of that kind of power? In fact," he said, "it's going to be tricky enough as it is, keeping the existing fleet out of politics.

But that's Tarieton's problem-we help as we can, is all."

"I am convinced," said Abdul. "The ship is dead."

"Maybe not for always. Someday, under apied Juris- diction . ..." He stood. "I don't know about anybody else, but I'm pooped.

"We lift off early, tomorrow-and since I set her down, m take her up. So good night, ali."

In Compartment One, when the door closed them into privacy, Limila said, "Barton? I would ask you some- thing."

"Go ahead."

"There is a thing I have not done for many years- that tonight, here on Sisshain, I would do." Her eyes were silver-irised wide, her smile unsteady. He remembered

332.

-what had been done to her, all that had passed be- tween them.

"Sure, honey-what is it?"

"I woul4 ovulate. Barton-do you approve?"

Finding no words, he nodded.

"Then-will we, now?"

Next morning, Alene Grover came to breakfast car- rying a duffle bag.

"That's a pretty big lunch bag, isn't it?" said Barton.

"I'm moving to Ship Two. I mean-I don't have to ask, do I? You can spare me, here."

"Sure, if you want. Going back to Tarieton?"

She shrugged one shoulder. "I don't know yet. But if I leave with you, I won't have the choice."

Barton looked at her. "That makes sense. Anyway, Alene-whatever you decide, best of luck."

"I know." She hoisted the duffle bag. "I guess I don't need breakfast after alL Kiss good-bye?" Barton gave it, and she walked away.

In Control, Ship One's complement watched Tarieton on the screen, giving bis parting instructions. "I guess that's about all. Barton," he said. "Have a good trip-"

and say hello."

"Will do. Over and out." He cut the screen.

Barton took the ship straight np.

333.

End of the Line

To DAVE HARTWELL WHO ALWAYS HELPS.

Tilara

Until the three approaching spaceships closed in to box Barton's own Ship One, he was glad to see them. Ob- viously Earth-built, they had to be part of the second fleet, and it was about time they showed up! Ever since he'd made turnover, forty-three days out from Sisshain, he'd halfway expected to spot the backup fleet But not until now, two days short of Tilara and almost within talk-distance of that world, had any of it appeared.