own bargains, and at the end of an X gun if necessary. What have you done since the last expedition was here?"

"We have given the lie detector test to every Priman over the age of twenty--that is approximately five of your years--and no one has any knowledge of the Terranians' deaths. There is nothing toxic on Primus. We have not had a disease or an infection within the memory of any of our people. We don't know what else to do."

"All right, I believe you, but that won't slow us down a bit. Now listen to our plan. We are going to land one man at a time and have him report back to the ship at short intervals. Under no circumstances must any Priman come near this man or pay any attention to him. Is that clear?"

"That is clear, Captain; but I cannot accept your proposals in the form of ultimatums. The people of Primus..."

Captain Grimes' voice hardened. "You'll do exactly as I tell you or there won't be an Estival much longer. Is that understood?"

The reply was slow in coming. "I understand, Captain. I will have the information broadcast immediately. I suggest you give me at least one of your hours."

"Make it two. Thanks for your cooperation, Mister. Goodbye."

Grimes tossed the handset to the radio operator. "Send a recording of that conversation to the Mayor of Nephele," he said.

The boy nodded and began calling the Nephele exchange. Grimes turned to Dr. Johnson.

"I want a man for a dangerous job that will require mental alertness at all times. Who would you recommend?"

Manson spoke up before the doctor could make up his mind. "Myself, sir," he said.

Grimes dismissed the engineer without even looking at him. "Need you here, Manson. How about Fuqua?" he asked the doctor.

"I would suggest Lerner, your assistant astro-navigator. He's the healthiest specimen aboard and genuinely courageous, I'm quite certain."

"Call Lerner on the intercom, Johnny," Grimes told the radio operator. Then to Bill Manson he said, "Get a Mars kit ready for him, and then have one TV camera equipped with a long boy. I want to be able to watch every step Lerner takes, just as if I were alongside him."

He then strode rapidly 

 Prev. P 6/16 next