e of laser guns,
if nothing else. We can say it's for protection in case of war. But
it'll make our own government handle us more carefully, too."

"Well, you can approach the Commission about it." Blades yawned and
stretched, trying to loosen his muscles. "Better get a lot of other
owners and supervisors to sign your petition, though." The next order
of business came to his mind. He rose. "Why don't you go tell Adam the
good news?"

"Where are you bound?"

"To let Ellen know the fight is over."

"Is it, as far as she's concerned?"

"That's what I'm about to find out. Hope I won't need an armored
escort." Blades went from the cubicle, past the watchful radioman, and
down the deserted passageway beyond.

The cabin given her lay at the end, locked from outside. The key hung
magnetically on the bulkhead. Blades unlocked the door and tapped it
with his knuckles.

"Who's there?" she called.

"Me," he said. "May I come in?"

"If you must," she said freezingly.

He opened the door and stepped through. The overhead light shimmered
off her hair and limned her figure with shadows. His heart bumped.
"You, uh, you can come out now," he faltered. "Everything's O.K."

She said nothing, only regarded him from glacier-blue eyes.

"No harm's been done, except to me and Sparks, and we're not mad," he
groped. "Shall we forget the whole episode?"

"If you wish."

"Ellen," he pleaded, "I had to do what seemed right to me."

"So did I."

He couldn't find any more words.

"I assume that I'll be returned to my own ship," she said. He nodded.
"Then, if you will excuse me, I had best make myself as presentable as
I can. Good day, Mr. Blades."

"What's good about it?" he snarled, and slammed the door on his way
out.

Avis stood outside the jampacked saloon. She saw him coming and ran to
meet him. He made swab-O with his fingers and joy blazed from her.
"Mike," she cried, "I'm so happy!"

The only gentlemanly thing to do was hug her. His spirits lifted a bit
as he did. She made a nice armful. Not bad looking, either.

* * * * *

"Well," said Amspaugh. "So that's the inside story. How very
interesting. I never heard it before."

"No, obviously it never got into any official record," Missy said.
"The only announcement made was that there'd been a near accident,
that the Station tried to make counter-missiles out of scoopships, but
that the quick action of NASS _Altair_ was what saved the