hink Joan has the right idea, sir," he replied. "While the report
indicates that a group of people on Venus are meeting regularly and
secretly, and wearing some silly uniform, I think we need more
information before ordering a full-scale investigation."

"He's right, Commander," Connel broke in. "You just can't walk into an
outfit and demand a look at their records, books, and membership index,
unless you're pretty sure you'll find something."

"Send a man from here," Strong suggested. "If you use anyone out of the
Venus office, he might be recognized."

"Good idea," commented Sykes.

Joan nodded. "Sounds reasonable."

"How do you feel about it, Connel?" asked Walters.

Connel, still furious over Sykes's comment on his spectrum recorder,
shot an angry glance at the professor. "I think it's fine," he said
bluntly. "Who're you going to send?"

Walters paused before answering. He glanced at Strong and then back at
Connel. "What about yourself?"

"Me?"

"Why not?" continued Walters. "You know as much about Venus as anyone,
and you have a lot of friends there you can trust. Nose around a while,
see what you can learn, unofficially."

"But what about my work on the spectrum recorder?" asked Connel.

"That!" snorted Sykes derisively. "Huh, that can be completed any time
you want to listen to some plain facts about--"

"I'll never listen to anything you have to say, you dried-up old neutron
chaser!" blasted Connel.

"Of course not," cackled Sykes. "And it's the same bullheaded
stubbornness that'll keep you from finishing that recorder."

"I'm sorry, gentlemen," said Walters firmly. "I cannot allow personal
discussions to interfere with the problem at hand. How about it, Connel?
Will you go to Venus?"

Lou Connel was the oldest line officer in the Solar Guard, having
recommended the slightly younger Walters for the post of commandant of
Space Academy and the Solar Guard so that he himself could escape a desk
job and continue blasting through space where he had devoted his entire
life. While Walters had the authority to order him to accept the
assignment, Connel knew that if he begged off because of his work on the
recorder, Walters would understand and offer the assignment to Strong.
He paused and then growled, "When do I blast off?"

Walters smiled and answered, "As soon as we contact Venus headquarters
and tell them to expect you."

"Wouldn't it be better to let me go without any fanfare?" mused the
burly