it's
illegal for us to be here--not only our own cops, but the Galactic
Federation, would be on our necks if they knew. Let's see if we can
close up the gate ourselves or if this needs to be reported. And then
let's go home."

Garf grinned. "Whatever you say, my dear." He dipped an eyebrow in a
wink. Behind Dor, the nonapus stirred sluggishly, extended a tentacle,
opened a claw, and nipped Dor neatly on the behind. She screeched.

There was an explosion in Farmer's brain. This was too much--Garf had
gone too far! The burly editor plunged across the deck, swinging a fist.
To his surprise, Garf did nothing to stop him; probably, John Andrew
figured later, the fishman expected no further trouble from the humans
after the treatment they'd had.

Farmer's haymaker connected.

Garf staggered across the deck until he brought up against the rail,
holding his jaw and shaking his head muzzily. Farmer braced himself for
retaliation, hoping it would be something less than a bolt of barbed
lightning. But Garf remained unpredictable. He mumbled something that
wasn't "Oh the hell with it" but sounded like it, and softly and
silently slid overboard. He disappeared under water with scarcely a
ripple.

"Good!" Dor said, briskly. "Now, I'll just.... Ah!" She strode directly
to Ray's invention, and Farmer wondered why both the aliens were so
interested in a gadget that didn't work.

* * * * *

Dor wasted no time. She bent over, picked up the machine, yanking wiring
loose carelessly, straightened up, turned a beaming smile on Farmer and
Ray, said "Goodbye," and headed for the rail.

Ray yelped. He started after her, but his progress in the diving suit
was waddling and slow. She reached the rail first and went over. Ray was
not too far behind, and he slammed his helmet down angrily as he reached
the rail. Farmer, galvanized belatedly, gave chase as well.

Dor was picking her way slowly down the stone steps, the machine cradled
under her arm. Ray climbed up on the rail, poised there a second, then
attempted a swan dive. John Andrew yelled at him as he arced forward,
but it was too late. The old man dropped like a stone, flapping his
arms, bounced slightly on the top step, then slid forward down several
more steps on his faceplate.

Dor hesitated, her head just above water. She looked at the limp,
diving-suited body beside her, then back at the launch and Farmer.
Again, she came to a decision quickly