nita. George Prince was a weakling whose only good
quality was his love for his sister. Some years ago he had fallen into
evil ways. Been arrested, and then been discharged from his position
with the Federated Corporation. He had taken up with evil companions
in Greater New York. Mostly Martians. And Miko had met him. His
technical knowledge, his training with the Federated Corporation, made
him valuable to Miko's enterprise. And so Prince had joined the
brigands.

Of all this, Anita had been unaware. She had never liked Miko. Feared
him. But it seemed that the Martian had some hold upon her brother,
which puzzled and frightened Anita.

Then Miko had fallen in love with her. George had not liked it. And
that night on the _Planetara_, Miko had come and knocked upon Anita's
door, and incautiously she had opened it. He forced himself in. And
when she repulsed him, struggled with him, George had been awakened.

She was whispering to me now. "My room was dark. We were all three
struggling. George was holding me--the shot came--and I screamed."

And Miko had fled, not knowing whom his shot had hit in the darkness.

"And when George died, Captain Carter wanted me to impersonate him. We
planned it with Dr. Frank to try and learn what Miko and the others
were doing; because I didn't know that poor George had fallen into
such evil ways."

She whispered, "But I love you, Gregg. I want to be the first to say
it: I love you--I love you."

We had the sanity to try and plan.

"Anita, tell Miko we discussed the multiple powers of the catalyst.
Discussed how carefully it would have to be transported; how to gauge
its worth. You'll have to be careful, clever. Don't say too much. Tell
him we estimate the value at about a hundred and thirty millions."

I repeated what Miko had told me of his plans. She knew all that. And
Snap knew it. She had a few moments alone with Snap and gave me now a
message from him, "We'll pull out of this, Gregg."

With Snap she had worked out a plan. There were Snap and I; and Shac
and Dud Ardley upon whom we could doubtless depend. And Dr. Frank.
Against us were Miko and his sister, and Coniston and Hahn. Of course,
there were the members of the crew. But we were numerically the
stronger when it came to true leadership. Unarmed and guarded now. But
if we could break loose--recapture the ship....

I sat listening to Anita's eager whispers. It seemed feasible. Miko
did not altogether trust George Prin