t was a refueling stop for
the jet liners and space freighters bound for the outer planets, and for
those returning to Earth. Some ships went directly to Venusport for
heavy overhaul or supplies, but the station was established primarily
for quick turn arounds. Several ex-enlisted spacemen who had been
injured or retired were given special permission to open shops for the
convenience of the passengers and crews of the ships and the staff of
the station. In twenty years the station had become a place where summer
tourists from Earth and winter tourists from Titan made a point of
stopping. The first of its kind in the universe, it was as near a
perfect place to live as could be built by man.

Tom, Roger, and Astro strolled down the short street, pushing through a
crowd of tourists admiring the shops. Finally they found a restaurant
that specialized in Venusian dishes.

"Now you two spindly Earthmen are going to have the best meal of your
lives! Broiled dinosaur on real Venusian black bread!"

"D-dinosaur!" stuttered Tom in amazement. "Why--why--that's a
prehistoric monster!"

"Yeah, Astro," agreed Roger. "What are you trying to hand us?"

Astro laughed. "You'll see, fellows," he replied. "I used to go hunting
for them when I was a kid. Brought the best price of any wild game.
Fifty credits for babies under three hundred pounds. Over that, you
can't eat 'em. Too tough!"

Tom and Roger looked at each other, eyes bulging.

"Ah, come on, Tom," drawled Roger. "He's just trying to pull our leg."

Without a word, Astro grabbed them by the arms and rushed them into the
restaurant. They were no sooner seated when a recorded voice announced
the menu over a small loud-speaker on the table. Astro promptly ordered
dinosaur, and to his unit-mates' amazement, the voice politely inquired:

"Would the spacemen prefer to have it broiled a la Venusian black bread,
baked, or raw?"

A sharp look from Roger and Tom, and Astro ordered it broiled.

One hour and fifteen minutes later the three members of the _Polaris_
unit staggered out of the restaurant.

"By the rings of Saturn," declared Tom, "that wasn't only the most I
ever ate--it was the best!"

Roger nodded in silent agreement, leaning against the plastic window in
front of the restaurant.

"You see," Astro beamed, "maybe you guys will listen to me from now on!"

"Boy, I can't wait to see Mom's face when I tell her that her chicken
and dumplings have taken second place t