his pig eyes and said, "All this is on the academic side.
We checked your background thoroughly before approaching you, Mathers.
We know your record, even before you entered the Space Service. Just
between the three of us, wouldn't you like out? There are a full billion
men and women in our armed forces, you can be spared. Let's say you've
already done your share. Can't you see the potentialities in spending
the rest of your life with the Galactic Medal of Honor in your pocket?"

* * * * *

It was there all right, drifting slowly. Had he done a more thorough job
of his patrol, last time, he should have stumbled upon it himself.

If he had, there was no doubt that he would have at first reported it as
an active enemy cruiser. Demming and Rostoff had been right. The Kraden
ship looked untouched by battle.

That is, if you approached it from the starboard and slightly abaft the
beam. From that angle, in particular, it looked untouched.

It had taken several circlings of the craft to come to that conclusion.
Don Mathers was playing it very safe. This thing wasn't quite so simple
as the others had thought. He wanted no slip-ups. His hand went to a
food compartment and emerged with a space thermo which should have
contained fruit juice, but didn't. He took a long pull at it.

Finally he dropped back into the position he'd decided upon, and flicked
the switch of his screen.

A base lieutenant's face illuminated it. He yawned and looked
questioningly at Don Mathers.

Don said, allowing a touch of excitement in his voice, "Mathers, Scout
V-102, Sector A22-K223."

"Yeah, yeah ..." the other began, still yawning.

"I've spotted a Kraden cruiser. Miro class, I think."

* * * * *

The lieutenant flashed into movement. He slapped a button before him,
the screen blinked, to be lit immediately again.

A gray-haired Fleet Admiral looked up from papers on his desk.

"Yes?"

Don Mathers rapped, "Miro class Kraden in sector A22-K223, sir. I'm
lying about fifty miles off. Undetected thus far--I think. He hasn't
fired on me yet, at least."

The Admiral was already doing things with his hands. Two subalterns came
within range of the screen, took orders, dashed off. The Admiral was
rapidly firing orders into two other screens. After a moment, he looked
up at Don Mathers again.

"Hang on, Lieutenant. Keep him under observation as long as you can.
What're your ex