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“I didn’t say you were an Earthman! But if Earthmen can travel through the sky, they might be able to do other things, too; maybe even change the way a man looks.”

He snapped the kit-fastener. “If you really believe that, you should be careful. Creatures as clever as that might be able to pluck your words from my brain.”

“What if they did? I’m not ashamed. Or afraid, either.”

He reached out and patted her arm. Maybe she wasn’t afraid, but he was. For her. And for the people of Damorlan. If there was a deep-probe on the staff ship.... If only something could happen to him, so he could never reach Barshwat ... Spano wouldn’t know. He might guess, but he wouldn’t know. He’d have to start all over again—and maybe things would turn out better next time.

General Spano and his secretary were waiting in Blynn’s office. Clarey stretched out his foot in greeting, then recollected himself and reached out his hand. “You see, sir,” he said with a too-hearty laugh, “I’m really living my part.”

Spano beamed. “Damorlan certainly seems to agree with you, my boy. You look positively blooming. Doesn’t he, Han?”