s new lieutenant's commission, leading the
blundering troops along the two hundred miles to Fort Craven was too
much for him.

"I beg your pardon, Major," he heard himself saying, "But as the
Narakan Training Officer, I think that I should remain in command of
the unit in its overland march."

The Major was dumfounded. Norton looked as if he were sure the Narakan
climate had proven too much of a strain for the lieutenant.

"Lieutenant O'Mara, are you sure...." began Chapelle.

"Are you nuts, O'Mara? Do you know what you're asking for?" demanded
Norton.

"Yes, sir. I feel that since Colonel Upton appointed me Training
Officer for the Narakan Rifles, it is my duty to stay with them until
I am relieved."

Chapelle's look of astonishment had changed to one of relief. It would
be far easier to explain the hurried abandonment of the Narakan Rifles
to the native representatives at New Chicago if a Terran officer were
to remain with them.

"Well," he said, "I could, of course, relieve you of your
responsibility but if you feel that...."

"I do, sir." Terrence said quickly lest he be tempted to back out.

IV

Later in the day as he sat in the shade of the command post's
overhanging roof with his back against a stack of sand-bags, he cursed
himself for sixteen kinds of an idiot as he watched the evacuation
begin. Beta was dropping low over the pink Maldo hills as the long
line of earthmen filed up the gangway into the big airship.

"Hello," said a voice behind him. He turned to find Joan Allen
standing there clothed in radiation armor and holding a small canvas
bag in one hand. "I thought ... I mean ... I came to say good-bye."

"Hello, yourself. I thought you were on board with the rest of them."
He got up hastily.

"No. I got the kids on board but I wanted one more look at the
schoolhouse before we shoved off."

Somehow he was holding onto her arm, "I guess it meant a lot to you,
that schoolhouse," he said.

"Yes, it did. I ... I was afraid that I wouldn't get to see you when
you get to New Chicago."

"There's no danger of that, Joanie. If and when I get there, I'll be
looking for you ... that is ... if you want to see me."

"If you think you can stand an old maid school teacher, I'll be
looking for you." She was very close to him now. "Why did you do it,
Terrence? Why are you making the march with the Narakans? Fielding
says your chances aren't very good."

"I'll thank Fielding to keep his big mouth