ko acquiesced. "For a few minutes only." He proffered a heat ray
cylinder but she refused it.

"I am not afraid of him."

Miko swung on me. "Within an hour we will be nearing the atmosphere.
Will you take the controls?"

"Yes."

He set his heavy jaw. His eyes bored into me. "You're a strange
fellow, Haljan. I can't make you out. I am not angry now. Do you
think, when I am deadly serious, that I mean what I say?"

His calm words set a sudden chill over me. I checked my smile.

"Yes," I said.

"Well then, I will tell you this: not for all of Prince's well-meaning
interference, or Moa's liking for you, or my own need of your skill,
will I tolerate more trouble from you. The next time, I will kill you.
Do you believe me?"

"Yes."

"That is all I want to say. You kill my men, and my sister says I must
not hurt you. I am not a child to be ruled by a woman!"

He held his huge fist before my face. "With these fingers I will twist
your neck! Do you believe it?"

"Yes." I did indeed.

He swung on his heel. "Moa wants to try and put sense in your head--I
hope she does it. Bring him to the lounge when you have finished.
Come, Prince, Hahn will need us." He chuckled grimly. "Hahn seems to
fear we will plunge into this asteroid like a wild comet gone suddenly
tangent!"

Anita moved aside to let him through the door. I caught a glimpse of
her set white face as she followed him down the deck. Then Moa's bulk
blocked the doorway. She faced me.

"Sit where you are, Gregg." She turned and closed the door upon us. "I
am not afraid of you. Should I be?"

"No."

She came and sat down beside me. "If you should attempt to leave this
room, the stern lookout has orders to bore you through."

"I have no intention of leaving this room," I retorted. "I do not want
to commit suicide."

"I thought you did. You seem minded in such a fashion. Gregg, why are
you so heedless?"

I said carefully, "This treasure--you are many who will divide it. You
have all these men on the _Planetara_. And in Ferrok-Shahn, others--"

I paused. Would she tell me? Could I make her talk of that other
brigand ship which Miko had said was waiting on Mars? I wondered if he
had been able to signal it. The distance from here to Mars was great;
yet upon other voyages Snap's signals had gotten through. My heart
sank at the thought. Our situation here was desperate enough. The
passengers soon would be cast upon the asteroid: there would be left
only Sna