om, leaving a shadow behind him.

Liebenstein could not help feeling rueful, though he tried to justify
his position, musing darkly that the same qualities of stubborn
righteousness that inspired men to follow such a leader, often led to
the destruction of all. But still there was a shadow in the room.

*

The first thing that Brunner did upon assuming command of the Icarus
(he found the name somehow appropriate) was to transfer and surround
himself with as many of his former comrades as he could. A bond had
been formed between them in those thirty-six hours that could never be
broken, and he wanted them there if..... He also knew they would
remain loyal, and understand his purpose.

He asked his wife to remain about the Kythera until the issue was
resolved, but she refused. And it was no use trying to dissuade her
once she set her mind to something. Again the qualities he prized
about all others showed through in her---loyalty, and courage in time
of need.

For there comes a time in every man's life when he must put it all on
the line, and take a dangerous chance. Brunner had felt himself
fighting for so long, without knowing why, that even the reunion with
his wife, and the unexpected birth of his son, had not been enough to
pacify his need to KNOW. In fact, they had intensified it.

He had brought a new life into the world, and the responsibility he
felt both for that act, and for the fusing of his life with Ara's, set
against a background of war and death, all but overwhelmed him.
Without knowing if mortal life were ultimately just, or inherently
sinister and cruel, they crushed him utterly.

Upon coming to the morning after the Dracus landing, one thought only
would take shape in his mind, and hammered at him relentlessly. "What
kind of a world is this? What kind of a world?"

And now he had to answer that question not only for himself, but for
his son as well. And thoughts of death's separation from Ara, who was
years younger, and infinitely healthier than himself, unhinged him with
equal strength. Did he have the right..... WAS THERE ANYTHING BEYOND
THE CRADLE AND THE GRAVE?
For him, now, it was all reduced to the same ancient question, which
for the sake of his soul he could not put off any longer. WAS THERE
GOD? And of equal and inseparable importance, the manifestations of
which he saw clearly before him: COULD ONE MAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Could he stand up for what he believed, re