. He's probably
forgotten.... That's all right. I'll keep the suit on."

"I don't think they're expecting you with the surface party, General."

"Probably not or they'd be here. Earth crew?"

"They've been out ten months or so, sir."

"We will have colds, then. Would you take me to Mr. Tucker, please?" To
the other suited men he said, "Good, fast job."

General Shorter followed the crewman up the spiral staircase and along
the corridor. His hand touched a frictionless wall. "New plastic?"

"This is one of the most recent balls, sir."

"How does it handle?"

"Quite well, sir."

"I miss the Model Ten," he said.

"There's only a few left now, I guess."

"I haven't seen one in years."

The crewman stopped before a numberless panel. He knocked politely. "Mr.
Tucker? I have General Shorter here. He came out with the surface
party."

Mr. Tucker's voice, the edge of surprise partly lost through the
partition, came: "Just a moment."

In silence they waited. General Shorter moved restlessly. Several
minutes passed.

The panel opened.

* * * * *

Mr. Tucker was a short, rotund man. His close-cropped hair was graying,
although his face was unlined, with the smooth complexion of a child.
His irises were gray and gold.

General Shorter stepped forward and introduced himself.

"Come in."

The panel closed.

The two men stood. General Shorter glanced around for a chair.

"Small quarters," Mr. Tucker said. "If you like, sit there. I'll sit on
the bed."

They arranged themselves.

"Perhaps you don't remember me?" the general said. "We served
together--what, ten years ago?--for about two weeks on Avalon, I believe
it was."

"Yes, I thought that was the case. You have a good memory, General."

"Please," the general said, "just call me Max."

Mr. Tucker considered, without committing himself. He proffered a cigar.
The general declined.

Mr. Tucker lighted the cigar carefully, moving the flame several times
across the blunt end. He regarded the results without expression. "A
cigar should be properly lit, General," he said.

"Yes, yes, I suppose so," the general said. He paused to worry at a
wrinkle on his suit. "Good trip out?"

"Routine."

"New ship? I notice this is one of the new Balls."

"Mark Six."

"Ah, those. I've always liked the Mark Six. Solid construction. I've
been Destroyed maybe half the time in the Mark Sixes. Each one of the
Marks has its own person