ls the State?
However, I'm not arguing political economy with you, sir. You didn't let
me finish. I was going to say, I'm turning it over to the government to
untangle, even while making use of the inventories of radioactives.
There's going to be a lot of untangling to do. Reimbursing the
prospectors and small operators who were blackjacked out of their
holdings by our super-corporation. Reimbursing of the miners and other
laborers who were talked into accepting low pay in the name of
patriotism." Don Mathers cut it short. "Oh, it's quite a mess."

"Yes," the President said. "And you say Max Rostoff is dead?"

"That's right. And Demming off his rocker. I think he always was a
little unbalanced and the prospect of losing all that money, the
greatest fortune ever conceived of, tipped the scales."

The President said, "And what about you, Donal Mathers?"

Don took a deep breath. "I wish I was back in the Space Services,
frankly. Back where I was when all this started. However, I suppose that
after my court martial, there won't be ..."

The President interrupted gently. "You seem to forget, Captain Mathers.
You carry the Galactic Medal of Honor, the bearer of which can do no
wrong."

Don Mathers gaped at him.

The President smiled at him, albeit a bit sourly. "It would hardly do
for human morale to find out our supreme symbol of heroism was a phoney,
Captain. There will be no trial, and you will retain your decoration."

"But I don't want it!"

"I'm afraid that is the cross you'll have to bear the rest of your life,
Captain Mathers. I don't suppose it will be an easy one."

His eyes went to a far corner of the room, but unseeingly. He said after
a long moment, "However, I am not so very sure about your not deserving
your award, Captain."

THE END

Transcriber's Note:

This etext was produced from _Amazing Science Fiction Stories_
November 1960. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling
and typographical errors have been corrected without note. Variant
spellings have been retained.

End of Project Gutenberg's Medal of Honor, by Dallas McCord Reynolds

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEDAL OF HONOR ***

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