"Fraud!" she exclaimed amiably. "If I were not acquainted with your past record I'd think you were a fop. Does that pose ever fool anybody, Palanth?"
The tall Martian grinned shrugging his shoulders. "Who knows? It's been so long since I've had adventure for a bride!" He quoted a line from the famous Terran poet of the twenty-first century.
"He's done it so long, it's become second nature with him," Mark said inelegantly. "However, the perfume business is no pose. Wait till you see his collection of extracts!"
Palanth glared at him, but remained silent. Just then a growing tremor shook the energy center, and one of the walls split from floor to ceiling. Their table fell with a crash and the hum of the food conveyors ceased. Voices rose in startled exclamations and the crash of other tables added to the increasing noise. A convulsive heave rent the floor and the continuous series of audio-pictures on the visi-screen ceased abruptly.
After what seemed an eternity, in reality seconds, the quake subsided, leaving wreckage behind and the pale, strained faces of the guests.
"Even here in North America, the very heart of the World State, the quakes are increasing," Doctor Fortun said thoughtfully. "Our estimates gave us eight more weeks before the proximity of the comet neutralized astro-warp evacuation. It seems hardly possible, but there may be elements in the situation we have failed to calculate. I believe the sooner we complete evacuation the better it'll be." She glanced at Mark speculatively.
"I suggest you read your orders this evening, once you're registered at International House, Spacer Lynn."
"That's my plan," Mark told her. "And speaking of unknown elements, I'm still puzzled at being attacked by an International today. I was unaware that I had enemies on Terra. What could the motive have been?"
"Attacked?" Palanth was instantly alert. "Why didn't you tell me, Mark?"
The Spacer shrugged his shoulders. "It was a minor incident—only, it's mystery bothers me. I've been taught there's no crime on Terra, and I am too unimportant for political liquidation."