The dirty gray dawn of Venus caught the little party of humans and animats high up on the slope of the mountain. The fog was thinner here and as the light increased they had come upon a shallow fairly dry cave that opened above a narrow brush-covered bench.
Their escape had been without incident, a series of weary walks underwater, two going out and one returning dragging the empty suit. The heavy suits they were forced to abandon at the water's edge before starting the climb upward along the rain-washed ledges.
Tired though she was, Ina Haan's eyes were bright.
"It's wonderful," she told Jay, "to learn that you are not an animat. This is the break I've always been looking for."
Jay was puzzled by the girl's excitement. He could not imagine why she was so pleased. Maybe she had fallen in love with him. At the thought he felt his heart pound faster. She was very desirable despite the tattered wisps of garments that half-covered her firm breasts and shapely woman's body—or perhaps it was because of them.
He took her in his arms and kissed her. She did not resist him, but surrendered her lips at once. Her eyes were dreamy.
"You love me," he said. "We'll be mates!"
Ina smiled mysteriously and leaned back against his chest.
"We must take the expoder from Thela," she said. "She might try to kill you to keep the secret of Animats Incorporated from the public. She'd want to protect her father."