"My people will soon be searching the streets. Go."
Martin and Caldwell went quickly through the opening. Johnson hesitated. "Unger ... Dreamer...." He sought for words. "You ... you're a great guy."
The Venusian's hand came to his arm. Vee Vee stood very close, watching, waiting, though Martin had already gone.
"Thank you, my friend," Unger whispered. "I accept your words and the meaning that is behind them."
"I...." Johnson's voice choked into silence. Here was a great Venusian and he knew it, a Dreamer whose dream went beyond race, beyond space, perhaps beyond time.
"Come with us," Johnson said. "Come to Earth with us."
"No." Unger's voice was almost a sob. "I may not leave this planet."
"Why not? We will protect you. On Earth there will be great honor for you."
"There is honor here for me among the Dreamers. You do not know it, my friend, but all the Dreamers of Venus are with me now in this moment while my life drains away. They give me honor. More than I deserve."
Horror flooded through Johnson. "While your life drains away? I don't understand."