"Send another man into it, knowing no more than we know?"
"We have to know," Banning said. "Men have died before without as good reason."
"I'm going home. Call me if you need me."
Colin stood, and the general made a silent gesture of helplessness. They wouldn't need him. Not until Phoenix II came home. Then they would need him.
Colin spoke, quietly, as if thinking of something else.
"I didn't hear you," Banning said.
"Quoting Emerson. The essay on Nature I mentioned."
"What did he say?"
"'But if a man would be alone,'" Colin quoted, "'let him look at the stars.' Good night, General."
"Good night."