He smiled briefly. "The price you pay for fame, Commander. The Fifth is Ferdias' elite squadron, and nobody gets command of it unless he's in Ferdias' special favor."
"Friendship is one thing," said Kirk hotly, "and favor is another. I don't like your choice of words."
He was just talking, words, sounds with no meaning. Inside he was thinking of Garstang and the Starsong, and all the lives of all the men in her. He had led them here.
He looked at Tauncer, and he began now to hate him, with a hate as deep and cold as space.
"Ferdias will tear your heart out," he said.
"Perhaps," said Tauncer. "But he may have other things to occupy his mind."
"Earth? He's never been there. None of us have. It's only a name, and a half-forgotten one at that. Why should Earth occupy his mind? Why, Tauncer?"
How long is twenty minutes? How long does it take three cruisers to come from Point X beyond radar range to Target Zero? How long does it take a man to realize he's through at last?
Brix said again, "All ready."