"Polk!" he shouted, "can you hear me?"
I smiled, saw the twisted hatred on his features, and then the screen on my end went blank, too.
He's somewhere in the jungle, you know.
I thanked Captain Bransten for his hospitality and went back to my quarters.
As I saw it, there were two courses for me to follow.
One: I could say the hell with Walsh and Venus. That would mean hopping the next ship back to Earth.
It would also mean disobeying the direct order of a superior officer. It might mean demotion, and it might mean getting bounced out of the Service altogether.
Two: I could assume there really was a guy name Joe somewhere in that jungle, a Joe separate and apart from the other Joes on this planet, a trader Joe who knew the Martians well. I could always admit failure, of course, and return empty handed. Mission not accomplished. Or, I might really find a guy who was trader Joe.
I made my decision quickly. I wanted to stay in the Service, and besides Walsh may have been on the level for the first time in his life. Maybe there was a Joe here who could help us on Mars. If there was I'd try to find him. It was still a hell of a trick though.
I cursed Walsh again and pushed the buzzer near my bed.