"When will they hear about it? Four, five months from now? By then, my little trip will have been forgotten. Besides, I'm here on a routine check. Everyone knows that."
"A routine check on Venus? Mars is your territory."
"One of my men is up here," Walsh said. "That gives me temporary jurisdiction. At least enough to visit the planet and see how conditions are. Anyway, I'll be home long before Joe here carries your body in."
Joe shook his head imperceptibly but Walsh didn't catch it.
"A casualty in the jungle," Walsh continued. "The native will return to the Station and explain the accident. I'll be back on Earth long before he reaches there."
"Sure," I said, "nice and simple. You kill me and Joe delivers the news and takes the rap. Good old sucker Joe."
"That's about enough out of you," Walsh said.
"Go ahead, Colonel," I shouted. "Pull the trigger. Then run off and leave Joe to...."
"I said that's enough out of you!" Walsh shouted.
I turned to face Joe. His mouth was drawn across his face in a tight emotionless line. He stepped in front of me and stared at Walsh.