"Smile. Smile," the mayor whispered.
Cal smiled. Dave smiled, too.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Mayor Panley said to the cameras, "It is the distinct honor of New Calleth...."
The crowd raised their voices, drowning out his voice. The banners waved, yellow, red, blue, orange. Welcome, welcome, welcome.
"... the distinct honor of New Calleth to be able to welcome home Bobby Galus and Gary Dale."
"Galus! Dale!" the voices sang, "Galus! Dale!"
"Galus!"
"Dale!"
"Just a second," Cal interrupted. "You don't understand at all. Those aren't our...."
"Four years in space," the mayor continued, "four years among the stars. To Earth and back, fellow citizens, for the glory of Mars."