The white ship landed in their midst. From it came Lane and his crew. The crew entered their ship, but Lane remained, waiting for Downing. In the crook of his arm he held a small, white-furred creature, and he stroked it gently with his free hand.
"Just lucky," grunted Downing.
"You talk big," retorted Lane. "But stay back, Downing. You're contaminated."
"Meaning?"
"You're alive with deadly bugs."
"Nuts. So are you."
"No I'm not. I've been sterilized within an inch of my life. Look," he said, holding up the Sscantovian equivalent of a guinea pig.
"Cute—but so what?"
"I've got the catmen scared of all Solarians—and from here on in, I'd hate to be any race that bucks us. Take hold of this animal, just for a moment."