"I've a wedding present for you, Lana,” he said diffidently. “I had the Chairman re-open the old case of your father's dismissal from the Earth Navy. The investigation was impartial, and showed that in fact Martin Cain was unjustly cashiered from the navy because of the conspiracy of a jealous cabal."
Lana's eyes widened startledly, and clung to Thorn's.
"John, you mean—"
"Listen!” he said.
Commander Leigh had turned and was loudly reading a paper to the solid gray ranks of naval officers and men.
"Order of the Earth Naval Staff, June fourteenth, Twenty-nine-fifty-six: Martin Cain, deceased, is hereby posthumously returned to full rank of captain in the Earth Navy, and his name is ordered inscribed at Headquarters on the roll of officers who have served with honor."
Lana was crying. “My father's name, where he always longed for it to be."
The sixty pirate ships were waiting. They moved out to the Venture, and Stilicho climbed inside. But they were all surprised when Gunner Welk drew back from the door.
"I'm not going with you, John,” the big Mercurian rumbled. “I didn't know how to tell you all before, but this is good-by."
Thorn was startled. “Gunner, you're not going to separate from us now? Not after you and Sual Av and I have been so long together?"