"What's the matter that you want to break us three up now, Gunner?” Sual Av asked, his ugly face distressed.
Gunner avoided their eyes. He stared off into space with brooding cold blue eyes, his massive countenance queer.
"You're getting married and that changes things,” he told Thorn. “It can't help but change things."
His voice deepened. “There were three comrades from different worlds, and they raised a racket from Mercury to Erebus in their time — three Planeteers who did some things that the system won't soon forget. But one of them got married, and that was the end of the Planeteers."
He shrugged heavily. “But I suppose we had to split up some time. Just because three fellows go through hell together with a grin doesn't mean that they have to stay together afterward. I'm wishing you good luck, John, and you, Sual."
Lana stepped forward, and looked up with steady searching blue eyes into the Mercurian's massive, brooding face.
"Gunner, when we fought together and spaced together, I did my part, didn't I?” she asked quietly.
"Of course!” he rumbled. “I'd fight the man who says you're not the staunchest, bravest girl in the system."
"Then John and I marrying isn't going to break up the Planeteers,” she told him. “It's going to give you another comrade, that's all. And all four of us together, won't be too many for the work of making a civilized world out of the Zone."
Gunner stared at Lana, and slowly his craggy face relaxed. He looked from her to John Thorn.