"Fact. First I located Dvorak and convinced him that he would rather have a ship in the circum-Terra patrol than the Aes Triplex-so he could see his girl oftener. Then I went to see the Commandant and pointed out to him that you guys were used to having the benefit of my advice and would be lost without it. That's all there was to it. The Commandant saw the wisdom of my words and approved the swap with Dvorak."
"Not for that reason, I'll bet," Matt answered. "Probably he wanted me to continue to look out for you."
Tex took on an odd look. "Do you know, Matt, you aren't so far wrong."
"Really? I was just kidding."
"What he did say was that he thought Cadet Jensen would be a good influence on me. What do you think of that, Oscar?"
Oscar snorted. "If I've reached the place where I'm a good influence on anybody, it's time I cultivated some new vices."
"I'd be glad to help."
"I don't want you, I want your Uncle Bodie-there's a man of the world."
Three weeks later, at Moon Base, Oscar and Matt were settling into their stateroom in the Aes Triplex. Matt was not feeling his best; the previous evening at Tycho Colony had been late and noisy. They had taken the last possible shuttle to Moon Base.
The ship's phone in their room sounded; Matt answered it to get the squeal out of his ears. "Yes? Cadet Dodson speaking-"