"Rivera!"

"I answer for him," came Tex's voice.

"Wheeler!"

"Wheeler's here too," Tex answered again. "They're all here, Matt. We're ready."

"Complement complete, Captain;"

"Very well, sir."

"How is he, Oz?"

"He's closed his eyes again. Raise ship when ready."

"Aye aye, sir. According to plan-raise ship. He grasped the wing controls and waited. The Astarte reared on her belly jets, drove up and forward and into the mists of Venus.

XVIII IN THE COMMANDANT'S OFFICE