"Desertion, eh?"
"Technically, sure. But the only way. Nobody will listen to us. We know—we know—the Ancients hid their most valuable treasure in the Black Forest. What it is we don't know. We're hoping it'll solve a lot of problems—the mystery of what powered their machines, what happened to the Ancients—all that."
"No planes can be used," Garth said. "There's no place to land in the Forest."
"That's why we want you. You know the Forest, and you know the Ancient Tongue. Guide the Hunter crew to Chahnn. Then, when we give the word—head for the Black Forest with us."
Garth said, "On one condition. You can't go."
Paula's eyes narrowed. "You're in no position to—"
"Men might get through. A woman couldn't. Take it or leave it," Garth repeated stubbornly.
Captain Brown nodded to the girl. "All right, it's a deal. Sorry, Paula, but he's on the beam. Here's ten bucks, Garth. Balance when we get to Chahnn. We leave tomorrow at Jupiter-rise."
Garth didn't answer. After a moment Paula and Brown rose and went out through the mildewed tapestry curtain. Garth didn't blame them. The Moonflower-Ritz smelled.