Brace pushed past him and walked to the communication panel. "Put him on, Sparks."
The communication officer pressed the key before him several times. There was a pause, then the opaque panel lit up with the thin face of Gartland.
"Ah, Captain Brace. I thought you might miss our little rendezvous. We had quite a time finding you."
"Well, I'm here!" Brace snarled. He didn't like him. It even made him feel dirty to talk to him.
"I imagine you're a little surprised to see me."
"Hmmm," Brace murmured.
"Yes," Gartland continued, "I'm a little surprised myself. Well—the S.P. and I were going to have a little trouble so—I decided to move. If I'd known it, I could have—ah—removed your cargo on Titan."
Brace grunted at the face on the panel. "I'll bring it to you in a life craft."
"Oh, that won't be necessary, Captain Brace."
"I WANT it that way!" Brace snapped.