Yancey cleared his throat. He was trying hard not to be impressed by the commandant's office, the commandant's ribbons, the commandant's manner. "I don't know what you mean, sir."
The big man tapped the papers on his desk with a stubby finger. "Governmental service on Earth ... mining on Mars ... lumbering on Europa ... and now, an assignment on Venus. Not the record of a stable personality."
Yancey was bewildered. What was the commandant saying? Wasn't he to get the post? The dream of a fortune in quollas flickered. "I—I've been looking for work that would really challenge me, sir."
The gaze was direct. "Challenge you. That's an interesting answer, Ritter. So you think that assignment to a humidi-hut in the vicinity of the Desert Rouge will awaken your latent and heretofore unexplored potentials?"
Was the man laughing at him? Even in the carefully conditioned room, Yancey felt the beads of perspiration settling on his forehead. "If I was just given a chance," he said, seizing on the familiar cliche. "I know I can please the commandant."
A sigh escaped the big man. "Pleasing me is irrelevant. Keeping that humidi-hut operating is vital. Do you realize, Ritter, that since we established our chain of humidi-huts on Venus we've reduced our mortality rate thirty per cent?"
A nod seemed to be all that was required from Yancey.
"I just want you to realize that the job you're taking can't be abandoned one fine morning when you're seized with a whim to go to Saturn."
"I tell you, sir, I think I've found what I want here. You needn't have no worries about me leaving the service." Yancey felt better. He was back on solid ground. The old man was afraid he'd leave without notice. They were all alike. No matter where you went—Earth, Mars, Europa, Venus—employers were always worried about being left in a spot.
"Human lives depended upon your efficiency, Ritter. Earthmen can only endure so much of this Venusian heat and dust, then we dehydrate. It's up to you to see to it that your station is always alert to the needs of any one in your sector."