"Of course it's here. And the radio beam is on."
"You're sure—the beam is on?"
"Of all the nitwits to let loose on an unfriendly planet, you're about the worst. I've just told you it's on, haven't I? It's been on for the past two hours."
Lamoureux swallowed hard. "And Carvalho?"
"There's a man who I assume is Carvalho. He's tied up. I've got a couple of friends watching him to make sure he doesn't get away."
"Friends?"
"Like these." Kalinoff indicated the Mercurians. "Come on. I'd like to get back to Earth. There's a girl I've got to see."
"But who—what happened to Carvalho?"
"He seemed anxious to leave, so I pushed my fist down his throat. Incidentally, there was a radio going, with a code message."
"Short distance, radio?"