He turned again to the window.
"And there's always Earth herself. You can look through the 'scope and see her out there, just like she's been for a billion years. Home. That hasn't changed. The air of Home; the water of Home. That doesn't change."
"I guess you're right, Ed," the Mate agreed. "That can't change."
He found her down below the motors on the last level. Their light was burning dimly.
She had been crying.
Johnny Nine stood watching her for a long time. Finally he said, "I'm sorry, Marte."
She looked up. Her face was tear-cast, and her eyes were red. "It's.... It's...." Her voice caught in a sob. "Oh, Johnny, why? Why, Johnny?"
Johnny Nine had no answer to that question.
"Why did he have to do it—just when we were almost Home?" She began to cry again.