"He's my peace offering to the ambassador, and to Pundra. There's a complete file on Raeburn in my office in Marsport. The ambassador and Pundra will arrive at a diplomatic understanding about the rest, I'm sure. It won't get out that I left with Laapet."
A buzzer sounded in the Starfish. "That'll be Faleeng," Vechi said.
Rocz carried Raeburn, and then Charley into the "egg." They were still unconscious.
Before we got in Deborah impulsively took Laapet's hands in hers.
"I hope you make out, Vechi," I said.
Some of the strain shucked off him. "Thanks, pal," he smiled and while I was shaking hands with him I realized I admired him tremendously. But I did not envy him.
When the door to the "egg" had screwed shut, I turned to Deborah. We were almost alone—Charley and Raeburn were beyond reach. I took her in my arms and I kissed her.
"I've caught it, too," I said. "I don't want to live on Venus—but will you set up housekeeping with me someplace less strenuous?"
"Oh, Steve," she whispered in that husky voice that belonged to me as of then, "what else would I rather do?"
She took some more pictures, though, when we finally got to Ul, and I used them. But not the story about Vechi and Laapet. Not until now—now that the Martian diplomat has learned double talk, and his wife pours tea and smiles for the news cameras. They aren't untouchable any more.