Even Mari Nown was happy. It seemed as though the judges unanimously voted to make me Interplanetary Champ for the rest of my life. The situation was obvious. Terra couldn't afford to let anything happen to me now. As soon as I died, the next Interplanetary Meet would result in a new champ and a new change in the balance of power. Terra wouldn't allow me to fight—not even in exhibitions.
Mari Nown's chicken head beamed as he bounced back and forth on his heels. "You're going to live to a ripe old age," he shrilled happily, "and the most dangerous thing you'll ever do is sign endorsements for Venusian Salt Water Taffy." He added, more happily still, "And I'll get ten percent of everything you make."
"Everything but Suzi," I told him, sticking out an arm to encircle her.
Alger Wilde frowned. "You know, Jak," he grunted, "I think you're right about that music. The Solar System Forever is a raucous thing."
It was welling, ever louder, through the window.
"Oh, I don't know," I said as soon as I took my lips from Suzi's. "I'm beginning to like it."