As we approached the Venus compound I could see several police cars parked on the field. Passengers seemed to be leaving rather than entering the ship. The gangway was crowded with people pouring out of the spacelock.
"They're looking for us," I muttered.
"Is that why they're all getting off?" said Celia.
"They must be shaking down the entire ship."
"This is the moment I feared." She tightened her grip on Freddie.
"There must be a way of getting aboard!" I said.
We edged forward to the gates of the field.
"There is no way of getting aboard," said Celia. Her voice was hopeless. She motioned at a large bulletin board.
The sign read: VENUS FLIGHTS CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE BECAUSE OF CIVIL DISORDERS ON THAT PLANET.
I was weary and defeated, but I said, "Honey, we're not licked. We can still go to Australia."