"Or die with the others," said Svenstrup. "We need you here."
Ekaterina spoke quietly. "Let him come, captain. Shall not an American also have the right to dare?"
CHAPTER III
The boat ran swiftly, accelerating on ion drive until Novaya was only one blue spark of beauty and Zolotoy became an aureate shield. There was much silence aboard. Watching his companions, Holbrook found time to think.
Grushenko said at last, "There must be some point of agreement with them. It is impossible that they could be imperialists."
Ekaterina curved her lips in a sad little grin. "Was it not impossible that disloyal elements could get onto the Rurik?"
"There were traitors on the selection board," said Grushenko. His voice darkened. "They were to choose from many nations; man's first voyage beyond the sun was to be a symbol of the brotherhood of all men in the World Soviets. And who did they pick? Svenstrup! Ximénez! Bunin! Golbrok!"
"Enough," said the woman. "Now we have only one cause, to survive."
Grushenko regarded her from narrowed glacial eyes. "Sometimes I wonder about your own loyalty, Comrade Saburov. You accepted the mutiny as an accomplished fact, without even trying to agitate—you have fully cooperated with Svenstrup's regime—this will not be forgotten when we get back to Earth."