The right of all creatures to be free is a fundamental, an inviolable, right and yet on Venus....
Swenson said to himself: "Mister Cerobie is in the wrong business," and started coding the insert. He had almost finished when the ship-calling light flashed red.
"Number 5 to Dispatcher. Captain Verbold speaking."
"Dispatcher to Number 5. This is Swenson. Go ahead."
"I'm afraid you can't help me. May I speak to Mister Cerobie?"
"He's out to lunch."
"This matter is serious. I am faced with what amounts to mutiny."
"Sorry, but I got troubles, too. Maybe I can find Mister Cerobie, maybe I can't. Why don't you tell me your grief?"
Captain Verbold hesitated. "It's something I've been expecting. The crew has stated that they will leave the ship at Mars." Captain Verbold's next sentence was pronounced word by word in code. "I even have private information that there is a plot to take over the ship and blast directly to Earth, where the crew feel their case can be more justly presented."
"What are they squawking about?"