"But man went farther on earth than here," I said.
"Sure, because the critical point on the earth is higher than on Problem planet." She paused, and added: "At least that's what my father thought."
"Your father?"
"Yes. He was an astro-archeologist," she explained. "He brought me here when I was a little girl, only twelve years old, and he died here. I've lived alone in this ruined city ever since."
"Didn't he have a spaceship?"
"Sure. But I didn't know how to run it."
"You mean it's still here? Can it operate?"
"I suppose so. I don't know anything about spaceships."
I almost yelled. "Why didn't you say so? We could have been on our way to civilization long ago!"
She nodded toward Clive. "He's so happy here, being the President of Everything."