But he was fated never to get the location of the planet from the old scientist. In fact, he was never again to see Professor Brandon in the confines of the Space Queen.
He finished setting primary course and then Nicko returned to report. "Everything grooved. Temp up. Color down. Tubes solid. Primers closed."
Nicko spoke in four languages. Doree, who understood two of them, gasped.
Nicko grinned. "Thought I was a mental void, eh, kitty? Why I can spit dialects you never heard of."
"Cut it out, Nicko. Treat our clients with a little more respect or I'll pry a few scales off your back."
"Okay, but those legs—that torso."
Mike whirled and Nicko bounced out of the cabin. "You've got to know him. He's completely loyal and he'd die ten times for any one of us. But he never learned tact."
"I don't know why you had to cut him off so abruptly." Doree was indignant.
It was Mike's turn to blink. "He was getting pretty personal—"
"I guess I know a compliment when I hear one, Mr. Mallison."