"My reasons for not submitting it were personal," Professor Brandon said, "and are not pertinent to this discussion."
"May I suggest," Mike said gently, "that a pair of crooks sold you a counterfeit—"
"You may not, sir!"
Doree reflected her father's indignation. "I'll have you know my father is the foremost authority in his field!"
Mike raised a protective hand. "All right—all right. I'm sorry."
"Then perhaps you'll tell us the approximate cost of the cruise?"
"I can haul you to the ninth segment and back for around seven thousand but that won't leave much leeway for search."
Professor Brandon beamed. "We can just about manage it. And I assure you very little search will be necessary."
"If you'll give me the planet's location I'll plot a course and give you an exact figure."
"It is not my intention to seem mysterious, but I'd prefer to give you that data after blast-off."