"Getting used to Nicko?" Mike asked.
Doree smiled. "I owe him an apology. He is—" She looked up suddenly. "He is he, isn't he?"
Mike laughed. "Nicko is male. Beyond that point he's hard to classify."
"That odd face! Those green scales! The four arms were a little difficult to get used to but now I think he's—well, kind of cute."
"Good for you."
"Where did you ever find him?"
"On Mars. I'll tell you about it sometime. Right now I've got to finish setting our primary course."
"I imagine you'd like the exact location of the planet as soon as possible."
"No great hurry. Any time in the next twelve hours will do. Just a matter of pin-pointing the arc of the basic course. Your father didn't appear to feel too well when we blasted. How is he now?"
"He's been under a terrific strain. Perhaps we could let him rest awhile."