"Lodar cheated," she said softly.
Ray stared back at the Vulcan. His hand was on the controls, poised to turn back the little ship. It was unthinkable to leave Lodar now!
"It won't do any good," Ellenor said. "Lodar's life was spent anyway. But McVane—" Suddenly she was crying.
Ray's arm was around her. "He was a hesitant little hero, wasn't he?" He smiled gently down on the girl. They knew that McVane had never loved life, was only drinking himself to the grave, but a deep sense of pity smote him.
Perhaps the fight inside the Vulcan would be over swiftly as Lodar had his moment of glorious battle. Perhaps McVane would die quite happily beside his friend.
It wouldn't be entirely in vain.
Ray felt a new purpose in his own life. Lodar's wealth would fight for the right of the Mutes to life, and Ray would join Ellenor, see that she was protected, helped in the battle to come with the powers that sought to enslave her Venus.
It seemed his fate was always to be inextricably tangled with that of the Mutes.
Recommendations by the Board of Space Navigators, entered this 3rd day of November, 2268.