It spelled in Martian, "Come down. Land Mare Imbrium."

Miko had seen the signalling up here and was joining it! He repeated, "Land Mare Imbrium."


flashed a protest up to the ship: "Beware! That is Grantline! Trickery!"

From the ship the summons came: "Come up."

We had won this first encounter! Miko must have realized his disadvantage. His distant light went out.

"Come, Anita."

There was no retreat now. But again I seemed to feel in the pressure of her hand that vague farewell.

Her voice whispered, "We must do our best, act our best to be convincing."