"I understand," said Cameron. "Don't worry about us. Something may come out of it." "It's worse for them," said Jeriann when the screen darkened. "They've seen it and then they'll have to come back. It won't be anything we'll have to shove deep in our memories." He didn't know. He didn't know at all. "I need your help," he said, going into the scanner room. Under his direction Jeriann made adjustments and brought the alien world in view. Cloud swathed and mysterious, a strange civilization hidden under the impenetrable atmosphere, it rolled on through space. "We'll take turns," he said. "The minute anything bright comes up we'll get busy." "I hate them," said Jeriann. "Who?" "The aliens. If it weren't for them we'd have a clear claim on the planet." "But they didn't do anything," he said. "They're merely protecting their own interests. We'd do the same." Nevertheless he hated the aliens too. * * * * * Jeriann was shaking him. She had to shout before he started and woke up. "They've left," she said. "We've got to hurry." He was tired and didn't want to move. It was very unimportant. "Are you sure it was the Star Victory you saw? It may have been a satellite." "It was the ship--at least it was using rockets." He got out of bed and let her help him dress. Usually he refused her aid. "Rockets? But the Star Victory doesn't have any." Of course it did; it was part of the obsolete equipment that hadn't been removed because there wasn't time. Besides, it was an excellent reverse source of propulsion. "I don't care. That's what I saw," said Jeriann. "Where are Jordan and Anti?" "I've called them. They'll be there." He finished dressing and they hurried to the scanner. There was no mistake; it was the ship, but there was no bright tail behind. They were using the gravity drive. He watched it grimly. "But they were," said Jeriann. "There's nothing wrong with my eyesight. They were using rockets." He withheld comment. Rockets weren't nearly as efficient as the gravity drive, particularly near a large planet. Yet Jeriann said she saw it. He hoped she hadn't. Anti and Jordan came in almost simultaneously and joined the vigil. Minutes passed in silence and then the brief orange flower blossomed again. "See," said Jeriann. "Now why are they doing that?" growled Jordan. "They were doing fine without it." "Maybe they need more speed," suggested Anti. Jordan grunted. "Wouldn't add ten per cent." "But if they needed ten per cent, if they were in trouble----" "They are in trouble," said Jeriann. "It's a signal." This was a version he could accept--if there weren't better explanations. Swiftly Docchi made mental approximations. "At the rate they're going they'll be here in half a day. They can't reach us with their telescreen until they're nearly here. Shall we go inside and see what's wrong with them?"