Albrekt scowled at him, but his eyes were drawn back irresistibly to the screens, empty except for the silvery lithium shield and, perched just above its edge, the small but baleful disc of Jupiter. "Qoqol checked the blast tapes you used, and we're not in the orbit they're suppose to put us in," insisted Carrel. "Qoqol's been making sightings for the last six weeks. Jupiter's pulled us off orbit, Albrekt." "Is true," boomed Qoqol. "We long way off." "This sort of thing's doing you no good," snapped Albrekt. "I'm not a spaceman and I can't check your figures, but I don't think we're off orbit." "And if your ship doesn't make the rendezvous?" asked Carrel. "If it doesn't now, it will later on. And, by Saturn, we're going to sit tight in this kettle till it does, Carrel! Last minute propaganda won't work." There was silence for a few minutes, as the chronometer hand ticked on toward the hour of meeting. The radio buzzed. Leaning forward, Albrekt turned up the volume, eagerly. "Captain Albrekt Vebrug," called the radio. "Flanjo patrol ship _Bavaria_ to Captain Albrekt Vebrug." Albrekt turned a triumphant face to Carrel. But Carrel gestured at the screens. They were still empty. And the radio voice was not coming in strongly. "Vebrug, we don't find the _By Jove!_ on our screens," said the radio, fading a little, then getting louder. "If you get this call, Vebrug, break radio silence and reply. Do you hear this, Vebrug? Break radio silence and reply!" Perspiration broke out on Albrekt's forehead. He could not reply. The ship's transmitter was a pile of junk. "Vebrug, Vebrug," intoned the radio insistently. "We don't find you in orbit. If you hear this, break radio silence and reply." Carrel rose from his seat, floating slightly upward. Albrekt, sweating, dropped his hand to his heat gun. "We can't stay in this sector, Vebrug," whispered the radio. "Blasting back to base now. Will call every five minutes for the next two hours. If you hear this, break radio silence and reply." The radio squawked. Then there was nothing but stellar static. "Well, Albrekt?" said Carrel. Albrekt felt his iron nerve cracking. He felt that he was breaking apart physically. "Keep your distance, all of you!" he croaked, drawing the gun. "They'll be back. They'll search all space for us!" Carrel floated a little closer and Albrekt levelled the gun at him. Migl and Qoqol moved in slightly. Albrekt swung the gun in an arc. "I'll blast all three of you," he warned desperately. "Carrel...." "Why?" asked Carrel. "We're all in the same boat, Albrekt. We're spiralling into Jupiter." "You lie!" shouted Albrekt. "I don't believe you, Carrel!" Carrel laughed shortly. "Where's your nerve, Albrekt?" he asked. "You've done pretty well up to now. Does the immediate prospect of dying frighten you so much?" Albrekt lowered the gun slightly. "If I were afraid to die I wouldn't be here," he replied. "You're not baiting me for nothing, Carrel. What are you after?"