Below, in the main hull, blue lit metal corridors ran the entire
length of the ship. Freight storage compartments; gravity control
rooms; the air renewal system; heater and ventilators and pressure
mechanisms--all were located there. And the kitchens, stewards'
compartments, and the living quarters of the crew. We carried a crew
of sixteen, this voyage, exclusive of the navigating officers, the
purser, Snap Dean, and Dr. Frank.
The passengers coming aboard seemed a fair representation of what we
usually had for the outward voyage to Ferrok-Shahn. Most were Earth
people--and returning Martians. Dr. Frank pointed out one. A huge
Martian in a grey cloak. A seven foot fellow.
"His name is _Set_ Miko," Dr. Frank remarked. "Ever heard of him?"
"No," I said. "Should I?"
"Well--" The doctor suddenly checked himself, as though he were sorry
he had spoken.
"I never heard of him," I repeated slowly.
An awkward silence fell between us.
There were a few Venus passengers. I saw one of them presently coming
up the incline, and recognized her. A girl traveling alone. We had
brought her from Grebhar, last voyage but one. I remembered her. An
alluring sort of girl, as most of them are. Her name was Venza. She
spoke English well. A singer and dancer who had been imported to
Greater New York to fill some theatrical engagement. She'd made quite
a hit on the Great White Way.
She came up the incline with the carrier ahead of her. Gazing up, she
saw Dr. Frank and me at the turret window, smiled and waved her white
arm in greeting.
Dr. Frank laughed. "By the gods of the airways, there's Alta Venza!
You saw that look, Gregg? That was for me, not you."
"Reasonable enough," I retorted. "But I doubt it--the Venza is nothing
if not impartial."
I wondered what could be taking Venza now to Mars. I was glad to see
her. She was diverting. Educated. Well traveled. Spoke English with a
colloquial, theatrical manner more characteristic of Greater New York
than of Venus. And for all her light banter, I would rather put my
trust in her than any Venus girl I had ever met.
The hum of the departing siren was sounding. Friends and relatives of
the passengers were crowding the exit incline. The deck was clearing.
I had not seen George Prince come aboard. And then I thought I saw him
down on the landing stage, just arrived from a private tube car. A
small, slight figure. The customs men were around him. I could only
see his head and shoulders. Pale, girlishly handsome face; long, black
hair to the base of his neck. He was bare-headed, with the hood of his
traveling cloak pushed back.
I stared, and I saw that Dr. Frank was also gazing down. But neither
of us spoke.
Then I said upon impulse, "Suppose we go down to the deck, Doctor?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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