It brought Dane back to the here-and-now--the cramped, instrument-banked, astrogation chamber of the spaceship. Gripping the yat-stick package tighter than ever, he tore his eyes from the wonders spread on the visiscreen and once again looked on horse-faced Captain Helstrom and pale, silent, tight-lipped Nelva Guthrie. The com-box blared again: "Cargo Vessel 214XB7! Acknowledge, Cargo Vessel 214XB7!" "That's us," the grey-haired captain grunted. He started to reach for the switch to the ship's own communicator unit. Dane caught his arm. "No." "What--?" The captain's protruding eyes fixed on Dane uneasily. "You can't just ignore that call, mister. That's a Security blockade station. Stall 'em and they'll throw their brain-drain on you!" Dane laughed harshly. "They'll do it anyhow, won't they, when they find we're heading through the Belt?" The captain's Adam's apple bobbed. His narrow horse-face drew longer than ever. "Well ... yes, I guess so." "Get ready for it, then. Set your guides." "On Callisto...?" "On Callisto." A shudder ran through the captain. "You ever been brain-drained, mister?" "No." "Well, I have, and it ain't fun. You're out of control. Completely." A tiny chill touched the nape of Dane's neck. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Nelva watching him--the first hint she'd given that she knew he existed since they'd reached the astrogation chamber. Once more, the com-box: "What the devil's the matter with you, 214? This is Security talking! We want an acknowledgment right now! You're already into blockade area. Wheel around fast, back away from the Belt, or we'll slap a drain on you!" Another voice--this one from the amplifier of the ship's own communications network: "Captain Helstrom! Security's trying to get you! They say you're headed into the Belt! Is something wrong? Your door's locked. We can't get in to you...." Dane ran his tongue along his lips. He could feel his companions' eyes upon him. The tension in the astrogation chamber was soaring higher every second. "Cargo Vessel 214XB7, this is a last warning! Acknowledge this call and turn back at once! Failure to comply within thirty seconds will result in disabling dynamoencephalolytic action! Repeat, failure to comply within thirty seconds will result in disabling dynamoencephalolytic action...." The captain and Nelva Guthrie, staring ... gleaming pinpoints on a darkened visiscreen ... a silver shaft and a hairless ghoul who laughed and laughed.... Dane sucked in air. "Are your guides set, Captain?" "Computer guides set." Resignation and despair mixed in the greying officer's voice. "For Callisto?" "For Callisto." Seconds, ticking by. Dane counted them as they passed. Fifteen to go. Ten. Five. Four. Three. Two. One.... Nothing happened. Frowning, Dane started to turn to Helstrom. * * * * *