A wave of tenderness swept over Dane, so poignant it made his whole throat ache. Taking the girl in his arms, he held her to him, smoothing the soft hair, bracing her shoulders against the sobs. The tears stopped, after a moment. Nelva raised her head; looked up at him, trying to smile even while her lips still trembled. Gently, Dane said, "Don't worry, Nelva. We'll make it somehow." "Don't lie to me, Clark. I know what's going to happen, and it really doesn't matter." The girl's lips still smiled, but a shadow lay across the grey eyes. "Just one thing, though, Clark: I've got to tell you, and you've got to believe me. I've never betrayed you, not ever, even for a moment." A pause. The grey eyes, falling again. "You see, I've--I've always loved you, ever since the first, so long ago--long before you remember. Only I couldn't help you, didn't dare to tell you, even a little...." Dane stood very still. "You ... didn't dare tell me?" "No. Because I didn't know enough--about you; your potential...." "But _what_ didn't you dare to tell me?" Nelva buried her face against his shoulder. Her words came muffled now. "About the things you wanted to know--who you are, where you came from, the hairless man." Dane's heart pounded. Silently, savagely, he fought against letting his voice soar with his tension; against drawing his arms too tight about the girl's slim shoulders. "About the silver needle, too?" he pressed gently. "No. Not that. I never knew too much about the overall picture; only the one part." The tension was too great. Dane could stand it no longer. Spasmodically, he gripped Nelva's shoulders. "Then tell me what you do know, damn it! Who am I? How did I get on that asteroid? Why weren't my records in your files?" "Please, Clark!" Nelva twisted. "I'm going to tell you. I want to. There's no need to hurt me--" "Sorry, Nelva." Dane let go of her; turned away, ashamed. "It drives me, Nelva. I've got to know. Everything, everything...." He drove his clenched fist savagely into the palm of the other hand. "I understand, Clark." The girl's hand was on his shoulder now. "You see--" The carrier hit something, with an impact that threw them both, sprawling, to the floor. Dane braced himself for further shocks. When they didn't come, he scrambled up; helped Nelva to her feet. Before they could more than right themselves, however, the entrance hatch opened. An unfamiliar atmosphere rushed in, strangely scented yet breathable. Raw-nerved, Dane stumbled to the open door and looked out. The carrier lay on solid ground, in the shadow of the great Kalquoi globe-ship. An open port indicated that the smaller craft had been dumped unceremoniously from the larger. Arm about Nelva, Dane turned now and looked off beyond the Kalquoi vessel. Then, involuntarily, he stiffened. A chill of excitement ran through him. Instantly--instinctively, almost--he recognized the scene before him; knew the truth. They stood upon Callisto!