He walked over to an easy chair and sat down, Miles quickly mixing a drink for him. Bert laughed. "I invited Jeff Morrow over--hoping it would be all right. Jeff was happy to hear about your engagement too." Miles nodded. "Glad you did. Jeff's a good guy. The most efficient man we've got. When will he be here?" "Any time now." Bert took the drink and lifted it in a toast. "Here's to the happiness of my two best friends." They toasted and Carol turned on the vid-player. Soft dance music filled the room as the door chime sounded. Miles put his glass down. "That must be Jeff. Be back in a moment." Carol sat on the arm of Bert's chair. "I'm so happy, Bert. This makes everything complete. Nothing would have been the same without you." Bert stared at her, then lowered his gaze. "And nothing would be the same without you, too, Carol. It has to be this way...." She puzzled for a moment over his words, but then Miles was back and Jeff was with him. "Come on, everybody, let's celebrate. Tonight's the night for Tanner-Berendt, and--" Miles added with a soft glance at Carol, "--the future Mrs. Berendt. Gentlemen, a toast to the bride." They toasted. Then Bert grinned. "Jeff, there's been a slight change in plans for blastoff at dawn. Miles and Carol are going to Deimos in the _Viking_. Sort of a wedding trip before nuptials. The ship all set for an extra passenger?" Jeff nodded. "Certainly, Mr. Tanner. Miss Grant will find everything in order. But I thought you--" Bert laughed again. "Oh, I'm not bowing out--afterall, the bride and groom have to have a best man, even on Deimos. That's me. I'll take the _Space Queen II_." Carol smiled in delight. "That's a wonderful idea, isn't it, Miles?" Miles nodded. "That would be a fine thing, Bert." He turned to Jeff. "But is the _Space Queen_ ready for flight?" * * * * * Jeff shrugged. "Nothing to do but set the auto-pilot. An hour's work, adding final fuel supplies. I can take care of it ok." "Then it's decided!" Carol brightened. "Bert will be best man at our wedding on Deimos! Let's have another toast!" They toasted. And Bert felt smugly giddy. It was perfect. The fools! With Jeff here, and everything sweetness and light, the _Viking's_ blowup would be nothing but an accident, an unexplainable accident. Bert Tanner would be in mourning for his two closest friends, and Jeff would feel a lasting guilt that somehow he had been responsible. Perfect.... And Bert felt a desire to get gloriously drunk. He walked over to the portable bar and made himself a healthy drink. "Watch it, Bert, you'll have quite a hangover by the time you blastoff!" Carol chided him. Bert laughed, pointing at Jeff. "So what? This is our night to celebrate. With the auto-pilot I can bring along a good book or a hangover! Right, Jeff?" Jeff agreed and joined Bert in another drink.