"I won't do it!" Kelly declared bluntly. "You have to," Beliakoff said. "You got us into this mess. Now you can marry us out." "No!" "She'd make a wonderful wife," Beliakoff quoted Kelly's words back at him. "Docile, pretty, but spirited. What more could you ask?" "Freedom of choice," Kelly said grimly. "That's for adolescents." "Speaking." "She'll never be able to make up her mind to stop the war unless you marry her. Until the war ends, that interdictory ship is going to sit in orbit, waiting for us. You haven't anything to lose," Beliakoff added. "I haven't?" "Not a thing. It's a big galaxy and our freighter is always waiting." "That's true...." Kelly admitted. Ten minutes later, Beliakoff dragged him into the corridor. They were joined by Nob, who ushered them back to the Empress's chambers. "It's okay by me if it's okay by you, kid," Kelly blurted out, in a tone that made Beliakoff shudder and made Nob smile in outright hero-worship. "What is all right?" Jusa asked. "Marriage," Kelly said. "What d'ya say?" Jusa studied his face for several seconds. "But do you love me?" "Give it time, kid! Give it time!" Jusa must have seen something in his expression, something behind the embarrassment and anger. Very softly she said, "I will be most happy to marry you." * * * * * It was a double-ring ceremony and authentically Terran. Beliakoff produced a Bible from the freighter and the ancient words of the Earth ceremony were read. When it was over, Kelly, grinning, perspiring, nervously rubbing his hands together, turned to his bride. "Now stop the war, honey." "Yes, dear," Jusa said dutifully. She heaved a great sigh. "What's wrong?" Kelly asked. "I just tremble to think of our cities being bombed out of existence and us not able to do anything about it because we've stopped fighting." "What are you talking about? If we stop fighting--" "_They_ won't!" she said. "Why should they? It's Earthlike to continue conquering, and if we quit fighting, there'll be nothing to stop them from conquering us completely." "Nob!" Kelly shouted. "Igor! What can we do about this?" Nob said, "There would appear to be only one certain solution. I can arrange a meeting for you--" he turned to Beliakoff--"with Lanvi, the President of the Allies." "What would I say to him?" asked Beliakoff. "To her," Nob corrected. "You can say, I suppose, the same sort of thing your friend said." Beliakoff, ashy pale, started to back away. Kelly caught him in one meaty fist. "Okay, Mr. Fixer. Your duty is plain. Marry us out of trouble." "But I've got a girl friend in Minsk--" "She forgot you years ago. Stop squirming, buddy." "What does she look like?" Beliakoff queried in apprehension. "_Very_ pretty," Nob said. * * * * *