He breakfasted in the messhall and then left for the hearing. As usual, there was a group of humans standing outside the guard lines, marveling at the three starships, standing upon spider legs, looking ready to whirl skyward at any sign of hostility. Far above, the interstellar ship waited in the coldness of space for the shuttle ships to complete their mission and return. There was an unexpected buzz in the Committee Room when Herb and his two companions arrived. An ugly television camera squatted across from the Chairman's desk. Bud had changed his vote on televising the hearings. Herb watched Bud cross to Senator Stilson. Until this morning the two had seemed very friendly. "Let's get together later," Bud was saying. "I'll explain my position. I'm sure you'll understand." Senator Stilson refused to acknowledge that Bud was there. "Look, Eddy, boy, don't act like that. Listen, I was thinking this over last night, and I think it's only right...." "The Socialists have gotten to you, Bud. That's all there is to say." Bud swallowed in shocked disbelief. "Oh, now...." More than anything else in the world Bud wanted to refute this slander. Desperation gripped him: _the socialists have gotten to you_! No! God damn you! Take that back, you son of a bitch! His hands clenched. He swallowed again, stiffly, with difficulty. Relax. For the love of God, relax. "Oh, now...." Senator Stilson walked away. Bud sat down weakly. I'll show him, he thought. I'll.... I'll.... It was frightening to have Senator Stilson call you a Socialist. Bud tried not to think about Frank's face ... Frank's threats had nothing to do with him changing his mind. A man can change his mind. That he _had_ changed his mind seemed to Bud a measure of his honesty and fairness. It was nothing less than that. One of the other starmen whispered to Herb: "That one's changed sides." Herb nodded. The Senators were beginning to respond to pressure from their constituents. But even as the tension was sinking, even as elation rose, a second emotion swept through him. It was not enough to deceive those in this room. Now he must also lie to innocent watching millions all over the planet. His fists clenched. He hated Bud. Early in his testimony he noticed a girl in the audience. There was something in her face that made his eyes return to it time after time. Gradually he came to concentrate exclusively on her and try to explain everything to her alone. He smiled uncertainly, and she smiled back encouragement. And Norma--this situation suddenly became immediate and personal to her. She watched Herb, listening intently, wanting desperately to communicate her encouragement to him and her belief in him. * * * * * Bud caught a taxi to attend the executive session of the hearings that had been set for eight o'clock that evening. The starmen would not be present. Bud was ill at ease. "Hurry up, damn it!" he snapped at his driver.